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Gift  of  the 
Society  for  International  Numisma* ' 


I i 


* 


A 


' 


A DICTIONARY  OF  ROMAN  COINS. 


A 


DICTIONARY  OF  ROMAN  COINS, 

REPUBLICAN  AND  IMPERIAL: 

COMMENCED  BY  THE  LATE 

SETH  WILLIAM  STEVENSON,  F.S.A., 

MEMBER  OF  THE  NUMISMATIC  SOCIETY  OF  LONDON  ; 

REVISED,  IN  PART,  BY 

C.  ROACH  SMITH,  F.S.A., 

MEMBER  OF  THE  NUMISMATIC  SOCIETY  OF  LONDON  J 


AND  COMPLETED  BY 

FREDERIC  W.  MADDEN,  M.R.A.S. 

/ / • / 

MEMBER  OF  THE  NUMISMATIC  SOCIETY  OF  LONDON;  ASSOCIE  ETHANGER  DE  LA  SOCIETE 
ROYALE  DE  LA  NUMISMATIQUE  BELGE  J FOREIGN  CORRESPONDING  MEMBER  OF 
THE  NUMISMATIC  AND  ANTIQUARIAN  SOCIETY  OF  PHILADELPHIA; 

FELLOW  OF  THE  NUMISMATIC  AND  ARCHAEOLOGICAL 
SOCIETY  OF  MONTREAL. 


ILLUSTRATED  BY  UPWARDS  OF  SEVEN  HUNDRED  ENGRAVINGS  ON 
WOOD,  CHIEFLY  EXECUTED  BY  THE  LATE 

F.  W.  FAIRHOLT,  F.S.A. 

i 


LONDON: 

GEOROE  BELL  AND  SONS,  YORK  STREET,  C'OVENT  GARDEN. 


1889. 


NORWICH 


NORFOLK  CHRONICLE 
MARKET 


COMPANY,  LIMITED, 
PLACE. 


PREFACE. 


This  voluminous  work,  corresponding  in  size  with 
Smith’s  “ Dictionaries,”  was  left  incomplete,  as  to  the 
last  letters  [UV — Z]  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Seth  Stevenson’s 
death,  and  its  publication  has  been  mainly  delayed  by  the 
difficulty  of  finding  anyone  sufficiently  versed  in  the  subject 
and  willing,  as  well  as  able,  to  devote  the  necessary  time 
to  the  task.  His  son,  the  late  Mr.  Henry  Stevenson,  took 
a deep  interest  in  the  completion  of  the  work,  and  with 
his  assistance  the  proprietors  obtained  the  valuable  co- 
operation of  Mr.  F.  TV.  Madden,  M.R.A.S.,  formerly  (1861- 
1868)  one  of  the  Editors  of  the  “ Numismatic  Chronicle,” 
and  author  of  “The  Handbook  of  Roman  Numismatics” 
(18(51),  “Coins  of  the  Jews”  (8vo.,  1864;  4to.,  1881),  &c.,  by 
whom  the  work  has  been  brought  to  a satisfactory  conclusion. 
The  woodcuts  necessary  for  this  portion  of  the  Dictionary 
have  been  elfectively  executed  by  Mr.  Miller  Smith,  of 
Norwich. 

Mr.  F.  W.  Madden  desires  to  record  his  best  thanks  to 
Mr.  H.  A.  Grueber,  F.S.A.,  Assistant  in  the  Department  of 
Coins  and  Medals,  British  Museum,  and  to  Mr.  Bernard 
Jackson,  B.A.,  for  much  valuable  assistance. 

Amongst  the  Numismatic  friends  of  the  author  who  took 
a warm  interest  in  this  laborious  undertaking  during  his  life- 
time, may  be  mentioned  the  late  Dr.  Lee,  F.R.S.,  F.S.A., 
President  of  the  Numismatic  Society,  and  the  late  Mr.  J.  Y. 
Akerman,  'F.S.A.,  Secretary  to  the  Society  of  Antiquaries, 


VI 


rKKFACE. 


Loud. ; and  of  those  still  surviving,  Mr.  John  Evans,  D.C.L., 
LL.D.,  F.R.S.,  F.S.A.,  now  President  of  the  Numismatic 
Society;  and  Mr.  C.  Roach  Smith,  F.S.A.,  &c.,  Temple  Place, 
Strood.  The  latter,  whose  practical  acquaintance  with  the 
Dictionary  extended  to  a revision  of  the  remaining  MS.,  from 
letter  L to  letter  T,  and  furthering,  so  far,  the  completion 
and  printing  of  the  volume,  remarks,  in  a short  memoir  of 
Mr.  Stevenson  in  his  recently- published  “Retrospections,” 

The  descriptions  arc  lucid  and  comprehensive ; and  the  style  is  easy 
and  attractive.  Altogether  the  Dictionary  is  just  the  work  wanted,  not 
merely  for  the  young  student  but  also  for  the  more  experienced  numis- 
matist. To  both  it  is  as  indispensable  as  the  dictionary  of  a lauguage 
is  to  the  most  educated,  as  well  as  to  the  schoolboy. 

The  scope  and  object  of  the  work  itself  will  be  best 
understood  by  a perusal  of  the  Original  Prospectus  written 
by  the  Author,  and  issued  at  the  time  when  the  earlier 
portions  were  passing  through  the  Press. 

THE  PUBLISHERS. 


ORIGINAL  PROSPECTUS. 


It  is  admitted  by  all,  who  are  really  conversant  with  the  subject,  that  no 
branch  of  Archaeology  offers  greater  intellectual  advantages  than  that  which 
leads  to  a correct  knowledge  of  Ancient  Coins  in  general,  and  of  the  Monetu 
Romana  in  particular.  The  last-named  department  of  numismatic  research 
opens,  indeed,  a field  replete  with  instruction,  no  less  valuable  than  varied, 
no  less  useful  than  interesting — a field  which  enables  those  who  enter  it,  in  the 
proper  spirit  of  inquiry  after  truth,  to  share  the  benefits  of  that  reciprocation, 
by  which  History  so  often  throws  its  explanatory  light  on  the  hidden  meaning 
and  mysterious  import  of  certain  monetal  devices  and  inscriptions — whilst 
those  metallic  monuments  of  antiquity  serve,  in  their  turn,  to  stamp  on  facts 
narrated  in  numerous  passages  of  the  old  historians,  otherwise  left  in  doubt 
and  uncertainty,  the  strongest  and  most  striking  impress  of  corroboration  and 
support. — To  facilitate  and  encourage  the  study  of  Roman  coins,  as  well  of 
the  Republic  as  of  the  Empire,  there  already  exist  some  excellent  Manuals 
which  may  be  regarded  as  the  Grammars,  and  also  some  very  complete 
Catalogues  which  equally  well  constitute  the  Nomenclatures  and  descriptive 
classifications  of  the  science.  With  the  exception,  however,  of  the  Spaniard 
Gusseme’s  work,  and  of  that  wonderful  monument  of  human  patience  and 
laborious  perseverance,  the  voluminous  Lexicon  of  the  German  Rasche, 
both  which  professedly  take  a range  through  the  res  universa  of  antique 
medals,  there  is  no  Dictionary  that  treats  of  Roman  Numismatics — certainly 
there  is  not  as  yet  any  publication  exclusively  devoted  to  them,  in  that  form 
and  in  the  English  language. 

A Dictionary,  therefore,  written  in  our  vernacular  tongue,  and  entirely 
limited  in  its  aim  at  affording  information,  to  those  products  of  the  Roman 
Mint,  which  bear  Latin  legends,  seems  still  to  be  a desideratum.  And 
the  continued  non-appearance  of  any  such  literary  undertaking,  by  a more 
competent  hand  than  his  own,  has  at  length  induced  the  Author  of  this 
prospectus  to  do  his  best  towards  supplying  the  deficiency,  by  venturing,  as 
he  does  with  unaffected  diffidence,  to  submit  the  result  of  what  has  been  his 
leisure  hours’  occupation  for  the  last  ten  years,  to  the  indulgent  consideration 
and  patronage  of  the  educated  public. — Ir.  making  this  attempt,  it  has 
been  the  object  of  the  compiler,  if  not  to  “popularise”  the  study  of  Roman 
Coins  and  Medallions,  at  least  to  assist  in  rendering  it  sufficiently  attractive 
to  the  taste,  and  familiar  to  the  acquaintance,  even  of  the  classical  scholar. 
Rut  the  chief  hope  which  influenced  him  to  begin,  and  has  incited  him  to 


ORIGINAL  PROSPECTUS. 


viii 

pursue  liis  task,  is  that  by  thus  offering  the  gist  of  authentic  observations, 
scattered  over,  and  as  to  all  general  good  intents  and  purposes,  buried,  in 
no  small  heap  of  Latin,  French,  Italian,  and  English  tomes,  his  humble 
endeavours  may  prove  acceptable  to  that  numerous  class  of  his  countrymen, 
and  countrywomen  too,  who  do  not  come  within  the  category  of  “ learned  ” 
persons,  but  who,  nevertheless,  possessing  intelligent  and  well-cultivated 
minds,  may  yet  desire  to  initiate  themselves  in  the  above-named  branch  of 
the  Medallic  Science. 

The  volume,  whose  subject  matter  is  briefly  set  forth  in  its  title,  will, 
when  published,  be  found  to  contain,  in  alphabetical  order  of  arrangement — • 

1.  An  explanation  of  the  principal  types,  symbols,  and  devices, 
which  appear  on  Coins  with  Latin  legends  and  inscriptions,  minted 
under  the  government  of  Ancient  Home,  both  consular  and  imperial, 
including  those  struck  in  the  Colonies. 

2.  Biographical,  Chronological,  and  Monctal  References  to  the 
Emperors,  Empresses,  and  Crasars,  from  Julius  (b.c.  44)  to  Mauricius 
(a.d.  602). 

3.  Mythological,  Historical,  and  Geographical  Notices,  in  elucida- 
tion of  curious  and  rare  obverses  and  reverses. 

The  whole  has  been  compiled,  with  careful  attention  to  the  descriptions, 
and  commentaries  of  the  most  eminent  writers,  from  the  times  of  Ursinus, 
Tristan,  Vaillant,  Patin,  Seguin,  Morell,  Spanheim,  Ilavercamp,  of  the  elder 
and  middle  school ; Banduri,  Liebe,  Pellerin,  Beauvais,  Froelich,  Khell,  of 
a subsequent  period  ; down  to  Eckiiel  (Facile  princeps  artis  numarije), 
Mionnet,  Akerman,  Hennin,  and  others,  whose  works  have  successively 
appeared  during  the  last  half  century — works  not  of  greater  elaborateness, 
nor  of  profounder  erudition,  nor  evincing  more  of  zealous  ardour  in  the 
cause  of  Numismatology  than  are  displayed  in  the  productions  of  their 
predecessors ; but  whose  respective  authors,  from  superior  advantages 
accruing  fo  themselves,  through  greater  experience  and  in  a wider  scope  of 
investigation,  have  been  enabled  to  secure  more  of  that  first  essential, 
accuracy  ; to  exhibit  clearer  views,  together  with  more  judicious  discrimina- 
tion and  less  fanciful  discursiveness,  and  consequently  to  impart  to  their 
labours  a more  decided  character  for  practical  utility,  and  for  trustworthy 
reference. 

The  work  will  form  one  volume  of  about  1,000  pages,  printed  uniformly 
with  the  Dictionaries  of  “ Greek  and  Roman  Antiquities,”  and  of  “ Greek 
and  Roman  Biography  and  Mythology.”  The  illustrative  wood-cuts, 
exceeding  seven  huudred  in  number,  will,  in  every  instance  where  an  original 
specimen  is  accessible,  be  engraved  either  from  the  coins  and  medallions 
themselves,  or  after  casts  skilfully  made  from  them  in  sulphur. 


A DICTIONARY 


ROMAN  COINS. 


M' 


A.  A.  A.  F.  F. 

A,  the  first  letter  of  the  Latin  Alphabet, 
which  consists  of  21  letters,  very  often  occnrs 
as  a single  letter  on  Homan  coins.  Sometimes 
it  serves  as  the  initial  of  a City,  an  Emperor,  a 
Consul,  &c.  Sometimes  it  seems  to  be  used  as 
a mint-mark,  and  to  have  many  other  signifi- 
cations. 

A.  is  written  in  various  ways  on  Homan  Con- 
sular coins. — Sec  Eckhel,  Dud.  num.  vet.,  vol. 
v.  p.  73. 

A. — Aulus , a prenomen . a.  vitei.l.  Aldus 
Vitellius. 

A.  AHrarium.  AD.  A.D.  Ad  ararium  de- 
tufisset : concluding  letters  of  inscription  oil 
denarius  of  Augustus. — Rasclie,  Lexicon  rei  num. 
vet. — A.  in  the  exergue  denotes  the  first  mint, 
as  ant.  a.  coined  at  Antioch,  in  the  first  mint. 
— Akerman,  Numis.  Manual. 

A.  A.  A.  F.F.  A tiro,  Argento,  Aire,  Flando , 
Feriundo.  This  alludes  to  the  monctal  trium- 
virs, appointed  for  the  coining  and  stamping  of 
gold,  silver,  and  brass  money  of  the  Homans. 
It  was  their  office  to  take  care  that  the  public 
coinage  should  not  be  counterfeited,  nor  its  ma- 
terial adulterated,  nor  its  proper  weight  dimi- 
nished.— On  a consular  denarius  of  Cossutius, 
one  of  Julius  C.csar’s  moneyers,  we  read,  c. 
cossvtivs  maridianvs,  followed  by  a.a.a.f.f.  in 
the  field.  There  is  also  a second  brass  of  Au- 
gustus, which  bears  on  its  obverse,  caesar 
AVGVSTVS  TRIBUNI.  FOTES.  (Tribunitifv  potes- 
tate) ; and  on  the  reverse,  c.  plotivs  rvfvs 
mviR.  a.a.a.f.f  In  the  middle  S.  C.  This 


ABDEIIA. 

virs  of  the  mint,  who,  by  the  invariable  inscrip- 
tion of  the  above  characters,  appear  to  have 
made  themselves  officially  answerable,  as  it  were, 
for  the  genuineness  of  the  money,  struck  by  their 
authority.  There  is  also  a second  brass,  on  the 
obverse  legend  of  which  is  caesar  avgvst. 
pont.  max.  (Pont  f ex  Maximus)  tribyni.  pot. 
with  head  of  Augustus,  and  on  the  reverse  M. 
salvivs  otho  i ii vi r.  a.a.a.f.f.  SalviusOtho 
was  another  of  those  moneyers  of  the  Republic, 
whose  name  is  associated,  in  like  manner,  with 
the  issues  of  gold,  silver,  and  brass,  in  the  early 
coinage  of  Augustus. — With  regard  to  the  ex- 
pression flando,  feriundo,  the  former  word 
doubtless  was  intended  to  designate  the  process 
of  preparing  the  globular  lumps  of  metal  form- 1 
ing  the  material  for  the  coin ; whilst  the  latter 
word  shews  that  they  were  submitted  to  the 
stroke  of  the  hammer,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
ceiving the  impress  of  the  die.  These  were  the 
tw'o  principal  operations  of  the  ancient  mintage! 
For  other  specimens  of  this  class  of  the  Con-) 
sular  coinage  in  silver  and  brass,  see  parens 
patriae — See  also  Moneta. 

A.  or  AN.  Annus. — See  A.  n.  f.  f. 

ABBREVIATIONS. — The  legends  and  in- 
scriptions of  Roman  coins,  as  well  imperial  as 
consular,  present  many  particularities,  in  the  shape 
of  abbreviations,  monograms,  and  isolated  let- 
ters, open  to  research,  and  susceptible  of  various 
explanations.  The  ancients,  indeed,  both  Greeks 
and  Romans,  in  order  to  bring  their  monetal 
inscriptions  within  the  smallest  space,  adopted 
the  use  of  sigla,  monogrammatic  and  conjoined 
letters.  At  first  these  were  confined  to  proper 
names.  Subsequently,  they  were  employed  to 
signify  titles  of  authority  and  of  dignity,  and 
made  to  stand  for  certain  words  and  for  certain 
phrases.  It  is  this  objectionable  custom  of  em- 
ploying abbreviations  in  writing,  which  renders 
the  explanation  of  legends,  for  the  most  part,  so 
unsatisfactory,  and  at  the  same  time,  gives  rise 
to  so  many  false  interpretations. 

ABDERA. — A maritime  town  of  Hispania 
Boetica,  founded  according  to  Strabo,  by  the 
Carthaginians.  It  is  now  called  Adra,  in 


2 ABVNDANTIA. 

Andalusia,  on  the  shores  of  the  Meditcrancan, 
near  the  gulph  of  Almeria. 

The  coins  of  this  place  are  Latin  imperial, 
middle  brass,  and  1st  brass.  A second  brass  of 
Abdcra  has  the  lau- 
reated  head  of  Tibe- 
rius, and  is  inscribed 

TI.  CAESAR.  DIVI. 
AVO.  F.  AV6VS- 

tvs;  and  on  its  re- 
verse a tetrastyle  tem- 
ple, of  which  two  of 
the  columns  have  the 
forms  of  fish,  between 
which  we  read  the 
letters  a b d e r a. — The  characters  inscribed 
in  the  pediment  of  the  temple,  form,  according 
to  competent  interpreters,  the  Phoenician  word 
for  the  city  in  question.  An  article,  by  the  late 
M.  Falbe,  in  a recent  number  of  the  Numismatic 
Chronicle , leaves  scarcely  a doubt  of  such  being 
its  signification.  On  this  point  reference  may, 
with  advantage,  also  be  made  to  the  authority  of 
Mr.  Akerman,  who,  in  his  scientific  and  accurate 
work  on  “ Ancient  Coins  of  Cities  and  Princes,” 
has  given  a fac  simile  illustration  of  this  remark- 
able coin,  from  the  collection  of  the  British  Mu- 
seum, whence  the  present  wood-cut  is  faithfully 
copied.  Referring  to  Atkenams,  lib.  vii.  c.  17, 
be  observes,  that  the  two  singularly  formed 
columns  arc  supposed  to  represent  the  tunny 
fish,  which  abounded  on  the  shores  of  the  Medi- 
terranean, and  were  sacred  to  Neptune,  to  whom 
it  was  the  practice  of  the  fishermen  to  offer  one 
as  a propitiation. — Abdcra  Baetica  seems  to  have 
been  one  of  the  few  colonies  established  by  Tibe- 
rius, although  it  docs  not,  as  Vaillant  remarks, 
appear  to  have  been  honoured  with  the  rank 
either  of  Colonia  or  of  Municipium.  Temples 
were  erected  (as  Tacitus  states,  1.  i.)  after  the 
apotheosis  of  Augustus,  by  imperial  license,  on 
the  petition  of  the  Spaniards,  in  honour  of  the 
deceased  Emperor. 

ABDICATION  of  the  Empire. — This  event, 
in  the  case  of  the  Emperors  Diocletian  and 
of  Maximinian  Hercules,  is  marked  on  their 
coins. — See  the  respective  legends  of  Procidentia 
Dcornm.  Quies  Augg. — Requies  Oplimor.  Merit. 

ABN.  Abnepos. — A great  grandson. 


ABVNDANTIA. — Abundance : Plenty. — This 
allegorical  divinity  bad  neither  temples  nor  altars 
erected  to  her  honour ; but  she  appears  on  seve- 
ral medals  and  monuments  of  the  Homans. — On 


ABVNDANTIA. 

these,  whether  represented  by  herself,  or  as  per- 
sonifying the  liberality  of  the  Emperor  or  Em- 
press, she  figures  as  a handsome  woman,  clothed 
in  the  stola,  holding  a cornucopia:,  the  mouth  of 
which  she  inclines  towards  the  ground,  and  lets 
the  contents  fall  in  seemingly  careless  profusion. 

In  his  illustration  “ of  Roman  medals  by  the 
ancient  Poets,”  Addison  says,  “ You  sec  Abund- 
ance or  Plenty  makes  the  same  figure  in  medals 
as  in  Horace. 

Tibi  Copia 

Manabit  ad  plenum  benigno 
Ruris  honorum  opulenta  cornu." 

Spanheim,  in  his  translation  of  the  Cmsars  of 
Julian,  ascribes  a silver  coin,  exhibiting  auvn- 
daxtia  avo.  and  a woman  pouring  money 
out  of  a horn  of  plenty,  to  Alexander  Severus. 
And  he  goes  on  to  observe,  that  “ it  serves  to 
mark,  amongst  several  others,  the  liberality  ex- 
ercised by  that  excellent  Emperor  towards  his 
soldiers  and  subjects,  in  his  distribution  to  them 
of  portions  of  the  JErarium  publicum,  or  public 
treasure. — Neither  in  Eckhcl,  nor  in  Mionnet, 
however,  do  we  find  an  Abundantia  of  Alexander 
Severus ; but  both  these  authorities,  together 
with  Akerman,  describe  a similar  reverse,  on  a 
silver  coin  of  Julia  Mamma,  the  mother  of 
Alexander,  an  ambitious  woman,  to  whose  avarice 
and  intermeddling  disposition  he  owed  that  un- 
popularity with  the  army  which  proved  fatal  to 
them  both. 

ABVNDANTIA  AVG.  (Abundantia  Augusti) 
S.  C. — In  his  equally  pleasing  and  instructive 
work  on  the  large  brass  coins  of  his  own  choice 
collection,  Capt.  W.  II.  Smyth,  R.N.,  F.R.S.,  &c. 
thus  describes,  and  comments  on,  a finely  pre- 
served specimen  of  the  mint  of  Gordianus  Pius, 
bearing  the  above  legend. — The  type  presents 
“a  female  standing,  who,  habited  in  the  stola 
and  wearing  a diadem,  is  emptying  the  Amaltluran 
horn,  from  which  a shower  of  money  descends. 
Abundantia  was  a profuse  giver  of  all  things, 
at  all  times ; but  Copia  seems  to  have  been 
applied  to  provisions,  and  Annona  was  restricted 
to  the  management  of  the  supply  for  the  cur- 
rent year. — This  type  of  Abundantia  illustrates 
Horace 

Aurea  frvges 

I/aliam  pteno  diffudit  copia  corny." 

ABVNDANTIA  AV  Gusli.  S.P.Q.  R.— A 
billon  denarius  of  Gallienns  bears  this  legend, 
and  the  type  of  a recumbent  river-god. 

Bnhlini  considers  these  to  indicate  the  abund- 
ance of  provisions  obtained  for  the  city  of  Rome, 
after  Egypt  (alluded  to  in  the  personification  of 
the  Nile),  was  rescued  from  the  oppressions  of 
the  usurper  /Emilianus — unless  indeed  the  Tiber 
is  meant  by  which  the  annona  was  conveyed. 

ABVNDANTIA  TEMPORVM. — A very  rare 
brass  medallion  of  Saloninn,  the  wife  of  Gal- 
licnus,  has  for  the  type  of  its  reverse,  a woman 
seated,  supporting  a eornucopiir,  which  she  ex- 
tends towards,  and  pours  out  before,  five  children, 
a woman  on  each  side  standing,  one  of  them 
holding  the  basin  para. 

The  epigraph  of  Abundantia  Tempornin  is 


ABURIA. — ACCI. 

here  new  to  Roman  coins.  The  Empress  is  repre- 
sented under  the  attributes  of  Abundance,  for 


some  noble  .act  of  characteristic  munificence  as- 
cribed to  her,  as  is  seen  on  another  coin  bearing 
the  legend  Annona. — (Eckhcl,  vii.  p.  18.) — The 
historians  of  the  time,  (from  a.  d.  253  to  268) 
apparently  preferring  to  record  stirring  events 
rather  than  benevolent  actions,  otter  no  tribute 
to  the  retiring  virtues  of  Salonina.  It  has  been 
left  for  numismatic  monuments  to  rescue  from 
oblivion  the  modest  merits  of  her,  who  has  been 
called,  and  without  flattery,  “ the  Cornelia  of  the 
Lower  Empire.”  Salonina  not  only  caused  dis- 
tributions of  coni  to  be  made  to  the  people ; 
but  she  also  took  little  children  and  young  girls 
uuder  her  care  and  protection.  And  here,  on 
this  coin,  we  may  probably  recognize  the  attest- 
ation of  a redeeming  fact,  that  the  Empress’s 
goodness  restored  temporal  abundance,  and  re- 
lieved social  destitution,  in  a degenerate  age, 
under  a profligate  prince  and  a disastrous  reign. 

The  legend  of  Abvndantia  Avg.,  and  the 
type  of  a woman  standing  with  horn  of  plenty 
reversed,  are  found  on  gold  of  Trajauus  Decius, 
on  silver  of  his  wife  Etruscilla,  and  on  third 
brass  of  both  the  elder  and  younger  Tetricus. 
On  a small  brass  of  the  latter,  the  prefericulum , 
or  sacrificial  vase,  is  the  accompanying  type. 

ABURIA  : a plebeian  gens. — The  family  sur- 
names, on  coins,  arc  Cains  and  Marins.  The 
cognomen  common  to  both  is  gem.,  which 
Pighius,  and  others  following  him,  read  Gemi- 
nns,  but,  as  Eckhel  thinks,  on  no  certain 
authority.  The  pieces  in  bronze,  ascribed  to 
this  family,  are  parts  of  the  As.  There  are  five 
varieties.  Silver  common. — The  following  type 
is  the  rarest : gem.  a helmed  head ; before  it  X. 
— Rev.  c.  abvri., Mars,  with  trophy  in  right, 
and  spear  and  shield  in  left  hand,  stands  in  a 
quadriga,  at  full  speed.  Underneath,  roma. — 
(Thesaur.  Morcll.  p.  2,  fig.  iv.) — No  satisfac- 
tory interpretation  of  this  type  of  Mars ; nor 
of  the  derivation  of  the  name  Aburius,  has  yet 
been  given. — See  mars. 

AC.  Accept a. — a.  pop.  fevg.  ac. 

A.  C. — Absolvo.  Condemno. — These  letters 
appear  on  a coin  of  the  Cassia  gens. — See 
Tabella. 

ACCI,  in  llispauiaTarraconcnsis  (now  G nadir 
cl  Viejo),  a colony  founded  by  Julius  Ciesar  him- 
self, or  by  his  adopted  son  Augustus,  partly  for 
B 2 


ACCOLEIA.  3 

the  veterans  of  legio  vi.  Ferrata,  and  partly  for 
those  of  leg.  vi. 
Victrix,  from  which 
twinship  of  two  le- 
gions, this  colony 
(says  Vaillant)  was 
calicd  Gemetla.  Its 
coins  are  limited  to 
the  reigns  of  the 
three  first  Emperors, 
viz.,  Augustus,  Ti- 
berius, and  Caligula. 
— On  these,  Acci  is 
entitled  col.  gem.  acci.  Colonia  Gemella 
Accitana ; or  in  abbreviation  c.  lulia  G.  A. — 
A first  brass  of  this  colony,  bears  on  one  side 
the  head  of  Augustus ; and  on  the  other, 
acci.  c.  i.  g.  l.  ii.,  which,  with  the  type  of 
two  legionary  eagles  between  two  ensigns,  shews 
that  it  was  a military  colony. — See  Akerman’s 
Coins  of  Ilispania,  p.  61,  from  pi.  vii.  of  which 
work  the  above  cut  is  copied. 

ACILIA  gens. — The  Acilii  had  for  their  sur- 
names Aviola,  Balbus,  and  Glabrio ; the  two 
first  of  whom  would  appear  certainly  to  have 
been  plebeian.  But,  says  the  author  of  Doctrina, 
with  respect  to  the  last  name,  we  find  Herodianus, 
in  allusion  to  the  Glabrio  of  his  time,  recording 
him  as  “ omnium  patriciorum  nobilissimum as 
being  one  who  derived  his  ancestral  origin  from 
-Eneas,  son  of  Venus  and  Anchiscs.  And  Auso- 
nius  favours  the  same  popular  opinion  : — 

Stcmmate  nobilium  dcductum  nomcB  avoruni, 
Glabrio  Aquilini,  Dardana  progenies. 

[Eel.  vi.  63.] 

There  arc  18  varieties  in  the  coins  of  this 
family,  Silver  common.  The  copper  pieces  are 
the  As ; or  parts  of  the  As  ; and  are  more  or  less 
rare.  For  the  remarkable  denarius,  having  on 
its  obverse  salvtis,  and  a female  laureated 
head — on  its  reverse  nv.  acilivs,  iiivir. 
vai.etv.,  and  a woman  standing,  with  serpent 
held  in  her  right  hand,  her  left  elbow  resting  on 
a small  column. — See  Salvs  and  Valf.tvdo,  in 
Ursinus,  Fain.  Rom.  Numis.  p.  3. 

ACCOLEIA  gens. — This  is  classed  among  the 
plebeian  families,  of  which  no  particulars  are 
mentioned  in  history.  One  type  only  presents 
itself  on  the  coins  of  this  house,  but  for  which 
(and,  as  Dr.  Cardwell  adds,  one  ancient  incription 
in  Grater's  collection)  it  would  scarcely  have 
been  known  at  all. 


P.  ACCOLEIVS  LARISCOLVS — A female 
head.  Rev.  Three  females  standing,  their  heads 
terminating  in  trees. — Silver  R. 

We  have  here  an  adumbration  of  the  fable 
of  Phaeton’s  sisters  changed  into  larices,  allu- 
sive to  the  name  of  Accoleius  Lariscolus,  a 


4 


ACCLAMATIONES. 
monetal  triumvir,  who  caused  this  medal  to  be 
struck.  According  to  the  myth,  Phaeton  wish- 
ing to  drive  the  chariot  of  the  Sun,  fell  a victim 
to  his  temerity.  His  three  sisters,  inconsolable 
for  his  death,  were  metamorphosed  into  poplars 
or  larches.  Accoleius,  in  representing  this 
fictitious  incident  on  the  medal,  refers  to  the 
name  of  Lariscolus,  which  he  derived  from  one 
of  his  ancestors,  renowned  no  doubt  for  his  zeal 
in  cultivating  the  larch  tree. — Eckhel,  v.,  118. 

“ It  appears  to  me  not  improbable  (says  Dr. 
Cardwell)  that  Accoleius  was  of  the  Colony  of 
Aquileia,  which,  as  we  learn  from  Livy,  was 
founded  on  the  Adriatic  in  the  year  B.  c.  181, 
and  afterwards  became  a place  of  considerable 
importance.  The  name  of  the  family  implies  of 
itself  some  probable  connection  with  it ; but  the 
supposition  is  much  strengthened  by  the  device 
which  accompanies  and  elucidates  it.  The  word 
Lariscolus  shews  still  further  the  connection  of 
the  family,  with  that  neighbourhood  and  with 
the  shores  of  the  Adriatic.  Vitruvius  says  of 
the  larix,  that  it  is  unknown,  except  to  those 
citizens  (rnunicipibtu)  who  inhabit  the  banks  of 
the  river  Po,  and  the  shores  of  the  Adriatic  sea. 
1 le  also  states  that  the  wood  is  not  easily  ignited ; 
so  that  we  may  doubt  whether  the  word,  which 
we  commonly  translate  larch,  does  not  really  in- 
clude a species  of  poplar.” — Lecture  viii.  p.  104. 

ACCUSATIVE  CASE,  rarely  used  on  ltoman 
coins,  more  frequently  expressed  on  Greek  money. 
AVe  read  GALLlENVil  avg.  p.  r.  (populus  lio- 
m attics  venerator) — and  martem  propvgna- 
TOREM,  of  Gordianns  Pius. — Rasche. 

ACCLAMATIONES,  or  customary  words 
shouted  out  by  the  populace  at  public  games,  in 
the  circus  at  Rome,  and  in  other  great  cities,  to 
express  their  aspirations  for  the  success  of  their 
favourites  in  the  contest : such  as  evtimi. 

VINCAS — OLYMPI.  NIKA  01‘  MICAS — PLACEAS. 


ACERRA. 

— These  formula  acclamalionum  are  to  be  found 
inscribed  on  contorniate  medals,  and  other 
pseudo-moneta. — Nika  is  the  Greek  word  cor- 
responding in  signification  to  Vincas.  Acclama- 
tions of  the  same  kind  are  exhibited  on  ancient 
gems,  but  of  the  period  of  the  Lower  Empire. — 
Eckhel,  viii.  301. — They  were  also  a species  of 
benedictions,  which  consisted  in  wishing  to  the 
reigning  Emperor,  life,  health,  and  victory : 
such  as  that  which  is  seen  on  a coin  of  Con- 
stantine— Plura  nata/ilia /elicit or ; and  on  that 
of  Constans,  Felicia  Decentialia  [see  the  words]. 
The  respective  legends  on  a large  brass  of  Had- 
rian, and  a denarius  of  Alexander  Scverus,  may 
also  be  placed  amongst  these  acclamations. — 
See  A.  n.  f.  f.  ; also  aeternitatibvs. 

Referring  to  a large  brass  in  his  own  col- 
lection, having  on  the  obverse  “ a laurelled  head 
of  Haiiriancs  Augustus,  and  for  legend  of 
reverse  Consul  Tertium  Pater  Patrice  s.  c.,” 
Capt.  Smyth  says  (p.  102),  “This  is  an  accla- 
mation medal.  The  Emperor  stands  on  a tri- 
bunal, decorated  with  rostra,  before  a temple, 
lie  is  haranguing  the  public,  and  making  a 
welcome  announcement ; the  latter  arc  represented 
by  three  togated  citizens,  who  lift  their  hands  in 
the  fulness  of  admiration  and  applhuse  ” For  a 
type  similar  to  this  very  rare  reverse,  engraved 
from  a coin  in  the  British  Museum,  see  cos.  in. 
p.  p.  S.  c.  of  Hadrian,  in  this  Dictionary. 

ACERRA. — The  small  box  for  holding  per- 
fumes held  in  the  hand  of  the  female  figure  re- 
presented on  Roman  coins,  bearing  on  the  re- 
verse the  legend  pietas  avg.  This  box  is  of 
a cylindrical  form  on  the  coins  of  the  earlier 
Emperors,  but,  at  a lower  period  of  the  empire, 
the  Accrra  appears  to  have  been  of  a different 
shape,  as  seen  on  coins  of  Faustina  the  Elder, 
of  which  an  example,  in  the  cabinet  of  Dr. 
John  Lee,  is  here  given  : — 


On  the  gold  coins  of  this  Empress  the  same 
object  is  represented  of  similar  form.  The  cele- 
brated vase  discovered  in  one  of  the  Bartlow 
tumuli  is  of  copper,  exquisitely  enamelled,  of 
precisely  the  same  form,  and  was  doubtless  used 
to  hold  perfumes  at  the  interment,  when  it  was 
deposited  with  the  remains.  Fcstus  (s.  v.  Acerra) 
gives  us  a passage  haring  a two-fold  illustration, 
shewing  that  it  was  the  common  practice  to  burn 
perfumes  at  the  Roman  burials,  and  that  the  term 
Acorn  w'as  also  applied  to  the  attar  as  well  as  to 
the  vessel — “ Acerra  ara  quic  ante  mortmun  poni 
solebant,  in  qua  odorcs  inccndcbantur and 
Pollux  informs  us,  that  the  attar  also  was  called 


Acerra,  This  arose  doubtless  from  the  circum- 
stance of  a light  or  portable  altar  being  used  in 
such  ceremonies  exclusively  for  the  burning  of 
perfumes. — The  above  explanatory  uotice  of  the 
Acerra,  its  form  and  sacrificial  use,  is  derived 
from  the  information  contained  in  a letter,  illus- 
trative of  an  ancient  enamelled  vase,  and  ad- 
dressed by  John  Yonge  Akerman,  Esq.,  Resident 
Secretary  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries,  to  Capt. 
Smyth,  Director,  through  whose  joint  kindness 
the  compiler  of  this  dictionary'  has  been  allowed 
to  use  the  wood-cut,  employed  in  Archceologia, 
vol.  xxxiii. 

ACI1AIA. — On  this  part  of  Greece,  and  rspc- 


ACROSTOLIUM.— ACT.  IMP. 
daily  at  Athens,  the  most  munificent  public 
benefits,  of  almost  every  description,  were  be- 
stowed by  the  Emperor  Hadrian. — Eckhel,  vi. 
p.  487.  See  restitvtori  achaiae. 

ACHILLIS,  on  a contorniatc  medal. — Sec 

PENTESILEA. 

ACHILLEUS,  an  usurper  in  Egypt,  in  the 
reign  of  Diocletian,  defeated  and  put  to  death  by 
that  Emperor.  No  certain  coins  arc  known  of 
AchiUeus. — Akerman,  Be.icr.  Cat.,  vol.  ii.,  182. 

ACISCULUS,  an  instrument  like  a hammer, 
used  by  workmen  in  stone  quarries,  the  repre- 
sentation of  one  appears  on  a denarius  of  the 
Valeria  family,  allusive  to  its  cognomen  of  Acis- 
culus. — See  Valeria  gens. 

ACROSTOLIUM  (and  Acroterium),  a sort  of 
ornament  on  the  prow  of  an  ancient  galley. — 
“ Vaillant  (in  Coloniis,  ii.  p.  245),  publishes  a 
coin  of  Salonina,  struck  at  Bcrytus,  on  the  re- 
verse of  which  a female  figure  is  described  by  him 
as  standing  on  the  acrostolium.  This  writer  says, 
acrostolia  erant  extrema;  partes  navis,  quas 
Latini  vocant  rostra or  as  he  more  clearly, 
though  briefly,  defines  it  in  his  index  to  vol.  ii., 
“ Acrostolium , hoc  rst  navis  rostrum.”  Another 
coiu  of  the  same  colony,  struck  under  Gallienus, 
according  to  the  engraving  in  Vaillant  (vol.  ii., 
p.  239),  exhibits  with  the  legend  of  col.  ivl. 
avg.  pel.  BEii.  the  type  of  a half-naked  woman 
(Astarte),  with  left  foot  planted  on  a ship’s 
prow,  holding  in  her  right  hand  a banner,  and  in 
her  left  (what  he  denominates)  the  acrostolium. 
Sec  Apl iist rum,  or  Aplustre ; see  also  Bergtus 
Colonia. 

A.  C.  I.  V. — These  letters  appear  on  3rd 
brass  coins  of  the  Pacuvia,  or  Pacquia  gens, 
with  the  accompanying  type  of  a boar  lying 
down.  Eckhel,  in  his  numismatic  notice  of  this 
family,  (vol.  v.)  observes,  that  he  had  formerly 
, interpreted  the  above  initials  as  follows : — 
Antonins  Colonia  I ulia  Vienna.  But  Scstini,  he 
adds,  interprets  them  Colonia  Veterana  \nvicta 
Apros ; and  ascribes  these  coins  to  a city  of  that 
colony,  which  is  placed  by  Pliny  and  Ptolemy, 
in  Thrace,  and  called  Apros. 

ACT. — Actiacus  or  Actium. 

ACT.  IMP erator  [X.  or  XII.] Apollo, 

clothed  in  the  stola,  holds  the  lyre  in  his  left  hand 
and  the  plectrum  in  his  right.  On  gold  and  silver 
of  Augustus,  struck  v.  c.  742,  b.  c.  12. — The 
figure  and  abbreviated  word 
act.  bear  allusion  to  the 
battle  of  Actium,  which 
gave  Augustus  the  empire 
of  the  world,  and  at  which, 
according  to  the  poetic 
flatterers  of  that  Prince, 
Apollo  flew  to  his  sup- 
port. The  gratitude  which  Augustus  professed 
towards  Apollo  is  testified  on  many  coins,  and 
other  monuments,  as  well  as  by  ancient  writers. 
But  Suetonius  states  that,  before  the  great  game 
of  Actium  was  played,  Augustus  had  begun  to 
manifest  his  devotion  to  the  worship  of  Apollo. — 
There  are  those  who  suppose  the  figure  on  this 
reverse  to  be  one  of  the  Muses,  substituted  for 
that  of  Apollo  ; but  this  is  a wrong  conjecture ; 


AD.  FRV.  EMV.  5 

because,  on  a coin  of  the  Antestia  family,  a 
similar  figure  in  the  stola,  is  accompanied  by  the 
inscription  apollini  actio. — Eckhel  (vi.  p.  107) 
says,  Nota  est  Citharoedorum,  et  Apollinis 
citharoedi  stola,  sive  palla  cum  ex  monumentis, 
turn  scriptoribus  (see  coins  of  Nero  inscribed 
PONT,  max.)  And  Tibullus  speaking  of  Apollo 
citharoedus  (the  harp-playing  Apollo)  says, 

Jma  videbatur  talis  illudere  palla, 

Namqvc  hac  in  nitido  corpore  vestis  era!. 

Actius  Apollo  was  worshipped  by  the  Romans 
after  the  time  of  Augustus,  in  memoiy  of  the 
battle  of  Actium. — See  Apollo. 

ACTIUM,  a city  of  Epirus,  on  the  coast  of 
Acamania  (now  Prevcnza)  in  the  Ambracian 
gulf.  In  the  earliest  period  not  a large  town,  it 
was  celebrated  for  a temple  of  Apollo,  also  as  a 
safe  harbour,  and  for  an  adjacent  promontory  of 
the  same  name — afterwards  rendered  more  splen- 
did, on  account  of  the  decisive  naval  victory 
gained  near  it  by  Augustus  over  Antony. 

ADFINIS  (Affinis)  cousin.  By  this  term  of 
relationship  Constantius  I.  is  called  on  2nd  and 
3rd  brass  medals  of  consecration  and  dedication, 
struck  under  Maxentius,  viz.  imp.  maxextivs 
divo  constaxtio  ADF1NI. — See  Affinity  and 
Kindred. 

ADDITION  of  a letter  is  observed  in 
the  legends  of  some  family  coins,  as  feei.ix, 
vaala,  viirtvs — for  Felix,  Vala,  Virtus. 


AD.  FRV.  EMV.  EX.  S.C. — Two  men  habited 
in  the  toga  and  seated ; on  either  side  of  them, 
an  ear  of  corn. — This  denarius  of  the  Calpur- 
nia  gens  informs  us,  that  Piso  and  Servilius 
Ccepio  were  sent  as  Quaestors,  ad  frumentum 
emundum  ex.  s.  c.  (to  purchase  corn,  in  obe- 
dience to  a decree  of  the  Senate).  But  in  what 
year  the  event  happened,  and  when  the  money 
was  struck,  are  points  apparently  unascertained. 
A similar  reverse  is  exhibited  on  silver  coins 
of  Critonius  and  of  Fannius,  auliles  of  the  peo- 
ple. The  bearded  head  on  the  obverse,  Eck- 
hel (v.  p.  159),  considers  to  be  in  all  proba- 
bility that  of  Saturn ; not  only  from  the  scythe 
placed  near  it ; but  also  because,  according  to 
Plutarch,  Saturn  was  regarded  by  the  Romans 
as  the  deity  presiding  over  Agriculture,  and  the 
productions  of  the  earth  ; and  in  this  view  the 
obverse  and  reverse  tally  admirably.  Satuni, 
armed  with  a similar  instrument,  may  be  seen 
on  coins  of  the  Mcmrnia  and  Sentia  families ; 
but  the  most  undoubted  type  of  Saturn  occurs 
on  coins  of  the  Neria  gens. 

ADI.  Adjutrix : a Legion  so  surnamed,  as 
aiding,  or  auxiliary  to,  another. — See  Legio. 

ADIAB. — Adiabenicus. 

ADIABENI,  a people  of  the  east,  on  whom 
the  Emperor  Septimius  Scverus  made  succcssfid 
war  (a.  d.  195). — See  arab-adiab. 


6 ADLOCVTIO. 

ADIUTRIX  AVG. — Diana  standing,  at  her  , 
feet  a bow  and  quiver.  On  gold  and  silver  of  Vic- 
torinns  senior,  who  invoked  the  aid  of  that  god- 
dess, in  setting  out  on  his  expedition  against 
Gallienus.  Tanini  gives  a 3rd  brass  of  Carau- 
sius,  with  the  same  legend,  but  for  type  the 
bust  of  Victory. 

ADLOCUTIO. — Allocution. — The  custom  of 
haranguing  the  soldiers  was  frequent  with  the 
Emperors,  as  is  evidenced  by  a variety  of  their 
coins.  This  ceremony  was  performed,  either  at 
the  moment  when  an  individual  obtained  the 
imperial  purple,  or  when  the  reigning  prince 
adopted  some  one  with  a view  to  the  succession  ; 
or  when  he  admitted  another  person  into  imme- 
diate participation  of  the  empire,  of  which  exam- 
ples are  often  recorded  by  historians.  Memorials 
of  these  military  orations,  which  an  emperor  de- 
livered before  some  expeditionary  force,  at  the 
time  of  its  going  out  on  a campaign,  or  of  its 
returning  after  a victory — in  which  the  soldiers 
were  to  be  reminded  of  their  duty ; or  rewarded 
for  their  good  conduct  and  success,  with  praises, 
and,  “ not  least  in  their  dear  love,”  with  dona- 
tives also — are  preserved  on  many  of  the  very 
finest  coin3  of  the  Augusti. 

On  these  reverses,  a raised  platform  or  tribune, 
more  or  less  lofty,  called  by  the  Romans  sug- 
ffestum,  is  exhibited,  on  which  the  Emperor, 
habited  cither  in  the  toga,  or  the  pal  tula  men  turn, 
is  seen  standing,  with  his  right  hand  elevated, 
as  if  appealing  to  the  sentiments  of  the  troops, 
or  beckoning  for  silence. 

Frequently  the  Pnctorian  Prefect,  in  some 
cases  two  Praetorian  Prefects,  appear  standing 
behind  the  Emperor.  Below,  is  a group  of  the 
legionaries,  from  three  to  five  or  six  generally  in 
number,  with  their  faces  turned  towards  their 
prince ; some  holding  the  eagles,  vexilla,  and  en- 
signs ; others  their  bucklers  and  spears.  With  re- 
gard to  the  customary  attitude  and  gesture  of  the 
speaker  in  addressing  the  troops,  Cicero  affords 
an  illustrative  passage,  in  his  oration,  against 
Gabinius — “ When  (says  he)  the  general  (Intpe- 
ratorj,  openly,  in  the  presence  of  the  army, 
stretched  out  his  right  hand,  not  to  incite  the 
soldiers  to  glory,  but  to  tell  them  that  they 
might  make  their  own  market”  ( Omnia  sibi 
el  empta  et  emenda  esse. — Provinc.  cons.  c.  4.) 


ADLOCYT.  COH. — ( Adlocutio  Cohort 'turn 
— speech  to  the  Cohorts).  The  Emperor 
Cains  Cirsar  (Caligula),  habited  in  the  toga,  or 


ADLOCVTIO. 

senatorial  vestments,  stauds  on  a tribunal,  before 
a curule  chair,  with  right  hand  elevated,  as  if 
in  the  act  of  haranguing  five  military  figures. — 
Touching  this  by  no  means  rare,  but  extremely 
beautiful,  reverse,  in  large  brass,  Schlegel  is  of 
opinion,  that  it  refers  to  the  oration  delivered 
by  Caligula,  from  a suggestum,  raised  in  the 
midst  of  that  bridge  which,  with  foolishly  ap- 
plied skill,  the  architect  Baulis  built,  in  the  sea 
at  Puteoli.  But  Eekhel  treats  this  supposition 
as  erroneous,  and  considers  the  legend  and  type 
to  indicate  the  allocution  which  that  prince 
addressed  to  the  Pnctorian  Cohorts,  at  the  period 
of  his  accession  to  the  supreme  government;  and 
that  the  same  mode  of  recording  the  event  was 
repeated  on  a later  occasion,  either  for  the  sake 
of  adding  to  his  coinage,  or  because  he  had  ad- 
dressed other  cohorts  in  a set,  and  indeed  an 
eloquent,  discourse;  for  Tacitus  himself  docs  uot 
deny  Caligula’s  talent  for  public  speaking.  While 
expressing,  however,  all  due  deference  to  the 
authority'  of  Eekhel,  Capt.  Smyth  does  not  think 
that  it  was  struck  in  the  first  year  of  the  tyrant’s 
reign  (a.d.  38)  and  points  to  the  tribuuitiau  date 
and  the  p.  p.  in  the  legend  of  the  obverse,  as 
rendering  such  a fact  questionable.  “ An  adlo- 
cution  (he  adds)  was  made  to  the  Pnctorian 
cohorts  on  Caligula’s  accession,  but  the  coins 
which  commemorate  it,  bear  merely  the  legend 

C.  CAESAR  AUG.  GERMANICVS  PONT  MAX.  TR.P. 

The  one  just  described,  I am  inchned  to  date 
a.d.  40,  though  the  consulship  is  not  marked, 
and  the  occasion  may  have  been,  the  expedition 
to  Britain.”  It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  S.  C. 
(Senates  Consulto)  is  omitted  in  all  Roman  brass 
coins,  bearing  the  title  and  portrait  of  this  Em 
peror.  “ Was  it  (Eekhel  asks)  because  the  senate, 
uot  authorising  it,  they  were  struck  by  order 
of  the  Prince  himself,  and  distributed  by  him 
amongst  the  Prtctorians  ?”  Be  this  as  it  may, 
the  military  ceremony  of  the  Allocution  was  first 
represented  on  the  coins  of  Caligula.  And  it  is 
to  be  noted  that  the  one  in  question,  though 
clearly  of  Roman  die,  has  not  the  mark  of 
Senatorial  authority. — Doct.  a it  in.  vet.  vi.,  221. 

These  military  harangues  occur  many  times 
afterwards  in  the  mintage  of  the  Imperial  go- 
vernment, as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  list, 
drawn  out  in  chronological  order : — 

ADLOCVT.  COH.  S.  C.  Brass  medallion 
and  large  brass  of  Nero. — Emperor,  Pnctorian 
Prefect,  and  three  soldiers. — “ Nero,  attended 
by  Burrhus,  both  togated,  on  a tribunal,  stand- 
ing near  a circular  edifice  with  columns,  which 
may  be  emblematic  of  the  pnctorian  camp,  lie 
is  addressing  three  soldiers  who  stand  before 
him,  bearing  military  ensigns,  and  is  probably 
promising  the  donative  on  which  they  proclaimed 
him  Emperor;  whence  we  may  conclude  the 
medal  to  have  been  struck  a.d.  54.” — Smyth,  41. 

ADLOCVTIO.  On  the  field  S.  C.-  I.i-t 
brass  of  Galba. — The  Emperor  stands,  with  the 
chief  of  the  Pnctorian  guards,  on  a raised 
platform,  and  harangues  the  Cohorts,  who 
arc  generally  represented  by  their  standard 
bearer.  In  another  Allocution,  given  by  Haver- 
camp,  (Mas.  ChrisliiurJ,  of  the  same  Em- 


ADLOCVTIO. 

j)cror,  the  cavalry  of  the  guards  arc  repre- 
sented by  a horse,  the  head  of  which  is  seen 


amongst  the  foot  soldiers.  This  coin  (struck 
a.  d.  68)  is,  by  most  numismatic  antiquaries, 
thought  to  designate  the  occasion  of  Galba’s 
speech  to  his  legionaries  in  Spain,  when  he  first 
revolted  from  Nero. 

ADLOCVT.  AVG.  (Adlocutio  Augusti.) — 
First  brass  of  Nerva. — Emperor  and  two  other 
figures  on  an  cstradc ; four  figures  below. 

ADLOCVTIO. — First  and  second  brass  of 
Hadrian. — Emperor  addressing  his  soldiers  : 
first  brass,  and  ADLOCVTIO.  COIL  PllAETOR 
( Cokortium  Pratoriarum — Allocution  of  the 
Body  or  Life  Guards)  with  similar  type. 

ADLOCVTIO. — Brass  medallion  of  Marcus 
Aurelius. — Emperor  addressing  soldiers,  one  of 
whom  holds  a horse  by  the  hridlc. — (Mus.  de 
Camps.) 

ADLOCVT.  AVG.  COS.  III.— First  brass 
of  Marcus  Aurelius. — The  Emperor,  on  a svg- 
gestum,  accompanied  by  two  prictorian  prefects, 
is  addressing  three  standard-bearers  of  the  army. 
“ This  coin  was  struck  a.  d.  170,  on  Aurelius’s 
waging  war  with  the  Marcomanni,  a warlike 
people,  who,  leagued  with  the  Quadi,  the  Sar- 
matians,  the  Roxolani,  the  Jazyges,  and  other 
barbarian  nations,  had  invaded  the  Roman  fron- 
tier. This  opened  one  of  the  severest  contests 
that  ever  Rome  sustained.” — Smyth,  p.  136. 

ADLOCVTIO. — Brass  medallion,  and  first 
brass  of  L.  Verus. — Emperor  haranguing  his 
soldiers. 

ADLOCVTIO.— Brass  medallion  of  Macrinus. 
— Emperor  and  his  son  (Diadumenianus),  and 
four  military  figures. 

ADLOCVTIO  AVGVSTI. — Emperor  and 
soldiers  : on  a first  brass  of  Alexander  Scvcrus. 

ADLOCVTIO  AVGVSTI. — Emperor  and 
soldiers,  on  a brass  medallion  and  a first  brass 
of  Gordianns  Pius. 

ADLOCVTIO  AVGG.  ( Augustorum ) — The 
two  Philips,  addressing  their  troops — on  a brass 
medallion  and  first  brass  of  Philippus,  sen. 

ADLOCVTIO  A V G V S TO  R V M.— Three 
figures  in  military  habits,  standing  on  a raised 
platform,  under  whom  appear  three  soldiers  with 
legionary  standards.  In  reference  to  this  legend 
and  type,  as  found  on  a large-sized  silver  me- 
dallion, having  on  its  obverse  the  head  of 
Valcrianus,  Spanhcim  makes  the  following  re- 
mark : — “Valerian  before  his  captivity  and  im- 
prisonment (by  Sapor,  King  of  Persia),  asso- 


ADOPTIO.  7 

ciatcd  his  son  Gallieuus,  in  the  empire,  as  we 
see  on  medals  their  two  heads  and  the  words 
Concordia  Augustorum.  There  is  also  another 
medal  on  which  arc  three  heads,  viz.,  those  of 
Valerian  and  his  two  sons  Gallicnus  and  Valeria- 
na s,  jun.,  though  the  latter  was  then  only 
Caesar.”  The  three  figures  standing  on  the  sug- 
gest am,  in  the  silver  medallion  above  described, 
were  therefore  most  probably  designed  to  repre- 
sent the  same  three  imperial  personages. 

ADLOCVTIO  AVG.  and  ADLOCVTIO 
TACITI  AVG. — Brass  medallions  of  Tacitus. — 
The  Emperor,  attended  by  tbc  Prictorian  prefect. 

ADLOCVTIO  AVG. — On  a brass  medallion 
of  Probus. — Accompanying  this  legend,  there 
is  a remarkable  type  in  which  that  Emperor 
and  another  personage  are  represented,  stauding 
together  on  an  estrade  ; three  soldiers  on  each 
side  carry  military  ensigns ; and  before  the 
estrade  are  four  kneeling  figures.  (Mus.  l)e 
Camps,  p.  117.). — For  an  illustration  of  this  re- 
verse see  Probus. 

ADLOCVTIO. — Third  brass  of  Maxentius. 

Besides  these  reverses,  in  which  the  legend 
itself  identifies  the  type  with  the  occasion  of  an 
Emperor’s  speech  to  his  troops,  there  are  some 
splendid  examples  of  Allocutioual  representations 
on  brass  medallions,  such  as  the  tides  exek- 
citvs  of  Commodus,  and  the  fidf.i  militvm  of 
Sept.  Scverus — See  the  former  illustrated. 

In  the  foregoing  examples  the  distinctive  word 
adlocvtio,  or  ADLOCVT  is,  for  the  most  part, 
inscribed  on  the  exergue.  It  can  hardly  fail  to 
occasion  some  degree  of  surprise,  that  no  Allocu- 
tion should  have  been  recorded  on  the  coins  of 
such  eminently  warlike  and  victorious  princes  of 
the  earlier  empire,  as  Vespasian,  Titus,  and 
Trajan. — [The  adlocvtio  ascribed  to  the  first 
named  Emperor,  engraved  as  a brass  medallion, 
in  Numismala  Cimelii  Vindobonensis  (p.  15), 
being  “ nonni/iil  suspecluin.”'] 

ADOPTIO  : Adoption. — The  act  of  a person 
adopting  another  as  his  son,  was  performed 
among  the  Romans,  either  in  presence  of  the 
Praetor,  or  before  an  assembly  of  the  people,  in 
the  times  of  the  Republic  ; and  under  the  Em- 
perors by  their  sovereign  authority. — An  adopted 
Roman  (says  Eckliel,  v.,  p.  59),  wa3  so  com- 
pletely translated  into  the  gens,  or  race,  of  the 
party  adopting  him,  that  the  name  of  his  own 
family  was  put  aside,  and  lie  received  all  the 
names  of  his  parent  by  adoption — which  names, 
however,  were  lengthened  iuto  the  letters  anvs. 
— Thus,  iEmilius  Paullus,  being  adopted  by 
Publius  Cornelius  Scipio,  was  called  P.  Cornelius 
Scipio  j-Em ilianus. — C.  Octavius,  afterwards 
Augustus,  adopted  by  the  Dictator  Csesar,  became 
C.  Julius  Ciesar  Octaviawaj. — So,  on  coins,  we 
see  a.  licinivs  nerva  SILiarazw;  and  T.  qvinc- 
tiys  crispinvs  svLFiciawiM. — This  custom, 
nevertheless,  was  frequently  departed  from.  For 
example,  M.  Junius  Brutus,  (he  who  killed 
Ctesar)  after  his  adoption  by  Q.  Servilius  Coepio, 
was  called  Q.  Coepio  Brutus,  the  surname 
being  still  retained,  for  the  sake  of  his  own 
family ; whereas  he  ought  to  have  bceu  called 
Q.  Servilius  Coepio  Junianus.  Tims  again 


8 


ADYEMTS. 


ADOPTIO. 

Sci])io,  who  took  part  against  Julius  C;csar  in 
Africa,  adopted  by  Q.  C;ccilius  Metellus  Pius,  is 
termed  on  coins  Q.  Metellus  Pius  Scipio,  not 
Comelianu*.  Nor  does  it  appear,  that  the 
adopted  Homans  were  very  particular  in  using 
the  names  to  which  they  succeeded.  M.  Junius 
.Brutus,  notwithstanding  his  adoption,  is  called 
on  several  of  his  coins,  only  brvtvs  imp. — And 
P.  Clodius,  adopted  by  Fonteius,  continued  to 
the  end  of  his  life,  to  be  called  P.  Clodius. 
Also,  by  virtue  of  adoption,  the  surname  was 
lengthened,  as  in  the  instance  of  Marccllus  of 
the  Cornelia  family,  afterwards  called  Mar- 
cell inns. 

ADOPTIO. — Two  figures,  in  the  toga,  joining 
hands  : round  the  type  parthic.  divi.  traian. 
avo.  p.m.  tr.  p.  cos.  p.p. — This  coin  of  Hadrian, 
in  gold  and  silver,  commemo- 
rates the  adoption  of  Hadrian 
by  Trajan.  The  former  scat- 
tered abroad  many  monumen- 
tal evidences  of  that  fact,  as 
there  had  bccu  much  doubt 
on  the  subject : for,  says  Spar- 
tian,  “there  are  not  wanting 
those  who  assert  that,  after  the  death  of  Trajan, 
Hadrian  was,  through  the  intrigues  of  Plotina, 
taken  into  adoption.”  For  this  reason,  adds 
Yaillant  (Impp.  Rom.,  ii.,  p.  136),  who  con- 
curs in  the  sentiment  of  this  quotation,  was 
Hadrian  so  diligent,  at  first,  in  assuming  the 
cognomina  of  his  father  by  adoption. 

Adoption  self -assumed. — There  is  exhibited 
on  first  and  second  brass  coins  of  Sept,  Sc- 
verus  an  evidence  of  that  Emperor’s  adoption 
of  himself  into  the  family  of  M.  Aurelius ; the 
legend  of  the  reverse  reading  Divi.  M.  pii.  f. 
&c.,  and  the  type  representing  Severus,  in  the 
imperial  paludamcntum,  crowned  by  a helmetcd 
figure  holding  a club  in  the  left  hand.  Tliis 
preposterous  and  unprecedented  assumption,  of 
which  nearly  all  the  old  writers  take  notice,  is 
thus  nnmismatically  confirmed.  It  was  after  so 
unwarrantable  a use  of  the  adoptative  process, 
that  the  above  named  Emperor  proceeded  to 
trace  his  descent,  in  an  uninterrupted  line  from 
Ncrva,  as  is  attested  by  many  inscriptions  on 
marble,  more  diffuse  than  those  on  coins — see 
Gruter,  quoted  by  Eckhel  vii.,  p.  173.  Sec  also 

DIVI.  M.  PII.  F. 

ADQ. — ADQVI. — Adquisita,  added  to  (the 
Homan  empire). — Sec  arabia  adquis. 

ADSEKTOKI  LIBERTATIS  PYBL1CAE. 
S.  P.  Q.  R.  in  an  oaken  or  civic  garland. — With 
this  highly  eulogistic  title  of  “ Maintainer  of  the 
Public  Liberty,”  was  Vespasian  honoured  by  the 
Senate  and  People  of  Rome,  on  a large  brass  I 
coin. — It  is  one  of  the  rarest  of  that  Emperor’s 
mint.  The  inscription  occurs  solely  iu  the  in- 
stance of  Vespasian.  S.  C.  is  omitted  simply  1 
because  S.  P.  Q,  R.  equally  constitutes  the  im-  | 
press  of  senatorial  authority.  Sec  Spanheim,  ii. 
528 — and  Ilavcrcainp,  iu  Thesaur.  Morel], 
vol.  iii.,  Tab.  xiii. — see  also  Eckhel’g  comment, 
vi.  p.  322.  The  obverse  of  this  medal,  on  which 
appears  the  laurcatcd  head  of  the  Emperor  turned 
to  the  left,  presents  the  legend  of  imp.  caps.  | 


| VKSPASI AX.  AUG.  P.  M.  TR.  P.  P.  P.  COS.  III. 
which,  “as  well  as  all  those  struck  iu  a.  ii.  71, 
proves  Suetonius  to  be  mistaken  in  stating  that 
Vespasian  was  not  invested  with  the  tribunitiau 
power,  nor  dignified  with  the  title  of  Father  of 
J his  country,  till  the  latter  part  of  his  reign.” — 
Smvth,  p.  56,  No.  lxx. 

ADV.  or  ADVENT.— AVG.  or  AYGG. — Ad- 
vent us  August i,  or  Augustorum. 

ADVENTUS. — Inscriptions  of  this  kind  com- 
memorate the  imperial  sovereign’s  arrival  at 
Rome,  either  at  the  commencement  of  his  reign, 
or  on  his  return  from  a distance.  They  also 
refer  to  his  advent  iu  some  city  or  province  of 
the  empire.  At  their  accession  to  the  throne,  em- 
perors were  not  conveyed  in  a chariot  nor  in  any 
other  vehicle,  but  went  on  horseback,  and  some- 
times even  on  foot ; and  thus  they  made  their 
first  public  entry  into  the  capital  of  the  Roman 
world.  The  fact  of  the  equestrian  procession  of 
J emperors  into  Rome,  even  if  it  were  not  authen- 
ticated from  other  sources,  is  abundantly  estab- 
lished, by  the  type  of  an  Imperator  eqnes,  ac- 
companying the  legend  of  adventvs  av- 
ovsti,  stamped  on  so  numerous  a scries  of 
coins.  The  other  custom,  viz.,  that  of  their 
arriving  on  horseback  at  the  gates  of  the  city, 
and  then  entering  it  on  foot,  is  not,  and  indeed 
could  not,  with  the  same  degree  of  clearness, 
be  elucidated  by  means  of  monetal  designs  ; but 
the  fact  is  described  by  Dion  Cassius,  in  his  ac- 
count of  Scptimius  Sevcrus’s  pedestrian  entry 
into  Rome. — That  emperors  occasionally  set  out 
from  the  city  on  foot  is  shewn  on  a large  brass 
of  Caracalla,  the  reverse  type  of  which  represents 
him  marching,  followed  by  a soldier. — See  PRo- 
riiCTio  avg.  The  Emperor’s  departure. 

The  Adventus  legend  appears  on  coins  of 
Nero,  Trajan,  Hadrian,  M.  Aurelius,  Comino- 
dus,  Sept.  Severus,  Caracalla,  the  Philips, 
Trebonianus  Callus,  Volusianus,  Valcriuuus, 
Gullicnus,  Cams,  Claudius  Gothius,  Tacitus, 
Probus,  Diocletiauus,  Maxiinianus  Hercules, 
Carausius,  Allcctus,  Constantine,  Joviauus. 
The  types  (with  the  exception  of  those  on  Ha- 
drian’s inscribed  Adventui  Augusts)  consist  ge- 
nerally of  the  Emperor  or  Emperors  on  horse- 
back, with  their  right  hands  elevated,  some- 
times preceded  by  a figure  of  Vietorv  ; in  other 
instances,  by  soldiers  hearing  standards.  These 
are  aU  on  1st  or  2nd  brass.  There  is  an  Ad- 
vent us  Aug.  of  Elagabalus  in  silver;  and  an 
Adventus  Augusts  of  the  same  Emperor  in  gold. 

ADVENTU8  AVGVSTI. — This  memorial  of 
an  Emperor’s  progresses,  is  offered  most  fre- 
quently, ns  well  as  most  interestingly,  on  the  coins 
of  Hadrian,  always  with  the  addition  of  the  name 
of  the  province,  or  city,  which  that  great  prince 
had  visited : viz.,  Africie,  Alexandria:,  Arabia1, 
Asia:,  Bithynia1,  Britannia:,  Cilicia:,  Gnlliic, 
Hispaukc,  Italia:,  Judaea:,  Macedonia1,  Maure- 
tania:, Moesia1,  Phrygia1,  Sicilia1,  Thraeiie. — 
These  arc  all  on  first  brass,  but  seven  of  them 
(sec  Akcrmau’s  Desrr.  Cat.  vol.  i.)  arc  also  to  be 
found  on  second  brass,  and  three  on  gold  and 
silver. — The  solicitude  of  Hadrian  to  become 
acquainted,  by  oeular  observation  aud  personal 


y 


ADVENTVI. 

inquiry,  with  the  customs,  manners,  laws,  and 
condition  of  the  various  peoples,  comprehended 
within  the  limits  of  his  vast  empire,  induced 
him  to  he  continually  travelling  through  its 
different  provinces,  and  colonics ; to  visit  the 
chief  cities,  and  to  inspect  the  principal  legion- 
ary masses  of  the  Roman  army.  He  made 
these  excursions  (of  greater  or  less  extent,  and 
occupying  more  or  less  time)  accompanied  hy 
only  a few  attcudauts,  generally  ou  foot  and 
often  harc-headed,  seeing  every  thing,  investi- 
gating every  thing,  and  ever)' where  establishing 
the  greatest  order. — The  accomplishment  of 
numerous  jouruies  and  visitations  were,  hy  his 
direction  and  with  the  sanction  of  the  Senate, 
chrouologically  recorded,  in  a scries  of  coins, 
which  are  remarkable  for  their  tine  style  of  work- 
manship. It  comprises,  as  already  noticed,  all  the 
Roman  provinces,  and  confirms  what  History 
tells  us  of  this  emperor’s  voyages.  'Hie  number 
of  these  geographical  coins  is  considerable, 
and  they  are  with  good  reason  sought  for.  Some 
arc  very  rare,  others  sufficiently  common.  The 
first  class  of  them  includes  the  names  of  the 
provinces  and  towns  through  which  Hadrian 
passed.  On  these  the  countries,  cities,  and  rivers, 
are  represented  by  a figure  and  some  attribute; 
as  Egyptos,  Alexandria,  Nilus.  The  second  ex- 
presses the  satisfaction  which  the  people  expe- 
rienced, or  were  supposed  to  have  experienced, 
at  his  arrival  among  them : an  event  which  is 
indicated  by  the  legend  of  the  reverse — Ad- 
ventvi  Avo. ; whilst  the  type  (as  in  that  of 
Africa,  Judaa,  Macedonia,  &c.)  exhibits  the 
Emperor,  and  the  Genius  of  the  Province,  stand- 
ing opposite  each  other,  and  an  altar  (with  its 
victim)  between  them,  at  which  they  are  per- 
forming sacrifice. — The  third  class  shows,  through 
the  medium  of  ingenious  allegories,  the  benefits 
and  reliefs  which  Hadrian  bestowed  ou  the  op- 
pressed provinces.  In  this  branch  of  the  series 
the  Emperor  is  called  Restitutor,  the  restorer 
of  the  particular  country,  (as  Achaia,  Asia, 
Africa,  Gallia,  Ilispania,  &c.)  and  he  raises  up 
a kneeling  figure.  A fourth  and  last  class  refers 
to  the  military  exercises,  which  he  caused  to  be 
practiced,  and  to  the  discipline  which  he  main- 
tained amongst  his  legions,  in  their  respective 
encampments  and  garrisons.  The  review  of 
troops  by  the  Emperor  in  person  is  usually 
figured  by  a type  of  allocution,  with  the  name 
of  the  army,  as  in  his  f.xercitvs  dacicvs, 
germanicvs,  mavretamcvs,  &c.  on  which  are 
an  equestrian  figure,  and  four  or  five  foot  sol- 
diers carrying  military  ensigns. 

ADVENTVI  AVG.  AFRICAE.— On  gold  of 
Hadrian. 


The  Emperor,  clothed  in  the  toga,  is  seen  hold- 
ing his  right  hand  elevated  towards  a female 
C 


ADVENTVS. 

figure,  who  is  distinguished  by  the  trunk  of  an 
elephant  covering  her  head  as  personifying  the 
Roman  province  of  Africa,  and  is  in  the  act  of 
sacrificing  at  a tripod.  “We  find  (says  Addi- 
son) on  the  several  medals,  struck  in  comme- 
moration of  Hadrian’s  progress  through  the 
empire,  that  on  his  arrival  (adventus)  they 
offered  a sacrifice  to  the  Gods,  for  the  reception 
of  so  great  a blessing.  Horace  mentions  this 
custom,  (Od.  2,  lib.  4.)” 

ADVENTVS  AVGVSTI.  G.  P.  (Gracia  Pe- 
ragrata.) — A second  brass  of  Nero,  of  colonial 
fabric,  bearing  this  legend,  and  an  ornamented 
praetorian  galley,  is  considered  to  record  the 
return  of  that  prince  from  Greece. — Others  with 
a similar  type,  and  the  abbreviation  c.  cor.  in 
the  field  of  the  coin,  designate  his  arrival  at 
Corinth,  for  the  purpose  of  celebrating  the 
Isthmian  games  in  that  city. — (Vaillant  in  co- 
loniis,  vol.  i.) 

ADVENTVS  AVG.  PONT.  MAX.  TR.  POT. 
COS.  II.,  S.  C. — Rome  helmetcd,  seated  on  a 
heap  of  arms,  joins  right  hands  with  the  Emperor, 
who  habited  in  the  toga,  stands  opposite  to 
her. — On  a large  brass  of  Hadrian,  struck  in 
the  year  of  Our  Lord  118. Having  ar- 

ranged all  things  in  Syria,  (where  he  commanded 
when  Trajan  died),  Hadrian  proceeded  through 
Illyria  to  Rome ; and  that  this  occurred  in  the 
year  above  mentioned,  the  present  coin  shows 
by  the  inscription  cos.  ii. — Eckhcl,  vi.  477. 

ADVENTVI  AVG.  IVDAEAE.  S.  C— In 
this  example  amongst  the  numi  geographies  of 
Hadrian,  the  Emperor,  with  his  right  hand 
uplifted,  stands  opposite  the  province,  which  is 
personified  under  the  figure  of  a female,  robed 
and  veiled  : she  holds  a patera  over  an  altar,  at 
the  foot  of  which  is  the  victim  : she  carries  a ball, 
or,  as  Mr.  Akcrman  suggests,  in  reality  the  Acerra 
imperfectly  represented,  in  her  left  hand,  and  be- 
side her  are  two  naked  children,  bearing  each 
a palm  branch — allusive  to  Judiea,  of  which,  as 
part  of  Palestine,  the  palm  tree  is  an  emblem. 


This  type,  struck  between  a.d.  130  and  135, 
is  of  historical  interest.  It  represents  the  arrival 
of  Hadrian  in  Judaea,  not,  as  in  the  case  of  most 
of  his  visits  elsewhere,  on  a mission  of  benevo- 
lence and  mercy,  but  to  confirm  the  stern 
imperial  sentence,  after  a bloody  war,  of  de- 
struction to  devoted  Jerusalem,  and  of  insult 
and  humiliation  to  the  rebellious  Jews. — For  a 
further  numismatic  reference  to  this  fulfilment 
of  Our  Lord’s  prophecy,  see  Ae/ia  Capitolina 
Colonia. 


10  ADVENTVS. 

ADVENTVS  AVG.  BRITANN1AE. — In 

the  exergue  s.  c. — An  altar  with  the  lire  kindled, 
placed  between  the  Emperor  (who  is  clothed  in 
the  toga),  holding  a patera,  and  a female  figure 
with  a victim  lying  at  her  feet.  On  a large  brass 
of  Hadrian,  engraved  in  “ Coins  of  the  Romans 
relating  to  Britain.” — PI.  2,  No.  5. 

Hadrian’s  arrival  in  Britain  is  commemorated 
by  this  coin,  struck  in  the  year  of  Rome  874 
a.d.  121.  “In  the  reign  of  this  prince,”  observes 
Mr.  Akerman  (see  his  ably  written,  correctly 
illustrated,  and  highly  interesting  work  above- 
named),  “ the  Britons  revolted;  and  Julius  Seve- 
rus  was  recalled  to  proceed  against  the  Jews,  who 
had  made  an  effort  to  regain  their  liberty.  The 
Caledonians  also  destroyed  several  forts,  which 
had  been  erected  by  Agricola.  Hadrian,  with 
three  legions,  arrived  in  time  to  prevent  the 
Britons  from  throwing  off  the  Roman  yoke ; 
and,  to  protect  the  northern  frontiers  of  the 
province,  built  a wall  which  extended  from 
the  Tyne  in  Northumberland  to  the  Eden  in 
Cumberland.  The  wrar  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  of  long  continuance,  and  the  Southern 
Britons,  protected  from  the  incursions  of  their 
savage  neighbours,  wrerc  probably  content  to  bear 
the  yoke.”  p.  22. 

ADVENTVS  AVG. — M.  Aurelius  crossing  a 
bridge. — On  the  reverse  of  a large  brass  the 
Emperor  is  seen,  followed  by  five  soldiers,  two 
of  whom  bear  standards ; and  the  others  have 
their  spears  advanced  as  if  to  encounter  re- 
sistance. They  are  passiug  over  a bridge  con- 
structed on  three  boats,  “ precisely  (says  Capt. 
Smyth)  like  the  one  over  the  Istcr,  represented 
on  the  Trajan  column.  The  bridge  before  us  was 
no  doubt  over  the  same  river ; since  the  Mar- 
comanni,  in  abandoning  Pannonia,  sustained  a 
dreadful  overthrow,  whilst  crossing  it. — The 
legend  of  this  reverse  is  imp.  vi.  cos.  iii.,  with 
v hit  vs  avo.  on  the  exergue.  There  is  another 
large  brass  of  Aurelius,  with  the  above  reverse, 
but  inscribed  Advent  us  instead  of  Virtue,  and 
recording  imp.  vii.  whence  it  affords  a sure 
testimony  of  the  Emperor’s  return  to  Rome, 
a.  d.  174.” — For  an  illustration  of  this  reverse, 
sec  imp.  vi.  cos.  hi. 

ADVENTVI  AV Gusli  FELICISSIMO.  S.C. 
— This  legend  appears  on  the  reverse  of  a large 
brass  of  Scptimius  Severus.  The  type  represents 
the  emperor  on  horseback,  either  alone,  or  pre- 
ceded by  a soldier  on  foot. — After  having  re- 


established peace  in  the  east  by  the  destruction  of 
Pescennius  Niger,  and  with  the  design  of  march- 


ADVENTVS. 

ing  against  Albinus,  Scvcrus  returned  to  Rome, 
where  his  entry  was  magnificent.  That  was  the 
same  Felicissimus  Adventus — “ the  most  auspi- 
cious return” — which  is  alluded  to  here. 

Capt.  Smyth  (p.  186)  assigns  the  return 
to  Rome  which  this  device  commemorates, 
to  the  year  196  of  the  Christian  sera ; and 
adds — “ The  first  public  entry  of  Severus  was 
under  every  possible  demonstration  of  joy : 
yet  he  committed  unheard  of  cruelties.  After 
commending  the  character  of  Commodus  to  the 
Senators,  who  had  declared  his  memory  infa- 
mous, he  executed  a number  of  their  body,  with- 
out trial ; and  Rome  was  filled  with  bloodshed. 
At  the  same  time,  however,  he  executed  retri- 
butive justice  on  the  insolent,  venal,  and  trea- 
cherous Prrctorians,  whom  he  disanned,  de- 
graded, and  ignominiously  banished  to  the  dis- 
tance of  a hundred  miles  from  Rome.” 

In  describing  an  Adventus  coin  of  the 
elder  Philip,  whose  equestrian  figure  is  repre- 
sented with  the  same  “ extraordinary  dispropor- 
tion between  the  steed  and  its  rider,”  as  is  ex- 
hibited on  the  above  reverse  of  Severus,  the 
intelligent  writer  above  quoted,  observes  (p.  266) 
— “ the  Emperor  is  probably  mouutcd  on  the 
Aslurco,  or  ambling  nag,  os  a more  appro- 
priate emblem  of  returning  peace,  than  the 
Equus  bet/a/or,  or  charger.” — This  is  a shrewd 
conjecture ; but  it  does  not  fully  account  for  the 
under-sized  horses  on  which  we  see  emperors 
mound'd,  in  various  types  of  the  Roman  mint. 
These,  indeed,  arc  for  the  most  part  relatively 
diminutive,  whether  the  imperial  rider  is  habited 
in  the  pacific  toga,  or  in  the  garb  of  war — 
under  the  legend  of  adventvs,  or  that  oi  ex- 

ERCITVS 

ADVENTVS  AVGVSTI.  S.  C.— On  a large 
brass  of  Elagabalus,  with  this  legend  of  reverse, 
the  type  presents  “ an  equestrian  figure  of 
that  emperor,  with  his  right  hand  elevated,  a 
sceptre  in  his  left,  and  the  chlainys  floating 
behind  his  shoulders.  Mirsa,  well  aware  of  what 
Macrinus  had  lost  by  not  proceeding  to  Rome 
immediately  after  his  election,  urged  her  grand- 
son, who  was  wallowing  in  brutal  debauchery  at 
Nicomcdia,  to  repair  thither.  She  prevailed  ; 
and  he  eutcrcd  Koine  a.  d.  219,  where  he  was 
received  with  great  demonstrations,  largesses 
being  distributed  to  the  populace,  and  public 
shews  exhibited.” — Smyth,  p.  214. 

ADVENTVS  AVGG.  (Adventus Aug ustorum). 
— Two  military  figures  on  horseback  galloping. — 


This  legend  and  type  appear  on  a brass  medallion, 


ADVENTVS. 

struck  in  honour  of  the  Emperors  Trebonianus 
Callus,  aud  Volusianus,  jointly,  about  a.  d.  252, 
the  computed  year  of  their  arrival  in  Home, 
after  the  death  of  Trajanus  Decius,  whose  son 
Hostilianus  had  already  been  associated  with 
Trebonianus  as  an  Augustus. 

On  the  obverse  are  the  laurelled  heads  of  both 
father  and  son,  surrounded  by  the  legend  imp. 
GAXLVS.  AVG.  IMP.  VOLVSIANVS.  AVG. — TllC  above 
cut  is  copied  from  the  volume  of  Buonarotti  (pi. 
xviii.),  who  praises  this  medallion  as  equal,  in  point 
both  of  design  aud  workmanship,  to  the  best 
examples  of  die-engraving,  to  be  found  in  the 
mints  of  the  earlier  empire.  Thus  much  for  art 
and  taste,  as  still  occasionally  found  manifested 
even  in  the  lower  age  of  the  imperial  coinage. 
But  the  device  of  two  equestrian  warriors,  one 
with  couched  lance,  as  if  preparing  to  charge  an 
enemy,  is  a more  appropriate  type  for  a decursio, 
or  a profectio  mi/itaris,  than  for  the  peacefid 
approach  of  two  newly-elected  Emperors  to  the 
gates  of  “ the  eternal  city.”  There  is,  moreover, 
something  more  than  strange  in  the  assumption 
of  the  imperial  title  by  both  Gallus  and  Volu- 
sianus — a circumstance  which,  as  the  learned  and 
acute  author  of  “ Osservazione  Istoriche”  re- 
marks (p.  312) — “fa  motto  sospettare  die  Os- 
tiliano,  non  vedendosi  nominato,  fosse  gia  mor- 
to,  o di  peste,  o di  morte  vio/enla,  procuratagli 
da  Gallo,  per  getosia  d’  Imperio.”  The  suspi- 
cion of  foul  play,  in  this  case,  is  of  the  two,  by 
far  the  more  probable  hvpo thesis. 

ADVENTVS  CARL  AVG.—1 The  Emperor 
on  horseback,  with  right  hand  raised,  and  a 
spear  in  his  left. — This  reverse  appears  on  an 
aureus  of  Cams  (struck  a.  d.  282-3.) — Some 
writers  think  it  probable  from  this  coin,  that 
Cams  actually  went  to  Rome,  from  Pannonia, 
before  he  proceeded  on  his  Persian  expedition. 
But,  at  this  period,  to  speak  of  the  advent  of 
the  Emperor  was  not  always  intended  to  indicate 
his  arrival  at  Rome.  (Eckiiel,  vii.  p.  588).  This 
observation  is  also  justified  by  the  mint  of  the 
Emperor  Tacitus. 

ADVENTVS  S.  D. N.  AVG.-— The  Emperor, 
with  the  nimbus  round  his  head,  on  horseback, 
in  the  garb  of  Peace. — [Akerman  describes  this 
equestrian  figure  as  “wearing  the  diadem.”] 

This  appears  on  a gold  coin-  of  Marcianus, 
published  by  Pcllcrin  (Mel.  1.  p.  103),  who 
reads  the  legend — Adventvs  Second  us  Domini 
Nostri  Xvausti,  meaning  the  second  arrival  of 
the  Emperor.  Eckhel,  on  the  other  hand,  deems 
it  more  likely  that  the  single  S constitutes 
part  of  the  imperial  title  of  Marcianus,  and 
should  rather  be  read  S acralissimi. — [The  opi- 
nion of  Eckhel  is  entitled  to  the  greatest  re- 
spect, and  his  interpretation  is  probably  correct, 
but  on  Greek  coins  the  second  advent  is  re- 
corded. Sec  Mr.  Akcrman’s  remarks  on  the 
Coins  of  Ephesus,  in  Num.  Chron.  The  S.  pre- 
ceding D.  N.  appears  to  sanction  Eckhel’s  ren- 
dering.] 

ADVENTVS  AVGG. — There  is  a silver  me- 
dallion, edited  by  Buonarotti,  bearing  on  its 
obverse  the  head  of  Saloninus  Valerianus  Caesar, 
without  laurel  crown,  on  the  one  side ; and  face 
C 2 


AED.  1 1 

to  face,  with  that  of  Gallicnus,  his  father, 
laureated,  on  the  other  side — the  legend  being 
Concordia  avgvstorvm. — The  reverse  exhibits 
three  galcated  figures  on  horseback,  their  right 
hands  raised.  Victory  preceding  them,  and  live 
soldiers  accompanying  them,  three  of  whom 
bear  military  ensigns.  Near  the  horses’  feet  are 
two  captives  seated  on  the  ground.  See  con- 
cordia  avgvstorvm. 

ADVERSA. — The  obverse,  or  principal  face 
of  a coin;  in  contradistinction  to  the  term 
aversa,  or  the  reverse  side. 

ADYTUM,  the  most  sacred  place  of  a heathen 
temple  in  which  stood  the  image  of  the  princi- 
pal deity  to  whom  it  was  dedicated. — See  Tcm- 
plum. 

AEBUTIA  gens. — It  is  uncertain  to  which 
order,  patrician  or  plebeian,  this  family  belongs. 
Its  name  is  found  on  brass  colonial  coins  of 
Ccesar  Augusta  (Sarragozza)  in  Hispania  Tarra- 
conensis,  and  also  of  Corinth.  There  are  four 
varieties. 

AED. — Aedes  or  JEdificia,  Edifices. — AED. 
S.  AE 'dibus  Sacris. 

AED.  P.  or  POT. — JEdilitia  Potestate. 

AED.  DIVI.  FAVSTINAE. — A temple  of 
six  columns,  in  which  Faustina  stands,  or,  as  in 
others,  is  seated.  Silver.  To  this  may  be 
joined  the  legend  of  another  denarius  of  the  same 
empress — viz.,  dedicatio  aedis.  The  same 
building  but  no  image  within. 

This  represents  the  aedes,  or  templum,  with 
which,  after  her  death,  the  elder  Faustina  was 
honoured  by  Antoninus  Pius.  According  to 
Capitol  inus,  it  was  situated  in  the  via  sacra, 
and  was  at  first  dedicated  to  Faustina  alone. 
But,  after  the  decease  of  the  husband,  religious 
rites  were  paid  therein  to  him  also.  This 
temple,  the  ruins  of  which  at  Rome  are  still  ex- 
tant, bespeaks  its  original  appropriation,  for  on 
its  frontal  the  following  dedication  is  still  legible, 
viz.,  DIVO  ANTONINO  ET  DIVAE  FAVSTINAE. 
ex  s.  c.  The  same  edifice  is  likewise  represented 
on  other  coins  of  the  same  empress,  inscribed 
AETERNITAS,  or  pietas. — Eckhel,  vii.  p.  39. — 
See  templvm  divi.  avg.  rest,  engraved  in 
Cavlus,  No.  493. 

AED.  (in  others  AEDE)  DIVI.  AVG.  REST. 
COS.  III1. — Aides  Did  Augusti  Restitute. — 
On  silver  and  large  brass  coins  of  Antoninus 
Pius  (struck  about  a.  d.  159)  are  the  foregoing 
legend,  and  a temple  of  eight  columns,  with 
two  seated  figures  in  the  intercolumniation.  The 
pediment  and  entablature  of  the  edifice  arc  also 
adorned  with  statuary. 


12 


AED1LIS. 

This  temple  of  Augustus  first  appears  ou  coins 
of  Tiberius  struck  A.u.e.  787  (a.d.  34) ; also  in 
the  mint  of  Caligula  of  different  years ; and 
here  it  is  exhibited  on  coins  of  Antoninus,  of  the 
year  above-mentioned  (Eckhel,  vii.,  25).  These, 
supplying  what  history  has  neglected  to  notice, 
teach  us  that  such  repairs  and  restorations,  as 
either  the  decays  of  age,  or  the  effects  of  casual 
injury,  had  rendered  ueccssary,  were  made  by 
the  piety  of  Antoninus.  The  two  statues  in  the 
temple  are  of  Augustus  and  Jidia,  the  latter  placed 
there  by  the  Emperor  Claudius.  Gold,  silver, 
and  brass  of  Antoninus,  with  the  same  type, 
but  inscribed  templvm.  divi.  avg.  also  refer  to 
this  historical  fact. — See  Teinplum. 

AED.  Acdilis.— AEG.  PL.  JEdilis  Plebis.— 
A ED.  CVR.  ASdilis  Curn/is. 

/EDI  ITS — A Roman  magistrate,  who  exer- 
cised the  Edilcship,  which  was  of  three  kinds : 
Plebeian,  Curule,  and  Cereal. — See  an  able  article, 
under  this  head,  in  “ the  Dictionary  of  Greek 
and  Roman  Antiquities,  edited  by  Dr.W.  Smith.” 


/ED  I LIS  PLEB1S. — The  plebeian  edilcship 
was  the  most  ancient  of  the  offices  above  named. 
It  embraced  many  functions,  amongst  which 
were  the  maintenance  of  the  baths,  aqueducts, 
common  sewers,  streets,  and  highways:  also  t he 
preservation  of  the  public  records  and  archives, 
deposited  in  the  temple  (tales)  of  Ceres.  The 
plebeian  ediles  were,  moreover,  charged  with  the 
superintendence  of  commerce,  and  of  what  is 
now  called  the  police  ; together  with  the  ma- 
nagement of  provisions. 

llavcrcamp  (in  Morel],  Thesaur.  Fain.  Rom.) 
gives  two  denarii  referring  to  the  office  of  Plc- 
beiau  Ediles.  One  of  these  is  of  the  Panina, 
the  other  of  the  Critonia  gens.  Both  these 
exhibit  on  their  respective  obverses,  the  head  of 
Ceres  spicifera,  with  the  abbreviated  words  akd. 
pi,.  AEdilium  Plebis ; on  each  of  their  reverses 
are  two  togated  men,  sitting  upon  common 
sedi/ia.  Behind  them  is  P.  a.  or  Publico  Ar- 
gento  (meaning  coined  with  the  public  silver) ; 
below  we  read  M.  fan.  L.  Cltrr.  Marcias  Fan- 
nins and  Lucius  Critonius ; the  two  ediles  em- 
ployed on  the  occasion  to  which  the  coin  re- 
fers.— Eckhel,  v.  p.  198. 


/EDILES  CURDLES. — Under  the  dictator- 
ship of  Kurins  Camillus  (».  c.  308),  the  pntri- 
cians  obtained  the  nomination  to  flic  edilcship 
of  tivo  of  their  own  order,  under  the  distinctive 


AEDILES. 

appellation  of  / Ediles  Curules  ; because  they  had 
the  curule  chair,  the  pratextu,  or  long  white 
robe  bordered  with  purple,  the  jus  inuiginis , or 
right  of  images,  like  the  superior  magistrates  ; 
privileges  never  attained  by  the  plebeian  ediles. 
To  the  curule  ediles  were  entrusted  the  care  of 
the  sacred  edifices  (especially  the  temple  of  Ju- 
piter), the  tribunals  of  justice,  the  city  walls, 
and  the  theatres ; in  short,  all  that  was  essential 
to  the  religion,  defence,  and  embellishment  of 
the  city,  came  under  their  cognizance. — l’itiseus, 
Lex.  Ant.  llom. 

The  symbols  of  the  curule  edilcship,  both  in 
legend  and  in  type,  arc  found  on  denarii  of  the 
Livineia,  Phctoria,  Plancia,  Plautia,  and  other 
families.  In  some  of  these,  the  curule  chair  pre- 
sents itself  on  one  side,  and  the  dignity  of  AED. 
cvr.  is  stamped  on  the  other,  as  in  the  above 
coin  of  the  Furia gens.  Others  present  the  figures 
of  the  two  ediles,  sitting  between  two  measures 
filled  with  ears  of  corn,  as  in  a denarius  of  the 
Papiria  family.  Also  a modius,  or  measure,  be- 
tween two  cars  of  corn,  as  in  silver  of  L.  Licineius 
Regains,  one  of  which  on  the  obverse  has  the 
head  of  Ceres  adorned  with  a crowu  of  corn  ears, 
accompanied  with  the  epigraph  of  akd.  cvn. 
(See  Livineia  gens.)  Likewise  on  a denarius  of 
the  Flaminia  family,  a head  of  Ceres  with  the 
letters,  designating  the  Curule  Edilcship,  ap- 
pears on  one  side,  whilst  on  the  other  are  figures 
of  two  men,  clothed  in  the  toga,  sitting  together, 
having  each  a corn  car  beside  him,  and  below 
is  inscribed  t.  flamin.  t.  f.  l.  flag.  p.  f.  ex.  s.  c. 
meaning  Titus  F/aminius,  Titi  Filins , and  L. 
F/accus,  Publii  Filius,  Ex  Senates  Con-vdto. 
(Sec  Havercamp  in  Morell — numi  consu/ares.) 
The  addition  of  ex.  s.  c.  denotes  that  those  Curule 
Ediles  purchased  wheat  for  the  supply  of  the 
Homan  population,  with  the  public  money,  by 
authority  of  the  Senate.  This  purpose  is  more 
explicitly  referred  to,  in  the  epigraph  of  ad. 
fry.  emv.  already  given  (p.  5). 

Eckhel  observes,  that  the  curule  edilcship 
was  not  unfrcqucntly  attended  with  vast  expense 
both  to  the  state  and  to  the  individuals  w ho  held 
the  office.  That  of  M.  Scaurus  (which  according 
to  Pighius,  took  place  iu  the  year  of  Rome  690 
n.c.  58)  is  reprobated  by  early  Roman  w Titers,  for 
the  excessive  magnificence  of  the  public  shews, 
and  the  amount  of  largesses,  almost  beyond 
belief,  which,  with  a prodigal  ostentation  of 
luxury  and  profusion,  he  lavished  ou  his  official 
year. 

/EDILES  CEREALES. — This  third  class  of 
Ediles  was  of  much  later  appointment  and  of 
more  questionable  origin,  clashing  ns  they  did  iu 
functional  operations  with  the  other  two.  Under 
the  free  republic,  the  number  of  Ediles  had  been 
limited  to  four ; viz.,  two  plebeians  and  two 
patricians.  But  according  to  Dion,  two  Curators, 
with  the  like  number  of  Cereal  Ediles,  were  in- 
stituted by  Julius  Cicsar  (when  about  to  pro- 
ceed ou  his  expedition  against  l’arthia),  fur  the 
purpose  of  assisting  in  the  conveyance  of  corn 
from  foreign  lands  to  Rome,  and  of  distribut- 
ing it  among  the  people.  (See  Annona).  This 
fact  is  confirmed  by  the  inscriptions  on  two 


AEGYFI'YS. 

marbles,  cited  by  Ursinus,  bearing  the  words 
aedili  ri.EB.  CEBIAL. — A denarius  of  Cri- 
tonius,  who  was  a Cereal  Edile,  in  the  year  of 
Rome  710  (b.  c.  44),  has  for  the  type  of  its  ob- 
verse (like  Fannin  above),  the  head  of  Ceres. 
“ And  appropriately  too”  says  Eckhcl,  “ for  we 
learn  from  Cicero,  that  the  care  of  providing 
annona,  and  of  preparing  the  Cerealian  games, 
belonged  not  less  to  the  plebeian  than  to  the 
curule  ediles.  The  eminent  author  of  Doctrina 
num.  vet.  then  makes  an  apposite  quotation  from 
Livy,  shewing  expressly  that  on  one  of  those 
occasions,  when  L.  Valerius  and  M.  lloratius 
were  consuls  (b.  c.  449),  the  sacred  ceremonies 
in  the  temple  of  Ceres  were,  by  a senates  con- 
sult um,  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  and  ma- 
nagement of  the  Plebeian  Ediles.” — See  ceke- 
ai.es. 

The  Edilcship  was  continued  uuder  the  Em- 
perors, and  it  was  not  until  the  reign  of  Con- 
stautine  the  Great  that  the  institution  itself  was 
abolished. — Pitiscus. 

/EGYPT VS;  Egypt. — Augustus, having  taken 
possession  of  Alexandria,  the  capital  city  of  the 
Delta,  in  the  724th  year  of  Rome  (b.  c.  30), 
formed  the  whole  country  into  a Roman  province, 
and  entrusted  the  government  to  some  individual 
member  of  the  equestrian  order ; prohibiting  sill 
senators  from  going  to  Egypt,  without  special 
permission.  Egypt  is  distinguished  on  coins 
bv  the  crocodile,  the  sistrum,  the  ibis,  the  lotus, 
and  cars  of  corn.  The  Nile,  Jupiter,  the  Sun, 
the  Moon,  Apis,  Osiris,  Isis,  Scrapis,  as  objects 
of  worship  with  the  Egyptians,  arc  also  amongst 
the  numismatic  recognitions  of  that  country. 
Egypt  received  no  colony,  after  Julius  Caesar’s 
time ; but,  as  a province,  was  governed  by  an 
imperial  prefect  (preefectus  augustalis)  to  whom, 
however,  the  privilege  of  the  fasces  was  not 
assigned. 

AEGYPTOS. — Egypt  personified  under  the 
image  of  a woman  seated  on  the  ground,  holding 
in  her  right  hand  the  sistrum,  resting  her  left 
arm  on  the  canistrum,  or  basket  filled  with 
fruits,  and  having  on  her  right  foot  the  Ibis 
standing. 


This  reverse  which  appears  on  coins  of  Had- 
rian, in  all  the  three  [metals,  was  struck  on  the 
occasion  of  that  Emperor’s  visit  to  Egypt,  after 
having  been  in  Judaea  and  Arabia,  probably 
about  the  year  u.  c.  883,  a.d.  130.  (Eckhel, 
vi.,  488.)  The  type  is  elegant,  on  gold  and 
first  brass,  and  is  peculiarly  appropriate  to 


AEGYPTOS.  13 

Egypt.  The  sistrum  was  a musical  instrument 
sacred  to  Isis,  in  whose  worship  it  was  used, 
and  national  to  Egypt.  [See  the  word.]  The 
canistrum,  or  basket  of  wheat,  signifies  the  fruit- 
fulness of  the  country,  which  is  caused  by  the 
inundation  of  the  Nile. 

In  reference  to  the  sacred  Ibis,  a bird  so  pecu- 
culiar  to  Egypt,  that  it  was  said  to  die,  if  taken 
to  other  countries,  Cicero  has  observed,  “ the 
Egyptians,  whom  we  are  apt  to  ridicule  so  much, 
conferred  honours  upon  animals  only  in  propor- 
tion to  the  advantage  derived  from  them.  Thus 
their  reason  for  worshipping  the  Ibis,  was  be- 
cause it  destroyed  the  serpent.” 

A large  brass  of  Hadrian,  the  reverse  with- 
out legend,  but  with  s.  c.  in  the  field,  “ ex- 
hibits a majestic  figure  of  the  Emperor,  with 
his  left  foot  on  a crocodile : he  is  in  armour, 
with  the  paludamentum  at  his  back,  his  right 
hand  is  supported  by  a spear,  with  the  point 
peacefully  downwards,  and  his  left  holds  a 
parazonium.  This  was  probably  minted  in  re- 
membrance of  his  visit  to  Egypt,  and  its  date 
may  therefore  be  nearly  approximated — for 
Hadrian,  having  passed  through  Jud;ea  and 
Arabia,  arrived  at  Pclusium  a.  d.  130,  where  he 
repaired  the  tomb  of  Pompey.” — Smyth,  Descr. 
Cat.  p.  103. 


AEGYPTO  CAPTA.— This  historical  legend 
appears  on  gold  and  silver  of  Augustus.  The 
obverse  presents  the  head  of  that  emperor,  with- 
out laurel,  behind  which  is  the  augural  lituus, 
and  around  is  read  caf.sar.  cos.  vi. — On  the 
reverse  are  the  foregoing  words,  accompanied 
with  the  figure  of  a crocodile,  to  the  right. — 
The  sixth  consulate  being  inscribed  on  this 
denarius,  shews  it  to  have  been  struck  in  the 
year  of  Rome  720  (b.  c.  28),  under  Augustus, 
to  renew  the  memory  of  the  capture  of  Alex- 
andria, and  thereby  the  conquest  of  Egypt,  by 
his  great  uncle,  and  father  by  adoption,  Julius 
Ca:sar.  [The  original  silver  coin  is  neither 
rare  nor  high  priced,  but  the  same  type  restored 
by  Trajan  is  valued  by  Miouuet  at  100  francs.] 
iEGIS. — This,  according  to  the  Greek  ety- 
mology of  the  word,  was  the  skin  of  a goat; 
some  authors  affirming  it  to  be  that  of  the  goat 
Amalthsea,  others  pretending  it  to  have  been 
the  skin  of  a destructive  monster,  iEgis,  whom 
Minerva  fought  and  slew — after  which  she  is 
said  to  have  placed  its  skin  over  her  breast, 
partly  to  serve  as  a garment,  partly  as  a pro- 
tection against  dangers,  but  also  as  a lasting  evi- 
dence of  her  bravery : in  the  sequel  she  placed  on 
it  the  snake-haired  head  of  Medusa.  Roman  Em- 
perors often  appear,  in  their  statues  and  on  their 
coins,  with  tlieir  chests  covered  with  the  /Egis 


14  AEMILIA. 


AEMILIANTS. 


as  with  a cuirass ; and  several  coins  of  Domitiau 
and  of  Trajan  exhibit  those  Emperors,  with  the 
head  of  Medusa  affixed  to  the  bust,  as  part  of 
the  body  armour. — Sec  Lorica — also  Domitianns. 

AEMILIA  gens  (origiually  Aimilia),  a patri- 
cian family  of  great  antiquity,  as  both  writers  and 
coins  serve  fully  to  attest.  It  was  famous  for 
the  exploits  and  public  services  of  its  members, 
insomuch  that  they  filled  office,  as  chief  pontiffs, 
dictators,  governors,  senators,  consuls,  masters 
of  the  horse,  military  tribunes  with  consular 
power,  and  triumvirs  reipubtiae  const  it  uenda , 
together  with  all  the  other  magisterial  and  sa- 
cerdotal functions.  Buca,  Lepidus,  Paulus,  and 
Scauras  appear  as  surnames  on  the  medals  of 
this  gens,  and  there  are  43  numismatic  varie- 
ties. Gold,  of  the  highest  rarity ; Silver  com- 
mon, except  scarce  reverses.  There  arc  silver 
restored  by  Trajan.  The  brass  are  colonial.  Por 
the  cognomen  of  Buca,  see  aimilia  [Basilica] 
ltKP ecit  S.  C. — For  that  of  Bantus  see  ter 
Pavlvs. — For  Scaurus  see  rex  aretas. — The 
following  relates  to 

Lepidus.  The  coins  of  the  Lcpidi  are  re- 
markable for  their  commemoration  of  warlike 
achievements  performed  by  persons  belonging  to 
that  branch  of  the  Aemilia  gens. — There  is  a 
denarius  belonging  to  this  family,  which  bears  on 
its  obverse,  a female  head  with  a diadem.  On  its 
reverse,  an  equestrian  figure  with  a trophy  on 
his  shoulder;  around  the  type  an.  xv.  pr. 
li.  o.  c.  s. ; on  the  exergue  m.  lepidvs. 


The  meaning  of  this  abbreviated  legend  on 
a well  known  and  interesting  silver  coin  is — 
M.  LEPIDVS  A y norum  xv.  l’l Vetextatus. 

1 lost  cm  Occidit  deem  S ervavit. — Tims  inform- 
ing us  that  M.  Lepidus  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  still 
Pnelextatus  (that  is,  wearing  the  robe  peculiar 
to  a patrician  boy)  killed  an  enemy  [in  battle] 
and  saved  [the  life  of]  a Roman  citizen. — Vale- 
rius Maximus  (1.  iii.  c.  i.  n.  i.)  relates  this  fact 
in  almost  the  same  words : — Aemitius  Lepidus 
pner  etiam  turn  progressus  in  aciem  tiostem 
intermit,  cicem  seroacit.  Cnjus  turn  memo- 
rabi/is  (he  adds)  open's  index  est,  in  Capito/io 
statua  buttata  et  incincta  preetexta  S.  C.  posita. 
— According  to  the  above-named  Roman  histo- 
rian, a statue  of  Lepidus,  dressed  in  the  costume 
appropriated  to  the  male  children  of  noblemen 
till  17  years  of  age,  was  placed  in  the  Capitol, 
by  order  of  the  Seuate,  as  an  honom-ablc  record 
of  this  precocious  act  of  valour  and  patriotism. — 
After  further  citing  a passage  from  Macrobius, 
to  shew  that,  in  the  times  of  the  Kings,  a similar 
deed,  under  similar  circumstances  as  to  age  and 
bravery,  had  been  performed,  and  had  met  with 
a like  recompense — Eckhel  calls  to  mind  (vol. 
v.  123)  that  on  the  obverse  of  another  of  these 


Acnarii,  a crown  of  oak  leaves,  the  honour  con- 
ferred on  him  who  saved  a citizen,  is  added  in 
the  field  of  the  coin  behind  the  woman’s  head. 

AEMILIA  gens. — There  is  a denarius  of  this 
family  engraved  in  Morcll’s  Thesaurus,  which 
bears  on  its  obverse  roma,  and  a female  head. 
On  its  reverse  M.  aemilio,  and  an  equestrian 
statue  on  a bridge ; referring  to  the  building  of 
the  Pons  Snblicius,  of  stone,  at  Rome,  between 
6C0-688  u.  c.  (94-04  b.  c.) 


AEMILIAXUS  (Marcus  or  Cains  Julius  -Emi- 
lius),  was  born  in  Mauretania,  of  an  obscure 
family,  about  the  year  of  the  Christian  era  208. 
A good  soldier,  and  of  an  enterprising  character, 
he  arrived  at  the  highest  dignities,  and  was 
honoured  with  the  consulate.  Appointed  gover- 
nor of  Maosia  and  Pannonia,  he  repulsed  with 
great  slaughter  an  invasion  of  the  Goths,  whom 
he  also  drove  out  of  Illyria  and  Thrace.  In  ad- 
miration of  his  valour  and  firmness,  as  con- 
trasted with  the  timid  and  yielding  policy  of 
Trcbonianus  Gallus,  the  Macsian  and  l’annouian 
legious  proclaimed  him  Emperor,  a.  d.  253, 
he  being  then  forty-six  years  of  age.  Ad- 
vancing, after  his  election,  into  Italy,  he  de- 
feated Gallus  and  Volusianus  in  a pitched  battle  ; 
and  those  two  princes  having  been  slain  by  their 
own  troops,  yEmilianus  was  acknowledged  by  the 
Senate,  who  confirmed  him  in  all  the  imperial 
titles  a.  D.  254.  Shortly  after,  being  com- 
pelled to  march  against  Valcrianus,  who  liu^ 
been  elected  Emperor  by  the  legions  of  Rhctiu 
and  Noricum,  lie  was  killed  by  his  own  soldiers, 
near  Spolctum,  in  Umbria,  on  a bridge  after- 
wards called  “ the  bloody  bridge,”  in  August  of 
the  same  year.  On  his  coins  (which  are  of 
highest  rarity  in  gold,  rare  in  silver,  and  very 
rare  in  1st  and  2nd  brass),  he  is  styled  imp.  m. 

AEM.  AEMILLANVS  AVG. — IMP.  CAES.  C.  IVL. 
AEMILI ANVS  PIVS.  FEL.  AVG. 

The  above  engraving  is  from  a large  brass 
coin,  of  the  legends  and  types  on  which  the  fol- 
lowing is  descriptive  : — 

Obv.  IMP.  AEM1LIANVS  PIVS  FF.L.  AVG. 

(Imperator,  iEmilianus,  Pius,  Felix,  Augustus) — 
Laurelled  head  of  iEmilian. 

Bee.  paci.  avo. — (To  the  Peace  of  the  Em- 
peror.)— Peace  holding  the  olive  branch  and  the 
liasta,  and  leaning  ou  a cippus,  or  short  column. 

AEM  ILIAN"  VS  (Alexander),  au  usurper  of 
the  purple,  in  ./Egypt,  during  the  reign  of  Gal- 
lienus. — No  authentic  coins. — Akerman,  vol.  i. 

p.  81. 

AELIA  and  ALLIA.  Plebeian  gens. — The 
surnames  of  this  family,  as  they  appear  on  its 
coins,  arc  Bala,  Lama,  Partus,  Sejnuus.  Twenty- 


AELIA. 


AELIAN.  15 


four  varieties.  Silver  and  first  brass  common. 
The  brass  were  struck  by  the  monetal  triumvirs 
of  Augustus,  or  are  colonial  of  Bilbili3,  iu  Spain. 
The  following  denarius  is  the  least  common  : — 
Obverse,  head  of  Pallas,  behind  it  X.  Re- 
verse, f.  paf.tvs,  below,  roma.  The  dioscuri 
(Castor  and  Pollux!  ou  horseback. — The  word 
roma  shows  the  coin  to  have  been  struck 
at  Rome.  The  dioscuri  on  horseback,  with 
spears  in  their  hands,  and  the  pileus  on  then- 
heads,  with  stars  over  them,  arc  frequent  and 
accustomed  types  of  the  ancient  denarii.  It  re- 
fers to  Publius  JElius  Pattis,  who  was  consul  with 
Cornelius  Lentulus,  a.u.c.  553  (b.c.  201). 

AELIA  CAPITOLINA. — Under  this  name 
was  distinguished  the  colony  established  by  the 
Emperor  Aelius  Iladrianus,  in  the  very  capi- 
tal of  Judica,  which,  under  its  ancient  and 
sacred  appellation  of  Jerusalem  (Hiet  osolyma), 
was,  a.  D.  135,  destroyed  by  Titus. Ha- 

drian having  suppressed 
a great  rebellion  of  the 
Jews  against  the  Roman 
government,  proceeded 
to  expel  them  from  Jeru- 
salem ; and,  after  des- 
troying the  once  Holy 
City,  which  he  prohi- 
bited the  Jews  from  ap- 
proaching on  pain  of  death,  he  built  on  its  site 
a new  city,  and  called  it  after  his  family  name 
AELIA.  lie  afterwards  sent  a colony  there  to 
people  it,  having  commanded  a temple  of 
Jupiter  Capitolinus  to  be  erected  on  the  spot 
where  the  Temple  dedicated  to  the  worship  of 
the  True  God  had  stood,  lienee  the  colonial 
title  of  the  place,  col.  ael.  cap.  Co/onia  Aelia 
Capitolina. 

The  coins  of  this  colony  bear  none  but  Latin 
legends,  and  are  brass  of  the  three  modules. — 
Extending  from  Hadrian  down  to  Hostilianus, 
they  comprise  the  intermediate  reigns  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Verus,  S.  Sevcrus, 
Diadumeniauus,  Elagabalus,  Trajanus  Decius, 
and  Hcreuuius  Etruscus. 

Pellerin  gives  a middle  brass  of  this  colony, 
which  is  of  material  historic  importance,  inas- 
much as  its  legend  does  what  no  other  ancient 
monument  appears  to  have  done,  viz.  it  cor- 
roborates the  truth  of  the  fact  asserted  by  different 
writers,  that  Hadrian  was  the  founder  of  the 
colony  built  on  the  rains  of  Jerusalem.  It  is 
described  as  follows  : — 

Obv.  IMP.  CAES.  TRAIANO.  HADRIAN'.  LaU- 
reated  head  of  Hadrian. 

Rev.  col.  ael.  capit.  cond.  A priest  driving 
two  oxen  at  plough,  to  the  right  ; in  the  field,  a 
military  ensign. — (See  the  engraving  above.) 

Here  we  see  the  title  of  founder  given  to 
Hadrian,  by  the  term  cond itor.  “ Probably 
(says  Pellerin),  it  is  one  of  the  first  of  the  me- 
dals that  were  struck  at  /Elia  Capitolina,  as  it 
exhibits  the  type  of  a plough  conducted  by  a 
minister  of  religion,  who  wears  the  sacerdotal 
dress.  It  also  shews  by  the  representation  of 
a military  ensign,  that  Hadrian  began  by  form- 
ing this  colony  of  veteran  soldiers ; but  the 


legion  to  which  they  belonged  is  not  marked  on 
the  standard.” — Melange,  i.  242. 

The  total  expulsion  of  the  Jews,  the  desecra- 
tion of  their  capital  by  the  extinction  of  its 
ancient  name,  and  the  profanation  of  its  Zion 
to  heathen  idolatries,  arc  events  shadowed  forth 
in  a rare  middle  brass,  engraved  in  Vaillant’s 
valuable  work  on  the  Colonics  (vol.  i.  p.  152. — 
On  the  obverse  is 
IMP.  CAES.  THAI. 
HADRIAN,  with  the 
laureated  head  of  that 
emperor.  The  reverse 
exhibits  the  name  of 
of  his  new  colony, 
col.  ael.  cap.  aiid 
a temple  of  two  co- 
lumns, within  which 
arc  three  figures,  viz. 
Jupiter  seated,  between  Pallas  and  the  Genius  of 
the  city,  standing. 

The  types  adopted  by  the  moncyers  of  this 
imperial  colony,  besides  the  legionary  eagle,  the 
trophy,  and  the  victory,  comprise  Romulus  and 
Remus  with  the  wolf,  Bacchus  with  his  thyrsus, 
the  Dioscuri,  Astartc,  “ the  abomination  of  the 
Tyrians  and  Sidouians also  Isis  and  Serapis, 
“ the  abomination  of  the  Egyptians.”  A coin 
of  JElia  Capitolina,  struck  under  Antoninus 
Pius,  has  on  its  reverse  a hog  walking  (“  an 
abomination”  to  the  Jews).  Whilst  Capito- 
line  Jove  figures  predominantly,  with  the  eagle 
at  his  feet,  and  in  one  instance  (Hostilianus), 
with  a human  head  iu  his  hand.  In  short,  it 
would  seem  to  have  been  the  study  of  the  Roman 
government  in  Juda:a  to  insult,  and  horrify,  as 
well  as  to  oppress,  the  once-favourcd  people  of 
Jehovah. 

ASUAN  BRIDGE. — On  the  reverse  of  a 
first  brass  coin  of  Hadrian,  without  legend,  is 
the  type  of  a structure,  which  is  designatad  by 
some  as  the  ./Elian  Bridge,  at  Rome,  built  by 
that  emperor  over  the  Tiber,  a structure  which 
still  remains,  under  the  name  of  the  Ponte  di 
San  Angelo,  communicating  with  the  castle  of 
that  name;  the  mausoleum  of  Hadrian,  and 
one  of  his  many  great  architectural  works. — 
“ The  medallion  with  the  Pons  AE/ius  (observes 
Air.  Akerman),  quoted  by  early  numismatic 
writers,  is  a modern  fabrication.” 

AELIANA  PINCENSIA. — Within  a garland 
of  laurel. — This  legend  on  a second  and  third 
brass  of  Hadrian,  has  been  supposed  by  Froelich 
and  others  to  indicate  certain  public  games  cele- 
brated at  Pincum,  in  Mocsia,  to  the  honour  of 
-Elius  Hadrian.  But  Eckhel  (vi.  p.  445)  regards 
it  as  one  of  the  numi  metallorum,  or  coins  of 
the  mines,  which  are  found  inscribed  with  the 
name  of  Trajan  and  of  Hadrian.  By  supplying 
the  omission  of  the  word  metallum,  he  considers 
the  meaning  to  be  clearly  elucidated ; metalla 
aelia.  PINCENSIA.  That  is  to  say,  JEliana, 
(so  called,  from  its  institutor,  Allies  Iladrianus) 
and  Pincensia  from  Pincum,  near  which  city 
[on  the  Danube,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  what 
is  now  the  town  of  Gradisca]  these  mines,  or 
metalla  were  worked. 


16 


-^vwu*  w’-  fjfj  -it.  *}/>)/-//» 

4 ^ v*  8a%iI*c&  . 

AELIl'S.  I TINEAS. 


AELIANUS  (Quintus  Valcns) ; one  of  the 
so-calleil  tyranni,  or  pretenders  to  imperial  aud 
augustal  rank  and  authority,  during  the  reign  of 
Gallicnus.  The  Museum  Thenpoli  contains  the 
following  description  of  a 3rd  brass  coin,  which 
Eckhel  supposes  to  belong  to  this  usurper,  but 
its  authenticity  is  doubted  by  Mionnct. — Obv. 
IMP.  C.  Q.  VALENS  AELIANVS.  P.  AVO.  And  on 
its  reverse  iovi.  conser.  avgg.  with  type  of 
Jupiter,  standing;  the  thunderbolt  in  the  right 
and  the  liasta  in  the  left  hand.  On  the  exergue 
s.  M.  i. 

AELIUS  C/ESA  R — (Lucius  Aurelius  Ccjo- 
nius  Commodus  Verus)  was  the  son  of  Cejonius 
Commodus,  a man  of  consular  rank,  descended 
from  an  illustrious  Etrurian  family.  The  date 
of  his  birth  is  unknown.  On  the  death  of 
Sabina,  he  was  adopted  by  Hadrian,  A.  U.  c. 
888  or  889  (a.  d.  135  or  36),  and  destined  to 
the  succession  of  the  empire ; declared  Cicsar 
under  the  name  of  Lucius  /Elius  Verus,  made 
Prsctor  and  Tribune  of  the  people ; and  ap- 
pointed prefect  of  Pannonia,  which  province  he 
governed  with  wisdom  and  courage;  created,  for 
the  first  time,  Consul,  a.  d.  137,  and  elected  to 
his  second  consulate  the  following  year.  He  was 
brother  of  Annins  Verus  and  of  Faustiua  the 
elder;  married  Domitia  Lucilla.  Of  a hand- 
some figure,  dignified  in  physiognomy,  and 
stately  in  carriage,  he  possessed  a highly  cul- 
tivated understanding,  was  learned,  eloquent,  and 
wrote  with  elegance  in  both  prose  and  verse. 
Refined  in  his  tastes,  but  effeminate  in  his  habits, 
he  fell  an  early  victim  to  the  inroads  made  on  a 
weak  constitution  by  voluptuousness  and  dissipa- 
tion. .Elius  returned  from  Pannonia  to  Rome 
a.  d.  138,  and  died  on  the  very  day  appointed 
for  him  to  deliver  a florid  eulogium  in  honour  of 
Hadrian’s  kindness  to  him.  His  body  was  de- 
posited in  the  tomb  which  Hadrian  had  built 
at  Rome  for  his  own  mausoleum,  now  the  castle 
of  St.  Angelo,  aud  that  emperor  caused  several 
temples  and  statues  to  be  raised  to  his  memory. 

On  his  coins  he  is  styled 
I,,  aei.ivs.  caesar.  They 
are  more  or  less  scarce,  in 
all  the  three  metals.  His 
brass  medallions  are  of  the 
highest  degree  of  rarity. — 
/Elius  is  represented  on  all 
his  coins  with  bare  head, 
curly  hair  and  beard,  aud  a majestic  countenaucc. 

liavcrcainp  (in  Masco  Christina , p.  69)  has 
engraved,  and  Capt.  Smyth  cites  from  his  own 
collection,  a large  brass  of  this  prince,  which  with 
no  other  legend  on  its  reverse  than  tr.  pot  cos. 
ii.  ends.  c.  on  the  exergue,  typifies  “Fortune 
with  her  rudder  and  cornucophc,  meeting  Hope, 
who  advances  in  light  vestments  and  bears  the 
blossom  before  her.  This  elegant  device  alludes 
to  the  fortunate  exaltation  of  /Elius,  and  the 
expectation  of  his  becoming  Emperor.  But  the 
hope  was  vain;  and  Hadrian,  who  had  cele- 
brated the  adoption  with  magnificent  games,  a 
public  largess,  and  a donative  to  the  soldiers, 
could  not  conceal  his  chagrin  on  perceiving  that 
/Elins  was  passing  to  a sepulchre  rather  than  a 


throne.  Alluding  to  the  approaching  apotheosis 
of  the  sickening  Ctcsar,  the  Emperor  exclaimed 
— * Ego  Dirum  adoptavi , non  filinir.'  And  the 
event  verified  the  prediction.”  (Descr.  Cat.  p. 
114.) — The  type  above  described  is  evidently 
taken  from  fortuxa  spes  on  an  aureus  of 
Hadrian. — See  Caylus,  Sunns.  Aurea  Lapp. 
Rom.,  No.  350. 

/ENEAS,  a Trojan  prince,  the  fabled  son  of 
Venus  by  Anchises. — Arrived  at  manhood,  he 
accompanied  Baris,  the  seducer  of  Helen,  to 
Troy,  where  he  married  Creusa,  daughter  of 
Priam,  by  whom  he  had  a son  named  Ascauius. 
After  taking  that  city,  the  Greeks  proclaimed 
that  every  free  man  might  carry  aw  ay  some  por- 
tion of  his  goods.  /Eneas,  in  consequence,  bore 
otf  his  household  gods  (Penates.)  The  Greeks 
were  so  touched  by  this  action,  that  they  gave 
him  the  same  permission  a second  time.  /Eneas 
immediately  took  his  father  on  his  shoulders. 
They  then  liberated  all  his  family,  and  left  him 
to  take  whatever  belonged  to  him  ; at  the  same 
time  assisting  him  with  means  for  quitting  the 
country’.  After  a variety  of  adventures,  the 
incidents  of  which  are  immortalised  by  the  Muse 
of  Mantua,  /Eneas  arrived  in  Italy,  with  the 
remnant  of  his  Trojans;  gained  frequent  vic- 
tories over  the  native  tribes  and  states , and  at 
length,  having  killed  Turnus  in  single  combat, 
obtained  of  King  Iatinus  his  daughter  Lavinia 
in  marriage.  It  was  in  honour  of  that  lady  that, 
according  to  the  Roman  legend,  he  built  a city 
called  Lavinium  : and  the  further  result  was  the 
union  of  the  aborigines  with  the  Trojans,  under 
the  common  appellation  of  Latins,  ft  is  added, 
that  he  died  in  battle  with  the  Rututi,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Numicus.  From  .Eneas  Sylvius, 
his  son  by  Lavinia,  are  said  to  have  descended 
all  the  kings  of  Alba  Longa ; and  lastly  Romu- 
lus and  Remus,  founders  of  the  city  of  Rome. — 
(Pitiscus,  Lexicon  Antiq.  Rom. — Millin,  Die- 
tionnaire  de  la  Fable.) 


yEnea  Pi  etas : The  filial  piety  of  /Eneas — 
This  hero  is  represented,  on  many  imperial  coins, 
in  the  act  of  carrying  the  aged  Anchises  on  his 
shoulders,  and  the  Trojan  palladium  (image  of 
Pallas)  in  his  right  hand,  Ascnnius  following 
him.  Sometimes  the  palladium  is  omitted,  and 
the  boy  has  hold  of  /Eneas’s  hand.  This  son  of 
/Eneas  was  also  called  lulus,  and  the  members 
of  the  Julia  family  pretended  to  derive  their 
origiu  from  him ; a claim  which  is  frequently 
indicated  on  the  coins  of  Julius  Cicsar.  An- 


A5NEAS. 

oilier  allusion  to  so  favourite  a theme  of  national 
flattery,  with  the  Romans,  is  seen  on  a very  rare 
denarius  of  the  Livineia  gens,  struck  by  Livi- 
neius  Regulns,  monetary  triumvir  under  Augus- 
tus. Amongst  the  splendid  and  interesting  series 
of  bronze  medallions,  struck  at  Rome  under 
Antoninus  Pius,  is  oue  (of  which  the  above  is  a 
copy  after  Mionnet’s  plate),  with  the  legend  p.  M. 
TR.  P.  cos.  hi.  and  the  type  of  .Eneas  bearing 
Anchises  from  Troy,  and  leading  Ascauius  by  the 
hand.  The  old  man,  covered  with  a robe,  holds 
a casket;  the  youth  wears  a Phrygian  bonnet. 
The  reference  on  this  medallion  to  the  piety  of 
the  Trojan  chief  (says  Havercamp),  is  to  be  re- 
garded as  connecting  itself  with  the  surname  of 
Pius,  which  Antoninus  bore,  and  as  conveying 
an  euloginm  on  the  filial  virtues  of  that  Em- 
peror.— Capitolinas,  speaking  of  the  afl'ection 
which  Antoninus  evinced  towards  his  parents, 
states  that  the  name  of  Pius  had  been  conferred 
on  him,  because,  in  the  presence  of  the  assem- 
bled Senate,  he  had  given  his  arm  to  his  father- 
in-law,  who  was  broken  down  by  old  age,  and 
thus  assisted  him  in  walking. 

There  is  a very  rare  first  brass,  with  a similar 
type,  minted  between  the  third  and  fourth  con- 
sulates of  Antoninus  (a.  d.  140 — 45),  and  both 
were  probably  designed  as  a compliment  to  the 
good  Emperor,  whose  dutiful  attachments  as  a 
son  were  further  shewn  by  the  statues  which  he 
dedicated  to  the  memory  of  his  father  and 
mother,  as  well  as  to  others  of  his  defunct  rela- 
tions.— See  Havercamp,  Medailles  de  Christine, 
pi.  xvi.  p.  77- 

Amongst  the  contorniate  medals,  which  have 
on  their  obverses  the  respective  heads  of  Nero 
and  Trajan,  is  one  with  aeneas  for  legend  of 
reverse,  and  for  type  the  group  of  .Eneas,  An- 
chiscs,  and  Ascanius : that  well-known  subject 
having  been  copied  from  earlier  coins,  Greek  as 
well  as  Latin. 

JEnere  Adventus. Arrival  of  ./Eneas  in 

Italy. — In  his  celebrated  work  “ De  la  rarete 
des  Medailles  Romaines,”  Mionnet  has  given 
a beautiful  engraving  (whence  the  subjoined  is 
carefully  copied)  of  a brass  medallion,  which 
on  its  reverse,  with  remarkable  minuteness  of 
graphic  illustration,  typifies  the  description, 
given  by  Virgil,  of  this  aboriginal  legend  of  Rome. 


On  the  obverse,  we  read  antoninvs  avg.  pivs 
p.p.  th.  p.  cos.  vi.  and  are  presented  with  a re- 
D 


AEQUITAS.  17 

markably  fine  portrait  of  that  Emperor.  The  re- 
verse, which  is  without  epigraph,  depictures  /Eneas 
and  Ascanius,  disembarking  from  a vessel  an- 
chored close  to  shore,  on  the  coast,  as  may  be 
supposed,  of  Latium.  Opposite  to  this  group  lies 
a sow  suckling  its  young,  under  a tree : above 
which  are  to  be  discerned  the  walls  of  a city. 

Here,  in  the  first  place,  we  are  reminded  of 
the  Trojan’s  dream,  in  which,  while  “ laid  on 
Tiber’s  banks,  oppress’d  with  grief,”  he  was 
addressed  by  “ the  Father  of  the  Roman  flood,” 
in  these  words : — 

Jamque  tibi,  ne  vana  pntes  haec  fingere  somuuni, 
Littoieis  ingens  invents  sub  ilicibus  sus, 

Triginta  capitum  foetus  euixa,  jacebit, 

Alba,  solo  recubans,  albi  circum  ubera  nati. 

Hie  locus  urbis  erit,  requies  ea  certa  laborum  : 

Ex  quo  ter  denis  urbem  redeuntibus  aunis 
Ascauius  clari  conilet  cognoiniuis  Albam. 

AZneid,  viii.  42. 

And  that  this  nightly  vision  may  not  seem 
Th’  elfect  of  fancy,  or  an  idle  dream, 

A sow  beneath  au  oak  shall  lie  along, 

All  white  herself,  and  white  her  thirty  young. 

When  thirty  rolliug  years  have  run  their  race, 

Thy  son,  Ascanius,  on  this  empty  space 
Shall  build  a royal  town,  of  lasting  fame  ; 

Which  from  this  omen  shall  receive  the  name. 

Drydcn's  translation. 

Next,  we  have  the  fulfilment  of  the  sign  given 
to  ./Eneas,  according  to  the  promise  of  Tiberinus, 
as  described  a little  further  on,  in  the  same  im- 
mortal poem : — 

Ecce  autem  subitum,  atque  oculis  mirabile  moustrum. 
Candide  per  silvam  cum  foetu  concolor  albo 
Frocubuit,  viridique  in  littore  conspicitur  sus. 

Now  on  the  shore  the  fatal  swine  is  found : 
Wondrous  to  tell ; she  lay  along  the  ground : 

Her  well-ted  offspring  at  her  udders  hung ; 

She  white  herself,  and  white  her  thirty  young. 

The  city  delineated  on  the  above  medallion  is 
clearly  Laviuium. 

AEQVI.  or  AEQVIT.  AVG. — -Equitas  Au- 
gusts— (The  Equity  of  the  Emperor). 

AEQVITAS. — The  Equity,  referred  to  on 
Roinau  eoius,  signifies  that  virtue  so  much  to  be 
desired  in  sovereign  princes,  which  prompts 
them  to  administer  the  affairs  of  the  public 
(especially  in  re  monetarid),  with  impartial  de- 
votedness to  the  interests  of  the  people.  Aequi- 
las  is  almost  always  represented  under  the  figure 
of  a woman,  clothed  in  the  stola,  generally 
standing,  sometimes  but  not  often  seated,  with 
a pair  of  scales,  or  (but  very  rarely)  a patera, 
in  the  right  hand,  and  in  the  left  a cornucopia;, 
or  the  hast  a pura,  or  a sceptre. 

“ The  scales,  that  natural  emblem  of  Equity, 
are  used  by  Persius  to  express  the  decision  of 
right  and  wrong — the  cornucopia;  signifies  the 
good  which  results  from  examining  into  the  real 
merits  of  cases.” — Smyth. 

The  epigraph  of  aeqvitas  (or  aeqvitati) 
avg.  or  avgvsti,  belongs  to  the  mints  of  Vitel- 
lius,  Titus,  Domitian,  Antoninus  Pius,  Pertiuax, 
S.  Severus,  Alex.  Severus,  Macrinus,  Maximinus, 
Gordianus  Pius,  Volusianus,  Macrianus,  Quietus. 


18 


AEQU1TATI. 

AEQVITAS  PVBUCA,  Of  AEQV1TATI  PVBLICAE 
presents  itself  on  medals  of  S.  Sevcrus,  Julia 
Domna,  Caracalla,  Gcta,  Elagabalus,  Gallienus. 

AEQVITAS  AVG. — Equity  with  scales  and 
horn  of  plenty.  Silver. — See  Voi.lsia.vvs. 

AEQVITAS  AVGVSTI. — A woman  holding 
in  her  right  hand  a pair  of  scales,  in  her  left  a 
cornucopia;.  The  inscription  of  Aequitas , in- 
appropriately stamped  on  the  medals  of  Vitellius, 
of  Domitian,  of  Commodus,  of  Sevcrus,  of  Cara- 
calla, of  Elagabalus,  and  such  like  tyrants,  is 
with  no  more  than  strict  justice  engraven  on 
coins,  struck  under  the  reigns  of  a Titus,  a 
Nerva,  and  a Pertinax,  by  whom  that  quality 
appears  to  have  been  strictly  and  sincerely  che- 
rished. It  is  indeed  a virtue  worthy  of  an  em- 
peror, as  the  bridle  and  rule  of  liis  sovereign 
power — a virtue  which  Ammianus  calls  the  de- 
spised mother  and  the  nurse  of  the  Koman  world; 
Mquitate  calcata  parente  nutrieeque  Orbit  Ro- 
mani.— Spanheim. 

AEQVITAS  II. — A woman  standing  with  ba- 
lance and  horn  of  plenty.  A silver  medal  of  S. 
Sevcrus  (struck  a.d.  194)  with  this  unprecedented 
feature  in  the  legend  of  its  reverse,  was  first  pub- 
lished by  Eckhcl  in  his  Sglloge , i.  p.  103.  lie 
observes  that  in  the  mark  a.  it  presents  Equity 
and  Liberality  divided  into  numbers ; a cir- 
cumstance noticed  neither  by  Mediobarbi,  nor 
by  Vaillaut.  But  the  meaning  of  this  Equitas 
Duplicata  he  cannot  make  out.  There  is  a coin 
of  Julia  Domna  with  the  same  reverse.  Vol. 
vii.  167-190. 

AEQVITATI  PVBLICAE.  S.  C.— The  three 
Moneta  standing ; each  holds  a balance  in  the 
right  and  a cornucopia:  in  the  left  hand ; at  the 
foot  of  each  is  a vase.  On  first  brass  of  Sept. 
Sevcrus. 


The  three  female  personifications  of  the  Roman 
mint,  each  holding  balances  and  cornueopiic, 
with  vases,  or  with  conical  heaps  representing 
the  three  metals,  at  tlicir  feet,  occur  continually 
on  coins  of  the  imperial  series,  from  Pcrtinax 
and  S.  Severus  downwards,  especially  on  me- 
dallions ; but  these  are  for  the  most  part  accom- 
panied by  the  legend  monetae  avq.  or  avgg. 
and  serve  to  shew,  that  the  princes  of  the  lower 
empire  assumed  to  themselves  the  supreme  power 
of  coining  money,  in  every  metal,  as  signified  by 
these  imagines  monetarnm. — Sec  Monkta. 

There  is  a first  brass  coin  of  Aquilia  Severn, 
with  the  legend  of  aeqvitas  pvbi.ica.  s.  c.  on 
its  reverse,  the  type  of  which  exhibits  three 


.ERA. 

females  standing  in  full  robes,  with  the  attributes 
of  Fortune  (i.  e.  cornucopia:  and  rudder).  “This 
(observes  Capt.  Smyth)  is  an  uncommon  device 
for  medals  in  honour  of  females ; and  is  only 
known  upon  this  and  one  of  Julia  Paida — so  that 
it  may  be  taken  for  an  allusion  to  the  high  for- 
tune to  which  Elagabalus  elevated  those  ladies. 
But  in  this  sense  the  device  has  little  relation  to 
the  legend.’’ — Havereamp,  in  Mus.  Christina, 
has  given  an  engraving  of  this  reverse. 

ERA. — Era,  or  Epoch,  is  the  poiut  of  com- 
mencement, from  which  years  are  reckoned,  as 
taken  from  the  date  of  some  memorable  event. 
Thus  in  Cliristeudom,  especially  Christian  Eu- 
rope, we  compute  the  number  of  years,  from  the 
era  of  Our  Lord’s  incarnation.  The  different 
cities  and  peoples  of  antiquity  by  whom  the  Greek 
language  was  used,  began  the  year  from  the 
season  of  autumn,  namely,  about  the  autumnal 
equinox,  or  from  the  calends  of  September — 
although,  after  the  correction  of  the  calendar, 
promulgated  under  Julius  Cirsar,  the  beginning 
of  the  year  was  taken  from  the  calends  of 
January,  in  some  Greek  cities  influenced  by 

Rome. The  commencement  of  numbering 

is  expressed  both  in  the  Varronian  years 
from  the  foundation  of  Rome,  and  in  the  vulgar 
era  from  the  birth  of  Christ.  The  year  u.  c. 
(Urbis  Condita),  according  to  Tercutius  Varro, 
began  753  years  before  the  Christian  era. — 
According  to  Cato,  Rome  was  founded  in  b.  c. 
751 ; according  to  Polybius  in  B.C.  750;  accord- 
ing to  Fabius  Pictor  in  747. — Visconti  ( Icouo - 
graphic  Romaine,  i.  p.  14,  8vo.  edit.)  says — 
“ Jc  preferc,  avec  la  plupart  des  chronologistcs, 
le  calcul  dc  Varrou,  qui  fut  lc  plus  suivi  par 
les  ancicns,  depuis  lc  sieclc  d’Auguste.” 

From  amongst  the  more  illustrious  epochs  of 
cities,  and  those  of  more  frequent  occurrence, 
the  following  are  selected,  as  bearing  relation  to 
Roman  History: — 

/Era  Pompeiana — the  period  when  Cn.  Pom- 
pey,  surnamed  the  Great,  having  made  peace 
with  Tigraucs,  King  of  Armenia,  and  driven 
Mithridatcs,  King  of  l’ontus,  out  of  his  domi- 
nions, assumes  the  government  of  affairs  in 
Syria  as  a Roman  province,  subdues  Phamicia, 
and  takes  Jerusalem — began  about  the  year  of 
Rome  691  (b.  c.  63.) 

JEra  Casariana,  so  called  in  honour  of  Julius 
Ciesar,  the  conqueror  of  Pompev,  began  with 
the  battle  of  Pharsalia,  a.  u.  C.  706  (n.  c.  48). 
The  mnrder  of  Ciesar  took  place  B.  c.  44,  Mur. 
15,  in  his  4lh  Dictatorship. 

/Era  Artiaca,  derived  from  the  defeat  of 
Mark  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  by  Octavianus 
(afterwards  Ciesar  Augustus),  at  the  battle  of 
Actium,  dates  from  a.  u.  C.  723  (b.  c.  31.) — 
[But  this  mra,  in  Egypt  and  in  some  cities,  takes 
its  commencement  from  the  following  year,  viz. 
U.  c.  724  (b.  c.  30) ; in  autumn  amongst  the 
Greeks.] 

/Era  Angvs/a/is,  in  which  Octavinnus  Ciesar 
accepted  the  title  of  Augustus,  is  taken  from 
the  year  of  Rome  727  (b.  c.  30),  or  from  the 
follow  ing  year. 

ERAR1UM. The  Exchequer  or  Public 


ASRARIUM. 

Treasury  ; the  place  where  the  annual  revenues 
of  the  republic  were  deposited,  and  which  de- 
rived its  name  from  the  metal  of  the  money  of 
the  Romans,  viz.  ties  (brass).  It  was  in  the 
temple  of  Saturn  ; and  thence  were  drawn  the 
funds  to  defray  all  needful  expenses,  as  well  in 
peace  as  in  war.  This  JErartum  was  generally 
filled  with  immense  riches ; and  rarely,  indeed, 
did  it  happen,  that  the  state  laboured  under  any 
want  of  money.  The  custody  of  it  was  confided 
to  officers,  selected  from  the  people,  and  who 
were  called  Tribuni  JErar'u  ; they  were  required 
to  be  men  in  high  repute  for  great  riches,  pro- 
bity, aud  disinterestedness.  Resides  this  ordin- 
ary treasure,  there  was  another,  which  bore  the 
appellation  of  Sanctius  /Erarium,  because  it  was 
in  the  interior  of  the  temple,  or  perhaps  because 
it  was  not  allowed  to  he  resorted  to  except  in 
pressing  emergencies.  Julius  Caesar,  wanting 
money  for  his  own  purposes,  during  tire  civil 
war,  took  forcible  possession  of  this  deposit  of 
public  wealth,  anil  carried  away  vast  sums, 
as  is  acknowledged  by  all  the  historians,  although 
they  do  not  agree  as  to  the  quantity. — In  addi- 
tion to  these  two  treasuries,  there  was  likewise 
the  jErarium  Mililare , formed  by  Augustus,  for 
the  maintenance  of  the  Roman  troops,  the  an- 
cient funds  proving  insufficient  to  furnish  pay 
for  all  the  legions. — See  l’itiscus. 

On  gold  and  silver  coins  struck  by  L.  vini- 
ctvs.  l.  f.  one  of  the  moneyers  of  Augustus, 
we  read  the  following  inscription,  which,  as 
containing  the  initial  letter  of  the  word  JEra- 
rium, may,  with  propriety,  be  cited  in  this 
place : viz.  s.  r.  Q.  u.  imp.  caf..  qvod.  v.  m.  s. 
ex.  ea.  P.  Q.  is.  ad.  A.  DE.  Senalus  1‘ojml us- 
que Romanus,  Imperatori  Casari,  Quotl  Via 
Munita  Sint  Ex  Ea  Pecunia,  Quam  Is  Ad  aera- 
rium  Letulisset.  A monument  this  of  public 
gratitude  to  the  Emperor  above  named,  who  by 
making  and  repairing  great  roads,  had  contri- 
buted to  the  public  safety ; and  who  did  this 
so  far  at  his  own  cost,  that  he  had  caused  to 
be  conveyed  to  the  Treasury  of  the  State,  that 
money  which  was  the  fruit  of  his  victories,  and 
of  the  advantages  he  had  gained  over  the  foreign 
enemies  of  his  country. — See  Eckhel’s  remarks 
on  a coin  of  the  Neria  family,  corroborative  of 
the  fact  that  the  JErarium,  or  public  treasury, 
at  Rome,  was  in  the  temple  of  Saturn. — See 
also  the  word  Saturnvs. 

jERUGO. Rust  of  a peculiar  kind  in- 

creases the  price  of  brass  coins,  being  an  or- 
nament imparted  by  nature  alone,  which  the 
utmost  rivalship  of  art  has  not  yet  been  able 
successfully  to  imitate.  There  is,  indeed,  some 
particular  earth  that  communicates  to  the  metal 
in  question  a coating  and  a colour,  which  in  its 
hue  of  blue  jasper,  or  turquois,  sometimes  even 
excels  the  gem  of  that  name.  The  crimson  or 
ruby,  which  adheres  to  other  coins,  is  a sign  of 
genuineness.  Others  are  covered  with  a natural 
vernis,  or  varnish,  of  shining  and  splendid  vio- 
let or  purple,  leaving  far  behiud,  in  point  of 
brilliancy  and  of  exquisite  smoothness,  that  brass 
out  of  which  statues  are  cast — a quality  which 
never  fails  to  be  recognised  by  those  possessing 
D 2 


iESCULAPIUS.  19 

the  most  ordinary  acquaintance  with  numis- 
matics, inasmuch  as  it  greatly  surpasses  the 
colour  so  easily  obtained  from  vinegar  and  am- 
moniac. The  true  aruyo  is  in  general  decidedly 
green,  and  at  the  same  time  forms  a very  thin 
covering,  insinuating  itself  over  the  surface  of 
the  coin  in  the  most  delicate  manner,  without 
obliterating  anything ; somewhat  in  the  way  of 
an  enamel.  This,  however,  as  already  observed, 
solely  applies  to  brass  coins : for  viror  and  rust 
corrode  silver  coins,  and  for  that  reason  it  is 
proper  to  rub  it  off  from  them,  with  juice  of 
iemons. — Johert,  Science  de  Med.  i.  p.  335. 

AERUGO  NOBILIS;  the  perfection  of  pa- 
tina, which  is  the  smooth,  coloured  varnish  of 
time. — Smyth. 

AES. — llrass  and  copper  were  the  metals  first 
used  as  money  by  the  Romans.  Hence  the  word 
served  afterwards,  with  them,  to  designate  every 
kind  of  money,  whether  gold,  silver,  or  brass. 
And  even  at  that  period  when  the  wealth  of  the 
Republic  was  at  its  highest  pitch,  every  species 
of  current  coin  continued  to  be  denominated 
Aes. — The  aes  grave,  it  is  evident  from  the  de- 
scriptions of  their  writers,  was  brass  (or  copper) 
in  bars,  of  the  weight  of  a pound  (ponclus 
libralis)  used  as  money,  before  the  introduction 
of  a silver  coinage.  Eckhel,  in  support  of  this 
opinion,  cites  Ecstus,  who  says — Grave  aes  dic- 
tum a ponder e,  quia  deni  asses,  singu/i  pondo 
libra,  efficiebant  denarium,  ab  hoc  ipso  numero 
dictum.  The  collecting  of  such  heavy  masses, 
to  any  great  amount  of  value,  became  so  ex- 
tremely inconvenient  that,  according  to  Livy, 
the  aes  grave  was  obliged  to  be  conveyed  to  the 
treasury  in  waggons.  Subsequently,  in  order  to 
obviate  this  objection,  pieces  of  copper,  of  less 
weight,  but  without  any  mark,  were  roughly 
cut;  and  these,  on  accoimt  of  their  uncouth 
form,  were  called  aes  rude.  This  improvement 
is  by  some  ancient  writers  ascribed  to  Numa. 
Rut  it  was  not  until  the  reign  of  Servius  Tul- 
lius, that  the  Romans  are,  with  any  due  degree 
of  authority,  affirmed  to  have  begun  striking 
round  coins  of  brass,  with  the  type  of  a bull, 
&c.  to  which  they  gave  the  name  (according  to 
Pliny)  of  Aes  signatum. — See  Brass — also  As. 

AES  CYPRIUM;  the  copper  on  which  the 
Roman  dupondii  or  second  brass  were  minted. — 
See  Smyth,  xv. 

/ESCULAPIUS,  in  the  more  general  opinion 
of  mytliographers,  was  regarded  by  the  ancients, 
as  the  son  of  Apollo  and  of  Coronis,  daughter  of 
Plilcgius,  King  of  Thessaly.  According  to  the 
same  fabulous  authority,  his  reputed  father  con- 
fided his  education  to  the  centaur  Chiron,  who 
instructed  him  in  medicine  and  other  sciences, 
comprehending  a thorough  knowledge  of  plants. 
Conformably  to  the  custom  of  those  early  ages, 
he  combined  the  practice  of  surgery  with  the 
faculty  of  a physician ; and  with  so  high  a 
degree  of  success  was  his  career  attended,  that 
to  him  was  superstitiously  ascribed  the  power  of 
curing,  by  words  alone,  all  kinds  of  wounds, 
contusions,  fevers,  &c.  It  was  even  alleged  that 
he  had  raised  many  persons  from  the  dead.  So 
great,  in  short,  was  the  celebrity  he  acquired, 


20  jESCULAPIUS. 

that  divine  honours  were  paid  to  him  after  his 
decease ; and  he  was  venerated  as  the  tutelary 
god  of  the  healing  art.  jEsculapius  had  tem- 
ples in  many  parts  of  Greece,  Asia  Minor,  &e. 
lie  was  especially  the  object  of  worship  at  Epi- 
daurus  (a  city  of  Agria,  in  the  Peloponnesus), 
the  place  of  his  birth. 

This  pagan  divinity  is  usually  portrayed,  under 
the  figure  of  a sedate-looking,  middle-aged 
man,  standing  or  (but  rarely)  sitting ; wholly 
or  partly  covered  with  a cloak ; and  holding  in 
his  right  hand  a staff,  round  which  a serpent  is 
entwined. — A denarius  of  the  Homan  family 
Acilia  exhibits,  on  its  obverse,  the  head  of  jEs- 
culapius  laurcated,  and  on  its  reverse  a serpent 
coiled  round  a staff.  (Morell). — On  a 1st  brass  of 
Galba,  the  God  of  medicine  is  represented  stand- 
ing, naked,  with  right  hand  extended,  and  the 
left  resting  on  his  staff,  round  which  the  ser- 
pentine attribute  is  enfolded. — A brass  medal- 
lion of  L.  Vcrus  presents  him  on  the  same  re- 
verse with  Hygeia,  flic  goddess  of  health  ; and 
on  other  medals  he  is  seen  attended  by  the 
little  Telesphorns,  who  appears  to  have  his  ori- 
gin in  Egyptian  mythology,  and  to  be  identical 
with  Ilarpocrates,  the  god  of  silence.  In  de- 
scribing a middle  brass  of  Caraealla,  on  which 
gEsculapius  stands  between  Tclesphoms  and  a 
small  globe,  Pat  in  observes,  that  the  Romans  as 
well  as  the  Greeks,  worshipped  him,  as  the 
author  of  the  health  of  Augustus,  and  after- 
wards of  every  reigning  emperor,  for  which  rea- 
son he  often  appeal's  on  their  coins ; especially 
on  those  of  Caraealla,  Albinus,  and  Gallicnns. 

AESCVLAPI  VS. — The  only  production  of  the 
Roman  mint,  on  which  the  name  itself  of  iEscu- 
lapius  appears,  is  a fine  medallion,  in  bronze, 
struck  under  Antoninus  Pius — specimens  of 
which  very  great  numismatic  rarity  are  con- 
tained in  the  cabinet  of  (he  Bibliotheqve  Ra- 
tionale, at  Paris,  and  in  that  of  the  Imperial 
Museum  at  Vienna. — The  obverse  exhibits  a 
laurcated  bust  of  the  emperor,  wearing  the  paln- 
damentum,  around  it  is  read  ANTON  IN  VS  avg. 
i*l vs.  p.  P.  tkp.  cos.  mi. — The  reverse  has 
for  its  type  a serpent  darting  from  a galley, 
under  a bridge  of  two  arches.  Before  it  is  the 
Tiber  personified,  sitting  in  the  midst  of  the 
water.  The  right  hand  of  this  river-god  is  ex- 


tended towards  the  serpent  ; fhc  left  holds  a 
reed,  and  rests  on  an  urn,  whence  flows  a co- 


jESCULAPIUS. 

pious  stream.  Near  it  are  several  buildings  and 
a tree,  situate  on  a rock.  The  word  aescv- 
LAPivs  is  on  the  exergue. 

The  inscription  and  type  of  this  reverse  bear 
reference  to  the  curious  legendary  narrative— one 
third  probable  fact  and  two  thirds  superstitious 
fable — concerning  tbc  arrival  of  jEsculapius  at 
Rome ; which  Ovid  describes  in  his  Metamor- 
phoses (lib.  xv.) ; and  which  Valerius  Maxi- 
mus and  other  old  writers  have  taken  the  pains 
to  give,  in  substance  as  follows: — In  the  463rd 
year  from  the  foundation  of  the  city  (b.c.291)  the 
plague  made  great  ravages  within  its  walls.  The 
pontiffs  appointed  to  consult  the  Sybilline  books, 
found  that  the  only  means  of  restoring  health  in 
Rome  was  to  cause  jEsculapius  to  visit  it,  from 
Epidaurns.  Accordingly,  a deputation  of  ten 
principal  citizens  was  sent  there,  with  Q.  Ogid- 
nius  at  their  head.  Whilst  these  persons,  on 
entering  the  temple  of  the  demi-god,  were  ad- 
miring the  beauty  of  the  statue,  the  serpent, 
which  the  inhabitants  of  Epidaurns  seldom  saw, 
and  which  they  honoured  as  jEsculapius  himself, 
made  its  appearance  in  the  most  frequented  parts 
of  the  town,  moving  slowly  about,  and  mildly 
looking  around.  After  having  thus  shewn  him- 
self, during  three  days  to  the  people,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  the  harbour ; entered  the  Roman  gal- 
ley, and  ensconced  himself  snugly  in  Ogulnius’s 
cabin,  where  he  peaceably  remained  coiled  up. 
The  ambassadors  having  made  themselves  ac- 
quainted with  the  manner  in  which  the  serpent 
was  to  be  honoured,  immediately  set  sail  and 
landed  at  Antium.  There  the  serpent  left  the 
vessel,  and  entered  the  vestibule  of  the  temple 
of  jEsculapius.  After  remaining  there  three 
days,  it  re-entered  the  ship,  in  order  to  he  con- 
veyed to  Rome ; and  whilst  the  deputation  were 
disembarking  on  the  banks  of  the  Tiber,  the  ser- 
pent swam  across  to  the  island,  where  afterwards 
the  temple  of  jEsculapius  was  built.  1 1 is  arri- 
val, it  is  gravely  added  by  the  Roman  historiun, 
dispelled  the  contagious  disease,  for  which  his 
presence  had  been  sought  as  the  remedy. 

“ On  the  medallion  of  Antoninc  (observes 
Millin  in  his  Dictionnaire  Mythohgique),  the 
Tiber  appears  tinder  the  usual  figure  of  per- 
sonified rivers.  Near  him  is  the  isle  of  the 
Tiber,  called  Mesopotamia,  because  it  is  in  the 
middle  of  that  river.  It  has  the  form  of  a 
galley,  as  indeed  was  the  case;  and  to  this  day 
there  still  remain  some  fragments  of  it,  which 
have  escaped  the  injuries  of  time  and  the  inun- 
dations. I pen  fhc  to])  of  the  prow  of  the  ship, 
which  the  isle  in  question  is  made  to  resemble, 
is  represented  a serpent,  in  tortuous  folds,  ad- 
vancing its  head,  in  a contrary  direction  to  the 
current  of  the  water.  The  temple  of  jEsculapius 
built  on  the  isle  had  a high  reputation.  The 
privtor  Lucretius  contributed  greatly  to  its  em- 
bellishment. It  is  now  the  Church  of  S.  Rar- 
tholomeo  net  iso/a,  which  is  still  one  of  the 
most  celebrated  churches  in  Rome.” 

On  n denarius  of  CarncaUa,  bearing  for  its 
legend  of  reverse  r.  m.  tk  p.  win.  cos.  mi.  p.  r. 
(Sovereign  Pontiff,  invested  with  the  trihnnitinn 
dignity  for  the  18th  time,  consul  for  the  4th 


/ESCULAPIUS. 


AETERNA.  21 


time),  -Escidapius  is  designated  by  his  insepar- 
able attribute,  and  by  liis  side, 
or  rather  at  his  feet,  we  see 
his  dwarfish  companion  Tc- 

lesphorus. The  fratricide 

son  and  successor  of  the  mer- 
ciless Severus,  who  caused 
this  silver  coin  to  be  struck, 
is  said  by  Herodianus  to  have 
visited  Pcrgamos,  about  a.  d.  215,  “in  order  to 
place  himself  under  the  tutelary  care  and  heal- 
iug  influence  of  iEsculapius,”  to  whom,  amidst 
combined  tortures  of  mind  and  body,  the  fero- 
cious tyrant  was  profuse  in  prayers  and  sacri- 
fices. Under  the  frenzied  illusions  of  a guilty 
conscience,  he  saw  his  brother  constantly  before 
him,  brandishing  a naked  sword,  and  launching 
the  most  terrible  threats  against  him.  Often 
did  he  invoke  the  manes  of  the  dead,  and  chiefly 
those  of  his  father,  who  appeared  always  accom- 
panied by  Geta.  He  had  already  implored 
Apollo  in  vain  to  restore  him;  and  now  he 
sought  jEsculapius,  who,  having  no  respect  for 
murderers,  was  also  deaf  to  his  remorseful  sup- 
plications. 

On  silver  and  second  brass  of  Albinus  (the 
latter  with  cos.  n.  for  legend  of  reverse),  iEs- 
culapius  appears,  upright,  resting  his  right  arm 
on  his  serpent  twisted  staff,  lie  also  is  found, 
with  his  usual  attributes,  on  silver  and  third 
brass  of  Gallienus,  sharing,  as  conservator 
avg Hsti  (the  Emperor’s  preserver),  those  sacri- 
ficial honours  which  that  rash  and  reckless 
prince,  amidst  a world  of  calamities,  physical, 
social,  and  political,  was  at  the  same  time  in 
the  habit  of  paying  to  Apollo,  to  Hercules,  to 
Jupiter,  to  a whole  Olympus  of  other  false 
gods,  whom  he  vainly  invoked  to  save  him  and 
his  distracted  empire  from  impending  destruc- 
tion. 

2ESCULAPIUS  and  his  BOG,  on  a brass  me- 
dallion of  Antoninus  Pius. — Sec  Bog  of  / Escu - 
lapius. 

For  a representation  of  -Eseulapius,  as  a young 
man,  making  his  first  essay  in  the  healing  art, 
on  the  wounded  foot  of  an  ox,  see  DEO  aesc. 
SUB.  or  subven,  on  a coin  of  Parium. 

Types  of  /Eseulapius  also  appear  on  Latin 
colonial  coins  of  Babba,  Corinth,  Damascus, 
Dcultiun,  and  Patrne.  But  it  is  on  the  Greek 
imperial  that  we  find  the  effigy  and  the  vari- 
ous attributes  of  this  demi-god,  most  fully  de- 
veloped. And  on  the  medallions,  in  parti- 
cular, this  object  is  accomplished,  with  great 
beauty  of  design  and  display  of  artistic  skill  : 
the  figure  of  -Esculapius  being,  in  these  in- 
stances, generally  grouped  with  that  of  some 
princely  petitioner  for  his  tutelary  favours,  and 
also  with  the  goddess  Hygeia 

AET.  JEterna. — vict.  aet.  avg.  Victory 
walking. — Billon  of  Gallienus. — Banduri,  i.  180. 

AET.  JEternitas. — See  aet.  avg.  of  Trajan. 

AET.  ASlernitas. — See  gold  of  Vespasian. 

AFTER.  AVG.  JEternitas  Augusti  of  Hadrian. 

AETER.  Mtemo. — d.  n.  diocletiano  ae- 
ter.  avg. — On  second  brass  of  Diocletian. — 
Vaillant,  Pr.  i.  252. 


AETERN.  AVG.  Augustoimm. — Quadriga  of 
lions,  with  Cybele  on  a car.— Silver  of  Julia 
Domna,  mother  of  Caracalla  and  Geta,  who  is 
here  represented  as  Cybele,  as  though  she  had 
brought  forth  eternal  sons. — Vaillant,  Pr.  ii. 
233. 

AETERN.  AVG.  N.  Augusti  Noslri. — On 
a coin  of  Maxentius. 

AETERNA. — Rome  is  so  called,  either  to 
distinguish  her  from  other  cities,  or  on  account 
of  the  ancient  opinion  of  the  Romans  that  their 
citv  would  be  eternal. — (Raschc.)— See  Roma. 

AETERNA  EELICITAS  AVG. — Wolf  with 
the  twins,  on  2nd  brass  of  Maxentius — Banduri, 

ii.  157. 

AETERNA  MEMORIA. — A circular  temple, 
with  front  of  six  columns,  resembling  a mauso- 
leum, one  of  the  doors  half  open ; an  eagle 
on  the  top  of  its  dome ; in  the  exergue,  most  p. 
or  most  q.  or  most  s.  The  obverse  lias  the 
veiled  head  of  Coustantius  Chlorus ; with  legend 

IMP.  MAXENTIVS  DIVO  CONSTANTIO  ADFINI 

(or  COGN.)  — Second  brass,  engraved  in  Bandiui, 
ii.  p.  90. 

This  immortal  memory  (remarks  Spanheim, 
in  reference  to  the  above  described  coin  of 
Constantius  I.,  father  of  Constantine  the  Great), 
this  /Eterna  Memoria  was  the  great  object,  and 
esteemed  the  most  glorious  recompense,  of  a 
conqueror’s  exploits.  From  this  strong  senti- 
ment of  warlike  ambition,  and  from  the  no  less 
strong  desire  to  be  remembered  by  posterity, 
have  proceeded  not  only  the  above  inscription, 
but  also  those  of  Memoria  Perpeiua  and  Memo- 
ria Felix,  which  arc  found  on  the  coins  of  some 
of  the  Roman  Emperors,  struck  after  their  deaths, 
and  which  clearly  shew  what  must  naturally 
have  been  the  true  sense  and  meaning  of  their 
consecration.  For  the  same  reason,  such  in- 
scriptions are  accompanied  with  representations 
of  temples,  lighted  altars,  eagles,  or  of  cars 
destined  for  public  processions,  which  consti- 
tuted the  ordinary  marks  of  these  apotheoses. — 
(See  Cicsars  of  Julian,  211.) — From  the  legend 
of  the  obverse  we  learu  that  this  coin  was  struck 
by  order  of  Maxentius,  in  honour  of  his  deceased 
relation  Constantius. — See  Adfinis. 

AETERNA  PIETAS. — A soldier  standing,  in 
helmet,  military  dress,  and  cloak,  a spear  in  his 
right  hand,  and  a globe  in  his  left,  surmounted 
by  a cross  and  monogram  of  Christ. — Eckliel 
(viii.  92),  authenticates  this  as  a 3rd  brass  of 
Constantinus  Magnus,  in  the  imperial  cabinet ; 
and  Begcr  gives  a print  of  it  in  vol.  ii.  p.  805, 
Thesaurus  Brandenbitrgicus. 

The  obverse  of  this  coin  affixes,  in  its  legend, 
to  the  name  of  the  Emperor,  whose  head  is 
veiled,  the  old  mark  of  heathen  consecration, 
viz.  diws:  consequently  it  must  have  been  struck 
after  his  death.  The  mixture,  howrever,  of 
Christian  emblems  with  Pagan  observances,  in 
the  inscriptions,  is  in  perfect  keeping  with  the 
character  and  conduct  of  this  able  but  most  un- 
scrupulous prince ; a merciless  conqueror,  a cruel 
father,  and  an  unjust  judge, — a man  whose 
“ piety''  even  after  his  openly  professed  conver- 
sion to  the  religion  of  that  Cross,  through  the 


2 2 AETERNITAS. 

sign  of  which  (in  hoc  signo)  he  boasted  of  having 
“ overcome”  his  rivals,  and  attained  the  purple 
(a.  d.  311),  would  seem  from  coins,  and  other 
monuments,  to  have  been  much  more  of  the 
l’agan  than  of  the  Christian  sort,  and  whose 
policy,  in  its  whole  tenor,  shews  that  things,  not 
“ Eternal”  but,  temporal  and  secular,  were  those 
which  he  sought  and  prized. 


AETERNAE  MEMORIAE.— A round-formed 
temple,  one  of  the  doors  of  which  is  half  opened. 
On  the  top  of  its  dome  stands  an  eagle,  with 
expanded  wings ; on  the  exergue,  post. — This 
legend  and  type  appear  on  the  reverse  of  an 
unique  gold  medallion,  which  Maxentins,  a.  d. 
309,  caused  to  be  struck  to  the  everlasting  remem- 
brance of  his  son  Romulus  Cmsar,  whose  youth- 
ful bust,  clothed  in  the  toga,  and  with  bare  head, 
appears  on  the  other  side,  with  the  legend  mvo 
romvlo  nvuis.  cons. — The  above  cut  is  accu- 
rately copied  from  the  engraving  in  t.  ii.  p.  202, 
of  the  MedaiUes  liomaines  of  Mionnet,  by 
whom  this  fine  mcdallic  relic  of  the  lower  em- 
pire (15  lignes,  French  measure,  in  diameter), 
is  valued  at  1200  fr. — See  some  remarks  on  the 
words  nvbis.  cons,  in  their  place. 

A legend  in  the  same  dedicatory  form  appears 
on  two  second  brass  coins  of  (Jalerius  Maximi- 
anus,  one  with  the  circular  temple  and  eagle  on 
its  summit,  and  the  other  with  a square  altar 
lighted,  and  a branch  placed  in  the  middle,  on 
which  stands  an  eagle,  with  a crown  in  its  beak. 
— Banduri,  ii.  p.  133. 

AETERNITAS.— Eternity,  to  whom  the  Ro- 
mans paid  divine  honours,  although  neither 
temples  nor  altars  were  dedicated  by  them  to 
her  worship,  is  represented  on  coins  of  the  im- 
perial series,  under  the  personification  of  a 
matronly  woman,  clothed  in  the  stola ; some- 
times veiled,  at  other  times  without  a veil,  some- 
times seated,  sometimes  standing,  in  various 
attitudes  and  with  various  emblems  and  attri- 
butes. She  makes  her  first  monetal  appear- 
ance, under  the  reign  of  Vespasian.  It  is  on 
gold  and  silver  of  that  emperor  that  she  stands 
near  an  altar,  supporting  in  one  outstretched 
hand  the  radiated  head  of  the  Sun,  and  in  the 
other  the  crescented  head  of  the  Moon.  Next 
she  is  seen  on  one  of  those  first  brass  coins, 
which  were  struck  a.  d.  141,  and  following 
year,  by  order  of  the  Senate,  in  memory  of  the 
elder  Faustina,  whose  supposed  immortality,  her 
“ not  wisely  but  too  well”  loving  husband,  the 
worthy  Antoninns,  delighted  to  honour  with  the 
title  of  diva,  and  with  the  symbols  of  aeter- 
nitas.  The  type  is  here  a seated  female,  hold- 


AETERNITAS. 

ing  a sceptre,  or  the  hasta  pura,  in  her  left 
hand,  and  a globe  surmounted  by  the  Phoenix 
(see  that  word)  in  her  right. 


Amougst  the  attributes  (says  Eckhel,  viii. 
p.  457)  borrowed  by  the  emperors  from  the 
deities  of  their  mythology,  that  of  Eternity 
seems  to  have  claimed  the  foremost  place.  The 
Romans  called  that  eternal  which  had  no  end  ; 
which  stood  opposed  to,  because  emancipated 
from,  the  conditions  and  restrictions  inseparable 
from  mortality — in  a word,  something  divine. 
But  the  term  eternal  was  also  applied  to  that 
which  from  its  nature  might  admit  of  comparison 
therewith — inasmuch  as  it  was  considered  capable 
of  long  duration.  For  this  reason  the  Phirnix 
(itself  a fabulous  bird)  was  a recognised  symbol 
of  eternity,  because  its  life  was,  according  to 
popular  belief,  circumscribed  not  by  years  but 
by  whole  centuries ; on  which  account  Claudian 
calls  it  (sterna  avis ; and  the  elephant,  from  its 
reputed  longevity,  was  likewise  figured  to  signify 
eternity.  There  were  other  things  which  the 
law  deemed  eternal,  as  the  fire  of  Vesta,  the  ex- 
tinguishment of  which  demanded  great  atone- 
ment, and  was  viewed  as  a fearful  omen. 

Some  derived  this  attribute  from  public  opi- 
nion, as  koma  aetekna,  a common  legend  on 
coins ; others  from  a vow,  although  an  useless 
one,  as  AETERNITAS  iMPK.nii,  on  a coin  of 
Caracalla ; and  as  aeternitatibvs,  on  a coin 
of  Alexander  Severus.  The  word  eternity  was 
appropriated  not  only  to  deceased  and  consecrated 
emperors,  but  also  to  living  ones ; and  that  not 
solely  on  coins  and  marbles,  but  likewise  by  the 
pens  of  ancient  writers.  Of  this  latter  class  of 
authorities,  one  instance  may  suffice  to  be  ad- 
duced— namely,  that  of  the  younger  Pliny,  w ho, 
in  his  letters,  frequently  addresses  Trajan  as 
ee/ernilas  tua.  But,  in  the  case  of  living  princes, 
the  use  of  such  an  appellation  might  be  allow- 
able, because  there  was  scarcely  any  other  that 
could  be  employed  with  respect  to  them,  except 
the  votuni  diutemi  imperii ; at  least  it  is  thus 
only  that  one  can  understand  and  explain  the 
following  allusion  of  Horace  to  Augustus  : — 
Serus  in  coclum  redens,  diuque 
Latins  intersis populo  Quirini. 

“Oh  ! late  return  to  hcav’n,  and  may  thy  reign 
“With  lengthened  blessings  fill  thy  wide  domain.” 
AETERN1T VS. — This  legend  i-  commented 
upon  by  Eckhel  as  appearing  on  a brass  me- 
dallion, in  the  Imperial  collection  at  Vienna. 
Struck  under  Pcrtinax,  about  a.  i>.  193,  it  is  de- 
scribed to  have  for  the  type  of  its  reverse  the 


AETERNITAS. 

statue  of  tliat  emperor  seated  in  a quadriga  of 
elephants.  The  epigraph  of  the  obverse  is 
divvs.  peiit.  pivs.  pater,  with  the  bare  head 
of  the  emperor. 

A passage  in  the  historian  Victor  explains  the 
legend  of  the  obverse,  namely,  that  in  which 
he  says,  that  at  the  consecration  of  Pertinax  by 
Sept.  Scverus,  the  people  shouted  till  their  voices 
failed — pertinace  imperante  securi  virimus  ne- 
minem  timuimus;  patri  pio,  Patri  senatus,  Patri 
omnium  bonorum. — In  reference  to  the  type  of 
the  reverse,  Eckhel  cites  the  following  short  but 
elucidatory  passage  from  Dion : Pracepit  Severus, 
ut  statua  ejus  aurea  curru  elephantorum  vehe- 
retur  in  Circum.  It  was  it  appears,  therefore, 
by  Severus’s  order,  that  the  golden  statue  of  the 
murdered  Pertinax  was  carried  round  the  Circus 
Maximus  at  Rome,  in  a chariot  drawn  by  four 
elephants.  [This  coin  is  not  described  in  either 
Mionnet’s  or  Akerman’s  catalogues.] 

AETERNITAS.  P.  R.— Victory  approaching 
the  Emperor  (who  is  clothed  in  the  paluda- 
mentum,  and  holds  a spear  in  his  left  hand), 
offers  him  the  Palladium. 

A large  brass  coin  of  Vespasian,  with  this 
legend  and  type,  was  first  published  by  Eckhel 
(in  his  Syl/oge  i.) ; and  he  observes  that,  although 
the  expression  jEtemitas  Augusti  is  common  on 
medals  from  the  time  of  Vespasian,  yet  that  of 
Eternitas  Populi  Romani  was  till  then  unknown. 
Victory  here  holds  out  to  the  Emperor  the  palla- 
dium, or  figure  of  Minerva  armed  ; a super- 
stition derived  from  Troy,  the  safety  and  eternity 
of  which  city  was  believed  to  be  dependent  on 
its  possession  of  that  symbol.  The  same  palla- 
dium, by  whatever  means  brought  to  Rome,  was 
supposed  to  bestow'  the  same  protection  and  good 
fortune  on  the  Trojan  exiles  and  their  descend- 
ants, wherever  they  went.  This  coin,  Eckhel 
adds,  was  struck  in  the  same  year  (u.  c.  823, 
a.  d.  70)  that  Vespasian  (having  just  before  re- 
ceived the  empire,  whilst  at  a distance  from 
Rome)  first  entered  the  city.  Accordingly  Vic- 
tory offers  to  him  the  above-named  precious 
pledge  of  the  stability  of  the  Roman  coinmon- 
wealth. 

AETERNITAS.  S.  C.-On  a first  brass, 
which  bears  on  its  obverse  the  veiled  portrait  of 
Faustina  senior  (diva  avgvsta),  we  see  this 
legend  associated,  on  its  reverse,  with  the  image 
of  Cybelc,  who,  resting  the  right  hand  on  her 


customary  attribute  of  the  tympanum,  is  seated 


AETERNITAS. 


23 


on  a car  drawn  by  two  lions;  signifying  (as 
Havereamp  observes),  that  the  Empress,  thus 
compared  to  the  Magna  Mater  Drum,  and  placed 
amongst  the  divinities,  is  no  longer  subject  to 
the  accidents  of  mortality. — On  another  large 
brass  coin,  struck  in  memory  of  the  same 
princess,  the  same  legend  accompanies  the  type 
of  two,  and  even  four,  elephants  (with  their 
drivers),  drawing  a canopied  chariot,  in  which 
is  the  seated  statue  of  the  consecrated  Faustina. 

AETERNITAS  AVG. — AVGVST.— AVGVS- 
Tl. — AVGVSTA. — AVGVSTA E. — A\  GG.— 
AVGVSTORVM. — (The  Eternity  of  the  Em- 
peror, of  the  Empress,  or  of  the  Emperors. — 
When  any  of  these  inscriptions  are  combined 
with  the  title  of  the  reigning  prince,  or  with 
that  of  the  wife,  son,  or  other  branch  of  the 
imperial  family,  the  accompanying  types  repre- 
sent, amongst  other  devices,  sometimes  a female 
veiled,  seated  on  a stag,  and  holding  a torch  in 
her  left  hand,  as  on  a brass  medallion  of  Faus- 
tina, junior ; sometimes  a crescent  and  seven 
stars,  as  on  gold  of  Pesccuuius  N iger ; some- 
times an  equestrian  statue,  as  on  first  brass  of 
Gordianus  Pius  ; or  an  elephant,  with  driver  on 
its  back,  as  on  silver  and  first  brass  of  Philip, 
senior,  and  on  brass  of  Val.  Maximianus.  Three 
radiated  heads,  the  centre  full-faced,  accompany 
the  same  legend  on  gold  of  l’ostumus. — A 
temple  with  image  in  the  adytum  ; or  a woman 
resting  one  arm  on  a column,  and  holding  a 
globe  in  the  other  hand,  as  on  first  brass  of 
Faustina  senior.  Two  hands  joined,  on  billon 
of  Gallienus.— A tliensa,  with  the  Empress’s 
statue  on  it,  drawn  by  two  elephants,  as  in  first 
brass  of  Faustina,  the  elder.— A female  stands 
holding  a globe,  surmounted  by  a phoenix,  on  sil- 
ver medallion  of  Treboniauus  Gallus,  and  1st  brass 
of  jEmilianus,  and  2nd  brass  of  Carinus. — The 
sun,  with  right  hand  raised,  and  holding  a globe 
in  the  left,  on  small  brass  of  Valerianus. — Ro- 
mulus and  Remus,  suckled  by  the  wolf,  allusive 
to  the  eternity  of  Rome,  on  billon  of  Gallienus, 
and  on  second  brass  of  Maxeutius.  The  Em- 
peror crowned  by  Victory,  on  second  brass  of 
Tacitus,  &c.  &c. 

AETERNITAS,  symbolized  by  the  images  of 
the  Sun  and  Moon. — Allusion  has  already  been 
made  to  gold  aud  silver  of  Vespasian,  on  which 
a female  figure,  in  the  stola,  holds  in  her  hands 
the  heads  of  the  Sun  and  Moon.  The  same 
type  appears  on  a middle  brass  of  Domitian,  as 
given  in  Morell.  The  reason  why  we  see  types 
of  these  planets,  exhibited 
on  imperial  coins,  in  asso- 
ciation with  the  legend  of 
Eternity,  is  that  Sol  and 
Luna  were  believed  by  the 
Romans,  in  common  with 
the  rest  of  the  heathen 
world,  to  be  eternal ; and 
eternity  was  cither  feigned 
to  he  an  attribute  of,  or  prayed  for  (vota)  as  a 
blessing  on,  the  Emperors.  Thus,  in  the  famous 
inscription,  published  by  Grater,  is  read  soli 

AETERNO.  LVNAE.  PRO.  AETERNITATE.  IMPERII. 
ET.  SALVTE.  IMP.  CA.  ...  SEFTIMII.  SEVERI.  &C. 


24 


AETERNITAS. 

And  iu  another,  lvnae.  aeter.  sack,  pro 

SALVTE.  IMP.  CAES.  L.  SEPTIMI.  SEV.  &C. — Oil 
these  inarliles  we  see  eternity  ascribed  to  the 
Sun  and  to  the  Moon,  together  with  health 
promised,  by  vow,  to  the  Emperors.  These 
symbols  were  doubtless  borrowed  by  the  Romans 
from  the  Egyptians.  According  to  the  authority 
of  Homs  Apolliuus,  the  two  great  lights  con- 
stituted, in  the  glyphic  language  of  Ancient 
Egypt,  the  element,  which  indicates  sieculum, 
uevurn,  cetemitas.  This  point  of  the  subject  is 
further  illustrated  by  the  author  of  Doctrina, 
tjfc.  (vi.  23),  in  a coin  of  Trajan,  which  has  for 
the  legend  of  its  reverse  as  follows  : — 

A ET.  AVG.  Aeternitas  Augusti. — A woman 
standing  with  the  head  of  the  Sun  in  her  right 
hand.  Eekhel  thus  describes,  as  from  a specimen 
iu  the  Vienna  cabinet,  under  his  own  eye,  a 
silver  coin  of  Trajan,  struck  in  that  emperor’s 
7th  consulate.  It  furnishes,  in  conjunction  with  a 
similar  legend  and  type  on  gold  of  Vespasian,  one 
of  the  earlier  among  numerous  proofs,  that  the  Ro- 
mans assigned  eternity  to  their  Emperors,  as  a 
certain  mark  of  divinity.  The  eternity  of  Trajan  is 
here  typified  by  those  two  “ eternal  stars”  the 
Sun  and  Moon.  That  prince  affords  a particular 
example  of  this  custom  in  allowing  His  Eternity 
to  be  recognised  not  only  on  his  coins,  but  in 
his  most  confidential  correspondence  (see  Pliny’s 
Letters,  1.  x.  cpist.  87).  Amongst  the  ancients, 
Eternity  was  symbolized  by  the  Sun  and  the 
Moon ; because,  says  Mamertinus,  Quulquid 
immortale  est  stare  nescit , ceternoque  motu 
se  servat  ceternitas.  (Whatever  is  immortal 
knows  uo  rest ; and  eternity  maintains  itself  by 
eternal  motion).  “ His  throne”  (says  the  Royal 
Psalmist)  “ is  as  the  Sun  before  me,  and  as  the 
Moou  eternally.” — Eekhel  also  quotes  Diodorus 
Siculus,  to  shew  that  the  most  ancient  Egyptians, 
iu  contemplating  with  astonishment  and  admira- 
tion the  universe  above  them,  were  led  to  think, 
that  there  were  two  eternal  and  principal  deities, 
viz.,  the  Sun  and  the  Moon,  of  which  they  called 
the  former  Osiris,  and  the  latter  Isis. — Tristan 
(vol.  i.  381)  describes  a coin  of  Trajan  with  this 
legend,  and  as  having  for  its  reverse  type,  the 
figure  of  a woman,  who  holds  the  effigies  of  the 
Sun  and  Moon — qui  en  soul  (says  he)  el  comme  it 
est  assez  eogneu,  les  vrais  sgmboles. — Sec  Doct. 
Hum.  vet.  vol.  vii.  p.  181,  for  a commentary  on 
a coin  of  Sept.  Severus,  struck  about  a.  d.  202, 
on  the  reverse  of  which  is  inscribed  concor- 
diae  aeternae,  wherein  further  light  is 
thrown  on  the  subject  of  the  Solar  and  Lunar 
types,  appropriated  to  their  coins  by  the 
Roman  emperors  and  empresses,  as  symbols  of 
their  own  deified  immortality. — It  is  to  be  ob- 
served, that  no  mention  is  made  of  the  above 
coin  in  either  Mionnet  or  Akerman. 

AETERNITAS.  S.  C.  — Among  other  coins, 
which  M.  Aurelius  caused  to  be  minted  A.  l>.  140 ; 
whilst  he  was  himself  engaged  iu  the  infatuated 
employment  of  rendering  “ the  divine  honours” 
of  the  apotheosis  to  his,  “ aud  every  man’s,” 
Faustina,  viz.  the  younger  of  that  name ; 
there  is  one  in  large  brass,  on  which  the 
Empress,  or  rather  her  “ deified  spirit,”  is  re- 


AETERNITAS. 

presented,  with  a sceptre  in  her  right  hand, 
“ like  another  Juno”  (as  Spauhcim  expresses  it). 


sealed  between  two  gracefid  young  females,  who, 
lightly  treadiug,  hold  her  chair  uplifted  from  the 
ground,  as  if  on  the  point  of  currying  her  hea- 
ven-ward. Each  of  these  nymphs  holds  a scarf 
of  gossamer  drapery,  floating  in  an  arch-like 
form  above  her  head. — Eekhel  describes  this 
beautiful  coin,  from  a specimen  in  the  imperial 
cabinet,  at  Vienna. 

AETERNITAS  AVGG. — Apollo,  or  the  Sun 
in  a quadriga,  elevating  the  right  hand  towards 
a globe,  which  appears  in  the  air,  and  bolding 
in  the  left  a sceptre  or  a whip. — [This  legend 
and  type  are  exhibited  on  a large  brass  of  Tctri- 
cus,  jim.  a fac-similc  engraving  of  which  is 
published  by  the  author  of  Lefous  ite  Humis- 
matique  llomaine,  from  that  excellent  writer’s 
own  collection.  It  is  not  noticed  by,  aud  most 
probably  was  not  known,  at  the  time,  to  Mion- 
net.— Sec  Tetri cus,  jun. 

AETERNITAS  IMPERii. — Figure  of  the 
Sun  walking,  his  right  hand  lifted  up,  and  a 
whip  in  the  left ; on  silver  of  Philip  scuior. 

For  Eekhcl’s  remarks  respecting  the  Sun,  as 
connected  with  the  mouctal  legend  of  aeterm- 
tas,  sec  the  AET.  Avo.  of  Trajan,  iu  the  left 
hand  column  of  this  page. 

AETERNITAS  AVG.  N. — ( Augusti  Host  re) 
Castor  and  Pollux  standing,  the  former  on  the 
right  side,  the  latter  on  the  left.  They  hold 
spears  in  their  right  hands,  and  their  horses’ 
bridles  iu  their  left  hands ; between  each  are  the 
wolf  suckling  Romulus  aud  Remus.  On  silver 
and  2nd  brass  of  Maientius.—  See  Angcloui, 
p.  298,  and  Banduri,  ii.  150,  151. 

AETERNITo*  IMPER/7. — Laurcated  heads 
of  Sept.  Severus  and  Cnrncalla  face  to  face. — 
Silver.  On  another  coin,  in  gold  and  silver, 
with  the  same  legend,  the  heads  of  Caracalla 
and  Gcta  face  to  face : the  one  lamented,  the 
other  bare. — Caylus,  Hum.  Aur.  Impp.  No.  682. 

The  eternity  of  the  Roman  Empire,  to  pro- 
pitiate the  realization  of  which,  according  to 
Suetonius  (c.  xi.),  games  had  been  established 
by  Nero,  is  here  typified  by  the  |>ortmitures  of 
the  sons  and  successors  of  Severus,  whose  race 
became  extinct  in  a single  generation  afterwards. 

AETERNITAS.  S.  C. — The  type  which  ac- 
eompanics  this  legend,  on  the  reverse  of  a lnrge 
brass  coin,  struck  under  M.  Aurelius  to  record 
the  consecration  of  FAVStina  PlA — represents 
her,  “ wafted  through  the  skies,”  upborne  on 
the  shoulders  of  a winged  female,  who  bolds  a 


AETERNITATI. 


AFRANIA.  25 


large  torch  in  her  hands. — -The  airy  figure  last 
described,  from  its  light 
aud  flowing- drapery,  and 
the  office  it  is  perform- 
ing, might  be  at  once 
pronounced  to  represent 
a celestial  genius,  or  an- 
gel. But  Occo  styles  it 
Victoria  volans ; Agos- 
tini, a winged  Eternity ; 
Oisclius  terms  it  simply 
a Victory ; and  it  accords  with  that  described  in 
the  dream  of  Alexander  Severus.  Tristan  treats 
the  typification  with  merited  sarcasm  " Here 
(says  he)  we  behold  the  wife  of  Aurelius,  carried 
aloft  on  the  wings  of  Victory,  or  of  Minerva, 
snrnamcd  the  Victorious.  Aud  this  is  done  for 
her  wise  and  virtuous  conduct,  and  for  her  hav- 
ing been  victorious  over  vice  and  incontinence, 
of  which  that  goddess  was  the  declared  enemy.” 
— Capt.  Smyth. 

AETERNITAS  AVGG  (/Etcrnitas  Augusto- 
rum). — On  silver  and  first  brass  of  Philip  senior, 
the  reverse  presents  a caparisoned  elephant,  with 
a naked  rider,  who  holds  a goad  in  his  right 
hand,  and  sits  on  'the  animal’s  back.  (For  an 
engraving  of  the  silver  type  see  philippvs  avg). 

AETERNITATI  AVGG. — A bearded  man, 
hooded,  and  in  the  toga,  standing  with  a harpa 
or  sickle  in  his  left  hand.  (See  Harpa). — 
Banduri  gives  an  engraving  of  this  from  silver 
of  Valcrianus,  vol.  i.  p.  103. — Eekhcl  (vol.  vii. 
383)  observes,  that  the  type,  which  also  appears 
on  silver  of  Gallieuus,  is  a new  one,  and  of  re- 
condite interpretation.  After  alluding  to  the 
conflicting  opinions  of  Banduri  aud  Tanini  re- 
specting it,  he  argues,  with  his  usual  ability, 
acuteness,  aud  judicious  discrimination,  chiefly 
resting  on  the  appearance  of  the  harpa  in  the 
hand  of  the  figure,  that  it  must  be  that  of 
Saturn.  He  then  extends  his  inquiry,  as  to  the 
connexion  existing  between  the  type  of  Saturn 
and  the  inscription  of  AETERNITAS.  It  has 
already  been  seen  that  the  Sun  was  the  most 
usual  symbol  of  Eternity.  Now,  Macrobius 
affirms  that  Saturn  was  identical  with  the  Sun, 
and  he  also  shews,  that  Saturn  was  the  same  as 
Time.  Euripides  calls  Time  the  Son  of  Saturn. 
“ Therefore  as  Eternity  consists  of  a perpetual 
succession  of  Time,  so  we  see  Saturn  very  pro- 
perly serving  to  represent  it.  And  truly  the 
selection  of  such  a type  is  the  more  appropriate 
in  this  instance,  inasmuch  as  he,  who  is  said  to 
have  established  the  Golden  Age  in  Latium,  was 
also  best  enabled  to  furnish  forth  a Golden 
Eternity.” — See  Satumus. 

AETERNITATIBUS. — A woman  stands  with 
a globe  in  her  right  hand,  her  left  arm  resting  on 
a column.  Silver  of  Alex.  Severus. 

The  epigraph  of  this  reverse  is  to  be  placed 
among  those  acclamations,  which  it  was  cus- 
tomary to  make  to  the  Emperors,  and  of  which 
great  plenty  arc  to  be  found  (some  applicable  to 
the  present  inscription),  in  the  life  of  Alexander 
Severus,  bv  Lampridius. — See  acclamationes. 

AETERNITATIS  AVGVSTAE  CVTT.— 
Coloni a Victrix  Togala  Tarraco. — See  Akcr- 

E 


man’s  “ Ancient  Coins  of  Cities  and  Princes,” 
p.  108,  No.  3,  pi.  xi.  Deo.  avgvsto.  Ilispania 
Tarraconeusis. 

ADF1NIS  or  Afjinis.  Cousin. — By  this  term 
of  relationship  Constantius  Chlorus  is  called,  on 
second  and  third  brass  of  Consecration  and  Re- 
membrance, struck  under  Maxcntius — viz.  imp. 
MAXENTIVS  DIVO  CONSTANTIO.  ADFINI. — The 

term  cogx.  or  cognat.  (Cognato),  is  also  used 
on  other  coius  dedicated  by  Maxcntius  to  the 
memory  of  his  kinsman. — See  Aeterna  Memoria. 

AFFINITY  and  Kindred. The  titles  of 

father  and  mother ; of  grandmother,  son,  daugh- 
ter, grandson,  and  great  grandson  ; cousin  and 
kinsman  ; are  marked  on  Roman  coins.  Thus 
we  find,  Caius  Cicsar,  Did  Julii  Filins  (son  of 
the  Divine  Julius.)  Caius  and  Lucius  Cirsarcs, 
August i Filii  (sons  of  Augustus).  Drusus  Cicsar, 
Tiberii  Avgusti  Filins  (son  of  Tiberius  Augus- 
tus). Germanicus  Ca'sar,  Tiberii  Augusli  Filins, 
Did  Augusli  Nepos  (sou  of  Tiberius  Augustus, 
grandson  of  the  Divine  Augustus).  Caius  Caesar, 
D.  Augusli  Fro-nepos  (great  grand  child  of  the 
Divine  Augustus).  Divo  Maximiniano  Paid 
(to  the  Divine  Maximinian,  the  father). — In 
another  instance,  the  coin  is  dedicated  Divo 
Maximiniano  socero  (father  in  law).  Divo  llo- 
mulo  Ft! to  (to  the  son  of  the  Emperor  Maxen- 
tius.)  Divus  Constantins  Adfinis  or  Cognalus 
(cousin  or  kinsman  perhaps)  of  Maxcntius. — 
Agrippina  Mater  Caii  Ctesaris  Augusli  (mother 
of  Caius  Cicsar  [Caligula]  Augustus).  Agrip- 
pina Aug.  Did  Claudii  Casaris  Neronis  Mater 
(wife  of  the  Divine  Claudius,  mother  of  Nero 
Caesar).  Domitella  Divi  Vespasiani  Filia  (daugh- 
ter of  the  Divine  Vespasian). — See  Jobert,  par 
Bimard,  vol.  i.  p.  256. 

AFR.  Africanus.  The  African. — Africani. 
The  two  elder  Gordians  were  thus  surnamed. 

AFRANIA  gens  plebeia. — There  are  eight 
varieties  in  its  coius.  The  silver  are  rare.  The 
brass  are  As,  or  some  of  its  parts  (see  As). — 
Tbc  following  is  the  rarest  denarius  of  this 
family : — 

Obv.  Galeated  head  of  Pallas,  with  X (mark 
of  the  denarius.) 

Rev.  Victory  in  a biga,  at  full  speed ; below, 
S.  AFRA.  ROMA. 

The  letter  S.  of  the  prenomen  is  generally 
read  Spurius,  but  it  also  may  be  meant  (says 
Eckhcl,  v.  p.  132)  for  Sextus;  as  on  marbles 
Sextus  as  well  as  Spurius  is  found  prefixed  to 
the  family  name  of  Afranius.  Ursin,  who  con- 
fidently adopts  the  former,  admits  that  of  Spu- 
rius Afranius  no  mention  is  made  on  any  ancient 
monument. 

AFRICA. — The  region,  which  the  Roman 
geographers  comprehended  under  this  name,  was 
limited  to  the  northern  part  of  that  vast  conti- 
nent, extending  along  the  shores  of  the  Medi- 
terranean, from  about  the  present  pashalic  of 
Tunis,  to  the  furthest  extremity  of  the  modern 
kingdom  of  Fez  and  Morocco.  As  a Roman 
province,  it  was  one  of  great  dignity  and  im- 
portance. It  fell  to  Mark  Antony’s  share,  after 
the  battle  of  Philippi. — The  annexed  wood  cut, 
from  a large  brass  of  Hadrian,  exhibits  some  of 


26  AFRICA. 

th#  numismatic  symbols  of  Africa,  all  of  which 

are  well  described  by  Addison  : personified  as  a 


woman,  the  province  “ is  always  quoifed  with 
the  head  of  an  elephant,  to  shew  that  this  ani- 
mal is  the  breed  of  that  country,  as  for  the 
same  reason  she  has  a dragon  [or  serpent],  lying 
at  her  feet . The  lion  on  another  medal,  marks 
her  out  for  the  Leona  m arida  nutrix.  The 
scorpion,  on  a third  reverse,  is  another  of  her 
productions.  Lucan  meutions  it  in  particidar, 
iu  the  long  catalogue  of  her  venomous  animals. 

quis  fata  putaret 

Scorpion,  ant  vires  ma/une  mortis  habere  ? 

Ilte  minax  noilis,  el  recto  verbere  saves. 

[Lib.  9.] 

Who  that  the  Scorpion’s  insect-form  surveys, 
Would  think  that  ready  death  his  call  obeys, 

As  fierce  be  rears  his  knotty  tail  on  high  ? 

This  part  of  the  world  has  always,  on  medals, 
something  to  denote  her  wonderful  fruitfidness, 
as  it  was  indeed  the  great  granary  of  Italy. 
Hence  we  see  the  genius  of  Roman  Africa  hold- 
ing a handful  of  corn  cars,  or  a cornucopia;,  and 
resting  her  elbow  on  a basket  of  wheat,  or  fruits. 
These  are  all  emblems  of  her  great  fertility,  and 
signify  what  Horace  alludes  to  in  the  words : 

Frumenti  quantum  me/it  Africa. — [Sat.  3.  lib.  2.] 

Africa  is  personified,  on  a denarius  struck  under 
the  republic,  by  the  head  of  a woman,  covered 
with  the  skin,  tusks,  and  trunk  of  au  elephant’s 
head. — Sec  engraving  in  Cestia  gens. 

AFRICA. — Gold,  silver,  and  first  and  second 
brass  coins,  with  this  legend  (the  brass  bearing 
s.  c.  in  the  exergue),  struck  under  Hadrian, 
represent  the  Province  seated,  with  attributes 
of  elephant’s  head,  scorpion,  cornucopia;,  and 
canistrum;  in  others  with  those  of  lion,  and 
corn  ears. — [Hadrian,  according  to  Spartianus, 
bestowed  many  benefits  on  that  province. — Sec 
HESTITVTORI  AFItlCAE.] 

AFRICA.  S.G'. — A robed  woman,  whose  head- 
dress is  distinguished  by  au  elephant’s  proboscis, 
stands  holding  out  corn  ears  in  her  tunic.  At 
her  feet  is  a lion. — First  brass  of  Sept.  Scverus, 
engraved  iu  Havercamp’s  Medailles  de  Christine, 
tab.  xriv.  Spartianus  supplies  the  explanation 
of  this  coin  (struck  a.  d.  194),  when  he  relates 
that  Scverus,  on  his  first  arrival,  as  Emperor, 
at  Rome,  sent  soldiers  into  Africa,  lest,  if 
Pcsccnnius  Niger  should  have  iuvaded  that  pro- 
vince, there  would  have  been  a deficiency  of 
corn-provision  iu  Rome.  Besides,  ns  Africa  was 
the  birth-place  of  Scverus,  he  doubtless  bestowed 
many  benefits  upon  it.  That  he  treated  Carthage 


AFRICA. 

| with  great  favour,  coins  of  his  (bearing  the  legend 
of  indvlgentia  in  cakth.)  plainly  testify.  Ou 
| which  account  (as  Spartianus  states),  lie  was 
worshipped  as  a God  by  the  Africans, — but 
then  it  was  under  Roman  domination. — Doct. 
Num.  Vet.  vii.  p.  171.] 


AFRICA.  S.  C. — A woman  standing,  holds 
a cornucopia:  in  the  left  hand,  and  in  her  ex- 
tended right  hand  a large  crown,  or  garland. 
First  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius;  struck  a.  n.  139. 
Ou  other  first  brass,  a dragon  lies  before  the  feet 
of  the  province,  and  behind  her  are  three  corn 
cars. — (Medaittes  de  Christine,  tab.  xv.) 

As  in  the  mint  of  Hadrian,  so  in  that  of 
Antoninus,  personifications  of  various  provinces 
of  the  empire  are  exhibited,  of  which  this  is 
one, — namely,  that  granary  of  Rome,  Africa. — 
Eckhel  coiisidcrs  the  object  which  the  female 
figure  has  in  her  stretchcd-ont  hand  is  meant  for 
the  aurum  coronarium,  or  garland-like  crown  of 
gold,  which  it  was  a custom  among  the  Greeks, 
afterwards  copied  by  provinces,  conquered  by 
the  Romans,  to  offer  to  those  who  were  held  in 
honour,  or  whose  favour  jvas  sought.  At  first 
it  was  a voluntary  gift;  but  afterwards  it  became 
an  oppressive  exaction  by  tyrant  emperors,  on 
the  more  distant  quarters  of  their  dominions — 
vast  sums  of  money  being  at  length  required 
instead  of  golden  coronets. — In  Bartoli’s  en- 
graving of  the  coin  (MedaiUes  de  Christine, 
tab.  xv.)  the  African  province  is  eagerly  step- 
ping forward  to  present  a crown  of  the’ largest 
size,  as  a gratefid  dedication  to  the  really  good 
Antoninus. — Sec  Aurenm  Coronarium,  in  this 
Dictionary. 

AFRICAE  (ADYENTVT  AVG.)— Sec  p.  9. 

AGir.  SI’E.  FESEVS. — The  naked  figure 
of  Theseus,  helmetcd,  standing  with  spear  and 
shield,  compels  a Centaur,  who  holds  a lyre, 
and  on  whose  neck  his  hand  is  laid,  to  fall  down 
ou  his  knees.  This  type  appeal's  on  a contor- 
niatc  medal,  given  in  Morcll's  Emperors,  with 
the  head  of  Nero  on  its  obverse,  bearing  the 
above  legend. — See  Thesaurus  Impp.  Rom.  t.  ii. 
tab.  viii.  fig.  15. 

The  group  has  evidently  reference  to  Theseus 
at  the  nuptials  of  his  friend  Pirithous;  on  which 
occasion,  as  Ovid’s  fable  [Metam.  xii.  227]  re- 
lates, Eurytus  offered  violence  to  the  bride 
Hippodamia,  and  with  the  rest  of  his  fellow - 
centuurs,  was  severely  punished  for  their  insult- 
ing conduct,  by  the  Lnpithic. — Of  the  words 
inscribed  on  the  reverse  no  satisfactory  attempt 
has  yet  been  made  to  elucidate  the  meaning.  By 


AGRIPPA. 

the  lyre,  iu  the  hand  of  the  Centaur,  it  would 
seem  that,  after  the  example  of  Chiron,  this  bi- 
membered  race  cultivated  the  musical  art. — 
[Eckhel,  viii.  p.  288.] 

AGNOMEN. — Pitiscus  explains  this  word  by- 
saying,  that  it  is  the  syupnyme  of  the  cognomen 
(or  surname)  conferred  by  the  act  of  Adoption. — 
Eckhel  appears  to  entertain  a similar  opinion. 
The  adopted  Roman  took  the  name,  the  pre- 
ncmen,  and  the  surname  of  the  adopting  party, 
keeping  only  the  name  of  his  own  family.  P. 
Cornelius  Seipio,  for  example,  being  adopted  by 
Q.  Cmcilius  Mctellus,  quitted  his  prenotnen  and 
his  name,  calling  himself  Q.  Metellus  Seipio ; 
thus  he  retained  only  the  agnomen , the  name  he 
derived  from  his  father,  and  was  indebted  to  the 
adoption  for  the  three  other  names. — See  nomen, 
cognomen,  prenomeu  (in  suis  locis). — See  also 
Adoptio. 

AGRIGENTUM — a sca-port  of  Sicily,  situate 
between  the  rivers  Agraga  and  Camicus,  formerly 
celebrated  for  its  commercial  importance,  and 
rauking  next  to  Syracuse.  It  is  now  called 
Girgenti.  Its  Latin  coins  consist  of  autonomes 
in  silver  and  brass,  and  of  colonial  Imperial, 
struck  under  Augustus,  who  made  it  a Roman 
colong.  The  colonial  exhibit  on  their  obverse 
the  triquetra  and  three  corn  ears  ; and  on  their 
reverse  the  Latin  inscription  agrigentvm,  on 
two  lines,  within  a crown  of  laurel.  Prince 
Torremuzza,  amongst  other  coins  of  this  city, 
has  given  the  following  Colonial  of  Augustas: 
avgvsto  P.  P.  AGRIGENTI.  Bare  head  of  the 
Emperor. — Rev.  h.  clod io  kvfo.  puocos,  iu 
three  lines,  in  the  midst  of  a circular  legend 
salasso.  comitiae.  sex.  UEO.  livin'. — See 
Mionnet,  Suppl.  t.  i.  368. 

AGRIPPA  (MARCUS  VIPSANIUS),  a re- 
nowned commander  both  by  sea  and  land,  chosen 
by  Augustus  to  be 
amongst  the  most 
familiar  and  inti- 
mate of  his  friends, 
and  afterwards  to 
become  his  son-in- 
law.  Bom  in  the 
year  of  Rome  691 
(63  before  Christ), 
of  a family  not 
highly  distinguish- 
ed, Agrippa  was 
raised,  by  his  military  talents  and  by  his  personal 
merits,  to  the  first  dignities  of  the  State.  A 
brave,  sensible,  honest,  prudent,  and  labori- 
ously active  man,  he  was  made  Praetor  in  his 
23rd  year;  appointed  to  the  government  of 
Transalpine  Gaul  at  25  ; and  next  to  the  com- 
mand in  chief  of  the  Roman  fleet.  lie  tilled 
these  several  posts  with  equal  honour  and  suc- 
cess. He  defeated  Sextus  Pompcius  in  a naval 
engagement,  and  compelled  him  to  abandon 
Sicily.  lie  shared  in  the  Victory  at  Philippi ; 
defeated  Mark  Antony  at  Actium,  a.  u.  c .723 
(b.  c.  31) ; and  afterwards  effected  the  complete 
submission  of  Spain  to  the  Roman  arms,  by 
vanquishing  the  Cantabrians  and  Asturians,  so 
long  the  champions  of  national  independence  iu 

E 2 


AGRIPPA.  27 

that  country.  Agrippa  married  Julia,  daughter 
of  Augustus,  after  the  death  of  Marcellus,  her 
first  husband,  733  (b.  c.  21) — was  invested  in 
736,  with  the  Tribunitian  power,  which  was 
continued  to  him  for  five  more  consecutive 
years, — viz.,  to  741  (b.  c.  13). — Being  sent  ns 
governor  into  Syria,  he  reduced  Jitdiea,  and 
offered  in  the  temple  of  Jerusalem  a sacrifice  of 
a hundred  oxen. — This  great  general  and  con- 
summate statesman  died  in  Campania,  on  his 
return  from  Paunonia,  742  (b.  c.  12)  aged  51 
years,  having  been  governor  of  Rome,  three  times 
consul,  and  destined  by  Augustus  to  succeed  him 
iu  the  empire.  The  remains  of  Agrippa  were 
interred  in  the  Mausoleum  of  Augustus.  He 
adorned  Rome  with  many  magnificent  edifices, 
amongst  others  the  celebrated  temple  of  the 
Pantheon,  which  still  exists.  His  coins  are, 
iu  gold  (if  genuine),  of  the  highest  rarity — 
in  silver,  very  rare — in  middle  brass,  common; 
ditto,  restored  by  Titus  and  Domitian,  rare. — 
On  the  obverses  of  the  gold  and  silver  appear 
his  head,  with  the  legend  M.  AGRIPPA  COS. 
( Consul)  and  that  of  Augustus  on  the  reverse. 
The  following  describes  one  of  his  second  brass, 
a well-known  historical  coin ; struck  between 
the  30th  and  28th  year  before  the  birth  of 
Christ. 

AGRIPPA  (M)  L.  F.  COS  III.  (Marais 
Agrippa,  son  of  Lucius,  Consul  for  the  third 
time).  Head  of  Agrippa,  ornamented  with  a 
rostral  crown.  Reverse.  S.  C.  (Senates  Consulto) 
Neptune  stands 
holding  in  his  right 
hand  a dolphin,  and 
in  his  left  a trident. 
The  majestic  figure 
of  the  Sea-sove- 
reign is  finely  de- 
signed, and  a pal- 
lium, or  a paluda- 
mentum,  is  grace- 
fully thrown  over 
the  right  arm  and 
left  shoulder.  The  types  on  each  side  of  flic 
above  coin,  bear  allusion  solely  to  the  naval 
victories  gained  by  Agrippa.  The  image  of 
Neptune  is  appropriately  introduced  on  the 
reverse,  inasmuch  as  Agrippa,  by  his  success 
at  sea,  had  signally  humbled  the  pride  of  Sextus 
Pompcius,  who  had  passed  himself  off  for  the  son 
of  that  god.  The  rostral  crown  (see  Corona)  on 
his  manly  but  austere  brows,  points  to  his  office 
of  Prafectus  Classis,  or  high  admiral.  It  was 
a circlet  of  gold,  relieved  with  figures  of  the 
prow-s  and  stems  of  ships ; and  this  mark  of 
distinction  was  presented  to  him  by  Octavianus 
(afterwards  Augustus)  Caesar,  alter  the  fight  he 
won  near  Mylce,  together  with  the  cceru.leum 
vexillum  (a  blue,  or  sea-wave  coloured  flag),  in- 
dicative of  warlike  triumphs  on  the  domains  of 
Neptune.  “ Agrippa,  it  would  seem,  like  an- 
other Nelson,  wore  this  identical  naval  crown,  at 
the  battle  of  Actium  ;”  but  unlike  our  own  hero, 
escaping  the  fatal  catastrophe  to  which  so  con- 
spicuous a decoration  must  have  exposed  him, 
| the  Roman  commander  survived  many  years,  to 


28  AGRIPPINA, 

receive  fresh  honours  at  the  hands  of  the  man, 
whom  his  prowess,  wisdom,  and  strategic  skill 
had  raised  to  the  sovereignty  of  the  world. — 
Virgil  alludes  to  this  last  decisive  action,  and  the 
important  share  which  Agrippa  took  in  it,  in 
the  8th  Book  of  the  jEncid,  v.  G78  : — 

llinc  Augustus  agens  Italos  in  pradia  Cttsar, 

Cum  patribus,  popaloque,  Penatibus,  et  magnis  Dls, 
Stans  cclsa  in  puppi ; geniinas  cui  tempora  flam  mas 
Laeta  vomunt,  patrinmque  aperitur  vertice  sidus. 
Parte  alia  ventis  et  Bis  Agrippa  secundis, 

Arduus,  agmen  agens;  cui,  belli  iusigne  superbu in, 
Tempora  navali fulgent  rostrala  corona. 

Young  Caesar,  on  the  stern,  in  armour  bright, 

Here  leads  the  Romans  and  their  gods  to  fight : 

His  beamy  temples  shoot  their  flames  afar, 

And  o’er  his  head  is  hung  the  Julian  star. 

Agrippa  seconds  him,  with  prosperous  gales  ; 

And,  with  propitious  gods,  his  foes  assails. 

A naval  crown,  that  binds  his  manly  brows, 

The  happy  fortune  of  the  fight  forc-shews. 

Dr ij f!cn  3 Translation. 

AGRIPPA  (M).  PLATO RIN VS  I11VR. 

Bare  head  of  Agrippa. 

lieu,  caesar  avgvstvs.  Bare  head  of 
Augustus. — Silver. — See  Akerman,  1,  plate  iv. 
No.  2,  ]).  142. 

AGRIPPA  (M).  COS  TER.  COSSVS  LEN- 
TVLVS. — Head  of  Agrippa,  with  the  mural  and 
rostral  crown. 

Rco.  avgvstvs  cos  xi.  Laurcatcd  head  of 
Augustus. — Gold  and  silver.  Also  restored  by 
Trojan. 

These  effigies  of  Augustus  and  his  son-in  law 
were  struck  on  the  same  respective  coius,  by  the 
monetal  triumvir  Platorinus,  on  the  occasion  of 
their  serving  the  cousidate  together,  in  the  year 
of  Rome  727  (b.c.  27) ; the  same  year  in  which 
Octavianus  Caesar  took  the  title  of  Augustus. — 
Sec  platorinvs,  and  Su/picia  gens.  See  also 
Corona  muralis  et  ruslrata. 

AGRIPPA,  the  younger,  sumarued  Postumvs 
— third  and  last  son  of  M.  Agrippa  and  Julia, 
born  in  the  year  of  Rome  742  (b.  c.  12),  after 
the  death  of  his  father.  Adopted  by  Augustus 
757  (a.  d.  4),  he  was  styled  agrippa  caesar, 
after  the  decease  of  his  brothers  Caius  and  Lucius. 
But,  for  subsequent  misconduct  was  banished 
to  Sorentum,  in  Campania,  a.  u.  c.  7(>0  (a.  d.  7), 
and  put  to  death  by  order  of  Tiberius,  at  the 
age  of  26.  The  only  coin  known  of  this  young 
prince  is  a small  brass  of  the  colony  of  Corinth, 
bearing  on  its  obverse  the  legend  agrippa  cae- 
sar corinthi.  with  the  bare  head  of  Agrippa 
Postumus. — Engraved  in  Vuillant’s  Colonia,  vol. 
i.  p.  62. 

AGRIPPINA,  senior — daughter  of  Marcus 
Agrippa  and  of  Julia,  grand  daughter  of  Au- 
gustus, was  born  in  the  year  of  Rome  739  (b.  c. 
15).  Married  to  Gcrmanicus,  nephew  of  Au- 
gustus, she  proved,  by  her  conjugal  fidelity,  by 
her  feminine  modesty,  and  by  her  more  than 
feminine  intrepidity  of  mind,  how  signally  de- 
serving she  was  of  that  hero’s  choice.  Beautiful 
as  virtuous,  a little  too  much  haughtiness  of 
temper  and  demeanour  was  the  only  reproach 
that  the  vindicatory  and  eulogistic  pen  of  history 


AGRIPPINA. 

attaches  to  her  character.  lu  the  year  u.  c. 
770  (a.  d.  17),  she  joined  her  husbaud  in  Syria, 
only  to  see  him  perish  there  by  poison  adminis- 
tered by  the  agents  of  Tiberius.  Her  fortitude 
rose  superior  to  this  calamity,  though  it  was  the 
source  of  almost  all  those  other  afflictions,  w hich 
at  length  overwhelmed  her.  Accompanied  by 
her  child,  she  brought  the  ashes  of  Gennanicus 
to  Rome,  at  the  gates  of  which  they  were  re- 
ceived by  the  Senate,  followed  by  the  whole 
body  of  the  population,  and  deposited  in  the 
tomb  of  Augustus,  amidst  the  united  lamenta- 
tions of  the  army  and  the  people.  Nevertheless, 
by  the  command  of  that  cruel  emperor,  w ho  was 
her  chief  caliunuiator  and  persecutor,  she  was 
sent  in  banishment  to  the  island  of  Pandataria, 
where  Tiberius  suffered  her,  after  three  years’ 
privation  and  misery,  to  die  of  hunger,  in  786 
(a.  d.  33).  Her  son  Caius  (Caligula),  at  the 
commencement  of  his  reign,  brought  back  to 
Rome  the  ashes  of  his  mother  from  the  place  of 
her  exile  ; paid  her  the  honours  of  the  Circensis 
and  Carpentum ; caused  the  remains  to  be  laid  in 
the  magnificent  tomb  of  Augustus ; and  coins  of 
fine  fabric  to  be  struck  to  her  memory.  Those 
of  Roman  die  arc  very  rare  in  gold  and  silver ; in 
large  brass,  common.  The  portraits  of  this 
princess,  in  gold  and  silver,  are  on  the  reverse 
of  Caligula’s  coius,  struck  after  her  death,  aud 
of  which  the  subjoined  is  an  example. 


Agrippina  MATer  c aii  r.\ES aris  wousti 
GEVManici. — The  head  of  Agrippina. 

C.  CAESAR  AVG.  GERM.  P.  M.  Til.  POT. — The 
head  of  Caligula,  laureated. 

The  large  brass  coins,  minted  by  a decree  of 
the  Senate,  in  honour  of  Agrippina,  present  her 
head  on  their  obverse,  and  have  on  the  reverse 
the  carpentum,  or  car  drawn  by  mules,  indicating 
her  apotheosis.  The  legend  is,  s.  p.  q.  it.  .me- 
moriae agrippinae.  (The  Senate  and  the  Ro- 
man People  to  the  memory  of  Agrippina.) 

Ou  the  obverse  she  is  styled  agrippina  m.  r. 
mat.  c.  caesaris  avovsti  (Agrippina,  daughter 
of  Marcus,  mother  of  Caius  Ciesar  Augustus.) 
Her  titles  on  other  medals  arc  agrippina  m.  f. 
germ anici  CAESARIS  (by  implication,  uxor — 
meaning  wife  of  Gcrmanicus.) — Sec  Memorise 
Agrippinas. 

AGRIPPINA.  PRVSILLA.  IVLIA.  S.C.— 
Three  women  standing,  with  a cornueopiie,  of 
whom  the  one  on  the  right  rests  her  right  hand 
on  a little  pillar,  and  with  her  left  touches  the 
middle  figure,  who  holds  in  her  right  hand  a 
patera,  while  the  woman  on  the  left  has  the 
helm  of  a vessel  in  her  right  hand.  First  brass. 
— Patin  has  giveu  a similar  coin,  but  in  middle 
brass. — Schlcgel  quotes  coins  with  this  type, 
and  the  legend  tie  pot.  hi.  iiii.  (Morel),  Impp. 


AGRIPPINA. 


AGRIPPINA.  29 


vol.  i.  622),  but  their  genuineness  is  doubted  by 

Eekhcl . 


On  this  coin  arc  represented  the  three  sisters 
of  Caligula.  At  tin;  commencement  of  his  reign, 
when  he  was  affecting  a regard  for  the  members 
of  his  own  family,  in  order  to  gain  popularity, 
Caligula  advanced  them  to  the  highest  posts  of 
dignity.  He  went  so  far  as  to  give  orders,  that  in 
all  oaths  the  names  of  his  sisters  should  be  joined 
with  his  own,  and  to  assign  them  all  the  honours 
of  Vestals ; but  ending  by  seducing  them  all 
three.  When  his  passion  was  cooled,  he  banished 
them  all  to  distant  islands,  with  the  exception 
of  Brasilia,  who  escaped  that  fate  by  death.  It 
was,  then,  during  the  ardour  of  his  attachment 
to  them,  that  the  coins  in  question  were  struck, 
on  which  the  three  sisters  arc  represented  under 
the  forms  of  Securitas,  Pielas,  and  Fortune. 

AGRIPPINA,  junior-  (Julia),  the  daughter  of 
Gennanicus  and  Agrippina  the  elder,  born  in  a 
town  on  the  Rhine,  subsequently  called  after  her 
Colonia  Agrippinensis,  now  Cologne,  in  the  year 
of  Rome  709  (a.  d.  10),  was  the  grand  daughter 
of  Antonia,  sister  of  Caligula,  and  the  mother 
of  Nero,  by  her  first  husband,  Cn.  Domitius 
Ahcnobarbus,  a senator,  whom  she  married  781, 
(a.  d.  28).  After  his  death,  she  was  espoused 
to  her  uncle,  the  Emperor  Claudius,  802  (a.  d. 
49),  and  obtained  the  title  of  Augusta.  She 
was  a woman  of  great  beauty,  but  of  the  most 
profligate  disposition  ; of  lofty  and  penetrating 
genius;  of  a proud  imperious  nature;  of  cruelly 
vindictive  temper,  and  of  insatiable  ambition. — 
When  her  vile  ungrateful  son,  for  whose  ad- 
vancement she  had  acted  most  criminally,  found 
himself  uuablc  to  restrain  her  immoderate  thirst 
for  power,  he  caused  her  to  be  put  to  death, 
812  (a.  d.  59).  She  was  the  first  of  the  Au- 
gustes, who  obtained  brass  medals  from  the 
Senate.  One  exhibits  a female  seated,  another 
a triumphal  arch.  She  is  represented,  as  is  shewn 
in  the  above  cut,  on  a coin  of  Caligula,  in 
company  with  her  sisters  Drusilla  and  Julia; 
the  word  aghippina  being  inscribed  near  her 
image.  The  head  of  this  princess,  ornamented 
with  a wheaten  crown,  appears  on  the  reverse  of 
gold  and  silver  coins  of  Claudius. 

In  the  following  denarius,  we  see,  on  one  side, 
the  words  agrippinae  avgvstaf.,  with  her  head; 
and  on  the  other,  ti.  clavd ius  caesar  avg. 
germ.  p.  m.  trib.  pot.  p.  p.  with  the  head  of 
the  Emperor  Claudius. — On  other  coins,  minted 
under  Claudius  and  under  Nero,  she  is  also 
styled  agrippina  avgvsta  mater  avgvsti. — 


AGRIP.  AVG.  DIVI  CLAVD.  NERONIS.  CAES.  MATER. 


— There  arc  silver  medallions  of  hers  struck  in 
Asia,  on  one  of  which  is  a statue  of  the  Ephe- 
sian Diana,  within  a temple.  All  her  coins,  in 
every  metal,  arc  rare ; silver  medallions  in  the 
highest  degree. — Of  the  large  brass,  Capt.  Smyth 
says — “ I have  never  been  able  to  procure  a 
single  specimen ; nor  is  there  one  even  in  the 
British  Museum.  Vaillant  has  figured  two  of 
this  magnitude,  with  reverses  of  Ceres  and  a 
triumphal  arch ; but  there  arc  no  Latin  brass  of 
the  other  sizes.  Agrippina  was  the  first  of  the 
wives  of  the  Augnsti  whose  effigies  appeared  ou 
gold  and  silver  coins  of  the  Roman  mint.” 

AGRIPP.  (or  AGRIPPINA)  AVG.  DIVI. 
CLAVD.  NERONIS.  CAES.  MATER.  EX. 
S.  C. — (Agrippina,  wife  [by  implication]  of  the 
Divine  Claudius,  Mother  of  Nero  Cicsar,  by  a 
decree  of  the  Senate  [this  medal,  was  ordered  to 
be  minted.]) 

Reverse  type.  Two  figures,  the  one  male  the 
other  female,  both  seated  on  a quadriga  of  ele- 
phants.— The  obverse  presents  the  jugated  heads 
of  Nero  and  Agrippina,  around  which  is  in- 
scribed NERO  CLAVD.  DIVI.  F.  CAES.  AVG.  GERM. 
imp.  tr.  p.  cos. — See  Akerman,  Descrip.  Cat.  i. 
p.  159,  plate  iv.  No.  6. — Gold. 

Vaillant,  in  explanation  of  the  reverse,  cites 
the  following  passage  from  Suetonius  (c.  11) — 
Claudius  procured  a decree  of  divine  honours  to 
his  grandmother  Livia,  and  of  a car  drawn  by 
elephants,  in  a Circensian  procession,  similar  to 
that  of  Augustus. — Nero  and  Agrippina  caused 
this  coin  to  be  struck  (in  gold  and  silver),  in 
order  that  the  images  of  both  Augustus  and 
Livia  should  thereby  be  exhibited  to  the  honour 
of  their  memories.  Nero  also  dedicated  statues 
to  them,  which  are  represented  on  one  of  his 
coins,  with  the  epigraph  of  avgvstvs.  avgvsta. 
— See  the  words. 

AGRIPPINA,  &c.  Same  legend  as  preced- 
ing.— The  type  of  the  obverse  exhibits  the  heads 
of  Agrippina  and  Nero,  face  to  face. — The  re- 
verse is  NERONI.  CLAVD.  DIVI.  F.  CAES.  AVG. 
germ.  imp.  tr.  p. — The  letters  EX.  s.  c.  within 
an  oaken  garland. — See  Caylus’  plates  of  Roman 
Gold  coins,  in  the  Cabinet  de  France,  fig.  102. 

Of  this  coin,  minted  at  Rome,  in  gold  and 
silver,  Agrippina  occupies  the  most  distinguished 
place,  namely  the  obverse  side.  She  styles  her- 
self (by  implication)  the  wife  of  Claudius,  and, 
in  direct  terms,  the  mother  of  Nero ; as  though 
the  government  of  the  empire  had  been  in  her 
hands,  and  her  son  only  Ca;sar.  It  is  on  this 
account  that  Tacitus  (Ann.  23),  asks — Vhat  help 
is  there  in  him,  who  is  governed  by  a woman?  It 
is  not  to  be  wondered  at  therefore,  adds  Vaillant, 
if  the  oaken  garland  was  decreed  to  this  woman 
and  to  her  son,  as  it  had  already  been  to  Cali- 


30 


AHALA. 


AHENOBARBVS. 


gula  and  to  Claudius,  ob  rives  servatos,  by  the 
Senate,  whom  she  assembled  in  the  palace, 
where  she  sat  discreetly  veiled. — Priest.  Nun. 
hupp.  ii.  60. 

AGRIPPINA  COLONIA,  a city  of  Gallia 
Bclgica,  now  Cologne  on  the  Rhine.  To  this 
oppidum  Ubiorum, 
which,  according  to 
Tacitus  (Annal.  lib. 
xii.  c.  27),  was  the 
birth-place  of  Agrip- 
pina junior,  mother 
of  Nero,  aud  last 
wife  of  Claudius,  that 
clever,  assuming,  and 
uusenipidous  wo- 
man, sent  a colony 
of  veterans,  in  the  tenth  year  of  her  imperial  hus- 
band’s reign,  about  u.  c.  804  (a.d.  51),  and  gave 
it  her  owu  name.  It  was  to  this  town,  as  Sueto- 
nius relates,  that  Vitellius  sent  the  dagger  with 
which  Otho  killed  himself,  for  the  purpose  of  its 
dedication  to  Mars. — Goltzius  has  recorded  some 
medals  of  Co/onia  Agrippina ; but  they  were 
suspected  by  later  numismatists,  and  particularly 
by  Vaillant,  who  has  made  no  mention  of  them 
in  his  work  on  Colonial  mintages.  The  annexed 
coin  (in  base  silver  or  billon),  registered  by 
Banduri  (i.  311)  and  of  which  an  engraving  as 
well  as  a description  is  given  by  llaym  (Thes. 
Brit.  ii.  ta b.  xxvi.  p.  283,  No.  5),  as  from  the 
Duke  of  Devonshire’s  cabinet,  is  considered, 
however,  to  be  indubitably  genuine.  llaym 
notes  it  as  of  good  workmanship  and  well  pre- 
served. Mionnet  also  (in  his  Sledailles  Ro- 
mainesj,  recognises  the  following  legends  and 
types,  as  those  of  a Latin  imperial  coin  of  Postu- 
mus,  minted  in  the  above  named  Roman  colony, 
viz. : — 

Obv.  POSTVirvs  p.  f.  avo.  Radiated  head  of 
Postumus. 

Rev.  col.  cl.  agkip.  cos.  mi.  A woman 
standing,  with  balance  and  cornucopia:. 

Mionnet  describes  the  type  of  the  reverse  as 
L’Equite  debout,  avec  ses  attribute.  The  let- 
ters cl.  serve  to  shew  that  the  place  now  so 
well  known  under  the  name  of  Cologne  (for- 
merly the  City  of  the  Ubii),  teas  made  a colony 
under  Claudius,  as  Tacitus  has  affirmed. 

AHALA. Accompanying  this  surname, 

which  is  that  of  the  Scrvilia  family,  the 
bare  head  of  C.  Servilius  Ahala  appears  on  a 
denarius  minted  by  Marcus  Brutus,  who  assas- 
sinated Julius  Ciesar.  On  the  obverse  of  the 
same  silver  coin,  is  the  bare  head  of  L.  Brutus, 
one  of  the  first  two  Consuls  of  the  Roman  Re- 
public. 


The  circumstance  of  these  two  portraits  being 
included  on  the  same  medal,  conclusively  iden- 


tifies it  with  the  yoiuigcr  Brutus.  For,  as  on 
the  father’s  side,  he  was  believed  to  be  de- 
scended from  Lucius  Brutus,  so  on  that  of  his 
mother,  Servi/ia,  it  is  certain  that  he  had  among 
his  ancestors,  Servilius  Ahala,  who,  according 
to  Plutarch,  under  the  dictatorship  of  Cinein- 
uatus,  a.  u.  c.  315  (b.  c.  439),  slew  with  his 
own  hand,  Spurius  Melius,  for  aiming  at  the 
sovereignty. — Eckhel,  with  his  usual  felicity  of 
citation,  quotes  a passage  from  Cicero,  as  throw- 
ing light  (which  it  does  in  a remarkable  man- 
ner), on  this  denarius,  in  the  following  words  : 
— Brutos  ego  impellerem,  quorum  uterqve  L. 
Bruti  imaginem  qnotidie  videret,  alter  etiarn, 
AhaL/E?  [Should  I (asks  the  great  Orator)  in- 
cite the  Bruti,  both  of  whom  daily  gaze  on  the 
portrait  (or  effigy)  of  L.  Brutus,  and  one  of  them 
on  that  of  Ahala  also  ?] — Sec  Junia  gens. 

Visconti,  who,  iu  his  Iconographie  Romaine 
(8vo.  edit.  t.  ii.  No.  6),  gives  an  engraving  of 
this  denarius,  makes,  inter  alia,  the  following 
remarks  (p.  51)  : — “ On  the  coins  which  Marcus 
Brutus,  or  his  partisans,  caused  to  be  struck 
during  the  civil  war,  the  head  of  Servilius 
Ahala  was  placed  on  the  reverse  of  that  of  Lucius 
Brutus,  whom  the  murderer  of  Ca?sar  affected 
to  rcckou  among  his  ancestors.  He  doubtless 
thought,  that  those  domestic  examples  would 
form  an  excuse  for  his  homicidal  outrage  in  the 
eyes  of  the  Romans.  This  portrait  of  Servilius 
Ahala  had  probably  been  taken,  like  many 
others,  from  one  of  those  images  which  the 
families  of  the  nobility  gloried  in  preserving. — 
The  legend  aiiala  designates  the  personage  re- 
presented on  this  side  of  the  coin. — Cicero  re- 
marks that  this  surname  of  Ahala  had  becu 
formed  by  the  suppression  of  the  r,  and  by  pro- 
nouncing the  word  asri/la  (arm-pit),  a nickname 
given  to  one  of  the  ancestors  of  Servilius,  in 
allusion  to  some  particularities  relative  to  this 
part  of  his  bodily  frame.  The  Fasti  Ctjiilolini 
exhibit  the  name  of  Servilius,  sometimes  with 
the  surname  of  Ahala,  sometimes  with  that  of 
Axilla ; in  consequence  of  which  Pighius  has  at- 
tempted to  distinguish  one  from  the  other,  con- 
trary to  the  opinion  of  Cicero,  who,  in  conver- 
sation with  Marcus  Brutus,  respecting  this  same 
Servilius,  gives  him  both  surnames,  without  dis- 
tinction. The  Fasti  Capitolini  prove  that  these 
surnames  existed  in  the  Servilia  family  before 
the  time  of  the  Ahala  who  was  general  of 
cavalry  to  Cincinnatus.” 


AHENOBARBVS. — This  surname,  which 
appears  on  a denarius  of  the  Domitia  gens,  has 
reference  to  one  of  the  most  popular  legends  of 
early  Rome. — The  news  of  the  importaut  victory 
achieved  by  Postumius,  over  the  Latins,  near 
lake  Regillus  (b.  c.  498)  reached  and  sprrad 


AHENOBAR. 

through  'the  city,  with  a rapidity,  which,  not- 
withstanding the  short  distance  between  the 
two  places,  was  regarded  by  the  credulous  and 
over-joyed  populace  as  a prodigy.  Two  young 
soldiers,  as  the  story  goes,  had  met  Lucius 
Domitius,  a distinguished  citizen,  who  was  on 
his  return  from  the  country.  Announcing  to 
him  the  news  of  the  battle  and  the  success  of  the 
Romans,  they  charged  him  to  make  it  known  to 
his  fellow-citizens  ; and  in  order  to  win  his  con- 
fidence by  a miracle,  they  touched  his  checks, 
the  black  beard  of  which  instantly  became  red. 
(Suetonius,  in  Nerone,  c.  i.  Plutarch,  Vita 
Pauli  JEmilei,  § 25). — It  is  said  to  have  been 
for  this  reason  that  Domitius  was  afterwards 
called  Alienobarbus,  red  beard,  or  beard  of  the 
colour  of  brass ; a sobriquet  which  attached 
itself,  for  many  ages,  to  one  of  the  most  illus- 
trious families  of  the  republic. — The  Domitii, 
doubtless,  were  in  the  habit  of  exposing  to  view, 
in  the  vestibule  of  their  house,  the  waxen  image 
of  that  man,  to  whose  eyes  Castor  and  Pollux 
had  condescended  to  make  themselves  visible, 
and  whom  they  had  chosen  to  be  the  bearer 
of  such  good  news. — (Visconti,  Iconographie 
Romtdne , tome  ii.  p 48.) — At  the  period  of  the 
civil  war  waged  against  Cassius  and  Brutus,  a 
member  of  the  family  above  named,  Cueus 
Domitius  Alienobarbus,  had  allied  himself  to 
their  party,  and  was  placed  in  command  of  a 
formidable  fleet,  which,  crossing  the  Iouian  sea, 
blockaded  the  ports  of  Italy.  This  indivi- 
dual, to  defray  the  expenses  of  his  expedition, 
caused  money  to  be  minted,  on  which  were 
stamped  the  head  of  his  ancestor,  the  Lucius 
Domitius  of  the  early  republic,  designated  by 
his  surname  ahlnobakbvs.  The  reverse  type 
is  a trophy  raised  on  the  prow  of  a galley,  allu- 
sive to  the  victory  gained  by  Cneus  Domitius 
Imperator  (Emperor,  that  is  to  say  Commandcr- 
in-Chief. — The  battle  alluded  to  was  fought  on 
the  Ionian  sea,  between  the  port  of  Brundusium, 
whence  the  fleet  of  Octavius  Caesar  (afterwards 
Augustus)  had  sailed,  and  Epirus,  towards  which 
it  had  steered.  The  event  took  place  the  same 
day  that  Cassius  and  Brutus  were  defeated  at 
Philippi,  in  the  year  42  before  the  Christian  era. 
(Appian  Alex,  de  be/lo  civili , cited  by  Viscouti 
in  his  work  above-named.) 

AHENOBAR. — The  denarius  on  which  this 
abbreviated  word  appears  is  a numismatic  monu- 
ment of  the  greatest  rarity.  Of  this  the  eru- 
dite antiquary  above-meutioned,  has  given  an 
engraving  in  his  Roman  Iconography  (tab.  v.*) 
and  he  presents  it  as  preserving  the  portrait 
of  Cneus  Alienobarbus.  It  is  (says  Visconti)  a 
piece  of  gold  money,  which  was  probably  struck 
at  the  period  when  this  Roman  admiral  received 
intelligence  of  the  death  of  Cassius  and  of  Brutus, 
and  regarded  himself  as  the  head  of  the  repub- 
lican party.  The  head,  entirely  shaved,  is  seen 
on  one  side  of  the  coin,  of  which  the  surname 
AIIENOBARia*  forms  the  legend.  On  the  re- 
verse we  see  his  other  names,  and  his  title,  CN. 
DOMrrrvs.  I.,  f.  imp.  (Cneus  Domitius,  sou  of 
Lucius,  imperator).  The  letters  NEPT.  stamped 
in  the  field  of  the  reverse,  point  to  the  temple  of 


AIMILIA.  31 

Neptune,  which  is  the  type,  and  in  all  proba- 
bility was  designed  to  represent,  that  edifice 
which  Cneus  Domitius  Alienobarbus,  one  of  the 
ancestors  of  the  personage  in  question,  had  built 
in  the  circus  of  Flaminius  at  Rome,  in  honour 
of  the  god  of  the  sea,  and  which  he  had  filled 
with  sculptural  chefs  d’ceuvre  from  the  chisel 
of  Scopas.  Cneus  Alienobarbus  seems  thus  to 
ascribe  to  the  zeal  of  his  progenitors  for  the 
worship  of  Neptune,  the  constant  safety  and 
success  of  his  own  vessels  on  the  stormy  waves 
of  the  Adriatic.” — p.  221-22. — See  also  Morell 
Thesaur.  Fam.  Domitia  gens. 

AIMILIA  (Basilica)  RE  Veda.  S.  C.— This 
legend,  with  the  name  of  m.  lepidvs  below',  ap- 
pears on  the  reverse  of  a denarius  of  the  Aemilia 
family,  the  accompanying  type  of  which  repre- 
sents a building,  with  two  stories  of  columns, 
and  shields  inserted  between  them,  commonly 
called  the  Basilica  Aemilia,  or  Basilica  Pauli. — 
On  the  obverse  of  the  same  denarius  is  the  veiled 
head  of  a woman ; on  one  side  of  which  is  a 
garland,  and  on  the  other  the  simpulum.  [By  a 
graphic  mistake  the  legend  auiilia  is  not  made 
to  appeal-  at  the  top  of  the  reverse.] 


It  bears  allusion  to  L.  iEmilius  Paulus,  who 
served  the  consulship  in  the  year  of  Rome  704 
(b.  c.  50),  and  to  whom  the  merit  is  ascribed  by 
old  writers  of  having  begun  the  reconstruction 
and  adornment  (b.  c.  54)  at  his  own  expense,  of 
the  above-named  public  edifice,  in  the  Eorum  at 
Rome.  Being,  however,  left  in  an  unfinished  state 
by  the  founder,  it  was  at  length  completed,  and 
dedicated,  by  Paulus  Acinilius  Lcpidus,  in  the 
year  U.  c.  720  (b.  C.  34),  according  to  Dion 
Cassius.  The  chief  ornaments  of  the  edifice  were 
its  columns  of  Phrygian  marble,  of  which  Pliny 
speaks  in  admiration.  The  zEmilian  Basilica 
was  twice  repaired,  after  damage  by  fire.  The 
first  time  in  740  (b.  c.  14),  when  the  temple  of 
Vesta  was  also  destroyed,  and  it  was  then  re- 
stored (refecta)  by  Augustus  and  the  friends  of 
Paulus.  The  second  time  was  during  the  reign  , 
of  Tiberius,  on  which  occasion  Lepidus,  with 
consent  of  the  Senate,  rebuilt  and  adorned  it  at 
his  owti  cost. — Eckhel  agrees  with  Havercamp 
in  considering  this  denarius  to  have  been  coined 
under  Augustus — not  under  Tiberius — and  points 
to  the  head  on  the  obverse  as  doubtless  that  of 
Vesta,  allusive  to  the  temple  of  that  goddess, 
destroyed  in  the  same  conflagration,  which  con- 
sumed the  Basilica,  and  was  restored  by  Au- 
gustus. The  archaism  too  of  aimilia  (the  an- 
cient spelling  of  aemilia),  bespeaks  it  to  be  of 
the  age  of  Augustus,  rather  than  that  of  Tiberius. 
— Doct.  Nina.  Vet.  v.  127. 

This  coin  is  valued  bv  Mionnet  at  18  fr.  The 
same,  restored  by  Trajan,  he  prices  at  100  fr. 


32 


ALAMANNI. 


ALBINUS. 


ALACRITATl. — To  Alacrity ; with  figure  of  . 
Pegasus. — The  foregoing  legend  occurs  for  the 
first,  and  indeed  the  only  time,  in  the  imperial  | 
scries  of  coins,  on  a very  rare  middle  brass  of 
Gallienus.  The  type  also  is  found  on  one  of  the 
billon  pieces  minted  under  the  same  emperor, 
but  with  a different  legend  [leg.  i.  &c.] 

Respecting  this  singular  reverse,  and  its  ap- 
propriate device  of  a winged  horse  (previously 
noticed  aud  engraved  by  Angeloni  and  Banduri), 
Eckhcl  says,  “ I do  not  remember  any  altar,  de- 
dicated by  the  Romans  to  Alacrity.  It  seems 
probable  that  this  virtue,  or  good  quality,  in  a 
sovereign,  to  have  been  here  commended  in  Gal- 
lienus, in  consequence  of  his  having,  imme- 
diately on  his  accession  to  the  empire,  and  dur- 
ing his  first  consulate,  prepared  an  army  in  Ger- 
mauy,  with  great  expedition,  and  sent  it  forth 
against  the  revolted  Gauls.” — See  Peyasns. 

ALAMANNI,  or  ALEMANNI. — Under  this 
title  are  to  be  considered  as  included  the  Ubii, 
the  Sicambri,  the  Tenctcri,  the  Usipetes,  the 
Catti,  the  Chcrusces ; that  is  to  say,  the  inha- 
bitants of  the  upper  and  lower  Rhine,  aud  those 
beyond  that  great  river,  such  as  the  Westpha- 
lians, the  Hessians,  and  the  Saxons,  as  far  as 
the  Elbe  and  the  Wcser,  on  the  bauks  of  which, 
as  well  as  on  the  Rhine  and  the  Meuse,  Drusus, 
in  the  time  of  Augustus,  built  forts  and  esta- 
blished garrisons,  to  hold  the  natives  in  check ; 
at  the  same  time  that  he  opened  a road  for  his 
troops  through  the  llyrcanian  forest.  The  vic- 
tories of  Drusus  (brother  of  Tiberius)  over  the 
Alamanni,  are  commemorated  ou  medals,  under 
the  inscription  de  gi;um axis  (see  the  word.) — 
But  those  exploits  were  not  followed  by  the  en- 
tire subjugation  of  the  Germanic  nations,  nor 
was  their  country  reduced  to  the  form  of  a pro- 
vince, in  the  same  effectual  manner  as  Augustus 
succeeded  in  doing  with  regard  to  Gaul,  .Spain, 
Illyria,  Egypt,  aud  other  regions,  over  which 
the  Roman  arms  had  been  victorious.  At  a later 
period,  however,  of  the  empire,  the  Alamanni, 
inhabiting  that  part  of  Germany,  which  is  situ- 
ated between  the  Danube,  the  Upper  Rhine  and 
the  Mayne,  were  subdued,  first  by  CaracaUa,  aud 
afterwards  by  Proculus,  in  the  reign  of  Aure- 
liau.  Afterwards  Constautius  Chlorus,  whilst 
Cirsar,  overthrew  them  with  great  slaughter. — 
They  continued,  nevertheless,  from  time  to  time, 
to  wage  war  against  subsequent  emperors,  from 
Constantiuc  tbc  Great  to  Gratiauus  and  down- 
wards. Nor  were  they  finally  brought  to  sub- 
jection until  a.  n.  4'J(5,  when  they  met  with  a 
decisive  defeat  by  Clodovauis,  king  of  the  Franks. 

ALAMANNIA. — The  reverse  of  one  of  Con- 
stautinc’s  gold  coins  has  for  its  type,  a woman 
seated  at  the  foot  of  a trophy,  supporting  her  j 
head  ou  her  arm,  as  if  lamenting  her  captivity.  | 
Round  the  field  appears  gavdivm  romanouvm  ; 
aud  on  the  exergue  is  alamannia. — Engraved 
iu  Caylus,  Anrea  Nmnis.  Rom.  Impp.  No.  108. 

“ This  medal  (says  Spanbeim,  iu  his  Ciesars 
of  Julian),  refers  to  the  victories  of  Constan- 
tine over  the  Alamanni,  aud  nlso  over  the 
Fraud,  a nation  between  the  Rhine  and  the 
Wcser. — With  regard  to  Alamannia,  Zozimus  I 


relates  that,  after  haring  defeated  Maxentius, 
Constantine  passed  into  Gaul,  and  directed  his 
march  against  the  Celtic  tribes.  With  respect  to 
Francia,  other  writers  make  mention  of  the 
bridge  which  lie  caused  to  be  thrown  over  the 
Rhine,  in  the  territory  of  the  Ubians,  now  the 
diocese  of  Cologne,  iu  order  to  attack  the  Fraud, 
or  people  of  Westphalia,  and  towards  the  Isscl.” 
There  is  nlso  a similar  legend  aud  type  on  a gold 
coin  of  Crispus,  to  whose  ill-requited  valour  his 
father  was  mainly  indebted  for  this  triumph. 

ALAMa««ia  ET  FRANCia. — See  Francia 
A L A M AN  N I A D E V I CT  A.— Victory,  at 
whose  feet  is  a captive  bound,  holding  a trophy 
aud  palm  branch.  This  legeud  and  type  appear 
on  third  brass  of  Crispus, 
natural  son  of  Coustautine 
the  Great.  They  constitute 
another  proof  of  the  lead- 
ing share  taken  by  that 
heroic  but  ill-fated  young 
prince,  in  vanquishing  a 
most  powerfid  coalition  of 
enemies,  and  compelling 
them  to  acknowledge  for  awhile  the  asceudenev 
of  Rome. — “ Placed  (says  Banduri,  who  pub- 
lishes the  coin)  in  command  of  the  Legions  in 
Gaul,  Crispus  fulfilled  the  hopes  and  objects  of 
his  imperial  father,  by  suppressing  a formidable 
rebellion  of  the  Fraud  and  Alamanni.” — Spau- 
heira  has  given  this  reverse  to  a coin  of  Con- 
stantines, juu. ; but  it  is  not  included  in  thnt 
emperor’s  mint  by  either  Eekhel,  Mionuet,  or 
Akcrman. 

ALB.  ALBINVS.  Albinas — surname  of  the 

Postumia  family. 

ALBA. — Ou  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  without  legend  of  reverse,  arc  represented 
the  fortified  walls  of  that  city.  Within  are  the 
sow  aud  its  young ; above  is  /Eneas  carrying  his 
father ; behind  him  the  fig  tree,  and  before  a 
circular  temple  stands  an  aitar. — See  Scrofa. 

ALBOGALERUS,  a sort  of  cap  of  white 
wool,  which  the  Flamen  Dialis,  or  priest  of 
Jupiter,  alone  had  the  privilege  of  wearing.  It 
was  made  from  the  llcece,  or  skin,  of  some  white 
animal  sacrificed  to  Jupiter,  and  was  surmounted 
with  a small  sprig  of  olive.  Iu  the  coins  of 
Julius  Crcsar,  this  albogalcrus  is  seen  to  indicate 
the  office  of  pontifex  maximus. — See  Apex. 

ALBINAS  (Jbecimus  Clodius  Sept  uni  us) — 
born  at  Hadrumctum,  in  Africa,  had  for  his 
father  Cejonius  Poslumus,  and  for  his  mother 
Aurelia  Messalina.  Highly  educated,  especially 
in  geographical  aud  strategical  knowledge,  he 
became,  from  a captain  of  Illyrian  cavalry,  one 
of  the  first  and  most  successful  generals  of  his 
time,  in  the  chief  charge  and  couduet  of  armies 
under  Marcus  Aurelius  and  Commodus,  being  at 
length  placed  in  command  of  the  legions  iu 
Bithynia,  a.  u.  175.  Tall  and  portly  iu  statiue, 
with  round  visage,  frizzled  beard,  large  mouth, 
but  with  a very  feeble  voice,  he  was  said  to  be 
retiring  and  melancholy  in  disposition,  severe 
in  matters  of  discipline,  and  of  a repulsive 
hnmour  ; but  his  bravery  and  skill  as  a soldier, 
his  love  of  justice,  nnd  his  respect  for  senatorial 


% 


' ALBINUS. 

rights  and  popular  privileges,  gained  for  him 
the  attachment  of  all  classes  in  the  state.  He 
was  manly  in  his  habits,  free  from  enervating 
luxury,  and,  except  his  being  a prodigious  eater, 
without  intemperance.  Governor  of  Britain  and 
Gaul,  at  the  time  of  Pertinax’s  death,  he  made 
pretensions  to  the  sovereignty,  and  was  elected 
Emperor  by  the  legions  he  commanded,  in  the 
year  of  Rome  940  (A-  u-  193).  He  succeeded  in 
causing  himself  to  be  declared  Cicsar,  by  Sep- 
timius  Severus,  the  same  year  : that  merciless 
but  artful  man  being  at  the  time  sufficiently 
occupied  in  subduing  the  eastern  provinces  of 
the  empire.  In  the  following  year  (194),  Al- 
binus  served  his  second  consulship  with  Severus 
himself  for  his  colleague.  But  no  sooner  was 
Pescennius  destroyed,  than  Severus  led  his  army 
against  his  rival  in  the  west.  “ The  British 
legions  under  Albinas  were  opposed  to  those  of 
IUyricum  ; and  the  troops  on  each  side  combated 
with  such  bravery,  that  the  result  was  long 
doubtful.”  But,  after  many  sanguinary  engage- 
ments, fought  with  alternate  success,  Albinus  was 
defeated  by  his  competitor  in  a decisive  battle,  on 
the  plain  of  Tinurtium  (now  Trevoux),  between 
the  Rhone  and  Saone,  near  Lugdunum  (Lyon), 
in  France.  Aud  under  circumstances  of  gra- 
tuitously brutal  triumph  on  the  part  of  the  con- 
queror, Albinus  lost  his  life,  in  the  year  u.  c. 
950  (a.  d.  197).  He  was  much  looked  up  to  by 
many  ; and,  indeed,  was  as  much  beloved  by  the 
Senate,  as  they  hated  Severus,  on  account  of  his 
fearfully  vindictive  cruelty.  On  his  coins, 
which  are  found  in  the  three  metals,  and  of  all 
sizes  except  small  brass,  this  prince  is  styled  d. 
CLODIVS  AI.B1NVS  CAESAR  IMP. — also  D.  CLOD. 
SEPT.  ALBIN.  AVO. — and  IMP.  CAES.  CL.  SEPT. 
albin.  avo.  (on  reverse  P.  p.) — His  gold  and 
brass  medallions  are  of  the  highest  rarity.  Silver, 
and  first  and  second  brass,  are  also  rare. 

The  large  brass,  from  which  the  subjoined  cut 
is  engraved,  was  struck  a.  d.  194,  as  the  mark 
of  his  second  consulate  attests. 


Obi ;.  d.  clod.  sept,  albin.  caes. — Bare 
head  of  Albinus. 

Rev.  FELiciTASCOS.n.  s.  c. — Felicity  stand- 
ing with  caducous  and  hasta  put  a. — See  Felicitas. 

Khell,  in  his  supplement  to  Vaillant  (p.  10G), 
has  given  an  engraving  of  a most  rare  and  ele- 
gant gold  coin  of  Albinus,  from  the  Vienna 
cabinet,  with  provid.  avg.  cos.  for  legend,  and 
Providentia,  with  her  attributes,  for  type  of  its 
reverse. 

Albinus  (remarks  the  intelligent  author  of 
Lemons  de Numismatique Romaine)  hopiug  to  keep 
on  an  amicable  footing  with  Severus,  paid  him 
F 


ALEXANDER.  33 

all  kinds  of  deferential  attentions ; and  the 
types  on  the  reverses  of  his  earlier  coins  bear 
testimony  to  his  being  influenced  by  this  policy. 
But  in  the  subsequent  passages  of  his  career, 
being  forced  to  enter  into  an  open  struggle  with 
his  subtle  rival,  he  declared  himself  Augustus 
as  well  as  Cicsar.  And  from  that  period,  the 
medals  in  which  he  takes  this  title,  no  longer 
evince  the  same  character  of  caution  and  mo- 
deration. It  is,  however,  necessary  to  observe, 
that  the  latter  (with  the  titles  of  imp.  and  avg.) 
are  not  to  be  found  in  gold  aud  silver ; whilst 
the  bronze  coins  were  still  minted  exclusively  at 
Rome,  and  could  not  accord  to  him  a title  which 
the  Emperor  (Severus)  aud  the  Senate  refused  to 
grant  him. 

In  reference  to  this  question,  Mr.  Akerman 
also  observes,  that  those  coins  of  Albinus,  which 
bear  the  title  of  “ Caisar”  are  considered  to  have 
been  struck  at  Rome,  Severus  having  consented 
to  his  assuming  that  title : and  that  those  which 
have  the  styles  “ Impcrator”  and  “ Augustus,” 
were  struck  in  Gaul,  after  the  entry  of  Albinus 
into  that  country. — A coin  in  the  Vienna 
cabinet  has  Pater  Patr'ue  ou  the  reverse,  the 
bead  side  bearing  the  title  of  Caisar.  Another 
is  described  as  having  p.  p.  on  it  and  avg.  on 
the  obverse. — lienee  Mionnct  supposes  that 
Albinus  had  a Council  or  Senate,  in  Gaul,  who 
conferred  on  him  the  honourable  title. — “ How- 
ever (adds  the  judicious  compiler  of  the  “ De- 
scriptive Catalogue  of  Roman  Coins,”)  its  as- 
sumption by  Albiuus  without  license,  must  not 
be  wondered  at  in  an  age  w hen  Emperors  aspired 
even  to  divine  origin.” 

On  the  same  point,  Captain  Smyth  says, 
“ such  medals  of  Albiuus  as  bear  the  title  of 
Augustus,  arc  without  the  s.  c.  and  are  pro- 
bably from  the  officina  of  Lugdunum — since 
those  minted  by  consent  of  Severus,  were  issued 
before  Albinus  had  assumed  that  title.” 

ALCE,  or  Alces,  an  animal  of  the  cervine 
species. — A representation  of  this  remarkable 
quadruped  is  found  on  one  of  the  saecvlares 
avgg.  1st  brass  of  Philippus  senior. — See  Me- 
dai/les  de  Christine,  tab.  xxxv.  No.  18. 

ALE. — Alexandria  casus — (struck  at  Alex- 
andria.) It  is  read  on  the  exergue  of  second 
brass  coins  of  the  lower  empire,  as  in  Diocle- 
tianus,  Gal.  Maximianus,  &c. 

ALEX. — Alexander. — imp.  caes.  m.  avr. 
sev.  alex.  pivs.  avg. — The  Emperor  and  Cicsar, 
Marcus  Aurelius  Severus  Alexander,  the  Pious, 
the  August. 


ALEXANDER  SEVERUS  (Bassianus  Alex- 
ianus),  born  at  Area  (Cicsarca  Libani),  in  Phoe- 
nicia, a.  d.  205,  was  the  son  of  Gessius  Mar- 
cianus  and  Julia  Mamsea.  The  care  which  bis 


34  ALEXANDER, 

mother  bestowed  on  his  education,  amply  com- 
pensated for  his  early  loss  of  a father ; and  from 
his  infancy  he  gave  promise  of  those  qualities 
and  excellent  abilities  which  distinguished  him 
through  life,  lie  soon  became  a favourite  with 
the  best  as  well  as  noblest  society  in  Rome. 
Through  the  sagacious  policy  and  persuasion  of 
Mresa,  his  grandmother,  he  was  adopted  by  Ela- 
gabalus. — Declared  C:esar  a.ii.  221,  he  took  the 
names  of  Marcus  Aurelius  Alexander;  served  his 
first  consulate  the  following  year  ; and  after  the 
frightful  reign  of  his  execrable  cousin,  the 
Romans  beheld  a youth  of  scarcely  fourteen 
years  of  age,  on  the  throne  of  their  emperors, 
possessed  of  talcuts,  courage,  correct  morals — 
every  human  virtue  and  eveiy  personal  accom- 
plishment. His  goodness  as  an  individual,  and 
his  wisdom  as  a rider,  recalled  to  their  remem- 
brance the  happier  times  of  the  empire,  and 
formed  a striking  contrast  to  the  hideous  vices 
and  misgovernment  of  his  immediate  predecessor. 

On  the  death  of  Elagabalus,  being  saluted 
Augustus  and  Imperator  (a.  d.  222),  by  the  en- 
raptured Senate,  he  at  the  same  time  received 
the  titles  of  Augustus,  Pater  Patri®,  with  all 
the  marks  of  imperial  dignity ; and  from  that 
period  uuited  to  his  other  names  that  of  Sevc- 
rus. — In  229,  lie  proceeded  consul  for  the  3rd 
time,  having  for  his  colleague  that  year  Dion 
Cassius,  the  celebrated  historian  of  Rome.  It 
was  during  the  reign  of  this  emperor,  that  Ar- 
tabancs  IV.  King  of  the  Parthians,  was  killed 
by  Artaxerxcs,  who  re-established  the  Persian 
monarchy,  and  caused  himself  to  be  declared 
king.  In  consequence  of  the  hostile  progress  of 
this  prince  against  the  Romans,  Alexander  Scvc- 
rus  led  a formidable  army  into  the  east,  (about 
a.  d.  231,  according  to  Eekhel;)  and  having  in 
a great  battle  defeated  Artaxerxes,  whom  he 
drove  back  from  the  frontiers  of  the  empire,  re- 
turned to  Rome,  where  he  received  triumphal 
honours  for  his  victory  over  the  Persians.  The 
same  year  he  accepted  the  title  of  Pivs.  In  235, 
he  engaged  in  another  successful  campaign.  It 
was  against  the  Germans,  who  had  taken  advant- 
age of  his  absence  in  the  East,  to  ravage  the  Gal- 
lic provinces.  This  was  his  last  achievement.  A 
band  of  factious  soldiers  (instigated  by  the 
Thracian  savage,  Maximinus,  at  that  time  ad- 
vanced to  be  one  of  his  generals),  slew  him  and  ! 
his  mother  (Mamma),  in  the  year  of  Our  Lord 
235,  and  the  27th  of  his  age,  after  his  having 
bravely  commanded  the  Roman  armies,  with 
as  consummate  generalship  and  as  much  glory 
as  any  of  his  predecessors,  for  13  years,  llis 
death  was  universally  deplored,  as  that  of  the 
father  of  his  country,  the  friend  of  his  subjects, 
and  one  of  the  most  just  and  generous  of  princes. 
The  honours  of  consecration  were  awarded  to 
him  by  the  Senate,  and  a festival  was  instituted 
to  his  honour,  which  continued  to  be  celebrated 
down  to  the  reign  of  Constautinc. — Alexander 
was  the  first  Emperor  who  positively  favoured 
the  Christians,  with  whose  moral  precepts  he 
scents  to  have  been  acquainted  ; for  he  caused  to 
be  inscribed  over  the  palace  gate,  the  golden  ride 
of  the  Gosjicl — “ Do  as  you  would  be  done  by.” 


ALEXANDER. 

( Quod  tibi  fieri  non  vis,  atteri  non  feceris.J — 
Alexander  Severus  had  three  wives.  The  name 
of  the  first  is  not  known ; the  second  was  called 
Memmia  ; the  last  Barbia  Orbiana,  of  w horn 
only  there  are  coins.  He  does  not  appear  to 
have  left  any  children. — The  monies  of  Alexan- 
der Severus  arc  very  numerous.  Some  pieces 
represent  him  with  Jidia  Mamma,  and  with  Or- 
hiana.  His  gold  and  silver  coins  (usual  size) 
arc  common  ; first  and  second  brass  also  com- 
mon ; gold,  silver,  and  brass  medallions,  arc  of 
the  highest  rarity.  Ou  these  he  is  styled  m.  avr. 

ALEXANDER. — IMP.  C.  XI.  SEVERVS  ALEXAND. 
nvs  avgvstvs  (sometimes  P.  P.)  The  cut  at 
the  head  of  this  biographical  notice  is  from  a 
silver  coin.  On  the  obverse,  imp.  ALEXANDER 
pivs  ayg.  Laureatcd  head  of  the  Emperor.  The 
legend  of  the  reverse,  iovi  puopvgnatoki  (to 
Jupiter  the  defender,  whose  image  stands  bran- 
dishing a thunderbolt),  frequently  occurs  in  the 
mint  of  Alexander,  which  also  has  Ju/jiter  Con- 
servator, Stator,  and  Ultor,  among  its  types. 

Alexander  occupied  himself  sedulously  in  re- 
forming the  abuses  which  prevailed  in  the  state 
of  the  Roman  mint.  Hence  the  legend  rf.sti- 
tvtoh  monetae  on  some  of  his  medals,  he  be- 
ing the  only  one  of  the  Augnsti  who  was  styled 
on  coins  a restorer  of  money,  lie  also  used 
electrum.  “ About  his  time  the  sestertii  (or 
large  brass)  diminish  in  magnitude,  public  events 
are  given  in  less  detail  on  the  reverses ; and  the 
deities  and  moral  virtues  appear  more  frequently. 
The  coins  arc  however  mostly  common,  and  arc 
retained  in  choice  collections,  only  according  to 
their  perfection  or  individual  interest.” — See 
Captain  Smyth’s  remarks  on  this  prince’s  cha- 
racter and  reign. — Descr.  Cat.  22G. 


ALEXANDER  (commonly  sumamed  Tyran- 
nus ) an  usurper  during  the  reign  of  Maientius. 
Born  of  Paunonian  peasants,  or,  according  to 
some  writers,  sprung  from  an  equally  ohsenre 
origin  in  Phrygia,  he  entered  the  army,  and 
though  of  no  great  military  talent,  nor  of  any 
very  distinguished  valour,  became  in  his  old  age, 
pro-pncfcct  of  Africa.  In  consequence  of  the  ex- 
treme severity  of  Maxentins  towards  him,  he 
threw  oil'  his  allegiance  to  that  arbitrary  prince, 
and  drawing  into  his  revolt  the  soldiers  who  had 
invested  him  w ith  the  purple,  caused  himself  to 
be  proclaimed  emperor,  a.  d.  308.  For  three 
years  Alexander  maintained  his  usurped  power 
at  Carthage  ; but  was  at  length  defeated  by 
the  troops  of  Maxentius,  taken  prisoner,  and  put 
to  death,  A.  D.  311.  llis  coins,  with  Izitin 
legends,  in  silver  and  brass,  are  of  the  highest 
rarity.  They  were  minted  in  Africa  ; probably 
at  Carthage.  On  these  he  is  styled  mr.  Alex- 
ander p.  F.  avo. — The  above  engraving  from  a 


ALEXANDRIA. 

second  brass,  presents  the  laureatcd  head  of  this 
a<red  usurper,  whilst  the  reverse  bears  the  type 
of  Victory,  and  the  legend  Victoria  a lex  and  ri 
avo.  n.  Relow  p.  k. — On  the  reverse  of  a third 
brass,  given  with  his  portrait,  in  Banduri,  ii.  p. 
161,  we  read  ixvicta  roma.  felix  kakthago — 
the  type  being  a woman  holding  corn  cars  in 
each  hand. 

ALEXANDRia  AEGYP'IV. — Alexandria,  the 
capital  of  lower  Egypt,  an  emporium  of  most  opu- 
lent commerce.  It  was  called  Rome,  by  M.  An- 
tony, when  he  held  his  third  consulship  (b.  c.  61) 
therein. — There  is  a coin  of  that  triumvir,  bear- 
ing the  foregoing  inscription,  which  has  for  its 
type  a palm  tree,  with  fruit  pendent  beneath  its 
branches,  and  round  it  is  the  corona  hcderacea, 
or  ivy  crown.  The  palm  abounded  beyond  all 
other  trees  in  Egypt,  and  was  the  usual  symbol 
of  Alexandria.  And  perhaps,  says  Oiselius,  who 
gives  an  engraving  of  this  coin  (tab.  xxxiv. 
No.  3,  p.  149)  the  crown  of  ivy  being  a symbol 
of  Bacchus,  it  is  here  conjoined  with  the  palm 
tree,  by  M.  Antony,  who  had  already  ordered 
himself  to  be  called  Bacchus. 

ALEXANDRIA. — On  the  reverse  of  a silver 
Hadrian  (engraved  in  Oiselius,  tab.  xxxiv.  p. 
149),  the  type  of  a female  standing,  clothed  in 
a^  tunic  I supposed  to  represent  the  genius  of 
k-.vpt]  ■ She  holds  in  her  right  hand  the  sistrum, 
in  connexion  with  the  worship  of  Isis  [the  move- 
ment of  that  instrument  signifying  the  rise  of 
the  Nile.]  In  her  left  hand  she  holds  a bucket 
or  waterpot  (situla)  by  which  is  indicated  the 
flow  of  canals  or  watercourses. — Rasche. 

The  genius  of  Alexandria,  or  of  Egypt  in 
general,  is  figured  on  a brass  medal  of  Hadrian 
(struck  in  Egypt),  as  a man,  wearing  on  his  own 
head  the  skiu  ol  an  elephant’s,  and  holdiug  in  his 
right  hand  a bundle  of  corn  ears.  He  takes  with 
the  left  hand  that  of  the  emperor,  and  lifts  it  to 
his  lips,  as  if  to  kiss  it,  in  acknowledgment  of 
Hadrians  benefits  to  the  city  and  country-. 
Round  the  coin  is  engraved  alexandrea,  and 
in  the  field  lie  (year  xv).— Zoega,  Rum.  AEgypt. 
vii. — [Air.  Akcrman,  some  time  ago,  referring  to 
a specimen  of  this  very  interesting  coin,  then  in 
his  own  possession,  had  remarked  that  the 
numeral  1 5 denotes  the  year  of  Hadrian’s  ar- 
rival at  Alexandria.] 

ALEXANDRIA.  S.  C. — On  first  and  second 
brass  of  Hadrian,  the  city  of  Alexandria  is 
personified  by  a xvomau  seated  on  the  ground, 
holdiug  ears  of  corn  in  her  right  hand.  Near  her 


left  arm  rises  a vine  branch,  and  her  elbow  rests 
on  a vase,  near  which  is  a bunch  of  grapes.  At 
F 2 


ALEXANDRIA.  35 

her  feet  also  are  three  ears  of  wheat,  indicative 
of  the  generally  abundant  harvests  of  Egypt. 

On  the  reverse  of  another  brass  coin,  with  the 
same  legend,  and  minted  under  the  same  empe- 
ror, Alexandria  sits  with  corn-ears  in  her  right 
hand  and  cornucopia;  in  her  left:  her  arm  resting 
on  the  canislrum. — See  Oiselius,  tab.  xxxiv. 

ALEXANDRIA  TROAS  ( Colonia). — A city 
so  called  from  its  beiug  situated  on  that  part  of 
the  coast  of  Mysia,  called  the  Troad,  or  plain 
of  Troy,  eternized  by  the  Iliad  of  Homer. — 
According  to  Strabo,  it  received  the  appellation 
of  Alexandria,  from  Alexander  the  Great,  yvho 
was  the  first  to  elevate  it  to  the  rank  of  a free 
city : from  that  period  it  continued  increasing 
until  the  invasion  and  occupation  of  Asia  Minor 
by  the  Romans,  yvho  unceasingly  added  to  its 
splendour.  Julius  Caisar  greatly  improved  and 
ornamented  it.  His  example  was  folloyved  by 
Augustus,  who  made  it  a Roman  Colony ; and 
Hadrian  (says  Justin)  adorned  it  with  baths  and 
aqueducts.  It  yvas  from  Augustus,  that  the  city 
took  the  name  of  Augusta.  But  it  yvas  not 
called  Alexandria  on  coins  before  the  reign  of 
Caracalla ; and  then  it  re-assumed  the  name, 
either  to  flatter  that  prince’s  affected  fondness 
for  the  memory  of  Alexander  the  Great,  or  iu 
acknowledgment  of  benefits  conferred  upon  it  by 
him  as  the  eldest  son  and  expectant  successor  of 
Septimius  Severus.  The  era  of  Alexander  Troas 
is  fixed  by  .Miouuet  (Supplmt.  t.  v.  508)  at  454 
years  from  the  foundation  of  Rome,  300  b.  c. 
Its  ruins  still  exist,  and  are  called  by  the  Turks 
Eski-Stambul ',  or  Old  Constantinople. 

Among  the  Latin  colonial  autonomes  (de- 
scribed by  Miounet,  vol.  ii.  p.  639)  is  the  fol- 
loyving  singular  one,  viz. : — Obv.  co.  alex. 
tro.  Turreted  head  of  a woman. — Rev.  A pea- 
sant or  shepherd,  holdiug  in  his  right  hand  the 
pedum  ; he  stands  by  the  side  of  a cave,  on 
yvhich  the  Sybil  llerophile  rests  herself:  behind 
the  shepherd  is  a ram. — The  other  types  of  this 
period  of  the  colony’s  mint,  are  apol.  zminthe. 
Apollo  Sminthius  (sec  Apollo)  standing — a fawn 
— the  vcxillum — an  eagle  yvith  a bull’s  head. 

The  colonial  imperial  coins  extend  in  nearly 
an  unbroken  succession  of  reigns  from  Trajan  to 
Gallieuus  and  Saloniua.  They  are  numerous, 
aud  some  few  yvorthy  of  notice.  On  these  yve 
read  col.  avg.  (troa  or  troad.) — col.  avo. 
tro.  alex.  Colonia  Augusta  Troas,  (or  Troa- 
densis)  Alexandria , or  col.  av-g.  tro.  or  tr. 

There  is,  on  a second  brass  dedicated  by  the 
city  of  Troas  to  Caracalla,  the  type  of  a horse 
dcpasccut,  behind  which 
is  a tree ; and  by  its  side 
is  the  figure  of  a rustic, 
yvho  bears  the  pedum  in 
his  right  hand. — Of  this 
reverse  the  annexed  cut 
is  a copy,  after  a speci- 
men in  the  British  Mu- 
seum.— Vaillant,  yvho  (in 
Coloniis,  i.  46),  describes  the  figure,  as  simply 
that  of  a shepherd  holding  the  crook,  usually 
employed  in  his  pastoral  vocation,  considers  this 
device  of  man,  horse,  and  tree,  to  indicate  the 


36  ALEXANDRIA. 


ALEXANDRIA. 


confirmation  of  privileges  ami  immunities,  grant- 
ed to  the  Troadensians  by  Caraealla. 

Among  the  imperial 
series,  all  with  Latin 
legends,  struck  in  this 
Roman  colony,  one, 
which  is  dedicated  to 
the  honour  of  Crispins, 
wife  of  Commodus,  is  of 
good  design,  and  curious 
in  its  typification. 

Obv.  CRISPINA  AV- 
gvsta.— Head  of  the  Empress. 

Reo.  col.  avg.  troad.  (The  August  Colony 
of  Troas.) — A figure  standing  in  a military  dress, 
sacrificing  at  a tripod,  in  front  of  the  statue  of 
Apollo,  which  stands  on  a cippus  or  pedestal. 
Above  the  tripod  is  an  eagle  with  expanded 
wings,  holding  in  its  talons  the  head  of  a bull. — 
Vnillant,  in  coloniis,  i.  p.  223. 

[Pcllerin  (in  his  Melange  de Med.  T.  i.  pi.  xvii. 
No.  15),  gives  a coin  of  this  colony,  dedicated 
to  Commodus  himself,  from  which  the  above 
wood-cut  is  taken.  The  type  differs  a little  from 
I hat  on  Crispina’s  above  described,  inasmuch  as, 
for  the  tripod  is  substituted  a lighted  altar ; and 
the  sacrificcr  wears  a cloak  over  his  military 
dress,  and  holds  a sceptre,  instead  of  a spear,  in 
his  left  hand.] 

“ This  medal  (says  Vaillant),  refers  to  the 
augury  which  was  taken  when  the  foundations 
of  New  Troy  (Alexandria  Troas),  were  about 
to  be  laid.  Strabo  relates  (Lib.  xiii.)  that 
the  city  was  built  where  it  now  is,  from  the 
ruins  of  ancient  Troy,  by  command  of  the 
Oracle.  Now'  all  this  appears  to  me  very  clearly 
expressed  in  the  medal  before  us.  For  indeed, 
whilst  the  founder  of  New  Troy  is  performing 
sacrifice  at  the  tripod  of  Apollo  (who  was  the 
guardian  deity  of  Old  Troy),  with  a view  to 
learn  what  place  he  ought  to  fix  upon  for  the 
city  which  he  designed  to  build,  an  eagle  is  seen 
in  the  air,  holding  in  his  claws  the  head  of  an 
immolated  bull ; thereby  signifying  to  him  who 
sacrificed  it,  that  he  should  lay  the  foundations 
of  his  new  town  on  the  spot,  where  the  eagle  is 
going  to  carry'  that  portion  of  the  victim.  For 
this  reason,  the  inhabitants  of  the  colony,  in  re- 
membrance of  the  foundation  of  their  city,  caused 
to  be  represented  on  their  coins,  sometimes  a 
single  eagle,  which  flies  away  with  a bull’s  head; 
at  other  times  the  same  bird  and  caput  bovis, 
with  their  founder  offering  sacrifice  to  Apollo.” 

Mionnet  gives  a coin  of  this  colony,  dedicated 
to  Commodus,  having  for  its  obverse  legend, 
gkx.  co.v.  col.  avg.  troad. — The  genius  of  the 
colony  is  half  naked,  and  stands  holding  in  her 
right  hand  a small  figure  of  Apollo,  and  in  her 
left  a cornucopia?. — On  the  reverse  of  a coin  of 
Crispina,  the  type  is  a mountain,  on  which  is 
Apollo,  clothed  in  the  female  habiliment  of  the 
stota.  'Die  bow  and  patera  arc  in  his  hands.  A 
herdsman,  or  shepherd,  is  before  the  god,  hold- 
ing the  pedum,  and  in  a suppliant  posture ; 
behind  him  is  a ram. — A coin  of  Alexandria 
Troas,  struck  in  honour  of  Trcboniamts  Callus, 
exhibits  as  the  type  of  its  reverse,  Apollo,  naked, 


who  is  carried  to  the  skies  between  the  wings  of 
a griffin,  holding  his  right  hand  on  his  head, 
and  a lyre  in  his  left.  (Scstini.) — Another  coin 
of  the  same  emperor,  with  col.  av.  troa.  on  its 
reverse,  presents  nine  figures  seated  on  a circular 
estrade.  (Cabinet  de  Rollin  a Paris.) 

In  the  selection  of  ancient  coins  from  the 
eminently  rare  and  choice  cabinet  of  M.  Allier 
dc  llautcroche,  described  and  engraved  by  M. 
Du  Mcrsan,  is  one  (pi.  xiii.  fig.  3)  dedicated  by 
tills  colony  to  Cararalla. 
On  the  obverse  is  m. 
avrel.  ANTONIN,  and  the 
laurelled  head  of  that  em- 
peror.— The  reverse  (as 
will  be  seen  by  the  annex- 
ed cut)  bears  for  legend — 
COL.  ALEXAND.  D.  AVG. 
and  for  type  an  equestrian 
figure,  with  right  hand  raised,  riding  at  speed, 
before,  what  M.  Du  Mersan  calls,  the  statue  of 
Minerva ; but  which,  by  the  turreted  crown, 
and  from  other  numismatic  analogies,  Mr.  Akcr- 
man  appears  fully  warranted  in  pronouncing  to 
be  the  Genius  of  the  Colony. 

The  other  types  of  this  colony  consist  of  the 
head  of  a turreted  woman  and  the  vexillum;  also 
Apollo  Smiuthius  (see  the  word),  as  in  Hadrian 
and  in  Commodus. — Victory  marching;  and 
Eagle  with  head  of  an  ox ; struck  under  Anto- 
ninus Fins. — A satyr,  with  wine-skin  on  his 
shoulder;  a horse  feeding,  under  M.  Aurelias;  a 
tripod  and  a crow  beside  it ; a turreted  woman 
carrying  the  palladium  and  vexillum ; Hercules 
standing  in  repose  like  that  (says  Mionnet)  of  the 
Palais  Earnese;  minted  under  Commodus. — Her- 
cules strangling  Anticus  ; Si  ten  us,  supjiorted  by 
two  Bacchants,  and  a satyr  before  him,  minted 
under  Caraealla. — Remus  and  Romulus  with  the 
wolf,  struck  under  Elagabalus. — Equestrian  figure 
before  a statue  of  Apollo,  as  in  Miesa. — Emperor 
on  horseback,  with  paludamentum,  right  hand 
raised,  before  him  a statue  of  Apollo,  placed  on 
a cippus,  dedicated  to  Alexander  Severua. — Bust 
of  a woman,  behind  w hich  is  the  vexillum,  on 
which  is  av.  co. ; struck  under  Gallienus. — An 
eagle  on  a cippus,  as  in  Saloniua,  Ac.,  Ac. — 
See  Mionnet,  vol.  ii.  p.  C53.  Do.  Sujtplml.  v. 
p.  508,  et  seq. 


ALIM.  ITAL.  AUmenta  Italia. — This  le- 
gend, of  which  the  general  meaning  is  nourish- 
ment, food,  provisions  in  corn,  and  other  re- 
sources furnished  by  Trajan  to  Italy,  has  par- 
ticular reference  to  the  subsistence  given  by 
him  to  children  of  both  sexes  out  of  the  public 
funds. 

On  a rare  gold  coin  of  the  above-named  em- 
peror (in  the  cabinet  de  France),  inscribed 
ai.im.  ital.  ; on  the  exergue,  the  figure  of  Trajan, 
clothed  in  the  toga,  stands 
with  bis  right  hand  extended 
over  the  heads  of  two  children, 
who  appear  with  uplifted 
hands  before  him.  Abound 
the  field  we  read  cos.  v.  P. 
S.  P.  Q.  it.  OPTIMO  PRINC. — 
Another  aureus,  minted  under 


ALIM.  ITAL. 

the  same  reign,  with  the  same  legend,  has  for 
its  type  a woman  standing. 

This  good  emperor,  desirous  to  favour  the 
population  of  Italy,  which  had  suffered  much 
during  the  civil  wars,  assigned  to  his  subjects 
certain  landed  estates,  the  produce  of  which  was 
appropriated  to  the  maintenance  of  a great  num- 
ber of  children,  otherwise  destitute  and  unpro- 
vided for — an  excellent  trait  of  his,  and  worthy 
of  great  praise,  although  he  owed  the  example  of 
it  to  Ncrva,  his  father  by  adoption. 

The  attention  which  Trajan  bestowed,  says  the 
author  of  Doctrina,  on  the  nurture  of  the  young 
Italians,  is  attested  as  well  by  ancient  authors 
as  on  marbles  and  coins.  Dion  alludes  to  this 
munificence,  when  he  tells  us,  that  on  his  re- 
turn to  Rome,  u.  c.  852  (a.  d.  99),  the  Em- 
peror applied  himself  immediately  to  improve 
the  condition  of  the  commonwealth ; and  this 
he  did  with  such  extensive  liberality,  as  to  ex- 
pend large  sums  on  the  provinces  even  for  the 
education  of  children. — -Pliny,  too,  in  his  pane- 
gyric, testifies  that  infants  were  diligently  looked 
after  and  registered,  in  order  to  be  brought  up 
at  the  expense  of  the  state.  “ There  were  very 
nearly  5000  free-born  children,  whom  the  liber- 
ality of  our  prince  (says  he),  sought  out  and 
adopted.  A reserve  in  case  of  war,  and  an  orna- 
ment in  peaceful  times,  they  are  nourished  at 
the  public  cost ; and  learn  to  love  their  country, 
not  as  their  country  only,  but  also  as  their  nurs- 
ing mother.  From  the  ranks  of  these  will  our 
camps,  our  tribes,  be  filled,”  &c. — This  pane- 
gyric was  spoken  in  the  year  u.  c.  853  (a.  d. 
100),  and  it  shews  that  from  his  first  accession 
to  the  empire,  Trajan  applied  his  thoughts  to 
these  public  plans  of  benevolence. 

On  a first  brass  of  the  same  Emperor,  a simi- 
lar legend  of  reverse  is  to  be  found,  accompa- 
nied with  an  allegorical  type  of  elegantly  simple 
design,  as  the  subjoined  engraving  faithfully 
displays : — 


In  this  we  see  the  figure  of  a womau,  clothed 
in  a long  robe.  She  bears  a horn  of  plenty  in 
her  left  hand  ; and  in  her  right  a bunch  of  corn 
ears,  which  she  holds  over  the  head  of  a small 
togated  figure. 

Between  the  years  u.  c.  854  and  856  (a.  d. 
101  and  103),  a stone  was  ereeted,  as  is  shewn 
by  its  having  his  4th  consulate  inscribed  on  it, 
the  language  on  which  (as  published  by  Mura- 
tori),  extols  the  same  example  of  Trajan’s  bene- 
ficence. 

The  monument  next  in  the  order  of  time,  com- 


ALIM.  ITAL.  37 

memorative  of  Trajan’s  unceasing  care  for  the 
wants  of  the  people,  is  a brazen  tablet,  10£ 
Italian  feet  wide,  51  in  height,  and  covered  with 
an  inscription  in  several  columns,  dug  up  in 
1747,  near  Piacenza,  and  at  a short  distance 
from  the  Via  .Emilia.  This  relic  has  been  ex- 
plained by  Muratori,  Maffei,  and  others,  and 
copied  in  extenso  by  Eckhel  (vol.  vi.  424), 
who  remarks,  that  the  title  Dacici,  applied  in  it 
to  the  Emperor,  shews  that  it  was  completed 
immediately  after  the  year  u.  c.  856  (a.d.  103). 

It  is  by  this  inscription,  contemporaneous  with 
the  date  of  the  coin  (to  adopt  the  appropriate  lan- 
guage of  Dr.  Cardwell),  an  inscription  as  remark- 
able as  any  one  which  has  ever  fallen  under  the 
notice  of  Antiquaries,  that  the  case  in  question 
is  strikingly  illustrated.  It  records  the  bounty 
conferred  by  Trajan  upon  the  obscure  town  of 
Veleia,  a town  almost  unknown  in  ancient  his- 
tory : it  specifies  the  monthly  allowance  granted 
to  281  children  belonging  to  this  town  ; and 
describes,  with  the  greatest  exactness,  the  pro- 
prietors in  the  neighbourhood,  with  the  reports 
made  by  them  of  the  value  of  their  property, 
and  the  sums  which  they  received  on  mortgage  ; 
binding  themselves  in  return  to  pay  the  mode- 
rate interest  of  five  per  cent,  for  the  support  of 
the  institution. — [Lecture  ix.  p.  222.] 

Trajan’s  efforts  directed  towards  the  improve- 
ment of  the  condition  of  his  subjects,  are  re- 
corded also  by  Spartianus.  Whilst  the  fact  is 
proved  by  numerous  coins,  struck  not  only  dur- 
ing his  5th  consulship,  but  even  later  in  his  6th, 
and  which  present  elegant  types  allusive  to  that 
subject.  We  see,  therefore,  the  liberality  of 
Trajan  designated  and  eulogised  on  public  monu- 
ments, throughout  his  five  last  consulates,  or 
from  a.  d.  99,  to  at  least  a.  d.  112.  Span- 
heim  affords  a variety  of  information  respecting 
the  alimenta  distributed  by  Trajan ; and  Reini- 
sius  has  collected,  from  inscribed  marbles,  a 
numerous  list  of  Quastores  (paymasters)  ali- 
mentorum,  or  as  they  are  elsewhere  called,  Quas- 
tores  pecuniae  alimentarice . — [Eckhel,  vi.  424.] 

It  is  pleasing  to  regard  these  monuments  of 
Trajan’s  humane  care  of  the  families  of  the  des- 
titute poor  ; but  it  is  not  to  be  overlooked  that 
the  operation  of  this  benevolent  measure  gave 
constant  rise  to  fresh  claims  on  the  public  trea- 
sury.— “ By  these  and  other  prodigal  largesses, 
frequently  renewed,  the  Emperor  is  said  to  have 
supported  nearly  two  millions  of  his  people. — 
But  in  excuse  for  such  wholesale  pauperism,  it 
must  be  remembered,  that  in  Trajan’s  reign, 
most  of  the  provinces  suffered  greatly  by  earth- 
quakes ; and  many  places  were  grievously  afflict- 
ed with  plague,  famine,  floods,  and  frequent 
conflagrations.” — Smyth,  Cat.  81. 

ALIM.  ITAL.  S.  C. — The  following  is  en- 
graved from  another  large  brass  medal  of  Tra- 
jan, bearing  on  its  obverse,  the  legend  which 
records  his  system  of  providing  food  for  the  in- 
habitants of  Italy.  The  Emperor  is  here  re- 
presented enthroned  on  a curule  scat,  with  his 
feet  on  a footstool ; he  is  crowned  with  laurel, 
attired  in  the  toga,  and  supports  his  left  arm 
on  a spear  Before  him  is  a matron,  clothed  in 


38  ALLECTUS. 

a long  robe,  presenting  two  of  the  Ulpiau  chil  • 
dren,  one  of  which  she  holds  on  her  arm,  whilst 


the  other  stands  beside  her,  and  both  of  whom 
extend  their  little  hands,  in  token  of  gratitude. 

In  commenting  on  this  interesting  type,  Cap- 
tain Smyth  says — “This  is  struck  upon  an  occa- 
sion similar  to  that  described  with  reference  to 
preceding  coins;  and  corroborates  history,  by 
shewing  that  the  public  magazines  were  well 
filled  ; for  instead  of  supplying  the  city  by  op- 
pressing the  Roman  provinces,  Trajan  took  off 
all  restrictions,  and  laid  the  tratfic  in  provisions 
open.  This,  and  punctual  payment,  inspired 
confidence ; and  the  provinces  sent  their  corn  to 
Italy  in  such  abundance,  that  Rome  was  in  a 
condition  to  relieve  Egypt,  the  granary  of  the 
world,  when  distressed  by  famine.  This  fact  is 
admirably  detailed  in  the  panegyric;  and  was 
so  remarkable  a return  for  former  obligations, 
that  the  encomiast  dwells  upon  it  with  manifest 
delight.’’ — Descr.  Cat.  p.  82. 

ALLECTUS,  one  of  the  Usurpers  during  the 
reigns  of  Diocletian  and  Maximum. — llis  family, 
country,  and  time  of  birth  remain  unknowu. — 
Following  the  fortunes  of  Carausius,  he  be- 
came his  I’rretorian  Praffcct,  and  took  part  in 
the  administration  of  his  government  in  Britain. 
Although  skilled  in  war,  and  held  in  repute  by 
the  soldiers,  yet  whatever  good  qualities  he  pos- 
sessed were  darkened  by  his  avarice,  and  sullied 
by  his  ambition.  Many  were  the  acts  of  in- 
justice which  he  is  said  to  have  committed, 
under  the  influence  of  these  twro-fold  vices  ; and 
fearing  the  resentment  of  Carausius,  he  came  to 
the  base  and  treacherous  resolution  of  assassin- 
ating his  benefactor  and  companion  in  arms. — 
Having  pcqietrated  this  fold  crime,  he  employed 
his  ill-gotten  wealth  iu  corrupting  the  legion- 
aries as  well  as  the  sea  forces.  They  declared 
him  Imperator  and  Augustus,  and  he  became 
the  successor  of  Carausius,  a.  d.  293.  Coustan- 
tius  Chlorus  being  then  iu  Gaul,  resolved  to  ter- 
minate the  usurpation  of  Allcctus:  he  prepared 
a fleet,  which  he  divided  into  two  squadrons,  ou 
board  one  of  which  he  embarked  himself,  giviug 
the  command  of  the  other  to  his  prefect  Ascle- 
piodotus.  That  commander  made,  iu  a skilful 
manner,  his  descent  upon  the  British  shores ; 
aud  instantly  marched  against  Allcctus,  who  had 
prepared  for  this  expedition  against  him  from 
the  commencement  of  his  rcigu.  A battle  en- 
sued, which  ended  in  favour  of  Constautius’s 
general.  The  usurper  was  slain  on  the  field  of 
battle,  after  having  held  the  sovereignty  of  Bri- 


ALLECTUS. 

tain  during  three  years.  It  was  in  consequence 
of  this  victory,  gaiued  by  his  lieutenant,  that 
Constantins  was  enabled  to  re-establish  the  supre- 
macy of  Imperial  Rome  in  Britain,  a.  d.  296,  ten 
years  after  the  government  of  that  island  had  been 
separated  from  it. — Ou  his  coins  he  is  styled  imp. 
(or  imp.  c.)  allectvs  P.  f.  avo. — or  only  P.  AVO. 

or  AI.LF.CTVS  P.  F.  AVG. — or  IMP  C.  ALLECTVS 

p.  f.  i.  avg.  : where  the  i.  occurs,  it  is  to  be 
read  Invictus. — The  gold  and  silver  (the  latter 
generally  of  a very  base  quality),  are  of  the 
highest  rarity.  The  brass  (small;  arc  also  many 
of  them  rare.  They  bear  a well-executed  bust, 
giviug  AUectus  the  appearance  of  a man  of 
50  or  thereabouts.  The  head  on  the  gold  is 
laurcatcd ; ou  the  silver  and  brass,  radiated. — 
Altogether  the  portrait  is  of  marked  character, 
aud  may  be  regarded  as  a good  likeness  of  the  man. 


The  annexed  cut  is  executed  from  a remark- 
ably well-preserved  third  brass,  covered  with 
dark  brown  patina,  stated  to  have  been  found 
within  the  area  of  the  Roman  camp  at  Caistcr 
(Vcuta  Icenorum),  near  Norwich. — (The  coin 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  W.  Bensly). 

Obv.  imp.  c.  allectvs  P.  F.  avg.  Radiated 
head  of  Allcctus. 

Rev.  temporvm  felicitas.  Felicity  stand- 
ing with  caduceus  and  horn  of  plenty. 

Iu  the  field  s.  a. — On  the  exergue  M.  s.  L. 

Eckhel  observes,  that  whilst  the  coins  of 
Carausius  have  their  merit  on  account  of  the 
various  legends  and  types  which  they  exhibit, 
the  coins  of  Allcctus  recommend  themselves,  in 
no  other  respect,  thau  for  their  greater  rarity. 
The  same  illustrious  teacher  in  numismatics,  nlso 
speaks  of  the  reverses  as  eoqimon  and  trite,  enu- 
merating such  only  as  Pax,  Providcutin,  Oricns, 
Salus — but  he  could  not  have  been  aware  of  the 
numerous  other  varieties  that  exist,  and  which 
swell  the  catalogue  in  Mr.  Akcrman’s  work,  such 
as  the  Adventus  Aug. — .Equitas  Aug. — Comes 

Aug. — Diamc  Rcduci Felicitas  Seculi — Fidcs 

Militum-Hilaritus — Jovi  Conscrvatori — Moneta 
Aug. — Pictas  Aug.-r-Ronuc  .Eterna; — Spcs  Pub- 
lics— Tcinporum  Felicitas — Victoria  Aug.  &c. 
Referring  to  the  valuable  treatise  “ on  the  Coins 
of  the  Romans  relating  to  Britain,”  by  the  well- 
known  and  esteemed  author  above  uamed,  for  an 
ampler  inonetal  notice  of  Allcctus,  we  shall 
take  this  occasion  to  quote  one  more  new  variety 
iu  the  list  of  reverses  on  this  usurper’s  coins,  dis- 
covered (amongst  others  of  Roman  mintage),  nt 
Lillvhorn,  near  Onkridge  common,  and  communi- 
cated, through  Mr.  Roach  Smith,  F.S.A.  to  the 
British  Archieological  Association,  by  Mr.  T. 
Baker.  It  reads  ..ictoki.  oer.  Victoria  Ger- 
manica.  In  the  exergue  c. ; iu  the  field,  s.  p. 
trophy  and  captives. 


ALLIANCE. 

" This  reverse  (observes  Mr.  Smith),  although 
common  on  coins  of  the  period,  had  not  been 
previously  noticed  on  those  of  Allcctus.  Doubts 
have  been  thrown  on  the  historical  importance 
of  some  of  the  coins  of  Carausius  and  Allectus, 
from  their  close  resemblance  in  type  to  those  of 
t heir  predecessors,  of  which  it  is  therefore  al- 
leged, they  arc  mere  imitations.  There  are, 
however,  many  which  certainly  cannot  be  placed 
in  this  category,  as  they  afford  types  both  novel 
aud  appropriate.”  And  Air.  Smith  suggests 
that  the  coin  uow  first  published,  may  have  been 
struck  to  record  a victory  gained  bv  Allectus 
over  some  of  the  German  or  Saxon  pirates,  in- 
festing the  British  coast. 

ALLIANCE,  or  Concord,  between  different 
cities  was  a frequent  usage  in  ancient  times. — 
Alliances  are  found  to  have  existed  between 
neighbouring  cities,  and  also  between  cities  situ- 
ated at  a distance  from  each  other,  sometimes  to 
the  number  of  more  than  two.  Under  the  power 
of  the  Romans,  alliance  with  them  is  expressly 
noted  on  some  coins.  This  state  of  political 
concord  is  itself  recorded  in  the  legend,  aud  even 
personified  in  the  type.  In  other  instances,  the 
citizens  of  a town  declare  themselves  allied  to 
each  other.  (Henuin,  Manuel,  vol.  ii.  p.  70 — 
In  connection  with  this  subject,  it  may  be  no- 
ticed, that  there  is  a rare  family  denarius  (see 
Velaria  gens),  on  the  reverse  of  which  is  a Fe- 
cialis,  or  sacred  herald,  in  a kneeling  attitude, 
holding  a sow,  which  is  touched  with  their  wands 
by  a Roman  soldier  and  by  a man,  who,  from 
his  dress,  appears  to  belong  to  a foreign  nation. 
— It  was  by  such  a ceremonial  that  the  Roman 
people,  in  the  earlier  periods  of  their  history, 
contracted  alliances.  AVhen  the  two  deputies 
touched  the  sow,  the  priest  invoked  Jupiter  to 
treat  the  violators  of  the  compact  with  the  same 
degree  of  rigour  as  he  was  himself  about  to  ex- 
ercise upon  that  animal ; and  he  forthwith  killed 
it  with  a flint-stone.  This  solemnity,  according 
to  Livy,  was  as  ancient  as  the  reign  of  Tullus 
Hostilius,  third  king  of  Rome. 

On  a coin  in  silver  of  the  Antistia  gens,  two 
figures  arc  seen  holding  a victim  over  au  altar, 
evidently  in  conclusion  of  some  treaty  of  alli- 
ance and  amity  between  the  Romans  and  another 
stale,  as  is  indicated  by  the  accompanying  legend, 
FOF.nvs,  &c. — For  instances  of  municipal  alli- 
ances, see  Akerman’s  “ Ancient  Coius  of  Cities 
and  Princes” — Hispania;  Gades,  & c. — An  ar- 
ticle, headed  foederat.e  civitates,  in  Dr.  W. 
Smith’s  Dictionary  of  Greek  and  Roman  Anti- 
quities throws  much  historical  light  on  this  sub- 
ject. 

ALLIENUS. — This  is  doubtless  a surname. 
Its  name,  as  Ursinus  thinks,  is  derived  from 
Allius,  in  the  same  manner  as  from  Nasidius, 
we  have  Nasidicuni,  and  from  Satrius,  Satri  <?«//.?. 
But  the  name  of  the  family  to  which  the  .VI- 
lieuus  belonged,  whose  name  appears  on  the  fol- 
lowing very  rare  denarius,  is  not  known.  It  is 
the  only  type,  viz. : — 

Obv. — C aius  caes.  imp erator  consul  iterk?«. 
Head  of  Venus. 


ALPHABET.  39 

Rev. — A ulus  aluenvs  procowsk/. — A naked 
man,  holding  a small  cloak  folded  round  his  left 
arm.  In  his  right  hand  he  holds  the  triquetra, 
or  symbol  of  three  cornered  Sicily — his  right 
foot  on  the  prow  of  a vessel. — Morell  Thesaurus, 
Alliena,  tab.  iii.  fig.  I,  p.  15. 

This  Aulus  Allienus  (says  Ilavercamp),  was 
the  lieutenant  of  Q.  Cicero,  in  Asia,  during  the 
civil  war.  When  he  became  Prictor,  he  attached 
himself  to  the  party  of  Julius  Cirsar,  under 
whom  he  obtained  the  proconsulship  of  Sicily, 
which  this  coin  attests,  having  been  minted  in 
the  year  of  Rome  706  (b.  c 48). — See  sicilia 

— also  TRIQVETRA. 

ALPHABET. — It  is  not  uncommon  to  see 
single  letters  of  the  alphabet  in  the  field  of  Ro- 
man family  coins. — Eckhel  enumerates  a few  of 
them ; observing  that  these  letters  sometimes 
appear  on  the  obverse,  at  other  times  on  the  re- 
verse ; with  this  regulation,  that  whichever  side 
the  moneyer  once  fixes  on,  he  constantly  adheres 
to  it.  The  denarii  of  Hercnnius,  and  of  Antonius 
Baibas,  present  exceptions  to  this  rule : they 
vary  the  stations  of  these  letters.  In  some,  when 
the  letters  arc  on  the  obverse,  the  same  rc-ap- 
pear  on  the  reverse.  In  others,  Latin  letters 
arc  mixed  with  Greek  characters.  Others  again 
exhibit  different  letters  occupying  the  obverse 
side,  whilst  arithmetical  signs  appear  on  the  re- 
verse.— Some  of  the  richer  cabinets  have  the 
whole  alphabet  in  their  scries  of  family  coins. 
In  the  imperial  museum  at  Vienna,  the  number 
of  letters  is  complete  on  denarii  of  Aclius  Bala, 
Antonius  Balbus,  Cornelius  Scipio  Asiagenes — 
Hercunius,  Junius  Silanus,  and  Thorius. — For 
further  information  on  this  subject,  the  reader 
is  referred  to  Rod.  Num.  Vet.  v.  75,  et  seq. 

ALTAR.— Sec  Ara. 

ALTERED  MEDALS.— The  Italian  fabri- 
cators of  counterfeit  coins,  by  ingeniously  alter- 
ing and  retouching  with  their  graving  tools,  the 
portraits,  the  reverses,  and  even  the  legends  of 
ancient  coins,  have  often  succeeded  in  deceiving 
not  only  the  tyro  in  numismatics,  but  also  the 
most  practised  connoisseurs. — “ Of  a Claudius 
(says  Pinkerton)  struck  at  Antioch,  they  make 
an  Otho;  of  a Faustina  a Titiana  ; of  a Julia 
Scvcri  a Didia  Clara ; of  a Macrinus  a Pes- 
cennius;  of  an  Orbiana  an  Annia  Faustina;  of  a 
Mamsea  a Tranqnillina  ; of  a Philip  an  -F.miliau. 
j Give  them  a Marcus  Aurelius,  he  starts  up  a 
( Pertinax,  by  thickening  the  beard  a little  and 
■ enlarging  the  nose.  In  short,  wherever  there  is 
the  least  resemblance,  an  artist  of  this  class  can, 

J from  a trivial  medal,  generate  a most  scarce 
j and  valuable  one.” — Essag  on  Medals,  ii.  218. 

No  one,  however,  who  has  a taste  for  the 
I study  of  antique  coins  and  medallions,  ought  to 
! be  deterred  from  collecting,  under  the  appre- 
hension of  being  imposed  upon  by  counterfeits. 
Such  deceptions  are  to  be  guarded  against  by 
ready  access  to  cabinets  of  genuine  specimens  ; 
and  the  judicious  exercise  of  that  discriminative 
faculty,  which  experience  is  sure  to  give  the  eye, 

| when  aided  by  “ a little  handling,”  and  by 
attentively  perusing  a few  standard  works  of 
I modern  numismatists — not  omitting  due  refer- 


40  AMALTIIEA. 

cncc  to  Beauvais's  essay  on  ttiis  subject,  especially 
through  the  late  Mr.  Brockett’s  annotated  trans- 
lation. 

But  after  all,  “ the  most  shameless  forgeries, 
(as  Capt.  Smyth  observes),  have  been  rather 
inventions  than  imitations,  and  would  scarcely 
deceive  a novice  ; such  were  medals  bearing  the 
heads  of  Priam,  Plato,  Aeneas,  Hannibal,  Scipio, 
Marius,  Crassus,  Cicero,  and  Virgil ; giving  new 
reverses  to  known  heads ; as  Veni , Vidi,  Vici 
to  Cscsar ; Festiua  lente,  with  an  anchor  and 
dolphin,  or  a terminus  on  a thunderbolt,  ex- 
pressive of  stability  to  Augustus;  the  Pantheon; 
on  a coin  of  Agrippa;  and  the  Pons  /Eli us,  and 
Expeditio  Judaica  on  those  of  Hadrian.  Yet 
gross  as  these  attempts  were,  Paul  IV.  purchased 
several  of  them  from  Pietro  Galileo  at  exorbitant 
prices.” 

AMALTIIEA : the  name  of  the  goat,  to 
which  fable  assigns  the  honour  of  having  suckled 
Jupiter.  Out  of  gratitude  for  this  good  office, 
the  king  of  gods  and  of  men  placed  her,  with  her 
two  kids,  as  a constellation  in  the  heavens ; and 
gave  one  of  her  horns  to  the  nymphs  who  had 
the  care  of  his  infancy,  accompanied  with  the 
virtue  of  producing  whatever  they  desired.  This 
is  what  is  called  the  horn  of  plenty  (see  Cornu- 
copia), so  often  represented  on  Greek  and  Ro- 
man coins.  Allusive  to  Amalthea,  as  Nutria 
Jovis  inf  antis  (the  nurse  of  the  infant  Jupiter), 
gold  and  silver  coins  of  Domitiau  bear  on  their  re- 
verse the  figure  of  a goat,  within  a laiu'el  garland, 
and  the  legend  Princeps  Jueentutis  On  a second 
brass  of  Hadrian  with  s.  c.  the  infant  Jupiter 
is  typified,  under  the  goat  Amalthea : — 

Stat  qnoqne  capra  si inul  (says  Ovid) 

Infant!  lac  dedit  ilia  Jovi. 

In  the  Farnese  collection  (v.  lf>9),  there 
is  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  without 
legend  of  reverse,  which  exhibits  the  infant 
Jove  sitting  naked  on  the  back  of  a goat,  before 
an  altar,  with  an  eagle  apparently  sculptured  on 
it,  placed  close  to  the  trunk  of  a tree. 

On  the  reverse  of  a billon  coin  of  Gallienus, 
inscribed  Jovi  Con servatori  August i,  there  is, 
instead  of  the  usual  majestic  figure  of  the  king 
of  “ gods  and  men,”  a goat,  representing 
Amalthea.  This  piece  of  mythology  is  still  more 
clearly  alluded  to,  on  a billon  of  Gallienus,  and 
on  gold  and  billon  of  his  son  Saloniuus,  which 
coins  have,  each  for  their  type  of  reverse,  a naked 
boy  riding  on  a goat. — See  tovi  CRESCEXTI. 

A M AN  DUS  (Cneus  Silvius),  an  usurper,  in 
the  joint  reign  of  Dioclctiauus  and  Maximianus 
Hercules,  assumed  the  title  of  Augustus,  in 
collcagurship  with  /Elianus,  a Gaulish  chief, 
a.  n.  285.  But  both  were  slain  a.  d.  207,  in 
battle  with  the  armies  which  had  been  sent 
against  them  by  Maximianus. — Of  Amaudus  no 
gold  nor  silver  coins  are  extant.  There  is,  how- 
ever, a third  brass  assigned  to  him  by  Banduri 
(ii.  p.  87),  on  which,  with  radiated  head,  he  is 
styled  imp.  c.  c.  amaxdvs;  reverse  legend  srKs. 
PVBUCA ; and  type  Minerva  standing  with 
spear  and  shield.  Besides  which,  in  the  Pem- 
broke collection  is  engraved,  as  a third  brass, 
imp.  s.  amaxdvs  p.  f avo.  and  radiated  head, 


AMMON. 

on  the  obverse ; with  vf.nvs  avg.  and  the 
goddess  standing,  on  the  reverse,  clothed  in  the 
stola,  holding  an  apple  in  the  right  hand,  and 
the  hasta  in  her  left. — Both  these  arc  cited  by 
Eekhel,  without  any  doubt  expressed  by  him 
as  to  their  authenticity.  But  Mr.  Akerman,  as 
as  well  as  Mionnet,  states  them  to  be  strongly 
suspected.  Indeed,  from  their  discrepancy  in 
the  prenomen,  one  of  them  must  be  false. 

AM  E de  la  MedaiHe. This  expression  is 

ingeniously  enough  applied  by  some  French 
numismatists,  of  the  elder  school,  to  the  Legend, 
which  they  profess  to  regard  as  the  “ soul 
of  the  coin,”  whilst  they  designate  the  type, 
or  figures,  as  the  body.  “ For  example  (says 
Pure  Jobcrt),  we  see  on  a (silver)  medal  of 
Augustus,  two  hands  joined,  holding  a cadu- 
ceits,  between  two  horns  of  Amalthea — this  is 
the  body. — The  word  Pax,  which  is  engraved  on 
the  medal,  marks  the  peace  which  this  prince 
had  restored  to  the  common-wealth  of  Rome,  in 
reconciling  himself  with  Mark  Antony,  which 
had  brought  back  happiuess  and  abundance  to 
the  people — this  is  the  soul.  And  on  a medal 
of  Ncrva,  by  means  of  the  word  Concordia 
EXEBCrrwM,  the  same  two  hands  joined  [hold- 
ing a military  ensign  on  the  prow  of  a vessel], 
served  to  mark  the  fidelity  of  the  soldiers,  both 
by  sea  and  land,  to  their  new  Emperor.” — 
Science  des  Medailles,  i.  216. 

AMBIANI,  now  Amicus,  in  France. — AMB. 
Ducange  and  Bimard  dc  la  Bastie  both  conjec- 
ture that  the  coin  of  Magnentius,  on  the  exer- 
gue of  which  they  read  the  above  letters,  was 
struck  at  Amiens  (Ambianis).  Whilst  Yafllant 
fPra.it.  iY inn.  i.  360),  interprets  it  A.  M.  B.  An- 
tiochia  moneta  officina  secunda  (money  of  the 
second  mint  of  Antioch.) — See  Rasche. 

AM  ICTUS. — This  word  chiefly  refers  to  the 
clothing  or  covering  of  the  head,  with  crown, 
diadem,  helmet,  spoils  of  the  lion,  proboscis  of 
the  elephant,  &c. 

AMMON,  a surname  of  Jupiter. — Alexander 
the  Great  styled  himself  the  son  of  Jupiter 
Ammon  ; and  his  successors,  the  kings  of  Syria, 
and  those  of  Cyrenaiea  have,  on  coins,  their 
heads  adorned  with  the  horns  of  n ram,  or  of 
Ammon,  the  symbol  of  their  dominion  over 
Lybia.  This  deity  appears  ou  a great  number 
of  coins,  and  of  engraved  marbles.  ITie  Egyp- 
tians, whose  popular  divinity  he  was,  regarded 
him  as  the  author  of  fecundity  and  generation. 
The  same  superstition  afterwards  introduced  it- 
self among  the  Romans,  who  worshipped  Ammon 
ns  the  preserver  of  nature. — In  the  consular 
series  of  the  Roman  mint,  the  head  of  Ammon 
is  found  on  coins  of  the  Cornuficia,  Lollia, 
Piunria,  Papin,  and  other  families,  and  in  the 
Imperial,  on  those  of  Augustus,  Trajan,  Hadrian, 
Aurelius,  Sevcrus,  and  Treb.  Gnllus. — The  head 
of  Jupiter  Ammon  exhibits  itself  on  a denarius 
of  Augustus,  (sec  Pembroke  Collection,  p.  iii. 
tab.  9). — Eekhel  (vi.  p.  87)  referring  to  this, 
observes,  that  it  is  a type  of  an  unusual  kind 
in  the  mint  of  that  prince  (then  simply  Octa- 
vianus),  but  he  accounts  for  it  from  the  circum- 
stance of  its  having  been  struck  iu  Africa,  by 


AMPIIINOMUS. 


AMPHITHEATRE.  41 


Pinarius  Searpus,  one  of  his  Lieutenants. — On 
a denarius  of  the  Antonia  family,  given  in 
Morel!.  Thesaur.  we  read  M.  an  to.  (Mark  An- 
tony) cos.  in.  imp.  mi.  The  type  is  Jupiter 
Ammon,  as  designated  by  the  attribute  of  a 
ram’s  horn,  on  the  side  of  a bearded  head. — 
For  this  device  see  Cornuficia  gens. 

AMOR.— This  legend  is  found  inscribed  above 
the  figure  of  a horse,  on  a rare  contorniate 
medal,  published  by  Havercamp  (Hum . Contom. 
fig.  10),  and  which  he  considers  as  either  de- 
rived from  the  love,  or  attachment,  which  a 
master  bears  towards  a horse  that  has  carried 
olf  the  palm  of  victory  at  the  Circensiau  games ; 
or  is  used  to  denote  the  noble  nature  of  that 
animal. 

AMORES. — Two  Loves,  or  Cupids,  drawing 
Venus  in  a chariot,  appear  on  a denarius  of  the 
Julia  family — engraved  in  Morel],  (tb.  i.  fig  4.) 

AMOR  MVTVVS  AVGG.  ( A uyustorum ) . — 
Mutual  affection  of  the  Emperors.— Two  right 
hands  joined.  This  legend  and  type  appear  on 
large  sized  silver  of  Balbinus  and  of  Pupienus, 
who  were  the  first  two  emperors  elected  to  reign 
with  precisely  equal  rights. — For  an  example  of 
two  right  hands  joined,  see  Mussidia  gens,  and 
HERENNivs  etrvscvs. — See  also  Hands  joined. 

AMPIIINOMUS  and  ANAPIS  (or  Anapias), 
two  brothers,  of  Sicily,  respecting  whom  it  is 
related  that  they  saved  their  parents,  at  the 
peril  of  their  own  lives,  from  the  flames  of  Etna, 
at  the  moment  when  an  eruption  of  that  volcano 
threatened  their  immediate  destruction.  This 
was  a favourite  subject  with  the  ancients,  in 
symbolising  filial  piety;  and  is  often  represented 
on  Greek  coins  of  Catana  (Catania),  where  this 
noble  actioii  is  alleged  to  have  been  performed. 
Of  these  twTo  Sicilian  brothers,  types  of  that 
devoted  love,  which  is  ever  cherished  by  good 
children  towards  the  earthly  authors  of  their 
being,  Cornelius  Severtis,  alluding  to  Mount 
Etna,  thus  expresses  himself : — 

Amphiuomus  fraterque  pares  sub  munere  fortes. 

Cum  jam  viciuis  streperent  incendia  tectis, 

Accipiunt  pigrumque  pattern,  matremque  sentient. 


“ Amphiuomus  and  his  brother,  both  equally 
courageous  in  the  performance  of  a duty,  whilst 
the  flames  murmured  their  threats  against  the 
neighbouring  houses,  rescue  their  decrepid  father, 
and  their  aged  mother.” 


On  a well  knowrn  denarius  of  Pompeius  Mag- 
nus, struck  in  reference  to  his 
naval  command,  and  to  his 
I victoi  ies  over  the  pirates  on 
I the  coasts  of  Sicily  and  of 
Italy,  this  popular  legend  is 
clearly  alluded  to,  by  a typiii- 
cation,  in  which  Neptune 
forms  the  centre  of  a group;  whilst  on  each  side 
of  him  is  a naked  young  man,  carrying  on  his 
shoulders  an  aged  figure,  clothed.  It  is  thus 
that  on  Roman  coins,  after  the  example  of  the 
Greek,  Amphiuomus  and  Anapis  arc,  seen  res- 
elling their  father  and  mother  from  the  perils  of 
the  burning  mountain. — Sec  praef.  clas.  f.t 
okae.  MAitrr. — The  above  is  engraved  from  the 


G 


silver  coin  restored  by  Trajan,  valued  by  Mion- 
net  at  300  fr.  (£11  17s.  lOd.) 

AMPHITHEATRE. This  is  a word 

which,  even  by  its  compound  formation,  desig- 
nates an  edifice  consisting  of  two  theatres  facing 
each  other,  and  leaving  between  a void  space, 
called  the  arena , wherein  different  kinds  of  public 
games  and  spectacles  were  exhibited,  especially 
combats  of  gladiators  and  wild  beasts.  The 
nature  of  these  contests,  which  obliged  the  com- 
batants alternately  to  pursue  and  be  pursued, 
necessarily  required  an  elongation  of  ground 
from  the  centre,  and  resulted  in  producing  an 
oval  instead  of  a circular  form.  Amphitheatres 
were  peculiar  to  the  Romans : they  were  un- 
known to  the  Greeks.  These  buildings  were  not 
covered  in ; but  during  grand  displays,  an 
awning  was  occasionally  stretched  across  from 
the  top  to  screen  the  spectators  from  the  intense 
heat  of  the  sun’s  rays.  The  arena  was  sur- 
rounded with  dens  (carceres),  in  which  were 
confined  the  ferocious  animals  destined  for  the 
different  fights.  Immediately  above  these  dens, 
there  was  a gallery  running  round  the  whole 
arena,  and  in  which  the  most  distinguished  per- 
sons took  their  respective  places.  Rehind  this 
gallery,  the  scats  or  steps  rose  in  gradation  to 
the  summit.  The  lower  tiers  were  for  people  of 
rank ; the  others  were  appropriated  to  the  lower 
classes.  The  exterior  of  an  amphitheatre  was 
divided  into  stories,  each  ornamented  with 
arcades,  columns,  and  pilasters,  in  greater  or 
less  number,  and  sometimes  with  statues.  Be- 
sides the  circular  rows  of  steps  which  served  for 
scats,  inside,  there  were  also  some  which,  in  the 
form  and  for  the  purposes  of  staircases,  inter- 
sected the  others  from  the  ground  to  the  highest 
part  of  the  structure.  These  formed  the  baltei , 
or  belts.  The  portals  of  the  vaulted  avenues, 
through  which  the  amphitheatre  was  entered, 
were  called  vomilaria.  The  successive  rows, 
comprised  within  two  staircases,  bore  the  name 
of  cunei ; because  the  most  elevated  steps  were 
broader  than  those  which  were  nearer  the  arena, 
the  whole  presenting  the  form  of  a wedge. 

AMPHITHEATRUM  Flaviamim,  eel  Titi. 
— Of  the  four  amphitheatres  of  Rome,  whose 
ruins  arc  still  to  be  seen,  or  whose  memory  is 
at  all  preserved,  that  of  Titus,  denominated 
in  his  days  the  Colossscum,  now  called  the 
Coliseum,  is  the  most  remarkable.  This  build- 
ing, of  superb  architectural  design  and  of  vast 
dimensions,  was  commenced  a.  n.  77,  by  Ves- 
pasian ; and  was  finished  and  dedicated  by  his 
son  and  successor  Titus,  during  a.  u.  c.  823 
(a.  n.  80).  The  same  year  a coin  was  minted, 
in  large  brass,  having  for  the  legend  of  its  ob- 
verse— IMP erator  Titus  CAESar  VESP««««w 
AV  Gust  us  Vontifex  Maximus  TRI  bunicia  Tot  es- 
tate Yater  Y atria  COmSk/  VIII.  (The  Emperor 
Titus  Ciesar  Vespasian,  the  August,  Sovereign 
Pontiff,  enjoying  the  Tribunitian  power.  Father 
of  the  country.  Consul  for  the  eighth  time.) — 
Head  of  Titus  laureated. 

On  the  reverse  (without  epigraph)  is  the 
Flavian  Amphitheatre,  originally  so  called  in 
honour  of  Vespasian’s  family  name. 


42 


AMPHITHEATRUM. 

The  type  is  marked  with  its  proper  number  of 
stories  or  areades ; and  from  the  open  top  it  is 


seen  to  be  filled  with  people,  whose  heads  appear 
in  the  uppermost  rows.  On  the  right  and  left 
of  the  amphitheatre,  as  represented  on  this  very 
rare  coin,  are  what  were  meant  for  “ the 
Meta  Sudens  and  the  Domus  Aiirea,  as  it 
was  actually  situated,”  observes  Capt.  Smyth, 
in  some  instructive  remarks  on  his  own  speci- 
men of  this  most  interesting  reverse.  The 
edifice  itself  is  of  an  elliptical  form ; covers 
nearly  six  acres  of  ground ; and  it  was  said  to 
he  capable  of  containing  70,000  spectators;  hut 
(adds  the  accurate  writer  above-named)  “ in  a 
troublesome  process  of  admeasurement,  I could 
not  make  it  contain  more  than  50,000.” — 
Martial,  who  w itnessed  it  in  the  integrity  of  its 
vast  dimensions,  thus  encomiast ically  speaks 
of  it. 

Omnis  Ccesareo  cadat  labor  Ampkitheatro , 

Union  pro  cuiictis  Tama  loquatur  opus. 

[“  Let  every  laborious  enterprize  yield  the  palm 
to  this  Amphitheatre  of  Ciesar;  and  Fame,  neg- 
lecting all  others,  blazon  henceforth  this  one 
achievement.”] 

Of  this  colossal  structure  such  is  the  solidity, 
that  it  would,  even  to  this  period,  have  re- 
mained almost  entire,  if  the  spoliative  barbarism 
of  more  modern  times  had  not,  to  a great  extent, 
despoiled  it  of  materials  for  the  purpose  of  build- 
ing therewith  both  public  and  private  edifices. 
(Kolb,  i.  133). — “In  using  the  expression,  that 
to  build  this  work  Titus  ‘ turned  from  their 
course  rivers  of  gold,’  Cassiodorus  (observes 
Eckhel)  must  not  be  considered  to  have  spoken 
hyperbolically ; for  Barthelemy  and  P.  Jacquicr, 
after  taking  the  admeasurement,  and  making 
their  calculations,  concluded  that  the  walls  of  its 
enclosure  alone  would  cost,  in  our  days,  nearly 
seventeen  millions  of  francs  (about  £673,000 
sterling.) 

So  important  was  it  (adds  the  illustrious 
author  of  Doctrina)  to  lavish  immense  wealth, 
in  order  that  a people,  already  athirst  for 
monstrous  pleasures,  should  be  supplied  with  a 
fitting  theatre,  in  which  (as  Arnobius  complains) 
they  might  look  on  at  human  beings,  delivered 
up  to  and  torn  in  pieces  by  wild  beasts;  and  kill- 
ing each  other  for  no  other  reason  than  the 
gratification  of  the  spectators ; and  where  they 
might  spend  in  gencrul  dissipation,  and  festal 
hilarity,  those  very  days  on  which  such  atrocities 
were  perpetrated. — (vi.  358.) 


AMPHITHEATRUM. 

To  commemorate  the  building  of  this  stu- 
pendous monument,  the  Senate,  it  appears, 
caused  two  coins  to  be  struck,  namely,  the  one 
above  described,  which  was  minted  in  Titus’s 
life-time  ; and  another  first  brass,  a short  time 
after  his  death  (a.  it.  81),  with  the  following 
legend  on  the  obverse:  viz.,  divo.  avg.  t.  divi. 
Vespasian,  s.  c.  on  the  exergue.  Titus  seat- 
ed on  spoils  of  war.— On  the  reverse,  without 
epigraph,  the  amphitheatre,  ornamented  with 
statues. 

'1’he  same  reverse  occurs  again  on  a large 
brass  of  Domitian,  with  s.  c. — The  legend  on 
the  side  of  the  head,  is  caes.  divi.  vesp.  f. 
domitianys.  cos.  vii. — Vespasian,  indeed,  as 
has  already  been  observed,  began  the  construction 
of  this  amphitheatre,  but  his  eldest  son  Titus 
finished  and  dedicated  it.  It  was  on  the  opening 
of  the  Colossicuui,  that  besides  more  than  the 
usual  display  of  gladiatorial  homicides,  he  gave 
shews  of  wild  beasts  of  every  kind.  Of  these 
in  one  day  5000,  according  to  Suetonius,  (9000 
according  to  l)iou)  were  slaughtered  to  please  the 
carnage-loving  populace  of  Rome.  After  this 
a “pratimn  navalc”  was  given  in  the  old  nav- 
machia  (or  place  for  representing  sea  fights) 
where  water  was  conducted  into  the  interior  of 
the  building,  and  the  extraordinary  sight  of  (no 
sham  but)  a real  engagement  exhibited  between 
opposing  squadrons  of  gallies,  took  place,  at 
great  cost  of  human  life  and  of  the  public  money, 
this  cruel  and  extravagant  sacrifice  having  been 
allowed  to  occupy  the  protracted  space  of  one 
hundred  days ! 

“ To  say  nothing  of  so  demoralizing  a loss  of 
time,  these  unintellectual  pleasures  of  a half- 
starved  mob  must  have  cost  more  than  three 
millions  sterling,  including  the  structure.  When 
(observes  Capt.  Smyth)  I wandered  over  this 
scene  of  guilt,  I could  not  but  regard  it  as  a 
costly  monument  of  prodigal  folly  and  savage 
sensuality.  Moreover,  from  the  haste  with 
which  it  was  run  up,  there  arc  numerous  archi- 
tectural eye-sores,  which  with  its  cumbrous  attic, 
render  it  very  inferior  in  design  to  the  elegant 
amphitheatre  at  I’ola,  in  Istria.” 

Several  other  emperors  were  careful  to  bestow 
restorations  on  this  most  magnificent  of  all 
public  structures.  Antoninus  repaired  it.  Ela- 
gabalus  set  about  re-establishing  it  after  the  in- 
juries which  it  had  sustained  from  the  violence 
of  a tempest,  in  the  reign  of  Mauritius.  What 
Elagabalus  began  was  completed  by  his  successor, 
Alexander  Severus ; on  which  account  the  type 
of  the  same  building  appears  ou  the  reverse  of  a 
first  brass  (engraved  in  Havereamp,  Medailles 
de  Christine,  tau.  xxxiii.),  also  a silver  coin  with 
the  amphitheatre  and  five  figures,  all  struck 
under  the  latter  prince,  with  the  epigraph  of 
p.  m.  Tit.  P.  n.  cos.  P.  p. — One  of  the  brass 
medallions  of  Gordianus  Pius  also  bears  a re- 
presentation of  the  Colosstvum,  with  columns 
and  statues,  and  a legend  apparently  denoting 
that  the  edifice  had  undergone  reparations  under 
his  reign.  In  the  arena  is  seen  a hull  nnd  an 
elephant  fighting,  the  emperor  being  in  the  midst 
of  the  spectators.— See  XUNIFICEKTIA  gokdiasi. 


AMPLIATORI. 

Many  coins  with  Vespasian’s  name  and  por- 
trait and  this  amphitheatre  for  the  reverse  type 
“ are  exposed  for  sale  now  a days  (says  Eckhel), 
but  they  are  all  spurious.” 

AMPLIATORI  CIVIVM.  (To  the  augmentor 
[or  enlarger]  of  citizens.)  S.  P.  Q.  R.  within  a 
laurel  garland.  Respecting  this  unique  appella- 
tion, and  the  coin  on  which  it  appears,  some 
difference  of  opinion  has  been  expressed. — Span- 
heim,  who  was  the  first  to  publish  it,  in  a note 
to  his  translation  of  the  Cscsars  of  Julian,  and 
who  gives  an  engraving  of  it,  pronounces  it  to  be 
of  genuine  antiquity,  and  unhesitatingly  ascribes 
it  to  Antoninus  Pius.  The  legend  of  the  head, 
it  is  to  observed,  is  antoninvs  avg.  rivs.  p.  p. 
tr.  p.  cos.  hi. — It  was  found  some  years  pre- 
vious to  1683,  with  several  other  Roman  coins, 
by  workmen  employed  on  the  fortifications  of 
Bonn,  near  Cologne  ; and  the  eminent  author  of 
“ Dissertalion.es  de  usu  numism.”  atlinns  that  he 
“ had  seen  it  with  his  own  eyes.” — Spanheim 
moreover  observes,  that  Antoninus  Pius  was 
worthy  above  all  others  to  be  denomiuated  Am- 
pliator  Civium,  inasmuch  as  he  had  granted  the 
right  of  citizenship  (jus  civitatis)  to  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Roman  empire. — Eckhel 
(vii.  p.  12)  on  the  other  hand  treats  the  argu- 
ment of  Spanheim  as  one  more  erudite  than 
lucid,  and  remarks  that  “ other  writers,  influ- 
enced doubtless  by  a passage  from  Dion,  have 
with  great  semblance  of  truth,  ascribed  to  Cara- 
calla,  the  act  of  conferring  this  privilege  on  the 
whole  Roman  world,  seeing  that  he  also  bore  the 
appellation  of  Antoninus.”  Nevertheless,  after 
referring  to  the  compendium  of  Valesius  and  Fa- 
bricius,  for  a note  on  these  words  of  Dion,  Eckhel 
concludes  with  making  the  following  admission  : 
“But  after  all,  Antoninus  Pius  might,  on  various 
accounts,  have  been  styled  Ampliatori  Civium, 
especially  since,  after  the  munificent  example  of 
Trajan,  he  made  provision  for  the  children  of 
Italy.”  (vii.  12.) — The  coin  being  universally 
allowed  to  be  genuine,  it  may  indeed  seem 
strange  that  any  question  should  have  been 
raised  as  to  which  Autoninus  this  singular  epi- 
graph belongs.  Certainly,  the  mind  revolts  at 
the  bare  idea  of  transferring  such  an  honourable 
designation  from  the  mild  and  beueficent  suc- 
cessor of  Hadrian  to  the  tyrant  son  of  Scvcrus. 
Still,  it  is  not  to  be  overlooked,  that  the  same 
mendacious  spirit  of  servile  adulation,  which 
pret  ended  to  recognise  another  Autonine  the 
Pious,  in  the  person  of  Caraealla  the  fratricide, 
was  not  likely  to  deem  it  too  great  a stretch  of 
monctal  flattery,  if  it  complimented  this  trucu- 
lent despot,  on  his  having  enlarged  the  number 
of  Roman  citizens. — It  only  remains  to  add,  as 
sufficiently  conclusive  on  the  point  of  accurate 
appropriation,  that  Mionnet  and  Akerman  concur 
in  placing  ampliatori  crvrvM  among  the  legends 
of  brass  medallions,  minted  under  Antoninus 
Pius  ( not  Caraealla.) 

AN.  Annus. — The  Latin  letters  AN.  with 
the  numeral  letter  or  letters  added,  on  certain 
colonial  coins,  denote  the  year  in  which  the 
colony  was  planted  or  sent  out  (deduct a.) — 
Thus  in  the  coins  of  the  Dacian  province  an.  i. 

G 2 


ANASTASIUS.  43 

as  far  as  x.  occurs ; and  in  those  of  the  colony 
of  Viminacium,  an.  i.  to  xvi.  are  read,  &c. — 
See  Rasche’s  Lexicon. 

AN.  XV.  PR.  II.  0.  C.  S. — A horseman,  or 
equestrian  statue,  with  spear  and  trophy  on  his 
shoulder.  On  the  exergue,  m.  lepidvs. — See 
jEiiii.ia  gens,  p.  14  of  this  work. 

ANADE.M  A,  a fillet  worn  as  part  of  the  head- 
dress by  Roman  ladies.  On  coins  of  Sabina 
Hadriani,  we  see  the  portrait  of  that  empress 
bound  by  an  anadema,  and  hanging  at  the  back 
of  her  neck.  This  club-fashioned  coiffure  also 
appears  in  the  medallic  portraitures  of  Antonia, 
and  the  Agrippinas. — Smyth. 

ANASTASIUS  I.  Emperor  of  the  East,  was 
born  at  Dyrrhachium,  in  Illyria,  of  obscure 
parentage,  (a.d.  430.)  Simply  an  officer  of  the 
imperial  household,  he  succeeded,  after  the  Em- 
peror Zeno’s  death,  to  the  Byzantine  throne ; 
and  married  Ariadne,  the  widow  of  his  patron 
and  predecessor,  (a.  d.  491).  Anastasius  died 
suddenly,  having,  as  it  was  affirmed,  been  struck 
by  lightning,  a.  d.  518. 

On  his  coins,  which  are  in  general  common 
in  gold,  brass  medallions,  and  1st,  2nd,  and 
3rd  brass,  he  is  styled  d.  n.  anastasivs  p. 

P.  AVG.  or  IMP.  ANASTASIVS  P.  P.  AVG. — His 
silver  arc  rare,  especially  those  in  which  his 
name  is  associated  on  the  same  coin  with  that  of 
Theodoricus,  King  of  the  Ostrogoths,  and  with 
the  name  of  Baduila,  the  king  of  some  other 
barbarous  nation. — See  Akerman,  ii.  p.  386. 

AN.  B.  or  ANT.  B. Antiochus  officina 

secunda. — Coinage  of  the  second  monctal  office, 
or  mint,  at  Antioch,  in  Syria — where  there 
were  very  many  offices  belonging  to  the  mint- 
masters,  who  superintended  the  striking  of  the 
money,  or  were  otherwise  employed  in  the  public 
mint. 

ANAGNIA,  a city  in  Latium,  now  Anagna, 
in  the  States  of  the  Church. — Mark  Antony, 
during  his  triumvirate,  had  a mint  for  striking 
coins  in  his  own  name,  at  this  place. — See  Eck- 
hel’s  remarks  on  coins  of  Roman  die,  minted 
extra  TJrbem,  vol.  v.  68. 

ANCHISES,  a Trojan  prince,  of  the  family 
of  Priam,  who,  according  to  the  poets  and 
mythologists,  secretly  married  Venus ; and  she 
bore  to  him  /Eneas,  on  the  banks  of  the  Simois. 
After  the  siege  of  Troy,  his  escape  from  that 
devoted  city  is  described  to  have  been  attended 
with  great  (lifficidty,  on  account  of  his  extreme 
old  age.  The  representation  of  Auehises  car- 
ried on  the  shoulders  of  his  son,  appears  on  de- 
narii of  the  C 'wcilia , Herennia,  and  Julia  fami- 
lies : also  on  coins  of  Julius  Ckesar,  when  Dicta- 
tor.— See  AEnea  Pietas,  p.  27  of  this  work. 

ANCIENT  COINS. — By  the  term  ancient 
are  meant  all  coins  preceding  the  9th  century, 
or  the  age  of  Charlemagne ; and  by  modern  all 
posterior  to  that  period.  (Pinkerton.) — The 

most  ancient  coins  of  the  Romans  are  those 
stamped  with  the  image  of  the  ox,  the  sow,  and 
the  sheep ; the  double-headed  Jauus,  the  ros- 
trum or  beak  of  a ship,  or  the  foremost  half  of 
a ship,  rat  is.  Hence  the  coin  was  called  ratitus. 
— Rasche. 


44  ANGUS.— A.  N.  F.  F. 

ANCHOR  (Aiicora). — This  well-known  nau- 
tical instrument,  with  which  the  personification 
of  Hope  is  now-a-days  painted,  is  not  fouud  to 
be  amongst  her  attributes  on  ancient  coins. — 
But  the  type  of  Annona  has  it  on  a medal  of 
Alexander  Scverus. — The  figure  of  Asia  bears  it 
on  a large  brass  of  Antoninus  [see  the  engrav- 
ing.]— A river  god,  seated  on  the  ground,  holds 
it  in  the  right  hand,  on  gold  and  silver  of  Ha- 
drian.— betitia  sustains  it  in  the  same  manner, 
as  probably  indicating  stability,  on  coins  of 
Gallieuus,  Tetricus  father  and  son,  Florianus, 
Garausius,  and  others. — The  goddess  of  health 
(Sal us)  also  appears  with  it,  as  in  the  instance 
of  Tetricus  senior  and  junior. — The  anchor  is 
likewise  seen  behind  the  helmeted  head  of  Rome, 
on  denarii  of  the  Julia  and  Mussidia  families, 
as  given  in  Morel ; and  these  so  united  denote 
(says  Havereamp)  that  such  coins  were  struck 
at  the  expense  of  [the  commander  of]  some  ex- 
peditionary fleet. — There  is  a naval  trophy,  with 
anchor  and  trident,  on  a denarius  of  the  Pompeia 
family,  and  ou  a coin  of  the  Salpicia  family  is 
another  naval  trophy,  with  oar,  anchor,  acros- 
tolium,  prow,  and  two  captives.  (See  Morell. 
Thesauri) — An  anchor  with  a dolphin  wound 
round  it,  forms  the  reverse  type  of  a denarius  of 
the  Emperor  Titus. — See  Dolphin — also  Pompeia 
gens. 

ANCUS  MARCIUS,  fourth  King  of  Rome; 
grandson  of  Nuina  Pompilius,  and  immediate 
successor  to  Tullus  Hostilius.  Ancus  was  the 
son  of  Marcius,  chief  pontiff  under  Numa,  and 
of  Pompilia,  Numa’s  daughter.  He  was  a brave 
and  victorious  warrior ; revived  the  ceremonies 
for  sacred  worship  which  Numa  instituted,  but 
which  had  been  neglected,  aud  did  much  for  the 
embellishment,  the  health,  and  the  security  of 
Rome.  His  reign  is  said  to  have  lasted  24  years, 
during  which  the  town  of  Ostia,  at  the  month 
of  the  Tiber,  was  founded,  aud  became  the  sea- 
port of  Rome. 

ANGUS,  and  ANGUS  MARGI. — Sec  Marcia 
gens — also  Nama. 

ANDRISCUS,  King  of  the  Macedonians,  con- 
quered by  Mctellus. — -See  Ctecilia. 

A.  N.  F.  F. — Annum  Novum,  Faustina  Feli- 
cem.— The  w ish  of  a happy  and  prosperous  new 
year  tendered  for  the  Emperor. — On  a large 
brass  of  Hadrian  we  read  s.  p.  q.  r.  a.  n.  f.  f. 
OPTIMO  PKINCIPI  (or  HADRIANO  AVG.  P.  P.), 
within  a laurel  garland. — Sena l us  Popn/usijae 
Romanes,  Annum  Novum  Faustina  Felicem  Op- 
timo Principi  [i.  e.  adprecatur.'] 

This  legend  is  the  acclamation,  by  which  the 
Roman  Senate  and  people  presaged  for  Hadrian 
a prosperous  and  happy  new  year.  “ But  there 
was  in  the  case  of  the  Emperors  a double  new 
year  annually.  The  first  of  these  was  the  one 
common  to  all  classes,  viz.,  on  the  Calends  of 
January,  on  which  small  presents  called  si  rente 
were  usunlly  sent  from  one  house  to  another, 
often  inscribed  with  these  words  in  full — 
anptvm.  nowm.  favstvm.  felicem.  as  wc  are 
told  by  Fabretti.  And  this  form  of  inscription 
furnishes  us  with  the  manner  in  which  the 
initial  letters  on  the  coins  now  under  consider- 


ANNUS. 

ation  are  to  be  interpreted.  Good  wishes  for 
the  well-being  of  a prince  were  customarily  ex- 
pressed at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  namely,  ou 
the  third  of  the  nones  of  January.  [Sec  the 
treatise  De  Numis  votobum,  in  Dor/.  Num. 
Vet.  vol.  viii.]  The  other  new  year  was  a day 
held  sacred  by  the  Emperors,  as  the  one  on 
which  they  commenced  their  reigns,  being  also 
called  the  natal  day  of  the  empire  (dies  natal  is 
imperii).  And  indeed,  it  is  in  this  sense  that 
Seneca,  in  his  satirical  work  entitled  Apoco/o- 
cyntosis,  calls  the  third  of  the  ides  of  October, 
on  which  Claudius  died,  and  Nero  began  to 
reign,  “the  new  year,  and  the  beginning  of  a 
most  happy  period”  (annum  novum,  indium 
secu/i  felicissimi).  As,  however,  ou  the  return 
of  both  these  new  years,  prayers  were  offered  for 
the  welfare  of  the  Emperor,  it  is  difficult  to 
decide  which  of  the  two  should  be  understood  ou 
these  coins;  nor  would  the  decision  avail  towards 
their  illustration.” 

Thus  leaving  this  point  as  much  in  doubt  as  he 
found  it,  Eckhcl  (vi.  509)  next  refers  to  Haver- 
camp  ; but  it  is  only  to  expose  the  absurdity  of 
that  w'riter’s  attempt  to  explain  the  legend  of 
this  coin,  viz.,  S.  F.  Q.  R.  Anno  N atali  (i.  e. 
Ur  his)  Vieri  Yecit  OPTIMO  principi. — Now  what 
was  the  natal  dag  of  the  city  ? Surely  uo 
other  than  that  ou  which  Romulus  is  said  to  hav  e 
founded  it.  To  accept  the  interpretation  of 
Havereamp,  therefore,  would  be  to  concur  in 
supposing  that  these  coins  were  dedicated  by 
the  Senate  to  Hadrian  nearly  nine  hundred  years 
before  ! “ No  doubt,”  adds  the  author  of  Doc- 

trina,  “ this  writer  on  many  subjects — this  poly- 
graph— so  learned  on  all  other  points,  has  in  the 
present  instance  met  the  fate  of  those  who  eat 
of  many  dishes  (polyphaga),  and  digest  imper- 
fectly.”— It  is  with  this  sarcasm  on  the  con- 
jectural propensities  of  his  erudite,  but  not  al- 
ways judicious,  predecessor  in  the  devious  paths 
of  numismatic  criticism,  that  Eckhcl  concludes 
his  own  ///conclusive  remarks  on  the  [mint  in 
question — a point  on  which,  from  what  Gapt. 
Smyth  aptly  calls  “ the  vexatious  ambiguity  of 
abbreviations,”  doubt  is  still  left  as  to  the  new 
year  in  this  instance  meant — whether  from  the 
founding  of  the  city,  the  birth-day  of  the  Em- 
peror or  that  of  the  kalends  of  January. — The 
s.  c.  is  omitted  from  this  large  brass  medal,  the 
s.  P.  Q.  r.  being  equally  the  stamp  of  senatorial 
authority. 

ANNUS  NOVUS. — The  famous  marble  of 
Narbonnc  confirms  the  fact,  that  from  at  least 
the  age  of  Augustus,  the  ceremony  of  benedic- 
tion, or  of  well  wishing  (bene  prerandi),  took 
place  ou  the  commencement  of  a new  year. 
Aud  wc  learn,  that  during  the  kalends  of  Janu- 
ary, there  was  the  greatest  eagerness,  among 
the  Romans,  in  proffering  mutual  good  wishes 
for  each  other’s  health  and  prosperity,  with  the 
most  studied  forms  of  expression.  Nothiug  was 
more  the  object  of  solicitude  with  them,  than, 
on  that  good  day,  to  say  and  do  kind  things, 
and  to  avoid  all  untoward  speeches  aud  actions. 
Accordingly  Ovid  (Fas/orum,  lib.  i.)  thus  sings, 
as  out  of  the  mouth  of  Janus  : — 


ANCILIA. 

Omina  principiis,  inquit,  incsse  sotent, 

Templa  patent,  auresque  Deiim,  nec  lingua  caducas 

Concipit  nlla  preces,  dictaqne  putidns  habent. 

[Omens,  says  he,  arc  wont  to  shew  them- 
selves at  the  beginning  of  a new  year.  The 
temples  arc  open,  and  so  are  the  cars  of  the 
god3 ; nor  does  any  tongue  utter  prayers,  which 
are  likely  to  fail,  but  every  thing  uttered  has  its 
weight.] 

Since,  then  (observes  Rasche),  at  the  begin- 
ning of  a year-,  every  one  wished  and  endea- 
voured to  promote  happiness  to  himself  and 
friends ; it  is  surely  not  surprising  to  find  the 
Roman  people  at  large  invoking  prosperity  and 
happiness  for  the  reigning  prince,  on  marble 
tablets  aud  on  medals. 

ANCILIA — Bucklers,  or  shields,  so  deno- 
minated because  they  were  cut  sloping  on  each 
side.  The  Romans  pre- 
tended that  one  had  fallen 
from  heaven  during  a pla- 
gue which  had  desolated 
their  city,  in  the  reign  of 
Nimia ; and  this  miracul- 
ous present  having  stayed 
the  pestilence,  the  arus- 
pices  declared  that  the  em- 
pire of  the  world  was  destined  for  the  people, 
by  whom  this  buckler  should  be  preserved. — 
Numa,  who  so  well  knew  the  art  of  making 
superstition  conduce  to  political  advantages,  or- 
dered several  other  shields  to  be  made  in  exact 
resemblance  to  Ibis  heaven-descended  one,  lest 
so  precious  a gift  should  be  purloined ; and  he 
deposited  the  whole  in  the  temple  of  Mars. — 
From  that  sanctuary  they  were  taken  when  war 
was  declared.  And  twelve  priests,  called  Salii, 
to  whose  care  they  were  confided,  bore  them,  on 
stated  days,  in  procession  about  the  public  places 
and  streets  of  Rome.  It  is  this  which  they 
called  movere  ancilia,  and  it  was  a bad  augury 
to  go  into  the  country  before  they  were  replaced, 
as  Suetonius  explains  by  these  words : — Seel  et 
mot  is,  necdurn  conditis  ancilibvs 

On  denarii  of  P.  Stolo,  of  the  Licinia 
family — one  of  the  moneyers  of  Augustus,  is  a 
reverse  type  of  the  ancilia,  between  which  is 
the  apex,  or  cap,  of  one  of  the  Salii,  with  the 
inscription  p.  stolo.  hi.  vir.  (an  engraving  of 
which  is  given  above). — -The  obverse  of  this 
silver  coin  bears  the  legend  of  avgvstvs  tr. 
pot.  and  an  equestrian  statue  of  that  emperor, 
to  whose  honour  (about  A.  D.  23),  the  statue  was 
erected.  It  was  in  the  month  of  March,  when 
the  twelve  Salian  priests  celebrated  their  rites, 
which  consisted  chiefly  in  carrying  the  sacred 
bucklers  in  the  left  hand,  leaping,  and  striking 
in  cadence  on  them,  with  a javelin,  or  rod,  which 
they  held  in  their  right.  This  ceremony  always 
finished  with  superb  banquets,  called  Saliares 
Cccnce. — See  Apex. 

ANCILIA.  IMPERATOR.  II.  S.  C.— On 
the  reverse  of  a middle  brass  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  we  see  this  legend,  accompanied  by  a 
type,  which  represents  two  of  the  Ancilian 
shields.  The  legend  and  type  of  the  obverse  arc 


ANCILIA.  45 

antoni.nvs  avgvstvs  pivs,  and  the  laureated 
head  of  the  emperor.  Struck  A.  D.  140. 

The  fonns  of  these  “ sacred  bucklers,”  as 
represented  on  coins,  and  also  on  gems,  do  not 
exactly  correspond  either  with  each  other,  or 
with,  the  descriptions  which  are  given  of  them 
in  ancient  writers.  It 
will  be  observed  that 
the  ancile,  delineated 
on  the  denarius  of  P. 
stolo  (see  foregoing 
cut),  is  an  oblong 
shield,  divided  into 
three  smaller  shields, 
the  central  an  oval 
one,  which  has  a thun- 
der-bolt figured  on  it,  and  it  is  narrower  than 
the  other  two  ; so  that  each  of  the  ends  projects 
beyond  the  middle  compartment.  An  inspection 
of  this  type  renders  intelligible  the  expression 
of  Festus  (in  Mamnrius),  that  the  buckler  in 
question  “was  cut  out  on  both  sides,  so  that  the 
top  and  bottom  spread  out  from  the  centre ; and 
also  agrees  with  Plutarch’s  remark,  that  “ it  was 
partly  cut  out  in  a curved  line  like  an  escallop 
shell,  and  did  not  present  a continuous  circum- 
ference like  the  shield  called  pelta.”  On  the  other 
hand,  the  central  bucklers  of  the  two  ancilia 
typified  on  the  coin  of  Antoninus  Pius,  are 
nearly  as  broad  as  those  at  the  upper  and  lower 
ends,  each  buckler  appearing  to  resemble  an 
oval  shield  in  the  centre,  with  very  small  rods, 
radiating  at  each  extremity,  aud  terminating  in  a 
semi-circular  form. 

It  must  not  be  omitted  to  be  noticed,  that 
there  is  a gem  in  the  Museum  Florentinum, 
which  represents  two  of  the  Salii  veiled  in  the 
Gabinian  fashion,  aud  bearing,  on  their  shoul- 
ders, six  bucklers  suspended  from  a pole. — In 
the  Dictionary  of  Greek  and  Roman  Antiqui- 
ties, edited  by  Dr.  W.  Smith,  an  engraving  from 
this  ancient  relic  is  given  (p.  47),  to  which  the 
reader  is  referred.  And,  if  the  form  of  the 
shields,  as  copied  from  the  antique  gem,  be  com- 
pared with  what  appears  on  either  of  the  two 
coins  of  Augustus  and  Antoninus  (cuts  of 
which  are  here  respectively  presented),  it  will 
be  seen  that,  whilst  a general  resemblance  to 
each  other  prevails  in  the  shields  on  the  coins, 
the  shields  represented  on  the  gem,  and  de- 
scribed as  six  ancilia  borne  by  Salii,  are,  in  their 
contour  and  adornments,  equally  dissimilar  to 
those  associated  with  the  word  ancilia,  aud  to 
those  which  form  so  conspicuous  a feature  in 
the  reverse  type  of  the  denarius,  struck  by  the 
monetary  III.  vir.  p.  (Licinius)  stolo. — Yet, 
knowing  the  superior  degree  of  attention  paid 
by  the  Roman  mint  of  the  early  and  middle 
empire,  to  matters  of  delineative  likeness,  where 
is  the  numismatist,  that  would  not,  as  evidence 
to  accuracy,  prefer  the  die-sinker’s  type  to  the 
lapidary’s  design  ? — See  Clipeus. 

Since  the  history  of  Antoninus  supplies  no  in- 
formation, it  is  left  to  be  conjectured,  that  this 
type,  from  its  connection  with  the  word  ancilia, 
was  selected  by  the  mint-masters,  to  gratify  Aure- 
lius Ca;sar,  his  adopted  son.  On  this  point,  Capi- 


46  ANN.  DCCCLXXIIII. 

tolinus  says,  “ Hadrian  caused  him  to  be  ad- 
mitted of  the  Saliau  college  in  his  eighth  year. 
While  enjoying  this  sacerdotal  dignity,  he  was 
favoured  with  the  omen  of  sovereignty.  When 
the  assembled  people,  as  was  customary,  threw 
garlands  upon  the  banquetting  couches,  some 
fell  in  one  place,  some  in  another;  while,  on 
the  head  of  Aurelius,  one  was  fixed  as  by  the 
hand  of  Mars.  In  the  Salian  priesthood,  he 
was  president  (prresul),  seer  (vates),  and  master 
(magister)  : he  performed  frequently  the  cere- 
mony of  inauguration  into  office,  aud  also  that 
of  deprivation  without  a prompter,  as  he  had 
himself  learned  by  heart  all  the  forms.” 

It  was  the  duty  of  the  Salii  (as  has  already 
been  stated),  both  to  remove  the  ancilia,  and  to 
restore  them  to  their  place  of  safety.  To  ac- 
count for  this  type,  we  may  perhaps  conclude, 
that  some  peculiar  solemnity  connected  with  the 
ancilia,  was  going  forward  about  this  time,  the 
honour  of  which  was  directed  to  both  the  Anto- 
nincs — to  Marcus,  as  the  President  of  the  Order, 
and  to  Pius  Augustus,  as  the  Pontifex  Maximus. 
Besides,  another  reason  for  placing,  on  the  coin 
of  Antoninus,  the  very  name  as  well  as  the  form 
of  these  sacred  bucklers,  is  to  be  found  in  the 
well-known  attachment  aud  veneration  of  that 
emperor  for  the  antiquities  aud  traditions  of  the 
city. — See  Eckhel,  vii.  p.  13. 

ANIMA — the  soul,  or  spirit. — On  a large 
brass  of  Autouiuus  Pius,  with  reverse  legend  of 
consf.cratio.  s.  c.,  a cowering  eagle  is  stand- 
ing on  a globe,  emblematical  of  the  a/iima  of  that 
prince  soaring  to  take  its  seat  in  the  celestial 
regions.  Conformably  to  the  professed  belief, 
involved  in  the  Roman  ceremony  of  consecra- 
tion, the  spirit  of  Marcus  Aurelius  is  typified 
on  a coin  (large  brass)  of  that  emperor,  as 
carried  on  an  eagle  to  its  place  amongst  the 
stars. — An  eagle  is  also  seen  on  a consecration 
medal  of  the  younger  Faustina,  conveying  the 
soul  of  that  empress  to  heaven. — “ It  was  the 
custom  of  the  Romans,  says  Spanheiin  (v.  Ctesars 
dc  Julien,  p.  17),  to  represent  the  emperors, 
and  their  wives,  borne  to  the  skies,  on  eagles, 
or  on  peacocks,  or  on  the  wings  of  Victory.” 

ANIMALS  figured  on.  Military  Ensigns. — 
It  was  the  practice  of  the  Romans  to  distinguish 
the  different  Legions  of  their  armies,  not  only 
by  their  number,  but  also  by  the  representation 
of  various  animals,  on  their  standards.  Thus, 
on  coins  of  Gallicnus,  besides  the  images  of  Nep- 
tune, Minerva,  Mars,  and  other  divinities,  we 
see  the  figure  of  a wild  boar  appropriated  to 
Leg.  i.  Ital.  vi.  p.  vi.  f. — The  wolf  and  the 
two  infants  to  Leo.  ll. — A crane  to  Leg.  hi. — 
A lion  to  Leo.  iiii. — An  eagle  to  Leo.  v.  and 
vi. — A bull  or  ox  to  Leo.  vii.,  viii.,  and  x. — 
Also,  among  other  fabulous  animals,  a Capri- 
corn (or  sea  goat)  is  the  distinctive  figure  on  the 
ensigns  of  the  1st,  14th,  and  22ud  Legions:  a 
Pegasus  and  a Centaur,  on  those  of  the  2nd 
Legion,  &c. — Rascbe. 

ANN.  DCCCLXXIIII.  NAT.  VRB.  P.  C1R. 
CON. — This  unique  historical  legend  is  found 
on  the  reverse  of  a gold  coin,  and  also  of  a large 
brass,  of  Hadrian  (the  latter  with  S.  C.)  The 


ANN.  DCCCLXXIIII. 

type  of  both  represents  a female  seated  at  the 
base  of  three  obelisks,  or  mehe,  (the  gold  coin 
exhibits  only  one)  which  she  embraces  with  her 
left  arm,  whilst  she  holds  a wheel  resting  on 
her  right  knee. — The  legend  of  the  obverse  is 
IMP.  CAES.  HADRIAN  VS.  AVG.  COS.  III. — The 

year  874  from  the  foundation  of  Rome  agrees 
with  the  year  121  of  the  Christian  sera. 


Had  it  not  been  for  the  inconvenient  practice, 
adopted  by  the  Romans  in  the  inscriptions  of 
their  marbles,  as  well  as  in  the  legends  of  their 
coins,  of  abbreviating  a whole  word  into  a 
single  initial,  there  would  be  scarcely  a pre- 
tence, and  certainly  no  reasonable  ground,  for 
the  coullicting  interpretations  so  pertinaciously 
given  to  the  legend,  on  this  interesting  coin,  in 
consequence  of  the  very  opposite  meanings  at- 
tached, by  different  learned  writers,  to  the  let- 
ter P. — But  on  the  contrary,  what  surrouuds 
the  device  would  have  been  as  free  from  per- 
plexity or  doubt  as  is  the  device  itself;  which 
evidently  serves  to  record  a particular  anniver- 
sary of  Rome’s  foundation  day,  celebrate!  with 
more  than  usual  splendour  by  the  addition  of 
circensian  chariot-raccs. 

Vaillant  renders  the  P.  by  populo;  and  reads, 
Anno  874,  natal i urbis  Populo  Circenses  con- 
cesssil.  That  is  to  say,  Hadrian  had  given  to 
the  People  the  spectacle  of  Games  in  the  Circus 
at  Rome,  on  the  87  tth  anniversary  of  the  City’s 
foiuidation. — In  this  reading  he  is  followed  by 
Ilavcrcamp,  who  nevertheless,  strange  to  say, 
has  allowed  Bartoli,  in  cugraving  from  Queen 
Christina’s  specimen,  to  leave  out  the  ques- 
tionable letter,  when  copying  the  legend  of  the 
large  brass. — Plebei  is  adopted  by  Hardouin. 
— Fogginus  confidently  suggests  Pub/ici. — On 
the  other  hand,  rejecting  these  interpretations. 
Billiard  de  la  Bastie,  in  his  notes  on  Jobert, 
(vol.  ii .,  p.  181),  affirms  the  initial  P.  to  stand 
for  Primum.  And,  as  usual  with  that  truly  judi- 
cious numismatist  of  the  elder  school,  he  sup- 
ports his  views  on  the  point  in  dispute,  with 
so  much  acuteness  and  force,  that  we  arc  in- 
duced to  subjoin  the  principal  passage  of  his 
argument,  clothed  in  an  English  dress  : — 

“ To  me  it  appears  evident  that  by  these 
medals  of  Hadrian,  it  was  intended  to  preserve 
the  remembrance  of  a new  Institution  formed 
during  his  reign,  in  honour  of  the  Birth  of  the 
City  of  Rome,  and  to  mark  its  precise  epocha. 
Before  this  Emperor’s  time,  the  people  had  neg- 
lected to  celebrate  aunnally  the  foundation  of 
Rome,  with  the  solemnities  which  the  day  seem- 
ed to  merit.  It  was  honoured  only  as  the  fes- 


ANN.  DCCCLXXIIII. 

tival  of  the  Goddess  Pales,  and  was  known 
under  no  other  name  than  Parilia,  or  Palilia. — 
Nothing  distinguished  it  from  the  most  common 
festivals.  In  an  ancient  calendar  (published  by 
Gruter,  cxxxiii.)  we  read,  on  the  21st  April, 
par.  N.P.  Parilia  Nefastus  Primo ; that  is  to 
say,  tliat  it  was  only  during  the  first  part  of  the 
day,  that  the  Tribunal  of  the  Pnetor  was  shut, 
and  that  he  began  again  to  administer  justice  in 
the  afternoon.  Ovid,  in  his  Fasti  (l.  iv.  v. 
721  to  802),  gives  a long  description  of  the 
sacrifices  performed  by  the  people  in  honour  of 
Pales,  on  the  day  of  her  festival,  lie  after- 
wards speaks  of  the  anniversary  of  the  founda- 
tion of  Rome,  which  would  occur  on  the  same 
day  ; but  he  does  not  tell  us  that  solemn  sacri- 
fices were  made,  and  still  less  that  public  games 
were  celebrated,  on  that  occasion.  In  a word, 
up  to  the  time  of  Hadrian,  no  monument,  no 
author,  is  found  to  make  mention  of  any  games 
of  the  Circus,  as  celebrated  to  honour  the 
anniversary  of  the  foundation  of  Rome.” — The 
Baron  Bimard  then  undertakes  to  expose  the 
false,  and  to  shew  the  true,  reading  of  a passage 
in  Dion  Cassius;  and  from  the  facts  so  corrected, 
combined  with  the  uegativc  evidence  of  Ovid, 
who  wrote  under  Augustus,  and  of  Gruter’s 
calendar  engraved  in  the  time  of  Caligula  and 
Claudius,  he  regards  it  as  certain,  that  until 
the  reign  of  Hadrian,  the  anniversary  of  Rome’s 
foundation  was  marked,  neither  by  a solemn 
festival,  nor  by  public  games.  But  this  Prince, 
considering  it  to  be  a worthy  and  suitable  act, 
to  distinguish  so  remarkable  a day,  by  public 
testimonies  of  veneration  and  rejoicing,  caused  a 
temple  to  be  built  in  Rome  itself,  dedicated  to 
the  City  of  Rome,  as  had  already  been  done 
in  the  provinces.  He  moreover  changed  the 
name  of  Parilia,  which  had  been  given  to  the 
foundation-day,  to  that  of  Romana : and  ordered 
that,  for  the  future,  it  should  be  accompanied  by 
public  feasts  and  entertainments  [as  one  of  the 
principal  Ferite  or  holidays  of  the  Romans.]  This 
fact,  adds  Bimard,  we  learn  from  Athenscus, 
who  says,  that  on  a subsequent  celebration  of  this 
anniversary,  whilst  his  Dipnosopliists  were  at 
table,  the  whole  city  resounded  on  a sudden 
w ith  the  music  of  flutes  and  of  cymbals,  mingled 
with  the  voices  of  singers. 

“ It  appears,  therefore,  that  Hadrian  created 
a new  establishment  for  the  better  celebration 
of  an  event  no  less  interesting  than  that  of 
founding  the  capital  of  the  world. — Buona- 
rotti,  whose  notice  the  passage  in  Athenams 
had  not  escaped,  is  of  opinion,  that  the  superb 
temple  which  the  same  emperor  raised  to  the 
Genius  of  the  City,  and  of  which  Spartianus 
makes  mention,  is  represented  on  one  of  his 
medallions.  (See  Osserv.  Sopr.  Medagl.  Ant. 
p.  17.) — Besides  building  this  temple,  Hadrian 
instituted  public  shews  and  banquets.  Nor,  as 
Juvenal  concisely  but  expressly  assures  us,  was 
there  anything  which  the  Roman  people  then 
more  eagerly  desired  than  (pancm  ct  circenscs) 
the  doles  of  bread  and  the  courses  of  the  circus. 
Hadrian  took  care  to  ordain  that  this  spectacle 
should  always  make  part  of  the  festival  annually 


ANN.  DCCCLXXIIII.  47 

celebrated  in  honour  of  the  foundation  of  Rome. 
It  has  been  shewn  that  there  were  no  circcn- 
sian  games  marked  against  the  day  of  the  city’s 
foundation,  in  the  Roman  calendars  anterior  to 
the  reign  of  Hadrian  ; but  after  him  attention 
was  paid  to  that  point,  and  they  are  seen  marked 
in  that  published  by  the  Jesuit  Fathers  Petau 
and  Bucher,  under  the  designation  of  these 
abridged  words  N.  vrb  c.  m.  xxim.  that  is  to 
say,  Natali  urbis  Circenses  Missus,  24.  It 
is  the  epocha  of  the  first  institution  of  these 
annual  games,  or  contests,  the  recollection  of 
which  the  medals  before  us  were  designed  to 
preserve.”  And  for  this  reason  (says  Bimard, 
in  conclusion),  “ I think  that  the  legend  ought  to 
be  read  thus  : — 

AN  No  DCCCLXXIIII  NAT<z/£  VRBw.  Pri- 
mum.  CIR censes.  CONslituti.  S enatus  Cousullo. 
— [In  the  year  eight  hundred  and  seventy-four, 
the  Games  of  the  Circus  were  for  the  first  time 
instituted  (to  be  given  or  celebrated)  on  the  an- 
niversary day  of  the  city’s  foundation — the  day 
on  which  the  festival  of  Parilia  was  held.] — The 
letter  P.  which  I explain  by  Primum,  can  make 
no  difficulty  in  this  case ; for  the  same  letter 
is  found  standing  by  itself  for  Prima,  on  the 
[Latin]  colonial  medals  of  Ciesarca,  in  Palestine, 
struck  under  Hadrian,  Marcus  Aurelius,  Diadu- 
menianus,  Elagabalus,  Alex.  Sevcrus,  and  Tra- 
jan Decius.  (See  Vaillant,  Colon,  i.  and  ii.) — 
And  the  sense  in  which  this  legend  is  to  be 
taken,  according  to  my  explanation,  seems  to 
me  sufficiently  shewn,  by  every  thing  which  I 
have  adduced  respecting  the  institution  of  the 
Games  of  the  Circus  by  Hadrian.” 

Eckhel,  in  his  commentary  on  this  legend, 
observes,  that  Bimard’s  interpretation  of  it,  if 
not  clearly  the  correct  one  (plant:  certa),  ap- 
pears preferable  to  the  others.  But  still,  he  ob- 
serves, “ the  controversy  cannot  be  pronounced 
as  set  at  rest,  until  we  shall  become  surer  of  the 
true  signification  of  the  letter  P.  which  is  sus- 
ceptible of  such  various  explanations.” 

Dr.  Cardwell  regards  the  interpretation  of  the 
word  Primum  as  plausible ; but  adds,  “ to  me 
it  appears  the  best  method  to  retain  the  word 
Populo,  as  suggested  by  Vaillant ; a word  which 
is  constantly  denoted  on  coins  by  the  single 
letter  P.  anil  to  make  the  inscription  refer  in  the 
same  restricted  manner  to  the  Circenses  granted 
to  the  people,  for  the  first  time,  on  that  occa- 
sion of  holding  the  Parilia.’'  But  the  Learned 
Doctor’s  previously  avowed  impression  seems  to 
be  the  better  founded  of  the  two,  viz.,  that  in 
which  he  treats  the  conjecture  of  Vaillant  (populo 
circenses  concessi)  as  “ opposed  to  the  well- 
known  fact,  that  the  games  of  the  circus  had 
long  been  familiar  to  the  Romans,  and  could  not, 
without  extreme  absurdity,  be  said  to  have  been 
established  by  Hadrian.”  Indeed,  so  frequent 
was  the  celebration  of  those  games,  that,  as 
Bimard  says,  on  ne  se  persnadera  pas  aisement, 
que  le  souvenir  d’un  evenement  si  ordinaire, 
ait  merits  d'etre  conserve  sur  la  Moanoye  pub- 
lique. 

These  two  coins  (Aar.  et  AE.  i.)  are,  says 
Eckhel  (vi.  511),  the  only  ones  on  which  is 


48  ANNIA. 

inscribed  the  cpocha  from  the  building  of  Rome, 
an  cpocha  so  sacred  and  so  venerated  throughout 
the  empire,  and  which  Latin  writers  frequently 
used  in  dating  years.  But  neither,  he  adds,  did 
it  oftener  appear  on  marbles.  Only  one  is  men- 
tioned by  Fabretti,  viz,  excessit.  anno  vrbis. 

CONDITAE.  DCCCXCVII. 

ANN.  P.  M.  TR.  P.  X.  IMP.  VII.  COS.  IIII. 
P.  P. — A woman  standing,  with  a little  image 
in  her  right  and  a cornucopisc  in  her  left  hand : 
at  her  feet  on  one  side  a madias,  with  corn  ears, 
and  on  the  other  a ship,  with  two  rowers.  The 
ann.  in  this  legend  is  an  abbreviation  of  An- 
no >in,  the  type  personifying  the  Goddess,  with 
her  attributes  of  the  galley  and  the  corn  mea- 
sure. In  giving  this,  as  a silver  coin  of  Coui- 
modus,  Khcll  (p.  94)  observes  that,  “ though 
historians  assign  the  great  famine  to  the  year  of 
Rome  941  (a.  j>.  188),  yet  the  ship  represented 
on  the  present  reverse,  shews  a similar  calamity 
to  have  happened  in  937  (184),  that  being  a 
sign  of  annona,  or  importations  of  corn,  from 
some  quarter,  for  the  relief  of  the  population.” — 
See  below,  Annona. 

ANN  I QUATI  OR  TEMPESTATES.— The 
four  Seasons  of  the  year. — See  Seasons — also 

FELICIA  TEMPORA. 

ANNIA  gens  jdebeia , known  to  be  so  from 
some  of  its  members  having  held  the  tribune- 
ship  of  the  people.  There  are  28  varieties. — 
The  silver  rare.  The  brass  coins  of  this  family 
belong  to  the  mint-masters  of  Augustus,  and  are 
common.  The  following  is  the  rarest  denarius : 


Obv. — Cains  ANN  l vs,  T iti  Filins,  T iti  Nc- 
pos,  PRO.  ConStife  EX  S enatus  Consu/to. — 
Female  head,  with  necklace,  ear-rings,  and  head- 
dress, and  accompanied  sometimes  with  the 
balance. 

Rev. — L.  FABI.  L.  F.  IIISP.  Lucius  FA- 
Bltfj  L ucii  Fi/ins  HISP««//7. — Victory  in  a 
quadriga,  at  speed,  a long  palm  branch  in  her 
right  hand. 

On  other  reverses, — Q ninlns  TARQVIT/w.? 
P ublii  Yi/ius.  Victory,  with  palm,  in  a biga. — 
See  Tarquitia  gens. 

Several  numismatic  antiquaries  have  expressed 
their  opinion  that  the  C.  Annins  named  on  this 
silver  coin,  was  the  same  to  whom  Plutarch  re- 
fers, as  having  been  sent  by  Sulla  into  Spain 
against  Scrtorius ; and  that  L.  Fabius  and  Q. 
Tarquitius,  whose  names  appear  on  the  reverses, 
were  his  qmestors.  But  Eckhcl  takes  strong 
ground  in  regarding  the  above  allegation  as  in- 
volved in  much  doubt.  The  female  head,  on  the 
obverse,  especially  when  designated  by  the 
balance,  the  same  writer  considers  to  be  that  of 
AOguitas,  or  of  Moneta. — (v.  135.) 

There  is  a colonial  brass  of  Nero,  struck  at 


ANNONA. 

Corinth,  which  Morel  classes  with  this  family, 
and  which  exhibits  on  its  reverse  Venus  Marina, 
in  a car,  drawn  by  a triton  and  a nereid. — It  is 
noticed  also  by  Variant. — See  Corinth. 

ANNIVERSARY — the  1000th  of  Rome. — 

See  MILLIARIVM  SAECVI.VM. 

ANNO  1.  II.  &c. — It  was  under  Justinus  the 
First  (a.  d.  518),  that  the  custom  began  of  in- 
scribing the  years  of  an  Emperor’s  reign  on  his 
brass  coinage,  especially  those  of  the  largest 
size.  (See  Kckhel’s  Treatise  on  Coins  of  the 
Lower  Empire,  vol.  viii.) — On  the  reverse  of 
a first  brass  of  Justinus  I.  Emperor  of  the 
East,  we  read  anno  pkimo,  and  in  the  midst  of 
the  field  x.  p. — (Banduri.) — On  a brass  medal- 
lion of  Justinus  11.  (a.  d.  505)  the  reverse  pre- 
sents— a f 

N X K 


B. 

On  a second  brass  of  the  seme  Emperor  we 
read — a f v 


o s 

On  a second  brass  of  Mauricius  (declared  Em- 
peror a.  d.  582),  we  read  on  the  reverse  anno 
Q uinto.  a large  M in  the  middle,  surmounted  by 
a small  cross,  below  the  M is  an  E,  and  at  the 
bottom  RAVEN. 

On  the  1st  and  2nd  brass  of  Phocas  (a.  I). 
002),  the  reverse  bearing  anno,  with  numbers 
added,  mark  the  years  of  that  usurping  mur- 
derer’s reign  up  to  VIII.  Hcraclius  I.  and  II. 
Constans  II.  Constantinus  Pogonatus,  and  so 
downwards  to  Theophilus  (a.  n.  829),  exhibit  on 
their  1st  and  2nd  brass,  as  well  as  on  their  me- 
dallions of  that  metal,  the  same  mode  of  noting 
that  year  of  their  respective  reigns  in  which  the 
coin  was  minted. 

ANNO  111  I. — A woman  standing,  holds 
cars  of  corn.  In  the  field,  A.  In  the  exergue, 
a star  between  two  palm  branches. — Miounet 
gives  this  from  the  Catalogue  d’Enncry,  as  a 
silver  quiuarius  of  llonorius,  and  Mr.  Akennan 
adopts  it,  with  acknowledgment,  into  his  Des- 
criptive Catalogue  (ii.  343).  Eckhcl  does  not 
notice  the  coin. 

ANNONA,  a provision  of  victuals  for  one 
year.  This  word  particularly  applies  to  corn. 
Annona  civilis,  the  corn  which  was  every  year 
reserved,  and  put  into  magazines  for  the  sub- 
sistence of  the  people.  Annona  mi/i/aris,  the 
com  appropriated  to  the  nsc  of  an  army,  during 
a campaign.  This  word  also  signifies  the  price 
which  the  Edilcs  put  on  marketable  commodi- 
ties ; for  individuals,  among  the  Romans,  were 
not  allowed  to  sell  their  merchandise,  according 
to  what  each  thought  proper ; but  the  seller  was 
obliged  to  abide  by  the  value,  which  the  nrngis- 
t rates  assigned  as  the  price  of  an  article.  Anno- 
nam  macetti,  says  Tacitus,  Senatus  arbitral u, 
qnotannis  temperari  votnit. — By  the  code  J)e 
Navicutariis,  the  mariners  appointed  to  carry 
com  from  Egypt  were  capitally  punished  if  they 
did  not  keep  the  proper  course  ; and  if  they  did 


ANNONA. 

not  sail  in  the  proper  season,  the  master  of  the 
vessel  was  banished. 

“Anuona  was  anciently  worshipped  as  the  god- 
dess who  prospered  the  year’s  increase.  She  was 
represented  on  an  altar  in  the  capitol,  with  the 
inscription  “ Annona:  Sanctac  Aclius  Yitalio,” 
&c.  (Gruter,  p.  8,  n.  10),  as  a female,  with 
the  right  arm  and  shoulder  bare,  and  the  rest  of 
the  body  clothed,  holding  ears  of  corn  in  her 
right  hand,  and  the  cornucopia;  in  her  left.” — 
Diet,  of  Gr.  and  Horn.  Antiquities,  p.  50. 

The  duty  of  the  Ediles  to  secure  for  the 
people  an  abundance  of  provisions  (annorue  co- 
piam),  is  plainly  indicated  on  the  coins  of  the 
Republic,  in  which  the  curule  chair,  ears  of  corn, 
and  sometimes  a cornucopia;,  are  seen ; as  on 
denarii  of  the  Flaminia,  Lollia,  Papina,  Quinc- 
tia,  Rutilia,  and  Valeria  families ; some  of  which 
are  inscribed  with  the  abbreviated  words  aed. 
cvr.  the  mark  of  the  Curule  zEdileship ; or 
with  the  modius,  between  two  ears  of  corn,  as 
on  a denarius  of  the  Lioineia  gens. — See  JEdilis, 
p.  12  of  this  work. 

Besides  the  Ediles,  both  curule  and  plebeian, 
there  were  sometimes  prafecti  annorue,  or  ex- 
traordinary commissioners  for  affairs  of  pro- 
visions, appointed,  who  were  furnished  with  the 
funds  requisite  to  purchase  and  import  wheat 
from  those  three  principal  granaries  of  Rome, 
the  Sicilian,  the  Egyptian,  and  the  African  pro- 
vinces, for  the  general  consumption  of  the 
citizens.  Memorials  of  this  watchful  care,  taken 
by  the  Senate,  to  guard  against,  or  at  least  to 
abate,  the  evils  of  scarcity,  occur  on  denarii  of  the 
Catpurnia  and  Servilia  families.  The  purchase 
and  importation  of  provisions  by  the  state,  is  also 
signified  on  certain  consular  coins.  For  example, 
we  find  in  Morel,  amongst  the  incerta,  but  sup- 
posed to  be  of  the  Host  ilia  family,  a denarius, 
the  obverse  of  which  exhibits  the  head  of  Ceres, 
adorned  with  a crown  of  corn  cars.  On  the  re- 
verse we  read,  C.  MANCINaj,  A uli  Tilius — 
SKXria  ATILw  Mara  Yilius  SERRANVS. — 
The  type  figures  two  men  seated,  before  the  right 
hand  of  one  of  whom  is  a modius,  filled  with 
ears  of  wheat ; and  behind  the  other  is  an  ear  of 
corn. — It  is  clear,  that  this  denarius  was  struck 
in  honour  of  the  Plebeian  Ediles,  Sextus  Attilius 
Serranus,  and  C.  Mancintis,  through  whose  care 
and  exertions  a great  plenty  of  corn  and  other 
prolusions,  at  a cheap  rate,  were  supplied  to  the 
inhabitants  of  Rome.  Their  edileship  is  referred 
to  the  year  u.  C.  609  (b.  c.  145). — [See  The- 
saurus Numi  Consulares,  tab.  xviii.  fig.  16.] 

It  is  not,  however,  until  we  come  to  the  im- 
perial series,  and  then  not  before  the  4th  reign, 
that  Annona  appears  on  Roman  coins  personi- 
fied as  a divinity.  Her  traits,  habiliments,  and 
attributes  are  nearly  the  same  as  those  of  Abun- 
dantia,  or  to  speak  more  in  chronological 
order,  Abundantia  nearly  resembles  Annona. 
But  there  was  this  distinction  between  them,  that 
the  latter  name  was  limited  to  express  the  sup- 
ply for  the  current  year,  and  like  Copia,  seems  to 
have  been  applied  to  provisions,  whereas  Abun- 
dantia was  a prodigal  distributor  of  all  kinds  of 
things.  Clothed  in  a long  robe,  and  wear- 
11 


ANNONA.  49 

ing  a veil,  which  she  partly  turns  over  her  left 
arm,  sometimes  seated,  sometimes  standing,  the 
goddess  is  seen  holding  ears  of  corn  before  a 
measure  with  the  right  hand,  and  a cornucopise 
in  the  left.  The  first  emperor  by  whose  mint 
Annona  is  represented  under  the  appearance  of 
a woman,  is  Nero.  Previously,  six  corn  ears 
tied  together,  served  to  symbolize,  what  Mangcart 
calls,  “ this  deity  of  provisions  for  the  mouth,” 
and  to  indicate  a supply  of  corn  abundantly  pro- 
cured for  the  people,  as  on  a coin  of  Augustus. — 
After  Nero,  she  appears  on  reverses  of  Titus, 
Nerva,  iElius  Caesar,  Commodus  (see  ann.  p.  m. 
&c.  p.  48),  Sept.  Severus,  Caracalla,  Macriuus, 
Alexander  Severus,  Mamma,  Gordianus  Pius, 
Philip  senior,  Trebonianus  Gallus,  Gallienus, 
Salonina,  Tacitus,  down  to  Constantine.  With 
one  exception  (viz.  that  of  Annona  Augusta, 
coupled  with  Ceres,  and  in  that  case,  if  genuine, 
referring  to  the  two  goddesses  themselves),  the 
legends  are  Annona  Aug.  or  Augusti,  or  Augg. 
“to  shew  (says  Mangeart),  that  it  was  through 
the  care,  and  by  the  gcucrosity  of  the  Emperors, 
that  tills  deity  had  become  propitious  ; that  she 
had  spread  her  gifts,  and  shed  her  blessings  on 
the  subjects  of  those  princes,  and  was  therefore 
a fit  object  of  adoration.” 


ANNONA  AVGVSTI  CERES.  S.  C.— 
Ceres  veiled,  sitting  with  corn  cars  in  her  right 
hand,  and  a torch  in  her  left.  Opposite  to  her 
stands  the  Goddess  of  Plenty,  or  Annona,  hold- 
ing a cornucopia;  in  her  left  hand.  Between 
the  two  figures  is  an  altar  or  cippus,  on  which 
stands  the  modius.  In  the  back  ground  is  a 
ship’s  prow. — This  legend  and  type  appear  on 
first  and  second  brass  of  Nero  ; also  on  a brass 
medallion  of  the  same  emperor,  in  the  imperial 
cabinet  at  Vienna. 

Nero  often  ingratiated  himself  with  the  com- 
mon people,  by  the  profuse  liberality  of  his 
largesses  to  them — a fact  proved  by  the  coins 
struck  under  that  prince,  bearing  the  legend 
congiah.  or  congiarivm.  This  trait  of  conduct 
looks  fair  enough  ; but  the  one  recorded  by  Sue- 
tonius is  most  disgracefid,  viz.,  that  during  a 
general  scarcity  at  Rome,  an  Alexandrine  ship 
brought  a freight,  not  of  wheat  for  the  suffering 
inhabitants,  but  of  dust  for  the  Court  wrestlers. 
It  was  at  the  critical  time,  when  the  revolt  of 
Vindex  in  Gaul,  had  become  openly  known  ; and 
Nero  was  loaded  with  the  most  insulting  re- 
proaches from  the  populace  (Eck.  vi.  268.) — 
There  is  a second  brass  of  S.  Severus,  aud  a 


50  ANNONA. 


A WON  A. 


contomiate  medal  of  Constantine,  with  the  same 
legend  and  a similar  tvpe. 

ANNONA  AVGVSTA  CERES.— Tliis  legend, 
with  a type  similar  to  the  above,  is  given,  as 
from  a brass  medallion  of  Nero  (7 ncusej,  in 
Thesaur.  Morell.  Impp.  tab.  vi.  fig.  8,  and  as  a 
contorniatc,  in  the  same  work,  tab.  vii.  fig.  19. 
In  the  latter,  an  ear  of  corn  is  placed  in  the 
left  hand  of  Ceres  instead  of  the  torch. 

ANNONA  AVG. — In  Morel’s  Thesaurus  (t. 
ii.  tab.  v.  figure  32),  there  is  a gold,  and  in 
Mcdiobarbus  a silver  coin,  given  as  struck  under 
Vespasian,  with  this  legend,  and  the  type  of  a 
sedent  female. — In  the  Numism.  'Musei  Theupoli, 
a silver  coin  of  the  same  prince  is  described 
annona  avq.  Female  figure  seated,  with  com 
cars  in  right  hand  and  laurel  branch  in  left. 

It  might  indeed  have  been  expected  that  the 
name  and  attributes  of  the  goddess  would  appear 
on  some  generally  recognized  medal  of  that  re- 
nowned emperor,  were  it  only  in  grateful  refer- 
ence to  the  prompt  and  liberal  supply  of  corn 
which  by  his  provident  care  (as  mentioned  by 
Tacitus)  was  sent  in  ships  to  the  port  of  Rome, 
during  a period  of  great  scarcity.  But  to  judge 
from  the  silence  of  Eekhel,  Mionuct,  and  Aker- 
man  on  this  point,  there  is  no  annona  on  any 
of  the  three  metals,  in  the  coinage  of  Vespa- 
sian. 

ANNONA  AUGUST*.  S.  C. — A similar  type 
to  that  of  Nero’s  coin. 

This  reference  to  the  discharge  of  a most  im- 
portant duty  in  a Roman  Emperor  appears  ap- 
propriately on  a first  brass  of  Nerva.  That  good 
prince,  among  other  acts  of  provident  attention 
to  the  welfare  of  his  subjects,  took  care  to  furnish 
the  city  of  Rome,  and  the  whole  of  Italy,  with 
victuals  necessary  for  the  subsistence  of  the 
people. 

ANNONA  AVG. — A modius,  out  of  which 
spring  four  ears  of  corn,  on  a denarius  of  -Eli  us 
Caesar. 

It  sccm3  strange  and  unaccountable,  that 
whilst  a coin  with  the  above  reverse  should  have 
been  minted  at  Rome  in  honour  of  this  indolent 
prince,  who  did  not  live  loug  enough  to  become 
emperor,  there  appears  to  have  been  no  similar 
legend  struck  on  coins  of  such  men  as  Antoninus 
Fins  and  M.  Aurelius,  of  whom  history  attests 
their  vigilant  care  for  the  public  sustenance. 

ANNONA  AVG. — A robed  female  standing, 
holding  a cornucopia! ; at  her  feet  the  modius ; 
in  her  right  hand  a small  figure ; behind  is  the 
prow  of  a galley.  On  a first  brass  of  Titus,  iu 
Capt.  Smyth’s  cabinet. 

Neither  in  Eekhel  nor  Mionnet,  nor  in  the 
later  work  of  Akerman,  is  any  coin  of  the  above- 
named  emperor  to  be  found  with  the  legend  of 
Annona.  In  the  possession,  and  with  the  autho- 
rity for  its  genuineuess,  of  so  intelligent  a writer 
and  so  practised  a numismatist,  this  acquisition 
therefore  becomes  doubly  valuable : not  only  ns 
an  interesting  specimen  of  the  mint  to  which  it 
belongs,  but  also  ns  serving  to  supply  a reverse, 
which  it  was  natural  to  look  for  amongst  the  J 
medals  of  a prince,  who  was  distinguished  be- 
yond any  of  his  predecessors  for  liberality,  hu-  I 


inanity,  and  beneficence  towards  all  classes  of 
his  subjects. 

This  first  brass  bears  no  mark  of  senatorial 
authority  ; but  the  same  omission  is  to  be  no- 
ticed on  the  well-authenticated  coin,  which  bears 
the  type  of  the  amphitheatre,  struck  under  the 
same  emperor. — Sec  p.  42. 


ANNONA  AVG. — A female  seated,  holding 
cars  of  corn  and  a cornucopia:,  a modius  at  her 
feet.  On  silver  of  Mncrinus. — There  are  also 
first  and  second  brass  of  this  brief  reign,  with 
the  same  legend  and  type. 

It  seems  that  Macrinus  was  sufficiently  liberal ; 
and  although  congiaria  were  not  usually  given 
unless  the  donor  was  in  the  city,  we  have  medallic 
proof  that  this  restriction  was  waived,  that  he 
might  ingratiate  himself  with  the  people.  But 
the  indulgence  of  Scverus,  aud  the  prodigality  of 
Caracalla,  to  the  army,  shackled  the  means  of 
their  suceessors,  and  indeed  debilitated  the  whole 
empire  till  the  days  of  Diocletian.  With  a 
treasury  at  low  water,  and  guards  at  least 
quadrupled  since  Ciesar’s  time,  Macrinus  was 
obliged,  on  proclaiming  his  son  (Diadumcnianus) 
Augustus,  to  promise  the  old  donative  of  5000 
denarii  per  man,  of  which  he  gave  them  each 
1000  in  hand.  While  the  soldiers — who  had 
already  pocketed  the  Emperor’s  first  gift  of  750 
denarii — enjoyed  these  substantial  pickings,  the 
people  of  Rome  were  promised  a eougiary  of  150 
denarii  each.  Such  was  the  state  of  the  empire, 
a.  i).  218. — Smyth. 

ANNONA  AVG. — A woman  standing  before 
a modius,  with  corn  cars  in  her  right  hand  and 
cornucopia-  in  her  left.  On  an  elegant  quinarius 
of  Alexander  Severus. — Other  quinnrii  of  the 
same  reign  give  to  Annona  the  appropriate  at- 
tributes of  the  anchor,  the  rudder,  and  the 
prow. 

These  reverses  arc  commemorative  of  the  care- 
ful aud  vigorous  attention,  which  characterised 
the  proceedings  of  that  excellent  emperor,  with 
respect  to  the  purveyorship  of  wheat  to  the 
people,  brought  to  Rome,  at  his  own  expense, 
from  abroad  ; the  frumentarinn  fuuds  having  been 
left  exhausted  by  his  infamous  predecessor. — 
Vaillant,  Pr<rst,  Nnm.  Impp.  Rom.  p.  2S0. 

ANNONA  AUGG.  (Augustorum). With 

the  usual  type.  On  gold  of  Philip  senior. 

Roman  emperors,  sub  nuspiria  imperii,  were 
accustomed  to  seek  popularity,  by  providing 
annona.  To  this  Philip,  ns  a matter  of  pecu- 
liarly urgent  policy  with  him,  was,  it  appears, 
promptly  and  abundantly  attentive. 

ANNONA  AVG. — A woman  with  corn  cars 
and  eornucopite  (on  other  coins  an  anchor),  nnd 
a modius  at  her  feet.  On  silver  aud  third  brass 
of  Salouiua,  wife  of  Gnllicnus. 


ANTJEl'S. 

Banduri,  who  gives  the  above,  remarks  that 
it  bears  a reverse,  which  does  not  occur  on  the 
mintage  of  any  other  empress.  But  Khell,  who 
published  his  Supplement  to  Vaillant  nearly  50 
years  afterwards,  has  cited  a silver  coin  of  Julia 
Mamtea,  from  the  Cabinet  d’Ariosti,  with  the 
same  legend  and  type.  But  perhaps  it  may  be 
retorted  that  Mannca  was  not  an  empress : she 
was,  however,  the  mother  of  an  emperor,  and 
bore  the  title  of  Augusta,  under  which,  on  some 
of  her  numerous  coins,  she  exhibits  her  portrait 
face  to  face  with  that  of  her  sou  Alexander. — 
AY i tli  respect  to  the  Annoua  Aug.  of  Salonina, 
it  is  admitted  that  it  may  rightfully  belong  to 
this  beneficent  princess,  since  there  are  medals 
of  her’s  dedicated  to  Abundantia  and  to  Bea 
Segetia,  a deity  associated  with  Annona. — See 
Abundantia  Temporum,  p.  2 of  this  work. 

ANNONA. — Besides  this  word,  the  meaning 
of  which  has  already  been  explained,  there  are 
other  legends  of  imperial  coins,  which  refer 
nearly  to  the  same  thing — such  as  the  Pro- 
vident ia  Aug.,  with  galley  and  sail  spread,  of 
Commodus ; the  Sacu/o  Frugifero  of  Albinus, 
and  Dpi  Bioin.  of  Fertinax,  with  figures  holding 
ears  of  corn  ; also  the  Felicitas  Temporum  of  S. 
Severus,  with  cornucopia;  and  spica.  The  legend 
annona  aktekna,  ascribed  by  Mediobarbus 
(p.  268)  to  the  silver  mint  of  S.  Severus,  is  not 
noticed  by  Eckhel,  nor  is  it  to  be  found  in 
either  Mionuet  or  Akerman. 

ANT.  P.  Antiochue  Percussa,  money  struck 
at  Antioch. 

ANT.  H.  Antiochia  octava  o/Jicina — Money 
struck  at  Antioch,  in  the  eighth  office,  or  mint. 

[Some  of  the  principal  cities  of  the  empire, 
had  the  privilege  of  a Roman  coinage.  Antioch 
was  one  of  these,  and  had  in  it  several  mint 
offices.] — See  Raschc. 

ANT.  S.  Antiochia  Signata. — Coined  at 
Antioch. 

ANT/EUS,  a famous,  or  rather  infamous, 
giant  of  Lvbia,  sou  of  Neptune  and  Terra,  and 
king  of  Irasa.  lie  murdered  all  strangers  that 
came  to  his  court.  Hercules  fought  this  giant, 
and  “floored”  him  three  times,  but  in  vain; 
for  Mother  Earth  restored  to  her  child  new 
strength  whenever  he  touched  her.  Hercules 
therefore  lifted  him  off  the  ground,  and  thus 
succeeded  in  squeezing  to  death  this  “ prince  of 
cut-throats.”  Many  ancient  monuments  repre- 
sent this  combat ; among  others  a gold  coin  of 
l’osttunus,  with  the  type  of  a man  holding  up 
another  in  his  arms,  and  rigidly  compressing 
him.  A Latin  colonial  of  Antioch  in  Pisidia, 
struck  uuder  Caracalla,  and  a brass  medal,  with 
Greek  inscription  of  Antoninus  Pius,  both  ex- 
hibit in  like  manner  the  great  Alcides  in  the  act 
of  hoisting  up  and  stifling  the  African  tyrant. — 
See  Caylns,  Aurea  Numismata,  fig  1)50 — See 
also  UERCVLI  LYBICO. 

ANTEON,  son  of  Hercules. — There  is  a very 
rare  gold  coin  of  M.  Antony,  having  on  its  re- 
verse the  name  of  one  of  his  moncyers  l.  reov- 
jlvs  tniviR.  a.  p.  r.  the  type  of  which  is  sup- 
H 2 


ANTESTIA.  51 

posed  to  represent  this  fabulous  personage.  The 
figure  is  sitting,  his  head  covered  with  a lion’s 
skin ; a spear  in  his  right  hand,  his  left  elbow 
resting  on  a shield,  on  which  is  a human  coun- 
tenance, conjectured  to  be  that  of  Hercules.  The 
flatterers  of  Antony  and  his  own  vanity  encou- 
raged him  to  claim  descent  from  the  demi-god. 
— See  Morcll.  Thesaur.  Livineia  gens,  tab.  ii. 
fig.  5. 

ANTESTIA — ANTISTIA. — Some  writers 
consider  these  names  to  belong  to  two  different 
families.  But  Eckhel  unites  them,  as  belonging 
to  one  and  the  same  gens,  which  was  of  the  ple- 
beian order.  The  above  named  writer  observes, 
however,  that  the  name  of  Antestia  is  certainly 
older  than  that  of  Antistia,  since  the  coins  bear- 
ing the  latter  name  were  struck  under  Augustus  : 
whereas  the  denarii,  as  well  as  the  brass  coins, 
bearing  the  word  Antestia,  argue  from  their 
type  and  their  fabric,  the  mintage  of  a more  re- 
mote age.  The  surnames  of  this  gens  arc — Re- 
ginas and  Fetus.  There  are  twelve  varieties  in 
the  types. — Gold,  very  rare — Silver,  common. 
The  brass  coins  of  this  family  arc  the  As,  or 
some  of  its  parts. 

The  subjoined  is  a rare  denarius  struck  by 
Reginus  Antistius,  in  his  capacity  of  mouctal 
triumvir,  under  Augustus.  This  Rcgiuus  had 
been  one  of  Julius  Crcsar’s  legates  in  Gaul;  and 
appears,  about  49  years  b.  c.,  to  have  had  the 
command  of  the  coast  of  the  lower  sea.  (See 
Dr.  Smith,  Bid.  Rom.  Biog.  iii.  p.  642.) 

Obv. — caesar  avgvstvs.  Bare  head  of  Au- 
gustus. 

Rev. — c.  antistivs.  reginvs.  ill.  viR.  Pon- 
tifical instruments. 


This  is  one  of  those  coins  of  the  Antistia  gens, 
which  have  given  rise  to  much  learned  disputa- 
tion, as  to  the  date  when  they  were  minted ; but 
from  the  reverse  legends  of  two  coins  struck  by 
Vetus  Antistius,  iii.  vir.,  it  may  undoubtedly 
be  inferred  that  this,  as  well  as  the  two  others, 
was  placed  under  the  hammer  of  the  mint,  dur- 
ing the  viiith  Tribunate  and  the  xith  Consulate 
of  Augustus.  (Eckhel,  v.  p.  137.) — The  instru- 
menta  pontificalia,  which  form,  in  this  example, 
the  type  of  the  reverse,  consist  of  the  simpulum, 
lituus,  tripod,  aud  patera,  an  explanation  of 
which  words  will  be  found  in  their  respective 
places. — See  Morell.  Antistia,  fig.  3 and  fig.  4. 

But  among  the  types,  with  which  the  sur- 
names of  this  family  connect  themselves  on  coins, 
there  is  one  peculiarly  deserving  of  attention,  on 
account  of  its  assisting  graphically  to  illustrate 
certain  ancient  ceremonies  performed  at  the  rati- 
fication of  international  treaties.  The  denarius 
described  as  follows,  was  struck  by  Vetus  Antis- 
tius, one  of  the  moneyers  of  Augustus  : — 

Obv. — Head  of  Augustus. 

')[Y7rtF.'\l\IS.  ffitfvrtr  . Cf  p-  $'s(r  ■ 


52  ANTIOCIIIA. 

Rev. — C.  ANTISTIVS  VETVS  FOED.  (or  FOEDYS) 

p.  r.  cvm  gabinis. — Two  men  standing,  clothed 
in  the  toga,  and  with  heads  veiled,  hold,  for 
sacrifice,  a pig  over  a lighted  altar. 

For  an  engraving  and  explanatory  notice  of 
tills  denarius,  see  foedvs,  &c. 

ANTI  A,  gens  plebeia.  Its  cognomen  on 
coins  is  Reslio. — This  family  came  from  Antium. 
It  furnished,  amongst  others,  C.  Antius  Restio, 
who,  in  the  time  of  Cicero,  was  a tribune  of  the 
people,  and  the  author  of  a sumptuary  law. — 
The  coins  of  this  yens  appear  only  in  silver : 
they  have  three  varieties,  and  arc  rare.  For  an 
engraving  of  oue  of  these,  which  though  not  the 
rarest  is,  from  its  legend  and  type,  the  most  in- 
teresting, sec  dei  penates.  Also,  sec  restio. 

ANTIGONUS,  King  of  Judaea,  beheaded  by 
order  of  Mark  Antony. — See  Sosia  gens. 

ANTIUM,  a city  of  the  Volscians,  so  called 
from  Anton  or  Antcon,  son  of  Hercules. — 
Ascanius,  son  of  Jiueas,  is  said  to  have  founded 
it.  Its  remains  are  still  visible,  situated  on  a 
promontory  bordering  on  the  sea,  in  the  Cam- 
prtgna  di  Roma,  under  the  modern  name  of 
Antio  rovinato.  Nero  caused  a line  port  to  be 
built  there,  after  having,  according  to  Suetonius, 
sent  thither  a colony  of  old  Pnctorians. — Antium 
was  celebrated  for  its  temple  of  Fortune. — See 
Ant  eon,  p.  51. 

ANTIAT. — Antiatina — See  For  tuna:  Antiat. 
See  also  Ruslia. 

ANTICA,  or  pars  adversa.  That  side  of  a 
coin,  which  contains  the  portrait,  or  other  prin- 
cipal figure.  See  Obverse. 

ANTI  NOUS. — Hadriani  catamites:  a young 
Bithynian,  who  died  about  the  130th  year  of 
our  sera,  having  been  drowned  in  the  Nile. — 
Hadrian,  so  wise  and  meritorious  in  his  ge- 
neral public  conduct,  but  iu  tliis  wretched  in- 
stance of  personal  criminality,  one  of  the  most 
infatuated,  as  well  as  most  depraved,  of  human 
beings — had  scarcely  by  this  accident  lost  his 
unhappy  favourite,  than  he  caused  the  most  cx- 
travagaut  distinctions  to  be  rendered  to  his  me- 
mory. A temple  and  even  a city  were  dedicated 
to  his  name  and  worship  I Nor  were  the  Greeks, 
always  ready  to  flatter  the  most  disgraceful 
propensities  of  their  imperial  masters,  ashamed 
to  stamp  his  image  on  their  coins.  To  the 
credit  of,  and  in  justice  to,  the  Roman  mint,  be 
it  added,  there  exist  no  medals  of  Antinous 
with  Latin  legends,  nor  any  whatever  with  the 
mark  of  Senatorial  authority. 

ANTIOCIIIA. — Under  this  name,  ancient 
writers  conuncmorntc  the  existence,  in  their 
times,  of  a great  many  cities  in  Asia.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  two  most  remarkable : viz., 
Antioch  in  Pisidia,  and  Antioch  in  Syria — both 
being  Roman  colonies. 

ANTIOCIIIA  ('Pisidia  Colonia) situate 

on  the  borders  of  Phrygia,  not  far  from  the 
river  Meander  (and  now  called  Ak-Sciehere,  in 
Karamau,  Asiatic  Turkey.) — It  was,  for  at  least 
270  years,  the  seat  of  a Roman  colony,  founded  by 
Augustus, and  invested  with  the  jus  Italians,  under 
the  name  of  COLONIA  ANTIOCH  KN’SIS,  or 
COL.  CAESuWd  ANTIOCIIIA.  The  coins 


ANTIOCIIIA. 

of  this  city  consist  of 
Latin  autonomes  (small 
size),  and  of  Latin  im- 
perial, both  in  brass. 
The  former  have  on  their 
obverse  side,  for  legend, 
ant.  and  antiocu,  and 
for  type  the  head  of  the 
God  Lunus,  with  Phry- 
gian cap,  on  a crescent. 
— Their  reverses  arc  inscribed  colon,  or  col. 
ant.  antio.  or  antiocu,  and  the  accompanying 
types  are  a cock,  and  a buffalo,  or  wild  ox. — 
The  imperial  coins  of  this  colony  begin  under 
Tiberius,  after  whose  reign  a cessation  of  coinage 
seems  to  have  taken  place,  and  continued  until 
Titus  came  to  the  throne ; to  whom,  however, 
the  colonists  appear  to  have  dedicated  only  two 
coins.  Another  gap  then  occurs  iu  the  scries, 
extending  to  the  reigns  of  Antoninus  Pius  and 
Marcus  Aurelius.  They  thence,  according  to  the 
descriptive  lists  of  Miounct,  proceed  in  more 
regular  succession,  but  still  with  occasional 
omissions,  as  far  as  Gallieuns  and  Yalrrianus 
junior ; the  last  recorded  dedication  of  the 
Antiochian  mint  of  Pisidia  being  to  Claudius 
Gothieus.  By  far  the  more  numerous  portion  was 
struck  under  Caracalla  and  Gordianus  III. — The 
following  arc  the  various  legends  to  he  found  on 
reverses  of  the  imperial  colonial,  viz. : 

COL.  ANT. COLON.  ANTIOCH. — COL.  CAES. 

ANTI,  or  ANTIOCH. — CO.  ANTIOCHE,  or  ANTI- 

OCUEN. ANTIOCHENI  COL. ANTIOCHAF.AE 

COLONIAE. — GEN.  or  GENIVS  COL.  or  COLONIAL 
ANTIOCH. — COL.  ANTIOCH  MENSIS. — FORTVNA 
COL.  ANTIOCU. — ANTIOCHI. — ANTIOCIIIA.  S.  R. 

(Senates  Romanes). ANTIO.  CA.  CL. — CAES. 

ANTIOCH.  COL. — ANTIOCIIIA  COLONIA.  CAES  ARIA . 
or  CAESARI. — COL.  ANTIOCHI. — AN.  COI.ONI. 

The  types  arc  as  follows : — A colonist,  or  a 
priest,  at  plough  with  two  oxen,  and  with  one 
or  two  military  ensigns  behind  them  ; also  a 
high  priest,  carrying  a vexUlum,  tracing  the 
limits  of  the  settlement  with  a plough  and 
two  oxen — as  in  Tiberius,  Titus,  S.  Sevcrus, 
Caracalla,  Alex.  Sevcrus,  Gordianus  Pius,  and 
Gallicnus.  [These  types  are  symbols  of  a colony 
established.] 

Cybele  or  Rhea  seated  between  two  lions ; as 
in  M.  Aurelius,  Alex.  Sevcrus, and  Gordianus  III. 

Diana,  the  huntress,  taking  with  her  right 
hand  an  arrow  from  her  quiver,  and  holding  the 
bow  in  her  left ; as  in  Caracalla. 

Emperor  standing  veiled,  sacrificing  at  a 
lighted  altar  before  three  miltary  ensigns— also 
on  horseback,  with  right  hand  elevated ; and  in  a 
triumphal  quadriga;  as  in  Gordianus  111.  and  in 
Philip  sen. 

Fortune  of  the  colony,  personified  by  the  usual 
type  ; ns  in  M.  Aurelius,  and  S.  Sevcms. 

Genius  of  Antioch,  personified  by  a female 
figure  in  the  stola,  stauding  with  brnucli  and 
cornucopia.  The  colony  is  also  represented  by 
a turreted  woman,  holding  a caducous;  also  by  a 
female  figure  standing  near  an  altar,  holding  a 
patera  and  horn  of  plenty — likewise  by  the  type 
of  Fortune  seated,  holding  a rudder  and  cornu- 


ANTIOCHIA. 

copite,  a wheel  being  under  her  chair.  The 
legend  to  all  these  types  is  colonia  caesaria.  ; 
as  in  Gordianus  and  in  Julia  Domna. 

Hope  walking;  as  in  Saloninns.  And  Ilygeia, 
standing,  clothed  in  the  stola,  koldiug  a serpent 
over  a lighted  altar,  with  the  kasta  pura  in  her 
left  hand,  as  in  Antoninus  Pius. 

Jupiter  standing  with  an  eagle  in  his  right 
hand,  and  the  hasta  in  his  left,  as  in  Caracalla. 

Limits  (or  Men  sis)  wearing  the  Phrygian  cap, 
and  with  a crescent  behind  the  back,  holds  the 
hast a and  a small  figure  of  Victory : a cock  is 
at  his  feet;  as  in  Antoninus  Pius,  S.  Scvcrus, 
Caracalla,  Domna,  and  Philip  senior.  [See  the 
word  Limits  (in  its  place)  for  a further  notice  of 
this  deity,  who  was  worshipped  with  great  vener- 
ation at  Antiochia  Pisidia .] 

Mars  walking;  as  in  Gordianus  111.  Military 
ensigns,  three  together ; as  in  Elagabalus. 

Fallas,  holding  a small  figure,  and  the  hasta ; 
a trophy  and  an  altar,  in  the  field,  as  in  Volu- 
sianus. 

River  God.  Pellerin  gives  the  engraving  of  a 
second  brass  of  Volusianus  struck  in  this  colony, 
on  the  reverse  of  which,  with  the  legend  antiocii 
col.  is  the  figure  of  a man  seated,  symbolising  a 
river  (probably  the  Meander),  who  holds  a reed 
in  his  right  hand,  and  in  his  left  a horn  of 
plenty,  resting  his  left  arm  on  an  urn  whence 
water  flows.  In  the  exergue  s.  r. — [Melange,  i. 
plate  xxii.  No.  1,  from  which  the  above  cut 
is  copied.] — Another  river  deity,  with  female 
countenance  aud  dress,  seated  on  the  ground 
with  a reed  and  cornucopia;,  appears  on  a coin 
of  this  colony,  dedicated  to  Alexander  Severus. 

Victory.  Two  Victories  holding  a buckler 
attached  to  a palm  tree,  at  the  foot  of  which  sit 
two  captives;  as  in  Gordianus  Pius. 

Vexillum  between  two  military  ensigns ; as  in 
Claudius  Gothicus. 

Wolf  suckling  the  twins,  under  a tree;  as  in 
M.  Aurelius,  repeated  in  Caracalla,  Alexander 
Severus,  Gordian  III.,  Philip  senior,  Gallienus. 
— [The  Antiockians  of  Pisidia,  says  Vaillant, 
placed  this  type  on  their  coins  as  Roman  colonists, 
whose  usual  symbol  it  was  to  shew  their  national 
origin  from  Romulus  and  Remus.] 

Faun,  or  Satyr,  standing  with  a wine-skin  on 
his  shoulder;  as  in  M.  Aurelius. 

Eagle  with  expanded  wings,  and  legend  of 
coloniae  antiochiae  ; as  in  M.  Aurelius. 

Eagle  standing  on  a thunderbolt — Two  Eagles 
— aud  Eagle  with  crown  in  its  beak. 

Legionary  Eagle,  on  a banner  between  two 
ensigns,  a crown  above ; with  coloniae  anti- 
ochiae; as  on  coins  struck  under  M.  Aurelius, 
L.  Verus,  Gordian  III.,  Philip  jun.,  Volusi- 
anus, Valerianus,  and  Claudius  Gothicus. — [The 
eagle  with  expanded  wings  was  the  indication  of 
power.  The  legionary  eagle  above  the  vexilhun, 
between  two  military  standards,  refers  to  the 
transmission  of  Roman  veterans  into  Pisidia  by 
Augustus. — (Vaillant,  in  Col.  rol.  i.) 

The  two  following  coins,  struck  at  this  An- 
tioch, have,  besides  their  rarity,  an  historical 
interest,  as  referring  to  the  victories  of  Severus 
and  his  sons  in  Britain,  viz. : 


ANTIOCHIA.  53 

1.  Obv.  IMP.  CAES.  P.  SEPT'.  GETA.  AVG. 

Laurelled  head  of  Gcta. 

Rev.  VIRT.  AVG.  COL.  ANTIOCH.  S.  R. A 

horseman  riding  at  full  speed,  thrusts  his  lance 
at  a prostrate  enemy. 


The  Antiochians  (says  Vaillant),  devoted  to  the 
family  of  Severus,  dedicated  this  medal  to  Geta, 
(about  a.  D.  209),  when,  by  his  father’s  will,  it 
was  arranged  for  him  to  preside  over  the  civil 
administration  in  that  part  of  Britain  subject 
to  the  Romans,  whilst  Caracalla  was  to  accom- 
pany the  old  emperor  in  his  expedition  against 
the  Caledonians.  But  Severus  dying  at  York, 
the  two  brothers,  in  their  joint  imperial  capacity, 
concluded  a peace  with  those  northern  inhabit- 
ants of  the  island.  Hence  the  name  of  Bntanni- 
cus  was  conferred  by  the  Roman  Senate  on  both 
Caracalla  aud  Geta;  and  the  legend  VIRTVS 
AVG ustorum  (the  valour  of  the  Emperors)  was 
placed  ou  the  coins  minted  to  their  honour,  in 
this  eastern  colony. — (i.  53.) 

2.  Obv.  Same  legend  and  type  as  on  pre- 
ceding coin. 

Rev.  VICT.  DD.  NN.  COL.  ANTIOCH.  S.  R. — 
Victoria  Dominorum  Noslrorum,  Colonia  An- 
tiochensis  (Senalus  Romanus). — Victory  walk- 
ing, carrying  a trophy  in  both  hands  before  her. 

This  (says  Vaillant,  i.  p.  53),  is  a Victoria 
Britannica,  recorded  in  honour  of  Caracalla  and 
Geta,  as  joint  Augvsti,  by  the  colonists  of 
Antioch,  after  their  father’s  death. 

[The  appellation  of  Dominus,  employed  in 
the  present  instance  by  the  mint  of  this  colony, 
instead  of  the  usual  word  Iniperator,  is  worthy 
of  notice.  The  title  of  Dominus,  first  used  by 
Caligula,  who  (as  Spanhcim  says),  endeavoured 
to  make  the  people  of  Rome  call  him  so,  wras  re- 
vived by  Domitian,  although  he  never  succeeded 
in  obtaining  that  designation  on  the  public 
money.  It  wras  at  length  fully  recognised  at 
Rome,  under  Aurelian,  about  A.  d.  270.] 

As  the  large  brass  coins  of  Antioch  in  Pisi- 
dia are  esteemed  rare,  Pellerin  has  described 
no  less  than  eight  of  that  size,  from  his  own 
collection,  struck  under  Gordianus  Pius,  and 
which  differ,  for  the  most  part,  from  the  five 
which  Vaillant  published,  as  having  been  dedi- 
cated by  the  colony  in  question  to  that  young 
prince.  Five  of  these  are  engraved,  in  Melange,  i. 
and  to  judge  from  their  appearance  ou  the  plates, 
they  present  remarkably  fine  specimens  of  colonial 
mintage. — See  pi.  xx.  Nos.  4,  5,  6,  7,  and  8. 

The  following  type  on  the  reverse  of  a Gordian 


54  ANTIOCHIA. 

III.  struck  by  the  colony  of  Pisidian  Antioch, 
is  unlike  any  other  on  the  various  coins  of 
that  city.  It  exhibits,  as  Mionnet  describes  it, 
Un  Guerrier  assis  sur  un  monfeau  d’armes, 
soutenant  de  la  main  droite  sa  tele  qni  est 
penchee;  devant  ltd,  une  trophee  militaire ; dans 
le  champ  s.  11. 

ANTIOCHIA,  Syria;,  or  ad  Orontem ; a 
celebrated  town  on  the  banks  of  that  river,  at 
the  foot  of  Mount  Silpius,  and  at  one  period 
ranking  third  in  the  world.  It  is  recognised  at 
the  present  day,  only  by  the  ruins  of  its  walls, 
and  by  some  inscriptions.  Situate  about  15 
leagues  from  the  Mediterranean,  between  Aleppo 
and  Tarsus,  it  is  now  called  by  the  Turks,  Antak, 
or  Antalcie.  This  Antioch  on  the  Orontes  is 
said  to  have  been  built  by  Selcucus  Nicator, 
founder  of  the  empire  of  Syria,  and  was  called 
after  the  name  of  his  father  Antiochus — a name 
which  it  preserves  to  this  day.  Under  its  kings 
it  flourished  for  a long  time  as  a capital : but 
after  their  expulsion  by  Pompcius  Magnus, 
and  the  occupation  of  Syria  as  a ltoman  pro- 
vince (about  64  b.  c.),  it  became  aulonomos 
(i.  e.  governed  by  laws  of  its  own),  and  ob- 
tained from  him  the  right  of  coining  money. 
— Julius  Csesar  and  Augustus  both  bestowed 
benefits  upon  the  city.  And,  under  succeed- 
ing emperors,  it  arrived  at  the  distinction  of 
being  acknowledged  as  Metropolis  totius  Orien- 
iis,  still,  however,  subject  to  Homan  domina- 
tion; and  was  the  scat  and  residence  of  the 
governor  of  Syria.  It  was  here  that  the  disci- 
ples of  Our  Lord  were  first  called  Christians. — 
After  the  death  of  Pcrtinax  (a.  d.  192),  Syrian 
Antioch  declared  in  favour  of  Peseennius  Niger 
against  Septimius  Sevenis,  who  in  the  fury  of  his 
displeasure,  stripped  the  city  of  all  its  privileges, 
and  transferred  them  to  Laodicca.  At  the  inter- 
vention however  of  Caracalla,  who  made  it  a 
Roman  colony,  it  was  restored  to  its  former 
rights  and  municipal  consequence,  in  every  re- 
spect but  that  of  exemption  from  tribute,  pay- 
ment of  which  continued  to  be  exacted  from  its 
inhabitants. 

The  coins  of  this  city  are  very  numerous,  in 
brass,  silver,  and  potin.  The  autonomes  em- 
brace not  only  the  earlier  ter  a of  the  Sclencidtc, 
and  of  Alex.  Bala,  king  of  Syria,  but  also  the 
Aetiac  cpoclia  (or  of  Augustus  and  Tiberius),  and 
the  immediately  subsequent  period,  comprising 
Claudius,  Nero,  and  Galba.  But  both  Imperial, 
and  Colonial  Imperial,  from  Galba  down  toYolu- 
sianus  and  Yalcrianus  senior,  exhibit,  with  few 
exceptions,  only  Greek  legends  and  inscriptions. 
— [See  a full  classification  of  them  in  Mionnet, 
vol.  v.  p.  148,  et  seq.  and  Supplmt.  vol.  vii.  p. 
139.] 

The  following  brass  colonial  imperial,  bearing 
solely  Latin  inscriptions,  are  selected  as  examples 
from  among  the  only  extaut  coins  of  this  An- 
tioch, that  come  within  the  plan  of  the  present 
work  to  notice,  viz. : — 

Augustus — 

avgvst.  Tit.  pot. — Lour,  head  of  Augustus. 

Rev.  s.  c.  in  crown  of  laurel. 

imp.  avgvst.  tb.  pot.  Laurcated. 


ANTONIA. 

Rev.  s.  c.  and  same  type. — See  Mionnet. 

Vespasian — 

IMP.  CAESAB  VESPASIAN  AVG. 

Head  of  the  Emperor,  lau- 
/vC, rcated. — Rev.  antiociiia, 

Ifo  \j  female  head  turreted.  (Vail- 

[ Ja  >' '■  lent,  Col.  p.  131). — Similar 

y'l  Jj  reverses  appear  on  coins  of 
t—Jy  Titus  and  Domitian.  The 
Antiocheaus  of  Syria  were 
the  first  to  adhere  to  the 
cause  of  Vespasian,  and  were  zealously  attached 
to  the  Flavian  family. 

Caracalla — 

M.  avb.  antoninvs. — Head  of  Emperor. 

Rev. — col.  met.  ant.  antinonian.  (Colon ia 
Metropolis  Antiociiia  Antoniniana).  A female 
head,  turreted  aud  veiled,  before  which  is  a 
cornucopia;. 

[Mionnet  includes  all  the  coins  of  Antiociiia  ad 
Orontem,  dedicated  to  Caracalla,  amongst  those 
with  Greek  legends. — The  above  Latin,  how- 
ever, are  published  in  the  colonial  scries  of  the 
Museum  Thevpoli. — Eckhel  also  gives  a third 
brass  of  Hadrian,  of  Roman  mintage,  on  the  re- 
verse of  which  is  the  legend  cos.  ill.  s.  c.  and 
the  figure  of  a woman, with  turreted  head,  sitting 
on  a rock,  holding  coni  cars  in  her  right  hand  ; 
a river  god  is  emerging  at  her  feet.  This  he  con- 
siders to  be  a type  of  Antioch  on  the  Orontes.] 

ANTIQYAE. — This  appellation  of  a legion  is 
found  on  a denarius  of  M.  Antony. — leg.  xii. 

ANTIQVAE. 

ANTONIA  gens. — This  family,  says  Yaillant, 
ranks  amongst  the  noblest  of  those,  who  derive 
their  origin  from  the  first  senators  of  the  ancient 
stock,  under  the  kings  of  Home.  According  to 
Plutarch,  it  pretended  to  a descent  from  Anton, 
or  Anteon  (see  the  word,  page  51)  the  son,  or 
companion  of  Hercules.  Such  was  the  vanity  of 
the  Romans,  that  they  ascribed  the  origin  of 
their  great  men  to  their  deities,  or  to  the  sons  of 
their  deities.  The  most  celebrated  personage 
of  the  Antonia  family  was  Marcus  Antonius,  t lie 
Triumvir.  Its  surnames  arc  Bed  bits  and  Naso. 
The  minting  of  the  subjoined  denarius  is  re- 
ferred by  Yaillant  and  Ilavercamp,  with  whom 
Pigghius  concurs,  to  Q.  Antonius  Balbns,  who 
was  Prector  in  Sardinia,  afterwards  ejected  thence 
by  Sulla,  and  slain  in  the  year  of  Rome,  672 
(b.  c.  82).  But  Eckhel,  pointing  to  the  cir- 
cumstance that  the  medal  is  serrated,  shews  it 
to  be  likely  to  have  been  coined  by  a more  an- 
cient Q.  Halims,  when  he  was  Urban  Praetor, 
although  his  name  does  not  appear  in  the  Ro- 
man annals. 


Obv.  Head  of  Jupiter  laurcated,  behind  is  s.  c. 
Rev.  Q.  A(N)TO.  BA(L)B.  PRa/or.— Victor)- 


ANTONIA. 

in  a quadriga,  at  full  speed,  holds  up  the  laurel 
in  her  right  hand ; and  a long  palm  branch 
together  with  the  reins  in  her  lefti 

Morel  gives  a hundred  and  thirty-eight  varieties 
in  the  coins  of  the  Antonia  family.  This  ex- 
traordinary number  arises  from  the  medals  of  M. 
Antonius,  without  his  portrait,  being  classed 
under  that  head. — See  augur  and  legio  ( suis 
locisj. — The  gold  coins  are  rare  in  the  highest 
degree.  The  silver  arc  from  common  to  the 
lowest  degree  of  rarity. 

ANTONIA  Augusta , daughter  of  Marcus  An- 
tonius and  of  Octavia,  married  to  Drusus  senior, 
was  the  mother  of  Gennanicus,  Livilla,  and  (the 
afterwards  emperor)  Claudius.  She  was  born  in 
the  year  of  Rome,  715  or  716  (b.  c.  39  or  38), 
and  died  791  (a.  d.  38),  being  the  second  year  of 
her  grandson  Caligula’s  reign,  who  according  to 
Suetonius,  was  suspected  to  have  caused  her  to 
be  poisoned.  She  is  spoken  of,  by  historians, 
as  a sensible,  amiable  woman ; of  a handsome 
countenance  and  of  graceful  manners ; a noble 
exemplar  of  conjugal  fidelity,  and  of  honourable 
widowhood ; a character  which  remains  unstdlied 
by  the  vague  allegations  of  those  who  male- 
volently imputed  a want  of  proper  feeling  to  one, 
whose  tenderness  as  a wife  had  proved  itself 
too  sincere  to  be  associated,  in  the  same  breast, 
with  maternal  insensibility. 

Her  coins,  in  gold  and  silver,  are  very  rare. — 
The  subjoined  cut  is  engraved  from  one  of  her 
denarii : — 


Oho.  ANTONIA  avgvsta.  Laurelled  head  of 
Antonia. 

Rev.  constantiae  avgvsti.  (To  the  con- 
stancy of  the  emperor — meaning  Claudius.) — Sec 
Constantia. 

The  second  brass  of  Antonia  are  scarce.  One 
of  these  presents  on  one  side  the  head  of  Antonia, 
“ with  her  hair  twisted  to  the  back  of  the  neck, 
and  a countenance  expressive  of  sense  and  mild- 
ness,” and  with  the  legend  antonia  avgvsta. 
The  legend  of  the  reverse  is  ti.  clavdivs  avg. 
l*.  m.  tr.  p.  imp.  and  the  type  a figure  clothed  in 
a long  robe,  and  veiled,  standing  with  a simpuliun 
in  the  right  hand. 

Antonia  was  invested  with  the  title  of  Augusta 
by  her  grandson  (Caius)  Caligida,  who  also 
caused  the  dignity  of  a Vestal  to  be  granted  to 
her.  (See  saceudos  divi.  avgvsti).  But  his 
filial  attachment  having  been  turned  to  hatred, 
no  brass  coins  witli  her  name  and  portraiture 
were  struck  during  her  life-time,  though  the 
coin  above  described,  and  another,  were  after- 
wards dedicated  to  her  memory  by  her  son 
Claudius. — Antonia  was  called  minor,  to  dis- 
tinguish her  from  her  eldest  sister,  whose  name 
was  likewise  Antonia,  and  who  was  married  to 


ANTONINUS.  55 

L.  Domitius  Ahcnobarbus,  the  grandfather  of 
Nero. 


ANTONINUS  PIUS  (Titus  Aurelius  Fulvius 
Bojonius  Arrius)  whose  paternal  race  came 
originally  from  Nismes,  was  born  at  Lanuviuin 
(a  city  of  Latium)  in  the  year  of  Rome  839  (a.  d. 
86.)  He  was  the  son  of  Aurelius  Fulvius — a man 
of  consular  rank — and  of  Anna  Padilla.  Hav- 
ing passed  through  the  offices  of  Quaestor  and 
Praetor,  with  approved  liberality,  he  served  his 
first  Consulship  in  the  year  u.  c.  873,  (a.  d. 
120)  being  then  33  years  of  age,  in  a magnifi- 
cent style.  The  emperor  Hadrian  afterwards 
appointed  him  one  of  the  four  ex-consuls,  to 
whom  the  administration  of  affairs  in  Italy,  was 
committed.  Sent  next  as  Pro-consul  to  Asia, 
he  governed  that  extensive  and  most  important 
province,  with  great  wisdom  and  integrity  ; in- 
somuch as  to  have  exceeded  in  repute  all  his 
predecessors.  On  his  return,  a seat  was  as- 
signed to  him  in  Iladriau’s  council  of  state ; and, 
after  the  death  of  Aelius  his  brother-in-law,  he 
was  invested  with  the  title  of  Caesar,  and  with 
the  Tribunitian  Power,  in  891,  (a.  n.  138.) 
Hadrian  at  the  same  time  adopted  him,  on  the 
condition,  that  he  should  himself  adopt  M. 
Aurelius,  the  son  of  his  wife’s  (Faustina’s)  bro- 
ther, and  L.  Verus,  the  son  of  Aelius  Caesar. 
It  was  then  that  he  took  the  names  of  T.  Aelius 
lladrianus  Antoninus.  The  same  year,  Hadrian 
dying,  Antoninus  received  from  the  Senate  the 
title  of  Augustus,  and  the  surname  of  Pius.  In 
the  year  u.  c.  892  (a.  d.  139)  he  accepted  the 
title  of  Pater  Patna.  In  894  (a.  d.  41)  the 
third  year  of  his  reign,  his  wife  Annia  Galena 
Faustina  died.  In  a.  d.  145,  he  served  his 
14th  consulship,  with  Marcus  Aurelius  Cmsar 
for  his  colleague.  Antoninus  gave  the  toga  virilis 
to  L.  Verus  ; dedicated  a temple  to  his  father 
by  adoption,  lladrianus  ; and  bestowed  a congia- 
rium  on  the  people,  a.  u.  c.  899  (a.  d.  146) 
he  celebrated  with  secular  games,  the  900th  year 
of  the  city;  and  in  901  (A.  D.  148)  paid  the 
vows  due  (solvit  vota)  for  the  first  ten  years  of 
his  reign  (Pnmi.  Decenua/es.)  From  this  pe- 
riod to  the  year  of  Rome  913  (a.  d.  160,)  an- 
cient annals  are  cither  silent,  or  afford  only 
vague  and  uncertain  information,  on  the  subject 
of  events  connected  with  the  imperial  govern- 
ment of  Antoninus ; although  during  that  inter- 
val of  14  years,  a great  variety  of  coins,  bearing 
reverses  of  geographical,  historical,  and  mylho- 


56  ANTONINUS. 

i logically  religions  interest,  arc  extant ; shewing, 
! by  their  legends  and  types,  that  this  emperor 
had  restored  several  public  ediliees,  and  erected 
others,  besides  having  concluded  many  important 
transactions,  and  given  many  public  spectacles 
( and  largesses  to  the  people.  After  a reign  of 
23  years,  which  the  gratitude  of  his  contempo- 
raries has  handed  down  to  the  veneration  of 
mankind,  he  died  in  his  palace  at  Lorium  in 
Etruria,  universally  regretted,  on  the  7th  of 
March,  a.  u.  c.  914  (a.  d.  161)  in  the  75th 
year  of  his  age. 

Antoninus  richly  merited  the  titles  and  dis- 
tinctions conferred  upon  him,  as  well  before  as 
after  his  accession  to  the  throne ; not  only  by 
his  many  and  rare  virtues  as  an  individual,  but 
also  because  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  his 
people  were  the  constant  objects  of  his  care  and 
occupation.  Sagacious,  learned,  eloquent,  benign, 
compassionate,  and  affable,  he  was  peculiarly 
endowed  with  calmness  and  equanimity,  well 
sustained,  however,  on  all  political  occasions,  by 
the  requisite  display  of  energy  and  firmness. 
Kindly  disposed  towards  everybody,  and  free 
from  vindictiveness,  he  anticipated,  by  acts  of 
liberality  and  beneficence,  the  utmost  wishes  of 
his  subjects.  Distinguished  for  probity  of  cha- 
racter and  for  dignity  of  conduct,  he  delighted 
in  rural  retiremement  and  innocent  recreation. 
Well  formed  in  person,  mildly  expressive  in 
physiognomy,  active  in  disposition,  exhibiting 
an  air  which  commanded  respect,  and  a deport- 
ment which  conciliated  the  most  favourable  opi- 
nion ; he  was  plain  in  his  dress,  simple  in  his 
establishments,  frugal  at  his  table.  Living 
w ithin  the  limits  of  his  patrimonial  revenues,  of 
which  a portion  was  always  spared  for  the  relief 
and  solace  of  the  wretched;  he  treated  his  friends 
as  if  he  had  been  their  host  or  their  guest 
rather  than  their  sovereign  master.  Ilis  private 
habits  were  decorous  and  regular,  though  he 
was  not  altogether  proof  against  the  allurements 
of  women.  As  a prince  and  a rider,  his  maxim 
was  to  administer  strict  justice  equally  to  rich 
and  poor,  to  high  and  low',  to  the  weak  and 
humble,  as  well  as  to  the  proud  and  powerfid. 
In  attention  to  the  sacred  ceremonies  and  re- 
ligious institutions  of  his  country,  his  inclina- 
tions seem  to  have  assimilated  with  the  policy  of 
Noma,  whom  he  was  said  to  resemble,  lie 
caused  his  adopted  son,  Marcus  Aurelius,  to 
serve  all  the  state  offices,  and  instructed  him  in 
the  science  of  government,  with  a view  to  qualify 
him  for  the  succession.  Circumspect  in  his 
choice  of  ministers ; vigilant,  wise,  and  for- 
tunate, in  the  management  of  public  affairs,  his 
sole  aim  was  to  rule  the  empire  well,  and  to 
leave  it  in  prosperity  and  peace  to  his  suc- 
cessor. Chosen  as  an  arbitrator  by  kings 
and  peoples,  at  the  most  remote  distauccs 
from  Rome,  he  made  a moral  conquest  of  the 
world  by  his  well-earned  influence  and  pre-emi  - 
nent reputation.  Among  other  nations,  the  Ilvr- 
canians,  and  the  Bactrians,  sent  embassies  of  sub- 
mission to  him.  Sovereign  princes  from  Meso- 
potamia and  from  the  further  East,  jicrsoually 
paid  the  homage  of  their  admiration  to  the  cm- 


ANTONINUS. 

peror  at  his  own  capital.  Through  his  lieutenants 
and  deputies,  he  subdued  and  kept  in  awe  the 
Britons,  the  Mauretanians,  the  Dacians,  and  the 
different  Germanic  tribes ; he  also  suppressed  a 
revolt  of  the  Jews,  and  put  down  rebellions  in  the 
provinces  of  Actinia  and  Egypt.  Under  this  sig- 
nally mild  and  tolerant  prince,  the  Christians  en- 
joyed comparative  freedom  from  persecution,  until 
about  the  12th  year  of  hisreigu  (A.n.  151.)  And 
even  then  he  issued  no  edicts  agaiust  them.  But 
in  consequence  of  bishaving  been  induced,  rashly 
and  unadvisedly,  to  withdraw  his  protection, 
many  virtuous  followers  of  Christianity  were  put 
to  death  under  laws  of  former  emperors.  After- 
wards, however,  his  own  sense  of  humanity  and 
justice  again  prevailed  with  him  to  grant  certain 
indulgences  to  the  Christians,  who  generally  re- 
mained in  peace  and  security  throughout  the  re- 
maining period  of  his  life.  In  his  matrimonial 
union  he  bad  been  unfortunate,  his  consort  being 
a woman  of  dissolute  life.  But  judging  from  the 
honourable  character  of  the  man,  there  is  every 
reason  to  believe,  that  he  deeply  felt  the  disgrace 
which  his  wife’s  misconduct  had  brought  upon 
his  family  and  court,  although  the  impolicy  of 
bringing  her  to  public  shame  probably  operated, 
with  other  motives,  in  inducing  him  to  be  lenient, 
and  even  affectiouate  towards  her  to  the  last. 
Still,  nothing  could  justify  the  bestowal  of 
“divine  honours,”  by  the  Senate,  at  his  own 
gratuitous  solicitation,  on  the  faithless  Faus- 
tina. 

The  funeral  of  Antoninus  was  distinguished 
by  all  the  imposing  ceremonies  of  Consecra- 
tion ; and  his  ashes  were  deposited  in  the  mau- 
soleum of  Hadrian.  To  shew  how  much  he  was 
beloved  by  those  whom  he  governed,  each  Roman 
family  was  accustomed  to  have  a statue  of  him 
in  their  houses.  “ No  wonder,  therefore,  that,” 
as  Spanhcim  observes,  “there  should  have  come 
even  to  our  days  so  many  visible  anil  durable 
monuments  of  his  reign,  some  of  which  also 
remain  to  us,  and  not  falsely,  on  his  coins." — 
These  indeed  arc  abundant,  in  each  metal ; and 
it  is  surprising,  how  many  fine  and  interesting 
brass  medallions  there  are  of  his  mintage. — 
Gold,  common  (except  some  in  the  third  degree 
of  rarity) — Silver,  common  (except  some  in  the 
sixth  degree  of  rarity) — Brass,  common  (ex- 
cept some  in  the  eighth  degree  of  rarity). — lle  is 
thereon  styled  ANTONINVS  XX  Gust  us  PIVS. 
P.  P.  (Pater  Pat  rim) — also  IMP  eraior  CAESor 
T.  AELIVS.  HADRLANVS.  ANTONINVS 
PIVS.  AVG. — The  names  of  Aetins  lladriunus 
(as  has  been  already  mentioned)  were  those  of 
his  adoption. — Some  rare  pieces,  struck  midcr 
this  emperor,  represent  him  with  Hadrian, 
Faustina  senior,  Marcus  Aurelius,  and  Lucius 
F eras. 

[The  portrait  at  the  head  of  this  notice  is 
engraved  after  the  obverse  type  of  a brass  me- 
dallion, one  of  the  finest  in  the  Cabinet  de 
France ; for  the  reverse  of  which  sec  Bacchus 
and  Ariadne .] 

ANTONINE  Coliimu  at  Rome.  This  monu- 
ment is  delineated  on  a large  brass  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius. — Sec  Divo  pio. 


ANTONIUS. 

ANTONIUS  (MARCUS.)— The  celebrated 
Triumvir,  born  about  the  year  of  Rome  671 
(b.  c.  83),  was  the  son  of  M.  Antonins  Crcticus, 
and  grandson  of  Antonius  the  orator,  killed 


in  the  time  of  Marius;  whence  he  is  called, 
on  his  coins,  M arci  F iliut,  M arci  Nejios. — 
Created  Tribune  of  the  people  in  the  year  u.  c. 
704  (b.  c.  50)  at  the  age  of  34,  he  soon  re- 
vealed his  hostility  to  the  Senate  and  Republic, 
by  leaving  Rome  for  Gaul  aud  joining  Julius 
Ciesar,  whom  he  instigated  to  declare  war  against 
Pompeius  a.  u.  c.  705  (b.  c.  49).  It  was  as 
Prefect  that  he  commanded,  with  great  dis- 
tinction, the  left  wing  of  Cicsar’s  army  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Pharsalia  (b.  c.  48).  In  the  year  following, 
Julius  made  him  Gcueral  of  his  cavalry  (magister 
equitum).  He  passed  through  the  different 
grades  of  office  under  the  Commonwealth  ; but 
these  civil  functions  did  not  hinder  him  from 
following  the  Dictator,  to  whose  conquests  he 
lent  his  powerful  aid  in  Egypt  and  in  Asia. — 
Consul  in  the  year  B.  c.  44,  lie  caused  the 
murdered  Julius  to  be  placed  in  the  ranks  of 
the  Gods,  delivered  Cmsar’s  funeral  oration, 
read  his  will,  and  exposed  his  dead  body,  to 
the  people.  Antonius  opposed,  by  every  means 
within  his  reach,  though  eventually  without 
success,  the  claim  of  Octavius  to  the  heirship 
of  his  uncle ; and  endeavoured  to  render  himself 
master  of  the  government.  1 n the  year  of  Rome 

711  (B.  c.  43),  the  Senate,  at  the  suggestion  of 
Cicero,  declared  him  enemy  of  the  country.  He 
thereupon  assumed  the  government  of  Cisalpine 
Gaul.  Caisar  Oetaviauus  (afterwards  Augustus) 
with  the  consuls  Hirtius  and  I’ansa,  was  scut 
against  him  at  the  head  of  a great  army,  and  de- 
feated him  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Bologna. 
But  both  consuls  were  slain  in  the  battle;  and 
Octavianus  became  commander  in  chief  of  the 
victorious  legions,  at  the  early  age  of  21. — 
Antonius  now  joined  Lcpidus  in  Gallia  Narbon- 
ensis ; and  Octavianus  seeing  the  policy  of  a 
reconciliation,  entered  with  those  two  men  into 
that  infamous  treaty  of  proscription,  mis-callcd 
Triumviratus  causa  reipnblicce  constituendce, 
by  which,  in  reality,  wholesale  murder  and  con- 
fiscation were  organised,  and  the  slavery  of  the 
Romans  was  finally  consummated.  In  the  year 

712  (b.  c.  42),  Antonius,  united  to  Octavianus, 
vanquished  Brutus  and  Cassius  at  Philippi.  In 

713  (b.  c.  41)  at  the  head  of  his  legions  he 
overran  Greece,  Cappadocia,  and  Cilicia,  display- 
ing a more  than  Asiatic  pomp,  whilst  lie  arbi- 
trated on  the  fate,  or  adjusted  the  differences, 
of  kings.  It  was  during  this  luxurious  expedi- 
tion of  his,  that,  Cleopatra  having  given  him 
the  meeting  at  Tarsus,  he  became  so  enamoured 

I 


ANTONIUS.  57 

of  that  artful  woman,  as  to  take  the  fatal  step  of 
follow  ing  her  to  Alexandria,  -where  he  secretly 
married  her. — In  714  (b.  c.  42)  irritated  by 
his  wife  Fulvia  against  Octavianus,  Antonius 
returned  to  Italy,  and  affairs  looked  warlike ; 
but  Fulvia  dying,  peace  was  restored  between 
the  two  rival  triumvirs.  A division  of  territorial 
possessions  took  place  (b.  c.  40)  Antonius 
kept  the  east  for  his  portion,  whilst  Octavianus 
retained  the  west,  and  moreover  gave  liis 
sister  Octavia  in  marriage  to  his  colleague. 
[See  octavia.]  Marcus  then  sent  Ventidius 
against  the  Parthians,  who,  under  the  refugee 
Labienus  (see  the  word),  had  been  laying  waste 
the  Roman  province  of  Asia.  In  715  (b.  c. 
39),  Ventidius  routed  the  Parthians  with  great 
slaughter,  and  Labienus  wras  slain.  At  the 
close  of  the  same  year,  Antonius  set  out  with 
his  wife  Octavia  from  Rome  and  wintered  at 
Athens.  In  716  (b.  c.  38)  by  his  Legates,  C. 
Sosius  [the  same  who,  as  one  of  the  triumvir’s 
monevers,  struck  the  coin  engraved  above],  be 
overcame  Antigonus,  King  of  Judica,  w hom,  after 
scourging,  he  beheaded,  aud  then  bestowed  the 
kingdom  on  Herod  the  Great.  At  the  close  of 
that  year,  Ventidius  having  again  beaten  the 
Parthians,  and  Pacorus,  son  of  King  Orodes 
being  slain  in  battle,  Antonius  took  his  first  Par- 
thian triumph.  In  the  year  u.  c.  717  (b.  c.  37)  he 
returned  to  Rome,  ostensibly  to  assist  Octavianus 
against  Sextus  Pompeius.  [See  Eckhel,  vi.  45.] 
The  following  year,  after  making  a disgraceful 
shew  of  going  into  Parthia  and  Media,  he  revi- 
sited Egypt,  and  (to  the  great  displeasure  of  the 
Romans),  distributed  various  cities  and  terri- 
tories amongst  the  children  borne  to  him  by 
Cleopatra. 

In  719  (b.  c.  35),  Sextus  Pompeius,  having,  in 
the  preceding  year,  been  defeated  by  Octavianus 
Ciesar,  and  become  a wanderer  through  Asia, 
Antonius  caused  him  to  be  decapitated  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  Sangaris  in  Phrygia.  Same 
year,  proceeding  from  Egypt  towage  war  against 
the  King  of  Armenia,  he  learnt  that  his  wife 
Octavia  was  on  her  way  to  join  him.  At  the 
importunate  entreaties  of  the  seductive  Cleopatra, 
he  sent  orders  to  Athens  that  she  should  go  back 
to  Rome : soon  after  which,  leaving  the  affairs 
of  his  military  expedition  unaccomplished,  lie 
returned  to  the  embraces  of  the  Egyptian  Queen. 
— a.  u.  c.  720  (b.  c.  34).  In  the  spring  of 
this  year,  being  in  Armenia,  he,  by  a fraudulent 
manoeuvre,  captured  King  Artavasdes,  and  carried 
that  unfortunate  monarch,  with  his  wife  aud 
children,  in  triumph  to  Alexandria.  He  then 
bestowed  the  finest  provinces  of  Asia  and  Africa 
on  his  own  children  by  Cleopatra, — a.  u.  c.  721, 

722  (b.  c.  33-32).  It  was  after  returning  from 
his  inglorious  campaign  in  Parthia  and  Armenia, 
that  lie  divorced  his  wife  Octavia,  and  insult- 
ingly sent  her  to  Rome.  The  following  year 

723  (b.  c.  31),  in  contempt  of  the  law,  he 
assumed  the  consulate  (for  the  third  time,  as  bis 
coins  shew).  The  marriage  of  Antonius  with 
Cleopatra  having  drawn  upon  him  the  hatred  of 
bis  countrymen,  Ciesar  took  advantage  of  it,  not 
less  to  serve  his  own  ambitious  designs,  than  to 


58  ANTONIUS.  ANTONIUS. 


in  Asia,  with  the  eftigics  of  Antonius  and  of  to  connect  them  with  his  well-known  love  of 
Cleopatra,  either  joined,  or  on  separate  sides. — parade  and  ostentation.” — (Lecture  vii.  181.) 

On  the  reverse  of  one  of  these  is  the  head  of  Plutarch  informs  us,  that  in  the  trimming  of 
Cleopatra  (or  of  Octavia)  on  a ristus  between  two  his  beard,  the  breadth  of  forehead,  and  the 
serpents;  on  another  the  figure  of  llucchus  on  aquiline  nose,  Antony  resembled  the  statue  of 


ANTONIUS. 

Hercules;  aiul  a tradition  existed  that  the 
Antonii  derived  their  origin  from  that  demi-god 
through  his  son  Anton,  or  Anteon.  Acconding 
to  Appian,  Octavianus  intimated  to  Antony,  that 
Julius  Crcsar  had  deliberated  whether  he  should 
name  him  his  successor,  and  that  the  sole 
obstacle  in  the  way  was  the  doubt,  whether  his 
pride  would  brook  the  change  from  the  family  of 
Hercules  to  that  of  rEucas.  It  was,  doubtless, 
his  exultation  in  this  idea  of  high  descent  that 
led  to  his  being  exhibited,  in  the  dress  of  Her- 
cules, ou  Alexandrine  coins,  and  on  coutorniatc 
medals.  That  this  lion  of  Antony  should  be  re- 
presented clasping  a dagger  in  his  paw,  does  not 
appear  susceptible  of  explanation  ; but  it  is  re- 
markable, (says  Eckliel,  vi.  44),  that  there  was 
precisely  the  same  device,  on  a ring  of  Pompey 
the  Great;  for  Plutarch  says,  that  there  was 
engraven  on  it  “ a lion  holding  a sword.” 

ANT.  (M.)  IMPER.  COS.  DESIGN.  ITER. 
ET.  TER.  IIIVIR.  R.  P.  C.— Two  heads  joined, 
viz.,  the  bare  head  of  Marcus  Autonius,  and  a 
female  head  (that  of  Cleopatra,  says  Ilaver- 
camp),  adorned  with  the  diadem. 

'Rev. M.  OPPIVS  CAPITO.  PKOPR.  PRAEF. 

ci.assi.  f.  c. — (Pro  Prcetore  Prafectus  Classi 
Fieri  Curavit.) — Two  clothed  figures,  standing 
on  a quadriga  of  sea  horses. 

The  above  legends  and  types  appear  on  what 
is  given  in  Morel  and  Vaillant  under  the  Oppia 
family,  as  a middle  brass  coin.  Although,  among 
the  prefects  of  Antony,  whose  names  arc  en- 
graven on  his  coins,  that  of  M.  Oppius  Capito 
occurs  on  no  less  than  seven,  yet  ancient  history 
supplies  nothing  respecting  him. — See  Thesaur. 
Oppia,  fig.  d.  p.  305. 

The  two  following  pieces  belong  to  a class  of 
medals  called  Cistophori  (see  the  word). 

1.— ANTONI  VS  (M.)  IMP.  COS.  DESIG. 
ITER.  ET  TERT.  (Marcus  Antonins,  Imperator, 
Consul  Desiynatus,  Iterum  et  Tertium). — The 
head  of  Mark  Antony  jugated  with  that  of  a 
woman:  the  former  is  wreathed  with  ivy,  the 
latter  is  bare. 

Rev. — niviR.  r.  P.  c.  (Triumvir  Reipublica 
Constituendrc.)— Bacchus,  clothed  in  the  stola, 
holding  in  his  right  hand  the  cantharus  (a  flagon) 
and  in  his  left  the  thyrsus,  stands  on  the  cista 
mystica,  between  two  serpents. 

The  whole  legend,  that  of  the  obverse  followed 
by  that  of  the  reverse,  reads — Mark  Antony, 
Imperator  (i.  c.  General  in  chief),  Consid  Elect 
for  the  second  and  third  time.  Triumvir  to 
form  (or  reform)  the  Republic. — Engraved  in 
llavercamp,  Medailles  de  Christine,  tab.  xlii. 
fig.  13. — Silver  medallion,  struck  in  Asia. 

The  woman’s  head  jugated  with  that  of  the 
Triumvir  on  the  above  two  coins,  has  given  rise 
to  much  controversial  argument ; some  learned 
numismatists  regarding  it  as  that  of  Queen  Cleo- 
patra, whilst  others  consider  it  to  represent 
Octavia,  sister  of  Octavianus,  and  the  lawful 
wife  of  Antony. — For  the  pros  and  cons  of  this 
question,  see  Eckhel’s  commentary,  vol.  vi.  p.  58, 
et  seq. — For  an  explauation  of  the  legends,  see 

IMPER. — COS.  DESIG. — and  PROPR.  PRAEF.  &C. 

in  their  places. 

I 2 


ANTONIUS.  59 

2.— ANTONIUS  (M.)  IMP.  COS.  DESIG. 
ITER.  ET,  TERT. — Head  of  Mark  Antony 
crowned  with  ivy. 

Rev. — iiivir.  r.  p.  c. — The  mystic  chest  or 
basket  of  Bacchus,  between  two  serpents,  and 
surmounted  by  the  bare  head  of  a woman. — On 
a silver  medallion  of  Antony,  struck  in  Asia. 


It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  crown  of 
ivy  was  one  of  the  attributes  of  Bacchus.  An- 
tony, who  as  a Roman  claimed  lineage  with 
Hercules,  wishing  to  pass  himself  off  for  Bacchus, 
in  his  oriental  expeditions,  the  Asiatics,  with 
whom  these  Cistophori  originated,  sought  to  ren- 
der themselves  agreeable  to  him  by  restoring 
this  Bacchanalian  type  on  the  coins  which  they 
minted  in  honour  of  the  Triumvir.  It  was  for 
the  same  reason  that  the  types  of  the  coins  of 
the  great  Mithridates,  King  of  Pontus,  were  in- 
cluded in  similar  crowns.  The  people  of  Asia 
Minor  regarded  that  prince  as  a god  sent  from 
heaven  to  emancipate  them  from  the  Roman 
yoke,  and  they  likened  him  to  Bacchus,  by  a 
sort  of  superstitious  adulation  which  was  pecu- 
liar to  them. 

And  now  the  same  Antony,  who  on  a coi  n of 
the  year  u.  c.  715  (b.  c.  39),  is  seen  playing 
the  part  of  Hercules,  is  here  to  he  recognised  as 
Bacchus  by  his  crown  of  ivy,  whilst  abundant 
testimony  of  ancient  writers  goes  to  confirm  the 
present  record  of  his  apotheosis.  Dion  Cassius 
and  Seneca  both  relate,  that  Antony,  ou  his  re- 
turn from  Italy  into  Greece,  in  the  year  above- 
named,  styled  himself  a second  Bacchus,  this 
title  being  even  inscribed  ou  his  statues;  and  that 
he  insisted  on  its  being  accorded  to  him  by 
others.  And  when  the  Athenians  went  out  to 
meet  him,  they  saluted  him  as  Bacchus  (an 
honour  which,  according  to  Diogenes  Laertius, 
they  had  already  conferred  on  Alexander  the 
Great),  and  begged  that  he  would  not  disdain  to 
accept  their  Minerva  in'marriage.  To  this  he 
replied  that  he  approved  of  the  arrangement,  but 
demanded  as  dowry  40,000  sestertii. — Seneca 
adds,  that  this  appearing  too  hard  a condition,  one 
of  the  Greeks  present  said  to  Antony, — “ My 
Lord,  Jupiter  took  thy  mother  Semele  without 
a dowry.”  Socrates,  the  Rhodian,  in  Athenams, 
tells  us  that  Antony  himself,  during  a Bacchic 
procession,  commanded  that  he  should  be  pro- 
claimed as  Bacchus  by  the  voice  of  the  herald. — 
What  Plutarch  records  to  the  same  effect,  oc- 
curred two  years  previously.  For  he  says,  that 
having  gone  into  Asia  after  the  defeat  of  Brutus, 
and  entered  Ephesus,  he  was  received  hy  the 
women  attired  as  Bacchanals,  and  by  the  men 
and  boys,  as  satyrs  and  pans,  aud  was  saluted 


60  ANTONIUS. 


ANTONIUS. 


openly  as  Bacchus,  the  benignant  anil  genial, 
and  that  the  whole  city  was  tilled  with  ivy, 
thyrsi , psalteries,  pipes,  and  flutes.  This  record 
respecting  Ephesus  has  the  greater  weight,  be- 
cause these  coins,  which  present  to  us  Antony  in 
the  character  of  Bacchus,  were  struck  iu  the  pro- 
vince of  Asia,  where  it  is  ascertained  beyond  a 
doubt  that  all  the  Cistophori  first  saw  the  light. 
But  it  is  also  well-known,  that  Antony  was  not 
the  first  nor  the  only  one  upon  whom  the  same 
Asiatics  conferred  all  the  honours  due  to  Bacchus. 
(Phis  is  shewn  iu  the  instances  of  Alexander 
the  Great,  and  Mithridates,  already  cited.) — 
Nor  indeed  did  this  infatuation  of  Mark  An- 
tony’s give  place  to  time;  for  Velleius  informs 
us,  that  he,  “ with  a crown  of  ivy  and  gold,  and 
holding  a thyrsus,  and  with  buskins  ou  his  legs, 
was  carried  into  Alexandria  on  a car,  as  Liber 
Paler  ” and  this  piece  of  madness  may  be  seen 
confirmed  by  an  enduring  monument,  iu  the  coin- 
age of  Balanea  in  Syria.  That  his  favourite 
Cleopatra  might  not  he  wanting  iu  her  own 
celestial  honours,  he  called  himself,  while  iu 
Egypt,  Osiris  and  Liber  Pater,  and  her  Luna  and 
Isis. — Of  the  date  of  both  these  coins  nothing 
cau  be  said,  than  they  were  struck  before  the 
year  u.  c.  720  (b.  c.  34),  as  we  learn  from  the 
eousulate  inscribed  upon  them. — See  Eckhcl,  vi. 
64,  et  seq. 

ANTONIUS  (Marcus  the  younger)  son  of  the 
Triumvir,  by  Fulvia  his  second  wife. — Invested 
with  the  toga  virilis,  after  the 
fatal  day  of  Actium,  he  was, 
subsequently  to  his  father’s 
suicide,  put  to  death,  by  or- 
der of  Ootavianus,  at  the  foot 
of  Cicsar’s  statue  in  Egypt, 
on  the  30th  of  April,  in  the 
year  of  Koine  723  (is.  c.  31.) 

The  above  coin,  in  gold,  of  the  usual  size,  is 
ascribed  to  this  young  man,  as  minted  at  Koine, 
viz.,  M.  ANTONIVS.  M.  F.  Bare  head  of 
Antonv  the  son. 

Rev.  ANTON.  AYGar.  IMP.  III.  COS.  RES 
III.  II1VIK.  R.  P.  C.  Bare  head  of  the  Father. 

Mionuet  gives  this  aureus,  as  one  of  the  first 
rarity,  valuing  it  at  1000  francs. — According  to 
Eckhel  there  are  two  specimens  of  it  extaut  : 
the  one  is  in  the  Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna  ; 
the  other,  formerly  in  Peter  Seguin’s  collection, 
is  now  in  the  French  Cabinet  at  Paris. — See 
Seguiu,  Select  a Nuviismata,  p.  112. 

ANTONIUS  (CAIUS)  brother  of  the  Trium- 
vir. There  are  neither  gold  nor  brass  coins  of 
this  person,  but  a very  rare  silver  coin  of  the 
Antonia  gens,  without  portrait,  is  considered  to 
bear  his  name  and  title,  as  the  legend  of  its 
obverse : — viz. 

C.  ANTONIVS  Mum  Yilius.  PRO-CO»S«/. 
Bust  of  a woman  with  a broad  shallow-lint. — Rev. 
PONTIFEX.  The  securis  (or  axe)  and  two 
simpnvia  (or  sacrificial  vessels). — Eugraved  in 
Morcll.  Antonia  gens,  tab.  i.  fig.  v. 

It  has  been  made  matter  of  controversy  ns  to 
which  of  the  two  Antouii  this  denarius  is  rightly 
assignable  to.  One  of  them  is  C.  Antonins,  bro- 


ther of  Marcus.  The  other,  the  C.  Antonins  who 
was  Cicero’s  colleague  in  the  consulship,  and 
who  was  the  Triumvir’s  cousin  -gertnau. — Eck- 
hcl, who  places  the  coin  in  question  amongst 
those  of  Mark  Antony’s,  struck  in  the  year  u.  c. 
718  (n.  c.  42)  gives  some  apparently  good  rea- 
sons for  adhering  himself  to  the  opinion  more 
generally  prevailing  amongst  numismatic  anti- 
quaries, and  which  assigns  the  coin  to  the  bro- 
ther of  Mark  Antony.  This  Cuius  Antonins 
fought  against  Catiline.  On  the  death  of  Julius 
Ciesar  he  was  sent  as  Pro-Consul  into  Mace- 
donia, and  was  there  defeated  by  Brutus,  who 
took  him  prisoner,  and  put  him  to  death,  44  or 
43  years  before  the  Christian  icra. — The  pileus 
on  the  woman’s  head  is,  doubtless,  the  broad 
shallow  hat,  worn  by  the  Macedonians,  but 
whether  it  was  meant  (as  Ilavcrcamp  contests), 
to  allude  to  Macedonia,  of  which  C.  Antonins 
had.  the  government,  is  not  so  certain.  He  is 
called  on  this  coin  PONTIFEX — a dignity,  which 
he  seems  to  have  obtained  from  Julius,  w hen  that 
ruler  augmented  the  priesthood. — Doctrina,  vi. 


41. 


ANTONIUS  (LUCIUS)  another  brother  of 
Mark  Antony.  The  follow  ing  coin,  in  gold  and 
silver  (unique  in  the  former)  is  extaut,  and  at- 
tributed to  him  : — viz. 


L.  ANTONIVS.  COS.  Bare  head  of  Lucius 
Antonius. 

Rev. — M.  ANT.  IMP.  AVO.  1I1VIR.  R.  P.  C.  M. 
NEUVA  froq.  p.  ( Marcus  Antonius  Imperator 
Augur  Triumvir  Reipub/icis  Const it  vendee. 
Marcus  Nerva  Proquastor  Provincial  is  (by  whom 
the  coin  was  struck.) — Bare  head  of  Mark 
Antony. 

Declared  in  the  year  of  Rome  protector  of  the 
thirty  tribes,  he  was  appointed  Consul  in  713, 
(b.  c.  41.) — During  the  absence  of  Mark  Antony 
in  Asia,  Lucius  originated  what  historians  call 
the  Pcrusinian  war  (helium  Penuinum)  by  ex- 
citing the  people  of  Etruria  against  Octavianns 
Ctesar,  who  had  divided  their  lands  amongst  his 
veteran  legionaries.  The  Consul  defended  him- 
| self  in  Penisia  against  the  besieging  forces  of 
Augustus  and  Agrippa,  by  whom  he  was  taken 
prisoner : but  he  afterwards  made  his  peace  with 
Ciesar,  who  gave  him  the  governorship  of  Spain. 
The  time  of  his  death,  like  that  of  his  birth, 
remains  unkuown. 

ANVBIS,  one  of  the  monster-gods  of  Egypt. 
— See  his  dog-headed  figure  on  a brass  coin  of 
Julianus  II.  with  lcgcud  vota  tvblica. 

ANXUR,  a city  of  Latium,  in  the  country  of 
the  Volseiaus,  afterwards  made  a Roman  colony ; 
now  Terracina,  the  episcopal  see  of  the  Cum- 
pagna  di  Roma.  Virgil  makes  mention  of  this 
ancient  place  ns  connected  with  the  worship  of 
Jupiter. — Sec  axvb. 


APAMEA. 

APAMEA  (Bithyniae)  co/onia,  now  Merla \ 
niah-Mudagna,  in  Asiatic  Turkey.  There  were 
several  Greek  cities  of  this  name  (Apameia)  but 
that  situated  in  Bithynia,  on  the  southern  shores 
of  the  Propontis  (Sea  of  Marmora)  near  the 
mouth  of  the  river  anciently  called  Khyndacus, 
was  the  only  Apamea,  on  which  the  Homans 
bestowed  the  rank  and  privileges  of  a colony ; 
and  as  such  it  is  mentioned  by  Pliny  (l.  v.  c.  32.) 
It  was  at  first  called  Myrlea,  and  afterwards  re- 
ceived the  appellation  of  Apamea  from  King 
Prusias,  in  honour  of  his  wife  Apame.  In  the 
civil  wars,  the  Apameanians  took  the  side  of 
Juliu^Csesar  agaiust  Pompcy  ; and  it  was  under 
Augustus  that  their  city  became  colonial.  Its  sera 
is  457  of  the  foundation  of  Rome  (297  B.  c.) 

The  Latin  coins  of  Apamea  (besides  a few  Au- 
tonomes)  consist  of  colonial  imperial,  in  brass 
These  commence  with  Julius  Caesar  and  Augus- 
tus : a cessation  of  coining  theu  apparently  oc- 
curred (with  the  exception  of  a Germanicus 
Caesar  and  of  an  Agrippina,  jun.,  struck  under 
Caligula)  till  the  reign  of  Nero — Then  no  more 
are  to  be  found  till  we  come  to  Titus,  whence 
there  is  a skip  to  Trajan,  and  again  to  Antoni- 
nus Pius,  and  M.  Aurelius  ; thence  the  list  in 
Mionnet  displays  a dedicatory  scries  of  coins  to 
consecutive  emperors,  with  comparatively  few 
omissions,  as  far  down  as  Gallienus.  The  legends 
of  their  reverses  are  ns  follow  : — 

C.  I.  C.  A.  D.  D.— and  C.  I.  C.  A.  P.  A.  D.  D. 
(Abbreviations  for,  Co/onia  Julia  Concordia 
Apamea,  Decreto  Decnrionum.)  CONC. 
A PAM.— C.  I.  C.  A.  GENIO  P.  R.  D.  D.— 
APOLLINI  CLARfwi.  C.  I.  C.  A.— I.  A.  A.  P.  A. 
COL.  IVL.  A PAM.— COL.  IVL.  CONC.  AV- 
G usla  APAM. — COL.  A PAM.  AVGw^a.— 
IVL.  CONCORD.  APAM.  AVG.  D.  D.— CO- 
LON1A.  IVL.  CONC.  AVG.  APAM. 

A second  brass  of 
this  colony  (given  in 
Pellerin, Melange,  i.  pi. 
xxii.  No.  4)  presents  on 
its  obverse  imp.  c.  p. 

I.IC.  VALERI  ANUS.  AVG. 

with  the  radiated  head 
of  Valerianus  senior. 
On  the  reverse,  (as  on 
the  annexed  engraving) 
are  for  legend  col.  ivl.  conc.  avg.  apam;  and 
for  type,  the  Indian  Bacchus,  naked  to  the 
waist ; he  stands  holding  the  cant  haras  (or 
wine-pitcher)  in  his  right  hand,  and  supporting 
himself  with  his  left  hand  resting  on  a pole, 
round  which  is  entwined  a vine-branch  with 
grapes.  At  his  feet  a panther.  In  the  field  of 
the  coin  the  letters  d.  d. 

There  arc  various  other  types  of  reverses,  as 
the  subjoined  alphabetical  classification  of  them 
serves  to  shew : — 

Apollo  C/arius  (see  the  word)  standing  with 
patera,  aud  bow,  as  in  M.  Aurelius. 

AEneas,  Anchises,  and  Ascanius ; in  the  usual 
inode  of  representing  that  family  group  ; as  in 
Caracalla,  (sec  Pellerin  Melange,  pi.  xviii.  No. 
7,  p.  290),  Macrinus,  and  Alex.  Severus. 

Bacchus  stands,  presenting  with  one  hand  a 


APAMEA.  61 

bunch  of  grapes  to  a panther,  and  holding  the 
thyrsus  in  the  other  ; as  in  Geta,  and  Trajanus 
Decius. 

On  a coin  of  Volusianus,  the  Indian  Bacchus, 
stands  clothed  in  a long  robe,  and  bearded,  a 
chlamgs  falling  from  the  top  of  his  shoulders : 
he  holds  in  his  right  hand  the  cantharus, 
and  carries  the  left  hand  to  his  head : at  his 
feet  is  a panther,  (Mionnet,  Suppl,  t.  v.  p.  12, 
et  seq.) 

Colonist,  or  Priest,  ploughing  with  two  oxen; 
as  in  Nero,  Antoninus,  and  Gallienus. 

Diana  Lucifera  w'alking,  with  a torch  in  each 
hand;  as  in  M.  Aurelius,  and  J.  Donma. 

Fortune,  with  her  usual  attributes ; as  in  An- 
toninus Pius,  Philip  sen.,  and  Gallienus. 

Galley,  with  three  rowers ; as  in  Commodus, 
Gordianus  Pius,  Tranquilliua,  Otacilia,  Philip 
jun.,  Trcbonianus  Gallus,  and  Gallienus. 

Genius  Populi  Romani,  c.  I.  c.  A.  Half  naked 
male  figure,  stands  with  rudder  in  right  hand, 
and  cornucopia:  in  the  left ; as  iu  Antoninus  Pius. 

Genius  of  Apamea,  represented  under  the 
same  personification  and  attributes  as  the  pre- 
ceding reverse,  struck  under  Gallienus. 

Jupiter,  seated,  holding  the  patera  and  the 
hasta,  as  in  Caracalla ; or  standing,  with  the 
lower  extremities  covered  with  the  pallium,  the 
right  hand  raised,  the  hasta  para  in  the  left. — 
A lighted  altar,  aud  the  letters  d.  d.  in  the  field, 
as  in  Gallienus. 

Military  Ensigns. — The  legionary  eagle  be- 
tween two  standards ; (or  3,  4,  and  5 ensigns  on 
a reverse),  as  iu  Nero  and  Caracalla. — [These 
j says  Vaillant,  are  insignia  of  the  veteran  legion- 
aries originally  placed  iu  the  colony  either  by 
Julius  or  Augustus,  and  doubtless  intended  to 
shew  the  antiquity  of  its  establishment  under 
the  Romans ; but  none  of  the  coins  yet  disco- 
vered exhibit  the  name  of  the  legion,  which  was 
sent  to  Apamea. — Col.  ii.  228.] 

Romulus,  Remus,  and  the  Wolf;  as  in  VI. 
Aurelius,  Caracalla,  Maximus,  aud  Philip  the 
younger. 

Soldier,  standing  on  a trireme  ; as  in  Trajan, 
and  in  Antoninus. 

Venus,  seated  on  a dolphin,  a rudder  in  her 
right  hand  aud  the  aplustrum  in  her  left ; as  in 
Commodus ; or  carrying  a Cupid  in  her  right 
hand ; or  standing  as  the  goddess  of  beauty,  on  a 
coin  of  Julia  Domna. — [The  latter  exhibits  for 
the  legend  of  its  reverse  venvs.  c.  i.  c.  a.  avg. 
d.  D.  and  for  type  the  Venus  Pudica  — M.  Du 
Mersan,  in  his  description  of  select  coins  in  the 
Allier  de  llautcroche  cabinet  (pi.  x.  No.  19)  has 
given,  as  usual  with  him,  a beautiful  engraving 
of  this  elegant  colonial  imperial.]  See  venus 
pudica. 

Victory,  walking,  ■with  a buckler  in  one  hand 
and  an  oar  in  the  other,  as  in  Julius  Csesar ; or 
w alking  with  lawcl  crown  and  palm  branch,  as  in 
Gallienus. 

Woman,  turreted,  with  right  hand  raised, 
standing  before  a lighted  altar,  as  in  Gallienus ; 
or  lielmctcd,  standing  with  patera  and  cornu- 
copia:, as  in  Titus;  or  seated  on  a dolphin,  a 
small  figure  of  Victory  in  the  right,  and  the 


G2  APEX, 

acrostolium  in  the  left;  as  in  Julia  Domna. — 
Woman  seated  on  a dolphin,  which  is  swimming 
on  the  waves ; she  has  her  right  hand  extended 
over  the  head  of  the  fish,  and  with  her  left  hand 
she  covers  herself  with  a light  drapery ; as  in 
Geta. — Vaillant. 

Amongst  the  numerous  instances  in  which 
Pellerin  supplies  descriptions  and  engravings  of 
colonial  coins,  not  given  in  Vaillant’s  work,  is  an 
elegant  one  minted  in  this  colony,  under  M. 
Aurelius,  having  the  young  head  of  the  emperor, 
and  for  legend  and  type  of  reverse  dianae 
lvcif,  c.  l.  c.  a.  Diana  walking,  with  a lighted 
torch  in  each  hand. — Melange , i.  pi.  xvii.  p.  279- 

In  a communication  from  Mr.  Borrell,  of 
Smyrna,  addressed  to  the  Editor  of  the  Numis- 
matic Chronicle  (Mr.  Akerinan),  and  inserted 
in  No.  xix.  (for  Jan.  1843,  p.  190)  of  that 
periodical,  are  given  three  (till  then)  unedited 
coins  of  this  colony,  viz.,  a Caligula  with  reverse 
of  Germanicus,  a Julia  Domna,  and  a Cara- 
calla. 

A PART II.  RECVPER.  A Parthis  Recu- 
peratis. — Recovered  from  the  Parthians.  This 
alludes  to  military  ensigns,  re-captured  from,  or 
restored  by,  those  formidable  enemies  of  both 
Consular  and  Imperial  Rome.  On  gold  and 
silver  of  Augustus. — See  civib.  et  sig.  mii, it. 

APER. — See  Boar. 

APEX,  a covering  for  the  head,  somewhat  re- 
sembling a bishop’s  mitre,  for  which  its  form  pro- 
bably in  after  ages  furnished  a pattern.  On  the 
to])  was  a pointed  piece  of  wood,  the  base  of  which 
was  surrounded  by  a little  woollen  tuft.  Two 
filaments  of  the  same  material,  hanging  from  the 
bottom  of  it,  served  to  fasten  it  under  the 
chin.  The  derivation  of  this  word  is  not  satis- 
factorily explained  by  learned  writers.  But  its 
sometimes  round — sometimes  conical  shape — and 
the  pointed  tassel  on  the  top  (Apes-)  most  pro- 
bably gave  the  name  to  the  cap  itself.  It  seems 
to  have  been  first  used  by  the  Salian  priests,  and 
was  afterwards  worn  by  the  Pontifex  Maximus 
and  the  F/amines  generally.  [The  various  forms 
of  the  Apex,  and  its  appearance  on  the  head 
of  one  of  the  Roman  priests,  are  shewn  and  ex- 
plained in  the  Dirtionary  of  G.  and  It.  Anti- 
quities, edited  by  Dr.  IV.  Smith.] 

The  Apex  is  found  on  a denarius  of  the 
Quinctia  gens,  as  indicating  the  connection  of 
Quinctius  Flaminius  with  the  priesthood  of 
Jupiter.  As  a symbol  of  Valerius  Flaccus  being 
a Salian,  or  priest  of  Mare,  it  appears  on  a 
coin  of  the  Valeria  gens.  The  same  is  also 
seen  between  two  ancii.ia,  on  a silver  coin  of 
P.  stolo,  of  the  Licinia  family,  a monetary  tri- 
umvir of  Augustus.  These  apices,  or  head 
gear,  worn  by  the  members  of  the  sacerdotal 
order,  whilst  performing  religious  ceremonies, 
are  to  be  seen  on  other  family  and  consular 
coins,  especially  on  those  of  the  Julia  gens.  On 
many  of  these  it  is  also  exhibited,  in  combination 
with  the  securis  (or  slaughtering  axe),  the  prrt- 
fericulum  (vnse  for  wine,  &t\),  and  the  asper- 
gillum (water-sprinkler),  all  which  sacrificial 
instruments  serve  to  mark  the  Pontificate  of 
Julius  Cicsar. — Sec  ancii.ia,  p.  45  of  this  work. 


APLUSTRUM. 

A.  P.  F.  Argento  Publico  Feriundo. — On 
gold  and  silver  of  the  Livincia  and  Mussidia 
families,  the  legend  of  the  reverse  reads  l. 
REGVLVS  iiiivir.  a.  P.  f. — Referring  to  the 
Triumvir,  or  as  in  this  case,  Quatuorvir,  one  of 
the  principal  officers  of  the  Roman  mint,  ap- 
pointed to  superintend  the  gold  and  silver  coin- 
age of  the  Republic. 

APIS. — The  sacred  bull,  which  the  ancient 
Egyptians  worshipped  under  this  name  at  Mem- 
phis, was  consecrated  to  the  moon  (Isis);  as 
another  bull,  at  Heliopolis  was,  under  the  name 
of  Mnecis,  dedicated  to  the  sun  (Osiris).  Ac- 
cording to  the  belief  which  the  Egyptian  yriests 
took  care  to  inculcate,  Apis  was  the  offspring  of 
a cow,  rendered  fertile  by  a ray  of  the  moon 
coming  over  her  in  a supernatural  manner.  Ilis 
appearance  was  that  of  a bull  with  black  and 
white  spots.  IVhcu  the  animal  died,  search  was 
made  for  another  bull  of  the  same  pseudo- 
miraculous  origin  ; and  if  perchance  his  life  was 
terminated  before  the  appointed  time,  all  Egypt 
put  on  mourning  until  he  was  replaced.  His 
successor  was  chosen  with  great  care,  as  to 
the  same  bodily  marks,  being  honoured  with 
equal  veneration  in  his  sanctuary.  He  served 
as  an  oracle  both  to  Egyptians  and  to  foreigners. 
Julius  Cicsar,  Germanicus,  Vespasian,  and  many 
other  Romans  of  eminence,  travelled  to  Memphis 
to  see  and  adore  this  “ divine”  quadruped. 

Several  Alexandrine  coins  exhibit  Apis  with 
the  attributes  that  characterise  him,  and  a great 
number  of  other  monuments  likewise  preserve 
his  image — including  certain  coins  of  Jnlianus  II. 
in  second  brass. — Sec  secvritas  reipvbmcae 

aud  ISIS  FARIA. 

APLUSTRUM,  or  Aplnstre,  the  ornament  of 
the  poop,  or  stern,  of  vessels,  amongst  the  Ro- 
mans, thus  differing  from  the  acrostolium  (see  the 
word,  p.  5),  which  decorated  the  prow.  It  was 
composed  of  curved  planks  curiously  carved,  aud 
painted  with  various  colours.  Probably  some  of 
the  decorations  of  the  aplustrum  served  the  pur- 
pose of  a vane,  on  board  the  ships  of  the 
ancients. 

[From  references,  made  hv  numismatic  writers 
in  general,  it  would  appear  to  be  one  of  the  con- 
ventionalities of  the  science,  to  apply  the  term 
acrostolium  to  that  object  or  symbol,  which, 
whether  seen  in  the  hand  of  Neptune,  or  at  the 
stern  of  a galley,  seems,  from  its  peculiar  form 
and  position,  designed  rather  to  represent  the 
Aplustrum.  For  examples  of  this  species  of  naval 
adornment,  as  agreeing  with  the  descriptions 
given  by  ancient  authors,  the  reader’s  attention 
may  be  directed  to  coins  of  the  Fonteia  and  Cassia 
families — to  the  Nep.  Red.  of  Vespasian,  and  to  the 
Praetorian  trireme  ( FelicUati  Any.)  of  Hadrian, 
&c.  But  a monctal  specimen,  ou  the  larger 
scale,  is  to  be  found  on  a brass  medidlion  of 
Agrippa,  given  by  Vaillant  fPnrst.  Nam.  hupp. 
Rom.  iii.  104),  who,  having  in  his  work  on  the 
Colonies,  defined  acrostolium  to  be  " Navis 
Rostrum ” (the  beak  of  a ship),  here  designates 
the  wing-like  figure,  on  the  reverse  of  the  coin 
in  question,  not  as  acrostolium,  but  as  “ Navis 
Aplustrum.’' — See  mvnicipi.  parf.ns.] 


APOLLO. 

APOLLO. — According  to  the  mythology  of 
the  Greeks,  from  which  the  Romans  almost  ex- 
clusively borrowed  their  own  objects  of  religion? 
worship,  Apollo  was  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  of 


Latona,  and  came  into  the  world  with  his  twin 
sister  Diana,  in  the  island  of  Delos.  The  god  of 
health,  of  literature,  and  of  the  fine  arts,  it  was 
chiefly  under  the  youthful  grace,  the  noble  form, 
the  handsome  lineaments  of  Apollo,  that  manly 
beauty  personified  itself  in  the  classic  periods  of 
antiquity.  He  it  was,  whom  as  “the  god  of  all 
versemen,”  poets  of  old,  in  their  “ fine  frenzy” 
invoked,  to  imbue  them  with  his  divine  inspira- 
tions. As  the  patron  of  music,  the  instrument 
on  which  he  delighted  to  exercise  his  heaven- 
born  genius,  was  the  lyra,  or  cithara,  presented 
to  him  by  Mercury.  This  most  attractive  and 
accomplished,  but  at  the  same  time  most  cruel, 
licentious,  and  vindictive,  of  those  male  deities, 
who  held  superior  rank  in  the  celestial  realms  of 
ancient  fable,  was  moreover  regarded  as  a skil- 
ful charioteer,  guiding  steeds  no  less  fleet  and 
fiery  than  those  of  the  Sun.  An  unerring  archer, 
too,  it  was  an  arrow  from  his  bow,  that  delivered 
the  earth  from  the  serpent  Python; — which  hav- 
ing sprung  from  the  slimy  mud  of  the  deluge, 
spread  its  ravages  around  the  sacred  district  of 
mount  Parnassus.  He  afterwards  covered  with 
that  monster’s  skin  the  tripod,  on  which  the 
priestess  of  his  temple  seated  herself  when  de- 
livering her  oracles.  Allusion  to  all  these  inci- 
dents and  attributes  of  Apollo  are  to  be  found 
on  Roman  coins.  His  votaries  distinguished  him 
by  a confused  and  inconsistent  variety  of  names, 
epithets,  and  assigned  functions.  Under  the 
title  of  Helios,  Phcebtis,  or  Sol,  as  charged  with 
the  office  of  daily  illuminating  the  world,  he  is 
represented  on  coins  and  other  monuments,  with 
his  head  radiated,  and  a whip  iu  his  hand,  either 
standing  on  the  ground,  or  riding  in  a car  drawn 
by  four  horses.  Numerous  edifices  were  dedi- 
cated to  his  worship,  throughout  Greece.  And 
one  of  the  richest  and  most  superb  of  his  temples 
was  that  built  at  Rome,  by  Augustus.  Various 
games  were  celebrated  to  his  honour.  The  py- 
thiau,  in  many  places ; the  deliquia  iu  Delos; 
and  at  Nicea  in  Bithynia ; the  secular  ( ludi 
sieculares  Apollinares)  at  Rome,  &c.  As  pre- 
siding over  the  Muses,  mount  Helicon  in  Bncotia 
was  held  sacred  to  him ; and  numerous  other 
places  owned  the  superstitious  influence  of  his 
godship.  Among  the  animals  consecrated  to 
Apollo,  were  the  wolf,  the  cock,  the  raven , the 
vulture,  besides  the  fabulous  Griffin  — Among 
plants  and  fruits  were  the  laurel,  the  olive,  and 


APOLLO.  63 

the  tamarind.  At  his  altars  were  sacrificed 
lambs,  black  bulls,  sheep,  and  horses.  The 
hymns  sung  to  his  praise  were  Pceans  and 
Homes ; and  Io  Pean  is  considered  to  be  an 
acclamation  of  Victory  referring  to  Python. 

Apollo  is  depictured  on  ancient  paintings, 
sculptures,  and  coins,  in  divers  ways : with  a 
juvenile  countenance,  a bare,  a laurcated,  or  a 
radiated  head — the  hair  some  times  adjusted  and 
turned  up  ; at  others,  hanging  down  long  and 
curled.  Sometimes  with  bow  and  arrow  as  the 
archer  and  the  dart-lliugcr;  sometimes  near  a 
tripod  as  the  rates  or  poet;  with  a serpent, 
either  in  allusion  to  Python,  or  as  the  inventor 
of  medicine ; with  the  lyre  or  the  harp  as  the 
patron  of  music  ; with  the  pedum,  or  pastoral 
crook,  as  the  tutelary  god  of  shepherds  ; driving  a 
quadriga  and  holding  a whip  in  his  right  hand, 
as  the  charioteer  of  the  Sun.  On  a large  brass 
of  Alexander  Severus,  struck  a.  d.  231,  during 
that  Emperor’s  campaigns  in  the  East,  Apollo 
stands  in  an  easy  attitude,  his  right  hand  point- 
ing upwards,  and  his  left  holding  a whip,  indi- 
cative of  his  power  to  promote  rapidity,  in  allu- 
sion to  his  horses.  With  the  exception  of  a 
mantle  on  the  shoulder,  the  figure  is  naked,  and 
the  head  radiated.  (Smyth,  232.)  Most  fre- 
quently he  is  represented  naked  or  half-naked, 
but  sometimes  clothed  in  a woman’s  robe.  Now, 
standing  with  elbow  resting  on  a column,  now 
seated  on  the  tripod,  or  a conical  vase,  as  if  pre- 
pared for  divination.  On  the  generality  of  coins 
he  appears  as  a beardless  youth,  aud  even  with 
feminine  features,  though  there  are  instances 
cited  of  a bearded  Apollo. 

Apo/lo’s  head  laurcated,  with  the  lyre  before 
it,  the  whole  within  a laurel  crown,  appears  on 
a second  brass  of  Augustus,  as  represented  in 
the  wood-cut  at  the  head  of  this  article. 

Apollinis  Vejovis  Caput. — The  head  of  Apollo 
Ve-juppiter,  occurs  on  a denarius  of  the  Cassia 
gens — sec  the  word. 

Apollo's  laurcated  head  appears  on  denarii  of 
the  following  Roman  families,  viz. : Aquilia, 
llocbia,  Ca  cilia,  Carvilia,  Calpurnia,  Cassia, 
Claudia,  Coponia  (diademed),  Crepusia,  Egna- 
tuleia,  Fonteia,  Juiia,  Licinia,  Lollia,  Marcia, 
Meminia,  Ogulnia,  Opeimia,  Papia,  Pedania, 
Poblicia,  Fomponia,  Postumia,  Servilia,  Sulpi- 
cia,  Vibia,  &e. — [Those  in  italics  are  illustrated 
in  their  respective  places.] 

Apollo's  head,  adorned  with  curled  hair,  and 
with  a star  above,  occurs  on  coins  of  the  Valeria 
gens;  with  the  diadem  in  the  Marcia;  encircled 
with  the  fillet  and  a sceptre  behind,  in  the  Cassia, 
Claudia,  aud  Postumia  families.  [The  sceptre 
so  placed  serves,  according  to  Pigghius,  to  de- 
note that  the  Romans,  in  their  sacred  rites, 
worshipped,  as  sovereign  of  all  animated  bodies, 
the  deity,  whom,  after  the  example  of  the 
Greeks,  they  identified  with  the  N««.] 

Apollo’s  head  radiated  is  accordingly  seen  or- 
namented with  the  crown  of  rays,  on  coins  of 
the  Aquilia,  Cacsia,  Claudia,  Lucrctia,  Mussidia, 
Valeria,  and  other  families.  The  same  head, 
forming  the  obverse  type  of  so  many  denarii, 
refers  to  the  Apollinarian  games. 


04  APOLLO. 

Apollo’s  head  with  the  lyre,  cither  before  or 
behind  it,  is  exhibited  on  family  medals  of  the 
Claudii,  Flavii,  &c.,  and  as  that  of  a female, 
crowned  with  laurel  on  coins  of  the  Volteia  gens. 

Apollo's  and  Diana’s  heads  present  themselves 
together,  on  denarii  of  the  i'outeia,  and  other 
families,  allusive  to  the  secular  games. 

Apollo  and  Diana , both  standing,  the  one 
with  laurel  branch  and  lyre,  the  other,  with  bow 
and  quiver,  arc  found  on  the  reverse  of  a silver 
coin  of  Valerianus,  with  legend  of  consf.kvat. 
avgg.  contained  in  the  imperial  cabinet  at  Vienna. 
[Eckhel  observes,  that  the  association  of  Apollo 
with  his  sister  Diana,  under  the  title  of  joint 
preservers  of  the  Emperor,  occurs  in  this  in- 
stance for  the  first  time. — Khell  remarks  re- 
specting this  type,  that  as  in  the  tragical  case 
of  Niobe  and  her  children,  the  idolatrous  illusions 
of  pagan  belief  were  prone  to  ascribe  that  dire 
continuance  of  the  plague,  which  was  destroying 
thousands  on  thousands,  to  the  wrath  of  both 
those  vengeful  deities — Apollo  and  Diana. — 
vol.  vii,  383.] 

Apollo  naked,  with  garland  on  his  head,  in  a 
quadriga  at  full  speed,  holding  a branch  in  the 
right  hand,  and  a bow  and  arrow  with  the  horses’ 
reins  in  the  left,  appears  on  a coin  of  the  Bahia 
gens. — For  engraved  specimens  of  the  above 
types  sec  Morell.  Thesaurus,  and  Yaillant’s 
Tam.  Rom.  Numis. — See  also  Bahia. 

Apollo's  name  and  image  are  also  of  continual 
recurrence  throughout  the  imperial  series,  from 
Julius  Cicsar  to  Julian  the  Apostate;  among 
which  the  following  are  examples  : viz. 

Apollo,  the  favourite  divinity  of  Augustus. — 
There  is  a silver  coin  of  this  emperor,  the  re- 
verse of  which  displays  Apollo,  seated  on  a rock, 
playing  on  the  lyre,  and  having  beliind  his 
shoulders  what  Spauheim  (in  Julian’s  Cmsars, 
p.  304),  calls  a buckler,  as  a mark  of  security 
and  peace  after  the  battle  of  Actium,  but  which 
Mionuet  terms  the  pi/eus.  In  the  field  of  the 
coin  is  the  inscription  causae,  divi.  f.  ( Casaris 
Divi  Filins — son  of  the  Divine  Cicsar.) 

This  denarius,  which  Eckhel  regards  as  having 
been  minted  at  Rome  between  a.  u.  C.  71 9, 
(b.  c.  35)  and  726  (28)  forms  another  of  the 
many  testimonies,  afforded  by  coins  and  in- 
scribed marbles,  of  the  seemingly  intense  devo- 
tion paid  by  Augustus  to  Apollo,  before  as  well 
as  after  the  battle  of  Actiiun. — On  this  point 
Suetonius  (c.  70)  refers  to  letters  from  M.  Au- 
touius,  who  satirises  the  secret  banquet,  com- 
monly called  that  of  the  “twelve”  deities,  at 
which  the  guests  sat  down,  dressed  in  the 
habits  of  gods  and  goddesses,  Octaviauus  (i.  e. 
Augustus)  himself  personating  Apollo.  See  D. 
N.  V.  vol.  vi.  107-8. — The  sister  of  the  same 
deity,  was  also  an  object  of  worship  with  Au- 
gustus ; for  he  ascribed  his  good  fortune  to  both, 
acknowledging  the  tutelary  aid  of  the  Sicilian 
Diana  (Diana  Simla)  for  bis  victory  over  Sextus 
Pompcins,  as  well  as  that  of  Apollo  for  his  deci- 
sive success  at  Actium. — See  sicil,.  imp. 

Apollo  seated,  with  his  lyre,  and  the  legend 
IMP.  VII.  cos.  III.  ou  a brass  medallion  of  M. 
Aurelius. 


APOLLO. 

Apollo  and  Bacchus,  drawn  by  a goat  and  a 
panther,  with  Cupid  riding  on  the  goat,  form  the 
reverse  type,  without  legend,  of  a brass  medallion 
of  Hadrian. — See  Bacchus. 

Apollini  sacer  Coreas. Pedrusi  gives,  from 

the  Farnese  cabinet,  the  reverse  type  of  a brass 
medallion  of  Antouiuus  Pius,  which  represents 
Apollo,  nearly  naked  in  front,  a long  cloak 


hanging  down  his  back — standing  with  a bow 
in  his  left  hand,  before  a tripod,  ou  which  a dead 
serpent  (Python)  is  suspended.  On  Apollo’s  right 
hand  is  a sort  of  table  with  a vase  on  it,  behind 
which  rises  a tree,  ou  one  of  whose  branches  a 
crow  or  raven  is  perched. — The  learned  Jesuit 
takes  no  little  pains  in  citing  the  reasons  given 
by  old  writers,  both  in  poetry  and  prose,  for 
consecrating  the  corvus  to  Apollo.  But  whether 
it  has  reference  to  the  god’s  vindictive  change  of 
the  crow’s  plumage  from  white  to  black,  for  be- 
traying his  secret  amour  with  the  nymph  Co- 
ronis,  or  whether  it  relates  to  the  croaking  of 
this  bird  being  more  favourable  than  the  singing 
of  others  to  the  pious  frauds  of  augural  divina- 
tion, is  by  no  means  clearly  decided. — Sec  vol.  v. 
p.  1‘JO. — [The  legend  tii.  pot.  im.  cos.  u. 
shews  that  this  beautiful  product  of  the  Anto- 
ninian  mint  was  struck  about  A.  d.  13‘J.] 

APOLLINI.  ACTIO,  or  Artiaco.  (To  the 
Actiac  Apollo.) — In  a female  dress  he  stands, 
holding  the  lyre  in  his  right  hand  and  the  plec- 
trum in  his  left. — Sec  act.  imp.  p.  8,  of  this 
work. 

Ou  a denarius  of  Augustus,  who,  as  his 
patron  in  the  day  of  Actium,  and  afterwards  as 
the  reformer  of  his  life  and  manners,  affected 
(as  Spauheim  says)  to  resemble  that  god,  at  his 
festivals,  in  his  statues,  and  ou  his  medals. — 
Apollo  Actius,  striking  the  lyre  with  an  ivory 
plectrum,  is  alluded  to  in  the  following  line  of 
the  epic  poet  Albinovauus,  a friend  and  contem- 
porary of  Ovid : — 

“ Actius  ipse  tyram  plectra  perensait  ehumo." 

On  another  dcuarius  of  Augustus  is  the 
figure  of  Apollo,  in  the  stota,  standing  on  a 
substructure,  ornamented  with  anchors  and  beaks 
of  ships,  before  an  altar,  he  holds  a patern  in 
the  right,  nud  the  lyre  in  his  left  hand,  round 
the  upper  part  of  which  we  read  c.  antisti. 

VETVS.  1 1 IV  lit. 

Struck  a.  u.  c.  738,  (n.  c.  16),  by  one  of 
bis  monetary  triumvirs,  Antistius  Vetus,  this 
coiu  adds  nnothcr  proof  of  the  great  devotion 


65 


APOLLO.  APOLLO, 

professed  by  Augustus  towards  Apollo,  to  whom,  — also  APOLLINI  CONSERVATOR!,  on  a 
in  fulfilment  of  his  vow,  he  had  built  a temple  brass  medallion,  and  APOLLINI  coxserva.  on 


at  Actium,  after  his  crowning  victory  over  his 
competitor  for  the  empire  of  the  world.  The 
legend  of  the  head  is  imp.  CAESAR,  avgvs.  tr. 
pot.  iix. — Eckhel  assigns  this  and  other  coins 
with  similar  types  and  legends  to  the  year  of 
Rome  742  (b.c.  12),  in  the  mint  of  Augustus. — 
Sec  Thesaur.  Morell.  Tam.  Rom.  Antistia  gens, 
fig.  iii. — and  Impp.  Rom.  vol.  iii.  tab.  xiv.  fig.  36. 

APOLLINI  AVGVSTO.  S.  C.— Apollo  Ly- 
ristes  standing  in  a female  dress,  holding  the 
lyre  and  a patera. — On  a first  brass  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  struck  a.  u.  c.  893,  (a.  d.  140). 

It  was  in  memory  of  the  veneration  rendered 
by  Augustus  to  Apollo,  that  this  coin  was 
struck,  in  which  the  name  itself  of  Augustus  is 
given  to  that  deity,  who  is  represented  in  the 
same  costume  and  attitude,  and  with  the  same 
attributes  as  in  the  denarii  minted  by  Augustus, 
and  bearing  the  legend  of  act.  imp.  x.  and  xii. — 
Apollo  Augustus,  says  Eckhel,  is  the  same  as 
Apollo  Ac  tins. — See  p.  8 of  this  work. 

There  is  a silver  coin  of  S.  Severus,  with  a 
similar  legend  and  type,  which  Rasehe  says  was 
struck  to  commemorate  the  sacrifices  which  that 
emperor  made  to  Apollo,  on  the  occasion  of 
Pcscennius  Niger’s  defeat  and  death. — The  same 
legend  .and  type  occur  on  silver  and  gold  of 
Albinus. 

AVOL  lint  CONSERVATOR  I.  S.  C.— 
Apollo,  naked,  beardless,  and  with  flowing  hair, 
stands  holding  a laurel  branch  in  the  right  hand, 
his  left  resting  on  the  lyre,  placed  on  a rock. 
On  gold,  silver,  and  firat  brass  of  .Emilianus. 

The  plague  which  raged  through  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  empire,  at  the  period  (about 
a n.  253)  when  these  coins  were  struck,  was 
the  special  occasion  of  this  devotiou  to  Apollo 
medians,  in  other  words  to  him  as  the  god  of 
health. — “ Apollo  (observes  Capt.  Smyth,  de- 
scribing this  coin,  in  large  brass),  was  a most 
popular  deity,  though  Lucian  stigmatised  him  as 
a vain  and  lying  fortune-teller,  lie  appears  on 
the  medals,  of  all  sizes  and  metals,  of  this  reign; 
not  in  the  feminine  apparel  of  the  Palatine 
statue,  but  as  a noble  youth,  delicate  yet  vigor- 
ous, with  limbs  free,  and  sometimes  in  an  alti- 
tude not  very  dissimilar  from  that  finest  statue 
in  the  world,  the  Apollo  Venator”  (commonly 
called  the  Belviderc  Apollo). — Descr.  Cat.  292. 


APOLLINI  CONS.  A VO.  (To  Apollo,  pre- 
server of  the  Emperor.) — On  billon  of  Gallienus 
K 


first  brass,  of  Valerianus  and  Gallienus. — Apollo 
standing,  either  with  his  right  hand  laid  over  his 
head,  or  [as  in  the  preceding  cut]  holding  a 
laurel  branch;  with  his  left  resting  on  a lyre, 
placed  on  a pedestal. — (Struck  between  a.  d.  254 
and  266.) 

Not  only  Augustus  but  his  successors  had 
always  paid  especial  honours  to  Apollo,  whose 
temple  at  Actium  commanded  a view  of  the  bay 
where  the  combat  took  place.  The  name  and 
image  of  the  god  had  frequently  figured  on  the 
coins  of  Rome.  But  at  the  period,  when 
paganism  was  on  the  point  of  expiring,  its 
divinities  were  more  than  ever  invoked  by  the 
emperors,  who  endeavoured  to  stem  the  progress 
of  its  fall.  Apollo,  in  particular,  was  the  object 
of  their  homage,  in  those  dreadful  times,  when 
the  plague  spread  itself  to  depopulate  t he  empire. 
— Logons  Numismatiques , p.  239. — The  same 
legend  and  similar  type  appear  on  gold  of  Vale- 
rianus. 

APOL.  CONS. — Mionnct  gives  a gold  Aurc- 
lian  with  this  legend,  and  Apollo  seated. — 
Vaillaut  publishes  (Tr.  i.  213)  an  aureus  of  the 
same  emperor,  on  which  a male  figure,  naked, 
stands  with  radiated  head,  right  hand  extended, 
and  the  left  holding  a globe — a captive  on  the 
ground  sitting  near  his  feet. 

Here  we  find  the  name  of  Apollo  identified, 
on  the  same  coin,  with  the  symbol  of  the  Sun, 
and  evidently  referring  to  Aurclian’s  v ictories  in 
the  East. 

APOLLINI  CONSERVATORI.— This  dedi- 
catory legend  at  full  length,  with  a temple,  in 
which  appeai-s  the  statue  of  Apollo,  is  given  in 
the  Museum  Theupoli,  as  from  a brass  medallion 
of  Quintillus,  Aurelian’s  immediate  predecessor, 
who  reigned  after  Claudius  II.  only  during  a few 
months  of  a.  d.  270. 

APOLLINI  CONS.  AVG— A Centaur,  hold- 
ing a globe  in  one  hand,  and  a rudder  in  the 
other  , or  a Centaur  about  to  shoot  an  arrow. — 
On  billon  and  3rd  brass  of  Gallienus. 

Why  the  figure  of  a centaur  is  here  employed 
in  association  with  the  legend  of  Apollo,  “the 
Emperor’s  preserver,”  it  is  difficult  if  not  im- 
possible to  discover;  unless  allusion  be  meant  to 
the  Centaur  Chiron,  to  whom  the  myth  assigns  the 
tutorship  of  Apollo,  and  who  was  said  to  have 
been  the  first  to  teach  the  medicinal  use  of  herbs. 
The  signification  of  the  globe  and  rudder  is  still 
more  obscure. — There  is  a coin  of  Tetricus  junior, 
with  a centaur  for  its  type,  and  the  epigraph  of 
soli  conserv.  On  another  base  silver  coin  of 
Gallienus,  with  the  same  legend,  the  type  is  a 
gryphon,  or  griffin. — According  to  Philostratu=, 
that  monster  was  sacred  to  Apollo,  or  Sol ; thus 
a fabulous  animal  is  seen  appositely  consecrated 
to  a fabulous  deity. — On  coins  of  Aureliopolis, 
in  Lydia  (says  Eckhel),  griffins  are  represented 
drawing  the  chariot  of  the  Sun. 

APOL.  MONET,  (on  Silver.)— APOL. 
MONETAE  P.  M.  TR.  P.  XV.  IMP.  VIII. 
COS.  VI.  S.  C.  (on  2nd  Brass.) — Apollo  naked, 


r.o  APOLLO. 

stands  with  his  right  hand  lifted  up  to  the  top 

of  his  head,  his  left  elbow  resting  on  a column. 


Respecting  this  singular  legend,  found  on 
coins  of  Commodus,  minted  in  his  sixth  con- 
sulate— viz.,  a.  u.  c.  943,  (a.  d.  190)  Eckhcl 
makes  the  following  remarks: — “Although  we 
find  Juno  Moneta,  on  coins  of  the  Carisia  fa- 
mily, and  have  the  testimony  of  ancient  authors 
to  the  appropriation  of  the  title  to  that  goddess, 
and  even  the  reason  why  it  was  given,  yet  such 
is  not  the  case  with  the  inscription  Apollo 
Moneta — a characteristic  by  which  Apollo  is 
distinguished  only  on  the  coins  of  Commodus. 
Unable  to  account  for  this  circumstance,  I will 
not  spread  my  sails  to  the  winds  of  conjecture ; 
for  in  the  same  Emperor’s  mint,  appellations  are 
ascribed  to  deities,  which  were  the  offspring 
solely  of  the  fertile  brain  of  Commodus,  who  (as 
Lampridius  says)  made  his  alterations  and  addi- 
tions in  religious  matters,  rather  from  caprice 
than  from  a serious  feeling.”  (vii.  123.) — 
Among  the  larger  brass  of  the  following  year, 
we  see  the  same  Apollo  Moneta  repeated. 

Apollo’s  Oracle  is  named  on  a coin  of  Philip 
the  elder. — See  ex  ohacvlo  apolldos. 

APOLLINI  PROPV Gnatori.  (To  Apollo 

the  Defender.) — Apollo  in  the  act  of  discharging 
an  arrow. 

Apollo,  “ God  of  the  silver  how,”  ns  the 
supposed  inflictcr  of  sudden  death  (especially  if 
the  deceased  was  “sun  smitten”),  as  well  as 
the  stayer  of  pestilence,  was  at  the  period 
when  this  coin  was  struck  regarded  with  more 
than  usual  veneration,  on  account  of  the  in- 
creasing desolation  of  the  plague.  This  malady 
seems  to  have  travelled  from  Ethiopia,  and  is 
said  to  have  raged  15  years,  destroying  incredible 
numbers  of  people. — Mionnet  gives  this  among 
the  first  brass  of  Valerianus  (about  a.  I).  254)  ; 
and  Akennan  among  the  billon  coins  of  Gallic- 
nus  ; but  Eckhcl  omits  to  notice  it. 

APOLLINI  SANCTO. — Apollo  naked,  stands 
holding  a branch  in  the  right  hand,  and  leaning 
on  a column. 

Eckhcl  and  Mionnet  both  give  this  as  from  a 
silver  coin  of  Pcsccnnius  Niger.  The  former 
pronouuccs  it  to  have  been  struck  at  Antioch, 
referring  as  the  ground  of  his  opinion  to  a 
second  brass  of  Julianas  II.  which  exhibits 
on  one  side  apoi.i.oni  (sic)  sancto.  (type  of 
Apollo  in  the  stola,  with  patera  and  lyTe),  and 
on  the  other,  of.nio  antioxeni.  Apollo  is 
known  to  have  been  ranked  amongst  the  prin- 
cipal divinities  worshipped  by  the  people  of  Anti- 
ochia  in  Syria. 


APOLLO. 

APOLLINI  PAL.  or  APOL.  PALATINO. — 
Apollo  attired  in  the  stola,  (sec  act.  imp.  p.  5), 
stands  holding  the  plectrum  in  his  right  hand, 
and  resting  his  left  on  the  lyre,  which  surmounts 
a short  column.  On  silver  and  first  brass  of 
Commodus. — A brass  medallion  of  the  same 
emperor,  has  for  legend  of  reverse  apoi..  pa  la- 
tino. P.  M.  TE.  P.  XVI.  IMP.  VIII.  COS.  VI.  P.  P. 
and  the  type  exhibits  Apollo,  in  the  same  effe- 
minate dress  assigned  to  him  in  the  Aetiac  de- 
narii of  Augustus,  holding  with  his  left  hand  a 
lyre  conjointly  with  Victory,  who  stands  by  his 

side. Sec  Se/ec/a  Numismata,  in  Mas.  l)e 

Camps,  per  D.  Vaillant,  p.  53. 


These  coins  have  reference  to  the  temple, 
which  Augustus,  whilst  as  yet  bearing  no  other 
name  than  that  of  Octavianus,  erected  at  Rome, 
in  honour  of  his  guardian  divinity  in  the  I’ala- 
tium,  attaching  to  it,  according  to  Suetonius, 
a public  library.  Vic  have  the  testimony  of 
Dion  Cassius,  that  the  date  of  this  event  was 
a.  u.  c.  718  (b.c.  36.)  In  alluding  to  this  tem- 
ple, Propertius  describes  the  idol,  its  dress,  and 
position,  in  these  words: — 

Deinde,  inter  matrem  deus  ipse,  interque  sororem 
Pythius  in  long!!  carmina  vestc  canit. 

[And  next,  between  his  mother  and  twin  sister, 
lo ! the  l’ytbian  God  himself,  in  flowing  mantle, 
sings  his  lays.] 

The  fact  of  his  building  this  temple  (says 
Eckhcl,  vii.  124,  125,)  is  further  continued  by 
the  statement  of  Augustus  himself,  on  the  mar- 
ble of  Ancyra.  (TAD.  iv.  V.  1.)  TEMPLVMQVE. 
apollinis.  in.  palatio feci. — The  re- 

nown of  this  Apollo  Palatinns  subsequently  re- 
ceived augmentation,  on  the  occasion  of  the  vic- 
tory gained  a.u.c.  723  (b.c.  31),  over  Antony, 
at  Actium,  near  the  temple  of  Apollo  Actius ; 
Ovid  himself  ascribing  that  piece  of  good  fortune 
to  the  intervention  of  this  deity,  in  the  following 
lines : — 

“ Visitc  laurigero  sacrata  l’alatia  riiccbo. 

“ Ille  Panetouias  mersit  in  alta  rales.” 

Odd.  Art.  amor.  iii.  v.  389. 

[“  Go  see  the  Palatia  sacred  to  the  laurel-bearing 
Phoebus. 

He  it  was,  who  sank  in  the  deep  the  Parmtonian 
barks.”] 

The  poet  uses  the  word  Paratonias  for 
Aigyptias,  from  Panetoriiun  a town  of  Mnr- 
marica,  which  had  been  added  to  the  dominion 
of  Egypt,  and  Cleopatra. — And  this  is  the  rea- 


APOLLO. 

son  why  Apollo  Palatinus  appears  in  the  same 
garb,  viz.,  the  slola,  as  does  Apollo  Actius  on 
numerous  coins  of  Augustus,  the  mintage  of 
which  comes  within  the  year  u.  c.  733  (b.c.  21), 
and  also  on  denarii  of  the  Antistia  family,  which 
arc  found  with  the  legend,  apollini.  actio. — 
On  a marble,  published  by  Murat ori,  (p.  1119, 
i.)  appears  the  following: — SACERDOS.  DIA- 
NAE.  VICTR.  ET.  APOLLINIS.  PALATmh. 
Zosimus  also  makes  meution  of  the  Palatine  tem- 
ple  of  Apollo ; and  Ainmiauus  Marcellinus  re- 
lates, that  during  the  reign  of  Julian  the  Apos- 
tate it  was  destroyed  by  lire,  when  the  Carmina 
Cumana  had  a narrow  escape  of  sharing  its  fate. 

APOL.  SALVTA1US  or  APOLLm  SALV- 
TARI.  S.  C. — Apollo,  naked,  stands  holding  in 
the  right  hand  a branch  of  laurel,  and  in  his  left 
the  lyre ; or  rests  his  left  on  a tripod.  On  large 
brass,  and  in  other  metal  and  forms,  of  Trebo- 
nianus  Gallus,  and  Volusiauus. 

To  the  misfortunes  of  preceding  reigns,  to 
the  internal  convulsions  of  the  empire,  to  the 
invasions  of  barbarians,  was  added  the  scourge 
of  a terrible  pestilence,  which  ravaged  the  ltomau 
world,  during  the  reigns  of  Trebouianus  aud  some 
of  his  immediate  successors.  These  princes, 
tottering  on  their  thrones,  invoked  in  vain,  aud  in 
succession,  those  false  deities  to  whom,  under  the 
illusions  of  paganism,  they  ascribed  a power  over 
the  health  of  mortals.  The  epithet  dedicatory  to 
Apollo , on  this  reverse,  evidently  points  to  those 
prayers  and  vows. — Lefons  Numismatiques,  231. 

Referring  to  the  above  coins,  Eckhcl  (vii.  356), 
also  observes,  that  they  were  struck  about  a.  d. 
254,  amidst  the  raging  of  that  dreadful  pestilence, 
which  filled  the  world  with  mourning,  and  when 
Apollo,  as  the  god  presiding  over  health  ( salutis 
prases)  was  invoked  by  the  emperors,  and  pub- 
licly implored  by  the  whole  community,  for  the 
removal  of  so  universal  and  destructive  a scourge. 
During  this  grievous  mortality,  as  Victor  ex- 
presses it,  “ Gallus  and  Volusiauus  won  the 
favour  of  Apollo,  by  the  auxious  and  sedulous 
attention  which  they  paid  to  the  burials  of  the 
most  humble  individuals.” — Appropriately  to  the 
legend  which  propitiates  the  healing  influences  of 
Apollo,  a branch  of  laurel,  or  of  olive,  is  con- 
secrated to  this  divinity ; for  both  one  and  the 
other  were  used  by  the  ancients  in  the  ceremony 
of  lustration.  Thus  Juvenal : 

Cnperent  lustrari ■ si  foret  humida  laurus. 

(Sat.  ii.  157-J 

And  Virgil — 

Idem  ter  socios  punt  circumtulit  unda, 

Spargens  rore  levi,  et  ramo  felicis  olivae ; 

Lnstravitque  viros,  dixitque  novissima  verba. 

(Abteid,  vi.  v.  229.J 

“ Old  Chorinaens  compass’d  thrice  the  crew, 

And  dipp’d  an  olive  branch  in  holy  dew; 

Which  thrice  he  sprinkled  round,  and  thrice  aloud 

Invok’d  the  dead,  and  tlieu  dismiss’d  the  crowd.” 


APOLLO.  67 

475,)  sitting  with  laurel  in  right  hand,  aud  the 
cithara  in  his  left — see  Raschc. — Also  on  an 
Apamean  colonial,  struck  under  M.  Aurelius. — 
See  Apamea. 

Apollo  Salutaris. — The  healing  or  healthful 
Apollo. — On  a denarius  of  Caracalla,  having 
for  the  legend  of  its  reverse,  P.  m.  tr.  p.  xviii. 

cos.  mi.  p.  p.  (i.  e.  Sove- 
reign Pontiff,  invested  with 
tribunitian  authority  for  the 
18th  time,  Consul  for  the 
4th  time.)  Apollo  is  seated, 
he  holds  up  a branch  of  laurel 
in  his  right  hand,  and  rests 
the  left  arm  on  his  lyre, 
which  is  placed  on  a tripod. 

This  is  one  among  several  coins  which  were 
struck  during  the  reign  of  Caracalla,  and  which 
bear  direct  allusion  to  the  then  precarious  state 
of  that  execrable  tyrant’s  health  ; racked  as  his 
guilty  mind  was  with  the  pangs  and  terrors  of 
remorse,  at  the  remembrauce  of  his  fratricidal 
crime.  Finding  no  repose  for  his  affrighted  con- 
science, after  the  murder  of  his  brother  Geta, 
he  bethought  himself  of  imploring  the  tutelary 
divinities  of  health,  and  accordingly  addressed 
himself  to  Esculapius  and  to  Apollo. — A similar 
type  of  Apollo  on  a third  brass  of  the  same  em- 
peror, the  legend  corresponds  also,  except  in  the 
tr.  P.  which  is  xvii. 

Apollo  Sminthins. Amongst  his  various 

surnames,  and  distinctive  appellations,  that  ot 
Sminthius  was  assigned  to  Apollo,  (according 
to  some  writers)  from  the  fact  of  his  having  de- 
stroyed, or  driven  away,  the  mice,  by  which, 
before  his  benevolent  interposition,  the  town  of 
Sminthc,  or  Sinintliium,  on  the  coast  of  the 
Troad,  had  been  over-run,  and  where,  out  of  gra- 
titude, a temple  was  built  to  his  worship. — Types 
of  the  Smiuthian  Apollo  appear  ou  colonial  im- 
perial coins  of  Alexandria  Troas,  not  far  from 
which  place  Sminthium  was  situated. — For  some 
notice  (quite  as  much  as  the  subject  deserves)  of 
what  is  eonflictingly  stated  by  ancient  authors, 
respecting  the  origin  of  this  epithet  as  applied  to 
Apollo,  by  the  inhabitants  of  Asia  Minor,  see 
Boat.  Num.  Vet.  vol.  ii.  480. 

Apollo,  standing  with  his  lyre,  his  right  hand 
holding  ears  of  com,  appears  on  second  brass 
of  Claudius  Gothicus,  with  legend  salvs  avg. 

The  following  types  of  Apollo  occur  on  colo- 
nial imperial  coins,  with  Latin  legends : — 

Besides  those  of  Alexandria  Troas  and  Apamea, 
above  noticed,  Apollo  appears  on  coins  struck  in 
the  colony  of  Cmsarea  Palestinai,  under  Hadrian, 
Antoniue,  and  Aurelius — of  Corinth,  under  Com- 
rnodus — of  Patrse,  under  Nero,  Domitian,  M. 
Aurelius,  and  Commodus — of  Deultum,  under 
Maximus  Caesar,  and  under  Gonlianus  Fins — of 
Tyre,  under  Trebouianus  Gallus,  and  Gallienus. 

On  a third  brass  of  Maximus  (son  of  Maximi- 
nus) struck  at  Deultum,  Apollo  stands  holding  a 
laurel  branch  in  the  right  hand,  aud  placing  with 
his  left  a lyre  on  a tripod.  Before  his  feet  is  a 
lighted  altar. — [“Apollo  (says  Vaillant,  ii.  145,) 
bears  the  laurel,  as  consecrated  to  him  on  ac- 
count of  his  reputed  gift  of  foretelling  events — 


Apollo  Clarius. Apollo  had  an  oracle 

at  Claros  iu  Ionia;  hence  the  name  Clarius, 
under  which  he  was  worshipped  by  the  people  of 
Colophon,  aud  by  the  inhabitants  of  Smyrna. — 
The  image  of  this  Apollo  appears  ou  a coin  of 
Gordianus  Pius,  (in  l’atin’s  col.  Impp.  Rom.  p. 

K 2 


68  APOTHEOSIS, 

the  laurel  tree,  according  to  the  Greets,  confer-  ( 
ring  the  afflatus,  or  divine  inspiration.”] — The  | 
tripod  was  the  ordinary  symbol  of  his  oracidar 
power  ; but  Apollo’s  distinguishing  tokens  were 
the  lyre  and  the  laurel. 

“ Whilst  thus  I sang,  inflam’d  with  nobler  fire, 

I heard  the  great  Apollo’s  tuncfnl  lyre ; 

His  baud  a branch  of  spreading  laurel  bore, 

And  on  his  head  a laurel  wreath  lie  wore.” 

(Ovid,  Art  of  Love.  Yalden’s  translation.) 

On  a second  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius,  minted 
by  the  colonists  of  Paine,  Apollo  is  represented, 
naked,  standing ; in  his  right  hand  lie  holds  a 
patera,  and  rests  his  left  on  a lyre,  placed  on  a 
cippus. — [Apollo  leaning  on  his  lyre,  embodies 
the  harmony  of  the  celestial  spheres,  on  which 
account  he  was  called  Musicus  and  Citharoedus. 
Vaillant,  i,  72.] — In  the  last  named  character 
(the  lyre-striking  Apollo)  Nero  appears  on  one 
of  his  first  brass  coins,  habited,  as  Suetonius 
observes,  like  the  statues  of  the  God,  with  the 
cithara  in  Iris  left  hand,  and  playing  it  with 
his  right. 

On  a second  brass  of  Coinmodus,  struck  in 
the  colony  of  Patnc,  Apollo  stands  in  a female 
dress,  with  his  bow  in  the  right  hand,  opposite 
to  him  stands  Venus,  holding  up  a shield  with 
both  hands.  [Apollo  and  Venus  were,  in  fabu- 
lous history,  the  offspring  of  Jupiter,  the  former 
by  Latona*  the  latter  by  the  nymph  Dioue. — 
Vaillant,  i.  216.] 

APOLLONIA  1LLYRICI,  ouc  of  the  places, 
extra  urbem,  where  Roman  coins  were  appointed 
to  be  minted,  under  the  government  of  the  Re- 
public.— See  I).  -V.  V.  voL  v.  p.  68. 

APOLLODO ltl’S  of  Damascus,  the  architect 
of  Trajan’s  bridge  over  the  Danube,  and  of  Tra- 
jan’s Forum. — Sec  forvm.  tkaiani. — Eckhel, 
vol  vi,  p.  432. 

Al’.  N.  Appii  Nrpos — APPIVS,  the  name  of 
a highly  illustrious  Roman  race,  of  Sabine  origin 
— the  stock  of  the  Claudia  family,  whence  sprang 
the  famous  Censor,  Appius  Claudius,  who  con- 
structed the  celebrated  public  road,  called,  after 
him,  the  Via  Appia. 

A.  POST,  Aulus  Posluiiiius — prcuomen  and 
name  of  a mam — sec  Postumia. 

APOTHEOSIS,  that  grand  ceremony  of  Pa- 
ganism, by  which  its  votaries  pretended  to  place 
a man,  or  a woman,  amongst  the  number  of  their 
deities.  It  was  so  named  by  the  Greeks,  who 
first  practised  the  rite,  and  from  whom  the  Ho- 
mans, especially  under  the  Emperors,  largely 
borrowed  it,  as  is  testified  by  their  coins. — Called 
by  the  Latins  Consecratio,  it  is  symbolised  on 
coins  under  a triple  variety  of  types,  viz.,  either 
by  an  eagle  with  expanded  wings,  or  by  a lighted 
altar,  or  by  the  rogus,  or  funeral  pile.  It  is 
singular  that  an  example  of  these  three  modes  of 
typifying  an  Apotheosis  is  exhibited  on  the  coins 
of  an  otherwise  unknown  young  prince.  The 
funeral  pile  appears  on  gold  struck  in  memory  of 
Nigriuiauus,  the  eagle  on  his  silver,  and  the 
altar  on  his  3rd  brass. 

“ The  farce  of  the  Apotheosis  has  been  ascribed 
(remarks  Captain  Smyth)  to  a taint  of  the  Py- 
thagorean doctrines;  but  it  obviously  originated 


A POP.  FRVG.  AC. 

in,  what  Tacitus  termed  * the  epidemic  spirit  of 
adulation,’  long  before  the  Samian  was  born. — 

* * * Neither  the  veil,  nor  the  portrait,  which 
was  the  distinctive  mark  of  deification  among 
the  Romans,  nor  the  other  symbols  of  the  Apo- 
theosis, were  done  away  from  medals,  till  after 
Constantine,  when  a hand  from  the  clouds  be- 
stowing a crown,  was  substituted.”  (p.  297.) — 
See  CONSECKATIO. 

APPELLATION  (or  Title).— In  the  most 
flourishing  times  of  the  Empire,  nothing  was 
esteemed  more  dignified,  or  more  venerable,  than 
the  titles  of  hnperator , Cresar,  and  Augustus. 
Uut  as  the  power  of  the  state  decreased,  the 
power  of  names  became  augmented.  Roman 
princes  wished  to  be  called  Domini,  seeing  that 
the  Imperator  was  head  of  the  empire  only,  where- 
as the  Dominus  was  head  of  the  world,  llcucc  in 
the  lower  series,  when,  with  less  real  strength  of 
government,  they  aimed  at  appearing  to  govern 
all,  they  assumed  the  title  of  n.  Dominus 
Nosier — or  dd  NN.  Domini  Nostri. — There 
was  also  a period  in  Home’s  decline  when,  as 
their  coins  shew.  Emperors  appropriated  to 
themselves  titles  or  surnames  borrowed  from 
those  of  heathen  deities,  and  which,  conceded 
to  them  by  the  rile  adulation  of  their  contempo- 
raries, have  been  handed  dowu  to  modern  ages. 
Thus  we  read  hekcvlivs,  iovivs,  &c. — See 
Rasche,  vol.  i.,  p.  73. 

APPLE. — An  attribute  of  Venus,  allusive  to 
the  prize  obtained  from  the  Trojan  Paris.  See 
the  veneki  genet  it  ici,  of  Sabina. — Several 
coins  of  Faustina,  junior,  also  bear  Venus  with 
the  apple  in  her  hand  among  other  attributes, 
on  their  reverses. 

APPULEIA,  or  Apuleia,  a family  of  the  ple- 
beian order,  but  of  Consular  rank,  w hence  sprang 
the  turbulent  L.  Appuleius  Saturninus.  Its 
(brass)  coins,  which  are  rare,  present  three  va- 
rieties, and  arc  the  as  or  parts  of  the  as. 

A.P.R. — A Popu/o  Romano — or  Aiictorita/e 
Populi  Romani. — By  authority  of  the  Homan 
People. 

A POP.  FRVG.  AC. — These  abbreviated 
words,  preceded  by  those  of  cos.  xml.  l.vo. 
saec.  appear  oil  the  reverse  of  a first  brass  coin 
of  Domitian.  The  type  represents  the  emperor 
habited  in  the  toga,  seated  on  a suggest  urn. 
Before  him  stand  two  (or,  to  speak  after  more 
minuteness  of  inspection,  three)  togated  figures, 


one  of  whom  holds  in  both  hands,  a sort  of 
small  sack,  out  of  which  he  is  in  the  act  of  pour- 


A POP.  FRVG.  AC. 

in"  grain  or  fruits.  Behind  is  a temple.  On 
the  exergue  s.  c. 

This  coin  forms  one  of  a set,  minted  under 
the  prince  above-named,  a.  u.  c.  841  (a.  n.  88), 
to  commemorate  his  celebration  of  the  Secular 
Games.  The  legend,  chiefly  owing  to  the  ancient 
practice  of  verbal  abbreviations,  presents  a 
difficulty  of  no  ordinary  kind. — Spauheim  con- 
siders that  it  is  to  be  explained  thus : — A. 
POP ulo  FRVGei  AC cepta,  and  that  these  words 
are  to  be  referred  to  the  first  offerings  of  fruit, 
wheat,  barley,  and  beans,  which  it  was  customary 
for  the  entire  people  to  dedicate,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  these  (the  Secular)  Games,  to  the 
deities  who  presided  over  the  solemnities,  and 
which  on  their  termination  were,  as  Zosimus 
observes,  distributed  amongst  the  citizens.  Ac- 
cording, therefore,  to  the  opinion  of  Spanheim 
and  other  writers,  it  was  the  people,  who  re- 
ceived the  fruits,  or,  to  adhere  to  the  phraseology 
of  the  coins,  by  whom  the  fruits  were  received 
(“  fruges  accepta  sunt.”)  An  author  of  great 
learning,  Steph.  Antonins  Morcellus  has  ad- 
vanced another  mode  of  explaining  the  abbre- 
viations, viz.,  COS.  XII II.  LV IX, ? SAECa- 
laribus  VO? ulo  FRYG«?  AC cepit,  and  expresses 
his  surprise,  that  it  should  not  have  occurred  to 
Spauheim,  when  that  eminent  writer,  with  his 
usual  erudition,  has  pointed  out  the  allusion  to 
the  offering  of  the  first  fruits  by  the  Poutifex 
Maximus  to  the  Gods. — “ Perhaps  (says  Eckhel, 
vi.  387)  Morcellus  may  have  been  induced  to 
adopt  his  reading  by  the  structure  of  the  legend. 
For  in  it  are  expressed  only  the  words — COS. 
Xllir.  LVD.  SAEC.  without  the  FECiV,  which 
invariably  appears  ou  other  coins  of  this  mint- 
age. But  it  might  possibly  happen,  that  the 
word  fecit  was  omitted  to  make  room  for  the 
rest  of  the  inscription,  though  it  is  still  neces- 
sary to  supply  (or  understand)  it ; just  as  on 
coins  of  Augustus,  struck  a.  u.  c.  737  (n  c. 
17),  and  of  the  Sanquinia  family,  we  read 
only  AYGYST.  DIY1.  F.  I,  YD  OS.  SAE. 
where  fecit,  though  omitted,  must  neverthe- 
less be  supplied.  A more  probable  reason  [for 
Morcellus  entertaining  his  opinion]  may  have 
been,  that  the  natural  law  of  the  inscription 
seems  to  dictate  its  own  proper  interpretation. 
For,  as  it  commences  with  the  nominative  case 
COS.  XI I II.  the  sentence  could  not  terminate 
with  the  word  AC  cepta,  but  AC  cepit.  I am 
(adds  Eckhel)  far  from  denying,  that  ou  Mor- 
cellus’s  plan  of  interpretation  the  legend  presents 
greater  elegance  and  terseness  of  expression, 
though  I strongly  doubt  whether  it  be  equally  in 
accordance  with  truth  and  facts.  For,  if  we  so 
read  it,  the  recipients  of  the  fruits  will  be  not 
the  people,  but  Domitian  himself,  and  at  the 
hands  of  the  people.  AVhereas,  we  have  no 
ancieut  record  of  presents  made  by  the  people  to 
their  princes  during  the  Games  in  question,  but 
rather  of  the  reverse.  As,  therefore,  such  a 
fact  cannot  be  established,  and  the  very  author 
of  the  new  reading  docs  not  attempt  to  prove  it 
by  the  slightest  argument,  we  may  for  the  pre- 
sent adhere  to  the  generally  received  interpreta- 
tion of  the  legend,  and  conclude  that  the  benefit 


AQU.E  DUCTUS.  f.9 

alluded  to  was  conferred  upon,  and  not  by,  the 
people.” 

[And  yet  it  is  worthy  of  notice,  though 
seemingly  overlooked  by  the  great  scrutinizer 
and  critic  of  numismatic  monuments,  that  in  the 
very  type  which  he  has  himself  described  and 
commented  upou  (and  which  is  here  faithfully 
copied  from  a well-preserved  specimen  in  the 
British  Museum)  one  of  the  figures  personifying 
the  Populus  Romanics  (the  entire  Roman  people) 
is  in  the  attitude  of  pouring  out  a contribution 
of  FRYGes,  at  the  base  of  the  raised  platform, 
on  which  the  Emperor,  with  his  right  hand 
outstretched,  is  seated.  Now,  with  all  due 
willingness  to  acquiesce  generally  in  what  our 
illustrious  guide  and  master  himself  defers  to,  as 
an  ex  plica  t to  recepta,  let  it  nevertheless  be  per- 
mitted us  in  this  instance  to  hazard  a conjecture  : 
viz.  that  the  fruits  here  evidently  offered,  were 
possibly  meant  to  represent  those  accepted  by  the 
emperor  on  such  occasions,  at  the  hands  of 
togated  citizens  (i.  e.  men  of  substance),  for  the 
purpose  of  their  being  first  dedicated  to  the  gods, 
and  afterwards  distributed  amongst  the  common 
people — that  “fruges  consumere  nati”  class,  who 
were  content  to  be  the  slaves  of  every  imperial 
tyrant,  so  that  they  were  allowed  to  enjoy  the 
“ circus  and  the  dole.”  Be  this,  however,  as  it 
may,  we  have  here,  at  any  rate,  on  the  reverse 
of  a genuine  and  well-known  coin,  the  tvpifica- 
tion  of  fruges  brought  to  Domitian.] 

A.  PY.  or  ARG.  PVB. — These  abbreviations, 
found  ou  coins  of  the  Lucilia,  Sentia,  and  Titu- 
ria  families,  are  read  by  som cAryento  Piero;  by 
others.  Acre  Publico. — Eckhel  shews  Argento 
Publico  to  be  their  right  interpretation — signi- 
fying public  money,  aud  allusive  to  the  monetal 
triumvir,  or  the  edile,  or  other  officer ; to  whom 
the  money,  or  the  expenditure  of  it,  was  en- 
trusted.— See  EX.  A.  PV. ; also  Sentia  yens. 

APRONIA  gens. — Of  plebeian  origin,  but  of 
consular  dignity,  the  third  brass  coins  of  this 
family,  struck  by  the  moneyers  of  Augustus,  are 
common,  having  for  their  legend  gaj.lvs  mes- 

SALA  IIIVIR.  SISF.NXA  APRONIVS.  A.  A.  A.  P.  F. 

or  something  similar.  There  is  a first  brass  of 
colonial  fabric,  with  the  head  of  Drusus,  son  of 
Tiberius,  which  exhibits  for  legend  fermissv. 
l.  apronii.  pkocos.  in.  and  for  type  the  head 
of  Mercury. 

AQ.  O.  B.  F. — Aquileia  Officina  Secunda 
Fabrica. — These  abbreviations  and  the  two  sub- 
joined are  found  chiefly  ou  coins,  in  the  age  from 
Diocletian  to  the  Constantines,  aud  are  inter- 
preted as  denoting  them  to  have  been  struck  at 
Aquileia,  in  the  b or  second  mint ; or  struck 
(generally)  in  the  city  of  Aquileia. — Rasche. 

AQ.  P.  S.  Aquileia  Pecunia  Siynata. — 
AQ.  P.  Aquileia:  pecunia — or  Aquileia:  percussa. 

AQ.  S.  Aquileia  Siynata. — Money  struck  at 
Aquileia. 

AQU.E  DUCTUS — Aqueduct  or  water  conduit. 
It  signifies  a canal  or  channel,  built  of  stone,  or  in 
brickwork,  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  across 
an  uueven  country  a certain  quantity  of  water, 
and  of  giving  it  a regulated  declivity.  This 
species  of  canal  proceeds  sometimes  underground, 


70  AQVA  MAR. 

sometimes  along  the  surface  of  the  soil,  ami  oc- 
casionally upon  one  or  more  ranges  of  arcades. 
The  latter  even  in  their  ruins  exhibit  the  most 
striking  features  of  picturesque  grandeur  ; such 
as  are  seen  in  t he  Campagna  di  Roma,  and 
in  that  noble  remains  of  Roman  architecture 
the  Pont  da  Gard,  at  Nisrncs,  iu  France. — 
The  inhabitants  of  Rome,  for  a long  time,  con- 
tented themselves  with  the  stream  of  the  Tiber ; 
but  the  remoteness  of  that  river  from  consider- 
able portions  of  the  city,  when  it  was  so  greatly 
increased  in  size,  rendered  the  conveyance  of 
water  inconveniently  difficult.  In  the  year  u.  c. 
4 1 1 (b.c.  313),  conduits  were  plauucd  for  bring- 
ing a purer  as  well  as  a more  plentiful  supply  of 
this  indispensable  element,  from  distant  sources. 
Aqueducts  of  every  kind,  visible  and  subterraneous, 
were  greatly  multiplied,  and  constituted  at  length 
one  of  the  wonders  of  “the  Eternal  City.”  In 
the  emperor  Nerva’s  time  there  were  nine  Aque- 
ducts, which  had  13,594  tunnels  or  pipes,  of  an 
inch  in  diameter.  Subsequently  there  were  14 
channels  carried  by  9 aqueducts.  These  struc- 
tures served  to  convey  water  from  places  30, 
40,  and  even  60  miles  distant  from  Rome. — 
Aqueducts  were  generally  distinguished  by  the 
name  of  the  place  whence  the  water  came,  or 
by  that  of  the  person  who  caused  them  to  be 
built,  joined  to  the  word  aqua. — For  many  ex- 
planatory and  instructive  particulars  on  the  sub- 
ject of  aqueducts,  as  well  modern  as  ancient,  see 
Millin,  Diclionnaire  des  Beaux  Arts. — Reference 
may  also  with  advantage  be  had  to  an  article  on 
this  subject,  in  Dr.  W.  Smith’s  Did.  of  Greek 
and  Roman  Antiquities. 

AQVA  MAR. — Aqua  Marcia. — This  legend 
appears  on  a silver  coin  of  the  gens  Marcia,  and 
alludes  to  water  conveyed  to  the  city  of  Rome, 
by  the  care  and  liberality  of  the  Praetor  Quintus 
Marcius,  a public-spirited  citizen.  This  aqueduct, 
one  of  the  noblest  in  Rome,  both  as  to  splendour 
and  durability,  was  constructed  under  the  autho- 
rity of  the  Senate,  in  the  time  of  the  Republic. 
Some  authors  arc  disposed  to  regard  the  aqua 
Marcia,  as  the  most  ancient  aqueduct,  inasmuch 
as  it  was  ascribed  to  Ancus  Marcius.  Whereas 
the  honour  is  due  to  the  above-named  Quintus  ; 
or,  according  to  Pliny,  it  was  perfected  by  him, 
between  a.u.c.  575  and  585  (n.c.  179  and  169), 
on  the  foundation  of  a work  commenced  by  the 
reputed  grandson  of  Numa.  It  was  afterwards 
repaired,  and  enlarged,  successively  by  M. 
Agrippa,  Augustus,  Titus,  Trajan,  and  Caraealla. 
— There  still  exist  remains  of  this  great  water 
course,  both  withiu  and  without  the  Esquiliue 
gate. — See  ancys  and  Marcia  gens — (suis  locis). 

The  aqua  Appia  is  the  oldest  aqueduct,  aud 
owes  its  construction  to  the  censor  Appius  Clau- 
dius. The  aqua  Marcia  comes  next.  The  other 
principal  aqueducts  at  Rome  were  aqua  Teputa, 
aqua  Julia,  aqua  Virgo,  Auio  Vctus,  aqua 
Alsietina  (or  Augusta),  aqua  Caira  (or  Dara- 
nata),  aqua  Trajana,  aqua  Alexandrian,  aqua 
Antinoniana.  The  finest  of  all  was  that  called 
aqua  Claudia,  built  under  the  Emperor  Claudius. 
■ — Sec  Milliu’s  and  Dr.  Smith’s  Dictionaries, 
botli  above  referred  to. 


AQUATIC  ANIMALS. 

AQVA.  TRAIANA.  S.  P.  Q.  R.  OPTIMO 
PRINCIPI.  S.  C. — The  genius  of  a river  re- 
clined within  a cavern,  or  arched  vault,  holding 
in  his  right  hand  an  aquatic  reed,  and  resting 
his  left  arm  on  au  urn,  whence  there  is  a flow  of 
waters. — On  a first  and  middle  brass  of  Trajan, 
struck  about  a.u.c.  864  [a.d.  Ill], 


The  rivulet  to  which  this  coin  refers,  after 
having  been  long  lost,  from  want  of  care,  was 
restored  by  Trajan,  aud  conducted  over  Mount 
Aventine,  not  only  for  the  use  of  his  own  baths, 
but  also  to  supply  the  wants,  to  promote  the 
salubrity,  aud  to  increase  the  embellishments  of 
his  capital. — Sextus  Julius  Frontiuus,  the  Con- 
sid,  who  wrote  a treatise  on  aqueducts,  supplies 
abundant  testimony  of  the  sedulous  attention 
bestowed  by  this  emperor  on  the  repair  aud  im- 
provement of  those  at  Rome.  “ It  was  not 
(he  says)  the  object  of  our  Prince,  merely  to 
restore  the  volume  of  water  most  bcucficially  to 
the  other  streams ; but  he  also  was  the  |ierson 
to  perceive  that  the  deleterious  properties  of  the 
Auio  Nonas  might  be  cut  off.”  And  after  de- 
scribing the  plan  by  which  the  Emperor  pro- 
posed to  correct  this  fault,  lie  concludes — This 
fortunate  excellence  of  the  water,  bidding  fair  in 
quality  to  equal  that  of  (aqua)  Marcia,  and  in 
quantity  to  surpass  it,  supplied  the  place  of  that 
unseemly  and  turbid  stream  (the  New  Anio), 
under  the  auspices  of  the  “Imperator,  Ctrsar 
Nerva  Trajanus  Augustus,”  as  the  title  informs 

us. This  bcueficial  measure  is  recorded  on 

coins,  as  early  as  Trajan’s  sixth  consulate. — 
Eckhcl,  vi.  425-26. 

Capt.  Smyth,  R.N.,  in  describing  a specimen 
of  this  medal,  in  his  own  collection,  observes 
that  the  type  “ is  opposed  to  the  notion  of 
Vaillant,  that  a recumbent  F/urius  denotes  a 
river  which  receives  other  streams,  and  that 
wadiug  figures  mean  those  which  are  tributary. 
Ollier  antiquaries  presume  that  river  to  be  a na- 
vigable one,  where  the  gods  have  beards — yet 
here  at  a mere  spring,  we  have  a regular  long 
beard — whilst  a reverse  of  the  Emperor  Philip 
shews  the  deity  of  the  Meander  without  that  ap- 
pendage.” p.  86. 

AQUATIC  ANIMALS  figured  on  coins. — 
The  crocodile  or  aligator;  the  dolphin;  the  hippo- 
potamus, (or  river  horse);  the  palnmys,  (a  fish 
of  the  tunny  kind);  the  polypus  (or  many  feet) ; 
the  pompilos,  (or  nautilus) ; the  sepia,  (or  cuttle 
fish);  &c„  respecting  all  which  sec  Sponheim — 
Dissert,  de  Pnrs.  Nam.  Vet. 


AQUILIA  SEVERA. 

AQUILA — and  Aquila  legionaria. See 

Eagle. 

AQTJILEIA,  a once  famous  city,  near  the 
Adriatic  sea,  and  the  barrier  of  Italy  on  that 
side.  In  the  lower  empire  it  was  the  capital  of 
the  Venetian  territory,  but  was  destroyed  by  the 
IIuus,  under  Attila,  in  a.d.  453.  It  is  now 
only  a mass  of  ruins  and  hovels,  the  resort  of 
fishermen. — It  was  at  the  siege  of  this  town, 
by  the  ferocious  Thracian,  Maximinus,  that  the 
women  of  Aquileia  afforded  a memorable  in- 
stance of  courage  and  devotion ; for  the  cordage 
belonging  to  the  machines  of  war  being  worn 
out,  they  all  cut  off  their  tresses  to  supply  the 
defect. — The  initial  letters  of  the  name  as  a mint 
mark  frequently  occurs  on  the  exergue  of  Roman 
coins  from  Diocletian  downwards.  See  AQ.  &c. 


AQUILIA  SEVERA,  second  wife  of  Elaga- 
balus. — This  princess,  who  is  described  to  have 
possessed  great  personal  attractions,  was  the 
daughter  of  Quintus  Aquilius,  who  had  been 
twice  Consul,  during  the  reign  of  Caracalla. 
Elagabalus,  after  repudiating  Julia  Paula,  took 
Aquilia  from  the  sacred  community  of  the  Vestals, 
and  married  her,  in  the  year  A.  D,  220,  to  the 
great  consternation  of  both  priests  and  people  at 
Rome. — In  a few  days,  she  also  was  divorced 
by  that  wretch  of  an  Emperor,  who  then  took 
Annia  Faustina  to  wife,  and  afterwards  two 
other  ladies.  Tired  of  the  three  last,  Ela- 
gabalus expelled  them,  each  in  their  turn,  from 
his  palace ; and  profaned  afresh  the  rites  of 
matrimony  by  again  espousing  Aquilia  Severn. 
She  continued  with  him  till  the  termination  of 
his  monstrous  life  and  most  execrable  reign, 
a.  i)  222. — The  prenomen  of  Julia  is  added  on 
her  coins,  she  being  thereon  styled  ivlia  aqvi- 
1IA  sev.  (or  severa)  Avo. — The  Senate  en- 
slaved to  the  imperial  will,  confirmed  to  this 
empress,  the  title  of  Augusta,  which  Elagabalus 
had  given  her. — All  her  coins,  in  each  metal 
and  size,  are  of  more  or  less  rarity  : in  gold  of 
the  highest  degree. — Some  pieces  represent  her 
with  Elagabalus. 

AQUILIA  gens. — This  Roman  house  had 
two  branches,  one  Patrician,  the  other  Plebeian. 
Amongst  the  12  varieties  given  in  Viorel,  there 
arc  some  curious  types  on  the  denarii  of  this  fa- 
mily ; take  the  following  reverse  for  example: — 
MAN.  aqyii,.  man.  F.  MAN.  N.  (Manixis  Aquilius, 
Manii  Filius,  Manii  Nepos.J  The  type,  a soldier 
standing,  armed  with  a buckler,  lifting  up,  or 
holding  up,  a kneeling  woman  : below  is  the 
word  sicil,  (Siciliac). — Eckhel,  v.  142. 

In  this  silver  coin,  and  in  another  with  the 
same  type,  reference  is  made  to  the  historical 


AQUILIFER.  71 

fact,  that  Manius  Aquilius  (of  the  patrician 
stock)  was  consul  in  the  year  u.c.  054,  (b.c.  101) 
and  with  his  colleague  C.  Marius  (cos.  v.)  was 
sent  to  Sicily,  during  the  war  of  the  Italian  fu- 
gitives. That  war  he  succeeded  in  bringing  to  a 
victorious  termination,  and  having  peacefully 
governed  the  province  for  two  years,  returned 
in  triumph  to  Rome.  See  the  word  sicil. 

There  are  other  types  of  the  Aquilia  family, 
struck  by  L.  Aquilius  Florns  (who  was  of  its 
plebeian  stock)  as  a monctal  triumvir  of  Augus- 
tus, about  the  year  of  Rome  734  (b.c.  20) — 
as  for  example  the  following 


Obv. — caesar  avgvstvs. Rare  head  of 

Augustus. 

Rev. — L.  AQVILI.IVS  FLORA'S  IIIVIR. A 

flower. 

By  this  elegant  type  of  an  opened  flower, 
(probably,  from  its  form,  the  Cyanus),  Lucius 
Aqnillius  alludes  to  the  origin  of  the  surname 
which  he  had  derived  from  his  ancestors. — 
Havercamp,  in  Morell. 

Two  other  denarii,  struck  by  the  same  Floras, 
possess  historical  interest;  viz.,  such  as  bear  the 
symbols  of  Armenia  Capta,  and  of  the  Military 
Ensigns  recovered  from  the  Parthians. — See 
ARMENIA  CAPT.  and  SIGNIS  RECEPfw. 

The  coins  of  this  family  are  in  silver  only, 
and  of  a low  degree  of  rarity. 

AQUILIFER — Eagle  bearer.  It  was  he,  as 
the  word  imports,  who  carried  the  Eagle,  in 
the  midst  of  the  hastati,  in  each  Legion.  The 
aquiliferi  were  different  from  those  who  were 
called  signiferi,  and  who  bore  the  other  stand- 
ards of  the  Roman  army.  (See  Signa  Mili- 
tariaj  Among  other  reverses,  which,  with  the 
legends  of  Adlocutio,  Profectio,  Imperator,  &c., 
frequently  appear  on  coins  of  the  Imperial 
series,  chiefly  in  large  brass,  there  is  one  of 
Trajan’s  described  by  Captain  Smyth,  p.  89, 
where  “ the  Emperor,  wearing  a lorica  (or  breast 
plate)  is  seated  on  an  X shaped  curule  chair, 
upon  a high  suggestum.  He  is  addressing  his 
army,  which  is  represented  by  an  officer,  three 
aquiliferi,  an  infantry  soldier,  and  one  of  ca- 
valry— some  of  whom  hold  up  their  hands  in 
applause. — 'The  coin  was  struck  a.d.  115.” 

ARA. — This  word,  and  the  word  Altare  (whence 
the  French  awtel,  and  our  English  Altar),  were 
used  by  the  Romans,  to  signify  respectively  certain 
structures,  elevated  above  the  ground,  at  the 
former  of  which  prayers,  with  libations,  were 
offered  up,  and  at  the  latter  of  which  victims 
were  immolated,  to  their  Gods. 

As  regards  pagan  antiquity,  the  first  inventor 
of  Altars  is  unknown  ; but  the  custom  of  raising 
them  for  religious  purposes  evidently  passed 
from  the  Greeks  to  the  Romans.  The  Greeks 
had  probably  borrowed  it  from  the  Egyptians, 


72  ARiE. 

to  whom  Herodotus  ascribes  the  original  adop-  I 
tion  of  Altars,  and  the  dedication  of  images  in  | 
honour  of  their  deities.  Holy  Writ  here  steps 
in  to  the  aid  of  historical  truth  ; aud  teaches  ns 
that  Noah,  a worshipper  of  the  Only  True  God, 
was  the  first  who  built  an  altar. 

ARiE — ALTARS,  among  the  ancients,  dif- 
fered in  their  uses,  their  forms,  their  adorn-  [ 
incuts,  and  the  situations  in  which  they  were 
placed.  They  were  sometimes  round,  hut  the 
square  more  generally  prevailed.  I heir  fonns 
varied  again  according  to  their  material.  I he 
metallic  ones  were  for  the  most  part  of  the  tri- 
angular shape.  The  greater  portion  of  those,  , 
however,  which  have  escaped  the  ravages  ot 
time  are  of  marble,  or  of  other  stone.  I heir 
height  varied  much  ; some  did  not  exceed  two 
feet;  others  were  about  as  high  again,  lhosc 
intended  to  receive  the  libations,  as  well  as  those 
designed  to  hold  the  blood  of  victims,  were  hol- 
lowed out  at  the  top,  and  a moveable  stove,  or 
pan,  served  occasionally  to  contain  the  lire  for 
burning  incense. — On  festivals,  when  prepared 
for  sacrifice,  they  were  dressed  with  festoons  of 
flowers,  fruits,  and  grasses,  called  verbena; 
also  with  the  leaves,  or  branches  of  such  trees 
or  plants  as  were  sacred  to  each  of  the  different 
divinities. — Nor  was  the  sculptor’s  art  omitted 
to  he  employed  in  the  more  durable  enrichment 
of  Altars.  We  sec  on  them  basso  relievos,  re- 
presenting the  heads  of  sacrificed  animals,  figures 
of  patcras,  vases,  aud  other  sacrificial  instru- 
ments, mingled  with  those  of  garlands  ( corona) 
that  decorated  the  victim,  and  with  woollen  | 
fillets,  and  other  accessories  of  the  same  kind. 
Not  a few  arc  seen  charged  with  inscriptions  that  I 
mark  the  epocha  and  motives  of  their  consccra-  j 
tion,  added  to  the  names  of  those  who  caused 
them  to  he  erected,  aud  of  the  god,  goddess,  j 
genius,  or  deified  mortal,  who  happened  to  be 
the  object  of  this  devotional  act.  lhe  finest  ot 
these  arc  embellished  with  figures  and  attributes 
of  the  particular  object  of  idolatrous  worship. 
Indeed,  from  the  sculptural  ornaments  of  a 
Roman  altar,  may  almost  invariably  be  ascer- 
tained, what  deity  it  had  been  intended  to 
honour.  For  example,  the  eagle  and  the  thun- 
der bolt  ( aquila  el  fulmen),  designated  Ara 
Jovis.  A trident  and  two  dolphins  marked 
an  altar  to  Ncntuuc.  A Bacchante  with  the 
thyrsus,  a panther,  or  a foliage  of  ivy  leaves, 
shewed  the  Daec/ii  Ara.  Olive  leaves  and  some- 
times the  Owl  were  carved  on  those  of  Minerva. 
The  raven,  the  stag,  the  lyre,  or  a tripod, 
indicated  a consecration  to  Apollo,  on  whose 
altars  laurel  branches  were  also  distinctive 
insignia.  A serpent  entwined  round  a staff, 
or  a tripod,  points  to  Eseulapius,  or  Hygeia, 
or  other  divinities  supposed  to  preside  over 
health.  Diana’s  altar  is  to  he  known  by  the 
goddess’s  own  image,  or  by  her  attributes  the 
bow,  arrow,  and  quiver,  sometimes  with  the 
accompaniments  of  the  stag  and  the  dog.  A 
square  altar,  ornamented  with  the  figures  of 
two  stags,  aud  with  festoons  of  ribbands,  ap- 
pears 011^ a silver  medallion  of  Augustus,  bearing 
the  lcgcud  of  avgvstvs.  [This  medallion,  says 


AR.E. 

Mionuet,  was  struck  in  Asia.]  The  myrtle  aud 
the  dove  revealed  the  Altar  of  \cuus;  the  pop- 
lar, the  club,  or  some  representation  connected 
with  the  story  of  his  labours,  arc  peculiar  to 
altars  at  which  Hercules  was  adored  ; the  pine- 
tree  is  given  to  l’au;  and  a bacchanal  to  Silcnus. 
The  altars  of  Ceres  were  known  by  their  corn- 
ears  and  poppies,  also  by  the  image  of  the 
goddess,  holding  two  torches,  in  a biga  of  dra- 
gons. The  lotus  bespake  the  devotee  of  Serapis; 
and  the  cypress  tells  us  that  Roman  superstition 
dictated  propitiatory  sacrifices  even  to  the  in- 
fer nal  gods ; whose  altars,  however,  were  as- 
signed t o subterraneous  places. — See  Dictionaries 
of  Millin  and  Smith,  article  ara. 

Moreover,  it  was  before  Altars,  that  in 
touching  and  sacrificing  upon  them,  both  kings 
. and  peoples  swore  to  keep  treaties  of  peace, 
amitv,  and  alliance;  that  magistrates  took  oaths 
of  fidelity,  and  that  individuals  pledged  tliem- 
] selves,  in  their  reconciliations  and  their  mar- 
riages.— See  foedus  cvm.  gabims — vota  pi  b- 

LICA,  &C.  . . 

Within  the  temples,  the  principal  Ara  was 
placed  in  the  most  sacred  recess,  at  the  foot  of 
the  statue  of  the  deity  worshipped  there.  I ns 
was  the  most  elevated,  and  for  that  reason  called 
Allare:  on  this  incense  and  perfumes  were 
burnt  and  libations  made.  The  second  was 
placed  on  the  outside  before  the  portal  of  the 
edifice,  and  was  used  for  sacrifices  in  which  blood 
was  shed.  The  third  was  a portable  altar,  named 
Anclabris,  on  which  were  deposited  the  viscera 
of  slaughtered  animals  for  the  llaruspiees  to 
inspect,  together  with  the  instruments  of  immo- 
lation. There  was  vet  another  class  ol  altars, 
which  stood  bv  themselves,  apart  from  any 
temple,  and  were  distinguished  by  the  name,  and 
sometimes  by  the  figure,  of  the  nutnen  or  genius 
to  whom  it  was  consecrated. 


On  Roman  coins,  we  find  Altars  dedicated  to 
.Eternity,  Don  ns  Erentns,  Concord,  Fecundity, 
Fortune,  (see  fort.  red.  of  Augustus,)  Genius, 
Health,  Liberty,  Piety,  Peace,  (sec  paci.  pf.up. 
of  Tiberius,)  Providence,  Security,  Tranquillity, 
Youth,  (as  in  Prinrrps  Juventutis  of  Domitinn, 
(sec  No.  226  of  Caylns).— They  appear  also  on 
coins  of  the  Antin,  Cornelia.  Oppia,  Pomponm, 
Postumia,  Rnbria.  and  Yibia  families.  As  tor 
emperors  and  empresses,  they  are  represented 
sacrificing  at  Attars  throughout  nearly  the  entire 
scries,  from  Augustus  to  Licinius. 

Ara  Consecrationis. — Altars  of  Consecration; 

1 some  round,  others  square,  with  flame  rising 
from  the  top,  are  seen  on  coins,  round  which  we 
read  consf.cRATIO.  Also  an  altar  over  which 
is  inscribed  divo.  no.  Ac.,  designating  the 


AR.;E 

apotheosis  of  Antoninus  Pius.  A consecration 
medal  of  Aurelius,  in  silver  and  large  brass, 
exhibits  an  eagle  with  expanded  wings,  standing 
on  a small  square  structure, — Capt.  Smyth  thinks 
this  “probably  represents  the  casket  in  which 
the  ashes  of  Aurelius  were  transported  from 
Germany  to  Rome.  It  is  often,  he  adds,  not- 
withstanding its  shape,  called  an  altar— but,  as 
with  the  Allure  Viaticum  of  Roman  Catholic 
saints,  it  may  have  served  both  purposes.” — On 
other  consecration  coins  a branch  is  placed  in  I lie 
middle  of  the  altar,  on  which  an  eagle  sits 
with  a garland  in  its  beak ; or,  an  eagle  stands 
on  a thunderbolt,  accompanied  by  the  words 
aeternae  memoriae,  as  on  coins  of  Gal.  Maxi- 
mianus — or  two  eagles  standing  on  each  side  of 
a lighted  altar,  with  memoria  felix,  as  in  Con- 
stantins Chlorus. — See  Memoria  Felix. 

[The  above  wood-cut  is  from  the  reverse  of  a 
middle  brass  of  Faustina  senior,  minted  after  her 
death  and  consecration,  as  is  designated  by  the 
veiled  portrait  and  the  diva  of  the  obverse 
legend.] 

Arte  Ignitte. — Lighted  altars,  some  square,  but 
more  frequently  round ; some  simply  by  them- 
selves ; others,  before  which  the  Emperor  stands 
opposite  the  genius  of  a province  or  city,  are 
found  on  coins  of  Hadrian. — See  adventvi  avg. 
aciiaiae,  bithyniae,  &c.,  &c. — Also,  before 
which  a female  veiled,  and  in  the  stola,  stands 
dropping  incense  into  the  flame,  as  on  a gold 
coin  of  Sabina,  and  a pietas  avg.  of  Faustina 
senior,  in  first  brass. — See  Acerra,  p.  4. 

Ara  Lugdunensis. — Altar  of  Lyon. — Numer- 
ous medals  were  struck,  of  which  many  varieties 
are  extant,  in  large  and  middle  brass,  dedicated 
to  the  honour  of  Augustus,  about  the  year  of 
Rome  741  (b.  c.  13),  and  afterwards  to  that  of 
Tiberius,  the  reverses  of  which  represent  an  altar, 
stated  to  have  been  raised  to  “ Rome  and  to  Au- 
gustus” by  sixty  Gaulish  nations,  at  the  conflu- 
ence of  the  Rhone  and  the  Saonc. — This  altar  is 


ARrE. 


73 


Ara  Maxima  Herculis.  The  great  altar  of 
Hercules. — A very  rare  denarius  of  the  Antia 
gens  has  for  the  legend  of  its  reverse,  restio, 
and  for  type,  a lighted,  or  ignited,  altar.  Its 
obverse  exhibits  the  name  of  c.  antius,  and  the 
head  of  a bull,  ornamented  with  the  sacrificial 
infulce.  Comparing  this  coin  with  another  of 
the  same  family,  on  which  a naked  Hercules  is 
carrying  his  club  uplifted  in  one  hand,  and  a 
trophy  in  the  other,  Eckhcl  is  of  opinion,  that 
the  altar  called  Maxima  at  Rome,  dedicated 
to  the  above-named  demigod  is  here  represented. 
The  C.  Antius  Restio,  whose  appellations  are  in- 
scribed on  this  coin,  was,  according  to  Eckhcl, 
not  the  Restio,  who  carried  a sumptuary  law, 
before  Sulla’s  death,  a.  u.  c.  670  (b.  c.  84),  but 
the  son  of  that  legislator,  who  after  his  father’s 
death  took  occasion,  by  this  denarius,  to  honour 
the  memory  of  a man  so  thoroughly  attached  to 
the  spirit  of  the  ancient  commonwealth. — Sec 
Antia  in  Morell.  T/iesaur.  fig  2 and  3. 

Ara  Providentia. — The  altar  of  Providence 
is  found  on  many  coins  of  Augustus,  and  his 
successors  in  the  empire,  with  the  letters  pro- 
vident. s.  c. — The  Romans  dedicated  temples 
to  Providence  as  a divinity,  and  raised  altars  to 
her  worship. — See  providentia. 

Ara  Sa/ulis  August i — Altar  for  the  Emperor’s 
health  and  safety. — This  type,  seen  on  a very 
rare  large  brass  of  Tiberius,  with  the  inscription 
salus  augusti,  was  struck  on  the  occasion  of 
prayers  being  put  up  for  the  health  of  that  em- 
peror, especially  at  the  commencement  of  his 
reign,  when  numerous  altars  smoked  for  the 
same  purposes  both  at  Rome  and  in  the  pro- 
vinces.— See  sai.uti  augusti. 

ARA  PACIS.  (or  ARA  PAC.)  S.  C— On 
the  reverse  of  a middle  brass  of  Nero,  is  this 
inscription,  with  the  type  of  a lighted  altar,  de- 
dicated to  Peace,  which  that  emperor  affected 
to  cherish.  Similar  altars  had  been  erected  by 
a decree  of  the  senate,  in  the  reign  of  Augustus. 


typified  as  standing  between  two  columns,  sur- 
mounted by  Victories,  and  palm  branches.  On 
the  face  of  the  altar,  two  Genii  support  a crown 
placed  between  two  pine-trees— or  on  other  spe- 
cimens of  the  same  coin  (as  in  the  above  cut),  a 
laurel  crown  flanked  with  palm  branches.  Below 
is  the  inscription  ROMrte  ET  AV Gusto.  The 
columns  of  this  altar  have  been  sawn  in  two 
(says  Millin  in  his  Gal.  Mythologique)  ; and  at 
this  time  form  the  pillars,  which  support  the 
vaulting  of  the  choir,  in  the  church  of  Aisnay, 
near  Lyon. — See  kom.  et  avg.  iu  this  Dictionary. 

L 


“It  is  (says  Eckhcl),  a fact  incontrovertible, 
that  Nero  preferred  peace  to  the  tumultuous 
scenes  of  war  ; from  no  love,  on  his  part,  how- 
ever, of  the  blessings  which  peace  bestow  s,  but 
because  it  enabled  him,  with  greater  security, 
to  pass  his  leisure  in  the  amusements  of  the 
circus,  and  to  have  money  in  his  treasury  where- 
with to  join  sea  to  sea,  excavate  mountains,  and 
lay  down  monstrous  foundations  beneath  the 
waters.  We  have  accurate  testimony,  that, 
when  hard  pressed  by  the  revolt  of  Vindex  in 
Gaul,  and  at  a time  of  the  greatest  necessity  for 
levying  troops,  to  be  sent  against  the  rebels, 
certain  senators,  after  a hasty  consultation,  on 


74 


AR.E. 


ARABIA. 


the  business  for  which  he  had  summoned  them, 
passed  the  rest  of  the  day,  in  discussing  the 
merits  of  some  hydraulic  engines  of  a novel  con- 
struction, [the  form  of  one  of  these  is  consi- 
dered to  be  shown  on  a contorniate  medal  of 
Nero,  having  for  legend  of  reverse  i.aviif.nti 
nika.]  And  that  the  Emperor  declared  his  in- 
tention to  introduce  these  novelties  at  the  theatre, 
‘ if  Viudex  would  let  him,’  (si  per  Vindicem 
liceret).  The  calendars  of  Amiternum  and 
I’neneste,  as  well  as  the  poet  Ovid,  respec- 
tively allude  to  the  ara  pacis,  as  first  raised, 
by  senatorial  authority,  under  Augustus,  and 
dedicated  four  years  afterwards.” — vi.  268. 

ARA  PVDIC. — (Ara  Pudicitia — The  altar 
of  Modesty  or  Chastity.) — This  legend  and  type 
appear  on  gold  and  silver  coins  of  the  highest 
rarity,  struck  in  Trajan’s  sixth  consulate  (about 
the  beginning  of  a.  d.  113),  in  honour  of  his 
wife  Plotina. 


Obv.  PLOTINA.  AVG.  IMP.  TRAIANI.  Plotina 
Augusta  (by  implication  Uxor ) Imperatoris  Tra- 
jani.  Head  of  the  Empress  Plotina. 

Rev.  CAES.  AVG.  GERMA.  DAC.  COS.  VI.  P.P. 
(Trajan’s  Imperial  and  Consular  titles.)  An  ob- 
long square  altar,  on  which  is  sculptured  a sto- 
lated  figure,  standing  on  an  oval  base,  which 
rests  on  three  feet.  At  the  bottom  of  the  altar 
is  inscribed  aka  pvdic. 

In  the  earliest  ages  of  Rome  there  stood  in 
the  city  two  shrines  with  an  altar  in  each,  one 
consecrated  to  Pudicitia  Patricia,  in  the  Forum 
Boarium,  or  ox  market,  the  other  to  Pudicitia 
Plebeia,  erected  by  Virginia,  in  the  Vicus  Longus, 
or  high  street.  At  these,  it  seems,  none  had 
the  privilege  of  sacrificing,  except  a matron  of 
thoroughly  approved  character  for  the  peculiarly 
feminine  qualities,  and  conjugal  virtues,  of  chas- 
tity and  modesty,  and  had  been  married  but  to 
one  man.  The  name  and  antiquity  of  one  of 
these  altars  are  mentioned  by  Juvenal : — 

Maura  PUDICITIAE  veterem  cum  praiterit  ARAM. 

(Sat.  vi.) 

[When  Maura  passes  the  ancient  Altar  of  Pudi- 
citia.~\ 

or,  to  give  the  purport  of  the  allusion  more 
amply  from  Gifford’s  free  translation. 

Flushed  in  her  cups,  “ as  Tullia  homeward  goes, 
With  what  contempt  she  tosses  up  her  nose 
At  Chastity’s  hoar  fane ! What  impious  jeers 
Collatia  pours  in  Maura’s  tiugling  ears.” 

The  altar  dedicated  to  Patrician  modesty  was 
the  more  ancient  of  the  two,  and  probably  the 
scene  of  that  nocturnal  impurity,  to  which  the 
Roman  satirist  adverts. 

Of  Plotina,  whose  name  and  portrait  appear 
on  the  coins  which  bear  this  unique  legend, 
Pliny  the  younger,  addressing  himself  to  her 


husband,  thus  expresses  himself: — "You  have 
gained  a wife,  who  will  prove  your  ornament 
and  glory.  For  what  can  be  more  sacred  than 
her  character?  AVhat  more  of  the  old  school? 
How  quiet  is  she  in  her  attire!  How  moderate 
in  her  retinue  ! How  homely  in  her  deport- 
ment 1”  This  culogiuin,  by  such  a writer,  on 
the  purity  of  her  life,  shews  the  appropriateness 
of  the  legcud,  Ara  Pudicitia,  joined  to  the  name 
of  Plotina.  Yet  it  appears  from  Dion  Cassius, 
that  even  this  virtuous  characteristic  of  the  em- 
press was  subjected  to  aspersions,  in  consequence 
of  her  intimacy  with  Hadrian. 

[It  is  to  the  kindness  of  its  present  possessor, 
the  Rev.  Win.  Grigson,  rector  of  Whinbnrgh, 
Norfolk,  that  the  compiler  of  this  Dictionary  is 
indebted  for  being  enabled  to  exhibit  here  the 
fac  simile  engraving  of  a most  rare  and  elegant 
denarius;  found  amongst  a mass  of  about  300 
other  Roman  Imperial  coins,  in  silver  and  brass, 
ranging  from  Marcus  Antonius  to  Marcus  Aure- 
lius. This  discovery  was  made  in  the  month  of 
November,  1820,  by  some  labourers  who  were 
employed  in  forming  a clay  pit,  on  an  estate 
belonging  to  the  Rev.  B.  Barker,  in  the  village 
of  Caston,  three  miles  south-east  of  Watton,  in 
the  above  named  county.  Full  particidars  rela- 
tive to  this  “find”  were  communicated  in  March 
of  the  following  year  to  the  Society  of  Antiqua- 
ries ; and  the  coins  themselves  at  the  same  time 
submitted  to  the  inspection  of  tbe  then  Director, 
Taylor  Combe,  Esq.  for  the  information  of  that 
learned  Body,  by  Goddard  Johnson,  Esq.  now' 
of  Norwich,  at  that  period  residing  at  Little  Dun- 
ham.— Mr.  Combe,  in  his  official  report  to  the 
society,  says : " The  Plotina  is  perhaps  the  only 
denarius  of  that  Empress,  with  the  legend  of 
ara.  pvdic.,  which  has  been  found  in  England. 
The  coin  is  not  indeed  uew ; but  it  is  one  of 
considerable  rarity,  and  has  never,  1 believe, 
been  accurately  engraved.” — Sec  Archaologia, 
vol.  20,  March  15,  1821,  whence  this  account 
has  been  drawn  up. 

The  only  already  published  engraving  of  this 
denarius  appears,  in  Vaillant,  Prast.  Bum.  hupp. 
(p.  135,  Paris  edition,  1604,  and  T.  ii.  130, 
Rome  edition,  1743).  The  reverse  in  these  ex- 
hibits a square  altar,  without  any  figure,  or 
ornament,  on  its  face,  and  in  other  respects  un- 
like the  type  in  Mr.  Grigson ’s  specimen.] 

ARABIA,  one  of  the  largest  regions  of  Asia, 
between  Egypt  and  India,  divided  nominally 
into  three  parts — Felix,  Deserta,  and  Petraa : 
bounded  by  Syria  and  Mesopotamia  on  the  north  ; 
bv  the  Persian  Gulf  on  the  cast ; by  the  Ara- 
bian Gulf  or  Red  Sea  on  the  west ; and  by 
tbe  Indian  Ocean  (Ergthraum  Mare),  on  the 
south. — “ Arabv  the  Blest,”  the  most  exten- 
sive of  the  three  divisions,  derived  its  name 
from  its  great  fertility. — Arabia  the  desert,  the 
smallest  and  northernmost  district,  was  inha- 
bited by  the  Idumn-aus,  the  Moabites,  the  Mi- 
dianites,  and  the  Amalekites.  It  includes  "that 
great  aud  terrible  wilderness,”  in  which  the 
Israelites  held  their  wandering  abode  for  a pe- 
riod of  forty  years  after  their  exodus  from  Egypt. 
The  Romans  appear  to  have  been  unacquainted 


ARAB. 

with  that  district. — Arabia  the  Rocky,  which 
lies  centrally,  running  from  north-west  to  south- 
east, is  towards  its  northern  extremity  sterile 
and  scantily  populated,  but,  in  approaching  the 
southern  portion,  plains  are  found  to  be  fertile 
and  cultivated.  The  Romans,  under  Augustus, 
sent  troops  into  this  last-named  part  of  Arabia, 
but  failed  in  their  attempt  to  make  a conquest  of 
it,  at  that  period ; and  the  Arabs  remained  un- 
subdued till  the  time  of  Trajan. 

Spanheim  in  his  annotated  translation  of  the 
Caesars  of  Julian  (pr.  88),  cites  and  delineates  a 
very  rare  first  brass  of  Trajan,  in  the  French 
king’s  cabinet,  on  the  reverse  of  which  the  bust 
of  a woman  is  represented,  with  towers  on  her 
head,  and  two  infant  children  in  her  arms, 
which  he  considers  to  designate  respectively  Ara- 
bia Felix  and  Arabia  Petnea.  The  legend  gives 
the  name  and  titles  of  Trajan  in  Greek , and 
below'  is  the  word  ARABIA  in  Latin  characters; 
“doubtless  (adds  Spanheim),  to  mark  the  fact, 
that  this  emperor,  after  having  subdued  the 
country,  had  made  it  a Roman  province,  as  ap- 
pears from  other  well-known  medals.” — See 
Arab.  Adquisita,  &c. 

ARAB.  ADQ.  S.  P.  Q.  R.  OPTIMO  PRIN- 
CIPI. — A woman  standing,  with  a branch  in 
the  right  hand,  a reed  in  the  left ; at  her  feet 
a diminutive  camel  (on  other  coins  an  ostrich.) 
On  a denarius  of  Trajan. 

ARAB.  ADQVIS.  S.  P.  Q.  R.  OPTIMO 
PRINCIPI.  S.  C. — Same  type — on  first  and 
second  brass,  of  the  same  Emperor. 


Coins  with  the  above  types  and  inscriptions, 
bear  the  date,  on  their  obverse,  of  Trajan’s  fifth 
consulship,  contemporaneous  with  a.  u.  c.  858 
(a.  d.  105.)  It  was  up  to  that  period,  from  the 
age  of  Augustus,  who  (n.C.  24),  by  his  lieutenant 
Aelius  Gallus,  unsuccessfully  attempted  the  con- 
quest of  Arabia,  that  it  remained  undisturbed  by 
the  Roman  Arms.  The  same  enterprize,  how- 
ever, was  undertaken  with  a more  fortunate  re- 
sult, bv  Trajan,  who,  according  to  Eutropius, 
reduced  it  to  the  state  of  a province. — It  appears 
that  A.  Cornelius  Palma,  governor  of  Syria, 
was  the  commander  of  this  expedition.  Dion 
fixes  the  time:  viz.  that  when  the  Emperor  went 
out  to  the  second  Dacian  war.  And  the  Chronicle 
of  Eusebius,  as  well  as  the  Alexandrine  Chronicle, 
more  definitely  teaches  us,  that  the  Petrcean  Arabs 
and  the  people  of  Bostra,  computed  their  sera 
from  the  year  of  Rome  858.  The  coins  in  ques- 
tion, therefore,  as  records  of  Arabia  Arlquisita, 
arc  ascribed  to  the  above-mentioned  year,  but 
without  excluding  the  following  one. — That  part 
L 2 


ARATRUM.  75 

of  Arabia,  however,  which  was  occupied  by  the 
Romans,  bore  but  a small  proportion  to  the  im- 
mense tract  of  territory  above  named.  It  was, 
in  fact,  that  portion  which  bordered  on  Jiuhca, 
and  called  Petrcea,  as  some  say,  from  its  princi- 
pal city  Petra. 

With  regard  to  the  figure  of  an  animal  at  the 
foot  of  the  personified  province,  as  in  the  above  cut 
(from  a first  brass  coin  in  the  British  Museum), 
it  is  evident  from  coins  of  the  Aemilia  and 
Plautia  families,  and  also  from  Greek  coins  in- 
scribed with  the  word  apaisia,  that  it  is  the 
camel — an  animal  common  in  Arabia,  and  there- 
fore an  appropriate  symbol  of  that  region.  The 
ostrich  is  no  less  evidently  represented  on  an- 
other coin  of  Trajan,  bearing  the  same  legend, 
and  is  also  a bird  indigenous  to  the  same  country. 
Tristan  conjectures  that  what  the  woman  holds 
in  her  right  baud  is  a branch  of  frankincense ; 
and  in  her  left  a reed,  or  sweet  cane,  called  cala- 
mus odoratus  (or  aromaticus),  both  which,  ac- 
cording to  ancient  writers,  were  products  of  Ara- 
bia. In  this  opinion,  Spanheim  concurs,  whose 
instructive  remarks  on  this  point  deserve  perusal 
by  the  students  of  natural  history. — See  also 
Eckhel,  vi.  420. 

ARAB.  ADIAB. — ( Arabia's,  Adiabenicus.) 
cos.  ii.  p.p. — Victory  marching — appears  on  a 
gold  coin  of  Septimius  Sevcrus. — akab.  adia- 
benic.  Same  type,  on  a denarius  of  that  Em- 
peror. 

The  above  inscriptions  serve  to  record  the  re- 
duction of  the  Arabs  once  more  to  the  Roman 
yoke,  by  the  warlike  prince  on  whose  coins  they 
occur.  In  adding  a new  territory  to  Arabia, 
Sevcrus  rendered  it  a province  of  considerable 
extent,  and  thereon  founded  his  pretensions  to 
the  surname  of  Arabicus.  So  says  Ruffus,  in 
his  abridged  History  of  the  Roman  Empire. 
“ Septimius  Sevcrus,  acerrimus  Iinperator,  Arabas 
interiores  obtinuit,  et  Arabian i Provinciam  fecit  P 
In  adverting  to  the  titles  of  Arabicus  and  Adia- 
benicus, conferred  on  Severus,  for  his  successes 
a.d.  195,  and  to  their  introduction  also  on  his 
coins,  Eckhel,  (vii.  172)  says — “ As  far  as  my 
information  goes,  they  are  found  only  on  coins 
of  the  third  Tribuneship  (tr.  p.  iii.)  but  ancient 
marbles  blazon  them  later  and  more  frequently ; 
and  in  one  inscription  published  by  Muratori, 
they  are  joined  with  the  words  imp.  iiii.”  In 
reference  to  the  two  nations  above-named,  Spar- 
tianus  affirms,  that  “ he  received  the  submission 
of  the  Arabians,  and  compelled  the  Adiabeni  to 
become  tributary.” — See  part.  arab.  part, 
adiab. 

ARATRUM.  The  Plough.  This  w'cll-known 
implement  of  agriculture  appears  on  numerous 
Roman  coins,  as  indicating  the  fertility  and  cid- 
tivatiou  of  the  soil.  Ceres  being,  as  the  an- 
cients believed  and  as  Ovid  sang,  the  first  qua 
unco  terram  demovit  aratro,  is  depicted  with 
the  plough  and  with  similar  instruments  of 
husbandry.  Thus  the  aratrum  Cereris  is  seen  on 
coins  of  the  Vibia  family ; it  also  occurs  over 
the  head  of  Africa,  in  the  Cacilia  and  Eppia 
gentes.  The  plough  was  a distinguishing  sym. 
bol  of  Roman  colonies,  in  allusion  to  the  cere. 


7fi  ARCADIUS. 

mony  of  making  therewith  the  circuit  of  a city, 
or  settlement,  about  to  be  founded,  in  order 
that  its  locality  or  boundaries  might  be  precisely 
marked  out.  Hence  we  sec  on  colonial  coins, 
the  labourer,  or  the  priest,  guiding  a plough, 
drawn  by  a yoke  of  oxen. 

ARBORES. — Trees,  peculiar  to  certain  coun- 
tries, serve  on  medals  as  the  respective  symbols, 
or  insignia,  of  those  countries.  For  example, 
the  pa/m,  of  Judsca,  Damascus,  Tyre,  Alexan- 
dria, and  of  the  Phoenician  colonies  in  Sicily 
and  Spain.  The  frankincense  and  the  balsam 
shrubs  denoted  Arabia. — On  coins  of  the  Pom- 
ponia  family  we  see  the  fig- tree. — The  olive 
“ inter  duos  lapidcs  Tvri”  appears  on  colonial 
medals  of  Gordianus  Pius  and  Valerianus.  In 
like  manner,  a tree  behind  the  figure  of  Diana 
signifies  that  she  is  the  goddess  of  forests  and 
groves.  Three  nymphs  changed  into  larch  trees 
arc  exhibited  ou  a coin  of  the  Accolcia  gens. 
(Sec  p.  3.) — For  the  type  of  a tree  on  which  hang 
the  spoils  of  the  Nemsean  lion — see  herc.  com- 
MODIANO. — Two  trees  are  seen  on  a medal  of 
Vespasian. — And  on  many  coins,  chiefly  colonial, 
of  the  emperors,  from  Nero  to  Gallienus,  trees 
form  in  part,  or  wholly,  the  types  of  their  re- 
verses.—See  Rasche,  Lex.  Num. 

ARCADIUS  (Flavius),  son  of  Theodosius  the 
Great,  and  of  Flacilla,  was  bom  in  Spain  about 
a.  d.  377 — declared  Augustus  by  his  father  (a.  d. 
383),  whom  he  succeeded,  as  Emperor  of  the 


East  (395),  he  abandoning  all  claims  to  the  em- 
pire of  the  West,  in  favour  of  his  brother 
Honorius.  Arcadius  died  at  Constantinople  a.  d. 
408.  Ilimsclf  of  an  equally  weak  and  con- 
temptible character,  his  government  was  quite 
as  disgraceful,  and  nearly  as  calamitous,  as  that 
of  his  brother.  An  odious  favourite  of  his 
father’s  named  Rufinus,  early  exercised  an 
absolute  authority  over  the  effeminate  person  and 
imbecile  mind  of  Arcadius.-  It  was  under  the 
administration  of  this  avaricious  traitor,  that  the 
provinces  were  oppressed  with  exactions,  and 
laid  waste  by  barbarian  invaders.  But  he  met 
his  death  (a.  d.  395)  under  horrible  circum- 
stances, in  the  presence  of  the  emperor,  from 
the  troops  of  Gainas  the  Goth,  whom  Stilico, 
the  general  of  Honorius,  had  charged  with  the 
plan  of  his  destruction.  Eutropins  and  Eudoxia 
afterwards  held  divided  sway  over  the  indolent 
and  feeble  Arcadius  ; until  the  audacious  eunuch 
fell  a victim  to  the  revenge  of  the  empress.  The 
unsuccessful  revolt  of  Gainas,  whose  conspiracy 
cost  him  his  life  (a.  d.  401)  and  Eudoxia’s  cruel 
persecution  of  the  venerable  Chrysostom,  soon 
followed  by  her  own  decease,  form  the  only  re- 
maining incidents  of  importance  in  the  dis- 
astrous annals  of  this  most  incapable  prince. — 


ARCHITECTURE. 

“ In  the  31st  year  of  his  age,  after  a reign  (if, 
says  Gibbon,  we  may  abuse  that  word)  of  thirteen 
years,  three  months,  and  fifteen  days,  Arcadius 
expired  in  the  palace  of  Constantinople.” 

The  name  and  titles  of  this  Emperor  ou  his 
coins  (which  in  every  metal,  of  the  ordinary 
inodidc,  are  common)  always  read,  D.  N.  akca- 
divs.  p.  F.  avg.  (very  rarely  avgvstvs) — his 
head  encircled  with  a diadem  of  pearls. — The 
bust  is  also  seen  clothed  in  the  paludamentum. 
On  a medallion  of  pure  gold,  and  of  the  largest 
size,  published  by  Vaillant,  from  the  French 
cabinet,  Arcadius  is  so  represented,  holding  in 
his  left  hand  a globe  surmounted  by  the  small 
figure  of  Victory,  extending  a wreath  towards 
the  Emperor. — On  the  reverse  of  this  splendid 
piece,  Arcadius  is  represented  full-faced,  and 
julorned  with  the  nimbus,  standing  with  globe 
in  his  left  hand,  and  the  right  hand  elevated,  in  a 
triumphal  car,  drawn  by  six  horses.  The  legend 
Gloria  ROM ANOKVM.  lu  the  field,  the  mono- 
gram of  Christ.  Ou  the  exergue  CO.  ob. — See 
Prast.  Impp.  Rom.  hi.  262. 

ARCHITECTURE. — The  Romans,  who  are 
considered  to  have  imbibed  from  the  Etruscans 
their  first  notions  of  the  science  of  building, 
were  in  point  of  taste  very  inferior  to  the  Greeks. 
They  had  however  the  merit  of  cultivating,  w ith 
a high  degree  of  success,  the  ornamental  branch 
of  the  art,  and  also  of  realising  plans  for  publicly 
useful  structures,  which  were  neglected  by  their 
more  inventive  contemporaries.  Under  the  kiugs, 
especially  the  last  two  or  three,  several  works 
of  essential  importance  to  the  salubrity  and  con- 
venience of  their  city,  such  as  the  cloaca  or 
common  sewers,  were  begun  and  completed. 
During  the  republic,  Rome  was  embellished  with 
many  temples,  aqueducts,  and  other  buildings, 
some  of  them  on  a large  scale.  And,  at  a later 
period  of  the  commonwealth,  Greek  architects 
were  employed  there,  in  designing,  and  direct- 
ing the  progress  of,  magnificent  edifices,  both 
public  and  private. — Poinpey  raised  the  first 
Theatre  of  stone,  at  Rome,  which  w as  about  the 
same  time  indebted  to  Julius  Cicsar  for  some 
fine  specimens  of  architectural  skill. — Under  the 
long  aud  pacific  reign  of  Augustus,  gnat  im- 
provements took  place.  It  was  he  who  built 
the  portico  to  which  was  given  the  name  of  his 
sister  Octavia;  the  Fonun  Novum,  aiul  the 
temple  of  Mars  Ultor  ; the  basilica  in  honour  of 
Caius  aud  Lucius;  the  temple  of  Apollo;  the 
splendid  mausoleum  destined  to  receive  his  own 
ashes ; and  the  theatre  of  Marecllus  also,  were 
successively  reared  by  his  direction.  Augustus 
likewise  caused  several  harbours  to  be  formed  in 
Italy  and  various  other  parts  of  the  Roman 
dominions ; besides  restoring  the  Flaminian  way, 
ami  other  public  roads. — The  edifices  raised  by 
relatives  and  friends  of  this  celebrated  Prince 
were,  a temple  of  Hercules  Musagctcs,  by  Mar- 
cias Philippus  [sec  MARCIA  gens]  ; a temple  of 
Diana  by  L.  Cornuficius  [see corn vficla  gens]; 
a temple  of  Saturn,  by  Munatius  Plancus ; the 
j Atrium  Libertatis,  by  Asinius  Pollio  [see  asinia 
I gens]  ; the  temples  of  Concord,  and  Castor  and 
[ Pollux,  by  Tiberius ; aud  au  amphitheatre  by 


ARCHITECTURE. 

Statilius  Taurus.  Agrippa,  the  son-in-law  of 
Augustus,  adorned  the  city,  with  new  aque- 
ducts, fountains,  basins,  baths,  and  above  all 
with  the  Pantheon. — After  the  great  conflagra- 
tion at  Rome,  Nero,  in  whose  reign  it  took 
place,  and  to  whose  spirit  of  incendiarism  it  has 
been  ascribed,  engaged  the  services  of  the  ablest 
architects,  to  rebuild  many  edifices  ; and  those  of 
the  Grecian  School  were  principally  employed  in 
crectiug  his  golden  palace,  described  as  an  object 
of  JBpassing  richness,  both  in  materials  and 
in  decorations.  On  a first  brass  of  Nero  we  sen 
a representation,  not  unworthy  of  that  beautiful 
arch,  adorned  with  statues  and  surmounted  by  a 
triumphal  quadriga,  accompanied  with  symbols  of 
Victory,  which  Tacitus  affirms  to  have  been  de- 
creed a.u.c.  811  (a.d.  58)  to  that  Emperor,  and 
raised  on  the  mount  of  the  Capitol,  in  honour  of 
the  pretended  successes,  but  real  defeats,  of 
Pietus,  Nero’s  general  in  Armenia,  employed 


against  the  Parthians.  This  was  ordered  by  the 
Senate  whilst  the  war  was  still  pending;  nor, 
adds  the  Roman  historian  (Ann.  xv.  18)  was  the 
work  discontinued  when  the  disastrous  event 
became  known. — The  chief  architectural  under- 
taking of  Vespasian,  was  his  truly  magnificent 
Amphitheatre,  the  first  of  that  kind  constructed 
of  stone,  but  left  for  the  elder  and  worthier  of  his 
sons  to  finish. — Amongst  the  works  of  his  suc- 
cessors were— the  triumphal  arch  of  Titus;  the 
naumachia  and  forum,  commenced  by  Domitian, 
and  finished  by  Nerva,  who  himself  caused  much 
to  be  accomplished  in  the  department  of  aque- 
ducts.— Trajan’s  reign  was  distinguished  by  the 
grandeur  and  elegance  of  the  structures  built 
under  his  auspices.  Of  these  the  basilica,  the 
forum,  the  column,  and  the  triumphal  arch,  that 
bear  his  name,  were  the  most  remarkable,  and 
they  form  types  on  his  coins. 

But  of  Hadrian  it  is,  on  all  hands,  admitted 
that  no  Emperor,  more  extensively  or  more  muni- 
ficently than  he,  devoted  attention,  authority, 
and  means,  to  the  construction  of  public  build- 
ings. Not  to  speak  of  the  restoration  and  em- 
bellishment of  numerous  cities  iu  the  provinces 
and  colonies  of  the  empire,  the  Mausoleum  Ila- 
driani  and  the  Pons  Aelius  at  Rome,  (still  extant 
under  the  names  of  the  castle  and  the  bridge  of 
St.  Angelo,  though  unrepresented  on  any  coin  of 
genuine  antiquity,)  together  with  the  ruins  of  his 
extra-urban  villa,  arc  works  that  attest  the  splen- 
did triumph  of  architecture  in  that  prince’s  reign. 

Under  Antoninus  Pius  are  to  bo  noted  his  tem- 
ple of  Faustina,  and  also  the  column  of  that  Em- 


ARCIIITECTURE.  77 

peror. — Marcus  Aurelius  caused  several  temples 
and  other  public  buildings  to  be  erected  in  Rome, 
and  many  more  iu  the  provincial  districts  of  his 
wide  dominions. — After  this  period,  namely  that 
of  the  Antonines,  “ Architecture,  (as  Millin  ob- 
serves) like  the  empire,  declined.  Of  tliis  we 
have  proof  in  the  triumphal  arch  of  Septimius 
Severus,  yet  that  prince  loved  and  encouraged 
the  art.  Under  Alexander  Severus,  skilful 
builders — men  of  genius — met  with  patronage, 
and  many  edifices  were  constructed  or  restored. 
But  the  science  had  deteriorated,  and  the  in- 
creasing troubles  of  the  empire  prevented  it  from 
regaining  any  portion  of  its  former  purity.  At 
length,  when  Constantine  established  the  seat  of 
government  at  Byzantium,  and  when  the  hordes 
of  the  north  poured  themselves,  in  perpetual 
incursions,  over  the  finest  portions  of  the  Roman 
territories,  then  architecture,  properly  so  called, 
became  extinct ; and  instead  of  ornamenting  and 
improving  cities,  nothing  was  thought  of  but 
the  construction  of  fortresses.” 

Coins,  both  consular  and  imperial,  have  pre- 
served to  us  the  memory  of  many  public  edifices 
which  existed,  and  some  of  which  still  exist,  in 
Rome. — The  Basilica  Aimilia  (see.  p.  31)  is 
represented  on  a denarius  of  that  family.  The 
Macctlum , or  market-place,  of  Augustus,  re- 


built by  Nero,  forms  the  reverse  of  one  type  of 
that  emperor’s  large  brass  coins,  from  which  the 
annexed  cut  is  copied.  The  colosstsum,  or  am- 
phitheatre, begun  by  Vespasian,  is  figured  on  a 
large  brass  of  Titus,  and  repeated  on  medals  of 
succeeding  emperors  (see  p.  42). — The  Basilica 
U/pia,  the  Forum  Trajani,  and  the  Colmnna 
Trajana,  appear  on  gold,  silver,  and  brass  of  that 
prince.  The  temple  dedicated  to  Faustina  senior 
and  Antoninus  Pius,  and  the  Antonine  Pillar  are 
also  typified  on  contemporaneous  coins.  (See 
divo  pio.) — It  is,  indeed,  through  the  medium 
of  numismatic  monuments  that  we  arc  made  ac- 
quainted with  the  exterior  forms  of  heathen 
temples;  the  princes,  peoples,  and  cities  of  the 
ancient  world,  being  accustomed  frequently  to 
adopt  representations  of  these,  their  sacred, 
edifices,  as  types  for  their  money. — See  the  words 
Arcus.  Aeries,  Basilica,  Columna,  Forum,  Tern- 
plum,  and  the  woodcuts  which  respectively  illus- 
trate them. 

Arcus,  the  bow,  a weapon  of  the  chase,  and  a 
symbol  of  Diana,  which  as  the  goddess  of  hunting, 
she  sometimes  holds  in  her  right,  at  other  times 
in  her  left  hand.  This  is  shewn  on  coins  of  the 
Imperial  series,  as  in  Titus,  Nerva,  Crispina, 
Trebonianus  Gallus,  Aeinilianus,  Valeriauus, 


78  ARCUS. 


ARCUS  TRIUMPIIALIS. 


Postnmus,  Ac.  The  bow  and  quiver  behind  the 
head  of  Diana  appear  on  a medal  of  Antoninus 
Pius. 

Arcus  Apo/linis. — The  bow  is  frequently  one 
of  the  insignia  of  Apollo,  whence  that  deity  was 
called  by  the  poets  [see  Ovid,  i„  i.  Metem.~\ 
Arcitenens.  The  bow  as  an  attribute  of  Apollo 
is  seen  on  coins  of  M.  Aurelius,  Gallus,  Volusia* 
nus,  Valerianus. 

Arcus  Herculis. — The  bow  of  Hercules,  with 
his  club,  and  arrow,  occurs  on  coins  of  the  Curt  ia 
and  Domitia  families — also  in  the  hands  of  the 
demigod,  as  in  the  Poblicia  and  Antonia  families. 
It  appears  likewise  on  Imperial  coins,  as  in 
Antoninus,  L.  Verus,  Commodus,  S.  Scvcrus, 
Aemiliauus,  Postumus,  Dioclctiauus,  Maximia- 
nus,  Val.  Scverus. 

Arcus  Triumpha/is.  The  triumphal  arch. — 
This  kind  of  monument  consists  of  grand  por- 
ticoes, erected  at  the  entrance  of  cities,  or  across 
streets,  or  upon  bridges,  and  public  roads,  either 
to  the  honour  of  a conqueror,  or  in  remembrance 
of  some  important  event.  Most  of  these  are 
charged  with  inscriptions  dedicated  to  the  indi- 
vidual who  had  been  decreed  to  deserve  the  pre- 
eminently high  distinctions  of  the  Roman  tri- 
umph. As  an  architectural  invention — if  indeed 
the  appropriation  of  such  isolated  objects  to  the 
glory  of  individuals,  may  be  termed  an  inven- 
tion— the  merit  of  designing  and  constructing 
triumphal  arches  belongs  exclusively  to  the  ge- 
nius of  ancient  Rome.  The  first  that  were  built, 
in  the  time  of  the  Republic  had,  however,  nothing 
of  the  magnificent  or  of  the  decorative  about 
them.  And  for  a long  time  they  exhibited  the 
simple  form  of  the  half  circle,  on  the  top  of 
which  were  placed  trophies  aud  the  statues  of 
the  victorious  generals.  Afterwards  the  dimen- 
sions of  these  arches  were  greatly  increased;  and 
they  were  more  or  less  covered  with  ornaments 
of  every  description.  The  mass  of  their  con- 
struction formed  a square  pierced  with  three  ar- 
cades, which  received  not  only  inscriptions  but 
bas  reliefs,  and  which  supported  equestrian 
statues,  chariots  and  horses,  with  other  objects 
of  a kind  assimilated  to  the  character  and  design 
of  the  memorial  itself. 

The  arch  of  Constantine  is  the  most  consi- 
derable aud  the  best  preserved  of  all  the  existing 
monuments  of  that  kind  at  Rome. — The  arch  of 
Septimus  Secerus  resembles  that  of  Constan- 
tine, or  rather,  it  should  be  said,  the  latter  re- 
sembles the  former.  The  arch  of  Titus,  much 
earlier  in  date,  and  more  historically  interesting, 
is  of  inferior  architectural  consideration  compared 
with  the  two  preceding  ones.  But  though  the 
three  structures  above  named  arc  still  to  be  seen 
in  a more  or  less  satisfactory  state  of  preserva- 
tion, yet  only  one  of  them,  namely  that  of  Se- 
verus,  is  represented  on  any  coin,  whilst  on  the 
other  hand,  the  types  of  many  triumphal  arches 
destroyed  ages  back,  appear  (like  that  of  Nero 
above  engraved)  on  genuine  products  of  the 
Roman  mint. 

Arch  of  Septimius  Secerns. — The  annexed 
cut  is  eugraved  from  the  cast  of  a very  rare  de- 
narius, obligingly  transmitted  to  the  author 


of  this  work,  in  1851,  by  Mr.  Doubledav,  of 
the  British  Museum,  soon  after  he  had  made  a 
purchase  of  the  original  for  the  medal  depart- 
ment of  that  Institution. 


Ohv. — sf.vf.rvs  PITS.  avg.  laureatcd  head  of 
the  Emperor. 

Rev. — cos.  nt.  p.p. — Triumphal  arch. 

Arches  of  Augustus. — A silver  coin  of  Augus- 
tus, the  reverse  of  which  bears  the  legend  L. 
vinicivs  (one  of  his  mouetal  triumvirs)  has  for 
its  type  a triumphal  arch  of  a peculiar  form.  It 
consists  of  a grand  arcade,  tlauked  by  two 
columns,  which  support  au  entablature,  sur- 
mounted by  an  attic,  on  which  is  inscribed 
S.  p.  Q.  r.  imp.  caes.  and  on  the  top  is  the  im- 
perial quadriga.  On  cither  side  of  the  central 
arch  are  two  square  portals  of  smaller  size, 
with  a pediment,  and  a column  at  the  two  ex- 
tremities, each  surmounted  by  a statue. 

In  Moretl.  Thesaur,  under  the  head  of  the 
Pomponia  family,  we  see  a second  eolouial  brass 
struck  at  Corinth  and  dedicated  to  Augustus,  on 
the  reverse  of  which  is  a most  elegant  arch,  with 
a large  portal  in  the  centre  and  two  smaller  ones 
on  each  side  of  it,  surmounted  by  a triumphal 
quadriga  and  victories  crowning  the  Emperor. 
Havercamp  considers  this  to  represent  the  arch 
erected  at  Corinth,  cither  on  the  occasion  of  his 
entry  into  that  city,  or  on  account  of  the  victory 
at  Actium. 

But  amongst  other  triumphal  arches  repre- 
sented on  coins  of  Augustus,  the  most  remark- 
able, perhaps,  as  well  for  its  incription  as  its 
type,  is  that  which  was  raised  in  memory  of 
the  victory  gained  over  the  Parthians,  from 
whom  he  received  back  the  military  ensigns, 
which  they  had  captured  from  Crassus  and  Mark 
Antony.  The  arch  has  three  portals,  and  on  its 
summit  we  sec  the  emperor  in  a quadriga  ; one 
Parthian  presenting  to  him  a standard,  and 
another  a legionary  eagle — See  civmx's.  See.  a 
PARTJI1S  RECEP. 

Claudius. — There  are  both  silver  and  gold 
coins  of  Claudius,  which  exhibit  the  arch  raised 
to  commemorate  the  victories  obtained  in  Britain, 
during  the  reign  of  Claudius. — See  britan.  (de) 

Drusus,  senior. — The  arch  of  marble,  which 
the  Senate  caused  to  be  built  in  honour  of  Drusns 
senior,  brother  of  Tiberius,  as  conqueror  in  an 
expedition  against  the  Germans  (in  consequence 
of  which  he  was  called  germanicvs),  is  typified 
on  gold  and  silver  coins,  bearing  the  portrait  of 
that  hero  on  their  obverse.  The  same  subject  is 
more  architecturally  displayed  with  Drusus  on 
horseback,  and  with  trophies  surmounting  it,  on 
the  reverse  of  a large  brass,  struck  under  Clau- 
dius.  Sec  NERO  CI.AVDIVS  DRVSVS,  &C. 

Trajanus. — A large  brass  of  his  (a  copy  of 
which  Mlows  this),  presents  an  arch  of  stately 


ARCUS  TRIUMPIIALIS. 
proportions,  rich  in  statuary  and  other  orna- 
ments, surmounted  with  trophies  of  Germa- 
nic arms,  and  on  an  attique  (inscribed  with 
the  three  letters,  which  shew  it  to  have  been 
dedicated  to  Jupiter — viz.  loci  Optimo  Maximo,) 
we  see  the  image  of  the  emperor  in  a triumphal 
chariot,  crowned  by  two  figures  of  Victory. 


This  decorated  structure  was  erected  in  honour 
of  Trajan.  “ It  was  probably  the  vestibulum,  or 
porch  of  the  capitol,  mentioned  in  the  panegyric. 
Pedrusi  following  Xiphilinus,  thinks  it  stood  in 
the  Forum.  Aulus  Gellius  tells  us  that  it  was 
inscribed  ex  manvbiis.  (Smyth,  Bes.  Cat.  85.) 

Gatba. — There  is  on  a large  brass  of  Galba  an 
arch  formed  of  a single  portal,  to  which  there  is 
an  ascent  by  a flight  of  five  small  steps,  and  on  the 
summit  is  the  figure  of  the  emperor  in  a quadriga. 
This,  however,  as  Millin  observes,  is  of  the  num- 
ber of  those,  which  ought  to  be  excluded  from 
the  class  of  triumphal  arches,  properly  so  called, 
as  may  be  perceived  from  the  inscription. — See 
qVADRAGENS.  KEMISSAK. 

Bomitianus. — On  a large  brass  is  the  arch  of 
that  emperor,  which  he,  the  most  pusillanimous 
of  tyrants,  had  the  effrontery  to  claim  from  the 
Senate,  for  a victory,  which  he  never  obtained, 
over  the  Germans  and  Dacians.  It  is  curiously 
represented,  as  formed  of  two  stories,  two  arched 
portals  occupying  the  lower  one;  the  whole  sur- 
mounted by  two  quadriga  of  elephants,  with  a 
triumpher  in  each,  one  facing  to  the  right  and  the 
other  to  the  left. — Engraved  in  King’s  Plates. 

ARCUS  AUGG.  S.  C. — A triumphal  arch  of 
three  portals,  decorated  on  the  top  with  statues. 
On  brass  of  Caraealla. 


The  period  when,  and  the  particular  occasion 
on  which,  this  arcvs  avgvstorvm  was  erected, 
is  shewn  by  the  inscription  still  remaining  on  its 
front.  Eckhel  (vii.  205)  has  given  the  words 
entire,  as  received  by  Barthclemy  from  the 
actual  copyist.  They  teach  us,  that  the  arch 
was  built  in  the  year  of  Rome  056  (a.  d.  203), 


ARGENTUM.  79 

in  honour  of  Scverus  and  his  sons,  after  their 
victories  over  the  Parthians,  the  Arabs,  and  the 
Adiabeni.  There  is  a remarkable  circumstance 
connected  with  the  inscription  above  alluded  to, 
viz.  that  the  name  of  Geta  following  those  of 
Secerus  and  Caraealla  (ex  p septimio  getae 
nobilissimo  caesari)  was  erased  from  the 
marble  (the  words  P.  P.  Optimis  Fortissimisque 
Principibus  being  inserted  in  their  place.)  This 
was  done  by  his  inhuman  brother’s  orders ; as 
indeed  the  same  name  and  titles  were  also  re- 
moved, in  obedieuee  to  the  same  commands,  from 
all  other  contemporaneous  public  edifices  aud 
memorials. 

In  reference  to  this  interesting  reverse,  Capt. 
Smyth  observes, — “ One  of  the  dupondii,  in- 
scribed arcvs  avgg.  represents  the  triumphal 
arch  of  Severus,  at  the  foot  of  the  Capitoline 
hill,  exactly  as  it  appears,  now  that  the  rubbish 
is  removed  in  which  it  was  half  hidden”  (p.  192.) 

AREA,  the  field  or  surface  of  a coin. 

ARELATE,  a city  in  Gallia  Narbonensis,  now 
called  Arles,  aud  to  this  day  a considerable  town 
in  Provence,  being  the  see  of  an  archbishopric. 
Ausonius  calls  it  Gallula  Roma. 

Pande  duplex,  Arelate,  tuos  blanda  hospita  Portus 
Gallula  Kotna 

[Open  wide,  Arelate,  thy  ports  with  friendly 
welcome,  thou  little  Gallicised  Rome.] 

It  was  one  of  the  six  cities,  to  which  the 
right  of  coining  money  was  conceded,  in  the 
lower  empire ; whence  coins  of  Constantine  and 
others  have  for  their  mint-mark  arl.  p.  Are- 
latcnsium  Prima,  &c. — See  Pitiscus  and  Raschc, 
who  call  Arelate  a Roman  colony ; it  is,  how- 
ever, not  included,  as  such,  in  the  respective 
catalogues  of  Eckhel  or  Mionnet. 

ARETAS,  a King  of  Arabia,  who,  according 
to  Josephus,  gave  300  talents  to  Scaurus,  to 
withdraw  his  army  from  that  country.  This 
prince  is  depicted,  on  a denarius  of  the  Aemilia 
gens,  kneeling,  as  if  in  the  act  of  supplicating 
peace  at  the  hands  of  the  Romans. — See  rex 

ARETAS. 

ARGENTEI  Romanorum  Numi. — Sec  Silver 
coins  of  the  Romans. 

ARGENTUM,  Silver,  was  a word  employed 
by  the  Latins  to  denote  money  in  general, 
although  silver  money  was  not  the  first  intro- 
duced into  Rome  (see  As.) — “Argentum,  Aurum, 
et  Aes,  signatum,  factum,  infectum.”  Isidorus 
cited  by  Eckhel  (vol.  v.  41)  thus  explains  the 
signification  of  these  words,  as  applied  to  the 
three  metals — silver,  gold,  and  brass,  viz.  sig- 
natum is  that  which  has  been  coined  into  money ; 
factum  is  tbat  which  has  been  converted  into 
vases  and  images;  infectum,  that  which  is  in  the 
lump,  or  as  we  should  now  call  it,  ingots,  or 
bullion. 

ARGENTEUS,  or  the  silver  piece,  is  the 
name  given  to  the  large  denarius  of  Caraealla 
and  his  successors,  by  the  writers  of  the  Augustan 
History,  and  in  rescripts  of  the  period.  It  was 
also  called  Argenteus  Philippus,  or  the  Silver 
Philip,  the  word  Philip  having,  during  the  lower 
age  of  the  imperial  government,  become  a fami- 
liar appellation  for  any  coin.  The  common  de- 


gO  ARIADNE, 

narii  now  first  begin,  adds  Pinkerton,  to  be 
termed  minuti,  and  argentei  philippi  minuti, , to 
express  their  being  smaller  than  the  other.  I he 
first  argenteus  is  worth  one  shilling  sterling. 

— Sec  Essay,  vol.  i.  167-  . . 

AltGUS,  the  name  of  the  faithful  dog  ot 
Ulysses,  that  alone  kucw  liis  master  returning 
home  after  twenty  years’  absence.  [Homer. 
Odyss.  1.  xvii.]  A family  denarius  represents 
Ulysses,  disguised  as  a mendicant,  and  his  dog 
in 'the  attitude  of  fawning  on  him.— See  Ma- 

”U\RIADNE,  or  Ariane,  is  said  to  have  been  the 
daughter  of  Minos  the  second,  and  of  Pasiphae  ; 
and°to  have  become  enamoured  of  1 hcscus,  when 
that  favourite  hero  of  the  Athenians  arrived  in  her 
father’s  kingdom  of  Crete,  with  other  youths  to 
be  delivered  up  to  the  Minotaur.  Fable  proceeds 
to  relate  that  she  shewed  Theseus  the  way  to 
vanquish  that  monster,  and  that  she  gave  him  a 
ball  of  thread,  by  the  aid  of  which  he  was  enabled 
to  find  his  way  out  of  the  labyrinth.  1 he  sequel 
of  Ariadne’s  s'torv,  as  generally  adopted  by  poets, 
artists,  and  mythologists,  is,  that  she  was  de- 
serted in  the  most  faithless  and  ungrateful  man- 
ner, by  Theseus;  and  had  given  herself  up  to 
despair,  when  Bacchus  came  and  consoled  her 
in  the  isle  of  Naxos. 


Mionnct  authenticates  a medallion  of  Antoni- 
nus Pius,  on  the  reverse  of  which  appear  Bac- 
chus and  Ariadne,  in  a car  drawn  by  a Satyr 
and  a Panther. 

[The  above  is  engraved  after  a cast  trom  a 
genuine  specimen  in  the  Cabinet  de  France.— 
There  is  another  in  the  Imperial  Cabinet  at 
Vienna. — On  the  obverse  is  a fine  portrait  of 
Antoninus.  The  inscription  on  the  exergue  r.M. 
Til.  pot.  cos.  ii.  shews  the  date  of  its  mintage 

to  be  a.d.  139]  , t.  u 

Millin,  in  his  Dictionnaire  VortaUf  delaralile , 
speaks  of  a fine  medallion  of  Alexander  Sevcrus, 
in  the  Museum  at  Paris,  anil  which  he  describes 
ns  representing  Bacchus,  naked,  holding  Ariadne, 
asleep,  round'  him  are  three  satyrs,  whose  ges- 
tures express  astonishment,  and  near  him  is  an 
old  man  dressed  in  a cloak,  and  leaning  on  a 
gtaff_Of  this  medallion  no  mention  is  made 
cither  in  Mionnct  or  in  Akerman’s  descriptive 
notices  of  Roman  coins. — Sec  Bacchus. 

ARIES. — See  Bam. 

ARM.  Armeniacus All  ME.  Armenian 

surnames  derived  from  the  conquest  of  Amieuia 
by  the  Romans. 


ARMENIA. 

ARMENIA— a region  of  Asia,  now  forming 
part  of  the  Diar  Bckir  and  Kourdistan  in  the 
Turkish  empire.  It  was  anciently  divided  into 
two  provinces,  Major  and  Minor . Armenia 
Major  was  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Euphrates, 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Colchis  and  Ibcna  ; 
on  the  south  by  Mesopotamia.  Armenia  Minor 
was  on  the  western  bank  of  the  Euphrates, 
bounded  on  the  west  by  Cappadocia,  of  which  it 
originally  formed  part  ; on  the  south  by  the 
chain  of  the  Taurus.  Armenia,  as  a country, 
was  distinguished  nationally  by  the  bow,  quiver 
of  arrows,  and  oblong  mitre  in  the  shape  of  a 
hood  (a  covering  for  the  head,  which  was  com- 
mon to  its  inhabitants  of  both  sexes).  Lucullus 
was  the  first  of  the  Roman  generals,  who,  under 
the  republic,  invaded  Armenia  (b.  c.  69).  lie 
vanquished  its  king,  Tigranes  II.  son-in-law  of 
Mithridatcs  Eupator,  and  took  Tigrauocerta  its 
capital  (now  Sert  in  Kourdistan).  This  king 
afterwards  surrendered  his  crown  to  Pompey,  the  _ 
successor  of  Lucullus  (b.  c.  06),  and  who,  after 
having  despoiled  him  of  Mesopotamia,  permitted 
him  to  reign  in  Armenia— Tigranes  being  dead, 
the  Romans  became  almost  the  absolute  masters 
of  the  kingdom—  M.  Antonius  filched  its  crown 
from  Artavasdes  the  lawful  sovereign,  about  the 
year  u.c.  720  and  21  (b.c.  33).— Augustus  gave 
a king  to  it,  when  at  the  death  of  Artaxias  it 
was  recepta,  or  taken  into  possession,  by  the 
Romans,  a.u.c.  725  or  20,  (b.c.  28.)  and  suc- 
ceeding emperors  continued  to  exercise  an  op- 
pressive power  over  its  government.  At  length 
Trajan  united  it  as  a province  to  the  empire ; 
Antoninus  (see  REX.  armf.NIS  datvs.)  bestowed 
a king  upon  it ; and  Armenia  remained  for  ages 
afterwards  the  slave  of  Imperial  Rome. 


ARME.  or  ARMEN,  or  ARMENIA  CAP.— 
Crrsar  Did  Filins,  Armenia  Capla.  Armenia 
taken  or  subdued.— This  legend  appears  on  a 
denarius  of  I..  AquiUius  Florus,  one  of  Augus- 
tus’s monetal  triumvirs.  The  province  is  per- 
sonified, under  the  figure  of  a female,  in  a long 
dress,  wearing  a tiara,  or  high  cap,  in  the  kneel- 
ing posture  of  a suppliant.  The  inscription  Ar- 
menia recept.  &c.  occurs  on  silver  of  Au- 
gustus, with  upright  figure  of  an  Armenian, 
in  the  habit  of  his  country,  holding  a spear 
and  bow.— ARMENIA  CAPTA  at  full  length  is 
seen  on  gold  of  that  Emperor,  having  for  type 
of  reverse  a capricorn,  globe,  and  cornucopia;, 
knot  her  aureus,  with  the  same  words  on  its  re- 
verse, bears  a sphinx.  It  was  struck,  on  the 
occasion  of  a son  of  Tigranes  having  been  made 
king  of  the  greater  Armenia,  by  Augustus.— A 
denarius  of  the  same  Emperor  has  also  the  epi- 
graph of  Armenia  Capta,  and  for  its  type  the 
royal  tiara,  together  with  a bow,  and  quiver  lull 


ARMENIA. 

of  arrows,  the  two  latter  illustrating  what  is 
said  of  Armenia,  by  the  poet  Lucan  : — 

Armeniosque  arcus  Geticis  intendite  nervis. 

[And  bend  Armenian  bows  with  Getic  strength.] 

Nor  must  notice  he  omitted  of  the  elegant  re- 
verse type  on  a gold  coin,  which  was  minted  under 
the  same  reign,  and  which,  as  an  accompaniment 
to  Armenia  capta,  represents  a winged  Victory 
holding  down  a bull  by  the  horns — apt  emblem 
of  a conqueror  reducing  a formidable  enemy  to 
subjection  by  force  of  arms. — For  engravings 
of  these,  see  Morel/.  Thesatir.  Impp.  Rom. 
t.  ii.  tab.  xvii.  fig.  4 ; aud  TAB.xi.  figures  23, 
25,  26. 

ARMEnta  CAPTa.  CAESARS  Yiliut.— Ar- 
menia on  her  knees  lifts  up  her  hands  in  suppli- 
cation. On  a denarius  of  Augustus. — Dion  and 
Tacitus  (cited  by  Eckhcl,  vi.  98)  cursorily  men- 
tion, that  Tiberius  was,  a.  u.  c.  734  (b.  c.  20), 
sent  by  Augustus  from  Syria,  on  an  expedition  into 
Armenia,  in  order  that  by  defeating  Artavasdes, 
he  might  confirm  the  possession  of  that  country 
to  his  brother  Tigrancs.  Velleius  is  more  to 
the  purpose  of  the  coin  in  question,  for  he  says, 
“Tiberius  entering  Armenia  with  his  legions, 
and  reducing  it  under  the  power  of  the  Roman 
people,  bestowed  its  government  on  Tigrancs. 

ARMENIA  DEVICTA.  (M.  ANTONI™.) 
Armenia  vanquished  or  subdued. — A denarius  of 
Mark  Antony’s  has  on  its  obverse  the  bare  head 
of  the  Triumvir,  with  the  tiara,  or  crown  of  the 
Armenian  kings  behind  the  neck,  and  the  words 
antoni.  Armenia  devicta. — On  the  reverse 
is  to  be  read,  cleopatrae  reginae  regvm, 
PILTORVM  regym.  (by  implication  Matri.)  The 
type  presents  the  head  of  Cleopatra,  the  liluus 
before  it,  in  allusion  to  Antony’s  augurship. 


This  very  rave  coin  serves,  by  what  it  exhi- 
bits on  both  sides  of  it,  to  commemorate  events 
which  took  place  in  the  year  of  Rome  720  (b.  c. 
34),  confirmatory  of  the  accounts  given  respecting 
them  by  historians.  The  obverse  legend  describes 
Armenia  as  subdued  (devicta)  and  accordingly 
a tiara,  symbolizing  the  Armenian  monarchy,  is 
placed  on  that  side,  behind  the  portrait  of  An- 
tony, who,  so  far  from  having,  in  fair  aud  open 
warfare,  vanquished  Artavasdes,  had  only  suc- 
ceeded, by  a base  stratagem,  in  drawing  that 
unfortunate  prince  within  his  power,  and  then 
despoiling  him  of  his  dominions.  The  legend 
of  the  reverse  is  pompous  in  the  extreme,  though 
historically  correct,  calling  Cleopatra  the  Queen 
of  Kings,  and  (the  word  matri  being  understood) 
the  Mother  of  Kings’  Sons.  The  testimony  of 
Dion  supports  the  fact,  that  in  a speech  to  the 
people  of  Alexandria,  Mark  Antony  commanded 
that  Cleopatra  should  be  styled  Queen  of  Kings, 
with  right  and  title  to  Egypt  and  Cyprus.  It  is 
M 


ARMENIA.  81 

also  recorded  that,  of  his  own  children  by  Cleo- 
patra, he  bestowed  Syria,  on  Ptolemy,  with  all 
the  territories  bordering  on  the  Hellespont ; on 
Cleopatra  the  district  of  Cyrene ; and  on  Alex- 
ander, Armenia  and  whatever  countries  lie  might 
subdue  beyond  the  Euphrates. See  Cleo- 

patra. 

ARMENIAC. — On  the  reverse  of  a quinarius 
of  Nero,  is  this  legend,  and  a figure  of  Victory 
walking  with  garland  elevated  iu  the  right  hand, 
and  a long  palm  branch  carried  on  the  left 
shoulder. — Engraved  in  Vaillant,  Prast.  Impp. 
Rom.  p.  66,  Palis  edition,  1694. 

That  this  coin  was  minted  iuJhe  year  of  Rome 
811  (a.  D.  58),  there  appears  to  be  no  doubt; 
for,  in  his  life  of  that  Emperor,  Tacitus  informs 
us  that  Nero  was  declared  Imperator,  on  ac- 
count of  great  successes  in  Armenia ; and  that 
statues  and  arches  were  erected  to  his  honour,  &c. 
It  cannot,  however,  with  the  same  degree  of 
confidence,  be  pronounced,  whether  the  word 
armeniac.  stands  for  the  title  of  Armeniacus, 
decreed  perhaps  to  Nero,  and  temporarily  as- 
sumed ; or  for  Victoria  ARMENIAC®. — The 
former  supposition  is  favoured  by  similar  coins  of 
S.  Severus,  on  the  reverse  of  which  are  found 
the  words  arab.  aiiiabenic.  (with  the  type  of 
Victory  walking)  which  are  certainly  to  be  ex- 
plained thus : ARABeV™  ADIABENIC™,  it 
being  well  known,  that  Severus  had  those  titles 
conferred  on  him. — Poet.  Num.  Vet.  vi.  263. 

ARMENIA  ET  MESOPOTAMIA  IN  PO- 
TESTATEM  P opnli  Romani  REDACT AE. — 
In  the  field  S.  C. — On  first  brass  of  Trajan. 
The  type  exhibits  the  Emperor,  attired  in  mili- 
tary vestments,  with  a spear  in  his  right  hand 
and  the  parazonium  (see  the  word)  in  his  left. 
He  stands  in  the  attitude  of  a conqueror,  having 
his  left  foot  planted  on  a vanquished  foe.  On 
each  side  is  a river  deity  reclining  on  an  urn, 
whence  water  flows. 


Armenia  is  represented  by  the  woman,  on 
whose  head  is  a mitre-formed  covering,  the 
national  cap  of  that  country;  just  as  on  coins  of 
Augustus  inscribed  Armenia  Capta. — Mesopo- 
tamia is  indicated  by  the  two  personifications  of 
rivers,  as,  bounded  on  one  side  by  the  Tigris, 
and  on  the  other  by  the  Euphrates,  it  took  its 
name  from  its  situation  between  those  two  mighty 
streams  of  the  East,  which  almost  at  their  con- 
fluence fall  into  the  Persian  Gulf. — Ovid,  when 
predicting  with  unsuccessful  augury,  the  victory 
over  the  Parthians  by  Caius  Ctcsar,  son  of 
Agrippa,  and  the  consequent  display  of  the 


82  ARMENIA, 

symbols  of  vanquished  nations  and  cities,  intro-  I 
duces  the  following  lines,  which  are  singularly 
descriptive  of  the  type  above  given : — 

Hie  est  Euphrates  precinctus  arumline  frontem, 

Cui  coma  dependet  cjcrula,  Tigris  erit. 

IIos  facito  Armenios,  lime  est  I)aua;ia  Persis, 

Urbs  in  Acbaemeniis  vallibus  ista  fuit. 

[This  is  Euphrates,  with  his  brow  crowned  with 
reeds ; 

That  form,  with  flowing  blue  hair,  is  Tigris ; 

These  suppose  Armenians  ; this  is  Dameian  Persis ; 
That,  a city  in  the  rallies  of  Achacmenia.] 

Of  this  well-known  historical  reverse,  in  which 
so  much  design  is  comprehended  within  so  narrow 
a space,  little  further  requires  to  be  said,  than 
that  the  coin  itself  was  struck  A.  U.  c.  869  (a.  d. 
116),  and  that  it  relates  to  events  of  that  and 
the  preceding  y’ear. — Trajan,  towards  the  close 
of  his  reign,  actuated  too  much,  for  his  own 
real  glory  and  his  empire’s  welfare,  by  a spirit  of 
aggressive  ambition,  declared  war  against  the 
Parthians,  whom,  after  overrunning  Syria, 
Mesopotamia  and  Armenia,  he  defeated  in  every 
encounter,  nominating  fresh  kings,  establishing 
several  governments,  and  thereby  gaining  from 
the  Roman  Senate  the  title  of  Parl/iicus.  This 
fine  coin,  and  two  others,  form  the  respective 
numismatic  records  of  these  conquests. — Sec 
PAKTHIA  CAPTA,  and  REX  PARTIIIS  DATVS. 

ARMEN.  (ArmeniaJ.  TR.  P.  III.  COS.  II. 
&c. — The  province  personified,  seated  on  the 
ground,  amidst  the  arms  of  her  country,  sup- 
porting her  head  with  the  right  hand,  her  left 
resting  on  the  prow  of  a ship. 

The  legend  and  type  appear  on  a denarius  of 
L.  Vcrus,  minted  a.  d.  163. — There  is  also  a 
brass  medallion  of  the  same  emperor,  the  reverse 
of  which  has  tr.  Till.  imp.  hi.  cos.  hi.  for  its 
legend — the  type  representing  Yerus  on  horse- 
back, followed  by  two  soldiers;  beneath  the 
horse  a prostrate  enemy.  In  the  exergue 

ARMENia. Engraved  in  Millin,  Galerie 

Mythotogique,  t.  i.  pi.  lxxxviii.  No.  368 — and  in 
Oisclius,  Num.  Sel.  xix.  No.  7. 

This  voluptuous  aud  indolent  prince,  without 
any  personal  risk  or  exertion  of  his  own,  but 
solely  through  the  valour  of  the  legions  under 
his  brave  and  able  general  Statius  Priscus, 
had  regained  Armenia  froqi  the  occupation  of 
Vologacscs  II.  King  of  the  Parthians;  who  had 
himself  ejected  Soaemos,  a prince  sprung  from 
the  race  of  the  Arsacidic.  On  this  account  the 
title  of  Armeniacus,  or  the  Armenian  (originally 
conferred  on  Nero),  was  assumed  as  a cognomen 
by  L.  Vcrus,  and  also  by  his  senior  associate  in 
the  empire,  M.  Aurelius. 

From  these  coins  (says  Eckhel,  vii.  90)  which 
attribute  the  title  of  Armeniacus  to  Yerus  as 
early  as  his  third  tribuneship,  we  learn  that  this 
emperor  adopted  the  appellation  sooner  than  M. 
Aurelius;  for  the  latter  is  not  called  Armeniacus, 
on  coins,  till  his  18th  tribuneship,  which  cor- 
responds with  the  fourth  of  Yerus.  The  vessel 
apparently  refers  to  some  uaval  victory  gained 
over  the  Armenians  ou  the  Eupliratcs. 

The  type  of  Armenia,  seated  ou  the  ground,  is 
also  seen  on  the  coins  of  Aurelius. 


ARN.  ASI. 

“To  the  best  of  my  knowledge  (adds  the 
author  of  Doctrina)  these  coins  are  the  only 
ones  which  place  the  titles  imp.  ii.  aud  Tribu- 
nates m.  in  juxta-position.” 

Alt  MEN  IS.  To  the  Armenians. — Sec  rex 
armenis  datvs.  on  coins  of  Antouiuus  Pius  aud 
Lucius  Vcrus. 

ARN.  ASI.  or  ARN.  AZI. — There  is  a brass 
medallion  of  Trcbonianus  Gallus,  which  on  its 
reverse  exhibits  the  figure  of  Apollo  with  radi- 
ated head,  standing  on  rocks,  raised  into  the 
form  of  a mountain,  holding  in  one  hand  a large 
branch  of  olive  or  laurel,  and  in  the  other  a bow 
unstrung.  1 n the  field  of  this  coin  is  inscribed  to 
the  right  ARN.  and  to  the  left  ASI.,  or  as  it  reads 
on  a second  brass  of  Volusianus  arn.  azi. — 
Vaillant,  and  after  him  Bauduri,  allude  to  a 
similar  medallion,  but  neither  of  them  seem  to 
notice  the  type. 

Mediobarbus,  who  appears  to  follow  the  author 
of  the  catalogue  Mas.  Theupoh,  has,  without 
mentioning  the  size,  classed  it  amongst  the  colo- 
nial medals,  as  if  arn.  and  asi.  were  the  name 
of  a colony. — Pcrc  llardouin  in  endeavouring  to 
explain  it,  wanders  away,  according  to  his  usual 
manner. — Pelleriu  interprets  these  words  as  the 
abbreviated  names  of  two  towns  in  Umbria, 
namely  Arna  and  Asisum.  These  were  neigh- 
bours, and  at  their  joint  expense  caused  the 
figure  of  Apollo  to  be  raised  on  an  elevated  spot, 
in  order  that  it  might  be  seen  afar  off,  and  in- 
voked by  all  the  people  of  the  surrounding  dis- 
trict, on  account  of  a dreadful  pestilence  which 
raged  in  Italy  during  the  reign  of  Trcbonianus 
Gallus,  between  a.  d.  252  and  254.  That  em- 
peror had,  in  consequence,  ordered  propitiatory 
sacrifices  to  be  oll'crcd  to  all  the  gods,  in  every 
province  of  the  empire : and  it  is  easily  to  be  sup- 
posed that  they  would  above  all  implore  the  aid 
of  Apollo,  who  was  partieidarly  regarded  as  the 
healing  and  succouring  deity,  in  cases  of  mala- 
dies. There  arc  other  medals  of  the  same  Em- 
peror, bearing,  on  their  reverses,  the  legend 
a pollin'  I salvtari,  and  having  for  their  type  a 
representation  of  Apollo,  with  only  this  differ- 
ence, that  the  health-restorer  is  placed  in  the 
above  medallion,  on  the  summit  of  a rocky  hill, 
and  seems  to  have  been  colossal.  It  was,  adds 
Pelleriu,  most  probably  regarded  as  a monument 
of  sufficient  importance  to  merit  being  numis- 
matieally  recorded,  iu  honour  of  the  cities  Arna 
and  Asisum,  by  whose  inhabitants  it  had  been 
jointly  erected.  These  two  places  exist  to  this 
very  day,  the  one  under  the  name  of  Oivitella 
d’Arno,  and  the  other  uuder  that  of  Assise. — 
For  an  engraving  of  the  coin,  sec  Reeueit,  t.  iii. 
p.  52. 

Eeklicl  evidently  inclines  to  treat  Pcllerin’s 
conjecture  as  iu  all  probability  the  right  one ; 
but  thinks  the  question  still  open,  as  to  whether 
these  coins  were  struck  at  Rome,  or  in  the  towns 
themselves.  Iu  the  times  of  the  Emperors  there 
were  no  monetal  offices  (or  mints)  in  Italy,  out 
of  Rome.  “ Now  (he  adds),  had  they  been  struck 
iu  the  city  I do  not  believe  that  the  mark 
s.  c.  would  have  been  left  out,  even  ou  second 
brass  coins.  Nevertheless,  ensy  as  it  may  be  to 


ASCANIUS. 

moot  an  opinion  adverse  to  that  of  so  eminent  a 
man  as  Pellerin,  it  is  very  difficult  to  advance 
anything  better,  or  of  greater  validity.”/  (vii. 
357).  There  are  coins  of  Gcta,  of  a similar  de- 
scription, bearing  for  legend  sta.  bov. — Sec  the 
word. 

ARRIA,  gens  plcbcia. — A family  which,  de- 
scended from  Q.  Arrius,  tribune  of  the  people, 
produced  men  serviceable  to  the  republic,  but  it 
became  still  better  known  under  the  emperors. 
Its  cognomen  is  Secundus,  on  coins,  of  which  it 
presents  seven  varieties.  Both  gold  and  silver, 
very  rare.  The  brass  pieces  are  colonial  (of  Co- 
rinth) and  rare. — The  following  legend  and  type 
appear  on  gold  and  silver  minted  by  this  family  : 


Obv. — M.  aiirivs  secvndvs. — Male  head, 
with  youthful  beard. 

Rev. — Without  legend.  A spear  between  a 
garland,  and  an  altar  lighted. 

There  is  another  denarius  with  the  same  re- 
verse, and  the  same  family  name  on  the  obverse, 
but  with  a female  head,  and  above  it  the  letters 

F.  P.  R. 

Much  tedious  and  fruitless  disputation  has 
been  held  by  certain  inouetal  antiquaries,  of  the 
elder  school,  on  the  question  as  to  who  this 
M.  Arrius  Secundus  was  ? With  respect  to  the 
letters  f.  i>.  r.  according  to  Ilavcrcainp’s  opiuion, 
it  signifies  Fortuna  Populi  Romani;  but  Vaillant 
reads,  Forlitudo  Populi  Romani;  and  Patin  sug- 
gests, Fecia/is  Populi  Romani.  Eckhel  (vol.  v.) 
is  decidedly  in  favour  of  the  first  interpretation, 
Fortitude  not  being  recognised  as  a deity  by  the 
Romans,  whilst  they  were  peculiarly  addicted  to 
the  worship  of  Fortune.  In  the  Sicinia  family 
there  is  a similar  female  head,  round  which  we 
read  fort.  p.  r. 

ARTAVASDES  II.  King  of  Armenia,  whom 
Mark  Antony  took  prisoner  by  stratagem,  34 
years  before  the  Christian  rera,  and  led  him 
away  captive,  with  his  children,  in  triumph  to 
Alexandria.  Hence,  on  a coin  of  Antony’s,  we 
sec  a trophy,  allusive  to  the  fate  of  Artavasdes  ; 
and  on  another,  minted  under  the  same  Triumvir, 
appears  the  oriental  Tiara,  designed  to  sym- 
bolize the  event  of  the  Armenian  crown  falling 
into  the  hands  of  that  Roman  General. — See 
ARMENIA  DEVICTA.  See  also  M.  Antonins. 

ARTAXIAS,  King  of  Armenia,  by  whose 
death  the  government  of  that  country  devolved  to 
the  Itomaus  under  Augustus. — See  Armenia. 

ASCANIUS,  son  of  .Eneas,  by  Creusa, 
daughter  of  Priam,  lie  was  afterwards  called 
Iu/us,  allusive  to  the  first  down  of  the  beard. 
(Virg.  Ain.  r..  i.)  Driven  from  Troy  with  his 
father,  he  after  many  wanderings,  arrived  with 
him  in  Latiimi.  It  was  in  memory  of  Ascanius 
that  the  Trojan  Games  (Troire  Ludi)  were  celc- 
M 2 


AS.  83 

brated  at  Rome.  Of  these  gymnastic  sports  he 
was  the  reputed  founder  ( AEneid , L.  v.),  and  the 
youth  of  Italy  took  an  exclusive  part  in  them. 
The  stripling  who  presided  on  these  occasions 
was  called  Princeps  Juventutis  (Chief  or  Prince 
of  Youth) : whence  that  title  came  afterwards  to 
be  bestowed  on  the  heirs  and  Cresars  of  the  em- 
pire, who  are  thus  designated  on  a long  suc- 
cession of  reverses,  in  the  imperial  series  of 
Roman  coins.  Ascanius  was  the  assumed  pro- 
genitor of  the  Julia  gens,  to  which  Julius  Caesar 
belonged.  Accordingly,  the  images  of  his  father 
and  grandfather  (.Eneas  and  Anchises),  together 
with  his  own  as  a little  boy,  form  a group  on 
denarii,  struck  under  Augustus,  and  on  medal- 
lions of  Antoninus  Pius. — See  Aeneas,  pp.  10 
and  17. 

ARUSPICES. — See  Haruspices. 

AS,  Assis,  and  Assarius. — These  were  the 
wrords  used  by  the  Romans,  in  connection  with 
the  subject  of  money,  to  denominate  an  integer, 
or  entire  quantity  of  weight  (congeries  ponderis, 
as  Eckhel  expresses  it),  divided  into  twelve  parts 
called  uncire.  And  as  they  commenced  their  coin- 
age with  brass,  so  the  as  was  their  most  ancient 
money.  The  synonymes  of  as  or  assis  wxre  libra, 
libella,  and  pondo ; the  weight  of  the  as  money 
being  the  same  as  that  of  the  pound  of  twelve 
ounces  ; and  numerous  coins  arc  extant  not  ouly 
of  the  entire  as,  but  also  of  the  parts  into  which, 
for  monetary  purposes,  it  was  divided. 

Declining  to  touch  upon  numerous  details  of 
discussion,  contained  in  the  copious  pages  of 
controversial  antiquaries;  and  simply  referring, 
for  further  particulars,  to  what  will  be  found 
given  in  this  dictionary,  uuder  the  head  of  Brass 
Coinage,  it  shall  here  suffice  to  assume  as 
certain,  that  money  consisting  of  brass  only 
began  to  be  fabricated  at  Rome,  if  not  actually 
under  Servius  Tullius,  at  least  soon  after  that 
king’s  death.  The  principal  piece  was  the  as, 
w'hich  constituted  the  primitive  unit  of  the 
Roman  mint.  The  earliest  kuown  specimens 
of  it  are  of  bulky  dimensions;  but  they  were 
nevertheless  unquestionably  money.  That  portion 
of  them,  however,  which,  from  their  form,  size, 
and  weight,  come  under  our  acceptation  of  the 
word  coin,  must  evidently  have  been  introduced 
at  a much  later  period. — The  brass  coinage  of 
Rome  first  established  between  the  years  550 
and  555  before  the  Christian  sera,  (or  to  take 
the  computed  duration  of  the  reign  of  Servius 
Tullius,  between  578  and  534  years  B.  c.),  con- 
sisted, as  above  stated,  of  the  as,  the  primary 
unit,  weighing  12  uncire  (or  ounces),  and  worth 
12  uncire  in  money.  Its  multiples  and  its  parts 
were  as  follow : — 

Multiples. 

Dupondius  (two  as). 

Tripondius  (three  as). 

Quadrussis  (four  as). 

Decussis  (ten  as). 

Parts. 

Semis  (half  of  the  as,  or  six  uncire). 

Quincunx  (five  uncire). 

Triens  (third  of  the  as,  or  four  uncire). 

Quadrans  (fourth  of  the  as,  or  three  uncire). 


84 


AS. 


AS. 


Sextans  (sixth  of  the  as,  or  two  unci®). 

Uncia  (twelfth  of  the  as,  or  one  ounce). 

The  quincussis  (five  as,  or  a quinarius)  ; the 
Deunx  (eleven  uncia:) ; Dcxtans  (nine  uncia:) ; Bes 
(eight  uncia:)  ; Septunx  (seven  uncia:) ; were 
monetary  fractions,  (as  M.  llenuin  observes), 
which  were  occasionally  used  in  calculation,  but 
which  had  no  existence  as  real  money. 

Some  of  the  above-named  brass  coins,  of  early 
Roman  fabric,  bear  marks,  and  inscriptions,  as 
well  as  types,  from  which  a system  has  been 
formed  for  fixing  their  legal  values  and  their 
denominations.  The  following  is  a descriptive 
list  of  them,  compiled  from  Eckliel,  Mionnet, 
Akerman,  and  Ilennin  : — 

Marks  and  Types  on  the  Roman  As,  its 
mci.tipi.es  and  parts. 

1.  The  Decussis,  marked  X.  has  for  the  type 


of  its  obverse,  the  head  of  Minerva;  on 
the  reverse  is  the  prow  of  a vessel. 

2.  The  Quadriissis  exhibits  various  types,  the 
most  common  of  which  is  a bull  walking. 
[These  pieces  have  the  form  of  a long  square. 
The  specimens  in  the  British  Museum  Ci 
inches  by  3£  inches.  The  heaviest  weighs 
3 lbs.  1 2 oz. — Sec  Akcrman’s  Descr.  Cat., 
vol.  1.] 

3.  The  Tripontlius,  marked  III.  bears  on  one 
side  the  head  of  Minerva ; ou  the  reverse  a 
ship’s  prow. 

4.  The  Dupondius  is  marked  II.  [Some  of 
these  pieces  arc  of  Italian  origiu,  and  bear 
the  word  felatiiri,  in  retrograde  Etruscan 
character.]  The  type  of  the  obverse  is  Mi- 
uerva’s  head,  and  of  the  reverse  a ship’s  prow. 

5.  The  As  (primitive  monetary'  unit). 


«■////.. 


AS. 

Obo. — Head  of  Janus. 

Rev. — Prow  of  a vessel. 

The  mark  of  this  money  is  the  sign  | 
But  it  is  not  always  found  on  it. — Such 
pieces  mostly  exhibit  the  word  roma  on 
the  reverse  side,  and  many  of  them  hear 
the  names  of  Roman  families. 

G.  The  Semis,  exhibits  several  types  ; the 
larger  sized  ones  have  a hog,  a vase,  a Pe- 
gasus, a bull,  or  a wheel,  on  the  obverse  side. 

m — The  smaller  sized  and  later  Semis  bears 
the  head  of  Jupiter  laurcated.  But  its  dis- 
tinctive mark  is  the  letter  S,  or  six  glo- 
bules, thus See  the  word  in  S. 

7.  The  Quincunx,  has  generally  a cross  on  each 
side,  the  distinctive  mark  five  globules 
and  the  letter  V. — See  the  word 

in  Q 

8.  The  Tricns,  bears  the  head  of  Minerva,  and 
has  four  globules  ....  See  the  word  in  T. 

9.  The  Quadratic,  presents  on  its  obverse  the 
head  of  Hercules,  and  three  globules  . . . 

[Some  of  these  pieces  have  for  their  ob- 
verse types,  a dog,  a bull  and  serpent, 
with  the  word  roma,  a man’s  hand, 
and  a strigil.]  See  the  word  in  Q. 

10.  The  Sextans  has  the  head  of  Mercury,  and 
its  mark  is  two  globules  . . * See  the  word 

in  S. 

11.  The  Uncia,  has  the  mark  of  a single  glo- 
bule . 

[Its  type  is  a pentagon,  in  the  centre  of 
which  the  globule  is  placed,  or  a stri- 
gil, or  a spear  head.]  See  U. 

The  reverse  type  of  all  the  above,  except  the 
Quincunx  and  the  Uncia,  is  the  prow  of  a ship. 

But  it  appears  that  the  as,  or  libra,  among 
the  Romans,  was  the  principle,  or  basis,  of  calcu- 
lation ; not  only  in  the  matter  of  weight  and  of 
money,  but  also  in  measuring  liquids,  distances, 
and  even  in  designating  the  claims  of  hereditary 
succession,  with  regard  to  those  laws  which  re- 
gulated testamentary  dispositions.  (See  Eckhel, 
lie  Asse  et  ejus  partibus,  v.  p.  4,  el  seq.  for 
examples  of  each.) 

Assis  diminutio. — It  is  under  this  head  that 
the  author  of  Doc/rina  numorum  veterum  has 
furnished  a series  of  observations  and  arguments, 
at  once  interesting  in  themselves,  and  peculiarly 
valuable  to  the  numismatic  student,  as  the 
means  of  arriviug  at  something  like  a right  un- 
derstanding, on  the  chief  practical  poiuts  of  the 
difficult  subject  in  question.  Allusion  is  here 
had  to  the  second  chapter  of  Eckliel’s  treatise 
on  Consular  coins  (vol  v.  p.  6,  § ii.)  wherein  he 
has  given  the  whole  of  that  passage  from  Pliny, 
which  forms  the  foundation  of  whatever  is  known 
respecting  the  diminution  of  the  as,  and  its 
parts ; a passage  to  which  reference  is  always 
made  by  such  of  the  learned  as  apply  their  atten- 
tion to  this  branch  of  the  Roman  mint.  It  is 
hoped,  therefore,  that  the  subjoined  attempt  to 
present  it  in  an  English  dress,  will  prove  not 
unacceptable  to  those  for  whose  use  and  inform- 
ation the  present  work  is  principally  designed. 

It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind,  that,  at  the  very 
earliest  period,  the  Romans  used  unwrought 


AS.  85 

brass  [for  money]  ; and  that  it  was  in  the  reign 
of  Servius  Tullius  that  brass  was  first  stamped. 
So  that  the  coined  as  [as  rnonela ] would  be  of 
the  same  weight  as  the  as  libralis.  But  this 
law-  did  not  continue.  IVe  arc  made  acquainted 
with  the  fact  of  its  violation,  in  the  following 
words  of  Plinv. — (Natural  History,  l.  xxxiii. 

§ 13.) 

“ The  Roman  people  did  not  use  even  silver 
stamped,  before  the  period  when  King  Pyrrhus 
was  vanquished.  The  as  weighed  a libra,  whence 
the  present  term  libella,  and  dupondius  (two 
libra).  Thence  also  the  penalty  (or  fine)  called 
aes  grave  (heavy  brass).  . . . Servius  Rex 
primus  signavit  as.  King  Servius  first  stamped 
brass.  Before  him,  as  Timams  relates,  the 
Romans  used  it  in  the  rough  state  (rude).  It 
was  stamped  with  the  figures  of  cattle  (nota 
pecudum)  from  which  circumstance  it  was  called 
pecunia.  Silver  was  coined  in  the  year  of  the 
city  485  (b.c.  269),  dining  the  consulship  of  Q. 
Fabius,  and  five  years  before  the  first  Puuic  war. 
And  a denarius  passed  for  ten  pounds  of  brass 
(decern  libris  aris)  ; a quinarius  for  five ; a ses- 
tertius, for  twro  pounds  and  a half  (pro  dupondio 
et  semisse).  This  pound  weight  of  brass  (libra 
pondvs  aeris)  was,  however,  diminished  during 
the  first  Punic  war,  when  the  resources  of  the 
Commonwealth  were  inadequate  to  meet  its 
expenditure;  and  it  wras  decreed  that  asses  should 
be  struck,  of  the  w'eight  of  two  ounces  (sex- 
tantario  ponder e).  So  five  parts  of  it  (facta 
lucri)  were  thus  gained,  and  the  public  debt  was 
cancelled.  The  distinctive  type  (iota)  on  brass 
coins  was  on  one  side  a double-beaded  Janus,  on 
the  other  the  beak  of  a ship ; on  the  triens  and 
quadratic,  entire  vessels.  The  Quadrans  was 
originally  called  Teruncius  from  ires  uncia. — 
Subsequently,  when  the  state  was  pressed  upon 
by  the  war  with  Hannibal,  and  during  the  dicta- 
torship of  Q.  Fabius  Maximus,  asses  of  an  ounce 
weight  (unciales)  were  minted : and  a denarius 
was  made  exchangeable  for  sixteen  asses,  a 
quinarius  for  eight,  a sestertius  for  four.  Thus 
a profit  of  one  half  was  realized  by  the  republic. 
In  military  pay,  however,  a denarius  was  always 
given  for  ten  asses. — The  types  of  the  silver 
were  Inga  and  quadriga  (chariots  drawn  by  twro 
and  four  horses  respectively)  and  were  therefore 
called  bigati  and  quadrigati.  Soon  aftenvards 
by  the  Papirian  law,  half-ounce  asses  were  struck. 
(Mox,  lege  Papiriana  Semunciales  asses  facti.)" 

From  these  w’ords  of  Pliny,  with  whom  may 
be  conjoined  Vitruvius,  Msccianus,  and  Pom- 
peius  F’estus,  it  is  clearly  to  be  gathered,  that 
the  standard  of  the  Roman  brass  money  under- 
went many  changes,  even  down  to  the  age  of 
the  Emperors.  And,  of  the  data  thus  afforded 
by  the  celebrated  old  writer  above  quoted,  Eckhel 
goes  on  to  present  the  following  analysis : 

I.  The  As  Libralis,  was  12  unci®  (or  ounces) 
in  weight.  This  lasted  from  Servius  Tullius, 
about  the  a.  xj.  c.  107  (555  b.  c.),  as  far  as 
the  time  of  the  first  Punic  war,  which  com- 
menced in  the  year  of  Rome  490  (b.  c. 
264). — The  Denarius,  a silver  coin,  began 
to  be  struck  five  years  before  this  war,  and 


8G  AS. 

was  valued  at  10  asses  lib  rales,  whence 
its  name. 

II.  The  As  Sextantarius  was  of  the  weight  of 
two  ouuces.  This  standard  began  whilst 
the  first  Punic  war  was  at  its  height,  and 
continued  till  the  dictatorship  of  Q.  Fabius 
Maximus,  upon  which  he  entered  A.  U.  c. 
537  (b.  c.  217,  2nd  year  2nd  Punic  war.) 

III.  The  As  Uncialis,  weighed  one  ounce;  from 
the  dictatorship  of  Q.  Fabius  until  the  in- 
troduction of  the  Lex  Papiria ; respecting 
which  law,  it  is  not  precisely  ascertained 
at  what  time  or  by  which  Papirius  it  was 
carried.  The  word  mox,  used  by  Pliny, 
shews  that  this  form  of  the  as  did  not  last 
long.  From  that  time  the  value  of  the 
denarius  was  authoritatively  fixed  at  16 
asses. 

IV.  The  As  Semiuncialis,  or  of  the  half-ounce 
(undo.).  This  commenced  with  the  Lex 
Papiria. 

Such  are  the  sum  and  substance  of  the  indi- 
cations given  by  Pliny.  But  there  are  not  a few 
circumstances  which  appear  to  be  at  variance 
with  them.  And  these  Eckhcl  proceeds  to  point 
out  in  the  following  manner  : 

“ Firstly,  they  are  contradicted  by  experience 
itself.  For  in  many  museums  there  arc  numer- 
ous specimens  of  the  as,  and  those  undoubtedly 
Roman,  which  weigh  11,  10,  and  8 ounces,  &c. 
Also  semisses  of  5,  4,  &e. — And  in  the  same 
ratio  the  triens,  quadrans,  sextans,  and  uncialis. 
Hence  it  is  evident  that  the  as  could  by  no 
means  have  been  (as  Pliny  appears  to  assert)  re- 
duced suddenly  without  any  intermediate  dimi- 
nution, to  the  weight  of  2 unci®. 

“ Secondly,  as  the  commonwealth,  on  the  re- 
daction of  the  as  to  2 uncite,  gained  a profit  of 
5-6ths  for  the  liquidation  of  the  public  debt;  so, 
to  private  individuals,  the  loss  was  proportionate. 
Then  came  the  half  of  tljs  ; when  the  sextanta- 
rius was  diminished  to  one  uncia.  Aud  lastly, 
the  half  of  this  again,  on  the  introduction  of  the 
scmiuncial  as.  Therefore  he,  who,  in  the  year 
U.  c.  490,  had  60,000  asses,  put  out  to  interest, 
found  himself  suddenly  reduced  to  10,000 ; in 
forty-seven  years  afterwards  to  5,000  ; and  not 
long  after  that,  by  the  Papirian  law,  to  2,500. 
Now,  if  as  this  money  decreased  in  weight,  the 
rich,  by  the  concomitant  rise  in  the  price  of 
articles,  must  have  been  reduced  to  poverty, 
and  the  poor  to  utter  destitution,  could  any 
other  result  have  happened  than  the  entire  ruin 
of  the  state  ? 

“ Thirdly,  since  the  denarius  was  worth  10 
asses  librales,  and  there  were  34  denarii  in  the 
libra,  (on  Pliny’s  testimony  concurred  in  by 
that  of  Celsus  and  Scribonius  Largus,)  it  neces- 
sarily follows,  that  silver  was  to  brass  at  that 
period,  as  1 to  840,  in  value.  Now,  how  much 
soever  we  may  be  inclined  to  regard  the  ancient 
Romans  as  poor,  and  deficient  in  the  more 
precious  metals,  can  such  an  extreme  dispropor- 
tion between  silver  and  brass  be  considered  pro- 
bable ? But  though  to  the  great  majority  this 
opinion  must  appear  repugnant  to  all  truth,  yet 
to  many  it  was  matter  of  belief  that  the  denarius 


AS. 

struck  at  that  time  when  the  as  libralis  was  still 
in  use,  was  of  greater  weight.  [After  com- 
batting with  conclusive  effect  the  visionary  con- 
jectures of  Savot  and  others  of  the  elder  school 
of  numismatists  on  this  point,  Eckhel  next  ob- 
serves :] 

“ Fourthly,  the  most  astonishing  fact  is  this. 
The  denarius,  which  at  first  was  equivalent  to 
10  asses  librales,  or  120  uncia,  within  a com- 
paratively few  years,  was  worth  16  semi-uncial 
asses,  or  8 unci®.  I do  not  (adds  our  author) 
impugn  this  last  proportion,  which  indeed  docs 
not  exceed  the  bounds  of  moderation- -namely 
that,  for  a denarius,  which  was  one-seventh  of 
au  uncia,  were  exchanged  8 uncia  of  brass 
money.  But  who  cau  easily  digest  the  notion, 
that  in  so  short  a space  of  time,  silver,  from 
being  the  most  costly  metal,  was  reduced  to  such 
cheapness  P” 

So  far  the  Author  of  “ Doclrina,"  on  Pliny’s 
account  of  the  early  history  of  the  Roman  coinage, 
aud  of  the  diminution  of  the  as. — Dr.  Cardwell 
in  one  of  his  lectures,  treating  of  the  same  sub- 
ject, offers  remarks,  of  which  the  tenor  perfectly 
coincides  with  the  above  cited  views  and  rcason- 
iugs  of  the  great  Numismatist  of  Vienna,  as  to  the 
doubtful  correctness  of  Pliny’s  account.  “ But,” 
adds  the  Learned  Principal  of  St.  Alban’s  Hall, 
“ the  strongest  objection  against  the  statement 
of  Pliuy  still  remains.  If  his  account  were  cor- 
rect, no  as  could  ever  have  been  minted  of  a 
weight  between  the  libralis  of  the  earliest  period, 
and  the  Sextantarius  of  the  Punic  war ; nor,  in 
like  manner,  any  Semissis  between  the  full  weight 
of  six  onuces,  and  the  reduction  to  one  single 
ounce;  whereas  the  fact  is,  that  we  meet  with 
both  these  coins,  in  all  the  several  stages  of 
degradation,  proving  incontestably  that  the 
change  was  gradual.  That  such  changes  were 
actually  made,  aud  that  the  common  currency 
of  Rome  underwent  repeated,  and  at  last  extreme 
variations  in  its  standard,  is  a fact  that  might 
certainly  be  anticipated  from  the  unscientific 
character  of  the  times,  from  the  demands  of  a 
constant  state  of  warfare,  and  even  from  the 
universal  prevalence  of  debt;  but  this  fact  is  fully 
established,  as  to  the  mode  and  extent  of  its 
operation,  not  by  what  we  gather  from  history, 
but  by  what  is  clearly  laid  before  us  in  a series 
of  coins.” — vi.  p.  140. 

[As  to  the  voluminous  opinions  which  have 
been  founded  on  the  statements  of  the  old  writers, 
by  a host  of  modern  ones,  as  well  respecting  the 
real  weight  of  the  ancient  Roinau  libra  (or 
pound)  ns  with  regard  to  the  reductions  suc- 
cessively made  in  the  weight  of  the  as— neither 
arc  they  clear  enough  in  themselves,  nor  arc  they 
sufficiently  accordant  with  each  other,  nor  (what 
is  most  important)  arc  they,  with  the  requisite 
degree  of  correspondence,  borne  out  by  the  coins 
themselves  to  which  they  refer,  to  furnish  a clue 
by  which  any  positive  decision  can  be  arrived  at, 
on  those  respective  points  of  discussion ; whilst 
they  equally  fall  short  of  establishing  any  well- 
digested  scale,  by  which  to  measure  those  sud- 
den and  extraordinary  diminutions  in  the  size 
and  weight  of  the  Roman  brass  coinage,  that 


AS. 

Pliny  and  others  affirm  to  have  taken  place.  If 
indeed  a Froelich  declared  himself  incompetent 
to  the  task  of  disentangling  this  question  from  its 
great  ambiguities  and  difficulties — if  even  an 
Eckhel,  with  all  his  vigour  of  industrious  re- 
search, but  in  the  same  spirit  of  modesty  in- 
separable from  true  genius,  has  ventured  to  do 
little  more,  in  this  instance,  than  to  adduce  the 
varying  opinions  of  others,  and  then  “ leave  the 
reader  to  select  that  which  appears  to  him  most 
reasonable.”  And  though  last  not  least  entitled 
to  consideration,  if,  after  the  acquirements  and 
exertions  of  such  eminent  antiquaries  as  Cardinal 
Zclada,  and  other  Italian  investigators  of  Uncial 
coins — men  who  had  such  superior  advantages 
for  evolving  the  truth,  from  the  genuine  pieces 
before  them — if  (we  say)  after  all  these  ad- 
vantages and  efforts,  so  comparatively  trifling  an 
advance  has  been  made  in  practical  knowledge, 
on  a question  which  has  been  most  assiduously 
and  obstinately  disputed — we  may  well  be  ex- 
cused for  dwelling  no  longer  upon  it,  than  whilst 
summing-up  the  amount  of  the  information  fur- 
nished to  us  from  the  sources  above-mentioned. 
And  this  cannot  perhaps  be  better  done  than  by 
here  concentrating  the  remarks  of  M.  Hennin, 
on  this  subject : — ] 

“The  notices  given  by  Pliny  on  the  diminution 
of  the  as,  and  of  weights,  are  neither  free  from 
the  features  of  improbability,  nor  are  they  con- 
firmed by  the  data  furnished,  on  a comparison 
of  the  weights  with  the  coins  themselves.  It  is 
difficult  indeed  to  believe  that,  in  so  short  a 
space  of  time,  the  as  should  have  been  reduced 
from  twelve  to  two  ounces.  The  differences, 
which  must  have  resulted  from  such  large  re- 
ductions, would  have  caused  too  great  a destruc- 
tion of  property,  to  have  admitted  of  such 
enormous  changes. — On  the  other  hand,  there 
exist  as,  or  parts  of  the  as,  whose  size  and 
weight  indicate  a still  lower  reduction  than  that 
to  the  as  semi-uncialis : that  is  to  say,  a re- 
duction from  the  half-ounce  to  the  quarter-ounce 
as;  whence  it  follows  that  the  as  was  successively 
diminished  to  the  forty-eighth  part  of  its  original 
weight.  And  whatever  may  have  been  these 
successive  reductions,  the  fact  remains  that  there 
exist  as  and  fractions  of  the  as,  of  different 
weights,  and  which  may  be  classed  according  to 
their  respective  weights.” 

In  conclusion,  amidst  much  that  is  vague, 
confused,  aud  improbable,  thus  much  may  be 
looked  upon  as  matter  of  fact,  devoid  altoge- 
ther of  doubt  aud  uncertainty,  viz. — 1.  That  the 


AS.  87 

first  Roman  money  was  of  brass. — 2.  That  the 
first  unit  of  the  Roman  mint  was  a value  named 
as,  which  was  likewise  the  unit  of  weight 
and  measures. — 3.  That  the  first  as  money 
existed  from  the  establishment  of  a coinage  at 
Rome,  under  Scrvius  Tullius,  to  the  first  Punic 
war. — 4.  That  five  years  before  that  period, 
namely,  a.  u.  c.  408  (b.  c.  269),  silver  money 
was  first  struck  at  Rome. — 5.  That,  at  this 
epocha,  an  alteration  took  place  in  the  monetal 
unit.  The  as,  which  had  become  of  less  and  less 
value,  ceased  to  serve  the  purpose  of  numbering 
sums,  and  the  Sestertius  took  its  place  as  the 
unit  of  money. — 6.  That  the  module  and  weight, 
and  consequently  the  metallic  value  of  the  as, 
having  experienced  these  successive  reductions 
up  to  the  sera  of  the  imperial  government  of 
Rome,  brass  money  then  became  fixed  at  a 
lower  value,  in  the  ratio  of  its  weight ; and  this 
value  preserved  a greater  degree  of  steadiness 
than  it  had  previously  possessed. — See  Manuel 
de  Numismatiquc  Ancienne,  t.  i.  passim. 

[It  has  already  been  observed,  that  the  as  has 
for  its  types,  on  one  side  the  head  of  Janus, 
called  bifrons,  having  two  faces,  with  an  oblong 
sign  |,  placed  at  the  top  of  the  head,  as  the  dis- 
tinguishing nota,  or  mark  ; and  on  the  other 
side,  the  prow  of  a ship,  with  a similar  note  or 
sign. 

At  the  beginning  of  this  article,  on  the  subject 
of  the  as,  is  placed  an  engraving  in  wood,  to  the 
exact  size,  from  a cast,  of  which  the  original  is, 
with  others  of  the  same  class,  in  the  cabinet  of 
the  British  Museum.  It  weighs  8 ozs.  4 dwts. 
20  grains,  aud  measures  two  inches  and  a half 
in  diameter. 

This  well  preserved  and  rare  specimen  of  its 
circular  brass  coinage  is  assigned,  by  numismatic 
antiquaries,  to  a very  early,  though  not  the  ear- 
liest, period  of  the  Roman  mint.  Nevertheless, 
looking  to  its  style  of  fabric — its  free  design — its 
high  and  bold  relief — and  particularly  to  the 
features  of  the  bifrons,  so  decidedly  analogous  as 
they  are  with  the  characteristics  of  Etruscan  art, 
it  seems  scarcely  possible  to  avoid  associating 
this  noble  relic  of  antiquity  with  an  age  of  mo- 
netal workmanship  anterior  to  that  of  Rome. 
But  then  there  is  the  fact  to  encounter,  that 
even  this  cast  piece  of  rounded  copper,  from  the 
die-sinker’s  matrix,  with  all  its  breadth,  thick- 
ness, and  weight,  is  itself  an  instance  of  great 
diminution  from  the  original  as,  which  from  a 
pound  of  12  ounces,  gradually  dwindled  down 
to  the  weight  of  hardly  half  an  ounce  ! So  un- 


88 


AS. 


ASIA. 


satisfactory,  even  to  repulsiveness,  are  as  yet  | 
the  results’  of  research  and  argument,  on  points  | 
of  essential  importance,  couuectcd  with  this  par-  j 
ticular  branch  of  Roman  Numismatics. 

In  the  preceding  example  of  the  smaller  sized 
as,  without  the  names  of  families,  the  word  ROMA 
on  the  reverse  is  certainly  not  required  to  indi- 
cate either  the  place,  or  the  later  date,  of  its 
mintage.  The  arc/iaics  of  Etruria  had  clearly 
nothing  to  do  with  coins  of  this  description, 
which  are  stamped,  as  to  legend  and  fabric,  with 
the  indubitable  impress  of  republican  Rome. — 
This  specimen  is  selected  from  a plate  in  Kolb’s 
Trade  Elementaire,  (t.  i.  pi.  1),  chiclly  on  ac- 
count of  the  winged  thunderbolt  accompany- 
ing the  prow,  a symbol  rarely  seen  on  this  class 
of  coins. 

The  two  following  are  proofs  of  the  still  fur- 
ther reduction  of  the  as,  audr  each  is  inscribed 
w ith  the  name  of  a Roman  family,  viz. : — 


The  name  of  c.  fabi.  c.  f.  appears  on  the  re-  I 
verse  of  this  second  brass,  struck  by  one  (but  j 
there  is  no  clue  to  ascertain  which)  of  the  mem- 
bers of  this  most  ancient  patrician  house. — Sec  j 
Fabia  gens. 


Cornelia  gens. — A second  brass  on  which  wc 
read  cin.e,  above  the  ship’s  prow,  and  roma.  j 
below  it.  It  was  Cn.  Cornelius  Magnus,  grand-  | 
sou  of  Pompeius  Magnus,  whose  name  thus  ap-  i 
pears  under  the  form  of  Cina. — Sec  Diet,  of 
Greek  and  Roman  Biography,  8fe.,  1,  755.] 

As  libra/is. — In  reference  to  this  appellation, 
given  by  Latin  authors,  to  the  most  ancient  brass 
money  of  Rome,  and  as  also  indicating  a weight 
of  twelve  uncim,  Eckhcl  says,  “ Up  to  the  pre- 
sent time,  no  Roman  as  libra/is  has  ever  been 
discovered  ; and  of  the  parts  of  the  as,  Passcri 
cites  but  one  instance  of  a triens,  which  weighed 
four  uncut.” 

As  It  aliens. — Several  cities  of  Magna  Gracia, 
and  of  other  districts  of  Italy,  adopted  in  the  j 
earlier  times,  for  their  monetary  unit,  the  Roman 
as  : their  brass  coinage  was  divided  in  confor-  I 
mity  to  that  system  and  bore  its  marks.  To 
these  pieces  have  been  given  the  name  of  the 
Italian  as.  And  the  explanations,  which  relate  | 
to  the  as,  also  apply  to  them. 


It  is  to  be  observed,  however,  that  by  the 
elder  school  of  numismatic  antiquaries,  sutiicient 
distinction  was  not  made,  between  the  as  minted 
at  Rome,  and  that  of  the  other  Italian  cities. 
More  attention  was  paid  to  this  subject  by  deeply 
learned  men  of  a subsequent  period ; and  the  re- 
sult of  their  recondite,  studies  has  established  the 
fact,  that  certain  nations  of  Italy  (such  as  the 
Yolaterrani,  the  Tudertcs,  the  Iguvini,  the  11a- 
drinni,)  had  each  their  own  coinage  of  the  as ; 
and  that  these  were  of  the  proper  weight,  as  is 
shewn  by  the  name  of  the  respective  cities  in- 
scribed on  their  coins. — Livy,  in  more  than  one 
passage,  relates,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Italy, 
conquered  at  different  periods  by  the  Romans, 
were  despoiled,  by  the  victors,  of  their  brass 
money.  “ Therefore,”  says  Eckhel,  “ we  must 
not  reckon  amongst  the  coinage  of  Rome,  all 
pieces  of  that  kind,  which,  being  without  in- 
scriptions, do  not  declare  the  locality  in  which 
they  were  struck.  It  is  the  types  which  furnish 
the  dearest  evidence  of  the  Roman  die.  For 
the  as  presents  on  its  obverse  a head  of  Janus  ; 
the  semis,  of  Jupiter;  the  trims,  of  Pallas;  the 
quadrant,  of  Hercules;  the  sextans,  of  Mer- 
cury; the  uncia,  also  of  Pallas;  whilst  all  of  them 
exhibit  the  prow  of  a vessel  on  their  reverse. — 
And  that  these  types  were  peculiar  to  the  Roman 
coins  is  proved  by  the  asses,  and  their  constituent 
parts,  which,  afterwards  diminished  in  size,  bear 
the  names  of  Roman  families,  with  roma  in- 
scribed near  them ; and  which  continued  to  be 
distinguished  by  the  same  types  on  both  sides 
respectively,  to  the  latest  period  of  the  Republic. 
For  there  are  brass  coins  even  of  Sextus,  which 
display  on  one  side  the  head  of  Janus,  and  on 
the  other  the  prow  of  a vessel.” — The  erudite 
and  sagacious  author  of  Dodrina,  then  goes 
on  to  caution  his  readers  against  considering, 
indiscriminately,  coins  which  bear  the  very 
name  of  the  Romau  people  to  have  been  all  of 
Roman  fabric,  many  of  them  having  been 
ascertained  to  belong  to  Panormus  (Palermo, 
in  Sicily),  Ptcstum  (in  Southern  Italy),  and 
other  places. — Moreover  there  are  extant,  brass 
coins  of  the  Clovia,  Oppia,  and  other  Roman 
families,  which  present  every  indication  of  a 
foreign  mint. — If  therefore  all  these  are  (and 
they  ought  to  be)  excluded,  there  would  re- 
main but  an  insignificantly  small  number  of 
those  which  form  exceptions  to  the  rule,  and 
respecting  which  any  doubt  could  be  enter- 
tained, as  to  whether  they  should  be  classed 
amongst  the  coins  of  Rome.”  Since  then  (adds 
Eckhel)  " it  may  be  regarded  as  a rule,  failing 
only  in  a verv  few  instances  out  of  a vast  num- 
ber" that  those  arc  Roman  coins,  which  are  dis- 
tinguished by  the  above-mentioned  types,  so  I 
should  scarcely  hesitate  to  pronounce,  that  the 
exceptions  belong,  in  almost  every  case,  to  n 
foreign  people,  though  an  unknown  one.” 

For  some  further  notices,  incidental  to  this 
subject,  see  Brass  coinage  of  the  Romans. 

ASI.  Asia. — Sec  com.  or  comm.  asi.  Com- 
munitas  Asue. 

ASIA. — The  name  given,  together  with  the 
title  of  Orient,  or  the  East,  as  a general  term 


ASIA. 


by  the  ancients,  to  one  of  the  three  parts  of  the 
world  known  to  them,  and  which  equalled,  if 
not  exceeded  in  extent,  the  other  two.  Accord- 
ing to  the  old  geographers,  it  was  divided  from 
Europe  on  the  west,  by  the  river  Tanais  (or  Don) 
and  by  the  Euxine  and  Egcan  seas.  From  Africa, 
its  line  of  demarcation  was  the  Nile,  according  to 
Pliny;  the  Arabian  Gulph  according  to  Ptolemy. 
Occupying  the  most  fertile  and  delicious  quarter 
of  the  habitable  globe,  its  inhabitants  have  ever 
been  noted  for  their  indolent  habits,  their  luxuri- 
ous tastes,  their  voluptuous  propensities,  their 
effeminate  manners ; in  other  words,  for  dispo- 
sitions and  characteristics  apparently  rendering 
them  fitter  to  obey  than  to  command.  Of  Asia, 
Cicero  says,  that  “ for  the  productiveness  of  its 
soil,  the  variety  of  its  fruits,  the  wide  extent  of 
its  pasturages,  and  the  multitude  of  its  exports, 
it  vastly  exceeds  all  others.” — Tt  was  from  Asia, 


(both  Major  and  Minor)  that  luxury,  through 
the  medium  of  the  armies  of  the  republic,  in- 
troduced itself  into  Rome,  where  it  exercised  a 
fatal  influence  on  the  morals  of  the  people,  as 
it  had  done  on  the  discipline  of  the  soldiers. — 
In  the  year  n.  c.  191,  Antiochus,  king  of  Syria, 
declared  war  against  the  Romans,  who  sent 
against  him  the  consul  Glabrio,  by  whom  he 
was  vanquished,  near  Thermopyke,  and  driven 
from  Greece.  The  following  year,  the  consul  L. 
Scipio,  brother  of  Scipio  Africanus,  also  defeated 
the  same  monarch  at  the  battle  of  Magnesia. — 
This  victory  put  an  end  to  the  war,  and  Scipio 
enjoyed  the  honours  of  a triumph  for  Antiochus 
and  for  Asia.  Dut  peace  was  not  ratified  with 
Antiochus  till  the  year  b.  c.  188. — After  the 
death  of  King  Eumenes,  his  son  obtained  “ from 
the  generosity  of  the  Roman  Senate,”  the  throne 
of  Syria,  and  that  prince  dying  a.  u.  c.  621 
(b.  c.  133),  appointed  the  Roman  people  his 
heirs.  But  Aristonicus,  natural  son  of  Eumenes, 
shortly  afterwards  invaded  those  Asiatic  pro- 
vinces which  he  claimed  as  his  patrimony,  and 
overcame  the  consul  CraSsus  Mneianus,  whom 
he  made  prisoner,  and  put  to  death,  b.  c.  1 30. 
Aristonicus,  however,  was  in  his  turn  defeated 
and  captured  by  the  consul  Perpenna,  whose 
successor  the  consul  Aqnillius,  bv  overcoming 
and  slaying  Aristonicus,  terminated  the  second 
Asiatic  war.  And  thus  was  the  Lesser  Asia 
brought  into  subjection  to  Rome,  and  governed 
by  pro-consuls.  Of  its  riches,  in  Sidla’s  time, 
some  idea  may  be  formed  from  the  tax  of  20,000 
talents  which  he  imposed  on  it.  Mark  Antony, 
in  one  year  of  his  government  there,  is  said  to 
have  acquired  an  equal  sum. 

ASIA  is  symbolised  on  Roman  coins  by  the 
serpent;  (see  the  cislophori  of  M.  Antonins) 
also  by  the  ship’s  prow,  and  rudder — the 
latter  “to  shew  (says  Jobert)  that  it  is  a 
country  which  cannot  be  ar- 
rived at  from  Rome  without 
going  by  sea” — an  odd  reason 
— “curious  if  true.” — Eckhel 
alludes  to,  w ithout  discounte- 
nancing, the  French  Jesuit’s 
conjecture ; but  at  the  same 
time  assigns  another  reason, 


ASIA.  89 

more  germane  to  probability,  viz.,  that  the  im- 
perial coins,  whose  legends  refer  to  Asia,  give  to 
her  personification  maritime  attributes,  because 
many  of  her  provinces  are  situated  on  the  sea 
coast. — The  preceding  engraving  is  from  a rare 
denarius  of  Hadrian,  bearing  ASIA  for  its  sole 
legend  of  reverse  : the  type  is  that  of  a w-oman 
clothed  in  the  tunic,  standing  with  her  right  foot 
on  the  prow  of  a ship,  holding  in  her  right  hand 
a garland,  and  in  her  left  a rudder  reversed. 
By  the  word  Asia  thus  inscribed,  is  to  be 
understood,  not  that  great  geographical  divi- 
sion of  the  world,  whose  general  extent  has 
already  been  noticed ; but  Proconsular  Asia, 
through  which  the  Imperial  traveller  made  his 
tour  ; a well  established  fact,  which  that  prince 
caused  to  be  recorded,  not  only  on  this  silver 
coiu,  but  also  on  two  first  brass,  viz.  adventvi 
avg.  asiae.  s.  c.  the  Emperor  togated,  and 
a woman  sacrificing ; and  restitvtoki  asiae 
s.  c.  with  type  of  the  Emperor  raising  a female 
figure  with  radiated  head,  holding  a sceptre  in 
her  left  hand. — On  another  coin  (second  brass) 
with  same  legend,  a woman,  with  bended  knee, 
bears  a rudder  over  her  shoulder,  and  is  raised 
by  the  emperor,  who  stands  clothed  in  the  toga. 
Both  the  first  brass  are  engraved  in  Haver- 
camp’s  Medaittes  de  Christine. 

Spartian  informs  us,  that  while  journeying 
through  this  region,  Hadrian  erected  temples  in 
his  own  name.  And  cities  also  are  mentioned, 
which  were  so  much  enlarged  by  him,  that  their 
inhabitants  hesitated  not  to  proclaim  him  their 
second  founder,  and  to  appropriate  his  name. 
Amongst  these  were  Cyzicus,  Smyrna,  Stra- 
tonica  in  Carin,  and  many  others.  What  vast 
sums  of  money  he  expended  on  the  embellish- 
ment of  Smyrna  alone,  may  be  gathered  from 
Philostratus.  The  services  conferred  by  him 
upon  Cyzicus,  where  a magnificent  temple  was 
erected  io  his  honour,  and  games  instituted,  are 
indicated  in  the  coinage  of  that  city,  whose  in- 
habitants styled  him  the  thirteenth  god. — See 
Eckhel,  vi.  492. 

Asia  Minor. The  region  so  named  com- 

prised the  provinces  between  the  Euxine  and 
Mediterranean  seas ; consequently  it  included 
Bithyuia,  Paphlagonia,  Pontus,  Galatia,  Mysia 
(sec  Troas),  Lydia,  Caria,  jEolia,  Ionia,  Lycia, 
Patnphilia,  Phrygia,  Cappadocia,  Cilicia,  and 
Lycaonia. — “ The  country  (observes  the  late 
Bishop  Butler  in  his  admirable  sketch  of  Ancient 
and  Modern  Geography)  which  we  call  Asia 
Minor  (a  term  not.  in  use  among  the  ancients, 
who  called  it  simply  Asia)  is  now  called  Anatolia, 
or  rather  Anadoli,  from  acaroAij,  the  East.” 

ASIA  RECEPTA. — Victory  with  expanded 
wings,  and  holdiug  a crown,  stands  on  a cylin- 
drical basket  between  two  serpents. — On  a quina- 
rius  of  Augustus  (of  which  the  subjoined  cut  is 


N 


'10  ASIA. 

an  exact  copy  as  to  size  and  type,  lrom  the 

original  in  the  British  Museum). 

The  mystical  cista,  or  basket,  of  Bacchus  was 
the  symbol  of  proconsular  Asia,  which  this  coin 
declares  to  be  recepta,  that  is,  taken  possession 
of  by  Cicsar.  All  silver  coins,  which  were  struck 
in  the  same  district  of  Asia,  present  a similar 
representation  of  the  cista,  and  arc  for  that 
reason  called  cistophori.  (Sec  the  word.)  Victory 
is  placed  on  the  cista,  simply  because,  in  the 
Roman  mint,  that  figure  was  the  perpetual  type 
of  the  quinarius. — Augustus  received  Asia, 
within  the  sphere  of  his  dominions  when,  in  the 
year  u.  c.  724  (b.  c.  30),  cither  on  his  expedi- 
i ion  into  Egypt,  or  on  his  return  to  Asia,  he 
tarried  there,  to  arrange  public  affairs,  and  also 
wintered  in  the  country,  as  Dion  affirms.  It  is 
likewise  stated,  by  Suetonius,  that  he  went  to 
Asia  during  his  fourth  consulate,  and  in  his  fifth 
left  Samos  for  Rome.  Looking,  therefore,  to  the 
above  epigraph,  Asia  uecepta,  as  well  as  to  the 
title  IMlVroforVII.  inscribed  on  the  obverse,  we 
come  (says  Eckhel,  vi.  82)  pretty  near  at  the  age 
of  this  coin.  Indeed,  placing  the  event  recorded, 
between  the  years  u.  c.  724  and  725,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  iii  the  latter  year,  when  Augustus 
Cicsar  proceeded  to  his  fifth  consulate,  he  was 
Imperator  for  the  seventh  time.  This  is  shown 
by  the  famous  marble  published  by  Pighius,  viz : 

8ENATVS  POFVLVSQYE  ROMANY’S.  IMP.  CAE- 
SABI.  DIVI  IVLI.  F.  COS.  QVINCT.  COS.  11ES1G. 
SEX.  IMP.  SEPT.  REPVBLICA.  CONSERVATA. 

Prom  t hese  dates  it  is  clear,  that  this  quinarius 
could  not  have  been  minted  earlier  than  the  year 
of  Home  724,  nor  later  than  720  (b.  C.  28) ; 
because  in  the  following  year  Cicsar  Octavianus 
began  to  use  the  name  of  Augustus. — See  Boot. 
Ntnn.  vi.  82. 

ASIA  COS.  IT.  S.  C. — A woman,  with  tnr- 
reted  head,  stands  with  a crown  in  her  extended 
right  hand,  and  her  left  hand  is  placed  on  an 
anchor.  On  a large  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius. 


It  would  appear  that  this  coin  was  struck  (a.h. 
139),  in  memory  of  those  towns  in  Asia,  which, 
having  been  overthrown  by  an  earthquake,  were 
restored  by  Antoninus — an  act  of  beneficeucc  re- 
corded by  Capitoliuus,  in  his  life  of  that  prince. 
The  crown  in  the  right  hand  of  the  figure,  is 
considered  to  represent  an  durum  coronnrium. — 
And  this  refers  to  the  circumstance,  that  the 
Roman  governors  of  provinces,  when  they 
quitted  their  respective  presidencies,  demanded 
of  the  cities  included  under  their  administration  | 
a supply  of  pure  gold,  for  the  ostensible  purpose  ! 


ASINIA. 

of  making  therewith  a crown,  to  be  afterwards 
consecrated  at  the  shrine  of  Jupiter  Gapitolinus. 

— See  durum  Coronarium. 

AS1AE. — See  Civitatibus  Asiw  Reslitulis. 
ASIAO. — Asia  penes:  surname  of  L.  Cornelius 
Scipio  (brother  of  Scipio  Afrieanus),  who  as  the 
conqueror  of  Antiochus  the  Great,  and  for  his 
Asiatic  victories,  was  so  called. — Sec  Cornelia. 

ASINA. — A contorniatc  medal  of  great  rarity 
presents  on  its  obverse  d.  N.  honorivs.  p.  avg. 
and  a laureated  head ; on  the  reverse  is  inscribed 
the  word  asina,  accompanied  with  the  figure  of 
an  ass  suckling  a foal. 

For  an  account  of  the  attempts  made  by  learned 
men  to  explain  this  medal—  attempts  as  conflict- 
ing and  inconclusive  as  the.  subject  of  them  is 
curious  and  extraordinary — the  reader  is  referred 
to  vol.  viii.  p.  173,  of  Boot.  Num.  I el.  Suffice 
it  here  to  notice,  that  the  coin  in  question  is 
allowed  to  be  as  old  as  the  time  of  llonorius, 
during  whose  reign  a great  portion  of  the  eon- 
torniati  were  struck— that  Tanini,  of  whose 
collection  it  once  formed  a part,  decidedly  re- 
garded it  as  one  of  a satirical  character,  and 
struck  by  the  idolators  in  contempt  of  the  Chris- 
tians—that  Eckhel,  on  the  contrary,  thinks 
that  the  legend  and  type  of  its  reverse  may  have 
been  one  of  the  symbolical  modes  of  expressing 
their  faith  in  the  Divine  Author  of  their  religion, 

“ signifying  something  understood  by  themselves 
though' hidden  from  us.”  After  adverting  in 
support  of  his  opinion  to  the  following  contor- 
niate,  published  by  Victorius,  viz.  Alexander 
aud  a head  covered  with  lion’s  skin,  on  the  obverse ; 
and  x.  D.  IV.  I.  H.  S.  X.  P.  s.  DEI.  Finns,  aud 
an  ass  with  head  erect  suckling  a foal,  for  tho 
legend  and  type  of  its  reverse — Eckhel  adds, 
“But  I am  bestowing  too  much  time  upon  a 
single  coin,  which  no  public  authority  will 
attempt  to  defend,  aud  which  any  one  w ill  readily 
lav  aside  among  the  herd  of  pseudo  motuta .” 
'ASINI  CAPUT — a symbol  of  Dacia.— The 
head  of  an  ass,  on  the  top  of  a walking  staff,  in 
the  hand  of  a female  figure,  appears  on  coins  of 
Trajanus  Decius. — See  dacia. — dacia  felix. 
An  ass,  according  to  Clemens  Alcxandrinus,  was 
sacrificed  by  the  Scythians  to  Apollo. 

ASINIA,  a plebeian,  but  a consular  family. 
Whether  it  derived  its  name  from  Asians,  ns 
Porcia  from  Parens,  may  be  questioned.  It  w as 
divided  into  many  branches  of  which  two  sur- 
names only  are  extant  on  coins,  viz.  the  one 
Callus,  the  other  Fo/lio—  The  name  of  Gulins 
as  a monetary  triumvir  (thus:  c.  asinivs  gali.vs 
iiivir.  A.  a.  a.  F.  F.)  is  found  on  large  and  middle 
consular  brass,  with  the  head,  or  inscription,  or 
symbol  of  Augustus.  This  Asiuius  Gulins,  tho 
sou  of  C.  Asinius  Pollio,  was  a man  eminent 
alike  in  the  arts  of  war  and  of  peace ; and  on 
that  account  a great  favourite  of  Augustus,  lie 
wrote  the  history  of  the  civil  war  between  Casar 
and  l’ompcy,  and  is  said  to  have  been  the  first 
to  have  opened  his  library  to  the  public  use  at 
Rome.  It  was  the  same  Gallus,  who  served  the 
consulate  in  the  year  u.  c.  746  (b.  C.  8) ; and, 
what  more  redounded  to  his  honour,  when  Tibc- 
rius  divorced  himself  from  \ipsania  Agrippina, 


ASTARTE. 

daughter  of  Agrippa,  he  took  her  to  wife,  and 
by  that  marriage  became  the  father  of  a numer- 
ous progeny.  The  name  of  Pollii, 1 appears  on  a 
denarius  published  in  Morel's  Thesaurus , and 
in  Vaillant’s  Pam.  Horn,  as  follows: — 

Ohv. — l'Oi.Lio.  Radiated  head  of  Apollo. 

Rev. — c.  asini.  c.  N.  F.  ( Cams  Asinius  Cnei 
Filins)  Crescent  moon  and  seven  stars. 

For  the  above  types  see  Lucretia  gens. 

A.  SISC.  Officina  Prima  Siscia*. Coin 

struck  in  the  first  mint-office  at  Siscia,  in 
Pannonia. 

ASPERGILLUM,  or  as  otherwise  called 
Adspersorium,  a sprinkler  or  holy-water  stick, 
having  ends  of  long  horse-hair,  which  the  Ro- 
mans made  use  of,  to  besprinkle  those  who  as- 
sisted at  the  sacrifices,  aud  also  to  throw  the 
1 astral  water  over  the  altar  and  the  victims. — 
See  Pontifical  Instruments. 

ASPIRATE. — This  is  wanting  in  the  ortho- 
graphy of  the  more  ancient  Roman  coins.  Ac- 
cordingly, we  find  written  without  the  aspirate 
(h)  the  names  cilo. — graccvs. — pilippvs. — 
TAMPILVS. — T1UVMPVS. — YPSAF.VS. — for  Cllilo, 
Gracchus,  Philippus,  Tamphilus,  Triumphus, 
llypsceus. — See  Rasche’s  Lexicon. 
ASSERTOR.— See  Hercules. 

AST  A. — licet  ica:  colonia  (Mispania),  now  Mesa 
d'  Asta,  situated  on  the  river  lla-tis,  ojiposite 
Gadcs  (Cadiz,  in  Andalusia).  Its  coins  are  bilin- 
gual aud  Latin  autonomes,  in  first  and  second 
brass.  The  former  exhibit  on  their  obverse 
asta.  and  the  bare  head  of  a man  ; on  their  re- 
verse a Celtiberian  inscription  and  a winged 
sphinx. — The  latter  have  for  obverse  M.  POPLLLI. 
M.  f.  Laureated  head  of  Apollo. — Reverse,  p. 
col.  asta.  he.  f.  A bull  standing. — Sec  Mr. 
Akermau’s  “ Ancient  Coins  of  Cities,”  &c.  p.  22. 

ASTARTE — called  in  Scripture  “Ashtaroth” 
— was  the  favourite  goddess  of  the  Sidouians, 
Tyrians,  Philistines,  and  Syro-Phrcniciaus  gene- 
rally. She  appears  to  have  been  identical  with 
the  Greek  Aphrodite,  and  the  Roman  Venus 
Genelrix,  being  believed  by  the  aucients  to  be 
the  goddess  of  generation,  as  well  as  of  beauty. 
— By  Milton,  in  his  Paradise  Regained,  a place 
is  assigned  to  her  among  the  fallen  angels  : 

With  these  in  troop 

Came  Astoretli,  whom  the  Phoenicians  called 
Astarte,  queen  of  Heaven,  with  crescent  horns  ; 
To  whose  bright  image  nightly  by  the  moon 
Sidonian  virgins  paid  their  vows  and  songs. 
Among  the  imperial  colonies  in  the  east,  the 
cities  of  Berytus,  Bostra,  Sidon,  and  Tyre,  are 
those  in  which  Astarte  was  chiefly  worshipped  ; 
aud  on  the  respective  coins  of  which  she  appears. 


ASTARTE.  «1 

under  the  image  of  a young  woman,  wearing  a 
tutulatcd,  or  tuft -like,  head  dress ; and  clothed 
in  a tunic,  high  in  the  neck — sometimes  (as  in 
the  annexed  engraving  from  a Tyrian  coin),  not 
reaching  hwer  than  the  knees  ; sometimes  with 
a longer  dress,  but  with  the  right  knee  ex- 
posed, and  the  foot  planted  on  a ship’s  prow. 

This  object  of  gross  idolatry  had  a tiue 
temple  at  Bostra ; and  on  a large  brass,  struck 
there  and  dedicated  to  Julia  Mamaea,  the  idol, 
as  above  described,  stands  within  a portico  of 
six  columns,  holding  a cruciform  staff  in  the 
right  hand,  and  a cornucopiaE  in  the  left. — 
Of  Berytus  also  she  was  a great  tutelary  god- 
dess ; for  which  reason  Nonnus  calls  that  city 
“ the  habitation  of  Venus.” — The  Tyrians  also 
paid  supreme  adoration  to  Astarte,  and  their 
city  contained  a superb  temple  erected  to  her 
honour.  The  fact  that  this  deity  was  the  Venus 
of  the  Tyrians  is  corroborated  by  that  passage 
of  Cicero  0>1>.  iii.  Be  Nat.  Bear.)  in  which  lie 
affirms,  that  the  goddess,  whom  the  Tyrians 
worshipped  under  the  name  of  Astarte,  was  the 
Syrian  Venus,  who  was  said  to  have  been  mar- 
ried to  Adonis. — Josephus  records  the  building 
of  a magnificent  temple  by  Hiram,  King  of  Tyre", 
in  honour  of  Ashtaroth  (Astarte).  Coincident 
with  which,  we  find  a second  brass  of  Elaga- 
balus,  exhibiting  the  goddess,  with  her  usual 
attributes,  standing  within  a temple. — As  the 
chief  local  deity  of  Tyre,  she  sometimes  appears 
on  Roman  coins  of  that  colony,  standing  toge- 
ther with  the  figure  of  Angerona,  Goddess  of 
Silence. — The  Sidouians,  like  their  Tyrian  neigh- 
bours and  rivals,  were  blind  votaries  to  this 
“ abomination”  of  Assyria ; and  their  city  also 
had  a fine  temple  of  Astarte. — Amongst  the 
numerous  monetal  dedications  made  by  the  Ro- 
man colonists  at  Sidon,  to  Elagabalus  and  the 
female  members  of  his  family,  are  first  and 
second  brass  coins,  which  exhibit  the  effigy  of 
Astarte  standing  (see  the  annexed  woodcut)  with 
her  right  hand  placed  on  a trophy,  whilst  she 
carries  in  her  left  the  hasta  crosswise.  At  her 
left  hand  a figure  of  Victory,  placed  on  a column, 
presents  to  her  a crown.  At  her  left  foot  is 
the  conchylium,  or  shell  fish,  from  whose  blood 
the  famous  purple  was  said  to  have  been  made. 
The  palm  tree  is  a symbol  common  to  Phoenicia 
and  Palestine.  This  reverse  is  repeated  on  other 
colonial  medals  of  Tyre  and  of  Sidon,  with  the 
addition  of  _ representing  the  idol  within  its 
temple. 

In  Vaillant’s  Colonies  are  given  a coin  of  Sep- 
timius  Severus,  and  another  of  Diadiuneniauus, 
the  former  bearing  the  following  legend  and 
type  on  the  reverse,  viz.  col.  af.lia  capit. 
(established  by  Hadrian  on  the  ruins  of  Jeru- 
salem)— On  this  reverse  Astarte,  or  Venus, 
holds,  in  one  hand,  the  head  of  Scrapis,  and  in 
the  other  the  hasta ; her  right  loot  being  placed 
on  the  crouching  figure  of  a river-god.  In 
the  coin  dedicated  to  the  youthful  son  of 
Macrinus,  two  winged  Victories  are  added,  stand- 
ing at  her  feet  on  each  side. — The  same  learned 
writer,  in  describing  the  wrcll-known  type  which 
I accompanies  Indutgentia  Augg.  in  Carth.  on  a 


92 


ASTRA. 


denarius  of  the  Emperor  Sevcrus,  says  of  Cybele 
vecta  leone  cur  rente— " This  goddess  is  the 
Astarte  of  Carthage.”— See  Aelia  Capitolina — 
Bostra — Benjtus — Sidon,  and  Tyrus,  in  their 
respective  places. 

Astarte  is  also  typified  on  many  Greek  coins 
of  cities  and  people.  Likewise  on  some  Greek 
Imperial,  struck  under  Caracalla,  Geta,  Elaga- 
balus,  Alexander  Severus,  Gordianus  Pius,  &c. 

ASTRA. — Stars,  either  alone,  or  with  other 
signs  added  to  them,  are  exhibited  on  many 
family  and  consular  coins. — On  a denanus  of 
the  Asiuia  gens,  the  radiated  head  of  Apollo 
(symbolising  the  Sun),  appears  on  one  side, 
and  a crescent  moon,  surrounded  by  seven 
stars,  on  the  other.— Stars  appear  over  the 
caps  of  the  Dioscuri,  whom  fable  has  placed 
amongst  the  heavenly  host. — Castor  and  1 o//u.r 
were,  on  this  account,  worshipped  by  naviga- 
tors.— On  a denarius  of  the  Rustia  family,  a star 
is  put  before  the  head  of  Mars,  because  the  ycai 
was  reckoned  to  begin  with  the  month  Martins, 
(March)  which  takes  its  name  from  that  god.— 
Stars  above  a curule  chair,  indicating  the  divi- 
nity of  Julius  Ctcsar,  appear  on  a silver  coin  ot 
the  Aelia  family— The  astrum  crinitum,  or  star 
with  “ tail  of  fire,”  ou  the  reverse  of  gold  and 
silver,  struck  under  Augustus,  in  memory  of 
Julius  Cicsar,  is  regarded  as  allusive  to  the  great 
comet,  which,  appearing  soon  after  the  Dicta- 
tor’s death,  was  looked  ou  by  the  common  peo- 
pic  as  denotiug  his  immortality,  and  translation 
to  the  skies.— Of  this  popular  credulity  Augustus 
availed  himself  to  honour  his  uncle  with  dcihca- 
t ion.— (Sec  Comet.)— A star  is  sometimes  placed, 
on  coins,  above  or  near  the  head  of  Julius  Cicsar, 

“ which  (says  Eckhel,  vi.  11),  perhaps  indicates 
the  star  of  Venus,  mother  of  /Eueas,  or  more  likely 
the  year  when  the  calendar  was  brought,  vvrth 
greater  exactness,  to  the  course  of  the  Sun.  lhe 
figure  of  the  crescent  moon,  also  seen  near  the 
portrait  of  the  same  emperor,  is  of  uncertain 
signification,  unless  that  likewise  has  reference 
to'  the  corrected  year.”  (vi.  19.)— A star  is 
found  on  many  coins  of  Elagabalus,  both  those 
struck  at  Rome  and  those  of  colonial  fabric. 
This  symbol  has  reference  to  the  Sun,  in  whose 
Syrian  worship  and  priesthood  he  was  initiated 
before  his  baneful  accession  to  the  empire.  A 
star  over  a ship’s  prow  appears  on  the  reverse  ol 
a denarius  of  Vespasian,  with  legend  of  cos.  vm. 
and  the  same  iigure  occurs  on  some  coin  or 
other,  throughout  the  greater  part  of  the  im 
perial  series.  ... 

Two  *81111*9,  under  which  Cupid  sits  bestriding 
a dolphin,  with  the  inscription  s.  p.  Q.  b.  appear 
on  a rare  silver  coin  of  Augustus.  Seguin  un- 
derstands it  to  mean,  on  one  side  the  star  of 
Venus,  ou  the  other  the  star  of  Julius,  as  indi- 
cating the  assumed  family  origin  of  the  first 

Cicsar. — Sec  Mionnet,  i.  105.  

ASTROLOGICAL  and  ASTRONOMICAL 
symbols  arc  found  on  Roman  coins,  as  in  the 
Capricorn,  double  and  single,  of  Augustus  and 
of  Vespasian ; the  crescent  moon  and  seven  stars 
of  Hadrian  audof  Faustina.— The  Greek  imperial 
scries  also  present  several  fine  medals,  which 


ATHLETiE. 

have  for  their  reverse  types  the  twelve  signs  of 
the  Zodiac.— See  Capricorn.  „ 

ASTU  RES,  a people  of  Spain,  subdued  by  i . 
Carisius,  pro-prietor  under  Augustus.  Their 
capital  was  Asturica,  now  Astorya,  m the  king- 
dom of  Leou. — Sec  Akerinau’s  Corns  of  t itles, 

&c.  p.  65.  . 

ASTURICA. — Vaillant  (i«  Col.  l,  p.  10)  gives 
a second  brass  coin  with  the  obverse  legend  of 
Woystvs  divi  F.  and  bare  head  of  Augustus, 
and  which  presents  ou  its  reverse  a colonist 
ploughing  with  two  oxen,  with  the  legend  col. 
ast.  avgvsta,  which  he  renders  Colonui  Astu- 
rica Augusta,  or  colony  of  the  Astures,  a terri- 
tory of  Ilispania  Tarraeonensis.— Eckhel,  how- 
ever, rccoguises  in  the  abbreviation  AST.  the  name 
of  no  colony  but  Asta  of  Bietica.— And  Mionnet 
(s.  i.  53)  says,  “cette  mcdaillc  peut  aussi  men 
appartenir  it  Asta,  ou  Astapa,  ou  Astigi,  cities 
lie  hi  Bieliqtie."  . 

AT1IALARICUS,  the  grandson  of  llicodon- 
cus,  ascended  the  throne  of  the  Goths, _ iu  Italy, 
on  the  death  of  bis  grandfather,  a.d.  o-6.  He 
died  a.d.  534.  lie  is  styled  ou  corns  (which 
are  rare)  d.  n.  athalaricvs  or  atalaricvs  ; 
also  d.  N.  atalaricvs  rex.  On  silver  qmuani 
of  Justinus  and  Justiniauus,  emperors  of  the  east, 
his  name  appears  followed  by  that  of  rex  or  rix. 
— Akerman,  Descr.  Cat.  ii.  396. 

Banduri  (vol.  ii.  p.  643,)  gives  a third  brass, 
with  JNVICTA  ROMA,  and  the  galeated  head  ot  a 
woman  on  the  obverse,  and  ou  the  reverse  u.  N. 
athalaricvs — with  the  type  ot  that  prince, 
standing,  helmcted  and  paludatcd,  face  to  the 
left,  his  right  hand  resting  on  a spear,  and  his 
left  on  a shield  placed  ou  the  ground.  In  the 
field  s.  c.  & X. 

ATUEXODORUS  VABALATIIUS. — Sec 

VABAI.ATHUS. 

ATllEN'-E.— Athens,  the  most  celebrated 
city  of  Greece,  situate  iu  that  part  of  Achaiu, 
called  Attica. — There  is  a tctradrachm  inscribed 
cos.  ill.  with  the  figure  of  Minerva  standing; 
with  regard  to  which  Vaillant  (Pr.  ii.  140)  is  of 
opinion,  that  the  Athenians  struck  this  coin,  in 
memory  of  the  benefits  which  Hadrian  had 
liberally  bestowed  ou  their  city,  in  which,  ac- 
cording to  Spartiauus,  he  passed  the  winter  ot 
the  vear  of  Rome  875  (b.  c.  122). 

ATIlLETzE. — This  appellation  was  given  to 
those  who  contended  for  the  prizes  at  public 
games.  And  under  this  name,  among  the  Greeks, 
were  comprised  the  professors  of  five  different 
kinds  of  gymuastics,  or  bodily  exercises,  viz. 
those  of  tiie  race,  and  of  the  discus,  leaping, 
wrestling,  and  pugilism— The  Romans,  who 
took  the  Grecian  model  generally  as  the  object 
of  their  imitation,  appropriated  the  name  of 
Athteta  almost  exclusively  to  wrestlers,  and  to 
those  who  fought  with  their  fists  : whilst  those 
who  practised  other  feats  of  streugtli  and  acti- 
vity had  distinct  and  peculiar  appellations. 

Spauhcim,  m illustrating  his  translation  of 
c Ciesars  of  Julian  (p.  142),  gives  the  figures 


the  ouwua  w*  “ 'I" " = , , T l* 

of  two  naked  wrestlers,  or  Athlete,  holding 
each  other  by  the  arms,  as  in  the  act  ol 
••  trying  a fall.”  They  form  the  type  of  a com 


ATT  ALUS. 


93 


ATILIA. 

struck  at  Laoilicsca,  iu  Syria,  under  Caracalla, 
ou  the  occasion  of  some  public  games  celebrated 
in  that  city,  with  the  legend  laodicaea,  a 
Roman  colony,  and  which,  on  another  rare 
coin  dedicated  to  the  same  emperor,  exhibits, 
in  abbreviation,  all  its  titles,  viz.  COL onia  SEP- 
timia  A l relia  LAOD iecea,  M El' Kop o f is . — Vail- 
lant  furnishes  a similar  reverse  ol  Elagabalus. 
The  same  author  (in  Co/.  vol.  ii.  p.  105)  makes 
the  two  following  references  to  the  contests  ot 
the  Athletes : — Ou  the  reverse  of  an  Annia 
Faustina,  colony  of  Sidon,  ceii.  sac.  peh. 
oecvme.  isela.  Certamina,  Sacra,  Periodonica, 
Oecumenica,  Iselaslica ; within  a laurel  crown. 
— On  the  reverse  of  a colonial  coin,  struck  at 
Tyre  (col.  tyro.  metbop.)  under  Trebouiauus 
Gallus,  are  two  naked  Athletic,  standing  with  a 
vase  between  them  ; eacli  holding  in  his  hands  a 
discus,  out  of  which  issues  a palm  branch. 
(VaiUant,  Col.  ii.  217)— Sec  Heliopolis  and 
sidon  and  tyrvs  (suis  locis).  See  also  sac. 
cap.  OEC.  isel.  and  Victors  at  Games. — In  con- 
nection with  this  subject,  reference  may  be  made 
to  Circus  Maximus — a representation  of  which 
is  given  on  a brass  medallion  of  Gordiauus  Pius, 
in  which  wrestlers  and  other  Athletic  appear  in 
the  foreground. 

ATI  A,  gens  plcbeia which  writers  have 

divided  into  two  families,  whose  respective  sur- 
names, as  they  appear  on  coins,  were  Batins 
and  Labienus.  The  Alii,  or  Atti  take  their 
fabulous  origin  from  the  Trojan  Atys  : Virgil 
says 

Alter  Atys,  genus  unde  Atti  dixere  Latiui. 

Perhaps,  says  Pitiscus,  the  poet  spake  thus, 
to  flatter  Augustus,  whose  mother  was  of  the 
plebeian  stock — a stock  so  obscure  as  never  to 
have  risen  above  the  pnetorship. — Atius  Balias 
is  named  on  a rare  second  brass,  for  an  accurate 
engraving  of  which  see  Visconti,  Iconographie 
Romaine,  part  i.  pi.  v.  fig.  1. 

Oiv. — M.  ativs  balbvs.  pk. — Bare  head  of 
Balbus. 

Reo. — sard,  pater. — Head  of  a man  strangely 
attired. 

The  above  coin  shews  that  Atius  Balbus  was 
sent  to  Sardinia  as  Prsetor,  and  that  Augustus 
having  already  obtained  submission  to  his  rule 
from  the  Sardinians,  this  coin  was  struck  with 
the  head  of  Atius,  in  acknowledgment  of  their 
obligations  to  him. — “ Its  barbarous  workman- 
ship,” adds  Eckhel,  “savours  strongly  of  Sardinia, 
always  inhospitable  to  the  elegaut  arts.” — Sard«j 
Pater,  whom  the  reverse  exhibits,  was  said  to 
be  the  son  of  Hercules,  who  haying  landed  on 
the  Sardinian  coast,  gave  his  name  to  that 
island. — For  a coin  and  some  account  of  a mem- 
ber of  this  family  bearing  its  second  surname, 
and  who  figures  historically  iu  the  annals  of  the 
later  republic,  see  Laiienus. 

ATILIA,  gens  patricia  et  plebcia. — Ou  the 
coins  of  this  family,  one  Saranus  is  commemor- 
ated. The  obverse  of  the  denarius  has  for  legend 
sar,  or  saran.  and  for  type  a winged  and  hel- 
meted  head  of  Pallas.  The  reverse  bears  m. 
atil.  and  the  figures  of  the  Dioscuri  on  horse- 
back, with  roma  at  the  bottom — or  Victory  in 


a biga. — The  pieces,  in  bronze,  of  this  gens,  are 
by  the  mint -masters  of  Augustus. — See  Dioscuri. 

' ATLAS,  according  to  some  mythographers, 
was  chief  of  the  Titans  that  made  war  against 
Jupiter,  who,  to  punish,  sentenced  him  to  sup- 
port the  heavens.  The  accouut  of  him,  divested 
of  fable,  is  that  Atlas  was  a philosopher  of  royal 
rank,  whose  territories  lay  in  north-western 
Africa,  and  who,  having  been  accustomed  to  make 
astronomical  observations  on  a high  mountain  of 
Mauritania,  gave  his  name  to  it,  and  also  to  the 
ocean  (Atlantic),  on  which  it  borders. — Vaillaut 
(Pr.  iii.  p.  124)  gives  a brass  medallion  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius,  the  epigraph  on  the  reverse  of  which 
is  tr.  pot.  xx.  cos.  mi.;  and  the  type,  Jupiter- 
standing  with  hasta  and  fulrnen,  an  eagle  at  his 
feet,  aud  Atlas  bearing  a globe  ou  his  shoulders. 
There  is  in  the  French  Cabinet  another  brass 
medallion,  mounted  in  a large  circle,  struck 
under  the  above-named  emperor,  the  reverse 
legend  of  which  is  the  same  as  that  already 
quoted ; but  the  type  differs  from  it.  Jupiter, 
in  the  latter  instance,  stands  before  an  altar; 
and  this  altar  is  ornamented  with  a bas-relief, 
representing  Jupiter  striking  the  Titaus  with 
his  thunderbolts.  On  the  altar  is  an  eagle  with 
expanded  wings.  Behind  Jupiter  is  Atlas  on 
his  kuees  sustaining  the  globe. — See  Jupiter. 

ATTALUS  PlllSCUS,  an  usurper  in  the 
reign  of  Honorius,  first  in  Italy,  afterwards  in 
Gaul.  Born  of  au  Ionian  family,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Prefect  of  Rome.  And  King  Alaric, 


when  he  took  that  city  (a.  t).  409),  proclaimed 
him  emperor.  Deprived  of  that  title  by  the 
same  gothic  conqueror  who  had  given  it  to  him, 
he  subsequently  resumed  it  in  Gaul,  a.  d.  410. 
Taken  prisoner  in  416,  he  had  his  right  hand 
cut  off,  and  was  banished  by  Honorius  to  the 
island  of  Lipari,  where  he  died.  On  his  coius 
(which  are  very  rare  in  gold,  silver,  and  small 
brass)  he  is  styled  prjsc  (or  priscvs)  attalvs 
p.  p.  avg. — also  imp.  priscvs  attalvs  p.  f. 
avg.  These  pieces  were  probably  minted  at 
Rome.  There  is  a silver  medallion  with  his 
diademed  portrait,  of  extraordinary  size  and 
highest  rarity,  in  the  British  Museum.  Mr. 
Akerman  has  given  an  engraving  of  this  coin, 
in  vol.  ii.  p.  358  of  his  Descriptive  Catalogue. 
Vaillaut  (Pr.  iii.  264)  had  given  a similar  one 


94 


ATYS. 


AUFIDIA. 


from  the  Vatican  collection.  The  legend  and 
type  of  the  reverse  are  invicta  roma  aeterna; 
Itome  hclmetcd  and  palndatcd,  sits  fronting,  in 
a chair  ornamented  on  each  side  with  lions’ 
heads  ; her  right  hand  holds  a vicloriola,  her 
left  hand  rests  on  the  end  of  a spear  reversed. 
In  the  exergue  bmps. 

ATTILA,  or  AtUa,  or  Ateula,  King  of  the 
lhtns,  Goths,  and  Danes,  was  called  the  “ dread 
of  the  world” — the  “ scourge  of  God.”  lie 
succeeded  to  the  government  of  these  “ North- 
men,” a.  D.  434.  After  ravaging  the  provinces 
of  the  cast,  and  compelling  the  Emperor  Theo- 
dosius the  Second  to  pay  him  tribute,  he  re- 
turned to  his  own  dominions,  having  triumphed 
both  in  the  Italian  aud  in  the  Illyrian  wars.  He 
was  contemplating  the  invasion  of  Asia  and 
Africa,  at  the  moment  when,  enslaved  by  lust 
and  debauchery,  he  lost  his  reason,  amidst  feast- 
ing and  concubinage,  aud  died  of  a flow  of 
blood  from  the  nostrils,  a.  u. c.  1207  (n.c.  454). 
The  pieces  attributed  to  this  extraordinary  man, 
inscribed  atevla,  or  ativla,  aud  also  atil. 
are  said  by  Eckhcl,  llcnnin,  and  others,  not  to 
be  his,  but  coins  of  Gaulish  chiefs. 

ATYS,  or  Attys. — Except  in  association  with 
types  relating  to  Cybele,  on  many  Roman  as 
well  as  Greek  coins,  it  would  be  scarcely'  worth 
while  to  notice  the  worse  than  absurd  myths 
of  Atys ; who,  according  to  one  of  several 
stories  concerning  him,  was  a handsome  young 
shepherd  of  Phrygia,  of  whom  the  Mother  of 
the  Gods  (Magna  Mater  Defiui),  became  greatly 
enamoured.  She  entrusted  him  with  the  care 
of  her  temple,  having  made  him  promise  that 
he  would  always  live  in  chaste  celibacy  In 
violation  of  this  vow,  however,  he  fell  in  love 
with  the  nymph  Sangaris,  whom  Cybele,  in  her 
jealous  anger,  caused  to  die.  And  Atys,  in  the 
frenzy  of  his  grief,  inflicted  a nameless  injury 
upon  himself.  But  the  goddess,  who  found  this 
punishment  too  cruel,  as  well  to  her  own  feel- 
ings as  to  those  of  her  beloved,  physically  re- 
stored him ; and  took  him  again  into  her  sendee. 
The  act  of  self-mutilation  was,  however,  after- 
wards performed  by  the  sacerdotal  successors  of 
Atys,  as  a condition  attached  to  the  priesthood 
of  Cybele.  On  a coutorniate  medal  of  Vespa- 
sian, engraved  in  Morel’s  Thesaurus , this  part 
of  the  subject  is  illustrated. — “ Atys,  sive  polius 
Gallus  (as  the  priest  of  Cybele  was  called)  se  ip- 
sum  castrans.” — See  Cybele. 

AV.  and  O.  were  indiscriminately  used  by 
the  Romans,  as  is  instanced  in  some  denarii, 
whereon  we  read  fostvlvs  for  favstvlvs. — 
pi.otivs  for  PLAVTIVS. 

AV.  Augur. — c.  caldvs.  imp.  av.  x. — Cains 
Cnidus  Imperalor,  Augur,  Decemvir. 

AV.  Augusta — or  Augustus. 

AV.  Aurelius.— As  AV.  COMMODVS  AVG. 
on  coins  of  Commodus. — M.  A Xrelius  ANTO- 
NINVS  PI\'S  AX  gust  us,  on  coins  of  Cnracalla. 
— A Xrelius  S.  ALEXAND.  AVG.  of  Scverus 
Alexander. — AV.  ANTONINVS,  of  Elagabalus. 

AVCT.  PIET,  (on  silver)  and  AVCTOR 
PIETAT.  (on  first  brass)  p.  m.  tb.  p.  xii.  tr.  p. 
viil.  cos.  v.  p.  p. — A stolatcd  woman  standing 


before  an  altar,  holding  a patera  in  her  right 
hand,  and  the  acerra  in  her  left.  Struck  about 
A.  D.  184. — See  Acerra,  p.  4. 

Commodus,  on  whose  coins  this  legend  ap- 
pears, may  be  supposed  to  have  earned  the  title 
of  Auctor  Piet  at  is,  whilst  bestowing  marked  at- 
tention on  religious  matters.  But  in  this,  as  in 
all  other  things,  he  conducted  himself  like  a 
madman,  aud  iu  a manner  derogatory  to  the 
majesty  of  the  empire.  For,  in  celebrating  the 
rites  of  Isis,  he  shaved  his  head,  and  carried 
the  dog-beaded  god  Anubis,  during  which  cere- 
mony he  wantonly  belaboured  the  heads  of  the 
worshippers  with  the  face  of  the  heavy  image, 
lie  even  attired  himself  as  a sacrifiecr,  and  with 
his  own  hand  immolated  the  victims.  Nay,  he 
went  on  so  far  as  to  supply  fresh  material  for 
the  piety  of  an  enslaved  and  superstitious  people, 
by  assuming  the  titles  devs  aud  HERCVLES, 
during  the  year  of  Rome  914  (a.  I).  191). — 
“ Aeneas  is  styled  by  Ovid  pietatis  idoneus 
auctor,  the  true  promoter  of  piety,  doubtless  on 
account  of  his  attachment  to  the  gods,  and  to 
his  father,  being  in  the  mouths  of  all ; therefore 
fitly  (klonee)  so  styled ; whence,  adds  Eckhel, 
you  may  draw  the  distinction  between  that 
ancient  Auctor  Pietatis,  and  the  one  with  whom 
we  are  here  dealing.” — vol.  vii.  p.  118. 

AVCT  A KART. — See  Sal  vis  Augg. 

AVERSA. — The  reverse  side  of  a coin. — Sec 
Reverse. 

AUFIDIA  gens. — That  this  family  was  ple- 
beian is  shewn  by  the  t rib  uni  p/ebis,  who  were 
chosen  from  it.  “ Perhaps,  says  Vaillant,  the 
river  Aufidius,  celebrated  on  account  of  the 
slaughter  of  the  Romans  at  Canine,  gave  the 
original  name  to  this  family which  however 
was  not  known  until  about  the  period  of  the 
republic’s  decline.  Its  coins  consist  of  only  two 
varieties,  one  of  these,  a rare  denarius,  has 


Obv. — rvs.  The  winged  head  of  Pallas,  with 
XVI.  behind  it. 

Re r. — m.  avf.  Jupiter  in  a quadriga  at  full 
speed — below  roma. 

Vaillant  considers  ltvs.  to  be  meant  for  Rus- 
ticus,  as  a cognomen  of  the  Aulidia  family  ; 
Morel  aud  Pcrizoni  explain  it  Ruso.  Eckhel 
prefers  the  former  interpretation,  because  in  the 
most  perfect  specimen  iu  the  Imperial  Cabinet, 
rvs.  ulonc  is  read,  without  a vestige  of  the  o, 
which  Morel  thought  was  added. 

AVG.  Augur. — This  abbreviation  is  of  fre- 
quent occurrence  on  the  coius  of  Mark  Antony, 
ucrompauicd  by  the  augural  symbols. 

AVG. — On  gold  aud  silver  coins  of  Vespasian, 
included  by  Eckhel  (vi.  320)  amongst  those 
which  bear  testimony  to  the  conquest  of  Judiva 
by  that  Em|icror,  and  to  his  triumph  on  that 
account,  iu  the  year  u.  c.  824  (a.  d.  71)  the 


AUGURES. 

abbreviation  avo.  appears  on  the  reverse,  within  i 
a crown  of  oak  leaves,  in  others  of  olive,  and  [ 
in  others  inscribed  on  a shield,  surrounded  by 
an  olive  wreath.  This  avg.  is  by  some  supposed 
to  mean  AVG  nr.  But  Eckhel,  who  refers  to 
one  in  the  Vienna  Cabinet,  agrees  with  Licbc 
(Goth  Nam.)  in  thinking  it  more  probable  that, 
as  there  is  no  attribute  of  the  augurship  on  these 
coins,  the  letters  avg.  in  this  instance,  should 
be  read  AX  Gusto ; and  that  the  crown,  or 
shield,  should  be  considered  to  typify  the 
corona , or  cl y pats,  offered  and  dedicated  to 
Vespasian,  as  was  customary  on  such  triumphal 
occasions. 

AVG.  Augurinus — one  of  the  three  surnames 
of  the  Minucia  gens,  derived  from  the  augural 
priesthood. 

AVG.  Augustus — or  Augusta. — The  usual 
designation  of  an  Emperor  or  of  an  Empress. 

AVG.  Augusta. — The  ordinary  epithet  of 
Roman  colonies  derived  from  Julius  Caesar  and 
Augustus,  as  avg.  rvr,.  Augusta  Julia,  or  ivl. 
avg.  Julia  Augusta,  on  many  of  their  colonial 
coins. 

AVG.  Augusta. — Sec  concordia  avg. — 

FECVND1TAS  AVG. — PIETAS  AVG.  &C.  &C. 

AVG.  Augusti. — See  apollo  conservator 

AVGVSTI,  &C. 

AVG.  F.  or  FIL. — Augusti  Films,  or  Filia — 
son  or  daughter  of  the  August  or  Emperor. 

AV  G.  D.  F.  or  AVG.  DIVI.  F. — Augustus 
Did  Films. — Augustus,  son  of  the  Divine,  i.  c. 
son  of  Julius  Caesar). 

A\  G.  N.  Augusti  Nepos.  Grandson  of  Au- 
gustus.— e.  g.  GERMANICVS  CAESAR  Tl.  F.  DIVI. 
avg.  n. — ( Gcrmanicus  Ctesar  Tiberii  Augusti 
Filins,  Divi  Augusti  Nepos.J. 

AVG.  N.  Augusti  Nepos. — Great  grandchild 
of  Augustus,  as  in  Cains  Caligula,  c.  caesar 

DIVI.  AVG.  PEON.  AVG. 

A\  G.  N.  Augusti  Nostri. — Of  our  Emperor. 
— Sec  Abundantia  avg.  N. — felix  adventvs 
avg.  N.  &c. 

AVGG.  Duorum  Augus  forum, — Two  Gs  after 
AV  signify  two  Augusti  or  Emperors  reiguing 
together. — For  examples  of  GG.  sec  coins  of 
Scvcrus  and  Caracalla  ; also  of  Cams  and  Cari- 
nus,  Oarinus  and  Numcrianus,  Dioclctianus  and 
Maximianus  Hercules,  Constantins  and  Maxi- 
miarms — also  Philippus  senior  and  junior,  &c. 

AVGGG.  Triurn  Augustorum. — Where  this 
abbreviation  occurs  it  indicates  that  three  Au- 
gusti, or  Emperors,  reigned  together.  For  ex- 
amples of  this  rare  reading  on  Imperial  coins  see 
the  virtvs  avggg.  of  Carinus  quoted  by  Eckhel, 
and  the  victoria  avggg.  of  Valentinianus  I. 
cited  by  Mionnet. — Vaillant  ascribes  a virtvs 
avggg.  to  Nnmcrian,  but  is  not  confirmed  by 
either  Eckhel  or  Mionnet. — See  Augusti. 

AVGV. — Augusta,  Augusta,  Augustus,  or 
Augusti. 

AUGURES,  Augurs. — This  sacerdotal  order 
was  so  called,  because  it  professed  to  predict 
future  events  by  signs  anil  prodigies.  Their 
discipline  and  religion  were  probably  of  Sabine 
origin,  introduced  into  Rome  at  the  earliest  pe- 
riod of  her  foundation,  but  blcudcd  with  the 


AUGURES.  95 

Etrurian  rite9  and  ceremonies  of  divination.  In 
such  high  authority  and  reverence  wa9  this  dis- 
tinct branch  of  the  priesthood  held,  that  the 
early  Romans  never  conducted  anything,  either 
within  or  beyond  the  walls  of  their  city,  until 
the  auspices  had  been  taken,  in  the  observance 
of  supernatural  signs,  which  were  publicly  an- 
nounced, by  the  Augurs.  A mass  of  fraud  and 
folly  more  puerile  and  absurd  was  never  made 
the  subject  of  scientific  organization  and  of 
solemn  practice.  Yet  it  was  this  “ vain  myste- 
rious art,”  which  the  Romans  dignified  with  the 
highest  privileges,  next  to  those  of  the  supreme 
pontificate.  And  patricians  of  the  first  rank — 
nay  Emperors  themselves, — deemed  it  an  honour 
and  an  advantage  to  he  received  into  member- 
ship by  the  Augural  college.  This  collegium, 
at  its  institution,  for  which  the  policy  of  Ro- 
mulus has  the  credit,  was  composed  of  three 
Augurs,  taken  from  the  three  tribes,  into  which, 
as  we  are  told,  that  Prince  at  first  divided  the 
subjects  of  his  infant  state.  Numa  is  recorded 
to  have  added  two  more.  These  five  were  all 
patricians,  till  the  year  u.  c.  454,  (b.  c.  300) 
when,  by  the  Lex  Ogulnia,  it  was  enacted,  that 
five  of  the  Augurs  should  be  plebeians.  Up  to  this 
period,  the  college  appears  to  have  exercised  the 
free  and  independent  right  of  electing  its  own 
members.  Sulla,  when,  in  a.  u.  c.  672,  (b.c. 
82)  created  perpetual  dictator,  amongst  other 
new  laws  and  appointments,  passed  one  to  in- 
crease this  number  to  fifteen.  The  first  and 
oldest  of  the  Augurs  was  called  Magister  collegii. 
They  were  originally  chosen,  as  the  other  priests, 
by  the  patricians  in  their  comitia  curiata.  Next, 
they  were  allowed  to  elect  themselves.  But  after 
the  introduction  of  plebeian  members  into  the 
college,  a somewhat  more  popular  mode  of  filling 
up  vacancies  for  a time  prevailed.  “The  priests 
of  the  college  of  Augurs,  for  a long  time  arro- 
gated to  themselves  the  sole  privilege  of  suppli- 
cating the  gods  for  the  health  of  every  individual, 
and  of  the  whole  state, — as  if  any  one  could  not 
ask  it  for  himself.  Yet  nothing  was  more  pro- 
fitable. Pliny  mentions  several  physicians  who 
were  pensioned  at  about  £2000  per  annum;  and 
in  the  reign  of  Claudius,  one  Doctor  Sterninus 
coinplaiuing  of  the  smallness  of  his  income,  it 
was  doubled  for  him.”  (Capt.  Smyth,  p.  195.) 
During  the  civil  wars,  the  Augurs  became  ready 
instruments  for  furthering  the  designs  of  both 
the  contending  factions.  In  the  reign  of  Augus- 
tus they  underwent  the  same  changes  as  the 
Pontiffs,  namely  election  by  the  Plcbs,  subject 
however  to  the  approval  or  veto  of  the  prince. 
At  length  the  Emperors  reserved  to  themselves 
the  right  of  nominating  the  Augurs,  which  con- 
tinued to  be  exercised  until  the  reign  of  Theodo- 
sins  the  Great  (a.d.  379).  Christianity  being 
then  fully  established  throughout  both  divisions 
of  the  empire,  the  augural,  in  common  with 
every  other,  order  of  the  heathen  priesthood,  was 
by  law  abolished.  But  the  (ire  of  this  most  an- 
cient and  most  popular  of  Roman  superstitions, 
smouldered  amidst  the  ruins  of  paganism,  long 
after  the  revenues  which  supported  the  augurship 
had  been  appropriated  to  the  public  treasury. 


auguration. 


96 

AUGURATION. — The  augural  function  was 
to  prognosticate  good  or  evil,  in  observing  the 
flight,  the  warbling,  and  the  screams  of  birds; 
the  avidity  of  fowls  in  eating,  or  their  refusal 
to  take  food;  also  to  note  the  various  phenomena 
that  appear  in  the  heavens.  The  actual  inspec- 
tion of"  slaughtered  animals  devolved  to  an  in- 
ferior order  called  llaruspices  [see  the  word], 
who  reported  to  the  Augurs,  whether  the  en- 
trails of  such  animals  were  in  a healthy  or  an 
unsound  state.  As  the  chief  expounders  and 
interpreters  of  all  that  related  to  the  ceremonial 
law  and  to  the  regulation  of  religious  observances, 
the  Augurs,  under  the  kings,  and  afterwards 
during  the  early  ages  of  the  republic,  were  con- 
sulted always  on  the  question  ot  waging  war, 
and  on  any  other  matter  of  great  public  import- 
ance. A 'striking  proof  of  the  peculiar  consi- 
deration attached  to  this  order  of  men,  exhibits 
itself  in  what  is  stated  respecting  its  priestly 
rank,  which  was  not  allowed  to  be  taken  away 
from’  any  one  on  whom  it  had  once  been  con- 
ferred, iest  the  secrets  of  the  pagan  system 
should  be  revealed  to  the  multitude.  Pliny  the 
younger  calls  the  augursliip  a priesthood  (sacer- 
dotinm),  not  only  of  ancient  institution  and 
holy  character,  but  also  evidently  sacred  and  dis- 
tinguished, from  the  fact,  that  it  is  never  taken 
away  from  a person  during  Ins  life  time  (quod 
non  adimitur  vivenli).  Accordingly,  as  we 
learn  from  Plutarch,  whatever  might  be  the 
crime  committed  by  an  Augur,  lie  was  secure  of 
retainin'*  his  office  for  life,  lest  the  pretended 
mysteries  of  an  idolatrous  worship  might  have 
become  exposed  to  the  ridicule  of  sensible  per- 
The place  for  taking  the  augury  lay  on  an 
elevated  site,  generally  at  a short  distance  beyond 
the  walls  of  the  city.  The  officiating  priest  pro- 
ceeded to  the  spot,  clothed  in  a long  robe  which 
covered  the  head  like  a veil,  and  reached  down 
to  the  feet,  called  Idea  or  trabea.  Then  taking 
in  his  right  hand  the  lituus,  a short  wand,  j 
curved  at  the  upper  end,  he  traced  upon  the 
ground  the  tempi um  or  tabernacnlum.  After 
this  he  divided  the  heavens  into  four  parts  with 
I the  ’same  lituus,  marking  on  the  earth,  as  well 
as  in  the  air,  the  four  quarters,  east,  west,  north, 

| and  south.  The  Augur  then  examined  with  great 
1 attention,  what  birds  appeared ; in  what  man- 
i ncr  they  flew ; and  what  sounds  issued  from 
; their  throats.  Those  signs  which  displayed 
| themselves  to  the  left  passed  for  favourable  ones, 

| auj  those  which  were  seen  on  the  right  side 
were  pronounced  to  be  of  bad  augury.  In  short, 
the  whole  was  a combination  of  priestcraft  with 
state  policy,  invested  with  extraordinary  powers 
and  privileges,  and  cultivated  chiefly  to  increase 
the  influence  of  the  leading  authorities  over  n 
credulous  and  ignorant  people. 

On  a denarius  of  the  Corunfina  gens,  and  on 
coins  of  Pompey  the  Great,  Julius  Cicsar,  Mark 
Antony,  Augustus,  and  others,  the  figure  ol 
an  Augur,  and  the  dignity  of  the  oflicc,  nre 
found  represented  and  designated,  not  only 
by  the  sacerdotal  robe  and  veil,  but  by  the 
lituus,  the  praferieulvm,  and  other  symbols; 


AUGUR. 

also  bv  the  word  itself  inscribed  at  full,  or 
abridged;  avgvr.  or  avo. — A denarius  of  Q. 
cassivs,  has  for  the  type  of  its  reverse  an  eagle 
standing  on  a thunderbolt,  between  the  lituus 
and  the  prtt/ericufum.  Jupiter  was  the  tute- 
lary god  of  the  augural  college.— On  a silver 
coin  of  the  Antonia  family,  the  legends  and 
types  of  which  1 lavcrcamp  considers  to  indicate 
tiie  concord,  subsisting  when  it  was  struck,  be- 
tween Mark  Antony  and  Lepidus,  we  sec  on  one 
side  (as  in  the  annexed  cut) 

M arcus  ANTONtw*  IMPe* 
rat  or,  with  a raven,  or  as  Du 
Clioul  describes  it  “one  of  the 
sacred  chickens,”  relating  to 
the  pullispicium,  or  augury  by 

fowls;  the  prafericulum  aud 

the  lituus,  arc  symbols  of  Antony’s  augiirship. 
On  the  other  side  is  UEPlDw  I-l  j- 

erator ; with  the  apex  (or  sacerdotal  cap),  the 
securis  (or  sacrificial  axe),  the  stmpulum  (or 
chalice),  and  the  aspergillum  (or  sprinkler) 
insignia  of  the  office  of  Pontifex  Maximus,  which 
Lepidus  had  usurped. 

AUGUR  PONT.  MAX. — This  designation 
of  two  distinct  offices,  with  augural  and  ponti- 
fical instruments  mingled  together,  namely,  the 
lituus  and  the  prcefericulum  with  the  aspergi  - 
him,  apex,  and  securis,  form  the  legend  and 
tvpc  of  denarii  of  Julius  Caisar,  struck  about 
A ll.  c.  708  (b.  c.  46).  They  serve  to  shew 
that  the  Dictator  had  at  this  tune  united  the 
title  of  Augur  to  that  of  the  chief  pontificate 
and  to  his  other  titles.  It  was  after  his  return 
from  "Egypt  and  Asia,  that  Julius  caused  his 
name  to  be  inscribed  in  the  college  of  Augurs, 
as  well  as  is  in  the  other  sacerdotal  corporations. 
The  lituus  marks  the  augural  office,  and  the 
same  instrument  is  sometimes  placed  on  lus 
coins  behind  his  head. 

Augurate  of  Mark  Antony.— There  arc  gold 
and  silver  of  Mark  Antony’s  on  which  the  official 
title,  accompanied  by  the  robe  and  crook,  of  the 
augursliip,  is  conspicuously  represented.  On  the 
obverse  (ns  in  the  annexed  rut)  we  read  Marcus 
V NT  ON  I VS,  Mara  Yilius,  Mnro  N epos, 
AVGVR.  I M Peru/or  TER- 
fium.  A male  figure,  in  the 
trabea,  walking,  holds  the 
lituus.  On  the  other  side  is 
the  radiated  head  of  the  Sun, 
surrounded  by  the  abridged 
inscription  of  Antony  s other 
titles,  viz.  Triumvir  llei pub- 
lics ConstituendiT,  Consul  Designates,  Iterum 
et  Tertium.  The  veiled  and  robed  figure,  hold- 


ing the  lituus,  represents  M.  Antony  as  Augur. 

AUGUR.  Till.  P.  <>r  TRI.  POT. — lhis  in- 
scription nppears  on  the  reverse  of  a silver  coin, 

: minted  by  Vespasian,  with  sacerdotal  instru- 
ments for  its  type.  On_  the  obverse  of  the 
dcunrius,  struck  A.U.C.  8i’  > (a.  d.  i-),  (-pa-iau 
calls  himself  Imperntor,  Augustus,  and  Pontilex 
Maximus,  whilst  on  the  reverse  he  takes  the 
title  of  Augur,  giving  it  precedence  before  the 
Tribunitia  Potestus.  This  conjunction  of  the 
I augural  title  and  symbols  with  the  highest  marks 


AUGUR. 

of  Imperial  power,  plainly  indicates  the  con- 
sideration in  which  the  dignity  and  functions  of 
the  former  office  continued  down  to  this  reign, 
and  also  that  of  Titus,  to  be  held  by  the  Ro- 
mans. On  a marble,  transcribed  from  Muratori, 
Tiberius  is  not  only  termed  poxt.  max.  but  also 

AVGVR.  XVYIR.  S.  F.  VIIVIR.  EPVLONVM;  and  SO 

is  Caligida,  ou  his  coins,  called  both  poxt. 
max.  and  avgvr. — Eckhel,  vi.  332. 

Amongst  the  denarii  struck  under  the  re- 
public, aud  which  llavcrcamp,  in  the  Thesaurus 
of  Morel,  classes  as  numi  ihcerti  (the  uncer- 
tainty beiug  as  to  the  particular  gens  to  which 
they  ought  respectively  to  be  assigned),  there 
is  one,  which  evidently  bears  allusion  to  the 
earliest  traditions  of  Rome.  The  coin  in 
question  is  a well-known  one.  It  has  for  the 
type  of  its  obverse  the  usual 
head  of  Pallas,  with  the  mark 
of  the  denarius  X,  aud  the 
word  roma  below.  The  reverse, 
without  epigraph,  exhibits  a 
helmeted  female,  seated  on  a 
heap  of  shields,  her  right  hand 
resting  on  her  knee,  whilst  the 
left  hand  is  supponed  by  a spear.  Ou  each 
side  of  the  figure  is  a bird  dying  towards  her : at 
her  feet  is  the  common  symbol  of  the  wolf 
suckling  the  twins. 

Here  then  we  have  before  us,  the  personified 
genius  of  the  Roman  people,  or  the  representa- 
tion of  deified  Rome  herself.  She  is  seated  ou 
bucklers — it  may  perhaps  be  supposed — on  those 
sacred  bucklers  (see  Aneilia,  p.  45),  in  the  pos- 
session and  custody  of  which,  as  of  a heaven- 
descended  gift,  that  people  had  gone  forth  from 
conquest  to  conquest.  The  genius,  or  goddess,  is 
looking  downwards,  as  if  absorbed  in  reflection 
upon  the  rise  of  “ the  eternal  city,”  from  a hum- 
ble origin,  uuder  its  marvellously  nurtured  first 
king,  to  the  palmy  state  of  extended  power  and 
dominion,  at  which  it  had  arrived  as  a consular 
common-wealth.  The  two  birds  were  doubtless 
meant  to  adumbrate  that  part  of  the  ancient 
legend,  which  describes  the  two  intrepid  brothers, 
become  no  longer  mere  leaders  of  pastoral  com- 
rades, but  the  acknowledged  scions  of  royalty,  and 
fierce  rivals,  the  one  against  the  other,  for  civic 
honours,  and  for  supremacy  of  power.  It  was 
agreed  that  the  question  at  issue  between  them, 
namely,  where  the  city  should  be  built,  and 
after  whose  name  it  should  be  called  as  that  of 
its  founder,  should  be  decided  by  augury.  Remus 
was  the  first  to  sec  vultures,  six  in  number. 
Romulus  soon  afterwards  saw  twelve.  Each 
claimed  the  augury  in  his  own  favour.  The 
sequel  of  the  story  requires  not  to  be  related  in 
this  place. 

Considering  the  conspicuous  part  performed 
by  those  invested  with  the  augural  office,  both 
during  the  time  of  the  republic,  and  under  the 
earlier  succession  of  emperors,  it  seems  calculated 
to  excite  surprise,  that  so  few  even  of  the  family 
coins  of  the  Romans  exhibit  any  allusions  to 
Augury,  aud  that  after  the  reigns  of,  what  are 
called,  the  Twelve  Cmsars  (on  whose  mintages 
the  symbols  and  name  of  an  Augur  but  seldom 
O 


AVGVSTA.  97 

appear),  neither  legends  nor  types  bear  any  re- 
ference to  the  institution  or  to  its  priesthood. 

AUGUR  NAVIUS.— See  xavius. 

AVGVST. — Augusta  or  Angusti. 

AVGVSTA. This  epithet  is  of  frequent 

occurrence  on  Roman  coins  of  the  Imperial 
series.  It  wTas  a title  decreed  to  the  wives  of 
Emperors  ; the  quality  of  Augusta,  as  regarded 
the  first  empresses,  being  indeed  the  only  dis- 
tinctive appellation,  which  served  (as  it  were)  to 
consecrate  their  rank.  These  princesses,  how- 
ever, though  declared  Augusta,  were  not  ou 
that  account  less  subject  to  the  laws  which 
governed  private  individuals.  Nor  does  it  seem 
that  they  were  admitted  to  the  privilege  of  hav- 
ing their  title  and  effigy  borne  on  coins,  except 
by  degrees  and  under  certain  restrictions.  At 
the  commencement,  these  honours  were  dedi- 
cated to  them  only  on  coins  struck  in  the  pro- 
vinces. Afterwards,  when  their  portraits  were 
engraved  ou  those  actually  minted  at  Rome,  it 
was  done  under  the  personifications,  or  symbols, 
of  certain  divinities,  or  of  certain  deified  virtues. 
But  the  custom,  once  introduced  by  Augustus, 
perpetuated  itself ; and  almost  all  his  successors 
caused,  or  at  least  permitted,  the  likenesses  of 
their  wives  (and  occasionally  other  near  relations, 
as  well  female  as  male),  to  be  placed  on  a por- 
tion of  their  coinage.  Accordingly,  when  not 
found  on  Roman  coins,  properly  so  called,  they 
are  usually  seen  on  those  of  some  provincial  city 
of  the  empire. — “ These  medals  of  empresses, 
however  (as  the  author  of  Lemons  Numismatiques 
observes),  are  generally  less  abundant  than  those 
of  the  princes  wrho  really  held  the  sceptre.  And 
although  for  that  reason  much  sought  after  by 
the  curious,  and  also  on  account  of  their  gene- 
alogical reference  to  imperial  families,  if  the  ex- 
pression may  be  allowed  ; yet  they  are,  for  the 
most  part,  less  interesting  in  point  of  chronology 
and  of  connection  with  national  events,  which 
they  seldom  trace  in  the  same  striking  mauner 
as  do  the  coins  of  the  emperors  themselves.” — 
This  remark  equally  applies  to  medals  struck  in 
honour  of  young  princes  ( Casares)  who  did  not 
reign. 

Pliny  calls  avgvsta  the  marriage  name  (l.  xv. 
c.  30).  And  therein  he  is  borne  out  by  suc- 
cessive examples  in  the  mintage  of  Imperial 
Rome.  Thus  on  a gold  coin,  struck  under 
Domitian,  his  wife  is  styled  domitia  avgvsta 
nip.  domit.  (by  implication  uxor). — Faustina 
senior,  wife  of  Antoninus  Pius,  is  called  favstina 
avgvsta,  and  favstixa  avg.  antoxini  avg. 
(by  implication  uxor).  In  like  manner  also,  on 
coins  of  the  youuger  Faustina,  wife  of  M.  Aure- 
lius, we  read  favstina  avgvsta  avg.  antonini 
pii.  fil.  (Daughter  of  Antonine). — Livia,  wife  of 
Augustus,  exchanging  the  name  of  Livia  for  that 
of  Julia,  on  her  adoption  into  that  family,  is 
styled  on  coins  struck  after  her  husband’s  death, 

IVLIA  AVGVSTA — AVGVSTA  MATER  PATRIAE — 

and  after  her  death,  diva  ivlia  avgvsta. — 
Lucilla,  the  wife  of  L.  Veras,  is  designated  on  her 
medals  as  lvcii.la  avgvsta,  or  lvcilla  avg.  m. 
antonini  avg.  f.  (Daughter  of  M.  Aurelius). — 
Messalina  was  not  distinguished  by  this  imperial 


98  AUGUSTS. 

title,  till  a late  period  of  her  infamous  career,  as 
the  wife  of  Claudius.  Indeed,  according  to  Dion, 
that  Emperor  refused  to  allow  her  such  an  ho- 
nour ; hut  the  Senate  granted  it,  perhaps  after 
the  Britannic  expedition.  Some  Greek  medals, 
struck  in  Egypt  exhibit,  around  her  portrait, 
Valeria  Messalina  Augusta.  And  on  some 
Latin  colonial  coins  (for  there  were  none  of  hers 
minted  at  Rome),  she  is  called  Valeria  messa- 
i.i.vv  avg. — Sabina,  wife  of  Hadrian,  is  entitled, 
on  her  coins,  sabina  avgvsta  imp.  hadkiani 
avg.  (by  implication  uxor). 

There  are  four  imperial  matrons  of  the 
lower  empire,  each  of  whom  on  her  coins  is 
denominated  avgvsta.  Yet  ancient  historians 
have  made  no  mention  of  them.  These  are  : 
Barhia  Orbiana,  third  wife  of  Alexander  Severus; 
Cornelia  Supera,  wife  of  iEmilianus ; Sevcrina, 
wife  of  Aurelianus ; and  Magnia  Orbica,  wife  of 
Carinus.  And  it  is  only  by  the  subsequent 
researches,  discoveries,  and  assignments  of  khcll, 
Eckhcl,  and  other  eminently  learned  and  saga- 
cious numismatists,  that  the  respective  husbands 
of  the  ladies  in  question  have  become  known  at 
this  period  of  time. 

The  title  of  Augusta  was  conferred,  not  only 
on  the  wives  of  emperors,  and  of  the  Caesars, 
hut  also  on  their  mothers,  grand-mothers, 
sisters,  daughters,  grand-daughters,  and  other 
female  relations.  For  example : Antonia,  grand- 
mother of  Caligula ; Julia  Miesa,  grand-mother 
of  Elagabalus ; Julia  Soaemias,  mother  of  the 
same  emperor  ; Julia  Mamma,  mother  of  Alex- 
ander Severus;  have  on  Roman  coins  the  append- 
age of  Augusta  inscribed  after  their  names. — The 
same  honour  was  bestowed,  though  it  hut  seldom 
occurs,  on  the  daughters  of  emperors,  simply  as 
such — in  proof  of  which  see  the  instance  of 
Julia  Titi,  daughter  of  Titus,  and  of  Didia  Clara, 
daughter  of  Didius  Julianus.  With  respect  to 
sisters  of  emperors,  and  other  women  of  Augus- 
tal  rank,  but  not  married  either  to  reigning 
princes  or  to  heirs  of  those  princes,  we  find  (to 
say  nothing  of  the  revolting  example  of  Drusilla 
and  Julia,  sisters  of  Caligula),  the  graceful  com- 
pliment paid  to  Marciana,  sister  of  Trajan,  and 
to  her  daughter  Matidia,  consequently  niece  to 
that  emperor,  each  decorated  on  their  coins  with 
the  surname  of  Augusta. 

The  Augusta  or  empresses  and  other  princesses 
of  the  Roman  empire  (says  Mangeart),  manifested 
no  less  ambition  than  the  potentates  whom  they 
espoused,  or  were  related  to.  At  first  they  had 
hut  one  name,  to  which  they  soon  added  a pre- 
nomcn  and  a cognomen,  united  with  titles  as 
vain  as  they  were  ostentatious.  In  the  flatter- 
ing assumption,  that  they  resembled  the  god- 
desses, as  the  emperors  did  the  gods,  they  wished 
to  hold  the  same  super-human  rauk  ; and  there- 
fore caused  themselves  to  be  portrayed  like  the 
images  of  those  female  divinities,  whom  they 
themselves  respectively  held  in  peculiar  venera- 
tion. Accordingly  after  a time,  we  find  them 
on  their  medals  borrowing  their  very  names  and 
titles — their  attributes,  symbols,  and  statuary' 
forms.  One  empress  called  herself  Ceres ; an- 
other Diana.  This  Augusta  took  the  name  of 


AUGUSTS. 

Juno;  that  of  Lima  Lucifera.  But  not  content 
with  having  robbed  those  goddesses  of  their 
appellations  and  qualities,  some  of  the  Roman 
princesses,  such  as  the  Faustinas,  Crispina, 
Lueilla,  Julia  Domna,  &c.  elevated  themselves 
at  once  into  divinities,  as  is  shewn  by  the 
legends  on  their  coins,  viz.  Dea,  Diva,  Mater 
Deiim,  Genetrix  Orbis,  Ceres  Frugifcra  ; Diana 
Augusta,  Juno  Regina.  To  some  of  them  these 
titles  were  given  during  their  life-time;  to  others 
after  their  death.  There  are,  however,  not  a few 
who  were  honouAd  with  these  recognitions  of 
divinity  both  while  living  and  when  dead. — 
(See  Introduction  a la  Science  des  Medailles, 
p.  534  et  seq.) 

Augusta,  who  were  the  wives  of  emperors 
(as  will  have  been  seen  from  preceding  observa- 
tions) are  neither  on  their  own  coins  nor  on 
those  of  their  husbands,  ever  called  uxores,  but 
always  avg.  or  avgvstae.  It  is,  therefore, 
from  the  title  bestowed  upon  them  in  the  im- 
perial medals,  that  a valid  argument  may  be 
drawn  as  to  the  fact  of  their  having  shared  the 
augustal  bed. 

Vaillant  (Pr.  t.  ii.  235),  in  alluding  to  the 
silver  coin  of  Julia  Domna,  on  which  that 
ambitious  woman  is  exhibited  with  the  epigraph, 
and  under  the  image,  of  Juno,  observes,  “ that  in 
order  to  surround  the  persons  of  empresses,  with 
greater  dignity  and  reverence,  it  had  become  the 
custom  to  assimilate  them  with  the  forms  and 
attributes  of  goddesses,  and  to  present  them  in 
their  names  to  the  people.” — Empresses,  in 
analogy  with  the  examples  of  their  cousorts, 
were  called  Moires  Palria  (mothers  of  the  coun- 
try), Metres  Senatus  (mothers  of  the  Senate), 
&c.  On  colonial  coins  the  countenances  of  the 
Augusta  were,  out  of  adulation,  often  repre- 
sented, as  Genii  Urbium,  apparently  to  indicate 
that  such  colonies  held  their  cities  uuder  the 
protection  and  patronage  of  those  empresses. 

Augusta  had  also  the  privilege  of  having 
their  consecrated  imngcs  carried  in  the  carpenta 
(or  covered  chariots)  on  those  public  occasions, 
when  the  statues  of  the  emperors  werg  conveyed 
in  the  thensa,  or  cars  of  state. — The  inscriptions 
of  pietas,  pvdiciti a,  virtvs,  &c.  followed  by 
avg.  are  often  seen  on  the  coins  of  Augusta, 
accompanied  by  appropriate  types.  “ Thus 
there  is  scarcely'  a female  of  the  Augustal 
house,  who,  though  she  might  not  possess  a 
true  claim  to  character  for  being  a pious, 
modest,  and  good  woman,  yet  failed  to  make  an 
I ostentation  of  her  piety,  chastity,  and  virtue. 
For  this  cause  it  was  a favourite  practice  with 
them  to  have  the  figure  of  Vesta  engraved  on 
their  coins,  under  whose  image,  ns  under  the 
peculiar  type  of  chastity,  they  thought  fit  to  be 
represented  before  the  public.” 

The  scries  of  Augusta,  whose  names  and  por- 
traits are  found  on  Roman  coins  (though  not  of 
every  metal),  from  the  reign  of  Augustus,  who 
died  14  years  after  the  birth  of  our  Saviour,  to 
Basiliscus,  brother-in-law  of  Leo  1.  who  rcigued 
a. I).  476,  is  as  follows; — 

Livia,  wife  of  Augustus.  Born  57  years  before 
Christ ; died  A.  D.  29. 


AUGUST.®. 

Antonia,  wife  of  Drusus  senior.  Born  39 
years  before  Christ;  died  a.d.  38. 

Agrippina  senior,  wife  of  Gcrmanicus.  Born 
15  rears  before  Christ ; died  a.  d.  33. 

Messalina,  third  wife  of  Claudius.  Died 
a.  D.  48. 

Agrippina  junior,  fourth  wife  of  Claudius, 
sister  of  Caligula.  Born  a.  d.  16;  died  a.  d.  50. 

Octavia,  first  wife  of  Nero.  Died  a.  d.  62. 

I’oppica,  second  wife  of  Nero.  Died  a.  d.  62. 

Flavia  Domitilia,  wife  of  Vespasian.  Died 
a.  t).  68,  the  year  previous  to  her  husband’s 
accession  to  the  empire. 

Julia,  daughter  of  Titus.  Died  in  the  reign 
of  Domitian,  viz.  between  a.  d.  81  and  96. 

Domitia,  wife  of  Domitian.  Died  in  the 
reign  of  Antoninus  Pius,  viz.  about  a.d.  140. 

Plotina,  wife  of  Trajan.  Died  a.  d.  129. 

Marciana,  sister  of  Trajan.  Died  about  a.d. 
114. 

Matidia,  daughter  of  Marciana.  Died  in  the 
reign  of  Antoninus. 

Sabina,  wife  of  Hadrian.  Died  a.  d.  137. 

Faustina  senior,  wife  of  Antoninus  Pius. — 
Born  a.  d.  105  ; died  141. 

Faustina  junior,  wife  and  cousin  german  of 
M.  Aurelius.  Died  A.  D.  175. 

Luciila,  daughter  of  M.  Aurelius,  and  wife  of 
L.  Veras.  Born  a.d.  147  ; died  about  183. 

Crispins,  wife  of  Commodus.  Died  a.  d.  183. 

Manlia  Scantilla,  wife  of  Didius  Juliauus, 
Emperor  in  a.  d.  193. 

Didia  Clara,  daughter  of  Didius  Julianus  aud 
of  Scantilla.  Born  A.D.  153. 

Jidia  Domna,  wife  of  Septimius  Severus. — 
Died  a.  d.  21 7. 

Plautilla  (Fulvia),  wife  of  Caracalla.  Died 
a.  d.  212. 

J ulia  Paula,  first  wife  of  Elagabalus,  to  whom 
she  was  married  about  a.  d.  219. 

Julia  Aquilia  Severn,  vestal,  second  wife  of 
Elagabalus ; survived  her  infamous  husband,  who 
was  slain  a.  d.  222. 

Aunia  Faustina,  third  wife  of  Elagabalus. 

Julia  Soaemias,  mother  of  Elagabalus.  Died 
a.  d.  222. 

Julia  M:csa,  sister  of  Julia  Domna,  grand- 
mother of  Elagabalus.  Died  a.  d.  223. 

Julia  Mamma,  daughter  of  Mmsa,  sister  of 
Soaemias,  and  mother  of  Alexander  Severus. — 
Died  a.  d.  235. 

Orbiana  (Salustia  Barbia),  third  wife  of  Alex- 
ander Severus,  a.  d.  226.  Known  only  by  her 
coins. 

Paulina,  wife  of  Maximinus,  who  reigned 
a.  d.  235  to  238.  Known  only  by  her  coins. 

Tranquillina  (Furia  Sabina),  third  wife  of 
Goriliauus  Pius ; survived  her  husband,  who  died 
a.  d.  244. 

Marcia  Otacilia  Severa,  wife  of  Philip  senior, 
survived  her  husband,  who  died  A.  D.  249. 

Herennia  Etruscilla,  known  only  by  her  coins 
and  an  inscription,  was  the  wife  of  Trajanus 
Decius,  who  died  a.  d.  251. 

Cornelia  Supera,  wife  of  Aemiliauus,  who 
usurped  the  purple  a.  d.  253.  Known  only  by 
her  coins. 

O 2 


AVGVSTA.  99 

Mariniaua,  supposed  second  wife  of  Valcri- 
anus  senior,  who  was  proclaimed  Emperor  a.  d. 
253. 

Salonina,  wife  of  Gallienus.  Died  a.  d.  268. 

Severina,  wife  of  Aurelianus,  Emperor  a.  d. 
270. 

Magnia  Urbica,  wife  of  Carinus,  Emperor 
a.  D.  283.  Known  only  by  her  coins. 

Helena,  first  wife  of  Constautius  Chlorus. — 
Boru  a.  D.  248  ; divorced  by  her  husband ; died 
328. 

Theodora,  second  wife  of  Chlorus,  married  to 
that  prince  a.  d.  292. 

Valeria  (Galcria),  second  wife  of  Maxitnianus. 
Died  a.  D.  315. 

Fausta,  wife  of  Constantine  the  Great.  Died 
A.  d.  326. 

Fausta,  married  to  Constantius  II.  between 
a.  d.  335  and  250. 

Helena,  supposed  wife  of  Crispus  Cmsar,  a.d. 
317,  son  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

Helena,  wife  of  Julianus  II.  Died  a.  d.  360. 

Flaceilla,  wife  of  Theodosius  the  Great.  Died 
a.d.  388. 

Galla  Placidia,  wife  of  Constantius  III. — 
Died  a.  d.  450. 

Aelia  Eudoxia,  or  Eudocia,  wife  of  Theodo- 
sius the  younger.  Born  a.  d.  393;  died  460. 

Licinia  Eudoxia,  wife  of  Valeutinian  III. — 
Born  a.  d.  423. 

Ilonoria,  sister  of  Valeutinian  III.  Born 
A.  d.  417. 

Pulcheria,  sister  of  Theodosius  II.  wife  of 
Marcianus.  Born  a.d.  399;  Augusta  414; 
died  453. 

Verina,  wife  of  Leo  I.  Died  a.  d.  484. 

Euphemia,  wife  of  Anthemius,  Emperor  in 
a.  d.  467. 

Aelia,  wife  of  Basiliscus,  brother  in  law  of 
Leo  I.  Died  a.  d.  477,  the  year  after  the  de- 
thronement of  Romulus  Augustus  by  Odoacer, 
which  put  an  end  to  the  Roman  empire  in  the 
west. 

[The  above  are  further  noticed  under  their 
respective  heads.] 


AVGVSTA.  S.  C. — This  legend  appears  on  a 
large  brass  of  Faustina  senior,  struck  after  her 
death  (a.d.  141).  The  obverse  bears  the  legend 
diva  favstina,  with  her  portrait. — The  re- 
verse (as  in  the  above  cut),  has  for  its  type 
the  deceased  empress  standing,  under  the  figure 
and  with  the  attributes  of  Ceres,  namely : 
holding  a torch,  and  ears  of  corn. — The  same 
epigraph  is  repeated  on  the  coins  of  Faustina 


100  AVGVSTA. 

senior,  in  every  metal  and  size,  and  with  types 
of  this  and  other  goddesses,  with  whom  the  j 
flattery  of  the  old  superstition,  ministering  to  ! 
a husband’s  fond  weakness,  was  wont  to  assimi-  ] 
late  the  unworthy  consort  of  Antoninus  Pius. 

AVGVSTA,  S.  C. — This  legend  appears  on 
the  reverse  of  a large  brass  of  Galba,  having  for 
its  type  a veiled  woman  seated,  with  patera  and 
hast  a pura.  Galba  had  received  many  favours 
from  Livia  August!,  for  which  reason,  accord- 
ing to  Havercarap,  he  decorated  the  sitting 
statue  of  Livia. — The  coin  minted  a.  d.  68 ; 
is  engraved  in  Slorell.  Thesaur.  Imp.  Rom. 

AVGVSTA. — This  epithet  was  applied  to  a 
colony,  whose  settlers  had  originally  been  sent 
thither  by  Augustus.  That  prince  founded  a 
great  many  colonies,  both  in  and  beyond  Italy — 
plebeian  or  civil  colonics,  so  long  as  he  only 
shared  the  empire  with  his  colleagues  in  the 
triumvirate ; but  afterwards  military  colonies, 
when,  Pompey  the  sou  being  driven  from  Sicily, 
Lepidus  retiring  into  private  life,  Mark  Antony 
dead,  the  wars  in  Spain,  Dalmatia,  and  Gennany 
finished,  he  sent  legions  of  veteran  soldiers  to 
occupy  them. — Accordingly  we  fiud  the  muni- 
cipium  Bilbilis,  in  Ilispania  Tarraconcnsis,  called 
after  its  founder  Augustus,  nv.  avgvsta  bilbil. 
or  mv.  avg.  bilbilis.  In  the  same  province  of 
Spain,  the  colony  of  caesaravgvsta,  or  c.  ca. 
avgvsta  ; and  that  of  Llici  designated  on  its 
coins  c.  I.  il.  a.  Colonia  Immunis  llici  Augusta. 
In  like  manner,  col.  avgvsta  emerita,  or 
avgvsta  emerita,  in  Lusitania ; and  col.  avg. 
p ATHENS,  or  c.  a.  a.  P.  Colonia  Aroc  Augusta 
Patrcnsis,  &c.  But  when  ivl.  avg.  Julia  and 
Augusta,  occur  as  a joint  name,  it  shews  that 
the  foundation  of  those  colonies  was  the  ori- 
ginal act  of  Julius  Cresar,  but  that  they  were 
re-established  by  Augustus  with  fresh  supplies 
of  Roman  settlers.  As  c.  ivl.  avg.  d.  Colonia 
Julia  Augusta  Dertosa. — See  Colonia. — Refer 
also  to  “ Aucicnt  Coins  of  Cities  and  Princes,” 
by  J.  Y.  Akcnnan,  F.  and  Sec.  S.  A. 

AVGVSTAE  PACI. — On  a denarius  of  Titus, 
with  Victory  walking,  and  at  the  bottom  epue. 
in  monogram. 

It  is,  says  Khell  (Suppt.  39),  very  unusual 
thus  to  see  the  symbol  of  Victory  joiued  to  the 
above  legend.  The  epigraph  of  Pax  Augusti 
(the  Peace  of  the  Emperor),  is  of  frequent  oc- 
currence ; but  that  of  Augusta  Foci  (to  August 
Peace),  one  reads  on  no  other  coin.  Perhaps, 
it  relates  to  the  statue  of  Victory  dedicated  by 
Titus,  in  the  temple  of  Peace,  which  his  father 
built. — See  paci  avovstae. 

AVGVSTA  MARCIANA. — See  Marciana. 

AVG.  or  AVGVST.  IN  PACE. — A woman 
sitting,  with  olive  branch  and  transversed  hast  a. 
On  silver  and  small  brass  of  Salonina. — See 
Vaillant,  Bauduri,  Miounct,  and  Akerman. 

Although  this  epigraph,  says  Eckhel,  is  un- 
usual, I am  not  disposed  to  join  with  Vaillant 
in  affirming  that  these  coins  of  Salonina  were 
struck  by  some  usurper,  to  cast  a slight  on  that 
empress — in  the  same  way  as  another  coin,  in- 
scribed vbiqve  pax,  is  considered  to  have  been 
designed  to  ridicule  Gnllienus.  For  whereas  the 


AVGVSTA. 

coin  of  Gallieuus  is  rarissimus,  that  in  question 
of  Salonina  is  common.  And  it  is  quite  possible 
for  this  legend  of  avgvsta  in  pace  to  admit  of 
an  interpretation  not  injurious  to  the  honour  of 
the  wife  of  Gallieuus.  (vol.  vii.  418.) — Capt. 
Smyth  in  still  stronger  and  more  decided  terms 
scouts  the  absurd  idea  of  this  being  a satyrical 
legend. 

AVGVSTA  MATER  PATRIAE.— A woman 
veiled,  seated  with  patera  in  her  right  hand,  and 
the  hast  a in  her  left.  Engraved  in  Morell.  Thus. 

This  legend  and  type  appear  on  a first  brass, 
bearing  the  laurelled  head  of  Augustus  on  its 
obverse  (with  imp.  caes.  avg),  and  which, 
although  the  name  of  the  colony  is  not  recorded, 
must  evidently  be  of  colonial  fabric  (probably 
Spanish),  and  not,  as  Vaillant  and  Morel  have 
thought,  of  Roman  mintage.  On  this  coiu 
Livia  (afterwards  named  Julia,  second  w ile  of  Au- 
gustus) is  called  Augusta  Mater  Fatria.  Now, 
we  learn  from  Diou  Cassius,  that  the  Senate  had 
decreed  the  above  adulatory  title,  together  with 
the  still  more  impiously  fulsome  one  of  Genetrix 
orhis,  to  this  abandoned  princess.  But,  accord- 
ing to  Suetonius,  her  son  Tiberius,  from  hatred 
to  his  family  rather  than  from  a better  sense  of 
propriety,  refused  his  permission  that  she  should 
be  so  named,  or  that  she  should  be  the  object  of 
any  extraordinary  public  honour  whatever.  The 
titles  however  which  Tiberius  affected  to  deny 
bis  mother  at  Rome,  he  connived  at  being 
awarded  her  in  the  provinces ; and  this  coin 
forms  an  example  of  the  inconsistency — although 
the  probability  is,  that  it  was  not  struck,  even 
extra  urbem,  until  after  the  death  of  Augustus. 
— The  figure  of  the  veiled  woman,  seated  with 
patera  and  hast  a,  Eckhel  shews  to  represent 
Livia  in  this  instance  under  the  form  of  Vesta, 
as  on  other  coins  she  appears  in  the  similitude 
of  the  Goddess  Pietas.  There  is  auothcr  first 
brass,  given  in  Mus.  Theupoli,  with  a similar 
reverse  legend  and  type,  but  which  bears  on  its 
obverse  the  image  and  superscription,  not  of 
Augustus,  but  of  Tiberius  himself. 

AVGVSTA  EMERITA. — See  Emerita. 

Augustarum  Capitis  Cultus. — The  following 
remarks  in  refercucc  to  the  head-dresses  of  the 
Roman  Empresses,  as  represented  on  coins,  are 
from  vol.  viii.  p.  364  of  Doclrina  Num.  ret. 
“ At  the  commencement  of  the  empire,  when 
as  yet  it  would  appear  not  to  have  been  the 
usage  to  strike  money  with  the  names  of  women, 
it  pleased  the  authorities  to  exhibit  them,  re- 
spectively under  the  figures  of  Vesta,  Pietas, 
Justitia,  Sal  us,  Ceres,  &c.  It  is  in  this  way, 
that  we  sec  Livia  Augusti,  Antonia  Drusi, 
Agrippina  Claudii,  personifying  these  divinities. 
This  liberty  is  much  more  indulged  on  medals  of 
foreign  die,  as  may  be  seen  on  those  of  each  of 
the  above  princesses.  During  a subsequent 
period,  however,  when  the  Flavin  family  occu- 
pied the  imperial  throne,  and  when  monetary 
honours  began  to  be  fully  extended  to  females  of 
Augustal  rank,  the  mint-masters  returned  to  the 
representation  of  the  human  figure ; and  prin- 
cesses arc  portrayed  on  coins,  not  with  any 
indication  of  power  or  authority,  but  in  the 


AUGUSTUS. 

head-dress  usually  worn  by  ladies  of  their  time, 
and  which,  as  is  the  case  in  our  own  day,  was 
open  to  the  change  and  caprice  of  fashion,  and 
susceptible  of  an  infinite  variety  of  form.” 

On  their  consecration  medals,  the  heads  of 
the  Augusta  are  covered  with  a veil : examples 
of  which  appear  in  both  the  Faustina? ; also  in 
Domna,  Mmsa,  Paulina,  Mariniana.  On  coins 
of  Roman  die.  Domua  was  the  first  whose 
head  (placed  over  a crescent  moon),  was  joined  to 
the  radiated  head  of  Severus,  her  husband,  as 
seen  in  the  mint  of  that  emperor  (in  the  year 
u.  c.  955  a.  d.  202).  The  same  custom  was 
contiuued  to  the  reign  of  Diocletian,  and  thence 
downwards  to  a much  lower  period  of  the 
empire. 

Augustalia,  holidays  instituted  by  the  Senate 
and  People,  to  celebrate  the  return  of  Augustus 
to  Rome. — See  FORT««<e  RED««  CAES. 
AVG. 

Auguslal  laurels,  or  the  Emperor’s  wreath. — 
Sec  Corona  Laurea. 

AVGVSTI  COS. — On  gold,  silver,  aud  mid- 
dle brass  of  Caracalla,  this  legend  is  accom- 
panied by  the  type  of  that  prince  aud  the  em- 
peror Severus,  sitting  together  on  an  estrade, 
both  clothed  iu  the  toga ; on  one  side  is  a lictor 
with  a rod ; on  the  other  a togated  figure. 

This  coin  (of  which  Khell,  in  his  Supplement 
to  Yaillant,  lias  given  an  engraving),  preserves 
the  memory  of  the  consulship,  which  Caracalla 
served  as  the  colleague  of  his  father,  a.  d.  202. 
Invested  with  this  dignity,  the  two  emperors 
went  into  Egypt,  and  thence  returning  to  Rome, 
the  sou  took  Plautilla  to  wife.  There  is  a simi- 
lar legend  aud  type,  but  on  middle  brass,  in  the 
mint  of  Severus. 

AVGVSTI  F.  Filia. — Daughter  of  the  Em- 
peror.— Sec  Julia  Till. 

AVGVSTI  F.  Filius. — Son  of  the  Emperor. 
— See  Tiberius,  Caligula. , &c. 

AVGVSTI  PII  l'VLia. — This  appears  on  the 
silver  aud  brass  medals  of  Faustina  junior,  she 
being  the  daughter  of  Antouiuus  Pius. 

kVGVSTT  POR.  OST.  S.  C. On  a first 

brass  of  Nero,  bearing  this  legend,  the  reverse 
type  represents  a maritime  port.  The  Emperor 
Claudius  had  caused  some  immense  works  to  be 
constructed  at  Ostia,  a town  situate  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Tiber;  but  Nero  appears,  by  this  medal, 
to  have  assumed  all  the  honour  of  having  exe- 
cuted them. — See  for.  ost. 

AVGVSTI  PROVINCIA. — -By  this  title 
Arabia,  as  well  as  Dacia,  is  denominated  on 
coins  of  Trajan. — Rasche. 

AVGVSTO.  OB.  C.  S.  within  a crown  of  oak 
leaves,  on  second  brass  of  Augustus. — Sec  Ob. 
Civcs  Scrvatos. 

AVGVSTOR.  Augustoruni.  Of  the  Emperors. 
As  in  Adlocutio,  or  Advenlus,  or  Concordia, 
Augustorum,  &c. 

AUGUSTUS. — This  was  the  surname  which, 
in  the  year  u.  c.  727  (27  before  the  Christian 
rera),  the  Senate  of  Rome,  iu  its  own  name  and 
in  that  of  the  people,  conferred  on  Octavius,  or 
Octaviauus,  the  adopted  son  and  heir  of  Julius 
Cscsar,  as  an  acknowledgment  of  the  services 


AUGUSTUS.  101 

wliich  he  had  rendered  to  his  country'.  This 
epithet,  which  signifies  “ revered”  or  “ worthy 
of  veneration,”  aud  which,  up  to  that  time, 
had  been  appropriated  solely  to  sacred  persons 
and  things,  he  ever  afterwards  bore,  and  it  is 
that  under  which  he  is  habitually  designated. — 
After  him  it  became  the  title  of  sovereignty', 
which  all  the  other  emperors  took,  as  well  out 
of  respect  for  the  memory  of  him  on  whom  it 
was  first  bestowed,  as  for  a mark  of  their  right 
(whether  valid  or  merely  assumed),  to  succeed 
him.  The  appellation  of  Augustus  was  placed 
by  his  successors  in  the  empire  after  their  own 
name;  and  characterising,  as  it  did,  the  supreme 
power  of  the  state,  it  was  invariably  adopted, 
not  only  by  legitimate  princes,  but  even  by  those 
who  in  after  times  usurped  the  imperial  purple. 
The  title  of  Augustus  was,  however,  at  first  con- 
fined to  such  as  were  actually  invested  with  the 
sovereignty.  The  sons,  or  adopted  sons,  of  em- 
perors, previously  to  their  being  associated  with 
them  in  the  government,  were  each  called  sim- 
ply Casar ; and  this  last,  originally  a proper 
name,  became  a dignity,  which  served  to  dis- 
tinguish the  heirs  presumptive  to  the  Augustal 
throne. 

Having  offered  this  general  and  brief  explana- 
tion of  the  word  Augustus,  used  as  a title  aud  a 
surname,  we  cannot,  on  a point  which,  from  its 
constant  recurrence,  is  so  requisite  to  be  fully 
understood  by  the  student  of  Roman  numis- 
matics, do  better  (as  it  seems  to  us)  than  to  sub- 
join the  substance  of  Eckhel’s  learned  citations 
aud  illustrative  remarks  on  the  subject,  contained 
in  the  8th  volume  of  Doctrina,  pp.  355,  356,  et 
seq. : 

1. — Augustus,  origin  and  occasion  of  the 
title. — Dion  Cassius,  in  his  history  of  the  Roman 
Emperors  (l.  liii.  § 16)  remarks,  that  Caesar 
Octavianus,  “after  the  fulfilment  of  the  promises 
he  had  made,  assumed  the  name  of  Augustus,  at 
the  desire  of  the  Senate  and  the  People.  For,  as 
they  had  determined  on  distinguishing  him  by 
some  peculiar  appellation,  and  were  comparing 
the  merits  of  several,  Caesar,  though  himself 
very  ambitious  of  the  name  of  Romulus,  still, 
on  finding  that  he  was  from  that  circumstance 
suspected  of  aiming  at  kingly  dignity,  gave  it 
up,  and  was  styled  Augustus,  as  if  he  were  a 
being  superior  to  the  mortal  race.  For  all 
things  [auioug  the  Romans]  which  are  con- 
sidered most  honourable  and  most  sacred,  are 
called  August  (Augusta) ; and  on  this  account 
the  Greeks  rendered  the  word  AUGUSTUS  by 
2EBA2T02,  or  revered  (quasi  venerandum 
dicas).”  The  same  event  is  thus  recorded  by 
Suetonius : “ He  then  assumed  the  name  of  C. 
Cicsar,  and  afterwards  the  cognomen  of  Au- 
gustus ; the  one  in  accordance  with  the  will  of 
his  uncle  ; the  other  at  the  suggestion  of  Muna- 
tius  Plancus.  For,  whilst  some  were  of  opinion 
that  he  should  be  called  Romulus,  as  though 
himself  the  founder  of  the  city,  it  was  determined 
that  the  title  of  Augustus  should  in  preference 
be  given  him — a title  not  only  novel,  but  also 
more  dignified,  inasmuch  a.s  places  dedicated  to 
religious  purposes,  aud  in  which  anything  is 


102  AUGUSTUS. 

consecrated  by  divination,  are  called  Augusta. 

* * * Vcllcins  also  slightly  alludes  to  the 

subject : “ The  Roman  standards  were  sent 
back  by  the  Parthian  King  to  Augustus,  a title 
conferred  on  him  by  the  universal  consent  of  the 
Scuate  and  People  of  Rome,  on  the  motion  of  | 
Plancus.”  And  lastly  Censorinus  : “ From  | 

the  day  before  the  16th.  of  the  calends  of 
February,  Casar  Imperator  Divi  Filius  (l.  e.  son  | 
of  the  Divine  Julius),  on  the  motion  of  L. 
Munatius  Plancus,  was  called  Augustus  by  the  | 
Senate  and  rest  of  the  citizens,  in  his  own 
seventh  consulate,  and  the  third  consulate  of  M. 
Vipsanius  Agrippa. — From  these  testimonies, 
may  be  gathered  the  origin  and  cause  of  the 
title  of  Augustus. 

2.  — Augustus;  signification  and  etymology 
of  the  word. — From  the  authors  above  quoted, 
the  explanation  of  the  epithet  is  obtained,  both 
in  the  Latin  form,  AUGUSTUS,  and  in  that  of 
the  Greek  2EBA2T02.  And  to  them  may  be 
added  the  testimony  of  Ovid  (Fast  l.  v.  609). 

Sancta  vocant  augusta  patres,  angusta  vocantur 
Templa,  sacerdotum  ritii  dicata  manu. 

[The  Fathers  (i.  e.  the  Senate)  call  all  sacred 
things  August ; temples  too,  if  duly  consecrated 
by  sacerdotal  hands,  are  styled  August. 

Also  Pompeius  Festus  (in  Augusto).  Pau- 
sanias  likewise  (l.  iii.  c.  2),  says,  “ Ilis  name 
was  Augustus,  which  in  the  Greek  language 
is  equivalent  to  2EBA2T02  (venerabilis). — 
At  a later  period  it  was  erroneously  supposed, 
that  the  name  Augustus  was  derived  from 
another  root,  namely,  augere,  auctus,  to  in- 
crease. As  regards  the  character  of  this  appella- 
tion, it  is  sufficiently  evident  from  the  testi- 
monies adduced,  that  it  was  conferred  upon 
Oetavianus  for  no  other  reason  than  that  which 
operated  in  giving  the  name  Turquatus  to  Man- 
lius, Magnus  to  Cu.  Pompeius,  Pins  to  Metellus, 
&c.  namely,  on  account  of  their  eminent  ser- 
vices.” 

3.  — Augustus  the  title  of,  transmitted  to 
descendants. — As  the  posterity  of  Maulius  and 
others,  adopted  as  of  hereditary  right,  the  same 
respective  appellations,  so  the  family  of  Octa- 
vianus  acquired  a claim  to  the  name  of  Augustus. 
With  propriety,  therefore,  not  only  did  Tiberius 
assume  the  name  of  Augustus  after  his  adoptative 
father’s  death;  but  his  widow  Livia,  also  adopted 
by  the  will  of  her  deceased  husband,  succeeded 
to  the  titles  Julia  and  Augusta;  and  Caius  too 
(called  Caligula)  being  by  adoption  the  grandson 
of  Tiberius.  And  it  was  for  this  reason,  that 
Suetonius  has  not  hesitated  to  designate  the  title 
of  Augustus  as  hereditary. 

Not  long  afterwards,  this  name  was  appro- 
priated to  those  who  had  no  hereditary  right 
to  it : and  Caligula  was  the  first  to  set  the 
example,  by  giving  the  title  of  Augusta  to  his 
grandmother  Antonia,  who  was  neither  by  blood 
nor  by  adoption,  connected  with  the  Cicsariau 
family.  Claudius  likewise,  with  as  little  pre- 
tension, on  his  elevation  to  the  empire,  after  the 
death  of  Caligula,  assumed  the  title  not  only  of 
Cicsar,  but  of  Augustus ; and  this  example  was 


AUGUSTUS. 

followed  by  all  his  successors.  For  not  merely 
did  all,  immediately  on  their  accession,  assume 
the  title  (Yitcllius  alone  shewing  a temporary 
disinclination  to  it),  but  they  in  like  maimer 
dignified  their  wives.  (See  the  article  AUGUSTA, 

]).  97).  Claudius  was  the  first  (though  tardily 
and  reluctantly),  to  allow  of  its  being  conferred 
on  Messalina.  And  a still  more  surprising  cir- 
cumstance subsequently  occurred,  viz.  the  be- 
stowal of  the  title  of  Augusta  on  Domitclla, 
wife  of  Vespasian,  though  she  died  before  her 
husband  became  Emperor  (Vespasian  himself,  or 
his  son  Titus,  acting  in  the  matter),  in  order 
that  neither  the  wife,  nor  the  mother,  of  a 
reigning  prince  might  be  compelled  to  pass  her 
time  “ among  the  manes  of  private  individuals.”  | 
Seeing  then,  even  under  Caligula,  that  the 
quality  of  the  title  Augustus  was  changed,  the 
remark  of  Alexander  Sevcrus,  quoted  by  Lam- 
pridius,  is  a just  one  : Augustus  primus,  primus 
est  auctor  imperii,  et  in  ejus  nomen  omnes 
velyt  quadam  adoptione,  aut  jure  hereditario 
succedimus. — “ The  first  Augustus  is  the  first! 
founder  (or  first  incrcascr)  of  the  empire ; and] 
as  if  by  a kind  of  adoption,  or  hereditary  right,) 
we  all  succeed  to  his  name.” 

4. — Augustus,  the  title  of,  conferred  honour 
but  no  power. — One  of  the  other  characteristics 
of  the  above  title  was,  that  it  imparted  to  him 
on  whom  it  was  conferred,  the  most  exalted 
honour,  but  no  accession  of  power.  Dion  (l. 
iii.  ^ 16),  again  learnedly  explains  this  point : 
“For  the  appellations  Cwsar  and  Augustus  added  | i 
nothing  to  the  intrinsic  power  of  the  emperors.) 

It  was  by  the  former  that  their  descent  from  a i 
certain  race  was  indicated  ; by  the  latter,  their  J *" 
illustrious  rauk.”  And  the  reason  of  this  cir- 
cumstance is,  that  the  offices  of  Imperator  and 
Pontifex  Maximus,  joined  to,  and  merged  in, 
the  Tribunate  and  the  Proconsulate,  gave  them 
possession,  in  effect,  of  universal  power,  while  i 
the  supreme  title  of  Augustus  shewed,  that  this  | 
accumulated  authority  was  vested  in  one  inilivi-  ) 
dual.  The  consequence  of  this  was,  that  look- 
ing to  general  estimation,  and  the  majesty  of 
the  empire,  we  find  that  the  world  itself  had 
not  the  title  to  exhibit,  which  could  vie  in  gran- 
deur and  dignity  with  that  of  Augustus;  and  I 
that  until  it  was  bestowed,  the  pinnacle  of  great- 1 
ness  was  yet  unattaiued.  There  were  emperors 
who  conferred  the  title  of  Cwsar,  and  also  of 
Imperator,  on  their  sons ; as  did  Vespasian  on 
Titus,  aud  Hadrian  on  Antoninus.  They  were, 
however,  esteemed  as  of  the  second  rank.  But 
in  cases  where  princes  conferred  upon  others  the 
title  of  Augustus,  ns  M.  Aurelius  did  on  his 
brother  L.  Verus,  aud  afterwards  on  his  son 
Comniodus,  those  persons  were  considered  to 
have  attained  the  highest  dignity,  and  to  have  be- 
come sharers  and  colleagues  of  the  government, 
in  honour  little  inferior  to  those  who  thus  ele- 
vated them  ; and  that  too  in  consequence  of  the 
source  w hence  the  distinction  was  derived.  Never- 
theless, that  the  title  of  Augustus  added  dig- 
nity without  power  to  its  possessor,  is  plain 
from  the  very  fact,  that  the  emperors  hesitated 
not  to  confer  a similar  nominal  distinction  on 


AUGUSTI. 

their  wives,  and  other  females  connected,  or 
pretended  to  be  connected,  with  the  house  of 
Csesar,  overlooking  all  those  who  enjoyed  real 
power,  because  it  was  the  policy  of  ancient 
Rome,  at  all  times,  to  exclude  women  from  any 
participation  in  the  conduct  of  public  affairs. 

5.  — Augusti — the  first  example  of  two  reign- 
ing together. — From  the  earliest  period  of  the 
empire,  a single  individual  only  had  been  dis- 
tinguished at  one  and  the  same  time,  by  the 
title  of  Augustus ; but  the  middle  of  the  second 
imperial  age,  saw  two  raised  simultaneously 
to  this  eminence — viz.  M.  Aurelius  and  L. 
Vcrus ; aud  shortly  afterwards  (on  the  death  of 
Vcrus)  M.  Aurelius  and  his  son  Commodus. 
Not  much  later,  Severus  followed  this  precedent, 
associating  with  himself  his  son  Antoninus,  com- 
monly called  Caracalla  ; and  towards  the  end  of 
his  life,  his  other  son,  Gcta.  So  that,  Rome 
had  at  that  time  (about  A.  I).  209)  its  three 
Augusti,  a circumstance  which  had  never  before 
happened.  At  a subsequent  period,  many  ex- 
amples of  this  extension  of  the  honour  were  wit- 
nessed. But  it  will  be  asked,  what  was  the  re- 
lative power  or  (lignite  of  the  respective  bearers 
of  the  title?  These  (answers  Eckhel),  varied  with 
circumstances.  It  is  not  to  be  doubted,  that  he, 
who  attached  to  himself  a colleague,  whether  his 
son,  or  his  brother,  or  one  not  related  to  him, 
had  the  pre-eminence  in  rank,  and  in  most 
instances  in  authority  also.  It  is  equally  certain 
that  iu  both  these  particulars,  fathers  were  supe- 
rior to  sons ; as  Severus  to  Caracalla  and  Geta. 
Greater  honour  was  also  paid  to  Aurelius  than 
to  his  adopted  brother,  L.  Verus,  whom  he 
elevated  to  a share  in  the  government ; and  for 
the  like  reason  Diocletian  held  a higher  rank 
than  Maximian. — Caracalla  enjoyed  greater 
dignity  than  his  younger  brother  Gcta,  notwith- 
standing the  wish  of  their  father,  Severus,  that 
they  should  reign  with  equal  power.  For  Cara- 
calla had  the  advantage  in  point  of  age,  and  like- 
wise on  account  of  the  number  of  years,  during 
which  he  had  borne  the  title  of  Augustus : he 
was  besides  alone  distingushed  by  the  Pontificate. 
In  the  case  of  Balbinus  and  Pupienns  none 
of  these  reasons  prevailed ; for  they  were  both 
called  to  the  head  of  affairs  by  the  Senate,  in 
consequence  of  the  difficulties  of  the  State.  That 
body,  therefore,  conferred  upon  both  equal  dig- 
nity and  authority,  and,  departing  from  the 
hitherto  invariable  custom,  gave  to  both  the 
office  of  Pontifex  Maximus,  lest  the  envy  of 
cither  should  be  excited  towards  the  other. 

6.  — Of  two  or  more  Augusti,  at  the  same 
time,  which  held  the  higher  rank. — From  the 
reign  of  Diocletian  there  were  constantly  more 
than  one  Augustus  at  the  same  time.  And  the 
Ctcsars,  connected  with  each  other  by  no  ties  of 
consanguinity,  ruled,  each  over  his  own  pro- 
vince, on  such  terms  that  neither  depended  on  the 
other.  Although  they  possessed  equal  power, 
yet  in  dignity  they  were  distinct  from  each 
other,  as  this  was  imparted  by  the  length  of  time 
during  which  each  of  those  titles  had  been  held 
by  an  individual.  That  individual  Augustus, 
therefore,  enjoyed  the  first  position,  who  had 


AUGUSTI.  103 

first  received  the  title;  and  the  like  usage  pre- 
vailed in  the  case  of  a Csesar.  It  is  on  this 
principle,  that  Diocletian  is  styled,  in  Eusebius, 
“he  who  both  in  honour  and  in  position  held  the 
first  place.”  Constantine  is  stated,  by  the  same 
author,  to  have  stood  superior  to  M.  Liciuius, 
“both  in  honour  and  in  rank.”  Numerous 
instances  may  be  found  within  that  period  of 
disputes  arising  from  this  mode  of  taking  pre- 
cedence. When  Constantine  the  Great  informed 
Maximianus,  that,  on  the  death  of  his  father 
[Constantius  Chloms,  a.  d.  306]  he  had  received 
the  title  of  Augustus  from  the  army,  the  latter 
felt  aggrieved,  and  according  to  Lactantius  (de 
mont.  perfec.  c.  25)  “ determined  on  naming 
(FI.  \ al.)  Severus,  the  elder  by  birth,  Augustus  ; 
whilst  he  commanded  that  Constantine  should  not 
be  styled  Imperator  (which  he  had  been  created) 
but  Ccesar,  in  conjunction  with  Maximinus 
(Daza)  in  order  to  degrade  Constantine  from  the 
second  post  of  honour  to  the  fourth.”  [For 
other  instances  of  the  jealousy  and  dissension 
caused  by  this  clashing  of  claims  to  dignity  and 
pre-eminence,  reference  may  with  great  ad- 
vantage be  had  to  Eckhcl’s  dissertation  on  the 
imperial  coins  of  the  lower  empire,  and  also  to 
the  intelligent  observations  of  Bimard  de  la 
Bastie  on  the  same  subject.] 

7 .  — A plurality  of  Augusti,  how  indicated. — 
As  already  shewn  in  p.  95  of  this  dictionary — 
when  there  were  two  emperors  at  the  same  time, 
the  fact  was  pointed  out  by  the  inscription 
avgg.  ; a custom  which,  on  coins  at  least,  com- 
menced under  S.  Severus,  it  being  usual,  in  that 
emperor’s  mint,  after  he  had  associated  Cara- 
calla with  himself  in  the  supreme  government, 
to  use  the  legends  anxonae  avgg. — vict.  avgg. 
&c.  Aud  by  a similar  multiplication  of  the 
same  letter,  avggg.  denoted  a collcagueship  of 
three  Augusti. 

8.  — Augusti,  by  association. — It  is  to  be  ob- 
served, however,  that  even  the  son  of  an  em- 
peror, though  only  Cicsar,  was  by  association 
with  his  father  who  was  Augustus,  also  called 
by  that  title ; ns  in  the  case  of  Maximus  Ccesar, 
there  i3  on  a large  brass  coin,  maximinvs  et 
max i mvs  avgvsti  germanici. — And  this  cir- 
cumstance is  still  more  clearly  illustrated  on  a 
marble  published  by  Spon,  bearing  the  follow- 
ing inscription : — pko  salvte  imp.  et  caesar. 

PHILIPPORUM  AVGG.  ET  OTAC1LIAE  SEVERAE 

avg.  matris  caes.  et  castror.  This  marble 
was  erected  in  the  year  u.c.  989  (a.d.  236),  as  ap- 
pears from  the  addition  of  PhilippoAug.  et  Tiliano 
Cos.  (Philippus  senior  and  Junius  Titian  us 
being  consuls),  in  which  year,  however,  the 
younger  Philip  was  certainly  not  yet  Augustus  ; 
and  yet  the  monument  exhibits  the  letters  avgg. 
That  is  to  say  there  were  two  Augusti,  by  asso- 
ciation. The  prevalence  of  this  custom  is  ex- 
emplified on  the  respective  coins  of  Diadumeni- 
anus,  Maximus,  Tetricus  the  younger,  Carinus, 
and  others.  It  is  much  more  surprising  that 
the  title  of  Imperator  was  in  the  same  manner 
shared  by  the  wife  of  a reigning  prince.  But 
such  an  extraordinary  feature  of  the  cevnm 
inferius  is  given  to  us  by  Maffci,  from  an  African 


104  AUGUSTUS. 

marble  inscribed  thus — salvis  dominis  nostris 

CHRISTIANISSIM19  IMPERATORIBVS  1VSTINO  ET 

SOFIA,  &c. — On  coins  of  the  lower  empire  may 
frequently  be  seen  avggggg,  imposing  an  ardu- 
ous task  in  the  identification  of  so  many  of  the 
Augusti. 

Augustus  Perpetuus. — Not  unfrcqucntly  some 
epithet  is  found  united  with  the  title  of  Au- 
gustus, as  perpetvvs  avgvstvs. — Spanbeiin 
quotes  a coin  of  Trajan,  on  which  he  is  called 
avg.  perp.  to  trace  the  first  use  of  the  addition 
to  that  emperor.  But  the  genuineness  of  the 
coin  in  question  rests  solely  on  the  statement  of 
Mediobarbus ; and  Eckhel  is  not  inclined,  there- 
fore, to  adopt  the  opinion. — “ The  word  P er- 
peluns,  often  written  with  only  the  letters  pp.  I 
find  (says  he)  first  added  to  the  Emperors’  titles 
under  Probus:  perpetvo  imp.  probo.  avg. 
From  the  time  of  the  sous  of  Constantine  the 
Great,  the  inscription  perp.  avg.  is  very  fre- 
quent on  coins.  The  origin  of  this  piece  of 
flattery  belongs  to  a remote  period,  as  on  the 
coins  of  the  earliest  emperors  their  eternity  was 
vauntingly  put  forward.  But  the  legend  per- 
petvitati.  avg.  became  more  frequent  from  the 
time  of  Alexander  Severus,  in  whose  mint  alone 
we  read  potestas  perpetva. — Semper  Au- 
gustus, so  frequently  observed  now-a-days, 
amongst  the  imperial  titles,  Spanheim  could  not 
find  among  ancient  inscriptions,  before  Diocle- 
tian’s time. — See  perp.  avg.  and  semper 
avgvstvs. 


AUGUSTUS  C/ESAR,  first  Emperor  of  the 
Romans. — Caius  Octavius  Ccrpius,  afterwards 
surnamed  Augustus,  was  the  son  of  the  Prictor 
C.  Octavius  Rufus  and  of  Atia,  niece  of  Julius 
Cicsar.  He  was  horn  at  Vclitri  Volscorum  (now 
Vetletri,  in  the  Campagna  di  Roma ) in  October, 
in  the  year  of  Rome  691  (63  years  before 
Christ),  uuder  the  consulship  of  Cicero.  Wien 
only  four  years  old,  he  lost  his  father  ; but  his 
education  experienced  no  neglect  on  that  ac- 
count ; for  in  his  tenth  year  he  proved  himself 
callable  of  making  an  oration  to  the  people. 
This  prince  united  first-rate  talents  to  striking 
advantages  of  person  and  address.  Ilis  relation- 
ship, too,  to  the  illustrious  Dictator,  of  whom 
he  was  from  the  very  first  a great  favourite, 
secured  to  him  an  early  training  for  public  life, 
and  introduced  him  whilst  as  yet  a mere  stripling 
into  the  highest  society.  In  the  year  of  Julius 
Csesar’s  second  consulate,  u.  c.  706  (b.  c.  48), 
he  received  the  toga  viri/is,  being  then  in  his 
sixteenth  year,  and  was  soon  afterwards  ad- 


AUGUSTUS. 

mitted  into  the  college  of  Pontiffs.  In  a.  d.  c.  709 
(b.  c.  45),  returning  to  Rome  with  his  grand 
uncle,  whom  he  had  joined  in  Spain,  on  a 
victorious  expedition  against  the  Pompeians,  he 
was  sent  to  Apollonia,  in  Illyricum,  cither  to 
complete  his  civil  education,  or  to  receive  prac- 
tical instruction  in  the  art  of  war  amongst  the 
legions  there,  or  probably  for  both  those  pur- 
poses. The  following  year,  being  still  at  Apol- 
lonia,  the  tidings  reached  him  of  Julius  Ctcsar’s 
murder;  which  caused  him  to  return  imme- 
diately from  Illyricum  to  Rome.  There,  find- 
ing himself,  by  the  will  of  Julius,  adopted  as  the 
sou  of  that  celebrated  man,  he  took  the  names 
of  C.  Julius  Cicsar  Octavianus.  But  ou  claim- 
ing the  succession,  he  had  to  defend  his  rights  as 
heir,  against  the  opposition  of  M.  Antouius,  and 
succeeded  only  after  a turbulent  struggle. — Octa- 
vianus was  but  twenty  years  old,  when  he  obtained 
the  consulate  a.  u.  c.  711  (b.c.  43),  contrary 
to  law,  which  required  a much  maturcr  age  to 
be  first  reached.  Then,  pursuing  with  vengeance 
the  assassins  of  his  uncle,  he  was  not  long  in 
uniting  himself  with  Lepidus  and  M.  Antouius, 
to  form  that  triumvirate  which,  under  pretence 
of  re-constituting  the  republic  (Reipublica  Con- 
stituenda),  became  a reign  of  wholesale  cruelty 
and  of  proscriptive  horrors.  In  A.u.c.  612  (b.c. 
42)  supported  by  M.  Antouius,  he  defeated  Brutus 
and  Cassius  on  the  Thessalian  field  of  Philippi. 
The  next  year  he  vanquished  Lucius  Antonius 
at  Perusia".  In  714  (b.  c.  40),  he  gained  a 
decisive  naval  victory  over  Sextus  Pompeius, 
whom  he  compelled  to  abandon  Sicily.  In 
719  (b.  C.  35),  Octavianus  quarrelled  with  M. 
Antonius,  who  had  indeed  given  him  cause,  by 
divorcing  his  sister  Octavia  and  marrying  Cleo- 
patra. The  next  three  years  were  passed  by 
Octavianus  in  concerting  his  measures  against 
that  iufatnated  triumvir.  And  having  assembled 
around  his  own  banner  all  the  legions  of  the 
East,  he  attacked,  and  totally  defeated  his 
former  colleague,  and  only  formidable  rival,  in 
a sea  fight  near  Actium,  on  the  coast  of  Epirus, 
on  the  second  of  September,  in  the  vear  of 
Rome  723  (b.c.  31.)  In  724  (b.c.  30),  he 
proceeded  with  an  army  to  Egypt,  and  captured 
Alexandria. — Mark  Autony  and  Cleopatra,  de- 
serted on  all  hands,  brought  their  own  hopeless 
affairs  to  a close,  by  each  committing  suicide ; 
whilst  Lepidus,  indolently  satisfied  with  descend- 
ing again  to  n private  station,  left  Octavianus 
sole  master  of  the  enslaved  republic.  Next  year 
(b.  c.  29)  having  rendered  Egypt  a tributary 
province,  he  returned  to  Rome,  and  enjoyed 
among  other  honours  and  distinctions,  those  of 
a three  days’  triumph — viz.  for  Dnlmatia,  for 
Actium,  and  for  Alexandria.  It  was  then,  that 
this  fortunate  despot  caused  the  temple  of  Janus 
to  be  shut,  which  had  remained  open  for  205 
years  before ; and  having,  by  these  crowning 
victories,  brought  the  whole  world  under  the 
power,  or  within  the  influence  of  Rome,  lie  re- 
ceived from  the  Senate  and  People  the  designa- 
tion of  Imperntor ; not  however  in  the  former 
acceptation  of  the  term  as  merely  the  general- 
in-chief  of  armies,  but  as  a title  indicative  of 


AUGUSTUS. 

supreme  government — followed  two  years  after- 
wards, from  the  same  authority,  by  the  surname 
of  a vgystvs  (see  notice  on  that  word,  p.  101 
of  this  dictionary). 


In  the  year  of  Rome  720  (b.  c.  28)  he  was 
Consul  for  the  sixth  time,  with  his  son  in  law, 
Marcus  Agrippa,  for  his  colleague.  A denarius 
which  presents  a tine  head  of  Agrippa  on  its 
obverse,  with  the  head  of  Augustus  on  the  other 
side,  was  struck  on  that  occasion,  by  Platorinus. 
The  legend  of  the  obverse  is  platoiunvs  limit, 
it.  agrippa.  That  of  the  reverse  is  caesar 
avgvstvs. — The  above  cut  is  copied  from  an 
unusually  well-preserved  specimen  of  a coin,  no 
less  valuable  for  its  historical  interest  than  as  a 
numismatic  rarity. — See  Agrippa,  p.  27. 

The  same  year  he  caused  the  quinquennial 
ceremony  of  Lustral  sacrifices  and  purgations  to 
be  performed;  carried  many  laws;  adorned  the 
eity  with  buildings ; and  repaired  the  public 
roads.  This  year  also  the  Consuls  took  the  cen- 
sus, at  which  the  citizens  numbered  4,164,000. 

727  (b.c.  27). — Being  the  year  of  Augustus’s 
expedition  into  Spain,  against  the  Cantabrians 
and  Asturians,  the  gates  of  the  Temple  of  Janus 
were  re-opened. 

730  (b.  c.  24). — From  Spain  he  returned  to 
Rome.  And  it  is  to  the  succeeding  year  that 
the  coins  are  assigned,  on  which  we  read  the 
date  of  the  'l'ribunitian  l’ower  (tribvnitia 
potestas)  awarded  to  him  by  the  Senate — “ a 
dignity,”  says  Millin,  “ that  recalled  to  mind  the 
high  consideration  in  which  the  Tribunes  of  the 
People  ( Tribuni  Plebis)  were  formerly  held, 
under  the  republic,  and  which,  although  not  an 
honour  of  the  first  order,  was  also  assumed  by 
the  successors  of  Augustus,  because  it  would  have 
given  too  much  authority  to  simple  citizens.” 
This  title  serves,  with  certain  exceptions,  to 
mark  the  years  of  their  reigns. — See  Tribitnilia 
Potestas. 

733  (b.  c.  21). — During  the  absence  of  Au- 
gustus in  Sicily,  frightful  tumults  arose  on  ac- 
count of  the  elections  of  Consuls,  lie  there- 
fore sent  for  Agrippa  from  the  east,  and,  re- 
quiring him  to  divorce  his  wife,  gave  him  liis 
own  daughter  J ulia,  the  widow  of  Marcellus,  in 
marriage.  The  presence  of  Agrippa  quelled  the 
disturbances  at  Rome.  From  Sicily,  Augustus 
visited  Greece ; thence  he  proceeded  to  Samos, 
w here  he  passed  the  winter. 

734  (b.  c.  20). — From  Samos  he  went  into 
the  pro-considar  province  of  Asia,  and  thence 
visited  Syria ; received  from  Phraates,  king  of 
Parthia,  the  military  ensigns  lost  under  Crassus, 
and  the  prisoners  who  had  survived  the  slaughter 
of  the  legions  in  that  fatal  expedition  ; on  which 
occasion,  the  following  denarius  was  struck  by 
one  of  bis  monetary  triumvirs,  Florus  Aquil-  | 

P 


AUGUSTUS.  105 

lius,  bearing  on  one  side  a radiated  head,  which, 
if  not  that  of  Augustus  (to  whose  physiognomy 
it  has  a palpable  resemblance),  was  probably 
meant  for  that  of  the  Sun,  as  allusive  to  the 
East;  and  on  the  other  CAESAR  AVGVSTVS 
SIGN/.v  RECEyifij.  The  type  a Parthian  on  his 
knees,  offering  a military  ensign. 


The  same  yrear  Tiberius  was  sent  from  Syria 
into  Armenia,  which,  with  its  king  Tigranes,  he 
brought  under  the  Roman  yoke ; and  his  suc- 
cesses are  recorded  on  Augustus’s  coins  of  this 
date,  which  bear  the  epigraph  of  Armenia 
capta. — See  p.  80. 

735  (b.  c.  19). Augustus  returned  from 

Asia  to  Rome,  on  which  occasion  the  feasts 
called  after  him  Avgustalia,  were  celebrated  to 
his  honour.  The  same  year,  his  son  in  law 
Agrippa  suppressed  rebellions  in  Gaul,  Germany, 
and  Spain. 

737  (b.  c.  17)- In  this  year  lie  adopted 

Caius  aud  Lucius,  sons  of  Agrippa;  and  cele- 
brated the  Secidar  Games  ( Lueli  Srecalares) . 

738.  (b.  c.  16). — The  insurrectionary  hostili- 
ties of  the  Germani,  wrho  had  obtained  some 
successes  over  detachments  of  the  Roman  army 
under  Lollius,  induced  Augustus  to  make  a journey 
into  Gaul.  And  about  the  autumn  of  the  same 
year,  Agrippa  set  out  for  the  East.  The  two 
following  years  saw  the  emperor  occupied  with 
the  personal  administration  of  affairs  in  Gaul; 
w'hcrc,  and  in  Spain,  he  founded  several  colonies; 
whilst  Tiberius  and  Drusus  brought  the  German 
and  Rhaetian  tribes  into  subjection ; and  Agrippa 
quelled  insurrections  in  the  kingdom  of  the 
Bosphorus. 

741  (b.  c.  13). — Augustus  returned  from 
Gaul,  and  Agrippa  from  Asia,  to  Rome;  aud 
the  Ara  Pads  was  erected  in  that  city  ; but  not 
dedicated  till  b.  c.  9. — See  p.  73. 

742  (b.  c.  12). — The  title  of  Pontifex  Maxi- 
mus begins  with  this  year  to  appear  on  the  coins 
of  Augustus,  the  death  of  Lepidus  the  preceding 
year  having  left  that  office  vacant.  He  sustained 
a great  anil  irreparable  loss  in  the  decease  of  the 
brave  Agrippa. — The  following  year,  on  account 
of  the  disturbed  state  of  affairs  in  territories 
bordering  on  the  Gallic  provinces,  Augustus 
again  took  up  his  residence  in  them.  But,  in  the 
year  b.  c.  10,  peace  being  restored  in  Germania, 
Dalmatia,  and  Pannouia,  he,  with  his  lieutenants, 
Tiberius  and  Drusus,  returned  to  Rome.  The 
last  named  able  and  valiant  commander  was  sent, 
b.  c.  9,  to  renew  war  against  the  Germans. 

746  (b.  c.  8). — Augustus,  who,  the  year  pre- 
ceding, in  consequence  of  the  death  of  Drusus  on 
the  banks  of  the  Lower  Rhine,  followed  by  a 
fresh  insurrection  of  the  Germans  in  that  quarter, 
had  once  more,  and  for  the  last  time,  quitted 
I Rome  for  Gaul,  still  remained  there.  This  year 


IOC  AUGUSTUS. 

Mie  month  Sej/i/is  had  its  name  changed  to 
Augustus,  in  honour  of  the  Emperor.  Aud  as 
the  saviour  of  the  citizens  (ob  cives  seiivatos) 
the  oaken  crown  (corona  quercca)  was  often  after, 
as  well  as  before,  this  period,  decreed  to  him, 
and  typified  on  his  coins. 


747  (b.c.  7) — Tiberius  again  sent  to  command 
in  the  German  war.  Tn  his  absence,  Caius 
Ctesar  celebrated  the  ludi  votivi  for  the  return 
of  Augustus. 

752  (b.c.  2). — Augustus,  at  Rome,  exhibited 
a naumachia,  or  representation  of  a naval  en- 
gagement, and  other  magnificent  public  spec- 
tacles. He  dedicated  the  temple  of  Mars  Ultor; 
whilst  the  Senate  capped  the  climax  of  their 
adulatory  homage,  by  bestowing  on  him  the 
title  of  pater  patriae. — Ovid,  with  the  adroit- 
ness of  a courtier,  and  with  more  than  the 
usual  tact  of  a poet,  alludes  to  the  event,  and 
addresses  the  Sovereign  as  the  Sure  of  the 
Romans : — 

Sancte  Pater  Patriae,  tibi  I’lebs,  tibi  Curia  nomen 

Hoc  dedit,  &c. 

753  (b.c.  1). — Eckhcl,  according  to  the  cal- 
culation of  Dionysius  Exiguus,  names  this  year 
of  Rome  as  the  one  on  which  took  place  the  most 
memorable  and  ever  blessed  event  of  Our  Lord 
and  Saviour  JESUS  CHRIST’S  Nativity, 
in  Bethlehem  of  Judaa. 

[%*  Usher  and  other  eminent  chronologists 
reckon  it  to  have  been  iu  the  749tli  year  of 
Rome.] 

762.  (a.  d.  9). — The  time  for  celebrating  the 
triumphal  honours  decreed  to  Tiberius  for  his 
victories  over  the  Dalmatians  and  Pannonians 
deferred,  on  account  of  tidings  received  that 
Quinctilius  Varus,  with  three  legions,  had  been 
slain  by  the  Germans  under  their  chief  Armi- 
nius.  The  Romans,  by  this  overwhelming  mis- 
fortune, lost  all  their  possessions  in  Germany 
east  of  the  Rhine.  The  grief  of  Rome,  and  that 
of  Augustus  in  particular,  was  very  great  indeed 
at  this  nationally  humiliating  disaster,  a.  d. 
10,  Tiberius  and  Germanicus,  to  avenge  the 
slaughter,  made  an  attack  on  the  Germans,  but 
returned  to  Rome  the  same  year. 

766  (a.  d.  13). — Now  sinking  under  the 
triple  burthen  of  advauccd  years,  bodily  in- 
firmities, and  domestic  infelicities,  (his  daughter 
Julia,  convicted  of  manifold  adulteries,  had  been 
banished  to  the  island  of  Paudataria,  b.  c.  2), 
Augustus  associated  Tiberius  with  him  in  the 
Tribunitian  power,  in  order  that  the  latter, 
whom  he  had  been  so  ill-advised  as  to  adopt  as 
his  son  and  successor,  might  share  with  him  the 
government  of  the  provinces. 

767  (a.  d.  14). — Having  attained  his  76th 
year,  Augustus  caused  the  census  to  be  again 


AUGUSTUS. 

taken,  when  the  citizens  were  4,197,000.  And 
notwithstanding  his  old  age,  he  made  a jour- 
ney into  Campania.  But,  at  Nola,  on  his  re- 
turn towards  Rome  from  Naples,  he  was  seized 
with  a disorder,  which  proved  fatal.  He  died 
on  the  19th  day  of  August.  His  remains  were 
interred  in  the  mausoleum,  which  he  had  caused 
to  be  built  in  the  Campus  Martins  at  Rome, 
after  his  having  (in  conjunction  with  M.  Anto- 
nius)  ruled  the  republic  for  twelve,  and  governed 
alone  as  Emperor  for  44  years. 

An  instrument  in  the  hands  of  an  over  ruling 
Providence,  for  laying  the  foundation  of  manifold 
and  decisive  changes  in  the  religious  as  well  as 
in  the  social  condition  of  the  human  race — this 
extraordinary  man,  from  the  rank  of  a private 
citizen,  had  succeeded,  by  the  soundness  of  his 
policy,  taking  advantage  of  every  favourable 
opportunity,  and  without  being  a great  military 
commander,  in  becoming  the  head  and  chief  of 
an  universal  monarchy.  No  sooner  placed  in 
this  unexampled  position  of  supremacy,  the 
world  at  peace,  aud  his  government  firmly 
grounded,  than  he  thought,  or  seemed  to 
think,  only  of  effacing  the  memory  of  his  past 
crimes  bv  reigning  ou  the  general  principles  of 
justice,  wisdom,  and  clemency.  Rome  was  in- 
creased and  embellished  by  his  munificence,  and 
by  that  of  the  rich  and  illustrious  citizens,  who 
like  Maecenas  and  Agrippa,  emulated  his  ex- 
ample, both  iu  architectural  improvements  and 
in  the  establishment  of  useful  institutions.  It 
must  be  admitted  that  his  adoption  by  Julius 
Caesar ; the  spiritless  temperament  of  Lcpidus  ; 
the  mad  folly  of  Antony,  victim  to  his  own 
profligate  habits  and  the  treachery  of  Cleopatra, 
were  more  than  cither  manly  courage,  or  true 
virtue  of  character  on  his  part,  the  stepping 
stones  and  auxiliaries,  by  whose  aid  Augustus 
arrived  at  the  highest  summit  of  power.  Yet 
favoured  as  he  was  by  circumstances,  and 
crowned  by  every  species  of  terrestrial  glory ; 
beloved  by  his  subjects,  endeared  to  his  intimate 
friends,  and  prosperous  in  a reign  of  unpre- 
cedented duration,  he  was  far  from  finding 
happiness  iu  the  bosom  of  his  family.  His  wife 
Livia  stood  generally  accused  of  having  shortened 
the  days  of  this  great  Prince,  who  having  no 
posterity  of  his  own,  appointed  Tiberius,  his 
son  in  law,  heir  to  the  empire. 

As  Augustus  was  the  founder  of  the  imperial 
government  of  Rome,  it  may  here  be  proper  to 
recapitulate  the  epochas  of  the  different  digni- 
ties successively  bestowed  on  him,  and  which 
constituted  the  united  prerogatives  of  that 
monarchical  sovereignty  which  was  transmitted 
by  him  to  his  successors.  These  dates  will  serve 
to  class  the  coins  of  this  emperor,  and  arc  ns 
follow  : — As  heir  to  the  name  of  Caesar  iu  710 
(b.  c.  44),  he  caused  himself  to  be  nominated 
Consul. — In  711  (B.  c.  43),  Triumvir  [ Reipub - 
hr  re  Const  it  ttenda]  with  Antony  and  Lcpidus. 
(His  etfigy  from  that  time  appears  on  the  gold 
and  silver  coinage  of  Rome,  but  later  on  that 
of  brass.)  This  triumvirate,  though  it  lasted 
no  longer  than  U.  c.  716  (b.c.  38),  continued 
to  be  recorded  on  his  cuius  till  B c.  35.  After 


AUGUSTUS. 

the  defeat,  followed  by  the  death,  of  M.  Auto- 
nius,  b.  c.  29,  he  took  as  a prenomeo  the  title 
of  Imperator;  accepted  the  title  of  Augustus 
in  727  (b.  c.  27)  ; caused  the  Tribunitia  Potes- 
tas  to  be  inscribed  on  his  money,  and  to  be  cal- 
culated from  the  date  of  June,  731  (b.  c.  23); 
was  invested  with  the  Chief  Pontificate  in  742 
(b.  c.  12) ; and  finally  was  honoured  by  the  im- 
posing appellation  of  Pater  Patrue  (Father  of 
the  Country),  by  the  Senate  and  people,  in  752 
(b.  c.  2). 

[It  may  be  regarded  as  near  the  last  mentioned 
date,  that  the  rare  first  brass  coin  was  struck, 
of  which  an  engraving  of  the  portrait  side  is 
placed  at  the  head  of  this  biographical  notice. — 
The  legend  is  CAESAR  AVGVSTVS  DIVI 
Pit  ins,  PATER  PATRIAE.  The  type  presents 
the  laureated  head  of  the  Emperor.  The  altar 
of  Lyon  forms  its  type  of  reverse. — See  Jr  a 
Lugdunensis,  p.  73.] 

The  coins  of  Augustus  are  very  numerous. 
On  the  earliest  of  them  we  read  the  title  of 
mvin.  but  on  those  of  later  date,  its  place  is 
supplied  by  the  names  of  Caius  Ctesar,  Impera- 
tor, Augustus,  Pontifex  Maximus,  Did  Films, 
Pater  Patrue. — Golu  and  silver  of  ordinary  size 
(with  exceptions)  are  common.  A gold  medal- 
lion (sec  sicii..)  fouud  at  Herculaneum,  unique. 
Silver  and  brass  medallions  of  foreign  die,  rare. 
First  and  second  brass  common  (with  reverse  of 
Agrippa,  rare  in  the  7th  degree).  Restored 
second  brass  by  Emperors,  from  Claudius  to 
Trajan,  from  2nd  to  6th  degree  of  rarity. — Sec 
Akerman,  who  observes,  “ towards  the  end  of 
this  emperor’s  reign,  the  gold  and  silver  coins 
arc  very  beautiful,  and  the  standard  is  of  great 
purity.” — Numismatic  Manual,  p.  179. 

“ The  medals  of  this  politic  ruler  (says  Capt. 
Smyth),  are  easily  obtainable,  and  at  a moderate 
price.  Large  brass  ones,  indeed,  with  the  por- 
trait, arc  difficult  to  procure,  and  are  high 
priced  according  to  their  condition  ; but  those 
of  middle  brass  and  silver  are  extremely  com- 
mon ; for  of  the  latter  metal  alone  I have  seen 
at  least  two  hundred  different  reverses.” — p.  5. 

Amongst  the  most  curious  types,  in  the 
fertile  mint  of  Augustus,  are  those  which  re- 
present the  Temple  of  Janus  shut  (ian.  ci.v.)  ; 
the  civic  crown  between  the  talons  of  the  Roman 
eagle  ; the  emperor  himself  in  a quadriga  on  the 
top  of  a triumphal  arch ; the  crocodile  and 
legend  of  egypto  capta,  indicating  the  defeat 
of  Antony  and  Cleopatra;  Apollo  Cytharoedus, 
and  Diana,  in  memory  of  the  battle  of  Actinm, 
where  those  deities  were  worshipped  ; the  Par- 
thians  restoring  the  legionary  ensigns ; the 
Zodiac  sign  of  Capricorn,  under  which  Augustus 
was  born ; the  Apex  between  the  Ancilia ; the 
Roman  eagles  ; the  portrait  of  his  daughter  Livia 
between  the  heads  of  Lucius  and  Caius,  his 
adopted  sons ; the  inscriptive  tribute  to  his  con- 
struction of  public  roads ; his  equestrian  statue, 
&c. — The  medals  struck  after  his  death  and 
apotheosis,  bear  the  title  of  divvs  avgvstvs, 
and  of  divvs  avgvstvs  pater.  The  radiated 
head  is  the  sign  of  his  deification  : it  is  some- 
times accompanied  with  a thunderbolt  and  a 

P 2 


AUGUSTUS.  107 

star.  A middle  brass,  minted  to  his  posthu- 
mous honour,  by  the  Seuate,  exhibits  on  its  re- 
verse the  figure  of  Livia  as  Ceres,  with 'legend 
of  diva  avgvsta.  We  see  him  also  holding  a 
patera,  and  in  a temple.  Ilis  portrait  was  after- 
wards restored  on  coins  struck  by  order  of  Cali- 
gula, Claudius,  and  other  emperors.  The  colo- 
nial coins  of  Augustus,  all  bearing  his  “ image 
and  superscription,”  are  numerous  and  generally 
common,  but  many  of  them  very  interesting. — 

See  divvs  avgvstvs and  divvs  avgvstvs 

pater. 

AVGVST.  CAESAR  PONT.  MAX.  TRI- 
BVNIC.  POT.  Ccesar  Augustus,  Pontifex 
Maximus,  Tribunicid  Potestale.  (The  August 
Ciesar,  Sovereign  Pontiff,  invested  with  the 
Tribunitian  Power).  Laureated  head  of  Augus- 
tus, crowned  by  Victory  from  behind. 

Rev. — M arcus  MAECILIVS  II1VIR.  A uro 
Argento  Acre  F lando  Yeriundo. — (See  p.  1.) 


These  legends  and  types  appear  on  large  brass, 
struck  by  one  of  the  monetary  triumvirs  of 
Octavianus  Ciesar,  after  that  prince  had  accept- 
ed the  title  of  Augustus,  a.  u.  c.  727  (b.  c.  27), 
but  before  he  received  the  appellation  of  Pater 
Patrue,  in  752  (b.  c.  2.) 

Lepidus  having  surrendered  up  his  dignity  as 
Triumvir,  and  M.  Antonius  not  having  long 
survived  his  ruinous  defeat  at  Actium,  Ciesar 
Octavianus  remained  in  sole  possession  of  the 
sovereign  power.  For  this  reason  the  goddess 
of  Victory  is  here  represented  standing  behind 
Augustus,  with  her  right  hand  placing  a crown 
of  laurel  on  his  head. — “ In  fact  (says  Haver- 
camp),  this  man  had  then  attained  so  high 
a degree  of  fortune  and  prosperity,  that  he 
seemed  to  be  elevated  above  the  common  destiny 
of  human  nature.  It  was  under  these  circum- 
stances that  the  Seuate  decided  that  some  mark 
of  honour  and  pre-eminence  should  be  awarded 
to  him ; and  they  chose  the  surname  of  Augus- 
tus, by  which  he  was  thenceforward  called.” 

AVG Vstus  CAESar. — An  altar,  with  legend 
fort.  red.  This  silver  coin  was  struck  in  re- 
membrance of  an  altar  having  been  erected,  on 
the  return  of  the  emperor  to  Rome,  to  Fortuna 
Redux. — (Vaillant,  Pr.  vol.  ii.  p.  27.) 

AVGVSTVS. — A Sphinx  (symbol  of  Egypt.) 
In  memory  of  the  seal  of  Augustus,  on  which 
the  figure  of  that  fabulous  animal,  according  to 
Suetonius,  was  engraved. — This  silver  medallion, 
says  Miounct,  was  struck  in  Asia. — See  Sphinx. 

AVGVSTVS. — Capricorn  and  horn  of  plenty, 
some  with  globe  and  rudder,  others  without. — 
Silver  medallion  ; also  denarii.  There  is  another 


108 


AUGUSTUS. 


denarius  of  this  emperor,  with  same  legend,  the 
reverse  type  representing  a Capricorn,  above 
which  is  'a  female  with  lloating  drapery.— Au- 
gustus was  born  under  the  constellation  Capri - 
coruus : hence  the  frequent  occurrence  of  that 
sign  on  his  coins.  Akerman.  See  Capricorn  us. 

A YG  VST  VS  Tit.  l’OT. An  equestrian  j 

This  sculptural  honour  was  decreed  by  the  1 
Senate  to  Augustus,  iu  commemoration  of  his  i 
munilicence,  in  repairing  the  Via  tlaminia,  I 
a.  u.  c.  731  (b.  c.  23),  when  he  also  accepted 
the  perpetual  Tribunate,  lhese  eveuts  aic  re- 
corded on  silver  coins  bearing  the  above  legend 
and  type.  T,  . - 

AVGVSTVS  TR.  TOT.  VIII.— Head  of 

Augustus. 

pev  — A cippns,  or  milliary  column,  with  this 
inscription:  S.  P.  Q.  R.  IMP.  CAES ari,  QVOD.  i 
Vue  M unil*  Sunt  EX.  EA.  Vecunia  Q uam  IS. 
AL).  kerarium  DE lu/il:  L.  \TN1C1\S,  L.  r.  j 
111  MR  (The  Senate  and  the  Roman  people  | 
to  the  Emperor,  Crcsar,  for  his  having  caused 
the  highways  to  be  repaired  w ith  the  money,  with 
which  lie  had  replenished  the  public  treasury.) 

This  coin  (rare  in  silver,  but  of  the  highest 
rarity  in  gold)  has  reference  to  the  repairs  of 
the  public  roads  throughout  the  empire,  on 
which  Augustus  had  bestowed  great  and  con- 
tinued care,  in  appropriating  to  that  purpose 
the  pecuniary  contributions  which  he  had  levied 
on  conquered  nations.  It  has  also  particular 
allusion  to  his  having  restored  the  Flamiman 
way,  at  his  own  expense.  The  simplicity  of 
this  inscription  is  remarkably  striking;  whilst 
its  meaning  is  perfectly  clear,  without  being 
pompous  or  affected— a merit  seldom  to  be 
ascribed  to  modern  legends. 

AXGXstus  COMM.  CONS. There  is  an 

equally  interesting  specimen  of  Roman  tact  and 
simplicity  in  dedicatory  inscriptions,  exhibited 
on  a denarius  minted  by  L.  Mescinius  Rufus , 
the  same  individual  who  was  Quaestor  to  Cicero 
in  Cilicia  B.  c.  51;  and  who,  from  coins,  appears 
to  have  held  the  office  of  mouctal  triumvir  uuder 
Augustus,  in  the  years  b.  c.  17  and  16. 


On  the  obverse  is  a cippns  with  IMP.  caes. 
avgv.  comm.  cons,  that  is,  Imperator  Caesar 
Augustus  comm  uni  consensu,  and  round  the  cip- 
pus  l.  MtsciNivs  rvpvs  in.  vik.  s.  c.:  on  the  re- 
verse, inclosed  ill  a chaplet  of  oak  leaves,  I.  o.  M.  8. 
P.  Q.  R.  V.  S.  PR.  S.  IMP.  CAES.  QVOD  PER  KV.  R. 
p.  IN  AMP.  ATQ.  TRAN.  S.  E.  that  is,  loti  Optimo 
Maximo  S.  P.  Q.  R.  votnm  susceptum  pro  sat  ale 
Imperatoris  Caesaris,  qtiorl  per  eum  res  pubtica 
in  ampliore  ah/ue  tranqnilliore  statu  est.  This 
interpretation  is  confirmed  by  the  fact  that,  after 
the  defeat  of  Varus  some  years  afterwards,  we 
rend  that  games  were  vowed  by  Augustus  to 


AUGUSTUS. 

Jupiter  Optiiuus  Maximus,  si  respublica  <n 
meliorem  statum  vertisset  (Suet.  Aug.  23.)— 
Ecklicl,  cited  ill  Did.  of  Romau  Riog.  &c.  edited 
by  Dr.  W.  Smith. 

AVGVSTVS,  within  a rostral  crown.— A brass 
mcdnlliou. 

“ Such  were  the  advantages  (observes  ( 1 laver- 
carnp)  which  Octaviauus  gained  from  hi  - deci- 
sive naval  victory  at  Actium,  that  the  Senate 
caused  a medal  to  be  struck,  which,  by  repre- 
senting prows  of  galleys,  interlaced  with  a crown 
of  laiu-el,  should  present  continually  before  the 
public  eye,  in  every  province  of  the  empire,  a 
monument  recalling  the  rcmcmbrauce  of  that 
great,  and  to  him,  glorious  event.  His  new 
name  of  avgvstvs  is  also  seen  enclosed  within 
the  crown;  for  the  obverse  of  this  coin  bears 
simply  the  head  of  Augustus,  bare,  and  without 
! legend. — See  Corona  llostrata. 

AVGVSTVS.  S.  C. — An  cngle  holds  in  his 
i talons  an  oaken  crown,  behind  him  arc  two 
branches  of  laurel  On  the  reverse  of  an  aureus 
1 of  Augustus,  the  obverse  of  which  presents  the 
bare  head  of  that  prince,  with  the  following 
legend : caesar  cos.  vii.  civibvs  servatis. 

Augustus  having  by  his  successes  abroad, 

I guaranteed  the  repose  of  the  empire,  and  having 
1 protected  the  lives  of  the  citizens  of  Rome  by 
: the  rc-establisliment  of  internal  peace  and  tran- 
quillity, the  Senate  ordered  that  laurel  trees 
1 should  be  planted  in  front  of  his  palace,  with  a 
view  to  recall  his  victories  to  remembrance;  and 
1 that  in  the  midst  a crown  of  oak  leaves  should 
1 be  placed,  as  a symbol  of  the  preservation  which 
the  emperor  had  secured  to  the  Roman  people. 
— Sec  Eagle,  for  an  engraving  of  this  reverse. 

AVGVSTVS  AVGVSTA. — On  gold  aud  silver 
coins,  minted  by  Nero,  the  type  of  reverse  re- 
presents the  togated  figure  of 
Augustus,  with  head  radiated, 
standing  with  patera  in  right 
hand,  aud  the  hasta  pura  in 

KS  his  left. Near  him  stands 

Livia  Augusta,  in  the  stola, 
with  veil  thrown  back,  a patera 
iu  right  hand,  aud  a cornu- 
copia; iu  her  left. 

Suetonius,  in  his  life  of  Claudius  (c.  11), 
relates  of  that  Emperor,  that  having  turned  his 
attention  to  otliccs  of  Piety,  lie  instituted  an 
oath  than  which  uoue  was  more  binding  upon, 
nor  more  frequently  used  by  himself,  viz.  by 
Augustus;”  and  that  he  caused  divine  honours 
to  be  also  decreed  to  his  graudmother  Livia 
(wife  of  Augustus).— This  coin  of  Nero  shews 
us,  savs  Vaillant,  (Pr.  ii.  p.  62),  that  he  in 
emulation  of  Claudius,  consecrated  statues  to 
Augustus  and  Livia,  which  in  ret  memoriam  he 
recorded  ou  his  gold  and  silver  mintage.  Eck- 
hcl  (vol.  vi.  260)  reminds  his  readers,  on  Uns 
point,  that  Augustus  and  Livia  arc  figured  on 
other  coins  of  Nero,  not  very  dissimilar  m dress 
and  attributes  to  the  above  example,  but  sitting 
iu  a quadriga  of  Elcphauts. — Sec  Agrippina 
Clnudii.  . , . 

AVGVSTVS  S.  C. — An  eagle  with  expanded 
wings,  resting  on  a crowu  of  oak  leaves,  on  each 


AUGUSTUS. 

side  is  a laurel  branch. — Engraved  in  Caylus’s 
aiirei  of  Augustus. 

In  Dion  Cassius  (t.  liii.  $ 1G)  there  is  a passage, 
which  lucidly  explains  this  reverse.  A decree, 
says  that  historian,  was  made  this  year  (u.  c. 
727,  B.  c.  27)  “ that  laurels  should  he  planted 
in  front  of  Augustus’s  house  on  the  Palatine, 
aud  a crown  of  oak  suspended  from  the  top  of 
the  house,  as  though  he  had  been  the  ‘ perpe- 
tual conqueror  of  the  enemies  (of  Rome)’  and 
‘the  preserver  of  citizens  (Civium  Servator).”’ 
— The  letters  s.  c.  observes  Ecklvel  (vol.  vi. 
p.  88),  were  added  on  this  gold  coin  to  shew 
that  Caesar  had,  in  the  above  mentioned  year, 
been  called  Augustus  by  a decree  of  the  Senate, 
aud  also  that  the  oaken  crown,  and  the  laurels 
were  voted  to  him  by  the  same  lawful  authority. 
The  expression  of  Pliny  (l.  xvi.  § 3),  likewise 
throws  light  on  this  legend  and  type,  viz.  that 
Augustus,  after  putting  an  end  to  the  civil 
wars,  accepted  for  himself  a civic  crown  in  re- 
compense from  the  whole  race  of  mankind — 
(genere  humauo.) — See  Eagle. 

SS  Gust  us  D1VI.  F. — A crescent  with  seveu 
stars — imp.  X.  in  the  field. 

This  rare  denariu.,  minted  under  Augustus 
relates  to  the  war  which  Tiberius  brought  to  a 
triumphant  conclusion  in  Pannonia  On  this 
Augustus  is  called  Impcrator  X. — Vaillaut  sub- 
mits whether  it  was  not  in  that  year  that  Augus- 
tus regulated  the  days  of  the  year,  to  which 
these  stars  seem  to  allude. — Engraved  in  Morel 
aud  King. 

AYG usliis  SVF.  ( Suffiutenla,  Populo.) — Gold 
of  Augustus. — The  emperor  seated  on  au  cstrade, 
distributing  the  prizes  of  the  secular  games  to 
two  figures,  standing  before  him.  On  the  ground 
is  a basket.  On  the  estrade  we  read  lvd.  s.  (Liidi 
Seculares)  celebrated . i).  c.  17.  See  the  svf. 
P.  D.  ( Suffimentum  Populo  Datum)  of  Domitiau, 
minted  on  a like  occasion. 

Of  this  gold  coin,  struck  by  L.  mescinivs, 
one  of  the  mint  masters  of  Augustus,  Mioimet, 
who  has  valued  it  at  300  fr.  has  given  a beautiful 
engraving. — Sec  Ilarete  des  Medaitles  Ptomaines , 
&c.  T.  i.  p.  110. 

AVGVSTVS  D1VI  F.  Equestrian  statue  of 
Augustus. — Rev.  p.  stolo.  iiivir. — The  apex 
between  two  bucklers. — Sec  Anci/ia,  p.  43. 

This  rare  and  beautiful  denarius  refers  (says 
Yaillant,  Pr.  hupp.  Rom.  ii.  25),  to  the  statue 
erected  in  honour  of  Augustus,  in  the  month  of 
March,  when  the  Salian  solemnities  were  cele- 
brated. 

On  various  coins  of  Augustus,  both  silver  and 
gold,  he  is  styled  CAESAR  divi.  f.  (Caesar  sou 
of  the  Divine  Julius.)  One  of  these  reverses 
bears  the  type  of  an  equestrian  statue. — Accord- 
ing to  Dion  (quoted  by  Yaillant)  Augustus,  after 
his  return  from  Syria,  in  the  year  u.  c.  735, 
(b.  c.  19,)  entered  Rome  on  horseback,  taking 
the  honours  of  the  ovation,  for  Roman  successes. 
Another  with  the  same  legend,  has  for  its  de- 
vice a triumphal  quadriga.  On  his  bringing  to 
a termination  the  Sicilian  war,  arche3,  statues, 
and  triumphal  cars  were,  by  universal  and  cu-  j 
thusiastic  consent,  decreed  to  Augustus  Caesar,  | 


AUGUSTUS.  109 

by  the  Senate  and  the  Roman  people.  (Dion, 
quoted  by  Vaillant.)  A gold  coin  of  the  same 
reign,  with  the  same  legend,  and  Victory  in  a 
biga,  refers  to  the  Circcnsian  games  given  by 
Augustus. — See  Morel’s,  King’s,  aud  Caylus’s 
plates. 

AVGVSTVS  PATER  PATRIAE.— Sec  Pater 
Patria. 

AVGVSTVS  GERMANICVS. — On  an  aureus 
of  Nero,  bearing  this  legend  011  its  reverse,  the 
type  represents  a male  figure  standing,  habited 
in  the  toga,  his  head  surrounded  with  rays, 
holding  in  his  right  hand  a branch,  aud  in  liis 
left  a small  victory  on  a globe.  The  obverse 
exhibits  nero  Caesar,  and  a laureated  head. 

This  gold  coin  has  given 
rise  to  very  opposite  inter- 
pretations amongst  numis- 
matic antiquaries.  Occo  con- 
siders this  figure  to  represent 
the  Emperor  Claudius,  by 
whom,  to  the  prejudice  of 
Britannicus,  Nero  was  adopt- 
ed. Vaillant  (Pr.  ii.  p.  63)  concurs  in  this  sup- 
position, and  points  to  the  radiated  bead  as  in- 
dicating the  apotheosis  of  Claudius. — Tristan 
(vol.  i p.  211)  who  has  copiously  treated  of  this 
coin,  differs  from  the  above  writers.  After  judi- 
ciously observing,  that  the  legends  on  both  sides 
of  this  aureus  arc  to  be  taken  in  connection  w ith 
each  other  viz.  nero  caesar — avgvstvs  ger- 
ma  xi evs — and  that  the  epithet,  or  surname  of 
Germanicus,  both  in  history  and  on  coins,  w as 
given  to  Nero  as  well  as  Claudius,  he  decidedly 
pronounces  that  the  radiated  image  is  meant  for 
that  of  Nero  himself.  Tristan  is  moreover  of 
opinion  that  Nero  w'as  distinguished  by  the 
corona  radiata,  because  he  was  ambitious  to 
rival  Apollo ; and  indeed  even  Seneca,  in  his 
Apocolocyntosis,  compares  him  to  that  deity, 
both  in  form,  as  of  the  rising  sun,  and  in  his 
vocal  powers.  After  such  gross  flattery  on  the 
part  of  his  preceptor,  it  seems  but  a natural  con- 
sequence that  this  spoiled  child  of  a prince  shoidd 
have  appointed  five  thousand  praetorian  soldiers 
to  accompany  him  to  the  theatre,  and  who  used, 
when  he  sang,  to  shout — “ 0 beautiful  Casar — 
0 Apollo — 0 thou  Pythias,  See.” 

Eckhcl  (vi.  p.  269),  expresses  his  agree- 
ment with  Tristan,  as  to  the  type  in  question 
being  an  indication  that  a statue  of  similar  cha- 
racter had  been  erected  in  honour  of  Nero ; 
aud  he  remarks,  that  it  is  the  first  instance  of  a 
radiated  crown  appearing  on  the  head  of  a living 
emperor,  though  from  that  time  it  very  fre- 
quently occurs  on  the  obverses  of  Nero’s  coius, 
in  second  brass. — The  learned  author  of  Doctrina 
goes  on,  however,  to  say  that  he  does  not  re- 
gard this  distinction  of  crowning  with  rays,  as 
conferred  upon  Nero,  either  from  an  admiration 
of  his  person,  or  through  the  extravagant  lan- 
guage of  the  theatres. — “ For  why  (he  asks), 
does  not  the  radiated  crown  appear  on  those 
coins,  on  which  Nero  is  typified  as  moving  in 
the  full  costume  of  Apollo  the  harp-player 
(Cilharoedus)  ? Arc  we  to  imagine  that  Ves- 
pasian also,  and  Antoninus  Pius,  and  M.  Aurc- 


110  AUGUSTUS. 


AVITUS. 


lius,  were  desirous  of  being  thought  beautiful, 
and  good  musicians,  because  they  too  appear 
with  radiated  heads  ? or  that  those  renowned, 
and  honourable  princes  coveted  for  themselves 
an  honour,  which  Nero,  whose  memory  they 
abhorred,  had  acquired  with  so  unworthy  a mo- 
tive? We  must  conclude  then,  that  it  was  the 
pleasure  of  Nero,  the  vainest  of  men,  to  be  con- 
sidered as  a deity — of  which  honour,  or  at  any 
rate  of  a divine  lineage,  the  radiated  crown  was 
the  invariable  symbol,  as  well  amongst  the  Ro- 
mans as  the  Greeks. — To  Julius  Caesar,  after  his 
victory  over  the  Pompeys  iu  Spain,  a radiated 
crown  was  (according  to  Flavus)  decreed  in  the 
theatre,  amongst  other  honours  obviously  of  a 
divine  character. — Augustus  is  represented,  with 
radiated  head,  on  many  coins,  struck  after  his 
death.  And  long  before  that  period,  Antiochus 
IV.,  king  of  Syria,  was  exhibited  with  this  or- 
nament ; indeed  he  went  so  far  as  to  cause  him- 
self to  be  reverenced  as  a deity,  by  the  inscrip- 
tion, on  his  coins,  of  the  word  0EOT. — The 
emperors  who  succeeded  Nero,  cannot  be  said, 
so  much  to  have  sought  divine  honours,  as  to 
have  shewn  no  repugnance,  when  any  distinction, 
above  the  lot  of  man,  was  conferred  upon  them, 
by  which  they  might  inspire  the  people  with 
veneration,  and  a kind  of  superstitious  awe. — A 
convincing  proof  of  this  is  to  be  found  in  the 
fact,  that  the  heads  of  the  Augusts , in  the  gold 
and  silver  coinage,  (which  was  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Emperors)  are  without  exception  des- 
titute of  the  radiated  crown,  up  to  the  time  of 
Caraealla,  who  first  introduced  it,  more  fre- 
quently and  promiscuously'  on  his  silver  coins. — 
On  the  other  hand,  this  radiated  type  constantly 
occurs  on  brass  coins,  especially  of  the  second 
size ; but,  as  it  is  well  known,  the  care  of  this 
coinage  devolved  on  the  senate,  whose  flattery 
of  the  Emperors  was  thoroughly  appreciated 
and  acquiesced  iu  by  them. — Eckhel’s  remarks 
on  the  divinity  ascribed  to  Nero  are  admirably 
illustrated  from  the  following  passage,  which  he 
cites  from  Tacitus  (Ann.  xv.  74): — “Ccrealis 
Anicius,  the  consul  elect,  moved  a resolution, 
that  a temple  be  erected  as  soon  as  possible,  at 
the  public  cost,  in  honour  of  divvs  nero.” 
Although,  as  he  afterwards  adds,  “ the  honours 
of  the  Gods  are  not  bestowed  on  a prince,  till 
he  has  ceased  to  live  amongst  mortals.” — See 
Corona  radiata. 

Augustus  Divus. — The  emperor  Augustus  had 
divine  honours  paid  him  during  his  life  time,  in 
the  provinces ; but  not  at  Rome,  nor  in  any 
other  part  of  Italy. — See  divvs  avgvstvs. 

Augustus  Iterum. — Hadrian  is  thus  called  on 
a coin  of  Mcsembria  in  Thrace,  preserved  in  the 
Imperial  Museum  at  Vienna. — See  Bocl.  Num. 
I'd.  VoL  v i i i . 339. 

Augustus  Semper. — Isidorus  Ilispalcnsis  has 
remarked  that  “ Augustus' ’ was,  among  the 
Romans,  a title  designative  of  Empire,  because 
the  Emperors,  in  the  earlier  times,  were  accus- 
tomed to  “ increase  the  extent  of  the  common- 
wealth.” From  this  circumstance  no  doubt  (adds 
Eckhel)  arose  the  title  of  Semper  Augustus. 

Augustus  Perpetuus. — See  perp.  avg. 


AVIS. — A particular  bird  was  assigned  to  cer- 
tain gods  and  goddesses — as  the  eagle  to  Jupiter, 
the  cock  to  Mars,  the  owl  to  Minerva,  the  pea- 
cock to  J uno.  Thus  also  the  dove  was  the  sym- 
bol of  conjugal  concord,  as  the  stork  was  of  filial 
piety. 

AVES. — Birds  appear  on  coins  of  Julius 
Caesar,  Augustus,  Mark  Antony,  Titus,  both 
the  Faustinas,  Commodus,  and  Volusianus,  &c. 
A bird,  with  the  hclmcted  head  of  a woman, 
haring  a shield  at  its  left  side,  and  armed  with 
two  spears,  is  found  on  a denarius  of  the  Valeria 
gens. 

A.  or  AVL.  VITELL. — A ulus  Vitellius. 

AVITUS  (Marcus  Mcecilius). — A native  of 
that  part  of  southern  Gaul  now  called  Aquitaine, 
descended  from  a noble  family,  and  reckoning 
Patricians  and  Senators  amongst  his  ancestors, 
he  became,  in  consequence  of  his  military  ex- 
ploits and  high  reputation,  Praetorian  prefect  in 
Gaul  under  Valcntinian  III.  (a.  d.  425),  and  af- 
terwards general  of  cavalry',  under  Petronius 
Maximus. — He  was  proclaimed  Augustus  at 
Arles,  and  his  election  confirmed  by  the  senate 
aud  people  of  Rome,  a.u.c.  1208  (a.d.  455). — 
His  title  of  Emperor  of  the  West  was  at  the 
same  time  recognised  by  Marcianos,  who  be- 
came Emperor  of  the  East,  in  marrying  Pulche- 
ria,  sister  of  Theodosius  II. — After  a reign  of 
14  months  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  Ricimer, 
a.d.  436,  one  of  his  own  generals;  and  being 
compelled  to  abdicate  the  government,  he  enter- 
ed into  ecclesiastical  orders,  and  receiving  con- 
secration as  Bishop  of  Placentia,  died  soon  after- 
wards. His  coins  of  each  metal  are  very  rare. 


A gold  coin  of  Avitus,  in  the  British  Museum, 
exhibits  on  the  obverse  the  head  of  the  emperor, 
wearing  the  diadem  ornamented  with  pearls,  and 
surrounded  with  the  legend  D.  N.  avitvs  perp. 
f.  avg. — and  on  the  reverse,  victoria  avggg. 
A military  figure,  his  left  foot  planted  on  a pros- 
trate captive ; a cross  in  his  right  hand,  and  a 
globe  surmouutcd  by  a victoriola  in  his  left.  In 
the  field  a.  r. — In  the  exergue  comob. — Mion- 
nct  gives  from  the  cabinet  of  M.  Gosselin, 
another  aureus  of  this  prince,  which  as  well  as 
the  one  published  by  Banduri,  has  for  the  legend 
of  reverse  vrbis  (sic) ItIsona,  the  type  Roma 
Victrix  seated. — On  other  coins  he  is  styled  D.N. 
avitiivs.  p.  f.  avg.  and  m.  maf.cll  avitvs  (or 

AVITIIVS  P.  F.  AVG. 

AVR.  Aurelius,  name  of  the  Aurelia  family, 
and  of  several  of  the  Emperors. 

AVR.  Aureum, — See  saec.  avr.  Seculum 
Aureum,  on  a gold  coin  of  Hadrian. 

AURELIA  gens  plebeia ; of  Sabine  origin, 
noted  for  having  produced  very  eminent  men — 


AURELIANUS. 

men  on  whom  were  conferred  the  highest  offices 
of  the  State.  According  to  Festus,  this  family 
was  so  called  from  the  Sun : because  the  Roman 
people  publicly  granted  it  a place,  in  which  sacri- 
fices might  be  performed  to  the  Sun.  It  was  dis- 
tinguished by  the  prenomina  of  Cains,  Lucius, 
Marcus;  and  by  the  cognomina  of  Cotta,  Rufus, 
Scaurus,  both  on  coins  and  by  ancient  writers. 
The  Aurelia  gens  often  enjoyed  the  honours 
of  the  Consulate,  of  the  Censorship,  and  of  the 
Triumph,  in  the  times  of  the  Commonwealth, 
and  was  afterwards  associated  with  monarchical 
dignity  in  the  persons  of  several  of  the  Emperors. 
Mionnet,  out  of  17  varieties  (from  Morel)  gives 
the  following  as  a rarity,  in  silver  : 


cota.  Winged  head  of  Pallas:  behind  X 
(mark  of  the  denarius.) 

Rev. — m.  avreli.  Hercules  in  a car  drawn 
by  two  centaurs,  each  holding  a branch  of  a 
tree ; below  roma. 

Eckhel  says,  “ I prefer  confessing  my  ignor- 
ance of  the  meaning  of  the  singular  type  ex- 
hibited on  the  reverse  of  this  coin,  rather  than 
avail  myself  of  such  irrelevant  matter,  as  that 
with  which  some  learned  men  have  endeavoured 
to  explain  it;  an  instance  of  which  may  be  found 
in  Spauheim.  One  circumstance  only,  am  I 
inclined  to  bring  forward;  viz.  that  a similar  type 
exists  on  a Greek  medal,  with  the  inscription 
orpE.  (which  I ascribe  to  Horreus  of  Epirus) ; 
on  which  we  see  on  one  side  the  head  of  Her- 
cules, and  on  the  other  a centaur  running,  bear- 
ing a branch  covered  with  berries. — Rod.  Num. 
Vet.  vol.  v.  p.  147.) — See  Centaur — also  Mars. 

AURELIANA,  or  Aurelianorum  Civitas, 
now  Orleans  in  France.  A coin  attributed  to 
this  colony  is  engraved  in  the  Pembroke  col- 
lection (iii.  tab.  91,  fig.  5),  with  bare  head  of  a 
woman,  and  metal,  avrelianvs,  within  a 
crown. — Rasche. 

AURELIANUS  (Lucius  Claudius  Romitius), 
born  of  an  obscure  family,  at  Sirmium,  in 
Pannonia,  or  in  Dacia  Ripensis,  about  the  year 
of  Rome  960  (a.  d.  207).  A man  of  sagacity, 
valour,  and  talent,  severe  even  to  cruelty,  he 
distinguished  himself  in  Gaul,  under  Gordianus 
Pius  (a.  d.  241),  agaiust  the  Sarmatians.  He 
rose  to  be  gcucral  of  the  cavalry,  in  the  army  of 
Claudius  Gothicus  ; and,  with  the  consent  of  all 
the  legions,  was  proclaimed  Emperor  in  Pan- 
nonia, after  the  death  of  that  prince  1023 
(a.  d.  270).  He  embellished  Rome;  and  re-built 
the  temple  of  the  Sun,  of  which  his  wife  was 
priestess.  The  Goths,  Germans,  and  other 
northern  tribes  who  assailed  the  empire,  having 
deluged  Italy  with  their  myriads,  defeated  Aure- 
lian  at  Placentia.  But  he  avenged  himself 
promptly  by  three  victories,  and  the  result  was 


AURELIANUS.  Ill 

peace  with  the  vanquished  barbarians.  He  also 
recovered  Gaul  and  Spain  out  of  the  hands  of 
the  elder  Tetricus.  Scarcely,  however,  had  he 
placed  Rome  in  a state  of  security  by  repairing 
and  fortifying  the  walls  (one  of  which,  com- 
menced A.  D.  271,  bears  his  name  and  exists  to 
this  day),  when  the  war  against  Zenobia  called 
him  into  the  East ; and  that  ambitious  and 
heroic  Queen,  widow  of  Odenathus,  Prince  of 
Palmyra,  defended  her  dominions  with  a coiu'age 
and  conduct  truly  masculine.  At  length  her 
magnificent  capital,  after  a long  siege,  reduced 
to  extremities  by  famine,  surrendered  to  the 
Roman  arms  a.  u.  c.  1025  (a.  d.  272).  And 
Zenobia,  after  a fruitless  attempt  to  escape,  was 
brought  as  a prisoner  to  Rome,  where  she,  toge- 
ther with  Tetricus,  graced  the  triumph  of  the 
victorious  emperor,  a.  n.  273. — Palmyra  de- 
stroyed and  Egypt  subdued,  Aurelian  endeavoured 
at  Rome  to  gain  the  affections  of  a lazy  and 
insolent  populace,  by  his  liberalities,  which  were 
of  the  most  prodigal  kind.  But,  in  caressing 
the  multitude,  he  still  maintained  order  and 
justice,  and  was  inexorable  against  crime,  his 
punishment  of  which  was  sometimes  carried  to 
a dreadful  extreme,  as  in  the  case  of  the  monetal 
forgers,  u.  c.  1027  (a.d.  274.)  His  prudence 
dictated  to  him  the  abandonment  of  Dacia  (the 
conquest  of  Trajan),  situated  beyond  the  Danube, 
which  river  then  became  the  barrier  of  the 
empire.  On  his  march  against  the  Persians, 
whose  King,  Sapor,  had  begun  the  hostilities, 
he  was  assassinated  between  Byzantium  and 
Heraclea,  a.  d.  275,  by  some  of  his  generals 
(deceived  by  the  treachery  of  his  freedman  and 
secretary  Mnesteus),  after  reigning  four  years 
and  nine  months. 


Aurelian  is  represented  on  his  coins,  some- 
times laureated,  sometimes  radiated,  after  the 
usual  manner  of  the  Roman  Emperors ; at  other 
times  crowned  with  the  diadem,  according  to 
the  fashion  of  eastern  kings. — Victor  says  of 
him,  “ Primus  apud  Romanos  diadematem  capiti 
innexuit ” — and  Jornandcs  (quoted  by  Oisclius), 
says,  “ Is  primus  gemmas  vestibus,  calceamen- 
tisque  inseruit,  diadematemque  in  capite.” 

On  the  Latin  coins  of  this  emperor  he  is 
styled,  avrelianvs  avg. — imp.  c.  avrelianvs 

AVG. — IMP.  C.  L.  DOJI.  AVRELIANVS  AVG. IMP. 

CAES.  DOM.  AVRELIANVS  AVG. — IJIP.  C.  AVRE- 
LIANVS INVICTVS  AVG. — DEO  ET  DOMINO  NATO 
AVRELIANO  AVG. — DEO  £t  DOMINO  NOSTRO,  &C. 

Thus  we  see,  by  the  last  of  these  titles,  that 
“ this  humble  Pannonian  peasant  was  the  first 
of  the  Roman  princes  who  openly  assumed  the 
regal  diadem,  and  now  for  the  first  time  we  read 
on  medals  struck  [at  Rome]  during  the  life  time 
of  an  emperor,  the  arrogant  and  impious  titles 


112  AURELIUS, 

of  Domin' vs  et  Devs.” — See  Dictionary  of 
Greek  and  Homan  Biography  and  Mythology, 
vol.  i.  436.  . 

Aurelian’s  money  is  numerous.  The  gold  is 
of  the  second  and  fourth  degree  of  rarity.  Base 
silver  also  rare.  The  brass,  with  exceptional  in- 
stances, is  very  common.  Some  pieces  represent 
him  with  Ulpia  Sevcrina,  his  wife;  and  others 
with  Vahalathvs  Athenodoms.  On  some  of  his 
medals,  the  entire  host  appears,  and  shews  this 
warlike  prince  with  spear  on  right  shoulder  and 
shield  on  left  arm. 

Amongst  the  rarest  types  of  reverse  are  the 
following : — 

Gold  Medallions,  advent  vs  avg.  Emperor 
on  horseback,  with  lance  reversed.  [This,  by 
far  the  rarest  medallion  of  the  Aurelian  mint, 
and  in  extremely  fine  preservation,  brought  £20 
at  the  sale  of  "the  Thomas  collection,  in  1844. 
The  same  type  is  engraved  in  Akcrman,  Descr. 
Cat.  ii.  pi.  i.  p.  91].— Gold.  p.  m.  tr.  p.  vn. 
cos.  ii.  pp.  Mars  carrying  a trophy.  [See  the 
preceding  cut.  A well-preserved  specimen  of  this 
fine  type,  at  the  Thomas  sale,  brought  £5  7s. 
6d.] — — providenti a DEORVM.  Providence  and 

the  Sun. Third  Brass,  pietas  avg.  Two 

figures  sacrificing. — restitvt  okbis.  The  Em- 
peror crowned  by  a female  figure ; with  invic- 
tvs  on  the  obverse. — deo  et  domino  nato 
avreliano  avg.  Head  of  Aurelian. — Rev.  re- 
stitvt. ORRIS. 

AVRELIANVS  AVG.  CONS.  (Angusti  Con- 
servator).— A rare  second  brass.  The  Emperor 
in  a military  habit,  before  a lighted  altar,  holding 
a patera  in  his  right,  and  a sceptre  in  his  left 
hand. — There  is  a fine  brass  medallion,  minted 
under  the  same  Augustus,  corresponding  in  le- 
gend and  type  with  the  above,  except  that  the 
imperial  sacrificcr  is  habited  in  the  toga. — Sec 
it  engraved  in  the  Mas.  Pisani,  tad.  Lxxii. 

Aurelian  testified  in  various  ways  his  par- 
ticular devotion  to  the  Sun,  to  whom  on  this 
medal  he  is  represented  in  the  act  of  sacrificing; 
and  upon  whose  deityship  he  here  bestows  the 
title  of  his  preserver. — See  Spanheim’s  Cicsars, 
p.  189— see  also  sol.,  dominvs  imperi.  romani, 
aud  sou.  invicto. — the  rarest  secoud  brass  of 
this  Emperor. 


AURELIUS — (Marcus  Axxius  Veres)  sou 
of  Anuius  Vents,  the  p net  or,  and  of  Doinitia 
Calvilla,  born  at  Rome,  in  the  year  of  the  city 
S74  aud  of  Christ  121.  After  "the  death  of  his 


AURELIUS. 

father  (who  was  brother  to  the  wife  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius),  he  received  from  Hadrian  the  ap- 
pellation of  M.  Annius  Vcrissimus.  At  the 
early  age  of  15  years,  he  was  permitted  to  as- 
sume the  toga  virilis.  Adopted  by  Antoninus 
Pius  at  the  time  when  Hadrian  adopted  Anto- 
ninus, he  was  named  in  the  year  U.  c.  891  (a.d. 
138),  Cirsar  aud  Consul  ; aud  from  that  period 
was  called  M.  -Elius  Aurelius.  After  having 
been  declared  Consid  for  the  second  time,  he 
married  (a.  d.  145)  Annia  Faustina,  daughter 
of  Antoninus  Pius  and  of  Faustina  senior,  a 
woman  infamous  for  her  adulteries,  but  a skillul 
dissembler  with  her  husband.  In  A.  V.  c.  900 
(a.  d.  147),  he  was  invested  with  the  Tribuni- 
tiau  power.  At  the  death  of  Antoninus,  u.  c. 
914  (a.  d.  161),  he  succeeded  to  the  empire, 
being  proclaimed  by  the  Senators,  in  conjunction 
with  Verus,  his  adopted  brother,  whom  he 
generously  took  for  his  colleague.  Aud  thus, 
for  the  first  time,  Rome  saw  herself  governed 
by  two  Angusti  et  Imperalores,  sharing  with 
each  other  the  supreme  authority  of  the  state, 
to  exercise  it  iu  common.  It  was  then  (a.  d. 
161)  that  lie  took  the  names  M.  Aurelius  An- 
toninus, thereby  markiug  his  transit  from  the 
Annia  to  the  Aurelia  family.  From  a.  d.  162 
to  165,  he  defeated  and  brought  to  submission 
the  Parthians,  the  Medes,  and  the  Armenians. 
In  a.  d.  166,  he  participated  with  Verus,  in  the 
honours  of  the  triumph,  at  Home,  for  these 
victories.  From  A.  u C.  920  (a.  l).  1 67),  1° 
927  (a.  d.  174),  Aurelius  was  engaged  in  re- 
pelling the  destructive  inroads  of  the  Marco- 
manui,  the  Quadi,  the  Sarmatians,  aud  almost 
all  the  nations  inhabiting  the  north  of  Europe, 
banded  together  during  that  period  iu  a formid- 
able league  against  the  Romans.  Making  bind 
against  this  furious  storm,  he  saved  the  empire 
by  the  firmness  of  his  character  and  the  w isdom 
of  his  measures,  by  his  indefatigable  zeal  and 
undaunted  courage  in  the  midst  of  dangers. — 
About  a.  ii.  177,  he  received  the  title  of  p.  p. 
(Pater  Pat  rite.)  Meanwhile  the  whole  of  Italy 
and  nearly  all  the  provinces,  were  desolated  by 
a most  ilrendfid  pestilence,  which  the  troops  of 
Verus  had  brought  with  them  from  the  east. — 
That  debauched  young  prince  himself  fell  n vic- 
tim to  his  excesses  iu  a.  d.  169.  After  subdu- 
j ing  a rebellion  in  Germany,  suppressing  a re- 
volt of  the  Britons,  qnelliug  the  insurrection  of 
Avidius  Cassius  in  Italy,  and  triumphing  over 
most  of  his  enemies,  this  renowned  emperor 
terminated  his  eventful  career,  iu  a renewed  war 
with  the  Marcomunni  and  their  barbaric  allies; 
dying  at  Vindobona,  in  Panuonin  (now  Vienna, 
in  Austria),  according  to  some ; or  at  Sirmiuin 
j (now  Sirmich,  Austria),  according  to  others,  in 
the  year  of  Rome  933  (a.d.  180),  in  the  59th 
j of  liis  age,  and  19th  of  his  reign. — He  had  by 
Faustina  the  younger,  Commodus  and  Lncilla, 
also  four  sons  and  three  daughters  who  died  in 
their  infancy. 

Aurelius,  no  less  celebrated  for  his  literary 
accomplishments,  than  for  his  military  exploits, 
is  usually  distinguished  by  the  name  of  ‘‘the 
I Philosopher,”  in  consequence  of  his  attachment 


AURELIUS. 

to  the  system  of  the  Stoics.  Bat  neither  coins 
nor  marbles  hand  down  any  inscriptions  that 
assign  to  him  this  particular  .addition,  however 
due  to  his  learning  and  to  his  gravity  of  deport- 
ment. In  public  spirited  disinterestedness  and 
for  irreproachable  morals,  he  equalled,  perhaps 
excelled,  the  best  of  his  imperial  predecessors, 
and  successors  too.  'When,  in  a calamitous 
struggle  with  invading  myriads  from  the  northern 
hive  of  nations,  the  public  treasury  became  emp- 
tied, and  fresh  supplies  of  money  were  required 
to  carry  on  the  war,  this  illustrious  prince 
brought  to  auction  in  the  Forum  Trajani , all  the 
ornaments  and  furniture  of  his  palace,  generously 
parting  with  his  private  fortune  rather  than  in- 
crease the  pressure  of  provincial  taxation.  But 
Marcus  Aurelius,  wise  and  honest  as  he  was, 
had  nevertheless  his  weaknesses  and  his  faults, 
amongst  which  must  be  noticed  the  dignities 
which  he  lavished  on  an  openly  abandoned 
wife,  and  the  premature  honours  which  he  con- 
ferred on  his  monster  of  a son.  The  most 
grievous  blot,  however,  which  his  just  and  mer- 
ciful characteristics  sustained,  was  in  the  cruel- 
ties, which,  if  he  did  not  actually  encourage,  he 
too  readily  permitted,  to  be  exercised  against 
the  Christians,  and  which  wrcre  carried  to  such 
a height,  that  under  his  reign  are  chronologi- 
cally placed  the  horrors  of  the  fourth  persecu- 
tion. Yet  “taking  Mm  for  all  in  all” — looking 
to  the  correctness  of  his  habits,  the  simplicity 
of  his  manners,  the  liberality  of  his  natural 
disposition,  as  evinced  in  his  written  medita- 
tions, and  practically  exemplified  in  his  conduct 
through  life,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that 
his  memory  was  long  revered  by  posterity,  or 
that  more  than  a century  after  his  death,  many 
persons  preserved  his  image  amongst  those  of 
their  tutelary  deities. 

[The  wood  cut,  at  the  head  of  this  notice,  is 
from  the  obverse  of  a brass  medallion  iu  the 
French  cabinet.  With  the  legend  M.  axtoxi- 
xvs  avg.  tb.  p.  xxviii.  it  exhibits  a striking 
portrait,  of  finished  workmanship.  In  mature 
age,  the  emperor" retains  a full  head  of  hair,  to 
which  the  laurel  crown  is  a conspicuous  orna- 
ment ; the  beard  is  luxuriant,  even  to  shaggi- 
ness ; his  shoulders  arc  covered  with  the  impe- 
rial laticlavum,  clasped  with  a tibula  to  the  right 
shoulder.] 

The  coins  of  Aurelius  are  very  numerous.  The 
gold  common,  except  some  of  second  degree  of 
rarity. — Silver  common,  except  some  of  fifth 
degree  of  rarity. — Brass  common,  except  some  of 
eighth  degree  of  rarity. — There  are  pieces  which 
represent  him  with  Antoninus,  Faustina  junior, 
Lucius  Verus,  and  Commodus.— On  these  medals 
he  is  styled AVRELIYS  CAESAR.— AYRE- 
LIYS  CAESAR  AVG usti  PII  YlLius  (with 
the  voung  head).— M.  AVRELIYS  ANTONI- 
N VS—  IMP.  CAES.  M.  AVREL.  ANTONI- 
NVS. — M.  ANTONINVS  AYGVSTYS.— Also 
with  the  surnames  of  ARMENIAGVS,  PAR- 
THICVS,  MAXIMVS— MEDICVS  (the  Me- 
dian); GERMANICVS,  and  SARMATICVS. 
— On  h's  consecration  medals  appear,  DIVVS 
M.  ANTONINVS,  and  DIVVS  M.  ANTONI- 


AURELIUS.  113 

NVS  PIVS. — Thus  it  appears  that  on  several  of 
his  coins  the  name  of  Aurelius  is  omitted. 

AVRELIVS  CAESAR,  ANTONINI  AVG. 
PII  Yi/ius.  (Aurelius  Caesar,  son  of  Antoninus, 
the  August  and  the  Pius.) 


On  the  obverse  of  a large  brass,  bearing  the 
above  legend,  appears  the  bare  head  of  the 
youthful  Marcus  Aurelius,  with  curly  hair,  ado- 
lescent beard,  and  a countenance  of  which  the 
expression  (as  the  above  engraving  testifies)  is 
open  and  pleasing.  This  com  was  struck  a 
short  time  previous  to  the  year  a.  n.  140,  in 
which  Antoninus,  having  giveu  Aurelius  his 
daughter  Faustina  in  marriage,  advanced  the 
young  Cscsar  to  the  consulate. 

Amongst  the  rarest  and  most  remarkable 
legends  and  types,  on  reverses  in  the  coinage  of 
this  emperor,  are  the  following,  viz. : — 

Gold  and  Silver. — commodvs  c.esar.  Young 
head. — coxsecratio.  Funeral  pile. — cos.  n. 

Emperor  in  a quadriga. DE  germ.  Heap 

of  arms. — DE  sarm.  Do. — imp.  vi.  cos.  hi. 
Emperor  on  horseback. — imp.  vii.  cos.  Do. — 
imp.  vi.  cos.  hi.  Emperor  crowned  by  Victory. 
— PIET  AS  avg.  Sacrificial  instruments. — reltg. 
avg.  Mercury. — tr.  pot.  xv.  cos.  hi.  Em- 
peror in  quadriga — (Cabinet  de  Gosselin). — vie. 
par.  Victory  is  inscribing  on  a buckler. — vota 
pubmca.  Two  figures  standing  with  joined 
hands,  Concord  in  the  midst. 

Brass  Medallions. — adlocvtio.  One  of  the 
figures  holds  a horse  by  the  bridle. — ad  vent  vs 
avg.  Emperor  walking  towards  a triumphal 
arch. — imp.  vii.  cos.  in.  Jupiter  Tonans  and  a 
Titan. — imp.  viii.  cos.  iii.  Aurelius  and  Verus 
in  a triumphal  car. — profectio  avg.  s.  c.  Two 
horsemen  and  two  foot  soldiers. — profectio 
avg.  cos.  hi.  Emperor  on  horseback,  and  four 
foot  soldiers. — temporvm  felicitas.  Hercules 
in  a car  drawn  by  four  centaurs. — TR.  P.  xxn. 
Jupiter,  standing,  between  two  small  figures 
clothed  in  the  toga.— vict.  parthicae.  On  a 
shield  supported  by  two  Victories. — vota  pvb  ■ 
lica.  A grand  sacrificial  group. — Without  le- 
gend. Minerva  and  Vulcan. — Without  legend. 
Neptune  and  Ceres. — Without  legend.  Impe- 
rator  eques. 

First  Brass. — cong.  avg.  iii.  Aurelius  and 
Verus  distributing  their  third  congiarium. — 
coxsecratio.  Carpentum  and  four  elephants. — 
diva  favstixa.  Head  of  the  Empress. — nivvs 
vervs.  Bare  head  of  Verus. — piiopvgxatori 
imp.  viii.  cos.  iii.  Jupiter  hurling  the  fulmen 

at  a prostrated  figure. providextia  avg. 

Type  of  an  Allocution. — relig.  avg.  A figure 


114  AUREOLUS. 


AURORA. 


within  a temple. — hex.  armenis  datvs.  The 
Emperor  and  three  other  figures. — restitvtoui 
itali.e.  The  Emperor  raising  up  a kneeling 
woman. — tr.  pot.  xx.  Aurelius  and  Vcrus  in  a 
triumphal  car. — virtvs  avg.  The  Emperor  on 
a bridge  with  soldiers. 

Second  Brass. divo  avg.  pabenti.  Em- 

peror on  horseback. — tr.  p.  xiii.  Figure  of  a 
winged  sphinx. 

AURELIUS. — In  the  imperial  scries,  the 
name  of  Aurelius  occurs  no  less  than  13  times, 
as  will  appear  on  consulting  Mionnet’s  M ('dailies 
Romaines,  or  Akermau’s  Descriptive  Catalogue 
of  Roman  Coins,  viz.: — 1.  Marcus  Aurelius 
Vcrus,  successor  of  Antoninus  Pius. — 2.  Corn- 
modus,  his  son,  was  called  L.  Aurelius  and  M. 
Aurelius  Antoninus. — 3.  Caracalla,  eldest  son 
of  Septimius  Scvcrus,  when  created  Cicsar,  took, 
or  rather  usurped,  the  name  of  M.  Aurelius 
Antoninus. — 4.  Elngabalus,  under  pretence  of 
being  the  son  of  Caracalla,  assumed  the  names 
of  M.  Aurelius  Antoninus. — 5.  Severus  Alexan- 
der, successor  of  Elagabalus,  took,  by  adoption, 
the  name  of  Marcus  Aurelius  Alexander. — 0. 
Marius,  an  usurper  in  the  reign  of  Gallienus, 
bears  on  his  coins  the  prenomina  of  Marcus  Au- 
relius. [The  coins  described  by  Mediobarbus 
and  Bandnri,  with  the  legends  marcvs  avrf,- 
i.ivs  victorinvs  (says  Akerman)  are  doubted  ] 
— 7.  Claudius  Gothicus,  a great  prince,  though 
of  an  obscure  family,  is  styled  on  his  coins 
Marcus  Aurelius. — 8.  Ilis  brother  and  succes- 
sor Quintillus,  had  for  his  prenomina  Marcus 
Aurelius  Claudius. — 9.  Then  we  have  Marcus 
Aurelius  Probus. — 10.  Marcus  Aurelius  Cams. 
— 11.  Marcus  Aurelius  Valcrianus  Maximiauus. 
— 12.  Marcus  Aurelius  Valerius  Maxcntius. — 
And  13.  M.  Aurelius  Romulus,  son  of  Maxcn- 
tius. The  first,  however,  of  aU  these,  Marcus 
Aurelius,  surnamed  the  Philosopher,  is  the 
one  who  is  usually,  par  excellence,  designated 
by  that  name. 

AUREOLUS  (Marcus  Acilius) — one  of  the 
many  tyranni  or  usurpers,  that  sprang  up  in 
various  parts  of  the  empire,  during  the  reign  of 
Gallienus.  A Dacian  by  birth,  and  (if  Zouams 
is  to  be  credited)  in  his  youthful  days  a shep- 
herd, he  rose  in  the  army,  and  at  length  be- 
came governor  of  Illyria  under  Gallienus,  whom 
he  rescued  out  of  the  rebellious  hands  of  Ma- 
crianus  and  his  son,  only,  ns  it  would  seem,  to 
revolt  afterwards  against  his  own  sovereign. — 
He  was  proclaimed  emperor  by  the  legions  in 
Illyria,  or  rather  in  Rhictia,  about  the  year  of 
Our  Lord  267.  Defeated  by  Gallienus,  shortly 
afterwards,  he  shut  himself  up  in  Mediolanum 
(Milan) ; but  was  delivered  from  his  besiegers 
by  the  assassination  of  Gallienus ; to  be  slain 
by  the  troops  of  Claudius  Gothicus,  a.  d.  268. 
On  his  coins,  which  consist  of  gold  (if  genuine) 
and  small  brass  (no  silver)  of  the  highest  rarity, 
he  is  styled,  IMP.  c.  avreolvs  avg. — imp.  m. 
acil.  avreolvs  p.  p.  Avo. — Reverses  are,  provi- 
dentia  avg.  (Providence  standing). — concor- 
dia  eqvit.  (woman  with  rudder). — concord, 
mil.  (two  hands  joined). — “ These  pieces,  which 
are  of  Roman  die,  were  (says  lleuuin),  stnick 


in  Rhictia,  or  in  Upper  Italy,  or  probably  in 
Milan.” 

Al'RIG.E — Charioteers — those  who  drove  the 
cars  at  the  games  of  the  Circus,  and  contended 
for  the  prize  in  the  races.  It  is  the  auriga 
whom  we  sec,  on  coins,  guiding  so  many  biga, 
triga,  and  quadriga,  tinder  the  form  of  Jupiter, 
of  Victory,  &c.  or  in  the  person  of  the  Consul 
proceeding,  or  the  Emperor  triumphing.  With 
regard  to  chariot  racing  on  public  occasions,  at 
first,  a Roman  citizen  disdained  to  exercise  him- 
self in  such  a competitorsbip  ; but  afterwards,  as 
corruption  introduced  itself  into  the  manners  of 
the  people,  persons  of  the  first  distinction,  and 
some  even  of  the  Augusti,  were  not  ashamed  to 
practice  the  science  of  the  whip.  Nero  and 
Domitiau  were  passionately  addicted  to  these 
sports  ; and  the  former  frequently  took  a per- 
sonal share  in  them. 

The  vanity  of  Nero  (according  to  Dion  Cassius) 
led  him  to  attempt  equalling  the  Sun  in  cha- 
rioteering; and  accordingly,  with  truly  ridiculous 
acclamations  (see  avgvstvs  germanicvs)  the 
populace  greeted  him  as  victor  at  all  the  Cir- 
censian  contests,  with  the  titles  of  Casar 
Apollo,  or  Nero  Apollo.  Hence  also  on  a 
Corinthian  coin  of  that  conceited  tyrant,  en- 
graved by  Vaillaut  (in  Col.  i.  117),  we  sec  the 
figure  of  the  Sun  (distinguished  by  the  rays  that 
adorn  his  head)  standing  in  a quadriga,  and 
holding  a whip  in  his  right  hand. — Havcrcamp, 
in  his  dissertation  on  coutorniatc  medals,  fur- 
nishes many  designs  of  charioteers,  in  the  act 
of  driving  four  horses,  decorated  with  palm 
branches,  &c. — See  Circus  Maximus. 

AURORA. — The  daughter  of  Titan,  and  har- 
binger of  the  Sun,  appears  as  a winged  figure, 
between  four  horses,  whose  reins  she  holds,  on 
a coin  of  L.  Planeus. — Sec  Plaulia  gens. 

There  is  also  another  image  of  “ the  rosy 
fingered”  demi-goddess,  on  a brass  medallion  of 


Trajan. — The  obverse  bears  the  head  of  tha* 
emperor,  and  is  inscribed  divo  nervae  traiano 
avg. — The  legend  of  the  reverse  is  s.  p.  q.  u. 
divo  traiano  partiiico. — The  type  represents 
Aurora  holding  in  her  right  hand  a lighted 
torch,  and  in  her  left  a palm  branch.  She 
stands  in  a chariot  drawn  conjointly  by  a lion 
and  a wild  boar.  A Hercules  precedes,  holding 
a club  on  his  right  shoulder. — See  Tristan,  who 
gives  an  engraving  of  this  reverse  in  T.  i.  p.  404 
of  his  Commentaires,  of  which  an  accurate  copy 
is  furnished  in  the  foregoing  cut. 


AURORA. 

On  this  very  remarkable  relic  of  monetal  an- 
tiquity, the  author  of  Doctrina  makes  the  fol- 
lowing explanatory  animadversions,  in  the  442nd 
page  of  his  sixth  volume,  where  he  classes  it 
amongst  those,  which  were  undoubtedly  minted 
on  the  occasion  of  the  triumphal  honours  decreed 
to  Trajan  after  his  decease  : — 

“ This  beautiful  coin  (vi.  442),  on  account  of 
its  singular  type,  I have  determined  by  no  means 
to  overlook,  although  aware  that  by  some  it  is 
reckoned  amongst  the  contomiati.  The  appro- 
priate management  of  the  allegory,  and  the  cou- 
nexion between  the  obverse  and  the  reverse,  which 
is  scarcely  ever  observable  in  the  whole  batch  of 
contorniates,  induce  me  without  hesitation  to 
concur  with  Ilavcrcamp,  in  rescuing  it  from 
that  inferior  class  of  medals.  Rut  I am  not  at 
all  satisfied  with  the  interpretations,  far-fetched 
and  beside  the  purpose,  which  have  been  applied 
to  it,  as  well  by  Erizzo  as  by  Tristan,  and  lastly 
by  Ilavcrcamp  himself.  Eor,  in  the  design  of 
this  precious  medallion  (says  Eckhcl)  I recognize 
the  triumph  of  Aurora,  brought  about  under  the 
auspices  of  Trajan,  a second  Hercules,  with  the 
vanquished  barbarians  reduced  like  wild  beasts 
to  her  yoke.  It  is  easy,  indeed,  to  prove,  that 
the  figure  in  the  chariot  represents  Aurora;  and 
not,  as  others  have  thought.  Victory,  or  a winged 
Diana.  By  common  consent,  the  wings  and  the 
torch  belong  to  Aurora  alone.  You  see  her 
winged  on  denarii  of  the  Plautia  family.  She 
bears  a torch  on  a famous  Alexandrine  coin,  with 
a head  of  L.  Verus.  It  was,  in  fact,  a long 
established  custom,  to  denote  countries  situate 
towards  the  cast,  by  a figure  of  the  Sun,  or  of 
Aurora.  Thus  on  gold  coins  of  Trajan,  struck 
after  he  had  set  out  on  the  Parthian  campaign, 
you  may  frequently  perceive  a head  of  the  Sun ; 
and  at  the  time  that  Lucius  Verus  was  engaged 
in  a war  with  the  Parthians,  a coin  was  struck 
at  Alexandria,  with  the  type  of  Aurora,  and  the 
inscription  Htt,  the  Greek  word  for  Aurora. — 
And  lastly,  oriens  avg.  with  a type  of  the 
Sun,  constantly  occurs  on  coins  from  the  time 
of  Aurelian.  So  then,  on  all  these  monuments, 
either  the  Sun,  or  Aurora,  indicates  that  quarter 
of  the  globe,  which  furnished  the  emperors  with 
occasions  both  of  war  and  of  glory.  On  this 
principle  too,  Virgil  calls  the  eastern  coiuitries 
Aurora  populos,  or  vires  Orientis.  With  equal 
elegance  of  idea,  the  Ncnucan  lion  and  the  boar 
of  Erymanthus,  yoked  to  a chariot,  serve  to 
signify  the  Parthians  vanquished  by  the  New 
Ilercides,  like  monsters  pernicious  to  the  Roman 
world,  and  just  brought  to  submission.  Thus 
we  read,  that  Sesostris  was  carried  in  public 
procession,  on  a triumphal  car,  drawn  by  the 
kings  whom  he  had  conquered  in  battle.  The 
present  coin,  then,  allegorizes,  in  a felicitous 
manner,  the  Roman  provinces  of  the  east  deli- 
vered from  the  Parthians;  the  latter  people  re- 
duced to  the  condition  of  servitude ; and  Trajan 
himself  the  avenger ; it  being  for  this  reason 
that,  omitting  his  other  titles  of  Germanicus, 
and  Dacictu,  he  is  here  styled  only  Purthiciis." 

Al. . RUE. — Aurelius  Rufus;  name  and  sur- 
name of  a man. — Sec  Aurelia  gens. 

Q 2 


AUSP1CIUM.  115 

AURUM. — Sec  Gold. 

AURUM  CORONARIUM.— This  term  is 
used  in  the  code  of  Theodosius,  as  synonimous 
with  extremely  pure  gold.  It  originally  signi- 
fied the  very  line  and  brilliant  gold  of  which 
crowns  were  made,  or  rather  the  precious  metal 
itself,  which  was  offered  to  the  conqueror.  For 
although,  at  first,  it  was  customary  to  present 
him  with  golden  crowns  of  honour,  yet  the 
more  convenient  practice  of  giving  him  a sum 
of  money'  was  afterwards  introduced. — Aurum 
Coronarium,  says  Servius,  quod  hodie  a viclis 
gentibus  datur.  But  it  was  not  the  vanquished 
alone  who  paid  this  costly  homage.  Even  the 
allies  and  friends  of  the  Romans,  when  a con- 
sul or  a pro-consul  entered  their  territories, 
found  it  expedient  to  conciliate  his  favour  with 
the  tender  of  a large  amount  in  gold.  Under 
the  imperial  government,  gifts  of  this  sort  soon 
began  to  be  offered,  on  the  occasion  of  some,  so 
called,  happy  event ; such  as  a birth  or  an  adop- 
tion for  example,  or  when  a prince  ascended 
the  throne. — Speaking  of  Antoninus  Pius,  it  is 
affirmed  by  Capitolinus — Italicis  totum , medium 
Provincialibus  reddidit.  Thus  it  would  appear 
that  the  Aurum  Coronarium  was  in  process  of 
time  a mere  tribute  in  gold  or  in  silver,  which 
the  Roman  potentate  received  from  those  placed 
under  his  government.  And  although,  during 
the  republic,  it  might  have  been  a voluntary  act 
of  gratefid  acknowledgment  on  the  part  of  the 
different  provinces  and  nations  subjected  to  the 
sway  of  Rome ; yet  under  the  emperors  it  be- 
came an  expected  contribution,  to  replenish  the 
coffers  of  a reigning  prince. — See  some  further 
particulars  on  this  subject,  extracted  from  Eck- 
hel’s  remarks  (vii.  pp.  6 and  7),  under  the 
legend  scythia. Also,  for  a symbolic  allu- 

sion on  an  imperial  coin  to  the  Coronarium  of 
gold,  sec  the  type  of  Asia  cos.  ii.  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  p.  90. 

AUREUS  NUMUS.— Sec  Gold  coinage  of 
the  Homans. 

AUSPICIUM. — This  and  Augurium  are  com- 
monly used  as  convertible  terms.  But  they  are 
sometimes  distinguished  the  one  from  the  other. 
Auspicitan  was,  strictly  speaking,  the  foretelling 
of  future  events  ( avem  specere)  from  inspection 
of  birds,  that  is  to  say,  from  observing  the 
living,  singiug,  and  other  actions  of  the  feathered 
tribes.  Augurium  wras  the  science  of  prediction, 
or  of  expounding  the  will  of  the  gods  from  all 
kinds  of  omens  and  prodigies.  One  very  pro- 
minent feature  in  the  discipline  of  the  Roman 
superstition,  was,  (hat  nothing  of  importance 
was  ever  done  either  in  public  or  iu  private  life, 
without  the  auspices  having  first  been  taken. 
The  presence  of  an  aruspex,  or  of  an  augur,  wras 
not  more  necessary  in  deciding  on  peace  to  be 
preserved,  or  on  war  to  be  waged — the  comitia  to 
be  held  or  broken  off — a battle  to  be  fought  or 
shunned — than  iu  determining  the  question 
whether  a journey  should  he  undertaken,  and 
whether  a marriage  should  be  solemnized.  Quo 
ex  more,  says  Cicero,  nuptiis  etiam  nunc 
auspices  interponuntur.  So  fond,  indeed,  was 
the  predilection  entertained  for  such  whimsical 


116  AUTONOMIA. 

ceremonies,  as  those  connected  with  these  au- 
spices and  auguries,  by  the  early  Romans,  that 
some  of  their  generals  are  recorded  to  have 
quitted  the  army,  in  the  most  sudden  and 
abrupt  manner,  for  the  purpose,  or  under  the 
pretext,  of  performing  them. — Papinas  Dic- 
tator, says  Livy,  a Pullario  monitus,  cum  ad 
auspiciendum  repetendum  Domain  proficeretur. 
lint  on  the  other  hand,  individuals  were  to  be 
found  amongst  them,  who  made  no  scruple  of 
manifesting  all  the  contempt  they  felt  for  such 
wretched  absurdities.  Take  Claudius  Pulcher, 
for  example,  who  caused  “ the  sacred  chickens” 
that  would  not  cat,  to  be  thrown  into  the  sea — 
add  to  which  the  instance  of  the  Consul  Fla- 
minius,  who  fought  the  enemy,  in  spite  of 
augury,  and  beat  the  foes  of  his  country  under 
the  most  inauspicious  signs  ever  interpreted  by 
grave  soothsayers,  in  prognostication  of  defeat 
to  the  Roman  arms. — See  Haruspex. 

At  SPIC.  FEL.  (Auspici  Fe/ici — To  happy 
auspices). — Felicity  standing,  holds  a tessera 
and  a caduceus.  At  her  feet  is  a small  suppliant 
figure  of  a man,  lifting  up  his  hand. 

This  legend  appears,  for  the  first  time  on  any 
Roman  coin  whatever,  on  a third  brass  of 
Diocletian.  It  belongs  to  the  commencement  of 
that  Emperor’s  reign  (about  a.  d.  284)  which 
he  was  desirous  to  have  welcomed  by  the  praise 
of  his  subjects,  for  some  act  of  liberality,  and  at 
the  same  time  it  iudicatcs  his  wish  to  secure 
happiness  to  his  government  by  the  vota  suscepta. 
— Eckhel,  viii.  p.  5. 

AYSPIC1  [i.  Auspicibus. — Sec  uis  avspi- 

cibvs. 

AUTONOMIA  — (aiiroropia)  — Autonomy — 
the  power,  right,  or  liberty,  possessed  by  any 
people,  of  living  in  their  own  accustomed  way, 
and  according  to  their  own  laws.  It  was  a pri- 
vilege of  this  kind  which  many  cities,  though 
tributary  to  Rome,  still  enjoyed,  and  by  which 
they  were  authorised  to  elect  their  own*  magis- 
trates, who  administered  justice  to  them,  in 
exclusion  of  the  Roman  judges. — Antioch  in 
Syria  purchased  this  mark  of  honour  from 
Pompeius  Magnus. — Augustus  granted  the  same 
permission  to  the  inhabitants  of  Patrac ; Nero, 
to  all  Achaia.  The  Arabians  and  Armenians, 
whom  Trajan  had  subdued,  recovered  this  token 
of  independence,  under  Hadrian.  The  Athe- 
nians, the  Lacedaemonians,  even  the  Carthagi- 
nians, were  thus  allowed  to  preserve  at  least  a 
shadow  of  ostensible  self-government.  It  would 
appear,  in  short,  that  throughout  the  vast  extent 
of  territories  comprised  within  the  limits  of  the 
empire,  there  were  few  communities  entirely 
subjected  to  the  Roman  form  of  laws.  Autono- 
mia  was  also  identified  with,  aud  distinguished 
by,  that  right  of  coining  money,  the  exercise  of 
" hich  every  nation  of  antiquity  considered  to  be 
an  act  of  sovereignty.  The  d’ifTerent  cities  and 
states  of  Greece,  who  were  the  first  to  have  a 
coinage,  inscribed  their  respective  names  on  their 
medals,  to  establish  their  autonomous  privileges, 
and  likewise  to  impart  a legalised  value  to  such 
money.  The  Romans  followed  this  example, 
and  some  of  their  earliest  coins  bear  the  word 


AUTONOMI. 

homa. — In  later  (eras,  the  portraits  of  princes 
were  placed  on  the  money  issued  under  their  au- 
thority. Indeed,  with  those  who  acquired  the 
supreme  power,  one  of  the  first  objects  was  to 
have  coins  stamped  with  their  clfigics.  Even 
those  ambitious  aspirants  to  the  purple,  who,  in 
different  provinces,  from  time  to  time,  raised 
the  standard  of  revolt  and  usurpation  against 
the  reigning  emperors,  hastened,  if  they  had 
sufficient  time  and  means,  to  cirndntc  some 
pieces  bearing  their  likenesses,  names,  and  as- 
sumed titles. — See  the  remarks  of  M.  llenuin 
(i.  25),  sur  le  droit  de  frapper  monuaie. 

AL  TONOM I — (ambuopoi) — Autonomous  — 
The  name  given  to  certain  coins,  minted  by  such 
Greek  and  other  cities  as  were  governed  by  their 
own  laws.  The  right  of  coinage,  as  the  crite- 
rion of  an  independent  state,  free  from  subjec- 
tion to  any  foreign  power,  caused  this  appella- 
tion to  be  given  generally  to  coins  of  such  peo- 
ples and  cities  as  possessed  the  character.  That 
the  monctal  privilege  was  cherished  with  a high 
degree  of  appreciation  and  pride  by  those  cities 
to  whom  it  was  granted,  is  sufficiently  evident 
from  the  fact  of  its  being  recorded  on  their  coins 
— as  for  example  on  the  money  of  Antioch  and 
of  Halicarnassus,  which  after  their  own  names 
as  cities,  bear  the  autonomous  designation. — 
According  as  different  countries  (says  M.  llen- 
nin),  then  in  a state  of  civilization,  were  con- 
quered by  the  Romans,  or  yielded  themselves 
to  the  domination  of  that  people,  the  authori- 
ties at  Rome,  in  reconstituting  those  states 
under  an  apparently  independent  form,  left  to 
them  nearly  the  whole  of  their  political  rights. 
The  privilege  of  striking  money  was  continued 
to  those  cities  which  had  previously  enjoyed 
it.  Rut  soon,  when  Rome  became  imperial,  the 
Greek  cities,  whether  out  of  adulation,  or  whe- 
ther in  consequence  of  ordinances  formally 
made,  adopted  the  custom  of  placing  on  their 
money  the  portraitures  not  only  of  the  masters 
of  the  world,  but  also  of  their  relations. — 
Autonomous  coins  were  no  longer  fabricated. 
Rome  also  took  away,  from  almost  all  the  Greek 
cities,  the  right  of  issuing  silver  money,  and 
confined  the  permission  to  exercise  that  right  to 
a small  number  of  the  more  considerable  cities, 
such  as  Alexandria  in  Egypt,  Antioch  in  Syria, 
Ciesarca  in  Cappadocia,  Tarsus,  &c.  All  coins 
minted  by  different  cities  and  peoples,  with  im- 
perial Roman  effigies,  take  the  generic  uainc  of 
Imperial  Greek.  The  Roman  colonies  obtained 
the  privilege  of  striking  money,  sometimes  w ith 
their  own  local  legends  and  types ; but  usually 
they  placed  on  them  imperial  portraits,  and 
inscribed  the  permission  of  the  Emperor,  or  of 
the  Pro-consul.  These  pieces  take  the  name  of 
Colonial  money,  and  are  divided  into  Colonial 
antonomes,  and  Colonial  Imperial  coins. — See 
Manuel  de  Nuniismatique  Ancienne,  voL  i.  pp. 
26-27. — See  also  Colonnr  Romame. 

[It  will  not,  it  is  presumed,  be  deemed 
irrelevant,  in  a work  dedicated  solely  to  Roman 
coins,  that  the  two  preceding  articles  should 
ap|>ear,  in  brief  explanation  of  what  is  meant  by 
autonomous  mintages.  For  the  word  is  perpe- 


AXIA. 


ANTHYLLUS.  117 


tually  used  by  Mionnet  and  others ; and  there 
are  Latin  as  well  as  Greek  autonomrs~\ 

AUTRON1A. A consular  family,  but  of 

uncertain  order.  It  has  only  one  coin  ascribed 
to  it — (silver,  rare)  having  the  head  of  Pallas, 
and  the  mark  of  the  denarius  on  the  obverse. 
On  the  reverse  is  avtro  in  monogram,  meaning 
Autronius,  with  the  type  of  the  Dioscuri  on 
horseback ; below  roma. 

AUTUMNUS. — On  a brass  medallion  of  Corn- 
modus  inscribed  felicitas  temporvm,  and  also 
on  gold  and  silver  coins  of  Caracalla  and  Geta, 
with  legend  of  FELICIA  temfora,  Autumn,  in 
the  group  of  the  four  seasons,  is  typified  by  the 
figure  of  a naked  boy,  carrying  in  his  right  hand 
a hare,  and  in  his  left  a basket  filled  with  fruit. 
— In  Captain  Smyth’s  Descriptive  Catalogue, 
Autumn  in  this  group  on  a first  brass  of  Com- 
modus,  is  described  as  “ displaying  a eg  at  hits 
for  wine  in  one  hand,  and  placing  his  other  upon 
a hound.” — (p.  163.) 

A.  X. — Augur,  Decemvir.  C.  CALDVS,  IMP. 
a.  x.  Caius  Caldus,  Imperator,  Augur,  Decemvir. 

AXIA  or  AXSIA,  gens  plebeia. — Received 
the  surname  of  Naso  Appianus,  because  the  first 
of  the  name  had  a large  nose.  In  its  coins  there 
are  eight  varieties.  The  silver  common.  The 
pieces  in  brass  are  As,  or  parts  of  the  As. — 
Eckhel  gives  the  following  denarius  of  this 
family : — 


q])0 naso.  s.  c.  A female  head  covered 

with  a helmet,  which  is  adorned  with  two  small 
sprigs  of  laurel  or  palm.  In  the  field  of  the  coin 
are  arithmetical  marks  xvn. 

pev — l.  axsivs.  L.  F.  Diana,  in  a short 
dress,  as  Venatrix,  holding  a spear  in  her  right 
hand,'  stands  in  a car  drawn  by  two  stags— 
a dog  runs  before  the  goddess,  and  two  others 

follow . Eckhel  treats  the  remarks  of  Vaillant, 

on  the  somewhat  remarkable  types  of  this  coin, 
with  a certain  degree  of  ridicule;  but  omits  to 
offer  any  explanations  of  his  own. 

VXVit.  Imberbis,  or  Ve- Jupiter. — See  the 

ne AXm  IOVIS.— C.  VIBIVS.  C.  F.  C.  N 
Jupiter  Axnr,  or  Amur,  seated,  his  right  hand 
rests  on  the  hasta  para,  his  left  hand  holds  a 

patera.  . 

On  a denarius  of  the 
Vibia  gens,  bearing  this 
legend  on  its  reverse,  is 
an  elegant  and  unique  type, 
as  represented  in  the  an- 
nexed engraving. iovis 

is  used  for  the  nominative 
case,  as  on  coins  of  Domi- 
tian  inscribed  iovis  cvs- 
tos. — Virgil  has  made  mention  of  Jupiter  Anxur 
{.Eneid,  vii.  790-) 


Circcumque  jugum,  queis  Juppiter  Anxurus  arvis 
Praesidet : 

And  the  Circaean  heights,  the  fields  over  which 

Jupiter  Anxur  holds  sway.] 

The  denarius  most  probably  presents  to  us  a 
precise  copy  from  the  image  of  the  Anxurian 
Jove,  who  from  his  radiated  head  and  beardless 
face,  seems  to  be  identical  with  Apollo,  or  the 
Sun,  like  Ve  Juppiter  (see  Ccesia  gens),  and 
Jupiter  Heliopolitanus,  whose  figure  appears  on 
coins  of  Heliopolis,  in  Cede  Syria. — See  Eckhel, 
v.  p.  340. 

AXE. — See  Securis,  and  Pontifical  Instru- 
ments, on  a denarius  of  Marcus  Antonius  and 
Lepidus. 

ANTHYLLUS,  a surname  given  to  Mark 
Antony,  the  younger,  eldest  of  the  Triumvir’s 
children, by  Fulvia  his  third  wife  [not  his  second, 
as  inserted  by  mistake  in  p.  60], — Born  in  the 
year  of  Rome,  708,  (n  c.  46)  lie  was,  by  his 
father’s  command,  brought  to  Alexandria, 
“ where  (says  Visconti)  it  is  probable  that  the 
inhabitants,  who  were  Greeks,  designated  him 
Anthyllus,  or  little  Antony.”  The  noble  and 
generous  traits  of  his  character,  according  to 
Plutarch,  soon  developed  themselves  at  the 
Egyptian  court.  But  the  son,  participating  in 
the  father’s  ruin,  fell  a victim  to  the  vengeful 
policy  of  Octavianus  Caesar,  in  the  sixteenth 
year  of  his  age. 

The  erudite  author  of  Iconographie  Romaine, 
adds  as  follows  : — “ The  coins  which  present  to 
us  the  effigy  of  Anthyllus  on  the  reverse  of  that 
of  his  father,  are  of  gold,  and  extremely  rare. 
They  were  struck  32  or  33  years  before  the 
vulgar  icra,  Anthyllus  being  then  about  thirteen 
years  old.  Ilis  father  probably  had  just  called 
the  youth  to  his  side.  The  legend  which  accom- 
panies the  head  of  Mark  Antony,  places  this 
epocha  beyond  doubt : ant.  avg.  imp.  iii.  cos. 
ill.  iliviit.  r.p.c.  (Antonius,  Augur,  proclaimed 
imperator  and  elected  consul,  for  the  third  time, 
triumvir  for  the  arrangement  of  the  republic). — 
Round  the  head  of  Anthyllus  we  read  M.  anton. 
m.  F.  (Marcus  Antonius,  son  of  Marcus). — It 
was  in  the  year  n.c.  34,  that  Mark  Antony  was 
consul  for  the  second  time ; and  in  the  year  b.c. 

31,  he  took  his  third  consulate  at  Alexandria. 
This  coin,  therefore,  must  have  been  struck 
within  the  two  intermediate  years;  and  we  know 
from  Plutarch  (loc.  cit.  § 57)  that,  in  the  year 

32,  Anthyllus  was  no  longer  at  Rome.” 

Seguin  was  the  first  to  publish  this  coin  ( Num . 

Select,  p.  112,  edit.  1684).  And  Morel  after- 
wards gave  it  afresh  in  his  Thesaur.  famil.  An- 
tonia, pi.  xi..  No.  3. — Eckhel  (vi.  p.  68)  had 
doubts  respecting  its  authenticity,  arising  frqm, 
what  he  considered,  circumstances  of  suspicion, 
affecting  two  similar  coins  in  the  Vienna  Mu- 
seum. Visconti,  nevertheless,  supports  the  ge- 
nuineness of  this  numismatic  monument,  by 
referring  to  two  specimens  of  it,  in  the  cabinet 
de  la  Bibliotheque  da  Roi  (now  once  more 
National e),  at  Paris,  and  out  of  which  he  se- 
lected, for  his  draughtsman  to  copy,  that  which 
is  best  preserved. — Mionnet  includes  this  aureus 
in  the  mint  of  Mark  Antony,  confirming  its 


118  ANTONINI  MON  ETA. 

rarity  and  value  at  a very  high  rate  of  apprecia- 
tion. (t.  i.  p.  95.) 

The  inferiority  of  its  workmanship,  compared 
with  that  of  the  chief  portion  of  Mark  Antony’s 
mintages,  affords  good  reason  to  think,  that  the 
coin  engraved  in  Visconti’s  work  was  struck  at 
Alexandria,  “ where  (as  he  observes)  the  inone-  j 
tary  art  was  not  very  flourishing  at  the  period  in 
question.  The  coius  of  Antony  aud  Cleopatra 
are  a sufficient  proof  of  that  fact.” — See  Ico/io- 
graphic  Romaine,  Milan  edit.  8vo.  1818,  t.  i. 
pi.  vi.*  No.  3,  pp.  253  et  seq. 

[Our  portrait  of  the  vonnger  Antonius  (p.  60) 
was  copied  from  Seguin’s  plate,  which  certainly 
bears  no  resemblance  to  Visconti’s.  It  must  how- 
ever be  admitted  that  the  latter  assimilates  closely 
to  the  style  and  fabric  of  consular  coius  struck  in 
Egypt.  Aud  if  both  refer  to  the  same  original, 
it  serves  as  another  instauce  amongst  many,  to 
shew  how  much  more  reliance  is  to  be  placed  on 
mcdallic  engravings  of  the  present  day,  than 
on  those  of  the  artists  who  were  employed  to 
illustrate  numismatic  works  of  the  cider  school.] 

ANTONINI  PI  I .1 foneta. — A list  of  the  most 
remarkable,  as  well  as  most  rare,  coins  aud  medal- 
lions of  this  emperor’s  mint,  not  having  been 
inserted  in  its  proper  place  (viz.  at  the  bottom 
of  p.  56),  the  omission  is  supplied  here  : — 

Gold. — avbeliys  caesar.  Head  of  Aure- 
lius.— britan.  Victory  on  a globe. — cos.  hi. 
Emperor  and  his  two  children  in  a triumphal 
car. — primi  decenxales  (within  a garland) — 
TEIB.  pot.  cos.  hi.  Mars  descending  to  (Uhea) 
Silvia. — TEMPLVJt  DIVI.  AVG.  rest.  cos.  iiii. 

A temple. — temporvm  feu cit as.  Two  cornua- 
copiie,  a child’s  head  ou  each. — vota  vigen- 
nalia.  The  Emperor  sacrificing. — laetitia 
cos.  iiii.  Two  females  (Ceres  and  Proserpine). 
liberalitas  avg.  ii.  or  in.  or  iiii.  The  Em- 
peror and  several  figures. 

Silver. — aed.  divi.  avg.  rest.  Two  figures 
seated  in  a temple. — cos.  m.  Jupiter  seated  on 
arms. — divvs  antoninvs  et  diva  favstina. 
Heads  of  Emperor  and  Empress. — lib.  vi.  cos. 
iiii.  Woman  standing. — liberalitas  avg.  ii. 

Emperor  distributing  gifts. opi.  avg.  Ops 

seated. — pietas  cos.  iv.  Piety  at  an  altar. — 
Pont.  max.  Figure  standing  with  a bow  and 
au  arrow. — tranq.  tii.  pot.  xiii.  &c.  A female 
standing  with  rudder  aud  ears  of  corn. 

Brass  Medallions. aescvi.apivs.  (See  p. 

20.) cocles.  Horatius  Codes  swimming 

across  the  Tiber. — coxsecratio.  Emperor  on 
an  Eagle. — cos.  mi.  Hercules  sacrificing  before 
a temple. — cos.  mi.  Emperor  and  the  Goddess 
Rome. — xavivs.  The  Augur  before  Tarquin. — 
pm.  tr.  P.  cos.  ill.  /Eneas,  Anehises,  aud  As- 
canius.  (Sec  p.  16.) — pm.  tr.  p.  cos.  ii.  Bac- 
chus and  Ariadne  drawn  by  Satyr  and  Panther. 
(See  p.  80.) — tiberis.  The  Tiber  recumbent. — 
tr.  pot.  xx.  Jupiter  Tonans  aud  a Titan. — 


ALPHA— OMEGA. 

I Same  legend.  Jupiter,  Juno,  aud  Pallas. — The 
\ following  are  without  legend: — The  Sun  pre- 
ceded by  Phosphorus. — Diana  Lucifera  seated  on 
a horse  at  speed. — Prometheus  and  Minerva. — 
Vulcau  and  Minerva. — /Eneas  and  Ascanius  iu 
Latium. — Hercules  Bibax. — Hercules  combatting 
the  Centaurs. — Bacchus  and  Ariadne  seated  (see 
p.  121). — Bacchus  in  a temple,  before  which  is 
a sacrificial  group. — Hercules  in  the  Garden  of 
the  Ilcsperidcs,  &c.  & c. 

First  Brass. AFRICA — ALEXANDRIA — BRI- 

TANNIA— Cappadocia.  All  with  types  of  per- 
sonified provinces. — concordia — congiarivm. 
cos.  hi.  Four  children,  representing  the  four 
Seasons. — disciplina.  The  Emperor  and  four 
soldiers. — favstina  avgvsta.  Head  of  Faus- 
tina senior. — HISPAN1A. — liberalitas  tr.  pot. 
ii.  Emperor  and  six  figures. — rex  armenis 
datvs.  Two  figures  standing;  at  their  feet  a 
river-god. — rex  qvadis  datvs.  The  Emperor 
crowning  a figure,  iu  the  toga. — romvlo  av- 
gvsto.  llomulus,  with  trophy  and  spear. — s.  c. 
Rape  of  the  Sabines. — s.  c.  Emperor  in  a quad- 
riga.— s.  c.  Do.  two  quadriga  of  Elephants. — 
s.  c.  /Eneas  carrying  Anehises — scythia — 
SICILIA.  Both  personifications  of  provinces. — 
secvnd  decennalf.s.  cos.  hi.  within  a crown. 

Second  Brass. — Britannia  cos.  iiii.  Female 
figure,  seated  on  a rock. — coxsecratio.  Fune- 
ral pile. — FAVSTINAE  AVG.  PII.  AVG.  fil.  Head 

of  Faustiua  junior. iiaiirianvs  avgvstvs. 

Bare  head  of  Iladriau. — victoria  avg.  Victory 
in  a quadriga. — vota.  Three  figures,  iu  the 

toga,  standing  before  a temple. — vervs  et  favs- 
tina. Heads  of  Verus  aud  Faustina  the  younger. 

A.  X2. — Alpha — Omega. . — The  reverse  of  a 
flue  aud  rare  silver  medallion  of  Constans  1.  iu  the 
collection  of  the  Imperial  Museum  at  Vienna, 
exhibits  for  its  legend  virtvs  exercitvm  (sic.J, 
nnd  for  its  type  four  military  ensigns,  one  of 
which  is  inscribed  with  the  first  letter,  aud 
another  with  the  last  letter,  of  the  Greek  alpha- 
bet. Above  them  is  the  monogram  of  Christ. 

In  these  initial  letters,  we  have  an  obvious 
reference  to  the  declaration  more  than  once  re- 
peated iu  the  Apocalypse, 
“ 1 am  alpha  and  omega, 
the  beginning  nnd  the 
ending,  the  first  and  the 
last” — a symbol  used  on 
this  occasion  to  indicate 
the  Emperor’s  professed 
belief  iu  the  one  true  God, 
and  “ in  Jesus  Christ  His 
only  Son  our  Lord.”  From 
the  time  when  the  coin  iu  question  was  struck, 
(viz.  between  a.  d.  337  and  350),  the  same 
Greek  initials  arc  not  unfrequently  found  toge- 
ther, both  with  and  without  the  monogram  of 
Christ,  on  money  of  the  lower  empire. — See 
Dccentius,  Magucntius,  and  Vetranio,  in  this 
Dictionary. — Sec  also  Monogramma  Christi. 


BABBA. 

B. 

B. — This  letter  is  a numeral,  and  equivalent 
with  the  number  2. 

B.  B alius. — Q.  B.  Qusestor  Bit-bins. — See 
Balia  gens. 

B. — The  mark  of  the  second  mint  in  any  city 
— er.gr.  B.  SIEM.  Money  struck  in  secundd 
officind  monetarid  Sirmii  (in  Pannonia,  now 
Sinuich,  in  Sclavonia). — B.  sis.  In  secundd 
officind  Siscia  (a  city  of  Croatia,  now  Sisserc.) 

BABBA  (Mauritania:)  colonia. — The  city  of 
Babba,  in  Mauritania  Tiugitana  (now  Fes  aud 
Morocco,  North  Africa),  situate  on  the  river 
Lixus  (El  llaratel),  was  made  a colony  by 
Julius  Caesar,  as  its  name  Julia  imports.  It  was 
also  called  Campestris.  The  decuriones  of  Babba 
caused  coins  to  be  minted,  in  middle  and  small 
brass,  under  Claudius,  under  Nero,  and  under 
Galba.  Pellerin  regards  the  short  suite  struck 
in  this  colony  as  commencing  under  Augustus  ; 
but  Mionnet  shews  this  to  be  a mistake.  “ It 
is,  says  Bimard  (ad  Jobert,  ii.  p.  230),  to  M. 
Vaillant,  that  the  honour  belongs  of  having  first 
pointed  out  the  method  of  reading  the  [designa- 
tive  legend  on  the]  coins  of  Babba.” — viz.  c.  c. 
I.  B.  DD.  pvbl.  Colonia  Campestris  Julia  Bal- 
ia— Decreio  Decnrionum  Pul/ico : or,  ex  coxs. 
d.  (Ex  Consensu  Decnrionum.) 

The  types  arc  as  follow  : — 

1.  Bull  swimming,  represented  on  a coin  of 
Nero. 

By  this  device  the  co- 
lonists of  Babba  exhibit 
J upiter,  as  under  the  figure 
of  a Bull  he  carried  away 
Europa,  daughter  of  Age- 
nor,  King  of  the  Phoeni- 
cians. Hence  they  indi- 
cated that  the  swimming 
Bull  was  an  object  of  tlicir 
idolatry,  in  like  manner  as  the  Bull  Apis  was 
worshipped  by  theKgyptians. — [The  above  wood- 
cut  is  after  a small  brass  in  the  British  Museum.] 

On  another  coin  of  the  same  Emperor,  the 
type  of  reverse  is  a Bull  butting  with  his  horns. 
— Vaill.  in  Col.  i.  106. 

2.  Bearded  head,  with  a serpent  before  it, 
on  a coin  of  Nero. 

[This  is  a representation  of  Aesculapius,  as 
shewn  by  the  serpent,  the  symbol  of  health. 
And  his  effigy,  placed  on  this  coin,  shews  that 
divine  honours  were  paid  him  at  Babba. — En- 
graved in  Vaill.  Col.  i.  115.] 

3.  Li  via  Augusti. — col.  i.  ba.  dd. — Livia 
represented  under  the  image  of  a goddess,  seated, 
with  head  veiled,  holding  in  her  right  hand  a 
patera,  and  supporting  her  left  hand  on  a hasta. 
Engraved  in  Pellerin,  Melange,  i.  pi.  xvi.  fig.  2. 

4.  Oaken  crown,  with  the  abbreviated  names 
of  the  colony  within  it. 

5.  Palm  tree. — [The  Romau  colonists  of  Babba 
struck  this  and  the  preceding  coin  under  Claudius, 
in  congratulation  of  his  victory  over  the  revolted 
Mauritanians — a revolt  against  Roman  cruelty 
and  oppression,  as  exemplified  in  their  king 


BACCHUS.  119 

Ptolemy,  son  of  Juba,  having  been  put  to  death 
| by  order  of  the  execrable  Caligula.  The  palm 
' tree  here  denotes  that  the  people  of  Babba  de- 
rived their  origin  from  the  Phoenicians,  who 
took  their  name,  it  is  said,  from  the  Greek  word 
for  a palm  (phoinix),  with  which  species  of 
tree  that  country  abounds. — Vaillant,  Col.  i.] 

C.  Pictorg,  marching  with  crown  and  palm 

branch,  struck  under  Galba. [The  death  of 

Nero,  welcomed  by  all,  excited  the  feelings  of 
various  minds  in  favour  of  Galba,  especially 
among  the  legions.  It  was,  indeed,  an  event 
which  revealed  a great  state  secret — namely, 
that  an  emperor  might  be  made  elsewhere  than 
at  Rome,  thus  furnishing  an  important  principle 
for  a new  state  of  affairs.  Iu  Africa,  Clodius 
Maeer;  in  Germany,  Eonteius  Capito;  had 
made  some  attempts  to  acquire  the  supreme 
power.  At  length  both  the  Mauritanian  pro- 
vinces gave  in  their  adhesion  to  the  election  of 
Galba.  The  colonists  of  Babba  soon  adopted 
the  same  course ; and  in  testimony  of  their  ap- 
proval, they  struck  on  coins  dedicated  to  his 
honour,  the  figure  of  Victory,  bearing  the  laurel 
crown,  to  commemorate  the  fall  of  Clodius 
Maeer,  slain  in  battle  by  the  Procurator  Garu- 
sianus. — Vaill.  Col.  i.  p.  227.] 

The  remaining  types  are,  a figure  seated  on  a 
rock,  holding  an  anchor  aud  cornucopia;,  on  a 
coin  of  Claudius.  And  a bridge  of  three  arches, 
on  coins  struck  under  Nero. 

BACC1IIVS  IVDAEVS. This  legend  ap- 

pears on  a well-known  consular  denarius.  The 
type  is  that  of  a man  kneeling,  who  holds  a 
camel  by  the  bridle  with  his  left  hand,  and  in 
his  right  a branch  of  olive. — For  an  explanation 
of  the  event,  which  is  typified  on  this  rare  sil- 
ver coin,  though  left  unrecorded  by  historians. 
See  Plantia  gens. 

BACCHUS. Of  this  fabled  divinity,  the 

poets  differ  much  respecting  the  names  of  his 
parents ; nor  are  they  better  agreed  iu  relating 
the  circumstances  connected  with  his  nativity. 
The  more  usual  custom  of  mytliologists,  is  to 
describe  him  as  the  son  of  Jupiter,  by  Semcle, 
the  daughter  of  Cadmus.  And  Ovid,  in  his 
Metamorphoses,  details  the  wondrous  incidents 
of  his  fiery  birth.  Bacchus  is  said  to  have  been 
brought  up  by  the  daughters  of  Atlas,  and  to 
have  afterwards  had  Sileuus  for  his  preceptor. — 
He  became  at  length  a celebrated  warrior ; 
fought  valiantly  for  Jupiter,  against  the  Titans; 
and  made  the  conquest  of  India.  It  was  on  his 
return  from  that  famous  expedition,  that  he  is 
related  to  have  found  Ariadne,  whom  Theseus 
had  abandoned,  iu  the  isle  of  Naxos,  and  by  the 
warmth  of  his  attachment  made  her  forget  the 
ingratitude  of  her  former  lover. — See  Ariadne. 

Bacchus  “ ever  fair  and  ever  young,”  is  gene- 
rally represented  in  sculpture  and  on  coins,  with- 
out beard,  crowned  with  vine  leaves,  lie  holds 
the  thgrsus  (see  the  word)  in  one  hand,  aud  a 
bunch  of  grapes  in  the  other.  Sometimes  he  is 
depicted  naked ; at  others,  and  as  the  Indian 
Bacchus,  he  wears  a long  dress  ( Apamea  co- 
lonia, p.  61). The  panther,  as  the  nurse 

of  Bacchus,  was  consecrated  to  him,  and  ap- 


120  BACCHUS. 

pears,  on  coins  and  bas-reliefs,  as  his  almost  j 

inseparable  companion.  The  image  of  this 


those  of  the  imperial  scries.  There  is  indeed  a 
large  brass  of  Sept.  Severns,  with  the  legend  of 
COS.  111.  LVDoj.  SAECa/aJW  l'EC«7,  inscribed 
on  a cippus,  on  each  side  of  which  Bacchus  and 
Hercules  stand  with  their  respective  attributes  ; 
and  to  the  legend  dis  avspicibvs  reference  may 
be  made,  as  accompanied  by  another  iustance  of 
those  two  deities  being  grouped  together,  on  a 
large  brass  of  the  same  emperor.  But  on  me- 
dallions of  Hadrian  and  Antoninus  Pins,  de- 
scribed below,  the  God  of  Wine,  as  the  com- 
panion of  Apollo,  and  as  the  lover  of  Ariadne, 
is  elegantly  depictured : — 


The  above  cut  is  copied  from  an  outline  en- 
graving in  the  Ga/erie  Mylhologique,  vol.  i. 
pi.  lxxxviii.  by  Millin,  who  is  himself  indebted 
for  it  to  a plate  in  Vcnuti,  Mus.  Faticanum,  xiii. 
— This  reverse  of  Hadrian’s  medallion  represents 
Bacchus  seated  on  a thensa  (or  sacred  car), 
drawn  by  a panther  and  a goat,  on  the  latter  of 
which  sits  a Cupid  playing  on  a double  flute. 
Bacchus,  with  graceful  case,  rests  his  right  arm 
on  the  side  of  the  chariot,  and  holds  the 
thyrsus  in  his  left  hand.  Apollo  sits  by  his 
side,  playing  on  the  lyre. — For  another  spe- 
cimen of  the  grotesque  fancy  of  ancient  artists, 
in  harnessing  a sulky  panther  with  some  animal, 
real  or  fabulous,  of  a more  lively  and  less  fero- 
cious disposition,  sec  the  wood-cut  from  a brass 
medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  under  the  head  of 
Ariadne  and  Bacchus,  p.  80. 

Bacchus  was  called  by  the  name  of  Dionysus, 
(from  Nysa,  the  reputed  place  of  his  education)  ; 
and  often  by  that  of  Liber  Pater,  whose  young 
head  crowned  with  ivy,  is  also  seen  on  coins  of 
the  Titia  and  Voltcia  families. 

In  the  list  of  coins  struck  under  the  republic, 
we  find  the  head  of  Bacchus  on  a denarius  of 
the  Cassia  gens,  it  is  crowned  with  ivy  leaves 
and  berries,  and  behind  it  is  the  thyrsus.  On 
a denarius  of  Blasio,  of  the  patrician  branch  of 
the  Cornelia  family,  the  figure  of  Bacchus  naked, 
appears  standing,  with  the  thyrsus  in  his  right 
hand  ; in  his  left  the  strophium  (sec  the  word), 
and  a sheaf  of  arrows.  Pallas  stauds  on  his 
left,  and  crowns  him.  On  the  right  hand  of 
Bacchus  stands  a woman,  holding  a wand,  or  the 
liasta  pura.  Engraved  in  Morel!.  Thesaur.  Fain. 
Rom.  tab.  i.  fig  1 — also  under  Cornelia  gens, 
in  this  dictionary. 


BACCHUS. 

Bacchus  is  constantly  to  be  recognised  by  his 
attribute  of  the  thyrsus,  but  by  no  means  so 
readily  by  the  arrows.  Nevertheless,  by  an  apt 
citation  from  Nonnus,  Eckhel  shews,  that  the 
latter  as  well  as  the  former  were  attributes  of 
Liber  Rater.  Pallas  addressing  him,  says 
“ Ubi  tui  validi  thyrsi,  et  vitea:  sagittal' 

He  is  crowned  by  the  Goddess  of  Wisdom 
[Minerva]  on  account  of  his  victory  over  the 
Titans,  and  of  his  warlike  glory,  spread  forth 
to  the  ends  of  the  world.  That  the  associated 
worship  of  these  two  deities  prevailed  both  at 
Borne  and  in  Greece,  is  shewn  by  an  onyx  gem, 
in  the  imperial  museum  at  Vienna,  and  which 
exhibits  Bacchus  armed  in  a similar  manner, 
with  thyrsus  and  arrow,  Pallas,  as  on  the  coin 
minted  by  Blasio,  crowning  him.  “ Who  the 
I other  female  figure  in  this  group  may  be,”  says 
j Eckhel  (v.  180),  “ ignoro.” 

Bacchus  was  worshipped,  as  amongst  the 
superior  deities,  by  Gallicnus.  This  is  indicated 
by  a coin  of  that  emperor’s,  in  billon,  exhibiting 
on  its  reverse  the  epigraph  of  libero  p.  coxs. 
avg.  ( Libero  Patri  Conservatori  Augusti),  with 
a panther  for  its  type. 

Bacchus,  with  his  attributes,  is  more  fre- 
quently found  on  colonial  imperial  coins;  espe- 
cially on  those  struck  in  Syria  and  Phoenicia,  by 
most  cities  of  which  regions  he  was  worshipped, 
on  account  of  his  traditionary  expeditions  to  the 
East.  The  following  are  amongst  the  colonies 
whose  coins  bear  Latin  legends ; and  on  their 
reverses  types  of  this  deity  : — 

Besides  Apamea,  in  whose  mintages  the  In- 
dian Bacchus  appears  (see  p.  61),  the  God  of 
Wine  is  seen  on  several  coins  of  Berytus,  mostly 
dedicated  to  Gordianus  Pius.  “ It  is  a type  (says 
Yaillant),  which  dcuotcs  the  abundance  and  good- 
ness of  the  grapes  grown  in  the  immediate 
neighbourhood  of  that  city.  On  one  of  these, 
lie  stands  unclothed,  between  two  vine-shoots ; 
whilst  with  his  right  hand  he  places  a garland 
on  his  own  head,  ‘ as  the  first  discoverer  of  the 
use  of  the  grape.’  On  his  left  hand  is  a satyr, 
whose  love  for  wine  was  said  to  be  very  great. 
Squatting  at  his  feet  is  a leopard,  by  ancient 
report  equally  fond  of  the  inebriating  juice.” 

On  a second  brass,  dedicated  at  Damascus,  to 
Trcbonianus  Gallus,  Bacchus,  under  the  figure 
of  a young  man,  stands,  naked,  on  n plinth, 
holding  a vine  tendril  in  each  hand,  llis  image 
on  this  coin  shews  that  he  was  worshipped  by 
the  inhabitants  of  Damascus,  in  whose  territory 
he  was  said  to  have  originally  planted  the  vine. 
(Engraved  in  Yaillant,  Col.  ii.  214.) 

The  colony  of  Deu/tum,  on  a second  brass  of 
Macrinns,  honours  this  deity  with  an  image, 
designated  by  his  attributes  of  the  cantharus  (or 
wine  vase),  the  thyrsus,  and  the  panther — not 
an  inappropriate  reverse  for  the  mint  of  a ter- 
ritory, whose  abundance  in  vineyards  is  a cir- 
cumstance noticed  by  Athcmcns. — (Ibid.  ii.  64.) 

Olba,  a colony  in  Pamphilia,  also  contributes 
a type  of  Bacchus — who  likewise  appears  on  a 
small  brass  coin,  consecrated  to  Alexander  Seve- 
rus,  by  the  pantheistic  people  of  Sidon. 


BACCHUS. 

Bacchus  and  Ariadne. There  is,  in  the 

French  Cabinet,  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus 
Pius — the  obverse  of  which  presents  a noble 
portrait  of  that  emperor  (see  p.  55) ; and  the 
reverse,  without  legend,  is  charged  with  a 
Bacchanalian  group,  not  less  classic  in  design 
than  bold  in  relief,  and  beautiful  in  fabric. 

To  this  numismatic  gem,  Scguin  (in  his  Selec. 
Nam.  p.  127),  has  the  merit  of  being  one  of  the 
first — if  not  the  very  first — to  call  attention,  by 
an  engraving  in  outline,  and  also  by  verbal 
description ; neither  of  which,  however,  have 
the  requisite  degree  of  accuracy  to  recommend 
them.  With  respect  to  the  type,  for  example  ; 
in  the  principal  figures  in  the  foreground,  to  the 
left,  he  recognises  two  females,  and  in  the  centre 
a woman  holding  an  infant  in  swaddling  clothes. 
Under  this  false  impression,  he  pronounces  the 
subject  represented,  to  be  the  accouchement  of 
Rhea ; in  other  words,  the  birth  of  Jupiter. — 
Eckhel  points  out  the  mistake  thus  made  by  the 
learned  French  antiquary  of  the  elder  school. 
But,  whilst  he  justly  remarks,  that  the  surround- 
ing chorus  of  nymphs  and  satyrs  unquestion- 
ably indicates  Bacchus,  the  great  numismatist  of 
Vienna  himself  falls  into  the  same  error  of  re- 
garding the  elevated  figure  in  the  background  of 
the  group,  as  “ an  infant  wrapped  in  swaddling 
clothes,  held  aloft”  by  one  of  the  nymphs — 
(vii.  p.  10). 

Mionuct  rectifies,  in  great  measure,  the  wrong 
views,  and  consequently  fallacious  descriptions, 
of  both  his  eminent  predecessors,  by  the  fol- 
lowing notice  of  this  interesting  reverse : — 
“ Bacchus  and  Ariadne  seated ; at  their  feet 
a panther ; opposite  to  them  is  an  old  man 
crouching,  and  several  bacchants  arc  carrying  a 
terminus,  and  playing  on  divers  instruments.” 
But  even  Mionnct’s  description  is  faulty,  as  to  the 
terminus  being  “ carried.”  Mr.  Fairholt’s  en- 
graving of  this  wonderfully  fine  antique  exhibits 
these  points  in  quite  a different  and  a truer  light. 


The  woman,  supposed  by  Scguin,  and  by  Eckhel, 
to  be  holding  a swaddled  infant,  turns  out  to  he  a 
satyr,  who  raises  his  right  arm  above  his  head, 
and  in  his  left  holds  a crook  (the  pedum).  The 
termiual  figure  is  not  carried,  but  stands  on  a 
pillar,  or  base.  The  legs  of  the  old  man  (who 
is  doubtless  meant  for  Silcnus)  are  hidden  by  the 
panther.  The  terminus,  like  one  in  the  Town- 
ley  Gallery',  British  Museum,  is  wrapped  up  in 
a mantle,  and  holds  something  like  a wine 
R 


B.EBIA.  121 

cup.  Silcnus  it  will,  on  inspection,  be  seen, 
also  holds  a half-inverted  wine  cup.  Besides 
these,  there  arc  a satyr  behind  Ariadne,  a faun 
blowing  a long  flute ; and  to  the  right  the  figure 
of  a young  woman,  clothed  in  long  but  light  dra- 
pery, and  with  raised  right  arm  striking  the 
tympanum  or  tambour,  as  if  dancing  to  its 
sound.  The  form  and  attitude  of  the  principal 
female  figure  arc  symmetrical  and  graceful : she 
points  with  her  left  hand  towards  the  terminus, 
whilst  sitting  close  beside  her  lover,  whom  the 
thyrsus  serves  clearly  to  identify ; and  the  vine 
tendril  on  each  side  fills  up  every  feature  of  the 
design  needfid  to  its  appropriation,  as  a scene 
of  revelry  connected  with  the  fable  of  Bacchus 
and  Ariadne. 

Two  other  brass  medallions  of  the  above  men- 
tioned emperor  display  on  their  respective  re- 
verses, without  legend,  typifications  of  Bacchus. 
They  arc  noticed  in  Akenuan,  Bescr.  Cat.  i. 
265,  as  follows : — 

1.  Bacchus  sleeping:  before  him  is  a female 
figure,  standing  near  a statue,  which  is  full 
faced  and  placed  on  a pedestal. 

2.  Bacchus  standing  in  a temple,  which  has 
two  circular  galleries  on  the  exterior ; before  it 
is  a man  holding  a goat. 

Bacchanalia,  on  Contorniate  medals. — On 
one  of  these  pseudo-monetw,  bearing  the  head 
of  Trajan,  Bacchus  stands  holding  a bunch  of 
grapes  to  a panther  with  the  right  hand,  and  a 
thyrsus  in  the  left;  near  him  on  one  side  dance 
a flute  player  and  a woman  bearing  a thyrsus ; 
on  the  other  side  is  a boy  with  a crook  in  the 
right  hand  and  a branch  in  the  left.  (This  is  in 
the  Imperial  cabinet.)- — llavercamp  gives  a con- 
toruiate  with  the  head  of  Caracalla,  on  the  re- 
verse of  which  is  Bacchus  drawn  in  a biga  of 
panthers,  preceded  by  a satyr,  and  accompanied 
by  flute  players. — For  engravings  of  these  and 
other  medals  of  the  same  class,  with  bacchanalian 
types,  having  the  heads  of  Nero,  Trajan,  and 
other  emperors,  on  their  obverses — see  llavcr- 
camp  and  Morell.  Thesaur. 

Bacchi  Cista. — The  mystic  basket  of  Bacchus 
— a numismatic  symbol  of  pro-consular  Asia. — 
See  Asia  Recepta,  p.  89 — also  see  Cistophori. 

B.EBIA  gens. A plebeian  but  consular 

family.  Taraphilus,  or,  as  it  is  written  Tampilus, 
(an  archaism,  or  old  way  of  spelling,  in  like 
manner  as  Trium/w*  for  Trium ph/is, ) is  the 
only  surname  that  appears  on  its  coins.  Nepos 
in  his  life  of  Atticus  mentions  the  Lomus  Tam - 
phUiana,  which  stood  on  the  Quiriual,  at  Rome. 
Morel,  in  Thesaur.  Fam.  Rom.  gives  eight  varie- 
ties. The  brass  pieces  are  As,  or  parts  of  the  As ; 
or  they  are  colonial.  The  two  following  are 
rare  in  silver — the  latter  much  the  rarer,  though 


122  BALB1NUS. 

not  bearing  so  remarkable  a reverse  type  as  the 
former. 

tampil. — At  inged  head  of  Pallas ; before  it  X. 

Rev. — ii.  HAKiii.  q.  p.  koma.  Apollo  in  a 
quadriga — (Sec  Apollo.) 

Obv. — Head  of  Jupiter. 

Rev. — tam  in  monogram.  Victory  crowning 
a trophy  ; below  soma. 

Q.  Bashing  Tamphilus,  about  the  year  u.  c. 
535  (b.  c.  219),  was  twice  sent  as  Ambassador 
to  the  Carthaginians,  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
postulating with  them  on  the  subject  of  their 
attack  on  Saguntum ; and  at  length  declared 
war  against  them. — Cn.  Baffiius  Tamphilus  was 
the  first  member  of  this  family  who  served  the 

office  of  Consid  572  (b.  c.  182). Marcus 

Beebitxs  Tamphilus,  the  son,  by  whom  this  de- 
narius was  struck,  proceeded  Consul  in  the  year 
u.  c.  573  (b.  c.  181.) 

BA  LA  U ST1U  M — the  flower  of  the  pome- 
granate tree — appears  on  a denarius  of  the 
Cossutia  gens ; also  with  the  crab,  and  the 
aplustrurn,  on  a coin  of  the  Servilia  gens. 

BALISTA — one  of  the  ephemeral  usurpers  in 
the  reign  of  Gallienus  ; proclaimed  Emperor  in 
Syria,  a.  d.  262 ; slain  264.  The  coins,  pub- 
lished as  his,  are  false. 

BASILISCUS — brother  of  Vcrina,  wife  of 
Leo  I.  proclaimed  Emperor  of  the  East,  A.  D. 
476  ; dethroned  by  Zeno,  and  suffered  to  die  of 
hunger  a.  d.  477. — His  coins  in  each  metal  are 
rare.  Some  of  them  represent  him  with  his  son 
Marcus. 

BALB. — Bulbus. — C.  Balbus  of  the  Antonia 
gens,  was  duumvir  of  the  Colony  of  Leptis  in 
Africa — see  Morel!.  Thesaur.  Tam.  Rom. 

BALBUS. — A surname  of  the  Cornelia  gens. 

BALBUS  L.  THORIUS. — See  Thoria  gens. 
Also  see  Juno  Sospita. 

BALBINI  S (Decimus  Ceelius.)  Emperor 
with  Pupicnus,  a.d.  238. — As  soon  as  the  tid- 
ings had  reached  Rome  from  Africa,  that  the  two 
Gordians  were  dead,  and  that  Maximinus  was 


approaching  Italy,  with  a powerful  army,  the 
affrighted  senate  hastily  assembled  in  the  temple 
of  Jupiter  C'apitolinus,  and  by  a new  institution 
created  two  August i (see  p.  103)  in  the  respective 
persons  of  the  above-named  Balbinus,  and  Maxi- 
mus Pupicnus,  on  the  9th  of  July,  in  the  year 
above-named.  And  so  equal  was  the  degree  of 
power  entrusted  to  each,  that  it  exteuded  to  a 
division  between  them  of  the  supreme  pontifi- 
cate.— Balbinus,  descended  from  a very'  noble 
family,  was  born  a.  d.  178.  At  the  period  of 
his  elevation  to  Augustal  rank  and  authority, 
he  had  attained  60  years  of  age ; previously  to 
which  be  bad  governed  several  provinces,  with 
a high  character  for  the  justice  and  the  mild- 


BALB1NUS. 

ness  of  bis  administration.  He  had  also  been 
twice  Consul.  Although  liis  great  riches  had 
given  him  a turn  for  pleasure,  yet  he  had  kept 
himself  within  the  bouuds  of  moderation,  and 
acquired  no  common  repute  for  forensic  acquire- 
ments and  for  poetical  talents.  Pursuant  to  a 
senatorial  decree,  his  colleague,  a bold  and 
experienced  warrior,  was  sent  to  command  the 
annv  levied  to  repel  the  invasion  of  Maximiuus  j 
whilst  Balbinus,  naturally  timid,  and  holding  ill 
awe  the  very  name  of  the  Thracian  savage,  who 
had  instigated  the  assassination  of  Alexander 
Scverus,  remained  at  Rome  ; his  task,  scarcely 
a less  difficult  one,  being  to  keep  down  the 
spirit  of  sedition  and  tumult  prevailing  between 
tlic  soldiery  and  the  people,  whose  quarrels  filled 
the  capital  with  bloodshed. — Further  to  win  the 
popular  favour,  the  new  emperors  were  obliged 
to  name  the  younger  Gordian  as  Ciesar,  on  the 
very  day  of  their  own  election. — Pupicnus  who 
was  at  Ravenna  when  Maximinus  and  his  son, 
Maximus,  were  slain  before  Aquilcia  (a.d.  238) 
returned  to  Rome  ; where  he  met  with  the  most 
joyous  reception  from  Balbinus,  the  Senators, 
and  the  people  at  large.  Both  emperors  then 
devoted  themselves  to  the  duties  of  their  joint 
government ; and,  notwithstanding  mutual  jea- 
lousies occasionally  displayed  by  the  one  towards 
the  other,  they  conducted  public  affairs  toge- 
ther, upon  the  whole,  in  a wise,  disinterested, 
and  efficient  manner.  This  state  of  things  how- 
ever did  not  last  long.  Balbinus  was  prepariug 
to  commence  hostilities  against  the  insurgent 
Goths,  and  Pupienus  had  already  marched  to 
repel  an  invasion  of  the  Persians.  \t  this 
critical  juncture,  the  venal  and  sanguinary 
Prietorians,  bearing  a grudge  against  the  two 
Augusti  for  having  been  chosen,  not  by  them- 
selves but,  by  the  Senate,  and  moreover  not  less 
displeased  at  their  endeavours  to  restore  military 
discipline — took  advantage  of  the  Capitoline 
games  absorbing  public  attention,  to  assail  the 
palace,  and  murder  them  both  under  circum- 
stances of  the  most  revolting  and  outrageous 
cruelty.  Thus  was  the  imperial  career  of  Bal- 
biuus  and  his  brave  colleague  terminated,  after 
three  mouths  of  stale-service  deserving  of  a 
better  reward. 

The  style  and  titles  of  Balbinus  on  his  coins 
(which  are  all  rare,  especially  those  in  gold)  arc 
IMP.  C.  (or  CAES.)  D.  CAEL.  BALBINVS.  AVG. 

Some  with  radiated,  others  with  laurelled  heads. 
See  Pupienus. 

“The  medals  of  Balbinus  (says  Capt.  Smyth, 
p.  251),  whether  Latin,  Greek,  or  Egyptian, 
are  all  rare  and  of  a high  price — the  dcuarii 
and  sestertii  being  the  most  common ; nor  are 
any  colonial,  or  small  brass,  known.  Although 
the  arts  were  now  on  the  decline,  moncycrs  still 
possessed  the  power  of  executing  accurate  like- 
nesses; for  a comparison  of  the  beads  of 
Balbinus  and  Pupienus,  throughout  all  the 
metals  and  sizes,  affords  interual  evidence  of  the 
fidelity  of  their  resemblance.” 

'1  he  large-sized  silver  of  this  emperor  has  the 
head  with  radiated  crown — the  smaller  sized  has 
the  head  laurcated. — Akcrmuu,  i.  462. 


BARBA. 

The  following  are  the  rarest  reverses  under 
this  short  reign,  viz. : — 

Gold. — v.oris  decennalibvs,  within  a gar- 
land (valued  by  Mionuet  at  600  £r.) 

Silver. — amor  mvtws  avgg.  Two  hands 
joined  (large  size). 

First  Brass. — fides  pvbi.ica.  Two  hands 
holding  caduccus. — liberalitas  avgvstorvm. 
Six  figures. 

Second  Brass. concordia  avgg. iovi 

conservators  Jupiter  standing. — votis  de- 
cennalibvs. 

BARBATIA. This  gens,  whose  name  is 

given  neither  in  Morel,  nor  Eckhel,  nor  Mion- 
net,  is  added  to  the  list  of  plebeian  families,  by 
Riccio,  who  assigns  to  it  two  coins — one  with 
head  of  M.  Antonias  on  the  obverse,  and  that 
of  Octavianus  Cicsar  on  the  reverse.  The  other 
with  the  same  obverse,  but  with  the  head  of  L. 
Antonius  on  the  reverse.  Both  bear  the  name 
of  C.  Marcus  BARBATttu  (Philippas),  who 
was  Qu<eslor  P rovincia/is  and  moueycr  under 
the  Triumvir,  and  who  coined  them  between 
713  (b.  c.  41)  and  the  following  year. — See 
Munete  delle  Famiglie  di  Roma,  &c.  p.  35. 

BARBARR.  Barbararum. — Sec  Debellatori 
Gentium  Barbararum. — Victor  Gentium  Barba- 
rarum, &c.  of  Constantinus  Magnus. 

BARBA.  The  beard. — The  Romans  of  the  early 
ages  were  usually  represented  with  a liberal  garni- 
ture of  beard.  “ That  there  were  formerly  (says 
Varro)  no  barbers  among  them,  is  to  be  inferred 
from  the  appearance  of  ancient  statues,  which,  for 
the  most  part,  have  much  hair  on  their  heads,  and 
a great  beard.”  Even  at  the  time  of  the  capture 
of  their  city  by  the  Gauls,  they  had  not  adopted 
the  practice  of  shaving  the  beard:  this  is  evident 
from  the  insult  which  Livy  relates  to  have  been 
offered,  by  one  of  the  invading  army,  to  Marcus 
Papirius  (in  the  year  of  Rome  364,  b.c.  390). 
It  was  not  till  a.  u.  c.  454  (b.  c.  300)  that  bar- 
bers were  employed  at  Rome ; and  these  were  at 
first  sent  for  from  Sicily.  Pliny  states  that  the 
first  Roman  who  was  shaved  every  day  was  Sei- 
pio  Africanus.  From  the  period  iast  mentioned, 
young  men  began  to  remove  their  beards.  They 
commenced  the  operation  at  20  or  21  ; and  this 
practice  continued  till  the  age  of  49,  after  which 
no  shaving  was  allowed.  One  reason  for  wear- 
ing a beard  was  extreme  youth,  which  according 
to  Roman  custom  did  not  admit  of  its  being  yet 
cut.  Another  reason  was  some  occasion  of 
mourning.  An  example  of  both  kinds  is  fur- 
nished on  the  coins  of  Octavianus.  On  this 
point.  Eckhel  observes,  (vi.  76,)  that  under  his 
coinage  of  the  year  u.C.  717  (b.c.  37),  the  por- 
traitures exhibit  a beard  of  some  growth.  This 
appears  to  be  at  variance  with  the  expression  of 
Dion  Cassius,  who,  speaking  of  the  year  715, 
says — “ Indeed,  Caesar,  then  for  the  first  time 
shaving  off  his  beard,  not  only  spent  that  festal 
day  sumptuously  himself,  but  to  all  the  rest 
gave  a public  banquet.  From  that  time,  he 
kept  his  cheeks  smooth,  as  other  people  used  to 
do.”  Nevertheless,  coins  of  the  period,  all  of 
R 2 


BARBA.  123 

which  represent  Caesar,  Triumvir  for  the  2nd 
time,  {With  a beard,  are  testimonies  that  cannot 
deceive.  To  reconcile  Dion’s  account,  which  re- 
fers that  event  to  the  year  715,  with  the  fact 
of  Octavian’s  wearing  a beard  in  717,  as  evi- 
denced by  the  miutageof  that  year,  Eckhel  finds 
an  explanation  in  the  practice  above  alluded  to, 
of  the  Roman  youth  wearing  their  beards  up  to 
a certain  age,  that  is  to  say,  to  the  21st  year ; 
and  considers  it  probable  that  having  once  laid 
his  first  beard  aside,  in  accordance  with  the  usual 
custom,  Cicsar  shortly  afterwards  allowed  it  to 
grow  again  on  account  of  some  occasion  of  public 
mourning.  In  support  of  this  view  of  the  sub- 
ject in  question,  the  author  of  Dodrina  cites 
the  expression  of  Suetonius  respecting  Julius 
Caesar— “ When  news  was  brought  of  the 
Tilurian  slaughter,  [a  legion  and  live  cohorts 
under  Titurius  Sabinus,  destroyed  by  the  Gauls 
under  Ambiorix],  he  let  his  hair  and  beard  grow 
till  he  had  taken  his  revenge.”  And  of  Octa- 
vianus, but  after  his  accession  to  the  empire, 
Suetonius  also  remarks,  “ For  they  say,  that 
he  was  so  overwhelmed  (by  the  news  of  the 
slaughter  under  Varus)  that  for  months  he  al- 
lowed his  beard  and  hair  to  grow,  and  some- 
times used  to  dash  his  head  against  the  doors.” 
According  to  Plutarch,  Mark  Antony  also  let 
his  beard  grow  after  his  entire  defeat  by  Octa- 
vius Caesar  and  the  consuls  Pansa  and  Hirtius, 
in  the  year  711,  (b.c.  43)  at  the  battle  of  Mu- 
tina.  There  is  a numismatic  testimony  of  this 
fact,  on  the  obverse  of  a very  rare  deuarius, 
minted  by  that  brave  general,  Veutidius  Bassos, 
whose  eminent  services  to  the  subsequent  Trium- 
vir met  with  no  better  requital  from  him  than 
the  privilege  of  stamping  his  name  (P.  VEXT1- 
Dhts)  and  the  titles  of  PONTf/kr  and  IMPe- 
rator,  on  the  reverse  of  a coin,  the  obverse  of 
which  presents  a full  bearded  head  of  Mark 
Antony  (with  legend  M.  ANT.  HI.  v.  it.  p.  c.)  as 
in  the  subjoined  cut. 


In  addition  to  the  cause  above  alluded  to, 
scarcely  a single  reason  can  be  adduced,  why  the 
head  of  Mark  Antony  should  exhibit  a beard  on 
his  early  coins,  except  that  he  was  mourning 
the  death  of  Julius,  whose  life  was  of  such  im- 
portance to  himself,  and  of  whose  murder  he 
professed  .to  be  the  avenger. 

Cato  likewise  repudiated  the  use  of  the  razor, 
on  hearing  of  the  discomfiture  of  his  partizans 
at  Thapsus,  (b.  c.  46.) — Eckhel  thinks  the  rea- 
son for  the  public  mourning  in  the  case  of  Octa- 
vianus Caisar,  may  have  been  the  formidable  sys- 
tem of  hostilities  pursued  by  Sextus  Pompeius, 
(b.  c.  38.) — not  so  much  towards  himself  as 
towards  the  state  ; supplies  being,  at  that  junc- 
ture, cut  off,  whilst  famine  extended  its  ravages ; 


124  BARBA. 

then,  when  it  came  to  a trial  of  arms,  severe 
and  repeated  losses ; and  in  addition  to  these 
public  disasters,  the  disgrace  attending  them. 
When,  however,  on  the  defeat  of  Sextus,  a.  u.  c. 
718  (b.  c.  36),  this  state  of  things  was  put  an 
end  to,  he  returned  to  the  accustomed  fashion. 

Of  Caligula,  Suetonius  tells  us  that,  at  the 
age  of  twenty,  he  assumed  the  toga,  and  laid 
aside  his  beard : and  of  Nero,  that  he  did  the 
same  at  a more  advanced  age,  viz.  22,  aud 
when  he  was  already  Emperor,  (a.  d.  68),  a fact 
conclusively  proved  by  his  coins,  although  on 
his  early  mint  he  is  represented  with  a slight 
beard. — After  that  period  his  beard  was  laid 
aside,  and  thus  all  the  Emperors  are  found  to 
exhibit  smooth  chins,  on  their  coins,  from  the 
time  of  Augustus  to  that  of  Hadrian. 

Juvenal  shews,  that  the  day  on  which  the 
first  cutting  off  of  the  bear'd  took  place,  was 
sacred  to  rejoicings : 

Ille  metit  barbam,  crinem  hie  deponit  amati, 

Plena  domus  libis  venahbus. 

[Here  one  reaps  his  crop  of  beard — there 
another  lays  aside  the  hail'  of  his  favourite ; the 
house  is  tilled  with  good  cheer.] 

The  celebration  of  this  event  by  princes  was 
accompanied  by  various  ceremonies  aud  public 
solemnities.  The  same  sort  of  feeling  respecting 
the  tender  beard  of  the  young  heirs  to  empire 
was  probably  entertained,  which  is  expressed  in 
the  words  of  Cicero — Nostri  isti  barbatuli 
juvenes — “ those  downy  youths  of  ours.” 

It  was  Hadrian  (Emperor  A.  D.  117),  who, 
having  publicly  assumed  the  character  of  a phi- 
losopher, allowed  his  beard  to  grow  as  we  see 
from  his  statues  aud  coins,  llis  example  was  fol- 
lowed by  a long  line  of  successors,  who,  whenever 
their  age  admitted  of  it,  cherished  this  badge  of 
manhood.  According  to  Dion,  indeed,  Elaga- 
balus  adopted  the  shaving  practice.  An  excep- 
tion, this,  however,  unworthy  to  be  quoted. — 
At  length  Constantine,  A.  D.  311,  doubtless  pre- 
ferring a smooth  chin,  restored  the  fashion  of 
the  first  Emperors,  and  eschewed  the  beard. 
His  example  was  followed  by  his  sons,  and  all 
the  members  of  his  family,  with  the  exception 
of  Julian  called  the  apostate,  “ the  greater  part  of 
whose  wisdom  (says  Eckhel)  for  he  was  a philo- 
sopher, lay  in  his  beard.”  It  appears  that  this 
prince,  whilst  yet  a private  citizen,  wore  a 
beard;  but  having  been  ordered  to  remove  it 
when  called  to  the  dignity  of  Cicsar,  he  does  not 
exhibit  that  appendage,  on  the  coins  which  give 
him  that  title.  Those  struck,  after  he  had  be- 
come Emperor,  represent  him,  cither  without  a 
beard,  or,  as  is  most  frequently  the  case,  liber- 
ally furnished  with  that  article.  There  can  be  no 
doubt,  but  that  the  coins  of  the  former  kind  arc 
to  be  referred  to  the  commencement  of  Julian’s 
reign  ; when  his  fortunes  being  still  in  uncer- 
tainty, and  all  hope  of  reconciliation  with  Cou- 
stantius  II.  not  having  been  relinquished,  he 
still  adhered  to  the  old  custom.  And  this  indeed 
was  the  reason  why  he  at  that  time  continued  to 
take  part  in  the  religious  rites  of  Christianity. 
Becoming  gradually  more  secure,  he  resumed 


BARBARI. 

j the  beard ; which  his  uncle  had  been  the  first 
| emperor  to  lay  aside  after  an  interval  of  more 
| than  240  years.  But  Julian,  it  seems,  did  not 
make  this  innovation  with  impunity.  He  was 
| openly  ridiculed  by  the  Antiochiaus,  for  wearing, 

! as  they  said,  the  beard  of  a goat,  with  hairs  so 
thick  aud  coarse,  that  ropes  might  be  spoil  of 
it.  By  way  of  retort,  the  emperor  replied : 

‘ yon  may  do  so,  if  you  please,  for  aught  I care ; 
but  I doubt,  whether  you  would  be  able  to 
pluck  them  out  for  the  purpose,  and  am  afraid 
their  roughness  will  hurt  your  soft  and  delicate 
hands.’  ” 

From  the  time  of  Jovianus,  (Julian’s  succes- 
sor a. i).  363)  all  the  emperors  again  exhibited 
smooth  faces.  The  usurper  Phocas  (a.d.  602) 
was  the  first,  after  this  long  interval,  to  revive 
the  beard  ; and  it  continued  in  fashion  till  the 
fall  of  the  empire. — “ On  the  strength  of  coins 
(says  Eckhel)  I confidently  pronounce  that  all 
Emperors,  after  Phocas,  wore  the  beard.  Nor 
is  it  surprising,  that  the  emperors  of  that  age, 
most  of  them  of  Greek  extraction,  should  have 
gradually  done  away  with  the  Latin  practice  of 
abstaining  from  beards,  and  returned  to  the  cus- 
tom of  their  own  nation.” — See  l).  N.  v.  vi.  36, 
76. — Also  the  Treatise  on  Coins  of  the  lower 
Empire,  viii.  $ ii.  132. 

BARBARUS  NTJMTJS. — This  term  is  ap- 
plied to  such  ancient  coins,  whether  of  gold, 
silver,  or  brass,  as,  from  their  bad  representa- 
tions of  the  human  countenance,  and  from  the 
general  obscurity  of  their  legends,  appear  to  be 
of  barbaric  origiu. — Rasche. 

BARBARI. — Barbarians. — It  is  thus  that  the 
Greeks  called  all  other  people  ; and  the  Romans 
afterwards  used  the  same  expression,  to  desig- 
nate whomsoever  were  neither  Greeks  nor  Latins. 
The  Emperor  Antoninus  Pius,  haviug,  by  an 
edict  abolished  all  distinctions  between  citizens 
throughout  the  empire,  the  foreigner  as  well  as 
the  native  of  Rome  and  of  Italy,  took  part  in 
all  civil  and  military  employments.  During  the 
republic,  and  early  iu  the  imperial  government, 
it  was  a very  rare  thing  to  see  any  one,  except 
a Roman  by  birth,  occupying  any  post  of  high 
importance.  The  case  of  Vcutidius  indeed, 
forms  au  exceptional  instance.  A native  of 
Pisenum,  aud  a manumitted  prisoner,  he  became 
one  of  Mark  Antony’s  best  lega/i,  during  the 
civil  wars,  and  served  the  office  of  cousid.  But 
after  the  Antouines,  foreigners  are  fouud  to 
have  been,  from  time  to  time,  appointed  to  the 
consulate.  The  famous  Stilicho,  son  of  a Van- 
dal captain,  governed  the  empire,  in  the  nominal 
reigu  of  Honoiius,  and  was  twice  consul.  The 
same  change  took  place  with  regard  to  the 
troops.  Auxiliaries  were  drafted  into  the  Roman 
legions,  and  eventually  formed  legions  of  them- 
selves.— Sec  Pitiscus,  Lex.  Ant.  Rom. 

BARE  HEAD. — The  bare  or  naked  head,  as 
contradistinguished  from  thejaureated  or  radiated 
head,  on  imperial  coins,  is  generally  indicative 
of  a Cicsar,  or  son,  either  real  or  adopted,  of  an 
emperor  or  reignimr  prince. — See  Caput  Nutlum. 

BARBIA  ORBIANA. — Sec  Orbiaua. 


BASILICA. 


BELLEROPHON.  125 


BASSIANUS,  the  father  of  Julia  Domna,  wife 
of  Scptiwius  Scverus.  It  was  also  the  name  of 
Caracalla. — See  Eckhcl’s  pedigree  of  Elagabalus, 
viii.  p.  202. 

BASILICA. — This  word,  which  properly  sig- 
nifies a Royal  House,  designated  at  Rome  a sump- 
tuous edifice,  under  the  roof  of  which  the  magis- 
trates administered  justice ; aud  so  far  it  was 
distinguished  from  the  forum,  where  the  sessions 
were  held  in  the  open  air.  The  form  of  these 
basilica  was  that  of  a long  square,  with  a portico 
at  each  extremity.  They  had  a lofty  nave,  with 
two  side  aisles,  separated  by  two  rows  of  pillars, 
and  each  formed  a structure,  which,  adorned 
with  columns,  military  ensigns,  and  trophies, 
administered  to  a taste  for  regal  majesty  and 
magnificence ; and  therefore  might  well  be 
classed  amongst  the  ades  regia  of  the  State. 
The  walls  of  the  side  aisles  were  furnished  with 
shops,  in  which  goods  of  all  kinds  were  dis- 
played for  sale,  and  the  centre  hall  served  as  a 
resort  where  merchants,  aud  other  men  of  busi- 
ness were  wont  to  congregate.  Thus  were  these 
buildings  dedicated  at  once  to  the  purposes  of 
commerce  and  of  judicature. 

The  simplicity  of  the  early  republic  seems  not 
to  have  indulged  in  the  luxury  of  building. 
According  to  Livy  (lxxvii.  c.  27),  there  were  no 
basilica  in  Rome  till  the  year  514  (b.  c.  210.) 
Subsequently  to  that  period,  the  wealth  of  the 
city  having  greatly  increased,  Cato  built  the 
Basilica  to  which  he  himself  gave  the  name  of 
Porcia ; others  followed,  amongst  the  most 
superb  of  which  was  that  called  by  the  name  of 
JEmilia,  or  of  Paulus,  of  which  a representa- 
tion is  preserved  on  a denarius  of  the  /Emilia 
gens.  [See  Aimilia  Refecta,  p.  31] — Flutarch 
states,  that  the  tribunes  of  the  plebs  were 
accustomed  to  convoke  public  assemblies  in  the 
Basilica  Porcia ; and  Seneca  speaks  of  these 
basilica  resounding  with  the  roar  of  law  verdicts 
aud  judgments  (fremila  judiciorum).  For  archi- 
tectural  details  relative  to  edifices  of  this  descrip- 
tion, see  Dr.  Smith’s  Dictionary  of  Greek  and 
Roman  Antiquities,  p.  130. 


BASILICA  ULPIA. — An  elegant  portico, 
with  lofty  steps,  and  adorned  with  statues. 

This  legend  and  type  on  gold  aud  first  brass 
of  Trajan,  designates  and  represents  the  re- 
markable edifice,  which  that  emperor  caused  to 
be  built  at  Rome,  and  to  which  he  gave  his 
family  name.  Its  portico  was  supported  by 
sixteen  columns,  adorned  with  numerous  statues, 
and,  according  to  the  coins,  crowned  with  tri- 


umphal ornaments.  In  the  area  of  the  building 
was  the  equestrian  statue  of  Trajan. — The  large 
brass  bears  on  its  reverse  the  following  legend  : 

s.  p.  q.  li.  optimo  pkincipj,  on  the  exergue 
basilica  vlpia,  s.  c. — On  the  obverse  we  read 

IMP.  CAES.  NEItVAE  TRAIANO  AVG.  GER.  DAC. 
P.  M.  T.  R.  P.  COS.  VI.  P.  P. 

This  magnificent  and  useful  edifice,  was  by 
order  of  the  Senate  typified  on  the  coins  of 
Trajan,  in  the  year  of  Rome  867  (u.  c.  114), 
when  the  Basilica  was  dedicated. 

Eekhcl  cites  Lampridius  as  alluding  to  this 
sumptuous  structure,  in  mentioning  that  Commo- 
dus,  afterwards  emperor,  when  he  assumed  the 
toga  viritis,  went  to  preside  (as  magistrate)  in  the 
Basilica Trajani;  and  Vaillant  quotes  Nicephorus, 
wherein  he  says,  “the  Senate,  moreover,  held  a 
convocation  in  the  Basilica  called  Ulpia.” 

BATHS  of  the  Romans — see  Therma. 

BB.  indicates  a duplicate  plural.  Thus 
crispvs  et  constant.  1VN.  are  called  nobu. 
Caess.  Nobi/issimi  Casares. 

BEAT1TUDO  PUBLICA. — A woman  sitting 
with  right  hand  raised,  and  left  hand  holding 
the  hasta.  On  a third  brass  of  Magnentius, 
struck  between  a.  d,  350  to  353. 

A new  reverse  known  to  Banduri  and  later  to 
Tanini.  Besides  this  coin  a marble  dedicated  to 
Constantins  II.  shews  by  the  following  that 
Beal  Undo,  or  1 happiness,  was  held  at  that 
period  in  the  highest  estimation : — pro  beati- 

TVDINE  TEMFORVM  1).  D.  CONSTANTII  ET  CON- 

stantis,  &c. — (D.  N.  V.  viii.  p.  122.) 

BEATA  URBS  ROMA. — On  a large  brass 
of  Constaus. — See  TJrbs  Roma  Beata. 

BEATA  TRAN QUILLITAS. — (Blessed  or 
Happy  Tranquillity.)  A celestial  globe,  placed 
on  a cippus,  inscribed  votis  xx. — stars  above. 

Banduri  gives  this  from  a third  brass  of 
Licinius  the  younger,  as 
struck  between  a.  d.  317 
and  323.  It  would  seem 
to  be  the  first  occurrence 
of  this  legend,  which  after- 
wards appears  in  the  mint 
of  Crispus,  and  others  of 
the  Family  of  Constantine 
the  Great,  to  whose  go- 
vernment the  tranquil  state  of  the  empire  is 
ascribed. 

BELLEROPHON— The  story  of  this 
favourite  hero  of  the  Corinthians  is  so  mixed  up 
with  fable  as  to  render  the  whole  a matter  of 
doubt  amongst  the  writers  of  antiquity.  On 
imperial  colonial  coins  of  Corinth,  with  Latin 
legends,  (struck  under  Augustus.  M.  Aurelius, 
L.  Verus,  S.  Scverus,  Geta,  and  Alex.  Sevcrus), 
Bellerophon  appears,  sometimes  mounted  on 
Pegasus,  in  the  act  of  fighting  with  an  enig- 
matical non-descript,  v’clept  Chimara — some- 
times on  the  same  winged  horse  of  Apollo,  with- 
out the  Chiimera  being  of  the  party.  On  other 
reverses  of  the  fertile  Corinthian  mint,  this 
intrepid  horse-tamer  is  represented  on  foot  hold- 
ing Pegasus  by  the  bridle.  “ The  legendary 
conqueror  of  the  triple  monster  (says  Vaillant), 
seems  introduced  on  these  coins  of  Corinth 


12C  BERYTUS. 

under  her  Roman  masters,  to  indicate  the  great 

antiquity  of  that  city.” — See  Corinthus  Colonia. 

BELLONA. — A goddess  created  to  share  the 
fatigues  and  sanguinary  glories  of  Mars;  but 
whether  as  wife,  sister,  or  companion,  is  not 
said.  The  figure  of  this  female  tutelary  of  war- 
riors is  considered,  by  some,  to  appear  on  a large 
brass  of  Gordianus  Pius,  bearing  on  its  reverse 
the  legend  of  viktvs  avgg.  (Virtus  Augusto- 
rumj ; standing  with  a spear  in  one  hand,  and 
resting  the  other  on  a shield  upon  the  ground. 
The  galcated  Amazon  is  generally  distinguished 
from  Minerva,  by  holding  a parazonium  ; and 
from  Roma,  by  not  bearing  an  idol  of  Victory ; 
and,  excepting  the  right  breast  and  the  left  foot, 
her  limbs  are  covered  with  drapery. — Captain 
Smyth,  p.  247. 

BERYTUS  Phcenicite  colonia  (Baruti,  , 
Bejrut,  Begrout,  Syria),  one  of  the  most  an- 
cient cities  in  Asia,  situate  on  the  sea  coast. — 
The  old  geographers  speak  of  Berytus  as  terra 
atnana  (a  pleasant  land)  ; and  modern  travel- 
lers confirm  all  that  ha3  been  said,  in  former 
days,  of  the  salubrity  of  its  climate  and  the  fer- 
tility of  its  soil ; to  which  the  latter  add — what 
seldom  employs  the  pen  of  either  Greek  or 
Roman  prose  writers — a warm  panegyric  on  the 
mountain  grandeurs  and  picturesque  beauties  of 
its  favoured  locality.  By  whom  it  was  founded, 
as  a Roman  colony,  has  been  matter  of  contro- 
versy, which  seems  to  be  thus  settled — namely,  | 
that  Berytus  was  colonized  by  Julius  Caesar,  and  | 
thence  derived  its  name  of  Julia ; that  Augus- 
tus next  scut  to  it  a part  of  the  veterans  taken 
from  two  legions,  viz.  v.  Macedonica,  and  viii. 
Augusta,  as  a reinforcement  to  the  first  military 
settlers ; on  which  account  the  name  Augusta 
was  added.  From  Augustus  also  the  city  re- 
ceived the  Jus  Italicum ; and  afterwards,  accord- 
ing to  Josephus  (i,.  xix.  c.  7),  it  was  honoured 
with  peculiar  benefits  from  Agrippa,  king  of 
Judaea,  at  whose  expense  the  Berytcnsian  colony 
was  embellished  with  a fine  theatre,  and  a mag- 
nificent amphitheatre,  besides  baths,  porticoes, 
and  other  architectural  works,  of  equal  utility 
aud  elegance.  It  is  now  called  Begrout;  and 
the  gallant  exploits  of  the  British  navy  have, 
in  our  day,  brought  it  again  into  European 
notice. 

The  coins  of  this  city  arc  numerous.  They 
are  classed  by  Mionnct  into  Phoenician  auto- 
nomes  in  silver;  Greek  and  bilingual  in  silver 
and  brass;  Latin  colonial  autonomes;  aud  Latin 
imperial  colonial,  in  small,  middle,  and  large 
brass. 

The  Latin  autonomous  coins  of  Berytus,  have 
for  legend  col.  ber.  and  for  types  Silenus  walk- 
ing— the  prow  of  a ship — the  turreted  and  veiled 
head  of  a woman — a galley — a partridge,  cornn- 
copiic,  and  dolphin. 

The  Latin  imperial  colonial,  commence  under 
Julius  Ciesar,  and  extend  with  scarcely  a break, 
down  to  the  reign  of  Gallieuus.  The  legends  of  re- 
verse are  col.  ber. — col.  ivl.  ber.  as  in  Julius 
and  Augustus  ; col.  ivl.  ber.  aud  col.  ivl.  avo.  I 
ber.  as  in  Augustus;  c.  I.  f.  avg. — col.  ber. 

— COL.  IVL.  ANT. — COL.  IVL.  AVG.  FEL.  BER.  US  ill  j 


BERYTUS. 

Julia  Domna  and  Caracalla. — Berytus  is  called 
Felix,  because  (says  Yaillant)  cities  were  accus- 
tomed to  proclaim  themselves  happy,  or  for- 
tunate, when  they  were  admitted  to  the  rank 
and  privileges  of  Roman  colonics.  Amongst  the 
types  which  present  themselves  on  Latin  imperial 
colonial  of  Berytensiau  mintage  are  the  following : 

1 . jEneas,  Anchises,  aud  Ascanius. — On  a 
I reverse  of  Elagabalus. 

2.  Astarte. — This  object  of  oriental  idol- 
atry, which  has  already  been  noticed  under  its 
own  name,  was  the  chief  tutelary  goddess  of 
Berytus.  Accordingly  we  find  her  frequently 
and  variously  represented  on  its  coinage.  In 
p.  91,  a Tyrian  specimen  of  her  image,  clothed 
in  a short  dress  has  been  given.  The  anucxed 
cut  shews  Astarte  with  tutulatcd,  or  tufted  head- 
dress, and  in  a long  robe,  by  which  the  entire 
person  is  covered,  with  the  exception  of  the 
ieft  knee,  which  is  bare,  whilst  the  foot  is 


planted  on  the  prow  of  a vessel.  In  her  left 
hand  is  the  ap/ustrum ; and  her  right  hand  holds 
a staff  as  tall  as  the  figure,  and  terminating  in  a 
cross,  her  peculiar  symbol.  A column  close  to 
her  left  hand  is  surmounted  by  a figure  of  Vic- 
tory, which  offers  to  her  a garland  or  crown.  Her 
left  foot  placed  on  the  ship’s  prow. — On  another 
reverse  she  appears  with  turreted  head,  standing 
in  a temple  of  four  columns,  holding  a trident 
in  her  right  hand.  The  attributes  arc  both 
allusive  to  the  maritime  locality  of  Berytus, 
which  she  was  supposed  to  have  under  her 
guardianship.  It  is  thus  that  this  idol  of  the 
Berytcnsians  appears,  on  coins  struck  under 
Trajan,  Hadrian,  Commodus,  S.  Severus,  Julia 
| Domna,  Caracalla,  Macrinus,  &c. 

Vaillaut  (ii.  142)  has  engraved  the  bust  of 
Astarte,  presenting  a front  face,  between  two 
legionary  eagles,  dedicated  by  this  colony  to 
Gordiauus  III. ; and  Ecklicl  describes  the  same 
type  under  Gallirnus.  There  is  also  a temple 
of  four  columns,  of  which  the  frontispiece  is 
adorned  with  statues,  aud  before  the  steps  of 
which  is  a lion,  on  coins  of  Berytus,  struck 
with  the  portrait  of  the  younger  Gordianus. — 
Scstini  gives  a coin  of  llostiliauus  and  an- 
other of  Valerianus,  on  which  Astarte,  with 
the  modius  on  her  head,  stands  holdiug  in  the 
right  hand  her  usual  attribute  of  a cross-headed 
hasta,  and  in  her  left  hand  a cornucopia? ; her 
right  foot  is  on  a prow,  aud  a r ictorio/a  on  a 
cippus  extends  a crown  towards  her  head,  [<w  in 
the  tgpe  above  engraved .] — Pellerin  has  given 
a beautiful  little  coiu  bearing  the  portrait  of 
Sabiuia  Tranquillina,  and  on  which  Astarte  is 


BERYTUS. 

represented,  with  an  infant  Silenus  dancing 
at  her  feet. — See  Melange,  vol.  i.  plate  xx. 
fig.  13. — Mionnet  cites  from  the  cabinet  Cou- 
sinery,  a Beryteusian  coin  of  Treb.  Gallus, 
wliich  exhibits  this  Syrian  Venus,  standing 
between  two  small  Victories,  each  on  a column. 
She  holds  up  above  her  head  a scarf  filled  by 
the  wind. 

On  a second  brass  dedicated  by  this  city  to 
Salonina,  as  a mode  of  complimenting  her  hus- 
band Gallienus,  Astartc  under  the  figure  of  a 
woman,  in  a long  dress,  crowned  with  towers, 
stands  on  the  acrostolium  (or  beak  of  a galley)  : 
she  holds  the  cruciform  attribute  in  her  right 
hand,  and  gathers  the  skirt  of  her  robe  in  her 
left.  Behind  her  is  a viclorio/a,  on  a column, 
with  garland  aud  palm  branch. — See  Vaillaut 
in  Col.  ii.  215. 

3.  Bacchus. — The  image  of  a god  so  popularly 
adored  as  Liber  Pater,  in  the  wine-producing 
district  where  Berytus  flourished,  could  not  fail 
to  make  its  appearance  on  her  coins.  Accord- 
ingly, cither  unclothed,  between  two  shoots  of 
viuc,  holding  in  one  hand  the  rhgton,  and  in 
the  left  the  thyrsus — sometimes  with  a faun  or 
satyr  by  his  side — sometimes  holding  a bunch  of 
grapes  over  the  head  of  his  inseparable  friend 
the  panther;  or  iu  a long  dress,  with  the  can ■ 
tharus,  and  a staff  entwined  with  foliage  and 
fruit,  as  the  Indian  Bacchus  ; we  see  him  re- 
presented ou  mintages  of  this  colony,  under 
Hadrian,  Gordiauus  Pius,  and  other  emperors. — 
[These  types  probably  indicate  that  the  people 
of  Berytus  worshipped  him,  as  the  reputed  first 
planter  of  vineyards,  iu  the  regions  of  Phoenicia ; 
and  especially  on  the  spurs  of  the  mountain* 
chain  of  Libanus,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  the 
more  ancient  Beroes  was  built. — Vaill.  in  Col. 
ii.  140f] 

4.  Colonus. — A colonist,  or  a priest  veiled, 
guiding  two  oxen,  or  an  ox  and  a cow,  the 
common  numismatic  symbol  of  an  established 
colony,  is  a very  frequeut  type  on  the  coins  of 
Berytus.  It  successively  appears  under  Julius 
Cicsar,  Augustus,  Tiberius,  Caligula,  Claudius, 
Nero,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Domitian,  Nerva,  Trajan, 
Antoninus  Pius,  M.  Aurelius. 

5.  Circle  of  figures. — On  a coin  of  Berytus, 
struck  under  Elagabalus,  are  eight  togated  figures, 
seated  in  a round,  forming  a kind  of  circular 
group,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  the  abbreviated 
name  of  the  city,  bf.r.  Below  is  a galley. 


[The  above  cut  is  from  a well  preserved  speci- 
men in  the  British  Museum,  on  comparing 
which  with  Pellcrin’s  engraving  of  the  same  re- 
verse, we  have  another  instauce  among  many  of 


BERYTUS.  127 

the  fidelity  with  which  the  plates  of  coins 
in  his  Recueil  des  Medailles,  arc  for  the  most 
part  executed.  See  Melange,  i.  pi.  xix.  fig.  4, 
p.  299,  in  which  he  contents  himself  with 
merely  adding,  “ On  lie  rapporte  cette  Mcdaille 
precedente  que  par  rapport  a la  singularity  de  sa 
type,  qui  ne  sc  trouve  point  dans  Vaillant.” 

To  publish  a coin  from  his  own  collection 
“qui  ue  se  trouve  point  dans  Vaillaut,”  was 
(unfortunately  for  the  cause  of  numismatic 
science)  more  often  the  aim  of  Pellcrin  than  to 
exercise  his  great  erudition  and  experienced 
sagacity,  in  assisting  to  interpret  a puzzling 
type  even  of  his  own  editing — as  if  it  became 
one  eminent  antiquary  to  make  somewhat  of  a 
parade  iu  supplying  the  omissions,  or  exposing 
the  deficiencies,  of  another  equally  eminent 
man,  yet  without  either  taking  the  same  pains 
as  his  predecessor  had  done,  to  unravel  a numis- 
matic enigma,  or  having  the  candour  to  ac- 
knowledge his  ignorance  of  its  meaning. — 
On  turning  from  writers  of  the  elder  school, 
to  Mionnet,  who,  for  years  iu  charge  of  the 
grandest  of  cabinets,  and  surrounded  by  some 
of  the  best  antiquaries  in  Europe,-  was  himself  a 
model  of  industry,  we  find  his  notice  of  the  coin 
in  question  comprised  in  these  words,  “ Unit 
figures  assises,  et  formant  un  cercle.”  That  is  all. 
Not  a word  more,  in  the  shape  of  note  or  comment 
respecting  this  very  remarkable — perhaps  unique 
reverse,  which  is  worthy  the  attention  of  Eng- 
lish numismatologists. — And,  indeed,  to  elicit 
from  their  learning,  research,  and  ingenuity, 
some  clue,  at  least,  to  the  solution  of  tliis 
riddle,  is  the  principal  motive  which  has  led 
to  its  being  included  amongst  the  graphic 
illustrations  of  the  present  work,  as  a genuine, 
rare,  and  curious  relic  of  the  Roman  colonial 
mint. — The  figures  are  not  those  of  the  Dii 
Majores,  for  they  are  not  sufficiently  numer- 
ous, and  arc  without  distinctive  attributes. — 
Appearing,  as  they  do,  to  be  all  of  the  male  sex, 
it  may  be  no  great  piece  of  presumption  to 
hazard  a conjecture,  that  this  circular  group  was 
intended  to  represent  a council,  not  of  gods 
but,  of  men — quere  if  of  the  duumviri,  decurioues, 
and  other  governing  authorities  of  the  city  of 
Berytus  ? j 

6.  Hercules,  naked,  standing  between  two 
serpents,  upright  on  their  tails. — Elagabalus.' 
Engraved  in  Vaillant,  ii.  76. 

7.  Jupiter. — His  image  within  a tetrastyle 
temple,  is  represented  on  a first  brass  of  Trajan, 
engraved  in  Havercamp’s  Medailles  de  Christine, 
p.  54. 

8.  Lion  walking. — Valerianus. 

9.  Legionary  Eagles  and  Military  Ensigns, 
sometimes  within  a laurel  crown,  in  other 
instances  with  col.  ber.  and  the  numerals 
v.  vui.  (meaning  Colonia  Berytus,  Quinta  et 
Octava,  i.  e.  Legio.)  These  appear  on  coins 
struck  at  Berytus  under  the  following  Emperors, 
viz.  Augustus,  Tiberius,  Claudius,  Nerva,  Ha- 
drian, Commodus,  Julia  Domna,  Caracalla,  Gor- 
dianus  Pius. 

Such  military  symbols  refer  to  the  original 
formation  of  the  colony  by  Julius  Cicsar,  or 


128  BERYTUS. 

rather  to  the  transmission  of  the  two  legions 
(fifth  and  eighth)  above  mentioned,  to  Bervtus  by 
Augustus.  The  exhibition  of  Legionary  Eagles 
on  colonial  coins  of  Domna,  alludes  probably  (as 
Yaillant  observes)  to  the  Senate  having  repre- 
sented her,  on  their  own  mint  at  Rome,  sacri- 
ficing before  the  Roman  standards,  in  record 
of  the  title  which  they  had  conferred  on  that 
ambitious  Princess,  of  Muter  Castrorum,  in 
imitation  of  a similar  honour  bestowed  by  Mar- 
cus Aurelius,  with  • like  impropriety,  on  his 
Empress  Faustina. 

10.  Neptune. — Berytus,  being  maritime, 
built  a temple  to  Neptune,  whom  its  inhabitants 
worshiped  as  one  of  their  tutelary  deities.  Local 
traditions,  indeed,  whilst.naming  Saturn  as  the 
founder  of  Berytus,  add  that  lie  gave  that  city  to 
the  God  of  the  Sea.  It  is  not  surprising,  there- 
fore, that  his  image  frequently  occurs  on  coins 
of  this  colony.  These  are  found  to  have  been 
minted  under  Augustus,  Trajan,  Hadrian,  Anto- 
ninus Pins,  Commodus,  S.  Scvcrus,  Caracalla, 
Macrinus,  Elagabalus,  Gordiauus  Pius. — See 
Neptune. 

11.  Neptune  and  Beroe. — A large  brass, 
struck  at  Berytus,  bears  on  its  obverse  the  head 
of  Elagabalus ; and  on  the  other  side,  col.  ivl. 
avg.  PEL.  ber.  with  the  remarkable  type,  which, 
from  a specimen  in  the  British  Museum,  is 
faithfully  copied  in  the  subjoined  cut. 


Vaillant  {in  Coloniis,  ii.  75)  was  the  first  to 
give  an  engraving  of  this  elegant  reverse,  which 
he  describes  and  explains  as  follows  : “ Neptune, 
as  distinguished  by  the  trident  in  his  left  hand, 
lays  hold,  with  his  right,  on  a woman  who  is  in  a 
kneeling  posture,  and  has  a vase,  or  pitcher,  in 
her  right  hand.” — Berytus,  if  Nonuus  is  to  be 
credited,  took  its  first  name  of  Beroes  from  the 
nymph  Beroe,  the  fabled  daughter  of  Venus  and 
Adouis,  whom  Neptune  demanded  in  marriage, 
but  who  was  given  to  Bacchus.  But  here  the 
nymph  appears  unwilling  to  be  dragged  away  by 
Neptune;  ‘‘because  (adds  Vaillant’s  authority) 
the  God  of  Wine  was  more  pleasing  to  her  than 
the  God  of  the  Sea.” 

12.  Sileniu. — A type  of  this  “ witty”  pre- 
ceptor of  Bacchus,  appears  on  coins  of  the 
Bcrytensians,  minted  under  Elagabalus. — See 
Si  ten  us. 

13.  Temple. — On  a coin  of  this  colony,  dedi- 
cated to  Julia  Miesa,  is  a tetrastyle  temple,  in 
which  are  the  figures  of  three  females,  the  middle 
one  of  whom  is  seated,  the  other  two  standing. — 


BERYTL’S. 

Engraved  by  Pcllerin,  iu  Melange,  i.  pi.  xix. 
No.  12. 

1-1.  Venus  Marina,  naked,  seated  on  a rock. 
— Hadrian. 

15.  Victory,  marching,  with  right  hand  raised, 
and  carrying  a labarum  on  the  left  shoulder — 
before  her  is  a galley  with  two  sailors,  each 
holding  a labarum — large  brass  of  Elagabalus. — 
Engraved  in  Pellerin,  Melange,  i.  pi.  xix.  fig  5, 
p.  299. 

16.  Temple  of  Astarte. — The  subjoined  is 
engraved  from  a first  brass  (in  the  British 
Museum),  dedicated  by  this  colony  to  Diadu- 
mcnianus,  sou  of  the  Emperor  Macrinus.  The 
legend  col.  ivl.  avg.  pel.  ber.  identifies  the  coin 
with  the  mint  of  Berytus.  As  to  the  type,  it 
is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  in  the  colonial 
scries;  constituting,  as  it  does,  a multum  in  pareo 
of  allusion  to  local  traditions  and  ancient  idola- 
tries. Vaillant  having  published  nocoiu  of  Diadu- 
meuianus,  struck  at  Berytus,  Pellerin  has  supplied 
the  omission,  by  giving  an  exact  delineation, 
accompanied  with  a minute  description  of  the 
type,  in  his  Melange,  i.  pi.  xix.  No.  12,  p.  303: 


A temple  of  four  columns,  in  which  Astarte 
is  represented,  clothed  in  a long  dress,  wirto  face 
to  the  front,  and  tutulated  head-gear,  holding 
in  the  right  hand  the  hast  a terminated  iu  form 
of  a cross,  and  iu  her  left  a cornucopia-.  A 
Victory  placed  on  a column  close  to  the  left  side 
of  Astarte  offers  to  crown  her.  On  each  side  of 
the  goddess,  a winged  cupid,  standing  on  a 
plinth,  lifts  its  hands  with  a garland  in  them 
towards  her.  On  the  summit  of  the  temple, 
Neptune  with  a trident  iu  one  hand,  raises  up 
with  the  other  the  nymph  Beroe,  (forming  a 
similar  group  to  that  delineated  in  the  wood-cut 
which  illustrates  reverse  number  11.)  On  the 
entablature,  on  each  side  of  the  pediment,  a 
Victory  holds  in  both  its  hands  a crown  above 
its  head.  Below  the  temple  to  the  right  and  left 
of  the  steps,  two  other  cupids  arc  seen,  each 
seated  on  a dolphin,  nml  holding  a trident. 
Beneath  both  dolphins  is  a vase  with  a foot 
to  it. 

Mionnct  adds  a large  brass  coin  of  Macrinus 
minted  at  Bervtus,  similar  in  lcgcud  and  type 
to  those  of  Diadnmcninnus  above  described. 

BETIL1ENUS. — This  is  the  surname  of  a man, 
not  the  appellation  of  a Roman  family.  In  this 
case,  the  name  of  the  gens  seems  (says  Eckhel,  v. 
150)  to  have  become  extinct;  and  the  surnames 
only  to  have  been  preserved.  A third  brass, 
struck  under  Augustus,  has  on  its  obverse  p. 


BICIPITES. — BILLON. 
betilienvs  bassvs  aiul  s.  c.  in  the  middle  of 
the  field. — Rev.  niviR.  a.  a.  a.  f.  f.  (incuse.) 

That  Bassus  Bctilicmis  was  one  of  Augustus’s 
moneycrs  is  shewn  by  this  coin  ; but  no  further 
mention  of  the  man  is  to  be  found.  It  is  only 
conjectured  that  he  may  he  the  same  person,  to 
whom  Scucca  alludes  as  having  been  scourged  to 
death,  by  order  of  Caligula,  A.  D.  40.  On  a 
very  ancient  marble,  cited  bv  Patin,  in  refer- 
ence to  this  small  brass  coin  is  inscribed  L. 

BETI1.IEXVS  L.  F.  VAAKVS. 

BIBULUS, — A cognomen  of  the  Calpurnia 

family. 

BICEPS,  or  double  headed. — Sec  Janus. 

BICIPITES. — Coins  are  so  called,  which  have 
heads  on  both  sides ; aud  they  are  highly  prized 
by  collectors.  But  many  of  these  bicipitous  rari- 
ties have  been  formed  by  the  artifice  of  splitting 
a coin  in  two,  and  then  joining  the  opposite  parts 
of  two  coins  together,  so  as  to  apply  the  reverse 
of  one  to  the  obverse  of  another.  Thus  Faustina 
senior’s  head  has  been  impacted  to  an  Antoninus 
Pius ; her  daughter’s  to  that  of  Marcus  Aurelius  ; 
Crispinn  to  Commodus;  and  Otacilia  to  Philip — 
so  that  the  unwary  purchaser  supposes  that  he 
has  a man  and  his  wife  on  the  same  piece. — “ I 
had  specimens  of  all  these  (adds  Capt.  Smyth, 
from  the  preface  of  whose  valuable  work  the 
foregoing  is  extracted),  so  excellently  finished  as 
to  require  very'  minute  inspection  to  detect  the 
fraud ; but  the  best  forgery  that  has  fallen  in  my 
way  was  an  Alexander  [Severus],  with  the  rare  le- 
gend ‘ Potcstas  perpetua’  round  a seated  Security, 
which  I purchased  as  a true  coin,  though  it  had 
a shade  of  stiffness  about  it ; nor  was  its  falsity 
quite  manifest  until  the  graver  was  applied.” 

lill'ROXS. — See  Janus. 

BILLON. — This  term  is  applied,  by  French 
numismatists,  to  coins  of  silver  mixed  with  much 
alloy,  or  to  copper  with  a small  alloy  of  silver. 
From  the  reign  of  Gallienns  to  that  of  Claudius 
Gothicus  (viz.  from  a.  d.  253  to  270),  scarcely 
any  but  these  so  named  coins  of  billon  are  to  be 
found.  Some  of  them  have  been  first  struck  on 
the  copper  alone,  and  afterwards  covered  with  a 
thin  silvery  coating,  and  in  that  case  they  arc 
called  saucees,  or  washed  coins;  others  have  had 
a leaf  of  silver  struck  dexterously  on  the  copper  ; 
and  these  bear  the  name  of  fourrees,  or  plated 
coins. 

On  this  subject  M.  Ilennin  makes  the  follow- 
ing remarks  : — From  and  after  the  reign  of 
Claudius  Gothicus,  coinages  of  billon  arc  no 
longer  found.  The  standard  of  silver  having 
been  successively  lowered,  the  money,  which  re- 
placed that  of  this  metal,  proves  under  the  above 
mentioned  emperor,  to  be  of  silvered  copper. 
In  almost  all  such  pieces,  the  effects  of  friction, 
and  of  time,  have  removed  this  covering,  which 
appears  only  on  those  in  the  best  state  of  pre- 
servation. The  coins  of  Claudius  Gothicus,  aud 
of  the  subsequent  reigns,  as  far  as  Diocletian, 
which  have  been  published  as  of  billon,  arc  but 
pieces  of  washed  copper.  Those  of  the  same 
reigns  described  as  being  of  silver  are  false. — 
Manuel — Nomenclature,  ii.  440. — See  the  word 
Potin. 


BIGATI. — BILBILIS.  129 

BIG/E  (from  bis  jugum). — A car  or  chariot, 
drawn  by  two  horses,  or  other  animals.  On 
Roman  coins,  botli  consular  and  imperial,  are 
sceu  biyce  of  horses,  elephants,  mules,  lions, 
bulls  or  oxen,  stags  (Diana),  panthers  (Bacchus), 
serpents  (Ceres) ; besides  centaurs,  dragons, 
Griffins,  &c. — See  Car. 

BIGATI. — A class  of  Roman  silver  coins, 
so  called  from  their  bearing  on  the  reverse  side, 
the  type  of  a chariot  drawn  by  two  horses. — 
The  subjoined  cut,  from  a denarius  of  the  Sau- 
feia  gens,  serves  as  a specimen  (otherwise  with- 
out interest)  of  this  common  device  : — 


Pliny  (l.  xxxiii.  § 13)  says,  “ Notam  argenti 
fuissc  bigas  atquc  quadrigas,  ct  indc  bigatos  et 
quadrigatos  dictos.”  And  it  is  true,  that  Roman 
silver  coins,  with  big®  on  their  reverses,  were 
called  bigati,  and  with  quadrigae,  were  called 
quadriyati ; but  a great  many  denarii  had  other 
types.  Tacitus  incidentally  alludes  to  these  coins, 
saying,  that  the  Germani,  who  generally  traded  in 
the  way  of  barter,  were  still  ready  to  take  in 
payment  old  and  well-known  money ; such  as 
bigati ; and  Livy  frequently  uses  the  term  when 
he  enumerates  the  amount  of  Spanish  aud  Cis- 
alpine booty.  It  was  a long  period  before  the 
portraits  of  living  personages  were  placed  on 
Roman  coins ; and  for  centuries  the  denarii  of 
the  republic  presented  on  one  side  only  the  head 
of  the  goddess  Roma,  or  of  Pallas,  and  on  the 
other  a figure  of  Victory,  with  garland  aud  palm 
branch,  standing  on  a car  drawn  by  two  or  by 
four  horses.  Hence  they  were  called  bigati, 
quadriyati,  and  victoriati.  The  type  of  the 
latter,  however,  combined  itself  with  the  other 
two  appellations.  The  engraving  above  given, 
represents  a Victoria  in  bigis. — For  Victoria  in 
quadrigis,  see  Quadriyati. 

BILANX — the  balance,  or  pair  of  scales. — 
A symbol  of  Justice  aud  Equity.  It  is  seen  on 
several  family  coins;  and  in  the  imperial  mint- 
ages from  Galba  far  downwards.  The  balance, 
at  the  same  time,  formed  one  of  the  insignia  of 
the  Praetors,  who  administered  justice  at  Rome. 
— On  coins  of  the  Flaminia,  Fidvia,  and  Cmcilia 
families,  engraved  from,  in  Morell.  Thesaur.  it 
is  seen  over  the  sella  curulis,  indicating  that 
Curule  Edilcs  were  likewise  invested  with  ma- 
gisterial power.  On  a denarius  of  the  Annia 
gens,  the  balance  placed  before  a female  head, 
shews  the  latter  to  represent  .Equitas  or  Moneta. 

BILBILIS,  Tarraconensis  (Hispanim)  muni- 
cipium ; now  Calatayud,  in  Arragon. — On  coins 
it  is  styled  Augusta,  from  Augustus,  by  whom, 
and  afterwards  by  Tiberius  and  Caligula,  muni- 
cipal and  other  privileges  were  conferred  upon 
it.  Hence  the  legend  mv.  avgvsta  hii.kii.is 
on  its  mintages,  which  are  colonial  imperial,  in 


S 


130  BLUNDERED  COINS, 

small  anil  middle  brass.  Of  the  following  ob- 
verse and  reverse  an  engraving  is  given  in  Mr. 
Akennan’s  Ancient  Coins  of  Cities  and  Princes, 
pi.  viii.  fig.  3,  p.  68 : — 

avgvstvs.  Bare  head  of  Augustus. 

bilbilis.  A horseman  bearing  a lance  and 
galloping.  .*  8»  R 2.  (British  Museum). 

Ou  other  coins  of  this  llispano- Roman  city, 
with  legends  of  mv.  bilbilis,  and  bilbilis 
avgysta,  struck  in  honour  of  Augustus  and  of 
Tiberius,  laurel  as  well  as  oaken  garlands  appear, 
(the  names  of  Duumviri  within).  The  laurels  on 
account  of  victories  ; the  oak  leaves  on  pretence 
of  “ citizens  preserved.”  To  flatter  even  Cali- 
gula, the  inhabitants  of  Bilbilis  dedicated  a 
reverse,  with  a crown  of  laurel,  to  that  pusil- 
lanimous tyrant,  with  whose  reign  the  coinage 
of  this  inunicipium  appears  to  have  ceased. — 
Vaillant  (in  Cot.  i.  12)  has  engraved  a coin  of 
Bilbilis  and  Italica  in  alliance.  On  the  obverse 
is  bilbili.  A beardless  male  head. — Rev. 
italica.  A horseman  with  couched  lance, 
charging. — Sec  Mionnct,  Supp/t.  i.  55. — also 
Akerman  (p.  66),  who  says,  “ Bilbilis,  the 
capital  of  the  Celtibcri,  was  celebrated  for  its 
waters,  which  were  supposed  to  possess  the 
quality  of  imparting  an  excellent  temper  to 
steel.” 

BIT.  Bithynia. — COM.  BIT.  Commune 
Bithynia. 

BITHYNIA,  a region  of  Asia  Minor  (deriving 
its  name  from  the  river  Bithya),  now  Natolia, 
Turkey  in  Asia.  It  was  one  of  ten  provinces 
established  by  Augustus.  Hadrian  shewed 
great  favour  to  it.  (It  was  the  birth-place  of 
Antinous). — On  large  brass  of  that  emperor,  we 
see  adventvi  and  bestitytoki  bithyniae, 
with  the  usual  types  of  an  imperial  arrival  at, 
and  restoration  of,  a Roman  province ; in  this 
instance  marking  the  liberalities  bestowed,  by 
the  above  named  prince,  in  re-establishing  those 
Bithyuian  cities,  which  had  been  overthrown  by 
earthquakes;  principally  Nicomedia  and  Nicea. — 
Bimard  ad  Jobert,  i.  404. 

BLUNDERED  COINS.— This  is  a term  used 
in  reference  to  “ those  Roman  medals  in  which 
mistakes  have  been  made  by  the  engraver. 
Some,  for  their  rarity  (Piukerton  observes),  are 
undeservedly  valued  by  certain  connoisseurs.” 
Froelich  and  Moualdini  have  each  treated  of 
these  instances  of  monetal  fallibility.  Thus  on 
a reverse  of  Trajan  the  inscription  is  con- 
sencavtio  for  consecratio.  Ou  a Gordian  III. 

MLETARM  PROPVGNATOREM  for  MAUTEU.  Of 
Alex.  Sevcrus  des.  nos.  for  cos.  Of  Nero 
l an vii  clvsti  for  CLVSIT.  &c.  (Essay,  vol.  ii. 
190.) 

BOAR. — The  figure  of  a wild  boar  transfixed 
by  a spear,  is  exhibited  on  a denarius  of  Dunnius, 
one  of  the  monetal  triumvirs  of  Augustus.  On 
a coin  of  the  Egnatia  gens,  is  a lion  seizing  upon 
a stag. — Eckhcl  remarks,  that  these  effigies  of 
the  boar  and  the  lion,  bear  allusion  to  the 
splendid  huntings,  in  which  Augustus  took  such 
great  delight,  as  narrated  by  Dion  Cassius  and 
by  Suetonius.  On  a coin  of  the  Voltcia  gens, 
the  Ervmanlhian  boar  is  represented.  This 


BON.  EVENT. 

animal,  amongst  various  other  quadrupeds  (such 
as  the  goat,  bull,  stag,  lion,  panther,  &c.)  are 
typified  ou  the  smaller  coins  of  Gallieuus.  These 
were  all  sacred  to  the  tutelary  deities,  at  whose 
altars  that  eccentric  prince  offered  up  so  many 
supplications,  that  he  obtained  the  title  of  Con- 
servator Pietatis. 

BOCCHUS a King  of  Mauritania  and 

Gictulia,  whose  name  occurs  frequently  in  the 
most  infamous  transactions  of  the  Jugurthiue 
war.  An  obsequious  ally  of  the  Romans,  and  a 
treacherous  friend  to  his  Numidian  neighbours, 
this  unprincipled  time-server,  after  various 
intrigues  and  manoeuvres,  with  both  the  con- 
flicting parties,  basely  delivered  up  to  Sulla, 
then  a quaestor  of  Marius,  King  Jugurtha,  who 
had  sought  an  asylum  in  the  territories  of 
Bocchus,  after  an  unsuccessful  contest  with  the 
Roman  legions,  b.  c.  106.  There  are  denarii 
of  Eaustus  Cornelius  Sulla,  son  of  the  Dictator, 
allusive  to  this  historical  incident. — See  Cornelia 
yens  ; also  the  words  favstvs  felix. 

BAETICA  (llispania) — a Roman  province  of 
Spain — comprehending  what  is  now  Granada, 
and  Andalusia. 

BON.  EVENT.  Bonus  Eventus. Good 

success  was  honoured  at  Rome  with  a peculiar 
worship.  On  a denarius  of  the  Scribonia  gens, 
occur  these  abbreviated  words,  owing  no  doubt 
(says  Eckhel,  v.  303)  to  the  Roman  practice  of 
consecrating  every  thing  capable  of  producing 
good  or  evil,  as  Fortune,  Hope,  Genius,  &c. 
And  thus  with  Eventus;  just  as  Lucretius 
enumerates  among  events,  Slavery,  Liberty, 
Riches,  Poverty,  War,  Peace  (l.  i.  v.  456.) — 
Eventus,  according  to  Cicero’s  definition  (De  In- 
vent. Rhet.  i.  c.  28),  is  “ the  issue  of  any  matter 
respecting  which  we  generally  inquire,  what  has 
resulted,  or  may  result,  or  will  ultimately  result, 
from  such  circumstances.”  Thus  if  anything 
turned  out  well  it  was  attributed  to  Bonus 
Eventus : that  it  was  considered  to  be  of  the 
same  nature  as  Felicitas,  is  proved  by  a denarius 
engraved  in  Morel!.  Thesaur.  amongst  the  incerti, 
tab  ii.  a.  ou  which  near  a female  head  is  in- 
scribed bon.  event  et  fei.icitas. — Eckbcl  ex- 
presses his  own  opinion  to  be  that  “ this  Genius 
of  the  Romans  is  the  same  as  the  'Avroyaria  of 
the  Greeks ; and  he  quotes  what  Plutarch  says 
of  Timolcon — “ Having  built  in  his  house  a 
shrine  to  'Avroyaria,  he  sacrificed  to  her;  but 
the  house  itself  he  dedicated  to  the  sacred 
Aaiyuv  (Genius.)  Aud  Ncpos  also,  in  his  life, 
corroborates  the  fact  of  that  great  reverence, 
which  Timolcon  paid  to  the  above  named  deifica- 
tion of  chance  or  fortunate  events.  The  reason 
for  this  conduct  was,  that  w hatever  he  undertook 
prospered.  Consequently,  'Avroyaria.  is  neither 
more  nor  less  than  the  spontaneous  agency  of 
Fortune,  that  is  to  say  Eventus,  and  Bonus 
Eventus,  because  thanks  were  returned  to  it; 
and  it  was  believed  to  be  presided  over  by  a 
good  or  sacred  Genius,  by  the  Greeks  styled 
ayaOus,  or  Upos  Salywv.” 

Bonus  Eventus,  according  to  Publius  Victor, 
had  a temple  in  the  ninth  quarter  of  Rome;  aud 
Ammiauus  also  meulionsit. — On  consular  denarii 


BONUS  EVENTUS. 

the  female  sex  is  assigned  to  Evenlus.  (Sec 
Scribonia  gens) ; as  also  on  an  autonomous,  or 
family  denarius  of  Gallia.  But  on  those  of  other 
emperors  down  to  the  time  of  Gallienus,  this 
deity  is  represented  as  of  the  male  sex.  An  ex- 
ample of  this  occurs  ou  a second  brass  of  An- 
toninus Pius,  whence  the  subjoined  cut  is  copied, 
and  which  bears  on  its  reverse  the  full  legend, 
in  the  dedicatory  form. 


BONO  EVENTUI.  S.  C.— The  naked  Ggureof 
a man,  standing  beside  an  altar,  and  holding 
in  his  right  hand  a patera ; in  his  left,  cars  of 
com.  In  the  exergue  cos.  n.  shewing  the  coin 
to  have  been  struck  a.  d.  139. 

This  impersonation  is  graphically  described  by 
riiny  (xxxiv  p.  G55)  when  he  eulogizes  “ the 
statue  of  Bonus  Evenlus,  holding  a patera  in 
its  right  hand,  and  an  ear  of  corn  and  a poppy 
in  its  left” — the  workmanship  of  Enphranor. — - 
Varro,  (de  R.  R.  i.  ch.  1.)  has  indeed  reckoned 
Bonus  Eventus  among  the  rural  deities,  because 
“ without  success,  and  Bonus  Eventus,  there  is 
hut  disappointment,  and  no  produce.” — And 
Festus  also  says  “ They  used  to  fasten  rolls  of 
bread  (Panes)  round  the  head  of  a slaughtered 
horse,  on  the  ides  of  October,  in  the  Campus 
Martius,  the  sacrifice  being  offered  for  an  abun 
dant  crop  of  fruit.” 

One  of  the  pavements  of  the  Roman  villa, 
at  Woodchcster,  is  inscribed  bonvm  kventvm, 
whence  it  may  be  iuferred,  that  the  owner  had 
invoked  the  protection  of  this  deity  for  his 
building. — Sec  Lysons’  Account  of  Homan  An- 
tiquities at  Woodchester,  in  Gloucestershire, 
pi.  xix. 

BONI  EVENTUS. — This  legend  is  accom- 
panied by  the  type  of  a naked  male  figure,  with 
patera  in  the  right  hand,  and  corn  cars  and  a 
poppy  flower  in  the  left, — on  silver  of  Galba. 

History  sufficiently  shows  that  the  principal 
reason  with  Galba  for  worshipping  this  deifica- 
tion, was  liis  happy  escape  from  the  dangers 
which  impended  over  him,  in  the  crisis  between 
his  revolt  from  Nero  and  his  accession  to  the 
empire  (a.  ».  68). 

BONUS  EVENTUS  AUGUSTUS.— Young 
naked  male  figure  standing  ; in  his  right  hand 
three  javelins. — Silver  of  Titus. — Akerman. 

BONI  EVENTUS,  with  type  of  a youthful 
figure,  standing,  appears  on  a denarius  of  Pesccn- 
nius  Niger  (of  course  rare). — S.  Severus, also  dedi- 
cated a portion  of  his  mint,  in  the  first  and  most 
perturbed  years  of  his  reign,  to  acknowledge  the 
salutary  influence,  and  to  propitiate  the  fm-ther 
protection,  of  Bonus  Evenlus ; which,  on  silver 


BONAE  SPEI.  131 

of  this  emperor,  and  of  his  son  Caraealla,  is 
represented  by  a naked  male  figure  standing  at 
an  altar,  over  which  he  holds  with  his  right  hand 
the  sacrificial  patera,  and  a bunch  of  corn-ears 
in  his  left,  as  in  the  engraved  type  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  above  given. 

On  coins  of  Roman  die,  struck  in  honour  of 
provinces,  as  in  the  instance  of  Jllyricum,  &c. 
under  Trajanus  Decius ; or  by  some  colony  dedi  - 
cated  to  the  reigning  emperor,  we  see  a male 
figure,  unclothed,  except  his  having  the  chlamys 
over  his  shoulders,  standing  with  cornucopiic  and 
patera,  and  a modius  on  his  head.  “ This  repre- 
sents the  provincial  or  colonial  genius,  and  was 
(says  Capt.  Smyth)  equivalent  to  Bonus  Even- 
tus, or  good  success,  a deity  who  presided  over 
agriculture,  and  great  actions ; and  as  such  he 
was  complimented  ou  coins  by  Titus  and  other 
princes.”  (p.  276  ) 

BONAE  FORTUNAE. Fortune  standing 

with  rudder  and  cornucopias,  on  silver  of  V alcria- 
nus,  given  by  Yaillant,  (Erast.  Num.  Impp.  Rom. 
ii.  343),  and  on  a third  brass,  described  by  Eek- 
hel  from  the  Imperial  Cabinet. 

Bona  Fortunes,  the  hyaOrt  of  the 

Greeks,  worshipped  by  the  Romans  as  the  wife 
or  sister  of  Bonus  Eventus — had  twro  temples  at 
Rome;  one  in  the  F'orum  Boarium,  built  (ac- 
cordingto  Dionysius Ilalicar.)  by  Scrvius Tullius; 
the  other  in  the  Curia  Hostilia,  erected  (as  Dion 
affirms),  by  M.  Lepidus,  in  honour  of  Julius 
Crcsar  (Eckhel,  vii.  383). — See  Fortuna. 

BONAE  SPEI. — A female  figure  standing, 
holds  a flower  in  the  right  hand,  and  lifts  her 
robe  with  the  left. — On  silver  of  Pcscennius 
Niger,  published  by  Yaillant  (Erast.  Num.  ii. 
201) ; and,  in  correction  of  his  own  error,  allow- 
ed by  Eckhel  (vii.  150)  to  be  (and  not  bona  spes) 
the  true  reading  of  the  legend  of  a geuuine  and 
most  rare  coin.  But,  lie  adds,  bona  spes  and 
bonae  spei  arc  legends  often  occurring  on  coins 
struck  under  S.  Severus  at  the  same  time,  viz. 
a.  d.  193-194). — It  is  indeed  quite  certain,  that 
Severus  and  Niger  frequently  used  the  same  type 
in  their  respective  mints ; and  this  not  by  chance, 
but  by  design  ; for  they  mutually  adopted  legends 
on  their  money,  which  are  not  to  be  found  on 
the  coins  of  other  emperors.  Each  enudated  the 
other : — the  spurn  of  Pcscennius  was  met  by  the 
spei  of  Scptimius ; Eventus  competed  with  Even- 
tui,  in  a manner  difficult  to  account  for. — Cicero 
opposed  bona  spes  to  despondency  in  all  human 
affairs ; and  at  Rome  there  was  an  altar  raised 
to  Fortuna  Bona  Spes,  as  Plutarch  records. 
Grater  has  published  a stone  monument,  dedi- 
cated bonae  spei  avg.  (vii.  170). — See  Spes. 

BONO  GENIO  IMPERATORIS,  or  PII 
IMPERATORIS. — The  genius  stands,  holding 
a patera  and  cornucopia: — below  is  ai.e. — On  a 
second  brass  of  Maximinus  Daza ; struck  be- 
tween a.  d.  308  and  313. 

The  Good  Genius,  called  by  the  Greeks 
A yaOos  Aaipaiv,  and  especially  by  those  of 
Alexandria,  where  this  and  other  coins  of  Daza 
were  struck,  received  public  worship  there, 
under  the  form  of  a serpent,  as  appears  from 
Alexandrine  medals  with  the  head  of  Nero. — 


132  BONONIA  OCEANEN. 

Banduri,  who  describes  this  coin,  calls  into  grave 
examination,  the  right  of  him  to  proclaim  himself 
“ a pious  emperor,”  who  trampled  on  all  laws, 
divine  and  human.  But  Licinius  afterwards 
dared  to  do  the  same  thing,  (as  is  proved  by  a 
second  brass  of  his,  in  the  Imperial  Museum, 
unknown  to  Banduri)  although  the  legend  may 
more  truly  be  ascribed  to  the  base  flattery  of  the 
Alexandrians. — (D.  N.  F.  viii.  p.  54.) 

BONONIA,  a maritime  town  of  Gallia  Bcl- 
giea,  now  called  by  the  French  Boulogne-sur- 
mer  (Picardy).  According  to  Pcutinger’s  table 
or  map,  its  more  ancient  name  was  Gcssoria- 
cum , by  which,  however,  historians  do  not  men- 
tion it,  till  after  the  time  of  Constantine. — 
Their  testimonies  are  given  by  Ccllarius.  But 
the  most  trustworthy  record  |(says  Eckhel,  viii. 
110),  is  that  adduced  from  some  anonymous 
biographer  of  Constantius  Magnus,  by  D’Anville. 
— “ Hastening  towards  his  father  (Constantius 
Chlorus),  lie  arrived  at  Bononia,  which  the 
Gauls  used  formerly  to  call  Gessoriacum.”  It  was 
a place  of  great  importance  in  a military  point 
of  view,  because  the  transit  thence  to  Britain 
across  the  straits  is  very  short.  According  to 
Suetonius  it  was  from  this  place  that  the  Emperor 
Claudius  passed  over  into  Britain,  a.  d.  43. 

BONONIA  OCEANEN. — A brass  medallion 
of  Constans,  bears  the  foregoing  legend ; and, 
for  its  type,  presents  a galley,  with  rowers ; the 
emperor,  in  a military  dress,  and  with  a buckler 
and  a lance,  stands  on  the  deck,  in  the  attitude 
of  hurling  his  missile  weapon  downwards,  as  if 
at  a figure  swimming  in  the  sea.  On  the  prow 
of  the  galley  is  Victory,  with  garland  and  palm 
branch  ; at  the  stern  arc  two  ensigns.  On  the 
shore  is  seen  a light -house  or  some  other  edifice. 


This  extremely  rare  medallion  relates  to  an  ex- 
pedition to  Britain,  undertaken  by  Constans,  in 
the  winter  of  a.  d.  342-3,  to  repress  the  incur- 
sions of  the  Piets,  who  were  desolating  the  lloman 
province.  The  meaning  of  the  type  is  well  eluci- 
dated by  Ducange,  from  Julius  Firmieus,  who,  in 
a style  of  flattery  sufficiently  bombastic,  thus  ad- 
dresses Constaus — “In  the  season  of  winter 
thou  hast  trodden  the  swelling  and  raging  waves 
of  the  ocean — a deed  never  before  accomplished, 
nor  ever  again  to  happen : — under  your  oars  hath 
trembled  the  flood  of  a sea  almost  unknown  to 
us  ; and  the  Briton  has  gazed,  appalled,  at  the 
unexpected  sight  of  an  emperor.”- — Libanius 
(in  Basilico)  has  given  a similar  account. — 
Light  is  thrown  on  the  date  of  this  expedition 


BONO  REIPUBLICAE. 
from  the  subscription  of  the  Lex  V.  of  the  Codex 
Theodosius  (lib.  xi  lit.  16),  viz.  “data  viii. 
Kal.  Febr.  Bononia,  Placido  et  Romulo  Coss.” 
These  men  having  entered  on  their  Consulship 
a.  r>.  343. — [Most  of  the  above  remarks,  cited 
by  Eckhel,  are  in  llucange.  Dissert,  de  Num. 
inf.  avi.  $ 58]. 

In  valuing  this  medallion  at  200  fr.  Mionnct 
observes,  that  it  is  the  more  remarkable,  inas- 
much as  it  appears  to  be  the  only  ancient  numis- 
matic mouument  which  has  transmitted  to  us 
the  memory  of  this  historical  event,  and  the 
name  of  Bononia. 

[The  cast  from  which  the  above  cut  has  been 
engraved  was  taken  from  the  original  in  the 
Cabinet  de  France.] 

BONO  REIPUBLICAE.— Justa  Grata  IIo- 
noria,  daughter  of  Constantius  111.  and  of  Galla 
Placidia,  born  about  the  year  417,  having  co- 
habited with  Eugenius  the  procurator,  and  be- 
come pregnant  by  him,  was  turned  out  of  the 
palace  by  her  brother  Yalentinian,  and  went  to 
Theodosius  II.  at  Constantinople,  a.  n.  434. — 
.She  soon  after  secretly  stirred  up  Attila  to  in- 
vade the  Western  Empire ; and  was  on  the  point 
of  being  married  to  him,  when  lie  died  from 
vomiting  blood.  The  following  is  one  of  her 
coins : — 

Obe.  n.  N.  i vst.  chat,  honoria,  p.  f.  avg. 
Head  of  llouoria,  crowned  by  a hand  appearing 
above  it. 

Rev.  bono  ueipvblicae.  A Victory  standing 
with  along  cross  in  the  right  hand;  beneath, 
comob.  (av.  Mus.  Imp.) 

And  thus,  she  who  was  the  pest  and  bane  of 
the  empire,  ostentatiously  boasts  herself  as  born 
for  the  good  of  the  state.  There  is  a similar 
legend  on  a coin  of  FI.  Victor,  who  was  the  son 
of  Magnus  Maximus. 

BONO  REIPUBLICE  (sic.)  NATI.— Two 
figures,  seated,  and  clothed  in  the  pal  ud amen- 
turn,  of  which  the  one  to  the  right  is  the  taller; 
the  left  hand  figure  is  that  of  a boy.  They  to- 
gether support  a globe  : above  is  a Victory. — 
On  gold  of  FI.  Victor  (Banduri),  on  silver 
(Taniui.) 

This  and  other  coins  of  Victor,  however  false 
in  their  declaration,  arc  remarkable  both  for 
their  legends  and  for  their  rarity.  Constantine, 
on  one  of  his  coins,  is  styled  in  abbreviation  n. 
it.  P.  NAT.  (Bono  Reipiib/ica  Xatus.J  Taniui, 
in  illustration  of  his  silver  specimen  of  Flavius 
Victor’s  coin,  cites  the  following  inscription 
from  Sigonius: — 

1).  D.  N.  N.  MAG.  CL.  MAXIMO  ET 
PL.  VICTOKI.  PUS  FELICIBVS 
SEMPER  AVGVSTIS 
BONO  R.  P.  NATIS. 

This  flattering  compliment  is  often  found  in 
inscriptions  to  the  Constantine  family;  and  now 
and  then  it  appears  alone  without  any  designa- 
tion of  the  Emperor  or  Ciesar,  to  whom  it  was 
applied ; as  on  the  stone  found  at  Wroxcter. 

The  above  legend  and  inscription  of  Bono 
Jleipublica  Nati,  together  with  the  same,  on  a 
third  brass  of  Priscus  Attains,  serve  to  shew 
how  true  is  the  reading  of  B.  k.  p.  N.  instead  of 


BOS. 


BOSTRA.  133 


B.  A.  p.  N. ; and  to  fortify,  beyond  all  dispute, 
the  interpretation  of  Bono  Beipublica  Nato, 
instead  of  bap.  nat.  or  Baptizatus  Nalus,  as 
erroneously  assigned  to  the  legend  of  a brass 
eoin  of  Constantiuus  Magnus. 

BOS. — Bull,  Ox,  or  Heifer. — This  animal  is 
figured  on  numerous  coins,  in  various  postures, 
and  with  various  indications : for  example,  some- 
times standing,  walking,  butting  with  his  horns, 
or  rushing  forward — sometimes  adorned  in  pre- 
paration for  the  sacrifice;  sometimes  on  his 
knees,  about  to  be  immolated  at  the  altar  of  a 
deity.  The  Bull  or  Ox,  the  usual  monetary 
type  of  colonies  and  municipal  towns,  bore  re- 
ference to  the  culture  of  the  soil,  as  well  as  to 
the  security  afforded  by  the  protection  of  the 
emperor.  The  well-known  type  of  a man 
ploughing  with  two  oxen  symbolizes  the  Roman 
ceremony  of  founding  a city  or  a colony.  Bulls’ 
heads  sometimes  have  au  allusion  to  sacrifices, 
at  other  times  to  games. 

The  bull,  like  the  horse  Pegasus,  was  con- 
secrated to  the  Sun.  The  figure  of  a bull  forms 
the  reverse  type  of  silver,  and  third  brass,  of 
Gallienus ; bearing  the  legend  of  SOLI  CON- 
Servatori  AYG usti. 

Bus  Vittatus — a Bull,  whose  head  is  orna- 
mented with  an  infula,  or  flock  ot  white  and 
red  wool,  forming  a kind 
of  mitre  or  turban  of 
triangidar  shape,  and 
dressed  with  the  villa, 
(a  sort  of  garland),  be- 
tween its  horns,  in  ho- 
nour of  some  religious 
ceremony,  as  the  animal 
is  led  to  the  sacrificial 
altar.  In  family  de- 
narii this  figure  is  frequently  exhibited ; because 
the  consuls,  in  ascending  to  the  Capitol,  were 
accustomed  there  to  immolate  young  unyoked 
steers  to  Jupiter.  On  a coin  of  Julius  Cscsar, 
having  for  its  legend  of  reverse,  IOYt  OPT bno 
MAXj'otc  SACRhot,  the  accompanying  type  ex- 
hibits the  Bos  vittatus  et  infulatus,  wearing  the 
dorsuale,  or  ornamented  cloth  for  the  back, 
standing  before  an  altar  which  has  a flame  on  it. 
The  bull,  or  rather  the  juvencus,  in  this  ex- 
ample [see  wood  cut  above]  represents  a victim 
about  to  be  sacrificed  to  Jupiter.  Thus  Virgil, 
instructively  to  us  on  this  point,  puts  into  the 
mouth  of  Ascauius : — 

Jupiter  omnipotens,  audacibus  annue  emptis. 

Ipse  tibi  ad  tua  templa  feram  solcnnia  dona, 

Et  statuam  ante  aras  aurata  irovAe  juvencum 
Candentem , pariterque  caput  cum  matre  ferentem. 

JEneid,  L.  ix 

My  first  attempt,  great  Jupiter,  succeed  ; 

Au  annual  offering  in  thy  grove  shall  bleed: 

A snow  white  steer  before  thy  altar  led, 

Who  like  his  mother  bears  aloft  his  head. 

Bnjdens  translation. 

On  a denarius  of  the  Postumia  gens,  a bull 
stands  as  a victim,  on  a rock  (supposed  to  be 
meant  for  Mount  Aventine),  close  to  a lighted 
altar  ; over  the  horns  of  the  beast  a priest  cx- 
tcuds  his  right  hand. 


The  Romans  were  accustomed,  at  triumphal 
sacrifices,  to  adorn  the  horns  of  the  victim  with 
gold,  whilst  its  back  was  clothed  with  the  richest 
and  most  brilliaut  silks.  Amidst  such  luxury 
and  magnificence,  the  poor  bedizened  animals, 
(on  some  grand  occasions  paying  the  tribute  of 
their  blood  at  the  shrines  of  superstition,  by  the 
hundred  at  a time),  marched  along  in  the  pro- 
cession, with  gay  “ blindness  to  the  future 
kindly  given” — some  so  tame  and  quiet  as  per- 
haps to  “lick  the  hand”  of  the  victimarius 
who  led  them — all  unconscious  of  being  near  the 
securis,  so  soon  afterwards  raised  to  fell  them, 
and  equally  unaware  of  the  culter  just  whetted 
to  cut  their  decorated  throats  ! 

Bos  et  Stella. — A bull,  standing  with  two 
stars  over  its  head,  is  seen  on  middle  brass  of 
Julianas  II.  which  has  for  legend  of  reverse 
secvritas  BEiPVBUCyE.  It  bears  testimony  to 
that  emperor’s  relapse  into  Pagan  idolatry,  and 
denotes  the  restoration,  made  by  the  same  saty- 
rical  and  “philosophic”  prince,  of  ruminating  ani- 
mals for  victims  on  the  altars  of  false  gods, 
whereas  all  such  sacrifices  had  been  prohibited 
by  his  immediate  predecessors,  the  professed 
Christian  members  of  the  Constantine  family. — 
According  to  Aminianus  (l.  xxii.)  Julian  fre- 
quently offered  up  a hundred  bulls,  selecting 
white  ones  in  honour  of  Jupiter.  The  stars  over 
the  head  of  the  bull  designate  it  to  be  Apis, 
which  the  Egyptians,  and  this  Roman  emperor 
in  his  “ wisdom,”  worshipped  as  a god. 

Bos  Cornupeta. — This  term  (from  cornu 
petere)  is  used  by  the  elder  numismatic  writers 
to  describe  a bull,  or  steer,  in  the  attitude  of 
butting  with  its  horns,  and  stamping  with  one 
of  his  fore  feet,  as  on  coins  of  Augustus  and 
Vespasian. 

A denarius  of  the  first 
named  emperor,  exhibits 
on  its  reverse,  with  legend 
of  aygvstvs  Dm  r.  a 
specimen  of  the  Taurus 
or  Bos  Cornupeta.  The 
lowered  horns  and  mena- 
cing posture  of  the  animal 
at  once  correspond  with, 
and  illustrate,  the  line  in  Virgil,  so  spiritedly 
rendered  by  Drydcn : 

Jam  cornu  petat,  et  pedibus  qui  spargat  arenam. 

“ Butts  with  his  threatening  brows,  and  bellowing 
stands, 

“ And  dares  the  fight,  and  spurns  the  yellow  sands.” 


The  reason  of  its  adoption  as  a type  on  this 
coin  is  doubtful.  There  can  hardly,  however, 
after  what  is  adduced  from  ancient  writers,  in 
Morel  (Thesaur.  t.  ii.)  be  much  hesitation  both 
in  rejecting  the  idea  of  its  mere  allusion  to  the 
Zodiacal  sign  of  that  name,  and  in  expressly  re- 
ferring it  to  some  of  those  public  shews,  when 
horsemen  combatted  with  bulls  in  the  Circensiau 
arena,  and  at  which  Augustus  and  the  members 
of  his  family,  often  took  their  scats,  as  amongst 
the  most  ardent  of  the  spectators. — See  Taurus. 

BOSTRA,  (Arabia,)  Colonia — now  Boszra, 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  Turkish  pashalic 


134  BOSTRA. 

of  Damascus.  The  sera  of  this  Arabian  city 
dates  from  the  85  8th  year  of  Rome  (a.  d. 
105).  Its  coins  are  imperial,  in  brass,  with 
Greek  inscriptions,  from  the  reign  of  Antoninus 
Pius  to  that  of  Elagabalus;  and  in  the  same 
metal,  with  Latin  legends,  from  Alexander 
Sevcrus  to  Trajanus  Decius  and  Ilerennius 
Etruscus. — On  imperial  coins  in  large,  middle, 
and  small  brass,  the  colony  is  called  col. 
bostr. — co i, ox ia  bostra. — Also  on  a large 
brass  of  Julia  Maimea,  is  read  n.  tr.  alexan- 
drian'ae  col.  bostr.  (Novce  Trajante  Alexan- 
drian# Co/onue  Bostra).  According  to  Vaillant, 
Bostra  took  the  name  of  Trajan,  on  account  of 
benefits  (such  as  the  building  of  bridges  and 
other  public  structures,)  received  by  it  from 
that  Emperor ; and  the  appellation  of  Alexan- 
drians! was  added  in  honour  of  Alexander  Scve- 
rus.  On  coins  of  Philip  senior,  and  of  Trajanus 
Decius,  this  city  is  styled  col.  metropolis 
bostra,  meaning  the  chief  city  of  the  Roman 
province,  formed  under  the  name  of  Arabia. — 
On  a coin  of  Caracalla,  in  the  Museum  San. 
Clem,  the  legend  of  reverse  is  metro,  antoni- 
niana  avr.  B.  (that  is,  says  Mionnct,  Sapp. 
viii.  384,  Aurelia  Bostra.) 

The  types  of  this  colony  are  as  follows : — 

1.  Ammon  (Jupiter). — Head  with  ram’s  horn, 
surmounted  by  a globe,  or  by  the  mo  dins — on 
small  brass  of  Alex.  Sevcrus,  engraved  in  Vaillant 
{Col.  ii.  114) — and  of  Philip  senior,  engraved  in 
Pcllerin  {Melange,  i.) 

2.  Aslarle. — N.  TR.  ALEXANDRIAN AE  COL. 
bostr. — An  upright  figure  of  this  divinity,  in  a 
four  columned  temple,  holding  an  oval-headed 
staff,  and  a cornucopia:.  On  each  side  at  her 
feet  is  the  figure  of  a centaur  blowing  a horn. 
This  singular  type  appears  on  a large  brass  of 
Julia  Mamma. — Scstini,  quoted  by  Mionnet, 
{Sapp.  viii.  284. — Engraved  in  Vaillant  {Col.  ii. 
130.) 


Astarte,  or  Venus,  was  worshipped,  and  had 
a fine  temple,  at  Bostra.  The  fertility  and 
plcntcousness  of  whose  territory  is  designated  by 
the  cornucopia-.  But  why  the  two  centaurs  arc 
introduced  into  the  type  is  a question  which  re- 
mains unexplained. 

Pcllcriu  supplies  an  omission  of  Vaillant’s,  by 
giving  an  elegant  little  coin  of  this  colony, 
struck  under  Trajanus  Decius,  with  col.  metro- 
pol.  bostron,  for  its  legend  of  reverse;  and 
with  the  type  of  Astarte,  who  stands,  in  a long 
dress,  presenting  a front  face,  holding  the  cross- 
topped  hast  a ; and  having  at  her  feet  a figure 


BRASS  COINAGE. 

of  the  infant  Silenus,  dancing. — Engraved  in 
Melange , i.  pi.  xxi.  fig.  7,  p.  320. 

3.  Co/onus  boves  agens. — Pellerin  gives  a 
coin  with  this  type  as  struck  under  Elagabalus. 
“ This  medal  (he  observes)  shews  that  the  city 
of  Bostra  had  been  a colony  before  the  reign 
of  Sevcrus  Alexander,  contrary  to  the  opinion  of 
Spanheim  and  of  Vaillant.” — See  Melange,  i. 
300. 

On  a coin  dedicated  to  Alexander  Sevcru3,  is 
the  same  type  of  a Colonist  at  plough  ; added  to 
which  well-known  group  is  an  edifice,  with  stair- 
case of  ascent  to  the  upper  part,  where  three 
vases  are  placed.  [Described  in  .Mionuct,  Me- 
dailles  llomaines. ] 

4.  Serapis,  head  of,  surmounted  by  the 
madias,  or  the  calathus,  on  a coin  of  Alexander 
Sevcrus,  quoted  by  Mionuct,  from  the  Mas. 
San.  Clem.  It  is  described  and  engraved  in 
Vaillant  {Col.  ii.  129.)  The  bust  of  the  prin- 
cipal deity  of  Egypt,  on  a coin  struck  at  Bostra, 
shews  that  the  god,  whom  Nonnus  calls  the 
Egyptian  Jupiter,  was  amougst  the  objects  of 
idolatrous  worship  in  this  Roman  colony. 

5.  Silenus,  standing,  with  right  hand  raised, 
and  a wine  skin  on  his  left  shoulder. — Engraved 
in  Vaillant  (Col.  ii.) 

In  the  second  volume  (p.  200)  of  Collectanea 
Antigua — a work  replete  with  the  literary  fruits 
of  antiquarian  research,  and  copiously  adorned 
with  etchings,  illustrative  of  the  habits,  customs, 
and  history  of  past  ages — the  names  arc  given, 
of  such  heathen  divinities  as  occur  in  dedicatory 
inscriptions,  found  on  the  line  of  that  Roman 
wall  which  formerly  exteuded  from  the  Tyne  to 
the  Solway.  Amongst  these  appears  the  name 
of  Astarte. — This  discovery  is  the  more  remark- 
able, because,  whilst  what  is  considered  to  be 
her  image  is  so  frequently  and  so  variously  typi- 
fied on  colonial  coins  of  Phoenicia,  Syria,  Pales- 
tine, and  Arabia — her  name  forms  no  part  of 
the  monctal  legend  : her  ctHgv  and  attributes  be- 
ing the  only  clue  to  the  identity  of  the  goddess. 

BRASS,  the  material  of  brass  coins.  In 
dividing  coins  according  to  metals,  for  the 
different  scries  of  a mcdallic  collection,  all  copper 
comes  under  the  classification  of  brass.  This 
metal  properly  so  called,  is  not  malleable,  and 
requires  to  be  mixed  with  another  metal  before 
it  can  be  applicable  to  the  purposes  of  coinage. 
It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind,  that  what  English 
numismatists  call  brass  is  by  the  French  de- 
nominated bronze. 

BRASS  COINAGE  of  the  Romans. — It  has 
already  been  shewn  (seep.  83  ct  scq.  of  this  dic- 
tionary), that  all  the  records  left  us  by  ancient 
writers,  respecting  the  antiquity,  or  the  original 
types  of  the  Roman  mint,  tend  to  establish  the 
same  fact,  viz.  that  the  oldest  money  of  that 
nation  was  Brass,  and  such  testimony  is  con- 
firmed by  extant  coins. — On  the  same  evidence 
derived  from  ancient  authors  it  has  also  been 
shewn,  that  brass  coins  were  first  struck  of  a 
pound  weight.  The  words  of  Pliny  arc  expressly 
to  this  effect  (sec  As). — Aldus  Gellius,  speaking 
of  the  time  when  the  Twelve  Tables  were  insti- 
tuted, soys,  “ For  at  that  period  the  Roman 


BRASS  COINAGE. 

people  used  Asses  of  a pound  weight.” — So 
Festus  “The  heavy  brass  (as  grave)  was  so 
called  from  its  weight ; for  ten  asses,  each 
weighing  a pound,  made  up  a denarius,  which 
derived  its  name  from  that  fact. — Also  Dionysius 
of  Halicarnassus : — “ Now,  the  as  was  a brass 
coin  weighing  a pound.” — Hence  in  ancient 
writers  “ the  mulct,  or  forfeit  of  heavy  brass,” 
is  an  expression  frequently  met  with. — Livy, 
speaking  of  Camillus,  says,  “ In  his  absence  he 
was  fined  in  15  thousands  of  heavy  brass by 
which  terms  asses  are  always  to  be  understood. 
From  these  facts,  the  inconvenient  weight  of 
the  Roman  money,  even  in  moderate  sums,  may 
easily  be  conjectured.  Not  only  was  it  needful 
to  convey  any  considerable  quantity  of  the  as 
grave  in  waggons  to  its  place  of  public  deposit ; 
but,  according  to  Livy,  as  from  its  bulk  it  could 
not  be  placed  in  a chest,  it  was  stowed  away 
(stipabalur)  in  some  store-house,  that  it  might 
not  take  up  room  less  conveniently  to  be  spared ; 
from  which  circumstance  it  was  called  slips, 
whence  the  word  stipendia. 

From  Pondo  the  synonyme  of  the  as  was 
derived  the  word  dupondium.  Varro  says, 
“ Dupondium  is  derived  from  duo  pondera  (two 
poiuuls  weight) ; for  one  pound  was  called 
assipondinm ; and  this  again  because  the  as 
was  of  a pound  weight.” — From  the  as  were 
composed  the  tressis,  or  three  asses;  oclussis, 
and  octus,  eight  ditto ; decussis,  vicessis,  cen- 
tussis,  10,  20,  and  100  asses  respectively. 
From  decussis  was  derived  decussare,  that  is, 
according  to  Columella,  to  draw  transverse  lines 
in  the  form  of  the  figure  X ; and  Cicero  speaks 
of  planting  trees  in  a quincunx,  that  is  to  say, 
in  the  form  of  the  figure  V.  So  long  as  the  as 
maintained  its  pound  weight,  it  follows  that  the 
parts  of  the  as  preserved  a proportional  weight ; 
thus  for  example,  the  semis  would  weigh  six 
solid  uncial ; the  sextans  two,  &c. — [Eckhel,  v. 
p.  3,  et  seq.] — Sec  Libra — and  Pecunia. 

In  his  observations  on  the  distinctive  marks 
( characleres ) of  the  brass  consular  mint,  Eckhel 
says,  “ It  is  an  old  doctrine,  and  one  confirmed 
by  both  authority  and  experience,  that  asses,  and 
tbeir  component  parts,  are  the  more  ancient,  in 
proportion  as  they  arc  more  weighty. — Guided  by 
this  rule,  the  learned  Passcri,  with  great  labour, 
framed  his  Chronicon  Numarium,  in  which  he 
has  described  the  weight  of  Italian  coins,  from 
the  heaviest  to  the  lightest. — And,  as  by  this 
criterion,  it  is  readily  understood,  what  coins 
(at  least  such  as  arc  of  undoubted  Roman  origin) 
surpass  others  in  antiquity  ; so,  concerning  their 
actual  age,  nothiug  can  be  established  with 
certainty,  uuless  the  diminutions  of  weight  be 
referred  to,  as  stated  by  Pliny  [see  p.  85  of  this 
dictionary]  ; in  attending  to  which  epoch,  it 
will  be  perceived  that  the  Asses  Sextantarii 
cannot  have  made  their  appearance  earlier  than 
about  the  year  u.  c.  495  (b.  c.  259)  ; the 
Uncia/es  before  u.  c.  539  (b.  c.  217) ; and  that 
the  Semi-unciales,  which  were  introduced  by 
the  Lex  Papiria,  took  their  date  from  some 
subsequent  year,  which  cauuot  be  accurately  de- 
fined.” 


BRASS  COINAGE.  135 

“ It  is  a matter  of  inquiry  (adds  the  author  of 
Doctrina),  whether  some  extant  coins  of  heavy 
brass  (as  grave)  cannot  with  some  semblance  of 
truth,  be  referred  even  to  the  period  of  Servius 
Tullius.  For  were  we  to  regard  their  remote  an- 
tiquity only,  this  would  not  be  repugnant  to  pro- 
bability. The  death  of  Servius  is  fixed  at  the  year 
u.  c.  218. — AVe  have  coins  of  lthegium  and  Mcs- 
sana,  minted  about  the  year  u.  c.  276  (b.  c.  478). 
And  even  these  are  surpassed  in  antiquity  by 
coins  inscribed  with  the  name  of  Zauclc ; not  to 
mention  the  coins  of  Caulonia  Bruttiorum,  and 
others  of  neighbouring  states,  which  coins  have 
been  known  from  the  remotest  antiquity.  But 
the  supposition  is  opposed  to  the  authority  of 
Pliny  and  other  writers,  who  assert,  that  the 
first  money  of  the  Romans  bore  the  figures  of 
cattle ; notwithstanding,  the  oldest  coins  we 
possess,  and  those  certainly  of  Roman  origin, 
exhibit  no  such  mark,  with  one  exception,  ancl 
that  one  (classified  with  the  as)  not  of  the  most 
remote  antiquity.  Again,  were  any  to  be  found 
of  that  period,  they  ought  to  be  librales,  if  they 
are  asses;  or  if  parts  of  the  as,  of  a weight 
bearing  a certain  proportion  to  the  as  libralis. 
But,  up  to  the  present  time  [as  stated  in  p.  88], 
there  is  no  extant  specimen  of  a Roman  as 
libralis ; and  with  respect  to  parts  of  the  as,  only 
a trie  ns,  weighing  four  unciee,  has  ever  been 
cited.” — See  moneta  prima  romana. 

Brass  coins  of  the  Romans  arc  so  numerous, 
especially  those  of  the  Imperial  series,  that  they 
have  been  divided  into  tlirce  classes — large,  mid- 
dle, and  small — or  first,  second,  and  third  sizes. 

The  class  to  which  each  brass  piece  belongs 
(says  M.  Hennin),  is  determined  by  reference  to 
its  volume,  which  at  once  includes  the  breadth 
and  thickness  of  the  coin,  and  the  size  and  relief 
of  the  head.  Thus  a particular  medal  shall  have 
the  thickness  of  large  brass ; and  yet  shall  be 
ranked  with  the  middle  brass,  if  it  has  only  the 
portrait  of  the  middle  form.  Whilst  auothcr, 
which  shall  not  be  so  thick,  will  be  classed  with 
the  large  brass,  on  account  of  the  size  of  the 
head.  To  the  above  must  be  added,  as  a sepa- 
rate arrangement — 1st.  Those  pieces  of  the 
largest  module,  commonly  called  brass  medal- 
lions, of  which  but  an  inconsiderable  number  is 
known,  and  which  in  all  probability  were  not 
current  coin. — 2ndly.  Pieces  of  various  sizes 
called  Contorniati,  of  which,  like  the  preceding, 
but  few'  are  extant,  and  which  certainly  were  not 
money. — Manuel  de  Numismatique,  ii.  355. 

This  classification,  though  sanctioned  and 
adopted  by  numismatic  antiquaries,  is  yet  some- 
what arbitrary;  or  at  least  may  be  termed  a con- 
ventional arrangement  rather  than  a perfectly 
exact  plan.  For  the  want  of  a better,  however, 
it  must  be  followed. 

The  imperial  series  of  coins,  struck  in  brass, 
at  Rome,  by  order  of  the  Senate,  affords  more 
positive  and  authentic  evidence  in  illustration  of 
historical  facts,  than  those  of  silver  or  gold, 
which  were  fabricated  under  the  exclusive  autho- 
rity of  the  sovereign.  Both  the  latter  coinages, 
indeed,  were  executed,  sometimes  when  the 
prince  was  in  the  provinces,  either  making  a 


13G  BRASS  COINAGE, 

journey  or  personally  directing  armies,  conse- 
quently less  care  was  taken  iu  their  mintage — 
and  having  moreover  been  counterfeited  by  for- 
gers, they  frequently  exhibit  types  and  legends, 
which  no  longer  preserve  the  same  historic  ac- 
curacy.— ( Lemons  de  Numismatique  Rom.  p.  ix.) 

The  medallions,  which  for  the  most  part  do 
not  hear  the  mark  of  the  senate’s  authority  (S. 
C.)  and  among  which  there  is  a material  dif- 
ference in  the  size  and  weight,  seem  to  have 
been  (as  above  observed),  not  common  money, 
but  pieces  struck  by  the  sole  command  of  the 
emperors,  for  gratuitous  distribution  on  state 
occasions,  and  in  record  of  certain  memorable 
circumstances  and  events.  Such  of  these  me- 
dallions, however,  as  constitute  an  exact  mul- 
tiple of  the  ordinary  brass  coin,  and  bear  besides 
the  senatorial  authority,  are  regarded  as  current 
money,  notwithstanding  their  being  larger,  and 
are  called  by  Italian  numismatists  double  coins, 
and  not  real  medallions.  As  to  the  coins  termed 
large,  middle,  and  small  brass,  they  were  un- 
questionably the  ordinary  monied  currency  in 
that  metal.  Accordingly  they  are  the  more  fre- 
quently found,  whilst  medallions  are  in  general 
very  rare. — (Numismat.  Rom.  ix.) 

Of  both  the  large  and  middle  brass  a nearly 
perfect  scries  may  be  formed.  Of  the  small 
brass  a complete  series  cannot  be  made;  and 
it  is  doubtful  if  any  coins  exist  of  some  of  the 
earlier  emperors.  On  the  disappearance  of  the 
large  brass  in  the  reign  of  Gallienus,  the 
coinage  of  small  brass  re-commenced,  and  much 
of  it  is  extremely  common,  as  the  extensive 
lists  in  the  elaborate  work  of  Bandurius  testify. 
In  the  reign  of  Diocletian  appeared  a copper 
coin,  termed  the  Fo/lis,  of  the  module  of  the 
middle  brass  of  the  first  thirteen  emperors,  but 
much  thinner.  The  coinage  of  these  pieces  ap- 
pears to  have  been  extensive,  as  they  are  at 
this  day  very  common,  both  of  Diocletian,  and 
of  his  colleague  Maximiau,  as  also  of  Constan- 
tius-Chlorus,  Sevcrus  Cscsar,  and  Maxentius. — 
Akcrman,  Numismatic  Manual,  p.  141. 

It  is  generally  admitted,  and  a thorough 
knowledge  of  the  subject  confirms  the  opinion, 
that  Augustus  reserved  for  himself  and  his  suc- 
cessors the  right  of  coining  gold  and  silver,  and 
left  the  brass  and  copper  under  the  direction  of 
the  Senate,  whose  official  signature,  as  it  may 
be  termed,  is  expressed  by  the  well-known  sight 
S.  C.  A further  confirmation  of  this  implied 
compact  exists  in  an  inscription  found  at  Koine, 
and  thus  given  by  Grutcr: — “ Qffcinntores  mo- 
net#  aurarite,  argen/arite  C<e saris.”  Yet  there 
are  some  who  maintain  that  the  Senate  had 
power  over  the  whole  mintage  of  Rome;  but 
though  all  the  brass  coins,  with  very  few  ex- 
ceptions, have  the  “ Senates  Consul ta”  upon 
them,  the  gold  and  silver,  with  still  rarer  ex- 
ceptions, arc  without  it.  Vespasian  minted  iu 
the  precious  metals  before  his  title  was  acknow- 
ledged in  Rome,  whereas  the  brass  was  only 
struck  when  the  Senate  received  him.  Albinos 
appears  as  Augustus  on  gold  and  silver  coins, 
but  oil  the  brass  series  only  os  Cesar  -,  and  it 
was  for  assuming  the  former  title  that  he  was 


BRITANNIA. 

put  to  death.  The  soundest  antiquaries,  there- 
fore, look  upon  the  divided  privilege  of  coinage 
to  be  satisfactorily  established. — Capt.  Smyth, 
R.  N.  on  Roman  Brass  Medals,  Preface,  vi. 
and  vii. 

From  the  result  of  careful  experiments,  made 
in  weighing  a great  number  of  large  brass  me- 
dals of  the  first  emperors,  in  the  best  possible 
preservation,  it  has  been  satisfactorily  ascer- 
tained, that  the  money  now  called  by  the  above 
mentioned  name  passed  iu  circulation  for  the 
sestet  tius,  and  had  that  value  (about  four  sols 
French)  under  the  first  emperors — the  middle 
brass  must  therefore  have  been  worth  the  half 
sestertius ; and  the  small  brass  must  have  passed 
for  the  as.  This  conjecture  is  confirmed  by 
divers  passages  in  ancient  authors,  who  inform 
us  that,  under  the  emperors,  the  nummus  or  ses- 
tertius was  the  most  common  large  copper  coin. 
Lastly,  the  inspection  of  some  bronze  medals 
of  Nero,  which  bear  numeral  marks,  similar  to 
those  on  the  consular  coins,  and  which  agree 
with  the  weight  of  those  pieces,  appears  further 
to  sustain  this  opinion,  and  render  it  more  and 
more  probable. — Numismatique  Rom.  xxii. 

In  the  Biscours  de  Savot  (p.  242),  we  find 
that  early  writer  on  numismatics,  two  centuries 
ago,  expressing  his  opinion  that  the  large  Roman 
brass,  posterior  to  the  time  of  Pliny,  were  true 
sestertii.  Pinkerton  is  of  the  same  opinion. — 
Eckhel  is  afraid  to  decide. 

Sec  Medallion  iu  this  Dictionary : see  also 
Capt.  Smyth’s  Preface,  p.  xv. 


BRITANNIA. — Britain  (railed  also  Albion), 
which,  as  Shakspeare  says,  “ in  the  world’s  vo- 
lume, seems  as  of  it,  not  as  in  it : in  a great  pool 
a swan’s  nest,”  and  whose  inhabitants  were 
“ ultimi  orbis”  in  ancient  geography,  remained 
unknown  to  the  Romans,  until  Julius  Cicsar,  with 
characteristic  boldness,  ability,  aud  foresight, 
crossed  over  from  the  Portus  Iccius  (situate  on 
the  coast,  between  Calais  and  Boulogne),  to  in- 
vade it.  And  this  he  did,  iu  his  45th  year,  on 
the  2f>th  of  August,  B.  c.  55,  lamliug  on  the 
Kentish  shore,  most  probably  at  Lymne,  with 
not  more  than  two  legions.  But  even  the  • 
greatest  commander  of  antiquity  found  it  easier 
to  defeat,  than  to  subdue,  the  natives.  The 
result  of  his  first  expedition  appears  to  have 
been  insignificant ; and  with  regard  to  the  vie- 


BRITANNIA. 

tones  so  highly  lauded  afterwards  by  the  Senate, 
the  line  of  Lucan — 

“ Terrila  quocsitis  ostcndit  terga  Britannis,” 
Does  he  boast 

II is  flight  iu  Britain’s  new  discovered  coast  ? 

Rowe. 

conveys  uo  lofty  notion  of  military  success,  as 
connected  with  that  enterprise.  In  fact,  from 
the  day  of  his  landing  on  the  Kentish  shore, 
near  the  South  Foreland,  where  he  met  with  a 
stout-  resistance,  to  that  of  his  return  with  the 
invading  force  to  Gaul,  not  more  than  three  or 
four  weeks  were  comprised.  In  the  spring  of 
the  following  year  (b.  c.  54),  Caesar  undertook 
his  second  invasion  of  Britain : and  lie  made 
good  his  landing  at  nearly  the  same  spot  as  be- 
fore, with  five  legions — an  armament  so  vast 
both  in  its  naval  and  military  strength,  as  to 
defy  all  opposition.  After  a desultory  and  har- 
rassing  warfare,  carried  on  against  Cassivellau- 
nus,  and  other  chiefs  of  tribes,  or  kings  of  na- 
tions, iu  the  course  of  which  the  legionaries 
under  their  indomitable  leader  gained  a footing 
iu  Esses  and  Middlesex,  Caesar  compelled  the 
Britons  to  sue  for  peace ; himself  only  too  glad 
to  grant  it  to  a brave  and  formidable,  though 
undisciplined  adversary.  The  conditions  w'ere, 
hostages  to  be  delivered,  and  an  annual  tribute 
paid,  to  the  Roman  people,  but  without  any 
concession  of  territory.  And  the  Imperator,  with 
chief  portion  of  his  mighty  host,  again  returned 
to  Gaul  in  September  of  the  same  year. — By  his 
second  invasion  of  Britain,  Ca:sar  obtained  no 
more  solid  advantages,  as  a conqueror,  than  had 
accrued  to  him  from  his  first.  He  had  indeed 
advanced  further  into  the  interior.  But  having 
established  there  no  fortified  chain  of  posts  and 
encampments  for  his  troops,  the  Roman  name 
soon  lost  its  influence,  and  the  natives  regained 
their  warlike  spirit  of  independence : thus  justi- 
fying the  opinion  of  Tacitus  (Fit.  Agr.  c.  13), 
that  the  Great  Julius  “had  only  shewn  Britain 
to  the  Romans,  aud  did  not  make  them  masters 
of  it.” 

The  astute  policy  of  Augustus,  and  the  indo- 
lent apathy  of  Tiberius,  being  alike  averse  from 
the  annexation  to  the  empire,  of  Caesar’s  alius 
orbis  terrarum — “the  last  Western  Isle”  of  Ca- 
tullus, the  Britons,  during  the  period  of  97 
years,  remained  without  molestation  from  any 
foreign  attacks  on  their  national  freedom,  “ the 
island  (says  Dion  Cassius)  remaining  subject  to 
its  own  kings,  and  governed  by  its  own  laws.” 
Caligula’s  mock  invasion  (a.  d.  41),  is  too  ridi- 
culous to  stand  as  an  exception. 

At  length  the  Emperor  Claudius,  who  aimed 
at  popularity,  and  even  shewed  an  ambition  for 
military  renown,  undertook  the  task  of  subject- 
ing Britain  to  the  Roman  yoke.  His  first  step 
was  to  send  thither  Aulns  Plautius,  who,  at  the 
head  of  a numerous  aud  well-appointed  army, 
encountered  and  overthrew  the  Britons  in  several 
' engagements.  Stimulated  to  personal  enter- 
prise by  these  successes  of  his  able  lieutenant, 
the  emperor  (a.  d.  43)  went  himself  to  the 
scene  of  action.  And,  though  he  stayed  iu  the 
island  only  sixteen  days,  and  made  no  extension 
T 


BRITANNIA.  137 

to  the  conquests  of  his  officer,  the  obsequious 
Senate,  on  his  return  to  Rome,  six  months  after 
he  had  left  the  British  shore,  voted  him  a con- 
queror’s most  splendid  triumph.  Solemn  pro- 
cessions also  were  formed ; trophied  arches  rear- 
ed ; public  games  celebrated ; naval  aud  provin- 
cial crowns  of  gold  presented ; to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  his  victories;  and,  whilst  the  sur- 
name of  Britannicus  was  decreed  to  him  and 
to  his  infant  son,  the  real  services  of  Plautius 
were  rewarded  with  inferior  honours,  followed 
up  by  his  dismissal  from  command.  It  is  under 
Claudius  that  the  appellation  given  by  the  Ro- 
mans to  the  aborigines  of  our  country,  first 
appears  on  the  coinage  of  Rome. — Sec  [de]  bri- 
tannis. 

[“  Who  were  the  oldest,  and  consequently  the 
first,  inhabitants  of  this  island,  and  whence  the 
name  of  Britain  is  derived,  has  given  rise  to  a 
variety  of  opinions,  with  uo  ground  of  certainty 
to  determine  the  question.”  It  appears,  how- 
ever, that  “ the  ancient  Gauls  and  Britons  used 
the  same  language,  and  by  necessary  conse- 
quence the  origin  of  the  Britons  may  be  referred 
to  the  Gauls.” — Sec  Camden,  edited  by  Gough, 
1,  p.  lxiv.] 

About  a.  d.  50,  Claudius  being  still  emperor, 
in  consequence  of  continual  conflicts  carried  on 
with  the  unsubdued  natives,  the  southern  part 
of  the  island  was  formed  into  a province  by  Os- 
torius,  who  defeated  the  Silures  in  a great  bat- 
tle, and  taking  their  leader  Caractacus  (or  Cara- 
doc),  sent  him  and  his  family  prisoners  to  Rome. 
Neither  the  captivity,  nor  subsequent  release,  of 
this  heroic  chief,  produced  more  than  a brief 
suspension  of  hostilities  between  the  legionaries 
aud  their  harrassing  antagonists.  From  A.d.  54 
to  a.  d.  62,  during  which,  Nero  being  emperor, 
Suetonius  Panliuus  commanded  in  Britain,  bat- 
tle after  battle  was  fought,  without  producing 
any  decisive  effect  on  cither  of  the  belligerents. 
The  capture  of  the  isle  of  Anglcsea,  and  the 
slaughter  of  the  Druids,  followed  by  a retribu- 
tive and  still  more  widely  extended  massacre  of 
the  Romans,  by  the  insurgent  Britons  under 
their  Queen  Boadicea  (a.  d.  61) ; these  san- 
guinary hoiTors  succeeded  by  the  terrible  re- 
venge, which  the  Romans  took,  when  victory  at 
length  returned  to  their  standards,  and  the  Bri- 
tish heroine  fell  a self-devoted  victim  to  imperial 
cruelty  and  injustice — such  are  amongst  the 
prominent  features  of  atrocity  and  misery  with 
which  historians  fill  up  that  brief  but  eventful 
space  of  eleven  years.  Nor  was  this  helium  in- 
ternecinum — this  “ war  to  the  knife”  yet  near 
the  period  of  its  termination. — When,  however, 
Vespasian  in  a.  n.  70,  became  emperor ; he  (who 
under  Claudius  had  fought  the  Britons  in  many 
engagements,  and  consequently  wrell  knew  the 
system  of  political  as  well  as  military  tactics, 
best  calculated  to  achieve  success  against  the  in- 
dependent tribes  of  the  island),  adopted  such  a 
combination  of  bold  and  judicious  measures,  as, 
through  his  generals,  Cerealis  and  Froutinus, 
before  the  end  of  the  year  76,  resulted  in  re- 
ducing the  Brigantes  wholly,  and  the  Silures 
partly,  to  subjection. 


138  BRITANNIA. 

A new  sera  of  military  glory,  accompa- 
nied by  a wiser  and  more  humanised  system  of 
conduct  towards  the  natives,  began  to'be  iden- 
tified with  the  administration  of  Roman  affairs 
in  Britain,  about  the  close  of  Vespasian’s  reign. 
This  auspicious  change  continued  throughout 
that  of  Titus.  But  it  was  totally  blighted  by 
the  base  ingratitude  and  vindictive  tyranny  of 
Domitian  towards  one  of  the  ablest  as  well  as 
most  willing  instruments  of  such  public  benefits, 
that  Rome  ever  had  the  privilege  to  call  her  own. 
The  pen  of  Tacitus,  narrating  events  from  a.  d. 
76  to  86,  attests  the  splendid  successes  gained, 
and  the  solid  advantages  reaped,  by  Cneius 
Julius  Agricola.  That  consummate  warrior,  and 
excellent  governor,  whilst  he  effectually  kept 
down  the  refractory  tribes  by  his  vigilance  and 
courage,  no  less  advanced  the  cause  of  tranquil- 
lity and  civilization  by  his  ad  vice  and  assistance 
to  those  who  faithfully  adhered  to  their  alliances 
with  Rome — at  the  same  time  that  he  set  an 
example  of  good  order,  by  restoring  the  disci- 
pline of  his  army.  It  was  the  justly  famed 
Agricola,  who  having,  a.  d.  78,  accepted  at  the 
hands  of  his  aged  emperor,  the  post  of  command 
in  this  country,  subdued  the  Ordovices  and  took 
the  isle  of  Mona.  It  was  Agricola  who,  after 
having  reduced  to  submission  the  whole  southern 
portion  of  Britain,  augmented  the  superiority 
lie  had  already  acquired,  by  gradually  securing 
a strong  northern  frontier  to  his  conquests  in 
his  third  campaign,  a.  d.  80,  advancing  as  fai- 
ns the  l'rith  of  Tay — not  merely  driving  the 
Caledonians  back  into  their  inaccessible  fast- 
nesses among  the  Grampians,  a.  d.  83,  but  after 
defeating  Galgacus,  a.  d.  84,  being  the  first  to 
ascertain,  by  means  of  his  fleet,  the  geogra- 
phical fact  that  Britain  is  an  island. 

All  these  substantial  fruits,  however,  of  dearly 
purchased  victories  iu  seven  glorious  campaigns — 
all  these  benefits  of  an  enlightened  energy — all 
these  advantages  of  good  government — were  ren- 
dered null  and  void,  by  the  worse  than  thank- 
less conduct  of  Domitian  to  a legal  us,  of  whom 
such  a sovereign  was  not  worthy. 

After  the  recall  of  Agricola  from  his  pro-pric- 
torship,  a.  D.  85,  the  Roman  province  in  Bri- 
tain, which  he  had  done  so  much  to  enlarge 
and  improve,  appears  to  have  relapsed  again  into 
a state  of  commotion  within,  and  of  conflict 
pressed  upon  it  from  without.  In  this  precari- 
ous and  neglected  condition,  the  power  of  Rome 
remained  in  this  country  till  a.  d.  117. — It  is 
to  be  observed  by  the  way,  that  no  coins  of  Ves- 
pasian, Titus,  and  Domitian,  any  more  than  of 
their  imperial  predecessors,  Nero,  Galba,  Otho, 
and  Vitcllius,  bear,  cither  in  type  or  legend,  the 
least  reference  to  the  Britons ; although  triumphs 
for  Agricola’s  successes  were  assumed  by  both 
the  sons  of  Vespasian. 

At  length,  Hadrian  being  invested  with  the 
purple,  that  w ise  and  active  ruler,  directing  his 
attention  to  the  subject  of  Britannic  affairs,  with 
a sagacious  promptitude  corresponding  to  its  im- 
portance, began  by  sending  large  bodies  of  troops 
to  reinforce  the  various  garrisous  and  encamp- 
ments which,  under  Agricola’s  plan,  had  been 


BRITANNIA. 

made  to  form  a well-connected  chain  of  military 
posts  and  stations  over  the  country.  And  having 
by  this  means  rc-cstablishcd  comparative  tranquil- 
lity, he  next  extended  to  Britain  those  adminis- 
trative regulations  for  limiting  the  authority, 
and  curbing  the  exactions,  of  prefects  and  sub- 
ordinate magistrates,  which  he  had  already  re- 
duced to  an  uuiform  system  in  other  provinces 
of  the  empire,  and  which  had  become  equally 
indispensable  to  protect  the  Roman  colouists 
themselves  from  flagrant  injustice,  and  to  rescue 
the  native  tribes  from  the  most  grinding  t\  ranny. 

Hadrian  was  the  first  emperor,  subsequently  to 
Claudius,  who  had  set  foot  on  British  ground. 
The  advent  took  place  a.  d.  121  ; and  his  pre- 
sence in  that  island  seems  to  have  been  owing  to 
a far  more  important  reason  than  that  of  mere 
curiosity.  It  is  evident,  from  both  coins  and 
marbles,  that  marches  were  performed,  battles 
fought,  and  victories  gained  by  this  prince,  over 
the  ever  restless  Caledonians.  But  there  is  one 
memorial  of  Hadrian’s  visit  to  Britain,  which, 
though  history  makes  but  brief  allusion  to  it, 
remains — monumentum  cere  perenttius — an  im- 
perishable evidence  of  his  directing  mind,  in  the 
mural  barrier  w hich  was  constructed  (not  merely 
of  turf  but  of  stone),  from  the  western  to  the 
eastern  coast,  for  the  purpose  of  resisting  the 
incursions  of  the  Caledonians  (afterwards  railed 
Piets),  and  other  uuconquercd  inhabitants  of 
North  Britain. 

During  the  reign  of  Antoninus  Pius  (com- 
prising the  period  from  a.  d.  138  to  161),  the 
J letelce  iu  the  north,  and  the  Briyantes  in  the 
south,  revolted  from  the  Roman  sway ; and, 
after  much  bloodshed  on  both  the  conflicting 
sides,  were  reduced  to  submission  by  the  pro- 
prietor Lollius. — Marcus  Aurelius  was,  almost 
at  his  accession  to  the  throne  (a.  d.  161),  en- 
gaged in  defending  the  northern  and  eastern 
frontiers  of  his  vast  empire,  against  the  incur- 
sions of  Germanic  tribes,  and  the  march  of  Par- 
thian invaders.  This  fact  may  perhaps  serve,  in 
some  measure,'  to  account  for  his  name  and  ex- 
ploits not  being  recorded  either  by  annalists  or 
on  coins,  in  relation  to  Britain : although  for 
nearly  the  whole  28  years  of  his  eventful  life,  as 
emperor,  Britain  was  the  arena  of  continuous 
hostilities  between  the  uncivilized  tribes  of  Cale- 
donia and  the  legions  stationed  to  defend  the 
Roman  province  from  their  onslaughts. — Corn- 
modus  (a.  d.  184),  aroused  to  make  some  effort 
lor  the  safety  of  this  part  of  his  dominions,  sent 
over  Ulpius  Marccllus.  This  general,  n man  of 
high  reputation,  after  having  defeated  these  free- 
booters, and  driven  them  back  into  their  shel- 
tering highlands,  proceeded  to  reform  the  legion- 
aries themselves,  by  establishing  better  disci- 
pline and  more  effective  regulations.  For  these, 
and  other  important  public  services,  Ulpius  was 
rewarded  by  Coinmodus,  in  the  same  manner 
that  Agricola  had  been  by  Domitian — namely, 
by  a recall  from  his  prefecture ; and  a narrow 
escape  of  his  life  from  the  jealous  hatred  of  his 
execrable  master. 

The  portentous  insubordination  of  the  Bri- 
tauuic  army,  at  this  period,  was  plainly  shew'n, 


BRITANNIA. 

in  their  clamorous  accusations  ngaiust  Perennis 
(a.  n.  185),  and  the  base  degradation  of  the  im- 
perial government  became  equally  manifest,  in 
the  surrender,  by  the  self-dubbed  Hercules  Ro- 
manos, of  a favourite  minister  to  the  deadly  re- 
venge of  a corrupt  and  seditious  soldiery.  In 
the  fertile  mint  of  this  blood-thirsty  profligate, 
one  blushes  to  sec  the  arts  of  design  combined 
with  the  skill  of  the  die-sinker,  to  furnish,  in  each 
metal  and  of  almost  every  size,  numismatic  speci- 
mens of  exquisite  beauty,  amongst  other  subjects, 
allusive,  both  in  legend  and  in  type,  to  that  Bri- 
tain, whose  soil  the  degenerate  sou  of  Aurelius 
never  trod,  and  about  whose  interests,  as  a pro- 
vince of  the  empire,  he  knew  little  and  eared  less. 
Albinus,  on  whom  Severus,  in  a.  d.  194,  con- 
ferred the  title  of  Cicsar  in  Britain,  displayed 
great  ability  for  civil  government,  and  high  talents 
for  military  command,  whilst  left  awhile  by  his 
artful  superior  unmolested  at  the  head  of  affairs 
in  that  island.  He  had,  of  course,  no  authority 
over  the  brass  mint  of  Rome ; and  he  struck  no 
silver  or  gold  money,  ou  which  there  was  any 
reference  to  Britain  ; although  a mintage  of  sil- 
ver, issued  by  him  when  he  assumed  the  purple 
at  Lyon  (a.  d.  197),  exhibits  a type  of  military 
ensigns,  allusive  probably  to  the  British  legions 
whom  he  had  led  into  Gaul. 

Septimius  Severus,  after  he  had  put  Albinus 
to  death  ; and  with  the  same  merciless  hand  of 
power,  restored  tranquillity  in  the  east,  became 
closely  associated,  in  bodily  presence  as  well  as 
in  name,  with  the  western  provinces;  and  his 
military  expeditions,  together  with  the  victories 
that  crowned  them,  in  Britain,  are  recorded  on 
his  coins.  In  the  207th  year  of  our  sera,  and 
in  the  15th  year  of  his  reign,  this  warlike  prince 
divided  the  executive  administration  of  the  island 
into  two  prefectures,  appointing  able  governors 
to  each,  and  sending  large  reinforcements  to 
assist  one  of  them  in  waging  war  with  the  un- 
conquered men  of  the  north.  Two  years  after- 
wards, accompanied  by  Caracalla  and  Geta,  he 
went,  an  infirm  old  man,  but  still  energetic  and 
undaunted  in  spirit,  to  the  assistance  of  his  lieu- 
tenant Lupus,  with  a much  more  formidable 
armament.  Ilis  invasion  of  Caledonia  (a.  d. 
209) ; his  dearly  bought  successes  over,  and  his 
acceptance  of  a proffered  but  a feigned  submis- 
sion from  the  savage  race  of  people,  whose  ob- 
stinate courage  had  inflicted  such  appalling  losses 
on  the  Roman  host — all  these,  added  to  his  more 
permanent  merit  in  repairing  and  strengthening 
the  defences  of  the  northern  province,  give  an 
historical  reality  of  interest  to  the  victoiiiae 
brittannicae  legends,  and  to  the  trophied 
types,  which  display  themselves  in  the  respective 
mints  of  Severus  and  his  sons. 

[Mr.  Roach  Smith,  F.  S.  A.  in  his  valuable 
and  interesting  Notes  of  an  Archaeological  Tour 
performed  by  him,  in  1851,  along  the  Roman 
Wall,  makes  the  following  concluding  remarks ; 
which,  coming  as  they  do  from  one  of  the  ablest, 
most  indefatigable,  and  most  faithfully  correct 
writers  of  the  present  day,  and  offered  by  him 
as  the  result  of  his  recent  line  of  exploration, 
have  a peculiar  claim  to  the  confidence  aud  con- 


BRITANNIA.  139 

sideration  of  the  historical  antiquary.  Referring 
to  the  inscriptions  which  have  strewed  the 
ground  from  Bowness  to  Wall  send,  he  observes, 
that  “ these  records  very  clearly  explain  the  ori- 
gin of  the  wall  itself,  and  settle  the  questions 
which  have  so  long  been  raised  as  to  its  date. — 
They  prove  that  to  Hadrian  this  honour  is  due ; 
and  that  Severus,  who  has  shared  the  credit 
with  Hadrian,  did  nothing  more  than  repair  the 
fortresses  aud  the  public  buildings,  which  had 
become  dilapidated ; that  Hadrian  brought  to- 
gether for  tliis  work  the  entire  military  force  of 
the  province,  and  that  the  British  states,  or 
communities,  also  contributed  workmen.” — Sec 
Gentleman's  Mag.  Oct.  1851.  But  more  par- 
ticularly see  Collectanea  Antiqaa,  by  the  same 
author,  vol.  ii.  imder  the  head  of  “ The  Roman 
Wall.”] 

From  the  death  of  Severus  (at  York),  Feb.  4, 
211,  to  the  times  of  that  fortunate  usurper 
Carausius,  and  his  perfidious  murderer  Allectus 
— (an  interval  of  more  than  70  years) — no 
notice,  strange  to  say,  of  occurrences  in  Britain 
can  be  found  in  the  old  writers. 

[The  above  historical  summary,  purposely 
closed  here,  is  meant  simply  for  an  introductory 
tribute  of  attention,  due  to  the  subject  of  such 
monetal  relics,  as  serve  to  associate  the  annals 
of  ancient  Rome  with  those  of  “ the  land  we 
live  in.”  And,  as  iu  framing  the  above  out- 
line, slight  and  circumscribed  as  it  is,  resort  has 
been  had  for  facts,  dates,  and  authorities,  to 
the  pages  of  a Camden,  a Henry,  a Tyttlcr 
Frazer,  a Francis  Palgravc,  a Lingard,  an  Eck- 
hel — so  has  the  scientific  and  intelligent  pen 
of  an  Akerman  been  taken  full  advantage  of 
in  the  subjoined  notices  of  coins  and  me- 
dallions, which  bear  the  names  of  our  country 
and  her  native  sons,  as  they  were  respectively 
designated  by  her  earliest  conquerors,  aud,  for 
many  centuries,  ruliug  occupants.  The  more 
recent  publication  by  the  last  named  excellent 
writer,  entitled  “ Coins  of  the  Romaus  re- 
lating to  Britain,”  is,  indeed,  regarded  by  all 
competent  judges  iu  England,  as  the  best  work 
extant,  with  reference  to  the  nationally  interest- 
ing points  on  which  it  treats.  And  European 
appreciation  of  its  merits  may  fairly  be  recog- 
nised in  the  distinguished  honour  of  the  Prix  de 
Numismatique,  awarded  to  him,  for  the  new 
edition,  by  the  French  Institute.  From  the  ac- 
curately descriptive  and  elegantly  illustrated 
contents  of  that  volume,  the  student  will  derive 
every  degree  of  useful  information,  which  can 
be  obtained  or  desired,  in  that  particular  branch 
of  numismatic  research,  from  the  reign  of  Clau- 
dius down  to  the  times  of  Constautine  aud  his 
family.] 

BRIT. — Britanni. — Pacatus,  in  his  Panegyr. 
Theodosii,  cited  by  Eckhel  (vi.  217),  calls  the 
Britons  by  the  strong  term  of  exules  orbis  (ex- 
iles from  the  terrestrial  globe).  About  the  time 
of  the  Emperor  Claudius  (a.  d.  41  to  54),  it 
was  customary  to  write  Britannia — britanni 
— britannicvs. — The  name  of  the  island  aud 
of  its  inhabitants  was  also  spelled  with  only  one 


140  BRITAN. 

t during  the  reigns  of  Hadrianus  and  Antoninus 
Pius,  as  will  be  seen  on  their  respective  coins. — 
Virgil  had  previously  done  the  same,  in  the  well 
known  line,  ending  “ Britannos.” — It  was  un- 
der Commodus  (about  A.  D.  184),  that  the  let- 
ter t began  to  be  doubled,  and  only  one  N was 
used.  (See  next  page). — Scptimius  Severus  (a.d. 
209),  adopted  the  double  T,  but  restored  the  N ; 
and  in  legends  of  Gcta  and  Caracalla  (a.  d.  198 
to  217),  we  also  read  brittaxnicae.  Afterthat 
period  of  the  empire,  the  word  does  not  in  any 
way  appear  on  the  coinage  of  Rome. 

BRITAN.  (1)E)  or  De  Britann,  or  Be  Bri- 
tanni,  or  De  Britannis,  inscribed  on  a tri- 
umphal arch,  above  which  is 
an  equestrian  statue,  between 
two  trophies. 

This  legend  and  type  ap- 
pear on  gold  and  silver  of 
Claudius,  to  whom  as  early 
as  the  year  u.  c.  796  (a.  d. 
43),  honours  were  awarded 
by  the  Senate,  for  the  conquest  of  Britain.  No 
coins  struck  in  preceding  years,  have  yet  been 
found,  commemorative  of  this  event.  The 
above  type  (engraved  from  a specimen  in  the 
British  Museum),  exhibits  the  arch  stated  by 
Dion  Cassius  to  have  been  decreed  to  Claudius, 
in  addition  to  other  marks  of  distinction. — 
Suetonius  (CAaud.  cli.  17),  adds  that  a naval 
crown  was  placed  near  the  civic  one,  on  the  sum- 
mit of  the  Palatine  residence,  as  an  emblem  of 
the  sca-traject,  and,  so  to  speak,  a symbol  of 
the  Ocean  subdued  to  the  emperor’s  power. 

B It  I T A N. A first  brass  of  Antoninus 

Pius  presents  a female  figure  helmet ed,  clothed, 
and  seated  on  a rock  : holding  a javelin  in  the 
right  hand,  her  left  reposes  on  an  ornamented 
shield  by  her  side,  and  her  right  foot  rests  on  a 
glohe.  Round  the  type  we  read  imperator  ii.  ; 
and  ii  R it  an  is  inscribed  across  the  field. 

This  type  differs  materially  from  all  the  others 
of  the  Britannia  series.  “ Instead  of  a female 
figure,  with  bare  head,  as  on  coins  of  Hadrian, 
we  have  here  doubtless  (says  Mr.  Akerman),  a 
personification  of  Rome  herself ; her  dominion 
being  aptly  enough  portrayed  by  a globe  beneath 
her  right  foot,  whilst  she  grasps  a javelin  (a 
barbarian  weapon)  instead  of  a spear.” — En- 
graved in  “ Coins  relating  to  Britain,”  pi.  iii. 
fig.  18. 

BRITAN. — Inscribed  in  the  exergue  of  an- 
other large  brass  of  the  same  emperor,  having 
the  same  legend  of  reverse.  The  type  is  a 
female  figure  seated  on  a globe,  surrounded  by 
waves;  in  her  right  hand  a standard;  in  her 
left  a javelin ; her  elbow  resting  upon  the  edge 
of  a buckler  by  her  side. 

“ This  is  perhaps  the  most  interesting  coin  of 
the  whole  scries.”  Every  feature  of  the  derice 
serves  to  mark  the  insular  and  remote  situation 
of  Britain,  which  the  Romans  considered,  and 
their  poets  (Virgil,  Claudian,  and  Horace),  al- 
luded to,  as  a country  divided,  severed,  and  set 
apart  from  their  world. — According  to  Dion 
Cassius,  great  difficulty  was  experienced  by 
Plautius,  in  the  time  of  Claudius,  in  inducing 


BRITAN. 

his  troops  to  embark  for  Britain : they  com- 
plained that  they  were  going  to  war  in  regions 
‘ out  of  the  world.’ — The  figure  seated  on  the 
globe  is  unquestionably  the  typification  of  the 
Roman  province.” — See  the  work  above  named, 
in  which  the  coin  is  engraved,  pi.  ii.  fig.  16. 

BRITAN.  S.  C.  (across  the  field  of  the  coin). 
— An  elegant  winged  Victory,  stauding  ou  a 
globe,  holds  a garland  in  her  right  hand,  and 


a palm  branch  in  her  left. — Round  the  type, 
imperator  ii.  (Imperator  Iterum,  Emperor 
for  the  second  time).  On  a first  brass  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius. 

According  to  Capitolinns,  Antoninc  conquered 
a tribe  of  the  Britons  by  his  general,  Lollius 
Urbicus,  who  kept  back  the  barbarians  by  raising 
another  turf  wall  still  further  to  the  northward 
(alio  mnro  ccspititio  subinotis  barbaris  ducto). 

Pausanias  also,  in  recording  the  victorious  ex- 
ploits performed  in  Britain  by  the  above  named 
imperial  commander,  calls  the  tribe  whom  he 
subdued  by  the  name  of  Brigantes,  and  as- 
cribes the  war  to  their  having  attacked  Gerunia, 
a territory  subject  to  the  Romans. 

[The  fine  reverse  above  described  and  in- 
serted, has  been  engraved  from  a specimen  in 
the  British  Museum.] 

The  chronological  value  of  the  title  Imperator, 
as  inscribed  on  coins  of  Roman  Euqierors,  is 
shewn  by  Eckhel  (rii.  p.  12) : — These  coins 
prove  what  history  has  neglected  to  teach  us, 
viz.  that  this  war  was  carried  on,  or  at  least 
was  finished  by  Urbicus,  within  the  third  quin- 
quennial consulate  of  Antoninus  Pius ; and 
thence  was  called  after  him  Imperator  II.  being 
the  first  aud  last  augmentation  of  his  title. — 
Although,  if  Gruter’s  marble  does  not  mislead, 
in  which  Antoninc  is  styled  tr.  p.  ii.  imp.  ii. 
cos.  ii.  des.  in.  that  title  had  already  been  con- 
ferred upon  him  at  the  expiration  of  the  pre- 
ceding year  u.  C.  892  (a.  d.  140). — See  the 
word  Imperator. 

There  is  a second  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
with  the  same  legend  of  reverse,  of  which  the 
type  is  a Victory  walking.  She  holds  in  her 
right  hand  a buckler,  on  which  the  abbreviated 
word  britan.  is  inscribed.  This  coin,  bearing 
also  imperator  II.  evidently  refers  to  the  same 
decisive  victory  gained  over  the  Brigantes,  which 
gave  rise  to  the  minting  of  the  preceding  coin. 
— Engraved  in  Akerman,  “ Roman  Coins  relating 
to  Britain,  pi.  i.  fig.  9. 

BRITANNIA.  S.  C. — A first  brass  of  Anto- 


BRITTANIA. 

ninus  Pius  with  this  legend,  has  for  its  reverse 
type,  a male  figure  seated  on  a rock,  his  right 
hand  holding  a standard  ; his  left  hand  resting 
ou  the  upper  edge  of  a shield  placed  by  his  side. 

Mr.  Akcrmau,  in  giving  an  engraving  of  it, 
says — “ This  curious  coin  is  somewhat  puzzling. 
It  bears  ou  tbc  obverse  the  head  and  name  of 
Antoninus  Pius ; but  the  seated  figure  is  obvi- 
ously a portrait  of  Hadrian.  It  is  difficult  to 
find  a reason  for  this,  unless  we  suppose  that 
the  die  for  the  reverse  was  originally  intended 
for  a coin  of  Hadriau  during  the  life  of  that 
emperor,  but  for  some  cause  or  other  not  used 
ou  his  money.  Or  was  it  designed  by  the  Senate 
as  a tribute  to  the  memory  of  Hadrian,  who 
certainly  performed  more  in  Britain  thau  his 
successor  ? In  either  case  it  is  a very  curious 
type.”  Referring  to  his  engraved  illustration 
of  this  reverse  (pi.  ii.  fig.  15,  of  the  work  above 
quoted),  Mr.  A.  adds,  “That  the  figure  is  that 
of  Hadrian,  no  one  acquainted  with  the  portraits 
of  that  emperor  will  deny.” 

BRITANNIA  COS.  II II. — Britannia  Con- 
sul Qaartum. — A female  figure  seated  on  a rock, 
in  an  attitude  of  dejection ; before  her  a large 
oval  shield,  aud  a military  standard.  Ou  second 
brass  of  Antoninus  Pius. 

The  legend  of  this  reverse  shews  that  the  coin 
was  struck  in  the  4th  consulate  of  the  emperor, 
a.  d.  145. — “Of  all  the  Roman  coins  relating 
to  Britain,  this  is  the  most  frequently  discovered 
in  England.  They  arc  generally  found  in  very 
ordinary  condition,  aud  scarcely  ever  met  with 
in  fine  preservation.  It  is  somewhat  singular, 
that  among  the  numerous  fine  and  interesting 
brass  medallions  of  Antoninus,  not  one  bears 
allusion  to  Britain.” — Akerman,  same  work  as 
above  cited.  Engraved  in  pi.  ii.  fig.  11  and  12. 
BRITTANIA,  P.M.  TR.  P.X.  IMP.  COS. 

IIII.  P.  P. Brittania,  Pont  if  ex  Maximus 

Tribunitid  Potestate  decern , Imperator  Sepli- 
mum.  Consul  qaartum,  Pater  Patriae. — A male 
figure  seated  on  a rock,  holding  in  his  right 
haud  a military  standard,  and  in  his  left  a jave- 
lin ; his  right  arm  rests  on  a shield,  on  which 
are  inscribed  the  letters  s.  p.  Q.  r. — This  legend 
and  type  appear  on  the  reverse  of  a brass  me- 
dallion, of  large  size  and  of  the  greatest  rarity, 
struck  under  Commodus. — The  obverse  presents 
the  laurelled  head  of  that  emperor,  round  which 
we  read,  ir.  commodvs  antoninvs  avg.  rivs. 

BRIT. 

Among  other  vain  assumptions  of  unmerited 
honours,  Commodus,  from  the  date  of  his  ninth 
tribunitian  power,  had  taken  the  title  of  BRIT- 
annicus,  on  the  occasion  of  some  advantages 
gained  in  that  country  bv  his  generals.  And 
this  medallion  was  struck  to  record  the  suppres- 
sion of  a rebellion  in  South  Britain,  and  the  de- 
feat of  a Caledonian  incursion  by  Ulpius  Mar- 
cellus.  (See  historical  summary,  p.  138).  The 
figure  thus  representing  a Roman  province,  dis- 
plays as  usual  all  the  attributes  of  that  province. 
— The  form  of  the  dress,  bucklers,  aud  lances 
used  by  a warlike  race,  are  here  plainly  recog- 
nizable. Britannia  also  holds  a Roman  ensign, 
as  the  declared  subject  of  the  Emperor,  Senate, 


BRITTANNIA.  141 

and  People,  who  arc  indicated  by  the  legend  and 
type  of  the  obverse,  and  by  the  s.  p.  q.  r.  in- 
scribed ou  the  shield  in  the  reverse. 

[A  graphic  illustration  of  the  above  described 
medallion  is  placed  at  the  head  of  article  Bri- 
tannia (p.  136).  The  cut  is  executed  after  a 
cast  taken  from  the  interesting  and  very  rare 
original  in  the  French  National  collection.] 

BRITTANIA. — The  learned  editor  of  the 
Thomas’  sale  catalogue  (p.  33),  thus  describes 
the  splendid  Britannia  medallion  in,  what,  for 
comprehensive  extent  and  extraordinary  value, 
w'as  appropriately  termed,  that  “ princely  collec- 
tion.” 

“ Obv.  a beautiful  laureated  and  togated  bust 
of  Commodus  looking  to  the  right ; rev.  a mili- 
tary figure  seated  on  a rock,  with  a standard  iu 
the  right  and  a spear  in  the  left  hand  ; the  lat- 
ter rests  on  an  ornamented  oval  shield  (having 
the  point  of  a lance  in  the  centre)  placed  on  a 
helmet. — Legend  of  the  reverse,  brittania, 

p.  m.  tr.  p.  x.  imp.  vii.  cos.  iiii.  p.  p. — Legend 
of  the  obverse,  M.  commodvs  antoninvs  avg. 
pivs  brit.  ; extra  fine  and  unique;  size  12  of 
Mionnct’s  scale. — A very  correct  engraving  of 
this  matchless  Britannia  adorns  the  title  of 
Captain  Smyth’s  valuable  Catalogue;  privately 
printed  at  Bedford,  1834.” 

[It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  medallion  in 
question,  forming  part  of  the  late  Mr.  Thomas’s 
collection,  differed  from  that  in  the  French  cabi- 
net, only  in  not  having  the  initial  letters  s.  P. 

q.  r.  within  the  shield.  Yet,  whilst  by  that 
inscriptive  addition  instead  of  a mere  lance  point, 
the  mintage  of  the  latter  becomes  not  less  iden- 
tified with  senatorial  than  with  imperial  sanc- 
tion, and  iu  that  respect  has  a superiority  over 
the  former — we  find  the  medallion  at  Paris 
valued  by  Mionnet  at  150  francs  (15  18s.  9d.), 
and  that  the  celebrated  acquisition  of  the  En- 
glish collector  actually  sold  in  1848  for  the  sum 
of  £75  !] 

In  the  Florentine  museum  there  is  a brass 
medallion  of  Commodus,  bearing  the  same  le- 
gends, and  a similar  type  of  reverse,  except 
that  the  spear  or  lance  in  the  hand  of  the  pro- 
vince is  armed  at  both  ends. 

BRITANNIA.  S.  C.— A second  brass  of  Ha- 
drian bears  this  inscription  on  the  exergue  of  its 
reverse,  with  the  legend  font.  siax.  tr.  pot. 

cos.  in. Pontifex 

Maximus.  Tribunitid 
Potestate,  Consul  ter- 
tium. — The  accompa- 
nying type  is  that  of 
a female  figure  seated, 
her  left  foot  planted  on 
a rock ; her  head  rest- 
ing on  her  right  hand 
— in  her  left  haud  is 
a spear,  and  by  her 
side  a shield,  with  a spike  in  the  centre. 

Spartian  says — “ Hadrian  resorted  to  Britain, 
where  he  reformed  many  things,  and  was  the 
first  to  raise  a wall  72,000  paces  in  length, 
which  served  as  a boundary  between  the  Barbari 
and  the  Romans.”  And  according  to  the  same 


142  BRITANNIAE. 

author,  this  journey  of  Hadrian’s  was  made  in 

the  year  u.  c.  874  (a.  d.  121). 

[The  above  cut  is  from  a satisfactorily  pre- 
served specimen  which  belongs  to  the  compiler 
of  this  work,  the  gift  of  his  friend  W.  C.  Ewing, 
Esq.  of  Norwich.] 

In  a communication  to  the  editor  of  the  Nu- 
mismatic Chronicle,  in  1841,  Mr.  Roach  Smith, 
alluding  to  this  type  of  Britannia,  on  Ha- 
drian’s second  brass,  states  that  in  some  of  the 
specimens  which  he  possesses,  “ the  development 
of  the  mammae  clearly  decide  the  disputed  point 
that  the  figure,  under  which  the  province  of 
Britain  is  personified,  is  a female.” 

In  the  work  on  Roman  Coins  relating  to  Bri- 
tain will  be  found  two  engravings  of  this  type 
of  Hadrian’s.  They  differ  in  no  material  re- 
spect from  each  other,  except  that  on  one  the 
legend  buitannia  is  carried  round  the  margin 
of  the  coin,  and  the  other  (as  in  the  present 
wood  cut)  is  inscribed  in  the  exergue. — See  Mr. 
Akerman’s  remarks  on  this  interesting  type,  in 
pp.  25  and  26. 

BRITANNIAE  (Adventus  Aug.) — On  a large 
brass  of  Hadrian  there  is  for  obo.  hadrianvs 
avg.  cos.  hi.  p.  p.  The  laureated  profile  of  that 
emperor,  with  the  chlamys  buckled  on  the  right 
shoulder. — lieo.  Legend  as  above;  on  the  ex- 
ergue s.  c. — The  figure  of  Hadrian  in  the  toga 
stands  in  the  left  of  the  field,  and  a robed  female 
on  the  right,  who  holds  a patera  over  an  altar, 
from  which  a flame  rises. — “ By  this,  and  the 
victim  at  her  side  (observes  Capt.  Smyth),  is 
expressed  the  sacrifice  made  by  the  Provincials 
in  token  of  joy  and  cordiality  at  the  august 
arrival ; and  the  altar  denotes  mutual  compact. 
He  arrived  a.  d.  121,  just  in  time,  according  to 
Camden,  to  prevent  the  Britons  from  throwing 
off  the  Roman  yoke.  Here  he  made  many  re- 
gulations ; and  to  secure  his  colonies  from  Cale- 
donian incursions,  caused  a mighty  wall  to  be 
built,  extending  from  the  river  Eden  in  Cum- 
berland, to  the  Tyne  in  Northumberland.” — 
(p.  1041. 

BRIT.  VICT. — See  vict.  brit.  and  victo- 
riae  brittannicae  of  Scvcrus,  Caracalla,  and 
Geta. 

BRITa«ni«w. — This  appellation  docs  not  np- 
pear  on  any  of  the  coins  of  Claudius,  as  part  of 
his  style  and  title,  although  on  those  which  com- 
memorate the  expedition  of  that  emperor  into 
Britain,  and  some  victories  gained  there  by  his 
legati,  an  inscription  relating  to  that  islaud  does 
OCCUr. — See  BRITANNIS  (DE). 

It  was  by  certain  emperors  of  a lower  age,  that 
the  surname  of  Britannicus  was  assumed.  Com- 
modus  first  used  it  on  his  coins,  a.  d.  184. — 
And  this  he  did  in  addition  to  another  titular 
assumption — thus  PIVS  11  IU'IV //««-«.?,  omit- 
ting the  others  which  he  had  before  obtained ; 
such  as  Gcrmauicus  and  Sarmaticus.  The  same 
title  of  Britannicus  is  exhibited  on  the  respec- 
tive coins  of  S.  Sevcrus,  Caracalla,  and  Geta. 

BRITANNICUS  Ctesar. — Tiberius  Claudius 
Germanicus,  afterwards  called  Britannicus,  son 
of  Claudius  and  of  Mcssalina,  was  born  a.d.  42. 
By  the  influence  of  Agrippina  jun.  the  second  | 


BRITANNICUS. 

wife  of  Claudius,  he  was  deprived  of  his  here- 
ditary right  to  succeed  that  emperor,  and  Nero 
was  adopted  in  his  stead,  a.  d.  50.  About  five 
years  afterwards,  when  he  had  scarcely  reached 
his  fourteenth  year,  this  ill-fated  prince  was 
poisoned  by  Nero,  partly  out  of  envy  of  his  fine 
voice,  but  more  from  fear  that  the  youth  should 
snatch  the  empire  from  him. 

There  are  neither  gold  nor  silver  coins  of  Bri- 
tannicus. Brass,  even  of  the  Greek  colonies, 
are  exceedingly  rare. — Eckhcl  ascribes  to  him 
as  genuine,  a large  brass  in  the  cabinet  at  Vienna, 
having  on  its  obverse  the  bare  head  of  Britan- 
nicus, with  the  legcud  of  ti.  claudivs  caesar 
avg.  e.  britannicvs. — On  the  reverse  s.  c. 
Mars  walking. — (D.  N.  V.  t.  vii.  p.  155.) 

Mionnct  values  this  at  1000  francs,  and  pro- 
nounces it  unique. 

Captain  Smyth  says — “ The  only  large  brass 
of  Britannicus  which  I know  of  is  that  with 
reverse  of  Mars,  in  the  imperial  cabinet  of  Vienna, 
which  was  purchased  at  Rome,  in  1773,  and 
has  been  pronounced  to  be  genuine.”  (p.  36.) 

The  learned  and  accurate  author  of  Lefons  de 
Numismatique  Romaine,  after  alluding  to  the 
extreme  rarity  even  of  colonial  coins  of  Britan- 
nicus, expresses  himself  as  follows  (p.  95)  : — 
“ There  has  been  cited  but  one  medal  of  Roman 
die,  or  rather  struck  at  Rome,  bearing  the 
name  and  effigy  of  this  prince.  It  is  of  large 
brass,  and  now  in  the  collection  of  the  Abbe 
Canova,  brother  of  the  celebrated  scidptor. — 
But  (adds  this  writer)*  although  referred  to  as 
a true  antique  by  several  authors,  we,  who  have 
seen  and  examined  it;  we  who  rest,  in  the  first 
place,  on  the  opinion  of  Eckhel,  and  in  the 
second  place,  on  that  of  the  well-informed  P. 
Caronui ; believe  it  to  be  very  suspicious.  It  is 
of  a larger  module,  and  it  is  thicker  than  large 
brass  of  the  ordinary  size.  Its  reverse  presents 
the  god  Mars,  an  unusual  type  for  a young  prince 
invested  with  only  the  title  of  Ctesar.” 

A second  brass  specimen  was  admitted  into  a 
collection  by  Morel,  but  Eekhcl  thinks  it  must 
be  false. 

Mionnct  and  Akerman  both  quote  the  follow- 
ing small  brass,  colonial,  with  Latin  legends : — 

britannicvs.  Bare  infant  head  of  Britan- 
nicus. 

Rev.  Legend  effaced  (within  a garland). 

britannicvs  avgv.  Bare  head. 

Rev.  ti.  CLAVD....TR.  pot.  P.  p.  From Sestini. 

The  coins  on  which  Britannicus  is  colled  Au- 
gustus arc  colonial ; and  to  the  ignorance  of  the 
moneyer,  rather  than  to  any  particular  motive, 
is  to  be  attributed  the  above  use  of  a title  which 
was  never  conferred  on  that  prince. — Mionnct. 

B.  R.  P.  NAT. — Bono  Reipublicre  Nato  (see 
p.  132),  and  not  bap.  nat.  ns  interpreted  by 
Occo  and  others  after  him,  BWt innate  NAT o. 
In  support  of  the  former  reading  there  is  a paper 
in  the  Numismatic  Journal,  edited  by  J.  Y. 
Akerman,  F.  S.  A.  (January,  1837,  p.  260), 
which,  entitled  “ Revival  by  Ur.  Walsh  of  a re- 
futed error,”  sets  this  question  conclusively  at 
rest. 

BRUISE,  in  numismntic  language,  signifies 


BRUTUS. 

a break  or  injury  in  the  patina  of  a brass  or  cop- 
per coin  or  medallion. 

BRUNDUSIUM. — A city  of  Calabria  (or 
rather  of  Apulia),  on  the  coast  of  the  Adriatic 
sea,  now  called  Brindisi,  in  the  Terra  di  Otranto, 
kingdom  of  Naples.  In  the  time  of  the  Ro- 
mans, it  was  the  chief  resort  of  persons  making 
the  traject  from  Italy  to  Greece.  Horace  has 
described  the  road  from  Rome  to  this  place,  in 
the  fifth  satire  of  his  first  book. — Botli  Eckhrl 
and  Mionnet  include  Brundusium  in  their  re- 
spective catalogues  of  Roman  colonies. — Vaillant 
gives  none  of  its  coins,  which  according  to  Mion- 
net consist  only  of  Latin  Autonomcs,  in  small 
and  middle  brass,  almost  exclusively  bearing  the 
legend  BRUNtfttm»« ; and  the  types  consist  of 
a laurelled  and  bearded  head  (of  Neptune  or 
Jupiter),  or  a naked  male  figure  (Arion)  riding 
on  a dolphin,  holding  iu  the  right  hand  a victo- 
rio/a  that  crowns  him,  and  in  the  left  a lyre, 
with  the  mark  of  the  Semis. 

BRUTUS  (Marcus  Junius ),  called  by  some 
the  tyrannicide,  was  son  of  M.  Junius  Brutus,  and 
of  Servilia,  who  was  half  sister  of  Cato  of 
Utica,  by  the  mother’s  side.  He  came  into  the 
world  in  the  669th  year  of  Rome  (b.  c.  85). 
At  a very  early  age  he  lost  his  father ; but  his 
education,  under  the  careful  superintendence  of 
his  mother  and  uncles,  was  an  excellent  one  ; 
and,  having  imbibed  an  ardent  love  for  learning, 
he  studied  literature  and  oratory  at  Rhodes. — 

It  is  not  pertain  [see  the  point  treated  of 
further  on]  that  he  was  descended  from  the  cele- 
brated Brutus,  who  drove  the  Tarquins  from 
Rome,  and  served  the  first  Considatc  of  the 
Republic  : although  the  portraitures  and  inscrip- 
tions on  his  family  coins  shew  that  he  laid  pre- 
tensions to  that  origin.  Having,  amidst  the 
lamentable  dissensions  of  the  State,  attached 
himself  to  the  adherents  of  Pompcius  Magnus, 
on  the  ground  that  it  was  that  party  which  most 
favoured  the  cause  of  freedom,  Marcus  Brutus 
was  in  the  army  opposed  to  that  of  Julius  Csesar, 
at  the  battle  of  Pharsalia,  a.  u.  c.  796  (b.  C.  48). 
But  he  was  afterwards  not  only  pardoned  by  the 
victor  iu  that  decisive  shock  of  arms,  but  was 
loaded  by  him  with  the  highest  distinctions. — 
Caesar  in  fact  gave  Brutus  the  government  of 
Cisalpine  Gaul,  and  the  prastorship  of  Rome — 
favours  which  be  repaid,  by  becoming,  in  con- 
junction with  C.  Cassius,  the  foremost  of  his 
assassins. — It  was  doubtless  the  remembrance  of 
these  benefits  conferred,  that  moved  the  mind 
of  Caesar  in  the  very  moment  of  the  assault  made 
upon  him  in  full  Senate  (b.  c.  44).  So  that 
seeing  Brutus  in  the  throng  of  his  murderers, 
the  exclamation  burst  from  his  lips — “ Tu  ue 
etiain  inter  hos  es,  fili  ?”  Art  thou,  too, 
amongst  them,  my  son? — After  the  perpetra- 
tion of  the  crime,  compelled  to  quit  Rome, 
Brutus  fled  with  Cassius  and  others  of  the  con- 
spirators into  the  province  of  Macedonia.  And 
when  he  learnt  that  war  was  declared,  under 
the  Lex  Pedia,  against  him  and  his  associates, 
he  betook  himself  to  defensive  measures,  not  only 
for  the  support  of  the  commonwealth,  hut  for 


BRUTUS.'  143 

his  own  personal  safety.  Being,  however,  de- 
feated by  Mark  Antony  and  Octavian,  at  Phi- 
lippi, he  put  an  end  to  his  existence  in  the  year 
712  (b.  c.  42),  and  in  the  37th  year  of  his 
age. 

“ In  private  life  (says  Eckhel,  vi.  20),  M.  Bru- 
tus was  a man  of  unimpeachable  morality — in- 
accessible to  the  allurements  of  pleasure  and  of 
avarice — the  only  individual  of  the  conspirators, 
whom  public  opinion  held  to  have  joined  iu  de- 
stroying Cicsar,  under  the  impulse  of  a love  of 
virtue  and  integrity  ; whilst  the  rest  were  looked 
upon  as  actuated  by  widely  difterent  motives. — 
These  commendations,  however,  lose  much  of 
their  foundation  in  truth  ; since  in  determining 
upon  the  death  of  Jidius,  he  could  not  exhibit 
i his  patriotism  except  at  the  expense  of  ingrati- 
tude towards  a second  father — and  moreover, 
since  he  ought  to  have  reflected  that  his  was  a 
fruitless  and  inconsiderate  zeal,  so  long  as  there 
existed  in  the  corrupt  commonwealth  of  Rome, 
so  many  Caesars,  ready  to  take  the  place  of  the 
departed  one,  and,  as  the  event  proved,  to 
use  their  victory  with  infinitely  greater  pride 
and  cruelty.  But  Brutus  betrayed  great  incon- 
sistency of  principle  and  weakness  of  character, 
when,  on  the  morrow  after  liis  defeat  at  Philippi, 
having  resolved  on  self-destruction,  lie  openly 
adopted  the  words  which  an  ancient  poet  puts 
into  the  mouth  of  Hercules: — “Ah,  wrretched 
Virtue ! thou  wast,  then,  but  a name ! and  yet 
I worshipped  thee  as  a reality : but  thou  wast 
the  slave  of  Fortune !” — From  this  closing  in- 
cident, the  inference  is  plain,  that  in  his  aspira- 
tions after  Virtue,  he  had  neglected  the  practical 
for  the  ideal.” 

1.  BRUTUS. — Head  of  L.  Junius  Brutus. 

Rev.  ahala.  Head  of  Ahala,  On  a denarius 

of  the  Servilia  gens. — (Sec  p.  30). 

2.  BRUTUS  (M.)  IMP.  COSTA  LEG.— 
(Brutus  lmperator,  Costa  Legatus).  Bare  head 
of  (Marcus  Brutus,  within  a crown  of  oak  leaves. 

Rev.  l.  brvtvs  prim.  cos.  (Lucius  Brutus, 
the  First  Consul).  Bare  head  of  Lucius  Brutus, 
within  a similar  crown. 


The  two  denarii  above  described  exhibit  the 
head  of  that  Lucius  Junius  Brutus  who  expelled 
the  kings  from  Rome,  and  was  the  first  of  the 
ConSids  in  the  free  commonwealth.  Both  were 
caused  to  he  struck  by  M.  Brutus,  who  mur- 
dered Julius  Caesar. 

Before  commenting  on  these  truly  precious 
coins,  Eckhel  (vi.  20  et  seq .)  enters  into  an  inquiry 
whether  the  Marcus  Brutus  in  question  derived 
his  lineage  from  the  original  L.  Bratus  above 
alluded  to.  He  commences  by  observing  that, 
even  the  ancient  writers  are  at  variance  in  their 
opinions  on  this  subject.  Foremost  amongst 


144  BRUTUS, 

these,  Dionysius  of  Halicarnassus,  citin'*  the 
most  distinguished  writers  on  Roman  history 
affirms,  that  no  issue,  male  or  female,  survived 
the  Lucius  who  condemned  his  two  sons  for  con- 
spiracy with  the  Tarquin  family,  and  who  were 
executed  by  his  orders,  as  consul.  To  this  he 
adds  the  fact  that  Lucius  was  of  patrician  birth 
whilst  the  Junii  and  Bruti,  who  boasted  of  their 
descent  from  him  were,  without  exception,  pie- 
beians,  and  served  plebeian  offices  in  the  state 
Irion  Cassius  makes  similar  statements,  borrow- 
ing them  probably  from  Dionysius;  and  adds 
that  it  was  by  many  persons  industriously  ru-  ; 
morn-cd,  that  Marcus  ascribed  his  origin  to 
Lucius,  in  order  that  such  associations  might  sti- 
mulate him  to  the  overthrow  of  the  tyrant 
Ciesar.  Other  authors  take  a different  view  of  ! 
the  question.  For  example,  Plutarch,  adducing 
the  testimony  of  Poseidonius,  asserts  that  though 
two  of  the  sons  of  Lucius  Brutus  were  put  "to 
death  by  Ins  command,  as  traitors  to  the  re- 
public, yet  a third,  then  an  infant,  was  left,  bv 
whom  the  race  was  continued.  Plutarch  further 
asserts,  on  the  same  authority,  that  the  features 
of  several  individuals  of  the  Junia  family  re- 
sembled those  of  the  statue  of  L.  Junius'Bru- 
tus.— But  there  is  much  weightier  evidence  in 
the  words  of  Cicero,  addressed  to  the  Senate  :— 
Surely,  it  was  that  L.  Brutus,  who  both  in 
his  own  person  liberated  the  commonwealth 
from  kingly  domination,  and  transmitted,  to 
nearly  the  five  hundredth  year,  a posterity  of 
similar  virtues  and  like  cxploits.”-I„  another  I 
oration,  alluding  to  Dccimus  Brutus,  one  of  the 
most  active  originators  of  the  conspiracy,  he  i 
speaks  yet  more  plainly.  [See  ahala,  p 30  of 
this  dictionary].— Further  testimonies  of  the 
same  orator,  to  the  same  point,  mav  be  seen  in 
tiavercamp  s commentaries  on  the  Familia  Hu- 
mana of  Morel,  p.  220. 

Such  is  the  conflicting  language  of  the  an- 
cicuts  on  this  subject.  And  from  this  diversity 
of  opinion,  Eckhcl  avows  himself  the  more  in- 
clined to  believe,  that  “ the  genealogy  was  a ficti- 
tious one ; originating  in  the  vanity  so  prevalent 
at  that  period,  of  hunting  up  a remote  ancestry  • 
abundant  examples  of  which  are  furnished  by 
the  coins  of  the  Calpurnii,  the  Marcii,  and  the 
Pomponu  ; not  to  mention  the  fabulous  instances 
that  occur  in  those  of  the  Antonii,  the  Mamilii, 


and  thc  Fabii. — In  complaining  of  this  very 
custom,  Livy  says — “ In  my  opinion,  history 
is  vitiated  by  certain  funereal  eulogies,  and  by 
the  false  inscriptions  on  statues;  whilst  each 
family  arrogates  to  itself,  delusively,  thc  renown 
of  others  deeds  and  distinctions.  Thc  inevit- 
able consequence  has  been  the  confounding  of 
individual  with  national  records.” 

[Iu  his  Ieonographie  Romaine,  referring  to 
the  above  observation  of  Eckhcl  in  support  of 
the  opinion  of  those  who  deny  that  Marcus  Bru- 
tus was  descended  from  the  ancient  Brutus 
t iscouti  intimates  his  non-concurrence  on  this 
point  with  Eckhcl,  and  adduces  thc  authority  of 
Bayle  for  recognizing,  as  thc  more  probable  1 
opinion,  the  validity  of  Brutus’s  genealogical 
pretensions — vol.  i.  8vo.  edit.  p.  1 02. j ° 


BRUTUS. 

But  wherever  thc  truth  may  lie  amongst 
these  opposite  statements  and  opinions,  certain 
, *s>  t(“a‘th®r.c  were  not  wanting  many,  on  the 
s length  of  this  supposed  relationship,  to  exhort 
Brutus  to  emidate  thc  deeds  of  his  ancestors, 
and  this  they  did  by  distributing  documents 
among  the  people.  Even  around  the  tribunal 
of  M.  Brutus  (for  he  was  Pnctor  Urbauus  in 
the  very  year  of  Cmsar’s  murder),  writing  was 
discovered  to  this  purport-”  Thou  slccpest, 
Brutus,  —and  Thou  art  not  a Brutus!”— 

, e.quet es’  Brutus).— Indeed  the  overthrow  and 
destruction  of  kings  were  looked  upon  bv  the  re- 
publicans as  the  peculiar  province  of  the  Bruti 
Having  made  his  general  remarks  as  a requi- 
site preliminary,  thc  learned  and  judicious  au- 
thor of  Doctnna  proceeds  to  thc  task  of  con- 
sidering the  two  coins  separately,  to  the  follow- 
ing effect: — 

, l first  denarius  presents  on  one  side  the 
head  of  L.  Brutus;  on  the  other  that  of  Ahala 
[See  engraving  in  p.  30].  And  this  associat- 
ing together  of  the  two  portraitures,  iu  itself 
convincingly  identifies  thc  mintage  with  Marcus 
Brutus  For  as  on  thc  father's  side  he  was  be- 
lieved to  trace  his  descent  from  Lucius  Brutus 
so  on  his  mother  Servilia’s  side,  lie  undoubtedly 
reckoned  among  his  progenitors  Servilius  Ahala 
whose  sole  recorded  claim  to  be  remembered  be- 
yond Ins  day,  appears  to  rest  on  his  having,  as 
general  of  cavalry  to  thc  dictator  Cincinnatus 
(ii.  c 439),  killed  Sp.  Madras,  on  pretence  that 
the  latter  was  conspiring  against  thc  common- 
wealth. 

2.  The  second  coin,  within  a crown  of  oak 
leaves,  presents  what,  from  the  legend,  L.  brvtvs 
, R,M-  cos-  "as  evidently  meant  for  the  portrait  of 
the  ancient  Brutus.— This  type  (observes  Eckhel 
w.  22),  bears  reference  to  the  state  in  which  the 
republic  was  at  the  period  of  Cicsar’s  dictator- 
ship (b.  c.  44).  For  just  as  Lucius  Brutus 

PHMrhc  of  the  kin8®>  himself  became 

KlM/fj  CO/zSk/,  so  did  Marcus  Brutus,  after 
the  assassination  of  Julius,  restore  thc  ancient 
office  of  the  Consulate,  together  with  thc  liber- 
ties of  the  people,  indicated  bv  the  corona 
quernea.  The  title  of  Primus  Consul,  in  con- 
i ncctiou  with  the  name  of  Lucius  Junius  Bru- 
, * ,on„ th,s  dcnarius.  is  amusingly  as  well  as 
, oA  lUlus,rated  Suetonius,  when  (in  Ciesare, 
cn.  80),  lie  states  that  thc  following  epigram- 
I matic  sentence  was  inscribed  on  the  pedestal  of 
Ciesar s statue  : — 

Brutus,  quia  regrs  ejecit,  consnl  primus  factus  est : 

[ me  (l.  c.  Ciesar)  quia  consoles  ejccit,  rex  postreino 
factus  est. 

°I>1  Brutus,  for  causing  nil  kings  to  be  lacking 
tvi -i  ^ome»  ^,e  ^rst  consulship  gains  • 

Whilst  Ciesar,  because  be  sends  consuls  a-packing, 

K forthwith,  nude  a king,  for  his  pains. 

i V1®  °!l‘cr  sidc  of  tl,is  denarius  exhibits  the 
head  of  Marcus  Brutus,  representing  him  with 
a long  and  meagre  visage.  And  that  such  was 
really  his  habit  of  body,  may  be  gathered  from 
an  expression  once  used  by  Ciesar.  For  when 
- 1.  Antonins  and  Dolabella  were  accused  in  his 
hearing  of  designs  hostile  to  his  person  and  go- 


BRUTUS. 

vernment,  lie  remarked,  that  lie  entertained  no 
fears  of  those  sleek  and  bushy  men  (crinitosj, 
but  rather  of  the  pale  emaeiated  fellows,  mean- 
ing Brutus  and  Cassius.  (Plutarch,  in  Cms.  M. 
Anton,  et  Brulo.) — Shakspearc,  in  his  play  of 
Julius  Caesar,  probably  borrowing  from  this  pas- 
sage, turns  the  loan  to  good  account,  iu  making 
Ciesar  thus  address  Mark  Antony : — 

“ Let  me  have  men  about  me  that  arc  fat ; 

Sleek-headed  men,  and  such  as  sleep  a-nights. 

Yon  Cassius  has  a lean  and  hungry  look  : 

lie  thinks  too  much  : sueh  men  arc  dangerous.” 
Act  1,  Scene  2. 

It  appears  au  extraordinary  circumstance,  that 
on  coins  should  be  introduced  the  portrait  of 
of  the  very  man  who  boasted  of  being  the  cham- 
pion of  freedom,  when,  iu  the  independent  days 
of  the  republic,  such  a distinction  was  never  per- 
mitted; and  first  became  included  amongst  the 
inordinate  privileges  heaped  upon  Ciesar  himself. 
It  might  have  been  regarded  as  a flattering  at- 
tention paid,  without  the  knowledge  of  Brutus, 
by  his  lieutenants,  whose  names  usually  appear 
on  his  coins.  But,  if  credit  be  given  to  Dion 
(xlvii.  § 25),  the  type  was  struck  with  the  con- 
sent, and  by  the  direction,  of  Brutus  himself. 

On  this  same  denarius  Brutus  is  styled  I.MP- 
eralor,  as  he  frequently  is  on  others  of  his  coins. 
— The  time  and  occasion  of  his  receiving  the 
title  are  stated  by  Dion  (as  above),  viz.  that  he 
made  an  expedition  against  the  Bessi,  a people 
of  Thrace,  “ partly  in  order  to  chastise  them  for 
their  hostility,  and  partly  that  he  might  gain  for 
himself  the  title  and  dignity  of  Imperator,  which 
would  enable  him  the  better  to  cope  with  Ciesar 
and  Antony — and  that  he  accomplished  both  those 
objects.” — According  to  Plutarch  (in  lirut.  c. 
31),  Brutus  and  Cassius  together  received  each 
the  title  of  IMP erator,  by  the  acclamations  of 
the  army  at  Sardis. — D.  M.  V.  vi.  22. 

With  regard  to  the  epithet  primus,  employed 
in  this  instance,  it  is  further  to  be  observed, 
that  Valerius  Poplicola  was  also  called  Consul 
primus,  because  he  was  amongst  the  very  first 
of  those  annually  elected  rulers  of  the  early  free 
republic. — The  heads  of  both  the  Bruti — Lucius 
and  Marcus — men  chronologically  separated  from 
each  others’  times  by  an  interval  of  more  than 
150  years — were  conjoined  on  this  denarius, 
clearly  in  order  that  he  who  slew  Ciesar,  might 
thereby  shew  forth  his  claim  to  kindred  with  the 
Brutus  of  ancicut  days,  and  his  participation  iu 
like  glory  with  his  assumed  ancestor. 

“ The  civic  (or  oaken)  crown  which  appears 
round  each  head  of  the  two  Bruti,  alludes  (says 
Riecio),  to  the  victory  won  by  the  second  Bru- 
tus over  the  adverse  party,  and  to  the  rescue  of 
Rome  and  her  citizens  out  of  the  hands  of  those 
who  usurped  the  sovereign  power  of  the  state.” 
— Sec  Monete  delle  Ant.  Fam.  di  ltonia,  p.  120 
et  seq. 

[A  specimen  of  the  above  described  denarius, 
in  good  condition,  brought  £26  at  the  sale  of 
the  Pembroke  collection.] 

BRUT/u  I M Pern  tor  Lucius  PLAEToriiw 
CESTtVrntw.  Head  of  Marcus  Brutus. 

Rev.  EID«i  MAI Mia.  The  pileus,  or  cap  of 
U 


BRUTUS.  1-15 

liberty,  between  two  daggers.  Silver  of  the 
Junia  gens. 


This  rare  and  most  remarkable  silver  coin,  so 
important  as  a numismatic  monument,  Lucius 
Phctorius  Cestianus,  a monctarius  as  well  as  a 
legatus  of  Marcus  Brutus,  was  the  instrument 
of  transmitting,  as  a record,  to  the  most  distant 
posterity.  Iu  describing  it,  Eckhcl  begins — 
En  pngiones,  & c. — “ Observe  the  daggers  em- 
ployed in  the  perpetration  of  so  fell  a mur- 
der, brought  before  our  eyes,  on  this  coin — 
weapons,  which,  under  the  specious  pretext  of 
liberty,  Brutus  hesitated  not  to  stain  with  the 
blood  of  that  Ciesar,  to  whom  personally  he 
owed  so  much ; in  the  same  deed  a patriot  and 
a cut-throat. — We  have  the  testimony  of  Dion 
Cassius  that  the  denarius  [above  engraved]  was 
struck  by  order  of  Brutus  himself;  and  since 
it  graphically  describes  this  numismatic  gem, 
the  author’s  words  shall  be  given  [See  D.N.  V. 
vi.  p.  21,  for  both  Greek  and  Latin :] — “ And 
also  on  the  coins,  which  he  caused  to  be  struck, 
he  exhibited  a likeness  of  himself,  and  a cap  and 
two  daggers ; intimating  by  this  type,  and  by 
the  legend,  that  conjointly  with  Cassius,  lie  had 
restored  his  country  to  liberty.”  The  inscrip- 
tion f.id.  mar.  declares  the  fatal  day,  the  ides 
of  March,  on  whielj  the  bloody  deed  was  done. 
The  term  paricidium  was  afterwards  applied  to 
these  ides  of  March. 

By  way  of  counterpoise  to  the  head  of  Julius 
Ciesar,  struck  on  his  coins,  as  Dictator,  other 
coins,  in  opposition  to  his  usurpation  of  abso- 
lute power  at  Rome,  were  minted  in  their  turn 
by  the  partisans  of  the  conspirators  themselves, 
with  the  head  of  VI.  Brutus,  and  having  on  the 
other  side,  cither  the  image  of  Brutus,  the  first 
Cousul,  or  the  two  daggers,  in  allusion  to  the 
murder  of  Ciesar.  “This  (says  Riccio)  was  for  tho 
purpose  of  shewing  that  as  Lucius  Brutus  removed 
the  ancient  kings,  so  the  poniards  of  Cassius 
and  Brutus  had,  at  a subsequent  period  of  time, 
restored  liberty  to  Rome,  as  symbolized  by  the 
cap.” 

Bimard  de  la  Bastic  (in  his  notes  to  Johert), 
referring  to  this  famous  coin,  observes  that, 
though  unquestionably  genuine,  both  in  gold 
and  silver,  yet  that  there  is  nothing  in  its 
appearance  to  justify  the  supposition  that  it 
was  struck  in  Rome.  The  fact  is  that  Brutus 
was  at  no  time  master  of  that  city,  nor  was  his 
party  the  strongest  there.  The  above  cited  tes- 
timony of  Dion  decides  the  question  as  to  who 
it  was  that  caused  this  denarius  to  he  minted ; 
aud  the  time  was  that  at  which  Brutus  passed 
into  Asia  to  join  Cassius,  after  having  rendered 
himself  master  of  Macedonia  and  of  a part  of 
Greece. 


146  BRUTUS. 

[The  foregoing  cut  is  faithfully  copied  after 
the  cast  from  a well-preserved  specimen  in 
the  British  Museum.  There  was  another, 
forming  part  of  the  Pembroke  collection,  and  de- 
scribed in  the  catalogue  as  “ in  very  good  condi- 
tion, and  which  appeared  to  be  a genuine  specimen 
of  this  extremely  rare  and  much  falsified  coin.” 
This,  in  August  1848,  brought  £10  15s.  The 
finest  specimen  that  even  the  late  Mr.  Thomas 
could  procure,  obtained  at  the  sale  of  his  col- 
lection only  £15  10s. — These  sums,  so  dis- 
proportioued  to  the  historical  interest,  as  well 
as  to  the  acknowledged  rarity,  and  consequent 
high  value  of  this  denarius,  would  seem  to  in- 
dicate a prevalence  of  doubtfulness  in  the  minds 
of  connoisseurs  present  at  the  grand  auctions 
in  question.  One  is  indeed  almost  ready  to 
ask,  whether  there  be  such  a thing  as  a genuine 
fid.  jiar.  of  Marcus  Brutus?  so  difficult  is  it 
to  meet  with  one  that  embraces  the  triple  re- 
quisites of  being  antique,  awplatcd,  and  in  good 
preservation.] 

BRUTUS  (Consularis  Processus). — Sec  Junia 
gens. 

BRUTUS  IMP. — Obv.  Neptune. — Rev.  Vic- 
toria.— Sec  CASCA  LONGUS. 

BRUTUS  (Q.  CAEPIO)  IMP. — Rev.  Trophy. 
— See  Servilia  gens. 

BRUTUS  (CAEPIO)  PRO.  COS.— Sec  i.ei- 
bf.rtas. — Junia  gens. 

BRUTI.  F.  ALBINUS. — See  Junia,  Postumia, 
and  Yibia  families. 

BRUTUS  IMP. — Bare  head  of  Marcus  Junius 
Brutus,  to  the  right,  within  a wreath  of  oak 
leaves. 

Rev.  casca  lon'gvs.  A trophy  between  two 
prows : sometimes  with,  sometimes  without,  an 
insulated  letter  in  the  field. 


In  page  143,  an  engraving  is  given  of  a 
gold  coin,  which  on  one  side  presents  the  effigy 
of  Brutus  in  the  middle  of  a civic  crown;  and  on 
the  other  that  of  Junius  Brutus,  from  whom  he 
claimed  descent. — The  above  cut  is  from  another 
coin,  of  the  same  metal,  and  which  represents  the 
head  of  this  celebrated  character  within  a similar 
crown.  The  trophy,  raised  upon  the  prows  of 
ships,  forming  the  type  of  the  reverse,  bears 
allusion  to  the  success  which  attended  the  lieu- 
tenants of  Brutus  and  Cassius,  in  a naval  en- 
gagement, which  they  had  with  the  fleet  of  the 
triumvirs,  at  the  very  time  when  the  conspirators 
themselves  were  defeated  by  land. — The  lrgend 
casca  loxgvs  points  to  Publius  Scrvilius 
Casca;  the  man  who  struck  the  first  blow  nt 
Cicsar,  and  who  fought  at  Philippi.  Long  us 
is  probably  but  the  second  surname  of  this  same 
Casca. 

It  has  already  been  remarked,  with  regard  to 


BUCA. 

coins  stamped  with  the  head  of  Brutus,  that 
they  were  struck  with  his  authority.  They  all 
combine  to  prove  t lie  immoderate  ambition  of 
Marcus  Junius.  The  individuals  of  his  party 
(observes  Visconti),  would  not  have  dared,  each 
independently  of  the  other,  to  cause  his  clfigy 
to  be  stamped  on  Roman  money,  in  imitation 
of  those  abuses,  which  were  found  fault  with  in 
the  government  of  Cicsar,  if  they  had  not  been 
well  assured  of  the  consent  and  approbation  of 
their  chief.  It  is  even  matter  of  astonishment, 
that  a like  example  should  not  have  been  fol- 
lowed by  the  lieutenants  of  Cassius,  and  that 
his  head  also  should  not  have  been  struck  on 
the  money  which  he  ordered  to  be  coined. — 
Icon.  Rom.  i.  212. 

IVe  might  have  supposed  (adds  the  same  dis- 
tinguished writer),  that  the  portraits  of  Brutus, 
after  his  defeat  and  death,  would  have  disappeared 
from  the  Roman  world.  But  party  spirit  long 
survives  the  events  that  have  decided  its  lot; 
and  besides  there  is  nothing  so  difficult  to  de- 
stroy as  numismatic  monuments. 

The  coin  whence  Visconti  made  his  engraving, 
was  at  the  time  in  the  cabinet  of  the  learned 
Abbe  San  Clemente,  at  Cremona.  A similar 
one  exists  in  the  imperial  cabinet  of  Vienna. — 
(Eckhcl,  Calal.  Mas.  Cas.  part  ii.  pi.  i.) 

[A  very  fine  specimen  of  this  consular  aureus, 
weight  125  grs.  brought  at  the  Devonshire  sale, 
in  1844,  £17  17s.,  and  at  the  sale  of  Mr. 
White’s  collection,  in  November,  1848,  it  ob- 
tained £37.  The  Pembroke  specimen,  lot  350, 
in  the  most  perfect  state  of  preservation,  size 
4J,  123  3-10  grs.  brought  £42.] 

BUCA.  L. — Head  of  Venus,  with  mitre,  car- 
rings,  and  necklace. 

Rev.  A man  wrapped  in  a night-dress,  lying 
asleep  on  the  grass,  with  his  head  resting  on  a 
stone,  to  whom  arc  present  Diaua  aud  Victory. 
— A rare  denarius  of  the  .Emilia  gens. 


The  figure  in  the  recumbent  posture  is  Sulla, 
to  whom  appeared  in  his  sleep,  Diana  Tifatina, 
his  protectress  (according  to  the  explanation  of 
Borghesi),  who  with  a rod  came  to  awaken  him, 
accompanied  by  Victory,  who  invited  him  to  fol- 
low' her  aud  destroy  his  enemies,  the  partizans  of 
Marius.  It  is  moreover  affirmed,  that  this  took 
place  in  Sulla’s  consulate  of  the  year  u.  c.  066 
(b.  c.  88),  when  returning  from  Campania,  where 
lie  had  been  commanding  nt  Nola  the  army  des- 
tined for  the  Mithridatic  war,  he  entered  Rome; 
caused  the  tribune  Sulpicius  to  be  put  to  death ; 
and  drove  away  Marius  from  the  city.  Venus 
was  the  especial  object  of  Sulla’s  adoration,  in 
remembrance  of  whom  lie  caused  her  effigy  to  bo 
struck  on  the  obverse  of  this  coin.  (See  Riceio, 
p.  10.) — With  regard  to  the  name  which  ap- 
pears on  this  denarius,  it  applies  to  L.  .Emilius 


BUST. 

Buca,  the  father  of  him  who  was  ouc  of  the 
quatuorumviri  of  Julius  C;csar,  and  is  supposed  to 
have  been  quaestor  under  Sulla,  in  commemora- 
tion of  whose  alleged  dream  he  struck  this  curi- 
ous coin.  (Eckhel,  v.  121). — For  a denarius 
struck  by  the  sou,  L.  bvca,  see  caesaii  dict. 

PERPFTVVS. 

BUCKLER,  or  Shield. — See  Clypeus — also 
AneUia. 

BULLA,  a small  round  ornament  of  gold, 
hollow  in  the  inside,  worn  by  Roman  children 
of  quality,  together  with  the  pratextal  robe, 
aud  which  hung  pendant  from  their  neck,  until 
they  attained  the  age  of  17  years,  when  both 
that  and  the  pnetexta  were  exchanged  for  the 
toga  virilis.  Once  arrived  at  adolescence,  they 
consecrated  the  relinquished  dress  and  decoration 
of  childhood  to  the  DU  Lares,  household  deities, 
as  Pcrsius  thus  indicates — 

Bullaqne  succinctis  Laribus  donata  pependit. 

Macrobius  relates  the  circumstance  which  led 
to  the  use  of  the  bulla  among  the  Romans.  In 
the  war  which  ended  in  the  triumph  of  Tar- 
quinius  Priscus  over  the  Sabines,  that  king’s  son, 
aged  only  14  years,  having  distinguished  himself 
by  his  valour,  and  killed  an  enemy  with  his  own 
hand,  his  father  publicly  eulogized  him,  and 
conferred  on  him  the  honour  of  a golden  bulla ; 
(ct  pro  concione  laudavit  ct  bulla  aurea  donavit). 
At  first  this  ornamental  privilege  was  granted 
only  to  patricians ; but  it  was,  in  process  of 
time,  allowed  to  all  children  who  wore  the  prre- 
texta. — Sec  the  anecdote  of  young  a.  lepidvs  in 
zEmilia  gens,  p.  14. 

BUST. — This  term,  derived  from  the  Italian 
Bus  to  and  the  French  Buste,  is  applied  to  such 
representations  of  the  human  figure  as  do  not 
extend  below  the  waist.  One  of  the  most  an- 
cient modes  of  representing  gods  and  heroes, 
under  human  features,  was  that  of  giving  only 
their  heads.  The  invention  of  busts,  properly 
so  called,  is  one  that  dates  from  a much  later 
epoch.  These  exhibit  sometimes  the  head  with 
the  shoulders,  and  a small  part  of  the  chest — 
at  other  times  the  head  with  the  whole  chest ; 
aud  sometimes,  but  very  rarely,  they  include  a 
full  half  of  the  body.  Tbe  Romans  called  these 
representations  of  the  head  and  part  of  the  breast 
of  the  humau  figure,  imagines  clypeorum,  or  sim- 
ply dypei.  The  clgpei  imperalorum,  of  which 
ancient  authors  often  speak,  were  but  portraits  of 
a similar  description.  To  the  Roman  custom  of 
placing  the  busts  of  emperors  and  other  great  per- 
sonages on  their  coins,  is  to  be  ascribed  one  of  the 
most  easy  as  well  as  certain  modes  of  ascertain- 
ing the  identity  of  a vast  number  of  unknown 
sculptured  heads,  found  from  time  to  time 
amongst  the  ruins  of  ancient  buildings,  some 
with  and  others  without  the  trunks.  But  though 
a comparison  of  busts  with  coins  and  medallions, 
in  order  to  discover  the  person  they  represent, 
is  the  most  likely  to  be  successful,  yet  it  is  a 
method  attended  with  some  difficulties.  Ou 
coins  the  same  individual  is  often  figured  in 
many  very  different  ways — either  according  to 
his  appearance  at  different  periods  of  life ; or 
U 2 


BUSTS.  147 

because  the  portrait  seen  in  profile  often  differs 
in  aspect  widely  from  that  of  the  full  face. — 
Besides  which,  tbe  workmanship  of  coins,  par- 
ticularly those  of  the  lower  empire,  was  of  au 
inferior  kind,  and  executed  probably  after  ill- 
designed  portraits,  especially  such  as  were  struck 
in  the  provinces. 

The  study  of  antique  busts  and  heads  cannot 
fail  to  be  of  great  utility.  To  the  antiquary  aud 
the  historian  they  furnish  matter  for  reflection 
on  the  form  of  vestments,  or  the  ornaments  of 
the  person,  or  the  head-dress  and  the  changes 
which  it  underwent,  also  on  the  attributes  of 
different  deities,  and  ou  the  lineaments  of  cele- 
brated men.  The  artist,  on  the  same  subject  of 
attention,  finds  his  admiration  excited  by  the 
perfection  with  which  they  are  wrought,  and  the 
skill  of  the  ancients  in  imparting  to  their  por- 
traiture something  of  the  ideal,  yet  without 
impairing  the  likeness. — See  Milliu,  Diet,  des 
Beaux  Arts. 

Busts — Ornaments  of. — The  busts  which  ap- 
pear on  coins  are  accompanied  by  certain  sym- 
bols pccidiar  to  them,  especially  when  the  two 
arms  are  visible,  as  is  generally  the  case  on 
medallions  ; and  even  on  the  smallest  coins  of 
the  Lower  Empire.  The  princes  represented  on 
these  monuments  often  hold  a globe  iu  their 
hand,  to  shew  that  they  are  the  masters  of  the 
world.  This  globe  is  sometimes  surmounted  by 
a winged  Victory,  which  holds  a crown  or 
wreath,  designating  that  it  is  to  Victory  the 
reigning  prince  owes  his  imperial  throne.  The 
sceptre  which  they  hold  iu  their  hand,  when  iu 
the  consular  habit,  is  surmounted  by  a globe 
charged  with  an  eagle,  to  shew  by  these  marks 
of  sovereign  power  that  the  prince  governs  by 
himself.  From  tbe  time  of  Augustus  the  con- 
sular sceptre,  to  which  reference  is  here  made, 
appears  constantly  on  the  imperial  series  of  Ro- 
man coins.  When  the  persons  represented  are 
iu  arms,  besides  the  helmet  and  buckler,  they 
have  generally  a javelin  in  the  hand  or  ou  the 
shoulder,  as  on  brass  medallions  of  Diocletian, 
S.  Scverus,  Probus.  (See  the  respective  bio- 
graphical notices  of  those  emperors). 

The  thunderbolt,  which  is  sometimes  placed 
behind  the  head  of  a prince,  as  on  a medal 
of  Augustus,  marks  the  sovereign  authority, 
and  indicates  the  assumption  of  a power  equal 
to  that  of  the  gods. — The  crescent  is  often  em- 
ployed as  a support  to  the  busts  of  empresses, 
who  aspired  to  hold  in  the  State,  of  which  the 
emperor  was  assumed  to  be  the  sun,  that  place 
which  was  assigned  to  the  moon  in  the  heavens. 
(See  Jobcrt  edited  by  Bimard,  vol.  i.  370,  et 
seq.) — On  coins  of  the  lower  empire,  the  globe 
is  seen  surmounted  by  a cross,  especially  after 
the  reign  of  Constantine,  when  the  Christian 
Religion  having  been  fully  established  as  that  of 
the  State,  emperors  professed  their  wish  to  in- 
dicate thereby  that  they  regarded  themselves  as 
holding  the  empire  from  Jesus  Christ,  whose 
bust  the  Byzantine  emperors  had  the  presump- 
tion to  place  on  the  reverse  of  their  coins,  and 
named  for  that  ostensible  reason,  hex  reg- 
n'antivm — the  King  of  Kings. 


148  BUTHROTUM. 

BUTEO — the  Latin  name  of  a bird  of  the 
hawk  genus,  was  a cognomen  of  the  Fabii. — 
l’iinv  says  (l.  x.  c.  8)  Buteoncm  (accipitrcm) 
liunc  appellant  Romaui,  familia  etiam  (Fabionun) 
ex  eo  coguomiuata,  cum  prospero  auspicio  in 
ducis  navi  consedissct.  On  a common  denarius 
of  the  Fabia  gens,  near  the  epigraph  C.  FABI. 
c.  ]'.  appeal's  a bird  which,  says  Eckhel,  is 
doubtless  the  Buteo.  v.  p.  187. — Morell.  Thes. 

BUTHROTUM,  a maritime  city  of  Epirus 
(uow  B nlronto  or  Butrinto,  in  Albania,  opposite 
Corfu). — Pliny  mentions  Buthrotmn  (l.  iv.  c.  i.) 
as  a Roman  colony ; and  Cellarius  (Not.  Orb. 
Aid.  i.  p.  876)  so  denominates  it.  Its  coins 
consist  of  Latin  colonial  autonomes  in  brass,  and 
of  Latin  colonial  imperial,  also  in  brass,  all 
rare. — Vaillant  gives  the  annexed,  which,  exhi- 
biting the  name  of  Augusta,  warrants  the  in- 
ference that  the  colony  of  Buthrotum  was  founded 
by  Augustus. 

C.  A.  BVT.  EX.  D.  1). — Colonia  Augusta,  Bu- 
throtum,  ex  decreto  Decurionum.  Head  of  Au- 
gustus. 

Rev.  Q.  NAEVI.  SVRA.  A.  11IP.  TVL.  NICER. 
ilviK.  ii. — Quinto  Ncevio  Sara,  Auto  Ilippio, 
Tatlo  Nirereo,  Duumviris  Bis. — A ligure  stand- 
ing in  a military  dress,  his  right  hand  hanging 
down,  his  left  hand  holds  a rol!ed-up  sheet,  with 
something  like  strings  attached. 

The  following  also  appears  in  Vaillant,  as 
from  the  French  King’s  cabinet,  and  of  the 
highest  rarity : bvthr.  avgvstvs.  Buthroli 
Augustus.  Head  of  the  Emperor  without  laurel. 

Rev.  p.  pompon.  Publio  Pompoitio.  Bridge 
with  three  arches. — Engraved  in  Morell.  Thes. 
Impp.  Rom.  t.  iii.  tab.  xxxiv.  No.  16. 

The  reverse  type  alludes  to  a remarkably  noble 
aqueduct,  which,  after  having  conferred  upon 
Buthrotum  the  rank  of  a Roman  colony,  Au- 
gustus caused  to  be  erected  in  the  Sinus  Ambra- 
cius,  for  the  convcuiencc  of  that  city,  aud  by 
which,  according  to  l’liuy,  the  waters  of  the 
river  Acheron  were  conveyed  from  the  lake 
Thesprotue  Acherucia,  on  arches  for  many  thou- 
sand yards.  In  grateful  recollection  of  this  work, 
and  tlie  benefit  thereby  provided  for  them,  the 
inhabitants  of  Buthrotum  placed  the  head  of 
Augustus  on  this  coin  of  the  colony  he  had 
established. — See  Vaillant,  in  Cot.  i.  p.  14. 

BYZANTIUM,  a capital  city  of  Thrace, 
founded  by  Bgsas,  a general  of  the  Megarensians. 
Constantine  the  Great  made  it,  about  a.  I).  380, 
the  scat  of  empire,  aud  after  his  name  it  was  aud 
is  still  called  Constantinopolis  or  Constantinople. 
In  1453  it  was  captured  by  Mahomet  II.  (when 
Constantine  Palicologus,  the  last  Emperor  of  the 
East,  was  slain),  and  it  remains  to  this  day  the 
scat  of  the  Turkish  government. 

The  coins  of  Byzantium  were  nutouomous 
till  the  reign  of  Caligula,  from  which  period 
they  come  into  the  Greek  series,  down  to  about 
the  reign  of  Gnllicuus.  Constantine  aud  his 
family  caused  coins  to  be  struck  at  Byzantium, 
with  Lntin  legends  and  types,  and  with  the  in- 
scription coNSTANTixoroi.is. (See  Banduri, 

and  the  linn.  Aug.  llgzaut.  of  Duentigr.] 

Byzantium  wns  one  of  the  cities  which  de- 


CABELL10. 

j dared  for  Pesccnnius  Niger,  when  lie  aspired  to 
, the  empire  on  the  death  of  Pcrtinax  (a.  i>.  l‘J2). 
Aud  “of  all  those  who  took  part  with  this  unfortu- 
nate warrior,  none  distinguished  themselves  so 
much  as  the  Byzantines,  who  obstinately  refused 
to  submit  till,  after  a three  years’  siege,  t hey  were 
reduced  to  the  eating  of  human  tlesh : it  is  only 
to  know  that  Scverus,  that  stranger  to  mercy, 
was  the  conqueror1',  and  the  result  may  be  anti- 
cipated— all  the  fortifications  aud  public  edifices 
were  destroyed,  the  garrison  massacred,  aud 
the  inhabitants  stripped  aud  sold  into  slavery.” 
— (Capt.  Smyth,  p.  177). 

C. 

C. — Cains,  or  Cicsar.  The  C.  by  itself  sig- 
nifies sometimes  Cains,  at  other  times  Cicsar. 

C. — C 'acitius. — Sec  Ciccilia  geus. 

C. — This  letter  by  itself  may  also  signify — 
1 . Carthage. — 2.  Censor. — 3.  Centum. — 4.Civis. 
— 5.  Clypeus  (a  shield). — 6.  Cohors  (a  cohort). 
— 7.  Colonia. — 8.  Cousultum  (a  decree). — 9. 
Cornelius. 

C.  Condcmno. — A.  C.  Absolvo-Condemuo, 
on  a coin  of  Cassia  gens. 

C.  Consul. — P.  C.  Proconsul. — C.  V.  P.  P. 
Consul  Quintum,  Pater  Patriie;  on  a brass 
medallion  of  Couimodus. 

C.- — Constantinopolis. 

C.  Cousulto. — S.  C.  Senatns  Consulto. 

C.  Corona.  C.  CIV.  Corona  Cicicu  (Colonial). 

C.  Cusus. — See  c.  A.  P.  B. 

CA.  CirsarcaAugusta. — Sec  Caesarea  Philippi . 

CA.  Capitolina. — CO.  AE.  CA. — See  Aelia 
Capitolina,  p.  15. 

CAE.  or  CAES. — Cicsar  or  Cicsari. 

CAE.  or  COE.  or  CAEL. — Ciclius. 

CAE. — Ciccina,  Ciccilia. 

CA  II  ELL  10  (Gallitc  Narbonensis)  colonia. — 
This  town,  the  Caba/tio  of  Strabo,  is  mentioned 
by  Pliny  (l.  iii.  c.  4),  with  Aqua;  Scxtiic  (Aix), 
Apta  Julia  (Apt),  Ncinausus  (Nismcs),  and 
other  oppida  Latina,  in  the  Narboncusiau 
Gaul. — It  is  now  called  Cavaillon,  in  the 
Comtat  Vennissin  (department  of  Vnucluse), 
southern  France.  The  coins  of  Cabellio  are  in 
silver  aud  brass ; and  they  prove  the  correctness 
of  Ptolemy  in  stating  it  to  have  been  a colony 
of  the  Romans.  The  following  seven  varieties 
arc  recognised  by  Mionnet  and  He  la  Saussayc: 

Ltd  in  Autonomes. — 1.  The  first  exhibits  on 
the  obverse  side,  the  head  of  a woman,  and  has 
for  its  legend  care  ; on  the  reverse  are  a cor- 
nucopia; within  a laurel  crown,  and  the  letters 

LEPI. — Small  silver. Engraved  in  Akennan, 

Coins  of  Gallia,  p.  136,  plate  xiv.  No.  12. 

2.  Obv.  CABE.  The  same  female  bend ; and 
on  the  rev.  col.  Hclmetcd  head. — Small  brass. 
Engraved  in  Akerman,  pi.  xiv.  No.  14. 

Consular. — 3.  Obv.  case.  Head  of  Janus. 
lie v.  M.  ant.  Bare  head  of  M.  Autony. 

4.  Obv.  cabe.  Head  of  Janus. — Rev.  u. 
ant.  A lion  walking. — Brass. — Engraved  in 
Akerman,  pi.  xiv.  No.  13. 

Imperial. — 5.  Obv.  cauk.  Female  head  tur- 
I reted. — Rev.  imp.  caesar  (Augustus)  aud  cor- 


CADUCEUS. 

nucopiac. — [This  Morel  (in  Thesaur.)  assigns  to 
zErailia  gens;  but  Mionnct  catalogues  it  as 
minted  by  the  above  named  colony,  under  Au- 
gustus.] 

Augustus. — 6.  Obv.  cabe.  AVoinan  with  tur- 
reted  head. — lieu.  IMP.  caesak;  a cornucopia;. 
— [This  Mionnet  quotes  from  the  cabinet  of  the 
Marquis  I)e  la  Goy,  and  also  ascribes  it  to  the 
reign  of  Augustus.] 

Augustus. — 7.  Obv.  COL.  cabe.  Turrcted 
female  head. — Rev.  imp.  caes.  avgvst.  cos.  xi. 
A cornucopia:. — Engraved  in  Akcrmau,  pi.  xiv. 
No.  15. 

Vaillant  describes  a large  brass,  bearing  on  its 
obverse  the  hclmctcd  head  of  a man,  and  the 
legend  lepidvs;  behind  the  head,  in  smaller 
characters,  pon. — The  legend  of  reverse  is  col. 
cab.  and  the  type  a head  of  Ceres  crowned  with 
corn  ears.  Of  this,  however,  neither  Mionnet, 
nor  Akcrman,  takes  any  notice. 

CA  lUltO. — See  Deo  Cabiro. 

CABIRUS,  son  of  Vulcan  and  Cabira,  the 
daughter  of  Proteus,  one  of  the  tutelary  gods  of 
the  Macedonians. — On  a third  brass  of  Claudius 
Gothicus,  a coin  of  great  rarity,  is  read  deo 
CABiKO;  the  type  presents  Cabirus,  as  a deity, 
standing  with  the  pileus  on  his  head,  a hammer 
in  his  right  hand,  and  nippers  in  his  left,  as  if 
assuming  the  attributes  of  his  reputed  father. 

CACUS,  son  of  Vulcan,  a gigantic  monster, 
whose  mouth  vomited  forth  volumes  of  flame, 
and  who,  having  stolen  some  of  the  cattle  which 
Hercules  had  captured  from  Gcryon,  was  at- 
tacked and  strangled  by  that  hero.  In  memory 
of  the  fabled  victory,  an  annual  fete  was  held 
in  honour  of  Hercules,  on  mount  Aventinc. — 
On  a bronze  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  Her- 
cules is  figured,  with  the  spoils  of  the  Nenncan 
lion  on  his  left  arm,  the  club  in  his  right  hand ; 
and  near  him  Cacus  is  extended  on  the  ground, 
before  the  entrance  of  his  cavern. — Sec  en- 
graving in  Millin,  Gal.  Mgtliol.  T.  ii.  pi.  cv.  447. 


CADUCEUS,  or  Caduceum,  a wand  or  rod, 
entwined  at  one  end  by  two  serpents,  each  of 
whose  bodies  folds  again  in  the  form  of  two  half 
circles,  whilst  the  head  passes  above  the  wand. 
It  was  an  attribute  peculiar  to  Mercury.  Pru- 
dence is  generally  supposed  to  be  represented  by 
these  two  serpents,  and  the  wings  which  arc 
sometimes  added  to  the  Caduceus,  are  the  sym- 
bols of  diligence,  both  needful  qualities  in  the 
pursuit  of  trade  and  commerce,  which  Mercury 
patronized.  It  was  also  the  symbol  of  peace 
aud  concord,  which  that  deity  is  related  to  have 
received  from  Apollo  in  return  for  the  lyre. 


CAECIL1A.  140 

The  Caducous  is  found  on  the  Roman  family 
coins  of  Cestia,  Claudia,  Licinia,  l’lmtoria,  Se- 
pullia — and  in  the  imperial  scries,  on  the  coins 
of  Julius  Cicsar,  Augustus,  VI.  Antony,  Tibe- 
rius, Nero,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Domitiau,  Nerva, 
Trajan,  Postumus. 

The  Caduceus  in  the  hand  of  Mercury,  is 
seen  on  coins  of  the  Emperors  Tiberius  (Colo- 
nial), Antoninus  Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  Herennius, 
llostilianus,  Gallieuus,  Postumus  (meucvkio 
felici),  Claudius  Gothicus,  Numerianus,  &c. 

The  Caduceus  in  the  hand  of  a female  figurs, 
such  as  the  personifications  of  Felicity,  Peace, 
Concord,  Security — appears  on  coins  of  the 
Emperors,  from  Julius  Caesar,  and  Augustus  to 
Constantine  the  Great. 

The  Caduceus  between  two  cornucopia,  in 
dicates  Concord,  and  is  found  on  medals  of 
Augustus,  M.  Antony,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Domi- 
tian,  Nerva,  Anton.  Pius,  VI.  Aurelius,  Albi- 
nus. — On  a coin  of  Augustus  we  see  three  hands 
joined ; with  a caduceus,  the  fasces,  the  sacrifi- 
cial axe,  and  globe — thus  associating  the  caduceus 
with  other  symbols  of  power. 

A Caduceus  and  two  corn-ears,  held  by  two 
right  hands  joined,  is  also  seen  on  coins  of  the 
early  empire;  as  on  a large  brass  of  Drusus 
jun.  aud  in  the  instance  of  the  tides  pvblica, 
silver  of  Titus,  and  second  brass  of  Domitian. 
— See  a cut  from  the  latter,  in  left  hand  column 
of  this  page. — Sec  also  Mercury. 

CAEC1LIA  gens. — At  first  patrician  (there 
were  nobles  descended  from  the  Metelli),  after- 
wards plebeian,  but  of  great  antiquity,  this 
family  gave  a host  of  illustrious  citizens  to  the 
republic.  It  was  divided  into  many  surnames : 
the  principal  was  VIctcllus,  several  members  of 
which  distinguished  branch  bore  the  names  of 
conquered  countries,  as  Macedonicus,  Numidi- 
cus,  Balearicus,  and  Crcticus. — Its  gold  coins 
arc  extremely  rare.  The  silver  common ; except 
pieces  restored  by  Trajan,  which  are  of  very 
great  rarity. — The  name  of  the  Ciccilia  geus  ap- 
pears on  Cistophori  of  Pergamus.  The  brass 
money  are  asses  or  parts  of  the  as.- — The  follow- 
ing arc  among  those  denarii  which  possess  a high 
historical  interest,  viz. : — 


[1-] 

1.  — Head  of  Apollo,  laureated,  and  with 
hair  in  ringlets;  behind  it  roma  ; before  it  X. 

Rev. — M.  METELLVS.  Q.  F.  written  circularly. 
The  type  consists  of  an  elephant’s  head  in  the 
centre  of  a Macedonian  shield;  the  whole  within 
a crown  of  laurel. 

2.  — roma.  Galeatcd  head  of  Rome;  before 
it  X. 

Rev. — c.  metellvs.  A male  figure,  perhaps 
of  Jupiter,  crowned  by  a flying  Victory,  in  a 
biga  of  elephants. 


150 


CAECILIA. 


These,  and  many  other  coins  with  various 
types,  were  struck  by  Marcus  and  Caius  G'ccilius 
IMetellus,  sons  of  Quintus  Mctellus  Macedouicus, 
in  reference  to  the  two  principal  glories  of  the 
family ; that  is  to  say,  the  overthrow  of  the 
Pseudo-Philippus  (Andnscus)  in  Macedonia,  de- 
feated and  taken  prisoner  by  their  father,  the 
prrctor,  in  606  (n.  c.  148),  in  the  third  Punic 
war ; for  which  he  enjoyed  the  honours  of  the 
triumph ; and  on  which  occasion  shone  a mul- 
tiplicity of  Macedonian  shields,  such  as  are  found 
represented  on  coins  ; and  also  the  great  victory 
gained  in  504  (b.  c.  250)  fifteenth  year  of  the  first 
Punic  war,  by  the  proconsul  Lucius  Mctellus, 
their  progenitor,  over  Hasdrubal,  near  Panormus 
(Palermo).  Amongst  the  spoils  were  120  ele- 
phants which  he  transported  to  Rome,  and  which 
formed  the  most  astonishing  feature  of  his  mag- 
nificent triumph.  This  circumstance  is  modestly 
recorded  by  a simple  biga  of  elephants  on  denarii, 
and  by  the  head  of  an  elephant,  on  brass  pieces 
of  this  family. — See  Riccio,  p.  37. 

3.  — Female  head ; before  it  a stork. 

Rev. — Q-  C.  M.  p.  i.  Quintus  Ciccilius  Mctellus 
Pius  Imperator.  An  elephant  walking. 

This  coin  also  alludes  to  the  victory  won  by 
Quintus  Metcllus,  over  the  Carthaginians,  iu 
Sicily,  recorded  on  the  preceding  denarius. — 
[The  same  silver  coin  restored  by  Trajan,  is  of 
the  highest  degree  of  rarity — valued  by  Mionnet 
at  100  fr.  and  by  Riccio  at  25  piastre. — En- 
graved in  Morel,  and  Riccio.] 

4.  — Q.  mete.  The  winged  head  of  Pallas, 
near  it  X. 

Rev. — Jupiter,  in  a quadriga,  holding  his 
right  hand  a branch,  in  his  left  a thunderbolt. 

Amongst  the  Melef/i  who  bore  the  name  of 
Quintus,  by  far  the  most  celebrated  was  he  who, 
as  already  adverted  to,  triumphed  over  Andriscus, 
pretender  to  the  name  of  Philip,  and  to  the  king- 
dom of  Macedonia,  and  who,  on  account  of  that 
victory,  obtained  the  cognomen  of  Macedonicus. 
Velleius  (cited  by  Havcrcamp)  speaks  of  his  sin- 
gularly fortunate  destiny.  For  besides  his  splendid 
triumphs,  his  ample  honours,  and  his  high 
position  in  the  republic,  he  brought  up  four  sons, 
at  an  advanced  period  of  his  life,  beheld  them 
arrive  at  maturity  of  age,  and  left  them  all 
occupying  the  most  honourable  situations.  His 
funeral  bier  was  carried  to  the  rostra,  by 
these  four  sons,  one  of  whom  was  a censor  and  of 
consular  rank,  another  also  of  consular  rank,  the 
third  a consul,  and  the  fourth  a successfid  can- 
didate for  the  consulship. — Eckhel  agrees  with 
llavercamp  in  ascribing  this  coin  to  the  above- 
mentioned  Q.  Metcllus;  but  considers  it  to  have 
been  struck  before  that  prictorian  personage 
achieved  his  great  victory,  and  when  he  was  iu 


CAECILIA. 

the  lower  magistracy.  Nor  docs  he  think  that 
the  type  of  “ Jupiter  in  a quadriga”  has  reference 
to  the  Macedonian  triumph  of  Mctellus. — See 
R.  N.  V.  vol.  v.  151. 

5- — mete i..  a.  alb.  s.  f.  Lanreated  head 
of  Apollo,  to  the  right;  below  a star. 

Rev. — c.  mal.  below  itOMA.  A male  figure 
seated,  to  the  left,  upon  shields,  armed  with 
hasta  and  parazoniuin,  and  crowned  by  Victory 
standing  behind. 


This,  not  scarce  but  remarkable,  coin,  struck 
in  honour,  says  Riccio,  of  W arrior- Rome  (di 
Roma  guerriera),  crowned  by  Victory,  was  so 
emblematical,  that  the  conspirators  of  the  Italian 
League  imitated  the  type  exactly,  only  sub- 
stituting Italia  for  lioma,  witli  the  relative 
legends. 

It  seems  indubitable  that  this  denarius  was 
struck  by  Aldus  l’ostumius  Albiuus,  son  of 
Spurius,  by  Lucius  Ciccilius  Metcllus,  and  by 
Caius  Publicius  Malleolus,  contemporaneously 
monctal  triumvirs ; and  the  first  of  them,  viz., 
Aldus  Postumius  Albiuus,  being  consul  in  655 
(b.  c.  99),  it  is  the  opinion  of  Cavcdoni  and 
of  Eckhel  also,  that  the  mintage  of  this  denarius 
is  to  be  assigned  to  the  630th  year  of  Rome 
(b.  c.  124). — Sec  Monete  del/e  Fain.  &c.  p.  38. 

6. — Q.  metel.  pivs.  A laureated  and  bearded 
head,  to  the  right,  with  hair  iu  curls  hamring 
behind. 

Rev. — Scipio  imp.  An  elephant  walking, 


[6.] 


7.  Q.  metel.  pivs  scipio  imp.  A female 
figure,  almost  naked  in  front,  with  the  head  of 
a lion  or  panther,  stands  holding  the  udometer 
(a  measure  of  the  increase  of  the  Nde) ; above 
arc  the  letters  o.  T.  A.  (genius  tutelaris  -Egypt i 
or  Africa.) 

Rev. — p.  cbassvs.  jvx.  leg.  pro.  pr.  Victory 
holding  the  rnduccus  in  the  left  hand,  and  a 
round  shield  in  her  right. 

[This  legend  of  reverse  refers  to  Crassns 
Junianus,  one  of  Scipio’s  lieutenants,  who  served 
with  the  title  of  legatus  proprietor. — For  an  en- 
graving of  the  coin,  sec  Morell.  Fam.  Horn. 
Ciccilia.] 

8. — Q.  metel.  scipio  imp.  Female  head 
covered  with  the  skin  of  an  elephant’s  head, 
before  it  an  ear  of  corn,  below  it  a plough. 


CAECILIA. 

Rev. — EPPIVS  leg.  f.  c.  (fieri  cvrauf).  Her- 
cules naked,  in  repose,  resting  on  the  club  and 
lion’s  spoils. — See,  in  adjoining  column,  cut  8. 

9. — metel.  pits.  scip.  imp.  Head  of  Jupi- 
ter, beneath  it  is  the  head  of  an  eagle  and  a 
sceptre. 

Rec. — CRASS,  tot.  LEG  Pitopit.  Ciunlc  chair 
between  a hand  closed,  and  an  ear  of  corn ; 
above  are  the  cornucopia;  and  the  balance. 


This  in  gold  (sec  Pembroke  and  Eckhel)  stands 
in  the  highest  degree  of  rarity. 

At  itlx  these,  and  several  other  coins,  honour 
was  rendered  to  the  warlike  virtues  of  that 
Scipio,  who  was  adopted  by  Q.  CVccilius  Me- 
tellus  Pius,  poutifex  maximus.  He  was  the 
son  of  P.  Cornelius  Scipio  Nasica,  n.  c.  94 
but  by  Metellus’s  adoption  of  him,  he  passed 
from  the  Cornelia  gens  to  that  of  the  Cieeilia. 
They  set  forth  the  exploits  of  the  same  Me- 
tellus  Scipio  in  his  African  campaign  against 
Caesar,  after  the  tragic  end  of  Pompey.  These 
events  are  indicated  by  the  elephants,  by  the  ears 
of  corn,  by  the  tutelary  genius  of  Egypt  or  of 
Africa,  and  by  other  African  symbols  and  em- 
blems, which  indeed  have  reference  to  other 
historical  facts  connected  with  the  ancient  fame 
of  the  Cornclii  and  the  Caccilii ; namely,  the 
military  enterprises  of  the  first  Scipio  in  Africa, 
already  alluded  to,  and  also  those  of  Caecilins 
Numidicus,  and  Csecilius  Macedonicus.  They 
also  call  to  remembrance  the  piety  of  Q.  Csecilius 
Metellus,  son  of  Numidicus,  who  received,  in  b.  c. 
99,  the  surname  of  pits,  for  having  obtained, 
by  the  affectionate  earnestness  of  his  appeal  to 
the  people,  the  recall  of  his  father  from  banish- 
ment. They  moreover  refer  to  the  Sicilian  vic- 
tories of  the  eldest  of  the  Mctelli  (L.  Ciecilius) 
over  the  Carthaginians,  in  his  consulate;  and 
likewise  to  the  devoted  courage  displayed  by  the 
same  person,  in  saving,  but  with  the'loss  of  his 
sight,  the  Palladium  and  other  sacred  objects 
from  a fire  which  consumed  the  temple  of  Vesta, 
u.  c.  24 1 : in  acknowledgment  of  which  service 
he  was' allowed  thereafter,  the  till  then  forbidden 
privilege,  of  being  conveyed  to  the  senate-house, 
in  a carriage.  This  is  symbolised  by  the  head  of 
Piety  and  also  by  the  stork. — Lastly,  these  coins 
bear  record  to  his  Pontificate,  and  to  the  title  of 
1 M Ferator,  conferred  upon  him  by  the  soldiers 
— besides  various  appointments  to  the  office  of 
legates,  and  of  propraetor. — Sec  Riccio,  p.  39, 
plates  ix.  and  x. 

The  following  denarius,  numbered  8,  belongs 
to  the  Eppia  gens ; but  as  it  distinctly  refers  to 
Metellus  Scipio,  it  is  inserted  here,  as  illustra- 
tive of  his  connection  with  the  Csccilia  familv, 
whose  worthies  are  named,  and  their  public  se’r- 


CAESAR.  151 

vices  alluded  to,  on  denarii,  whence  the  preceding 
cuts  have  been  engraved. 


CAECINA,  a surname  of  a Roman : to  what 
family  it  belongs  is  not  ascertained.  There  are 
two  varieties.  The  brass  coins  bearing  the  head 
of  Janus,  or  the  head  of  Pallas,  on  the  obverse- 
and  the  abbreviation  a.  cae.  Aulus  Cacina,  a 
ship  s prow,  and  Roma,  on  the  reverse : are 
asses,  or  parts  of  the  as.— See  them  engraved 

m plrnr Pp'  39,  40>  T]-  x'  Nos-  1 and  2. 

CAEDIC1US,  a surname  which,  according 
to  Morell.  Thesaur.  Fan,.  Rom.  p.  52G,  belongs 
to  the  Caedicia  family,  plebeian  but  of  consular 

xt  • s,  denar,us,  en?faved  in  tab.  xi.  of 
iVumi  Consulares,  has  on  one  side  a female  head 
and  on  the  other,  two  togated  figures  standing’ 
with  hands  joined,  and  behind  one  of  them  the 
fasces  with  axes.  The  legend  of  the  reverse  is 
Q.  caedici  q.  f.  ex.  s.  c.  Quintus  Cicdicius, 
Quinti  Films,  Ex  Senatus  Consulto ; at  the  bot- 
tom ROMA. 

CAEPIO,  surname  allusive  to  the  large  size 
of  the  head. — See  Servilia  gens. 

CAES.  or  CAESS.  or  CAESSS.— Ciesar  or 
c?caiiS'  .Th?  double  SS  marks  two  Caesars,  and 
obb  denote  three  Csesars. 

CAES. — Ccesarea , surname  of  a colony  found- 
ed  by  Augustus. — Sec  Antiochia,  Pisidia,  p.  52. 

CAES. — Casarea,  surname  of  a colony. — See 
Ccesarea  Samaritis,  and  Ccesarea  Philippi. 

CAES.  DIC.  QUAR.  Casar  Dictator  Quar- 
tum  Caesar  Dictator  for  the  fourth  time.  On 
a gold  coin  of  Julius. 

CAES.  DIVI.  F. Casar  Divi  Filins.— 

Caesar  son  of  the  Divine  Julius.  On  coins  of 
Augustus. 

CAESAR  PONT.  MAX. — Casar  Pontifex 
Maximus.  Caesar,  Supreme  Pontiff. 

CAESAR  DIC/ator  PERPETzmw — Caesar, 
Perpetual  Dictator. 


CAESAR  CAIT  S JULIUS,  one  of  the  greatest 

men  of  whom  history  has  handed  down  the 
deeds,  or  to  whom  coins  have  secured  a perpe- 
tuity of  remembrance,  was  of  the  Julia  gens 

a race  who  assumed  to  have  derived  their  descent 
from  Ascanius,  otherwise  called  lulus,  son  of 


152  CAESAR. 

JEncas.  Taking  up  the  prevailing  opinion,  Vir- 
gil says — 

Julius  magno  demissura  nomen  Iulo. 

According  to  Pliny,  the  surname  of  Cesar, 
which  his  family  bore,  was  derived  from  some 
ancestor,  who  had  been  taken,  by  incision,  from 
the  womb  of  his  mother.  Be  this  as  it  may,  lie 
was  son  of  L.  Julius  Cicsar  (pnetor),  and  of 
Aurelia.  The  year  of  his  birth,  at  Rome,  was 
the  051th  of  the  city  (b.  c.  100),  in  the  con- 
sulship of  C.  Marius  aud  L.  Valerius  Flaccus ; 
which  calculation  (not  undisputed)  makes  him 
six  years  younger  than  Pompeius  Magnus  and 
Marcus  Tullius  Cicero.  His  mother,  who  exer- 
cised a vigilant  superintendence  over  her  chil- 
dren’s education,  took  the  greatest  interest  in 
the  advancement  and  welfare  of  her  son ; who 
on  his  part  appears  to  have  been  affectionately 
and  reverentially  attached  to  her. 

When  as  yet  a mere  boy,  Julius  was  elected 
to  the  dignified  oflicc  of  FI  amen  Dial  is,  through 
the  interest  of  Cains  Marius,  who  had  married 
his  aunt  Julia  (b.  c.  87).  And  after  the  death 
of  that  celebrated  Roman,  he  took  for  his  wife 
Cornelia,  daughter  of  L.  Ciuua  (u.  c.  83),  whom 
he  refused  to  repudiate,  although  Sulla,  greatly 
enraged  against  him  for  having  joined  the  popu- 
lar party,  had  commanded  him  to  do  so.  This 
characteristic  display  of  resolution,  however,  had 
the  effect  of  placing  his  life  in  great  danger, 
from  the  anger  of  the  dictator,  who  at  length, 
but  w'ith  reluctance,  was  induced  to  pardon  him; 
still  meeting  the  plea  of  youth  and  insignificance 
urged  in  his  favour  by  Ciesar’s  friends  aud  in- 
tercessors, with  the  prophetic  remark,  that  “ in 
that  boy  there  were  many  Mariuses  (multos  ei 
Marios),  and  that  he  would  eventually  be  the 
ruin  of  the  patrician  order.” 

Quitting  Rome  for  Asia  (b.  c.  81),  after  the 
conclusion  of  the  Mithridatic  war,  he  was  scut 
by  Miuucius  Thermus  from  Mytilenc,  on  a mis- 
sion to  Nicomcdes  III.  King  of  Bithynia,  which 
having  fulfilled,  he  returned  to  his  general,  by 
whom,  for  his  conduct  at  the  siege  of  Mytilcne, 
he  was  rewarded  with  a civic  crown.  The  death 
of  Sulla  occurring  b.  c.  78,  whilst  Cicsar  was 
serving  in  Cilicia,  under  the  command  of  P. 
Sulpicius,  he  instantly  returned  to  Rome ; and 
the  following  year,  gained  great  credit  and 
popularity  for  his  ability  aud  eloquence  in  ac- 
cusing Dolabclla  of  extortion  in  his  govern- 
ment of  Macedonia.  He  had  then  scarcely  com- 
pleted his  22nd  year ; and  to  perfect  himself 
in  oratory,  in  which  ultimately  he  was  considered 
second  only  to  Cicero,  he  undertook  a voyage 
to  Rhodes.  On  this  occasion,  the  young  man 
displayed  a fine  example  of  promptitude  aud 
intrepidity ; for  being  captured  by  pirates,  aud 
ransomed  by  a contribution  of  fifty  talents 
raised  for  his  liberation  by  a number  of  Greek 
maritime  cities,  lie,  with  a hastily  manned  fleet 
of  Milesian  vessels,  attacked  the  pirates,  whom 
he  captured  and  caused  to  be  crucified. — In  B.  c. 
7-1,  lie  passed  over  from  Rhodes  into  Asia,  at 
the  commencement  of  the  sccoud  Mithridatic 
war.  The  same  year  he  returned  to  Rome, 


CAESAR. 

having  in  his  absence  been  elected  Pontiff,  in 
the  room  of  Aurelius  Cotta,  his  uncle.  Besides 
this  appointment,  through  patrician  interest,  he 
was  soon  created  Military  Tribune  against  a 
powerful  competitor,  by  dint  of  popular  favour. 
Next  he  went  as  Quicstor  to  Spain,  aud  at  Gadcs 
(Cadiz),  on  seeing  an  effigy  of  Alexander  the 
Great,  he  shed  ambitious  tears.  Returned  once 
more  to  Rome,  and  his  first  wife  Cornelia  being 
dead,  Cicsar,  in  B.  C.  G7,  married  Pompeia,  the 
daughter  of  Q.  Pompeius  Rufus  and  of  Cornelia, 
daughter  of  Sulla.  Having  thus  united  himself 
to  the  house,  Julius  actively  promoted  the  views, 
and  efficiently  aided  the  proceedings,  of  Pom- 
pey.  In  fi88  (b.  c.  66),  lie  was  elected  one 
of  the  Curule  Edilcs;  aud  the  following  year, 
having  M.  Bibulus  for  his  colleague,  served  the 
office  with  unprecedented  magnificence.  Bibulus 
largely  shared  in  the  cost  of  the  public  games ; 
but  to  Cicsar  (immeasurably  deep  in  debt)  was 
awarded  all  the  credit  of  the  liberality,  and  all 
the  applause  of  the  people. 

In  the  year  u.  c.  691  (b.  c.  63),  M.  Tullius 
Cicero  and  C.  Antony  being  consids,  on  the 
death  of  Mctellus  Pius,  Cicsar  was  declared 
Pontifex  Maximus.  On  this  occasion  he  caused 
munificent  largesses  to  be  distributed  to  the 
people ; he  having  predicted  to  his  mother, 
just  before  he  went  down  to  the  comilia — 
“ This  day  you  will  see  your  son  either  Pontifex 
Maximus,  or  an  exile.”  (Plutarch,  in  Cars.) — 
He  had,  however,  already  been  enrolled  in  the 
Pontifical  college,  during  his  absence  in  Asia. 

In  692  (b.  c.  62),  in  the  consulship  of  P. 
Junius  Silanus  and  L.  Liciuius  Murena,  lie  was 
made  Prtclor  Urbanus.  After  his  prietorship 
(laden  with  debts  and  unable  to  face  his  cre- 
ditors), he  went  as  pro-consul  into  Lusitania  ; 
and  there,  in  the  following  year,  after  vanquish- 
ing enemies,  whom  he  did  not  find  such,  but 
rendered  them  so,  through  his  ambit  iou  of  a 
triumph  aud  spoil,  lie  was  made  I m per  a tot . 


694  (b.  c.  60),  returning  to  Rome,  and  go- 
ing to  the  comilia,  he  cauvasseij  at  the  same 
time  for  a Triumph  and  for  the  Consulate;  aud 
being  unable  to  attain  both  those  objects  (for  he 
could  not,  without  being  personally  prcscut,  be 
a candidate  for  the  Consulate,  and  on  the  other 
hand,  had  lie  entered  the  city  as  a private  indi- 
vidual, he  could  not  afterwards,  according  to 
law,  enjoy  a Triumph) — he  relinquished  the 
latter,  ami  was  created  for  the  year  695  (b.  c. 
59)  Consul,  with  M.  Bibulus.  He  carried  his 
Agrarian  law  by  force,  against  the  protests  aud 
edicts  of  his  colleague,  and  obtained  from  the 
Senate  the  government  of  Illyricum,  and  Gallia 
Citcrior  and  Ulterior,  as  pro-consnl,  with  three 
legions,  for  five  years ; at  the  expiratiou  of 


CAESAR. 

which,  aided  by  Pompey  and  M.  Crassus,  he 
extorted  another  five  years.  His  victories,  dur- 
ing this  period,  over  the  Helveti,  Germani,  Galli, 
and  Britanni,  are  well  known.  About  this  time, 
Caesar  gave  his  daughter  in  marriage  to  Pompey, 
and  married  himself  Calpurnia,  daughter  of  L. 
Piso,  consul  the  following  year. 

After  having  been  occupied,  during  the  years 
703  and  704  (b.c.  51  and  50),  in  completing 
the  pacification  of  Gaul,  Caesar,  iu  the  spring 
of  705  (b.  c.  49),  began  to  approach  nearer  to 
Rome,  and  to  bestow  his  attcutiou  on  the  affairs 
of  the  city,  where  circumstances  were  already 
occurring,  which  soon  resulted  in  a total  rup- 
ture of  good  understanding  between  Pompey 
and  himself. 

In  705  (b.c.  49),  during  the  consulships  of 
C.  Claudius  Marcellus  and  L.  Cornelius  Lcn- 
tulus,  the  civil  war  with  Pompey  was  com- 
menced. Having  passed  the  Rubicon,  and  driven 
Pompey,  with  the  consuls,  into  Greece,  he  en- 
tered Rome,  and  broke  into  the  treasury. — 
Going  thence  into  Spain,  that  he  might  leave 
nothing  unguarded  in  his  rear,  he  reduced  to 
submission,  on  the  2nd  of  August,  Pctreius  and 
Afranius,  generals  of  Pompey’s  legions,  and  hav- 
ing taken  Massilia  (Marseilles),  returned  to 
Rome ; where  he  found  that  in  his  absence  he 
had  been  appointed  Dictator,  for  the  purpose 
of  holding  comilia  to  elect  the  consuls ; but  he 
abdicated  this  office  in  eleven  days  after,  with 
the  view  of  pursuing  Pompeius  Magnus  into 
Greece. 

706  (b.c.  48).  Consul  forthe  second  time, with 
P.  Scrvilins  Vatia  Isauricus  as  colleague ; having 
been  first  defeated  at  Dyrrhachium  (I)urazzo),  he 
turned  the  tables  at  Pharsalia,  in  Thessaly,  on 
the  5th  of  the  ides  of  Sextilis,  which  day,  in 
the  anticipatory  Julian  year , fell  in  the  month 
of  June.  (Sec  Eckhel’s  remarks  on  the  Caesa- 
rian .Era,  vol.  iv.  p.  400). — On  the  news  of 
this  victory  reaching  Rome,  he  was  again  created 
Dictator  for  a whole  year ; an  honour  which  was 
subsequently  renewed  every  year.  Having  fol- 
lowed the  fugitive  Pompey,  he  found  him 
dead  iu  Egypt ; and  there,  ensnared  by  the 
charms  of  Cleopatra,  he  undertook  a rash  war 
with  her  brother  Ptolemy,  with  the  view  of 
giving  her  the  entire  sovereignty  of  Egypt. 

707  (b.  c.  47),  he  took  Alexandria  on  the 
27th  of  March.  Having  put  Ptolemy  to  death, 
he  gave  Egypt  into  the  hands  of  Cleopatra,  lie  | 
then  hurried  his  army  agaiust  Pharnaccs,  the 
King  of  Bosphorus,  and  defeated  him  on  the  2nd 
of  August. — Returning  to  Rome,  he  put  down  the 
commotions  that  were  going  on  there,  and  made 
preparations  for  the  African  war, — a war  which 
took  its  rise  out  of  the  party  feelings  of  animosity, 
engendered  in  the  collision  at  Pharsalia ; but 
owing  to  the  accession  of  Juba  to  the  throne 
of  Nmnidia,  one  environed  with  danger,  he 
passed  over  into  Africa,  prior  to  the  winter 
solstice. 

708  (b.  c.  46.)  Being  Consul  for  the  third 
time,  with  M.  ,'Emilius  Lepidus  as  his  colleague, 
he  defeated  Scipio,  Juba,  and  Petreius,  at 
Thapsus,  in  Africa,  on  the  8th  of  the  ides  of 

X 


CAESAR.  153 

April.  Returning  to  the  city,  he  celebrated 
during  four  days,  four  distinct  triumphs,  re- 
spectively referring  to  the  Gauls,  Egypt,  Pbar- 
naces,  and  Juba.  He  next  prepared  for  a war 
in  Spain  with  the  sons  of  Pompey. 


[3.] 


709  (b.  c.  45).  Dictator  for  the  third  time 
(caesar  Die.  ter.)  and  Consul  for  the  fourth 
time,  without  colleague,  he  gained  a difficult 
victory  over  the  Pompeians  at  Muuda,  in  the 
spring  of  the  year,  and  at  the  time  of  the  cele- 
bration of  the  festival  of  Bacchus  (in  March),  the 
tidings  of  the  victory  reaching  Rome  on  the  day 
before  the  Parilia.  On  his  return,  he  cele- 
brated a triumph,  such  as  had  never  occurred 
before,  over  vanquished  citizens.  By  his  osten- 
tatious ambition  of  becoming  a king,  and  by  the 
assumption  of  honours  too  lofty  for  mortal  man, 
he  incurred  the  hatred  of  many  individuals,  and 
the  envy  of  all  classes. 

710  (b.  c.  44).  Appointed  Perpetual  Dictator 
(caesar  Die.  perpetws)  and  Consul  for  the 
fifth  time,  with  M.  Antony  as  his  colleague, 
whilst  meditating  a campaign  against  the  Getas 
and  Parthians,  he  was  poniarded  in  the  senate- 
house,  iu  the  ides  of  March,  by  a conspiracy  of 
haughty  republicans,  set  on  foot  by  Brutus  and 
Cassius. — See  brvtvs  eid.  mar.  p.  145. 

C;esar  was  in  his  56th  year  at  the  time  of  his 
assassination.  A man,  above  all  others,  mar- 
vellously accomplished  in  the  arts  of  both  peace 
and  war;  oue  than  whom  antiquity  cannot  pro- 
duce a more  distinguished  example.  Noble  and 
commanding  in  person,  of  lofty  stature  and  fair 
complexion,  his  black  eyes  were  piercing,  and 
his  whole  countenance  replete  with  expression, 
lie  seldom  wore  a beard  (see  barba),  and 
towards  the  close  of  his  career  he  had,  what  to 
him  was  said  to  have  been  a great  annoyance,  a 
bald  head.  Naturally  of  a delicate  constitution, 
he  strengthened  and  invigorated  himself  by  a 
course  of  temperance  iu  eating  and  drinking ; 
and  such  was  the  firm  state  of  his  health, 
thus  carefully  sustained,  that  there  was  scarcely 
any  degree  of  bodily  fatigue  or  of  mental  ex- 
ertion, which  he  was  not  able  to  encounter. 
Acute  in  intellect,  he  possessed  an  eloquence, 
both  natural  and  cultivated  by  the  study  of 
literature — witness  those  inimitable  “Commen- 
taries” which  have  immortalized  him  as  a writer. 
With  a spirit  prompt  and  daring,  in  peril  col- 
lected and  undaunted,  he  exhibited  sagacity  of  the 
highest  order,  both  in  foreseeing  difficulties,  and 
iu  extricating  himself  therefrom,  when  most 
beset.  Having  energy  for  any  enterprise,  and 
patience  to  bring  it  to  an  issue,  he  proved  him- 


154  CAESAR, 

self  at  once  wary  and  adventurous.  Generally 
prudent  in  planning,  always  skilful  in  executing, 
with  an  unexcelled  celerity  in  catching  advant- 
ages, he  was  at  the  same  time  so  resolute  under 
reverses  as  never  to  lose  his  perfect  self-pos- 
session.— "When  this  hold  leader  of  the  Roman 
legions  invaded  Britain,  though  the  wars  in  Gaul 
and  Germany  were  unfinished,  he,  to  ensure  the 
passage,  personally  sounded  the  channel.  Fifty 
pitched  battles  attested  his  military  prowess;  and, 
superior  equally  to  the  superstitions  of  augury, 
and  to  the  contagious  influence  of  despondency 
or  of  panic,  he,  on  several  occasions,  by  his  indi- 
vidual bravery  turned  the  tide  of  battle,  when 
victory  was  declaring  against  him.  llis  good 
fortune  (greater  perhaps  than  ever  fell  to  the  lot 
of  any  other  mortal)  never  deserted  him,  not- 
withstanding his  frequent  rash  and  ill-consi- 
dered plans  and  proceedings.  To  these  qualities 
were  in  him  added,  a great  and  only  too  lavish 
disposition  for  liberality,  an  easy  address  and  an 
affability  of  manners,  most  remarkable ; above  all 
a clemency  towards  the  vanquished  scarcely  to  be 
credited,  and  which  prompted  him  to  spare  the 
lives  of  all  who  sued  for  quarter. — At  the  battle 
of  Pharsalia,  in  order  to  save  the  citizens,  he 
announced  by  the  voice  of  the  herald,  that  his 
animosity  was  laid  aside  with  his  arms ; and  not 
only  did  he  return  to  terms  of  amity  with  his 
conquered  foes,  but  he  even  granted  them  a share 
of  wealth  and  honours.  A man  thus  endowed 
with  all  the  commanding  and  engaging  qualities 
which  give  ascendancy  in  society,  must  have 
swayed  the  destinies  of  his  contemporaries  in  any 
age  and  in  any  nation.  But,  besides  his  rapacity, 
prodigality,  and  scandalous  ineontinency,  he  had 
another  vice  of  a more  destructive  character — 
ambition , which  from  his  earliest  years  inspired 
him  with  the  desire  to  attain  the  empire  of  the 
world.  To  appease  this  passion,  many  acts, 
from  which  his  better  nature  would  have  shrunk, 
required  to  be  done  in  defiance  of  justice ; vast 
sums  expended,  to  hasten  or  augment  through 
the  clianuel  of  popularity  the  honours  which  he 
coveted ; nations,  however  peaceable  aud  un- 
offending, were  wantonly  assailed  and  grievously 
outraged  to  furnish  claims  for  fresh  triumphs ; 
well-disposed  and  amicable  communities  liar- 
rassed,  temples  thrown  to  the  ground,  public 
treasuries  violated,  aud  lastly  his  arms  turned 
against  his  fellow-countrymen.  By  universal 
consent  he  would  assuredly  have  been  a prince 
most  worthy  of  the  eminence  he  gained,  and 
preferable  to  all  before  or  after  him,  had  he 
cither  reached  it  by  hereditary  right,  or  at  least 
not  been  compelled  to  win  it  at  the  point 
of  the  sword. — Sec  Eckhcl  (in  Casare),  vol.  vi. 
pp.  2,  3,  and  4 — Capt.  Smyth’s  Deter.  Catal. 
pp.  1 and  2 — see  also  a full  and  able  sketch  of 
Cicsar’s  life  and  character,  in  the  Dictionary  of 
Greek  and  Roman  Biography,  &c. 

MINTAGES  OF  JULIUS  C.ESAR. 

Cicsar  was  the  first  Roman  whose  effigies 
were  stamped  on  coins  in  his  life-time;  and,  ac- 
cording to  Dion,  this  compliment  was  amongst 
the  profusion  of  honours  lavished  upon  him  by 


CAESAR. 

the  Senate,  during  the  latter  part  of  his  eventful 
career.  For  his  earliest  denarii  do  not  bear 
his  portrait,  but  exhibit  for  the  most  part  the 
head  of  Venus  as  their  obverse  type,  and  on 
their  reverses  there  generally  appears  the  word 
caesar,  with  types  of  cornucopia:,  trophies, 
elephant  trampling  on  a serpent,  pontifical  and 
augural  instruments,  .Eneas  carrying  Anchises 
and  the  palladium,  &c. — For  notices  of  these  see 
Julia  gens;  also  see  Palladium. 

To  follow,  as  far  as  possible,  the  chronologieo- 
numismatic  order  of  arrangement,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  shew  the  progress  of  Cicsar’s  great- 
ness, through  the  medium  of  his  coins — Riccio 
bus  methodically  classed  such  of  them  as  bear 
his  portrait,  and  cither  on  one  side  or  the  other 
an  indication  of  each  office  held  by  him,  under 
five  different  heads,  namely — 1.  Those  with  the 
head  unaccompanied  by  a legend. — 2.  With  title 
of  Imperntor. — 3.  l’ontifcx  Maximus. — 4.  Dic- 
tator for  the  first,  second,  third,  and  fourth  time. 
— 5.  Perpetual  Dictator. — To  these  he  adds  the 
monctal  records  of  Cicsar,  as  a man  of  the 
greatest  clemency  ; as  the  father  or  parent  of 
the  country  ; lastly  as  raised,  after  death,  to  dei- 
fication.— The  following  arc  among  the  most  re- 
markable examples  of  each  class : — 

The  Head  without  Legend. 

Head  of  Julius  Cscsar,  laureated. 

Rev. — voco.vivs  vitvlvs.  q.  design,  s.  c. — 
A calf  standing. 

[See  wood  cut  No.  1,  at  the  head  of  the  bio- 
graphical notice,  p.  151.] 


Head  of  Julius  Cicsar  laureated.  s.  c. 

Rev. — TI.  SEMPRONIVS.  GBACCVS.  Q.  DESIGN, 
s.  c.  Spear,  plough,  legionary  eagle,  aud  mili- 
tary ensign. 

Head  as  above. 

Rev. — 1„  flam  ini  vs  mi.  vir. — Venus  stand- 
ing, holding  the  liasta  aud  the  cadueeus. 

Head  as  above,  with  caduceus  before  it,  and 
laurel  branch  behind  it. 

Rev. — L.  LIVINEIVS  REGYLVS. — A furious  bull. 

On  his  return  frem  Africa,  after  having  de- 
feated the  Pompeians,  Cirsar  obtained,  by  vir- 
tue of  two  Senatorial  decrees,  authority  to  cause 
his  portrait  to  be  struck  on  the  coins  of  the  re- 
public ; together  with  the  privilege  of  wearing, 
as  the  highest  honour  of  the  triumph,  the  laurel 
crown,  which  served  him  both  for  ornament 
and  to  conceal  his  baldness. — Borghcsi  regards 
these  and  other  eoins  of  the  foregoing  class, 
as  additional  proofs  that  Cicsar  did  not  com- 
mcncd  'sti iking  his  effigy  on  the  Roman  mint, 
before  his  fourth  dictatorship,  viz.  until  after 
the  battle  of  Mumln,  iu  7UA  (n.  c.  45). 

Altogether  the  above  coins  refer  to  the  powers 
conferred  upon  Ctesnr ; to  peace  hoped  for  after 


155 


CAESAR. 

such  an  effusion  of  fellow  countrymen’s  blood ; 
to  Venus  the  Victorious,  whose  name  was  given 
as  the  signal-word  to  his  legions  in  the  battle 
days  of  Pharsalia  and  Munda;  to  his  found- 
ing of  colonics  in  many  places,  and  to  other 
objects  peculiar  either  to  himself  or  to  the  fami- 
lies of  his  moneyers. — See  lticcio,  p.  107. 

With  title  of  Imperator. 


caesar  imp. — Head  of  Crnsar  laureated,  be- 
hind it  the  simpulum  and  litmus. 

Rev. — M.  METTivs. — Venus  the  Victorious, 
stands  holding  an  image  of  Victory  in  the  right 
hand,  and  with  left  arm  resting  on  a buckler, 
and  holding  the  hasta  transversely  in  her  left 
hand. 

[A  gold  specimen  of  this,  valued  at  150  fr.  is 
engraved  in  Miounct,  Rarele  lies  Medailles,  t. 

i.  p.  81]. 

Same  head  aud  legend  as  above. 

Rev. — sepvllivs  macer. Venus  Victrix, 

standing  as  above. 

[Sec  wood  cut  No.  2,  in  biographical  notice, 
p.  152]. 

Rev. — L.  aemilivs  bvca,  mi.  viR. Two 

hands  joined. 

c.  caesar  cos.  iter. — Female  head. 

Rev. — a.  allien  vs  pro.  cos. — Neptune,  hold- 
ing the  trinacria  in  his  right  hand,  and  plant- 
ing his  foot  on  the  prow  of  a ship. 

As  Ciesar  won  many  battles ; so  for  these 
victories  he  was  as  many  times  saluted  Impera- 
tor  by  his  soldiers.  But  he  did  not  cause  the 
number  of  times  that  he  was  thus  proclaimed 
to  be  marked  on  his  mint,  as  was  the  practice 
afterwards  of  Augustus  and  his  successors. 

The  image  of  Venus  Victrix  refers  as  well  to 
the  pretended  origin,  as  to  the  real  victories,  of 
Crnsar ; the  joined  hands  point  to  the  concord 
established  between  Julius  and  the  Senate. — 
Lastly,  the  Neptune  bears  allusion  to  Sicily, 
where  the  coin  was  struck  by  Allienus,  the  pro- 
consul  of  Ciesar. 

With  title  of  Pontifex  Maximus. 

caesar  imp.  p.  m. — Laurelled  head  of  C;csar, 
behind  it  a crescent. 

Rev. — l.  aemilivs  bvca. — Venus  the  Victo- 
rious, standing. 

c.  caesar  dict.  perp.  pont.  max. — Laure- 
ated head  of  Ciesar. 

Rev. — c.  caesar  cos.  pont.  avg. — Bare  head 
of  Octavian. 

[Riccio  values  this  rrrr.  in  gold  at  50  pias- 
tres.— A fine  specimen  of  this  gold  coin  brought 
£14  10s.  at  the  Thomas  sale]. 

It  has  already  been  noted,  that  against  all 
competition,  Ciesar  obtained  the  high  pontiff- 
X 2 


CAESAR. 

cate  in  691  (b.  c.  63),  on  the  death  of  Metcllus 
Pius. — The  half  moon  behind  the  head  on  the 
first  of  the  coins  above  described  has  regard  to 
the  correction  introduced  by  Ciesar,  as  pontifex 
inaximus,  into  the  keeping  of  annual  festivals, 
and  to  the  reformation  of  the  calendar  by 
adopting  the  solar  instead  of  the  lunar  year. — 
In  consequence  of  calculating  from  the  luuar 
year,  the  calendar  had  been  thrown  into  the 
greatest  confusion,  aud  the  festivals  at  first  ap- 
pointed for  the  winter,  had  come  to  fall  in  the 
spring.  Caesar  established  the  solar  year  of 
three  hundred  and  sixty-five  days,  with  a day  of 
intercalation  at  the  end  of  every  four  years. — 
For  the  first  year  (b.  c.  46),  however,  it  was 
needful,  besides  the  intercalary  month,  to  add 
sixty-seven  days. 

With  title  of  Dictator. 

caesar  Die.  Laureated  head  of  Ciesar;  be- 
hind it  the  pncfericuluin. 

Rev. — m.  anto.  imp.  r.  p.  c.  Bare  head  of 
Antony — behind  it  the  lituus. 

[At  the  Thomas  sale,  a fine  specimen  of  this 
gold  coin  brought  £23  10s.] 

The  Rubicon  passed ; Pompey  with  his  par- 
tisans driven  in  a panic  out  of  Italy ; and  Afra- 
nius  and  Petreius,  lieutenants  of  Poinpey,  after- 
wards defeated  in  Iberia,  the  Senate  were  obliged 
to  raise  Ciesar,  in  705  (b.  c.  49),  to  the  office 
of  Dictator,  in  order  that  lie  should  be  able 
thus  to  administer  the  affairs  of  the  republic, 
with  absolute  and  irresponsible  power.  But  the 
great  object  of  his  thoughts  being  the  overthrow 
of  Pompey  aud  his  adherents,  who,  after  eleveu 
days,  had  made  good  their  retreat  into  Mace- 
donia and  Thessaly,  he  resigned  the  appointment 
of  Dictator  at  the  end  of  eleven  days,  and  caus- 
ing himself  to  be  elected  consul  for  the  second 
time,  crossed  over  from  Brundusium  into  Greece, 

b.  c.  48. The  prsefericulum  of  Ciesar  is  a 

pontifical  symbol;  as  the  lituus  of  Antony  is 
an  augural  symbol. 

Second  Dictatorship. 

dict.  iter.  cos.  tert. — Head  of  Ceres 
crowned. 

Rev. — avgvr.  pont.  max. — Sacrificial  in- 
struments with  corn  cars ; symbols  of  Augura- 
tion  and  of  the  Supreme  Pontificate ; sometimes 
beside  the  lituus  appears  the  insulated  letter  M. 
in  others  d. 

caesar  dict. — The  securis  (axe)  and  the 
simpulum. 

Rev. — iter. — Vase  aud  lituus,  within  a laurel 
crown. — [Riccio  gives  an  engraving  of  this,  in 
Supplement,  pi.  58,  No.  11,  from  the  Mus. 
Bellini,  rrrr.  and  values  it,  in  gold,  at  25 
piastres.] 

Ciesar  having  (b.  c.  48)  obtained  from  the 
Senate,  with  the  consent  of  the  consuls,  the  dic- 
tatorship for  the  second  time,  was  himself  consul 
for  the  third  time  in  the  year  708  (b.  c.  46), 
with  VI.  Emilius  Lcpidus  as  his  colleague. — 
And,  resolved  not  to  abandon  his  assumption  of 
absolute  power,  he  exercised  it  sometimes  as 
dictator,  sometimes  as  consul. 


156  CAESAR. 


CAESAR. 


The  insulated  letter  M.  or  d.  which  presents  1 
itself  on  the  reverse  of  the  former  of  these  two 
denarii  admits,  in  the  opinion  of  Borghesi,  of 
being  interpreted  to  mean  mumis  or  donum,  thus 
indicating  that  they  were  struck  to  pay  his  sol- 
diers or  partisans.  As  to  the  head  of  Ceres,  it 
may  possibly  allude  to  Africa  vanquished,  or  to 
the  defeat  of  King  Juba. — Riccio,  p.  100. 


Third  Dictatorship. 

CAESAR  Die.  TER. — Bust  of  Victor)',  winged. 

Rev. — ci.ovi.  praef. — Minerva  walking,  with 
a trophy  on  her  shoulder,  and  a serpent  moving  i 
on  the  grouud  before  her. — Middle  brass. 

[Sec  wood  cut,  No.  3,  in  ,hiographical  notice, 
p.  153]. 

c.  caesar  Die.  ter. — Bust  of  a winged  V ic- 


Rev, — L#  planc.  praef.  vrb. Sacrificial 

vase.  In  gold,  rr. 

In  the  following  year,  709  (b.  c.  45),  after  he 
had  defeated  the  Pompeians  in  Africa,  Caesar  was 
declared  Dictator  for  the  third  time.  And  being 
obliged  afterwards  to  repair  to  Spain  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  on  the  war  there  w ith  Cncius 
Pompeius  the  youuger,  and  the  other  remains 
of  that  party,’  lie  assigned  over  the  govern- 
ment of  Rome  to  Lcpidus,  as  his  master  of  the 
horse,  with  six,  or  as  some  writers  have  it,  with 
eight’ prefects  of  the  city,  amongst  whom  ap- 
pear, on  the  coins  above  described,  the  names 
of  Caius  Clovius  and  Lucius  Planeus. — Riccio, 
p.  109. 

Fourth  Dictatorship. 


CAESAR  DICT.  quart. — Head  of  Julius  Ciesar, 
laureated,  behind  it  a lituus. 

Rev . — m.  mettivs. — Juno  Sospita  in  a rapid 

biga.  . 

caes.  Die.  QV.\R. Head  of  \ enus,  well 

adorned.  _ 

Rev. — cos.  QV1NQ.  within  a crown  of  laurel. 

Gold,  RRR.  . 

Osar  was  made  Dictator  for  the  fourth  time 
about  the  year  710  (b.  c.  44),  subsequently  to 
young  Cneius  Pompcy's  defeat  in  Spam,  forwluch 
success  he  triumphed  with  the  greatest  splen- 
dour, but  also  excited  very  great  displeasure 
amongst  the  Romans. 

During  his  fifth  consulship,  as  indicated  by 
the  last  described  coin,  on  the  ides  of  March  of 
710  (b.c.  44),  Caesar  was  assassinated  in  the 
senate  house. 

Now  if,  in  that  year,  he  was  Dictator  for  the 
fourth  time,  and  not  yet  Perpetual  Dictator,  it 
would  seem  that  the  last  described  coin  offers  a 
contradiction.  But  this  vanishes,  when  it  is 
considered  that  the  consulate  was  an  ordinary 
magistracy,  which  was  conferred  in  the  calends 
of  January  in  each  year;  aud  that  the  dictature 
was  an  extraordinary  magistracy,  with  which  a 
man  might  be  invested  at  any  time  whatsoever, 
and  it  also  might  be  revoked,  or  laid  aside,  on 
the  instant.  Hence  the  fourth  and  the  perpe- 
tual dictatorship  might  have  been  conjoined  with 
the  fourth  and  fifth  consulate,  during  the  year 
in  which  Ciesar  ceased  to  live— See  Riccio,  1 10. 


C.esar  Perpetual  Dictator. 


Caisar,  laureated. 

Rev. — L.  bvca.  Winged  caduccus,  laid  across 
the  consular  fasces,  an  axe,  two  hands  joined, 
and  a globe. 

The  same  legend  and  head. 

Rev. — L.  bvca. — Venus  standing. 

Rev. — c.  maridianvs. — Venus  standing. 

Rev. — p.  sepvlli vs  MACF.R. — Venus  the  Vic- 
torious, standing,  with  buckler  and  hasta. 


CAESAR  [dict.]  perpetvo. — Head  of  Julius 

laureated. 

ReV. — bvca. ^ enus  seated,  holding  the 

hasta  pura  in  her  left  hand,  aud  a 1 ictoriola  in 
her  right. 

In  the  last  vear  of  his  life,  Ciesar  assumed, 
as  a prominent  token  of  sovereign  power,  the 
title  of  Perpetual  Dictator ; aud  the  money  era 
of  that  year,  Buca,  Cossutius,  and  Scpullius, 
transferred  it  to  the  coius  above  described. 

These  titles  and  distinctions,  at  no  time  in 
permanent  use  among  the  Romans,  were  so  pro- 
fusely lavished  on  Ciesar,  that  they  drew  down 
upon  him  the  envy  aud  hatred  of  no  small 
portion  of  the  citizens,  and  led  to  the  fatal  con- 
spiracy of  the  pretors  Brutus  and  Cassius,  and 
of  others,  bv  whom  he  was  in  full  senate  slain 
with  the  mortal  stabs  of  twenty  daggers.— (See 
p.  143).  ..  , , 

The  indications  on  the  above  described  de- 
narii arc  allusive  to  Ctrsar’s  victories;  to  his 
supreme  and  absolute  power ; and  to  the  con- 
cord which  he  flattered  himself  to  have  esta- 
blished with  the  Seuatc. 

With  title  of  Consul. 

Ciesar  was  five  times  Cousid.  This  title  is 
applied  to  him  only  three  times  on  his  coins; 
namely,  the  second,  third,  aud  fifth.  But  tho 
there  are  no  coins  bearing  the  record  of  his  first 
consulate,  he  is  called  consul  for  the  second  time, 
or  for  the  third  time,  on  coins  engraved  in 
Morel,  Imp.  Rom.  T.  iii.  tab.  3 and  4. 

C.  IVLIVS  CAES.  IMP.  COS.  III. 

Rev. — Venus  leaning  on  a pillar,  withjiclmet, 
spear,  aud  shield. — Restored  by  1 rajan. 

[This  gold  coin,  in  the  highest  state  of  pre- 
servation, brought  JL17  17s.  Od.  at  the  llioinas 
salcj. 

Riccio  describes  and  engraves  the  following, 


CAESAR. 

in  gold,  rrr.  which  he  values  at  ten  ducats. — 
(Tav.  23,  No.  35). 

c.  caesar  cos.  ter. — Head  of  a woman, 
veiled  and  lanrcated. 

Rev. — a.  HiRTivs  pr. — Lituus,  vase,  and  axe. 

Hirtius  was  one  of  the  prefects,  or  pretors, 
of  the  city,  at  the  time  (it.  c.  46),  when  Ciesar’s 
frequent  absences  from  Rome,  rendered  it  ex- 
pedient for  him  to  appoint  several  lieutenants. — 
For  an  engraving  of  this  singular  coin,  which 
on  one  side  exhibits  the  record  of  Ciesar’s  third 
consulship,  and  on  the  other  associates  the  name 
and  office  of  the  dictator’s  personal  friend  with 
the  symbols  of  the  supreme  pontificate,  refer- 
ence may  be  made  to  the  word  hiutivs. 

No  coins  are  knowu  with  the  fourth  consul- 
ship of  Caesar  inscribed  on  them.  A denarius, 
of  which  the  obverse  exhibits,  with  his  portrait, 
the  legend  of  his  fourth  dictatorship,  has  on  the 
reverse,  cos.  qvinq.  (Consul  for  the  fifth  time), 
within  a wreath  of  laurel). — Engraved  in  lticeio, 
Julia  gens,  tav.  23,  No.  29. 

With  title  of  Parent  of  the  Country. 


caesar  parens  patriae. — Head  of  Caesar 
veiled  and  laurcated ; before  it  is  an  augural 
lituus  ; behind  is  the  pontifical  apex. 

Rev. — c.  cossvtivs  maridianvs,  inscribed 
crosswise,  a a a f.f.  inside.  (Seep.  1.) 

The  fourth  quatuorvir  of  Caesar’s  mint,  Cos- 
sutius  Maridiamis,  has  commemorated  by  this 
silver  coin,  struck  in  the  fatal  year  above  alluded 
to,  710  (b.  c.  44),  the  honourable  appellation 
of  Parens  Patrue,  which  Julius  found  con- 
ferred upon  him  after  his  victory  in  Spain,  as  is 
recorded  by  Dion  (xliv.  $ 4),  Appian  (Bell.  Civ. 
ii.  eh.  106)  and  Suetonius  (eh,  76).  It  was 
continued  even  after  his  death,  for  Suetonius 
informs  us,  that  “where  he  bad  been  assassin- 
ated, the  people  erected  in  the  forum  a solid 
statue  of  Numidian  marble,  nearly  twenty  feet 
high,  and  inscribed  on  it  the  words  parf.nti. 
patriae.” — The  same  fact  is  related  by  Cicero, 
but  attributed  by  him  to  Antony  ; “ Your  friend 
(Antony)  aggravates  daily  the  popular  fury  ; in 
the  first  place,  he  has  inscribed  on  the  statue 
which  he  erected  in  the  rostra,  parenti.  optime, 
mf.rito.  (Ad  Familiares,  L.  xii.  ep.  3.)  And 
it  was  on  account  of  this  appellation,  that  his 
murderers  were  always  invidiously  called  pari- 
cidar,  and  the  ides  of  March,  the  day  on  which 
he  was  slain,  paricidium. — Eckht‘1,  vi.  p.  17. 

Divvs. 

Amongst  the  gold  and  brass  coins  struck  in 
memory  of  Julius  Cscsar,  with  this  legend  of 
consecration  after  his  death,  through  the  care  and 


CAESAR.  157 

direction  of  his  grand  nephew,  heir,  and  adopted 
son,  the  following  are  most  rare : — 

Gold( — divvs  ivlivs  divi  f. — Heads  of  Ju- 
lius and  Augustus,  face  to  face. 

Rev. — M.  agrippa  cos.  desig.  across  the 
field. — Engraved  in  Akerman,  vol.  i.  pi.  iii.  No.  8. 

divos  ivlivs.— Head  of  Julius  between  the 
apex  and  lituus. 

Rev. — divi  filivs. — Hare  head  of  Augustus. 
[A  fine  specimen  of  this  rare  coin  brought  at 
the  Thomas  sale  £6  2s.  6d. — Riceio  marks  it 
rrrr,  and  values  it  at  30  piastres.] 

divvs  ivlivs.  Head  of  Julius  laureated. 

Rev. — imp.  caes.  traian.  avg.  ger.  dac. 
p.  P.  rest.  A winged  female  (Victory)  walking, 
with  right  hand  supports  her  vestment,  and 
holds  a caducous  in  her  left  hand. — rrrr.  En- 
graved in  Riceio,  who  values  it  at  50  piastres. 
Sec  Siip/dt.  Tav.  58,  No.  17. 

Brass. — Such  as  bear  his  portrait  arc  rare, 
but  not  in  a high  degree.  Nor  indeed  does  it 
appear  that  any  brass  were  minted  at  Rome 
during  his  life  time ; although  the  head  of  Caesar 
is  frequently  found  on  colonial  coins.  But  on 
his  apotheosis,  some  (and  those  not  in  a good 
style  cither  of  design  or  of  workmanship),  were 
struck  at  Rome,  by  order  of  Augustus. — For  an 
engraving  of  a well-preserved  large  brass  speci- 
men see  divos  ivlivs,  p.  105  of  Akerman, 
Descr.  Cat.  pi.  iv.  No.  1. 

Mionnct  and  Akerman  concur  in  pronouncing 
the  coin,  in  gold  and  silver,  having  Divvs  ivlivs 
and  his  head  on  the  obverse,  and  a comet  with- 
out legend  on  the  reverse,  to  be  false. 

The  coin  in  gold,  having  divi  ivi.i,  with 
Caesar’s  laurelled  head  and  a comet  behind  it,  on 
the  obverse;  and  divi  filivs,  with  bare  bead 
of  Octavianus,  on  the  reverse,  and  which  Eck- 
hel  and  Morel  have  placed  amongst  the  Goltziani, 
is  found,  says  Riceio,  to  be  vera  antica,  a ge- 
nuine antique ; and  is  marked  in  his  Monete 
Famitjlie,  rrrr.  valued  at  30  piastres. 

CAESAR.— Ou  the  reverse  of  a silver  coin  of 
Julius,  is  this  word,  with  the  type  of  iEneas, 
walking  ; he  holds  in  his  right  hand  the  image 
of  Minerva  armed,  and  supports  on  his  left 
shoulder  his  aged  father  Anehises. — See  Palla- 
dium. Sec  also  JEneas,  p.  16  of  this  dictionaiy. 

CAESAR. — An  elephant,  trampling  with  its 
fore  feet  on  a serpent,  which  is  raising  its  head. 
This  legend  and  type  appear  on  an  early  dena- 
rius of  Julius  Cmsar,  for  an  explanation  -of 
which  see  the  word  elephant. 

CAESAR,  as  a name  and  as  a title. — What 
was  originally  the  cognomen,  or  surname,  of  the 
Julia  gens,  became,  on  the  extinction  of  that 
family,  a title  of  honour  and  dignity.  The 
name  of  Caesar  was  at  first  extended  to  indi- 
viduals of  other  families,  through  adoption,  in 
the  same  manner  as  the  title  of  Augustus.  It 
was  in  conformity  to  this  practice,  that  Octa- 
vius, on  his  being  adopted  by  the  Dictator,  was 
first  styled  Cmsar,  and  afterwards  Augustus. — 
The  three  sons  of  Agrippa  (Caius,  Lucius,  and 
Agrippa),  were  the  next  to  receive  it  from  their 
adoption  by  Augustus ; aud  by  the  same  em- 
peror, it  was  afterwards  conferred  on  his  son-in- 


158  CAESAR1S  TITULUS. 

law  Tiberius,  from  whom  it  descended  to  his 
son  Drusus.  And  lastly,  by  the  adoption  of 
Tiberius,  it  was  borne  by  Gcrmauicus  and  his 
sons. 

The  name  of  Caesar,  then,  up  to  this  point 
was  simply  hereditary ; being  transferred,  in 
accordance  with  Roman  custom,  to  those  who 
were  sons,  either  by  birth  or  by  adoption,  and 
the  last  Caesar,  on  this  two-fold  principle,  was 
Caius,  the  son  of  Gcrmauicus  (commonly  called 
Caligula).  Nevertheless  it  is  supposed  by  some 
that  Claudius  (who  succeeded  Caligula),  and 
also  his  son  Britannicus,  together  with  Nero, 
the  son  of  his  adoption,  should  be  reckoned  in 
the  list  of  genuine  Caesars  ; it  being  the  almost 
unanimous  verdict  of  ancient  writers,  as  cited  hy 
Reimar  on  Dion  (n.  lxiii.),  that  the  house  of 
the  Ca:sars  became  extinct  with  Nero. 

And  yet  Claudius  did  not  bear  the  title  of 
Cicsar  before  his  accession  to  empire,  in  conse- 
quence of  his  not  being  the  son  of  a Cicsar,  by 
either  birth  or  adoption ; nor  could  he  therefore 
transmit  the  title  to  his  sons.  By  courtesy, 
however,  he  was  acknowledged  as  a member  of 
the  Cicsarian  house,  being  connected  with  it  by 
affinity.  (Sec  Ad/inis,  p.  25).  l’or  he  had  two 
graudmothers  of  that  family,  viz.  on  his  father 
Drusus’s  side,  Livia,  the  wife  of  Augustus,  and 
on  his  mother  Antonia’s  side,  Octavia,  the  sister 
of  Augustus;  to  which  circumstance  may  be 
added,  that  the  Claudia  gens  at  that  time  held 
the  next  rank  to  the  Julia.  There  is  therefore 
greater  distinctness  in  the  expression  of  Galba, 
given  by  Tacitus — “ When  the  house  of  the 
J alii  and  the  Claudii  shall  have  been  exhausted, 
adoption  will  discover  worthy  successors.”  But 
if  acquiescence  is  to  be  yielded  in  the  courtesy 
above  mentioned,  is  the  same  claim  to  prevail 
even  when  truth  is  confounded  with  fictitious 
genealogies?  Now,  the  pedigree  of  Nero  is 
found,  on  several  marbles,  drawn  as  follows : — 
NERO  CLAVDIVS  D1VI  CLAYD11  fit  ins. 
GERMANICI.  CAESARIS  N epos  TI.  CAE- 
SARIS  AVG.  PRONqww  DIVI  AVG.  AB.W 
pos. — It  is  an  established  fact,  that  Nero  was  the 
adopted  son  of  Claudius.  But  (asks  Eckliel)  is  it  so 
sure  that  lie  was  the  nepos  of  Gcrmanicus  ? The 
word  nepos  has  two  significations ; for  it  denotes 
cither  the  son  of  one’s  son  or  daughter,  or  the 
son  of  a brother  or  sister.  In  the  former  sense, 
neither  by  birth  nor  by  adoption  could  Nero  be 
c^led  the  nepos  of  Gcrmanicus ; but  in  the  lat- 
ter sense,  he  had  a right  to  the  title,  inasmuch 
as  he  was  adopted  by  Claudius,  who  was  the 
brother  of  Gcrmanicus.  Yet  was  it  ever  the 
custom  to  trace  the  descent  from  the  uncle’s 
family  ? Who  does  not  at  once  perceive,  that 
it  was  the  aim  of  those  who  framed  these  in- 
scriptions to  play  upon  the  double  signification 
of  the  word  nepos,  in  order,  by  a base  adula- 
tion,  to  connect  their  idol  Nero,  with  the  house 
of  the  Cicsars.  But  there  arc  amongst  the 
marbles  alluded  to,  some  even  bearing  the  stamp 
of  public  authority,  and  which  are  of  so  much 
the  more  audacious  falsity,  as  they  were  pub- 
lished with  impuuity.  Still  more  impudent  in 
its  pretensions  is  the  tenour  of  an  inscription 


CAESARIS  TITULUS. 
given  by  Gruter ; wherein  Nero  is  styled  gek- 

MANICI.  F.  TI.  AVGVSTI  N.  DIVI  AVG.  PRON.  to 
the  exclusion  of  his  father,  as  having  but  little 
Caesarian  prestige,  his  place  bciug  fallaciously 
supplied  by  Germanicus  Ciesar.  It  becomes, 
therefore,  less  a matter  of  astonishment  that 
the  emperor  Septiinius  Sevcrus  should  have 
forcibly  intruded  himself  into  the  family  of  the 
Autonincs. — (Sec  Adoption  self -assumed,  p.  8 
of  this  dictionary). 

The  shackles  of  the  law  having  thus,  even  at 
that  early  period  of  the  imperial  government, 
been  relaxed,  it  was  no  difficult  task  afterwards 
for  princes,  evidently  alien  to  the  Cicsarian  race, 
to  usurp  the  titles  both  of  Cicsar  and  of  Augus- 
tus— the  latter  having  already  begun  to  hold  the 
foremost  place  in  public  opinion,  as  identified 
1 with  the  highest  authority.  (See  AUGUSTUS, 
used  as  a title,  p.  101  of  this  dictionary). — 
Thus,  Galba,  on  receiving  the  news  of  Nero’s 
death,  and  of  the  Senate’s  having  espoused  his 
own  cause,  hesitated  not  to  fortify  his  position 
by  assuming  the  title  of  Cicsar ; and  his  ex- 
ample was  immediately  followed  by  Otho. — 
Less  proue  to  adopt  names  to  which  he  could 
lay  no  claim,  Vitcllius  deferred  accepting  the 
title  of  Augustus,  and  rejected  entirely  that  of 
Cicsar,  as  is  shewn  by  his  coins.  But  the  gene- 
ral effect  produced  by  the  above  cited  examples, 
was  that  the  custom  strengthened  into  a fixed 
law,  viz.  that  the  holder  of  the  supreme  power 
in  the  empire,  should  be  dignified  with  both 
titles.  It  is  therefore  manifest  that  the  name 
of  Cicsar  was,  at  first,  no  more  than  the  cogno- 
| men  of  the  gens  Jidia,  transmitted,  according 
to  Roman  custom,  to  the  sons;  and  that  its 
importance  was  in  the  exact  ratio  of  its  posses- 
sor’s prospects  of  obtaining  supreme  power — 
prospects  which  could  not  fail  of  realization, 

I uuless  blighted  by  some  violent  occurrence. 

2.  C.-esar,  a dignity  of  the  second  rank. — As 
[ the  title  of  Cicsar,  like  that  of  Augustus,  im- 
plied in  itself  no  power,  but  oulv  dignity,  and 
| claiming  as  it  did  the  reverence  due  to  the  anti- 
1 cipatiou  of  empire,  it  rested  with  the  emperor 
1 or  prince  of  the  highest  rauk,  to  decide  w hether 
he  wonld  coufine  within  the  empty  limits  of  this 
| title,  his  Cicsar,  or  prince  of  the  second  grade ; 
or  whether  lie  would  add  thereto  a portion  of 
real  authority.  Augustus  denied  to  the  three 
i sous  of  Agrippa,  who  were  Cicsars  by  adoption, 
the  tribunitian  power,  whilst  he  bestowed  it 
| upon  his  son-in-law  Tiberius,  who  had  not  at 
that  time  been  created  Ciesar.  Domitiau,  like- 
wise, who  was  Ciesar,  so  long  as  his  father 
(Vespasian)  and  his  brother  (Titus)  lived,  had 
| nothing  to  distinguish  him  from  a private  indi- 
vidual but  the  title  of  Princeps  Juvenlutis. — 
Others  died  at  too  early  an  age  to  rise  higher, 
j and  this  was  the  fate  of  the  above  named  three 
[ sons  of  Agrippa ; of  Drusus  and  Nero,  the  sons 
of  Germanicus ; of  Britannicus,  the  son  of 
I Claudius ; aud  of  Piso,  the  son  of  Galba. — On 
] the  other  haud,  there  were  emperors  who,  by 
| conferring  upon  their  Cicsars  the  tribunitiau 
j power,  or  pro-considar  government,  or  the  title 
! of  luipcrator,  admitted  them,  as  it  were,  into 


.CAESARIS  TITULUS 

colleagueship.  A part  of  these  honours,  or 
several  of  them  at  the  same  time,  were  conferred 
upon  the  Cresars — namely,  Tiberius,  Drusus 
junior,  Nero,  Titus,  Trajan,  Antoninus  l’ius,  M. 
Aurelius,  and  others,  as  proved  by  the  legends 
on  their  respective  coins. — Diocletian  and  Maxi- 
minian,  as  Augusti,  bestowed  greater  powers  on  ! 
their  Caesars,  Constantius  Chlorus,  and  Gal. 
Maximian,  by  entrusting  them  with  provinces, 
which  they  were  permitted  to  rule  with  an  au- 
thority nearly  equal  to  that  exercised  by  the 
two  emperors  themselves  over  those  which  they 
more  immediately  governed.  It  was  in  refer- 
ence to  a similar  instance,  that  Yopiscus  ob- 
serves, that  Carinus  was  left  by  Cams  in  the 
west,  to  administer  affairs  iu  that  portion  of  the 
empire — “ with  the  authority  of  a Coesar,  and 
the  permission  to  exercise  all  the  functions  per- 
taining to  the  Augusti.” 

3.  The  dignity  of  C.-ksar  varied  in  degree  at 
different  times. — Ancient  writers  have  recorded 
that  there  were  various  degrees  of  Caesarian  dig- 
nity.— Spartian,  addressing  Diocletian,  after  re- 
lating that  Hadrian,  under  the  pressure  of  dis- 
ease, had  adopted  JSlins,  says  of  the  latter — 

“ There  is  nothing  in  his  life  worthy  of  note, 
except  the  fact,  that  he  was  styled  Cresar,  not 
as  was  formerly  the  case,  in  consequence  of 
bequest,  nor  in  the  manner  in  which  Trajan  was 
adopted ; but  nearly  in  the  same  way  as  in  our 
own  time,  through  your  (Diocletian’s)  favour, 
Maximianus  and  Constantius  were  called  Cresars, 
as  being  men  of  princely  extraction,  and  pre- 
sumptive heirs  of  imperial  dignity.” — Capito- 
linus,  at  the  commencement  of  his  life  of  L. 
Verus,  says — “ His  real  father  was  .Elius  Verus, 
who,  being  adopted  by  Hadrian,  was  called 
Cresar,  and  died  holding  that  rank.” — There  were 
emperors  who  deferred  the  assumption  of  the 
title  Cresar  in  the  case  of  their  sons.  Antoninus 
Pius,  in  adopting  at  the  same  time  M.  Aurelius 
and  L.  Verus,  gave  to  the  former,  at  ouce,  the 
title  of  Cresar,  but  not  to  Verus,  whom  through- 
out his  reign  he  permitted  to  use  no  other  dis- 
tinction thau  Augusti  Filius. M.  Aurelius 

again,  did  not  bestow  that  title  upon  his  sons 
Commodus  and  Annius  Verus,  till  the  sixth  year 
of  his  reign. — Pertinax  declined  to  assume  the 
honour,  notwithstanding  the  Senate  decreed  it 
to  his  son. — Septimius  Severus  bestowed  it  on 
Caraealla  only  iu  the  third,  and  on  Geta  in  the 
fifth,  year  of  his  reign.  The  practice  followed 
by  other  emperors  is  to  be  ascertained  by  con- 
sulting their  respective  coins. 

So  long  as  the  Julia  family  held  sway,  Cresars 
were  created  neither  by  birth  nor  by  adoption ; 
C.esar,  as  has  already  been  observed,  being  then 
nothing  more  than  the  cognomen  of  the  Julia 
gens.  On  its  extinction  in  Caligula,  the  same 
privilege  was  usurped  by  the  Claudia  family. — 
Thenceforth  the  right  of  conferring  the  title  of 
Cresar  was,  according  to  the  various  circum- 
stances of  time  aud  place,  possessed  or  arrogated 
by  the  Emperors  themselves,  or  the  Senate,  or 
the  Army ; by  the  combined,  or  partial,  votes 
of  which  three  estates,  it  is  well  known  that 
even  the  Augusti  were  chosen. 


CAESA11ES.  150 

4.  Name  of  Nobi/issimus  added  to  that  of 
C.-ES.vR. — In  progress  of  time,  the  Cresars  begau 
to  add  the  epithet  Nobilissimns  to  their  other 
titles,  either  to  indicate  an  illustrious  line  of 
descent,  or  fictitiously  to  couceal  a humble  ori- 
gin. This  epithet  is  found  to  have  been  adopted 
even  by  Commodus  on  marbles.  (See  Span- 
heim). — On  coins,  Diadumcniauus  (son  of  Ma- 
crinus)  is  the  first  hitherto  known  to  have  had 
this  title  applied  to  him ; these  are  of  the  colony 
of  Laodicea,  in  Syria.  In  later  times  it  tra- 
velled even  into  the  Roman  mint.  The  inscrip- 
tion on  coins  is  nob.  caes.  or  nob.  c.  or  still 
more  briefly,  N.  c.  It  is  extraordinary  that 
Zeno  and  Leo  III.  should,  on  the  coins  of  the 
East,  be  styled  nov.  (for  nob.)  caes.  and  still 
more  that  both  of  them  were  Augusti.  But 
there  is  no  accounting  for  the  anomalies  of  that 
period. 

As  the  Cresars  were  called  Nobilissimi,  so 
also  were  some  females  called  Nobilissimre ; 
there  being  inscribed  on  their  coins  n.  f.  that 
is  Nobilissima  Fcrnina  : as  for  instance,  Helena 
n.  F.  perhaps  the  wife  of  Crispus  ; and  faysta 
n.  f.  perhaps  the  wife  of  Constantine  II.;  the 
value  of  which  title  is  not  sufficiently  known. — 
In  the  later  times  of  the  empire,  there  arose  a 
distinction  between  the  Casares  aud  the  Nobi- 
lissimi; for  Nicepliorus,  of  Constantinople,  at 
the  conclusion  of  his  history,  relates  that  Con- 
stantine V.  Copronymus  created  two  of  his  sons, 
Christophorus  and  Nicephoros,  Cresars,  and  the 
third,  Nicetas,  was  styled  Nobilissimus.  The 
title  of  Augustus  was  occasionally  added  to  the 
Cresars,  but  only  through  a consortium,  or  col- 
leagueship,  with  their  father,  an  Augustus. — Sec 
Eckhcl,  Be  nomine  et  titulo  Casaris,  vol.  viii. 
p.  367,  et  seq. 

CAES.  AUG.  CONS.  S.  OB.  R.  P.  CONS.— 
Casari  Auguslo  Conservatori  Senatus,  ob  rem 
publicum  conservalam. — Epigraph  on  a very 
rare  denarius  of  the  Mescinia  family. — See  Mo- 
re//. Thesaur.  Tam.  Rom.  p.  279- 

[TITYS]  CAESAR  COS.  DES.  II.  CAESAR 
DOMIT.  COS.  DES.  II. — Titus  Casar  Consul 
designatus  iterum,  Casar  Bomitianus  Consul 
designalus  iterum. — In  the  field  S.  C. — On  the 
reverse  of  a large  brass  of  Vespasian,  struck 
(a.  d.  71)  by  that  emperor  in  honour  of  his  two 
sons,  Titus  and  Domitian,  on  their  both  attain- 
ing a second  consulship.  The  two  Cresars  are 
in  military  habits,  with  the  hasta  pura,  but  bare- 
headed ; Titus  is  the  manlier  of  the  two,  aud  is 
further  distinguished  by  the  parazonium. — Capt. 
Smyth,  p.  58. — The  coin  is  engraved  in  More//. 
Thesau.  Lapp.  t.  iii.  tab.  xiii.  But  the  type  is 
more  correctly  given  in  the  Medailles  de  Chris- 
tine, tab.  vi. 

CAIUS  CAESAR  and  LUCIUS  CAESAR, 
the  sons  of  M.  Yipsanius  Agrippa,  and  of  Julia; 
aud  the  grandsons  of  Augustus. — Caius  was  born 
iu  the  year  of  Rome  734  (b.  c.  20),  and  Lucius 
in  737  (b.  c.  17.)  These  two  young  princes  had 
become  by  adoption  the  sous  of  Augustus,  who 
carefully  superintended  the  education  of  both, 
having  designed  them  for  his  successors  in  the 
empire.  Before  they  had  laid  aside  the  dress 


lf,0  CAESAR- AUGUSTA, 

of  boyhood,  each  was  declared  consul  elect  and 
princeps  juventutis  (see  the  word).  Caius  was 
nominated  to  the  consulate  B.  c.  5,  but  the 
period  for  his  entering  upon  it  was  deferred. 


He  was  permitted  to  wear  the  toga  viritis  in  the 
same  year ; and  Lucius  assumed  it  B.  c.  2. — 
Honoured  with  the  priesthood,  and  admitted 
into  the  senate,  they  seemed  destined  for  a life 
of  greatness  and  prosperity.  But  the  younger 
of  the  two  died  suddenly  at  Marseilles,  755 
(a.d.  2),  when  on  his  way  to  Spain;  not  with- 
out its  being  suspected  that  his  step-mother 
Livia,  who  left  no  means,  how  foul  soever,  un- 
employed to  advance  her  son  Tiberius,  had  occa- 
sioned his  sudden  and  untimely  death.  Caius, 
sent  into  Asia,  where  lie  passed  his  year  of  con- 
sulship, a.  l>.  1,  had  begun  to  shew  talents  for 
both  civil  government  and  military  enterprise ; 
but,  after  bringing  the  Parthian  king  Pliraates 
IV.  to  terms  of  peace  with  the  Romans,  he 
was  treacherously  wounded  ou  his  return  from 
an  expedition  into  Armenia  ; and  falling  into  a 
lingering  illness,  supposed  to  have  been  also 
nurtured  by  the  secret  arts  of  Livia,  he  died 
at  Limyra,  in  Lycia,  at  the  early  age  of  2-1, 
in  the  year  u.  c.  757  (a.  d.  4). 

On  gold  and  silver  coins  of  Augustus,  the 
brothers  are  typified  together  both  ou  foot  and  on 
horseback,  and  styled  Cicsars,  sous  of  Augustus, 
and  principes  juventutis.  On  some  second  brass 
( colonial ) the  beads  of  the  brothers  appear  on 
the  obverse,  and  that  of  Augustus  ou  the  re- 
verse. (See  engravings  of  these  in  VaUlaut’s 
Colonia , i.  pp.  60,  61). — Other  colonial  second 
brass  exhibit  on  their  obverse  the  head  of  Caius 
or  of  Lucius  only,  and  on  their  reverse  the  head 
of  Augustus.  The  above  cut  presents  a speci- 
men of  the  last  named  coins. — See  C.  L.  cae- 
sares,  & c. 

C.  CAESAR  AUGUST.  F. — Cains  Ctesar  An  - 
gusli  Filins. — This  legend  appears  on  the  re- 
verse of  gold  and  silver  of  Augustus,  accompa- 
nied by  the  type  of  a military  figure  ou  horse- 
back, charging  with  lance  elevated  ; behind  him 
are  a legionary  eagle  and  two  ensigns.  This 
coiu  was  struck  when  the  emperor  adopted  Caius 
and  his  brother  Lucius. — See  above. 

CAESAR- AUGUSTA,  co/onia,  originally 
nnincd  Salduba,  a city  of  Hispania  Tarraconen- 
sis,  and  the  capital  of  the  Edetani,  now  Zara- 
goza, in  Arragon,  situate  on  the  Ebro.  At  the 
close  of  his  war  with  the  Cautabri,  Augustus 
invested  it  with  colonial  rights  and  privileges, 
for  vctcrau  soldiers  from  three  legious.  The 
coins  of  this  colony  arc  Latin  imperial,  in  small 
middle  and  large  brass,  bearing  on  their  re- 


CAESAR-AUGUSTA. 

spective  obverses,  portraits  of  Augustus,  Agrippa, 
Livia,  Caius  and  Lucius  Csesares,  Tiberius,  Julia 
and  Tiberius,  Gcrmauicus,  Tiberius  and  Gcr- 
manicus,  Nero  and  Drusus  Csesares,  Agrippina 
senior,  and  Caligula ; the  legeuds  being  c.  c.  A. 
and  col.  caesar-avgvsta. 

[Obs. — The  coins  having  c.  a.  within  a laurel 
crown,  given  by  Vaillaut,  and  after  him  by 
Florez,  to  this  Roman  colony  in  Spain,  and  by 
Pellcrin,  to  Caesarea  Augusta  iu  Palestine,  be- 
long to  Cresarea  Panias. — See  C<esarea  Philippi]. 

Among  other  types  the  following  claim  notice 
for  their  historical  interest  and  extreme  rarity. 

Augustus. — Obv. — avgvsto  divi  p.  Three 
standards  between  the  words  leg.  iv.  leg.  VI. 
leg.  x. 

Rev. — C.  C.  A.  TIB.  FLAVO  PRAEF.  GERM.  L. 

ivvknt.  lvpkrco,  ilviR. — Colonia  C®sar-Au- 
gusta,  Tibcrio  Elavo,  Pnefecto  Germanici,  Lucio 
Juventio  Lupcrco,  Duumviris. — Engraved  in 
Yaillant,  Col.  i.  p.  15. 

This  large  brass,  first  edited  by  Scguin,  was 
doubtless  struck  by  the  three  legions  stationed 
in  the  garrison  town  of  Cicsar- Augusta.  W hence 
these  veterans  derived  their  right  of  coinage  is 
a question  unresolved.  According  to  Vaillaut, 
“ these  military  standards  allude  to  the  origin  of 
the  colony.  The  type  of  the  cultivator  and  his 
oxen  at  plough,  and  that  of  the  legionary  en- 
signs are  respectively  symbols  of  the  civil  and 
of  the  military  portion  of  the  colonists.  The 
names  of  the  legious  inscribed  on  the  obverse 
indicate  those  whence  the  veterans  sent  to  Cicsar- 
Augusta  were  drafted.”  The  interpretation  by 
Vaillaut,  and  adopted  also  by  Florez,  of  the 
abbreviation  praef.  germ,  as  Pnrfectus  Ger- 
manorum  (Prefect  of  a German  Cohort)  is 
scouted  by  Eckhcl  (iv.  475  et.  seq.),  who  consi- 
ders that  the  Tiberius  Elavus,  named  on  the  ob- 
verse of  this  coin,  is  represented  there  as  Prtrfec- 
tus  Germanici,  iu  allusiou  to  Gcrmauicus  Cmsar, 
the  son  of  Drusus. — See  duumvir. 

Augustus. — Obv. — avgvstvs  divi  F.  Lau- 
rcated  head  of  the  emperor. 

Rev. — Q.  STATIO.  M.  FABKICIO  IIVIR.  CAESAR 

avgvsta.  Priest  guidiug  two  oxen  yoked  to  a 
plough. 

[This  large  brass  is  engraved  in  Akcnuan. 
Coins  of  Spain,  p.  72,  pi.  viii.  No.  13]. 

Caius  and  Lucius  C/esares. — Obv. — avg.  c. 
caes.  cos.  DESto.  L.  caes.  cos.  des.  Augustus 
holding  the  simpulum,  stands  between  Caius 
and  Lucius,  his  adopted  grandsons ; all  three  are 
clothed  iu  the  toga,  and  each  stands  on  a cippus. 

Rev. — (Names  of  duumvirs)  caesar  avgvsta. 
Vcxillum  placed  ou  a cippus,  between  two  mili- 
tary ensigns. 

[This  rare  large  brass  is  engraved  iu  Yaillant's 

Colonies,  i.  p.  20]. 

Tiberius. — Obv. — Tl.  caesar  divi  avq.  f. 

AVGVSTVS  PON.  MAX.  TR.  POT.  XXXIII.  TibcrilU 
wearing  the  toga,  is  seated  ou  the  curule  chair, 
holding  in  his  right  hand  a patera,  and  in  his 
left  the  hasta. 

Rev. — C.  CA.  L.  VE1T1ACVS  M.  CATO  IIVIR. 

A vcxillum  and  two  military  ensigns,  between 
which  we  read  leg.  iv.  leg.  VI.  leg.  x. 


161 


CAESAR- AUGUSTA. 

[Endeavours  having  proved  fruitless  to  pro- 
cure a cast  from  some  authentic  specimen  of 
this  very  rare  and  remarkably  interesting  pro- 
duct of  the  Roinauo-Hispaniau  coinage,  the 
subjoined  cut  has  been  copied  from  a print  in 
the  Me  dailies  de  Christine,  engraved  by  Bartolo, 
whose  drawings  of  numismatic  types  are  usually 
accurate]. 


The  vexillum,  or  cavalry  standard,  and  the 
two  other  military  ensigns,  typified  ou  the  above 
reverse,  refer  to  the  veterans  sent  as  a rein- 
forcement to  the  colony,  from  the  Fourth,  Sixth, 
and  Tenth  Legions,  whose  respective  designa- 
tions stand  on  this  coin  as  unmistakeably  con- 
spicuous, as  do  the  names  of  the  two  duumvirs 
who  caused  it  to  be  minted. 

On  the  obverse  of  this  large  brass,  the  Roman 
authorities  of  Caeaar-Augusta  represent  the  cm 
peror  seated  ; and  the  record  of  the  33rd  tribuni- 
tian  power  teaches  us  (says  Vaillant,  i.  ]).  70), 
that  the  people  of  this  colony  erected  statues  to 
Tiberius,  on  the  occasion  of  Scjanus  having  been 
put  to  death.  The  Senate  itself,  indeed,  accord- 
ing to  Dion  Cassius,  set  the  example  of  public 
rejoicing  when  that  event  occurred ; and  the 
day  of  that  bad  minister’s  execution  was  cele- 
brated as  a festus  dies,  by  all  the  magistrates 
and  pontiffs,  with  unprecedented  exultation, 
throughout  all  parts  of  the  Roman  world. — 
Amongst  the  Spanish  colonies  who  congratu- 
lated Tiberius,  and  raised  statues  to  his  honour, 
on  this  occasion,  Cicsar- Augusta  was  the  foremost. 

The  following  is  another  proof  in  confirmation 
of  the  above  mentioned  fact : — On  the  obverse 
of  a very  rare  large  brass,  dedicated  by  this 
colony  to  Tiberius,  appear  the  name  and  titles 
of  that  emperor,  accompanied  by  the  same  date 
of  the  tribunitian  power  (xxxiii.) ; tire  type  is  an 
equestrian  figure  of  Tiberius,  placed  on  a plinth. 
The  reverse  type  is  a lcgiouarv  eagle  and  two 
standards,  together  with  the  colonial  initials  c.  ca. 
(Colonia  Cicsar-Augnsta) ; and  the  same  uamc3 
of  M.  Cato  and  L.  Vettiacus,  as  duumvirs.  The 
statue  relates  to  the  congratulatory  honours  paid 
to  this  unworthy  emperor,  who  never  thought  of 
surrendering  Sejauus  to  retributive  justice,  until 
his  own  personal  safety  was  endangered  by  con- 
tinuing that  infamous  minister  in  his  service. — 
Engraved  in  p.  6‘J  of  Vaillant,  in  Col. 

Ohv. — Tt.  C .VESA  It  DIVI  AVG.  F.  AVGVSTVS. — 
Laurcated  head  of  Tiberius. 

Rev. — c.  ca.  A bull,  with  infulated  head,  for 
sacrifice. — [See  Akcrman,  Coins  of  Uispatiia, 
p.  74,  plate  viii.  fig.  8]. 

Y 


CAESAREA  PIIILIPPI. 

Tiberius  and  Julia. — Obv. — Tl.  caf.sar  Pivr 
avgvsti.  f.  avgvstvs.  Laurcated  head  of 
Tiberius. 

Rev. — ivlia  avgvsta  c.  ca.  Figure  of  Julia 
seated,  as  Piety,  veiled  aud  wearing  the  stola, 
holding  a patera  and  the  hasta — Large  brass, 
rare.  Engraved  in  Akerman,  Coins  of  Hispa- 
nia,  p.  75,  plate  viii.  fig.  7- 

Besides  the  types  above  described,  the  coins 
of  Cajsar-Augusia  exhibit  the  winged  lightning 
(fulmen  alatum),  as  in  Augustus.  Also  the 
figures  of  Nero  and  Drusus  Cscsares,  sons  of 
Gcrmanicus,  arc  represented  in  the  toga ; seated 
opposite  each  other  and  joining  hands. 

CrESAREA,  in  Mauretania , a maritime  town 
(originally  called  Iol).  During  the  period  of 
Julius  Caisar’s  dictatorship,  it  formed  part  of 
king  Juba’s  dominions.  The  imperial  coins 
struck  in  this  city  have  bilingual  legends,  viz. 
Latin  and  African.  A coin  in  the  Cabinet  de 
France  is  inscribed  HEX  IVBA,  with  the  head  of 
Juba.  On  the  reverse  is  Caesarea  r.  xxxii. 
(which  numerals  denote  the  year  of  the  reign) ; 
the  type  is  a capricorn  with  cornucopia;  and  rud- 
der.— Sec  Mas.  Pembroke,  i.  TB.  11,  No.  5. — 
See  also  Spauheim,  i.  p.  543. — In  enumerating 
the  colonies  founded  bv  Claudius,  Vaillant  (i. 
p.  105),  includes  the  Mauretanian  Caesarea. — 
By  some  w riters,  aud  with  no  slight  measure  of 
topographical  probability,  the  modern  Algiers  is 
considered  to  have  been  built  on  the  site  of  this 
Roman  settlement.  Others  assign  it  to  the 
locality'  of  Chiercliiel,  lying  to  the  west  of,  but 
not  far  from,  Algiers. 

CAESAREA  ad  Libamm  (Phoenicia;)  colonia, 
formerly'  Area,  now  Arcsce,  Archis,  Arka. — 
The  imperial  coins  of  this  city  are  in  Greek 
brass  of  Antoninus  Pius  and  M.  Aurelius,  and 
in  Latin  brass  of  Elagabalus,  and  Alexander 
Scvcrus. — [Its  era  that  of  the  Seleucidfe,  com- 
mencing in  the  year  442  of  the  foundation  of 
Rome,  312  before  the  Christian  era.] — Mionnet 
thus  describes  one  of  the  Latin  coins  extant  of 
this  colony : — 

Elayabalus. — . . axtoxixvs.  Head  laurcated. 

Rev. — col.  cesaiua  (sic)  lib.  alph. 

A temple,  of  which  the  dome  is  supported  by 
two  Hermes.  Below  is  the  half-length  figure 
of  a female  veiled,  the  head  drooping  towards 
the  shoulder,  on  which  is  a crescent ; on  one 
side  the  Sun,  on  the  other  the  Moon ; to  the 
right  a sceptre. 

Severus  Alexander. — A coin  dedicated  to  this 
emperor  has  the  figure  of  Astarte  in  a temple. 

CAESAREA  PIIILIPPI,  or  Panites,  or  ad 
Panium,  so  called  from  the  pastoral  deity  Pan 
being  a peculiar  object  of  worship  by  the  inha- 
bitants of  this  Phoenician  city.  The  tutelary 
god  above  named  “ is  figured  on  many  of  its 
coins  (observes  Mr.  Akcrman),  of  which  speci- 
mens exist  from  the  time  of  Augustus  to  the 
days  of  Elagabalus.  It  was  comprised  in  the 
tetrarchy  of  Iturca,  and  was  anciently  called 
ban  ; but  Philip,  having  enlarged  and  improved 
it,  gave  it  the  name  of  Caesarea,  in  honour  of 
the  emperor : and  to  distinguish  it  from  other 


1G2  CAESAREA  PHILIPPI. 

cities  of  the  same  name,  it  was  called  C;c<arra 
Philippi ; though  on  the  coins  of  Augustus, 
as  in  the  specimen  here  given,  the  city  is  in- 


CAESAREA  SAMARITIS. 
dicated  by  the  letters  c.  a.  Casarea  Augusta, 
within  a fine  specimen  of  the  laurel  crown.” — 
See  corona  i.aureata. 


“ These  pieces  of  brass  money  must  have  been 
in  circulation  at  the  time  ot  Oca  Lord  s visit 
to  that  district.  This  coin  was  erroneously  as- 
cribed to  Cicsar- Augusta,  in  Spain,  by  the  earlier 
numismatic  writers  ” — Sec  a brief  but  interesting 
and  instructive  work  entitled  Numismatic  Illus- 
trations of  the  New  Testament,  hv  John  Yongc 
Akerman,  Fellow  and  Secretary  of  the  Society 
of  Antiquaries,  who  has  obligingly  allowed  the 
above  cut  to  be  used  for  this  dictionary. 

CJESAREA  Samaritis  (or  Pabrstiiuc)  colonia 
(originally  called  Apollonia,  and  Turns  Stra- 
tonis),  a maritime  town  of  Palestine,  north-west  J 
of  the  ancient  city  of  Samaria,  in  the  plain  of  | 
Mcgiddo. — King  Herod  augmented  it  into  a ; 
magnificent  port,  calling  it  Caesarea  in  honour  of  | 
Augustus  Cicsar.  Its  present  name  is  Kgserich.  j 
— Vespasian,  after  subduing  the  Jews,  made  it  a | 
Roman  colony,  and  gave  it  his  family  name  of 
F/aeia.  His  son  and  successor  Titus  conferred 
certain  immunities  on  its  territory;  and  hence 
this  colony,  in  memory  of  the  benefits  bestowed, 
gave  itself,  on  coins,  the  appellation  of  Libera. 
Afterwards  it  assumed  the  epithet  of  Antoni- 
niana,  in  compliment  to  Caraealla;  and  was  con- 
stituted a metropolis  by  Alexander  Scverus.  Its 
title  of  Prima  seems  (says  Yaillant,  i.  p.  138)  to 
have  originated  from  its  beiug  in  the  time  of 
Vespasian  the  chief  city  of  Palestine.  The  coins 
of  Ciesarea  Samaritis  are  numerous  : consisting 
of  imperial  colonial,  in  small,  middle,  and  large 
brass.  Those  with  Latin  legends  begin  with 
Trajan,  and  extend  in  an  almost  uninterrupted 
succession  down  to  Gallieuus.  They  bear  for  the 
most  part  for  legend  of  reverse,  COL onia 
CAESAREA  LIB  era,  and  COL.  PRIMa 
FLAYio  AVGVSTA  CAESARENjm.  There  is 
c.  p.  f.  avg.  caesar,  of  Hadrian,  and  c.  p.  f. 
avg.  cae.  metropoli.  of  Sevcrus  Alexander. 

On  a first  brass  of  Trajanus  Deems,  the  colo- 
nial legend  reads  col..  PR.  f.  avg.  caes.  mf.tr. 
p.  s.  P.  (Colonia  Prima  Flavia  Augusta  Crsarea 
Metropolis  Provincial  Sgria  Pahestina •)  with  the 
type  of  the  emperor  wearing  a radiated  crown  ; 
on  horseback  at  speed,  holding  a spear  couched 
in  his  right  hand.  A coin  of  great  rarity. — 
Here  wc  see  the  colony,  designated  by  ull  the 
titles  successively  bestowed  on  it  by  various 
emperors  from  the  period  of  its  first  establish- 
ment, under  Vespasian.  In  the  time  of  Decius, 


Ciesarea  Samaritis  appears  to  have  been  re- 
cognised as  the  metropolis  of  that  district  of 
Syria-Pahestime,  which  included  the  cities  of 
Ascalon,  Gaza,  and  Julia.  The  figure  of  the 
imperial  horseman  on  this  coin  alludes  to  some 
military  expedition  on  which  Trajan  Decius  had 
set  out — perhaps  against  L.  Priscus,  in  Syria,  or 
against  the  Goths. — Sec  k aillant  s Colonies,  ii. 
p.  19k,  in  which  the  type  is  engraved. 

A second  brass  of  t olusianus  (son  and  suc- 
cessor of  Trebouianus  Gallus)  struck  in  this 
colony,  exhibits  on  its  reverse  the  legend  cot. 
p.  F.  CAES.  met.  PR.  s.  pal.  (Co/onia  Prima 
F/aeia  Ciesarea  Metropolis  Provincial  Sgria  Pa- 
hestina),  and  the  type  of  a male  figure,  with 
radiated  head,  recumbent  on  the  back  of  a lion. 
The  human  figure  elevates  its  right  hand,  and 
holds  the  hast  a pura,  or  a long  wand,  in  its 
left  baud. — (From  a coin  in  British  Museum). 


Under  this  type,  the  representation  of  Apollo 
: or  Sol  seems  intended.  The  Sun  was  the  tutelary 
god  of  Ciesarea,  and  is  here  introduced,  pro- 
bably in  flattery  to  young  Volusinnus,  whose 
portrait  on  the  obverse  is  also  adorned  with  rays, 
as  if  he  had  been  another  Apollo,  or  Sol,  to  the 
' colonists  of  this  metropolitan  city.  The  deity  is 
depicted  lying  on  the  lion,  as,  according  to 
Aratus  (in  phicnom),  Hie  notabitis  et  in  axioms 
inter  signa  sit.  Sol  bears  the  hasta  pura,  a 
1 special  attribute  of  pagau  divinity. — \ aillant, 

I Col.  ii.  p.  222. 

[Mionuct  ascribes  toTrcbonianns  Gallus, as  well 
ns  to  Volusiauus,  a similar  reverse,  but  mentions 
the  type  under  both  emperors  as  “ Bacchus 
eouehe  sur  un  Hon.” — The  justly -celebrated 
French  numismatist  had  previously  described  a 
^ coin  of  this  colony,  dedicated  to  Trajanus  Decius , 


CAESAREA  SAMARITIS. 


CAESIA.  163 


as  bearing  the  reverse  type  of  “ Bacchus  con r he 
stir  un  panthere,  et  tenant  le  thyrse."  The 
thyrsus  aud  the  panther,  indeed,  clearly  indicate 
the  god  of  wine.  But  surely  the  radiated  head, 
and  the  elevated  right  hand,  arc  no  less  dis- 
tinctive symbols  of  the  Sun,  as  they  are  seen  so 
often  represented  on  coins  of  the  lower  empire. — : 
Sec  son  invictvs  comes  (avgvsti).] 

Pellcrin  gives  a coin  of  this  colony,  which 
Vaillant  had  missed.  On  the  obverse  is  the  lau-  j 
realed  head  of  Trajan.  On  its  reverse,  c.  avo. 
caesar.  (meaning  Casarea).  The  type,  Apollo 
standing,  with  his  left  arm  restiug  on  a tripod, 
aud  holding  in  his  right  hand  a patera ; before  J 
him  is  au  altar,  on  the  top  of  which  a serpent 
rises.  This  (says  Pellcrin)  is  the  first  medal 
known  to  have  been  struck  in  this  city,  subse-  i 
quentty  to  its  having  been  made  a colony  by  1 
Vespasian.  (See  Melange,  i.  pi.  xvii.  No.  1 .) — 
There  arc  also  coins  of  Antoninus  Pius  and  M.  j 
Aurelius,  which  have  types  of  Apollo  standing,  ; 
leauiug  on  a tripod,  and  holding  a laurel  branch 
in  the  right  haud,  but  without  the  altar. — On  a 
Hadrian,  Apollo  holds  a serpent. 

The  other  types  of  * his  colony  are — 
Aesculapius — as  in  Anuia  Faustina. 

Astarte,  the  worship  of  whom  as  Venus,  this 
colony  is  said  to  have  received  from  the  people  [ 
of  Byblus,  a maritime  city  of  Phtcnicia,  as  in 
Hadrian,  Faustina  junior,  and  Trebouianus  Gal- 
lus. — (Sec  Pellcrin,  Melange,  pi.  xvii.  No.  4, 
for  a curious  Astarte  type  minted  under  Trajan) 
Colonial  Priest,  driving  oxen  at  plough,  with 
a Victory  Hying  towards  and  offering  him  a 
laurel  crown.  (Hadrian). — The  same  symbol  of 
a colony,  but  yvithout  the  Victory.  (XI.  Aure- 
lius, S.  Sevcrus,  Caracalla,  and  Macrinus.) 

Eagle,  with  expanded  yvings.  (Alexander 
Scverus  and  Trajanus  Decius).  A coin  of  Ile- 
renuius,  struck  by  the  colony,  bears  metiio.  r. 

6.  p.  with  au  eagle  in  a temple  of  two  columns: 
engraved  in  Pellerin,  Mel.  pi.  xxi.  No.  8.  Also  \ 
of  the  same  prince,  col.  pr.  ...  aes.  KETS. — ' 
Pallas  seated,  Victory  standing. — Ibid.  No.  10.  ' 

Emperor,  sacrificing  to  Rome.  (Philip  sen.) 
Ditto,  on  horseback,  charging  over  a pros- 
trate enemy.  (TrajanusDccius,  Ilcrcnnius, Etrus- 
cus,  and  Volusianus).  Genius  of  the  colony, 
seated  with  cornucopia;.  (Valerianus  sen.) 

Hercules,  standing  with  club  and  lion’s  spoils. 
(On  an  elegant  coin  of  M.  Aurelius). 

Jupiter  Nicephorus,  with  eagle  at  his  feet. — 
(Trcb.  Gallus). 

Lion  walking.  (Hadrian). 

Neptune,  with  trident  and  dolphin.  (T.  Gallus). 
Serapis  head  of — as  invariably  distinguished 
by  the  calathus,  or  modius.  (Hadrian,  Antoni-  | 
nus  Pius,  L.  Verus,  Commodus,  Macrinus,  Dia- 
dumcniauus,  Elagabulus,  and  Trajan  Decius). 

[These  are  numismatic  proofs  of  the  conti- 
nued idolatry  paid  at  Ctcsarea  Samaritis,  thro’ 
so  many  reigns  of  Roman  Emperors,  to  the 
principal  deity  of  the  Egyptians. — See  Serapis'] . 

Victory  walking,  holding  a crown  in  the 
right,  and  a palm  branch  in  the  left  hand. — 
(Trajan,  in  honour  of  whose  successes  in  the 
East  the  coin  was  minted  by  the  Casarienses). 

Y 2 


TV oman,  whose  head  is  adorned  with  towers' 
J struck  under  Trajanus  Decius  and  IIostilianus> 
j denoting  that  Casarea  was  the  chief  city  of  the 

I province  of  Palestine. The  same  turreted 

i female  head,  but  with  the  addition  of  the  vexil- 
! lum,  and  the  letters  M.  v.  t.  p.  in  the  legend  of 
: reverse,  appears  on  a coin  of  Gallienus,  as  quoted 
| by  Xlionuet  from  Eckliel,  Anec.  Cimel.  Vindob. 
xxiii.  7,  p.  124. 

CAESARVM  N.  N.  or  NOSTRORVXL— 
This  perigraph  is  found  only  on  coins  of  Licinius 
jun. ; of  Crispus ; aud  of  Constantius  II.  In  the 
field,  within  a crown  of  laurel,  votis  v.  or  x. 
On  the  exergue,  pl.  or  qa.  or  sts.  Third  brass. 
— See  genio  ; also  see  vlrtus. 

CAESIA  gens,  plebeian,  of  which  the  name  is 
one  of  little  renowm,  aud  the  cognomen  unknown. 
There  is  but  one  coin  assigned  to  it,  viz.  a de- 
narius, on  the  obverse  of  which  is  the  diademed 
bust  of  a young  man,  in  the  attitude  of  launch- 
ing with  his  right  hand,  a triple-pointed  dart. 
Behiud  the  bust  ap.  in  monogram.  On  the 
reverse,  below  are  the  words  L.  caesi.  aud  two 
juvenile  figures,  helmcted  aud  half  naked,  sealed  ; 
holding  spears  in  their  left  hands ; between 
them  is  a dog ; above  them  a head  of  Vulcan, 
aud  the  forceps.  In  the  field  of  the  coin  are 
on  one  side  what  looks  like  an  a,  and  on  the 
other  what  seems  simply  an  r,  but  which  mono- 
grammatologists  pronounce  to  be  respectively 
la.  and  re. 


A passage  from  Gellius  seems  to  warrant  the 
belief  that  the  head  on  the  obverse  of  this  silver 
coin  is  that  of  Apollo  Ve-jupiter — “ Simula- 
crum dei  Vejovis  sagittas  tenet,  qua  sunt 

parata  ad  noccndum.  Qua  propter  cum 
dcum  pleriquc  Apolliucm  esse  dixerunt.” — Eck- 
hel,  in  quoting  the  above  authority,  refers  to 
coins  of  the  Fonteia  and  Liciuia  families  for 
other  instances  in  which  the  head  of  Apollo  Ve- 
jupiter  appears,  with  the  letters  ap.  w hich  are 
the  first  in  the  word  Apollo,  unless,  indeed,  it 
is  more  truly  to  be  interpreted  Argentum  Publi- 
cum.— Fulvius  Ursinus  and  other  w riters,  with 
whom  Eckhel  agrees,  consider  the  two  sitting 
figures  to  be  Lares,  or  Penates  (household  gods) 
— and  that  this  is  further  proved  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  dog,  as  Plutarch  as  well  as  Ovid, 
explains.  Then  again,  the  head  of  Vulcau  is  re- 
garded as  another  proof  that  the  youthful  figures 
represent  Lares,  by  Ursinus,  who  cites  a marble 
inscribed  volcano  laribvs  pvblicis  sacrvm. 
Lastly,  adds  Eckhel,  there  are  the  two  mono- 
grams, which  joined  together,  form  i.a re,  and 
thus  bespeak  them  to  be  Lares.  See  Eck- 

hcl,  v.  156,  7,  8. Riccio  (p.  40),  says  of 

this  denarius,  that  “it  was  minted  by  the 
monetal  triumvir  Lucius  Casius,  perhaps  the 


161  CALAGURRIS. 

brother  of  that  Marcus  Cassius  who  was  pretor 
in  679  (b.  C.  75),  an  acquaintance  of  Cicero. 
The  workmanship  displayed  in  this  coin  refers 
it  to  those  times  when  Roman  liberty  was  on 
the  decline.” 

CALAGURIUS  NASSICA,  a city  of  Ilis- 
pauia  Tarraconensis,  now  Calahorra,  on  the 
Ebro,  in  Old  Castille,  on  the  borders  of  Navarre, 
not  far  from  Tudela.  Its  name  of  Calagurris 
associated  itself,  in  Roman  story,  with  the  fear- 
ful miseries  endured  by  the  iusurgent  army  of 
Sertorins,  when  Pompey  and  Metellus  laid 
siege  to  it  iu  that  place,  before  679  (b.  c.  75.) — 
According  to  Pliny,  it  was  first  made  a muni- 
dpi  urn,  and  afterwards  a colony ; but  on  its 
coins,  which  bear  the  effigies  and  titles  of  no 
other  emperors  than  Augustus  and  Tiberius,  it 
is  eutitled  a municipium  only. — In  the  last  days 
of  the  republic,  Calagurris  received  the  privileges 
of  the  jus  Lat  turn  ; subsequently  it  was  endowed 
with  the  jus  suffragii  by  Julius  Caesar,  after 
whom  it  was  called  Julia. — Caesar  indeed  planted 
many  colonies  in  Spain,  and  bestowed  various 
benefits  on  their  cities. — The  numismatic  type 
of  the  Calaguritani,  whose  coins  (of  a coarse, 
even  barbarous  fabric),  are  for  the  most  part 
dedicated  to  Augustus,  is  a bull,  or  the  head  of 
a bull. — The  first  of  the  two  following  in  middle 
brass  exhibits  its  acquired  surname  of  Nassica. 

1.  nassica. — The  head  (of  Augustus)  without 
laurel. 

licv. — MVN.  CAT..  IVL. — ( Municipium  Cala- 
gurris Julia.) — Ahull  or  ox  standing. — Engraved 
in  Vaillant,  Col  i.  25. 

2.  mvn.  cal.  ivl.- — Bare  beardless  head. 

Rev. — L.  GKANIO.  C.  VALEIUO  IIVIR. — A 
bull  standing. — Engraved  in  Akennan’s  Ancient 
Coins  of  Cities,  pi.  viii.  No.  6. 

There  is  also  a small  brass  of  this  colony,  with 
the  word  Nassica  before  the  head  of  Augustus  on 
the  obverse  ; and  the  full-faced  head  of  a bull  on 
the  reverse,  which  also  bears,  for  inscription, 
c.  val.  c.  SEX.  aedii.es.  C’aius  Valerius, 
Cains  Sertius,  Aediles. — (Valeria  gens). 

The  word  Nassica  is  the  name,  not  of  a 
man  but,  of  the  municipium  itself.  This  clearly 
appears  from  Pliny  (l.  iii.  c.  3),  who  expressly 
speaks  of  the  people  of  Calagurris  as  being 
named  Nassici — a statement  confirmed  by  an 
ancient  inscription  given  in  the  work  of  Am- 
brose Morales,  mvn.  calagvrris  ivlia  nassica. 
And  as  Calagurris,  on  account  of  some  immu- 
nities conferred  upon  it  by  Julius  Cfcsar,  took 
the  name  of  Julia,  so  (adds  Vaillant)  in  like 
manner,  by  reason  of  certain  benefits  extended 
to  it  by  Cornelius  Scipio,  it  seems  to  have  pre- 
viously distinguished  itself  by  his  surname  of 
Nassica,  when  he,  with  the  rank  of  Pretor, 
administered  the  affairs  of  the  republic  in  Spain, 
as  Livy  relates  (l.  v.  Dec.  4.) — About  the  same 
period  Calagurris  was  made  a Roman  municipium; 
in  remembrance  of  which  boon,  it  assumed  the 
name  of  Nassica ; and  Scipio  celebrated  there 
those  public  games — called  Ludi  Megalenscs — in 
honour  of  Cybelc  (.Mater  Idiea) — which  he 
vowed  to  do  amidst  the  perils  of  war,  as  Livy 
also  shews. — Colon  itr,  i.  25. 


CALIGULA. 

CALAGURRIS  Fibularia — a town  of  Ilis- 
pania  Tarraconensis,  in  the  country  of  the 
Ulergetcs,  the  site  of  which  is  occupied  by 
Lahorre  of  the  present  day.  The  following  coin 
is  assigned  to  the  Fibularensian  Calagurris : 

Obv. — L.  Q.  v.  F.  Q.  isc.  F. — Bare  head  of  a 
man. 

Rev. — Municipium.  C.  F. Female  figure 

seated  on  a bull.  She  holds  a veil  inflated  by 
the  wind.  M.  8,  K.  1.  ( British  Museum). — 
Engraved  in  plate  viii.  No.  9 of  Coins  of  Ths- 
pania,  by  Air.  Akerman,  who  appositely  re- 
mi  uds  us,  that  “ this  figure  of  Europa  on  the 
bull  occurs  on  many  of  the  coins  of  Sidon.” 

CALENUS,  surname  of  the  Fufia  gcus,  which 
came  from  Calcs,  a town  of  Campania.  On 
coins  of  that  family  is  read  Q.  calf.nvs.  cos. 

CALIDIA  gens  plcbeia.  There  is  only  one 
type  to  its  coins,  which  are  denarii  of  very 
antique  form,  exhibiting  on  oue  side  the  winged 
head  of  Minerva;  behind  it  koma. — On  the  re- 
verse M.  CAL.  or  CALI  Dims,  in  association 
with  Q.  MET ellus,  and  CN.  FVLVtets  or 
FOVLw'jm — on  the  exergue.  The  type  is  Vic- 
tory with  a crown  raised  iu  the  right  hand,  iu  a 
biga. 

These  denarii  (observes  Riccio,  p.  41),  the  or- 
dinary specimens  of  the  ancient  bigati,  bear  evi- 
dence of  their  having  been  struck  by  the  monetal 
triumvirs  Marcus  Calidius,  Quintus  Ciceilius 
Metellus,  and  Cneius  Fulvius,  about  the  be- 
ginning of  the  seventh  century  of  Rome. 

CAL1G.E,  Military  sandals  used  by  the 
Romans. — “The  catiga  was  a heavy  sole,  lashed 
with  thongs  to  the  leg,  and  armed  with  stout 
nails.  The  emperors  gave  largesses  of  nails  to 
the  soldiers,  donativum  clavarium,  which  per- 
haps meant  also  money  to  purchase  them." — 
Capt.  Smyth,  p.  28. — See  Caligula. 


CALIGULA,  the  grand  nephew  and  mur- 
derer of  Tiberius,  most  worthy  to  succeed  that 
emperor,  because  an  equally  iufamous,  though  not 
so  able  a tyrant,  reigned  from  a.u.c.  790  (a.d. 
37)  to  794  (a.d.  41). — His  real  appellation  was 
CA1VS  CAESAR,  but,  about  the  time  of  Au- 
gustus’s death,  he,  still  a child,  being  with  the 
army  of  the  Lower  Rhine,  the  soldiers,  with 
whom  he  was  a great  favourite,  were  accustomed, 
ill  the  joking  parlance  of  the  camp,  to  give  him 
the  nickname  of  Caligula  (from  Calig<r)  because 
he  constantly  appeared  iu  the  usual  military 


CALIGULA. 

leggings. — Hence  Ausonius,  in  his  poem,  refer- 
ring to  this  cruel  wretch,  says — 

Post  hunc  castreusis  caliga  cognominc  Caesar 
Successit,  ssevo  saevior  ingenio. 

As  emperor,  however,  he  was  always  called 
Caius,  and  he  considered  himself  insulted  by 
the  name  of  Caligula. 

He  was  the  youngest  sou  of  Germanicus  the 
nephew  of  Tiberius,  and  of  Agrippina ; and 
iu  the  year  of  Rome  765,  (a.  d.  12)  on  the  day 
before  the  calends  of  September,  at  Antium,  as 
Suetonius  has  proved  at  great  length  (in  Caligula, 
eh.  8).  Iu  770  (a.  d.  17),  he  went  into  Syria 
with  his  father,  at  whose  death,  within  two 
years  afterwards,  he  returned  to  Rome  with  his 
mother;  and  on  her  being  banished,  he  was 
transferred  to  his  great  grand-mother  Julia,  and 
when  she  died,  to  his  grand-mother  Antonia. — 
In  784  (a.d.  31)  he  was  invested  with  the  Pon- 
tificate ; and,  in  consequence  of  the  violent 
deaths  of  his  brothers  Nero  and  Drusus,  and 
also  of  Sejanus,  whose  plots  he  alone  had  con- 
trived to  escape,  beiug  then  the  assured  suc- 
cessor to  the  empire,  he  was  nominated  questor 
in  786  (a.  d.  33) — invited  by  Tiberius  to  Ca- 
prsea,  and  on  the  same  day  assuming  the  toga, 
he  laid  aside  his  beard  — Thenceforward  he  con- 
tinued to  live  with  Tiberius,  feigning  ignorance, 
or  indificrence,  respecting  the  murder  of  his  re- 
lations, as  though  it  concerned  him  not ; and  so 
obsequiously  obeying  the  behests  of  the  tyrant, 
that  it  was  a common  expression,  that  “ there 
never  was  a better  servant,  or  a worse  master.” 
(Sueton,  eh.  10.) 

Iu  790  (a.d.  37),  Tiberius  having  been  at- 
tacked with  severe  illness,  and  scarcely  recover- 
ing from  it,  Caligula,  at  the  instigation  of  Ma- 
cro, the  pretorian  prefect,  put  an  cud  to  his  life, 
as  it  is  affirmed,  by  smothering  him  (iujectu  ves- 
tium  oppressit).  Dion  states  that  this  event  took 
place  on  the  7 th  of  the  calends  of  April. 

Having  entered  Rome,  on  the  death  of  Tibe- 
rius, he  compelled  the  Senate  to  join  him,  by  a 
Senatus  ConstiHuin,  in  depriving  of  his  right  to 
the  empire,  Tiberius,  the  son  of  Drusus,  juu., 
whom  the  elder  Tiberius  had,  in  his  last  will, 
nominated  as  his  co-heir  and  colleague  in  the 
sovereignty.  The  funeral  ceremonies  of  Tibe- 
rius were  performed  with  due  pomp  by  Caligula. 
In  the  eighth  month  of  his  reign  he  was  attacked 
with  severe  sickness.  On  his  recovery,  he 
adopted  his  brother  Tiberius,  gave  him  the  title 
of  Princcps  Juveututis,  and  afterwards  put  him 
to  death.  (Sueton.) — In  the  calends  of  July  he 
entered  upon  the  office  of  Consul  Stiffen t us,  as 
colleague  to  his  uncle  Claudius,  and  after  two 
months  resigned  it. 

791  (a.d.  38),  he  conceded  to  Socemus,  the 
kingdom  of  the  Arabians  of  Itursca  ; to  Cotys, 
Armenia  Minor  ; to  Polemon,  the  son  of  Pole- 
mou,  his  father’s  dominions. — Relative  to  these 
events,  Dion  (l.  lix.  § 3)  thus  expresses  himself : 
“ In  a short  time  he  assumed  so  much  the  air  of 
a king,  that  all  those  honours,  which  Augustus 
had  accepted  only  when  duly  arrived  at  the  so- 
vereignty, and  even  then  with  hesitation  and  as 


CALIGULA.  155 

they  were  decreed  from  time  to  time,  and  many 
of  which  Tiberius  altogether  declined,  were  by 
Caligula  grasped  in  one  day,  with  the  exception 
ouly  of  the  title  Pater  Patrice,  which,  however, 
was  not  long  deferred.” 

792  (a.d.  39). — In  the  calends  of  January, 
he  entered  upon  his  second  Consulate,  and  re- 
signed the  office  in  thirty  days.  (Sueton  ch.  17.) 
Having  exhausted  the  treasury  by  his  profuse 
expenditure  on  public  spectacles  and  other  ex- 
travagances, he  endeavoured  to  repair  the  de- 
ficiency by  the  slaughter  of  the  wealthy  citizens  ; 
and  then  proceeded  to  Gaul,  there  to  practice 
the  like  system  of  murder  and  spoliation. — The 
name  of  Germanicus  does  not  appear  on  the 
coins  of  this  year,  nor  ever  subsequently. 

793  (a.  d.  40). — Caligula,  without  a colleague, 
entered  upon  his  third  consulate,  at  Lugdunum 
(Lyon),  in  Gaul ; and  resigned  it  on  the  ides  of 
January.  (Sueton.  ch.  17). — Having  invited 
over  from  Africa  Ptolemy,  the  son  of  Juba,  he 
put  him  to  death,  on  pretence  of  the  young 
prince’s  ostentatious  bearing.  (Dion,  B.  lix. 
25). — Proceeding  to  the  ocean,  as  if  about  to 
invade  Britain,  he  ordered  his  soldiers  to  gather 
shell-fish,  and  returned  as  a conqueror,  laden 
with  the  spoils  of  the  sea.  (Sueton.  ch.  46). — 
L.  Vitellius,  prefect  of  Syria,  the  same  year,  gave 
such  a lesson  to  Artabanus,  the  Persian,  who 
was  threatening  an  invasion  of  Armenia,  that  the 
latter  abandoned  his  design,  and  paid  his  ador- 
ations to  the  statues  of  Augustus  and  of  Cali- 
gula. (Dion,  L.  c.) — In  794  (a.  d.  41),  he 
began  his  fourth  consulate,  on  the  7th  of  the 
ides  of  January.  Shortly  afterwards  (viz.  on 
the  9th  of  the  calends  of  February),  he  was 
assassinated  by  the  conspirators  Cassius  Clucrca 
and  Cornelius  Sabinus. 

Caligula’s  accession  to  the  empire  was  hailed 
with  joy  by  the  Roman  people  ; but  their  satis- 
faction was  based  on  no  solid  foundation,  be- 
ing the  result  rather  of  their  deep-rooted  at- 
tachment to  his  father  Germanicus.  He  seem- 
ingly, indeed,  responded  to  the  fond  wishes  of 
the  nation,  by  many  acts  of  piety,  justice,  and 
moderation.  But  it  too  soon  became  apparent, 
that  these  virtues  were  not  of  natural  growth, 
but  owed  their  exhibition  to  the  policy  of  Tibe- 
rius, who  wished  through  their  influence  to  con- 
solidate his  own  power  in  the  empire.  For 
there  was  no  act  of  cruelty,  folly,  meanness,  or 
infamy,  which  this  monster  and  madman  did 
not  delight  in  perpetrating.  He  caused  his 
horse,  whom  he  called  Incitatus,  to  be  intro- 
duced at  dinner  time,  setting  before  him  gilded 
corn,  and  drinking  his  health  in  golden  cups; 
and  he  wrould  have  created  him  consul,  had  he 
lived  long  enough.  He  imitated  all  the  gods 
and  goddesses,  in  the  adoration  which  he  caused 
to  be  paid  to  him,  becoming  by  turns  Jupiter, 
Bacchus,  Hercules  Juno,  Diana,  and  Venus. 
He  constructed  a bridge  of  vessels  joined  toge- 
ther from  Puteoli  to  Baim,  and  crossing  over 
with  his  troops  invaded  Puteoli ; and  then  re- 
crossed it  in  a kind  of  triumph,  delighting  in 
hearing  himself  called  Alexander  the  Great.  By 
absurd  and  extravagant  undertakings  of  this 


166  CALIGULA. 

kind,  before  the  year  was  fully  expired,  he  had 

squandered  the  enormous  sums  of  money  left  by 

Tiberius.  (Vicies  ao  septies  millies  ns. — See  Ses- 

terlium). 

lie  both  claimed  and  received  divine  wor- 
ship, and  was  the  greatest  blasphemer  that  ever 
lived ; yet  he  quailed  in  the  conviction  of  a 
deity,  and  crept  under  his  bed  whenever  he 
heard  thunder.  With  savage  inhumanity  lie 
attended  executions  in  person,  and  made  parents 
behold  the  merciless  torments  inflicted  on  their 
unhappy  children.  He  contracted  and  dissolved 
marriages  with  equal  caprice  and  dishonesty. 
Besides  his  incestuous  union  with  Drusilla,  he 
seized  and  repudiated  three  wives,  aud  was  at 
last  permanently  attached  to  Ciesonia,  a mother 
of  children  by  another  man,  aud  without  youth 
or  beauty,  but  of  depravity  corresponding  with 
his  own. — The  other  instances  of  his  incredible 
cruelty  and  lust,  may  be  found  in  Suetonius, 
Philo,  and  Dion.  Such  infatuations  arc  evident 
tokens  not  only  of  a brutal  nature,  but  also  of  a 
distempered  intellect:  nor  is  it  possible  to  enter- 
tain other  than  supreme  contempt  for  the  base 
servility  of  the  Romans,  who  could  offer  solemn 
adoration  to  a wretch  openly  guilty  of  the  most 
detestable  aud  unnatural  crimes ; aud  whose 
adage  was  oderint,  dum  metuant. — See  Eekhel, 
vi.  pp.  215  to  218 — See  also  Capt.  Smyth’s  re- 
marks on  the  character  of  Caligula. 

The  gold  and  silver  coins  of  Caligula  are  of 
considerable  rarity. — First  brass  also  nre  rare, 
second  brass  common. — On  these  he  is  styled 

C.  CAESAR.  AVG. — C.  CAESAR.  DIVI.  AVG.  PHON, 

avg.  p.m.  p.p.  (sometimes  germ,  or  germani- 
cvs).  lie  assumed  the  name  as  the  grandson 
of  Drnsns,  who  was  so  called  for  his  victories 
over  the  Germans. 

The  coins  of  Caligula,  minted  at  Rome,  do 
not  exhibit  Imperator  as  a surname.  This 
title  is  met  with  on  colonial  coins.  But  the  only 
coin  of  Roman  die  struck  under  this  emperor 
bearing  the  word  imp.  is  a denarius,  in  which  it 
is  joined  to  other  titles. — See  Mionuct’s  note  i. 
124,  and  Akermau’s  observation  on  that  note, 
i.  p.  151. 

“ When  Caligula  was  destroyed,  the  dastardly 
senators,  who  had  so  recently  sacrificed  to  him, 
ordered  all  his  statues  to  be  demolished,  his 
acts  abrogated,  his  money  to  be  melted  down, 
and  his  inscriptions  defaced,  iu  order  that  his 
memory  might  be  extinguished  for  ever.  Yet 
this  sentence  has  not  prevented  a considerable 
number  of  his  medals  from  reaching  us,  though 
consequently — except  those  of  second  brass — 
they  arc  of  considerable  rarity  when  in  good 
preservation.”  Captain  Smyth,  p.  30. 

The  following  are  amongst  the  rare  and  re- 
markable specimens  of  this  emperor’s  coinage : — 

Gold. — aorippina.  mat.  c.  caes. — Head  of 
Agrippina.  [See  cut  in  p.  28.] — german  levs 
caes.  &c. — Head  of  Germnnicus. — tr.  pot.  mi. 
Victory  holding  two  palm  branches. — on.  c.  s. 
within  an  oaken  garland. 

Silver. — Olv. — c.  caesar  avg.  germ.  p.  m. 
tr.  pot. — Rev. — drvsvs.  Head  of  Drusus. — 
(Valued  by  Miounet  at  100  fr.) 


CALIGULA. 

Obo. — c.  caesar  avg.  GERM.  &c.  Laurcated 

head  of  Caligula. Rev. — divvs  avg.  pater 

patriae.  Radiated  head  of  Augustus. 


First  Brass. — The  three  sisters  of  Caligida 
(see  engraving  p.  29). — Three  figures  sacrificing 
before  a temple.  See  divo  avg.  pietas. 
Piety  seated. — The  commonest  reverse  is  that 
which  represents  the  emperor  haranguing  his 
guards;  but  it  is  a flue  and  interesting  coin. 
See  adlocvt.  COH.  engraved  iu  p.  6,  from  a 
specimen  in  the  compiler’s  possession,  the  por- 
trait on  the  obverse  of  which  will  be  found 
engraved  at  the  bead  of  the  foregoing  notice  of 
Caligula. 

Second  Brass. — These  are  common,  but  of 
good  workmanship. 

Third  Brass. — c,  caesar  divi.  avg.  prox. 
avg. — Cap  of  liberty. — See  u.  c.  C. 

[The  countenance  of  Caligula,  as  represented 
in  profile  ou  his  coins,  (especially  those  in  gold 
and  silver ) somewhat  resembles  that  of  his 
grand-father,  but  is  less  noble,  and  has  a malig- 
nant expression.  11c  was  at  great  pains  to 
cherish  this  horrid  index  of  his  cruel  disposition.] 

CALLIOPE  AVG. — Calliope  stands  as  if 
singing  to  a lyre,  which  rests  on  a little  pillar, 
ou  the  base  of  which  she  places  her  left  foot. — 
Tauini,  in  his  supplement  to  Bauduri,  gives  this 
as  on  a coin  of  Probus,  iu  third  brass. — 
Eekhel  naming  his  authority,  calls  it  unique 
(omuiuo  singidaris);  observing,  that  although  the 
group  of  Muses  is  fouud  on  coins  of  the  I’om- 
pouia  gens,  yet  not  one  of  them  announces  Cal- 
liope’s name.  This  type  of  the  Epic  Muse  may 
have  been  selected,  that  she  might  seem  to  be 
sounding  the  praises  due  to  the  virtue  of  l’robus. 
— (vii.  504.) 

CALPURXIA  gens. — This  was  a plebeian 
family,  but  one  of  great  antiquity,  tracing  its 
origin  to  Calpus,  the  son  of  jv'uma. — Amongst 
the  surnames  of  this  family  occurring  on  coins 
is  Piso,  the  origin  of  which  is  stated  by  Salcius 
Bassus  iu  the  following  lines  of  his  Carmen  ad 
Pisouein : — 

Claraque  Pisonis  tulcrit  cognomina  pritna, 

lluniida  cullosi  cum  pinseret  hordea  dcxtrfl. 

[“  Aud  the  illustrious  surname  of  Piso  lie  first 
derived  from  the  fact  of  his  bruising  (or  knead- 
ing) the  moist  barley  in  his  horny  palm.”] 

Frequently  there  is  udded  to  it  the  epithet 
Frugi,  applied  to  L.  Piso  for  his  frugality,  as 
Cicero  testifies  (pro  Fontcio,  ch.  13.)  Valerius 
Maximus  (iv.  ch.  3)  records  a signal  instance  of 
abstinence  in  Cnlpurnius  Piso.  Another  cog- 
nomen was  Bibulus. — Eekhel,  v.  158. 

Morel  (in  his  Thesaurus  Fain.  Rom.)  gives  no 
less  than  150  varieties  in  the  coins  of  this  family; 
but  those  varieties  cousist  chiefly  of  the  different 
miutmarks.  The  gold  quinarius  is  unique. — 


CALPURNIA. 

Silver,  some  rare,  but  for  the  most  part  com- 
mon.— The  brass  arc  by  the  moneyers  of  M. 
Antony  and  Augustus,  or  consist  of  the  <w  and 
its  divisions  : some  rare,  others  common. — The 
following,  among  others,  claim  notice  and  re- 
mark : — 

Obv. — Radiated  head  of  Apollo,  with  curls 
hanging  behind  ; before  it,  on  other  specimens, 
arc  ditrerent  emblems,  letters,  or  numerals. 

Rev. — L.  piso  frvgi. — On  other  coins — c. 
piso  l.  F.  FEVGI.  A horseman  going  at  a rapid 
pace;  on  some  coins,  he  holds  a palm  branch,  on 
others  a trident,  on  others  a torch,  or  a small 
sword  or  a whip.  Beneath  is  frequently  the 
word  roma. — Silver. 


The  number  of  these  denarii  is  incredible,  and 
the  greater  part  of  them  differ  from  each  other, 
in  some  arithmetical  mark,  or  some  insulated 
symbol ; a variation  which  both  Havercamp  and 
Vaillant  have  devoted  much  learning,  industry, 
and  ingenuity  to  account  for ; but  which  the  less 
imaginative  and  more  cautious  Eckhcl  attributes 
simply  to  the  caprice  of  the  moneyer.  The 
author  of  Doctrina  (v.  158)  allows  that  these 
denarii  were  struck  by  L.  Piso  Frugi  and  his  son 
Cains,  but  at  what  period,  he  declines  any  at- 
tempt to  decide. — Professor  Cavedoni,  however, 
and  Riccio,  who  cites  his  authority  (both  writ- 
ing after  Eckhel’s  time),  give  cogent  rea- 
sons, arising  out  of  some  recent  monetal  trou- 
vailles, at  Ficsole,  in  Italy — for  the  opinion 
which  they  pronounce,  that  the  author  of  the 
above,  and  other  coins  of  a similar  kind,  was 
Lucius  Piso  Frugi,  son  of  Lucius,  and  a man 
of  pretorian  rank,  in  684  (b.  c.  70).  This 
opinion,  adds  Riccio,  “ receives  corroboration 
from  a semi-uncial  asse  struck  by  this  mint- 
master,  and  the  date  of  which  goes  back  to 
some  year  anterior  to  680.  Indeed,  Borghesi 
himself  refers  coins,  with  insulated  symbols  and 
letters,  to  about  the  middle  of  the  seventh  cen- 
tury of  Rome.” — See  Monete  delle  Famiglie  di 
Roma — Calpurnia  gens. 

Leaving  however  the  question  of  dates,  on 
which  the  learned  differ,  there  is  one  on  which 
their  opinions  coincide,  namely,  that  both  sides 
of  the  above  coin  bear  reference  to  the  Ludi 
A pollinates ; “doubtless  (says  Eckhel)  because 
those  games  were  decreed  to  be  perpetuated  at  the 
instance  of  Calpurnius,  the  Pretor,  a.  u.  c.  543 
(b.  c.  211)  whereas  they  had  never  before  been 
sanctioned  by  a Senatus  Consul  turn ; on  which  sub- 
ject see  Livy  (xxv.  12,  and  xxvi.  23,)  and  Pigkius 
(Ann.  ii.  p.  182),  but  especially  Macrobius,  who 
describes  at  length  the  origin  of  these  games. 
(Sat.  1,  eh.  17.) — That  horse-races  formed  a 
part  of  their  celebration  has  been  well  gathered 
by  Spanheim  from  ancient  writers  (ii.  p.  131). — I 


CALPURNIA.  167 

There  is  the  same  subject  on  coins  of  the  Marcia 
family  ; but  it  is  further  ascertained  that  a cer- 
tain Marcins,  famous  for  his  skill  in  divination, 
whom  Zonaras  has  erroneously  called  Mapuos 
instead  of  Mapiaos,  was  the  individual  who  sug- 
gested to  Calpurnius  and  the  Senate  the  esta- 
blishment of  these  games,  as  may  be  learned 
from  the  above  mentioned  passages  of  Livy  and 
Mucrobius.  We  have  in  these  coins  indubitable 
types  of  the  Ludi  Apollinares,  which  numis- 
matists are  too  much  inclined  frequently  to  dis- 
cover on  the  coins  of  families,  with  slight 
grounds  for  the  supposition.  Vaillant,  Haver- 
camp,  and  others,  are  considered  by  Eckhcl  to  he 
incorrect  in  calling  the  horseman  on  these  denarii 
the  desu/lor ; for  it  wras  usual  for  the  desui tores 
to  have  at  least  two  horses  under  their  manage- 
ment, as  is  shewn  tinder  the  coinage  of  the 
Marcia  gens. — See  D.  N.  V.  vol.  v.  p.  158  ct  scq. 

i,.  piso.  Bare  head  to  the  right. 

Rev. — ter.  in  monogram.  Victory  standing 
before  an  altar ; on  the  other  side  a dagger. — 
Gold  — Sec  piso. 

[“  This  unique  coin  was  purchased  at  the  sale 
of  Lord  Morton’s  cabinet  for  the  British  Mu- 
seum, at  eight  guineas.” — Akennan,  Descrip. 
Catal.  i.  33]. 

piso  caepio  Q.  Laureated  and  bearded  head 
of  Saturn,  behind  it  is  an  indented  reaping  hook. 

Rev. — ad.  frv.  emv.  F.x.  s.  c.  Two  togated 
men,  sittiug  on  a subscllium,  between  corn  cars. 

On  reference  to  p.  5 of  this  dictionary,  it 
will  be  seen  that,  according  to  Eckhel,  it  is  the 
head  of  Saturn  which  is  represented  on  this 
denarius,  because  that  deity  presided  over  agri  • 
cidture.  But  according  to  Professor  Cavedoni 
(quoted  bv  Riccio,  p.  42),  the  head  of  that  deity 
is  referable  to  the  office  of  the  questors  who 
presided  over  the  public  treasury,  which  was 
placed  under  the  tutelary  care  of  Saturn,  and  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  temple.  On  the 
reverse  arc  the  two  questors,  who  procured  corn 
in  abundance  for  the  Roman  people,  namely, 
Piso  and  Ccepio,  and  who  on  that  account  were 
honoured  by  the  Senate  with  this  representation, 
as  the  legend  felicitously  explains.  In  opposi- 
tion to  llavercamp  and  Vaillant,  who  believed 
this  rare  silver  coin  to  have  been  struck  in  the 
508th  year  of  Rome  (b.  c.  246),  Riccio  joins 
with  Cavedoni  in  pronouncing  its  mintage  to 
have  taken  place  in  654  (b.  c.  100),  founding 
this  opinion  not  only  on  certain  monetal  pecu- 
liarities ; but  also  on  the  fact  that  in  that  year, 
a great  dearth  of  corn  prevailed  at  Rome,  in 
consequence  of  the  continuance  of  the  Bellum 
Servile  in  Sicily. — See  ad.  frv.  emv. 


cn’.  piso  pro.  Q.  The  bearded  head  of  king 


168  CALPTJRN1A. 

Numa  Pompilius,  whose  name  nvma  is  inscribed 
on  the  diadem  that  encircles  his  forehead. 

Rn-_ — magn.  pko.  cos.  Prow  of  a ship. 

This  rare  denarius  was  struck  by  Cncius  Cal- 
purnins  Piso,  son  of  Lucius,  and  nephew  of 
Lucius,  iu  his  provincial  pro-queetorship  of  Obi 
(n  c 73),  following  Pompeius  Maguus  then 
pro-consul  with  full  powers  to  undertake  his 
renowned  expedition  against  the  pirates,  who  in- 
fested the  whole  Mediterranean  sea,  and  whom  he 
entirely  destroyed.  It  was  this  that  obtained  for 
Pompeius  the  title  of  Magnus,  inscribed  on  the 
reverse  of  this  coin ; the  ship’s  prow  indicating 
the  graud  fleet  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the 
pro-consul.  But  the  mint-master,  wishing  also 
to  allude  to  the  antiquity  of  his  family,  has 
struck  to  the  right  of  his  own  name  of  piso, 
the  head  of  king  Numa,  from  whom  Ins  family 
derived  their  origin. — Riccio,  p.  43. 

— B11IVLVS  M.  F.  PRAEF.  CLASS  F.  C. 

The  pretorian  galley  without  sail.— On  the  ob- 
verse are  the  head  of  Mark  Antony  jugated  with 
a female  portrait,  and,  the  legend  M.  ANT.  imp. 
TF.R.  COS.  DES.  ITER.  ET  TEll.  II1VIR.  ll.P.C. 

Lucius  Bibulus,  to  whose  mintage  belong  tins 
and  another  rare  middle  brass,  coined  in  the 
east,  was  the  son  of  M.  Calpurnius  Bibulus 
(colleague  of  Julius  Caesar  in  the  consulate  ot  b Jo 
B.  c.  59),  and  of  the  celebrated  Porcia,  daughter 
of  Cato  Uticcnsis,  who  espoused  Marcus  Brutus 
in  her  second  marriage.  As  the  son-in-law  ot 
that  chief  conspirator  against  Cicsar,  he  also 
was  proscribed  by  the  triumvirs:  he  followed 
his  father-in-law  into  Macedonia  and  into  Asia, 
during  the  war  levied  against  them,  and  com- 
manded the  vanguard  of  their  army  on  the  day 
of  Philippi.  The  conspirators  being  defeated, 
L Bibulus  surrendered  to  Antony,  who,  ns  we 
see  on  this  piece  of  money,  appointed  him  pre- 
fect of  the  fleet  (praf.f.  class).  He  is  on  an- 
other coin  of  the  same  mintage  called  lnctor 
Designate  (PR.  desig.)—  In  718  (b.  c.  36),  he 
gave  in  his  adhesion  to  Octavian,  after  the  death 
of  the  last  of  the  Pompcys.  The  money,  then, 
appertaining  to  Bibulus,  cannot  be  beyond  this 
e .ocha,  because  be  attained  afterwards  to  the 
pretorship,  and,  in  721  (b.  c.  33),  to  the  pro- 
consulship  of  Syria,  as  successor  to  Munatius 
Plaucus. 


jlsV M.  piso  M.  F.  FRVGI.  Within  a crown 

of  laurel  is  a patera,  close  to  which  is  a sacri- 
ficial knife  (the  handle  only  of  which  is  shewn 
i„  the  above  cut).— The  obverse  of  this  rare 
denarius  presents  a terminal  statue,  between  a 
garlaud  and  a capeduncula  (the  smaller  sacuh- 

Cl  Then-  is  another  equally  rare  denarius,  with 
the  same  reverse  in  type  and  legend,  but  which 
on  the  obverse  exhibits  a juvenile  bust,  having 


CAMALODUNUM. 

a diademed  head  with  wings,  surrounded  by 
capeduucula,  crown,  and  star. 

This  Marcus  Frugi,  son  of  Marcus,  must 
have  been  pretor  in"  the  third  dictatorship  of 
Julius  Cicsar,  709  (b.  c.  45),  and  therefore  one 
of  the  moueyers  some  preceding  year. 

"With  respect  to  the  terminal  figure  and  the 
winged  head,  Cavedoui  is  induced,  from  their 
respective  attributes,  to  regard  both  the  one  and 
the  other  as  images  of  Mercury.  The  corona 
vittata  seems  sacerdotal,  and  the  sacrificial  vase, 
exhibited  on  both  obverses,  apparently  belong 
to  Mercury,  regarded  by  the  Romans  as  insti- 
tute of  religious  rites  and  ceremonies.  And  as 
Numa  was  the  principal  introducer  of  religion 
into  Rome,  as  it  were  like  another  Mercury,  so 
Marcus  Piso,  who,  with  the  rest  of  the  Cal- 
purnii,  must  have  been  wont  to  boast  of  having 
this  pacific  king  amongst  his  ancestors,  may 
have  aimed  at  a share  of  like  glory,  anil  to  re- 
cord the  pnise  of  Numa  himself.  By  this 
interpretation  of  mine  (adds  Cavcdoni),  it  is  not 
designed  to  exclude  that  of  Ursinus,  who  secs 
in  the  figure  in  question  a representation  of  the 
god  Terminus,  to  whom  Numa  was  the  first  to 
give  temples  and  sacrifices.  To  Mercury  the 
terminal  stones  were  dedicated,  and  to  him  was 
also  attributed  the  first  invention  of  land -marks, 
and  the  boundaries  of  fields.” — Sec  Riccio  on 
the  Calpurnia  gens,  p.  43. 

CALUMNIA. — See  fisci  ivdaici. 

CAMALODUNUM — one  of  the  most 
important,  and  most  ancient  Roman  towns, 
or  stations,  in  Britain,  within  the  present  limits 
of  that  territorial  division  now  called  hssex. 
Ptolemv,  by  a corrupt  transposition  of  let- 
ters denominates  it  Camudotanum.  In  the 
Itinerary  of  Antoninus,  it  is  noted  down  as 
camvloovn'vm  and  CAMOLVDVNVM.  But  both 
by  Tacitus  (Annal.)  and  by  Pliny  (l.  u.  sect. 
77),  it  is  move  correctly  written  camalodv- 
NVM  — Camden  (see  Gough’s  edition,  ii.  l-~), 
pronounces  it  to  have  been  situated,  where 
now  stands  the  town  of  Mai  don;  observ- 
ing, inter  alia,  “ that  the  greatest  part  of 
the  name  is  still  remaining.”  This  is  the  most 
plausible  among  the  reasons  wlueh  he  as- 
signs in  support  of  his  very  positive  opinion  on 
this  point,  and  for  expressing  his  wonder, 
that  others  should,  “on  the  authority  ot  Le- 
laud  ” seek  it  at  Colchester.  If,  however,  the 
venerable  “ Nouricc  of  antiquity”  (as  Spenser 
justly  terms  him),  could  revisit  the  scenes  of  his 
choro graphical  researches,  he  would  find  in  the 
clever  and  intelligent  “ History’  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Cromwell,  an  accumulation  of  antiquarian  facts, 
and  of  argumentative  deductions,  well  calcu- 
lated to  shew  that,  those  who  have  undertaken 
to  identifv  the  site  of  ancient  Cnuialodunuin 
with  that'  of  modern  Colchester,  are  not  such 
“ blind  observers,”  ns  he,  whilst  writing  his  im- 
mortal “ Britannia,”  deemed  them  to  be. 

Camden’s  notion  respecting  Ma.don  has,  in- 
deed, bceu  long  abandoned.  the  ItmeraM 
point  to  Colchester.  Etymology  has  weight  in 
the  argument  only  when  existing  remains  sup- 


CAMALODUNUM. 

port  it.  At  Maldon  nothing  ancient  is  found. — 
Colchester,  Mr.  Roach  Smith  observes,  “ as  the 
source  of  discoveries  of  objects,  which  illustrate 
the  state  of  the  arts,  in  Roman  Britain,  is,  per- 
haps, second  in  interest  to  none  of  our  ancient 
towns  and  cities.” — See  a paper  of  his  in  the 
Journal  of  the  British  Archaeological  Associa- 
tion, vol.  ii.  p.  29. 

Thus  much  for  the  question  of  locality. — 
With  regard  to  the  other  branch  of  the  sub- 
ject— namely,  the  claim  put  forward  to  have 
Camalodunum  classed  in  the  number  of  Roman 
colonies,  properly  so  called — it  must  be  con- 
fessed, that  the  evidences  on  which  such  a claim 
is  founded,  and  those  on  which  it  is  disallowed, 
arc  almost  equally  unsatisfactory  and  inconclu- 
sive. On  the  one  hand  there  are  the  passages 
in  Tacitus  (Aunal.  L.  xii.  c.  32,  and  l.  xiv.  c. 
31),  according  to  which,  Camalodunum  was  the 
first  colony  of  the  Romans  established  in  Bri- 
tain, and  was  occupied  by  veteran  soldiers, 
drafted  into  it,  when  Claudius  was  emperor. — 
There  is  also  a marble,  given  in  Gruter  (p.  439, 
No.  5),  as  found  in  Spain,  the  inscription  of 
which  includes  these  w ords : — COLON  I ae  victri- 
CF.XS1S,  QVAE  EST  IN  BRITANNIA  CAMALODVNI, 

&c.  On  the  other  hand,  the  name  of  Cama- 
lodunum doc3  not  appear  cither  in  Eckhcl’s, 
or  in  Miounet’s,  or  in  any  other  lists  of  Ro- 
man colonies.  Nor.  with  the  sole  exception  of  a 
coin  edited  by  Goltzius,  and  asserted  by  him  to 
have  been  struck  under  Claudius,  but  which  no 
collection  can  be  referred  to  as  containing,  nor 
any  numismatist  acknowledges  to  have  recognised, 
is  there  the  least  shadow  of  a inouctal  record  (the 
oidy  safe  corroboration  on  a point  like  this), 
to  prove  that  the  Camalodunum  Britannia  of 
Tacitus  and  of  Pliny  was  more  than  a first  class 
oppidum  of  the  Romans.  It  requires,  in  fact,  to  be 
borne  in  mind,  that  Britain  was  a province  of  the 
empire,  governed  (so  far  as,  surrounded  with 
openly  hostile  or  disaffected  tribes,  the  Romans 
could  be  said  to  govern  the  country),  by  prefects 
and  subordinate  military  officers.  It  is  not  impro- 
bable that,  at  the  outset,  an  attempt  was  made 
to  establish  colonies  and  municipia  in  this  island ; 
bnt  that  the  system,  however  successfully  car- 
ried out  in  so  many  other  parts  of  the  world, 
was  soon  abandoned  here  by  Claudius,  and  for 
cogent  reasons  not  resumed  by  his  imperial  suc- 
cessors, seems  scarcely  to  admit  of  a doubt. 

CAMELUS  (Camel). — This  well-known  and, 
in  its  native  countries  of  the  East,  most  useful 
animal,  is  represented  on  coins  as  the  common 

symbol  of  Arabia. See  the  akab.  aiiq.  of 

Trajan;  the  restitvtori  arahiae  of  Hadrian; 
also  rex  aretas,  in  the  ^Emilia  family;  bac- 

CIIIVS  IVDAEVS,  &C. 

CANCELLI  COMITIORUM.— Lattices,  or 
chancels,  of  the  Comitia;  in  which  the  people, 
when  about  to  give  their  votes,  were  enclosed  ; 
or  perhaps  barriers  to  prevent  any  one,  except 
the  individual  who  was  giving  his  vote,  from 
standing  there.  For  within  these  inclosures  it 
was  unlawful  for  any  one  to  stand  except  the 
voters,  and  the  electoral  officers  (miuistn  comi- 
tiorura),  whose  business  it  was  to  call  the  names 
Z 


CANIDIA.  169 

and  administer  the  oaths  (ad  appeUandum,  ro- 
gamlumque). — On  a coin  of  Julius  Csesar  we 
see  the  cancelli  comitiorum , in  the  form  of  a 
galley,  into  which  the  ascent  is  by  steps. — See 

CLOACIN. 

CANCER  (the  Crab)  one  of  the  twelve  signs 
of  the  Zodiac  (sec  Zodiacus),  thus  called  from 
some  similitude  to  the  crab-fish  : the  sun  enter- 
ing that  sign  in  the  month  of  June,  begins  gra- 
dually to  recede  from  us,  aud  to  take  a retro- 
grade course,  as  it  were  in  a crab-like  fashion. 
On  a coin  struck  by  M.  Durmius,  one  of  the 
moneyers  of  Augustus,  is  a crab,  with  a butter- 
fly between  its  claws. — See  Dunnia  gens. 

The  figure  of  a Crab  holding  an  aplustrum  in 
its  claws,  there  being  under  that  shell-fisli  the 
Rhodian  rose,  shews  that  the  denarius  of  the 
Servilia  gens,  on  which  it  appears,  was  struck 
at  Rhodes. 

CANDELABRUM— a candlestick.  The  use 
of  this  instrument,  in  sustaining  the  kindled 
light  of  the  sacrificial  altar,  is  considered  to  be 
expressed  by  its  appearance  on  a silver  coin  of 
Augustus,  with  the  inscription  avgvstvs,  within 
a crowu  formed  of  the  crania  and  patella  (skulls 
and  kneepans)  of  oxen,  which  thus  indicate  the 
sovereign  pontificate  of  Augustus. — Engraved  in 
Morell.  Thesaur.  Impp.  iii.  tab.  xvi.  No.  13. 

CANIDIA  gens,  of  plebeian  origin,  but  of 
consular  rank,  having  for  its  surname  Crassus. 
The  name  of  Canidius  Crassus,  an  intimate  friend 
of  Mark  Antony,  and  by  him  appointed  to  the 
government  of  Armenia,  is  read  on  a gold  coin 
of  the  Cuicilia  gens,  (p.  151,  No.  9.)  The  fol- 
lowing arc  legends  aud  types  on  second  brass  of 
this  family : — 

cras.  Ship’s  prow  to  the  right. 

Rev. — Crocodile  on  a pedestal.  Second  brass. 

Obv. — Head  of  Apollo  laureated. 

Rev. — cra.  The  fasces  with  axe.  Second 
brass. — Eckhcl  cites  oue  of  this  family  with  the 
head  of  Cleopatra,  and  the  crocodile,  but  the 
legend  being  Gteek,  excludes  it  from  a work  on 
Latin  coins. 

These  pieces  of  money  are  ascribed  to  the 
Canidius  Crassus  above  alluded  to.  They  were 
struck  whilst  Antony  was  trifling  his  time  away 
in  Egypt,  with  the  lascivious  Cleopatra.  Sup- 
porting to  the  last  his  infatuated  and  ruined  com- 
mander, Crassus  behaved  bravely  in  adminis- 
tering the  affairs  of  Armenia  at  this  critical 
period.  But  afterwards  sharing  in  the  defeat  at 
Actium,  he  returned  with  Antony  to  Egypt ; and 
on  the  conquest  of  that  country  by  Oetavian, 
Canidius  was  put  to  death. — The  ship’s  prow 
indicates,  perhaps,  that  he  was  admiral  of  An- 
tony’s fleet,  or  it  was  meant  to  shew  the 
maritime  power  of  Egypt.  The  crocodile  is  the 
usual  emblem  of  that  country,  that  species  of 
amphibious  animal  inhabiting  the  waters  of  the 
Nile. — Riccio,  pp.  44,  45. 

CANINIA  gens,  a similarly  plebeian  but  con- 
sular family.  It  had  five  branches,  by  which  it 
is  named  on  ancient  monuments ; but  on  coins 
it  is  known  principally,  if  not  solely,  under  the 
reign  of  Augustus,  and  by  the  surname  of  Gal- 
Ins.  The  Thesaurus  Morell.  furnishes  eight 


170  CANINIA. 

varieties.  The  silver  avc  by  moneyers  of  Au- 
gustus. The  brass  are  colonial. 

Obv. — avgvstvs.  Bare  head  of  the  empe- 
ror. Silver. 

Rev. — L.  CONiNivs  (sic)  gallvs  mvin. : on 
the  side  avgvstvs:  above  tr.  pot.  A four- 
legged table,  with  star  and  sceptre  above.  HR. 

Obv. — Same  legend  and  portrait.  Silver. 

Rev. — L.  caninivs  gallvs  in.  A Parthian 
kneeling  and  presenting  a military  ensign. — 
[See  an  exactly  similar  type  on  the  reverse  of  a 
denarius  of  Aquilius  Florus,  engraved  in  p.  105]. 

Obv. — avgvstvs.  Bare  head  of  Augustus. 
Gold. 

Rev. — L.  caninivs  GALLVS  niviR. : above 
ob.  c.  s.  An  altar,  over  which  is  a crown,  and 
on  each  side  a branch  of  laurel,  burr. — Pro- 
nounced unique  by  Riccio  (Tav.  50),  who  va- 
lues it  at  30  piastres. 

L.  Caninius  Gallus  was  a monetary  triumvir  of 
Augustus,  in  734  (b.  c.  20),  in  which  year  he 
struck  these  coins,  which  are  all  marks  ot  hom- 
age rendered,  in  various  ways,  to  the  sovereign 
power  and  triumphant  success  of  his  lord  and 
master.  The  last  is  a special  piece  of  adula- 
tion, recording,  as  it  does,  the  perpetual  crown, 
and  the  branches  of  laurel,  decreed  by  the 
Senate  to  Augustus,  for  having  saved  the 
citizens  of  Rome,  according  to  the  OB.  civis 
servatos  inscribed  on  the  reverse. — Monete 
delle  fain.  p.  45. 

CAN ISTRUM — a basket,  which,  filled  with 
(lowers,  was  consecrated  to  the  pagan  deities, 
with  religious  rites.  Hence  on  a gold  coin  of 
Antoninus  Pius,  with  legend  tk.  pot.  ii.  cos. 
ii.  a female  figure  (Piety)  holding  corn  ears  in 
her  right  hand,  and  in  lier  left  the  canistrum, 
filled  with  flowers.— Engraved  in  Caylus,  Nunns. 
Anrea  Impp.  Rom.  No.  531. 

The  canistrum  generally  appears  on  imperial 
coins  bearing  the  legend  and  type  of  Anuoua. 

CANTHARUS — a peculiar  kind  of  cup  or 
goblet,  with  one  or  two  cars.  On  coins  of  the 
colonial  imperial  scries,  it  is  seen  in  the  right 
hand  of  Bacchus. — See  Apamca  colonia,  p.  Gl. 

CAP.  Capitolina. — COL.  AEL.  CAP.  Colo- 
nia Aelia  Capitolina. 

CAP.  Capta. — ARMEN.  CAP.  see  Armenia 

C'apta. DAC.  CAP.  Dacia  Capta. IVD. 

CAP.  Judaa  Capta. 

CAPEDUNCULA — a vase  of  smaller  size 
than  the  capedo,  or  pncfericulum,  used  in  sacri- 
fices. With  other  instruments  employed  by  the 
Roman  pontiffs  and  augurs  in  their  religions 
ceremonies,  it  is  of  frequent  occurrence  on  the 
coins  of  Julius  Caesar,  Si.  Antonius,  and  others. 

CAPIT.  RESTIT.  (Capito/ium  Reslit  nit,  or 
Restitutum). — This  legend  appears  on  the  re- 
verse of  a silver  medallion,  struck  under  Domi- 
tian.  It  bears  for  type  a temple  of  four  columns. 
Obv. — IMP.  CAESAR  domitian  avg.  p.  m.  cos. 
viii.  Lamented  head  of  Augustus. 

The  capitol,  consumed  by  fire  during  the  war 
of  Vitcllius,  and  afterwards  restored  by  Vespa- 
sian, was  again  destroyed  by  the  flames  in  the 
reign  of  Titus,  A.  II.  c.  833  (a.  d.  80).  “ That 

in  that  very  year  Titus  took  steps  for  its  restor- 


CAP1T.  RESTIT. 

ation,  we  learn  (says  Eckhcl),  from  an  inscrip- 
tion of  the  Fratres  Arvales,  which  has  been 
illustrated  in  a treatise  by  Philippus-a-Turre 


( Monum . vet.  Antii.J,  and  quoted  by  Muratori, 
p.  312;  it  informs  us,  that  on  the  7th  of  the 
ides  of  December,  the  priests  assembled  in  the 
temple  of  Ops,  to  record  their  vows,  ad.  RESTI- 
TVTIONEM  ET  DEDICATION  EM  CAPITOLI  AB.  IMP. 

t.  caesak.  vespasiano  avg.  On  the  death  of 
Titus,  in  the  year  following,  the  work  was  car- 
ried on  by  his  brother  Domitian,  and  completed 
by  him,  according  to  Suetonius  (ch.  5),  Silius 
Italicus,  and  other  writers. — llow  great  was  the 
magnificence  of  this  building,  we  have  the 
abundant  testimony  of  Plutarch  (in  Poplicola), 
who,  after  relating  the  fate  of  the  capitol,  thrice 
consumed  and  thrice  restored,  informs  us,  that 
on  the  gilding  alone,  Domitian  expended  twelve 
thousand  talents;  that  the  columns  were  of 
Pentclic  marble,  and  that  he  had  seen  them  him- 
self at  Athens,  and  admired  their  exquisite  pro- 
portions ; but  that  much  of  this  beauty  was 
diminished  when  they  arrived  at  Rome,  by  the 
excess  of  polishing  and  chiselling  which  they 
there  underwent.  Historians  have  omitted  to 
tell  us  the  year  in  which  the  work  was  finished 
and  dedicated;  but  this  fine  coin,  by  the  8th 
consulate  of  Domitian  included  in  its  obverse 
legend,  assigus  the  year  835  (a.  d.  82).  The 
temple  shewn  on  coins  of  Vespasian,  struck  in 
the  year  824  (a.  d.  71),  exhibits  six  columns  in 
front,  but  on  the  coin  before  us  there  arc  four. 
Consequently,  cither  Domitian  entirely  altered 
the  whole  structure,  or  the  moneyers  were  incor- 
rect in  their  representation  of  it. 

“ 1 have  frequently  remarked  (adds  the  Author 
of  Doctrina),  that  silver  medallions,  struck  dur- 
ing the  earlier  imperial  period,  appear  to  have 
first  seen  the  light  at  a distance  from  Rome. — 
This  opiuion  is  confirmed  by  the  present  coin, 
unless  we  are  disposed  to  treat  lightly  the  evi- 
dences which  it  aflbrds.  The  legend,  w hich  ac- 
companies the  portrait,  bears  no  certain  marks 
of  Roman  die.  And  even  that  of  the  reverse  is 
not  inscribed  circularly,  as  on  all  other  coins  of 
Domitian,  but  is  divided  into  liucs.  It  is,  how- 
ever, a matter  of  uncertainty  what  city  gave 
birth  to  this  remarkable  coin.”  vi.  377. 

CAPITOLI  M'S,  or  CAPITOLll  .M.  The 
highest  of  Rome's  seven  hills  was  in  a half 
circle  and  of  an  oval  figure.  It  commanded  the. 
city,  and  was  remarkable  for  the  number  of 
sacred  buildings  constructed  upon  it.  It  was  at 
first  called  Saturnius,  as  the  supposed  habitation 
of  Saturn  ; then  Tarpcius,  from  the  vestal  Tar- 


CAPPADOCIA. 

peia  ; lastly,  it  was  called  the  Capitoline  mount,  i 
from  a tradition  that  the  head  of  one  Olus  had  j 
been  discovered  there  in  digging  the  foundations  j 
for  the  temple  of  Jupiter,  to  whom  the  Romans,  J 
in  consequence,  gave  the  surname  of  Capito-  j 
linus.  It  was  iu  this  temple  of  the  capitol  that 
solemn  vows  were  made,  that  the  citizens  rati- 
fied the  acts  of  government,  and  took  the  oaths 
of  fidelity ; also  where  the  magistrates,  and  those 
who  eujoyed  the  honours  of  the  triumph,  went  to 
thank  the  gods  for  the  victories  they  had  gained, 
and  to  offer  up  their  prayers  for  the  prosperity 
of  the  couutry. — Pitiscus,  Lex.  Ant.  Rom. 


CAPITOLINUS surname  of  the  Petillia 

gens. — On  a denarius  of  that  family  this  word 
forms  the  obverse  legend,  accompanied  by  the 
head  of  Jupiter,  with  thick  bushy  hair  and 
beard.  The  reverse  legend  is  pf.tillivs,  and 
the  type  exhibits  a temple,  with  faqa.de  of  six 
columns,  and  ornamented  pediment. — Petillius 
Capitolinus,  a friend  of  Augustus,  struck,  in  his 
capacity  of  monetal  triumvir,  two  deuarii,of  which 
the  above  was  one  ; and  which,  amidst  much 
uncertainty  as  to  dates,  serves  at  least  to  con- 
nect a Petillius  iu  some  sort  of  association  with 
the  temple  of  Jupiter  Capitolinus. — See  Petillia 
gens. — See  also  jupiter. 

CAPPADOCIA,  an  extensive  country  iu  Asia 
Minor,  bordering  northward  on  the  Pontus 
Euxinus  (Black  Sea),  eastward  on  Armenia, 
southward  on  Mount  Taurus,  which  divided  it 
from  Cilicia,  and  westward  on  Galatia  aud  Para- 
philia. Its  modern  name  is  Tocat,  it  was 
famous,  and  is  still  noted,  for  horses,  mules,  and 
slaves.  The  ancient  state  of  Cappadocia  is  very 
imperfectly  known.  It  had  its  kings  down  to 
so  late  a period  as  the  reign  of  Tiberius.  And 
of  those  kings,  coins  are  still  extant.  Germani- 
cus  Cscsar,  after  having  vanquished  the  king 
of  Armenia,  made  a Roman  province  of  Cap- 
padocia. 


CAPPADOCIA,  S.  C. — On  the  reverse  of  a 
Hadrian,  in  large  brass,  this  province  is  thus 
personified: — A young  male  figure,  wearing  a 
turreted  crown,  stands,  with  short  tunic  tightly 
Z 2 


CAPPADOCIA.  171 

girded.  A lion’s  skin  is  thrown  over  his  shoulders, 
and  tied  in  a knot  by  the  claws,  over  the  breast. 
In  his  left  hand  he  holds  a vcxilluin;  in  the 
right,  a mountain,  or  cliftter  of  rocks,  allusive 
to  Mount  Argajus,  which  is  the  common  symbol 
of  Cappadocia.  On  the  obverse,  hadrianvs 
avg.  cos.  ill.  P.  P.  with  bare  head  of  the  em- 
peror.— There  is  a secoud  brass,  with  a similar 
reverse. 

Hadrian,  about  893  (a.  d.  140),  proceeding 
on  his  journey  through  pro-consular  Asia,  en- 
tered Cappadocia ; aud,  as  Spartian  relates,  “ re- 
ceived from  the  inhabitants  acts  of  submission 
and  service,  which  would  subsequently  be  ad- 
vantageous to  his  military  operations.”  The 
same  writer  adds,  that  the  emperor  had  here  an 
eye  to  the  Parthian  dominions,  and  to  the  main- 
tenance of  amicable  relations  with  the  neigh- 
bouring sovereigns. 

The  Abbe  Greppo,  in  his  valuable  work,  pub- 
lished at  Paris,  1842,  entitled  “ Memoire  sui- 
tes Voyages  de  I’Empereur  lladrien,”  &c.  ob- 
serves, that  in  the  paucity  of  documents  suffi- 
ciently precise  on  certain  facts,  it  seems  requi- 
site to  place  the  period  of  Hadrian’s  visit  to 
Cappadocia,  after  that  of  his  Syrian  travels. — 
“ All  (says  the  learned  vicar-general  of  Belley), 
that  is  told  us  positively  by  Spartian,  is  that 
Hadrian  visited  the  province  in  question,  and 
took  thereout  slaves  for  the  service  of  the 
armies : — Deinde  a Cappadocibus  servitia  cas- 
tris  profutura  susccpit. — Cappadocia  (the  Abbe 
adds  in  a note),  furnished  Rome  with  numerous 
slaves,  renowned  for  their  lofty  stature,  their 
vigour,  and  their  scantiness  of  intelligence.” 
Aud  he  refers,  for  his  authorities,  to  the  Epistles 
of  Horace,  the  Satires  of  Pcrsius,  the  Epigrams 
of  Martial,  and  to  the  oration  Post  Reditum  in 
Sena tu  of  Cicero.  “ As  to  the  slaves  attached 
to  the  Roman  legions,  frequent  mention  is  made 
of  them  among  the  old  writers;  as  Saumaisc 
shews  in  a commentary  on  this  passage  of  Spar- 
tian.” p.  189. 

There  is  also  a first  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius ; 
on  the  reverse  of  which  is  the  legend  Cappa- 
docia cos.  ii.  The  personified  province  stands 
writh  Mons  Argams  at  her  foot ; a frequent  type 
on  the  numerous  coins  of  Ciesarea,  the  metro- 
polis of  Cappadocia. — See  Dr.  King’s  Plates, 
tab.  xiv. 

CAPPADOCIAE. — See  Restitidori  of  Ha- 
drian. 

CAPPADOCICUS. — See  Exercit us  of  Ha- 
drian. 

CAPRA. — See  Goat. 

CAPRICORNUS a fabulous  animal,  of 

which  the  figure  is  that  of  a goat  iu  the  fore 
part,  terminating  in  the  tail  of  a fish.  Accord- 
ing to  Ilyginus  (l.  ii.  sign,  ccel.)  this  Capri- 
cornus  is  in  reality  Pan.  For  he  says,  the  gods, 
on  account  of  the  terror  with  which  the  giant 
Typhon  had  inspired  them,  having  changed  them- 
selves into  all  sorts  of  animals,  Pan  was  not  one 
of  the  last  to  adopt  the  expedient,  and,  throw- 
ing himself  into  a river,  assumed  the  hybridous 
form  above  described.  For  this  ingenious  con- 
trivance Jupiter  enrolled  him  among  the  stars. 


172  CAPRICORNUS. 

It  is  for  this  reason  that  Aratus  (in  Phantom.) 
calls  him  Aegipan. — See  Pitiscus  and  Millin. 

This  type  of  Capricorn  very  frequently  occurs 
on  coins  of  avgvstvs,  both  Latin  aud  Greek. 

The  reason  assigned  by 
Suetonius  (eh.  61)  for  its 
appearance  in  the  mint  of 
this  emperor  is,  thatThco- 
genes,  the  mathematician 
of  Apollouia,  when  in- 
formed by  Augustus,  then 
a youth,  of  the  time  of 
his  nativity,  leaped  for- 
ward and  paid  him  adoration.  And  he  adds, 

“ Augustus  soon  began  to  place  such  reliance  on 
Fate,  that  lie  published  his  horoscope,  and 
caused  a silver  coin  to  be  struck,  marked  with 
the  constellation  Capricorn,  under  which  he  was 
born,” — Schlegcl  adduces  other  testimonies,  even 
from  the  poets,  to  the  fact  that  Augustus  was 
born  under  Capricorn  ( Ad.  Morell.  Thesaur. 
Impp.  i.  194),  and  repeats  the  squabbles  of  the 
learned  on  this  proof  of  Octavian  Ctesar’s  super- 
stitious or  pretended  belief  in  the  prediction  of 
astrologers,  that  he  was  born  to  attain  the  em- 
pire of  the  world. — Eckhel,  vi.  109. 

On  these  denarii  we  see  frequently  added  to 
the  figure  of  Capricorn,  the  cornucopia:,  and 
the  rudder  of  a vessel,  which  Lactautius  ( 'In- 
still. b.  iii.  eh.  29)  explains  by  saying—"  they 
represent  her  (Fortune)  with  the  horn  of  abun- 
dance, and  a ship’s  helm,  as  though  she  both 
conferred  wealth,  aud  had  the  guidance  of 
human  affairs.” — The  globe  too,  as  the  symbol 
of  the  world,  begins  about  the  year  of  Rome 
743  (a.  d.  1 1)  to  make  its  appearance  on  Ro- 
man coins,  as  is  shewn  by  a denarius  of  Augus- 
tus, with  legend  imp.  xi.  beneath  the  figure  of 
Capricorn. — See  the  word  Globe. 

Capricorn  is  also  seen  on  coius  of  Vespasian, 
Titus,  and  Doinitian,  and  on  some  of  Hadrian 
and  Antoninus  Pius.  A second  brass  of  Domi- 
tian  bears  this  type  with  a cornucopia:,  inscribed 
AVGVSTVS  IMP.  XX. 

Two  Capricorns , supporting  a civic  crown,  a 
globe  underneath  them,  appear  on  a large  brass 
of  Augustus,  and  also  on  one  of  Tiberius.  A 
silver  coin  of  Vespasian,  from  which  the  subjoined 
cut  is  taken,  likewise  presents  the  type  of  two 
Capricorns,  supporting  a shield,  in  which  are  the 
letters  s.  c.  f Senates  Consulto).  Under  the 
shield  is  a globe. 


There  is  a similar  reverse  on  a denarius  of 
Titus.  This  type  is  considered  to  denote  that 
the  felicity  of  the  Roman  empire,  under  those 
two  princes,  father  and  son,  was  equal  to  that 
which  was  enjoyed  in  the  Augustan  age. — See 
VKSTASI  AN. 


CAPTIVUS, 

Capricorn  appears  on  a third  brass  of  Gal- 
lienus. — Sec  the  legend  neptvno  cons.  avg. 

Capricorn,  as  the  symbol  of  Felicitas,  borne 
on  the  standard  of  a Roman  legion,  appears  on 
a billon. coin  of  Gallicnus,  with  the  legend  leg. 
i.  adi.  vii.  p.  vn.  f.  (Legio  Prima  Adjutrix, 
Septiina  Pia,  Scptima  Fidelia). — Eckhel,  Cat. 
Mus.  Imp. 

CAPTIVUS,  captive,  or  prisoner  of  war. — 
The  Romans  were  accustomed  to  place  their 
military  prisoners  near  the  standards.  They  cut 
off  the  hair  of  the  kings,  and  of  the  principal 
officers,  and  sent  them  to  Rome,  to  grace  their 
triumphs. 

It  was  also  the  custom  of  the  Romans  to 
load  the  vanquished  with  fetters,  and  compel 
them  in  that  state  to  precede  the  triumphal  car 
of  the  conqueror.  It  was  thus  that  the  famous 
Zcnobia,  Queen  of  Palmyra,  honoured  the 
triumph  of  Aurclian.  If  death  prevented  cap- 
tured princes  and  their  families  from  being  pre- 
sent at  this,  to  them,  most  cruelly  humiliating 
ceremony,  their  images  were  generally  carried 
before  the  triumpher.  Augustus  caused  this  to 
be  done  in  the  case  of  Cleopatra,  who  had 
killed  herself  in  order  to  escape  so  ignominious 
an  exposure. — Statius  (Silva,  iii.  v.  2),  thus 
alludes  to  the  fact — 

Actias  Ausonias  fugit  Cleopatra  catenas. 

“ Cleopatra  fled  the  chains  of  Italy  at  Actium.” 

Captives  figures  of,  with  their  hands  tied 
behind  their  backs,  appear  on  coins  of  the 
/Emilia,  Julia,  Mcmmia,  and  Sulpicia  families. 
And  in  like  manner  on  coins  of  most  of  the 
emperors  from  Augustus  to  Constantine  junior. 
See  for  examples,  df.bei.i.atori  omnivm  gen- 

TIVM. — FKANCIA. — DE  QF.KMANI8. — &C. 

Captives,  bound  in  chains,  standing,  or  pros- 
trate at  the  feet  of  deities,  linked  to  the  chariot 
wheels  of  emperors,  trod  upon  by  Victories,  or 
seated  beneath  military  ensigns  and  trophies,  arc 
also  to  be  seen  on  imperial  coins  throughout  al- 
most the  whole  scries. — Sec  ai.amannia  df.- 
victa,  p.  32 — Triumphal  reverses  of  Numcri- 
anus  aud  L.  Vcrus — part.  arab.  part,  adiab. 
of  Severus,  &c. 

Captive,  or  Captives,  at  the  feet  of  the  em- 
peror, who  is  on  foot  or  on  horseback,  arc  ex- 
hibited on  coins  from  Vespasian  and  Titus  to 
Constantiue  the  Great  and  his  family. — See 
IVDAEA  CAPTA. — GFRMANICO  AVG.  of  M.  AuTC- 
lius. — VIRTVS  EXERCITVS  ROMANORVM  of  Juli- 

anus  II. 

Captives,  sitting  under  a trophy,  or  beneath 
a palm  tree,  in  an  attitude  of  grief  and  de- 
spondency, as  on  those  coins  of  Vespasian  and 
Titus  which  commemorate  the  overthrow  of 
Jerusalem  and  the  conquest  of  Judica — also  cap- 
tives in  a weeping  posture,  or  sitting  on  a heap 
of  arms,  as  in  Doinitian. — Sec  captives  at  the 
foot  of  an  imperial  cstradc,  on  a medallion  of 
PROBVS. 

C A RAC  ALL  A,  Emperor,  was  the  eldest  son 
of  Septimius  Severus.  II is  mother  was  Julia 
Domna,  erroneously  stated  by  some  writers  to 
have  been  his  step-mother.  The  surname  of 


CARACALLA. 

Caracalla,  by  which  he  is  commonly  denominated 
by  historians,  does  not  appear  on  any  coins  or 
other  public  monuments.  It  was  in  fact  only  a 
nickname  (like  that  of  Caligula  given  to  Caius 


Ciesar  (sec  p.  164),  and  derived  from  a kind  of 
Gaulish  vestment,  which  he,  the  spoiled  child 
of  his  mother,  had  himself  brought  into  fashion. 
He  was  born  at  Lugdunum,  in  Gaul  (Lyon), 
whilst  his  father  was  governor  of  that  province, 
in  the  year  u.  c.  941  (a.  d.  188),  on  the  4th  or 
6th  of  April.  At  hi  s birth  the  name  of  Bas- 
sianus  was  given  him,  derived,  according  to 
Victor,  from  his  maternal  grandfather.  The 
mildness  of  disposition  and  lively  temperament, 
which  he  displayed  in  early  youth,  and  which 
rendered  him  the  favourite  alike  of  his  parents 
and  of  the  people,  are  mentioned  by  Spartian 
in  terms  of  high  commendation,  and  offer  a 
striking  contrast  to  the  cruelty  which  disgraced 
his  more  advanced  years,  and  rendered  him  the 
scourge  of  the  world.  During  the  first  years 
of  his  father’s  reign,  he  remained  in  the  position 
of  a private  citizen.  But  when,  in  949  (a.  d. 
196),  that  emperor  left  Mesopotamia  to  conduct 
operations  against  Albinus,  lie  stopped  on  his 
way  at  Viminacium  (in  Upper  Mscsia,  now  Ser- 
via  and  Bulgaria),  and  there  creating  Caracalla 
a Ccesar , gave  him  the  names  of  M.  Aurelius 
Antoninus,  in  the  place  of  that  of  Bassianus. 
He  was  in  this  year,  on  coins  styled  caesar  and 
princeps  iwentvtis.  In  the  following  year 
(a.  d.  197)  he  was  elected  member  of  the  pon- 
tifical college,  and  the  title  pontifex  begins  on 
his  coins.  In  the  same  year,  Albinus  being 
overthrown,  he  was  styled  destinatvs  impek- 
ator.  (See  the  words). — In  951  (a.  d.  198), 
haviug  completed  his  10th  year,  he  was  declared 
avgvstvs  by  his  father  and  the  army ; and  had 
the  Tribunitia  Potestas  conferred  upon  him. 

952  (a.  d.  199).  Caracalla  was  this  year  with 
his  father  in  the  East.  The  following  year  lie  was 
present  at  the  Parthian  campaign  with  Severus. 
The  titles  of  part.  max.  begin  at  this  date  to 
appear  on  his  coins. 

954  (a.  d.  201).  Returning  with  his  father 
to  Antioch,  he  assumed  the  toga  virilis,  and  was 
nominated  consul  for  the  year  ensuing.  Accord- 
ingly in  a.  D.  202,  he  proceeded  consul,  in  Syria, 
Severus  himself  being  his  colleague.  He  accom- 
panied his  father  into  Egypt,  and  thence  re- 
turned with  him  to  Rome,  where  he  married 
Plautilla. — In  the  same  year  the  title  pivs  be- 
gins to  appear  on  obverses. 


CARACALLA.  173 

956  (a.  d.  203). — The  titles  of  part.  max. 
now  cease  on  Iris  coins.  For  the  occurrences 
of  this  and  the  four  consecutive  years,  includ- 
ing the  celebration  of  the  Secular  Games,  957 
(a.  d.  204),  see  biographical  notice  and  coinage 
of  Severus. 

961  (a.  d.  208).  Caracalla,  after  having  this 
year  celebrated  his  Decennales,  set  out  with  his 
father  for  the  campaign  in  Britain,  where  he 
was  also  present  during  the  two  following  years 
of  the  war’s  continuance. 

964  (a.  i).  211). — In  the  preceding  year  he 
began  to  be  styled  brit.  on  his  coins.  On  the 
death  of  his  father,  which  took  place  this  year 
at  York,  on  the  4th  of  February,  Caracalla, 
after  duly  solemnising  the  obsequies  of  Severus, 
hastened  to  conclude  a peace  with  the  Cale- 
donians. At  the  same  time,  he  endeavoured  to 
induce  the  army  to  acknowledge  him  as  sole 
emperor,  to  the  exclusion  of  Geta.  F’ailing  in 
that  attempt,  he  feigned  amity  towards  his  bro- 
ther. A pretended  reconciliation  took  place ; 
and  Geta  and  he  returned  to  Rome  together 
with  the  ashes  of  their  parent.  Yet  even  on 
their  journey  homeward,  Caracalla  indulged 
in  frequent  designs  on  his  brother’^  life,  but 
refrained  to  put  them  into  execution,  partly 
through  fear  of  the  soldiers,  and  partly  through 
the  watchful  precautions  of  Geta,  who  was  ap- 
prised of  his  own  danger. 

965  (a.  d.  212).  The  two  brothers  entered 
the  city  together — together  bestowed  donatives 
on  the  troops,  and  distributed  largesses  to  the 
people.  But  in  the  midst  of  negotiations  com- 
menced for  peaceably  dividing  the  empire  be- 
tween them,  Caracalla  murdered  Geta  in  the 
very  arms  of  their  mother.  The  soldiers,  though 
at  first  exasperated  by  the  atrocity  of  the  act, 
were  at  length  appeased  by  extravagant  bribes, 
and  thus  enriched  with  the  wealth  accumulated 
during  the  reign  of  Severus,  they  unscrupu- 
lously pronounced  Geta  a public  enemy.  To  the 
Senate  he  boldly  justified  his  crime  of  fratricide, 
on  the  alleged  plea  that  Geta  had  been  engaged  in 
plots  against  his  life.  lie  then  put  to  death  all 
those  who  were  known,  or  suspected,  to  have 
favoured  the  cause  of  his  brother,  whose  name 
was  from  that  moment  erased  from  the  public 
monuments.  (See  a remarkable  instance  cited 
in  p.  79).  Many  thousand  persons  are  said  to 
have  fallen  victims  on  this  occasion  to  the 
cupidity  and  blood-thirstiness  of  the  imperial 
despot : amongst  these  were  Papinius,  prefect 
of  the  pretorian  guards,  and  a distinguished  law- 
yer; together  with  other  men,  as  well  as  women, 
of  rank. 

966  (a.  d.  213). — Remorse  at  having  com- 
mitted these  dreadful  crimes  pursued  him  every 
where ; but  abandoned  to  the  torrent  of  his 
brutal  passions,  he  never  ceased  to  perpetrate 
cruelties  and  to  inflict  oppressions.  In  the  vain 
endeavour  to  banish  the  terrors  of  an  evil  con- 
science, he  addicted  himself  still  more  eagerly 
than  ever  to  amusements  which,  measured  bv 
the  Roman  standard  of  public  morals,  might 
under  other  circumstances  have  found  excuse  in 
the  desire  to  gratify  the  dissolute  and  inhuman 


174  CARACALLA. 

taste  of  a corrupt  people.  Chariot  racing,  com- 
bats of  gladiators,  and  huntings  of  wild  animals, 
at  once  served  to  divert  the  enslaved  multitude, 
and  to  satiate  his  own  savage  mature.  Ou  a 
large  brass,  the  reverse  legend  of  which  (p.  m. 
tr.  p.  xvi.  imp.  ii.  cos.  mi.  p.  p.  s.  c.)  shews 
it  to  have  been  minted  in  this  year — the  type 
(as  will  he  seen  by  the  subjoined  cut  from  a well 
preserved  and  genuine  specimen),  exhibits  a 
grand  edifice,  composed  of  arcades,  temples, 
walls,  and  portals,  forming  the  outer  enclosure; 
and  of  a lofty  obelisk,  with  meta;,  and  statues, 
constituting  the  interior  objects  of  the  Circus 
Maximus,  at  Rome,  as  it  existed  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  third  century. 


On  comparing  this  type  with  that  on  a large 
brass  coin  of  Trajan,  it  is  evidently  in- 
tended to  represent  the  same  magnificent  building 
erected  by  that  great  emperor ; and  to  the  re- 
pairs of,  or  additions  to,  which  Caracalla  pro- 
bably contributed  some  portion  of  those  immense 
sums,  he  was  in  the  habit  of  grinding  out 
of  the  citizens  in  the  shape  of  taxes,  or  of 
seizing  as  military  plunder  from  the  whole  world 
besides. — Sec  circvs  maxim  vs. 

The  title  of  FELIX  now  begins  to  appear  on 
coins  of  Caracalla,  aud  BRlTa«»ic«j  ceases, 
being  succeeded  by  that  of  GERM/?«iVkj,  which 
he  had  adopted  on  account  of  pretended  vic- 
tories over  the  Germans.  This  year,  or  perhaps 
at  the  close  of  the  year  preceding,  he  went  into 
Gaul,  and  after  cruelly  despoiling  that  province, 
lie  returned  to  Rome. 

In  967  (a.  d.  214),  he  entered  on  an  expe- 
dition against  the  Alamanni,  over  whom  he 
gained  a victory  on  the  banks  of  the  Mtcnns 
(river  Mayue,  in  Germany).  In  this  expedition 
it  is  stated,  he  made  himself  an  object  of  ridi- 
cule even  to  the  barbarians.  Declared  Impcra- 
tor  III.  he  proceeded  into  Dacia;  thence  into 
Thrace,  and,  crossing  the  Hellespont,  wintered 
at  Nicomcdia. 

9G8  (a.  d.  215).  After  gladiatorial  shews,  on 
his  birth-day,  the  4th  of  April,  at  Nicomcdia, 
he  went  to  Pisidiau  Antioch,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  invading  the  Parthians,  on  some  far- 
fetched cause  of  quarrel.  But  they  being  seized 
with  panic,  aud  instantly  complying  with  the 
demands  of  Caracalla,  he  proceeded  to  Alexan- 
dria, where  he  revenged  himself  for  some  rail- 
leries, by  slaughtering  twenty  thousand  of  the 
inhabitants. 

969  (a.d.  216). — Returning  from  Egypt  to 
Antioch,  Caracalla  (who,  four  years  before,  had 


CARACALLA. 

caused  his  wife  l’lautilla  to  he  put  to  death), 
was  “ the  meek  and  modest  suitor”  to  ask  in 
marriage  the  daughter  of  Artabanus,  king  of 
the  Parthians.  This  request  being  refused,  he 
crossed  the  Euphrates,  invaded  Media,  took 
Arbela,  aud,  after  ravaging  the  whole  region 
with  fire  aud  sword,  returned  to  winter  quarters 
iu  Edessa.  Having  inveigled  Abagarus,  king  of 
the  Osrhseni,  into  a conference,  he  loaded  him 
with  chains,  and  took  possession  of  his  kingdom. 

970  (a.  d.  217). — This  year  Caracalla  pre- 
pared for  war  against  the  Parthians,  who  made 
their  appearance  with  a large  force,  to  avenge 
the  aggression  of  the  year  preceding.  On  his 
way  in  Mesopotamia  from  Edessa  to  Carrlue, 
where  he  intended  to  have  visited  the  celebrated 
temple  dedicated  to  the  Syrian  god  Lunus,  lie 
was  assassinated  by  a soldier  of  his  own  body* 
guard,  named  Martialis,  at  the  instigation  of 
Macrinus,  the  pretorian  prefect,  on  the  8th  of 
April,  in  the  29th  year  of  his  age,  during  the 
celebration  of  the  Megalensian  games. 

As,  in  boyhood  he  displayed  so  much  modera- 
tion, affability,  and  averseness  to  even  the  most 
just  severity,  all,  who  had  known  him  at  that 
period  of  life,  were  lost  in  astonishment  at  the 
monstrous  cruelties  of  Caracalla’s  riper  years. 
Spartiau  is  of  opinion  that  his  previous  charac- 
ter was  but  the  result  of  an  artful  dissimulation, 
or  a desire  of  resembling  Alexander  the  Great, 
of  whose  defects,  rather  than  merits,  both  of 
miud  and  body,  he  shewed  himself  a servile 
imitator.  Even  during  his  father’s  life  time,  he 
was  unable  wholly  to  conceal  the  natural  ferocity 
of  his  disposition ; and  to  rid  himself  of  the  sense 
of  restraint  and  fear  which  the  old  emperor’s  au- 
thority imposed,  he  made  frequent  attempts,  dur- 
ing the  campaign  iu  Britain,  by  instigating  plots 
and  tumults,  to  put  an  end  to  the  life  of  Scvcms. 
And  when  at  length  all  apprehension  of  parental 
punishment  was  removed,  he  shewed  at  once  his 
determination  to  kill  his  brother,  which,  as  we 
have  seen  under  the  events  of  the  year  965 
(a.  d.  212),  he  carried  out  with  a cruelty  that 
extended  itself  to  every  member  of  the  unfor- 
tunate Geta’s  family.  If  to  this  we  add  the 
horrors  of  his  massacre  at  Alexandria,  perpe- 
trated on  the  slightest  possible  provocation,  we 
perceive  clearly,  that  there  were  no  relations, 
however  sacred  and  religious,  which  he  was  not 
capable  of  violating  by  bloodshed.  Finding  the 
contents  of  the  treasury  insufficient  to  meet  the 
demands  of  his  cupidity,  on  account  of  his  ex- 
travagant expenditure  in  public  spectacles,  and 
because  it  was  matter  of  necessity  to  eurieh  bis 
soldiers,  both  in  order  to  reconcile  them  to  the 
murder  of  Geta,  aud  to  retain  their  services  as 
a defence  against  attempts  on  his  own  person, — 
he  attacked  with  impunity  the  properties  of  the 
citizens,  openly  asserting,  that  the  wealth  of 
the  world  belonged  to  him  alone,  as  the  dispen- 
ser of  it  to  his  faithful  soldiers ; and  it  is  said, 
that,  when  his  mother  remonstrated  with  him 
on  the  costliness  and  frequency  of  his  donatives, 
adding,  that  shortly  no  means,  fnir  or  fold,  of 
raising  money  would  be  left  to  him — his  reply 
was,  “ Be  of  good  courage,  mother ; for  so  long 


CARACALLA. 

as  we  retain  this  (pointing  to  his  sword),  money 
will  always  be  forthcoming.”  He  exhibited,  so 
many  instances  of  perfidy  in  the  presence  of  the 
whole  world,  that  at  last  no  one  believed  him, 
eveu  on  his  oath,  and  he  became  an  object  of 
hatred  and  contempt  to  foreign  nations,  as  well 
as  to  his  own.  After  death,  his  body  was 
burned,  and  the  hones  brought  to  Rome,  and  de- 
posited in  the  tomb  of  the  Antonines. — See 
Eckhcl,  vii.  199,  et  seq. 

MINTAGES  OF  CARACALLA. 

On  his  coins  Caracalla  is  styled  M.  AVRE- 
LIVS  ANTONIXVS,  or  M.  AVR.  ANTON. 
CAES.— IMP.  M.  AVR.  ANTONIN.— IMP. 
C.  or  CAES.  ANTONIN  VS — M.  AVR.  ANTO- 

NINVS  PIVS  AVG. ANTONIN  VS  PIVS 

AVG.  BlU'lWicw. ANTONINVS  PIVS 

FELIX  AVG. ANTONINVS  PIVS  AVG. 

GERMtznicuj. — DIVVS  ANTONTNVS  MAG- 
NVS. — On  the  reverses  sometimes  appear  SE- 
VERI  AVG.  PII.  FILims,  or  PRINCEPS  IV- 
VENTVTIS,  or  DESTINATVS  IMPERATOR. 
— On  other  reverses  occur  P.  or  PARTAieiw — 
M AX.  or  MAXI  MVS— also  RECTOR  ORRIS. 

The  medallions  and  gold  coins  of  this  empe- 
ror arc  of  considerable  rarity  ; so  arc  the  small 
brass  ; but  the  denarii,  together  with  the  large 
and  middle  brass,  are  for  the  most  part  common. 
— His  first  brass,  however,  even  with  common 
reverses,  when  in  very  fine  preservation,  bring 
high  prices.  From  the  commencement  of  his 
reign  the  silver  is  found  to  be  not  pure  but 
mixed  with  brass.  His  brass  coinage  of  cities 
and  colonics  is  abundant.  That  portion  of  the 
Roman  mintages  which  give  to  Caracalla  the 
name  of  “ Great”  are  very  rare,  the  epithet  be- 
ing found  only  on  his  consecrations — for,  not- 
withstanding “ his  atrocious  career  of  folly  and 
barbarity  (as  Captain  Smyth  observes),  this 
execrable  ‘ Man  of  Blood’  received  the  honours 
of  deification,  by  command  of  the  soldiers.” 

After  Caracalla,  another,  and  if  possible  still 
greater  disgrace  to  the  name  of  emperor,  Ela- 
gabalns,  profaned  (by  his  own  assumption  of  it) 
the  title  of  M.  avrei.ivs  antoninvs.  There  is 
in  consequence  sometimes  a difficulty  to  distin- 
guish the  coins  of  those  two  princes.  It  may 
not,  therefore,  be  unacceptable,  especially  to  the 
tyro,  if  the  following  rules  are  here  cited  for 
ascertaining  the  point,  as  concisely  given  by  the 
learned  and  accurate  author  of  Lefons  E/emen- 
tain's  cle  Numismatique  Romaine : — 

1st.  The  head  without  crown,  and  the  title 
of  Caesar  alone,  can  belong  only  to  Caracalla, 
since  Elagabalus  was  at  once  created  Augustas. 

2nd.  The  dignity  of  Pontifex  (without  the 
epithet  of  max.)  with  which  Caracalla  was  in- 
vested during  the  life  time  of  his  father,  can- 
not be  appropriated  to  Elagabalus,  who  was 
always  Pontifex  Maximus. 

3rd.  A very  infantine  head,  or  one  strongly 
bearded;  and  the  titles  part.  max.  brit.  germ. 
suit  only  with  Caracalla.  The  same  remark  ap- 
plies to  the  epithet  avgg.  in  the  legends  of  certain 
reverses  ; seeing  that  he  reigned  simultaneously 
during  several  years  either  with  his  father,  oV 


CARACALLA.  175 

with  his  brother ; whilst  we  know  that  Elaga- 
balus never  had  any  colleague. 

4th  and  lastly.  Caracalla,  in  his  5th  tribun- 
ate, was  consul  for  the  first  time.  Elagabalus, 
after  his  5th  tribunate  (the  epocha  when  he 
perished),  was  consul  for  the  4th  time.  There- 
fore every  record  of  the  tribunitian  power  mark- 
ed by  a number  exceeding  V.  can  apply  only  to 
the  son  of  Secerns,  &c. 

There  is  also  a star,  or  small  radiated  sun,  on 
many  of  the  coins,  especially  the  silver  ones,  of 
Elagabalus,  which  are  not  to  be  met  with  on 
those  of  Caracalla. 

The  following  arc  amongst  the  rarest  and 
most  remarkable  reverses  : — 

Gold  and  Silver  Medallions. — te.  p. 
xviii.  cos.  mi.  The  moon  (or  Diana)  in  a car 
drawn  by  two  bulls,  (gold,  valued  by  Mionnet 
at  400  fr.) — venvs  victrix,  holding  a victriola 
and  hasta.  (gold,  valued  by  Mionnet  at  400 
fr.) — Young  beardless  head  of  Caracalla  laure- 
ated,  with  reverse  of  victoria  avgvsta.  (Sil- 
ver, valued  at  200  fr.) 

Gold  of  common  size. — adventvs.  Three 

figures  on  horseback. felicitas  saf.cvli. 

Scvcrus  seated  between  his  two  sons.  (Valued 
by  Mionnet  at  200  fr.) — laetitia  temporvm. 
Galley,  cars,  and  animals. — plavtillae  avgvs- 
tae.  Head  of  the  empress. — tk.  p.  xiii.  cos. 
iiii.  Several  figures  sacrificing. — tr.  p.  xvii. 
cos.  iiii.  The  circus,  with  chariots. — p.  sept, 
geta  caes.  &c.  Bare  head  of  Geta. — Obverse. 
Bust  of  Caracalla.  (A  very  fine  specimen  of 
this  rare  type,  in  a high  state  of  preserva- 
tion, brought  £11  at  the  Pembroke  sale). — 
avgvsti  cos.  Severus  and  Caracalla  seated  on 

an  estradc,  and  two  figures  standing. con- 

cordiae  aeternae.  Heads  of  Severus  and 
Julia  Domna. — Concordia  felix.  Severus  and 
Plautilla  joining  hands.— cos.  lvdos.  saecvl. 
fec.  Bacchus  and  Hercules. — felicia  tem- 
pora.  The  four  Seasons. — p.  m.  tr.  p.  xviii.  &c. 
Esculapius  in  a temple ; two  figures  sacrificing 
at  an  altar.  (Brought  £16  16s.  at  the  Thomas 

sale). victouiae  brit.  Victory  seated  on 

bucklers,  with  palm  and  shield.  (A  very  fine 
specimen  brought  £16  at  the  Thomas  sale). 

Silver. — Head  of  Plautilla,  as  in  gold. — 
aeternit.  imperi.  Heads  of  Severus  and  Cara- 
calla.— arcvs  avgg.  Arch  of  Severus.  (See 

engraving,  p.  78). concordiae.  Heads  of 

Severus  and  Julia. — divo.  antonino  magno. 
Consecration  medal. — imp.  et  caesar.  Three 
figures  seated. — liberalitas.  Two  emperors 
seated,  two  figures  standing. — Heads  of  Cara- 
calla and  Geta. 

Brass  Medallions. concordiae  avg. 

Caracalla  and  Geta,  each  crowned  by  Victorv. 
(Valued  by  Mionnet  at  200  fr.) — imp.  ii.  cos. 
iiii.  Emperor  in  a quadriga. — tr.  p.  xvi.  imp. 
ii.  cos.  mi.  Grand  circus,  in  which  are  an 
obelisk  and  chariot  races. — severi.  avg.  pii. 
fil.  Sacrificial  instruments.  (Valued  by  Mion- 
net at  250  fr.) — traiectvs.  Emperor  and  sol- 
diers crossing  a river  on  a bridge  of  boats. 

First  Brass. divo.  antonino  magno. 

Bare  head. — Rev.  consecratio.  Funeral  pile. 


178  CAR. 

— cos.  i.vd.  saec.  fec.  A sacrifice  : six  figures. 
— PONT  IF.  &c.  Caracalln  ami  Geta,  with  three 
soldiers. — saecvlaria  sacra.  Several  figures 
sacrificing. — virtvs  avoo.  The  emperor  stand- 
ing near  a trophy. — aeqvitati  pvbj.icae.  The 
three  Monetse. — pontif.  &c.  Severus  and  Cara- 
calla. — cos.  hi.  Emperor  addressing  his  soldiers. 
— cos.  mi.  Circus.  (Sec  wood-cut  p.  174). — 
cos.  mi.  Lion  with  thunderbolt. — pkofectvs 
a vo.  Emperor  and  two  soldiers. — victoriae 

BRITTANNICAE. 

Second  Brass.' — aiicvs  avo.  Arch  of  Seve- 
rus. (See  wood-cut,  in  p.  79). — avgvsti  cos.  ? 

— ANN.  AVO.  SAECVLI.  FELICISSIMI. LIBE- 

RALITAS,  &C. 

Third  Brass. — prim.  decf..  s.  c.  A club 
within  a garland. — part.  max.  Trophy,  on  each 
side  a captive. 

CAR  or  CHARIOT.  (Currus). Ancient 

monuments,  and  coius  amongst  the  rest,  make 
us  acquainted  with  sucli  cars  of  the  Romans  as 
were  used  by  them  either  for  certain  ceremonies 
of  religion,  for  the  pomp  of  triumphs,  or  for  the 
courses  of  the  Circus.  They  were  of  two  kinds,  on 
two  wheels  and  on  four.  The  former  were  smaller 
and  more  ancient  than  those  on  four  wheels, 
which  were  at  first  reserved  for  the  highest  ma- 
gistrates under  the  republic,  and  for  the  emperors 
afterwards.  The  cars  of  ceremony  partook  of 
the  magnificence  of  the  Romans ; they  were  de- 
corated profusely  with  silver,  gold,  ivory,  and 
other  costly  materials.  The  imperial  chariots, 
and  those  used  by  persons  of  the  greatest  dis- 
tinction, were  drawn  by  mules,  or  by  white 
horses,  which  were  most  prized. 

Cars  of  the  Circus  or  Race  course,  served 
also  on  occasions  of  public  festivals.  This  vehicle 
was  a species  of  shell,  mounted  on  two  wheels ; 
it  was  higher  before  than  behind,  and  orna- 
mented with  painting  and  sculpture.  When 
harnessed  to  two  horses,  these  cars  were  called 
bigee  (see  Axsia  gens,  p.  117 — Saufeia  gens,  p. 
129) ; and  quadrigee  when  drawn  by  four  horses, 
which  were  always  driven  abreast. — Sec  Annia 
gens,  p.  48;  Aufidia,  94;  Biebia,  121. — See 
also  Bigati  and  Quadrigati. 

Covered  Cars  (currus  arcuati)  were  used  by 
the  Roman  famines  for  carrying  the  statues 
of  their  divinities.  They  differed  from  the  others  i 
only  in  the  arched  roof  placed  above  them,  and 
under  which  those  in  the  vehicle  were  protected  [ 
from  wind  and  bad  weather. — See  Carpentum, 
and  Thensa. 

Cars  of  Divinities,  as  seen  on  coins,  are  oc- 
casionally drawn  by  the  animals  which  pagan 
mythology  has  consecrated  to  them.  For  ex- 
ample, that  of  Diana  by  stags ; that  of  Cybclc 
by  lions;  that  of  Bacchus  by  panthers;  that  of 
Hercules  by  centaurs;  &c. — See  Aurelia  gens, 

p.  111. 

Car  of  the  proceeding  Consul. — See  Consul- 
aris  Processus. 

Car  of  Triumph  (currus  triumphalis). — This 
was  at  first  harnessed  to  two  horses,  afterwards 
to  four,  and  to  two  or  four  elephants  (see  Ciccilin 
gens,  p.  111).  It  was  of  a circular  form,  had  two 
wheels,  aud  the  triumpher  stood  in  it,  as  is 


CARAUSIUS. 

shewn  on  various  coins.  After  the  example  of 
the  Greeks,  the  Romans  ornamented  these 
triumphal  chariots  with  images  designed  to  per- 
petuate the  memory'  of  their  victories.  The  use 
of  the  currus  triumphalis  had  been  introduced, 
according  to  some,  by  Romulus,  according  to 
others,  by  Tarquin  the  Ancient,  or  Valerius  l’op- 
licola.  Before  the  times  of  the  empire,  the  car 
of  triumph  was  generally  gilt ; under  the  em- 
perors it  was  of  gold — the  triumpher  himself 
held  the  reins  of  the  horses.  If  he  had  young 
children,  they  were  placed  with  him  in  the  car  ; 
if  they  were  adolescent,  they  accompanied  it 
on  horseback.  On  a great  number  of  the  im- 
perial coius  we  see  the  triumphator  in  his  cha- 
riot, as  in  Domitian,  Antonine,  &c.  When  he 
mounted  into  it,  this  prayer  was  said  : — " Dii, 
nutu  et  imperio  qnorum  nata  et  aucta  cst  res 
Romana,  caudem  placati,  propitiatique  senate. ” 
The  emperor  triumphing  was  followed  as  well  as 
preceded  by  soldiers,  trumpeters,  and  others 
burning  costly  perfumes. — (I’itiscus — Millin — 
Rasche) . 

On  a medallion  in  bronze  of  Gordianus  Pius 
is  a triumphal  car,  of  which  the  emperor  is  the 
charioteer.  It  agrees  with  those  of  other  cars  of 
triumph  exhibited  on  Roman  coins — resembling 
as  it  does  a short,  compact,  round  tower,  resting 
on  only  two  wheels.  The  emperor  stands  guid- 
ing the  vehicle,  according  to  the  old-established 
custom  handed  down  from  the  consuls  of  the 
republic : hence  Prudentius  says — “ Stantes  que 
duces  in  curribus  altis.” — Sec  Triumph.  Sec 
also  an  excellent  representation  of  the  Roman 
car  of  triumph  in  the  well-known  coin  of  Gcr- 
manicus  Caisar,  with  legend  devictis  germ, 
signis  RECEP. 


CARAUSIUS  ( Marcus  Aurelius  Valerius), 
was  born  of  obscure  parents,  in  that  part  of 
Belgic  Gaul  called  Menapia,  a district  between  the 
Scheldt  and  the  Meuse.  Bred  a pilot,  he  had  re- 
commended himself  alike  by  his  skill  in  nautical 
affairs,  and  by  his  bravery  ns  a soldier,  to  the 
favour  of  Diocletian  and  Maxiraianus  Hercules. 
It  was  the  latter  emperor  that  gave  him  the  com- 
mand of  a naval  force,  which  had  been  equipped 
for  the  purpose  of  putting  a stop  to  the  predatory 
expeditions  of  the  Franks,  who,  cruising  about 
in  their  light  vessels,  from  place  to  place,  were 
committing  continual  outrages  on  the  coasts  of 
what  are  now  Holland,  Belgium,  France,  and 
Spain.  At  first  Carausius  displayed  zcid  and 
activity  in  discharging  the  duties  of  his  ap|>oint- 
ed  service;  but  subsequently  his  equivocal  move- 
ments, and  increasing  wealth,  gave  rise  to  strong 
suspicions  that  he  allowed  the  sea-robbers  whom 
he  should  have  suppressed,  to  rove  with  im- 
punity the  narrow  seas,  in  order  afterwards  to 


CARAUSIUS. 

possess  himself  of  the  greater  portion  of  their 
ill-acquired  booty.  Maximianus  therefore  or- 
dered that  he  should  be  put  to  death.  But  with 
a vigilant  eye  to  his  own  safety,  Carausius  in- 
stantly sailed  across  to  Britain  with  the  impe- 
rial fleet,  which  was  devoted  to  his  interests, 
and  being  well  received  by  the  Roman  troops 
there,  he  assumed  the  purple  with  the  title  of  j 
Augustus,  a.  d.  287-  His  prudence  and  valour 
enabled  him  to  maintain  his  independent  govern- 
ment of  the  island.  By  the  speedy  construc- 
tion of  new  galleys,  and  the  formation  of  alli- 
ances with  different  tribes,  whom  he  trained  as 
sailors,  the  usurper  made  head  against  all  the 
armaments  sent  against  him  by  Maximianus, 
who,  with  the  senior  Augustus,  Diocletian,  was 
at  length  compelled  (a.  d.  289)  to  acknowledge 
him  as  their  colleague,  so  far  at  least  as  Britain 
was  concerned. 

The  sequel  of  this  bold  adventurer’s  history 
cannot  be  better  related  than  in  the  terms  em- 
ployed by  Mr.  Akerman  : — 

“ Carausius  enjoyed  his  honours  seven  years, 
and,  during  that  period,  performed  many  acts 
which  evinced  his  ahili*y  to  rule,  notwithstand- 
ing his  defection  from  his  masters.  He  de- 
fended the  frontiers  of  his  empire  from  the  Cale- 
donians, courted  the  friendship  and  alliance  of 
the  Franks  (upon  the  confines  of  whose  country 
he  was  born),  and  in  reward  for  their  services 
instructed  them  in  naval  and  military  affairs. — 
His  fleets  swept  the  seas,  and  commanding  the 
mouths  of  the  Rhine  and  the  Seine,  ravaged  the 
coasts,  and  rendered  the  name  of  the  once  ob- 
scure Menapian  pilot,  as  celebrated  as  those  of 
the  emperors.  During  this  time,  Carausius  still 
kept  possession  of  Boulogne ; but  in  the  year 
292,  the  adoption  of  the  two  Crcsars,  Constan- 
tius  and  Galerius,  added  strength  to  the  Roman 
arras.  Maximianus  guarded  the  Rhine ; and 
Constantius,  taking  command  of  the  legions 
appointed  for  the  British  war,  immediately  laid 
siege  to  Boulogne,  which,  after  an  obstinate  re- 
sistance, surrendered  to  the  conqueror,  who  pos- 
sessed himself  of  the  naval  stores  of  Carausius. 
Three  years  were  consumed  in  the  preparation 
of  a fleet  for  the  recovery  of  Britain : but  ere 
it  was  launched,  news  arrived  of  the  assassina- 
tion of  Carausius  by  his  friend  and  prime  minis- 
ter Allectus,  a.  d.  293.  The  event  was  consi- 
dered as  a presage  of  victory  to  the  Roman 
arms.” — Coins  of  the  Romans  relating  to  Rri-  j 
tain,  2nd  edition. 

MINTAGES  OF  CARAUSIUS. 

The  connection  of  this  usurper  with  Britain 
has  always  rendered  his  coinage  an  object  of  | 
peculiar  curiosity  and  appreciation,  with  the  ; 
numismatic  antiquaries  and  collectors  of  our 
country.  In  Italy  his  coins  are  beyond  compa- 
rison more  rare  than  in  England ; and  were  j 
almost  equally  scarce  in  France,  until  a recent 
trouvaille  at  Rouen  brought  a large  hoard  of 
them  to  light.  Indeed  they  were  for  the  far 
greater  part  struck  in  this  island,  during  the 
six  years  (a.  d.  286  to  a.  d.  293)  in  which  its 
government  was  virtually  separated  from  that  of 
2 A 


CARAUSIUS.  177 

the  Roman  empire. — “ Of  this  eventful  period 
(observes  Mr.  Roach  Smith,  in  his  Antiquities 
I of  Richborough,  &c.)  as  far  as  regards  Britain, 
j no  monumental  inscriptions  are  extant ; and  the 
brief  notices  of  historical  writers,  which  have 
come  down  to  us,  are  in  the  suspicious  language 
of  panegyrists  and  conquerors.”  p.  136. 

In  the  last  edition  of  Mr.  Akcrman’s  work 
above  quoted,  53  varieties  in  gold  and  silver  arc 
' enumerated,  and  no  less  than  233  in  brass, 
j which  are  of  the  third  size  only.  And  since 
1844,  others  are  now  known,  as  scarcely  a year 
passes  without  the  discovery  of  some  variety 
hitherto  undescribed.  “ In  the  bed  of  the 
Thames,  and  in  the  neighbourhood  of  St.  Alban’s, 
and  other  Roman  Stations  (says  Mr.  Bergne), 
j coins  of  Carausius  are  found  in  great  numbers. 

I Nor  is  it  improbable  that  on  examining  any 
i dozen  coins  picked  up  successively  in  the  fields 
| which  occupy  the  site  of  the  ancient  Verulam, 
two  or  three  would  prove  to  be  of  Carausius. 
— (Sec  Numismatic  Chronicle,  No.  lv.  Jan. 
1852,  p.  151). 

The  workmanship  of  the  gold  resembles  that 
of  the  contemporary  coins  of  Diocletian  and  his 
imperial  colleague,  being  of  a fine  and  bold,  but 
peculiar  fabric.  With  rare  exceptions,  the  fabric 
of  the  silver  is  rough,  and  their  quality  of  metal 
base.  Of  the  brass,  a great  portion  is  of  bar- 
barous execution ; “ but  (as  Mr.  Akerman  re- 
marks), all  of  them  bear  a portrait,  which  it  is 
impossible  to  confound  with  any  other  in  the 
Roman  series.” 

Many  of  the  types  and  legends  of  the  money 
of  this  usurper  obviously  apply  to  Carausius 
only  : among  these  may  be  noticed  those  of  ex- 
PECTATE  VENI.  and  CARAVSIVS  ET  FRATRES  SVI  ; 
whilst  it  is  equally  clear  that  such  legends  as 
principi  ivyentvt(is)  and  orie.vs  avg.  can 
have  no  reference  to  the  acts,  or  to  the  situa- 
tion, of  Carausius.  In  the  latter  case  they 
must  have  been  executed  by  ignorant,  and  pro- 
bably illiterate,  moneyers,  without  knowledge  of 
their  application  or  significance. 

Carausius  is  styled  on  his  coins — caravsivs — 

CAHAVSIVS  AVG. — IMP.  CARAVSIVS  AVG. — IMP. 
CARAVSIVS  P.  F.  AVG. — IMP.  C.  M.  CARAVSIVS 

AVG. — IMP.  C.  M.  AVR.  V.  CARAVSIVS  P.  AVG. 

CARAVSIVS  ET  FRATRES  svi. — On  his  gold  and 
silver  coinage  his  effigy  is  adorned  with  a laurel 
wreath  ; on  the  brass  with  a radiated  diadem. 

The  following  arc  amongst  the  rarest  reverses  : 
Gold. 

conservatori  avggg.  Hercules  standing, 
holding  his  club  and  a bow  ; behind  is  a quiver  ; 
on  the  exergue  m.  l. 

Valued  by  Mionnet  at  720  fr. 

Concordia  mii.itvm.  Two  women  stand- 
ing.— Valued  by  Mionnet  at  600  fr. 

leg(io)  iiii.  fl.  Lion  walking,  with  ears  of 
com  in  his  mouth. — Valued  by  Mionnet  at  600  fr. 

Obv. — virtvs  caravsi.  Bust  of  Carausius 
to  the  left,  with  slight  beard,  and  ornamented 
helmet ; spear  in  right  hand ; buckler  over  left 
shoulder,  ornamented  with  griffin,  to  the  left, 
and  floral  border. 


178  CARAUSIUS. 

Rev. — romano  renova.  Wolf  to  the  right, 
with  the  twins  ; in  the  exergue  R.  s.  r. 

Valued  by  Mionnet  at  7^0  fr. 

This  coin,  of  the  highest  degree  of  rarity,  and 
described  to  be  in  very  good  preservation,  wt.  67 
grs.  brought  £14  at  the  Thomas  sale,  lot  988. 

salvs  avggg.  In  the  exergue  M.  l. — This 
coin  of  Maximianus,  certainly  struck  by  Carau- 
sius,  is  in  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  Roach  Smith. 

Silver. 

adventvs  avg.  The  emperor  on  horseback, 
brandishing  a spear  over  a fallen  enemy. 

This  coin,  well  preserved,  brought  £8  at  the 
Pembroke  sale. 

adventvs  avg.  Emperor  on  horseback, 
right  hand  elevated,  &c.  a captive  at  the  fore 
feet  of  the  horse ; a thunderbolt  in  exergue.  On 
the  obverse,  dip.  caravsivs  p.  f.  av.  laureated, 
togated,  and  bearded  bust  to  right. 

This  fine  and  most  rare,  perhaps  unique  coin, 
brought  £13  at  the  Brnmell  sale,  in  1850. 

conservat.  avg.  Jupiter. — Engraved  in 

Akerman,  ii.  p.  156,  pi.  xi.  No.  5. 

concordia  avgg.  'Two  hands  joined.  (Haym. 
Tesoro  Britannico). 

concordia  militvm.  Same  type.  In  the 
exergue,  r.  s.  r. 

This  coin,  of  good  silver,  well  preserved, 
brought  £4  4s.  at  the  Thomas  sale. 

fides  militvm.  A female  to  the  left,  hold- 
ing two  standards ; in  the  exergue  r.  s.  r.  Not 
iu  Mionnet  or  Akerman  ; well  preserved. — Curt. 

This  coin  brought  £5  17s.  6d.  at  the  Bru- 
mell  sale. 

felicitas.  Galley  and  four  rowers;  in  ex- 
ergue r.  s.  R. 

This  denarius,  in  perfect  condition,  brought 
£7  10s.  at  the  Thomas  and  £8  15s.  at  the  Pem- 
broke sale. 

fidem  militvm  n.  n.  A female  standing, 
holding  a pair  of  scales  and  a cornucopia:. 

This,  of  good  silver,  brought  £8  at  the  Tho- 
mas sale. 

ixpectate  (sic)  veni.  Emperor  and  a female 
figure. — See  expectate. 

i.eg(io)  iiii.  fl. — “ A ccntauress  (and  not  a 
centaur,  says  Mr.  Curt),  as  in  Etruscan  Anti- 
quities in  the  Naples  Museum,  &c.”  walking  to 
the  left,  holding  with  both  her  hands  a long  club, 
which  she  rests  on  her  shoulders.  G.  in  exergue. 

Of  good  silver,  and  fine  as  to  preservation — 
sec  Catalogue,  lot  1084,  Brumcll  cabinet,  at  the 
sale  of  which  it  brought  £22. — See  engraving 
of  it  in  Akerman ; see  also  his  remarks,  124. 
leg.  v.  vii.  viii. — (Stukeley). 
i.ib(eralitas)  hi.  Emperor  on  horseback. 
(British  Museum). 

moneta  avg.  The  goddess  Moneta  standing, 
with  scales  and  cornucopia:.  In  the  exergue  x. 
— Engraved  in  plate  vi.  fig.  4,  Antiquities  of 
Richborough,  See. 

oriens  avg.  The  Sun  standing. 

PRiNCiPi  iwent.  A military  figure  stands 
resting  on  a spear,  with  olive  twig  in  right  hand. 

This  coin,  of  good  silver,  and  one  of  the 
rarest  of  the  Caransian  types,  obtained  £8  at 
the  Thomas  sale. — Sec  Akerman,  No.  32  & 139. 


CARAUSIUS. 

romano  renov.  Wolf  suckling  the  founders 
of  Rome ; in  the  exergue  R.  s.  r. 

A very  fine  specimen,  and  of  good  silver, 
pierced,  went  for  £7  5s.  6d.  at  the  Thomas  sale. 

victoria  avg.  The  goddess  marching. — vir- 
Tvs  im.  avg.  (sic).  Military  figure. 

virtvs  avg.  Lion  with  thunderbolt  in  its 
mouth. — This  coin,  in  fine  condition,  brought 
£5  16s.  at  the  Thomas  sale. 

voto  pvblico,  inscribed  round  a crown  of 
laurel,  in  which  is  seen  MVLTIS  XX.  R.  s.  R.  On 
the  obverse,  imp.  caravsivs  p.  f.  avg.  Laure- 
ated bust  of  Carausius. 

Mionnet  attaches  the  value  of  150  fr.  to  this 
coin ; an  engraving  of  which  is  prefixed  to  the 
mintages  of  Carausius,  p.  176  of  this  Dictionary. 

votvm  pvblicvm.  A square  altar  with  fire, 
in  the  middle  of  which  are  mvltis  xx.  imp. 

Valued  by  Mionnet  at  150  fr.  A specimen  of 
it,  in  good  silver,  fetched  £5  17s.  6d.  at  the 
Thomas  sale. 

vbervta  (blundered  for  JJlertas)  av.  A 
female  seated  on  a low  stool,  milking  a cow.  In 
the  exergue  R.  s.  r.  . 

A silver  coin  of  Carausius,  with  this  legend 
and  type  on  its  reverse,  brought  £5  17s.  6d.  at 
the  above  mentioned  sale. — The  letters  on  the 
exergue  R.  s.  r.  probably  stand  for  rvtvpiae  or 
rvtvpiis  (Richborough)  signata,  as  coins  of 
Carausius  arc  frequently  found  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  that  old  Kentish  town. — Akerman,  121. 

Third  Brass. 

abvndanti.  avg.  Abundance  personified. 
aeqvitas  hvndi.  Female  with  scales  and 
cornucopia:. 

This  third  brass  of  Carausius,  very  fine  and 
almost  unique,  only  one  other  of  this  type  be- 
ing known  to  exist,  was  found  at  Rouen,  where 
it  formed  part  of  M.  Biliard’s  collection.  It 
brought  £2  15s.  at  the  sale  of  “ a well-known 
collector,”  1851. 

adivtrix  avg.  Half  length  bust  of  Victory, 
holding  a garland  and  palm  branch. 

Coins  of  Victorinus  occur  in  third  brass  with 
the  same  legend. — Akerman,  127- 

adventvs  avg.  The  emperor  on  horseback. 
In  exergue  R.  s.  R. — (Iu  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  C. 
Roach  Smith). 

adventvs  caravsi.  Emperor  on  horseback; 
his  right  hand  raised,  holding  a globe.  In  the 
exergue  of  some  r.  s.  p.  (or  m.  l.) 

aeqvitas  avg.  Equity  with  her  attributes. 
(In  the  Hunter  collection.) 

a pollini  co.  avo.  and  apoli.ini  cons,  and 
cons.  avo.  A Griffin. 

These  legends  and  types  will  be  found  on  the 
abundant  third  brass  of  Gallicnus.  Akerman. 

con.  pr. — Cohors  Pretoria.  Four  military' 
standards.  (In  Mr.  Reader’s  collection.) 

cohr.  praet.  Four  standards.  (In  the  Hun- 
ter collection.) 

comes  avg.  Victory  marching  with  garlnnd 
and  palm  branch.  On  the  obverse  is  the  hcl- 
meted  bust  of  Carausius,  with  javelin  and  shield  ; 
legend  caravsivs  avg. 

The  coins  of  Carausius  with  these  armed  busts 
appear  to  be  modelled  on  those  of  the  Emperor 


CARAUSIUS. 

Probus,  on  whose  money  the  imperial  effigies 
are  often  thus  represented.  Akcrman,  p.  128. 

comes  avgg.  Minerva  standing,  holding  the 
hasta  and  au  olive  branch.  Iu  the  field  s.  r. 
Ou  the  exergue  Mi.xxt.  (Tauiui.) 

concoudia  avgg.  A woman  holding  two 
standards,  on  others  holding  the  hasta  and  cor- 
nucopia;. 

CONCORDIA  MIL.  or  MILIT.  Or  MILITVM.  Two 
right  hands  joined ; or  the  emperor  joining  hands 
with  a female  figure. 

On  one  of  this  rare  type,  in  the  Itoach  Smith 
cabinet,  we  read  on  the  obverse  imp.  c.  carav- 
SIVS  P.  F.  IN.  AVG. 

conservat.  avg.  Neptune  seated ; in  his 
right  hand  an  anchor ; in  his  left  a trident  re- 
versed. 

Sec  remarks  on  this  coin,  in  Antiquities  of 
Reculver,  &c.  by  Mr.  Roach  Smith,  p.  136. 

constant,  (or  constavnt.  (sic.J  avg.  Her- 
cules. (Mionuet.) 

diana. — Goddess  seated.  dianae.  cons, 
avg.  A stag. — dianae  redvci.  A stag. 

expf.ctate  veni.  Two  figures  standing, 
with  joined  hauds.  In  the  exergue  R.  S.  a. — See 
the  words  suis  tocis. 

felicitas  avg.  Woman  with  ensign  and 
cornucopia;. — Same  legend.  A galley  on  the 
sea,  with  rowers. 

felicitas  temp.  Four  children,  representing 
the  four  seasons. — Engraved  in  Akerman,  pi.  v. 

fides  militvm — fides  milit.  Woman  hold- 
ing two  military  standards. 

fidem  militvm.  Similar  type. — (In  the  Douce 
collection,  bequeathed  to  and  deposited  in  the 
Bodleian  Library.) 

The  last  three  types  occur  perpetually  in  the 
Roman  series,  but  they  are  very  appropriate  on 
the  coins  of  one  who  owed  so  much  to  his  mili- 
tary' partisans. — Akerman,  p.  130. 

fortvna  avg.  Fortune  with  rudder  and  cor- 
nucopia;.  fortvna  red.  Fortune  seated. — 

Obv. — IMP.  C.  CARAVSl VS  P.  F.  AVG. 

A beautiful  bust,  iu  perfect  preservation,  and 
said  to  be  unique,  was  purchased,  at  “ a well- 
known  collector’s”  sale,  for  £2  5s. 

genio  avg.  Woman  holding  globe  and  cor- 
nucopia:. 

genivs  exercit.  Gcuius  standing  with  patera 
and  cornucopia;. 

This  unique  brass  coin,  of  larger  module  than 
that  of  ordinary  third  brass,  is  engraved  in 
Roman  Coins  relating  to  Britain,  pi.  v.  No. 
36. — “ It  was  in  the  possession  (observes  Mr. 
Akerman)  of  the  late  Mr.  R.  F.  Newman,  City 
Solicitor,  a relative  of  whom  shewed  it  to  Mr. 
C.  Roach  Smith,  who  made  the  drawing  of 
which  the  engraving  above  referred  to  is  given. 
It  shews  that  the  usurper  was  anxious  to  testify 
his  gratitude  to  the  army,  which  had  enabled  him 
to  attain  the  sovereignty  of  Britain.”  p.  131. 

germanicvs  maxv.  A trophy  and  two  cap- 
tives. In  exergue  l. — (Mionuet.) 

This  legend  and  type  occur  both  on  the  coins 
of  Gallicnus  and  of  Postumus. — Akerman. 

HF.RCVU  invict.  Hercules  standing,  with 
his  club. 


CARAUSIUS.  171) 

iiercvli  pacifero.  Hercules  holding  olive 
branch  and  club. — Engraved  in  Akerman,  pi.  v. 
No.  37. 

hilaritas  avg.  and  avggg.  A woman  stand- 
ing, with  branch  and  cornucopia;. 

invictvs  and  invictvs  avg.  The  Sun  march- 
ing.— (Mionnet.) 

i.  o.  x.  The  emperor  in  a military  habit,  on 
horseback  ; his  right  hand  holding  a spear,  his 
left  hand  raised  aloft. 

The  three  letters  on  this  coin  have  been  sup- 
posed to  indicate  the  acclamations  of  the  multi- 
tude and  to  signify  io.  Decies.  Eckhel,  after  re- 
marking on  it  adds,  “ Quisquc  pro  sc  senigma 
explicet  I”  Let  every  one  solve  the  riddle  for 
himself. 

iovi  cons.  Jupiter  and  Carausius. 

iovi  statori.  Jupiter  with  hasta  and  thun- 
derbolt. 

laetitia  avg.  A galley  with  rowers.  In 
exergue  M.  c.  Engraved  in  Akerman,  pi.  v. 
No.  38. 

A specimen  with  the  same  legend  and  type  of 
reverse : in  exergue  o.  P.  it. — of  fine  work,  and 
as  it  came  from  the  die,  obtained  £3  at  a sale 
of  coins  1851,  the  property  of  “ a well-known 
collector.” 

Obv. — imp.  caravsivs.  p.  avg.  Radiated 
head  of  Carausius. 

Rev. — laetitia  avg.  A galley;  in  exergue 
M.  c. — A fine  specimen,  engraved  in  Akerman, 
on  Romano  British  coins,  pi.  v.  No.  38. 

The  galleys,  with  their  masts  and  rowers,  re- 
presented upon  the  coins  of  Carausius  and 
Allectus,  “ furnish  us  with  examples  of  the  ships, 
which  first  obtaiued  for  Britain  the  sovereignty 
of  the  sea  ; and  for  the  space  of  nine  years,  pro- 
tected this  island  in  an  independent  government. 
The  Romans  under  Constautius,  effected  a land- 
ing on  the  southern  coast,  having  evaded  the 
fleet  of  Allectus  (stationed  off  the  Isle  of  Wight) 
which  was  enveloped  in  a thick  fog.  A laud 
engagement  reduced  Britain  once  more  to  a pro- 
vince.”— See  Antiquities  of  Richborough,  &c. 
(written  by  C.  Roach  Smith,  F.S.A.  and  illus- 
trated by  F.  W.  Fairholt,  F.S.A.  who,  in  com- 
bining the  spirit  and  industry  of  the  typogra- 
phical, historical,  and  numismatic  antiquary, 
with  the  skill  and  accuracy  of  the  archaiologieal 
draughtsman  and  engraver,  have  together  pro- 
duced an  elegant,  interesting,  and  valuable  little 
volume). 

laetitia  avggg.  Woman  holding  garland 
and  corn  ears,  or  resting  her  hand  on  an  anchor. 

Obv. — imp.  caravsivs  p.  f.  avg.  Radiated 
head  of  the  Emperor  to  the  right,  the  bust  in 
the  paludamentum. — Rev. — leg.  iixx.  primio. 

A figure  of  Capricorn.  In  the  exergue  M.  L. — 
(Engraved  in  Akerman,  pi.  v.  No.  40). — Sec 
Capricorn,  p.  172. 

This  unique  coin  in  small  brass,  was  found, 
amongst  others,  in  1829,  near  Stroud,  in  Kent; 
and  was  communicated  the  same  year  to  the  Nu- 
mismatic Society,  by  Mr.  C.  Roach  Smith,  (sec 
Num.  C/iron.  vol.  ii.,  p.  1 14),  who  to  the  above 
description  adds  the  following  remarks: — 

“ The  twenty-second  legion,  surnamed  Pri  - 


2 A 2 


180  CARAUSIUS. 

migeuia,  aud  bearing  in  common  with  at  least 
six  other  legions,  the  badge  of  Capricorn,  was 
probably  formed  not  long  prior  to  the  time  of 
Antoninus.  By  the  Itinerary,  it  appears  to 
have  been  composed  of  allied  troops,  and  was 
quartered  in  Gaul  and  Belgium ; six  towns  or 
places  are  named  as  stations  in  which  were  divi- 
sions of  this  legion.  In  several  inscriptions  given 
in  Gruter  and  Ursiuus,  the  title  of  Primigenia 
(or  Primagcuia)  is  affixed  to  the  legion  ; but 
(adds  Mr.  S.)  upon  coins  I can  only  find  that  it  is 
expressed  in  one  instance,  and  that  is  on  a dena- 
rius of  Sevcrus.  In  the  list  of  the  legionary 
coins  struck  by  Gallienus  it  docs  not  occur,  al- 
though such  as  have  the  leg.  xxii.  merely,  are 
not  uncommon.  This  coin  therefore  must  be 
allowed  to  possess  the  highest  degree  of  interest, 
in  recording  a previously  unknown,  or  unauthen- 
ticated  fact,  namely  that  the  twenty-second 
legion,  or  at  least  one  or  more  of  its  cohorts  or 
battalions  sided  with  Carausins  in  his  successful 
assumption  of  the  imperial  power  in  the  province 
of  Britain.  Its  evidence  on  this  point  is  strength- 
ened by  historical  testimony,  of  this  legion  being 
composed  of  foreigners,  that  is  to  say,  of  Gauls 
and  Britons ; and  thus  constituted,  it  would  natu- 
rally be  presumed  to  he  amongst  the  first  to  sup- 
port a leader  whose  recent  military  conquests 
had  enriched  themselves,  and  readily  to  join 
their  fellow  countrymen  in  shaking  off  the  yoke 
of  foreign  dominion.” 

leg.  it.  parth.  A centaur  walking,  &c. — 
Engraved  in  Akerman,  Descr.  Cat.  ii.  p.  164, 
No.  77. — Brumell  cabinet,  at  the  sale  of  which 
it  brought  £1  13s. 

leg.  mi.  flavia  p f.  Two  lions  inarching; 
above,  a human  head. — (Stukclcy.) 

leg.  va.  c.  L.  A hull. — (In  the  Rolfe  cabinet). 

mars Mars  with  spear  in  right  hand, 

and  with  his  left  holding  a horse. — (Douce). 
mars,  victor.  Mars  marching  with  a trophy. 
There  are  also  legends  and  types  of  Mars 
Pacifcr  and  Mars  Ultor. 

MEuevnio  cox.  avq.  Mercury  with  his 
usual  attributes,  standing. 

This  unique  and  unpublished  coin  is  in  the 
cabinet  of  Mr.  Roach  Smith,  aud  was  presented 
to  him  by  M.  de  Gcrville,  of  Valognes,  to  whom 
it  had  been  given,  many  years  previously,  by 
Mr.  Reader,  of  Sandwich. 

mo.\et(a)  avggg.  Moucfa  standing  with  her 
attributes.  In  the  field  s.  p.  In  exergue  c. 

“This  rare  coin  (says  Mr.  Akerman,  who  has 
given  an  engraving  of  it,  p.  135,  pi.  v.  fig.  39) 
is  in  the  British  Museum.  It  is  remarkable  on 
account  of  the  title  of  IN  victim  on  the  obverse. 
The  respect  which  Carausins  seems  here,  and  on 
many  other  pieces  of  money,  to  record  for 
Moneta,  the  goddess  of  money,  must  have  been 
sincere ; since  it  doubtless  wras  to  his  wealth  that 
he  owed  the  success  of  his  rebellion.  The  three  g’s 
on  this  small  brass,  of  course,  denote  the  triple 
sovereignty.  The  c in  the  exergue  denotes,  in 
all  probability,  Clauscntum  (Bittern,  near  South- 
ampton, in  which  neighbourhood  coins  of  Carau- 
sius,  with  this  mint-mark,  arc  frequently  found.” 
Roman  Coins  relating  to  Britain,  p.  135-6. 


CARAUSIUS. 

oriens  avg. — The  Suu  standing. — (Stukeley.) 
ories  (sic).  The  Sun  with  extended  right 
hand,  and  holding  in  the  left  a globe.  In  ex- 
ergue r.  s.  r. 

This  coin  was  found  at  Stroud,  in  Kent. — See 
Mr.  Akerman’s  remarks  on  a similar  type  in 
silver. 

pacator  ORRIS.  Head  of  the  Sun.  (Hunter). 
pax.  avg.  Peace  standing,  holds  an  olive 
branch  in  her  right  hand,  her  left  hand  grasping 
the  hasta  pura  ; in  the  field  l.  ; in  the  exergue 
m.  I..  On  the  obverse  imp.  caravsivs  p.  f.  avg. 
Radiated  bust. 

A well  spread  and  fine  brass  specimen  is  en- 
graved in  Mr.  Smith’s  Richborough,  fig.  5,  pi.  vi. 

pax  avggg.  Peace  stauding,  holds  a flower, 
and  the  hasta  erect.  Iu  the  field  s.  P.  The  ob- 
verses of  some  have  the  bust  with  paludamcn- 
tum ; on  others  a coat  of  mail. 

It  is  generally  believed  that  the  coins  of  Ca- 
rausius,  with  this  legend,  were  struck  in  com- 
memoration of  the  treaty  between  the  usurper 
and  the  Emperors  Diocletian  and  Maximianus  ; 
but  which  Mr.  Akerman  shews  was  never  for- 
mally ratified,  p.  115. 

pietas  avggg.  Mercury,  with  attributes, 
standing.  In  the  field  l.  p.  In  the  exergue  m.  l. 

Uuique,  iu  Mr.  Roach  Smith’s  cabinet.  It 
was  found  in  the  bed  of  the  Thames.  Engraved 
iu  Akerman,  pi.  v.  fig.  41. 

salvs  pvblica,  of  the  Donee  collection. 
salvs  avggg.  Hygcia  stands  to  the  right, 
feeding  a serpent  out  of  a patera  ; s.  r.  in  the 
field. 

See  notice  in  Akerman,  Descr.  Cat.  ii.  p.  171, 
of  this  identical  coin,  which,  being  of  singu- 
lar beauty,  brought  £6  15s.  Od.  at  the  Brumell 
sale.  Three  g’s  on  this  reverse,  not  only  denote 
this  united  sovereignty  of  three  emperors,  but 
they  also  “ refer  (as  Mr.  Curt  observes)  to  the 
title  of  Augustus,  reluctantly  given  to  the  arch- 
pirate by  Diocletian  and  Maximian.” 
temp,  felicitas.  The  four  Seasons. 

Found  iu  the  bed  of  the  Thames,  now  in  Mr. 
C.  R.  Smith’s  collection.  Engraved  in  Aker- 
man, pi.  v.  fig.  35.  A specimen  with  this  ex- 
tremely rare  legend  and  type,  brought  only  £2  2s. 
at  the  Pembroke  sale. 

Obv. — virtvs  cara(vsi).  Bust  in  armour, 
hclmcted,  and  with  radiated  crown,  to  the  left, 
buckler  and  spear. — Rev. — provid.  avg.  Female 
standing,  with  cornucopim,  and  touching  with 
a short  w'and  a small  globe  at  her  foot.  In  the 
exergue  c. 

This  very  rare  coin,  well  preserved,  brought 
£3  10s.  at  the  Brumell  sale. 

victoria  avg.  Victory  with  wreath  and 
palm  branch,  standing  on  a globe  between  two 
sedent  captives. 

This  coin  was  found  in  the  bed  of  the  Thames, 
near  London  bridge,  aud  is  now  in  the  collection 
of  Mr.  Roach  Smith. 

virtv.  avg.  Hercules  arrayed  in  the  lion’s 
skin,  joining  hands  over  an  altar  with  a female 
figure.  In  the  exergue  xx. 

This  unique  coiu,  the  property  of  Lord  Lon- 
dcsborongh,  was  found  near  Ncwburv.  It  is 


CARAUSIUS. 

engraved  in  Mr.  Akerman’s  work  above  quoted, 
pi.  v.  No.  43. 

vberitas  avg.  Figure  standing  with  tri- 
dent, facing  the  emperor  with  globe  and  javelin. 

Very  rare ; sold  for  £2  at  the  Pembroke  sale. 

virtvs  svi  avg.  Carausius  standing,  holding 
in  the  right  hand  a Victory,  iu  the  left  a spear 
and  buckler. 

One  of  the  Rouen  trouvaille , bearing  this  re  • 
verse,  round,  fine,  and  unpublished,  sold  in  1851, 
for  £2  11s. 

vitavi.  A woman  standing,  holding  in  each 
hand  a serpent.  (Formerly  in  the  late  Mr. 
Douce’s  cabinet,  but  unaccountably  lost  or  pur- 
loined). 

In  his  Descriptive  Catalogue,  (vol.  ii.  p.  174), 
Mr.  Akerman,  alluding  to  this  extraordinary  coin, 
makes  the  following  remark  : — “ If  it  were  not 
for  the  very  singular  legend  expectate  veni. 
on  the  coins  of  Carausius,  the  authenticity  of 
that  with  vitavi.  might  be  doubted,  on  the 
ground  that  its  form  is  altogether  unusual. — 
After  all,  the  latter  may  have  been  one  of  those 
blundered,  re-struck,  or  ill-struck,  coins  of  Ca- 
rausius, of  which  I have  seen  many  examples. 
I have  before  me  a brass  coin  of  Carausius, 
struck  on  one  of  Victoriuus,  the  ill-formed  let- 
ters appearing  not  unlike  this  very  word  !” 

The  following  additions  to  the  above  list  of 
third  brass,  are  described  from  an  unique  series 
of  the  coins  of  Carausius  and  Allectus,  iu  the 
possession  of  Mr.  Roach  Smith ; from  whose 
writings  relative  to  the  mintages  of  those  two 
usurpers,  much  information,  useful  to  the  nu- 
mismatist, may  be  gleaned  : — 

pax  avg.  A female,  with  two  military 
standards. 

rosiae  aeternae.  A temple.  In  the  field 

S.  A. 

salvs  avg.  Female,  with  garland  and  anchor. 

virtvs  avg.  A military  figure  maiching,  at 
his  feet  a captive. 

virtvti  avg.  Hercules,  with  bow  and  club. 
Unpublished. 


CARAUSIUS,  DIOCLETIANUS,  AND 
MAXIMIANUS. 


1.  caravsivs  et  fratres  svi.  The  heads 
of  Carausius,  Diocletianus,  and  Maximianus, 
side  by  side ; the  first  radiated,  the  other  two 

bare. 

Rev. — pax  avggg.  Peace  standing,  holding 
an  olive  branch,  and  the  hasta  pura.  In  the 
field  s.  q.  (or  probably  s.  p.  the  latter  is  indis- 
tinct). In  the  exergue  c. 

The  above  wood  engraving,  from  a third  brass 
of  Carausius,  in  the  British  Museum,  conveys 
the  idea  of  a coin  in  better  preservation,  than 


CARAUSIUS.  181 

that  in  which  the  original  is.  But  in  every 
other  respect  it  presents  a faithful  copy. 

The  specimen  of  this  interesting  legend  and 
type,  which  brought  18  10s.  at  the  Thomas  sale, 
and  which  was  formerly  in  the  Millingen  col- 
lection, is  thus  described  in  the  Catalogue,  p. 
90,  lot  647  : — 

2.  “ Obv. — Laureate  busts,  to  the  left,  side 

by  side,  of  the  Emperors  Carausius,  Diocletian, 
and  Maximinian  Hercules. — caravsivs  et  fra- 
tres svi. Rev. — Peace  standiug,  holds  an 

olive  branch  in  her  right  hand,  and  the  hasta 
pnra  in  her  left. — pax  avggg.  In  the  field  s.  p. 
Iu  the  exergue  c.  or  g.  ; well  preserved.” 

“ After  several  ineffectual  attempts  to  crush 
the  power  of  Carausius,  the  Emperors  Diocle- 
tiau  and  Maximian  found  it  advisable,  necessary, 
and  most  prudent,  to  acknowledge  him  as  their 
colleague.  The  event  is  commemorated  by  the 
device,  appropriate  emblems,  and  legend  of  this 
coin.” — Note  by  Mr.  Burgon. 

Eckhel  (viii.  47)  describes  a third  brass  with 
the  same  remarkable  legend  on  its  obverse ; but 
his  description  of  the  obverse  type,  as  will  be 
seen  below,  differs  both  from  that  in  the  British 
Museum  and  from  that  in  the  Thomas  collec- 
tion specimen  : — 

3.  Obv. — caravsivs  et  fratres  svi.  Three 
busts,  jugated,  the  first  of  which  is  a radiated 
one  of  Carausius  ; the  second,  laurcated,  of  Dio- 
cletian ; and  the  third,  -with  the  lion’s  skin,  of 
Maximianus  Herculius. 

Rev. — pax  avggg.  A female  standing,  with 
olive  branch  in  the  right  hand,  and  spear  in  the 
left.  In  the  field  the  letters  s.  and  Q. ; at  the 
bottom  c. 

This  coin,  which  at  the  time  of  Eckhel’s 
writing,  was  preserved  in  the  cabinet  of  the 
Abbate  Persico,  at  Genoa,  was,  we  learn,  brought 
to  light  by  an  individual  of  great  attainments, 
Gaspar  Odcric,  in  a letter  addressed  to  Cajetano 
Marini,  published  in  the  year  1782,  in  the  Ita- 
lian Commentaries,  entitled  “ Gioruali  de'  Let- 
terati,  printed  at  Pisa  (tom.  xlv.  p.  205).  The 
author  above  alluded  to,  subsequently  published 
a separate  notice  of  it  at  Genoa.  The  coin, 
however,  could  not  properly  be  called  an  un- 
published one,  as  it  had  previously  been  men- 
tioned by  Stukeley  (vol.  i.  p.  106),  “ though  I 
observe,”  adds  Eckhel,  “ that  his  work  was  un- 
known to  Odcric  and  Tanini.  The  value  of  this 
gem  is  owing,  not  only  to  its  presenting  the 
conjoined  busts  of  the  three  Augusti,  but  also 
to  the  inscription  which  accompanies  them,  and 
which  had  never  before  been  remarked  on  coins. 
There  can  be  no  doubt,  that  by  the  word  fratres 
are  to  be  understood  Carausius,  Diocletian,  and 
Maximian,  the  two  latter  of  whom,  though  at 
the  first  hostile  to  Carausius,  afterwards  entered 
into  a partnership  of  dignity  and  power  with 
him.  This  participation  of  the  imperial  title 
by  three  colleagues,  is  further  confirmed  by  the 
inscription  avggg.  and  it  is  also  alluded  to  in 
legends  found  on  other  coins  of  his,  such  as 

LAETITIA  AVGGG.  ; IIILARITAS  AVGGG  ; &C. — 

There  are  several  instances  of  emperors,  in 
colleagueship,  styling  each  other  brothers." 


182  CARAUSIUS. 

The  passage  in  the  Medallic  History  of  Ca- 
rausius, published  in  1757)  to  which  Eckhcl 
has  alluded  above,  is  cited  by  Mr.  Akermau  in 
his  copious  list  of  the  Carausian  coinage  (p.  145) 
as  follows  : — 

4.  “ A coin  of  this  rare  and  interesting  type 
is  stated  by  Stukeley  to  have  belonged  to  Mr. 
Wale,  of  Colne,  in  Lancashire,  in  whose  cus- 
tody it  appears  to  have  remained  for  some  time 
unnoticed,  in  a mass  of  Roman  coins  found  at 
Chestcrford,  until  detected  by  the  experienced 
eye  of  Mr.  Charles  Gray,  l'.R.S.  and  F.S.A. — 
Stukeley  describes  it  “ of  excellent  preservation, 
the  faces  of  the  three  emperors  distinct  and 
easily  known ; Diocletian  in  the  middle,  Carau- 
sius  on  his  right.  Maximum  nppermost,  exactly 
according  to  the  rule  of  manners.” 

Another  specimen  is  in  the  collection  of  the 
lion.  R.  C.  Neville,  F.S.A. 

In  the  specimen  whence  the  above  inserted 
cut  is  taken,  the  bust  of  Carausius  is  placed  to 
the  left  of  the  other  two ; a relative  position, 
which  surely  agrees  more  exactly  with  “ the  rule 
of  manners” — in  other  words,  the  order  of  pre- 
cedence— than  that,  according  to  which  Stukeley 
considered  the  busts  to  be  arranged  on  the  coin 
which  he  describes.  13ut  at  any  rate  the  force 
of  assumption  and  arrogance  can  hardly  go  fur- 


CARAUSIUS. 

thcr  than  Carausius  has,  in  this  instance,  car- 
ried it,  by  placing  a radiated  crown  on  his 
own  head,  whilst  he  assigns  the  Ciesarian  ho- 
nours of  the  caput  nudum  to  the  two  Augusts — 
fratres  sui  ! 

Lastly,  supposing  each  respective  description 
above  quoted  to  be  correct,  it  would  appear  that 
there  are  at  least  three,  if  not  four  specimens, 
and  as  many  varieties  in  the  obverse  type,  of  this 
the  most  historically  curious  of  our  Anglo- Ro- 
man emperor’s  mint. 

FULL-FACED  BUST  OF  CARAUSIUS. 

In  consideration  of  the  high  esteem  in  which 
the  mint  of  Carausius  is  justly  held,  for  the 
light  which  it  serves  to  throw  on  an  otherwise 
uu-illustratcd,  but  far  from  unimportant,  epoch 
in  the  annals  of  Britain,  our  notices  of  its 
most  remarkable  types  and  legends  have  thus 
been  extended.  Nor  can  a reference  to  such 
numismatic  relics  be  brought,  perhaps,  to  a 
more  interesting  close,  thau  by  here  inserting 
a cut,  which  first  appeared  in  the  second  volume 
of  Mr.  Roach  Smith’s  Collectanea  Antigua; 
and  which  that  distinguished  antiquary  has  al- 
lowed to  be  used  in  this  work. — Subjoined  are 
citations  from  published  remarks,  to  which  so 
singular  a monetal  discovery  has  given  rise. 


“ The  coin  here  represented  (says  Mr.  Smith) 
forms  the  uuique  example  of  a novel  class,  hav- 
ing a full-faced  portrait  of  Carausius.  For  this 
valuable  increase  to  my  collection  I am  indebted 
to  the  kindness  of  the  Rev.  Edward  Egremont, 
of  Wroxeter,  near  Shrewsbury,  a village  which 
occupies  the  site  of  TJrioconium , or  Viroconium, 
one  of  the  chief  towns  of  Roman  Britain,  with- 
in the  precincts  of  which  the  coin  was  found. — 
It  is  the  portrait  which  gives  the  value  to  this 
remarkable  piece.  The  gold,  silver,  and  brass 
coins  of  this  emperor  have  uniformly  a profile, 
and  in  no  instance,  save  in  this  specimen,  is  the 
head  bare.  It  is  either  laurcated,  or  helmctcd, 
or  radiated.  Upon  contemporary  coins,  more- 
over, it  was  not  the  practice  to  give  a front 
face.  This  fact,  coupled  with  that  of  the  supe- 
rior workmanship  of  our  new  specimen,  sug- 
gests the  belief,  that  the  portrait  is  the  result 
of  a careful  and  successful  attempt  by  the  artist 
to  produce  a likeness.  As  such,  we  may  con- 
template the  coin  with  additional  interest. — 
Those  who  are  familiar  with  the  profile  of  Ca- 
rausius, in  the  better  executed  specimens,  will 
recognise  in  the  front  face  the  peculiar  character 
of  the  former ; with  an  expression  of  counten- 
ance indicative  of  decision  and  benignity,  which 
the  side  face  docs  not  always  convey.  The  por- 


traits of  historical  personages  are  always  inter- 
esting. This  coin,  which  reveals  to  us  in 
pleasing  features  what  may  probably  be  regarded 
as  the  most  complete  likeness  we  possess  of  so 
remarkable  a man  as  Carausius,  will  be  appre- 
ciated by  all  who  have  reflected  on  the  conspi- 
cuous part  he  acted  in  the  history  of  our  coun- 
try.” pp.  153-54. 

To  these  observations  from  the  pen  of  the 
fortunate  possessor  of  the  brass  coin,  re- 
presented in  the  above  engraving,  may  be 
most  advautageously  added  the  following  ex- 
tract from  a paper  of  Mr.  Bergnc’s,  subse- 
quently read  by  that  gentleman  before  the  Nu- 
mismatic Society,  Nov.  27,  1851  ; the  coin 
itself,  through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Roach  Smith, 
being  at  the  same  time  exhibited  on  the  table  of 
the  Society. — (See  Numismatic  Chronicle,  vol. 
xiv.  No.  4)  : — 

“ The  obverse  of  this  most  valuable  specimen 
presents  the  usual  title  of  the  emperor,  but  with 
the  singular  novelty  of  a bare  and  full-faced 
portrait.  In  both  these  respects  it  is  unique ; 
as  all  the  coins  of  Carausius  hitherto  known, 
whether  in  gold,  silver,  or  brass,  present  the 
portrait  in  profile,  and  either  helmctcd,  laurc- 
ated, or  (as  generally)  with  a radiated  crown, 
but  never  bare.  The  work  is  good,  aud  the  con- 


CAIIAUSII  SUCCESSOR, 
dition  fine:  the  portrait,  as  usual,  hold  and 
characteristic.  The  reverse  is  one  of  the  most 
ordinary  occurrence.” 

Obo. — imp.  caravsivs  p.  f.  avg.  The  bare 
head  of  Carausius  full-faced. 

Rev. salvs  avg.  An  erect  figure  of  a 

female  (Ilygcia)  feeding,  out  of  a patera,  a ser- 
pent, which  rises  from  the  base  of  an  altar. — 
Iu  the  exergue  the  letter  c.  probably  for  Clau- 
sen! urn. 

“ Among  the  coins  of  Maxentius  (adds  Mr. 
Bcrgne),  struck  from  fifteen  to  twenty  years 
after  the  death  of  Carausius,  an  instance  occurs 
of  a full-faced  type  in  silver  (No.  16,  in  Akcr- 
mau’s  Catalogue) ; and  there  are  also  a few  rare 
instances  of  the  same  sort  of  type  among  the 
gold  coins  of  Liciuius  junior,  and  Constantine 
the  Great.  Iu  brass  of  this  period,  however, 
the  type  is  exceedingly  rare,  if  not  altogether 
unique.  At  a later  period,  in  the  Byzantine 
scries,  it  becomes  common.  A full-faced  bust 
appears  also  on  some  rare  reverses  of  the  gold 
aud  silver  coins  of  Septimius  Scvcrus  aud  his 
family,  so  represented  for  the  sake  of  symetri- 
cal  arrangement,  between  two  other  busts  in 
profile,  looking  respectively  to  the  right  and 
left.  But  I think  this  coin  of  Carausius  is  the 
earliest  example  of  that  style  of  head,  for  the 
single  bust  on  the  principal  side,  or  obverse,  of 
a Roman  imperial  medal.”  p.  152. 


Carausii  Successoris  ALLECTI  Moneta. — 
Somewhat  too  brief  a notice  of  the  coins  of 
Allectus  having  been  given  in  page  38  of  this 
volume,  occasion  is  here  taken,  not  only  to  de- 
scribe tbc  principal  legends  and  types  of  money 
in  each  metal,  minted  under  his  reign,  from  a.i>. 
293  to  a.  d.  296  ; but  also  to  mention  the  prices 
respectively  obtained  at  almost  all  the  great 
sales  of  recent  occurrence,  for  the  rarest  speci- 
mens of  this  murderous  usurper’s  coinage,  as 
Carausius’s  successor  in  the  government  of  Bri- 
tain : — 

Gold. — adventvs  avg.  Allectus,  wearing 
the  radiated  crown,  on  horseback. — In  the  cabi- 
net of  Count  D’Erceville,  communicated  by  M. 
De  Longpcrier  to  Air.  Akerman,  who  has  en- 
graved it,  pi.  vi.  No.  45. — Probably  unique. 

comes  avg.  Minerva. — oriens  avg.  The 
Sun. — Both  probably  unique. 

fax  avg.  Female  standing,  with  branch  in 
extended  right  hand  : her  left  holds  the  hasta 
pura  transversely.  In  exergue  M.  l. 

Obv. — imp.  c.  allectvs  p.  f.  av  (in  mon.)  G. 
llis  bust  iu  armour,  bearded  and  laurcated. 

See  the  above  cut.  A specimen  of  this, 
weighing,  according  to  the  Catalogue,  “67  7-10 
grs.  in  very  good  preservation,  and  of  the  highest 
degree  of  rarity,  but  suspected,”  sold  at  the  Pem- 
broke auction  for  £8. 


CARINUS.  183 

pa(x)  avg.  Peace  standing,  her  right  hand 
holds  aloft  an  olive  branch,  her  left  holds  the 
hasta.  In  the  exergue  M.  L. 

This  aureus,  found  at  Reading,  brought  £37 
10s.  at  the  Brumell  sale. 

“ From  this  identical  coin,  w-hich  is  probably 
unique,  there  is  an  engraving  in  Akerman,  ii. 
pi.  11,  No.  6. 

salvs  avg.  A woman  standing. — (Valued  by 
Mionnet  at  600  fr.) 

spes  avg.  Hope  walking.  Iu  the  exergue 
M.  l. — (Valued  by  the  French  numismatist  also 
at  600  fr.) 

virtvs  avg.  Emperor  on  horseback,  armed 
with  javelin,  riding  over  a prostrate  enemy. — 
In  the  Hunter  collection,  probably  unique. 

virtvs  avg.  Mars  standing.  In  the  exergue 
M.  S.  L. 

“ This  unique  coin  was  purchased  at  the  Trat- 
tle  sale,  by  the  Duke  of  Blacas,  for  £74  1” — 
Akerman,  ii.  177. 

Silver. — Rev.  laetitia  avg.  q.  c.  A galley. 

pax  avg.  s.  p.  c.  Peace  standing. 

The  above  two  coins,  in  the  Brumell  col- 
lection, both  apparently  plated,  sold  for  £1  13s. 
each. — “The  line  silver  of  Allectus  (observes 
Mr.  Akerman),  is  of  extreme  rarity  : his  denarii 
are  generally  of  very  base  quality.” 

Tuird  Brass. — aeqvitas.  avg.  Equity. — 
comes  avg.  Minerva. — dianae  kedvci.  Diana. 

— felicitas  saecvli.  Felicity. oriens  avg. 

The  Sun  standing.  (Hunter). — pax  avg.  On 
the  obverse  bust  of  Allectus,  with  radiated  crown 
and  coat  of  mail,  holding  javelin  and  buckler. — 

imp.  allectvs  p.  f.  avg.  (Hunter). rom. 

aetern.  Temple  with  eight  columns,  a sedent 
figure  within.  (Do.) — saecvli  felicitas.  Em- 
peror standing,  with  spear  and  globe. The 

above  are  probably  unique. — See  Akerman,  De- 
scrip.  Catalogue,  ii.  p.  177,  ct  seq. 


CARINUS  ( Marcus  Aurelius),  the  eldest 
son  of  the  Emperor  Carus ; born  a.  d.  249  ; 
associated,  during  the  reign  of  his  father,  in  the 
government  of  the  empire  with  his  brother 
Numerianus,  a.  d.  282,  with  the  titles  of  cae- 
sar  and  princ.  ivvent.  The  following  year, 
whilst  his  father  and  brother  were  engaged  in 
hostilities  with  Persia,  he  remained  to  govern 
the  western  provinces,  with  the  title  of  Impera- 
tor,  without  having  yet  that  of  Augustus. — 
He  made  himself  detested  in  Gaul  and  adjacent 
regions,  by  his  excesses  and  cruelties.  Carus 
dying  a.  d.  283,  Carinus  took  the  title  of  Au- 
gustus, whilst  Numerianus  assumed  it  in  the 
East. — A good  general  and  a brave  warrior, 
he  combated  with  success  the  barbarous  nations 
of  the  North,  who  assailed  the  western  empire 


184  CARINUS. 


CARISIA. 


at  different  times.  Returning  to  Rome,  he  con- 
ciliated the  good  will  of  her  corrupt  and  dege- 
nerate inhabitants  by  the  usual  expedient  of 
celebrating  public  shews,  which  were  of  a superb 
description.  Compelled  to  quit  the  capital  and 
its  luxuries,  in  order  to  march  against  the  go- 
vernor of  \ enetia,  Sabinus  Julianas,  who,  after 
the  death  of  Numerianus,  had  assumed  the  im- 
perial purple,  Carinas  gained  a victory,  near 
Verona,  over  that  usurper,  who  lost  his’ life  in 
the  conflict.  He  was  equally  successful  in  Mscsia 
against  Diocletian,  whom  the  legions  of  the 
East,  on  the  decease  of  Numerianus,  had  pro- 
claimed Emperor.  It  was  after  having  defeated 
that  able  commander  in  different  rencounters, 
that  Cariuus  gained  the  last  battle  he  fought, 
near  the  village  of  Murgc,  in  Upper  Mcesia. — 
At  the  sequel  of  that  action,  he  was  assassin- 
ated by  a tribune,  whose  wife  he  had  violated, 
and  who  had  in  consequence  watched  some  time 
for  an  opportunity  of  destroying  him.  He  died 
A.  D.  285,  aged  thirty-six  years,  having  reigned 
alone  one  year. 

In  Carinus  there  was  a rendezvous  (so  to 
speak),  a gathering — of  all  vices,  natural  and 
acquired.  He  was  a man  who  bore  on  his  coun- 
tenance the  index  of  that  pride  and  insolence 
which  reigned  within  him.  Ferocious  in  dispo- 
sition, the  slave  of  brutal  passions,  he  rendered 
himself  an  object  of  execration  and  terror  by 
his  avarice  and  his  exactions,  by  his  acts  of 
hateful  violence,  and  his  career  of  abandoned 
licentiousness.  He  loaded  his  subjects  with 
taxes ; drove  from  his  presence  the  honest  coun- 
cillors assigned  to  him  by  his  father,  and  in 
their  room  tilled  his  court  with  the  associates  of 
his  debaucheries,  and  the  companions  of  his 
crimes.  According  to  Vopiscus,  he  had  nine 
wives,  several  of  whom  he  is  said  to  have 
divorced,  even  whilst  in  a state  of  pregnancy 
by  him. 

On  his  coins  he  is  styled  M.  avr.  carinvs 

CAES. — CARINVS  (or  KARINVS)  NOB.  CAES. — 

Also  imp.  c.  xr.  avr.  carinvs  p.F.  avg. — Carinus 
and  his  brother  Numerianus  associated  are  called 

CARINVS  ET  NVMERIANVS  AVGG. 

On  a marble,  quoted  by  Gruter,  Carinus  is 
called  Victoriosissimus ; because  he  overcame 
the  barbarous  tribes  on  the  Rhine,  the  Quadi, 
the  Sarmates;  and  slew  the  usurper  Julianus  in 
battle  with  his  owti  hand. 

The  bust  of  this  emperor  appears  sometimes 
laureated,  at  others  radiated,  exhibiting  cither 
the  lorica  or  the  paludamentum.  The  medallions 
and  other  gold  coins,  as  well  a3  the  silver,  of 
Carinus,  are  extremely  rare.  His  bronze  me- 
dallions arc  also  for  the  most  part  of  the  highest 
rarity.  The  third  brass  arc  common. 

The  following  are  amongst  the  rarest  and 
most  remarkable  of  this  emperor’s  mint : — 

Gold  Medallions. — Rev. — virtvs  avgvs- 
torvm.  Carus  and  Carinus,  standiug  opposite 
each  other,  crowned  by  Hercules  and  the  Sun. 
Rev. — victoriae  avgvsti.  Two  Victories  snp-  1 
porting  a buckler. — See  these  respective  legends. 

pax  aeterne.  Peace  standing  with  olive  I 
branch  and  the  hasta  pura.-(Sec  wood-cut  above).  ) 


Gold  of  common  size. fides  militym. 

Woman  and  two  standards. — p.  m.  tri.  p.  cos. 

The  Emperor  in  a quadriga. victoria  avg. 

The  Emperor  crowned  by  Victory. — principi 
iwentvt.  Carinus  in  military  habit,  with 
spear  and  globe. 

Silver. — It  is  supposed  there  arc  no  coins  of 
Carinus  in  this  metal.  Mionnet  alludes  to  a 
quinarius,  but  only  as  “ douteux.” 

Brass  Medallions. — traif.ctvs  avg.  Pre- 
torian  galley. — saecvli  felicttas.  The  four 
Seasons. — See  Mionnet. 

Third  Brass. — imp.  carinvs.  Helmcted 
bust  of  Carinus,  the  right  hand  holding  a horse 
by  the  bridle,  a buckler  on  the  left  arm. — Rev. 
magnia  vrbica.  Head  of  Magnia  Urbica,  wife 
of  Carinus. 

CARISIA,  gens  plcbeia;  a family  little 
known.  Its  coins  belong  to  the  last  age  of  the 
republic ; and  one  of  them  is  remarkable  for 
delineating,  on  its  reverse,  the  instruments  used 
in  the  coining  of  money.  There  are  some  silver 
pieces,  struck  by  the  mint-masters  of  Augustus, 
and  others  by  the  colonists  of  emerita,  iu  His- 
pania  licet ica  (now  Merida).  The  brass  are  all 
colonial ; and  the  whole,  with  one  exception, 
are  common.  The  denarius  of  this  family,  with 
moneta  for  its  legend,  and  the  anvil,  hammer, 
forceps,  and  pileus  for  its  type  of  reverse,  re- 
stored by  Trajan,  is  valued,  for  its  very  great 
rarity,  at  100  fr.  by  Mionnet. — Sec  emerita  ; 
see  also  moneta. 


Obv. — Head  of  a woman,  adorned  with  flowers. 

Rev. — t.  carisiys  II1VIR.  A sphinx,  sedent. 

This  denarius  was,  amongst  various  others, 
coined  by  Titus  Carisius,  one  of  Julius  Ca-sar's 
monctal  triumvirs,  in  710  (b.  c.  44). -See  Sphinx. 

CARMO,  an  ancient  city  of  Hispania  Bcrtica, 
now  Carmona,  in  Andalusia.  Julius  C«sar 
speaks  of  it,  as  “ by  far  the  strongest  of  the 
whole  province.”  The  name  of  this  place  does 
not  appear  in  the  list  of  the  colonitc  or  of  the 
municipia  of  the  Romans  in  Spain.  But  its 
coins,  with  carmo  on  their  reverses,  are  extant ; 
two  of  which  in  the  British  Museum,  will  be 
found  engraved  from  in  Akcrman,  “ Coins  of 
Cities,”  pi.  iii.  Nos.  5 and  6. 

CARITAS  Ml  ITA  AUGG. Two  hands 

joined.  Silver  coins  of  the  larger  size,  with  this 
legend  and  type,  arc  ascribed  to  Bnlbinus,  by 
Vaillant ; but  Mionnet  (ii.  389),  says  he  hull 
never  seen  one  of  them. 

CARPENTUM,  a car  or  chariot.  There  were 
several  kinds  of  these ; some  serving  for  rural 
purposes ; others  for  the  public  spectacles. — 
Some  had  four  wheels,  others  two.  The  Romans 
at  first  used  the  carpentum  for  the  ordinary  pur- 
poses of  travelling.  Afterwards  this  appella- 


CARPENTUM. 

tion  was  appropriated  to  those  covered  vehicles, 
which  were  used  by  ladies  of  illustrious  rank, 
and  even  on  certain  occasions  by  the  emperors 
themselves.  At  length  the  privilege  of  using  I 
the  carpentum  was  included  amongst  the  prero- 
gatives exclusively  enjoyed  by  members  of  the 
imperial  family.  The  pontiffs  aud  the  famines 
were  however  accustomed  to  convey  to  the  Capi- 
tol, in  this  sort  of  tilted  cart,  those  sacred  ob- 
jects, which  it  would  have  been  deemed  unbe- 
coming to  expose  before  the  profanum  vii/gus. — 
Carriages  of  this  description  served  to  convey, 
at  funereal  solemnities,  the  images  of  deceased 
empresses  ; whilst  the  currus  was  employed  to 
carry  those  of  defunct  Augusti.  The  carpentum 
moreover  appeared  in  the  pompee,  or  solemn 
shews,  of  the  Circus,  and  thence  derived  its 

name  of  carpentum  pompaticum. Caligula 

granted  this  distinction  to  the  honour  of  his 
deceased  mother’s  memory.  Messalina  and 
Agrippina  junior  obtained  it  during  their  life- 
time 

The  Carpentum  seems  to  have  differed  from 
the  Thensa  in  this,  that  the  former  was  covered 
over,  and  placed  on  4wo  wheels  ; the  latter  was 
an  open  carriage,  running  on  four  wheels.  Both 
were  decreed  by  the  Senate  for  the  Circensian 
processions.  But  the  carpentum , drawn  by 
mules,  was  conceded  to  the  imperial  matrons ; 
whilst  the  thensa , to  which  elephants  were  har- 
nessed, was  assigned  to  the  gods  and  to  the  em- 
perors. Some  authors,  indeed,  regard  carpen- 
tum pompaticum  and  thensa  as  convertible 
terms.  It  seems,  however,  that  the  former  was 
not  allowed  to  be  used  by  women,  how  high  so- 
ever their  rank  and  station,  except  ou  public 
occasions  of  a religious  or  funereal  kind.  Seve- 
ral coins  of  consecrated  empresses,  or  princesses, 
offer  examples  of  this  nature.  On  large  brass 
dedicated  respectively  to  Agrippina  the  wife  of 
Germanicns,  to  Domitilla  the  wife  of  Vespa-  : 
sian,  and  to  Julia  the  daughter  of  Titus,  we 
find  the  mu/are  carpentum  represented.  The 
subjoined  cut,  engraved  from  a well-preserved 
specimen  in  the  British  Museum,  is  selected  for 
an  illustration  of  the  richly-ornamented  car- 
pentum : — 


memoriae  domitillae  s.  p.  Q.  r.  The  car- 
pentum, ornamented  with  statues,  covered  in 
with  an  arched  roof,  and  drawn  by  two  mules. 

Rev. — IMP.  T.  CAES.  DIVI.  VESI*.  F.  AVG.  P.  M. 
tr.  p.  p.  p.  COS.  VIII.  Ill  the  field  s.  C. 

“ This  (says  Capt.  Smyth),  may  very  safely 
2 B 


CARRHAE. — CARTEIA.  185 

be  pronounced  to  have  been  struck  a.  d.  80,  by 
Titus,  in  honour  of  his  mother  Domitilla,  who 
died  before  his  father’s  elevation  to  the  em- 
pire. Yet  Occo,  Biragi,  Miouuct,  and  other 
medallists,  insist,  that  it  commemorates  Domi- 
tilla  the  sister  of  Titus,  because  the  title  Diva 
is  omitted:  but  surely  the  sacred  carpentum  is 
sufficient  to  stamp  the  consecration.” 

On  consecration  coins  of  the  two  Faustinas, 
and  of  Mareiaua,  the  sister  of  Trajan,  the  car- 
peutum  in  like  manner  appears. — See  Thensa. 

CARPI,  a barbarous  people  of  European  Sar- 
matia,  near  the  Danube.  In  the  reigns  of 
Maximinus,  and  of  Balbiuus  and  Pupicnus,  they 
gave  rise  to  the  Scythian  war.  They  were  sub- 
sequently repulsed  by  Gordianus  Pius;  and  finally 
routed  bv  his  successor  Philip,  one  of  whose 
coins,  allusive  to  the  event,  bears  the  legend  vic- 
toria carpica. 

CARRHAE,  the  most  ancient  city  of  Meso- 
potamia, situate  at  no  great  distance  from,  and 
to  the  south-east  of  Edessa.  It  is  the  Haran, 
or  (as  St.  Stephen  calls  it)  Charran,  mentioned 
in  Holy  writ  (Gen.  c.  xi),  as  the  place  whence 
Abraham  set  out  for  the  laud  of  Canaan. 
More  than  eighteen  centuries  afterwards  it  was 
rendered  memorable,  in  profane  history,  as  the 
spot  where  the  so-called  triumvir  Crassus  and 
his  army  were  destroyed  by  the  Parthians,  701 
(b.  c.  53.)  It  was  made  a Roman  colony  under 
M.  Aurelius  and  L.  Verus,  and  from  their  reign 
down  to  that  of  Gordianus  Pius,  coins  were 
struck  at  Charrae,  ou  which  it  is  called  Metro- 
polis, and  Pellerin  shews  {Melange,  i.  p.  348) 
that  Carrluc  took  on  its  medals  the  title  of  the 
first  metropolis  of  Mesopotamia.  All  the  le- 
gends of  these  imperial  colonials,  as  given 
in  Vaillaut,  Pellerin,  the  Museum  Theupoli, 
and  Haym,  are  (KAPPAS),  aud  Mionnct’s  list 
coincides,  being  exclusively  Greek.  But  M. 
Ilennin,  in  the  nomenclature  of  his  Manuel, 
says,  that  “some  of  these  pieces  are  found  bear- 
ing Latin  inscriptions.” — The  types  consist  of  a 
star  within  a crescent  moon,  also  a female  head 
turreted,  representing  the  genius  of  the  city, 
with  a small  half-moon  over  it.  The  inhabitants 
of  Carrhrc,  in  common  with  most  other  eastern 
nations,  were  greatly  addicted  to  the  worship  of 
heavenly  bodies,  especially  of  the  moon,  both  as 
| Luna  aud  Lunus — (see  the  words.) 

CARTEIA,  a maritime  town  of  Ilispania 
Bcetica,  near  the  Straits,  formerly  of  Hercules, 
now  of  Gibraltar.  Originally  called  Heraclea, 
after  its  reputed  founder,  Carteia  was  created 
a Roman  colony  by  the  Senate,  in  the  year  583 
(b.  c.  171).  It  now  lies  in  ruins  near  Algeziras, 
Andalusia.  The  coins  of  this  colony  are  Latin 
autonomes,  in  third  brass.  They  are  numerous, 
aud  identify  themselves  with  the  place  by  the 
legend  carteia  on  their  reverses,  many  of  which 
bear  the  names  of  the  quatuorviri,  who  respec- 
tively caused  them  to  be  struck. — Mr.  Akerman, 
in  his  Coins  of  Ancient  Cities  (see  p.  26,  et  seq.) 
has  given  a descriptive  list  of  these  from  Florez, 
and  Mionuet,  adding  some  from  the  British  Mu- 
seum ; others  from  Dr.  J.  Lee’s  cabinet;  and 


ISC  CARTHAGO, 

has  engraved  the  two  following,  viz. : — Obv. 
carteia.  Turreted  head. — Rev. — u.D.  (Decreto 
Decurionum).  Neptune  standing,  with  his  right 
foot  placed  on  a rock,  a dolphin  in  his  right  , 
hand,  and  in  his  left  a trident. — The  second  t 
exhibits  a singular  type.  Rev. — c.  minivs. 

vibi.  ii 1 1 vi it.  A figure  seated  on  a rock,  hold-  j 
ing  an  angle,  from  which  depends  a fish  ; by  his  | 
side,  the  basket  with  bait — (see  No.  1 and  No.  j 
7,  plate  iii.) — Other  types  of  reverse  present 
heads  of  Jupiter,  Pallas,  and  Neptune,  also  the 
dolphin,  prow  of  galley,  cupid  on  a dolphin,  a 
caduceus,  a thunderbolt,  club,  and  bow  and 
arrow. — See  Mionnct,  Supplt.  t.  i.  21. 

CARTHAGO  (Antiqua,  or  Vet  us,  Zeugitanse, 

Africa:),  cotonia. Old  Carthage : the  most 

celebrated  city  in  all  Africa,  and  for  a loug  time 
the  formidable  rival  of  Republican  Rome.  It 
was  a colony  of  the  Tyrians,  said  to  have  been 
founded  by  Dido,  72  years  before  the  building  | 
of  Rome.  The  metropolis  of  the  Punic  nation,  , 
and  a great  maritime  power,  Carthage  waged  J 
three  terrible  wars  with  the  Romans  ; and  was  | 
at  length  subdued  by  Scipio  Africanus  Minor, 
a.  u.  c.  609  (b.  c.  185) ; aud  the  city  itself,  by  I 
order  of  the  Senate,  was  totally  demolished. — | 
It  was  afterwards  made  the  seat  of  a Roman  i 
colony,  by  Julius  Csrsar,  710  (b.  c.  44),  and  ! 
afterwards,  being  rebuilt  and  augmented  by  Au-  | 
gustns,  in  725  (b.  C.  29),  it  again  became  the 
capital  of  Zeugitana,  and  continued  to  be  the 
principal  of  the  African  cities,  until  it  wa9  de- 
stroyed by  the  Arabs,  towards  the  close  of  the 
seventh  century  of  the  Christian  era.  Its  ruins 
are  still  to  be  distinguished  near  Tunis,  the 
ancient  Tunetum. 

The  earlier  coins  of  tliis  African  colony  are 
classed  by  Mionnet,  in  his  Descriptions  des 
Medaitles  Roniaines,  as  follows  : — 

1.  Latin  Autonomes. — karthago.  Female 

figure  standing,  holding  the  hasta. — Rev. — A 
horse’s  head. — Another  reverse  has  veneris 
kar.  and  a temple  with  four  columns.  In  second 
and  third  brass. 

2.  Coins  of  Clodius  Macer,  pro-pretor  of 
Africa;  in  silver. — Sec  macer. 

3.  Second  brass  coins  of  Augustus,  Tiberius, 
and  Drusus  junior ; assigned  by  different  authors 
to  the  colony  of  Carthage.  (Sec  Eckhcl,  D.  N. 
Vet.  iv.  139). — The  following  is  an  example  : 

imp.  c.  d.  F.  P.  M.  P.  P.  Bare  head  of  Au-  , 
gustus. — Rev. — c.  i.  c.  (names  of  duumvirs) ; in  ! 
the  middle  of  the  field  P.  P.  n.  d.  (Decreto  De- 
curionum). 

On  the  above  cited  coin  the  letters  c.  I.  C.  arc 
explained  by  Vaillant,  with  whom  agrees  Bimard, 
to  mean  Colonia  Julia  Carthago. 

The  first  of  the  later  emperors,  who  revived  ] 
the  name  of  ancient  Carthage  on  coins  of  Roman 
die,  appears  to  have  been  Septimius  Severus,  who  j 
was  himself  of  African  origin ; and  on  a coin 
struck  in  each  metal,  during  his  reign,  is  the 
legend  indvloentia  avg.  in.  cart.  The  type 
being  Cvbele  seated  on  a running  lion,  holding 
in  her  right  hand  the  tympanum,  and  in  her 
left  a sceptre. — See  indvloentia. 


CARTHAGO  NOVA. 


See  also  FELIX  KART^a^o  on  coins  of  Seve- 
rus, Caracalla,  and  Constantins  Chlorus. — con- 
servatores  KART.  svae.  of  Val.  Maximiunus, 
and  Maxentius. — salvis  avgg.  avcta  kart,  of 
Diocletian ; &c. 

The  last  nionctal  record  of  Carthago  Vetus 
is  preserved  on  two  silver  coins  of  Hilderic,  king 
of  the  Vandals,  one  of  which  is  thus  described  in 
the  great  work  of  Mionnet,  above  quoted  : 

D.  n.  hii.dirix  (sic.)  rex.  Beardless  and 
diademed  head  of  Hilderic. 

Rev. — Felix  kartc.  (sic.)  Woman  stand- 
ing, with  corn  ears  in  each  hand. 

CARTHAGO  NOVA,  colonia:  a city  of 
Ilispania  Tarraconensis,  anciently  the  capital  of 
the  Contestaui,  now  the  chief  town  of  Murcia, 
and  an  important  port  of  Spain,  well  known  by 
the  name  of  Carthagena,  on  the  shore  of  the 
Mediterranean.  It  was  built  by  Hasdrubal, 
“ and  probably  (says  Mr.  Akerman)  received  its 
name  from  the  circumstance  of  its  standing  on  a 
peninsula  like  Old  Carthage.” — From  the  Car- 
thaginians it  was  taken  by  Scipio. — Julius 
Caesar,  when  he  restored  the  African  Carthage, 
peopled  this  new  city  with  colonists,  aud  gave  to 
each  his  name,  and  the  right  of  striking  money. 
The  coins  of  this  early  Roman  settlement  are 
chiefly  Latin  imperial,  in  second  and  third  brass, 
beginning  with  the  reign  of  Augustus  and  ending 
with  that  of  Caligula.  Mionnet  ( Supplt . t.  i.  p. 
70)  gives  an  autonome,  with  the  type  of  Pallas. 
And  also,  from  Florez,  a second  brass  of  Mark 
Antony  and  Octavian.  On  some  of  the  imperial 
appear  the  initials,  C.  I.  N.  c.  Colonia  Julia 
Nova  Carthago.  On  others  v.  j.  n.  k.  Victrix 
Julia  Nora  Karthago.  The  surname  of  Julia  re- 
fers to  its  founder  Julius,  and  with  it  the  epithet 
Victrix  often  companiouizes  on  colonial  coins. 
The  word  Nora  was  added  to  distingnish  it  from 
Carthago  Vetus.— The  reverse  types  of  this 
colony  (engraved  in  Vaillant)  are  1.  A temple. 
2.  a labyrinth.  3.  A togated  figure,  holding  a 
lustral  vase,  and  an  aspergillum,  which  Vaillant 
supposes  to  represent  the  censor  of  the  colony. — 
The  coin  of  Caius  ct  Lucius  Cicsares,  ascribed  by 
Vaillant  to  Norba,  in  Spain,  but  assigned  by 
Pellerin  and  Florez  to  Carthago  Nova,  is  queried 
by  Mionnet,  but  included  with  the  rest  by 
Akerman  (Ilis/iania,  p.  79-80). — The  remaining 
type  given  by  Vaillant  as  connected  with  the  im- 
perial mint  of  New  Carthage,  is  a second  brass, 
struck  under  Caligula,  on  which  the  portrait  of 
Ciesonia,  wife  of  Caligula,  has  been  (but  as 
Eckhel  shews  erroneously)  supposed  to  be  re- 
p resented  under  the  name  of  SALwa  ACG usti — 
(engraved  in  Medaitles  de  Christine,  tab.  ixv.) 


CARVILIA. 


CARVILIA  gens. — Of  the  plebeian  order,  but 
of  consular  rank,  this  family  distinguished  itself 
as  early  as  the  Samnite  wars.  The  first  member 
of  it,  Sp.  Carvilius,  obtained  the  consulship  461 
(b.  c.  293),  having  L.  Papirius  Cursor  as  his 
colleague,  and  received  the  name  of  maximus, 
which  was  transmitted  as  a family  cognomen  to 
his  descendants. The  above  denarius,  erro- 

neously inserted  by  Morel  amongst  the  coins  of 
the  Carisia  gens,  is  rightly  assigned  to  the 
Carvilii,  by  Perizoni. 

Obv. — Head  of  Jupiter  Anxur,  beardless  and 
laureated,  beneath  which  is  the  fulmen. 

Rev. CAR vilius,  OGVLbmw,  \FA\gilius, 

(triumvirs  of  the  mint).  The  same  young 
Jupiter,  holding  a thunderbolt  iu  his  right  hand, 
stands  guiding  a rapid  quadriga. 

For  some  notices  of  Jupiter  Axur,  as  inscribed 
on  a coin  of  the  Tibia  gens,  or  Anxur,  as  for  the 
better  sound  sake,  the  word  is  spelt  by  the  old 
writers — see  p.  117. 

Perizoni,  says  Uavcrcamp  (in  Morell.  Finn. 
Rom.,  p.  76),  ascribes  the  coinage  of  this  denarius 
to  Carvilius  the  Edile,  son  of  Q.  Maximus.  Rut 
Vaillant  refers  it  to  Spurius,  the  son  of  Sp. 
Carvilius,  whose  age  agrees  with  that  of  Q. 
Oguluius,  and  T.  Vcrgilius,  about  the  year  u.  c. 
509  and  510  (b.  c.  245  and  244). 

Rut  to  whatever  year  after  the  commencement 
of  the  silver  mint  of  Rome  the  above  coin  is  re-  I 
ferable,  it  is  a very  fine  one,  probably  the  work  i 
of  some  Greek  artist,  for  its  style  aud"  fabric  are  1 
strikingly  Grecian  ; yet  Riccio,  who  is  enabled  j 
in  his  work  to  add  new  families  to  the  old  list,  ; 
takes  no  notice  of  Carvilia  gens.  The  brass 
money  of  this  family  are  the  as,  or  some  of  its  I 
divisions. 


CARDS  ('Marcus  Aurelius),  born  at  Nar- 
bonne,  in  Illyricum  (or,  as  some  authorities  re- 
present, at  Milan),  about  the  year  of  Rome  983 
(a.  d.  230),  of  a family  originally  from  Rome,  ! 
in  whose  literature  he  was  thoroughly  versed. 
Having  gone  through  various  civil  and  military 
offices,  he  was  created  Pretorian  Prefect  by  Pro- 
bus, who  held  him  in  the  highest  respect  "for  his 
talents  and  probity.  Aud  so  much  had  he  ac- 
quired the  love  of  the  soldiers,  that  at  the  death  • 
of  that  prince  (by  the  hands  of  his  own  troops),  I 
he  alone  was  thought  worthy  of  the  empire,  both 
2 B 2 


CARDS.  187 

by  the  army  of  Panuonia  aud  by  the  Senate. 
He  avenged  the  death  of  Probus ; sent  his  sou 
Carinus  into  Gaul  (see  p.  183) ; aud  having 
himself  subdued  the  Sarmatians,  he  led  his  forces 
against  Yaranes  II.  King  of  Persia,  whom 
having  conquered  a.  d.  283,  he  assumed  the 
surname  of  PERSiww,  as  his  coins  attest,  some 
of  which  also  bear  the  surname  of  PARTH»«w. 
Cams  was  the  first  among  the  emperors  who 
aspired,  during  his  life-time,  to  be  called  and 
worshipped  by  the  name  of  God.  After  a reign 
of  scarcely  more  than  two  years,  having  besieged 
and  taken  Ctesiphon,  a city  of  Assyria,  he  was 
killed  by  lightning,  or  died  from  a wound,  or 
perished  from  disease,  near  that  place  (for  writers 
differ  on  that  point),  the  20th  December,  a.  d. 
282  — Of  his  wife  Magnia  Urbica,  aud  his  sons 
Numerianus  aud  Carinus,  see  the  respective 
names. 

The  titles  of  Carus  on  his  coins  are  imp.  c.  m. 
AVR.  CARVS. — also  IMP.  CARVS  (or  KAllVS)  P.  F. 
avg. — devs.  et  dominvs  carvs. — Carus  and 
his  son  Carinus  are  together  called  carvs  et 
carinvs  avgg.  All  the  coins  of  Carus,  gold, 
silver,  and  large  brass,  are  rare  ; some  of  them 
most  rare.  The  third  brass,  with  certain  ex- 
ceptions, are  common. 

The  following  are  the  rarest  and  most  remark- 
able legends  aud  types  minted  during  this  short 
reign : — 

Gold. — deo  et  domino  caro.  Head  of 
Carus. — Rev. — victoria  avg.  Victory  on  globe 
(valued  by  Mionnet  at  150  fr.). — adventvs  avg. 
Emperor  on  horseback  (do.  100  fr.) — victoria 
avgg.  fel.  Victory  with  garland  and  buckler 
(do.  100  fr.) — virtvs  care  invicti.  Hercules 

standing. karvs  and  KARINVS.  Heads  of 

Carus  aud  his  son  (valued  by  .Mionnet  at  200  fr.) 

Rrass  Medallion. — Obv. — Laureated  heads 
of  Carus  and  Carinus. — Rev. — saecvli  felici- 
tas.  Personification  of  the  four  seasons. 

Second  Rrass. — deo  et  domino  caro.  Two 
heads. — Rev. — Public  Felicity  (40  fr.) 

Third  Rrass. — Same  legeud,  aud  with  type 
of  the  Sun  and  Carus  (30  fr.) 

The  numismatic  head  of  Carus  is  either 
laureated,  or  radiated,  with  the  paludamen- 
tum  ou  the  shoulders,  or  the  lorica  on  the 
breast;  or  helmeted  and  radiated  at  the  same 
time.  The  same  emperor  is  likewise  seen  with 
laureated  head,  and  bust  as  far  as  the  breast, 
holding  a sceptre  iu  his  right  hand,  a globe  on 
which  stands  a victorio/a,  in  his  left.  In  other 
coins  he  carries  a spear  on  his  right  shoulder, 
and  on  his  left  arm  a shield  of  skilful  workman- 
ship. 

CASCA  LONGDS. — On  the  obverse  of  a 
denarius  of  the  Servilia  gens,  bearing  this  legend, 
is  the  head  of  Neptune,  laureated  and  bearded, 
behind  which  is  a trident. — Rev. — brvtvs  imp. 
A Victory,  winged,  and  clothed  in  a long  vest- 
ment, walking  on  a broken  sceptre ; holds  a 
palm-branch  resting  on  her  left  shoulder,  and 
displays  in  both  hands  two  pieces  of  fillet,  or 
diademed  ribband,  opened  wide.— See  Servilia 
gens. 


188  CASCA  LONGUS. 


Cains  Casea,  surnamed  Longus,  soon  after 
Julius  Csesar  was  murdered,  left  Rome  for  Asia, 
with  the  rest  of  the  conspirators  and  assassins. 
From  this  coin  he  appears  to  have  hecn  the 
questor,  or  the  legates,  of  Brutus ; iu  other 
words,  one  of  the  two  chief  commanders.  The 
head  of  Neptnue,  and  the  Victor)'  that  spreads 
out  the  diadem,  and  treads  upon  a fractured 
sceptre,  refer  to  some  naval  victory.  These  war- 
like emblems  allude,  possibly,  to  the  particular 
circumstance  of  Brutus’s  success  ag.iinst  the 
Bessi  (see  p.  145),  which  obtained  for  him  the 
imperatorial  salutation  from  his  army,  and  which 
is  indicated  by  the  abbreviated  word  imp.  on  all 
his  coins.  It  is,  however,  more  probable  that 
the  above  described  types  bear  allusion  to  the 
total  defeat  of  the  combined  fleet  of  Octavian 
and  Mark  Antony — an  event  which,  by  au  un- 
accountable fatality  of  misfortune,  remaining  for 
twenty  days  unknown  to  Brutus,  led  to  the  rout 
of  Cassius,  and  subsequently  to  the  total  over- 
throw of  both  at  Philippi.  With  regard  to  that 
battle,  it  appears,  that  although  there  was  a 
Casea  among  the  number  of  the  slain,  yet  it  was 
not  this  Caius  Casea,  but  his  brother  Publius, 
as  Plutarch  expressly  affirms. — See  Riccio,  pp. 
119-20 — see  also  bkvtvs  imp.  and  casca 
long  vs,  with  Trophy,  p.  146  of  this  dictionary. 

CASCANTUM  (Hispanise  Tarraconensis, 
trans.  Iberum)  municipium,  which  the  Itinerary 
of  Antonine  places  between  Csesar- Augusta  and 
Calagurris.  It  is  now  called  Case  ante,  near 
Tudcla,  Spanish  Navarre.  The  money  of  this 
city  is  Latin  imperial,  on  small  and  middle  brass, 
rare,  and  limited  to  one  reign,  viz.  that  of 
Tiberius ; whose  titles  and  laurcatcd  bust  ap- 
pear on  the  obverse — the  reverse  exhibiting 
mvnici  cascantvm,  and  the  type  of  a bull 
standing.  There  arc  four  more  specimens  of 
coins,  given  in  Mionnet  ( Supplement , T.  i.  p. 
74),  with  the  portrait  of  Tiberius  on  one  side, 
and  with  mvn.  cascant.  and  a bull,  on  the  re- 
verse.— Engraved  in  Medailtes  de  Christine, 
second  brass,  p.  306.  See  also  Akcrman,  Coins 
of  Hispania,  p.  81. 

Pliny  (l.  iii.  c.  3)  includes  the  Cascantenses 
among  the  old  Latin  colonists  (inter  populos 
Latinonun  vetermn)  of  Hispania  ulterior  (north- 
ern Spain).  But  the  above  cited  coins  give  the 
title  of  municipium  to  the  town  of  Cascantum. 
The  bull  on  the  reverse,  observes  Vaillant,  is 
not  intended  to  represent  a victim  sacrificed  for 
the  health  of  Tiberius,  as  Hardouin  seems  to 
think ; but  is  typified  there  as  the  distinctive 
symbol  of  a municipium : bulls  or  oxen,  referring 
to  sacrifices,  were  adorned  with  the  infuta,  or 
the  mitra  (see  Bos,  p.  133),  which  this  is  not. 

CASSANDKEA  (Macedonia’)  ro/onia. — This 


CASSAXDREA. 

city,  situate  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Egeau 
sea,  near  the  Sinus  Thermaicus,  now  Gulf  of 
Salonica,  stood  at  the  entrance  of  a lesser  gulf 
called  Sinus  Toronaicus,  now  the  Gulf  of  Cas- 
sandra, which  name  the  town  still  bears,  the 
Greeks  of  the  present  day  calling  it  Cassandra 
Capusi.  The  coins  of  this  colony  are  in  second 
and  third  brass.  The  earliest  has  on  its 

Obv. — cassandre,  within  a crown  of  laurel. 
Rev. — A vexillum,  on  which  we  read  avg. — 
above  a crescent ; iu  the  field,  on  each  side,  a 
military  ensign. 

Other  coins  of  Cassandrea  bear  on  their  ob- 
verses the  respective  effigies,  names,  and  titles 
of  Claudius,  Nero,  Vespasian,  Ncrva,  Hadrian, 
M.  Aurelius,  Conunodus,  Caracalla,  Gcta,  Gor- 
dianus  Pius,  Philippus  senior,  and  the  Empress 
Plotina.  On  the  reverses  of  all  these  coins 
appears  the  name  of  the  colony — col.  rvL.  avg. 
casssandr.  or  cassandrf.x.  (Colonia  Julia 
Augusta  Cassandrensis). — And  the  type,  with 
three  exceptions,  is  uniformly  the  horned  head 
of  Ammon  (see  Comuficia  in  this  Dictionary), 
whose  worship  was  borrowed  by  several  of  the 
Grecian  states,  from  Libya,  and  adopted  after- 
wards by  the  Romans.  The  three  exceptions 
above  alluded  to,  are  Julia  Domna,  Gordianus 
Pius,  and  Philippus  senior.  In  the  first,  with 
legend  of  col.  Cassa.  a woman  stands  with 
right  hand  raised  to  her  head,  and  holding  the 
horn  of  plenty  in  her  left.  In  the  second  the 
reverse  reads  colonia  cassandrea,  with  simi- 
lar type.  The  third  exhibits  on  its  reverse  col. 
ivl.  avg.  cassan.  A man  holding  in  his  raised 
right  band  a bunch  of  grapes ; at  his  feet,  on 
one  side  a serpent,  on  the  other  side  an  eagle, 
or  some  other  bird. — See  Pellerin,  Melange,  I. 
pi.  xviii. — xx.  No.  9 — and  xxi.  No.  1. 

Of  a very  rare  second  brass,  ascribed  to  this 
colony  by  Froelich,  and  noticed  also  by  Eckhel, 
(Cat.  i.  p.  84),  the  reverse  exhibits  the  word 
cassandr.:  type  a turreted  female,  holding  a 
hunch  of  grapes,  and  offering  something  to  a 
seated  child.  On  the  obverse  is  imp.  piiilipps 
( tie.)  and  the  radiated  head  of  the  elder  Philip. 

CASSIA  gens. — This  Roman  house,  whose 
coins  exist  iu  37  varieties,  was  at  first  patrician, 
afterwards  plebeian.  Ancient,  consular,  and  sur- 
named Longinus,  this  family  figured  eminently 
iu  the  republic.  Its  name  of  cassia  appears  to 
have  been  assumed  from  Cassis,  that  is  a helmet. 
The  original  silver  coins  of  this  family  arc  com- 
mon— those  restored  by  Trajan  are  very  rare. 
The  brass  arc  asses  or  parts  of  the  as,  struck  by 
the  moneyers  of  Augustus,  and  by  the  Colonies. 
— Mionnet  describes  from  More//.  Thesau.  the 
following  denarius  of  this  family : — 

Q.  cassivs.  A veiled  head  of  Vesta,  on  the 
side  vest. 

Rev. — A circular  temple,  in  which  is  a curule 
chair;  on  the  right  is  a vase,  and  there  is  on  the 
left  a little  tablet  with  the  letters  a.  c.  being  the 
initials  of  the  words  absolvo  (I  absolve) ; eon- 
demuo  (I  condemn.) 

This  bears  reference,  and  is  in  conformity  to 
the  Lex  Tabellaria,  relative  to  certain  judgments 
which  Quintus  Cassius,  an  ancestor  of  this  family. 


CASSIA. 

had  carried  with  great  severity  against  two  Vestals 
charged  with  misconduct  whilst  he  was  tribune, 
in  the  year  of  Rome  617  (n.  c.  137).  The  vase 
is  the  urn  destined  to  receive  the  tablets  on 
which  one  of  these  two  letters  was  written. — 
Sec  Eckhel,  v.  166 — see  also  tabeli./E. 

On  another  denarius  of  this  family,  the  tem- 
ple, as  in  the  preceding  coin,  appears  on  the  re- 
verse ; but  instead  of  the  head  of  Vesta,  that  of 
Liberty  (libert.)  is  depictured  on  the  obverse, 
as  a young  female. 

c.  cassi.  imp.  leibertas.  Head  of  Liberty, 
with  decorated  hair,  ear-rings,  and  necklace. — 
Rev. — lentvlvs  spinter.  The  lituus  and  the 
priefericulum. — Marked  reek,  by  Riccio  (p.  30) 
who  values  it,  in  gold,  at  30  piastres. 


This  and  several  other  coins  were  struck  by 
Caius  Cassius  Longinus,  commonly  called  Cas- 
sius— named  on  coins  of  the  Cassia,  Cornelia, 
and  Servilia  families,  c.  cassi.  imp. — cassi. 
longin. — cassi.  pr.  cos.  (pro-consul) . He  was 
boru  in  what  was  always  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  families  of  Rome;  it  is  not 
said  in  what  year.  Having  joined  Pompey 
against  Ca:sar,  he  fought  under  the  orders  of 
the  former  at  the  battle  of  Pharsalia,  in  the 
year  of  Rome  706  (b.  c.  48). — See  a notice  of 
his  further  career  below. 

The  lituus  and  sacrificial  vase  on  the  reverse 
of  this  denarius,  refer  to  the  augural  priesthood 
of  Lcutulus  Spinter,  who,  after  the  murder  of 
the  Dictator,  openly  declared  himself  a partizan 
of  the  conspirators ; and  when  Brutus  and  Cas- 
sius took  the  field,  he  joined  them,  and  in  their 
name  coined  money,  with  the  elligy  and  legend 
of  Liberty,  as  is  seen  by  the  denarius  above 
engraved.  By  the  augural  insignia  on  silver 
coins  of  Augustus,  in  which  the  name  of  Len- 
tulus  appears,  it  is  also  evident,  not  only  that 
he  escaped  death  after  the  civil  conflict  at  Phi- 
lippi, but  that  he  was  alive  b.  c.  27,  when 
Octavian  assumed  the  name  of  exclusive  dis- 
tinction and  honour. — See  Dictionary  of  G. 
aw!  R.  Biog.  and  Mythol.  by  Dr.  Smith,  ii.  731. 

On  a silver  coin  of  this  family,  we  sec  on  one 
side  the  bare  head  of  a young  man  with  long 
hair,  and  behind  it  a sceptre.  On  the  other  side 
an  eagle  standing  on  a thunderbolt,  between  the 
lituus  and  the  pnefericulum,  with  legend  of  Q. 

CASSIVS. 

In  opposition  to  far-fetched  and  less  pro- 
bable opinions  of  the  earlier  antiquaries,  Eckhel 
points  to  the  sceplrum,  the  fulmen,  and  the 
aquila,  as  unquestionable  and  delusive  attri- 
butes of  Jupiter ; and  shews  other  good  reasons 
for  concluding  that  this  coin  of  Quintus  Cassius 
was  struck  in  honour  of  the  young  Jove. — v. 
p.  167. 


CASSIA.  189 

On  a rare  denarius  of  this  family,  the  name 
and  military  title  of  the  same  c.  cassivs  has 
for  its  obverse  type  a tripod,  with  its  cortina 
(or  cauldron),  aud  a little  net-work  placed  upon 
it.  The  reverse  exhibits  the  lituus  and  praeferi- 
culum,  with  the  legend  lentvlvs  spint.  as  in 
the  foregoing  example. 

These  types  have  given  rise  to  much  imagina- 
tive speculation  among  numismatists  of  the 
elder  school,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  they  re- 
fer to  any  other  subject  than  the  initiation  of  C. 
Cassius  into  some  order  of  the  Roman  priesthood. 

Obv. — Head  of  Vesta  veiled ; before  it  a,  or 
some  isolated  letter  of  the  alphabet. 

Rev. — I.ON’ gin  vs  iiivir.  A man,  habited  in 
the  toga,  holding  in  his  left  hand  a sceptre  or 
short  staff,  and  in  the  right  hand  a tabella,  or 
voting  billet,  on  which  is  inscribed  the  letter 
V (as  given  in  Morel/.  Thesaur.  Fam.  Rom. 
and  in  the  following  cut) — before  the  man 
is  the  cisla,  or  basket  for  depositing  the  suffrage 
tablets. 


Riccio  considers  the  letter  V on  these  ancient 
coins  to  mean  Veto,  which  was  the  word  ut- 
tered by  the  tribuue  of  the  plebs,  in  opposition 
to  some  law  proposed  by  the  nobles,  or  by  the 
Senate,  against  the  plebs,  to  prevent  its  taking 
effect.  Lucius  Cassius  obtained  this  political 
privilege  for  the  people  of  Rome,  and  in  comme- 
moration of  the  event,  his  descendants  struck  the 
present  coin,  which  exhibits  the  tribune  about 
to  deposit  the  tabella  of  inhibition. — Cavedoni, 
on  the  other  hand,  is  of  opinion,  that  the  said 
type  has  reference  to  the  lex  tabu/aria,  whereby 
“ the  power  and  weight  of  votes  was  strengthen- 
ed.” He  regards  the  letter  V as  the  initial  of 
Volo,  which  formal  word  stood  for  the  rogations, 
velitis  jubealis  Quirites,  or  at  least  of  Uti,  Roges 
being  undertood.  Or  else  it  may  refer  to  an- 
other law,  viz.  “ the  Lex  Cassia,  which  confirmed 
the  suffrages  of  the  people  on  judicial  questions.” 

This  Cassius  Longinus  is  unknown.  The  coins 
are  contemporaneous  with  the  last  years  of  the 
free  republic.  Eckhel,  looking  to  the  head  of 
Vesta  on  the  obverse  of  this  denarius,  is  dis- 
posed to  assign  its  mintage  to  the  Quintus  Cas- 
sius already  mentioned ; but  the  style  of  the 
coin  brings  it  to  moneyers  of  a different  age. 

c.  cassi  imp.  Female  head  laureated. — 
Rev. — m.  servilivs  leg.  The  aplustrum. — 
In  gold  rrrr.  valued  by  Riccio  at  20  piastres. 

Same  legend  and  type  as  the  preceding. — 
Rev. — m.  servilivs  leg.  A crab,  which  holds 
the  aplustrum  in  its  claws ; below  it  are  a flower 
and  a diadem. 

These  and  various  other  coins  relate  to  Caius 
Cassius,  the  chief  conspirator  against,  and  fore- 
most in  the  murder  of,  Julius  Caesar  710  (b.  c. 
44).  He  received  the  title  of  Imperator  after 


190  CASTOR. 

the  defeat  of  the  Rhodians,  friends  of  the  trium- 
virs, when  he  was  but  just  returned  with  his 
forces  to  Sardis.  In  combination  with  Brutus, 
he  levied  a formidable  army,  and  equipped  a fine 
fleet ; but  although  he  was  conqueror  by  sea, 
the  triumvirs  totally  defeated  him  by  land  ; and 
Cassius  slew  himseif,  or  was  killed  by  his  own 
frcedman  712  (b.  c.  42);  notwithstanding  the 
wing  of  the  army,  which  Brutus  commanded  at 
Philippi,  had  gained  possession  of  the  enemy’s 
camp. 

The  head  of  Liberty  indicates  that  Cassius  and 
the  rest  of  the  conspirators,  had,  from  the 
time  of  the  assassination,  dated  the  accession  of 
liberty  to  the  people  of  Rome. 

The  aplustrum,  that  winged-like  ornament  of 
a ship’s  stern,  is  the  cognizance,  or  mark  of  the 
people  of  Rhodes,  and,  placed  on  this  denarius, 
it  alludes  to  the  overthrow  of  the  maritime  power 
of  that  island  by  Cassius. 

CASTOR,  the  son  of  Tyndarus,  king  of 
Laconia,  or,  according  to  fable,  of  Jupiter  by 
Leda,  and  twin  brother  of  Pollux. — See  Dioscuri. 

CASTOR. — A male  figure,  half  naked,  stands 
holding  a horse  by  a bridle,  or  halter,  with  his 
right  hand,  and  in  his  left  a spear. 

This  legend  and  type  appear  on  silver,  and 
first  and  second  brass,  coins  of  Geta,  struck  in 
commemoration  of  the  Circensian  games,  cele- 
brated under  Sevcrus. — Castor  is  a novel  device 
in  the  imperial  mint,  though  of  very  ancient 
date  on  Consular  coins.  On  those  in  question 
the  type  alludes  to  the  Princeps  Juventutis,  who, 
like  Castor,  presided  over  the  equestriau  sports 
called  Troja;,  to  which  reference  is  elsewhere 
made.  That  the  exercise  of  horsemanship  was 
peculiar  to  Castor,  as  pugilism  was  to  Pollux, 
is  accredited  by  no  less  early  an  authority  than 
that  of  Homer,  who  in  the  hymn  to  the  Dioscuri, 
v.  3,  says,  “ Castor,  the  horse  tamer''  and 
more  clearly  in  the  Odyssey,  book  xi.  v.  298 — 
“ Both  Castor  the  tamer  of  steeds,  and  Pollux 
expert  with  his  fists.” 

All  the  other  poets  have  ascribed  to  Castor 
the  characteristic  of  skilful  equitation. — Theo- 
critus, Idyl,  xxvii.  p.  138,  thus  expresses  him- 
self: “Thee,  Castor,  I will  sing,  son  of  Tyndarus, 
an  adroit  rider  of  horses,  and  most  dexterous  in 
handling  the  lance.” — Horace  (ii.  sat.  i.  v.  26) 
says  : Castor  gaudet  equis,  &c. 

As  Geta’s  coin  of  castor  presents  but  an 
unclassical  and  diminutive  group  of  man  and 


C ASTRA. 

horse,  it  has  been  deemed  preferable  to  select 
for  illustration  of  the  subject  the  reverse  of  a 
brass  medallion  struck  under  M.  Aurelius. 

Obv. — avrelivs  caesak  avg.  pii.  FiL.  Bare 
head  of  Marcus  Aurelius. 

Rev. — [tr.  pot.j  vitii.  cos.  ii.  Castor,  with 
the  chlamys  thrown  back  from  the  front,  stands 
resting  his  right  hand  on  the  neck  of  his  horse, 
and  holding  a spear  transversely  in  his  left. 

The  preceding  cut  is  copied  from  an  engraving 
published  by  a celebrated  continental  antiquary 
and  connoisseur,  who  states  the  original  to  have 
been  in  the  possession  of  Onorato  Gaetano,  an 
Italian  nobleman,  and  it  is  shewn  to  represent 
Castor  in  an  attitude  perfectly  similar  to  that  ex- 
hibited on  a remarkably  flue  has  relief,  preserved 
in  the  Capitol,  at  Rome. — See  Monumens  da 
Musee  Chiaramonti,  par  P.  A.  Visconti,  Milan 
edition,  8vo.  1822,  and  compare  tab.  a i.  with 
tab.  ix.  a p.  84  et  seq. 

Vaillant  (in  Num.  Lapp.  Rom.  Prastant,  t. 
iii.  p.  136)  was  the  first  to  notice  this  grand  and 
interesting  coin ; but  he  has  inaccurately  de- 
scribed it. 

The  head  of  Castor,  with  a star  over  it,  ap- 
pears on  denarii  of  the  Sanquinia  and  Valeria 

families. 

CASTRA. A camp  or  entrenchment,  in 

which  an  army  lodged. — From  whomsoever  they 
learnt,  or  perfeetionated  themselves  in,  the  art 
of  fortification,  the  Romans  constructed  their 
camp  in  a square  form ; and  at  each  face  there 
was  a gate,  so  that  there  were  only  four,  and 
each  had  a particular  name.  As  soon  as  the 
army  arrived  on  the  ground  where  the  camp  had 
been  marked  out,  the  soldiers  began  by  making 
an  cntrcuchmcut ; this  precaution  was  invari- 
ably taken  to  guard  against  surprise.  The  en- 
trenchment consisted  of  a fosse  or  ditch  of  five 
feet  wide  and  three  deep,  from  which  they 
threw  up  the  earth  on  the  side  of  the  camp,  in 
order  to  form  a kind  of  rampart,  which  they 
covered  with  turf,  and  planted  with  palisades, 
when  the  intention  was  to  remain  but  a night 
or  two,  which  they  called  a lodgement.  But  if 
they  contemplated  a longer  stay,  they  dug  a 
ditch  of  about  twelve  feet  in  width  and  propor- 
tionably  deep,  behind  which  a rampart  was 
raised,  made  of  earth,  with  fascines,  and  covered 
with  turf,  flanked  with  towers  at  regular  inter- 
vals of  eighty  feet  distance  from  each  other, 
and  accompanied  with  jura  pets,  furnished  with 
loop-holes,  in  the  same  way  as  the  walls  of  a 
town.  This  was  called  castra  stativa,  or  a 
pitched  camp.  Thence  came  the  distinction  of 
castra  hybevna,  or  winter  quarters,  and  astiva, 
summer  camps.  Thence  also  the  expressions 
primis  castris,  secundis  castris,  to  signify  the 
first  or  second  day’s  march,  which  was  under-  ■ 
stood  of  camps  formed  for  the  night;  or  off 
summer  camps,  which  were  much  less  fortified! 
than  those  of  winter,  which  were  for  residence. 
And  ns  the  conformation,  dimensions,  and  in- 
terior arrangements  of  a summer  camp,  were  al- 
ways the  same,  so  the  soldiers  knew  at  once  in 
what  part  their  tent  was  to  be  pitched,  which 
was  done  under  the  inspection  of  the  tribunes. 


CASTRA. 

But,  although  the  rules  for  forming  the  Ro- 
man castra  were  such,  doubtless,  as  we  learn 
from  ancient  writers,  yet  from  examination  of 
the  remains  of  several  which  are  yet  traced,  it 
is  proved,  that  the  regular  system  of  fortification 
was  often  departed  from,  and  that  the  encamp- 
ments were  adapted  to  the  localities. 

For  notices  and  details,  full  and  particular,  at 
once  curious  and  instructive,  of  all  that  relates  to 
this  interesting  military  subject,  see  Du  Choul, 
Biscours  sur  la  Castrametation,  Spc.  des  Ro- 
ma ins. — See  also  a learned  and  scientific  illus- 
tration of  the  same  subject,  in  the  Dictionary 
of  Greek  and  Roman  Antiquities,  edited  by  W. 
Smith,  LL.D. 

Castra  Pretoria. — Pretorian  Camp. This 

was  a large  enclosure  of  buildings,  which  served 
as  barracks  for  the  soldiers  of  the  imperial  guard. 
It  was  quadrangular,  fortified  with  walls,  towers, 
and  ditches — adorned  with  a temple,  baths,  and 
fountains.  “In  the  conquered  provinces  (says 
Millin,  Dictionnaire  des  Beaux  Arts),  the  Ro- 
mans were  accustomed  to  have  considerable 
bodies  of  troops  ; and  the  garrisons  which  were 
stationed  in  towns  of  importance,  occupied  build- 
ings called  castrum.  Rome  contained  within  its 
walls  many  edifices  of  this  kind,  the  recollection 
of  which  is  still  preserved  by  their  existing  re- 
mains.” The  Emperor  Tiberius  was,  it  is  said, 
the  first  who  at  the  instigation  of  his  minister 
Sejanns,  caused  these  praetorian  camps  to  be 
constructed. — Livy,  in  alluding  to  the  permanent 
camps  of  the  Romans,  uses  the  expression 
ted  if  care  hyberna,  in  allusion  to  the  architec- 
tural strength  and  mural  grandeur  of  these 
stations. 

The  noble  remains  at  Richborough,  Reculver, 
and  Lymne,  in  Kent,  also  at  Burgh,  near  Great 
Yarmouth,  are  fine  examples  of  the  castra  pree- 
toria  or  hyberna.  These  frequently  assumed 
the  appearance  of  fortified  towns  ; and  a con- 
siderable space  outside  the  walls  was  often 
covered  with  houses. 


Accordingly  we  see  on  various  coins  of  the 
lower  empire  (as  on  the  above  engraving  from 
a denarius  of  Constantius  I.)  the  pretorian  camp 
typified  as  a castle  with  towers,  and  embattled 
curtain  walls,  before  the  gate  of  which,  generally 
(though  often  the  figures  are  wanting)  stand  a 
group  of  soldiers,  two  on  each  side  of  a tripod, 
sacrificing. 

The  castra  preetoria  is  frequently  represented 
on  small  brass  coins  of  Constantinus  Magnus 
aud  his  family  ; and  the  resemblance  of  its  nar- 
row gateway  to  a postern  entrance,  which  Mr. 
Roach  Smith  discovered  at  Lymne,  is  shewn  in 
p.  249  of  his  hook  on  the  Antiquities  of  that 
place. — For  types  of  the  Porta  castrorum  see 
Constantine  the  Great,  with  reverse  of  provi- 


CELSA.  191 

dentiae  avg.  Also  see  VIRTVS  miutvm  of 
Diocletian ; victoriae  sarmaticae  of  Val. 
Maximianus,  &c. — For  the  first  representation 
of  the  pretorian  gate  on  a coin  see  imper.  re- 
CEPT.  of  Claudius. 

CASTROR,  or  CASTRORUM  Mater  — 

I Faustina,  the  wife  of  M.  Aurelius,  and  Julia 
Domna,  wife  of  S.  Severus,  are  thus  called  on 
some  rare  specimens  of  their  respective  coins. — 
See  MATEll  CASTRORVM. 

CATO,  surname  of  the  Porcia  gens. 

CELEST. — See  Venus. 

CELSA  (Tarraconensis)  colonia,  now  called 
xelsa.  It  was  a city  of  the  Ulergetes,  whose 
inhabitants  were  called  Celsenses.  This  very 
ancient  place  was  situate  near  the  Ebro.  Its 
numismatic  designation  is  c.  or  col.  v.  i. 
CELSA  (Colonia  Victrix  Julia  Celsa.) — The  coins 
of  this  colony  consist  of  Ccltiberian  and  bilingual 
autonomes  in  brass ; and  of  Latin  imperial,  in 
first,  second,  and  third  brass,  of  Augustus, 
Agrippa,  and  Tiberius.  Its  name  of  Julia 
indicates  the  founder  to  have  been  Julius  Caesar, 
in  honour  of  whose  victories,  it  probably  (says 
Vaillant),  received  the  additional  appellation  of 
Victrix.  Of  those  struck  under  Augustus  one 
(engraved  in  the  Medaitles  de  Christine)  bears 
on  its  obverse  the  bare  head  of  that  emperor, 
within  a crown  of  laurel,  allusive  (Vaillant  sup- 
poses) to  the  signal  successes,  achieved  by  the 
adopted  heir  and  successor  of  Julius  over  the 
Cantabri  and  Asturi,  who  then  occupied  that 
northern  part  of  Hispania,  now  called  the 
Asturias.  The  reverses  of  the  Celsian  imperials 
exhibit  for  the  most  part  a bull  standing,  the 
usual  sign  of  a Romano-Spanish  colony,  and  are 
inscribed,  according  to  custom,  with  the  names 
of  the  Duumviri,  who  caused  them  to  be  struck. 
— There  is,  however,  a reverse  of  Agrippa,  with 
trophy  and  bucklers,  and  a Tiberius  with  the 
simpulum,  securis,  aspergillum,  and  apex. — Mr. 
Akerman,  in  his  Coins  of  Cities,  &c.  has  given 
an  engraving  of  one  of  the  autonomes,  with  a 
helmed  horseman  bearing  a palm  branch,  (pi.  ix. 
No.  3.) 

CEN.  or  CENS. — Censor,  as  is  frequently 
read  in  the  imperial  titles  of  Vespasian,  Titus, 
and  Domitian.  In  the  case  of  Vespasian  we  see 
this  censorship  joined  with  his  third  and  fourth 
consulship,  viz.  imp.  caes.  vesfasian  avg.  p. 
m.  p.  p.  cos.  hi.  cens(or) — cos.  tin.  cens. 

CENS.  P.  or  PER.  also  PERP.  also  PER- 
PET. — Censor  Perpetuus. — It  appears  that  Do- 
mitian was  the  first  emperor  on  whose  coins  the 
perpetual  assumption  of  the  Censorial  power  is 
recorded.  This  unprecedented  title  he  took  841 
(a.  .d  87). — Vespasian  and  Titus  were  indeed 
| Censores  of  the  Roman  People,  but  not  decreed 
to  be  Censores  Perpetui. — cens.  p.  p.  p.  Cen- 
sor Perpetuus  Pater  Patrice,  is  another  numis- 
matic title  of  Domitian. — cens.  pot.  Censorid 
Potestate.  This  likewise  appears  on  the  coins 
of  Domitian,  in  every  metal,  appended  to  the 
record  of  his  10th  consulate;  whereas  the  power 
itself  was  given  to  Augustus  himself  for  five 
years  only. 


l‘J2  CENSORES. 


CENSORES. 


CENSORES.  Censors  (a  censendo).- — These 
magistrates,  two  in  number,  were  created  in 
the  year  of  Rome  311  (b.  c.  443),  when  the 
consuls,  distracted  by  continual  wars,  were 
unable  to  attend  to  the  census,  or  number- 
ing of  the  people.  Their  election  was  popular, 
and  they  had  two  principal  functions.  The 
first  consisted  of  registering  the  citizens  and 
their  property.  The  second  was  to  take 
care  of  the  public  buildings,  for  whose  con- 
struction and  repair  they  made  terms  with  the 
contractors ; also  to  levy  taxes  for  the  service 
of  the  republic.  Besides  which  it  was  their 
peculiar  province  to  censure  aud  punish  evil  and 
indecent  manners,  such  as  the  law  took  no  cog- 
nizance of — by  degrading  the  offenders,  if  sena- 
tors and  knights;  and  by  disfranchising  them, 
if  common  citizens.  These  magistrates  had 
moreover  other  duties  to  perform,  such  as  to 
order  the  distribution  of  water  to  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  city  according  to  their  necessities  ; 
to  superintend  the  repairs  of  the  public  streets 
and  highways ; aud  to  keep  luxury  w ithin  cer- 
tain bounds. — See  Pitiscus,  Lexicon  Ant.  Rom. 

A Censor  is  typified  in  his  long  robe  of  office, 
standing  with  vase  in  one  hand  and  lustral 
branch  iu  the  other,  on  a coin  of  the  Postumia 
gens,  struck  to  commemorate  the  fact  that  Pos- 
tumius  Albinus  and  Camillus,  were  the  first 
elected  Censors  of  Rome. — See  Morett.  Thesaur. 
But  the  most  important  function  exercised  dur- 
ing the  republican  form  of  government  at  Rome, 
by  the  Censor,  was  that  of  causing  the  cavalry 
to  pass  in  review  before  him,  every  year. — 
Allusive  to  this  ceremony,  there  is  a denarius 
which,  with  the  reverse  legend  r.  crassvs  m.  f. 
exhibits  the  figure  of  a soldier,  standing  with 
face  to  the  front,  clothed  in  the  military  sagum; 
he  holds  with  the  right  hand  his  horse  by  the 
bridle,  and  a spear  in  the  left  ; on  the  ground 
are  a shield  and  a cuirass. 

The  most  correct  as  well 
as  the  earliest  interpretation 
esays  Riccio,  p.  121)  given 
to  the  reverse  of  this  silver 
(oiu,  is  that  it  represents 
a Roman  knight,  furnished 
with  all  the  equipments  of 
war  (un  cavalierc  Romano, 
fornito  di  tntti  gli  arncsi  di  guerra),  in  full  pre- 
paration to  be  passed  under  the  inspection  of 
the  Censor. — See  Licinia  geus. 

The  emperors  at  first  abstained  from  taking 
the  name  of  Censor.  To  Julius  Caesar,  indeed, 
as  he  was  Dictator  Perpetuus,  this  honour  was 
(as  Dion  informs  us)  decreed  by  the  Senate,  to- 
gether, among  others,  with  that  of  Pra’fecius 
Morum.  Augustus  declined  from  policy  the 
preferred  dignity  of  Perpetual  Censor,  but  ac- 
cepted it  virtually  under  the  name  of  Censoria 
Potestas,  as  the  censorship  was  the  summit  of  | 
all  honours.  The  ancient  usage  of  investing 
two  individuals  of  consular  rank  with  this  office 
was  abolished  under  succeeding  emperors,  who 
either  exercised  its  authority  themselves,  or  de- 
legated it  to  others. 

Spanheim  (Pr.  t.  ii.  p.  101),  without  pro- 


I during  the  obverse,  gives  as  the  reverse  of  a 
, gold  coin  of  Claudius,  a type  which,  if  it  could 
, be  received  as  genuine,  would  iu  a remarkable 
manner  serve  to  attest  the  censorship  of  the 
Emperor  Claudius,  for  it  represents  him  seated 
on  a curide  chair,  and  before  him  is  a male 
figure  standing,  who  holds  a horse  by  the  bridle 
with  the  legend  censor.  It  is  this  perhaps 
which  in  the  Thesaur.  More//.  has  been  engraved 
and  inserted  amongst  the  mintages  of  Claudius. 

I Eekhel  (vi.  242)  more  than  suspects  this  device 
| to  have  been,  forged,  especially  after  the  account, 
which  Suetonius  and  Tacitus  respectively  give, 
of  things  appertaining  to  the  censorship,  as, 
j after  many  years,  restored  by  Claudius.  These 
were  connected  with  the  inspection  and  passing 
I over  of  horsemen  (ad  eqnitum  prohationem  ct 
transvectiouem),  which  was  one  of  the  functions 
of  the  censorship.  The  Roman  equites,  on 
some  occasions,  had  their  horses  taken  away 
from  them  by  the  Censors,  or  were  compelled 
to  sell  them. — For  an  elucidation  of  this  power, 
j as  originally  exercised  by  the  Censors  of  ancient 
i Rome,  sec  Spanheim  and  Lc  Beau. — Sec  also 
Adams,  Rom.  Antiq. 

But,  although  the  numismatic  testimony  to 
Claudius’s  assumption  of  the  Censorship  may 
present  itself  in  too  questionable  a shape  to  be 
implicitly  accepted ; yet  the  fact  of  his  having 
associated  Lucius  Vitellins  with  himself,  in  the 
same  dignity,  is  illustrated  by  three  rare,  and 
admittedly  genuine  coins,  struck  by  order  of  the 
Emperor  Vitellins,  son  of  the  above-mentioned 
Lucius,  whom  they  bring  before  us,  as  Consul  for 
the  third  time,  and  Censor;  the  latter  the  highest 
office  to  which  a private  individual  among  the 
Romans  could  attain  ; and  such  as  not  only  con- 
ferred distinction  on  himself,  but  also  exercised 
an  important  influence  on  the  fortuucs  of  his  son 
Aldus,  as  regarded  his  ambitious  aspirations  for 
sovereignty. — See  biographical  notice  of  (l.) 

VITELLIVS. 

Their  metals,  legends,  and  types,  arc  as  fol- 
lows : — 

1.  Rev. — L.  VITELLIVS  COS.  III.  CENSOR. — 
Head  of  Lucius  Yitcllius  laurcated,  and  before 
it  a consular  eagle. — Obo. — a.  vitellivs  germ. 
IMF.  AVO.  TR.  p.  Head  of  Yitellius,  the  em- 
peror.— In  gold  and  silver. 

On  the  reverse  of  this  coin  (engraved  in 
Akcrmau,  Descript.  Cat.  i.  pi.  v.  No.  5,  p.  177) 
appears  the  head  of  the  above-named  Lucius 
Yitellius,  and  what  may  appear  an  unusual 
occurrence,  in  the  instance  of  a private  indi- 
vidual, it  is  laurcated  after  the  manner  of  the 
emperors.  (Sec  Eckhel's  Treatise  on  the  Head- 
dresses of  the  Augusti).  Before  the  head  is 
placed  a sceptre,  surmounted  by  an  eagle,  the 
badge  of  Consular  authority. 

2.  Rev. — L.  VITELLIVS  COS.  III.  CENSOR.  L. 
Yitellius,  togated,  sitting  in  a curulc  chair, 
with  his  right  hand  extended,  and  in  his  left  a 
consular  eagle — in  the  place  of  a foot-stool,  the 
prow  of  a vessel.  Gold  and  silver. — Engraved  in 
Morett.  Thesau.  Imp.  tom.  ii.  tab.  2,  No.  2. 

On  this  coin,  Lucius  Yitcllius  is  sitting  in  the 
dress  of  a Ccusor.  As  regards  tlint  portion  of 


CENSORES. 

a ship,  on  which  the  feet  of  the  figure  rest,  and 
respecting  which  preceding  commentators  have 
given  no  explanation,  Eckhel  says,  “ My  con- 
jecture is,  that  it  alludes  to  the  rostra,  in  front 
of  which  the  Senate  erected  a statue  to  this 
Lucius ; and  probably  that  statue  represented 
him,  in  the  same  garb,  as  docs  the  figure  in  the 
coin  above  described” — vi.  p.  313. 


3.  Rev. — L.  vitellivs  censor  ii.  (Lucius 
Vitelline  Censor  ItcrumJ . On  the  exergue  s.  c. 
— The  Magister  Mo  rum  is  seen,  on  a curule 
chair,  placed  on  a tribunal,  in  the  exercise  of 
his  office.  Opposite  him  is  another  sedent 
figure  holding  a roll  in  his  hands.  Before  him, 
standing  below',  are  three  Romans,  one  of  whom 
offers  his  hand  to  the  Censor ; the  whole  arc 
togated. 

In  thus  describing  a specimen  of  this  first 
brass  in  his  own  collection,  Capt.  Smyth  (p. 
53)  observes,  “ This  was  struck  to  flatter  the 
Emperor  Vitellius,  by  recording  the  honours  to 
which  his  father  was  advanced.  Suetonius  in- 
forms us  of  Lucius  having  been  three  times 
Consul,  and  once  Censor  ; but  the  iterum  which 
is  here  shewn,  has  never  been  properly  accounted 
for.”  To  shew,  however,  that  the  attempt  at 
explanation  has  been  made  (whether  successfully 
or  not  the  reader  will  judge  for  himself),  and 
that  by  no  less  eminent  a writer  than  the  shrew'd, 
erudite,  and  searching  Eckhel  himself,  reference 
has  been  made  to  a passage  in  the  sixth  volume 
of  Doctrina — on  Censor  Vitellius-,  pp.  313-314. 
It  is  to  the  following  effect : — 

“ The  legend  of  this  third  reverse  occasions 
difficulty  on  account  of  the  numeral  II.  following 
the  word  censor.  It  should  be  observed,  that 
this  addition  is  not  found  on  the  coin  published 
by  Patin  (ad  Sueton.  in  Vitell.  ch.  2).  And 
Spanhcim  also  expressly  testifies  that  such  figures 
arc  absent  on  these  coins  (vol.  ii.  p.  475.)  But 
among  more  recent  writers,  it  is  added  by  Var- 
iant (Num.  Prrest.),  Pedrnsi,  Morel,  Mezza- 
barba,  Theupoti,  and  Pembroke,  (part  iii.  tab. 
12.)  If  it  be  true  that  this  mark  exists  on  these 
coins,  it  was  the  duty  of  those  who  published 
them,  to  assign  the  reason  for  its  addition. — 
Schlegcl  is  the  only  one  of  those  who  briefly 
adverts  to  it.  “ Here  the  second  Censorship  of 
the  same  individual  is  brought  to  our  notice,” 
(in  More/l.  Imp.  vol.  ii.  p.  236),  but  he  omits  to 
mention  the  authority,  that  establishes  the  fact 
of  L.  Vitellius  having  been  twice  Censor.  And, 
moreover,  in  the  same  passage  he  iutimates  an 
2 C 


CENSORES.  193 

opinion  not  much  at  variance  with  that  of  those 
writers,  who  consider  this  coin  to  belong  to  L. 
Vitellius,  the  brother  of  Aulus  Vitellius,  the 
emperor ; for  he  too,  Schlegel  says,  was  Censor. 
But,  upon  whose  authority  does  he  make  this 
assertion  ? And,  even  if  we  admit  that  he  held 
that  office,  is  it  also  ascertained  that  he  was 
twice  Censor,  which,  according  to  these  writers, 
the  coin  testifies  ? Whatever  may  be  the  fact, 
thus  much  is  certain,  that  L.  Vitellius  was 
Censor  only  in  conjunction  with  Claudius  ; but 
the  latter,  on  the  marbles  given  by  Gruter  and 
Muratori,  is  called,  indeed,  Censor,  yet  with 
no  figures  added  to  shew  that  the  office  was  held 
a second  time ; and,  consequently,  it  is  far  from 
probable,  that  L.  Vitellius  could  ever  he  described 
as  Censor  (I.  If,  therefore,  this  numeral  really 
occurs  on  the  coin,  some  method  must  be  dis- 
covered of  explaining  it  with  a semblance  of 
probability. — Tacitus  (Annal . xi.  25),  expressly 
states,  that  Claudius  closed  the  lustrum  in  the 
year  u.  c.  801  (a.  d.  48).  And  yet  the  same 
author  shortly  before  (ch.  13),  and  Dion  (lx. 
29),  inform  us  that  Claudius  held  the  office  of 
Censor  in  the  year  preceding,  viz.  800  (a.  d. 
47).  And  it  is  to  this  year  that  Pliny  also 
refers  the  censorship  of  Claudius.  Since,  then, 
all  these  writers  agree  in  the  statement  that 
Claudius  discharged  the  office  of  Censor  in 
800,  and  as  Tacitus  expressly  records  the  closing 
of  the  lustrum  in  the  year  following,  we  must 
conclude  that  this  censorship  commenced  in  the 
year  of  Rome  800,  but  was  either  interrupted,  or 
negligently  discharged,  and,  resumed  in  earnest 
the  year  following,  was  closed  with  the  solem- 
nity above  alluded  to. — Suetonius  appears  to  in- 
timate the  same  explanation,  when,  mentioning 
the  Censorship  of  Claudius,  he  says — “ he  also 
bore  the  office  of  Censor hut  this,  too,  un- 

equally ; with  inconstancy  of  mind  and  variable- 
ness of  success  (“  sed  banc  quoque  imequaliter, 
varioque  et  auimo  et  eventu.”  In  Claud,  lib.  v.) 
It  must  therefore  have  been  ostentation  which 
induced  Aulus  Vitellius,  the  son,  thus  to  double 
the  censorship  of  his  father,  L.  Vitellius,  whereas 
he  really  held  the  office  but  once.” 

It  would  seem  from  the  tenour  of  his  remarks, 
that  Eckhel  had  not  seen  this  remarkable  first 
brass ; and  was  in  some  doubt  of  its  existence 
as  a genuine  antique.  But  besides  the  one 
quoted  from  Capt.  Smyth’s  cabinet,  the  above 
wood-cut  is  from  a specimen  in  the  British  Mn- 
senm  ; and  moreover  both  Mionnet  and  Aker- 
man  fully  recognise  its  authenticity,  in  their 
respective  descriptions  of  Roman  Imperial  Coins. 

After  the  time  of  Vespasian  and  his  sons,  the 
title  of  Censor  is  not  found  in  the  imperial 
series.  The  Censoria  Potestas,  however,  con- 
tinued in  the  hands  of  the  emperors.  Thus, 
Valerianus,  whilst  as  yet  a private  citizen,  had 
that  office  delegated  to  him  by  Trajanus  Decius. 
Theodosius  the  Great  attempted  to  re-establish 
the  Censorship,  with  its  old  functions  of  Magis- 
ter Morum ; hut  the  Senate  were  opposed  to  its 
revival ; and  it  remained  tacitly  merged  in  the 
Augustal  dignity. 

CENSO.— CENSOR.— CENSORIN.—CEX- 


194  CENSORINVS.— CENSUS. 

SORINYS. — This  surname  either  abbreviated 
or  written  in  full,  appears  on  coins  of  the 
Marcia  gens.  It  had  originally  been  forbid- 
den, for  any  one  to  till  the  office  of  Censor 
more  than  once  in  his  life,  until  the  year  of 
Rome  488  (b.  c.  266),  when  a law  abrogating 
the  old  restriction  was  carried  by  C.  Martins 
Rutilus,  whom  the  people  wished  to  elect  Censor 
a second  time,  and  to  whom  in  consequence  was 
given  the  surname  of  Censorious. 

On  a rare  first  brass  of  the  same  gens,  the 
reverse  has  for  legend  c.  marci  censo.  roma, 
with  the  type  of  two  prows  of  ships,  on  the  fur- 
ther one  of  which  is  a small  column,  sur- 
mounted by  a Victory,  with  palm  branch  and 
crown.  The  obverse  legend  and  type  of  the 
coin  are  kvma  pompili.  ancvs  marci.  and  the 
jneated  heads  of  Numa  Pompilins,  bearded  and 
with  diadem,  and  of  Ancus  Marcius,  without 
beard. 


This  is  classed  with  other  coins,  considered 
to  have  been  struck  by  Marcius  Censorious, 
quastor  nrbunus  el  provinciatis,  of  the  year  663 
(b.  c.  91),  and  a little  before  that  time  a inone- 
tal  triumvir.  The  noble  family  of  Marcia  traced 
their  descent  from  the  two  kings  Numa  and 
Ancus ; and  C.  Marcius  Censorinus  thus  takes 
occasion  to  perpetnate  the  remembrance  of  his 
ancestral  greatness  and  autiquity. — See  Marcia 
gens. 

CENSUS — the  numbering,  which  the  Cen- 
sors made  of  every  Roman  citizen,  the  valuation 
of  his  estate,  together  with  the  registering  of 
himself,  his  years,  tribe,  family,  profession, 
wife,  children,  and  servants.  This  process, 
instituted  by  King  Servius  Tullius,  was  gone 
through  every  five  years;  and  the  interval  of 
time  was  called  Lustrum,  on  account  of  an  ex- 
piatory sacrifice,  denominated  lustratio,  which 
the  Censors  performed  as  a purification  of  the 
people.  This  took  place  after  the  registration 
was  finished  ; and  was  termed  Lustrum  Condere, 
closiug  the  Lustre.  Such  was  the  order  of  things 
during  the  existence  of  the  republic.  But,  when 
Augustus  attained  the  empire,  aud  changed  the 
form  of  government,  he  suppressed  the  ancient 
method  of  collecting  tributes,  which  had  become 
an  instrument  of  avarice  in  the  hands  of  Prctors 
and  Pro-consuls,  ruling  in  the  provinces.  For 
the  old  imposts,  he  substituted  poll  and  land- 
taxes  ; and  in  order  to  secure  their  equal  exaction, 
he  ordered  the  numerical  registration  of  the 
whole  empire.  It  is  this  census  of  which  men- 
tion is  made  in  St.  Luke’s  Gospel,  c.  ii.  v.  1, 
“ There  went  out  a decree  from  Ciesar  Augustus, 
that  all  the  world  should  be  taxed”  [or  enrolled], 


CENTAURI. 

or  as  the  Vulgate  expresses  it,  “ ut  describerctnr 
universus  orbis.” — See  Censor. 

CENTAURI. — The  Centaurs  were  inhabitants 
of  Thessaly,  famous  for  their  great  courage  and 
address,  in  taming  and  training  horses.  The 
figment  of  the  ancient  poets  ascribed  to  them  a 
monstrous  origin  ; and  Greek  artists  sculptured 
them  as  combining,  in  their  form,  the  upper 
part  of  the  human  figure,  with  the  body  and 
lower  extremities  of  a horse. 

On  some  coins,  the  centaur  is  figured  03 
standing  alone,  armed  with  a bow  and  arrow, 
or  with  a staff:  on  others  drawing  the  chariot 
of  some  pagan  divinity.  On  a denarius  of  the 
Aurelia  gens  (sec  p.  Ill),  Hercules  standing  in  a 
car  is  drawn  at  full  speed  by  two  centaurs,  each 
of  whom  uplifts  a branch  in  his  right  hand. 


The  above  is  engraved  from  n fine  brass  me- 
dallion of  Antoninus  Pius,  in  the  Cabinet  de 
France.  The  subject  is  one  of  the  combats 
of  Hercules;  and  represents  him  in  the  act  of 
avenging  on  the  centaurs  the  rape  of  Halcyonc, 
sister  of  Eurysthcus,  to  whom  the  centaur 
Homadus  had  offered  violence,  and  was  in  con- 
sequence killed  by  Hercules.  In  this  classic 
design,  the  great  Alcidcs  has  already  slain  one 
centaur,  who  is  stretched  on  the  ground,  lie 
presses  his  kucc  on  a second  whom  he  is  about 
to  crush  with  his  club,  although  another  centaur 
comes  to  his  assistance,  armed  like  his  companion 
with  a branch  of  a tree.  Meanw  hile,  Homadus 
is  seen  carrying  away  llolcyone,  whom  llcrcidcs 
afterwards  rescued.  It  is  related  to  have  been 
at  the  sequel  of  a Bacchanalian  festival,  that 
these  horse- men,  under  the  excitement  of  intoxi- 
cation, to  which  they  had  the  character  of  bciug 
addicted,  outraged  hospitality,  nud  ravished  the 
women. — Diodorus  Siculus  describes  the  centaurs 
as  having  employed  trunks  of  trees,  as  their 
weapons  in  the  fight ; and  speaks  of  the  contest 
as  “ worthy  of  the  early  renown  of  this  hero.” 
The  temple  in  the  back-ground  is  meaut  for 
that  of  Hercules  Victor,  built  at  Rome;  as  is 
indicated  by  au  eagle  in  the  pediment,  which 
Antoninc  caused  to  be  represented,  as  though 
Hercules,  for  this  exploit  alone,  had  deserved 

worship  and  a temple. See  I).  Vaillant,  De 

Camps.  Select.  Nam  is.  p.  25 — sec  also  Millin, 
Cat.  Myth.  ii.  437. 

There  is  a splendid  brass  medallion  of  M. 
Aurelius,  bearing  for  its  type  of  reverse,  Her- 
cules standing  on  a car,  drawn  by  four  centaurs, 


CEREALIA. 

liaviug  each  different  attributes. — Engraved  in 
Mionuet,  Rarete  des  Medailles,  and  in  Aker- 
inan,  Descriptive  Catalogue , vol.  i. 

Several  coins  of  Gallienus  exhibit  a centaur 
holding  a bow  and  arrow  : some  as  the  accom- 
panying mark  of  a legion,  as  LEG.  II.  PART- 
hicce.  On  other  coins  of  the  same  emperor,  the 
same  device  appears  in  connection  with  the  name 
of  Apollo.  APOLLINI  CONS ervatori  AVG esti. 
— Erastosthencs  states,  that  the  centaur  Chiron 
was  numbered  amongst  the  stars,  as  the  con- 
stellation called  Sagittarius,  or  the  archer ; and 
according  to  Hyginus  and  Pliny,  he  was  the  first 
to  introduce  the  art  of  healing  by  the  use  of 
herbs.  Such  are  the  reasons  assigned  for  select- 
ing the  centaur,  as  in  this  instance,  to  personate 
Apollo,  whether  that  god  was  regarded  as  pre- 
siding over  the  muses,  or  as  the  tutelary  of  the 
medical  art.  Why  the  centaur  is  made  to  hold  a 
globe  and  a rudder  in  his  hand,  remains  unex- 
plained.— We  find  the  bow-bearing  centaur  also 
on  a coin  of  Tetricus  the  younger,  with  the 
legend  SOLI  CONSERrfffori;  for  Chiron,  the 
Sagittarius,  was  the  tutor  of  Apollo  and  Diana. 

CERBERUS — the  canine  guard  of  the  in- 
fernal regions,  whom  Hercules  dragged  forth 
from  his  dread  abode,  and  forced  to  sec  the  light 
of  day.  The  three  heads  of  this  monster  were 
said  to  signify  the  power  of  Pluto  over  the 
three  elements  of  water,  earth,  and  air. — A sil- 
ver medallion  of  Hadrian  has  the  figure  of  Pluto, 
with  Cerberus  at  his  feet.  But  ou  a small  brass 
of  Postumus,  “ the  dog  of  hell”  is  represented 
as  conquered  by  Hercules.  The  legend  of  this 
rare  coin  is  iiercvi.i  immortaij,  and  the  type 
shews  the  fabled  son  of  Jupiter  and  Alcmene 
performing  his  twelfth  and  last  labour,  the  en- 
chainment of  Cerberus. — Sec  Revue  Nuwisma- 
tique,  T.  vii.  Annee  1841,  pi.  viii. 

CEREALIA. — Feasts  instituted  in  honour  of 
Ceres,  at  which  the  Roman  matrons,  holding 
torches  in  their  hands,  and  hurrying  about  by 
night,  represented  the  grief  of  Ceres  seeking 
for  Proserpine,  whom  Pluto  had  carried  off. — 
They  were  celebrated  in  the  mouth  of  April, 
and  lasted  eight  days  ; during  the  ceremonies  of 
which  a rigorous  silence  was  observed,  especially 
at  the  sacrifices  performed  in  honour  of  the 
goddess,  at  Eleusis,  iu  Attica,  whence  the  Ro- 
mans had  borrowed  the  mysteries  of  Ceres. — 
Memmius,  a Curule  Edile,  was  the  first  who  esta- 
blished these  feasts  at  Rome — feasts  which  were 
always  accompanied  with  sports,  as  is  shewn  by 
a denarius  of  the  Mcmmia  family,  on  which  ap- 
pears Ceres  with  three  cars  of  corn,  and  a torch 
(or  distaff'),  a serpent  at  her  feet,  and  the  in- 
scription  MEMMIVS  AEDjVw  CEREALIA 

PREIMVS  FECIT.  Engraved  in  Akcrmau, 
ii.  p.  63,  pi.  ii.  No.  8 — See  Mcmmia  gens. 

CERES,  daughter  of  Saturn  and  Cybele,  was 
the  Goddess  of  Agriculture. — The  abode  usu- 
ally assigned  to  her  by  the  poets  was  in  a deli- 
cious district  of  Sicily,  denominated  Enna.  She 
was  called  Legifera,  or  the  legislatrix,  as  being 
the  instructress  of  mankind  in  the  salutary  art 
of  tillage,  which  made  it  needful  to  enforce  laws 
for  the  demarcation  of  fields.  Ceres  appears 
2 C 2 


CERES.  195 

generally,  on  coins  and  other  ancient  monuments’ 
as  a vigorous  woman,  crowned  with  corn  ears’ 
and  holding  in  her  hand  a bunch  of  poppies  •' 
a circumstance  allusive  to  her  arrival  in  Greece, 
when  some  grains  of  that  narcotic  plant  were 
given  to  procure  her  the  repose,  which  she  had 
not  enjoyed  since  her  daughter  Proserpine  had 
been  carried  away  by  Pluto ; and  because  the 
poppy  is  extremely  fertile.  The  first  fruits  of 
the  earth  were  offered  to  this  goddess : at  her 
altars  sheep  were  sacrificed,  and  above  all  the 
sow,  because  that  animal  is  very  destructive  to 
seeds.  Ceres  appears  ou  a great  number  both 
of  consular  and  imperial  coins.  The  empresses 
are  often  represented  under  the  type  of  that 
divinity. — See  p.  99  of  this  dictionary. 


Ceres  and  a Colonist. — On  a denarius  of  the 
Maria  gens,  the  obverse  legend,  CAPITo 
XXXXIII.  has  for  its  accompanying  type  the 
head  of  Ceres  crowned  with  corn  ears,  and  with 
ear-pendents.  One  of  the  various  arbitrary 
mint-marks  to  these  coins  of  Gapito,  being  iu 
this  instauce  a trident  before  the  face  of  Ceres. 
On  the  reverse  we  read  Cains  MARIaa  Cat*. 
F Hitts.  Senates  Consullo.  The  type  is  a man 
driving  two  oxen,  with  a goad  in  his  hand. 

It  will  readily  be  agreed  by  numismatists, 
that  the  head  of  Ceres  alludes  to  abundance  ; 
and  that  the  yoke  of  oxen,  guided  by  a cultiva- 
tor, indicates  the  planting  of  a colony.  Perhaps, 
in  praise  of  his  ancestral  house,  the  moneyer 
who  struck  this  coin  refers  to  some  colony  esta- 
blished in  Gaul,  or  elsewhere,  by  the  famous 
C.  Marius. — See  Riccio,  on  the  Maria  gens 
p.  141. 

Ceres,  the  symbol  of  fertility,  is  exhibited 
standing,  sometimes  before  an  altar,  with  corn 
ears,  torch,  serpent,  poppies,  cornucopia;,  or 
hasta,  on  coins  of  Nero,  Julia  Titi,  Domitiau, 
Trajan,  Hadrian,  &c. 

Ceres  appears  sitting  (sometimes  on  the  cista), 
with  the  same  attributes,  on  coins  of  Vespasian, 
Nerva,  Trajau,  Faustina  senior  and  junior,  and 
also  Crispina,  and  Julia  Severi. — She  is  also 
present  with  Annona. 

Ceres  walking,  with  a lighted  torch  in  each 
hand,  as  if  iu  the  act  of  searching  for  her  daugh- 
ter Proserpine,  and  hence  called  taedifera,  is 
seen  on  denarii  of  the  Claudia  and  Man  Li  a fami- 
lies, accompanied  by  a hog ; or  with  a plough 
before  her,  in  the  Vibia  gens. — Sec  the  respec- 
tive notices  of  those  families  in  this  dictionary. 

Ceres  drawn  in  a biga  by  dragons  or  serpents, 
sometimes  winged,  at  others  not,  in  which  the 
goddess  stands  with  a lighted  torch  iu  each 
hand,  or  with  corn  ears  and  poppies,  appears  on 
denarii  of  the  Vibia,  Vipsania,  and  Volteia  fami- 
lies.— See  them  suis  locis. 


196  CERES. 

The  head  of  Ceres,  crowned  with  corn  ears, 
is  also  found  on  the  family  coins  of  those  Ediles 
who  had  the  care  of  Annona,  or  distribution  of 
wheat  and  other  grain  amongst  the  people — such 
as  Cassia,  Cntonia,  Flaminia,  Furia,  Junia, 
Manlia,  Memmia,  Mussidia,  &c.  in  which  de- 
narii, however,  Ceres  does  not  always  designate 
the  edileship,  but  occasionally  some  province 
fertile  in  produce,  to  which  a pretor  was  ap- 
pointed. (Spauheim). — See  head  of  Ceres,  adorn- 
ed with  corn  ears,  on  a denarius  of  the  Fauuia 
gens,  engraved  in  p.  12  of  this  dictionary. 

CERES  AYG.  AVGVS.  AVGVST.  AV- 
GVSTI,  and  AYG  VST  A. These  several  le- 

gends, with  the  different  images  and  attributes 
of  the  goddess  above  described,  appear  on  coins 
of  the  series  from  Claudius  to  Commodus. 

An  interesting  example  of  an  Empress  repre- 
sented under  the  type  of  this  divinity,  appears 
on  a fine  brass  medallion  of  Galeria  Faustina,  in 
the  Cabinet  de  France,  from  a cast  of  which  the 
subjoined  cut  is  engraved. 

Faustina  senior,  the  wife  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
died  in  the  third  year  of  his  reign ; and  by  a 
decree  of  the  Senate  was  numbered  among  the 
divinities.  As  during  life  she  had  been  styled 
on  her  coins  ceues  avgvsta,  so,  after  her  de- 
cease, the  same  monumeuts  shew  that  she  was 
worshipped  uuder  the  personification  of  that 
goddess.  On  the  present  medal  we  see  a minia- 
ture image  on  a cippus,  standing  in  a chariot 
drawn  by  two  serpents,  and  holding  a torch  in 
each  hand.  In  the  field  is  a larger  figure,  sto- 
lated  and  veiled,  also  holding  two  lighted  torches. 


Two  distinct  representations  appear  to  be  here 
given  of  the  search  for  Proserpine  by  Ceres — 
viz.  1.  The  lighting  of  the  torches;  and  2.  The 
biga  of  snakes  carrying  Ceres  with  the  torches. 

D.Vaillaut,  in  his  commentary  on  this  remark- 
able type,  expresses  an  opinion  that  the  figure 
of  the  veiled  female,  in  the  field  of  the  coin, 
was  intended  to  represent  the  AaSouxoj — the 
attendant  or  priestess — of  Ceres,  who  with  her 
right  hand  is  lighting  a torch  at  the  sacred  fire 
of  the  altar,  whilst  in  her  left  she  carries  one 
already  lighted,  in  preparation  for  the  rites  of 
the  goddess.  On  this  subject,  Ovid  (Fast.  4), 
thus  speaks : — 

“ lllic  accendit  geminns  pro  lumpadc  pinus; 

“ llinc  Cereris  sacris  nunc  quoque  taeda  datur:” 
[There  she  lights  two  pine  branches  to  serve  as 


CERES. 

a torch  ; and  hence,  at  the  present  day  also,  a torch 
is  employed  in  the  sacred  rites  of  Ceres], 

And  this  gave  rise  to  the  expression  of  Lac- 
tautius — “ On  that  account,  during  the  celebra- 
tion of  her  rites,  torches  arc  carried  about.” — 
And  in  memory  of  this  practice,  not  only  the 
attendant,  but  also  the  other  officiating  persons, 
shook  torches  as  they  ran,  as  Statius  tells  us, 
(Sit car  4)  : — 

“ Tuque  Aetma  Ceres,  enrsu  cui  semper  anhelo 

“ Votivam  taciti  quassamus  l unpada  Mjstre 

[And  thou,  Actaean  Ceres,  in  whose  honour  we, 
your  silent  priests,  ever  brandish  the  votive  torch, 
as  we  hurry  on  our  panting  course]. 

And  Fulgentius  says,  that  “ on  this  account 
a dap  of  torches  was  held  sacred  to  Ceres.” 

13y  what  ceremonial  empresses  were  enrolled 
among  the  deities,  we  learn  from  the  Commen- 
taries of  Panvinius  on  the  second  book  of  the 
Fasti ; to  w hich  account  may  be  added,  that  the 
emperors  at  length  adopted  the  practice  of  ap- 
propriating the  names  of  other  goddesses  to 
their  deified  consorts,  as  Prudentius  thus  inti- 
mates (lib.  i.  contra  Symmach ) : — 

“ Adjicere  sacrum,  fieret  quo  Livia  Juno.” 

Notwithstanding  all  the  learning  employed  by 
the  above  quoted  numismatist  of  the  elder  school, 
to  fortify  himself  in  his  determination  to  regard 
the  larger  female  figure,  not  as  an  image  of  the 
goddess  herself  but,  as  au  officiating  priestess 
at  her  altar,  there  really  does  not  appear  any 
sufficient  reason  to  doubt  that  on  this,  as  on 
other  coins  of  Faustina  senior,  with  similar 
types,  struck  after  her  death  and  consecration, 
it  was  designed  to  apply  the  ordinance  by  virtue 
of  which  that  faithless  wife  could  be  made  a 
Ceres,  as  Livia  before  her  had  become  a Juno. 

CERER.  FRVGIF.  Cereri  Frugifcrte.  (To 
the  fruit-bearing  Ceres). — The  goddess,  holding 
corn-ears  and  a torch. — On  silver  of  S.  Sevcrus. 

CERERI  FRVGIF. The  goddess  seated, 

holding  cars  of  corn  in  the  right  hand,  and  the 
hasta  pura  in  her  left. — On  silver  of  Julia  Se- 
veri.  Sec  domna. 

CERERI  AYG.  Cereri  Augusta.  (To  the 
august  Ceres). — The  goddess  seated,  with  her 
attributes. — On  a silver  coin  of  Salonina. — The 
above  type  and  legend  occur  for  the  first  time 
on  this  very  rare  coin. 

CERERI  REDYCI. — Silver  of  Julia  Domna. 

CERES. — The  goddess  sitting,  w ith  the  usual 
attributes. — This  epigraph  aud  type  appear  on 
coins  of  Tiberius,  Faustina  senior  and  junior, 
Lucilla,  Crispins,  Sevcrus.  and  Julia  Dotnua. 

CERES  ANNONA  AYG.  or  AVGVSTA.— 
See  annona,  p.  49  of  this  dictionary. 

CERERI  FRYGIFERAE. — Ceres  standing. 
Silver  of  Pesccunius  Niger.— Same  legend,  Ceres 
seated.  Silver  of  S.  Sevcrus. — cekeki  frvgif. 
Same  type.  Silver  of  Julia  Domna. 

CERES  S.  C. — A female  figure  seated,  with 
two  corn-cars  in  the  right  hand,  and  a torch 
resting  on  the  left  arm.  On  first  brass  of  Tibe- 
rius. Valued  by  Miouuct  at  150  fr. — Engraved 
in  More!!.  Thesaur.  Impp.  Rom.  vol.  iii.  tab.  v. 
No.  5 ; and  in  Dr.  King’s  Plates. 


CERTAMEN. 

CERES  AVGVSTA,  with  similar  type,  on 
second  brass  of  Claudius. — Engraved  in  Morell. 
Thesaur.  Impp.  vol.  iii.  tab.  vi.  No.  2. 

CERES  AVGVSTA.  S.  C. — Female  figure 
in  the  stola,  standing,  with  corn-ears  and  the 
hasta  pura.  On  second  brass  of  Julia  Titi. — 
Engraved  in  Thesaur.  Morell.  Impp.  vol.  iii. 
tab.  xv.  No.  23. 


CER.  (CERTA.  CERTAM)  QUINQ.  ROM. 

CO.  (CON.)  S.  C.— A table, 
on  which  are  an  urn  and  a 
crown,  and  within  (or  under - 
| neath ) the  table  a discus , 
and  two  griffins : in  the  field 
of  some  coins  the  letter  S. — 

Obo. — NERO  CAES.  AVG.  IMP. 

A laureated  head. — Third  brass  of  Nero.— 
(British  Museum). 

The  certamen  quinquennale  wa3  instituted  at 
Rome  in  the  year  u.  c.  813  (a.  d.  60),  in  re- 
ference to  which  ancient  writers  have  made 
many  observations. — Suetonius  thus  mentions 
it : — “ He  (Nero)  was  the  first  to  institute  at 
Rome  the  certamen  quinquennale,  after  the 
Greek  fashion,  a triple  entertainment,  consisting 
of  music,  gymnastics,  and  equestrianism ; to 
which  he  gave  the  appellation  of  neronia.’ 

(chap.  12). Contests  took  place  likewise, 

as  tlie  same  author  states,  in  oratory  and  an- 
cient poetry. — Tacitus  writes  to  the  same  pur- 
pose (Ann.  xiv.  20).  The  motive  of  its  esta- 
blishment is  declared  by  Dion  (lxi.  21)  to  be 
“ the  safety  and  prolongation  of  his  own  reign;” 
and  he  adds,  that  Nero  in  this  contest  bore  off 
the  prize  for  harp-playing,  all  other  competitors 
being  adjudged  unworthy  of  it.  That  this  cer- 
tamen was  repeated  after  the  interval  of  five 
years,  we  have  the  testimony  of  Tacitus  (Ann. 
xvi.  2,  4).  It  is  alluded  to  also  by  Victor 
Schotti,  in  the  following  notice  of  Gordian  111. 
— “ And  in  that  year  of  the  lustrum,  after  cele- 
brating on  a grander  scale  and  re-establishing 
the  certamen,  which  Nero  introduced  into  Rome, 
he  set  out  on  his  expedition  against  the  Per- 
sians.”— There  are  grounds  of  probability  for 
supposing  that  it  was  continued  to  the  age  of 
Constantine. — See  Bod.  Num.  Vet.  vi.  264. 

C.  E.  S. — These  letters  on  a silver  coin  of  Gal- 
lienus — imp.  c.  e.  s.  inscribed  on  a pedestal  on 
which  Jupiter  stands,  are  by  Banduri,  and  also 
by  Biinard,  the  annotator  of  Jobert,  inter- 
preted thus  : — Cum  Exercito  Suo. 

CEST. — Cestianus,  a surname  of  adoption 
into  the  tribe  Pketoria  from  the  Cestia  family. 

CESTIA  gens. — This  was  a plebeian  family. 
Its  coins  comprise  six  varieties.  The  gold  are 
of  the  highest  degree  of  rarity.  There  are  twro 
remarkable  specimens  in  that  metal  belonging 
to  it : — 

1.  c.  norbanvs  l.  cestivs  p.  r.  A woman’s 
head,  with  the  hair  confined  by  a diadem. 

Rev. — s.  c.  Cybele,  with  turreted  head,  in 
a biga  of  lions,  her  left  hand  resting  on  the 
tympanum.  Gold. — Engraved  in  Morell.  Earn. 
Rom. 

2.  A woman’s  head,  covered  with  the  skin  of 
an  elephant. 


CESTIA.  197 

Rev. — L.  CESTIVS  C.  NORBA.  PR.  S.  C.  A 
curule  chair,  on  which  is  a helmet.  Gold. 


Vaillant,  and  some  other  writers  of  the  elder 
school,  have  ascribed  these  coins  to  Lucius  Ces- 
tius  and  C.  Norbanus,  whilst  holding  the  office 
of  Ediles,  and  when  both  were  acting  as  Pre- 
tors,  in  660  (b.  c.  94).  But  Eckhel  (see  v. 
169),  and  the  more  modern  numismatists,  seem 
disposed  to  adopt  in  preference  the  opinion  of 
Havcrcamp,  founded  on  the  historical  fact,  that 
Julius  Caesar,  in  708  (b.c.  46),  meditating  a 
campaign  against  the  sons  of  Pompev  in  Spain, 
established,  before  his  departure,  a magistracy  ex- 
traordinary, composed  of  six  or  eight  lieuten- 
ants or  prafecti,  under  Lepidus  (as  Dion  re- 
lates, xliii.  ch.  28).  To  these,  Ilavercamp  as- 
serts on  the  authority  of  coins,  was  entrusted 
the  privilege  of  striking  money ; for  Munatius 
Plancus,  and  Livineius  Regulus,  do  actually  in- 
scribe themselves  on  coins  fraef.  vrb.  ; Clo- 
vius,  simply  fraef.  ; llirlius,  Cestius,  Nor- 
banus, and  Oppius,  only  Pit.  which,  accordingly, 
is  to  be  expanded  into  VWafeclus,  and  not 
PR ator.  Consequently,  the  six  individuals 

mentioned  on  the  coins,  will  be  those  prafecti 
alluded  to  by  Dion,  and  to  whose  names  Haver- 
carnp  (in  Rubria  gens)  also  adds  that  of  L. 
Rubrius  Dossenus.  And  it  must  be  admitted, 
that  the  types  go,  with  singular  coincidence,  to 
bear  out  this  view  of  the  case. 

The  head,  on  one  coiu,  covered  with  the  ele- 
phant’s skin  and  proboscis,  alludes  to  Caesar’s 
African  victory ; whilst  the  head  of  Venus  on 
the  other,  points  also  indubitably  to  the  reputed 
origin  of  the  Julia  family.  The  sella  curulis, 
says  Riccio  (p.  51),  denotes  the  power  of  the 
Dictator  himself,  and  not  of  the  preftets,  who 
certainly  usurped  the  fasces,  and  chair  of  curule 
office.  (See  Livineia  gens).  The  helmet,  which 
Havercamp  looks  upon  as  symbolising  the 
valour  of  Caesar,  bears  reference,  as  Cavcdoni 
thinks,  to  Venus,  whose  name  of  Viclrix,  was 
given  by  the  Dictator,  as  a countersign  to  the 
soldiers.  The  appearance  of  the  S.  C.  is  as- 
cribed to  the  circumstance  that  these  prefects  of 
Caesar  had  the  power  granted  them  of  inscrib- 
ing their  names  on  the  coinage;  “and  lastly 
(concludes  Eckhel),  Cybele  indicates  the  games 
called  Meyalesia,”  celebrated  in  honour  of  that 
goddess. 

C.  F.  Caii  Filins. — C.  F.  C.  N.  Caii  Filius, 
Caii  Nepos. — C.  F.  Q.  Caii  Filius  Quastor. — 
C.  F.  Q.  N.  Caii  Filii  Quiuti  Nepos. 

C.  F.  Caius  Fabius. — Surname  and  name. 

C.  F.  or  C.  FLAV.  Colonia  Flavia. 

C.  F.  L.  R.  Q.  M.  Caius  Flavius  Lucius 
Rupilivs  Quintus  Marcius. — Akerman,  Numis- 
matic Manual. 


198  CHIMERA. 


CHIMERA — a mountain  of  Lycia,  in  Asia 
Minor,  the  top  of  which  abounded  with  lions, 
the  sides  with  goats,  aud  the  bottom  with  ser- 
pents. Thence  the  Greek  fable  of  the  above 
named  monster  with  a lion’s  head,  a goat’s  head 
and  neck  protruding  out  of 
v\  >ts  back,  and  a serpent  for 
*0^'  its  tail.  Others  interpret  it 
" ' to  mean  the  piratical  ship 

ji  taken  by  Belleropbon,  the 
,7  Corinthian  hero,  and  which 
vessel  had  a lion  at  its 
prow,  and  a dragon  at  its 
stern.  There  are  indeed 
various  typos  on  coins  of  the  Corinthians  which, 
in  memory  of  his  victory,  bear  the  image  of 
the  Chimrera,  as  well  as’ to  shew  the  antiquity 
ot  their  city.  Thus  also  that  enigmatical  non- 
descript appears  on  colonial  medals  of  Domitian, 
M.  Aurelius,  and  L.  Verus,  struck  at  Corinth. 


— Sometimes  the  monster  stands  hv  itself ; hut 
more  frequently  appears  as  attacked  by  Belle- 
roplion,  mounted  ou  the  winged  horse  Pegasus, 
with  legend  col.  ivl.  avg.  cor.  (Colonia  Julia 
Augusta  Corin/hits),  as  in  the  above  cut. — See 
bellerophon  (p.  125);  also  see  PEGASUS. 

[A  superb  tcsselated  pavement,  found  in 
France,  bears  this  subject,  wrought  in  the 
highest  style  of  art], 

CHLAMYS,  a short  military  cloak,  as  worn 
by  the  Greeks.  Amongst  the  Romans  this  was 
the  same  as  the  paludamentum . The  latter  was 
in  fact  a part  of  the  military  dress  of  the  em- 
perors, though  sometimes  worn  by  private  in- 
dividuals. Those  who  have  undertaken  to  make 
a distinction  between  the  two  habiliments  assert 
that  the  paludamentum  was  longer  and  larger 
than  the  chlamys.  The  Romans  made  it  of 
coarse  and  thick  woollen  for  the  common 
soldiers,  and  of  finer  wool  for  the  officers. 
The  emperors  wore  it  of  purple  silk,  orna- 
mented with  gold  and  precious  stones.  This 
great  coat,  or  pelisse,  was  put  on  over  the 
cuirass,  and  fasteued  with  a buckle  on  the  right 
shoulder,  so  as  to  leave  the  movement,  of  the 


arm  perfectly  free  ; and  in  fighting  they  wrap- 
ped the  left  arm  in  the  folds  of  the  chlamys, 
employing  it  as  a defence  to  that  part  of  the 
body. — See  Paludamentum. 

CHORTIUM  PR  .VETO  R I A RUM. — A lc- 
gionary  eagle,  decorated  with  a necklace  or 
collar,  between  two  military  ensigns. — Obv. — 
ant.  avg.  iiivir.  r.  p.  c.  A pretorian  vessel. 
Gold  and  Silver.  (Engraved  in  Pclleriu,  Mel. 
i.  p.  105,  plate  v.  No.  5.) 

In  reference  to  the  pretorian  cohort,  Pomponius 
Festus  remarks,  “ It  was  so  named,  from  its  being 
constantly  attached  to  the  person  of  the  pretor. 
For  Scipio  Afrieanus  was  the  first  who  made  a 
selection  of  all  the  bravest  soldiers,  with  orders 
never  to  leave  his  side  in  action,  &c.”  And  this 
custom  was  retained  by  the  Roman  commanders 
of  armies  w ho  succeeded  him.  Julius  Csesar  (ac- 
cording to  Dion,  xxxviii.  $ 47)  made  choice  of 
the  tenth  legion  os  his  pretoriau  cohort,  a fact 
confirmed  by  himself  in  his  commentaries  (Hell . 
Gall.  i.  ch.  40),  whilst  rebuking  the  cowardice 


CHORTIUM  PRAET. 

of  his  troops  in  the  following  terms:  “ Aud  that 
if  no  one  else  should  follow  him,  he  would 
go  with  only  the  tenth  legion,  of  whose 
fidelity  he  had  no  fears,  and  that  that  legion 
should  thenceforth  be  his  pretorian  cohort.” — 
And  in  this  sense  Cicero  (in  Catil.  ii.  ch.  10) 
attributes  to  Catiline  also  a pretorian  cohort, 
but  one  composed  of  the  merest  rabble  ( ex 
scortis  conjlatam.)  To  the  pretorian  cohort 
of  Antony  there  is  more  than  one  allusion 
in  Appiau.  In  the  year  u.  c.  710  (b.  c.  44) 
when  already  meditating  a civil  war,  he  drafted 
every  man  distinguished  for  personal  and  other 
qualities  to  form  a pretorian  cohort,  to  which 
Cicero  subsequently  applied  the  invidious  title 
of  cohors  regia,  or  rrrrtlpa  0aai\imj. — Appian 
also  elsewhere  states,  that  Octavian  and  Antony 
enrolled  the  soldiers,  who  had  served  their  time 
(emeritos),  in  the  pretoriau  cohort. — Octavia, 
in  order  to  ingratiate  herself  with  Antony,  when 
setting  out  to  join  her  husband,  took  with  her 
“ an  escort  of  two  thousand  picked  men,  fully 
accoutred  as  a pretoriau  cohort.” — (Plutarch  in 
Ant.  p.  940.) 

The  pretorian  cohort  of  Antony,  on  the 
denarius  above  described,  has  the  legionary 
eagle  ; but  we  have  just  seen  that  this  cohort 
was  also  called  a legion  by  Dion  and  Caesar. 
The  denarius  exhibits  the  ancient  mode  of  spell- 
ing the  word,  chortivm  instead  of  cohort  ivm, 
which  is  also  employed  on  the  marble  pub- 
lished by  Gruter  (p.  538  8),  where  Marcianns 
is  called  a soldier  of  chort.  xh. — And  thus, 
on  coins  of  the  legions,  struck  under  Gal- 
lienus,  we  find  cohh.  praet.  vi.  p.  vi.  f. — 
The  collar,  with  which  the  eagle  of  the  cohorts  is 
decorated  on  this  denarius,  has  not  yet  been  ex- 
plained. It  is  quite  certain  that  the  legionary 
eagles  do  not  exhibit  such  an  ornament. — Sec 
Eckhel,  vi.  52,  ct  scq. — See  also  adlocvt. 
con.  p.  6 of  this  dictionary. 

C1IORS. — Sec  cohors. 

CIIORTIS  SPECULATORUM.— Three  mili- 
tary ensigns  (or,  more  properly  speaking,  spears), 
ornamented  with  crowns,  and  fixed  in  the  prows 
of  vessels. — On  the  obverse  ANTomu#  AVG  nr 
IIIVIR.  Re«  P ublicit  Const  ituen  da.  A pre- 
torian vessel. — Gold. — British  Museum. 


These  legends  aud  types  nppear  on  gold  and 
silver  of  the  Antonia  family,  struck  by  order  of 
Mark  Antony,  during  his  triumvirate. — Ou  the 
subject  of  the  ancient  Speru/atores  Eckhel  gives, 
iu  an  abridged  form,  the  result  of  Christian 
Schwart  s industrious  and  admirable  researches, 
to  the  following  purport  — 

“ The  functions  of  the  specu/alores,  aud  the 
meanings  of  the  term,  were  very  various.  They 
corresponded  to  explorers,  called  by  the  Greeks 
uraKovarai  and  fjrojrreu  (car  and  eve- witnesses), 


COHORTIS  SPECULATORL'M. 

and  their  services  were  in  requisition,  not  only 
for  military  purposes  in  the  discovery  of  an 
enemy’s  designs,  but  also  in  civil  matters, 
when  they  differed  in  no  respect  from  the 
delatores , or  informers. — Varro  says:  “A  specu- 
lator is  one  whom  we  send  before  us,  to  note 
such  particulars  as  we  wish  to  ascertain.”  For 
a similar  reason,  the  word  was  applied  to  per- 
sons of  a curious  and  prying  disposition.  In 
military  affairs  those  also  were  called  speculatores, 
who,  stationed  on  towers  or  other  elevated  posi- 
tions, watched  the  movements  and  approaches  of 
an  enemy,  and  kept  a vigilant  look  out  (specula- 
bantur),  giving  intelligence  by  beacon-tires. 
The  Greeks  termed  them  kcltolskoi rot  and  Siotr- 
TTjpes,  and  as  it  was  part  of  their  business  to 
convey  important  information  post  haste,  they 
were  also  called  ripcpiSpopo i,  that  is  to  say, 
runners  over  a certain  distance  in  a day,  as 
Livy  informs  us  (xxxi.  eh.  24.) — Again,  to  use 
the  words  of  Festus  (in  Explorare)  : “ A specu- 
lator differs  from  an  explorator  (spy)  in  this 
respect,  that  the  former  silently  observes  the 
movements  of  an  enemy  in  war,  whilst  the  latter 
loudly  proclaims  the  doings  of  others  in  time  of 
peace.”  During  the  imperial  government,  the 
speculatores  were  a kind  of  apparitors  and  body- 
guard ; from  whicli  circumstance  Tacitus  joined 
together  the  two  corps  of  pretorian  cohorts  and 
speculatores  (Hist.  ii.  cli.  33) ; and  Suidas  ex- 
plains 2irtKov\arwp,  by  b Sopvipopo s (tbc  spear- 
man or  body-guard.)  Ilcnce  we  often  observe,  on 
marbles,  the  speculatores  mixed  up  with  the  pre- 
torian cohorts,  as  for  example  spf.c.  coir.  ini.  pu. 
See  also  spec.  leg.  ii.  Col.  Antigua,  i.  p.  127- 
Speculatores  was  also  the  name  applied  to  those, 
whose  office  it  was  to  execute  capital  punish- 
ment, a famous  instance  of  which  is  afforded  by 
Seneca  (de  Ira,  i.  eh.  16).  And  thus,  in  the 
Graeco- barbarian  languages,  the  speculator  is 
identical  with  carnifex,  in  Greek  called  6 S-ppios, 
airoKstpaXioTys,  the  public  executioner,  the 
headsman.  Of  this  description,  unless  indeed 
he  was  a royal  apparitor,  must  have  been  the 
individual  whom  Mark  the  Evangelist  relates  to 
have  been  sent  to  behead  John  the  Baptist ; 
kcll  ivdeus  airbaruXas  6 fiaatKevs  aireKouXarupa 
k.  t.  A.  “ And  immediately  the  king  sent  an 
executioner,  &c.”  (Mark,  vi.  27.)  The  Latin 
Vulgate  renders  it  spiculator,  as  though  the 
word  were  to  be  derived  from  the  spicu/uni  or 
javelin,  which  this  functionary  bears.  But  this 
is  incorrect,  since  as  yet  no  difference  of  opinion 
(or  reading)  has  been  found  in  the  Codices  on 
the  subject  of  the  word  cnrcKouXaTupa. 

That  the  Cohors  Specu/atorum,  which  this 
denarius  presents,  was  employed  in  naval  affairs, 
is  sufficiently  indicated  by  the  prows  of  ships. 
These  marine  speculatores  exercised  the  same 
office  at  sea,  which  ou  land  was  performed  by 
the  speculatores  posted  on  lofty  situations,  as 
look-outs,  and  hemerodomi,  as  already  explained. 
— Vegctius  (iv.  eh.  37)  furnishes  a remarkable 
testimony  on  this  point : — 

“ Exploring  (or  spying)  boats  accompany  the 
larger  Liburnian  vessels.  Their  use  is  occa- 
sionally, to  surprise  an  enemy,  or  to  cut  off 


CILICIA.  199 

supplies  from  his  ships,  and,  in  the  way  of  spies, 
to  discover  their  approach  or  designs.  Lest, 
however,  these  exploring  vessels  should  betray 
themselves  by  their  light  colour,  their  sails  and 
rigging  are  painted  with  Venetian  blue,  which 
resembles  the  colour  of  the  sea,  and  the  wax 
with  which  ships  are  usually  smeared,  is  tinged 
with  the  same  colour.  The  sailors  also,  or 
soldiers,  are  attired  in  blue  clothes,  that  by  day, 
as  well  as  night,  they  may  the  more  readily 
escape  observation,  when  engaged  in  their  work 
as  spies.”  According  to  Polybius  (iii.  eh.  96), 
Scipio,  when  about  to  attack  the  Carthaginians 
in  Spain,  “ sent  forward  two  fast  sailing  vessels, 
belonging  to  the  MassiUenses  (people  of  Mar- 
seilles), on  the  look-out.” — Plutarch  informs  us, 
that  Cn.  Pompey  collected  vessels  of  this  de- 
scription for  the  civil  wrar  (in  Catone  Nim.  eh. 
54).  “ There  were  not  less  than  five  hundred 

ships  of  war,  and  of  Liburnian,  spying  (uara- 
<TKdiri/fo — speculator! se),  and  open-decked  vessels, 
an  immense  number.”  To  this  branch  of  the 
service  belonged  M.  Staberius,  who  on  a marble 
given  by  Muratori  is  called  a centurion  COH ortis 
VI.  SPECVLAToram  CLASsis  MISENikm. 

And  thus,  as  Antony  made  a selection  of  all 
the  best  soldiers  to  form  his  pretorian  cohort, 
so  it  is  likewise  probable,  that  he  chose  from  the 
ablest  naval  soldiers  (milites  classiarii)  a cohort, 
to  attend  him  in  his  maritime  expeditions,  and 
perform  the  part  of  a marine  pretorian  cohort,  as 
being  calculated,  from  its  experience  in  nautical 
matters,  to  be  serviceable  in  tbe  manifold  perils 
of  a life  at  sea.  And  as  both  these  kinds  of 
cohort,  the  pretorian  and  that  of  the  specula- 
tores, were  held  in  high  repute,  from  his  hav- 
ing entrusted  to  their  charge  his  own  personal 
safety,  he  paid  them  the  compliment  of  inscrib- 
ing tbeir  names  on  this  class  of  his  coins.  The 
three  prows  of  ships,  which  are  seen,  on  these 
aurei,  affixed  to  spears,  arc  without  beaks,  as  we 
find  from  Livy  was  actually  the  case  with  the 

naves  specu/atorite  (xxxvi.  ch.  42.) Livius 

crossed  over  to  Delos,  with  eighty-one  beaked 
vessels,  and  many  others  of  smaller  size,  either 
open  and  beaked,  or  specu/atorite  without 
beaks.” — See  Doctrina,  vol.  v.  pp.  53,  54,  55. 

CIIRISTI  MONOGRAMMA. — See  Mono- 
gramma. 

C.  I.  C.  A.  P.  Colonia  Julia  Carthago 
Augusta  Pia. — A galley  with  rowers.  Ou  a 3rd 
brass  of  Trebouianus  Gallus. — Banduri. 

CICERO. — See  Tullia  gens. 

CIDARIS,  a royal  turban. — See  Tiara. 

CILICIA,  now  Caramania,  or  Turcomanio, 
a country  of  Asia  Minor,  extending  along  the 
Mediterranean,  opposite  Cyprus.  It  was  for- 
merly one  of  the  most  opulent  provinces  of  the 
Roman  republic,  and  is  memorable  as  the  scene 
of  Cicero’s  pro-consulship. 

The  large  brass  coins  of  Hadrian,  bearing  re- 
spectively the  legends  adventvs  avg.  ciliciae, 
and  eestitvtoki  ciliciae,  record  the  visit  paid 
and  allude  to  the  benefits  conferred,  by  that  em- 
peror on  the  province.  Of  the  former  (viz. 
Adventui  Augusti  Cilicia ?)  the  reverse  type  ex- 
hibits the  emperor  and  a galeated  female,  who 


200  CIPI  A.— CIPPUS. 

bears  the  labarum,  standing  with  an  altar  be- 
tween them,  and  a victim  ready  for  sacrifice. — 
This  typifies  a general  rejoicing  on  Hadrian’s 
safe  arrival  in  Cilicia.  From  the  attire  and  at- 
titude of  this  female,  it  is  evident  that  the  pro  • 
vince  was  deemed  warlike ; but  the  Cilicians 
were  despised  by  the  Greeks  as  being  prone  to 
knavery,  cruelty,  and  mendacity — whence  the 
proverb,  “ Cilix  baud  facile  verum  dicit.” — • 
Capt.  Smyth,  Descr.  Cat.  p.  105 — See  restitv- 

TOIU  CILICIAE. 

Cl  PI  A gens. — The  same  family  as  Cispia,  was 
of  plebeian  rank,  and  figures  little  in  history. 
There  are  four  vaiieties,  viz. : — 

1.  Obv. — m.  cip.  M.  F.  Marcus  Cipius,  Marci 
Fi/ius,  who  struck  silver  money  with  the  usual 
types  of  Roman  denarii,  viz.  the  winged  head  of 
Minerva,  and  the  mark  x behind  it ; on  the  re- 
verse Victory  in  a biga,  and  roma.  Mint  mark 
a rudder. 


2.  Same  legend.  Head  of  Jupiter  laureated, 
behind  it  s. — Rev. — roma  on  the  exergue.  To 
the  right  s.  Prow  of  a ship.  A small  brass 
Semis. — Engraved  in  Morell.  Thesaur. — Rare. 

3.  Same  legend  and  type. Rev. — roma 

above,  M.  cipi.  M.  f.  below.  Type  simply  a rud- 
der in  the  middle  of  the  coin,  which  is  also  a 
third  brass  Semis. 

4.  Head  of  young  Hercules,  with  lion’s  skin. 
Rev. — roma  above.  M.  cipi.  &c.  below.  Ship’s 
rudder  with  its  handle,  in  the  field  of  the  coin. 
“A  very  rare  small  brass  guadrans,  of  magnificent 
preservation,”  says  Riceio,  “ in  my  possession.” 

This  Marcus  Cipius  was  tribune  of  the  plebs, 
afterwards  questor  in  691  (b.  c.  63) ; and  in 
previous  year,  a mouctal  triumvir. 

The  workmanship  of  the  silver,  and  of  the 
small  brass  of  this  family,  carry  them  to  the 
latest  times  of  the  republic. 

CIPPUS,  a raised  stone,  on  which  was  placed 
an  inscription  to  preserve  the  memory  of  some 
event.  The  cippus  differed  from  the  column, 
inasmuch  as  it  was  smaller,  and  of  a square 
form,  whilst  the  column  was  round,  large,  and 
lofty.  These  cippi  served  for  many  purposes, 
both  religious  aud  secular,  sometimes  marking 
a place  of  family  sepulture,  at  others  standing 
as  termini  or  boundary  stones.  The  form  and 
ornaments  of  some  of  these,  particularly  as 
represented  on  coins,  have  caused  them  often 
to  be  mistakeu  for  altars.  They  are  placed  some- 
times alone  in  the  field  of  a medal,  charged  with 
an  inscription ; in  others  they  arc  placed  near  a 
deity,  who  generally  rests  him  or  herself  against 
it.  On  the  occasion  of  the  civic  crown  having 
been  voted  by  the  Senate  of  Rome  to  be  placed 
before  the  portal  of  Augustus’s  palace,  in  com- 
memoration of  his  services  as  the  great  pre- 
server and  pacificator  of  the  state,  L.  Mescinius 


CIRCUS. 

Rufus,  one  of  the  monetary  triumvirs  of  that  em- 
peror, dedicated  a coin  to  him  with  the  vote  from 
s.  p.  q.  r.  inscribed  on  a cippus.  In  like  man- 
ner we  read  on  another  coin  of  the  same  empe- 
ror, on  a cippus,  imp.  caes.  avg.  comm.  cons. 
Imperatori  Caesari  Augusto  Communi  Consensu. 
— See  p.  108  of  this  dictionary'. 

On  another  cippus,  above  which  stands  a hel- 
meted  Mars,  with  spear  and  parazonium,  is  in- 
scribed s.  p.  q.  r.  v.  p.  red.  caes.  Senatus  Po- 
pulusque  Romanics  Votum  Pro  Reditu  Caesaris. 
On  another,  PRO  SALu/e  ET  REDi/a  WJGusti. 
— A third  reads,  imp.  caes.  avg.  lvd.  saec.  Im- 
perator  Ciesar  Augustus  Ludos  Sceculares.  The 
manner  in  w hich  all  these  cippi  were  erected  by 
Mescinius  Rufus,  to  preserve  the  memory  of 
eveuts,  under  Augustus,  is  to  be  seen  on  the  coins 
of  that  emperor,  and  of  the  Mescinia  family. — 
So  also  those  cippi  which  commemorate  the 
Secular  Games  arc  observed,  not  only  on  Augus- 
tus’s coins,  but  also  on  those  of  Domitian  and 
of  Sevcrus.  Thus  an  aureus  of  Domitian  exhi- 
bits a cippus,  with  lvd.  saec.  fec.  cos.  xim. 
within  a laurel  wreath.  Silver  and  brass  coins 
of  the  two  Philips,  and  Otacilia  Severn,  have 
cippi  with  inscriptions  allusive  to  the  Games 
celebrated  by  the  elder  Philip,  in  the  year  of 
Rome  1000  (a.  d.  248). Sec  saecvlares 

AVGO. 

CIRCLE — a radiated  ornament,  or  sacred 
symbol  of  distinction,  to  be  seen  on  certain  Ro- 
man coins,  as  surrounding  the  heads  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius,  and  some  other  emperors. — See 

NIMBUS. 

CIRCUS. — This  description  of  edifice,  for  the 
exhibition  of  horse,  foot,  and  chariot  racing, 
and  for  other  popular  sports,  was  peculiar  to 
the  Romans.  Its  form,  like  the  stadiou  of  the 
Greeks,  was  that  of  a long  square,  one  of  the 
extremities  of  which  was  rounded ; the  other 
end  much  less  so.  The  principal  parts  of  the 
circus  were — the  area,  or  space  in  which  the 
sports  took  place  ; the  seats  for  the  spectators 
lining  three  sides  of  the  area ; the  carceres, 
or  starting  posts,  which  formed  the  fourth  side 
of  the  area ; a wall  called  spina,  from  its 
similitude  (says  Buonarotti)  to  the  spine  or 
hack-bone  in  fishes  or  other  animals  ; and  at 
each  extremity  a meta,  or  conical  pillar,  serving 
as  a goal. 

The  area  was  the  space  appropriated  to  the 
games  and  races.  It  consisted  of  earth  ren- 
dered perfectly  hard,  and  covered  with  a layer 
of  fine  sand,  to  facilitate  the  career  of  the  horses 
and  cars.  Hence  this  place  also  took  the  name 
of  arena.  The  area  was  surrounded  by  a ditch 
called  euripus,  which  terminated  at  a point 
where  the  carceres  began.  At  the  different  en- 
trances of  the  circus  there  was  a bridge  to  cross 
this  euripus. 

The  spina  was  a broad  but  not  a lofty  mass 
of  masonry,  which  commenced  at  a sufficiently 
ample  distance  from  the  carceres,  and  finished 
at  a less  distance  from  the  triumphal  gate.  This 
spina,  dividing  nearly  the  whole  length  of  the 
area,  served  conveniently  to  separate  those  two 
portions  of  the  circus  in  which  the  races  took 


201 


CIRCUS. 

place,  and  to  prevent  the  chariots  from  passing 
from  one  part  to  the  other,  without  turning 
round  the  meta.  Before  the  race  could  be  won, 
it  was  indispensably  requisite  to  have  gone  round 
the  metre  seven  times : such  a course  was  called 
missus. 

The  area  was  divided  longitudinally  by  the 
spina , which  however  did  not  occupy  the  exact 
middle  of  that  space,  but  ranged  nearer  the  left 
than  the  right  side.  This  right  hand  part  of 
the  area  was  thus  wider  than  the  left,  so  that 
the  chariots,  which  at  a given  signal,  started  all 
at  the  same  time  from  their  carceres,  had  room 
enough  to  run  abreast  during  the  first  part  of 
the  race.  For  the  same  reason,  the  wall  of  en- 
closure on  the  right  side  of  the  circus  did  not 
form  a right  line,  but  had  an  oblique  direction. 
Neither  was  the  spina  parallel  with  the  walls  of 
enclosure,  but  was  so  planned  aud  laid  down  as 
to  give  more  width  at  the  commencement  of 
the  right  side  of  the  area,  near  the  first  metre, 
than  at  the  other  extremity  of  the  same  side; 
and,  in  like  manner,  more  width  at  the  extre- 
mity of  the  left  side,  placed  close  to  that  of 
which  mention  has  just  been  made,  than  at  that 
which  was  situated  near  the  starting  point. — 
The  ground,  appointed  to  be  run  over  by  the 
racing  cars,  was  on  the  whole  of  a conical 
figure. 


[The  above  engraving,  from  a contorniate 
medal,  dedicated  to  Trajan,  is  here  introduced 
for  the  purpose  of  shewing  the  idea  of  Cir- 
censiau  charioteering,  meant  to  be  conveyed 
by  numismatic  artists,  who  lived  in  times 
when  such  sights  continued  to  be  of  frequent 
occurrence;  when  such  diversions  were  as  popu- 
lar as  ever;  and  when  the  buildings  in  which 
they  were  exhibited,  before  countless  spectators, 
still  retained  their  undiminished  extensiveness, 
and  their  undilapidated  grandeur.  The  spina, 
with  metre,  at  each  extremity,  and  the  obelisk 
iu  its  centre,  are  here  well  defined.  The  “start” 
and  the  “coming  in”  are  clearly  marked;  whilst 
the  “ break  down”  of  one  competitor,  and  the 
crowning  of  “ the  winner,”  are  scarcely  less  re- 
cognizable in  this  curious  and  rare  antique]. 

The  spina  was,  so  to  speak,  the  sanctuary  of 
the  circus,  it  was  decorated  with  altars,  statues, 
aud  other  consecrated  objects.  The  middle  of 
it  was  occupied  not  only  by  the  grand  obelisk, 
together  with  a small  temple,  but  likewise  by 
2 D 


CIRCUS. 

images  of  Cybele,  Victory,  Fortune,  &c.  At 
each  end  of  the  spina  were  small  structures,  con- 
sisting of  four  columns,  united  by  an  archi- 
trave. One  of  these  edifices  supported  seven 
dolphins  consecrated  to  Neptune ; the  other, 
seven  eggs  consecrated  to  Castor  aud  Pollux. — 
These  referred  to  the  seven  courses  of  the  cha- 
riots round  the  metre,  and  served  also  to  shew 
the  number  of  races  which  had  been  run ; for 
after  the  completion  of  each  race,  a dolphin  aud 
an  egg  were  taken  away.  Each  of  the  two 
metre  already  alluded  to,  stood  at  a distance  from 
each  end  of  the  spina.  That  which  stood  nearest 
the  carceres  was  called  the  first ; that  which 
stood  opposite  the  portus  triumphalis  was  called 
the  second.  Each  meta  consisted  of  three  cones, 
placed  on  a high  pedestal,  and  surmounted  by  an 
egg.  It  was  because  the  cars  turned  round 
the  two  goals,  in  describing  different  circles, 
that  these  races  were  latterly  called  ludi  decea- 
ses (sports  of  the  circus).  Aud  how  passion- 
ately addicted  the  Roman  people  were  to  them, 
is  sufficiently  indicated  by  Juvenal’s  allusion  to 
the  panem  et  circenses  (doles  of  bread  and  shews 
of  the  circus)  as  the  only  two  things  which  they 
thought  of  or  desired. 

Three  sides  of  the  area  were  surrounded  with 
a structure  which  supported  the  sedilia  for  the 
spectators : these  seats  were  placed  iu  reced- 
ing rows,  one  above  another,  like  those  iu  the 
theatres.  This  building  consisted  of  walls,  in 
which  there  were  passages  or  galleries,  aud  of 
porticoes  on  the  outside.  Between  the  walls 
and  the  porticoes  were  staircases,  which  con- 
ducted to  the  spectators’  seats.  These  stair- 
cases abutted  upon  a podium  or  walk,  raised 
several  feet  above  the  level  of  the  area.  It  was 
there  that  the  seats  were  placed  for  the  pontiffs, 
magistrates,  and  other  distinguished  personages. 
This  podium  was  separated  from  the  area  by  an 
iron  railing,  which  served  as  a support  to  the 
persons  who  were  placed  there,  and  to  guard 
them  from  wild  beasts,  when  combats  of  such 
ferocious  animals  were  given  in  the  circus. 

To  see  the  games,  the  emperors  occupied  a 
particular  place  in  the  edifice,  called  the  pul- 
vinar,  and  from  thence  all  that  took  place 
throughout  the  whole  extent  of  the  circus  was 
completely  visible.  This  was  on  the  left  side  of 
the  circus,  in  front  of  the  first  meta .-  a place 
better  adapted  thau  any  other  to  observe  the 
order  of  the  course ; to  distinguish  the  fortunate 
auriga  who  first  reached  the  goal ; and  to  see 
the  gymnastic,  athletic,  aud  other  exercises, 
sometimes  given  in  the  area.  This  position  was 
moreover  the  best  suited  for  the  imperial  box, 
because  it  enabled  the  competitors  for  victory 
easily  to  see  the  signal  which  the  emperor  gave 
with  the  mappa,  or  napkin,  for  the  start. — 
From  this  point  too,  could  be  viewed  to  the 
greatest  advantage  the  mSlee  of  the  chariots, 
and  the  dexterity  with  which  the  drivers  rounded 
the  second  meta. 

In  the  exterior  walls  of  the  circus  were  dif- 
ferent entrances  which  led  into  the  area.  That 
situated  in  the  semi-circular  portion  of  the  en- 
closure was  termed  the  triumphal  gate,  because 


202  CIRCUS  MAXIMUS. 

those  who  carried  off  the  prizes  proceeded  in 
state,  after  the  sports,  through  that  outlet. — 
Two  other  portals  were  situated  at  the  spot 
where  the  carceres  began.  One  of  these  open- 
ings probably  served  as  an  entrance  from  the 
city  into  the  circus,  (or  the  pompa  circensis, 
that  is  to  say,  the  procession  which  it  was  the 
custom  to  make  in  honour  of  the  gods,  previous 
to  the  commencement  of  the  games ; and  it  is 
equally  probable  that  the  other  was  used  for  the 
exit  of  the  same  procession,  after  sacrifice  had 
been  offered. — Circusscs  were  principally  dedi- 
cated to  the  god  Consus  or  the  equestrian  Nep- 
tune. They  were  also  consecrated  to  the  Sun, 
to  Castor  and  Pollux,  aud  to  other  divinities. — 
See  Millin’s  Dictionnaire  des  Beaux  Arts , from 
which  the  foregoing  account  is  abridged.  See 
also  an  article,  illustrated  by  ground  plans,  in 
Dr.  Smith's  Dictionary  of  lloman  Antiquities. 

CIRCUS  MAXIMUS  was  the  name  of  the 
place  which  Tarqnin  the  Ancient,  after  his  vic- 
tory over  the  Latins,  was  the  first  to  assign  in 
Rome,  as  a fixed  spot,  for  the  celebration  of 
those  chariot  races,  of  which  the  institution  is 
dated  so  far  back  as  the  age  of  Romulus.  The 
site  chosen  for  that  purpose  was  in  the  valley 
Marcia,  between  the  Avcntine  and  Palatine  hills, 
in  the  11th  region  of  the  city.  And  in  process 
of  years,  it  was  known  by  no  other  uame  than 
that  of  Maximus,  that  is  to  say  the  Greatest, 
because  it  was  in  fact  built  on  a scale  of  more 
grandeur  and  extent  than  the  other  circi, 
which  were  successively  constructed  at  Rome. — 
1 n Tarquin’s  time  and  during  the  earlier  ages  of 
the  republic,  the  length  of  this  circus  was  437 
feet.  The  population  of  Rome  haring  consider- 
ably augmented,  Ca;sar  caused  the  Circus  Maxi- 
mus to  be  enlarged,  and  a deep  aud  broad  fosse 
to  be  dug  quite  round  the  area,  separating  it 
from  the  scats,  in  order  that  the  spectators 
might  no  more  be  affrightened  by  the  elephants 
employed  in  the  games,  as  had  repeatedly  been 
the  case  before  ; on  which  occasions  those  stu- 
pendous animals  exerted  all  their  strength  to 
throw  down  the  gratings  of  iron  with  which  the 
area  was  surrounded.  After  the  new  arrange- 
ment, the  area  of  the  circus  was  edged  with 
three  porticoes  on  the  outside  of  the  fosse. — 
The  first  portico  served  to  support  the  stone 
seats ; the  second,  which  rose  behind  the  first, 
sustained  the  wooden  scats ; the  third  surrounded 
the  whole  of  the  extensive  edifice,  not  only 
serving  for  ornament,  but  containing  also  pas- 
sages which  led  to  the  scats  of  the  spectators. 
These  porticoes  w ere  so  disposed,  that  each  divi- 
sion of  seats  had  their  respective  entrances  aud 
outlets,  with  a view  to  prevent  every  kind  of 
disorder  which,  without  such  architectural  ar- 
rangements, would,  necessarily  have  been  liable 
to  occur  from  the  crowd  of  comers  and  goers. 

Tiberius  rebuilt  a part  of  the  cirrus  which 
had  been  destroyed  by  fire.  Claudius  caused 
marble  to  be  used  in  the  construction  of  the 
carceres,  which  had  before  been  built  of  sand- 
stone ; by  bis  orders  also  the  wooden  metes  were 
gilt,  and  he  appropriated  particular  seats  for  the 
senators.  The  Circus  Maximus  having  been 


CIRCUS  MAXIMUS. 

consumed  in  the  fatal  Nerouian  conflagration  of 
the  city,  it  was  restored  cither  by  Vespasian 
or  by  Domitian.  Id  Trajan’s  time  the  Grand 
Circus  bad  fallen  into  a very  ruinous  condition. 
— The  population  having  however  greatly  in- 
creased, that  emperor  still  further  enlarged  its 
dimensions ; and  so  magnificent  was  the  scale 
of  his  re-constructions  as  to  establish  for  this 
Circus  a claim  to  be  ranked  amongst  the  fore- 
most of  Rome’s  splendid  public  edifices.  Under 
Antoninus  Pius,  the  Circus  Maximus  underwent 
the  repairs  of  which  it  again  stood  in  need. — 
Some  of  the  succeeding  emperors  likewise  con- 
tributed to  its  maintenance  and  embellishment. 
Hut  few  relics  even  of  its  ruins  at  present  re- 
main. 

The  numbers  which  the  Circus  Maximus  was 
capable  of  holding  arc  computed  at  150,000  by 
Dionysius,  260,000  by  Pliny,  and  385,000  by 
I\  Victor ; all  of  which  arc  probably  correct, 
but  have  reference  to  different  periods  of  its 
history. 

Besides  the  Great  Circus,  Rome  contained 
eight  edifices  assigned  to  like  purposes  of  popu- 
lar entertainment. 


The  Circus  Maximus  is  typified  on  Roman 
coins,  in  some  instances  with  a variety  of  orna- 
ments, and  with  a distinction  of  games  cele- 
brated, as  we  learn  from  different  representa- 
tions, which  Ilavcrcamp  and  other  writers  have 
collected  together. 

Thus  on  two  contorniate  (not  contempora- 
neous but  still  ancient)  medals,  bearing  on  their 
respective  obverses  the  portraits  of  Augustus, 
with  legend  of  divvs  avgvstvs  pater,  exterior 
views  and  internal  decorations  of  the  circus 
plainly  offer  themselves,  exhibiting  the  portals 
and  arcades  of  cutrauee  ; the  spiua,  with  an  obe- 
lisk iu  the  middle  ; aud  the  metre  at  each  extre- 
mity ; and  the  ascending  rows  of  seats  for  the 
spectators. — Sec  More//.  Thesaur.  Impp.  vol.  iii. 
tab.  23,  Nos.  12  and  16. 

On  a contorniate  with  the  laureated  head  of 
Nero  for  its  obverse  type,  the  reverse  (without 
legend)  exhibits  the  area  of  the  Circus  Maximus, 
with  its  great  centre  obelisk,  on  one  side  of  which 
are  two  columns  supporting  au  entablature,  on 
which  are  statues,  aud  on  the  other  side  is  a 
small  circular  temple ; the  conical  metre  stand- 
ing on  lofty  pedestals  at  each  end  of  the  spina, 
round  w hich  six  quadriga:  are  running  at  full 
speed,  some  of  them  in  opposite  directions,  as 
if  their  charioteers  were  reckless  of  collision. — 
Sec  More//.  Impp.  Bom.  vol.  iii.  pi.  vi.  No  18. 


CIRCUS  MAXIMUS. 

Ncrva’s  coinage  includes  a reference  to  this 
subject. — See  neptuno  circens  (in  the  Roach 
Smith  cabinet). 

On  a large  brass  of  Trajan  we  find  the  Circus 
Maximus  minutely  depictured  : — 

Obv. IMP.  CAES.  NERVAE  TRAIANO.  LaU- 

reated  head  of  Trajan. — Rev. — s.  p.  Q.  r.  opti- 
mo.  principi  s.  c.  The  Circus. 

For  an  engraving  of  this  reverse  from  a speci- 
men in  the  British  Museum,  see  preceding  page. 

It  is  recorded  by  Dion  (lxviii.  $ 7)  that  Trajan 
expended  large  sums  on  the  Circus  Maximus : — 
“ He  inscribed  on  the  Hippodrome,  that  he  had 
made  it  perfect,  for  the  gratification  of  the 
Roman  people.  For,  after  it  had  been  partially 
destroyed,  he  repaired  it  on  a larger  scale,  aud 
with  greater  splendour.” — Pausauias  also  num- 
bers amongst  the  magnificent  works  of  Trajan, 
the  Hippodrome  of  two  stadia  (furlongs)  in 
length  (v.  ch.  12).  Dion,  again,  informs  us, 
that  this  Prince  delighted  in  a variety  of  spec- 
tacles. And  Pliny  says,  that  he  was  devoted  to 
the  sports  of  the  chase. — It  was  in  memory  of 
what  that  emperor  had  done  to  enlarge,  improve, 
and  beautify  so  favourite  a place  of  public  resort 
at  Rome,  that  this  interesting  and  valuable  coin 
was  expressly  struck,  by  order  of  the  Senate. 
Nor  is  it  to  be  imagined  that,  at  a later  age, 
so  many  of  the  medals,  called  contorniati,  and 
on  which  the  racing  and  hunting  feats  of  the 
Circus  are  represented,  would  have  been  dedi- 
cated to  him,  unless  it  had  been  the  universal 
belief  of  posterity,  that  for  recreation  sake,  this 
emperor  indulged  the  people,  and  even  personally 
took  part,  in  diversions  of  this  kind. — [Re- 
specting Trajan’s  victories  (merita)  in  the  Circus 
Maximus,  Eckhel  directs  his  readers  to  consult 
the  brief  notice  of  Morcellus,  de  Stilo  inscrip. 
p.  69.] — A fine  representation  of  this  building, 
corresponding  with  the  foregoing  wood-cut,  ap- 
pears on  a brass  medallion  of  Trajan,  engraved 
in  the  Numismata  of  the  Imperial  Museum  at 
Vienna,  p.  16. 

That  rare  first  brass  of  Hadrian,  with  the 
legend  ANN.  DCCCLXXIIII.  NAT.  VRB. 
P.  C I licenses  CON.  (sec  page  46),  and  having 
for  its  reverse  type  a figure  holding  a wheel, 
recumbent  at  the  base  of  three  obelisks,  has  an 
obvious  reference  to  the  circus  and  chariot  races. 

On  a gold  coin,  of  beautiful  workmanship, 
struck  under  S.  Severus,  cos.  in.  is  a represen- 
tation of  the  Circus. — See  severi  m on" eta. 

A first  brass  of  Caracalla,  struck  a.  d.  213, 
presents  a type  of  the  Circus  Maximus,  exhi- 
biting architectural  details  in  every  material 
point  similar  to  those  on  the  above  reverse  of 
Trajan  (sec  an  engraving  of  it  in  p.  174).  This, 
among  other  coins  of  that  emperor,  attests 
his  extravagant  devotion  to  the  sports  of  the 
circus,  a passion  which  historians  inform  us 
took  possession  of  him  at  a very  early  age. — 
According  to  Dion  (lxxvii.  § 10),  he  himself 
professed  to  emulate  the  Sun,  in  his  chariot- 
driving. lie  is  believed  to  have  been  the 
builder  of  a Circus,  the  vast  ruins  of  which  still 
exist  in  Rome,  but  with  which  no  monetal  deli- 
neation has  yet  been  identified. 

2 D 2 


CIRCUS  MAXIMUS.  203 

The  most  remarkable  grouping  of  figures  and 
other  objects,  illustrative  of  the  ludi  circenses, 
appears,  however,  on  an  elegant  brass  medal- 
lion of  Gordianus  III.  from  a specimen  of  which 
in  the  Cabinet  de  France,  the  subjoined  cut  has 
been  executed : — 


Here  we  have  a representation  of  various 
diversions  going  on,  in  the  area  of  the  great 
structure  in  question.  We  sec  the  met®,  whose 
conical  terminations  are  surmounted  by  an  egg- 
like form,  symbolical  of  the  ovum  Castoris — 
Castor  being  patron  of  the  desullores,  or  horse- 
riders  of  the  circus.  A lofty  obelisk  (one  of 
those  brought  from  Egypt,  and  dedicated  to  the 
Sun)  rises  in  the  centre  of  the  spina ; on  the 
further  side  of  which  a biga  and  a quadriga  are 
running.  Still  further  in  the  distance,  to  the 
left,  are  three  togated  figures  bearing  palm 
branches,  the  foremost  of  which  is  bolding  up 
his  right  hand.  On  the  right  is  a figure  in 
imperial  habiliments,  crowned  by  a Victory  from 
behind,  and  standing  in  a triumphal  car  drawn 
by  six  horses;  whilst  in  the  foreground  a troop 
of  gladiators,  wrestlers,  and  other  athlelce,  are 
in  divers  ways  contesting  with  each  other.  The 
whole  number  of  figures  crowded  into  the  narrow 
round  of  the  medallion  is  seventeen.  The  re- 
verse legend  of  this  most  rare  and  interesting 
relic  is  p.  M.  tr.  p.  vn.  cos.  n.  p.  p. ; shewing 
the  coin  to  have  been  struck  a.  n.  244,  the  year 
of  the  young  emperor’s  death. 

The  learned  Buonarotti,  among  other  his- 
torical and  descriptive  remarks  on  this  unique 
reverse,  of  which  he  has  given  an  accurate  en- 
graving, says : Gordian,  who  according  to  Euse- 
bius reigned  six  entire  years,  was  assassinated  in 
Mesopotamia,  in  the  spring  of  a.  d.  244.  Hence 
the  festival  here  represented  must  have  been 
given  in  honour  of  the  victories  gained  over  the 
Persians  in  242  and  243.  These  victories  are 
recorded  by  Capitolinus,  who  referring  to  the 
letters  of  Gordian  to  the  Senate,  adds — “ His  in 
Senatu  lectis  quadrig®  elephantorum  Gordiano 
decret®  sunt,  utpote  qui  Persas  vicisset,  ut 
triumpho  Pcrsico  triumpharet.” 

Circumstances  however  occurred,  not  only  to 
prevent  the  youthful  prince  from  enjoying  the 
honours  due  to  his  military  successes,  but  soon 
after,  thro’  the  wicked  contrivances  of  the  preto- 
rian  prefect  Philip,  to  cause  his  death  at  a distance 
from  the  frontiers  of  the  empire.  Meanwhile  in 
pursuance  of  the  decree  of  the  Senate,  although 


204  CISTOPIIORI. 

there  was  little  hope  of  his  arrival  at  Rome, 
feasts  and  games  were  suddenly  got  up  to  treat 
the  people  with ; and  on  this  occasion  of  re- 
joicing, the  image  of  the  emperor  was  conveyed 
on  a car,  being  attired  in  imperial  robes  and 
adorned  with  ornaments,  similar  to  those  destined 
for  the  celebration  of  a triumph,  but  on  a scale 
of  less  magnificence,  as  is  indicated  in  the 
above  reverse,  whereon  is  the  statue  of  Gordian, 
drawn  by  six  horses,  not  by  elephants  as  decreed 
for  the  Persian  triumph.  And,  as  it  is  certain 
that  the  emperor  was  far  away  at  the  time,  and 
returned  no  more  to  Rome,  so  by  this  medallion 
the  manner  is  particularly  shown  of  celebrating 
games,  and  feasts,  on  the  news  of  victories,  with 
the  statues  of  emperors  dressed  in  the  same 
triumphal  costume,  in  which  those  emperors 
assisted  in  person  on  occasions  of  public  sports 
celebrated,  and  of  triumphs  enjoyed. 

Respecting  the  biga  and  the  quadriga,  which 
are  here  represented  racing,  Buonarotti  adds, 
(“  credo,  per  esprimere  le  due  sorte  piu  principali 
de’  cocchi,  che  adopravano,”)  these  figures  shew 
the  two  principal  kinds  of  chariots  made  use  of 
on  the  circensiau  course.  Their  direction,  ac- 
cording to  the  statements  of  learned  writers,  and 
as  we  sec  by  this  medallion,  was  from  the  right 
to  the  left,  that  being  the  more  natural  move- 
ment. Amongst  the  little  figures  in  the  back- 
ground, there  is  one  who  with  its  uplifted  hand 
would  seem  to  be  giving  the  signal  to  start, 
perhaps  by  shewing  or  throwing  the  napkin  or 
handkerchief  (gettare  la  mappa).  This  function 
was  customarily  performed  by  the  cousid,  pretor, 
emperor,  or  other  person  presiding  at  the  games. 
As  to  the  group  of  gladiators,  wrestlers,  &c., 
who  were  wont  to  exercise  their  vocations  at 
triumphal  as  well  as  other  fetes,  in  the  Circus 
Maximus,  it  appears  from  the  words  of  a Greek 
author,  cited  by  Buonarotti,  that  it  was  not  until 
the  aurigae  had  finished  their  seven  rounds,  and 
the  victors  at  the  chariot  races  had  been  crowned, 
that  what  were  regarded  as  a low’er  grade  of 
combatants  came  forward  to  entertain  the 
populace ; and  then  “ the  higher  class  of  spec- 
tators began  to  converse  with  each  other,  and  to 
eat  sugar  plums  (Mangiare  la  treggea ),  because 
they  took  no  pleasure  in  seeing  contests  of 
wrestlers  and  other  athleta." — See  osservazioni 
1STORICHE  supra  alcuni  Medaglioni,  p.  226  et 
seq. — [Mionnet  values  this  medallion  at  only 
300  fr.] 

CISTOPIIORI. — Coins  were  thus  denomin- 
ated, from  the  cist  re,  or  mystical  baskets,  used 
in  the  worship  of  Bacchus,  and  which  were 
.always  found  figured  upon  them.  In  its  original 
sense  the  term  of  cistophorus  and  cistophera 
were  applied  to  him  or  her  who,  in  the  mysteries 
of  Bacchus,  or  of  Ceres  and  of  Proserpine, 
carried  the  cisla,  which  enclosed  the  sacred  ser- 
pent. Amongst  the  Greeks  it  was  the  custom 
for  youug  girls  of  high  rank  to  bear  this  mystic 
chest  at  public  festivals.  The  medals  called 
cistophori  were  coined  by  authority  in  reference 
to  the  feasts  of  Bacchus,  and  became  the  peculiar 
symbol  of  Asia. 

Eckhel  contends,  that  the  cistophori,  the  num- 


CISTOPHORI. 

her  of  which  was  very  considerable,  aud  which 
were  in  use  throughout  all  Asia,  were  struck  for 
the  common  welfare  of  the  cities  of  that  couutry, 
whose  fruitful  territory  aud  extended  commerce, 
rendered  necessary  the  use  of  a coinage  of  known 
type,  and  uniform  weight,  which  should  inspire 
confidence  aud  facilitate  mercantile  transactions. 
— M.  Du  Mersan  adopts  Eckhel’s  opinion,  think- 
ing with  him  that  a coinage  relating  to  the 
worship  of  Bacchus  would  naturally  be  adopted 
by  a couutry  in  which  that  pagan  divinity  was 
peculiarly  honoured. 

The  time  when  cistophori  were  first  struck 
can  hardly  be  determined  with  accuracy.  Cer- 
tain it  is,  however,  that  this  kind  of  money  was 
already  known  in  Asia  about  the  year  of  Rome 
564  (b.  c.  190.) — The  number  of  cistophori, 
collected  in  the  Asiatic  wars  of  the  Romans, 
and  in  countries  subjected  to  Antiochus  the 
Great,  was  prodigious  ; and  it  shews  how  enor- 
mously vast  the  whole  aggregate  quantity  of  the 
coinage  must  have  been.  Nevertheless  cistophori 
are  now  amongst  the  number  of  rare  coins. 

The  ordinary  types  of  the  cistophori  are  on 
the  obverse  a h:df-opeued  chest,  or  basket,  with 
a serpent  issuing  from  it,  the  whole  surrounded 
by  a crown  of  ivy  aud  vine  leaves. — The  reverse 
presents  a quiver,  near  which  is  seen  a bow, 
surrounded  by  two  serpents,  with  their  tails 
interlaced. — See  the  word  serpent. 

The  coinage  of  cistophon  continued  in  the 
principal  cities  of  the  Asiatic  provinces,  after 
the  Roman  conquest.  At  a later  period,  the 
names  of  Roman  magistrates  are  found  on  them, 
conjointly  with  those  of  Greek  magistrates ; 
aud,  according  to  all  accounts,  the  districts 
under  the  authority  of  these  tribunals,  furnished 
each  its  proportion  of  silver  for  the  coinage 
of  the  cistophori,  and  this  was  taken  in  pay- 
ment of  the  tribute  exacted  of  them  in  that  coin 
by  the  Romans. 

As  serving  further  to  prove  the  connection 
of  Roman  names  and  official  titles  under  the  re- 
public, with  the  mintages  of  Asiatic  cistophori, 
it  will  not  be  irrelevant  here  to  note  three  re- 
markable coins  of  this  class — one  struck  by 
Appius  Clodius  Pulchcr,  pro-consul  of  Cilicia, 

699  (b.  c.  55),  and  the  two  others  by  his  suc- 
cessor in  the  government  of  that  province,  M. 
Tullius  Cicero,  the  celebrated  orator. 

1.  The  first  of  these  has  on  its  obverse  iu 
Latin  characters  ap.  pvlcher  ap.  f.  pro-cos. 
Appius  Pulcher  Appii  Fi/ius  Pro-consute.  The 
rest  of  the  legend  is  iu  Greek,  shewing  the  cis- 
tophorus  to  have  been  coined  at  Laodicea,  under 
the  magistracy  of  Apollonius  aud  Zosimus.  The 
accompanying  types  arc,  as  usual,  two  serpents 
uud  cista  mystica,  bow,  quiver,  aud  caduceus, 
within  ivy  and  vine  leaves.  (Eugraved  iu  Se- 
guin,  p.  82,  and  in  Morel/.  Thesaur.  Claudia 
gens). — Pulchcr  was  pro-cousul  in  Asia  about 

700  (b.  c.  64)  : lie  is  mentioned  by  Cicero,  but 
only  as  pretor. 

2.  The  second  has  on  its  reverse  M.  ciceko 
pro  cos.  and  apa(mea),  whey  it  was  struck, 
with  the  same  type  as  the  preceding.  On  the 
obverse  the  cista  and  serpent,  without  legend. 


CISTOPHORI. 

— Cicero  here  is  styled  pro-consul.  But  on  the 
following  (which  is  engraved  iu  Seguin,  p.  83, 
and  iu  MoreU.  Fam.  Rom.  Tullia  gens),  he  has 
that  of  Imperator,  viz. : — 

3.  Obv. — m.  tvll.  imp.  ; the  rest  of  the 
legend,  in  Greek,  records  it  to  have  been  struck 
at  Laodicea,  by  Labas,  son  of  Pyrrhus. 

Rev. — Without  legend.  Serpent  gliding  out 
of  the  half-opened  data. 

Marcus  Tullius  succeeded  Pulchcr  as  pro-con- 
sul of  Cilicia,  in  703  (it.  c.  51).  With  regard 
to  the  title  of  imp.  the  following  is  what  he 
states  of  himself : — “ Thus  named  Imperator 
after  the  victory  near  Issus  ; in  the  same  place, 
where  as  1 have  often  heard  you  say,  Clitarchus 
relates,  that  Alexander  vanquished  Darius.” — 
Ad.  Tamil,  lib.  ii.  ep.  10. 

4.  There  is  a fourth  Roman  cistophorus,  con- 
temporaneous with  and  similar  to  the  above. — 
It  was  struck  at  Apainea,  in  Syria,  and  records 
on  its  reverse,  at  full  length,  the  name  and  title 
of  p.  lentvlvs,  imperator. — Engraved  in  Mu- 
rell.  Fam.  Rom.  Cornelia  gens. 

This  Publius  Cornelius  Lentulus,  gurnamed 
Spintkcr,  was  a friend  of  Cicero’s,  lie  served 
the  office  of  consul  B.  c.  57,  and  was  the  pre- 
do'essor  of  Pulchcr  aud  Marcus  Tullius  in  the 
pro-consulship  of  Cilicia,  whither  he  went  b.  c. 
5G.  He  was  saluted  Imperator  for  a campaign 
in  the  Amanus  ; but  did  not  obtain  triumphal 
honours  until  b.  C.  51,  when  Cicero  was  himself 
iu  Cilicia. 

On  the  reverse  of  one  of  the  cistophori  of 
Pcrgamos,  appears  the  name  of  the  Csccilia 
gens,  as  follows : — cj.  metkllvs  pivs  scipio 
imper.  The  Roman  eagle  between  two  inter- 
twined serpents.  The  legend  betokens  the  son 
of  Pro-consul  Scipio  Nasica,  who  was  adopted 
by  Q.  Metellus  Pius,  aud  which  son  was  after- 
wards pro-consul  of  Asia,  about  705  (b.  c.  49). 
— See  Ciccilia  gens,  p.  151  of  this  dictionary. 

Next  in  the  Roman  series  of  cistophori  come 
those  struck  in  Asia  for  Mark  Antony,  who, 
following  the  example  of  Mithridates,  and  other 
oriental  princes,  took  the  title  of  Bacchus.— See 
p.  59  of  this  dictionary — sec  also  the  Familitt 
Romance  of  Morel,  and  of  Riccio,  Antonia  gens. 

On  one  of  the  coins  of  Augustus,  which  bears 
on  the  reverse  the  figures  of  two  serpents,  we 
read  asia  SVBACTA.  On  a quiuarius  of  the  same 
emperor,  we  find  Victory  standing  on  the  mystical 
cista,  on  each  side  of  which  appear  two  serpents, 
and  the  legend  asia  recepta  (see  p.  89.) — The 
same  type  is  found  on  a gold  coin  of  Vespasian. 

The  cistophori  of  all  ages  are  uniform  in  type, 
except  those  of  later  times,  when  the  Romans 
altered  the  primitive  type.  There  was,  how- 
ever, no  change  but  in  those  bearing  the  name 
of  the  Roman  Magistrates. 

“The  ordinary  weight  of  a cistophorus,"  ac- 
cording to  M.  Du  Mersan,  ‘‘is  12  grammes  and 
two  or  three  decigrammes,  more  or  less.  The 
drachm  containing  four  grammes  and  five  deci- 
grammes, the  cistophori  must  therefore  be  tri- 
drachms.”— According  to  the  Abbe  Believe,  as 
cited  by  Millin,  the  uniform  weight  of  these 
medals,  which  are  all  of  pure  silver,  is  2 Ml 


CIVIBVS.  205 

I grains,  poids  de  Paris,  intrinsic  value  two  livres 
14  sous. 

See  Eckhel,  lie  Cistophoris — see  generally 
Millin,  Lictionnaire  des  Beaux  Arts — see  par- 
| ticularly  “ a memoir  on  coins  called  Cistophori,” 
from  the  pen  of  M.  Du  Mersan,  premier  Employe 
au  Cabinet  des  Antiques  de  la  Biblioth'eque 
Nationale,  translated  by  the  Editor  of  the 
Numismatic  Chronicle,  and  inserted  in  that 
periodical,  1846. 

CITHARA — the  harp  or  lyre.  The  term  is 
applied  to  designate  the  harp  of  Apollo,  to  whom 
its  invention  is  ascribed : it  was  furnished  with 
seven  strings,  in  correspondence  (say  mytho- 
logists)  with  the  number  of  the  planets.  The 
cithara,  as  a symbol  of  Apollo,  on  a gold  coin 
of  Augustus,  struck  by  the  monetary  triumvir 
Turpilianus,  on  the  occasion  of  that  emperor’s 
having  erected  on  Mount  Palatine  a temple  to 
the  God  of  Music.  (Vaillant,  Pr.  ii.  p.  24). — 
Engraved  in  Morell.  Fam.  Rom.  Petronia  gens. 
— See  the  Cithara,  supported  by  Victory  aud 
the  Palatine  Apollo,  on  a medallion  of  Commo- 
dus,  engraved  in  p.  66  of  this  volume. 

CITHAROEDVS  APOLLO.  The  lyre-strik- 
ing Apollo. — In  this  character  Nero  is  repre- 
sented on  one  of  his  first  brass  coins.  “ Another 
Apollo  (as  Suetonius  observes),  habited  like  the 
robed  statues  of  the  god,  he  appears  walking, 
with  the  cithara  in  his  left  hand,  and  playing 
on  it  with  his  right. — Engraved  in  Dr.  King’s 
plates. 

CIV  IB.  ET  SIGN.  MILIT.  A.  PART.  RE- 
CVPER.  sometimes  RESTITVT.  Civibus  et 
Signis  Militaribus  a Parthis  recuperatis. — 
(Citizens  aud  military  ensigns  restored  by  the 

Parthians). A triumphal 

arch,  with  three  portals ; on 
its  summit  is  a figure  in  a 
quadriga;  on  each  side  of 
the  quadriga  stands  a male 
figure,  the  one  offering  a 
military  ensign,  the  other  a 
legionary  eagle. — Gold  and 
silver  medals  of  Augustus,  bearing  this  legend 
and  type,  refer  to  a memorable  blot  on  the  mili- 
tary reputation  of  the  Romans,  namely,  the 
defeat  of  M.  Crassus,  iu  Mesopotamia,  in  701 
(b.  c.  53).  See  Carrhce. That  rash  and  in- 

capable commander  had,  to  gratify  his  insa- 
tiate avarice,  brought  on  a war  with  the  Par- 
thians ; but  the  result  proved  disastrous  in  the 
extreme.  It  not  only  cost  him  his  own  worth- 
less life,  but  the  lives  of  thousands  of  his  un- 
fortunate soldiers,  leaving  in  the  power  of  the 
enemy  a great  number  of  prisoners,  who,  with 
their  eagles  and  ensigns,  remained  iu  the  hands 
of  the  Parthians  for  a space  of  thirty-three 
1 years,  to  the  indelible  shame  of  the  Republic. — 
At  length,  however,  Phraatcs,  King  of  the  Par- 
! thians,  yielding  to  the  threats  of  Augustus,  and 
fearing  that  that  prince  would  take  measures  to 
force  a surrender  of  those  captives  and  spoils 
1 of  war,  preferred  sending  them  back  to  Rome ; 
j and  the  emperor  received  them,  734  (b.  c.  20), 

I with  more  joyous  exultation  than  if  he  had  van- 
quished the  Parthians  in  a pitched  battle.  Au- 


206  CIVIS. 

gustus  built  iu  the  capitol  a temple  which  he 
dedicated  to  Mars  Ultor  (the  Avenger),  where 
the  military  ensigns  were  consecrated. 

It  was  on  this  restoration  of  the  captured 
standards  by  the  Parthiaus,  that  Augustus,  ac- 
cording to  Dion,  was  honoured  by  the  Senate 
and  People  with  an  ovation,  he  entering  the 
city  on  horseback,  and  also  with  a triumphal 
arch.  Moreover  they  paid  him  the  homage  of 
a votive  shield,  in  commemoration  of  the  same 
glorious  event.  There  are  coins  in  which  this 
buckler  is  represented  with  a legend,  recording 
the  restitution  of  military  ensigns. — See  c.  L.  v. 
and  sigxis  recbptis. 

CIVIBVS  SEHV.VTIS  CAESAR,  COS.  VII. 
Bare  head  of  Augustus. — Rev. — avgvstvs.  s.  c. 
An  eagle,  with  wings  displayed,  holds  in  its 
claws  a crowm  of  oak  leaves,  behind  his  wings 
are  two  laurel  branches. — Sec  Eagle. 

Augustus  having  established  the  peace  of  the 
empire  abroad,  and  secured  protection  to  the 
lives  of  citizens  by  the  restoration  of  internal 
order  and  peace,  the  Senate  ordered  that 
laurels  should  be  planted  before  his  palace,  in 
order  to  recal  the  memory  of  his  victories,  and 
that  a crown  of  oak  leaves  should  be  placed  in 
the  midst,  as  a symbol  of  the  preservation  of 
citizens. 

CIVIS.  A citizen. At  Rome  they  dis- 

tinguished by  the  name  of  citizens  (Cives),  those 
who  not  only  had  their  abode  in  the  city,  but 
were  incorporated  in  a tribe,  or  ward,  and  were 
eligible  to  the  offices  of  the  republic.  The  uuion 
of  these  three  qualifications  was  necessary  to 
constitute  citizenship  iu  full  right,  plena  jure 
cives ; and  neither  strangers  who  had  obtained 
residence,  nor  freedmen  to  whom  the  rights  of 
the  tribus  had  becu  granted,  were  ranked  as 
citizens.  Every  Roman  citizen  was  one  of  three 
orders  in  the  state,  either  of  the  Senate,  or  of 
the  Knights  (Equestres),  or  of  the  people  (p/ebs). 
A person  did  not  deprive  himself  of  the  title  of 
citizen,  when  his  affairs  required  him  to  reside 
sometime  out  of  Rome;  but  he  did  forfeit  it, 
when  he  caused  himself  to  be  enrolled  amongst 
the  citizens  of  another  town.  “Nequeenim  (says 
Cicero),  jure  Quiritiuin,  idem  duarum  civitatum 
civis  esse  potuit.” 

During  the  existence  of  the  republic,  the 
rights  of  Roman  citizenship  were  accorded  to 
no  other  nation — to  no  other  people.  Under 
Augustus,  however,  and  his  imperial  successors, 
this  restriction  was  more  and  more  relaxed. 
The  privileges  of  this  title,  which  kings  them- 
selves had  not  disdained  to  hold,  consisted  1st, 
of  being  incorporated  in  a tribe  and  a century, 
exercising  the  electoral  frauchisc,  and  filling 
public  offices.  2nd,  iu  exemption  from  the 
punishment  by  rods,  from  that  of  imprisonment, 
and  even  from  that  of  death,  at  least  in  cases 
where  sentence  of  condemnation  was  passed  by 
the  people.  The  first  of  these  punishments  was 
reserved  for  slaves;  the  Porcian  and  Sent  pro  man 
laws  having  emancipated  the  citizens  from  it : 
3rd,  Roman  citizens  alone  were  enrolled  in  the 
legions  ; they  alone  shared  in  the  rewards  dis- 
tributed among  the  beneficiary  soldiers  : Rh,  they 


CIVIS. 

had  unlimited  power  over  their  children:  5th • 
they  possessed  the  right  of  adoption,  aud  that  of 
wearing  the  toga,  which  was  likewise  a dis- 
tinctive mark  of  the  Roman  citizen  : 6th,  they 
were  the  sole  heir  of  a citizen,  and  foreigners 
were  excluded  from  all  succession. 

Cives  were  divided  into  two  sorts — old  and 
new.  The  first  were  those  who  were  born 
Roman  citizens,  and  whose  whole  family  enjoyed 
the  right  of  the  city.  Under  the  distinction  of 
new,  were  reckoned  the  allies  of  Latin  name, 
and  those  who  owed  their  citizenship  to  the 
favour  of  the  emperor.  The  condition  of  the 
latter  was  inferior  to  that  of  the  former  class, 
inasmuch  as  they  could  not  claim  succession  of 
relatives  on  the  paternal  side ; a privilege  which 
the  old  citizens  possessed,  by  virtue  of  a Law  of 
the  Twelve  Tables. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Roman  state,  the 
people  were  composed  but  of  two  orders — the 
Patricians  and  the  Plebeians.  The  first  order 
included  all  the  nobility.  But  after  the  Gracchi, 
become  tribunes  of  the  people,  had  carried  the 
law  which  took  away  from  the  Senators  the 
cognizance  of  certain  causes,  in  order  to  give 
that  privilege  to  the  Knights,  the  latter  formed 
a second  order  amongst  the  nobility,  and  thence- 
forth the  Roman  people  became  divided  into 
three  orders,  the  last  of  which  comprised  the 
Burgesses  (Munichpes).  This  third  order  was 
itself  composed  of  three  sorts  of  persons  ; viz.  of 
those  who  were  born  free,  aud  who  were  called 
Ingenui ; of  the  children  of  freemen,  called 
Libertini ; and  of  the  freedmen  themselves  who 
from  having  been  slaves  were  set  at  liberty  by 
their  masters:  for  so  long  as  they  remained  slaves 
they  could  not  be  numbered  among  the  people. 
Still,  there  was  to  be  distinguished  amongst  the 
Roman  citizens  three  different  classes  ; viz.  1. 
Those  who  were  of  the  city  itself,  and  who  en- 
joyed the  following  prerogatives  : to  be  com- 
prised in  the  census,  to  give  their  votes,  to  take 
office,  to  pay  the  capitation  tax,  to  be  enrolled 
iu  the  legions,  to  sacrifice  according  to  the  cus- 
tom of  Rome;  and  these  were  called  Quirites, 
Populusque  Romanos. — 2.  The  second  class 
were  municipals,  who  had  in  common,  with  the 
first  mentioned  kind,  only  to  be  included  in  the 
census,  to  give  their  suffrage,  to  take  part  iu 
public  situations,  to  pay  tribute,  whilst  they 
were  deprived  of  the  other  advantages.  Finally, 
the  third  class  was  composed  of  those  who  pos- 
sessed the  Jus  Latii,  that  is  to  say,  those  not 
natives  of  Rome,  but,  who  having  exercised 
some  magistracy  in  their  own  country,  had  ac- 
quired the  right  of  Roman  burgesship,  together 
with  that  of  voting,  and  of  eligibility  to  public 
office,  as  Pliny  represents  it — “ His  quoque 
qttibus  per  Latium  civitas  Romana  patuisset.” — 
Thus  Strabo  remarks,  that  such  of  the  inha- 
bitants of  Nismcs,  in  Gaul,  who  had  exercised 
the  pretorship,  or  the  edileship,  became  thence- 
forward Roman  citizens. — See  I’itiscus,  Lexicon 
Antiq.  Rom. 

Soldiers  also  who  had  served  a long  time 
honourably,  received  a diploma  admitting  them 
to  the  rights  of  citizenship. 


CIVITAS„ 

clvls  as  in  the  Augustan  medal  (ob  cl  vis 
servatos).  Cwisia  often  used  for  Gives,  and  the 
long  syllable  is  mostly  expressed  by  a taller 
character.  The  ancients  terminated  nominatives 
nd  accusatives  in  is.  [It  was  long  that  the 
veneration  existed  towards  the  memory  of  Au- 
giistus,  of  which  the  indication  is  to  be  found 
on  the  first  brass  coins  of  Tiberius,  inscribed 
DIVO  AVGVSTO  S.  P.  Q.  R.  OB  CIV1S  (or  GIVES) 

irith  r°l'S’i  aUd  Thlch  disi’la-v  two  capricorns, 
ttith  a globe,  sustaining  an  oaken  crown] 

Livieci,  or  quemea  corona. The  civic  or 

oaken  crown  or  wreath,  was  thus  called,  from 
the  oak  leaves  and  acorns  of  which  it  was  com- 
posed, and  from  the  custom  of  honouring  with 
it  those  who  protected  the  lives  of  the  citizens 
— bee  Corona. 

emVM.—See  ampliatori  civivm,  on  a 
C°pi°\-T^nt0nin"S  Pius’  not'ced  in  p.  43 
^ VITAS.— This  word,  in  its  origin,  signi- 
fied not  what  we  caU  a city,  but  a nation  a 

veiled  1 °\Tn  hVmg  "*  the  same  l)lace>  go- 
Dowerdob/flhe  same  maSistrates,  and  under  the 
power  of  the  same  laws.  Thus  Civitas  had  the 
same  meaning  as  Res  Ruhlica.  The  Romans  at 
fust  took  the  word  in  this  sense.  But  after- 
wards it  was  made  to  designate  the  principal 
p ace  the  capital  of  a nation,  the  centre  of  a 
republic,  the  seat  of  the  laws,  of  the  magistrates 
and  of  all  authority,  and  at  length  it  was  era’ 
pioyed  to  signify  every  town-urbs-oppidum 
Civxtas  also  signified  the  same  thing  as  Jus 
Qumttum,  the  right  of  Roman  citizens], ip.- 
- o one  was  able  to  acquire  that  right,  if  he 
had  not  previously  attained  the  second  Jus 
Ratu,  which  was  very  inferior  to  the  other  — 
>„?  f,US.  necessarily  implied  the 

J'ts  Civitatis,  but  it  was  not  all  those  who 

Cimtan  flattf  tUi  enJ°>'cd  former. 

, w“Ce’ireed“en  had  .‘he  Civitas,  with- 

having  the  Jus  Quiritium ; they  were 
reckoned  among  the  citizens,  but  not  among  the 
Qumtes  From  the  moment  they  regained 
leir  liberty  they,  the  former  slaves,  were  re- 
garded as  citizens;  but  they  had  still  to  ask  for 
the  J„s  Qmntium,  which,  once  granted,  gave 
them  aibmssion  into  the  Tribus  of  the  country, 
and  facilitated  their  attainment  of  offices : and 

m=lnsngf  WaV'eTVed  t0  the  affranchised  Ro- 
" , ' ,fo5  88  tot.he  forcign  freedinen,  they  were 
filfil  0r  asI),m>g  only  to  the  right  of  citizen- 
i , Uny  pretf  sions  to  enter  into  the 
country  tribes  or  to  hold  any  offices.  Those 
who  quitted  their  native  country  to  go  and  live 

citizens.6'  ^ the  Privi%es  of  Roman 

After  the  city  was  burnt  by  the  Gauls,  mea- 
sures  vvere  take  to  induce  individuals  to  esta- 
b ksh  themselves  at  Rome,  by  securing  to  them 
as  residents,  the  rights  of  citizenship.  This 

v£  DfWaplrid,SpenSablc  for  enjoying  the  pri- 
vileges  °f  a iloman  citizen  to  their  fullest  ex- 
tent  but  it  was  accorded  also,  with  certain  re- 

X °i  Iil°I)le  who  wcre  ,10t  ‘lomiciliated 

at  Rome  and  this  was  called  Municipium.  At 

tld  h Latm®  alone  were  allowed  to  partake  of 
tiU3  honour;  then  all  Italy;  afterwards  some 


GI\  1TATIBVS  ASIAE.  207 

nations  beyond  that  region  ; and  especially  the 
principal  cities  throughout  the  whole  extent  of 
the  empire.  Lastly,  a constitutional  law,  i„- 
titutcd  by  the  Emperor  Antoninus  Pius  con- 

nerhl  d ’at  t‘t  e °"  aU  freetnen  within  the  im- 
penal  dominions.  Th,s  municipal  franchise,  or 

fcSEST’  r'aS  the  first  insta,lce  g'-aoted 

rJn  i ,In  Course  of  time  the  emperors 

rendered  themselves  masters  of  this,  as  of  every 
other  power  of  the  state,  and  some  of  them 
made  it  a matter  of  pecuniary  traffic.  There 
were. cities  "Inch  received  from  the  emperors  a 

assisted  them  in  paying  the  taxes,  in  defraying 
the  expenses  of  sacrifices,  and  in  repairing  the 

of  dU„l  "S8;  .“d  When  the  prince  had  cause 
of  displeasure  against  them,  he  took  away  their 
privileges.  See  Pitiscus,  Lexicon  Antiq.  RoT 

CIVITATIBVS  ASIAE  RESTITVTIS.  ( The 
cities  of  Asia  re-established.)— k sedent  figure 
aureated  and  togated,  its  feet  resting  on  a foot-’ 
Stool  ; in  the  right  hand  a patera;  in  the  left 
the  hasta  pura.-Obv.-n.  caesar  divi  avg. 

. avgvst.  p m.  Tr.  pot  XXIIrl  (Tiberius 
Caesar,  Dm  Augusti  Filius,  Augustus,  Pontifex 
Maximus,  TribrntitiaB  Potestatis  24.)  Iu  the 
field  a large  S.  C. 


The  large  brass  of  Tiberius,  on  the  reverse 
of  which  this  remarkable  legend  annlf 
struck  in  the  year  of  Rome  775  (a  d. 22)  min 
cords  the  munificence  of  this  emperor  who  had 
caused  to  be  re-built,  at  his  own  expense Zf- 
cmes  in  Asia  Minor,  which  in  o^  night 

»d  b,  „ tirfhqu“ 

tins  bestowed  on  “/'of * l’eme,i,• 

his  honour;  and  the  coin  above  en -rayed  f™ 
serves  still  more  lastingly  to  record  an  act  "f 
generous  humanity,  hardly  to  be  credit*/^  f 
selfish,  avaricious;  and  cruel  a man  ' ktd  It > 
fact  been  so  well  authenticated  as  to  th 
doubt  or  difficulty  concernin-  it On  fl  • V6  n° 

equally  deserving  of  notice  af  fremti6?’ 
specimen  of  monetal  workmanship,  and  as 
uteres  mg  historical  monument,' EckLl  fvi 
U2-3)  animadverts  to  the  following  effect  — 

t! ?¥?«»• 

d*.  "bid,  h,d  SOM  '"f 

effects  of  a violent  earthquake,  were  rc-bffilt  f 
the  munificence  of  Tiberius.  This  liberal 
recorded  by  many  other  writers,  wh^x! 


208 


CIVITATIBVS  ASIAE. 


prcssious  arc  quoted  by  Schlcgcl,  iu  his  cxplana-  j 
tiou  of  this  coin.  (Morel!.  Impp.  i.  p.  578). — ; 
As  regards  the  number  of  these  cities,  Pliny  j 
coincides  with  Tacitus  (Plin.  ii.  § 86).  He 
enumerates  Sardis,  Magnesia  uuder  Mount 
Sipylus,  Temnos,  Philadelphia,  .Egea,  Apollonia,  j 
the  Mosteni,  the  Hyrcani,  Hierociesarea,  Myrina, 
Cymen,  and  Tmolus.  Others  mention  13,  14, 
and  15  cities,  including  no  doubt  those,  which,  | 
having  at  a subsequent  period  suffered  the  like  : 
calamity,  experienced  the  beneficent  care  of 
Tiberius ; and  such  we  find  from  Tacitus  to  have 
been  the  case  with  iEga:  in  Aehia,  and  Cibyra 
in  Phrygia,  in  the  year  776  (a.d.  23).  Indeed, 
the  famous  marble,  dug  up  at  Puteoli,  at  the 
end  of  the  last  century,  which  was  dedicated  to  i 
Tiberius  Ctesar,  exhibits  fourteen  female  figures, 
having  inscribed  uuder  them  the  names  of  the 
same  number  of  Asiatic  cities,  identical  with  . 
those,  which  are  enumerated  by  Tacitus,  with 
the  addition  of  Ephesus  and  Cibyra. 

In  order  to  explain  the  type  of  the  reverse, 
reference  must  be  had  to  the  account  given  by  j 
Phlegon  Trallianus  (de  reb.  mirab.  c.  13),  who,  j 
quoting  Apollonius,  states,  that  in  the  time  of  j 
Tiberius  many  cities  of  renown  were  overthrown 
by  an  earthquake,  and  that  the  Emperor  Tiberius  j 
afterwards  restored  them  at  his  own  cost ; in  | 
consequence  of  which  a colossal  statue  was  dedi- 
cated to  him  at  Rome,  in  the  forum,  near  the 
temple  of  Venus,  with  other  statues  near  it,  re- 
presenting the  several  cities.  What  Phlcgou 
thus  describes,  the  above-mentioned  marble  dis-  I 
covered  at  Puteoli  brings  before  our  eyes,  hav-  I 
ing  beyond  doubt  been  sculptured  in  imitation  of 
the  Roman  original,  and  dedicated  at  Puteoli  to 
perpetuate  the  memory  of  Tiberius’s  liberality,  j 
There  appears,  however,  to  be  no  question,  that 
the  colossal  figure  alluded  to  by  Phlegon,  pre- 
sented the  same  appearance  as  docs  Tiberius  on 
the  coin  before  us.  The  Putcoliau  marble  does 
not  contribute  to  our  information  on  this  point, 
as  only  its  base  remains,  the  statue,  which  in  all 
probability  surmounted  it,  having  been  destroyed 
by  the  effects  of  time. — Whoever  wishes  to  ob- 
tain further  particulars  respecting  this  monu- 
ment of  Puteoli,  its  form,  and  inscription,  will 
find  them  in  the  lengthy  dissertation  of  Lauren- 
tius  Gronovius,  inserted  in  the  7th  vol.  of  An- 
tiquities, by  Gronovius,  and  also  Belleyc  (b.  l. 
xxiv.  p.  128.) 

In  the  figure  itself,  as  presented  on  the  coin, 
nothing  is  wanting  to  express  the  present  and 
actual  deity.  We  see  the  patera,  the  spear, 
and  the  footstool.  When,  therefore,  it  is 
asserted  by  Tacitus  aud  Suetonius,  that  Tiberius 
declined  divine  honours,  such  may  really  have 
been  the  case  at  the  commencement  of  his  reign, 
whilst  bis  government  was  not  firmly  established; 
at  a later  period,  however,  he  may  have  enter- 
tained loftier  thoughts  of  his  own  dignity,  or  at 
least,  though  never  exacting  from  his  subjects 
the  adoration  due  to  a god,  he  may  so  faintly 
have  opposed  its  tender,  as  to  permit  it ; just 
as,  without  positively  assuming  the  title  of  Au- 
gustus, he  with  complacency  endured  to  hear  it 
uttered  or  see  it  written.  (Dion,  lvii.  $ 8.) — 


CIVITATIBVS  ASIAE. 

Certain  it  is,  that  in  the  year  following  he 
allowed  a temple  to  be  dedicated  to  himself  and 
his  mother  Livia,  at  Smyrna : indeed,  the  latter 
is  represented  with  all  the  attributes  of  a goddess 
on  her  coins. 

This  colossal  statue  of  Tiberius  appears  to 
have  been  completed  and  dedicated  in  the  year 
u.  c.  775  (a.  d.  21),  aud  afterwards  represented 
on  coins. — In  Belleye,  Mcdiobarbus,  and  other 
catalogues,  however,  mention  is  made  of  his  Trib. 
potest,  xxi.  inscribed  on  coins  of  similar  subject ; 
from  which  circumstance  Eekhel  infers,  that  the 
monument  in  question  was  dedicated  two  years 
after  the  calamity  to  which  it  alludes. 

Dr.  Cardwell  makes  this  brass  of  Tiberius  a 
subject  of  one  of  his  lectures,  and  in  his  inquiry 
respecting  the  cause  to  which  it  was  owing  that 
the  medal,  clearly  intended  to  commemorate  the 
munificence  of  the  emperor,  was  not  minted  till 
five  years  afterwards,  observes,  that  such  inquiry 
is  the  more  necessary,  “ as  we  have  another 
medal  of  similar  inscription,  which  was  minted 
only  two  years  after  the  disaster  had  occurred, 
and  when  the  bounty  of  l'lbcrius  was  fresh  in 
every'  one’s  memory.  Now  (says  the  learned 
Lecturer),  it  might  be  a sufficient  answer  to 
observe,  that  some  few  years  must  necessarily 
have  elapsed  before  these  towns  could  be  again 
inhabited  ; and  that  five  years,  as  we  learn  from 
Tacitus,  was  the  term  actually  allowed,  in  the 
cases  in  which  the  emperor  granted  a remission 
of  their  taxes.  We  may  also  observe  that,  iu 
addition  to  the  cities  already  noticed,  Ephesus 
appears  to  have  suffered  severely  in  the  following 
year,  and  the  continuance  of  the  danger  would 
naturally  retard  the  work  of  restoration.  But 
this  is  not  all.” — The  Rev.  Doctor  then  refers 
to  Phlegon,  who  probably  lived  in  the  days  of 
Hadrian,  and  whom  Eekhel  had  previously 
quoted  as  an  authority  ; aud  after  referring  to 
the  fragment  of  inscribed  and  sculptured  mar- 
ble above  alluded  to,  and  discovered  in  1 693, 
at  Pozzuoli,  he  comes  to  a similar  conclu- 
sion with  the  Author  of  Doctrina : — “ Within 
two  years  after  the  great  earthquake  (observes 
l)r.  Cardwell),  it  appears  that  the  Senate  had 
determined  to  erect  a statue  to  Tiberius,  and 
had  issued  a new  mintage,  as  a memorial  of  his 
: bounty  ; that  within  five  years  after  the  same 
! event,  the  statue  was  completed,  and  a new  die 
| was  cut  from  whence  the  medal  iu  question  was 
minted,  and  that  finally  in  the  year  783  (a.  d. 
30),  when  Tiberius  had  withdraw  n himself  from 
I Rome,  and  was  living  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Puteoli,  the  inhabitants  of  that  town  erected 
another  statue,  after  the  model  exhibited  at 
Rome ; thereby  expressing  their  sorrow  for  a 
calamity,  for  which  their  own  volcanic  couutry 
would  t’cach  them  to  feel  compassion,  and  honour- 
ing at  the  same  time  the  emperor’s  repeated  acts 
of  generosity.  We  may  infer,  that  the  seated 
figure  on  the  reverse  of  the  medal  was  intended 
to  resemble  that  colossal  statue  of  Tiberius, 
which  we  have  traced  from  the  time  when  the 
plan  of  it  was  first  adopted  by  the  Senate,  to  the 
time  when  it  was  finally  erected  at  Puteoli.  — 
Lecture,  viii.  p.  195. 


CLAUDIA. 

Capt.  Smyth,  after  describing  a specimen  of 
this  first  brass  in  his  own  collection,  says, — 
“Tiberius,  to  do  him  justice,  behaved  on  this, 
as  in  other  public  calamities,  with  a generosity 
worthy  of  his  high  station — for  he  not  only  re- 
mitted the  taxes  of  the  ruined  cities  for  five 
years ; but  also  presented  them  with  large  sums 
for  re-building.  A few  other  such  deeds  faintly 
illume  the  dark  picture  of  the  tyrant’s  reign — 
his  liberality,  as  Tacitus  remarks,  being  re- 
tained after  he  had  abandoned  all  other  virtues. 
This  medal  countenances  the  historic  record  of 
Tiberius  having  been  popular  in  the  provinces, 
for  he  declined  laying  new  taxes  on  them  ; say- 
ing that  a good  shepherd  may  shear,  but  not  flay 
his  flock.” 

The  above  is  amongst  the  Restituliones,  or 
restored  coins.  That  by  Domitian  is  rarer  than 
the  one  by  Titus. 

CLARA. — See  didia  clara. 

CLARITAS  AVG usti. — The  brightness  of  the 
Emperor. — This  legend,  with  heads  of  the  Sun 
and  the  Moon,  and  also  with  an  upright  figure 
of  the  Sun,  radiated,  standing  with  right  hand 
elevated,  and  globe  in  left  hand,  appears  on  gold 
and  third  brass  coins  of  Postumus,  Diocletian, 
and  Val.  Maximianus.  claritas  reipvblicae 
appears  on  silver  and  third  brass  of  Coustantinus 
j u n . , Constans,  Licinius  sen.,  and  Crispus. 
The  heads  of  the  Sun  and  Moon  indicate  eternity 
(see  p.  23).  There  is  apparently  some  analogy 
between  this  Claritas  of  an  Emperor  and  the 
name  of  Clara  Rea,  or  the  brilliant  goddess,  as 
applied  to  Isis. — See  Akerman,  vol.  1,  p.  256, 
Constautinus  jun. 

CLASSICAE ; of  the  Fleet. — Surname  of  the 
1 7th  Legion,  inscribed  on  a denarius  of  M.  An- 
tony.— See  LEG.  XVII  CLASSICAE. 

CLAVD.  Claudius,  Claudii. — nero.  clavd. 
divi.  clavd.  f. — Sec  the  mintages  of  Nero,  who 
styled  himself  Filins  Claudii,  by  adoption,  in- 
stead of  using  his  family  name  of  Domitius. 

CLAUDIA  gens — a duplex  family,  i.  e.  of  patri- 
cian as  well  as  plebeian  rauk,  sprung  from  the  Sa- 
bines.— Atta  Clausus,  the  head  of  this  house,  a 
man  of  distinction,  having  been  driven  from  Re- 
gillus  by  a seditious  faction,  came  to  Rome,  fol- 
lowed by  all  his  clients,  to  whom  the  republic 
granted  the  rights  of  citizenship.  Clausus,  who 
afterwards  took  the  name  of  Appius  Claudius, 
was  admitted  into  the  order  of  Patricians  and  to 
the  rank  of  Senator.  Afterwards,  having  been 
made  consul,  he  left  an  illustrious  name  to  his 
descendants,  who  sustained  it  with  honour.  The 
surnames  of  this  family  were  Centho,  Crassus, 
Glicia,  Marcellus,  Nero,  Fulcher.  The  surname 
of  Nero  follows  the  preuomen  of  Drusus.  The  Pa- 
tricians fonned  four  branches,  of  whom  coins  are 
extant.  The  most  distinguished  members  of  the 
Plebeian  branch  were  surnamed  Marcellus.  Each 
produced  great  men  who  rendered  good  service 
to  the  state.  The  Emperor  Nero  was  the  last 
and  certainly  the  least  worthy  of  its  public  cha- 
racters. The  prenomen  of  Appius  was  the  one 
which  the  Claudia  family  appropriated  to  itself ; 
whilst  it  repudiated  that  of  Lucius.  Amongst 
2 E 


CLAUDIA. 


209 


the  coins  (comprising  43  varieties)  which  refer 
to  this  family  are  the  three  following : — 

1.  Obv. — makcellin'Vs.  Male  head,  beard- 
less, to  the  right.  Behind  it  the  triquelra. 

Rev. — marcellvs.  cos.  Qvinq.  Marcellus 
consul  quinquies.  A figure  togated  and  veiled, 
hearing  a warlike  trophy,  as  if  about  to  mount 
the  steps  of  a temple. 


The  head  on  the  obverse  of  this  denarius  is 
that  of  Marcus  Claudius  Marcellus,  who,  in  his 
fifth  consulate,  506  (b.  c.  208),  made  the  con- 
quest of  Syracuse,  and,  it  may  he  said,  of 
Sicily.  This  Roman  was  the  contemporary  of 
Fabius  Maximus,  and  of  Scipio.  He  was  one  of 
the  Consular  Generals  who  distinguished  them- 
selves in  the  second  Punic  war,  and  had  already 
acquired  a high  reputation  at  the  epoch  of  Han- 
nibal’s invasion.  His  active  character  and  intrepid 
courage  were  conspicuouly  displayed  in  single 
combats.  Even  in  his  first  consulate  the  qualities 
of  a daring  valour  made  him  triumph  over  Vir- 
domarus,  or  Viromarus,  a Gaulish  chief,  who, 
at  the  head  of  an  army  of  his  nation,  had  come 
to  the  succour  of  his  fellow-countrymen,  settled 
for  some  centuries,  in  the  north  of  Italy,  and 
then  at  war  with  the  Romans.  Virdoinarus, 
who  had  advanced  towards  Clastidium  (a  city  of 
Liguria,  between  Placentia  and  Tortona,  now 
Chiastezo),  with  numerous  troops,  fell  beneath 
the  blows  of  the  consul,  who  had  darted  forth 
from  the  ranks  to  fight  him. 

The  portrait  on  this  denarius  is  without  beard, 
as  usual  with  the  Romans  of  that  period,  when  they 
had  attained  a certain  age.  The  triquelra  (or  three 
human  legs  united  to  each  other  by  the  hips),  a 
well-known  symbol  of  Sicily,  was  placed  behind 
the  head  to  designate  its  victor. — The  legend 
Marcellinus  refers  to  the  magistrate  who  minted 
the  coin — one  Claudius  Marcellus,  who,  being 
adopted  into  the  family  of  the  Cornelii  Lcutuli, 
had  taken  the  surname  of  Marcellinus,  and  pro- 
bably transmitted  it  to  his  descendants. — On  the 
reverse  we  read  the  name  of  Marcellus,  as  having 
been  five  times  consul.  The  type  represents  him 
bearing  to  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Feretrius,  the 
spolia  opiuia  ol  Virdomarus.  Jupiter  was  called 
Feretrius,  because  the  triumpher  went  to  his 
temple,  carrying  thither  as  a trophy  the  armour, 
offensive  and  defensive,  of  the  general  whom  he 
had  killed  with  his  own  hand  in  battle,  and 
which  were  for  that  reason  denominated  opima 
(great  or  most  honourable).  To  accomplish  this 
religious  observance,  the  conqueror  covered  his 
head  with  one  of  the  lappets  of  his  toga,  accord- 
ing to  the  rites  prescribed  in  the  Roman  worship. 
Romulus  was  the  first  to  perform  this  ceremony, 
in  consecrating  the  armour  of  Acron,  King  of 
the  Ceninians ; which  act  was  repeated  only  by 


210  CLAUDIA. 

A.  Cornelius  Cossus,  aud  afterwards  by  M. 
Claudius  MarceUus.  Virgil  thus  celebrates  this 
action  in  his  jEneid : — 

Aspice,  lit  insignis  spoliis  MarceUus  opimis 
Ingreditur,  victorque  viros  superemiuet  omnes  ! 

Die  rein  Romanam,  niagno  turbante  tumultu, 

Sistet  eques  ; sternet  I’oenos,  Gallumquc  rebeUem  ; 
Tcrtia  arma  patri  suspendet  capta  Quirino. 

Lib.  vi.  v.  855  et  seq. 

See  great  MarceUus  ! bow,  untir’d  in  toils, 

lie  moves  with  mauly  grace,  how  rich  with  regal 

spoils  ! 

He,  when  his  country  (threaten’d  with  alarms) 
Requires  his  courage,  and  his  conquering  arms, 

Shall  more  than  once  the  Punic  bands  affright: 

Shall  kill  the  Gaulish  King  in  single  fight : 

Then  to  the  capitol  in  triumph  move, 

And  the  third  spoils  shaU  grace  Fcretrian  Jove. 

Drydeu’s  Translation. 

This  MarceUus  was  the  very  man  who  shewed 
the  Romans  that  Hannibal  was  not  only  to  be  re- 
sisted, as  Pabius  had  done  before  him,  but  also  | 
to  be  attacked  and  defeated.  Indeed  he  beat 
the  Carthaginian  general  near  Nola,  in  a daring  i 
sortie.  Aud  after  the  conquest  of  Sicily,  he 
assailed  him  several  times  with  varied  success. 
But  his  boldness,  too  often  bordering  on  rash- 
ness, led  him  to  expose  himself  near  Venusia 
(now  Venosa)  to  a snare  which  the  sagacity  of 
Hannibal  bad  prepared  for  him.  He  feU  into 
an  ambuscade  of  the  Carthaginians,  and  died  de- 
fending himself  with  the  greatest  valour.  The 
victor  nohlv  rendered  the  funeral  honours  due  to 
his  heroic  antagonist. — Sec  Eckhel,  v.  p.  188 
and  187 — see  also  Visconti,  lconoyrajdiie  lto- 
maine,  t.  i.  p.  85,  8vo.  edit. 

2.  Obv. — C.  CLODIUS.  C.  F.  (Caius Claudius, 
sou  of  Caius.) — Head  of  Flora,  crowned  with 
flowers,  aud  with  a corolla  behind  her. — Rev. — 
vestalis,  a female  seated,  holding  a simpulum. 
Gold  and  silver. 

This  denarius  was  at  first  ascribed  to  Caius 
Claudius  Pulclicr,  cdUe  in  C56  (b.  c.  98),  and 
consul  in  662  (b.  c.  92).  Rut  according  to 
Rorghesi,  with  whom  Cavedoni  agrees,  it  be- 
longs to  Caius  Claudius,  a legatns  of  Rrutus 
and  llortcnsius,  in  Macedonia,  711  (b.  c.  43)  ; 
the  same  who  caused  Caius  Autonius  (brother 
of  the  triumvir),  to  be  put  to  death,  lest  he 
should  make  his  escape. 

The  female  head  on  the  obverse  recalls  to 
memory  the  splendid  celebration  of  the  Floralia, 
or  leasts  in  honour  of  the  goddess  Flora,  by  C. 
Claudius  Centho,  consul  in  514  (b.  c.  240),  in 
eolleagueship  with  Sempronius  Tuditauus. 

With  regard  to  the  reverse  type,  it  is  matter 
of  dispute  amongst  numismatists,  whether  the 
figure  of  the  vestal  be  meant  for  the  daughter 
of  Appius  Claudius  Pulclicr,  consul  in  611  (b. 
c.  143),  who  placed  herself  in  front  of  her  ' 
father,  and  defended  him  when  a tribune  of  the 
p/eb.i  would  have  dragged  him  out  of  bis  tri-  I 
umphal  car ; or  whether  it  was  intended  to  re- 
present Quinta  Claudia,  niece  of  blind  Appius  ; 
that  damsel,  whom  the  Roman  figment  describes 
to  have  drawn,  with  her  girdle,  through  the  j 
Tiber  into  Rome,  the  ship  which  bore  from  Pes- 
sinunta,  the  sacred  image  of  Cybcle.  (Sec  cut 


CLAVA  HERCULEA. 

in  next  page). — On  this  point  Rorghesi,  cited  by 
Riccio,  says — “ Observing  that  this  fignre,  al- 
though holding  the  simpulum,  is  seated  ; a pos- 
ture in  which  sacrifice  was  not  performed,  there 
appears  to  me  ground  for  suspecting,  rather  that 
it  was  intended,  in  this  type,  to  represent  a 
statue  (che  qui  piuttosto,  siesi  voluto  ctligiarc 
una  statua).  And  supposing  this  to  have  been 
the  case,  a reason  is  further  afforded  for  recog- 
nising in  this  image  the  statue  erected  to  Quinta 
Claudia.” — Engraved  in  Moretl.  Yam.  Rom. — 
Riccio,  p.  54,  classes  it  amongst  the  iikkk  in 
gold.  A fine  specimen  of  it  brought  £13  at  the 
Thomas  sale. — See  vestalis. 

Obv. — A juvenile  head  laureated,  with  hair 
tied  in  a knot,  and  with  ringlets,  and  ear-pen- 
dants. Rehind  it  a lyre. 

Rev. — p.  clodivs.  m.  f.  Diana  standing, 
with  a bow  and  quiver  on  her  shoidders,  holding 
a long  lighted  torch  in  each  hand. 


If  the  head  on  the  obverse  of  this  coin  be  that 
of  Apollo,  as  notwithstanding  its  entirely  femi- 
nine appearance,  is  still  to  be  inferred  from  the 
sister  of  that  pagan  deity,  represented  on  the 
reverse,  the  whole  together  may  be  considered 
as  referring  to  the  Apolliiiarian  games,  which 
were  splendidly  celebrated  in  715  (B.  c.  39),  in 
rejoicings  at  Rome,  for  the  victory  gained  by 
Vcnlidius  over  the  Parthians,  P.  Clodius  being 
monctal  triumvir  716.  Riccio  marks  the  above 
in  gold  burr,  aud  values  it  at  30  piastres. 

There  are  pieces  of  this  family  restored  by 
Trajan.  Its  name  appears  on  some  of  the  Ci. t- 
topbori.  The  brass  coins  of  this  house  were 
struck  by  the  moncyers  of  Augustus. 

CLAVA  Uerculea. — A long  round  club,  headed 
with  a knob ; it  was  one  of  the  peculiar  insignia 
of  Hercules,  as  that  which  this  hero  used  instead 
of  a sword,  spear,  or  other  arms,  aud  with  which 
he  conquered  and  slew  monsters  throughout  the 
world.  On  coins,  this  knotty  club  of  Hercules, 
sometimes  upright,  sometimes  reversed,  and  at 
others  in  a transverse  position,  indicates  that 
the  worship  of  that  deity  prevailed  amongst  the 
people,  by  whom  the  coin  was  struck. 

The  club  of  Hercules  is  seen  alone  on  a 
silver  coin  of  Augustus,  inscribed  bai.bvs  pro- 
pr(aetore).  The  club  erect  bears  reference  to 
the  origin  of  this  Cornelius  Ralbus,  who  de- 
scended from  a family  of  Cadiz,  in  Spain,  where 
Hercules  was  worshipped  with  distinguished 
honours.  The  same  massive  weapon  also  ap|>cars 
by  itself,  on  coins  of  Commodus,  who  ordered 
himself  to  be  called  Hcrcidcs  the  son  of  Jupiter, 
and  to  whom  the  coiu  is  accordingly  inscribed 
by  its  legend  hercvl.  homano. 

The  Claim  II err  idea  appears  on  the  field  of 
other  coins,  in  the  imperial  series,  amongst  those 
of  Trajan,  Gordianus  Pius,  Maximiauus.  It  is 


211 


CLAUDIA. 

seen  in  the  hand  of  Hercules  himself,  sometimes 
the  right,  at  others  the  left,  or  by  his  side,  in 


families;  and  on  coins  of  the  Emperors  Trajan, 
Hadrian,  Antonine,  Aurelius,  L.  Vcrus,  Corn- 
modus,  Pertinax,  Albinos,  Sevcrus,  Caracalla, 
Geta,  Gordianus  Pius,  Aemilian,  Gallienus,  Pos- 
tnmus,  Victorinus,  Claud.  Gothicus,  Tacitus, 
l’robus,  Cams,  Carinus,  Numerianus,  Diocle- 
tianus,  Maximianus,  Constantinus  Chlorus,  Va- 
lerius, Severtis,  Galerins,  Maxentius,  Gal.  Maxi- 
minus, Constantinus  M. 

The  Clava  at  the  head  of  Hercules  appears  on 
a denarius  of  M.  Antony,  who  pretended  to 
descend  from  the  son  of  Alcracna;  also  on  coins 
of  Lepidus,  Trajan,  Probus,  Maximianus. 

The  Clava  and  a Bow,  with  quiver,  lion’s 
skin,  &c.  is  seen  on  a coin  of  Gallienus. 

The  Clava  of  Hercules,  with  bow  and  quiver, 
displays  itself  on  the  well-known  coin  of  Corn- 
modus.  The  same  symbols  of  the  monster-kill- 
ing hero  are  struck  on  a coin  of  Postunnis. 
And  the  Herculean  Club,  with  an  Eagle,  like- 
wise exhibits  itself  on  coins  of  Trajan,  Maxi- 
mianus,  Constantine  the  Great,  &c. — Sec  hek- 

C VLI  ROMANO. 


CLAUDIA,  a vestal  virgin,  who,  being  sus- 
pected of  unchastity,  cleared  herself  from  that 
imputation  in  the  following  extraordinary  man- 
ner : — The  image  of  Cybele  or  Vesta,  being 
brought  from  Phrygia  to  Rome  in  a galley,  and 
it  happening  to  stick  so  fast  in  the  shallows  of 
the  Tiber  as  not  to  be  removable  even  by  the 
strength  of  a thousand  men,  she  tied  her  girdle 
to  the  vessel,  and  drew  it  along  to  the  city,  in 
triumph  over  her  calumniators ! — This  story  is 
illustrated  by  a brass  medallion  (in  the  French 
cabinet)  above  engraved  from,  struck  in  honour 
of  the  elder  Faustina : of  whom,  though  rumour 
had  spread  reports  unfavourable  to  her  matronly 
character,  yet  there  were  not  wanting  Roman 
flatterers  to  praise  her  as  a wonderful  pattern  of 
correctness  and  modesty. — Sec  cybele. 

CLAUDIA,  daughter  of  the  emperor  Nero, 
by  Poppsca,  born  at  Antimn,  in  the  year  of 
Rome  816  (a.  d.  64).  She  died  an  infant;  and 
third  brass  coins  (still  extant  and  of  extreme 
rarity)  were  struck  in  honour  of  her  memory, 
under  the  style  of  clavd(ia)  avgvsta — diva 
clavdia  ner.  f.  On  the  reverse  of  one  is  diva 
poppaea  avg.  round  a temple. — Mionnet. 

2 E 2 


CLAUDIUS  I. 

CLAUDIUS  I. — This  emperor,  the  son  of 
(Nero  Claudius)  Drnsus  the  elder,  and  of  Anto- 
nia, was  the  younger  brother  of  Germanicus. 
Born  at  Lugdunuin  (Lyon),  in  Gaul,  a.  u.  C. 
744  (b.  c.  10),  on  the  kalends  of  August,  he 
was  named  Tiberius  Claudius  Drusus.  (Dion, 
lx.  § 5.)  Brought  up  from  infancy  amidst  the 
baneful  influences  of  a feeble  constitution,  terror, 
and  the  society  of  debased  preceptors,  he  dis- 
played so  extraordinary  an  amount  of  obtuseness 
and  stupidity,  that  his  mother  used  to  speak  of 
him  as  a monster,  a being  only  half-fashioned  by 
nature,  and  when  wishing  to  charge  any  person 
with  senselessness,  she  said  he  was  more  dull 
than  her  son  Claudius.  (Sucton.  eh.  3.)  Being 
on  this  account  neglected  by  Augustus  himself,  he 
received  no  distinction  except  that  of  the  Augur- 
ship,  and  w'as  left  as  heir  only  among  those  of 
the  third  class,  and  almost  as  an  alien  to  the 
family.  (Sueton,  c.  4.)  On  the  death  of  Au- 
gustus, he  was  nominated  Sodalis  Augustalis 
(Tacitus,  Ann.  i.  54);  but,  excluded  by  his  uncle 
Tiberius  from  all  the  offices  of  state  which  he 
solicited,  he  abandoned  every  hope  of  acquiring 
dignity,  and  surrendered  himself  to  ease,  drunken- 
ness, and  companionship  of  the  most  degraded 
kind. 

Caligula,  who  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign, 
lavished  honours  upon  all  the  members  of  his 
family,  alive  or  dead,  raised  his  uncle  Claudius 
also  from  his  obscurity,  and  in  790  (b.  c.  37), 
when  he  was  himself  cotisul  suffectus,  appointed 
him  as  his  colleague  for  two  months,  from  the 
kalends  of  July,  and  designated  him  consul 
iteruai  for  the  fourth  year  from  that  time.  In 
793,  Caligula  styled  himself  Jupiter  Latialis, 
and  gave  Claudius  the  title  of  his  priest  (sacer- 
dos).  In  spite  of  this,  however,  he  was  despised 
by  the  people  even  under  Caligula  for  his  dul- 
ncss;  but  the  low  estimation  in  which  he  was 
held,  in  the  long  run,  proved  his  safeguard. 
For,  when  almost  all  the  males  of  his  family 
were  put  to  death,  though  he  had  a narrow 
escape  for  his  own  life,  the  mcutal  deficiencies  of 
his  character  stood  him  in  great  stead,  and  he 
was  treated  only  as  a laughing-stock.  Caligula 
havingJieen  slain  on  the  9th  kalends  of  February, 
794  (Bt-g,  41),  Claudius,  terrified  at  the  circum- 
stance, concealed  himself  in  the  palace ; but  being 
discovered  by  a soldier  passing  that  way,  and  re- 
cognised, he  was  saluted  Imperator,  and  being  led 
to  the  camp,  he  passed  the  night  amidst  the 
bivouacs  of  the  soldiers.  The  Consuls  aud  Con- 
script Fathers  assembled  in  the  capitol  to  de- 
liberate on  the  means  of  re-establishing  the 
government;  and,  coming  to  no  agreement  among 
themselves,  on  the  following  day  the  soldiers 
took  the  oaths  in  the  name  of  Claudius,  aud 
compelled  acquiescence  by  force  of  arms. 

In  this  manner  elevated  to  the  throne  in 
his  49th  year,  Claudius  immediately  received 
all  the  honours  decreed  to  him,  except  the 
titles  of  Imperator  and  Pater  Patrice ; but 
even  the  latter  he  soon  after  permitted  to  be 
applied  to  him.  He  ordered  Cassius  Clucrea  to 
be  put  to  death,  not  from  regret  for  the  murder 
of  Caligula,  but  for  fear  of  a plot  against  his  own 


212  CLAUDIUS  I. 


CLAUDIUS  I. 


safety.  lie  restored  to  Antiochus,  Commagenc, 
which  had  been  taken  from  him  by  Caligula. 


lie  sent  back  to  Spain  Mithridate9,  who  had 
been  detained  in  chains  by  Caius;  and  on  another 
Mithridates  he  bestowed  the  Bosporus,  giving 
Polemon  a part  of  Cilicia.  For  the  benefit  of 
! the  Jewish  King  Agrippa,  who  was  then  at 
Rome,  and  whose  advice  he  had  sought  on  enter- 
ing upon  his  reign,  he  enlarged  the  kingdom 
of  Judaea,  and  to  his  brother  Herod  he  gave  j 
Chalcidene.  In  this  the  first  year  (a.  d.  41)  of 
Claudius’s  reign,  the  Germani  were  defeated  by 
Galba  and  Gabiuius. 

In  795  (a.  d.  42).  He  defeated  the  Man-  | 
ritanians  and  the  Numidians  in  various  engage- 
ments. He  divided  Mauritania  into  Tingitanis  I 
and  Cresaricnsis.  He  constructed  the  port  of 
Ostia  at  au  immense  cost.  Furius  Camillas 
Scribonianus,  the  prefect  of  Dalmatia,  excited  a 
seditious  movement  against  Claudius,  which  was 
soon  put  down,  its  instigator  beiug  slain  on  the  : 
island  of  Issa. 

796  (a.  d.  43).  He  entered  upon  his  third 
consulate,  under  novel  circumstauccs  for  an  em- 
peror, viz.,  as  substituted  ( suffectu s)  in  the  place 
of  an  individual  deceased. — A.  Plautius,  having 
been  sent  forward  into  Britain,  carried  on  the  cam- 
paign there  strenuously;  but  a still  more  serious 
disturbance  arising,  he  was  superseded  by  Claudius 
himself,  who,  aiming  at  military  fame,  passed 
over  to  the  seat  of  war.  Having  excellent 
officers  to  do  the  fighting  part,  he  vanquished 
the  Britons,  was  declared  Imperator  over  and 
over  again,  and  after  remaining  in  the  island  not  j 
more  than  seventeen  days,  he  returned  to  the  j 
continent.  During  his  absence  a triumph  had 
been  decreed  to  him  by  the  abject  Senate,  also  j 
an  arch,  and  the  prefix  of  Britannicus  for  him- 
self and  his  son. — (Sec  Britannia  and  Britan, 
pp.  137  and  140  of  this  dictionary.) 

“ M hilst  speaking  of  British  affairs  it  may  be 
added,  that  he  evinced  generosity  of  heart,  when, 
charmed  with  the  noble  boldness  of  the  captive 
Caractaeus,  lie  ordered  the  liberation  of  that 
prince  and  his  family;  an  act,  the  merit  of 
which  will  be  immediately  felt,  on  calling  to 
mind  the  horrid  fate  too  often  reserved  for  royal 
captives.”  Capt.  Smyth,  p.  33.] 

797  (a.  n 4\).  Returning  to  Rome  he  cele- 
brated his  triumph  over  the  Britons.  He  en- 
larged the  patrimonial  dominion  of  M.  Julius 
Cottius,  which  he  held  in  the  district  of  the 
Alps,  called  by  his  name  (Cot  Han),  and  gave 
him  the  title  of  King. 


798  and  799  (a.  d.  45  and  46).  No  occur- 
rence of  note  took  place  during  these  two  years, 
with  the  exception  of  the  vile  intrigues  of 
Messalina  and  the  freedmen ; not  to  omit  men- 
tioning the  directions  which  he  gave  respecting 
the  mode  in  which  statues  were  to  be  erected. 

800  (a.  d.  47).  He  celebrated  the  800th 
anniversary  of  the  building  of  Rome  with  the 
exhibition  of  secular  games,  64  years  after  their 
celebration  by  Augustus.  He  appointed  as  King 
over  the  Cherusci,  Italicus,  sou  of  Flavius,  the 
brother  of  Arminius.  (Tacitus,  Ann.  xi.  16). 
Corbulo  continued  to  command  the  Roman  army 
in  Lower  Germania,  and  reduced  the  Frisii  to 
submission — whilst  Vespasian,  with  his  son 
Titus,  harrassed  the  Britons. 

801  (a.  d.  48).  As  Censor,  having  for  his 
colleague  L.  Vitellius,  the  father  of  Aulus  Yitel- 
lius,  afterwards  Emperor,  lie  removed  certain 
members  of  the  Senate,  and  tilled  up  their  places 
with  others.  He  conferred  upon  the  inhabitants 
of  Gallia  Transalpine  the  privileges  of  Senators  at 
Rome,  and  closed  the  lustrum  this  year.  (Re- 
specting the  date  of  this  censorship,  sec  censor 
11.  p.  193,  also  the  mint  of  vitellius.) — Dur- 
ing the  absence  of  Claudius  at  Ostia,  his  wife 
Messalina  publicly  married  C.  Silius  at  Rome. 
Being  informed  of  the  circumstance  on  his  re- 
turn, he  ordered  her  and  her  paramour  to  be 
put  to  death. — (Tac.  Ann.  xi.) 

802  (a.  d.  49).  At  the  beginning  of  this 
year,  lie  married  his  graud-daughter  Agrippina. 
At  the  entreaty,  of  the  Parthians,  he  sent  back 
Mehcrdatcs  [one  of  the  Arsacidsc,  i.  e.  of  the  line 
of  the  kings  of  Parthia],  who  had  been  de- 
tained as  a hostage  at  Rome,  to  become  their 
king. — Mithridates  of  the  Bosporus,  making 
fresh  attempts  against  Cotys,  was  taken  pri- 
soner to  Rome.  The  Itunei  aud  Judtei,  on  the 
death  of  their  kings  Sohcmius  and  Agrippa, 
were  added  to  the  province  of  Syria. 

803  (a.  d.  50).  Claudius  adopted  L.  Domi- 
tius  Ahcnobarbus  (afterwards  the  emperor  Nero) 
the  son  of  Agrippina;  who  herself,  the  same 
year,  received  the  title  of  Augusta.  A colony 
was  sent  out  to  the  town  of  the  Ubii,  her  birth- 
place, and  to  which  the  name  of  Agrippina  was 
given  (now  Cologne). — L.  Pomponius  subdued 
the  Catti. — Caractaeus,  king  of  Britain,  after  a 
war  of  nine  years,  was  defeated  and  taken  pri- 
soner. 

804  (a.  d.  51).  Nero  prematurely  assumed 
the  toga  viri/is,  before  he  completed  his  four- 
teenth year,  and  was  designated  consul,  upon 
which  office  he  would  enter  on  reaching  the  age 
of  twenty;  a pro-consular  jurisdiction  without 
the  walls  of  Rome  was  decreed  to  him,  and  he 
received  the  title  of  Princeps  Juventutis. — Bur- 
ros was  appointed  prefect  of  the  pretorions, 
through  the  influence  of  Agrippina. 

805  (a.  d.  52).  The  Clitse,  a wild  race  of 
people  in  Cilicia,  haviug  revolted  against  their 
Roman  masters,  were  put  down.  The  famous 
naumachia,  or  representation  of  a sea-fight, 
took  place  in  the  presence  of  the  emperor,  on 
the  lake  Fucinus,  near  Rome. — Claudius  com- 
pleted, with  great  magnificence,  two  aqueducts 


CLAUDIUS  I. 

of  the  purest  water,  one  called  Aqua  Claudia, 
the  other  the  New  Anio,  and  dedicated  them.— 
(See  aqua-ductus,  p.  69  et  seq.  of  this  dic- 
tionary).— In  the  succeeding  year,  Nero  Caesar, 
in  his  sixteenth  year,  married  Octavia,  the 
daughter  of  Claudius. 

897  (a.  d.  54).  Whilst  confined  to  his  bed 
by  illness,  Claudius  was  put  to  death,  on  the 
12th  of  October,  by  his  wife  Agrippina,  who, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  Locusta,  the 
sorceress,  administered  poison  to  him  in  a dish 
of  mushrooms. 

Thus  perished  in  the  63rd  year  of  his  age, 
and  14th  of  his  reign,  the  Emperor  Claudius ; 
one  raised  by  a remarkable  turn  of  fortune  to  a 
position,  which  he  had  neither  expected  nor 
coveted.  The  empire  thus  thrust  upon  him  he 
administered  much  less  at  his  own  discretion 
than  that  of  his  wives  and  his  freedmen,  acting 
in  all  measures  as  best  suited  their  convenience 
or  pleasure.  It  was,  therefore,  wittily  observed 
of  him  by  Seneca,  that  he  celebrated  the  month 
of  Saturn  the  whole  year  through ; the  mouth, 
that  is  to  say,  in  which  slaves  used  to  lord  it 
over  their  masters.  The  most  notorious  among 
these  freedmen  were  Narcissus,  Pallas  prefect 
of  the  exchequer,  Callistus  master  of  requests, 
Felix  the  eunuch,  afterwards  procurator  of 
Juda»,  Mnestor,  the  actor,  a prime  favourite  of 
Messalina,  Polybius,  Posides,  and  Harpocras ; 
all  of  whom,  in  influencing  the  conduct  of  the 
emperor,  availed  themselves  less  of  his  dulness, 
than  of  his  timidity,  which  rendered  him  ab- 
surdly superstitious.  Thus  it  was  fear  which 
induced  him  to  put  his  signature  to  the  deed  of 
settlement,  by  which  the  marriage  of  his  own 
wife  Messalina  with  Silius  was  ratified ; and 
again,  a new  terror  caused  him  to  order  the 
execution  of  herself  and  her  paramour.  And 
hence  it  arose,  that  all  who,  during  his  reign, 
stood  in  the  way  of  other’s  cupidity,  on  a hint 
from  his  wives  or  freedmen  of  some  plot  against 
himself,  were  forthwith  put  to  death. — Of  stu- 
pidity he  gave  numerous  specimens,  especially 
in  the  absurd  laws  which  he  introduced  during 
his  censorship,  and  in  his  habit  of  inviting  to 
dinner,  in  a tit  of  forgetfulness,  those  whom  the 
day  before  he  had  commanded  to  be  destroyed. 
He  had,  however,  plenty  of  cruelty  in  his  dis- 
position; for  no  spectacle  gave  him  more  de- 
light than  that  of  gladiators  lacerated  by  each 
other’s  blows,  or  the  attacks  of  beasts,  and  to 
gaze  upon  the  agonies  of  their  last  moments. — 
But  this  passion  extended  itself  only  to  gladia- 
tors, and  the  refuse  of  the  people.  Yet  this 
man  was  a fair  scholar,  and  was  no  mean  writer 
of  history  ; but  even  in  this  pursuit  he  could  not 
refrain  from  trifling,  by  either  introducing  new 
letters  into  the  alphabet,  or  by  reviving  anti- 
quated ones,  and  thus  interfering  with  the  public 
convenience.  Evidence  of  a loftier  and  more 
energetic  spirit  will  be  recognized  in  his  pre- 
sence during  the  campaign  in  Britain  ; the  vast 
works  of  the  port  of  Ostia  ; and  the  aqueducts 
completed  by  him.  From  these  it  may  be  con- 
cluded that  he  would  have  proved  himself  far 
from  incapable  of  noble  deeds,  had  his  natural 


CLAUDIUS  II.  213 

I abilities  been  cultivated  by  an  education  worthy 
of  a sovereign ; a post  for  which,  however,  he 
had  never  seemed  to  be  destined  till  he  had  actu- 
ally reached  it. — See  Eckhel,  vi.  p.  233  et  seq. 

The  coins  of  Claudius  are  not  numerous,  yet 
! for  the  most  part  easily  to  be  procured.  Gold  rare, 
j Silver,  with  certain  exceptions,  common.  Those 
of  the  three  sizes  in  brass  also,  with  few  ex- 
ceptions, common.  Some  pieces  representing 
him  with  Agrippina  junior,  and  others  restored 
by  Titus  and  Trajan  are  very  rare.  On  the 
products  of  his  mint  (as  on  the  first  brass  en- 
graved p.  212),  he  is  styled  ti.  clavdivs  caesak 
avg.  p.  m.  tr.  p.  imp. — On  some  obverses  ap- 
pears the  surname  of  germanicus,  which  he 
took  in  memory  of  his  father  and  brother.  But 
that  of  Britannicus,  although  awarded  him,  is 
not  assumed  amongst  his  numismatic  appella- 
tions. 

“This  emperor  (says  Mionnet)  constantly  ab- 
stained from  placing  on  any  of  his  coins  struck 
at  Rome,  the  title  of  Tmperator  as  a prenomen ; 
but  he  used,  and  repeated  frequently,  that  very 
title  as  a surname.”  In  two  instances  only  of 
colonial  coins  imp.  is  found  prefixed  to  the  name 
clavdivs.  “ It  is  a peculiarity  (observes  Capt. 
Smyth)  of  this  reign  that  the  tribunitian  power 
is  omitted  in  the  legends.” — Amongst  the  rarest 
and  most  remarkable  reverses  on  this  emperor’s 
coinage  are  the  following  : — 

Silver  Medallions. — com.  asia.  Temple 
and  two  figures  within. — diana  ephesia,  with 
portraits  of  Claudius  and  Agrippina — (valued  by 
Mionnet  at  80  fr.) 

Gold. — constantiae  avgvsti — (restored  by 
Trajan,  priced  at  120  fr.  by  Mionnet.) — de 
britan.  Triumphal  arch — (40  fr.) — de  ger- 
manis.  Arch — (48  fr.) — DIW3  clavdivs — (re- 
stored by  Trajan,  120  fr.) — imper.  recept. 
Pretorian  camp — (40  fr.) — Young  portrait  of 
Nero  (72  fr.) — praetor  rf.cept. — (48  fr.) 

Silver. — sacerdos  divi.  avgvsti — Two 
torches — (30  fr.) — Claudius  in  a quadriga — 
34  fr.) — Peace  preceded  by  a serpent. — See 
paci.  avgvstae. 

First  Brass. — de  germanis.  Trophy — 
(valued  by  Mionnet  at  60  fr.) 

Second  Brass. — constantiae  avgvsti. — 
Helmeted  figure. 

There  are  no  Latin  coins  in  honour  of  any  of 
the  wives  of  Claudius,  except  of  Agrippina. 
Those  of  Messalina  are  Greek  and  colonial. — 
This  emperor  established  colonies  in  almost  all 
parts  of  the  Roman  world. 


CLAUDIUS  II.  (M.  AURELIUS,  surnamed 
GOTHICUS)  w'as  born  in  Illyria,  on  the  10th 
of  May,  a.  d.  214  or  215.  His  family  descent 
was  so  obscure  that  even  the  name  of  his  father 
remains  u nknown.  But  indebted  for  distinction 


214  CLAUDIUS  II. 

to  liis  own  talents  both  as  a soldier  and  a states- 
man, he  acquired  the  confidence  of  Trajanus 
Decius,  by  whom  he  was  entrusted  with  the  de- 
fence of  Thermopyl®  against  the  northern  in- 
vaders of  Greece. — Valerian  gave  him  the  rank  of 
military  tribune,  and  in  a.  d.  250,  made  him  go- 
vernor of  Illyricum,  and  general  in  chief  of  all  the 
provinces  on  the  Lower  Danube.  The  fame  of 
Claudius  in  the  wars,  which  the  indolent  Gal- 
licuus  had  to  sustain  against  the  usurpers  who 
rose  under  his  distracted  reign,  induced  the 
Senate  to  honour  him  with  a statue.  Having 
been  summoned  to  assist  at  the  siege  of  Milan, 
where  Gallienus  was  engaged  in  suppressing  the 
revolt  of  Anrcolus,  it  was  believed,  but  not  on 
any  assured  authority,  that  he  gave  his  assent  to 
the  plot,  which  resulted  in  the  assassination 
of  the  prince,  whom  he  succeeded  about  the 
twentictli  of  March,  a.  d.  268.  The  choice  of 
the  army  was  enthusiastically  confirmed  by  the 
Senate.  Claudius  fulfilled,  with  a character  un- 
changed, and  a reputation  undiminished,  the  ex- 
pectations and  wishes  of  the  Romans.  lie 
seemed  to  have  only  one  wish,  that  of  restoring 
to  the  republic  its  ancient  liberty  and  its  original 
splendour.  After  having  destroyed  Aurcolus, 
and  gained  a decisive  victory  over  a large  body 
of  the  Alcmanni,  on  the  shores  of  the  Lago  di 
Garda,  near  Verona,  he  commenced  the  arduous 
task  of  re-establishing  order  and  discipline.  It 
was  to  this  end  that  he  decreed  laws,  which  had 
they  been  followed  out  and  obeyed,  would  have 
ensured  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  the  empire. 
In  a.  d.  269,  Claudius  took  the  consulship,  and 
the  same  year  marched  to  the  encounter  of  a 
more  formidable  enemy  than  had,  up  to  that 
period,  menaced  the  power  of  Rome.  The 
different  tribes  of  barbarians,  known  under  the 
general  appellation  of  Goths,  having  collected  a 
fleet  of  more  than  two  thousand  vessels,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Dniester,  embarked  on  board  of  it 
no  less,  it  is  said,  than  320,000  men,  who 
were  landed  on  the  shores  of  Macedonia ; and 
thence  advanced  to  meet  Claudius,  who  after  a 
terrible  battle  fought  near  Naissns,  in  Dardania, 
(a.  d.  269),  gained  a great  victory;  50,000  of 
them  having  been  slain  in  one  day.  The  follow- 
ing year  the  emperor  succeeded  in  either  destroy- 
ing or  dispersing  the  remainder  : these  achieve- 
ments, gained  for  him  the  title  of  Gothicus. 
He  then  prepared  to  turn  his  arms  against  Queen 
Zenobia,  and  the.  usurper  Tctricus ; but  at  that 
moment,  a pestilence  which  the  Goths  had 
brought  with  them  into  the  confines  of  the  em- 
pire, proved  fatal  to  their  conqueror.  He  was 
attacked  by  this  widely  spread  epidemic  at  Sir- 
mium  (Sirmich),  in  Pannonia,  and  died  there  in 
the  mouth  of  May,  a.  d.  270,  aged  56,  after  a 
reign  of  about  two  years,  recommending  with  his 
parting  breath,  his  general  Aurelianus  as  the 
worthiest  candidate  for  the  purple.  This  heroic 
priucc  is  described  to  have  had  a tall  and  robust 
person,  a broad  countenance,  and  eye  full  of  fire, 
lie  was  dignified  in  his  manners,  calm  in  dis- 
position, temperate  in  his  habits.  A foe  to 
effeminacy,  he  delighted  in  warlike  exercises  ; 
and  set  nil  example  to  his  soldiers  of  a life  snb- 


CLAUDIUS  II. 

jected  to  the  greatest  fatigues  and  privations. 
To  believe  his  panegyrists,  he  was  of  all  the  em- 
perors the  most  beloved  during  his  reign,  and 
the  most  regretted  after  his  death.  There  is  no 
doubt,  however,  that  he  was  a prince  of  great 
merit,  and  of  splendid  public  qualities.  The 
Senate  heaped  honours  of  every  description  on 
bis  memory  ; a golden  buckler  (see  c/ipeut  va- 
lient) bearing  his  image,  was  placed  in  the 
Curia  Romuna ; and  a golden  statue,  six  feet 
high,  was  erected  to  him  in  the  capitol,  at 
Rome. 

This  emperor  is  styled  on  coins,  at  first  simply 

IMP.  CI.AVDIVS  CAESAR  AVO.  or  IMP.  C.  M.  AVR. 

ci.avdi vs  avg. — After  his  victory  over  the 
Alcmanni,  and  his  still  greater  victory  over  the 
Goths,  we  read  round  his  portrait  imp.  c.  m. 
avr.  ci.avdivs  GERM.  gothicvs. — After  his 
death  divvs  ci.avdivs  gothicvs  and  diws 
clavd.  opt.  imp. 

The  following  are  amongst  the  rarest  and 
most  remarkable  reverses  in  the  coinage  of 
Claudius  Gothicus. 


Gold. — concord  exerci.  A woman  with 
two  ensigns ; one  of  which  she  holds  erect  in 
her  right  hand,  and  the  other  under  her  left 
arm — a singular  feature  in  such  a type. 

invictvs  avg.  Helmed  head  of  Claudius. — 
memoriae  aeternae.  Rome  withiu  a temple. 

The  above  two  are  valued  at  300  fr.  each  by 
Mionnet. 

pax  exerc.  Peace.  Brought  £15  15s.  at 
the  Thomas  sale. 

virtvs  clavdii.  Emperor  on  horseback, 
riding  over  prostrate  figures. 

Engraved  in  Akerman.  Deter . Cat.  ii.  pi.  10, 
No.  2.  A finely  preserved  specimen  of  this  very 
rare  aureus  brought  £14  10s.  at  the  Thomas  sale. 

victoria  avg.  A Victory  stauding ; at  her 
feet  are  two  captives ; one  kneels,  and  is  raising 
up  his  hands  ; the  other  is  seated. — [This  beau- 
tiful and  extra  rare  coin  brought  £27  10s.  at  the 
Thomas  sale.  It  is  now  in  the  British  Museum. 
See  an  accurate  engraving  of  it,  prefixed  to  the 
foregoing  biographical  notice  of  this  emperor]. 

Brass  Medallions. — adventvs  avg.  Em- 
peror on  horseback,  with  Victory  and  soldiers. 
Valued  bv  Mionnet  at  50  fr. 

consecratio.  Altar  lighted. — mars  vltor. 
marching  with  trophy. — Marti  pacip.  With 
olive  branch. — The  above  three  arc  valued  by 
Mionnet  at  40  fr.  each. 

consecratio.  Square  altar. — Valued  nt  60 fr. 

First  Brass. — iovi  victoui.  Jupiter  stand- 
ing.— 60  fr. 

Second  Rrass. virtvs  avg.  Military 

figure. 

Third  Brass. — deo  cahiro.  One  of  the 
Cnbiri. 


CLEMENTIA. 


CLEMENTIA.  215 


reg i artis.  Vulcan  standing. 

vi  r.  avg.  Minerva  and  one  of  the  Cabiri. 

reqvies  optimorvm  merit.  Figtu’e  veiled 
and  seated. 

CLAUDIUS  TACITUS. — See  tacitus. 

C.  L.  DOM.  Casar  Lucius  Domitius. — See 

AL'llELl  ANUS. 

CLEMENTIAE. — Clemency — whom  the  Ro- 
mans worshipped  as  a goddess,  and  for  the  most 
part  set  at  naught  as  a virtue — had  a temple 
erected  to  her  honour,  as  in  memory  of  the 
mercy  which  Julius  Caesar  exercised  towards  his 
enemies  after  the  victories  he  had  gained.  On 
a denarius  of  the  ./Emilia  gens  (engraved  in 
Morel/.  Thesaur.  Fam.  Rom.)  the  obverse  bears 
PAVLLVS  LRPIDVS  concord.  A veiled  female 
head. — Rev. — CLEMENTIAE.  s.  c.  Head  of  a 
female  in  the  middle  of  an  ornamented  buckler. 

L.  Paulus  is  said  to  have  given  liberty,  in- 
stead of  servitude,  to  the  Macedonians,  whom 
he  had  fought  with  and  subdued.  The  memory 
of  this  good  action  was  handed  down  to  pos- 
terity, through  the  durable  medium  of  a coin, 
by  a descendant  of  his. — See  Morel/.  Thesaur. 
Familia,  t.  i.  p.  644.  Engraved  in  t.  ii.  tab. 
1,  F. — Valued  at  40  fr.  by  Mionnct. 

A denarius  of  L.  Buca,  a moueyer  of  Julius 
Cicsar,  exhibits  on  its  reverse  the  legend  cle- 
MENTIA,  and  the  head  of  that  goddess,  with  a 
laurel  branch  before  it. 

CLEMENTIAE  CAESARIS.  A tetrastyle 
temple. — On  a silver  coin  of  Julius  Cicsar  this 
legend  and  type  appear.  The  latter  represents  the 
temple  of  Clemency  which  was  erected  at  Rome, 
in  memory  of  Julius,  and  in  honour  of  that  vir- 
tue, so  rare  in  conquerors,  yet  which  no  one  ever 
exercised  more  nobly  than  he,  by  the  concurrent 
voice  of  all  historic  writers,  is  allowed  to  have 

done  on  every  occasion. Du  Choul,  in  his 

quaint  but  honest  style,  says — “ And  as  from 
piety  come  pity  and  clemency,  in  which  Julius 
Cicsar  surpassed  all  other  princes,  I have  accom- 
panied this  medal  with  a sentence  worthy  to  be 
engraved  iu  letters  of  gold,  taken  from  an  an- 
tique marble,  and  which  says — nihil  est  qvod 

MAGIS  DECEAT  PRINC1PEM  QVAM  LIBERAI.ITAS 
et  CLEMENTIA — that  is  to  say,  there  is  nothing 
which  more  becomes  a prince  than  clemency  and 
liberality.  And,  in  truth,  there  is  nothing  in 
this  world  more  graceful  than  mercy.” — See  La 
Religion  (les  Romains,  p.  26. — See  also  The- 
saur. Morell.  Impp.  t.  iii.  tab.  v.  No.  8. 

CLEMENTIA  IMP.  GERMAN,  dementia 
Imperatoris  Gcrmanici. — On  coins  of  Vitellius 
(rare  in  gold,  but  not  so  in 
silver),  this  legend  accompa- 
nies a female  figure,  in  the 
stola,  seated,  holding  a small 
branch  in  one  hand,  and  the 
hast  a pura  in  the  other. 

On  this  and  other  impe- 
rial coins,  the  goddess  is  re- 
presented both  standing  and  seated,  sometimes 
holding  a branch  of  olive,  as  marking  peace  and 
gentleness,  or  a laurel  branch,  because  (says 
Jobert,  citing  Pliny’s  authority),  “ it  was  used 
to  expiate  the  guilt  of  criminals.” 


Vaillant  illustrates  the  signification  of  this 
coin,  by  adducing  the  historical  fact,  that  Vitel- 
lius eagerly  received  the  surname  of  Germanicus 
awarded  to  him  hv  the  army  of  Upper  Germany. 
On  the  death  of  Otho,  he  spared  the  life  of 
that  emperor’s  brother  Titianus,  whom  he  ex- 
cused on  the  ground  of  fraternal  piety,  lie 
served  the  consulate  with  Marius  Cclsus,  Otho’s 
general,  822  (a.  d.  69) : nor  did  he  act  with 
severity  either  towards  the  persons  or  property 
of  rcvolters  against  his  government,  which  makes 
Tacitus  say — “ Vitellius  victor  dementia  gloriam 
tulit.” — (Pnest ant.  vol.  ii.  p.  80). 

CLEMENTIA  AUG. — (Clemency  of  the  Em- 
peror). COS.  II.  also  COS.  III. — On  silver  and 
secoud  brass  of  Albiuus,  who  in  this  legend  con- 
trasts his  own  clemency  with  the  cruel  harsh- 
ness of  Severus,  who  had  behaved  with  great 
barbarity  towards  such  of  the  Senators  as  he 
suspected  of  being  hostile  to  him,  and  especially 
towards  those  who  followed  the  fortunes  of 
Pescennius  Niger. — (Eckhel,  vii.  163). 

CLEMENTIA  TEMP,  or  TEMPORUM.— 
Two  figures,  representing  Jupiter  and  the  em- 
peror, supporting  a globe  in  their  joined  hands, 
or  a woman  standing  by  a column,  accompany 
this  legend  on  third  brass  of  Florianus,  Tacitus, 
Probus,  and  other  Augusti  of  the  lower  empire. 

CLEMENTIAE.  To  Clemency.  S.  C.— This 
dedicatory  inscription  occurs  on  a second  brass 
of  Tiberius,  over  a shield,  of  which  the  design 
is  evidently  borrowed  from  the  dementia  of  the 
./Emilia  family  already  described.  The  full-faced 
bust  in  the  centre  is,  in  some  specimens  of  this 
rare  coin,  that  of  a female  (perhaps  personify- 
ing Clemency) ; on  others  that  of  a man  (pro  • 
bably  meant  for  Tiberius  himself) — immedi- 
ately surrounded  by  a laurel  crown,  with  double 
outer  circle  of  a highly  ornamented  pattern. — 
See  patera. 


The  praise  of  clemency,  admitted  by  all  an- 
cient historians  to  have  been  justly  bestowed  ou 
Julius  Cscsar,  was  afterwards  prostituted  to  the 
flattery  of  the  most  cruel  emperors.  Thus  not 
only  the  clemeneg  but  the  moderation  of  Tibe- 
rius is  celebrated  on  his  coins ; and  the  Roman 
Senate  commanded  sacrifices  to  be  made  in  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  same  god-like  quality  in — 
Caligula  ! — The  mark  of  Senatorial  sanction  on 
this  coin  seems  by  implication  to  indicate  the 
wish  of  that  obsequious  body,  that  the  emperor 
should  in  future  be  merciful,  which  for  a long 
time  previous  he  had  not  been. — The  above  re- 
verse is  engraved  from  a specimen,  in  the  pos- 
session of  Goddard  Johnson,  Esq.  Norwich. 


216  CLEOPATRA. 

CLEOPATRA,  the  7th  (or  8th)  and  last 
Queen  of  Egypt,  was  born  towards  the  end 
of  685  (b.  c.  69). — This  celebrated  woman  was 
the  daughter  of  Ptolemy  Aulctes,  and  the  sis- 
ter and  wife  of  Ptolemy  (XII.)  Dionysius 
Ncoterus,  who  was  slain  at  the  battle  of 
Alexandria,  fighting  against  Julius  Ciesar,  in 
the  year  797  (b.  c.  47).  Caesar,  being  ena- 
moured of  Cleopatra,  gave  her  Ptolemy  XIII. 
(her  brother),  for  a husband,  to  cover  his  own 
designs.  But  young  Ptolemy  was  taken  off  by 
poison,  or  drowned  in  the  Nile,  and  Cleopatra 
began  to  reign  alone  in  the  year  712  (b.  c.  42). 
The  next  year  Arsinoc,  sister  of  Cleopatra,  was 
assassinated  by  command  of  Mark  Antony,  who 
had  in  turn  become,  after  Ciesar’s  death,  the 
paramour  of  Cleopatra;  and  it  was  “for  love” 
ot  her  that  this  vain  ambitious  Roman  acted  as 
if  he  deemed  “ the  world  well  lost.”  Antony 
having  at  length  divorced  his  wife  Octavia,  the 
sister  of  Augustus,  a quarrel  and  a war  ensued 
between  those  two  unscrupulous  men  of  clash- 
ing interests. — In  723  (b.  c.  31),  Cleopatra 
accompanied  her  lover  to  Actium,  with  a fleet 
superbly  equipped;  and  after  his  defeat  fled  to 
Alexandria,  where  she  put  an  end  to  her  life  in 
724  (b.  c.  30),  by  the  bite  of  an  asp,  in  an 
unfinished  Mausoleum  (which  had  already  served 
for  the  tomb  of  Antony),  that  she  might  not 
be  led  in  triumph  to  Rome  by  the  conqueror. 
Augustus,  however,  determined  at  least  to  chain 
her  golden  image  to  his  car;  and  after  his 
triumph,  he  deposited  it  in  the  temple  of  Venus, 
of  which,  according  to  Dion,  it  was  a principal 
ornament. 

Thus  died  one  of  the  most  captivating  but 
most  unprincipled  of  sovereign  princesses,  at  the 
age  of  39  years,  of  which  she  reigned  seventeen. 
M itli  her  fell  the  dynasty  of  the  Ptolemies  in 
Egypt,  and  indeed  the  Egyptian  monarchy. 

Cleopatra  had  a son  by  Julius  Ctcsar,  Ciesarion, 
called  Ptolemy ; and  three  children  by  Mark 
Antony,  viz.,  a son  called  Alexander,  a daughter 
named  after  herself,  who  was  afterwards  be- 
trothed to  Juba  the  younger  (see  ivba  rex), 
and  Ptolemy,  surnamed  Philadelphus. 

“The  leading  points  of  Cleopatra’s  character 
were  ambition  and  voluptuousness.  But  in  all 
the  stories  of  her  luxury  and  lavish  expense, 
there  is  a splendour  and  a grandeur  that  some- 
what refines  them.  In  the  days  of  her  prosperity 
her  arrogance  was  unbounded.  She  was  avaricious 
to  supply  her  extravagance,  and  cruel,  or  at  least 
had  no  regard  for  human  life,  when  her  own 
objects  were  concerned.  Her  talents  were  great 
and  varied : her  knowledge  of  different  languages 
was  peculiarly  remarkable  ; and  in  the  midst  of 
her  most  luxurious  scenes,  proofs  are  to  be 
traced  of  a love  for  literature  and  for  critical  re- 
search. She  added  the  library  of  Pergamos  to 
that  of  Alexandria.  Her  ready  and  versatile 
wit ; hey  knowledge  of  human  nature,  and  power 
of  using  it ; her  attractive  manners,  and  her  ex- 
quisitely musical  and  flexible  voice,  compared 
by  Plutareb  to  a many-stringed  instrument,  arc 
also  the  subject  of  well-attested  praise.  The 
higher  points  in  her  character  are  admirably 


CLEOPATRA. 

touched  by  Horace  in  the  Ode  (i.  37),  on  her 
defeat  at  Actium.” — Dictionary  of  Greek  and 
Roman  Biography,  edited  by  W.  Smith,  LL.  I). 

There  arc  coins  of  this  Queen,  both  silver  and 
brass,  with  both  Latin  and  Greek  legends,  exhi- 
biting her  head,  either  alone  or  jugated  with 
that  of  Mark  Antony.  Amongst  these  arc  the 
two  following : — 

CLF.OPATRAE,  BEGIN  AE  KEGVM,  FILIORVM 
regvm. — This  legend  appears  on  the  reverse  of 
a denarius  of  M.  Antony,  which  also  exhibits 
the  head  of  Cleopatra,  beside  which  is  the  prow 
of  a ship,  or  a lituus.  The  obverse  of  this  re- 
markable coin  bears  the  head  of  Antony,  behind 
which  is  the  Armenian  tiara,  and  round  it  M. 
ANTONI.  ARMENIA  DEV1CTA. 

Antony,  having  contrived  to  envciglc  into 
his  power  Artavasdes,  king  of  Armenia,  deposed 
him  and  gave  his  crown  and  dominions  to  the 
son  whom  he  (Antony)  had  by  Cleopatra ; to 
whom,  in  sacrifice  of  all  justice  and  true  policy, 
the  infatuated  triumvir  stamped  this  reverse 
with  her  portrait,  which  has  the  appearance  of 
neither  youth  nor  beauty  to  recommend  it.  He 
also  gave  her  the  title  of  ( Regina  regum,  et 
filiorum  regum,  the  word  mater  being  under- 
stood) the  queen  of  kings  and  the  mother  of  the 
sons  of  kings. — For  an  engraving  of  this  coin 
( not  of  Roman  die) — see  page  81  of  this  dic- 
tionary. 

The  testimony  of  Dion  Cassius  supports  the 
fact,  that,  in  a speech  to  the  people  of  Alexandria, 
Mark  Antony  commanded  that  Cleopatra  should 
be  styled  Queen  of  Kings,  with  right  and  title 
to  Egypt  and  Cyprus.  It  is  also  recorded  that, 
of  his  sons  by  Cleopatra,  he  bestowed  Syria  on 
Ptolemy,  with  all  the  territories  bordering  on 
the  Hellespont ; on  Alexander  Armenia,  and 
whatever  countries  he  might  subdue  beyond  the 
Euphrates ; and  on  his  daughter  Cleopatra  the 
district  of  Cyrcne. 

2.  Obc. — M.  ANTONIVS  IMP.  COS.  DESIO.  ITER 
et  teut.  Heads  of  a man  and  woman  side  by  side. 

Re v. — hi.  vir.  r.  p.  c.  Bacchus  standing  on 
the  cista  between  two  serpents.  Silver  of  Mark 
Antony. — See  Cistophori,  p.  204  of  this  volume. 

After  having  conquered  Brutus,  Antony  made 
his  entry  into  Ephesus,  with  a procession  of 
men,  women,  and  children,  clothed  as  bac- 
chantes and  satyrs ; crowned  with  ivy  and  bear- 
ing thyrsi.  Plutarch  relates  au  account  of 
these  orgia,  in  which  Mark  Antony  was  ho- 
noured as  a second  Bacchus. — Antony  repeated 
this  folly  till  he  came  to  the  city  of  Alexandria, 
into  which  he  made  the  same  kind  of  entry,  as 
Velleius  Paterculus  relates.  Antony’s  cistophori 
struck  in  Asia,  were  probably  coined  nt  Ephesus, 
which,  added  to  the  others,  this  superior  mark 
of  adulation. 

Eekhcl  has  not  pronounced  on  the  doubt  en- 
tertained by  many  numismatists,  some  of  whom 
have  attributed  the  female  head  to  Octavia,  and 
others  to  Cleopatra.  However,  he  thinks  that 
the  latter  would  have  been  figured  with  a 
crow  ned  head,  if  it  had  been  meant  for  her. 

It  was  in  720  (b.  c.  34),  that  Antony  united 
the  finest  provinces  of  Asia  aud  Africa  to  his 


C.  L.  CAESARES. 

other  conquests ; aud  the  coinage  of  Cleopatra 
could  not  be  associated  with  his  own  till  the 
year  722,  when  peace  was  broken  between  the 
triumviri.  He  was  named  consul  for  the  third 
time,  in  720.  The  woman’s  head  on  the  cista 
may  therefore  be  that  of  Octavia  , and  the  dia- 
demed head  joined  to  his,  that  of  Cleopatra. 
(Sec  Loci.  Num.  vol.  iv.  p.  66,  et  seq.) — See 
also  Biographical  Summary  of  M.  Autonius, 
aud  notice  of  his  mintages,  pp.  57,  58,  59,  of 
this  Dictionary. 

C.  L.  CAESARES  A V G V S T I F. 

COS.  DESIG.  PRINC. 
I WENT.  ( Cains  et  Lu- 
cius Casares  Augusti  Filii 
Consules  Lesignati  Prin- 
cipes  Juventutis).  Two 
figures  veiled  and  togated, 
standing — each  holds  in 
his  hand  a spear,  with  a 
buckler  resting  on  the 
ground  ; above  is  a capeduncuta  and  tiluns. 

2.  Rev.— C.  L.  CAESARES  PRINC.  IVVEN- 
TVTIS. — Each  Caesar  on 
horseback,  going  at  a quick 
rate,  lifts  up  his  right 
hand. — These  two  silver 
coins  of  Roman  die,  each 
having  a head  of  Augustus 
on  its  obverse,  being,  in 
the  opinion  of  Eekhel,  in- 
valuable, as  serving  to 
illustrate  the  history  of  both  Caesars  (see  p.  159) 
he  has  given  the  following  detailed  account  (it 
were  superfluous  to  add,  accurate  explanation) 
of  them  : — 

Consules  Lesignati. — On  this  point  Tacitus 
says — (Annal.  i.  ch.  3) — “For  he  had  intro- 
duced the  sons  of  Agrippa,  Caius  and  Lucius, 
into  the  family  of  the  Cmsars,  before  they  had 
laid  aside  their  youthful  pratexta ; and,  under 
an  affectation  of  declining  those  honours,  had 
concealed  a vehement  desire  that  they  should  be 
entitled  Principes  Juventutis,  and  nominated 

(designari)  Consuls.” Again,  Suetonius  (in 

Aug.  ch.  64) — “And  while  still  mere  chil- 
dren he  put  them  forward  in  offices  of  state,  and 
as  consules  designati  sent  them  forth  among  the 
provinces  aud  the  armies  of  the  empire.” — The 
year  in  which  they  became  consules  designati  is 
fixed  by  an  inscribed  marble  found  at  Ancyra, 
thus — “To  do  me  honour,  the  Roman  Senate 
aud  people  designated  them  (Caius  and  Lucius) 
in  their  15th  year,  consuls,  that  they  might  enter 
upon  that  office  after  a lapse  of  five  years.” — 
According  to  these  words,  Caius,  who  was  born 
734  (b.  c.  20),  and  in  748  (b.  c.  6)  would  be  15 
years  of  age,  was  then  made  consul  designates. 
On  a marble  which  Cardinal  Noris  quotes  from 
Panviuius  we  read  respecting  the  same  Caius  — 
“ Whom  the  people  created  consul  in  his  XIVth 
year;  ” and  consequently  on  this  latter  marble 
the  completed  years  only  are  reckoned.  And, 
indeed,  Caius  did  actually,  as  the  marble  of 
Ancyra  has  it,  after  the  interval  of  five  years, 
enter  upon  his  consulship  in  the  year  u.  c.  754 
(a.  d.  1) ; the  year  748  not  being  taken  into 
2 F 


C.  L.  CAESARES. 


217 


j account.  As  according  to  the  record  of  the  same 
marble,  the  same  course  was  pursued  with  refer- 
j enee  to  his  brother  Lucius,  and  as  he  was  born 
J 737  (b.  c.  17),  it  follows  that  he  was  designated 
consul  a.u.  c.  751  (b.  c.  3),  or  as  Cardinal 
Noris  fixes  it,  752 ; and  iu  order  that  on  the 
same  analogy  he  might  enter  upon  office  iu  757 
(a.  d.  4),  but  this  was  prevented  by  his  death 
occurring  in  the  interim. 

Principes  Juventutis. — That  this  distinction 
was  conferred  upon  them,  is  abundantly  testified 
by  historians,  coins,  and  marbles.  In  the  case 
of  Caius,  the  time  is  fixed  by  Zonaras,  viz. 
in  749  (b.c.  5),  and  as  he  also  records,  that 
Lucius  obtained  the  same  honours  in  the  vear 
following,  it  appears  that  this  title  was  shared 
by  him  also  in  the  year  U.  c.  750  (b.  c.  4). 

On  the  first  coin  both  Cscsars  stand  veiled  and 
togated,  no  doubt  a religious  costume;  above 
them,  on  one  side,  is  a lituus,  on  the  other  a 
capeduncuta  (or  ewer) ; though  the  posilion  of 
these  instruments  varies,  according  to  Pedrusi 
(Mus.  Farnese),  on  different  coins,  so  that  some 
present  the  lituus  on  the  right,  others  on  the  left 
side.  The  capeduncuta  certainly  belongs  to  Caius, 
for  Dion  tells  us  that  he  entered  the  "priesthood 
(sacerdotium)  u.  C.  748  (b.  c.  6).  The  pon- 
tificate of  Caius  is  further  confirmed  by  a coin 
above  quoted  under  his  separate  coinage,  on 
which  he  is  described  as  font.  cos.  and  also  by 
an  inscription  given  by  Gruter  (p.  234.4). 

C.  CAESARI.  AVGVSTI.  F. 

PONTIFICI.  COS. 

DESIG  NATO. 
riUNCIPI.  IVVENTVTIS. 

The  lituus  is  the  appropriate  symbol  of  Lucius, 
as  being  that  of  an  augur.  That  he  held  this 
office  is  proved  by  a marble  published  in  the 
same  place  by  Gruter  : — 

L.  CAESARI.  AVGVSTI  F. 

AVGVRI.  COS. 

UESIGNATO. 

PRINCIPI.  IVVENTVTIS. 

To  which  may  be  added  other  marbles,  dis- 
played in  the  same  work,  and  exhibiting  the 
same  titles. 

Both  Cresars  hold  the  hasta  and  clipeus. 
Each  of  these  arms  they  received  from  the 
Equestrian  Order  to  which  they  belonged,  as  a 
gift  on  the  occasion  of  being  chosen  Principes 
Juventutis. — Dion  informs  us  (lv.  § 12),  that 
“ the  golden  bucklers  and  spears  of  Caius  and 
Lucius,  which  they  received  from  the  equites 
on  assuming  the  toga  virilis,  were  after  their 
deaths  suspended  iu  the  Senate-house.” — But 
on  the  marble  of  Ancyra,  which  has  greater 
claims  to  credit,  they  are  said  to  have  been  of 
silver — “ The  Roman  equites  in  a body  gave 
them  each  the  title  of  Princeps  Juventutis,  pre- 
senting them  at  the  same  time  with  bucklers 
and  spears  of  silver.” — A coin  of  Nero  shews 
that  he  also  was  presented,  as  Princeps  Juven- 
tutis, with  a similar  buckler  by  the  equestrian 
order. — See  eqvest.  ord. 

These  coins  were  struck  between  the  years 
U.  C.  752  and  753  (b.  c.  2 and  1)  not  before; 
for  Augustus,  who  is  styled  on  them  pater 


218  CLIPEUS. 


CUPEL'S. 


palria,  received  this  appellation  for  the  first 
time  in  the  year  752  (b.  C.  2)  nor  later  ; for  in 
the  year  754  (a.d.1)  Caius  was  no  longer  consul 
desiynalus,  but  actually  consul.  No  imperial 
coins  have  been  more  frequently  imitated  by 
foreign  moneycrs  (barharce  oflicina  monetario- 
rum),  than  these  we  have  been  describing;  so 
great  is  the  number  which  has  come  down  to 
us,  of  most  unfinished,  and,  indeed, ludicrously  bad 
workmanship. — Doct.  Num.  Vet.  vi.  171-172. 

Miounet  values  No.  1,  in  gold,  at  135  fr. ; 
and  No.  2,  in  silver,  at  50  fr. 

C.  L.  I.  COR. — See  corinthus. 

CLIO,  one  of  the  Muses,  so  called  from 
«A«os,  Gloria , because  glory  is  derived  to  the 
poets  from  their  verses. 

On  a denarius  of  Q.  Pomponius  the  laureated 
head  of  a female  appears  as  the  obverse  type. 
On  the  reverse  is  the  legend  Q.  pomponivs 
MVsa,  and  the  figure  of  a woman  standing. 
This  is  supposed  to  represent  Clio,  and  the  lyre 
which  she  holds  in  her  left  hand,  and  on  which 
she  is  in  the  attitude  of  playing,  bears  allusion 
to  her  reputed  invention  of  that  musical  instru- 
ment, with  which  she  sang  the  praises  of  heroes. 

CUPEL'S — a buckler,  or  shield — one  of  the 
most  ancient  pieces  of  defensive  armour.  The 
Romaus  at  first  made  use  of  the  round  shield  of 
the  Argfcans,  which  they  called  Clipeiis.  After 
the  union  of  the  Sabines  with  the  Romans,  the 
latter  adopted  the  scutum  of  the  Sabines,  which 
had  the  form  of  au  oblong  square,  sometimes  fiat, 
concave  inside,  sometimes  convex  outside.  And 
this  at  length  became  part  of  the  defensive  armour 
of  the  Roman  infantry.  The  round  buckler  of 
the  cavalry  was  called  parma.  The  shields  of 
the  legionaries  appear  to  have  been  ornamented 
with  designs  not  unlike  heraldic  bearings — such 
as  a thunderbolt,  an  anchor,  a lion,  a wild-boar, 
a serpent,  or  some  other  symbol.  And  these, 
being  also  painted  of  a particular  colour,  served 
to  distinguish  each  legion,  and  each  cohort, 
from  others,  and  gave  rise  to  the  surnames, 
by  which  the  legions  were  often  designated. — 
Distinctive  signs  were  also  added  to  mark 
the  buckler  of  each  soldier,  because  in  camp 
the  bucklers  were  all  deposited  in  a tent  or 
magazine.  A soldier  was  dishonoured,  if  he 
abandoned  his  shield.  Warriors,  frequently 
after  having  despoiled  their  enemy  of  his  buckler, 
offered  it  in  some  temple  to  a deity : hence  the 
appellation  of  votive  shields  (see  c.  L.  v.  below). 
They  were  soon  fabricated  of  metals  ; and  were 
even  made  of  marble,  when  placed  on  monu- 
ments ; but  in  these  instances  they  enter  into 
the  composition  of  trophies.  On  coins,  Victory 
is  ofteu  seen  inscribing  the  date  of  some  great 
military  exploit  on  these  bucklers.  There  is  a 
brass  medallion  of  Antoninus,  the  reverse  type 
of  which  forms  a remarkably  fine  record  of 
triumph  over  the  Partitions,  by  inscription  on  a 
shield. — Sec  vie.  parthicae. 

Cl i pens  Maccdonicus — the  Macedonian  shield, 
of  a round  form,  was  manufactured  of  gold  or 
silver,  or  both,  with  ingenious  w’orkmausbip, 
conspicuous  for  its  various  embellishments. — 
The  representation  of  such  a shield  is  seen, 


with  the  head  of  an  elephaut  in  it,  on  denarii 
of  the  Csecilia  family,  struck  by  M.  mktel- 
i.vs,  q.  P.  in  memory  of  his  ancestor  Cteci- 
lins  Metcllus,  who  for  his  victory  over  the  Car- 
thaginians, was  the  first  to  enjoy  the  honours 
of  a triumph  in  a chariot  drawn  by  elephauts. 
Rut  it  is  on  account  of  the  triumph  of  his  graud- 
father  for  Macedonia  that  the  Macedonian  shield 
was  assumed  in  this  coin. — See  p.  149  of  this 
Dictionary. 

CL.  V.  C/ipeus  Votivus.  The  votive  shield. 
Many  of  these  appear  on  the  gold  and  silver 
mintages  of  Augustus.  Amongst  the  rest  the 
two  following: — 

1.  Rev. — cl.  v.  within  a circular  buckler,  at 
each  corner  the  initials  s.  p. 
q.  r.  On  one  side  of  this 
round  buckler  is  a legionary 
eagle,  on  the  other  a military 
ensign.  Above  and  below 
the  shield  signis  receptis. 
— 2.  Rev. — ob.  ervis  ser- 
vatos.  A buckler,  on  which 
is  inscribed  s.  P.  Q.  r.  c.  L.  v.  encircled  by  au 
oaken  crown. 

These  CL ipei  Votivi  (for  so  the  abbreviation 
is  to  be  expanded),  are  represented  in  various 
ways,  which  may  be  seen  in  Morel,  or  in  the 
catalogue  of  the  Imperial  Museum,  p.  ii.  p.  80. 
The  custom  of  dedicating  shields  is  a very  ancient 
one.  Thus,  Virgil  (jEn.  v.  286)  tells,  that 
.Eneas  dedicated  a shield  to  Apollo  Actius  (or  at 
Actium)  with  the  inscription,  “.Eneas  hicc  de 
Danais  victoribus  anna  ” — Pliny  records  the 
instances  of  the  practice  in  Rome  itself,  and 
adds,  that  the  ancient  Trojans,  and  the  Cartha- 
ginians, were  in  the  habit  of  engraving  their 
portraits  on  shields  (xxxv.  ch.  3.)  As  regards 
the  Carthaginians,  the  statement  is  confirmed  by- 
Livy  (xxv.  39),  who  says,  that  among  the  spoil 
was  a silver  shield  138  pounds  in  weight,  with  a 
likeness  of  Barcinus  llasdrubal.  In  like  manuer 
the  Scuate  dedicated,  in  the  curia,  to  Claudius 
(lothicus,  a golden  shield  ; on  which  “ was  re- 
presented a likeness  of  his  countenance  as  far  as 
the  throat,”  according  to  Trebellius  Pollio  ; and 
so  there  is  ou  a coin  of  Mescinius,  struck  in  the 
year  738  (b.  c.  16),  the  head  of  Augustus  iu  a 
shield  ; and  heads  of  Clementia  aud  Moderatio 
are  similarly  exhibited  on  the  coins  of  Tiberius. 
The  joke  of  Cicero  given  by  Macrobius  is  wcll- 
knowu : seeing  in  pro-consular  Asia  a likeness 
of  his  brother  Quintus  ou  a shield,  painted  in 
immense  proportions  as  far  as  the  chest  (whereas 
Quintus  was  of  small  stature),  he  exclaimed,  my 
brother’s  half  length  is  greater  than  his  whole. 

The  use,  then,  of  these  shields  was,  that  by 
being  suspended  in  public  or  private  localities, 
they  might  either  presesent  a likeness  of  an  indi- 
vidual, aud  that  either  in  paint  ing  or  alto-relievo, 
of  which  kind  were  the  shields  of  Homer  and 
Virgil,  the  work  of  Vulcan,  and  spoken  of  by 
Pliny  (xxxv.  ch.  2)  ; or  that,  by  means  of  an  in- 
scription, the  remembrance  of  some  illustrious 
exploit  might  be  transmitted  to  posterity. — 
The  latter  mode  is  very  frequently  observed 
ou  the  coins  of  Emperors,  l’bilo  .ludieus  hus 


CLIPEUS. 


CLOACIN.  219 


in  one  passage  mentioned  both  kinds,  where 
he  says,  that  Pilate,  the  prefect  of  Judfea, 
“dedicated,  in  the  palace  of  Herod,  which 
stands  in  the  sacred  city,  gilded  shields,  exhi- 
biting, indeed,  no  portrait  or  other  device  for- 
bidden by  the  laws,  but  only  the  barely  neces- 
sary inscription,  by  which  two  things  might  be 
understood,  viz.  the  name  of  the  person  who 
dedicated  them,  and  of  the  person  to  gratify 
w hom  the  dedication  was  made.”  The  shields 
of  Domitian,  which  the  Senate,  on  hearing  of 
his  death,  caused  to  be  pulled  dow'n  from  the 
walls  of  the  curia,  and  thrown  upon  the  ground, 
as  Suetonius  relates  (in  Domit.  ch.  23),  were 
doubtless  distinguished  with  either  the  portrait 
or  the  names  of  that  tyrant.  To  the  foregoing 
may  be  added  the  information,  which  the  learned 
interpreters  of  the  Herculaneum  Antiquities 
have  lately  gathered  respecting  these  clipei. 

CLIPEUS. — In  p.  45  of  this  dictionary, 
article  ANCILIA,  reference  has  been  made  to  the 
word  Clipeus , with  a view  to  some  further  re- 
marks being  offered,  respecting  the  form  of  those 
scuta  sancta  of  the  Romans.  Since  that  portion 
of  the  present  work  was  committed  to  press,  the 
compiler,  through  the  kindness  of  Messrs.  Tay- 
lor, Walton,  and  Mabberly,  tinds  himself  here 
enabled  to  insert  a valuable  illustration,  employed 
in  one  of  the  most  useful  of  their  classical 
publications.  By  means  of  the  subjoined  cut, 
nil  opportunity  is  afforded  for  comparing  the 
shape  of  an  Ancile,  as  engraved  on  the  antique 
gem  in  the  Florentine  Museum,  with  those  re- 
presentations of  the  same  thing  which  appear  on 
coins  of  Augustus  and  of  Antoninus  Pius.  The 
two  monetal  specimens  will  be  found  to  agree  in 
most  points  with  each  other;  but  to  differ 
materially  from  the  delineation  of  the  shields  on 
the  relic  from  which  the  subjoined  is  engraved. 
And  now,  it  is  left  with  the  reader  to  judge, 
which  corresponds  the  more  closely  with  the 
description  of  those  “ sacred  bucklers,”  given 
by  Festus  and  by  Plutarch  : — 


-auast. 


This  group  exhibits  the  figures  of  two  Salian 
priests,  with  heads  veiled,  and  wearing  the  trabea. 
On  the  short  cloak  of  oue  a hippocampus  (or 
sea-horse),  is  figured  ; on  that  of  the  other  a 
triton.  They  carry  six  ancilian  bucklers  on 
their  shoulders,  suspended  from  a pole.  Above 
is  inscribed  ai.livs,  and  below  alce,  in  old 

2F2 


italiot  characters,  perhaps  in  allusion  to  the  Salii 
of  Aleso,  a city  which,  in  the  ancient  language 
of  the  country,  was  named  Alse. — See  i.anzi, 
Saggio  ii.  cited  by  Millin,  Gal.  Myth.  i.  pi. 
xxxviii.  No.  148. 

It  was  the  twelve  priests  of  Mars  Gradivus, 
who  were  appointed,  under  the  denomination  of 
Salii,  to  the  office  of  preserving  the  twelve 
ancilia.  The  feast  of  the  god  was  annually 
observed  during  several  days ; when  the  Salii 
carried  their  shields  about  the  city,  singing  songs 
in  praise  of  Mars,  Numa,  and  Mamurius  Vetu- 
rius  (the  armourer  whom  Numa  ordered  to  make 
eleven  other  shields,  exactly  like  the  “ heaven- 
descended”  oue).  In  performing  their  dance,  the 
Salii  struck  the  shields  with  rods  (virgte),  so  as 
to  keep  time  with  their  voices,  and  with  the 
movements  of  their  dance.  The  above  cut  shews 
one  of  these  rods,  as  represented  on  the  tomb  of 
a pontifex  salius,  or  chief  of  the  salii  (Gruter, 
Inscrip.)  Its  form,  as  here  exhibited,  illus- 
trates the  manner  of  using  it. — Virgil,  describing 
the  attire  of  Picus,  a mythical  king  of  Latium, 
says,  he  held  the  ancile  in  his  left  hand  (Icevaque 
ancile  gerebat,  Ain.  vii.  1 87-)  Other  authors 
represent  the  salii  as  bearing  the  ancilia  on  their 
necks,  or  on  their  shoulders.  These  accounts 
may  be  reconciled  on  the  supposition,  that 
the  shield  was  suspended  by  a leathern  baud 
(lorum,  Juv.  ii.  1 25),  proceeding  from  the  right 
shoulder,  and  passing  round  the  neck.  That  the 
weight  of  the  ancile  (made  of  bronze)  was  con- 
siderable, and  that  the  use  of  it,  in  the  sacred 
dance,  required  no  small  exertion,  is  apparent 
from  Juvenal’s  expression  (ii.  126),  “ sudavit 
clypeis  ancilibus.” — See  Dictionary  of  Greek 
and  Roman  Antiquities,  edited  by  Dr.  VV. 
Smith. 

CLOACIN.  Cloacina. — From  some  cloaca, 
or  common-sewer,  at  Rome,  in  which  a statue 
of  Venus  was  found  ; and,  as  all  events  con- 
tributed to  furnish  the  Romans  with  occasions 
for  giving  new  names  to  their  divinities,  so  that 
of  Cloacina  was  from  this  alleged  circumstance 
assigned  by  them  to  Venus  herself.  On  two 
denarii  of  the  Mussidia  gens,  we  see  this  abbre- 
viated name  at  the  bottom  of  the  reverse,  as 
follows : — 

1.  Obv. — Radiated  head  of  the  Sun,  full- 
faced. — Rev.  Q.  M VSSIDIVS 
longvs.  A structure  in 
form  like  a galley  ; upon  it 
stand  two  figures.  On  the 
lower  part  of  it  we  read  the 
word  cloacin. — 2.  Obv. — 
Concordia.  Veiled  head  of 
Concord,  with  sometimes  a 
star,  sometimes  a crescent  before  it. — Rev. — 
Same  legend  and  type. 

The  Comitium,  or  Comitia,  oue  of  two  places, 
where  assemblies  of  the  people  were  held,  is 
here  represented,  with  its  stair-case,  and  its 
cancelli  or  lattice  work.  The  figures  upon  it 
are  a distributor  of  electoral  tickets,  and  a citizen 
in  the  act  of  giving  his  vote,  for  either  the 
making  of  some  law,  or  the  election  of  a consul, 
or  other  public  functionary.  With  regard  to  the 


220  CLOVIA. 


CLOULIA. 


legend  cloacin,  Ecldiel  says  : this  word  denotes 
the  Comitium  itself ; for  T.  Tatius,  king  of  the 
Sabines,  in  consequence  of  a statue  of  Venus 
having  been  found  in  a cloaca,  named  it  Cloacina, 
and  dedicated  it  at  a Comitium. 

The  cloaca,  or  common  sewers,  at  Rome, 
were  begun  by  Tarquinius  Prisons,  and  finished 
by  Tarquinius  Superbus.  They  extended  under 
the  whole  area  of  the  city.  Their  construction 
was  so  strong,  and  the  stones  with  which  they 
were  built  were  so  large  and  so  firmly  cemented, 
that  though  flushed  perpetually  by  rapid  torrents, 
they  remained  in  a perfect  state  for  700  years 
and  upwards. — See  cancelli  comitiorum  (p. 
69),  also  comitivm,  and  Mussidia  gens. 

CLODIUS  MACER. — See  macek. 

CLOVIA  gens. — This  Roman  family  (also 
called  Cluvia  for  both  modes  of  denomination  are 
found  on  ancient  monuments),  derives  its  origin 
from  the  Cluvii  Sexuli,  brothers,  who  were  tri- 
bunes of  the  plebs  in  572  and  576  (b.  c.  182  and 
178) ; whence  it  is  inferred,  that  it  was  plebeian. 
It  was,  however,  of  consular  rank.  The  extant 
coins  solely  in  brass  (with  the  exception  of  one 
in  lead),  were  struck  by  the  moneyers  of  Julius  , 
Cmsar.  Riccio  gives  six  of  these  having  on  \ 
their  obverse  type  the  marks  of  the  as  and  its  ’ 
divisions,  with  sax.  C.  sax.  and  ROM.  for  their 
legends  of  reverse.  These  coins  are  ascribed  to 
Caius  Clovius  Saxula,  pretor  in  581  (b.  C.  173), 
and  a little  while  before  one  of  the  mint-masters 
— the  same  who  in  586  (168)  was  the  legatus, 
in  Macedonia,  of  Emilius  Paulus.  For  a cut  of 
the  following  second  brass,  see  p.  153  of  this 
dictionary. 

Obv. — Caesar  Die.  ter.  Bust  of  a winged 
Victory. 

Rev. — c.  clovi  praef.  Minerva  helmcted 
and  walking.  The  goddess  carries  in  her  right 
hand  a trophy  rested  on  her  shoulder,  and  in  her 
left  an  oval  shield,  ou  which  is  figured  the 
head  of  Medusa.  She  is  preceded  by  a serpent, 
erect  on  its  tail. 

Caius  Clovius,  entitled  pretor  ou  this  coin, 
was  one  of  the  eight  prefects  of  the  city,  left 
by  Julius  Caesar  for  the  government  of  Rome 
during  his  third  dictatorship,  when  with  a 
great  army  and  fleet  he  went  to  Spain  on  his  I 
expedition  against  the  sons  of  Pompcy.  It  J 
must  therefore  have  been  minted,  in  the  year  of 
Rome  708  (b.  c.  46),  in  which  recurred  Caesar's 
dictatorship  for  the  third  time;  and  his  monever 
here  prophecies,  by  the  head  of  Victory  and  by 
Belligerent  Minerva,  typified  on  this  coin,  a 
prosperous  result  to  Cicsar’s  enterprise. — Eckhel, 
with  whom  Cavedoui  accords,  expresses  an 
opinion  that  this  finely  designed  coin  was  not 
struck  in  Rome,  and  by  the  urban  prefect ; but 
by  a prefect  of  the  Dictator’s  fleet,  stationed  in 
the  ports  of  Lycia,  or  of  Rhodes,  and  who 
assuming  the  jus  cudendi,  engraved  it  in  the 
same  way  as  the  prefects  of  Mark  Antony’s  fleet 
afterwards  did ; namely,  to  pay  the  troops  and 
seamen  with. 

CLOULIA. — According  to  Festus,  this  gens 
had  for  its  primogenitor,  Cloelius.  the  com- 
panion of  .Eneas.  It  was  one  of  the  Alban 


families,  whom  Tullius  Hostilius,  after  the  rniu 
of  Alba,  attracted  to  Rome,  and  united  to  the 
patricians.  Its  coins  present  the  two  following 
types,  in  silver;  engraved  in  Morel!.  Fam.  Rom. 

1.  Obv. — roma.  Galeated  head  of  Rome: 
behind  it  a crown. 

Rev. — t.  clovli.  Victory  in  a biga  of  rear- 
ing horses.  Below  are  two  corn -ears. 

2.  Obv. — Head  of  Jupiter;  and  K.  or  some 
varying  letter  of  the  alphabet. 

Rev. — T.  clovli.  Victory  crowning  a trophy, 
at  the  foot  of  which  a naked  captive  is  seated. 
In  the  exergue  Q.  A quiuarius. 

The  numismatists  of  the  elder  school  have 
attributed  these  coins  to  Titus  Cloulius,  queestor 
nrbanus,  in  507  (b.  c.  247),  remarking,  that 
they  bear  allusion  to  the  victories  gained  in 
Sicily  by  the  cousuls,  Lucius  Ciccilius  Metellus 
and  N.  Fabius  Buteo,  over  the  Carthaginians ; 
and  that  the  corn  ears  in  the  first  reverse  refer 
to  the  fertility  of  that  island.  But  numisma- 
tists of  the  present  day,  and  Borghcsi  especially, 
maintain,  that  the  circumstance  of  none  of  these 
denarii  having  been  fouud  amongst  the  trou- 
vailles of  Ficsole,  forms  a good  reason  for  car- 
rying them  down  to  the  date  of  667  (b.  c.  87), 
and  thence  to  the  times  of  C.  Marius ; and  he 
is  inclined  to  believe  that  they  may  be  assigned 
to  the  moneyership  of  T.  Cloulius,  of  whom 
Cicero  speaks  (Pro  Sex.  Roscio  Ameriuo,  c.  23), 
previous  to  the  year  674  (b.  c.  80).  lie  after- 
wards became  one  of  Casar’s  Senators. — See 
Riccio,  p.  57. 

CLU.  or  CLUS.  C/usit ; the  same  as  Clausit. 
— IAN.  CLU.  or  CLUS.  Jauum  Clusit. — The 
temple  of  Janus  was  opened  in  time  of  war,  and 
shut  during  peace.  Augustus  shut  this  temple 
at  Rome  three  times : the  third  time,  iudecd, 
was  in  751  (b.  c.  3),  aud  in  the  42nd  year  of 
his  reign,  peace  being  then  established  through- 
out the  Romau  world. — clvsit  appears  ou  brass 
coins  of  Nero. — Sec  pace  p.  r.  &c. 

CLUNIA — a town  of  liispania  Tarraconensis, 
now  Corunna  del  Conte,  in  Old  Castile,  situate 
on  the  river  Durius  (Douro). — Clunia  was  a 
city  of  the  Arevaci,  according  to  Pliny.  And 
by  Ptolemy  it  is  called  a colony.  Dion  (l.  3, 
p.  115),  mentions  Clunia,  "in  an  attack  ou 
which  city  (he  states)  Metellus  overthrew  the 
revolted  llispaui.”  Clunia  was  also  the  city 
where  Galba,  pro-consul  of  Spain  in  the  latter 
part  of  Nero’s  reign,  commenced  his  proceed- 
ings for  resisting  the  tyranny  of  that  emperor, 
and  for  assuming  himself  the  imperial  title, 
power,  and  authority. 

There  is  an  autonomous  small  brass  (see  Aker- 
man,  Coins  of  liispania,  p.  85),  which  bears 
on  its  obverse  u male  head,  with  a dolphin  be- 
fore it ; and  on  its  reverse  clovnioq,  with  a 
horseman.  The  other  coins  of  this  place  are 
second  brass,  having  on  their  obverses  the  head 
of  Tiberius,  and  on  their  reverses  the  legend 
Clvxia,  together  with  the  names  of  the  mone- 
tary qualuorviri,  by  whom  they  were  struck, 
under  that  emperor.  The  type  on  all,  with 
varieties,  is  a bull  standing ; the  usual  symbol 
of  Romano-Spanish  colonies  and  municipia. 


COCCEIA. 

although  Cluuia  itself  is  not  designated  on  any 
of  them  as  either  the  one  or  the  other. — See  en- 
graving in  Medailles  (le  Christine,  p.  306,  xlviii. 
also  in  ilorell.  Impp.  vol.  iii.  tab.  ix. 

Rasclic  (in  Lex.  Num.  vol.  i.  part  2),  places 
amongst  the  coinage  of  Clunia,  the  celebrated 
first  brass  of  Galba,  inscribed  iiisfania.  clvnia 
svl(picia).  But  that  is  of  Homan  die,  struck 
Senates  Consulto,  and  belongs  to  the  imperial 
secies,  properly  so  called. — See  Hispania. 

COCCEIA  gens. — Respecting  this  family,  it 
is  uncertain  whether  it  was  patrician  or  plebeiau. 

It  gave  consuls  to  Rome ; but  its  chief  title  to 
distinction  was  that  the  Emperor  Nerva  belonged 
to  it.  Only  two  types  arc  exhibited  in  its  coin- 
age : they  are  in  silver,  as  follow : — 

1.  Obv. — M.  ANT.  IMP.  AVG.  IIIVIR.  R.  P.  C. 

M.  nerva  pro.  Q.  p.  Bare  head  of  M.  Antony. 

Reo. — l.  antonivs  cos.  (Lucius  Antonins 
[brother  of  the  triumvir]  Consul).  Bare  head 
of  Lucius.  This  coin,  rare  in  silver,  is  of  the 
highest  rarity  in  gold,  and  valued  by  Mionnet 
at  1200  fr.  See  a specimen  of  it  engraved  in  p. 
60  of  this  volume. 

2.  Obv. — Same  legend  and  type  as  the  fore- 
going. 

Rev. — CAESAR  IMP.  PONT.  IIIVIR.  R.  P.  C. — 
Bare  head  of  Octaviauus  Caesar,  behind  it  the 
lituus.  Very  rare  in  gold,  valued  by  Mionnet 
at  150  fr. 

Marcus  Nerva,  whose  name  appears  on  both  the 
above  denarii,  was  provincial  pro-questor  of  the 
Antonii,  in  the  Italian  campaign  of  713  (b.  C. 
41),  that  is  to  say  in  the  war  of  Pcrusia  (now 
Perugia),  waged  by  that  party  against  Octavian : 
this  is  manifest  from  the  title  of  Consul  given  to 
Lucius  Antonins.  The  second  coin  with  the 
head  of  Octavian  (possessed  and  published  for 
the  first  time  by  Borghesi),  “ must  have  been 
minted  in  the  beginning  of  the  year,  which  fol- 
lowed the  reconciliation  of  the  two  parties.  But 
they  having,  from  infringement  made  on  the 
compact  between  them,  come  to  blows,  it  is 
clear  that  the  portrait  of  a foe  must  soon  have 
ceased  to  appear  on  a coinage,  which,  as  the 
sinews  wherewith  to  carry  on  that  renewed 
civil  war,  had  been  struck  by  the  partizans  of 
Lucius  Autonitis.”  Afterwards,  this  same  pro- 
questor  (Marcus  Nerva)  having  obtained  his 
pardon  from  Octavianus  Ciesar,  became  twice 
the  pcace-tnakcr  between  Mark  Antony  and  his 
powerful  rival. — Sec  Riccio,  p.  57. 

COCLES,  a word  which  signifies  deprived  of 
one  eye.  It  was  the  surname  of  the  Iloratia 
gens ; and  Horatius  Codes  was  the  name  of  that 
hero  of  Old  Rome,  who,  according  to  the  well- 
known  legend  or  tradition,  had  the  courage, 
either  alone,  or  in  conjunction  with  Spurius 
Lartius  and  Titus  Herminius,  to  oppose  the 
assault  made  by  the  army  under  Porsena,  on  the 
Pons  Sublicius,  defending  it,  whilst  his  com- 
rades were  employed  in  breaking  it  down  behind 
him.  When  tins  work  of  demolition  was  nearly 
accomplished,  Codes,  all  armed  as  he  was, 
threw  himself  into  the  Tiber,  after  invoking  the 
god  of  that  river  ; and  notwithstanding  he  re-  i 
ceived  a wound  in  the  hip  from  the  enemy’s  mis-  j 


COCLES.  221 

siles,  he  succeeded  in  his  object,  by  swimming 
across  the  stream,  and  rejoining  his  countrymen. 


As  a testimony  of  admiration  for  his  valour,  and 
in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  eminent  service 
he  had  rendered  the  state,  by  thus  preventing  the 
Etrurian  forces  from  entering  Rome,  as  they 
had  designed  to  do  by  a sudden  and  unexpected 
attack,  the  Senate  and  People  raised  a bronze 
statue  to  his  honour  in  the  Comitium ; and  al- 
lowed him  as  much  land  as  he  could  plough 
round  in  one  day.  The  citizens  too,  it  is  added, 
when  a famine  was  raging,  deprived  themselves 
of  food  to  support  him. 

Mr.  Macauley,  in  his  Lays  of  Ancient  Rome, 
observes,  “ that  among  those  parts  of  early  Ro- 
man history,  which  had  a poetical  origin,  was 
doubtless  the  legend  of  Iloratius  Codes.  There 
are  several  versions  of  the  story,  and  these 
versions  differ  from  each  other  in  points  of  no 
small  importance.  According  to  Polybius,  Ilo- 
ratius defended  the  bridge  alone,  and  perished 
in  the  waters.  Whilst  according  to  the  Chroni- 
cles which  Livy  and  Dionysius  followed,  Ilora- 
tius had  two  companions,  swam  safe  to  shore, 
and  was  loaded  with  honours  and  rewards.” 

The  distinguished  author  of  “ The  Lays,”  re- 
gards these  discrepancies  as  capable  of  easy  ex- 
planation ; and  points  to  the  literature  of  our 
own  country,  as  furnishing  what  he  considers 
to  be  au  exact  parallel  to  what  may  have  taken 
place  in  Rome.  He  thinks  it  highly  probable 
that  the  memory  of  the  war  of  Porsena  wras  pre- 
served by  compositions  much  resembling  the 
two  ballads  which  relate  to  the  fight  at  Otter- 
borne,  between  the  English  under  Percy  aud  the 
Scots  commanded  by  Douglas.  They  too  differ 
in  narrating  several  particulars  of  the  bloody 
“ fraye;”  yet  both  relate  to  the  same  event. — 
And  it  is  (adds  Mr.  Macauley),  “ by  no  means 
unlikely  that  there  were  two  old  Roman  stories 
about  the  defence  of  the  bridge ; and  that  while 
the  story  which  Livy  has  transmitted  to  us,  was 
preferred  by  the  multitude;  the  other,  which 
ascribed  the  whole  glory  to  Horatius  aloue,  may 
have  been  the  favourite  with  the  Iloratiau 
house.” 

No  one,  however  youthful  or  however  aged, 
who  has  read  (and  who  has  not  read  ?)  the  Ro- 
man story,  will  ever  forget  the  impression  made 
on  his  mind  by  the  stirring  incidents  of  this 
valiant  deed  of  patriotic  devotedness,  to  which, 


222  COCLES. 

a9  well  as  to  the  gallant  bearing  of  its  reputed 
hero,  Mr.  Macaulcy,  in  his  ingenious  and  beau- 
tiful work,  has  done  the  greatest  poetical  jus- 
tice. The  ballad  is  supposed  to  have  been  made 
about  a hundred  and  twenty  years  after  the  war 
which  it  celebrates,  and  just  before  the  taking 
of  Rome  by  the  Gauls.  Nor  is  it  difficult  to 
enter  into  the  nationally  proud  feelings  of  some 
honest  citizen  of  the  early  republic,  whilst  re- 
citing, with  due  solemnity  of  cadence  and  in- 
tonation, his  staple  of  archaic  verse,  to  an  at- 
tentive group  of  domestic  listeners  : — 

“ When  young  and  old  in  circle 
“ Around  the  firebrands  close  ; 

“ When  the  girls  are  weaving  baskets, 

“ Aud  the  lads  are  shaping  bows ; 

“ When  the  good  man  mends  his  armour, 

“ And  trims  his  helmet’s  plume  ; 

“ When  the  good  wife’s  shuttle  merrily 
“ Goes  flashing  through  the  loom  ; 

“ With  weeping  and  with  laughter 
“ Still  is  the  story  told, 

“ How  well  Horatius  kept  the  bridge 
“ In  the  brave  days  ot  old.” 

On  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius  the 
reverse  bears  for  its  legend  Cocl.es — and  its 
type  represents  lloratius  iu  the  act  of  swim- 
ming, in  his  armour,  across  the  Tiber.  Five 
military  figures  are  seen  standing  on  the  bridge, 
which  is  partly  broken  down.  On  one  side  a 
warrior,  helmetcd,  is  striking  at  the  timbers  of 
the  bridge  with  an  axe  ; and  on  the  other  side, 
a soldier  appears  iu  the  attitude  of  hurling  a 
javelin  at  Codes  in  the  water. — Sec  the  wood- 
cut  at  the  head  of  this  article,  accurately  en- 
graved after  a cast  from  the  original  coin  in  the 
Cabinet  de  France. 

The  name  of  cocles,  with  the  galeated  head 
of  Rome,  ( not  the  head  of  that  valiant  Roman, 
as  erroneously  described  in  the  list  of  illustra- 
tions to  the  Lays  of  Home,  above  quoted  from, 
p.  207),  appears  on  a denarius  of  the  Horatia 
gens. — See  the  word. 

COELESTIS — CAELESTIS CELEST.— 

The  Celestial ; an  epithet  of  Venus  found  on 
coins  of  Domna,  Soamiias,  Urbica,  &c.  The 
goddess  in  these  stands,  with  an  apple  iu  the 
right  and  the  hasta  iu  her  left  hand.  On  a first 
brass  of  Sofcmias,  a small  figure,  most  probably 
meant  for  Cupid,  stands  at  the  feet  of  Venus. 

COELIA,  or  Coi/ia  (for  anciently  the  dip- 
thong  oe  was  written  for  oi)  was  a plebeian  gens, 
but  of  consular  rank.  Some  assert  that  the 
head  of  this  family  was  Coclius  Vibulo  Etruscus, 
who  came  to  the  aid  of  Romulus  against  the 
Sabines,  and  gave  his  name  to  the  Coeliau 
Mount  at  Rome.  There  arc  twenty-one  varieties. 
Silver  common,  Gold  of  the  highest  rarity. — 
The  two  following  arc  its  rarest  coins,  as  de- 
scribed by  Riccio,  p.  58  and  59. 

1.  Obv. — c.  coel.  caldvs  cos.  A bare  and 
beardless  male  head  to  the  right,  between  a 
vcxillum  inscribed  his(pania),  and  a boar. 

Rev. — C.  CALDVS  IMP.  A.  X.  (Imperator  augur 
Xvir  agris  dicidendis),  written  iu  two  per- 
pendicular lines.  Two  trophies,  between  which 
is  a table,  or  altar,  where  a priest  is  preparing 


COELIA. 

the  lectisternium , or  banquetr  for  the  gods,  in 
allusion  to  which,  on  the  table,  is  inscribed 
l.  cai.dvs  vii.  vih.  epvl(onum).  Beneath  is 
caldvs  IHVIK. — See  the  word  ep clones,  under 
which  head  an  engraved  specimen  of  this  re- 
markable denarius  is  given. 

This  silver  coin  was  minted  by  the  monetary 
triumvir,  Coelius  Caldus,  in  703  (b.  C.  51), 
before  the  dictatorship  of  Julius  Cicsar,  when 
the  moneyers  of  the  republic  were  increased  from 
three  to  four,  though  reduced  again  by  Augustus 
to  the  old  number. — Borghesi  and  Cavedoni  (as 
cited  by  Riccio),  believe  C.  Caldus  to  have  been 
Cicero’s  questor  in  the  year  703,  aud  monetary 
triumvir  about  696  (b.  c.  58).  This  man, 
besides  his  own  name,  had  evidently  iu  view  to 
recall  on  these  coins  the  memory  of  the  most 
famous  members  of  his  family,  viz. : — 

Caius  Calius  Caldus,  tribune  of  the  plebs, 
aud  consul  iu  660  (b.  c.  94),  whose  striking 
physiognomy  appears  on  the  obverse  of  this 
denarius.  After  his  consulship,  he  obtained 
Spain  for  his  pro-consular  province,  as  is  usually 
inferred  from  the  coins  of  this  gens,  bearing  his 
name,  the  word  his(pania),  and  the  figure  of  a 
boar,  which  Eckhel  refers  to  the  town  of  Clunia. 

To  Cains  Caldus,  imperator,  augur,  and  de- 
cemvir (viz.,  one  of  a commission  appointed  to 
superintend  the  distribution  of  lands),  belong 
the  two  trophies  represented  on  the  reverse. 
The  subject  is  known  solely  through  this  mone- 
tal  remembrance  of  the  grandson  (or  great 
nephew).  As  to  whom  he  gained  these  warlike 
spoils  from  ; when  aud  on  w hat  occasion  he  was 
proclaimed  imperator ; at  what  time  he  filled 
the  offices  recorded  on  the  coin,  that  coin  alone 
shews,  but  in  so  laconic  a maimer,  as  to  leave 
the  meaning  very  obscure. 

Lucius  Coelius  Caldus,  perhaps  the  son  of  the 
consul,  and  the  father  of  the  mint-master ; here 
styled  Septemvir  Epulonum,  is  he,  to  w horn  apper- 
tains the  veiled  priest  that  sits  or  stands  at  the 
lectisternium.  The  epulones  were  members  of  the 
sacerdotal  order,  whose  duty  it  was  to  assist  the 
pontitfs  in  preparing  all  things  necessary  to  rites 
and  sacrifices.  In  the  earlier  times  of  the  re- 
public there  were  only  three  of  them. — Sec  sep- 
TEMVIR  EPULONUM. 

2.  c.  coel.  caldvs  cos.  Head  of  the  Con- 
sul Caius  Caldus ; behind  it  L.  D.  in  a tabetta. 

Rev. — caldvs  nrviR.  Head  of  the  sun  ra- 
diated, to  the  right : before  it  is  a round  shield 
ornamented ; behiud  is  an  oblong  shield,  charged 
with  the  fnlmcn.  Sometimes  behind  the  head 
there  appears  au  isolated  S. — This  in  gold  is 
rkrr.  valued  at  40  piastres  by  Riccio,  aud  at 
300  fr.  by  Mionnet. 

On  this  coin,  the  same  moncyer  repeats  the 
portrait  of  his  grandfather  or  great  grandfather, 
Caius  Coclius  Caldus,  consul  670  (b.  c.  84). — 
The  two  letters  l.  d.  behind  the  head,  signify 
Libero — Dam  no.  I absolve — I condemn — bear- 
ing reference  to  the  law  which  he  carried  during 
his  year  of  office,  647  (b.  c.  107),  as  tribune  of 
the  p/ebs,  and  by  which  the  right  of  secret  vot- 
ing (by  ballot)  was  conceded  to  the  jicoplc ; this 
lex  (abe/taria  was  also  extended  to  the  courts  of 


COELA. 

justice,  iu  cases  of  high  treason. — Cicero  (Be  leg. 
lii.  10),  states  that  Caldus  regretted,  through- 
out his  life,  having  proposed  this  law,  as  it  did 
injury  to  the  republic. 

The  head  of  the  sun  has  been  considered  by 
sonic  numismatic  writers  to  allude  to  the  name 
of  the  monetarius  himself — namely  Coelius,  be- 
cause in  the  heaven,  or  firmament,  that  greater 
star  holds  his  course ; and  Caldus,  from  the  heat 
which  the  sun  produces. — Borghesi,  on  the  other 
hand,  coutcuds  that  the  head  of  the  sun,  and 
the  shields,  are  emblems  of  the  East,  and  have 
reference  to  the  victories  won  by  the  Itnperator 
Coelius  Caldus  in  the  East,  probably  in  the  Mith- 
ridatic  war,  about  the  year  680  (b.  C.  74),  and 
not  later  than  696  (b.  c.  58),  the  presumed 
date  of  the  coin  in  question.  Borghesi  more- 
over recognizes  in  the  consul  of  660  (b.  c.  94), 
the  father  of  the  Septemvir  Epu/onvm  ; and  this 
father  or  brother  of  the  hnperator,  from  whom 
might  have  sprung  the  triumvir  of  696,  and 
questor  iu  703  (b.  c.  51). 

COELA  or  COILA : Chersoncsi  Thracim 
municipium — (now  province  of  Rumilia,  Tur- 
key, in  Europe).  The  following  Latin  imperial 
coins,  in  second  and  third  brass,  are  regarded 
as  correctly  assigned  to  this  place,  viz. : 

Antoninus  Pius. — MVNICIPI  coil.  Prow  of 
a vessel,  above  which  is  a cornucopia;. 

Commodus. ael.  mvnic.  coil.  fJElium 

Municipium  Coila). — Same  type  as  preceding, 
with  addition  of  a dolphin  below. 

Caracalta. — Same  legend.  Diana  Venatrix 
walking. 

Macrinus. — Same  legend.  Prow  of  a vessel. 

Gordianus  Pius. — ael.  mvnic.  coel.  an. — 
Silenus  walking,  with  the  wine-skin  on  his  left 
shoulder ; and  his  right  hand  raised. 

Trebonianits  Ga/lus. — Same  legend.  Romulus 
and  Remus  suckled  by  the  Wolf. 

Yaillanl,  in  his  erudite  work  on  the  Colonies 
of  Rome,  had  ascribed  their  mintage  to  a city 
in  Numidia,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Amp- 
sagus,  called  Cull  it  by  Pliny  and  Ptolemy,  and 
Chnlli  Municipium,  in  the  Itinerary  of  Anto- 
nine.  And  in  this  opiuion  he  is  supported  by 
no  less  judicious  a numismatist  of  the  elder 
school  than  Biinard.  On  the  other  hand  Pel- 
lerin,  sustaining  himself  with  the  corresponding 
sentiments  of  the  Abbe  Belleye,  confidently  as- 
serts ( Melange , i.  p.  276),  that  the  coins  which 
bear  on  their  reverses  ael.  mvnicip.  coel.  and 
any  other  similar  legend,  and  which  are  referred 
by  Vaillant  to  Cu/lu,  in  Africa,  “ belong  all  of 
them  to  the  city  of  (Coela,  or)  Coelura,  in  the 
Chersonesus  of  Thrace,  which  city  was  a port, 
and  also  called  Cu/la.”  Moreover,  it  is  to  be 
observed,  that  neither  Eckhel  nor  Mionnet  has 
thought  fit  to  include  Coe/lu  Numidia,  in  his 
respective  lists  of  Roman  Colonies,  but  they  do 
enumerate  Coela  Chersonesi  Thracice  among  the 
municipia. 

On  a coin  of  Volusianus,  first  published  and 
engraved  by  Pcllcriu  ( Melange , i.  p.  325,  pi. 
xxii.  No.  2),  to  supply  an  omission  of  Vo- 
lant's, but  which  seems  to  have  been  overlooked 


COGNOMEN.  223 

by  Mionnet,  the  reverse 
legend  is  aeli.  mvnici. 
coel.  and  the  accompa- 
nying type  a temple  of 
four  columns,  in  which 
a figure,  in  a short  dress, 
stands,  holding  an  idol 
in  her  right  hand,  and 
a cornucopia;  in  her  left. 
If  the  figure  be  meant 
for  that  of  Astarte,  its  appearance  on  this 
coin  indicates,  that  the  Syrian  goddess  had 
latterly  its  worshippers  amongst  the  Romau  in- 
habitants of  the  Thracian  Chersonesus. 

COGN.  otherwise  COGNAT.  Cognatus. — 
A kinsman,  properly  by  blood,  a cousin. — divo 
constantio  cogn.  maxentivs  avg.  on  a coin 
of  Constantius  Chlorus. 

COGNOMEN,  or  surname. — The  third  name 
of  the  three  (nomen,  and  preenomen,  being  the 
two  first)  which  the  Romans  were  for  the  most 
part  accustomed  to  bear. — In  his  brief  but 
lucid  exposition  “ Be  cognomine  et  agnomine,” 
the  learned  Eckhel  (vol.  v.  p.  58)  observes  that, 
as  the  Roman  families  (families)  were  distin- 
guished by  the  pranomina,  so  were  the  races 
(gentes)  by  the  cognomina.  It  of  course  oc- 
curred that  the  descendants,  by  marriage,  of 
each  house,  founded  separate  families ; and  these 
again  it  was  necessary  to  distinguish  by  some 
particular  name.  Livy  relates  that  in  the  year 
u.  c.  442  (b.  c.  312),  there  were  in  the  Potitia 
gens,  twelve  families,  and  amongst  these  were 
branches  to  the  number  of  30. 

On  coins  are  to  be  found  the  names  of  many 
different  families,  springing  from  one  race, 
whose  root  divided  itself  into  extensive  ramifi- 
cations ; as  in  the  ./Emilia  gens  (according  to 
Vaillant),  those  of  Buca,  Lepidus,  Paullus,  Re- 
gillus,  Scaurus. — In  Caecilia  gens,  the  family 
of  Metellus ; and  these  again  are  distinguished 
by  seven  or  eight  surnames  on  their  respective 
denarii.  As  for  example,  those  of  Balcaricus, 
Macedonicus,  Creticus,  Dclmaticus,  Numidicus, 
Calvus,  Pius,  Coruutus. — In  Claudia  gens,  the 
Ccnthones,  the  Marcelli,  and  the  Pulchri. — Iu 
Canidia  and  Lieinia  gentes,  the  Crassi. — In  Cor- 
nelia gens,  the  Lcutuli,  and  Scipiones ; and  these 
with  others  hitherto  used  as  surnames;  for  instance 
the  appellations  Asina,  Asiagcnes,  Africanus,  &c. 
Moreover  thcCethcgi,  in  the  same  gens  (Cornelia) 
with  the  Dolabella;,  the  Sulim,  and  others, 
indicate  on  their  coins,  not  only  individuals, 
but  so  many  different  stocks,  or  families  of  the 
same  race.  It  likewise  sometimes  happened  that 
names  sprang  from  surnames,  as  the  respective 
coins  of  Roman  families  serve  to  illustrate,  in 
which  Agrippa,  Ahala,  Atratinus,  Brutus,  Cmsar, 
Carbo,  Cato,  Crassus,  Mcssalla,  Metellus,  Nerva, 
Scipio,  Silanus,  Sulla,  Torquatus,  and  other 
illustrious  Quiri/es,  frequently  occur,  without 
the  nomen  genti/icium,  or  family  name,  and  even 
without  the  first  name.  Besides  which,  some  less 
commonly  known,  as  Natta,  in  Pinaria  gens; 
Turdus,  iu  Papiria ; Ascisculus,  in  Valeria ; 
without  any  prenomen  to  cither,  and  without  the 
family  name  of  Pinaria,  Papiria,  or  Valeria. 


22 1 COGNOMEN. 

To  these  are  to  be  added  some  surnames,  scarcely 
known  through  any  other  than  numismatic 
sources — at  any  rate  by  no  means  common — 
which,  from  the  addition  we  find  on  coins, 
of  the  family  name  of  Roman  houses,  at  once 
indicate  whereto  they  belong ; as  in  Accolcia 
gens,  Lariscolus ; iu  Canidia,  Crassus ; in  Liiria 
Agrippa;  in  Antestia  Reginus;  in  Claudia, 
Glicia  ; in  Considia,  Rictus ; in  Furia,  Brocehus ; 
iu  Julia,  Bnrsio;  in  Maria,  Capito  and  Trogus; 
in  Nievia,  Capella  and  Surdinus  ; iu  Sempronia, 
Pitio. 

Some  surnames  are  common  to  many  families 
of  different  gentes,  as  appears  from  their  coins, 
such  as,  amongst  others,  those  of  Balbus,  Cras- 
sus, Flaccus,  Gallus,  Libo,  Longus,  Magnus, 
Maximus,  Rufus,  Varus.  There  are  also  ex- 
tant on  this  class  of  Roman  coins  other  sur- 
names peculiar,  as  it  were,  to  certain  gentes , 
such  as  the  Lcpidi,  trf  that  of  .'Emilia ; the 
Metclli,  to  Cmcilia;  the  Centhoncs,  the  Pulchri, 
the  Marcelli,  to  Claudia ; the  Ccthegi,  Dola- 
bellic,  Lentuli,  Sulla?,  to  Cornelia ; the  Bruti 
and  Silani,  to  Juuia;  the  Scipioncs,  to  Caecilia; 
the  Ciepiones,  to  Scrvilia  ; the  Galbie,  to  Sul- 
picia ; the  Messalla;,  to  Valeria — except  iu  cases 
where  the  individuals  who  bore  those  surnames 
passed  by  adoption  into  another  gens. — See 
Rasche,  Cognomina  Romanorum. 

It  has  already  been  observed  that  some  Ro- 
man families  had  evidently  no  surnames,  the 
prieuomen  and  ancestral  appellation  (gentile 
nomen ) alone  being  designated  on  their  coins. 
Thus,  in  the  denarii  extant  of  the  gens  Antonia, 
the  surname  of  Merenda  is  omitted,  though 
Livy  teaches  us  that  both  were  formerly 
borne  by  the  Antonii ; one,  however,  occurs 
with  the  cognomen  of  Balbus,  viz.  q.  anto. 
BALB.  PR.  Quintus,  Antonins,  Balbus,  Prator. 
But  on  their  coins,  the  following  families  are 
found  to  want  surnames,  viz.  Carisia,  Coruuficia, 
Ilerennia,  Hortcnsia,  Numitoria,  Rustia,  Saufeia, 
Trebania,  Vargunteia,  Vatinia ; also  Plsetoria 
(unless  the  last  with  the  adopted  name  of  Ces- 
tianus  be  an  exception.) 

As  L.  Sulla  was  suruamed  Felix,  and  his  son 
Faustus ; so  Sextus,  the  son  of  Pompeius 
Magnus,  is  distinguished  on  his  coins,  not  only 
by  the  surnames  of  Magnus,  but  by  that  of 
Pius  also.  Some  surnames  arc  verbs,  as  Caepio; 
for  on  the  coins  of  Brutus  this  verb  stands 
for  a name,  as  is  shewn  by  the  inscription — 
Q.  caepio  brvtvs. — Most  Roman  mint-mas- 
ters gave  their  surnames  only  on  their  coins,  as 
did  historians  to  them  in  their  books,  because, 
during  their  life-time,  they  were  known  by  other 
names  in  their  capacity  of  magistrates : thus  for 
example  Axsius,  on  his  coins  is  called  simply 
NASO. 

For  an  Index  of  the  Names,  Surnames,  and 
Adopted  Names,  which  occur  on  Consular  coins, 
with  the  Families  to  which  they  belong. — See 
Eckhcl,  Doct.  Hum.  vol.  v. ; Mionnet,  Rarete 
des  Medai/les  Romaines;  and  Akerman,  De- 
scriptive Catalogue  of  Homan  Coins  -,  also  Rasche, 
Lexicon  Numismat.  T.  i.  part.  ii. 

Some  surnames  of  men  arc  feminine,  as 


COGNOMEN. 

| Asiuia,  Bestia,  Caecina,  Capella,  Glicia,  Murena, 
Musa,  Sura,  Vaala,  Vatia,  &c. 

Cognomina  (says  Eckhel),  “ were  derived 
from  various  causes,  as  well  of  a base  ns  of  a 
virtuous  kind.”  Many  of  these  may  be  traced 
and  illustrated  from  the  denarii  of  Roman 
families.  Some  of  these  surnames  owe  their 
origin  to  wisdom,  asScmpronius  Sophus;  Lalius 
Sa/iieus , or  from  the  contrary  quality,  as 
Junius  Brutus.  From  moral  disposition,  as 
Tarquinins  Superbus,  Fabius  Gurges,  (a  riotous 
spendthrift),  Aufidius  Lurco,  (a  glutton.)  From 
Art,  as  Fabius  Pictor.  From  devotedness  to 
rural  pursuits,  as  Cornelius  Lentulus  (the  lentil), 
Tullius  Cicero  (the  vetch),  Licinius  Sto/o  (a 
scion  or  shoot)  From  a conquered  kingdom,  or 
a captured  city,  Servilius  Isauricus,  Marcius 
Coriolanus. 

Some  surnames  are  derived  from  parts  of  the 
human  frame  ; from  some  corporeal  deformity 
or  infirmity,  as  is  shewn  on  that  silver  coin  of  the 
Furia  gens  (see  p.  12),  where  the  human  foot, 
placed  behind  a female  head  on  the  obverse,  evi- 
dently alludes  to  the  word  crassipes  (splay-foot) 
inscribed  on  its  reverse.  So  in  the  Pinaria  geus 
we  sec  the  surname  of  SCaupus,  otherwise  car- 
pus, a wrist — the  palm  of  a human  hand  ap- 
pearing in  the  field  of  the  coin.  A singular 
circumstance  is  exhibited  in  these  coins  of  Ro- 
man families,  namely,  that  they  exhibit  not  only 
honourable  appellations,  and  those  which  allude 
to  no  vice  or  defect  cither  of  body  or  of  mind  ; 
but  also  those  which  bespeak  defects  of  each 
kind,  yet  without  being  intended  to  derogate  iu 
any  respect  from  the  signal  reputation  enjoyed 
by  those  families. 

The  surnames  of  the  Straboncs  (Volteia)  and 
of  the  Pa?ti  ( Considia ) arc  expressly  derived 
from  terms  signifying  diseased  or  defective  eyes. 
[Strabo,  goggle-eyed — Pains,  squint  or  lcaring- 
cyed].  The  Coclites,  from  codes,  one  that  is  born 
with  one  eye  only,  are  read  on  coins  of  the  Poin- 
peia,  Aelia,  and  lloratia  gentes.  Moreover,  from 
natural  or  other  marks  of  the  human  body,  the 
Romans  took  some  of  their  family  surnames,  as 
appears  by  coins  of  the  Albini,  Atratini,  Nigri, 
Rufi,  Pulchri,  Celsi,  Longi,  Longini,  Gracchi, 
Macri,  Crassi,  Galbac.  It  was  also  from  simi- 
litudes of  no  dignified  kind,  that  the  Scipioues 
(walking  sticks),  Lentuli  Spintheres  (from  spin- 
thcr  a buckle),  &c.  took  their  appellatives. — 
From  employments  and  offices  of  a low  and 
sordid  description,  and  even  from  vile  ani- 
mals, as  we  find  as  well  from  coins  as  from 
authors  and  from  the  calendars,  the  Catulli 
(from  catulus,  a whelp),  &c.  took  their  names  : 
so  likewise  the  Caprarii  (goat-herds),  the  Ccr- 
concs  (marmosets),  the  Vespillones  (bearers 
at  burials).  The  name  itself  of  the  Fabia 
gens  came,  according  to  Pliny,  from  faba  (a 
bean) ; that  of  the  Pisones,  from  pisendo 
(pounding  or  stamping  of  corn  in  a mortar)  — 
From  habits  and  manners,  or  from  the  affec- 
tions and  virtues  of  the  mind,  denarii,  in  the 
Calpurnia,  Ciccilia,  Rubellia,  Antonin  fami- 
lies, take  such  inscriptions  as  the  Frugi  (thrifty), 
the  Lcpidi  (witty  or  agreeable),  the  Blaudi  (kind 


COGNOMEN. 

and  gentle),  the  Pii ; nay  they  are  even  marked 
with  the  very  name  of  pietas. 

Taken  from  the  names  of  brute  animals,  we 
find  on  consular  coins  the  words  Asiuia,  Bestia, 
Brutus,  Capella,  Lupus,  Murena,  Taurus,  Vitu- 
lus,  which  were  surnames  of  no  less  illustrious 
Roman  houses,  than  those  of  Cornelia,  Calpurnia, 
Caccilia,  Fabia,  .Emilia,  Nsevia,  Rutilia, 
Licinia,  Mamilia,  Pomponia,  Voconia,  &c.  So 
likewise,  from  the  greatness  of  a man’s  actions, 
attended  with  good  fortune,  as  indicated  by 
the  epithets  Faustus,  F'elix,  Magnus,  Maximus  ; 
or  from  an  extraordinary  manifestation  of  zeal 
for  the  interests  and  liberties  of  the  Roman 
people,  as  in  the  use  of  the  surname  Poplicola 
(Publicola,  a popular  person).  Thus  it  is  abun- 
dantly clear  from  the  evidence  of  coins,  that 
these  were  not  only  the  true  titles  of  the  Memmii, 
the  Scipiones,  the  Metelli,  the  Sullic,  the 
Pompeii,  the  Fabii,  the  Valcrii,  the  Gelii,  to 
whom  they  were  ascribed ; but  also  their  cog- 
nomina or  surnames ; a fact  moreover  shewn  in 
Roman  authors,  and  by  the  Fasti  Capitolini. — 
Sec  Rasehe,  Lex.  Num.  t.  i.  pars.  2. 

Old  writers,  observes  Eckliel  (vol.  v.  p.  56), 
have  affirmed,  that  the  cognomen  was  synonymous 
with  the  agnomen.  Of  this,  he  adds,  we  have 
an  example  in  the  case  of  L.  Calpurnius  Piso 
Frugi,  respecting  whom  Cicero  (pro  M.  Fontcio, 
c.  13),  says,  “ But  against  what  a man  ! in 
whom  there  was  such  virtue  and  integrity  that 
even  in  those  best  of  times  (optimis  temporibus). 
when  you  could  scarcely  find  a dishonest  man, 
he  in  particular  should  have  been  termed  Frugi. 
For  when  Gracchus  summoned  him  to  attend  au 
assembly  of  the  people,  and  the  messenger 
(viator)  asked  which  Piso?  there  being  more 
than  one,  he  answered — you  compel  me  to  name 
my  enemy,  Frugi.  It  was  this  man  to  whom 
not  even  his  enemy  could  give  an  appellation 
sufficiently  distinguishing,  without  first  praising 
him,  whose  single  cognomen  not  only  marked 
the  identity,  but  also  indicated  the  character  of 
the  individual,”  &c.  This  custom  prevailed 
during  the  flourishing  sera  of  the  republic.  It 
was  different,  however,  both  under  the  kings  of 
Rome,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  republic.  It 
was  again  different  uuder  the  emperors ; and 
the  alteration  began  to  be  made  even  during  the 
reign  of  Augustus  himself. 

For  a similar  purpose  to  that  of  the  cognomen, 
the  agnomen  (says  Eckhel)  was  invented,  viz., 
to  distinguish  one  family  from  another.  Aud 
it  was  given  without  any  design  to  convey 
thereby  to  the  individual  who  bore  it,  cither 
honour  on  the  one  hand,  or  reproach  on  the 
other;  as  Calpurnius  Piso  Frugi;  Cornelius 
Scipio  Africanus ; Cornelius  Lcntulus  Spinlher; 
Cmcilius  Metellus  Pius. — See  Agnomen. 

The  Emperors  took  surnames  from  conquered 
nations  or  from  victories,  as  those  of  Germanicus, 
Britannicus,  Dacicus,  Sarmaticus,  Adiabcuicus, 
Parthicus,  Armcnicus,  Gothicus,  Pcrsieus;  and 
indeed  now  aud  then  with  the  super-added  title 
of  Maximus.  Lastly,  they  arc  found  assuming 
not  only  the  cognomen  of  Victor,  but  also  that 
of  Invictus.  No  one,  however,  aspired  to  be 
2 G 


COIIORS.  225 

called  Judaicus,  in  memory  of  the  vanquished 
Jews.  That  surname  appears,  to  have  been  re- 
pudiated by  Vespasian,  on  account  of  the  hatred 
in  which  the  nation  itself  was  held  by  the  Ro- 
mans, although  on  his  and  his  son  Titus’s  mint- 
ages we  read  the  inscription— ivdaea  capta. 

COH.  COHORT.  Cohorlis,  Cohortium — 
of  the  Cohort,  or  of  the  Cohorts. — See  adlocvt. 
con.  p 6 of  this  dictionary. 

COHORS,  Cohort,  a battalion  of  Roman  foot 
soldiers,  as  Turma,  was  a squadron  of  cavalry. 
Each  cohort  was  composed  of  three  manipuli, 
or  companies,  and  these  of  two  centuries  or  of 
two  hundred  men  ; thus  forming  a body  of  six 
| hundred  men,  of  which  under  the  emperors 
j ten  were  required  to  compose  the  legion. — 
i Equestrian  cohorts  (Coliorles  Equitata)  were 
bodies  of  foot  and  horse  together.  There  were 
also  cavalry  to  the  number  of  130,  armed  with 
cuirasses,  in  the  first  Cohort  of  the  Legion. — 
The  Cohors  Peditala  was  wholly  composed  of 
infantry,  in  the  beginning,  and  was  so  called 
in  contra-distinction  to  the  Cohors  Equitata. — 
See  legio. 

Cohors  Pretoria. — The  Pretorian  cohort,  was 
a corps  d' elite  of  infantry  and  cavalry,  which 
under  the  republic  belonged  to  the  Pretor,  and 
never  quitted  him  on  service — in  fact  a portion 
of  the  Roman  army  whose  duty  it  was  to  act  as 
the  body  guard  of  the  consul,  or  commander  in 
chief.  Julius  Caesar  and  Mark  Antony  succes- 
sively employed  many  such  cohorts.  (See  chor- 
tivm  praetoriarvm,  p.  198.)  Augustus  estab- 
lished nine,  each  composed  of  a thousand  men, 
and  taught  the  people  to  regard  them,  under  the 
above  appellation,  as  a force  similar  to  the  old 
guard  of  Roman  Generals.  By  succeeding  em- 
perors, these  troops  were  rendered  a powerful 
host.  Galba  augmented  them  to  twelve,  which 
number  they  are  computed  by  Dion  to  have 
reached,  in  the  reign  of  Scverus.  That  em- 
peror, in  further  augmenting  them,  added  not 
only  draughts  from  the  Italian  legions,  but  also 
the  bravest  soldiers  from  the  provinces. 

Destined  exclusively  to  serve  as  guards  to  the 
emperor’s  person,  they  were,  at  his  command, 
employed  to  escort  aud  protect  the  members  of 
the  Imperial  family.  But  it  was  not  customary 
j for  the  Pretorian  guard  to  perform  that  duty  for 
J any  but  those  of  princely  rank.  They  were 
commanded  by  the  Pretorian  Prefect,  who  had 
; under  him  Tribunes  and  Centurions.  Their  pay 
was  double.  Instead  of  one  denarius,  worth  ten 
asses,  which  was  the  ordinary  pay  of  other  sol- 
diers, this  select  body  of  troops  received  two, 
and  privileges  not  assigned  to  others.  The  en- 
signs of  the  Pretorian  Cohorts  had  a crown  or 
wreath  on  the  top  of  the  staff,  and  besides  the 
usual  military  standards  each  of  these  “regi- 
ments” displayed  its  eagle. 

In  process  of  time  the  Pretorians,  abusiug 
the  power  which  they  had  been  suffered  to  usurp, 
carried  their  insolence  to  such  a pitch  as  to  elect 
aud  to  dethrone,  on  their  own  authority,  many 
emperors,  in  spite  of  the  senate,  whom  they 
compelled  to  accept  and  confirm  iu  the  possession 
of  the  purple,  those  they  had  thus  proclaimed. 


226  COIN  MOULDS. 

Tiberias  built  them  near  Rome  a walled-in  camp, 
like  a fortress,  where  they  were  constantly  sta- 
tioned. (See  castra  pratoria,  p.  191).  The 
Emperor  Constautine  destroyed  this  camp,  after 
having  entirely  broken  the  military  force  of  the 
pretorians,  whose  arrogance  and  excessive  power 
had  occasioned  so  many  revolutions  in  the  em- 
pire.— See  Pitiscus,  Lexicon.  Ant.  Rom. 

COIIO  IIS  SPECULATORUM.— For  an  ex- 
planation of  this  legend,  see  p.  198. 

COHI I.  (sic.)  PRAET.  VI.  (or  VII.)  P.  VI.  F. 
— On  a billon  of  Gallienus,  this  legend,  allusive 
to  the  pretorian  cohorts  of  his  time,  is  accom- 
panied by  the  type  of  a lion  walking.  On  another 
billon  denarius,  and  also  on  a gold  coin,  toge- 
ther with  a first  brass  of  the  same  emperor,  the 
respective  legends  fidei.  puakt;  fid.  prae- 

TORLANORVM,  and  COHORT.  PRAET.  PRINCIPI. 
svo.  with  military  standards,  legionary  caglc3, 
and  a garland,  combine  to  designate  the  con- 
fidence which  he  was  willing  to  repose  in  the 
precarious  loyalty  of  those  formidable  troops. 

COIN  MOULDS.— There  have  been  dis- 
covered, from  time  to  time,  in  England,  as 
well  as  in  France,  clay  moulds  of  circular  form, 
bearing  the  impressions  of  Roman  denarii,  of  a 
period  contemporary  with,  and  subsequent  to, 
the  Antonincs.  The  last  discovery  in  England 
was  at  Lingwcll  Gate,  near  Wakefield,  Yorkshire. 
It  is  well  known,  that  in  the  decline  of  the  empire, 
the  Roman  silver  was  debased  considerably ; and 
this  of  course  paved  the  way  to  the  adoption  of, 
or  the  occasional  recurrence  to,  a different  kind 
of  mintage.  Up  to  this  time  Roman  coins  were 
produced  from  dies  struck  with  the  hammer ; but 
in  the  reign  of  Scverus,  casting  in  moulds,  though 
not  exclusively,  was  very  generally  resorted  to. 
The  thickness  of  the  Roman  denarii  did  not 
admit  of  the  usual  modern  test  of  ringing ; and 
nothing  but  a very  minute  examination,  or  the 
more  tedious  process  of  assay,  could  have  detected 
the  spurious  coin.  Whether  these  cast  coins  were 
minted  by  imperial  authority,  or  are  *he  work 
of  forgers,  remain  still  questions  for  discussion  ; 
but  it  appears  highly  probable  that  such  a pro- 
cess was  authorised  by  the  despot  whose  effigies, 
and  those  of  his  sons  Caracalla  and  Geta,  they 
more  frequently  bear.  There  arc,  it  is  true, 
some  cast  coins  of  earlier  reigns,  but  tlicir  num- 
ber is  comparatively  few,  and  it  is  extremely 
probable  that  this  was  permitted  in  order  that, 
in  the  event  of  detection,  it  might  be  cited  as  a 
precedent  for  such  a practice. 

In  Mr.  Akcrman’s  “ Coins  of  the  Romans 
relating  to  Britain,”  as  well  as  in  the  Revue 
Numismatique,  are  plates  shcwiug  the  mode 
of  casting  these  base  coins,  a process  which 
often  led  to  the  fabrication  of  blundered  pieces 
that  have  frequently  perplexed  numismatists. 
Thus  a coin  of  Julia  Soicmias  has  on  the  re- 
verse PONT.  tr.  p.  &c.  titles  which  belong  to 
some  denarius  of  Scverus  or  Caracalla.  An  ex- 
planation of  the  mode  of  casting  will  shew  how 
this  may  be  produced.  The  moulds  being 
formed  by  pressing  the  coins  between  dies  of 
plastic  clay  of  large  diameter,  in  order  to  form 


COLLEGIUM. 

ledges,  wTere  placed  one  upon  the  other,  so 
that,  with  the  exception  of  the  first  and  last, 
they  received  on  each  face  the  impression  of  the 
obverse  and  reverse  of  a piece.  The  dies  were 
then  notched  in  order  to  form  a passage  for  the 
fused  metal ; anil  after  being  hardened  in  the 
fire,  were  replaced  one  on  another,  notch  over 
notch,  and  luted  with  clay,  so  as  to  form  a 
cylinder,  and  thus  three,  or  even  four  piles  of 
moulds,  might  be  filled  with  one  jet.  As  re- 
gards the  localities  in  which  moulds  of  this  des- 
cription were  prepared,  it  has  been  discovered 
by  microscopic  examination  of  the  clay  of  which 
those  found  at  Lingwcll  gate  were  formed,  that 
it  contains  a species  of  fossil  infusoria  which 
abounds  in  the  clay  of  that  neighbourhood  at 
this  time.  With  regard  to  the  debasement  of 
the  Roman  silver,  see  the  “assay  of  denarii,” 
prefixed  to  the  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  Roman 
Coins,  vol.  i.  p.  14,  by  J.  Y.  Akerman,  Esq. 
F.S.A.  Secretary  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries. 

COL.  Collegium. — See  coop,  in  omn.  coi, 
Cooptatus  in  Omnia  Collegia.  On  a coin  of  Nero 

COLLEGIUM. — A name  given  to  an  assem- 
bly or  body  of  many  persons  who  have  the  same 
functions.  The  Romans  had  various  commu- 
nities who  took  the  names  of  Colleges.  The 
four  principal  ones  were  those  of  the  Augurs, 
the  Pontiffs,  the  Aruspiccs,  and  the  Quindcccm- 
virs.  Besides  these  four  colleges,  which  were 
those  of  the  four  great  sacerdotal  dignities,  there 
were  several  other  bodies  known  by  the  same 
name,  as  Collegium  Arlifictim  and  Opifcum,  in- 
stituted by  Numa,  and  each  of  which  hail  a prefect 
at  its  head.  These  workmen,  who  at  first  ex- 
ercised their  skill  and  industry  only  at  Rome, 
soon  spread  themselves  over  all  Italy,  and  after- 
wards into  the  various  provinces  of  the  empire, 
which  they  furnished  w'ith  every  thing  necessary 
for  the  armies,  such  as  arrows,  machines,  ar- 
mour, clothes,  &c. — See  Pitiscus. 

COLIS-EUM. — The  Coliseum — a corruption 
of  colossteum,  the  name  given  to  the  famous 
amphitheatre  which  Vespasian  commenced  at 
Rome,  and  which  Titus  finished.  The  building 
was  so  named  on  account  of  the  colossal  statue 
of  Nero,  that  stood  on  the  spot  where  was 
erected  that  magnificent  edifice,  whose  stupen- 
dous ruins  exist  to  this  day.  It  is  represented  on 
coins  of  Titus,  &c.  Sec  Amphitheatrum,  p.  41. 

COLONIA. — A colouv,  called  by  the  Greeks 
dwoiKi'a,  is  a portion  of  a people,  which,  for 
various  reasons  leaving  its  uative  soil,  has  gone 
in  search  of  a settlement  and  n homo,  iu  dis- 
tant lands.  Velleius  Paterculus,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  his  first  book,  enumerates  many 
migrations  of  this  nature,  which  took  plncc  in 
the  earliest  times  of  Greece,  and  states  the 
causes  which  gave  rise  to  them.  But  besides 
that  they  have  been  largely  discussed  both  by 
ancient  and  modern  authors,  aud  arc  sufficiently 
familiar  to  all  who  are  interested  in  the  subject, 
it  is  beyond  the  purpose  of  the  present  work  to 
take  note  of  any  other  settlements  than  those  of 
the  1 tomans,  whethrr  called  by  the  name  of 
ro/nniir  or  of  municipia. 


COLONIAE  ROMAN  A E. 


COLON  I AE  ROMANAE.— Colonics,  in  the 
Roman  acceptation  of  the  word,  were  towns  or 
lands  inhabited  by  citizens  sent  thither  on  the 
authority  of  the  Senate  and  People,  and  allowed, 
on  certain  conditions,  their  respective  portions 
of  those  territories,  for  the  purposes  of  habi- 
tation and  tillage. — It  is  a well  established 
fact,  that  from  the  earliest  period  of  their 
existence  as  a nation,  the  custom  prevailed 
among  the  Romans  of  transplanting  colonies 
into  the  country  of  their  conquered  enemies ; 
and  that  it  continued  as  long  as  their  power 
lasted.  The  practice  was  productive  of  great 
benefits  to  Rome.  For  by  its  means,  a check 
was  provided  against  the  undue  increase  of  a 
poor  population,  prone  to  change ; and  the 
colonies  of  Roman  citizens  thus  distributed  over 
the  world  were  so  many  outworks  of  the  city ; 
whilst  the  soldiery,  in  the  apportionment  of  the 
laud,  received  the  reward  of  hard  service.  The 
colonies  of  the  last  mentioned  kind,  were  called 
military. — It  is  further  to  be  observed,  that  seve- 
ral cities  acquired  the  rights  of  a colony,  though 
still  occupied  by  their  original  inhabitants,  and 
without  the  intermixture  of  foreign  colonists. 
It  was  in  this  manner  that  Julius  Cmsar,  after 
his  victory  over  the  Pompeys  in  Spain,  bestowed 
upon  the  various  towns,  by  whose  fidelity  and 
co-operation  he  had  profited,  either  freedom,  or 
the  rights  of  citizenship,  or  the  privileges  of 
Roman  colonies.  Ascouius,  in  allusion  to  Pom- 
pey,  the  father  of  Pompey  the  Great,  and  the 
colonies  beyond  the  river  Po  (Trauspadanis), 
has  the  following  expressions : — “ For  Pompey 
did  not  establish  them  with  fresh  colonists,  but, 
allowing  the  original  inhabitants  to  remain,  con- 
ferred upon  them  the  Jus  Lalii.”  In  other 
eases,  new  colonists  were  associated  with  the 
native  occupants,  as  at  Emporia:,  in  Spain,  or 
at  Agrigeutum,  according  to  Cicero,  and  at  Car- 
teia. — Indeed  it  sometimes  occurred,  that  a 
colony  was'  composed  partly  of  soldiers,  and 
partly  of  a multitude  drawn  together  from  all 
sources  and  classes.  Thus  we  learn,  both  from 
coins  and  from  the  authority  of  Strabo,  that  a 
military  colony  was  planted  by  Augustus  at 
Patnc,  in  Achaia.  And  l’ausanias  further  tells  us, 
that  the  inhabitants  of  the  neighbouring  towns 
were  by  the  same  emperor  ordered  to  migrate  to 
that  colony. 

According  to  the  ancient  law,  it  was  held  a 
profanation  to  introduce  a new  colony  into  any 
2 G 2 


COLONIAE  ROMANAE.  227 

city  already  occupied  by  one.  Cicero  eloquently 
expresses  his  disapprobation  of  such  a measure, 
when  speaking  against  M.  Antony,  who  settled 
a colony  at  Casilinum : — “ I have  asserted,”  he 
says,  “ that  no  new  colony  can  legally  be  in- 
troduced into  one  already  settled  with  the  due 
ceremonies,  provided  the  latter  be  in  a prosper- 
ous condition ; I deny  that  new  colonists  can  be 
enrolled  therein.  You,  however,  carried  away 
by  your  arrogance,  have,  in  defiance  of  all  the 
rules  of  auspices  (or  augury),  sent  out  a colony 
to  Casilinum,  a place  already  colonized  but  a 
few  years  ago.” — But  whatever  the  law  on  this 
subject  might  have  been,  in  later  times  it  be- 
came obsolete;  for  Augustus,  and  after  him 
Nero,  sent  a fresh  colony  to  Puteoli,  which,  ac- 
cording to  Livy,  was  one  in  the  year  u.  c.  560 
(b.  c.  194). — Hyginus  has  supplied  the  cause  of 
this  proceeding  in  an  allusion  to  Augustus : — 
“ He  made  colonists  of  the  troops  which  had 
served  under  Antony  or  Lepidus,  equally  with 
the  soldiers  of  his  own  legions,  distributing 
them  through  Italy  and  the  provinces ; destroy- 
ing certain  cities  of  the  enemy,  he  established 
new  ones ; some  he  planted  in  the  old  towns, 
and  gave  them  the  title  of  colonists.  And 
moreover,  to  those  cities,  which  had  been  set- 
tled by  the  kings  or  the  dictators,  but  exhausted 
by  the  events  of  the  civil  wars,  he  again  gave 
the  name  of  a colony,  and  increased  the  num- 
bers of  their  citizens  ; in  some  instances  extend- 
ing their  boundaries.” 

The  foregoing  information  furnishes  us  with 
the  various  causes  which  led  to  the  planting  of 
colonics,  after  the  commonwealth  had  fallen 
into  decay.  But,  what  a difference  between 
these  and  the  colonics  sent  out  daring  the  flou- 
rishing period  of  the  state ! It  is  worth  while 
to  note  how  it  is  described  in  the  severe  lan- 
guage of  Tacitus,  when  speaking  of  the  times 
of  Nero  : — “ For  not,  as  in  former  times,  were 
legions  sent  out,  with  their  tribunes  and  cen- 
turions, and  soldiers  of  every  rank,  that  by  their 
union  and  attachment  they  might  form  a com- 
munity ; but  individuals,  unknown  to  each 
other,  in  straggling  bands,  with  no  recognized 
leader,  without  the  bond  of  mutual  goodwill, 
gathered  together  suddenly,  as  it  were,  from  a 
foreign  race  of  beings ; a motley  crowd,  rather 
than  a colony.” 

The  constitution  of  the  colonies  was  not  the 
same  in  all  cases.  For  some  were  composed  of 
Roman  citizens ; upon  some  the  Jus  Latinum, 
on  others  the  Jus  Italicum  was  conferred,  doubt- 
less according  to  the  humour  of  the  Senate  and 
People,  and  afterwards  of  the  Cxsars.  “ In 
what,  however,  consisted  the  distinction  of 
these  their  various  conditions  ; what  greater  ad- 
vantages accrued  to  one  over  another ; what 
was  the  stamp  and  character  of  each ; — has 
(adds  Eckhel)  continued  to  furnish  the  most  emi- 
nent authors  with  a bone  of  contention,  and  the 
usual  results,  namely,  that  they  differ  even  in 
essentials,  and  that  we  are  left  to  this  very  day 
with  the  skein  of  the  controversy  still  tangled.” 


228 


COLONIAE  ROM  ANA  E. 


COLONIAE  ROMAN  AE. 


CATALOGUE  OF  ROMAN  COLONIES  AND  MUNICIFIA. 
(According  to  Eckuel  and  Mionnet). 


Abdera  in  Boetica. 

Acci  in  Tarracouensis. 
jElia  Capitolina  in  Judsea. 

Agrigentum  in  Sicily. 

Agrippina  in  Germania  Inferior. 

Alexandria  in  Troas. 

Antiochia  in  Pisidia. 

Antiocliia  in  Syria. 

Apamea  ( municipium)  in  Bithynia. 

Arva  in  Bcetica. 

Asta  in  Bcctica. 

Asturica  in  Tarraconensis. 

Babba  in  Mauretania. 

Berytus  (mun)  in  Phoenicia. 

Bilbilis  in  Tarraconensis. 

Bostra  in  Arabia. 

Brundusium  in  Calabria. 

Buthrotum  in  Epirus. 

Cabellio  in  Narboncnsis. 

Cresar-augusta  in  Tarraconensis. 

Ciesarea  ad  Libanum  in  Phoenicia. 

C;csarca  (mun.)  in  Samaria. 

Calaguiris  (mun.)  in  Tarraconensis. 

Carrha;  in  Mesopotamia. 

Carteia  in  Boetica. 

Carthago  Nova  in  Tarraconensis. 

Carthago  Vctus  (mun)  in  Zeugitana. 
Cascautum  in  Tarraconensis. 

Cassandrca  in  Macedonia. 

Celsa  in  Tarraconensis. 

Clunia  (mun)  in  Tarraconensis. 

Coela  in  the  Thracian  Chersonesus. 

Comana  in  Pontus. 

Copia  in  Litgdimcnsis. 

Corduba  Patricia  in  Bcctica. 

Corinthus  in  Achaia. 

Cremna  in  Pisidia. 

Damascus  in  Coele  Syria. 

Dcrtosa  in  Tarraconensis. 

Dcultum  in  Thracia. 

Dium  (mun.)  in  Macedonia. 

Ebora  in  Lusitania. 

Edessa  in  Mesopotamia. 

Eracrita  in  Lusitania. 

Emisa  (mun)  in  Syria. 

Emporia:  in  Tarraconensis. 

Enna  in  Sicilia. 

Ercavica  in  Tarraconensis. 

Gadcs  (mun)  in  Boetica. 

Gcrmc  (mun.)  in  Galatia. 

Graccurris  (mun)  in  Tarraconensis. 

The  following  authentic  and  valuable  informa- 
tion respecting  the  titles,  magistracies,  cus- 
tomary observances,  peculiar  privileges,  and  re- 
ligious ceremonies,  of  Roman  Colonics,  as  illus- 
trated by  the  inscriptions  and  types  found  on 
their  Latin  coins,  is  compiled  from  Eckhel’s 
Dissertation  Dc  Coloniis  Romanis,  in  the  fourth 
volume  of  his  truly  great  work  : — 

1.  Colonial  Coins,  inscriptions  on. — Cities 
which  were  in  the  condition  of  colonics,  added 
(he  word  " Colonia ,”  and  indeed  those  which 
were  situated  eastward,  so  invariably  adhered  to 


Heliopolis  in  Cede  Syria. 

Icouium  in  Lycaouia. 

Ilcrcavonia  (mun.)  in  Tarraconensis. 
llerda  (mun.)  in  Tarraconensis. 

Uici  in  Tarraconensis. 

Italica  (mun.)  in  Boetica. 

Julia  in  Bcetica. 

Laodicea  in  Syria. 

Lcptis  in  Syrtica. 

Neapolis  in  Samaria. 

Nemausus  in  Narboncnsis. 

Nisibi  in  Mesopotamia. 

Obulco  in  Btctica. 

Occa  in  Syrtica. 

Olbasa  (mun)  in  Pisidia. 

Osca  in  Tarraconensis. 

Osicerda  in  Tarraconensis. 
l’icstum  in  Lucania. 

Panormus  iu  Sicilia. 

Parada  in  Zeugitana. 

Parium  in  Mysia. 

Parlais  in  Lycaonia. 

Patra:  in  Achaia. 

Pax  Julia  in  Lusitania. 

Pella  in  Macedonia. 

Philippi  in  Macedonia. 

Philippopolis  in  Thrace. 

Ptolcmais  in  Galilee. 

Rhesscna  in  Mesopotamia. 

Roma  in  Latium  (according  to  the  Roman 
Coins  of  Commodus). 

Romula  in  Boetica. 

Ruscino  (mun.)  in  Narbonensis. 

Saguntum  (mun.)  in  Tarracouensis. 

Sebaste  in  Samaria. 

Scgobriga  in  Tarraconensis. 

Sidon  in  Phoenicia. 

Singara  in  Mesopotamia. 

Sinope  (mun.)  in  Paphlagonia. 

Stobi  (mun.)  in  Macedonia. 

Tarraco  in  Tarraconensis. 

Thessalonica  in  Macedonia. 

Traducta  (mun.)  in  Bcctica. 

Turiaso  (mun.)  in  Tarraconensis. 

Tyana  in  Cappadocia. 

Tyrus  in  Phoenicia. 

Valentin  of  the  Bruttii. 

Vienna  in  Narbonensis. 

Viminacium  in  Msesia  Superior. 

Visontium  (mun.)  in  Tarraconensis. 

Utica  in  Zeugitaua. 

this  practice,  that  scarcely  one  of  their  coins  is 
to  be  found  on  which  it  is  omitted.  But,  not 
unfrequently,  it  was  rejected  by  the  Spanish 
colonics,  and  came  to  be  constantly  so  by  the 
Italian  and  Sicilian,  as  may  be  learnt  from  the 
coins  of  the  colonics  of  Agrigentum,  Brundu- 
sium, Copia,  Picstum,  Panormns,  &c.  In  the 
Latin  inscriptions,  it  is  indicated  by  the  initial 
letter  C.  or  the  abbreviation  col.  rarely  by  the 
entire  word  colonia. — In  the  Greek,  by  KOA. 
or  KOAflNIA,  the  word  having  been  adopted 
into  the  Greek  language ; for  the  genuine  Greek 


COLON  1AE  ROMANAE. 
term  Airoixla  is  found  on  only  a single  coin 
of  Panormus,  and  that  regarded  as  a doubtful 
one. 

As  a general  rule,  the  Roman  colonics  used 
the  Latin  tongue  on  their  coins ; as  indeed  did 
even  Corinth,  although  situated  in  the  very 
heart  of  Greece ; and  also  the  colonies  planted 
in  Phoenician  or  Arabian  cities.  But  the  Greek 
language  was  preferred  by  Phillipopolis  of 
Thrace,  and  Thcssalonica  of  Macedonia,  in  Eu- 
rope ; by  Tyana  of  Cappadocia,  Antioch  of 
Syria,  and  the  Mesopotamian  colonies  in  Asia. 
Aelia  Capitolina,  in  Judrea,  used  both  tongues. 
The  municipia  used  only  the  Latin,  and  they 
indicate  their  condition  by  the  inscription  m.  or 
mvn.  or  srvNiciP.  &c.  On  some  appear  the 
word  vrbs. — See  those  words  suis  locis. 

2.  Colonies,  additional  titles  of. Besides 

the  above  mentioned  words,  expressive  of  the 
standing,  or  constitution,  of  a town,  we  find 
the  addition  of  epithctical  names  on  coins  of 
colonies  and  of  municipia,  together  with  other 
notifications : which  arc  to  be  explained  as  fol- 
lows : — 

In  bestowing  on  any  city  the  privileges  of  a 
colony,  or  of  a municipium,  it  rarely  occurred, 
that  the  Romans  adopted  the  plan,  so  often  pur- 
sued by  other  cities,  viz.  that  of  abolishing  the 
old  name  of  the  place,  aud  substituting  a new 
one.  Indeed  they  even  went  so  far  as  to  restore 
the  ancient  name  to  cities,  which  they  had  re- 
suscitated from  utter  ruin,  and  peopled  with 
their  colonists — a circumstance  which  is  known 
to  have  taken  place  in  the  cases  of  Carthage  and 
Coriuth. 

Amongst  the  colonies  that  lost  their  an- 
cient appellation,  were  Salduba,  in  Spain,  which 
was  named  Csesar-augusta ; Hicrosolyma:  (Jeru- 
salem), afterwards  cailcd  yElia  Capitolina  (see 
p.  15),  and  some  others.  Whilst  the  old  names 
of  the  colonies  (and  municipia)  were  thus  ten- 
derly treated,  the  colonists  were  in  the  habit  of 
adding  various  titles,  or  laudatory  epithets, 
either  on  their  own  authority,  or  by  permission 
of  the  Senate,  or  of  the  Emperors ; aud  setting 
them  forth  on  their  public  monuments. — So  on 
a brass  tablet  published  by  Gmter,  the  Hatlru- 
metini  Byzacenes  are  styled  colonics  of  “ Con- 
cordia, Ulpia,  Trajana,  Augusta,  Frugifera,  and 
Hadrumetina.” — Nor  arc  coins  free  from  this 
display  of  vanity.  Among  others  the  Apame- 
nians  of  Bithynia  used  the  legend  cor,,  ivl. 
conc.  ayg.  apaji.  (See  p.  61  of  this  diction- 
ary). The  opinion  of  Vaillant,  that  Apamea 
was  called  Concordia,  in  allusion  to  its  alliance 
with  the  neighbouring  Prusa,  has  been  correctly 
refuted  by  Bellcye,  who  asserts  that  the  titles 
bestowed  on  colonies  did  not  at  all  refer  to 
their  ancient  but  to  their  actual  condition. — 
Eckhcl,  in  citing  the  learned  Abbe’s  authority 
on  this  point,  adds,  that  he  had,  however,  him- 
self found  in  FI.  Josephus,  a certain  place  on 
the  borders  of  Galilee,  which  is  really  named 
‘Oy  Junta,  i.  e.  Concordia. 

3.  Colonial  Magistrates. — As  the  Grecian 
cities  recorded  on  their  coins  their  magistrates 
of  various  ranks,  such  as  Archons,  Prctors, 


COLONIAE  ROMANAE.  229 
Scribes,  &c.  so  likewise  did  the  Roman  colonics 
and  municipia.  Spartianus,  whilst  enumerating 
the  different  offices  served  by  Hadrian  in  several 
cities,  says,  “ throughout  the  Latin  towns  he 
was  styled  Dictator,  and  Edile,  and  Duumvir ; 
in  his  own  country’,  a Quinquennalis.”  On 
coins  connected  with  the  present  subject  appear 
the  following  as  local  magistrates,  viz. : Ediles, 
Decuriones,  Duumviri,  Quinquennales,  Prefecti, 
Quatuorviri,  Triumviri.  Of  all  these  brief  no- 
tices will  be  found  under  their  respective  alpha- 
betical heads. 

Colonial  Ediles. — As  at  Rome,  the  Ediles 
(see  p.  12)  were  reckoned  among  the  magistrates 
of  the  highest  rank,  their  office  being  to  super- 
intend the  management  of  the  commerce,  pro- 
visions, and  public  games  of  the  city,  so  also 
the  colonies,  w'hich  were,  so  to  speak,  small 
imitations  of  Rome,  had  their  Ediles,  subject  to 
the  authority  of  the  chief  magistrate.  The  coins 
of  Calagurris,  Cclsa,  Leptis,  Parium,  Saguntum, 
and  Turiaso,  shew  that  those  colonies  had  their 
Duumviri ; those  of  Carteia  and  Clunia,  their 
Quatuorviri ; and  all  of  them  their  Ediles. — 
Cardinal  Noris  records  further  examples  be- 
sides those  on  coins. — Moreover  it  is  certain 
that  there  were  some  colonies  aud  municipia 
in  which  Ediles  acted  as  chief  magistrates.  A 
proof  of  this  may  be  found  on  reference  to  an 
oft-quoted  passage  of  Spartianus,  according  to 
w'hich  Hadrian  “ was  Dictator,  and  Edile,  and 
Duumvir,  throughout  the  Latin  towns  nor  is 
it  by  any  means  to  be  imagined  that  any  honour 
would  have  been  conferred  by  the  colonies  on  an 
emperor,  which  was  not  held  in  the  highest 
estimation  by  themselves.  Another  clear  testi- 
mony is  furnished  from  Cicero,  speaking  of 
Arpinuin  : — “ For,”  lie  says,  “ in  order  to  esta- 
blish a municipium  it  has  this  y’ear  been  my 
wish  that  my  son,  my  brother’s  son,  and  M. 
Caesius,  should  be  elected  Ediles  ; for  that  is  the 
only  magistracy  which  it  is  the  custom  to  create 
in  our  municipium .”  This  passage  further  shews, 
that  there  were  colonics,  and  municipia,  which 
were  governed  by  three  Ediles.  Coins  do  not 
record  more  than  two.  There  is  frequent  mention 
of  the  Ediles  of  municipia,  on  ancient  marbles. 

Calagurris,  Cclsa,  and  other  colonics  had  their 
Duumviri,  and  yet  these  were  not  always  ex- 
hibited on  their  coins,  but  in  their  stead  some- 
times the  Ediles,  a magistracy  of  au  inferior 
grade.  Eckhel’s  mode  of  accounting  for  this  is, 
that  “ the  Colonial  Ediles  had  their  names  in- 
scribed on  coins,  for  the  same,  or  a similar 
reason  as  that  which  led  to  the  names  of  the 
Curule  and  Plebeian  Ediles  being  inscribed 
on  the  Roman  denarii.  For,  as  at  Rome,  the 
business  of  striking  money  was  entrusted  to  the 
Pretors,  Questors,  and  Ediles,  on  which  occa- 
sions their  names  were  introduced  on  the  coins, 
so,  in  the  colonies  likewise,  whether  the  pur- 
pose might  be  to  provide  corn,  or  celebrate  pub- 
lic games,  unstamped  brass  was  given  to  the 
Ediles,  which  they  were  then  to  mint  for  imme- 
diate use,  with  the  insertion  of  their  own  names, 
for  a similar  reason.” 

Coloniarum  Decurionalus. Dccurionatc  of 


230  COLONIAE  ROMANAE. 

the  Colonies. See  decvriones See  also 

Municipal  Magistracies. 

Coloniarum  Duumviratus. — See  Duumvirate 
of  the  Colonies. 

Coloniarum  et  Manicipiorum  Tgpi. — The 
coins  of  Colonies  have  either  certain  parti- 
cular types,  from  which  they  rarely  deviate, 
or  such  as  vary  without  any  fixed  system.  Of 
the  former  class,  e.  g.  are  a woman  standing 
with  military  ensigns,  peculiar  to  Viminacium  ; 
a head  of  (Jupiter)  Ammon,  to  Cassandrea; 
a woman  sitting  on  a rock,  with  a river  flowing 
from  bcucath  it,  to  Antioch  in  Syria,  &c.  Coins 
of  the  second  class  have  types  of  a changeable 
and  common  character,  throwing  light  on  the 
period  in  which  they  were  struck ; or  in  some 
cases,  more  elaborate  ones,  founded  doubtless 
on  traditions  preserved  amongst  themselves  and 
traceable  to  a remote  period  of  the  history  of 
the  colony  ; though  there  might  be  nothing  in 
them  any  longer  applicable  to  the  circumstances 
of  the  foreign  settlers  in  those  cities.  To  ad- 
duce some  examples,  a common  type  of  the 
colony  of  Corinth,  is  the  fable  of  Meliccrta, 
also  of  Belleropbon,  Chimaera,  Pegasus,  &c.  On 
the  coins  of  the  Tyrians,  and  colonies  founded 
by  them,  we  see  the  petree  ambrosia,  and  the 
murex,  a shell  fish  used  for  dying  wool  purple, 
&c. — See  corinthus  and  tyrus. 

The  following  arc  the  types  which  only  llo- 
man  colonies  adopted,  except  in  cases  where  in- 
dependent cities  assumed  them  : — 

I.  A Man,  dressed  in  the  toga,  and 
veiled,  drives  (sometimes  with,  sometimes 
without,  a whip>),  a pair  of  oxen  yoked  to 

A PLOUGH. 

This  type,  of  which  an  Antiochian  specimen, 
in  large  brass  (CAE saria  ANTIOCHia  COL- 
onia  Senates  Woman  us),  will  be  found  engraved 
in  p.  227,  is  presented  exclusively  on  coins  of  Ro- 
man Colonies,  as  the  sacred  rite  alluded  to  by  it, 
was  not  observed  except  on  the  occasion  of  found- 
ing a colony  by  the  Romans.  It  is  described 
everywhere  by  philologists,  and  among  them  by 
Ilcineccius  in  the  following  brief  and  clear 
manner:  “ Whenever  either  a new’ city  was  to 
be  built,  or  a colony  planted,  the  founder  or 
Triumvir  of  the  colony,  attired  in  the  Gabinian 
garb,  fixed  a brazeu  piough-share  into  a plough, 
and  yoking  to  it  a pair  of  oxen,  male  and  female, 
in  person  turned  up  a deep  furrow  around  the 
boundaries.  The  colonists  followed  and  sho- 
velled back  into  the  furrow  the  clods  raised  by 
the  plough.  At  the  spot  which  they  fixed  upon 
for  a gate,  they  took  out  the  plough-share,  lifted 
the  plough,  and  left  a space.  The  furrow  com- 
pleted, these  oxen  with  other  victims,  were  sa- 
crificed to  the  Dii  medioxutni,  (Gods  of  the 
earth,  as  middle  between  heaven  and  the  infernal 
regions  ?)  and  lastly  they  betook  themselves  to 
building  the  walls.  Other  ceremonies  were 
added  to  these,  for  good  omen’s  sake,  as 
Festus  shews  under  the  word  Quat/rala;  but 
of  the  nature  of  these  wc  arc  as  yet  ignorant. 
From  what  has  already  been  described,  the  fact 
can  easily  be  accounted  for,  that  the  walls  and 
not  the  gates  of  a city  were  held  sacred.  For 


COLONIAE  ROMANAE. 

the  latter  did  not  receive  the  impression  of  the 
plough,  because  through  them  would  be  carried 
the  bodies  of  the  dead  and  other  impurities.” 

Thus  far  1 Iciucccius  who  quotes  his  authorities, 
with  whom  Florez  may  be  compared — Eckhel 
adds  a passage  from  Cato’s  “ Origincs,”  quoted 
by  Servius,  in  which  the  type  of  similar  coins  is 
exactly  described ; “ For  the  founders  of  a city 
used  to  yoke  a bull  on  the  off  and  a cow  on  the 
near  side,  and  dressed  in  the  Gabinian  fashion, 
(i.  e.  using  part  of  the  toga  as  a veil  for  the 
head,  and  girding  up  the  rest  of  it,)  held  in 
their  hands  the  curved  plough-tail,”  Ac.  To 
the  same  purport  is  the  statement  of  Dion,  that 
a golden  statue  of  great  weight,  with  figures  of 
a bull  and  a cow,  was  erected  in  honour  of  Com- 
modus,  as  founder  of  the  Colony  of  Rome.  (See 
col.  com  mod  i ana.) — The  coins  of  that  emperor 
of  about  the  date  u.  c.  913,  (a.  d.  190)  serve  to 
elucidate  this  point  of  the  subject. 

The  religious  obligation  of  tracing  with  a 
plough  the  boundaries  of  a colony  was  observed 
not  only  in  the  case  of  those,  which  were  raised 
from  the  very  foundation,  but  also  of  those, 
which,  having  already  the  external  form  of  a 
city,  obtained  through  the  importation  of  foreign 
colonists,  or  even  merely  by  the  liberality  of  the 
Romaos,  the  rights  aud  privileges  of  a colony. 


As  a monetal  illustration  of  the  fact  here  as- 
serted by  Eckhel,  the  above  reverse  of  a beauti- 
ful gold  coin  struck  by  c.  marivs  trogvs,  one 
of  the  moneyers  of  Augustus,  has  been  eugra\  cd 
after  Mionnct’s  fine  plate,  t.  i.  p.  109.  The 
type  of  this  very  rare  aureus  (valued  by  the 
French  Numismatist  at  GOO  fr.)  represents  a 
colonist  driving  two  oxen  harnessed  to  a plough, 
before  the  walls  of  a town.  On  the  obverse  is 
the  bare  head  of  Augustus,  with  simputum  aud 
lituus  behind  it,  and  the  legend  caesak  av- 
gvst.  Allusion  is  doubtless  in  this  instance 
made  to  some  colony  planted  by  the  first  em- 
peror, where  a city  already  existed,  but  round 
which  the  sacred  ceremonial  peculiar  to  Roman 
colonization  had  still  to  be  performed. 

Casiliuuin  was  au  example  of  a city  of  long 
standing,  and  already  constituted  a colony  with 
the  due  rites;  and  yet  when  M.  Antony  scut 
thither  a reinforcement  of  colonists,  he  did  not 
neglect  the  ceremony  of  the  plough,  ns  Cicero 
informs  us,  in  the  following  invective : — “ Yon 

have  led  over  a colony  to  Casilinum,  

that  you  might  raise  the  standard  (vcxillum)  and 
drive  the  plough  round  (the  walls).”  lienee,  it 
is  by  no  means  surprising,  that  the  figure  of 
a plough  should  be  fouud  on  the  coins  of  colonics 
of  remote  foundation,  such  as  Berytus,  Sidon, 
Tyre,  and  Pntnc.  According  to  Cicero,  how- 
ever, the  limits,  not  merely  of  the  city,  but  of 


C0L0N1AE  ROMANAE. 
the  land  assigned  to  the  colony,  were  traced 
out  by  the  plough.  For  he  thus  continues  the 
sentence  above  quoted:  “With  the  coulter  of 
which  (i.  e.  Aratrura)  you  nearly  grazed  the 
gate  of  Capua,  that  the  territory  of  that  nourish- 
ing colony  might  he  curtailed.” 

It  ought  further  to  be  observed,  that  the  type 
of  a plough  is  not  found  on  the  coins  of  any 
municipium,  and  with  good  reason,  for,  those 
places  were  not  under  the  same  regulations  as 
the  colonies  (sec  article  mvnicipivm),  the  lat- 
ter, as  the  off-shoots  of  Rome,  using  the  laws 
and  institutions  of  that  people,  and  appearing 
to  have  been,  as  it  were,  imitations  of  Rome  on 
a small  scale.  Hence,  as  Romulus,  when  found- 
ing Rome  (to  use  Ovid’s  expression),  grasping 
the  ploughshare,  marked  out  the  walls  with  a 
furrow,  a white  bull  and  a white  cow  bearing 
the  yoke ; so,  in  planting  colonies,  a similar 
rite  was  practised.  And  this  also,  fully  accounts 
for  the  fact,  that,  on  the  coins  of  Greek  colo- 
nies, whose  custom  it  was,  by  various  types,  to 
indicate  their  connexion  with  the  metropolis, 
there  never  appears  a priest  ploughing,  because 
this  ceremony  was  peculiar  to  the  Romans  alone, 
and  never  extended  to  the  Greeks. — D.  N.  V. 
vol.  iv.  490. 

II.  Military  Ensigns,  and  the  Legions. 

These  frequently  occur  on  colonial  coins,  but 
not  on  them  alone.  There  are  various  modes 
in  which  they  were  represented,  and  the  follow- 
ing is  Eckhel’s  enumeration  of  them  : — 

Military  Ensigns  alone ; as  they  are  seen  on 
coins  of  Acci,  Csesar-augusta,  Emerita,  Bery- 
tus,  &c. 

Military  Ensigns,  with  the  names  of  the 
Legions  affixed.  See  Coins  of  Acci  (p.  3), 
and  Cicsar-augusta  (p.  161  of  this  dictionary). 
Sec  also  Berytus,  Patric,  &c. 

Military  Ensigns,  with  a Priest  ■ploughing. — 
On  coins  of  iElia  Capitolina,  and  Ptolcmais ; 
also  on  some  of  Antioch  in  Pisidia,  and  of 
Patric,  the  priest  is  ploughing ; but  instead  of 
his  holding  the  customary  whip,  a vexillum,  or 
one  or  two  military  standards,  appear  behind 
his  oxen. — See  p.  15  & p.  227  of  this  dictionary. 

On  a coin  of  Cicsar-augusta,  military  ensigns 
occupy  the  obverse ; and  a priest  ploughing,  the 
reverse. 

On  the  coins  of  Viminacium,  a woman  stand- 
ing, holding  an  eusign  in  each  hand,  is  the  com- 
mon type. 

Military  ensigns  on  colonial  coins,  undoubtedly 
for  the  most  part  indicate  military  colonics.  For 
soldiers  were  sent  out  into  the  colonies,  partly 
because  they  had  served  their  time,  partly  as  a 
reward  for  eminent  services  (which  wfas  fre- 
quently the  case  under  the  Triumvirate),  partly 
for  the  protection  of  the  frontiers  of  the  empire. 
That,  however,  may  with  much  greater  cer- 
tainty be  pronounced  a military  colony,  whose 
coins  exhibit  the  legions  and  their  numbers 
added  to  the  vexilla,  as  leg.  xi. — But  the  num- 
bers are  not  unfrequcntly  omitted.  It  is  well 
known  that  soldiers,  transferred  to  colonies,  pro- 
ceeded thither  with  their  ensigns,  and  by  troops. 
Tacitus,  iu  a passage  already  quoted,  says : 


'COLONIAE  ROMANAE.  231 
“ For  not  at  this  period,  as  in  a former  one, 
were  whole  legions  led  forth,  with  their  tri- 
bunes and  centurions,  and  soldiers  of  every 
rank.” — And  also  Hyginus — “ It  was  the  lot  of 
many  legions,  after  succcssfid  campaigns,  to 
arrive,  by  the  first  act  of  their  warlike  appren- 
ticeship, at  the  laborious  ease  of  a farming  life. 
For  they  wrere  led  out  with  their  ensigns  and 
eagle,  their  officers  of  rank  aud  tribunes.” — 
Sulla  is  said  to  have  been  the  originator  of 
military  colonies,  and  his  example  was  followed 
by  the  Cicsars. 

Fahretti  is  of  opinion,  that  by  the  help  of  the 
types  already  described,  viz.  of  a priest  plough- 
ing, and  of  vexilla,  a distinction  might  be 
established  between  plebeian  aud  military  colo- 
nies. For,  he  says,  the  plebeians  were  dis- 
tinguished by  the  plough  ; the  military,  by  the 
eagles  and  ensigns ; whilst  those,  which  on 
various  coins  exhibit  the  plough  or  the  ensigns 
indiscriminately,  and  sometimes  in  combination, 
indicate  a derivation  in  the  first  instance  from 
the  civilians,  reinforced  subsequently  by  veteran 
soldiers.  Fabretti  is  entirely  followed  by  Vaillant. 

Eckhel,  however,  shows  that  this  opinion  is 
confuted  by  both  authors  and  coins,  lie  begius 
by  comparing  with  it  Velleius  Paterculus,  who 
says — “ I could  not  easily  recall  to  memory  an 
instance  of  any  colony  sent  out  after  this  period, 
which  was  not  a military  one.”  The  period 
alluded  to,  he  marks  by  the  sixth  consulate  of 
Marius,  which  occurred  u.  c.  654  (b.  c.  100). 
If,  therefore,  his  testimony  may  be  relied  on, 
Berytus,  Csesar-augusta,  Corinth,  Emerita, 
Patrae,  Sinope,  were  also  military  colonies,  be- 
ing all  planted  by  Julius  Cicsar,  or  Augustus, 
and  consequently  after  the  time  mentioned  by 
Velleius ; and  yet  all  these  colonies  exhibit  on 
their  coins  a man  ploughing.  Nor  could  Fa- 
bretti defend  his  ploughman  by  the  assertion, 
that  the  first  planting  by  the  civilians  was  de- 
noted by  this  type ; for  it  is  certain,  that  none 
of  the  cities  just  enumerated  were  colonies  before 
the  colonization  set  on  foot  by  the  two  Caisars 
above  named;  and,  therefore,  that  they  were 
made  at  the  same  time  colonics,  and,  according 
to  Velleius,  military  colonics ; as,  indeed  is 
proved  by  the  name  Emerita  itself,  which,  ac- 
cording to  authors,  was  applied  to  it  from  sol- 
diers who  had  served  their  time  (emeriti). — 
Again  to  adduce  Cicero’s  declamation  against 
M.  Antony — “ You  have  led  forth  a colony  to 
Casilinum,  that  you  might  raise  your  standard 
(vexillum),  and  drive  your  plough  round  its 
walls.” — That  it  was  a military  colony  is  clear 
from  the  expressions  of  Velleius,  and  yet  the 
custom  of  ploughing  was  observed  at  its  founda- 
tion. In  like  manner,  the  vexillum,  though  the 
symbol  of  military  colonies,  yet  did  not  dis- 
prove them  to  be  plebeian.  For  even  when  ple- 
beian colonies  were  sent  out,  the  colonists 
marched  under  military  ensigns. — This  we  learn 
from  Plutarch,  when  he  says,  that  the  principal 
vexillum  was  broken  off  by  the  wind,  when  a 
colony  was  led  by  C.  Gracchus  to  Carthage. — 
But  this  colony  was  composed,  not  of  soldiers, 
but  of  poor  civilians. 


232  COLON  I AE  ROMANAE. 

The  foregoing  statements  go  to  prove  that 
the  type  of  a plough  is  applicable  equally  to 
plebeian  and  to  military  colonies ; and  the  same 
may  be  maintained  respecting  the  vexilla ; al- 
though, as  far  as  the  present  purpose  is  con- 
cerned, it  would  appear  an  idle  inquiry,  how  far 
military'  ensigns  denote  a military  colony.  For 
those  colonies  of  which  coins  are  extaut,  with 
one  or  two  exceptions,  were  all  military,  doubt- 
less planted  by  the  Cscsars : so  that  it  may, 
without  hesitation,  be  pronounced  that  the  vex- 
ilia  typified  on  coins  of  Roman  colonies  have  re- 
ference to  the  soldiers  who  settled  in  them,  in  the 
same  mauncr  as  the  vexilla  on  the  coins  of  cities, 
which  were  not  colonies,  have  reference  to  the 
cohorts  stationed  as  a guard  near  them. — 
On  coins  of  Italica  a Spanish  municipium,  there 
appear  vexilla;  also  on  those  of  Nicsea  and 
Juliopolis  in  Hithynia,  and  Hieropolis  in  Cyr- 
liestica,  none  of  which  were  colonies  ; and  though 
Egypt  had  no  colonies  whatever,  the  coins  of 
Alexandria,  struck  during  the  reigns  of  Nume- 
riauus  and  Carinus,  bear  the  mark  of  Legio.  II. 
Trajana,  with  the  type  of  a legionary  eagle. — 
Bod.  Num.  Vet.  vol".  iv.  p.  492. 


111.  A SHE  WOLF  SUCKLING  TWO  CHILDREN. 

The  following  colonies  offer  this  type  on  their 
coins,  viz. : — Alexandria  in  the  Troad  ; Anti- 
oehia  in  I’isidia;  Apaniea  in  Bitliyuia;  Coela 
(rnuuicipium)  in  the  Thracian  Chersonesus; 
Damascus  in  Code  Syria;;  Beit! turn  in  Thrace; 
Germe  in  Galatia ; Iconium  in  Lvcaonia ; Ita- 
lica (mnnicipium)  in  Bictica  (Hispania) ; Lao- 
dicea  in  Syria ; Neapotis  in  Samaria  ; Barium 
in  Mysia  ■'  Pat  r/e  in  Acliaia;  Philippi  in  Mace- 
donia. 

The  above  cut  is  after  a cast  from  a coin  of 
I.aodicea,  in  the  British  Museum.  The  obverse 
bears  the  head  and  titles  of  Macrinus ; the 
legend  of  the  reverse  is  romae  fel(ici). 

That  the  tradition  of  Romulus  and  Remus 
having  been  brought  up  by  a she  wolf,  was  the 
constant  symbol  of  the  origin  of  the  Roman 
state,  is  evident  from  innumerable  monuments. 
It  was  on  this  account  that  the  colonics  parti- 
cularly affected  the  above  described  type,  in 
order  to  declare  themselves  sprung  as  it  were 
from  a common  parent ; just  as  l’robus  struck 
coins,  in  third  brass,  with  the  legend  okigixi. 
avo.  and  the  type  of  the  wolf  and  twins  ; no 
doubt  in  order  to  proclaim  himself  a Roman 
by  birth.  Mtmicipia,  though  but  rarely,  used  this 
type,  as  they  might,  by  a species  of  adoption, 
be  considered  the  daughters  of  Rome.  Motives 


COLONIAE  ROMANAE. 
of  attachment,  or  of  adulation,  appear  also  to 
have  recommended  this  type  to  foreign  cities, 
as  it  is  found  on  a coin  of  Thyatira,  in  Lydia, 
given  by  Spon.  Connected  with  the  allusion  to 
Rome  as  an  original,  is  a type,  in  which  .Eneas 
is  represented,  carrying  Anchises  and  accompa- 
nied by  Ascanius,  tised  by  the  colonics  of  Apn- 
mca  in  Bithynia,  and  Berytus,  in  Syria. — Sec 
Pelleriu,  Melange , i.  T.  i.  pi.  18. 

IV.  A Bull,  standing. — On  the  coins  of 
Calagurris,  Cclsa,  in  Hispania,  and  of  other  colo- 
nics, this  type  appears  in  allusion  to  Agricul- 
ture, to  promote  which  colonists  were  sent  from 
Rome,  and  of  which  a bull  was  the  customary 
symbol. — Tacitus  says,  “ therefore  from  the 
cattle  market,  where  we  see  the  brazen  statue 
of  a bull,  because  that  species  of  animal  is  used 

in  ploughing,”  &c. See  Akerman,  Ancient 

Coins  of  Cities,  p.  78,  pi.  viii.  No.  6 — also 
Havercamp,  Medailles  de  Christine,  p.  285, 
tab.  xliv. 


V.  Sll.ENUS  standing,  holds  out  his  right 
hand,  and  with  his  left  supports  a wine-shin 
thrown  over  his  shoulders. — (col.  laod.  metro- 

I’OLEOS.) 

This  device,  copied  from  a first  brass  of 
Laodicca,  occurs  on  coins  of  the  following  colo- 
nics, viz. : — Alexandria  Troadis;  Berg/us  Phoe- 
nicia; ; Bostra  Arabia: ; Coela  {mun.)  Thraciic  ; 
Damascus  Coelesvria; ; Deultum  Thracia: ; Lao- 
dicea  Syria: ; Neapo/is  Samaria; , Barium,  My- 
sia: ; Patra  Achaiic ; Sidon  Phoenicia: ; Tgrus 
Phoenicia:. 

That  the  above  type  is  peculiar  to  coins  of 
this  class,  is  rendered  probable  by  the  fact,  not 
only  that  it  is  found  on  the  coinage  of  so  many 
colonies,  but  also  that  it  is  found  on  them  alone, 
for  Sileuus  is  not  represented  in  the  attitude 
above  described  on  any  coins  of  cities,  which 
were  not  colonics. — Eekhel,  without  hesitation, 
pronounces  this  type  to  be  strictly  a colonial 
one  ; and  as  a sole  exceptional  instance,  he  re- 
fers to  the  Silcnus  which  appears,  in  a similar 
attitude,  on  a denarius  of  the  Ccnsorini  (sec 
Marcia  gens),  although  for  what  reason  adopted 
thereon,  is  not  known. 

Vaillant  regards  this  type,  as  having  reference 
to  abundant  vintages,  in  which  Silcnus  is  un- 
derstood to  have  delighted.  And,  in  this  opi- 
nion, that  celebrated  writer  on  Colonial  Coins 
is  followed  by  Believe,  in  his  dissertation  on  the 
coins  of  Bostra. — Eekhel,  on  the  other  hand, 
considers  it  to  iudicatc  the  jus  Ita/icum  ; and 
he  asks  “ how  is  it  that  wc  do  not  also  find  the 


COLON  I AE  ltOMANAE. 

figure  of  Silenus  on  the  coins  of  Greek  cities — 
cities  which  were  so  fond  of  boasting  the  ex- 
cellence of  their  wine,  in  so  many  various  ways?” 
He  then  commences  an  inquiry  into  the  reason 
why  the  Silenus  in  question  appears  almost  ex- 
clusively on  Homan  coins,  and  to  throw  light 
on  this  enigma,  quotes  two  passages  from  Scr- 
vius.  That  ancient  grammarian,  in  the  first 
place,  refers  to  Silenus  under  the  name  of  Mar- 
syas,  as  is  to  be  inferred  from  his  asserting  that 
this  Marsyas  was  under  the  guardianship  of 
Liber  Pater  (Bacchus),  and  performed  the  part 
of  his  attendant,  as  is  mythologically  predi- 
cated of  Silenus  ; and  in  the  next  place,  Servius 
states,  that  the  image  of  Marsyas  (meaning 
Silenus),  was  customarily  placed  in  the  forum 
of  the  Italian  cities,  as  the  symbol  of  Liberty, 
with  uplifted  hand,  proclaiming  that  the  city  was 
under  the  amplest  protection  (nihil  urbi  deesse) ; 
thus  pointing  out  the  very  posture  of  the  statue, 
resembling  that  of  the  figure  on  their  coins. — 
The  learned,  acute,  and  judicious  Author  of 
Doctrina  next  observes,  that  no  colonies  appear 
to  have  used  this  type  but  those  which  had  the 
jus  llalicum  granted  to  them  by  the  emperors. 
This  privilege  (jus),  the  most  ample  of  all  those 
which  the  Romans  were  accustomed  to  confer 
on  cities,  involved  immunity  from  capitation 
and  land  taxes ; and  it  was  termed  llalicum, 
because  Augustus  wished  that  this  advantage 
should  extend  to  the  whole  of  Italy. 

Eckhel  then  proceeds  to  the  following  effect: 
— “ It  must  be  evident  to  every  one,  that  the 
cities  which  were  distinguished  by  this  eminent 
privilege,  could,  without  undue  assumption, 
though  not  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  Ro- 
man sense  of  the  term,  be  called  free,  and  make 
that  boast,  which  Servius  supposes  to  be  inti- 
mated by  the  attitude  of  Silenus — namely  that 
thenceforward  they  had  no  further  privilege  to 
wish  for.  If,  then,  as  may  reasonably  be  con- 
jectured, it  was  in  order  to  make  a display  of 
this  their  liberty,  that  the  Italian  cities  so  con- 
stantly represented  Silenus  as  the  symbol  of 
freedom,  Servius,  himself  a Roman,  and  one 
who  had  been  an  eye-witness  of  this  custom  of 
the  Italian  cities,  could  with  propriety  state 
the  figure  of  this  demi-god  to  denote  the  liberty 
of  cities,  notwithstanding  his  having,  as  a 
writer,  made  use  of  expressions  not  quite  cor- 
rect (as  when  he  substitutes  Marsyas  for  Sile- 
nus, and  the  term  liberty  for  that  of  immunity, 
derived  from  the  jus  Italicum).  Moreover,  if 
the  Italian  cities  declared  their  freedom,  by  the 
erection  of  a statue  of  Silenus  in  their  forum, 
it  is  not  surprising  that  the  colonics  abroad 
should  have  been  fond  of  testifying,  in  a similar 
manner,  that  the  same  privileges  had  been  ex- 
tended to  themselves.  And,  indeed,  of  the 
twelve  cities  which  have  employed  the  type  of 
Silenus  on  their  coins  (see  the  list  given  above), 
there  are  five  which  it  is  certain  enjoyed  the 
jus  Italicum,  that  is  to  say,  Alexandria,  Bery- 
tus,  Laodicea,  Parium,  and  Tyre.  To  these 
may  safely  be  added  Sidon,  on  which  no  doubt 
the  jus  Italicum,  which  Tyre  possessed,  was 
bestowed  simultaneously  with  the  transfer  to  it 
2 II 


COLONIAE  ROMANAE.  233 

of  all  the  other  privileges  of  Tyre,  by  order  of 
Elagabalus.” 

By  way  of  support  to  his  conjecture,  Eckhel 
adds,  that  out  of  all  the  numerous  coins  of  Tyre, 
Sileuus  appears  on  those  only  which  declare 
that  city  to  be  a colony.  On  the  withdrawal 
of  its  colonial  rights,  hy  Elagabalus,  it  inti- 
mated its  forlorn  condition  by  the  legend  tyri- 
orvm,  whilst  Silenus  w’as  banished  from  its 
coinage.  To  this  instance  may  be  conjoined 
Patr®,  in  Achaia,  on  w'hich,  as  Pansanias  informs 
ns,  Augustus  conferred  all  the  advantages  which 
were  usually  allowed  to  a colony ; and  if  all,  no 
doubt  amongst  them  was  included  the  jus  Itali- 
cum. Consequently  out  of  twelve  cities,  seven 
arc  seen  to  have  enjoyed  that  right,  and  used 
the  type  of  Silenus. 

This  view  of  the  subject,  taken  by  the  ac- 
knowledged prince  of  numismatists,  is  materially 
confirmed  by  the  fact,  that  on  the  coins  of  those 
colonics,  to  which  the  jurists  Ulpian,  Paidus, 
and  other  learned  authors,  deny  the  jus  Itali- 
cum, viz.  Ptolemais,  Cmsarea  in  Samaria,  /Elia 
Capitolina,  and  Antioch  in  Syria,  not  the  least 
vestige  of  the  Silenus  type  is  to  be  found ; al- 
though their  coins  are  extant  in  abundance. — 
Of  Ptolemais,  Ulpian  says,  “ It  has  nothing 
beyond  the  name  of  a colony and  of  Caesarea 
and  Aelia,  the  same  writer  says,  “ Neither  of 
them  possesses  the  jus  Italicum.”  Antioch  in 
Syria  is  not  only  passed  over  entirely  by  Ulpian ; 
but  Paulus  has  merely  this  brief  notice  of  it — 
“ Divus  Antoninus  constituted  the  Antiochians 
colonists,  but  without  exemption  from  tribute 
(sal vis  tributis). — “ From  the  circumstance  how- 
ever that  the  above  named  writers  do  not  enu- 
merate among  the  Urbes  Italics,  Bostra,  Coela, 
Damascus,  Deultum,  Ncapolis,  Patrse,  and  Sidon, 
all  of  which  exhibit  the  type  of  Silenus  in  their 
mintages,  let  it  not  (says  Eckhel  in  conclusion) 
be  supposed  that  I would  have  any  one  infer, 
that  those  cities  did  not  possess  the/«4  Italicum; 
for  there  is  no  doubt  that  some  colonies  were 
admitted  to  the  privilege  in  question  at  a later 
period.” — See  Port.  Num.  Vet.  iv.  493,  et  seq. 

Colonial  Coins — metal  employed  in. — No  colo- 
nial coin  has  yet  been  found  in  gold.  Ncmausus 
has  given  several  in  silver,  with  the  inscription 
col.  Florez  saw  only  one  of  Carthago  Nova, 
and  one  of  Ilicum,  and  has  pronounced  them  to 
be  the  greatest  rarities.  There  are  very  rare 
silver  coins  of  Agrigentum,  in  Sicily,  without 
the  col.  and  inscribed  only  agrigentvm,  but 
which,  Eckhel  has  no  doubt,  were  struck  at 
Agrigentum,  after  the  planting  of  a colony 
there.  With  these  exceptions,  the  whole  of  the 
colonial  coinage  is  in  brass.  It  appears  that  the 
use  of  silver  was  not  forbidden  to  the  colonies 
planted  under  the  republic ; but  that  sub- 
sequently, brass  alone  was  permitted,  from  the 
time  that  Augustus,  and  his  successors,  re- 
served to  themselves  the  gold  and  silver  mints. 

Colonial  mintages — cessation  of. — The  latest 
time  of  striking  coins  in  the  colonics  of  His- 
pania  docs  not  extend  beyond  the  reign  of 
Caligula.  In  the  Gallic  provinces  they  had 
ceased  even  under  Augustus , and  earlier  still. 


231  COLONIAE  ROMAN  AE. 
on  the  continent  of  Italy ; as  there  is  no  coin  of 
an  Italian  colony,  exhibiting  a head  of  Caesar, 
or  of  Augustus.  The  coius  of  the  Sicilian 
colonics,  Agrigentuui  and  Panormus,  furnish  the 
portrait  of  Augustus  alone.  'The  colonics  of  old 
Africa  gave  up  the  minting-mallet,  under  'Tibe- 
rius ; and  Babba  alone,  in  New  Africa,  continued 
till  the  reign  of  Galba.  But  these  limits  apply 
not  only  to  the  coinage  of  the  colonies,  and 
mtiiripia  of  those  provinces,  but  also  to  that 
of  their  free  cities.  As  regards  the  provinces 
situated  eastward  of  the  Adriatic,  their  colonics 
present  examples  of  the  same  course,  adopted  iu 
reference  to  money,  by  their  free  cities.  For 
both  equally  abstained  from  striking  money 
during  the  reign  of  Gallienus,  with  the  exception 
of  a very  few,  which  exhibit  the  portraits  of 
some  of  the  emperors  immediately  succeeding 
him.  And  this  cessation  was  owing,  either  to 
the  universal  feeliug  of  satiety,  or  to  the  glut  of 
Roman  money,  in  the  provinces ; or  to  the 
fact,  that  about  this  time,  mints  were  in  the 
course  of  establishment,  for  the  coining  of 
money,  which  should  be  common  to  all  the  pro  • 
vinccs  of  the  empire. 

Colon  iarum  cudendi  permissio. — Permission 
to  strike  money  in  the  colonies. — Sec  perm, 
avgvsti,  and  permissv  caesaris — (si/ is  /oris.) 


COL.  L.  AN.  COM.  P.  M.  TIC  P.  XV. 
IMP.  VIII.  COS.  VI.  S.  C. — A priest  veiled, 
driving  a plough,  to  which  oxen  are  yoked. — 
First  and  second  brass  of  Commodus. 

On  this  reverse,  we  have  the  monctal  proof 
of  Rome  having  been  called  Colonia  Commo- 
diana, by  command  of  Commodus.  Lampri- 
dius  (chap.  8)  informs  us  that  this  emperor 
reached  such  a pitch  of  madness  as  to  desire  that 
the  city  of  Rome  should  be  called  the  Commodi- 
anian  colony ; an  act  of  folly  which  is  said  to 
have  been  brought  about,  by  the  fascinations  of 
Marcia,  his  Amazonian  mistress.  The  same  his- 
torian adds  that,  at  the  time  when  he  introduced 
to  the  Senate  his  scheme  for  turning  Rome  into 
Commodiana,  that  degenerate  body  not  only  re- 
ceived it  readily,  but  even  gave  itself  the  title  of 
(Senatus)  Com  modi  an  us.  Thus  the  absurdity 
was  fortified  even  by  a Senatus  consul  turn,  as  is 
shewn  by  the  coin  from  which  the  above  is  an 
accurate  cut,  and  which  is  marked  with  the  s.  c. 
To  show  how  obstinately  Commodus  had  set  his 
mind  on  this  object,  it  is  stated  by  Dion 
(Lxxii.  § 15),  that  the  people  were  commanded 
to  call  Rome  itself  Commodiana,  and  the  armies 
Commodiani.  And  further,  that  Rome  was 
styled  bv  the  emperor  himself  the  “ ctemnl 


COLONUS. 

fortunate  ( Felicem ) Colony  of  the  world  so 
intent  was  lie  on  the  city’s  being  considered  as 
his  own  colony.  But  this  new  “ settlement” 
had  a very  narrow  escape  from  destruction,  by 
the  hands  of  the  very  person  who  plant rd  it : 
for  he  would  have  set  fire  to  the  city,  says 
Lampridius  (ch.  15),  had  he  not  been  prevented 
j by  Lfetns. 

The  type  of  a priest  veiled,  ploughing,  with 
a yoke  of  oxen,  admirably  confirms  the  testimony 
of  historians,  for  (as  has  been  fully  demonstrated 
in  the  preceding  pages),  it  is  a common  one  on 
coins  of  cities  which  were  planted  as  colonics. 
The  golden  statue  erected  to  him,  with  the  figures 
of  a bull  and  a cow,  has  refcreucc  to  this  foolish 
attempt  of  Commodus,  in  his  pretended  capa- 
city of  founder  of  a colony.  The  legend, 
also,  perfectly  agrees  with  the  type  of  this  re- 
markable coin,  as  it  gives  the  word  COLouia. 

“ The  whole  inscription  (adds  Eckhel)  no  doubt 
should  be  thus  interpreted — COLouia  Lucia 
A'Stoniniana  COM odiana,  just  as  Diospolis  in 
Samaritis,  and  Elcuthcropolis  iu  J ml  sea,  styled 
themselves  on  coins  Lucia  Septimia  Sevenana. 
Still,  it  is  remarkable,  that  the  prienomcn  of 
Lucia  should  have  been  given  to  Rome,  at  a 
time,  when  Commodus  himself  constantly  used 
that  of  Marcus,  unless,  perhaps,  he  had  in 
his  mind  the  revival  of  the  old  and  long  disused 
name  of  Lucius,  which  he  really  adopted  two 
years  afterwards.” — Sec  vii.  122. 

The  same  subject  is  alluded  to  on  coins  in- 
scribed iierc.  ROM.  cond. — Among  Vaillant’s 
Select  tom  Numisma/a  from  the  De  Camps  collec- 
tion, now  in  the  Cabinet  de  France,  there  is  ouc 
which  exhibits  this  emi>cror  indulging  his  insane 
fancy  of  guiding  the  colouial  plough,  but  attired 
in  the  lion’s  skin  like  Hercules.  And  the  im- 
personation is  completed  by  a club  which  he 
carries  iu  his  right  hand.  For  Lampridius 
records,  that  “ He  caused  himself  to  be  styled 
Romanos  Hercules" — adding  the  reason  for  that 
designation,  viz.  “ because  he  had  slaughtered 
wild  beasts  in  the  amphitheatre  at  Lanuvium.”  It 
was  iu  memory  of  his  converting  the  eternal  city” 
into  a colony  bearing  his  own  name,  and  to  his 
own  honour,  as  “ Hercules  Romanus  Condilor ,” 
that  the  medallion  in  question  was  struck,  at 
the  beginning  of  his  7th  consulate,  in  colleague- 
ship  with  llclvius  Pertinax,  915  (a.  I).  192), 
and  during  his  17th  investiture  with  the  tri- 
bunitinn  power. — Sec  commodus,  biographical 
summary  of  (p.  210). — Engraved  in  Akermnu, 
i.  312,  pi.  D. 

COLON  FS — a term  obviously  derived  from 
colo,  to  till  or  cultivate  the  soil — means  an 
inhabitant  of  a colony,  who  was  nominally  a 
citizen  of  Rome ; because  he  had  the  rights  of 
citizenship,  though  not  in  all  their  extent;  uor  did 
the  co/oni  possess  what  was  called  Optimum  jus. 
Cicero  has  given  a detail  of  the  privileges  of 
which  a colouist  was  deprived.  Addressing 
himself  to  the  Roman  people,  the  great  orator 
says, — Vos  verb,  Quiritcs,  retinetc  istam  pos- 
i scssioncm  gratia-,  libertntis,  sutfragiorum,  dig- 
nitatis, L'rbis,  fori,  ludorum,  festorum,  Ac. 
Of  whatever  rank  they  were,  the  co/om  were 


COLOSSUS. 

eligible  to  be  enrolled  among  the  rural  tribes, 
so  that  they  became  equal,  by  the  right  of 
suffrages,  to  the  richest  and  most  distinguished 
citizens — Those  who  wished  to  become  members 
ol  a new  colony  were  accustomed  to  give  in  their 
names  to  the  triumvirs  charged  as  commissioners 
with  the  duty  of  forming  such  settlement.  And 
thus  persons  burtheued  with  the  pressure  ot 
domestic  circumstances,  obtained  with  their 
families  new  and  gratuitous  means  of  support. — 
See  Pitiscus,  Dictionnaire  des  Antiquites  lio- 
maines. 

Colonists  were  frequently  sent  out  by  the 
Itomaus  into  the  metropolis,  or  capital  city  of 
a nation  or  a province.  And  this  was  done  with 
a politic  view,  in  order  by  the  allegiance  of  one 
city  the  more  easily  to  secure  the  adherence  of 
the  other  towns  in  the  same  province  or  nation, 
lienee  we  find  the  united  diguities  of  Colonia 
and  Metropolis  arc  marked  on  coins  of  Charne, 
Edessa,  &e.  The  legends  being  sometimes  in 
the  vernacular  tongue  of  those  places  ; at  other 
times  in  the  Latin  language,  as  introduced  by 
the  colonists  themselves. 

COLOSSUS — a statue  of  prodigious  grandeur, 
far  beyond  the  size  of  life.  At  first  they  were 
made  thus  large  and  lofty  only  in  honour  of  the 
gods,  in  order  to  indicate  the  extent  of  their 
power  by  the  vastuess  of  their  stature.  After- 
wards, however,  when  human  rulers  affected 
divine  honours,  they  readily  allowed  themselves 
to  receive  a homage  which  had  till  then  been 
reserved  to  their  deities.  The  Asiatics  and 
Kgyptiau s had  a remarkable  fondness  for  gigantic 
figures.  The  Greeks  also  possessed  many  Co- 
lossi, among  which  was  the  celebrated  one  of 
Rhodes,  executed  by  Chares  Lindins,  a disciple 
ot  Lysippus,  and  which  was  70  cubits  high.— 
The  Romans  adorned  their  cities  with  similar 
monuments,  which  at  first  they  brought  thither 
from  the  countries  they  had  conquered.  At  a 
later  period  the  pride  and  ambition  of  the  em- 
peror* added  colossal  magnitude  to  the  other  at- 
tributes of  their  power.  Nero  caused  his  colos- 
sal statue  to  be  erected  in  the  via  sacra  at  Rome 
(near  the  spot  afterwards  occupied  by  Vespasian’s 
amphitheatre) ; and  on  a large  brass  of  that 
emperor  there  is  a triumphal  arch  (sec  p.  77), 
in  oue  of  the  sides  of  which  wc  see  a figure  of 
extraordinary  proportions,  compared  with  the 
other  statues  that  adorn  it,  and  which,  with 
probability,  is  regarded  by  Oiselius  and  others 
to  represent  Nero.  See  also  a colossal  figure 
of  that  emperor  on  the  large  brass  of  poet, 
ostia.  Domitian  and  Hadrian  also  erected 
colossal  statues. — Hayin  has  published  a coin, 
on  which  is  a colossus  between  two  tem- 
ples dedicated  to  Caracalla  and  Geta,  or  to 
Severus  and  Caracalla.  Millingcn  has  also  given 
a colonial  second  brass  dedicated  to  Antoninus 
Pius,  on  the  reverse  of  which,  in  the  middle  of 
a harbour  with  ships  in  it  (supposed  to  be  meant 
lor  that  of  CenchreaJ,  stands  a colossal  image 
of  Neptune. — Sec  corinthus. 

COLUMNA. — A column  or  pillar — round  in 
form,  and  composed  (in  architectural  language), 

2 II  2 


COLUMNA.  235 

of  a body  called  the  shaft,  of  a head  termed  the 
capital,  and  of  a foot  denominated  the  base. 
The  Romans  had  epithets  to  designate  different 
insulated  columns,  used  for  public  purposes . 
Those  noticeable  on  their  coins  were  the  rostrated 
and  the  triumphal. — The  following  are  well- 
known  examples  of  each : — 


COLUMNA  ANTONINIANA. — A magnifi- 
cent pillar,  which  still  “ lifts  its  head”  in  one 
of  the  finest  squares  (or  piazze)  in  Rome,  is 
thus  called,  as  having  been  raised,  according  to 
general  belief,  by  the  Senate  and  People  to  the 
memory  of  Antoninus  Pius.  And  there  arc  in- 
scriptions on  it  which  countenance  and  support 
this  belief.  But  inasmuch  as  certaiu  details  of 
the  war  against  the  Marcomanni  are  recorded 
on  this  column — a war  conducted  by  his  succes- 
sor Marcus  Aurelius — it  has  been  therefrom  in- 
ferred that  this  famous  monument  was  not 
finished  till  the  reign  of  Commodus.  It  appeal's, 
however,  more  likely  to  have  been  erected  during 
the  reign  of  Marcus  Aurelius.  That  prince 
having  occasionally  been  called  Divus  Antoni- 
nus, or  Marcus  Antoninus,  has  perhaps  given 
rise  to  the  ambiguity.  At  any  rate,  the  name 
of  Antoninus  remains  attached  to  the  column, 
which  is  116  French  feet  in  height,  and  11  in 
diameter.  It  is  entirely  of  marble,  and  is  sur- 
rounded with  bassi  relicvi,  which  form  twenty 
spirals  around  the  shaft. 

Silver  and  large  brass  coins,  bearing  the  por- 
trait of  Antoninus  Pius,  and  judging  from  the 
legend  of  consecration,  evidently  struck  after 
that  emperor’s  death,  exhibit  a typificatiou  of 
the  column,  with  a colossal  statue  of  the  hu- 
perator  standing  on  its  summit,  holding  a spear 
in  his  right  hand.  The  base  of  the  pillar  is 
surrounded  with  a railing.  The  above  cut  is 
engraved  from  a well-preserved  large  brass. — 
See  divo  pio. 

In  describing  a choice  specimen  of  this  in- 
teresting type  in  his  own  collection,  Captain 
Smyth  (p.  126)  observes — “ This  celebrated 
column,  erected  by  Marcus  Aurelius,  in  the  field 
of  Mars,  in  imitation  of  that  of  Trajan,  w as 
inferior  to  it  in  all  respects  except  that  of 
height.  The  dimensions  of  this  monument  arc 
thus  given  by  Publius  Victor ‘ Templum  Divi, 
cum  coclide  columna,  qua;  cst  alia  pedes  175, 
habet  intus  gradus  206,  et  fenestellas  (small 
windows)  56.”  It  still  exists  in  situ,  although 
it  has  been  greatly  damaged  by  fire ; and  Pope 
Sixtus  Vth  having  placed  St.  Peter  on  Trajan’s 
pillar,  set  up  St.  Paul  on  this.” 


236 


COLUMNA. 


COLUMN  A ROSTRATA. — This  was  a pil- 
lar which  the  Senate  and  the  Roman  People 
raised  on  the  occasion  of  some  naval  successes, 
and  adorned  with  the  rostra,  or  prows  of  con- 
quered  squadrons.  The  first  rostrated  or  beaked 
columns  were  erected  iu  the  forum,  to  comme- 
morate a victory  gained  by  the  Roman  fleet 
under  the  consul  C.  Duillius  over  that  of  the 
Carthaginians,  B.  c.  261.  It  was  a marble  pil- 
lar, found  in  1560,  and  is  to  be  seen  in  the 
capitol  at  Rome.— Engraved  in  Dr.  W.  Smith’s 
Dictionary  of  Roman  Antiquities,  p.  267. 

On  a silver  coin  of  Augustus,  the  reverse 
type  presents  a column,  ornamented  with  beaks 
and  anchors  of  ships,  on  which  stands  a figure 
of  the  emperor,  in  a military  habit,  with  a spear 
in  the  right  hand,  and  a short  sword,  or  the 
parazonium,  in  the  other,  imp.  caes.  inscribed 
on  the  field  of  the  coin. 

This  type  bears  reference  to  a circumstance 
recorded  by  Appian  (b.  c.  lib.  v.  ch.  130),  that 
on  Octavianus  Cwsar’s  return  from  the  cam- 
paign in  Sicily  against  Pompey,  a.  u.  c.  718 
(b.  c.  36),  amongst  other  honours  decreed  to 
Augustus  was  the  following— that  a gold  statue 
of  him,  in  the  triumphal  attire  in  which  he  en- 
tered the  city,  should  be  erected  to  him  in  the 
forum,  on  a column  to  which  were  aftixed  the 
beaks  of  ships,  and  inscribed,  ob.  pacem.  div. 
TVRBATAM.  TERRA.  MARiqVE.  RESTITVTAM. — 
It  is  to  this  that  Virgil  also  alludes,  when 
amongst  the  fainons  monuments  of  Augustus, 
he  mentions,  “ navali  surgentes  acre  columnas,” 

“ columns  soaring  aloft,  made  of,  or  adorned 
with,  naval  brass.”  (Georg,  iii.  2D).  To  which 
Servius  adds,  “ Augustus  becoming  the  con- 
queror of  all  Egypt,  part  of  which  Cicsar  had 
reduced,  brought  away  from  the  naval  engage- 
ment many  beaks  of  ships,  which  he  melted 
down  and  made  into  four  columns,  afterwards 
placed  by  Domitian  in  the  capitol.” — Eckhel, 
vi.  86. 

A rostrated  column,  as  represented  in  the 
annexed  cut,  surmounted  by  a male  figure,  with 
radiated  head,  holding  the 
hasta,  appears  oil  gold  and 
silver  coins  of  Vespasian. — 
The  statue  on  the  top  of  the 
column  seems  (says  Var- 
iant), to  be  that  of  Vespa- 
sian, and  the  coin  which  the 
legend  of  reverse,  cos.  vin. 
tr.  pot.  x.  shews  to  have  been  minted  a.  d. 
77,  refers  to  some  victory  ; perhaps  that  naval 
engagement  in  which  he  defeated  the  Jews  on  the 
lake  of  Geuesarct,  as  related  by  Josephus.  There 
is  a similar  coin  and  type  of  Titus,  struck  in 
remembrance  of  his  naval  victories,  and  on  which 
his  image,  with  radiated  head,  surmounts  the 
rostral  column. 

COLUMNA  TRAJANA. — The  superb  mo 
nurncut  bearing  this  appellation,  and  existing  nt 
this  moment  in  the  Eternal  City,  was  erected 
by  the  Senate  and  the  Roman  People  to  the 
honour  of  Trqjan,  in  the  forum  which  that  em- 
peror had  caused  to  be  built  at  Rome  (by  Apol- 
todorus  of  Athens),  and  which  wns  called  after 


COLUMNA. 

his  name.  This  noble  pillar  remained  uninjured 
by  the  wear  and  tear  of  ages,  except  that  the 
statue  of  the  emperor  had  disappeared  from  its 
summit,  and  that  a balustrade  of  brass,  which 
originally  surrounded  the  top,  existed  no  longer. 
Pope  Sixtus  V.  undertook  to  repair  these  losses, 
and  employed  the  Cuvaliere  Fontana  iu  supply- 
ing a balustrade  of  iron  ; but  iustcad  of  raising 
another  statue  of  Trajan,  copied  as  it  might 
have  been  from  his  coins,  His  Holiness  prefer- 
red to  see  the  vacant  place  tilled  up  with  a 
brazen  figure  of  St.  Peter,  “who  (as  Eckhel  says, 
with  classical  sarcasm  on  pontifical  taste), 

“ marvels  no  doubt  what  connection  there  can 
be  between  himself  and  the  relievos  of  the 
column,  which  exhibit  the  horrors  of  war 
and  the  ceremonies  of  paganism — thus  trans- 
forming this  renowned  work  into  a contemptible 
hybrid.” 

Several  ancient  historians  have  made  allusion 
to  this  magnificent  object,  and  state  its  dimen- 
sions, each  after  his  own  calculations. — Dion 
says,  inter  alia , “ Trajan’s  column  in  the  forum 
is  of  vast  height.” — Eutropius  affirms,  that  it  was 
14 1 feet  high. — Cassiodorus  140  feet. — P.  Victor 
says,  “ It  was  128  feet  in  height.” — Modern 
writers,  on  more  minute  admeasurement,  esti- 
mate its  diameter  at  12  feet  and  J (French),  and 
its  height  at  100  feet,  including  the  base  and 
capital.  The  summit  of  the  column  is  attained 
by  means  of  an  interior  staircase,  cut  round  in 
the  marble.  This  staircase  receives  the  light  by 
43  openings  pierced  in  the  shaft.  The  sculptured 
work  with  which  the  whole  exterior  of  the  column 
is  decorated,  makes  a spiral  ascent  of  23  turns 
round  the  pillar  like  a shell  (whence  its  appella- 
tion cochlis).  It  represents  in  a series  of 
tableaus  the  exploits  of  Trajau,  throughout 
both  the  Dacian  campaigns.  They  are  ex- 
tremely curious  as  regards  both  art  and  history, 
exhibiting  as  they  do,  settings  out  on  marches, 
forms  of  encampment,  passages  of  rivers,  sacri- 
fices, battles,  victories,  and  trophies.  These 
pictures  arc  all  of  fine  workmanship,  and  de- 
ficient in  a graphic  sense  only  as  to  perspective, 
the  rules  of  which  the  ancients  seldom  if  ever 
appear  to  have  understood.  As  a means,  how- 
ever, of  retracing  the  most  memorable  incidents 
of  the  Dacian  war,  and  of  presenting  many 
interesting  details  relative  to  military  autiquitics, 
such  sculptured  relics  arc  of  the  greatest  value. 


Coins  in  gold  and  silver,  also  in  first  and  second 
brass,  minted  a.  d.  113,  in  memory  of  the  time 
when  this  triumphal  pillar  was  constructed, 


COLUMNA. 

exhibit  the  statue  (of  brass  gilt)  by  which  it 
was  originally  surmounted.  It  represented 
Trajan  in  the  garb  of  war,  holding  in  one  hand 
a spear,  and  in  the  other  a globe.  On  the 
pedestal,  close  to  the  base  of  the  column,  stands 
an  eagle  on  each  side.  The  emperor,  however, 
never  beheld  the  column  thus  raised  to  record 
and  perpetuate  his  military  fame:  for,  returning 
from  Persia,  he  died  in  the  East  on  his  way  to 
Rome,  a.  d.  117.  His  ashes,  inclosed  in  a 
golden  urn,  were  interred  uuder  the  coluum — 
being  the  first  buried  within  the  city. 

The  legend  on  the  coin  in  each  metal  dis- 
playing this  interesting  type  of  reverse,  is 
s.  p.  q.  r.  optimo  pkincipi.  (on  the  brass  s.  c. 
is  added.) 

The  date  (observes  Eckliel)  of  the  completion 
and  dedication  of  this  surprising  monument  is 
almost  sufficiently  defined  by  the  inscription 
above  the  door  of  the  column,  viz. : — 

SENATVS.  POPVLVSQ.  ROMAN  VS. 

IMP.  CAESAR  I.  DIVI.  NERVAE.  F. 

NERVAE.  TRAIANO.  AVG.  GERM. 

DACICO.  PONTIF.  MAXIMO.  TRI. 

POT.  XVII.  IMP.  VI.  COS.  VI.  P.  P. 

AI).  DECLARANDVM.  QVANTAE. 

ALTITVDINIS.  MONS.  ET.  LOCVS. 
*TANTw  ojpm'BVS  SIT.  EGE. 

ST  VS. 

* So  Fabretti  contends  it  should  be  read ; 
others  fill  up  the  lacuna  differently : thus 

TANTw  ex  colli BVS  SIT.  EGESTVS. 

According  to  this  inscription,  the  column, 
among  other  purposes,  auswered  that  of  a 
measure  to  indicate  the  depth  (that  is  to  say 
its  height  corresponding  to  the  depth)  of  soil  re- 
moved from  the  Quirinal  Mount,  to  make  room 
for  the  foundations  of  the  itnmeusc  Forum 
Trajani.  The  inscription  also  records  the  com- 
pletion of  the  column  to  have  been  when  Trajan 
liad  entered  upon  his  XVIIth  Tribunitia  Poteslas, 
which  occurred  in  the  autumn  of  the  year  v.  c. 
8G6  (a.  D.  113).  Its  dedication,  therefore, 
cannot  be  assigned  to  an  earlier  period,  nor 
indeed  to  one  much  later  than  the  beginning  of 
the  following  year ; for  this  emperor,  iu  the  year 
following  (867)  adopted,  amongst  his  titles,  that 
of  optimvs;  and  as  the  inscription  above  quoted 
does  not  give  that  title,  it  follows  that  the  work 
was  completed,  and  the  inscription  cut  within 
the  interval  already  pointed  out. — See  JJ.  N.  V. 
vol.  vi.  p.  429-30. 

The  Columna  Trajana  has  been  frequently  en- 
graved. An  accurate  series  of  plates  from  the 
original  designs,  with  the  observations  of  Gori, 
are  to  be  found  in  Morell.  Thesau.  Impp.  T.  iii. 

COM.  Communitas. 

COAI.  ASI.  Communitas  Asia. — Under  the 
pro-consular  province  of  Asia  were  comprised 
Lydia,  Iconia,  Caria,  Mysia,  Phrygia,  and  Hcl- 
lespontus,  which  were  in  consequence  called  the 
Commuuity  of  Asia. 

COM.  ASI.  ROM.  ET.  AVG.— A silver 
mcdalliou  of  Claudius  has  on  its  reverse  the  fore- 
going legend ; aud  for  the  accompanying  type, 


COM.  ASIAE.  237 

a two-columned  temple ; 
within  which  is  the  figure 
of  a man  in  a military 
habit,  crowned  by  a fe- 
male figure  who  holds  a 
cornucopise. — The  abbre- 
viated words  ROM.  ET 
avg.  are  inscribed  on  the 
frieze  of  the  temple  ; 
whilst  com.  asi.  appears 
on  the  field  of  the  coin,  the  temple  being  be- 
tween them.  On  the  obverse  is  ti.  clavdivs 
caesar  avg.  with  the  bare  head  of  Claudius. — 
This  medallion  was  struck  at  Pergamus,  iu 
Mysia,  about  807  (a.  d.  54). — Eckliel,  vi.  245. 

“ It  seems,”  says  Tristan,  (Commentaires  His- 
toriques,  T.  i.  183)  “ that  the  medal  was  minted 
in  honour  of  Claudius,  immediately  after  his 
accession  to  the  empire  ; the  Asiatics  wishing 
to  signify  that  Claudius  was  elevated  to  the  Roman 
monarchy  on  account  of  the  love  borne  him  by  the 
Romans,  inspired  thereto  by  the  divine  genius 
of  the  city  of  Rome.”  Havercamp,  on  the  other 
hand  (see  Morell.  Thesaur.  Impp.  vol.  ii.  p.  15), 
expresses  the  more  probable  opinion  that  the 
temple  thus  typified  is  one  which  the  Alaban- 
denses  of  Caria,  or  some  other  province  of  the 
Communitas  Asia,  had  built  in  honour  of  Roma 
and  Augustus,  and  that  the  coin  was  struck 
simply  in  congratulation  to  Claudius,  on  his 
recent  attainment  of  the  supreme  power  formerly 
possessed  by  Augustus,  whom  they  were  then 
worshipping  as  a God. 

Similar  medallions,  in  silver,  were  coined 
under  Nerva  and  Trajan.  Vaillant,  who  gives 
the  former  (in  Num.  Prast.  Impp.  p.  113),  does 
not  consider  that  the  temple  refers  to  either  of 
these  emperors,  as  the  AVG ustus  of  the  in- 
scription ; although  its  type  seems  to  have  been 
considered  worthy  of  bciug  renewed  in  honour 
of  each  respectively,  by  the  community  of 
Asiatic  provinces,  comprised  uuder  the  pro- 
consular government  of  Rome. 

Eckhel,  whilst  treating  of  the  coinage  of  Au- 
gustus, under  the  year  of  Rome  735  (b.  c.  19) 
proves,  that  these  and  similar  coins  of  Claudius 
aud  Nerva  were  struck  at  Pergamus,  in  Mysia. 

COM.  ASIAE. — A temple  of  six  columns, 
on  the  frieze  of  which  is  inscribed  rom.  et  av- 
gvst. — On  a silver  medallion  of  Augustus,  in 
the  imperial  museum  at  Vicuna. 

Eckliel,  by  the  subjoined  animadversions  on 
this  coin,  shews  how  its  legend  and  type  com- 
bine to  throw  light  on  the  meaning  of  those 
bearing  similar  inscriptions,  struck  under  Clau- 
dius, aud  Nerva,  as  above  described  : — 

Suetonius  (cap.  52)  says  of  Augustus, — 
“ Though  he  was  aware  that  temples  used  to  be 
decreed  even  to  pro-consuls,  would  permit  none 
to  be  dedicated  in  any  of  the  provinces,  except 
jointly  to  himself  and  Roma.  For  in  Rome  it- 
self he  most  resolutely  abstained  from  the  dis- 
tinction of  a sole  dedication.” — Schlegcl  is  far 
from  happy  in  his  conjecture,  that  the  temple 
on  this  coin  represents  that  of  Jupiter  Olyrnpi- 
cus,  which  stood  in  Athens,  and  was  erected  at 
the  common  cost  of  all  the  kings  of  Asia. — 


238  COMANA. 

From  other  sources  we  have  indisputable  evi- 
dence, that  this  is  the  temple  at  Pcrganuis,  in 
Asia.  The  first  testimony  is  that  of  Tacitus 
fA/inal.  vi.  3") — “ Divus  Augustus  did  not  for- 
bid the  erection  of  a temple  at  Pcrgamus,  in 
the  joint  names  of  himself  and  the  city  Roma.” 
— To  the  same  purport  also  arc  certain  Greek 
coins  of  Pergamus,  which,  struck  not  only  after 
the  decease  of  Augustus,  but  also  during  his 
life-time,  exhibit  that  emperor  standing  withiu 
a temple,  with  a spear  iu  his  hand,  and  the  in- 
scription 0EON.  2EBA2TON.  And  again,  on 
other  coins,  struck  in  the  same  city  in  the  time 
of  Augustus,  we  see  a turreted  head  of  Roma, 
with  the  legend  0EAN.  PHMHN.  And  further, 
on  a coin  of  Pergamus,  in  the  imperial  cabinet, 
struck  in  the  reign  of  Trajan,  is  fouud  the  in- 
scription P.QMH.  KAI.  2EBA2TH.  with  the 
type  of  a temple,  withiu  which  Augustus,  stand- 
ing and  holding  a spear  in  his  right  haud,  is 
crowued  by  Roma,  who  stands  beside  him,  with 
cornucopiie  iu  her  left  haud ; and  if  with  this 
we  compare  the  silver  medallions  bearing  heads 
of  Claudius,  Nerva,  aud  Trajan,  and  inscribed 
com.  asi.  rom.  et  avg.  with  a similar  type,  it 
will  become  sufficiently  evident,  that  coins 
agreeing  thus  in  legend  aud  type,  and  differing 
only  iu  longue,  must  have  been  struck  in  one 
aud  the  same  city,  viz.  Pergamus. — Still  more 
to  the  purpose  of  the  coin  before  us,  Dion  Cas- 
siiu  (li.  c.  20),  after  stating  that  Ctcsar  Augus- 
tus permitted  temples  to  be  erected  at  Ephesus 
and  N'icjea,  in  honour  of  Rome  aud  his  father 
Julius,  adds — “To  foreigners,  however,  whom 
he  used  to  term  Greeks,  lie  gave  permission  to 
erect  temples  to  himself  also,  viz.  to  the  Asiatics 
at  Pergamus,  and  to  the  Bithyuians  at  Nico- 
media.”  These,  therefore,  were  the  same  Asi- 
atics who  style  themselves  on  this  coin  CO.M- 
m uni l as  AS1AE,  thereby  indicating,  that  the 
temple  there  represented  was  raised  iu  honour 
of  ROMA  aud  AVGVSTw  by  their  contribu- 
tions.— Doct.  Num.  Vet.  vi.  245. 

COM.  BIT.  ( Commune  Bithynia). — A tem- 
ple, on  the  frieze  of  which  is  inscribed  ROM.  s. 
p.  avg. — Silver  medallion  of  Hadrian. 

COM.  BIT.  S.  P.  R. — Inscribed  on  a silver 
mcdalliou  of  the  same  emperor,  on  the  reverse 
of  which  is  a temple  of  four  columns,  with  a 
military  figure  standing  in  it. — For  an  explana- 
tory notice  of  both  these  coins,  sec  rom.  et  avg. 

COM.  Commodus. 

COM.  Comes. — COM.  IMP.  AVG.  Comes 
Imperatoris  August!. 

COMANA  in  Pontus,  Co/onia. — This  city 
(now  A1  Boston)  was,  according  to  Vaillant, 
made  a colony  by  Julius  Cicsar,  after  the  over- 
throw of  Pharuaccs,  sou  of  Mithridatcs  ; hence 
its  title  of  Julia.  It  was  afterwards  re-peopled 
with  veterans  by  Augustus,  and  for  that  reason 
also  called  Augusta. — The  imperial  coins  of  this 
city  are  in  large  and  small  brass.  They  belong 
to  only  three  reigns,  viz. : Antoninus  Pius  and 
Caracalla,  with  Latin  legends,  and  Alexander 
Sevcrus,  with  a Greek  lcgcud.  A first  brass  of 
this  colony,  dedicated  to  Caracalla,  bears  for  its 
legend  of  reverse,  cot.  ivt.  avg.  comanorv. 


COMMODUS. 

( Cotonia  Julia  Augusta  Comanorum.)  The  type 
presents  a temple  of  two  columns,  within  which 
stands  a woman,  clothed  in  a tunic,  and  a large 
veil,  which  she  spreads  out  with  her  extended 
arms. — Eugraved  in  Vaillant,  vol.  ii.  p.  32. 

COMES,  a word  which  means  companion,  in 
the  proper  and  natural  sense,  was  used  uuder 
the  princes  of  the  lower  empire,  to  designate 
those  who  were  of  the  household,  and  in  the 
train  of  the  sovereign,  and  who  had  some  pe- 
culiar functions.  Comes  Imperii  signifies  a col- 
league iu  government,  and  is,  perhaps,  in  this 
sense  to  be  taken,  when  the  word  is  fouud  on 
coins  of  the  imperial  series,  whereon  it  serves  as 
a species  of  flattery  to  the  reigning  emperor, 
with  whose  name  are  associated  the  names  of  cer- 
tain deities,  such  as  Hercules,  Sol,  Victoria,  &c. 

COMITI. — Sec  Herccli  Comiti  Aug. — 
Soli  Invicto  Comiti,  &c. 

COMITATES  AEGG. — (The  train  or  retinue 
of  the  emperors.)  Two  horsemen  with  right 
hands  raised,  and  a sceptre  or  spear  in  their  left 
hands. 

This  legend  and  type,  the  latter  of  which  is 
evidently  borrowed  from  the  C.  et  L.  Casarcs, 
or  the  Nero  et  Drusus  CWsares  of  Augustus, 
arc  given  by  Banduri  ns  those  of  a very  rare 
gold  coin  of  Coustnutius  Chlorus,  which  lie  re- 
fers to  the  date  of  a.  d.  292,  when  Constantius 
and  Galerius  were  in  eolleagueship. — kbcll  (p. 
215)  gives  an  engraving  of  a gold  coin,  of  the 
highest  rarity,  bearing  on  its  obverse  the  head 
aud  legend  of  dioci.etianvs  avgvstvs,  with  the 
same  legend  and  type  on  its  reverse  as  that 
above  described,  and  which  he  assigns  to  about 
a.  D.  286,  when  Diocletian  and  Maxiiniuian 
Hercules  were  joint  Angusti. — Sec  Eekhel  also 
relative  to  these  coins,  viii.  5. 

COMIT1EM. — Tliis  place  of  public  assembly, 
to  which  reference  has  already  bccu  made  under 
the  head  of  cloacin  (see  p.  219),  was  situate 
iu  the  forum,  beginning,  according  to  Martianns, 
from  the  gate  of  the  palace,  and  finishing  at  the 
spot  now  occupied  by  the  church  of  S.  Maria 
Nova.  Though  surrounded  by  a wall,  the  co- 
mitium  was  without  a roof  in  the  early  days  of 
Rome.  It  was  covered  in  during  that  year  so 
memorable  in  Roman  annals,  when  Hannibal 
entered  Italy  ; and  it  was  afterwards  ornamented 
with  pictures  and  statues. — On  a denarius  of  the 
Silia  gens,  two  figures  arc  seen  ascending  by 
steps  to  the  bridge,  or  platform  of  the  comitium, 
to  cast  their  votes  into  baskets,  having  taken 
their  tickets  for  that  purpose  from  the  diribitores, 
or  scrutineers,  below. — The  comitium  is  like- 
wise seen  on  coins  of  Hostilia,  Liciuia,  aud 
Mussidia  families. — Sec  Morel!.  Thesaur.  Pam. 
Rom. 

COM  M.  or  COMMOD.  Commodus. — comm. 

ANT.  AVG.  BRIT. 

COMMODES  (Lucius  Aurelius)  AXTONINCS, 
who  on  his  coins  is  also  called  Marcus,  was  the 
son  of  M.  Aurelius  and  of  Faustina  junior ; and 
was  born  at  Lanuvium,  in  Latium,  914  (a.  d. 
161),  the  year  in  which  his  father  entered  on 
his  third  consulate,  and  succeeded  Autoninus  in 
the  sovereignty — viz.  the  day  before  the  calends 


COM  MODUS. 

of  September.  His  mother  gave  birth  at  the 
same  time  to  another  son,  named  Antoninus , 


and,  in  reference  to  the  event,  Geminus ; hut 
I hat  child  died  at  the  age  of  four  years.  Capito- 
linas, however,  gives  it  as  his  opinion,  that 
Cominodus  was  the  son,  not  of  Aurelius,  but  of 
some  gladiator.  Whichever  of  the  two  may  be 
the  correct  version,  it  is  certain  that  Aurelius 
constantly  acknowledged  him  as  his  own  child ; 
and  was  much  attached  to  him,  frequently  carry- 
ing him  in  his  arms,  and  shewing  him  to  the 
soldiers ; and  not  only  endeavoured  himself  to 
instil  virtuous  principles  into  his  mind,  but  also 
committed  his  education  to  the  care  of  men  re- 
markable for  their  moral  and  intellectual  quali- 
fications ; with  how  little  benefit  was  shewn 
throughout  the  whole  of  his  atrocious  career. 

In  919  (a.d.  166),  Commodus  received  the 
title  of  Caesar,  in  conjunction  with  his  brother 
Auuius  Verus,  at  the  request  of  L.  Vcrus,  on 
the  occasion  of  the  triumph  celebrated  by  both 
emperors,  over  the  Parthians. 

925  (a.d.  172).  He  was  styled  germanicvs. 

928  (a.  d.  175).  Admitted  as  a priest  into 
all  the  sacerdotal  colleges,  he  went  the  same  year 
from  Rome  into  Germania,  by  order  of  his 
father,  who  there  conferred  on  him  the  toga 
virilis,  at  the  time  of  the  revolt  of  Avidius 
Cassius,  i.  e.  the  7th  of  July.  On  that  occasion 
he  was  also  styled  princeps  iwintvtis,  and 
before  the  customary  time  nominated  consul. 
Same  year,  he  set  out  with  his  father  for  the 
East,  iu  order  to  put  an  end  to  the  disturbances 
still  resulting  from  the  revolt  of  Cassius.  The 
title  of  sarmaticvs,  which  Aurelius  assumed 
this  year,  was  also  shared  by  Commodus. 

929.  (a.  d.  176).  Towards  the  close  of  this 
year,’  he  returned  with  his  father  from  the  East, 
and  received,  in  conjunction  with  Aurelius,  the 
title  of  IMPERATOR,  on  the  27th  of  November. 
The  honours  of  a triumph  for  victories  over  the 
Gcrmani,  and  Sarmatsc,  were  conferred  by  a 
Scnatus  Consultum  upon  his  father  and  himself 
on  the  23rd  of  December.  Shortly  afterwards 
he  was  associated  by  Aurelius  in  the  Tribunitia 
Potestas ; on  which  occasion  a congiarium  was 
distributed  to  the  people. 

930  (a.d.  177).  In  January  of  this  year,  he 
proceeded  Consul ; about  this  time  he  married 
Crispins.  The  same  year  Aurelius  conferred  the 
title  of  Augustus  and  also  that  of  Pater  Pa- 
tri.e  on  his  unworthy  son  ; and  in  consequence 


COMMODUS.  239 

j of  victories  gained,  associated  him  with  himself 
as  Imperator  II. 

931  (a.  n.  178).  On  the  5th  of  August,  he 
I set  out  with  his  father  for  the  war  in  Germania. 

932  (a.  d.  179).  Commodus  was  present  in 
I the  German  campaign.  A bloody  victory  was 
J gained  over  the  Marcomanni,  the  Hermanduri, 

and  the  Sarmatae,  in  consequence  of  which  Au- 
relius was  styled  imp.  x.  and  Commodus  imp.  hi. 

933  (a.  d.  180).  Marcus  Aurelius  dying  on 
the  17th  March,  Commodus  succeeded  to  the 
sole  sovereignty.  Leaving  the  war  still  un- 
finished, and  concluding  a peace  with  the  bar- 
barians, for  which,  as  it  would  appear,  lie  re- 
ceived the  victorious  title  of  imp.  iv.  lie  returned 
to  Rome,  and  celebrated  a triumph. 

935  (a.  d.  182).  Nothing  of  importance  is 
recorded  to  have  taken  place,  under  this  reign, 
during  the  preceding  year.  But  in  the  latter 
part  of  this  year,  Commodus  was  declared  im- 
perator v.  by  acclamation,  according  to  the 
testimony  of  coins,  although  in  reward  of  what 
victory  is  not  known ; for  historians  record 
several  wars,  conducted  by  his  lieutenants,  with- 
out specifying  dates. 

936  (a.  d.  183).  Serving  the  consulate  (tv.) 
with  Aufidius  Victorianus  for  his  colleague, 
Commodus  was  styled  IMP.  vi.  at  the  close  of 
this  year,  though  it  is  uncertain  for  what  vic- 
tory. Tillemont  expresses  his  opinion  that  it 
was  for  one  over  the  Britons.  Commodus 
escaped  a dangerous  conspiracy  set  on  foot  by 
his  sister  Lucilla,  whom,  as  well  as  his  wife,  he 
caused  to  be  put  to  death.  This  year  the  agno- 
men of  pivs  is  added  to  his  titles. 

937  (a.  d.  184).  The  title  poxt.  max.  be- 
gins. This  year  the  Caledonians  having  crossed 
the  wall,  an  important  war  wras  waged  with 
them  by  the  Roman  forces  in  Britain,  under  the 
generalship  of  Ulpins  Marcellus,  a man  of  the 
highest  military  renown ; in  consequence  of 
whose  victories,  Commodus  gained  first  the  title 
of  imp.  vn.  and  afterwards  of  BRIT annieus. 

938  (a.  d.  185).  The  soldiers  demanded  that 
Perennis,  the  pretorian  prefect,  should  be  given 
up  to  execution.  Terrified  by  their  threats, 
Commodus  surrendered  him  to  their  fury ; and 
they  put  him  to  death,  with  his  whole  family. 
After  this,  Commodus  received  the  title  of  felix. 

930  (a.  d.  186).  In  his  fifth  consulate,  Com- 
modus was  declared  imperator  viii.  by  accla- 
mation, but  for  what  victory  is  doubtful.  It  is 
also  uncertain  what  occurrences  arc  to  be  as- 
signed to  the  succeeding  year. 

941  (a.  d.  188)  On  pretence  of  an  expedi- 
tion to  Africa,  he  levied  a vast  sum  of  money. 
Aud  in  April  vota  were  entered  into  for  his 
success.  Detained,  however,  at  Rome,  by  his 
faithful  Senate  and  People,  he  applied  the  cash 
to  feasting  aud  gaming. 

942  (a.  d.  189).  To  this  year  Tillemont  as- 
signs another  cowardly  abandonment  of  a public 
functionary  to  the  vengeance  of  a mutinous  sol- 
diery. Oleander,  the  pretorian  prefect,  like  his 
predecessor  Perennis,  was  given  up  by  this  base 
emperor  at  the  first  summons,  and  with  his 
whole  family  was  slaughtered. 


240  COMMODUS. 

943  (a.  l).  190).  In  his  sixth  consulship,  M. 
Pctronius  Scptimianus  bcinar  his  colleague,  Cora- 
modus  named  Rome  after  himself,  Colonia  Com- 
modiana,  adding  the  prenomina  of  LUCIA  AN- 
TONINIANA. 

944  (a.  d.  191).  In  this,  or  the  following 
year,  the  magnificent  temple  of  pax  was  de- 
stroyed by  a terrible  conflagration. 

945  (a.  D.  192).  In  his  seventh  consulate, 
Ilelvius  Pertinax  being  his  colleague,  on  the 
day  before  the  calends  of  Jauuary,  in  the  dead 
of  night,  Commodus  perished  by  a violent  death, 
aged  31  years  and  4 months. — Eckhel,  vii.  102. 

For  cruelty  and  profligacy  he  is  to  be  classed 
with  the  worst  of  the  many  bad  princes  who 
swayed  the  affairs  of  Rome;  and  by  the  pro- 
ficiency he  displayed  in  gladiatorial  exercises,  he 
gave  a colour  to  the  prevalent  rumour  of  his 
having  owed  his  birth,  not  to  Marcus  Aurelius, 
but  to  the  criminal  intimacy  of  Faustina  with 
some  gladiator.  Alike  insensible  to  the  influ- 
ence of  good  example,  and  incapable  of  profit- 
ing from  the  advantages  of  education,  he,  soon 
after  the  death  of  his  imperial  predecessor,  de- 
veloped the  whole  wickedness  of  his  disposition, 
lie  ordained  himself  to  be  worshipped  as  Jupiter 
and  as  Hercules,  whose  attributes  he  assumed. 
Abandoning  himself  to  the  grossest  intemper- 
ance, and  to  the  most  odious  vices,  palaces  and 
temples  became,  under  his  reign,  the  scenes  of 
riot,  debauchery,  and  crime.  Pestilence,  famine, 
and  incendiary  conflagrations,  visited  the  wide- 
spread dominions  of  which  he  was  at  once  the 
sovereign  and  the  scourge. 

That  during  his  reign,  the  empire  maintained 
its  ascendency,  in  spite  of  the  disaffection  of  so 
many  provinces — the  Mauritanians,  the  Dacians, 
the  Paunonians,  the  Britons,  and  the  Germans — 
is  to  be  attributed  solely  to  the  valour  and  fide- 
lity of  his  distinguished  gcucrals,  Pertinax,  Scve- 
rus,  Pcscenu ius  Niger,  and  Albinus.  His  own 
time  was  passed  at  Rome  in  cowardly  inaction  ; 
if  we  except  the  fact  of  his  there  directing  his 
arras  not  merely  against  brutes,  both  wild  and 
tame,  but  also  against  human  beings,  provided 
they  were  wealthy,  or  ever  so  lightly  suspected 
of  designs  against  himself : nay,  he  declared  war 
even  against  the  months  of  the  year,  to  which, 
instead  of  the  old  and  received  appellations,  ac- 
cording to  the  testimony  of  Dion,  his  contem- 
porary, he  gave  the  following  : — Amazonius, 
Invictus,  Felix,  Pius,  Lucius,  /Elius,  Aurelius, 
Commodus,  Augustus,  Herculeus,  Romanus, 
Exnpcratorins.  At  length,  having  signalized  his 
government  by  deeds  of  monstrous  folly  and  of 
unspeakable  infamy,  of  which  many  of  iiis  coins 
furnish  the  proof,  and  after  having  escaped  from 
repeated  attempts  upon  his  life,  this  execrable 
tyrant  perished  at  last  by  a conspiracy  of  his 
favourite  concubine  Marcia.  This  woman,  seeing 
in  the  hands  of  a boy,  to  whom  Commodus  was 
much  nltachcd,  a tablet  which  he  had  taken  in 
play  from  his  sleeping  master,  and  on  which  she 
discovered  her  own  name  in  a list  of  intended 
victims,  on  that  very  evening,  which  was  the 
last  in  the  year,  first  attempted  to  administer 
poison  to  Commodus,  and  when  he  oflcrcd  re- 


COM  MODI  S. 

sistancc,  called  in  the  aid  of  a gladiator,  by 
whom  he  was  strangled.  Thus  Commodus,  as 
he  resembled  Domitian  in  his  life,  met  also  a 
similar  fate,  the  cruel  designs  of  both  beroming 
fatal  to  themselves,  by  being  betrayed  unwit- 
tingly by  a boy.  On  the  report  of  his  death, 
the  Senate  and  the  People  with  one  voice  de- 
manded that  his  corpse  should  be  dragged  thro’ 
the  streets  with  a hook,  and  thrown  into  the 
Tiber. — And  here,  without  acquitting  Commo- 
dus and  other  bad  emperors,  whose  just  doom 
for  their  crimes  is  in  the  hands  of  Eternal  Jus- 
tice— it  may  with  truth  be  said,  that  it  was  the 
corrupt  and  pusillanimous  conduct  of  the  Senate, 
coupled  with  the  wretched  weakness  of  parents, 
and  the  blandishments  of  base  and  selfish  flat- 
terers, that  mainly  contributed  to  ruin  them — 
by  making  them  bad,  and  keeping  them  so. 

MINTAGES  OF  COMMODUS. 

The  names  and  titles  are  infinitely  varied  on 
his  coins.  Sometimes  he  takes  the  prenomen  of 
lucius;  sometimes  that  of  Marcus.  His  other 
names  were  af.i.ius  aurf.lius  Antoninus  pius 
felix,  to  which  he  added  BRlTanaiVwj. 

The  legends  on  the  coins  of  Commodus  are 
thus  classed  by  Mionnct,  after  arranging  them 
as  Eckhel  has  done,  in  chronological  order,  viz. : 
Those  struck  from  the  tunc  that  he  was  created 
Cmsar,  to  the  year  of  Rome  933  (a.  n.  180), 
bear  the  names  of  i.vcivs  avrelivs  commo- 
dvs.  Those  struck  from  the  end  of  the  year 
933,  to  the  year  944,  bear  the  names  of  mar- 
evs  commodvs  ANTONINVS.  And  sometimes 

MARCVS  AVRELIVS  COMMODVS  ANTONINVS. 

From  that  period  to  his  death,  the  name  AELrvs 
is  added  to  the  others. 

It  is  to  be  observed,  that  this  prince  obtaiued 
from  his  father  only,  in  succession,  though  at 
short  intervals,  all  the  dignities  which  consti- 
tuted the  sovereignty.  As  to  the  tribunitinn 
powers  of  Commodus,  both  their  series  and  their 
chronology  offer  difficulties  which  have  wearied 
the  most  learned. 

COMMODO.  CAES.  AVO.  FIL.  GERM.  SARM. 

This  legend  round  the  young  head  (without  n 
crown)  of  Commodus,  on  a large  brass  of  that 
emperor,  shews  him  to  us  as  “ Cicsar,  son  of 
Augustus”  (meaning  Marcus  Aurelius),  and  al- 
ready distinguished  by  the  surnames  of  Germani- 
cus  and  Sarmaticus. 

On  another  large  brass  coiu  we  see  bis 
young  head  crowned  with  laurel,  and  this  legend 
IMP.  L.  AVREL.  COMMODVS  GEU.  SAR.  Here  the 
title  Imperator,  which  (as  shewn  by  tk.  p.  ii.) 
had  just  been  granted  to  him,  is  put  before  all 
his  names.  When  Commodus  had  been  named 
Augustus,  and  wished  to  designate  the  number 
of  bis  “ victories,”  or  his  “ liberalities,”  the 
same  title  imp.  then  followed  by  some  number, 
appeared  only  at  the  end  of,  or  rather  amongst, 
the  other  titles : as  for  example,  M.  commodvs 
ANT.  FELIX  AVG.  BRIT.  P.  M.  TR.  P.  XI.  IMP.  VII. 
COS.  v.  P.  P. — Sec  Numismatique  Romaine. 

The  Latin  coins  of  this  emperor — from  his 
boyhood  to  his  death — are  found  in  every  form 
and  metal ; all  the  gold  coins  aud  most  of  the 


COM  MODUS. 

brass  medallions,  are  of  fine  workmanship,  and 
very  rare  ; the  qninarii,  and  the  small  brass,  are 
the  rarest — and  there  is  an  abundance  of  them 
that  were  struck  iu  Greece  and  the  colonies. 

The  following  are  amongst  the  rarest  and  most 
remarkable  reverses,  minted  under  this  reign  : — 
Gold  Medallions. — Rev. — fort.  fel.  For- 
tune standing. — paci  aetf.u.  Peace  seated. — 
(These  are  valued  by  Mionnet  at  1000  fr.  each). 

Gold. — Rev. — advf.ntvs  avg.  Emperor  ou 
horseback. — conc.  mil.  Emperor  and  four  sol- 
diers.— de  germ.  (Brought  £9  15s.  at  the 
Thomas  sale). — de  sarmatis. — fid.  exerc. — 
herc.  com.  Emperor  sacrificing  to  Hercules. 
(Thomas,  £7). — herc.  romano.  avg.  (Thomas, 
£6  17s.  6d.) — iierc.  rom.  coxd.  Commodus 
a3  Hercules,  and  two  oxen.  (Mionnet,  150  fr.) 
liueral(itas)  v.  Emperor  and  3 other  figures. 
(Thomas,  £10  15s.) 


Rev. — min.  avg.  p.  m.  tr.  p.  xvi.  cos.  vi. — 
Minerva  hclmeted,  with  branch  in  right  hand, 
and  spear  and  shield  in  left,  walking  and  looking 
back. — Obv. — M.  comm.  ant.  p.  fel.  avg.  brit. 
Bust  of  Commodus,  bearded,  laureated,  and  pa- 
ludatcd.  (Pembroke  sale,  £7  10s.  for  British 
Museum). 

nobili(tas)  avg.  (Mionnet,  120  fr.)— print, 
iv vent.  Commodus  and  trophy.  (Thomas,  £5 
6s.)— providentiae  avg.  Commodus,  as  Her- 
cules, and  Africa.  (Thomas,  £10  8s.) — sf.cv- 
ritas  pvblica.  Female  seated.  (Thomas,  £9). 
SERAPIDI  conserv.  avg. — tr.  p.  vim.  Jupi- 
ter Victor  seated.  (Thomas,  £10  15s.) — vic- 
toria avg.  Victory  standing. — virt.  aeter. 
Mars  walking. — vot.  svsc.  dec.  Emperor  sacri- 
ficing. 

Silver. — consecratio.  Eagle  and  globe. 
(50  fr.) — I,!  be  Kalitas.  A congiariuin  of  four 
figures. — matri.  devm.  Cybcle  on  a lion. 

Brass  Medallions. — Rev. — apol.  pala- 
tino.  Apollo  and  Victory.  (See  p.  66). — bkit- 
tania.  (Seep.  136). — fortvnae  redvci.  For- 
tune seated.  (Thomas,  £8  5s.) — fides  exercit. 
An  allocution. — herc  commodiano.  Hercules 
sacrificing. — herc.  rom.  conditori.  Hercules 
at  plough.  (Thomas,  £5  7s.  6d.) — hercvli 
romano  avg.  Bow,  club,  and  quiver.  (Brought 
at  the  Thomas  sale,  £13.) 

[The  above  seven,  and  three  or  four  more, 
having  on  their  obverses  the  bearded  head  of 
Commodus,  covered  with  the  lion’s  skiu,  iu 
imitation  of  that  of  Hercules,  are  valued  by 
Mionnet  at  from  200  to  120  fr.  each.] 

iovi  ivveni.  Commodus  and  Jupiter.  (200 
fr.) — m.  avrf.l.  antoninvs  and  the  infant  Coin- 
modus.  (400  fr.) — miner,  vict.  Minerva  Vic- 
trix  near  a trophy.  (Thomas,  only  £6  12s.) — 
moneta — and  pif.tas.  (150  fr.  each). — pro. 

2 I 


CONCORDIA.  241 

imp.  omnia  feucia.  Neptune  and  Emperor. — 
teli.vs  stabil.  The  earth  personified. — Obv. 
Jauiform  bust  of  Commodus.  (Thomas,  £19  5s.) 
— salvs.  (150  fr.) — vota  pvblica.  Etuperor 
and  many  figures  sacrificing.  (150  fr.) — votis. 
felicibvs.  Remarkable  type.  (150  fr.) 

[Many  other  brass  medallions  of  great  value, 
without  legend  of  reverse]. 

First  Brass. — Rev. — annivs  vervs. — Obv. 
commodvs.  (600  fr.) — apol.  moneta.  (See 
p.  66). — col.  l.  an.  com.  &c.  Priest  at  plough. 
(See  p.  234). — dina  dina  (sic.)  pia  avgysta. 
Emperor,  Serapis,  and  Isis. — favstina  avg. 
pii  fel.  avg.  Head  of  Faustina  jun.  (160  fr.) 
Felicia  tempora.  Four  Seasons. — temporvm 
felicitas. — vota.  soLv.  pro.  sal.  Emperor 
and  five  figures  sacrificing. 

Second  Brass. — vota  svscepta.  Temple 
and  eight  sacrificial  figures. 

COMOB.— Sec  OB. 

COMPITALIA.— Feasts,  in  cross  streets  and 
ways,  celebrated  the  second  day  of  January,  by 
the  Romans,  in  honour  of  their  rural  gods, 
hence  called  Lares,  or  Compita/itia.  They  are 
alluded  to  in  the  reverse  type  of  a family  dena- 
rius.— See  Ciesia  gens,  p.  163. 

CON. — Constantinopoli. 

CONC. — CONGO. — CONCOR. — Concordia. 

CONCORDIA. — The  Goddess  of  Concord  was 
an  object  of  religious  faith  and  worship  with  the 
Romans,  because  through  her  authority  and  in- 
fluence “ small  things  were  rendered  great.” — 
As  Sallust  expresses  it,  “ Concordia  parvsc  res 
crcscunt,  discordia  verb  dilabuntur.” 

A magnificent  temple  was  erected  to  her  ho- 
nour at  Rome,  which,  having  been  consumed 
by  a fire,  was  rebuilt  by  the  Senate  and  People. 
Tiberius  added  some  splendid  embellishments  to 
that  edifice,  and  consecrated  it  to  divvs  avgvs- 
tvs.  There  were  also  temples  of  Concord  in 
other  quarters  of  the  city.  The  feast  of  this 
deity  was  celebrated  on  the  16th  of  January,  the 
day  when  her  principal  temple  was  dedicated. 

Concord  was  worshipped  under  the  form  of  a 
stork,  either  because  that  bird  was  held  sacred 
to  Concord,  or  because  it  was  accustomed  to 
shew  much  agreement  with,  and  attachment 
towards,  its  parents.  On  other  coins  she  is  sym- 
bolised under  the  figure  of  a dove.  See  Con- 
cordia of  Faustina  jun.  On  a silver  coin  of 
Julia  Titi,  “the  Concord  of  the  Empress”  is 
accompanied  with  a peacock. 

Concord's  more  common  types  (particularly 
the  concordia  avgvsti,  or  avgvstorvm),  are 
those  in  which  she  is  represented  under  the 
figure  of  a woman,  either  seated  or  standing  by 
herself,  holding  in  one  hand  a patera,  or  a branch, 
and  in  the  other  a hasta,  or  a cornucopia;.  Two 
right  hands  joined  is  a frequent  symbol  of  Con- 
cord. These  sometimes  hold  a caduceus,  to 
which  are  now  and  then  united  two  horns  of 
plenty. — Two  right  hands  joined,  holding  a 
winged  caduceus,  may  be  seen  on  coins  of  An- 
tonia and  other  families,  either  denoting  concord 
and  peace  between  the  Triumviri  Reipubliea; 
Constituendac,  or  as  indicating  the  concord  aud 
harmony  of  Caisar  with  the  Senate. 


242  CONCORDIA. 

Concord  holds  forth  her  patera  over  the  altav, 
that  she  may  be  strengthened  and  confirmed  by 
religions  rites.  On  these  occasions  she  displays 
a double  cornucopia:,  and  sometimes  a star  is 
placed  near  her. 

CONCORDIA.  S.  C. — Concord  stands  with 
patera  and  double  cornucopia:,  near  a lighted 
altar. — See  aqvilia  seyera,  p.  71. 

CONCORDIA. The  head  of  the  goddess 

veiled,  appears  on  coins  of  the  ./Emilia  and 
Scribonia  families,  to  shew  the  concord  subsist- 
ing between  Paulus  Lepidus  and  Scribonius  Libo; 
or  Paulus  adopts  this  legend  and  type  to  denote 
his  state  of  good  understanding  with  his  adopted 
brother  M.  Lepidus. — See  ter.  pavi.vs. 


CONCORDIAE.  S.  C. — Antoninus,  holding 
in  his  left  hand  a figure  of  Concordia,  and  Faus- 
tina, with  a sceptre  in  her  left  hand,  standing 
on  a pedestal,  join  their  right  hands ; below  are 
two  smaller  figures,  also  joining  their  right 
hands;  between  them  an  altar.  First  brass  of 
Antoninus  Pius.  (British  Museum). 

This  coin  elegantly  typifies  the  concord  sub- 
sisting between  the  imperial  cousorts,  viz.  Anto- 
ninus and  Faustina  senior;  and  at  the  sanje 
time,  by  means  of  the  smaller  figures,  it  alludes 
to  the  matrimonial  alliance  which  had  been  re- 
cently formed  between  M.  Aurelius  and  their 
daughter,  Faustina  junior. — Eckhel,  vii.  p.  14. 

CONCORDIA. — On  a gold  coin  of  Faustina 
junior,  a Dove  is  typified  as  the  symbol  of  Con- 
cord. On  other  coins  of  the  same  empress, 
with  the  same  legend,  in  gold,  silver,  and  first 
brass,  the  type  is  a woman  standing,  who  draws 
her  cloak  closer  with  her  right  hand,  aud  in  her 
left  holds  a cornucopia:.  On  others,  a woman  is 
seated,  with  a flower  in  her  right  hand.  Gold, 
and  first  and  second  brass. 

Eckhcl  (vii.  77),  noting  all  these  from  the 
imperial  cabinet,  observes,  that  a Dove  is  a 
novel  type  of  Concordia,  but  ouc  appropriately 
adopted  in  allusion  to  that  bird’s  nature,  the 
idea  having  been  long  ago  expressed  by  Horace, 
where  he  says  of  himself  and  his  frieud  Fuscus 
Aristius  ( Epist . x.  v.  4) : — 

Fratcrnis  animis,  quidquid  negat  alter,  et  alter : 
Annuimus  pariter,  vetuli,  notique  colnmbi. 

Like  twin-born  brothers,  are  onr  souls  allied  ; 
And,  as  a pair  of  fondly  constant  dotes, 

What  one  dislikes  the  other  disapproves. 

Francis. 

Ancient  historians  have  in  more  than  oue  in- 
stance alluded  to  the  concord  which  existed  be- 
tween Faustina  aud  her  husband  (Aurelius) ; 
though,  considering  the  opposite  nature  of  their 


CONCORDIA. 

dispositions,  it  must  have  been  due  to  the  philo- 
sophy and  inherent  forbearance  of  the  latter. 

In  the  Pembroke  collection  was  a gold  coin 
of  Crispina,  hearing  for  its  reverse  legend  venvs 
felix,  and  for  type  the  Empress,  as  Venus, 
seated  on  a throne ; a winged  Cupid,  with  bow, 
on  her  extended  right  hand,  and  a sceptre  in  her 
left : a dove  under  the  throne. 

[This  coin,  iu  very  good  preservation,  and  of 
great  rarity,  sold  for  £7  7s.  See  Sale  Catalogue, 
p.  157,  lot  733], 

Whilst  touching  on  the  Columbus,  or  Columba, 
as  a bird  consecrated  in  mythology  to  Venus,  we 
may  not  irrelevantly  refer  to  p.  72,  in  which,  as 
illustrative  of  the  article  ara,  a wood-cut  is  in- 
troduced, which  had  been  carefully  copied  from 
a first  brass  of  Faustina  senior.  The  reverse 
type  of  this  coin,  in  perfect  preservation  (with 
legend  pietas  avg.)  is  a high  square  altar,  and 
flame  in  the  centre : a device  sufficiently  com- 
mon. But  there  are  besides,  at  each  end,  two  ob- 
jects, similar  to  each  other,  yet  both  so  different 
in  conformation  from  the  usual  horns  of  a Roman 
altar,  and  so  decidedly  bird- like,  as  to  induce 
the  compiler  (in  whose  possession  the  specimen 
remains),  to  class,  in  his  own  mind,  their  ap- 
pearance there,  with  the  foregoing  examples 
of  doves  delineated  on  coins  of  empresses. — 
llis  friend  Mr.  Goddard  Johnson  has  another 
good  specimen  of  this  first  brass  of  the  same 
empress,  and  is  fully  impressed  with  the  belief 
that  the  two  little  objects  alluded  to,  are  the 
figures  of  birds,  aud  probably  meant  for  doves. 
— See  Faustina  junior. 


CONCORDIAE  AVGG.  S.  C.— Caracalla 
and  Gcta,  both  in  military  dress,  with  spears, 
staud  joining  hands.  Hercules  from  behind 
crowns  Caracalla,  and  Bacchus,  Gcta. — On  first 
brass  of  Geta. 

This  coin  (above  engraved  from  a well  pre- 
served specimen  in  the  British  Museum)  is 
admirably  explained  by  Dion  (lxxvii.  $ 1.)  It  ap- 
pears that,  when  the  dissensions  of  the  brothers, 
destined  to  be  so  fatal  to  the  interests  of  Rome, 
became  matter  of  observation,  “ it  was  decreed 
by  the  Senate,  that  for  their  mutual  concord 
sacrifices  should  be  offered  up  to  the  immortal 
gods,  and  especially  to  Concordia.  But  even, 
at  that  very  moment,  proof  was  given  that  all 
such  prayers  were  in  vain  ; for  the  worst  of 
omens  made  its  appearance,  at  the  time  of 
sacrifice,  in  the  shape  of  two  wolves,  which  were 
seen  to  ascend  the  capitol.  The  Greek  cities 
followed  the  example  of  Rome,  in  celebrating 
everywhere  games  called  4>iAaSfA<pua,  as  their 


CONCORDIA. 

coins  abundantly  testify.  Hercules  and  Bacchus 
are  presented  on  the  above  coin,  as  the  adopted 
deities  of  Severus  the  father,  and  the  national 
gods  of  Caraealla  and  Geta,  as  though  they  were 
charged  with  bringing  about  that  unanimity 
between  the  brothers,  which  was  the  first  object 
of  a nation’s  prayers. — Eckhcl,  vii.  231. 

CONCORDIA  AVGVSTORVM.  S.  C.— The 
Emperor  Alexander  Severus,  and  the  Empress 
Barbia  Orbiana,  standing,  and  giving  each  the 
right  hand  to  the  other.  First  brass  of  Alexander 
Severus,  and  first  and  second  brass  of  Orbiana. 
Other  coins  of  Orhiana,  in  gold  and  silver, 
exhibit  Concord  seated. — See  orbiana. 

The  state  of  domestic  harmony  subsisting  be- 
tween an  emperor  and  his  Augusta,  or  rather 
that  which  their  subjects  were  supposed  to  wish 
them,  was  represented,  sometimes  hy  one,  some- 
times by  the  other,  of  these  types. 

CONCORDIAE  AETERNAE. Busts  of 

Severus  and  Julia  Domna,  side  by  side.  On  gold 
of  Caraealla. — ri’his  very  rare  coin,  iu  fine  con- 
dition, brought  £6  8s.  (id.  at  the  Trattle,  and 
£10  10s.  at  the  Thomas  sale]. 


CONCORD.  AVGVSTOR.  TR.  P.  COS.  II. 
S.  C. — M.  Aurelius  and  L.  Verus  standing,  ha- 
bited in  the  toga,  extend  the  right  hand  to  each 
other.  First  brass  of  Verus — also  iu  gold,  with 
tr.  p.  xv.  cos.  III. 

CONCORDIA.  AVGVST.  TR.  P.  XV.  COS. 
III. — Aurelius  and  Verus  stauding,  togated,  join 
their  right  hands.  Gold,  and  first  and  second 
brass  of  M.  Aurelius. 

These  fine  coins  contribute  to  prove  what 
historians  affirm,  that  on  the  death  of  his  father, 
Aurelius  immediately  associated  L.  Verus  with 
himself  in  the  sovereignty,  assigning  to  him  all 
t he  honours  of  an  emperor,  excepting  only  the  title 
of  Pontifex  Maximus ; though,  as  Capitoliuus 
expressly  informs  us,  the  Senate,  after  Antonine’s 
decease,  had  conferred  the  empire  upon  Aurelius 
alone.  And  thus,  for  the  first  time,  the  Romans 
beheld  two  Augusli  at  the  head  of  the  State, 
invested  with  equal  authority  ; and  as  it  acci- 
dentally happened  that  both  of  them  w ere  hold- 
ing the  office  of  consul  for  the  third  time  in  911 
(a.  d.  161),  the  year  itself  was  afterwards  dis- 
tinguished in  the  public  records  as  the  Consulate 
of  the  two  Augusti.  That  the  Concord,  which 
this  coiu  indicates,  should  at  the  commencement 
of  their  colleagueship  have  existed  between  the 
two  princes,  is  by  no  means  surprising ; but 
t hat  it  shoidd  have  remained  unimpaired  till  the 
death  of  Verus,  a period  of  nine  years,  iu  spite 
2 I 2 


CONCORDIA.  243 

of  the  great  difference  of  their  characters,  is  to 
be  ascribed  to  the  noble  disposition  and  well 
regulated  mind  of  Aurelius,  who  bore  with 
equanimity  the  pretensions  of  a rival,  endea- 
voured to  screen  the  faults  of  a brother,  and 
above  all  by  his  influence  aud  high  example 
imposed  a wholesome  restraint  on  his  excesses. — 
Eckhel,  vii.  48. 

CONCORD.  AVGG.  S.  C— Concord  seated. 
Two  hands  joined.  Both  large  brass  of  Balbiuus. 

Balbinus  and  Pupienus  (of  the  latter  there  is 
an  exactly  similar  medal)  were  the  two  first  em- 
perors elected  with  rights  absolutely  equal ; even 
the  grand  pontificate  was  equally  divided  between 
the  twro.  It  was  therefore  still  more  necessary 
that  the  two  princes  should,  in  a manner,  have 
but  one  heart  aud  spirit,  and  it  is  to  this  that 
their  coins  make  continual  allusion. 

Concordia  Conjugalis.—  Harmony  in  wedded 
life  is  marked  on  coins  of  the  imperial  series  ; 
but  generally  by  the  “ rule  of  contraries  as  iu 
Julia  Cornelia  Paula,  first  wife  of  Elagabalus, 
who  repudiated  her  before  she  had  been  married 
to  him  a tw  elvemonth  ; on  this  (gold)  medal, 
the  goddess  is  seen  joining  the  hands  of  the  em- 
peror and  empress,  with  the  words  concordia 
AETERNA  ! — See  JULIA  PAULA. 

Coins  of  Aquilia  Severa,  second  and  quickly 
divorced  wife  of  the  same  tickle  and  infamous 
emperor,  exhibit  concordia,  sacrificing  at  an 
altar. — See  aquilia  severa,  p.  71. 

And  Aunia  Faustina,  his  third  and  equally 
unfortunate  spouse,  appeal's  on  a very  rare  first 
brass,  joining  hands  with  him,  in  Concord,  to 
be  as  speedily  cast  off  with  contempt  and 
neglect. — See  Faustina  axnia. 


CONCORDIA  EXERCITWM. — Two  right 
hands  joined  hold  a legionary  eagle,  fixed  into 
the  prow  of  a vessel.  Gold  and  silver,  and  with 
S.  C.  first  brass,  of  Ncrva. 

The  type  of  this  reverse  alludes  to  the  con- 
currence and  union  of  the  forces,  both  on  land 
and  at  sea,  during  the  reign  of  this  good  prince. 

CONCORDIA  FELIX.— Caraealla,  Plautilla, 
aud  Domna,  standing.  Gold  of  Caraealla. — 
(Brought  £11  at  the  Thomas  sale). 

CONCORDIA  AVG.  Two  hands  joined. — 
Silver. — See  herennius  etruscus,  who  though 
only  Caesar,  still  shares  on  this  coin  the  honours 
of  his  father,  Trajan  Decius. 

CONCORDIA  AVGG. Tranquillina  and 

Gordianus  Pius,  joining  hands.  Silver. — En- 
graved in  Akennan,  i.  476,  pi.  viii.  No.  4. — * 


244  CONCORDIA. 

[Brought  £25  at  the  Henderson  sale].— There 
is  the  same  legend  and  type  in  first  brass. 

CONCORDIA  AVGG.  Concord  seated  — 
Silver  of  Tranquillina  ; very  rare. 

CONCORDIA  AVGG.  D.D.  NN. — Concordia 
Augustoru.nl  Dominorum  Nostrorum.  On  coins 
of  Licinius  senior  and  junior,  and  of  Constantins 
Chlorus,  we  see  two  figures  in  military  dress 
(representing  the  two  emperors)  each  with  spears 
in  the  left  hand,  and  with  the  right  sustaining 
a globe,  on  which  is  a Victoriola.  With  the 
same  legends  we  see  a galeated  Rome,  sitting 
with  globe  and  hasta,  or  with  the  right  foot 
placed  on  a ship’s  prow — or  holding  a banner 
with  the  monogram  of  Christ,  as  in  Honorius, 

4 alentiniau,  aud  others  of  the  lower  empire. 

Concordia  Militaris. — The  Concord  of  the 
armies,  or  of  the  soldiers  comprising  those 
armies,  is  generally  symbolised  by  legionary 
eagles  and  joined  ha  nils,  or  by  a female  figure 
holding  two  military  ensigns,  accompanied  either 
by  the  legends  concordia  exercitwm,  as  on 
the  preceding  coin  of  Ncrva,  or  hv  the  legends 
CONC.  MIL.  or  CONCORD  M1LIT.  Or  CONCORDIA 
mi  lit.  or  by  the  words  at  full  length  CON- 
cordia  militvm.  On  a gold  coin  of  Didius 
.1  ulianus  (so  rare  that  it  brought  £27  10s  Od. 
at  the  Thomas  sale),  we  see  the  above  de- 
scribed type  and  legend,  also  on  a coin  of 
Vetranio.— Sec  julianus  i.  and  vetranio,  in 

this  dictionary.  . 

CON  COR  Diff  MILITkw  FELICitos  ROMA- 
NORaw.  Hercules  stands  holding  his  club, 
and  joining  hands  with  a veiled  figure,  who 
holds  the  hasta  pura— Gold  of  Maximianus 
Hercules,  engraved  in  Akermau,  Descr.  Cat.  ii. 
141,  pi.  11,  No.  1.  (£4  16s.  Thomas). 

COSCordiu  MlLiViiw.  P.  M.  TR.  P.  XI. 

IMP.  VII.  COS.  V.  P.  P.— 
On  a very  rare  gold  coin  of 
Commodus,  from  which  the 
annexed  cut  is  engraved,  the 
legend  is  accompanied  by  the 
type  of  the  Emperor,  in  the 
paludamenlum,  standing  in 
an  elevated  position  between 
four  soldiers,  two  of  whom  join  hands  before 
him.  This  particular  device,  for  a military  cou- 
cord,  is  to  be  found  in  the  mint  of  no  other 
emperor. 

CONCORDIA  PROVI  NCI  ARUM.— 
A female  standing,  with  a branch  in  her  right 
hand,  and  a cornucopia:  in  her  left.  Gold  and 
silver  of  Galba.  [Engraved  in  Morel!.  Thesaur. 
Impp.  tom.  iii.  tab.  iii.  No.  11.] — A remark- 
able coin,  from  which  we  learn,  that  in  the  first 
instance,  at  the  instigation  of  Vindcx,  and  sub- 
sequently, with  the  sanction  of  the  Senate,  the 
provinces,  one  after  another,  gave  in  their  alle- 
giance to  Galba. 

COND.  and  CONDITORT.— See  her.  rom 
conditori  of  Commodus. 

CON. — CON  G. — CONGI A R.—  Congiarium . 
CONGIARH'M. — A gift  made  to  the  people 
by  the  emperors,  and  the  presentation  of  which 
is  often  exhibited  on  Boman  coins,  accompanied 
by  the  legend  above  named,  generally  abbrevi- 


CONGIARIUM. 

ated,  but  sometimes  inscribed  at  full.  The  word 
comes  from  congius  (a  measure  of  liquids,  as 
modius  was  a measure  of  solids) ; because  ori- 
ginally the  gifts  distributed  to  the  people  con- 
sisted’ of  oil  and  wine,  which  was  measured  by 
congii.  The  imperial  presents,  on  the  other 
hand,  consisted  of  silver,  of  spices,  of  com,  as 
things  more  suitable  to  the  occasion ; but  the 
name  remained  the  same. — On  the  reverse  of 
coins  recording  these  largesses,  as  a Congiarium 
datum  Populo,  the  emperor  is  usually  depic- 
tured, seated  on  a cnrulc  chair,  which  is  placed 
on  a suggestum,  or  raised  platform,  in  the  midst 
of  several  figures,  several  of  whom  appear  in  the 
act  of  delivering,  others  in  that  of  receiving, 
the  benefaction!  When  the  reigning  prince 
thought  proper  to  grant  a second,  or  a third, 
&c.  we  read  on  the  coin  Congiarium  Secundum, 
Tertium,  &c.  Sometimes  we  see,  standing  on 
the  same  estradc  with  the  emperor,  the  personi- 
fication of  Liberalitas,  under  the  figure  of  a 
woman,  having  a tessera,  or  sort  of  square  tab- 
let, in  her  right  hand ; and,  occasionally,  a 
cornucopia:  resting  on  her  left  arm.  It  is  fur- 
ther to  be  observed,  that  the  Congiarium  was  a 
present  from  the  emperor  to  the  people.  His 
gifts  to  the  soldier)'  were  called,  not  congiaria 
but,  donut iva. — Thus  it  was  said— Congiarium 
populo  dedit,  militibus  donativum  addidit. — See 
Kolb,  Traile  Elementaire,  vol.  i.  p.  248. 

Nero  is  the  first  emperor  whose  congiaria  arc 
recorded  on  coins  ; and  he  carried  the  practice 
itself  of  distributing  gifts  to  the  people,  or 
rather  the  populace,  to  the  most  preposterous 
excess.  He  frequently  established  a species  of 
lottery,  for  which  the  tessera  served  as  tickets, 
and  of  which  the  numbers  entitled  the  bearer  to 
gifts  of  from  the  lowest  to  the  highest  value. — 
(See  below).— After  the  reign  of  M.  Aurelius, 
the  word  congiarium  disappears  from  numis- 
matic legends,  and  the  term  Liberalitas  is  alone 
employed.  Indeed,  considering  the  ancient  sim- 
plicity of  such  distributions,  the  original  phrase 
no  longer  corresponded  with  the  munificence 
which  the  emperors  afterwards  displayed. 


CONGIAR.  PR.  C Congiarium  PrimumJ  — 
On  a first  brass  of  Nervn,  the  emperor  togated, 
sits  on  a raised  tribunal,  the  base  of  which  is 
marked  S.  C. — Before  him  sits  another  togated 
figure,  in  the  attitude  of  making  distribution. 
The  statue  of  Liberality  stands  near,  holding  a 
tessera . whilst  a togated  citizen  is  ascending  the 
steps  of  the  platform.— Sec  wood-cut  above. 


CONGIARIUM. 

This  coiu,  an  interesting  product  of  the  Ro- 
man imperial  brass  mint  is  sufficiently  known; 
but  there  is  no  mention  by  the  ancient  histo- 
rians of  the  largess  to  which  it  refers,  and  but 
for  this  coin,  posterity  would  have  been  entirely 
ignorant  of  such  an  expensive  act  of  liberality 
on  the  part  of  this  prudent  emperor. 

CONG.  DAT.  POP.  S.  C. — The  Emperor 
sitting  on  a raised  seat  or  tribune ; near  him  a 
stutuc  of  Minerva,  holding  in  her  extended  right 
hand  an  owl,  and  in  her  left  a spear ; and  Libe- 
ral it  as  standiug  with  a tessera  in  her  right 
hand;  in  front  of  the  emperor  sits  a togated 
figure,  which  offers  something  to  a citizen,  or  to 
a woman,  who  is  ascending  the  steps,  followed  by 
the  figure  of  a child.  First  brass  of  Nero. 
Imperial  Museum. 

CONG.  II.  DAT.  POP.  S.  C. — The  Emperor 
on  a raised  seat;  near  him  a statue  of  Minerva; 
and  above  him  another  figure  standing ; below  a 
man  standing  and  holding  out  a tessera  to  a 
citizen,  who  receives  the  gift ; behind  is  a build- 
ing supported  by  columns.  First  brass  of  Nero, 
engraved  in  the  Cabinet  de  Christine,  TAB.  iv. 

Antiquaries  have  discovered  that  there  are 
three  donations  (congiaria)  made  by  Nero,  con- 
memorated  on  coins.  The  first  is  mentioned  by 
the  authors  above  cited  (i.  e.  Morel  and  Haver- 
camp)  ; the  second  is  frequently  seen  recorded 
on  coins;  and  the  third  is  alluded  to  only  by 
Vaillant,  and  that  quite  en  passant,  without  any 
statement  of  the  legend  or  type,  but  with  the 
remark  that  it  is  exceedingly  rare  (Vaill.  Nnm. 
Prast.  i.  p.  22.)  There  is  nothing  satisfactory 
in  the  statements  of  antiquaries  respecting  the 
dates  of  these  largesses.  Suetonius  (Nero,  c.  ii.) 
informs  us  that  a congiarium  was  given  by  Nero 
at  the  games,  which  he  exhibited  pro  aternitate 
imperii,  when,  he  says,  “ there  were  scattered 
among  the  people,  as  long  as  the  games  lasted, 
every  day  a thousand  missiles  of  all  kinds  of 
articles.  A vast  store  of  all  species  of  birds, 
tickets  for  coru,  clothing,  gold,  silver,  jewels, 
pearls,  painting,  slaves,  beasts  of  burden,  and 
even  tamed  wild  beasts,  and  last  of  all  ships, 
islands,  and  fields.”  These  games  were  the  same 
as  that  which  was  denominated  the  certamen 
qvinquennale.  See  the  observations  made  by 
Eckhel  on  the  mintage  of  Nero,  under  the  year 
U.  c.  813  (a.  d.  60.) — Tacitus  mentions  another 
congiarium  in  the  year  810  (a.  d.  57) — He 
says,  “ And  a congiarium  was  given  to  the  peo- 
ple, of  four  hundred  sesterces  (numi)  to  each 
man.”  (Ann.  xiii.  31.)  But  these  writers  do 
not  record  the  number  of  the  congiarium ; and 
the  other  largesses,  which  they  say  Nero 
bestowed,  bore  reference  only  to  the  pretorian 
guards,  and  not  to  the  people ; so  that  we  have 
only  the  vaguest  conjecture  to  rest  upon  in 
assigning  to  certain  years  the  congiaria  men- 
tioned oil  coins. — “ I have  not  (adds  Eckhel)  as 
yet  been  able  to  discover  the  allusion  intended 
by  the  statue  of  Minerva ; for  that  it  is  hers,  is 
proved  by  the  owl  in  the  right  hand,  presented 
by  till  the  coins  of  this  subject  in  the  Imperial 
Museum.” — V.  N.  V.  vi.  271. 

[This  owl  does  not  appear  in  the  hand  of 


CONGIARIUM.  245 

Minerva  in  any  of  the  congiaria  of  Nero,  en- 
graved in  either  the  Moretl.  Thesaur.  Impp.  or 
the  Medailles  de  Christine.  The  figure  in  both 
plates  holds  a victory  in  right  hand  and  spear  in 
the  left]. 

CONGIAR.  PRIMVM.  P.  R.  DAT.— First 
brass  of  Titus. 

This  coin  bears  testimony  to  the  first  con- 
giarium given  to  the  Roman  people  by  the  em- 
peror above  named.  At  his  side  is  the  image  of 
Minerva.  Below  the  tribunal  on  which  Titus  is 
seated,  stands  an  officer,  holding  in  his  hand  the 
tessera,  which  authorised  those  who  received  it, 
to  go  for  their  assignment  of  corn  to  the  public 
granaries.  A Roman  citizen  approaches  this 
man  in  the  posture  of  an  applicant  for  a share 
of  these  liberalities. — Engraved  in  the  Cabinet 
des  Medail/es  de  Christine,  tab.  vi.  p.  40. 

CONG.  II.  COS.  II.  S.  C. Domitian, 

togated,  sitting  on  an  estrade,  with  Liberalitas 
standing  by  his  side,  holding  tessera  and  cornu- 
copia; ; and  below  a figure  holding  up  the  dress 
to  receive  a congiarium.  Second  brass  of  Domi- 
tian. — Engraved  in  Morell.  Impp.  vol.  iii.  tab. 
xiv.  No.  16. 

The  above  is  a remarkable  coin,  and  of  the 
greatest  rarity.  Suetonius  informs  us  (eh.  9), 
that  whilst  still  in  private  rank,  and  during  the 
first  years  of  his  reign,  Domitian  displayed  ex- 
cessive liberality  : studying  with  great  assiduity 
and  expense  by  mean3  of  congiaries  and  largesses, 
as  well  as  by  military  donatives,  to  conciliate 
the  Roman  public,  and  to  render  them  well 
affected  towards  himself. — Eckhel,  vi.  370. 

CONG.  PR.  COS.  II.  P.  P.  S.  C. The 

emperor  togated,  sits  intent  on  the  distribution 
of  a congiarium ; other  figures  attending  on 
him.  First  brass  of  Trajan.  (Vaillant,  Imp. 
Mas.) — Pliny  expressly  records,  that  on  his  re- 
turn to  the  city,  Trajan  “ enriched  the  tribes, 
and  gave  a congiarium  to  the  people.”  (In 
Paneg.  ch.  25),  the  same  writer  adds,  that  “ the 
whole  surplus  was  given  to  the  people,  after  the 
soldiers  had  received  their  share”  (et  datum 
totum,  cinn  donativi  partem  milites  accepissent.) 
— The  letters  PR.  are  doubtless  explained  by 
Primum,  as  they  are  not  separated  by  a stop ; 
otherwise  they  might  be  understood  to  mean 
P opuli  R omani.  It  is  under  the  year  857  (a.  d. 
104)  that  we  see  the  second  congiarium  (con- 
giar.  secvnd.)  of  Trajan. — See  D.N.  V.  vi.  413. 


CONGIARIVM  TERT1VM.  S.  C.— First 
brass  of  Trajan.  The  emperor,  as  on  the  pre- 


246  CONGIARIUM. 

ceding  coin,  is  seated  on  a suggestum,  super- 
intending one  of  the  largesses  to  the  people. 
The  grouping  and  workmanship  of  this  reverse 
render  it  one  of  the  finest  among  the  congiaria  ; 
and  what  claims  remark,  as  something  extraordi- 
nary in  the  type,  is  a high  and  singularly  formed 
tripod  placed  near  the  emperor,  instead,  as  on 
similar  coins  of  Nero  and  Domitian,  of  the  figure 
of  Minerva  with  an  owl.  “ Whether  (says  Haver- 
camp  in  his  notes  snr  les  Medailles  de  Christine ) 
this  refers  to  the  place  where  the  congiarium  was 
given,  as  if  one  largess  was  distributed  before 
the  temple  of  Minerva,  and  another  before  the 
temple  of  Apollo ; or  whether  some  other 
mystery  is  concealed  under  these  respective 
symbols, — Lector  judicet.”  The  tripod  may 
certainly  be  held  to  denote  some  sacerdotal 
office. — Eckhel  (vi.  426)  is  unable  to  decide 
when  this  third  congiary  was  bestowed  by  Trajan 
on  the  people. 

From  his  own  cabinet  of  large  brass,  Capt. 
Smyth  quotes  a Consul  quintum , Congiarium 
Secundum  of  Trajan,  with  exactly  the  same  type 
as  the  foregoing. — Besc.  Cat.  p.  81. 

Mr.  Roach  Smith  thinks  it  probable,  that 
these  distributions  took  place,  for  the  most  part, 
in  or  near  the  temple  of  Minerva,  as  the  god- 
dess of  justice  and  fair  dealing — an  opinion  with 
which  our  own  coincides. 

CONG.  AVG.  III.  TR.  POT.  XX.  IMP. 
III.  COS.  III. 

CONG.  AVG.  IIII.  TR.  P.  XXI.  IMP. 
IIII.  COS.  III. 

Two  togated  figures  sitting  together  on  an 
estradc,  the  impersonation  of  Liberality  with 
tessera  and  cornucopi®,  standing  before  them ; 
a male  figure  is  ascending  the  stairs,  spreading 
his  garment  for  the  reception  of  the  imperial 
bounty. 

The  reverse  types,  on  the  two  large  brass  coins 
of  which  the  foregoing  are  the  respective  legends, 
represent  two  different  congiarics  given  by  M. 
Aurelius  and  L.  Verus  ; being  (says  Ilavercamp) 
the  third  and  fourth  of  this  kiud  of  presentations 
which  the  above-named  princes  jointly  made  to 
the  Roman  people  ; and  they  were  distributed 
during  the  20th  and  21st  years  of  their  Tri- 
bunitian  power,  as  is  marked  on  the  coins  in 
question.  The  only  difference  in  their  types  is 
that  on  the  former  the  prefect,  or  commander, 
of  the  pretorian  guard,  stands  behind  the  two 
emperors. — Engraved  in  the  Cabinet  de  Christine, 
T A l< . xviii.  Medailles  de  M.  Aurelius. 

“These  liberalities  (says  Eckhel,  vii.  53)  were 
the  more  acceptable  and  pleasing  to  the  people, 
because  about  this  time,  they  were  afflicted  with 
a grievous  famine,  as  Capitolinus  relates.  The 
congiaria  were  therefore  distributed  at  Rome,  in 
the  presence  of  the  two  emperors. 

CONOB.— Sec  OB. 

CONS.  S.  Conservatori  suo. — caes.  avo. 
cons.  s.  on  a coin  of  Augustus. 

CONS. — Conservatrici ; on  coins  of  Saloninn. 
See  Diana:,  Junoni,  &c.  For  whilst  Gallienus 
invoked  the  greater  male  deities,  as  Consercafores, 
his  wife  also  invoked  the  principal  goddesses,  in 


CONSECRATION. 

that  turbulent  state  of  human  affairs,  in  which 
she  and  her  husband  lived. — See  Ant.  Augustino, 
Dialog,  p.  163. 

CONS. — Const  anti  nopo/is. 

CONSECRATION. — The  custom  in  ancient 
times  of  paying  divine  honours  to  individuals, 
who  had  acquired  renown  from  various  cir- 
cumstances, was  of  frequent  occurrence  amongst 
the  Greeks,  by  whom  it  was  called  Airo0«Wis. 
It  was  their  favourite  superstition  to  include  in 
the  number  of  their  gods,  men  whom  they  re- 
garded as  heroes,  and  as  the  founders  of  colonics 
and  cities.  Afterwards  the  name  of  God  was 
assumed  by  living  princes  on  coins  and  other 
monuments.  This,  however,  is  not  the  place 
even  to  touch  upon  the  origin  of  this  observance, 
or  the  ceremonies  used  on  such  occasions  by 
various  nations  of  antiquity.  Information  re- 
specting these  and  other  branches  of  the  subject 
may  be  gathered  from  various  treatises  both  by 
the  old  writers  and  in  works  of  modern  date. 
The  object  of  the  following  notice  is  limited  to 
the  customs  of  the  Romans,  who  duriug  many 
years  had  contented  themselves  with  rcudering 
to  Romulus  alone  the  honours  of  the  apotheosis, 
and  who  did  not  begin  to  imitate  the  Greeks,  in 
this  respect,  until  the  extinction  of  the  free  re- 
public. It  was  from  the  period  of  the  Cresars, 
whom  universal  flattery  and  their  own  ambition 
raised  above  the  condition  of  mortality,  that  the 
practice  was  introduced  and  continued  as  loug  as 
Rome  was  governed  by  princes  attached  to 
paganism,  and  even  by  the  first  succession  of 
so-called  Christian  Emperors. 

Eckhel  divides  his  masterly  observations  re- 
lative to  this  subject  into  two  parts,  the  first  of 
which  treats  of  the  consecration  of  individuals 
during  their  life-time  ; and  the  second  of  the 
consecration  of  the  dead. 

I. — Consecration  of  the  Living. 

Ancient  history  records  the  names  of  many, 
who,  cither  of  their  own  accord  aspired  to  divine 
honours,  or  on  whom  popular  consent,  actuated 
by  motives  of  flattery  or  fear,  conferred  such  dis- 
tinction, even  when  there  was  no  expectation  of 
their  death.  This  consecration  of  the  living  had 
its  gradations,  so  to  speak  ; but,  to  pass  over 
that  lowest  grade  which  was  confined  to  oral  de- 
monstrations and  the  impulse  of  enthusiasm, 
and  of  which  numismatics  furnish  no  examples 
— there  is  a middle  rank,  in  which  may  be  enu- 
merated, the  names,  attributes,  and  marks,  com- 
monly appropriated  by  heathen  votaries  to  their 
deities;  but  which  sovereign  priuces  assumed, 
or  allowed  to  be  conferred  upon  them,  with- 
out, as  they  professed  to  think,  irreverence  to- 
wards the  gods,  but  so  as  to  make  it  appear 
that  they  participated  in  certain  of  their  quali- 
ties, which  were  denied  to  private  individuals. 
Among  the  appellations,  that  of  Numen,  is  the 
first  to  be  observed,  not  only  as  a mark  of 
heavenly  power,  but  one  which  was  on  all  occa- 
sions permitted  continuously  to  be  given  to 
the  sovereign  princes  as  well  of  the  lower  as  of 
the  earlier  empire,  much  like  that  of  sacred 
majesty  to  kings  of  the  present  day. 


CONSECRATION. 

In  the  number  of  the  divine  attributes  which 
the  emperors  borrowed  from  the  gods,  .eterxi- 
tas  claims  the  first  place.  For  some  of  the 
most  remarkable  types,  by  which  the  Romans 
represented  Eternity,  the  reader  is  referred  to 
pp.  22,  23,  24,  and  25  of  this  work ; particu- 
larly those  of  coins  struck  under  Trajan,  during 
his  fifth  consulate,  856  (a.  d.  103) ; and  under 
Scvcrus,  of  the  year  u.  c.  955  (a.  d.  202). 

The  genivs  avgvsti,  so  frequent  on  imperial 
coins,  was  also  a species  of  divinity,  whether  it 
be  understood  as  the  soul  of  the  emperor,  aud  his 
divine  spirit,  or  some  celestial  beiug  of  an  infe- 
rior order,  such  as  in  their  superstition  the  an- 
cients believed  to  have  been  attached  to  every 
mortal. — See  the  word  genius. 

Other  less  direct  indications  of  assumed  divi- 
nity, on  coins  of  the  Augusti,  were  the  radi- 
ated crown,  au  explanation  of  which  will  be 
found  under  the  coinage  of  Nero,  bearing  the 
legend  of  avgvstvs  germanicvs.  (Sec  p.  109). 
There  is  also  the  bright  cloudy  circlet  on  the 
heads  of  both  emperors  and  empresses,  found 
on  coins  of  the  lower  empire.  See  Nimbus. — 
Likewise  the  chariot  drawn  by  two  mules.  See 
coins  of  Livia. 

The  highest  degree  of  Consecration  during 
life  is  placed,  by  Eckhcl  (vi.  p.  11),  partly  in 
divine  appellations,  partly  in  divine  honours, 
xthich  latter  consist  in  solemn  games,  altars, 
temples,  and  sacrifices,  all  of  which  were  con- 
ferred either  at  the  instance  of  the  emperors 
themselves,  or  were  decreed  to  them  in  adulation, 
by  their  subjects.  Examples  of  the  custom  were 
set,  not  only  in  the  most  remote  period  of 
Greece,  but  also  in  epochas  of  more  recent 
date,  such  as  the  instance  of  Alexander  the 
Great,  styled  at  his  own  desire  Jupiter  Ammon. 
— Habituated  to  pay  such  honours  to  foreign 
princes,  it  was  an  easy  matter  for  the  Greeks, 
familiar  with  acts  of  servility,  to  transfer  the 
same  honours  to  the  magistrates  set  over  them 
by  the  Romans,  and  then  to  the  emperors,  who 
were  the  arbiters  of  the  world.  Even  during 
the  government  of  the  republic,  sacred  and  an- 
nual games,  altars,  temples,  and  the  titles  of 
divinity,  were  dedicated  to  pro-consols,  pro-pre- 
tors,  and  other  individuals  of  high  station, 
either  in  recompense  of  signal  benefits  conferred 
by  them,  or  from  motives  of  fear.  In  after 
times  these  honours  were  bestowed  still  more 
profusely  upon  the  emperors  and  their  families. 
It  may  suffice  here  to  adduce  the  following  few 
instances  of  divine  appellations,  invented  by  the 
fertile  imagination,  and  prompted  by  the  base 
sycophancy,  of  the  Greeks ; on  whose  coins 
Livia,  the  wife  of  Augustus,  is  styled  ©EA. 
AIBIA,  AIBIAN.  HPAN.  (Liviarn  Junonem) ; 
the  daughter  of  Augustus,  IOTAIAN.  A4P0AI- 
THN  ( Juliam  Venerem) ; Drusus,  the  son  of 
Tiberius,  and  Germauicus  C;esnr,  were  called  by 
the  Greeks  NEOJ.  0EOI.  4>lAAAEA<f>OI  ( novi 
dei,  fratres  se  mutub  amantes ). 

The  actual  mint  of  Rome  admitted  these  deifi- 
cations of  her  living  princes  more  sparingly,  and 
at  a much  later  period.  For  example,  although 
it  be  well  known  that  Caligula  and  Doinitian 


CONSECRATION.  247 

desired  to  be  called  gods,  yet  the  dignity  of  the 
Moneta  ltomana  kept  this  disgrace  at  a distance. 
Nero  was,  on  coins  with  Greek  legends,  styled 
Apollo  ; yet  this  name  of  Apollo  is  not  to  be 
found  on  those  very  coins,  struck  at  Rome,  on 
which  that  emperor  is  represented  in  the  garb 
of  a harp-player  ( cilharoedus ).  Commodus  was 
the  first  who  blazoned  his  impudence  on  the 
coinage  of  the  city,  when  he  vaunted  himself  as 
the  Roman  Hercules,  indicated  by  the  head 
covered  with  the  lion’s  skin. — Not  less  memor- 
able was  the  arrogance  of  Aurelian,  who  in- 
scribed himself  on  his  coins  deus,  ac  dominus 
noster;  an  example  followed  by  Cams. 

It  was  but  consistent  in  the  ancients  to  ho- 
nour with  altars,  shrines,  sacrifices,  and  every 
other  superstitious  device,  the  individual  whom 
they  declared  to  be  a god.  The  commencement 
of  this  mania  was,  indeed,  identical  with  that 
of  the  empire  itself.  This  fact  is  attested  by 
the  well-known  coins  inscribed  liOMa<?  ET 
AUGiato,  minted  throughout  the  various  pro- 
vinces, with  the  type  of  an  altar  or  a tem- 
ple ; also  the  altar  dedicated  to  Augustus,  on 
coins  of  Tarraco.  It  is  however  to  be  observed, 
that  no  altar,  or  temple,  was  consecrated  to 
Augustus,  in  Rome  itself,  during  his  life-time ; 
nor  indeed  to  Csesar,  the  Dictator,  although  the 
people  overwhelmed  him  with  honours  almost 
divine.  Some  of  his  successors,  however,  were 
not  so  forbearing. — Suetonius  informs  us,  that 
Caligula  wished  to  be  styled  Optimus  Maximus, 
the  title  of  Jupiter ; and  that  he  exhibited  him- 
self in  the  temple  of  Castor  and  Pollux,  between 
the  statues  of  those  deities,  to  share  the  adora- 
tion of  the  worshippers.  The  same  writer  adds 
that  “ he  (Caligula)  erected  a temple  devoted 
to  his  own  divinity,  and  instituted  priests  and 
elaborate  sacrificial  ceremonies.  In  the  temple 
there  stood  a gold  statue  in  his  likeness,  dressed 
in  the  fashion  he  was  accustomed  to  adopt. — 
The  wealthiest  individuals  eagerly  canvassed,  and 
outbid  each  other,  for  their  turn  in  the  higher 
offices  of  this  priesthood ! The  victims  were 
parrots,  peacocks,  bustards,  turkies,  guinea  fowls, 
pheasants,  &c.  The  several  species  of  which 
were  sacrificed  every  day.” — Domitian  also  de- 
desired  to  be  styled  dominus  et  deus ; and  ac- 
cording to  Pliny  the  orator,  “ the  vile  image  of 
that  most  cruel  prince  was  worshipped  with  as 
profuse  an  effusion  of  the  blood  of  beasts,  as  he 
himself  used  to  shed  of  man’s.”  But  these  dis- 
plays of  impious  presumption  (with  the  excep- 
tion of  Commodus  in  the  character  of  Hercules, 
and  the  gods  Aurelianus  and  Carus),  never  dis- 
graced the  Roman  coinage , doubtless  because, 
to  the  very  perpetrators  themselves,  it  appeared 
matter  of  reproach,  that  honours  above  the 
mortal  condition,  whether  sought  for  or  decreed 
to  them,  should  be  exhibited  throughout  the 
empire. 

Seneca,  in  his  satire  on  the  death  of  Claudius, 
and  Lucian,  in  his  treatise  on  the  assembly  of 
the  gods,  both  laugh  (says  Spanheim)  pleasantly 
enough,  at  these  pretended  deifications,  and  at 
the  heap  of  new  gods  to  which  this  absurd  cus- 
tom gave  rise. — Plutarch  likewise,  in  the  life  of 


248  CONSECRATION. 

Romulus,  judiciously  censures  this  practice. — 
As  to  Augustus  and  other  emperors  (adds  the 
translator  and  annotator  of  Julian’s  Casars, 
p.  275),  it  is  well  known,  that  policy  and  an 
iutercsted  regard,  not  for  the  dead  but,  for  the 
living  prince,  or  his  destined  successor,  had  most 
to  do  with  this  multiplication  of  divinities. 

II. — Consecration  of  the  Dead. 


It  was  at  a comparatively  late  period,  that 
the  mania  for  trauforming  men  into  deities  dis- 
honoured the  annals  of  Rome.  In  his  peculiar 
positiou  as  the  founder  of  the  nation,  Romulus 
had  indeed  been  apothcosised  under  the  name  of 
Quiriuus.  But  neither  L.  Brutus,  nor  Camil- 
lus,  nor  the  Scipios,  though  eminent  benefactors 
of  their  country,  were  distinguished  with  divine 
honours.  This  contempt  for  the  laws  of  mor- 
tality was  reserved  for  the  last  days  of  the  com- 
monwealth and  the  beginning  of  the  empire. 

Cicsar  the  Dictator  was  the  first,  on  whom  the 
suffrages  of  the  people  conferred  both  the  title 
and  the  honours  of  divinity.  Dazzled  no  doubt 
by  the  prodigies  of  his  valour  and  the  acquire- 
ments of  his  lofty  intellect,  and  already  won 
by  the  attractions  of  the  newlv-risen  snpersti- 
tiou,  they  readily  surrendered  themselves  to  the 
belief  that  in  such  a man  a soul  of  more  than 
mortal  nature  had  fixed  its  abode.  The  Senate 
had  already  decreed  to  him  during  his  life-time, 
the  thensa,  the  ferculum,  a pulvinar,  a Jlamen, 
and  luperci;  all  of  them  honours  exclusively 
attached  to  the  ceremonial  worship  of  a god. — 
But  after  his  death,  during  the  shews  which 
Augustus  gave  in  celebration  of  his  memory, 
there  appeared  a comet,  which  the  people  looked 
upon  as  a sign  that  Cicsar  had  been  admitted 
into  heaven.  Augustus  gave  him  the  name  of 
Divus,  aud  caused  divine  honours  to  he  assigned 
to  him. 

With  this  precedent  before  their  eyes,  the  Ro- 
mans found  no  difficulty  in  unanimously  accord- 
ing the  honours  of  consecration  to  Augustus,  un- 
der whom  they  experienced  not  only  a lengthened 
reign,  but  one  marked  with  moderation  and 
equity.  And  iudecd,  if  in  this  rite  of  conse- 
cration regard  had  always  been  had  to  a real, 
not  a counterfeited,  gratitude  for  services  con- 
ferred on  mnukind,  the  institution  might  at  least 
have  been  productive  of  one  bcucficial  result,  \ 
namely  that  of  inducing  princes  to  act  virtu-  j 
ously,  by  the  prospect  of  such  exaltation.  “ It  j 


CONSECRATION. 

is  the  act  of  a god,”  says  Pliny  the  elder,  "when 
one  mortal  He/jts  or  does  good  to  another,  and 
this  is  the  high  road  to  immortal  fame.  By  it 
have  passed  the  great  ones  of  Rome  ; and  by  it 
now,,  with  heavenly  tread,  walks  the  greatest 
sovereign  of  any  age,  Vespasian  Augustus,  ad- 
vancing to  the  rescue  of  a tottering  stale.  It  is 
the  most  ancient  mode  of  recompensing  a bene- 
factor, to  enrol  bis  name  among  the  deities.” 

The  succeeding  age,  however,  produced  judges 
unfairly  biassed  in  their  bestowal  of  such  ho- 
nours. Pliny  the  younger  asserted,  that  “ Tibe- 
rius promoted  Augustus  to  heaven.  Nero  did 
the  same  for  Claudius,  but  merely  to  ridicule 
him  ; Titus  to  Vespasian,  and  Domitian  to  Titus; 
but  the  former  that  he  might  be  regarded  as  the 
son,  the  latter  as  the  brother,  of  a god.” — 
What  would  have  been  Pliny’s  indignation  had 
lie  lived  to  sec  Faustina  junior,  Commodus,  and 
Caracalla  thus  raised  to  the  skies  P Pausanias, 
after  remarking  that  in  former  times  men  were 
numbered  among  the  gods  on  reasonable  grounds, 
as  Hercules,  the  Dioscuri,  &c.  adds,  that  in  his 
own  age,  when  fraud  and  audacity  usurped  the 
jdacc  of  worthy  deeds,  none  were  received  into 
the  celestial  rauks,  but  through  the  acclamations 
and  outrageous  flattery  of  their  fellow  men. — 
Pliny  the  elder  lashes  the  absurdity  of  his  con- 
temporaries, “ for  paying  adoration  to  the  manes, 
and  making  a god  of  one,  who  had  ceased  to  be 
even  a man.”  Juvenal  too,  appropriately  calls 
the  emperors  “ rivals  of  the  gods,”  on  accouut 
of  this  same  system  of  apotheosis. 

The  consecration  of  a deceased  emperor  was 
usually  urged  by  his  successor,  from  motives 
cither  of  piety  and  gratitude,  or  of  ambition,  or 
some  other  anticipated  advantage.  Thus  piety 
and  gratitude  may  naturally  be  supposed  to  be 
the  feelings  which  induced  Titus  to  transfer  Ves- 
pasian to  Olympus ; which  prompted  Trajan  to 
pay  the  same  honours  to  Ncrva;  Hadrian  to 
Trajan;  Autoniuus  to  Hadrian  ; M.  Aurelius  to 
L.  Verus  ; each,  indeed,  in  the  case  of  his  ow  n 
father  or  brother.  Different  motives  produced 
the  same  result  in  different  cases ; as  for  in- 
stance, the  wish  to  have  a deity  for  a father  or 
a near  relation,  or  to  avoid  the  suspicion  of  foul 
play,  in  the  death  of  an  individual,  was  the 
reason  for  Domitian’s  deification  of  Titus.  The 
consecration  of  Commodus,  whose  real  deserts 
entitled  him  to  the  same  quarter  with  Sysiphus 
aud  Tantalus,  took  place  under  unwonted  cir- 
cumstances. Condemned  to  everlasting  infamy 
by  the  Senate,  he  was  placed  amongst  the  im- 
mortal gods  by  Sept.  Scvcrus  ; whose  probable 
rensous  for  so  doing  are  attempted  to  be  ex- 
plained under  the  head  of  Pivvs  commodvs. 

If  any  during  their  life  time  had  incurred 
public  hatred,  like  Tiberius,  Caligula,  aud  Do- 
mitian, they  were  left  to  pass  an  obscure  exist- 
ence amongst  the  manes.  Others,  as  Caracalla, 
were  indebted  to  their  popularity  with  the  army. 

There  are  instances  of  emperors  to  whom  the 
houours  of  divinity  were  accorded,  not  imme- 
diately after  death  but,  at  a subsequent  period. 
Accordingly,  Livin  was  at  leugth  consecrated  by 
Claudius,  Commodus  by  Severus,  Domna  by 


CONSECRATION. 

Elagabalus.  But  it  is  ’remarkable,  that  the 
piety  of  some  of  the  Augusti  induced  them  to 
thrust  into  heaven  their  parents,  though  in  a 
private  station,  and  deceased  before  they  were 
themselves  elevated  to  the  throne.  Thus  did 
Vespasian  in  the  case  of  his  mother  Domitilla, 
and  Trajan  in  that  of  his  father  Trajan ; and 
the  honour  thus  conferred  they  exhibited  on 
their  coins;  nay,  Vespasian,  not  content  with 
this,  bestowed  on  his  mother  the  title  of  Au- 
gusta. 

Eckhcl  has  collected  from  coins  the  following 
names  of  persons  consecrated  after  the  Roman 
custom : — 

Julius  Caesar. 

Augustus. 

Julia,  wife  of  Augustus. 

Claudius. 

Poppma,  wife  of  Nero. 

Claudia,  daughter  of  Nero. 

Vespasian. 

Domitilla,  wife  of  Vespasian. 

Titus. 

Julia,  daughter  of  Titus. 

C:csar  (anonymous),  son  of  Domitian. 

Nerva. 

Trajan,  the  father. 

Trajan,  the  emperor. 

Plotina,  wife  of  Trajan. 

Marciana,  sister  of  Trajan. 

Matidia,  grand  daughter  of  Trajan. 

Hadrian. 

Sabina,  wife  of  Hadrian. 

Antoninus  Pius. 

Faustina,  wife  of  Antoninus  Pius. 

M.  Aurelius. 

Faustina,  wife  of  M.  Aurelius. 

L.  Verus. 

Commodus. 

Pertinax. 

Scverus. 

Julia  Domna,  wife  of  Severus. 

Caracal]  a. 

Julia  Msesa. 

Alexander  Severus. 

Paulina,  wife  of  Maximinus  I. 

Mariniana,  wife  of  Valerian. 

Gallienus  (identity  uncertain). 

Saloninus. 

Victorious. 

Tctricus  (probably). 

Claudius  Gothicus. 

Cams. 

Numcriauus. 

Nigrinianus. 

Maximianus  Herculcus. 

Constantius  Chlorus. 

Gal.  Maximianus. 

Romulus,  son  of  Maxentius. 

Constantine  the  Great. 

Some  particulars  respecting  the  rites  and  cere- 
monies observed  in  the  consecration  of  princes, 
as  illustrating  the  types  of  coins,  are  given  under 
the  head  of  Funeral  Pile,  p.  251. 

That  the  apotheosis  of  emperors  was  sanc- 
tioned by  the  authority  of  the  Senate,  and  usu- 
ally decreed  by  that  body,  is  testified  by  ancient 
2 K 


CONSECRATION.  249 

writers,  as  well  as  by  coins  and  other  monu- 
ments. Tertullian  says — “ It  was  an  old  esta- 
blished custom,  that  no  emperor  should  be  dei- 
fied without  the  concurrence  of  the  Senate” — a 
statement  repeated  by  Orosius,  and  confirmed 
by  Prudentius. 


The  Senate  long  opposed  the  petition  of  An- 
toniuus  Pius  that  they  would  decree  the  honours 
of  consecration  on  his  father  by  adoption,  Ha- 
drian. M.  Aurelius  earnestly  besought  the  same 
distinction  from  the  Senate  for  his  wife  Faus- 
tina. The  fact  is  also  clearly  proved  by  the 
' coins  of  Claudius  and  Vespasian,  both  gold  and 
silver,  bearing  the  type  of  consecration,  and  on 
which  we  read  ex  s.  c.  and  more  fully  on  a 
coin  of  Marciana,  ex  senatvs  consvlto. — 
Nor  does  the  rule  appear  at  all  disproved  by  the 
fact,  that  sometimes  the  emperors  or  the  sol- 
diers forcibly  extorted  a consecration  from  the 
Senate. — See  Macrinus  and  Gordianus  Pius. 

Coins  relating  to  Consecration. — These  had 
j their  peculiar  legends  and  types.  By  the  ex- 
pression, coins  of  consecration,  however,  arc  to 
be  understood,  only  those  which  were  struck 
on  the  occasion  of  the  ceremony,  and  for  the 
purpose  of  publishing  it  to  the  world ; and  such 
as  exhibit,  on  the  reverse,  types  which  invalu- 
ably represent  this  rite,  and  the  soul  received 
into  heaven.  For  there  are  not  a few  coins, 
whose  obverse,  indeed,  gives  the  title  divvs  to 
the  emperor,  but  whose  reverse  offers  nothing 
at  all  connected  with  consecration.  Of  this 
kind,  for  instance,  is  a coin  of  Divus  Augustus, 
on  the  reverse  of  which  we  read  signis  recep- 
tis  ; and  so,  on  the  reverse  of  coins  of  Divus 
Vespasianus,  ceres  avgvst. — victoria  avgvsti 
— to  which  may  be  added  coins  of  Domitilla,  the 
Faustina,  &c.  the  execution  of  which  was  dic- 
tated by  affection,  to  preserve  the  memory  of 
ancestors,  parents,  and  wives. 

In  bringing  forward  first  the  inscriptions,  and 
then  the  types,  of  the  coins  which  are  properly 
to  be  connected  with  the  subject  of  consecra- 
tion, Eckhel  (vol.  vi.)  observes  that,  “ in  the 
times  of  the  first  emperors,  consecration  was 
indicated  more  by  types,  than  by  verbal  formula. 
The  word  consecratio  (which  an  Alexandrine 
coin  of  Carus  renders  Aiptepucris),  was  intro- 
duced at  a later  period.  I do  not  find  it  (says 
he),  inserted  on  any  genuine  coins  before  Plotina, 
Marciana,  and  Matulia.  In  after  times,  nothing 
was  more  common  than  the  use  of  this  word.” 

For  some  observations  on  divvs  and  devs  as 
titles  of  consecration,  and  also  with  regard  to 


250  CONSECRATION. 

the  legend  memoriae,  see  those  words,  suis 

locis. 

Consecration  Types. The  various  legends 

having  thus  been  enumerated,  the  next  subject 
tor  inquiry  is  into  the  types  usually  employed 
to  indicate  a Consecration. 

The  obverse  exhibits  the  portrait  of  the  per- 
son to  whom  the  honour  was  decreed,  but  is 
Variable  in  the  style  of  the  head-dress.  On  his 
coins  Julius  C;esar  appears  with  a star  over  his 
head,  which  denoted  a comet,  popularly  believed 
to  have  been  the  soul  of  Caesar  after  his  recep- 
tion into  heaven.  This  type,  therefore,  as  being 
peculiar  to  him  alone,  did  not  occur  in  the  case 
of  his  successors.  The  radiated  head  of  Au- 
gustus is  a sure  sign  of  consecration ; for  before 
Nero,  no  prince  adopted  the  radiated  crown 
during  his  life-time.  On  those  coins,  in  which 
Trebonianns  or  some  other  emperor  immediately 
preceding  him,  restored  a consecration  (i.  e.  de- 
creed divine  honours  which  had  been  neglected 
before),  we  always  find  a radiated  head.  Ves- 
pasian, Titus,  Nerva,  and  Antoninus  Pius,  have 
the  laureated  head  after  their  consecration, 
though  they  also  exhibit  the  radiated  crown. — 
The  bare  head  (caput  nudum)  was  introduced 
bv  Nerva,  and  this  fashion  prevailed  long  after- 
wards. Divus  Saloninus  appears  on  most  of  his 
coins  with  a radiated  head.  Divus  Claudius 
Gothicus  exhibits  sometimes  the  laurel  crown, 
sometimes  the  radii ; and  he  is,  moreover,  the  first 
on  whose  coins  the  veiled  head  occurs,  which 
afterwards  appears  in  Constautius  Chlorus,  and 
Gal.  Maximianus,  though  both  these  emperors 
have  occasionally  the  bare  or  the  laureated  head. 
The  head  also  of  Divus  Constantinus  Magnus  is 
veiled,  and  frequently  laureated,  on  the  same 
coin.  The  veil  was  generally  regarded  as  a reli- 
gious dress ; the  pontiffs  were  veiled  when  en- 
gaged in  sacred  functions  ; so  were  the  augurs, 
and  the  vestals;  and  artists  frequently  repre- 
sented the  souls  of  men  with  veils,  as  when 
they  were  escorted  by  Mercury.  In  the  case  of 
consecrated  Empresses,  there  is  often  no  pecu- 
liar attire  to  distinguish  them,  as  for  instance, 
in  those  of  Domitilla,  Julia  the  daughter  of 
Titus,  Plotiua,  Marciana,  Matidia,  Sabina,  and 
Faustina  senior.  But  Sabina,  and  both  the 
Faustime,  not  unfrequently  added  the  veil  to 
their  ordinary  head-dress.  Afterwards,  Micsa  and 
Mariniana  used  the  veil.  Diva  Julia,  the  wife 
of  Augustus,  has  a head  crowned  with  ears  of 
corn,  after  the  manner  of  Ceres. 

'flic  reverse  presents  various  types,  as  w ill  be 
seen  by  the  following  list,  from  which,  be  it 
observed,  are  excluded  those  which  are  in  reality 
unconnected  with,  and  indeed  irrelevant  to,  the 
subject  of  consecration. 

1 .  The  Eagle  is  common  on  coins  of  the  early 
consecrated  emperors  and  empresses ; such  as 
those  of  Plotina,  Marciana,  Matidia,  lladrianus, 
Sabina,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Yerus.  (Sec  preceding 
cut).  The  reason  for  the  introduction  of  this 
bird  is,  that  in  the.  ceremonies  attending  conse- 
cration, a funeral  pile  was  lighted,  and  an  eagle 
let  loose  from  its  summit,  as  if  to  bear  the  soul 
to  heaven.  This  eagle  is  the  more  frequent 


CONSECRATION. 

type  of  the  consecrations  restored  (rcstitutie) 
in  the  time  of  Trebonianus  Gallus. 


An  Eagle,  bearing  aloft  the  soul  of  an  Em- 
press, appears  on  coins  of  Sabina,  both  the 
Faustina;,  and  Julia  Mrcsa.  On  the  celebrated 
base  of  the  column  of  Antoninus  Pius,  on  which 
is  represented  that  emperor,  aud  his  wife  Faus- 
tina, carried  aloft  by  a winged  Genius,  an  eagle 
accompanies  both  Antonine  and  Faustina. — 
According  to  Artemidorus,  “ It  is  an  ancient 
practice,  to  represent  deceased  princes  as  borne 
on  high  upon  the  wings  of  eagles.” 

2.  A Peacock,  on  the  coins  of  Empresses 
only;  as  for  example,  both  the  Faustin®,  Julia 
Domna,  and  Mariniana.  In  these  are  clearly  to 
be  recognised  new  rivals  of  Juno;  the  peacock 
being  the  bird  of  Juno,  as  the  eagle  was  that  of 
Jupiter. — See  Pavo. 

A Peacock,  carrying  aloft  the  soul  of  an 
Empress. — See  mariniana. 

3.  A Victory,  bearing  aloft  the  soul  of  an 
Empress,  appears  on  coins  of  both  the  Faustinas. 
— sec  the  aeternitas  type  of  consecration  en- 
graved in  p.  24  of  this  dictionary. 

4.  A Funeral  Pile  (Rogus). — From  the  time 
of  Antoninus  Pius  this  is  the  common  type  of 
consecration,  on  the  coins  of  both  emperors  aud 
empresses. — See  next  page. 

5.  An  Altar  is  not  an  unfrequent  type,  and 
it  is  chiefly  observable  on  coins  recording  the 
consecrations,  awarded  probably  at  the  instance 
of  Trebonianus.  At  any  rate  it  is  self-evident 
that  the  altar  is  that  of  a consecrated  prince. 

0.  A Chariot,  drawn  by  two  or  four  elephants. 
This  also  is  no  unfrequent  type.  Sec  the  coins 
of  Augustus,  Vespasian,  Julia  the  w ife  of  Titus, 
Antoninus  Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Vents,  aud 
Pcrtinax,  and  the  explanation  of  the  type  there 
given. — See  Thensa. 

A Chariot  and  four  horses. — Vespasian. 

A Chariot  (enrpentum)  drawn  by  two  or  three 
female  mules,  on  coins  of  Julia,  wife  of  Titus,  a 
sacred  type,  and  one  not  unfrequent  on  the  coins 
of  women.  Examples  of  these  appear  on  coins 
of  Livia,  Agrippina  sen.  aud  Domitilla — for  the 
latter  sec  p.  185. 

7.  A Phoenix,  the  symbol  of  Eteniity.  p.  22. 

8.  A Lectisternium  to  Juno,  on  coins  of 
Faustina  junior,  now,  ns  it  were,  another  Juno. 

0.  A Temple,  on  coins  of  Divus  Augustus, 
and  Romulus  Caesar.  Nevertheless,  temples  w ere 
privately  erected  in  honour  of  illustrious  persons, 
who  had  not  been  consecrated,  as  exemplified  on 
coins  of  Domitinnns  Ang. 


CONSECRATION. 

Other  types  of  inferior  note  are  passed  over. 
— Those  used  by  princes  calling  themselves 
Christians,  at  their  consecration,  may  he  learned 
from  coins  of  Constantine  the  Great  and  his 
family. 

The  coins  hitherto  treated  of  are  those  which 
were  struck  soon  after  the  consecration  of  the 
princes  or  princesses,  whose  portraits  they  bear, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  giving  publicity  to  the 
event.  But  there  is  another  class  of  coins, 
which  on  the  obverse  present  the  effigy  of  some 
emperor ; and  on  the  reverse  the  legend  con- 
seckatio,  with  the  type  of  an  eagle,  ou  a lighted 
altar. — For  a list  of  these,  with  observations 
thereupon,  see  the  words  divo  and  ntvus. 

IV  ith  regard  to  the  remaining  subject  of  in- 
quiry— namely,  how  long  the  custom  of  con- 
secrating emperors  prevailed  amongst  the  Ro- 
mans, Eckhel  says — “ So  long  as  the  worship  of 
the  gods  was  in  force,  it  is  by  no  means  sur- 
prising that  this  absurd  system  should  have  con- 
tinued. But  it  is  extraordinary  that  Christian 
princes  shoidd  have  followed  the  example  of  the 
heathen.  Besides  Constantine  the  Great,  Entro- 
pies has  told  us  that  his  son  Constantius,  and 
Jovianus,  were  deified ; and  that  the  same 
honour  was  paid  to  Valentinian  by  his  son 
Gratian  is  recorded  by  Ausonius  in  these  words: 

‘ The  most  abundant  testimony  of  his  merit,  is 
his  father  connected  with  divine  honours.’ 
Meanwhile,  it  cannot  be  doubted,  that  in  these 
latter  consecrations,  the  ceremonial  differed 
greatly  from  that  of  former  days,  and  was  such 
as  could  easily’  [?]  be  blended  with  the  Christian 
rites.  For  the  ceremonies  observed  by  the 
Christians  at  the  funeral  of  Constantine  the 
Great,  were  quite  compatible  with  the  regula- 
tions of  the  Christian  religion  [?]  Sec  a de- 
scription of  them  by  Eusebius.  Nor  is  a different 
light  thrown  on  the  subject  by  the  coins,  which 
were  dedicated  to  his  honour  after  death.  But 
they  were  the  last  which  were  struck  iu  memory 
of  a deceased  emperor.” 

[On  the  two  points  against  which  a note  of 
interrogation  has  bceu  placed,  the  compiler  of 
this  dictionary  is  not  disposed  to  acquiesce  in 
the  conclusion  drawn  by  the  transcendent  author 

of  Doclrina. However  the  old  ecclesiastical 

writers  may  describe  the  ceremonies  which  actu- 
ally took  place,  the  legends  and  types  on  the 
cousecration  coins  of  Constantine  and  his  suc- 
cessors are  far  too  clearly  those  of  unmitigated 
paganism,  to  be  “ easily  blended”  with  any  cor- 
rect ideas  of  pure  and  scriptural  Christianity.] 

CONSECItATIO. — On  the  reverse  of  a first 
brass  struck  in  honour  of  XI.  Aurelius,  after  his 
death,  a.  d.  180,  the  type  is  a funeral  pile  of 
four  stories,  the  basement  ornamented  with  fes- 
toons ; the  upper  tiers  adorned  with  statues, 
and  at  the  summit  an  imperial  quadriga.  On 
the  obverse  the  head  of  that  emperor  is  repre- 
sented under  the  features  of  an  old  man,  with 
this  legend,— DIVVS  Marcus  ANTON  IN  VS 
PI  VS. 

The  Royus,  or  Funeral  Pile,  is  described  by 
Dion,  as  “ a structure  in  the  form  of  a turret, 
with  three  stories,  of  ivory  and  gold,  and  orua- 
2 K 2 


CONSECRATION.  251 

mented  with  statues.”  Herodiau  describes  it  as 
a mass  of  quadrangular  shape,  filled  at  the  bot- 


tom with  combustibles,  on  which  again  a second 
tier  was  placed  of  similar  form  and  appearance, 
but  narrower  and  furnished  with  openings ; 
to  this  a third  and  a fourth  were  added,  each 
gradually  diminishing  in  size,  till  the  whole  re- 
sembled a watch-tower.” — The  ceremony  of  con- 
secration was  very  solemn  and  imposing.  After 
the  body  had  been  clothed  in  the  habiliments  of 
death,  it  was  placed  on  a bed  of  ivory  ; young 
men,  chosen  from  the  equestrian  order,  bore  it 
on  their  shoulders  to  the  pile.  The  corpse  be- 
ing then  introduced  into  the  second  layer  or 
story,  it  was  surrounded  with  aromatics  and 
precious  balms.  The  usual  ceremonies  being 
completed,  a torch  was  applied,  and  the  mass 
was  consumed.  After  this  apotheosis,  the  de- 
ceased emperor  or  empress  had  temples,  altars, 
and  priests  dedicated  to  his  or  her  honour,  and 
the  same  worship  was  paid  to  the  defunct,  as 
paganism  rendered  to  its  gods  and  goddesses ; 
whilst  the  Augusti,  or  August®,  were  thence- 
forth called  divi  and  divae.  The  form  of  the 
royus,  described  as  above  by  ancient  writers,  is 
brought  to  our  view’,  with  remarkable  clearness, 
on  numerous  coins.  “ Amongst  these,”  adds 
Eckhel,  “ there  is  one  which  I am  told,  stands 
conspicuous.  This  is  a Julia  Xlresa,  discovered 
at  Rome ; respecting  which  its  then  possessor. 
Viscount  Ennius,  a renowned  antiquary,  w’rote 
to  Garampi,  papal  nuncio  at  Vienna,  that  it  is 
so  well  executed,  and  in  such  high  preservation, 
that  iu  the  second  layer  of  the  funeral  pile,  the 
corpse  of  the  empress  is  seen  recumbent  on  a 
bed ; a minute  particular,  never  before  distin- 
guished iu  the  inonetal  representation  of  these 
funeral  structures.” 

CONSECRAT'IO.  S.  C. — There  are  two  other 
large  brass  consecrations,  struck  by  authority 
of  the  Senate,  in  memory  of  XIarcus  Aurelius 
(divvs),  which  exhibit  fiirther  examples  of  the 
types  that  represent  the  deification  of  this 
prince,  and  bear  reference  to  its  various  cere- 
monies— namely:  1.  An  eagle,  as  if  about  to 
take  flight  from  the  top  of  an  altar  decorated 
with  a festoon  of  ribbands. — 2.  A car,  convey- 
ing the  defunct  emperor’s  statue,  drawn  by  four 
elephauts,  each  mounted  by  its  driver — a device 
which  serves  to  represent  those  preliminary  dis- 
plays of  funeral  pomp,  in  which  the  new  em- 
peror, or  the  surviving  husband  of  an  empress, 
made  an  ostentatious  exhibition  of  costly  mag- 
nificence. 


252  CONSECRATION. 

CONSECRATIO. — The  emperor  seated  on 
an  eagle,  holds  a sceptre.  Below,  in  a re- 
cumbent posture,  is  a female  figure,  personifying 
the  Earth.  This  elegant,  remarkable,  and  very 
rare  type,  appears  on  a brass  medallion  of 
Antoninus  Pius,  edited  by  Veuuti,  from  the 
Mus.  Albani,  i.  26,  i. — See  an  engraving  of  it 
p.  248. 

CONSECRATIO. — An  eagle,  with  expanded 
wings,  standing  on  a globe,  which  is  ornamented 
with  stars. 

This  very  finely  executed  large  brass  coin,  of 
which  the  above  described  forms  the  legend  and 
type  of  reverse,  was  struck  to  celebrate  the  con- 
secration of  Lucius  Verus,  associate  in  the  empire 
with  Marcus  Aurelius,  whose  own  benignity  of 
disposition  was  so  great  (says  the  historian 
Capitolinus),  that  he  always  concealed  and  ex- 
cused, so  far  as  he  was  able,  the  vices  of  Verus, 
although  they  extremely  displeased  him ; and 
that  he  caused  him,  after  death,  to  be  called 
Divus,  and  to  be  honoured  with  all  the  marks  of 
worship  usually  decreed  to  consecrated  emperors. 
See  an  engraving  of  this  inserted  in  p.  249. 

CONSECRATIO.  S.  C. — Eagle  on  a globe. — 
Obv. — DIVO.  ANTONINO.  magno. — Bare  head  of 
Caracalla.  On  silver  and  large  brass. 

“ These  coins  (observes  the  author  of  Lemons 
de  Numismatique  llomaine)  may  well  excite 
astonishment.  What ! (he  exclaims)  were  the 
honours  of  consecration  and  the  title  of  “Great” 
conferred  upon  a monster,  abhorred  by  all  honest 
and  good  men?  But  it  must  be  borne  in  mind, 
that  his  death  was  regretted  by  the  soldiers;  and 
to  make  friends  of  them , the  Senate  aud  Macri- 
nus  both  stooped  to  this  base  flattery.  Caracalla 
had  foolishly  presumed  to  compare  himself  with 
Alexander  the  Great.” 

CONSECRATIO. — Empress  in  a quadriga,  a 
female  guides  the  horses  at  full  speed. — Obv. — 
diva  avgvsta  favstina. — For  an  engraving  of 
this  beautiful  and  rare  gold  coin,  see  Faustina 
senior. 

CONSECRATIO. — Eagle  standing  with  ex- 
panded wings,  on  a sceptre.  Gold  and  first  brass 
of  Marciana.  The  former  engraved  in  Aker- 
man,  i.  226,  pi.  vi.  No.  1. 

CONSECRATIO. — Eagle  with  expanded 
wings.  Silver.— See  Matidia. 

CONSECRATIO.  S.  C. — A carpcutum  drawn 
by  two  mules ; and  the  same  legend,  with  the 
statue  of  the  empress  on  a thensa  drawn  by  two 
elephants — both  first  brass  of  Marciana  ; en- 
graved in  Havercamp,  cabinet  of  Christina. 

CONSECRATIO. — Hadrian  holding  a sceptre, 
borne  by  an  eagle  in  full  flight.  Gold.— En- 
graved in  Akcrman,  i.  p.  231,  pi.  vi.  No.  3. 

CONSECRATIO. Sabina  on  an  eagle. — 

First  brass.  Engraved  in  p.  250. 

CONSECRATIO.  S.  C. — Ceres  seated  on  a 
modius,  near  a lighted  altar,  with  patera  and 
torch.  First  brass  of  Faustina  senior. 

CONSECRATIO,  S.  C. — Funeral  pile.  First 
brass  of  Pertinax. — Engraved  in  Mionnet,  i.  269. 

CONSECRATIO. — Empress  on  a peacock. — 
Silver. — See  Marininas. 

CONSECRATIO.— Do.  Silver.  See  Paulina. 


CONSENSVS. 

CONSECRATIO. Eagle  with  expanded 

wings.  Small  brass. — See  Nigrinianus. 

CONSESVS  (sic.)  EXERCIT. Two  mili- 

tary figures,  joining  right 
hands  with  each  other,  and 
holding  in  their  left  a 
legionary  eagle.  Gold  and 
silver  of  Vespasian. — This 
very  rare  coin  refers  to  the 
unanimity  (consesus  being 
a blunder  of  the  inoneycr 
for  consensus)  of  the  Roman  armies  of  Judiea, 
Syria,  and  Egypt,  in  raising  Vespasian  to  the 
empire.  There  is  a similar  legend  in  the  mint 
of  Vitellius,  viz. : 

CONSENSVS  EXERCITVV.M. — Mars  hcl- 
meted,  aud  marching,  bears  in  his  right  hand  a 
spear,  aud  in  his  left  a military  ensign,  or  laba- 
rum,  or  trophy,  resting  on  his  shoulders. — 
Gold,  silver,  and  second  brass  of  Vitellius. 

These  coins,  says  Vaillant,  were  struck  by 
Vitellius,  before  the  death  of  Otho.  They  exhi- 
bit Mars,  as  gradivus,  that  is,  in  his  attri- 
buted capacity  of  a warrior,  to  drive  away  the 
l'oc.  This  deity  Vitellius  invoked  by  a favour- 
able omen,  when  some  one  brought  to  him  the 
sword  of  Julius  Osar,  takcu  from  the  temple  of 
Mars,  according  to  Tacitus,  after  he  had,  by  the 
consent  aud  agreement  of  both  armies  of  Ger- 
many, been  elected  emperor. 

CONSENSV.  SENATkj  ET  EQuestris  OR 
I) I N is  P opuli  Q ue  Romani.  Statue  of  Augustus 
seated,  holding  in  the  right  hand  a branch,  and 
a globe,  or  patera,  in  the  left.  On  the  obverse 
of  this  second  brass  coin  is  diws  avgvstvs, 
s.  c.  Bare  head  of  the  emperor. 

Augustus  during  his  life-time  had,  in  the 
provinces,  already  been  admitted  to  the  rank  of 
the  gods ; and  this  coin  represents  the  statue 
which  was  decreed  to  him  as  Divus  Augustus, 
by  the  unanimous  votes  of  all  the  orders  of  the 
state.  Many  of  these  statues,  Dion  informs 
us,  were  erected  in  his  honour  after  his  decease. 
Such  is  the  subject  of  the  coin  here  described, 
respecting  which  Eckhcl  (vi.  126),  observes, 
the  three  orders,  into  which  the  Romans  were 
divided,  arc  here  inscribed  according  to  their 
scale  of  rank,  viz.  Senate,  Knights,  and  People. 
— Pliny  has  given  the  order  differently  (xxxiii. 
§ 8) — From  that  period  (i.  e.  the  consulate  of 
Cicero),  this  (i.  e.  the  equites),  was  distinctly 
made  a third  body  in  the  republic,  and  the 
Equestrian  Order  began  to  be  added  to  the 
Senate  and  to  the  Roman  People.  Whence  it 
arises,  that  even  now-a  days  it  is  inscribed  after 
the  People,  as  having  been  the  most  recently 
added.”  In  the  writings  of  the  poets,  this  order 
of  dignity  has  been  either  inverted  or  otherwise 
disturbed  by  the  requirements  of  the  metre,  as 
for  example  in  Martial  (l.  viii.  Ep.  15)  : — 

Pat  populus,  dat  grains  eques,  dat  thura  Senates. 

[The  people,  the  grateful  knights,  the  Senate,  all 
give  frankincense]. — Also  in  Ovid,  Fasti,  ii.  123. 

CONSER.  CONSERV.  Conservator  or  Con- 
serratrir.  Conservator!  or  Conserratriri. 

CONSERVATOR.  Preserver,  Protector,  or 


CONSERVATOR. 

Defender.  This  term  frequently  occurs  on  Ro- 
man coins ; and  has  reference,  in  the  first  place, 
to  those  deities  whom  the  emperors  honoured 
as  their  favourite  tutelaries,  in  professed  acknow- 
ledgment cither  of  their  general  protection,  or 
of  some  particular  favours.  (Jobert,  i.  231). 

The  attributes  of  a conservator  are  an- 
nexed on  coins,  to  the  names  of  Jupiter,  Apollo 
(or  Sol),  Neptune,  Mars,  Hercules,  and  also  of 
Bacchus,  under  the  appellation  of  Liber  Pater. 

In  the  next  place,  it  refers  to  the  Emperors 
themselves,  some  of  whom  were  so  called  on  their 
coins;  as  in  the  CONSERVATOR  PIETaffy  of 
Gallienus.  The  emperor  standing  with  spear  in 
left  hand,  holds  his  right  extended  above  the 
head  of  a kneeling  figure.  Also  CQNSERVafor 
& Mm  tit,  PATRIAE,  VRBIS  SVAE  (Roma), 
AFRICAE,  KART%t»w,  EXERCITWM,  and 
M1LITVM. 

CONSERVATOR  AVG. — A quadriga,  con- 
veying a conical-shaped  stone,  together  with  an 
eagle,  spreading  its  wings.  In  the  field  a star. 
Gold  of  Elagabalus. 

The  stone  fashioned  in  a couc-like  form  repre- 
sent* the  Syrian  deity  whose  worship  Elagabalus 
introduced  into  Rome.  See  this  remarkable  re- 
verse, engraved  and  annotated  in  Akerman, 
vol.  i.  414,  pi.  vii.  No.  7- — See  also  sanct. 
deo  sou  elagabal.  bearing  allusion  to  the 
same  object  of  that  emperor’s  oriental  idolatry. 

CONSERVAT.  AVGG. A naked  Apollo, 

standing  with  a branch  in  the  right  hand,  and 
the  left  resting  on  a lyre.  Diana  stands  beside 
him,  in  a dress  closely  girded,  drawing  an  arrow 
from  a quiver  with  her  right  hand,  and  holding 
a bow  in  her  left.  Silver  of  Valerianus. 

Coins  exhibiting  Apollo  alone,  with  this  in- 
scription, arc  well  known ; but  till  this  instance, 
none  have  been  discovered  which  associate  with 
him  liis  sister  Diana.  For  the  reason  why  both 
those  deities  were  worshipped,  especially  during 
the  period  from  the  reign  of  Trebonianus  Callus 
to  that  of  Valerianus,  see  Apollo,  p.  65  et  seq. 
of  this  dictionary.  Khell,  who,  in  his  supple- 
ment to  Vaillant  (p.  175),  has  given  an  engrav- 
ing of  this  elegant  and  extremely  rare  denarius, 
alludes  to  the  plague  which  raged  throughout 
the  empire,  from  a.d.  251  to  a.  d.  260,  both 
years  inclusive  ; and  pertinently  remarks,  in  re- 
ference to  this  coin,  that  just  as  the  sad  bereave- 
ment of  Niobc,  so  also  any  grievous  pestilence 
wras  attributed  by  the  superstition  of  those  times 
to  the  wrath  of  both  Apollo  and  Diana. 

CONSERVATOR  AFRICAE  SVAE. A 

woman  standing,  her  head  covered  with  an 
elephant's  proboscis , at  her  feet  a lion  and  a bull 
lying  down.  Second  brass  (Imperial  Museum). 
Maximum  Hercules. 

An  almost  similar  type  appears  on  coins  of 
Diocletian  and  Maximian,  inscribed  felix  ad- 
vent avgg.  nn.  The  latter  emperor  defeated  the 
Quiuquegcntiaui  in  Africa,  a.  d.  297  ; and  hence 
his  popularity  with  the  Africans  aud  Cartha- 
ginians, which  he  now'  endeavoured  to  revive, 
in  order  to  strengthen  his  hold  on  the  empire. 

The  same  reverse  occurs  on  coins  of  flaxen- 
tins,  and  also  on  Constantine’s. 


CONSE11VATORES.  253 

CONSERVATORES  KART.  SVAE. A 

temple  of  six  columns,  in  which  a w oman  stands, 
with  a branch  in  each  hand.  Second  brass  of 
Maximian  Hercules. 

The  same  remarks  apply  to  this  as  to  the  pre- 
ceding coin.  A like  reverse  is  frequent  on  the 
coins  of  Maxentius  and  Constantine. 

CONSERV.  or  CONSERVATORES  VRBw 
SVAE. — A temple  of  six  columns,  in  which  is 
seated  Rome,  galcated,  with  a globe  in  her  right 
hand,  and  a spear  in  her  left  hand.  Second 
brass  of  Maximian  Hercules. 

Why  the  above  specimen  should  be  reckoned 
in  this  class  of  coins,  notwithstanding  the  ab- 
sence of  the  w'ord  sen.  {Senior)  in  the  legend 
of  the  obverse — is  a point  which  Eckhel  regards 
as  of  easy  explanation.  That  this  distinctive 
title  was  not  always  added  in  the  mintages  of 
Maximian  Hercules,  is  shewn  by  the  fact, 
that  coins  inscribed  conserv.  vrb.  svae,  &c. 
are  found  only  with  the  head  of  Maximian 
Hercules,  Maxentius,  or  Constantine,  who  were 
contemporaneous  emperors  ( sgnehroni  Angus ti), 
and  none  with  the  head  of  Diocletian.  And  it 
would  be  very  singular,  whilst  they  are  common 
in  the  case  of  Maximian,  if,  supposing  any  to 
have  been  struck  during  the  colleagueship  of 
Diocletian,  none  were  forthcoming  which  bore 
his  portrait,  when  it  is  well  known,  that  they 
almost  invariably  used  the  same  reverses.  Similar 
reverses,  which  Banduri  has  connected  with  the 
heads  of  other  emperors,  Eckhel  considers  un- 
worthy of  notice,  since  they  are  derived  solely 
from  Mediobarbus.  No  doubt,  afterbeingharassed 
by  the  factions  of  Maxentius  and  Severus,  Rome 
welcomed  Maximianus,  on  his  return  from  Luca- 
nia  and  re-assumption  of  the  purple,  as  a regener- 
ator, and,  as  the  coins  call  him,  a conservator ; 
and  his  services  to  the  city  are  oratorically 
lauded  by  the  unknown  author  of  a panegyric 
dedicated  to  Maximian  and  Constantine,  chap, 
x.  and  xi. — See  Doct.  Nnm.  Vet.  viii.  25. 


CONSERV.  or  CONSERVATORES  VRB. 
SVAE. — A temple  of  four  columns,  in  the  pedi- 
ment of  which  are  the  wolf  and  twins  ; and  at 
each  end  of  the  entablature  stand  two  victories 
holding  crowns.  Within  the  temple,  Rome, 
galeated,  sits  on  a buckler,  resting  her  right 
hand  on  the  hasta,  and  writh  her  left  hand  offers 
a globe  to  a military  figure,  who  stands  before 
her,  with  spear  in  the  right  hand,  and  planting 
; his  right  foot  on  a captive.  In  the  exergue  a. 
p.  Q.  On  second  brass  of  Maxentius,  whence 
this  reverse,  so  replete  with  interesting  details 
of  typification,  is  engraved  as  above.  PcUcriu  has 


25 1 CONSE  RV  ATORES. 

published  an  exactly  similar  coin  of  the  same 
usurper  of  the  purple,  described  to  be  of  pure 
silver,  and  of  the  medallion  size. — Mel.  i.  191. 

CONSERVATOR.  AFRICAE  SVAE. — A 
woman  treading  on  a crocodile,  in  her  right 
hand  a military  standard,  in  her  left  the  tusk  of 
au  elephant.  Maxentius.  Second  brass. 

The  coin  (says  Eckhel),  must  have  been 
struck  at  the  commencement  of  this  man’s 
assumption  of  imperial  rank  aud  authority,  to 
conciliate  the  good  will  of  so  rich  a province; 
on  which  subject  see  further  remarks  uuder  the 
next  coin, — conservatories  kart.  svae. — 
lie  barbarously  harassed  the  same  province  at 
a later  period,  viz.  about  a.  d.  308.  Whether 
the  animal,  on  which  the  woman  treads,  be 
really  a crocodile,  though  Banduri  atlirms  it,  one 
may  be  pardoned  for  doubting.  The  crocodile 
was  not  a symbol  of  Africa,  but  of  Egypt, 
which  being  under  the  domiuion  of  Maximinus 
Daza,  never  had  any  connexion  with  Maxentius. 
On  coins  of  Diocletian,  inscribed  eel.  advent, 
avg.  a lion  aud  a bull  are  represented  at  the  feet 
of  a figure  of  Africa.  The  author  of  the  Museum. 
Theupoli  Catalogue,  iu  describing  a similar  coiu, 
has  not  ventured  to  determine  the  species  of  the 
animal  represented. — viii.  57. 

CONSERV ATORES  KART.  SVAE.— A tem- 
ple of  six  columns,  in  which  a woman,  stand- 
ing, holds  in  each  hand  extended  a branch  or 
some  kind  of  fruit.  Second  brass  of  Maxen- 
tius. (Imperial  Museum). 

Banduri  asserts,  that  the  two  princes,  whom 
Cartilage  acknowledges  as  her  couservatores,  ap- 
pear to  be  Maxentius  and  Maximiauus.  But 
Eckhel  considers  it  beyond  a doubt,  that  this 
title  pertained  to  three  princes,  Maximiauus 
Herculius,  Maxentius,  and  Constantinus,  siuce 
it  occurs  on  the  coins  of  them  all  individually. 
From  these  coins,  then  (he  adds),  it  is  proved 
incontestably,  that  Africa  and  Carthage  gave  in 
their  adhesion  to  Maximiauus  when  he  became 
emperor  a second  time,  and  to  his  son  Maxen- 
tius, in  gratitude,  probably,  for  benefits  con- 
ferred by  him  on  that  province  during  the  reign 
of  Diocletian  (of  which  also  coins  inform  us) ; 
and  that  Constantine  was  invited  to  a share  of 
this  honour,  as  they  considered  his  friendship 
essential  to  their  interests.  Consequently,  as  is 
shewn  by  the  coins  of  Maxentius,  whilst  still 
Ciesar,  Africa  soon  attached  herself  to  his 
side,  and  also  espoused  the  cause  of  his  father, 
on  liis  recovery  of  the  empire. — It  is  matter  of 
certainty,  that  Maxentius  did  not  for  the  first 
time  receive  the  submission  of  Africa  when  his 
father  died,  and  Alexander,  the  usurper  of  that 
province  had  beeu  vanquished,  as  some  have 
understood  from  the  imperfect  narrative  of  Zo- 
siinus,  though  the  error  has  siut-e  beeu  entirely 
confuted  by  TiUcmont  with  arguments  drawn 
from  history. — D.  N.  V.  viii.  58. 

CONSERV  AT.  PIETAT. The  Emperor, 

stauding,  with  his  right  hand  extended,  in  his 
left  a spear,  and  before  him  a small  figure,  on 
bended  kuoe,  raising  its  hands.  Silver  and  3rd 
brass  of  Gallicnus.  (Banduri.  Imp.  Mus.) 

Commodus  proclaimed  himself  on  coins  ns 


CONSIDIA. 

Auctor  Pietatis,  aud  Gallieuus  as  her  Conserva- 
tor. From  the  type  of  a boy  in  a suppliant  pos- 
ture, it  may  be  inferred,  that  by  this  reverse  allu- 
sion is  made  to  the  piety  (or  benevolence)  shewn 
towards  the  children  maintained  by  the  state 
fpueris  alimentariis ),  many  instances  of  which 
arc  recorded  from  the  time  of  Trajan.  The  same 
reverse  occurs  on  a coin  of  Claudius. — vii.  406. 

CONSIDIA,  an  ancient  gens  of  plebeian  rank. 
Its  surnames  Xoiiianns  and  Pat  us.  Its  coins 
have  eight  varieties.  The  following  alone  pos- 
sesses interest  : — 


Obv. — c.  considi.  noxiani.  s.  c. — Head  of 
Venus,  Untreated  and  adorned  with  a mitre, 
necklace,  and  car-rings.  Before  it  s.  C. 

Rev. — ervc.  A small  temple  on  the  top  of 
a steep  rock,  surrounded  by  walls : in  the  front 
of  which,  above  the  gate,  is  inscribed  the  above 
abbreviation  for  Erucina,  or  Erycina. 

The  head  aud  the  temple  of  this  coiu  apper- 
tain to  Venus  Erycina,  so  called  from  Ervx,  iu 
Sicily.  The  moneyer  who  coined  the  denarius, 
named  Cuius  Cousidius  Noniauus,  was  a pro- 
vincial questor,  and  a kinsman,  if  not  the  son, 
according  to  Borghesi,  of  M.  Cousidius,  pretor 
of  the  year  702  (b.  c.  52),  destined  successor 
of  Ciesar  in  the  government  of  Gallia  Citerior, 
and  who  was  with  Cicero  at  Capua,  at  the  time 
of  Pompey’s  flight.  By  a decree  of  the  Seuate, 
this  Cousidius  had  the  honour  of  exhibiting  these 
types  on  his  miutage,  either  because  his  family 
belonged  to  the  city  of  Eryx,  or  from  liaviug 
by  gifts  aud  liberalities  glorified  the  temple  of 
Venus  there — one  of  the  most  ancient  and 
famous  edifices  raised  in  honour  of  the  goddess, 
and  which  was  accustomed  to  be  visited  and  en- 
riched by  cousuls,  pretors,  and  every  one  en- 
trusted by  the  Roman  government  with  power 
aud  authority  in  Sicily. — See  lliccio,  (telle  famig- 
tie  rti  Roma,  p.  59. 

That  mythical  personage  Diedalus,  amongst 
numerous  works  of  sculpture  and  architec- 
ture ascribed  to  him  by  the  Greek  writers,  is 
said  to  have  “ enlarged  the  summit  of  mount 
Eryx  by  a wall,  so  as  to  make  a firm  foundation 
for  the  temple  of  Aphrodite.  For  this  same 
temple  he  made  a honeycomb  of  gold,  which 
could  scarcely  be  distinguished  from  a real 
honeycomb.” — See  Dr.  Smith’s  Dictionary  of 
Greek  amt  Roman  Riog.  i.  927. 

lliccio  gives  a silver  sesterce,  with  c.  considi. 
and  the  head  of  Cupid  on  its  obverse ; and  a 
globe,  surmounted  by  a coniucopiie,  with  fillet, 
on  its  reverse.  The  Caius  Cousidius  by  whom, 
as  moueyer  of  the  republic,  this  very  rare  mo- 
uetal  specimen  of  the  gens  was  struck  in  705 
(b.  c.  09),  belonged  to  the  Pompeian  party. 

CONS.  PHINC.  AVG. — Emperor  standing, 
places  his  right  hand  on  a trophy,  at  the  foot 


CONSTANS. 

of  which  are  two  captives.  In  his  left  lie  holds 
a spear.  Billon  of  Aurelian.  (Banduri). 

The  epigraph  of  this  reverse  is  unusual. — 
The  word  Princeps  is  here  used  as  an  augmen- 
tation of  that  of  Augustus.  Aminian  calls  Au- 
relius “ Marcus  Princeps.” 


CONSTANS  ( Flavius  Julius ■)  Cicsar  and 
Augustus;  youngest  son  of  Constantine  the 
Great  and  Fausta ; born  about  a.  n.  320,  he 
was  declared  Ctcsar  by  his  father  in  333  ; and 
obtained  two  years  afterwards  the  government 
of  Italy,  Illyria,  and  Africa.  lie  shared  in  the 
partition  of  the  empire,  after  the  death  of  Con- 
stantine, A.  D.  337-  And  his  elder  brother, 
Constantine  the  younger,  being  slain  in  340, 
uear  Aquileia,  whilst  treacherously  invading  bis 
territory,  he  became  master  of  the  whole  West, 
as  Constantins  was  of  the  East.  In  the  follow- 
ing year  he  undertonk  an  expedition  against  the 
Franks,  who  had  passed  the  Rhine  in  order  to 
ravage  Raid,  lie  conducted  this  war  in  person 
with  vigour;  and  having  first  defeated,  he  formed 
an  alliance  with,  the  invaders,  whom  he  obliged 
to  return  in  peace  to  their  own  country.  Pass- 
ing afterwards  into  Britain,  he  restored  that 
important  province  of  the  empire  to  a degree  of 
tranquillity,  to  which  it  had  long  beeu  a stranger. 
Before  he  quitted  the  island  on  his  return  to 
Gaul,  Constaus  established  such  laws  there, 
as  whilst  they  caused  the  Roman  name  to  be 
respected,  were  a credit  to  his  own  judgment 
and  policy.  The  remainder  of  his  reign  pro- 
mised to  be  undisturbed  and  prosperous,  but  his 
passion  for  the  chase,  and  his  indtdgcnce  in  a 
false  security,  afi'oided  the  opportunity  to  Mar- 
cellinus,  his  financial  minister,  and  Chreste,  one 
of  his  military  officers,  to  form  a conspiracy 
against  his  life.  These  two  wretches  came  to  a 
secret  understanding  with  Magnentius,  whom  on 
the  18th  January,  350,  during  the  night,  they 
invested  with  the  purple,  at  the  finish  of  a 
banquet  in  the  city  of  Autun,  where  the  Imperial 
Court  then  was.  Magnentius,  after  having  been 
saluted  emperor  by  the  conspirators,  sent  Gaison, 
a Ganlish  officer,  with  some  soldiers,  to  murder 
Constans.  But  that  prince  apprised  of  what 
had  just  occurred,  had  taken  horse  to  save  him- 
self in  Spain.  Gaison,  with  his  band  of  assassins, 
followed  and  overtook  him  at  Elne,  in  the 
Pyrenees,  where,  having  dragged  him  out  of  a 
church  into  which  he  had  fled  for  refuge,  they 
put  him  to  death  with  their  daggers.  Thus 
perished  Constans,  iu  the  30th  year  of  his  age, 
on  the  27th  of  February,  350,  after  having 
reigued,  from  the  period  of  his  father’s  death, 
twelve  years,  nine  months,  and  five  days. 

This  prince  protected  the  Christians,  and  was 
a good  warrior ; but  cruel,  debauched,  and 


CONSTANS.  255 

avaricious,  he  allowed  his  ministers  to  render  his 
government,  by  their  exactions,  odious  to  the 
people,  and  disliked  even  by  the  soldiery.  lie 
bad,  however,  courage  and  activity  enough  to 
preserve  his  dominions  with  a glory  not  inferior 
to  any  of  his  predecessors. 

MINTAGES  OF  CONSTANS. 

His  brass  coins  are  common : his  gold  and 
silver,  rare.  His  stvle  and  titles  as  emperor 
arc  FL.  CONSTANS  Pius  Mr  AVG.— L>.  N. 
CONSTANS  PERP.  AVG. 

The  coins  of  Constans  exhibit  the  head  of 
that  emperor  with  diadem  ornamented  with  pre- 
cious stones,  and  with  the  paludamevtum,  and 
sometimes  the  lorica,  on  the  breast ; in  the 
right  hand  a javelin,  in  the  left  a buckler.  On 
some  of  the  coins  the  head  is  laurcated,  on 
others  bound  with  a diadem  of  gems. 

Amongst  the  more  rare  and  curious  reverses 
are  the  following  : — 

Gold  Medallions. — Felicia  decennai.ia. 
Two  cupids  supporting  a crown.  (Valued  by 
Mionnet  at  400  fr.) 

Gloria  repvblicae.  Two  figures.  (150  fr.) — 

TRIVMFATOR  GENTIVJI  BARUARARVM.  Emperor 
witli  labarum,  and  monogram  of  Christ.  (500  fr.) 

Silver  Medallions. — fei.icitas  perfbtva. 
Three  figures  seated.  (Mionuct,  150  fr.) 

TRIVMFATOR  GENTIVM  BARBARAllVM  (£6  12s. 
Pembroke  sale.) 

virtvs  exercitvm  (sic).  Four  military  en- 
signs, Alpha  and  Omega.  (Engraved  in  p.  118.) 

Gold. — secvritas  perpetva.  (Mt.  50  fr.) 

victoria  avgvstorvm.  Victory  marching 
with  garland  and  trophy. — Obv. — fl.  ivl.  con- 
stans. p.  f.  avg.  Diademed  head  of  the  em- 
peror. (See  engraving  above.) 

ob  victoriam  trivmfalem.  Two  victories 
and  a buckler. — victoria  dd.  nn.  avg.  Two 
Victories.  (£2  3s.  Pembroke  sale.) — victor 
oxinivm  gentivsi.  Emperor  with  labarum.  (50 
fr.) — virtvs  exercitvs  gall.  Mars.  (40  fr.) 

Brass  Medallions,  boxonia  oceanen. 
(Engraved  in  p.  132.) 

debellatori  gentt.  barbarr.  Emperor 
on  horseback. — (Mionnet,  30  fr.) 

gloria  rosianorvsi.  Emperor  standing. 

GAVD1VM  POPVLI  ROSIANI,  &C.  &C. 

Second  Brass. — trivmfvs  (sic.)  caesarvm. 
Full-faced  Victory  in  a quadriga. 

CONSTANS,  son  of  Constanlinus  Tyrannus, 
and  styled  on  his  very  rare  coin,  in  silver,  d.  n. 
constans  p.  f.  avg.  was  associated  in  the 
usurpation  of  government  with  his  father,  a.  d. 
408.  He  was  assassinated  at  Vienne,  in  the 
Narbonnaise  Gaul,  by  Gerontius,  his  father’s 
general  (who  had  quarrelled  with  his  master), 
a.  d.  411,  a short  time  after  the  tragical  end  of 
Constautinus  himself.  The  quiuarii  bear  on 
their  reverse  victoria  aaavggg.  A belmeted 
female  seated,  holding  a Victory  and  the  hasta 
pura.  In  the  exergue  con.  Small  brass,  spes 
avg.  with  the  gate  of  a castrum. 

CONSTANTIA. — Constancy,  the  symbol  of 
the  Emperor  Claudius;  though  it  was  an  attribute 
not  always  prominent  in  him.  For  his  bio- 


256  CONS'MNTIA. 

grapher  Suetonius  says  of  him,  “In  the  faculties 
of  reflection  and  discernment,  his  mind  was 
remarkably  variable  and  contrasted,  he  being 
sometimes  circumspect  and  sagacious;  at  others 
inconsiderate  and  hasty,  often  frivolous  and  as 
though  he  were  out  of  his  wits.” — The  following 
three  arc  examples  of  this  legend  : — 

1.  constantiae  avgvsti.  A woman  stand- 
ing, with  a long  torch  in  her  right  hand,  and  a 
cornucopia!  in  her  left.  On  gold  and  silver  of 
Antonia — Engraved  in  p.  55  of  this  dictionary. 

The  torch  is  to  be  referred  to  the  cere- 
monial of  the  priesthood  of  Augustus  (Antonia 
was  called  sacerdos  divi  avgvsti),  and  that 
in  the  hand  of  the  woman  on  the  present 
coin,  intended  no  donbt  for  Antonia,  appears 
to  have  been  added  in  allusion  to  the  same 
office.  But  the  difficulty  is  to  reconcile  the 
legend  with  the  type.  Havercamp  thinks 
that  the  constancy  of  Antonia  is  afinded  to, 
which  she  displayed  in  adhering  to  widowhood, 
and  compelling  her  daughter  Livilla  to  suffer 
death.  But  if  sueli  constancy  really  shewed 
itself  in  Antonia,  why  is  the  merit,  according 
to  the  sense  of  the  legend  attributed  to  Augustus? 
For  it  should  have  been  written  avgvstae,  not 
avgvsti.  To  this  may  be  added,  that  the  legend 
is  a common  one  on  the  coins  of  her  son  Clau- 
dius, and  appears  to  be  peculiar  to  him,  as  will 
be  seeu  below.  But  if  the  legend  refers  to 
Claudius,  and  the  type  to  Antonia,  it  is  difficult 
to  assign  the  reason  for  such  an  anomaly. — 
D.  N.  V.  sixth  vol.  p.  179. 

2.  constantiae  avgvsti.  A woman  seated, 
touches  her  face  with  her  right  hand. — Obv. 
Laurcatcd  head  of  Claudius. — On  gold  and  silver 
of  that  emperor;  engraved  in  Caylus,  Nam. 
Aar.  Impp.  Rom.  No.  92. 

3.  constantiae  avgvsti.  s.  c.  A youth, 
wearing  a helmet,  and  attired  in  a thin  garment 
reaching  to  the  knees,  and  with  a cloke  flowing 
beliiud  him  ; holds  up  his  right  hand,  and  with 
the  fore-finger  touches  his  face;  his  left  hand 
grasps  a spear. — Obv.  Bare  head  of  Claudius. 
Second  brass.  Engraved  in  Havercamp,  Me- 
dailles  de  Christine.,  tab.  49.  Restored  by 
Vespasian. 

Respecting  the  second  coin,  Eckhcl  (vi.  236), 
makes  the  following  observations  : — “ I find  the 
type  variously  described  by  antiquaries.  The 
one  which  1 have  here  produced,  is  selected  from 
five,  in  the  most  perfect  state  of  preservation, 
in  the  imperial  museum.  The  same  legend  (as 
above  shewn),  is  found  on  coins  of  Antonia, 
mother  of  Claudius,  struck  during  the  reign  of 
that  emperor ; but  in  these  there  is  a difference 
in  the  type,  which  consists  of  a woman  stand- 
ing, with  a long  torch  in  her  right  hand,  and  a 
cornucopia!  in  her  left  (sec  No.  1).  It  is  difficult 
to  reconcile  the  legend  with  the  type,  but  that  the 
legend  undoubtedly  refers  to  Claudius  is  an  opi- 
nion confirmed  by  the  coins  now  before  us. — 
Yet  even  in  these,  there  is  the  same  difficulty, 
though  there  appears  to  be  no  doubt,  that  the 
moncycrs  had  in  view  the  life  of  Claudius,  passed 
from  infancy  amidst  contempt,  ridicule,  and 
fear;  to  all  which  disadvantages,  by  his  inviucible 


CONSTANTINOPOL1S. 
constancy  (or  perseverance,  or  endurance),  he 
proved  himself  superior.  This  opinion  is  sup- 
ported by  the  gesture  of  both  figures,  female  and 
male  (2  & 3),  which  appear  to  be  imposing  silence 
on  themselves,  a quality  which  constitutes  the 
main  part  of  constantia.  The  Roman  mythology 
contains  two  female  deities  who  presided  over 
silence,  viz.  Angerona  and  Tacita,  respecting 
which  I long  ago  treated  copiously.  (Sylloge,  i. 
p.  71).  I am  not  aware,  whether  the  same 
source  supplies  a male  being  of  the  same  cha- 
racter, such  as  Harpocrates  was  reckoned  in 
Egypt.” 

CONST ANTINI  AYG. — Two  victories  stand- 
ing, hold  together  a crown,  within  which  we 
read  vot.  xxx.  Gold  medallion  of  Constantinus 
Magnns,  engraved  in  Steinbiichcl,  Notice  sur 
tes  Medaittons  en  or  da  M a. see  Imperial,  No.  3. 

The  subjects  of  tvpification  most  frequent  in 
this  age  of  the  empire  were  those  which  record 
vota  deccnnalia,  viccnnalia,  tricennalia  (vows 
lasting  ten,  twenty,  thirty  years). 

CONST  ANTINIANA  DAFNE. — A woman 
trampling  on  a captive,  and  holding  in  each 
hand  a palm  branch.  On  one  side  a trophy. 
Iu  the  exergue  cons.  This  epigraph  occnrs  on 
a gold  and  a silver  and  on  a third  brass  coin  of 
Constantinus  M.  Various  have  been  the  opi- 
nions expressed  by  the  learned  respecting  it. — 
Eckhel  (viii.  81),  in  citing  them  all,  considers 
that  interpretation  to  be  decidedly  the  most  pro- 
bable, which  Gretser  and  Spanheim  drew  from 
Procopius,  viz.  that  by  Constantiniana  Dafnc 
is  to  be  understood  the  castle  or  camp  (cast rum) 
Bafne,  constructed  by  Constantine  on  the  bank 
of  the  Danube. 

CONSTANTINO  P.  AVG.  B.  R.  P.  NAT. 
— The  Emperor  in  a military  habit,  stands 
holding  a globe  and  spear.  Second  brass  of  Con- 
stantine the  Great. 

For  a long  time  the  inscription  on  this  coin 
was  read  by  antiquaries  BAP.  NAT.  for  BRP. 
NAT.  and  hence  they  were  induced  to  regard  it 
as  a sure  and  genuine  memorial  of  the  Baptism 
of  Constantine.  Ilardouiu  w as  the  first  to  detect 
this  inveterate  error,  which  he  felicitously  re- 
moved by  restoring  (as  Eckhel  observes),  the 
true  reading  B ono  RW  P ublicts  Halo,  which  is 
supported  by  inscriptions  on  marbles,  cited  in 
Gruter.  Besides,  Magnus  Maximus  and  his 
son  FI.  Victor  are,  on  a coin  of  his,  called  bong 
reipvblice  nati.  See  p.  132. 

CONSTANTINOPOLIS,  formerly  Byzan- 
tium, the  most  celebrated  city  of  Thrace,  derives 
its  name  from  Constantine  the  Great,  by  whom 
it  was  enlarged  with  new  buildings,  and  rendered 
almost  equal  to  Old  Rome ; in  order  that  Con- 
stantinople should  be  the  capital  of  the  empire 
in  the  east,  as  Rome  was  in  the  west.  It  was 
taken  by  the  Turks  in  the  year  1453,  by  whom 
it  is  now  called  Stambut,  and  in  whose  posses- 
sion it  still  remains  a great  metropolitan  and 
royal  city.  The  coins  which  make  mention  of 
it,  were  struck  cither  by  Constantine  or  by  his 
sons. 

CONSTANTINOPOLIS.— This  legend  ap- 
pears on  the  obverse  of  several  brass  medallions. 


CONSTANTINUS. 

accompanied  by  the  helmeted  bust  of  the  city  of 
Constantinople,  personified ; the  hasta  pura  on 
her  shoulders : on  the  reverses  are  the  several 
legends  of  fel.  temp,  reparatio — restitvtor 

RF.IP. — VICTORIA  AVGVSTI. — VICT.  AVGG.  &C. 
all  allusive  to  the  reparations,  restorations,  and 
military  successes,  claimed  to  have  been  achieved 
for  the  empire,  by  Constantine  and  the  princes 
of  his  family. — Engraved  in  Havercamp,  Cabinet 
de  Christine , tab.  xl. 

Constantinople,  in  a later  age,  was  one  amongst 
the  number  of  those  cities  to  which  the  right 
of  coining  money  was  granted.  Hence  on  so 
many  coins,  we  read,  at  the  bottom,  con. 
const.  &c. 


CONSTANTINUS  (Flavius  Galerins  Vale- 
ri anus),  surnamed  Magnus  or  Maximus,  was 
tbe  son  of  Constantins  Chlorus,  and  of  Helena, 
first  wife  of  that  prince,  son  in  law  of  Maxi- 
mianus  llerculcus,  and  brother  in  law  of  Lici- 
nius.  He  was  born  at  Naissus,  in  Dardania, 
a.  u.  c.  1027  (a.  d.  274).  His  birth-day  is 
fixed  by  the  calendar  of  Dionysius  I’hilocalu3, 
on  the  3rd  before  the  calends  of  March.  When 
Diocletian,  a.  d.  292,  sent  his  father  with  the 
title  of  CV.sar  into  Gaul,  he  detained  Constan- 
tine as  a kind  of  pledge,  and  became  greatly  at- 
tached to  him  on  account  of  his  amiability  and 
integrity  of  disposition.  On  the  abdication  of 
Diocletian  and  Maximian,  a.  d.  305,  Constan- 
tine, in  the  midst  of  his  satisfaction  at  seeing 
his  father  raised  from  the  Cicsarian  to  the  Im- 
perial dignity,  still  found  himself  placed  in  a 
most  precarious  position,  since  Gal.  Maximianus, 
who  succeeded  to  Diocletian,  not  only  opposed  his 
joining  his  father,  but  openly  plotted  against  his 
life.  He  therefore  made  his  escape  from  Nico- 
media,  after  disabling  the  public  horses  in  order 
to  delay  pursuit,  and  reached  his  father  in  Bri- 
tain about  tbe  beginning  of  a.  n.  306 ; and 
on  the  death  of  Constantius,  which  happened 
shortly  afterwards  at  York,  on  the  25th  of  July, 
Constantine  himself  was  on  the  same  day  pro- 
claimed Augustus  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  the 
army.  This  choice,  not  daring  openly  to  dis- 
pute, Gal.  Maximianus  (who  in  consequence  of 
his  being  the  successor  of  Diocletian,  had  arro- 
gated to  himself  the  supreme  authority  over 
the  empire  and  even  over  its  rulers),  found  him- 
self compelled  to  acknowledge  Constantine  at 
least  as  Caesar,  though  with  reluctance;  and 
2 L 


CONSTANTINUS.  257 

coins  begau  forthwith  to  be  struck  with  his 
name  under  that  title. 

a.  u.  306.  Ilis  father’s  provinces,  Gaul  and 
Britain,  were  assigned  to  Constantine.  Gale- 
rius  nominated  Severus  Caesar  as  Augustus,  in 
the  room  of  Constantins  I.  deceased.  Soon  after- 
wards Maxentius  also  assumed  the  imperial  title 
at  Home,  and  restored  the  purple  to  his  father 
Maximianus  Iierculeus,  recalling  him  from  Lu- 
cania.  Constantine  gained  a victory  over  the 
Franci  and  the  Bructeri,  and  commenced  the 
building  of  a bridge  over  the  Rhine,  near  Agrip- 
pina (Cologne). 

307.  Constantine  this  year  entered  on  his 
first  consulate,  according  to  the  records  of 
the  Fasti,  confused  as  they  are  at  this  period. — 
The  same  year  Severus  blockaded  Maxentius  in 
Rome,  but  being  compelled  to  raise  the  siege, 
and  taken  prisoner  at  Ravenna,  he  w'as  put  to 
death  by  order  of  Iierculeus  Maximianus.  Her- 
culeus,  dreading  the  vengeance  of  Galcrius  for 
this  act,  went  into  Gaul,  and  there,  in  order  to 
win  him  over  to  his  cause,  gave  Constantine  the 
title  of  Augustus,  and  his  daughter  Fausta  in 
marriage.  Galerius  attempted  to  take  Rome, 
but  being  repulsed  by  Maxentius,  and  driven  out 
of  Italy,  created  Licinius  emperor  in  the  room 
of  Severus.  In  the  same  year  also  Constantine 
and  Maximinus  Daza  each  received  from  Galerius 
the  title  of  Fi/ius  Augnstorum  (filivs  avgg.) 

308.  Maximinus  Daza  assumed  the  title 
of  Augustus,  at  first  against  the  wishes  of 
Galerius,  but  afterwards  with  his  assent,  Con- 
stantine being  admitted  to  a participation  of  the 
same  honour.  In  this  year,  accordingly,  Con- 
stantine began  to  be  acknowledged  as  emperor 
throughout  the  entire  empire.  And  thus  there 
were  at  the  same  time,  in  addition  to  Maximia- 
nus Iierculeus,  five  Augusti,  viz.  Galcrius  Maxi- 
mianus, Constantine,  Maximinus,  Licinius,  and 
Maxentius. — Constantiue,  being  informed  of  the 
plots  organized  against  himself  by  Iierculeus, 
besieged  him  in  Massilia  (Marseilles),  and  re- 
duced him  to  a surrender,  and  the  condition  of 
a private  citizen. 

310.  Maximianus  Herculeus  having  been 
convicted  of  fresh  plots,  Constantine  put  him 
to  death.  The  same  year  he  proceeded  with 
the  war  against  the  Alemanni. 

311.  Gal.  Maximianus  dying,  Licinius  aud 
Maximianus  took  possession  of  his  provinces. 
Constantine,  on  hearing  that  Maxentius  had 
caused  his  statues  to  be  thrown  down  at  Rome, 
aud  was  preparing  hostilities  against  him  in  re- 
taliation for  his  father’s  death,  prepared  for  war. 
— Under  these  circumstances,  from  motives  of 
policy,  he  betrothed  his  sister  Constantia  to 
Licinius.  According  to  Eusebius,  having  seen 
in  the  heavens  the  figure  of  the  cross,  with  the 
words,  “ In  hoc  signo  victor  eris,”  lie  openly 
adopted  the  Christian  religion,  and  caused  the 
sign  of  the  cross  to  be  displayed  on  the  imperial 
standards  and  shields. 

312.  lie  defeated  the  Generals  of  Maxentius, 
first  at  Taurinus  (Turin),  and  afterwards  at  Ve- 
rona ; and,  in  a final  action  at  the  Pons  Milvius, 
near  Rome,  vanquished  Maxentius  himself,  and 


258  CONSTANTINUS. 


CONSTANTINUS. 


thus  put  an  eud  to  a bloody  war.  Immediately 
after  this  victory,  Constantine  entered  Rome  iu 
triumph. — 313.  Licinius  defeated  Maximinus 
Daza,  who  died  shortly  after  at  Tarsus,  and  Lici- 
nius succeeded  to  the  entire  dominion  of  the  East. 

314.  A war  arose  this  year  between  Constan- 
tine and  Licinius,  on  what  grounds  is  uncertain, 
but  probably  on  accouut  of  mutual  envy  and  mis- 
trust. After  various  engagements  in  Pannonia 
au(l  Thrace,  a peace  was  concluded  with  such 
a division  of  the  empire  between  them,  that  the 
East,  Thrace,  and  part  of  Mtesia  fell  to  the 
share  of  Licinius,  while  Constantine  held  all  the 
rest.  On  the  calends  of  March,  Crispus  and 
Constantius,  the  sons  of  Constantine  the  Great, 
and  Licinius,  received  the  title  of  Casar.  From 
a.  d.  318  to  a.  d.  321,  both  inclusive,  no  record 
ol  any  important  transactions  appears  in  the 
annals  of  this  reign. — 322.  To  this  year  is  re- 
ferred the  war  with  the  Sarmat®,  of  which  men- 
tion is  made  also  on  coins. 

323.  Another  furious  war  with  Licinius  com- 
menced, from  no  other  cause,  apparently,  than 
rivalry.  Constantine  was  victorious  over  him, 
first  near  Iladrianopolis,  on  the  3rd  of  July, 
then  in  a naval  engagement  under  Crispus,  and 
lastly  near  Chalcedou,  on  the  18th  of  September, 
Licinius  having  surrendered  at  Nicomedia,  Con- 
stantine sent  him  to  Thessalouica,  but  shortly 
afterwards  (as  some  say  contrary  to  his  pledged 
word),  ordered  him  to  be  put  to  death. 

325.  Having  now  got  rid  of  all  his  rivals  at 
home,  subdued  his  foreign  enemies,  aud  attaiued  ! 
a state  of  sole  responsibility,  Constantine  directed 
his  attention  to  the  suppression  of  paganism  ; 
razed  the  temples,  and  erected  in  their  stead 
places  of  Christian  worship.  He  assisted  at  the 
Council  of  Nice  ; entered  into  a discussion  with 
the  Bishops  on  the  subjects  of  the  divinity  of 
our  Saviour,  and  the  proper  time  for  the  celebra- 
tion of  Easter ; and  at  the  same  time,  according 
to  Eusebius,  solemnized  his  Vicennalia. 

326.  Coustautiue  this  year  went  to  Rome,  and 
remaining  there  a few  months,  proceeded  into 
Pannonia,  destined  never  again  to  re-visit  the 
“ eternal  city.”  He  ordered  his  son  Crispus, 
and  his  wife  Fausta,  to  be  put  to  death,  as  is  I 
generally  thought  most  unadvisedly,  aud  much  | 
to  his  discredit.  The  same  year  he  commenced  j 
the  building  of  Constantinople. 

a.  l).  330.  Constantine,  with  magnificent  I 
solemnities,  dedicated  the  city  of  Constantinople, 
the  building  of  which  was  begun  four  years 
before. — 332.  He  conducted  a campaign  against 
the  Goths,  who  were  liarrassiug  the  Sarmatm  ; 
and  afterwards  against  the  Sarinatse  themselves, 
whom  he  reduced  to  submission. 

335.  This  year  Constantine  divided  the 
empire  amongst  his  sons  and  nephews  ( nepotes  | 
ex  fratre,  says  Eckbel),  so  as  to  give  his  eldest  I 
sou,  Constantine,  the  territory  held  by  Con-  ' 
stantius  Chlorus ; to  Constantins,  the  East ; to 
Constans,  Dlyricum,  Italy,  and  Africa  ; to  his  ' 
nephew  Delmatius,  whom  he  had  this  year  j 
created  Cicsar,  Thrace,  Maccdon,  and  Achaia  ; 
to  his  brother  Ilannibnlliantis,  Armenia  Minor, 
Cappadocia,  and  Pontus,  with  the  title  of  king.  I 


— The  Vota  tricennalia  (of  paganism)  were  dis- 
charged this  year. 

a.  d.  337.  In  his  eighth  consulate,  and 
amidst  preparations  for  a war,  into  which  he 
had  been  provoked,  against  Sapor  the  Persian, 
Constantine  fell  sick  and  died,  near  Nicomedia, 
in  Bithynia,  on  the  22nd  of  May,  in  the  32nd 
year  of  his  reign,  and  the  64th  of  his  age. 

In  estimating  the  character  and  deeds  of  so 
great  a prince  (says  the  judicious  Ecklicl),  much 
caution  is  requisite,  lest,  by  relying  wholly  on 
the  testimony  of  Christian  writers,  we  should  be 
led  to  regard  Constantine  less  iu  the  light  of  a 
mortal  man  than  of  a god ; or  by  following,  on 
the  other  hand,  the  aspersions  of  the  enemies 
of  the  Christian  faith,  such  as  Zositnus  and 
Julian,  we  should  picture  him  to  ourselves  as  a 
man  disgraced  by  the  foulest  vices.  It  is  suffi- 
ciently evident  that  the  former  class  of  writers 
were  not  in  all  instances  unbiased  judges  of  the 
quality  of  his  life  aud  morals,  from  a fear  of  ad- 
mitting the  imperfections  of  the  champion  of 
their  faith.  The  preferable  plan  is  to  follow  the 
accounts  of  Eutropius,  who  steers  a middle 
course,  giving  way  neither  to  partiality  nor  to 
hostility,  and  who  has  asserted  that  Constantine 
displayed  surpassing  excellencies  of  mind  and 
body ; that  he  was  eager  iu  the  extreme  for 
military  distinction,  and  fortunate  iu  his  warlike 
enterprizes ; that  he  was  also  devoted  to  the  arts 
of  peace  and  the  pursuits  of  literature  ; and  an 
ardent  candidate  for  a well  founded  popularity, 
which  he  endeavoured  to  conciliate  by  his  liberal 
acts  and  atfable  demeanour.  Others,  without 
denying  him  these  merits  say  that  he  was, 
nevertheless,  immoderate  in  his  ambition,  which 
brooked  no  rival,  and  embroiled  him  in  civil 
war  ; that  he  paid  too  much  attention  to  his 
personal  adornment ; that  he  was  profuse  in  his 
expenditure  on  the  building  aud  decoration  of 
the  different  cities,  to  meet  which  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  recruiting  his  treasury  by  unjustifiable 
acts  of  spoliation.  That  prosperity  had  a dete- 
riorating effect  upon  his  character,  Eutropius 
hesitates  not  to  assert,  comparing  him  iu  the 
earlier  period  of  his  reign  with  the  best  of  his 
predecessors,  and  at  its  close  with  the  worst : 
and  Victor  says,  that  had  he  but  shewn  more 
self-control  in  some  particulars,  he  would,  in 
the  opinion  of  all  who  were  woutto  extol  him  to 
the  skies,  have  been  little  less  than  a god.  By 
taking  the  lives  of  his  amiable  son  Crispus,  and 
of  his  wife  Fausta,  though  in  her  case  at  least 
he  acted  justifiably,  yet  it  was  not  surprising, 
that  he  gained  a character  for  cruelty,  or  for 
hasty  judgment,  and  that  an  unfavourable  com- 
parison was  drawn  between  him  aud  M.  Aurelius, 
who  bore  with  the  profligacy  of  his  sou,  and  the 
conduct  of  an  abandoned  wife.  With  regard  to 
his  relinquishing  the  religion  of  his  ancestors, 
and  cmhraciug  Christianity,  as  it  was  a step  in- 
tolerable to  the  adherents  of  the  ancient  super- 
stition, so  with  the  professors  of  the  new  faith 
it  became  matter  of  the  highest  encomium. — 
But  he  lost  the  credit  thus  acquired,  when  in  the 
later  years  of  his  reign,  he  exhibited  himself  in 
the  capacity  rather  of  a theological  disputant. 


C 0 X S T A N'T  I N US. 

than  of  a sovereign  prince  Hut  Constantine 
struck  a severe  blow  at  the  welfare  of  the  empire, 
both  in  building  a New  Rome  on  the  shores  of 
the  Propontis,  and  in  dividing  his  dominions, 
unwarned  by  recent  fatal  examples,  among  his 
three  sons  and  two  nephews,  destined  thence- 
forth to  be  so  many  exasperated  rivals,  bent  on 
each  others  destruction.— See  Roc/.  Nam.  Vet. 
viii.  17,  et  scq. 

Niebuhr  makes  the  following  just  remarks  on 
Constantine’s  belief: — “ The  religion  which  he 
had  in  his  head  must  have  been  a strange  com- 
pound indeed.  The  man  who  had  on  his  coins 
the  inscription  Sol  invictus,  who  worshipped 
pagan  divinities,  consulted  haruspices,  indulged 
in  a number  of  pagan  superstitious  ; and  on  the 
other  hand,  built  churches,  shut  up  pagan  tem- 
ples, and  interfered  with  the  council  of  Nic;ca, 
must  have  been  a repulsive  pheenomenon,  and 
was  certainly  not  a Christian.  He  did  not 
allow  himself  to  be  baptized  till  the  last  mo- 
ments of  his  life;  and  those  who  praise  him  for 
this,  do  not  know  what  they  are  doing.  To 
speak  of  him  as  a saint  (which  some  oriental 
writers  do),  is  a profanation  of  the  word.” — 
History  of  Rome,  vol.  v. 

MINTAGES  of  CONSTANTINE  the  GREAT. 

Constantine,  on  his  coins,  after  a.  d.  305, 
is  styled  Casar  and  Princeps  Juventutis.  fl. 
CL.  CONSTANTIN  VS  NOB.  CAES. — CONSTANTINVS 
fil.  avggo.  Filins  Augustorum,  a mere  titular 
distinction  received  by  Constantine  from  Galerius 
Maximianus,  who  refused  him  at  first  that  of 
Augustus). — From  aud  after  a.  d.  308,  he  is 
styled  Augustus. — In  a.  d.  315,  his  coins  re- 
cord his  fourth,  and  in  320,  his  sixth  consulate. 
His  full  style  and  titles  are  imp.  c.  fl.  val. 
CONSTANTINVS.  p.  f.  avg. — The  types  of  his 
obverses  sometimes  exhibit  a galeated,  at  others 
a laurcatcd,  head.  Ilis  monetal  portraiture  also 
appears  as  a bust,  with  helmet  or  laurel,  aud 
with  cither  the  paludamentum,  or  a coat  of 
armour,  on  his  shoulders  and  breast — holding  in 
his  right  hand  a spear,  in  bis  left  a shield.  Ou 
other  coins  a sceptre  surmounted  by  an  eagle  in 
his  right  hand,  also  with  a diademed  head-dress, 
enriched  with  jewellery,  a globe  with  Victory 
in  his  hand.  On  the  coins  struck  after  his 
death  the  head  is  veiled,  and  the  legend  divo 
Constantino. — There  are  coins  of  this  emperor, 
in  gold  as  well  as  silver,  on  which  his  head  is 
encircled  with  the  diadem,  but  without  legend. 
In  these  the  countenance  is  looking  upward,  as, 
according  to  Eusebius,  it  would  seem,  beholding 
the  heavens. — See  Diadem. 


The  coins  of  this  emperor  arc  rare  in  gold  and 
in  silver — the  medallions  in  both  these  metals 
very  rare.  Second  and  third  brass,  with  certain 
2 L 2 


CONSTANTINES.  259 

exceptions,  common.  Brass  medallions  rare  ; 
some  very  rare. 

The  following  are  amongst  the  most  rare  and 
remarkable  legends  aud  types  of  reverse  in  each 
metal : — 

Gold  Medallions. — adventvs  avg.  n. — 
Emperor  on  horseback,  and  Victory. 

constantini  avg.  Two  Victories  supporting 
a crown. — felicitas  peupetva.  avgeat.  rem. 

DD.  NN. — GAVDIV1I  AVGVSTI.  NOSTRI.  Two 
winged  Genii. — gloria  romanorvm.  Rome 
seated. — pietas  avgvsti  nostri.  The  emperor 
between  two  figures. — [The  above  five  valued  by 
Mionnet  at  150  francs  each.] 

salvs  et  spes.  reipvblicae.  The  emperor 
seated  between  two  military  figures.  (Mt.  600  fr.) 

eqvis  (sic.)  roman  vs.  (£4  12s.  Thomas  sale.) 
— gloria  constantini  avg.  (£13  Thomas 
sale.) — senatvs.  Full  length  figure  of  Con- 
stantine (brought  £38  at  the  Thomas  sale.) 

Silver  Medallions. — Rev. — caesar  in  a 
crown. — Giu-Head  of  Constantine,  with  legend 
avgvstvs.  (Mionnet,  60  fr.) — constantinvs 
avg.  Four  military  ensigns. — felicitas  ro- 
manorvm. Three  military  figures  under  au 
arch. — Marti,  patri.  conservatori.  Mars 
standing. — prixciPT  ivventvtis.  I'igurc  and 
two  ensigns. — vota  oubis  et  vubis.  sen.  et  pr. 

Gold. — adventvs  avgvsti.  (Mt.  120  fr.) — 
constantini  ana  dafne.  (£5  1 7s.  6d.  Thomas). 
— consvl.  dd.  nn.  Emperor  standing  in  the 
toga.  (Mt.  90  fr.) — constantinvs  et  crispvs. 
(120  fr.) — consvl  pp.  proconsvl.  Same  type. 
— debellatori  gentivm  barbararvm.  Seve- 
ral figures.  GOTIIIA. — FELICIA  TEMPORA.  The 

four  Seasons.  (Mt.  100  fr.) — felicitas  reipvb- 
licae. (£4  12s.  6d.  Thomas,  £5  Pembroke). — 

FELIX  PROCESSVS  COS.  till. — GAVUIVM  ROMAN- 
ORVM. (£3  16s.  Thomas). — gloria  exercitvs 
gall.  (£4  Thomas). — pietas  avgvsti  nostri. 
Emperor  crowned  by  Victory.  (£6  2s.  6d.  Thos.) 

RESTITVTORI  LIBERTATIS. — SALVS  REIP.  DANV- 

bivs.  Bridge  of  three  arches.  (Mt.  100  fr.) 
— soli,  comiti.  avg. — vdilve  victor.  (Pem- 
broke, £3  6s.) — vbiqve  vicroRES.  A quinarius. 
(£3  4s.  Thomas). — victoria  constantini  avg. 
(£7.  Thomas). 

victoria  avgvstorvm.  Victory  crowning 
the  Emperor,  who  holds  a globe  in  the  right 
hand,  and  a spear  reversed  in  the  left ; on  the 
exergue  SM.  TS. — On  the  obverse  the  laureated 
head  of  the  Emperor,  with  legeud  of  constan- 
tinvs. p.  f.  avg. — (See  cut,  left-hand  column). 

victoria  constantini  avg.  (£3  Is.  Thomas, 
£3  5s.  Pembroke). — virtvs  exercitvs  gall. 
(£4  4s.  Thomas). — victoriae  laetae  princ. 
perp.  (£4,  Thomas ; £8,  Pembroke). — victo- 

RICSO  SEMPER.  (200  fl'.) — VOTA  PVBLICA. 

Silver. — delmativs  nob.  caesar.  (60  fr. 
Mionnet.) — liberator  orbis.  (50  fr.) — vic- 
toria DD.  NN.  AVGG. — VIRTVS  MILITVM.  (£1 
6s.  Thomas). 

Brass  Medallions. — constantinvs  .max. 
avg.  Bust  of  Constantine,  with  diadem.  For 
the  reverse  of  this  medallion  (which  brought 
£3  5s.  at  the  Thomas  sale),  see  gloria  secvi.i 
virtvs  caess. 


260 


CONSTANTIN  US  II. 


CONST  ANTINOPOLIS  PEL.  TEMP.  11EPAKATIO. 


debellatori  cent.  barbarr. — Emperor  on 
horseback,  charging  an  enemy. 06  v. — Con- 

stantin vs  max.  avg.  Diademed  head  of  Con- 
stantine.— See  engraving  at  the  head  of  the 
biographical  summary,  p.  257. 

exvperator  omnivm  gentivm.  Emperor 
seated  between  two  captives.  (100  fr.  Miounct). 

in  hoc.  sin.  (sic.J  vie.  Monogram  of  Christ. 
— salvs  et  spes.  reipvbeicae.  Constantine 
between  his  two  sons.  (120  fr.  each,  Mionnet.) 

salvs  reip.  danvbivs.  Emperor  and  Vic- 
tory on  a bridge.  (150  fr. — victoria  coruicA. 
Rome  and  Victory. — vrbs  roma.  (Conlorniate). 
Second  Brass. — genio  pil.  avgg. — virtvs 

PERPETVA  AVG. 

Third  Brass. — plvra.  natal,  fel. — recv- 

PERATOR  VRBIS  SVAE. — SAPIENTIAL  PRINCIPIS. 
Owl  on  cippus. — spes  pvblica.  Labarum  and 
monogram  of  Christ,  on  a serpent. — virt.  ex- 
ercit.  galliae.— vota  pvblica.  Isis  Pliaria. 


CONSTANTINUS  {Flavins  Claudius  Julius). 
Constantine  II.  or  junior,  eldest  son  of  Constan- 
tine the  Great,  and  the  first  whom  the  emperor 
had  by  his  second  wife,  Fausta,  was  born  at 
Arelatum,  now  Arles,  in  France,  the  14th  May, 
or  according  to  some  authors  the  7th  of  August, 
a.  D.  316.  As  early  as  the  following  year  he 
was  named  C.esar,  at  Sardis,  by  his  father  and 
by  Liciuius,  who  at  the  same  time  gave  him  for 
colleagues  in  that  dignity,  Crispns  and  Liciuius, 
jun. — Constantine  declared  him  consul  four  times 
during  his  youth ; and  sent  him  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years,  on  a campaign  against  the  Goths, 
who  had  invaded  Mtesia  and  Thrace,  a.  d.  332, 
In  this  war  he  greatly  distinguished  himself, 
defeating  King  Alaric,  w ho,  in  the  action,  and  in 
the  retreat,  according  to  contemporary  writers, 
lost  nearly  a hundred  thousand  of  his  barbaric 
host.  In  335,  the  government  of  Gaul,  Britain, 
and  Spain  was  entrusted  to  him.  And,  in  con- 
formity to  the  division  of  the  Empire  so  fatally 
made  by  his  father,  be  received  after  that  em- 
peror’s death,  the  same  provinces  of  which  he 
had  had  the  administration  under  Constantine, 
and  also  a part  of  Africa.  In  337,  this  young 
prince  was  acknowledged  Augustus  by  both 
Senate  and  Army.  The  death  of  Dclmatius  and 
of  Hanuiballianus  caused  a uew  division  of  ter- 
ritories between  Constantine  junior  and  his 
brothers ; but  impelled  by  a restless  spirit,  and 
besides  being  dissatisfied  with  the  territorial 
treaty  he  had  made,  he  demanded  of  Conslans 
to  be  put  in  possession  of  the  African  provinces. 
— Constans,  who  reigned  in  Italy,  refused.  And 
the  eldest  sou  of  Constantine  declared  war  against  j 
his  own  brother.  With  a large  military  aud  naval 
force,  he  invaded  Italy,  and  his  army  ndvnuccd 
a- far  ns  the  city  of  Aquileiu.  There,  however, 


CONSTANTINUS  II. 

he  was  encountered  by  Constans,  who  had  re- 
turned from  Dacia  to  defend  his  Italian  domi- 
nions. Constantine,  proceeding  iu  the  confi- 
dence of  victory,  but  without  due  precaution, 
fell  into  au  ambuscade,  where  his  army  was  cut  to 
pieces ; aud  he  himself  being  mortally  wounded, 
fell  from  his  horse,  and  w as  dispatched  on  the 
spot.  His  body  was  throwu  into  the  river  Alsa 
(now  Ansa)  ; but  was  afterwards  found,  and  in- 
terred at  Constantinople  with  imperial  honours. 
Thus  perished,  a.  d.  340,  Constantinus  junior, 
iu  his  25th  year,  aud  the  third  of  his  reign, 
“ regretted,”  (says  Beauvais),  “ for  his  piety, 
his  mildness  of  character,  and  his  love  for  his 
subjects.”  It  is  not  known  whether  he  left 
children  by  the  two  Priuccsses  whom  he  mar- 
ried, and  whose  names  are  not  known. 

MINTAGES  of  CONSTANTINE  the  Younger. 

This  prince  from  the  year  317  to  337,  is  on 
his  coins  styled  Casar  and  Princejis  Juventutis ; 
and  from  337  to  340  Augustus.  His  style,  as 
Ciesar,  is  dn.  fl.  ivl.  constantinvs  ivnior. 
nob.  or  nobiliss.  caesar. — His  style  as  Au- 
gustus, is  FL.  CL.  CONSTANTINVS  PIVS  FELIX 
I AVG. 

That  to  him,  as  Augustus,  coins  were  struck, 
even  during  the  life  time  of  his  father  appears 
not  to  be  doubted.  And  many  of  these  which 
are  assigned  to  Constantine  the  Great  most  pro- 
bably belonged  to  this  prince,  although  destitute 
of  tlic  proper  criterion.  For  this  reason  Eckhcl 
, (Cat.  ii.,  p.  488),  subscribes  to  the  opinion  of 
Banduri,  who  says  (t.  ii.  p.  333.)  “ We  arc 

hitherto  enabled  to  find  no  other  coin,  which 
wc  can  refer  to  the  younger  Constantine,  as 
Augustus,  so  like  are  all  his  to  those  of  Con- 
j stantinus  Maguus.” 

Corroborative  of  the  above  observations,  is 
the  following  note  of  Mionnet  (ii.  p.  244).  “The 
coins  which  give  to  Constantine  the  younger,  the 
title  of  Augustus  arc  difficult  to  distinguish  from 
those,  which  belong  to  Constautiue  the  Great. 
They  are  therefore  generally  classed  umongst 
those  of  the  latter.  We  must,  however,  except 
| from  this  arrangement,  those  coius  on  which  wc 
read  the  name  of  Claudius.  These  coins  arc  to 
, be  assigned  to  the  son,  because  the  name  of 
I Claudius  is  not  found  on  any  genuine  coin  of 
the  father’s  mint,  whilst  wc  find  it  on  indubit- 
able coins  of  the  son.” 

The  coins  of  this  emperor  are  of  high  rarity 
in  gold ; medallions  especially.  Silver  medal- 
lions arc  even  more  rare.  Of  pure  silver  scarcely 
any  are  to  be  fouud.  Potin  and  billon  arc  rare. 
Brass  medallions  very  rare,  aud  some  few  ex- 
ceedingly so.  Third  brass  very  commou. 

The  following  arc  among  the  most  remarkable 
reverses  : — 

Gold  Medallions. — felicitas  perpetva. 
Emperor  seated  between  two  military  figures. — 
salvs  f.t  spes.  (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  500 
francs  each.) 

PRINCIPI  ivvent.  Emperor  standing,  with 
labarum.  (200  fr.) — virtvs  CONST ANTINI  cars. 
(100  fr.) 

Gold. — claritas  reipvblicae. — coxstan- 


CONSTANTINUS  TYRANNUS. 

TIN  VS  CAESAR,  OT  1VN.  HOB.  CAES. — FELIX  PRO- 
CESSVS.  COS.  II. — GAVD1VM  ROM.  SAHMATIA. — 
VICTORIA  CAESAR.  NN. — VICTORIA  CONST AHTINI 

caes. — (The  above  six  valued  by  Miounet  from 
100  to  150  fr.) — P1UNCIPI  ivvextvtis.  Empe- 
ror standing,  with  labarum,  &c. — Obv. — ivnior 
in  the  legend.  (£4  Is.  Thomas). 

Brass  Medallions. — moneta  vrbis  ves- 

TRAE. — SACRA  MONETA  VRBIS. — VICTORIA  AVG. 

Emperor  in  a galley. — victoria  beatissimo- 

RVM  CAESS. 

Third  Brass. — felicitas  romanorvm. — 
Constantine  between  his  two  sous. — virt.  exerc. 
The  Sun  standing  on  the  plan  of  a camp. — 
vota  vicennalior  (sic.)  Emperor  holding  in 
his  hand  a human  head. 


CONSTANTINUS  (Flavins  Claudius), 
usurper  during  the  reigu  of  Honorius  (com- 
monly called  Constantine  III.)  A soldier  from 
the  ranks,  he  was  proclaimed  Augustus  by  the 
legions  in  Britain,  a.  d.  407.  This  man,  who 
owed  his  elevation  to  the  venerated  name  which 
he  bore,  rather  than  to  his  talents,  passed  over 
into  Gaul,  at  the  head  of  the  troops  who  had 
elected  him,  and  caused  himself  to  be  acknow- 
ledged as  Emperor  from  Boulogne  to  the  Alps. 
On  his  march  through  the  country,  which  for 
the  most  part  had  beeu  left  undefended,  he  was 
defeated  by  Sarus,  general  of  Honorius,  who 
besieged  him  in  Vienne  (Dauphine) ; but  assisted 
by  Geroutius,  an  able  commander  but  a treacher- 
ous ally,  he  compelled  Sarus  to  fall  back  beyond 
the  Alps.  Constantine  then  established  his  re- 
sidence at  Arles  (Arelatum) ; and  sent  into 
Spain  his  son  Constans,  who  soon  established  his 
father’s  authority  there,  for  which  he  was  recom- 
pensed with  the  title  of  Augustus.  Master  of 
Spain,  of  a large  portion  of  Gaul,  and  of  Bri- 
tain, Constantine  forced  Honorius  to  send  him 
the  purple,  and  to  acknowledge  him  as  emperor, 
on  condition  that  he  should  assist  in  defending 
the  empire  against  the  Goths.  A short  time 
afterwards  Geroutius,  his  own  general,  revolted 
agaiust  him  in  Spain,  drove  his  sou  Constans 
out  of  that  country,  and  caused  him  to  be  as- 
sassinated in  Gaul.  The  next  step  of  Gcrontius 
was  to  besiege  Constantine  in  Arles.  But  Con- 
stantius,  the  general  of  Honorius,  compelled 
Gcrontius  to  raise  the  siege,  and  took  the  place 
himself.  Constantinus  became  a priest,  in  the 
hope  of  saving  his  life.  This,  however,  did  not 
deter  Constantius  from  sending  him  and  his 
second  son  Julianus  to  Honorius,  who,  contrary 
to  the  promise  which  had  been  made  on  their 
surrender,  caused  them  both  to  be  decapitated, 
near  Ravenna. 

“ The  revolt  of  Constantinus  [Tvrannus]  is  of 


CONSTANTINUS  TYRANNUS.  2G1 
great  importance  in  the  history  of  Britain  (as  is 
justly  observed  by  a writer  in  Dr.  Smith’s  Dic- 
tionary of  Roman  Biography,  i.  331),  since,  in 
consequence  of  it,  and  the  rebellion  of  the  inha- 
bitants against  the  officers  of  Constantine,  the 
Emperor  Honorius  gave  up  all  hopes  of  restor- 
ing his  authority  over  that  country,  and  re- 
cognized its  independence  of  Rome — a circum- 
stance that  led  to  the  conquest  of  Britain  by 
the  Saxons.” 

On  a gold  coin  published  by  Banduri,  the 
only  one  which  gives  the  prenomina  of  this 
usurper,  he  is  styled  fl.  cl.  constantinvs  avg. 
On  others  the  legend  round  the  head  is  n.  N. 

CONSTANTINVS  P.  F.  AVG. 

“ The  coins  of  this  Constantine  (says  Mion- 
net,  ii.  354) , have  often  been  confounded  with 
those  of  Constantine  the  Great,  or  with  those 
of  Constantine  junior.  It  is,  however,  easy  to 
distinguish  them.” 

“ It  is  now  agreed  (says  Akerman,  ii.  349), 
that  those  coins  which,  with  the  name  of  Con- 
stantinus, bear  avggg.  or  avgggg.  belong  to 
this  usurper,  as  legends  of  this  description  were 
not  used  so  early  as  the  reigns  of  the  two  pre- 
ceding emperors  of  the  same  name.  Those, 
therefore,  which  are  assigued  by  Beger  to  Con- 
stantinus the  younger,  and  others  given  by  Ban- 
duri to  Constantinus  Magnus,  are  restored  to 
Constantinus  III.  Those  also  which  are  similar 
to  the  denarius  with  victoria  avgggg.  although 
differing  from  it  in  the  legend  of  the  obverse, 
and  having  on  the  reverse  the  same  type  of  the 
female  sedent  figure,  are  appropriated  to  this 
usurper,  as  they  resemble  in  fabric  the  coins  of 
Constans  II.  his  son.  Eckhel  is  of  this  opinion.” 

The  following  are  reverses  of  the  coins  as- 
cribed to  the  usurper  called  Constantine  the 
Third : — 

victoria  aaavggg. — The  Emperor  standing, 
clothed  in  the  paludamenluin,  holds  the  laba- 
rum in  his  right  hand,  and  a globe  surmounted 
by  a victory  in  his  left.  On  the  ground  is  a 
prostrated  captive,  whom  he  treads  under  foot. 
In  the  exergue  comob. — Obv. — d.  n.  constan- 
tinvs p.  f.  avg.  Diademed  bust  of  Constanti- 
nus Tyrannus. — Engraved  above  from  a gold  coin . 

victoria  avgg.  Same  type.  In  the  exergue 
troas  or  trobs.  In  gold. 

victoria  avgggg.  Same  type.  In  gold. 

victoria  aaavggg.  or  aaavgggg.  A gale- 
ated  female  seated,  bearing  on  the  right  hand  a 
small  victory ; in  her  left  she  holds  the  Aasla 
pura.  In  silver. 

[Mionnct  values  the  gold  at  30  francs  and  the 
silver  at  6 francs  each]. 

Third  Brass. — Obv. — d.  n.  constantinvs 
p.  f.  avg.  Diademed  head  of  the  Emperor. — 
Rev. — victoria  avggg.  Same  type  as  on  the 
gold  and  silver.  See  preceding  cut. 

[The  coins  struck  by  Constaus,  sou  of  the 
! above  (commonly  called  Coustans  II.)  are  somc- 
| times  confounded  with  those  of  Constans,  the 
! son  of  Constantine  the  Great. — Sec  p.  255.] 

CONSTANTINUS. There  were  fourteen 

I princes  of  this  name,  from  Constantine  the 
Great,  a.  d.  323,  to  Constantinus  Palmologus, 


262  CONSTANTIUS  I. 

the  able  and  heroic  defender  of  Constantinople 
against  its  Turkish  besiegers,  by  whom,  in  the 
general  assault  on  that  unfortunate  city,  he  was 
slain,  a.  D.  1453.  With  the  exception  of  the 
three  first  Constantines  already  noticed,  the  coins 


CONSTANTIUS  1. 

of  the  Emperors,  so  called,  belong  to  wbat  is 
called  the  Byzantine  series,  with  Greek  legends. 
They  consequently  do  not  come  within  the  notice 
of  this  dictionary,  which  is  confined  to  such 
ancient  coins  as  hear  Latin  legends. 


CONSTA NTIUS  I.  (^Flavius  Vaterianus), 
snrnamed  Chlorus,  from  the  alleged  paleness  of 
his  countenance — the  father  of  Constantine  the 
Great — was  son  of  Eutropius,  a Dardanian  noble- 
man, and  of  Claudia,  niece  of  Claudius  Gothicus, 
horn  in  Upper  Micsia,  about  a.d.282.  Little 
enough  addicted  to  literary  pursuits,  but  de- 
cidedly inclined  for  a military  life,  he  entered 
early  into  the  service  of  the  pretorian  guards, 
and  attained  to  the  rank  of  tribune  in  that  corps. 
He  distinguished  himself  under  Aurelianus  and 
Probus,  against  the  Sarmatians  and  Germans. — 
In  232,  lie  was  appointed  governor  of  Dalmatia, 
"under  Cams,  who  held  him  in  such  high  esteem, 
as  to  have  intended  to  appoint  G'oustantius  as 
his  successor,  instead  of  his  own  unworthy  son 
Carinus.  But  the  death  of  Carus,  unhappily 
for  the  empire,  prevented  this  design  from  being 
carried  into  execution. — In  292,  he  was  adopted, 
and  declared  Cicsar,  by  Maximian  Hercules ; 
Diocletian  at  the  same  time  proclaiming  Galc- 
rius  Maximian  as  the  first  of  the  two.  Both 
Cicsars  received  their  appointment  at  Nicomcdia. 
— In  the  apportionment  of  the  empire  between 
the  four  princes,  Constantins  had  assigned  to 
him  the  government  of  Gaul,  Spain,  and  Bri- 
tain. This  island  had  been  taken  possession  of 
by  Carausius,  who  soon  rendered  himself  inde- 
pendent of  Diocletian  and  Maximian.  Allectus, 
having  murdered,  succeeded,  Carausius,  in  293. 
But  Constantins  resolved  that  this  usurpation 
should  not  much  longer  continue.  After  the 
re-establishment  of  tranquillity  in  Gaul,  this 
energetic  prince  brought  Britain  into  subjection, 
and  re-united  it  to  the  empire.  (See  carausius 
and  ai.lkctus). — In  298,  he  returned  to  Gaul, 
which  the  Alemanni  had  invaded,  and  into 
which  they  had  advanced  as  far  as  Uingoncs,  in 
Lugduncnsis  Prima,  now  Langrcs.  There,  after 
a great  battle,  in  which  the  Homans  were  on  the 
point  of  being  utterly  defeated,  Constantins  re- 
stored the  fortune  of  the  day,  and  the  barbarians 
were  slaughtered  by  tens  of  thousands,  lie  was 
not  less  successful  against  the  Helvetians,  whom 
he  is  said  not  only  to  have  driven  out  of  Gaul, 
but,  following  up,  to  have  vanquished  them  in 
the  heart  of  their  country. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  305,  Diocletian  and 
Maximian  Hercules  haviug  abdicated,  Constau- 
tius  Chlorus  and  Galerius  Maximianus  were  re- 


cognised as  Auyusti,  and  reigned  as  co- empe- 
rors with  Maximinus  Daza  and  FI.  Severus. — 
Another  partition  of  the  empire  was  then  made 
between  the  four  princes.  G'oustantius  remained 
in  his  old  dominions  of  Gaul  and  Britain,  where 
he  governed  with  the  title  of  senior  Augustus 
during  the  space  of  fifteen  months,  at  the  ex- 
piration of  which  (July  25th,  30C),  he  died  at 
Eboracum,  now  York,  aged  56.  This  event 
took  place,  just  as  he  was  returned  from  a suc- 
cessful expedition  against  the  Piets  in  Caledonia,  i 
in  which  he  was  accompanied  by  his  son  Con- 
stantine. His  remains  were  interred  at  York ; 
and  his  memory  continued  long  to  be  held  in 
veneration  by  the  Romans;  who  placed  him  by 
consecration  in  the  rank  of  the  gods. 

This  prince  was  worthy  of  being  compared 
with  the  best  sovereigns  that  ever  held  the  im- 
perial sceptre.  It  had  been  well  for  the  Roman 
world  had  he  been  permitted  to  govern  it  alone. 
In  person  well  made,  of  a majestic  demeanor, 
and  great  benignity  of  countenance  ; calmness 
of  temper,  mildness  of  disposition,  modesty 
and  temperance,  are  described  to  have  been 
amongst  his  most  distinguishing  characteristics. 
Humane,  benevolent,  true  to  his  word  of  pro- 
mise, just  and  equitable  in  his  dealings,  he  en- 
tertained for  his  subjects  a tenderness  of  regard, 
which  made  him  always  studious  to  promote 
their  happiness.  Although  he  never  openly  pro- 
fessed Christianity,  lie  exhibited  not  only  "toler- 
ance, but  a pious  sympathy  towards  the  per- 
secuted members  of  that  religion.  Convinced 
of  their  fidelity,  he  afforded  them  an  asylum  in 
his  own  palace,  entrusted  them  with  important 
affairs,  and  confided  the  safety  of  his  person  to 
their  guardianship. 

Constantius  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife 
was  Helena,  whom  lie  repudiated  at  the  require- 
ment of  Maximian  Hercules,  whose  daughter 
Theodora  became  his  second  wife.  By  the  for- 
mer he  had  Constantine;  by  the  second  he  had 
six  children. 

MINTAGES  OF  CONSTANTIUS  I. 

On  coins  of  Constantius  Chlorus,  published 
by  Banduri,  with  the  inscription  of  nob.  c.  or 
Nobi/issimi  Otaris,  bis  head  is  for  the  most 
part  seen  adorned  with  a crown  of  laurel,  except 
two  coins  in  which  the  radiated  crown  appears. 


CON STANTIUS  I. 


CONSTANTIUS  II.  263 


A similar  crown  of  laurel  is  usually  found  on 
some  coins  of  Constantinus  Magnus,  and  like- 
wise of  his  sons,  Crispus,  Constantine,  and  Con- 
stantins, whilst  as  yet  they  were  only  Csesars. 

The  coins  of  the  emperor  are  common  in 
brass ; they  are  rare  in  silver ; but  in  gold  most 
rare.  He  is  styled  Ctesar,  and  Princeps  Juven- 
tiitis,  from  a.  d.  292,  as  far  as  305.  And  in 
the  same  year  305,  and  following,  306,  he  is 
designated  Augustus ; when  the  numismatic 
titles  run — imp.  c.  fl.  val.  constantivs  p.  f. 

AVO. — DIVVS  CONSTANTIVS  PIVS  PRINCEPS. — 
DIVVS  CONSTANTIVS.  ADFINIS.  or  COGN.  (or 

COGnatmjJ,  perhaps  of  Maxentius.  (see  p.  5.) 

The  subjoined  are  amongst  the  rarest  reverses  : 

Silver  Medallions. — genio  popvli.  ro- 
mani.  (Mt.  40  fr.) — moneta  avgg.  (20  fr.) 

Gold. — comes  avg.  Female  with  helmet 
and  armed.  (Unpublished  type,  brought  £5  7s. 
6d.  at  the  Thomas  sale). 

COMITATVS  AVG. — CONCORDIA  AVGG.  ET 

caess. — (£4  13s.  Thomas). 

consec ratio.  Funeral  pile. — (Valued  at  200 
fr.  by  Miounet). 

CONSVL  CAES. — CONSVL  V.  P.  P.  PROCOS. — 

hercvli.  cons.  caes.  Hercules.  Engraved  in 
Akerman,  ii.  pi.  11,  No.  3.  (£5  5s.  Thomas). 

iovi  fvlgeratori. — virtvs  avg.  Hercules. — 
VIRTVS  hercvli.  caesaris.  Emperor  on  horse- 
back.— (The  above  six  valued  by  Mionnet  at 
150  francs  each). 

MARTI,  propvgnatori.  Mars  combatting. — 
(200  fr.  Mionnet). — vict.  constant,  avg. — 
(£4  4s.  Pembroke  sale). 

Silver. — fe.  advent,  avg.  n.  n. 

victoria  sarmat.  Four  soldiers.  (80  fr.) 

provi dentiae  avgg.  Four  figures  sacri- 
ficing before  a pretorian  camp. Obv. — con- 

stantivs caes.  Laureated  head  of  Constau- 
tius. — Sec  engraving,  p.  191. 

Brass  Medallions. — Rev. — memoria  divi 
constant!.  Round  temple. — Obv. — divo  con- 
stants avg.  Veiled  head  of  the  emperor. — 

SACRA  MONETA  AVGG.  ET  CAESS.  NOSTR. — SAL- 
VIS  AVGG.  ET  CAESS.  AVCT.  KART. VICTORIA 

beatissimorvm  caess. — (The  above  four  valued 
by  Mionnet  at  50  fr.  each). 

Obv. — constantivs  nobil.  c.  Head  of  Con- 
stantius. — Rev. — maximianvs  nob.  c.  Head 
ot  Gal.  Maximianus. — (200  fr.  Mionnet). 

Second  Brass. — adlocvtio  avg.  n.  Allo- 
cution type. — aeterna  memoria.  Round  tem- 
ple.— CONSTANTIVS  ET  MAXIMIANVS.  Heads  of 
Constantius  Chlorus  and  Gal.  Maximian. 

memoria  felix.  A lighted  altar,  between 
two  eagles,  with  wings  expanded.  In  the  ex- 
ergue p.  tr.  On  the  obverse  is  the  veiled  head 
of  Constantius  Chlorus,  with  this  legend— divo 
CONSTANTS  PIO. 

[A  specimen  of  this  not  rare  but  interesting 
coin  has  been  engraved  from  a well-preserved 
coin,  and  appears  at  the  head  of  the  foregoing 
biographical  summary,  p.  262]. 

Third  Brass. — praesidia  reipvblic. — re- 

QVIES  OPTIMORVM  ME1UTORVM. — VBIQVE  VIC. 

CONSTANTIUS  II.  (Flavius  Julius),  third 
son  of  Constantine  the  Great,  and  the  second 


whom  that  emperor  had  by  his  second  wife 
Fausta,  was  born  at  Sirminm,  capital  of  Pan- 
nonia  (now  Sirmich,  in  Sclavonia,  between  the 
Drave  and  the  Suave),  on  the  7th  or  13th 


of  August,  a.  d.  317.  He  was  declared 
Ctesar,  and  Princeps  Juventutis  on  the  8th 
of  November,  323 ; and  being  created  Con- 
sul in  326,  he  was  entrusted  by  his  father, 
at  the  age  of  15  years,  with  the  adminis- 
tration of  affairs  in  Gaul.  In  the  "partition 
which  that  emperor  made  of  his  dominion  335, 
Asia,  Syria,  and  Egypt  were  assigned  to  Con- 
stantins. At  the  death  of  his  celebrated  father  in 
337,  he  immediately  quitted  the  eastern  pro- 
vinces of  which  he  was  holding  the  government, 
and  hastening  to  Constantinople,  was  there  ac- 
knowledged as  Augustus,  at  the  same  time  with 
his  brothers  (Constantine  jail,  and  Constans). 
In  the  arrangements  afterwards  made,  he  kept 
the  East  for  himself.  The  army  had  already 
proclaimed  their  determination,  that  none  should 
reign  but  the  sons  of  Constantine ; thus  ex- 
cluding Delmatius  and  Ilanniballianus  from  the 
sovereignty  of  those  provinces  w'hich  their  uncle 
had  assigned  to  them.  So  far  from  evincing  auy 
displeasure  at  this  instance  of  military  dictation, 
it  was  he  who,  according  to  general  belief,  in- 
stigated the  soldiers  to  massacre  the  male  de- 
scendants of  his  grand-father  Constantius  Chlo- 
rus, with  the  exception  only  of  Gallus  and 
Juliauus.  After  implicating  himself  in  this 
atrocious  act  of  perfidy  and  bloodshed,  Con- 
stautius  met  his  brothers  at  Sirmiutn,  in  337,  for 
the  purpose  of  dividiug  the  empire  anew  ; and 
three  youths  of  twenty-one,  twenty,  and  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  partitioned  out  between  them- 
selves the  government  of  the  Roman  world. 
But  scarcely  had  Constantius  taken  possession  of 
his  share  of  the  spoil  (which  share  comprised 
Thrace,  Macedonia,  Greece,  the  Asiatic  pro- 
vinces, and  Egypt),  when  he  found  himself 
engaged  in  a war  with  Sapor  the  Second,  King 
of  Persia,  a war  chiefly  waged  in  Mesopotamia 
and  the  Syrian  frontier,  and  which,  with  brief 
intervals,  continued  during  the  whole  of  this 
prince’s  reign.  He  was  accustomed  to  pass  the 
winters  at  Antioch,  and  to  employ  the'summers 
in  ravaging  the  Persian  territories.  In  these 
campaigns  Constantius  fought  the  enemy,  some- 
times with  glory,  but  frequently  with  dishonour. 
Amongst  the  many  battles  which  turned  to  his 
disadvantage,  was  that  of  Siogara,  in  343,  when 
he  commanded  in  person;  and,  after  having  been 
victorious  during  the  day,  he  was  defeated  in  the 
succeeding  night,  with  immense  loss  to  his  army. 

In  350,  having  left  Persia  to  oppose  Mag- 
nentius,  who,  after  causing  Constans  to  be  mur- 
dered, had  succeeded  in  his  attempt  to  become 


264  CONSTANTIUS  II. 

master  of  the  western  empire,  Constantins  was 
for  some  time  under  the  necessity  of  tolerating 
a colleagueship  with  Vetranio,  who  commanded 
the  Illyrian  legions,  and  who,  like  Magncntius, 
had  assumed  the  purple,  and  the  title  of  Au- 
gustus. Constautius  at  length,  however,  having 
compelled  Vetranio  to  renounce  his  imperial 
rank  aud  government,  proceeded,  a.  d.  351,  in 
search  of  Magneutius,  whom  he  defeated  at 
Mursa,  now  Essek,  a town  on  the  hanks  of  the 
Drave,  in  Hungary. — Magneutius  fled  iuto 
Gaul,  and  being  again  routed  in  two  consecu- 
tive engagements  by  the  armies  of  the  emperor, 
this  usurper  put  an  end  to  his  own  life  at  Lyon, 
a.  D.  353  ; his  brother  Dccentius  following  his 
tragical  example.  Constantius  thus  became 
master  of  the  whole  west.  Meanwhile  he  had 
given  the  title  of  Csesar  to  his  cousin  Gallus  ; 
but  the  crimes  to  which  that  young  prince  aban- 
doned himself,  were  such  that,  by  the  emperor’s 
order,  he  was  beheaded,  after  a reign  of  about 
four  years.  (See  constantius  gallus.) — On 
the  sixth  of  November,  355,  Constantius  con- 
ferred the  title  of  Caesar  on  Julian,  the  brother 
of  Gallus,  to  whom  he  gave  his  sister  Helena  in 
r marriage,  investing  him,  at  the  same  time,  with 
the  government  of  the  Gauls,  Spain,  aud  Britain. 

Having  obtained  peace  for  the  empire,  Con- 
stantius made  preparations  to  visit  Rome,  which 
he  had  not  yet  seen.  lie  made  his  entry  there 
on  the  28th  of  April,  357,  in  the  habiliments 
of  a Triumpher,  although  no  captives  followed 
his  chariot,  and  he  was  surrounded  by  none  but 
his  courtiers  and  a detachment  of  his  troops. — 
Astonished  and  enraptured  at  the  magnificence 
of  the  city,  he  ordered  the  great  obelisk,  which 
his  father  had  caused  to  be  brought  from  Helio- 
polis, in  Egypt,  and  which  was  remaining  at 
Alexandria,  to  be  transported  to  Rome,  where 
it  was  erected  in  the  Circus  Maximus.  Re- 
turned to  Mesopotamia,  in  359,  to  meet  the  in- 
viyliug  armies  of  Sapor,  lie  received  the  tidings 
that  Julian  had  been  proclaimed  Emperor  of  the 
West.  This  event  induced  Constantius  to  re- 
trace his  steps : and  in  360,  having  rc-asscm- 
bled  nearly  all  the  legions  of  the  East,  he 
marched  with  them  to  eneouuter  his  relation  and 
rival.  But  agitation  and  excitement,  added  to 
the  fatigue  of  the  expedition,  threw  him  into  a 
fever.  He  halted  at  Mopsocrene,  a small  town 
situated  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Taurus ; and  after 
having  declared  Julian  his  successor  and  sole 
master  of  the  empire,  he  died  on  the  third  of 
November,  a.  i>.  361,  in  the  25th  year  of  his 
reign,  and  45th  of  his  age. — Julian  caused  his 
remains  to  be  conveyed  to  Constantinople;  re- 
ceived the  body  at  the  gates  of  that  city,  amidst 
his  soldiers  under  arms ; and  interred  it  in  the 
tomb  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

MINTAGES  OF  CONSTANTIUS  II. 


CONSTANTIUS  GALLUS. 

CONSTANTIVS. — As  Augustus,  it  is  IMP. 
Yhavius  I VL'«.?  CONSTANTIVS  MAXimwj 
AVG ustus.  Also  D.  N.  FL.  CONSTANTIVS 
P.  F.  PERIWkhj  AVG ustus. 

Gold  Medallions. — constantinvs  victor 
semper  avg.  Emperor  in  triumphal  car. — 
(Valued  by  Mionnet  at  600  francs.) 

gavdivm  romanorvm.  Constantine  between 
Constantine jun.  and  Constans.  (Mionnet,  600  fr.) 

gavdivm  romanorvm.  Four  figures.  (En- 
graved in  Steinbiichcl,  No.  4.  Valued  by 
Mionnet  at  2000  francs.] 

Same  legend. — Female  seated.  (Mionnet,  600 
francs).  Engraved  iu  Stcinbiiehel,  l.  c.  No.  5. 

gloria  romanorvm.  Unique  medallion. — 
Engraved  in  Akerman,  vol.  ii.  pi.  G.  No.  2. 
Brought  £17  10s.  at  the  Thomas  sale.  Lot  3006. 
OB.  VICTORIAM  TRIVMPH ALEM.  (Mt.  100  fr.) 
principi  iwentvtis.  Unique  medallion. 
Engraved  in  Akerman,  vol.  ii.  pi.  G.  No.  1. 
■Brought  £14  14s  at  the  Thomas  sale.  Lot  3007. 
SAL  VS  ET  SPF.S  REirVBLICAE.  (Mt.  600  fr.) 
SECVRITAS  PERPETVAE  (sic). — 200  fr. 
virtvs  constanti  avg.  Unique  medallion. 
Engraved  in  Akerman,  vol.  ii.  p.  F.  No.  5. — 
Brought  £1 1 at  the  Thomas  sale.  Lot  3008. 

Silver  Medallions. gavdivm  popvi.i 

ROMANI.  (Mt.  100  fr.) — TRIVMFATOR  GF.NTIVM 
BARB  ARARVM.  (Mt.  100  fr.) — VIRTVS  F.XER- 
CITVS.  (Mt.  50  fr.)— VIRTVS  D.  N.  AVG.  (£1, 
Thomas.) — gloria  reipvblicae.  (Pembroke, 
£1  15s.) — victoria  avg.  nostri.  (Valued  by 
Mionnet  at  50  fr.) 

Gold. pelicitas  perpf.tva. gavdivm 

POPVLI  ROMANI. — SECVRITAS  REIPVBLICAE. 

VICTORIA  CONSTANTI. -VIRTVS  F.XERCITVS  GALL. 

— (rhe  foregoing  five  valued  by  Mionnet  at  30 
francs  each). 

principi  iwentvtis. — (Pembroke,  £1  8s.) 
Silver. — constantivs  avg. — gloria  rei- 
pvblicae. Two  women  seated. — pax  avgvs- 
torvm. — (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  20  fr.  each). 

Brass  Medallions. — debellatori  gentt. 
bariiarr.  (Mionnet,  20  fr.) — pel.  temp,  re- 
paratio.  (24  fr.) — la itomo.  (50  fr.) — sa- 

1UNAE.  (50  fr.) VIRTVS  AVG.  NOSTRI.  (24  fr.) 

Second  Brass. — hoc  signo  victor  eris. 
Emperor  with  labarum,  charged  with  the  mono- 
gram of  Christ. — moneta  avg.  The  3 Monctic. 


CONSTANTIUS  GALLUS.— It  is  after  this 
appellation  that  one  of  the  nephews  of  Constan- 
tius II.,  aud  the  eldest  brother  of  Julianus, 
afterwards  emperor,  is  commonly  called  by  his- 
torians, although  on  coins  he  is  named  simply 
Constantius. — Gallus,  born  a.d.  325,  was  the 
son  of  Julius  Constautius,  youngest  son  of  Con- 
stantins Chlorus,  and  of  Galla.  At  the  age  of 
12  years,  he  was,  with  Julian,  spared  from  the 


Many  of  his  gold  and  silver  medallions  are 
of  the  highest  rarity ; gold  of  the  usual  size 
common  ; silver  of  usual  size  rare ; brass  medal- 
lions rare ; second  and  third  brass  very  com- 
mon.— The  style  of  this  emperor,  on  the  ob- 
verses of  his  coins,  as  Cicsar,  is  Dam  inns  N osier 


CONSTANTIUS  GALLUS. 

sweeping  massacre  which  their  ambitious  uncle 
Coustautius  perfidiously  connived  at,  and  which 
deprived  their  father  of  life.  In  351,  that 
very  kinsman  created  him  Caesar;  associated 
him  in  the  imperial  government ; and  caused 
him  to  add  to  his  own  the  name  of  Con- 
stantius.  Having  also  given  him  for  wife  his 
sister  Constantins,  the  widow  of  llannibal- 
lianus,  the  artful  emperor  assigned  to  Gallus 
the  defence  of  the  eastern  provinces  against 
the  Persians,  and  sent  him  to  reside  at  An- 
tioch. The  young  prince  was  gifted  with 
a well  formed  person,  and  a prepossessing 
countenance : he  had  also  an  imposing  air  of 
grandeur  in  his  deportment.  His  brother  Julian 
and  himself  had  passed  their  youth  together,  in  a 
kind  of  exile,  and  their  education  had  been  con- 
fined to  the  study  of  ecclesiastical  literature,  and 
to  the  practices  of  ascetic  piety.  This  course  of 
instruction  had  attached  Gallus  to  the  Christian 
Church,  but  it  had  not  taught  him  to  repress 
his  passions,  which  were  of  such  a haughty,  in- 
solent, and  savage  description,  as  to  render  him 
an  object  of  dread  and  hatred  during  the  whole 
period  of  his  residence  in  Syria.  It  was  there 
that  lie  showed  himself  in  the  undisguised  vio- 
lence and  brutality  of  his  natural  character.  He 
perpetrated,  both  out  of  his  own  vicious  dispo- 
sition, and  at  the  instigation  of  his  wife  who 
was  not  less  guilty  than  himself,  acts  of  the 
most  flagrant  injustice,  and  of  the  most  revolt- 
ing cruelty.  At  once  the  spy  upon,  and  the 
accuser  of,  his  subjects,  he  caused  all,  of  whose 
wealth  he  was  covetous,  to  be  put  to  death  with- 
out any  form  of  legal  procedure.  The  death  of 
Thcophilus,  governor  of  Syria,  whom  he  aban- 
doned to  the  merciless  fury  of  an  Antiochian 
populace;  and  the  atrocious  barbarity  with  which 
he  delivered  numerous  other  personages  of  dis- 
tinguished rank,  into  the  hands  of  the  public 
executioner,  roused  a general  spirit  of  resistance 
to  his  tyranny ; and  he  was  denounced  to  the 
emperor. — Constantins  II.  sent  Domitianus  pre- 
torian  prefect  of  the  East,  and  Montius  questor 
of  the  palace,  to  his  residence  at  Antioch,  for  the 
purpose  of  inquiring  into  his  conduct.  Justly 
charged  with  mal-administration,  disobedience, 
and  cruelty,  in  his  government  of  the  East,  lie 
enormously  increased  his  guilt  by  putting  the 
above-named  imperial  commissioners  to  death. 
It  appears  that  these  servants  of  Constantius, 
instead  of  ensnaring  him  with  gentle  persuasions, 
in  conformity  with  their  instructions,  had  the 
imprudence  to  adopt  towards  Gallus  the  language 
of  menace  and  defiance;  and  the  consequence 
was,  they  were  torn  to  pieces  by  an  infuriated 
multitude,  whom  Gallus  had  excited  to  destroy 
them.  The  emperor  fearing  that,  after  this,  his 
nephew  woidd,  in  desperation,  be  led  to  add 
open  rebellion  to  his  other  offences,  had  recourse 
to  new  promises,  with  the  view  of  drawing  him 
away  from  Antioch ; fully  resolved  to  punish  him 
afterwards.  Accordingly  he  wrote  to  him  let- 
ters full  of  professed  affection,  deceived  by  which 
Gallus  set  out  to  meet  his  uncle  at  Milan. — 
At  Petovio  (Pettau)  in  Panuonia,  however,  he 
was  arrested,  and  sent  to  Pola,  in  Istria.  Gallus 
2 M 


CONSTANTIUS  III.  2G5 

there  underwent  a sort  of  trial  for  the  crimes  he 
had  committed,  and  was  couvicted  of  them  all. 
His  judges,  after  receiving  orders  from  Constan- 
tius, condemned  him  to  death  ; and  having  been 
conducted  to  the  place  of  execution,  with  his 
hauds  tied  behind  him,  like  a culprit  of  the 
lowest  class,  he  was  beheaded,  at  the  close  of 
the  year  354,  when  he  was  in  his  second  con- 
sulate. He  was  then  only  29  years  old,  and  had 
reigned,  as  Cresar,  but  three  years  and  eight 
months. — Most  of  those  who  had  participated 
in  his  crimes  were  doomed  by  Constantius  to 
share  the  same  fate  with  him. 

MINTAGES  of  CONSTANTIUS  GALLUS. 
On  his  coins,  which  are  all  very  rare,  in  each 
metal,  except  second  and  third  brass,  he  is  styled 

CONSTANTIVS  CAES. — FI..  IVL.  CONSTANT! VS  NOB. 

CAES. DN.  CONSTANTIVS  NOB.  CAES. DN. 

CONSTANTIVS  IVN.  NOB.  C. 

Gold  Medallions. — gloria  romanorvm. 
Two  types.  (Valued  by  Miounct  at  200  fr.  each.) 

Silver  Medallions. — felicitas  romano- 
rvm.  GLORIA  EXERCITVS. VIRTVS  EXER- 

citvs. — (200  francs  each.) 

Gold. — felicitas  romanorvm.  (100  fr.) 

GLORIA  REIPVBLICAE.  (80  fr.) VICTORIA 

AVGVSTORVM.  (50  fr.) 

Silver. — principia  iwentvtis.  TheCtesar 
stands  between  two  military  ensigns,  to  one  of 
which  he  extends  his  left  hand,  whilst  he  holds 
a sceptre  or  baton  in  his  right. — Obv. — fl.  ivl. 
constantivs  nob.  caes.  Diademed  head  of 
Gallus. — Engraved  in  preceding  page,  from  a 
finely  preserved  silver  specimen  in  the  British 
Museum. 

Brass  Medallions. — gloria  romanorvm. 

— VRBS  ROMA. — VICTORIA  AVGVSTORVM  (Mion- 

nct,  40  fr.  each). — viiitvs  avg. — virtvs  av- 
gystorvm.  (48  fr.  each). 


Third  Brass. — FELur  TEMPoma  REPA- 
UATIO.  Military  figure  pierces  with  his  spear 
a prostrate  horse  and  its  rider. — Obv. — d.  n. 
constantivs  nob.  caes.  Diademed  head  of 
Constantius  Gallus ; as  is  seen  in  the  above 
engraving. 

CONSTANTIUS  III.  surnamed  Patricius, 
was  born  at  Naissus,  in  Illyria ; his  family 
unknown.  He  was  the  husband  of  the  sister  of 
Ilonorius,  and  a.  d.  411  was  appointed  by  that 
emperor  to  be  the  general  of  his  armies.  In 
421,  he  was  declared  Augustus,  and  associated 
in  the  government  of  the  western  empire.  He 
died  the  same  year  at  Ravenna,  having  borne 
the  title  of  Augustus  only  seven  months.  The 
coins  of  this  last  of  the  name  stand  in  the  highest 
degree  of  rarity.  On  these  he  is  styled  d.  n. 
constantivs  p.  f.  avg. — The  reverses  are  as 
follow,  viz. : — 


2CC  CONSULATES. 

Gold. — victoria  avgg.  The  emperor  hold- 
ing the  labarum.  (Valued  by  Miounct  at  400 
fr.) — victoria  avgvstorvm.  Victory  march- 
ing. A quinarius.  (300  fr.) 

Silver. — victoria  romanorvm. — votis  v. 
mvltis. — (100  fr.  each.) 

CONSULATUS,  the  consulate  or  olHee  of 
CONSUL.  This,  the  highest  of  the  Roman  ma- 
gistracies conferred,  as  is  well  known,  upon  him 
who  held  it,  the  possession  of  sovereign  autho- 
rity during  his  term  of  office,  which  was  for 
only  one  year.  The  consulate  was  established 
immediately  after  the  abolition  of  royalty,  in  the 
year  of  Rome  244  (b.  c.  510),  at  the  first  form- 
ation of  the  republic.  It  was  then  that  the 
people,  instead  of  any  longer  submitting  to  the 
rule  of  a king,  began  to  confide  their  government 
to  two  persons,  whom  they  called  Consuls, 
Pitiscus  says,  a consul endo,  from  the  act  of  con- 
sulting, because  they  gave  their  care  and  their 
counsel  to  their  country. — J.  W.  D.  in  Smith’s 
Dictionary,  on  the  other  hand  says,  “ Without 
doubt  the  name  consu/es  means  nothing  more 
than  simply  colleagues?’  As  these  annually 
elected  magistrates  were  substituted  in  the  place 
of  a monarch,  so  were  they  invested  with  all  the 
prerogatives  and  powers  of  royalty,  together  with 
all  the  exterior  marks  of  regal  dignity.  The 
consuls,  so  long  as  they  remained  in  Rome,  had 
under  their  controul  every  thing  that  related  to 
public  affairs.  The  other  magistrates,  with  the 
exception  of  the  tribunes,  came  under  their 
cognizance.  The  consulate,  however,  even  at 
au  early  period  of  the  republic,  began  to  descend 
from  its  high  estate,  when  tribunes  of  the  people 
were  established  with  the  right  of  opposing  all 
the  acts  of  the  consuls.  The  only  remedy  in 
pressing  times  for  the  evils  arising  out  of  a 
factious  exercise  of  the  tribunitian  veto,  was  one 
as  dangerous  as  the  disease  to  the  state  itself, 
viz.,  the  dictatorship,  So  great,  however,  was 
the  jcgal  weight  of  the  consulate — so  prominent 
a place  did  its  occupiers  rctaiu  in  the  veneration 
and  attachment  of  the  people ; and  such  were 
the  external  attributes  of  supreme  grandeur  with 
which  the  persons  of  the  consuls  themselves 
were  gifted  and  surrounded,  that  the  office  never 
lost  its  political  importance,  nor  its  popular 
influence,  so  long  as  the  republic  lasted.  Nor 
did  this  magistracy  cease  when  the  government 
fell  into  the  hands  of  a single  individual.  The 
two  consuls  contiuucd  to  be  annually  named ; 
the  consular  fasti  verified,  as  before,  the  chrono- 
logical series  of  all  the  years  ; aud  these  offices 
were  solicited,  from  the  favour  of  the  prince,  as 
they  had  before  been  asked  at  the  suffrages  of 
the  citizens.  The  emperors  distinguished  their 
favourites  and  their  relations  with  this  title, 
already  become  purely  of  an  honorary  kind,  and 
they  likewise  frequently  took  it  for  themselves. 

To  describe  at  large  the  origin,  the  dignity, 
and  changes  of  the  Roman  cousidatc,  docs  not 
come  within  the  plan  of  this  compilation.  Such 
particulars  are  fully  understood  by  those  who 
are  conversant  with  the  history  of  Rome  iu  her 
free  state,  whilst  they  contribute  but  little  to 


CONSULATUS. 

the  elucidation  of  the  medallic  science.  But  so 
far  as  the  office  of  Consul,  exercised  under  the 
Ciesars  and  Emperors,  is  referred  to  in  monetal 
legends  and  types,  the  following  analysis  of 
Eckhcl’s  learned  dissertation  on  the  subject  will 
be  found  replete  with  useful  information,  and 
can  hardly  prove  otherwise  than  acceptable  to 
the  numismatic  studeut. 

Since,  from  the  time  of  Julius  Cresar,  to  the 
lower  empire,  the  practice  prevailed  of  princes 
insenbing  on  their  coins  their  own  consulates, 
aud  the  repetitions  of  them,  an  acquaintance 
with  the  Caesarian  consulates  is  unquestionably 
of  the  greatest  importance  to  a right  under- 
standing of  the  chronological  history  of  the  em- 
perors and  their  times.  After  having,  in  op- 
position to  the  published  opinions  of  certain 
learned  authors,  expressed  his  own  firm  convic- 
tion, that  iu  the  assumption  of  the  consulate, 
the  emperors  observed  no  fixed  rules,  but,  as  iu 
most  other  matters,  followed  their  owu  inclina- 
tion,— Eckhel  proceeds  to  explain  the  condi- 
tions of  the  office  in  question,  as  established 
from  the  time  of  Julius  Cicsar,  and  continuing 
in  force  through  subsequent  reigns,  up  to  the 
period  of  its  abolition,  arranging  under  separate 
heads,  the  various  branches  of  the  subject,  as 
follows : — 

I.  — Consules  Continue — First  on  the  list 
appear  the  continued  consulates,  which  were 
cither  conferred  upon  princes  or  assumed  by 
them. — It  had  been  provided  by  a decree  of  the 
people  (plebiscite ) that  no  one  should  be  re- 
elected consul  till  after  an  iuterval  of  tcu  years. 
But,  at  the  close  of  the  republic,  when  the  laws 
uo  longer  ruled,  but  were  over-ruled,  the  au- 
cient  statute  was  infringed.  The  seven  consu- 
lates of  Marius  are  well  known  ; and  soon  after, 
L.  Sulla  suffered  only  eight  years  to  elapse  be- 
fore he  was  chosen  consul  for  the  second  time, 
aud  also  at  the  same  moment  dictator  ; aud  his 
example  was  followed  by  Julius  Cicsar,  who 
“ received  a renewed  (continuum)  consulate  and 
a perpetual  dictatorship  and  the  fart  of  this 
renewal  of  office  is  continued  also  by  his  coins. 
When  Artaxata  was  taken  by  Corbulo,  in  the 
year  of  Rome  811  (b.  c.  58),  the  Senate  de- 
creed to  Nero  a continuous  (or  renewed)  consu- 
late. But  the  Fasti  and  coins  prove  that  he  did 
not  accept  the  honour.  Yitcllius  nominated 
himself  a perpetual  consul,  but  his  intentions 
were  frustrated.  In  the  case  of  some  of  the 
Augusti , the  assumed  consulates  differed  little 
from  the  continuous.  Vespasian,  during  a reign 
of  ten  years,  renewed  the  consulate  eight  times; 
and  Titus  also  was  much  inclined  for  this  dis- 
tinction ; still  more  Domitiau,  whose  consulates 
numbered  seventeen.  To  these  may  be  added 
Elagabidus.  All  preceding  emperors  were  sur- 
passed by  Theodosius  II.  on  whose  Fasti  (and 
perhaps  his  coins  also),  there  appear  eighteen 
consulates. 

II.  — Consuls  appointed  by  the  Empe- 
rors.— That,  under  the  imperial  government, 
the  power  of  appointing  consuls  rested  with  the 
reigning  princes,  is  shewn  by  the  entire  history 
of  the  augustal  age  ; uor  can  the  fact  be  called 


CONSULATUS. 

in  question,  considering  the  unlimited  authority 
of  the  emperors.  The  Augusli,  indeed,  took 
upon  themselves  the  office  of  consul,  though 
they  at  all  times  combined  the  consular  with  the 
imperial  authority  ; either  to  throw  in  the  teeth 
of  the  disaffected  a certain  resemblance  to  the 
old  commonwealth,  following,  as  Appian  sup- 
poses, the  example  of  Sulla ; or  to  render  still 
more  famous,  by  their  consulate,  a year  in  which 
some  extraordinary  festival  was  to  occur;  or 
from  vanity,  or  from  the  desire  of  outvying 
others,  which  Ausonius  cleverly  attacks  in  the 
case  of  Domitian ; or  from  some  other  motive. 
For,  from  the  circumstance  that  there  was  not 
one  even  of  the  most  rational  and  moderate 
amongst  them,  who  did  not  several  times  renew 
to  himself  that  distinction,  it  may  be  inferred 
that  the  consulship  was  a post  most  gratifying 
to  the  emperors. 

III. — Consules  suffecti. — This  term  (from 
sufficio  to  put  in  the  place  of  another)  was  used 
to  denote  substituted  or  added  consuls.  They 
were  unknown  in  Free  Rome,  except  in  the  case 
of  one  of  them  dying,  during  his  year  of  office, 
when  it  became  necessary  that  some  person 
should  be  deputed  to  fill  his  place  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  period.  Julius  Caisar  set  the 
first  example  of  a consul  suffectus. — In  the  year 
709  (n.  c.  45),  according  to  Dion,  “He entered 
upon  the  consulate  immediately,  and  before  his 
arrival  in  Rome,  lie  did  not,  however,  retain 
it  for  a whole  year,  but  after  his  return  to  Rome, 
he  resigned  the  office,  and  conferred  it  upon  Q. 
F'abius  and  C.  Trebouius.  And  as  Fabius  ex- 
pired on  the  last  day  of  his  consulship,  he 
(Ciesar)  deputed  to  it  C.  Caniuius  for  the  few 
remaining  hours.” 

Cicero,  in  recording  this  same  fact,  wittily 
adds — “ So,  you  must  know,  that  during  the 
whole  consulship  of  Caninius  not  a soul  dined. 
Nevertheless,  whilst  he  was  consul,  no  mischief 
took  place.  For  so  marvellous  was  his  vigilance, 
that  he  slept  not  once  all  the  time  he  was  con- 
sul.” After  the  precedent  thus  established,  it 
rarely  happened  that  the  individuals  who  entered 
upon  office  on  the  calends  of  January,  retained 
it  for  the  whole  year ; as  the  emperors,  in  return 
for  services  performed,  used  to  invite  others  to 
a participation  in  this  honour.  And  there 
was  a time,  when  this  licence  was  carried  beyond 
all  bounds  ; as  Clcandcr,  who  from  the  position 
of  a slave,  had  risen  to  be  the  all  powerful 
chamberlain  of  Commodus,  is  related  to  have  ap- 
pointed twenty-five  consuls  in  one  year.  There 
arc  also  instances  of  emperors,  but  those  only  of 
a weak  capacity,  who  deposed  the  legitimate 
consuls,  and  thrust  themselves  into  their  places. 
And  in  this  manner  Caligula  and  Elagabalus 
held  their  first  consulates  by  substitution, 
(suffcctum  consulatum),  and  Nero  his  last,  as 
their  respective  eoius  attest. 

The  names  of  these  substituted  consuls  were 
written  on  the  consular  Fasti,  but  the  year  was 
reckoned  by  the  name  of  the  Consules  ordinarii 
(sec  next  column).  Now,  as  many  princes,  before 
their  accession  to  the  imperial  throne,  had  been 
invested  with  this  kind  of  honorary  consulship, 
2 M 2 


CONSULATUS.  267 

or  had  not  despised  the  office  after  their  becom- 
ing emperors,  this  circumstauce  must  be  at- 
tended to,  in  order  to  reconcile  apparent  con- 
tradictions, which  may  sometimes  present  them- 
selves on  a comparison  of  the  consulates  with 
the  tribunitian  powers. 


Consules  ordinarii. — Those  who  entered  upon 
office  on  the  calends  of  January,  were  called 
ordinarii ; and  it  was  they  who  gave  a name  to 
the  year,  and  consequently  enjoyed  a higher 
authority  than  the  suffecti  consules,  who  were 
scarcely  known  beyond  the  bounds  of  Rome  and 
Italy,  and  were  therefore  styled  consules  minores. 
Consuls  by  substitution,  when  they  afterwards 
obtained  the  regular  ( ordinarium ) consulship, 
were  in  the  habit  of  reckoning  the  substituted 
one.  Octavianus  was  chosen  in  the  place  of  the 
consuls  who  fell  in  battle,  a.  u.  c.  711  (n.  c. 
43) ; and  when  in  the  year  721  (b.  c.  33),  he 
again  became  consul,  he  was  on  all  records 
styled  consul  iterum.  Caligula  being  consul 
suffectus  from  the  calends  of  July,  790  (a.  d. 
37),  proceeded  consul  iterum  (consul  for  the 
second  time),  on  the  calends  of  January,  792. 
— Domitian  numbered  five  suffecti  consulatus, 
which  he  had  passed  before  his  accession. — 
Many  other  instances  are  recorded  in  the  annals 
of  his  reign.  “ Nevertheless  (adds  Eckhel),  in 
the  mintage  of  Domitian,  under  date  of  832 
(a.  i).  79),  there  is  a coin  on  which  no  mention 
is  made  of  his  five  consulates  by  substitution.” 
IV. — Consules  Designati’. — Consuls  elect 
(from  designare),  a term  used  to  distiuguish 
those  who  were  appointed  to  fill  that  and  other 
public  offices.  Magistrates  were  first  designati, 
and  some  mouths  after  that  formality,  they  en- 
tered upon  the  exercise  of  their  authority.  " 
During  the  times  of  the  common-wealth,  con- 
suls were  not  considered  as  elect,  except  in  rela- 
tion to  the  year  immediately  following.  Rut  even 
that  custom  began  very  early  to  be  disregarded. 
In  the  year  715  (b.  c.  39),  during  the  sove- 
reignty of  the  Triumvirs  Rei  Publica  Consti- 
tuenda,  consuls  were  styled  elect  for  eight  years, 
of  which  a.  u.  c.  720  and  723  were  assigned  to 
Mark  Antony.  He  is  called,  therefore,  on  his 
coins,  simply  cos.  from  the  year  710,  when  he 
was  first  made  consul,  till  the  year  715  above 
mentioned.  And  from  that  date  to  720  (b.  c. 
34),  cos.  desig.  iter.  et.  tert.  From  720 
to  723,  cos.  desig.  hi.  From  723,  when  he 
actually  entered  upon  his  third  consulate,  cos. 
in. ; aud  this  order  is  plainly  to  be  recognised 
on  his  coins.  The  same  regulation  was  observed 


268  CONSULATUS. 

by  Octavianus,  wlio  was,  in  the  same  year  715, 
designates  consul  for  the  years  721  and  723. — 
Augustus  made  his  daughter’s  sons,  Caius  and 
Lucius,  consuls  elect,  but  on  the  condition  of 
their  taking  office  in  five  years’  time  (see  p.  217 
of  this  dictionary). — Nero  was  consul  elect  at 
the  age  of  fourteen,  intending  to  enter  upon  the 
consulate  at  twenty  ; whence  he  is  styled  on  his 
coins  cos.  design. 

And  this  pre-appointment  the  emperors  were 
not  backward  in  notifying  on  coins  and  other 
public  monuments,  when  they  felt  a desire  to 
enrol  themselves  as  consuls.  Whence  it  is  usual 
to  read  on  them,  amongst  other  inscriptions, 
cos.  hi.  des.  mi. — Sometimes  consulates  sim- 
ply promised,  or  designated,  seem  to  have  been 
confounded  with  consulates  really  acquired  and 
held,  or  at  least  the  word  has  been 

omitted.  But  instances  of  this  sort  are  very 
rare ; and  it  would  even  appear  that  the  greater 
part  of  the  medals  cited  as  examples  of  the  case, 
have  been  incorrectly'  read : the  error  being 
doubtless  caused  by  the  nun^bers  expressed  hav- 
ing been  effaced  by  the  lapse  of  time  or  by  fric- 
tion. It  is,  however,  to  be  remarked  that, 
although  the  consulate  existed  until  the  reign  of 
Justinian,  who  united  this  dignity  to  the  im- 
perial crown,  yet  long  before  that  epocha,  and 
indeed  from  the  commencement  of  what  is  called 
the  lower  empire,  the  emperors,  for  the  most 
part,  neglected  to  mention  it  on  their  money, 
where  it  appears  only  at  very  wide  intervals. 

V. — Oknamenta  Consul  aria. — By  this 
term  was  meant  those  consular  honours  which, 
decreed  to  any  individual  by  the  emperors,  were 
a kind  of  semblance  of  the  consulate.  Dion 
Cassius,  indeed,  tells  ns  that,  as  early  as  the 
year  of  Route  687  (b.  c.  147),  and  consequently 
whilst  the  common-wealth  was  still  in  existence, 
C.  Carbo,  though  as  yet  he  had  discharged  only 
the  tribuneship  of  the  plebs,  received  the  dis- 
tinction of  the  ornamenta  consu/aria.  It  is 
not,  however,  sufficiently  understood  in  what 
these  honours  consisted.  Their  real  origin  is 
doubtless  to  be  traced  to  Julius  Cmsar,  who, 
when  in  his  endeavour  to  confer  favours  on  a 
number  of  persons,  he  found  himself  unable  to 
give  to  all  either  the  regular  ( ordinaritim ) or 
the  substituted  ( suffectum ) consulate,  invented 
this  fictitious  distinction.  He  admitted  many, 
says  Dion,  into  the  patrician  and  consular  ranks. 
And  Suetonius  also  observes,  “ he  bestowed 
consular  honours  on  ten  individuals  who  had 
been  I’retors  (viris  prtetoriis).” — When  Octa- 
vianus,  after  the  deaths  of  the  consuls  Hirtius 
and  Pansa,  was  aiming  at  the  consulate,  the 
Senate,  unwilling  to  confer  so  high  a post  upon 
a mere  boy,  nevertheless  decreed  to  him,  in  its 
stead,  consular  honours.  Several  instances  in 
w hich  this  dignity  was  awarded  afterwards  occur, 
and  that  too  even  to  foreigners ; as  for  example, 
Claudius  procured  it  for  Agrippa,  the  grandson 
of  Herod  the  Great ; the  Senate  having  before, 
during  the  reign  of  Caligula,  decreed  him  pre- 
toriau  honours. 

It  is  a question,  whether  those,  who  were  thus 
distinguished,  raised  thereby  the  number  of 


CONSULATUS. 

their  consulate,  when  they  subsequently  entered 
upon  office  in  the  regular  way.  Dion  negatives 
this,  in  his  life  of  Octavianus.  For  when  this 
emperor  first  assumed  consular  honours,  and 
shortly  after,  the  consulate  itself,  he  did  not 
ambitiously  call  it  his  second.  Indeed,  the 
author  above  quoted,  immediately  adds,  that  the 
practice  was  observed  from  that  period  to  his 
own  times,  in  all  similar  cases,  and  that  Seve- 
rus  was  the  first  to  alter  it ; inasmuch  as,  when 
he  had  first  bestowed  these  honours,  aud  after- 
wards the  office  of  consul  itself,  upon  I’lauti- 
anus,  he  commanded  him  to  be  proclaimed  as 
consul  ( iterum ) for  the  second  time  ; aud  that 
this  example  was  followed  by  others.  Never- 
theless, he  was  averse  to  this  rule  being  observed 
in  his  own  case. 

VI. — Motives  of  Princes  for  assuming 
the  Consulate. — Having  assigned  some  of  the 
reasons  which  usually  actuated  the  emperors  in 
either  undertaking  or  multiplying  their  consul- 
ships, Eckhel  proceeds  to  cxplaiu  with  greater 
distinctness  their  various  inducements  to  as- 
sume the  office  in  some  particular  year. — 
Without  denying,  that  many  princes  were  in  the 
habit  of  being  inaugurated  consuls  on  the  first 
calends  of  January  after  their  accession  to  em- 
pire, Eckhel  shews  that  as  a rule,  it  fails  in  the 
majority  of  instances.  The  custom  appears  to 
have  been  derived  from  Nero.  At  auy  rate,  his 
immediate  successors,  Galba,  Vespasian,  Titus, 
Doinitian,  aud  Nerva,  followed  his  example,  by 
entering  upon  their  consulate  on  the  next  calcmls 
of  January  after  their  accession. — When  Trajan 
was  averse  to  this  practice,  Pliny  thus  expressed 
himself — “ You  refused  at  the  commencement 
of  your  reign  the  consulate,  which  all  new  em- 
perors used  to  transfer  to  themselves,  though  it 
was  destined  for  others.”  From  these  very' 
words  of  Pliny,  therefore,  it  is  sufficiently  evi- 
dent, that  the  custom  was,  even  at  that  time, 
observed  by  the  emperors,  aud  it  is  confirmed 
by  Spartiau,  in  speaking  of  .Elius  Cicsar — “ He 
was  soon  created  consul,  and  having  been  de- 
puted to  hold  the  reins  of  government,  he  was 
styled  consul  for  the  second  time.” — After  Tra- 
jan, not  a few  departed  from  the  practice.  They 
have  been  collected  by  Mazzoleni,  aud  may  be 
seen  in  the  Fasti.  It  must  therefore  be  con- 
cluded, that  the  custom  was  approved  of  by 
many  of  the  emperors,  but  that  the  rule  did  not 
hold  universally. 

It  also  occurred,  that  the  emperors  assumed 
the  consulate  on  account  of  public  solemnities 
of  various  kinds.  Suetonius  has  observed  of 
Augustus,  that  he  was  desirous  of  entering  upon 
his  thirteenth  nnd  last  considate,  in  order  that 
he  might,  in  that  high  capacity,  attend  upon 
his  sons  Caius  and  Lucius,  when  they  were  in- 
troduced into  the  forum,  on  the  occasion  of  their 
first  public  appearance  ( tgroeinio ).  The  princes 
of  the  lower  empire — at  least  those  who  were 
called  consuls  of  the  East — according  to  Thc- 
mistius,  always  took  great  pains  to  prevent  other 
individuals  from  holding  this  office  on  the  re- 
currence of  the  quiuqueunial  or  decennial  pe- 
riod, when  it  gave  a name  to  the  year. — 


CONSULATUS. 

Whence,  he  says,  it  seemed  u remarkable  cir- 
cumstance, that  Theodosius  Magnus  should,  at 
the  quinquennalia,  have  ceded  this  honour  to 
Saturuinus,  a private  individual.  Iu  general 
terms  it  may  be  allirmed,  that,  as  in  most  other 
matters,  so  in  the  assumption  and  repetition  of 
the  consulate,  the  will  and  pleasure  of  the 
emperors  were  their  sole  motive  aud  guide. 

VII.  — Consulship  under  the  empire 
only  honorary. — From  the  time  when  the 
emperors  had  brought  every  species  of  authority 
under  their  own  control,  it  no  longer  came 
within  the  province  of  the  consuls  to  conduct 
foreign  wars,  or  to  watch  over  the  safety  of  the 
state  ; but,  distinguished  only  by  their  robes  of 
office,  they  were  compelled  to  lead  a life  of 
ignoble  ease  at  Rome,  instead  of  attending  to 
the  weighty  concerns  of  government.  Truly, 
therefore,  did  Mamertinus  speak  of  the  con- 
sulates of  the  imperial  age: — “Iu  the  adminis- 
tration of  state  afTairs  (in  administrationibus), 
labour  is  conjoined  with  honour  ; but  in  the  con- 
sulate honour  only  is  involved,  without  the 
labour.” — Cassiodorus  is  still  more  severe  upon 
the  slothfulness  of  consuls.  The  only  advantage 
which  this  office  conferred  from  that  time  for- 
ward, has  been  explained  by  the  Emperor 
Julian  : — “To  private  individuals  (he  says)  it  is 
a sort  of  recompense  of  virtue,  or  of  fidelity  and 
zeal  in  the  service  of  the  emperors,  or  for  some 
deed  of  renown ; whilst  in  the  case  of  the  princes 
themselves,  it  is  a kind  of  decoration  and 
embellishment,  added  to  the  advantage  they 
already  possess.” 

VIII.  — Consulates  Dimidius. Amongst 

other  particulars  connected  with  the  consulate 
previous  to  the  final  abolition  of  the  office,  the 
office  of  Consul  at  its  Dimidius  is  to  be  briefly 
noticed.  It  seems  that  this  “ half  consulship” 
consisted  of  but  one  consul ; that  is  to  say,  a 
consul  without  a colleague.  The  first  instance 
of  this  occurred  in  the  year  of  Rome  702  (b.  c. 
52),  in  the  third  consulate  of  Pompey  the  Great, 
who  was  elected  sole  consul  by  the  Comitia. 
As  this  case  arose  during  the  republic  in  con- 
sequence of  dissensions  among  the  citizens,  so, 
at  a much  later  period,  namely,  in  the  reign  of 
Constantine  the  Great,  it  was  occasioned  by  a 
disagreement  among  a plurality  of  reigning 
powers. — Several,  indeed,  of  the  ancient  Fasti 
have  marked  the  year  a.  d.  310  and  313,  with 
the  consulate  of  Maxentius  alone. 

IX.  — Consulatus  Orientalis  et  Occiden- 
tals.— Constantine  the  Great,  on  the  division 
of  the  Roman  Empire  into  the  Eastern  and 
Western,  determined  that  of  the  two  annual 
consuls,  the  one  should  be  appointed  at  Rome, 
the  other  at  Constantinople.  This  practice  came 
into  operation  a.  d.  338,  on  the  calends  of 
January  ; in  which  year,  Constantine  having  just 
before  died ; and  the  empire,  according  to  his 
desire,  being  divided  amongst  his  three  sons,  the 
first  consuls  under  this  new  arrangement  were 
elected ; Ursus  in  the  West,  and  Polcmius  in  the 
East.  In  consequence  of  this,  when  it  hap- 
pened that  there  was  any  uncertainty  respecting 
the  consul  of  one  or  other  portion  of  the  cra- 


CONSULATUS.  269 

pirc,  the  inscription  on  public  records  ran  thus  : 
— “ The  consuls  being  N.  and  whosoever  shall 
be  hereafter  declared ;”  or,  “ The  consuls,  one 
of  whom  is  Aristametus,  for  the  name  of  his 
colleague  is  not  known.” 

“ Post  Consul at  urn,”  formula. Whenever, 

either  from  quarrels  among  the  riding  powers, 
or  from  wars,  or  the  assassination  of  emperors, 
or  other  causes,  the  year  was  deficient  in  its 
consuls,  at  least  the  regular  and  legitimate  ones, 
it  not  unfrequently  occurred,  that  this  vacant 
year  or  years  received  its  name  from  the  regular 
consul  of  the  preceding  year,  the  inscription 
running  thus,  e.  g.  Basilio  V.  C.  consule.  Anno 
secundo  post  C.  Basilii,  Anno  tertio  post  C. 
Basilii ; such  being  the  designation  of  the  years 
a.  d.  541,  542,  and  543.  This  formula  first 
appears  a.  d.  307,  when  the  consuls  of  the  pre- 
ceding year  had  been  Constantius  Chlorus  (VI.) 
and  Gal.  Maximianus  (VI.) ; and  it  was  more 
frequent  in  the  latter  periods  of  the  emperors, 
when  the  regulations  were  various  and  often 
confused. 

X. Consularia  Insignia. The  marks 

and  badges  of  office  by  which  the  consuls  were 
distinguished. — Floras  says  of  Tarquiuius  Pris- 
cus — “ By  constant  warfare,  he  subdued  the 
twelve  nations  of  Etniria,  and  from  thence  were 
derived  the  fasces,  the  trabete,  the  curule  chairs, 
the  rings,  trappings,  paludamenta,  pnetexta, 
the  practice  of  being  carried  in  triumph  on  a 
golden  chariot,  drawn  by  four  horses,  the  embroi- 
dered toga,  the  tunic  covered  with  broad  golden 
ornaments  (pa/mata),  in  short  all  the  decora- 
tions and  insignia  for  which  the  imperial  dig- 
nity is  conspicuous.” — Dionysius  of  Halicar- 
nassus, among  the  badges  of  sovereignty,  which 
Priscus  at  that  time  transferred  to  Rome,  men- 
tions “ the  crown  of  gold,  and  the  staff  sur- 
mounted by  the  figure  of  an  eagle,  the  purple 
tunic,  ornamented  with  gold,  aud  the  purple 
embroidered  toga  (or  that  of  many  colours,  toga 
picta).”  He  adds,  that  on  the  expulsion  of 
the  kings,  these  insignia  were  permitted  to  the 
consuls,  with  the  exception  of  the  crown  and 
the  embroidered  toga,  though,  when  they  ap- 
peared in  a triumph,  they  wore  these  also. 

The  Family  Coins  give  us  but  little  informa- 
tion as  to  the  number  of  the  badges  that  were 
allowed  to  the  consuls  whilst  Rome  remained 
free.  On  coins  of  the  Junia  gens  we  find  re- 
presented the  elder  Bratus,  who  was  also  the 
first  who  held  the  office  of  consul,  between  two 
lictors  formidable  from  their  fasces  and  axes. 
— But  it  was  already  established  from  other 
sources,  that  the  consuls  used  to  be  preceded 
by  the  twelve  fasces. 

On  the  denarii  of  Sulla  (sec  Cornelia  gens), 
which  exhibit  the  names  of  two  consuls,  Sulla 
and  Pompeius  Rufus,  as  also  on  a denarius  of 
Valerius  Messala,  inscribed  patre  cos.  the  sella 
curulis  is  attributed  to  the  consuls ; but  this 
distinction  w'as  enjoyed  by  other  officers  of  in- 
ferior rank  to  the  consuls. 

In  a denarius  of  Augustus,  struck  in  the  year 
of  Rome  752  (sec  parent,  cons,  svo.)  there 
appear  the  staff  with  the  eagle,  the  embroidered 


270 


CONSULATES. 


toga,  and  the  laurel  chaplet ; all  of  which,  how- 
ever, may  more  probably  be  considered  as  tri- 
umphal rather  than  as  consular  decorations. 

On  this  subject,  the  subsequent  age,  viz  that 
of  the  empire,  supplies  more  abundant  and 
trust-worthy  information. — In  Vopiscus,  the 
Emperor  Valerian  thus  addresses  Aurelian  : — 
“ Take,  therefore,  in  recompense  for  your  ex- 
ploits,   the  toga  pradexta,  the 

palinated  tunic,  the  embroidered  toga,  the  chair 
inlaid  with  ivory.  For  I this  day  nominate 
you  consul,  and  am  about  to  write  directions  to 
the  Senate,  that  it  confer  upon  you  the  staff, 
aud  the  fasces.” — Cassiodorus  gives  a similar 
account,  inveighing  bitterly  against  those  whom 
the  Augusti,  for  no  adequate  merits,  decorated 
with  the  consular  insignia — “ But  now  you 
assume  these  distinctions  under  more  fortunate 
auspices,  whilst  we  sustain  the  toils  of  the  con- 
sulate, aud  you  enjoy  the  delights  of  dignity. 
— Picture  to  yourself,  your  broad  shoulders 
adorned  with  the  varied  colours  of  the  palmatcd 
tunic ; your  strong  hand  grasping  the  staff  of 
victory ; approach  your  own  tire-side  with  even 
your  shoes  glittering  with  gold ; ascend  by  many 
steps  your  lofty  curule  chair,  that  by  lying  at 
your  case,  you  may  earn  that  which  we  assume 
by  the  severest  labour  in  the  administration  of 
affairs.” — And  indeed,  on  the  coins  of  the  Au- 
gusti , from  the  time  when  the  empire  began  to 
decline,  there  frequently  occurs  a half-length 
bust  (protome)  of  the ' emperor,  with  the  pal- 
mated  robe,  and  carrying  in  his  hand  the  staff 
surmounted  by  au  eagle,  from  which  is  to  be 
inferred  an  emperor  serving  the  office  of  consul. 

The  following  five  examples  are  selected  to 
shew  the  accordance  of  legend  and  type  in  con- 
nection with  the  consulate,  on  certain  coins  of 
the  lower  empire : — 

1.  On  a gold  coin  of  Maximinus  Daza  (see 
the  annexed  engraving,  co- 
pied from  Pellerin,  Melange, 
1,  pi.  vi.)  the  reverse  type 

l represents  the  emperor,  to- 
gated  and  laureated,  standing 
with  a globe,  or  an  auriim 
coronarium,  in  his  left  hand, 
and  a sceptre  reversed  in  his 
right — surrounded  by  the  legend  CONSVL  P.  P. 
PRO-CONSVL. 

2.  On  gold  of  Maximianus  llcrculcus,  given 
in  Banduri,  the  emperor  stands  in  the  toga,  and 
laureated,  holding  a globe,  the  symbol  of  the 
Roman  world,  in  his  right  baud,  whilst  with  his 
left  he  gathers  up  his  robe  and  holds  a roll  or 
volume.  The  legend  of  reverse  is  consvl  nil. 

p.  P.  PRO-COS. 

3.  On  gold  of  Galcrius  Maximianus,  with 
legend  of  consvl  caess.  the  Cicsar  stands  with 
globe  and  sceptre. 

4.  On  a gold  medallion  of  Constantine  the 
Great,  the  reverse  presents  a remarkably7  fine 
whole-length  figure  of  an  emperor,  standing  with 
laureated  head,  full-dressed  in  the  consular  in- 
siguia,  consisting  of  the  palmatcd  tunic,  and  the 
embroidered  toga — holding  a globe  in  the  right 
hand,  and  a sceptre  in  the  left. — Sec  senatvs. 


CONSULATE'S. 

5.  The  reverse  of  a gold  coin  struck  under 
Constantine  the  younger,  exhibits  the  togated 
and  laureated  figure  of  the  imperial  consul,  with 
globe  aud  sceptre,  accompanied  with  the  ex- 
planatory legend  of  felix  pkocessvs  cos.  ii. 
avg. — [Numbers  2,  3,  and  5,  are  eugraved  in 
Khell’s  Supplement  to  Vaillant.] 

XI.  — Consui.aris  Processus. The  con- 

sular procession,  as  it  is  represented  on  coins, 
still  remains  to  be  explained.  Consuls  were  said 
procedere  (to  go  in  state)  when,  having  been 
consuls  elect  in  the  year  immediately  preceding, 
they  entered  upon  the  office,  on  the  calends  of 
January,  with  the  customary  pomp  and  retinue ; 
and  this  solemn  occasion  was  commonly  termed 
processus  consularis,  as  coins  prove. — See  the 
legend  felix  processka  consvl  avg.  n. 

But  there  are  also  examples  which  shew  that 
ancient  authors  used  the  word  processus  alone, 
omitting  all  mention  of  the  consul,  to  indicate 
the  consularis  processus. — When,  however,  the 
emperor  is  represented  on  coins  in  a quadriga, 
cither  of  horses  or  elephants,  and  carrying  the 
staff  surmounted  by  an  eagle,  it  is  difficult  at 
times  to  determine  whether  by  this  type  is  to 
be  understood  a triumph,  or  a consular  proces- 
sion ; because  from  all  that  has  hitherto  been 
seen,  this  eagle  is  common  both  to  those  who 
enjoyed  a triumph,  and  to  those  who  proceeded 
as  consuls.  Still  it  not  unfrcquently  happens, 
that  the  coin  itself  suggests  a plan  by  which 
the  one  may  be  distinguished  from  the  other 
solemnity. 

When  a similar  type  is  found  on  a coin  of 
that  year  in  which  it  is  certain  that  the  em- 
peror entered  upon  his  consulate,  and  especially 
if  history7  records  no  triumph  performed  during 
that  year,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  a consular 
procession  is  intended,  and  that  it  is  exhibited 
on  the  coins  in  the  same  way  as  all  other  events 
of  importance  were  so  handed  down. 

Amongst  the  first  brass  in  Queen  Christina’s 
cabinet  is  one  of  Antoninus  Pius  (sec  the  reverse 
engraved  in  p.  267),  which  Havercamp,  with 
great  probability,  describes  as  recording  one  of 
the  consular  proccssious  made  by  that  good  em- 
peror. The  prince  is  typified  with  the  (ivory) 
sceptre  in  his  left  hand,  and  with  his  right  hand 
stretched  forth  and  open,  standing  in  a chariot 
drawn  by  four  horses.  In  the  exergue  of  this 
reverse  is  the  legend  cos.  mi.  s.  c.  (Consul 
for  the  4th  time  by  decree  of  the  Senate),  a.  d. 
145. 

For  further  remarks  and  additional  engraviugs 
illustrative  of  this  branch  of  the  subject,  sec 
PROCESSUS. 

Some  notice  of  the  custom  of  scattering 
money  amongst  the  people  by  consuls,  during 
their  procession,  will  be  found  affixed  to  the 
legend  petronius  maxsimus  u.  c.  cons. 

XII.  — The  Consulate  after  a time  very 
seldom  inscribed  on  Coins. — Though  the 
consulates  were  recorded  on  monuments  of  vari- 
ous kinds,  and  in  private  chronicles,  especially 
when  the  occurrence  of  some  particular  event 
was  to  be  established,  yet  they  at  length  ceased 
to  be  inscribed  on  coins.  From  flic  time  of 


CONTORNIATE  COINS. 
Constantine  the  Great,  anil  his  sons,  the  Ctcsars, 
a long  interval  elapsed  till  the  time  of  Theodo- 
sius II.  who  inscribed  on  his  coins  his  17th  and 
18th  consulates.  The  last  were  Hcraclius  II. 
(Coustantiuus)  son  of  Heraclius  I.  on  whose 
unique  coin  is  inscribed  eracaio  consva. 

At  length  this  venerable  office,  retaining  now 
nothing  of  its  ancient  spleudor,  began  to  sink 
so  low  in  general  estimation,  that  Leo  Vlth, 
Sapiens,  who  came  to  the  empire  a.  d.  886,  or- 
dered to  be  struck  out  of  the  catalogue  of  laws, 
with  other  useless  matter,  the  Novella  cv.  of 
Justinian,  which  treats  of  the  consulate,  and 
contains  the  law,  which  no  longer  bore  any  re- 
ference to  the  existing  state  of  thiugs.  And  it 
became  thenceforth  the  practice  in  the  East,  for 
the  purpose  of  distinguishing  the  years,  to  use 
the  epoch  of  the  creation  of  the  world  ( epocha 
orbis  conditi),  which  by  the  calculation  of  the 
Scptuagint  translators,  whether  truly  or  falsely, 
was  fixed  on  the  first  day  of  September,  in  the 
5508th  year,  the  third  month,  and  25th  day 
before  the  birth  of  Christ. — On  this  subject 
consult  the  chronologists,  and  Gibbons’  Com- 
pendium, chap.  40,  at  the  end. 

CONSULAR  COINS. — Sec  Numi  Consulares. 

CONTORNIATE  COINS.— Both  for  abun- 
dance and  for  superiority  of  curious  interest,  the 
numi  contorniati,  as  they  arc  termed  in 
Latin  works,  hold  the  foremost  place  amongst 
the  pseudo  moneta  of  ancient  times.  It  is  pro- 
bable that  this  word  is  derived  from  the  Italian 
contorno,  or  from  the  French  contour,  signify- 
ing the  outline  of  anything ; since  most  of  these 
coins  actually  exhibit,  on  the  outer  edge  of  both 
obverse  and  reverse,  a circular  line  deeply  en- 
graved. The  subject  is  treated  of,  with  his 
usual  mastery  and  with  his  accustomed  justice 
to  the  labours  of  others,  by  Eckhel,  who  (in 
Boctrina,  viii.  277)  has  divided  it  into  six 
heads,  viz.  the  characteristics,  the  types,  the 
date,  the  use,  and  the  merit,  of  Contorniates. 
The  following  is  a summary  : — 


I. — Peculiar  Characteristics. — These  are 
of  a kind  readily  to  strike  the  eye,  and  to  dis- 
tinguish this  class  of  medals  from  the  genuine 
coinage. 

First. — The  line  on  the  edge  of  the  coin,  on 
both  sides,  marked  circularly,  and  in  the  mode 
of  a furrow  ; generally  deep,  in  the  place  usu- 
ally occupied,  on  the  regular  products  of  the 


CONTORNIATE  COINS.  271 

Roman  mint,  by  a ring  of  globules,  which  is 
rarely  found  on  the  coins  now  in  the  course  of 
being  described.  This  is  the  most  certain  token 
of  a contorniate,  and  it  is  the  circumstance, 
which,  as  already  observed,  probably  gave  rise 
to  the  term.  There  appears  to  be  no  doubt, 
that  this  line  was  made  with  a graving  tool, 
after  the  coin  was  struck  ; for,  on  many  speci- 
mens, the  heads  of  the  letters  are  divided  by  the 
instrument. 

Secondly . — The  next  characteristic  is  the  mo- 
nogram, as  exhibited  on  the  foregoing  cut,  together 
with  various  small  figures,  placed  beside  the  por- 
trait of  the  obverse,  among  which  the  most  fre- 
quent is  the  palm  branch.  When  this,  and  the 
monogram  are  both  present,  the  coin  may  assur- 
edly be  regarded  as  a contorniate.  There  are 
other  figures,  though  more  rarely  to  be  seen,  such 
as  a star,  an  ivy  leaf,  a bow  and  quiver,  and  a 
flying  victory. — There  arc  contorniates,  however, 
which  display  none  of  these  marks.  It  is  to 
be  noted,  that  neither  the  monogram,  nor  the 
figures  are  in  relief,  but  cut  into  the  coin,  and 
frequently  filled  up  with  silver.  The  monogram, 
which  is  resolved  into  ep.  or  pe.  no  one  has  yet  ' 
been  found  to  explain  with  any  degree  of  pro- 
bability. This  identical  f,p.  has,  however,  been 
seen  inscribed  on  contorniates,  near  the  mono- 
gram of  Christ  and  the  palm  branch,  on  a brass 
plate,  published  by  Pignori.  Consequently, 
(adds  Eckhel),  as  these  letters  ep.  or  pe.  are  on 
this  monument  found  conjoined  with  the  palm 
branch,  and  as  on  many  contorniates  they  sup- 
ply the  place  of  that  branch,  it  may  fairly  be 
conjectured,  that  they  signify  something  con- 
nected with  victory. 

Thirdly. — All  contorniates  are  of  brass.  Gold 
and  silver  of  this  class  are  unknown. 

Fourthly. — Their  size  is  the  same  as  that  of 
medallions,  but  not  so  their  weight,  for  they 
are  of  thinner  brass.  There  are  some,  how- 
ever, though  very  rare,  of  smaller  size,  and 
somewhat  thicker  metal,  like  the  coins  called  in 
Italian  medaglioncini.  Of  this  kind  is  a coin 
of  Constantine  the  Great,  in  the  imperial  cabi- 
net, but  which  is  clearly  proved  to  be  a contor- 
niate by  the  monogram  ep.  engraven  on  it. — 
Havercamp  (Num.  56),  has  published  one  of 
unusual  size,  with  the  head  of  Placidius  Valcn- 
tinianus,  from  the  cabinet  of  Queen  Christiua. 

Fifthly. — Contorniates  exhibit  a workman- 
ship peculiar  to  themselves,  with  the  figures 
flat,  and  very  little  raised  from  the  surface,  no 
doubt  because,  as  above  stated,  they  are  of  thin 
metal.  Occasionally  the  whole  of  the  figures 
are  engraved  into  the  coin.  Of  this  kind  are 
those  classed  among  the  decursiones,  under  the 
heads  of  toxxotes,  cosmvs,  and  selevcvs  ; 
silver  being  also  run  into  the  cavities,  as  before 
described.  In  these  specimens  the  style  of 
workmanship,  at  the  best,  does  not  surpass 
mediocrity.  In  many  instances  they  afford  evi- 
dence of  a rough  and  unskilful  hand. 

II. — Of  Contorniate  Types  generally. 
— The  obverses  of  this  class  of  coins,  as  well  as 
others,  present  for  the  most  part  some  head  or 
bust.  The  types  of  the  reverses  arc  generally 


CONTORNIATE  COINS, 
borrowed  from  the  Circensian  games  and  other  I 
spectacles,  though  there  arc  not  wanting  sub- 
jects derived  from  mythic  and  heroic  tradition,  j 
whilst  some  arc  abstruse  or  altogether  unin-  | 
telligiblc. 

Contorniatc  medals  present  this  peculiarity, 
that  there  is  scarcely  ever  any  apparent  con- 
nexion between  the  obverse  and  the  reverse. — 
For  no  one  will  find  it  easy  to  reconcile  the 
portrait  of  Alexander  the  Great  with  a repre- 
sentation of  the  Roman  Circus,  Scylla,  or  the  , 
Rape  of  the  Sabines; — or  again,  Horace,  Apol- 
lonius of  Tyana,  or  Sallust,  with  the  charioteers 
of  the  circus,  wrestlers,  and  mountebanks or 
Nero  with  Faustina  junior.  The  arbitrary  prin- 
ciple, on  which  the  obverses  and  reverses  are 
joined,  will  appear  the  more  strikingly,  when  it 
is  observed,  that  the  same  types  are  presented 
with  different  portraits.  Thus  we  have  the  fable 
of  Scylla  connected  with  the  heads  of  Alexan- 
der tlic  Great,  of  Nero,  of  Trajan,  and  of  Roma ; 
Cybelc  and  her  Atys,  in  company  with  the  head 
of  Homer,  of  Nero,  of  Vespasian,  and  ot 
Trajan. — To  how  little  purpose  the  learned 
llavercamp  laboured,  in  the  endeavour  to  recon- 
cile, in  every  instance,  the  obverse  and  reverse 
of  contorniatcs,  is  clearly  proved  in  every  page 
of  the  most  laborious  attempt  ever  made  to  de- 
scribe and  Illustrate  Contorniatc  Coins. — See 
Dissertations  de  Atexandri  M.  Numismat.  & c. 

The  portraits,  which  occupy  the  obverses,  are 
those  of  men  of  various  fortunes,  ranks,  and 
professions,  both  high  and  low.  But  no  un- 
doubted representation  of  deity  has  ever  yet 
been  discovered  on  these  coins.  On  some,  how- 
ever, there  appears  the  head,  with  the  legend 
of  ROMA,  or  IXVICTA  KOMA  FELIX  SENATVS.  J 
The  majority  of  them  present  the  portraits  of 
Roman  emperors,  and  frequently  that  of  Alex- 
ander  the  Great,  as  also  of  such  celebrated  indi-  | 
viduals  as  Homer,  Terence,  Horace,  and  others. 
And,  lastly,  not  a few  of  them  exhibit  a figure,  | 
holding  a whip  in  the  right  hand,  and  with  the 
left  leading  a horse  by  the  bridle,  by  which  type 
some  suppose  is  intended  the  portrait  of  various 
emperors,  but  Eckhel  shews,  in  his  remarks  on 
the  contorniatc  decursiones,  that  they  arc  the 
figures  of  charioteers. 

The  following  is  a list  of  all  the  emperors 
and  Augusta  whose  names  and  portraits  arc 
found  on  contorniatcs,  according  to  trust-worthy 
authorities,  viz.: — Julius  Cscsar,  Mark  Antony, 
Augustus,  Agrippina  senior,  Caligula,  Nero 
(whose  contorniatcs  arc  common),  Galba,  Ves- 
pasian, Doinitian,  Trajan  (common),  Antoninus 
Pius,  Faustina  senior,  M.  Aurelius,  Faustina 
junior,  Lucilla,  Caracalla,  Constantine  the  Great, 
Honorius,  Theodosius  II.  PlacidiusValcntiuianus, 
and  Anthemius. 

To  some  of  the  emperors  no  contorniatcs  were 
dedicated ; to  others  only  a very  few ; but  to 
Nero  and  Trajan  a large  number. — Eckhel  ex- 
presses his  decided  opinion,  that  in  their  total 
neglect,  or  rare  introduction  of  others,  those 
who  struck  them  were  guided  solely  by  caprice ; 
and  that  the  same  cause  may  be  assigned  for 
their  selection  of  Homer,  Horace,  &c.  to  the 


CONTORNIATE  COINS, 
exclusion  of  individuals  of  equal  renown  among 
both  Greeks  and  Romans. 

III. — Specific  Examples  of  Contorniatf. 
Types. — llavercamp,  in  his  elaborate  standard 
work  on  this  peculiar  class  of  medals,  has 
given  the  heads  of  emperors  and  illustrious  in- 
dividuals ; but  in  so  doing  has  been  under  the 
necessity  of  frequently  repeating  the  same  re- 
verses, in  consequence  of  their  being  common 
to  several  princes.  Eckhel  (viii.  p.  283  et  scq.) 
properly  regarding  the  reverses  as  of  greater 
interest  than  the  imperial  portraits,  already 
sufficiently  known  from  other  and  better  sources, 
has,  in  enumerating  and  describing  these  con- 
tomiates,  confined  himself  principally  to  the 
reverses.  His  arrangement,  as  most  to  the  pur- 
; pose,  has  been  adopted  in  the  subjoined  no- 
tices. And  as  these  types  are  of  various  kinds, 

, they  will  be  found  arranged  according  to  Eck- 
hcl’s  classification,  under  distinct  heads.  The 
l 1st  embraces  Mythology;  2nd  History;  3rd 
Illustrious  Persons,  such  as  heroes  and  heroines, 
kings,  and  men  renowned  for  their  learning ; 
4th  Spectacles,  subdivided  into  decursiones, 

[ venationes  (or  huntings),  pugilistic  encounters, 

! and  dramatic  exhibitions. 

The  different  works  which  contain  engravings 
of  Contorniatc  types,  and  to  which  particular 
references  will  in  each  instance  be  found,  are  as 
follow  : — Morel! . Thesaur.  Famitiarum  ltoman- 
arum,  and  Imperatorum  Romanorum ; Numis- 
mata  Cimelii  A us  triad  Vindobonensis  (Coins 
of  the  Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna,  by  Froclich) ; 
llavercamp,  de  Numis  Contornuitis ; Pcdrusi, 
Cabinet  du  Musee  Farnese ; Coins  of  the  Pem- 
broke Collection,  &c. 

1. — Mythological. 

Rev. — Cybelc  and  Atys  in  a quadriga  of  lions, 
going  at  a rapid  pace. — Obv. — A head  of  Homer. 
(Engraved  in  Cabiuct  of  \ ienna). 

A head  of  Augustus.  l)o.  of  Nero.  (Mo- 
rell.  Impp.) — Do.  of  Vespasian  and  Trajan. — 
(Pcdrusi,  Mus.  Farucsc,  and  llavercamp). — On 
a coin  of  Vespasian,  above  the  quadriga,  are  two 
shields,  on  one  of  which  appears  a lion,  on  the 
other  a crab ; below,  a woman  seated  on  the 
ground.  (Mus.  Farnese). 

Agrippina  and  Faustina  senior . MATRT. 

devm.  salvtari. — A temple,  before  the  en- 
trance of  which  is  seated  Cybelc  between  two 
lions,  with  the  tympanum  in  her  left  hand ; 
outside  stands  Atys,  w ith  the  pedum,  or  sheep* 

1 hook,  in  the  right  hand,  and  touching  a pine  tree 
with  the  left. — (Morcll.  Thesaur.  Impp.  vol.  iii. 

I tab.  xiv.  No.  12:  also  in  Imperial  Cabinet 
at  Vienna. 

Julius  Casar. — Without  legend.  Jupiter  sit- 
| ting  on  a rock,  with  an  eagle  watching  near 
I him ; a military  figure  stands  close  at  hand 

j holding-in  a horse  by  the  bridle. (Morcll. 

Impp.  and  in  Fam.  Julia;). 

Augustus. — Without  legend.  The  emperor 
laurcated,  cuirassed,  and  pnludatcd,  is  stnuding, 
j with  both  hands  raised,  between  two  seated 
figures — one  a veiled  woman,  holding  a palin 
t branch  in  her  left  hand — the  other  a man,  semi- 
I nude,  holding  the  hasta  pura  iu  right  aud  a 


CONTORNIATE  COINS, 
globe  iu  left  hand — at  the  foot  of  the  emperor 
stands  an  eagle  with  expanded  wings,  and  a 
small  figure  of  Victory  offering  a laurel  crown 
to  the  emperor.  Below  are  two  recumbent 
females,  as  if  river  deities,  one  resting  her  left 
hand  on  a lion,  and  the  other  her  right  hand  on 
a ship’s  prow,  both  with  cornucopia.  (Morell. 
Thcsaur.  Impp.) — A similar  type  of  reverse 
appears  also  on  a contoruiate,  with  the  name  of 
Homer  and  his  portrait  on  the  obverse,  in  Pc- 
drusi,  Mus.  Farnese,  tab.  i. 

Trajan. — A naked  Bacchus  stands,  holding 
out  a cluster  of  grapes  to  a panther,  and  with 
the  thyrsus  in  the  left  hand  ; around  him  arc 
dancing  a female  flute-player,  and  another  female 
brandishing  a thyrsus;  also  a boy  with  a sheep- 
book,  and  another  with  a branch.  (Imp.  Mus.) 
Do.  of  Caracalla.  (Imp.  Mus.  and  Havcrcamp.) 

Nero. — Bacchus  riding  in  a biga  of  panthers, 
with  a satyr  going  before  him,  and  a flute-player 
in  attendance.  (Engraved  in  Havcrcamp  and 
in  Morel.) — Same  type  of  reverse  with  head  of 
Trajan.  (In  Havcrcamp,  n.  20  and  70). 

Nero. — A naked  Mars,  with  his  left  foot  on 
the  prow  of  a ship,  is  hurrying  onward  with 
spear  and  scaling  ladder. 

Vespasian. — Same  type.  (In  Morell.  Impp.) 

Vespasian. Mars  walking,  with  spear  in 

right  hand,  and  trophy  in  left,  trampling  on  a 
prostrate  foe.  (Mus.  Theupoli). 

Nero. — Diana  sitting  opposite  the  sleeping 
Endymion,  beside  whom  a dog  is  watching, 
whilst  overhead  a Cupid  is  hovering.  (Pedrusi). 

Trajan. — Same  reverse.  (Havcrcamp). 

Hercules  fighting  with  the  centaur  Ncssus. 

Hercules  head  of,  behind  which  is  a club. 

Hercules  struggling  with  a lion.  (Imp.  Mus.) 


Obv.  Alexander.  Head  covered  with  lion’s 
skin.  Before  it  the  usual  contorniate  monogram 
(see  engraving,  p.  27  L).—  Rev. — Ulysses,  on 
board  his  vessel,  passing  before  Scylla. 

One  of  the  most  striking,  though  not  the 
most  rare,  amongst  the  various  subjects  on  this 
class  of  ancient  medals,  is  that  which,  having 
the  head  of  Alexander  the  Great,  or  the 
head  of  Trajan,  for  the  type  of  its  obverse, 
as  indicated  by  the  legend  expressing  his 
name,  represents  on  its  reverse,  without  le- 
gend, the  fable  of  Scylla. This  formidable 

sea-monster,  personifying  a dangerous  rock  and 
whirlpool  on  the  Italian  side  of  the  straits 
2 N 


CONTORNIATE  COINS.  273 

of  Messina,  is  here  typified,  at  the  moment 
when,  according  to  the  Homeric  narration,  she 
made  her  tragical  assault  on  the  ship  and 
companions  of  the  sou  of  Laertes.  The  upper 
part  of  her  body  is  that  of  a gigantic  female, 
her  w aist  is  girdled  with  ravenous  dogs  ; the 
lower  extremity  terminates  in  a fish’s  tail.  In 
her  right  hand,  she  holds  a rudder ; with  her 
left  she  has  seized  by  the  hair  of  his  head  one 
of  the  crew,  as  if  about  to  drag  him  out  of  the 
vessel.  A man  standing  close  by,  armed  with  a 
shield  and  javelin,  is  vainly  attempting  to  de- 
fend his  unfortunate  comrade.  A third  holds 
up  his  hands,  as  if  paralysed  with  fear  and  hor 
ror,  at  beholding  such  a spectacle.  On  one 
side  of  Scylla  is  a huge  fish,  with  head  down- 
ward, and  tail  broadly  spread  and  erect.  Two 
human  figures  are  seen  struggling  in  the  trou- 
bled w'aves,  the  previous  victims  of  the  mon- 
ster’s resistless  attack.  Behind  the  whole  group 
rises  a tree,  allusive  probably  to  the  immense 
fig  tree,  which  grew  over  a rocky  cavern,  where 
another  traditionary  monster  named  Charybdis, 
whose  whirlpool,  on  the  Sicilian  coast,  was 
equally  the  dread  of  ancient  mariners,  held  his 
or  her  dark  abode. — See  Scylla. 

[The  same  type  is  fouud  on  reverses  of  con  - 
torniates,  of  which  the  respective  obverses  bear 
the  heads  of  Alexander  the  Great,  in  the  Vienna 
Cabinet,  and  Ilavercamp,  No.  64  ; of  Nero,  in 
Morell.  Impp. ; and  of  Trajan,  in  the  Imp.  Mu- 
seum, and  Ilavercamp,  ami  Museum  Farnpse.] 
Bellcrophon,  on  Pegasus,  fighting  with  the 
Chimrera. — Obv. — Head  of  Alexander  the  Great. 
— See  Pegasus,  in  this  dictionary. 

Trajan , — Amphiou  and  Zcthus,  carrying  off 
their  stepmother  Dirce,  tied  to  a bull.  (Mus. 
Com.  Vitzai). 

soli  invicto. — The  Sun,  with  his  face  turned 
towards  yon,  in  a quadriga. — Obv. — Head  of 
Alexander  the  Great.  (Ilavercamp,  p.  38). 

Ilonorius. — sapientia.  Pallas  standing,  with 
branch  of  laurel  or  olive  in  the  right  hand. — 
(Tanini,  Supplement  to  Banduri) 

2. — Historical. 

Eckhel  remarks,  that  he  has  discovered  only 
one  example  of  this  class,  viz. : — 

sabixae.  The  Roman  soldiers  engaged  in 
the  rape  cf  the  Sabine  women ; behind,  three 
obelisks,  composing  one  of  the  Circcnsian  mct;e. 
Obv. — Head  of  Alexander  the  Great.  (Ilaver- 
camp, p.  1.) — Do.  of  Nero  (Morell.  Impp.) — 
Do.  of  Constantius  II.  (Banduri,  t.  ii.  p.  378, 
Mus.  Florcnt.  tab.  c.) — Also  head  of  Agrippina 
senior,  with  the  legend  agrippina  m.  f.  mat. 
caesaris  AVGVSTI.  " (Mus.  Prince  de  Waldeck). 

3. — Types  relating  to  Illustrious  Persons, 
Heroes,  Heroines,  and  Kings, 
achillis  pentesilia.  Achilles  armed,  raises 
from  the  ground  the  prostrate  Penthcsilea ; be- 
hind is  a horse  also  lying  on  the  ground. — Obv. 
Head  of  Divus  Trajan.  (Pedrusi,  Mus.  Faro.) 

aeneas.  iEneas,  bearing  Ancliiscs  on  his 
shoulder,  and  leading  Ascanius  by  the  hand. — 
Obv. — Head  of  Nero.  (In  Morell.  Impp.) — Do. 
of  Trajan.  (Imperial  Cabinet  and  Havcrcamp.^ 


274  CONTORNIATE  COIN'S. 

llcro,  watching  from  a tower  the  approach  of 
Lcandcr  swimming  in  the  sea ; a cupid  flying 
above.  On  another  coin,  Hero  standing  ou  a 
tower,  holds  out  a torch  in  her  right  hand, 
whilst  Lcandcr  is  swimming  below ; on  the  shore 
is  a fisherman  casting  a hook  into  the  sea. — 
O/jv. — Head  of  Vespasian.  (Morcll.  Impp.  and 

Mus.  Farncse.) 

Laocoon  and  his  two  sons,  entwined  in  the 
folds  of  serpents. — Obv. — Head  of  Nero.  (Imp. 
Mus.)  Do.  of  Vespasian.  (Morcll.  Imp.) 

pentesilka. — See  above,  Achilles. 

agit.  spe.  tesevs. Theseus,  galcated  and 

naked,  standing  with  spear  and  shield,  is  forcing 
a centaur  to  kneel  who  holds  a lyre,  by  placing 
his  hand  on  his  neck. — Obv. — Head  of  Nero. 
(Morell.  Impp.) 

stefanas.  A victor  in  the  games,  in  a 
quadriga,  with  crown  in  right  hand  and  palm 
branch  in  left.  (Mus.  Thcupoli.) 

Without  legend.  Head  of  Alexander  the 
Great,  diademed,  looking  up  to  heaven. 

Alexander  mag.  macedon. — Alexander  on 
horseback,  hurling  a spear  at  a prostrate  bar- 
barian. (Imperial  Cabinet.) 

ALEXANDER  MAGNVS  MACEDON.  Diademed 
head,  looking  up  to  heaven. — Rev. — Rape  of  the 
Sabines,  as  above.  (Havcrcamp,  p.  1.) 

Without  legend.  Diademed  head  of  Alexander 
the  Great,  with  a ram’s  horn,  looking  up  to 
heaven. — A naked  man,  standing,  with  a whip 
in  Ilia  right  hand,  and  with  his  left  grasping  a 
serpent  about  to  spring.  (Imperial  Cabinet.) 

Alexander.  Head  of  Alexander  M.  with 
lion’s  skin.  A circus.  (Havcrcamp,  n.  48). 
Bellcrophon  fighting  with  the  chimicra.  (Ibid, 
n.  49.)  Scylla,  as  before.  (Imp.  Mus.) 

Alexander.  Dead  with  lion’s  skin. — D.  N. 
ms.  xps.  dei.  filivs.  An  ass,  with  head  erect, 
suckling  her  foal. 

olympias  (on  most  specimens  olimpias) 
Regina.  Olympias  veiled,  and  lying  on  a bed, 
stretches  out  her  right  hand  towards  a serpent 
raising  itself;  her  left  hand  rests  on  a dolphin. 
Head  of  Nero.  (Morell.  Impp.)  Do.  of  Trajan. 
(Havcrcamp,  num.  68.) 

Without  legend,  The  same  type,  except  that 
instead  of  the  dolphin,  there  is  simply  the  sup- 
port (or  leg)  of  the  bed. — Obv. — Head  of  Nero. 
(Imp.  Mus.  and  elsewhere.) 

PETRONIVS  MAXSIMVS  (sic.J  V.  C.  CONS.  Pc- 
tronius  sitting,  clothed  in  the  consular  garb, 
with  a roll  in  the  right  hand,  in  the  left  a dagger 
with  an  eagle ; at  the  bottom  are  two  bags 
stuffed  with  coins,  one  of  which  is  open  and  ex- 
poses the  money. 

Head  of  Valentinian  III.  (Banduri.)  Sec 
an  engraving  of  this  coin  in  Tanini,  tab.  viii. 

4. — Types  relating  to  men  renowned  for 

THEIR  LEARNING,  OR  ANY  OTHER  CAUSE. 

n.MHROC.  Bare  head  of  Homer,  with  beard. 
A man  leading  a horse  by  the  bridle.  (Imp. 
Mus.)  Cybclc  and  Atys  in  n quadriga  of  lions. 
A man,  gnleated  and  palndated,  standing,  &c. — 
See  Pembroke  Museum,  t.  ii.  pi.  231,  and 
Havcrcamp,  fig.  1.  p.  148. 


CONTORNIATE  COINS. 

Socrates. — There  are  two  contorniatcs  of  this 
philosopher.  One  of  them  has  been  taken  by 
Havcrcamp,  from  Ursinus:  cGkpathc.  Bare 
head,  with  beard.  Reverse  not  given.  The 
other  has  been  taken  from  the  Farncse  Cabinet, 
by  Pcdrnsi,  tab.  i.  on  which  is  a bearded  head, 
without  legend.  Eckhel  docs  not  understand 
why  it  should  have  been  attributed  to  Socrates. 
tebentivs.  Bare  head,  without  beard. 

- - - ivs.  A man  leading  a horse  by  the 
bridle.  (Morell.  Fam.  Rom.  Tcrcutia  gens ; also 
in  Pembroke  Museum,  and  in  Licbe  Gotha 
Numaria,  p.  449. 

sai.vstivs  avtor.  A bare  head,  bearded;  on 
other  coins  beardless. — Rev. — petuoni  placeas. 
Three  men  in  the  toga,  standing,  &c.  (Morcll. 
Fam.  Rom.  Salustia  gens.)  See  the  rest  below, 
in  dramatic  types. 

horativs.  A bare  head,  beardless. 
alsan.  A man  leading  a horse  by  the  bridle. 
(Havcrcamp,  p.  152);  also  Morcll.  Fam.  Rom. 
lloratiagens — and  in  Pembroke,  T.  ii.  244-245. 

apolonivs  tyanevs.  Laureatcd  and  bearded 
head. — stefan.  nika.  Stcphanus  the  charioteer, 
in  a quadriga.  (Havercamp,  p.  152). 

apvi.eivs.  A juvenile  head,  with  the  hair 
bound  backward  with  a ribbon.  (Morcll.  Fain. 
Rom.  Apnleia  gens.) — A bearded  soldier,  stand- 
ing and  looking  up  at  a temple  of  two  columns, 
on  the  summit  of  which  arc  fixed  three  human 
heads.  (Morelli  Specimen,  p.  45). 

5. — Public  Spectacles. 

1 . Decursiones,  or  Chariot  and  Horse  Racing. 

Circus  Maximus,  with  all  its  apparatus,  and 
quadrig®  in  motion. — Head  of  Alexander  the 
Great,  Nero,  Trajan,  Caracalla,  &c. 

alsan.  A man  leading  by  the  bridle  a horse 
decorated  with  a palm  branch. — Head  of  Horace. 
(Havcrcamp,  Morel,  and  Pembroke). 

ARTEMIYS  VINCAS  IMPERATOR  PLENA.  A 
victor  in  a quadriga,  with  whip  and  crown  in 
the  right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in  the  left. — 
1 lead  of  Ilonorius.  (Thcupoli,  but  not  engraved). 

avrelianvs.  A victor  in  the  games  stand- 
ing in  a chariot,  which  is  drawn  at  a slow  pace 
by  four  horses,  ornamented  with  palm  branches  ; 
in  the  right  hand  is  a crown  and  a whip,  and  in 
the  left  a palm  branch;  the  figure  is  looking 
behind  him.  Beneath  is  inserted  placf.as. — 
Head  of  Nero.  (Imperial  Cabinet).  Do.  of 
Trajan.  (Prince  dc  Waldcck). 

babvlvs.  A victor  in  the  games,  with  whip 
in  right  hand,  and  holding-in  a horse  by  the 
bridle  with  the  left ; behind  him  is  his  cap. 

bonifativs.  A victor  in  the  games,  with 
crown  and  whip  in  the  right  hnnd,  and  palm 
branch  in  the  left,  is  coming  towards  you  in  a 
quadriga,  at  a slow  pace ; the  lower  part  of  the 
coin  is  occupied  by  four  monograms,  each  con- 
taining several  letters. — Head  of  Placidius  Va- 
lenti nianus.  (Ducangc,  Banduri,  Havcrcamp.) 

cervomti vs.  A victor  in  the  games,  borne 
in  a chariot  drawn  by  four  horses  at  full  speed, 
stands  looking  behind  him  ; in  the  right  hand  a 
crown  and  whip,  in  the  left  a palm  branch. — 
Head  of  Caracalla.  (Havcrcamp). 


CONTORNIATE  COINS. 
uirysopolvs.  Eekhel  says,  “l  find  a coin  j 
mentioning  this  name  among  the  medallions  of 
the  Museum  Theupoli,  with  the  following  de- 
scription — C.  CAESAR  AVG.  GERM  ANICVS  FON. 
m.  tb.  p.  A head  of  Caligula  laurcatcd  ; before 
which  is  the  name  chrysopolvs. — Rev. — A vic- 
tor in  a quadriga,  with  crown  in  right  hand, 
and  palm  branch  in  left. 

cosmvs.  A victor  standing,  with  whip  in 
right  hand,  and  spear  in  left. 

seracvsvs.  A winning  horse,  with  palm 
branch  on  his  head.  (Theupoli.) 

desid.  nc.  The  bust  of  a man,  with  bare 
head  and  bearded,  in  his  left  hand  holding  a 
horse  by  the  rein,  and  in  his  right  a whip. 

maccommo.  A man  sitting  on  a rock,  lean- 
ing his  head  on  his  left  hand,  and  looking  be- 
hind him.  (llavcrcamp,  num.  72). 

domninvs.  A victor  in  the  games,  holding 
the  reins  in  his  right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in 
his  left,  is  borne  in  a quadriga  of  horses,  orna- 
mented with  palm,  going  at  a slow  pace.  Head 
of  Trajan.  (Imperial  Cabinet). 

domnvs  piiilocomvs.  A victor  in  the  games, 
with  whip  in  right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in 
left,  advances  towards  you  in  a quadriga,  at  a 
slow  pace. — Obv. — Head  of  Severus.  (Haver- 
camp,  num.  63). 

elianvs.  A victor  in  the  games  standing  in 
a chariot,  drawn  by  four  horses,  with  palm 
branches,  and  looking  behind  him,  with  whip  in 
the  right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in  the  left. 

Bust  of  a man,  with  bare  head,  holding  a 
whip  in  the  right  hand,  and  restraining  a horse 
with  the  left ; around  are  the  letters  stvp.  r. 
cut  in  has  relief,  and  filled  up  with  silver. — 
(Mus.  Prince  de  Waldeck,  and  of  C.  Vitzai). 

evgeniys.  A victor  in  the  games,  with 
crown  in  right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in  left, 
is  comiug  towards  you  in  a slow-going  quadriga 
of  four  palm-bearing  horses,  near  which  are 
inscribed  their  names,  spesciosvs  dignvs. 
ACH ILL.  DF.SIDEREVS. — Obv. — Head  of  Ilono- 
rius.  (llavcrcamp,  num.  54). 

EVTHYM1VS,  or  EVTVMIVS,  or  EVTIMIVS.  A 
victor,  with  whip  and  crown  in  right  hand,  and 
palm  branch  iu  left,  is  coming  towards  you  in  a 
slow-going  quadriga  of  palm-bearing  horses. — 
Head  of  Nero,  or  Trajan,  or  Ilonorius.  (Haver- 
camp,  fig.  31,  p.  55;  Imperial  Cabinet;  and 
Pedrusi,  Mus.  Farncsc,  tav.  iv.) 

evtimi.  vincas.  Bust  of  a man  with  bare 
head  and  bearded,  holds-in  a horse  with  left 
hand,  and  carries  a whip  in  the  right ; behind, 
a helmet. — Obv. — An  emperor  on  horseback,  go- 
ing at  speed,  with  right  hand  elevated  ; on  the 
ground,  a lion  transfixed  by  a spear.  (Imperial 
Museum). 

evtimi.  vinicas  (sic.)  A charioteer  coming 
towards  you  in  a quadriga  at  a slow  pace,  with 
crown  in  right  hand  and  palm  branch  iu  left ; 
at  the  bottom  mvsalliger.  (sic.)— Obv. — Head 
and  legend  of  Theodosius  M.  On  another  coin, 
a head  of  Ilonorius.  (Tauini,  Supplement  ad 
Bandnri). 

evtimivs — below,  tyriei.  cat.  - - -.  A vic- 
tor standing  between  two  horses,  decorated  with 
2 N 2 


CONTORNIATE  COINS.  275 

palm  branches. — Obv. — Head  of  Trajan.  (Ha- 
vcrcamp,  num.  30). 

lisifonvs.  A victor  with  whip  and  crown 
in  right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in  left,  borne  iu 
a quadriga  of  palm-bearing  horses  going  slowly. 
— Laureated  head  of  Divus  Augustus  Pater. — 
(Morell.  Impp.  in  Aug.  tab.  xxiii.) 

olimpivs.  Himself  standing,  in  a coat  of 
mail,  with  whip  in  right  hand,  and  palm  branch 
in  left. — Galeated  and  beardless  head  of  Con- 
stantine the  Great,  as  llavcrcamp  thinks,  n.  51. 

olympi.  nika.  A victor  standing  naked  in  a 
biga  going  rapidly,  and  looking  behind  him 
with  whip  in  right  hand,  and  crown  iu  left. — 
Obv. — Head  of  Nero.  (llavcrcamp,  num.  14.) 

pannoni.  nika.  A victor  in  a slow-going 
quadriga  of  palm -bearing  horses,  looking  behind 
him,  with  whip  and  crown  in  right  hand,  and 
palm  branch  in  the  left.— A bust  with  bare  and 
bearded  head,  with  whip  in  right  hand,  and 
holding  a horse  by  the  rein  with  the  left..  (Ha- 

vercamp,  num.  71). Head  of  Ilonorius. — 

(Tanin.  Suppl.  ad  Banduri.) 

selevcvs.  A victor  standing,  with  whip  in 
right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in  left ; at  his  feet 
on  either  side  an  altar,  with  palm  branches  rising 
out  of  it. — A victor  iu  a biga  going  rapidly. — 
(Pembroke,  p.  iii.  tab.  118). 

stefanvs.  A victor  in  a quadriga. — A head 
of  Alexander  M.  (Theupoli). — Do.  of  Nero. 
(Havcrcamp,  Morel!  Impp.) 

stefanvs.  A victor  naked,  with  whip  iu 
right  hand,  and  palm  branch  iu  left,  borne  in  a 

quadriga  of  palm-bearing  horses. Head  of 

l)ivus  Trajan.  (Mus.  Farncse). 

stefan.  nika.  A victor  in  quadriga  going 
slowly,  is  coming*  towards  you,  with  whip  in 
right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in  left. — Obv. — 
Head  of  Apollonius  Tyanensis.  (Havercamp). 

vrse  vincas.  A naked  man  standing,  with 
whip  in  his  elevated  right  hand,  and  a palm 
branch  in  the  left,  which  hangs  down. — Bust 
with  bare  head,  spear  (or  more  correctly,  a 
whip)  in  the  right  hand,  and  holding-in  a horse 
with  the  left ; behind,  a palm  branch.  (Haver- 
camp, num.  50). 

eternit.  r.  r.  A victor  with  crown  and 
whip  in  the  right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in  the 
left,  comes  towards  yon  in  a chariot  at  a slow 
pace,  drawn  by  four  palm-bearing  horses. — divo 
ivlio.  Head  of  Julius  Caesar  laureated.  (Mo- 
rcll.  Impp.) 

toxxotes.  A horse  walking,  with  a mark  on 
the  thigh  ; in  front  of  him  a palm  branch. — 
amor.  A horse  standing,  witli  a similar  mark, 
and  a palm  branch.  Both  horses  arc  in  bas-re- 
lief, and  filled  up  with  silver.  (Morell.  Speci- 
men, p.  43). 

2.  Ve nationes  (or  Sports  of  the  Chase). 

A hunting  of  stags  and  hares  iu  an  amphi- 
theatre.— A head  of  Divus  Augustus.  (Imperial 
Cabinet,  and  Morell.  Impp.) — Do.  of  Nero. 
(Morell.  Impp.) — Do.  of  Trajan.  (Havercamp, 
num.  67). 

colendvs.  A hunter  on  horseback  is  pur- 
suing a stag  and  a hare  with  drawn  bow,  in  an 
amphitheatre. — Head  of  Trajan.  (Farncse  Col.) 


276  CONTORNIATE  COINS. 

A hunter  attacking  a boar  with  a hunting- 
spear,  whilst  a dog  also  leaps  at  it. — Head  of 
Nero.  (Havcrcamp,  n.  5,  Morcll.  Impp.) — 
Do.  of  Vespasian.  (Imp.  and  Farucse  Cabinets). 

Two  hunters,  one  of  whom  is  on  horseback, 
attacking  a bear,  the  other  a boar,  on  foot. — 
Obv. — Head  of  Nero.  (Morcll.  Impp.) 

A hunter  is  defending  himself  against  the 
charge  of  a bear  with  some  instrument,  whilst 
above,  five  spectators  are  awaiting  with  alarm 
the  issue  of  the  combat. — Obv. — Head  of  Nero. 
(Morell.  Impp.  aud  Mus.  Farnese). 

A single  man  is  holding  two  savage  bulls  by 
the  horns. — FIcad  of  Nero.  (Morell.  Impp.) 

An  emperor  on  horseback,  striking  a lion  with 
a javelin. — Head  of  Nero.  (Morcll.  Impp.) — 
Do.  of  Trajan.  (Havcrcamp,  num.  21). — Bust 
of  Eutimius  the  charioteer. 

A man  riding  on  a bull  and  combatting  with 
a bear. — Head  of  Nero.  (Morell.  Impp.) 

A bestiarius  standing,  with  a spear  in  his 
right  hand,  aud  in  his  left  something  resembling 
a globe ; at  his  feet  a prostrate  panther ; on  one 
side  of  the  field  three  met  sc,  and  on  the  other 
something  that  looks  like  a cave. — Obv. — Bust 
of  a charioteer,  with  a whip  in  right  hand,  and 
with  the  left  holding-iu  a horse.  (Imp.  Mus. 
and  Pcllerin,  Suppl.  ii.  tab.  7). 

REPA  RATIO.  MVNERIS.  FELICITER.  A hunter 
receiving  the  charge  of  a bear,  with  spear  pre- 
sented.— Obv. — JNVJCTA  ROMA  FELIX  SENATVS. 
Galeatcd  head  of  Rome.  (Morell.  num.  fain. 
tab.  i.  ROMA.) 

3.  Pugilistic  Encounters. 

filinvs.  A naked  athleta,  with  a crown  in 

his  elevated  right  hand,  and  palm  branch  in  his 
left,  stands  between  two  togated  figures,  of 
w'hich  the  one  on  the  right  holds  aloft  a dagger, 
and  the  other  a flute. — A head  of  Trajan.  (Mus. 
Farucse,  and  llavercamp,  num.  69). 

ioiiannes  micas.  Au  athlete  and  an  auointer 
(or  trainer)  standing.  Head  of  Pla.  Valentinian. 

A naked  pugilist  seated  on  the  ground,  presses 
to  the  earth  the  head  of  an  antagonist  with  his 
feet,  and  masters  his  hand  writh  his  own.  (Morell. 
Impp.)  d.  n.  const  a xt  in  vs  max.  AVG.  F’igurc 
of  an  emperor  as  far  as  the  middle,  with  a gem- 
med crown ; a sceptre  in  the  right  hand,  and  a 
globe  in  the  left.  (Mus.  l’rinc.  dc  Waldcck). 

4.  Dramatic  Exhibitions. 

A naked  man,  carrying  in  either  baud  an  im- 
mense theatrical  mask ; behind,  a tree. — Head 
of  Nero.  (Mus.  l’arncse). 

An  hydraulic  machine,  with  a figure  on  either 
side,  of  which  the  one  to  the  right  exhibits  in 
his  uplifted  hand  an  instrument  resembling  a 
fan. — Obv. — Head  of  Nero.  (Imperial  Cabinet 
and  llavercamp,  num.  11). — Do.  of  Trajan. 
(Havcrcamp,  num.  27). 

Lavrenti  nica.  An  hydraulic  machine,  on 
one  side  of  which  stands  a figure  with  some- 
thing resembling  a fan  ; there  are  also  two  vases 
standing  near;  on  the  other  side  leaves  scat- 
tered on  the  ground. — Head  of  Nero.  (Imperial 
Cabinet). 

LHavercamp,  on  a similar  coin,  reads,  lav- 


CONTORNIATE  COINS. 

RENTIN  avg. — Morcll.  lavbextinvs.  (Impp- 
in  Neronc). — Tristran,  lavrentinvm.] 

petroni.  placeas.  Three  togated  figures 
standing,  of  which  the  middle  one  holds  a very 
small  hydraulic  machine,  another  a flute,  and 
the  third  is  gesticulating  like  a person  engaged 
in  conversation. — Head  and  legend  of  Sallus- 
tins.  (Mus.  Imp. ; Havcrcamp,  p.  150;  aud 
others). 

placeas  petri.  An  hydraulic  machine,  on 
cither  side  of  which  stands  a figure,  apparently 
engaged  in  animating  it ; near  it  a terminus  of 
the  Sun. — Obv. — Head  of  Pla.  Valentinian. — 
This  is  a coin  of  extraordinary  size,  originally 
in  the  collection  of  Queen  Christina. 

Margarita  vincas.  A woman  standing,  with 
crown  in  uplifted  right  hand,  gathering  up  her 
dress  with  the  left;  a small  Victory  flying  to- 
wards her,  offers  a crown ; below  arc  two  palm 
! branches. — Head  of  Pla.  Valentinian.  (Taniui 
i Suppl.  ad  Band.  tab.  xviii.  Pembroke,  p.  3, 
tab.  102). 

IV.  Contorniates  with  well-known 

j types  OF  the  Roman  Mint. — These  consist  of 
' the  memoriae  agrippinae,  with  a earpeutum. 
- — pace  p.  r.  &c.  Temple  of  Janus,  of  Nero. — 

I roma,  Rome  seated,  of  Nero. decvrsio, 

Horsemen. — libertas  pvblica,  Liberty  stand- 
ing, of  Galba. — annona  avgvsta  ceres,  Cen  s 
and  Annona,  of  Trajan. — diva  favstina  avg. 
Faustina  juu.  standing  at  au  altar,  of  Nero. — 
Victoria  constantini,  Victory  writing  on  a 
shield,  of  Constantine  the  Great. — These  will 
be  found  engraved  in  Morcll.  Impp.  and  in  the 
Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna. — vota  xx.  A circus 
I in  which  two  quadrigic  are  careering,  aud  hunters 
are  fighting  with  wild  beasts. — Obv. — Head  of 
Pla.  Valentinianus. — Catalogue  D’Enncry. 

Eckhel  devotes  a concluding  section  to  twelve 
| Contorniates,  “ the  explanation  of  which  is 
I doubtful.”  Engravings  of  most  of  them  arc 
given  in  llavercamp,  Morel,  and  Pedrusi.  But, 

I as  the  author  of  Doctrina  himself  does  not 
venture  to  do  more  than  simply  describe  the 
j respective  types  of  these  “ inexplicable”  coins, 
it  would  be  useless  to  quote  the  list  in  question, 
j — See  viii.  305,  D.  N.  V. 

V.  — Date  of  Contorniates. — Respecting 
the  age,  in  which  the  use  of  such  coins  began, 
various  opinions  have  been  held  by  the  learned. 

; Some  have  thought,  that  those  contorniates, 
which  bear  the  heads  of  emperors,  arc  coeval 
with  such  emperors  respectively.  Among  other 
writers  of  the  elder  numismatic  school  is  that 
; erudite  and  ingenious  antiquary  Spunheim,  who 
explains  a coin  of  Nero,  as  though  it  had  been 
struck  during  the  reign  of  that  prince.  Ducangc 
and  Pinkerton,  in  their  respective  works,  enter- 
tain the  same  idea.  But  Eckhel  refutes  this  no- 
I lion,  in  the  first  place,  by  referring  to  the  work- 
manship, which  is  of  great  assistance,  in  deter- 
mining the  date  of  other  descriptions  of  coins. 

“ Experience  (says  he)  teaches  us,  that  each 
age  of  the  emperors  had  its  own  style  of  art. 
Aud  if  in  this  respect  alone  there  be  a wide 
difference  between  the  coins  of  Augustus  and 
Trajan,  how  mueh  wider  must  it  be  between 


CONTORNLYTE  COINS. 

those  of  Augustus  and  of  PlacidiusValcntiuiauus  ? 
Aud  yet  we  see  that  the  same  tone  and  style 
pervades  all  the  contorniatcs — a convincing 
proof,  that  the  times  at  which  they  were  severally 
struek  could  not  be  far  distant  from  each  other  ; 
and  we  are,  therefore,  certain,  that  the  coins 
bearing  portraits  of  Julius  Caisar,  of  Augustus, 
aud  the  immediately  succeeding  princes,  must, 
ou  account  of  this  similarity  to  the  coins  of 
llouorius  aud  Valcutiniau,  be  connected  with 
them  also  in  point  of  time ; and  consequently, 
that  the  contorniatcs  of  Julius  Caisar  aud  Au- 
gustus are  not  contemporaneous  with  those  em- 
perors. For  the  same  reason,  antiquaries  have 
long  ago  agreed,  that  certain  imperial  coins  of 
Consecration,  from  their  being  all  of  the  same 
workmanship,  and  with  the  same  admixture  of 
bad  silver,  were  also  struck  at  the  same  date. 
On  this  account,  it  is  necessary  to  lay  it  down 
as  a rule,  that  all  contorniates  are  to  be  assigned 
to  au  age  subsequent  to  the  emperors,  whose 
portraits  they  bear.  We  see,  ou  these  coins, 
many  attributes  appropriated  to  the  earlier  em- 
perors, which  were  really  either  unknown  or  in 
disuse  in  their  days.  The  head  of  Julius  Ciesar, 
e.  <j.  is  adorned,  not  only  with  the  laurel  crown, 
but  also  with  the  diadem,  which,  for  well-known 
reasons,  does  uot  appear  on  his  contemporaneous 
coins. — Trajan,  on  a coin  in  the  Imperial 
Cabinet  at  Vienna,  is  styled  Pint  Felix,  which 
titles  conjoined  were  uuknown  before  the  time 
of  Coramodus.  On  auother,  in  the  same  col- 
lection, Trajan  is  called  Pro-consul,  a title 
never  read  except  on  coins  of  the  lower  empire. 
Doubtless,  the  persons  who  struck  these  coins, 
accommodated  their  style  aud  legends  to  the 
times  in  which  they  lived. — Lastly,  even  that 
unique  coin,  bearing  on  its  obverse  the  head  of 
Nero,  and  on  its  reverse  Faustina  junior,  of 
itself  sufficiently  proves,  that  it  could  uot  have 
been  struck  during  the  reign  of  Nero. — Jobcrt’s 
opinion,  that  contorniates  were  struck  as  early 
as  the  reign  of  Gallieuus,  has  been  refuted  by 
his  auuotator  Bimard,  and  requires  no  further 
notice. — The  soimdcr  view  is  that  of  Morel  aud 
M ahudcl,  who  pronounce  this  class  of  medals 
to  have  begun  to  be  minted  about  the  time  of 
Constautiue  the  Great,  and  to  have  been  con- 
tinued under  his  immediate  successors  down  to 
Fla.  Valentiuian,  when  cortorniates  almost 
wholly  cease.” — B.  N.  V.  viii.  310. 

VI. — Of  the  use  of  Contokxiates. — All 
writers  on  this  branch  of  the  subject  appear  to 
agree  in  considering,  that  contorniatcs  were  not 
of  the  nature  and  value  of  money,  in  con- 
sequence of  their  differing  so  entirely  from  the 
ordinary  coinage.  It  is  also  universally  ad- 
mitted, that  they  were  not  struck  by  public 
authority,  but  by  private  individuals,  and  those 
of  an  uneducated  class,  since  the  types  are  gene- 
rally borrowed  from  humble  life,  objects  the 
most  incongruous  placed  in  juxta-position,  and 
mistakes  committed  in  orthography,  which  pre- 
clude the  inference  of  their  proceeding  from 
public  authority. 

Eckhcl  informs  us  that,  in  the  cabinet  of  the 
Prince  of  Waldeck,  there  is  a conlorniatc, 


CONTORNLYTE  COINS.  277 

ou  the  reverse  of  which  arc  two  horsemen 
(eques)  going  at  speed,  spears  in  hand,  with 
S.  C.  inscribed  beueath.  But  it  is  not  from 
these  initials,  he  observes,  for  any  one  to 
suppose  that  the  coin  in  question  was  minted  by 
a Senatus  Consultant,  but  rather  that  such  types 
of  the  Becursiones  were  copied  from  coins  of 
Nero,  even  to  the  insertion  of  the  letters  S.  C. 

Lastly,  with  respect  to  the  opinion  of  several 
learned  writers  that  contorniatcs  were  intended 
for  the  purposes  of  the  circus  and  the  arena — 
an  opinion  founded  by  them  on  the  fact  that 
athletic  aud  Circensian  exercises  constituted  the 
usual  subjects  of  these  types — Eckhel  remarks 
as  follows : — “Assuredly  the  games  of  the  circus 
are  pointed  at  in  the  figures  of  successful  cha- 
rioteers in  their  quadrigae,  frequently  with  their 
names  inscribed,  or  their  busts,  “winning  horses,” 
pugilists,  beast-fighters,  venaliones,  aud  palms 
as  the  prizes  of  victory.  Besides  which,  such  for- 
mula; as  VRSE.  VINCAS. — OLYMPJ.  NIKA. — PET- 
roni.  placeas. — and  the  like,  are  the  very 
words  of  good  omen  and  encouragement,  which 
the  spectators  used  to  shout  out  to  their  favour- 
ites from  the  cunei.  The  fact,  moreover,  of 
Nero  and  Trajan  being  more  frequently  intro- 
duced on  these  coins  than  any  other  emperors, 
is  a satisfactory  evidence  that  they  were  struck 
for  Circensian  purposes.  Not  that  I agree  with 
the  Frenchman  M ahudcl,  that  those  princes 
were  selected  who  were  most  addicted  to  the 
sports  of  the  circus.  For  most  writers  say  that 
the  preference  was  given  to  Nero,  on  account  of 
his  well-known  infatuation,  in  adorning  vic- 
torious and  worn-out  steeds  with  the  slo/a,  and 
assigning  them  rations ; whilst  during  his  reign 
charioteers  reached  such  a pitch  of  arrogance, 
as  to  oppose  the  authority  of  consuls  and  pre- 
tors.  If  this,  however,  were  the  correct  view, 
why  (to  omit  mention  of  others)  did  not  Coin- 
modus  come  in  for  his  share  of  such  honour? 
For  his  devotion  to  the  circus  was  not  a whit 
interior,  considering  that  he  himself  drove  quad- 
rig®,  and  publicly  slew  beasts  in  the  arena ; and 
yet  but  one  contomiatc  of  this  emperor  has  ever 
been  discovered.  Aud  again,  why  load  Trajan 
with  such  numbers  of  these  medals,  when  no 
historian  records  of  that  emperor  any  violent 
attachment  to  the  circensian  scenes?  Some 
other  reason,  therefore,  must  be  sought  for  the 
frequent  appearance  of  Nero  and  Trajan  on  con- 
torniates; and  this  is  to  be  found  in  the  fact, 
that  the  former  instituted  the  quinquennale  cer- 
tamen  at  Rome,  whilst  in  honour  of  the  latter, 
after  his  decease,  there  were  celebrated  ludi  Par- 
t/iici,  or  triumphal  games.  Add  to  this,  that 
Trajan  expended  vast  sums  on  the  embellish- 
ment and  enlargement  of  the  Circus  Maximus. 
The  directors,  therefore,  of  similar  spectacles, 
in  after  ages,  wrould  naturally  revive  the  me- 
mory of  those  emperors  more  frequently,  who 
had  furnished  them  with  such  abundant  material 
for  victory  aud  its  rewards.  That  the  memory 
of  Nero,  in  consequence  of  this  his  predilection, 
was  not  only  cherished  for  many  succeeding 
centuries  by  the  votaries  of  the  Roman  circus, 
but  was  also  hailed  with  gratitude  by  the  arena 


278  CONTORNIATE  COINS. 

of  Constantinople,  is  remarkably  evidenced  by 
a cameo,  published  by  Caylus.  (Rcc.  d’Antiq. 
t.  i.  tab.  86).  It  represents  Nero,  with  radi- 
ated head,  borne  in  a quadriga,  with  the  face 
turned  towards  you,  as  is  usual  on  contorniates ; 
in  his  right  baud  he  holds  a napkin  (the  mappa, 
see  Circus,  pp.  203-4),  in  the  left  a consular 
sceptre,  with  the  legend  NiI'un.  AlVFcTe  (sic.) 
The  scene,  and  its  accompaniments,  together 
with  the  faulty  inscription,  clearly  prove,  that 
this  gem  was  the  work  of  a later  age  of  the 
lower  empire,  and,  from  the  Greek  legend,  not 
belonging  to  Italy,  but  doubtless  to  Constanti- 
nople, where  it  is  well  known  that  the  rage  for 
the  sports  of  the  Circus  reached  a greater  height 
than  even  in  the  metropolis  of  Rome.” 

As  to  what  was  the  actual  use  for  which  the 
Contorniates  were  designed,  in  connexion  with 
the  ludi  Circenses  ; this  is  a question  which,  in 
the  absence  of  historical,  and  in  the  paucity  of 
numismatic,  testimony,  cannot  be  answered  with 
confidence.  The  opiuions  of  writers  on  the  sub- 
ject rest  on  the  merest  conjecture.  Morel  sus- 
pects that  they  were  struck  for  the  purpose  of 
being  given  as  prizes  for  the  athletic  games. — 
Ilavercamp  (in  his  elaborate  description  of,  and 
commentary  on,  Contorniates),  supposes  they 
were  coined  by  the  leaders  and  victors  of  the 
circus,  who  wished  thus  to  celebrate  the  praises 
of  their  conquering  steeds.  But  this  can  apply 
only  to  those  coins  on  which  horses  appear. 

Henry  Cannegicter,  one  of  the  latest  writers 
on  the  subject  (in  his  Misc.  Observat.  Crit. 
Novis,  t.  i.  anni  1740),  takes  a remarkable 
view : viz.  that  these  medals  were  distributed 
among  the  spectators  by  the  partizaus  of  the 
charioteers,  in  order  that  their  success  might  be 
favoured  by  the  words  of  good  omen  with  which 
they  were  inscribed,  and  the  figures  portrayed 
upon  them.  For  it  was  the  popular  belief,  that 
the  speed  of  the  horses  could  be  increased  or 
retarded  by  the  arts  of  magic.  And,  to  put  in 
force  or  to  counteract  such  influences,  these  con- 
torniatc  medals  were  struck,  bearing  expressions 
of  good  omen ; and  the  same  virtue  was  believed 
to  reside  in  the  likenesses  of  Alexander  the 
Great,  of  Olympias,  Nero,  Virgil,  Apollonius 
of  Tyana,  Apulcius,  Anchises,  /Eneas,  &c.  be- 
cause it  was  matter  of  tradition  that  those  wor- 
thies were  cither  addicted  to  the  practice  of 
magic,  or  at  any  rate  skilled  in  it.  The  same 
power  also  was  attributed  to  the  dragons  often 
seen  on  these  coins ; and  lastly,  to  the  sign  of 
the  cross  found  inscribed  on  a quadriga  in  a coin 
given  by  Ilavercamp.  But,  as  Eckhel  observes, 
in  citing  the  above  opinion,  it  is  deserving  only 
of  the  praise  which  is  due  to  a learned  and  in- 
genious conjecture.  Of  a later  day,  Pinkerton 
has  supposed  that  they  were  used  as  tesserce,  or 
tickets,  and  were  distributed  among  the  people 
before  the  commencement  of  the  games,  en- 
titling each  individual  to  n “ reserved  scat”  on 
the  beuches. 

VII. — On  tiie  merit  of  Contorniates. — 
Whatever  may  be  its  real  merits,  this  class  of 
coins  has  its  patrons,  to  whom  it  has  appeared 
worthy  of  being  diligently  sought  after,  aud  to 


CONTORNIATE  COINS. 

; be  useful  in  various  respects.  Others,  however, 
have  entertained  a lower  opinion  of  them;  no 
. doubt  in  consequence  of  the  want  of  connection 
' between  the  obverse  aud  reverse ; the  uuskilful 
\ grouping  of  the  figures;  and  the  subjects  being 
| for  the  most  part  derived  from  the  feats  of 
I charioteers  and  wrestlers ; and  seldom  affording 
any  gratification  to  the  mind  or  to  the  eye.  The 
fastidious  take  alarm  also  at  the  errors  in  spell- 
ing, such  as  TESEVS,  PEXTESILIA,  STEFANVS, 
OLIMPIAS,  SALVST1VS,  APOLONIVS,  ETERNITAS, 

and  the  like;  together  with  the  perpetual  mis- 
take of  flMHROC  for  omhpoc — the  surest  proof 
that  these  contorniates  were  put  forth  in  an 
ignorant  age,  by  people  of  an  inferior  class,  aud 
under  no  sanction  of  the  state. 

“ It  might  be  supposed  (observes  Eckhel)  that 
they  would  be  of  service  to  portraiture,  as  pro- 
fessedly exhibiting  the  heads  of  various  eminent 
individuals  sought  for  iu  vain  ou  other  monu- 
ments of  antiquity.  But  it  is  easy  to  imagine, 
what  slight  reliance  cau  be  placed  on  likenesses 
engraved  many  centuries  after  the  death  of  the 
personages,  iu  an  age  inimical  to  the  arts,  and 
for  the  most  part  by  unskilful  bands.” 

It  is,  however,  in  the  face  of  this  remark  of 
the  illustrious  German,  that  a scarcely  less  illus- 
trious Italian  antiquary,  professes  to  regard  as 
authentic,  up  to  a certain  point,  some  portraits 
which  are  found  only  on  contorniatc  medals. — 
“ These  heads  (says  M.  Visconti),  were  struck 
at  the  epocha  when  the  arts  had  declined — that 
is  to  say,  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  centuries  of  the 
Christian  era.  And  although  reproduced  by  the 
baud  of  art,  after  an  interval  of  several  cen- 
turies, are  not  to  be  considered  as  imaginary 
portraits.  Collections  of  monuments  of  every 
kind,  which  exist  at  this  day  at  Constantinople 
aud  at  Rome,  present  models,  from  which  the 
engravers  of  the  contorniates  had  the  oppor- 
tunity of  copying.  And,  in  fact,  they  directed 
their  entire  attention  to  them,  as  may  be  proved 
by  a comparison  of  the  portraits  iu  question 
with  those  which  are  preserved  to  us  ou  monu- 
ments of  greater  autiquity.  The  ouly  material 
ditfercnce  to  be  remarked,  is  that  which  results 
from  the  unskilfulucss  of  the  contorniatc  die- 
sinkers.  (Sec  Iconograph.  Grec.  tab.  i.  Disc, 
pretiminaire,  p.  15,  8vo.  edition). 

PeLler iu  confesses  liis  aversion  to  this  descrip- 
tion of  coins ; and  though  some  would  include 
them,  others  would  as  resolutely  exclude  them 
from  the  list  of  true  medallions. — “ Iu  this 
diversity  of  opinion  (concludes  the  Author  of 
Doctrina),  the  middle  is  the  safer  course.  For 
although  so  little  reliance  can  be  placed  on  cou- 
torniates,  they  arc  stiR  useful,  as  witnesses  of 
their  age,  and  its  manners  ; aud  of  the  notorious 
fondness  of  the  Roman  people  for  public  sports 
aud  spectacles.  Some  interest  is  also  to  be  de- 
rived from  their  lively  representations  of  the 
Circus  and  its  equipages,  the  charioteering,  the 
huutings,  the  dress  and  “ turn-out”  of  the  cha- 
rioteers, the  names  of  themselves  and  of  their 
horses,  together  with  the  acclamations  of  ap- 
plause and  encouragement,  with  which  they 
were  greeted  by  the  spectators. — Lastly,  on  ccr- 


CONTORNIATE  COINS. 


COPIA. — COPONIA.  279 


tain  specimens  of  them  may  be  seen  subjects  by 
uo  means  deficient  in  elegance  and  classicality  ; 
some  of  which  cannot  be  found  on  other  antique 
monuments ; nay,  in  a very  few  instances,  a 
workmanship  worthy  of  a better  age.” 

Unedited  Contorniates. — In  vol.  iii.  of 
“ Revue  Numismatique,  annee  1840,”  there  arc 
three  papers  on  Contorniate  medals.  Two  are 
from  the  pen  of  the  Abbe  Grcppo  (author  of 
a numismatic  Memoire  stir  les  Voyages  de  VEm- 
peretir  Hadrien),  and  the  third  is  by  that  dis- 
tinguished French  antiquary  M.  Ch.  Lenormant. 

1.  The  former  of  these  pieces  is  thus  described 
(p.  89) : — antonin vs  pivs.  Bust  of  Antoninus 
Pins,  to  the  right,  bare  head,  the  shoulders  co- 
vered with  the  paludamentum. 

Rev. — salvs  avg.  (as  it  would  seem , for  the 
deep  circular  furrow  on  the  outer  edge  of  the 
medal,  peculiar  to  contorniates,  has  obliterated 
much  of  the  lettering).  Type,  a ram,  turned  to 
the  right,  standing  near  a tree,  feeding  out  of  a 
crib  standing  on  feet.  Under  the  belly  of  the 
animal  hangs  a man,  with  the  pileus  on  his  head, 
holding  on  by  his  hands  to  the  front  of  the 
ram’s  fleece,  and  throwing  up  his  feet  on  the 
rump  of  the  animal. 

This  curious  reverse,  in  a learned  and  ingenious 
dissertation,  the  Abbe  interprets,  with  great  shew 
of  probability,  to  adumbrate  a passage  in  the 
Odyssey  (ix.  v.  434),  where  Ulysses,  in  order  to 
effect  his  own  and  his  companions’  rescue  from 
the  sanguinary  cruelties  of  Polyphemus,  suspends 
himself,  according  to  Homer’s  recital,  under  the 
belly  of  a large  ram  ; and  by  this  means,  the 
King  of  Ithaca  and  all  his  men,  who  adopted  the 
same  stratagem  with  others  of  the  cyclops’  flock, 
succeeded  in  accomplishing  their  escape  from  the 
cavern  of  the  giant,  whom  they  had  already 
deprived  of  sight. 

The  second  medal  is  thus  described: — Obv. — 
divo  traiano  avgvsto.  Bust  of  Trajan  to  the 
right,  with  the  paludamentum,  head  laurcatcd. 

Rev. — Without  legend.  A bearded  man,  seated 
on  a chair,  to  the  right,  clothed  in  a short  gar- 
ment, that  leaves  the  breast  and  lower  extre- 
mities bare  : the  muscles  of  the  arms  and  legs 
strongly  marked  ; hair  bristled  up  on  the  top  of 
the  head.  lie  seems  occupied  in  contemplating 
a circular  object  placed  on  a tripod  (much  re- 
sembling the  zodiacal  type  on  an  Alcxaudrine 
medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  in  Zoega),  placed 
before  him.  In  the  field  of  the  coin,  above,  is 
a figure  of  Pallas  hehneted,  holding  the  hasta 
and  resting  on  a buckler.  Behind  the  principal 
fignre  is  a parazonium  with  its  baldrick. 

There  are,  it  seems,  two  specimens  of  this 
contoruiatc,  one  in  the  Cabinet  National  dc 
France,  the  other  in  the  possession  of  the  Mar- 
quis de  Pina.  They  are  from  different  dies,  and 
vary  in  some  particulars,  though  they  corres- 
pond in  general.  The  Abbe  Grcppo  writes  his 
dissertation  with  M.  de  Pina’s  coin  before  him, 
and  he  inclines  to  the  opinion  that  the  type  re- 
lates to  judicial  astrology,  that  the  seated  figure 
is  “ that  of  a charioteer  of  the  circus,  or  at 
least  of  some  other  person  employed  at  public 
spectacles,  rather  than  of  a judicial  astrologer 


by  profession.” — On  the  other  hand,  M.  Ch 
Lenormant,  after  comparing  the  Marquis’s  con- 
torniatc  with  that  in  the  French  National  cabi- 
net, proves  by  evidence  derived  from  three  me- 
dals of  the  Antoninian  mint,  that  the  seated 
figure,  with  bristled  hair  on  end,  above  described, 
can  be  no  other  than  the  skilful  and  robust,  but 
slovenly  Vulcan.  He  further  suggests  that  the 
circular  object,  having  the  twelve  celestial  signs 
round  its  outer  compartment,  and  the  sun  and 
moon  in  the  centre,  is  the  shield  of  Achilles, 
on  wrhich  the  god  of  all  artists  who  worked 
metals,  is  employed  in  the  presence  of  Minerva, 
and  that  the  tripod  on  which  it  is  placed,  is 
probably  one  of  those  famous  tripods  which 
Vulcan  was  occupied  in  fabricating  when  Thetis 
entered  his  dwelling. — See  M.  Ijcuormant’s  brief 
but  judicious  and  classical  remarks  on  this  sub  - 
ject,  p.  309,  in  the  excellent  French  periodical 
above  named. — See  also,  in  this  dictionary,  the 
word  VULCANUS. 

COOP.  Cooptatus. — Associated,  elected. — 
See  Sacerdos. 

COPIA  (Lueanice)  colonia  ; an  opulent  town 
of  Magna  Grsccia,  originally  called  Sybaris, 
afterwards  Thurium ; and  lastly  by  the  Romans 
named  Copia  (now  Sibari  Kovinata,  Southern 
Italy).  Of  this  place,  under  the  name  of  Sy- 
baris and  Thurium,  there  are,  according  to 
M ion  net  and  Hennin,  autonomous  coins,  in  small 
brass,  of  considerable  rarity,  with  the  legends 
copia  and  lcc.  copia,  and  the  types  of  Minerva, 
Hercules,  and  Mercury ; but  none  to  indicate 
that  it  was  a colony  under  the  emperors. 

COPIA  LUGDUNENSIS. — See  Lugdunum 
Copia. 

COPONIA  gens — a plebeian  family  but  of 
noble  origin.  There  arc  two  varieties  of  coin 
The  following  silver  is  rare 


Obv. — Q.  sicinivs.  in.  vir.  Head  of  Apollo, 
diadcinated  ; beneath  it  a star. 

Rev. — c.  copoxivs.  pr.  s.  c. — Spoils  of  the 
lion  raised  on  a club.  In  the  field  a bow  and 
an  arrow. 

“ It  is  certain  (says  Borghesi),  that  the  mo- 
nctal  triumvirs  of  705  n.  c.  49),  although  exiles, 
caused  coins  to  be  minted,  there  being  a mani- 
fest proof  of  this  fact,  in  the  present  example 
of  Q.  Sicinius,  who  was  assuredly  one  of  them. 
And  these  denarii  were  in  all  probability  coined 
in  some  city  recommended  to  the  protection  of 
the  l’retor  C.  Coponius.” — And  Cavcdoni  adds, 
“ We  learn  from  Cicero,  that  C.  Caponius  com- 
manded a fleet  at  Rhodes,  prretorio  imperio. 
And,  considering  that  the  very  singular  type  of 
one  of  his  denarii,  the  club,  or  upright  post, 
from  the  top  of  which  is  suspended  the  lion's 
skin,  appears  to  have  been  taken  from  one  of 
the  coins  of  A/inda  in  Caria  (or  some  other 


CORINTHUS. 


280  CORDUBA.— CORDIA. 

city  in  that  neighbourhood),  it  seems  evident 
that  the  triumvir  C.  Sicinins  struck  part  at  least 
of  his  monies  at  or  near  Aliuda,  or  some  town 
nearer  the  Carian  coast,  opposite  to  the  island 
of  Rhodes,  then  under  the  government  of  the 
Pretor  Coponius.” — Cited  by  Riccio,  p.  60. 

Eckhel  has  no  doubt  but  that  the  arms  and 
attributes  of  Hercules,  on  the  reverse  of  this 
silver  coin,  refer  to  the  origin  of  Coponius,  at 
Tibur  (a  town  of  the  Sabines,  about  20  miles 
from  Rome),  where  great  honours  were  paid  to 
that  demi-god.  Whilst  Riccio  says — “ The  bow 
and  arrow  may  refer  as  much  to  Hercules  as  to 
Apollo,  whose  diademated  head  is  on  the  ob- 
verse ; and  this  may  possibly  point  to  the  go- 
vernment of  the  Pretor,  in  the  island  of  Rhodes, 
where  Apollo  was  peculiarly  the  object  of  wor- 
ship.” 

CORDUBA,  Hispania  Beetle ee,  colonia  (now 
Cordova,  in  Southern  Spain).  This  city  was 
founded  by  Marcellus ; and  made  a colony  in 
the  time  of  the  republic.  But  its  colonists  hav- 
ing been  diminished  by  war,  Augustus,  as  soon 
as  he  had  pacificated  Spain,  gave  it,  according 
to  Pliny,  the  name  of  Patricia,  and  granted  it 
the  privilege  of  striking  money.  (Vaillant). — 
The  coins  of  this  city,  says  .Mionnet  ( Supplt . 
tab.  1),  consist  of  a Latin  autonomc  in  small 
brass,  and  of  imperial  Latin  colonials  in  first 
and  second  brass,  struck  only  under  Augustus, 
whose  portrait,  without  laurel,  they  bear  on 
their  obverses.  The  legends  of  their  reverses 
are  colonia  Patricia,  within  a laurel  wreath, 
or  accompanied  with  types,  some  representing 
pontifical  instruments,  others  military  cusigus 
and  the  names  of  legions.  The  following  three 
are  specimens  of  the  imperial  class,  viz. : — 

1.  permissv  caesaris  avgvsti.  Bare  head 
of  the  Emperor. 

Rev. — col.  path.  leg.  v.  x.  (Colonia  Patri- 
cia Legiones  quinta  et  decimaj.  A legionary 
eagle  between  two  military  ensigns. — Engraved 
in  Vaillant,  Colonies,  t.  i.  p.  42.  Sec  that 
writer’s  learned  remarks  on  this  historical  coin. 

2.  per.  caes.  avgvsti.  Bare  head  of  Augus- 
tus.— Rev. — colonia  Patricia,  within  a civic 
garland. — Engraved  in  Akcrman,  Ancient  Coins 
of  Cities,  p.  30,  pi.  iii.  No.  11. 

Rev. — colon,  patr.  Pontifical  instruments. 
Ibid.  pi.  iv.  No.  1. 

3.  Latin  Autonome. — cn.  ivli.  l.  f.  q. — 
Head  of  Venus. 

Rev. — cordvba.  Cupid  standing  with  torch 
and  cornucopia-. — Engraved  in  the  same  work, 
p.  29,  plate  iii.  No.  10. 

CORDIA  gens,  of  Tuscan  origin,  and  of  ple- 
beian rank  ; its  surname  Rufus. — This  family 
has  live  varieties  in  its  coins.  The  following  are 
its  two  rarest  denarii : — 

1.  rvpvs.  An  owl  on  a helmet. — Rev. — The 
/Eg is  of  Minerva,  with  the  words  MANti/j  COU- 
D1VS  around  it. — Engraved  in  MorcU.  Fam. 
Rom. 

2.  rvfvs  ill.  vir.  The  conjoined  heads  of 
the  Dioscuri,  with  diademed  bonnets,  and  stars 
above  each. — Rev. — man.  cokdivs.  Venus  stand- 
ing, holding  the  balance  in  her  right  hand,  and 


the  hasta  pura  in  her  left , with  a cupid  hung 
to  her  neck  behind. 

There  is  a denarius  of  this  gens,  on  which  a 
Cupid  appears  dancing,  with  crown  and  palm 
branch  in  his  hands ; and  another  with  Cupid 
riding  on  a dolphin. 

These  coins  are  ascribed  to  Manias  Cordius 
Rufus,  monetary-  triumvir  under  Julius  Csesar, 
before  or  after  the  dictatorship.  The  type  of 
Venus,  with  the  balance,  refers  to  the  origin  of 
Cicsar,  and  to  his  justice ; that  of  the  owl  to 
his  prudence  and  wisdom;  the  warlike  helmet 
and  the  Egis  to  his  valour ; lastly,  the  palm  and 
crown  borne  by  the  dancing  Cupid,  alludes  to 
the  triumphs  of  Julius. 

The  heads  of  the  Dioscuri  connect  themselves 
with  the  worship  paid  to  those  demi-gods  in 
Etruria,  the  native  country  of  the  moncyer, 
Cordius  Rufus,  who  was  pretor  and  pro-consul 
under  Augustus,  according  to  a marble  dis- 
covered at  Tusculum  by  the  Abate  Amati. — Sec 
further  remarks  on  the  types  of  the  Cordia  gens, 
cited  from  Cavedoni,  by  Riccio,  p.  61. 

CORINTHUS,  colonia,  now  Korito,  or  Co- 
riii/o. — Corinth  was  the  most  celebrated  city  of 
Achaia,  situate  at  the  end,  and  on  the  southern 
shore,  of  the  Sinus  Corinthiacus  (Gulf  of  Lc- 
panto),  near  the  isthmus  which  bears  its  name, 
l'or  its  beauty  and  elegance,  its  riches  and  luxu- 
rious abundance,  Cicero  terms  Corinth  the  light 
of  all  Greece  (totius  Grtecia  lumen).  Its  more 
ancient  appellation  was  Ephgra.  From  its  local 
position,  between  the  two  seas,  this  place  was 
called  Bimaris  by  the  poets  : in  reference  to 
which,  says  Pcllerin,  it  is  also  several  times  re- 
presented on  coins,  under  the  emblem  of  a naked 
figure — that  is  to  say,  the  Genius  of  the  City, 
who  holds  an  oar  in  each  hand,  as  in  Elagabalus. 
Corinth  had  two  ports,  Lechicutn  on  the  Sinus 
Corinthiacus,  and  Cenchrca  on  the  Sinus  Saro- 
nicus  (Gulf  of  Egina).  It  had  also  a citadel  on 
a lofty  rock,  called  Aerocorinthus.  This  far- 
famed  city  was  taken  and  destroyed  by  the  con- 
sul Mummius,  general  of  the  invading  army  of 
the  Romans,  a.  U.  C.  609  (b.  c.  145),  w ho  made 
its  territories  tributary  to  the  republic.  It  was 
restored  by  Julius  Cicsar,  who  also  in  710  (b.  c. 
44)  made  it  a colony,  and  after  whom  it  re- 
ceived the  denomination  of  Laus  Jn/ii.  In  the 
civil  war,  Corinth  sided  with  Mark  Antony 
against  Octavianus. 

The  coins  of  this  city  consist  (besides  Greek 
autonomes)  of  Latin  colouial  autonomes,  and  of 
Latin  colonial  imperial,  in  first,  second,  and 
third  brass.  Corinth  struck  money  by  permis- 
sion, and  to  the  honour,  of  the  following  per- 
sonages, viz.: — Julius  Cicsar,  M.  Antony,  Au- 
gustus, Livia,  M.  Agrippa,  Cains  and  Lucius, 
Agrippa  junior,  Tiberius,  Antonia,  Germanicus, 


CORINTII  US. 

Drusus  Cccsar,  Caligula,  Agrippiua  senior,  Clau 
dius,  Domitiau,  Trajan,  Plotina,  Hadrian,  Sa- 
biua,  Antoninus  Pius,  Faustina  senior,  M.  Au- 
relius, L.  Verus,  Lucilla,  Commodus,  S.  Scve- 
rus,  Domna,  Caracalla,  Gcta,  Plautilla,  Macri- 
uus,  Elagabalus,  Gordiauus  Pius. 

In  fact,  no  colony  struck  more  imperial  coins 
than  Corinth,  especially  from  the  commence- 
ment of  Nero’s  reign.  When,  indeed,  that 
prince  visited  Corinth,  at  the  celebration  of  the  | 
Isthmian  games,  the  citizens  recorded  his  arrival 
on  various  coins,  having  already  dedicated  their 
mouctal  flattery  to  him,  whilst  he  was  yet  but 
a youth,  during  the  life-time  of  his  father  by 
adoption,  the  Emperor  Claudius.  It  will  be  re- 
marked, from  the  foregoing  list,  that  no  coins 
of  the  Corinthians  were  consecrated  to  cither 
Vespasian  or  Titus.  But  the  great  number 
struck  under  Domitian  seems  to  indicate  a resti- 
tution of  liberties,  or  a remission  of  taxation, 
by  the  last  named  prince  to  this  colony,  which 
it  had  uot  enjoyed  during  the  reigns  of  his 
father  and  brother.  The  coins  minted  at  Corinth 
with  the  respective  efligies  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
M.  Aurelius,  and  L.  Verus,  are  very  numerous 
and  varied  in  their  types,  particularly  those  of 
the  latter  emperor,  who  lingered  a long  time  in 
that  seat  of  abandoned  voluptuousness,  on  his 
way  to  wage  war  against  the  Parthiaus.  Very 
considerable  issues  from  the  Latin  colonial  mint 
of  Corinth  took  place  under  Commodus  and 
Septimius  Severus. — Sec  Mionnet,  Supplt.  t.  iv. 

The  legends  ou  the  colonial  imperial  coins  of 
Corinth  are  as  follow,  viz. : — C.  cor.  Colonia 
Corinthus. — c.  L.  1.  cor.  and  col.  lavs.  ivl. 
cor.  Colonia  Laus  Julia  Corinthus. — col.  ivl. 
avg.  cor.  Colonia  Julia  Augusta  Corinthus. — 
It  also,  in  flattery  of  Domitiau,  took  the  surname 
of  his  family : col.  flav.  avg.  cor.  Colonia 
Fla  via  Augusta  Corinthus ; thus  leaving  out  the 
name  of  Julius,  who  founded  the  colony. — The 
legend  of  a coin  struck  at  Corinth  uuder  the 
same  emperor,  is  cor.  perm.  imp.  Corinthi  Per- 
missu  Imperaloris ; alluding  to  the  privilege  of 
coining  mouey,  conceded  by  the  emperors  to 
this  and  other  colouies. 

The  series  of  Corinthian  money,  both  auto- 
nomous and  imperial,  are  extremely  interesting, 
from  the  great  number  of  types  which  refer 
cither  to  the  history  of  their  city,  in  its  earlier 
ages,  or  which  offer  views  of  temples  and  other 
public  edifices. — The  Corinthians  were  great 
lovers  of  the  fabulous ; and  whatever  at- 
tached itself  to  their  traditions  and  annals, 
whether  true  or  false — probable  or  absurd,  pro- 
vided it  served  to  augment  their  celebrity,  was 
alluded  to  ou  their  mouuments.  As  Roman 
colonists,  but  in  the  servile  spirit  of  Greek 
adulation,  they  sometimes  represented  the  em- 
perors in  their  mintages,  under  the  form  aud 
with  the  attributes  of  gods.  They  were  also 
accustomed  to  strike  on  their  mouey  the  names 
of  one  of,  or  both,  the  duumviri,  by  whom  as  a 
colony  they  were  governed. 

Amongst  the  divinities  worshipped,  and  to 
whom  temples  were  dedicated  and  coins  minted 
with  their  images,  at  Corinth,  were  Esculapius 
2 O 


CORINTHUS.  281 

and  Hygeia,  Bacchus,  Diana,  Hercules,  Jupiter, 
Mars,  Mercury,  Minerva,  Neptune,  aud  Venus. 

The  annexed  wood-cut  represents  the  type  of 
a second  brass,  which  Eckhcl  places  amoug  the 
Latin  autonomes. 


coiunthvm. — Bellerophon  taming  Pegasus 
before  one  of  the  gates  of  Corinth. 

Subjoined  is  an  alphabetical  notice  of  some  of 
the  principal  types,  which  appear  on  the  re- 
verses of  the  Latin  imperial  coins  of  this  colony  : 

Attar,  with  a tree  upon  it. — On  coins  of  M. 
Aurelius  and  L.  Verus  this  type  appears.  It  is 
considered  by  Patin,  with  whom  Vaillant  agrees, 
to  be  the  altar  of  Melicerta,  whose  body,  accord- 
ing to  that  most  foolish  and  confused  of  Greek 
myths,  was  found  near  a pine-tree,  and  an  altar 
erected  there. — See  the  word  Melicerta. 

Allocution. The  emperor  addressing  his 

soldiers,  as  in  Nero. 

Arch,  with  statues  on  it,  as  in  Augustus,  to 
whose  honour  as  victor  at  Actium,  a triumphal 
arch  was  erected  at  Corinth. — Engraved  in 
Vaillant’s  Colonia;,  vol.  i. 

Adoenlus  Augusti.  c.  cor. — This  legend,  re- 
ferring to  the  arrival  of  Nero  at  Corinth,  has 
for  its  accompanying  types,  the  togated  figure 
of  the  emperor,  and  the  pretorian  galley. 

Of  this  journey  made  by  Nero  into  Greece, 
Dion  Cassius  (lib.  63,  p.  7i9)  observes,  that  he 
went  thither,  “ not  as  his  warlike  ancestors  and 
predecessors  (Flaminius  Mummius,  Agrippa, 
and  Augustus)  had  done ; but  that  he  might 
drive  the  chariot,  sing  to  his  own  playing  on  the 
harp,  fill  the  office  of  herald  at  public  games, 
aud  perform  in  tragedies.” 

Bellerophon. — This  favourite  hero  of  the 
Corinthians  appears  on  their  coins,  sometimes 
mounted  ou  the  horse  Pegasus  and  fighting  the 
Chiimera,  as  in  Julius  C.csar ; sometimes  on 
horseback  without  the  Chiimera,  as  in  Domitiau, 
L.  Verus,  and  S.  Severus.  The  same  destroyer 
of  the  triple  monster  appears  on  foot,  holding 
Pegasus  by  the  bridle  (see  the  above  cut).  A1J 
these  types  were  intended  to  indicate  the  remote 
antiquity  of  the  city. — See  p.  125,  and  p.  198 
of  this  dictionary — see  also  cossutia,  and  the 
word  PEGASUS. 

Caius  and  Lucius,  Casa  res. — These  two  young 
princes  (p.  217)  are  named  together  on  coins 
of  Augustus  struck  at  Rome,  but  their  portraits 
placed  opposite  to  each  other  arc  found  only  on 
a few  colonial  pieces,  amongst  which  are  those 
of  Corinth.  On  the  obverse  of  these  is  the  bare 
head  of  Augustus,  with  legend  caesar  corint. 
— Engraved  in  Vaillant,  T.  i. 

Colonist  driving  oxen  at  plough. — The  only 


282  CORINTHUS. 

piece  struck  by  the  Roman  colony  of  Corinth, 

which  bears  the  common  colonial  symbol,  is  a 

second  brass  dedicated  to  Augustus,  who  re-  1 

inforccd,  with  his  disbanded  veterans,  the  too 

scanty  population  originally  planted  there  by 

Julius. 

Crown  of  Parsley  (corona  ex  apio),  within  ^ 
which  is  the  word  isthmia,  as  in  Nero,  alluding 
to  the  Isthmian  games  (ccrtamina  Isthmiaca), 
celebrated  near  Corinth,  on  the  isthmus,  every 
fifth  year. — Engraved  in  Vaillant,  i.  p.  ] 18. 

Chimara  (see  p.  198). The  Corinthians 

struck  this  enigmatical  object  on  their  coins,  in 
remembrance  of  their  champion  Bellerophon,  as 
in  Domitian,  M.  Aurelius,  and  L.  Vcrus. 

Emperor*  in  triumphal  quadriyte,  and  on 
horseback,  appear  on  first  and  second  brass  of 
this  colony,  dedicated  to  Domitian,  and  L.  Vcrus 
Engraved  in  Vaillant,  i.  p.  201. 

Genius^  of  the  Colony  of  Corinth,  (gen.  col. 
COE.)— This  appears  under  the  form  of  a half- 
naked  man,  holding  a patera  and  cornucopia:, 
on  a second  brass  of  Nero,  who  in  the  charac- 
teristic spirit  of  adulation  to  that  tyrant,  is  ex- 
hibited by  the  Corinthians,  just  as  the  Genius 
Populi  Romani  was  customarily  depicted  on 
coins  of  Roman  die— Engraved  in  Vaillant,  i. 

Pellerin,  in  Melange , vol.  i.  pi.  xvi.  p.  2C4, 
gives  a Corinthian  coin  of  Agrippina  Claudii 
which,  with  gen.  col.  for  its  legend,  exhibits  a 
woman  habited  in  the  stola,  standing  with  patera 
and  cornucopia:.  There  is  a similar  dedication 
ot  a second  brass  coin,  by  the  Corinthians,  to 
M.  Aurelius. — See  the  word  genius. 

Ino.  On  a second  brass,  bearing  on  one  side 
the  head  and  titles  of  Sept.  Scverus,  and  on  the 
other  c.  l.  i.  con.  The  type  is  a woman  stand- 
ing*  with  one  foot  on  a rock,  and  the  other  sus- 
pended, her  right  arm  holds  out  an  infant : at 
the  bottom  of  the  rock  is  a dolphin.  This  wo- 
man is  1 no,  daughter  of  Cadmus  and  Hermione, 
wife  of  Athamas,  king  of  Thebes.  She  was  the 
mother  of  Mclicerta,  and  regarded  as  a goddess 
by  <he  Greeks. — Engraved  in  Vaillant,  ii.  p.  9. 

Melicerta. — Types  connected  with  this  le- 
gendary “nothing”  about  which,  the  Corin- 
thians made  so  “ much  ado,”  upon  their  coins 
and  other  monuments,  appears  on  second  brass 
dedicated  by  this  colony  to  Sabina,  Antoninus 
Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Yerus,  Coramodus,  Sept 
Scverus,  and  Caracalla. 

The  son  of  I no  is  represented  under  the  figure 
of  a naked  boy  on  a dolphin,  sometimes  sitting 
astride  the  fish,  on  other  reverses  he  stands 
upright  on  its  back ; in  a third  typification  he 
lies  stretched  out  at  length,  with  his  face  down- 
wards, oil  the  dolphin  which  is  placed  on  a 
table.  On  some  of  these  there  is  a tree  behind 
the  boy  and  the  dolphin.  This  alludes  to  a pine 
tree,  near  which  was  found  the  dead  body  of 
Melicerta,  m memory  of  whom  the  victore  at 
the  lstbnuan  games  were  crowned  with  pine 
leaves.  1 

On  a well  known  and  elegant  coin  of  Corinth 
struck  in  honour  of  M.  Aurelius  and  L.  Vcrus] 
the  boy,  the  dolphin,  and  the  pine  tree,  arc  ex- 
hibited within  a round  temple,  having  a dome  I 


CORINTHUS. 


made  of  scales,  allusive  to  the  divine  rites  paid 
to  Melicerta.— The  same  figure  of  a child  is  on 
another  coin  recumbent  on  a dolphin,  near  a tree, 
on  the  opposite  side  of  which  is  Sisyphus  under 
the  figure  of  a naked  man,  holding  in  his  right 
hand  a victorio/a,  and  in  his  left  a palm  branch. 
J I his  type,  which  appears  on  a coin  of  M. 
Aurelius,  is  supposed  by  \ aillant  to  refer  to  the 
Isthmian  games  instituted  in  honour  of  Meli- 
ccrta. 

Neptune  is  a frequent  type  on  the  coins  of  the 
Roman  colony,  as  being  the  tutelary  deity  of  the 
Corinthians.  He  had  a temple  at  Lcchieum. 
And  on  coins  of  Augustus,  Octavia  Neronis, 
and  Antoninus  Pius,  he  is  typified,  holding  the 
trident,  and  drawn  in  a sheli-formed  car  by  two 
sea-horses.  On  a first  brass  of  Domitian,  the 
god  appears  sitting  on  a rock,  on  which  his 
right  hand  rests,  his  left  being  extended  towards 
a woman  who  stands  before  him,  holding  an 
infant  in  her  arms. — [This  refers  to  Ino,  the 
unhappy  wife  of  Athamas,  imploring  the  assist- 
ance of  Neptune  to  save  her  newly  born  son, 
Melicerta  (in  Ovid,  Metam.  4.)  The  rock  is 
that  of  Moluris,  and  the  dolphin  reeals  to  re- 
collection the  fish  on  which  the  boy  was  carried. 
— Sec  the  word  ino. 

On  coins  of  Domitian,  Hadrian,  and  M. 
Aurelius,  Neptune  sits,  or  stands,  with  trident 
and  dolphin  ; on  some  his  left  foot  is  planted  on 
the  prow  of  a vessel,  as  in  Commodus ; on  a 
second  brass  of  which  last-named  emperor,  the 
god  of  the  Sea  stands  holding  his  right  hand 
over  an  altar,  on  the  other  side  of  which  is  a 
tree  — On  a first  brass  dedicated  to  M.  Aurelius, 
the  Corinthians  have  figured  Neptune,  standing 
in  a triumphal  car,  a trident  in  his  right,  and 
an  image  of  Victory  in  his  left  hand,  which 
obviously  refers  to  the  honours  of  the  Triumph 
conferred  on  the  Emperor  by  the  Senate  at 
Rome,  for  some  signal  success  which  he  had 
just  gained,  and  he  is  here  displayed  as  Neptune 
himself. — The  above  are  engraved  in  Vaillaut’s 
Colonial  work,  vol.  i.  pp.  140,  181.— Pellerin 
gives  a coin  of  this  colony,  dedicated  to  Julia 
Domna,  oil  which  is  Ncptuue  with  his  right  foot 
placed  on  the  head  of  a bull,  and  holding  in  his 
right  hand  the  apluslrum.  (Mel.  T.  i.  pi.  xviii 
No.  5,  p.  289.) 

Obelisk , on  which  is  a naked  image,  with  a 
spear  in  the  left  hand.  On  each  side  of  the  obe- 
lisk is  an  equestriau  figure,  in  a military  dress, 
as  if  galloping. 

This  appears  on  n coin  of  Corinth,  dedicated 
to  M.  Aurelius,  and  which  Vaillant  thinks  was 
intended  to  represent  statues  raised  in  honour  of 
M.  Aurelius  aud  L.  t erns  ; the  obelisk  itself  be- 


CORINTHUS. 

ing  one  on  which  were  inscribed  their  warlike 
exploits  respectively  achieved  against  the  Par- 
thians  and  other  enemies  of  Rome. — Engraved 
in  Vaillant,  i.  187. 

Pegasus , the  winged  horse  of  Apollo,  is  re- 
presented flying,  on  Corinthian  coins  of  Au- 
gustus, Caligula,  aud  Domitian,  he  is  figured 
standing  on  coins  of  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Verus,  and 
Commodus,  also  on  the  summit  of  the  Acro-Corin- 
thus  in  a medal  of  Claudius.  For  other  types  of 
this  fabulous  auimal,  iu  association  with  the 
traditions  of  Corinth,  see  wood-cuts  in  this 
article — see  also  the  word  pegasus. 

Pirene. — On  a third  brass  of  Sept.  Scvcrus 
is  the  figure  of  a young  woman,  sitting  on  a 
rock,  on  which  her  left  hand  rests ; with  her 
right  hand  she  supports  a vase  on  her  knee. — 
Vaillant  (ii.  10)  regards  this  to  represent  the 
nymph  Pirene,  who  in  consequence  of  Diana 
haviug  rashly  slain  her  son,  is  said  to  have  shed 
tears  so  abundantly,  that  she  was  changed  iuto 
the  fountain  which  bears  her  name,  and  which 
is  situate  near  the  Acro-Corinthus. 

In  his  “ Recueil  de  que/ques  Medailles  Grec- 
ques  Inedites,”  the  late  M.  Milliugen  (p.  46), 
has  given  the  following  second  brass  of  L.  Verus  : 


imp.  caes.  aveel.  VEKVS  avg.  Bare  head 
of  the  Emperor  Verus  to  the  right. 

Rev. — col.  I.  cos.  A woman  seated,  hold- 
ing a vase  on  her  knees,  at  the  foot  of  the  Acro- 
Corinthus  ; before  her  stands  a winged  horse, 
drinking. 

This  type,  as  the  learned  numismatist  above 
uamed  remarks,  has  evident  allusion  to  the  myth 
of  Pegasus,  captured  whilst  quenching  his  thirst 
at  the  fountain  of  Pirene,  by  Bellerophou,  with 
the  aid  of  Minerva. 

Port  of  Cenchrea. — On  a second  brass  of  this 
colony,  struck  under  Antoninus  Pius,  with  the 
legend  c.  L.  i.  cor.  the  reverse  type  exhibits  a 
port  of  semi-circular  form,  at  each  extremity  of 
which  is  a temple,  and  in  the  centre  of  the  har- 
bour is  a statue  of  Neptune.  Before  it  arc  three 
vessels  ; and  to  the  left  is  the  trunk  of  a tree. 

M.  Millingen,  in  publishing  an  engraving  of 
this  perhaps  unique  coin,  (an  accurate  copy  of 
which  appears  in  the  right-hand  column,  observes, 
that  “ the  port  here  represented  must,  accord- 
ing to  the  description  of  Pausanias,  be  that  of 
Cenchrea.  Its  form  was  semi-circular,  and  at 
each  extremity  was  a temple  ; that  to  the  right 
was  probably  dedicated  to  iEsculapius  and  Isis  ; 
that  on  the  opposite  side,  to  Venus.  A colossal 
bronze  statue  of  Neptune  was  placed  on  a rock, 
or  a massive  foundation  of  masonry,  raised  in 
the  midst  of  the  current.  The  tree  on  the  side  | 
2 0 2 


CORINTHUS.  283 

j of  the  port  is  doubtless  meant  to  signify  th 
pine,  near  which  Sisyphus  found  the  body  of 
Mclicerta ; and  where  Theseus  compelled  Sinis 
to  undergo  the  same  fate  to  which  he  had  sub- 
jected those  wretched  people  who  fell  into  his 
hands.  Although  this  tree  was  near  Crommyon, 
and  at  a great  distance  from  Cenchrea,  yet  by  a 
license  which  ancient  artists  often  allowed  them- 
selves, it  is  represented  close  to  this  port.”  On 
another  rare  Corinthian  coin  this  same  tree 
is  found  transported  to  the  foot  of  the  Acro- 
Corinthus  ; probably  intended  to  indicate  the 
Isthmian  games,  about  which  such  great  pains 
were  taken  to  cause  their  frequent  re-celebration. 
The  head  of  the  Emperor  Antonine,  which  ap- 
pears on  the  obverse  of  this  remarkable  speci- 
men, may  warrant  the  inference  that  the  port 
of  Cenchrea  underwent  certain  reparations  and 
embellishments,  under  the  orders  of  that  prince, 
of  which  history  furnishes  no  record.— See  Re- 
cueil, & c.  p.  48. 


This  autique  delineation  of  the  port  of  Ceu- 
chrea  derives  additional  interest  from  the  circum- 
stance of  its  local  connection  with  the  apostolic 
labours  of  St.  Paul  at  Corinth,  and  of  its  hav- 
ing been  the  place  of  embarkation  on  his  voy- 
age to  Ephesus,  and  thence  to  Caesarea,  in  his 
way  to  Jerusalem.  (Acts,  c.  xviii.) 

Sol. — On  a small  brass  of  M.  Aurelius,  with 
the  legend  of  C olonia  Laus  lulia  Corinthus,  ap- 
pears the  head  of  the  Sun,  ornamented  with 
rays. — A second  brass  of  Nero  exhibits  the  Sun, 
under  the  figure  of  a young  man,  with  radiated 
head,  and  with  a whip  in  his  right  hand,  driv- 
ing a quadriga  at  full  speed. — Sol  is  also  repre- 
sented under  the  type  of  a male  figure,  clothed 
in  a tunic,  and  crowned  with  rays,  on  coins 
dedicated  by  this  colony  to  M.  Aurelius  and  L. 
Verus. 

Apollo,  in  quality  of  the  god  of  day,  was  re- 
garded, next  to  Neptunus,  as  the  tutelary  deity 
of  the  Coriuthians.  For,  according  to  Pausanias, 
Neptunus  and  Sol  competed  with  each  other  for 
the  office  of  protector  to  their  city ; and  Briarcus 
being  appointed  to  arbitrate  between  them, 
awarded  the  Isthmus  to  Neptune  ; and  the  pro- 
montory which  commands  the  city,  viz.  the  Acro- 
Corinthus,  to  the  Sun’s  especial  guardianship. 
Iu  the  case  of  L.  Verus,  it  probably  associates 
itself  with  the  successful  result  of  his  eastern 
expedition,  the  flattery  of  the  Achaians  appro- 
priating to  imperial  princes  the  form  and  fashion 
of  the  very  gods  they  worshipped. — These  types 
are  engraved  by  Vaillant,  in  Coloniis,  i.  199  ; 
and  in  llavcrCamp,  Cabinet  de  Christine,  second 
brass  series. 


284  CORINTHXJS. 


CORNELIA. 


Temples. — Types  of  this  description,  under 
several  varieties,  appear  on  many  coins  conse- 
crated to  the  Roman  Emperors  and  their  Au- 
gusta hy  this  colony,  such  as  Augustus,  Oetavia, 
Tiberius,  Nero,  Galba,  L.  Vcrus,  &c. ; some  are 
of  four,  others  of  six,  columns;  some  with, 
others  without,  flights  of  steps  to  them. 

Temple  of  Venus. — A second  brass,  which 
offers  on  one  side  the  name,  titles,  and  portrait 
of  the  Emperor  Lucius  Verus,  exhibits  on  its 
reverse  the  legend  c.  l.  i.  cor.  and  the  type  of 
the  Acro-Connthus,  or  citadel  of  Corinth, 
with  the  temple  of  Venus  on  its  summit.  From 
the  extremity  of  the  rock,  the  horse  Pegasus 
takes  his  flight  into  the  air,  seemingly  ascending 
towards  the  heavens,  as  if  there  to  take  a place 
amongst  the  constellations.  At  the  foot  of  the 
mountain  is  an  edifice  and  a grotto,  on  the  left 
is  a tree. 


It  is  very  difficult  to  determine  what  are  the 
two  architectural  objects,  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  reverse.  It  is  believed  that  the  one  on  the 
right  baud  is  meant  for  the  temple  of  Neptune, 
and  that  on  the  opposite  side  is  the  grotto  where 
Sisyphus  deposited  the  body  of  Meliccrta.  The 
tree  on  the  left  hand  side  is  probably  the  same 
of  which  mention  has  already  been  made. 

This  type  of  a temple  on  the  top  of  a rock, 
with  an  edifice  and  a grotto  at  the  base  of  the 
same  perpendicular  acclivity,  is  by  no  means 
rare ; hut  the  additional  feature  of  Pegasus, 
springing  up  from  the  summit,  has  never  dis- 
played itself  on  a coin  of  Corinth,  until  published 
by  Millingen,  from  whose  “ Recueil,”  tab.  ii. 
No.  20,  the  above  is  copied. 

On  a second  brass  of  this  colony,  struck 
under  L.  Verus,  is  the  side  view  of  a four- 
columned  temple,  with  steps  to  its  portico. 
This  temple,  namely  that  of  Venus,  on  the 
summit  of  the  Acro-Corinthian  rock,  Pausanias, 
confirmed  by  Strabo,  stamps  with  an  infamous 
celebrity,  in  the  following  terms,  which  Vaillant 
(i.  203),  quoting  from  the  Greek,  gives  in  a 
Latin  dress : — 

“ Et  fanum  Veneris  Corinthi  fuit  locuples,  ut  ! 
plurcs  quam  cio.  habuerit  sacromm  famulas  | 
incrctrices,  qnas  Dew  viri  mulieresque  dcdica-  ! 
runt.  Ob  bice  igitur  ct  magna  horainum  multi- 
t udo  ea  in  urbe  ct  divitiie  fuerunt. 

The  Corinthians  seem  to  have  chosen  this 
temple  of  Venus,  as  a fit  type  for  a medal  dedi-  j 
rated  to  L.  Verus,  because  he  was  an  especial 
worshipper  of  that  goddess  ; for  Capitolinas,  his 
biographer,  states  him  to  have  been  so  entire  a 
slave  to  lust,  that  when  in  Syria,  “ non  solum  I 


licentia  vitae  liberioris,  sed  etiain  adidteriis  et 
juventutis  amoribus  infamatus  est.” 

Venus,  standing  undressed  in  a marine  car, 
drawn  by  a triton  and  ancreid,  with  legend  COR. 
and  the  names  of  the  duumviri  of  Corinth  at  the 
time : a most  elegant  coin  ill  second  brass, 
struck  in  honour  of  Agrippina,  wife  of  Claudius, 
and  also  another  of  the  same  type,  dedicated  to 
Nero. — Engraved  in  Vaillant,  i.  p.  113. — On  a 
coin  of  Autoninus  Pins,  the  same  goddess  is  re- 
presented as  a yonng  woman  clothed  in  the 
stola,  and  holding  the  apple  awarded  to  her  hy 
Paris  as  the  prize  of  beauty. — On  a second  brass 
of  L.  Verus  she  holds  a shield  in  both  hands, 
and  Cupid  stands  before  her  feet. — On  second 
brass  of  M.  Aurelius,  Lucilla,  and  Plautilla,  the 
image  of  this  grossly  cherished  deity  of  the  Co- 
rinthians, stands  within  a temple  placed  on  a high 
summit. — It  was  to  Venus  that  the  sensual  peo- 
ple of  this  colony  raised  temples,  under  various 
names,  and  erected  statues,  not  only  on  the 
summit  of  the  Acro-Corinthus,  but  also  in  the 
suburbs  and  in  the  port  of  Cenchrea. — See  the 
| word  VENUS. 

Victory. — The  Corinthians,  like  the  inha- 
bitants of  the  Greek  cities,  were  accustomed  to 
flatter  their  imperial  masters,  with  this  symbol 
of  military  success  and  triumph  on  their  coins. 
Types  of  Victory,  with  palm  branch  and  laurel 
wreath,  standing  on  the  ground,  or  in  a gallop- 
ing quadriga,  nppear  on  coins  dedicated  to 
Commodus,  Sept.  Severus,  Julia  Domna,  and 
CaracaUa. — Pellerin  gives  us  au  engraving 
(Melange,  i.  pi.  xvi.)  of  a Corinthian  small 
brass  of  Galba,  whose  coins  struck  in  the  colo- 
nies are  rare,  on  the  reverse  of  which  is  Victory 
standing  with  garland  and  palm  branch.  Also 
another  of  the  same  emperor,  with  type  of  two 
hands  joined,  not  given  in  Vaillant. 

CORNELIA  gens. — This  wns  of  plebeian  as 
well  as  patrician  rank  ; Sabine  in  origin,  and 
divided  into  various  branches.  In  its  patrician 
stem,  the  highest  and  most  noble  of  all  the  Ro- 
man families,  it  gave  many  remarkable  and 
illustrious  subjects  to  the  republic.  Amongst 
its  nutnerons  surnames,  those  which  appear  ou 
coins  are  Balbus,  Blasio,  Ccthcgus,  Ciuna,  Cos- 
sus,  Faustus,  Lentulus,  Scipio,  Siscuna,  Spin- 
ther,  Sulla,  &c. — No  less  than  121  varieties  arc 
ascribed  by  Morel,  confirmed  by  Mionnel,  to  the 
coins  of  Cornelia  gens,  whose  name  is  also  read 
on  the  cislophori.  The  brass  pieces  are  the  As, 
or  some  of  its  parts,  or  they  were  struck  by 
the  moncyers  of  Augustus. 

The  following  arc  some  of  the  rarest  and  most 
interesting  of  the  Cornelian  mintages: — 

1.  blasio.  cn.  F.  llclmctcd  head  of  a sol- 
dier, without  beard. Rev. — A male  figure, 


CORNELIA. 


CORNELIA.  285 


naked,  with  liasta  in  the  right,  and  arrows  or 
the  fidnicu  in  the  left  hand,  stands  between  two 
clothed  female  figures,  one  of  them  galeated, 
and  who  holds  a crown  over  the  central  figure. 
In  the  exergue  koma. 

The  head  on  the  obverse  of  this  denarius  has 
all  the  appearance  of  being  a portrait.  Visconti 
and  Borgbcsi  agree  in  attributing  it  to  the  first 
Scipio  Africanus,  as  struck  by  the  rnoncyer 
Cneus  Cornelius  Blasio,  in  honour  and  praise  of 
his  own  family.  Its  likeness  to  the  bust  of  that 
great  man,  preserved  in  the  capitol,  seems  to 
warrant  the  supposition. 

Eckhcl  (v.  p.  180),  treats  the  reverse  of  this 
coin  as  representing  Dionysus  (Bacchus),  with 
Pallas  on  his  left  hand,  in  the  act  of  crowning 
him  ; the  other  female  figure  he  leaves  uniden- 
tified.— See  his  remarks  on  the  group  as  quoted 
in  p.  120  of  this  dictionary. — Mionnct  gives  a 
similar  description  of  the  reverse,  viz. : — “ Bac- 
chus debout  eutre  Pallas  et  unc  femme.” 

Riccio,  on  the  other  hand,  pronounces  the 
three  figures  to  be  “ Jove  stauding  with  hasta 
and  fulmen,  Juno  on  his  right,  and  Pallas  on 
his  left  hand,”  adding  that  “ the  type  is  conse- 
crated to  the  three  principal  deities  of  paganism, 
to  which  the  Romans  paid  the  highest  worship, 
and  which  were  the  objects  of  peculiar  adora- 
tion in  the  interior  recess  of  the  Capitolinc  tem- 
ple, where  Scipio  paid  his  devotions  (faccndosi 
supporre  figlio  di  Giove),  affecting  to  be  the  son 
of  Jupiter. 

2.  balbvs  pro  pr.  A club.- -Rev. — Head 
of  Octavian.  c.  caesare  hi.  vir.  r.  p.  c. — 
Engraved  in  Morell.  Tam.  Rom.  Cornelia. 

This  coin  belongs  to  Lucius  Balbns,  provin- 
cial pro-pretor  in  712  (b.  c.  42),  and  afterwards 
consul,  although  of  Spanish  origin.  He  was 
one  of  the  early  adherents  of  Octavianus,  whose 
head  he  has  stamped  on  this  coin ; and  the  club 
on  the  reverse  may  perhaps  refer  to  the  worship 
of  Hercules  by  the  Gaditani  (people  of  Cadiz), 
of  whom  he  was  a fellow  countryman. — Riccio, 
p.  67,  who  gives  an  engraving. — See  also  Morell. 

3.  L.  LENTVLVS  FLAMEN.  MARTIALIS. — Sec 

Flamett. 

4.  cossvs  cn.  p.  lentylvs. — An  equestrian 
statue,  holds  on  his  left  shoulder  a trophy,  and 
has  for  pedestal  the  prow  of  a ship. — Obv. 
avgvstvs  Divi.  f.  Laurcated  head  of  Augustus. 

A rare  denarius  from  the  original  mintage 
under  Augustus,  but  of  the  highest  rarity,  as 
restored  by  Trajan. — Engraved  in  Caylus,  and 
in  Morel. 

M.  AGRIPPA  COS.  TF.RT.  COSSVS  LENTVLVS. — 
Head  of  Agrippa,  with  the  mural  and  rostrated 
crown. — Obv. — avgvstvs  cos.  xi.  Laurcated 
head  of  Augustus. 

This  is  of  great  rarity,  as  contemporaneous 
with  the  mintages  of  Augustus,  but  the  resti- 
tution by  Trajan,  especially  in  gold,  is  rare  in  the 
highest  degree. — See  an  engraving  from  a well 
preserved  specimen  of  this  coin,  under  the  head 
of  corona  rostrata  et  muralis. 

The  above  two  coins  were  struck  by  Cneus 
Cornelius  Lcntulus,  called  Cossus,  one  of  the 
moneyers  of  Augustus,  son  of  the  consul  of  the 


same  name,  and  consul  himself  in  753  (b.  c.  1). 
They  were  both  minted  about  the  year  731  (b.  c. 
23),  certainly  not  beyond  742  (b.  c.  12),  in 
which  year  Agrippa  died.— Riccio,  67. 

In  the  former  of  the  two  most  probably  is 
represented  the  statue  of  Augustus,  erected  on 
the  occasion  of  his  victory  at  Actium,  to  which 
the  ship’s  prow  refers  that  adorns  the  base  of 
the  statue. 

On  the  second  reverse  is  the  head  of  Agrippa, 
general  and  afterwards  son-in-law  of  Augus- 
tus, who  greatly  contributed  by  his  counsels 
and  by  his  military  valour  to  advance  the 
fortunes  and  to  embellish  the  life  of  the  first 
Roman  emperor.  (Sec  p.  27  of  this  dictionary.) 
— The  rostral  crown  was  awarded  to  victors  in 
naval  engagements,  and  that  which  is  seen  on 
the  head  of  Agrippa  is  referable  to  the  above- 
mentioned  battle  of  Actium,  gained  by  him 
whilst  in  commaud  of  Octavian’s  fleet  against 
that  of  Mark  Antony  and  Cleopatra. 

5.  ex.  s.  c.  Female  head  with  a helmet, 
terminated  with  the  head  of  a griffin. — Rev. — 
cethegvs  or  cetegvs  (sic.)  A naked  man, 
with  Phrygian  bonnet,  riding  on  a goat  at  full 
speed.  Below  roma,  all  within  a crown  of  ivy. 
— Valued  by  Miounet  at  200  fr. — Engraved  in 
Morell.  Tam.  Rom.  Cornelia. 

In  the  mintages  of  the  Fonteia  family  Eckhel 
recognises  the  genius  of  Apollo  Vcjovis  riding 
on  the  goat,  which  was  held  sacred  to  him. — 
By  the  same  rule,  Cavcdoni  is  disposed  to  view, 
in  the  above  reverse,  the  genius  of  Juno  Lanu- 
vina,  and  to  suppose  that  it  alludes  to  a passage 
in  the  life  of  Cains  Cornelius  Cethegus,  consul 
in  557  (b.  c.  197)  who,  at  a battle  with  the 
Insubres  (people  of  Lombardy),  made  the  vow 
of  a temple  to  the  goddess ; and  that  the  goat 
and  ivy  crown  refers  to  the  cognomen  of  Cethe- 
gns,  which  in  the  Greek  language  corresponds 
with  edera  and  capra.  The  workmanship  of 
this  denarius,  of  classic  rarity,  carries  it  to  the 
latest  age  of  the  republic. — Riccio,  p.  63. 

6.  L.  scip.  asiag.  Jupiter  in  a quadriga  at 
full  speed,  holding  a sceptre  and  the  reins  in  his 
right  hand. — Obv. — Head  of  Jupiter  Capitoliuus. 


This  denarius,  Eckhcl,  agreeing  with  preced 
ing  numismatists,  considers  to  have  been  coined 
in  reference  to  Lucius  Cornelius  Scipio,  consul  in 
the  year  of  Rome  564  (b.  c.  190),  to  whom  the 
people  then  and  not  before,  decreed  the  govern- 
ment of  Greece,  and  the  carrying  on  of  the  war 
with  Antiochus  the  Great.  He  was  the  eldest 
brother  of  Publius  Scipio.  And  as  Publius  Scipio 
took  the  name  of  Africanus,  for  his  conquests  in 
Africa,  so  Lucius  Scipio,  having  subdued  the 
Syrian  monarch  and  restored  peace  in  Asia,  re- 
ceived the  name  of  Asiagenes , or  Asiatic  us. 


286  CORNELIA. 

On  the  other  hand,  Borghesi  contends  that 
this  denarius  does  not  belong  to  the  consul  of 
564,  but  to  another  Lucius  posterior  to  600 
(b.  c.  154),  and  Cavedoni  refers  it  to  the  consul 
of  671,  viz.  L.  Cornelius  Scipio  Asiaticus  (b.  c. 
83).  The  head  of  Jupiter  on  the  obverse,  and 
the  same  deity  in  the  quadriga  of  the  reverse, 
appears  to  allude  to  the  protection  extended  by 
that  deity  to  the  Romans. — See  Iliccio,  p.  68.  ’ 

7.  Laureated  and  bearded  head  of  Jupiter. — 
Rev. — c.  N.  l.E.vrv'L«i.  Eagle  on  a thunderbolt. 
In  gold. — Valued  by  Mionuet  at  150  fr.  by  Ric- 
cio  at  30  piastres. 

Borghesi  ascribes  this  to  Cn.  Lentulus  Clo- 
dianus  consul  in  682  (b.  c.  72),  probably  questor 
in  670  (b.  c.  84),  and  two  or  three  years  previ- 
ously one  of  the  monetal  triumvirs. 

8.  NERI.  Q.  vrb.  Bearded  male  head. — Rev. 
1*.  lent.  c.  marc.  cos.  A legionary  eagle  be- 
tween two  standards.  On  one  H.  on  the  other 
p. — See  neria  family. 

9.  L.  lentvlvs  c.  marc.  cos.  Statue  of 
Diana  of  Ephesus,  with  a prop,  or  support  in 
each  hand. — Obv. — Head  with  husliy  hair  and 
beard. 

The  obverse  type  represents  Jupiter  Pluvius ; 
and  the  Ephesian  Diana,  mammifera,  on  the 
reverse,  designates  the  place  where  this  rare 
denarius  was  coined.  In  fact  towards  the  close 
of  705  (b.  c.  49),  Lucius  Cornelius  Lentulus. 
and  his  colleague  in  the  consulate,  Caius  Clau- 
dius Marcellus  were  residing  at  Ephesus. — Ric- 
cio,  p.  65. 

10.  sisena.  roma.  Galeated  head  of  Rome, 
before  it  x. — Rev. — cn.  cornel,  l.  f.  Jupiter 
in  a rapid  quadriga  strikes  Titan  with  a thun- 
derbolt, whilst  his  horses  gallop  over  the  rebel- 
lious giant.  Above  are  the  heads  of  the  sun 
and  moon,  and  two  stars. 


Almost  every  one  is  acquainted  with  the  myth 
of  the  Titans,  who  attempted  to  invade  the 
throne  of  Jove,  and  were  all  destroyed  by  the 
Thunderer,  in  punishment  of  their  impious 
audacity.  IV hat  object  the  moneyer  may  have 
contemplated  in  borrowing  such  a fabulous  inci- 
dent, is  not  to  be  deciphered  by  any  help  that 
history  supplies.  But  an  endeavour  may  be 
made  to  interpret  the  meaning,  by  resorting  to 
the  assistance  of  proximate  and  contempora- 
neous events. 

Cueus  Cornelius  Siscnna,  son  of  Lucius,  was 
quastor  urban  us,  some  year  previous  to  623 
(B.  c.  131),  in  which  year  he  occupied  the  pre- 
torship.  At  that  time  the  consul  Perpcnna  hav- 
ing defeated  and  taken  prisoner  Aristonicus  (who 
in  Asia  attempted  to  throw  off  the  Roman  yoke), 
was  rewarded  in  consequence  with  triumphal 
honours.  Siseuna  wished  perhaps  to  indicate, 


CORNELIA. 

in  the  above  reverse,  that  it  was  not  with  im- 
punity that  the  power  of  the  Roman  people 
could  be  disparaged  or  insulted ; and  that  as  the 
daring  Titans  were  destroyed  by  the  extermin- 
ating thunderbolts  of  Jupiter,  so  the  enemies  of 
Rome  were  pulverised  and  dispersed  by  the  Ro- 
man sword. — Eckhel  himself  regards  it  as  a 
symbolical  representation  : — qui  ceterum  sim- 
bolicus  totus  videtur,  et  notare  seditionem  ali- 
quam  Roraae  felieiter  sopitam.  (v.  p.  189). 

Cavedoni,  cited  by  Riccio  (p.  68),  says,  “ I 
am  inclined  to  think  that  the  busts  of  the  Sun 
and  the  crescent  Moon  are  introduced  here  by 
way  of  allusion  to  the  name  of  Cornelius,  com- 
posed of  Cornu  and  /E/ius.”  A far-fetched  and 
unsatisfactory  conjecture.  The  appearance  of 
these  two  planets  is  more  likely  to  connect  it- 
self with  some  incident  relating  to  the  giants’ 
war. 

11.  C.  CASSI  IMP.  LE1BERTAS.  Head  of 
Liberty  diademed. — Rev. — lentvlvs  spint. — 
The  prefericulum  aud  the  lit uns. — See  this  coin, 
rare  in  gold,  engraved  in  p.  189  of  this  volume. 

12.  brvtvs.  The  simpuluw,  axe,  and  the 

secespita. Rev. — lentvlvs  spint. Riccio 

values  this  in  gold  at  30  piastre. 

13.  c.  cassi  imp.  Tripod  with  coriina. — 
Rev. — LENTVLVS  SPUTTER.  Prefericulum  aud 
lituus. — See  tripos. 

These  coins  were  struck  in  Asia  by  Publius 
Cornelius  Leutulus  Spiuther,  son  of  P.  Cornelius 
Lentulus  Spiuther,  consul  in  697  (b.  c.  57). — 
He  was  augur,  aud  opposed  to  Cresar  in  the  civil 
war,  in  which  he  lost  his  father.  After  the 
battle  of  Pharsalia  he  fled  to  Alexandria,  and 
was  pardoned  by  Julius.  On  the  death  of  the 
Dictator,  he  followed  the  party  of  the  conspira- 
tors, aud  held  military  command  under  them, 
with  rauk  of  pro-pretor  and  pro-questor. — After 
the  battle  of  Philippi  he  was  put  to  death  by 
order  of  Mark  Antony  and  Octavian.  It  was 
iu  711  or  712  (b.  c.  43  or  42),  that  as  pro- 
questor  of  Brutus  and  Cassius,  in  Asia,  he  caused 
these  coins  to  be  struck,  the  types  of  which 
shew  him  to  have  been  appointed  to  the  auguratc 
and  also  to  the  priesthood. — See  Riccio,  p.  65. 

14.  L.  SVU.A. — Head  of  Venus  Victrix,  much 
ornamented ; before  it  stands  Cupid,  with  a bow 
and  long  palm  branch  in  his  hands. — Rev. — 
imper.  itervm.  Prefericulum  and  lituus  be- 
tween two  trophies. — In  gold,  brought  £7  7s. 
at  the  sale  of  the  Pembroke  collection. 


This  coin  bears  on  its  obverse  the  head  of 
Venus,  because,  according  to  Plutarch,  Sidln  in- 
scribed Mars,  Fortnna,  Venus,  on  a trophy. — 
Cupid  with  a palm  branch  obviously  denotes 
Venus  Victrix.  The  two  trophies  on  the  reverse 
allude  to  two  victories  which,  in  the  year  667 


CORNELIA. 

(b.  c.  87),  lie  gained  over  Archclaiis,  the  general 
of  Mithridatcs,  on  Mount  Thurius,  and  in  the 
field  of  Cheronea,  on  which  account  two  tro- 
phies were  erected.  And  for  this  twofold  mea- 
sure of  success  he  was  called  IMP erator  1TE- 
RVM  (General  in  Chief  for  the  second  time). — 
According  to  universal  admission,  this  coin,  in 
gold  and  silver,  was  struck  in  Sulla’s  life-time. 
The  guttus  and  lituus,  sure  signs  of  the  augural 
office,  shew  Sulla  to  have  been  Augur,  as  was 
also  Faustus  his  son. — Appian  affirms  that  the 
former  was  also  invested  with  the  Priesthood. — 
See  Doctrina , vol.  v.  p.  190. 

15.  L.  MANLI.  PROQ«<?j/or.  Head  of  Pal- 
las, with  winged  helmet. — Rev. — l.  svlla  imp. 
Sulla  in  a triumphal  quadriga,  a flying  Victory 
holding  out  a crown  over  him. 

A highly-preserved  specimen  of  this  very  rare 
coin,  in  gold,  brought  £22  10s.  at  the  Thomas 
sale ; and  a somewhat  less  perfect  specimen  of 
the  same  obtained  £15  10s.  at  the  Pembroke 
sale. 

This  type  of  reverse  seems  to  shadow  forth 
one  or  more  of  the  signal  triumphs  which  the 
Dictator  achieved,  and  enjoyed  the  honours  of, 
over  Mithridatcs,  King  of  Pontus. — For  an  en- 
graving of  this  denarius  see  the  word  svlla. 

Lucius  Manlius,  who  caused  the  above  coin 
to  be  minted,  was  pro-questor  in  673  (b.  c.  81). 
lie  was  allied  to  the  family  of  the  Torquati, 
according  to  Cavedoni. 

16  The  head  of  Pallas  helmctcd,  on  which 
a small  figure  of  Victory'  behind  is  placing  a 
garland. — Rev. — Sulla  in  military  dress,  stand- 
ing with  parazonium  in  his  left  haud,  joins  his 
right  to  that  of  another  military  figure,  who 
holds  a short  javelin.  Behind  is  a ship,  whence 
Sulla  appears  to  have  disembarked. — See  this 
extremely  rare  coin  engraved  under  the  head  of 

SULLA. 

17-  svlla  cos.  Beardless  head  of  a man. — 
Rev. — q.  POM.  KVFI.  BVFVS  cos.  Another  bare 
and  beardless  head. — See  the  word  svlla. 

18.  SVLLA  COS.  Q.  POMPEI.  KVF.  A CUmlc 
chair,  between  a lituus  and  a crown. — Rev. — q. 
pompei.  q.  f.  rvfvs  cos.  A curule  chair,  be- 
tween an  arrow  and  a branch  of  laurel. 


Lucius  Cornelius  Sulla  (Felix),  and  Quintus 
Pompeius  Rufus  were  both  consuls  contempora- 
neously in  666  (b.  c.  88).  It  is  contended  by 
the  old  numismatists,  that  Faustus,  son  of  the 
consul  and  dictator  Sulla,  born  of  Cecilia  Ale- 
tclla,  his  fourth  wife,  wished  to  celebrate  such 
consulate  on  this  medal  by  typifying  the  sym- 
bols of  two  consuls.  But  this,  says  Riccio,  is 
contrary  to  the  reading  of  the  legend  both  on 
the  obverse  and  reverse,  which  shcws.it  to  have 
been  minted  by  a certain  Quintus  Pompeius 


CORNELIA.  287 

Rufus,  son  of  Quintus,  that  is  to  say,  a nephew 
descendant  of  the  consul,  and  maternal  nephew 
of  Sulla,  because  bom  of  Fausta  his  daughter ; 
and  thus  he  re-commemorated  his  ancestors  both 
paternal  and  maternal.  The  curule  chairs  recal 
to  mind  the  insignia  of  the  two  consuls.  The 
branch  and  the  crown  of  laurel  allude  to  the 
triumphs  of  Sulla ; or,  according  to  Cavedoni, 
they  are  introduced  here,  perhaps,  to  indicate 
that  Sulla  was  one  of  the  Decemviri  sacris 
faciundis.  The  lituus  attests  the  fact  of  his 
augurate.  The  arrow  refers  to  the  Apolliuarian 
games,  the  celebration  of  which  belonged  to  the 
pretor,  an  office  certainly  held  by  those  two 
consuls.  Sulla  effectively  obtained  the  pro-pre- 
torship  in  660  (b.  c.  94),  prior  to  his  being 
sent  on  his  Asiatic  expedition  against  Mithri- 
dates  and  Ariobarzanes. 

19.  feelix.  A heroic  head  diademed,  with 
small  beard,  and  the  skin  of  a lion  tied  to  the 
shoulders. — Rev. — favstvs.  Diana  in  a biga 
at  full  speed,  with  whip  or  lituus  in  her  right 
hand,  and  three  stars  in  the  field  of  the  coin. 

20.  favstvs.  Head  of  Diana,  surmounted 
by  a half  moon,  behind  it  the  lituus. — Rev. 
FELIX.  Sulla  in  the  toga,  seated  on  an  elevated 
platform ; behind  him,  below,  is  an  old  man 
kneeling  on  one  knee,  with  his  hands  tied  behind 
him.  Before  him  kneels  another  figure,  who 
presents  to  Sulla  a branch  of  laurel. — For  an 
engraving  of  this  coin  see  the  words  faustus — 

FELIX. 

The  above  and  other  money  with  these  legends, 
were  coined  by  Faustus  the  son  of  Sulla,  in  the 
time  of  Pompey  the  Great,  of  whom  he  was  the 
son  in  law,  and  in  the  year  700  (b.  c.  54),  when 
he  was  urban  questor. 

21.  l.  svlla  imp.  Figure  on  horseback,  in 
the  garb  of  pacificator,  or  ambassador. — Obv. 
— a.  manli.  a.  f.  Q.  Head  of  Rome  or  of 
Minerva. — In  gold,  valued  by  Mionnet  at  200  fr. 


22.  l.  svlla  fe(lix).  Same  type  of  reverse. 
— Obv. — Same  legend  and  type. — [Valued  by 
Mionnet  at  300  fr. — A specimen  of  this  almost 
unique  gold  coin  brought  £19  10s.  at  the  Pem- 
broke sale]. 

These  two  aurei  seem  to  borrow  light  from  a 
passage  in  Cicero,  wherein  he  mentions  a gilt 
equestrian  statue  raised  to  the  honour  of  Sulla. 
Eckhel  considers  either  that  the  equestrian  figure 
represents  a statue  which  was  dedicated  to  Sulla, 
or  that  it  refers  to  the  peace  obtained  for  the 
republic  by  means  of  his  famous  victories. 

A.  Manlius,  whose  name  is  inscribed  on  these 
coins,  appears  to  be  the  same  person  who  was 
lieutenant  to  C.  Marius,  in  the  war  against 
Jugurtha,  and  was  sent,  together  with  Sulla,  to 
the  Numidian,  Bocclius,  when  that  artful  king 
was  desirous  of  peace  with  the  Romaus.  After- 


288  CORNELIA. 

wards,  Manlius  appears  to  have  adhered  to  Sulla. 
Eckliel  further  remarks,  that  the  two  gold  coins 
above  mentioned,  much  exceed  the  usual  and 
prescribed  weight  of  the  aurei.  And  JSarthe- 
lciny  regards  them  as  being  of  that  kind  which 
was  struck  in  the  Peloponnessus,  during  Sulla’s 
government  in  Greece,  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  Lucullus ; for  which  reason  they  were 
called  peeunia  Lucullea. — See  Num.  Vet.  v.  191. 

23.  Head  of  Venus,  aud  a globe. — Rev. — A 
figure  reclining  between  Diana  aud  Victory. — In 
silver,  valued  by  Mionnet  at  30  fr. — See  an  en- 
graving of  this  rare  reverse  from  a denarius  of 
the  .Emilia  gens,  L.  buca,  p.  146  of  this  dic- 
tionary.—See  also  the  word  sui.la. 

.24.  Head  of  Venus,  behind  it  a sceptre  and 
s.  c. — Rev. — favst.  in  monogram.  Three  tro- 
phies, between  the  prefericulu.ni  and  the  lituus. 
— See  the  word  SULLA. 

25.  favst.  Beardless  head  of  the  young  Her- 
cules, covered  with  the  spoils  of  the  lion ; be- 
hind it  s.  c. — Rev. — A globe  in  the  midst  of  four 
crowns  ; below  it  an  acrostoHum  aud  a corn-ear. 

The  trophies  on  No.  24  allude  to  those  of 
Sulla,  that  is  to  say,  two  gained  against  Arche- 
laus  and  Dorilaus,  the  generals  in  chief  of  Mith- 
ridates  ; and  the  third  against  Fimbria,  general 
of  the  Marian  faction.  Eckhel  believes  that 
they  refer  to  the  entire  successes  of  Sulla  in  the 
Mithridatic  war ; that  is  to  say,  the  battles  of 
Cheronea,  Thurius,  and  Orcomencs. 

The  last,  with  the  crowns,  alludes,  according 
to  the  general  opinion  of  numismatic  antiqua- 
ries, rather  to  the  victorious  achievements  of 
Pompeius  Magnus  than  to  those  of  Sulla.  The 
acrostolium  refers  to  the  destruction  of  the 
pirates,  and  the  ear  of  corn  to  the  victualling 
of  Rome  through  commerce  promoted  by  the 
restored  freedom  of  the  seas. — See  Riccio,  p.  74. 

26.  The  trinacria ; in  the  centre  Medusa’s 
head ; three  ears  of  corn,  one  in  each  angle. — 
Rev. — LENT«/«j  MARC.  COS.  Jupiter  stand- 
ing; in  his  left  hand  an  eagle,  in  bis  right  the 

fulmen. — Engraved  in  Morell.  Ram.  Rom.  aud 
in  Riccio. 

The  trinacria  or  triquetra,  weU  known  as  a 
symbol  of  Sicily,  obviously  refers  to  the  place 
where  this  aud  other  denarii  classed  to  the  Cor- 
nelia family,  were  minted,  by  Lucius  Lcntulus 
and  Caius  Marcellus,  consuls  in  705  (b.  c.  49), 
but  exiles  from  Rome,  in  consequence  of  the 
civil  war  between  Cajsar  and  Pompcy  having 
then  commenced.  Moreover  the  head  of  Medusa 
in  the  centre  of  the  trinacria,  suflicicntly  indi- 
cates the  mint  of  Syracuse.  The  Syracusans, 
colonists  of  Sicily  from  Corinth,  were  fond  of 
allusions  to  the  Corinthian  fable  of  Perseus,  who 
cut  the  throat  of  the  snake-haired  Gorgon,  from 
whose  blood  sprang  Pegasus,  of  whom  Bellc- 
rophon  availed  himself  to  coinbat  and  vauquish 
the  Chiimcra.  This  winged  horse  is  common  to 
the  money  of  Corinth  and  its  colonies,  amongst 
which  was  Syracuse. — Sec  Riccio,  p.  65. 

CORNELIA  SUPERA,  wife  of  the  Emperor 
ASmilius. — See  supf.ua. 

CORNELIA  SALON1NA,  wife  of  GaUienna. 

— Sec  SALONIKA. 


CORNU.— CORN  UCOPIAE. 

CORNU.  A horn. — This  was  the  symbol  of 
power  and  strength,  by  which  men  in  ancient 
times  sought  to  imitate  that  “ glory  of  the  fore- 
head,” which  nature  has  given  to  certain  ani- 
mals. The  ram’s  horn  decorates  the  head  of 
Alexander  the  Great  aud  his  successors.  But 
that  token  most  frequently  designates  Jupiter 
Amnion  himself,  on  coins  of  Alexandria,  Bostra, 
Cassaudrca,  Laodicica,  and  other  Egyptian  and 
Greek  cities.  Moreover  it  appears  on  denarii 
and  aurei  of  the  Coruuficia  and  Piuaria  families. 
Lastly  on  imperial  coins  of  Augustus,  M.  Auto- 
nius,  Trajanus,  Hadrianus,  M.  Aurelius,  and  S. 
Scverus.  (See  Ammon,  p.  40). — Serapis  with 
horns  is  seen  on  coins  of  Trajanus,  Hadrianus, 
Antoninus,  M.  Aurelius,  struck  in  Egypt. — 
Juno  having  her  head  covered  with  horns  of  the 
goat,  appears  on  coins  of  the  Papia,  Procilia, 
Roscia,  and  Tituria  families,  and  of  the  Empe- 
rors Antoninus  and  Commodus. 

Cornua  Fluviorum. — Horns  on  the  heads  of 
river-gods  are  metaphorically  exhibited  from 
bulls,  whose  chief  strength  is  in  their  horns. — 
The  ancients  depicted  the  heads  of  personified 
rivers  as  adorned  with  horns,  to  indicate  the 
violence  of  waters,  with  which  the  earth  was 
torn  up  as  with  the  horns  of  a bull. — Spanheim, 
Pr.  i.  394. — See  F/uvitu. 

Cornu  Amalthea. — See  Amalthea,  p.  40. 

CORNUCOPIAE. This  well-known,  and, 

on  coins,  often  recurring  symbol  of  abundance, 
fecundity,  fertility,  and  happiness,  is  by  some 
mythological  writers  identified  with  the  horn  of 
Amalthea,  the  nurse  of  Jupiter,  aud  from  which 
horn  fruits  aud  flowers,  and  all  the  riches  of 
nature  and  of  art,  arc  represented  as  issuing. — 
Others  pretend  that  it  was  the  horn  which  Her- 
cules tore  from  the  head  of  Areheloiis,  iu  his 
encounter  w ith  that  protean  monster,  and  which 
the  nymphs  picked  up  and  couvcrted  into  the 
horn  of  plenty. — This  ornament  appears  on  a 
variety  of  antique  monuments,  both  sculptural 
and  numismatic.  “ It  is  (says  Millin,  Diction- 
naire  rles  Beaux  Arts),  the  characteristic  attri- 
bute of  Euthemia,  a goddess  of  the  Greeks ; 
Abundantia  of  the  Romans ; to  mark  the  fer- 
tility which  they  produce.” 

Cornucopia,  filled  with  fruits,  or  inclosed 
within  a wreath,  formed  of  corn-cars  aud  flowers, 
appear  either  as  the  symbol  of  the  inonetal 
triumvirs,  denoting  the  abundance  of  all  things, 
to  be  supplied  by  means  of  money,  or  as  the 
symbol  of  the  curulc  ediles,  and  are  found  on 
coins  of  the  .Emilia,  Annin,  C'arisia,  Claudia, 
Fabia,  Livineia,  Mussidia,  Julia,  and  Statilia 
families.  It  is  also  displayed  on  coins  of  Lcpi- 
dus,  Domitian,  Hadrian,  and  others.  It  is  like- 
wise seen  on  a denarius  of  Augustus,  placed  on 
the  back  of  a Capricorn,  which  holds  between 
its  fore  feet  a globe  aud  rudder  (sec  p.  172). — 
Also  on  a little  pillar,  as  in  M.  Aurelius.  The 
horn  is  filled  with  money,  which  a woman  is 
pouring  out,  as  iu  Abundantia,  Liberalitas,  &c. 

Cornucopia  and  balance  appear  on  a coin  of 
Hadrian.  It  is  seen  on  the  cunde  chair,  as  in 
Julius  Cicsar,  Augustus,  and  Titus : also  with 
the  caducous,  rudder,  globe,  and  apex,  as  on 


CORNUCOPIA  K. 

silver  of  Julius  Caesar. — For  a cornucopia,  with 
thunderbolt  at  the  back  of  it,  see  Fabia  gens. — 
The  born  of  plenty  in  the  bauds  of  Abundantia 
appears  on  coins  of  Julia  Mamsca,  Trajanus 
Decius,  Gallienus,  Salonina,  Tetricus  senior  and 
juuior  (see  pp.  2,  3,  of  this  dictionary). 

Cornucopia  is  seen  in  the  bands  of  JEquitas, 
or  of  Moneta,  on  coins  of  the  imperial  scries, 
from  Vitellius  to  Honorius.  In  those  of  /Eter - 
nitas  on  a coin  of  Titus — of  Africa,  as  in  Ha- 
drian and  Constantine  the  Great — of  Anttona, 
as  in, Nero,  Titus,  Nerva,  Trajan,  Hadrian,  An- 
tonine,  M.  Aurelius,  Commodus,  Scvcrus,  Cara- 
calla,  Alexander  Sevcrus,  &c.  It  is  an  attribute 
of  Asia,  as  in  Claudius — of  Ceres,  as  in  Faus- 
tina juu.  and  Domna  — in  those  of  Concordia, 
as  in  denarii  of  the  /Emilia  family,  and  of  Mark 
Antony,  Caligula,  Nero,  Galba,  Vitellius,  Titus, 
Domitian,  Trajan,  Sabina,  and  many  others  of 
the  Amjusti  and  Augusta,  as  far  down  as  the 
age  of  Constantine  and  bis  family. 


Two  Cornucopia,  with  a caduceus  between 
them,  form  a symbolical  type  on  a coin  of 
Drusus  junior,  elegantly  allusive  to  the  fecun- 
dity, and  consequent  happiness,  of  the  imperial 
family.  The  heads  of  the  two  infants — repre- 
sented on  the  large  brass  from  which  the  above 
cut  is  engraved,  and  which,  instead  of  the  usual 
issue,  of  corn-ears,  fruits,  and  flowers,  surmount 
each  horn  typified  on  this  coin — are  those  of  the 
twin  children,  to  whom  young  Livia,  wife  of 
Drusus,  son  of  Tiberius,  gave  birth  in  the  year 
of  Rome  776  (a.  d.  23),  to  the  exceeding  great 
joy  of  that  emperor,  who  notified  the  auspi- 
cious event,  in  rapturous  terms,  to  the  Senate  ; 
and  by  their  ordinance  the  piece  was  struck, 
Drusus  Cscsar  then  exercising  the  tribunitian 
power  for  the  second  time,  as  the  legend  of  re- 
verse sets  forth. 

Double  Cornucopia  fastened  together,  most 
commonly  brimful  of  fruits,  exhibit  themselves 
on  Latin  coins  of  Julius  Ciesar,  Livia,  Tiberius, 
Domitian,  Antouine. 

Two  Cornucopia,  with  a winged  caducous  be- 
tween them,  appear  on  medals  of  Augustus,  M. 
Antony,  Tiberius,  Claudius,  Titus,  Domitian, 
&c. — A duplex  horn  of  plenty,  on  which  a wo- 
man is  seated,  presents  itself  on  a coin  of  Tra- 
jau,  and  on  another  of  Antoninus  Pius. 

The  Cornucopia  held  by  Constantia  is  found 
on  coins  of  Caligula,  Antonia  minor,  and  Clau- 
dius— in  the  bauds  of  Fecunditas,  on  medals  of 
the  Empresses  Julia  Miesa,  Orbiana,  Mamma, 
Etruscilla,  Salonina,  aud  Sevcriua— of  Felicitas, 

2 P 


CORNUFICIA.  289 

as  in  Galba,  Vespasian,  and  many  of  the  suc- 
ceeding Emperors  to  Constantine  the  Great — of 
Fides  Publica,  on  coins  of  Vespasian,  Volusianus, 
Carausius — of  a recumbent  Riser  God,  as  in 
Domitian,  Trajan,  Hadrian,  /El ins  Caesar,  Com- 
modus, &c. — of  the  goddess  Fortune,  on  im- 
perial medals  from  Augustus  to  Constantins 
Chlorus. 

The  cornucopia  appears  in  the  left  hand  of 
the  personified  Genii  of  the  Roman  People,  Em- 
perors, and  Colonies,  on  numerous  coins,  as  well 
consular  as  imperial — such  as  those  of  Cor- 
nelia gens;  and  of  Nero,  Hadrian,  Antoninus 
Pius,  Commodus,  Albinus,  Severus,  Licinius 
senior,  Domitius  Domitianus,  Constantinus  Mag- 
nus, &c.  &c. — Sec  GENIO  I’OPVI.l  ROMANI. — 
genio  avgvsti,  &c.  in  this  volume. 

The  Cornucopia  appears  in  the  hands  of  Gal- 
lia, personified  on  coins  of  Gallienus  and'Pos- 
tumus — of  Honos  (the  God  of  Ilouour),  as  in 
Galba,  Vitellius,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Antonine, 
and  M.  Aurelius — of  Italia,  as  in  the  Fusia  and 
Mucia  families,  aud  on  the  imperials  of  Ves- 
pasian, Titus,  Hadrian,  Antonine,  &c. — of  La- 
titia,  as  in  Hadrian,  M.  Aurelius,  Faustina  jun. 
Lucilla,  Commodus,  &c. — of  Liberal i las,  as  in 
Hadrian,  Antonine,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Verus,  &c. 
— of  Felicitas  Teinporuin  and  of  Libertas,  as  in 
Vespasian,  Antoninus,  Severus,  &c. — of  Fax,  as 
in  Augustus,  Galba,  Vespasian,  &c. — of  Pietas, 
as  in  Mark  Antony,  Trajan,  the  Faustina:,  &c. 
— of  Procidentia,  as  in  M.  Aurelius,  and  other 
emperors  as  far  as  Constantine  M. — of  Roma, 
as  in  Hadrian,  Commodus,  Probus,  &e. — of 
Salas,  as  in  M.  Aurelius,  Valerian,  &c. — ot 
Securitas,  as  in  Trajan,  Hadrian,  Decius,  Gal- 
lienus—of  Utilitas  Publico,  on  a coin  of  Con- 
stantine the  Great. 

CORNUFICIA  gens,  of  the  plebeian  order, 
but  of  consular  rank. — Morel  assigns  five  varie- 
ties to  the  coins  of  this  family  : and  Mionnct 
gives  a fin?  engraving  from  the  gold  specimen 
of  one  described  as  follows  •. — 


1.  Head  of  Jupiter  Ammon,  horned  aud 
crowned.  Without  legend. — Rev. — Q.  cornv- 
fici.  avovr  imp.  A figure,  iu  the  augural  habit, 
holding  in  the  right  hand  the  liluits,  is  crowned 
by  Juno  Sispita,  who  stands  beliiud  him,  aud 
who  holds  on  her  left  arm  a shield. 

2.  Head  of  Ceres,  crowned  with  corn-ears. — 
Same  reverse  aud  legend  as  the  first. 

3.  Head  of  Africa,  personified  as  that  of  a 
woman  covered  with  an  elephaut’s  proboscis. 

All  these  are  of  the  highest  rarity  both  in 
silver  aud  gold,  especially  No.  2,  restored  by 
Trajan. 

Quintus  Cornificius,  to  whom  these  coins 
belong,  was  an  adherent  of  Julius  Caesar,  under 
whom  he  served  as  pro-pretor  iu  Illyria  706 


2lH>  COROLLA—  CORONA  E. 

us.  c.  48),  and  perhaps,  says  Eckhel,  through  that 
cause  obtained  the  title  of  IMP erator,  stamped 
ou  the  reverse  of  coin  No.  1;  or  according 
to  others,  he  acquired  it  at  a later  date  in  Africa. 
— After  Caisar’s  death,  and  disliking  the  san- 
guinary government  of  the  triumvirate, he  seceded 
to  the  opposite  party,  at  the  time  when  the 
proscribed  conspirators  made  their  retreat  into 
Asia,  under  the  leadership  of  Brutus  and  Cassius, 
and  he  went  as  their  appointed  lieutenant  into 
old  Africa.  These  coins,  it  appears  probable, 
were  struck  in  Africa  in  711  (b.  c.  43).  For 
African  Ceres,  Jupiter  Ammon,  and  the  head 
itself  of  Africa,  covered  with  the  elephant’s  skin, 
allude  to  the  place,  and  its  principal  deities, 
where  Cornificius  held  for  a short  period  the 
chief  command. 

From  the  type  of  Juno  Sispita  (sec  the  word), 
it  is  inferred  that  this  Quintus  Cornificius  wa3  a 
native  of  Lanuvium,  where  the  worship  of  the 
goddess  was  specially  observed. — The  inscription 
AVGVR  shews  not  only  that  he  was  an  augur, 
whilst  the  type  represents  him  in  his  augural 
dress,  but  also  designates  one  whom  Cicero, 
himself  an  augur,  salutes  in  many  letters,  as  a 
colleague  (conlcga),  and  speaks  of  (b.  c.  45)  as  a 
man  of  literary  judgment,  habits,  and  tastes. 

COROLLA,  a diminutive  from  corona — a 
litlle  crown,  or  garland,  either  composed  of 
flowers,  or  formed  of  thin  plates  of  brass  lightly 
gilt.  This  ornament  appears  on  coins  of  Faus- 
tina jun.  Com  mod  us,  Crispins,  Pertinax,  and 
several  others  of  the  imperial  series.  It  also 
surrounds  the  Putca / Libonis  on  a denarius  of 
the  /Emilia  and  Scribonin  family ; and  is  seen  in 
the  hand  of  Latitia. 

CORONAE. — Crowns  were  employed  from  a 
remote  period  of  antiquity,  either  to  ornament 
the  statues  of  deities,  in  reference  to  their  attri- 
butes, or  to  decorate  the  heads  of  great  men  in 
recompense  of  their  ascribed  virtues.  They  also 
came  into  use  amongst  the  people  at  spectacles 
during  days  of  public  rejoicing,  and  amongst 
private  individuals  at  banquets  and  festivals  ; in 
the  one  case  they  were  regarded  as  rewards  of 
valour  and  as  proofs  of  merit,  in  the  other  as 
sources  of  amusement  and  as  pledges  of  con- 
viviality. — Sec  Pitiscus. 

Crowns  were  not  indiscriminately  bestowed 
by  the  ancients ; each  god  and  each  hero 
had  his  distinctive  embellishment  of  this 
kind.  Olympian  Jupiter  appears  crowned  with 
laurel ; Dodonian  Jove  with  oak  ; Jupiter  Oli- 
varius  with  olive ; Ceres  has  a crown  of  corn- 
cars  ; Apollo  a crown  of  laurel ; Cybelc  and  the 
deified  personifications  of  cities  wear  turreted 
corouets  ; Venus  wears  the  golden  crown  given 
to  her  hv  the  Hours,  or  a crown  of  myrtle ; 
Minerva  a crown  of  olive  leaves;  that  of  Flora 
is  of  roses ; that  of  Bacchus  and  his  followers  is 
composed  of  vine  leaves,  or  of  ivy;  the  crown 
of  Hercules  is  of  poplar,  because  he  carried  thnt 
tree  into  Greece ; Sylvunus  and  the  woodland 
gods  were  crowned  with  pine;  whilst  Arethusa, 
and  the  divinities  of  the  water,  bound  their 
brows  with  reeds. — Millin,  Die.  ties  Beaux  Arts. 

Crowns  were  made  of  different  materials,  ac- 


CORONAE. 

cording  to  the  purpose  for  which  they  werc 
intended.  Thus  the  crown  of  gold,  corona 
aurea,  was  an  extraordinary  recompense  of 
bravery  as  well  amongst  the  Romans  as  the 
Greeks.  Those  who  obtained  it,  were  privileged 
to  wear  it  at  theatres  and  other  public  places. — 
Crowns  of  gold  were  also  consecrated  to  various 
deities,  especially  to  Jupiter. — Crowns  of  the 
same  precious  metal  were  likewise  presented  by 
different  provinces  of  the  empire  to  the  reigning 
prince. — See  Aurum  Coronarium,  p.  115. 

The  Romans  gave  Crowns  to  those  whose 
military  exploits  and  civil  services  entitled  them 

to  distinction  and  reward. The  subjoined 

notices  on  the  subject  are  exclusively  limited  to 
such  corona  as  are  represented  on  coins  : — 


1.  corona  civica  (or  Corona  Qnema  or 
QncrceaJ.  The  civic  crown. — This  was,  with 
the  Romans,  the  greatest  military  recompense, 
the  most  distinguished  personal  ornameut.  It 
was  awarded  to  him  who  had  saved  the  life  of  a 
citizen  in  battle.  The  emperors  themselves  dis- 
tributed this  high  reward  of  valour  and  merit, 
and  even  decked  their  own  heads  therewith. — 
It  was  formed,  or  after  the  appearance,  of  oak 
leaves  with  the  acorns.  For  this  reason  it  was 
called  qv.ercus  drifts,  or  oak  of  citizenship. — 
And  the  decoration  was  esteemed  so  honourable 
that,  at  Rome,  when  lie  who  had  received  it 
went  to  the  public  shews,  the  spectators  rose  at 
his  entrance  ; and  a conspicuous  place  was  as- 
signed to  him  near  that  of  the  Senators.  He 
was  also  exempted  from  the  obligation  of  serving 
public  offices. — In  the  case  of  Augustus,  the 
Senate  granted  to  him  the  peculiar  and  unpre- 
cedented honour  of  a civic  crown  suspended  from 
the  summit  of  his  palace. — See  the  word  Eagle. 

During  the  calends  of  March,  727  (B.  c.  27), 
and  yearly  thereafter,  a gold  crown  formed  of 
leaves  in  imitation  of  oak,  was  tendered  by  the 
Senate  to  Augustus.  Accordingly  wc  sec  on 
these  coins  the  oaken  crown  (corona  quercea), 
and  read  o.  c.  s.  or  ob  cives  servatos,  with, 
or  without,  s.  c.  for  having  saved  the  lives  of 
citizens,  being  an  ullusiou  to  the  peace  which 
that  prince  had  restored  to  the  empire  (sec  p. 
106).  In  like  manner,  the  silver  and  large  brass 
coins  of  Claudius  exhibit  ou  their  reverses  s.  r. 
Q.  K.  OB.  C.  S.  or  EX.  S.  C.  OB.  CIVES  SEUVATO-S, 
within  a crown  of  oak  leaves. — (See  the  above 
engraving  from  a well-preserved  first  brass  spe- 
cimen of  Claudius). 


CORONAE. 

The  civic  crown  of  oak  leaves,  with  inscrip- 
tions or  figures,  appears  on  coins  of  the  Aclia, 
Aquilia,  Durmia,  Liciuia,  and  other  families  ; 
and  (besides  those  above  mentioned)  on  coins  of 
Tiberius,  Caligula,  Nero,  Galba,  Vespasian, 
Titus,  Domitian,  Ncrva,  Trajan,  and  several 
others. 

2.  corona  lavrea. — Thelaureatcd  crown  was 
the  most  ancient  head-dress  of  the  emperors,  as 
it  began  to  be  used  as  early  as  the  time  of  Julius 
Ciesar.  This  honour  was  publicly  decreed,  and 
was  moreover  particularly  gratifying  to  him, 
as  a means  of  concealing,  on  public  occasions, 
that  baldness  of  the  head,  which  some  time  before 
his  death  had  come  on  to  his  great  annoyance. 
This  laurea  of  Julius  Ciesar,  as  plaiuly  appears 
from  his  coins  (see  pp.  152,  154,  155,  156),  was 
a simple  one,  whereas  that,  which  Octaviauus 
and  his  successors  wore,  was  bound  with  a 
diadem,  or  fillet,  which  was  tied  in  a knot  at  the 
back  of  the  head,  the  two  ends  descending  to 
the  shoulders. 

Etkhel,  in  an  inquiry  which  he  enters  into 
(viii.  360 — 61,  et  seq.),  as  to  whether  the 
corona  laurea  was  a badge  of  sovereignty,  makes 
the  following  instructive  remarks : — 

Here  is  an  involved  question,  since  the  sig- 
nification of  this  crown,  as  of  many  other  things, 
no  doubt  varied  at  different  periods.  That 
which  was  at  the  first  decreed  to  Julius  Ciesar, 
and  afterwards  to  Octaviauus,  was  but  a part  of 
those  distinctions  so  liberally  showered  by 
flattery  upon  both  those  individuals ; though  it, 
nevertheless,  by  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
conferred,  carried  with  it  a peculiar  mark  of 
dignity  and  superiority.  It  is  now  a well- 
established  fact,  that  neither  Julius  Ciesar,  nor 
Octaviauus  (afterwards  Augustus),  bore  any 
honours  but  such  as  were  publicly  decreed 
to  them.  And  M.  Agrippa,  accordingly,  does 
not  appear  on  coins  with  a laureated  head, 
because  the  laurel  was  never  decreed  to  him. 
For  the  same  reason  Tiberius  also  abstained  from 
its  use,  being  always  represented  with  bare  head, 
as  long  as  Augustus  was  alive,  and  he  himself 
was  only  Caesar.  On  the  death  of  Augustus  he 
immediately  assumed  it,  and  iudeed  all  the  other 
honours  and  privileges  of  his  father  by  adoption, 
as  his  own  by  right.  In  like  manner,  Nero,  till 
he  became  emperor,  declined  the  laurel  crown. 
From  all  which  instances  we  might  infer,  that 
this  badge  belonged  properly  to  the  emperors 
ouly,  unless  the  cases  of  Drusus  Senior,  Titus  and 
Domitian,  be  considered  as  invalidating  such  a 
rule.  And  yet  the  elder  Drusus  was  not  even 
Ciesar,  though  he  is  generally  seen  ou  coins 
with  a laureated  head;  and  notwithstanding  it 
is  well-known  that  his  coins  were  not  struck  till 
after  his  death,  yet  the  laurel  could  not  have 
been  given  to  him,  had  it  been  the  proper  and 
peculiar  mark  of  sovereignty.  To  his  instance 
may  be  added  that  of  L.  Vitellius,  the  father  of 
the  Emperor  Aulus  Vitellius,  who,  though  he 
died  in  a private  rank  of  life,  yet  appears  with  a 
laureated  head  on  the  coins  struck  by  his  son. 

I would  not  be  severe  upon  Titus,  though  he 
was  at  the  same  time  Ciesar,  yet  endowed  with 
2 P 2 


CORONAE.  291 

the  Tnbunitia  Potestas,  and  associated  with  his 
father  in  the  empire ; but  what  right  to  the 
laurel  crown  could  Domitian  possess,  when  yet 
ouly  Caesar,  and  deficient  in  all  these  other 
titles? 

It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  the  laurea  did 
not,  at  that  period,  denote  the  highest  post  iu 
the  realm.  Was  it  then  an  arbitrary  distinc- 
tion ? Far  from  it.  For  it  could  be  conferred 
as  a reward  for  great  exploits  in  war,  of  which 
species  of  merit  the  laurel  has  at  all  times  been 
the  symbol.  Victory  always  carries  it  in  her 
hand,  and  letters  bearing  news  of  a victory 
were  always  bound  with  laurel.  We  know,  that 
Drnsus,  on  account  of  his  tried  valour  in  battle, 
not  only  received  the  title  of  l/nperator,  but 
also  statues  and  a triumphal  arch.  L.  Vitellius 
too,  for  bringing  back  to  his  allegiance  the 
Parthian  Artabauus,  gained  no  small  credit. — 
And  as  for  the  warlike  deeds  of  Titus,  and  the 
honours  heaped  upon  him  in  consequence,  who 
does  not  remember  them  ? It  is,  indeed,  more 
difficult  to  associate  with  such  men  Domitian. 
Yet  it  is  highly  probable,  that,  by  the  indul- 
gence of  Vespasian  and  Titus,  when  they  en- 
joyed their  Jewish  triumph,  some  of  the  out- 
ward distinctions  of  military  renown  were  per- 
mitted to  Domitian.  Iudeed,  it  is  well  known, 
that  he  was  present  at  that  triumph  ou  horse- 
back, and  on  the  coins  of  that  year,  viz.  824 
(a.  d.  71),  he  appears,  habited  in  the  palutla- 
menlum,  and  holding  a short  sword  in  his  left 
hand,  and  that  it  is  only  from  that  time  that  he 
is  represented  with  a laurel  crown,  having  always 
before  beeu  giveu  bare  headed. 

That  in  after  times  it  passed  into  a law,  that 
no  one  but  an  emperor  should  be  crowned  with 
laurel,  is  distinctly  proved  by  coins.  In  the  ease 
of  Commodus  alone  this  honour  was  anticipated, 
and  even  there  only  under  the  circumstances  of 
his  being  associated  with  his  father  in  the  em- 
pire, as  Titus  was,  though  the  title  of  emperor 
had  not  been  actnally  conferred.  From  that 
period,  then,  all  the  Cicsars,  at  least  on  coins 
struck  in  Rome,  were  represented  with  bare 
heads;  the  radiated  crown  being  afterwards  per- 
mitted, but  never  the  laurel.  The  laurel,  how- 
ever, was  considered  one  of  the  insignia  of  sove- 
reignty in  other  parts  of  the  world,  as  well  as 
at  Rome.  According  to  Herodian  (vii.  ch.  6), 
wheu  Gordiauus  Africanus  senior  entered  Car- 
thage, on  the  occasion  of  the  Africans  declaring 
him,  who  was  their  pro-consul,  emperor,  out  of 
hatred  to  Maximinus,  “ laureated  fasces  were 
borne  before  him,  which  was  the  sign  to  dis- 
tinguish the  fasces  of  sovereigns  from  those  of 
private  individuals.”  From  the  time  of  Diocle- 
tian, all  the  Cicsars  admitted  as  associates  of 
the  Augusti  (Ctesares  collegee),  in  opposition 
to  long  received  custom,  assumed  the  laui-el,  viz. 
Constautius  Chlorus,  Gal.  Maximianus,  Maxi- 
minus  Daza,  FI.  Severus,  and  Constantine  the 
Great.  The  reason  for  this  may  have  been,  that 
each  of  them  ruled  his  own  province  with  almost 
plenary  powers.  Their  example  was  afterwards 
followed  by  the  Cicsars  Crispus,  Delmatius, 
and  the  sons  of  Constantine  the  Great.  But 


292  CORONAE. 

the  king  Hanniballianus,  Decentius,  Constantins 
Gallus,  and  Juliatius,  as  Cwsars,  being  held  in 
less  repute,  appear  with  bare  head.  After  the 
sons  of  Constantine  the  Great,  the  laurel  began 
to  fall  into  disuse,  and  the  preference  was  given 
to  the  diadem. 

The  crown  of  laurel  appears  on  the  reverse  of 
many  coins  of  families,  and  on  numberless  coins 
of  emperors,  either  by  itself,  or  held  by  some 
figure  over  the  head  of  another  figure. 

For  a fine  engraved  specimen  of  the  laurel 
rrnten,  see  Casarea  Philippi,  p.  1621 

Representations  of  the  laurel  crown  on  the 
heads  of  emperors,  engraved  from  well-pre- 
served specimens  in  large  brass  and  medallions, 
are  given  in  pages  104,  112,  155,  168,  173, 187, 
207,  212,  239,  kc.  of  this  dictionary. 


3.  CORONA  LAUREATA  ET  ROSTRATA.-A  CTOWn 
composed  of  laurel  leaves  and  berries,  inter- 
laced with  the  prows  and  stems  of  gallics, 
placed  alternately,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  in- 
scribed the  word  avgvstvs,  appeal's  on  a brass 
medallion  and  on  a large  brass  of  that  emperor. 
The  above  engraving  of  this  reverse  is  from  a 
specimen  in  the  British  Museum.  It  was  struck 
in  commemoration  of  the  decisive  naval  victory 
gained  by  Octavian  over  Mark  Antony  at  Actium. 

4.  corona  mvraLIS. — The  mural  crown  was 
of  gold  or  of  silver,  made  in  the  form  of  a wall 
with  towers  and  curtains.  It  was  given  by  the 
general  to  him  who  had  been  the  first  to  scale 
the  ramparts  of  an  enemy’s  towru,  or  who  had 
entered  by  the  breach.  These  turreted  crowns 
are  frequently  seen  on  Roman  coins  ornamenting 
the  heads  of  Genii,  and  of  Divinities,  to  whom 
the  guardianship  of  cities  was  supposed  to  be 
committed.  Hence  Cybele,  goddess  of  the  earth, 
and  the  rest  of  those  tutelary  deities  who  pre- 
sided over  provinces  and  colonics,  are  repre- 
sented on  coins,  with  mural  crowns  on  their 
heads. — Sec  p.  12  (Furia  gens) ; p.  171  (Cappa- 
docia) ; also  see  Corona  Jlostrala  el  Mural  is,  in 
the  nest  page. 

5.  corona  PAMPINEA. — On  a silver  medallion 
of  Mark  Antony,  the  triumvir’s  head  appears, 
within  a crown  of  mingled  vine  and  ivy  leaves. 

6.  corona  RAD1ATA. — The  radiated  crown, 
that  is  to  say,  a crown  composed  of  rays,  is  of  fre- 
quent occurrence  on  coins.  It  owes  its  origin  to 
the  nimbus  (see  the  word),  with  which  the 
ancients  decorated  the  heads  of  their  gods.  The 
statues  of  the  Sun  were  thus  crowned,  as  repre- 


CORONAE. 

seating  the  vivid  irradiations  of  his  light.  An 
illustration  of  this  presents  itself  on  a silver  coin 
of  the  Mussidia  gens  (engraved  in  Morell.  Tam. 
Rom.),  the  obverse  of  which  exhibits  a youthful 
male  head,  from  around  which  sharp-pointed 
rays  diverge  as  from  the  centre,  personifying 
Apollo,  in  his  quality  of  the  God  of  Day. — 
In  like  manner  are  some  of  Jupiter’s  statues 
adorned.  (See  p.  117). — Serapis  also  has  the 
head  radiated  The  Sun  of  the  Egyptian  pan- 
theon, he  was  regarded  as  the  eternal  benefac- 
tor of  mankind,  and  his  attribute  of  the  rays  be- 
came the  symbol  of  eternity  aud  beneficence. 

Amongst  the  Romans,  Julius  Ctesar  was  the 
first  who  obtaiued  the  radiated  crown.  It  is, 
however,  only  on  coins  which  were  struck  after 
his  death,  that  the  head  of  Cicsar  appears  with 
this  decoration. — Augustus  is  represented  with  a 
radiated  head  on  several  coins,  struck  after  his 
decease. — The  radiated  crown,  as  the  ornament 
of  an  emperor’s  head  during  his  life-time,  was 
introduced  in  the  first  instance  by  Nero.  (See 
Augustus  Augusta , p.  108 ; and  Augustus 
Gennanicus,  p.  109). — Vespasian  afterwurds 
adopted  it.  But  for  a long  period  it  made  its 
appearance  only  on  second  brass. 

As  exemplified  on  coins  of  S.  Several,  struck 
in  955  (a.  u.  202),  the  radiated  portraits  of 
emperors,  and  a head  of  the  moon  placed  on  the 
coins  of  their  wives,  denote  the  Sun  and  the 
Moon  ; and  by  such  devices  is  shadowed  forth 
the  Eternity  attributed  to  Princes  by  the 
ancients.  (See  p.  23 — 24). — Under  Caracalla 
the  radiated  crown  is  seen  on  brass  coins  of  the 
second  size  ; and  also  on  the  silver,  but  ouly  on 
those,  which  as  a novelty,  he  caused  to  be  struck 
of  a larger  size  ; an  example  followed  by  his 
immediate  successors.  In  later  times  the  use 
of  it  was  various  and  tluctuatiug,  as  may  be 
observed  on  reference  to  the  coins  themselves. 
Though  the  lanrcated  crown  was  for  a long  time 
withheld  from  those  who  were  only  Ctrsars,  yet 
the  radiated  one  began  to  be  permitted  them  as 
early  as  the  time  of  Diadumenianus.  On  the 
other  baud,  coins  give  the  laureated  crown  to 
Domitiau,  w hilst  still  CVsar ; but  never  the 
radiated,  though  his  brother  Titus,  in  the  same 
station,  wears  both  indiscriminately.  The  ra- 
diated crown  was  afterwards  in  less  esteem  than 
the  laureated.  This  is  proved  by  a silver  coin, 
exhibiting  the  heads  of  Balbinus  and  Pupienus 
Augg,  aud  Gordianus  Ctesar,  the  two  former 
laureated,  the  latter  rndinted.  The  crown  of 
rays  was  also  a symbol  of  consecration.  And 
that  it  was  the  peculiarly  appropriated  badge 
of  the  emperors,  or  at  least  of  those  of  the 
lower  empire,  is  clearly  shewn,  by  the  pane- 
gyric of  Mamertinus  on  Maximianus  Augustus 
(chap,  iii.) ; where,  besides  “ the  triumphal 
robes,  the  consular  fasces,  the  curule  chairs, 
the  retinue  of  courtiers,  and  the  glittering 
pageant,”  which  he  says  were  the  usual  accom- 
paniments of  an  emperor’s  presence;  he  also 
mentions — “ that  light  which  encircled  his  god- 
like head  with  a bright  halo  by  which  ex- 
pression was  doubtless  meant  the  radiated  crown, 
as  illustrated  by  certain  types  of  coins,  minted 


CORONAE. 

under  Constantine  the  Great. — See  Eckhel,  vi. 
270,  and  viii.  362. 

For  representations  of  the  radiated  crown  on 
the  head  of  au  emperor,  see  pages  39,  105,  109, 
181,  187.— See  also  rnvvs  avgvstvs  pater, 
and  nero. 

7.  corona  rostrata,  muralis. — The  rostral 
crown,  so  called  from  its  ornaments,  which 
imitated  the  prows  and  sterns  of  ships,  was  the 
peculiar  mark  of  honour  conferred  upon  the 
maritime  prefect  for  naval  commander  in  chief), 
who  had  gained  some  great  victory  at  sea ; in 
contra-distinction  to  the  naval  crown  ( corona 
nava/is),  which  was  given  to  him  who  had  first 
boarded  an  enemy’s  vessel.  Illustrative  of  this 
point,  there  is  extant  a gold  coin  of  the  highest 
rarity,  which  bears  on  it 

avgvstvs  cos.  xi.  and  the  head  of  Augustus, 

laureated. Rev. M.  agrippa  cos.  tert. 

cossvs.  LENTVLVS.  Head  of  Agrippa,  encircled 
with  a crown,  on  which  the  turreted  pecu- 
liarities of  the  mural , are  commingled  with  the 
naval  attributes  of  the  rostral  crown. 


The  first  particular  to  be  noted  (says  Eckhel, 
vi.  164)  in  the  above  coin,  is  the  crown  iu  part 
composed  of  the  beaks  of  ships,  which  the 
ancients  used  to  term  the  (corona)  navalis, 
classica,  or  rostrata. — Octaviauus  conferred  this 
on  Agrippa  after  his  naval  victory  over  Sextus 
Pompeius ; and  that  he  was  the  only  Roman 
who  was  so  honoured,  we  have  the  testimony 
of  various  writers — among  whom  are  Velleius 
(ii.  ch.  81),  Livy  (in  epitome  cxxxix),  Seneca 
(de  benefic.  ch.  32),  and  Dion  Cassius  (xlix.  § 3), 
who  further  states  that  the  crown  was  of  gold. 
Pliny,  however,  (xvi.  § 3),  says,  that  a corona 
rostrata  was  given  to  M.  Yarro,  by  Pompey  the 
Great,  after  the  piratic  war.  This  crown  of 
Agrippa  is  celebrated  by  Virgil  (see  pp.  27  and 
28). — And  Ovid  also  speaks  allusively  to  the 
same  valiant  and  successful  commander  (in  arte, 
iii.  392.) 

“ Navaliquc  gener  cinctus  honore  caput.” 

[And  (his)  son-in-law,  having  his  brows 
adorned  with  the  naval  decoration.] 

The  author  of  Doctrina  next  briefly  directs 
attention  to  the  mural  or  turreted  crown ; 
observing,  however,  that  he  had  not  been  able  to 
discover,  from  ancient  writers,  at  what  time 
Agrippa  earned  this  distinction. — For  the  name 
of  Lentulus,  the  moneyer  who  struck  the  above 
engraved  coin,  sec  Cornelia  gens,  p.  285  of  this 
dictionary. 

8.  corona  spicea,  from  Spica,  cars  of  corn, 
the  token  of  Annona,  or  of  provisions  (chiefly 
corn),  procured  for  the  public  use  by  the  Curulc 
Ediles,  to  whom  that  care  appertained,  as  is 
shewn  on  their  family  coins.  The  head  of  Ceres 


CORVUS.— COS.  293 

is  also  distinguished  by  the  same  ornament. — 
i See  p.  12. 

On  a coin,  having  for  its  obverse  legend 
agrippinae  avgvstae,  there  is  a female  head 
1 crowned  with  corn  ears.  Agrippina  was  the 
first  of  the  wives  of  Claudius,  whose  portrait 
i that  emperor  permitted  to  be  stamped  on  coins, 
in  the  same  manner  as  his  own ; from  which 
very  fact  it  is  evident,  how  much  influence  she 
assumed  in  public  affairs.  The  corona  spicea, 
is  seen  also  on  the  heads  of  Livia  and  Autonia, 
in  imitation  of  Ceres. — On  a very  rare  coin, 

| with  obverse  legend  sabina  avgvsta,  we  see 
Sabina’s  head  crowned  with  ears  of  corn,  as  re- 
presenting Ceres. — See  Eckhel,  vi.  257  and  522. 

9.  corona  triumphalis. The  triumphal 

crown  was  of  two  kinds.  One  was  given  by  the 
army  to  its  general,  and  he  wore  it  during  the 
triumphal  procession.  It  was  composed  of  laurel 
branches,  or  of  gold  fashioned  after  the  form  of 
laurel  leaves.  The  other  was  that  presented  by 
foreign  cities,  or  conquered  provinces,  to  a Ro- 
man general,  to  grace  the  triumphs  which  he 
was  about  to  celebrate  at  Rome,  and  iu  which 
they  were  carried  before  them,  with  great  parade, 
as  Livy  frequently  records. — Festus  on  this  sub- 
ject says — “ Triumphal  crowns  are  those  which 
are  carried  before  a victorious  general,  and  made 
of  gold  ; though  in  earlier  times,  for  lack  of 
means,  they  used  to  be  of  laurel.” — Julius  Caesar 
is  stated,  by  Appianus,  to  have  had  carried  be- 
fore him,  in  his  triumphs,  2822  of  these  crowns. 
— See  Aurum  Coronarium,  or  crown-gold,  p. 

1 15 — also  a symbol  of  it  in  the  bauds  of  asia, 
on  a first  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius,  p.  90. 

CORVUS. — The  crow  was  sacred  to  Apollo 
(sec  p.  64),  because,  as  Ovid  writes,  the  god 
changed  himself  into  that  bird.  The  crow  ap- 
pears standing  on  a branch  of  laurel,  iu  a coin 
of  Domitian,  and  beneath  a tripod  on  a denarius 
of  Vitellius. — See  xvvir.  sac.  fac. 

COS.  Consul. — PATRE  COS.  Patre  Con- 
suls, on  a denarius  of  Valerius  Messala. 

COS.  DES.  or  DESIG.  Consul  Designates. 
— Consul  Elect,  that  is  to  say,  before  he  entered 
upon  his  first  consulate. — See  consulatus,  p. 
267. 

COS.  DESIG.  ITER.  ET.  TERT.  Consul 
Designatus,  Iterum  et  Tedium. — Consul  Elect 
for  the  second  and  third  lime.  On  a coin  of 
Mark  Antony. 

COS.  ITER.  DESIG.  TERT.— Consul  a 
second  time,  elected  for  a third  time.  On  a 
denarius  of  Augustus. 

COS.  II.  Consul  Secundum. — DESIGN.  III. 
Designatus  Tertium,  as  iu  Nerva. 

COS.  III.  Consul  Tertium. — Consul  for  the 
third  time. 

COS.  IIII.  Consul  Quantum. — Consul  for 
the  fourth  time. 

COS.  LUD.  SAEC.  FEC.  Consid,  Ludot 
Saeculares  Fecit. — See  Ludi  Seeculares. 

COS.  PREIVER.  CAPTU. — Caius  Plan  tint 
Hgpsaus  in  suo  Consulate. — Privernum  taken 
in  the  consulate  of  C.  P.  Hypsseus.  On  a de- 
narius of  the  Plautia  gens. — See  hypsae  (p) 
aed.  CVR. 


294  COSCONIA. — COSSUTIA. 

COS.  A.  or  QUINQ. — Consul  Quinquies. 

COS.  TER.  DICT.  ITER.  Consul  Tedium, 
Dictator  Iterum. — Julius  Cicsar,  contrary  to 
ancient  usage  and  law,  was  both  consul  and 
dictator ; for,  before  him  no  one  was  consul 
and  dictator,  at  the  same  time. 

COS.  \ 1.  4 II.  Consul  Sextum  and  Septiinum. 
— Consul  for  the  sixth  aud  7th  time,  as  on 
coins  of  Vespasian,  Titus,  and  Commodus. 

COS.  OCTAVO  DESIG.  IX.  Consul  elect 
for  the  eighth  time. — Augustus. — (See  Eckliel, 
vi.  89). 

COS.  XIII.  and  XIIII.  Consul  for  the  13th 
and  14th  time. — Domitian. 

COSS.  Consules  or  Consulibus. — Consuls. 

COS.  ITERO. — Hadrian. 

AVG.  GER.  DAC.  PAR.  P.  M.  TR.  P.  COS.  ITERO. 
(sic.)  s.  p.  q.  r. — A military  figure,  standing, 
with  a spear  in  the  right  hand,  and  a short 
sword  in  the  left.  (Imperial  Museum.) — “ I 
published  this  coin  (says  Eckhel),  some  time 
ago  (Sytloye,  i.  p.  101),  not  only  because  in 
many  respects  it  differs  from  all  the  coins  of 
Hadrian  hitherto  discovered,  but  also  on  ac- 
count of  the  singular  substitution  of  itero  for 
the  customary  itervm.  The  coin,  however,  is 
of  elegant  workmanship,  as  is  most  of  this  em- 
peror’s coinage,  and  its  genuineness  is  indis- 
putable.” vi.  477. 

COSCONIA  appears  to  have  been  yens  p!e- 
beia ; for  a member  of  it  is  recorded  as  having 
held  the  tribuneship  of  the  people.  There  is  only 
one  coin  of  this  family,  a denarius,  on  which  is 
read  I.,  cosco.  m.  f.  Lucius  Cosconius,  Marci 
Filius.  Winged  head  of  Minerva. — Rev. — L.  Lie. 
c.v.  dom.  Lucius  Licinius,  C’neus  Domitius.  Mars 
standing  in  a biga  at  full  speed,  brandishes  a 
spear  in  the  right  hand,  and  holds  a shield  and  | 
a military  lituus  in  the  left. — See  Lituus  Mili- 
tant. 

The  reverse  of  this  silver  coin  is  uniform  iu 
type  with  that  of  one  belonging  to  the  Aurelia 
gens  (Scaurus),  hereto  subjoined  : — 


A similar  type  presents  itself  on  denarii  of 
the  Domitia,  Pompouia,  l’oblicia,  and  l’orcia  ! 
gentes. — The  denarii  in  question  were  each  of 
them  struck  in  commemoration  of  the  mouetal 
triumvirs,  iu  the  four  years  of  the  censorship  of 
Lucius  Licinius  Crnssus,  aud  Cucus  Domitius 

Aheuobarbus. Lucius  Cosconius  struck  his, 

from  658  (b.  c.  96)  to  662,  according  to  Eck- 
hel’s  opinion.  It  seems  that  he  never  figured 
in  more  conspicuous  employments. — Riccio,  75. 

COSSUTIA. — An  opulent  gens  of  the  eques- 
trian order.  The  surnames  arc  Maridianus 
and  Sabula.  Its  coius  are  contemporaneous  with 
the  dictatorship  of  Julius  Cicsar,  when  the  re- 
public was  extinct.  There  arc  three  varieties. 


COUNTERFEIT  COINS. 

The  two  following  have  historical  references, 
viz.  : — 

1.  CAESAR  DICT.  PERPETVO.  Head  of  Jlllius 
Caesar,  veiled  and  laurcated. — Rev. — c.  mahi- 
dianvs.  Venus  Victrix,  holding  a Victory  in 
her  right  hand,  and  in  her  left  a buckler  resting 
on  a globe.  Of  the  highest  rarity  in  gold. 

2.  caesar  parens,  patriae.  The  head  of 

Caesar. Rev.  c.  cossvtivs  maridianvs,  iu 

two  lines  crosswise,  round  it  a.  a.  a.  p.  F. — En- 
graved iu  p.  157. 

3.  sabvla.  Head  of  Medusa,  winged  and 
hair  braided  with  serpents. — Rev. — L.  cossvti. 
c.  f.  Bellcrophon  on  Pegasus,  brandishing  a 
spear  in  his  raised  right  hand. 


It  seems,  from  the  respective  legends  and 
types  of  the  above  coius,  that  the  two  first  were 
struck  by  Caius  Cossutius  Maridianus,  one  of 
Julius  Cicsar’s  monevers,  just  before  the  dicta- 
tator’s  death,  viz.  in  710  (b.  c.  44) ; aud  that  the 
same  Caius  Cossutius  Maridianus  continued  for 
some  time  to  take  part  in  the  direction  of  the 
public  mint,  under  the  Triumviri  Reipubtica  Con- 
st if  uenda  ; and  that  the  coiu  of  L.  Cossutius, 
the  son  perhaps  of  the  preceding,  might  be  dated 
711,  because  it  commemorates  the  foundation 
of  the  Roman  colony  at  Corinth,  with  the  em- 
blems of  .Medusa,  and  of  Pegasus  mounted  by 
Bellcrophon— the  planting  of  that  colony  having 
been  accomplished  by  Julius  Cicsar  in  the  before 
mentioned  year  710. 

Venus  the  victorious  is  well  known  to  have 
been  the  favourite  symbol  of  Julius,  allusive  to 
the  assumed  origin  of  his  family.  The  position 
of  the  legend  in  No.  2,  crosswise  and  round- 
about combined,  is  uuique  amongst  the  family 
class  of  Roman  coins. 

COSTA,  surname  of  the  Pedania  family. — 
COSTA  LEG.  Costa  was  one  of  Brutus’s 
Leyati,  or  lieutenant-generals. 

COUNTERFEIT  COINS.— These  arc  of  two 
distinct  kiuds,  namely  : — 

I.  Those  which  are  of  unquestionable  nuti- 
quity,  fabricated  to  impose  as  the  current  money 
of  the  country  or  district,  and  those  which  are 
the  productions  of  forgers  in  modern  times,  to 
deceive  the  amateur  and  collector.  Of  the  for- 
mer, examples  nre  known  which  arc  almost 
coeval  with  the  coinage  of  stamped  money. — 
Iu  the  Roman  series  ancient  forgeries  are  of  very 
common  occurrence,  both  in  the  consular  and 
the  imperial  money.  They  consist  of  casts,  ap- 
parently from  the  true  coins,  in  copper,  most 
ingeniously  plated  with  silver,  so  that  they  are 
only  to  be  detected  by  an  experienced  eye.  In 
many  specimens  this  coating  of  silver  has  been 
worn  away  in  circulation,  and  the  copper  or 


COl  NTE RFEITS.— CR E M N V . 
ammo,  of  the  ancient  forgery  is  easily  perceived ; 
but  in  those  which  have  not  been  subjected  to 
wear,  the  deception  is  only  to  be  detected  by 
very  close  examination.  Plinv  mentions  that 
in  his  time  these  false  pieces  were  prized  for  the 
ingenuity  of  their  fabrication,  and  states  that 
many  true  denarii  were  often  exchanged  for  a 
forged  example an  assertion  which  it  is  difficult 
to  reconcile  with  the  fact,  that  ancient  forgeries 
of  both  consular  and  imperial  denarii  are  con- 
stantly' to  be  met  with  in  our  times,  and  that 
some  types, — the  denarius  of  Claudius  with  nE 
bkitann.  for  example, — are  almost  invariably 
found  to  be  plated. 

II.  The  forgeries  of  ancient  coins,  in  modern 
times,  date  probably  from  the  latter  half  of  the 
1 6th  century,  when  the  productions  of  ancient 
medallic  art  had  begun  to  excite  attention  and 
invite  the  study  of  the  learned,  who,  destitute  of 
practical  knowledge,  were  doubtless  easily  de- 
ceived in  those  days ; hence  we  find  spurious 
coins  of  Julius  Csesar  with  veni.  vidi.  vici. 
and  acgypto  capta. — Also  the  effigies  of  Priam, 
Dido,  /Eneas,  Plato,  Artemisia,  Alcibiades,  and 
other  personages  of  antiquity,  specimens  of  a 
nefarious  art,  which  would  not  in  our  times  de- 
ceive the  merest  tyro  in  numismatics. — Modern 
counterfeit  coins  have  been  arranged  under  seve- 
ral classes,  viz : — 

1 . Coins  well-known  to  be  modern  imitations, 
chiefly  in  large  brass,  the  work  of  the  Paduan 
artists,  perhaps  not  originally  designed  to  impose 
upon  the  ignorant  or  unwary,  but  simply  exe- 
cuted in  rivalry'  of  the  ancient  examples.  Of 
these  many  specimens  still  exist,  and  are  now 
little  valued. 

2.  Coins  cast  from  the  former. 

3.  Coins,  or  rather  casts,  taken  from  moulds 
formed  from  ancient  specimens. 

4.  Retouched  ancient  coins  which  have  been 
expertly  altered  with  the  graving  tool. 

5.  Spurious  pieces  formed  by  the  union  of 
two  faces  of  different  coins,  namely  by  placing  the 
head  of  .dElius  as  the  reverse  of  a coin  of  Ha- 
drian, or  a head  of  Aurelius  to  a reverse  of  An- 
touinus  Pins.  The  last  type  occurs  as  a true 
coin,  and  has  been  often  imitated  in  this  way. 

The  above  described  fraud,  when  dexterously 
executed,  is  difficult  to  delect.  Beauvais,  who 
has  written  an  elaborate  treatise  on  this  subject, 
enters  into  many  details  which  may  be  perused 
with  advantage ; but  it  is  very  obvious  that  no 
written  instructions  can  be  sufficient  to  guard  the 
collector  against  an  ingenious  forgery',  and  that 
nothing  but  the  constant  examination  of  well- 
authenticated  coins,  of  which  there  are  abun- 
dant examples,  can  afford  him  the  means  of 
judging  of  the  integrity  of  any  rare  specimen 
that  may  be  offered  to  him. 

On  this  subject  the  reader  is  referred  to  that 
section  of  Mr.  Akerman’s  “ Introduction  to  the 
Study  of  Ancient  and  Modern  Coins,”  which 
treats  of  “ Forgeries  of  Public  Money" — an 
essay,  which  like  the  other  contents  of  that  in- 
structive little  volume,  will  amply  repay  perusal. 

Sec  also  altered  medals,  p.  39. 

CREMNA  (Pisidia: — Asia  Minor)  colonia, 


CREPUSIA. — CRISl’INA.  295 

now  called  Kebrinaz,  in  Anatolia. — The  coins  of 
this  city  are  Latin  imperial  in  brass,  dedicated 
to  Caracalla,  Geta,  Elagabalus,  Etruscilla,  and 
Tranquillina.  Their  legends  are  col.  cr.  pro. 
p.  (Colonia  Crernna  Provincia  Pisulice) — col. 
ivl.  avg.  fe.  cremna.  (Colonia  Julia  Augusta 
Felix  Cremna). — The  accompanying  types  are 
a Cupid  standing,  drawing  a bow — and  a legion- 
ary eagle  between  two  military  ensigns — also 
Bacchus  and  Mercury,  with  their  respective  at- 
tributes.— There  is  a first  brass  of  great  rarity 
and  elegance,  struck  at  Cremna,  in  honour  of 
Etruscilla,  wife  of  Trajan  Decius,  which  has 
for  its  reverse  type  the  radiated  head  of  Decius 
between  that  of  Herennius  and  Ilostilianus,  his 
two  sons,  above  which  is  an  eagle  with  wings 
spread. — Engraved  in  Vaillant,  ii.  202. 

CREPEREIA  gens. — A family  of  the  eques- 
trian order,  respecting  whom  little,  if  anything, 
is  known.  Its  surname  on  coins  is  Rocns. — 
There  are  six  varieties.  The  rarest  denarius  is 
inscribed  Q.  crefer.  m.  f.  rocvs,  and  has  for 
the  type  of  its  reverse,  Neptunus  or  Portnnus, 
standing  in  a car  drawn  by  two  sea-horses,  and 
brandishing  the  trident  in  his  right  hand.  On 
the  obverse  is  a female  bust,  probably  intended 
to  represent  some  marine  deity  ; behind  it  is  a 
fish.  Eckhel  regards  this  coin  as  referring  to 
j the  colony  of  Corinth,  founded  by  Julius  Cfesar. 
j — This  Quintus  Crepereius  is  not  known. 

CREPUSIA  gens. — Ancient  but  little  known 
— even  its  order  is  uncertain.  There  are  only 
two  types,  but  many  varieties,  on  its  coins  : — 

1.  CENSORIN.  Female  bust,  well  adorned, 
with  veiled  head. — Rev. — l.  lijieta.  p.  crepvsi. 
Woman  seated  in  a biga,  with  left  shoulder  to- 
wards the  horses ; guides  them  at  full  speed, 
with  both  hands  holding  the  reins. 

2.  A young  head,  probably  that  of  Apollo, 
with  a shell  before  and  a sceptre  behind. — Rev. 
p.  crepvsi.  A man  on  horseback,  galloping, 
brandishing  a javelin  in  his  right  hand — in  the 
round  of  the  coin  various  numerals  or  symbols. 

The  former  of  these  denarii  informs  us  that 
Publius  Crepusius  was  monctal  triumvir  with 
Lucius  Censorinus.  Beyond  the  record  of  this 
fact  nothing  can  be  positively  affirmed  respect- 
ing them.  Cavcdoni  is  of  opinion  that  the  year 
660  (b.  c.  94),  is  to  be  assigned  as  the  date  of 
these  silver  coins. 


CRISPINA  (Rrutlia),  daughter  of  Bruttius 
Prsesens,  a man  of  consular  rank. — She  was  a 
woman  of  great  beauty,  and  wa3  married  to  the 
Emperor  Commodus,  in  the  year  of  Rome  930 
(a.  d.  177).  On  account  of  adultery  she  was 
divorced,  a few  years  after  his  accession  to  the 
throne,  by  her  infinitely  more  profligate  and  aban- 
doned husband ; and,  having  been  exiled  to 
Caprese,  was  there,  by  his  orders,  put  to  death 


296  CBISPUS. 


CHITONI  A.— CROCODILE. 


by  strangulation,  at  an  early  age  (a.  d.  183). — 
Her  coins  in  brass  and  silver  arc  common  ; gold 
and  brass  medallions  very  rare.  Ou  Latin  coins 
she  is  styled  crisfina  avg(vsta)  imp.  com- 
modi.  avg.  Some  pieces  represent  her  with 
Commodns. 

The  rarest  reverses  amongst  the  coins  struck 
in  honour  of  this  empress  are — 

Gold. — ceres. — dis.  genitalibvs.  (Value 
150  and  300  fr.  according  to  Miounct). — dis. 
coni  vga  lib  vs.  (Brought  £10  10s.  Od.  at  the 
Thomas  sale). — pvdicitia.  (£11  at  the  same). 
— VENVS  FELIX.  (£16  at  do.) 

Brass  Medallions. — Diana  standing,  hold- 
ing a bow  and  an  arrow  (see  diana.) — commo- 
dvs  and  crispina,  with  reverse  of  Concordia. 
— VOTA  pvblica.  (300  fr.  each). 

Large  Brass. — romae  aeternae.  (24  fr.) 


CRISPDS  (Flavius  Julius),  eldest  of  the  sons 
of  Coustantiue  the  Great,  by  Miuerviua,  born, 
some  say,  in  the  East,  others,  at  Arles,  about 
a.  d.  300.  He  derived  his  name  from  his  great 
grandfather  Crispus,  brother  of  Claudius  Go- 
tliicus.  According  to  St.  Jerome  he  received  his 
education  under  Lactantius.  Be  that  as  it  may, 
certain  it  is  his  father  made  him  Ctesar  on  the  1st 
of  March,  a.  d.  317,  together  with  his  brother 
Constautinus,  and  Licinius  junior;  and  he  was 
nominated  eonsid  the  following  year.  A prince 
of  great  talents  and  virtues,  Crispus  distin- 
guished himself  at  an  early  age  by  his  military 
skill  and  valour.  In  the  war  carried  on  by  his  I 
imperial  father  in  Gaul,  he  turned  the  tide  of  I 
victory  against  the  incursive  Franks,  a.  d.  320.  I 
The  following  year  he  served  the  office  of  con- 
sul for  the  second  time,  with  Constantiuus 
Caesar  for  his  colleague.  Iu  323  he  destroyed 
the  fleet  of  the  Emperor  Licinius  at  Gallipoli. — 
By  a rash  and  cruel  order  of  his  father,  in  326, 
Crispus  was  put  to  death,  before  he  had  com- 
pleted his  thirtieth  year,  on  a false  accusation 
brought  against  him  by  his  mother-in-law  Fausta, 
whose  criminal  love,  it  is  said,  he  had  repelled; 
and  to  whose  revenge  or  jealousy  he  fell  a victim. 
Ilis  numismatic  style  is  d.  n.  fl.  ivl.  crispvs 
nob.  caes. — Crispus  and  his  brother  Constan- 
tine the  youugcr,  associated  ou  coins,  iire  called 

CRISPVS  ET  CONSTANTIN  VS  NOBB.  CAESS. 

MINTAGES  OF  CRISPUS. 

The  gold  are  of  great,  some  of  extreme, 
rarity.  There  arc  no  silver.  Small  brass  mostly 
common. 

The  following  are  amongst  the  rarest  reverses: 

Gold. concordia  avgg. crispvs  nob. 

CAES. — GLORIA  ROM ANORVM.  (Vnlllcd  by  Mion- 

nct  at  120  fr.  each). — gavdivm  roma’norvm. 

ALAMANNIA.  (130  fr.  CUch). VBIQVE  VIC- 

TORES. — VICTOR  OMNIVM  GENT  (150  fr.  each). 


— PRINCIPI  lWENTVTis.  (Brought  £14  10s.  at 

] the  Thomas  sale). 

Brass  Medallions. — iwentvs. — moneta 

CAESARVM. — SALVS  ET  SPES  XRPVBI.ICAE.  (sic. 

j 150  fr.) 

Small  Brass. — alamannia  devicta  (6ee  p. 

32). — BEATA  TRANQVILLITAS  VOTIS  XX.  P.  T.  R. 

(see  p.  125). 

CRITONIA,  gens  plebeia,  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing is  the  only  coin  : — 

aed.  pl.  Head  of  Ceres,  crowned  with  corn- 
cars. — Rev—  m.  fan.  L.  crit.  Two  togated 
men,  seated.  To  their  right  arc  the  letters 
P.  a.  aud  to  their  left  a corn-ear.  Silver,  rare. 
— See  a cut  of  this  denarius  in  p.  12. 

That  Lucius  Critouius  was  AEDiVij  PLebis  is 
(observes  Eckhel,  v.  199)  sufficiently  evidenced 
by  the  obverse  legend  and  the  reverse  type  of 
this  denarius ; for  the  latter  represents  him 
seated,  with  his  colleague  Marcus  Fannins,  each 
on  a common  sedile ; whereas  the  curulc  ediles 
used  a curulc  chair,  from  which  circumstance  of 
honour  they  derived  their  name  of  office — a dis- 
tinction exhibited  with  the  greatest  clearness,  on 
the  denarii  of  Furius  Crassipcs,  curule  edile  (see 
p.  12).  The  two  ediles  are  here  represented, 
iu  the  act  of  distributing  corn  among  the 
Roman  people,  as  is  indicated  by  the  spica 
before  them  ; and  by  the  head  of  Ceres,  on  the 
obverse,  symbolising  the  diviuity  who  presided 
over  the  culture  of  wheat.  The  letters  p.  a. 
on  the  reverse,  have  been  variously  interpreted. 
Eckhcl  believes  them,  aud  with  apparent  pro- 
bability, to  signify  the  same  thing  that,  in  a 
greater  number  of  letters — viz.  arg.  pvb. — is  in- 
scribed ou  coius  of  the  Sentia  family.  Aud  he 
considers  it  to  shew,  that  the  cost  of  providing 
corn  for  the  population  of  Rome  was  defrayed 
out  of  the  public  money  (ex  aryenlo  publico). — 
See  Annona,  p.  48,  et  seq. 

According  to  Riccio  (p.  77)  referring  to  the 
authority  of  Cavcdoni,  it  seems  that  to  the 
father  of  that  Critouius,  stated  by  Appiauus  to 
have  been  edile  in  710  (B.  c.  44),  this  coin 
should  be  ascribed. 

CROCODILE,  the  usual  symbol  of  Egypt 
and  the  Nile,  especially  on  coins;  because  that 
amphibious  quadruped  is  indigenous  to  the  Egyp- 
tian soil,  aud  to  the  other  regions  which  are 
watered  by  the  Nile.  The  Romans  placed  this 
formidable  animal  amongst  the  number  of  those 
wild  beasts,  about  which  they  were  so  curious  iu 
their  triumphal  pageants  and  theatric  exhibi- 
tions.— Pitiscus. 

On  the  medals  of  the  Ncmauscnsiau  colony 
(Nismes)  struck  under  Augustus,  a crocodile 
chained  to  a palm  tree  is  the  sign  of  Egypt  sub- 
dued to  the  power  of  Rome.  It  is  also  con- 
spicuous, with  open  mouth,  on  silver  aud  gold 
medals  of  Augustus,  accompanied  by  the  his- 
torical legend  of  Eyypt  captured. — Ou  gold  and 
silver  coins  of  Hadrian,  aud  on  first  brass  of  M. 
Aurelius,  we  also  see  the  crocodile  and  hippo- 
potamus at  the  feet  of  the  recumbcut  personi- 
fication of  the  Nile. — Miounct. — See  afgyfto 
CAPTA  (p.  13),  NILES,  aud  NEU.  COL. 

The  crocodile  was  worshipped  in  many  cities 


CROTALUM. — CRUMENA. 
of  ancient  Egypt,  amongst  others  in  Thebes,  at 
Arsinoc,  called  on  that  account  Crocodilopolis, 
at  Coptos,  &c.  whilst  in  other  countries  it  was 
regarded  as  a noxious  animal,  and  treated  as  such 
by  the  inhabitants. — Millin,  de  Beaux  Arts. 

CROTALUM. — This  instrument,  which  is 
seen  on  coins,  in  the  left  hand,  or  by  the  side,  of 
the  goddess  Cybelc,  was  a species  of  castanets 
made  of  thin  brass  plates,  which  were  struck  one 
against  the  other  with  different  movements  of 
the  fingers,  and  from  which  was  produced  a 
sound  like  that  which  a stork  makes  with  its 
beak.  Players  on  this  rude  music  were  admitted 
to  feasts,  to  regale  the  ears  and  eyes  of  the 
guests,  with  the  tone  of  their  crotala,  and  with 
their  gestures,  not  always  the  most  decent. — 
Pitiscus. — See  Cybele. 

CRUMENA. — The  purse  was  one  of  the  in- 
signia of  Mercury,  who  (says  Suidas)  was  the 
author  of  trade,  and  presided  over  commerce : 
for  which  reason  in  statues  and  on  coins  he  is 
seen  holding  the  money-bag.  Mercury  appears 
with  the  crumena  in  his  hand,  in  the  mintages 
of  M.  Aurelius,  Trajanus  Deeius,  Herennius, 
Hostiliamis.Valerianus,  father  and  son,  Gallienus, 
Postumus,  Claudius  Gothiens,  Numerianus,  and 
Carinus. — See  also  a medal  of  Colonia  Helio- 
politana,  inscribed  to  Philip  seuior. — Mercury 
has  the  purse  in  his  right  hand,  on  a coin 
of  Sinope  colonia,  in  Pcllerin,  Melange,  i.  pi. 
xix.  No.  3. — Also  see  the  word  mekcurius  in 
this  volume. 

The  Crumena  is  likewise  the  symbol  of  Abun  • 
dance,  and  appears  iu  the  right  hand  of  a female 
figure,  who  has  the  cornucopia;  iu  her  left,  with 
the  epigraph  vbkritas  or  vbertas,  on  coins  of 
Deeius,  Gallus,  Gallienus,  Postumus,  Claudius 
II.  Tacitus,  &c.  By  which  mouetal  type  is  in- 
dicated that  Plenty  holds  a full  purse,  because 
all  things  are  obtainable  by  money. — Raschc. 

The  Crumena  is  likewise  an  attribute  of  Litti - 
tia,  and  of  Securitas,  as  is  seen  on  coius  of  S. 
Scvcrus  and  of  Trajanus  Deeius. 

CRUX. — The  Cross,  an  instrument  of  punish- 
ment amongst  the  Romans  and  several  other 
nations  of  antiquity.  Cicero  calls  it  crude/issi- 
mum,  teterimumque.  In  fact  none  but  slaves, 
and  malefactors  of  the  lowest  description,  were 
subjected  to  it.  The  word  crux  was  applied  by 
the  Romans  to  every  species  of  punishment, 
whether  it  was  a tree,  or  simply  a stake,  to 
which  the  criminal  was  bound  or  nailed.  Hence 
it  was  designated  under  the  names  of  arlor  in- 
felix,  infame  lignum,  cruciatus  servilis. — Gene- 
rally speaking,  however,  it  is  usual  to  under- 
stand by  the  appellation  Cross,  a long  beam 
traversed  at  its  upper  end  by  a much  shorter 
piece,  of  wood,  whereon  to  fasten  the  arms  of 
the  sufferer,  whilst  the  body  is  placed  on  the 
beam.  Such  was  the  “accursed  tree”  on  which 
the  Jews,  in  the  reign  of  Tiberius  (7 8fi,  a.  d. 
33),  “hanged”  the  living  Bodv  of  OUR  DI- 
VINE AND  EVER-BLESSED  SAVIOUR— 
and  the  instrument  of  HIS  death  has  become 
the  revered  sign  of  Christianity.  From  the 
establishment  of  the  Religion  of  Jesus  of 
Nazareth,  that  sacred  symbol  is  found  on  all 

2 Q 


CRUX.  297 

Christian  monuments,  especially  from  the  period 
when  Constantine  the  Great  issued  his  commands 
for  putting  it  on  the  labarum  and  other  mili- 
tary ensigns.  Thenceforward  he  also  prohibited 
the  punishment  of  death  by  crucifixion,  through- 
out the  whole  extent  of  the  Roman  empire. — 
Aud  from  the  time  of  that  prince,  it  docs  not 
appear  ever  to  have  been  inflicted  again.  But 
from  having  been  an  instrument  of  horror  and 
of  ignominy,  the  Cross  was  converted  into  a 
mark  of  reverence  and  honour,  which  figured 
not  only  on  imperial  coins  and  sculptures,  but 
on  the  standards,  and  even  on  the  arms  of  the 
soldiers. — Pitiscus. — Millin. 

Crucis  signum. — Cross  on  a globe ; frequent 
on  coins  of  the  lower  empire. — A globe  was 
considered  as  the  type  of  dominion  over  the 
world,  from  as  early  a date  as  the  reign  of  Au- 
gustus. Afterwards  a figure  of  Victory  was 
placed  upon  the  globe,  inasmuch  as  to  her  was 
ascribed  not  only  the  conquest,  but  the  reten- 
tion, of  such  dominion.  And  when,  in  later 
times,  Christian  emperors  were  inclined  to  attri- 
bute their  successes  to  the  sign  of  the  cross,  they 
substituted  it  in  the  place  of  Victory. — A globe 
and  cross  appear,  first,  on  coins  of  Joviauus, 
in  the  hand  of  Victory : subsequently,  it  is 
often  seen  in  the  emperor’s  hand. — See  Victo- 
ria avgvstorvm,  gold  of  Joviauus  (Banduri), 
and  victoria  romanorvm,  brass  medallion  and 
second  brass  of  Jovianus  (Tanini). 

On  a second  brass  of  Constantius  II.  with 
legcud  hoc.  siono.  victor  eris.  Victory  is 
seen  crowning  the  emperor,  who  stands  habited 
in  the  paludamentum,  and  holds  in  his  right 
hand  the  labarum,  on  which  is  the  monogram 
of  Christ. — See  df.centivs  for  this  monogram. 

Some  account  of  the  “ Holy  Cross,”  as 
figured  by  order  of  Constantine  the  Great  on 
the  imperial  standard,  when  about  to  engage 
with  Maxentius,  will  be  found  under  the  legend 
spes.  pvblica.  It  was  borne  on  that  occasion 
amidst  the  ranks  of  his  army,  where  the  conflict 
appeared  to  be  sharpest ; and,  according  to 
Eusebius  and  his  transcribers,  this  new  ensign 
was  invariably  accompanied  by  decisive  vic- 
tory. Ilcncc  it  began  to  be  looked  upon  as 
alone  sufficient  to  ensure  success;  and  hence  also 
the  force  of  the  legend  IIoc  Signo  Victor  eris, 
which  no  doubt  was  also  inscribed  on  the  stand- 
ard. By  some  writers  this  reverse  is  referred  to 
the  cross,  which  Constantine  boldly  asserted  that 
he  beheld  in  the  heavens,  accompanied  by  the 
words  en.  TOVToil.  nika.  in  hoc  (signo)  vince 
— See  Eckhel,  viii.  117 — and  505. 

Crux. — The  cross  by  itself,  or  within  a laurel 
crown,  appears  on  coins  of  Valentinian  I.  Victor, 
Arcadius,  Theodosius,  Ilonorius,  Justinianus, 
Leo  I.  and  other  emperors,  professing  Chris- 
tianity.— See  julius  nepos  in  this  dictionary 
for  a specimen  of  the  type. 

A cross,  with  one  or  two  stars,  is  found  on 
coins  of  Eudocia,  wife  of  Arcadius,  Eudocia, 
wife  of  Theodosius  II.  and  others. 

A cross  in  the  hand  of  an  emperor,  or  of 
I Victory,  or  placed  on  a globe,  appears  on  coins 
| of  Valentinian,  Valens,  Theodosius  I.  and  II. 


298  CRUX—  CULTER. 

F'lacilla,  Maximus,  Martianus  and  Mauritius 
(sec  the  mimes),  also  Zeno,  Leo,  Mujorianus 
(see  the  name),  and  other  princes,  to  almost 
the  end  ot  the  Byzantine  age. — The  same  sign 
appears  either  by  itself,  or  with  a globe,  in  the 
hand  of  Victory,  on  coins  of  Valcntinian  I. 
Theodosius,  Arcadius,  Honorius,  and  Zeno,  down 
to  Phocas  and  Leontius  II.  It  is  also  exhibited  on 
gold  coins  of  Gaila  Placidia,  and  .Elia  Flacilla,  a 
female  figure  with  wings,  holding  the  cross  in  her 
right  hand.  Likewise,  w ith  or  without  a globe, 
in  the  hands  of  a female,  seated,  as  in  the 
instances  of  the  Valcutiuiani,  the  Theodosii,  &c. 

The  cross  upon  a graduated  pedestal  is  seen  on 
medals  of  Justinian  I.  Justin  II.  and  other 
Byzantine  Emperors. 

A cross , surmounting  a globe  placed  on  a gra- 
duated pedestal,  with  the  legend  of  devs  adivta 
romanis  is  stamped  od  the  reverse  of  a silver 
medallion  of  Heraelius  1.  who  undertook  an 
expedition  against  Cosraes,  King  of  the  Persians, 

“ ut  crucis  signum  ah  eo  Ilierosolymis  auctum 
repctcret.-Spanheim,  Pr.  ii.  638.-Mion.  ii.  434. 

CUDENDAE  area  moneta  jus,  vel permissio. 
— The  privilege,  or  permission,  of  coining  brass 
money.  That  this  was  granted  to,  and  exercised 
by,  the  Roman  colonies,  may  be  gathered,  in 
most  instances,  from  the  coins  themselves, 
especially  trom  the  Hispaniau  and  Corinthian,  on 
w hich  the  duplex  n.  or  dd.  explained  as  Decreto 
Decurionum,  is  usually  understood  to  indicate 
the  right  of  stamping  coins.  Nay,  even  the 
special  permission  of  Augustus  appears  on  cer- 
tain products  of  the  colonial  mint. — See  coi.o- 
niaf.  romanae,  p.  233 — see  also  perm.  avg. 

and  1NDVLGENT1AE  AVG.  MONETA. 

C.  V.  Consul  Quintum. — C.  V.  P.  P.  Con- 
sul for  the  fifth  time,  Father  of  the  Couutry,  on 
a silver  coin  of  Commodus. 

C.  V.  CUpeus  V otivus. — A votive  buckler. — 
See  p.  218. — See  also  Dedication  of  Bucklers. 

C'1  LLA  or  CI  LLU. — See  coela,  p.  223. 

CULTER  Victimarius  or  Sacrificus,  also 
called  secespita  (a  seco).  The  appellation 
given  to  the  knife  which  the  fiamincs,  tlamiuian 
virgins,  and  pontiffs,  used  at  sacrifices.  This 
instrument  had  a long  blade,  with  a round  solid 
handle,  of  either  ivory  or  bronze,  bound  at  the 
hilt  with  gold  or  silver.  It  was  with  this  that 
the  assistant  cut  the  throat,  of  the  victim,  and 
the  sacerdos  afterwards  examined  its  entrails. — 
This  sacrificial  knife  is  seen,  by  itself,  on  a coin 
of  Julius  Ciesar  (engraved  in  Morell.  Impp.  p.  ' 
72). — It  appears,  with  the  seenris  or  axe,  and 
the  simpylum,  on  a denarius  of  the  Cornelia 
gens,  with  the  word  brvtvs  below  it. — En- 
graved in  Morel  and  Riccio. 

CLM  EXER.  SUO.  Cum  Exerrito  suo. — 
Sec  coinage  of  Gallienus. 

CE NIC!  LIS — rabbit.  A symbol  of  His- 
pania. — Sec  coinage  of  Hadrian. 

CUPID,  god  of  love  and  pleasure. — It  is 
difficult  to  trace  the  true  mythological  origin  of 
him  whom  the  Greeks  called  Eros,  and  the 
Latins  Cupido.  The  opinion  most  generally 
followed  is  that  he  was  the  son  of  Mars  and  of 
Venus.  He  is  represented  as  a boy  with  wings;  I 


CUPID.— CURIATIA. 

jumping,  dancing,  toying,  playing,  climbing 
trees,  or  plunging  into  water  ; sometimes  seated 
on  animals;  at  others  riding  in  a chariot.  In 
short  he  is  made  to  perforin  all  sorts  of  parts  ; 
and  he  is  most  frequently  depictured  gambolling 
with  his  beautiful  mother. — Millin,  Diction- 
naire  de  la  Fable. 


\K_p 

On  a denarius  of  the  Egnatia  gens,  as  in  the 
above  cut,  the  naked  bust  of  Cupid,  with  bow 
and  arrow'  on  his  shoulders,  appears  as  the  ob- 
verse type. — On  another  silver  coin  of  the  same 
family,  a winged  Cupid  is  seen  clinging  to  the 
back  of  a bust  of  Venus. — On  a denarius  of  the 
Julia  family,  two  Cupids  arc  drawing  the  cha- 
riot of  Venns. 

On  coins  of  the  Cordia  and  Lucrctia  families, 
he  is  seen  sitting  on  a dolphin,  which  he  guides 
with  reins ; an  elegant  type. — Sec  Lucretia  gens. 

On  a coin  of  the  Julia  family,  Cupid  appears 
protruding  from  the  breast  of  Venus. 

In  the  imperial  scries,  lie  stands  on  the  hand 
of  Venus,  as  in  Faustina  junior.  And  there  is 
a brass  medallion  of  Lucilla,  with  venvs  for  its 
reverse  legend,  in  which  tic  is  represented  of 
adolescent  stature,  standing  opposite  the  figure 
of  the  goddess. — This  type  is  finely  engraved  in 
Iconographie  des  Empereurs  Domains,  by  M. 
Ch.  Lcuormant. 

Cupid  also  appears  on  coins  of  Julia  Domna 
(Venus  Genetrix),  Julia  Mamma,  and  Salonina. 

On  a colonial  imperial  of  Crcnma,  struck 
under  Geta,  he  stands  with  bended  bow  ready  to 
discharge  an  arrow.  On  a small  brass  colonial 
of  Corduba,  he  stands,  winged,  holding  a torch 
and  a cornucopia:,  a diademed  head  of  Venus 
being  the  obverse  type.— See  Akcrman,  Coins  of 
llispania,  pi.  iii.  No.  10,  p.  29. 

Cl.  l’lENNIA. — Of  this  family,  whose  very 
order  is  uncertain,  Eckhcl  laconically  says  “ geus 
parum  cognita.”  Its  coins  consist  of  three  dif. 
ferent  types,  which  have  nothing  iu  them  to  in- 
terest. The  brass  pieces  arc  divisions  of  the  As. 
The  silver  has  the  galeated  head  of  Rome,  with 
the  mark  X before,  and  a cornucopia:  behind, 
it. — Rev. — l..  cvp.  The  dioscuri  on  horseback. 
Below  roma. 

CUR.  Cundis,  as  AED.  CUR.  Aedi/is  Cum - 
Its. — See  akdii.es,  p.  12. 

CURIATIA,  a very  aneient  gens  of  the  ple- 
beian order.  It  was  originally  from  Alba,  and 
admitted,  with  others  of  its  inhabitants,  into 
citizenship  at  Rome,  after  the  destruction  of  the 
former  city,  uuder  Tullus  llostilius  (b.  e.  673 
to  641).  The  family  is  famous  chiefly  for  the 
association  of  its  name  with  that  of  the  three 
brothers  who  fought  with  the  three  Horntii ; 
the  well-known  result  of  which  particular  com- 
bat was  the  annexation  and  subjection  of  the 
Alban  to  the  Roman  people.  Its  coins  have 


CURIATIA. — CYBELE. 
four  varieties.  The  brass  pieces  are  parts  of  the 
M.  The  following  is  the  ouly  one  in  silver : — 


TRIG,  or  trige.  Galeatcd  head  of  Rome. — 
Reo. — c.  cvr.  f.  A woman,  habited  in  the 
tunic,  guides  a quadriga  at  full  speed,  holding 
in  the  left  hand  a long  sceptre,  and  crowned  by 
Victory  standing  behind  her. 

Eckhcl  observes,  that  to  Cains  Curiatius  [who 
was  tribune  of  the  plebs  in  016  (b  c.  138),  under 
the  consuls  Decius  Brutus  and  Scipio  Nasica], 
or  to  a son  of  his,  this  denarius  probably  be- 
longs; and  that,  in  adopting  the  surname  of 
Trigeminus,  aud  causing  it  to  be  inscribed  on 
this  and  other  coins  of  the  family,  lie  doubtless 
wished  to  appear  as  having  descended  from  the 
Curiatii  of  Alba.  ‘ Tcrgemiuos  (says  l’liuy, 
1.  vii.  $ 2),  nosci  certum  ( st  Horatiorum,  Curia- 
tiorumque  exemplo.” — Who  the  female  deity  is, 
with  the  long  sceptre  or  husta  pura,  in  the 
quadriga,  or  to  what  the  type  refers,  does  not 
appear  to  have  met  with  any  satisfactory  explan- 
ation from  numismatic  antiquaries,  either  of  the 
elder  or  of  the  modern  school. — See  Rieeio’s 
remarks,  p.  78. 

CURRUS. See  Cur,  p.  176. Also  see 

QUADRIGA,  and  TRIUMPH. 

CURSUS  PUBLICUS.— Public  conveyance, 
or  posting. — See  vehiculatio. 

CURTLA  gens,  known  ouly  by  its  name  agree- 
ing with  that  of  the  Roman  knight  who,  for  his 
country’s  sake,  precipitated  himself  into  a gulf 
in  the  Forum.  That  it  was  of  the  plebeian 
order  is  shewn  by  the  tribuneship  of  a Quintus 
CURTt'wj,  whose  coins,  as  connected  with  that 
family,  are  still  extant,  in  four  varieties  of  type, 
none  of  which,  however,  make  the  least  allu- 
sion to  the  self-devoting  patriot  of  the  Roman 
legend. — The  brass  pieces  arc  Tricntcs  and  Sc- 
misses.  The  following  is  the  only  denarius  ; but 
it  is  common  : — 

Q.  cvrt.  Galcated  head  of  Rome. — Rev. — si. 
sila.  Jupiter  Tonans  in  a quadriga  at  speed, 
holding  the  sceptre  in  his  left  hand.  Above  is 
the  tituus,  below  rosia. 

This  silver  coin  records  the  name  of  Quintus 
Curtius  and  of  Marcus  Junius  Silanus,  monctal 
triumvirs.-  -Riccio  (p.  79),  from  its  fabric,  con- 
| siders  it  to  have  been  struck  about  the  middle 
of  the  seventh  century  of  Rome. 

CURULE  EDILES. — Sec  aediles  curules, 
p.  12.  See  also  annona,  p.  48. 

CUSTODES  Dll,  or  DEAE,  with  the  type 
of  Fortune. — See  dis  custodihus. 

CUSTOS,  an  epithet  of  Jupiter. — iovis  evs- 
tos  is  read  on  coins  of  Titus  and  Caracalla. — 
In  like  manner  ivpiter  (or  ivppiter)  evsros 
appears  on  coins  of  Nero  and  Hadrian. 

C\BELE. — The  myth  of  this  goddess,  whose 
2 Q 2 


CYBELE.  299 

worship  was  adopted  from  the  oriental  regions 
! of  ancient  superstition  into  the  pantheistic  sys- 
j tern  of  the  Romans,  is  replete  with  contradic- 
tion, obscurity,  and  confusion. — Nevertheless, 
“ It  would,”  as  M.  Lenormant  observes,  “ be  to 
l call  in  question  the  universal  testimonies  of  an- 
j tiquity,  to  refuse  a rccoguitiou  of  the  primitive 
I affinities  which  have  united  the  religion  of  Cybele 
I to  that  of  Rhea  (the  wife  of  Saturn),  in  Crete 
and  in  Arcadia;  of  Ops  and  of  Main,  in  the 
Italian  peninsula.  But,  without  speaking  tl  the 
differences  which  may  have  existed  between 
Cybele,  Ops,  and  Rhea,  the  continued  worship 
of  the  first-named  of  these  goddesses,  its  more 
and  more  flourishing  state  in  Asia  Minor,  must 
have  contributed  to  throw  back  the  worship  of 
the  two  other  remaining  divinities,  in  Greece 
and  in  I taly,  among  religious  recollectious,  rather 
than  add  it  to  the  number  of  deities  of  whom 
the  worship  had  been  maintained  with  fervour. 
From  this  last  fact  it  results  that  the  monuments 
of  Ops  and  of  Rhea  must  be  rare,  whilst  the 
number  of  those  which  relate  to  Cybele  must 
have  increased  in  a large  proportion,  and  that 
to  an  epoch  comparatively  recent.” 

Admitting  the  almost  insurmountable  diffi- 
culties which  oppose  themselves  to  affording 
anything  like  a satisfactory  explanation  of  the 
mysterious  attributes  of  Cybele,  through  the 
medium  of  graphic  illustrations,  the  distin- 
guished French  writer  refers  the  reader  to  his 
work,  sur  la  Religion  Phrygienne  de  Cybele, 
whilst  in  LaNouvelle  Galeric Mylhologique  (p.  10 
et  seq.)  he  directs  his  sole  attention  to  the  exte- 
rior aud  to  the  materiel  of  the  Phrygian  worship. 

With  regard  to  the  parents  of  Cybele  we  are 
in  reality  left  ignorant  of  them ; unless  she  may  be 
considered  as  the  daughter  of  Uranus  (Heaven), 
aud  of  Gma  (Earth).  Amongst  the  surnames 
of  this  goddess  there  arc  some  which  refer  to 
localities  of  Asia  Minor,  such  as  those  of  the 
Idaan,  of  Bindymene,  of  goddess  of  Pessinus, 
or  of  Berecynthia,  &c.  Other  siuaiames  of 
the  Phrygian  goddess  are  drawn  from  qualifica- 
tions simply  titular,  which  have  often,  how- 
ever, the  isolated  and  independent  quality  of  a 
proper  name  Such  are  the  names  of  Magna 
Mater,  of  Mater  Balm,  Sec.  For  the  more 
perspicuous  but  less  becoming  incidents  of  the 
great  and  god  bearing  Mother’s  history,  re- 
ference may  be  had  to  atys  (p.  94),  her  youthfid 
priest  and  lover.  (See  also  matri  devm  salv- 
tari). — Numerous  coins  are  extant  which  prove 
how  extensively  the  worship  of  Cybele  prevailed 
among  the  cities  of  Asia  Minor. 

Cybele  is  uniformly  represented  on  Roman, 
as  well  as  on  Greek  coins,  as  a dignified  matron, 
robed  aud  veiled,  having  her  head  ornamented 
with  a crowm  of  towers.  She  holds  sometimes 
the  crolalum,  but  more  usually  the  tympanum, 
in  one  hand,  aud  a sceptre,  or  sometimes  a 
branch  of  pine,  in  the  other.  Her  chariot  is 
drawn  by  lions,  or  lions  couch  by  her  side,  or 
she  herself  is  seated  on  a lion  (seep.  186). — 
[ More  rarely  she  carries  cars  of  corn  as  designat- 
ing the  fertility  and  abundance  with  which  the 
earth  brings  forth  all  things. 


300  CYBELE. 

The  turreted  croton,  such  as  coins  display  on  j 
the  head  of  Cybelc,  forms  the  most  common 
attribute  of  personified  cities. 

The  pine  was  the  tree  of  Cybele,  being  that 
into  which  Atys  was  changed  (Ovid,  Metom.  x. 
104).  The  oak  was  also  sacred  to  the  mother 
of  the  gods. 

The  tympanum,  as  the  attribute  of  Cybelc, 
is  not  designed  solely  to  retrace  the  furious 
running  of  the  Galli  (priests  of  Cybele),  and 
the  noise  which  they  made  with  their  drums. 
The  tympanum,  from  its  round  form,  and  the 
manner  in  which  the  sound  was  obtained  (by 
sliding  the  finger,  and  by  pressing  it  on  the 
exterior  surface  of  the  skiu,  which  was  stretched 
at  the  bottom  of  the  tambourine),  belonged 
to  all  the  mysteries  of  antiquity.  It  is  found 
to  have  been  regarded  as  a sacred  object  at 
Eleusis — that  mystical  centre  from  which  the 
excesses,  similar  to  those  practised  by  the 
Galli,  had  been  carefully  excluded.  To  the 
idea  of  the  circle  already  expressed  by  the 
crenelated  crown,  and  the  modius,  the  tympanum 
joined  that  of  the  circular  movement  equally  ex- 
pressed by  the  rhombus  of  Eleusis.  It  is  this 
circular  movement,  and  this  perpetual  course 
round  the  same  which,  according  to  Plato  (in 
the  Dialogue  of  the  Cratylus)  constitute  the 
essence  of  the  gods.  p.  12,  Nouvelle  Galerie 
Mythologique . 

The  Hon  consecrated  to  Cybelc  has  not  yet  re- 
ceived a satisfactory  elucidation.  The  respective 
explanations  which  Lucretius,  Fulgentius,  Ser- 
vius,  &c.  have  given  in  reference  to  the  lions  of 
that  goddess,  savour,  more  or  less,  of  the  spirit 
of  the  allegorical  school,  which  it  is  necessary  to 
avoid  confounding  with  the  symbolic  school. — 
At  any  rate  these  explanations  belong  to  that 
epoeha,  when,  under  the  name  of  natural  theo- 
toyy,  the  aim  was  to  open  a way  to  the  pro- 
gress of  the  sciences,  in  a religion  based  on  a 
complete  ignorance  of  the  laws  of  physics  and 
of  astronomy. — Ibid,  p.  13. 

Cybele  is,  in  the  Roman  mint,  for  the  most 
part  typified  on  coins  of  Empresses  : — 


On  a brass  medallion  of  the  younger  Faustina, 
Cybelc  is  represented  seated  on  a throne  with  a 
foot-stool,  holding  with  one  hand  the  tympanum 
and  in  the  other  a branch  of  pine.  On  each  side 
of  the  throne  is  n lion.  Crotu/a  arc  suspended 
near  her  from  a pine  tree.  On  the  left  is  Atys, 


CYBELE. 

standing  with  his  face  towards  the  goddess ; his 
head  covered  with  the  Phrygian  cap.  11c  holds 
in  his  left  hand  the  pedum,  or  crooked  stick, 
and  in  his  right  the  syrinx,  or  flute  of  reeds. 

This  fine  medallion  presents  to  us  the  united 
personifications  of  Cybelc  and  Atys,  under  the 
most  frequently  recurring  form  in  the  domain 
of  figured  antiquity. — “The  resinous  pine,  con- 
secrated to  Atys,  reminds  us,”  says  M.  Lcnor- 
mant,  “ of  the  myrrh  tree,  into  which  the 
mother  of  Adonis  was  transformed,  and  of  the 
bark,  from  which  the  young  god  was  drawn  by 
the  women  of  Arabia,  wheu  the  moment  of  his 
birth  was  come  (Ovid,  Metam.  x.  490,  seq. 
512,  et  seq.)  * * * * The  pine  of  Atys,  aud 
the  tree  of  Adonis,  are  forms  of  the  same  idea 
appropriated  to  the  productions  of  two  different 
climates.” — These  approximations,  M.  Leuor- 
mant  considers  to  be,  in  the  Phrygian  religion, 
representations  of  the  doctrine  of  the  \&yos, 
from  which,  conformably  to  the  genius  of  the 
the  reform  of  Zoroaster,  every  authropomor- 
phique  appearauce  had  been  banished.” — See 
Nouvelle  Galerie  Mylhol.  p.  14. 

On  a first  brass  of  Faustina  senior,  the 
mother  of  the  gods  (Cybele),  with  a crown  of 
towers,  seated  on  a throne,  holds  the  tympanum 
on  her  knee — on  each  side  the  throne  is  a lion. 
— See  MATRI  DEVS!  SAI.VTAR1. 

On  a large  brass  of  Faustina  junior,  there  is  a 
similar  type  of  Cybele. — See  mathi  magnae. 

On  a brass  mcdalliou  of  the  elder  Faustina, 
with  veiled  portrait,  the  great  Pcssiuuutiau  god- 
dess, of  whom  Kiug  Attains  had  made  u pre- 
sent to  the  Romans,  is  represented  as  brought 
to  Rome,  in  a ship  drawn  by  the  vestal  Claudia 
Quinta,  who  gives  a proof  of  her  virtue  by 
causing  the  vessel  to  advance  by  means  of  her 
girdle  which  she  attaches  to  it.  Many  matrons, 
with  torches  in  their  hauds,  are  uear  the  vestal. 
— See  ci.avdia,  p.  211. 

On  a brass  medallion  of  Hadriau,  Cybele  hold- 
ing the  tympanum,  is  seated  on  a car  drawn  by- 
four  lions.  Cybelc  also  appears  on  medallions 
and  first  brass  coins  of  Sabina,  Antoninus  Pius, 
Lucilla,  Com  modus,  Julia  Domna,  &c. 

On  a brass  medallion  of  Hadrian,  Cybele, 
holding  the  tympanum  in  her  left  hand,  rested 
on  her  knees,  is  seated  on  a car  drawn  by  four 
lions.  On  the  exergue  of  this  reverse  is  CO/i- 
S«/  III. 

The  figure  of  Cybele,  in  the  quadriga,  re- 
calls in  a striking  manner  the  verse  of  Lucre- 
tius (De  Nat.  Her.  ii.  600-604) : — 

Dane  veteres  Graiftm  docti  cccinere  poetic 

Subliniem  in  curru  bijugos  agitare  leones  : 

Aeris  in  spatio  magnam  pendere  doccntcs 

Tellurem  ; ncque  posse  in  terra  sistere  terrain. 

[She  it  is,  whom  the  ancient  aud  skilled  bards 
of  Greece  have  sung,  as  guiding  aloft  two  lions 
yoked  to  her  ear  ; maintaining,  that  this  vast 
world  haugs  poised  in  mid  air  ; and  that  earth 
cannot  rest  on  earth.] 

“ There  is,”  says  M.  Lcnormant,  in  aptly- 
citing  this  illustrative  passage  from  the  Latin 
poet,  “ no  other  difference  offered  by  Lucretius, 
and  the  type  of  the  medal  in  question,  than  the 


CYBELE. 

number  of  lions,  which  is  two  in  Lucretius  and 
four  on  the  coin.  The  last  verse  of  the  poet  is 
remarkable ; inasmuch  as  it  seems  to  unite  a 
knowledge  proceeding  from  a physical  science 
(d’une  physique)  already  sufficiently  advanced, 
that  of  the  rotatory  movement  of  the  earth  on 
itself,  and  the  application  of  this  notion  to  the 
primitive  belief  already  quoted,  following  which 
the  gods,  or  the  world  (which  is  the  same  thing 
with  the  ancients),  would  have  been  drawn  into 
a perpetual  movement  of  concentric  rotation. — 
This  movement,  by  its  constancy  and  regularity, 
explains  the  apparently  contrary  idea  of  a per- 
fect stability.  Accordingly,  we  have  no  hesita- 
tion in  comparing  this  medallion  of  Hadrian 
with  another  of  the  same  prince,  on  which  we 
read,  TELLVS  stabilita,  and  medals  in  gold  and 
silver,  also  of  Hadrian,  with  the  same  legend. 
The  meauing  of  these  last  mentioned  pieces  has 
been  very  justly  considered  by  Eckhel  (D.  N. 
vi.  509),  as  an  allegory  of  order  and  of  peace, 
re-established  by  Hadrian  throughout  the  Roman 
world.  In  following  the  indication  of  Lucre- 
tius, the  medallion  above  described  would  ex- 
press the  same  idea  in  a more  indirect  manner. 
In  each  case,  this  concentration  of  the  person 
of  Cybele  in  the  personification  of  the  Earth, 
appears  to  us  conformable  to  the  principles  of 
natural  theology',  and  consequently  to  agree  with 
a learned  period  like  that  of  Hadrian.”  * * * 
“ As  to  the  rest,”  adds  the  learned  and  ingenious 
author  of  La  Nouvelle  Galerie  (p.  13),  “ it  is 
possible  that  this  reverse  alludes  only  to  the 
translation  of  the  Bona  Dea  from  one  temple 
to  another,  which,  according  to  Spartian,  took 
place  at  Rome,  during  Hadrian’s  reign.” 

A contorniate,  bearing  on  its  obverse  the  head 
of  Nero,  typifies  Cybele  and  Atys  together  in  a 
car  drawn  by  four  running  lions.  The  goddess 
has  a crown  of  towers,  and  holds  a sceptre. — 
Atys  wears  the  Phrygian  cap,  and  bears  the  pas- 
toral crook  in  his  left  hand. — [The  contorniates 
belong  to  the  lower  empire.  They  were  pieces 
distributed  at  the  Circensian  games. — See  p.  271 
et  scq.  of  this  dictionary.] 

On  a dcuarius  of  the  Cestia  gens  (p.  197), 
Cybele  is  sealed  in  a biga  of  lions.  For  a type 
of  that  goddess,  as  an  emblem  of  Eternity,  or 
rather  Faustina  senior  represented,  after  death, 
under  Cybele’s  image,  sec  p.  23,  left  hand  col. 

D. 

I).  fourth  letter  in  the  alphabet  of  the  Romans. 
— Amongst  numerals  it  signifies  five  hundred 
( quin  genii .) 

D.  as  an  initial  letter  indicates  Dacia,  d.  f. 
Dacia  Felix,  occurs  on  the  vexillum,  or  stand- 
ard, on  coins  of  the  province  of  Dacia. 

D.  Dacicus. — g.  d.  parth.  Germanicus, 
Dacicus,  Parthicus,  on  coins  of  Trajan,  whose 
surnames  as  Emperor,  arc  derived  from  the 
names  of  conquered  nations. 

D.  Damno.  I condemn. — See  Coclia  gens, 

p.  222. 

D.  Decreto. — n.  d.  Decreto  Decnrionum. 

D.  Decim us.  Divas,  Desiynatus. 


DACIA.  301 

D.  Dictator. — CAESAR  D.  PERPETVO,  on  a 
silver  coin  of  J ulius  Cicsar. 

DAC.  Dacicus. 

DAT.  Datum. — See  Congiarium,  p.  244. 

DACIA,  a region  of  European  Scythia,  now 
comprehending  the  modern  countries  of  Hungary, 
Transylvania,  Wallachia,  and  Moldavia. — Under 
Augustus,  the  Dacians  first  came  into  warlike 
collision  with  the  Romans,  and  were  driven  back 
beyond  the  Danube  by  Lentulus.  A hundred 
years  afterwards,  Trajan,  at  the  head  of  his 
cohorts,  penetrated  into  the  interior  of  Dacia, 
difficult  as  it  w'as  of  access,  being  closed  up  and 
fortified  by  narrow  gorges  of  mountains.  That 
prince,  in  two  successive  wars,  met  with  a 
vigorous  resistance  ; but  at  length,  having  con- 
quered Decebalus,  whose  death  shortly  followed, 
he  converted  the  Dacian  king’s  dominions  into  a 
Roman  province. — Hadrian  at  first,  it  is  said, 
was  inclined  to  abandon  these  hard-earned  con- 
quests of  his  great  predecessor ; but  continued  to 
occupy  the  province  with  a powerful  army. — 
Decius  (Trajanus),  about  a.  d.  249  struggled  suc- 
cessfully, but  with  great  difficulty,  to  defend 
the  province  against  repeated  incursions  of  the 
Goths.  But  at  his  death,  it  soou  became  an 
object  of  assault,  and  a scene  of  devastation,  for 
fresh  hordes  of  northern  barbarians. — Dacia,  at 
length  lost  to  Rome  uuder  Gallienus,  was  re- 
covered by  Aurelianus ; but  he,  despairing  of 
being  able  to  retain  it  permanently  as  a pos- 
session of  the  empire,  transported  the  inhabitants 
into  Mscsia,  which  (according  to  Vopiscus)  then 
took  the  name  of  Dacia  Cis-Istrensis,  or  Dacia 
on  this  side  the  Danube.  Although  eventually 
compelled  to  give  way  before  the  strategic  skill 
and  superior  discipline  of  the  imperial  legiou- 
aries,  the  Dacian  people,  both  before  aud  after 
their  subjection  to  the  Romans,  shewed  them- 
selves to  be 

Prodiga  gens  animai,  stndiisque  asperrima  belli. 


DACIA.  S.  C. — On  a first  brass  of  Hadrian, 
bearing  on  the  exergue  this  simple  legend,  with 
the  mark  of  senatorial  authority  in  the  field  of 
the  reverse,  the  province  is  personified  uuder 
the  figure  of  a young  man,  bareheaded,  habited 
in  a short  dress,  a military  cloak  thrown  across 
his  shoulders,  and  half-boots  with  ornamented 
tops.  This  figure  is  seated  on  a rock,  with  a 
legionary  eagle  in  the  right  hand,  and  a palm 
branch  in  the  left : his  right  foot  rests  on  an 
oval-formed  stone. 

The  above  is  engraved  from  a well-preserved 
specimen  in  the  British  Museum.  It  is  thus 


302  DACIA, 

also  that  the  coin  is  delineated  in  Queen  Chris- 
tina’s and  the  Farnese  cabinets ; and  Captain 
Smyth  notes  a similar  type  of  Hadrian  in  his 
own  collection.  It  is  however  to  be  observed, 
that  Eckhel  describes  the  first  and  second  brass 
Dacia  of  Hadrian’s  mint,  as  personified  by  a 
woman,  who  holds  in  her  left  hand  a curved 
sword  (gladium  incurvum).  But  all  numismatic 
descriptions  agree  as  to  the  military  ensigns  be- 
ing put  into  the  right  hand  of  the  conquered 
province,  seated  on  a rock— the  last  feature  of 
typification  denoting  the  peculiar  situation  and 
national  habitudes  of  the  Dacians,  allusive  to 
which  L.  Florianus  (lib.  4),  says,  the  Dacians 
cleave  to  their  mountains  (Dad  montibus  inhe- 
rent).— It  appears  from  Spartiau,  that,  before  he 
ascended  the  throne,  Hadrian  was  twice  in 
Dacia,  and  took  part  as  an  officer  in  Trajan’s 
two  expeditions  against  that  country.  At  the 
period  of  the  second  war  he  commanded  the  1st 
legion,  suruamed  Minervia. 

We  learn  distinctly  from  Eutropius  (lib.  8), 
that  as  Hadrian,  on  at  best  a doubtful  policy, 
had  given  up  possession  of  Syria,  Mesopotamia, 
Armenia,  and  other  conquests  of  Trajan  in  the 
East,  so  if  left  to  himself,  he  would  have  re- 
nounced even  Dacia ; but  that  he  was  otherwise 
persuaded  by  his  friends,  wrho  remonstrated  with 
him  against  such  a withdrawal  of  the  legions, 
ne  multi  cives  Romani  barbaris  trader entur. — 
For,  immediately  after  the  annexation  of  Dacia 
to  the  empire  by  Trajan,  many  Roman  colonies 
were  established  there,  which  would  all  have 
been  immediately  exposed  to,  and  in  subsequent 
reigns  were  actually  ravaged  by,  the  inroads  of 
fierce  enemies,  without  the  means  of  defending 
themselves.  He  was  therefore  induced  to  make 
no  change  in  this  quarter,  except  the  dis- 
creditable one  of  causing  Trajan’s  celebrated 
bridge  over  the  Danube  to  be  thrown  down  , 
lest  (according  to  Dion,  68,  s.  16),  the  bar- 
barians should  overpower  the  guard  of  the  bridge, 
and  cuter  Mtesia.  Historians  make  no  mention 
of  any  journey  by  Hadrian  in  that  country  when 
emperor. — But  from  his  geographical  coins  it  is 
to  he  iuferred  that  he  visited  the  Dacian  province 
also.  One  of  these,  inscribed  solely  with  the  name 
dacia,  presents  its  type  of  personification,  as 
given  in  the  above  and’  other  examples.  Others, 
purely  military,  repeat  the  usual  type  of  an 
emperor  addressing  his  soldiers,  with  a corres- 
ponding legend. — See  exehcitvs  dacicvs. 

The  Abbe  Greppo,  in  his  work,  “ sur  tes  Voy- 
ages d’  Uadrien,”  observes,  that  there  arc  seve- 
ral inscriptions  of  Dacia  which  connect  them- 
selves with  the  history  of  Hadrian.  One  de- 
serves  to  be  cited  in  this  place.  Although  it  be 
of  a date  posterior  to  the  probable  period  of  that 
prince’s  advent  in  the  province,  yet  the  public 
works  which  it  mentions  may  be  regarded  as  a 
result  of  that  journey.  It  relates  to  water  con- 
veyed (aQva  indycta)  into  the  ancient  capital 
of  Deccbalus,  which,  having  become  a Roman 
colony,  is  recorded  on  ancient  marbles — COLO- 
NS VLPta  TRAIANA  AVG  us  ta  DACICA 
SARMIZ. — The  inscription  is  given  in  Gruter, 
Corpus  Inscrip.  Antiq.  vol.  1,  clxxvii.  3 M. 


DACIA. 

DACIA.  S.  C. — A woman,  clothed  in  the 
stola,  stands,  holding  in  her  right  hand  a staff 


surmounted  by  an  ass’s  head.  This  legend,  and 
very  singular  type,  present  themselves  ou  gold 
and  silver,  as  well  as  on  first  and  second  brass,  of 
Trajanus  Dceius. 

On  coins  of  Trajan  (with  lcgcud  of  Provincia 
Dacia  Augusti),  the  genius  of  the  Dacian  pro- 
vince, is  seated  on  a rock,  holding  a military 
standard  ; and  on  coins  struck  in  the  province 
itself,  under  Philip  senior  (with  Provincia  Dacia 
for  their  reverse  legend)  the  same  personifica- 
tion of  the  province  carries  the  bent  sword  of 
her  country.  On  the  present  second  brass  of 
Trajanus  Decius,  both  the  above  mentioned 
attributes  nre  omitted ; and  in  their  place  is 
clearly  displayed  the  veritable  head  of  an  ass. 

“ What  may  be  the  meaning  of  this  symbol, 
I shall  not  (says  Eckhel)  in  the  absence  of  any 
ancient  testimony,  attempt  to  prououncc.  For 
if,  as  some  suppose,  an  allegory  is  concealed 
under  it,  the  risk  of  error  is  in  the  ratio  of  the 
vagueness  of  all  allegory,  and  I have  an  aversion 
to  the  troubled  sea  of  conjecture.  Instead  of 
the  ass’s  head,  Engclius  sees  on  these  coins  the 
head  of  the  Dacian  dragon,  fixed  on  a pole,  the 
body  and  tail  being  left  out,  either  by  the  care- 
lessness of  the  moneyer,  or  to  shorten  his 
labour,  or  for  want  of  space  in  the  coin.  ( En- 
gel. Comment,  de  Exped.  Traj.  p.  201).  We 
know,  indeed,  from  the  relievos  ou  Trajan’s 
column,  that  dragons  supported  on  spears, 
served  the  Dacians  as  military  standards.  1 
would  readily  give  in  my  adhesiou  to  this  view 
of  the  subject,  as  we  should  then  have  a tangible 
point  to  start  from,  without  being  reduced  to 
the  uncertainties  of  allegory.  But,  on  the  most 
perfect  of  these  coins,  so  long  are  the  cars  of 
the  animal,  as  to  leave  no  doubt  on  the  mind 
that  they  represent  those  of  an  ass.” 

Among  the  mintages  of  Philip  scuior  there  is 
a coin  inscribed  tkanqvii.i.itas  avgg.  on  which 
is  a woman  stauding,  with  a dragon  in  her  right 
hand,  by  which  type  is  probably  intended  one 
of  the  dragons,  which,  among  the  Romans,  quite 
as  much  ns  among  the  barbarian  nations,  used  to 
be  carried,  suspended  from  a pole,  in  the  frout 
ranks  of  an  army. — “ If  this  head  (observes 
Eckhel),  be  compared  with  that  which  appears 
on  the  coin  before  us,  the  difference  between  the 
two  instantly  strikes  the  eye.  Whoever  is  in- 
clined to  refer  this  type  to  the  religion  of  the 
Dacians,  may  suppose  that  it  alludes  to  the  ass, 
which,  among  the  Scythians,  is  one  of  Apollo's 
| victims,  according  to  ('lemens  Alexandrians 


DACIA  FELIX. 


DACICVS.  303 


( Protreplicos , p.  25,  Edit.  Oxon.) — “ Phoebus  is 
worshipped  with  the  Hyperborean  sacrifice  of 
asses.” 


DACtrt  CAT  la  (conquest  of  Dacia). — On  a 
silver  coin  of  Trajan,  having  for  the  legend  of 
its  reverse  dac.  cap.  cos.  v. 

P.P.  S.P.Q.R.  OPTIMO  PRINC. 
appears  a captive,  with  his 
hands  tied  behind  him,  seated 
on  three  bucklers ; behind 
him  are  two  swords,  bent  in 
the  Dacian  fashion,  and  be- 
fore him  are  two  javelins. — 
Obv. — IMP.  TRAIANO  AVG.  GER.  DAC.  P.M.TR.P. 


Laurcatcd  head  of  Trajan. 

Trajan  having  finished  the  construction  of 
that  stupendous  work,  his  bridge  over  the  Da- 
nube, entered  Dacia  a second  time  (a.  D.  105), 
and  again  attacked  Decebalus  its  king,  who  had 
been  the  terror  of  the  Romans  under  Domitian. 
That  emperor  declared  war  against  the  Dacians, 
but  the  result  proving  seriously  unfavourable  to 
the  Roman  arms,  he  soon  gave  up  the  enter- 
prise, and  settled  affairs  by  submitting  to  pay 
an  annual  tribute.  Trajan,  incapable  of  any 
longer  enduring  such  a national  humiliation, 
marched  his  army  into  the  territories  of  Dece- 
balus, and  compelled  him  to  sue  for  peace,  which, 
however,  was  granted  only  on  very  hard  condi- 
tions. I?ut  the  king  not  having  fulfilled  his 
promise,  it  became  necessary  for  Trajan  to  re- 
commence hostilities.  Having  sustained  a total 
defeat,  and  being  deprived  of  every  thing,  Dece- 
balus slew  himself.  The  emperor  found  the 
treasures  of  the  unfortunate  monarch  either  in 
the  river  Sargetia,  or  buried  in  caves.  This 
took  place  in  the  year  of  Rome  859  (a.  d.  106). 
It  was  then  that  Dacia  became  a Roman  pro- 
vince ; and  Trajan,  returning  to  Rome,  triumph- 
ed for  thus  ending  the  Dacian  wars.  Other  coins 
of  this  prince  relate  to  this  important  event. 

Eckhel  remarks  that  “ the  coins  struck  after 
Trajan’s  first  war  with  the  Dacians,  do  not  bear 
the  inscriptive  record  of  dac(ia)  cap(ta)  ; be- 
cause Decebalus  was  still  permitted  to  retain 
possession  of  his  kingdom,  though  on  very  dis- 
advantageous and  degrading  terms.  Rut  now 
we  read  capla,  as,  according  to  Dion  and  others, 
it  was  a conquest  in  reality  (capta  revera).” 

The  above  reverse  is  copied  from  pi.  iv.  fig. 
12,  of  Kolb’s  Traite  de  Numismatique  Ancienne, 
the  illustrative  engravings  of  which  elementary 
work  are  remarkable  for  their  artistic  fidelity  to 
the  originals  ; and  have  evidently  becu  selected 
from  genuine  specimens.  It  is  also  engraved  in 
M.  Lcnormant’s  Iconographie  des  Empereurs. 
This  explanation  seems  the  more  requisite, 
because  neither  Mionnct,  nor  Akcrman,  includes 
that  important  historical  legend  dac.  cap.  in 
their  respective  Catalogues. 

DACIA  FELIX.  S.  C. — A woman  standing, 
with  a military  ensign  in  her  right  hand.  On 
gold,  silver,  and  first  and  second  brass  of 
Trajanus  Decius. 

The  frequency  with  which  Daeia  is  alluded  to, 
on  the  coius  of  Decius,  is  attributable  to  the 
activity  he  displayed  in  protecting  it  from  the 


incursions  of  the  barbarians,  by  whom  that  tract 
of  country  was,  during  his  reign,  most  grievously 
harrassed.  And  hence,  in  an  inscription  pre- 
served by  Muratori  (page  1101,  3),  he  is  styled 
eestitvtor  daciarvm. — The  legend  dacia 
felix  explains  the  letters  d.  f.  found  on  so 
many  of  the  coins  of  Dacia,  inscribed  on  a 
standard. 

DACIA  PROVINCIA. — See  provincia 
dacia. 

DACIA  PROVINCIA  AVGVST.— See  pro- 
vincia DACIA  AVGVST. 

DACICVS. — It  was  not  without  having  fairly 
earned  it,  as  a victorious  commander,  that 
Trajan  was  honoured  with  this  surname,  after 
his  first  contest  with  the  Dacians.  At  almost 
the  beginning  of  his  reign,  when  that  warlike 
people  again  invaded  the  Roman  provinces,  he 
immediately  took  the  field  against  them  with  a 
powerful  force,  and  compelled  Decebalus,  who  was 
feared  at  the  time  like  another  Hannibal,  to  sup- 
plicate peace,  by  his  ambassadors,  at  the  hands 
of  the  Roman  Senate.  Thereupon  the  title  of 
Dacicus  was  conferred  upon  Trajan,  together  with 
the  most  signal  honours  of  the  triumph.  Hence 
we  find  him  styled  on  his  coins  imp.  nerva 
traianvs  avg.  ger.  dacicvs,  &c.  This  dis- 
tinguished appellation  was  not  given  to  him, 
however,  till  about  the  autumn  of  the  year  u.  c. 
856  (a.  d.  103),  and  the  end  of  the  sixth  year 
of  his  tribunitian  power,  to  which  date  it  is 
sufficiently  agreed  upon,  amongst  historical  anti- 
quaries, that  this  Dacian  victory  is  to  be  re- 
ferred; and  the  fact  is  confirmed  by  the  non- 
appearance  of  the  word  Dacicus  on  the  coins  of 
this  emperor  until  the  year  above-mentioned. 
It  is  in  the  following  year,  namely  a.d.  104, 
that  the  title  of  Oplimtis  Princeps  begins  to  ap- 
pear on  the  mintages  of  Trajan.  See  dac.  cap. 

Dacicus  gladius. — The  curved  sword  of  the 
Dacians,  on  Roman  coins,  is  held  in  the  right 
hand  of  the.  personified  province.  It  was  called 
Hpiry,  falx  (a  falchion,  or  short  crooked  sword), 
such  as  the  Thracians  first  used. — [It  may  not 
be  irrelevant  to  remark,  that  the  descendants  of 
those  who  inhabited  a part  of  ancient  Dacia — 
namely,  Hungary  that  now  is, — have  long  been 
famous  for  military  prowess,  and  for  skill  in  the 
use  of  their  favourite  weapon,  the  sabre.~\ 

In  his  Collectanea  Antiqua,  vol.  ii.  Mr. 
Roach  Smith  fully  describes,  and  by  ctchiugs 
illustrates,  several  specimens  of  Saxon  and 
Frankish  short,  knife-shaped  swords,  amongst 
which  is  a very  remarkable  example  of  one, 
found  in  the  bed  of  the  Thames,  and  now  in  his 
own  possession.  On  this  subject,  our  observant 
and  discriminating  Archmologist  makes  the  fol- 
lowing observations : — 

“ In  ancient  representations  of  the  arms  of 
the  Germans,  swords  slightly  curved  are  almost 
always  introduced.  It  would  be  easy  to  cite 
numerous  instances;  but  the  sculptures  on  Tra- 
jan’s column,  of  scenes  in  the  Dacian  wars,  and 
the  coins  of  that  emperor,  afford  types  which, 
allowing  for  a certain  conventionality  in  the 
artistic  treatment,  are  not  very  unlike  some  of 
these  knife-swords. — The  Dacians  on  the  column 


304  DACICVS. 

of  Trajan  arc  almost  always  armed  with  this 
single-edged  weapon,  which  curves  slightly,  some- 
times inwards,  sometimes  outwards,  but  in  one 
or  two  instances  the  weapon  is  straight  like 
those  under  consideration.  And  until  we  dis- 
cover ancient  swords  which  are  curved,  we  must, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  double  axe,  and  barbed 
javelin,  consider  the  representations  referred  to, 
as  having  been  influenced  by  the  fancy  of  the 
artist.”  p.  46-47. 


DAC.  PARTII1CO  P.  M.  T.  R.  P.  COS. 
P.  P. — Two  figures,  clothed  in  the  toga,  sup- 
porting a globe.  First  brass  of  Hadrian. 

The  above  appears  on  the  reverse  of  one  of 
those  coins,  which,  alike  interesting  from  the 
beauty  of  their  types,  and  from  their  connection 
with  historical  facts,  exhibit  all  the  various 
titles  of  honour  bestowed,  together  with  the 
imperial  purple,  by  the  Emperor  Trajan  on  the 
fortunate  Hadrian,  his  adopted  successor. — The 
obverse  of  this  coin  bears  the  laureated  head  of 
Hadrian,  and  the  following  legend  : IMP eratori 
CAESars  HI VI  TRAIANI  AVG usliYilio  TRA- 
IANO  HADRIANO  OPTtmo  AVG.  GER.  to 
which,  in  reading,  is  to  be  joined  the  legend 
of  the  reverse,  namely,  DACico  PARTI11CO 
Yontifici  M aximo  TR ibunitid  Yotestate  COw- 
S uli  Yatri  Y atria.  S.  C.  And  the  whole  ex- 
presses itself  as  follows:— To  the  Emperor, 
Cicsar,  son  of  the  Divine  Trajanus  Augustus, 
Trajanus  Hadrianus  the  most  excellent  Augus- 
tus— the  German — the  Dacian,  the  Parthian, 
Sovereign  Pontiff,  exercising  the  Tribimitian 
Power,  Consul,  Father  of  the  Country.  By  de- 
cree of  the  Senate. 

In  his  annotations  on  this  coin  (p.  56  Cabinet 
tie  Christine ) Havercamp,  after  giving  an 
accurate  copy  of  its  inscription  on  both  sides, 
states  the  type  of  the  reverse  to  represent  “ the 
adoption  of  .'Elius  Ca:sar  made  by  Hadrian,  in 
like  manner  as  he  had  himself  been  adopted  by 
Trajan.”  Having  given  this  strange  interpreta- 
tion of  what  he  admits  to  be  a very  curious  coin, 
Havercamp  professes  to  recollect  no  author  who 
had  spoken  of  it,  unless  it  was  Angcloni ; to  the 
125th  page  of  whose  work,  he  expressly  refers — 
and  where  indeed  a delineation  of  the  eoin  is  to 
be  found.  But,  so  far  from  bearing  out  the  dictum 
of  Havercamp,  Angcloni  adduces  it  as  an  ad- 
ditional testimony  of  the  clearest  kind  to  the 
truth  of  history,  as  to  the  fact  of  Trajan’s 
adoption  of  Hadrian: — "Every  author  (says  he) 
concurs  in  stating  that  Hadrian  was  cousin 
to  Trajan,  who,  through  the  intlucucc  of  the 


DAMASCUS. 

Empress  Plotina,  adopted  him  as  his  imperial 
successor.  This  is  rendered  still  more  clear 
by  the  coin  of  Hadrian  himself.” — The  Italian 
antiquary  then  describes  the  portrait  of  Hadrian 
on  the  coin  in  question  as  that  of  a young  man 
(which  it  is),  and  quotes  the  legend  of  the 
obverse,  as  given  in  the  preceding  column. — 
Angcloni  concludes  as  follows  : — “ This  coin  re- 
presents, in  my  opinion,  the  above-mentioned 
adoption,  and  also  Trajan’s  admission  of  Hadrian 
to  share  with  him  the  government  of  the  empire, 
together  with  a concession,  to  his  adopted  son, 
of  the  titles  usually  borne  by  the  Emperors,  and 
especially  those  which  the  Senate  aud  People 
conferred  on  himself.” — Eckhel  evidently  takes 
the  same  view  ; for  in  noticing  a specimen,  from 
the  Vienna  collection  (vi.  475),  he  describes  the 
type  as  “ Trajanus  et  Hadrianus  [ not  jEliusj 
togati  stantes,  globum  una  tenent."  But  at  the 
same  time  observes,  that  this  coin,  and  some 
others  of  the  same  date  (a.  D.  117),  in  assigning 
to  Hadrian  the  appellation  of  Pater  Patriot  is 
opposed  to  the  oracle  of  historians  foracu/o 
historicorum). — See  what  the  Author  of  Doc- 
trina  says  on  this  point,  in  vii.  p.  515  ct  scq. 
Also  consult  his  animadversions  on  the  names 
which  Hadrian  assumed  by  right  of  his  adop- 
tion. (vii.  518.) 

DAMASCUS,  cofonia,  now  Damisk,  or  Da- 
maseo,  as  Europeans  call  it ; Sciam  or  Chiam, 
as  it  is  named  by  the  Turks. — The  most  ancient 
city  of  Coclc-Syria  (the  Hollow  Syria),  it  is 
situated  in  a beautiful  and  fertile  valley,  at  the 
foot  of  Mount  Hcrmon,  from  which  flow  two 
rivers,  the  Ahana  and  the  Pharpar.  Of  these 
mountain  streams  mention  is  made  in  Holy 
Writ  (Kings,  bk.  2,  ch.  5,  v.  12) — “ Are  not 
Abana  and  Pharpar,  rivers  of  Damascus,  bet- 
ter than  all  the  waters  of  Israel  ?”  The  former 
passes  through  the  middle  of  the  city ; the  other 
rolls  its  waters  amidst  gardens  and  orchards  be- 
yond the  walls ; both  afterwards  unite,  and  form 
one  river  named  the  Chrvsorrhoas,  or  golden 
river  (now  the  Barrada).  In  more  remote  anti- 
quity', the  metropolis  of  Phoenicia,  and  in  later 
ages,  comprehended  in  the  patriarchate  of  An- 
tioch, Damascus  is  still,  according  to  descrip- 
tion, the  most  agreeable,  as  it  was  once  the 
most  celebrated,  city  in  the  East,  on  account  of 
the  grandeur  of  its  public  edifices,  and  the  ele- 
gance of  its  private  habitations.  Conflicting 
opinions  arc  entertained  respecting  the  origin  of 
the  word  Damascus ; ainougst  which  Vaillant 
(in  Co/oniis,  i.  232)  suggests,  on  the  s*rength 
of  a frequent  type  on  its  coins,  the  derivation  to 
be  “ a Damn  nutrice  et  Asro  pucro ” (from  the 
boy  Aseus  nourished  by  a Doc).  This  city  had 
at  an  early  period  from  the  foundation  its  own 
kings.  Josephus  (Antiq.  7,  cap.  6),  speaks  of 
Admins,  in  the  time  of  David,  as  king  of  Da- 
mascus, and  whose  posterity  retained  that  royal 
title  and  authority  to  the  tenth  generation. — 
Overthrown  by  the  Assyrians,  it  became  sub- 
ject to  the  Selcuaidte,  whose  a-rn  dates  from  the 
year  of  Rome  442,  31 2 years  before  Christ. — 
The  Arabians  subsequently  gained  possession  of 
it ; and  at  length  Pompcy  annexed  it  to  the  llo- 


DAMAS(  l S. 


Damascus.  3or> 


man  republic.  It  was  not  made  a colony  until 
the  reign  of  the  emperor  Philippus  senior.  And, 
although  on  coins  its  title  of  colonia  takes  pre- 
cedence of  its  dignity  of  metropolis,  viz.  col. 
damas  METRO . &c.  yet  it  had  enjoyed  the  latter 
prerogative  long  before  it  obtained  its  colonial 
character.  On  many  coins,  with  Greek  legends, 
from  Hadrian  to  Alexander  Sevcrus,  is  read 
Metropoleos,  given  to  it  as  an  honorary  dis- 
tinction, on  account  of  the  amplitude  and  im- 
portance of  the  place. 

Besides  Greek  autonomes,  and  Greek  impe- 
rials in  brass,  there  arc  bilingual  (viz.  Greek 
and  Latin ) brass  coins  of  this  colony,  dedicated 
consecutively  to  Philip  senior,  and  to  Otacilia, 
Philip  junior,  Herennius  Etruscns,  Trajanus 
Dccius,  Trcbouianus  Gallus,  Volusianus,  Aemi- 
liauus,  \ alerianus  senior,  Gallienus,  and  Salo- 
nina.  These  coins  are  inscribed  col.  damas. 
METRO,  or  DAMASCO  COLONIA,  or  COL.  DAMA. 
METR.  or  MET. 

Bacchus  and  Silenus  were  the  two  tutelary 
deities  of  Damascus.  Temples  were  erected  to 
their  worship  in  that  city ; and  they  are  typified 
on  coins  of  Trebonianus  Gallus  and  Philip  sen. 

The  following  arc  amongst  the  principal  types 
which  appear  on  the  reverses  of  coins  struck  in 
this  city,  with  bilingual  legends : — 

1.  Bacchus. — On  second  brass  of  Trebonianus 
Gallus. — See  type  described  iu  p.  120. 

2.  Cypress  tree. — On  a rare  second  brass, 
struck  in  honour  of  Volusianus,  with  the  legend 
of  Colonia  Damascus  Metropolis,  this  tree 
stands  between  a horse  and  a bull. — [The  mean- 
ing of  this  singular  type  is  far  from  having  been 
satisfactorily  explained.  Vaillant,  who  seems  to 
reject  the  idea  of  any  local  allusion  in  the  case, 
puts  it  interrogatively  whether  this  combined 
group  of  the  tree  and  the  two  quadrupeds  may 
not  have  a mystic  signification? — For  an  inge- 
nious conjecture  sec  that  author,  in  Coloniis,  ii. 
222], 

On  second  and  third  brass  of  Philip  senior, 
Silenus  stands  before  a cypress,  which  tree  was 
held  in  veneration  by  the  Phoenicians,  being,  I 
according  to  Plutarch,  dedicated  to  the  Sun. — I 
Vaillant,  ii.  p.  161. 


3.  Doe  (Dama)  giving  suck  to  a little  hog. — 
On  first  and  second  brass  coins  of  this  colony, 
minted  under  Philip  senior,  Otacilia  his  wife, 
aud  Trebonianus  Gallus. 

This  type,  accompanied  by  the  legend  of  re-  j 
verse  col.  damas.  metr.  occurs  on  coins  of  this 
colony,  during  the  above  reigns  ; and  has  given 
rise  among  the  learned  to  a variety  of  conjec- 
tures. It  is  generally  regarded  as  bearing  re- 
ference to  the  name  of  the  city,  aud  to  the 
2 R 


origin  of  its  reputed  founder. — Vaillant  quotes 
some  of  the  interpretations  put  upon  it ; but 
does  not  argue  in  favour  of  any  of  them,  lie 
simply  remarks,  that  these,  and  other  coins  of 
similar  type,  seem  intended  to  preserve  in  re- 
membrance the  tradition  of  Ascus,  who  having 
been  exposed  in  infancy,  was  suckled  by  a Dama, 

I or  female  deer,  and  afterwards,  rising  to  emi- 
nence, laid  the  foundations  of  Damascus. 

But  here  let  this  eminent  numismatist  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  speak  his  own  sentiments 
on  this  point,  iu  his  own  way,  if  not  indeed  in 
his  native  tongue : — 

“ Should  we  venture  (says  Vaillant,  in  Col. 
ii.  p.  271),  to  regard  this  type  of  a boy  sucking 
a doe,  as  referring  to  the  origin  of  the  city  of 
Damascus ; and  should  we  further  assert,  that 
the  name  itself  of  that  city  is  derived  from  the 
words  dama  (the  doe)  and  Ascus  (the  boy),  the 
whole  host  of  the  learned  would  be  ready  to  cry 
out  against  us : let  us,  notwithstanding,  pro- 
pound our  own  conjectures.  What  is  the  im- 
port of  the  boy  suckled  by  a doe,  who  so  fre- 
quently appears  on  the  coins  of  Damascus? — 
Does  not  that  type  illustrate  the  history  of  some 
boy  nourished  by  a doe,  just  as  that  of  the  wolf 
suckling  Romulus  and  Remus,  depicts  the  first 
mode  in  which  those  infants  were  nourished ; 
and  was  not  another  boy,  similarly  brought  up 
by  a deer  (airi  nuos  l\d<pou)  named,  accord- 
ingly, Telephus  ? The  animal  dama,  however, 
derives  its  name  from  Sapdfa  ( to  tame),  by  the 
figure  antiphrasis.  Stephens,  iu  his  Thesaurus, 
v.  Aagaa-uiis,  states,  that  Damascus  was  so 
called  from  Ascus,  a giant.  Now,  this  giant 
might  have  been  brought  up  by  a deer ; and  it 
is  a reasonable  conjecture,  that  the  name  of  the 
city,  Aagatruds,  was  compounded  of  the  two 
words  Adfxa  and  'Arruhs ; — but  if  this  etymo- 
logy does  not  meet  with  approbation,  we  take  re- 
fuge in  another  founder  of  the  city,  by  name 
Damascus,  after  whom  Damascus,  the  noblest 
city  in  Syria,  was  called,  as  Justin  thus  relates, 
xxxvi.  2 — ‘ The  name  was  given  to  the  city  by 
its  kiug  Damascus,  in  whose  honour  the  Syrians 
reverenced  the  sepulchre  of  his  wife  Arathis  as 
a temple,  and  paid  her  the  highest  adoration  as 
a deity.’ — Perhaps  this  king  had  been  exposed, 
aud  tended  by  a deer,  aud  so  by  the  act  of  suck- 
ing that  animal,  he  points  to  the  memory  of 
the  founder,  and  the  origin  of  the  city.” 

In  a learned  Dissertation  on  certain  coins  of 
Damascus,  inserted  in  the  Revue  Numismatique 
(vol.  vii.  year  1844,  p.  1.  et  seq.)  M.  J.  De 
Witte,  who  has  illustrated  his  subject  with  ap- 
propriate engravings,  enters  at  great  length  into 
the  traditions,  often  as  contradictory  "as  they 
arc  various,  which  have  been  furnished  by  my- 
thographers,  but  which  (he  observes),  residt  in 
shewing  only  that  the  name  of  the  city  owes  its 
origin  to  oue  of  those  jetix  de  mots  in  which  the 
ancients,  especially  the  Greeks,  took  delight. 

“ Mythological  legends  (says  in  substance  this 
living  French  numismatist),  relate  that  a per- 
sonage of  the  family  of  the  earth-born  Giants, 
bearing  the  uamc  of  Ascus  (who,  from  a numis- 
matic type,  is  supposed  to  have  been  deserted 


300 


DAMASCUS. 


in  his  infancy,  and  suckled  by  a doe),  pursued 
in  his  manhood  a heroic  and  successful  career ; 
until,  having  cut  down  the  vineyards  which 
Dionysus  (Bacchus)  had  planted  in  Syria,  that 
god,  in  his  wrath,  flayed  the  offender ; and  of 
his  skin  was  made  a leathern  bottle  or  sack, 
which  served  to  contain  wine.” 

Vaillant,  it  will  have  been  seen,  in  explaining 
the  type  of  the  above  reverse,  recoguises  in  the 
infant  suckled  by  an  animal  resembling  a female 
deer  (Lama)  the  young  Asms;  and  suggests 
that  the  word  Lama  being  prefixed  to  that  of 
Asciis,  which  assimilates  with  aauos,  signifying 
in  Greek  a wine  skin,  Aa^ia  Aauos,  abbreviated 
to  Lamascus,  became  the  name  of  the  city. 

Eckhel  (L.  N.  V.  iii.  p.  332),  refuses  to  ad- 
mit the  explanation  given,  in  this  iustaucc,  by 
Vaillant,  first  of  all,  because  the  word  Aaga, 
as  used  to  designate  a doc,  is  not  Greek  ; and 
secondly,  because  the  doe  appears  by  itself  on 
pieces  struck  whilst  Damascus  enjoyed  a govern- 
ment and  laws  of  is  own,  long  before  the  epoch 
when  that  city  was  declared  a Roman  colony. — 

M.  Dc  Witte  combats  both  these  objections, 
first  by  pointing  to  the  bilingual  feature  of  the 
legends  on  the  colonial  imperial  coins  of  Damas- 
cus, and  next  by  a series  of  arguments  founded 
on  philological,  historical,  and  mythological  data, 
to  which,  as  well  as  to  the  entire  dissertation, 
the  numismatic  student  will  be  advantaged  by 
referring;  for  they  throw  light  on  other  types 
of  the  Damascene  colonial  mintages,  with  both 
Greek  and  Latin  inscriptions.  The  following 
arc  his  concluding  remarks  on  this  disputed 
point : — 

“ Vaillant,  confining  himself  to  the  study  of 
an  isolated  numismatic  type,  has  not  pushed  his 
investigations  far  enough.  But  his  explanation 
perfectly  elucidates  the  p/ay  upon  words  con- 
cealed in  the  type  of  the  infant  Asciis  suckled 
by  the  doc  ( dama ).  The  animal,  however,  which 
nomislies  Ascus  does  not  figure  in  the  tradition- 
ary legends  of  Damascus,  at  least  in  those  with 
which  we  arc  acquainted.  On  what  ground  has 
a doe  been  given  as  a nurse  for  Ascus  ? M ould 
this  animal  have  been  chosen  for  any  other  rea- 
son than  to  complete  the  jeu  de  mots?  These 
are  questions  which  we  should  wish  to  clear  up. 

“ The  legends  we  have  drawn  from  ancieut 
sources  tcaeh  us  that  Ascus  was  a giant,  y'eyas. 

Now,  all  the  giants  appear  to  us  iu  mythology  school  adds,  that  this  particular  coin  differs 


DAMASCUS. 

above  advanced.  The  reverse  of  the  piece, 
which  belongs  to  the  reign  of  Philip  the  younger, 
is  described  (in  Co/,  ii.  p.  271)  as  follows: — 

Rev. — col.  dama.  meteop.  A naked  infant 
standing,  crowns  a woman  whose  head  is  tur- 
reted. 

Vaillant  recognises  iu  this  type  Ascus  offer- 
ing a crown  to  the  city  which  he  had  founded. 
— But  this  jumbling  together  of  boyhood  and 
manhood,  at  one  time  and  in  one  action,  offers 
a much  more  difficult  subject  for  interpretation 
than  the  foregoing.  And  we  must  leave  both 
the  text  of  the  elder,  and  the  coinciding  animad- 
versions of  the  modern,  commentator,  to  the 
criticism  of  the  Revue  Numismatique  (t.  vii.  p. 
22),  and  to  the  judgment  of  its  readers. 

4.  Genius  of  the  City  and  River  Gods. — 
There  is  a first  brass,  inscribed  to  llereuuius, 
which  Pelleriu  assigns  to  this  colony,  and  which 
is  remarkable  not  only  for  its  size  and  for  the 
manner  iu  which  the  first  characters  of  its  re- 
verse legend  arc  formed,  but  also  for  the  type 
which  it  presents,  viz. : — 

Rev. — aaasco.  colonia. — The  genius  of  the 
city,  under  the  figure  of  a woman,  having 
towers  on  her  head,  and  holding  corn-ears  in  her 
right  hand,  is  seated  on  rocks,  between  two 
rivers,  which  are  represented,  at  her  feet,  by  two 
men  who  seem  to  throw  themselves  partly  out 
of  the  water,  as  if  in  the  act  of  swimming. 
Besides  these  two  aquatic  deities,  there  is  also, 
on  each  side  of  the  seated  female  figure,  a mili- 
tary ensigu,  on  one  of  which  is  the  letter  s.  and 
and  on  the  other  the  letter  T.  (Sec  Rccueil 
j des  Medailles  L’Asie,  tom.  ii.  title  page  of 
second  part,  p.  vii.) 

[Such  is  the  description  which  Tellerin  gives 
of  this  singular  reverse,  and  with  which  the 
eugiaviug  he  has  furnished  of  it,  from  a specimen 
in  his  owu  collection,  perfectly  corresponds.  He 
pronounces  the  coin  in  question  to  beloug  to 
Lamas,  in  Syria,  and  shews  that  the  legeud, 
of  which  the  first  four  letters  are  in  Greek  mo- 
nogram, ought  to  be  read  Aamasco  coloxia. 
The  type  (says  he)  marks  the  situation  of  Damas- 
cus at  the  foot  of  Mount  llcrmon,  w hence  the  two 
rivers  Adana  aud  Pharpar  flowing,  passed  round 
the  city,  and  arc  on  this  coin  symbolised  under  the 
! figures  of  the  two  men  emerging  from  the  water. 

- — The  same  practised  numismatist  of  the  elder 


as  sons  of  the  Earth.  Lama  then  would  here 
represent  the  Earth  nourishing  the  children, 
IT)  Kovporpiipos  (Tausanias,  i.  22-3).  In  effect, 
we  discover  again  in  the  word  Saga  the  primi- 
tive -1/a,  whence  comes  Meter,  Mater;  as  a 
consequence  of  this  comparison,  we  arrive  at 
Aagarnp,  Ceres,  the  nutritive  Earth,  the  mother 
of  the  giant  Ascus.  Demeter  is  besides  the 
same  as  Lamia,  honoured  with  Auxesia,  at 
Egina,  at  Epidaurus,  at  Trczen.  The  legend 
thus  completes  itself,  and  in  the  pun  (jeu  de 
mots),  we  find  again  the  mythological  beings  put 


from  every  other  which  had,  up  to  his  time, 
been  published,  inasmuch  as  thereon  Damascus 
takes  the  title  of  colony  only,  instead,  as  in  all 
other  instances,  of  assuming  the  additional  title 
of  metro/io/is.  With  respect  to  the  S.  and  the  T. 
on  the  ensigns,  Pellcrin  observes  that  “those 
letters  hold  there  the  place  of  cyphers  or  nume- 
rals, which  are  commonly  inscribed  on  such  re- 
presentations of  military  standards,  in  order  to 
designate  the  legions,  from  which  the  veteran 
soldiers  were  sent  into  the  different  Roman 
colonies.  Those  legions,  in  their  origin  were 


on  the  stage  by  the  my  Biographers.”  pp.  22-23.  distinguished  solely  by  the  name  respectively  of 
M.  De  Witte,  moreover,  regards  the  com-  \ first,  second,  third,  aud  so  ou  with  the  rest, 
nientary  of  Vaillant  ou  another  coin  of  Damas-  j As  it  happened,  however,  iu  the  sequel,  that 
cus,  as  serving  to  sustain  what  he  has  himself  | there  were  many  which  were  called  first,  second. 


DAMASCUS. 

third,  &c.  so  surnames,  for  their  farther  designa- 
tion, and  distinction  one  from  another,  were 
given  them,  either  of  deities,  or  of  emperors, 
or  of  provinces,  or  other  surnames,  which  cir- 
cumstances and  events  caused  the  Romans  to 
adopt.  Conformably  to  this  idea,  he  considers 
it  is  the  more  probable  interpretation,  that  the 
letter  S.  denotes  the  III Ith  Legion,  surnamed 
Scythica,  and  the  letter  T.  points  to  the  find 
Legion,  surnamed  Trajana;  since  ancient  authors, 
in  speaking  of  legions,  sometimes  call  them  by 
their  surnames.”] 

5.  Ram  (Aries)  on  a second  brass,  inscribed 
to  Philip  senior. — [This  type  which  refers  to 
the  Zodiacal  sign  of  that  name,  frequently  occurs 
on  Syrian,  Phoenician,  and  Coele-Svrian  coins. 
The  ancients  differed,  not  only  as  to  the  number 
and  arrangement  of  the  months  composing  the 
solar  year,  hut  also  as  to  its  beginning.  For 
with  some  nations  it  commenced  under  the  vernal 
equinox,  when  the  Sun  enters  Aries.  Others 
made  the  year  begin  under  the  autumnal  equinox, 
because  they  believed  that  the  world  was  at  that 
season  created,  with  its  fruits  ripe. — Vaillant,  ii. 
p.  162. — See  M.  De  Witte’s  observations  in  Re- 
vue Namismalique,  t.  vii.  11,  on  this  type  of 
the  Ruin']. 

6.  River  God,  in  a recumbent  posture,  naked 
to  the  waist,  holding  a small  image  on  his  right 
hand ; a coruucopiie  in  his  left,  and  his  left 
elbow  resting  on  an  urn,  out  of  which  issues 
water — on  a first  brass  dedicated  to  Philip  sen. 

[The  figure  denotes  the  site  of  Damascus, 
washed  by  two  streams,  whose  continence  as  has 
already  been  noticed  forms  the  Chrysorrhoas 
(Barrada  or  Bsrdines),  which  the  river  deity 
seems  to  represent. — Vaill.  ii.  p.  162. — “The 
1 ittle  figure  doubtless  is  au  image  of  the  young 
Aseus.” — Dc  Witte ; see  Dissert,  above  quoted], 

7.  Si/enus — see  Cypress,  No.  3. 

8.  Temple. On  a first  brass,  struck  in 

Damascus  to  the  honour  of  Otacilia,  wife  of  the 
emperor  who  made  that  city  a Roman  colony. — 
Besides  the  usual  Latin  legend  col.  damas. 
metro,  the  Greek  word  nHTAI,  Fountains,  ap- 
pears at  the  bottom  of  the  reverse.  The  type 
is  a temple  of  four  columns,  in  which  stands  the 
image  of  Silenus.  Below'  the  base  of  the  tem- 
ple is  an  arch,  beneath  which  reclines  a river 
deity,  without  beard,  holding  in  his  right  hand 
a branch,  his  left  arm  resting  on  an  urn ; in  his 
left  hand  is  a horn  of  plenty.  On  one  side  a 
star,  on  the  other  the  moon ; on  the  right  side 
a small  altar. 

[The  temple  is  that  of  Silenus,  who  was  an 
object  of  especial  worship  with  the  inhabitants 
of  Damascus,  in  common  with  all  the  people  of 
Phoenicia  and  Syria.  The  personified  river  under 
the  arch  refers  to  Damascus.  It  represents  the 
plain  where  the  stream  of  the  Abaua  was  dis- 
tributed in  fountains  through  the  whole  city 
(see  River-god  above  described).  The  river 
bears  a cornucopia:  in  indication  of  the  abun- 
dance that  springs  from  the  irrigation  of  its 
waters.  The  altar  belongs  to  Silenus’s  temple. 
— The  star  and  the  crescent  designate  Sol  and 
Luna,  to  whom,  as  to  presiding  deities,  the  | 

2 R 2 


DANUVIUS.  307 

Syrian  superstition  referred  all  things. — See  en- 
graving in  Vaillaut,  ii.  p.  100]. 

9.  Vexillum. — A second  brass,  dedicated  by 
Damascus  to  Trebonianus  Gallus,  exhibits  on  its 
reverse  the  above-named  military  standard,  on 
which  is  LEO.  in.  gal.  Legio  Tertia  Gallica  : 
on  each  side  is  an  eagle. 

[Evidence  is  here  adduced  that  the  veterans  of 
the  Third  Gallic  Legion,  which  at  the  time  of 
Philip’s  assumption  of  the  imperial  power  was 
in  winter  quarters  in  Phatnicia,  were  transplant- 
ed as  colonists  to  Damascus,  by  that  emperor — 
a fact  confirmed  by  the  two  eagles  at  the  foot  of 
the  vexillum ]. 

10.  Wolf  and  Twins. — On  first  and  second 
brass  of  Otacilia,  this  well  known  type  appears, 
with  the  addition  of  the  labarum,  on  which  is 
inscribed  leg.  vi.  f. — See  Genius  of  the  City, 
No.  4. 

[The  coins  of  Damascus,  dedicated  to  Philip 
senior,  shew,  it  was  not  until  his  murderous 
usurpation  of  the  empire,  that  this  celebrated 
city  became  a Roman  colony.  And  this  medal, 
struck  w'ith  others,  in  honour  of  his  wife,  points 
out  from  which  legion,  after  the  assassination  of 
Gordian  III.  the  veterans  were  sent  by  Philip 
to  Damascus — namely,  Legio  Sexta  Ferrata. — 
Vaillaut,  ii.  p.  179]. 

11.  Woman,  wit h t arreted  head,  sitting  on 
a mount ; before  her  stands  Silenus,  bearing  the 
goat-skin  on  his  shoulder.  At  the  top  of  the 
coin  is  Pegasus.  Below  the  seated  female  are 
five  other  women,  with  turreted  heads,  who  stand 
sacrificing  at  an  altar.  This  curious  type  appears 
on  a rare  brass  coin,  dedicated  by  the  citizens 
of  Damascus  to  Otacilia,  in  compliment  to  her 
husband  Philip. 

[The  female  figure  seated  represents  the  city ; 
she  is  turreted  as  being  a metropolis  ; she  sits 
on  a mountain,  as  indicating  the  situation  of 
Damascus,  whose  territory  embraced  the  spurs 
of  Mount  Hcrmon ; she  bears  a cornucopia:  to 
denote  the  plenty  which  reigned  within  her  bor- 
ders. Above  her  is  the  flying  horse  Pegasus, 
the  city’s  sign  or  token ; before  her  stands 
Silenus,  whom  the  Damascenes  worshipped,  as 
has  already  been  noticed.  The  five  women  at 
the  bottom  of  the  medal,  in  the  act  of  perform- 
ing sacrifice,  personify  the  principal  cities  of 
Coele-Syria,  of  which  Damascus  was  the  chief. 
— Vaillant,  ii.  p.  178-9]. 

DANUVIUS  and  DANUBIUS,  Donau  or 
Danube ; the  grandest  river  in  Europe.  A part 
of  it  was  called  Is  ter,  but  the  differences  of  an- 
cient writers  reuder  it  uncertain  through  which 
regions  of  its  course  the  name  of  Danubius,  and 
which  that  of  Ister,  was  appropriated  to  it. — 
Xiphilinus  affirms  that  Trajan’s  bridge  was  built 
over  the  Ister.  The  Danube  was  worshipped  as  a 
divinity  by  the  Getfe,  the  Dacians,  Thracians,  &c. 

The  Danube  rises  at  Donausehingeu,  in  the 
mountains  of  the  Black  Forest,  territory  of  Ba- 
den, in  Suahia  (“  Mous  Abnoha’,  of  Tacitus)  ; 
and  after  receiving  more  than  100  fine  tributaries 
in  its  course  of  2,100  miles,  discharges  its  waters 
into  the  Black  Sea  (Poutus  Euxiuus),  in  Bes- 
sarabia. 


30S  DANUVIUS. 

In  M*sia  Superior  (now  Servia),  east  of 
Vimmiacum  (near  whose  site  is  the  small  town 
of  Alt  Golnubac),  on  the  river’s  bank  was  Tali- 
atis,  01  I aliata.  Near  this  place  was  a ridge  of 
rocks,  remarkable  as  thought  to  be  the  spot 
uliere  the  Danube  changes  its  name,  the  eastcru 
part  of  it  being  called  Istcr  by  the  ancients,  as 
the  western  was  termed  Danub'ius.  A little  east 
ol  this  place  was  l’ons  Trajani  (now  called 
rajan’s  Ilock),  the  bridge  built  by  the  Emperor 
lrajan  to  pass  into  his  province  of  Dacia. — See 
Dp.  Butler,  Geog.  pp.  IOC— 189— 195,  whose 
account  corroborates  the  assertion  of  Xiphilinus 
above  cited,  that  I rajan’s  bridge  was  built  over 
that  part  of  the  river  anciently  called  the  Ister. 

ll  S C0"Su/i  P atria  OPTIMO 
1 BINCyw  (Consul  for  the  fifth  time.  Father  of 
llle  Country,  Excellent  Prince), 
he  Danube,  under  the  form 
/j*  8 ^carded  man,  crowned  with 

D* fS reeds,  in  a recumbent  pos- 
ture-  ,The  right  hand  of  the 
/ personified  river  is  extended 
X^AWWiV^/  to  n galley,  the  left  rests  upon 
his  urn : a drapery  is  placed 
under  the  arms  of  the  god,  a portion  of  which, 
tilled  by  the  wind,  floats  scmi-circularly  above 
his  head. 

This  reverse,  which  appears  on  gold  as  well 
as  silver  of  Trajan,  was  struck  in  the  858th  year 
of  Rome  (a.  d.  105),  after  the  passage  of  the 
Danube  by  the  legionary  troops.  The  famous 
river  whose  name  occupies  the  exergue,  was  in- 
deed well  worthy  a place  on  coins,  both  on  ac- 
count of  its  close  proximity  to  the  scene  of  con- 
flict in  the  Dacian  wars,  and  also  because  it  had 
to  be  crossed  by  the  imperial  forces,  in  order  to 
reach  the  enemy’s  territory.  P,ut  the  highest 
glory  was  gained  by  Trajan  on  the  river  itself, 
when  he  adorned  it  with  a stone  bridge — a work, 
which,  if  credit  may  be  given  to  Dion’s  descrip- 
tion (lxviii.  $ 13),  far  surpassed  all  others  ac- 
complished by  that  prince,  and  which  furnished 
proof  that  scarcely  any  enterprise  is  too  vast  for 
the  genius,  hardihood,  aud  perseverance  of  man. 
[It  was  3325  English  feet  in  length], — Learned 
writers  have  imagined  that  they  recognised  the 
architectural  features  on  the  column  of  Tra- 
jan, still  seen  at  Rome  (and  indeed  it  is  so  given 
in  Table  E,  segment  Ixxiv.  No.  2f>0,  of  n 
scries  of  engravings  placed  at  the  end  of  More/l. 
Thesaurus  hupp.  Rom.  Numismala). 

Among  other  passages  in  Dion’s  detailed  ac- 
count of  this  gigantic  structure,  is  the  follow- 
ing  : “ Trajan  caused  that  stone  bridge  to  be 

built  on  the  Danube,  of  which  I cannot  suffi- 
ciently express  my  admiration.  For  although 
there  arc  many  other  magnificent  works  of  his,  J 
yet  this  bridge  far  surpasses  them  all.” — The  I 
same  author  enters  into  copious  particulars  on 
the  subject,  stating  for  example,  how  many  piles  I 
it  was  supported  by,  their  heighth  aud  breadth  ; I 
adding  what  distance  those  piles,  conjoined  bv 
arches,  were  from  each  other.  It  may  be  ima-  ' 
giued  how  many  aud  how  great  were  the  obsta-  | 
clcs  to  be  overcome,  in  order  to  erect  such  a 
bridge  over  a river  so  broad  and  so  deep  as  the 


DANUVIUS. 

Danube.  Apollodorus  Dumasccnus  is  named  as 
the  architect. 

i W riters,  however  (Marsilius  and  Rcimar 
among  others),  are  not  wanting,  who  have  rigor- 
ously examined  that  passage  of  Dion,  in  which 
he  describes  the  bridge;  and  these  deuy  the 
possibility  of  reconciling  the  measurements  there 
given  with  the  rules  of  architecture.  They  say 
that,  so  far  as  can  be  gathered  from  the  remains 
w hich  are  extant  at  the  present  day,  at  the  “ Iron 
Gate  (porta  ferrea),  between  Servia  and  Wal- 
laebia,  the  entire  work  could  not  have  been  so 
large  as  is  represented  ; and  that  the  piles  only 
of  the  bridge  were  of  stone,  whilst  the  arches 
were  of  wood.  According  to  Procopius,  at  each 
end  of  this  bridge  stood  a castle  (or  fort). — Sec 
Eckhel’s  Commentary,  vi.  418,  et  seq. 

The  obverse  of  the  coin  exhibits  the  laurcated 
head  of  Trajan  to  the  right,  bearing  the  .Fig is  ; 
with  the  following  legend: — imi*.  traiano  avg. 
ger.  i) ac.  !■.  m.  tr.  p.  To  the  Emperor  Tra- 
janus,  Augustus,  the  Germauicus,  the  Dacicus, 
Sovereign  Pontiff  (invested)  with  the  tribuuitiau 
| power.  The  silver  alone  (from  a specimen  of 
which  the  above  cut  is  copied),  is  catalogued 
by  Mionnet  and  Akerman.  The  gold  is  beauti- 
fully engraved  in  Iconographie  des  Empereurs, 
par  M.  Ch.  Lenormant,  p.  47,  No.  13. 

It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  Hadrian  would 
have  struck  a coin  allusive  to  that  mighty  stream 
whose  name  was  associated  with  his  predecessor’s 
conquests;  for  Hadrian  caused  the  Roman  bridge 
over  it  to  be  destroyed.  But  it  is  singular  that, 
with  the  exception  of  the  coin  above  described 
and  commented  upon,  there  should  not,  in  the 
l fertile  mints  of  Trajau,  be  any  instance  in  which 
the  word  danyvivs  or  danvbivs  forms  part  of 
the  legend  on  a contemporaneous  coin  of  his. 
There  is  indeed,  a first  brass  of  that  emperor, 
bearing  the  date  of  his  fifth  consulate,  on  which 
the  most  intelligent  numismatists,  as  well  of  the 
present  day  as  of  flic  elder  school,  recognise  one 
arch  of  the  bridge  in  question  (sec  Pons),  but  it 
is  only  probable  conjecture,  not  positive  identifi- 
cation. Another  first  brass  of  Trajan  (common, 
but  of  good  design  aud  workmanship),  is  gene- 
rally regarded  ns  having  been  meant  to  symbo- 
| lizc  the  Danube,  and  to  refer  to  the  first  victories 
of  imperial  Rome  over  her  brave  Dacian  foe,  viz..- 

Rev. — S.  P.  Q.  R.  OPTIMO  PRINCIPI.  s.  c.  A 
river-god,  holding  a reed  in  the  left  hand, 
presses  with  the  right  knee  on  the  thigh,  and 
with  flic  right  hand  on  the  neck,  of  a recum- 
bent male  figure,  clothed  in  the  Dacian  habit. 

But  this  is  allegory,  of  which  the  meaning  may 
be  shrewdly  guessed  at,  not  the  open  record 
and  typifiention  which  might  have  been  ex- 
pected, relative  to  an  event  so  important  as  Tra- 
jan’s first  successes  on  the  Danube. — Sec  river- 
god. 

" The  personification  (says  Ecldicl,  iu  his  no- 
tice of  this  coin,  vi.  418),  as  displayed  on  the 
above  coin,  appears  by  the  gesture  of  laying 
violent  bauds  on  the  prostrate  Dacian,  to  inti- 
mate that  the  river  also  had  some  share  iu  the 
merit  of  reducing  that  nation.  That  a fleet 
really  had  its  station  in  Micsia,  aud  consequently 


309 


dancvhjs. 

on  the  Danube  to  repress  the  incursions  of  the 
barbarians,  is  proved  by  an  inscription  published 
by  Gruter  (p.  575,  i.),  in  which  mention  is 
made  of  a classis  F/avia  Mcesica.” 

The  following  notice  of  a brass  medallion,  re- 
lates to  another  bridge  over  the  Danube,  said  to 
be  the  work  of  Constantine  the  Great : — 


CONSTANTINVS  MAXm«i  kXGustus  — 
Dust  of  Constantine  the  Great,  to  the  right, 
diademed. 

Rev. — SALVS  REIIVW/Vvr.  A stone  bridge 
of  three  arches,  over  which  Victory  walking, 
carries  in  her  left  hand  a trophy  resting  on  her 
shoulder,  and  with  her  right  hand  points  out 
the  way  to  the  emperor,  who  follows  with  spear 
and  buckler.  At  the  extremity  of  the  bridge,  a 
barbarian  kneeling  holds  up  his  hands  in  an 
attitude  of  supplication  to  both.  Below  is  the 
figure  of  a river-god  in  a recumbent  posture, 
with  right  hand  uplifted.  On  the  exergue  the 
word  DANVBIVS. 

A brass  medallion  corresponding  in  legends 
and  types  with  the  one  above  described,  is  in  the 
Cabinet  of  the  Bibliotheque  Nationale  at  Paris. 
Our  wood-cut  is  after  a cast  from  that  original. 
Pellerin  (Melange,  1,  pi.  xii.  No.  3,  p.  215), 
published  a specimen  of  it,  which  closely  agrees 
with  that  iu  the  French  Cabiuct,  to  which  grand 
repertory  it  was  probably,  after  his  death,  trans- 
ferred with  numerous  other  medals,  from  his 
own  collection. 

Ill  referring  his  readers  to  this  medallion, 
Pellerin  says — “ It  shews  by  its  type  that  Con  • 
stantinc  had  passed  the  Danube  on  a bridge,  and 
gained  a victory  in  the  country  through  which 
it  flows,  either  over  the  Sarmatians,  or  over 
the  Goths,  or  other  barbarians  with  whom  he 
was  at  war.  It  is  stated  in  the  Chronicle  of 
Alexandria,  aud  in  the  histories  of  both  the 
Victors,  that  this  emperor  built  on  the  Danube 
a stone  bridge  of  three  arches  only,  as  that 
seems  to  be  which  is  represented  on  the  medal- 
lion here  given.  Learned  men  have  judged  it 
scarcely  possible,  from  the  width  and  depth  of 
the  river,  in  that  country,  that  a bridge  of  such 
a kind  should  have  been  erected  there,  and  hence 
they  have  looked  upon  the  medallion  as  suspi- 
cious (comme  suspect).  Nevertheless  historians 
and  coins  of  Trajan  leave  no  room  to  doubt  but 
that  that  emperor  built  on  the  same  river  a 
bridge,  which  Dion  has  described,  and  even  given 


DANUVIUS. 
the  dimensions  of  its  various  parts.  It  is  very 
possible,  that  the  bridge  built  by  Constantine  had 
more  than  three  arches.  There  was  no  occasion 
to  represent  them  all  in  order  to  impart  an  idea 
of  its  construction,  and  to  convey  a knowledge 
of  the  military  exploit,  which  it  was  intended 
to  designate  by  the  same  type.”  (p.  215-16). 

Eckhel,  who  treats  with  doubtless  well -me- 
rited condemnation  another  medallion  of  the 
largest  size,  in  the  Vienna  cabinet,  which  bears 
the  same  legend  of  reverse,  but  not  the  same, 
though  in  some  respects  a similar,  type,  has 
handled  the  claims  of  the  present  one  to  be  re- 
garded as  authentic,  with  very  little  more  in- 
dulgence. He  observes,  that  “ the  shape  of  the- 
letters  upon  it,  provided  the  copy  be  true  to  the 
original,  savours  of  the  time  of  Nero  or  there- 
abouts, and  that  it  does  not  belong  to  the  age 
of  Constantine.”  We  should  not  venture  to 
dissent  from  the  great  master  and  highest  autho- 
rity in  numismatic  science,  did  he  not  himself 
plainly  intimate  that  he  had  never  seen  the  ori- 
ginal piece  of  which  Pellcrin’s  work  had  fi- 
nished him  with  a copy.  Neither  has  it  fallen 
to  our  lot  to  have  seen  the  medallion  itself ; but 
we  now  write  with  a skilfully-taken  cast  from  it 
before  us;  and  after  comparing  the  lettering,  on 
both  obverse  aud  reverse,  with  that  of  other 
medallions  of  the  same  reign — (for  example,  the 
Exvperator  omnivm  gentivm),  we,  with  de- 
ference, but  without  hesitation,  affirm,  that  the 
conformation  of  the  letters  exhibited  on  the 
Danvbivs  medallion  of  the  French  museum,  per- 
fectly assimilates,  on  both  sides,  with  that  of 
the  one  just  cited,  as  a well-known  specimen. — 
And  with  respect  to  Pellerin’s  print  of  his  own 
coin,  they  who  are  most  familiar  with  the  style 
of  numismatic  engraving  adopted  by  the  artists 
employed  to  illustrate  that  eminent  antiquary’s 
numerous  volumes,  will,  we  believe,  be  amongst 
the  most  ready  to  acknowledge  that  though  the 
types  of  his  coins  are  delineated  with  compara- 
tive truthfulness,  yet  no  regard  is  paid  in  them  to 
those  peculiarities  of  lettering  which  distinguish 
the  respective  ages  of  the  Roman  coinage ; but 
that  on  the  contrary,  all  his  legends  aud  inscrip- 
tions, whether  Greek  or  Latin,  exhibit  a uuifonn 
sameness  of  character. 

Having  thus  endeavoured  to  meet  those  argu- 
ments against  the  recognition  of  this  coin  as  a 
genuine  antique,  which  are  derived,  by  the  learned 
Author  of  Doctrina,  according  to  his  supposi- 
tion, from  its  workmanship,  it  might  suffice  for 
us  here  to  close  with  simply  adding,  that  Mion- 
net,  in  his  Recueil  des  Medailles  Romanies  (t. 
ii.  p.  230),  describes  the  legend  and  type  of  this 
remarkable  reverse,  nearly  in  the  terms  above 
quoted,  and  gives  his  attestation  to  the  genuine- 
ness of  the  medallion,  by  affixing  to  it  the  value 
of  150  francs.— But  in  justice  to  such  argu- 
ments as  the  illustrious  numismatist  of  Vienna 
employs  from  historical  sources  to  support  his 
suspicions  of  Pellerin’s  coin,  a luminous  passage 
from  Eckhel’s  commentary  (see  viii.  86-87),  is 
hereto  subjoined ; and  the  reader  left  to  form  his 
own  judgment  on  the  subject : — 

“The  vastness  of  such  an  undertaking  as  a 


310  DANUVIUS. 

stone  bridge  over  the  Danube,  where  its  stream 
is  so  wide  as  it  is  in  Mmsia,  prevents  our  accord- 
ing any  credence  to  the  Chrouicon  of  Alexan- 
dria, filled  as  it  is  with  so  many  old  woman’s 
tales.  And,  indeed,  had  it  been  constructed  of 
cemented  materials,  there  would  of  neccessity 
have  remained  some  vestiges  of  it  even  to  the 
present  day,  as  is  the  case  with  the  bridge  of 
Trajan,  nearly  two  centuries  older,  though  even 
these  are  not  found  to  extend  completely  across 
the  bed  of  the  river.  I am  aware,  that  Constan- 
tine, a.  D.  310,  planned  a stone  bridge  over  the 
Rhine,  at  Agrippina  (Cologne),  of  which  fact  there 
can  be  no  doubt,  since  Eumenius  asserts  it  in 
the  panegyric  which  he  delivered  in  the  presence 
of  Constantine  fPaneggr . vii.  eh.  13).  But  at 
the  time  when  Eumenius  used  those  expressions, 
the  bridge  was  only  just  begun ; and  that  the 
work  was  interrupted,  is  inferred  by  learned 
writers  from  the  fact,  that  no  remains  of  so  vast 
a work  are  to  be  found  on  the  spot  in  the  river- 
bed. And,  that  the  design  of  a stone  bridge 
over  the  Danube  was  liable  to  greater  obstacles 
than  a like  work  over  the  Rhine,  is  evident  from 
the  superiority  of  the  former  river,  in  Mtcsia, 
to  the  latter,  in  the  volume  of  its  waters. — 
The  testimonies  of  both  the  Victors,  which  many 
quote  on  this  subject,  lead  to  no  practical  deci- 
sion, as  the  ouc,  in  his  Constantine,  says — ‘ A 
bridge  was  built  over  the  Danube and  tlie  other 
— * lie  (i.  c.  Constantine)  constructed  a bridge 
over  the  Danube but  neither  of  them  tell  us 
that  it  was  of  stone.  It  is  more  probable,  there-  j 
fore,  that  it  was  a bridge  of  boats,  which,  sup- 
posing it  to  have  been  put  together  at  the  point 
wheie  the  river  hastens  to  its  outlet,  and  is 
swelled  to  an  immense  volume  by  the  combined 
waters  of  central  Europe,  it  must  have  been  a 
work  not  inferior  in  magnitude  to  that  of  Xerxes 
over  the  Hellespont,  described  at  large  by  so 
many  writers,  it  was  at  about  the  same  spot 
that  Darius,  the  son  of  llystaspes,  in  the  inva- 
sion of  Scythia,  crossed  the  Danube  with  his 
forces,  bv  a bridge,  as  recorded  by  Herodotus, 
Strabo  (vii.  p.  409),  and  Trognsj  but  this  also 
was  composed  only  of  boats.  Marsilius,  speak- 
ing of  this  vaunted  bridge  of  Constantine — 
(Danub.  ii.  p.  37),  says,  that  having  searched 
the  whole  stream  throughout  this  tract  of  coun- 
try, without  discovering  the  remains  of  so  great 
a work,  he  was  informed  by  the  inhabitants,  that 
when  the  river  subsides  below  a certain  level, 
there  appear  above  the  surface  some  wooden 
piles,  a little  higher  up  than  the  place  where  the 
Aluta  mingles  with  the  Danube.  I can  scarcely  j 
credit  the  fact  of  the  remains  of  a wooden  j 
bridge  being  extant  after  a lapse  of  thirteen  cen- 
turies and  more;  but  let  others  inquire  into  the 
truth  of  this  statement.  It  is  sufficient  for  my 
present  purpose,  to  know,  that  Marsilius,  after 
a diligent  investigation  of  the  whole  neighbour-  1 
hood,  and  the  course  of  the  river,  discovered  no 
vestiges  of  a stone  bridge  built  by  Constantine. 
And,  consequently,  till  I find  such  a coin  ns  the 
one  in  question,  approved  by  several  numisma- 
tists of  acknowledged  eminence,  1 must  be  al- 
lowed to  doubt  the  fact  of  a stone  bridge  over 


DARDANICI. 

the  Danube.  If,  however,  we  allow  these  coins 
to  be  authentic,  Eumenius  (vii.  p.  409),  has  used 
most  graphic  language  in  accordance  with  their 
type: — ‘And  above  all,  by  building  the  bridge 
at  Agrippina,  you  trample  upon  the  remnant  of 
a wretched  people,  preventing  their  ever  laying 
aside  their  terrors,  but  keeping  them  ever  in 
alarm,  ever  stretching  out  their  hands  in  sup- 
plication.' ” 

DARDAXICI. — This  word,  on  a third  brass 
of  Trajan,  is  accompanied  by  a type  in  which  a 
woman  stands,  with  corn-cars  in  one  hand,  and 
gathering  her  robe  with  the  other. 

Eckhel  classes  this,  not  with  the  coins  of  Ro- 
man fabric  aud  of  Senatorial  authority,  but 
amongst  what  he  terms  Numi  Metaltorum. — 
He  observes — “ Dardania  was  a region  situated 
in  Upper  Maesia,  over  against  Macedonia,  aud 
often  mentioned  by  ancient  historians  as  well  as 
geographers ; and  on  a marble  of  the  age  of 
Trajan,  L.  Befius  is  called  pkaef.  alae.  dak- 
danoevm.  This  appellation  of  its  district  con- 
tinued as  long  as  the  reign  of  Diocletian;  for 
Trcbcllius  Pollio  states,  that  Dardania  was  the 
birth-place  of  Claudius  Gothicus.  Now  it  is 
certain  that  in  this  tract  of  country  there  were 
mines,  which  having  takeu  their  name  from  that 
region,  supplied  metal ; wherewith,  like  those 
of  Dalmatia  aud  Rauuonia,  coins  were  struck 
with  the  epigraph  simply  of  dakdanici,  sup- 
pressing the  word  metali.i,  by  which  pan.no- 
nici,  delm(atici),  and  vlpiani,  are  preceded, 
on  other  medals  of  a similar  nature,  which  the 
industry  and  avarice  of  the  Romans  established 
and  circulated  in  various  provinces,  and  of  which 
there  exist  several  inscribed  with  the  name  of 
Trajan  and  of  Hadrian.” — See  D.  N.  V.  vol.  vi. 

I p.  446. 

DCCCLXXIIII. — The  year  of  Rome  874 
(a.  n.  121),  appears  on  a coiu  of  Hadrian,  which, 

! struck  in  the  fifth  year  of  his  reign,  remarkably 
illustrates  the  year  of  the  city’s  foundation,  by 
the  following  inscription  : — ann.  DCCCLXXttlt. 
nat.  van.  &c.  (Natali  Urbis). — Sec  ann.  p.  46. 
D.  C.  A. — Dives  Ctesar  Augustus. 

D.  D. — Decreto  Decurionum. — This  is  usunlly 
understood  as  referring  to  the  liberty  of  striking 
coins  in  colonics,  as  S.  C.  Seua/us  Consnlto, 
denoted  coins  struck  at  Rome  by  authority  of 
the  Senate. 

DD. — Domini,  speaking  of  two,  and  DDD. 
of  three. 

DD.  NN. — Domini  Nostri,  or  Domiiormn 
Nostrornm — Our  Lords,  two  Ns  signify  two, 
and  NNN.  three  Lords  or  Emperors. — Sec  no- 

MINt’S  NOSTER. 

DE  GER. — De  Gennanis. — Sec  OEr.MANtS 
I)E  rVD. — De  .Judteis. — Sec  iudaitis. 

DE  SARM. — De  Sarmatis. — See  saum \Tls. 
DEAE.  or  Dll.  arc  for  the  most  part  repre- 
sented on  coins,  with  the  body,  or  at  least  as 
far  ns  the  breast,  naked.  For  nudity,  in  an- 
cient sculpture  aud  painting,  denoted  beatitude 
and  immortality. — Rasche. 

Dearum  simulacra. — The  images  of  goddesses 
are  distinguished  on  ancient  coins  by  the  fol- 
lowing attributes; Deltona,  by  spear  nnd 


DEARUM.— DEBELLATOR. 
buckler. — Ceres,  by  crown  of  corn  cars,  torch, 
and  car  drawn  by  serpents. — Cybele,  by  turreted 

crown  and  lions. Diana,  by'  hunting  dress, 

bow,  arrow,  and  quiver;  also  car  drawn  by 

stags,  and  by  a small  horned  moon. Diana 

Ephesia,  by  her  many  breasts,  stags  at  her 
feet,  and  small  basket  filled  with  fruit  ou  her 
head, — Flora,  by  flowers. — Isis,  the  Egyptian 
goddess,  by  star,  sistrum,  and  flower  on  her 
bead. — Juno,  by  veiled  head  and  peacock. — 
Juno  Moneta,  by  the  balance,  because  coins 
were  minted  in  the  temple  of  Juno  at  Rome. — 
Juno  Sospita  or  Sispita,  by  the  goat-skin  aud 
horns. — Minetva,  by  the  owl,  olive  branch,  ser- 
pent, helmet,  buckler,  spear,  and  thunderbolt. 
Venus , by  the  apple,  Cupid,  rudder,  aud  dove. 
— Venus  Paphia,  by  the  terminal  or  conical 
st0ne. — Vesta,  by  veiled  head,  simpulum,  palla- 
dium, and  torch. — Ilasche. 

Dearum  templa. — The  temples  of  goddesses, 
as  exhibited  on  coins,  arc  not  of  the  common 
square-formed  structure,  but  round ; either  as 
on  the  medallion  of  Faustina  senior,  inscribed 
Matri  Deum  Salutari  (Cybele) ; or  on  the  coin 
of  Trcboniauus  Gallus,  with  legend  of  Junotii 
Martiali ; or  the  temple  of  Vesta,  as  on  the 
coin  of  Lucilla,  and  ou  a denarius  of  the  Cassia 
gens,  with  the  letters  a.  c. — See  Tetnplum. 

DEAE.  SEGETIAE. — On  the  reverse  of  gold 
aud  billon  of  Salouina,  wife  of  Gallienus,  are  this 
epigraph,  and  a temple  supported  by  four  co- 
lumns, within  which  the  deity,  wearing  a cres- 
cent on  her  head,  appears  with  uplifted  hands. 

It  would  seem  by  the  testimony  of  this  coin 
(sec  saj.ONINa),  that  the  empress  had  erected  a 
temple  to  the  goddess  Segetia,  who  before  that 
had  only  an  altar  in  the  Circus  Maximus.  She 
was  called  Segetia,  as  being  (prafecta  segetibus) 
a presiding  divinity  over  the  harvests  when  they 
were  sprung  up  from  the  soil.  (See  Eckhel,  vii. 
399 — 419). — Mr.  Akennan,  in  a note  on  this 
legend,  observes — “ Some  authors  are  of  opinion, 
that  Segetia  was  the  same  as  Fortune,  called 
also  Sejana,  to  whom,  as  Pliny  informs  us,  Nero 
built  a temple  of  transparent  marble.” — Descr. 
Cat.  ii.  42. 

DEBELLATOR  GENTIUM  BARBARA- 
RUM.  The  Vanquisher  of  Barbarian  Nations. 
Constantine,  called  the  Great,  was  rewarded  with 


this  title,  when  in  the  year  322  of  the  Chris- 
tian era,  he  gained  repeated  victories  over  the 
Goths  aud  Sarmatians,  in  Illyria  and  in  Maesia, 


DECENNALIA.  31 1 

pursuing  Ills  successes  beyond  the  Danube,  until 
the  fugitive  remains  of  both  these  tribes  were 
almost  exterminated  by  the  Roman  sword. — 
Banduri,  ii.  p.  244,  obs.  3. 

On  a brass  medallion  of  Constantius  II.  in 
the  Cabinet  de  France,  after  a cast  from  which 
the  above  reverse  has  been  engraved,  the  follow- 
ing legends  and  types  appear  : — 

CONSTANTIUS  Vius  Yetis;  AUG  us  tits. — 
Bust,  to  the  right,  of  Constantius  the  Second, 
diademed. 

Rev. — DEBELLATORI  GENTLm  BAR- 
BARm/«.  The  emperor,  bare-headed,  wear- 
ing the  paludamentum,  mounted  on  a horse, 
which  gallops  to  the  right,  strikes  with  the  point 
of  his  lance  a warrior,  who  meets  the  blow  on 
one  knee ; whilst  another  enemy  lies  under  the 
horse. 

Flattery  here  awards  to  the  second  son  of 
Constantine  the  Great  a title  which  his  father 
had  acquired  for  successive  triumphs  in  many  a 
slaughterous  battle,  fought  with  “ barbarians.” 
For  the  younger  Constantius  was  heir,  neither 
to  the  valour  nor  to  the  good  fortune  of  the 
First  Constantine,  being  ofleuer  vanquished  than 
victorious,  except  in  the  civil  wars  with  his 
brothers  and  cousins. — See  Eckhel,  viii.  83- 
116. — Sec  also  Biog.  Notice,  in  p.  263  of  this 
dictionary. 

DEC. — Decius,  Decennalia,  &c. 

DEC.  ANN. — (Decern.  Annus)  Decennalis,  of 
ten  years : Decennial. 

Decern. — The  usual  mark  of  the  denarius 
wras  thus  stamped  X. — See  denarivs. 

DECEN.  DECENNAL. — Decennales  ludi, 
or  Decennalia  Festa. — Festivals  celebrated  under 
the  Emperors,  at  Rome,  every  ten  years.  Their 
origin  w as  as  follows  : — Augustus,  after  having 
tranquilliscd  the  empire,  aud  enjoyed  ten  years 
of  peaceful  sovereignty,  wearied  with  state  fati- 
gues, aud  failing  iu  health,  affected  to  be  desir- 
ous of  abdicating  the  government.  Accordingly 
he  assembled  the  Senate,  to  whom  he  rendered 
an  account  of  his  administration,  and  commu- 
nicated his  wish  to  resign.  But  the  Senators 
pressed  upon  him  a continuance  of  his  reign  for 
torn-  years  longer,  and  he  was  not  so  obdurate 
as  to  decline  compliance  with  their  importuni- 
! ties.  At  the  expiration  of  this  period,  they 
obliged  him  to  load  himself  with  five  years 
more  of  imperial  care ; aud  at  the  end  of  that 
term  ten  more  were  required  of  him  : insomuch 
that  from  one  ten  years’  end  to  another  this  un- 
ambitious  but  yielding  prince  held  sway  for  life, 
(cf.  Dion  Cass.  53,  13).  Some  of  his  successors 
made  similar  tenders  every'  ten  years  ; aud  after 
the  refusal  to  accept,  which  they  were  sure  enough 
to  meet  w'ith  from  those  to  whom  the  offer  was 
made,  they  gave  a public  feast  on  such  renewal 
of  power.  The  celebration  consisted  of  sacrifices 
to  the  gods,  of  donatives  to  the  soldiers,  aud 
of  largesses  to  the  people,  accompanied  with 
shows  and  games  on  the  most  magnificent  aud 
costly  scale. 

DECENNALES  PRIMI. — On  gold  and  sil- 
ver, and  with  S.  C.  on  second  brass  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius,  we  see  primi  decennales  within 


312  DECENNALIA. 

an  oaken  crown — with  the  addition,  on  some 
specimens,  of  cos.  im. 

The  Decenna/es,  and  Vota  (vows),  cither  un- 
dertaken or  accomplished,  that  is  to  say,  for  the 
safety  of  the  prince,  make  their  appearance  for 
the  first  time  on  coins  of  Antoninus  Pius ; 
although  from  the  commencement  of  the  em- 
pire, certain  public  vows  were  sometimes  re- 
corded on  them,  and  though  destined  thereafter, 
and  especially  during  the  age  of  Constantine, 
to  form  the  constant  subject  of  coins. 

DECEM.  ANNALES  SECVND.  COS.  IIII. 
S.  C. — On  a very  rare  first  brass,  the  legend 
of  reverse  reads  as  above,  inscribed  in  a garland 
of  oak  leaves. 

The  first  Decennales  of  Antonine  closed  on 
the  10th  of  July,  a.  d.  148;  and  the  second 
began,  in  which  vows  were  fulfilled  for  the  pros- 
perous issue  of  the  past  ten  years,  and  fresh 
ones  undertaken  for  the  like  period  to  come. — 
That  first-rate  numismatist,  the  author  of  Lefons 
de  Numismatique  Romaine  (p.  127),  who  cites 
the  above  legend  from  a very  rare  first  brass  in 
his  own  collection,  observes — “ The  Romans  (a 
people  essentially  of  a religious  disposition), 
often  addressed  solemn  vows  to  their  deities : 
in  other  words,  prayers,  accompanied  with  sacri- 
fices. It  was  thus  that  Augustus  celebrated  his 
pretended  re-acceptances  of  sovereign  authority. 
And  it  was  with  equally  feigned,  but  not  always 
equally  credited,  modesty,  that  his  successors 
imitated  him,  in  these  decennial  sacrifices , 
offered  up  principally  for  the  preservation  of  the 
prince,  and  the  welfare  of  the  empire.” 


DECENNALIA. — A gold  medallion  of  Con- 
staus  presents  on  its  reverse  the  legend  Felicia 
decennalia  ; and  the  elegant  type  of  two  young 
genii,  or  winged  boys,  supporting  between  them, 
in  their  hands,  a crown,  in  which  are  inscribed 
VOTIS  x.  mvi.tis  XX.  that  is  to  say,  Votis  De- 
carnal ih  us,  Mult  is  VicennaUbus.  In  the  ex- 
ergue tes.  signifying  that  it  was  minted  at  Tes-  I 
salonica  (so  spelt  for  Tnessatonica). — The  above 
cut  is  from  a remarkably  well  preserved  speci-  i 
men  ot  this  fine  and  very  rare  coin  iu  the 
Cabinet  de  France. — For  some  of  Tristan’s  re- 
marks on  it  (iii.  615)  see  Felicia  decennalia. 

The  fact  that  decennial  vows  were  reckoned 
ns  accomplished,  not  at  the  beginuiug  but  at  the 
termination  of  the  tenth  year  of  an  emperor's 
reign,  is  shown  by  numismatic  inscriptions,  con- 
currently with  the  voice  of  antiquity.  Amongst 


DECENT!  US. 

j the  examples  to  this  effect,  are  vot.  cos.  lilt, 
s.  c.  on  first  and  second  brass  of  Antoninus 
Dins  the  emperor  sacrificing  before  a tripod — 
vota  svscepta  x.  cos.  mi.  same  reign  and 
type,  in  silver. — vot.  or  votis  x.  et  xx.  iu  a 
crown,  of  Gallicnus. — vot.  x.  et  xv.  in  a crown 
of  laurel,  of  Constautinus  II. 

In  like  manner  the  Vi cennalia,  or  vot.  xx. 
were  accomplished  at  the  expiration  of  the  twen- 
tieth year  ol  a reign  ; and  after  each  had,  iu  a 
happy  manner,  come  to  pass,  it  was  usual  to 
record  them  thus: — votis  vicennalibvs  (in  a 
laurel  crown),  as  on  gold  and  silver  of  Alexan- 
der Sevcrus ; and  vot.  x.  sic.  xx.  (iu  a crown), 
as  on  silver  of  Constantius  Chlorns. 

On  coins  of  Commodus,  Sever ua,  and  Cara- 
ealla,  we  read  vot.  svsc.  dec.  ( Vota  Suscepta 
Decennalia),  also  vota  svscepta  x.  and  xx. 
with  figures  sacrificing. — These  decennial  vows 
being  solvta  (redeemed)  by  the  fulfilment  of 
the  term,  others  for  auothcr  ten  years  were 
undertaken  (suscepta). 

See  phimi  decennai.es  ; see  also  the  system 
of  vota  explained,  in  Eckhel’s  treatise  dedicated 
to  the  subject,  iu  vol.  viii.  of  D.  N.  V.  p.  475 
ct  seq. 


DECENT1LS  (Magnus),  brother  or  cousin 
of  Maguentius,  by  whom,  after  the  death  of 
Constans,  he  was  named  Cicsar,  at  Milan,  a.  d. 
351,  and  raised  to  the  consulship  the  following 
year.  Maguentius  appointed  him  to  command 
iu  Gaul,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  in  check 
the  German  tribes ; but  he  was  defeated  by 
Chnodomarins,  leader  of  the  Allcmanui,  and 
other  barbarians.  On  this,  or  some  previous 
occasion,  the  people  of  Treves  revolting,  closed 
the  gates  of  their  city  against  him.  On  beiug 
apprised  of  the  death  of  Magnentius,  to  whose 
assistance  lie  was  hastening;  apprehensive  of 
falling  into  the  hands  of  Constantius  Chlorus, 
who  had  already  defeated  his  brother ; and  sur- 
rounded by  foes  without  hope  of  escape,  Decen- 
t i us  strangled  himself  at  Sens,  a.  d.  353. — His 
brass  coins  are  common,  except  medallions, 
which  are  rare — silver  very  rare,  cs|)ccialJy  me- 
dallions— gold  still  rarer,  one  medallion  iu  gold 
is  of  extreme  rarity.  He  is  styled  on  these 
Mommas  N osier  DECENT! VS  FORTimiwim 
CAESar;  also  D.  N.  MAGmu  DECENTJVS 
S(Hii/issimus  CAESur. — D.  N.  DECENTIVS 
NOB.  CAES.  The  head  always  bare.  The  re- 
verse of  second  brass,  bears  generally  the  mo- 
nogram of  Christ,  with  the  letters  a.  and  in. 

It  has  been  pretended  (says  Mionnet),  that 
Dcecntius  had  also  the  title  of  Augustus ; but 
no  historian  makes  any  mention  of  such  a fact  ; 
and  the  medal  on  which  the  assertion  founded 
itself  is  suspicious. 


DEC l US  TRAJANUS. 

MINTAGES  OF  DECENTIUS. 

Gold  Medallion. — gloria  komanorvm. 
Roma  Nicephoros  seated.  (Valued  by  Mionnet 
at  200  fr.) — victoria  avg.  libertas  roman- 
or(vm.)  Published  for  the  first  time  in  Lcnor- 
mant’s  Iconographie  des  Empereurs,  126,  No.  5. 

Silver  Medallion. — principi  ivventvtis. 
Mionnet  150  fr.) 

Gold. — victoria  avg.  lib.  rom. — (Brought 
at  the  Pembroke  sale  £4  2s.) — virtvs  exerciti. 
(Mionnet  72  fr.) 

Brass  Medallions. — victoria  avgg.  and 
virtvs  avg.  (30  fr.  each). 

Small  Brass. — d.  n.  decentivs  nob.  caes. 
Bust  of  Dccentius. — Rev. — salvs.  dd.  nn.  avg. 
et  caes.  The  monogram  of  Christ,  between 
a.  and  u.  In  the  exergue  Die. — See  the  cut 
in  preceding  page. 


DECIUS  {Cains,  or  Cnscus,  Messius , Quin- 
tus, Trajaniis). — This  Emperor  was  born  at 
Bubalia,  a town  of  the  Sirmienses,  in  Lower 
Pannonia  (near  what  is  now  Micowitz,  in  Hun- 
gary), a.  I).  201.  Descended  from  an  Illyrian 
family  of  rank,  he  proved  himself  an  able  states- 
man and  a great  captain.  But  by  what  means 
he  acquired  his  earliest  promotion  is  not  re- 
corded. Whilst  the  Mtcsian  and  Pannonian 
legions  were  in  revolt,  he  was  at  Rome ; in 
favour  with  Philip,  and  free  from  all  suspicion 
on  the  score  of  his  loyalty.  Accordingly  he 
was  selected  by  that  prince  for  the  task  of  set- 
tling the  seditions  tumult  of  the  insurgent  sol- 
diers, who  had  proclaimed  Marinus.  But  no 
sooner  did  he  appear  in  their  sight,  than,  in 
order  to  avoid  the  threatened  chastisement,  they, 
without  his  consent,  proclaimed  him  Imperator. 
Yielding,  therefore,  to  the  necessity  of  the  mo- 
ment, he  struck  his  tents,  and  hastened  into 
Italy ; where  in  an  engagement  with  Philip, 
near  Verona,  lie  gained  the  victory,  a.  i>.  2-19. 
On  the  defeat  and  death  of  Philip,  Decins  was 
acknowledged  as  Emperor  at  Rome,  and  de- 
clared Augustus  by  the  Senate  at  least  as  early 
as  the  beginning  of  autumn.  In  the  year  250 
he  conferred  the  dignity  of  Caesar,  and  the  ollice 
of  Consul,  on  his  son  llercnnius  Etruscus,  and 
sent  him  against  the  Illyrians,  who  routed  the 
son,  hut  were  energetically  repulsed  by  the 
father.  In  a battle  with  the  Goths,  fought  near 
Abricium,  in  Thrace,  a.  d.  251,  he  was,  thro’ 
the  treachery  of  Trcbonianus  Gallus,  lost  in  a 
morass,  his  body  never  having  been  recovered  for 
burial.  In  the  same  engagement  the  young 
llercnnius  also  perished.  This  occurred  after 
the  month  of  October. 

The  historian,  Victor  (ii.)  hears  testimony  to 
the  eminent  virtues  and  great  accomplishments 
2 S 


DECIUS  TRAJANUS.  313 

of  Dccius  ; to  his  quiet  demeanor  as  a man,  aud 
to  his  promptness  and  energy  as  a soldier.  In 
all  these  characteristics  he  is  represented  by  Zo- 
simus,  as  being  greatly  the  superior  of  Philip. 
The  most  remarkable  event  by  which  the  records 
of  his  life  aud  government  are  distinguished, 
was  his  revival  and  restoration  to  the  Senate,  of 
the  office  of  Censor,  so  many  years  disused,  and, 
till  this  time,  discharged  almost  universally  by 
the  Emperor.  Eutropius,  ever  liberal  in  award- 
ing divine  honours  to  princes,  states,  that  De- 
cius  and  his  son  were  numbered  among  the  gods. 
— By  ecclesiastical  historians,  however,  he  is 
accused  of  having,  in  a spirit  of  injustice  and 
persecution,  exercised  great  cruelty  towards  the 
Christians  during  bis  reign.  He  perished  in  the 
55th  year  of  his  age,  after  holding  the  imperial 
sceptre  somewhat  more  than  two  years.  He 
married  Ilcrennia  Etrnscilla,  who  bore  to  him 
two  sons,  namely,  Herennius  above  named,  and 
Hostilianus. — See  D.  N.  Vet.  viii.  342-43. 

The  coins  of  this  Emperor  are  common  in 
brass,  except  two  or  three  medallions.  In  silver 
they  are  also  common,  except  a medallion.  The 
gold  are  all  of  very  great  raritv.  On  these  he 
is  styled  IMP.  TRAIANVS  AVG. — IMP. Caesar 
M.  'Q.  TRAIANVS  DECIVS  AVG.  or  Tins 
F etix  Avg. — [The  last  twro  titles  arc  confined  to 
colonial  coins], 

MINTAGES  OF  TRAJANUS  DECIUS. 

Silver  Medallion. — concordia  avgg. — 
Etrnscilla  and  her  two  sons. — (Valued  by  Mion- 
net at  300  fr.] 

Gold. — abvndantia. — adventvs. — af.qvi- 
tas. — dacia. — dacia  felix.  (Mionnet  150  fr. 
each), — genivs  exerc.  illyriciani.  (Brought 
£9  5s.  at  the  Thomas  sale). — genivs  illyrici. 
(Mionnet  200  fr.) — pannoniae.-victoria  avg. 
(200  fr.  each). — vberitas.  avg.  (Fine,  brought 
£6  at  the  Thomas  sale). 

Silver. — Victoria  germanica.  Emperor 
and  Victory. 

Brass  Medallions. — concordia  avgvsti. 
Heads  of  Decius  and  Etrnscilla. — Rev. — dacia. 
(200  fr.) — concordia  av gvstorvm.  Heads  of 
Dccius  and  Etrnscilla. — Rev. — pif.tas  avgvs- 
torvm.  Heads  of  Hostilianus  and  Herennius. 
—(250  fr.) 

Second  Brass. imp.  c.  m.  q.  traianvs 

imp.  avg.  Radiated  head  of  the  Emperor. — Rev. 
pannoniae.  Two  women,  one  of  whom  holds 
a military  ensign. — See  the  engraving  above. 

DECURIONES.  Decurions. — Officers  who, 
in  the  colonies,  corresponded  to  the  Senators  of 
Rome.  They  were  denominated  Decuriones,  be- 
cause, at  the  time  when  Roman  citizens  and 
soldiers  w:ere  sent  as  colonists  to  occupy  the 
conquered  countries,  ten  men  were  chosen  to 
compose  a Senate,  or  a Court  of  Councillors, 
who  were  charged  with  the  administration  of 
justice,  and  were  intitled  Curia  Decurionum, 
and  Minor  Senatus. — Pitiscus. 

It  was  requisite  that  they  should  possess  an 
income  of  100,000  sestertii;  and  from  their 
ranks  were  chosen  the  magistrates,  just  as,  by 
the  votes  of  the  latter,  the  Duumviri,  the  Pre- 


314  D ECU  RSI  ONES, 

foots  for  enforcing  obedience  to  the  laws,  and 
other  functionaries,  were  respectively  created. — 
The  enrolled  Dccurions  (decuriones  conscript i), 
were  called  (after  the  appellation  given  to  the 
Senate)  Obdo,  with  the  addition  of  the  opithet9 
amplissimvs,  spi.ENDiDtssiMvs,  &c.  They  were 
also,  sometimes,  in  imitation  of  Rome,  styled 
Senaiores,  and  Patres,  chiefly  during  the  decline 
of  the  empire  ; whilst  the  rest  of  the  inhabit- 
ants were  called  ptebs , populus,  cives,  and  coloni. 
The  names  of  the  Decuriones  are  never  found 
inscribed  on  the  coins  of  colonics ; hut  in  their 
stead,  are  frequently  read  (not  only  on  those  of 
Europe,  but  of  Asia  and  Africa),  the  abbrevia- 
tions D.  D.  or  EX.  D.  D.  that  is,  EX.  D ecreto 
Decurionum , which  is  equivalent  to  the  EX.  S.C. 
of  the  Roman  Senate. — The  abbreviations  D.  D. 
or  EX.  D.  D.  arc  exhibited  on  the  coins  of  Ab- 
dcra,  Apamca,  Babba,  Buthrotum,  Carteia,  Car- 
thago Nova,  Parium,  and  Sinope.  They  are 
remarkable  on  the  coins  of  Babba,  in  Maure- 
tania ; D.  D.  PVBL.  that  is  D ecreto  Decurio- 
num  PYBLico;  and  EX.  CONSENSV.  D.D. 

That  there  were  decuriones  in  the  municipia 
also  is  rendered  certain,  both  by  coins  of  Osca, 
given  in  Florez,  and  of  Utica,  on  which  D.  D. 
is  found ; and  also  by  ancient  authors,  among 
whom  is  Suetonius : — “ The  decuriones  of  the 
municipia  and  colonies  conveyed  the  body  [of 
Augustus]  from  Nola  (a  city  in  Campania),  as 
far  as  Bovillse”  (a  tow'n  in  Latium). — The  same 
letters  occur  also  on  coins  of  the  municipia 
Calagurris,  Emporia;,  Ercavica,  and  Saguntum 
— “ hut  with  such  an  appearance  (adds  Eckhel), 
that  they  cannot  have  been  engraved  on  the 
die,  or  matrix , but  were  added  afterwards,  like 
marks  cut  into  the  metal ; a fact  which  has 
never  been  observed  on  coins  of  colonies.  And 
from  this  I infer,  that  Traducta,  in  Boetica,  of 
w hich  there  is  a coin  exhibiting  the  same  mark, 
enjoyed  the  privileges  only  of  a municipium.” 

It  is  highly  probable  that  the  Decuriones  were 
indicated  on  coins,  in  consequence  of  'heir  being 
charged  with  the  direction  of  the  mint ; a posi- 
tion which  they  had  been  permitted  to  occupy 
cither  by  the  Angusti,  or  by  the  Senate  of 
Rome,  and  involving  the  superintendance  of  the 
weight,  types,  and  number  of  the  money.  As 
then  the  Roman  Senate,  to  whom  pertained  the 
care  of  striking  brass  money,  had  their  S.  C.  en- 
graved upon  it,  so  the  Decuriones,  who  were  the 
representatives  of  Senators  in  the  colonies,  took 
care  to  stamp  on  their  coins  their  own  Deere  turn 
D ccurionum. — Sec  D.  N.  V.  De  Num  is  Colo- 
ni arum,  vol.  iv.  p.  481,  et  seq. 

Speaking  of  the  functions  of  the  Decuriones, 
Pitiscus  observes,  thnt  they  were  as  onerous  as 
they  were  honourable,  for,  besides  the  exercise 
of  the  monctnl  privilege,  the  core  devolved  to 
them  of  making  every  arrangement  for  the  shews 
of  the  circus,  ami  for  the  spectacles  of  the 
theatre ; in  addition  to  which  it  was  their  duty 
to  furnish  the  means  of  defraying  all  expenses. 
They  had  also  to  levy  imposts,  and,  what  wa9 
more  scrion9  to  themselves,  they  were  compelled 
to  supply,  out  of  their  owu  resources,  what  was 
deficient. 


DECURSIO. 

DECURSIO. — A manoeuvre,  evolution,  hos- 
tile incursion. — This  word  appears  on  the  ex- 


ergue of  two  large  brass  coins,  struck  by  the 
Senate,  during  the  reign  of  Nero. 

There  were  three  kinds  of  Dccursio,  viz.  : — 

I.  That  of  military  evolution,  and  mock  com- 
bats.— 2.  The  decursio  circensis,  or  manoeuvres 
of  the  circus,  in  which,  at  public  spectacles, 
feats  of  dexterity  and  swiftness  were  performed, 
as  well  by  horse-riders  as  by  charioteers.  (See 
Contorniate  Coins,  p.  274-75). — 3.  Cavalcades 
setting  out  on  hostile  incursions  — See  expe- 
ditio  and  pkofectio  (suis  locis). 

The  above  type  represents  the  Emperor  Nero 
on  horseback,  with  lance  couched  in  his  right 
hand,  as  if  ready  to  engage  iu  some  combat ; a 
soldier  on  foot  precedes  him,  with  a veritlum  on 
his  shoulder,  and  another  closely  follows.  This 
is  taken  from  a remarkably  well-preserved  spe- 
cimen in  the  British  Museum.  It  is  almost  of 
medallion  size,  and  wants  the  Senates  Consu/to, 

Suetonius  states,  that  whilst  Nero  was  yet 
only  Ca;sar,  the  decursio  was  instituted  at  the 
same  time  as  the  pretorian  guards  (cum  prteto- 
rianis).  That  youths  of  noble  birth  were  trained 
to  these  martial  exercises  is  evident  from  the 
observations  of  learned  authors  on  the  coins 
alluding  to  the  Princeps  Juveututis.  And  hence 
the  Emperor  Julian,  speaking  of  Constantins 

II.  mentions  with  approbation,  that  lie  was 
early  instructed  in  “ the  practice  of  leaping  and 
running,  in  full  armour,  and  in  the  art  of  horse- 
manship.” (Oral.  i.  p.  11). — In  like  manner 
Livy  has  used  the  expression  “ exercitum  de- 
currere,”  and  applied  those  of  “ dccursum,  et 
simulacrum  ludicrum  pugme,”  on  the  occasion 
of  Perseus  and  Demetrius,  sons  of  Philip  V. 
king  of  Maecdon,  tilting  with  each  other  in  a 
mock  fight,  (xl.  ch.  6,  9). — According  to  the 
same  author,  Gracchus,  when  in  Spain,  ordered 
all  his  troops,  infantry  and  cavalry,  to  run  in 
full  armour,  in  order  to  display  their  strength 
to  the  Celtibcrian  ambassadors,  (ch.  48). — 
According  to  Dion,  Nero  was  so  delighted  with 
the  running  of  horses  ( lirwobponia ),  that  when 
the  animals  engaged  in  the  contest  distinguished 
themselves,  on  their  growing  old,  he  used  to 
adorn  them,  like  men,  with  the  stola  forensis 
(out-of-door  dress  of  the  Romans),  and  appro- 
priated to  their  use  a sum  of  money  for  their 
maintenance. 

See  Eckhel,  vi.  271,  who  for  some  learned 
remarks  on  the  three  kinds  of  decursio  refers  to 


DECl’RSIO.— DECUSSIS. 
the  letters  of  Cuper,  p.  259,  and  to  an  anony- 
mous writer  in  the  Memoires  tie  T revaux,  April, 

1709. 


DECVRSIO.  S.  C. — Nero,  bare-headed,  hold- 
ing a spear  on  the  rest,  and  mounted  on  a horse 
gallopping  to  the  right.  He  is  followed  by  an- 
other warrior,  also  on  horseback,  and  who  car- 
ries a vexillum. 

In  describing  the  spirited  group  on  his  en- 
graved spcciraeu  of  this  finely  fabricated  large 
brass,  M.  Lenorman*  observes,  that  it  refers  to 
Nero’s  institution  of  cavalry  manoeuvres  for  the 
pretorian  soldiers ; or  perhaps  to  the  presence 
of  the  emperor  at  some  equestrian  evolutions 
performed  in  their  armour,  offensive  and  defen- 
sive, by  the  young  patricians,  in  the  Campus 
Martius,  at  Rome.  But  notwithstanding  the 
very  decided  taste  of  Nero  for  running  horses, 
there  is  nothing  in  the  above  type  to  correspond 
with  the  legend,  in  that  acceptation  of  the  word 
Decursio.  The  speed  of  the  horses  is  not  suf- 
ficiently rapid ; nor  is  the  attitude  of  the  eques- 
trians that  of  men  either  charging  an  enemy  or 
riding  a race.  In  order  to  be  convinced  of  the 
difference,  it  is  only  needful  to  look  at  the  coins 
of  the  Calpurnia  gens,  which  represent  the 
horses  actually  racing.  The  horsemen  in  those 
types  are  absolutely  in  the  attitude  of  the 
jockies  of  our  own  times.” — Iconographie  des 
Empereurs  Remains,  p.  31. 

There  is  a very  rare  silver  coin  of  Nero,  bear- 
ing on  its  reverse  the  exergal  legend  decvr.  and 
the  type  of  a horseman  attended  by  a foot  sol- 
dier, and  riding  down  an  enemy.  No  such 
type  in  silver  has  been  catalogued  by  either 
Mionuct  orAkermau;  but  there  is  a well-pre- 
served specimen  of  it  in  the  British  Museum. 
See  denarius,  p.  317,  in  which  an  engraving 
of  it  is  inserted. 

DECUSSIS. — The  name  of  an  early  Roman 
brass  coin,  a multiple  of  the  as.  The  value  of 
ten  asses  was  assigned  to  the  decussis,  at  the 
time  when  the  as  Jibralis  was  established.  But 
the  as  was  changed  under  the  dictatorship  of 
Q,.  Fabius,  and  continued  in  a course  of  diminu- 
tion until  the  passing  of  the  Lex  Papiria,  which 
authoritatively  lived  the  decussis  of  brass,  and 
the  denarius  of  silver,  at  16  semi-uncial  asses. 
(Sec  Jssis  diminutio,  p.  85,  et  seq  of  this  dic- 
tionary)— These  pieces,  which  are  of  the  highest 
rarity,  bear  on  one  side  the  galcated  head  of 
Minerva ; on  the  other  the  prow  of  a vessel ; 
and  arc  marked  with  the  sign  X.  One  of  them 
2 S 2 


DEDICATIO. — DELMATIU8.  315 


is  stamped  roma,  and  has  the  type  of  Victory 
in  a biga. — Ilennin — Mionnet. — See  denarius. 

DEDICATIO  AEDIS.  A temple  of  six 
columns. — This  inscription  and  type  appear  on 
silver  and  gold  coins  of  Faustina  senior ; and 
refer  to  the  temple  erected  in  memory  of  that 
empress  by  her  husband  Antoninus  Pius.  It 
was  built  in  the  Via  Sacra  at  Rome,  aud  its 
remains  exist  to  this  day.  At  first  it  was  dedi- 
cated to  Faustina  alone,  but  after  the  death  of 
Autonine,  worship  was  paid  in  it  to  both,  as  its 
front  bespeaks,  on  which  is  read  divo  antonino 
et  divae  favstinae  ex.  s.  c.  The  same  tem- 
ple is  seen  on  the  coins  of  Faustina,  with  aed. 
div.  favstinae.  and  between  the  two  centre 
columns  of  the  building  stands  or  sits  the  image 
of  the  empress. — See  Templum. 

DEDICATION  of  Shields. — On  a silver  coin 
of  Augustus  are  the  following  legend  and  type  : 
caesar  avgvstvs  s.  p.  q.  r.  Buckler  between 
two  olive  branches,  c.  l.  v. 

The  custom  of  dedicating  shields  (says  Eck- 
hel,  vi.  121),  is  of  a very  ancient  date.  Ac- 


cordingly, even  Virgil  repre- 
sents /Eneas  as  dedicating 
his  shield  to  Apollo  Actius, 
with  the  epigraph — “ /Eneas 
hate  de  Danais  victoribus 
arma.” — On  a coin  struck 
by  Mescinius,  one  of  the 
moneyers  of  Augustus,  wre 
find  the  portrait  of  that  emperor  iu  the  centre 
of  a shield ; and  the  heads  of  Clemency  and 
Moderation  are  similarly  exhibited  on  coins  of 
Tiberius. — See  c.  L.  Clipeus  Volicus,  p.  218, 
and  CLEMENT1A,  p.  215,  of  this  dictionary. 

DEI  PENATES. — On  a coin  of  the  Antia 
gens  appears  this  legend,  with  the  type  of  two 
young  heads,  jugated  and  diademed,  of  house- 
hold gods ; indicating  that  Roman  family  to 
have  originally  come  from  Lavinium. See 

PENATES. 


DELMATIUS  (Flavius  Julius)  or  Dalmatius, 
for  the  name  is  spelt  in  both  ways  on  coins  aud 
by  authors,  was  the  son  of  Delmatius,  brother 
of  Constantine  the  Great,  who  was  elevated  to 
the  office  of  Censor.  lie  was  born  at  Toulouse, 
or,  as  some  say,  at  Arles.  His  mother’s  name 
is  unknown.  Being  a favourite  with  his  uncle 
Constautine,  whom  he  resembled  in  character, 
he  was  elected  Consul  U.  C.  1086  (a.  d.  333), 
aud  two  years  afterwards  (335)  was  created 
Ciesar.  Whilst  yet  in  a private  capacity,  he 
defeated  Calocerus,  who  had  revolted  in  Cyprus, 
and  brought  him  prisoner  to  his  uncle,  who  con- 
signed him  to  the  flames.  In  the  memorable 
partition  of  the  empire,  which  Constantine 
made  iu  this  latter  year,  Delmatius  received  as 
his  share  Thrace,  Macedonia,  and  Achaia ; but 
shortly  after  the  decease  of  Constantine,  he  was 


31 6 


DENARIUS. 


put  to  death  by  the  soldiers,  a.  d.  337,  under 
the  pretence  of  desiring  to  be  governed  only  by  , 
the  children  of  Constantine;  and  this  was  done 
with  the  connivance  of  Constantius  II.  who  was 
envious  of  him. 

On  his  coins,  which  are  rare  even  in  brass, 
and  of  the  highest  rarity  in  gold  and  silver,  lie 
is  styled  delmativs  caesaii — delmativs  no- 
b(ilissimvs)  caesar — and  kl.  ivl.  delmativs 

(or  DALMATIVS)  NOB.  C. 

The  following  are  the  rarest  reverses  of  coins 
minted  hy,  or  struck  in  honour  of,  this  young 
prince  : — 

Gold. — delmativs  caesar.  Victory  walk- 
ing.— pbjncipi  1WENTVTIS.  Delmatius  stands 
holding  a spear  and  military  ensign. — (Valued 
by  Mionuct  at  200  fr.  each). 

Silver. — delmativs  nob.  cae.  Laureatcd 
head  of  Constantine  the  Great. — (00  fr.) 

Small  Brass. — gloria  exercitvs.  Two 
military  figures,  armed  with  spear  and  buckler, 
standing  one  on  each  side  a tripod,  on  others  a 
labarum,  with  the  monogram  of  Christ.  On 
the  exergue  sis.  or  shka. — Obv. — fl.  ivl.  del- 
mativs nob.  c.  Diademed  head  of  Delmatius. 
— Sec  the  preceding  cut  (p.  315). 


DENARIUS. — This  well-known  coin  of  the 
Romans  derived  its  appellation  a denis  assibus 
(from  ten  asses),  for  which  it  used  to  be  ex- 
changed, weighing  a pound  each,  as  they  did  at 
the  time  when  silver  first  began  to  be  coined 
at  Rome,  namely,  a.  u.  c.  485  (b.  c.  269). — 
According  to  l’liny,  it  was  established  that  the 
denarius  should  be  given  in  exchange  for  ten 
pounds  of  brass,  the  quinarius  for  five  pounds, 
and  the  sestertius  for  two  pounds  and  a half. — 
But  when  the  as,  about  the  year  u.  c.  537  (b.c. 
217),  was  reduced  in  weight  to  one  ounce,  it 
was  established,  that  the  denarius  should  be 
given  in  exchaugc  for  sixteen  asses,  the  quina- 
rius for  eight,  and  the  sestertius  for  four.  And 
though  the  reason  for  its  being  so  called  no 
longer  existed,  yet  the  denarius  retained  its 
original  name.  The  difficulties  which  embar- 
rass this  theory  of  Pliny  are  adverted  to  in  the 
citations  made  from  Eckhcl,  under  the  head  of 
Assis  Diminutio  (p.  85  et  scq.  of  this  diction- 
ary), but  which  he  leaves  without  solving  them. 
There  arc  specimens  of  the  early  minted  dena- 
rius, bearing  on  the  obverse  a double  beardless 
head  ; and  on  the  reverse  Jupiter  in  a quadriga, 
and  the  word  roma  in  indented  letters. 

W ith  respect  to  the  weight  of  the  denarius, 
it  appears,  according  to  Pliny,  and  other  writers, 
that  there  were,  in  the  aucicnt  libra,  84  denarii. 
The  author  of  Doctrina  (v.  p.  18),  denies  that 
there  is  any  well-grounded  argument  to  prove 
that  ancient  denarii  were  heavier  than  those  of 


DENARIUS. 

subsequent  date,  and  adduces  proofs  to  shew, 
that  those,  which  exceed  the  w'cight  just  speci- 
fied, must  be  regarded  as  belonging  to  a foreign 
mint. 

As  to  the  statement  of  those  who  assert  that 
the  ancient  denarius  was  equivalent  to  the  Attic 
drachma,  Eckhcl  (vol.  v.  page  18,  et  scq.),  in 
quoting  from  Eiscnschmid,  their  names  and 
testimonies,  observes  : — “ You  may  constantly 
remark,  that  writers,  when  comparing  the  Greek 
and  Roman  coinages,  use  the  denarius,  or,  what 
comes  to  the  same  thing,  four  sestertii,  for  the 
attic  drachma.  Of  the  promiscuous  employ- 
ment of  the  words  innumerable  instances  arc  to 
be  found,  and  this  accounts  for  the  fact,  that 
several  Latin  authors,  though  most  incorrectly, 
give  the  name  of  denarius  to  the  drachma  of 
the  Greeks.  But,  though  public  opinion  and 
the  usage  of  commerce  have  assigned  the  same 
weight  to  the  denarius  aud  the  drachma,  it  is 
nevertheless  ascertained  hy  the  accurate  re- 
searches of  Eisenschmid  and  Barre,  that  the 
attic  drachma  is  somewhat  heavier  than  the  de- 
narius, and  stands  in  relation  to  it  as  112  to 
100,  or  to  come  still  nearer,  as  9 to  8.  And, 
indeed,  the  same  proportion  is  arrived  at  on  a 
comparison  of  the  respective  weights  of  some 
attic  tctra-drachmie  (pieces  of  four  drachma.1), 
and  some  denarii  of  Augustus  ; so  that  not  only 
the  authorities  quoted  by  learned  writers,  but  also 
experience  founded  on  the  coinages  of  the  two 
nations,  serve  to  establish  the  true  proportion 
of  the  drachma  to  the  denarius.  But  this  pro- 
portion applies  only  to  those  denarii  which  were 
struck  under  the  republic,  or  at  least  as  early 
as  the  reign  of  Augustus. 

[A  specimen  of  that  emperor’s  silver  coinage, 
as  struck  about  U.  c.  735  (b.  c.  19),  by  Dur- 
mius,  one  of  his  moneyers,  is  hereto  subjoined.] 


“ Under  the  successors  of  Augustus,  and  espe- 
cially from  the  time  of  Nero,  they  were  re- 
duced to  nearly  an  eighth  part  of  their  original 
weight ; though  even  these  lighter  coins  were 
by  the  tyrant  custom,  who  always  prefers  the  old- 
fashioned  to  the  true,  still  held  equivalent  to 
the  drachma.” 

The  mark  of  the  consular  denarius  was  X or 
one  or  two  variations  in  the  form  of  that  letter. 
A similar  mark  was  used  on  the  brass  coinage 
(sec  p.  135)  to  indicate  the  weight  of  X asses  ; 
but  on  denarii  also  it  denotes  the  value  of  X 
asses,  for  w hich,  as  already  stated,  the  denarius 
was  given  iu  exchange.  Instead  of  this  mark, 
however,  ou  coins  of  the  At  ilia,  Aufidia,  Julia, 
Titinin,  aud  Valeria  families,  appears  the  uuineral 
XVI.  by  which  doubtless  is  indicated  the  value 
of  a denarius  of  16  asses,  to  which  it  was  re- 
duced when  the  second  l’nnic  war  was  at  its 


DENARIUS. 


DENARIUS.  317 


height,  under  the  dictatorship  of  Q • Fabius 
Maximus,  u.  c.  537  (b.  c.  217)-  “ Hence 

(iulds  Ecklicl),  it  has  been  thought  by  not  a lew 
antiquaries,  that  deuarii  marked  X\  I.  were 
struck  during  that  war,  when  the  regulation  was 
introduced,  and  that  shortly  afterwards,  the  old 
mark  X.  was  resumed;  an  opinion  which  1 shall 
not  venture  either  to  confirm  or  to  deny,  tho’ 

1 consider  it  more  probable,  that  it  was  left  to 
the  discretion  of  the  inoneyer  to  use  whichever 
mark  he  preferred.  For  as  the  mark  X.  refers 
to  the  name  of  denarius  given  to  the  coiu,  so 
does  the  mark  XVI.  to  its  value.  Indeed,  de- 
narii of  Valerius  Flaccus,  of  the  ancient  form, 
which  are  proved  incontestably  to  have  been  all 
stmek  at  one  and  the  same  time,  are  marked 
some  X.  and  others  XVI.” — See  Aufidia  gens, 
p.  94  in  this  dictionary. 

With  respect  to  the  types  of  denarii,  Pliuy 
simply  states  (xxxiii.  13),  that  “ the  type  of 
silver  was  bigee  and  quadriga.” — This  is  the  fact 
with  reference  to  a large  portion,  but  many 
bear  other  types.  Tacitus  (De  Morib.  Germ.) 
has  mentioned  the  higali,  and  so  has  Livy  fre- 
quently, whilst  describing  the  booty  taken  in 
llispania  and  Gallia  Cisalpina.  On  denarii  struck 
during  the  later  periods  of  the  republic,  the 
types  varied  in  many  ways,  conformably  to  the 
will  of  consular  magistrates,  and  finally  of  the 
monctal  triumvirs.  The  obverses  of  these  silver 
coins  were  stamped  with  the  galeated  head  of 
Rome,  whilst  their  reverses  exhibit  representa- 
tions of  the  Dioscuri  on  horseback  (as  on  the 
fine  denarius  of  the  Horatia  family,  inserted 
as  a specimen  in  p.  316,  left-haud  column) ; also 
figures  drawing  biga  and  quadrigae  (see  those 
words) ; from  which  circumstance  the  pieces 
were  termed  bigati  and  quadrigati  (p.  129). — 
They  were  also  called  Victoriati,  when  their 
types  displayed  a figure  of  Victory,  as  in  the 
subjoined  cut,  from  a denarius  of  Fannia  gens, 
in  which  the  goddess  is  driving  her  chariot  and 
four  horses  at  full  speed. 


This  was  the  case  with  the  half  denarius,  de- 
nominated quinarius  (see  egnatia  and  egna- 
TULEIa),  or  piece  of  five  asses.  Of  this  and  of 
the  small  silver  coin  called  sestertius,  but  few 
specimens  arc  extant. 

Eugravcd  examples  of  the  consular  denarius 
will  be  found  in  this  volume,  under  the  re- 
spective heads  of  Atilia  ( Dioscuri , p.  93) — An- 

nia  (Victory  in  a quadriga,  p.  48) Hiebia, 

(Quadriga,  p.  121) — Cfccilia  (Biga  of  elephants, 
p.  150) — Cipia  (Victory  in  Bigis  citis,  p.  200) 
— Cornelia  (Jupiter  in  Quadrigis,  p.  286) — 
Curiatia  (Quadriga,  p.  299) — Saufeia  (Victoria 
in  citis  Bigis,  p.  129),  &c.  &c. 

For  specimens  of  the  imperial  denarius  see 
Cicsar  Augustus  (p.  13) — Agrippa  and  Augustus 


(p.  105) — Caligula  and  Agrippina  (p.  28) — An- 
tonia (p.  55) — Balbinits  (p.  122) — Alexander 
Severus  (p.  33) — Plotina  (p.  74) — For  a quina- 
rius of  Augustus  (p.  89).  To  these  we  add  the 
subjoined  cut  from  a rare  Decursio  in  silver,  as 
a specimen  of  the  denarius  under  Nero’s  reign  : 


Frequent  mention  is  made  of  the  denarius  or 
(Roman)  penny,  in  Holy  Writ,  wherein  it  is 
spoken  of  as  the  daily  wages  of  a labourer,  and 
also  as  the  tribute  money.  “ Whose  is  this 
image  and  superscription  ?” 

In  his  “ Numismatic  Illustrations  of  the  Nar- 
rative Portions  of  the  New  Testament,”  Mr. 
Akermau,  quoting  from  St.  Matthew,  xx.  v.  2, 
the  words  “ a penny  a day,”  makes  the  following 
observations : — 

“ The  penny  here  mentioned  was  the  dena- 
rius which,  at  the  time  of  Our  Lord’s  ministry, 
was  equivalent  in  value  to  about  sevenpencc 
halfpenny  of  our  money.  With  the  decline  of 
the  Roman  empire,  the  denarius  was  by  degrees 
debased ; and  before  the  time  of  Diocletian  had 
entirely  disappeared,  or  rather  had  ceased  to  be 
struck  in  the  imperial  mints  ; but  that  emperor 
restored  the  coinage  of  silver ; and  denarii  were 
again  minted,  though  reduced  in  weight.  This 
reduction  went  on,  after  the  division  of  the  em- 
pire, until  the  denarius,  once  a very  beautiful 
medalet,  became  a coin  of  very  inferior  execu- 
tion, low  relief,  and  reduced  thickness  and 
weight.  * * * The  term  ‘ denarius’  is  yet  pre- 
served in  our  notation  of  pounds,  shillings,  and 
pence,  by  &.  s.  d.  * * * It  is  worthy  of  re- 
mark, that,  in  this  country,  a penny  a day  ap- 
pears to  have  been  the  pay  of  a field  labourer, 
in  the  middle  ages ; whilst,  among  the  Romans 
(see  Tacitus,  Ami.  lib.  i.  c.  17)  the  daily  pay 
of  a soldier  was  a denarius,”  pp.  7 and  8." 

From  the  6th  section  of  the  same  work  (pp. 
10  and  11),  another  passage  referring  to  the  im- 
perial denarius,  as  circulated  during  the  latter 
period  of  Our  Saviour’s  appearance  on  earth, 
will  be  found  cited  in  this  dictionary,  amongst 
the  mintages  of  tiberius. 

Respecting  base  deuarii,  see  the  words  ma- 
JOR1NA  PECUNIA. 

DEO.  AESC.  SVB. — On  a colonial  coin  of 
Parium,  in  Mysia,  as  identified  by  the  usual 
initials  C.  G.  l.  H.  p.  Colonia  Gemella  Julia 
Uadriana  Pariana,  noticed  by  the  Abbe  Bellev, 
from  the  collection  of 
Pellerin,  there  appeal's 
on  one  side  the  head  of 
Commodus,  and  on  the 
other  the  figure  of  a man, 
with  naked  head,  and 
without  beard,  sitting, 
to  whom  an  ox,  which  is 
before  him,  presents  its 


318  DEO  AVGVSTO. 


DEO  CABIRO. 


foot,  as  if  to  have  it  examined.  Above  this 
group  is  inscribed  deo.  aesc.  svb. — Belley  has 
given  to  the  word  svb.  the  interpretation  of 

Subvenienti Pelleriu  that  of  Suburbano. — j 

Each,  however,  regards  the  type  as  referring  to  j 
iEsculapius.  Pellerin  (in  his  Additions  aux  Re- 
cueils,  p.  29),  in  support  of  his  own  reading,  ob- 
serves, that  “ iEsculapius  on  this  medal  is  repre- 
sented young,  without  crown  and  without  beard. 
This  gives  occasion  to  presume  that  he  is  thus 
figured  in  his  youth,  as  allusive  to  the  time 
when  he  began  to  practice  medicine,  in  which 
he  had  received  instructions,  not  only  from  his 
father  Apollo,  but  also  from  the  Centaur  Chiron, 
aud  that  the  first  essays  of  his  art  were  exer- 
cised on  animals.” — .Esculapius  is  always  repre- 
sented old  and  bearded,  on  medals  of  cities  with- 
in whose  walls  temples  were  erected  to  him  as 
a divinity.  But,  Pelleriu  goes  on  to  shew,  on 
the  authority  of  many  ancient  authors,  that  j 
almost  all  the  cities  had  temples  of  Esculapius  j 
in  their  suburbs,  which  seems  to  him  to  prove  j 
that  the  sense  which  he  gives  to  the  word  svb.  | 
is  the  true  one — viz.  a suburban  edifice,  W'here 
the  inhabitants  of  Parium  and  its  neighbour- 
hood went  to  offer  gifts  to  the  god,  in  supplica- 
tion for  the  blessing  of  health. — The  above  cut 
is  from  a second  brass  coin  in  the  British  Mu-  | 
seum.  It  will  be  found  closely  to  correspond 
with  the  reverse  engraved  in  Melange  I.  plate 
xvii.  of  Pelleriu. — See  also  Parium. 

DEO  AVGVSTO. — Statue  of  Augustus,  who  i 
sits  in  the  manner  of  Jupiter,  with  radiated  1 
head,  and  having  a spear  in  his  left  hand,  and  a [ 
figure  of  Victory  in  his  right,  c.  v.  t.  t.  Colo- 
nia  Viclrix  Togata  Tarraco. — On  the  reverse 
aeteun’itatis  avgvstae.  A magnificent  tem- 
ple of  eight  columns. — Large  brass  colonial. — j 
The  colonists  of  Tarragona,  in  Spain,  after  the 
apotheosis  of  Augustus,  sent  an  embassy  to 
Rome,  petitioning  for  leave  to  erect  a temple  to 
him ; a privilege  which  they  were  the  first  to 
obtain.  (Vaillant,  in  Col.  i.  p.  45). — See  Aker- 
uian,  Coins  of  Cities,  &c.  No.  3,  pi.  ix.  p.  188. 
— See  also  in  this  dictionary  tarraco. 

DEO  AVGVSTO. — This  epigraph  round  the 
head  of  Augustus,  appears  on  the  obverse  of  a 
gold  coin,  having  on  its  reverse  the  head  of 
Gallienus. 

Most  of  the  Consecration  medals  of  his  im- 


mauy  liviug  emperors  did  not  refuse  to  accept 
that  fulsome  aud  presumptuous  honour.  Nay 
they  even  courted  the  appellation  of  Deus ; as 
Eutropius  writes  of  Doraitian,  who  commanded 
to  have  himself  called  Dominus  and  Deus,  but 
after  death  did  not  either  merit  or  obtain  even 
the  less  obnoxious  title  of  Divus .” 

DEO  CABIRO. — Cabirus,  or  rather  oue  of 
the  Cabiri,  with  cap  on  his  head,  aud  a band 
rouud  the  body,  stauding,  a hammer  in  his 
right  and  a pair  of  nippers  or  tongs  in  his  left 
hand.  Third  brass  of  Claudius  Gothicus. — (See 
Banduri,  ii.  p.  340,  who  describes,  but  does  not 
give,  an  engraving  of  the  coin). 

The  Cabiri  were  sons  of  Vulcan  and  of  Cabira, 
daughter  of  Proteus,  who  taught  men  the  use 
of  fire,  and  the  manufacture  of  iron.  The  ad- 
vantages thence  derived  to  the  human  race  esta- 
blished a claim  for  them  to  divine  honours,  and 
they  were  adored  as  gods  in  different  places. — 
Their  mysteries  were  celebrated  with  pro- 
found secrecy,  and  the  most  remarkable  feature, 
according  to  what  has  been  related  of  them,  is 
that  those  who  had  the  good  fortune  to  be  initi- 
ated, were  protected  from  all  dangers,  as  well  by 
land  as  by  sea. — See  below,  deo  volkano. 

Eckhel  says  that  “ this  is  the  only  coin  of 
Roman  die  (commatis  llomani),  itself  of  the 
greatest  rarity,  upon  which  [the  name  and  type 
of]  Cabirus  is  found ; but  of  whom  frequent 
mention  is  made  on  the  coins  of  the  Thcssa- 
louians,  whose  tutelary  deity  he  w'as.  Banduri 
therefore  imputes  the  impress  of  the  deity’s 
image  on  this  coin  to  a grateful  feeling  on  the 
part  of  Claudius,  inasmuch  as  the  Goths,  at- 
tempting the  siege  of  Thcssalouica,  as  Zosimus 
and  Trebellius  relate,  were  repulsed  by  the  tute- 
lary deity  of  that  place.” — Doct.  Num.  Vet. 
vol.  vii.  p.  472. 


DEO  VOLKANO. — A temple  of  four  co- 
lumns, in  which  Vulcan  stands  before  an  anvil, 
holding  in  his  right  hand 
a hammer,  aud  in  his  left 
a pair  of  fire-tongs  (for - 
cej/s). The  above  ap- 

pears on  a billon  coin  of 
Valerianus  senior,  who, 
according  to  Tristau, 
“ built,”  or  according  to 
Vaillant,  “ restored,”  the 


perial  predecessors  were  restored  by  Gallienus, 
aud  round  the  etligy  of  each  is  commonly  read 
Divo.  But  on  this  gold  coiu  Gallienus  conjoins 
with  the  effigy  of  the  founder  of  the  empire, 
the  epigraph  of  deo  avovsto.  Thus  substitut- 
ing for  Divvs  or  divine,  the  unusual  and  still 
more  outrageous  assumption  of  devs,  God  1 
Scrvius  thus  draws  the  distinction  between 
Deos  aud  Divos — viz.  that  the  eternals  are  called 
by  the  former  name  ; but  Did  were  those  who, 
from  bciug  mere  mortal  men,  were  placed  by 
the  ceremony  of  apotheosis  amongst  the  gods. 
The  title  of  Did  was  at  first  conferred  after 
death  on  those  Roman  princes  who  in  their  life- 
time had  performed  some  illustrious  service  for 
the  republic  or  state.  Afterwards,  however,  as 
the  spirit  and  love  of  adulation  daily  increased, 


temple  of  Vulcan,  at  Rome,  in  order  to  render 
that  god  propitious  to  him  and  his  arms,  for 
which  he  had  at  the  time  great  employment 
against  so  many  barbarous  nations  as  then  as- 
sailed the  empire. — See  vulcanus. 

DEO  ET  DOMINO  CARO.  AVG. The 

heads  opposite  to  each  other  of  the  Sun  radi- 
ated, and  of  Carus  also  radiated. — This  appears 
on  a third  brass  of  Carus,  “ who  desired  (says 
Banduri)  while  still  liviug,  to  be  worshipped  as 
and  called  a god — a fact  indicated  by  the  poets 
of  that  age,  by  whom,  when  yet  reigniug,  he 
is  honoured  as  a deity.” — There  is  also  a gold 
coin  of  Carus  bearing  the  saute  legend  and  the 
head  of  that  emperor  on  its  obverse,  aud  vic- 
toria avo.  with  the  type  of  a Victory  stauding 
on  n globe,  on  its  reverse. 


DEO  MARTI. 

DEO  ET  DOMINO  NATO.  AYREL1ANO 
AVG.  A radiated  head. — Rev. — restitvt.  or- 
bis.  A woman  standing,  offers  a crown  to  the 
emperor,  dressed  iu  the  paludamentum.  Second 
brass. — (Spanheim,  vol.  ii.  p.  491. — Banduri). 

DEO  ET  DOMINO  NOSTRO  AVRELIANO 
AVG.  A radiated  head. — Rev. — restitvt.  or- 
ris. A woman  offering  a crown  to  the  emperor, 
who  stands  beside  her  in  the  paludamentum. — 
Third  brass. — (Mus.  Genov,  tab.  xxi.  No.  11). 

Spanheim,  in  his  comments  on  the  former  of 
these  coius,  cleverly  remarks,  that  Aurelian  is 
on  this  coin  styled  Rem  et  Rominm  NATVS,  to 
distinguish  him  from  Sol,  who  was  one  of  the 
unbegotten  and  eternal  deities,  and  who,  on 
some  coins  of  not  much  later  date,  is  styled 
Dominus  Imperii  Romani.  And  this  opinion 
appears  to  Eekhel  (vol.  vii.  p.  482),  much  more 
probable  than  that  of  Banduri,  who  considers 
this  coin  to  have  bceu  struck  after  the  death  of 
Aurelian.  \Ye  have  here,  says  he,  a memorable 
instance  of  the  greatest  arrogance  of  which  a 
mortal  can  be  guilty.  Up  to  this  time  the  title 
of  dominm  had  been  thought  too  proud  a one, 
and  had  accordingly  beeu  excluded  from  the 
coinage  of  Rome,  though  in  the  salutations  and 
common  conversation  of  courtiers  it  was  applied 
to  the  emperors.  But  now  we  find  Aurelian 
openly  introducing  it  on  his  coius,  and  not  con- 
tent with  monopolizing,  by  this  invidious  appel- 
lation, the  empire  of  the  whole  world,  lie  rashly 
invades  the  honours  of  heaven,  and  even  during 
his  life-time,  insigniticant  mortal  as  he  is,  allows 
himself  to  be  described  on  public  monuments  as 
a god;  so  that  our  surprise  is  greatly  dimi- 
nished at  finding  Cams  afterwards  glorying  iu 
both  those  titles. — In  the  case  of  Domitian,  not 
only  has  Passeri  (Lucern.  vol.  i.  tab.  74,  vol. 
iii.  tab.  26,  28),  seen  the  titles  dens  and  do- 
minus  ascribed  to  him  on  works  of  pottery,  but 
Suetonius  (Domit.  ch.  13),  also  has  recorded 
that  they  were  eagerly  desired  by  that  infatu- 
ated emperor ; and  hence,  in  allusion  to  him, 
Martial  uses  the  words — 

“ Edictum  domini  deique  nostri.” — (Epig  v.  8.) 

DEO  MARTI. — Mars  naked,  except  the  head, 
which  is  galeated,  stands  with  a spear  in  one  baud, 
and  resting  his  other  hand 
on  a buckler ; in  a temple 
of  four  columns. — This  le- 
gend and  type  appear  on 
a silver  coin  of  r.  l.  cob- 


NELIVS  SALONIKA'S  VALE- 
RIANA'S caes.  son  of  Gal- 
lienus  & Salonina,  struck 
in  memory  of  the  temple 
of  Mars,  which  his  father  Yalcrianus  had  re- 
stored in  the  Elaminian  way  ; for  says  Banduri, 
as  Gallienus  styled  Jupiter  Victor  the  educator 
(nutritor)  of  his  son,  so  it  Avas  likewise  his  wish 
to  shew  that  by  his  example,  his  son  had  become 
a Avorshippcr  of  the  god  of  war. — See  mars. 

DEO  SANCTO  N1LO. — On  a third  brass  of 
Julianus  II. — See  a lengthened  commentary  on 
this  and  other  coins  of  the  same  description, 
struck  under  Julian,  viii.  p.  137  of  Eekhel. — 
See  also  nilo. 


DERTOSA.— DESTINATO.  319 

DEO  SANCTO  SERAPIDI.— The  radiated 
head  of  Serapis,  with  the  modius,  and  w'ith  the 
paludamentum  on  his  shoulders. — Engraved  in 
Spanheim’s  Ciesars  of  Julian , p.  67. 

This  is  one  of  four  brass  coius  which,  bearing 
the  inscription  deo  serapidi  or  deo  sarapidi, 
are  assigned  by  antiquaries  to  Julian  II.  sur- 
named  the  Apostate.  They  are  regarded  as  evi- 
dences of  his  singular  and  superstitious  defer- 
ence towards  that  Egyptian  deity,  who,  on  coius 
aud  inscriptions,  is  called  Sarapis  or  Serapis. — 
These  types  are  the  more  exclusively  attributed 
to  him,  because  having  embraced,  he  endea- 
voured to  restore,  paganism  and  all  its  idola- 
trous rites,  in  prejudice  to  the  Christian  reli- 
gion, to  which  Constantine  the  Great,  liaviug 
made  public  profession  of  his  faith,  had  given 
the  chief  place. — See  serapis. 

DEOR.  Dcomm. — Sec  felicitas,  and  pro- 
videntia. 

DERTOSA,  a city  of  Ilispania  Tarrnconensis, 
now  Torlosa,  in  South  Catalonia,  situate  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Ebro.  Pliny  says  the  people 
of  Dertosa  were  comprised  in  the  juridical  con- 
vention of  Tarragona;  and  Strabo  speaks  of  it 
as  a colony  planted  by  Julius  Caesar.  Coins 
confirm  this  statement,  there  being  second  brass 
struck  in  honour  of  Augustus,  and  of  Tiberius, 
bearing  on  their  respective  obverses  c.  i.  a.  d. 
avg.  Colonia  Julia  Avgusta  Dertosa  Augusta , 
with  radiated  head  of  Augustus;  and  on  their 
reverse  C.  I.  a.  i>.  ti.  Caes.  with  laureated  head 
of  Tiberius— Avhich  sIicavs  that  they  were  struck 
after  the  death  and  consecration  of  Augustus. — 
(Engraved  in  Vaillant,  i.  p.  23 ; also  in  the 
Cabinet  de  Christine,  p.  305). — In  Akcrman, 
Coins  of  Hispania,  &c.  the  following  small  brass 
of  Dertosa  is  quoted  from  Sestini,  viz. : — Obv. 
c.  ivl.  tanc.  c.  arri.  af.  c.  I.  d.  Laureated 
head  of  Julius  Caesar. — Rev. — A plough  ; which 
type,  together  Avith  the  letters  c.  i.  d.  seems  to 
confirm  the  asserted  claim  of  this  city  to  be 
ranked  amongst  the  Roman  colonics. — There  are 
coins  of  the  same  place  Avhich,  with  the  type  of 
a galley,  also  exhibit  the  name  of  Ilercavonia, 
demonstrating  that  the  two  towns  Avere  in  alli- 
ance Avith  each  other. 

DES.  alias  DESIG. — Dcsignatus.  Elected, 
appointed! — COS.  DES.  Consul  Dcsignatus. 
Consul  Elect ; that  is  to  say,  before  he  entered 
his  first  consulate.  (See  consulates,  p.  267). 
The  term  Dcsignatus,  or  Designati,  applied  to 
those  AA'ho,  in  the  comitia,  Avere  for  the  ensuing 
year  elected  consuls,  questors,  edilcs,  &c. 

DESTINATO  IMPERATon?.  Designation 
to  the  Empire.— Ou  a silver  coin  of  Caracalla, 
with  accompanying  type  of  pontifical  instruments 
(viz.  lituus,  apex,  tripus,  simpulum) ; behind 
them  the  skeleton  head  of  an  ox  (allusive  to  the 
sacrificial  victim). 

Spanheim  explains  this  coin,  when  he  says 
that  the  Emperor  Severus  “ demanded  of  the 
Senate  that  his  eldest  son,  Bassianus  Antoninus 
(Caracalla),  should  be  proclaimed  Cfesar,  and 
invested  with  the  usual  imperial  insignia.” — 
This  was  done  at  that  period  in  which,  after 
subduing  and  putting  to  death  his  rival  Albinus, 


320  DESULTOR. 

iu  Gaul,  Scverus  returned  to  Rome,  and  before 
he  proceeded  to  wage  war  in  person  against  the  J 
Parthians.  Many  inscriptive  marbles  (in  Gru-  1 
ter  and  Muratori)  also  call  Caracalla  destinatns 
imperator.  In  the  same  manner,  the  cenotaph 
at  Pisa  describes  Caius  Caesar,  the  son  of 
Agnppa,  as  “ already  designated  prince,  of  the 
most  just  character,  and  perfectly  resembling 
his  parent  in  all  virtues,”  i.  e.  Augustus,  who 
adopted  him  ; aud,  on  coins  of  the  year  U.  c. 
821  (a.  d.  71),  Titus  is  called  imperator  desig- 
nates.— See  Eckhel,  vii.  20U. 

The  pontifical  instruments  refer  to  the  sove- 
reign priesthood  conferred  npon  Caracalla  by 
his  father,  and  they  supply  the  place  of  the 
titular  initials  p.  M.  (Pontfex  Maximus),  omit- 
ted iu  the  legend  of  this  coiu. 

DESULTOR,  a lcapcr,  a vaulter;  the  technical 
appellation  of  a sort  of  riders,  whose  practice 
it  was,  iu  the  circus  games,  to  urge  two  horses 
to  their  utmost  speed,  leaping  from  one  to  the 
other  with  surprising  agility,  without  stopping. 
The  term  was  also  applied  to  those  youug  Ro- 
mans, some  of  them  of  the  highest  rank,  who, 
not  content  with  driving  big*  and  quadrigae  iu 
the  circus,  carried  the  reigning  taste  for  these 
exercises  to  the  utmost  excess.  They,  too, 
mounted  bare  backed  horses,  riding  one  of  them 
and  leading  another  in  hand.  On  these  they 
alternately  vaulted  whilst  gallopping,  and  thus 
changed  their  position  many  times,  with  won- 
derful celerity,  after  the  manner  of  a troop  of 
horse  in  the  Numidian  army,  as  described  by 
Livy  (xxiii.  29).  The  Roman  desuitor  wore  a 
pilots,  or  cap  of  felt,  aud  his  horse  was  without 
a saddle,  but  he  had  the  use  of  both  whip  and 
bridle. 


From  these  volatile  feats  of  horsemanship  the 
term  desidtor  was,  by  a metaphor,  applied  to 
the  fickle  and  inconstant,  and  to  those  who  were 
prone  to  betray  a cause.  And  so,  Ovid  says  of 
himself  (Amor.  i.  cleg.  3,  v.  15) : — 

Non  milii  niille  placent,  non  sura  desuitor  araoris. 
that  is,  " I am  not  a fickle  lover.” 

The  remarkable  type  exhibited  on  the  reverse 
of  the  above  cugraved  denarius  (the  obverse 
bears  the  heads  of  Numn  aud  Aliens),  is  de- 
scribed by  Hyginus  (tab.  80),  when  speaking 
of  the  Dioscuri — “ Whence  also  the  Romans 
keep  up  the  custom,  wheu  they  exhibit  a desul- 
tor ; for  one  individual  manages  two  horses 
with  a cap  on  his  head,  aud  leaps  from  one  horse 
to  the  other,  in  memory  of  his  (i.  e.  Pollux) 
representing  his  brother  (Castor)  ns  well  as  him- 
self.”— In  conformity  with  this  account,  the  de- 
sultor  is  represented  wearing  a cap  of  a conical 
form,  doubtless  the  more  closely  to  imitate  the 
Dioscuri,  whose  caps  were  of  this  kind,  as  is 
testified  by  numerous  monuments,  and  also  by 


DES  U LTO  R . — DEV  1CTA. 

Luciau  (Dial.  deor.  36),  who  calls  them  roC 
&ov  fig'iTofiov — “ the  half  segment  of  an  egg,” 
by  which  was  indicated  the  myth  which  affirms 
their  being  sprung  from  an  egg. — Eckhel  then 
quotes  the  verses  of  Homer  (Iliad,  O.  v.  679), 
so  graphically  descriptive  of  the  exploits  of  a 
desultor,  to  the  following  effect : — 

“ As  when  a man,  well-skilled  iu  the  manage- 
ment of  race  horses,  who,  after  selecting  from 
a multitude  four  steeds,  hurrying  them  from  the 
plain,  drives  them  to  the  city  by  the  much-fre- 
quented road  ; and  crowds  gaze  on  him  with 
admiration,  both  men  and  women ; whilst  he, 
with  firm  seat  and  in  security,  leaps  alternately 
from  one  to  another;  they  flying  the  while.” 

Manilius  also  well  illustrates  this  type  (As- 
tron.  v.  85)  : — 

Necnon  alterno  desultor  sidere  dorso 
Quadrupedum,  et  stabiles  poterit  defigere  plant  ns  , 
l’erque  volabit  equos,  ludens  per  terga  volantum. 

[The  vaulter,  too,  may  alight  alternately  on 
the  back  of  each  quadruped,  and  plant  his  firm 
feet,  flying  amidst  the  horses,  and  playing  his 
pranks  over  their  backs,  as  they  go  at  full  speed.] 

lhis  type  was  selected  by  Ccnsorinus  in  me- 
mory of  a celebrated  seer  (rates)  of  the  Marcia 
family,  named  Manaus,  who  suggested  to  the 
Senate  the  establishment  of  the  Ludi  Apolli- 
nares — Equestrian  games  iu  honour  of  Apollo. 

As  a numismatic  illustration,  the  foregoing 
cut  is  inserted  from  a coin  of  the  Marcia  gens, 
which  exhibits  one  of  the  des  it  Hares , with  coni- 
cal cap,  aud  with  whip  in  right  hand,  urging 
to  their  fullest  speed  two  horses,  one  of  which 
lie  is  riding,  the  wreath  and  palm,  as  symbols 
of  victory,  accompany  the  equestrian  group,  on 
the  Scpullia  and  other  family'  coins.  Sec  Cal- 
puruia  gens  (p.  167),  on  a coiu  of  which  is  a 
figure  of  a man,  with  a palm  branch  on  his 
shoulder,  riding  a horse  at  a rapid  rate — but 
which  Eckhel  does  not  consider  to  typify  the 
desultor,  who  he  observes  had  at  least  two  horses 
in  hand,  as  exemplified  in  the  denarius  en- 
graved in  left-hand  column. — For  three  other 
illustrations  of  the  subject,  sec  Dr.  Smith’s  Dic- 
tionary of  Greek  and  Roman  Antiquities,  p.  327, 
article  desultor. 

DEVICT.  Devictis. 

DEVICTJS  PROVIXCI.E. -Conquered  coun- 
tries, or  provinces,  arc  indicated  on  Roman  coins, 
very  frequently,  by  figures  seated  aud  weeping  : 
for  not  only  amongst  the  Jews,  and  people  of 
the  East  generally,  the  sitting  posture  signified 
grief;  but  also  amongst  the  Greeks,  the  Etrus- 
cans, aud  others,  as  Gori  shews  in  his  Museum 
Etruscum. 

DEVICTA. — Sec  alaxanxia  df.victa  (p. 
32) — ARMENIA  DEVICTA  (p.  81) — JUD.EA  DE- 
VICTA  SAIIMATIA  DEVICTA. 

DEVICTIS  GERMAXIS. SIGNIS  RE- 

C eptis. See  gekmanicus  caesar — sec  also 

SION1S. 

DEULTUM  (Thracia)  Colonia,  now  Dcrkon, 
in  Rumilia,  European  Turkey.  Ancient  Deul- 
tum  was  situated  on  the  Parysus,  near  the  out- 
flow of  that  river  into  the  Euxine,  between 
Mcsembrin  and  Apollonia. — According  to  Poly- 


DEULTUM. 


DEUS.  321 


bias,  Thrace  was  colonised,  not  only  by  the 
Homans,  but  also  long  before,  by  the  Greeks, 
and  this  city  is  said  to  have  been  originally 
founded  by  Milesian  emigrants.  Its  name  is 
differently  spelt  by  different  authors.  Ptolemy 
ca  h it  Deceit  us ; Ammiauus,  Debultus ; and 
in  the  “ Acta  Couciliorum,”  it  is  denominated 
Debeltus, — Vaillaut  (in  Coloniis)  adopts  the 
appellation  given  to  it  by  Pliny,  namely  Deul- 
tum ; where  a colony  of  veterans  was  planted 
by  Vespasian.  This  Roman  settlement  assumed 
his  family  name,  Flavia;  and  on  account  of  his 
remarkable  tokens  of  devotion  to  the  goddess  of 
Peace  (to  whom  that  emperor  built  a temple  at 
Rome) ; it  was  called  Pacensis,  or  Pacifica. — 
The  place  was  once  surrounded  with  strong  walls, 
and  still  exhibits  the  remains  of  its  ramparts. 
The  coins  of  Dcultuin  are  Latin  imperial,  in 
small,  middle,  and  first  brass.  They  commence 
a.  d.  97  and  end  A.  D.  249,  and  are  inscribed 
either  with  the  initial  letters  c.  f.  p.  d.  or  with 
the  abbreviated  words  con.  fl.  pac.  DEVLT. 
(Colon ia  Flavia  Pacensis  [or  Pacifica]  Dcultum). 


The  Emperors,  Caesars,  and  Empresses  to 
whom  this  colony  dedicated  the  products  of  her 
mint  were — Trajanu3,  Macrinus,  Diadumcninnus, 
Alexander  Severus,  Mamma,  Maximinus,  Maxi- 
mus, Gordianus  Pius,  Tranquillina,  Philippus 
senior,  Otacilia,  and  Philippus  junior. 

The  deities  worshipped  at  Deultum,  and  whose 
images  with  their  respective  attributes  appear 
on  her  coins,  arc  as  follow  : — Apollo  (the  tute- 
telary  god  of  the  city)  TEsculapius,  Bacchus, 
Ceres,  Cybcle,  Diana,  Fortuua,  ilygeia,  Jupi- 
ter, Minerva,  Nemesis,  Silenus,  and  Seraph. 


Besides  the  above  types  there  are  others  on 
the  colonial  coinage  of  this  Thracian  city  ; such 
as  a bull’s  head  on  a third  brass  of  Trajan  ; the 
Genius  Urbis,  uuder  Alexander  Severus ; a liou, 
with  Philip  senior  and  junior  on  its  obverse  ; 
legionary  eagles  and  other  Roman  military 
standards,  referring  to  the  original  peopling  of 
the  colony  with  veteran  soldiers  (engraved  in 
Vaillaut,  ii.  p.  155)  ; the  Wolf  and  twins,  on 
second  brass  of  Caracalla  and  Macrinus ; the 
dolphin,  in  small  brass,  dedicated  to  Maximus 
Cesar ; the  three  Graces,  inscribed  to  Alexan- 
der Severus,  &c.  &c.  Ouly  two  subjects  have 
any  direct  allusion  to  the  locality  of  Deultum. 
An  engraving  of  one  of  them  is  hereto  sub- 
joined : — 

River-deities. — Two  of  these  fluvial  personifi- 
cations, one  bearded,  holds  a reed  in  the  right 
hand,  in  the  left  a cor- 
nucopia, resting  on  an 
urn,  whence  water  flows. 
The  other  a female  figure, 
in  long  drapery,  also 
. holds  a reed  in  one 
hand,  and  resting  in  like 
manner  to  the  other  on 
an  urn.  Above  the  female 
figure  is  a ship  with  sail. 
This  appears  on  a second  brass  of  Gordianus 
III.  with  legend  of  col.  FL.  pac.  devlt.  Colo- 
nia  Flavin  Pacensis  Deultana. 


2 T 


[There  is  another  reverse  of  this  coin,  vary- 
ing in  the  grouping  of  the  objects  from  the 
above,  also  given  in  Vaillant  (ii.  144),  who  ob- 
serves, that  “ Rivers  emptying  themselves  iuto 
the  sea,  arc  depicted  on  ancient  medals  under 
the  figures  of  old  men,  with  flowing  beards,  as 
though  they  were  the  fathers  of  other  streams. 
But  the  pcrsouifications  of  those  rivers  which 
discharge  their  waters  into  other  rivers,  arc  re- 
presented without  beards.  The  name  of  the 
river  which  issues  into  the  Parysus  (near  the 
banks  of  which  Deultum  appears  to  have  been 
situated),  is  not  found  in  the  geographies  of 
antiquity.  The  sailing  vessel  denotes  that  the 
Parysus  was  navigable.  The  cornucopia:  indi- 
cates the  affluence  derived  to  the  city  from  its 
navigation.  According  to  Pliny,  Deultum  was 
situated  ou  a lake.”] 

DEUS. — If  Plutarch  is  to  be  credited  on  the 
subject,  Numa  Pompilius  had  given  to  the  Ro- 
mans so  sublime  an  idea  of  the  Supreme  Beiug, 
that,  convinced  of  the  impossibility  of  arriving 
at  a knowledge  of  Him,  except  through  the 
understanding,  they  regarded  it  as  a sacrilege 
to  represent  the  Deity  under  auy  human  form. 
And  accordingly,  for  a time,  it  is  affirmed, 
neither  figure  nor  painting  of  the  gods  was 
seen  at  Rome,  although  temples  were  erected 
to  them,  in  which  they  were  worshipped. — 
The  use  of  idols  was  derived  to  the  Romans 
from  the  Tuscans,  and  from  the  Greeks.  It  was 
mainly  from  those  two  sources  that  they  drew 
their  superstitions ; and  they  afterwards  im- 
proved upon  their  models.  For  when  Rome  be- 
came mistress  of  a great  part  of  the  world,  she 
allowed  almost  every  foreign  religion  to  be  in- 
troduced within  her  walls ; and  there  might  be 
seen  in  that  city  as  many  diviuities  as  worship- 
pers. So  great,  in  fact,  was  the  number  of 
statues  raised  in  honour  of  these  gods,  as  to 
give  rise  to  the  saying,  that  the  inanimate  por- 
tion of  the  people  in  Rome  was  larger  than  that 
which  was  living,  although,  the  latter  amounted 
to  millions.  The  Romans  divided  all  these  dei- 
ties into  different  classes;  viz.  those  of  t lie  first 
order,  which  depended,  like  the  rest,  on  Fate. — 
Those  of  an  inferior  order,  and  all  the  other 
miuor  gods  and  goddesses.  Those  who  presided 
over  each  place  or  each  nation.  Those  which  were 
assigned  to  each  individual  being,  and  even  to 
most  human  actions.  The  last  named  were,  in- 
deed, so  many  genii,  whom  they  made  some- 
times masculine,  sometimes  feminine ; and  to 
these  they  paid  a particular  worship,  following 
the  bent  of  their  supposed  wants,  and  conform- 
ing to  the  caprice  of  their  devotions. 

For  all  sueh  classes  of  deities  as  are  found 
alluded  to  in  the  legends  or  types  of  Roman 
Coins,  sec  dii,  &c.  (p.  328). 

DEVS  ADIVTA  ROMANIS. — A cross  stand- 
ing on  steps. — This  legend  and  type  appear  on 
a large  silver  medallion  of  Heraclius  I.  Eckhcl 
says  of  it — “ This  pious  medal  appears  with 
others,  to  have  been  coined  from  that  silver 
which,  on  the  eve  of  a war  with  the  Persians, 
the  emperor,  to  supply  a deficient  treasury,  took 


322  DIADEMA. 

Ibr  this  purpose,  out  of  the  sacred  edifices.”— 
vol.  viii.  223. 

DM.  SO  or  DEUSONA. — Sec  iikhcui.i  deu- 

SONIENSI. 

DEXTRAE  DILE  JI  NCT/E. — See  Bight 
Hands  joined. 

D.  F.  Divi  Filins  — avg.  d.  f.  j.vd.  saec. 
EEC. — See  Lvdi  Stead  ares. 

DIADEM  A. — It  was  hy  this  name  that  the 
white  fillet,  or  band,  was  called,  which  bound 
the  temples  of  kings  in  the  earliest  ages.  The 
head  of  Bacchus  (to  whom  fable  has  ascribed 
the  invention  of  that  head-dress),  also  the  heads 
ol  Neptune,  of  Hercules,  of  Victory,  and  some 
other  divinities,  appear  on  coins  encircled  w ith 
the  diadem.  Considering  it  certain,  therefore, 
that  this  ornament  was  distinguished,  horn  a 
remote  antiquity,  as  an  essentially  roval  badge, 
it  is  not  surprising  that  amongst 'a  free  people, 
such  as  the  Romans  were  after  the  expulsion  of 
the  larquins,  and  the  abolition  of  monarchical 
government,  the  diadem  should  have  been  held 
in  universal  abhorrence.  For  this  reason  both 
Augustus  and  Tiberius  had  the  wisdom  to  ab- 
stain from  wearing  it.  Nevertheless,  certain 
vain  emperors  entertained  a great  desire  to  as- 
sume the  diadem,  although  they  wanted  the 
courage  to  do  so. — According  to  Suetonius,  Cali- 
gula was  much  inclined  to  try  the  experiment 
on  the  popular  feeling,  but  refrained.— Lam- 
pridius  states,  that  Elagabalus  wished  to  use 
the  gemmed  diadem,  as  a means  of  making 
himself  more  attractive,  and  because  it  was  more 
adapted  to  the  female  countenance ; and  this  he 
wore  w ithin  doors  ( domij. — Aurelian  is  said  to 
have  been  the  first  among  the  Romans  who 
decked  his  brows  with  the"  diadem  ; but  coins 
do  not  confirm  this  statement.  It  was  by  Con- 
stantine the  Great  that  the  example  was  jntldicly 
set  of  a Roman  Emperor  wearing  this  royal 
badge,  either  in  its  simple  form,  or  adorned 
will  clasps  or  jewels,  and  that  too  divested  of 
both  the  laurel  and  the  radiated  crown.— Victor 
alludes  to  the  fact  of  Constantine  “ decking  his 
royal  robes  with  gems,  and  his  head  with  the 
invariable  diadem.”  And  its  introduction  is 
clearly  shewn  on  his  numismatic  portraitures. 

“It  is  (observes  Eckhel)  to  this  fashion,  in 
part,  that  Julian  must  have  referred,  when  he 
so  bitterly  commented  on  the  voluptuousness 
and  extravagance  of  that  emperor,  his  effemi- 
nate mode  of  head-dress,  and  all  the  other  topics 
of  reproach,  which  be  spitefully  heaps  upon 
him,  as  on  a sccoud  Sardauapalus.  't  hese  ac- 
counts are  confirmed  by  the  Chronicon  Atejran- 
drtHuni,  which  informs  us,  that  ‘ he  lirst 
adopted  the  diadem  enriched  with  pearls,’  and 
olhei  gems.  Syncsius,  whilst  lashing  with  more 
than  Grecian  license,  in  his  oration  iapl  &am- 
Aetas  (concerning  the  kingdom),  the  luxury  of 
A readme  and  the  princes  of  that  period,  speak- 
as  follows,  according  to  the  translation  of  IVta- 
vius:  At  what  time,  think  vou,  were  the 

affairs  of  Rome  in  better  plight  ? Is  it  since 
you  have  covered  yourselves  from  head  to  foot 
with  purple  and  gold,  mid  fetchingf'from  the 
mountains  of  the  barharii  (lauds  beyond  seal 


DIADEMA. 

pterions  stones,  you  wear  them  in  your  crowns, 
and  in  your  shoes,  fasten  your  girdles  with  them, 
make  of  them  your  bracelets  and  your  brooches, 
nay,  even  adorn  your  seats  with  them  ?’  And’ 
that  he  might  not  appear  to  express  himself  too 
violently,  he  has  softened  down  the  ofTonsive- 
j ness  of  his  remarks,  with  this  prelude : — ‘Not 
that  this  has  arisen  from  your  fault,  but  from 
theirs,  who  were  the  originators  of  this  morbid 
passion,  and  who  transmitted  to  after  times  this 
highly  prized  infection.’ — That  these  words  were 
intended  as  a hit  at  Constantine,  mav  be  in- 
ferred from  what  is  stated  above.”— See  Doct 
Num.  Vet.  viii.  pp.  79-360-502. 

Diademed  head-  of  Constantine  in  coelum 
spectans. — It  is  to  lie  observed,  that  the  head 
turned  upwards  to  the  heavens,  which  occurs  on 
the  gold  and  silver  coins  of  this  emperor,  lias 
no  parallel  in  former  or 
in  subsequent  times. — 
Eckhcl,  iu  consulting  the 
opinions  of  writers  upon 
this  peculiarity  of  pos- 
ture, first  quotes  Euse- 
bius as  follows  : — ‘ In- 
deed, the  fervent  faith 
w hich  had  taken  posses- 
sion of  his  mind,  may 
be  recognized  in  the  fact  of  his  causing  his  por- 
fiait  to  be  so  represented  on  his  gold  coins,  as 
to  give  him  the  appearance  of  gazing  upwards, 
like  one  engaged  iu  prayer  to  the  Deity.  In- 
stances of  this  eoiu  were  common  throughout 
the  Roman  dominions.’— Thus  far  the  ecclesias- 
tical historian.  “ Rut  (continues  Eckhcl),  1 am 
much  mistaken  if  Julian  has  not  held  up  to  de- 
rision this  position  of  the  head  as  well  as  everv 
thing  else  connected  with  Constantine.  For  it 
is  at  this  lie  appears  to  aim  his  shaft  when  he 
■ elates  that  Constantine,  when  summoned  to 
i the  council  ol  the  gods,  remained  fixed  at  the 
threshold  of  Luna — For,  to  use  his  own  words, 

I ' he  was  desperately  enamoured  of  her,  and, 

[ "copied  solely  with  gazing  upon  her,  he  paid 
no  heed  lo  Victory.’  Certainly,  the  attitude, 
which  the  coin  icprcscuts,  is  that  of  a man  look- 
ing at  the  moon  or  the  stars;  whence  the  joke. 
— In  an  inquiry  like  the  present,  I think  that 
implicit  reliance  should  not  "be  placed  on  cither 
of  these  writers ; the  former  of  whom  ran  see 
in  Constantine  nothing  but  what  is  holy  and 
divine,  vvliilst  the  latter  treats  every'  thing  with 
sarcasm  and  abuse.  Perhaps  the  main  ambition 
of  Coustantine  was  to  resemble  Alexander  the 
Great,  whom  not  only  aucient  authors,  but  ex- 
tant monuments,  prove  to  huve  been  repre- 
sented iu  a very  similar  manner ; as  may  be 
seen  under  the  coinage  of  that  king.” — D.  N.  V. 
vol.  viii.  80. 

[The  above  cut  is  from  a highlv  preserved 
specimen  iu  the  British  Museum,  for  the  reverse 
of  which  sec  l.I.OKIA  COK8TANT1NI  avg.] 

According  to  Ainmianus,  and  the  testimony 
of  coins,  Julian  the  Apostate,  notwithstanding 
all  he  has  said  (iu  his  satire  on  the  Ciesars)  to 
disparage  and  ridicule  his  predecessor  and  uncle, 
wore  a diadem  of  the  suine  form,  and  with  the 


DIADUMEMAN1  S. 

same  embellishments,  as  Constantine’s.  Another 
proof  of  the  inconsistency  of  that  pagan  prince 
This  royal  decoration  of  the  head  prevailed  long 
afterwards,  though  it  occasionally  gave  place  to 
the  helmet. — On  this  subject,  see  the  word 
Head-dresses. 

On  a coin  of  the  Tcrentia  family,  the  bearded 
head  of  Quirinus  (Romulus)  appears  bound  with 
the  diadem,  after  the  example  of  other  kings, 
both  European  and  Asiatic.  On  a denarius  of 
the  Calpurnia  gens,  the  bearded  head  of  NVMA 
exhibits  itself  with  the  diadem.  On  a coin  of 
Coponia  is  the  diademed  head  of  Apollo.  On  a 
coin  of  Marcia  is  the  head  of  ancvs,  also  with 
the  diadem.  One  of  the  constant  symbols  of 
the  imperial  dignity,  the  diadem,  in  modern 
times,  though  its  form  is  very  different,  has  in 
name  become  synonimous  with  the  word  croien. 

For  a fine  example  of  an  imperial  diadem,  see 
Constautiue  the  Great  (p.  257). 


1)1  ADU  MEN  I ANUS  (Marcus  Opehus), 
son  of  Macrinus,  and  of  Nouia  Cclsa,  was  born 
in  the  year  of  Rome  9(il  (a.  d.  208),  on  the 
19th  of  December,  the  anniversary  day  of  the 
birth  of  Antoninus  Pius.  Macrinus,  become 
emperor  a.  d.  217,  gave  to  his  son  the  name  of 
Antoninus,  and  the  titles  of  Caesar  and  of  Prince 
of  the  Youth  ; and  in  218  named  him  Augustus, 
although  lie  was  then  only  ten  years  of  age.— 
The  fall  of  Macrinus  followed  so  closely  on  the 
elevation  of  his  son  to  the  dignity  of  Augustus, 
that  no  coins  struck  in  the  name  of  this  young 
prince  arc  known  to  have  this  title.  Macrinus 
having  been  defeated,  sent  Diadumcniauus  to 
Artabaues,  King  of  the  Partitions  ; but  the  sol- 
diers entrusted  with  the  charge  of  conducting 
him  to  the  territories  of  that  eastern  monarch, 
delivered  him  over  to  the  partisans  of  Elaga- 
balus,  and  he  was  slain.  From  his  maternal 
grandfather  he  inherited  the  name  of  Diadume- 
nns,  which,  on  his  pretended  adoption  into  the 
family  of  the  Antoniues,  was  changed  into  Dia- 
dumeuiauus.  His  portrait  on  coins  does  not 
answer  to  the  description  which  Lampridius 
gives  of  the  extreme  beauty  of  this  child.  He 
is,  on  numismatic  monuments,  styled  M.  opel. 

ANTON  I NTS  IMADVMENI  ANVS  CAES(ar),  Or  M.  OP. 

diadvmkn. — The  silver  coins  of  Diadumcnian 
are  rare  ; the  gold,  of  the  highest  rarity.  Second 
brass  are  rare;  first  brass  very  rare. — Notwith- 
standing the  shortness  of  his  life  and  reign,  the 
number  of  coins  minted  in  his  name,  particu- 
larly out  of  Rome,  is  considerable.  The  fol- 
lowing are  among  the  rarest  reverses  : — 

2 T 2 


DIANA.  323 

Gold. — princ.  ivventvtis  (valued  by  Mion- 
net  at  400  & 600  fr.) — spes.  pvblica  (600  fr.) 

Silver. — fides  militvm.  (60  fr.) 

Brass  Medallion. — piunc.  ivventvtis. 

First  Brass. — m.  opei,  antoninvs  diadv- 
mexianvs.  Bust  of  Diadumcnian,  to  the  right, 
bare  head,  habited  iu  the  paludameutum. 

Rev. — princ(eps)  ivventvtis.  Prince  of 
the  Youth. — The  young  Ciesar,  wearing  the 
paludameutum,  stands  bare-headed,  holding  iu 
the  right  hand  an  ensign,  and  in  the  left  a spear ; 
on  his  left  are  two  other  ensigns  planted  on  the 
ground.  In  the  field  s.  c. 

[A  fine  specimen  of  this  large  brass  brought 
£3  at  the  Devonshire  sale. — From  another,  in 
the  highest  state  of  preservation,  the  preceding 
type  of  the  obverse  has  been  faithfully  engraved  ; 
and  an  accurate  cut  from  its  reverse,  equally 
remarkable  for  its  fine  workmanship  as  the  por- 
trait, will  be  found  under  princ.  ivventvtis]. 


DIANA,  an  Italian  Divinity,  afterwards  re- 
garded as  identical  with  the  goddess  whom  the 
Greeks  called  ’Aprcpis. — According  to  Cicero 
(Nat.  Deor.J  there  were  three  of  this  name,  of 
whom  that  most  commonly  celebrated  among 
mythologists  was  the  daughter  of  Jupiter  and 
Latoua,  and  twin  sister  of  Apollo.  Diana  was 
worshipped  in  various  ways,  and  under  various 
figures,  by  divers  ancient  nations.  Iu  rivalship 
with  the  similar  claims  of  Delos,  the  Ephesians 
assumed  the  honour  of  their  city  having  wit- 
nessed the  birth  of  Diana,  and  the  most  famous 
of  her  temples  was  that  in  their  city.  Skilful, 
like  Apollo,  iu  the  use  of  the  bow,  her  employ- 
ment on  earth  was  the  chase ; and  if  her  bro- 
ther were  the  god  of  day,  she  under  the  name 
of  Luna,  the  moon,  enlightened  mortals  during 
the  night.  She  was  the  patroness  of  virginity, 
and  the  presiding  deity  over  child-birth,  on  which 
account  she  was  called  Lucina,  or  Juno  Pronuba, 
when  invoked  by  women  in  parturitiou  ; and 
Trivia,  when  worshipped  iu  the  cross-ways, 
where  her  statues  were  generally  erected.  The 
earliest  trace  of  her  worship  at  Rome  occurs  in 
the  tradition,  that  Servius  Tullius  dedicated  to 
her  a temple  on  the  Avenline  mount.  Diana  was 
protectress  of  the  slaves  ; and  the  day,  on  which 
that  temple  had  becu  dedicated,  is  said  to  have 
been  afterwards  celebrated  every  year  by  slaves 
of  both  sexes,  and  was  called  the  day  of  the 
slaves.  (See  Dr.  Smith’s  Dictionary  of  Homan 
Mi/tholoi///). — On  coins,  gems,  and  other  monu- 
ments of  antiquity,  Diana,  as  the  Ephesian 


324  DIANA, 

goddess,  is  represented  by  an  image  with  many 
breasts,  indicating  the  plenteousness  of  nature. 
As  Lucifera,  she  stands  cither  dressed  in  the 
stola,  holding  a lighted  torch  transversely,  in 
both  hands,  or  she  wears  the  lunar  crescent  on 
her  head,  and  drives  a chariot  drawn  by  two 
stags,  holding  the  reins  in  one  hand,  and  a burn- 
ing torch  in  the  other. — As  Diana  Peryensis  (or 
ot  Perga),  her  symbol  is  cither  a stone,  or  some 
cylinder-shaped  vase,  marked  with  celestial  signs 
and  figures. — As  Diana  Venal  ru-  (the  huutress), 
she  appeal's  with  bow  and  arrow,  as  on  a coin  of 
Gallienus. — On  a consecration  medal  of  Faus- 
tina senior,  the  figure  of  Diana  in  a biga,  is  the 
type  of  the  Empress’s  eternity. — When  she  per- 
forms the  part  of  Luna , she  wears  a crescent 
on  her  head,  and  her  chariot  is  a biga  of  bulls, 
as  on  a first  brass  of  Julia  Domna. 

[On  a brass  medallion  of  Crispina,  without 
legend  of  reverse,  is  the  graceful  figure  of  a 
leinale,  dressed  in  the  stola , or  long  flowing  robe 
of  itomnn  matrons;  recognizable  as  Diana  by 
the  bow  she  holds  in  her  left,  and  the  arrow 
in  her  right  hand. — See  preceding  cut  from  a 
cast  after  a rare  specimen  in  the  Cabinet  de 
France ]. 

The  goddess  also  appears,  with  attributes  of 
either  bow,  dog,  or  torch,  on  coins  of  Augus- 
tus, Plotina,  Faustina  jun.  Lucilla,  Plautilla, 
Gordian  us  Pius,  \ alerianus,  Salonina,  Postuinus, 
Claudius  Gothicus,  Quintillus.  It  is,  however, 
a comparatively  rare  type  ou  Roman  coins. 

On  a denarius  of  a consular  family,  having  for 
its  legend  of  reverse  Lucius  Hosli/ius  Saserna, 
Diana  stands,  with  face  to  the  front,  holding  in 
the  lelt  hand  a lance,  and  in  the  right  the  horns 
of  a stag  rearing  by  her  side. — Sec  llostilia  gens. 

On  a denarius  of  the  Axsia  gens  (see  p.  117), 
the  reverse  presents  Diana  standing,  armed  with 
a javelin,  in  a car  drawn  by  two  stags ; she  is 
preceded  by  a dog,  and  followed  by  two  others. 
——Ibis  denarius  is  attributed  to  Lucius  Axius 
Naso,  who  was  proscribed  in  the  last  civil  war 
of  the  republic. 

On  a silver  coin  of  the  Cornelia  gens,  Diana 
appears  standing  in  the  Ephesian  attitude  and 
dress. — (Engraved  in  Morell.  Fain.  Horn.  tab. 
ii.  No.  6). 

The  following  arc  among  the  most  remark- 
able reverses  on  which  Diana  is  typified  in  the 
imperial  series  of  Roman  coins  : — 


DIANA  EPHESIA. 

DI.VNAE  CONS.  AVG.  Diana  Consercatrij 
August's.  A stag. — This  legend  and  type,  with 
variations,  frequently  appears  on  coins  of  Gal- 
lienus,  whose  father  Yalcrianus  was  singularly 
attached  to  the  worship  of  Diaua  the  Preserver, 
insomuch  that  he  dedicated  a temple  to  her 
honour  at  Rome,  called  JEdes  Valeriana. — A 
similar  epigraph — diana  cons. — with  the  same 
symbol  of  the  goddess  of  the  chase,  appears  on 
a third  brass  of  Carausius,  who  also  professed 
greatly  to  honour  the  sylvan  deity. 

DIAN.  EPI1E.  Diana  Ephesia. — Diana  of 
Ephesus. — This  appears  on  a silver  medallion  of 
Claudius,  struck  in  Asia.  The  goddess  is  re- 
presented in  an  elegant  temple  of  four  columus, 
not  with  tucked-up  dress  (ceste  sucrinctd),  as 
the  agile  huntress,  but  with  her  Asiatic  at- 
tributes of  heavy  head-dress,  many-breasted 
bust  (poly-manunia),  swaddling-clothed  body, 
supported  on  each  side  with  props,  resembliug 
trideuts  reversed,  on  which  she  rests  each  hand, 
just  as  she  was  worshipped  by  the  Ephesians  iu 
St.  Paul’s  time.  The  temple  here  deliucated 
was  obviously  intended  to  associate  the  honour 
of  Diana,  with  that  once  celebrated  edifice  at 
Ephesus,  which  took  all  Asia  220  years  to  build, 
and  cost  Herostratus,  the  incendiary,  but  a mo- 
ment to  fire  and  destroy. — See  M.  Dumersan’s 
beautiful  engraving  of  this  medal,  in  the  Allier 
dTIauteroche  collection,  PI.  xiv.  No.  18. 

“ The  authors  of  antiquity  are  not  agreed  as 
to  the  order  of  the  temple  of  Diana:  Pliny  as- 
serting that  it  was  Attic,  whilst  Vitruvius  says 
it  was  Ionic.  Again,  the  image  of  the  goddess 
is  said  by  Vitruvius  to  have  been  formed  of 
cedar ; and  Xenophon  describes  it  as  of  gold — 
discrepancies  which  may  be  reconciled  by  a re- 
ference to  the  description  which  l’ausauias  gives 
of  many  gilded  statues.  The  words  of  Pliny 
shew  that  there  was  some  doubt  as  to  the  mate- 
rial of  which  it  was  formed  ; but  whatever  that 
may  have  been,  the  figure  was  never  changed, 
though  the  temple  was  restored  seven  times.” — 
See  Numismatic  Illustrations  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, by  J.  Y.  Akerman,  F.S.A.  p.  48. 

DIANA  EPHESIA. — Another  silver  medal- 
lion bears  on  its  obverse  TI  berius  CLAVD/ia 
CAESar  AVG ustus  AGRIPPm*  AVGVSTA, 
and  the  jugated  heads  of  Claudius  and  Agrip- 
pina.— On  its  reverse  arc  the  above  legend,  aud 
the  type  of  Diaua  of  Ephesus. 


The  above  engraving  (for  the  loau  of  which 
the  compiler  is  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
Akerman),  renders  it  unnecessary  to  give  a 
minute  description  of  the  form  under  which 
Diana  Ephesia  was  worshipped. 


“ The  above  medallion  (says  our  eminent 
numismatic  authority)  appears  to  offer  the  best 
representation  of  this  remarkable  image,  and  is 
the  more  curious,  as,  in  bearing  the  heads  of 
Claudius  and  Agrippina,  it  proves  itself  to  bp 


DIANA  LUCIFERA. 

nearly  contemporaneous  with  the  period  of  St. 
Paul’s  visit  to  Ephesus.  These  pieces  were 
doubtless  in  circulation  throughout  all  Asia 
Minor,  and  could  be  obtained  by  devotees  at  the 
shrine  of  the  Ephesian  goddess. 

“ It  seems  probable  that  the  vulgar  were  not 
allowed  to  approach  too  near  to  this  grotesque 
but  time-honoured  figure ; and  that  the  artists 
of  antiquity  sometimes  drew  on  their  fancies  in 
their  representations  of  her;  for  even  in  the 
coins  of  Ephesus  the  goddess  is  not  always  re- 
presented in  precisely  the  same  manner.  The 
idol  was  preserved  from  decay  by  resinous  gums, 
which  were  inserted  in  cavities  made  for  that 
purpose.” — Ibid.  p.  49. 

In  commenting  on  that  passage  in  Acts,  xix. 
27,  wherein  “ the  town  clerk”  speaks  of  “ the 
temple  of  the  great  goddess  Diana,  whom  all 
Asia  and  the  world  worshippeth,”  the  writer 
above  quoted  observes,  that  “ the  singular  ar- 
chaic figure  uuder  which  Diana  Ephesia  was 
worshipped,  is  not  to  be  confounded  with  that 
of  Diana  the  huntress,  but  is  distinguished  by 
her  characteristic  attributes  as  nutrix  of  all 
living  things.”  Ibia.  p.  47- 

DIANA  EPHESIA. — On  a coin  of  Hadrian, 
struck  at  Ephesus,  having  the  foregoing  appel- 
lation on  its  reverse,  the  statue  of  the  goddess 
stands  between  two  stags.  On  another  silver 
coin  of  the  same  emperor,  having  consvi,  ill. 
for  its  legend  of  reverse,  a similar  type  appears. 
Both  these  are  engraved  in  Nouvelle  Galerie 
Mythol.  par  M.  Leuormaut,  p.  143,  pi.  xlix. 
Nos.  10  and  11. 

DIANA  LAPIIltlA.  C.  P.  Colonia  Patren- 
sis. — On  colonial  coins  of  Patrie,  respectively 
dedicated  to  Nero  and  to  Domitian,  bearing  the 
above  legend,  and  of  which  Vaillant  (in  Cot.  i. 
24),  gives  au  engraving,  Diana  stands,  clothed 
in  a short  dress,  with  a quiver  at  her  shoulder, 
her  right  hand  placed  on  the  hip,  and  her  left 
hand  resting  on  a bow\ — On  small  brass  of  M. 
Aurelius  and  of  L.  Veins,  struck  in  the  same 
colony,  is  the  image  of  Diana  Laphria,  as  Vena- 
trix,  in  the  attitude  of  walking  quick,  with  a 
lighted  torch  in  her  right  hand,  a spear  in  her 
left,  and  a hound  running  before  her.  (En- 
graved in  Vaillant,  i.  199). — Laphria  was  a 
name  given  to  Diana,  in  consequence  of  La- 
phrius,  a Phoenician,  having  erected  a statue  to 
her  honour  in  Calydon  (.Etolia).  With  the 
name  of  this  city  is  associated  the  legend  of  the 
wild  boar,  which  was  sent  by  Diana  to  ravage 
the  surrounding  district,  and  which  Meleager 
killed,  giving  the  head  to  Atalauta,  of  whom  he 
was  enamoured. — With  the  Patrenses  she  was 
an  object  of  supreme  adoratiou.  According  to 
Pausanias,  when  jEtolia  was  laid  waste  by  Au- 
gustus, her  image  was  removed  from  Calydon, 
aud  placed  in  a shrine  at  Patraj. 

DIANA  LUCIFERA.  Diana  the  hringer  of 
light. — On  first  and  second  brass  of  Faustina, 
and  on  gold  of  Julia  Domna,  bearing  this  legend 
of  reverse,  the  image  of  the  goddess  stands, 
holding  transversely,  with  both  hands,  a lighted 

torch. Engraved  in  Spanhciin’s  Casars  of 

Julian,  p.  45. 


DIANA  VENATR1X.  325 

In  exchanging  the  how  and  arrow  for  the 
torch,  allusion  is  here  made  to  her  other  titles 
and  qualities,  as  Lucfera,  or  as  Luna,  whose 
light  being  borrowed  from  the  Sun,  she  was 
styled  his  sister. 

On  a denarius  of  the  Claudia  gens,  Diana,  in 
long  clothing,  but  designated  by  the  quiver  at 
her -back,  stands  holding  in  each  hand  a long 
torch  planted  on  the  ground. — See  p.  210  of  this 
dictionary. 

On  a bronze  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pins, 
Diana  Lucifcra  is  represented  sitting  with  a torch 
in  her  hands,  on  a horse  galloping  to  the  right. 
Aud  on  a bronze  medallion  of  Faustina  junior, 
the  light-bringing  goddess  appears  veiled,  hold- 
ing a torch  in  the  left  hand,  and  sittiug  on  a 
stag,  accompanying  the  legend  of  aeternitas 
a vgvsta. — Both  these  medallions  are  engraved 
in  Nouce/le  Gal.  Mythol.  p.  142,  pi.  xlix.  Nos. 
4 and  5. 

DIANA  PERG.  Diana  Per  gens  is. — A rare 
silver  medallion  of  Nerva,  bearing  the  date  of 
cos.  in.  exhibits  the  foregoing  legend  on  the 
front  of  a temple,  in  which  stands  an  image  of 
Diana  of  Perga. — “ The  inscription  itself,  as  well 
as  the  form  of  this  medal,  show'  that  it  first  saw 
light  among  the  Pergenscs  of  Pamphylia.” — 
Eckliel,  vi.  410. 

The  same  legend  and  type  appear  on  a silver 
medallion  of  Trajan  (cos.  ii.)  The  city  of 
Perga  was  a place  peculiarly  addicted  to  the 
worship  of  the  inu/ti-mammian  Diana. 

DIANAE  REDUCE To  the  return  of 

Diana — who,  in  appropriate  dress  as  the  huntress, 
leads  a stag  in  her  right  hand,  and  holds  a bow 
in  her  left. — Of  this  inscription  and  type,  which 
appears  on  a silver  coin  of  Postumus  senior, 
Eckliel  laconically  remarks — “ Novelty  recom- 
mends it,  but  its  cause  is  unknown.” 

Diana  Venatrix. — This  title  is  not  used  as 
a legend  on  any  Roman  coins ; but  it  serves 
with  numismatists  to  designate  those  types,  in 
which  Diana,  in  quality  of  huntress,  appears 
with  short  habit,  and  the  usual  weapons  and 
dogs  of  the  chase,  together  with  her  favourite 
attribute,  the  stag.  Of  this  class  is  the 
diana  feux  of  Gallienus  (in  first  brass),  the 
accompanying  type  of  which,  as  the  annexed  cut 
serves  to  shew,  typifies  the  goddess  in  her  sport- 


ing dress,  with  bow'  in  left  hand,  and  right  hand 
raised  to  head,  as  hating  just  discharged  an  ar- 
row. She  is  attended  by  a small  stag. 

On  denarii  of  Augustus,  the  hunting  Diana 
| also  appears. — See  sicil. 


26 


DICTATOR. 


The  reverse  of  a brass  medallion  of  Anto- 
ninus exhibits  the  goddess  in  this  character,  and 
at  the  same  time,  with  quiver  on  shoulder  ; be- 
hind her  is  a tree;  before  her  a hind  or  stag. — 
Engraved  in  Nouv.  Gal.  Mythol.  pi.  48,  No.  10. 

On  another  brass  medallion  of  the  same  em- 
peror, Diana  Venatrix,  leaving  the  bath,  stands 
already  re-clothed  with  a short  tunic,  and  is 
covering  herself  with  other  drapery.  Act  .Ton, 
already  metamorphosed  into  a stag,  is  in  front 
of  her,  and  a dog  is  rushing  upon  the  indiscreet 
hunter. — Engraved  in  NouveUe  Gat.  Mythol. 
pi.  xlix.  No.  4,  p.  143. 

On  a second  brass,  struck  by  the  Roman 
colony  of  Corinth,  the  goddess  stands  with  a 
bow  in  her  extended  left  hand,  whilst  the  right 
is  raised  in  the  attitude  of  drawing  an  arrow 
from  her  quiver.  At  her  side  is  a stag. — En- 
graved in  Vaillant,  ii .—Corinth,  Geta. 

DIAXAE  VICTRICI. — To  Diana  the  Vic- 
torious.— Diana  standing  with  bow  and  arrow. 
This  legend,  which  first  occurs  on  silver  of  Tre- 
bonianus  Callus,  is  also  seen  on  coins  (gold  as 
well  as  silver)  of  Aemilianus. — “ It  is  probable 
(says  Eckhcl),  that  in  the  common  calamities  of 
those  times,  it  was  out  of  respect  to  Apollo  that 
his  sister  was  joined  with  him.  Otherwise,  it 
would  appear  (from  a coiu  of  Trebonianus,  de- 
dicated APOLA'm!  COXSERVATorij,  that  iu 
the  celebration  of  the  secular  games,  for  the 
safety  of  the  empire,  the  principal  houours  were 
customarily  paid  to  Apollo  and  Diana.”  vii.  372. 

DIC.  Dictator. — I)IC.  III.  Dictator  for  the 
third  time. 

DICT.  ITER«»).  Dictator  for  the  second 
time. — DIC.  QVART.  for  the  fourth  time. 

DICT.  l’ERP.  Dictator  Perpetuus. — Per- 
petual Dictator. 

DICTATOR.  A magistrate  extraordinary, 
appointed  by  the  Romans  only  under  circum- 
stances of  alleged  public  and  pressing  necessity. 
IJc  was  originally  called  Magister  Popu/i,  and 
also  Pr/rtor  Maximus ; afterwards  Dictator,  be- 
cause (Dictus)  named  by  the  consul  for  the 
time,  or  because  the  people  implicitly  obeyed  his 
commands.  The  first  Dictator  created  at  Rome 
was  T.  Lartius  Flavus,  in  the  year  d.  c 253 
(b.  c.  501).  lie,  being  then  one  of  the  consuls, 
was  nominated  to  this  office,  under  an  cxpccta-  | 
tion  of  war  with  the  Sabines  and  Latins.  The 
consuls,  at  that  time  of  emergency,  being  found 
unable  to  make  levies  among  the  plebeians,  who  ' 
had  refused  to  enlist  without  a remission  of  their 
debts  by  the  patricians,  the  Senate  elected  this 
officer,  whom  they  invested  with  absolute  and 
unbounded  authority.  The  dictaturc  was  for  a 
time  confined  to  the  patricians,  but  the  ple- 
beians were  afterwards  admitted  to  share  in  it. 
The  dictator  remained  in  power  for  six  months, 
after  which  he  was  again  elected,  if  the  state  of 
affairs  seemed  desperate  ; otherwise  he  generally 
resigned  before  the  nllottcd  period  hail  expired. 

The  dictatorship  was  on  n pnr  with  even 
regal  dignity,  and  armed  with  more  tlinn  regal 
power,  yet,  unlike  royalty,  it  was  not  held  in 
hatred  by  the  people.  Amongst  the  insignia 
which  distinguished  this  supreme  ami  unusual 


DICTATOR 


j functionary,  were  the  purple  robe,  the  curulc 
i phair,  caparisoned  horses,  and  20  lictors,  bear- 
ing the  fasces  with  axes.  The  decision  of  peace 
and  war  resided  with  him;  and  the  fortunes  and 
lives  of  soldiers,  citizens,  and  magistrates  were 
alike  subject  to  his  absolute  government.  Dur- 
ing the  dictature,  the  authority  of  all  the  other 
magistrates  ceased,  except  that  of  the  tribunes 
of  the  plebs ; nor  was  any  appeal  allowed  from 
the  sentence,  or  judgment,  of  the  dictator,  until 
u.  c.  303  (b.  c.  451),  when  the  lex  Duillia  was 
passed,  which  provided  that,  thenceforward,  no 
magistrate  should  be  appoiuted,  without  his 
public  acts  being  open  to  be  appealed  against 
before  the  people.  This  office  so  potent,  so  dig- 
nified, in  the  earlier  periods  of  the  republic, 
became  at  length  odious  to  the  Romans,  from 
the  despotic  usurpations  of  Sulla,  and  of  Julius 
Caesar;  the  former  to  glut  the  cruelty  of  his 
personal  vengeance ; and  the  latter  to  compass 
the  schemes  of  his  own  boundless  ambition. 

W hen  Caesar,  therefore,  not  dariug  to  assume 
the  titles  of  Rex,  and  Dominus,  accepted  that 
of  Imperator  (seep.  155),  he  was  not  long  in 
becoming  Dictator;  and  in  a short  time  after- 
wards Perpetual  Dictator.  That  is  to  say,  he 
received  the  dictature  v.  c.  705  (b.  c.  49),  M. 
-Emilias  Lcpidus  (afterwards  the  triumvir)  be- 
ing pretor  at  the  time,  convened  the  people,  and 
procured  that  all-superseding  power  for  Cesar, 
j then  absent  from  Rome,  but  who,  quicklv  ar- 
! riving  there,  entered  upon  the  office ; aud’ hav- 
ing accomplished  his  object  in  taking  it,  laid 
down  the  name  of  dictator,  retaining,  however, 

I not  au  atom  less  than  all  the  authority  of  ouc. 
j From  that  period  we  read  on  a chronological 
series  of  his  coins— caes.  dic. — next  Die.  iter 
then  me.  TF.R.— But  why  Dictator  Tertium  ?— 
j “ Without  doubt  (says  Schlcgcl,  ad  Morell.)  he 
was  named  for  the  third  time  by  the  consul 
| Lcpidus,  u.c.  709  (b.  c.  45),  after  he  had  en- 
tered Rome  in  triumph,  as  conqueror  from 
Africa.  Iu  like  manner  we  read  me.  qvaiit. 
Dictator  Qiuirhtm,  because  for  the  fourth  time 
| that  office  was  offered  to  him,  about  710  (b.  c. 
44),  in  which  year  he  entered  the  city  from 
Mount  Albauo,  with  the  houours  of  au  ovation. 
And  it  was  during  the  same  fourth  dictatorship, 
j that  Cicsar  obtained  from  the  Senate  the  right 
: iu  perpetuity  of  wearing  the  laurel  crown,  nc- 
I cording  to  Appianus  and  Dion ; the  latter  of 
whom  thus  pursues  the  subject : — " In  this  year, 
i Oie  fourth  dictatorship  fijuarta  dicta/ uraj  was 
I decreed  to  him,  not  merely  for  so  long  as  the 
j state  of  public  affairs  required,  but  for  the  term 
| of  his  natural  life,  to  govern  aud  administer 
with  dictatorial  power.”  Thus  on  gold  and 
silver  coins,  struck  by  his  moneyers,  L.  Buca, 

J and  C.  Maridiauus,  we  find  him  called  me! 

PE  If  PET  VO  CAESAR,  and  DICT.  IN  PKKPETVO 

caksar,  on  others,  iuct.  in  perpktvvm. — See 
Mintages  of  Cicsar,  pp.  155,  156,  aud  157  of 
this  dictionary. 

And  this  oltiec  the  Great  Julius  held  to  the 
day  of  his  death  ; after  w hich  Mark  Antony,  as 
consul,  obtained  the  passing  of  a law,  which 
expressly  and  permanently  abolished  both  the 


DECIM1A. — DIDIA. 


DIDIA.  327 


name  ami  functions  of  this  powerful,  but  at 
length,  to  the  public  liberties,  fatally  dangerous, 
magistracy. 

DECIMIA. — A plebeian  family,  of  which 
there  is  only  the  following  denarius  : — 

Obv. — Galeatcd  head  of  Rome,  to  the  right  ; 
behind  it  X. — Rev. — FLAWS.  Diar.a  with  the 
crescent  moon  on  her  head,  driving  a biga  at 
full  speed  ; below  bom  a. 

“This  coin  (says  Kiccio,  p.  79),  has  for  a long 
time  been  ascribed  to  the  Flavia  family  ; but  the 
learned  Borghesi  has  assigned  it  to  the  Decimia 
gens,  and  properly  to  Cains  Deeimius  Flavus, 
pretor  in  L’.  c.  570  (b.  c.  184),  coeval  with  P. 
Cornelius  Silla,  who  was  in  the  magistracy,  a 
little  after  the  government  of  Sillanus.  Modern 
lovers  of  antiquity  have  concurred  iu  opinion 
with  Borghesi.” — [Neither  by  Morel  nor  by 
Mionnet  is  this  name  included  among  the  Roman 
families]. 

DIDIA  gens,  of  the  plebeian  order. — Three 
varieties  in  silver,  rare. — The  following  denarius 
has  givcu  rise  to  a controversy  amongst  the 
learned,  which,  as  E<-khcl  observes,  “ is  of  long 
standing,  and,  as  it  seems,  continues  undecided.” 

1 Obv. — Head  of  Rome,  to  the  right,  below 
x,  behind  boma. — Rev. — T.  DEIDI.  A soldier 
with  a spear  (or  sword)  is  feebly  contending 
against  another  military  man,  who  has  a sword 
girded  to  his  right  side,  but  is  brandishing  a 
whip,  or  vine  switch,  upraised  iu  his  right  hand. 
Each  is  armed  with  a buckler  on  the  left  arm. 


[This  silver  coin  was,  according  to  Eckhel, 
restored  by  Trajan,  and  is  of  the  highest  degree 
of  rarity]. 

Some  writers  have  supposed  that  the  inflic- 
tion of  military  punishment,  or  at  least  the 
castigation  of  some  deserter  from  his  post  iu  the 
day  of  battle,  is  meant  to  be  indicated  in  the 
above  type.  Others  treat  it  only  as  a combat 
between  two  men,  whose  offensive  weapons,  how- 
ever, are  very  different  from  each  other.  In  the 
latter  case,  he  of  the  flagellum  has  evidently  the 
advantage  over  him  of  the  hasta. 

ltiecio,  in  his  remarks  on  the  Didia  gens,  says 
(p.  80) — “ Most  antiquaries  join  iu  attributing 
this  coin  to  Titus  Didius,  son  of  Titus,  and 
nephew  of  Spreuius,  who  having  been  scut  as 
pretor  into  lllyrium,  in  the  year  of  Rome  640 
(b.  c.  114),  fouud  the  affairs  of  that  Roman 
province  iu  a most  perilous  state  ; for  the  Thra- 
cians, and  a ferocious  people  called  Scordieei, 
had  put  the  consul  Porcius  Cato  to  flight.  On 
investigating  the  causes  of  this  disaster,  Didius 
discovered  that  the  army  had  conducted  itself 
in  a base  and  cowardly  manner,  and  no  longer 
sustained  the  rigor  of  military  discipline  with 
becoming  endurance  or  obedience.  IV  ishing 
therefore  to  correct  such  great  disorders,  he 


caused  an  allusiou  to  be  made  to  the  circum- 
stance on  this  coin,  which  represents  a centurion 
inflicting  corporal  punishment  on  an  undisci- 
; plined  soldier. — Among  modern  Archaeologists 
I of  eminence,  P.  Cavedoni,  concurring  with  the 
! the  above  explanation,  says — “ It  is  clear,  that 
j in  the  type  of  this  medal,  it  is  the  centurion 
I who  punishes  a soldier  with  the  vine  twig  divided 
j into  two  twists,  or  lashes.  In  fact,  the  array 
having  been  re-organised  by  Didius,  and  brought 
| again  under  the  regulations  of  true  military  sub- 
ordination and  exactitude,  he  attacked  the  euemy, 
j defeated  them,  and  obtained  for  his  victory  the 
t houours  of  a triumph.  Perhaps  he  caused  these 
denarii  to  be  minted,  and  distributed  as  dona- 
tives, that  should  remind  the  Roman  army,  that 
| the  foe  was  to  he  beaten  only  hy  the  observance 
of  perfect  discipline,  and  by  threats  of  punish- 
ment carried  into  effect  against  unbridled  and 
refractory  soldiers.  If  in  that  cpocha,  and  under 
those  circumstances,  this  coin  was  struck,  its 
date  is  to  be  carried  back  to  the  640th  year  of 
Rome  (b.  c.  114),  the  year  in  which  Didius 
triumphed  for  his  successes  over  the  Scordisci.” 
Le  Monele  delle  Faniiglie  di  Roma,  p.  80. 

2.  Another  and  a much  rarer  denarius  of  the 
Didia  family  has  on  the  obverse  p.  FONTElVS 
CAPITO.  mviR.  concokdia  ; with  the  veiled 
head  of  Concord.  Whilst  the  reverse  is  in- 
scribed t.  didi.  imp.  vil.  pvb.  the  type  exhi- 
biting a grand  portico  formed  of  two  tiers  of 
columns. 


Of  the  Y 1 1 .la  VXB/ica  alluded  to  in  the  above 
legend,  Varro  explains  the  use,  by  comparing  it 
with  the  Villa  Reatina  (so  called  from  Reate,  a 
very  ancient  town  of  the  Sabines,  now  Rieti). 
“The  former  (viz.  the publica)  was  the  place 
into  which  the  citizens  went  from  [the  tield  (b 
campoj ; the  latter  that  into  which  were  put 
horses  and  asses  (of  which  latter  animal  Rcate 
was  lamous  for  a valuable  breed).  The  villa 
publica  w as  moreover  useful  for  purposes  of  pub- 
lic business ; as  a [dace  where  the  cohorts  might 
take  up  their  quarters,  when  called  together  by 
the  consul,  where  the  show  of  arms  was  made; 
also  where  the  censors  might  admit  the  people 
to  citizenship  by  the  census.  Another  use 
for  these  villa  publica,  erected  extra  urbem, 
was  to  receive  such  ambassadors  from  hostile 
states  as  it  was  not  deemed  expedient  to  in- 
troduce into  the  city.  This  is  referred  to  by 
Livy  (lxxxiii.  c.  9) — ‘The  Macedonians  were 
conducted  out  of  the  city  to  the  villa  publica, 
where  accommodation  and  provisions  were 
afforded  them.’  ” — Eckhel,  v.  201. 

The  reason  of  this  type  of  the  portico  being 
struck  is  uncertain.  “ Perhaps  (says  Kiccio, 
p.  80),  on  the  occasion  of  some  civic  office  held 


328  DIDIA  CLARA. 

by  Diilius  subsequent  to  660  (b.  C.  94),  he 
caused  to  be  built,  or  restored,  the  above  men- 
tioned edifice,  lie  is  called  on  this  numismatic 
monument  IMP erator,  a title  which  he  obtained 
after  his  mission  into  Northern  Spain,  which 
ascends  to  that  epocha,  and  in  which  he  defeated 
the  Ccltiberians,  and  received  triumphal  ho- 
nours on  that  account.” 

Sallust,  quoted  by  Gcllins  (l.  11,  c.  27),  thus 
alludes  to  Titus  DIDIbj  IMP  era  tor " Magna 
gloria  tribunus  militum  in  Uispania  T.  Didio 
imperatore.” — lie  [Scrtorinsj  gained  great  cre- 
dit as  military  tribune,  T.  Didius  being  general 
in  chief. 


Dll. 

Dii  In <h yet es. — These  were  the  heroes  whose 
rare  merit  had  raised  them,  after  death,  in  pagan 
credence  to  the  rank  of  gods,  and  who  were 
regarded  as  the  patron  deities  of  their  country. 
See  dii  patrii. 

Dii  Genitafes.  (Sec  dis  oenitai.ibus). — The 
same,  according  to  some,  as  the  Indigetes ; or, 
according  to  others,  they  were  those  who  were 
believed  to  be  the  parents  and  proercators  of  all 
things,  both  animate  and  inanimate.  To  these 
deities  of  universal  production  Ausouius  alludes 
(in  Perioclue,  l.  iv.)  : — 

Juppiter  in  terra  cum  Pis  Geni/atibus  una 
Concilium  cogit  superum  de  rebus  Achivis. 


DIDIA  CLARA,  daughter  of  the  Emperor 
Didius  Julianus,  and  of  Manlia  Scantilla.  She 
is  described  to  have  been  the  most  beautiful  of 
the  young  women  of  her  age;  in  which  case 
her  medallic  portraits,  especially  those  in  brass, 
do  her  no  justice. — She  was  boru  about  the  year 
of  Rome  906  (a.  d.  153).  Married  to  Corne- 
lius Repcutinus,  who  was  appointed  Prcfcctus 
Urbis,  in  the  room  of  Flavins  Sulpiciauus,  she 
was,  at  the  accession  of  her  father,  named  Au- 
gusta, together  with  her  mother,  by  the  Senate ; 
and  was  deprived  of  both  title  and  rank  alter 
Julian’s  death.  Coins  were  struck  as  a record 
of  the  high  but  short-lived  honours  conferred 
upon  her.  They  are  all  of  the  highest  rarity.  — 
A gold  specimen,  of  the  usual  module,  brought 
£13  5s.  at  the  Thomas  sale. — Silver  (see  the 
above  cut),  autique  but  plated,  brought  £5  7s.  j 
6d.  at  the  same  sale.  Mionnet  values  a solid 
silver  specimen  at  210  fr.— First  brass,  £2  at  I 
the  I hotnas  sale. — On  the  obverse  of  each  she  is  j 
st \ led  didia  clara  avg.—  1 lie  reverse  has  for 
legend  iiilak.  temp.  (IlUaritas  TemporuniJ . 

A woman  standing,  holds  a palm  branch,  &c.  I 
DII.  Divinities.  (See  Di.cs).— The  Romans,  I 
generally  speaki.ig,  reckoned  two  classes  of  the  | 
gods,  the  dii  majorum  gentium,  or  dii  consent. s,  j 

and  the  dii  miuorum  gentium,  or  dii  selecti. 

The  names  and  typifieations  of  the  following 
appear  on  Roman  coins : — 

Dd  Consentes — These  formed  the  council  of 
the  gods,  and  especially  of  Jupiter,  under  whose  I 
supremacy,  i/itusi  erant  consentientes.  They 
were  also  called  celestial  aud  great  divinities. — j 
l hey  were  twelve  in  number,  comprised  iu  the  ' 
following  distich  of  Ennius : — 

Juno,  Vesta,  Minerva,  Ceres,  Diana,  Venus.  Mars 
Merc u ri us,  Jovis,  Ncptunus,  Vuleanus,  Apollo.  ’ 

Dii  Selecti. — These  were  eight  in  number, 
associated  with  the  Consentes,  aud  classed  with 
the  great  divinities.  They  were  also  railed  Po- 
pulares,  and  their  respective  names  were  Janus 
Saturn  us,  Cybele,  Rhea,  Pluto,  Sol  (or  Apollo), 
Liber  Pater  (or  Bacchus),  Luua. 


Dii  Marini.  Sea  Deities. — These  were  subor- 
dinate to  the  Consentes  and  Selecti.  Some  were 
represented  under  the  figure  of  old  men  with 
white  beards,  in  allusion  to  the  froth  of  the  sea; 
others  as  young  men,  and  as  females,  but  ter- 
minaitng  in  the  form  of  a fish. — See  triton, 
NEREID,  &c. 

Dii  Ntipliales. Plutarch  counts  three  of 

these,  viz.  Juno,  Diana  (or  Lucina),  and  Venus. 
Vows  were  made  to  these  nuptial  goddesses  to 
propitiate  their  favours,  in  rendering  marriages 
happy. — See  dis  conjugalibus. 

Dii  Penates.  Household  gods. — These  divi- 
nities were  brought  to  Rome  from  Lanuvium, 
and  were  also  worshipped  in  Sicily.  They  arc 
seen  with  their  heads  jugated,  on  coins  of  Roman 
families. — Sec  penates. 

Dii  Semones  or  Semi  Dii. — Half  gods  and  half 
men.  These  were  a class  of  divinities  to  whom, 
says  Lipsius,  the  heavens  were  not  given  for  a 
dwelling-place,  because  they  were  not  found 
sufficiently  deserving  of  it,  and  who  were  yet 
too  much  the  objects  of  veneration  to  be  left  on 
| earth  amongst  the  number  of  mortals.  Some 
ot  these  demi-gods,  however,  nrc  found  to  have 
inhabited  the  earth,  and  to  have  differed  from 
mankind  only  in  their  being  immortal. — Sec 
Dioscuri  (Castor  and  Pollux) — also  see  Her- 
cules— AESCULAPIUS,  &C. 

Dii  Superi  and  Dii  Inferi.— The  gods  of  the 
celestial  differed  from  those  of  the  infernal  re- 
I gions,  iu  the  number  of  their  altars,  aud  iu  the 
manner  of  their  sacrifices.  The  Consentes  and 
Selecti  above  named,  belonged  to  the  celestial 
deities  or  Dii  Superi — Pluto  and  Proscrpiue  were 
Inferi,  inhabiting  the  shades,  aud  regarded  as 
implacable ; death  being  as  “a  necessary  end” 
imposed  on  all  men. 

Dii  Cast  odes,  the  preservers— amongst  whom 
the  goddess  Fortuna  was  a particular  object  of 
ancicut  worship. — See  dis  custodibus. 

1 here  was  a kind  of  solemn  flattery  amongst 
the  Roman  people,  whereby  they  assigned  to 
the  emperors  and  their  wives  the  figures  and 
titles  peculiar  to  the  deities  whom  they  wor- 
shipped. Hence  on  coins  nnd  other  monu- 
ments, relating  to  Augustus,  Antoninus  Pius, 

( ommodus,  and  others,  it  is  common  to  sec 

such  inscriptions  as  the  following: apol- 

I.INI  AVGVSTO — IOVI  AVGVSTO — IIERCVLI  RO- 
MANO AVGVSTO— UIBCVLI  COMMODIANO.  — In 
like  manner,  iovivs  diocletianvs.  in  the  case 


DIOCLETIAN. 

of  Diocletian ; and  hf.rcvltvs  maximianvs, 
in  that  of  Maximianus. — On  coins  of  the  im- 
perial scries  we  also  frequently  see  the  words 
ivno,  or  ceres,  or  venvs  avgvsta,  with  the 
dress  and  attributes  of  those  goddesses,  but  with 
the  respective  effigies  of  the  Augusta  themselves. 

DII  NVTR1TORES. — Jupiter  standing,  holds 
in  his  left  hand  the  hasta,  and  with  his  right  ex- 
tended offers  a Victory  to  the  emperor. — For  an 
engraving  of  this  reverse  see  saloninvs. 

Respecting  the  above  legend,  which  appears  on 
silver  and  small  brass  coins  of  Saloninus  Ca'sar, 
son  of  Gallienus  and  of  Salonina,  the  follcwing 
remarks  are  made  by  Eckhel . — “ We  sec  Deos 
Genitales,  in  Crispina,  Auspices,  in  S.  Severus; 
Patrios,  in  Caracalla  and  Geta.  But  until  this 
time  (a.  d.  253  to  259),  of  Saloninus,  we  meet 
with  no  mention  of  dii  nvtritores  (the  fos- 
tering,  rearing,  educating  gods).  Libanus  calls 
them  Seouj  Kovporpotpovs. — Tristan  makes  out 
the  figure  standing  opposite  Jupiter  to  be  in- 
tended for  Gallienus  himself,  and  affirms  that 
tlie  latter,  together  with  Jove,  is  the  god  and 
bringer  up  ( nutritor ) of  his  son.  This  I believe 
to  be  the  meaning,  because  the  epigraph  pro- 
claims more  deities  than  one,  and  therefore 
would  not  be  correct,  unless  it  had  also  em- 
braced within  the  scope  of  its  meaning  the  other 
tigure.  There  is  no  doubt  of  this  being  the  true 
interpretation ; for  from  the  head  of  the  figure 
joining  hands  with  Jupiter,  being  crowned  with 
laurel,  which  Saloninus  never  wore  so  long  as  he 
was  Caesar,  it  clearly  must  be  the  Emperor 
Gallienus.” — D.  N.  Vet.  vii.  p.  421. 

DII  or  DI  PATRI. — This  epigraph,  with  the 
type  of  Hercules  and  Bacchus  standing,  each 
with  their  respective  attributes,  appears  on  a 
rare  gold  coin  of  Caracalla  (engraved  in  Caylus, 
No.  740),  and  on  second  brass  of  Geta. 

The  Dii  Patrii  were  the  gods  of  a man’s  an- 
cestors, family,  and  country.  They  presided 
over  the  pious  affections  of  parents  towards  their 
children,  and  of  children  towards  their  parents. 
“ Dii  Patrii  serrate  donmm,  servate  uepotem,” 
as  Virgil  expresses  it. — Eckhel  (vii.  205-220), 
observes,  that  the  same  deities,  standing  thus 
together,  on  coins  of  S.  Severus,  are  called  DU 
avspices  ; but  in  Caracalla  and  Geta  they  are 
designated  as  dii  patrii  ; whence  it  is  evident, 
that  the  two  princes  professed  this  worship  (of 
Hercules  and  Bacchus)  hereditarily  from  their 
father.” — See  the  same  type  engraved  in  dis 

AVSPICIBVS. 

DIOCLETIANUS  ( Cuius  Valerianus),  at  first 
named  Dtocles,  a native  of  Dioclea,  in  Dalmatia, 
the  town  from  which  he  ‘took  his  surname. — 
Born  a.  d 254,  of  an  obscure  family,  that  cir- 
cumstance did  not,  when  he  had  obtained  the 
empire,  deter  him  from  pretending  to  have  de- 
scended from  Claudius  Gothicus.  He  had  be- 
come an  able  general,  and  commanded  the  le- 
gions in  Maisia,  under  Probus.  Having  risen 
to  the  highest  military  dignities,  he  followed 
Carus,  in  that  emperor’s  Persian  campaign,  a.d. 
283 ; aud  was  made  consul  stiff ectus , the  same 
year.  After  the  death  of  Carus,  he  was  of  the 
number  of  those  who  attached  themselves  to 
2 U 


DIOCLETIAN.  329 

Numerianus.  In  28 1 he  was  declared  Augustus’ 
at  Chalcedon,  by  the  army  of  the  East,  after 
the  assassination  of  Numerianus;  and  he  slew 
with  his  own  hand  Arrius  Aper,  prefect  of  the 
pretorians,  who  had  taken  part  in  the  murder  of 
that  good  young  prince,  which  happened  the 
following  year.  In  possession  of  the  purple,  lie 
immediately  created  Maximianus  Cresar ; and 
towards  the  close  of  the  year,  set  out  for  the 
East.  [Here  commences  the  celebrated  sera  of 
Diocletian,  also  called  the  cera  of  Martyrs ]. — 
The  same  year  he  prepared  to  wage  war  against 
Carinus. — a.  d.  285,  Diocletian  was  consul  for 
the  second  time ; same  year  he  gave  battle  to 
Carinus,  near  Widdin,  in  Bulgaria  (Viminaeium, 
in  Upper  Msesia).  At  the  first  encounter,  Dio- 
cletian had  the  worst  of  it;  but  Carinus  having 
been  killed  by  his  own  people,  Diocletian  gained 
a victory,  thus  become  easy,  and  found  himself 
sole  master  of  the  Roman  world. — In  280  of 
our  sera,  being  at  Nicomedia,  in  Bythinia,  lie 
proclaimed  as  Augustus,  and  associated  with 
himself  in  the  empire,  Maximianus,  afterwards 
surnamed  Herculius,  to  whom  he  assigned  the 
government  of  the  Western  provinces,  reserving 
for  himself  the  administration  of  affairs  in  the 
East.  The  new  Augustus  entered  actively  upon 
his  duties,  by  proceeding  into  Gaul,  and  sup- 
pressing an  insurrection  raised  there  by  /Elianus 
and  Amandus. — Diocletian  served  the  consulate 
for  the  third  time,  287.  Maximianus  defeated 
the  Germans,  who  had  invaded  Gaul,  and  drove 
them  back  beyond  the  Danube  (288). 


After  vain  efforts  made  against  Carausius,  who 
had  proclaimed  himself  Emperor  in  Britain,  the 
two  Augusti  gave  up  that  island  to  the  success- 
ful usurper.  In  290,  Diocletian  served  his 
fourth  consulship.  In  291,  he  regulated  affairs 
in  those  provinces  of  the  empire  which  he  had 
retained  to  himself.  In  addition  to  the  old 
dangers  of  barbarian  incursions,  new  perils  had 
begun  to  manifest  themselves — namely,  in  the 
East,  on  the  part  of  the  Persians  ; in  Africa, 
on  the  part  of  the  Mauritanians,  called  Qu.in- 
quegentani ; in  Egypt,  from  a pretender  to  the 
purple  named  Acliilleus : Diocletian,  therefore, 
being  at  Nicomedia,  March  1,  a.  d.  292,  de- 
clared Csesars  Constantius  Chlorus  and  Galerius 
Maximianus,  and  decided  that  he,  Diocletianus 
Jovius,  should  govern  the  East,  and  that  his 
colleague  Maximianus  Herculius  should  govern 
Italy,  Africa,  and  the  Isles,  whilst  Thrace  and 
Illyria  were  assigned  to  Galerius,  and  the  Gallic 


330  DIOCLETIAN, 

provinces,  together  with  Britain,  Spain,  anil 
Mauritania,  to  Constantins  Chlorus.  In  293, 
Diocletian  was  consul  for  the  fifth  time,  and  the 
following  year  served  his  sixth  consulate. — 
Carausius  assassinated,  a.  d.  296,  and  Allectns 
slain,  the  province  of  Britain  returned  under 
the  yoke  of  the  emperors.  In  297,  Diocletian 
sent  Galerius  against  Narses,  King  of  the  Per- 
sians, who  was  at  first  victorious,  but  the  war 
ended  triumphantly  for  Galerius.  The  seventh 
and  eighth  consulates  of  Diocletian  took  place 
in  298  and  303.  At  the  commencement  of  the 
latter  year,  at  the  instigation  of  Galerius, 
Diocletian  ordered  at  Nicoincdia  a persecution 
against  the  Christians.  Soon  afterwards  he  de- 
parted for  Rome,  where  he  and  Maximiauus  Ilcr- 
culius  jointly  enjoyed  the  honours  of  a triumph 
for  victories  over  the  enemy  gained  since  their 
accession  to  the  empire. — a.  d.  304,  Diocletian, 
consul  for  the  ninth  time,  returned  to  Nicome  ■ 
dia,  disordered  in  body  and  wretched  in  mind. 
In  305,  advised  or  compelled  by  Galerius  Maxi- 
rnian,  Diocletian,  enfeebled  perhaps  by  sickness, 
and  tired  of  power  and  its  increasing  anxieties, 
abdicated  the  government,  at  Nicomedia.  The 
same  day,  following  his  senior  colleague’s  ex- 
ample, -Maximianus  Herculius  laid  down  the 
purple  at  Milan.  Galerius  and  Constantius 
Chlorus  were  declared  Auyusti ; Severus  and 
Maximinus  Daza,  Ciesars.  Diocletian  retired  as 
a private  individual  to  Salona,  in  Dalmatia,  the 
province  in  which  he  was  born.  lie  retained 
the  title  of  Augustus,  and  the  honours  attached 
to  that  title.  But,  solely  to  distinguish  him 
from  the  emperors  in  actual  government,  he  was 
thenceforward  called  on  coins  Bealissimus,  or 
Felicissiwus  senior  Augustus. — Diocletian  died 
a.  d.  313,  during  the  reign  of  Constantine  the 
Great.  He  had  been  married,  but  his  wife’s 
name  remains  unknown ; whoever  she  was,  he 
had  by  her  a daughter,  Galeria  Valeria,  the  wife 
of  Galerius  Maximianus. 

As  emperor,  Diocletian  exhibited  in  his  ad- 
ministrative capacity  the  skill  and  courage  of  a 
great  commander,  combined  with  abilities  of 
the  highest  order  for  civil  government.  Intro- 
ducing as  he  did  a most  comprehensive  and  im- 
portant change  in  the  political  system  of  the 
empire,  his  object  was  evidently  not  so  much  to 
gratify  his  own  love  of  imperial  splendour,  as 
to  “ hedge  round”  his  person,  and  the  persons 
of  his  associates  and  successors  in  power,  with 
a barrier  of  superstitious  as  well  as  of  real  pro- 
tection against  insurrectionary  violence  and  pre- 
torian  treachery.  But  his  plans,  however  well 
concerted,  and  energetically  carried  into  effect, 
being  founded  on  the  necessity  of  pressing  emer- 
gencies, scarcely  remained  in  effective  operation 
during  his  own  life-time,  and  at  his  death  fell 
to  pieces  amidst  the  sanguinary  struggles  of 
rival  Emperors  and  Ciesars.  Still,  to  his  states- 
manlike sagacity  and  military  talent,  the  events 
of  his  reign  pay  this  tribute,  as  expressed  in  the 
language  of  a living  biographer  [Smith's  Dic- 
tionary, i.  1’014]  : — “ He  found  the  empire 
weak  and  shattered,  threatened  with  immediate 
dissolution  from  iutcstinc  discord  and  external 


DIOCLETIAN. 

violence.  He  left  it  strong  and  compact,  at 
peace  within,  and  triumphant  abroad,  stretching 
from  the  Tigris  to  the  Nile,  from  the  shores  of 
Holland  to  the  Euxinc.” — But  these  great  qua- 
lities of  a wise  and  usually  discreet  prince,  were 
obscured  by  great  defects,  and  tarnished  by 
enormous  wickedness.  From  the  rank  of  a pri- 
vate soldier,  arrived  at  the  summit  of  worldly 
dignity,  Diocletian,  either  following  the  bent  of 
his  own  injustice  and  inhumauity,  or  yielding 
with  equal  culpability  to  the  influence  of  his 
colleagues,  after  a twenty  years  reign  of  glory, 
and  only  two  years  bcfoi  e his  abdication,  com- 
mitted himself  to  the  promulgation  of  decrees 
against  the  Christians,  which  loug  continued  to 
arm  the  hands  of  the  blood-thirsty  against  the 
lives  of  the  innocent,  and  have  associated  his 
memory  ignomiuiously  with  all  the  atrocities  of 
a most  cruel  persecution. 

MINTAGES  OF  DIOCLETIANUS. 

On  his  coins  Diocletian  is  stvled  IMP.  CAIVS 
VALER1VS  DIOCLETIAN  VS  P.  F.  AVG.— 
Also  Dow  in  us  Nosier  DIOCLETIAXVS  P.  F. 
SENtor  AVG. — The  silver  of  this  emperor  are 
rare  ; the  gold  very  rare ; the  brass  (second  and 
third)  common,  except  some  medallions,  which 
arc  very  rare. — Diocletiau  was  suruamed  Jovius, 
as  his  colleague  Maximiau  was  called  Jlercu- 
lius;  either  on  account  of  a peculiar  worship, 
in  which  Diocletian  invoked  Jupiter,  and  Maxi- 
miau the  powerful  Hercules,  against  the  poor 
defenceless  Christians ; or  because  it  was  meant 
to  be  expressed  that  Diocletian  by  his  wisdom 
in  council,  and  Maximian  by  his  valour  in  the 
field,  had  preserved  the  state. 

The  following  are  amongst  the  rarest  reverses 
in  each  metal : — 

Gold  Medallions. The  two  Emperors, 

crowned  by  Victory,  stauding  in  a car  drawn  by 
four  elephants.  (Valued  by  Mionnct  at  600  fr.) 
Olv. — Busts  of  Diocletian  aud  Maximian  hold- 
ing the  castle. — Rev. — tovi  r.T  hercvlio. — Dio- 
cletian and  Maximian  standing,  are  in  the  act  of 
performing  sacrifice ; above  them,  on  a small  plat- 
form, stand  Jupiter  and  Hercules. — The  obverse 
presents  the  laurcated  heads  of  the  two  empe- 
rors facing  each  other. — This  beautiful  coin  is 
engraved  in  Mionnct  (ii.  p.  141),  by  whom  it 
i-  valm >1  at  ISO  fr. 

Silver  Medallions. — With  laurcated  head 
and  cuirosscd  bust  of  Diocletian  on  one  side,  and 
the  laurcated  head  of  Maximian  ou  the  other. 

Gold. — comitatvs  avgo. — patis  victrici- 
bvs. — virtvs  illyrici.  (Valued  by  Miounct  nt 
150  fr.  each). — adventvs  avgvstorvm.  (200 
fr.) — concordiae  avgo.  n.  n. — primis  x.  mvl- 
tis  xx. — providentia  avg.  Pretorinn  camp. 

— VOTIS  ROMANOUVU.  — XX.  DIOCLETIANI  AVG. 

J (80  fr.  each). — iovi  fvlgeratoki.  Jupiter 
striking  a Titan.  (£2  2s.  Borrcll — £2  12s.  6d. 
Trattle). — consvl  yi.  p.  p.  procos.  The  Em- 
peror holding  globe  and  parazonium.  (Au  ex- 
tremely tine  spccimeu  brought  £14  14s.  at  the 
Borrell  sale). — romae  aeternae.  (£4  4s.  at 
l the  Campana  sale). 

Silver. — victoria  avg.  Prctorian  camp. 


DIOSCURI. 


DIOSCURI.  331 


(80  fr.) — Obv. — DIOCLETianvs  avg.  Lanrented 

head  of  Diocletian. Rev. — VIRTVS  MIUTVM. 

Four  soldiers  sacrificing  before  the  gate  of  the 
pretorian  cam])  (as  in  the  cut  subjoined)  : — 


Brass  Medallions. — Diocletian  and  Maxi- 
mian.  Busts  facing  each  other. — Rev. — Tlie 
two  Emperors  in  a triumphal  car  drawn  by  four 
elephants;  behind  is  a Victory  crowning  them; 
eight  pretorian  soldiers  accompany  them  carry- 
ing palms. — [This  medallion  is  finely  engraved 
in  Iconographie  des  Empereurs,  par  M.  Leuor- 
mant], — moneta  iovi  et  hbrcvli  avgg.  The 
goddess  Moneta  standing  between  Jupiter  and 
Hercules. — [The  obverse  of  this  medallion  has 
for  its  legend  imp.  c.  c.  val.  diocletianvs 
avg.  aud  for  its  type  the  Emperor  laureated, 
and  richly  cuirassed,  carrying  a barbed  javelin 
on  his  shoulder.  For  an  accurate  engraving  of 
this  fine  bust,  from  a specimen  in  the  highest 
state  of  preservation,  see  the  head  of  our  bio- 
graphical notice.  An  engraving  of  the  reverse 
will  be  found  under  the  head  of  moneta,  &c. — 
Miouuct  values  the  above  at  120  fr. ; another 
with  the  same  reverse,  but  with  the  heads  of 
both  emperors  on  the  obverse,  he  values  at  200 
fr.] — iovi  conservatori  avg.  Jupiter  in  a 
six  columned  temple. — hercvlio  maximiano 

avg.  rom.  (150  fr.  each). providentia 

deor(vm)  qvies  avg. — vota  rvBLiCA.  Scrapis. 
(120  fr.  each). 

Second  Brass. — conservatores  avgg. — 
Jupiter  and  Hercules;  with  the  heads,  face  to 
face,  of  Diocletian  and  Maximian  on  the  ob- 
verse. (Mionnet,  50  fr.) 

DIOSCURI. — A name  which  signifies  sons 
of  Jupiter,  aud  which  was  given  in  common  to 
Castor  and  Pollux,  who  were  also  sometimes 
called  Tyndarides,  because  their  mother,  Leda, 
was  the  wife  of  Tyndarus,  King  of  Sparta. — 
There  were  festivals  iu  their  honour,  celebrated 
by  the  people  of  Corcvra  (Corfu),  and  chiefly  by 
the  Lacedeinouians. — In  Rome,  their  festival  was 
celebrated  on  the  28th  of  January  (Ovid,  Fasti, 
i.  705),  on  which  day  Tiberius  consecrated  to 
them  a temple,  near  the  locus  Juturna. — Ac- 
cording to  Morel  (Tam.  Rom.)  the  worship  of 
the  Dioscuri,  as  divinities,  had  its  origin  at 
Rome,  from  the  victory  which  the  consul  Postu- 
mius  gained,  near  the  Lake  Rcgillus,  over  the 
Latins  and  the  sous  of  Turquinius  Superbus  (n.c. 
493  or  496.) 

It  was  said  that,  after  that  engagement,  the 
Dioscuri  appeared  iu  the  forum  of  Rome,  weav- 
ing conical  bounets,  over  each  of  which  was  a 
star.  They  stood  resting  upon  their  lances,  be- 
side their  horses,  which  were  drinking  at  a 
fouutain.  These  twin  heroes  disappeared  as  soon 
as  they  had  announced  the  uews  of  the  battle, 
2 U 2 


at  a moment  when,  on  account  of  the  distance 
of  that  city  from  the  scene  of  slaughter,  no  ouc 
could  as  yet  have  become  acquainted  with  the 
event.  It  is  also  related  that,  during  the  action, 
two  young  men,  mounted  on  two  white  horses, 
were  seen  fighting  valiantly  for  the  Romans. — 
This  legend  is  alluded  to  in  the  type  of  a con- 
sular denarius. — See  postumia  gens. 

It  also  forms  the  subject  of  one  of  the  most 
spirit-stirring  poems  in  Mr.  Macaulay’s  “Lays 
of  Ancient  Rome,”  under  the  title  of  “ the  Bat- 
tle of  the  Lake  Regillus,  as  sung  at  the  Feast 
of  Castor  aud  Pollux,  on  the  ides  of  Quintilis, 
in  the  year  of  the  city  ccccli.”  (b.  c.  303). 
— This  characteristic  tradition  of  supernatural 
powers  crowning  with  victory  the  arms  of  the 
yet  young  republic,  is,  by  the  author’s  genius 
and  his  conversance  with  classic  lore,  filled  to 
overflowing  with  warlike  incident,  and  with  pa- 
triotic animation.  After  proclaiming  to  a great 
throng  of  people, 

This  day  by  lake  Regillus, 

Under  the  Porcian  height, 

All  in  the  lands  of  Tusculum, 

Was  fought  a glorious  fight, 

the  two  strange  horsemen,  recognised  by  their 
pointed  caps,  and  the  stars  above  them,  as  the 
“ Great  Twin  Brethren,  to  whom  the  Dorians 
pray,” 

When  they  drew  nigh  to  Vesta, 

They  vaulted  down  amain, 

And  wash’d  their  horses  in  the  well 
That  springs  by  Vesta’s  fane. 

And  straight  again  they  mounted, 

And  rode  to  Vesta’s  door, 

Then  like  a blast,  away  they  past, 

And  no  man  saw  them  more.  (p.  137.) 


On  a denarius  of  the  Sulpicia  gens,  struck  in 
memovy  of  l.  servivs  rvfvs  (son  of  Servius 
Sulpicius  Rufus,  a friend  of  Cicero’s),  the  Dios- 
curi are  represented  as  two  naked  men,  galeated, 
standing  together,  front  faced,  armed  with  spears, 
which  they  hold  transversely,  as  iu  the  above 
engraving.  On  another  denarius,  they  stand 
holding  their  spears,  with  a horse  on  each  side 
of  them,  and  a star  over  each  of  their  heads. — 
See  memmia  gens. 

The  Dioscuri  most  frequently  appear,  on 
family  coins,  as  horsemen  gallopping,  with 
couched  lances,  and  stars  above  their  pilei. — 
See  Atilia  (p.  93);  Horatia  (p.  316);  Cordia, 
conjoined  heads  of  twin  brothers  (p.  280) ; the 
same  in  Fouteia ; Servilia  (on  horseback,  pro- 
ceeding in  opposite  directions),  aud  many  other 
consular  denarii. 

In  the  imperial  series,  this  type  (which  was 
meant  to  denote  brotherly  concord),  is  of  rare 
occurrence.  On  a brass  medallion  of  M.  Aure- 
lius, and  a second  brass  of  Geta,  oue  of  the 


332  DIS  ADSPICIBUS. 

Dioscuri,  holding  a spear,  stauds  beside  his 
horse. — See  castor  (p.  190). 

On  a brass  medallion  of  Maxeutius  (valued 
by  Mionnet  at  100  fr.)  they  stand  each  with  the 
pileus  on  his  head,  and  the  pallium  hanging  be- 
hind his  back,  holding  his  spear  with  one  hand 
and  his  horse’s  bridle  with  the  other.  There  is 
a second  brass  of  the  same  reign  and  type,  the 
legend  being  on  both  aeterxitas  avg.  n. 

Dioscurorum  stellte. — The  stars  placed  over 
the  caps  of  Leda’s  sons,  have,  on  ancient  coins, 
a symbolical  reference  to  maritime  cities — 
(Wilde,  num.  set.  50),  and  also  to  the  constel- 
lation of  Castor  and  Pollux ; those  twin  stars 
(Gemini)  serving  as  a guide  to  mariners. — 
(Ilorat.  Ep.  ii.  1-5). — See  Pilei:  also  Stella. 

DIRIB1TOR  (so  called  a diribendo,  to  dis- 
tribute), an  officer  who,  at  the  Roman  elections, 
marshalled  the  tribes  into  their  several  classes, 
and  distributed  the  tablets  (tabelUe)  among  the 
people  when  they  voted.  Such  a functionary  of 
the  republic  is  represented  on  a family  denarius 
inscribed  P.  nerva,  the  type  of  which  also  ex- 
hibits the  inclosure  of  the  Comitia. — See  silia 
gens;  also  cloacin  (p.  220). 

DIS  AYSPICI  B«i  TR ibunicia  Votestale  II. 
CO«S«f  II.  P ater  P atria. — Two  male  figures 
stand  together  undraped.  The  one  is  that  of 
Hercules,  with  the  spoils  of  the  Neimean  lion 
hanging  on  his  left  arm,  and  his  right  hand 
resting  on  the  club.  The  other  is  that  of  Bac- 
chus, who  holds  the  cantharus  in  his  right  hand, 
and  rests  his  left  on  the  thyrsus : a panther  sits 
at  his  feet. — On  gold,  silver,  and  brass  of  S. 
Severus,  struck  about  a.  d.  194. 


The  title  of  DU  Auspices  (the  gods-protcc- 
tors),  was  given  to  the  deities  in  general,  and 
to  each  of  them  in  particular,  thus  indicating 
acknowledgment  of  their  special  protection  ; and 
sacrifices  were  offered  to  them  accordingly. — 
This  legcud  and  type  “ serve  (says  Eckhcl,  vii. 
171)  completely  to  prove  what  Dion  states,  that 
Severus  caused  a grand  temple  to  be  built  in 
honour  of  Bacchus  and  Hercules,  and  they  also 
shew  the  peculiar  name  by  which  those  deities 
were  called  by  that  emperor and  whose  respec- 
tive images  frequently  occur  on  his  coins. 

The  author  of  Lefons  Numismatiques  Ro - 
waines,  describes  as  in  his  collection  a very  rare 
brass  medallion,  having  on  the  obverse  L.  sep- 
timivs  severvs  pertinax  a vo.  imp.  iii.  with 
the  laurelled  bust  of  Severus.  The  emperor,  he 
remarks,  in  carrying  the  war  into  the  East 
against  Pcsceunius  Niger,  affected  to  choose  for 


DIS  CONJl'GALIBUS. 
his  patrons,  Bacchus  and  Hercules,  whom  an- 
cient traditions  had  designated  as  the  first  cou- 
querors  of  that  region.  The  same  divinities,  on 
coins  of  his  sons  Caracallaand  Gcta,  arc  called 
dii  patrii. — (Sec  p.  329). 

DIS  CONIVGALIBVS. — A round  altar,  or- 
namented with  a festoon,  aud  lighted. — On  gold 
of  Crispins. 

Mionnet  appears  to  have  been  the  first  to 
describe  this  remarkable  aud  extremely  rare 
aureus ; and  he  has  given  an  engraving  of  it  in 
his  Rarete  des  Medailles  Romanies  (-r.  i.  p. 
267).  The  legend  of  reverse  occurs  only  in 
this  instance  throughout  the  imperial  scries. — 
Tacitus  alludes  to  deities  presiding  over  the  state 
of  marriage  (hos  conjugates  deos  arbitrantur). 
And  it  may  be  presumed  that  they  were  iden- 
tified with  the  Dii  Nuptiales  (see  p.  328),  to 
whom  vows  were  made  to  propitiate  their  favour 
towards  the  matrimonial  relations  of  their  vota- 
ries. That  the  beautiful  Crispins,  “ more  sin- 
ned against  than  sinning,”  as  the  wife  of  Coin- 
modus,  was,  before  that  profligate  tyrant  divorced 
her,  a worshipper  of  one  at  least  of  the  nup- 
tial tutelarics,  is  shewn  by  her  adoption  of 
vex  vs,  and  vex  vs  felix,  on  the  reverses  of 
her  coins.  It  is  no  less  evident,  that  she  had 
dedicated  an  altar  to  the  dii  conjugates,  as  well 
as,  in  broader  terms,  to  the  dii  genilales,  in  the 
hope  that  her  union  in  wedlock  to  the  emperor 

might  be  blessed  with  fecundity. Mionnet 

values  this  coin  at  300  fr. 

DIS  CVSTODIBVS. A woman  standing, 

with  the  helm  of  a ship  in  her  right  hand,  and 
a cornucopia;  in  her  left. — On  silver  and  first 
brass  of  Pertinax. — The  latter  engraved  from 
in  Dr.  King’s  plates,  and  in  Spanheuu’s  Ciesars 
of  Julian,  p.  91. 

This  reverse  presents  the  figure  of  Fortuna  ; 
and  as  there  were  many  different  forms  of  wor- 
ship paid  by  the  Romans  to  Fortune,  and  under 
various  appellations  of  that  deity,  which  are 
copiously  detailed  by  Plutarch  (de  Fort.  Rom.) 
so  on  this  coin  they  are  all  indicated  under  the 
title  of  dii  custodes  (the  guardiuu  gods),  to 
whom,  on  his  accession  to  the  empire,  Pertinax 
here  commends  his  safety.  (D.  N.  V.  voL  vii. 
141).  IVith  the  aucicuts,  Fortune  had  the  chief 
place  amongst  those  genii,  who  watched  over 
and  preserved  mankind.  The  Fortuna  aurea,  or 
golden  image  of  Fortune,  was  worshipped  in  the 
bed-chamber  of  the  emperor ; and,  together  with 
the  empire  itself,  was  handed  down  to  his  suc- 
cessor. 

DIS  GENITALIBUS. — A square  altar,  on 
which  appears  a flame. — Silver  of  Crispiua. 
Engraved  in  Yaillant,  Num.  Priest,  ii.  192. 

From  this  imperial  denarius  it  would  seem, 
that  the  empress  hud  dedicated  an  altar  to  the 
dii  genilales,  cither  for  having  had  children,  or 
that  she  might  obtain  fertility  from  them,  or 
that  she  might  commend  the  child,  with  which 
she  was  preguant,  to  their  care  and  protection. 
“ Genitalis  (says  Eckhel,  vii.  139),  or  in  the 
neuter  gender,  genitale,  is  that  which  possesses, 
or  imparts,  the  faculty  of  generating.” 

DIS  GEMTOKI BYS. — Cybtlc  standing  be- 


DISCIPLINA. 

fore  a tripod ; on  the  other  side  of  which  is  a 
small  figure  seated  on  a globe. — On  a rare  first 
brass  of  Pertiuax. 

This  good  old  man  who,  at  the  commencc- 
ment  of  his  brief  reign,  a.  D.  193,  had  com- 
mended himself  to  his  guardian  deities  (dis  cvs- 
todibvs),  now  dedicates  a coin,  dis  genitoki- 
nvs,  that  is,  to  the  generative  or  creative  divi- 
nities, from  whom  he  selects  one  for  his  type, 
viz.  C’vbele,  the  most  ancient  of  them,  com- 
monly called  mater  dftvm,  the  mother  of  the 

gods. “The  youth  (Eckhcl  slyly  observes), 

standing  by  her  side,  will  no  doubt  be  of  the 
number  of  those,  in  relation  to  whom  she  had 
acquired  the  title  of  Genetrix.”  (vii.  141.) 

DISCIPLINA  AYG.  S.  C.  The  discipline 
of  the  Emperor. — On  a first  brass  (and  also  ou 
gold)  of  Hadrian,  whom  the  type  represents 
marching,  bare-headed,  with  his  military  cloak 
drawn  round  him,  and  a baton,  or  a volumen, 
held  in  his  left  hand,  followed  by  the  pretorian 
prefect,  and  by  three  soldiers,  bearing  a legionary 
eagle  and  two  military  ensigns. — On  other  coins 
(see  Yaillaut)  the  legend  is  discipvlina  avg. 


Although  Hadriau  carried  on  no  wars  in  per- 
son, and  was  desirous  of  peace  rather  than  of 
war,  yet  he  exercised  his  troops  as  though  hos- 
tilities were  immediately  impeuding.  For  the 
proper  explanation  of  this  reverse,  reference 
should  be  had  to  Spartiauus  (Hadrian,  eh.  10), 
who  says — “ This  prince  trained  the  soldier  as 
regularly  as[if  on  actual  service,  with  lessons  of 

patience,  accustoming  him  to  the  food  of 

the  camp,  in  the  open  air,  that  is  to  say,  cheese, 
bacon,  and  weak  sour  wine,  in  imitation  of  the 
practice  of  yEmilianus,  Metcllus,  and  his  own 
model,  Trajan ; rewarding  many  with  money, 
and  some  with  honours,  to  enable  them  to  bear 
the  more  willingly  his  rigorous  commands ; in- 
deed, he  restored  the  discipline,  which  through 
carelessness  of  preceding  emperors  had  become 

relaxed  from  the  time  of  Cicsar  Octavius 

Encouraging,  by  the  example  of  his  own  ener- 
gies, the  conduct  of  others,  he  used  to  march 
twenty  miles  [a  day]  on  foot,  in  full  armour ; 
banished  from  the  camp  all  such  luxuries  as  the 
triclinia , the  porticoes,  the  cloisters,  and  the 
arbours ; frequently  wore  the  commonest  attire, 
a sword-belt  unadorned  with  gold ; removed 
everything  of  an  enervating  tendency,  and  re- 
formed the  arms  and  baggage  of  the  soldiers, 
&c.” — Dion  also  speaks  in  the  same  strain  (Lxix.  i 
k 9),  adding,  that  all  the  soldiers  were  so  tho- 
roughly drilled  aud  instructed  by  Hadrian,  that 


DIVA.  333 

the  regulations  then  introduced  remained  to  his 
own  day,  as  au  integral  part  of  Roman  military 
discipline. — Victor,  too,  says  (in  Epit.) — “ lie 
reduced  the  offices  of  state,  of  the  household, 
and  also  of  the  army,  to  the  form  in  which  they 
remain  to  the  present  day,  with  the  exception 
of  a few  alterations  made  by  Constantine.” — 
See  Eckliel,  vi.  503. 

Among  the  inscriptions  found  on  the  Hue  of 
Hadrian’s  wall,  in  Britain,  is  one  reading  dis- 
CIPVLINAE  avg.  (sic.),  which  Mr.  Roach  Smith, 
comparing  with  coins,  considers  to  refer  to  Ha- 
drian.— Collect.  Antiq.  vol.  ii.  p.  175. 

DIVA. — With  this  title  a deceased  Augusta, 
or  Empress,  was  distinguished  ou  Roman  coins, 
after  the  ceremony  of  consecration.  On  medals 
struck  iu  memory  of  Empresses,  or  ladies  of 
the  imperial  family,  received  into  the  rank  of 
female  deities  (inter  divas  retata),  the  back 
part  of  the  head  is  found  covered  with  a drapery, 
as  tlio’  in  token  of  divinity. — See  Consecralio. 

DIVA  AUGUSTA. — A woman  dressed  in  the 
stola  or  long  robe,  holding  a patera  aud  hasta. 
The  above  appears  on  gold,  silver,  and  brass  of 
Galba,  who  was  greatly  indebted  to  Livia,  the 
wife  of  Augustus  ; on  which  account  he  held  her 
memory  in  gratitude,  and  caused  her  image  to 
be  struck  on  his  coius.  The  gold  is  engraved 
in  Caylus,  No.  115. 

DIVA  FAUSTINA  and  DIVA  AUGUSTA 
FA  l STINA. — After  the  death  of  Faustina  sen. 
in  the  third  year  of  her  husband’s  reign,  Anto- 
ninus Pins  caused  several  coins,  in  each  metal, 
to  be  struck,  on  which,  by  the  title  diva,  which 
precedes  her  name,  the  ceremony  of  her  apo- 
theosis is  more  or  less  directly  recalled  to  mind. 
In  the  same  spirit  of  flattery  this  princess  was 
successively  compared  to  almost  all  the  god- 
desses, and  typified  on  coins  accordingly. — See 

FAUSTINA  ANTONINI. 

DIVA  FAUSTINA  PIA. — Head  of  Faustina 
junior,  who  after  her  death,  was,  in  spite  of 
her  great  aud  notorious  immoralities,  mourned 
for,  and  placed  in  the  rank  of  divinities,  by 
Marcus  Aurelius,  her  husband,  whilst  coins 
were  struck  in  gold,  silver,  and  bronze,  which 
offer  various  new  types  of  consecration. — See 

SIDERIBUS  RECEPTA,  &C. 

DIVAE  MATIDIAE  SOCRUI.  S.  C .—To 
the  divine  Matidia,  mother  in  law  [of  the  Em- 
peror Hadrian]. — A temple  in  which  is  a sedeut 
female  figure,  clothed  in  the  stola,  aud  having 
on  each  side  of  it  a female  figure,  standing  on  a 
pedestal.  From  each  flank  of  the  temple  an 
elegant  portico  of  two  tiers  extends  itself  to  the 
front. — On  the  obverse,  imp.  Caesar  traian. 

HADRIANVS  AVG.  P.  M.  TR.  P.  COS.  III.  A lau- 
reated  head  of  Hadrian. — Engraved,  as  a brass 
medallion,  iu  Cabinet  of  Vienna,  pi.  21,  p.  5. 

Eekhel  makes  the  following  observations  re- 
lative to  this  remarkable  coin,  on  which  both 
Baldini  (in  his  Roman  edition  of  Yaillant’s 
Impp.  iii.  118),  and  Froelich  (in  the  work  above 
referred  to),  have  pronounced  a verdict  of 
I genuine  •. — 

“ Conspicuous  from  its  large  size ; for  not 
only  does  it  exceed  the  dimensions  of  first  brass 


334  DIVI  CAESARIS. 

coins,  but  it  is  also  thicker  than  usual;  this 
medal  has  been  transferred  from  the  museum  of 
the  Carthusians  at  Rome  to  Vienna.  Its  ob- 
verse appears  to  be  free  from  all  suspicion  of 
fraud;  but  the  workmanship  of  the  reverse  is 
not  equally  pure.  The  reader  will  pardon  me, 
if  I am  severe  in  my  judgment  of  coins,  on 
whose  acknowledged  genuineness  the  truth  of 
history  is  made  to  depend.  If  this  coin  be  really 
genuine,  we  may  be  certain,  that  Matidia  died 
and  was  consecrated  during  the  reign  of  Hadrian, 
a fact  which  is  rendered  doubtful  by  other  cir- 
cumstances. I cannot  imagine  what  blindness 
can  have  induced  Casaubon  to  represent  Mar- 
ciana,  instead  of  Matidia,  as  the  mother-in-law 
of  Hadrian.”  vi.  472. 

DIVI  CAES.  MATER.  S.  C.— A veiled 
female,  stands  with  hasta  pura  in  left  hand,  and 
patera  in  right  baud,  sacrificing  at  a lighted 
altar. — Obv. — domitia  avg.  caes.  dtvi.  f.  do- 
ji itian  avg.  Head  of  Domitian. — On  second 
brass  of  Domitia,  engraved  in  llavercamp’s 
Cabinet  de  Christine,  tab.  liv. 

DIVI  CAESAR/.?  MATRI.  S.  C.— A female 
seated,  her  right  hand  extended  towards  a child, 
standing  at  her  knees,  her  left  hand  holding  the 
hasta.  On  first  brass  of  Domitia. — The  obverse 
is  inscribed  domitiae  avg.  imp.  caes.  divi  f. 
domitian  avg.  and  exhibits  a striking  portrait 
of  the  empress,  with  an  elaborately  dressed  che- 
vehire.  An  engraving  of  it  is  given  in  Aker- 
man,  vol.  i.  forming  the  vignette  to  title-page. 

On  both  the  above  coins  we  find  the  legends 
styling  the  wife  of  Domitian  the  mother  of  the  I 
divine  Gesar.  The  child  typified  on  the"  large  ! 
brass  specimen,  standing  near  the  sedent  figure, 
is  clothed  in  the  gown  called  jtrtetexla,  and  is  I 
supposed  to  represent  that  anonymous  son  whom  : 
the  empress  bore  to  Domitian  in  his  second  con-  j 
sulate,  but  who  died  in  his  infancy,  and  was 
afterwards  apotheosised.  This  coin  was  minted  i 
to  commemorate  his  birth ; a circumstance  1 
which  accounts  for  Domitia’s  beiug  styled  divi  j 
CAESARIS  MATER. — Eckhel,  in  placing  it  with 
others  struck  under  Domitian,  says — This  coin 
is  “ rarissimus,  si  modo  cerla:  fidei.”  Mionnet 
and  Akcrman  unqualifiedly  recognise  its  authen- 
ticity. 

Capt.  Smyth,  R.  N.  in  describing  a well-con- 
ditioned specimen  of  this  rare  coin,  in  his  own 
cabinet  of  large  brass,  says — “ I cannot  entirely  j 
omit  my  doubts  as  to  its  being  really  genuine. 
As  Eckhel  says,  it  has  not  the  look  of  antiquity,  I 
a vexatious  pativinity  interferes  with  its  appa- 
rent purity  of  legend,  edge,  and  other  usual  tests, 
and  recals  to  mind  the  fraudulent  brothers,  who  I 
headed  the  fa/sarii  of  the  sixteenth  century. — j 
It  is  unquestionably  a fine  and  correct  likeness  [ 
of  the  empress,  but  from  the  objection  advanced, 
it  was  knocked  down  for  only  five  guineas  at 
Mr.  Henderson’s  sale,  in  1830.  It  is  singular 
(adds  our  distinguished  antiquary),  that  the 
head-dress  of  this  specimen  and  that  of  Vail- 
lant’s  arc  identical,  while  those  in  the  cabinet 
of  Queen  Christina  and  the  British  Museum 
have  the  hair  braided  round  the  head;  the 
legends  and  reverses  being  alike  in  all  the  four. 


DIVI  M.  PII. 

The  legitimacy  of  the  last  was  long  in  question, 
although  Enncry  had  bought  a whole  collection 
to  secure  it ; but  my  friend  Mr.  Hawkins,  in 
whose  charge  it  is,  informed  me  that  the  erudite 
Steinbiichel  of  1 ienna,  after  repeated  examina- 
tions, pronounced  it  to  be  a genuine  medal.” — 
Descr.  Cal.  p.  74. 

For  an  engraving  of  that  interesting  gold  coin 
which  represents  the  empress  on  one  side,  and 
on  the  other  her  deified.son,  sitting  naked  on  a 
globe,  in  the  midst  of  seven  stars,  see  domitia. 

DIVI  F.  Divi  Filins. — Son  of  the  divine 
[Julius.] — Augustus  was  thus  named,  having 
been  adopted  by  Ciesar  as  his  son,  and  consti- 
tuted his  heir  bv  will. 

DIVI  M.  PII.  F.  P.  M.  TR.  P.  111.  COS.  II. 
P.  P.  S.  C. — The  emperor,  with  laurelled  head, 
and  in  th o.  paludamentum,  stauding  with  a small 
\ ictory  in  his  right  hand,  and  a spear  in  the 
left,  is  crowned  by  a military  figure,  holding  a 
club  in  the  left  hand. — On  first  aud  second  brass 
of  Sept.  Severus. 


The  occasion,  which  these  coins  serve  to  com- 
memorate, has  already  been  briefly  noticed  under 
the  head  of  Adoption  self  assumed  (p.  8).  The 
legend  of  reverse  above  quoted  confirms  nearly 
all  the  augustal  historians  in  recording  not  only 
that  Severus,  at  the  commencement  of  his  reign, 
promised  to  emulate  in  his  future  government 
the  example  of  Marcus  Aurelius ; but  also  that 
the  same  bold  ambitious  man  otfered  himself  to 
adoption  by  that  renowned  emperor,  who  had 
hecn  dead  fifteen  years  1 

On  (his  extraordinary  circumstance,  which 
occurred  in  the  year  of  Rome  948  (a.  I).  195), 
Dion,  his  contemporary,  remarks — “ But  he  in- 
spired us  (the  Senators)  with  the  greatest  terror, 
when  he  called  himself  the  son  of  Marcus 
[DIVI  Jtlarci  PII  F/Yius] , and  the  brother  of 
Coinmodus.”  (lxxv.  j 7).  And  Spartian  states, 
that  he  was  desirous  of  being  numbered  among 
the  family  of  Marcus,  (ch.  10).  Victor  tells  us 
that  Commodus  was  reckoned  among  the  gods 
by  Severus,  and  called  his  brother.  And  thus, 
by  this  absurd  species  of  adoption,  he  traced 
his  descent  through  an  uninterrupted  scries  to 
Ncrva,  as  is  testified  by  numerous  marbles,  more 
explicit  than  coins. 

This  conduct  of  Severus,  observes  Eckhel 
(vii.  173-174),  appeared  to  the  ancients  them- 
selves most  ludicrous,  as  it  was  natural  it 
should  ; indeed,  Dion  informs  ns  of  a witty  ex- 
pression of  a certain  Aspax  (or  Aspaces),  a sar- 
castic individual,  whose  racy  speeches  were  theu 
in  every  one’s  mouth,  and  who,  on  hearing  that 
Severus  had  enrolled  himself  of  the  family  of 


335 


DIVI  NE11VA. 

Marcus,  thus  addressed  him — “ I congratulate 
you,  O Ca;sar,  on  having  found  a lather  as 
though  he  had  till  then  been  without  a father, 
so  obscure  and  unknown  was  his  parentage, 
(lxxvi.  9).  This  proceeding,  however,  in  the 
case  of  Sevcrus,  was  no  evidence  of  folly  or 
madness,  from  which  he  was  perfectly  free,  but 
rather  of  the  qualities  for  which  he  was  remark- 
able : acuteness  and  tact.  For,  by  this  false 
assumption  of  an  illustrious  genealogy,  he  ren- 
dered himself  particularly  acceptable  to  the  sol- 
diers and  to  the  uneducated  classes  of  the  people ; 
and  it  was  from  this  circumstance  that  he  ac- 
quired the  power  of  conferring  upon  his  son 
Bassianus  (Caracalla)  the  name  of  Antoninus, 
and  by  its  prestige  making  him  an  object  of 
universal  veneration.  It  may  be  said  that  Seve- 
rus  was,  in  this  act,  guilty  of  falsehood.  He 
was  so ; but  with  him  it  was  unusual  to  refrain 
from  any  thing  which  furthered  his  interests. — 
Similar  motives  were  professed  by  Alexander  the 
Great,  when  desirous  of  being  called  the  sou  of 
Ammon: — “Would  that  (said  he),  the  Indians 
also  could  believe  me  to  be  a god ! For  the 
success  of  war  depends  on  reputation  ; and  fre- 
quently has  a false  belief  .answered  all  the  pur- 
pose of  the  real  truth.”  (Curt.  viii.  ch.  8). — 
And  in  the  same  terms  does  be  excuse  himself 
iu  Luciau  (Dial.  mort.  14).  Nero  furnishes  a 
still  older  example  of  the  ambition  of  a noble 
genealogy,  iu  preferring  to  be  considered  as  a 
scion  of  the  Julian  family,  though  belonging 
by  adoption  to  the  Claudian. 

[Eckhel  describes  this  historical  coin  from  a 
specimen  of  it  in  the  imperial  cabinet  at  Vienna. 
Neither  Mionuet,  nor  Akerman,  includes  it  in 
his  respective  catalogue. — The  preceding  cut  is 
engraved  after  a cast  from  a specimen  for- 
merly belonging  to  an  Italian  collection], 

DIVI  NERVA  ET  TRAIANVS  PATER. 
A laureated  head  of  Nerva,  and  a bare  head  of 
Trajanus  Pater,  facing  each  other. 

This  reverse  appears  on  a rare  gold  coin  of 
Trajan  ; who,  in  order  to  manifest  his  piety 
towards  his  relations,  placed  by  consecration  his 
own  father,  and  his  parent  by  adoption,  in  the 
rank  of  deities ; “ and  to  preserve  the  memory 
of  this  double  apotheosis  (adds  Vaillant),  he 
consigned  the  event  to  the  perpetuation,  which 
medals,  more  durable  than  written  history,  were 
calculated  to  ensure  it.”  Engraved  in  Pem- 
broke, x.  1C,  tig.  12;  also  iu  Caylus,  No.  276. 

— See  TRAIANVS  PATER. 

DIVI  NERVA  P.  ET  PLOTINA  IMPmi- 
toris  TRAIANi.  Heads  of  the  Emperor  Nerva, 
and  Plotina,  the  wife  of  Trajan,  face  to  face. 

This  gold  coin  was  struck  iu  the  time  of 
Hadrian,  although  its  obverse  bears  the  head  of 
Trajan  ; for  Plotina  survived  her  husband’s  reign, 
and  could  not,  therefore,  until  after  his  and  her 
own  decease,  have  the  appellation  of  diva  pre- 
fixed to  her  name. — See  Morcll.  Specimen  rei 
Kumar.  lib.  5,  p.  58. — Vaillant,  in  noticing  the 
above  singularly  elegant  and  rare  coin  (Dr.  ii. 
p.  119),  says — “This  aureus,  struck  by  Ha- 
drian, is  auothcr  exemplification  of  a grateful 
mind  cherished  towards  parents  ; for  he  here 


D1UM. — DIVO. 
continues  the  mint  of  Trajan,  and  recommends 
the  consecration  of  Nerva  and  of  Plotina.” — 
Engraved  in  Caylus ; gold  of  the  French  cabi- 
net, No.  277. 

DIVI  T 1 T I F.  or  at  full  leugth  FI  LI  A 
(daughter  of  the  divine  Titus). — This  appears  on 
gold  and  silver  of  ivlia  avgvsta,  the  handsome 
but  unworthy  daughter  of  the  conqueror  of 
Judsea.  They  were  struck  after  her  father’s 
death,  and  when  she  was  incestuously  connected 
with  Domitian. — See  ivlia  titi. 

DIMS  PARENTIBVS.  The  heads  face  to 
face  of  Trajan  and  Plotina,  each  surmounted  by 
a star. — On  gold  of  Hadrian. — Engraved  iu 
Akerman,  i.  plate  vi.  No.  5. 

Hadrian  obtained  the  ceremony  of  deification 
not  only  for  Trajan  but  also  for  Plotina.  Grate- 
ful towards  both  the  father  and  the  mother  by 
whom  he  had  been  adopted,  and  resolved  to 
hand  down  the  record  of  the  event  to  posterity, 
he  caused  their  effigies,  with  the  astral  tokens 
of  consecration,  to  be  represented  on  one  of  his 
coins,  accompanied  by  the  inscription  Divis 
Durentibus.  (To  his  parent  deities). — Vaillant, 
Dr.  ii.  p.  242. 

The  above  coin  is  further  elucidated  by  a 
marble,  which  Donati  has  cited  on  the  authority 
of  Maffei,  viz.  divo  nervae  traiano  et  di- 

VAE  PLOTINAE,  &C.  IMP.  UADRIANVS,  &C.  PA- 
RENTIBVS svis. — (Eckhel). 

DIUM  (Macedoniic)  colonia,  now  Standia,  in 
European  Turkey. — A maritime  city  of  Mace- 
donia, situate  between  the  mouths  of  the  rivers 
Ilaliacmon  (the  Mauro)  and  Bapbyrus  (the  Mau- 
ronero),  on  the  shores  of  the  Thermajus  Sinus 
(Gulf  of  Salonica),  iu  the  Pierian  region,  ac- 
cording to  Ptolemy,  beyond  it,  according  to 
Strabo.  It  was  made  a colony  by  Julius  Cicsar, 
and  replenished  afterwards  by  settlers  under 
Augustus ; consequently  the  titles  assumed  on 
its  coins  arc  COL ouia  WLia  iWiCutsta  D1EN- 
SIS,  or  COL.  DIENSIS,  or  COL.  CLA udia 
DIVM. — The  mintages  of  this  city  are  imperial 
Latin,  in  small  and  middle  brass;  and  were 
struck  under  the  following  emperors : — 

Tiberius,  Nero  (col.  cla.  divm),  Domitianus, 
Trajanus,  Hadrianus,  Antoninus  Pius,  Faustina 
junior,  Scptimius  Scverus,  Caracalla,  Geta,  Ma- 
criuus,  Elagabalus,  Soemias  Elagabali  Mater, 
Scverus  Alexander,  Maximinus,  Maximus,  Gor- 
dianus  Pius,  Philippus  senior,  Philippus  junior, 
.Emilianus,  Gallienus,  Salonina. — See  Mionuet, 
Supp/t.  t.  iii.  p.  61. 

The  types  indicative  of  the  deities  worshipped 
by  the  colonists  of  Dium,  are — 

Jupiter,  Minerva,  Neptune,  yEsculapius,  and 
Cupid,  in  honour  of  which  last-named  god,  the 
Dicnsians  erected  a temple,  celebrated  festivals, 
and,  according  to  both  Pausanias  and  Plutarch, 
instituted  splendid  games,  called  Thespienses 
Erotidia,  that  is  to  say,  sacred  to  Love,  which 
took  place  every  five  years. — On  a very  rare 
second  brass,  Decreto  Decurionum  of  Colonia 
Julia  Diensis,  dedicated  to  Alexander  Severus, 
a winged  Cupid  stands  within  a temple  of  two 
columns. — See  Vaillant  (in  Col.)  ii.  p.  120. 

DIVO. — On  most  of  those  Roman  coins  which 


336  DIVO  AUGUSTO. 

were  struck  to  attest  the  ceremony  of  placing 
an  emperor,  or  some  member  of  his  family, 
after  death,  amongst  the  gods,  it  was  usual  to 
omit  those  multiplied  ami  various  names  and 
titles  which  such  personages,  when  living,  were 
accustomed  to  have  inscribed  on  their  coins. — 
Hence  we  read  divo  avgvsto — divo  antonino 
pio — divo  alexandro — on  the  respective  con- 
secration medals  of  Augustus,  Antoninus  Pius, 
Alexander  Scverus,  &c.  minted  after  their  death. 

DIVO  AVGVSTO.  S.  P.  Q.  R.  (To  the 
divine  Augustus,  the  Senate,  and  the  Roman 
People). — The  image  of  Augustus,  clothed,  the 
head  radiated,  holding  a branch  of  olive  in  his 
extended  right  hand,  aud  resting  his  left  on  a 
sceptre,  is  seated  on  a four-wheeled  ear  of  honour, 
drawn  by  four  elephants,  each  of  which  has  a 
conductor  sitting  on  its  hack.  On  the  reverse 
we  read  tj.  CAESAn  divi  avg.  f.  avgvst.  p.  m. 
tr.  p.  xxxvii.  (Tiberius  Caesar,  son  of  the 
divine  Augustus,  sovereign  pontiff  [invested]  for 
the  37th  time  with  the  Tribunitian  power). — 
In  the  field  of  the  coiu  the  initials  s.  c.  (by  de- 
cree of  the  Senate). 

This  type  aud  accompanying  legends  appear 
on  a large  brass,  which,  struck  towards  the 
close  of  Tiberius’s  reign  (a.  d.  35),  alludes  to 
some  display  of  funereal  pomp,  in  houour  of 
the  memory  of  Augustus,  which  the  policy  of 
his  immediate  successor  induced  him  frequently 
to  renew.  That  Augustus  was  thus  honoured 
after  his  death  is  a fact  particularised  by  Sue-  j 
tonius,  who,  in  the  Life  of  Claudius,  eh.  xi.  \ 
says — “ He  decreed  divine  honours  to  Li  via,  his 
grandmother;  aud  ordered  that,  on  the  grand 
days  of  the  Circus,  her  statue  should  be  borne,  I 
like  that  of  Augustus,  on  a car  drawn  by  ele- 
phants.” Dion  also  makes  mention  of  the  ele- 
phants, which  drew  the  car  of  Augustus. 


DIVO  AUGnifo  VESPonatto,  S.  P.  Q.  R. — 
A quadriga  of  elephants,  with  their  rectores, 
as  in  the  coin  above  described,  drawing  the 
statue  of  Vespasian  on  a car. — The  legend  of  re- 
verse is  IM  l*  era  tor  Titus  CAESnr  DIVI  VES- 
Yasiani  Yilius  AVG tutus  P.  M.  TRP.  P.  P. 
COS.  VIII. — Large  brass.  (S.  P.  Q.  R.  equi- 
valent to  S.  C.  as  a mark  of  Senatorial  autho- 
rity). Engraved  from  a specimen  in  the  liritish 
Museum. 

This  type  represents  one  striking  feature  of 
the  pompous  ceremonies  attendant  upon  the  apo- 
theosis of  Vespasian.  It  was  minted  by  order 
of  his  son  Titus,  between  a.  n.  79  and  80,  in 


lHVO  CONSTANTINO. 

imitation  (as  will  be  seen  ou  reference  to  the 
preceding  notice),  of  the  same  monetal  houour 
paid  by  Tiberius  to  Augustus.  The  only  material 
points  in  which  the  two  examples  differ  from 
each  other  is,  that  the  statue  of  the  deified  Ves- 
pasian is  bare-headed  instead  of  radiated,  and 
holds  a small  figure  of  Victory  instead  of  an 
olive  branch.  Also  that  one  of  the  four  ele- 
phant-drivers has  a staff,  aud  another  holds  out 
a wreath.  In  workmanship  and  relief  it  is  far 
superior  to  Augustus’s  consecration  medal. 

DIVO  VVG.  T 1)1  \ I.  \ ESP.  F.  \ B8PA 
SIAN.  (To  the  divine  Augustus,  Titus  Vespa- 
sian, son  of  the  divine  Vespasian).  S.  C. — The 
statue  of  Titus,  with  bare  head,  sits  clothed  in 
the  toga,  on  a curulc  chair,  surrounded  by  war- 
like spoils  won  from  the  enemy,  holding  a 
branch  in  his  right  and  a scroll  in  his  left  hand. 

On  the  reverse  of  a large  brass,  struck  by 
order  of  the  Senate,  after  the  death  of  Titus,  in 
honour  of  that  emperor’s  memory,  a.  u.  c.  834 
(a.  d.  81).  The  Flavian  amphitheatre  forms  the 
type  on  the  other  side. — Engraved  in  llavcr- 
eamp,  Cabinet  de  Christine,  pi.  vii.  p.  41. — 
The  type  of  reverse  is  nhnost  an  exact  copy  of 
that  on  a large  brass  of  Nero  Claudius  Drusus, 
son  of  Tiberius. — Sec  drusus  junior. 

DIVO  COM MODO.—  Head  of  Commodus, 
with  radiated  crown. — Her. — An  eagle,  or  (on 
others)  an  altar,  with  the  fire  kindled. — On  one 
of  the  coins  in  billon,  restored  by  Gallicnus. — 
See  Akcrmati,  ii.  33. 

Respecting  the  title  Dims,  as  applied  to  Coin- 
modus,  Eckhcl  makes  the  following  instructive 
observations  : — 

“ This  monster,  disgraced  by  every  vice,  was 
nevertheless  enrolled  by  Scverus  among  the 
immortal  gods. — Lampridius,  who  records  the 
circumstance  (in  Comm.  c.  17),  is  of  opinion 
that  Scverus  took  this  step  through  motives 
of  hostility  to  the  Senate ; and  in  this  view 
Spartian  coincides,  where  he  states  (c.  11)  that 
Scverus,  in  order  to  gratify  his  feelings  of  re- 
venge towards  the  Senate,  determined  to  con- 
secrate Commodus,  aud  was  the  first  to  bestow 
upon  him  the  title  of  Dices  Commodus,  iu  the 
hearing  of  the  soldiers,  after  the  defeat  of  Al- 
bums, notifying  the  fact  in  the  letter  he  ad- 
dressed to  the  Senate  announcing  his  victory. — 
Another  reason  for  this  consecration  may  have 
been  the  ambition  of  Scverus  to  be  regarded  as 
the  son  of  Marcus,  and  the  brother  of  Com- 
j modus.  And  thus,  in  bestowing  divine  honours 
upon  his  brother,  he  appeared  to  be  actuated  by 
affectionate  feelings,  aud  so  procured  a more 
ready  credence  for  the  impression  he  wished  to 
produce  amongst  the  people  at  large,  so  univer- 
sally under  the  influence  of  superstition.  It 
should,  however,  be  remarked,  that  hitherto  no 
coin  has  been  discovered  which  bears  nllnsion  to 
the  consecratiou  of  Commodus,  struck  iu  the 
reign  of  Scverus.  All  that  we  possess,  nre  of 
that  class,  which  were  struck  at  a later  period 
in  memory  of  emperors  who  had  been  conse- 
crated." (vii.  p.  132). 

DIVO  CONSTANTINO. — The  veiled  head 
of  Constantine  the  Great. Rev. — aeterna 


DIVUS  CONSTANTIN  US. 

1*1  etas.  A military  figure,  wearing  helmet  ami 
puludamentum,  stands  with  spear  in  the  right 
hand  ; in  his  left  is  a globe,  on  which  is  fixed 
the  monogram  of  Christ’s  name. — On  third 
brass,  Bandori,  ii.  p.  267. 

DV.  CON STANTIN VS,  &c.  (Dirus  Con - 
stantinus).  Veiled  head  of  Constantine. — Rev. 
Without  legend.  The  emperor,  with  a star  over 
his  head,  in  a quadriga,  carried  upwards ; a hand 
stretched  forth  from  above  to  receive  him. — 
Below,  s.  m.  n.  t.  Fourth  brass. — Cat.  Mas. 
Cces.  Num.  Vet.  ii.  479. — Engraved  iu  Banduri, 
ii.  219. 

“ That  Constantine  received  the  honours  of 
consecration,  we  learn  expressly  from  Eutro- 
pius ; and  coins  as  plainly  teach  us  that  he  wras 
called  nivvs  (divine).  It  is  most  probable,  how- 
ever, that  this  posthumous  distinction  was  be- 
stowed, with  accompanying  ceremonies  differing 
from  those  in  which  hitherto  we  sec  emperors 
translated  to  the  skies,  and  in  a way  not  re- 
pugnant to  the  laws  of  Christianity.  Indeed, 
there  arc  coins  still  extant,  as  above,  which  iu 
reference  to  this  subject,  exhibit  nothing  which 
is  profane,  or  which  can  offend  our  religion 
(quod  nostra  possit  stoinachari  religio).” 

[Such  are  the  terms  in  which  the  learned  Eck- 
hel  animadverts  on  the  legend  “ Divus  Coustanti- 
nus.”  (See  D.  N.  Vet.  viii.  92). — We  here  find 
him  expressing  his  opinion  that  there  is  nothing 
iu  these  coins — not  even  in  the  appellation  of 
Divus,  as  applied  to  a created  being,  which  can 
possibly  be  offensive  to  his  “ religion.”  Now,  to 
our  religion,  nothing  can  be  more  offensive  than 
this  portentous  medley  of  Christian  symbols 
and  pagan  superstitions — these  titles  of  poly- 
theism and  false  worship  conjoined  with  the 
name  in  monogram  of  God’s  true  and  only  Son. 
But  Constantine  was,  indeed,  uo  Christian,  ex- 
cept politically. — See  his  coins,  soi.i  invicto 
comiti,  and  others. 

DIVO. On  most  monetal  monuments  of 

Consecration,  that  is  to  say,  such  as  were  struck 
to  record  the  pagan  ceremony  of  placing  a Roman 
Emperor,  after  death,  amongst  the  gods,  it  was 
usual  to  omit  those  multiplied  and  various  names 
and  titles,  by  which,  when  living,  he  was  ac- 
customed to  be  styled,  lienee  we  read  simply 

DIVO  AVGVSTO,  DIVO  ANTONINO  PIO,  DIVO  VES- 

pasiano,  divo  alexandko,  & c.  on  the  respec- 
tive consecration  coins  of  Augustus,  Antoninus 
Pius,  Vespasian,  Alexander  Sevcrus,  &c. 

DIVO  PIO. — A column  inclosed  by  palisades, 
on  the  top  of  which  is  placed  a statue  of  the 
emperor,  wfith  a spear  in  his  left  hand. — Oho. 
Dlvvs  anton  invs.  A bare  head. — On  silver, 
and  on  first  aud  second  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius. 
For  an  engraving  of  this  reverse  see  columna, 
p.  235. 

The  following  is  the  tenour  of  Eckhcl’s  com- 
ments on  the  legend  and  type  (vii.  28)  -. — 

This  is  the  famous  column  of  solid  marble, 
variegated  with  red  spots  (or  veins),  extant  in 
Rome  at  the  present  day,  but  unfortunately  fal- 
len to  the  ground,  and  which  is  to  be  seen  at 
the  back  of  the  magnificent  senate-house  (curia), 
which  derives  its  name  from  the  Mons  Cytorius : 
2 X 


DIVUS.  337 

its  height  is  50  Roman  feet.  Aud  no  less  re- 
markable is  its  pedestal  of  solid  Parian  marble, 
all  the  sides  of  which  are  12  feet  in  breadth, 
and  1 1 in  heighth,  and  on  one  of  which  is  in- 
scribed DIVO  ANTONINO  AVQ.  PIO.  ANTONIN  VS 

avgvstvs  et  veuvs  avgvstvs  filii  ; on  an- 
other side  is  a beautiful  work  in  relief,  repre- 
senting Antoninus  Pius  and  Faustina  carried 
aloft  by  a winged  genius,  whilst  beneath  arc 
seen  in  a sitting  posture  a figure  of  Rome,  in 
the  usual  garb,  and  of  Eternity,  clasping  an 
obelisk  wfith  her  left  arm.  The  other  two  sides 
exhibit  equestrian  processions  (decursiones)  such 
as  usually  formed  part  of  the  ceremonial  at  great 
funerals. 

DIVO  PIO  AVG. — First  brass  of  Caligula. 
— See  Sacrijicia. 

DIVOS  instead  of  DIVVS. — This  substitution, 
made  for  uo  other  known  reason  than  that  the 
letters  V and  O were  in  the  earlier  ages  of  Rome 
frequently  used  the  one  for  the  other,  is  exem- 
plified on  marbles  and  on  coins — ex.  gr.  ivi.ios, 
AEGYPTOS,  VOLTEIA,  VOLCANO,  CONSOLES,  HER- 

COLI,  for  Julius,  Aeggptus,  Vulteia,  Vulcano, 
Consu/es,  Ilerculi. 

DIVOS  1VLIVS  DIVI  YU  ins. — The  heads 
facing  each  other  of  Julius  Csesar  and  Augustus, 
the  one  laureated  the  other  bare. — On  gold  and 
silver. — Engraved  in  Dr.  King’s  Plates. 

That  this  coin  was  struck  after  the  assassina- 
tion of  Jidius  Cmsar  is  shewn  not  only  iu  the 
flattery  of  Dlvvs,  but  also  in  his  successor  and 
adopted  son’s  appearing  with  him  on  the  same 
coin — an  union  which,  at  the  same  time,  Augus- 
tus knew*  how  to  turn  to  his  own  advantage, 
aud  to  conciliate  thence  to  himself  greater  ho- 
nour and  authority  with  the  Roman  people. — 
Augustus  called  himself  nivi  filivs,  because, 
according  to  Suetonius,  he  was  testameutarily 
appointed  Cfesar’s  heir. 

DIVUS,  the  mark  of  consecration. This 

word  Divus  given  to  any  one  on  a coin,  indi- 
cates that  the  same  was  struck  after  his  or  her 
apotheosis.  A question  has  been  raised  among 
the  learned,  whether  ther#  be  any  distinction 
between  deum  and  divum.  Vaillant  for  instance 
(in  Col.  i.  45),  on  the  authority  of  Servius, 
thus  distinguishes  between  dei  and  did,  viz. — 
“ Dii  dieantur  seterni,  Divi  autein  ex  hominibus 
Hunt.”  The  former  are  gods  from  eternity*,  but 
the  latter  have  been  made  deities  from  human 
beings. — On  this  point  Eckhel,  also  consulting 
the  old  writers,  seems  to  be  of  opinion,  that 
there  is  no  difference  in  the  meaning  of  the  two 
names,  as  used  on  coins.  He  observes  that  the 
word  divus  was  always  turned  by  the  Greeks 
into  0EO2,  which  certainly  is  the  Dens  of  the 
Latins.  Thus,  where  the  latter  inscribed  divvs 
avgvstvs — divo  caro,  &c.  the  former  wrote 

0EO2  2EBA2T02— 0Efl  KAPfl,  &c. See 

vol.  viii.  465-6. 

DI\  VS  IV LI  VS.  A comet. — This  legend 
and  type  occur  on  silver  of  Augustus,  whose 
laureated  head  appears  on  the  obverse  of  the 
coin. — Sec  Stella. 

In  his  supplement  to  Vaillant  (p.  1),  Khell 
gives  from  the  Cabinet  de  France,  the  engraving 


333  DIVUS  AUGUSTUS, 

of  a gold  eoiu  having  on  the  obverse  the  legend 
mvx  iv li,  and  for  type  a comet.  This  also  it 
is  to  be  observed,  was  struck  after  Caesar's  death, 
by  order  of  Augustus. — See  astiia,  p.  92. 

DIVUS  AUGUSTUS. — That  Augustus,  dur- 
ing his  life-time,  was  treated  as  a deity,  is  mani- 
fest on  good  authority  ; and  Tacitus  relates,  that 
he  was  commonly  reproached  with  this — “ Nihil 
deorum  houoribus  relictum,  cum  sc  templis,  et 
effigic  numinum  per  Flamiucs,  ct  sacerdotes  coli 
vellet.”  Moreover  Appianus  state*  that,  after 
the  defeat  of  Sextus  Pompcy,  and  the  abdica- 
tion of  Lepidus,  “ he  was  in  every  town  (oppi- 
datim)  consecrated  among  the  tutelary  gods.” — 
The  Pisanian  cenotaph,  illustrated  by  Cardinal 
Noris,  shews  that,  whilst  living,  he  had,  besides 
altars  and  temples,  his  Jlamen  also  and  priests. 
Other  marbles  and  monuments  also  attest  the 
fact  that  divine  honours  were  paid  to  the  living 
Augustus — take,  for  example,  the  coins  in- 
scribed rosi.  et  avg.  But  it  is  no  less  true 
that  Augustus  did  not  permit  those  divine  ho- 
nours to  be  paid  him  at  Rome,  which  he  al- 
lowed the  provinces  to  confer  on  him.  At 
length,  on  the  death  of  Augustus,  it  became 
necessary  for  the  Senate  to  decree  to  him  the 
honours  of  consecration,  as  that  body  had  al- 
ready committed  the  same  insane  act  in  the  case 
of  his  father  Julius,  and  thus  established  an 
absurd  example  which  found  imitators  in  plenty 
during  succeeding  ages  of  the  empire.  Dion 
and  Tacitus  both  atlirm  that  Augustus  was  re- 
ceived among  the  immortal  gods,  and  that  fa- 
milies, and  a priesthood  with  sacred  rites,  were 
instituted  to  his  honour. 

On  coins  of  the  Roman  mint  he  is  invariably 
styled  divvs,  but  on  consecration  medals,  struck 
out  of  Rome,  the  word  devs  is  used.  Thus  we 
find  on  coins  of  Tarraco  (Tarragoua,  in  Spain), 
dko  avgvsto.  On  an  unique  coin  of  Gallienus 
of  Roman  die,  Augustus  is  called  devs. — Con- 
nected also  with  the  consecration  of  Augustus 
were  the  groves  (luci)  dedicated  to  him  in  the 
provinces,  to  which  allusion  is  made  on  a medal 
of  Juba  II.  King  of  Mauretania,  inscribed  lvcv. 
avg.  That  is  to  say,  according  to  Servitis  (a 
commentator  on  the  Mantuan  bard) — “ Ubicnn- 
que  Virgilius  lucuui  ponit,  sequitur  ctinm  eon- 
secratio.” 

Numerous  coins  attest  the  fact  of  Augustus's 
consecration,  struck  not  only  by  his  successor 
Tiberius,  but  afterwards  under  many  other  em- 
perors.— See  Eckliel,  vi.  pp.  124-125. 

DIVVS  AVG  VST  VS.  S.  C.  (Head  radiated). 
— On  a middle  bra.-s  coin,  struck  after  the  death 
of  Augustus,  the  foregoing  legend  appears  on 
the  obverse.  The  legend  of  the  reverse  is  con- 
SENSV.  SENAT.  ET  EQ.  ORDIN.  P.  Q.  R.  The  type 
is  a statnc  of  Augustus  seated,  holding  in  his 
right  hand  a branch,  and  in  his  left  a globe. — 
Engraved  in  the  Cabinet  de  Christine,  p.  285, 
tab.  xliv.  No.  2. 

Augustus,  already  admitted  in  the  provinces 
to  the  rank  of  deity,  had  this  last  homage  puid 
him  at  Rome  after  his  death ; statues  were  also 
raised  to  him.  Such  is  the  subject  of  this  me- 
dal, the  epigraph  of  which  is  particular  in  cx- 


DOLPIIIN. 

plaining  that  all  these  honours  were  decreed  to 
him  by  the  concurrence  of  the  three  orders  of 
the  state;  the  Senate,  the  Equestrian  order,  and 
the  Roman  People. — Sec  consensv,  &c.  p.  252. 


DIVVS  AVGVSTVS  PATER. Augustus, 

with  radiated  head,  and  in  the  toga,  seated  near 
an  altar,  on  which  fire  is  kindled,  holds  a branch 
in  his  extended  right  baud,  and  rests  his  left 
on  the  hasta  pura. — The  legend  of  the  ob- 
verse is  Tl.  CAESAR  DIVI  AVG.  P.  AVGVST.  P. 
m.  tr.  pot.  xxim.  in  the  middle  S.  C. — On  first 
brass  of  Tiberius. 

Tacitus,  amongst  the  events  of  the  year  of 
Rome  775  (a.  d.  22),  records  the  following: — 
“ About  the  same  time,  the  severe  indisposition 
of  Julia  Augnsta  (widow  of  Augustus),  rendered 
necessary  the  immediate  return  of  the  emperor 
(Tiberius,  her  son  by  adoption),  to  Rome ; the 
good  understanding  between  the  mother  and  son 
being  up  to  this  moment  undisturbed,  or  at 
least  their  animosity  was  disguised  ; for  it  was 
not  long  before  this  that,  when  Julia  dedicated 
a statue  to  Divas  Augustus,  near  the  theatre  of 
Marcellus,  she  placed  the  name  of  Tiberius  after 
her  own.”  (Tac.  Ann.  iii.  64). 

Here  (says  Eckhel)  we  find  the  year  of  the 
coin,  as  expressed  by  the  24th  tribunate,  per- 
fectly coinciding  with  the  year  assigned  by 
Tacitus ; aud  we  caunot,  therefore,  doubt,  that 
the  figure  on  the  coin  is  intended  to  represent 
the  statue  to  which  Tacitus  refers.  But  there 
is  still  stronger  testimony  to  adduce.  lu  the 
Fasti  of  Verrius,  at  the  date  of  the  24th  of 
April,  we  find — sig.  divo  avgvsto  patri  ad 

THEATRVM  MAR  - - - IVLIA  AVGVSTA  ET  Tl.  AV- 
GVSTVS dedicarvnt.  Thus,  from  the  coin, 
and  from  Tacitus,  we  learn  the  year  in  which 
this  dedication  took  place,  and  the  record  in  the 
Fasti  just  quoted,  gives  the  very  day  of  the 
mouth,  viz.  the  24th  of  April;  in  addition  to 
which,  it  exhibits  the  same  verbal  formula  as 
the  coin,  and  confirms  the  statement  of  Tacitus, 
that  Julia  had  the  courage  to  inscribe  the  name 
of  Tiberius  after  her  own  ; and  lastly,  it  is  con- 
clusive on  the  point,  that  the  severe  indisposi- 
tion of  Julia  could  not  have  shewn  itself  till 
after  the  dnv  in  question,  (vi.  193-4). 

DIVVS  PATER  TRAIANVS,  also  DIVVS 
TRA1AN.  PART II.  PATER.— See  traianvs 

PATER. 

DOG  of  rEsciita/niis. — Sec  Ui/geia  and  .£sen- 
tapins. 

DOLPHIN.  (Detphinus). —The  representa- 
tion of  this  fish  offers  itself  on  ancient  coins  in 


DOLPHIN. 

more  than  one  fashion ; sometimes  in  a quiet 
and  fixed  position,  at  others  in  a state  of  move- 
ment. The  dolphin  was  cousecrated  to  Apollo, 
who,  according  to  Homer,  had  transformed  him- 
self into  one.  Hence  we  see  a Delphic  tripod 
with  a dolphin  upon  it,  on  a silver  com  of  Vilcl- 
lius,  that  emperor  having,  as  the  inscription 
teaches  us,  been  one  of  the  xv.  viri  appointed 
to  the  care  of  sacrificial  ceremonies.  A similar 
type  appears  on  a denarius  of  Titus,  hut  not 
with  the  same  legend. — See  XV.  VI  It.  SACItw 
FAC  iundis. 

The  Dolphin  was  also  sacred  to  Ncptuue,  the 
deity  who  presided  over  the  sea  and  atfairs  of 
navigation ; hence  we  find  the  dolphin  in  the 
hand  of  that  god,  on  coins  of  Agrippa,  Augus- 
tus, Caligula,  Vespasian,  Hadrian,  and  other 
Roman  Emperors. 

The  Dolphin  was  likewise  sacred  to  Venus. 

On  early  Roman  money  the  figure  of  a dol- 
phin occurs  on  the  triens,  the  quadrant,  and 
sextans.  Thus  the  dolphin,  with  four  globules 
under  it,  is  a mark  of  the  triens. 

The  Dolphin,  with  Cupid  on  its  back,  appears 
on  coins  of  the  Cordia  and  Lucretia  families ; 
and,  bearing  Melicerta,  is  frequently  repeated 
on  the  colonial  mintages  of  Corinth. 

The  Dolphin  and  an  eagle,  with  a sceptre 
between  them,  form  the  reverse  of  a denarius 
of  the  Terentia  gens,  struck  in  honour  of  Pom- 
pey  the  Great,  with  legend  magn.  pro.  cos. — 
lu  this  instance,  the  sceptre  indicates  supreme 
power,  and  undivided  command;  the  fish  refer- 
ring to  the  sea,  and  the  bird  to  the  land. — See 
Eagle. 

The  Dolphin,  entwined  round  an  anchor,  was 
at  one  time  a symbol  of  Augustus. — It  is  also 
seen  on  coins  struck  by  princes  of  the  Flavia 
family,  sous  of  Vespasian. 

In  Morell.  Thesaur.  Lapp.  Rom.  t.  iii.  tab. 
vi.  No.  64,  there  is  an  engraving  of  this  type, 
from  gold  of  Titus  (tb.  p.  ix.  imp.  xv.  cos. 
viii.)  also  one  from  silver  of  the  same  emperor, 
and  with  the  same  legend  of  reverse  (tab.  viii. 
No.  84).  Moreover,  amongst  the  silver  coinage 
of  Domitian,  engraved  iu  the  same  staudard 
work,  we  find  two  examples  of  the  dolphin  and 
anchor  (cos.  vii.  design,  viii.)  see  t.  iii.  tab. 
viii.  Nos.  36  and  39.  The  subjoined  cut  is 
from  a first  brass  of  Domitian,  having  on  its 
obverse — 

IMP erator  CAESar  DIVI  VESPaji««i  Films 
DOMITIANkj  AVG aslus  Font f ex  Maximus. 
Laurcated  head  of  Domitian  to  the  right. — The 


DOMINUS.  339 

legend  is  continued  on  the  reverse,  viz.  \~Slpe- 

rator  VII1I.  TR.  P.  COnSul  VIII. Below, 

Senates  Consullo.  The  type — Delphinus  an- 
choras  implicitus. 

[The  cast,  after  which  this  cut  is  engraved, 
was  purchased  of  Mr.  Doubleday.  The  impres- 
sions of  both  obverse  and  reverse  vouch  for  the 
original  being  in  good  condition.  Aud  although 
in  none  of  the  numismatic  books,  either  by 
old  or  modern  writers,  to  which  the  com- 
piler has  access,  does  this  type  appear  as  a 
brass  coin,  yet  there  seems  to  be  uo  reason 
whatever  to  doubt  the  authenticity  of  the  spe- 
cimen in  question.  This  not  inelegant  device 
has,  down  to  our  own  times,  been  constantly 
adopted  as  a naval  emblem  ; and,  to  say  nothing 
as  to  the  conformation  of  the  fish,  it  presents, 
doubtless,  a correct  delineation  of  the  Roman 
ship -anchor], 

D.  N.  Domina  Nostra.  Our  Lady. — This 
title,  thus  abbreviated,  appears  on  coins  of  the 
Empresses  jElia  liacilla,  Galla  Placidia,  Ilono- 
ria,  &c.  Spauheim  observes,  that  wives  were 
called  Domina  by  the  Romans. 

D.  N.  Dominus  Noster. — A title  conferred, 
in  the  declining  ages  of  the  empire,  on  the  Au- 
gusti  aud  the  Casars. — The  following  arc  among 
the  remarks  which  Eekhel  makes  on  this  subject: 

Dominus,  a word  so  repugnant  to  liberty 
(as  it  generally  implied  the  authority  over 
slaves),  was  not  adopted  by  the  first  emperors, 
nor  afterwards  by  those  who  preferred  to  rule 
rather  through  the  affection  than  the  fears  of 
their  subjects ; aud  at  any  rate  they  did  not  ap- 
prove of  it.  Augustus  declined  it,  and,  to  use 
the  words  of  Tcrtullian,  ‘ Though  the  founder 
of  the  empire,  he  would  not  allow  himself  to  be 
styled  Dominus;  and,  indeed,  it  is  an  appella- 
tion applicable  only  to  the  deity.’  And,  further 
on,  he  adds,  ‘ IIow  can  he,  who  is  the  father 
of  his  country,  be  also  its  Lord  (Dominus)  ?’ 
Even  'Tiberius  also  avoided  it,  openly  declaring, 

‘ that  he  was  lord  (dominus)  over  the  slaves, 
general  (hnperator)  of  the  soldiers,  and  sove- 
reign (princeps)  of  the  rest  of  his  people:’ — 
nay,  according  to  Suetonius,  he  went  so  far  as 
to  address  the  Senators  by  that  very  invidious 
title,  which  in  his  own  case  he  refused  to  accept, 
saying,  ‘ I have  ever  esteemed  you,  and  still  do 
so,  as  my  good,  and  just,  and  kiud  Lords  (Do- 
minos).'— Caligula  was  the  first  whose  arrogant 
ears  could  endure  the  appellation  dominus,  and 
his  example  was  followed  by  that  rival  of  his 
vices,  Domitian. — Victor,  whilst  satirizing  the 
character  of  Diocletian,  remarks,  ‘ 11c  was  the 
first,  after  Caligula  and  Domitian,  who  allowed 
himself  to  be  called  openly  Dominus.’  This 
was  the  less  remarkable  in  Domitian,  as  he 
wished  to  be  called  not  only  dominus  but  deus, 
of  both  which  appellations  Martial  furnishes 
many  instances.  By  degrees,  however,  the 
offensiveness  of  this  title  became  softened  from 
use  and  familiarity,  so  that  by  the  time  of  Ti. 
Claudius  it  was  regarded  merely  as  a term 
of  courtesy. — Seneca  says,  ‘ You  have  called 
him  friend,  just  in  the  same  way  a3  we  call  all 
candidates  good  men,  or  as  we  salute  persous 


2X2 


340  DOMITIA  GENS. 


DOMIT1A  GEN'S. 


whom  we  meet,  should  we  not  remember  their 
names,  as  Domini.’ — It  is  not  surprising  that 
Trajan  himself  should  have  permitted  Pliny 
to  address  him  constantly  in  his  epistles  as 

Dominus. 

Antoninus  Pius  was  the  firsj  to  whom  the 
title  of  Dominus  was  applied  on  coins  ; hut  it 
was  Greece  and  Asia — conquered  Greece  and 
captured  Asia — which  furnished  the  instances,  as 
usual,  of  extreme  adulation.  The  word  Knpios 
(Lord)  is  found  on  a coin  of  Antioch  ad  Hip- 
pum,  in  Decapolis— thus  ATTOKP.  KTP.  AN- 
THNEINOC.  Shortly  afterwards,  on  coins  of 
M.  Aurelius  and  his  family,  struck  in  Mesopo- 
tamia, a similar  use  is  made  of  the  word  Kopios. 
On  coins  of  the  colony  of  Antioch,  in  Pisidia, 
with  the  heads  of  Caracalla  and  Geta,  we  read 
vict.  DD.  nn.  And  on  a coin  of  Gordiauus 
Pius,  minted  in  the  same  colony,  appears  vie-  ; 
toria  DOMINI. 

The  foregoing  examples,  however,  belong  only  j 
to  the  foreign  coinage.  It  was  the  Emperor 
Aurelian  who  first  introduced  the  title  Do  min  in  ] 
upon  coins  of  Roman  die,  when  he  allowed  the  i 
following  inscription  to  appear : — DEO  et  do-  f 
m i no  nato  (on  others  nostro)  avreuano  avo. 
(see  p.  319  of  this  dictionary).  Next  to  the  [ 
above,  in  point  of  time,  Diocletianus  and  Maxi- 
mianus.  received  the  distinction  of  d.  n.  but  not 
until  their  abdication  of  the  empire  (a.  d.  305). 
Afterwards,  it  was  conferred  more  frequently  on  I 
the  Ciesars  than  on  the  Emperors,  though  for 
what  reason  is  uncertain.  Lastly,  from  the 
the  times  of  the  sous  of  Constantine  the  Great, 
it  became  a common  prenomen,  that  of  IMIV- 
rator  being  gradually  abolished.  And  at  length 
it  was  rendered  so  much  a matter  of  course,  that 
if  any  one  in  the  reign  of  Justinian,  had  used 
the  word  Imperalor  instead  of  Dominus,  and  of 
Augusta  instead  of  Domina,  he  would  have  been 
considered  guilty  of  an  insult,  or  at  least  of  j 
great  ignorance. — See  Doct.  Num.  Vet.  viii.  p. 
364-5-6. 

DOMITIA  gens — at  first  plebeian,  afterwards 
patrician ; bearing  the  respective  surnames  of 
Ahenobarbus  and  Calvinus. — U’he  gold  coins  of 
this  family  are  very  rare ; the  silver,  with  a few 
exceptions,  common.  The  brass  are  semi-asses,  , 
and  other  parts  of  the  as. — Among  other  varie-  ! 
ties  of  legends  and  types  arc  the  following  : — 


1.  AHENOBARAhj. — A head,  nearly  bald, 

and  with  beard  closely  cropped. Rev.  CN.  1 

DOMITIYS  L F.  IMP orator.  A temple  of 

four  columns,  represented  iu  perspective,  near 
the  pediment  of  which  we  read  NEPT.  (Nep-  j 
tunus). 

[Mionnet  quotes  this  extremely  rare  gold  coin, 
from  the  cabinet  of  the  Duke  dc  Blaeas,  and 
values  it  at  600  fr. — A fine  specimen  brought 


£22  1 Os.  at  the  Pembroke  sale. — The  above  cut 
is  after  a cast  from  a beautiful  specimen  in  the 
British  Museum.  The  head  on  the  obverse  is 
evidently  a portraiture,  and  Visconti  at  once 
ascribes  it  to  Cneus  Domitius  Ahcuobarbus]. 

2.  AHENOBAR. A bare  head,  slightly 

bearded. — Rev. — c.  N.  domitivs  imp.  Prow  of 
a ship  on  which  is  a trophy. — [This  silver  coin, 
valued  by  Mionnet  at  40  fr.  brought  19s.  at  the 
Brumell  sale]. 

The  cognomen  Ahenobarbus  was  derived  to 
this  family  from  an  event  said  to  have  occurred 
to  the  Consul  Lucius  Domitius.  As  the  fable 
goes,  it  was  to  him  that  the  Dioscuri  announced 
the  Roman  victory  at  Rcgillus;  and  in  conse- 
quence of  this  unexpected  encounter  with  Castor 
and  Pollux,  or  through  the  exultation  which 
the  good  news  excited  iu  him,  the  Consul’s  beard 
became  red. 

For  a more  ample  notice  of  this  popular  tra- 
dition, together  with  an  explanation  of  the  ship 
and  trophy  type  on  the  former  of  these  two  re- 
verses, and  of  the  temple  (dedicated  to  Neptune) 
on  the  latter — both  coins  being  struck  in  the 
year  of  Rome  713  (a.  d.  41),  the  reader  is  re- 
ferred to  p.  31  and  32,  article  ahenobarbus. 
Also  to  Dioscuri,  p.  331. 

3.  CN.  DOMITIVS  AHEXOBARBYS  IMP. 
Ship’s  prow,  above  which  is  a star. — Obv. — ant. 
imp.  iiivir.  r.  p.  c.  Bare  head  of  Mark  Au- 
tony,  behind  it  the  lituus. 

Cneus  Domitius,  who  minted  this  coin  out  of 
Rome,  was  son  of  Lucius  Domitius,  and  uephew 
of  the  consul  and  censor  Cncius  Domitius,  grand- 
father of  Nero,  nephew  on  the  sister’s  side  to 
Cato  of  Utica,  and  fifth  cousin  of  M.  Brutus. 
Attaching  himself  at  the  commencement  of  the 
civil  war  to  the  conspirators’  party,  he  after- 
wards became  Antony’s  naval  commander  against 
Octavian  ; but  after  the  death  of  the  former 
triumvir,  he  became  reconciled  to  Augustus,  and 
in  722  (b.  c.  32),  served  the  office  of  consul  at 
Rome. — See  Riccio,  p.  82. 

[Mionnet  values  this  coin  in  gold  at  200  fr.] 

4.  M.  AVRELI.  ROMA.  Galcatcd  head  of 
Rome,  with  mark  of  the  denarius. — Rev. — L. 
LIC.  CN.  DOMiri'wj.  Mars,  undrnped,  stands 
in  a biga  going  at  full  speed  , he  brandishes  a 
spear  in  his  right  hand,  and  holds  a buckler  aud 
a military  lituus  on  his  left  arm.  Under  the 
horses  is  the  word  scavri. — See  au  engraving 
of  the  same  coin  iu  cosconia  gens,  p.  294. 

5.  Same  obverse. Rev. — CN.  uom.  below 

roma.  Victory  iu  a biga  ; beneath  the  horses 
of  which,  a gladiator,  armed  with  a spear,  is 
seen  fighting  with  a lion. — See  llorell.  Fam. 
Rom.  plate  1,  No.  vi. 

The  Domitius  of  this  and  the  preceding  dena- 
rius appears  to  Eekhel  uncertain.  Older  numis- 
matists ascribe  it  to  Domitius,  son  of  auother 
Cneus,  and  nephew  of  Lucius,  grand-father  of 
Domitius  the  censor.  It  was  coined  perhaps  on 
the  occasion  of  his  filliug  a municipal  office, 
different  from  that  of  moneyer;  or  rather  it 
might  have  been  minted  by  some  descendant  of 
his,  who  desired  to  commemorate  the  municipal 
honours  of  his  family.  Gladiatorial  spectacles, 


DOMITIA  LONGINA. 
indeed,  and  the  care  of  supplying  an  abundant 
annona,  belonged  to  the  ediles,  and  these  public 
shews  aud  responsibilities  are  plainly  indi- 
cated in  the  symbols  of  the  last  described  coin. 
(Riceio,  p.  81). 

6.  OSCA. — Head  of  a bearded  man. — Rev. 
do.w.  cos.  iteh.  imp.  with  the  type  of  poutilieal 
instruments. 

This  denarius  is  considered  by  Eckhel  to  be- 
long to  Cncus  Domitius  Calvinus,  who  served 
his  lirst  consulate  in  the  year  u.  c.  701  (u.  c. 
53),  in  colleagueship  with  M.  Valerius  Messala, 
aud  was  cousul  for  the  second  time,  with  C. 
Asinius  Pollio,  in  714  (b.  c.  40).  lie  followed 
Cmsar’s  partyr  through  various  circumstances, 
and  was  the  rival  and  enemy  of  the  above  men- 
tioned Domitius  Aheuobarbus.  The  present 
coin  was  struck  at  Osca,  a city  of  the  Ilergeti, 
in  HispamaTarraconcusis,  Calvinus  having,  after 
his  second  cousidship,  triumphed  over  the  re- 
bellious Ceretaui,  of  the  Pyrenees. 

Eckhel  believes  the  head  to  be  that  of  some 
native  hero  of  Spain.  Cavedoni  thinks  it  meant 
for  that  of  Iberus,  son  of  Hercules,  reputed 
founder  of  that  nation.  The  emblems  of  the 
reverse  all  allude  to  the  Sovereigu  Pontificate. 


DOMITIA  Longina,  daughter  of  Domitius 
Corbulo,  and  wife  of  the  Emperor  Domitian, 
who  took  her  away  by  force  from  her  first  hus- 
band, L.  Lamia  Aemilianus,  in  the  year  of 
Koine  823  (a.  d.  70).  She  bore  the  tyrant  one 
son  in  a.  d.  82,  whose  name  is  not  handed  dow  n, 
but  who  died  in  his  infancy,  and  was  conse- 
crated, as  appears  by  one  of  her  coins.  In  83, 
ou  account  of  her  adultery  with  Paris,  an  actor, 
Domitian  divorced  her,  put  her  paramour  to 
death,  and  thenceforth  lived  with  Julia,  his  bro- 
ther’s daughter.  Shortly  after,  the  imperial  pro- 
fligate restored  Domitilla  to  his  bed,  but  continued 
his  incestuous  intercourse  with  Julia.  At  length, 
iuformed  that  her  own  life  was  in  danger  from 
her  husband,  she  encouraged  the  conspiracy 
which  she  knew  was  ou  foot  against  him,  and  to 
which  he  fell  a merited  victim  in  a.  d.  96. — 
She  died  under  the  reign  of  Trajan. 

The  coins  of  Doinitia  are,  of|  all  the  Em- 
presses, amongst  the  most  rare.  On  these  she  is 
styled  DOMITIA  AVGVSTA— DOMITIA  AV- 
ffVSTA  I M Peraloris  DO M ITiani  (by  implica- 
tion VXOB)— DOMITIA  AVG.  IMP.  CAES. 
DIVI  F.  DOMITIAN*  AVG usti  (that  is  vxor). 
The  following  is  an  account  of  their  estimated 
value,  aud  of  the  prices  at  which  some  of  them 
have  been  sold  : — 

Silver  Medallions. — With  the  laureated 
head  of  Domitian  on  one  side,  and  her  own  ou 
the  other.  (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  100  fr.) — 
venvs  avg.  (Brought  £3  at  the  Devonshire 
sale). 


DOMITIANUS.  341 

Gold. — domitia  avg.  imp.  domitian  avg. 
germ.  Head  of  the  empress. — Rev.  Concor- 
dia avgvst.  A peacock. — [A  specimen  of  this 
imperial  aureus  brought  £8  15s.  at  the  Devon- 
shire sale ; another,  £6  6s.  at  the  Pembroke, 
aud  a third,  £J.6  15s.  at  the  Thomas,  from 
the  Trattle  sale,  where  it  was  bought  for  £14 
5s.  Od. ; and  afterwards  another  specimen  ob- 
tained £9  7s.  6d.  at  the  Brumell  auction.] — 
These  coins  are  considered  to  have  been  struck 
on  the  occasuSn  of  Domitian  becoming  “recon- 
ciled” to  Domitia,  after  he  had  repudiated  her 
ou  a charge  of  adultery,  as  above  mentioned. 

Obv. — domitia  avgvsta  imp.  DOMIT.  Head 
of  the  empress. — Rev. — imp.  caes.  domitianvs 
avg.  p.  m.  Head  of  Domitian. — [A  fine  speci- 
men of  this  the  rarest  coiu  of  Domitia,  brought 
£27  at  the  Campana  sale]. 

Obv. — domitia  avgvsta  imp.  domit.  Head 

of  the  empress. Rev. — divvs  caesar  imp. 

domitiani.  A child  on  a globe,  surrounded  by 
seven  stars. — [Mionnet  values  the  gold  at  150 
fr.  and  the  silver  at  50  fr.  A specimen  of  the 
latter  sold  for  about  £2  at  the  Devonshire  sale]. 

These  coins  record  the  consecration  of  that 
nameless  son  of  Domitia  and  Domitian,  who 
was  born,  as  it  would  appear,  a.  d.  82,  aud 
who  died  very  young. — See  the  preceding  en- 
graving, from  a specimen  in  the  British  Museum 

Silver. — concordia  avg.  A Peacock. — 
[Brought  £4  18s.  at  the  Devonshire  aud  £4  3s. 
at  the  Thomas  sale], — pietas  avgvst.  Domitia 
seated,  holds  in  her  left  hand  the  hasta  pura, 
and  extends  the  right  hand  towards  a young 
child  standing  before  her,  clothed  in  the  toga. 
[A  specimen  brought  £3  12s.  at  the  Devonshire 
and  another  obtained  £1  15s.  at  the  Thomas 
sale], — The  young  child  represented  on  this  re- 
verse, can  be  no  other  than  the  son  of  Domitian 
already  alluded  to.  See  pietas  aug.  for  an  en- 
graving of  it. 

Large  Brass. — divi  caesaris  mater. — See 
this  reverse  described  in  p.  334.  It  serves,  with 
preceding  coins,  to  recal  the  birth  and  prema- 
ture death  of  Domitian’s  son. — Same  legend.  A 
woman  standing,  sacrifices  at  an  altar. 

[Mionnet  values  the  above  two  at  550  fr.  each]. 

Middle  Brass. — Same  legend.  A veiled 
woman  stands  holding  a patera,  and  the  hasta 
pura.  (Mt.  150  fr.) — divi  caesaris  mater. 
The  empress  sacrificing,  as  in  the  large  brass 
specimen. — Engraved  in  the  Cabinet  de  Chris- 
tine, plate  liv.  No.  4,  p.  345. 

DOMITIANUS  (Ttavius),  the  younger  of 
the  two  sons  of  Vespasian,  by  Flavia  Domitilla, 
was  born  at  Rome,  the  24th  of  October,  in  the 
year  u.  c.  804  (a.  d.  51),  when  his  father  was 
consul  designatus,  and  about  entering  upon 
office  in  the  following  month.  This  was  the 
first  consulate  of  Vespasian,  still  a private  citi- 
zen ; and  it  was  a consulatus  suffectus,  held 
during  the  two  last  months  of  the  above  named 
year.  Vespasian,  having  been  proclaimed  im- 
peraior  by  the  legions  of  the  east,  Domitian, 
who  was  left  at  Rome,  finding  himself  exposed 
to  the  vengeance  of  the  partizaus  of  Vitellius, 


342  DOM  ITI  ANUS, 

took  refuge  in  the  eapitol,  with  his  uucle  Sabi- 
n us,  at  the  end  of  December.  And,  after  that 
building  had  been  besieged  and  set  fire  to,  even- 

itually  made  his  escape,  disguised  as  a priest  of 
Isis,  his  hiding-place  being  sought  for  in  every 
other  direction.  (Suetonius,  chap.  i.  Tacitus 
llist.  iv.) — Vitcllius  haviug  been  put  to  death, 
about  the  20th  of  December,  822  (a.  d.  69), 
Domitian  issued  from  his  retreat,  and  was  hailed 
as  Caesar  by  the  army.  The  choice  of  the  sol- 
diers was  confirmed  by  the  Senate*  who,  in  ad- 
dition, decreed  to  Domitian  the  pretorship  of 
the  city,  and  the  consular  dignity.  In  January, 


DOM  ITI  ANUS. 

823  (a.  d.  70),  he  entered  upon  the  government 
of  the  city,  and  discharged  its  functions  in  an 
unprincipled  manner,  distributing  capriciously 
the  public  offices ; insomuch  as  to  cause  the 
absent  Vespasian  to  express  his  surprise,  that  his 
son  did  not  send  out  some  one  to  supersede  him- 
self. He  set  out  with  Mucianus  against  the 
Galli,  Batavi,  and  Gcrmani,  who  were  in  revolt ; 
but,  hearing  by  the  way  that  success  had  at- 
tended the  operations  of  Petilius  Cerealis,  he 
stopped  at  Lugduuum  (Lyon).  Same  year,  he 
married  Domitia  Longina,  whom  he  took  away 
by  force  from  her  husband  .Emilianus. 


824  (a.  d.  71). — This  year,  consul  suffectus, 
and  afterwards  consul  desiynatus  for  the  second 
time,  he  assisted  at  the  triumph  of  his  father 
and  brother,  for  the  capture  of  Jerusalem — an 
object  of  notice  on  that  occasion  from  being 
mounted  on  a white  horse. 

825  (a.  I).  72). — During  this  and  the  six  fol- 
lowing years,  no  particulars  of  Domitiau’s  life 
are  furnished  by  public  records.  But  coins  had 
begun  to  be  abundant. — “ It  is  very  probable 
(observes  Eckhcl),  that  suspicions  being  enter- 
tained of  his  revolutionary  designs,  he  now  as- 
sumed a modesty  and  simplicity  of  demeanour, 
and  affected  especially  a passion  for  literature, 
in  order  to  conceal  the  real  bent  of  his  mind.” 
Volagascs  I.  King  of  Parthia,  in  828  (a.  d.  75), 
requesting  succours  from  Vespasian  against  the 
Alani,  and  another  general  from  among  his  sons, 
Domitian  used  every  effort  to  procure  the  ap- 
pointment for  himself.  But  Vespasian  refused 
the  required  aid  altogether. 

832  (a.  d.  79). — His  father  dying  on  the  9th 
kalends  of  July,  his  elder  brother  Titus  succeeded 
to  the  empire.  Domitian  complained,  that  tho’ 
left  a share  in  the  sovereignty,  the  will  of  his 
father  hail  been  tampered  with.  His  brother 
endeavoured  to  console  him  with  the  assurance, 
that  he  should  be  not  only  the  sharer  of  the 
empire,  but  should  also  be  his  successor. 

833  (a.  d.  80). He  unceasingly,  both  in 

secret  and  openly,  engaged  in  plots  against  his 
brother,  attempting  to  seduce  the  army,  and 
meditated  flight.  Titus,  all  the  while,  bearing 
those  annoyances  with  patience  ; and  sometimes 
with  tears  entreating  his  brother  to  return  to 
terms  of  affection. 

834  (a.  d.  81). — This  year  Domitian  was 
proclaimed  emperor,  on  the  death  of  Titus  his 
brother. 

835  (a.  d.  82). — Domitiau  signalised  his  ac- 


cession to  the  throne  by  the  introduction  of 
salutary  laws.  He  restored  the  Capitol  magni- 
ficently. A son  was  born  to  him,  respecting 
whom  see  domitia. 

836  (a.  d.  83). — Agricola  defeated  the  Cale- 
donians. Uudcr  (liatj  able,]  brave,  and  active 
commander,  it  was  theu  for  the  first  time  ascer- 
tained that  Britain  is  entirely  surrounded  by 
water.  Domitian  undertook  this  year  an  expe- 
dition against  the  Ca/li  (people  of  Hesse). 

837  (a.  d.  84). — The  war  with  the  Catti  was 
put  an  end  to  by  Domitiau  without  coming  to 
blows  with  the  enemy.  The  title  of  Qtrmanicu* 
appeared  for  the  first  time  on  coins  of  this  year. 
By  the  valour  of  Agricola,  Britain  was  for  a 
time  reduced  to  a state  of  pcacefid  subjection. 

838  (a.  d.  S5). — Foreign  wars,  relative  to 
which  there  is  no  certain  information;  and  at 
home  atrocious  acts  of  cruelty  on  the  part  of 
Domitian. 

839  (a.  d.  86). — The  first  Capitolinc  games 
were  celebrated  this  year,  intended,  like  the 
Olympic,  to  recur  even  fifth  year.  The  Dacian 
war  commenced,  being  set  on  foot  by  Dccebalus, 
king  of  that  nation,  nnd  was  carried  on  for 
many  years  with  varied  success,  but  with  great 
discredit  to  the  Homan  arms. 

841  (a.  d.  88). — Celebration  of  the  Secular 
Games. — To  this  year  (though  the  matter  is  in 
great  uncertainty),  Tillcmont  refers  the  revolt 
of  L.  Antonins,  governor  of  Upper  Germany, 
who  made  an  attempt  to  invade  the  empire. — 
Domitian  went  out  to  repel  his  advance,  but 
returned  on  learning  that  Antonius  had  becu 
defeated  and  slain  by  L.  Maximus. 

842-843  (a.  d.  89  aud  90)  — There  arc  no 
certain  records  of  the  events  of  these  two  years. 

344  (a.  D.  91). — Eusebius  refers  the  triumph 
over  the  Dacians  to  this  year,  as  recorded  also  by 
Suetonius,  but  without  a date. 


DOMITIANUS. 

846  (a.  i>.  93). — It  is  probable  that  the  war 
with  the  SannaUc  by  Domitiau  was  undertaken 
this  year,  when  a whole  legion,  with  its  general, 
was  destroyed,  as  Suetonius  states. 

848  (a.  d.  95). — Domitiau  ordered  Flavius 
Clemens,  his  cousin-german,  and  the  then  con- 
sul, to  be  put  to  death  for  his  attachment  to 
the  Christian  religion,  or  as  it  was  then  termed, 
the  superstition  of  the  Jews,  and  this  occasion 
is  treated  of  by  ecclesiastical  writers  as  the 
second  persecution  of  the  Church. 

849  (a.  n.  9G). — On  the  18th  of  September, 
at  the  instigation  of  his  wife,  whom  with  other 
friends  he,  in  his  insupportable  tyranny,  had 
doomed  to  be  slaughtered,  Domitian  was  assas- 
sinated by  his  freedman  Stcphauus,  in  the  45  th 
year  of  his  age,  after  a reign  of  15  years  and 
sis  days. 

The  character  of  this  most  execrable  prince 
is  thus  ably  summed  up  and  commented  upon 
by  the  pen  of  Eckhcl  (vi.  391-2)  : — 

There  could  not  have  appeared  anything  pre- 
mature in  the  death  of  a ruler,  who,  for  so 
long  a space  iu  the  life-time  of  man,  displayed 
the  greatest  cruelty  towards  all  worthy  men  ; 
appropriated  the  property  of  the  citizens,  as  if 
it  had  been  his  own ; and  who  detested  as  crimes 
the  virtues  and  noble  deeds  of  the  illustrious, 
punishing  them  as  such  with  death  and  exile. 
His  inhuman  disposition  is  thus  severely  touched 
on  by  Tacitus  (in  vitd  Agricola,  ch.  2),  whilst 
speaking  of  this  reign  of  oppression  and  impiety  : 
“ We  have,  indeed,  afforded  a notable  example 
of  patience ; and,  as  the  olden  times  witnessed 
the  ne  plus  ultra  of  liberty,  so  have  we  that  of 
servitude,  when  the  very  intercourse  of  speaking 
and  listening  has  been  taken  from  us  by  an  in- 
quisitorial superintendence.  We  should  have 
lost  our  memory  too  with  our  voices,  had  it  been 
equally  within  the  power  of  our  volition  to  for- 
get, as  to  be  silcut.”  And  this  cruelty  of  dis- 
position was  the  less  endurable  from  its  being 
conjoined  with  incredible  arrogance  and  vanity. 
The  same  individual,  who,  on  entering  upon  a 
campaign,  would  suddenly  retrace  his  steps  with- 
out even  seeing  his  enemy,  and  who  was  satis  • 
tied  with  such  a triumph  over  the  Dacians,  that 
he  was  not  ashamed  to  pay  them  a yearly  tri- 
bute— could,  nevertheless,  erect  so  many  arches, 
surmounted  by  quadriga:,  and  other  triumphal 
insignia  (as  even  coins  testify),  that  they  were 
equalled  by  no  preceding  emperor.  According  to 
Suetonius,  he  called  the  months  of  September  and 
October  after  his  own  names  of  Germanicus  and 
Domitianus , because  in  the  one  he  had  succeeded 
to  the  empire,  and  in  the  other  was  born  (ch.  13). 
He  built  a temple  iu  honour  of  the  gens  Flavia 
(his  own  family),  and  at  length  styling  himself 
Dominus  and  Dens,  desired  those  titles  to  be  ap- 
plied to  him  by  others ; and  though  they  never 
appear  on  his  coins,  they  are  still  to  be  found 
on  the  works  of  pottery,  given  by  Passeri, 
not  to  mention  the  flatteries  of  contemporary 
writers,  especially  the  poets.  And  this  Lord 
and  God  was  wont  to  devote  an  hour  in  each  day 
to  the  catching  and  transfixing  of  flies!  No- 
thing was  ever  more  absurd  than  the  funereal 


DOMITIANUS.  343 

banquet  which  he  set  before  the  most  dignified 
personages  of  Rome,  and  which  Dion  lias  so 
minutely  described  (lxvii.  § 9). — No  wonder, 
theu,  that  the  Senate  should  have  shewn  then- 
satisfaction  at  his  death,  by  ordering  ladders  to 
be  immediately  brought,  and  his  shields'  and 
busts  to  be  pulled  down  and  scattered  on  the 
ground,  his  titles  erased,  and  every  memorial  of 
his  existence  banished  from  their  sight.  (Suet, 
ch.  23).  This,  indeed,  is  the  chief  reason  why 
Procopius  asserts,  that  in  his  time  but  oue  statue 
of  this  emperor  remained  ; though  there  is  reason 
to  suspect  some  egregious  falsehood  to  be  mixed 
up  with  his  account. — The  army,  how-ever,  were 
much  incensed  at  the  murder  of  Domitian,  and 
instautly  endeavoured  to  procure  him  the  title  of 
Dims,  demanding  that  the  perpetrators  of  the 
crime  should  be  given  up  to  punishment.  (Suet. 
ch.  23).  The  motive  for  this  display  of  affec- 
tion on  their  parts,  was  his  having  increased 
their  pay  one  fourth  ; the  result  of  which  incon- 
siderate liberality  was,  that  the  treasury  being 
inadequate  to  meet  the  additional  expense,  be 
was  compelled  to  reduce  the  numbers  of  the 
army  ; and  the  provinces,  thus  deprived  of  their 
necessary  garrisons,  became  more  open  to  the 
incursions  of  barbarian  tribes. 

Domitiau  died  without  any  progeny  surviving 
him.  By  his  wife  he  had  oue  son,  who  died  at 
nine  years  of  age. — Sec  domitia. 

MINTAGES  OF  DOMITIAN. 

“ The  medals  of  this  emperor  (as  Capt.  Smyth 
observes),  are  abundant  and  cheap,  and  are 
prized  according  to  their  preservation,  and  the 
degree  of  interest  attached  to  their  reverses. — 
Many  of  them  were  struck  in  the  life-time  of 
his  father.” — With  the  exception  of  medallions 
in  gold,  silver,  and  brass,  and  some  reverses,  in 
each  metal,  of  the  usual  size,  all  are  common. 
On  these  he  is  styled  IMP erator  CAESAR  DO- 
MITIANVS  G lilt \[(u/icu.s  AVG usti  Yilitts  (viz. 
the  son  of  Vespasian)  Voter  Vatria.  On  a sil- 
ver coin,  struck  a.  d.  69,  when  Vespasian  was 
reigning,  and  Titus  and  Domitian  were  both 
only  Cicsars,  we  see  the  respective  bare  heads  of 
the  two  brothers  facing  each  other,  as  in  token 
of  that  fraternal  concord  which  the  latter  never 
sincerely  manifested  a desire  to  maintain. — 
Other  denarii,  for  a like  purpose,  exhibit  them 
both  seated  on  a cnrule  chair,  holding  olive 
branches,  and  with  the  legend  TITVS  ET  DO- 
yilTianus  C A ESam  PRINeyxw  IVVENfe^w. 
(Morell.  Impp.  Roman,  tab.  vii.  figs.  17  & 18). 

Among  the  rarest  reverses  are  the  following : 

Gold  Medallions. — Obv. — imp.  caes.  do- 
mit.  AVG.  GEU.  p.  m.  TR.  p.  vii.  Laurelled  bust 
of  the  emperor,  with  amulet  (Medusa’s  head) 

on  the  throat. Rev. — imp.  xiiii.  cos.  xim. 

cens.  pp.  p.  Minerva  standing  on  a ship’s 
prow,  holding  a spear  in  the  right  hand,  and  a 
buckler  on  the  left  arm ; at  her  feet  is  an  owl. 
On  the  prow  e.  a. — There  is  nothing  rare  in  the 
reverse  of  this  medallion,  its  type  being  simi- 
lar to  that  of  the  commonest  denarius  of  Do- 
mitian.— [Mionnet  values  this  at  1200  fr.  in 
gold,  and  600  fr.  in  silver]. 


344  D0M1T1LLA  FLAVIA. 

See  cut  at  the  head  of  the  foregoing  biogra- 
phical notice,  engraved  after  a cast  from  the 
original  in  the  Cabinet  de  France . 

Silver  Medallions. — capit.  restit.  Jupi- 
ter Capitolinus,  seated  in  a temple,  between  two 
standing  figures.  See  an  engraving  of  the  coin 
in  p.  170  of  this  dictionary. — princip.  ivven- 
tvt.  Emperor  on  horseback.  (Mionnet  values 
the  above  two  at  80  fr.  each). 

Gold. — germanicvs  cos.  xiiii.  A German 
captive  seated,  with  broken  spear.  (Two  of  this 
subject  brought  £3  16s.  at  the  Devonshire,  and 
another  [cos.  xv.]  £4  3s.  at  the  Thomas  sale). 

— DOMIT1ANVS  AVGVSTVS. — Reo.  GERMANICVS 

cos.  xiiii.  Miuerva.  (Pembroke  sale,  £4  8s.) 
— lvd.  saec.  pec.  Salian  priest.  (Mt.  60  fr.) 

— DOMITIA  AVGVSTA  IMP.  DOMITI.  Head  of  Do- 

mitia.  (Mt.  200  fr.) — lvd.  saec.  ff.c.  cos. 
xiiii.  Ou  a cippus.  (Mt.  60  fr.) — princeps 
ivventvtis.  Helmet  ou  a curule  chair.  (£2  12s. 

Devonshire). Same  legend.  Goat  within  a 

crown  of  laurel.  (Mt.  40  fr.) — vesta.  Temple 
and  3 figures.  (48  fr.) — Cornucopia,  a beautiful 
aureus,  with  this  type  of  reverse,  brought  £3 
at  the  Thomas  sale. 

Silver. — concordia  avg.  Woman  seated. 
(Mt.  25  fr.) — DIVVS  CAESAR  IMP.  DOMITIANI  F. 
Infant  on  a globe.  (Devonshire,  £2  10s.) — domi- 
tia  avgvsta.  Head  of  Domitia.  (90  fr.) — 
domitianv  caes.  avg.  Bare  head  of  Doini- 
tian,  with  the  bust  cuirassed. — iiee.-PACl.  avg. 
(Mt.  25  fr.) 

Brass  Medallions. — s.  c.  The  Emperor, 
with  a river-god  at  his  feet. — s.  c.  The  Emperor 
crowned  by  Victory.  (Miounet  values  these  two 
medallions,  which  are  surrounded  with  a large 
circle,  at  150  fr.  each). 

Large  Brass. — lvd.  saec.  fec.  The  Empe- 
ror and  several  figures.  (Mionnet,  40  fr.  Sold 
for  £1  19s.  at  the  Pembroke  sale). — fides  ex- 
ercit.  Emperor  and  soldiers  sacrificing.  (20  fr.) 
— s.  c.  Flavian  Amphitheatre.  (60  fr.) — s.  c. 
Emperor  in  a temple,  a soldier  on  each  side. 
(50  fr.) — s.  c.  Two  quadriga:  of  elephants  ou 
an  arch.  (24  fr.) — s.  c.  Woman  in  a temple, 
soldier  on  each  side.  (80  fr.) 


DOMITILLA  (Uluvia),  wife  of  Vespasian, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children,  Titus,  Domi- 
tian,  and  a daughter  Domitilla.  She  was  of 
obscure  birth,  being  the  daughter  of  Flavius 
Libcralis,  a questorian  scribe.  She  was  origiu- 
allv  a bond  woman,  or  slave,  to  Statilius  Ga- 
pcila,  a Roman  eques.  Subsequently,  however, 
she  was  manumitted,  and  Vespasian  married  her 
a.  D.  40.  She  as  well  as  her  daughter  died 
before  Vespasian  became  emperor.  Aud  her 
name  was  scarcely  known  iu  Koine  until  it  was 
drawn  from  oblivion  by  divine  houours  paid, 


DOM  ITIUS  DOMITI  ANUS. 

} and  consecration  coins  struck,  during  the  reign 
of  her  son  Titus. — “This  public  deification  (re- 
marks Capt.  Smyth,  p.  59),  though  unnoticed 
by  either  Tacitus,  Dion,  or  Suetonius,  is  re- 
corded on  gold  and  silver  medals  of  extreme 
rarity  ; and  we  learn  from  an  inscription  pre- 
served by  Grutcr,  the  excellent  philologist,  that 
an  order  of  priests  was  instituted  for  her  altars : 
Sacerdos  Diva  Domitilla.” 

Although  l’lavia  Domitilla,  wife  of  Vespasian, 
was  dead  before  the  accession  of  her  husband  to 
the  empire,  she  was  not  on  that  accouut  deemed 
less  worthy  to  be  declared  Augusta.  It  is  un- 
known whether  it  was  her  husband  or  her  son 
who  caused  this  posthumous  honour  to  be  ren- 
dered to  her.  It  is  the  first  example  of  an  em- 
peror’s wife  declared  Augusta  and  Diva,  having 
died  without  having  occupied  the  supreme  rank 
of  empress. 

The  following  arc  the  coins  dedicated  to  her 
memory  by  her  eldest  son  ; and  on  the  obverses 
of  which  she  is  styled  DIVA  DOMITILLA 
AVGVSTA,  aud  the  legend  is  accompanied  by 
her  portrait. 

Silver  Medallion. — pif.tas  avgvsta.  A 
woman  seated.  (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  300  fr.) 

Gold. — Rev.  divvs  avgvstvs  vespasianvs. 
Head  of  Vespasian.  (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  600 
fr.  Brought  at  the  Trattlc  sale  £29  10s.) 

Silver. Obv.  diva  domitilla  avgvsta. 

Bust  of  the  wife  of  Vespasian. — Rev.  fortvna 
avgvsta.  Fortune  standing  with  her  usual  at- 
tributes.— (See  the  above  engraving;  it  is  also 
figured  in  Akerman,  i.  plate  5,  No.  8. — Mion- 
net values  this  excessively  rare  denarius  at  125 
fr.  A specimen  of  it,  in  extremely  fine  condi- 
tion, brought  £20  IDs.  Od.  at  thcTovev  sale.) — 
paci  avgvstae.  The  type  of  l’eace. — pietas 
avg vst.  A woman  seated  to  the  right,  having 
near  her  a young  child,  whom  she  seems  to  pro- 
tect. Allusion  is  doubtless  here  made  to  the 
virtues  of  Vespasian’s  deceased  wife.  The  child 
is  most  probably  meant  for  Titus,  elder  son  of 
Vespasian.  [The  legend  and  type  of  reverse  arc 
the  same  as  appear  on  a denarius  of  Domitia, 
the  latter  obviously  borrowed  from  Domitilla’s 
coiu.  Mionnet  values  the  Pari  aud  the  Pietas  at 
125  fr.  each.] 

DOMITILLAE  MEMORIAE.— It  is  matter 
of  dispute  amongst  numismatic  antiquaries,  whe- 
ther a large  brass,  which,  minted  by  Titus, 
bears  the  foregoing  legend  aud  the  type  of  a 
carpentum  drawn  by  two  nudes,  is  to  he  re- 
ferred to  Domitilla,  the  mother  of  that  emperor, 
or  to  his  sister,  of  the  same  name.  As  an  in- 
vestigation of  the  principal  arguments,  adduced 
011  both  sides  of  this  question,  so  far  from  being 
profitless,  is  calculated  to  afford  some  useful  in- 
formation, a summary  will  be  found  given  of 
them  under  the  head  of  memoriae  DOMITILLAE. 

DOM  111  IS  DOM  ITT  ANUS.— These  names 
j appear  only  on  coins,  and  arc  supposed  to  be 
those  of  one  ol  Diocletian’s  generals,  who  dc- 
; clarcd  himself  emperor  at  Alexandria,  whilst  in 
command  of  the  imperial  legions  iu  Egypt ; in 
w hich  year  is  not  known  ; but  it  is  supposed  to 
have  been  about  the  time  of  Diocletian's  abdica- 


DOMIT1 L S DOMIT1AN US. 
tion.  The  subjoiued  engraving  is  from  one  of 
the  only  coins  with  Latin  legends  ascribed  to 
this  usurper;  and  although  uo  doubt  whatever 
exists  as  to  its  authenticity,  yet  the  subject  it- 
self presents  difficulties  which  are  far  from  being 
resolved  satisfactorily,  by  either  preceding  or 
present  numismatists. 


DOMITIUS  DOM  1 1 1 ANUS.  345 
Obo.—mVerator  CAESAR  Lucius  DOMI- 
TIVS  DO  MIT  I AN  VS  WGustus.  Rust,  to  the 
right,  of  Domitius  Domitianus,  laureated. — Rev. 
gknio  POPVU  ROMANI.  The  Genius  of  the 
Roman  People  unclothed,  except  with  the  pal- 
lium on  his  shoulders  ; the  face  beardless,  hold- 
ing in  the  right  hand  a patera , and  in  the  other 


a cornucopia.  At  his  feet  is  an  eagle.  In  the 
field  r.  (mark  of  the  year  iii.)  On  the  exergue 
ale.  (for  Alexandria). — This  coin,  in  middle 
brass,  was  considered  almost  unique  in  D’En- 
nery’s  time. — The  above  cut  is  after  a cast  from 
a specimen  in  the  British  Museum. 

Without  pretending  to  unravel  a skein  of  his- 
torical uncertainties,  which  environs  the  researches 
and  baftlcs  the  conjectures  of  learned  and  inge- 
nious antiquaries,  we  may  cite  the  following 
passages  in  reference  to  this  still  unsettled  ques-  '■ 
tion  of  identity  and  date,  from  two  of  the  most 
celebrated  of  modern  uumismatists  : — 

“ Of  this  Domitius  Domitianus  (says  Mion- 
nct)  the  name,  career,  and  fate  are  equally 
unknown.  But  on  the  reverse  of  these  Latin 
medals,  the  exergue  presents  the  letters  ale. 
which  shews  that  they  were  struck  at  Alexan- 
dria. Now,  at  the  period  when  Latin  coins 
began  to  be  struck  in  that  city,  Greek  ones  had 
ceased  to  appear.  The  latest  Greek  medals  of 
Alexandria,  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge, 
arc  Diocletian’s,  and  bear  the  date  te  (15),  which 
answers  to  the  year  of  Rome  1051  (a.  d.  298). 
The  Latin  medals  of  Domit.  Domitianus  cannot, 
therefore,  be  anterior  to  that  epocha.  Neither 
arc  they  greatly  posterior  to  that  time  ; because 
the  type,  the  workmanship,  and  the  value  of 
these  medals  unite  in  proving  that  they  are  of 
Diocletian’s  age.” — (Rurete,  & c.  ii.  171). 

The  above  piece  is  not  an  isolated  one. — 
There  exist  Greek  coins  of  Alexandria  equally 
indubitable,  aud  which  also  belong  to  a Domi- 
tianus.  M.  Ch.  Lenormant,  in  his  splendid 
work,  Iconographie  des  Empereurs,  gives  a 
wood-cut  of  one  of  these.  The  following  is  a 
description  of  it : — 

DOMITIANOC  OEBcurros.  (Domitianus 
Augustus).  Radiated  head  of  Domitiau,  turned 
to  the  right. 

Rev. — Serapis,  walking  to  the  right,  the  right 
hand  raised,  and  holding  a long  sceptre  in  the 
left.  In  the  field  a palm  branch,  and  L.  B. 
(AvKaSayros  Seurepov)  the  year  II.  .'E.  4. 

“When  we  compare  (says  M.  Lenormant), 
the  Latin  coin  with  the  Greek  one,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  doubt  but  that  they  both  belong  to  one 
aud  the  same  personage.  Eckhcl,  indeed,  attri- 

2 Y 


butes  the  Greek  medal  to  a Domitianus,  con- 
temporary of  Gallienus,  and  conqueror  of  the 
two  Macriani,  whilst  he  makes  the  Latin  piece 
descend  down  as  far  as  the  epocha  of  Diocletiau. 
This  opinion  I consider  to  be  unstable  at  its  very 
foundation.  As  to  the  opiuion  of  numismatists, 
who  have  recognised  in  the  Latin  medal  the 
style  and  workmanship  of  the  .era  of  Diocle- 
tian, it  appears  to  be  well  warranted ; and  we 
do  not  hesitate  to  regard  the  personage,  whose 
portrait  it  represents,  as  a contemporary  of  that 
emperor.  The  two  pieces  were  minted  at  Alex- 
andria. The  one  belongs  to  the  monetary  series 
of  that  city,  which  was  verging  upon  its  close ; 
the  other  is  a Latin  middle  brass,  but  bcar- 
iug  the  same  distinction  (different)  as  the  great 
gold  medal  of  Diocletian  (see  leonographie 
Romaine,  No.  7,  plate  lv.)  ale,  mark  of 
the  money  of  Alexandria. — The  Greek  medal 
indicates  the  second  year  of  this  Domitianus ; 
the  Latin  middle  brass  has  in  the  field  a T, 
which  it  is  by  no  means  rash  to  consider  as 
a mark  of  the  third  year.  The  pretender,  re- 
presented on  these  pieces,  is  not  one  of  those 
ephemeral  usurpers,  whose  trace  can  have  dis- 
appeared from  history.  Although  the  texts  re- 
lative to  the  reign  of  Diocletiau  be  extremely 
succinct,  it  would  be  far  too  extraordinary  that 
no  literary  record  should  have  bceu  preserved  of 
a prince  who  wore  the  purple  jn  Egypt  for  three, 
or  at  least  for  two,  years.  These  texts,  never- 
theless, say  nothiug  of  Domitius  Domitianus ; 
but  they  enter  into  some  details  in  connection 
with  the  usurpation  of  an  Achilleus,  who  was, 
during  a sufficiently  long  time,  master  of  Alex- 
andria.” (p.  114). 

The  learned  and  accomplished  Author  of  the 
work  above  quoted,  then  submits  to  his 
readers  jvhether  it  would  not  be  “ possible  to 
ascribe  to  this  Achilleus  the  coins  which  bear 
the  name  of  Domitius  Domitianus?”  aud  he 
proceeds  to  employ  some  ingenious  arguments 
by  analogy  drawn  from  the  early  empire,  and 
backed  by  references  to  the  events  during  the 
reign  of  Diocletian,  to  shew,  that  such  might 
have  been  the  case.  At  the  same  time  how- 
ever he  confesses,  that  to  justify  his  suspicion 
(souppon)  it  was  needful  to  have  some  inscrip- 
tion [at  present  undiscovered]  which  should 


3W  DOMNA. 

fjive  ii>  a manner  mere  complete  than  coins  do, 
the  names  of  this  usurping  emperor. 

i_My  esteemed  friend,  Mr.  Matthew  Young, 
the  late  eminent  medallist,  once  sent  down  for 
my  inspection,  a specimen  of  this  usurper's  Latin 
coin,  which,  as  to  both  legends  and  types,  was 
in  the  most  beautifully  perfect  preservation, 
covered  with  a smooth,  dark  brown-coloured 
patina;  and  in  every  respect  accordant  with  the 
above  cited  description  of  Mionnct;  who  (be  it 
observed),  places  this  second  brass  in  the  fourth 
degree  of  rarity,  and  he  values  it  at  only  15  fr. 
Mr.  Young’s  price  for  his  flower  of  the  die  was 
t~.  the  exact  sum  which  it  afterwards  brought 
at  the  Ikomas  sale. — Mr.  Roach  Smith  informs 
me,  that  oue  of  these  was  lately  fonud  in  Ger- 
many, with  a large  number  of  Diocletian’s  and 
Maximian’s  coins. — Note  by  the  compiler.] 


DOMNA  (Julia),  second  wife  of  Septimius 
Sevcrus,  was  the  offspring  of  a plebeian  family, 
of  Emesa,  in  Syria.  Her  father  was  Julius  Bas- 
siauus  (a  name  which  was  given  to  Caracalla, 
and  which  he  bore  till  Sevcrus  made  him  ex- 
change it  for  that  of  Antoninus).  Her  mother’s 
name  was  Soemias.  YV  hat  Julia  wauted  in  no- 
bility of  birth  was  supplied  by  the  planet  of  her 
nativity.  Her  horoscope  was  of  such  a kind, 
that  she  professed  a perfect  assurance  of  being, 
at  some  time  or  other,  the  wife  of  a king. — 
Sevcrus  hearing  of  this  circumstance,  w hilst  yet 
in  a private  station,  and  being  addicted  himself 
to  astrology,  through  a strong  ambition  of  sove- 
reignty, married  her  after  the  death  of  his  wife 
Marcia.  That  this  event  cannot  be  fixed  later 
than  the  year  u.  c.  928  (a.  d.  175),  is  proved 
by  the  express  assertion  of  Dion  (lxxiv.  $ 3), 
that  Faustina,  the  wife  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  pre- 
pared for  this  marriage,  a nuptial  couch,  in  the 
temple  of  Venus,  which  was  situated  near  the 
palace.  Tor  it  was  in  this  year  thut  Faustina 
junior  set  out  for  the  East,  in  coiupatiy  with 
her  husband,  aud  died  on  the  journey.  Domna 
possessed  beauty,  wit,  learning,  eloquence.  Her 
talents  and  her  ambition  were  alike  remarkable ; 
and  notwithstanding  her  notoriously  loose  cha- 
racter. and  the  treasonable  attempts  of  which 
she  was  suspected,  continued  always  to  be  a 
favourite  with  Sevcrus.  After  his  death,  Julia 
had  the  grief  to  see  her  sons  despise  her  en- 
treaties, aud  remain  enemies.  Although  treated 
with  some  degree  of  deference  by  her  son  Cara- 
calln,  she  was  forced  to  witness’  the  murder  of 
Geta  by  his  own  brother,  in  her  very  arms,  npd 
to  sec  herself  covered  with  the  blood  of  one  of 
her  own  sons.  Aud,  when  her  lamentations  for 
Gelu’s  death  became  too  bitter  for  his  liking, 
Caracalla  nearly  went  the  length  of  doubling 
hi-  crime  in  her  person.  After wards,  she  suc- 


DOMNA. 

ceeded  in  dissembling  her  grief,  to  secure  the 
good  will  of  her  surviving  son,  who  in  recom- 
pense for  this  condescension,  bestowed  upon  her 
abundant  honours,  and  even  conferred  upon  her 
a portion  of  his  imperial  authority. — Spartianus, 
Eutropius,  aud  Aurelius  Victor,  relate  an  odious 
scandal  against  this  celebrated  but  liceutious 
woman,  in  reference  to  Caracalla.  It  is  not 
mentioned, however,  by  contemporaneous  writers; 
and,  for  the  honour  of  womanhood,  and  espe- 
cially of  maternity,  it  is  to  be  hoped  there  was 
no  truth  in  the  accusation,  even  though  alluded 
to  in  the  severe  jests  of  the  Alexandrians. — 
After  the  death  of  Caracalla,  she  stayed  at  An- 
tioch ; and  not  being  able  to  reconcile  herself 
to  private  life,  she  determined  to  put  an  end  to 
her  existence  by  starvation,  overwhelming  Ma- 
criuus  with  reproaches  aud  maledictions.  But 
soon  laying  aside  her  assumed  grief  for  the  death 
of  Caracalla,  she  took  heart  at  finding  herself 
courteously  addressed,  in  the  letters  of  the  new 
emperor ; who,  however,  when  he  discovered 
that  she  had  obvious  designs  on  the  sovereignty, 
ordered  her  to  quit  Antioch,  aud  go  whither  so- 
ever she  pleased.  Driven  to  desperation  by  this 
affront,  Julia  refused  all  nourishment,  ami  died 
a.d.  217.  Her  remains  were  transported  to 
Rome ; and  deposited,  at  first,  in  the  tomb  of 
Cains  and  Lucius.  Afterwards,  her  sister  Mtcsa 
caused  them  to  be  placed,  together  with  the 
bones  of  Geta,  in  the  mausoleum  of  Antoninus 
Pius  (according  to  Dion,  Ixxviii.  $ 23,  24). — 
The  children  of  Domna  were  Caracalla  and 
Geta,  and  some  daughters  of  uo  celebrity. 

She  is  suruamed  Felix  and  Domna ; the  latter 
is  her  own  family  appellation,  and,  according  to 
Spanheim,  a Syrian  word;  inscribed  with  which 
her  coins  are  more  prized  than  when  they  have 
Pia,  a name  given  to  Jidia  at  Rome,  in  honour 
of  Fulvia  Pia,  the  mother  of  Sevcrus. — Her 
numismatic  style  is  IVLIA  AVGVSTA  (with 
Mater  Castrorum  or  Augustorum  often  ou  the 
reverse).  Also  IVLIA  PIA  FELIX  DOMNA 
AVG.  (with  Mater  Pat  rim  on  the  reverse). — 
The  brass  coins  minted  in  honour  of  this  em- 
press (except  medallions  and  some  others  with 
the  word  Domna),  are  very  common  ; the  gold 
arc  rare ; the  silver  of  usual  size,  for  the  most 
part  common. 

The  follow  ing  arc  amongst  the  rarest  reverses, 

in  each  metal : — 

Gold  Medallion.-yenvs  gknetrix.  Venus 
seated. — (Small  size;  brought  All  5s.  at  the 
Tint  tie  sale). 

Gold. — aetebmt.  IMPEKI.  Busts  of  Scverus 
aud  Caracalla.  (Mt.  150  fr.) — Same  epigraph, 
with  heads  of  Caracalla  and  Geta.  (£9  its.  Ud. 
Thomas;  Prattle,  £11  10s.) — DIANA  lvciekra 
standing.  (£7  7s.  Od.  at  the  Thomas  sale). — 
eecvnihtas.  Female  seated,  and  four  children 
uear  n globe.  (£11  Thomas). — HlLAttlTAS.  A 
female,  with  cornucopia;  and  palm  branch.  (£8 
at  the  Thomas). — rVNO  hegina.  (£7  15s.  at 
the  Devonshire). — laetitia. — lvna  lvcifera. 
— mater  avg.  (Mt.  SO  fr.  each). — mater  avgo. 
Cybele  in  quadriga  of  lions.  (£7  15s.  at  Devon- 
shire ; £9  at  the  Thonius). — mater  DEVM.  (£3 


DONA.— DONATIVA. 

10s.  at  the  Thomas;  £5  Trattle.) — mat.  avgg. 

MAT.  SEN.  M.  PATH.  (£9  Thomas). MATRI 

Castrorvm.  The  Empress  standing,  sacrificing 
before  two  military  ensigns.  Engraved  in  Mion- 
net  (i.  303),  who  values  that,  and  another  with 
the  Empress  seated,  at  100  fr.  each. — sever  vs 
pivs  avg.  Must  of  Scverus.  (Mt.  100  fr.) — 
vesta  mater.  Sacrifice  by  six  females  before 
a temple.  (£5  10s.  Trattle;  £8  15s.  Thomas). — 
vener.  victr.  Venus  resting  on  a column. 
(Highly  preserved,  obtained  £8  at  Thomas  sale; 
bought  at  the  Tiattle  for  £5  7s.  (id.) — venvs 
gexetrix.  (A  specimen  of  this  extremely  rare 
aureus,  in  perfect  condition,  £5  7s.  at  the  Bru- 
mell,  brought  £6  6s.  at  the  Pembroke  sale). — 
pi  ft  ati.  Figure  and  altar.  (£12  10s.  Trattle). 

Silver  Medallion. — aeqvitas  pvbuca. 
The  three  monetae.  (Mionuet,  30  l'r.) 

Silver. — antonixvs  pivs  avg.  bkit.  Head 
of  Caracalla.  (Mt.  50  fr.) — cereri  frvgif. 
[See  wood-cut  at  head  of  biographical  notice.] 
— Concordia  Felix.  Two  figures.  Engraved 
in  Khell,  page  114.  (24  fr.) — p.  sept.  geta. 

Head  of  Geta.  (45  fr.) — severvs  avg.  partii. 

max.  Head  of  Scverus.  (60  fr.) vf.sta 

mater.  Sacrifice  before  a temple.  (40  fr.) 

Brass  Medallions. — ceres,  staudiug  near 
an  altar.  (150  fr.) — fecvnditati  avg.  Woman 
seated  with  children.  (Mionnet,  300  fr.) 

Large  Brass — aeqvitati  pvblicae.  (Mt. 
72  fr.) — ivnonem.  (Beautiful  specimen,  £2 

9s.  Thomas). — lvna  lvcif. — mater  avg. — pie- 
tati  avg. — prim i decennales.  (24  fr.  each). 
— septimivs  severvs.  Head  of  Scverus.  (72fr.) 
— VESTA  MATER  & VOTA  PVBL1CA.  (30  fr.  each). 

— vesta.  The  goddess  seated. Obv.  ivlia 

domna  avg.  (£8  8s.  at  the  Thomas  sale). 

DOMNUS.— DOMNUS  PIIILOCOMUS.— 
These  epigraphs  appear,  the  former  on  a con- 
torniate  of  Trajan,  the  latter  on  a contorniate 
of  Sept.  Severus.  The  type  of  both  represents 
hieronicus,  or  victor  at  the  Circeusian  games, 
holding  a whip  in  his  right  hand,  a palm  brauch 
in  his  left,  and  carried  in  a triumphal  quadriga. 
It  is  known  that  palms  were  amongst  the  re- 
wards distributed  to  the  successful  charioteers 
on  those  occasions. 

DONA.  AVG. — This  legend,  which  Vaillant 
and  Banduri  quote  as  inscribed  on  the  reverse 
of  a silver  coiu  of  Gallienus,  has  for  its  type 
Mercury  staudiug,  with  the  crumena  in  one 
hand,  and  the  caduceus  in  the  other,  and  a dog 
at  his  feet. — See  Mercury. 

All  antiquaries  (says  Eckhcl)  who  have  com- 
mented on  this  coin,  explain  its  reverse  in  the 
words  of  Trcbellius,  who  says,  that  Gallienus 
was  renowned  for  his  accomplishments  in  ora- 
tory, in  poetry,  and  in  all  arts,  of  which  [ac- 
cording to  the  popular  superstition  of  his  day]. 
Mercury  was  the  author  and  giver.  Hence  we 
learn  the  cause  why  Gallicuus,  in  this  coin,  is 
exhibited  under  the  form  of  that  god. 

DONATIVA,  donatives,  or  presents  in  money, 
which  the  emperors  made  to  the  soldiers,  either 
after  a victory,  by  way  of  rccorapence  to  them, 
or  at  the  beginning  of  a reign,  to  gain  their 
friendship,  or  on  other  occasions.  The  confer- 
2 Y 2 


DRACO.  347 

ring  of  donatives  on  the  soldiery,  or  on  the 
people,  is  sometimes  alluded  to  on  Roman  coins, 
as  appears  from  those  on  which  the  pretovian 
guards  stand  before  the  imperial  tribune. — 
Sometimes  cong.  is  read,  with  the  additiou  of 
il.  or  some  other  number  (Spanlieim,  Pr.  ii. 
p.  533,  et  seq.)  Of  all  monarchs  the  Roman 
emperors  alone  returned  their  superfluous  wealth 
to  the  people : a system  doubtless  founded  on 
the  best  policy ; since  the  usefulness  of  money 
lies  more  in  giving  it  circulation,  than  in  lock- 
ing it  up  in  a treasury  ; especially  since,  on  any 
emergency,  they  had  the  power  of  recalling  it 
again.  Nor  was  it  otherwise  than  a free  gift  to 
the  people,  inasmuch  as  it  consisted  of  the 
spoils  of  conquered  nations.  (Rasclie,  T.  ii. 

part  1,  p.  434.) See  Conyiaria — Largitio — 

Liberalitas. 

D.  P. — Du  Penates,  or  Dis  Penatibus. — 
This  abbreviation  appears  on  coins  of  the  Sul- 
picia  family,  accompanied  with  the  type  of  two 
jugated  and  lanreated  heads  of  the  Dii  Penates 
or  household  gods. 

DR.  Drusus. — DR.  CAE.  Q.  PR.  Drusn 
Ceesare  Qiueslore  Provincia/i.-{\u"e\oui,  p.  28.) 

DRACO,  dragon,  so  called  from  a Greek 
word  which  signifies  to  see  clearly,  was  distin  - 
guished  from  the  serpent  (serpens),  by  its  mag- 
nitude, crest,  and  beard  ; also  sometimes  by  the 
addition  of  wings  and  feet,  and  was  considered 
as  tutelary  genius  and  guardian  in  many  ancient 
nations.  On  a consecration  coin  of  Faustina, 
two  of  them  draw  a ear.  On  denarii  of  the 
Vibia,  Vipsania,  aud  Volteia  families,  we  see 
big.c  of  dragons,  driven  by  Ceres. 

The  Dragon  served  as  a Roman  ensign  under 
the  emperors.  They  borrowed  the  custom,  most 
probably,  from  the  Dacians  and  Parthians,  who 
themselves  adopted  it  from  the  people  of  India. 
(Pitiscus).  And  the  Romans  haviug  once 
brought  these  figures  of  a fabulous  animal  into 
military  use,  dragons  became  common  to  all  the 
cohorts,  as  is  expressly  stated  by  Vegetius : — 
Primum  signum  totius  legionis  est  Aquila,  quam 
aquilifer  portat ; Dracones  ctiam  per  siugulas 
cohortes  a dracouariis  feruntur  ad  pradium. — 
That  the  officer  who  bore  the  image  itself  of  a 
dragon,  or  an  ensign,  on  which  the  figure  w’as 
woven  into  the  vexi llum,  had  the  appellation 
of  Draconarius,  we  learn  from  Ammianus,  in 
describing  the  solemn  entry  of  Coustantius  II. 
into  Rome. 

On  a large  brass  of  Philip  senior,  a woman 
stands  holding  a two-footed  dragon  in  her  right 
hand,  and  a spear  in  her  left. — For  Eckhel’s  ex- 
planation of  this  enigmatical  type,  see  tran- 

QUILLITAS  AUG. 

Draco  Lanuvius,  or  symbolical  serpent  of 
Juno  Sospita,  winding  its  folds  round,  aud  erect- 
ing its  head  above,  an  altar,  is  a frequent  type 
on  the  denarii  of  Roman  families. 

The  mystical  dragon,  lying  prostrate,  is  re- 
presented on  some  coins  of  the  Christian  Em- 
I perors.  Thus  the  dragou  is  seen  under  the  feet 
of  Theodosius,  and  in  like  manner  of  Valen- 
I tinian  junior,  of  Libius  Severus,  of  Hcraclius, 
and  others.  — See  Serpens. 


343  DRUS1LLA. 

DRUSILLA. — The  appellation  of  this  woman  | 
is  thus  read,  unaccompanied  by  the  title  of  Am-  t 
qmta,  on  a iarge  brass  of  Caligula,  in  associa- 
tion with  the  names  of  her  two  sisters,  agrip- 
PtNA  and  iylia,  both  objects,  with  herself,  of 
that  tyrant’s  incestuous  lore.  Julia  Drnsilla, 
the  daughter  of  Agrippina  senior  and  of  Ger- 
manicus,  was  born  763  (a.  d.  15),  at  Treves; 
married  by  Tiberius  to  L.  Cassias  Longinus, 
grandson  of  Cassias,  and  taken  from  her  hus- 
band by  her  own  execrable  brother  to  cohabit 
with  him.  Drnsilla  died  a.  d.  3S. — See  the  re- 
verse engraved  in  p.  29. 


DRUSI  S SENIOR 

DKCSUS  s tutor. Nero  Claudins  Drusns 

Germanicus,  commonly  called  Drnsus  senior,  was 
the  son  of  Ti.  Claudius  Nero  and  of  Livia.  He 
came  into  the  world  in  the  year  of  Rome 
716  (b.  c.  33),  not  however  at  his  father's 
house,  but  in  that  of  Octavianus  (afterwards 
Augustus),  three  months  after  he  had,  with  the 
permission  of  her  husband,  married  Livia,  then 
enceinlt  with  Drusns ; a circumstance  which 
gave  rise  to  the  line — Beatis  trimestres  liberos 
nasci — “ To  the  fortunate,  children  of  three 
months  art  born.”  (Sueton.  in  Claud,  c.  1). — 
His  prenomen  was  at  first  Decimut,  and  after- 


ward- .V 'tro,  by  which  he  is  invariably  desig- 
nated on  coins,  thus — xero  clavdivs  drvsvs, 
so  as  to  indicate  by  the  names  Xero,  and  Clau- 
dia* his  paternal,  and  by  that  of  Drnsus  his 
maternal,  genealogy,  through  the  gens  Livia. 
For,  according  to  Suetonius  (in  Tiber,  c.  8),  he 
was  enrolled  also  in  the  family  of  the  Iivii,  by 
the  adoption  into  it  of  his  maternal  grandfather. 
Being  promoted,  by  the  influence  of  Augustus, 
to  an  earlier  share  in  public  honours  than  the 
strict  letter  of  the  law  wonld  have  permitted, 
he  was  enabled  to  devote  himself  to  the  cam- 
paigns in  Germany,  from  the  year  r.  C.  739 
(b.  C.  15),  for  six  years  till  his  death;  daring 
wh.ch  period  he  panly  ken?  in  check  the  Snevi, 
Sicambri,  Cherusci,  and  Frisii,  and  partly  re- 
duced them  to  the  Roman  allegiance.  He  com- 
pleted with  vast  labour  a dam,  or  dyke,  across 
the  Rhine,  to  moderate  the  force  of  the  stream, 
and  which,  as  late  as  the  time  of  Snetonius,  was 
called  the  (Fosta ) Drutina.  and  is  to  this  day 
an  object  of  wonder.  At  the  beginning  of  his 
consulate,  in  the  year  r.  c.  745  (b.  c.  9),  he 
proceeded  into  Germany,  and  was  the  first  Ro- 
man who  penetrated  as  far  as  the  Albis  (now 
the  Elbe). — Eekbel,  vi  175-76. 

Drnsus  senior  died  the  same  year,  thirty  days 
after  a fall  from  bis  horse,  caused  doubtless  by 
a frightful  apparition,  under  the  superstitions 
iafaeore  of  which  he  was  deterred  from  pursu- 
ing the  Germans  beyond  the  Elbe.  He  was  so 
distinguished  a favourite  of  Augustus,  on  ac- 
count of  his  valour  and  integrity,  that,  in  the 
oration  which  that  emperor  delivered  at  his 
burial,  he  prayed  “ the  gods  to  make  his  own 
Ciesars  like  the  deceased,  and  grant  to  himself 
as  honourable  an  end  as  his  had  been.” — Vale- 
rias Maximus  speaks  in  high  terms  of  his  moral 
qualities,  and  of  his  conjugal  fidelity.  The 
forrien  victories  of  Drnsus,  and  the  regrets 


! which  he  publicly  expressed  on  the  loss  of  the 
free  republic,  rendered  his  name  popular  ; and 
his  premature  death,  which  took  place  during 
his  journey  homewards,  before  he  reached  the 
Rhine,  contributed  to  render  his  memory  still 
more  dear  to  the  Romans.  His  remains  were 
conveyed  to  Rome,  and  placed,  with  the  highest 
honours,  in  the  family  mausoleum  of  Angustus. 

His  brass  coins  (only  those  of  the  large  sixe 
are  extant),  struck  under  Claudios,  are  not  rare ; 
with  the  exception  of  those  restored  by  Titus 
aud  by  Domitian.  On  these  he  is  styled 

1.  NERO  CLAVDIVS  DRVSVS  GER- 
MANICVS  IMP enrtor.  Bare  head  of  Dru-us 
senior  to  the  left. — Rer.-TIAcriw  CLAVDIVS 
CAESAR  AVGmIm  P ontifex  Mmimw  TRi- 
buuit'ur  VotestatU  I M Vera  tor.  (Tiberius  Clau- 
dius Caesar  Augustus,  Sovereign  Pontiff,  in- 
vested with  the  tribnnitian  power).  Statue  of 
the  eldrr  Drusns,  clothed  in  the  toga,  turned  to 
the  right,  seated  on  a heap  of  arms,  and  hold- 
ing a branch  in  the  right  hand.  Below  is  the 
mark  of  Senatorial  authority  for  striking  the 
coin. — Engraved  as  above  from  a specimen  in 

■ the  compiler’s  possession. 

This  brass  coin,  and  the  two  following  aurei, 
were  minted  by  order  of  the  Emperor  Claudius, 
and  in  honour  of  his  father’s  memory.  They 
renew  the  memory  of  the  statues,  both  eques- 
trian and  pedestrian,  which,  with  other  honours, 
were  dedicated  to  him  after  his  decease.  The 
surname  of  Germaaictu,  attached  here  to  the 
Wend  of  Drusns,  was  not  decreed  to  him  until 
after  his  death — the  Senate  at  the  same  time 
authorising  all  his  descendants  to  bear  a name 
which  recalled  the  glory  of  their  aucestor. 

2.  Obr. — Same  Wend,  with  laureated  bead 
of  Drusns  senior. — Rer.-DE  GERM.  (Victory 
over  the  Germans).  Equestriafi  statue  to  the 


DRUSUS  JUNIOR. 


DRUSUS  JUNIOR.  349 


right,  ou  a triumphal  arch,  between  two  tro- 
phies. Silver. 


The  arch  of  Drnsus  here  represented  still 
exists  almost  entire  near  the  Appian  Gate,  now- 
called  the  Gate  of  St.  Sebastian,  at  Rome.  The 
group  of  sculptures  which  crowned  the  arch 
have  disappeared. — (Lenorinaut). 

3.  Obv. — Same  legend,  with  the  laureated 
head  of  Drusns. — Rev. — 1)E  GERMANIS. — 
Trophy  composed  of  German  arms. 

DRUSUS  junior. — Drnsus  called  the  younger, 
to  distinguish  him  from  his  uncle  Nero  Claudius 
Drnsus,  was  born  during  the  marriage  of  Tibe- 
rius and  of  Vipsania  Agrippina,  probably  about 
the  year  of  Rome  740  (b.  c.  14).  Being  early 
advanced  to  public  honours,  he  was  Qucstor  in 
764  (a.  r>.  11),  and  Consul  Designates  in  767 
(a.  d.  14),  when  he  was  sent  by  his  father  Tibe- 
rius into  Pannonia,  and  there  recalled  to  its 
allegiauce  the  army  of  that  region,  which  on 
the  death  of  Augustus  had  betrayed  symptoms 
of  revolt.  Consul  for  the  first  time  in  768 
(a.  d.  15),  he  entered  Rome  in  an  Ovation  de- 
creed to  him  in  773  (a.  d.  20),  on  account  of  his 
settlement  of  the  affairs  of  Germany,  and  esta- 
blishment of  Vannius  as  king  of  the  Suevi. — 
In  774  he  became  cousul  for  the  second  time, 
and  in  775  (a.  d.  22),  received  from  his  father 
the  Tribunitia  Potestas.  Nor  did  he  long  sur- 
vive this  period,  being  cut  off  in  the  flower  of 
his  age  For,  incensed  at  the  influence  of  Sc- 
janns,  he  went  the  length  of  striking  him  in  a 
quarrel.  Sejanus,  burning  for  revenge,  and 
already  meditating  his  death,  communicated  his 
designs  to  Livia  or  Livilla,  the  wife  of  Drnsus, 
whose  co-operation  he  had  secured  by  the  cri- 
minal intimacy  subsisting  between  them,  and 
poisoned  him  in  the  midst  of  his  security,  in 
the  year  u.  c.  776  (a.  d.  23).  The  crime  was 
hushed  up  for  a time  through  fear  of  Sejanus ; 
but  on  his  death  in  784  (a.  d.  31),  it  was 
brought  to  light  by  the  declaration  of  Apicata, 
the  wife  of  Sejanus ; who,  finding  that  her 
children  were  involved  in  her  husband’s  fate, 
and  losing  her  reason  in  her  grief,  sent  a letter 
to  Tiberius,  in  which  she  betrayed  the  perpe- 
trators of  the  murder  of  Drusus,  and  then  put 
an  end  to  her  own  existence.  This  Drusus  was 
considered  an  able  soldier ; but  a man  of  no 
stability  of  character,  and  dissolute  in  his  habits. 
He  delighted  in  bloodshed,  even  of  the  vilest 
ot  mankind  ; and  so  marked  was  this  trait,  that 
sharp  swords  used  to  be  called  Drusiani  (gladii). 
11c  was  thought  inferior  to  his  father  in  every 
respect,  except  his  passion  for  drinking.  Cas- 
siodorus  says,  that  he  was  honoured  with  a 
public  burial. — D.  N.  Vet.  vi.  202. 

His  first  brass  coins,  with  bis  portrait  on  one 
side,  and  Tiberius  on  the  other,  are  rare ; 2ud 


brass  common,  except  with  the  reverse  of  Tibe- 
rius, which  are  very  rare.  The  silver  are  all 
extremely  rare. — The  following  is  a description 
of  legends  and  tvpcs,  in  each  metal : — 

1.  Rev. — DRVSVS  - - - AYG.  COC.  II.  TR. 
P.  Bare  head  of  Drusus  the  voungcr. — Obv. 
TI.  CAES.  AYG.  1>.  M.  TR.  P.‘  XXXV.  Lau- 
reated head  of  Tiberius.  Silver. — Engraved  in 
Kliell,  p.  16. 

This  medal  of  Drusus  the  younger  belongs  to 
a suite  of  pieces  struck  out  of  Rome,  and  pro- 
bably at  Caesarsea,  in  Cappadocia,  a short  time 
after  the  union  of  that  province  to  the  Roman 
empire.  The  unusual  titles  which  Tiberius  bears 
ou  these  pieces  confirm  this  conjecture.  Eckhcl, 
who  was  the  first  to  hazard  it,  thinks  also  that 
the  epocha  of  the  medals  in  question  answers  to 
that  in  which  Tiberius  having  become  acquainted 
with  the  part  which  Sejanus  and  Livilla  had 
taken  in  the  death  of  Drusus  junior,  the  pro- 
vinces of  the  empire  eagerly  seized  the  occasion 
to  flatter  the  emperor  by  dedicating  money  to 
his  son’s  memory. 


2.  DRVSVS  CAESAR  T Iberii  AVG usf* 
F i/ius  DIY1  AN  Gusli  N epos.  Bare  head  of 
Drusus  the  younger  to  the  left. — Rev. — PON- 
TIFF TRlBVNift*  POTESTafw  lTER///«  — 

I In  the  field,  the  initials  S.  C.  (struck  by  autho- 
j rity  of  the  Senate.)  Middle  brass. 

The  first  tribuuitian  power  of  Drusus  the 
younger  dates  from  the  year  of  Rome  776  (a.  d. 
23),  one  year  before  his  death. 

3.  Rev. — DRVSVS  CAESAR  TI.  AVG.  F. 
D1VI  AVG.  N.  PONT.  TR.  POT.  II.  In 
the  field,  S.  C. — Obv. — A caduceus,  at  the  foot 
of  which  two  cornucopia:  cross  themselves,  sup- 
porting two  children’s  heads,  facing  each  other. 
Large  brass. — See  au  engraving  of  it,  p.  289. 

The  two  infants  represented  on  this  obverse 
arc  the  two  twins  born  of  the  marriage  of  Dru- 
sus junior  and  Livilla.  One  of  these  sons,  whose 
name  is  unknown,  died  at  about  four  years  of 
age  ; the  other  added  to  his  name  of  Tiberius 
the  surname  of  Gemellus.  This  latter  youth, 
whom  Tiberius  designed  to  have  shared  his 
heritage  with  Caligula,  died  suddenly  in  the 
year  790  (a.  D.  37),  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  vic- 
tim of  Caligula’s  jealousy.  Amongst  other  evi- 
i deuces  of  the  great  joy  with  which  the  birth  of 
I these  twin  brothers  tilled  the  heart  of  Tiberius, 
that  old  emperor  made  it  a matter  of  boast,  in 
full  Senate,  that  until  then,  no  Roman  of  a rank 
as  elevated  as  his  own  had  had  the  happiness  of 
seeing  twin  children  born  in  his  family : — 
Nulli  ante  Romanorum  ejusdem  fastigii  viro 
geminam  stirpem  editam.  (Tac.  Ann.  ii.  84). — 


350  DRUSUS  C.ESAR. 

“ The  aneieuts  had  particular  reasons — con- 
nected with  the  most  profound  branch  of  their 
religious  beliefs — for  attaching  a superstitious 
importance  to  the  birth  of  twins.”  M.  Lcnor- 
maut,  in  making  the  above  remark  in  his  Ico- 
nograpliie  (p.  20),  refers  his  readers  for  an  ex- 
position of  those  reasons  to  his  Nouvel/e  Gal. 
Mgthologique. 

DRUSUS  Casar,  second  son  of  Germanieus 
and  of  Agrippina  senior,  was  born  about  the 
year  761  (a.  d.  8);  assumed  the  toga  virilis  in 
776  (a.  d.  23);  and  being  the  same  year  re- 
commended by  Tiberius  to  the  Senate,  together 
with  his  brother  Nero,  is  said  by  Tacitus  {Ann. 
iv.  36),  to  have  been  appointed  prefect  of  the 
city,  778  (a.  d.  25).  He  was  a youth  of  an 
extremely  cruel  disposition,  and  through  ambi- 
tion of  power  conspired  with  Sejanus  against 
his  own  brother  Nero.  But  he  very  early  paid 
the  penalty ; for  after  his  brother  had  been  got 
rid  of,  becoming  himself  the  next  obstacle  to 
the  projects  of  Sejanus,  he  fell  a victim  to  the 
same  machinations,  and  was  closely  confined  iu 
the  dungeons  of  the  Pa/atium.  l’lis  death  was 
deferred,  not  from  motives  of  mercy,  but  in 
order  that  Tiberius  might  have  some  one  to  take 
part  against  Sejanus,  then  destined  to  destruc- 
tion, in  the  event  of  his  resorting  to  violent 
measures  ; as  the  inclinations  of  the  people  were 
strongly  biassed  in  favour  of  the  sou  of  Germani- 
cus.  But  when  Sejanus  had  been  put  to  death,  the 
imperial  tyrant,  feeling  secure  of  his  safety,  had 
the  cruelty  to  deprive  Drusus  of  food.  And,  thus 
reduced  to  gnaw  the  very  wool  of  his  bed,  the 
wretched  young  prince  protracted  an  agonizing 
existence  till  the  ninth  day,  when  he  expired, 
786  (a.  d.  33).  Tiberius  ordered  his  ashes  to 
be  scattered,  that  he  might  never  receive  the 
honours  of  burial. — Eckhel,  vi.  217. 

The  equestrian  clligies  of  Drusus  and  his  bro- 
ther Nero  appear  on  second  brass  of  Caligula. 
— See  NERO  et  drusus  caesares. 

DUCENTISS1 MA. — See  R.  CC.  Remissa 
Ducentissima. 

DUILLIA — a plebeian  gens,  little  known. — 
The  coins  ascribed  to  it  are  brass,  consisting 
solely  of  the  as,  and  some  of  its  divisions,  viz. 
the  scinis,  the  triens,  and  the  sextaus.  Under 
the  head  of  Duillia,  Riccio  (p.  83,  plate  xix. 
No.  1),  gives  engravings  of  two  pieces  ; one 
with  double-headed  Janus,  the  second  with  the 
head  of  Mercury  on  one  side,  and  on  the  re- 
verse of  both  a ship’s  prow,  on  the  top  of  which 
stauds  a small  figure  of  a bull ; at  the  bottom 
roma.  In  the  upper  part  of  the  field  are  the 
letters  md,  being  the  only  mark  that  distin- 
guishes them  from  common  specimens  of  the  as 
coinage,  without  names  of  families.  With  this 
slight  clue,  however,  Borghesi  reads  ill.  Dultius, 
and  assigus  them  both  to  the  Duillia  family. 

DUPLEX  Comucop'ue a double  horn  of 

plenty. — This  conjunction,  which  appears  on 
some  Roman  coins,  served  to  predict  a future 
abuudaucc  of  all  things  to  the  government  of 
the  prince. 

DUPLICATION  of  Letters,  a mark  of  the 
plural  number.  Thus  we  find  A YGG.  written 


DURM1A. 

to  signify  two  Emperors.  Or  it  is  written 
AVGGG.  as  on  a coin  of  Licinius,  and  on  some 
of  Carausius,  to  denote  three  Augusti.  In  like 
manner  CAESS.  for  two  C;csars;  and  CAESSS. 
for  three  Ciesars.  By  the  same  rule,  on  coins 
of  a lower  age,  are  observed  DD.  NN.  or  more 
rarely  DDD.  NNN.  Domini  Nostri.  On  medals 
also  of  Sept.  Scverus  and  Caracalla  is  read, 
IMPP.  INVICTI  PI  I AVGG.  Imperatores 
Invicti  Fii  Augusti. — See  p.  95. 

Besides  these  titles  of  Emperors,  the  redu- 
plication of  letters  is  a mark  of  the  plural  when 
it  occurs  as  follows  : — DD.  Decurioues.  DPP. 

Dii  Penates. 1)  E B E L L A T O R I G E N T T. 

BARBARR.  Gentium  Barbararum. — COIIH. 
PRAET.  Cohortes  Prceloriana,  &c. 

DUPOND1US,  a weight  of  two  pounds  ; — 
also  a piece  of  Roman  money,  valued  at  two 
asses,  aud  which  preserved  the  same  name,  not- 
withstanding [the  diminution  of  the  as,  which 
was  reduced  below  the  pound. — See  as  and  its 
parts. 

DURMIA  gens. — A family  of  uncertain  rank, 
aud  scarcely  known  till  the  age  of  Augustus. — 
There  are  six  varieties  of  its  coins.  Gold  rare ; 
silver  common.  Marcus  Durmius  was  Augus- 
tus’s moneyer  in  735  (b.  c.  19),  conjointly  with 
Marcus  Aquilius  Floras,  and  Publius  Petronius 
Turpiliauus.  Four  of  his  coins  have  ou  their 
obverses  the  head  of  Honour,  aud  on  their  re- 
verses types  which  regard  the  exploits  and  the 
honours  ascribed  to  Augustus  Caesar.  Four 
others  have  each  on  their  obverses  the  head  of 
Augustus,  aud  on  their  reverses  four  different 
types  as  singular  as  any  iu  the  scries  of  family 
coins  ; and  which  have,  more  or  less,  employed 
the  pens  of  the  most  cmiucut  uumismatologists 
for  a series  of  year's. 


1.  [CAESAR]  AVGVSTVS.  Bare  head  of 
Augustus. — Rev. — M.  DVRMIVS  III.  V 111. 
(Mouetal  Triumvir).  A wild  boar  transfixed 
with  a hunting  spear.  Silver. 

2.  CAESAR  AVGVSTVS. Same  tvpe  as 

above. — Rev. — M.  DVRMIVS  III.  VI R A 
lion  devouring  a stag.  Silver. — Sec  engraving, 
p.  316,  article  DENARIUS. 

[The  above  devices  of  the  wild  boar  and  the 
lion  evidently  refer  to  those  sumptuous  hunting 
parties,  in  which,  according  to  both  Dion  and 
Suetonius,  Augustus  took  very  great  delight]. 

3 HONOR1.  M.  DVRMIVS  IIIVIR.  The 
bare  juvenile  head  of  Honour. — /ice. -CAESAR 
AVGVSTVS.  Augustus  standing  in  a biga  of 
clephauts,  holds  iu  the  right  hand  a branch  of 
laurel,  and  in  the  left  the  sccptie.  Silver. 

4.  Same  legend  and  young  head. — Iter. -CAE- 
SAR AVGVSTVS,  S.  C.  A basket  with  a 
flower,  ou  a quadriga.  Silver. — Sec  F/ns. 


DURMIA. 


DUUMVIRI.  351 


а.  Same  legend,  and  young  head  between  two 
stars. — Rev. — AVGVSTO  OH.  C.  S.  in  a crown 
of  oak  leaves.  Gold. — Eekliel  marks  it  rrkk. 
Mionnct  values  it  at  48  fr. 

б.  M.  DVRMIVS  JIIVIR.  IIONORI  — 
Same  juvenile  head. — Rev.—CA  USA  R AVGVS- 
TVS  SIGN/*  R KCEIV/j.  A male  figure  kneel- 
ing, offers  up  an  ensign  with  his  right  hand. 

With  respect  to  those  denarii  of  Durmius, 
whose  obverses  bear  the  name  and  head  of 
monos,  Eckhel  recalls  to  the  recollection  of  nu- 
mismatists, that  on  similar  coins,  struck  about 
the  same  time  by  Aquilius  Florus,  is  seeu  the 
head  of  vinrvs.  Dion  acquaints  us  that  in  the 
year  of  Rome  727  (n.  c.  17),  Augustus  made 
some  alteration  in  the  games  dedicated  to  Virtue 
and  Honour;  for  which  reason,  Durmius  and 
his  monetary  colleagues,  in  the  years  immedi- 
ately following  734  (b.  c.  20),  appear  to  have 
caused  the  head  of  each  to  be  stamped  on  their 
respective  denarii. — Sec  monos  et  viktvs;  also 

see  MUCIA  GENS. 

The  epocha  in  which  medals  3,  4,  5,  and  0 
were  struck,  is,  by  consent  of  all  writers  on  the 
subject,  referred  to  the  last  war  waged  by  Au- 
gustus against  the  Partliinns,  which  ended  in 
the  submission  of  Phraates  their  king,  and  with 
the  voluntary  restitution  of  prisoners,  eusigns, 
and  spoils  taken  from  the  Romans  n.  c.  20. — 
lienee,  for  Augustus’s  having  saved  the  blood 
ot  his  fellow  citizens,  the  Senate  decreed  to  him 
quadriga;  and  bigie,  with  golden  crowns,  and  all 
the  military  and  civic  honours  of  the  triumph. 
Borghesi  considers  that  Honour  and  Virtue  refer 
to  the  Clipeus  Votivus  dedicated  to  Augustus  on 
the  termination  of  the  Parthian  war,  and  de- 
posited in  the  temple  of  those  two  Roman  divi- 
nities. 


7.  CAESAR  AVGVSTVS.  Laurcated  head. 
Rev. — M.  DVRMIVS  III.  VIR.  A sea-crab, 
holding  a butterfly  in  its  claws.  Gold. — (Valued 
by  Mionnct  at  60  fr.) 

[“  The  crab  grasping  the  butterfly  (says  Eck- 
hcl),  is  an  enigma,  which  no  one  appears,  as 
yet,  to  have  satisfactorily  solved.”  It  is,  how- 
ever, like  many  other  types  to  be  found  among 
the  mintages  of  Augustus,  a fantastic  design, 
elegantly  executed.  The  above  cut  of  it  is  after 
a cast  from  a beautiful  specimen  in  the  British 
Museum] 

8.  CAESAR  AVGVSTVS.  Bare  head  of 
Augustus. — Rev. — M.  DVRMIVS  III.  VIR  — 
Bull  with  human  face,  walking  to  the  right, 
crowned  by  a flying  genius,  like  the  type  of  the 
Campanian  money.  This  coin  is  not  given  in 
Mionnct.  But  Riccio  describes  aud  engraves  it 
in  his  Famiglie  di  Roma,  Suppl.  pi.  50,  No.  2. 

[This  bull  with  a human  countenance  is  re- 
garded by  Eckhel  as  an  emblem  involved  in 


utter  obscurity.  Riccio  remarks,  that  “ it  is  a 
type  peculiar  to  almost  all  the  cities  of  Cam- 
pania, as  the  wild  boar  transfixed,  or  not  trans- 
fixed, belongs  to  Capua  and  Psestum ; aud  as 
to  Vtlia  belongs  the  type  of  the  lion  devouring 
a stag]. 

DUUMVIRI,  so  called  from  their  number, 
were  magistrates  inferior  in  rank  to  the  Prctors, 
and  who  presided  as  judges  at  a court  (curia) 
in  Rome,  where  cognizance  was  taken  only  of 
criminal  cases.  The  office  was  held  in  much 
consideration  during  the  Republic,  as  well  for 
the  power  it  conferred,  as  on  account  of  its  an- 
tiquity, the  creation  of  duumviri  being  referred 
to  a period  so  far  back  as  the  reign  of  Tullus 
Hostillius. 

Duumviri  Municipales  were  also  two  men 
appointed  to  perform  the  functions  of  the  ordi- 
nary magistracy,  in  Roman  colonics  and  muni- 
cipal towns.  This  fact  is  attested  not  by  coins 
only,  but  likewise  by  marbles,  and  by  various 
writers. — “ Doubtless  (says  Eckhel),  as,  accord- 
ing to  the  expressions  of  Aulus  Gellius,  the 
colonies  were  a sort  of  miniature  imitation  of 
Rome,  their  mother-city,  so  these  Duumvirs 
resembled,  in  a certain  degree,  the  two  Consuls 
of  Rome.  And,  similarly,  what  in  the  latter 
was  the  Senate,  in  the  colonics  aud  municipia 
was  the  Curia ; whilst  in  the  place  of  Senators 
stood  the  Decuriones.  (See  the  wTord,  p.  313). 
Moreover,  as  the  Consuls  wrcre,  at  Rome,  not 
only  the  ordinary  but  the  highest  magistrates, 
so  also  in  the  colonies  were  the  Duumviri.  This 
is  evident  from  the  well-known  fact,  that  an 
honorary  duumvirate  in  the  colouies  was  fre- 
quently passed  through  by  Ciesars,  Emperors, and 
Kings.  And  since  the  colonies  were  thus  in  the 
practice  of  conferring  a local  office  on  such  dis- 
tinguished personages,  it  cannot  be  supposed, 
that  it  was  any  other  than  the  highest  in  their 
power  to  bestow.  And  this  also  explains  the 
expression  of  Apuleius — “In  which  colony  (says 
he),  I had  a father  in  the  highest  position,  a 
duumvir.” 

On  the  cited  authority  of  marbles,  there  are 
learned  writers  who  have  asserted,  that  the 
Duumviri  sometimes  styled  themselves  Consuls 
of  their  colonies,  on  the  plea  of  the  resemblance 
of  their  own  office  to  that  of  the  true  Roman 
Consul.  The  Author  of  Doctrina,  who  con- 
siders those  citations  to  be  of  doubtful  accuracy, 
and  consequently  entitled  to  but  little  credit, 
contends  that,  even  if  the  Duumviri  were  some- 
times styled  Consuls,  it  was  in  a manner  re- 
sembliug  that  in  which  the  Decuriones  were 
occasionally  called  Senators.  Nor  is  there  any 
doubt  but  that,  if  the  law,  or  the  permission  of 
the  higher  powers,  did  not  allow  them  these 
titles,  they  were  at  least  tacitly  accorded  by 
virtue  of  the  similarity  of  the  office. — iv.  475. 

The  Duumviri  are  indicated  on  coins  by  the 
letters  II V.  or  IIYIR.  On  those  of  Osca,  in 
Spain,  the  two  units  are  joined  together  by  a 
transverse  line,  thus  HVIR.  in  the  same  way 
as  for  IIS.  which  is  the  mark  denoting  a ses- 
tertius.— HS.  is  often  seen  on  marbles.  Not  un- 
frequently,  the  names  only  of  the  Duumviri  are 


352  DUUMVIRI, 

stated  on  colonial  money,  without  the  mark 
IIVIR. — Duumviri  are  mentioned  on  coins  of 
the  following  places  : — 

Accium,  in  Tarraconensis 

Agrigeutum,  iu  Sicily. 

Rilbilis,  in  Tarraconensis. 

Buthrotum,  in  Epirus. 

Caisar-Augusta,  in  Tarraconensis. 

Calagurris,  in  do. 

Carthago  Nova,  in  do. 

Carthago  Vetus,  in  Africa. 

Celsa,  in  Tarraconensis. 

Corinth,  in  Achaia. 

Dcrtosa,  iu  Tarraconensis. 

Euna,  in  Sicily. 

Ercavica,  in  Tarraconensis. 

Ilicuin,  in  do. 

Julia,  in  Boetica. 

Leptis,  in  Syrtica. 

Onuba,  in  Boetica. 

Osca,  in  Tarraconensis. 

Picstum,  in  Lucania. 

Panormus,  in  Sicily. 

Parium,  in  Mysia. 

Saguutum,  in  Tarraconensis. 

Turiaso,  in  do. 

Utica,  in  Zcugitana. 

That  the  Duumvirate  was  an  office  lasting  for 
a year,  is  gathered  not  only  from  the  fact,  that 
it  was  a function  of  the  same  character  as  the 
Consulate  of  the  Romans,  but  also  because  the 
I hurt  (in  the  same  way  as  the  Archons,  Pre- 
tors,  and  Scribes  of  the  Greek  cities)  are  found  | 
to  repeat  the  record  of  their  magistracy  on  their 
coins,  expressed  by  IIVIR.  ITERwm  ; as,  for 
example,  on  the  money  of  Corinth,  and  other  1 
places.  But  from  certain  coins  it  is  evident, 
that  this  custom  did  not  obtain  everywhere,  or 
not  invariably,  and  that  in  several  cities  the 
Duumvirate  was  prolonged  for  five  years. 

The  mark  of  the  IIVIR.  is  seen  on  coins  of 
the  Pomponia  aud  Quintillia  families. 

Duumviri  Quinquennates. See  Quinquen- 

n ales. 

Duumviri  Honorarii. — The  Crcsars  and  Au- 
qusti  frequently  bore  the  honorary  offices  of  go- 
vernment in  the  various  cities  of  the  empire. 
This  is  a fact  assured  to  us  by  the  often  quoted 
testimony  of  Spartian,  accepted,  in  a question 
like  the  present,  as  paramount  authority  by 
Eckhel  himself,  who  furnishes  a list  of  these 
personages,  and  states  the  circumstances  con- 
nected with  their  respective  appointments. — 
Amongst  them  are,  Augustus,  M.  Agrippa,  and 
Tiberius  Caesar,  Quinquennales  of  Celsa — Tibe- 
rius, IIVIR  of  Corinth — Gcrinnuieus  and  Dru- 
sus,  sons  of  Tiberius,  IlVtri  of  Accium,  and 
IlIIVIRi  of  Carteia — Nero  and  Drusus,  sons  of 
Gcrmnnicus,  11  Xiri  of  Civsar- Augusta  and  Car- 
thago Novn — Juba  11.  aud  Ptolemy,  Kings  of 
Mauretania,  IlV/ri  (perhaps)  of  Carthago  Nova. 
— Hadrian,  in  Etruria,  served  the  Pretorship  ; 
and  throughout  the  Latin  towns  he  wns  Dic- 
tator, Edilc,  and  Duumvir;  at  Neapolis  he 
was  AHMAPX  (invested  with  Trihtinitiaii 
power)  in  his  native  place  (Italica,  in  Spain), 
he  was  Quiuquenunlis ; as  also  at  Adria,  his 


EAGLE. 

adopted  country;  whilst  at  Athens  he  was 
Arclion.  The  same  procedure,  therefore,  was 
observed  iu  the  colonies,  as  occasionally  in  the 
free  cities.  Coius  of  Trajan  testify  that  he  dis- 
charged the  highest  office  of  the  magistracy  at 
Byzantium,  a free  city.  And  historical  writers  con- 
cur with  ancient  marbles  to  confirm  the  evidence 
of  coins.  On  a marble  found  in  the  municipium 
of  Consubrum,  in  llispania  Tarraconensis,  pub- 
lished by  Gruter  (p.  421),  we  read  EO.  ANNO 
QVO.  ET  OPTIMVS  IMP.  HADRIANVS 
ETIAM  DVVMV IRATV S HOXOREM  SVS- 
CEPIT. — On  a tablet  found  at  Prteneste,  given 
by  Peter  Foggini,  appears  the  inscription  GER- 
M AN ICVS  CAESAR  DRVSVS  CAESAR, 
QVINQ«eH»«/ej  Vneueste. Under  the  com- 

monwealth, eminent  Romaus  bore  the  office  of 
IlVin  in  the  colonies  near  home,  as  e.  g Piso, 
and  l’ompey  the  Great  at  Capua. — See  Eckhel, 
(iv.  487),  who  adds  that  at  the  subsequent 
periods  of  Augustus  and  Tiberius,  the  quinquen- 
nia/ magistracy  was  held  in  the  colonics  by 
the  Prafecti  llVIri,  as  representatives  of  the 
Ciesars. 

E. 

E. — Fifth  letter,  and  the  second  vowel,  of  the 
Latin  alphabet. 

E long  is  sometimes  found  inscribed  on  the 
earlier  coins  of  Rome  with  twoEs;  as  for  ex- 
ample, FEELIX  instead  of  FEI.IX,  on  a dena- 
rius of  Sulla’s. 

E single,  in  the  place  of  AE  dipthong,  now 
and  then  occurs.  Thus  EQ VITAS  for  AEQVI- 
TAS,  as  in  Ncrva;  RE1PVBI.ICE  for  REI- 
PVBLICAE,  as  in  Constantine  jun.  Julian,  and 
Jovian.  CESAR  for  CAESAR;  1VDEA  for 
IVDAEA;  MA.MEA  for  MAMAEA. 

E,  bv  a false  change  of  vowels,  is  sometimes 
found  used  for  AE,  as  BAETISSI.MORV.M,  on 
coins  of  Diocletian,  Maximiau,  and  Con-tantius 
Chlorus  ; FAELICITAS,  as  in  Trajanua  Dccius, 
and  SAECVRITAS,  ns  in  Diocletian. 

E displaced  by  A or  by  I,  as  SARAP1DI 
instead  of  SERAPIDI,  in  Julian  II.;  GENI- 
TRIX  instead  of  GENETR1X. — [But  these, 
and  the  other  literal  alterations  and  substitu- 
tions above  mentioned,  are  of  rare  occurrence]. 

E serves  on  Roman  coins  to  mark  the  fifth 
monetary  office,  or  mint. 

EAGLE  ( Aquita) , which  is  still  called  “ the 
King  of  Birds,”  and  w hich  fable  consecrated  to 
Jupiter,  as  the  minister  of  his  lightnings,  is  the 
type  under  which,  standing  on  a thunderbolt,  a 
globe,  a laurel  wreath,  a palm  branch,  an  altar, 
or  a ship’s  prow,  the  Roman  empire  is  most  fre- 
quently designated  on  coins  of  Augustus,  An- 
toninus, L.  Verus  (p.  249),  Sabina,  &c. 


EAGLE. 

On  a deuarius  of  the  Terentia  gen9,  struck  by 
Varro,  unval  pro-questor  of  Pompeius  Mag- 
nus. the  reverse  exhibits  the  emblems  of  Pom- 
pey’s  power  by  sea  aud  by  land,  consisting  of  a 
sceptre  in  the  midst  of  a dolphin  aud  an  eagle. 


At  the  consecration  of  Emperors,  an  eagle 
was  let  forth  from  amidst  the  flames  of  the 
funeral  pile ; and,  flyiug  into  the  air,  it  was 
supposed  to  bear  to  heaven  the  soul  of  the  dei- 
fied personage.  It  is  for  this  reason  that,  on 
imperial  coins,  the  bare  bead  of  the  Prince,  or 
the  veiled  head  of  the  Augusta,  is  impressed  on 
one  side,  and  on  the  other  an  eagle  in  full  flight, 
with  the  emperor  or  empress  on  its  back. — See 
consecratio,  pp.  248  and  250. 

The  Eagle  stands  in  the  middle  between  an 
owl  aud  a peacock,  on  coins  of  Antoninus  Pius 
and  Marcus  Aurelius.  It  is  thus  that  Jupiter, 
Minerva,  and  Juno  are  designated  by  their  re- 
spective attributes.  And,  as  if  to  shew  more 
clearly  the  meaning  of  this  remarkable  group, 
there  is  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius  in 
the  Cabinet  de  France,  on  the  reverse  of  which, 
without  legend,  Jupiter  is  seated,  with  Minerva, 
also  seated,  on  his  right,  and  Juno  on  his  left.  A 
coin  of  Vespasian  exhibits  a similar  type  of  the 
three  shrines  in  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Capito- 
linus,  in  which  the  statues  of  those  three  dei- 
ties stood,  each  with  its  attendant  bird  occupy- 
ing the  same  relative  position  as  on  the  first 
coin  above  described. 

Legionary  Eagle. — It  is  an  established  fact, 
that  the  Eagle  was  the  principal  standard  of 
the  Legion,  and  continued  to  be  used  as  such 
so  long  as  that  body  existed.  These  legionary 
eagles,  not  great  in  size,  were  affixed  to  spears, 
the  lower  ends  of  which  were  sharp-pointed, 
for  the  purpose  of  their  being  more  easily  planted 
in  the  ground.  They  are  exhibited  on  coins,  as 
holding  in  their  talons  a thunderbolt.  Nor  has 
this  peculiarity  escaped  the  observation  of  an- 
cient writers.  Dion  states  that,  among  the  por- 
tents which  presented  themselves  to  Cn.  Pom- 
pey  the  younger,  when  in  Spain,  was  the  fol- 
lowing : — “ That  his  legionary  eagles,  shaking 
their  wings,  and  casting  from  them  the  golden 
thunderbolts  which  some  of  them  grasped  in 
their  claws,  openly  denounced  an  evil  fate 
against  him,  and  flew  off  to  Caesar.” — Silver 
was  preferred  for  the  material  of  the  eagle  it- 
self, and  the  reason,  according  to  Pliny,  was 
that  it  is  a metal  which  is  seen  at  the  greatest 
distance. — (Du  Choul,  Castrametation  Romaine, 
2 Z 


EAGLE.  353 

p.  12). — Respecting  the  Eagle-bearer,  see  aqui- 

LIFER,  p.  71. 

On  the  legionary  coins  of  M.  Autony  we  see 
the  Eagle,  placed  between  two  ensigns,  distill - 
■ guished  with  three  circular  appendages,  and 
terminating  above  in  a spear-point. — Eagles  be- 
tween simple  ensigns,  of  a similar  form  and  the 
same  number,  appear  on  denarii  of  Clodius 
Macer  and  of  S.  Severus ; also  on  the  well- 
known  coins  which  record  the  recovery  of  the 
ensigns  from  the  Parthians,  and  are  inscribed 
signa  p.  r.  several  of  which  are  published  in 
Morell.  Thesaur.  Fam.  Rom.  under  the  head  of 
Incerta,  plate  ii.  They  are  also  to  be  found 
amongst  the  colonial  mintages,  such  as  in  Acci 
(see  p.  3),  and  in  Cacsar-Augusta,  Patne,  Eme- 
rita,  &c.  (see  Vaillant).  On  coins  of  Augustus 
! commemorating  the  restitution  of  the  standards. 
Mars  Ultor  appears,  with  a legionary  eagle  in 
his  right  hand,  and  in  his  left  an  ensign — 
also  a votive  shield  between  a legionary  eagle 
and  a simple  ensign  (c.  l.  v.  signis  rf.ceptis, 
engraved  in  p.  218). — See  legio. 

The  legionary  eagle  appears  fixed  to  a ship’s 
prow,  and  held  by  two  right  hands,  on  a first 
brass  of  Nerva,  with  legend  of  concordia  ex  • 
ercitwm  (p.  243).  It  is  also  sccu  in  the  hands 
of  the  emperor,  on  coins  of  M.  Aurelius,  Corn- 
modus,  Alex.  Severus,  Philip,  jnn.  Probus,  &c. 

Eagle  and  Infant  Jove. — In  the  Farnese  cabi- 
net there  is  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
the  reverse  of  which  (without  legend)  exhibits 
Jupiter  Crcscens,  seated,  naked,  on  the  back  of 
a goat,  before  an  altar,  with  an  Eagle  sculptured 
on  it,  placed  close  to  the  trunk  of  a tree. — Sec 
Pedrusi,  vol.  v.  p.  174. 

Eagle  and  Oaken  Crown. — On  a beautiful 
coin  of  Augustus,  an  eagle,  with  wings  ex- 
panded, is  seen  perched  (as  in  the  subjoined  cut) 
on  a crown  of  oak  leaves  ; behind  which  are 
two  branches  of  laurel. — See  civibvs  servatis 
caesar,  p.  206. 


The  legends  aud  types  of  this  historical  aureus 
are  well  elucidated  by  the  statement  of  Dion 
(liii.  eh.  16),  that  it  was  decreed  a.  u.  c.  727 
(b.  c.  27),  that  laurels  should  be  planted  before 
the  house  of  Augustus,  in  the  Palatium,  and  a 
crown  of  oak  leaves  should  be  suspended  from 
the  summit  of  the  roof,  to  indicate  that  he  was 
“ the  perpetual  vanquisher  of  his  foes,”  aud 
“ preserver  of  the  citizens.” — See  coins  of  the 
gens  Caninia,  one  of  which,  though  struck 
many  years  later,  exhibits  the  same  design. — 
The  S.  C.  on  this  coin  indicates,  both  that  Au- 
gustus was  styled  Caesar  by  a Senatus  Consultum, 
and  that  by  the  same  sanction,  the  oak  crown  and 
the  laurels  were  decreed.  The  expression  of 
Pliny  is  memorable — “ That  Augustus,  after 


351  EBORACUM. 

quelling  the  civil  wars,  received  a civic  crown 

from  the  whole  human  race.” See  Corona 

Quema,  p.  290. 

EBOR  -Ebora,  in  Lusitania,  between  the  Anas 
( Guadiana ) and  the  Tagus  rivers;  by  Pliny 
classed  among  the  Oppida  Veteris  Lut  'd.  It  was 
not  strictly  a colony  of  the  Romans,  but  is  said 
to  have  been  invested  by  them  with  great  privi- 
leges as  a municipium.  The  present  name  is 
Evora,  an  episcopal  city  of  Portugal,  in  the 
province  of  Alentejo.  Coius  struck  at  Ebora , 
under  Augustus,  give  it  the  title  of  liberali- 
tas  ivlia  ebor.  whence  Yaillant  infers  it  to 
have  derived  its  establishment  as  a Roman  sta- 
tion from  Julius  Cicsar.  A second  brass,  pub- 
lished by  Ant.  Augostino,  in  his  dialogues,  aud 
described  below,  does  not  exhibit  the  epigraph 
either  of  a colony  or  a municipium,  but  simply 
the  Latin  inscription  usually  adopted  by  cities 
possessing  the  jus  Laid — 

PERM.  caes.  avg.  p.  m (Pemdssu  Ccesaris 
Augusti,  Ponlificis  Maxim  i).  Bare  head  of 

Augustus. HeV.—lA BE R ALITATIS  IVI.1AE  EBOR. 

In  four  lines,  within  a garland. — Engraved  in 
Akcrman,  Coins  of  Ilispania,  p.  11,  pi.  ii.  No.  3. 

EBORACUM  or  EBURACUM,  now  York; 
the  chief  city  of  Northern  Britain,  or  Valentia, 
and  the  station  of  the  sixth  legion,  surnamed 
^ ictrix.  Aurelius  Victor  terms  it  a municipium; 
and  the  sculptures,  pavements,  inscriptions,  and 
other  remains  discovered  on  and  about  its  site, 
prove  that  it  was  a large  and  flourishing  city, 
second,  probably,  to  Loudiuium  only.  It  was 
the  residence,  during  their  expeditionary  visits 
to  Britain,  of  the  emperors  Septimius  Severus 
aud  Constautius  Cklorus,  both  of  whom  died 
there,  the  former  in  a.  d.  211,  and  the  latter 
a.  d.  306.  Coins  have  been  cited  as  inscribed 
COL.  ebor.  but  if  any  such  exist,  they  were 
issued  from  the  workshops  of  the  falsarii,  and 
not  from  any  mint  at  Eburacum.  It  is  to  be 
noted,  that  while  we  have  coins  of  the  Con- 
stantine family  inscribed  peon.  Pecunia  Londi- 
nensis,  we  have  none  recording  York ; neither 
does  it  appear  to  be  indicated  by  the  exergual 
letters  on  any  of  the  coins  of  Carnusius  and 
AUectus. — For  the  Antiquities  of  York  sec  the 
Rev.  C.  Wt-llbelovcd’s  “ Eburacum.” 

EDIFICES. — Public  buildings  and  structures 
arc  represented  on  numerous  Roman  coins , 
in  many  instances  so  artistically,  that  their  ori- 
ginal forms  may  clearly  be  traced,  on  a compa- 
rison of  existing  ruins  with  the  monctal  types. 
Amongst  the  grandest  of  these  are — Temples , 
with  their  peristyles  and  pediments;  some 
simply  raised  on  flights  of  steps,  others  flanked 
with  porticoes  aud  adorned  with  statues. 

As  a very  striking  specimen  of  this  sacred 
class  of  types,  and  at  the  same  time  one  the 
least  faulty  in  perspective  design,  to  be  fouud 
on  coins  of  Roman  die,  the  following  engraving 
is  given  from  a lnrge  brass  of  Trajan. 

Eee.-s.  P.  q.  r.  optimo  PBINCIPl.  A supcrblv 
decorated  temple  of  eight  columns,  through  the 
eeutral  iutcrcolumnialion  of  which  is  seen  an 
image  seated.  At  each  extremity  a portico  is 
advanced  at  right  angles  with  the  facade. 


EDIFICES. 


[In  this  peculiar  feature  ’of  its  construction, 
the  edifice,  or  the  above  type  of  it,  would  seem 
to  have  served  as  a model  of  imitation  for  that 
much  larger-sized  and  more  floridly  designed 
coin  which,  if  genuine,  was  dedicated  to  the 
deified  memory  of  Trajan’s  sister,  whom  lladriau 
had  consecrated. — See  uivae  matidiae  socrvi. 
(p.  333], 

Consular  and  family  coins  are  by  no  means 
deficient  in  architectural  delineations.  The  old 
Rostra,  that  ancient  seat  of  Roman  eloquence,  is 
adumbrated  on  a denarius  of  the  Lollia  gens, 
inscribed  with  the  word  PALIKANYS.  There 
is  also  a representation  of  the  Rostra  erected  by 
Julius  Cicsar,  extaut  on  silver  of  the  Sulpiria 
family,  bearing  the  surname  of  PLATO R I Nitr. 
In  like  manner,  the  Basilica  Aend/ia,  a court 
of  justice,  on  denarii  of  that  family  (p.  31)  — 
the  4IL/<z  PXBlica,  on  a coin  of  the  Didia 
gens  (p.  327) — and  the  temple  of  Jupiter  t’api- 
tolinus,  on  a denarius,  struck  by  Petillius 
(page  171),  serve  respectively  to  hand  down 
some  resemblance  of  those  buildings.  W hilst 
the  type  of  the  Comitium  meets  the  eve  iu 
association  with  the  legend  of  CLOACINa 
(p.  219). 

But  it  is  in  the  imperial  scries,  and  especially 
in  the  early  aud  middle  periods,  that  testimo- 
nies to  the  architectural  splendour  of  Rome,  her 
provinces,  and  her  colonics,  most  abound.  The 
coinages  of  Tiberius  and  Claudius,  of  Nero, 
\ espasian,  Titus,  aud  Domitiun,  of  Trajan,  Ha- 
drian, the  Antonines,  S.  Severus,  Carncalla,  &c. 
arc  more  or  less  rich  in  types  of  this  interesting 
kind,  executed  with  consummate  skill,  'lake 
for  examples,  the  Mace! I urn  (p.  77) ; the  Fla- 
vian Amphitheatre  (p.  42);  the  Basilica  L'/pia 
(p.  125);  the  Forum  Trajani  (see  the  words); 
the  Circus  Maximus,  with  its  spina,  met®,  and 
sculptural  decorations  (pp.  174,  201,  aud  202.) 
Other  coins  exhibit  harbours  (see  Port.  Ostia 
and  Portion  TrajaniJ ; triumphal  arches  (pp.  77, 
78,  79,  358);  altars  (pp.  72,  73,  74).  Besides 
these  wc  sec  rostral,  triumphal,  and  other  isolated 
pillars  (pp.  235,  236)  ; together  with  obelisks, 
bridges  (p.  309), either  thrown  over  rivers,  or  used 
as  viaducts,  iu  the  construction  aud  reparation  of 
public  roads.  As  to  the  minor  and  less  durable 
objects,  such  ns  funeral  piles  (p.  251);  curule 
chairs  (p.  12) ; chariots,  gallics,  &e. — so  many 
aud  so  various  arc  these  representations  on  pro- 
ducts of  the  Roman  mint,  that  they  almost  set 
description  at  defiance. 


EGNATIA. 


ELAGABALUS.  355 


EGNATIA  gens — of  the  plebeian  order.  Its 
surname  on  coins  is  Maximus,  or  Maxsumus. — 
There  are  three  principal  varieties  in  the  types. 
Gold  rare ; silver  common. 


1.  MAXSVMVS.  Bust  of  Venus,  well 
adorned,  with  a winged  Cupid  hanging  to  her 
neck  behind. — Rev. — C.  EGNAT1VS  CN.  F. 
CN.  N.  A woman  in  a biga,  moving  slowly  to 
the  left,  crowucd  by  a victory  flying  towards 
her;  behind  the  car  a cap  of  liberty. 

2.  MAXSVMVS.  Naked  winged  bust  of 
Cupid,  with  bow  and  quiver  on  his  shoulder. — 
Rev.— C.  EGNAT1VS  CN.  F.  CN.  N.  Two 
columns  of  a temple,  between  which  stand  a 
man  in  the  toga,  with  hasta  in  right  hand,  and 
a woman  clothed  in  the  tunic. — See  engraviug, 
p.  208 — cupid. 

Eekhel,  after  some  comments  on  the  conjec- 
tures of  preceding  numismatists,  dismisses  them 
by  sayiug,  that  the  types  (exhibited  on  the  above 
two  denarii,  and  on  that  described  and  engraved 
below),  are  precisely  of  a kind  to  excite  a curio- 
sity to  learn  their  true  meaning,  but  for  which 
neither  Vaillant  nor  Havercamp  had  done  aught 
to  rescue  them  from  the  obscurity  in  which  they 
found  them  involved. 

Undeterred  by  the  great  author  of  Boctrina’s 
tone  of  discouragement,  Riccio  devotes  some 
attention  to  the  subject.  After  citing  the  at- 
tempt made  in  Morell.  Thesa.nr.  Fain.  Rom.  to 
prove  that  this  Cains  Egnatius,  son  of  Cneus, 
aud  nephew  of  Cneus,  had  been  a provincial 
questor  of  Sulla,  in  the  time  of  the  first  Mith- 
ridatic  war  (b.  c.  87-86),  he  admits  that  the  head 
aud  other  emblems  of  Liberty  arc  uot  usually, 
if  ever,  found  on  the  coinages  of  Sulla,  and 
that  they  seem  rather  to  belong  to  Cassius  and 
Brutus,  and  their  adherents,  in  Asia  and  Africa, 
after  the  murder  of  Julius  Ctcsar  (b.  c.  44). — 
lie  then  proceeds  to  observe,  that  Venus  may 
possibly  allude  to  the  birth-place  of  the  mo- 
ueyer,  or  to  the  place  where  the  denarius  was 
struck.  But  the  repetition  of  the  caps  of  liberty; 
the  woman  in  a triumphal  chariot,  who  may 
be  the  goddess  of  Rome ; the  prows  aud  oars  of 
ships,  which  were  amongst  such  means  as  the 
couspirators  would  have  had  to  employ,  in  order 
to  arrive  again  iu  Italy,  pursuant  to  their  in- 
tended enterprise  for  the  destruction  of  the 
Triumvirs — these  and  other  symbols  seem  allu- 
sive to  the  last  civil  war,  and  to  manifest  in  the 
Egnatius  who  minted  the  coins  a decided 
maiutainer  of  Roman  liberty.  And  this  opinion 
of  ours  (adds  Riccio),  is  concurred  iu  by  Cavc- 
doni,  who  recognizes  as  the  author  of  this  de- 
narius, the  son  of  Cneus  Egnatius,  son  of  that 
Cneus,  who  was  left  behind  with  the  Senators, 
when  his  father  was  expelled  from  Rome,  about 
the  year  683  (b.  c.  71),  in  Pompey  the  Great’s 
2 Z 2 


time,  at  the  commencement  of  the  second  Mith- 
ridatic  war. — See  Monete  delle  Fam.  di  Roma. 
pp.  85,  86. 


3.  MAXSVMVS.  Female  head,  perhaps 
of  Liberty,  with  mitre  : behind  it  the  cap  of 
Liberty. — Rev.-CN.  EGNATIVS  CN.  F.  CN.  N. 
Two  women  clothed  in  the  stola,  and  galeated, 
standing  full-faced,  and  each  holding  spears  ; 
one  of  them  plants  her  naked  left  foot  on  the 
head  of  some  animal.  On  each  side  is  an  oar  or 
rudder  set  upright  on  a ship’s  prow.  In  some 
reverses  of  this  type,  a figure  of  Cupid  is  flying 
betweeu  the  two  females. 

EGNATULEIA  geus.  Little  knowu.  Its 
coins,  which  are  in  silver  (quinarii)  only,  have 
but  one  type,  as  follows,  and  are  common. 
The  surname  Eynatuleius  : — 


C.  EGNATVLEI.  C.  F.  Laureated  head  of 
Apollo. — Rev.  ROMA  in  the  exergue.  Victory 
stands  writing  on  a shield  attached  to  a trophy ; 
in  the  field  Q. 

This  Caius  Egnatuleius  is  unknown  as  an 
historical  personage  ; but  according  to  a recent 
opinion  of  Borghesi,  must  have  been  mint- 
master  towards  the  667th  year  of  Rome 
(b.c.  87). 

El  dipthong  appears  on  the  earlier,  that  is  to 
say,  the  consular  and  family  coins  of  the  Romans, 
written  for  I.  Thus,  PREIVERnmn,  in  Plau- 
tia  ; DEIDLw,  in  Didia  ; PREIMVS,  in  Mem- 
mia;  OPEIMIjm,  SERVEILI«j,  LEIBERTAS 
iu  Cassia,  and  elsewhere. 

EID.  M A R. — Idibus  Martii,  the  dipthong 
El  being  put  for  I.  This  inscription  appears  on 
the  reverse  of  a most  rare  denarius,  the  type  of 
which  is  thg  pileus,  or  cap  of  liberty,  between 
two  daggers. — See  m.  brutus,  p.  145. 

ELAGABALUS,  Emperor. — Varius  Avitus 
Bassiauus,  surnamed  Elagabalus,  from  the  name 
' of  the  divinity,  whose  worship  he  had  introduced 
into  Rome,  was  born  at  Emesa,  in  Syria,  a.  v.  c. 
958  (a.  d.  205).  He  was  son  of  Sextus  Varius 
Marcellns  and  of  Julia  Sosemias,  daughter  of 
Julia  Ma:sa,  and  niece  of  Julia  Domna;  con- 
sequently he  was  cousiu-german  to  Caracalla. 
The  wealth  of  his  grandmother,  added  to  his 
relationship  with  the  imperial  family  of  Severus, 
obtained  for  him  the  advantage  of  being  ap- 
1 pointed  Priest  of  Elagabalus,  or  Ileliogabalus,  a 
deity  the  object  of  particular  adoration  at  Emesa 
The  same  honour  was  conferred  on  his  cousin. 


356  ELAGABALUS. 

german  Alexander  Severus,  son  of  Mamma, 
second  daughter  of  Julia  Maesa.  In  971  (a.  d. 

218) ,  Micsa,  having  in  view  to  obtain  the  em- 
pire for  her  grandson,  changed  his  names 
into  those  of  Marcus  Aurelius  Antoninus,  and 
pretended  that  he  was  not  the  son  of  his 
mother’s  husband,  but  the  fruit  of  Caracalla’s 
intimacy  with  Soaemias.  The  soldiers  encamped 
near  Emesa,  gained  over  by  the  riches  of  Julia 
Maesa ; and  perhaps  giving  credence  to  this 
adulterous  parentage,  which  besides  had  nothing 
of  unlikelihood  in  it,  proclaimed  the  new  Anto- 
ninus emperor.  The  troops  of  Macrinns  having 
been  defeated,  Elagabalus,  at  thirteen  years  of 
age,  became  sole  master  of  the  Roman  world. 
Alter  having  entered  Antioch  as  conqueror, 
he  addressed  to  the  Senate  letters  in  which, 
without  waiting  for  the  decree  of  that  body,  he 
assumed  the  titles  of  “ Ctesar,  son  of  Antoninus, 
grandson  of  Severus,  Pius,  Felix,  Augustus, 
Pro-consul,  and  invested  with  the  Tribunitian 
power.”  At  the  same  time,  he  named  himself 
consul  in  the  place  of  Macrinns.  lie  afterwards 
took  the  road  to  Rome,  but  on  his  way  thither 
passed  the  winter  at  Nicomedia.  In  972  (a.  d. 

219) ,  Elagabalus  was  consul  for  the  second  time 
at  Nicomedia.  On  his  arrival  at  Rome,  he  gave 
there  some  magnificent  spectacles,  and  caused 
a temple  to  be  built  in  honour  of  his  Syrian 
god.  a.  D.  220  is  the  date  of  his  third  con- 
sulate. In  221  he  was  consul  for  the  fourth 
time.  Julia  Maesa,  perceiving  that  the  manners 
of  Elagabalus  were  displeasing  to  the  Romans, 
persuaded  him  to  adopt  his  cousin  Alexander 
Severus,  above  named.  To  this  Elagabalus 
consented,  and  designated  him  consul  with  him- 
self for  the  following  year.  A short  time  after, 
repenting  of  his  compliance  with  his  mother’s 
suggestion,  lie  sought  to  make  away  with  Severus 
Alexander ; whose  life,  however,  was  protected 
by  the  vigilant  care  of  Miesa,  and  still 
better  defended  by  the  affection  which  the  sol- 
diers began  to  entertain  for  him.  In  A.  n.  222, 
the  pretorians  having  discovered  that  Elagabalus 
was  fully  bent  on  the  destruction  of  his  cousin, 
raised  a tumult,  and  required  that  Alexander, 
who  had  been  shut  up  in  the  palace  some  days, 
should  be  immediately  shewn  to  them.  Elaga- 
balus, yielding  to  necessity,  repaired  to  the 
camp  of  the  pretorians,  on  a car,  with  the 
youthful  Alexander.  The  next  day,  as  Elaga- 
balus had  given  orders  to  arrest  thope  who  had 
taken  a leading  part  in  the  insurrectionary 
movement  of  the  day  before — the  rest  of  the 
soldiers  took  advantage  of  that  occasion  to  get 
rid  of  a prince  they  detested ; and  they  killed 
Elagabalus,  together  with  his  mother  Soicmias, 
and  his  principal  confidants.  His  body,  after 
having  been  dragged  through  the  city,  was 
thrown  into  the  Tibur.  Thus  perished,  on  the 
11th  of  March,  one  of  the  most  cruel,  de- 
bauched, and  shameless  wretches,  that  ever  dis- 
graced humauity,  or  polluted  a throne,  after  a 
reign  of  three  years  and  nine  mouths,  disfigured 
with  every  feature  of  hideous  criminality  and 
extravagant  folly,  not  having  attained  more 
than  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age. 


ELAGABALUS. 

Elagabalus  celebrated  (or  rather  desecrated) 
several  nuptials.  His  first  wife  was  Julia  Cor- 
nelia Paula  ; but  her  he  soou  divorced,  for  some 
alleged  personal  blemish.  He  next  stoic  away 
from  the  sacred  college  of  Vestals,  and  married, 
Aquilia  Severa,  whom  he  also  repudiated,  and 
afterwards  took  her  again.  His  third  wife  was 
Annia  Faustina,  whom  he  forcibly  possessed 
himself  of  (after  causing  her  husband  Pomponius 
Bassus  to  be  slain),  but  whom  he  quickly  dis- 
missed, to  re-unite  himself  to  Aquilia  Severa. 
Some  of  his  Latin  coins  represent  him  with 
Aquilia  Severa,  and  his  mother  Soicmias  ; also, 
a doubtful  one,  with  Annia  Faustina.  The 
coins  of  this  emperor  are  numerous.  His  gold 
and  first  brass  arc  rare ; his  silver,  and  second 
and  small  brass  for  the  most  part  common. — 
Style— IMP.  ANTONINVS  PI  VS  AVG.— 
also  IMP.  CAES.  M.  AVR.  ANTONINVS 
PIVS  AVG.— also  ANTONINVS  V.  I’lVS 
FEL.  AVG. 


It  is  a work  of  some  tact  and  discrimination  to 
distinguish  the  coins  of  Elagabalus  from  those 
of  Caracalla,  both  of  whom  assumed  the  title  of 
M.  AVR.  ANTONINVS.  Those,  indeed,  who 
are  conversant  with  coins,  arc  enabled  from  the 
peculiar  countenances  of  each,  to  recognise 
Elagabalus  by  his  thick  lips,  aud  Caracalla  by 
his  harsh  and  angry  features.  It  behoves  the 
tyro,  however,  to  look  on  the  one  hand  for  the 
star  of  Elagabalus,  whilst  on  the  other  haud  he 
will  remember  that  the  surname  GERMANICVS 
is  added  to  the  titles  of  Caracalla  alone  — The 
following  remarks  on  points  needful  to  be  re- 
garded with  a view  to  ascertain  the  medals  of 
the  two  princes,  are  condensed  from  those  of 
the  able  author  of  Lemons  de  Nuinisnialique 
Romaine:  1st.  Elagabalus,  raised  to  the  im- 
perial throne,  at  14  years  of  age,  perished  at 
eighteen. — 2nd.  On  attaining  his  fifth  and  last 
Tribunitian  power,  he  was  invested  with  the 
consulate  for  the  fourth  time;  whilst  Caracalla , 
at  the  time  of  his  fifth  Tribunate,  was  consul 
only  for  the  first  time. — 3rd.  From  the  third 
consulate  of  Elagabalus,  his  medals  have  almost 
always  a star  ou  the  field  of  the  reverse.  This 
star,  conjoined  to  various  types,  refers  doubtless 
to  his  favourite  divinity,  analagous  with  the  Sun, 
and  is  also  found  on  the  medals  of  his  three 
wives. — 4th  aud  lastly,  in  the  combination  of 
names  and  titles,  we  again  discover  some  further 
indications.  E’or  example  (hut  only  on  the  brass 
coins)  the  titles  IMP.  CAES,  appear  at  the 
beginning  of  the  legend  of  the  obverse,  in  the 
case  of  Elagabalus,  but  not  iu  that  of  Caracalla. 

MINTAGES  OF  ELAGABALUS. 

The  following  arc  the  rarest  types  of  reverse  : 


ELEPHANT. 


ELEPHANT.  357 


Gold. — adventvs  avgvsti.  Emperor  on 
horseback.  (Brought  £4  at  the  Trattle  sale). — 
conservator  avg.  Conical -shaped  stone,  J 
ornamented  with  stars,  standing  before  which  is 
an  eagle — the  whole  placed  in  a quadriga : a 
star  in  the  field. — Obv. — imp.  antoninvs  pivs 
avg.  Laureated  head  of  the  Emperor.  [This 
stone  was  the  idol  which  Elagabalus  brought 
with  him  from  Syria,  and  to  which  he  raised 
altars  at  Koine,  stripping  the  ancient  temples 
to  enrich  that  of  his  foreigu  divinity  (Ilelio- 
gabalus). — Engraved  in  vol.  i.  pi.  vii.  No.  7,  of 
Akcrman,  who  elucidates  the  subject  in  a note,  t 
p.  214. — A most  highly  preserved  specimen  of 
this  extra  rare  coin  brought  £8  10s.  at  the 
Thomas  sale.] — consvl  ii.  p.  p.  The  emperor 
standing  in  a quadriga.  (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  I 
80  fr. — sold  for  £4  11s.  at  the  Trattle  auction).  I 
— fides  militvm.  Emperor  and  two  soldiers. 
(Mt.  120  fr.) — in victvs  sacerdos.  avg.  Em- 
peror sacrificing.  (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  50  fr. 
Sec  the  preceding  wood-cut). — ivlia  aqvilia 
severa  avg.  Head  of  the  Empress  Aquilia. 
(Mt.  600  fr.) — lib.  avg.  ii.  p.  m.  cos.  ii. 
(£4  3s.  at  the  Brumell  sale). — lib.  avg.  &c. 
Emperor  and  three  figures.  (Mt.  120  fr.) — 
pontif.  max.  &c.  lloma  Victrix  seated. 
(£G  12s.  6d.  Thomas). — tr.  p.  mi.  cos.  m. 
The  Sun  radiated,  standing  with  whip  in  right 
hand  (£2  13s.  at  the  White  sale). — tkib.  pot. 
cos.  ii.  Emperor  in  quadriga.  (£4  17s. 
Trattle.) — sanct.  deo.  soli,  elagabal.  Quad- 
riga, with  conical-stone,  eagle,  and  four  ensigns. 
(Alt.  63  fr.) — p.  M.  tr.  p.  v.  cos.  iiii.  Em- 
peror in  quadriga.  (£7  7s.  6d.  Thomas). — 
victor,  antonini  avg.  (£5  5s.  ditto). 

Silver. — cos.  m.  P.  p. — Stone  of  conical 
form,  ornamented  with  stars,  and  an  eagle 
before  it.  ( Cabinet  de  Gosselin) — engraved  in 
Mionnet,  T.  i.  343,  by  whom  it  is  valued  at 
30  fr.) — fides  militvm.  (Mt.  60  fr.) — ivlia 
soaf.mias.  (100  fr.) — tr.  p.  in.  cos.  Emperor 
in  a quadriga,  crowned  by  Aictory.  (60  fr.) 

Brass  Medallions. — aeqvitas  avgvsti. 
The  three  Monetae.  (Mt.  50  fr.) — conservator 
avgvsti  cos.  iiii.  Conical  stone  in  a quadriga. 
(Alt.  150  fr.) — tr.  P.  ill.  cos.  ill.  Emperor  in 
a triumphal  car,  and  four  horses.  (Alt.  200  fr.) 
spes  pvblica.  Hope  walking. — Oie. -Heads  of 
Elagabalus  and  Aquilia  Severa.  (Alt.  300  fr.) 

Large  Brass. — liberal,  avg.  ii.  p.  m.  tr. 
p.  ii.  cos.  ii.  Emperor  and  two  figures. — libe- 
r.vlitas  avgvsti  in.  Three  figures  on  an 
estrade.  (Alt.  24  fr.  each). — pax.  avgvsti. 
Peace  walking.  (Alt.  40  fr.) 

ELEPHANT.  ( Elephant  us j .-The  representa- 
tion of  this  animal  frequently  occurs  on  Roman 
coins.  The  head,  and  sometimes  the  proboscis 
only,  of  an  Elephant  is  a symbol  of  Africa. — 
Lybia  was  accounted  E/ephanlorum  nutrix. — 
On  denarii  of  the  Cmcilia  gen3,  elephants  walk- 
ing, both  singly  and  in  big®,  are  typified  to 
attest  victories  gained  by  the  Aletelli,  in  Sicily 
and  in  Alacedouia,  during  the  504th  (b.  C.  250), 
and  606th  years  of  Rome  (b.  c.  148).  The  skull 
and  trunk  also  cover  a female  head,  and  appear 
in  the  centre  of  a shield,  on  other  coins  of  the 


same  family,  allusive  to  the  successes  of  its 
celebrated  members  over  the  Carthaginians  and 
Alacedouians. — See  pp.  149,  150,  151. 

An  Elephant  trampling  on  a serpent  with  it  s 
fore  feet,  is  the  well-known  type  on  a common 
denarius  of  Julius  Caesar.  But  it  has  given  rise 
to  various  opinions  among 
the  learned.  Some  refer  it 
to  the  victory  of  Juba  over 
Scipio,  in  Africa.  Others 
to  the  fact,  that  the  grand- 
father of  Jidius  Caesar,  ac- 
cording to  Servius  and  Spar- 
tian,  killed  an  elephant  in 
that  region  ; and  the  animal  being  called  in  the 
Punic  language  Caesar , this  name  became  appro- 
priated to  the  family. 

“ But”  says  Eekhel  (vi.  pp.  5 and  6),  in  no- 
ticing these  conflicting  opinions,  “ prior  to  this 
grandfather  of  Julius,  we  find  in  Livy  the  cog- 
nomen of  Ciesar.  Now,  if  that  be  true,  which 
is  stated  by  Constantinus  Alanasses,  that  ‘ ele- 
phants are  called  Ccesarcs  by  the  Phoenicians,’ 
and  which,  as  we  have  just  observed,  is  con- 
firmed by  Servius  and  Spartian,  the  present 
elephant  would  be  an  allusion  to  the  name ; as, 
moreover,  it  is  represented  as  trampling  on  a 
serpent,  with  which  reptile,  according  to  Pliny, 
the  elephant  is  at  perpetual  feud ; and  as  it  is 
established  by  Artcmidorus,  that  the  elephant 
in  Italy  denotes  Secrirorris,  fiairi\evs,  xai  aurip 
ptyiaTo s — a lord,  a king,  or  a man  in  high 
authority  ; we  shall  then  recognize  a type  flat- 
tering to  the  ambition  of  Cfesar,  and  by  which 
he  was  desirous  to  intimate  his  victory  over  the 
barbarians,  and  all  who  were  envious  of  his 
glory.  Whatever  may  be  the  decision  on  this 
point,  the  type  may  be  considered  as  a presage 
of  future  domiuion.  For  the  elephant,  inde- 
pendently of  its  nses  in  war  and  the  amphi- 
theatre, was  an  undoubted  symbol  of  honour  or 
of  arrogance.  According  to  Suetonius  (in  Ne- 
rone,  chap.  2),  Cn.  Domitius,  the  ancestor  of 
Nero,  after  his  victory,  during  his  consulate, 
over  the  Allobroges,  was  carried  through  the 
province  on  an  elephant,  preceded  by  a large 
body  of  troops,  as  in  the  solemnity  of  a triumph. 
Cornuficins,  on  account  of  having  carried  his 
soldiers  off  safely  in  Sicily,  assumed  such  airs, 
that  whenever  he  dined  out  at  Rome,  he  used 
to  ride  home  on  an  elephant.  Julius  Crnsar  him- 
self, when  his  military  toils  were  over,  ascended 
the  Capitol,  lighted  by  forty  elephants,  hearing 
torches,  on  either  side  of  him.  Lastly,  there 
was  no  special  use  for  elephants,  except  to  draw 
the  imperial  thensa  at  funerals,  or  the  chariots 
of  the  Cmsars,  either  in  a triumph,  or  in  their 
consular  processions.  Correctly,  therefore,  has 
Juvenal  styled  these  natives  of  a torrid  clime, 
Caesaris  armentum,  nulli  servire  paratum  Privato. 

[Caesar’s  beast  of  burden,  that  deigns  not  to 
serve  a private  individual.] 

Elephants  arc  represented  on  coins  as  an  em- 
blem of  Eternity,  it  being  among  the  vulgar 
errors  of  the  ancients  to  believe  that  those  stu- 
pendous creatures  lived  two  or  even  three  him- 


358 


ELEPHANT. 


dred  years.  It  was,  however,  ou  the  knowu  longe- 
vity of  the  elephant  (exceeding,  as  Pliny,  quoting 
Aristotle,  says,  that  of  all  other  animals),  that 
they  were  employed  in  the  funeral  processions 
of  emperors  and  empresses,  on  the  occasion  of 
their  apotheosis. 

On  consecration  medals,  the  elephant  appears, 
cither  singly,  with  or  without  the  driver,  or  as 
bigte  aud  quadrigae,  there  being  placed  ou  the 
vehicle  to  which  they  are  attached  the  image  of 
the  deceased  personage.  On  a large  brass, 
struck  by  order  of  the  Senate,  in  honour  of 
Faustina  senior’s  consecration,  she  is  figured 
sitting  on  a canopied  biga  of  elephauts,  with  the 
accompanying  legend  of  aeternitas. 

Elephant  us  toricatus,  or  reticulatus. — The  ele- 
phant in  armour,  or  some  defensive  covering  of 
iron,  resembling  net-work,  employed  to  protect 
them  (as  well  as  horses),  from  the  spears  and 
darts  of  an  enemy  in  battle.  Representations 
of  this  kind  appear  on  consular  money — as  for 
example,  a denarius  of  the  Metelli  (see  Ctccilia), 
a coin  restored  by  Trajan.  They  are  also  sceu, 
from  time  to  time,  in  the  imperial  scries,  as  ou 
gold  of  Titus.  The  subjoined  engraving  is  from 
a consecration  first  brass  of  Fanstina  Antouiui : 


ELEPHANT. 

coins  of  several  emperors,  from  Domitian  to 
Gordianus  Pius. — See  M vnifice.vtia  avg. 

Elephant orum  duplices  quadriga. — On  a large 
brass  bearing  on  its  obverse  imp.  caes.  domit. 
avg.  germ.  cos.  xvii.  ce.vs.  &c.  and  the  lau- 
relled head  of  Domitian  ; but  with  no  other 
legend  of  reverse  than  the  Senatus  C onsiittu/n, 
we  see  a triumphal  arch,  surmounted  by  two 
ears,  to  each  of  which  four  elephants  are  har- 
nessed. In  each  car  stauds  a togated  figure, 
holding  a whip,  or  branch. 


Here  the  sedent  statue  of  the  deceased  em- 
press, holding  the  sceptrum  in  her  left  hand, 
and  a branch  in  her  right,  is  placed,  in  token 
of  deification,  on  a four-wheeled  car  (the 
thensa),  drawn  by  two  elephants,  whose  bodies 
are  loricatcd,  aud  whose  necks  arc  mounted  each 
by  its  conductor.  The  ex  s.  c.  on  the  exergue, 
stamps  this  fine  reverse  with  the  impress  of 
Senatorial  authority. 

Elephantorum  quadriga. — A first  brass  of  Au- 
gustus, coined  in  pursuance  of  a decree  of  the 
Senate,  after  his  death,  represents  him  in  the 
guise  of  a divinity,  seated  on  the  thensa  of  con- 
secration, drawn  by  four  elephants,  on  each  of 
which  sits  a driver. — That  Augustus  was  ho- 
noured, after  his  decease,  with  the  exhibition  of 
such  quadriga,  we  have  the  testimony  of  Sue- 
tonius and  Dion. 

On  a large  brass  of  Titus,  struck  in  honour 
of  his  father’s  consecration  (see  p.  33C),  as  well 
as  the  well-known  coin  of  Augustus,  from  the 
reverse  of  which  the  type  was  borrowed,  four 
elephants  draw  the  thensa  of  the  deified  prince, 
but  in  neither  instance  are  the  bodies  of  those 
animals  loricatcd.  It  is  not  uucommon  to  find 
them  harnessed  with  the  ornamental  panoply  in 
which  they  bore  a part  at  the  public  shews,  on 


The  above  and  other  coins  attest,  that 
triumphal  arches,  adorned  with  two  quadriga;  of 
elephants,  were  erected  by  Domitian,  in  which 
were  placed  (golden  or  brass  gilt)  statues  of  that 
vain-glorious  tyrant. — Tristan  has  well  illus- 
trated the  remarkable  subject  of  this  piece  in  the 
following  observations: — 

This  triumphal  arch  was  raised  in  houoitr  of 
Domitian  during  the  last  year  of  his  reign,  and 
under  his  last  consulate,  namely,  the  1 7 th,  849 
(a.d.  96).  For  he  was  so  malicious,  and  so 
covetous  of  another’s  glory,  that  lie  caused  him- 
self to  be  elected  such  a number  of  times  consul, 
in  order  to  monopolize  the  authority  of  that 
office  (pour  en  occupcr  toujours  la  qualite).  It 
is  this  which  Ausonius  refers  to,  in  censuring 
his  rapacity,  his  ambition,  and  his  envious 
malignity,  whilst  pronouncing  himself  the  pane- 
gyric of  Gratian,  in  the  presence  of  that  em- 
peror, whom  he  was  thanking  for  promoting 
him  to  the  Consulate — “ Scis  inquam  (says  he) 
septem  et  deccm  Domitiani  Consulates,  qnos 
ilia  invidia  altcros  provchendi,  contiuuaudo  con- 
servit ; ita  ejus  aviditate  derisos,  ut  hoc  cum 
pagina  fast  orum  suorum,  iino  fastidiorum,  fcccrit 
iusolentcin,  nec  potucrit  pnestare  felieem.”  See 
also  the  poem  which  Statius  has  written  respect- 
ing the  seventeenth  Consulship  of  Domitian. 
As  to  the  triumphal  arch  here  represented,  so 
superbly  charged  with  two  cars  drawn  by  ele- 
phants, it  clearly  relates  to  the  two  victories 
which  he  wished  to  have  credit  for  having 
achieved  over  the  Gauls,  Germans,  Sarmatiaus, 
Dacians,  and  Quadi;  and  for  which  he  triumphed. 
This  arch,  erected  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of 
those  alleged  facts,  has  been  honoured  with 
an  allusion  by  Martial  (see  lib.  viii.  Epigr.  65.) 
From  the  poet’s  verses  it  would  appear  that  this 
triumphal  gate,  enriched  with  two  magnificent 
quadriga;  (Hie  gemini  currus  uumrrnnt  Ele- 
phants) was  constructed  in  a place,  which  served 
as  a parvis  to  temples  dedicated  to  Fort  ana 
Redujt,  in  favour  of  Vespasian,  of  Titus,  and  of 


EMERITA. 

Domitian  , and  which  was  the  place  (as  Tristan 
supposes),  where  the  Senate  and  the  people  went 
to  receive  and  salute  the  emperor  last  named,  on 
his  return  from  his  expeditions. — See  Com- 
mentaires  Historiques,  T.  i.  p.  333. 

In  Morell.  Imp.  Rom.  t.  ii.  tab.  xiiii.  the 
portal  on  the  summit  of  which  the  two  quadriga; 
of  elephants  stand,  has  a tier  of  columns  with 
entahlatnre  above  the  arch-ways. 

EMERITA  Colonia. — A city  of  great  im- 
portance, during  the  early  empire,  situate  on 
the  banks  of  the  Anas  (Guadiana),  in  Hispania 
Lusitania  (Spanish  Estremadura).  Some  relics 
of  it  remain  to  this  day,  aud  Merida  is  now  the 
name  of  the  place.  In  the  year  of  Rome  729 
(b.  c.  25),  Augustus,  having  concluded  the 
Cantabrian  war,  placed  there,  as  colonists,  by 
way  of  reward,  certain  soldiers  whose  term  of 
service  had  expired  ( emeritos) , and  who  accord- 
ingly called  the  new  settlement  avovsta  eme- 
rita ; and  by  his  permission  (perm,  or  per- 
missv.  avg.)  struck  numerous  coins  in  honour 
of  their  founder. — The  Emeritenses  also  con- 
secrated a temple  to  the  Eternity  of  Augustus 
(aeternitatis  avgvstae)  ; after  whose  death 
they  paid  the  same  mouctal  distinctions  to  Julia. 
And  being  very  desirous  to  secure  for  their  city, 
as  the  seat  of  the  Lusitauian  legation,  the 
patronage  of  his  successor  Tiberius,  they  dedi- 
cated coins  to  him  also.  It  was  for  these  rea- 
sons, that,  as  a new  town,  and  built  by  Roman 
veterans,  a representation  of  its  fortified  gate 
and  mnral  enclosure  was  struck  on  the  coins  of 
this  colony,  and  the  name  of  emerita  (or 
imerita)  inscribed  over  its  gateway.  Nor  was 
this  distinctive  token  confined  to  colonial  brass 
(as  c.  a.  e.  or  col.  avgvsta  emerita)  ; but  the 
name  of  Augustus  was  also  identified  with  the 
foundation  of  Merida  by  one  of  his  own 
monevers,  on  denarii  which  bear  a similar  type 
and  inscription.  For  description  and  plates  of 
the  colonial  mintages,  in  first  and  second  brass, 
the  reader  is  referred  to  Mr.  Akerman’s  Coins 
of  Ancient  Cities,  fife.  p.  11,  pi.  i.  Nos.  4 and  5. 
The  following  cut  is  from  silver  of  the  Carisia 
gens : 


imp.  caesar  avgvst. — Rare  head  of  Augus- 
tus.— Rev. — p.  carisivs  leg.  pro.  pr.  Gate 
of  the  fortified  city  of  Merida,  above  which  is 
written  imertia. 

This  denarius,  struck  hv  Publius  Carisius, 
legalus  proprietor  of  Augustus,  alludes  to  the 
Spanish  campaign,  in  which  that  officer  de- 
feated the  Asturcs,  and  captured  from  them 
the  city  of  Lancia.  This  led  to  the  foundation 
of  the  city  of  Emerita,  which  afterwards  became 
the  capital  of  Lusitania.  The  mouetal  issues  of 
this  colony  do  not  appear  to  have  extended 
beyond  Tiberius. 


EMESA.— ENNA.  359 

EMESA  or  EMI$A,  Syrite,  Colonia;  near 
the  region  of  Mount  Lebanon,  situate  on  the 
Orontes,  and  now  called  Hams.  It  was  the 
native  place  of  Julia  Domna,  wife  of  Scverus, 
and  mother  of  Caracalla.  The  latter  emperor 
conferred  upon  it  the  rank  of  a Roman  colony. 
Emesa  contained  a temple  of  the  Sun,  in  which 
Elagabalus  officiated  as  a priest  before  he  was 
made  emperor.  The  coins  of  this  city  are 
imperial  in  brass  (except  one  small  medallion  in 
potin.)  The  legends  are  exclusively  Greek,  from 
Domna  to  Alexander  Scverus,  including  the 
unique  coin  of  Sulpicius  Antoninus  (Tauini, 
Sapp.  p.  1 16).  The  types  of  reverse  are  mostly 
— Head  of  the  Sun ; Eagle  on  a cone-formed 
stone  ; turreted  woman  ; basilic®,  and  temples. 
— Mionnet,  v.  227,  and  Suppt.  viii.  156. 

EMPORIAE  Tarracouensis  (Hispani®),  muni- 
cipium,  now  Ampurias. — The  coins  of  this  town 
are  Greek  autonomes  in  silver;  and  brass,  with 
Celtiberian  and  Latin  inscriptions.  The  ob- 
verses have  for  the  most  part  a galeated  head, 
and  the  Latin  legends  of  reverse  are  empor.  or 
empori,  with  the  type  of  a Pegasus,  some- 
times the  head  of  Minerva,  a lion  walking,  a 
hippocampus,  a bull,  a bust  of  Diana. — See 
Mionnet,  Suppt.  i.  82  : see  also  Akerman,  Coins 
of  Hispania,  p.  86. 

No  imperial  or  colonial  money  was  struck  by 
this  Spanish  municipium. 

ENNA  (Sicili®),  municipium,  now  Castro 
Giovanni. — A very  ancient  city,  where  Ceres 
was  worshipped  in  a magnificent  temple. — 
The  coins  of  this  place  are  autonomous ; all 
brass  (with  one  exception,  unique,  in  silver)  — 
a few  Latin,  but  chiefly  Greek  legends ; the 
types  arc — Proserpine,  head  of  Ceres,  head  of 
Apollo.  There  are  no  imperial  coins.  On  a 
large  brass,  which  is  classed  in  Morell.  Earn. 
Rom.  with  coins  of  the  Cestia  gens,  is  a veiled 
head  of  Ceres,  with  a torch  before  it,  alluding 
to  the  torches  with  which,  as  the  poets  feigned, 
that  goddess  sought  her  lost  daughter,  on  Mount 
Etna ; and  on  the  reverse,  Pluto,  the  ravisher, 
is  carrying  away  the  virgin  in  a quadriga.  The 
obverse  legend  is  m.  cestivs  aud  l.  mvnativs 
(Duumviri).  The  legend  of  reverse  is  mvn. 
henn.  (municipium  Henna).  There  is  also  a 
middle  brass,  bearing  the  names  of  the  same 
duumvirs,  with  the  type  of  Venus.  And  a third 
autonomous  brass,  with  m.  cestivs  and  the 
head  of  Ceres,  on  its  obverse,  and  mvn.  henna, 
with  two  female  figures  in  a quadriga,  on  the 
reverse,  is  cited  by  Mionnet  (Suppt.  i.  384) 
from  E.  Harwood,  pop.  et  urb.  sel.  num.  p.  56. 

EPIGRAPHE,  Epigraph — Inscription. 

El’PIA  gens — A noble  family,  but  not  much 
known.  Cicero  calls  Eppius  a man  of  his  order. 
It  has  two  varieties ; the  undermentioned  silver 
coin  is  the  rarest : — 

EPPIVS  LEG atus.  F.  C.  Hercules  standing, 
with  front  face,  naked,  and  in  repose,  with  club 
aud  lion’s  skin. — Rev. — Q.  METEI./aj  SCII’IO 
DIP.  Female  head,  covered  with  the  elephant’s 
skin  ; underneath  it  a plough  ; before  it  an  ear 

of  corn  (page  151). “From  this  coin  we 

learn  that  Eppius  was  the  Lieutenant  of  Scipio 


360  EPULONES.— EQUES. 

in  the  African  war  against  Julius  Ccesar,  and 
had  the  office  of  coining  denarii  for  the  purposes 
of  that  war,  as  is  confirmed  by  the  F.  C. 
Faciendum  or  Feriundum  Curavit ; unless  it  be 
more  correctly  interpreted  Flandum  Quravit,  as 
on  coins  of  Lentnlus,  in  Cornelia  gens : CVR. 
X.  FL.”  The  brass  coins  of  this  family  are  as, 
or  parts  of  the  as. 

See  an  engraving  of  this  coin,  inserted 
amongst  the  Metelli  of  the  Ctecilia  gens,  p.  ] 51, 
right  hand  column. 

EPULONES. — Subsequently  to  the  first  war 
with  Hannibal,  the  Roman  pontiffs  being  over- 
whelmed with  the  multitude  of  sacrifices,  and  of 
ceremonies  attendant  thereon,  were  allowed  in 
the  year  of  the  city  557  (b.  c.  197),  to  appoint 
three  men  to  whom  was  given  the  name  of 
Triumviri  Epulones.  These  presided  as  priests 
at  the  public  feasts  which  took  place  at  the  con- 
clusion of  each  sacrifice  ofTercd  to  Jupiter  and 
others  of  their  deities,  whom  they  professed 
to  propitiate,  by  placing  their  statues,  laid 
on  couches  (lienee  called  lectisternia) , iu  the 
temples,  and  inviting  them  to  partake  of  a 
banquet  prepared  with  all  possible  magnificence 
and  sumptuousness  ; and  if  they  were  not  able 
to  eat,  drink,  and  be  merry,  there  were  doubtless 
other  guests  present  who  could.  Sulla  aug- 
mented the  number  of  these  ministers  of  the 
sacred  banquets  in  honour  of  the  gods  to  seven. 
Julius  Caisar  added  three  more  ; but  after  his 
time,  the  number  appears  again  to  have  been 
limited  to  seven.  The  subjoined  wood-cut  is 
faithfully  executed  from  an  extremely  well-pre- 
served denarius  in  the  British  Museum,  the  re- 
verse type  of  which  represents  an  Epnto  pre- 
paring a lectisternium  for  Jupiter,  conformably 
to  custom,  in  the  Epidurn  Jovis. 


c.  coel.  cai.dvs  cos.  Bare  male  head  to 
the  right,  between  a vexillum,  inscribed  ills 
and  a boar. — Rev. — c.  caldvs  imp.  a.  x.  A 
table  or  lectisternium,  with  a robed  and  veiled 
figure  behind  it.  The  inscription  is  l.  caldvs 
vn  vir.  epvl.  On  each  side  is  a trophy  ; below 
cai.dvs  ill  vir. — For  an  explanation  of  this 
coin  sec  p.  222. 

The  Epulones  were  next  to  the  Augurs  in 
dignity,  and  were  privileged  to  wear  the  toga 
prsetextu.  They  also  formed  a college,  and  were 
one  of  the  four  great  sacerdotal  corporations  at 
Rome,  the  Pontificcs,  Augures,  and  Quihdc- 
cemviri,  being  the  other  three. 

EQ.  Equestris. — EQ.  COH.  Equestris  Co- 
hortis. — EQ.  ORD.  Equestris  Ordiuis. 

EQUES.  A horseman. — Typically  speak- 
ing, a man  on  horseback,  appears  on  many  con- 
sular coins  (sec  Sulla,  p.  287),  and  is  of  still 
more  frequent  occurrence  in  the  imperial  scries. 
Imperator  Eques,  the  equestrian  figure  of  the 


EQl'ESTER  ORDO. 

emperor,  cither  iu  the  garb  of  Peace,  or  in 
military  habiliments,  with  right  hand  raised, 
moving  at  a slow  pace ; or  galloping  with  spear 
at  the  charge ; or  in  the  attitude  of  hurling  his 
javelin  at  a barbarian  foe,  who  is  down  on  one 
knee  iu  a defensive  posture,  or  is  fallen  prostrate 
before  him,  appears  on  coins,  in  each  metal,  from 
Augustus  to  Nero;  thence  to  Domitian,  Trajan, 
Hadrian,  M.  Aurelius,  Commodus,  Severus, 
Caracalla,  &c.  &c. — See  advent  vs  avg.  and 
ADVENTUI  AUG.  (p.  10) — DEBELLATORI  GENT. 
BARBAR  (p.3 11) — DECURSIO  (pp.  314-315)  — 

j EXI’EDITIO  AUG.  (SUO  toco) PROFECTIO  AUG. 

(ditto) — PRINCIPES  JUVENTUTIS  (p.  217) — VIR- 
TUS  AUGG.  (p.  53.) 

Equestrian  figures  of  Castor  and  Pollux  are 
seen  on  the  most  aucicnt  coins  of  the  Aclia, 
Antestia,  Atilia  (p.  93),  Cupiennia,  Domitia, 

1 1 ora  tia  (Denarius,  p.  316),  Itia,  Junia,  Lucrc- 
tia,  .Marcia,  Minucia,  Plautia,  Quiuctia,  Scri- 
houia,  Semprouin,  and  Tcrcntia  families. — Sec 
Dioscuri. 

EQ1  ESTER  ORDO. — The  Equestrian  Order: 
one  of  the  degrees  of  rank,  or  estates  of  Rome. 
It  derived  its  name  at  an  early  period  of  the 
commonwealth  from  the  legionary  Equites ; and 
became  subsequently  the  middle  grade  between 
the  Senate  aud  the  people.  They  were  called 
i juventus,  because  that  word  was  used  by  the 
Romans  iu  speaking  of  their  soldiers  collectively; 
and  principes  juventutis,  because  king  Scrvius, 
when  he  divided  the  entire  people  into  six 
classes,  enrolled,  according  to  Livy,  “ twelve 
i centuries  of  equites,  chosen  from  the  first  men 
of  the  nation  ;”  or  as  Dionysius  of  Halicarnassus 
states,  “ he  made  a selection  of  equites  from 
amongst  those  citizens  who  were  wealthiest  and 
of  noble  birth.’ — And  this,  observes  Eckhcl  (see 
his  Dissert,  de  Principe  Juventutis),  accounts 
for  the  equites  being  so  frequently  styled  pri- 
nt ores,  principes,  or  proceres  juventutis.  A re- 
markable example  of  this  occurs  in  the  speech 
which  Livy  has  put  into  the  mouth  of  Perseus, 
King  of  the  Macedonians,  whom  he  addresses 
after  the  defeat  of  the  Roman  cavalry,  in  these 
words — “ You  have  turned  to  (light  the  more 
important  part  of  your  enemies’  forces,  the  Ro- 
man cavalry,  in  which  they  boasted  themselves 
invincible.  For  with  them  the  equites  are  their 
principes  juventutis ; with  them  the  equites  arc 
the  nursery  of  their  Senate ; from  them  are 
chosen  into  the  ranks  of  the  patres,  the  men 
whom  they  create  consuls  and  emperors  (ini- 
pcratorcs.)”  And  much  earlier,  the  same  author 
has  said  of  L.  Brutus — “ He  raised  to  the  num- 
ber of  three  hundred  the  ranks  of  the  patres, 
(thinned  by  the  assassinations  of  Tarquinins  Su- 
perbus), by  electing  into  them  the  primores  of 
the  Equestrian  Order.”  With  propriety,  therefore, 
might  the  equites  be  called  the  principes  of  the 
entire  juventus  of  Rome  ; and,  without  doubt, 
they  obtained,  by  their  superiority  of  fortune 
and  birth,  the  pre-eminence  ninong  the  people, 
along  with  whom  they  were  still  reckoned,  there 
being  as  yet  no  Equestrian  Order  instituted. 
The  equites  afterwards  received  an  important 
accession  of  authority  and  honour,  namely 


EQUESTER  OK  DO. 

when  the  brothers  Ti.  et  C.  Gracchus  intro- 
duced a law  for  the  transfer  of  the  judicial 
courts,  from  the  Senate  to  the  Equites.  Thereby 
they  also  gaiued  an  opportunity  of  accumulating 
wealth.  For,  as  iu  consequence  of  their  here- 
ditary possessions,  they  enjoyed  almost  a mono- 
poly in  the  farming  of  the  taxes,  under  the  title 
of  pub/icani,  it  was  an  easy  matter,  with  such 
aids,  to  increase  their  store.  Thus,  therefore, 
in  the  course  of  time  was  the  renowned  Equester 
Ordo  instituted  ; and  so  called  and  distinguished 
from  the  other  two  Orders  of  Senate  and  People. 
These  facts  are  confirmed  by  the  testimony  of 
Pliny,  who  says — “ The  distinction  of  this 
Order,  under  the  appellation  of  judices  was  first 
introduced  by  the  Gracchi,  through  a factious 
desire  of  popularity,  and  to  bring  the  Seuatc 
into  disrepute.  And  this  authority,  having  soon 
afterwards  been  weakened  by  the  vicissitudes  of 
civil  dissension,  became  vested  in  the  publicani, 
who  for  a considerable  period  constituted  the 
third  Estate  of  the  Republic.  It  was  M.  Cicero, 
who  at  length  during  bis  consulate,  and  having 
overthrown  Catiline,  firmly  established  the 
equestrian  title,  boasting  his  own  origin  from 
that  Order,  and  maintaining  its  authority  with 
peculiar  zeal.  From  that  time  it  became  dis- 
tinctly a third  portion  of  the  commonwealth  ; 
aud  the  Equester  Ordo,  properly  so  called,  began 
to  be  added  to  those  of  the  Senate  and  the 
People.  Aud  this  is  the  reason  (adds  Pliny) 
why,  even  at  the  present  day,  it  is  specified 
after  the  Poputus,  as  being  the  more  recently 
established  Order.” — (See  consensu,  se.vat. 
ET  f.q.  OKD1N.  &e.  p.  252.) 

The  equites,  elated  by  this  accession  of  dig- 
nity and  wealth,  became  less  eager  to  rally 
round  the  standards  of  their  legions,  partly  be- 
cause they  could,  without  peril  or  inconvenience, 
attain  at  home  the  highest  honours  ; aud  also 
because  they  felt  ashamed  to  follow  a military 
service,  to  which  the  lowest  and  meanest  of  the 
populace,  following  in  the  steps  of  Marius, 
were  beginning  to  give  a corresponding  charac- 
ter. And  yet,  when  the  Equestrian  Order  was 
once  instituted,  the  rank  of  an  eques,  like  that 
of  a patrician,  descended  by  inheritance  to  the 
sons,  provided  that  the  requisite  income  were 
forthcoming.  But  although  this  Order  might 
have  been  obtained  by  heirdom  from  a man’s 
ancestors  (as  Ovid  states  to  have  been  his  case), 
yet  it  also  (as  he  admits)  might  have  been  the 
result  of  distinguished  conduct  in  the  field  of 
battle  ; just  as  L.  Aconius  is  stated  by  Fabretti, 

“ to  have  been  raised  by  Trajan  from  the 
condition  of  a soldier  to  that  of  an  eques,  for 
services  performed  in  the  German  and  the  Sar- 
matiau  wars.”  But  that  an  income  of  the  legal 
amount  was  even  then  necessary,  is  clearly 
hinted  by  the  same  poet,  when,  with  the  usual 
pride  of  noble  birth,  as  towards  the  parvenu, 
he  complains  of  his  mistress  preferring  a knight, 
lately  elevated  to  that  rank  for  military  services, 
to  himself,  who  held  the  distinction  by  inhe- 
ritance ; — 

Ecce  recens  dives,  parto  per  vuluera  censu, 
Proefertur  nobis,  sanguine,  factus,  eques. 

3 A 


EQUESTER  ORDO.  3G1 

[For  lo  ! a newly-rich  man,  a knight  created  b>' 
au  income  acquired  by  wounds,  is  preferred  to  me 
(who  am  a knight  created)  by  blood  (i.  e.  descent.)] 
According,  however,  to  Suetonius,  the  law 
respecting  a deficiency  of  income  was  modified 
by  Augustus,  who  added  a condition  to  it.  It 
may  thence  be  concluded,  that  the  equites,  who 
iu  former  times  were  properly  styled  principes 
juventutis,  and  destined  to  the  profession  of 
arms,  after  the  establishment  of  the  Equestrian 
Order,  gradually  withdrew  from  military  ser- 
vice, and  betook  themselves  with  impunity  to 
the  profitable  business  of  the  law-courts,  or  to  the 
ease  and  pleasures  of  a town  life,  notwithstanding 
that,  even  at  a later  period,  a horse  was  provided 
for  them  at  the  public  cost.  This  Equestrian 
Order,  to  whose  knights  Cicero  gives  the  title  of 
Homines  amplissimi  et  honestissimi,  and  of  whom 
he  speaks  as  the  flower  of  the  Roman  chivalry 
(flos  equittun  Romanoruin) ; the  ornament  of 
the  City,  and  the  strength  of  the  Republic  ; 
this  body,  whence  occasionally  persous  were 
chosen  to  fill  vacant  places  iu  the  Senate,  be- 
came extremely  numerous  under  the  emperors, 
many  of  whom  admitted  their  freedmen,  or 
whomsoever  they  pleased,  to  the  estate  and  dig- 
nity of  Eques. 


EQVESTER  ORDO.  PRINCIPE  IVVENT.  (The 

Equestrian  Order  to  the  Prince  of  the  Youth.) — 
This  legend,  within  a buckler,  appears  on  the 
reverse  of  gold  and  silver  of  Nero. — The  obverse 
bears  an  epigraph  in  the  dedicatory  form — 

NEIIONI  CLAVDIO  DRVSO  GERM.  COS.  DESIGN. 

aud  the  young  bust,  bare  headed,  of  Nero,  as 
Ciesar. 

It  was  customary  (remarks  M.  Lcnormant), 
for  the  Order  of  Roman  Knights  to  give  the 
Princes  of  the  Youth  a silver  spear  and  buckler. 
Caius  aud  Lucius,  sons  of  Agrippa,  received  a 
similar  present,  being  Principes  Juventutis. — 
It  is  also,  in  this  quality,  that  Nero  is  here  re- 
corded to  have  been  complimented  with  a buck- 
ler by  the  Equestrian  Order.  The  following 
inscription  on  a marble,  published  by  Gruter, 
records  the  same  fact — NERONI  CLAVDIO 
DRV  SO  GER manico  COnSuli  DY'Signuto. — 
EQVESTER  ORDO  PRINCIPI  IYVENTV- 
TIS.— Nero  was  made  Prince  of  the  Youth  iu 
the  year  of  Rome  804  (a.  d.  51). — See  Icono- 
grapkie  Romaine. 

Eckhel  (viii.  p.  371,  et  seq.)  cites  simi- 
lar monuments  which  tend  to  prove  the  con- 
nection of  the  Principes  Juventutis  with  the 
Equestrian  Order.  A second  brass  of  Commo- 
dus,  as  Ciesar,  bears  within  a laurel  crown 
the  same  dedicatory  legend.  Tacitus,  among 
the  honours  decreed  to  the  memory  of  Ger- 
manicus,  who  was  a Prince  of  the  Youth,  re- 
cords the  following  : — “ The  Equestrian  Order 


362  ERCAVICA.—  ETRUSCILLA. 

gave  the  name  of  Gcrmauicus  to  the  battalion 
(cunetts)  which  used  to  be  called  that  of  the 
“juniors;”  and  ordained  that  on  the  ides  of 
March  the  troops  (of  knights)  should  follow  his 
image  in  procession.  For  some  additional  par- 
ticulars relative  to  the  Eijucster  Onto,  sec  prin- 
Cli'ES  juvf.ntutis,  in  this  dictionary. 

EQVIS  (sic.)  ROMAN  VS.  The  emperor  on 
horseback  in  the  garb  of  peace.  In  the  exergue 
SMN. — Obo. — DN.  CONSTANTIN  VS  MAX. 
AVG.  Bust  of  Constantine  the  Great  diadem  - 
ated.  Small  gold  medallion.  Engraved  in 
Num ism.  Cimelii.  Vindobon.  Aurei,  tab.  1. 

Eckliel  observes,  “ the  attempt  of  Khcll  to 
explain  this  singular  coin,  has  produced  nothing 
valid  by  which  the  enigma  of  its  legend  cau  be 
unravelled,  nor  can  I hope  to  be  more  fortunate 
than  my  master : unless  perhaps  it  alludes  to 
the  Princeps  Juventutis,  by  which  title,  as  Au- 
gustus was  before  him,  Constantine  is  designated 
frequently  on  coins  ; and  he  himself  kot  e(oxv>', 
is  here  called  eqvis  rohanvs,  as  he  was  also 
prince  of  the  youth  and  priuce  of  the  eques- 
trian order.  It  is  to  be  noted,  that  on  this 
medallion  the  unusual  word  eqvis  stands  for 
eqves,  a horseman  or  knight.”  viii.  83. 

ERCAVICA  (Tarraconensis)  municipium. — 
A city  of  the  Celtiberi,  enumerated  by  Pliny 
among  the  towns  attached  to  the  convention 
of  Caesar- Augusta  (Saragozza),  and  classed  by 
Livy  among  the  nobler  and  more  powerful 
class  of  cioitates  iu  that  part  of  northern 
Spain.  “ It  was  situated  near  the  river  Gau- 
diela,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  modern 
Santaver.”  The  coins  of  this  place  are  impe- 
rial Latin,  in  second  and  third  brass,  struck 
under  the  respective  reigns  of  Augustus,  Tibe- 
rius, and  Caligula.  On  one  of  these  (Tiberius) 
the  name  ercavica  aloue  is  inscribed  ; on  those 
of  Augustus  and  Caligula  it  is  accompanied  with 
the  title  of  MVN icipium.  It  seems  (says  Var- 
iant, in  Colonist),  to  have  been  made  one  about 
the  year  of  Rome  574  (b.  c.  180).  Under 
Tiberius  aud  Caligula  its  coins  bear  the  names 
of  the  Duumvirs.  The  only  types  are  an  oaken 
crown  encircling  the  name  of  the  city ; and  a 
a bull  standing,  the  latter  the  usual  symbol  of 
a nmnicipuim. — See  Mionnct,  Sitpp/l.  t.  i.  and 
Akcnuan,  Coins  of  SitpatUa,  p.  86. 

ERVC.  Erycis — a name  given  to  Venus,  in 
memory  of  her  son  Ervx,  who,  relying  on  his 
strength,  challenged  all  strangers  to  tight  with 
him.  Killed  by  Hercules  in  the  combat  of  the 
ccsttis,  he  was  buried  on  a mountain  (now  called 
Giuliano),  near  Drcpanum,  in  Sicily,  where  he 
had  built  a temple  to  Venus,  to  which  he  had 
given  his  name.  The  temple  of  Venus  Erycina, 
with  the  inscription  ervc.  appears  on  a denarius 
struck  by  C.  CONSIDIw  NONIANar. — See 
COXsidia  gens,  p.  254. 

ETRV.  Etrnsrus. — See  HEKENNIITS. 

ETRUSCILLA  (7 Hereunto). — Coins  bearing 
on  their  obverses  the  legend  IIERENNIA 
ETRVSCILLA  W Gust  a,  shew  that  there  was 
nu  empress  of  that  name ; but  of  themselves 
leave  us  only  to  infer  that  she  might  be  the 
wife  of  Trajanus  Decius.  An  inscription  pnb- 


EUDOCIA. — EUGENIUS. 

lished  by  Muratori  (p.  1036,  4),  has  put  an  end 
however  to  the  discussions  amongst  antiquaries 
on  this  point.  That  inscription  calls  her  He- 
rcunia  Cupressenia  Etruscilla,  wife  of  our  lord 


(domini  nostri)  Decius,  &c.  Nothing  is  known 
of  her  life.  She  had  two  children,  llerennius 
Etruscus  and  Ilostiilianus.  Iler  coins  arc  com- 
mon in  silver  ; tolerably  common  in  large  brass ; 
very  rare  in  brass  medallions ; and  of  extreme 
rarity  in  gold.  The  principal  reverses  are  : — 

Gold. — pvdicitia  avq.  A woman  stand- 
ing, or  seated.  (A" allied  by  Mionnct  at  200  fr.) 

Brass  Medallion. vesta.  Six  women 

veiled,  sacrificing  before  a temple.  (Mt.  150  fr.) 

[The  obverse  of  this  fine  and  very  rare  coin 
(not  an  extra-sized  large  brass,  but  a real  brass 
medallion),  presents  the  striking  portraiture 
above  engraved  from  the  original  in  the  Cabinet 
de  France.  For  the  reverse  type  sec  vesta]. 

Middle  Brass. — pvdicitia  avuvsta.  The 
empress  seated  between  two  other  female  figures 
standing. — ( Medaille  de  deux  cuicres,  sans  le 
senatus-consulto.  40  fr.  Mionnct). 

EUDOCIA  (or  Eudoria),  married  to  the 
emperor  Arcadius  a.  d.  305,  and  died  a d.  404. 
There  arc  no  authenticated  coins  of  this  empress. 

EUDOXIA  (Aeha)  or  Eudocin,  daughter  of 
Leontius,  an  Athenian,  born  about  a.  d.  393, 
married  to  the  emperor  Theodosius  the  younger 
a.  d.  421.  Being  separated  from  her  husband, 
she  took  up  her  abode  at  Jerusalem,  where  she 
died  a.  d.  460. — The  coins  assigned  to  this  Au- 
gusta are  rare  in  small  brass ; in  gold  and  silver 
very  rare  indeed.  On  these  she  is  styled  ael. 
EVDOXIA  FE.  AVG. 

[For  an  explanatory  note  in  reference  to  the 
above  and  preceding  empress,  sec  Akcrman, 
Descript.  Cat.  ii.  357.] 

El  1)0X1  \ fLicinia)  daughter  of  Theodosius 
II.  and  Aelia  Eudoxia,  wife  of  Valcntiuiau  III. 
born  at  Constantinople,  a.  d.  423  ; a widow  iu 
455.  She  called  Genseric  to  Rome  to  avenge 
herself  of  l’ctronius  Maximus,  who  forced  her 
to  a marriage  with  him,  after  assassinating  Va- 
lentiuinu  ; Rome  was  pillaged  ; Eudoxia  enrried 
away  to  Carthage,  but  afterwards  returned  to 
Rome,  462,  and  died  there.  Her  coins  (in  gold 
only)  are  of  the  greatest  rarity.  Stylc-LiciMA 

EVDOXIA  P.  F.  AVG. 

EUGENIUS,  an  usurper  of  the  imperial  pur- 
ple, iu  the  age  of  Theodosius  the  Great.  Of 
obscure  birth,  he  began  by  teaching  grammar 
and  rhetoric  ; and  afterwards  rose  to  the  situa- 
tion of  master  of  the  palace  to  Valentiuian  II. 


EUGENIUS. 

He  was  proclaimed  Augustus  at  Vienne,  iu  Dau- 
phiny,  by  Count  Arbogastcs,  wbo  murdered 
Valentinian  the  younger,  in  a.  d.  392,  and  who 
kept  the  authority  in  his  own  hands.  Eugenius, 
acknowledged  as  emperor  throughout  Gaul  and 
iu  the  other  provinces  of  the  West,  allied  him- 
self to  the  Germans  and  Franks.  Attacked  by 
Theodosius  near  Aquilcia,  iu  Cisalpine  Gaul,  he 
was  defeated,  taken  prisoner,  and  put  to  death, 
a.  d.  39 1.  Arbogastcs  killed  himself.  Style, 
D.  N.  evgenivs  p.  p.  avg.  Ilis  brass  (small) 
coins  are  of  the  highest  rarity , silver  rare ; gold 
very  rare. 

MINTAGES  OF  EUGENIUS. 

Gold  Medallions  (small  size). — gloria 
eomanorvm.  Koine  and  Constantinople  per- 
sonified, seated  together.  (Valued  by  Miouuet 
at  200  fr.) 

Gold. — victoria  avgg.  Two  emperors,  each 
adorned  with  the  nimbus,  seated  on  one  throne, 
and  holding  a globe  together.  (Valued  by  Mion- 
uet  at  60  fr.  Engraved  in  Akerman,  ii.  plate 
xii.  No.  5,  p.  338). — victoria  avgvstorvm. 
Victory  walking.  (Q'dnarius.  Mt.  50  fr.) 

Third  Brass. — victoria  avggg.  Victory 
with  wreath  and  palm  branch,  marching  to  the 
left. — Obv. — d.  n.  evgenivs  p.  p.  avg.  Dia- 
demed bust. — [This  is  unique.  It  forms  part  of 
Mr.  ltolfe’s  collection  ; was  published  for  the  first 
time  by  Mr.  Roach  Smith,  in  his  “ Autiquities 
of  ltichborough  (Kent) and  engraved  by  Mr 
Fairholt,  among  other  coins  discovered  at  that 

Roman  station.  See  fig.  15,  pi.  vi.] virtvs 

eomanorvm.  Same  type  as  the  preceding  re- 
verse. (Valued  by  Mionnct  at  40  fr.) 

EX.  A.  PV.  or  A.  P. — These  letters  appear  (in 
the  field  of  the  coins)  on  denarii  of  the  Fabia, 
Fontcia,  and  other  Roman  families. — Eckhel  (v. 
210),  observes  that  they  are  to  be  interpreted, 
not  as  some  have  done,  EX.  A rgenlo  PXblico, 
but,  EX.  A uctoritate  P Xblicd — meaning  that 
the  silver  or  gold  money  thus  inscribed  had  been 
struck  by  public  authority. — See  Fabia  gens. 

EXAG1VM  SOLIDI. — An  inscription  stamp- 
ed on  certain  quadrangular  pieces  of  brass,  used 
during  the  lower  empire,  by  the  exactores  auri, 
who  were  specially  charged  with  preserving  the 
weight,  as  well  as  the  purity,  of  that  metal  iu 
the  Roman  mint. — “ By  the  word  exagium  (says 
Eckhel,  viii.  513,  et  seq.)  especially  in  the  times 
of  Arcadius,  Ilonorius,  Theodosius  junior,  and 
Valeutinian  III.  was  meant  a weight,  or  a weigh- 
in g,  intended  to  test  the  legitimate  weight  of 
the  Solidus.” — See  that  word. 

EX.  S.  C. — Ex.  Senatus  Consulto.  (By  a De- 
cree of  the  Senate;  or,  by  a Senatus  Consultum). 
When  these  letters  occur  on  Roman  gold  and 
silver  coins,  they'  signify,  not  that  the  Senate 
caused  them  to  be  struck,  but  that  the  coiuage 
of  them  had  the  senatus  consultum,  or  senato- 
rial sanction,  when  struck.  The  mark  EX.  S.  C. 
also  denotes  certain  disbursements  made  from 
the  public  treasury  to  defray  expenses  of  public 
games.  And  iu  some  instances  the  form  was 
added  to  the  title  of  pro-consul  aud  of  pro-pre- 
tor,  when  those  officers,  without  popidar  elcc- 
3 A 2 


EXERCITUS.  363 

tion,  were  chosen  from  among  the  men  of  con- 
sular aud  pretoriau  rank,  aud  sent  EX.  S.  C. 
into  the  provinces.  Thus  we  read  PR.  COS.  or 
PROCOS.  EX.  S.  C.  on  coins  of  the  Auuia, 
Csecilia,  Juba,  Manlia,  aud  Scribonia  families ; 
aud  iu  like  manner  PROPR.  Proprietor,  with 
the  same  stamp  of  Senatorial  authority. — Span- 
heim,  vol.  ii.  p.  177. 

EX.  S.  C.  appeal's  on  a great  many  family 
coins ; but  iu  the  imperial  series  the  mark  is  ob- 
servable only  on  those  of  Augustus,  M.  Agrippa, 
Claudius,  Nero,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Faustina,  sen. 
Marciana,  Hadrian,  Sept.  Severus,  &c. — On 
coins  of  Emperors  aud  Augusta,  this  mark  of 
EX.  S.  C.  is  generally  found  associated  with  the 
legend,  or  at  least  with  the  types,  of  Consecra- 
tion, as  in  Claudius,  Marciana,  Faustina  sen. 

EX.  S.  C.  S.  P.  Q.  R. — A temple  of  ten  co- 
lumns, adorned  with  various  statues  ; on  a brass 
medallion  of  Hadrian. — See  Temple. 

EXER. Exercitus,  or  Exercituum. — Sec 

CONCORDIA,  FIDES,  GENIUS,  VIKTUS. 

EXERCITUS. — The  Romans,  in  order  that 
a soldier  should  not  be  allowed  to  waste  his 
strength  or  enervate  his  courage  iu  sloth  and 
idleness,  employed  him  in  various  exercises, 
which,  even  in  the  midst  of  peace,  kept  before 
his  view  the  representation,  the  fatigue,  and  the 
dangers  of  war.  Thus  from  the  word  Exer- 
cilatio,  exercise,  came  that  of  Exercitus,  army, 
because  the  more  troops  are  exercised,  the  better 
training  they  are  in  for  war.  On  those  days 
when  the  soldiers  were  not  on  guard  in  the 
camp,  they  were  drilled  to  the  use  of  their  wea- 
pons; they  practised  in  archery,  sliuging,  and 
raced  with  each  other  in  full  armour.  By  this 
means  they  were  always  iu  good  breathing,  and 
their  ardour  was  preserved  at  the  highest  pitch. 
During  peace  they  had  to  make  roads,  form 
encampments,  build  houses,  aud  even  construct 
entire  toWs,  if  Dion  Cassius  is  to  be  credited, 
who  affirms  that  the  city  of  Lugdunum  (Lyon, 
in  France),  was  one  of  the  fruits  of  this  system. 
— The  same  is  said  of  Augusta  Yiudelicorum 
(Augsbourg,  in  Germany).  And  in  North  Britain 
the  wall  of  Hadrian  and  that  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
attest  by  their  remains,  how  magnificently  ex- 
tensive were  the  military  works  of  the  Romans. 
It  was  this  custom  which  moreover  served  to 
increase  the  docility  of  the  soldier,  at  once 
divesting  him  of  both  inclination  and  time  for 
entering  into  plans  of  desertion  or  of  revolt. 
Aud  neglect  of  this  active  discipline  mainly 
caused  the  ruin  of  the  Roman  armies. 

The  names  of  the  different  bodies  of  Roman 
troops  employed  in  various  parts  of  Europe, 
Asia,  and  Africa,  are  recorded  on  coins;  princi- 
pally on  those  of  Hadrian  for  example,  bearing 
the  inscriptions  Exercitus  Britannicus,  Cappa- 
docicus,  Dacicus,  Germanicus,  Ilispanicus,  Ju- 
daic us,  Mauretanicus,  Noricus,  Parthicus,  Rae- 
ticus,  Sgriacas,  &c.  as  will  be  seen  in  the  im- 
mediately following  pages.  For  the  Romans 
were  accustomed  to  call  their  legions  aud  expedi- 
tionary forces  after  the  names  of  those  places,  or 
countries,  iu  which  they  were  stationed,  or  were 
carrying  on  war.  On  other  coins  a comraemor- 


364  EXERCITUS  BRITANNICUS. 

ation  is  made  not  only  of  the  local  habitations 
ot  Roman  armies,  but  also  of  their  valour,  for- 
titude,  and  renown.  Thus  wc  read  on  some, 

UKTVS  ill  LIT  VM,  or  VIKTVS  EXERC1TVS  ROMAK- 


EXERC1TUS  BRITANNICUS. 

orvm  : on  others,  Y LETTS  or  gloria  exercitvs 
GALLl(CANl),  &c. 

EXERCtVtw  AUGUSTORUM. — The  Army  of 
the  Emperors. — Sec  LicmiUS  junior. 


EXERCiriw  BBlTANNIew.  S.  C— The  em- 
peror Hadrian,  bare  headed,  habited  in  the  paluda- 
meutum,  on  horseback,  with  right  hand  raised,  as 
haranguing  his  army,  represented  by  one  soldier 
bearing  a vcxillum,  and  three  ensign  bearers,  a 
fourth  (indistinctly)  appearing  behind  them. — 
Obv. — II  ADRIAN  VS  AVG  v.stas  CO«S«/  III. 
Pater  Patna.  Bare  head  of  Hadrian,  to  the 
right. 

ibis  is  one  of  that  class  of  geographical  coins 
(as  Eckhcl  calls  them),  which  respectively  bear 
the  name  of  the  army  that  happened  to  lie  sta- 
tioned in  the  province  visited  by  the  emperor ; 
and  it  derives  in  the  English  eye  a great  addi- 
tional degree  of  interest,  from  the  circumstance 
of  its  exhibiting  the  collective  appellation  of  the 
Roman  soldiers  who  occupied  camps  and  garri- 
sons in  Britain,  at  the  time  of  Hadrian’s  ad- 
vent and  stay  there,  a.  d.  121. 

Spartian’s  account  of  Hadrian’s  visit  to  Bri- 
tain (see  it  quoted  in  p.  141),  is  as  verbally  brief 
and  yet  as  intrinsically  important,  as  were  the 
incidents  ot  that  visit  itselt ; for  it  records  much 
good  to  have  resulted  therefrom  in  a short  space 
of  time. — See  britanma,  p.  141. 

“ Four  provinces  of  Europe  (says  the  Abbe 
Greppo)  were  visited  consecutively  by  Hadrian, 
in  the  first  years  of  his  reign,  as  it  would  ap- 
pear ; namely,  the  Gauls,  Germany,  Britaiu,  and 
Spain.  * » * * It  is  from  Germania  that 
Spartian  passes  Hadrian  into  the  isle  of  the 
Britons,  but  without  entering  into  any  detail, 
even  without  making  known  to  us  the  port 
whence  he  embarked.  The  biographer  limits 
himself  to  say — Ergo  couvcrsis  regio  more  mili- 
tibus  Britauuiam  petit.  * * * * History  is 
equally  far  from  satisfying  our  curiosity  respect- 
ing the  sojourn  which  Hadrian  made  in  that 
island,  lie  corrected  there  numerous  abuses 
(in  qua  multa  corrcxit)  a very  vague  statement, 
and  common  to  all  the  tours  of  Hadrian.  But 
the  historian  adds  a fact  of  greater  interest, 
wheu  he  speaks  of  the  wall  raised,  by  order  of 
that  prince,  to  separate  the  lands  of  the  barba- 
rian inhabitants  from  those  which  were  subject  to 
the  Romans,  and  that  upon  an  extent  of  eighty 
miles.  Murumquc  per  octoginta  millia  pas’- 
suum  primus  duxit,  qui  Barbaros  Romanosque 
dividcret.” — After  expressing  his  opinion  that 
the  word  primus  is  not  used  in  this  passage. 


without  intention,  sceiug  that  other  similar 
works  had  been  executed  in  Britain,  between  the 
epocha  of  Hadrian  and  that  in  which  Spartian 
wrote  the  learned  Abbe  proceeds  to  give  a sum- 
mary of  what  is  communicated  by  other  ancient 
authors ; and  this  lie  does  by  way  of  commen- 
tary ou  the  text  of  Spartian— See  that  valuable 
contribution  in  aid  of  the  study  of  geographical 
and  historical  numismatology,  Mi-moire  sur  It  s 
l og ages  d'Hadrien,  p.  72,  et  scq. 

Flic  large  brass  engraved  above  is  not  de- 
scribed in  the  Catalogues  of  Mionnet  and  Akcr- 
man,  uor  is  it  included  amongst  those  which 
illustrate  “ Coins  of  the  Romans  relating  to 
Britain.  But  the  author  of  that  standard  pub- 
lication has  made  the  following  descriptive  allu- 
sion to  the  subject  in  p.  24 : — 

“ In  the  Museum  Theupolum,  a work,  to  the 
general  accuracy  of  which  Eckhcl  bears  testi- 
mony, a large  brass  coin  of  Hadrian  is  thus 
described  : 

" Eererse. — EXERC.  BRITAN.  The  emperor 
on  a tribune  or  estrade,  haranguing  his  troops. 

Although  this  coin  is  not  known  to  our 
English  numismatists,  it  is  hy  no  means  a proof 
that  it  docs  not  exist.  Yailluut  notices  a type 
and  legend  very  similar,  viz. : 

EXERC.  BRITANNICUS.  Imperator  pa- 
ludatus,  stans  in  suggestu,  adloquitur  cohortes. 
— In  aliis,  Imperator  eques. 

“ To  this  he  (Yaillaut)  appends  the  following 
remark — ‘ Hie  minimus  primnr  formic  inter  rari- 
orcs  liumerandus  (imo  inter  rarissimos).’  Never- 
theless some  artful  rogue  may  have  formed  this 
coin  from  another  of  a similar  type,  by  altcriiiE 
the  letters  of  the  legend.” 

Eckhcl  takes  Vaillant  for  his  authority  in 
citing  and  describing  this  coin,  making  only  this 
remaik,  that  scarcely  any  other  information 
than  that  atlorded  by  the  few  lines  in  Spartian, 
is  recorded  respecting  Britain  during  Hadrian’s 
time;  nor  do  the  types  of  coins  furnish  any 
hints  on  which  we  cau  dwell.” 

[A  well-preserved  and  finely  patinated  speci- 
men of  the  coin  iu  question  was  purchased,  about 
four  years  ago,  for  the  British  Museum,  nt  the 
Campana  sale  (where  it  brought  £14  14s),  by 
•Mr.  Doubleday,  who  recently  furnished  the  com'- 
piler  with  a cast.  And  this  having  been  submitted 
to  the  practised  eyenud  acute  discernment  of  Mr. 


EXERCITUS  DACICUS. 

Akcrman,  that  gentleman  in  reply  says — “ To 
what  I have  stated  regarding  the  large  brass  Ex- 
ercitus  Britanniciu  of  Hadrian,  1 have  nothing 
to  add,  except  that  I had  not  seen  the  coin, 
of  which  you  send  me  a cast — but,  looking  to 
the  appearance  of  that  cast,  I see  no  reason  to 
doubt  the  genuineness  of  the  original.”  It  is 
under  these  circumstances,  and  with  these  sanc- 
tions, that  an  eugraviug  of  it  is  here  published 
for  the  first  time. 

EXERCITYS  CAPPADOCIVS.  S.  C— The 
emperor  on  horseback,  addressing  the  soldiers. 
First  brass  of  Hadrian,  who  travelled  in  Asia 
a.  D.  124.  The  legend  and  type  of  this  reverse 
are  explained,  under  the  head  of  Cappadocia, 

p.  171. 


EXERC.  DACICVS.  S.  C.— The  emperor, 
with  laurelled  head,  wearing  the  paludamentum 
over  his  military  dress,  and  standing  on  a 
suggestus,  raises  his  right  hand  aloft,  as  ad- 
dressing the  Roman  army  in  Dacia,  represented 
by  three  soldiers,  one  of  whom  bears  a legionary 
eagle,  another  holds  a military  ensign  sur- 
mounted by  a right  hand  (see  legio),  and  the 
third  figure  carries  a spear  transversely.  Below 
the  suggestus,  between  the  emperor  and  the 
soldiers,  stands  the  pretorian  prefect.  On  first 
brass  of  Hadrian.  On  others,  the  emperor  is  on 
horseback. 

In  quoting  an  example  of  the  equestrian  type, 
from  the  Imperial  Cabinet,  Eckhel  (vi.  494) 
alludes  to  the  marble  (published  by  Grater, 
page  249-4),  which,  erected  to  the  honour  of 
Hadrian,  is  inscribed  “cujus  virtute  Dacia 
imperio  addita  felix  est,”  an  inscription  which, 
as  applied  to  him  who  would  have  abandoned 
Dacia  altogether,  and  who  did  destroy  Trajan’s 
bridge  of  intercommunication  with  that  hard- 
earned  conquest,  “ must  be  considered  either 
not  genuine,  or  chargeable  with  base  adulation. 
■ — See  dacia,  p.  302. 

EXERCITVS  GALL icus. Gold  of  Con- 

stantine.— See  viiitvs  exerc.  gai.l. 

EXEltCITYS  HISPANICVS. — Mion  net 
leaves  this  legend  out  of  the  list  of  Hadrian’s 
military  medals,  and  Mr.  Akcrman  does  the 
same.  But  llavercamp,  in  the  Cabinet  de  Chris- 
tine, gives  an  engraving  of  a middle  brass,  in- 
scribed with  the  above  legend,  and  exhibiting  the 
type  of  the  emperor  on  horseback,  with  soldiers 
before  him,  indicating  probably  the  assembling 
of  au  army  in  Spain  destined  to  keep  in  awe 
some  unsubdued  portion  of  the  population. 

EXERCITVS  IYDAICUS.  S.  C.— The  cm- 


EXERCITUS  JUDAICUS.  305 
peror  stauding  on  a suggestus,  delivers  an  allocu- 
tion to  his  soldiers.  On  a first  brass  of  Hadrian. 

This  coin  finds  no  place  in  the  respective  cata- 
logues of  Mionnct  and  Akcrman,  consequently 
it  may  be  inferred  that  certainly  the  French 
Cabinet,  and  perhaps,  the  British  Museum 
do  not  possess  a specimen  of  it ; nor  docs  it 
appear  amongst  the  Ex  ercitus  scries  in  the 
Imperial  collection  at  Vienna.  The  Museum 
Thcitpolum  moreover  affords  no  testimony  to 
its  existence. — It  is  described  in  Mediobar- 
bus,  p.  178,  and  given  by  Patin,  in  his  numis- 
matic commentary  on  Suetonius,  p.  377- — To 
this  last  named  work  Eckhel  himself  resorts,  as 
to  his  sole  named  authority  for  including  the 
Roman  army  of  Judsea  in  the  number  of  those 
military  bodies,  to  whom  “ the  Great  Traveller” 
dedicated  so  many  types  of  Allocution,  after 
visiting  the  different  countries,  which  their  pre- 
sence served  cither  to  defend,  or  to  keep  quiet. 
Taking  it  for  granted,  however,  that  the  author 
of  Doctrina,  of  all  authors  in  the  world,  would 
not  be  at  the  pains  of  animadverting  historically, 
on  any  other  than  what  he  believed  au  extant 
and  a genuine  monument  of  antiquity,  we  sub- 
join what  he  says  under  the  head  of  exeucitvs 

1VDAICVS. 

The  arrival  of  Hadrian  in  Judtea  is  recorded 
by  Dion  (lxix.  § 11.)  There  are  no  coins  to 
be  seen,  which  celebrate  Hadrian  as  Reslitutor 
Judrece,  though  the  type  of  adventvi  avg. 
ivdaeae  (p.  9),  really  bears  allusion  to  that 
restoration.  During  his  reign,  however,  this 
nation  was  undeserving  of  such  a princely  act  of 
benevolence.  It  is  well  known,  with  what  fury, 
exceeding  belief,  this  fanatic  people,  during  the 
time  of  Trajan,  stung  as  it  were  to  frenzy, 
devastated  with  sword,  fire,  and  rapine,  the 
region  of  Cyrenaica,  nursery  of  crime,  and 
then  Alexandria  and  Cyprus.  Reduced  to  sub- 
mission by  force  of  arms,  they  remained  quiet 
for  a time.  But  subsequently,  either  in  con- 
sequence of  Hadrian’s  founding  a Roman  colony 
at  Jerusalem,  or  because  they  were  forbidden  to 
practice  circumcision,  as  Spartiau  imagines,  they 
again  threw  off  their  allegiance,  and  the  whole 
of  Palestine  rose  in  savage  warfare  under  their 
leader  Barchoccbas.  Though,  on  account  of  the 
contcmptibility  of  the  people  in  revolt,  the  com- 
mencement of  this  war  might  have  been  re- 
garded as  unimportant,  yet  Hadrian  viewing  it  in 
a more  serious  light,  recalled  from  Britain,  Julius 
Severus,  one  of  the  most  renowned  generals  of 
of  the  age,  and  gave  him  the  command-in-chief. 
But  it  was  not  without  considerable  difficulty, 
and  many  reverses,  that  he  at  length,  for  the 
second  time,  look  and  destroyed  Jerusalem, 
rased  her  fortresses,  slew  all  who  offered  resist- 
ance, and  sold  the  remainder  to  slavery,  and 
thus  put  an  end  to  the  war. 

The  precise  year  in  which  Hadrian  visited 
Jmtaa  is  a controverted  point.  It  has  been 
asserted  by  some  that  this  event  took  place  in 
872  (a.  d.  119).  Eckhel  however  shews,  that 
the  fact  of  Hadrian  having  made  so  early  a 
journey  into  Judaea  and  its  neighbourhood,  not 
only  rests  on  insecure  authority,  but  is  irre- 


368  EXERCITUS  GERMANICUS. 
concileable  with  the  programme  of  the  route, 
which  he  himself  drew  up,  previously  to  com- 
mencing his  tour  of  the  provinces  of  the  empire. 
But  that  Hadrian  visited  Judaea  in  the  year  883 
(a.  d.  130),  and  thence  passed  into  Egypt  is 
proved  from  coins. — See  D.  N.  vi.  496. 

Reference  may  here  be  advantageously  had  to 
the  comments  of  Abbe  Grcppo,  on  the  Exercitus 
Judaicus  of  Hadrian — a coin  which  points  to 
Judrca,  as  the  station  of  a Roman  army,  under 
circumstances  the  most  calamitous  to  that  un- 
happy country. — Voyages  d’  Uadrien,  p.  182, 
et  seq. 


EXERCITVS  GERMANICVS. — The  empe- 
ror, laurelled  and  pullulated,  on  horseback,  ad- 
dressing the  Germanic  army,  represented  by 
three  military  figures,  the  foremost  of  which 
holds  a staff  surmounted  by  a superb  eagle  stand- 
ing on  a labarnm,  the  next  soldier  holds  a sim- 
ple ensign,  the  hiudmost  carries  a standard,  sur- 
mounted by  a right  band. — (See  the  article 
legio).  On  first  brass. 

The  Roman  legionaries  of  the  province,  in 
memory  of  Hadrian’s  visit  to  which  this  beau- 
tiful coin  was  struck,  came  under  bis  disciplin- 
arian inspection  immediately  after  his  visit  to 
Gaul,  and  before  lie  went  into  Britain,  it  is  be- 
lieved about  872  (a.  l>.  119). 

" Other  than  the  name  of  Germany  (observes 
the  Abbe  Greppo,  adverting  to  the  above  legend), 
Spartiau  furnishes  us  with  no  geographical  in- 
dications. His  data  are  indeed  very  vague,  aud 
enable  us  to  gain  too  little  acquaintance  with 
the  extent  of  the  districts  occupied  by  the  Ro- 
mans in  that  country,  or  with  the  state  of 
divers  tribes  of  people,  either  in  subjection,  al- 
liance, or  hostility,  that  would  justify  us  to 
hazard,  as  at  all  probable,  any  conjectures  on 
the  subject  of  those  portions  of  Germany  which 
Hadrian  had  then  to  visit.  The  fact,  however, 
which  Spartian  alludes  to,  of  a king  given  by 
Hadrian  to  the  Germans — Germania  regem  con- 
s/ituil — goes  at  least  to  prove  that  under  his 
reign,  Home  still  enjoyed  some  consideration 
amongst  that  people.  The  coins  struck  to  con- 
secrate the  remembrance  of  this  part  of  Ha- 
drian’s travels,  have  all  a military  character. — 
In  none  of  the  types  do  we  sec  the  symbolising 
of  a happy  province,  celebrating  by  sacrifices 
the  advent  of  the  sovereign,  and  recoguiziug 
him  as  the  restorer  of  its  prosperity.  The 
legends  auyentvi  avg.  or  kestitvtoui  avg. 
arc  not  found  here.  Germany  appears  on  its 
coins  in  silver,  with  its  name  alone  for  legend, 


EXERCITUS  NORICUS. 

germania;  but  she  is  personified  by  a figure 
standing,  armed  with  the  lauce,  and  resting  on 
a buckler.  On  others,  iu  large  brass,  we  read 
exekcitvs  germanicvs,  and  we  see  the  em- 
peror on  horseback,  haranguing  soldiers.”  p.  70. 

As  Simrtiau,  in  his  notice  of  Hadrian  in  Ger- 
many, has  alluded  with  more  thau  usual  ampli- 
tude of  details  to  the  attentive  care  of  that 
prince  for  military  discipline,  the  Abbe  ingeni- 
ously associates  the  well-known  legend  and  type 
of  disciplina  avg.  (p.  333)  with  the  probable 
though  uucertain  events  connected  with  this 
epocha  of  the  emperor’s  historv. — See  p.  70. 

EXERCITVS  MAU RET ANI CVS.  S.  C.— 
Large  brass  of  Hadrian. — “ The  emperor  on 
horseback,  paludated,  harangues  three  soldiers 
bearing  military  ensigns.  This  device  alludes 
to  a review  of  the  army  stationed  in  Maure- 
tania, for  Hadrian  sagaciously  maintained  peace, 
by  being  always  prepared  for  war.” — Captain 
Smyth,  Descriptive  Cat.  p.  107. 

Hadrian’s  visit  to  the  Roman  military  forces 
occupying  the  Mauretanian  region  of  Africa, 
took  place  after  his  sojourn  in  Egypt,  and  im- 
mediately prior  to  his  going  into  Syria,  conse- 
quently between  883  (a.  d.  130)  and  884  (a.  d. 
131). — Sec  MAURETANIA. 

EXE  Reiter  NORICVS.  S.  C. — The  emperor, 
bare  headed,  habited  in  the  paludamcntum,  and 
standing  on  a raised  place,  addresses  his  army, 
personified  by  ensign-bearers;  to  tbe  left  is  a 
soldier,  who  holds  the  emperor’s  horse.  Behind 
the  prince,  on  the  same  platform,  is  another 
military  personage. 

On  the  exergue  of  the  present  reverse  we  read 
the  name  of  the  army  which  occupied  that  part 
of  Southern  Germany,  called  Nortcum,  a coun- 
try lying  between  the  Danube  and  the  Alps, 
uow  forming  the  territory  of  Nuremberg,  and 
a portion  of  Bavaria. 

Ancient  writers  are  silcut  as  to  the  journey 
of  Hadrian  into  Noricnm,  but  it  is  clearly  re- 
corded by  those  coin3  of  his,  which  display  the 
above  legend  and  type. — Besides  this  device, 
sufficiently  common  to  such  analogous  coins, 
Mionuct,  in  his  Bareti  des  Med.  Rom.  (i.  198), 
has  described  a rarer  and  more  interesting  type, 
viz.  one  which  represents  Hadrian  standing  on 
an  cstradc,  and  behind  him  another  figure,  which 
is  doubtless  meant  for  the  pretorian  prefect. 

Abbe  Greppo,  in  citing  this  type  from  Miou- 
nct,  remarks  that  Noricnm  was  essentially  a 
military  country,  and  that  inscriptions  mention 
divers  legionary  bodies  called  after  its  name. — 
For  another  presumed  object  of  Hadrian’s  visit 
to  this  otherwise  unattractive  station,  see  ME- 
T at  turn  NORfrum. 

For  the  probable  date  abont  which  Hadrian 
presented  himself  in  person  to  his  Noricnu  army, 
see  EXERCITVS  GERMANICVS. 

EXERCITVS  PARTIIICVS. — The  emperor 
standing  on  a suggest  ns  with  two  other  military 
figures,  makes  an  oration  to  the  soldiers.  On 
a brass  medallion  of  Hadrian,  described  in  Yail- 
lnut,  Nnm.  Max.  Mod.  p.  116. 

By  this  coin  it  is  shewn  that  Iladrinn,  nltho' 
he  had  given  up  Farthia  with  the  other  oriental 


EXERCITUS  SVRIACUS. 
conquests  of  his  predecessor,  still  continued  vigi- 
lantly to  keep  up  an  army  of  observation  on  the 
frontiers  of  that  country,  and  which,  no  doubt, 
was  stationed  near  the  Euphrates. 

Spartian  states  that  Hadrian,  who  was  de- 
sirous to  establish  amicable  relations  with  all  the 
princes  of  the  East,  proffered  au  invitation  of  ! 
friendship  to  Chosroes,  king  of  the  Parthians, 
sending  back  to  him  his  daughter  whom  Trajan 
had  taken,  and  promising  the  restoration  of  his 
royal  throne  (which  was  of  gold,  but  which 
was  not  given  up  by  Hadrian).  The  same  his- 
torian also  says,  that  this  emperor  was  always 
on  terms  of  good  understanding  with  the  Par- 
thiaus.  Nevertheless,  a war  with  that  people 
would  inevitably  have  broken  out,  had  it  not 
been  averted  by  a conference  between  Hadrian 
aud  (as  it  would  seem)  their  king.  It  is  per- 
haps by  this  passage  of  the  Roman  historian 
that  the  brass  medallion  may  be  explained,  which 
exhibits  on  its  reverse  the  legend  and  typifica- 
tion  of  EXERCITVS  PARTHICVS. 

EXERCITVS  RAETICVS  (or  RHAETICVS) 
S.  C. — “ The  empero*',  on  horseback,  is  address- 
ing a party  of  soldiers,  bearing  military  stand- 
ards. The  foremost  of  these  men  holds  an  un- 
usually large  square  shield  before  him,  which 
may  allude  to  Rluctia’s  being  deemed  a buckler 
against  the  depredations  of  the  Gauls  and  Ger- 
mans.”— Capt.  Smyth,  Descr.  Cat.  p.  109. 

This  first  brass  of  Hadrian  is  engraved  in 
the  Cabinet  de  Christine,  tab.  xii. 

\Yc  should  be  absolutely  ignorant  of  the  fact 
that  this  prince  visited  ithaetia,  but  for  these 
brass  coins,  which  attest  it.  This  country 
[now  comprehending  the  Voralberg  and  the 
Tyrol]  had  given  its  name  to  different  bodies  of 
troops,  mentioned  on  ancient  marbles. 

EXERC.  SYRIAC  VS.  S.  C.— The  emperor 
on  horseback,  clothed  in  the  toga,  before  him 
are  four  soldiers  bearing  legionary  eagles  and 
simple  ensigns. 

Among  the  geographical  coins  of  Hadrian, 
Syria  is  named  only  on  those  struck  in  large 
brass,  having  the  above  legend  aud  accompanying 
type  of  the  Syrian  army.  But  others  of  his 
mintages  bear  the  names  of  several  countries  in 
the  East. 

Arrived  in  the  province  of  Syria,  Hadrian 
made  Judina  the  object  of  a special  visit.  There 
are  large  aud  middle  brass  on  which,  for  ex- 
ample, we  read  adventvi  avo.  ivdaeae  (en- 
graved in  p.  9.)  Their  type  oilers  this  par- 
ticularity, that  the  two  figures  sacrificing,  arc 
accompanied,  sometimes  by  two,  sometimes  by 
three  smaller  figures,  bearing  palm  branches. 

In  reference  to  such  geographical  coins  of 
Hadrian  a3  specially  relate  to  his  voyages  and 
travels,  M.  Charles  Lenormant  observes,  “ that  at 
least  a good  portion  of  them  were  not  struck  in 
the  same  year  of  the  journey,  which  they  serve 
to  record.’  In  fact  on  several  of  them  the  emperor 
is  called  Pater  Patrire.  Now,  he  did  not  accept 
that  title  until  the  year  of  Rome  881  (a.  d.  128), 
whilst  the  series  of  his  visits  to  the  different 
parts  of  his  dominions,  commenced  iu  873 
(a.  d.  120).  It  is  certain,  therefore,  that,  at  a 


EXPECTATE  VENI.  867 

little  later  period  the  Senate  caused  the  col- 
lection of  these  medals  to  be  completed,  for  the 
purpose  of  handing  down  to  posterity  a me- 
morial of  each  of  his  voyages.” — (Iconographie 
des  Empereurs,  p.  54.) 

EXERCITVS  VSC.  or  ISC.— The  Emperor 
Postumus,  on  horseback,  with  several  military 
figures  standing  before  him. 

EXERCITVS  VAC. — Same  emperor  and  type. 

Hadrian’s  mint  has  obviously  furnished  the 
arch-type  of  these  two  large  brass  coins.  Some 
learned  men,  among  others  Havereamp,  who 
has  given  engravings  of  both  in  his  Cabinet  de 
Christine,  pronounce  the  added  names  of  vsc. 
or  isc.  and  vac.  to  mean,  the  former  Tsca  or 
Isch,  the  river  Ex  [sec  Gough’s  Camden,  Devon- 
shire, river  Ex,  vol.  i.  p.  42]  ; and  the  latter 
the  Vacccei,  a people  of  Spain. — As  to  Tsca, 
Eckhel  (vii.  442)  laconically  but  conclusively 
says,  “ To  some  the  above  reading  appeared  sus- 
picious, and  to  have  originated  in  an  error  of 
the  moneyer,  and  I prefer  their  opinion  to  the 
first  mentioned  authorities.”  But  after  all,  arc 
these  coins  true  ? 

EXERGUE,  or  EXERGUM — the  lowest  part 
of  a coiu,  divided  from  the  rest  by  a horizontal 
line.  The  word  signifies  an  outwork  (or,  as 
the  French  numismatists  interpret  it,  hors 
d'oeuvre)  in  relation  to  the  type  and  to  the 
legend.  It  is  usually  found  on  the  reverse ; 
seldom  on  the  side  of  the  head.  In  coins  of 
families  and  those  of  the  higher  empire,  the 
exergual  inscription  marks  either  Consular 
dates,  or  Senatorial  authority,  or  frequently, 
what  is  of  more  importance,  it  directly  applies  io 
the  subject  typified  on  the  reverse.  In  the  mint- 
ages of  the  lower  empire,  letters  occupy  the 
exergue  which  generally  serve  to  indicate  the 
cities  in  which  they  were  struck,  and  iu  both 
instances  these  words  or  letters  form  a straight 
| line,  whilst  the  rest  of  the  legend  is  placed  cir- 
| cularly.  For  examples  of  the  exergue  aud  its 
various  uses,  sec  pages  5,  7,  9,  11,  20,  37,  41, 
i 70,  163,  217,  301,  307,  308,  317,  333,  &c. 
in  this  dictionary. 


EXPECTATE  VENI.  (Come,  O expected 
one !) — Figure  iu  military  dress,  his  left  hand 
resting  on  the  hasta,  stands  joining  hands  with 
a robed  female,  also  standing,  and  who  holds 
a trident.  In  the  exergue  rsh.  (probably  meant 
for  Rutupia,  now  Richborough,  in  Kent). — Obv. 
imp.  caravsivs  p.  f.  avg.  Laurelled  bust  of 
Carausius. 

This  unique  legend,  with  its  hardly  less  rare 
and  remarkable  type,  appears  on  the  reverse  of 
a silver  Carausius,  of  which  Mr.  Akcrman  was 
the  first  to  publish  an  engraving.  (See  his 
Descriptive  Catalogue,  vol.  ii.  vignette  in  wood, 


308  EX.  ORACULO  APOLLINIS. 

p.  154),  from  “ a specimen  in  unusually  good 
condition.”  It  formed  part  of  the  late  Mr. 
Thomas’s  “ princely  collection,”  at  the  sale  of 
which  this  precious  mouetal  relic  of  the  usurp- 
ing but  independent  sovereign  of  Britain,  brought 
the  sum  of  £10  5s.  The  learned  editor  of  the 
auction  catalogue  (Mr.  Burgon,  p.  285),  ob- 
serves, that  the  coin  in  question  “ is  of  far  bet- 
ter silver  than  Carausius’s  generally  are.” 

The  preceding  cut  is  after  a cast,  furnished 
to  the  compiler  by  Mr.  Doubleday,  apparently 
from  the  Thomas  specimen.  The  same  type 
also  occurs  iu  gold,  according  to  Mionnet 
( llarete , &c.  ii.  1 66),  who  values  it  at  600  fr. 
whilst  he  prices  the  silver  type  at  1 50  fr.— See 
Mintages  of  Carausius,  p.  178,  et  seq. 

“ Both  type  and  legend  seem  to  imply,  that 
Carausius  had  sounded  the  Britons  before  he 
ran  olF  with  the  fleet  from  Boulogne.  Gene- 
brier,  describing,  probably,  from  "an  ill-pre- 
served coin,  takes  the  female  figure  for  Felicity, 
and  supposes  the  trident  to  lie  the  long  caducous, 
with  which  that  Roman  goddess  is  generally  re- 
presented. But  that  it  is  a trident  which  she 
holds  is  quite  evident,  and  that  the  figure  is  the 
Genius  of  Britain  will  be  acknowledged  even  by 
the  unimaginative.”— See  Akerman. 

Eckhcl  (viii.  45),  who  formed  his  opinion 
apparently,  not  Irom  having  seen  the  coin,  but 
from  an  engraving  in  llaym’s  Tesoro  Britannico 
still  considers  the  female  figure  to  be  the  Genius 
of  Britain.  1 lis  words  arc — ” Figuram  mulie- 
brem  esse  genium  Britannia;,  verisimile  cxistimo, 
qui  Carausium  ad  se,  et  capessendum  imperium 
invitare  videtur.”  And  he  aptly  cites  Virgil, 
who  makes  TEncas  speak  to  Hector  in  like 
phraseology — “ Quibus  Hector  ab  oris  expectate 
venis  ?” 

EX.  ORACVLO  APOLLINIS.  A round 
temple,  on  whose  summit  is  an  eagle ; within 
is  an  idol,  or  three  idols. 

On  the  subject  of  this  singular  epigraph, 
which  Mionnet  and  Akerman  do  not  cither  of 
them  notice,  but  which  Eckhcl  recognises,  as 
being  on  the  reverse  of  a brass  coin  of  Philip 
senior — the  last  named  numismatist  says — 

“ Whether  he  received  the  empire  in  accordance 
with  the  response  of  Apollo’s  oracle,  or  pro- 
cured the  building  of  the  temple,  exhibited  on 
the  reverse,  or  benefitted  it  in  any  other  way, 
is  matter  of  uncertainty;  and  (to  solve  the 
question)  we  have  need  of  another  oracle  of 
Apollo.  But  whatever  it  may  be,  this  coin 
offers  a sinister  omen  to  the  opinion  of  those 
who  assert  Philip  to  have  professed  the  Christian 
religion.  1 enuti,  iu  his  coin  of  the  Musco 
Albano,  sees  three  idols,  which  he  supposes 
to  be  Capitoliue— viz.  of  Jupiter,  Minerva,  and 
Juno.”  vol.  vii. 

EXPED1 1 IO.  Whenever  the  memorial  of 
an  emperor’s  expedition  against  the  enemy  is 
struck  on  a coin,  he  is  made  to  appear  in  haste 
Thus  we  sec  Sept.  Severus  represented  on  horse- 
back, galloping  with  couched  spear,  on  a silver 
coin,  which  is  referred  by  Ynillant  to  that  em- 
peror’s Britannic  campaign.  But  the  departure 
of  the  emperor  on  a pacific  journey  (according 


EXPED.  AUG. 

to  the  same  author)  is  depicted  on  coins  by  a 
horseman  going  at  a moderate  pace.  The  sub- 
joined type  of  Hadrian  would,  with  the  aid  of 
the  legend,  signify  a setting  out ; but  the  slow 
pace  of  the  horse  rather  denotes  the  adventus, 
or  arrival. 


EXPED.  \\  G.  S.  C.  Expeditio  August). — 
The  expedition  of  the  Emperor.  Hadrian,  bare- 
headed, on  horseback  (COS.  III).  The  ob- 
verse of  this  coin  represents  Hadrian  lau- 
reated,  and  in  the  paludamcntum,  or  military 
cloak.  The  legend  is  WWerator  CAESor  TUA- 
IANVS  AYG iistus. 

This  is  a finely-designed  coin  in  first  brass. 
The  equestrian  group  is  in  a spirited  style  of 
workmanship,  both  horse  and  man.  The  Au- 
gustus raises  aloft  his  right  hand,  and  with 
his  left  holds  the  bridle  of  his  generous  steed, 
as  setting  out  on  him  on  some  journey,  about 
that  vague  period,  his  third  consulate. 

The  Abbe  Greppo  notices  the  legend  EXPE- 
D itio,  and  its  accompanying  type,  iu  a passage 
of  his  work  to  the  following  effect  (p.  28)  : — ° 

In  addition  to  those  geographical  coins  which, 
by  exhibiting  the  very  name  of  the  country 
visited,  leave  no  doubt  whatever  as  to  their 
signification,  there  arc  some  others,  which, 
though  in  a manner  less  precise,  unquestionably 
bear  reference  also  to  the  jourueyings  of  this 
prince.  These  cease  to  present  to ’us  the  names 
of  divers  provinces,  or  to  bear  the  symbols 
which  characterise  them.  They  simply  indicate 
the  departure  of  the  emperor,  going  to  visit 
some  one  or  other  of  them,  yet  without  en- 
abling us  to  ascribe  them  to  this  or  to  that 
voyage,  more  than  to  the  rest.  Thus,  on 
large  brass  coins,  which  represent  Hadrian  on 
horseback,  we  read  expf.d.  avg.  p.  it.  tr.  p. 
cos.  in. — Others  in  gold  and  in  large  brass, 
presenting  the  same  type,  but  without  legeud, 
seem  to  have  been  struck  with  the  same  inten- 
tion. The  expeditions  of  this  emperor  in  Gaul 
and  iu  Syria  arc  designated  iu  an  interesting 
inscription,  forming  the  epitaph  of  n freedman, 
who  had  accompanied  his  master,  a secretary 
and  personal  attendant  of  Hadrian  in  the  Gaulish 
and  Syrian  expeditions,  as  the  inscription  itself 
(p.  198)  sets  forth  (in  expeditionibvs  dva- 
h\s  GAU.iAE  et  striae). — There  are,  as  the 
Abbe  observes,  more  varieties  in  the  reverses 
which  recall  the  sca-trajects  of  the  same  em- 
peror, and  which  are  seen  on  silver,  brass,  and 
some  medallions.  For  a description  and  en- 
graving of  one  of  these  obvious  emblems  of 


FABIA. 


369 


EXUPERATOR. 

good  wishes  for  a happy  voyage  to  the  emperor. 
— See  PELICITATI  AVG. 

EX.  SENATVS  CONSVLTO.  Diva  Mar- 
ciana. — That  Marciana  was  eurolled  among  the 
divinities  is  proved  by  marbles,  as  well  as  by 
several  coins.  In  Grutcr’s  work  is  given  a 
stone  erected  at  Cetrauia  Severina,  in  memory  of 
her  priestess  (sacerdoti  divae  marciana.) 
We  are  not  informed  as  to  the  year  in  which 
she  acquired  these  honours.  We  only  know 
that  she  was  entitled  to  the  epithet  diva 
about  the  year  867,  (b.  c.  114) ; as  on  the  arch 
of  the  Portus  Ancouitauus  (Ancona),  which 
records  the  xviiith  Tribunicia  Potestas  of  Tra- 
jan (unless,  iudecd,  we  should  there  read  xviiii), 
there  is  found  the  inscription  divae  marcianae 
avg.  sorori  avg.  (cited  by  Eckhcl,  vi.  468, 
from  Gruter,  247,  6). 

Obv. — DIVA  AVGVSTA  MARCIANA.  A head  of 

Marciana. — Rev. — ex.  senatvs  coxsvlto.  A 
chariot  drawn  by  two  elephants  with  riders,  and 
a veiled  figure  seated  in  it.  Silver  and  first 
brass. — See  exactly  same  type  engraved  in  p.  358. 


EXVPERATOR  OMNIVM  GENTIVM. — 
(The  Conqueror  of  all  Nations). — The  emperor, 
with  laurelled  head,  is  seated  on  a cuirass,  be- 
tween two  captives  crouching  on  the  ground. 
He  rests  his  left  hand  on  the  hasta  (or  rather 
staff  with  foliaged  head),  and  holds  in  his  right 
a globe  surmounted  by  a victoriola  with  a gar- 
land.— Brass  medallion  of  Constantine  the  Great. 
Obv. — CONSTANTIN  vs  max.  avg.  Bust  of  the 
Emperor,  with  the  diadem. — [The  above  re- 
verse is  engraved  after  a cast  from  a fine  speci- 
men in  the  Cabinet  de  France .] 

“ The  word  Exuperator  (says  Rasche)  I have 
hitherto  no  where  found  ou  coins,  except  in  this 
instance,  but  besides  the  word  Exupero  (to  sur- 
pass, to  be  predominant),  there  occur  also  Exu- 
perantia  (pre-eminence,  superiority),  Exnperatio, 
(au  exceeding  or  surpassing),  Exuperabi/is,  or 
more  properly  Exsuperabilis  (what  may  be  ex- 
ceeded).” 

The  coinage  of  Constantine  (observes  Eckhel), 
is  full  of  novel  and  extravagant  titles,  too  proud 
and  presumptuous,  even  when  they  are  true. — 
On  the  coins  of  Commodus,  we  see  Jupiter  Exu- 
perantissimus  (the  most  excellent,  the  supreme) ; 
but  then  Commodus  applied  to  himself  the 
epithet  Ex uperatorius  (conquering),  and  caused 
the  month  of  November  to  be  called  mensis 
exuperatorins,  after  him  as  conqueror ! viii  83. 

3 B 


P. 

F.  the  sixth  letter  of  the  Latin  alphabet, 
stands  for  PH  on  some  coins  of  the  lower  em- 
pire; as  in  Ntunerianus,  TR1VMFVS  QVAD; 
and  in  Honorius,  TR1VMFATOR  GENT.  BAR- 
BAR.  There  is  also  a coin  of  Constans,  which 
reads  OB.  VICTOR1AM  TRIVMFALEM. 

F.  or  FAB.  Fabius. — C.  F.  Caius  Fabius, 
name  and  surname  of  the  Fabia  family. 

F. — FAC.  Faciundum,  Faciundis. — CVR. 

X.  F.  Curavit  Denarium  Faciundum ; or  Cura- 
tor Dcnariorum  flandorum. — SACR.  FAC.  Sa- 
cris  Faciundis. 

F.  Fecit. — LVD.  SAEC.  F. — Ludos  Seecu- 
lares  Fecit. 

F.  Felicitas. — F.  B.  Felicitas  Beata. 

F.  Felix. — P.  F.  or  PIVS  F.  frequent  on 
Roman  imperial  coins. 

F.  Fidelis. — P.  F.  LEG.  Pia  Fidelis  Leyio. 

F.  Fieri. — F.  C.  Fieri  Curavit. 

F.  Filia  or  Fi/ue. — ANTONIN1  AVG.  F. 
(Lucilla),  &c. 

F.  Filii.—C.  L.  CAESARES  AVGVSTI  F. 
Cams  and  Lucius  Filii  Auyusti  (that  is  to  say, 
ab  Auynsto  Adoptati) 

I'.  Filius. — i'requcnt  on  coins  of  Roman 
families  (in  like  manner  as  N.  NeposJ ; e.  y. 
A.  F.  Ault  Filins. — BRVTI.  F.  Bruti  Filins. 

F stands  for  the  same  on  a great  number  of 
imperial  coins,  as  AVG.  I).  F.  Auyuslus  Divi. 
[ Julii ] Filius. — AVG.  F.  AVG.  Auyusti  Filius 
Augustus. 

F.  Flando. — See  marks  of  the  Mouetal  Tri- 
umvirs, A.  A.  A.  F.  F.  Atiro,  Aryeuto , Aere, 
Flando,  Feriundo. — (See  p.  1.) 

F.  Flavin. — C.  F.  Colonia  F/avia. 

F.  Fortuna. F.  P.  R.  Fortuna  Populi 

Romani. 

FABIA  gens. — An  ancient,  noble,  and  power- 
ful family,  that  gave  many  great  men  to  the 
republic  of  Rome.  It  extended  itself  into  six 
branches,  five  of  which  (viz.  Buteo,  Labeo, 
Pictor,  Hispauiensis,  Maximus),  exhibit  their 
respective  surnames  on  coins.  Discarding  the 
fable  of  Silius  Italicus,  who  carries  its  orgin  to 
Fabius,  the  son  of  Hercules,  and  giving  scarcely 
more  credit  to  historians  who  kill  off  all  the 
males  of  the  family  save  one,  in  a general  en- 
gagement, which  they  entered  306  strong,  near 
the  Cremera,  against  the  Veientcs,  b.  c.  447  ; 
the  celebrated  characters  who  are  supposed  to 
have  sprung  from  the  sole  survivor  of  that  fatal 
day,  amounted  to  thirty-six  individuals,  and  who  in 
the  space  of  250  years,  were  invested  with  forty- 
eight  Consulates,  eight  Censorships,  and  ten  Tri- 
bunates of  the  Plebs,  five  Principes  Senatus,  to- 
gether with  the  honours  of  thirteeu  triumphs,  and 
of  two  ovations.  From  Fabius  Maximus,  sur- 
nained  Cunctator,  the  famous  dictator  in  the 
second  Punic  war,  down  to  the  reign  of  Tibe- 
rius, the  Fabii  sustained  the  splendour  of  their 
race  at  Rome. 

There  are  eleven  or  twelve  distinctly  different 
types,  and  many  more  unimportant  varieties 


370  FABIA. 

in  the  coins  of  this  gens  ; hut  they  offer  few 
subjects  of  interest,  even  on  the  most  select  and 
rare  of  their  reverses.  To  make  amends,  how- 
ever, for  historical  and  mythological  deficiencies, 
the  initial  letters  and  abbreviated  words,  on 
some  of  them,  have  supplied  ample  themes  for 
exercising  the  ingenuity,  and  for  displaying  the 
erudition,  of  numismatic  antiquaries. 

The  brass  pieces  belonging  to  this  gens  are 
asses,  or  parts  of  the  as,  and  Imperial  Greek. 

The  following  are  among  the  denarii  most 
open  to  historical  illustration  : — 


1. — EX.  A.  PV.  Bust  of  a veiled  and 
turreted  woman,  to  the  right. — Rev. — C.  FABI. 
C.  F.  Victory  in  a rapid  biga;  beneath  the 
fore  feet  of  the  horses  is  a vulture,  or  other 
bird  of  prey.  In  the  field  of  the  coin  some 
letter  or  other  of  the  Latin  alphabet.  Silver. 
[The  obverse  type  is  probably  the  head  of  Juno, 
in  whose  temple  the  public  money  was  kept. — 
For  an  interpretation  of  the  obverse  legend, 
see  p.  69.] 

There  is  a large  brass  as  with  the  name  of 
this  family,  published  by  Liebc,  bearing  on  the 
reverse  side  the  usual  ship’s  prow,  but  with  a 
vulture,  or  a buteo  (see  p.  148)  stauding  on 
the  lower  part  of  it. 

With  respect  to  peculiar,  yet  constant  sym- 
bols, Borghcsi  is  of  opinion,  that  when  they  ap- 
pear on  single  denarii  of  Roman  families,  and 
especially  when  they  arc  repeated  on  their  brass 
coins,  they  bear  allusion  to  the  surnames  of 
that  particular  family.  Hence  he  is  induced  to 
regard  the  vulture,  or  whatever  bird  it  may  be, 
which  is  represented  on  the  two  coins  above 
described,  as  having  relation  to  the  cognomen  of 
the  family  of  C.  Fahius  Buteo. — Ursiu  and 
Eckhel  appear  to  have  viewed  it  in  the  same  light. 
The  earliest  numismatic  writers,  in  general,  be- 
lieve the  silver  coin  to  have  been  the  first  in  that 
metal  struck  by  the  Romans,  and  attribute  it  to 
a C.  Fabius  Pictor,  consul  with  Q.  Ogulnius 
Gallus  in  484  (b.  c.  270) ; and  that  the 
ex  a.  pv.  indicates  the  authority  of  the  Ro- 
man people,  who  in  that  year  caused  it  to  be 
minted.  But  its  workmanship,  and  its  style  of 
representing  objects,  preclude  the  acceptance  of 
this  opinion.  Borghesi,  looking  to  the  symbols 
above  mentioned,  considers  them  to  belong  to 
the  time  of  Marius.  And  with  him  others  con- 
cur, that  they  were  coined  in  Africa  by  Cains 
Fabius  Adrianus,  pretor  and  pro-pretor  of  the 
consuls  L.  Cornelius  Cinna  aud  Cn.  Papirius 
Carbo,  in  669  aud  670  (b.  C.  85  and  84),  par- 
tisans of  Marius,  (who  died  the  previous  year 
668). — Cavedoni  thinks  it  probable  that  it  was 
C.  Fabius,  who  being  in  670  pretor  in  Africa, 
expelled  thence  Q Metcllus ; aud  two  years 


FABIA 

afterwards,  he  himself,  on  acconnt  of  his  cruelty 
and  avarice,  whilst  [pretor,  was  burnt  alive. — 
(Liv.  Epil.  84-86.) — See  Riccio,  p.  89. 

2.— LABEO.  ROMA.  Galcatcd  head  of 
Rome,  before  the  neck  X. — Rev. — Q.  FABI. 
Jupiter  Tonans,  in  a rapid  quadriga,  brandishing 
the  thunderbolt,  and  holding  the  sceptre.  Be- 
neath the  horses  a ship’s  head. 

The  learned  refer  this  silver  coin  to  Quintas 
Fabius  Labco,  who,  in  the  year  of  Rome  565 
(b.  c.  189),  under  the  consulship  of  M.  Fulvius 
Nobilior  and  Cneus  Manlius  Vulso,  and  during 
the  war  with  King  Antiochus  Major,  was 
appointed  as  pretor,  to  the  command  of  the 
fleet.  But  peace  with  Syria,  having  in  the 
meanwhile  been  made,  he  landed  at  Crete,  and 
rescued  from  captivity  the  Roman  citizens,  who 
were  dispersed  through  the  greater  part  of  that 
island,  on  which  account  (according  to  Livy)  he 
claimed  and  enjoyed  the  honours  of  a naval 
triumph.  It  was  for  this  reason  also,  as  is 
believed,  that  the  ship’s  prow  displays  itself  on 
his  coins. — Eckhel,  v.  p.  208. 


3. — N.  FABI.  N.  PICTOR.  A galcatcd  figure, 
seated  to  the  left,  holds  in  the  right  hand  the 
pontifical  apex ; in  the  left  the  hasta  para ; 
near  her,  resting  on  the  ground,  is  a shield, 
inscribed  qvirin. — In  the  exergue  roma. — 
Obv. — Head  of  Rome,  with  mark  of  the  de- 
narius. 

Differing  from  Ursin,  Yaillant,  aud  Spanheim, 
who  have  all  three  interpreted  the  abbreviation 
on  the  shield  QVlRINw,  aud  who  have  even 
yielded  to  the  strauge  supposition  that  Quirinus 
(or  Romulus)  himself  is  represented  in  the 
seated  figure. — Eckhel  (v.  209)  affirms,  that  an 
accurate  inspection  of  all  the  specimens  of  this 
silver  coin  proves  it  to  be  the  type  of  a woman, 
and  observes  that  Quirinus  is  usually  depicted 
with  a long  beard. — [Iu  the  above  cut,  the 
galcatcd  figure  on  the  reverse  has  not  a womanly 
countenance ; but  in  other  respects  it  agrees 
with  the  martial  character  in  which  deified  Rome 
usually  appears  on  coins].  For  these  reasons 
Eckhel  coincides  with  Havcrcainp,  both  iu 
pronouncing  the  image  to  personify  tome,  and 
in  reading  the  inscription  Q\  1K1N  'Us,  that  is 
to  say  Ftamen  Qiririnatis,  an  office  hereditary 
in  the  Fabia  family.  Of  the  Fnbii  who  were 
Flamines  Quirinates  frequent  meution  is  made 
in  Livy  and  iu  Val.  Maximus.  The  surname  of 
Pictor  is  stated  to  have  been  derived  to  this 
family  from  C.  Fabius,  who  iu  450  (b.  c.  394) 
gratuitously  paiuted  the  temple  of  the  Goddc.-s 
of  Health'  (/Edcs  Salutis),  erected  after  the 
Samuite  war,  by  Caius  Junius  Brutus  Bubuleus 
— which  painting  was,  it  seems,  in  existence 
until  the  time  of  Claudius,  during  whose  reign 


FABR1CIA. — FABRINIA. 

that  sacred  edifice  was  destroyed  by  fire,  as  is 
testified  by  Pliny,  who  considers  that  effort  ol 
art  to  have  been  creditable  to  the  Fabia  family  — 
an  opinion,  however,  widely  dissented  from  by 
Val.  Maximus,  who,  in  narrating  the  same  fact, 
denounces  painting  as  an  occupation  too  mean 
for  a citizen  of  the  noblest  rank  to  pursue,  and 
treats  the  performance  of  Pictor  with  corre- 
sponding disdain. 

Riccio  (p.  88)  says — “ Nuincrius  Flavius  Pic- 
tor, great  grandson  to  the  famous  C.  Fabius 
above  mentioned,  was  the  author  of  this  silver 
coin,  but  the  precise  time  when  lie  exercised  his 
monctal  triumvirate  is  not  kuowu. — See  quiui- 
nus — see  also  Flamen  Quiriua/is. 

4.— L.  FABI.  L.  F.  IIISP.  Victory  in  a fast- 
going quadriga,  holding  a palm  branch ; under  the 
horses’  feet  Q. — Obverse. — C.  ANNI.  T.  F.  T. 
N.  PRO.  COS.  EX.  S.  C.  Head  of  a woman, 
adorned  with  small  mitre,  ear-rings,  aud  neck- 
lace ; behind  it  a caduceus  : sometimes  within  a 
crown,  sometimes  not. 

Lucius  Fabius,  son  of  Lucius,  was  pro-ques- 
tor  in  Spain  to  the  p’o -consul  C.  Aunius,  sent 
thither  by  Sulla  in  671  (b.  C.  83),  to  subdue 
Sertorius,  of  the  Marian  party. 


5. — Q.  MAX.  ROMA.  Galcated  bead  of 
Rome  : before  it  X. — Rev. — Cornucopia;  with 
fruit,  aud  with  which  a thunderbolt  is  put  cross- 
wise ; the  whole  within  a crown  formed  of  pop- 
pies and  corn-cars. 

Cavedoui  says  that  this  denarius,  with  the 
initial  Q,  belongs  to  Quintus  Fabius  Maximus 
Servilianus,  consul  [with  Cccilius  Metcllus]  in 
612  (b.  c.  142) ; and  that  the  cornucopiie  tra- 
versed with  the  fulmen,  still  the  symbol  of 
the  city  of  Yalentia,  in  Spain,  alludes  to  the 
exploits  of  the  father,  and  of  the  brother, 
against  Viriatus,  in  that  country.  It  is  to  be 
observed,  that  the  crown  which  encompasses  the 
field  of  the  above  silver  coin,  is  composed  of 
leaves  tied  together  with  heads  of  poppies,  aud 
finishes  with  corn-ears. — May  not  these  (asks 
Riccio)  point  to  the  corona  obsidionalis,  the 
honour  of  which  was  earned  by  Quintus  Fabius 
Maximus,  the  delayer , as  lie  was  called  ? — 
page  88. 

FABR1CIA  gens  plcbcia. — Morel  gives  two 
coins  of  this  family,  which,  according  to  Vail- 
laut,  has  Paternus  for  its  surname. 

FABRINIA  gens. — Unrecorded  (says  Eck- 
hel)  by  history  or  by  any  ancient  monument, 
coins  excepted.  The  name  of  M.  fabkini  (Fa- 
brinus)  appears  on  the  triens,  quadrans,  aud 
semis  of  the  early  brass  coinage. — See  one  of 
each  engraved  in  Riccio,  TAV.  xx. 

FACE  of  a Coiu. — Every  perfect  coin  has 
two  faces  or  sides  ; one  called  the  obverse,  the 
3 B 2 


FANNIA. — FARSULEIA.  371 

other  the  reverse ; and  the  figure,  and  legend, 
or  inscription,  on  each  are  alike  subjects  for 
consideration. 

FADIA  gens  plebeia ; not  noticed  in  Morel, 
Miounet,  Akcrman,  nor  in  Riccio ; but  of  which 
Eckhel  states  that  some  small  brass  coins  are 
extant.  L.  FAD««,  a contemporary  of  Julius 
Csesar  and  Augustus,  appears  to  have  been  one 
of  their  mint-masters. 

FALX,  a sickle  : the  sign  of  Saturn,  the  re- 
puted inventor  of  agriculture,  whence  he  was 
called  falcifer  by  the  poets.  The  figure  of  this 
instrument  of  husbandry,  indented,  appears  on 
coins  of  the  Calpurnia,  Mcmmia,  and  Scrvilia 
families. — See  Saturn-. 

FAMILY  COINS.— See  numi  famimarum 

ROJIANARUM. 

FANNIA  gens — of  the  plebeian  order,  but  of 
consular  rank. — The  silver  coins  of  this  family 
have  two  varieties,  and  the  brass  oue  type,  as 
follow  : 

1.  AED.  PL.  (/Edilis  Plebis).  Head  of  Ceres 
crowned  with  corn  ears. — Rev. — M.  FAN.  L. 
CR1T.  Marcus  Fannins  and  Lucius  Critonius 
togated,  occupying  their  respective  sedilia,  and 
presiding  over  the  public  distribution  of  wheat. 
On  some  specimens  this  is  additionally  indicated 
by  a corn-ear  placed  upright  before  them.  Be- 
hind, in  the  field,  arc  the  letters  P.  A.  ( Publico 
Aryento). — See  .tmus,  p.  12 — see  also  Critonia 
gens,  p.  296. 

2.  Head  of  Rome,  helmeted : before  it  X. — 
Rev. — M.  FAN.  C.  F.  Victory  in  a quadriga  at 
full  speed,  holding  a branch,  sometimes  a crown, 
in  her  right  hand. — For  a wood-cut  of  it  see 
denarius,  p.  317,  left  hand  column. 

3.  M.  FAN.  C.  F.  above;  ROMA  below. — 
Rev. — S.  (Semis).  Ship’s  prow. — Middle  brass. 

The  author  of  these  two  last  coins  is  unknown. 
It  is  thought  that  possibly  they  may  have  been 
struck  by  M.  Famous,  pretor  in  672  (b.  c.  82), 
during  his  monetal  triumvirate. — See  Riccio,  90. 

The  name  of  Fannius  (c.  fan.  font,  pr.)  is 
read  on  the  eistophori  of  Tralles  (Asia)  coined 
iu  705  (b.  c.  49). 


FARSULEIA  gens,  an  obscure  family  of  the 
plebeian  order,  known  only  by  its  coins,  which 
are  silver,  and  have  but  one  type,  with 
some  unimportant  varieties.  It  has  Farsuleivs 
for  its  name,  aud  Mensor  for  its  surname.  The 
following  is  the  least  common  : — 

S.  C.  MENSOR.  Bust  of  a woman,  with 
small  tiara,  or  mitella,  on  her  head ; behind  is 
the  pileus  of  liberty. — Rev. — L.  FARSVLEI. 
A galeated  and  paludated  figure,  in  a biga  to  the 
right,  extends  the  right  hand  to  another  figure, 
clothed  in  the  toga,  to  assist  him  in  ascending 
the  car.  Under  the  horses  are  letters,  and  in 
some  specimens,  a scorpion. 


372  FASCES.— FASTI. 

As  is  the  family’s  origin  so  is  the  type’s  mean- 
-obscure.  Learned  men  (observes  Eckhcl,  v. 
212),  suppose  this  to  be  symbolically  allusive  to 
the  lex  Julia,  enacted  664  (b.  c.  90),  conferring 
the  right  of  citizenship  on  the  Italians,  which 
privilege  is  further  conjectured  to  be  here  sha- 
dowed forth  by  the  armed  figure,  personifying 
the  Roman  people,  who  is  receiving  his  new 
associate  of  Italy  into  the  same  vehicle  with  him- 
self. The  head  of  Liberty,  exhibited  on  the 
obverse,  also  seems  to  favour  this  attempt  at  an 
interpretation. — Cavcdoni  is  of  opinion,  that  to 
this  subject  of  Italians  admitted  into  Roman 
privileges  the  type  of  M ucia  gens  [in  which, 
as  also  in  that  of  Furia  gens,  the  heads  of 
Honour  and  Virtue  are  conjoined]  more  applies 
than  does  this  type  of  Farsnleia,  because  the 
heroic  car,  and  the  excited  action  of  the  horses, 
do  not  correspond  with  the  workmanship  of  the 
times  in  question ; nor  with  the  supposed  sig- 
nification, but  rather  with  the  style  of  a later 
age ; that  is  to  say,  the  decay  ol'  the  republic. — 
See  Riccio,  p.  91. 

FASCES — bundles  of  birchen  rods,  carried 
by  the  lictors  before  the  highest  class  of  Roman 
magistrates,  with  an  axe  bound  up  in  the  middle 
of  them,  as  for  the  punishment  of  wicked  doers. 
The  rods  to  shew  the  more  lenient  infliction  for 
faults  capable  of  correction ; the  axe  ( securis ■) 
to  indicate  that  the  perpetrators  of  heinous  and 
unatonable  crimes  were  to  be  cut  off  from 
society.  These  fasces  and  secures , on  coins, 
denote  the  supreme  authority  of  the  consuls  and 
other  principal  magistrates,  as  having  the  right 
and  power  of  life  and  death.  The  figure  of  a 
curulc  chair  (symbolical  of  the  consular  office), 
placed  between  two  fasces  (sometimes  with, 
sometimes  without,  the  axes)  is  a frequent  type 
on  coins  of  Roman  families.  (Sec  fufia  and 
LIVINEIA.) — The  fasces,  and  a caduceus,  placed 
crosswise,  with  an  axe  below  and  a globe  above 
them,  and  on  one  side  two  right  hands  joiued, 
appear  on  silver  coins  of  Aemilius  Euca  and  J ulius 
Cesar.  (Sec  p.  156.) — The  fasces  with  the  axe 
appear  on  coins  of  the  Licinia  (Morell.  tab.  3) 
and  Norbana  families. 

FASTI — a name  given  to  the  tables  of 
marble,  on  which  the  Romans  dedicated  to 
posterity  the  names,  achievements,  and  triumphs 
of  their  great  men,  and  made  known  to  the 
people  the  dies  fasti  et  ntfasli — the  days  when 
they  were,  and  were  not,  to  offer  sacrifices  to 
their  gods,  and  discharge  the  duties  imposed  on 
them  by  the  Pontifces,  as  those  of  religion. 
These  anuual  records  were  subdivided  into  seve- 
ral kinds,  of  which  the  principal  were — 

1.  Fasti  Katendares. — These  were  so  called, 
because  the  days  of  each  month,  from  kalends  to 
kaleuds,  were  marked  in  them  ; and  because  they 
also  noted  all  the  religious  ceremonies  from  the 
beginning  to  the  end  of  each  mouth.  Towards 
the  close  of  the  republic,  nnd  afterwards  under 
the  imperial  government,  insensate  pride  iu  the 
governors,  and  adulatory  baseness  iu  the  go- 
verned, occasioned  the  prostitution  of  these 
tables,  and  rendered  them  ultimately  subservient 
to  the  extravagance  of  princes  and  the  degeneracy 


FASTI. — FATA. — PATIS. 

of  the  people.  For  a man  to  have  his  name 
adscriptum  on  the  Fasti,  had  always  been 
reckoned  an  object  of  legitimate  ambition,  as  it 
was  indeed  one  of  the  highest  honour;  but  then 
it  was  confined  to  the  consular  and  triumphal 
Fasti.  The  emperors,  not  content  with  ruling 
the  world,  affected  Divinity,  and  obtruded  them- 
selves on  the  calendar  as  objects  of  every  kind 
of  religious  adoration. 

2.  Fasti  Consufares,  in  which  were  annually 
marked  the  names  of  magistrates,  particularly 
consuls,  and  dictators,  (when  these  latter  were 
appointed);  also  the  wars,  victories,  and  political 
changes  of  the  republic,  together  with  memorials 
of  secular  games  and  other  remarkable  events. 
And  this  was  done,  as  well  to  preserve  the  dates 
of  successive  years,  as  to  hand  down  the  re- 
membrance of  important  transactions. See 

Pitiscus  and  Adams. 

A most  important  speeimeu  of  Fasti,  belong- 
ing to  the  class  of  Consulares,  supposed  to  have 
been  executed  at  the  begiuniug  of  the  reign  of 
Tiberius,  has  been  partially  preserved.  “ In 
the  year  1547,  several  fragments  of  marble 
tablets  were  discovered,  in  excavating  the  Roman 
forum,  and  were  found  to  contain  a list  of  con- 
suls, dictators,  and  their  masters  of  horse, 
censors  with  the  lustra  which  they  closed, 
triumphs  and  ovations,  all  arranged  in  regular 
succession,  according  to  the  years  of  the  Ca- 
tonian  a*ra.  These  had  evidently  extended  from 
the  expulsion  of  the  kings  to  the  death  of 
Augustus ; and,  although  defective  in  many 
places,  have  proved  of  the  greatest  value  in 
chronology.  The  different  pieces  were  collected 
and  arranged  under  the  inspection  of  Cardinal 
Alexander  Farncse,  and  deposited  iu  the  Capitol, 
where  they  still  remain.  From  this  circum- 
stance they  are  generally  distinguished  as  the 
Fasti  Capitolini. — In  the  years  1817  aud  1818, 
two  other  fragments  of  the  same  marble  tablets 
were  discovered  iu  the  course  of  a new  excava- 
tion iu  the  forum.  A fac-simile  of  them  was 
published  at  Milan,  by  Borghcsi,  in  1818.” — 
[The  foregoing  passage  is  extracted  from  an  able 
article,  embracing  notices  of  all  points  needful 
to  be  known  on  the  subject,  contained  in  the 
Dictionary  of  Greek  and  Homan  Antiquities, 
edited  by  Dr.  Smith,  at  the  end  of  which  work 
the  Fasti  Consulares  themselves  are  given.] 

FATA,  the  same  three  fabulous  deities  as  the 
Parcar,  daughters  of  Erebus : they  inhabited  a 
gloomy  cave  in  Tartarus,  symbolical  of  the 
obscurity  which  envelopes  the  future,  whose 
course  they  were  able  at  once  to  predict  and 
determine,  according  to  the  Pagan  system  of 
Theology.  These  awful  sisters  constituted  Des- 
tiny, or  at  least  were  the  mistresses  of  Destiny. 
The  Romans,  following  the  example  of  the 
Greeks  in  all  superstitious  practices,  paid  great 
honours  to  the  Fata ; and  invoked  them  gene- 
rally after  Apollo,  because  they,  like  thnt  god, 
presided  over  the  future. 

FATIS  YICTRICIBVS.  (To  the  Victorious 
Fates) -This  remarkable  legend  appears  on  the 
reverse  of  a very  rare  gold  coin  of  Diocletiau 
— The  type,  which  accompanies  it,  represent' 


FAUSTINA  SENIOR. 


373 


FAUSTA. 

three  women  clothed  iu  the  stola,  standiug  to- 
gether— and  it  is  regarded  as  referring  to  tho 
Tria  Fata,  in  whose  name,  and  for  the  worship 
of  whom,  a temple  was  dedicated  at  Rome. — 
For  an  explanation  by  Spanheim,  and  obser- 
vations thereon  by  Eckhel,  see  the  word 

I’AKCAE. 


FAUSTA  ( Flavia  Maxima)  was  daughter  of 
Maximianus  llercidcs  and  of  Entropia,  sister  of 
Maxentins,  and  second  wife  of  Constantine  the 
Great.  She  was  married  to  that  emperor  in  the 
year  of  Rome  1060  (a.  d.  307).  She  gave 
birth  to  Constantine  the  younger,  to  Constan- 
tius  the  younger,  and  to  Constans.  She  died 
in  1070  (a.  l).  326),  from  suffocation  in  a hot 
bath,  by  order  of  her  husband,  for  having 
caused  the  death  of  Crispns,  iu  falsely  accusing 
him  of  incestuous  designs  upon  her  chastity,  or 
of  rebellious  projects  against  his  father’s  im- 
perial authority. 

The  coins  of  this  empress  in  gold,  silver,  and 
brass  (with  the  exception  of  the  following  very 
rare  reverses)  arc  common : — 

Gold  Medallion. — pietas  avgvsta.  The 
empress,  seated  between  two  women,  carrying  a 
child  iu  her  arms  ; the  one  on  the  right  band 
supports  a long  caducous.  Below  are  two  genii, 
holding  a garland.  In  the  exergue  p.t.  r.  (Mo- 
rellii  Specimen,  p.  53). — [This,  if  authentic,  is 
unique.  Mionnet  values  it  at  1000  francs], 

Gold.-salvs  reipvblicae.  A woman  stand- 
ing, robed  and  veiled,  suckling  two  infants.  On 
the  exergue  p.t.  (Percussum  Thessalonicte,  struck 
at  Thessalonica) : a crescent  or  some  other  sym- 
bol. between  the  two  letters.  (Mionnet,  500  fr. 
gold,  50  fr.  silver).  Engraved  in  Lenormant, 
lconographie  des  Empereurs. spes  reipvb- 

licae. The  same  type.  On  the  exergue  p.  t. 
(Mt.  500  1'r.  in  gold,  50  fr.  in  silver). — Obv. 
flaw  max.  favsta.  avg.  Head  of  the  em- 
press, young  and  handsome.  (Mt.  500  fr.  in 
gold,  50  fr.  in  silver). — See  the  above  wood-cut 
from  a small  brass  specimen  of  the  same  legend 
and  type. 

Brass  Medallion. — pietas  avgvste  (sic) 
Fausta  standing,  carrying  an  infaut  on  the  left 
arm,  and  extending  the  right  hand  to  another 
child,  who,  standing  at  her  feet,  presents  some- 
thing to  her. — Obv. — flaw  max.  favsta  avg. 
Diademed  head  of  the  empress.  (Valued  by 
Mionnet  at  72  fr.)  Engraved  in  lconographie 
Romaine,  p.  121. 

For  the  purport  of  some  observations  made 
by  M.  Le  Baron  Marchaut,  iu  his  xviith  Lcttre 
Numismatique  (and  to  which  M.  Charles  Le- 
normant yields  his  support)  iu  a new  attri- 
bution of  coius  to  this  Fausta,  see  nobilissima 
faemina. 


FAUSTINA  ( Annia  Galeria)  designated  by 
numismatists  sometimes  by  the  name  of  Faustina 
the  mother,  sometimes  by  that  of  Faustina  the 
elder,  was  born  in  the  year  of  Rome  858  (a.  d. 
105),  under  the  reign  of  Trajan.  She  was 
daughter  of  Marcus  Annius  Verus,  a man  of 
consular  rank,  prefect  of  Rome,  paternal  grand- 
father of  Marcus  Aurelius  Having  married 
Antoniuus  Pins  whilst  he  was  still  a private 
citizen,  she  received  from  the  Senate  the  title  of 
Augusta  shortly  after  the  death  of  Hadrian,  as 
her  husband  did  that  of  Pius.  She  did  not, 
however,  long  enjoy  her  honours,  dying  in  the 
third  year  of  the  reign  of  Antonine,  u.  c.  894 
(b.  c.  141),  according  to  Capitolinus ; whose 
record  is  confirmed  by  a marble  published  by 
Muratori,  which  speaks  of  Faustina  as  already 
Diva  iu  the  fourth  tribunate  of  Antonine.  Ac- 
cording to  a marble  of  Gruter’s,  she  was  36 
years,  three  months,  and  eleven  days  old,  when 
she  died.  Capitolinus  is  severe  upon  the  levity  of 
her  conduct ; but  he  also  states  that  Antonine  did 
liis  utmost  to  conceal  her  irregularities,  though 
at  the  expense  of  great  disquietude  to  himself. 
Thus  much  is  certain,  that,  as  is  testified  by 
the  legends  and  types  of  her  coins,  Antonine 
lavished  every  honour  upon  her,  both  during 
life  and  after  her  decease.  Faustina  gave  her 
husband  two  sons : Marcus  Galerius  Antoninus, 
whose  name  is  known  to  us  only  through  the 
medium  of  a Greek  imperial  coin,  engraved  in  the 
lconographie  Romaine,  p.  63  ; and  Marcus  Aure- 
lius Fulvius  Antoninus,  known  solely  from 
the  inscription  published  by  Pagi  (v.  Crit. 
Baron,  ad  u.  c.  914  a.  d.  161) ; also  two 
daughters,  Aurelia  Padilla,  married  to  Lamia 
Syllanus,  who  was  already  dead  when  her  father 
set  out  for  his  government  of  Asia,  under 
Hadrian.  The  other  daughter  was  Faustina, 
called  junior,  who  was  married  to  Marcus 
Aurelius,  her  cousin-german. 

The  coins  of  this  empress  in  gold  and  silver 
(with  exceptions  subjoined)  are  common;  brass 
medallions  rare ; first  and  second  brass,  for  the 
most  part,  very  common.  On  these  she  is  stvled 
FAUSTINA  AVGVSTA— FAVSTINA  AVG. 
ANTONINI  AVG.  (by  implication,  uxor) — 
FAVSTINA  AVG.  ANTONINI  AVG.  PII 
P.  P.— DIVA  AVGVSTA  FAVSTINA. 

The  greater  part  of  these  coins  were  struck, 
after  her  decease,  with  the  usual  legends  and 
symbols  of  Consecration,  and  especially  with  the 
various  types  of  Eternity. 


374  FAUSTINA  SENIOR. 


RAREST  REVERSES  of  FAUSTINA. 


Gold. — consecratio.  A quadriga,  in  which 
a woman  stands,  veiled  and  in  the  stola,  hold- 
ing the  hasta  pura,  whilst  another  female  guides 
the  horses. — On  the  obverse  of  this  beautiful 
coiu  is  the  bust  of  Faustina,  not  veiled,  but 
with  the  head-dress  of  a living  Augusta. — 
(Mionnet  values  it  at  72  fr.  A fine  specimen 
went  for  £2  14s.  at  the  Thomas  sale). 

aeter.nttas.  Four-wheeled  car,  in  which, 
under  canopy,  is  placed  the  image  of  Faustina 
seated,  drawn  by  two  elephants,  each  mounted  by 
a conductor. -O^e. — diva  favstina.  (The  divine 
Faustina).  Bust  of  the  deceased  empress. — 
(Mionnet  values  it  at  72  fr.  A fine  specimen 
brought  £3  17s.  at  the  Thomas  sale.  Engraved 
in  Caylus,  Nam.  Aar.  Impp.  Rom.  No.  522.) — 
Another  aureus  has  for  legend  of  reverse,  aeter- 
nitas,  with  type  of  a six-columned  temple,  in  the 
middle  of  which  is  placed  the  sedent  statue  of 
Faustina,  as  Juno,  holding  the  sceptre.  The  fron- 
ton of  the  temple  is  adorned  with  a bas-relief. 
On  the  summit  is  a quadriga ; at  the  two  extre- 
mities a Victory,  front-faced,  carrying  a buckler 
on  its  head.  The  steps  are  fenced  in  by  a railing. 
(Mt.  36  fr.) — aeterxitas.  Empress  standing 
with  rudder  and  patera.  (£3  7s.  at  the  Brumcll 
sale). — avgvsta.  Empress  holding  a lighted 

torch  in  each  hand,  (obtained  £7  10s.  at  the 
Thomas  sale.  A flower  of  the  die  specimen 
went  for  only  £3  at  the  Pembroke). — Concor- 
dia avg.  Female  seated.  (Pembroke  Cat.  lot 
272,  brought  at  sale  £3  4s.) — ex.  senatvs 
consvlto.  Car  drawn  by  two  elephants.  (Mt. 
100  fr.) — ivnoni  reginae.  Throne,  sceptre, 
peacock,  and  cista.  (£4  Is.  Thomas). — Same 
legend.  Throne,  with  a sceptre,  between  a pea- 
cock and  a crow.  (Mionnet,  60  fr.) — Fortuna 
Obseqvens.  The  Empress  standing  with  the 
attributes  of  Fortune. 

[Nearly  all  the  above  are  engraved  in  the  im- 
perial gold  coins  of  the  Cabinet  de  France  by 
Count  Caylus.] 

pvellae  favstinianae.  (The  young  Faus- 
tinians).  Faustina  seated  on  a tribunal.  Oppo- 
site to  her  the  emperor  stands  holding  out  his 
hands  and  receiving  an  infant,  which  is  presented 
to  him  by  a woman.  At  the  foot  of  the  tribunal 
is  a man  bringing  also  an  infant. — Obv- diva 
favstina.  Bust  of  Faustina,  to  the  right. 
(Mt.  200  fr.  Cabinet  de  France). — Without 
legend  ; a hexastyle  temple,  still  extant  at  Rome. 
(£2  10s.  Thomas  sale). 

Silver. — pvellae  favstinianae.  Same 
type  as  in  gold. — Obv. — diva  avg.  favstina. 
(Sit.  100  £r.) — [See  the  following  engraving. — 
Capitolinus  states,  that  Antoninus  founded  a col- 
lege of  young  girls,  who  were  maintained  at  his  | 


FAUSTINA  JUNIOR. 


own  expense,  whom  he  called  Pnella  Faustiniante, 
in  honour  of  Faustina.  Eckhc)  (vii.  p.  7),  cites 
several  inscriptions  dedicated  to  the  pvellae 
favstinianae], — pietas  AVo.  The  empress 
sacrificing.  (Brought  £4  10s.  at  the  Pembroke). 

Brass  Medallions. matri  devm  salv- 

tari.  (Contomiate ; valued  by  Mionnet  at 
100  fr.  See  the  words  suit  locis). — tki.  pot. 
Combat  of  Romulus  and  Tatius.  (Mt.  300  fr. 
see  Romulus.) — vesta.  (Alt.  100  fr.) — With- 
out lcgcud.  Cybele  and  the  vestal  Claudia.  (Mt. 
300  fr.  It  is  engraved  in  p.  311). — Without 
legend.  Cybele  and  Atys.  (Mt.  300  fr.  En- 
graved in  p.  300).  [The  foregoing  five  medal- 
lions are  in  the  Cabinet  de  France], — The  fol- 
lowing types,  also  without  lcgcud,  arc  valued  by 
Mionnet  at  from  100  to  150  francs  each,  viz.  : 
— Faustina,  with  the  attributes  of  Ceres,  light- 
ing an  altar  [see  an  engraving  of  it  in  p.  196]. 
— Faustina  seated  on  a globe ; the  emperor 
standing,  presents  her  with  a Victory. — Diana 
Lucifera  walking. — Faustina,  as  Vesta,  holding 
the  palladium , a Vestal  standing  before  her. — 
Obv. — diva  avgvsta  favstina.  Bust  of  Faus- 
tina.— Rev. — The  empress  in  a biga,  going  to 
the  left.  (Mionnet’s  valuation  120  fr.  An  extra 
fine  specimen  of  this  medallion  was  bought  for 
£10  for  the  British  Museum  at  the  Campaua 
sale). 

Large  Brass. aeternitas.  A woman 

seated.  (Engraved  in  p.  22). — .eternitas. — 
Cybele,  in  a chariot  drawn  by  two  lions.  (Mt. 
20  fr.  See  engraving  of  this  reverse  p.  22). — 
Concordia.  The  emperor  and  Faustina,  and 
two  smaller  figures.  (Mt.  24  fr.  Engraved  in 
p.  212). — consecratio.  Victory  bearing  away 
laustina.  (Mt.  48  fr.  Brought  about  £3  at 
the  Devonshire  sale.  Sec  engraving,  p.  25). — 
matri  devm  salvtari.  (£1  at  the  Devonshire 
sale). — A draped  female  stauds  holding  a pheeuix, 
(brought  £2  2s.  at  the  Pembroke  sale). 


FAUSTINA  the  Younger. — Annin  Faustina 
was  the  daughter  of  Antoninus  Pius  Aug.  and 
Galeria  Faustina  Aug.  The  year  of  her  birth  is 
uncertain.  By  desire  of  Hadrian  she  was  des- 
tined to  be  the  wife  of  L.  Vcrus,  but  after  I la- 


FAUSTINA  JUNIOR. 

drian’s  death,  Antonine,  on  account  of  the  ex- 
treme youth  of  Verus,  pave  her  in  marriage  to 
M.  Aurelius;  the  nuptials  being  consummated 
a few  years  later.  That  she  was  decorated  with 
the  title  of  Augusta,  whilst  her  husband  was 
merely  Cicsar,  is  a fact  proved  from  coins. — 
She  died  in  the  year  u.  c.  928  (a.  d.  175)  at 
the  village  of  Halale,  on  the  skirts  of  Mount 
Taurus,  whilst  on  her  way  to  join  her  husband 
in  Syria. 

To  the  beauty  of  this  woman  the  Antonine 
mint  bears  constant  testimony  in  all  the  three 
metals,  and  perhaps  in  no  example  more  strikingly 
than  on  the  brass  medallion  whence  the  above 
portrait  is  copied.  But  her  character  was,  by 
all  historical  accounts,  unworthy  of  her  father 
and  her  husband,  whose  virtues  have  been  the 
theme  of  eulogy  in  every  age.  Faustina  is  ac- 
cused of  having  led  a life  still  more  dissolute 
than  that  of  her  mother.  It  was  even  believed 
that  the  sudden  death  of  L.  Verus  was  due  to 
her  agency  ; and  that  she  took  a secret  part  in 
the  conspiracy  of  Avidius  Cassius  against  her 
husband.  The  most  notorious  instances  of  her 
licentiousness  and  criminality  produced  so  little 
effect  on  the  mind  of  Marcus  Aurelius  that, 
when  urged,  if  unwilling  to  put  her  to  death, 
that  at  least  he  would  divorce  her,  his  reply  was, 
“ If  we  dismiss  the  wife,  let  us  also  restore  the 
dowry,”  i.  e.  the  empire.  This  ill-judged  for- 
bearance (as  Eckhel  observes)  “ might  perhaps  be 
excused,  had  he  not  gone  the  length  of  publicly 
lamenting  her  death,  and,  polluted  as  she  was  with 
crime,  enrolling  her  in  the  assembly  of  Roman 
deities.”  Faustina  gave  to  her  husband  a great 
number  of  children,  among  others  Lucilla  (see 
the  word),  married  to  Lucius  Verus  ; Commo- 
dus  and  Antoninus,  twins,  the  fonner  destined 
to  become  emperor,  and  the  latter  dying  at  the 
age  of  four  years  ; also  Annius  Verus,  who  died 
young  (see  verus  annius). 

Lainpridius  states,  that  three  of  Faustina’s 
daughters  were  living  after  the  period  when 
Commodus  was  assassinated,  and  Ilerodian  has 
observed,  speaking  generally,  that  M.  Aurelius 
had  several  daughters  born  to  him. — See  D.  N. 
Vet  vii.  76. 

Her  coins,  in  gold  and  silver  (certain  ex- 
amples of  great  rarity  excepted),  are  common. 
Iler  bronze  medallions  are  almost  all  of  high 
rarity  ; large  and  middle  brass  for  the  most  part 
common,  rising  in  price  only  according  to  the 
workmanship  and  the  tvpe.  On  these  she  is 
styled  FAVSTINA  AVGVSTA.— DIVA  FAUS- 
TINA PIA — (with  sometimes  AVGVSTI  I’ll. 
FILuz,  or  MATER  CASTRORUM  on  reverse). 

RAREST  REVERSES  of  FAUSTINA  the 
YOUNGER. 

Gold. — avgvsti  pii.  filia.  The  empress  as 
Diana.  (£2  10s.  at  the  Thomas  sale). — con- 
coriha.  (Qainarius).  A bird,  which  Eckhel 
describes  to  be  a dove,  and  Lcnormant  pro- 
nounces a pea-hen,  attribute  of  Juno.  (£2  7s. 
at  the  Thomas  sale,  £2  18s.  at  the  Devonshire; 
£3  4s.  at  the  Campana). — fecvnditati  avgvs- 
TAE.  (Mt.  40  fr.) — FORTVNAE  MVLIEBRI.  (Mt. 


FAUSTINA  ANNIA.  375 

48  fr.) — ivno.  The  goddess  seated,  and  twro 
children.  (£2  3s.  Thomas). — matri  castro- 

rvm.  (Mt.  200  fr.) laetitiae  pvblicak. 

(£1  18s.  Thomas). — matri  magnae.  Cybele. 
(Thomas,  £3  3s.;  Devonshire,  £1  15s.) — ve- 
NERI  GENETRICI.  (£3  8s.  Thomas) ,-VENEM  AV- 
gvstae.  Venus  seated.  (Mt.  100  fr.) — veneri 
felici.  A dove.  (£2  4s.  Thomas). — venvs 
standing,  diademed,  clothed,  holding  the  sceptre 
and  apple.  Quinarius.  (£1  19s.  Thomas). 

Silver. — conseciiatio.  Funeral  pile,  sur- 
mounted by  a biga. — Same  legend.  Funeral  pile, 
with  matri  castrorvm  ou  the  side  of  the  head. 


iynoni  reginae.  The  empress  seated  as 
Juno,  with  peacock  at  her  feet. — Obv. — favs- 
tina  avgvsta.  Bust  of  the  empress. 

Brass  Medallions. af.ternitas  aygvs- 

tas.  Woman  holding  a torch,  seated  on  a stag. 
(Engraved  in  Icon.  Romaine,  Lenormant. — 
TELLVS  STABILIS. — VENVS  FELIX.  (Mt.  150 
fr.  each). — Without  legend.  Fortune  seated. — 
(Mt.  100  fr.) — Without  do.  Six  female  figures. 
(Mt.  150  fr.) — Without  do.  IsisPharia.  (Mt. 
100  fr.) — Cybele  and  Atys.  (Mt.  200  fr.  En- 
graved in  p.  300  of  this  dictionary). 

Large  Brass. — aeternitas.  Woman  seated, 
carried  by  two  others. — consecratio.  Funeral 
pile. — Without  legend.  Peacock  carrying  Faus- 
tina to  the  skies. — Without  do.  Throne  of  Juno, 
sceptre  and  peacock.  (Mt.  18  fr.) — matri  cas- 
trorvm. Female  sacrificing  before  3 standards. 
— piet as.  Faustina  as  Piety,  a young  girl  at 

her  feet.  (Lenormant). saecvli  felicitas. 

Two  children  on  a seat  with  a back. — siiieri- 
b vs  recepta.  Diana  in  a biga.  s.  p.  q.  r. 
Car  drawn  by  two  mules. — venvs.  Female 

figure  draped  to  the  feet,  with  apple  and  sceptre. 
(£1  18s.  at  the  Pembroke  sale). 

Middle  Brass. — vf.neri  victrici.  Mars 
and  Venus  standing. 


FAUSTINA  (Annul),  daughter  of  Claudius 
Severus  and  of  tibia  Aurelia  Sabina  (daughter 
of  Marcus  Aurelius  and  of  the  younger  Faus- 
tina), w as  third  wife  of  Elagabalus,  who,  as  a 
preliminary  to  his  marriage  with  her,  caused  her 
husband  to  be  put  to  death,  and  then  the  wretch 


376  FAUSTUS— FELIX. 

forbade  her  to  weep  for  him.  These  new  nup- 
tials took  place  in  the  year  of  Rome  974  (a.  u. 
221).  Like  the  preceding  ones,  this  worse  than 
mockery  of  a matrimonial  union  was  dissolved 
at  the  expiration  of  a very  short  space  of  time. 
She  was  repudiated  to  give  place  to  others. 

“ Annia  Faustina  (remarks  51.  Lenormant), 
did  not  follow  the  custom,  adopted  by  all  the 
women  who  had  the  title  of  Augusta’  at  that 
period,  of  adding  the  name  of  Julia  to  their 
own.  Her  birth  was  so  illustrious,  that  she  had 
no  need  to  borrow  a foreign  eclat.  The  name 
of  Annia  Faustina  is  known  only  from  coins. — 
Dion  Cassius  speaks  only  of  a wife  [of  Elaga- 
balus]  who  descended  from  Marcus  Aurelius. — 
In  fact  the  names  of  Annia  and  of  Faustina 
belong  to  the  family  of  that  emperor.” 

Her  coins,  in  silver  and  first  brass,  are  few 
in  number,  and  all  of  the  highest  rarity ; on 
these  she  is  styled  ANNIA  FAVSTINA  AVG. 
or  A\  G\  STA.  The  reverses  are  as  follow  : — 

Silver. 1.  coxcordia.  Elagabalus  and 

Annia  Faustina  standing,  give  each  the  right 
hand  to  the  other.  In  the  field  is  a star. 

2.  pietas  avg.  A woman  stands  before  an 
altar.  (Mionuet  values  these  two  coins  at  1000 
francs  each.) 

Large  Brass. — Concordia.  Same  subject 
as  No.  1. — The  obverse  bears  the  legend  annia 
favstina  avgvsta,  and  the  bust  of  the  empress 
for  its  type.  (Priced  by  Mionnet  at  600  fr.) — 
From  a finely  preserved  specimen  of  this,  one  of 
the  rarest  of  Roman  coins,  the  foregoing  cut  has 
been  executed.  For  a fine  engraving  of  the 
same  reverse,  as  well  as  of  the  obverse,  see  Miou- 
net,  Rarete  des  Med.  Rom.  i.  p,  354. 

FAUSTl.  LI  S. — For  a type  of  the  royal  shep- 
herd of  the  Roman  legend,  the  bringer-up  of 
Quirinus,  with  the  wolf-suckled  twins,  under  the 
Ruminal  fig  tree,  see  fostulus,  Pompeia  gens. 


FAUSTUS — FELIX. — The  above  wood-cut, 
carefully  engraved  from  a finely  preserved  speci- 
men of  that  elegant  denarius,  is  the  one  re- 
ferred to  in  p.  287,  under  the  head  of  Cornelia 
gens,  No.  20. 

On  the  obverse  we  see  the  bust  of  Diana, 
distinguished  by  a crescent  surmouuting  the 
mitella  of  her  elaborately  arranged  head-dress. 
Behind  is  the  lituus.  The  legend  favstvs 
(literally  meaning  fortunate,  auspicious),  is  a 
surname  of  L.  Cornelius  Sulla,  son  of  the 
celebrated  Dictator,  also  called  Faustus  Sulla. 
On  the  reverse  of  the  same  coin,  with  felix 
for  legend,  the  type  groups  together  a man 
clothed  iu  the  toga,  on  an  elevated  seat,  and  two 
kneeling  male  figures  below  him.  One  of  these 
offers  up  to  the  seated  figure  a branch  with  three 
stems  , the  other  has  his  arms  tied  behind  him. 


FECIALES.— FECUNDITAS. 

Sulla,  the  Dictator,  was  surnamed  Felix,  the 
happy  or  the  lucky,  from  having  been  successful 
in  all  his  enterprises.  Jugurtha,  king  of  the 
Numidians,  in  a long  war  which  he  sustained 
against  the  Romans,  was  in  a.  d.  c.  648  (b.  c. 
106)  defeated  by  Marius,  aud  compelled  to  take 
refuge  in  the  territories  of  king  Bocchus,  of 
Mauretania.  Sulla,  though  then  only  second  in 
command,  had  influence  enough  with  this  sordid 
and  treacherous  man,  to  procure  from  him  the 
surrender  of  Jugurtha  into  his  own  hands.  This 
historical  incident  forms  the  subject  of  the 
above  described  and  illustrated  coin. — The  lituus 
symbolizes  the  Augurate  of  Sulla. — See  Cor- 
nelia gens,  p.  287. 

F.  B.  Felicitas  Renta ; an  abbreviation  which 
appears  on  coins  of  the  Constantinian  age. 

F.  C.  These  letters  appear  not  only  on  coins 
of  the  triumvirs  M.  Antony  and  Octavius,  but 
also  on  denarii  of  the  Ciecilia,  Eppia,  Mcminia, 
Sempronia,  and  Vibia  families. — For  the  mean- 
ing of  the  abbreviation  see  eppia  gens,  p.  360. 

FE.  Felix. — FE.  AUG.  Felix  Augustus. 

FEC.  Fecit. — COS.  LUDOS.  SAECUW*. 
FEC.  on  coins  of  Caracalla. 

FECIALES. — These  were  sacred  heralds,  who 
proclaimed  truces,  treaties  of  peace,  and  declara- 
tions of  war.  Numa,  or,  according  to  others, 
Ancus  Martins,  instituted  a college  of  them  to 
the  number  of  twelve.  The  chief  of  this  order 
of  priesthood  was  called  Pater  Patratus,  ac- 
complished father.  Their  functions  were  ori- 
ginally intended  to  cause  treaties  to  be  observed, 
and  to  prevent  the  Romans  from  undertaking 
an  unjust  war.  It  seems  probable  that  the  Ro- 
mans took  from  the  ancient  people  of  Latium 
the  idea  of  establishing  the  college  of  the 
Feciales.  On  a silver  coin  of  the  Veturia  gens 
we  sec  a Fecial  priest,  on  his  knees,  holding  a 
sow,  which  a Roman  on  one  side,  aud  on  the 
other  side  a man  who  by  his  dress  appears  to 
be  of  a different  nation,  both  touch  with  their 
wands.  It  was  thus  that  alliances  were  made  by 
the  Roman  people  with  other  states.  And  when 
the  two  deputies  touched  the  sow,  the  Fecialis 
invoked  Jupiter  to  deal  as  severely  with  those 
who  might  violate  the  treaty,  as  he,  the  priest 
himself,  was  about  to  do  towards  that  animal  : 
he  then  knocked  it  on  the  head  with  a flint 
stone.  On  a denarius  of  the  Antcstia  gens  a 
similar  sacrifice  of  a pig  is  seen,  to  record  the 
ratification  of  a treaty. — See  foed.  p.  r.  cvm. 
gabinis. 

FECUNDITAS. — Nero  erected  a temple  to 
Fecuiidi/g,  on  the  occasion  of  a daughter  being 
borne  to  him  by  Poppica  (Tacit,  xv.  23).  And 
the  adoration  of  this  divinity,  once  established 
at  Rome,  became  a frequent  subject  of  allu- 
sion and  typifiention  on  the  coins  of  succeeding 
empresses. 

It  has  been  thought  that,  under  this  name, 
worship  was  paid  to  Juno.  The  priest  of  Fecun- 
dity was  called  Lnpercus ; and  to  him  oue  of 
the  artful  and  indecent  superstitions  of  pagan- 
ism ascribed  the  power  of  rendering  women  fer- 
tile, by  strapping  them,  while  iu  a state  of 
nudity,  with  thongs  made  of  oat-skin  I — On 


FECVNDITAS  AVG. 


FECVNDl'l'AS  AVG.  377 


coins  of  the  Augusta,  Fecundity  appears  as  a 
matron,  clothed  in  the  stola,  sometimes  stand- 
ing with  the  hasta  pura  in  her  right  hand,  and 
supporting  an  infant  in  her  left ; sometimes  with 
a cornucopia;  in  her  left  hand,  and  before  her  a 
child,  to  which  she  extends  her  right  hand. — 
On  others  she  is  seated,  with  children  in  her 
lap,  or  standing  at  each  side  of  her ; sometimes 
with  one  on  each  arm. 

FECVND1TAS.  S.  C. — A woman  seated, 
with  three  infants.  On  first  brass  of  Lucilla. 
There  are  gold,  silver,  and  second  brass  of  this 
empress,  with  similar  legend  and  type. 


From  this  reverse  (observes  Ecldiel,  vii.  99) 
Mcdiobarbus  has  attempted  to  prove,  that  coins 
bearing  the  legend  I.VCII.LA  avgvsta  are  to  be 
referred,  not  to  the  Lucilla,  who  married  Lucius 
Vcrus,  but,  to  one  who,  as  that  numismatist 
himself  admits,  had  no  claim  to  the  epithet 
fecunda.  That  Lucilla,  the  daughter  of  M. 
Aurelius  aud  of  Faustina  junior,  bore  children  to 
Verus  is  a reasonable  conclusion  ; but  there  is 
nothing  reasonable  in  supposing  that  coius  cele- 
brate likewise  her  fecundity  by  Claudius  Pom- 
pcianus,  to  whom  she  was  afterwards  married, 
since  it  is  known  that  though  having  for  her 
second  husbaud  a private  citizen,  she  was  treated 
w ith  all  the  honours  due  to  au  Augusta. — See  ! 
biographical  notice  of  lucilla. 

FECVNDITAS. — A woman  seated  ou  the 
grouud  with  a cluster  of  grapes  in  her  left 
hand,  and  resting  her  elbow  on  a basket  or  vase, 
is  touching  with  her  right  hand  a globe  adorned 
with  stars,  over  which  four  small  figures  arc 
walking.  Gold  of  Ju/iu  Domna. 

On  coins  of  Hadriau,  and  also  of  Coinmodus 
of  the  year  u.  c.  940  (a.  d.  1S7),  in  connection 
with  a very  similar  type,  we  read  the  legend 
tellvs  stabil.  Consequently,  by  this  applica- 
tion of  the  two  different  inscriptions  to  one  of 
the  same  type,  is  indicated  that  “ the  earth  was 
strengthened  (tell us  stabilita)  by  the  fecundity 
of  women  consequent  on  marriages.” — D.  N.  Vet. 
vii.  19G. 

“ The  flatterers  of  Domna  pretended  that  all 
things  were  owing  to  her.  The  star-besprinkled 
globe  represents  the  Homan  world,  which  with 
her  husbaud  Severus  she  governed ; and  to  the 
empire  of  which  she  destines  her  two  sons, 
Caracalla  and  Gcta,  who,  together  with  as  many 
daughters,  are  the  proofs  of  her  fecundity.” — 
Rasche,  T.  ii.  pi.  1 . p.  932. 

FECVNDITAS  AVG. — A woman  standing, 
extends  her  right  hand  over  a small  figure  stand- 

3 C 


iug  beside  her;  in  her  left  hand  a cornucopia;. 
Third  brass  of  Gallienus.  (Banduri). 

Fecundity  used  to  be  ascribed  on  coius  to 
females  only.  It  is  surprising  to  find  her  on  the 
coin  of  an  emperor — even  of  so  eccentric  an 
one  as  Gallienus.  In  the  Imperial  Cabinet  at 
Vienna  there  are  two  denarii  of  Alexander  Seve- 
rus, with  the  legend  fecvnd.  avgvstae,  but 
there  can  be  no  doubt,  that  this  reverse  was 
erroneously  transferred  from  the  coinage  of 
Mamsea  to  that  of  her  son.  And  from  this  cir- 
cumstance it  becomes  probable  that  the  reverse 
uow  before  us  ought  to  be  restored  to  the  coin- 
age of  Salonina,  the  wife  of  Gallieuus. — 
(Eckhel,  vii.  407.) 

FECVNDITAS  AVG. — A woman  standing, 
with  rudder  in  her  right  hand,  aud  cornucopia; 
in  her  left.  Gold  of  Sulpicius  Uranius  Anto- 
ninus. 

‘‘The  reverse  of  this  coin  (observes  Eckhel, 
vii.  289)  might  lead  to  a suspicion  of  its  genuine- 
ness, since  (as  above  remarked)  fecvnditas  is 
a legend,  writh  one  exception,  not  found  on  the 
coius  of  emperors,  and  the  type  represents  For- 
tuna,  and  not  Fecunditas.  But,  as  Billiard, 
whose  copious  observations  on  this  coin  it  will 
be  an  advantage  to  consult,  vouches  for  its  un- 
doubted antiquity,  and  I,  not  having  seen  the 
coin,  being  therefore  unable  to  offer  any  argu- 
ments on  the  other  side,  am  wTell  eoutent  to 
acquiesce  in  the  judgment  of  so  eminent  a 
writer.”  [This  unique  coin  is  valued  by  Miou- 
net  at  1500  fraucs.] 


FEC\  SDitas  A \ G\  STAE.  (Fecundity  of  the 
Empress.) — This  legend  on  silver,  aud  on  first 
and  second  brass  of  Faustina  the  younger,  with 
the  type,  iu  which  a woman  is  represented,  as 
in  the  above  engraving,  with  four  children,  is 
the  first  indisputably  genuine  coin,  which  boasts 
of  female  fertility. 

“ Faustina  (observes  Eckhel,  vii.  78)  proved 
her  fecundity  beyond  question  by  the  number  of 
her  children ; would  that  her  fidelity  to  her 
husbaud  rested  on  as  clear  evidence  1”  On  the 
above  coin  she  is  accompanied  by  four  children, 
but  on  coins  inscribed  tesipou.  felic.  their  num- 
ber is  increased  to  six.  That  she  had  more  than 
six  cliildren,  may  be  gathered  from  what  has  been 
already  stated  in  her  biography.  On  coins 
beariug  the  legeud  iv.noni  lvcinae  there  are 
three  infants. 

FECVNDITAS  TEMPORVM. A woman, 

seated  on  the  ground,  holds  out  a branch 
towards  two  little  boys  standing  near  her ; iu 


378  F'EELTX. 

her  left  hand  is  a cornucopia:.  Silver  of 
Otaeilia. — Engraved  in  Pelleriu,  Melange,  i. 
p.  193. 

FEELIX  (thus,  with  double  E)  appears  on  a 
coin  of  the  Cornelia  family,  struck  in  honour  of 
Sulla  the  dictator,  by  order  of  the  Senate,  who 
also  caused  an  equestrian  statue  to  be  raised  to 
him  with  the  same  attributes  inscribed  thereon, 
(see  p.  207).  This  epithet,  which  flattery 
bestowed  on  that  “ bold  bad”  man,  was  after- 
wards adopted  as  his  surname,  and  the  fortuitous 
and  unforeseen  prosperity  to  which  it  referred 
became  his  boast,  [see  SULLA.] — Cicero  (pro 
lege  Manilla)  has  bestowed  extraordinary  com- 
pliments on  the  good  fortune  ( felicitatem ) which 
so  invariably  atteuded  Pompey  the  Great. — 
Commodus  was  the  first  emperor  who  used  the 
word,  in  consequence  of  his  safely  escaping  the 
resentment  of  the  soldiers,  who  were  demanding 
the  death  of  Pereunis,  prefect  of  the  pretorians, 
as  is  shewn  on  his  coins  minted  a.  d.  185 
(see  p.  239).  Ilis  example  met  with  the  approval 
and  imitation  of  his  successors,  but  with  this 
modification,  that  they  almost  always  joined  the 
title  Felix  with  that  of  Pius,  placing  Pius  first 
and  Felix  last. — The  first,  after  Commodus, 
who  used  both  titles,  though  rarely,  was  Cara- 
calla  ; afterwards  Elagabalus,  frequently  ; and 
then  most  of  the  emperors  down  to  the  period 
of  the  lower  empire  And,  iudeed,  so  great  was 
the  importance  attached  to  the  two  epithets  used 
conjointly,  that  they  were  considered  as  much 
the  distinctive  badge  of  an  emperor  as  the  title 
of  Augustus  itself,  and  were  constantly  assumed 
by  them  on  their  accession  to  empire,  or  were 
decreed  to  them  by  the  Senate;  as  in  the  case  of 
Macrinus  and  Elagabalus,  a fact  proved  by  their  | 
respective  coins. — From  none  of  the  writers  of 
Augustal  history  docs  it  appear  that  any  indi- 
vidual holding  the  rank  only  of  Csesar  was  ever 
permitted  to  use  them,  with  the  exception  of 
Cariuus,  some  of  whose  coins  appear  with  the 
inscription — m.  avr.  carinvs  p.  f.  nob.  caes. 
But  Carinus  exhibited,  in  conjunction  with  the 
simple  title  of  Cresar,  the  prenoincu  of  Imperator, 
as  is  shewn  on  his  coins. 

The  epithets  Pia  Felix  were  also  shared  by 
the  empresses.  Julia  Domna  is  the  first,  who  | 
was  so  honoured  on  coins,  thus,  ivlia  pia. 
felix  avo.  It  is  stated  by  Billiard  (ad  Jobert, 
i.  p.  282)  that  Sevcrina,  the  wife  of  Aurelian, 
also  enjoyed  the  same  distinction,  but  he  omits 
to  mention  where  the  coin  is  to  be  seen.  It  j 
becomes  common,  however,  on  the  coius  of 
empresses,  from  the  time  of  Honorius.  Jobert 
(i.  p.  251)  is  therefore  incorrect,  in  stating  that 
Domna  alone  used  these  words,  and  is  properly 
corrected  by  Biinard. — Bauduri  (ii.  p.  563  and 
566)  fell  into  the  opposite  error,  and  states  that 
Eudoxia,  the  wife  of  Theodosius  II.  was  the  first 
who  adopted  the  titles  Pia  Felix,  thus  passing 
over  Domna. — See  Eckhel,  viii.  454. 

Many  cities  likewise  received  the  epithet  Felix, 
and  particularly  colonics. — Sec  Berytus,  p.  126; 
Cremna,  p.  295  ; Heliopolis ; Laodieiea  (Colonise 
Komnuic),  p.  232,  &c. 

In  allusion  to  the  coin  of  Sulla  (Cornelia 


FEL.  TEMP.  REPAKATIO. 

gens),  inscribed  feelix,  Eckhel  says — “ Haver- 
camp  considers  feelix  to  have  been  put  for 
FELIX  by  an  error  of  the  moncyer,  whereas  it  is 
most  certainly  an  archaism.  For  if  it  be  a mis- 
take of  the  moncycr’s,  so  also  must  be  the  sub- 
stitution of  vaala  for  vala  on  coins  of  the 
Numonia  gens.”— v.  194. 

F’EL.  Felix,  Felicia,  Felicitas,  &c. 

FEL.  ADVENT.  AVGG.  NN.— See  ff.i.ix 

ADVENTVS. 

FEL.  AVG.  Felicitas  Jugusti. 

F’EL.  KART. — See  felix  kart. 

I'EL.  P.  R.  Felicitas  Populi  Romani. 

FEL.  PROCESS. — See  felix  processvs. 

FEL.  TEMP.  REPARATIO.— This  reverse 
legend  is  found  constantly  recurring  on  silver, 
and  on  second  and  third  brass  coins  from  the 
time  of  Constans  and  Constantins  jun.  to  that 
of  Gratian  (a.  d.  337  to  a.  d.  375) ; they  are 
common. — The  following  is  a description  of  the 
various  types : — 

1.  The  phaeuix  standing  on  a pyramid  of 
steps,  with  a wreath  in  its  beak,  or  attaching  a 
branch  of  laurel  to  the  prow  of  a ship. 

2.  A galley,  on  which  the  emperor  paludatcd 
stands  with  a phoenix  in  his  right  hand. 


3.  On  another  specimen  the  emperor,  in 
military  habiliments,  stands  on  the  prow  of  a 
galley,  holding  in  his  right  hand  a globe,  but- 
mouutcd  by  a Victoriola,  aud  resting  his  left 
hand  on  a labarum,  bearing  the  monogram  of 
Christ,  whilst  Victory  is  sitting  at  the  helm. 

4.  A soldier  dragging  a barbarian,  by  the 
hair  of  his  head,  from  a hut,  or  wooded  retreat. 

5.  A soldier,  dispatching  a prostrate  horseman 
with  a spear. — (Engraved  iu  Constantius  Gallus. 
p.  265.) 

6.  The  emperor  stauding,  with  a banner  in 
his  right  hand,  and  two  prisoners  sitting  on  the 
ground  beside  him. 

7.  The  emperor,  on  horseback,  charging  with 
levelled  lance,  a prostrate  and  suppliant  enemy. 

That  these  coins  (says  Eckhel,  viii.  p.  1 1 1) 
saw  the  light  after  the  death  of  Constantine  the 
Great,  and  Coustantinc  jun.,  father  and  son,  is 
rendered  certain  by  the  fact,  that  no  authen- 
ticated coin  of  this  kind  has  bccu  seen,  which 
exhibits  the  portrait  of  either.  They  require  no 
explanation,  as  they  present  well  known,  or  at 
least  intelligible,  symbols  of  a felix  temporum 
reparalio  ; especially  in  the  phoenix,  a figure 
exhibited  on  the  reverse  of  a coin  of  Divus 
Trajauus,  nnd  also  on  one  of  Hadrian  with  the 
1 legend  saec.  avr.  ; aud  on  no  occasion  with  a 
happier  application  of  the  type,  than  when 
the  intention  was  to  iudicatc  a restoration  of  the 
times,  in  accordance  with  the  acconnts,  which 


FELICIA  DECENNALIA. 
ancient  writers  have  given  of  this  marvellous 
bird. — See  Tacitus,  Pliuy,  and  others,  as  also  a 
long-winded  poem  about  the  phoenix,  attributed 

to  Lactantius. 

FELICIA  DECENNALIA. Two  young 

genii,  or  winged  loves,  supporting  each  with 
both  hands  a crown,  within  which  we  read 
votis  x mvltis  xx  (that  is  to  say  Votis  Decen- 
nalibus  Multis  Vicewnalibus. — On  the  obverse, 
KL.  IVL.  CONSTANS  PIVS  FELIX  AVG.  Bust  of 
Constans,  with  diademed  head. — In  the  exergue 
tes.  (Thessalonica). 

This  splendid  medallion  of  Constans  I.  was 
found  with  a number  of  other  gold  coins,  at 
Thessalonica,  in  1526. — “You  see  (says Tristan, 
iii.  616)  that  it  was  struck  in  that  city,  where 
the  decennial  vows  of  Constans  were  celebrated, 
as  the  quiuqncnuial  had  been  in  the  same  capital 
of  Macedonia.  And  by  the  present  legend  of 
“ Happy  Decennalia,”  the  wish  was  expressed, 
that  Constans  might  live  to  see  them  celebrated 
as  he  witnessed  those  of  the  quiuquenualia.  * * * 
— W ith  less  regard  to  truth  in  eulogizing  an 
emperor  than  gcncral'y  characterises  the  his- 
torical commentaries  of  the  old  French  anti- 
quary, he  adds — “ The  little  angels  carrying 
loftily  and  stoutly,  with  both  hands,  the  laurel 
crown,  as  the  posture  in  which  they  are  placed 
so  well  shews,  serve  to  intimate,  that  this 
virtuous  prince,  continuing  always  to  reign 
piously,  would,  by  the  grace  of  heaven,  be 
enabled  many  times  more,  to  solemnize  in  a 
holy  manner  the  Vicennalia  reiterated,  after 
having  happily  passed  the  first  ten  years  of  his 
reign  in  an  uninterrupted  career  of  victories.” — 
See  t.  iii.  p.  615-16. 

See  the  type  of  the  above-described  reverse, 
engraved  in  p.  312,  under  the  head  of  decen- 

NALIA. 

FELICIA  TEMPORA. Four  little  boys, 

with  attributes  allusive  to  the  four  seasons  of 
the  year.  Silver  of  Caracalla. — See  tempo  rum 
FEUCITAS. 


FELICITAS — a symbolical  divinity  of  the 
Romans,  to  whom,  according  to  Pliny,  Licinius 
Lucullus,  about  the  year  of  Rome  680  (b.c.  74), 
on  his  return  from  the  war  against  Mithridates, 
wished  to  raise  a statue,  of  which  Archesilas 
was  to  have  been  the  sculptor ; but  both  the 
artist  and  his  employer  died  before  the  work 
was  completed.  A temple  erected  to  this  dei- 
fied protectress,  in  one  of  the  public  places  of 
Rome,  fell  a prey  to  the  flames  during  the  reign 
3 C 2 


FELICITAS.  379 

of  the  emperor  Claudius.  Felicity  is  repre- 
sented on  coins  of  the  imperial  series  (particu- 
larly those  of  Hadrian,  Antoniue,  and  Philip), 
under  the  figure  of  a woman,  clothed  in  the 
stola,  and  exhibiting  different  figures  and  pos- 
tures ; sometimes  standing,  sometimes  seated, 
generally  she  holds  the  caduceus  in  one  hand, 
and  the  cornucopia;  in  the  other — the  former  as 
the  sign  of  peace,  the  latter  as  signifying  that  true 
felicity  consists  in  possessing  the  most  precious 
gifts  of  providence ; for  what  is  greater  happi- 
ness in  this  world  than  to  enjoy  peace  and  to 
possess  plenty.  At  other  times  Felicitas  stands 
holding  the  caduceus  on  a staff  in  her  right 
hand,  and  a patera  in  her  left,  at  a lighted 
altar,  as  in  Maesa.  Again  we  see  her  with  a 
rudder,  a globe,  or  a ship’s  prow  in  her  hand, 
in  allusion  to  the  naval  victories  gained  by  those 
priuces  whose  coins  display  this  allegorical  type ; 
and  also  in  reference  to  the  abundance  which 
navigation  procures  to  the  state.  With  respect 
to  the  caduceus,  Millin,  in  his  Dictionaire  des 
Beaux  Arts , observes  that  in  the  hymn  to  Mer- 
cury, ascribed  to  Homer,  Apollo  designates  that 
instrument  as  the  rod  or  staff  of  Felicity  aud  of 
Riches.  On  a medallion  of  Commodus  fej.i- 
citas  temporvm  (the  happiness  of  the  times 
or  of  the  age),  is  figured  under  the  form  of  a 
woman  sitting  under  a tree  surrounded  by  chil- 
dren, who  personify  the  four  seasons. — For  other 
typifications  of  this  deity  on  Roman  coins,  see 

SAECVI.I — or  TEMPORVM  FF.LICITAS. 

Felicity’s  image  occurs  on  almost  all  the  im- 
perial coins ; because  the  Senate  professed  to 
wish  that  all  princes  should  consider  it  their 
duty  to  promote  public  happiness,  aud  also  be- 
cause those  princes  themselves  were  peculiarly 
desirous  of  having  it  regarded  as  a blessing  at- 
tached to  their  own  reign.  This  however  was 
ascribed  to  various  causes,  and  shadowed  forth 
under  various  tokens. 

Jobert,  in  his  sixth  instruction,  observes,  that 
when  (as  is  most  frequently  the  case  on  impe- 
rial coius)  to  the  names  of  Felicitas,  Securitas, 
Spes,  Provideutia,  Aequitas,  and  other  virtues, 
the  word  avg.  is  added,  there  is  no  doubt  but 
that  the  virtue  or  good  quality  in  question,  is 
applied  to  the  prince  himself,  as  residing  and 
shiuins:  in  him,  and  should  then  be  read  FELI- 
CITAS  AVGVSTI  or  FELICITATI  AVGVSTI,*&C. — 

But  on  the  other  hand,  when  it  is  read  avgvsta, 
it  is  the  opinion  of  most  numismatic  antiquaries, 
although  not  as  yet  reduced  to  a certainty,  that 
by  this  form  of  expression,  the  virtue  or  divinity 
itself  (as  Augusta,  that  is  to  say,  sacred),  rather 
than  the  emperor,  was  the  intended  object  of 
inscription  and  honour.  According  to  this  opi- 
nion, therefore,  feucitas  avgvsta  would  not 
be  an  eulogy  of  the  prince,  for  rendering  the 
state  happy,  but  simply  the  proper  epithet  at- 
tached to  the  name  of  the  goddess.  Havercainp 
also,  adverting  to  this  point,  remarks  that,  when 
the  figure  of  a woman  occurs  on  a coin,  holding 
a rudder  resting  on  a globe,  whether  she  be  called 
Fortune  or  Felicity,  it  would  seem  to  represent 
the  golden  fortune  ( aurea  fortuna)  of  the  im- 
perial house,  which  the  emperors  worshipped 


380  FELICITAS. 

in  their  bed-chamber,  and  which,  when  at  the 
point  of  death,  they  transmitted  to  their  suc- 
cessors. 

FELICITAS  AVG.  S.  C. — A woman  draped 
in  the  stola,  stands  holding  a branch  in  her 
right,  and  the  long  caduceus  in  her  left  hand. 
First  brass  of  Hadrian,  engraved  in  preceding 
page,  from  a fine  and  well-preserved  specimen  of 
the  type. 

FELICITAS  DEORVM.— This  remarkable 
legend  appears  only  on  a silver  coin  of  Mari- 
niaua,  wife  of  Valcrianus  senior.  Its  accom- 
panying type  is  a woman  standing,  who  holds 
in  her  right  hand  a caduceus,  and  in  her  left  a 
cornucopia;,  in  token  of  universal  peace,  and 
the  abundance  of  all  things,  at  an  epocha  when 
the  empire  was  one  world-wide  scene  of  war, 
pcstileuce,  and  famine ! Eckhcl’s  observation 
respecting  the  coin  is — “Numus  ctiam  propter 
cpigraphem  adhuc  inusitatam  siugularis.”  vii. 
388. 


FELICITAS  AVG usta.  S.  C. — August  Feli- 
city. Hadrian,  bare  headed,  stands  clothed  in 
the  toga,  holding  a globe  in  the  left  hand,  and 
joining  his  right  hand  with  that  of  the  goddess, 
who  holds  a short  caduceus  in  her  left  hand. — 
The  wood-cut  has  been  executed  after  ouc  of 
the  finest  and  best  preserved  specimens  in  first 
brass  of  Hadrian’s  mint.  As  another  variety  of 
the  Felicitas  type,  some  fruitless  pains  have 
also  been  taken  to  ascertain  the  particular 
time  and  occasion  when  it  was  struck ; for  it 
evidently  typifies  the  emperor’s  arrival  in  a city, 
or  a province,  to  which  Felicity  welcomes  him. 

FELICITAS  PERPETVA. The  emperor, 

with  his  face  turned  towards  you,  and  in  the 
consular  dress,  is  seated  on  a lofty  frame-work, 
(pegma — see  the  word),  with  head  surrouuded 
by  a nimbus,  and  the  right  hand  elevated.  On 
the  footstool  is  inscribed  vot.  v.  whilst  on  a 
lower  platform  is  seated  a youthful  figure,  iu  the 
same  dress,  with  a book  in  the  right  hand.  Be- 
low' arc  the  letters  sis.  Gold.  (Formerly  in  the 
French  Cabinet).  Silver  medallion.  (Banduri). 
— On  another  specimen  ; Victory  walking,  with 
laurel  branch  in  her  right  hand,  and  trophy  in 
her  left.  Below,  aq.  Silver  of  Constans  I.  in 
the  Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna. 

“ The  subject  of  the  former  of  these  types  is 
very  difficult  to  explain,  by  reason  of  the  ob- 
scurity which  envelopes  the  history  of  that 
period.  Consult  the  far  from  probable  conjee 


FELICITAS. 

turcs  of  Banduri  and  Khell  on  the  type  of  the 
latter  coin.” — This  is  all  that  Eckhel  says  re- 
specting these  two  reverses. — See  vii.  86. 

FELICITAS  ROMANORVM.— Anarch  sup- 

ported  by  two  spiral  columns ; within  arc  two 
paludated  figures,  holding  spears.  In  the  exergue 
91  km.  Engraved  in  Cim.  Vind.  (Cabinet  of 
Vienna),  p,  xlv.  Silver  of  Constans. 

FELICITAS  S A E C V L I.— FELICITAS 
TEMPORV.M. — The  felicity  of  their  age,  or  of 
their  times,  was  a characteristic,  which  a great 
many  emperors,  solicitous  to  have  at  least  the 
repute  of  it  hauded  down  iu  association  with 
their  names  and  reigns,  have  caused  to  be  in- 
scribed on  some  of  their  finest  coins.  Amongst 
various  other  instances  arc  the  legend  aeterna 
felicitas  avg.  on  a coin  of  Maxcntius,  and  that 
of  ANN.  avg.  saecvli  felicissimi,  on  a coin  of 
Caracalla.  In  like  manner  we  find  felicitas 
a vgg.  N'N.  ( Auguslorum  Nostrontm)  as  in  Maxi- 
mum and  Constans. — felicitas  imperii  or 
iMPEUATOBVM  as  in  Philip. — felicitas  pf.r- 
petva  as  in  Constans  (cited  in  the  preceding 
notice),  also  in  Magnentius,  &c. — felicitas 
pvbi.ica  is  to  be  found  on  coins  of  numerous 
other  princes,  from  Vespasian  and  Titus  down- 
wards to  Valcrianus  senior,  &c. — fei.icitati 
avgvstae,  as  on  the  gold  and  large  brass  of 
Hadrian. — All  these  different  epigraphs  are  illus- 
trated respectively  on  each  reverse  by  various 
symbols,  viz.  by  a galley,  to  denote  the  course 
of  prosperous  navigation,  or  a good  voyage ; 
by  four  boys,  signifying  the  happy  abundance  of 
the  four  seasons  of  the  year  (see  vercs  annius); 
by  the  olive  branch  and  the  caduceus,  as  sym- 
bolizing the  messengers  of  peace  and  amity  ; 
lastly,  and  not  unfrcquently,  by  figures  of  Vic- 
tories, as  attesting  the  fact  of  a war  brought  to 
a successful  conclusion. 

FELICITAS  SAECVLI. — Full-faced  bust  of 
Domua,  between  profile  heads  of  Caracalla  and 
Geta.  Gold  of  S.  Sevcrus.  (See  Eckhel,  vii. 
179.  Engraved  in  Akcrinan,  I.  pi.  vii.  No.  6). 
A middle  brass  of  the  same  emperor,  exhibiting 
the  same  legend,  has  for  its  type  three  togated 
figures  seated,  and  a fourth  standing  on  an 
cstradc. — Engraved  in  Havcrcump,  Cabinet  de 
Christine. 

FELICITAS  TEMPORVM. — The  emperor, 
in  the  toga,  seated  in  a curule  chair,  and  hold- 
ing a globe,  Victory  from  behind  placing  a laurel 
crown  on  his  head.  On  the  opposite  side  arc 
two  female  figures  draped,  and  standing ; ouc  of 
them  holds  the  hasta  pura. 

Obv. — imp.  sev.  alexand.  avg.  ivlia  ma- 

MAEA  AVG.  MATER  AVG.  Busts  face  to  face  of 
Severus  Alexander  mid  of  his  mother  Manuea. 
Gold  medallion.  Engraved  in  Mionnet,  i.  359. 
[A  beautiful  work  of  art,  but  in  which  Alexander 
looks  more  like  an  empress  than  an  emperor.] 

There  is  a second  brass  of  the  same  reign, 
having  the  reverse  type  above  described,  but 
with  the  head  of  Alexander  alone  on  the  ob- 
verse. 

FELICIT.  TEMPORV.M.— A ba-ket  full  of 


FELICITATE  M. 

fruit.  Silver  of  Pescennius  Niger.  Engraved  in 
Kolb,  TraitS  Namismatique. 

FELICITAS  TEMPORVM. The  goddess 

standing  with  caduccus  and  cornucopiie.  On 
large  brass  of  Sabinia  Tranquillina.  Engraved 
in  Mionnet,  i.  402. 

FELICITATEM  ITA1TCAM. A woman 

standing,  with  caducens  and  cornucopia?.  Sil- 
ver of  Caracalla.  (Mus.  d’Enncryj. 

FELICITATEM  PO.  R.  (Populi  Romani.)— 
A woman  standing,  with  caduceus  in  her  right 
hand,  and  a cornucopiie  in  her  left.  First  brass 
of  Gordianus  III.  (Vaillant). 

[On  this  and  the  preceding  coin  will  be  re- 
marked a singular  use  of  the  accusative  case  in 
the  legend.] 


FELICITATI  AVG.  (Fe/icitati  Augusti). — 
To  the  happiness  of  the  Emperor.  In  the 
exergue  COS.  III.  P.  P.  S.  C.  (Consults  tertium, 
Fatris  F atria,  Senates  Consul  to). — First  brass. 

[So  finely  designed,  so  perfectly  preserved, 
and  so  peculiarly  interesting  a specimen  of  one 
of  Hadrian’s  nautical  coins,  having  had  ample 
justice  done  to  it  in  the  above  engraving,  it  only 
remaius  to  furnish  the  type  with  the  accompa- 
niment of  a correspondingly  good  description. 
Nor  can  this  surely  be  better  accomplished  than 
by  borrowing  the  following  equally  classical  and 
scamaulike  passage,  from  the  work  of  a gal- 
lant officer,  the  advantages  of  whose  numismatic 
lessons  on  the  large  brass  coinage  of  imperial 
Rome,  the  compiler  has  been  proud  already  to 
acknowledge,  in  the  course  of  his  present  at- 
tempt] : — 

“ A pretoriau  galley,  full  of  men,  impelled 
along  both  by  oars  and  a large  square  sail,  across 
which  the  inscription  is  written,  in  the  taste 
then  prevalent ; for  we  are  assured,  that,  in  the 
time  of  Trajan,  it  was  not  uncommon  to  have 
the  name  of  the  emperor  embroidered  on  the 
sails,  in  gold  and  silver.  Besides  being  the 
type  of  felicity,  this  medal  is  supposed  to  allude 
to  the  prudent  government  of  Hadrian  ; for  as 
in  a ship — though  the  officers  and  crew  are 
liable  to  the  same  hazard,  the  success  of  the 
voyage  will  chiefly  depend  on  the  skill  and  judg- 
ment of  the  commander — so  in  the  management 
of  the  State,  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  the 
community  depend  upon  the  wisdom  and  pru- 
dence of  the  sovereign  at  the  helm  of  affairs. — 
The  sail  to  this  ship — this  ‘ navis  velis  ventique’ 
— is  stretched  to  a yard  supported  by  lifts  ; it 
is  deep  reached,  with  both  sheets  aft,  in  token 
of  auspicious  winds  ; the  emblem  of  happiness  : 


FELICITATI.  381 

“ F.n  ego  non  paucis  quondam  munitus  amicis, 
Dum  davit  velis  aura  secunda  meis. 

“ And  the  oars  being  put  out,  at  the  same  time, 
illustrate  another  passage  of  Ovid — 

“ Sive  opusest,  miuimam  velis  bene  currit  ad  aurara, 

Sive  opus  est  remo  remige  carpit  iter.” 

[In  the  highly  interesting,  because  doubtless 
accurate,  delineation  of  a Roman  admiral’s  flag 
ship,  thus  associated  with  the  dedicatory  epi- 
graph, which  invokes  a happy  voyage  for  the 
emperor,  we  see  Hadrian  himself  represented  ou 
the  poop,  seated  under  a sort  of  tent,  over  which 
curve  the  wing-like  filaments  of  the  aplustre, 
and  near  which  are  a vexillum  and  a legionary 
eagle.  At-  the  extreme  end  of  the  prow  we  see 
the  figure  of  Neptune,  with  his  trident  in  one 
hand  and  a conch  shell  in  the  other]. 

This  reverse  seems  to  have  had  for  its  object 
to  record  the  vows  made  by  the  Senate  for  the 
success  of  one  of  Hadrian’s  sea-voyages,  but 
which  in  particular  is  not  known. 

On  a brass  medallion  of  the  same  emperor, 
Minerva  fills  the  place  here  occupied  by  Nep- 
tune, whilst  dolphius  disport  themselves  in  the 
waves  around  this  magnificent  sea-boat  as  it 
glides  along.  This  coin  is  in  the  Vatican  cabi- 
net, and  is  described  by  Vaillant,  Num.  hupp. 
Rom.  t.  iii.  p.  118. 

Three  other  first  brass  of  Hadrian,  with 
trireme  types,  are  writh  instructive  technicality, 
described  from  specimens  in  his  own  cabinet  by 
Capt.  Smyth,  R.  N.  as  follows  : — 

2.  FELICITATI  AVG.  S.  C.  COS.  III.  P.P. 
— “ A pretorian  galley,  with  the  gubernator  and 
five  sitters,  but  with  ten  oars,  or  rather  sweeps, 
over  the  sides  : as  these  appear  to  have  no  com- 
munication with  the  persons  in  view,  but  carry 
their  looms  through  the  upper  works,  the  sit- 
ters are  rather  passengers  than  rowers,  and  they 
wear  hats,  as  if  to  protect  them  against  the 
heat  upon  deck.  The  prow  is  armed  with  three 
spikes,  the  rostrisque  tridentibus  of  Virgil.  The 
tutela  is  highly  decorated,  and  the  poop  shews 
the  bend,  mentioned  by  that  author  and  Ovid — 
puppique  recurva,  upon  the  bow  appears  the 
parasemon,  and  over  that  the  labarum,  or  ban- 
ner, on  a staff'  which  steeves  like  a bow-sprit. — 
Both  this,  and  the  streamer  from  the  corymbus, 
by  blowing  forwards,  shew  that  the  vessel  has  a 
fair  wind,  an  ancient  symbol  of  Felicity,  which 
will  be  readily  understood  by  the  moderns. — 
Descript.  Catal.  p.  100,  No.  clvii. 

3.  The  same  legend — ■“  A pretorian  galley, 
rowing  swiftly  over  the  waves.  The  poop  is 
high  and  curved,  like  that  of  a Chinese  sampan, 
and  the  post  occupied  by  the  pilot  recalls  the 
idea  of  his  liability  to  be  washed  overboard, 

Ipse  gubernator  puppi  Palinurus  ah  aha. 

Over  the  aplustre  appear  two  military  stand- 
ards, which  are  considered  as  a testimony  that 
an  important  personage  is  embarked.  A colos- 
sal sea-god — half  man  and  half  fish — is  placed 
on  the  prow ; on  some  medals  this  is  a triton, 
blowing  a conch  shell,  but  here  he  is  in  the  act 
of  darting  a spear.  This  is  equivalent  to  the 


382  FELICITAS  AVG. 

modern  figure-head,  and  represented  the  tutelary 
protector  to  whom,  as  with  the  modern  Medi- 
terranean sailors,  the  ship  was  dedicated.  There 
arc  six  sitters  in  a line  below  the  pilot,  and  the 
rudder  is  projected  through  the  upper  works  of 
the  quarter.”  Ibid,  p.  101,  No.  clvii. 

4.  FEL1C.  AVG.  TR.  P.  III.  COS.  II.  S.  C. 

( Felicitati  Augusts,  Tribunitid  Potestate  ter- 
tium,  Consul  Iterum  — First  brass  of  Lucius 
Vents. 

“ A large  pretorian  galley,  with  the  emperor 
reclining  under  the  aptustre  [or  ornament]  of 
the  stern.  There  arc  six  rowers;  and  on  the 
forecastle  is  a mast  raking  forwards,  with  a sail 
upon  it,  shewing  that  the  vessel  is  going  with 
the  wind  aft. — In  the  work  of  Bayfius,  * De  Re 
Nacali,’  the  sail  is  represented  as  a banner; 
hut  here  it  is  unusually  large,  roached,  bent  to 
one  yard,  and  sheeted  home  to  another,  and 
certainly  assists  in  propelling  the  vessel. — This 
medal  (adds  Capt.  Smyth),  was  struck  a.  d. 
168,  for  the  safe  navigation,  and  happy  deliver- 
ance of  Verus  from  the  perils  of  sea  and  war. 
But,  instead  of  being  at  the  head  of  his  army, 
the  luxurious  prince  took  that  opportunity  of 
visiting  Greece,  in  a vessel  magnificently  adorned, 
and  freighted  with  mimes  and  musicians.  ‘ lie 
made  his  voyages  to  Corinth  and  to  Athens 
(says  the  Roman  historiau),  amidst  songs  and 
symphouies,  and  at  each  of  the  most  celebrated 
cities  of  Asia,  Pamphylia,  and  Cilicia,  he  suf- 
fered himself  to  be  detained  by  his  passions  as  a 
voluptuary.’  ” — Descr.  Cat.  p.  150,  No.  cclxxv. 

FELICITATI  AVG.  IMP.  VIII.  COS.  III. 
S.  C.  A ship,  w ith  many  rowers ; on  some 


FELICITAS  AVG. 

specimens  Neptune  stands  on  the  prow.  2nd 
brass  of  M.  Aurelius. 

This  coin  serves  admirably  to  illustrate  the 
expressions  of  Capitolinus  (ch.  27  Aurel.)  in 
reference  to  the  return  of  Aurelius  by  sea  from 
Athens  to  Rome ; “ Returning  to  Italy  in  a ves- 
sel, he  met  with  a violent  storm.”  His  escape 
from  this  danger  is,  therefore,  attributed  on 
these  coins  fe/icitati  Augusti.  The  same  type 
i is  also  to  be  seen  on  coins  of  Couimodus  of  the 
year  a.  d.  177,  with  the  legend  felicitati 
caes.  ; but  it  is  also  an  established  fact,  that 
Commodus  was  the  companion  of  Aurelius  in 
this  voyage  and  peril. — Eckhcl,  vii.  64. 

The  galley  was  the  type  of  the  Roman  Re- 
public. 

For  some  remarks  on  the  subject  of  naval 
architecture  and  equipment  under  the  Romans, 
see  tri&emis. 

FELICITAS  REIPVBLICAE. — The  empe- 
ror, seated  on  a curulc  chair,  placed  on  a sug- 
gest us,  two  other  figures  stauding  on  each  side 
of  him.  At  the  foot  of  the  tribunal  are  two 
kneeling  figures,  holding  up  their  hands.  On  the 
exergue  P.  t.  r.  Gold  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

Constantine,  assisted  by  the  two  Cmsars  his 
sous,  Constantine  junior  and  Crispus,  is  here 
sitting  on  the  judgment  scat,  and  appears  as 
about  to  decide,  with  his  usual  severity  towards 
conquered  nations,  on  the  fate  of  the  Fraud 
and  the  A/amanni,  over  whom  Crispus  gained 
the  victory  a.  d.  320,  and  who  are  personified 
as  kneeling  supplicants,  imploring  the  emperor’s 
pardon  and  mercy. — This  elegaut  coin  is  en- 
graved in  Vaillant,  Impp.  Rom.  Pr.  iii.  p.  84. 


FELICITAS  AVG.  The  busts  of  Victory  and 
Peace,  side  by  side. — Obv. — imp.  c.  postvmvs 
p.  F.  avo.  The  busts  of  Postumus  and  Her- 
cules, side  by  side,  both  laureated.  Gold  medal- 
lion of  Postumus.  (Valued  at  1200  francs,  by 
Mionnet,  iu  whose  Rarete,  &c.  T.  ii.  59,  it  is 
exquisitely  engraved. 

Jean  Tristan,  iu  giving  a fairly  accurate  de- 
lineation of  this  very  beautiful  medallion,  de- 
scribes it  as  exhibiting  “ les  Etfigies  du  Postume, 
pere,  et  fits" — in  other  words,  the  heads  of 
Postumus  senior  and  Postumus  junior  ! — That 
any  writer  like  himself,  who,  with  a proneness 
indeed  to  indulge  in  the  fanciful,  the  conjec- 
tural, and  the  discursive,  displays  nevertheless 
a profound  knowledge  of  mythology  and  of  an- 
cient history,  combined  with  unequivocal  proofs 
of  capability  to  form  just  conclusions  from  nu- 
mismatic mouumeuts — that  such  a writer  should 


have  fallen  into  an  error  of  this  sort,  is  not  a 
little  extraordinary.  He  has  done  so,  however, 
not  ouly  in  the  present  instance,  but  also  iu 
two  others.  (Sec  Commentaires,  kc.  t.  iii.  138, 
plates  No.  1,  and  147,  pi-  No.  10).  What  adds 
to  the  apparent  strangeness  of  the  hallucina- 
tion is,  that  his  animadversions  ou  events  con- 
nected with  the  reign  of  Postumus,  bear  im- 
mediate reference  to  many  of  that  emperor's 
coins,  on  which  the  whole-length  figure  of  Her- 
cules is  represented,  cither  isolatedly,  or  in  asso- 
ciation with  his  owu.  These  the  worthy  “ Es- 
cuyer  Sieur  de  St.  Amant”  has  illustrated  with 
well-designed  engravings  by  the  burin  of  Picart ; 
and  from  these  it  is  evident  that,  great  prince  and 
conqueror  as  he  was — Emperor  and  Augustus 
in  all  but  senatorial  recognition — Postumus,  like 
other  successful  soldiers  of  fortune  and  of  ob- 
scure birth,  inflated  with  thejpride  of  his  vie- 


FELtCITAS  AVG. 

tories,  was  in  the  vain-glorious  habit  of  com- 
paring himself  with  Hercules.  And  perhaps  his 
features  were  not  without  some  slight  analogy 
to  those  which  the  sculptor  of  classic  antiquity 
bestows  on  that  hero,  lint,  to  judge  from  the 
general  examples  of  his  monetal  portraitures, 
the  likeness  of  Postumus,  on  the  above  medal- 
liou,  would  appear  to  be  but  an  ideal  one,  flat- 
teringly assimilated  with  the  Grecian  lineaments 
of  the  face  to  which  it  is  joined,  in  the  same 
way  as  it  is  on  other  medallions  with  the  helmed 
bust  of  Mars. — Tristan  has  himself  given  an 
engraving  of  postvmvs  avgvstvs,  with  radi- 
ated head,  on  the  obverse,  and  with  Jupiter 
Stator  for  legend  and  type  of  reverse  (see  Com- 
mentaires , iii.  158),  au  example  which  may  be 
accepted  as  vera  effigies — a true  portrait  of  the 
celebrated  usurper  of  the  western  provinces,  and 
of  which  abundance  are  to  be  found  in  every 
good  collection ; but,  except  in  bushiness  of 
beard  and  roughness  of  aspect,  it  is  scarcely  to 
be  called  a resemblance  of  the  visage  assigned  to 
the  demi-god  of  Fable.  And  yet  the  face  is 
a good  face  too,  in  its  Gaulish  fashion,  indicat- 
ing as  it  docs  the  indomitable  courage,  the  reso- 
lute bearing,  the  politic  sagacity,  of  a man 
equally  distinguished  both  in  the  arts  of  civil 
government,  and  by  his  talents  for  warlike  com- 
mandership. 

But  in  Tristan’s  time,  not  to  speak  of  a sub- 
sequent age,  there  was,  amongst  numismatic 
collectors  and  writers,  a fond  and  not  unnatural 
belief,  that  Postumus,  the  son,  who  had  reigned 
for  nine  years  over  the  Gauls  with  his  father, 
must  have  left  some  monetary  records  behind 
him.  But  no  authentic  specimens  of  such  a 
mintage  having,  up  to  the  middle  of  the  17th 
century,  been  found  to  exist,  the  learned  author 
of  “History  of  theEmpcrors,”  writing  about  that 
period,  allowed  his  zeal  for  the  publication  of 
medallic  rarities  so  far  to  overstep  his  judgment 
and  discrimination,  as  to  .make  him  pronounce 
the  bearded  head  of  a man,  whether  jugated  or 
face  to  face  with  that  of  Postumus,  on  a coin, 
to  be  meant  for  a profile  of  the  son,  although 
looking  as  aged  as  the  father’s. 

Tristan  is  happier  in  his  observations  on  the 
reverse  type  of  this  interesting  and  most  valu- 
able coin.  “ I do  not  doubt  (says  he)  that  the 
two  heads  arc  those  of  Victory  and  Peace.  The 
two  goddesses,  thus  united,  serve  to  intimate 
that  Postumus  had  the  power  to  conquer,  when- 
ever his  enemies  obliged  him  to  act,  whether  on 
the  offensive  or  the  defensive,  Victory  always 
coming  to  his  aid,  and  enabling  him  to  make 
peace  when  he  pleased;  and  the  goddess  pax  in- 
spiring him  with  desire  for  the  restoration  of 
tranquillity,  and  facilitating  its  execution.  These 
two  divinities  thus  continually  united  to  render 
him  happy,  and  whether  he  made  war,  or  re- 
mained at  peace,  he  was  ever  victorious.” — See 
T.  iii.  p.  152,  et  seq. 

In  an  article  by  Mons.  J.  De  Witte,  relating 
to  certain  unpublished  coins  of  Postumus,  in 
the  Revue  Numisinatique  (vol.  vii.  p.  330,  et 
seq.)  that  intelligent  numismatist  has  ably  dis- 
cussed the  probable  motives  which  induced  Pos- 


FELICITER.— FELIX.  383 

tnmus  to  place  himself  under  the  protection  of 
Hercules,  and  to  assimilate  himself  to  that  god. 
This  dissertation  not  only  throws  light  on  the 
above  described  medallion,  and  other  mintages 
of  the  same  usurper,  but  also  refers  back  to 
the  origin  of  a custom  early  adopted  by  Roman 
emperors,  namely,  that  of  having  their'portraits 
represented  with  the  attributes  of  Hercules,  as 
emblematical  of  force  and  power.  The  whole, 
though  long,  has  strong  claims  to  perusal. — 
Some  extracts  from  its  most  instructive  passages 
will  be  found  annexed  to  the  biographical  notice 

of  POSTUMUS. 

FELICITER  NVBTI1S. This  epigraph 

(thus  spelt)  appears  on  an  almost  unique  gold 
coin  of  Marcianus,  the  equally  singular  type  of 
which  represents  that  emperor  and  Pulcheria 
(sister  of  Theodosius  II.)  joining  hands:  whilst 
Anatolus,  the  patriarch  of  Constantinople,  stands 
between  them.  Each  figure  has  the  nimbus 
round  the  head.  On  the  exergue  conob. 

Eckhel  observes  respecting  this  extremely  rare 
and  very  remarkable  coin,  that  “the  nuptials  of 
Pulcheria  with  Marcianus  were  of  a nature 
which  Vestals  themselves  might  regard  without 
a blush.  Indeed  the  husband  engaged  himself 
by  a solemn  pledge  to  leave  her  pure  and  un- 
touched to  the  day  of  her  death.” — feliciter 
nvbtiis  was  a form  of  popular  acclamation  on 
various  joyful  occasions,  and  was  also  accus- 
tomed to  be  used  at  marriages. 

A similar  type  appears  on  coins  of  Cornelia 
Paula,  wife  of  Elagabalus,  where  the  emperor 
and  empress  are  joining  hands  in  testimony  of 
connubial  fidelity,  a veiled  pontiff  standing'  be- 
tween them. — An  engraving  of  this  coin  will  be 
found  in  Khell’s  Supplement  to  Vaillant,  p.  291. 

FELIX  ADVENT.  AVG.  Felix  Adventus 
Augusti — the  happy  arrival  of  the  Emperor. — 
1ELIX  ADVENT.  AV  GG.  NN.  Augustorum 
Nostrorum — of  both  our  Emperors. — These  epi- 
graphs, with  the  types  of  the  reigning  princes 
on  horseback,  figures  holding  the  fabarum,  or 
Victories  planting  their  feet  on  prostrate  cap- 
tives, appear  on  coins  of  Diocletianus,  Gal.  Maxi- 
mianus,  Constantius  Chlorus,  &c. — See  ad- 
ventus. 

FELIX  INGRESSVS  SEN.  AVG.  Senioris 
Augusti — the  happy  entry  of  the  elder  Emperor. 
— A gold  coin  of  Maximianus  Herculcus,  bearing 
the  foregoing  legend,  has  for  the  type  of  its  re- 
verse the  galeated  Genius  of  Rome,  seated  on  a 
shield,  resting  her  left  hand  on  the  kasta  pura, 
and  holding  on  her  knees  with  her  right  hand  a 
buckler,  on  which  is  inscribed  vot.  xxx.  On 
the  exergue  PR. 

This  unique  coin  is  extolled  by  Khell  (p.  220), 
and  recognized  by  Eckhel  (viii.  26),  as  one  of 
the  most  precious  gems  of  the  Vienna  cabinet ; 
foPit  serves  to  prove  that  Maximianus,  having 
again  resumed  the  purple,  made  his  entry  into 
Rome.  But  says  the  author  of  Doctrina,  “ it 
does  not  appear  that  the  learned  writer  first 
named,  draws  an  equally  just  inference  from  the 
words  vot(is)  xxx.  namely,  that  they  fix  the 
date  of  the  event  on  the  year  u.  c.  1059  (a.  d. 
307) ; when,  and  not  before,  these  vows  of  thirty 


4 


384  FELTX. 

years  (vo/a  tricennalia ) could  have  commenced. 
Maximianus  reached  the  twentieth  year  of  his 
reign  before  his  abdication  took  place,  including 
the  period  during  which  he  was  only  Ciesar;  for 
the  author  of  his  panegyric  expressly  addresses 
him  in  the  following  terms  : — ‘ Thee,  again,  as 
Emperor  for  twenty  years , and  Consul  for  the 
eighth  time,  &c.’  And,  further  on — ‘ Thou  hast 
betaken  thyself  afresh  to  those  watchful  cares, 
of  which  .already  thou  liadst  had  a twenty  years' 
experience.’  But  it  is  established  by  many 
other  coins,  that,  at  the  beginning  of  the  tenth 
year  of  his  reign,  XX.  vota  were  already  under- 
taken ( concepta ),  and  at  the  beginning  of  the 
twentieth  year  of  his  reign,  xxx.  vota.  As, 
therefore,  Maximum's  xxx.  vota  had  commenced 
before  he  resigned  the  empire,  it  is  impossible, 
from  the  inscribed  vot.  xxx.  to  draw  a conclu- 
sion respecting  the  exact  year  in  which  he  re- 
sumed the  purple.” — See  maximianus  iiercu- 
LEUS ; also  an  engraving  of  the  coin,  in  Num. 
Cimelii  Vindobonensis,  Aur.  tab.  v.  No.  14. 

FELIX  PROCESS.  CONSVLAT.  AVG.  N. 
— The  emperor,  togated,  standing,  with  a globe 
iu  the  right  hand,  and  a sceptre  reversed,  or  a 
parazonium,  in  the  left.  In  the  exergue  P.  it. — 
On  gold  and  silver  of  Maxentius.  The  silver 
specimen  of  this  extremely  rare  coin  is  engraved 
in  Vaillant,  Num.  Impp.  Rom.  iii.  72. 

Maxentius  proceeded  consul  a.  d.  308,  which 
consulate  he  assumed  in  the  month  of  April, 
there  having  been  no  consuls  during  the  year 
preceding. — See  consulates,  p.  270. 

FELIX  PROCESSVS  COS.  VI.  AVG.  N.— 
Same  type  as  on  the  preceding  reverse.  In  the 
exergue  a.  q.  Gold  of  Coustautinus  Magnus. 

The  date  of  a.  d.  320  is  assigned  to  this  coin, 
in  which  year  Constantine  the  father,  for  the 
sixth,  and  Constantine  the  son,  for  the  first  time 
proceeded  consuls.  (Vaillant). — There  is  another 
aureus  of  the  same  emperor,  with  the  same  type 
and  legend,  except  as  to  the  consulate,  which  is 
IV.  and  this  Ecklicl  (viii.  74)  places  uuder 
a.  i).  315. — See  Processus  Consu/aris. 

FELIX  KARTHAGO— on  others  KARTAGO 
— on  others  CARTAGO. — Iu  every  example  the 
type  is  a woman  clothed  in  the  stola.  She  stands 
holding  in  each  hand  a branch  or  corn-cars.  In 
the  exergue  P.  k.  Gold  coin  of  Maxentius. 

Maxentius,  on  this  very  rare  aureus,  calls 
Carthage  Felix,  because  she  abounded  in  corn 
and  fruits.  For  when,  in  consequence  of  a de- 
ficient inundation  of  the  Nile,  Egypt  suffered 
scarcity,  the  Roman  ships  employed  iu  the  im- 
portation of  wheat,  steered  for  Carthage,  whence 
they  brought  back  a sufficient  supply  to  the 
Eternal  City. — Vaillant,  Impp.  Horn.  iii.  p.  72. 
Engraved  iu  Bauduri ; and  iu  Spanhcim’s  Ctesars 
of  Julian , Pr.  74. — See  also  INDULQENTIA  in 
cauth.  p.  186. — There  is  a coin  of  Commod#-, 
(see  Procidentia  Auyusti),  in  which  Neptune 
accepts  a handful  of  corn-cars  from  a woman 
whose  head  is  adorned  with  an  elephant’s  pro- 
boscis ; a figure  which  personifies  Africa,  or  per- 
haps Carthage  herself. 

FELIX  KART. — Sec  salvis  avgo.  et  caess. 
& c.  First  and  third  brass  of  Maxentius. 


FERONIA. — FIDES. 

FERETRIUS,  a surname  given  by  the  Ro- 
mans to  Jupiter,  and  under  which  they  conse- 
crated to  him  the  o pirn  a spolia  (warlike  spoils 
of  the  most  honourable  kind),  that  is  to  say, 
such  as  a Roman  general  had  won  in  battle  from 
an  enemy’s  general.  A denarius  exhibits  the 
consul  Marccllus  ascending  the  steps  of  the  tem- 
ple dedicated  to  Feretrian  Jove,  to  present  there 
as  a trophy  the  armour  of  a Gaulish  chieftain. — 
See  claudia  gens,  p.  209. 

FERONIA,  a goddess,  whom  Dionysius  of 
Halicarnassus  has  recorded  to  have  been  wor- 
shipped by  the  Sabines,  and  called  by  the  Greeks 
Avdri<popos,  ‘t>iAo(TTe<payos,  4>fp<Tf<powq  (iii.  p.' 
173). — According  to  Strabo,  there  stood,  at  the 
foot  of  Mount  Soracte,  a city  called  Peronia, 
where  a goddess  of  the  same  name  was  wor- 
shipped with  peculiar  veneration.  (Eckliel,  v. 
270).  Enfranchised  slaves  received  in  her  tem- 
ple the  pileus,  or  cap,  which  was  the  sigu  of 
Liberty.  By  some  mythographers,  Feronia  is 
regarded  as  a surname  of  Juuo.  Be  this  as  it 
may,  her  head  appears  on  a denarius  of  the 
Pctronia  gens,  struck  by  a mouetal  triumvir  Of 
Augustus,  as  subjoined : — 


FERO.  or  FERON.  TVRPILIANVS  III. 
VI R. — The  bust  of  a woman,  on  w hose  head  is 
a crown  of  peculiar  pattern,  aud  whose  neck  is 
adorned  w ith  a string  of  pearls.  The  abbreviated 
word  feron.  shews  it  to  be  the  effigy  of  the 
Dea  Feronia,  whose  worship  was  transplanted 
from  Latium  into  Rome.  And  the  name  of 
TVRPILIANVS  refers  to  Publius  Petrouius  Turpil- 
lianus,  who  as  a moncycr  iu  734  or  735  (b.  c. 
20),  in  eolleagueship  with  Aquillius  aud  Dur- 
mius  (sec  their  respective  families,  pp.  71  and 
350),  struck  these  aud  other  denarii. — The  re- 
verse is  inscribed  caesar  avovstvs  sign(is)  re- 
ce(ptis).  A man  kneeling,  and  in  the  posture  of 
surrendering  up  a military  cusign.  This  well- 
known  legend  aud  type  form  that  favourite  record 
of  Augustus,  which  attests  the  voluntary  restitu- 
tion of  cusigns  and  prisoners  raptured  by  I’hra- 
ates,  king  of  the  l’arthians,  but  sent  back  to 
the  Romans  again  on  the  approach  alone  of  Au- 
gustus aud  his  army ; although  that  oriental 
sovereign  esteemed  himself  invincible,  and  bore 
the  title  of  King  of  Kings,  and  Brother  of  the 
Sun  and  Moon. — Sec  PETKONIA  gens. 

F.  F.  Faustina  Felicem.  Prosperous  aud 
happy  ; it  is  prayed  that  an  emperor  may  be  so. 
— See  a.  N.  F.  F.  (p.  44.) 

F.  F.  F/ando,  Feriundo. — See  a.  a.  a.  f.  f. 
(p.  1)  symbol  of  the  monetal  triumvirs. — Flare, 
is  to  found  or  cast  metal;  because  brass  was  first 
melted  in  a furnace,  and  the  fused  material  after- 
wards coined  into  money. 

FIDES  (Good  Faith,  Fidelity,  Loyalty)  was 


FIDBS  AUGUSTA. 

adored  ns  u goddess  by  the  Romans,  according 
to  Cicero,  Lactantius,  and  others.  Attilius  Gala- 
tians dedicated  to  tides  a temple,  near  that  of 
Jupiter,  where  she  had  priests  and  sacrifices 
peculiar  to  her  worship.  On  denarii  of  the 
Licinia  and  other  Roman  families,  her  head  ap- 
pears, sometimes  crowned  with  olive,  as  the 
preserver  of  peace ; at  others  adorned  with  laurel, 
as  the  guarantee  of  victory.  The  type  of  the 
same  divinity  exhibits  itself  in  various  ways  on 
imperial  coius.  As  riDES  (the  goddess  herself), 
the  figure  on  a coin  of  Claudius  Gothicus  is  that 
of  a woman,  wfith  a spear  in  her  left  hand. — 
As  fides  avgvsta,  she  appears  on  a large  brass 
of  Plotina. — As  fides  avgvstokvm,  she  stands 
holdiug  a cornucopia:,  ou  silver  of  Maximianus. 
Sometimes  the  type  consists  of  two  right  hands 
joined  ; or  with  a caduceus  and  two  corn-cars, 
held  by  two  right  hands ; or  with  a military 
standard,  held  by  two  right  hands , but  then  we 
read  fides  pyblica,  as  in  Titus  (p.  149),  or 
fides  exeiicitvym,  as  in  large  brass  of  Vitel- 
lius,  and  also  as  in  Nerva.  Aud  in  that 
case  the  two  united  hands  were  meant  to  sym- 
bolize the  good  faith  and  fidelity  of  soldiers  aud 
people  to  the  reigning  prince ; aud  not  to  re- 
present Fide. s in  her  quality  of  goddess.  Exam- 
ples of  the  latter  kind  are  also  to  be  found  on 
coins  of  Balbinus,  aud  Pnpienus. 

The  type  of  a draped  female,  holding  in  her 
right  hand  one  military  ensign  planted  upright 
ou  the  ground,  and  carrying  another  trans- 
versely under  her  left  arm,  accompauics  the 
legend  concokd  exekci.  on  gold  of  Claudius  II. 
(sec  p.  214.) 


FIDES  AYGVSTa.  August  Fidelity. — Good 
Faith  standing,  holds  in  the  left  hand  a basket 
with  fruit,  aud  in  the  right,  cars  of  corn.  In 
the  field,  Senalus  Consu/to. — Obv.  PLOTINA 
A\  Gusla  lyiPeratoris  TRAIANI.  (Plotina  Au- 
gusta [wife]  of  the  Emperor  Trajan).  Bust  of 
the  empress.  First  brass. — The  above  engraving 
is  after  a cast  from  a remarkably  fine  specimen 
in  the  British  Museum. 

This  coin  is  one  among  other  convincing  proofs 
of  the  high  esteem  with  which  Trajan  honoured 
the  empress,  with  whose  name,  as  his  wife,  he 
here  associates  the  personification  aud  attributes 
of  Fidelity.  That  emperor,  indeed,  always  mani- 
fested the  greatest  respect  for  the  virtues,  aud 
the  utmost  confidence  in  the  talents,  of  Plotiua, 
to  whom  he  entrusted  the  reins  of  government, 
whenever  he  set  out  for  distant  expeditious.  On 
the  journey,  however,  during  which  her  husband 
3 D 


FIDES  MILITUM.  383 

was  attacked  by  the  malady  of  which  he  died, 
at  Selinus,  in  Cilicia,  she  accompanied  him ; 
aud  brought  his  ashes  to  Rome. — See  plotina. 

FIDES  EXERCIT.  1>.  M.  TR.  1>.  XI.  IMP. 
VII.  COS.  V.  P.  P.  The  emperor  Comtnodus, 
and  his  pretoriau  prefect,  standing  together  ou 
a suggestus,  in  front  of  several  soldiers,  wearing 
shields  and  carrying  military  ensigns.  A brass 
medallion  of  excellent  design  aud  fabric,  en- 
graved in  Vaillaut,  Mas.  (le  Descamps,  p.  260, 
now  in  the  Cabinet  de  France. 

FTDES  EXERCITVS. — The  emperor  (Gor- 
dianus  Pius)  in  a military  habit,  and  upright 
posture,  is  crowned  by'  Victory  from  behind, 
at  the  same  time  that  he  joins  his  right  hand 
with  that  of  a soldier.  In  the  low'er  part  of  this 
silver  medallion  arc  the  personifications  of  two 
rivers,  seated. 

These  rivers  signify  Mesopotamia  (as  may  be 
seen  in  the  well-known  coin  of  Trajan,  inscribed 
Armenia  et  Mesopotamia  in  potestatem  P.  11. 
redacts)  where  laurels  were  gained  by  the  Ro- 
man forces,  during  the  reign  of  the  third  Gor- 
dian ; on  other  coins  of  that  emperor  the  Sun 
appears  iu  a quadriga,  by  which  is  to  be  under- 
stood that  the  East  hud  yielded  to  the  imperial 
legions  (Eckhcl,  vii.  314). — A similar  type  to 
the  above,  with  the  addition  of  two  military  en- 
signs, is  struck  on  a silver  medallion  of  Gal- 
lieuus,  ou  wdiose  coins  the  epigraphs  of  Fides 
Exerc.  Fidei  Equitum,  Fid.  Pratorianorum,  are 
also  to  be  found,  together  w ith  a numerous  series 
of  ItYjGiones. 

FTDES  MAXIMA. — A woman  standing,  who, 
holdiug  in  her  left  hand  a rudder  reversed,  pre- 
sents a globe  to  the  emperor.  This  epigraph, 
quoted  by  Bauduri,  as  from  a brass  medallion 
of  Probus,  is  unusual,  and  till  this  instance 
(says  Eckhcl,  vii.  304),  unknown  on  coins. — 
Henceforward,  F’ortunc,  iu  delivering  the  em- 
pire to  Probus,  shews  that  she  had  reposed  in 
him  (fidem  maximamj  the  greatest  confidence. 


FIDES  MIL.  or  MIL1T.  or  M1LITVM. — 
{Fides  Mililum — the  fidelity  of  the  soldiers). — 
This  epigraph,  which  first  appears  in  the  mint 
of  Macrinus,  continuing  to  Gallienus  (see  above 
cut  from  a gold  specimen),  is  found  occurring 
under  nearly  each  successive  reign  down  to  Con- 
stantius  Chlorus  aud  Maxentius.  To  this  military 
legend  is  sometimes  added  avg  or  avgg.  or 
avgg.  ET  caess.  Its  accompanying  type  is 
generally  the  draped  figure  of  a woman,  some- 
times standing,  sometimes  seated,  but  always 
holding  one,  and  usually  tw’o,  military  ensigns, 
or  some  other  representation  of  the  standards 
and  eagles  of  the  Roman  armies,  as  in  Caracalla, 
Elagabalus,  Gordianus  Pius,  Postumus,  Maxi- 
mianus, &c.  &c. 


386  HUES  M1LITUM. 

Addison  (see  his  Dialogues  on  Ancient  Me- 
dals) considers  a great  light  to  be  thrown  on 
the  inscriptions  of  Fides  Militum,  and  Tides 
Exercilus,  from  the  following  verses  of  Silius 
Italicus  (lib.  2) : — 

ad  limina  sanctae 

rendebat  Fidei,  secretaque  pectora  tentat. 

Ante  Jovera  geuerata,  deens  divumque  hominumque, 
Quit  sine  non  tellus  pacera,  non  aequora  uoruut ; 

J ust  i t ire  consors. 

“ lie  to  the  shrines  of  Faith  his  steps  addrest. 

“ Ere  Jove  was  born  she  grac’d  the  bright  abodes, 

“ Consort  of  Justice , boast  of  men  and  gods  ; 

“ Without  whose  heavenly  aid  no  peace  below 

“ The  steadfast  earth,  and  rolling  ocean  know.” 

The  goddess  of  Fidelity  (says  the  author  of 
the  celebrated  treatise),  is  posted  between  two 
military  ensigns,  for  the  good  quality  that  the 
poet  ascribes  to  her,  of  preserving  the  public 
peace,  by  keeping  the  army  true  to  its  allegi- 
ance. (p.  43). 

As  the  legends  fides  exehcitvs  and  fidf.s 
MLLItvm  are  of  very  frequent  occurrence  on 
coins  of  the  imperial  scries,  it  may  suffice  here 
to  observe  that  “ by  means  of  successive  adop- 
tions the  empire  had  become  in  some  measure 
hereditary  from  Augustus  to  Nero.  After  the 
death  of  the  latter  named  emperor,  it  was  the 
armies  that  furnished  the  first  examples  of  those 
violent  elections  which  so  cruelly  tore  the  state 
in  pieces.  Vitellius,  like  his  competitors,  being 
indebted  to  the  soldiers  for  his  scat  on  the  im- 
perial throne,  took  care  to  record  on  his  coins 
their  sentiments  and  their  promises  in  his 
favour” — symbolized  by  Fides  Exercituum  and 
two  right  hands  joined. — “In  proportion  (adds 
au  able  French  writer)  as  they  recede  to  a dis- 
tance from  the  higher  empire,  the  medals  of  the 
Romans  [with  certain  exceptions]  become  less 
and  less  historically  interesting.  In  fact  even 
before  the  reign  of  Valerian,  their  reverses  (as  in 
the  employment  of  the  words  felicitas,  fax, 
fides,  &c.)  offer  scarcely  any  thing  except  hack- 
nied  subjects  of  vows,  and  of  flatteries  which 
flagrantly  contrast  themselves  with  the  misfor- 
tunes, the  wars,  the  treasons,  and  the  miseries 
of  every  description,  which  in  those  times  de- 
solated the  Roman  world.” — Lefons  Numismat. 

I'IDES  MIL1TVM.  S.  C. — Gordianus  Pius 
on  horseback,  hetwecu  two  military  ensigus. — 
Large  brass,  engraved  in  Ilavercamp,  Cabinet 
dc  Christine. 

Same  legend  and  type,  on  gold  of  Probus. 

How  very  little  these  soldiers  were  to  be  con- 
fided in,  is  shewn  by  the  tragical  end  of  that 
brave  and  able  emperor;  for  by  those  same 
military  subjects,  who  had  ostentatiously  sworn 
allegiance  to  him,  ere  he  had  reigned  seven 
years,  Probus  was  slain. 

FIDES  MILITVM  AVGG.  NN.  Augvsto- 
rum  Nostrorum. — A woman  seated,  holding  two 
standards. 

On  a very  rare  second  brass  of  Maxcntius, 
struck  at  the  time  when  a treaty  was  entered 
into  between  Maximinus  Daza  and  Maxcntius 
against  Constantine  the  Great. 

FIDES  or  FIDEI  LEG.  TR.  P.  COS.— A 


FIDES  MILITUM. 

female  figure  standing,  holds  a small  image  of 
Victory  in  the  right  hand,  and  in  her  left  a vex- 
illum  or  banuer.  Large  brass  of  Severus.  En- 
graved in  the  Cabinet  de  Christine. — See  lkgio. 

FIDES  MVTVA  AVGG. — Two  right  hands 
joined.  On  silver  of  H albinos  and  Pupienns. — 
This  epigraph,  together  with  that  of  pietas 
mvtva  avgo.  with  a similar  type,  is  common 
to  each  of  the  above  emperors.  Rut  Amor  and 
Caritas  arc  as  rare  in  Balbinus,  as  Fides  and 
Pietas  are  in  Pupienus.  It  was  greatly  to  have 
been  wished,  that  “ mutual  Love”  could  have 
perpetually  existed  between  these  two  joint  pos- 
sessors of  the  Roman  empire.  The  sentiment  at 
first  was  doubtless  sincere,  hut  afterwards,  the 
fear  of  Maxiiuinus  being  removed,  mutual  sus- 
picion tainted  mutual  love,  to  an  extreme  that 
proved  fatal  to  them  both. 


FIDES— also  FIDEI  MILIT.  P.  M.  TR.  P. 
II.  COS.  II.  P.  P. — The  emperor  paludated,  a 
sceptre  in  his  left  hand,  and  his  right  hand 
extended,  with  two  figures  accompanying  him 
(doubtless  meant  to  represent  his  sous  Caracalla 
and  Geta),  on  a suggest  us,  addressing  six  sol- 
diers, who  have  oblong  bucklers  on  their  left 
arms,  and  of  whom  three  carry  a vexillum,  and 
two  bear  ensigns. — Obo.-L.  septimivs  sf.vervs 
pkrtinax  avg.  imp.  in.  Bust  of  Severus,  lau- 
relled and  cuirassed. 

The  original  of  this  splendid  brass  medallion, 
from  a cast  of  which  the  above  cut  has  been  en- 
graved, is  in  the  Cabinet  de  France.  It  forms 
one  among  other  remarkable  specimens  of  the 
still  flourishing  state  of  the  arts  of  design,  in 
the  age  of  Septiinius  Severus.  That  fierce  am- 
bitious man  hereby  records  his  obligations  to 
those  legionaries  who,  first  against  Didius  Juli- 
anus,  afterwards  in  opposition  to  Pescennius 
Niger  in  the  East,  and  to  Albinus  in  the  West, 
had  proved  their  devotedness  to  his  cause.  Nor 
did  liis  commemoration  of  their  ready  services 
to  him  confine  itself  to  a general  acknowledg- 
ment, but  he  specially  inscribed  the  respective 
names  of  those  legions  on  other  coins. 

FIL.  Fitia. — Faustina  junior  and  Lucilla  were 
the  only  empresses  whose  fathers  were  emperors  : 
hence  the  name  of  the  parent  was  assumed  by 
each  respectively  on  their  coins. 

FIL.  Filins. — ANN  I VS  VERVS  CAES.  AN- 
TON INI  AVG.  FI  Law.  This  Annins  Veras 
and  Commodus  were  sons  of  M.  Aurelius  and 


FIL.  AUGG. 

Faustina  ; hence  Commodus  is  also  read  CAES. 
ANTONIN!  AVG.  FILtiw.  So  Caracal  la  and 
Geta  are  noted  on  their  coins  each  as  FILtW, 
meaning  the  sou  of  Scptimins  Severus. 

FIL.  AVGG.  Filius  or  Fil'd  Augustorum. — 
As,  according  to  constant  usage,  (he  double  G 
signities  two  Emperors  or  Augusti,  so  .Maximinus 
Daza  and  Constautinus  M.  are  thus  called  on 
certain  coins.  They  are  denominated  neither 
Ceesares,  uor  hnperatores,  uor  Augusti;  but 
Ft/d  Augustorum.  This  new  title  was  impressed 
on  the  mintages  of  those  two  princes,  a.  d.  307 
(as  it  appears),  under  the  following  circum- 
stances : — Maximiuus  Daza,  indignant  at  find- 
ing the  title  of  Augustus  conferred  by  Galerius 
Maximianus  ou  Licinius,  his  junior  in  rank, 
while  he  himself  was  denied  the  honour,  endea- 
voured to  obtain  the  same  distinction  by  some 
compact  or  other,  avowing  himself  tired  of  the 
name  of  Caesar,  and  complaining  of  being  wrong- 
ed in  having  only  the  third  rank  iu  the  empire 
assigned  to  him.  Galerius  Maximianus  in  vain 
urged  him  to  acquiesce  in  the  arrangements  he 
had  made.  At  length  Galerius,  yielding  to  the 
obstinate  importunities  of  Maximinus,  but  at 
the  same  time  unwilling  to  retract  what  he  had 
doue  in  favour  of  Licinius,  suspended  the  title  of 
Caesar,  and,  reserving  that  of  Augustus  exclu- 
sively for  himself  and  for  Licinius,  gave  to  Maxi- 
minus aud  to  Constautinus  the  name  of  Sons 
of  the  Emperors  (Augustorum). — The  couclud- 
ing  words  of  Lactautius,  in  relating  the  event 
are—'*  Victus  coutumacia  tollit  Caesarum  nomen 
se  Liciniuraque  Augustos  appellat,  Maximinum 
et  Constantinum  Films  Augustorum.” — By  sup- 
plying as  the  nominative  to  tollit  the  word  Gale- 
rius (as  has  been  done  by  Baluzc,  whose  read- 
ing is  supported  by  Biinard,  and  approved  of  by 
Eckhcl),  all  difficulty  in  interpreting  the  pas- 
sage is  removed,  aud  the  meauing,  thus  ren- 
dered clear,  is  fully  confirmed  by  coins  that  have 
come  to  light. — A second  brass,  which  bears  on 
one  side  the  laureated  head  of  Maximiuus,  with 
the  legend  maximinvs  fil.  avgg.  exhibits  on 
its  reverse  the  standing  figure  of  the  emperor’s 
genius,  holding  iu  one  hand  a patera,  and  in  the 
other  a cornucopia ; round  it  is  read  genio 
avgvsti  ; on  another  middle  brass  of  Maximiuus 
it  is  caesaris. — There  is  also  with  the  same 
type,  a coin  of  Constantine’s,  around  whose  head, 
crowned  with  laurel,  is  CONSTANTINVS  fil.  avg. 
and  on  the  reverse  genio  caesaris,  with  other 
similarities,  so  as  to  leave  no  doubt  but  that 
these  coins  were  struck  at  the  same  time  aud 
place.  “ Now  (says  Bimard,  in  his  annota- 
tions on  Jobert),  since,  on  the  reverses  of  the 
coins  whereon  Maximiu  and  Constantine  are 
called  Sons  of  the  Augusti,  we  find  indifferently 
Genio  Casaris  and  Genio  Augusti,  it  is  natural 
thence  to  conclude  that  the  new  title  created  by 
Galerius  Maximianus,  partook  equally  of  the 
title  of  Cicsar  aud  of  that  of  Augustus,  the  only 
ones  which  up  to  that  period  had  been  known 
in  the  empire.”  There  was  indeed  a time  when 
the  appellation  of  Fi/ii  Augusti  was  inferior  to 
the  appellation  of  Ctesar.  Augustus  took,  on 
his  coins  the  name  of  Son  of  Julius.  Caius  and 
3 D 2 


FLACCILLA.  387 

Lucius,  sons  of  Agrippa  had  by  their  grand- 
father Augustus  the  title  conferred  upon  them 
of  Filii  Augusti,  in  order  that  his  adoption  of 
them  might  be  made  known  to  the  whole  world. 
Tiberius  called  himself  “ Augusti  Filius.” — 
Titus  and  Domitian  were  allowed  the  appellation 
of  “ Sous  of  Vespasianus  Augustus.” — Lucius 
Verus,  during  the  life  of  Autoninus  Pius,  had 
no  other  distinction  thau  to  be  called  Augusti 
Filius.  Faustina  junior  also  aud  Lucilla  were 
called  Fil  tie  Augustorum.  But  (as  Bimard  ob- 
serves) “ iu  all  these  cases  the  name  of  Son  of 
Augustus  marks  simply  the  birth  or  adoption  of 
those  princes.  It  was  not  a title  of  dignity ; it 
gave  the  rank  of  Cicsar  neither  to  Lucius  Verus 
nor  to  Annius  Verus.  In  the  case  of  Maxi- 
miu and  Constantine,  on  the  contrary,  the  title 
of  FI  Lit  AVGVSTORVM  was  a new  dignity, 
aud  a rank  superior  to  that  of  the  Cicsars.” 

To  complete  the  proofs  on  which  this  opinion 
is  founded,  the  same  acute  and  profound  numis- 
matist has  annexed  to  his  remarks,  the  engrav- 
ing of  a medal,  which  certainly  throws  great 
light  upon  the  subject  in  question.  It  is  a mid- 
dle brass,  on  which  Constantine  unites  the  name 
of  Son  of  the  Augustus,  which  he  derived  from 
his  birth  alone,  to  the  title  of  Son  of  the  Au- 
gusti, which  Galerius  Maximianus  had  conferred 
upon  him.  Around  the  head  of  Constantine, 
crowned  with  laurel,  we  read  fi..  val.  constan- 
tinvs  fil.  avg.  On  the  reverse,  which  exhi- 
bits the  ordinary  type  of  the  genius  of  an  em- 
peror, are  the  words  genio  fil.  avgg.  (To  the 
Genius  of  the  Son  of  the  Augusti)  : a title  not 
inappropriately  given  to,  aud  accepted  by,  Con- 
stantine (afterwards  emperor,  and  called  the 
Great),  whose  father  Constantins  Chlorus,  and 
whose  grandfather  by  adoption  Maximianus  Her- 
culeus,  had  been  Augusti;  and  the  Emperor 
Claudius,  surnaraed  Gothicus,  was  one  of  his 
ancestors. — (Bimard  ad  Jobert,  T.  ii.  366  to 
382,  No.  v.  Nouvel/es  Deconvertes. — See  the 
whole  of  this  luminous  annotation). 

FILIA. — Amongst  the  Romans  a daughter 
was  not  always  called  after  the  prenomen  of 
her  father : for  example,  Herennia  Etruscilla, 
daughter  of  (the  emperor)  Q.  Messius  Trajanus 
Decius,  no  paternal  name  having  been  taken  for 
her,  was  called  after  that  of  her  mother.  The 
daughters  of  emperors  are  on  some  coins  styled 
I Augusta; ; on  others  that  appellation  is  omitted. 
Thus  Faustina  junior  is  sometimes  read  avgvsti 
pii  filia  ; at  other  times,  favstina  avg.  pii 
avg.  filia. — In  like  manner,  Julia,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Titus,  is  numismatically  styled  cither 

IVLIA  AVGVSTA  TITI  AVGVSTI  F. Or  IVLIA  IMP. 

t.  avg.  f.  avgvsta,  and  also  mvi  titi  filia. 

FISCI  IVDAICI  CALVMNIA  SVBLATA. 
S.  C.  A palm  tree. — First  brass  of  Nerva. — 
See  ivdaici. 

FLACCILLA  ('Ae/iaJ,  the  first  wife  of  Theo- 
dosius the  Great ; born  in  Spain,  daughter  of 
Autonius,  prefect  of  Gaul,  she  was  celebrated 
for  her  piety,  and  for  her  benevolence  to  the 
poor.  Arcadius  aud  Honorius  were  her  sons  by 
the  above  named  emperor,  who  married  her  be- 
fore his  accession  to  the  imperial  throuc.  She 


388  FLAMINES. 

died  in  Thrace,  a.  d.  388.  Her  brass  coins  are 
ol'  the  lowest  degree  of  rarity,  her  gold  and 
silver  most  rare.  A half  aureus  of  this  em- 


press’s, on  which  she  is  styled  akl.  fi,accii.i.a 
avg.  bears  her  head  crowned  with  a diadem 
enriched  with  precious  stones. — sai.vs  reipvb- 
I.icae  is  the  legend,  and  a Victory  inscribing  on 
a shield  the  monogram  of  Christ,  is  the  type,  of 
the  reverse. 

[This  gold  coin  is  valued  by  Mionnet  at  80  fr. 
and  50  fr.  in  silver. — See  wood-cut  above.] 

Gold. — Without  legend. — The  monogram  of 
Christ  within  a laurel  garland.  In  the  exergue 
coxob.  p.  or  coxs.  (A  quinarius,  valued  by 
Mionnet  at  7 2 fr.  Engraved  in  Akcrmau,  ii. 
pi.  xii.  No.  4). 

FLAMINES.  Roman  priests  of  particnlar 
gods. — These  occupied  the  first  rank  after  the 
Fontifcx  Maximus.  The  following  three  princi- 
pal Flamines  were  held  iu  high  consideration, 
and  enjoyed  great  privileges.  They  were  also 
called  Fi/amines,  from  the  fillet  which  each  wore 
arouud  his  head. 

F/amen  Dialis,  the  priest  of  Jupiter,  and 
the  most  distinguished  of  the  flamines,  was  con- 
stantly on  duty,  nor  could  he  quit  the  city  for 
a single  night,  lie  was  distinguished  by  an  at- 
tendant lictor,  by  the  curulc  chair,  and  the  toya 
•pr alexia.  The  Jlamen  dialis  was  not  forbidden 
the  use  either  of  wine  or  flour. 

There  is  a gold  coin  of  the  Cornelia  gens,  on 
which  the  heads  of  Bacchus  and  Ceres  are  joined, 
and  a cornucopire  placed  beside  them,  to  shew, 
as  some  have  conjectured,  that  the  Flamen 
Dialis  greatly  venerated  those  deities.  The  coin 
referred  to  bears  on  its  reverse  the  name  of 
SERpittf  LENTVL«j,  and  a representation  of 
the  Ancilia,  or  sacred  shields  (see  p.  4.6),  which 
were  entrusted  to  the  special  custody  of  the 
F/amen  Dialis.  And  this  gold  piece,  which  is 
engraved  amongst  the  nummi  consulates,  in 
Morell.  Thesaur.  (tab.  xv.  No.  2),  appears  to 
be  the  only  one,  in  the  whole  range  of  Roman 
numismatic  monuments,  which  alludes,  and  that 
by  implication  ouly,  to  the  highly-privileged 
priest  of  Jupiter. 

F/amen  Mabtialis,  a priest  of  Mars,  whose 
dignity  was  the  most  exalted,  after  that  of  the 
F/amen  Dialis,  and  was  required  to  be  held  by 
a patrician. — A denarius  of  the  Cornelia  gens, 
struck  under  Augustus,  distinctly  names  this 
office,  and  represents  the  sacerdotal  functionary 


FLAMINES. 

! himself ; for  L.  lentvlvs  is  there  called  fla- 

MEN  MABTIALIS. 

In  the  preceding  engraving  of  this  illustrative 
coin,  we  sec  a figure,  naked  except  round  the 
middle,  holding  a small  Victory  in  his  right  hand, 
and  a spear  transversely  in  his  left,  lie  is  crowned 
by  a togated  figure,  who  stands  beside  him,  and 
resting  the  left  hand  on  a shield  inscribed  with 
' the  letters  c.v.  (Cli/teus  Fotivus).  The  crown 
held  by  the  togated  figure  over  the  head  of  the 
smaller  one  is  like  a star. 

llavercamp  is  of  opinion,  that  this  type  re- 
presents one  Lentulus,  a priest,  who  in  the  name 
of  Augustus,  is  dedicating  a statue  of  Julius 
Cicsar,  over  the  head  of  which  was  placed  the 
Julium  Sides,  in  the  temple  of  Mars  Ultor, 
whilst  the  shield  which  he  holds  in  his  right 
hand  is  a votive  one.  This  explanation,  which 
rests  on  no  conclusive  evidence,  Eckhel  (v.  182), 
leaves  to  the  adoption  of  those  who  approve  of 
it.  At  the  same  time  he  acknowledges  his  in- 
ability to  improve  upon  it.  Cicero  (ad  Quiu- 
tum  fratrem,  iii.  cp.  1,  $ 5),  mentions  a L. 
I/entulus,  the  son  of  a priest,  prior  to  the  one 
iu  question. 

Riccio  (in  his  Monet e delle  Famiy/ie,  p.  67), 
takes  the  same  view  of  the  subject  with  Haver- 
camp.  lie  says,  “ Lucius  Lentulus,  Flamen  Mar- 
tialis,  that  is,  priest  of  Mars,  is  represented  on 
this  coin  of  the  Cornelia  gens,  in  the  act  of 
dedicating,  in  the  name  of  Augustus,  the  statue 
of  his  father  by  adoption,  Julius  Cicsar,  in  the 
temple  of  Mars  Ultor,  after  the  voluntary  sub- 
mission of  the  conflicting  parties  iu  *hc  Roman 
state,  which  took  place  in  732  (b.  C.  22).  The 
above  mentioned  dedication,  however,  was  not 
performed  till  752  (b.  c.  2),  in  other  words,  until 
20  years  afterwards ; the  emperor  thus  absolving 
himself  of  the  vow  lie  had  made  to  shew  pos- 
terity that  lie  had  completely  avenged  the  mur- 
der of  Cicsar,  and  that  he  had  accomplished  his 
design  of  subduing  that  supposed  invincible 
party,  whose  project  for  defeating  him  was  fatal 
to  themselves.” 

F/amen  Qvikinai.is,  a priest  of  Quirinus  («. 
e.  Romulus,  after  his  deification). — This  F/amen 
was  the  third  in  rank,  and  is  supposed  to  be  de- 
signated on  a silver  coin  of  the  Fabia  family, 
on  the  reverse  of  which  we  sec  (p.  371)  the  in- 
scription of  N.  fa ni  pictor.  And,  for  the  type, 
a galeated  figure  seated ; with  the  pontifical  apex 
in  the  right  hand,  in  the  left  a spear,  and  a 
shield,  on  which  is  inscribed  QVLBIN.  On  the 
| exergue  roma. 

llavercamp  (says  Eckhel,  v.  208)  justly  re- 
marks, that  the  seated  figure  personifies  Rome, 
and  that  the  qviRiN.  should  be  expanded  into 
QVIRINa/w,  that  is,  Flamen  Qnirtna/ts ,-  just 
as  on  coins  of  the  Cornelia  family  we  find  in- 
scribed in  full,  L.  LENTVLVS  FLAMEN  MABTIALIS 
(as  engraved  in  left  hand  column). 

FLAM1N1A  gcus. — Of  the  plebeian  order, 
having  F/aminius  for  its  name  (from  Flamen), 
and  Ctlo  or  C/ii/o  for  its  surname.  It  otFcrs, 
for  its  record,  the  following  three  coins,  of  no 
particular  rarity : — 

roma.  Galeated  head  of  Rome. — Re r. — L 


389 


FLA  MINI  A. 


FLAVIA.— FLORA. 


Fi. am  ini.  below  cilo.  Victory,  holding  a crown, 
in  a biga  at  full  speed. 

Lucius  Flaminius  Cilo  must  have  been  questor 
of  the  republic  in  the  time  of  Sulla,  or  at  the 
beginning  of  Csesar’s  domination  ; and  although 
the  more  ancient  types  are  preserved,  yet  the 
Sulliau  or  Cicsarian  coins  arc  allusive  to  the  re- 
spective achievements  of  those  two  despotic 
rulers  over  the  affairs  of  Rome. 


2.  mi.  via.  pri.  fl.  Adorned  head  of  Venus. 
— Rev. — l.  flamin.  Below,  cuilo.  Victory  in 
a rapid  biga,  as  in  the  above  engraving. 

3.  Laureated  head  of  Julius  Caesar. — Rev. — 
l„  flaminivs  IIII.  via.  A woman  draped  in  the 
stola,  stands  holding  in  the  right  hand  a cadu-  . 
ecus,  and  in  the  left  the  hasta  pura. 

Lucius  Flaminius  Chilo,  nephew  perhaps  of 
the  preceding,  was  moncycr  to  Julius  Caesar, 
during  his  dictatorship,  when  the  number  of 
those  magistrates  was  increased  from  three  to 
four. 

What  pri.  fl.  means  has  given  rise  to  discus  • 
sion  among  numismatists.  First,  it  is  believed 
by  some  that  it  should  be  read  primus  jlando, 
as  designating  the  first  monetal  quatuorvir  added 
to  the  other  colleagues  by  Csesar.  Next,  Borg- 
hesi  and  Cavedoni  concur  with  Ursin,  that  it 
ought  to  be  interpreted  primus  Jiamen,  there 
being  a corresponding  example  in  the  coeval 
medal  of  Ti.  Scmprouius  Gracchus,  who  besides 
the  title  of  mi.  v(ir.)  took  that  of  qtuestor 
designates ; and  in  this  instance  the  first  priest 
('primus  jiamen),  has  placed  the  head  of  the 
new  divinity  on  a coin  struck  during  his  own 
monetal  magistraturc,  the  date  of  which  is  to 
be  referred  to  711  (b.  c.  43),  according  to  the 
calculation  of  Cavedoni,  iu  the  course  of  his  ex- 
amination of  discovered  repositories  (repostigli). 
The  head  of  Venus  on  coin  No.  2 is  allusive  to 
the  assumed  origin  of  Cicsar ; and  the  woman 
on  the  reverse  of  No.  3 is  thought  to  represent 
Felicitas. — See  llorghesi’s  reasons  for  entertain- 
ing this  opinion,  cited  by  Riccio,  p.  91. 

FLAVIA,  gens  plcbeia,  has  but  the  following 
coin  (with  three  unimportant  varieties),  which 
is  common  : — 

C.  FI.AV.  HEMIC.  LEG.  PRO.  PR.  Head  of 
Apollo,  before  it  a lyre. — Rev. — Q.  c.  brvt.  imp. 
Victory  on  foot,  crowning  with  her  right  hand 
a trophy,  and  holding  in  her  left  hand  a palm 
branch  resting  on  her  shoulder. 

The  letters  hemic,  at  the  bottom  of  this  de- 
narius, are  an  abbreviation  not  as  yet  satisfac- 
torily explained ; but  in  what  way  soever  they 
ought  to  be  read,  they  indubitably  stand  as  the 
surname  of  Flavius.  “ There  is  no  record  (says 
Eckhcl)  among  the  ancient  writers  to  shew  that 
Flavius  was  the  lieutenant  or  deputy  of  Brutus.” 


Yet  here  we  sec  the  name  of  Brutus — the  same 
who  assisted  at  the  murder  of  Julius  Cmsar,  iu 
a.  u.  c.  710,  on  a family  coin  of  the  Flavii. 

Riccio  speaks  more  confidently.  lie  says — 

“ Caius  Flavius,  who  caused  the  above  described 
denarius  to  be  minted,  was  legatus  pro-pralor 
to  Brutus,  when,  united  to  Cassius,  that  con- 
spirator fled  into  Asia  from  the  fury  of  the  tri- 
umvirs, who  had  raised  an  armament  against 
him.  The  legatus,  according  to  Borglicsi,  was 
one  of  the  brothel’s  Flavii,  to  whom  Plutarch 
and  Appian  bear  testimony,  and  who,  properly 
named  Caius,  took  part  against  Octavianus,  and 
was  put  to  death  at  the  capture  of  Perugia. — 
The  other  brother,  who  perished  at  the  battle 
of  Philippi,  was  not  called  Caius,  and  more- 
over he  occupied  the  office  of  prefect  of  the 
Fabri  (la  carica  di  prefetto  de’  Fabri),  a charge 
inferior  to  that  of  legatus.” — For  the  reverse, 
referring  to  Brutus,  see  Juuia  gens. 

FLAVIA. — The  legion  which  was  raised  by 
Vespasian  received  this  appellation  in  allusion 
to  the  family  name  of  the  emperor.  It  is  in- 
scribed on  a silver  coin  of  Gallicnus,  in  the 
epigraph  leg.  mi.  fl.  vi.  f.  with  the  type  of 
a lion. — On  a gold  coin  of  Victorious  senior 
this  legion  is  symbolized  by  the  type  of  two 
lions  and  a helmeted  head.  The  inscription  leg. 

IIII.  FLAVIA  p.  F. 

FLORA,  a goddess  of  Sabine  origin,  who 
presided  over  flowers  and  gardens.  The  poets, 
in  order  to  ennoble  her  history,  represented 
Flora  as  a nymph  under  the  name  of  Chloris, 
and  married  her  to  Zephyr,  the  son  of  Aurora. 
The  worship  dedicated,  iu  the  earlier  times,  to 
this  divinity,  took  place  some  days  before  the 
beginning  of  May ; as  Ovid  sings  (Fast.  iv. 
947)  : — 

“ Incipis  Aprili,  transis  in  tempora  Maii.” 

[You  commence  iu  April,  and  are  adjourned 
to  May]. 

During  the  beautiful  days  of  the  latter  month 
women  and  maidens  arc  said  to  have  assembled 
by  themselves  to  enjoy  the  gay  and  probably 
the  then  harmless  pleasures  of  such  a spring- 
tide  celebration.  The  festivals  of  Flora  re- 
ceived additional  splendour,  but  lost  their  mo- 
dest and  inoffensive  character,  when  a courtezan 
named  Acca  Laurcntia,  dying  during  the  reign 
of  Ancus  Martins,  left  immense  riches,  amassed 
during  a life  of  prostitution,  to  the  Roman  peo- 
ple, as  her  heir.  From  that  period,  the  F'loral 
games  were  renewed  in  her  especial  honour,  and 
it  was  to  this  meretricious  benefactress,  that  the 
people  affected  to  apply  the  name  of  the  god- 
dess, to  defray  the  expenses  of  whose  yearly 
feasts,  she  had  bequeathed  her  ill-gotten  wealth. 

In  Flora,  no  longer  regarded  as  a presiding 
deity  over  the  most  lovely  and  innocent  of  na- 
tural objects,  the  profligate  multitude  saw  only 
the  patroness  of  harlots;  and  seizing  on  this 
pretext  for  authorising  excesses,  they  at  length 
converted  her  worship  into  a source  of  public 
scandal.  It  was  not  however  until  the  year  of 
Rome  580  (b.  c.  174),  that  the  Floralia  were 
celebrated  regularly  every  year.  In  these  popu- 
lar sports,  obscenity  and  libertinism  were  (ac- 


390  FLORALIA. 

cording  to  Lactautius  and  other  writers)  car- 
ried to  the  highest  pitch.  “ Nam  prater  ver- 
borura  licentiam,  nudabantur  flagitantc  populo 
inerctrices  qua  spcetatores  impudicis  motibus 
detiuerent.”  ?'his  festival  was  frequently  kept 
up  by  torch-light,  when  Night  lent  to  indecency 
of  gestures,  her  aid  to  consummate  its  provo- 
catives by  deeds  of  debauchery. 


FLORAL.  PIUMVS. — This  epigraph  appears 
ou  a denarius  of  the  Servilia  gens,  with  the  type 
of  a woman’s  head,  having  necklace  and  ear- 
rings, the  hair  being  adorned  with  flowers. — 
There  is  a lit  mis  behind  the  head.  On  the  re- 
verse we  read  c.  SEEVEIL.  c.  p.  And  the  type 
represents  two  warriors,  in  short  military  dress, 
with  brimmed  caps.  They  stand  opposite  each 
other,  holding  shields  on  their  left  arms,  and 
joining  their  drawn  swords,  hilt  and  blade  toge- 
ther, as  in  token  of  confederacy  or  alliance. 

This  fine  silver  coin  has  presented  not  a few 
dillieultics  in  the  way  of  correctly  explaining 
its  legends  and  types.  The  difference  of  opinion 
amongst  numismatists  is,  or  rather  has  been,  as 
to  the  first  institution  of  the  F/ora/ia.  Accord- 
ing to  Velleius  Paterculus,  they  commenced  in 
the  year  of  Koine  514  (b.  c.  240),  C.  Servilius 
being  the  reputed  originator  of  those  festivals. 
Eckhel  quotes  as  a clue  to  ascertain  the  date  of 
the  event  above  alluded  to,  the  following  pas- 
sage from  Ovid  (Fasti,  v.  327): — 

Convcnfire  paties,  et,  si  bene  floreat  annus, 

Nummibus  nostris  (Flora:)  annua  festa  vovent. 
Aduuimus  voto.  Consul  cum  consule  ludos 

Postumio  Licnas  persoluere  mihi. 

[The  Fathers  arc  assembled,  and,  if  the  year 
has  proved  abundant  in  flowers,  they  vote  an 
annual  festival  to  my  goddess-ship.  I nod  my 
acquiescence.  Postumius  and  Licnas,  the  consuls, 
have  carried  it  into  effect  by  celebrating  games 
for  me  (i.  e.  for  my  satisfaction,  or  honour)"]. 

The  Author  of  Doctriua  goes  ou  to  observe, 
that  the  foregoing  quotation  from  Ovid  seems  to 
be  at  variance  with  the  statement  of  Velleius ; 
since  the  consulate  of  L.  Postumius  Albums  and 
M.  Popilius  Lieuas  took  place  iu  581  (b.  c. 
173).  But  the  same  poet  has  elsewhere  said, 
that  these  Ftorates  ludi  bad  fallen  into  neglect, 
which  the  goddess  had  resented  by  allowing  her 
productions  to  be  blighted  ; and  iu  consequence 
of  that  calamity,  by  a decree  of  the  Senate 
(patres)  in  581,  annual  and  perpetual  celebra- 
tions of  the  F/oralia  were  voted. 

The  infamies  committed  at  them  became,  how- 
ever, so  revolting,  that  Cato,  the  censor,  beiug 
one  day  present  iu  the  theatre,  a friend  remarked 
to  him  that  the  people,  embarrassed  at  seeing 
him  there,  dared  not  call,  accordiug  to  custom, 
for  the  public  display  of  meretricious  depravity. 


FLORALIA. 

And  this  great  Roman,  so  grave  aud  so  severe, 
had  the  complaisance  to  retire,  that  he  might 
not  interrupt  the  unbridled  license  of  the  people, 
nor  on  the  other  hand  pollute  his  eyes  with  the 
sight  of  disorders  committed  at  such  spectacles. 
The  people,  it  is  added,  appreciating  this  as  a 
concession  to  their  vicious  tastes,  bestowed  a 
thousand  plaudits  upon  Cato.  This  fact  Mar- 
tial (i.  Epigr.  3)  humorously  glances  at : — 
Nosses  jocosie  dulce  ciim  sacrum  Florae, 
Festosque  lusus,  ct  licentiam  vulgi, 

Cur  iu  theatruin,  Cato  severe,  venisti? 

An  ideo  tantum  veueras,  ut  exires. 

[“As  you  must  have  been  well  acquainted 
with  the  rites  of  the  mirthful  Flora,  the  holiday 
entertainments,  and  the  broad  licentiousness 
of  the  rabble,  why,  O strait-laced  Cato,  did  you 
shew  your  face  in  the  theatre  ? Did  you  really 
come  in,  only  to  walk  out  again  ?] 

But,  indeed,  the  same  satirist  had  previously 
said,  that  some  of  the  frequenters  of  Flora’s 
Festival,  in  epigrammatic  language,  contended 
that  Cato  ought  not  to  have  entered  their 
theatre,  or,  having  entered,  should  have  remained 
to  witness  the  seen  a joci.  To  this  Ausouius  in 
all  probability  alludes  (says  Eckhel)  when  (iu 
Carotin.  385,  v.  25),  he  thus  writes : — 

Neonon  lascivi  Floralia  beta  theatri, 

Quae  spectare  voluut,  qui  voluisse  negant. 

[“  Also,  the  joyous  Floralia  of  the  licentious 
theatre,  which  they  who  most  deprecate  them, 
still  desire  to  see.”] 

By  the  lituus  behind  the  head  on  the  obverse 
of  the  coin  engraved  at  the  top  of  this  article, 
the  moncycr  who  caused  it  to  be  struck  pro- 
claims himself  a descendant  of  C.  Servilius,  the 
augur,  who  was  pretor  in  659  (b.  c.  95).  But 
the  workmanship  of  the  denarius,  brings  it 
down  to  the  Cicsarian  age ; and  hence  Riecio 
(p.  210),  agrees  with  Eckhel  and  with  Morel, 
that  it  was  struck  in  the  last  period  of  the  re- 
public, and  by  the  questor  of  Brutus  and  Cas- 
sius, in  711  (b.  c.  43).  In  placing  on  the  ob- 
verse of  his  coin  the  bust  of  Flora,  with  a gay 
head-dress  of  flowers,  the  moncycr  pays  honour 
to  his  celebrated  ancestor,  that  Floralia  primus 
feci ss  et. 

Next,  as  to  the  type  of  the  reverse,  which 
indicates  cither  the  alliance  of  Romulus  and 
Tatius;  or  the  conspiracy  of  the  two  brothers 
Casca  against  the  life  of  Cicsar.  It  is,  says 
Riecio,  such  a type  of  alliance  as  is  seen  uni- 
formly represented  ou  coins  of  two  Italian  cities, 
Atella  and  Capua,  but  to  which  it  is  to  be  spe- 
cially referred  is  not  known.  “ Sine  dubio  (ob- 
serves Eckhel,  v.  310)  vetus  aliquod,  illustri- 
usque  foedus,  a quopiam  ex  gente  Servilia  pro- 
curation, iu  his  C.  Servilii  deuariis  renovatur.” 

Flora  is  also  supposed  to  be  typified  by  the 
head  of  a woman,  crowned  with  a chaplet  of 
flowers,  aud  with  a flower  behind  it,  on  the  ob- 
verse of  a denarius  of  the  Claudia  gens,  having 
for  legend  c.  clodivs,  c.  r.  The  portrait  suffi- 
ciently corresponds  with  that  which  Ovid  draws 
(L.  iv.  Faslor)  : — 

.Mille  venit  variis  Aoruin  den  uvxa  coronis. 


FLORENTE. — PLORIANUS. 

[The  goddess  comes,  crowned  with  garlands 
of  n thousand  varied  flowers]. 

But  the  reverse,  which  bears  the  title  of  ves- 
tai.is,  and  a seated  image  of  one  of  those  chaste 
priestesses,  is  but  ill-  assorted  with  any  record 
of  the  Floreal  celebration. — See  clavdia  gens, 

p.  210. 

FLORENTE  FORTVNA.  P.  R.— A woman 
standing,  with  brauch  in  the  right  hand,  and 
cornucopia:  in  the  left. — Obv. — hercvles  ap- 
sertor.  A laureated  and  bearded  head  of  Her- 
cules. 

Bimard  de  la  Bastie,  in  his  annotations  to  Jo- 
bert  (i.  299)  was  the  first  to  describe  the  above, 
as  being  the  legends  and  types  of  a silver  coin 
in  the  De  Roth  el  in  cabinet  of  his  time  (1739). 
Eckhel,  who  quotes  Bimard,  calls  it  “ silver  of 
Galba,”  and,  referring  to  it,  as  ouc  of  several 
coins  that  allndc  to  the  successes  of  that  empe- 
ror, makes  the  following  remark: — “If  coins, 
bearing  the  legend  mars  adseutor  (see  Licerta, 
More//.  Fam.  Rom.  tab.  4),  were  struck  during 
the  reign  of  Galba,  there  appears  to  be  no 
doubt  that  the  present  one,  inscribed  hercvi.es 
adsertor  is  to  be  associated  with  them ; espe- 
cially as  its  types  furuish  an  admirable  allegory 
in  allusion  to  those  times.  For,  as  Hercules  on 
his  return  from  Spain,  after  slaying  Cacus,  the 
robber,  restored  the  seven  hills  to  freedom,  so 
Galba,  returning  from  the  same  country,  after 
the  overthrow  of  Nero,  gave  liberty  to  Rome, 
planted  on  those  self-same  seven  hills,  and 
brought  it  to  pass,  that  the  fortune  of  the  Ro- 
man people  should  once  more  begin  to  flourish.’’ 
(vi.  298).  


FLORIANTJS  ( Marcus  Annin t/f,  brother  of 
Tacitus,  whom  he  had  followed  into  the  East, 
and  on  whose  death  he  was  acknowledged  em- 
peror by  the  Senate  and  by  all  the  provinces, 
except  Syria,  whose  army  supported  the  cause 
of  Probus.  A civil  war  was  on  the  point  of 
ensuing  from  the  rivalship  of  these  two  com- 
petitors, when  Floriauus  was  killed  by  his  own 
soldiers,  near  Tarsus,  only  three  months  after 
he  had  assumed  the  purple,  a.  d.  270. — Stvle  : 
IMP.  C.  M.  ANNIVS  FLORIANVS  AVG.— 
Short  as  was  his  reign,  the  reverses  of  his  coins 
have  sufficient  variety  to  shew  that  at  least  the 
Roman  mint  was  active  with  his  name  and  effigy, 
which  appear,  among  others,  on  a brass  medal- 
lion, having  the  epigraph  of  moneta  avg.  and 
the  three  monctie  standing,  with  their  attri- 
butes. Ilis  silver  of  base  metal  arc  of  the  se- 
cond degree  of  rarity : second  brass  rare ; third 
brass  common. 

The  following  gold,  of  the  usual  size,  arc 
valued  by  Mionuet  at  120  francs  each,  viz.  con- 


FLOS.— FOCAS.— FOEDUS.  391 

cord  milit.  Two  soldiers  joining  hands. — 
conservator  avg.  Sun  in  quadriga. — per- 
petvitate  (sic.)  avg.  Woman  holding  a globe. 

The  following,  at  100  francs  each,  viz.  iovi 
victori.  Jupiter  Nicephorus  standing. — bomae 
aeternae.  Roma  Nicephorus  seated. — virtvs 

avgvsti . Mars  walking Marti  victori. 

Mars  with  spear  and  trophy.  (Brought  £3  at 
the  Campana  sale). 

[A  gold  coiu  of  Florian,  found  at  Dedding- 
ton,  was  bought  by  Mr.  Cove  Jones  for  £12. 
— There  were  no  gold  coins  of  this  emperor 
either  in  the  Thomas,  the  Pembroke,  or  the 
Devonshire  cabinets]. 

FLOS,  a flower,  appears  on  coins  of  Aquil- 
lius  Florus,  a monetary  triumvir  of  Augustus. — 
The  type  of  that  reverse  bears  allusion  to  the 
cognomen.  Vaillant  gives  it  as  his  opiuion  that 
the  flower  represented  on  the  denarius  alluded 
to  (see  Aquillia  gens,  p.  71)  is  unknown  to 
botanists.  Havercamp  (in  Morel/.  Thesaur.) 
contends  that  it  is  the  cyanus  [kiWos — the  blue 
corn  flower],  Eckhel  (v.  143)  bluntly  says — 
“ Let  those  look  to  it,  who  are  conversant  with 
the  study.” 


A denarius  of  the  Dnrmia  family,  with  legend 
honori,  and  the  head  of  Honour  for  its  ob- 
verse type,  exhibits  on  the  reverse  the  legend 
Caesar  avgvstvs,  aud  a slow  quadriga,  on 
which  is  a basket,  with  a flower  in  it  (see  above). 
An  exactly  similar  type  of  reverse  appears  on 
gold  and  silver  coins  of  Titus. — VaiOant’s  ex- 
planation (ii.  p.  97)  of  this  device  is  its  re- 
ference to  a triumph  of  that  emperor’s;  and 
that  this  flower , or  rather  bud , similar  to  what 
the  goddess  Spes  carries  in  her  hand,  denotes  the 
hope  reposed  by  the  Senate  and  people  of  Rome 
in  the  victorious  arms  of  Jiukea’s  conqueror. 

A flower , according  to  Pliny,  was  the  symbol 
of  Spring ; and  in  confirmation  of  this,  on  the 
coins  of  the  four  Seasons  (by  Antoninus  Pius, 
Commodus,  and  others),  we  see  the  boy  who 
personifies  the  vernal  quarter  of  the  year,  bear- 
ing a basket  laden  with  flowers. — See  saecxjli, 
and  temporum  ff.licitas. 

FOCAS,  or  P1IOCAS  (Flavius),  a lowr-born 
Bithynian,  who  atrociously  assuming  the  impe- 
rial purple,  caused  the  deposition  of  his  sove- 
reign Mauricius,  aud  the  murder  of  that  em- 
peror and  his  family,  a.  d.  602.  In  eight  years 
afetrwards  he  was  himself  taken  prisoner  in  Con- 
stantinople, and  decapitated.  On  some  of  this 
villain’s  brass  coins,  where  his  style  is  dn.  fo- 
cas  avg.  he  and  his  wife  Leontia  appear,  pro- 
fauing  Christian  symbols  with  their  usurped  and 
blood-stained  dignities. 

FOED1S. — A treaty  of  alliance  made  by  one 
people  with  another  people.  Amongst  the  Ro- 
mans, in  early  times,  alliances  were  always  made 


392  FOEDUS. 


FONTE1  A. 


by  order  of  the  People,  by  authority  of  the 
Senate,  and  through  the  ministration  of  the 
Feciales  (sec  p.  376). — The  foedera,  or  treaties 
of  Rome  with  foreign  nations,  arc  recorded  on 
some  of  her  consular  and  family  coins.  There 
is  in  particular  a denarius  which,  bearing  on  the 
obverse  the  effigy  and  titles  of  Augustus,  places 
before  us,  with  beautiful  distinctness,  in  the 
legend  and  type  of  its  reverse,  the  ordained  rite 
of  forming  alliances  solemnised  by  the  Homans, 
from  which  rare  coin  an  engraving  is  subjoined. 

FOED.  P.  K.  CVM.  GA- 
BINIS  C.  ANTIS.  VETVS. 
(on  another  coin,  foedvs 
P.R.QVM.  (sic.)  GABINIS). 
Two  men  togated  & veiled, 
stand  opposite  each  other, 
holding  a sow  over  a light- 
ed altar. — Obv. — caesak 
avgvstvs.  Head  of  Au- 
gustus. Silver  of  Antistia  gens. — (See  p.  51). 


This  reverse  offers  a type  peculiar  to  the  An- 
tistii,  and  one  chosen  by  Autistius,  a moncycr  of 
Augustus,  to  indicate  his  connexion  by  descent 
with  Gabii,  that  ancient  city  of  Latium.  Indeed, 
Dionysius  of  Halicarnassus,  calls  “ Antistius 
Pctro  by  far  the  most  renowned  of  the  Gabiui- 
ans on  whose  death,  caused  by  the  treachery 
of  Sextus  Tarquinius,  the  city  in  question  was 
brought  under  the  dominion  of  his  lather  the 
king.  (Dionys.  Ilal.  iii.  p.  m.  255).  Shortly 
after  this  event,  peace  having  been  restored,  a 
treaty  was  cutcred  into  between  the  two  people, 
accompanied  with  sacrifices  and  oaths ; the  terms 
of  which  Dionysius  relates  to  have  been  pre- 
served to  his  own  day,  inscribed  in  ancient 
characters,  in  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Pistius. — 
The  same  writer  informs  us,  that  it  was  an  ox 
which  was  offered  as  a victim  on  the  occasiou  ; 
whereas  the  coins  exhibit  a pig  or  a sow,  which 
assuredly  was  the  animal  usually  immolated  at  j 
the  ratification  of  treaties,  as  Livy  has  expressly 
stated  (i.  c.  24),  in  whose  work  the  entire  rite 
and  formularies  are  specified  ; and  Virgil,  too, 
elegantly  bears  out  the  testimony  of  coins,  in 
the  passage  where  he  records  the  treaty  entered 
into  between  Romulus  and  Tatius,  after  the  rape 
of  the  Sabines  (jE/i.  viii.  038)  : 

Turn  iidem  inter  se,  posito  ccrtnmine,  reges, 

Armati  Jovis  ante  aras,  paterasque  tenentes 

Stabant,  et  Ciesn  jungebant  feedera pored. 

[“  Then,  these  two  princes,  laying  aside  their 
strife,  took  their  stand,  completely  armed,  be- 
side the  altar  of  Jupiter,  each  holding  a patera, 
and  having  sacrificed  a sow,  ratified  a solemn 
treaty.”] 

And  Yarro  says  (tie  R.  K.  L.  ii.  4) — “ When 
a treaty  is  ratified  at  the  commencement  of  a 
peace,  it  is  customary  to  sacrifice  a pig.”  The 
lighted  altar,  therefore,  on  this  coin,  is  that  of  i 
Jupiter;  for  the  name  of  Diespiter  occurs  also 
in  the  formulary  used  on  the  occasion,  and  this 
practice  too  was  derived  from  the  Greeks ; for 
in  Theocritus,  Tircsias  is  found  enjoining  Ale- 
mcna  “ to  sacrifice  to  the  supreme  J upiter  a 
male  pig.  (Idyll,  xxiv.  v.  97)- — Homer,  how- 


ever, has  recorded  a much  more  ancicut  usage 
of  sacrificing  a pig  to  Jupiter,  where  he  says, 
that  Agamemnon  swore  that  he  restored  Briseis 
to  Achilles  inviolate.  (Iliad,  T.  250).  But 
Taltkybius  “ stood  (the  while)  beside  the  pastor 
of  the  people,  holding  in  his  arms  a pig.” — The 
athletes  in  the  Olympic  games  used,  with  a 
similar  rite,  to  call  Jupiter  ‘OpKios  to  witness, 
that  they  would  resort  to  no  fraud  in  their  con- 
tests. The  sacrifice  of  a sow,  aud  the  ceremo- 
nial of  ratifying  a treaty,  arc  expressed  in  nearly 
the  same  manner  on  coins  of  Acerra,  in  Cam- 
pania, and  ou  those  of  the  Sainnitcs.  See  coins 
of  the  Veturia  gens. — See  also  Eckhel,  v.  137 
and  138. 

FOXTEIA  gens,  of  the  highest  antiquity ; 
but  plebeian,  for  Clodius  caused  himself  to  be 
adopted  by  P.  Fonteius,  in  order  that  he  might 
be  a tribune  of  the  plebs.  The  surname  is  Ca- 
pito. — There  arc  nine  distinct  mintages  in  its 
coins,  besides  a great  many  minor  varieties. — 
The  silver  are,  with  few  exceptions,  common. 
The  brass  pieces  are  the  as,  or  its  parts,  struck 
by  the  moncycrs  of  M.  Antony. — The  following 
are  amongst  the  most  rare,  or  curious,  denarii 
j of  this  family  : — 


1.  A double  head,  of  youthful  appearance, 
before  it  the  mark  of  the  denarius,  behind  it 
some  isolated  alphabetic  character. — Rev.  c. 
FONT.;  below  rom.v.  A galley  with  helmsman, 
or  captain,  aud  rowers  at  their  oars,  and  the 
stern  adorned  with  the  aplustre  and  streamers. 

In  these  types  Vaillant  recognises  au  indica- 
tion of  the  origin  of  the  Fonteii,  who,  accord- 
ing to  Arnobius,  assumed  to  have  descended 
from  Fontus,  the  son  of  Janus.  Eckhel  cha- 
racterises this,  as  “ pncclara  conjecture,”  aud 
points  to  several  examples  presenting  analogous 
selections  of  reputed  ancestors,  which  fully  con- 
firm its  correctness. -See  Doctrina,  v.  21 4,  ct  seq. 

The  ship  with  rowers  is  regarded  by  Iticcio 
(p.  92)  as  allusive  to  sonic  maritime  expeditions 
of  the  ancient  members  of  the  family,  uot  re- 
corded iu  history,  or  perhaps  to  the  arrival  by 
by  sea,  in  Italy,  of  Janus,  the  father  of  Foutus 
above  named.  The  same  modem  writer  on 
family  coius  observes,  that  Cains  Fonteius,  who 
caused  this  denarius  to  be  minted,  probubly 
lived  about  the  year  641  (n.  C.  1 13).  And,  ap- 
parently to  Cavcdoni,  lie  might  be  the  Fonteius 
slain  by  the  Ascolani,  together  with  the  pro- 
consul Scrvilius,  at  the  breaking-out  of  the 
social  war,  iu  603  (n.  c.  91). 

2.  Two  juvenile  heads,  coupled  together,  lsu- 
rcated,  with  a star  over  each.  Before  them  the 
mark  of  the  denarius,  and  in  some  the  letters 
l>.  F. — Rev.  man.  fontki.  A trireme,  with  pilot 
silting  at  the  helm.  In  the  field  three  globules. 


FONTEIA. 


FORGERIES.  393 


The  two  heads  on  the  obverse  arc  those  of 
the  Dioscuri , who  are  the  Penates  of  the  capital. 
On  a specimen  of  the  above  denarius,  engraved 
in  Riccio  (Tav.  20,  No.  2),  the  letters  P.  p. 
appear  before  the  heads.  This  is  made  still 
more  clear  in  similar  types  of  the  Autia  and 
Snlpicia  families.  For  some  explanatory  remarks 
on  these  domestic  deities,  the  reader  is  referred 
to  the  word  Penates. — “ The  mint  of  Fontcius 
(says  Eckhel)  adopts  these  types,  because,  as 
we  learn  in  the  case  of  the  Sulpicia  family,  the 
Penates  were  held  in  the  highest  honour  at  Tus- 
culum,  from  which  town  the  Fonteii  originally 
came.”  See  Doct.  Num.  v.  218. 

Cavcdoni  (cited  by  Riccio,  p.  93),  says,  that 
the  Manius  F’onteius  of  the  silver  coins  and  also 
of  large  brass,  classed  with  the  miutages  of  the 
Fonteia  gens,  must  be  the  same  person  who  was 
defended  by  Cicero;  since,  in  the  newly-dis- 
covered fragment  of  the  oration  delivered  by 
him,  M.  F'outeius  is  expressly  mentioned  as  his 
mouetal  triumvir,  and  his  questor.  He  was 
pretor  in  675  (b.  c.  79),  and  thence  it  is  to  be 
inferred  that  a little  while  before  he  was  moneyer. 


3.  M.  fontei.  c.  f.  The  head  of  a young 
man  laureated,  beneath  which  is  the  fulmen. — 
Rev.  A winged  boy  riding  on  a goat.  In  the 
field  of  the  coiu  are  two  pi/ei,  with  a star  over 
each.  Below  is  the  thyrsus.  All  within  a myr- 
tle garland. 

The  portrait  on  the  obverse  of  this  denarius 
is,  in  the  opinion  of  Eckhel  himself,  not  incor- 
rectly believed  to  be  that  of  Apollo  Vcjovis, 
to  whom  the  thunderbolt  under  the  head  bears 
allusion.  As  to  the  winged  boy  sitting  on  a 
goat,  the  same  commentator  says,  that  it  seems 
to  be  rather  the  “ Genius  of  Vejovis,”  than,  as 
to  others  it  has  appeared,  the  figure  of  Cupid, 
in  which  opinion  (says  he),  I follow  Passeri, 
who  regards  such  figures  of  winged  children, 
except  when  they  hold  a bow  or  an  arrow,  as 
genii.  The  bonnets  of  the  Dioscuri  belong  to 
the  Dei  Penates.  As  to  why  the  thyrsus  and 
the  myrtle  crown  form  part  of  the  type,  and 
also  as  to  who  was  Manius  Fonteius,  the  author 
of  these  denarii,  the  numismatist  of  Vienna, 
with  his  usual  repudiation  of  conjecture,  simply 
adds  “ ignoro.” 

Riccio,  iu  describing  the  above  denarius,  says 
“ This  Manius  F'outeius  must  have  been  moneyer 
about  670  (b.  c.  84),  and  son  of  that  Caius 
3 E 


Fontcius,  who  was  lea  at  us  to  Manius  Fonteius, 
pretor  in  Gaul,  posterior  to  675  (b.  c.  79),  and 
reckoned  among  the  primarii  viri  by  Cicero. 

Cavcdoni  believes  the  infant  figure  on  the 
goat  to  be  meant  for  the  genius  of  Jupiter  Cres- 
cens,  seated  on  the  back  of  his  own  goat  [Amal- 
tluca],  and  is  of  opinion  that  the  reiterated  ap- 
pearance of  the  caps  of  the  Dioscuri  bears  allu- 
sion to  the  original  country  of  the  monetal 
functionary  who  caused  the  coin  to  be  struck. 


4.  P.  FONTEIVS  P.  F.  CAPITO  III.  V1K.  The 
helmed  bust  of  Mars,  with  but  little  beard. 
Behind  it  a trophy. — Rev.  An  armed  horseman, 
ridiug  at  full  speed.  Under  him  are  two  mili- 
tary figures. 

This  is  one  among  many  family  coins,  iu 
which  both  legends  and  types  are  involved  in 
uncertainty,  and  the  expectations  raised  by  cither 
a full  inscription,  or  an  interesting  device,  are 
more  or  less  disappointed.  Eckhel  (v.  p.  220), 
does  not  regard  it  as  satisfactorily  made  out 
why  Mars  Tropceophorus  appears  on  the  obverse, 
nor  who  the  horseman  is  on  the  reverse,  nor  to 
whom  the  inscription  MANiw  FONT<?»«  TRi- 
bunus  MILeluat  should  be  assigned.  He  de- 
scribes the  two  armed  figures  beneath  the  horse’s 
feet  as  engaged  in  single  combat,  whilst  Miou- 
net  secs  in  them  two  enemies,  whom  the  cava- 
lier has  laid  prostrate. 

Riccio  endeavours  to  supply  some  of  these 
desiderata.  He  pronounces  this  Publius  F'on- 
teius  Capito  to  have  been  moneyer  iu  the  660th 
year  of  Rome  (b.  c.  94)  if  not  later.  He  re- 
gards the  types  of  the  above  engraved  coin  as 
alluding  to  certain  exploits  performed  by  a mem- 
ber of  this  family,  that  is  to  say,  to  the  mili- 
tary tribune  Manius  Fontcius,  who,  under  the 
command,  and  in  presence  of,  Titus  Didius  (p. 
327),  iu  Celtiberia,  displayed  his  prowess  by 
slaying  the  enemy’s  general. 

Some  think  that  the  tribune  above  mentioned 
was  brother  of  the  F'onteius  Capito  who  struck 
this  denarius,  but  its  fine  workmanship  carries 
it  down  to  a later  period. — [Mr.  Akerman  thinks 
that  the  head  of  trophy-bearing  Mars,  together 
with  the  reverse  type,  refers  either  to  that  suc- 
cessful Spanish  expedition,  or  to  some  other 
specific  victory.] 

P.  FONTEIVS  III.  VI R.  CONCORDIA.— 
Veiled  head  of  Concord. — Rev.- T.  DIDI.  IMP. 
VIL.  PVB.  Grand  portico  of  two  stories. 

This  coin  commemorates  the  Imperator  (Gene- 
ral in  command  of  an  army)  Titus  Didius,  under 
whom  the  tribune  I’.  F'onteius  fought,  and  respect- 
ing whom  see  coin  No.  2,  in  Didia  gens  (p.  327). 

FORGERIES  of  Public  Money. — On  this 
subject,  so  important  to  the  numismatist,  and 
so  interesting  in  an  historical  point  of  view,  some 
general  observations  will  be  found  in  pp.  294 


394  FORTUNA. 

and  295  of  this  volume,  under  the  head  of 
Counterfeit  Coins.  But  for  further  information 
respecting  the  works  of  fa/sarii  amongst  the 
Romans,  the  reader  is  especially  referred  to  a 
valuable  essay  by  the  Editor  of  'the  Numismatic 
Chronicle  for  July,  1846,  including  a masterly 
letter  to  Mr.  Akcrman  from  Mr.  Burgon,  with 
regal'd  to  the  practices  of  the  Greek  forgers. — 
The  whole  dissertation  merits  attention;  for, 
commencing  with  early  epochs  of  antiquity,  it 
pursues  the  history  of  monel  al  frauds  through 
the  middle  ages  down  to  the  times  of  our  own 
Tudors  and  Stuarts. 

FORT.  Fortissimus. — One  of  the  titular  epi- 
thets given  ou  coins  to  Dcceutius. 

FORT.  CAESAR.  Fortissimus  Casar. 

FOR.  RE. Fortuna  Redux  appears  fre- 

quently on  coins  of  Augustus. 

FORT.  F EL.  Fortuna  Fetid. — On  silver 
and  brass  of  Commodus,  and  silver  of  Domna. 

FORT.  P.  R. — F'or  an  explanation  of  this  ab- 
breviated legend  see  arria  geus,  p.  83. 

FORTUNA. — Fortune  ; a goddess,  to  whose 
worship  the  Romans  were  devoutly  attached. — 
The  common  people  regarded  her  as  a divinity 
who  distributed  good  and  evil  amongst  man- 
kind, according  to  her  caprice,  and  without 
having  any  regard  to  merit.  But  the  more 
sensible  portion  of  the  ancients  either  denied 
the  existence  of  this  deity,  or  understood  by  ! 
Fortune  no  other  than  Divine  Providence,  whose  | 
decrees  being  unknown  to  mortals,  humau  events 
appear  to  happen  by  chance.  The  Romans,  who  ! 
were,  at  the  earliest  period  of  their  history,  con- 
tent to  consult  Sors  el  Fortuna  at  Antium,  I 
afterwards  adopted  the  goddess  into  the  number  1 
of  their  tutclarics,  and  consecrated  nearly  thirty  I 
temples  to  her,  in  the  different  districts  of  the  I 
city.  Servius  Tullius  set  the  first  example,  which 
was  followed  by  Ancus  Martins,  aud  it  was  j 
largely  adopted  in  the  time  of  the  republic. — 
The  Emperor  Nero  built  a temple 'to  Fortune  of 
transparent  stones.  The  Romans  pretended  that 
Fortune,  having  deserted  the  Persians  and  Assy- 
rians, and  after  having  flown  lightly  over  Mace-  I 
donia,  and  seen  Alexander  perish,  passed  over 
into  Egypt  aud  Syria,  and,  at  last  arriving  on 
Mount  Palatine,  threw  aside  her  wings,  cast 
away  her  wheel,  and  entered  Rome,  there  to 
take  up  her  abode  for  ever. — Fortune  was  Sulla’s 
favourite  divinity  : to  her,  not  to  himself,  or  to 
his  own  wisdom,  he  was  accustomed  to  ascribe 
all  the  glory  of  his  many  successful  achieve- 
ments, and,  in  allnsion  to  this,  assumed  the 
name  of  Felix. — The  Romans  gave  many  dif- 
ferent names  to  this  versatile  goddess.  The 
following  are  those  which  appear  on  coins,  viz. : 
Antiatina,  Bona,  Felix,  Fors,  Mala,  Mulicbris, 
Manens,  Obsequcns,  Primigcnia,  Redux  ; lastly) 
Fortuna  Augusta,  or  Augusti,  and  Fortuna  IV 
puli  Romani  (see  those  names,  suis  locis). 

Fortune  appears  on  a great  number  of  im- 
perial coins,  in  each  mctnl  and  size,  from  Au- 
gustus to  Diocletian,  with  the  legend  fortvxa, 
but  more  frequently  fortvna  avo.  and  avovsti) 
under  the  figure  of  n young  woman,  habited  in 
the  stola,  standing  (as  in  the  following  cn- 


FORTUNAE  ANTI  AT. 


graved  example  of  Hadrian,  first  brass),  or  seated, 
holding  in  the  right  hand  a rudder,  resting  on 
the  prow  of  a ship,  aud  in  the  left  hand  a cor- 
nucopia;. In  some  types  a wheel  appears  at  her 
feet,  or  under  her  chair,  as  in  AJbinus,  Gor- 
dianus  III.  &c.  On  other  specimens  we  see  her 
with  the  rudder  planted  ou  a globe,  as  in  Yerus, 
Commodus,  &c.  but  the  cornucopia;  is  her  in- 
variable attribute. 

Fortune  is  seated  with  a young  boy  before 
her,  on  a coiu  of  Julia  Domna ; standing  with  a 
caduccus,  iu  L.  Aclius;  with  her  arm  resting  on 
a column,  as  in  Hadrian;  in  a temple  of  six 
columns,  on  a coin  of  Trcb.  Gallus. 

Fortune  also  appears  with  Hope  on  first  brass 
of  Hadrian  and  of  Aclius  Ca-sar.  She  is  seen 
in  a chair,  opposite  to  the  emperor,  who  is 
sacrificing,  as  in  Sept.  Scverus.— [The  sedent 
goddess  is  said  to  denote  the  emperor’s  fortuue 
to  be  firm  aud  stable.  Sometimes  Fortuna  sedens 
holds  with  her  right  haud  a short  staff,  or  tiller, 
at  the  top  of  the  rudder,  as  in  Antoninus  Pins, 
Albinus,  &c.  And  on  a well-known  coin  of 
Commodus  (see  further  on)  she  sits  holding  a 
horse  by  the  bridle.  On  a coin  of  Geta  she  is 
recumbent  on  the  ground,  with  a wheel  and  cor- 
nucopia; by  her  side]. 

Fortuna  Mata,  and  Fortuna  Bona,  were  both 
worshipped  in  their  respective  temples  at  Rome. 
Vaillant  is  of  opinion  that  the  two  busts  ou  a 
coin  of  the  Rustia  gens  (Fortonic  Autiutcs) 
were  intended  to  personify  Good  and  HI  Fortune. 
— See  GENIUS. 

FORTVNAE  ANTIATes  Quintus  RYSTIYS. 

Two  beardless  busts,  side 
s by  side,  one  of  which 
wears  a helmet,  and  is 
i\  naked  as  far  as  the  breast, 

' ' and  holds  a patera ; the 
other  has  a mitella  on  her 
head-dress,  and  a tunic 
close  to  the  neck  ; both 
placed  on  a flattened  cip- 
pus,  each  extremity  of  which  is  ornamented 
with  a ram’s  head. — Rev.  CAESAR1  AYGVS- 
TO  EX.  S.  C.  An  altar,  on  which  is  inscribed 
FOR/a»<*  RE  dud. — Ou  silver  of  the  ltustia 
gens,  struck  under  Augustus,  in  the  year  of 
Rome  736  (b.  c.  18). 

Fortune  was  called  by  this  title  of  locality  ou 
account  of  a celebrated  temple  erected  to"  her 
honour  at  Antium,  a town  in  Latiuin,  not  far 
from  the  sea  coast  (now  Ando),  the  birth-place 
of  Nero.  At  this  place  she  was  doubtless  in 


FORTI  FORTUNA. 

high  repute  for  oracles  ; Suetonius  says — “ Mo- 
nucrunt  et  Fortunse  Antiathue , lit  a Cassio 
caverct.” — Perhaps,  says  Eckhel  (v.  298),  what 
I have  called  a cippus,  is  the  vehicle,  by  which, 
as  Macrobius  informs  us,  the  images  of  the  two 
Fortunes  (simulacra  Fort  unarum),  were  con- 
veyed in  Antiuin  to  utter  the  (oracular)  re- 
sponses. 

Addison,  in  mentioning  his  visit  to  the  ruins 
of  Antiuin,  makes  the  following  observations  : 
— “ All  agree  there  were  two  Fortunes  worship- 
ped here.  Suetonius  calls  them  Fortunes  Anti- 
ates,  and  Martial  the  Sorores  Antii.  * * * — 
Fabretti  and  others  are  apt  to  believe  that  by 
the  two  Fortunes  were  only  meant  in  general 
the  goddess  who  sent  prosperity,  and  she  who 
sent  affliction,  to  mankind  ; and  [these  Italian 
antiquaries]  produce  in  their  behalf,  an  ancient 
monument  found  in  this  very  place,  and  super- 
scribed fortvnae  felici.  sacrvm  ; and  also 
another  with  the  words  forti.  fortvnae  sac- 
rvm. [See  Morel/.  Thesaur.  Fam.  Rom.  t.  i. 
p.  869]. — This  double  function  of  the  goddess, 
adds  our  own  illustrious  countryman,  gives  a 
considerable  light  ana  beauty  to  the  ode,  i,.  i. 
35,  which  Horace  has  addressed  to  her.  The 
whole  poem  is  a prayer  to  Fortune,  that  she 
would  prosper  Augustus  Crcsar’s  arms,  aud  con- 
found his  enemies;  that  each  of  the  god- 
desses has  her  task  assigned  in  the  poet’s  prayer ; 
and  we  may  observe,  the  invocation  is  divided 
between  the  two  deities,  the  first  line  relating 
indifferently  to  either.  That  printed  in  Italic 
type  speaks  to  the  goddess  of  Prosperity,  or  to 
the  Nemesis  of  the  Good,  and  the  other  to  the 
goddess  of  Adversity,  or  to  the  Nemesis  of  the 
Wicked  : — 

0 Diva,  gratnm  qua  regis  An/ium, 

Prmsens  vcl  imo  tollere  de  gradu 
Morfale  corpus,  vet  supcrlos 
V ertere  funeribus  triumphos,  &c. 

Great  Goddess,  Antiuni's  Guardian  Power, 
Whose  force  is  strong,  and  quick  to  raise 
The  lowest  to  the  highest  place, 

Or  uith  a uomlrous  fall 
To  bring  the  haughty  lower , 

And  turn  proud  triumphs  to  a funeral , &c. 

Creech. 

“If  we  take  the  first  interpretation  of  the 
two  Fortunes  for  the  double  Nemesis,  the  com- 
pliment to  Ciesar  is  the  greater,  aud  the  fifth 
stanza  clearer  than  the  commentators  usually 
make  it.” — Sec  Remarks  on  Italy,  p.  1 69. 

FORTI  FORTVNAE,  or  FORS  FORTVNA. 
— Fortune  standing,  with  a rudder  in  her  right 
hand,  a cornucopia:  in  her  left,  aud  a wheel 
before  her  feet. 

This  epigraph  is  not  given  in  cither  Mionnet 
or  Akerman.  But  Eckhel,  and  before  him 
Spanheim,  recognize  it  as  borne  on  a second 
brass  coin  of  Gal.  Maximianus,  in  tbc  imperial 
cabinet  at  Vienna.  The  remarks  of  the  great 
German  numismatist  on  this  recondite  subject 
are  of  the  following  tenour  : — 

Fors  was  the  same  with  Fortuna,  as  may  be 
abundantly  proved  from  Latin  writers ; ' and 
Cicero  (de  Divin.  ii.  c.  6),  makes  no  distinction 
3 E 2 


FORS  FORTUNA.  395 

between  Fors,  Fortuna,  Castes,  and  Eventus. — 
Apuleius  also  (in  Ilermet.  Trismeg.  sub  fin.)  says, 
“ Eventus  or  Fors  is  intermingled  with  all  things 
earthly.” — Fors  Fortuna  was,  according  to  Varro 
(de  L.  L.)  a deity  among  the  Romans ; “ a cer- 
tain day  was  styled  by  Servius  Tullius  the  king, 
dies  Fortis  Fortunse,  because  in  the  mouth  of 
June  he  dedicated  a temple  to  Fors  Fortuna 
near  the  Tiber,  outside  the  walls  of  Rome.” — 
Consult  also  Ovid  (Fast.  vi.  773),  who  records 
besides,  that  honours  were  paid  to  Fors  For- 
tuna on  the  viiith  of  the  kalends  of  July.  In 
later  times  the  Romans  erected  another  temple 
to  this  goddess  in  the  gardens,  which  Julius 
Cmsar  bequeathed  to  the  people.  Plutarch,  who 
relates  the  circumstance  (de  Fort.  Rom.  p.  319, 
A.)  describes  her  in  these  words — “ Fortuna, 
whom  they  call  Fors,  that  is  to  say,  powerful, 
over-ruling,  masculine,  and  possessing  as  it  were 
a force  which  prevails  over  all  things.”  And 
the  same  author  had  just  before  said,  that  For- 
tuna had  been  adopted  by  the  Romans  “ as  a 
kind  of  cognomen  of  Fortitudo  (auSpetaJ,”  as 
though  fortuna  were  to  be  derived  from  fortis. 
— It  was  the  prevailing  belief  of  the  ancients, 
that  all  things  were  under  the  direction  aud  con- 
trol of  Fortune.  Aud  hence  Plautus  called  her 
hera,  or  mistress  (in  Mercalore) ; and  Ennius, 
as  quoted  by  Cicero  (de  Officiis,  i.  12),  says — 

“ Whether  he  would  prefer  yon  or  me  ( i . e.  For- 
tune) to  reign  as  mistress  (hera)."  There  is  a 
remarkable  passage  of  Pliny,  illustrative  of  this 
subject  (Hist.  Nat.  ii.  p.  73) — “ Throughout 
the  world,  and  iu  all  places,  and  at  all  hours, 
Fortune  alone  is  invoked  by  the  voices  of  all 
mankind ; her  name  alone  is  heard ; she  alone 
bears  the  blame ; she  only  is  convicted  as  the 
culprit ; she,  the  sole  object  of  men’s  thoughts, 
praises,  and  abuse,  yet  still  of  their  universal 
homage ; considered  by  all  to  be  mutable,  and 
even  blind ; roving,  inconstant,  unstable,  change- 
able, and  the  friend  of  the  unworthy.  To  her 
are  referred  all  events,  and  bhe  it  is  who  fills 
both  pages  in  the  life  of  mortals.” — No  wonder 
then  that  Momus  should  complain,  in  Lucian 
(Concit.  Deomm),  that  no  one  is  any  longer 
inclined  to  offer  sacrifices  to  the  gods,  from  the 
conviction,  that  tho’  endless  hecatombs  smoked 
upon  their  altars,  it  would  still  be  Fortune  that 
would  execute  the  decrees  of  Fate.  In  Horace 
(b.  i.  Carm.  35),  we  have  a striking  picture  of 
her  power : — 

“ Te  semper  anteit  sa-v a Necessitas, 

“ Clavos  trabales  et  cuneos  manu 

“ Gestans  abend : nee  severus 

“ Uncus  abest,  liquidumque  plumbum.” 

With  solemn  pace  and  firm,  in  awful  state, 

Before  thee  stalks  inexorable  Fate, 

And  grasps  empaling  nails,  and  wedges  dread, 

The  hook  torn  entous,  and  the  melted  lead. 

Francis. 

What  may  have  been  the  intention  in  intro- 
ducing Fors  Fortuna  on  the  present  coin  (adds 
Eckhel)  it  is  not  easy  to  discern.  A wheel  is 
seen  at  her  feet,  to  indicate  that  Fortune  is  volu- 
bilis ; a characteristic  also  elegantly  described 
by  Horace  (iii.  Carm.  29),  in  the  well-known 


396  FORTUNA. 

passage,  beginning — “ Fortuna  swvo  beta  ue- 
gotio,”  &c. 

Torayris,  Queen  of  the  Massageta:  (Scythia), 
having  learnt  by  experience  the  nature  of  For- 
tune, thus  addresses  Cyrus,  when  indulging  his 
dream  of  happiness — “ Above  all  things  learn 
this  truth,  that  there  is  a cycle  of  human  affairs, 
which  in  its  revolution  permits  not  the  same 
individuals  to  be  always  happy.”  (Herodotus, 
i.  c.  207).  The  wheel  was  a symbol  of  Nemesis, 
who  had  many  attributes  iu  common  with  For- 
tune. Terence  constantly  alludes  to  Fort  For- 
tuna, when  matters  have  turned  out  prosper- 
ously.— (viii.  38  and  39). 


FORTY  XAE  MANENTI.  To  abidiug  For- 
tune— is  the  epigraph  of  a silver  and  brass  coin 
of  Commodus,  of  which  the  type  is  a woman 
seated,  with  a cornucopia:  in  her  left  hand,  and 
holdiug  with  her  right  a horse  by  the  bridle. 

This  shews  that  Commodus  paid  his  vows  to 
Fortune  under  the  surname  of  Manens ; a super- 
stition of  which,  however,  there  are  other  and 
abuudant  instances  to  be  found  amongst  Roman 
writers  Fortuna  manens  is  praised  by  1 lorace 
(l.  iii.  Ode  29),  as  opposed  to  Fortuna  mobilis. 
But  the  reason  why  the  goddess,  as  in  this  coin, 
should  be  holdiug  in  the  horse,  seems  obscure. 
Perhaps  it  was  because  Fortuuc,  who  is  here 
called  manens,  might  have  been  the  same  as 
Fortuna  equestris,  to  whom  Fulvius  Flaccus, 
after  having  by  the  strength  of  his  cavalry  forces 
defeated  the  Ccltiberians,  vowed  to  erect  a tem- 
ple, which  Tacitus  alludes  to  as  standing  near 
Antium. — See  Eckhel,  vii.  15. 

FORTVNAE  MVL1EBRI.  (To  womanly 
Fortune). — A female  figure  seated,  with  a rud- 
der iu  her  right  haud,  and  a cornucopia:  in  her 
left.  Gold  and  silver  of  Faustina  the  younger. 
Engraved  in  Kolb.  Traite  Elementaire. 

As  Fortuna  viri/is  was  an  object  of  adoration 
at  Rome,  and  that  as  early  as  the  times  of  Scr- 
vins  Tullius,  so  the  statue  of  Fortuna  mnliebris 
was,  with  her  temple,  consecrated  at  the  time, 
when  (as  the  legend  relates)  the  cutreatics  of 
his  mother  deterred  Coriolanus  from  destroying 
the  city.  To  this  deity  reference  is  made  in 
the  following  passage  of  Festus : — “ Also,  the 
statue  of  Fortuna  Mnliebris,  at  the  fourth  mile- 
stone of  the  Y'ia  Latina,  is  forbidden  to  be 
touched  (nefas  erat  altingi)  save  by  her  who 
had  been  but  once  married.”  Faustina  the 
younger  (observes  Y’aillant,  p.  175),  owed  a great 
debt  to  that  divinity,  as  she  was  the  daughter 


FORTUNA. 

of  an  emperor — indeed  the  eldest  daughter — 
I and  was  married  to  an  emperor. 

• FORTY' N A OPSEQY'ENS  (sic)  COS.  II1I. 

S.  C. — A woman  standing,  with  a patera,  or  a 
rudder,  in  the  right  hand,  and  a cornucopia:  in 
the  left.  Second  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius. — 
Engraved  in  the  Cabinet  de  Christine. 

This  reverse  first  appears  on  the  coinage  of 
a.  u.  c.  911  (a.  d.  158),  though  destined  to  be 
frequently  employed  during  Autoniue’s  twenty- 
second  investiture  with  the  tribunitian  power,  iu 
both  gold  and  silver.  A singular  change,  from 
one  cousonaut  to  another  of  similar  sound,  is 
exemplified  iu  this  instance  of  opseqvens. — 
But  on  all  the  specimens  which  came  under 
Eckhcl’s  notice,  it  is  inscribed  exactly  as  above 
given  ; whereas,  according  to  the  usual  method 
of  spelling,  it  should  have  been  obseqvexs. — 
(Sec  the  philological  remarks  on  this  feature 
of  the  coin,  ottered  by  the  author  of  Doc- 
trina,  vii.  24). --According  to  Victor,  there 
were  at  Rome  two  temples  of  Fortuna  Obse- 
quens,  one  of  which  is  conjectured  by  Y aillant 
to  have  been  restored  by  Antoniue.  This  For- 
tuna was  acknowledged  at  Rome  in  the  days  of 
Plautus  ; for  the  slave  Lconida  (Plaut.  Asin.  A. 
i iii.  sc.  3),  when  asked  by  what  deity’s  name 
' she  would  prefer  to  be  addressed,  replies,  by  that 
of  Fortuna  Obsequens. 

On  another  coin  of  the  same  emperor,  with 
FORTVNA  obseqvexs  for  its  epigraph,  F'ortune 
places  her  rudder  on  the  prow  of  a ship.  “ This 
denotes,  says  Putin,  that  the  goddess  had  shewn 
herself  condescending  (obsequentem)  in  all  things 
I to  the  emperor : the  rudder  and  stern  of  a gal- 
, ley  appear  to  signify  the  achievement  of  great 
victories,  and  the  happy  return  of  the  legions.” 

FORTVNA  REDVX.. — Fortune  that  brings 
back  [the  Emperor  in  safety], 

FORTwna  RED«r  CAES.  AY’G.  S.  P.  Q.  R. 
— A silver  and  a gold  coin  of  Augustus,  struck 
a.  u.  c.  735  (b.  c.  19),  bear  the  foregoing 
inscribed  on  an  altar ; and  it  was  frequently 
adopted  by  his  successors,  as  if  emperors  brought 
with  them  the  Fortune  of  the  city,  of  the  pro- 
vince, or  of  the  world. — Augustus,  when  many 
and  various  honours  were  decreed  to  him  iu  his 
absence,  “ would  accept  nothing  except  permis- 
sion to  consecrate  an  altar  to  Fortuna  Re/tux, 
aud  that  the  day  of  his  return  shoidd  be  in- 
cluded amongst  the  holidays,  and  called  Augus- 
talia.”  This  event  took  place  in  the  year  above 
mentioned,  and  the  numismatic  monument  cor- 
roborating the  historian  (Dion),  is  fully  illus- 
trated by  the  calendar,  which  records  that  the 
emperor  ex.  trans-makin.  frovtnc.  vrbem. 

INTRAVIT.  ARAQ.  FORT.  KEDVCI.  CONSTIT. 

FORT.  RED.  in  others,  FORTVNAE  RE- 
DVCI  COS.  III.  S.  C. — Fortune  seated,  veiled 
and  robed,  holding  in  the  right  haud  a rudder, 
which  rests  on  a globe,  iu  the  left  a coruucopise. 
First  brass  of  Hadrian. 

The  Romans  were  accustomed  to  render 
thanks,  aud  perform  sacrifices,  to  Fortuna  Jte- 
dux,  whilst  celebrating  the  return  of  the  reign- 
ing prince  from  his  visit  to  distant  provinces. — 
This  is  shewn  on  coins,  beginning  ns  above 


FORTUNA  REDUX. 


FORUM  TRAJANI.  397 


stated,  with  Augustus,  aud  occurring  afterwards 
under  Vespasian,  Trajan,  Hadrian,  Antoninus 
Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Verus,  Commodus,  &c. 

Fortune  was  said  to  distribute  wealth  by  her 
coruucopiic,  and  to  wield  by  her  rudder  the 
government  of  human  affairs. 

Fortune  seated,  as  in  the  above  engraving, 
was  meant  to  denote  that  the  fortune  of  the 
emperor  was  firm  and  stable;  whereas  she  is 
almost  always  depicted  as  upright  and  moving 
on.  All  these  are  equally  appropriate  to  Ha- 
drian’s return  after  O-equent  absences  abroad, 
aud  to  the  general  strength  aud  security  of  his  I 
government  at  home. 

FORTYNAE  REDVCI. — This  epigraph  ap- 
pears on  small  brass  coins,  with  the  titles  of  [ 
CAESarum  'S.ostrorum,  common  alike  to  Dio- 
cletian and  his  colleague  Maximianus  Herculeus.  ! 

The  goddess  stands  w ith  a wheel  at  her  feet. 
On  this  particular  Eckhel  remarks  that,  “ the 
Rota,  which  was  an  attribute  of  Nemesis,  should 
here  he  appropriated  to  Fortune,  will  surprise 
no  one  who  knows  that  the  two  goddesses  par- 
took of  almost  the  same  nature.” — (viii.  p.  8). 

FORTYNA — SPES. — Fortune  and  Hope;  on 
a gold  and  a brass  coin  of  Hadrian,  engraved 
after  the  adoption  of  L.  .El ins,  and  struck  by 
order  of  the  Senate  to  designate  the  Fortune  and 
the  Hope  which  Hadrian  anticipated  and  enter- 
tained from  that  adoption  ; for  the  personifica- 
tion of  Fortune  occurs  as  often  on  the  coins  of 
the  Augusti,  as  that  of  Hope  docs  on  those  of 
the  Casars. — Vaillant,  Impp.Rom.  T.  ii.  p.  143. 

FORUM.  Market,  public  place. — In  ancient 
times  there  was  no  city  or  town  so  small,  hut 
it  had  its  public  place,  where  the  inhabitants, 
together  with  the  population  of  the  neighbour- 
ing country,  might  assemble.  Those  of  the 
Romans,  distinguished  by  the  appellation  of 
Forum,  whether  at  Rome,  oriu  the  other  capitals 
of  Italy,  were  of  an  oblong  square  in  form,  of 
which  the  width  was  equal  to  two-thirds  of  the 
length.  There  were  at  Rome  seventeen  of  these 
public  places  or  markets,  fourteen  of  which  were 
appropriated  to  the  purposes  of  trade  in  provi- 
sions aud  other  merchandise.  These  were  c;dlcd 
fora  venalia.  , The  others,  where  assemblies  of 
the  people  were  held,  and  where  justice  was  ad- 
ministered, were  named  fora  civi/ia  and  judi- 
ciaria.  Among  the  most  noted  were  those 
maikcd  by  the  epithets  of  Romanum,  Julium, 
Augustum.  The  first  of  these  was  the  grandest 
and  the  most  celebrated,  now  the  Canipo  Vac- 
cino:  it  occupied  the  space  between  the  Capi- 


toline  Mount  and  Mount  Palatine,  surrounded 
by  porticoes  (basilica) , aud  the  shops  of  money 
changers  (argent aria),  and  being  the  most  an- 
cient, was  sometimes  called  forum  veins  or  Lati- 
num,  or  simply  forum. — Julius  Cresar  built  that 
which  bears  his  name.  And  the  increase  of  in- 
habitants still  requiring  more  accommodation  of 
this  kind,  Augustus  built  a third.  Several  suc- 
ceeding emperors  established  new  fora  at  Rome ; 
such  as  Vespasian  and  Domitiau,  whose  work, 
though  only  finished  by  Nerva,  was  called  forum 
Nervte.  Lastly,  Trajan  and  Antoninus  Pius 
equally  contributed  to  the  embellishment  and 
convenience  of  the  great  metropolis  by  similar 
constructions. — Pitiscus — Milliu. 


FORYM  TRAIANi.  S.  P.  Q.  R.  OPTIMO 
PRINCIPE  S.  C.  View  of  one  of  the  entrances 
of  the  celebrated  Forum  of  Trajan.  The  sum- 
mit of  the  edifice  is  occupied  by  a triumphal 
car,  to  which  four  horses  are  harnessed,  and  in 
which  the  figure  of  the  emperor  may  be  dis- 
tinguished. To  the  right  and  left  of  the  quad- 
riga are  trophies  and  statues. — Obv.  I.M  Ver  atari 
TRAIANO  W Gusto  GER; nanico  DAC ico  P on- 
tifici  Maximo  TR ibunit'ue  P otestatis  CO nsuli 
VI.  Vatri  V atria.  (To  the  Emperor  Trajan, 
Augustus,  the  German,  the  Dacian,  Sovereign 
Pontiff ; [invested]  with  the  tribunitiau  power, 
consul  for  the  sixth  time,  father  of  the  country). 
— First  brass. 

The  Forum  of  Trajan,  built  by  command  of 
that  emperor,  and  so  called  by  himself,  was  situ- 
ated in  the  8th  district  of  the  city,  as  P.  Victor 
testifies.  Dion  names  as  its  architect  Apollo- 
dorus  of  Damascus,  the  same  who  constructed 
the  wonderful  bridge  over  the  Danube. 

It  was  to  find  a level  and  a suitable  situation 
for  this  renowned  Forum,  that  Trajan  ordered 
the  Moils  Quirina/is  to  be  reduced  in  height  ex- 
actly so  many  feet  as  the  spiral  column  numbers. 
This  fact  has  been  expressly  stated  by  Dion,  and 
is  confirmed  by  the  inscription  on  the  pillar 
itself.  (See  columna,  pp.  236-237).-— That  it 
was  embellished,  in  every  part,  with  statues  of 
men  and  horses,  aud  with  military  ensigns,  is 
shewn  not  only  by  the  admirably  executed  coin 
(from  a finely  preserved  specimen  of  which  the 
above  cut  has  been  engraved),  but  has  also  been 
recorded  in  history  by  Pausauias  and  Aulus  Gel- 
lius ; the  latter  of  whom  adds,  that  there  was 
inscribed  on  its  walls  ex.  manvbieis  (sic.)  that 
is,  out  of  the  spoils ; namely,  those  which  were 


398  FORUM  TRAJANI. 

taken  in  the  Dacian  campaigns.  Ammianus 
Marcellinus  speaks  of  “ its  construction”  as 
“ marvellous  from  the  concurrence  of  the  deities 
themselves”  ( etiam  numinum  assev.sione  mira- 
bilem).  And  he  states  “ its  gigantic  proportions 
to  have  been  such  as  surpassed  description,  and 
could  never  again  be  produced  by  the  agency  of 
man.”  (l.  xiv.) — Among  other  pieces  of  sculp- 
ture with  which  it  was  decorated,  the  same 
writer  mentions  the  statue  of  Trajan : — “ the 
very  one  (observes  Eekhcl)  which,  in  my  opi- 
nion, appears  on  his  coins  struck  during  his 
sixth  consulate.”  Hut  the  splendour  of  this 
edifice  has  been  alluded  to,  at  a much  later  date, 
by  Cassiodorus,  where  he  says — Trajani  forum, 
vel  sub  assiduitale  videre  miraculum  est.  Nay, 
even  at  the  close  of  the  eighth  century  of  the 
Christian  sera,  its  remains  were  still  so  remark- 
able, that  Pope  Gregory  the  Great,  passing  that 
way,  was  seized  with  such  admiration  for  the 
genius  of  the  prince  who  had  raised  so  magnifi- 
cent a monument,  that  he  had  the  hardihood  to 
supplicate  the  Supreme  Being  for  Trajan’s  ex- 
emption from  the  eternal  pains  of  hell ; a prayer 
which,  as  the  story  goes,  was  granted ; though 
it  is  matter  of  astonishment,  how  Paul  the  dea- 
con (in  Vitd  S.  Greg.  M.)  could  have  coun- 
tenanced and  published  such  a fable. — D.  N.  Vet. 
vi.  432. 

The  excavations,  executed  by  order  of  the 
French  government  in  1812,  resulted  in  dis- 
covering the  traces  of  divers  edifices  which  for- 
merly ornamented  the  Forum,  and  afforded  to  an 
able  architect,  Antonio  di  Romanis,  the  oppor- 
tunity of  laying  out  a plan  of  the  Forum.  This 
plan  is  given  in  the  3rd  edition  of  Nardiui’s 
Roma  Anlica , published  at  Rome,  in  1818,  with 
notes  and  additions  by  Antonio  Nebby,  member 
of  the  Roman  Academy  of  Archa'ology. — Lenor- 
mant,  Iconographie  Romaine,  p.  50. 

The  Forum  contained  within  its  spacious  en- 
closure, besides  the  edifice  represented  in  the 
gold  as  well  as  brass  mint  of  Trajan,  other  ar- 
chitectural objects  of  great  elcgaucc  of  design, 
and  richness  of  ornament.  On  one  side  was  a 
temple;  on  the  other,  the  Basilica  Ulpia  (see 
p.  175),  in  which  stood  an  equestrian  statue  of 
Trajan,  in  bronze ; also  near  it  a library.  And 
in  the  centre  rose  the  beautiful  pillar,  which 
exists  in  good  preservation  to  this  day. 

In  giving  an  engraving  of  the  first  brass  coin, 
which  represents  a temple  with  lateral  porticoes 
(and  two  figures  sacrificing  at  an  altar  before  the 
fafade),  M.  Ch.  Lenorinant,  in  his  Iconographie, 
says — “ This  is  the  temple  of  Trajan.  It  was 
thought  that  Trajan  had  caused  it  to  be  erected  in 
honour  of  some  divinity  ; and  that  it  was  Hadrian 
who,  after  having  deified  his  adoptive  father, 
consecrated  this  temple  to  him.  It  is  more 
probable,  and  it  is  what  the  legends  of  two  me- 
dals give  us  to  understand,  that  the  temple  in 
question  (sec  an  engraving  of  it,  p.  354  of  this 
dictionary),  was  dedicated  to  Trajan  during  his 
life-time,  by  a Senatus  Consultum.” 

FRANCLA— GAVDIVM  ROMANORVM. — 
A trophy,  near  which  is  a woman,  in  the  atti- 
tude of  grief,  seated  on  the  ground. — On  the 


FRANCIA. 

obverse,  CONSTANTINVS  P.  F.  AVG.  Lau- 
relled head  of  Constantin-'  the  G>-eat.  Gold. — 
Engraved  from  a specimen  in  British  Museum. 


Respecting  the  Franci  and  the  AJamanni,  so 
frequently  and  on  various  occasions  vanquished 
bv  Constantine,  the  ecclesiastical  and  secular 
historians  of  the  period  furnish  abundant  in- 
formation, as  do  also  the  authors  of  the  pane 
gvrics.  It  agreeably  tickles  the  ear  of  a people 
to  hear  of  their  enemies’  defeat,  and  therefore 
the  expression  Gaudium  Romanontm  was  no  in- 
appropriate svnonyme  for  the  Alamanni  and 
Franci,  in  the  estimation  of  a people  so  inve- 
teratcly  attached  as  the  Romans  were  to  the 
cruel  spectacles  of  the  circus.  For  Constantine, 
according  to  Eutropius  (X.)  “ after  the  slaugh- 
ter of  the  Franci  and  Alamanni,  took  their 
kings  and  exposed  them  to  the  fury  of  wild 
beasts,  by  way  of  public  shews  of  more  than 
ordinary  magnificence.”  And  from  that  time 
the  Ludi  Franci  took  their  commencement, 
which  are  noticed  in  the  calendar  of  Philooalus, 
which  Lambecius  has  published  from  the  impe- 
rial library. — Eckhel,  viii.  84. 

FRANCIA,  on  other  coins  ALAMANNIA 
GAVDIVM  ROMANORVM.  The  type  same 
as  on  the  above  coin.  Gold  of  Crispus. — (Bau- 
duri — Pcllerin,  Mel.  i.  p.  168). 

The  author  of  Doctrina  says — “ From  this 
coin  we  clearly  perceive,  that  the  exploits  of  the 
father  arc  recorded  ou  the  mintage  of  the  son.” 
But  this  surely  is  not  very  extraordinary,  since 
it  was  Crispus  who  gained  more  than  one  of  the 
victories  alluded  to  in  the  foregoing  legend, 
acting  in  his  quality  of  Ciesar,  and  as  general 
in  command  of  an  expeditionary  army,  under 
his  father,  against  these  two  nations,  whose 
united  revolt  from  the  Roman  yoke,  he  effectu- 
ally suppressed  in  a.  d.  320. 

Francia. — The  country  thus  named  was  Frnn- 
cia  Oricntalis,  lying  between  the  Maine  and  the 
Rhine,  antecedently  forming  part  of  Germania. 
Alamannia  was  a region  chiefly  lying  between 
the  Danube  and  the  Atmuhl,  one  of  the  northern 
tributaries  of  the  Danube.  At  present  all  that 
was  called  Alamannia  is  included  in  Germany. 

Franci. — The  people  so  named  in  Constan- 
tine’s time  arc  not  to  be  confounded  with  the 
Gauls.  And  according  to  Spartianus  and  Victor, 
the  Alamanni  were  a distinct  nation  from  the 
Franks  aud  Germans. — See  alamannia  i>k- 
victa,  p.  32. 

FRV.  Frumenlum. — Sec  ad  fkv.  kmv.  p.  5. 

FRVG.  Fruges. — See  a.  pop.  fkvo.  ac.  p.f>8. 

FRVGIF.  Frugifera. — CERERI  FRVGI- 

F erte.  (To  the  fruit-bearing  Ceres).  Sec  p.  196. 

FRUMENTA R 1 A E LA HGITIONES. -Grants 
of  Corn  to  the  l’lebs,  instituted  by  Ncrva. — 


FL'FIA. 

See  largitio. See  also  plebei  vrbanae 

KKVMEXTO  CONSTITVTO. 

FUFIA  gens,  plebeian,  but  of  consular  rank. 
It  took  its  surname  from  tbe  town  of  Cales,  in 
Campania  Felix,  whence  Kalenus  is  derived. — 
The  coins  of  this  family  consist  of  only  one 
type,  serrated  denarii,  and  rare.  The  following 
is  a description  of  it : — 

kaleni.  Two  conjoined  youthful  heads,  the 
former  laureated,  the  latter  galeated.  Before 
the  one  vibt.  behind  the  other  no. 


Rev. — corui.  Two  female  figures,  one  hold- 
ing a cornucopias,  and  having  a caduceus  and 
ital.  behind  her ; the  other  paludatcd,  and  hold- 
ing a sceptre,  with  right  foot  on  a globe,  behind 
which  is  inscribed  ro. 

Respecting  the  heads  of  Honos  and  Virtus  a 
notice  of  the  Mucia  gens  may  be  referred  to. — 
The  type  on  the  reverse,  in  which  Italy  and 
Rome  stand  joining  hands,  is  regarded  by  the 
learned  ns  allusive  to  the  restoration  of  peace 
and  amity  between  the  Romans  aud  the  people 
of  the  different  Italian  states,  when  at  length 
those  rights  of  citizenship  were  conceded  to  the 
latter,  which  by  a general  revolt  aud  resort  to 
arms,  they  had  sought  to  acquire. — Barthelemy 
refers  this  coin  to  the  treaty  entered  into  by 
Sulla,  with  the  nations  of  Italy,  but  only  as 
among  other  conjectures. 

Eckhel  (v.  220),  considers  it  difficult  to 
divine,  with  what  magistracy  the  Lucius  Fufius 
Calenus  referred  to  on  tills  denarius  was  invested, 
and  who  was  the  Mucius  Cordus  with  whom  this 
reverse  unites  him  in  eolleagueship. — Riecio  (p. 
94),  states,  that  the  first  named  was  moncyer 
of  the  republic  about  664  (b.  c.  90) ; and  ac- 
cording to  Dion,  the  same  person  was  pretor  in 

conjunction  with  Mucins  Cordus. Cavcdoni 

concurs  in  the  opinion  that,  on  this  medal,  in 
highly  expressive  characters,  is  represented  the 
famous  act  of  reconciliation  accomplished  be- 
tween Rome  and  Italy,  after  the  murderous 
social  wars.  He  adds,  that  the  remembrance 
here  perpetuated  of  that  event,  must  have  been 
au  especial  subject  of  pride  to  Mucius  Cordus ; 
because  Italy  pacified  shewed  his  attachment  ( at - 
linenza)  to  the  side  of  Papius  Mutilus,  first  gene- 
ral of  the  Romans  in  the  Italian  war.  On  this 
denarius  we  see  Rome  belligerent  and  Italy  fer- 
tile, as  distinguished  by  their  respective  attri- 
butes, reciprocally  offer  right  hands  to  each  other. 
And,  because  such  reconciliation  had  been  eflect- 
ed,  not  by  force  of  arms  but,  through  the  vir- 
tue and  honour  of  Italy,  of  which  Rome  was 
the  capital,  so  we  see  here  the  heads  of  these 
two  divinities,  who  had  each  their  temple,  but 
so  united  together,  that  no  one  could  enter  that 
of  Honour,  without  first  passing  through  that  of 
Virtue. — See  Monete  delle  Famiglie,  &c.  p.  94. 


FULMEN.  399 

FCLMKN.  A thunder-bolt. — Lightning,  the 
weapon  of  Jove,  forged  by  Vulcan,  is  com- 
monly delineated  on  ancient  sculptures,  paint- 
ings, and  coins,  as  cloven  into  three,  and  some- 
times more,  points  or  forks,  like  the  subjoined 
figure : — 


“ Virgil  (observes  Addison)  insists  on  the 
number  three  in  its  description,  aud  seems  to 
hint  at  the  wings  we  see  on  it.  He  has  worked 
up  such  a noise  and  terror  in  the  composition 
of  his  Thunder-bolt,  as  cannot  be  expressed  by 
a pencil  or  graving  tool”  : — 

Tres  imbris  torti  radios,  tres  nubis  aquosae 
Addidcraut,  rutili  tres  ignis,  et  Alitis  Austri. 
Fulgores  nunc  terrificos  sonitumque  metumque 
Miscebaut  operi,  fktmmisque  sequacibus  iras. 

JEneid , lib.  8. 

Three  rays  of  writhen  rain,  of  fire  three  more. 

Of  winged  southern  winds,  and  cloudy  store 
As  many  parts,  tbe  dreadful  mixture  frame, 

And  fears  are  added,  and  avenging  flame. 

Drydeiv. 

Amongst  other  examples  of  the  fulmen  ap- 
pearing on  Roman  coins,  are  the  following  : — 
Vulcan  is  seen  forging  it  in  the  presence 
of  the  goddess  Minerva,  on  a brass  medal- 
lion of  Antoninus  Pius. — First  brass  coins, 
struck  under  Tiberius,  to  the  memory  of  Augus- 
tus, bearing  for  obverse  legend  divvs  avgvstvs 
and  Divvs  avgvstvs  pater,  typify  his  portrait 
with  a thunderbolt  before  it,  as  if  he  were  be- 
come, through  his  apotheosis,  Jupiter  Latii, 
and,  invested  with  the  fulminating  power, 
reigned  in  heaven  with  the  king  of  gods  and 
men.  And  as  Jupiter  is  represented  bearing  the 
thunder-bolt,  so  the  figure  of  Augustus,  with 
radiated  head,  and  holding  the  fulmen,  appears 
on  a brass  medallion  of  Tiberius,  minted  by  the 
munieijnum  of  Turiaso,  now  Tarazona,  Spain, 
(engraved  in  Vaillant,  Set.  Num.  Descamps).— 
On  a coin  of  another  Hispanian  colony,  viz. 
Ciesar- Augusta  (Zaragoza),  struck  in  honour  of 
Augustus,  during  his  life-time,  is  a winged  thun- 
derbolt, similar  to  that  on  the  above  engraving. 
One  of  the  earliest  examples  of  a Roman  com 
with  an  eagle  standing  on  the  fulmen,  is  to  he 
seen  on  a denarius  of  M.  Autonius  (see  p.  52 
of  this  dictionary').  The  same  symbol  appears 
frequently  on  coins  of  Augustus,  restored  by 
Titus  and  by  Domitian,  either  isolatedly,  or 
with  an  eagle  standing  on  it.  On  a large  brass, 
dedicated  to  Caligula  by  the  Spanish  colony  of 
Csesar-Augusta  (C.  C.  A.)  the  Roman  eagle  is 
placed  on  a thunder-bolt  between  two  stand- 


400  FULMEN. 


FULVIA.— FUXDANIA. 


ards.  The  same  type  occurs  on  coins  COL.  A. 
A.  PATRctww,  struck  uuder  Claudius  and  under 
Nero. — There  is  a large  brass  of  Galba,  on  which 
Rome  stands  holding  transversely  the  legionary 
standard,  which  is  distinguished  by  an  eagle, 
with  the  ftilmen  in  his  talons  (Morell.  Thesaur. 
Lapp.  tab.  v.)  The  fides  exercitvvm  of 
Vitellius  has  the  eagle  and  the  thunder-bolt  for 
its  accompanying  type. — Vespasian’s  concordi a 
exercitvvm  exhibits  also  the  thunder-bolt  be- 
neath the  claws  of  the  legionary  eagle. — On 
silver  of  Vespasian,  and  on  gold  and  silver  of 
Titus,  appears  a thunder-bolt,  placed  horizon- 
tally on  a throne  (see  wood-cut  below). — Al- 
though peculiarly  assigned  to  Jove,  there  are 
instances  of  this  attribute  being  appropriated 
to  another  diviuity,  viz.  Jove’s  daughter. — On 
silver  aud  middle  brass  of  Titus,  and  more  fre- 
quently of  Domitian,  Minerva  stands  holding 
the  hast  a in  her  left  baud,  and  the  fit/men  in 
her  right. — A large  brass  of  Domitian  exhibits 
the  sedent  image  of  ivppiter  cvstos,  with  the 
thunder-bolt  and  spear.  ( Morell . Impp.  tab. 
xiv.) — Another  large  brass  of  Domitiau  repre- 
sents the  emperor  himself  holding  Jove’s  thun- 
der in  his  right  hand,  and  the  hasta  of  divinity 
in  his  left,  crowned  by  Victory  from  behind. 
{Morell.  tab.  xv.  No.  24). — ivppiter  conser- 
vator. Eagle  with  expanded  wings,  standiug 
on  the  fuhnen.  Silver  and  middle  brass  of  Do- 
mitian. {Ibid,  tab.  vi.  No.  14). — PRINCEPS 
ivventvtis.  Thunder-bolt  surmounted  by  an 
eagle.  {Ibid.  tab.  xvii.  No.  14). — Before  quit- 
ting the  examples  furnished  from  the  Flavian 
mintages,  a specimen  of  Vespasian’s  silver  is 
subjoined : — 

Rev.-ivi.  p.  ix,  imp.  xv. 
cos.  viii.  P.  p.  The  ful- 
men  placed  on  a throne  (viz. 

| that  of  Jupiter).  The 
1 lightning  was  regarded  as 
symbolical  of  warlike  power 
(AVilde) — a power  also  con- 
joined (according  to  Begcr) 
with  public  utility,  as  indicated  on  a denarius 
of  the  Fabia  gens.  (See  p.  371  of  this  volume). 
In  the  conservatori  patris  patriae,  brass 
medallion  of  Trajan,  we  see  the  figure  of  Jupi- 
ter holding  his  protecting  hand,  armed  with  a 
thunder-bolt,  over  the  head  of  the  emperor, 
standing  at  his  feet. — A similar  type  is  described 
by  Mionuet,  from  a large  brass  of  Hadrian. — 
A two-fold  representation  of  this  tutelary  object 
of  imperial  invocation  is  finely  displayed  on  a 
brass  medallion  of  L.  Vcrus,  in  which  he  and 
M.  Aurelius  stand  beneath  the  towering  figure 
of  “ the  Thunderer.” — Ou  a gold  coin  of  An- 
toninus Pius,  the  image  of  Jupiter  is  seated, 
with  the  fuhnen  aud  hasta-,  the  legend  1M- 
PERATOR  ii.  (Spanhcim,  Pr.  i.  42V). — The 
lightuing  was  emblematical  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, as  is  clearly  shewn  on  those  coins  which 
represent  the  fuhnen,  conjoined  to  the  legend 
providentia  deorvm,  to  be  seen  on  gold,  sil- 
ver, aud  large  brass  of  Antoninus.  (Sec  above). 
— Coins  struck  under  Carncalla,  and  also  under 
Maximianus,  respectively  bear  for  their  type  of 


reverse  a lion,  with  radiated  head,  carrying  a 
thunder-bolt  in  its  mouth. — On  a brass  medal- 
lion of  Diocletianus,  Jupiter  seated  holds  the 
fuhnen  and  hasta,  and  an  eagle  stands  at  his 
feet. — For  a finely  designed  type  of  jupitkr 
propugnator,  brandishing  the  fuhnen,  sec 
Alexander  Severns,  p.  33  of  this  dictionary. 

Augustus,  when  in  Spain,  narrowly  escaped 
being  killed  by  lightning,  and  held  a thunder- 
storm in  great  dread  ever  afterwards. — Sec  io vis 
TOn(antis). 

FULVIA  gens,  plebeian  but  consular. A 

family  distinguished  for  the  high  offices  occu- 
pied, and  the  talents  displayed,  by  several  of 
its  members.  It  has  ouly  the  two  following 
coins  of  Roman  die  : — 

1.  roma.  Galeated  head  of  Rome  ; before  it 
x. — Rev. — cn.  fovl.  Below  m.  cal.  Victory, 
naked  to  the  waist,  guiding  a biga  at  speed. 

2.  m.  cai.id.  q.  met.  cn.  pvl.  Same  type 
as  the  preceding. 

It  is  not  known  who  were  the  authors  of 
these  denarii. 

FUNDANIA,  gens  plebcia,  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing two  monetal  types  ouly  arc  kuown  : — 


1.  Bearded  and  laureated  head  of  Jupiter. — 
Rev. — c.  fvnda.  A’ictory  holding  a palm  braucli, 
and  crowning  a trophy,  supported  on  the  shoul- 
ders of  a kneeling  captive.  Quinarius. 

In  reference  to  coiu  No.  1,  Eckhel  says  “Here 
again  the  anticipation  of  historical  interest, 
raised  by  the  nature  of  the  above  type,  and 
which,  if  found  on  an  imperial  coin,  would 
scarcely  fail  to  be  realised,  is  in  this  case  of  a 
family  quinarius,  disappointed.  It  is  on  no 
well  authenticated  grounds  that  antiquaries 
make  out  this  Fundauius  to  have  been  a qu,estor 
of  Scipio’s  in  the  Numantine  war,  aud  that  they 
associate  the  types  of  A'ictory  and  the  trophy 
with  the  capture  of  that  rcuowned  Spanish  city 
Numantia,  after  its  twenty  years  of  resistance 
to  the  Roman  power.”  (v.  221.) 


2.  Galeated  head  of  Rome. — Rev. — c.  fvn- 
dan.  on  the  exergue.  Above  is  Q.  (interpreted 
qttirslor).  A triumphal  figure  with  sceptre,  or 
small  wand,  in  his  hand,  stands  in  a slow'  quad- 
riga, guided  by  a naked  child,  who  is  seated  on 
one  of  the  horses,  and  carries  a branch  of  laurel. 

Cavcdoui  aud  Borghesi,  cited  by  Riccio,  think 
that  the  little  figure  which  couducts  the  quad- 
riga, represented  ou  this  denarius,  was  meant 
for  the  films  pralejrtatus,  or  son  of  some  patn- 


FURIA. 


FTJRIA.  401 


cian  triumpher,  insidens  ftinah  equo  (sitting  on 
the  horse  next  to  that  yoked  to  the  pole  of  the 
car)  to  whom  it  would  well  belong  to  bear  the 
branch  of  laurel — that  this  coin  recalls  to  re- 
membrance the  triumph  of  Caius  Marius  for  his 
victories  over  the  Cimbri,  in  653  (b.  c.  101)  — 
that  the  hoy  on  the  horse  would  therefore  be 
the  young  C.  Marius — that  lastly,  the  moneyer 
in  this  case,  would  be  Caius  Fundauius,  father 
of  the  father-in-law  of  the  most  learned  Varro, 
recorded  by  Tully  (ad  Q.  Fr.  lib.  i.  ep.  2,  § 3). 

[This  is  all  very  clever,  and  gives  an  historical 
interest  to  the  type  far  more  attractive  than  a 
merely  allegorical  one  could  impart,  but,  after 
what  Eckhel,  coinciding  with  l’asseri,  says  of 
such  figures  of  children,  it  seems  best  to  regard 
the  infant  cavalier  on  the  above  reverse,  as  one 
of  those  vague  and  fanciful  creations  of  Roman 
superstition  called  a i ringed  genius. — See  Fun- 
teia , p.  393,  cut  No.  3]. 

The  denarius  of  this  family  having  been  found 
amongst  the  deposit  (nel  ripostiglio)  of  Ficsole, 
it  positively  results,  that  it  was  struck  before 
667  (b.  c.  87). — Riccio  p.  95). 

FUNDATOR  PACTS.  (The  founder  or  esta- 
blishcr  of  peace). — This  magnificent  title,  ac- 
companying the  type  of  the  emperor  standing, 
togated  and  veiled,  with  an  olive  branch  iu  his 
right  hand,  appears  on  the  reverse  of  a coin  of 
Sept.  Severus  (both  gold  and  silver),  struck  pro- 
bably after  his  expedition  against,  and  victory 
over,  the  Parthians.  Not  only  his  cruel  son  Cara- 
calla,  but  even  Julia  Domna  his  wrifc  was 
allowed,  by  the  flattery  of  the  same  mint,  which 
called  her  Mater  Castrorum,  to  share  the 
honour  of  founding  peace  (as  usual,  on  the 
wilderness-making  principle  of  Roman  policy.) 

FUNERAL  PILE. — See  conseciiatio— also 

ROGVS. 

Fl’RIA,  gens  patricia;  amongst  whose  mem- 
bers was  the  great  Camillus ; but  lie  is  not  noticed 
on  its  coins.  It  also  included  other  great  men, 
who  filled  high  employments  under  the  republic. 
This  gens  branched  into  families  whose  re- 
spective surnames,  as  they  appear  on  denarii, 
are  Brocchns,  Crassipes,  Philus,  and  Purpureo. 
It  is  uncertain  whether  the  Brocchi  were  of 
patrician  rauk  or  not.  Ten  numismatic  varieties 
are  given  in  Morel,  and  eight  in  Riccio,  who 
observes — “ si  hanno  di  cssa  moltc  mouctc,  ct 
la  terra  ne  da  spesso  dellc  nuove.” 

Gold  very  rare ; silver  common.  Its  brass  arc 
the  as  and  its  parts.  The  following  are  among 
its  principal  denarii : — 


1.  brocchi  hi.  vir.  Bust  of  Ceres,  crowned 
with  corn-ears,  behind  the  head  is  an  ear  of 
wheat,  and  before  it  a grain  of  barley. — Rev. — 
L.  fvri.  cn.  f.  A curule  chair  between  two 
fasces,  with  axes. 

3 F 


The  triumvir,  L.  Furius  Brocchus,  son  of 
Cerus,  must  have  been  moneyer  about  the  year 
640  (b.  c.  1 14).  The  sella  curulis  with  the 
fasces,  and  the  head  of  Ceres,  doubtless  allude 
to  some  glory  of  the  Furia  gens,  and  perhaps  to 
the  first  pretor  of  Rome,  a.  u.  c.  388  (b.c.  366), 
and  w ho  in  that  age  of  the  republic  was  collega 
consulibus,  atque  iisdem  auspiciis  creatus ; but 
it  is  more  reasonable  to  regard  the  head  of 
Ceres,  as  referable  to  some  distinguished  curule 
edileship  in  this  family,  than  to  the  achievements 
of  the  first  pretor;  the  chair  with  the  axed- 
fasccs  still  more  strongly  points  to  the  dictator- 
ship of  M.  Furius  Camillus. 

These  elegant  denarii,  through  the  discovery  of 
monctal  deposits,  are  shewn  to  belong  to  a time 
anterior  to  686  (b.  c.  68).  We  here  sec  accents 
employed  in  the  abbreviation  of  words,  and  also 
an  example  of  refinement  in  pronunciation ; this 
very  word  fvri  being  used  instead  of  fovri. — 
Riccio,  96-97. 

2.  aed.  cvr.  Head  of  a turreted  woman  ; 
behind  it  is  a human  foot. — Rev. — p.  fovrivs, 
inscribed  on  the  front  of  a curule  chair. — On  the 
exergue  crassipes. — See  an  engraving  of  this 
fine  denarius  in  p.  12. 

By  the  last  word  it  is  clear,  that  from  the 
thickness  of  the  foot  this  branch  of  the  Furia 
gens  derived  its  peculiar  surname.  P.  Furius, 
of  the  thick  foot  (Crassipes),  curule  edile,  must 
have  been  contemporary  with  Fannius  and  Cre- 
tonius  (plebeian  ediles,  sec  p.  12),  and  con- 
sequently magistrate  in  709  (b.  c.  45).  By  the 
head  of  Cybele,  and  the  chair  of  office,  reference 
is  made  to  the  Megalesian  games,  celebrated 
with  extraordinary  pomp  iu  the  year  above- 
named. — Riccio,  p.  97. 

3.  M.  fovri.  l.  f.  Head  of  Janus  bifrons, 
bearded  and  laureated. — Rev. — I’HII.I.  roma. 
Rome,  stolated  and  galeated,  stands  holding  a 
sceptre  and  the  hasta  in  the  left  baud,  and 
crowning  a trophy  with  the  right. — Engraved  in 
Morel/.  Thesau.  Fam.  tab.  Furia  gens.  No.  iii. 

M.  Furius  Philus,  son  of  Lucius,  is  con- 
sidered by  Ursin,  followed  by  Vaillant  and 
Havcrcamp,  to  have  been  nephew  of  P.  Furius 
Philus,  consul,  who  together  with  Caius  Fla- 
miuius,  enjoyed  the  honours  of  the  triumph  for 
victories  gaiued  over  the  Ligurian  Gauls,  in  531 
(b.  c.  223),  father  of  the  pretor  of  583  (b  c. 
171).  In  his  monetal  triumvirate,  which  oc- 
curred about  the  middle  of  the  century  after- 
wards, M.  Furius,  in  honour  of  his  family,  was 
pleased  to  represent  the  triumph  in  question. — 
See  further  remarks  by  Riccio  on  this  denarius. 

4.  Head  of  Rome,  galeated,  behind  it  X — 
Rev. — PVR/mm?.  Diana  with  the  crescent  on 
her  forehead,  in  a biga  at  speed ; above  is  the 
murex,  or  purple-shell — allusive  to  the  surname 
of  Purpureo  assumed  by  this  branch  of  the 
Furia  gens. 

This  coin  is  assigned  by  Eckhel  to  Lucius 
Furius  Purpureo,  who  was  pretor  under  the 
consul  C.  Aurelius  Cotta,  in  554  (b.  c.  200). — 
Borghesi  believes  that  the  moneyer  of  the  de- 
narius above  described  was  the  Lucius  Furius 
Purpureo,  who  in  the  year  above-mentioned. 


402  GABII.—  CADES, 

whilst  his  father  served  as  pretor  in  Gaul,  was 
legatus  of  the  consul  P.  Sulpieius  Galba,  in 
iEtolia,  as  is  stated  by  Livy  (1.  31,  c.  20.) — 
Sec  Riecio,  p.  65-96. 

G. 

G. — Respecting  this  letter  Rasche  observes, 
that  amongst  the  ancient  Romans  C filled  the 
place  of  the  later  adopted  G. 

G. — Accordingly,  in  a very  ancient  inscrip- 
tion, LECIONES  is  found  occurring  for  LE- 
GIONES. — On  a coin  of  the  Ogulnia  gens 
OCVLNIVS  is  written  for  OGVLNIYS. 

G.  as  an  alphabetical  mark  of  the  die  is 
observable  on  many  family  coins. 

G.  Galerius. — g.  maximianvs.  Gal.  Mari- 
mianv.s. 

G.  Germanica. — victoria  g.  m. — Germaniea 
Maxima,  on  coins  of  Yalcrianus  senior,  and 
Gallieuus. — Khcll,  Supplt.  to  Yaillant,  p.  184. 

G.  A.  Gemella  Accilana,  colony  of  Hispauia 
Tarraconcnsis.  (See  p.  3.) 

GG.  is  constantly  used  to  signify  the  plural : 
for  example,  the  word  avgg.  is  employed  when 
speaking  of  two  Augusti,  as  virtvs  avgg.  in 
Cams  and  Numcrianus. 

GGG.  in  avggg.  is  a compendious  mode  of  ex- 
pressing three  Augusti  or  Emperors,  as  victoria 
avggg.  in  Arcadius,  llonorius,  Valcntiuian  III. 
&c. 

GABII,  a eitv  of  Latium,  nearly  cqui-distant 
between  Rome  and  Pricnestc.  Frequent  mention 
is  made  of  the  Gabini  in  the  history  of  Tar- 
quinius  Superbus,  and  his  contests  with  the 
Volscians. 

CABIN.  Gabinis. — See  FOEDV8.  P.  R.  cvm. 

GARIN,  (p.392). 

GADES  (Bocticic  Ilispaniie)  municiphum,  now 
Cadiz.  The  coins  of  this  city  consist  of  auto- 
nomes,  and  imperial  municipals  (with  a single 
silver  exception)  in  small  and  middle  brass. 
The  autonomes  arc  with  Phoenician  inscriptions, 
and  for  types  bear  heads  of  the  Sun,  and  of 
Hercules,  dolphins,  tridents,  and  fishes.  I’ather 
Florez  gives  one  autonome  with  Latin  legends, 
viz. — Obv. — mvn.  inscribed  in  two  lines  and  a 
corn-ear  above. — Rev. — gades  and  a fish. — No. 
109  of  Mionnet  has  for  obverse  type  the  head  of 
Hercules  covered  with  the  lion’s  skin,  and  with 
the  club  near  the  neck.  The  legend  of  reverse 
is  BALBVS  font,  and  in  the  field  are  a simpulum 
and  a li/itus. 

In  reference  to  the  antiquity  of  this  city,  Air. 
Akerman  observes,  “ Both  Strabo  and  Stephanus 
call  it  Gadeira.”  Alluding  to  the  autonomes, 
the  same  writer  adds  as  follows : “The  larger 
brass  coins  of  Gades  are  extremely  common,  and 
attest  its  importance  as  a commercial  city, 
before  the  subjugation  of  Spain  by  the  Romans. 
They  remain  to  this  day  remarkable  evidences  of 
the  imperishable  nature  of  a national  coinage. 
* * * * Hercules  was  the  chief  deity  iu 

Gades;  and  Hannibal  sacrificed  to  him  pre- 
viously to  his  expedition  against  the  Romans. — 
Philostratus  mentions  the  temple,  but  says  it  was 
of  the  Egyptian  Hercules — HpaxAcous  Aiyw 


GALBA. 

tiov." — Sec  Ancient  Coins  of  Cities,  &c.,  p.  31, 
ct  seq.  Plates  iii.  and  iv. 

The  imperial  Latin  coins  struck  by  this 
municipium  are  of  Augustus,  Cains  and  Lucius, 
Agrippa,  and  Nero.  The  reverse  types  consist 
of  winged  lightning;  pontifical  instruments ; a 
four-columned  temple  within  a crown  of  laurel ; 
the  simpulum ; and  the  ap/uslre.  For  the  latter 
symbol,  sec  xrvNicirn  parens,  and  mvnicip. 

GA.  PATIIONVS — SCC  also  IIERCVLES  GADITAN VS. 


GALBA  fServins  Sulpieius). — According  to 
Suetonius,  this  aged  depository  of  short-lived 
imperial  power  was  born  on  the  9th  of  the 
kalends  of  January,  in  the  year  751  (a.  n.  3.) 
lie  belonged  to  the  ancient  and  renowned  family 
of  the  Sulpicii,  whose  founder,  on  the  father’s 
side,  if  we  may  give  credence  to  Galba  himself, 
was  Jupiter;  and  on  the  mother’s  I’asiphae 
the  wife  of  Minos  ; and  this  account  is  confirmed 
by  Silius  Italicus.  The  mother  of  Galba  was 
Mummia  Achaica,  great  grand-daughter  of  the 
L.  M muni ius,  who  destroyed  Corinth.  (Sueton. 
c.  3.)  When  arrived  at  the  fitting  age  for  taking 
part  in  state  affairs,  he  made  his  appearance 
in  public;  and  after  a time  was  appointed 
governor  of  the  Gallia:.  Subsequently  being 
removed  to  a similar  position  in  Africa,  he 
obtained  no  ordinary  credit  by  his  justice,  and 
by  the  valour  and  discipline  he  displayed  in 
a military  capacity.  Later  still  he  received  from 
Nero  the  jurisdiction  of  Hispauia  Tarraconcnsis, 
which  lie  administered  with  fluctuating  success. 
AVhcu  urged  by  Yindei,  governor  of  the  Galliie, 
to  supplant  Nero  in  the  empire,  he  for  some 
time  repudiated  the  proposition,  but  at  length 
consented,  on  hearing  that  Nero  was  plotting 
his  destruction.  (Suctou.  c.  3).  Being  then 
saluted  emperor  by  the  acclamations  of  the 
army,  he  declared  himself  to  be  but  the  lieu- 
tenant (or  deputy)  of  the  Senate  and  People. 
Tidings  having  reached  him  that  Vindex,  alter 
being  defeated  by  the  troops  of  Verginius  Rufus, 
legates  iu  Germania,  had  put  an  end  to  his  own 
existence,  Galba  had  serious  thoughts  of  em- 
bracing the  same  fate;  but  intelligence  of  Nero’s 
death,  and  the  Senate’s  unanimous  declaration 
iu  his  own  favour,  arriving  shortly  after,  he 
accepted  the  title  of  Osar  (Sueton.  c.  11),  and 
proceeded  on  his  journey  to  present  himself  at 
Rome.  The  massacre,  however,  which  he  caused 
of  certain  soldiers  of  the  fleet  on  his  arrival  at 
Ponte-Molle,  nngured  ill  for  his  reign. 

Galba,  then  about  72  years  of  age,  was  of  a 


GALBA. 

good  heighth  aud  advantageous  figure.  llis 
forehead  was  wrinkled ; his  nose  aquiline,  aud 
his  head  bald  in  front,  although  on  many  of  his 
coins  (especially  those  in  large  brass),  that 
defect  is  more  or  less  concealed.  The  employ- 
ments through  which  he  passed  had  given 
him  much  experience,  and  he  appeared  to  be 
worthy  of  commanding  Romans ; but  his  harsh 
inexorable  character,  aud  the  sordid  avarice  of 
his  disposition,  which  displayed  itself  in  en- 
deavours by  untimely  parsimony  to  replenish  an 
exhausted  treasury ; these,  together  with  his 
neglect  of  public  affairs,  which  he  left  to  func- 
tionaries who  committed  infinite  acts  of  in- 
justice under  bis  name,  rendered  him  so  much 
the  more  odious,  as  he  had  caused  Nero’s  minis- 
ters to  be  put  to  death.  The  affections  of  the 
pretorian  guard,  and  of  the  rest  of  the  army,  he 
utterly  estrauged  by  the  refusal  of  a donative, 
to  which  they  considered  themselves  entitled. 
The  consequence  of  this  was,  that  the  army  of 
Germania  Superior  took  the  lead  iu  throwing  off 
its  allegiance.  IVhen  this  event  was  announced 
to  the  emperor,  he  imagiued  that  he  had 
incurred  coutempt,  not  by  liis  faults,  but  on 
account  of  his  advanced  and  childless  age,  and 
accordingly  he  adopted  Piso  Frugi  Liciuianus 
(Tacit.  Hist.  i.  18),  a noble  aud  distinguished 
young  man,  on  the  10th  of  January,  822  (a.  d. 
09).  Rut  he  marred  the  effect  of  a proceeding 
iu  itself  laudable  aud  acceptable  to  the  people, 
by  a fresh  instance  of  his  innate  avarice.  For 
when,  on  the  introduction  of  his  adopted  son 
Piso,  to  the  soldiery,  he  still  omitted  all  mention 
of  the  donative,  at  a time  which  so  peculiarly 
demanded  it — Otho,  chagrined  at  seeing  an- 
other preferred  to  himself  as  the  adopted  son 
of  Galba,  availed  himself  of  the  recently  ex- 
cited feelings  of  the  army,  and  took  possession 
of  the  camp  six  days  after  the  adoption.  The 
general  feeling  being  thus  transferred  to  the  new 
chief,  Galba  was  deserted  by  his  adherents,  and 
together  with  Piso,  was  assassinated  on  the  lath 
of  January  of  the  same  year. — See  Eckhcl,  vi. 
299 — Beauvais,  T.  i.  148. 

His  style  on  coins  is  IMP.  GALBA — IMP. 
SER.  SVLP.  GALBA  CAES.  AVG.  T$.  P.— 
SER.  GALBA  IMP.  CAESAR  AVG.  Pater 
P atria. — The  brass  and  silver  (with  some  dis- 
tinguished exceptions)  arc  common  ; the  gold 
arc  rare  (restitutions  by  Trajan  very  rare)  ; aud 
notwithstanding  his  very  brief  rcigu,  the  whole 
exhibit  several  curious  reverses. 

For  a specimen  of  his  portraiture  in  silver, 
see  OB.  C.  S.— Oia.-IMP.  SER.  GALBA  AVG. 
Bare  head  of  the  emperor. 

MINTAGES  OF  GALBA. 

Gold. — concordia  provinciarvm.  (Valued 
by  Mionnet  at  72  fr.) — diva  avgvsta.  (Brought 
at  the  Thomas  sale  £3  9s.) — fortvna  avg.  (Mt. 
60  fr.) — hispania.  Female  holding  cars  of 

corn.  (Devonshire  sale,  £1  12s.) — IMP.  Em- 
peror on  horseback.  (Trattle  sale,  £2  2s.) — 
imp.  avg.  Female  with  ears  of  corn.  (Brought 
£12  15s.  at  the  Thomas  sale). — Liberty  stand- 
ing. (Restored  by  Trajan.  Valued  by  Mionnet 
at  200  fr.) — libertas  restitvta.  (Mt.  50  fr.) 

3 F 2 


GALBA.— GALLIA.  403 

— pax.  avg.  (120  fr.) — roma  renasc.  Mili- 
tary figure.  (Thomas  sale,  £9  10s.) roma 

victrix.  (Mt.  72  fr.)— salvs  gen.  hvmani. 
(Thomas,  £4  16s.) — tiberis.  (Trattle,  £2  16s.) 
— victoria  p.  r.  (Trattle,  £1  16s.) — Victory 
writing  on  a buckler.  (Mt.  80  fr.) 

Silver. — gallia — hispania.  (Mt.  30  fr.) 
— libertas  restitvta.  (72  fr.) — rest.  nv.m. 
(72  fr.) — s.  p.  Q.  it.  ob.  c.  s.  (Thomas,  £4  is.) 
— ser.  svl.  galbae.  Head  of  Spain.  (20  fr.) 

Large  Brass. — adlocvtio.  The  emperor 
haranguing  his  soldiers.  (Mt.  30  fr.  See  wood- 
cut  iu  p.  7.) — concordia.  (Trattle  sale,  £ 7. 
2s.  6d.) — ex.  s.  c.  ob.  cives  ser.  (£2  6s.  at 

the  Brumell  sale). hispania  clvnia.  svl. 

(Trattle,  £2  2s.) — honos  et  virtvs.  (Cam- 
pana  sale,  £1  9s.) — libertas  pvblica.  (Tho- 
mas sale,  £1  6s.) libertas  restit.  (Alt. 

30  fr.) — qvadragens  remissae.  Arch.  (De- 
vonshire sale,  £2  2s.)— remissae  xxxx.  (Mt. 

60  fr.) romae  restit.  (30  fr.) — senatvs 

pietati  avgvsti.  (48  fr).— roma.  The  city 
persouified,  seated  ou  armour.  (A  highly  pre- 
served finely  patiuated  specimen  brought  £7  7s. 
6d.  at  the  Campana  sale). 

GALEATVM  CAPVT. The  galeated  or 

helmed  head  of  an  emperor  is  not  unfrequent 
from  the  time  of  Probus ; and  it  is  still  more 
common  on  gold  coins  of  the  lower  empire, 
especially  when  the  emperor  is  represented  iu 
full  panoply.  The  helmet  is  sometimes  encircled 
with  the  laurel  crown,  or  with  rays. — Ductrina, 
viii.  361. 

GALERIA  VALERIA. — See  Valeria. 

GALERUS,  or  pi/eus,  a cap;  the  mark  of 
Liberty.  See  libertas. — It  is  also  the  attri- 
bute of  Mercury.  See  Petasus. 

GALLA  PLACID1A. — See  placidia. 

GALLIA,  a plebeian  family,  belonging  to 
which  are  the  following  three  coins  in  large  aud 
middle  brass,  all  common : — 

1.  C.  GAI.LVS  C.  F.  LVPERCVS  IltVIR.  A.  A.  A. 

f.  f.  (seep.  I)  s.  c. — Rev. — ob.  civis  serva- 
tos,  within  a crown  of  laurel,  between  two 
branches  of  the  same. 

2.  Obverse  uniform  with  the  preceding. — Rev. 
avgvstvs  TRIBVNIC.  potest,  in  a laurel  crown. 

3.  CAESAR  avgvstvs  tribvnic.  potest. — 

Bare  head  of  Augustus. Rev. — c.  gallvs 

lvpercvs  iiivir.  a.  a.  a.  f.f.  In  the  field  s.  c. 

Caius  Gallus  Lupercus  was  monetal  triumvir 
under  the  government  of  Octaviauus  Augustus, 
not  before  727  (b.  c.  27),  in  wrhich  year  the 
latter  assumed  the  title  of  Csesar.  The  crowns 
of  laurel  are  those  voted  to  the  Emperor  by  the 
Senate  and  the  Roman  People  ; and  the  s.  c.  is 
allusive  to  the  prerogative  of  the  Senate  to  strike 
brass  coins,  whilst  to  the  emperor  belouged  the 
privileges  of  the  gold  and  silver  mints. 

GALLIA. — Gaul  anciently  comprised  the  ter- 
ritories which  arc  now  called  France  aud  Lom- 
bardy. The  former,  being  beyond  the  moun- 
tains as  regards  Rome,  had  the  name  of  Gallia 
TransaJpina,  and  the  latter  Cisalpina. — Trans- 
alpine Gaul  again  was  subdivided  into  three 
parts,  namely,  Toyata,  Comata,  and  Braccata. 
Togata,  which  lay  on  the  side  of  Italy,  was  so 


404  GALLI A . — G ALLIEN l M . 


GALLIENUS. 


called  because  its  inhabitants  had  adopted  the 
Roman  toga.  Comata  derived  its  name  from 
the  large  heads  of  hair  in  which  its  people  were 
accustomed  to  luxuriate,  and  included  all  Trans- 
alpine Gaul,  except  the  Narbonensis,  that  is  to 
say,  the  whole  extent  of  the  country  from  the 
Alps  to  the  ocean.  Gallia  Comata  is  that  which 
Ciesar  subdued,  and  which,  submitting  to  the 
Romans,  was  divided  into  Aqnitannica,  Belgica, 
and  Celtica.  The  third,  Braccata,  so  termed 
from  the  trousers  or  breeches  made  of  a shaggy 
frieze,  or  other  very  coarse  material,  which  the 
male  inhabitants  of  that  district  wore,  was  situ- 
ate between  Italy  and  Spain.-Sec  tres  galliae. 

GALLIA. — A female  head,  before  which  are 
two  ears  of  corn ; behiud  are  two  small  spears, 
and  beneath  is  a small  round  shield. — Obv. 
ser.  gai.ba  imp.  Galba  on  horseback,  gallop- 
ing. Silver  of  Galba. — Engraved  in  Morell. 
Imp.  vol.  iii.  tab  iii.  No.  30. 

The  head  personifies  Gallia  ; and  the  corn- 
ears  before  her  denote  the  abundance  of  that 
grain,  which  her  fields  produce.  The  arms 
represent  those  used  by  the  Gauls,  designating  [ 
their  warlike  character,  and  their  eminence  in 
the  military  art.  The  equestrian  figure  of  Galba 
seemingly  bears  reference  to  the  statue  which 
the  Gauls  had  decreed  to  him.  (Vaillaut,  Impp. 
ii.  p.  71). — Gallia,  owing  to  the  instigations  of 
Yindex,  had  the  first  and  main  share  in  procur- 
ing the  empire  for  Galba ; and  even  after  the 
death  of  Vindex,  it  was  amongst  the  foremost  1 
provinces  which  declared  for  him.  Grateful  for  | 
such  zealous  services,  Galba  rewarded  the  Ga/li 
with  the  rights  of  citizenship,  and  with  exemp- 
tion thenceforward  from  payment  of  tribute; 
and  this  is  the  reason  for  the  occurrence  of  gal-  , 
lia  as  legend  and  type  on  his  coins. 

GALLIA — HISPANIA. — A male  genius  of 
Gallia,  holding  an  inverted  spear  in  the  left 
hand,  joins  the  right  hand  with  that  of  a male 
genius  of  llispauia,  in  whose  left  hand  is  a 

round  shield  and  an  inverted  spear. Obv. 

nip.  galba. — Laurcated  head  of  the  emperor. 
Silver  of  Galba. — Engraved  in  Akerman,  vol.  i. 
pi.  v.  No.  2. 

On  the  above  denarius  we  find  mentioned  in 
conjunction  with  each  other,  the  two  provinces 
which  were  so  favourable  to  Galba’s  claims. 
And  as  in  Gaul,  under  Julius  Vindex,  the  revolt 
against  Nero  began,  so  it  was  in  Spain  that 
Galba  was  first  saluted  with  the  title  of  I M Vera- 
ior.  Indeed,  accordiug  to  Suetouius,  almost  all 
the  cities  of  Spain  and  the  three  Gauls  simul- 
taneously gave  in  their  adhesion  to  his  govern- 
ment. It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  heads  of 
Gallia  and  Hispania  should  have  been  repre- 
sented, by  the  monevers,  with  the  self-same 
attributes,  so  that,  hut  for  the  legend,  either  of 
them  might  be  mistaken  for  the  other. 

For  other  denarii  of  Galba  referring  to  events 
immediately  concomitant  with,  and  instrumental 
to,  his  accession  to  the  empire,  see  hispania. 

G ALLIEN AE  A V GVSTAE. — See  YB1QYE 
PAX. 

GALLI  ENY.M  AVG.  P.  R.  Galhenum 
Augustum  Populus  Roman  us  ( colit  understood). 


The  Romau  people  ( worships)  Gallicnus  the 
August.  — This  inscription  appears  on  the  ob- 
verse of  a second  brass  of  Gallicnus,  with  the 
bust  of  that  emperor  laurcated,  and  with  spear 
and  shield. — Rev. — OB  CONSERVATION  EM  salv- 
tis.  Ilygeia  standing. 

GALLIENVM  AVG.  SENATVS  (that  is  to 
say  v eneratur).  The  Senate  (adores)  the  Em- 
peror Gallicnus. — Another  secoud  brass,  with 
OB  LIBERTWe/n  RECe plant,  and  a woman 
standing  with  palm  branch  and  spear. 

“ This  and  the  foregoing  coin  (observes 
Eckhel)  are  remarkable  for  the  heavy  gran- 
deur and  the  novel  style  (molem  et  novain 
legem)  of  their  inscription.  For  the  rest,  the 
base  and  lying  adulation,  as  well  of  the  Senate 
as  of  the  Romau  people,  must  be  glaringly 
obvious  to  any  one.”— vii.  408. 

“ The  emperor’s  name  in  the  accusative  case 
on  these  coins  (Mr.  Akerman  remarks)  is  curi- 
ous. It  had  long  been  a practice  with  the  de- 
generate Greeks.” 


GALLIENUS  (Publius  Licinius),  the  son  of 
Yalcriauus,  by  that  emperor’s  first  wife,  whose 
name  is  not  recorded;  but  probably  his  mother’s 
name  was  Gallicna.  Born  in  the  year  of  Rome 
971  (a.  n.  218)  he  owed  his  own  fortunes  to  his 
father,  by  whom,  when,  on  the  death  of  Trcbonia- 
nus  and  of  .Emilianus,  he  had  obtained  the  sove- 
reignty, Gallicnus  was  chosen  as  his  colleague  in 
the  empire.  Victor  asserts  that  he  was  created 
Ciesar  by  the  Seuate. — “ On  the  truth  of  this 
statement,  says  Eckhel  (vii.  389),  I will  not  de- 
cide. At  any  rate,  no  coius  have  yet  been  dis- 
covered with  the  title  of  Casar  only  ; but  all 
pronounce  him  Augustus.” 

In  the  year  of  Rome  1006  (a.  d.  253),  his 
father  Valerian,  assumed  the  title  of  Augus- 
tus, and  the  Tribunicia  Potcstas,  and  nomi- 
nated himself  consul  for  the  following  year. — 
j lie  made  his  son  Gallicnus  particeps  imperii. 

1007  (a.d.  254). — Gallicnus  proceeded  consul, 
in  colleagueship  with  his  father  (Consul  II). 
.Emilianus  dying  at  Spoletuin,  Valerian  and  Gal- 
licnus were  acknowledged  as  August i,  and  as 
consuls  for  the  year. 

1008  (a.  n.  255). — Gallicnus  proceeded  consul 
for  the  second,  with  his  father  consul  for  the 
third,  time.  Valerian,  intent  on  his  operations 
in  the  East,  entrusted  to  Gallicnus  the  European 
armies;  and  the  conduct  of  the  campaigns 
against  the  Franci,  the  Alamanni,  and  various 
other  rebellious  tribes. 

1009  (a.  D.  256). — It  is  probable  that,  in  this 


GALLIENUS. 


GALLIENUS.  405 


year,  Gallienus  was  engaged  in  the  war  with  the  | 
Gennani,  from  which  lie  derived  his  military 
honours. 

1010  (a.  d.  257). — Consul  for  the  third  time. 
His  repeated  victories  in  Germania  obtained  for 
him,  as  well  as  for  his  father,  the  surname  of 
Gennanicus. 

1011  (a.  d.  258). — Postumus  invaded  and 
took  possession  of  the  Gallic  portion  of  the 
empire. 

1012  (a.d.  259). — Postumus  having  got  pos- 
session of  Saloninus,  and,  to  his  own  inexpi- 
able dishonour,  put  him  to  death,  Gallicnus 
contented  himself  with  placing  his  murdered  sou 
in  the  rank  of  the  gods  ! 

1013  (a.  d.  260). — This  year,  it  is  believed, 
Valerian  was  made  prisoner  by  the  Persians. — 
Gallienus  proceeded  consid  for  the  fourth  time. 

1014  (a.  d.  261). — During  the  captivity  of 
Valerian,  several  military  governors  in  different 
provinces  usurped  the  sovereign  authority. — 
Amongst  them  was  Ingenuus  in  Maisia,  who, 
however,  was  taken  and  decapitated  by  Gallienus. 
Also  Regal ian us  in  Illyricum ; Macrianus  and 
his  sons  in  the  East ; and  other  pretenders  of 
less  importance. 

Balista,  prefect  of  the  pretorians  under  Vale- 
rian, in  conjunction  with  Odenathus,  King  of 
Palmyra,  drove  Sapor  from  Syria  into  Persia, 
and  re-established,  or  at  least  sustained  for  a 
time,  the  Roman  power  in  the  East. 

1015  (a.d.  262). — Gallienus,  consul  for  the 
fifth  time,  celebrated  a triumph  over  the  Per- 
sians conquered  by  Odenathus.  As  one  set  of 
usurpers  fell,  others  rose  to  assume  the  purple. 

1016  (a.  d.  263). — Returning  to  Rome,  Gal- 
lienus fulfilled  the  vota  decennalia.  Trebellius 
relates  that  this  emperor,  having  taken  Byzan- 
tium, and  in  spite  of  his  promise  to  the  con- 
trary, put  its  garrison  to  the  sword,  returned 
in  all  haste  to  Rome,  as  though  he  had  accom- 
plished a great  and  laudable  work,  and  there 
celebrated  the  decennalia. 

1017  (a.  d.  264). — Gallienus,  consul  for  the 
sixth  time,  invested  Odenathus,  for  his  victories 
over  the  Persians,  with  all  the  honours  of  an 
Augustus. 

1018  (a.  d.  265). — Valerianus  junior,  brother 
of  Gallienus,  proceeded  consul,  iu  colleagueship 
with  Macro  LucuUus  Rufiuianus. 

1019  (a.  d.  266). — Gallienus  consul  for  the 
seventh  time.  To  this  year  Tiilemont  refers  the 
destructive  invasion  of  Bithynia,  and  a large 
portion  of  Asia  Minor,  by  the  Scythians. 

1020  (a.  D.  267). The  Goths  this  year 

again  laid  waste  Ma:sia,  and  the  Heruli  ravaged 
Greece  and  Asia.  Gallienus  set  out  for  Greece, 
to  fight  these  barbarians. 

1021  (a.  d.  268). — Recalled  into  Italy  by  the 
sedition  of  Aureolus,  who  had  declared  himself 
emperor,  and  whilst  besieging  in  Milan  the  new 
competitor,  Gallicnus  was  assassinated  by  con- 
spirators, in  the  mouth  of  March,  in  the  50th 
year  of  his  age.  He  had  married  Cornelia 
Salonina,  by  whom  he  had  Saloninus. 

Such,  observes  the  judicious  Eckhel — 
such  was  the  end  of  Gallienus,  an  emperor. 


to  whom  historians  have  ascribed  every  vice 
imaginable,  and  whose  proper  vocation  seemed 
to  be,  not  the  government  of  a State,  but  the 
indulgence  of  sloth  and  unbounded  licentious- 
ness; and  this  at  a juncture  when  an  empire 
divided  among  so  many  usurpers ; the  incursions 
of  barbarian  hordes  from  every  side ; the  re- 
newed ravages  of  the  plague  which  commenced 
iu  the  reign  of  Trebonianus — demanded  a prince 
endowed  with  moral  [he  was  not  deficient  in 
physical]  courage,  magnanimity,  and  decision. 
Of  the  cruelty  and  vindictiveness  of  his  cha- 
racter, we  may  gather  some  notion  from  the 
epistle,  in  which  he  enjoins  Celer  Verianus  to 
destroy  the  partizaus  of  the  usurper  Ingenuus  ; 

‘ mutilate  them,’  he  says,  ‘ kill  and  exterminate 
them ; you  understand  my  mind  respecting 
them ; make  your  own  the  rage  of  him  who 
writes  these  orders  with  his  own  hand.’  With 
such  perverted  feelings,  it  is  no  matter  of  sur- 
prise that  to  his  other  delinquencies  he  should 
have  added  the  almost  incredible  impiety  of 
lookiug  on  unmoved  at  the  captivity  aud  igno- 
minious treatment  of  his  father  by  the  Persians; 
and  that  this  was  the  only  injury  which  re- 
mained unaveuged  by  one,  who  in  every  other 
case  behaved  with  implacable  severity.  There 
is,  however,  the  best  reason  for  supposing  that 
he  preferred  his  father’s  captivity  to  his  freedom, 
inasmuch  as  Valerian’s  strict  morals  were  a per- 
petual reproach  to  his  own  enormities.  Con- 
sequently, it  is  not  so  much  to  be  wondered  at, 
that  this  unworthy  prince  was  cut  off  at  last  by 
his  own  subjects,  as  that  so  long  a time  elapsed 
before  a Hercules  appeared  to  suppress  such  a 
monster. — D.  N.  V.  vii.  394. 

The  brass  coins  of  Gallienus  arc  for  the  most 
part  common ; so  arc  those  iu  billon ; gold 
and  pure  silver  very  rare.  On  these  he  is  styled 
IMP.  C.  LICIN.  GALLIENVS  PIVS  FELIX 
AVG.  and  sometimes  GERMANICVS  MAX. 

Gallicnus  appears  on  some  of  his  coins  with 
Valerianus,  Salonina,  and  Saloninus.  Amongst 
the  money  struck  by  this  emperor  are  to  be 
noted  the  pieces  which  he  caused  to  be  restored, 
in  honour  of  many  of  his  predecessors,  who  had 
been  placed,  by  consecration,  in  the  rauk  of  the 
gods,  from  Augustus  down  to  Alexander  Severus. 

It  deserves  here  to  be  remarked  that  from  the 
reign  of  Sept.  Severus  to  Gallienus  the  standard 
; of  the  silver  coinage  was  successively  reduced. 
These  pieces  are  customarily  designated  as  beiug 
of  silver,  although  that  metal  had  progressively 
been  alloyed  into  billon  of  a very  low  standard. 
From  the  age  of  Gallienus,  silver  money  becorn- 
1 ing  more  and  more  debased,  and  yet  some  coins 
of  pure  silver  having  occasionally  been  struck, 
the  billon  pieces  are  classed  separately.  To  take 
the  date  from  Claudius  Gothicus,  these  coins 
were  no  better  than  copper  washed  with  silver. 
Under  Diocletian  a coinage  of  fine  silver  was 
re-established. — See  Heunin,  Manuel,  vol.  ii.  p. 
432,  Nomenclature. 

MINTAGES  OF  GALLIENUS. 

No  pagan  prince,  perhaps,  testified  his  de- 
votion to  so  many  divinities  as  Gallienus  did  on 


406  GALLIENUS. 

his  coins.  There  are  reverses  in  his  mint  which 
respectively  exhibit  the  images  of  Jupiter,  Nep- 
tune, Mars,  Mercury,  Diana,  Minerva,  the  Sun, 
Vulcan,  Bacchus,  Victoria,  Hercules,  Deus  Au- 
gustus, and  above  all  the  rest,  Apollo,  whom 
the  coins  of  this  emperor  depicture  in  various 
attire.  It  would  seem  indeed  that,  amidst  the 
surrounding  perils  and  calamities  of  his  time, 
from  pestilence,  from  earthquakes,  and  from 
the  slaughter  of  wars  threatening  him  and  the 
empire  itself  with  destruction,  Galhcnus  was 
accustomed  to  invoke  almost  all  the  (lii  majores 
for  his  conservation. 

The  following  arc  among  the  rarest  reverses : 

Gold  Medallions. — cHtyts.  (sic.)  tertia 
Pretoria.  Emperor  standiug  in  military  habit, 
holding  the  hasta  pura,  in  the  midst  of  four 
military  ensigns.  (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  300 

fraucs). pidei  EQVitvm.  (Small  medallion, 

brought  £3  9s.  Od.  at  the  Brumcll  sale). — fides 
MILlTVM.  Woman  and  two  ensigns.  Double 
aureus.  (Valued  by  Miounet  at  200  i'r.  Brought 
£14  at  the  Thomas  sale). — imp.  vi.  cos.  v.  Em- 
peror ou  horseback,  holding  a lance,  preceded 
by  a soldier,  and  followed  by  a Victory  that 
crowns  him. — (Mt.  400  fr.) — virtvs  gallieni  | 
avgvsti.  Emperor,  holding  in  each  hand  a 
labarum.  (Mt.  200  fr.) 

Silver  Medallions. — or.  conservatorem 

PATRIAE — OB.  CONSERVATOREM  SALVTIS — OB. 
REDDIT.  LIBERT.  (Mt.  72  fr.  each). — MONETA 
avg.  (Mt.  100  fr.  A specimen  at  the  Cain- 
paua  sale  brought  £1  3s.) — pietas  faleri.  (Mt. 
300  fr.) — adventvs  avgg.  Three  emperors  on 
horseback,  preceded  by  Victory,  and  followed 
by  several  soldiers.  (Mt.  300  fr.) 

Gold. — adventvs  avg. — Obv.  Gallienus  and 

Salouiua.  (Mt.  100  fr.) concordia  avgg. 

(100  fr.  Brought  £8  15s.  at  the  Trattlc  sale). 

CONCORDIA  EXERCIT. — DEO  AVGVSTO — FF.LI- 
CITAS  SAECVLI— FIDEI  PltAET.  (Mt.  100  fr.  each). 

felicitas  avgg.  Half  aureus.  (Brumcll  sale, 
£1  13s.) — fides  mi  lit.  (Brought  at  the  Cam- 
pana  sale  £3  3s.) — fortvna  redvx — iovi  vl- 

TORI — PIETAS  AVG. — ORIENS  AVG. — LIBERT  AS 
AVGG. — VBE RITAS  AVO. — and  VENTS  VICTRIX. 

(Mt.  48  fr.  each). — iano  patri.  (Mt.  120  fr.) 
indvlgent.  avg.  Quiuarius.  (£2  9s.  Thomas). 
— iovi  conserva.  (£5  7s.  6d.  Trattle). — 

iovis  stator.  (£1  9s.  Trattle). i.aetitia 

avgg.  (£4  2s.  Thomas). lib.  avg.  t. — 

LI  BER  A LITAS  AVO.  — MARTI  PROPVGNATORI  — 

and  secvritas  orris.  (60  fr.  each). — libe- 
ral. avg  (£1  9s.  Trattlc). — ob.  libertat.  rec. 

A half  aureus.  (Mt.  120  fr.  Brought  at  the 
Thomas  £2  5s.) — pax.  avgg.  Quiuarius.  (£1 
5s.  Trattle). — tr.  p.  vii.  cos.  nil.  The  empe- 
ror and  two  rivers.  (Mt.  150  fr.  £1  10s.  Trat- 
tle).— providentia  avgg.  (72  fr.) — secvrit. 
perpet.  Lion  within  a crown.  (100  fr.) — 
s.  p.  Q.  R.  Lion  with  eagle.  (150  fr.) — trib. 
pot.  Mars  aud  Venus.  (150  fr.) — vhiqve  pax. 
— Obv.  GALLIAENAE  AVGVSTAE.  (200  fr.) — VIC- 
TORIA avg.  Emperor  crowned  by  Victory.  En- 
graved in  Akennan,  ii.  pi.  ix.  No.  5,  p.  31.  (£3 
18s.  Thomas  sale). — victoria  oall.  avg.  (72 
fr.) — virt.  gallieni  avg.  (Mt.  100  fr.  £1 


GALLIENUS— GARC1LIA. 

3s.  Trattle). — virtvs  avg.  (100  fr.  A doubt- 
ful specimen  brought  £2  19s.  at  the  Devonshire 
sale). — votis  decennalibvs.  (100  fr.) 

Billon. — abvndantia  avg.  (Mt.  20  fr.) — 

invictvs.  The  Sun.  (60  fr.) mberalitas 

avg.  (60  fr.) — siscia  avg.  (20  fr.) 

Amongst  the  restitutions  under  Gallienus  in 
billon  are — 

Augustus. — 1VNONI  MARTI  a Li.  (100  fr.) 

Trajan. — via  traiana.  (150  fr.) 

Brass  Medallions. — adventvs  avgg.  Two 
emperors  on  horseback,  Victory  and  a soldier. — 
adlocvtio  avgg.  Fine  portrait  aud  allocution. 
Engraved  in  Iconograp/iie,  pL  lii.  (Mt.  72  fr). 
— salonina  head  of.  (72  fr.) — fides  exer- 
citvs.  (100  fr.) — victoria  germanica.  (50  fr.) 
— Gallienus  and  Salonina — LIBEBALITAS  avgvs- 
TORVM ADVENTVS  AVGG. CONCORDIA  AVGG. 

with  reverse  of  Libcralitas.  (150  fr.  each.) — 
MONETA  AVG.  (72  fr.) — VICTORIA  AVGVSTO- 
RVM.  (100  fr.) 

Large  Brass. — cohort,  praep.  principi. 

SVO. — RESTITVTOR  ORBIS — and  S.  P.  Q.  R.  OP- 
TIMO principi,  within  a crown.  (Mt.  24  fr. 
each). — adventvs  avgg.  Gallienus  and  Salo- 
ninus.  (50  fr.) 

GALL1ENVS  CVM.  EXERC.  SVO. A 

cippus,  or  pedestal,  with  the  legend  iovi  vic- 
tori,  on  which  is  seated  Jupiter,  holding  the 
thunder-bolt  in  his  right  baud,  aud  spear  in  his 
left.  Silver  of  Valerianus.  Engraved  in  Banduri. 

Valeriauus,  when  himself  inteut  on  the  affairs 
of  the  East,  committed  to  Gallienus  the  charge 
of  the  western  armies.  The  latter,  therefore, 
on  the  occasion  of  any  victory  being  gained  (over 
the  Germans,  for  example,  who  had  made  irrup- 
tions into  Gaul),  aud  which  he  was  desirous  of 
ascribing  to  the  interposition  of  Jupiter,  was 
accustomed,  in  gratitude,  to  erect  a statue  to 
that  god,  under  the  epithet  of  Victor,  the  army 
also  joiniug  in  the  religious  act. 

The  above  serves,  in  a remarkable  manner,  to 
interpret  another  coin  of  Gallienus,  bearing  ou 
its  obverse  the  legend  IMP.  C.  E.  S.  namely, 
IMP erator  (Gallienus)  Cum  Krcrcitu  Suo,  as 
Banduri,  confirming  Hardouin,  remarks.  Thus 
by  joining,  on  the  coin  of  Valerian,  the  two 
legends  of  the  head  aud  the  reverse,  a perfect 

inscription  is  made: Impcrator  (Gallienus) 

cum  Exercitu  suo  Jovi  Victori  (statuam  ponit). 

GAROILIA,  gens  plcbcia. — Count  Borghcsi 
treats  this  as  a new  family,  aud  assigns  to  it  the 
following  types,  supposed  to  have  been  struck 
about  670  (b.  c.  84) : — 

1.  Head  of  Apollo  Vcjovis,  beucath  it  is  the 
fulmen. — Rec. — gar.  ogvl.  ver.  Jupiter  in  a 
quadriga.  A very  rare  denarius. 

2.  ilead  of  Janus,  above  it  |. — /Jer.-GAR. 
OGVLjiim  VER gi/ius  or  Verginius.  A ship’s 
prow.  Seuii-uncial  brass.  Rare. 

The  eminent  Italian  antiquary  above  named 
gives  his  reasons  for  attributing  to  one  Garcilius 
the  name  of  the  first  monetal  triumvir,  con- 
cealed in  the  monogram  GAR.  of  these  two 
coins,  and  rejects  the  reading  CAR.  under  which 
lVrizoni,  and  other  numismatists,  have  ascribed 
it  to  the  Carvilii  (see  p.  187  of  this  dictionary). 


.1 


GAl'DIUM  ROMANORUM. 

Riccio  cites  and  adopts  this  transferred  attribu- 
tion, which  accounts  for  the  exclusion  of  car- 
vima  gens  from  his  Monete  delte  Famiglie,  &c. 

GAVDETE  ROMANI.— Two  Victories  hold- 
ing a tablet,  on  which  is  inscribed  sic  xx.  sic 
xxx.  that  is,  “ sic  ad  annum  imperii  vicessimuin 
sic  ad  tricessimuin  usque  victorias  suas  continent” 
— even  as  to  the  twentieth  so  also  to  the  thir- 
tieth year  of  the  emperor’s  reign  may  he  pur- 
sue his  victories. 

This  small  gold  coin  of  Maximianus  Ilcrcu- 
lius  contains  on  its  reverse  a joyous  acclaina- 


GAUDIUM  ROMANORUM.  40? 

tion  (faustam  acclamationcm) — that  is  to  say, 
the  Romans  rejoiced  for  vows  acquitted  XX.  and 
again  made  xxx. — Sec  Eckhel,  viii.  p.  18. 

GAVDIVM  POPVLI  ROMANI.— This  lc- 
] gend,  which  occurs  only  on  gold  and  silver 
medallions  of  Constantius  and  Constans  his 
I brother,  indicates  a public  rejoicing.  It  may  be 
conjectured,  that  such  coins  as  that  on  which 
j this  epigraph  appears,  were  distributed  among 
the  people  at  the  festive  celebration  of  solemn 
vows,  that  all  so  advised  might  join  in  the  gene- 
ral gladness. — (Morel,  ret  numaria,  p.  80). 


GAVDIVM  ROMAN ORVM. — A paludated 
man,  taller  than  the  rest  of  the  group,  stands 
resting  his  right  hand  on  the  hasta,  whilst  a 
hand  protruded  from  a cloud  above  him  places  a 
crown  upon  his  head.  On  his  left  stands  an- 
other man  similarly  attired,  hut  of  shorter  sta- 
ture, w hom  a victory  by  his  side  is  in  the  act  of 
crowning ; and  on  his  right  a third  male  figure, 
of  the  same  appearance,  but  shorter  even  than 
the  last  described,  upon  whose  head  a personifi- 
cation of  Rome,  standing  beside  him,  is  placing 
a crown.  At  the  bottom,  mcons.  Struck  at 
Constantinople. 

Obv. — FL.  IVL.  CONSTANTINS.  NOB.  CAES.  A 
laurcatcd  bust,  holding  in  the  right  hand  the 
hasta,  and  in  the  left  a buckler,  on  which  is  re- 
presented the  emperor  on  horseback,  charging 
with  levelled  spear  some  suppliant  barbarians, 
whilst  he  is  crowned  by  a Victory  flying  towards 
him,  and  followed  by  a band  of  soldiers. 

[The  grand  and  interesting  medallion,  of  which 
the  above  represents  the  reverse,  formed  one  of  a 
large  deposit  of  Roman  medallions  in  gold,  seve- 
ral of  them  of  unusual  size,  found  with  chains 
and  other  objects  of  antiquity  in  the  same  pre- 
cious metal,  in  Hungary,  during  the  year  1797.  I 


M.  Steinbiichel,  in  his  valuable  " notice” 
of  these  and  other  gold  medallions  preserved  in 
the  Imperial  Cabinet,  has  given  what  he  vouches 
for  as  being  “ a faithful  engraving,”  and  of  which 
Mr.  Fairholt’s  cut  is  an  equally  faithful  copy. 
Respecting  monctal  rarities,  of  such  scarcely 
appreciable  value,  so  suddenly  brought  to  light, 
it  appears  to  have  been  Eckhel’s  intention  at  the 
time  to  have  contributed  a dissertation,  w'orthy 
of  his  zeal,  erudition,  and  judgment ; but  his 
premature  death  in  1?98,  left  him  time  only  to 
sketch  a few  notes,  which  remained  in  manu- 
script until  M.  Steinbiichel,  his  friend  and  suc- 
cessor in  the  directorship  of  the  Vienna  Museum, 
published  them  in  1826. 

In  elucidation  of  this  splendid  monument, 
the  subjoined  extract  from  the  manuscript  in 
question  will  scarcely  fail  to  prove  acceptable  to 
the  numismatic  student]  : — 

After  having,  with  characteristic  minuteness 
of  accuracy,  described  the  piece,  our  illustrious 
author  says — “ It  stands  pre-eminent  among  the 
most  remarkable  hitherto  discovered,  not  only 
on  account  of  its  great  weight  [nearly  74  Hun- 
garian ducats  —aure t]  but  also  for  the  design  as 
well  as  for  the  workmanship  of  the  types. 


408  GAUDIUM  ROM  A NO  RUM. 


GELLIA. 


its  obverse  anil  reverse  exhibiting  the  highest 
degree  of  elegance  and  finish,  of  which  the 
state  of  the  arts  at  that  period  admitted. 
The  head  is  that  of  Constautius  II.  second 
of  the  three  sons  of  Constantine  the  Great ; 
and  as  he  is  here  styled  Ciesar  only,  not  hav- 
ing yet  attained  the  title  of  Augustus,  this  coin 
must  have  been  struck  between  a.  d.  323  and 
337  ; for  in  the  former  year  he  received  the 
appellation  of  Ciesar,  and  in  the  latter,  in  con- 
sequence of  his  father’s  death,  that  of  Augustus. 
As,  however,  the  countenance  of  Constautius  on 
the  obverse  displays  a fulness  and  maturity  of 
contour,  I am  inclined  to  consider  that  the  coin 
before  us  was  struck  a very  short  time  before  the 
death  of  Constantine  the  Great,  when  he  (Con- 
stantius)  was  at  least  in  the  twentieth  year  of 
his  age.  The  supposition  is  corroborated  by  the 
military  garb  in  which  he  is  depicted,  for  it  was 
at  that  very  time  that  his  father  entrusted  to 
him  the  conduct  of  the  war  in  Persia.  To 
which  may  be  added,  that  the  presence  of  the 
abbreviation  cons,  (sure  sigu  of  the  mintage  of 
Constantinople)  sufficiently  proves,  that  this 
coin  could  not  have  been  struck  before  a.d.  330, 
since  we  know  that  it  was  not  till  that  year  that 
the  city  was  dedicated,  and  received  from  its 
founder  the  name  of  Constantinople.” 

With  regard  to  the  reverse,  adds  Eckhel, 
“ I do  not  hesitate  to  pronounce  that  the  central 
and  tallest  figure  of  the  group  is  Constantine 
the  father,  whose  venerable  age  and  piety  are 
thus  early  acknowledged  by  a heaven-sent 
crown ; that  the  figure  on  his  left  is  the  eldest 
son,  Constantine;  and  that  on  his  right,  the 
youngest,  Constans.  Constautius,  already  pour- 
trayed  on  the  obverse,  does  not  appear  in  this 
group.  Portraits  of  the  reigning  family,  simi- 
larly distributed  between  the  two  faces  of  a 
medal  have  already  occurred  to  our  notice  on 
coins  of  Septimius  Sevcrus,  which  1 have  brought 
forward  in  my  Doctrina , under  the  date  954 
(a.  I).  201).  Coustautiue  the  brother  is  repre- 
sented as  crowned  by  a Victory,  because  at  the 
exact  time  when  I imagine  this  coin  to  have 
beeu  struck,  he  was  in  reality  a conqueror,  as 
is  testified  by  his  coin  inscribed,  VICTORIA  con- 
stantini  caes.  and  this  type  is  also  common 
on  the  coinages  of  preceding  emperors.  * * * 
The  galeated  figure  standing  by  the  side  of  Cou- 
staus,  being  female  in  dress, must  be  that  of  Rome, 
rendering  the  same  complimentary  office  to  Con- 
staus,  which  Victory  docs  to  Constantine  jun. 
or,  if  you  will,  a figure  of  Virttu  (Force),  which 
frequently  appears  on  ancient  coins  in  a shape 
not  very  dissimilar.  Observe,  that  thus  early 
the  gradations  of  rank  and  dignity  in  the  im- 
perial family,  arc  denoted  by  a greater  or  lesser 
bodily  stature,  a circumstance  constantly  to  be 
remarked  on  Bvzautinc  coins  of  later  date.” 
G.VVD1VM  ROMANORVM,  with  FRANC. 
ET  ALAM.  (Francia  et  Alamannia). — A gold 
coin  of  Constantine  the  Great,  struck  on  the 
occasion  of  his  having  defeated  those  two 
nations,  and  brought  them  into  subjection  to 
the  Roman  arms. — See  alamannia,  p.  32,  and 
francia,  p.  398. 


GAVDIVM  ROMANORVM,  below  which  is 
SARMATIA. — A trophy,  and  woman  near 
it  weeping.  On  silver  and  gold  of  Coustanti- 
nus  II. 

Coins  with  the  same  legend,  but  inscribed 
Alamannia  or  Francia,  were  struck  under  Con- 
stantine jun.  and  Crispus;  but  in  no  instance  with 
sakmatia. — “ It  is  probable  (says  Eckhel)  that 
coins  of  the  father  (Constantinus  M.)  were  struck 
with  this  reverse ; for  whether  the  father  him- 
self carried  on  the  war  in  person  with  the  Goths 
and  Sarmatians,  or  whether  he  entrusted  the 
expedition  against  these  people  to  his  son  Con- 
stantine (a.  l).  332),  certain  it  is  that  warlike 
honours  and  distinctions  were  shared  in  common 
between  father  aud  son.” — (viii.  i.  107). — Sec 

SAKMATIA. 

GAVDIVM  ROMANORVM— A female  cap- 
tive sitting  near  a trophy,  offers  her  breast  to  a 
little  child. — This  legend  and  type,  which  first 
appears  on  a gold  coin  of  Maxiinianus  Herculins, 
and  which  arc  common  on  the  money  of  suc- 
ceeding emperors,  shew  the  joy  of  the  Romans, 
not  only  in  having  conquered  the  barbarians, 
and  driven  them  back  from  the  confines  of  the 
empire,  but  also  in  having  made  slaves  of  them 
and  their  wives.  {D.  N.  viii.  19). — Thus  like- 
wise we  find 

GAVDIVM  REIPVBLICAE  on  a very  rare 
gold  coin  of  Constantine  the  Great ; and  see  a 
trophy  erected  between  an  Alamannian  woman 
and  a male  Frank,  both  captives,  aud  sitting  in 
a weeping  posture  on  the  ground. 

GELLIA  gens. — M'bether  of  the  patrician  or 
plebeian  order  is  uncertain.  There  arc  three 
varieties  iu  its  denarii,  on  each  of  which  ap- 
pears the  name  of  GEL/iwj.  The  following  two 
are  coins  belonging  to  this  family  : — 


1.  Galeated  bead  of  Rome;  behind  it  X; 
within  a crown  of  laurel. — Rev.  A gnlcntcd  sol- 
dier, in  a rapid  quadriga,  embracing  with  his 
right  arm  a woman,  as  if  to  retain  her  with 
him  in  the  car  ; on  his  left  arm  is  a shield. — 
cn.  gel.  below  the  horses.  roma  on  the 
exergue. 

Every  attempt  to  interpret  with  certainty  the 
type  of  the  above  reverse  (preguant  with  mean- 
ing, either  mythological  or  historical,  as  it  would 
appear  to  be),  has  hitherto  signally  failed  : nnd 
it  is  even  doubtful  who  was  the  Cn.  Gellius, 
whose  name  is  stamped  on  this  denarius. — See 
Vaillant  on  the  one  baud,  and  Havercamp,  in 
Morel/,  on  the  other,  and  compare  with  Cavc- 
doni,  cited  by  lliceio,  p.  99. 

2.  m.  ant.  imi\  avg(vb)  iiivtr.  k.  p.  c.  c.l. 
oel(livs)  q.  p.  Bare  head  of  Mark  Antony,  be- 
hind which  is  the  pncfericulum. — Rev. — caesar 
imp.  pont.  Iliviu.  R.  P.  c.  Bare  head  of  Octa- 


GEM— GENIUS. 

vianus,  behiud  which  is  the  lituus.  This  is  a 
denarius  of  some  rarity. 

The  letters  Q.  p.  affixed  to  gel.  on  the  ob- 
verse, are  considered  by  Eckhel  to  signify  Quas- 
tor  Propralore , rather  than,  as  by  others  it  is 
thought  to  mean  Quastor  Provincia. — Riceio, 
however,  adopting  the  latter  opinion,  says — 
Lucius  Gellius  (Poplicola)  was  provincial  ques- 
tor  of  Mark  Antony,  at  the  time  when  that 
famous  Triumvir  Rcipublicfc  Constituendsc  was 
amicably  colleagued  with  Octaviauus,  and  coined 
the  medal  above  described.  He  was  also  consul 
with  M.  Cocceius  Ncrva,  in  718  (p.  c.  36). — 
This  same  Gellius,  however,  was  one  of  the  most 
inconsistent  and  faithless  of  men,  passing  over, 
in  a treacherous  manner,  from  the  friendship  of 
Brutus  and  Cassius  to  that  of  Antony,  and  from 
the  party  of  Antony  to  that  of  Augustus. 

GEM.  Gemella. — The  cause  why  certain 
legious  were  called  Gemella  (or  twins)  is  derived 
by  the  accurate  Billiard  from  the  Commentaries 
of  Ctesar  (Bell.  Civ.  iii.  c.  4),  where,  in  speak- 
ing of  the  legions  which  Pompcy  had  assembled, 
he  says,  unam  (leoionem)  cx  Sicilia  veteranam, 
quam  factam  ex  duabus  gemellam  appellabat, 
(ad  Jobert,  ii.  273.) 

Gemella,  surnamed  Acci,  a colony  of  Hispania 
Tarracoucusis,  to  which  colouists  were  sent  from 
the  third  and  fourth  legion,  as  coins  of  Augustus 
and  Tiberius  testify,  on  which  it  is  called  col. 
gem.  acci. — See  p.  3. 

Gemella  cum  Lupd. The  twin  children 

(Romulus  and  Remus)  with  the  wolf  is  a fre- 
quent mark  of  Roman  colonics,  as  on  coins  of 
Corinth,  Alexandria  Troadis,  Neapolis,  Damascus, 
and  others.  (Spanheim,  Pr.  i.  p.  571). — See 
COLON! AE  ROMANAE,  p.  232. 

Gemma.  Gems  or  precious  stones. — The  use 
of  these  as  ornaments  for  the  head  is  said  to 
have  begun  under  Aurelian.  Other  emperors 
neither  unwillingly  nor  unfrecly  followed  the 
same  example;  aud  thenceforward  pearls  and 
other  jewels  are  seen  on  the  diadems  of  the 
A up  ust  i and  Augusta. 

Gems  and  rings  find  in  most  instances  their 
sources  of  explanation  on  coins. — See  Raschc’s 
citations  from  Spanheim  and  Begcr. 

GEN.  Generis. — SALaa  HVMANI  GENE- 
RIS of  Gallia  and  Caraealla. 

GEN.  Genius  or  Genio. — genio  avgvsti. 
To  the  Genius  of  the  Emperor. 

GENIUS. — It  was  the  opinion  of  the  ancients 
that  every  man  from  the  moment  of  his  birth 
had  his  genius,  or  according  to  others  two  genii, 
a good  and  a bad  one  ; and  that  as  the  one  or 
the  other  of  these  personal  tutelaries  was  the 
stronger  of  the  two,  that  individual  became 
good  or  bad.  In  process  of  time  each  house  and 
each  town  bad  its  genius;  the  former  were  called 
Lares,  the  latter  were  named  Penates.  Rome 
had  her  Genius-goddess,  to  whom  a statue  was 
erected  in  the  eighth  region  of  the  city.  The 
influential  presence  of  these  unseen  beings  was 
held  by  the  Romans  in  such  high  veneration, 
that  when  they  entered  for  the  first  time  into 
any  place,  they  invariably  paid  a salutation  to 
the  genius  loci.  During  the  republic,  they 
3 G 


GENIUS.  409 

swore  by  the  Genius  of  the  Roman  people,  and 
afterwards  by  that  of.  the  Emperor.  At  both 
periods,  the  violation  of  the  oath  was  treated  as 
the  most  heinous  of  perjuries,  and  was  punished 
with  the  greatest  severity. 

Genii  are  represented  on  Roman  coins,  under 
different  forms,  as  well  in  the  consular  as  in  the 
imperial  scries. 

In  his  observations  on  Genii,  as  they  are 
typified  on  family  coins,  Eckhel  says  that  these 
come  next  in  order  of  dignity  to  the  gods  and 
goddesses,  meaning  by  the  term — 1.  Certain 
images  (or  figures)  appropriated  to  some  country, 
city,  or  people,  whether  they  were  nothing 
more  than  allegories  intended  to  represent 
a province  or  a city  by  some  peculiarity  of 
their  habits  or  circumstances ; or  whether  some 
celestial  powers,  though  of  a subordinate  rank, 
were  actually  supposed  to  preside  over  them. — 

2.  The  Virtues ; such  as  clemency,  faith,  piety, 
&c.  or  those  adjuncts  which  are  always  reckoued 
among  the  good  things  of  life,  but  which  are  not 
always  under  our  own  control,  such  as  fortune, 
honour,  liberty,  safety,  victory,  and  health. — 

3.  The  vices  aud  the  ills  of  life;  as  pallor, 
pavor,  febr  'is,  & c.  These  and  similar  subjects, 
the  emblematical  representations  of  which  we 
see  on  ancient  monuments,  were  not  regarded 
as  mere  idealities,  but  as  actual  beings  of  a 
divine  nature,  as  is  proved  by  the  fact,  that 
temples  were  erected  to  their  honour,  equally 

| with  the  gods  themselves.  Some  of  these,  such 
as  Virtus,  Honor,  Mens,  Fortuna,  under  various 

1 titles,  have  been  enumerated  by  Cicero,  Plu- 

5 tarch,  Juvenal;  and  many  other  examples  may 
be  found  in  P.  Victor’s  work  ou  the  districts  of 
Rome. 

The  subject  receives  illustration  from  a letter 
of  Cicero  to  his  brother  Quintus  (l.  Epist.  i. 
§ 10) — “ Wherefore,  since  you  are  passing  your 
time,  in  a position  of  the  highest  authority,  in 
those  very  cities,  where  you  see  your  own  vir- 
tues consecrated,  and  reckoned  among  the  divi- 
nities, &c.”  And  thus,  pot  only  the  Romans, 
but  the  Greeks  also,  crowded  Olympus  with 
fresh  colonists.  (See  Fors,  p.  395).  No  one  any 
longer  cared  to  offer  sacrifices  to  the  greater  and 
elder  gods,  whilst  they  lavished  whole  hecatombs 
on  Virtus,  Batura,  Fat  urn,  and  Fortuna,  who 
had  but  as  yesterday  found  their  way  into  heaven ; 
whilst  a sextarius  of  ambrosia  and  nectar 
could  not  be  bought  for  less  than  a mina,  so  vast 
was  the  assemblage  of  celestial  guests.  And 
yet  one  could  have  tolerated  a superstition  which 
conceded  divine  honours  to  the  virtues ; but 
what  could  surpass  the  infatuation  of  placing  on 
a level  with  the  gods,  the  vices,  the  diseases, 
and  the  bugbears  of  mankind  ? Indeed,  this 
fanaticism  was  estimated  at  its  true  value,  aud 
detested  accordingly,  by  all  the  ancients  them- 
selves who  were  possessed  of  superior  intellects. 
A proof  of  this  is  to  be  fouud  in  the  law'  intro- 
duced by  the  wisest  of  the  Romans , “ But 
those  qualities,  which  entitle  a man  to  ad- 
mission into  heaven,  mind,  valour,  piety,  faith, — 
for  their  glorification  let  there  be  shrines.  But 
let  no  sacred  solemnities  be  performed  in  honour 


410  GEN  10  AUGUSTl. 

of  the  rices.”  (Cic.  de  Legib.  ii.  eh.  8.)  These 
expressions  Cicero  explains  a little  further  on  ; 

“ It  is  well  done,  that  Mens,  Pietas,  l irl us,  and 
Pities,  are  consecrated,  to  all  of  which  temples 
arc  publicly  dedicated  in  Rome,  in  order  that 
the  possessors  of  such  qualities  (and  .ill  good 
men  do  possess  them),  may  reflect  that  the  gods 
themselves  are  the  occupants  of  their  own 
bosoms.  For  that,  on  the  contrary,  was  a dis- 
graceful circumstance  in  the  history  of  Athens, 
that  after  the  crime  of  Cylon  had  been  ex- 
piated, they  followed  the  suggestion  of  Epi- 
mcnidcs,  and  erected  a temple  to  Gontumch 
and  Impudence.  For  it  is  the  virtues,  and  not 
the  vices,  which  should  be  made  the  subject  ot  j 
consecration.  Now,  there  is  standing  iu  the  j 
Palatium  an  ancient  altar  to  Pebris  (Fever),  and  [ 
another  on  the  Esquiliic  to  Mala  b or  tuna ; all 
of  which  anomalies  should  he  abolished.  He  j 
then  refers  in  terms  of  commendation  to  the 
honours  paid  to  Solus,  Ilonor , Ops,  J ictoria,  [ 
Spes  (consecrated  by  Calatiuus),  Fortuna  of  the 
present  time,  and  retrospective,  and  to  Pors 
Primigenia.  He  might  have  added  some  foreign 
examples,  such  as  the  altars  of  Impietas  and 
Nequitia,  erected  by  one  Dicicarchus,  and  the 
shrine  of  Poracilas  in  Sicily,  lhc  ancients, 
however,  were  not  at  a loss  to  find  excuses  for 
the  folly  of  this  custum.— Plutarch  informs  us 
(in  Agide  et  Cleomene,  p.  m.  808),  that  there 
were  among  the  Eaccdfcmonians,  temples 
sacred  not  only  to  Fear,  but  also  to  Death,  and  to 
Laughter,  aud  other  affections  of  the  like  kind. 
To  Fear,  however,  they  pay  this  adoration,  not 
as  they  do  to  other  objects  of  detestation, 
because  they  consider  it  hurtful,  but  because  in 
their  estimation  it  is  a passion  which  mainly 
contributes  to  the  safety  of  a State.  I alcrius 
Nlaximus,  when  remarking  that  there  were  in 
Rome  three  temples  erected  in  honour  of  bebris 
(fever),  adds  that  she  was  worshipped  in  order 
that  she  might  cause  less  destruction.  Pliny  also 
affords  similar  information. — See  Doctriua,  \\ 
85,  86,  where  will  also  be  found  a list  of  Genii, 
selected  from  the  coins  of  families  under  three 
heads,  viz. : — 

1.  Genii  of  Countries,  Cities,  and  Peoples.— 
2.  Good  Genii,  under  which  virtues,  houours, 
and  other  attributes  of  good  qualities  are  sym- 
bolized.—3.  Mali  Genii ; such  as  Pallor  and 
Paror  in  Ilostilia  gens.  No  others  of  this 
absurd  description  are  found  on  Roman  coins. 
The  Imperial  mintages  furnish  a host  of  Genii. 
A few  examples  from  each  series  are  subjoined 
hereto. 

GEN  10  AVG  VSTI.— On  a third  brass  of  Nero, 
revealing  Greek  art  in  its  high  relief,  its  tine 
design  aud  finished  workmanship,  this  dedicatory 
legend  accompanies  a male  figure,  typifying  the 
Genius  of  the  Emperor,  sacrificing  at  an  altar 
with  fire  kindled.  That  this  cruel  tyrant  was 
held  in  universal  abhorrence,  except  amongst 
the  vilest  of  the  populace,  and  the  most  venal 
of  the  soldiery,  whom  his  spectacles  and  largesses 
had  seduced,  "is  a fact  proved  by  the  burst  of  joy 
aud  gladucsss,  which  spread  throughout  the 
empire  at  the  news  of  his  death.  Nevertheless 


GENIUS  POPULI  ROMANI, 
such  was  the  baseness  of  the  Senate,  and  such 
the  dread  of  his  vengeance,  which  prevailed 
during  his  lifetime,  that  every  mark,  even  of  di- 
vine honours,  was  paid  to  that  fearful  personifi- 
cation of  mingled  crime  and  folly.  Hence  we  see 
his  genius  (evil  as  it  was)  immortalised  by  the 
obsequious  mint  of  Rome. 

Eckhel  observes,  “ the  Getutts  Augusli  so 
frequent  on  coins  was  some  species  of  divinity, 
or  it  was  designed  to  embody  the  intellectual 
spirit  of  the  Osar  himself,  and  his  deity,  such 
as  the  superstition  of  the  ancients  taught  the 
common  people  to  regard  as  an  attendant  on 
men.” — viii.  458. 


GENIYS  POPYLI  ROMANI.  (Genius  of 
the  Roman  People).— Upright  figure  of  a young 
man,  bare  headed,  clothed  in  the  toga,  bearing 
on  his  left  arm  a cornucopisc,  and  holding  a 
patera  in  his  right  hand,  which  he  extends  over 
a lighted  altar,  as  in  the  act  of  sacrificing. 

Although  not  the  first  in  either  chronological 
or  alphabetical  order  of  notice,  yet  as  the  largest 
and  most  boldly  developed  specimen  of  the  type, 
a wood-cut  is  above  inserted,  engraved  after  a 
cast  from  a large  brass  medallion  of  Hadrian, 
in  the  Cabinet  de  Prance,  valued  by  Mionnct 
at  150  francs.  The  type  has  evidently  been 
borrowed  from  Nero’s  beautiful  little  coiu  Genio 
Augusli,  but  is  of  equally  fine  fabric,  and  from 
its  superior  magnitude  forms  a noble  reverse. 

On  a second  brass  of  Autouiuus  1 ins,  with 
the  same  legend  of  reverse,  the  Genius  holds 
the  liasta,  instead  of  a patera  in  the  right  hand. 

“The  pagan  religion,  complicated  and  con- 
t radictorv  iu  its  dogmas,  admitted  besides  the 
•jods  the  existence  of  beings,  who  were  sup- 
posed to  have  peculiar  influence  over  states, 
and  peoples,  and  even  to  inspire,  for  good  or 
evil,  the  minds  of  illustrious  men.”— Legons 
Numismatiques,  p.  136. 

G.  P.  R. — A bearded  and  diademed  head. 
Behind  it  a sceptre,  with  the  letters  o.  P.  K. 
Genius  Populi  Romani  on  a deuarius  of  the 
Cornelia  gens,  struck  by  Cn.  Cornelius  Lcntulus. 
It  is  also  found  on  nutonomes  minted  under  the 
emperors  (sec  Incerti  iu  Morel,  tab.  ii.)  with 
the  addition  of  cemvs  P.  k.  When,  however, 
flattery  had  insinuated  itself  into  the  operations 
of  the  mint,  the  Genius  of  the  people  of  Rome 
assumed  the  features  of  the  emperor  for  the 
time  being.  According  to  Dion,  there  were  at 


GENIUS  EXERCITUS. 


GENIUS  LUGDUNI.  411 


Rome  temples  consecrated  to  this  Genius  as 
a deity.  Examples  of  this  occur  ainougst  the 
coins  of  Augustus,  under  the  year  734  (b.  c. 
20),  and  also  in  Galba — see  below. 

A beardless  figure,  representing  the  Genius 
of  the  Roman  People , appears  on  the  reverse 
of  another  denarius  of  the  Cornelia  family,  in 
the  act  of  crowning  a warrior,  alluding  to  the 
victories  of  Porapey  in  the  East,  61)3  (b.  c. 
61),  struck  by  cn.  lent vl vs  mahcei.unvs, 
between  605  (b.  c.  50)  and  608  (b.  c.  56). — 
Engraved  in  Morel  and  Riceio,  Fata.  Rom. 

On  another  silver  coin  of  the  same  family,  the 
reverse  exhibits  the  sedent  figure  of  a man  naked 
to  the  waist,  holding  in  the  right  hand  the 
cornucopia;,  and  iu  the  left  the  hasta;  the  right 
foot  is  planted  on  a globe ; his  face  is  directed  j 
towards  a flying  victory  that  crowns  him.  The 
legend  on  one  side  is  p.  lf.ntvlvs  p.  f.  (Publius 
Lentulus,  son  of  Publius),  and  on  the  other 
spin.  (Spinther).  The  seated  figure  is  considered 
to  personify  the  Genius  of  Rome,  a device  re- 
peatedly associated  with  the  affairs  of  the  Lcn- 
tuli,  and  thence  most  probably  allusive  to  some 
glory  of  the  Cornelia  family. — Engraved  in 
Morell.  Fam.  Rom.  ii.  5,  and  in  Riceio,  Tav. 
xvi.  32. 

GEN  10  P.  R. — On  a silver  coin  bearing  on 
one  side  this  epigraph,  and  on  the  other  the 
legend  and  type  of  Mars  Vltor,  the  head  of 
Galba  is  figured,  with  a cornucopia;  behind  it. 
The  forepart  of  the  head  is  bald,  as  that  em- 
peror’s is  described  to  have  been.  Iu  their  i 
gcucral  hatred  of  Nero  and  exultation  at  his 
death,  the  people  of  Rome,  ever  prone  to  excess, 
paid  the  veteran  governor  of  the  Gauls  and 
of  Spain,  now  their  deliverer  from  domestic 
tyrauny,  more  than  mortal  honours,  by  hailing 
him  as  their  tutelary  demigod.  The  reign  of 
Galba  was  at  first  regarded  as  an  epoch  of 
happiness  aud  liberty  ; and  frequent  allusion  is 
made  on  his  coins  to  these  favourable  anticipa- 
tions. 


GENIVS  EXERCITVS  ILLYRICIANI.  S.C. 
— The  Genius  naked,  except  that  the  pallium 
hangs  from  his  shoulders  on  his  left  arm,  on 
which  rests  a cornucopia:,  and  cl<*e  to  which  is 
a military  ensign.  In  the  right  hand  is  a patera. 
On  other  coins  there  is  an  altar  in  addition. — 
Gold,  silver,  and  first  aud  second  brass  of  Tra- 
jan Decius.  The  above  is  engraved  from  a spe 
cimen  in  the  British  Museum. 

GEN.  or  GENIVS  ILLYRICI.— Male  figure 
standing,  with  patera  aud  cornucopia;.  Silver 
3 G 2 


of  the  same  emperor.  The  first  brass  is  engraved 
in  the  Cabinet  de  Christine. 

On  coins  of  this  emperor  there  are  reverses 
implying  his  acknowledgment  of  obligations  to 
Dacia,  as  well  as  to  both  the  PANNONIAE,  supe- 
rior and  inferior,  and  here  we  have  a still  more 
pointed  record  of  his  gratitude  to  the  army  of 
Illyria. 

The  reason  why  such  a distinction  was  con- 
ferred upon  these  provinces  is  sufficiently  ob- 
vious ; for  it  was  in  them  that  Decius  was 
first  declared  Imperator  by  acclamation  ; and  to 
the  fidelity  of  these  legions  he  owed  his  victory 
over  Philip ; while  in  turn  he  protected  aud 
freed  them  from  the  incursions  of  barbarian 
tribes,  aud  so  again  obtained  distinction  for  him- 
self. A similar  reverse  is  to  be  found  on  coins 
of  Julian  the  Usurper. 

Thus  the  Excrcitus  Illyricianus  had  too  many 
claims  upon  the  immediate  successor  of  the  elder 
Philip,  to  make  it  difficult  to  account  for  this 
imperial  compliment  to  its  Genius. 

GENIVS  EXERCITI.  The  Genius  of  the 
Army. — Du  Choul,  in  his  observations  on  this 
and  the  various  other  numismatic  dedications  to 
Genius,  says — “ The  ancients  esteemed  it  to  be 
the  God  of  Nature.  Aud  such  was  the  religion 
of  the  Romans  that  it  assigned  to  every  man 
his  genius  and  his  presiding  spirit.  Thus  we 
find  inscriptions  to  the  Genius  of  the  Emperor, 
of  the  Senate,  of  the  Roman  People,  and  (as  in 
Aurelian  aud  others)  of  the  Army.  This  last 
named  legend  is  accompanied  by  a type  pour- 
traying  the  image  of  Genius,  with  a cloak  half 
covering  the  shoulders,  and  leaving  the  rest  of 
the  body  naked,  holding  a cornucopia  in  one 
hand,  and  a simpulum  or  a patera  in  the  other. 
Censorinus,  in  his  treatise  De  Die  Natali,  says, 
that  the  moment  we  are  born,  we  live  under  the 
guard  and  tutelage  of  Genius.  Other  writers 
assert  that  the  Lares  and  Genius  were  the  same 
thing,  (pp.  148,  149). 


GEN.  LVG.  (The  Genius  of  Lugduuum). — 
This  legend  appears  on  the  reverse  of  a rare 
silver  coin  of  Clodius  Albinus,  accompanied  by 
the  type  of  a naked  Genius,  with  turretod  head, 
standing : he  holds  a spear  in  his  right  hand, 
a cornucopia:  in  his  left ; and  there  is.  an  eagle 
at  his  feet.  The  above  cut  is  after  a cast  from 
a specimen  iu  the  British  Museum. 

“ That  Albinus,  when  he  came  over  from 
Britain,  took  up  his  quarters  at  Lugduuum  (now 
Lyon,  in  France),  iu  the  vicinity  of  which  he 
was  afterwards  defeated  and  slain,  is  a fact  dis- 
tinctly related  to  us  by  Herodiau.  In  that  city, 
therefore,  the  above  described  denarius,  exhi- 
biting GYSium  LVG duni,  was  doubtless  struck ; 
and  it  is  very  probable  that  in  the  same  place 


412  GEXIO  SENATE'S, 

several  other  coins  of  Albinus,  already  named 
Augustus,  were  minted.  The  mint  of  Lyon 
(Ofliciua  Lugdunensis)  is  mentioned  as  early  as  j 
on  coins  of  Antony  the  triumvir,  but  much 
more  frequently  on  those  of  a lower  age.  1 he  j 
eagle  placed  at  the  feet  of  the  Genius  indicates, 
perhaps,  that  Lugdunum  was  under  the  supreme 
protection  of  Jupiter;  indeed  Albiuus  ascribed  j 
the  first  victories  which  he  gaiued  to  that  deity, 
as  is  proved  bv  a silver  coin  quoted  by  \ ail-  | 
lant,  with  the  epigraph  iovi  victobi.”— Eck-  ] 
hel,  viii.  164. 

Obv  — GEMO  aNTIOXENI.  a female  figure,  j 
with  turreted  and  veiled  head,  sitting  on  a rock  ; j 
a river  issuing  from  beneath  her  feet.  Third 
brass  of  Julian  II.  (Imp.  Mus.) 

Obv. — gexio  crvrrATls.  Female  head,  veiled 
and  turreted.  Third  brass  of  do.  (lauini,  p. 

318).  , t . . . 

These  coins  were  struck  at  Antioch,  in  by  ria. 
It  is  probable  that  they  first  saw  the  light  dur- 
ing the  reign  of  Julian  (between  a;d.  360  and 
3 03)  The  obverse  exhibits  the  Genius  Anti- 

ocheni,  i.  e.  populi,  under  the  figure  of  a wo- 
man with  turreted  head,  sitting  on  a rock,  from 
which  flows  a river.  The  species  of  legend  is 
found  more  fully  expressed  on  coins  of  Diocle- 
tian’s age,  thus— gexio  popvli  Romani.  Re- 
specting the  Genii  of  peoples,  cities,  and  locali- 
ties, &c.  to  whose  guardianship  they  were  re- 
spectively committed,  abundant  information  will 
be  found' in  the  works  of  various  learned  writers, 
(viii.  141.) 


GENIUS  OF  ALEXANDRIA, 
extinction,  most  degenerate,  corrupt,  and  de- 
graded bodv. 

When  indeed  it  is  remembered  that  au  assem- 
ble formerly  so  jealous  of  its  independence,  and 
so'  haughty  in  the  exercise  of  its  power,  at 
length  became  the  subservient  tool— the  fulsome 
panegyrist— of  the  weakest  as  well  as  the  ivorst  ot 
beings  that  ever  wore  the  human  form,  of  mad- 
men and  monsters  permitted  for  the  pumshmeut 
of  a wicked  world  to  be  its  plagues  in  the  shape 
of  its  rulers  ; the  fall  of  the  Roman  Seuate  into 
a state  of  slavery  and  theuce  through  yet  lower 
grades  of  humiliation,  can  be  regarded  in  no 
other  light  than  that  of  a judgment  as  just  as  it 
was  inevitable.  Nor  is  there,  perhaps,  a more 
striking  lesson,  it  might  be  added,  a more  aw  rut 
warning,  to  be  derived  from  the  records  of  past 
ages,  than  is  handed  down  to  us  in  the  flagrant 
examples  of  base  and  impious  adulation— ot 
venal  flattery  committing  open  outrage  upon 
decencv  by  the  most  palpable  falsehoods,  which, 
with  such  fulsome  frequency,  present  themsch  es 
on  Roman  coins  of  the  Imperial  senes,  bearing 
the  well-known  impress  of  a Senates  Consul  turn. 

GEXIO  POPVLI  ROMANI— The  Genius, 
having  a rnodius  on  his  head,  ou  his  left  arm 
holding  a horn  of  abundance,  and  in  the  act  or 
making  a libation  from  a patera  on  an  altar,  ap- 
pears on  the  reverse  of  a middle  brass  of  l ou- 
stantine  the  Great.  Engraved  in  llandun,  n.  £■ 
There  is  an  exactly  similar  type  on  the  reverse 
of  a second  brass  of  Licinius  senior,  with  the 
legend  gexio  impebatobis.  „ 

Haudelot  De  Dairval  observes,  that  all  the 
medals  which  have  on  the  reverse  Gento  Au- 
gust!, Genio  Iinperatoris,  Genio  Senates,  Genio 
Populi  Romani,  with  other  symbols  of  Lares, 
bear  reference  in  their  legends  and  types,  either 
to  the  princes  themselves  whom  flattery  caused 
to  be  thus  represented;  or  otherwise  to  the 
guardian  deities  of  those  magistrates,  or  oMbose 
cities,  that  struck  the  coins.”— See  De  l L Mite 
des  Voyages. 


GENIO  SENATYS.  S.  C.— The  Genius  of 
the  Roman  Senate,  under  the  figure  and  features 
of  a man,  clothed  in  the  toga,  standing  ; he 
holds  in  his  right  hand  an  olive  branch,  the  sign 
of  peace  ; and  in  his  left  the  ivory  sceptre,  dis- 
tinctive mark  of  the  consuls.  Silver  and  first 
brass  of  Antoninus  Pius.  The  above  engraving 
is  from  a specimen  in  the  compilers  possession. 

Ou  a first  brass  of  Galba,  bearing  for  its 
legend  of  reverse,  senatvs  pietati  avgysti, 
the  accompanying  type  represents  the  lather, 
or  the  Genius  of  the  Senate  crowning  the 
emperor.  . . 

Although  Genii  were  usually  represented  by 
voung  men,  yet  the  Genius  of  the  Senate  is 
impersonated  by  a man  of  mature  years,  habited 
in  the  toga,  very  probnbly  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a more  complimentary  allusion  (quite  in 
character  with  that  excellent  prince  Antoninus 
Pius)  to  the  dignity  and  to  the  gravity  of  an 
ancient  and  once  illustrious,  but  long  before  its 


Genius  of  Alexandria.— Our  references  to  the 
subject  of  Genii,  so  far  as  it  receives  illustra- 
tion from  coins,  shall  be  concluded  with  the  de- 
scriptiou  of  a large  brass  of  Hadrian,  struck  m 
Egypt.  The  reverse  of  this  piece  exhibits  a 
female  figure  in  a short  dress  (somewhat  rc'Ctu- 
bliug  that  assigned  to  Diana  Yenatrir),  wear- 
| ing  as  a head-gear  the  skull  and  proboscis  of  au 
1 elephant,  and  holding  in  the  left  hand  a couple 
of  corn -cars.  Staudiug  opposite  to  her  is  a 


GENS. 


GENTILES— GENTES.  413 


male  figure  of  mature  age,  whose  right  hand 
she  lifts  up  with  her  own,  and  kisses  it.  This 
male  figure,  laureated  and  togatcd,  holds  in  the 
left  hand  a sceptre  surmounted  by  an  eagle.  In 
the  field  of  the  coin  is  I.  E.  (marking  the  xvth 
year  of  a reign). 

This  unique,  elegant,  and  remarkable  type,  is 
recognised  by  Eckhel  ( Ductr . vi.  489),  and  by 
Millin  ( Gal  Mythol.  i.  378),  as  representing 
the  Genius  of  Alexandria,  hastening  to  meet 
Hadrian  on  one  of  his  arrivals  in  that  city,  and 
to  welcome  him  as  her  guest,  which  she  does  in 
the  most  expressive  mode  of  shewing  grateful 
acknowledgment  for  benefits  already  conferred. 

[l'or  the  cast  (in  gutta  percha)  after  which 
the  above  cut  has  been  executed,  the  compiler 
is  indebted  to  his  friend  Mr.  Akennan,  who  was 
in  possession  of  the  original]. 

In  Zocga  (Num.  /Egypt,  vii.)  is  a similar 
type  with  the  addition  of  Alexandria  for  its 
accompanying  legend.  But  it  places  a simple 
wand,  or  the  hasta  pura,  in  the  emperor’s  left 
hand,  instead  of  the  eagle-topped  sceptre  of 
empire. 

GENS. — A clan,  embracing  several  families, 
united  together  by  a common  name.  This  word 
has  a different  meaning  from  that  of  Familia 
and  also  from  that  of  Slirj/s.  Amongst  the 
Romans  there  were  Genies  and  Familite,  so  in- 
deed that  the  familite  might  be  said  to  be  com- 
prehended as  a species  under  the  gens,  or  race. 

Gens  seems  to  belong  to  the  nomen  or  name  ; 
familia  to  the  cognomen  or  surname  of  a house : 
the  former  included  the  whole;  the  latter  only 
a part.  For  example,  all  the  Valerii  were  of 
the  same  gens  or  race,  because  they  were  all 
comprised  under  the  same  name.  But  this  gens 
had  several  branches  which  were  distinguished 
by  the  respective  cognomina,  and  these  branches 
were  called  Familite,  Families.  Thus  in  the 
Gens  Valeria  there  was  the  Maxirni,  the 
Mcssalse,  the  Flacci,  the  Lacuni,  the  Poplicolic, 
who  formed  so  many  families  of  the  same  house. 
Festus  therefore  gives  a good  definition  of  this 
word  Gens,  in  saying — Gens  appellatur,  quae  ex 
multis  familiis  couficitur.  Accordingly,  again, 
if  we  take  the  Gens  Cornelia,  we  have  for  its 
familite  the  Blasioncs,  Ccthcgi,  Dolabelkc,  Lcu- 
tuli,  Scipiones,  Sisenna:,  &c.  These  examples 
are  confirmed  by  the  testimonies  of  ancient 
writers ; amongst  whom  may  be  cited  Suetonius 
and  Livy.  The  former  says — Imagines  et  elogia 
uuiversi  generis  (Sulpicii)  exsequi  longmn  cst, 
familia;  (Galbtc)  breviter  attingam. — Livy  says, 
P.ScipioNasica  tribunos  appcllavit,  orationemqnc 
habuit  plenam  veris  dccoribns,  non  communiter 
rnodo  Cornelia:  gentis,  sed  proprie  familia:  sum.” 
— Eckhel  v.  54. 

There  were  patrician  houses,  and  there  were 
houses  of  the  plebeian  order,  and  sometimes  in 
the  same  gens  there  were  some  families  of 
patrician  rank  and  others  of  plebeian. 

Gens,  says  Rasche,  means  all  the  offspring, 
who,  from  one  ancestor  and  as  it  were  first 
parent,  always  by  blood  relationship  (traduce 
sanguine)  had  descended  in  a right  Hue.  Familia 
wits  a branch  growing  out  of  the  trunk  or  middle 


nearest  to  the  side  (ad  latus  proxime).  Slir/js 
in  the  last  place  may  rightly  be  denominated  a 
branch  of  the  branch  (ramus  rami). 

For  a descriptive  Hst  of  the  Genies  and 
Familite  Romante,  as  found  on  Consular  coins — 
see  Mionnet,  Rarete  ties  Med. — Akerman,  Bescr. 
Cal. — Riccio,  Monete  delle  Famiglie  di  Roma. 

GENTILES. — Those  of  the  same  gens  were 
called  gentiles,  and  those  of  the  same  family, 
agnati.  The  term  gentiles,  says  Eckhel,  was  ap- 
plied not  only  to  those  who  belonged  to  the  same 
gens,  but  also  to  those  who  bore  only  the  same 
! name.  Cicero  tells  us — “ They  are  called  gen- 
tiles  who  share  the  same  name.”  lie  was, 
therefore,  justified  in  saying  on  another  occasion, 
“ I’herecydes  the  Syrian  was  the  first  to  make 
the  observation,  that  the  minds  of  men  were 
immortal ; and  he  was  one  of  a very  remote 
age,  as  he  lived  during  the  reign  of  my  genlilis 
(namesake)” — i.  e.  Scrvius  Tullius ; betw'een 
whom,  however,  and  Cicero  there  was  no 
point  of  connexion  besides  the  similarity  of 
name.  Festus  too  gives  the  same  account — 
“ The.  term  gentilis  is  applied,  both  to  him 
who  is  descended  from  the  same  stock,  and  to 
him  wrho  is  called  by  the  same  name  ; witness 
the  expression  of  Cincius — “ They  are  my  gen- 
tiles who  bear  my  name.”  Consequently,  he 
who  was  connected  with  a certain  lineage  by 
name,  might  easily  appear,  in  the  eyes  of  the 
interested,  to  be  allied  also  by  blood.  They 
who  oppose  their  own  conjectures  to  the  autho- 
I rity  of  Dionysius,  tell  us,  for  example,  that 
the  later  Junii  passed  over  from  the  patrician  to 
the  plebeian  ranks.  It  is  not  uninteresting  to 
I call  to  mind,  that  in  the  earliest  period  of  the 
commonwealth  the  same  impositon  wras  practised 
by  a certain  L.  Junius  of  plebeian  origin  aud 
ignoble  station,  who,  when  the  people  retired 
to  the  Mons  Sacer,  in  order  the  more  effectually 
to  direct  their  vengeance  against  the  Fatres, 
assumed  the  cognomen  of  Brutus,  and  was 
thereupon  chosen  the  first  tribune  of  the  people. 
— See  Boclr.  vi.  20. 

GENT.  Gentium. — Of  Nations. See  de- 

BELLATOUI  GENT.  BARBAll.  and  TRIUMFATOR 
GENT.  BARB. 

GENTES  captte,  subaette,  devictce,  receptte, 
&c. — Nations  or  territories  captured,  subdued, 
vanquished,  regained,  &c.  are  recorded  by  name 
on  the  coins  of  Roman  emperors. — See  ^egyp- 

TUS,  ALAMANNIA,  ARABIA,  ARMENIA,  DACIA, 
FRANCIA,  GERMANIA,  JUD.F.A,  PARTIIIA,  SAR- 
M ATI  A,  &c.  Similar  reference  is  made  to  na- 
tions and  countries  subdued  and  taken  posses- 
sion of  by  the  Romans,  on  coins  of  the  Empe- 
rors and  Ctesars,  bearing  the  inscription  de 
parthis,  as  in  Augustus  ; de  britaNnis,  as  in 
Claudius ; de  germ,  or  germanis,  as  in  Augus- 
tus, Nero  Drusus,  Claudius,  Domitian,  M.  Au- 
relius, and  others;  and  in  Sept.  Severus,  the 
| legend  of  germ,  vota  suscepta  ; also  the  de 
[ ivdaeis  of  Vespasian;  and  the  de  sarm(atis) 
of  M.  AureUus  and  of  Commodus.  The  same 
token  of  conquest  and  victory  is  conveyed  uudei 
the  name  alone  of  a particular  tribe  or  region,  as 
bhitann.  and  Britannia,  on  coins  of  Claudius, 


414  GEOGRAPHY.— GERMANIA. 

Antoninus  Pius,  Commodus,  Severus ; dacia,  as 
in  Trajan ; francia  & gothia,  as  in  Constanti- 
nus  M. — goth i on  coins  of  Probus  and  Tacitus. 
The  accompanying  types  to  these  are  for  the  most 
part  a woman  veiled  and  weeping,  or  a captive 
sitting  bound  at  the  foot  of  a trophy  of  arms. 
On  some  of  the  imperial  series,  we  also  find  the 
highest  terms  of  eulogy  employed,  not  as  for  the 
conquest  of  a single  nation  merely,  but  for  many 
simultaneously  vanquished,  as  in  the  debella- 
TORI  GENTIVM  BAllBARARVM  of  Constantine 
the  Great , the  VNDiqvE  or  vbiqve  victor, 
first  in  Numcriauus,  and  afterwards  in  Constan- 
tine and  his  sons  Crispus  and  Constantius ; and 
to  crown  the  foolery  of  extravagant  boastiug 
peculiar  to  the  lower  empire,  victor  omniym 
GENTIVM  appears  on  coins  of  Maxcutius,  Con- 
stantine, and  Coustantiuus  junior. 

GENUS  HUMANUM.  The  human  race  or 
mankiud. — This  term  inscribed  on  some  coins, 
signifies  the  world  as  it  was  comprehended  under 
the  imperial  sway  of  Rome. — Sec  sai.vs  gene- 
ris hvmani  of  Galba;  also  the  restitvtor 
gener.  hvmani  of  Valerian  aud  Gordiauus 
Pius. 

GEOGRAPHY. — llow  greatly  the  study  of 
Ancient  Geography  is  benefitted  and  assisted  by 
a knowledge  of  the  numismatic  science  is  copi- 
ously shewn  by  Froelich  (in  4 Tentamina,  p.  45 
ct  seq.)  The  utility  of  such  authentic  monu- 
ments for  that  purpose  had  also  been  previously 
acknowledged  by  the  father  of  revived  geography 
Abraham  Ortelius,  who  availed  himself  of  the 
aid  which  coins  afforded  him  to  rescue  from 
obscurity  and  doubt  the  names  of  many  cities 
aud  places.  The  learned  work  of  Ccllarius 
would  neither  have  reflected  So  much  credit  on 
its  author,  nor  proved  of  so  much  use  to  literary 
men,  unless  many  things  read  there  had  pre- 
viously been  confirmed  as  true  by  the  evidence 
of  medals. — Rasche,  Lexicon  Num. 

GER.  GERM.  Germania. — GER.  CAP. 

Germania  Capta. 

GER.  Germanici. — PAX.  GER/nanici,  not 
Germanica,  on  first  brass  of  Vitcllius. — See 
PAX.  GER.  ROMA. 

GER.  Germanicus. 

GERMANIA. — This  legend,  and  its  type,  a 
woman  standing,  with  spear  and  German  shield, 
on  a denarius  of  Iladriau,  are  considered  allu- 
sive to  the  circumstance  of  that  emperor’s 
passing  over  from  Gaul  into  Germania,  as 
Spartiau  relates  in  the  year  877  (a.  d.  120)  ; 
and  on  which  occasion,  according  to  the  same 
authority,  he  imposed  a king  ou  the  Germans. 
In  reference  to  this  subject  sec  EXEBCITVS  ger- 
manicvs,  p.  366. 

GERMANIA  CAPTA.  (Germania conquered). 
— A female  figure,  personifying  Germania  weep- 
ing, seated  on  a buckler,  at  the  foot  of  a trophy 
composed  of  German  arms.  On  the  right  stands 
a German  captive,  his  hands  bound  behind  him, 
his  shield  at  his  feet.  In  the  exergue  S.  C. — 
Obv. — IMP erator  CAESar  DOMITunni  AY- 
Gustus  G EH  Maui  cm  COnStil  XI.  CENSor/Tr 
YOTesta/is  Yater  Yalr'ue.  Rust  of  Domitian 
laureated,  adorned  with  the  iEgis. 


GERMANIA  CAPTA. 


This  rare  first  brass  is  of  the  year  837  of 
Rome  (a.  d.  84).  Domitian  was  no  sooner 
seated  on  the  throne,  than  it  pleased  him  to 
undertake  an  expedition  against  the  Catti,  a 
German  tribe,  aud  though  so  far  from  coming  to 
action  with  them,  he  had  not  once  even  seen  the 
enemy,  yet  repassing  the  Rhine,  this  cowardly 
tyrant  had  the  arrogance  to  take  the  honours  of 
the  triumph  for  his  foolish  campaign  against 
this  people,  aud  to  assume  the  surname  of  Ger- 
manicus. He  caused  slaves  to  be  bought,  who 
were  dressed  after  the  manner  of  the  Germans, 
and  whose  hair  was  suffered  to  grow,  in  order 
that  they  might  pass  for  Germans  in  the  eyes  of 
the  Roman  citizens. 

On  the  reverse  of  another  large  brass,  struck 
the  same  year  as  the  preceding  coin,  and  having 
reference  to  the  same  ridiculous  pretensions  of 
Domitian  to  the  honour  of  having  beaten  the 
Germans,  represents  some  king  or  chieftain  of 
that  people  holding  a buckler,  and  on  his  knee 
before  the  emperor,  who  stands  habited  in  the 
paludamentum,  holding  in  his  right  hand  the 
parazonium,  aud  in  his  left  the  hasta.  In  the 
field  S.  C. 

[Passing  gladly  from  the  sham  victories  of  a 
cowardly  tyrant  to  the  real  triumphs  of  a brave 
defender  of  his  empire,  we  proceed  to  notice 
the  two  following  monuments  of  important  suc- 
cesses gained  by  M.  Aurelius  in  battle  with  the 
Germans  : — ] 

GERMAN  ICO  AYG  uslo  lMYeratori  VI. 
COnSuli  III.  S.  C.  The  accompanying  type 
of  this  reverse  represents  a very  fine  trophy, 
on  one  side  of  which  sits  a weeping  female,  ou 
the  other  stands  a tall  half-naked  man,  whose 
upright  posture  and  manly  air  are  characteristic 
of  the  unsubdued  spirit  of  the  German  tribes. — 
Obv.  M.  ANTOXINVS  AY  (hist  us.  Laurelled 
head  of  Aurelius,  to  whom  the  lcgeud  of  reverse 
ascribes  the  glory  of  having  terminated  the  Ger- 
manic war. 

GERMANIA  SVBACTA.  IMPerafor  VI. 
COnSul  VI.  A female  figure  is  seated  at  the  foot 
of  a trophy,  in  an  attitude  of  extreme  dejection 
and  grief — her  head  beat  down  and  her  hands 
joined  upon  her  left  knee  j she  seems  to  deplore 
her  lot  as  a vanquished  province.  The  legend 
of  reverse  is  couched  in  prouder  terms  than 
those  which  usually  record  the  victories  of  Marcus 
Aurelius — viz.  Germania  subjugated. 

These  aud  other  epigraphs,  accompanied  by- 
types  representing  captive  Germans,  stauding 
or  sitting  with  their  hands  tied  behind  them. 


GERMANIA  SUBACTA. 


near  a trophy,  arc  amongst  the  coins,  in  large 
and  middle  bronze,  which  record  the  reduction 
of  Germany,  hy  repeated  victories,  to  the  power 
of  Rome,  by  the  arms  of  Marcus  Aurelius, 
about  the  years  u.  C.  920  and  927  (a.  d.  173 
and  174). 

The  latter  part  of  that  emperor’s  reign  was 
disturbed  by  wars,  which  he  conducted  in  per- 
son. The  discipline  and  valour  of  the  legions 
under  his  immediate  commaud,  proved  as  usual 
irresistible  by  the  barbarous  tribes  whom  they 
cucouutcrcd,  and  gave  rise  to  new  triumphs, 
and  to  the  surnames  of  GERMANICVS  and  of 
SARMaficiw,  which  are  found  on  coins  of  that 
celebrated  prince. 

GERMANICUS  is  a name,  or  rather  a sur- 
name, which,  having  at  first  been  justly  ac- 
quired by  the  courageous  and  active  Drusus,  and 
deservedly  continued  to  his  son  Germanicus 
Caesar,  was  afterwards  assumed  by  many  of  the 
emperors  ; by  some  as  the  due  acknowledgment 
of  their  valour  and  success  against  the  German 
tribes,  as  in  the  instances  of  Tiberius,  Galba, 
Yitellius,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Ncrva,  Trajan,  Mar- 
cus Aurelius,  Postumus,  Claudius  Gothicus,  &c. ; 
by  others  on  the  most  groundless  and  disgrace- 
ful pretensions,  as  in  the  respective  cases  of 
Caligula,  Nero,  Domitian,  Commodus,  &c. — 
Amongst  other  surnames  derived  from  con- 
quered countries,  Valcrianns  and  Gallienus  were 
called  not  only  Germaniei  hut  even  Maximi ; 
and  so  likewise  was  Postumus ; hut  the  latter 
with  better  reason,  for  he  gained  victory  on  vic- 
tory over  the  Germans,  and  built  fortresses  for 
the  Roman  garrisons  on  the  hanks  of  the  Rhine. 


GERMANICUS  Casar , the  sou  of  Drusus 
sen.  and  of  Antonia  junior,  was  horn  in  the 
year  of  Rome  739  (n.  c.  15),  for  he  was  thirty- 
two  years  of  age  when  he  died  in  772  (a.  d.  19). 
lie  derived  the  name  Germanicus  from  his  father 
Drusus.  Being  adopted  by  Tiberius,  at  the  in- 


GERMANICUS.  415 

stance  of  Augustus,  in  the  year  757  (a.d.  4), 
he  began  to  be  styled  Casar  Tiberii  filius,  and 
Augnsti  nepos.  In  760  (a.  d.  7),  he  held  the 
questorship,  and  was  sent  with  succours  to 
Tiberius  for  the  war  in  Dalmatia.  For  suc- 
cesses gained  in  this  campaign,  he  earned  tri- 
umphal and  pretorian  honours,  763  (a.  d.  10). 
In  the  year  following,  vested  with  pro-consular 
authority,  he,  in  conjunction  with  Tiberius, 
made  an  expedition  into  Germany,  to  avenge 
the  slaughter  under  Varus.  In  765  (a.  d.  12), 
he  was  elected  consul,  and  in  767  (a.d.  14), 
about  the  time  of  Augustus’  death,  being  ap- 
pointed to  the  legions  on  the  Rhine,  he  quelled 
a revolt  of  both  armies,  occasioned  hy  their 
repugnance  to  Tiberius,  and  their  desire  to  have 
him  as  a successor  to  the  empire ; threatening 
them,  in  case  of  their  persisting,  that  he  would 
put  an  cud  to  his  owru  life.  And  such  was  the 
effect  of  his  firmness,  that  they  very  shortly 
gave  in  their  adhesion  to  Tiberius.  For  his 
other  exploits  during  the  war  in  Germany,  and 
the  honours  which  he  thence  acquired,  from  767 
to  770,  sec  the  biographical  notice  of  Tiberius. 
In  771  (a.  d.  18),  he  was  made  consul  for  the- 
second  time  at  Nicopolis,  in  Achaia,  with  Tiberius 
for  his  colleague,  and  being  sent  into  the  East, 
he  established  Artaxias  on  the  throne  of  Armenia 
(see  p.  416),  and  reduced  Cappadocia  and  Com- 
magcnc  to  the  condition  of  a Roman  province. 
In  772  (a.  d.  19),  having  gone  into  Egypt  for 
the  purpose  of  studying  its  antiquities  (cognO S- 
cenda  anliquilatis  causd),  and  thence  passed 
into  Syria,  he  became  the  victim  of  the  indig- 
nities and  evil  practices  of  Piso,  prefect  of 
Syria,  and  his  wife  Plancina ; unable  to  es- 
cape their  snares,  he  fell  into  ill  health,  which 
was  aggravated  by  the  apprehension  that  poison 
had  been  administered  to  him  by  Piso ; and  he 
died  at  Epidaphne,  near  Antioch,  on  the  9th  of 
October  of  the  same  year.  When  the  tidings 
of  his  death  spread  abroad,  it  is  scarcely  cre- 
dible what  grief  and  consternation  it  caused 
throughout  the  empire,  and  in  Rome  itself;  no 
one  refraining  from  the  most  liberal  abuse  of 
Tiberius,  whom  the  popular  voice  condemned  as 
the  instigator  of  Piso’s  crime.  Nor  was  this 
suspicion  without  foundation.  For  it  is  very 
improbable,  that  Piso  and  Plancina  would  have 
openly  acted  with  hostility  towards  a Caesar  sent 
with  plenary  powers  into  the  East,  had  they  not 
been  assured  of  the  appioval  of  Tiberius  and 
Julia.  Besides,  it  was  a sufficiently  well-known 
fact,  that  Tiberius  hated  Germanicus,  inasmuch 
as  he  feared  iu  him  a successor  to  the  empire,  on 
account  of  his  popularity  and  the  public  animosity 
against  himself.  The  indignation  of  the  people 
knew  no  bounds  ; for  even  the  altars  of  the 
gods  were  pulled  down,  as  though  they  had  neg- 
lected their  charge,  the  temples  were  dismantled, 
and  the  Lares  thrown  into  the  streets.  Even 
barbarian  tribes  were  affected  with  pity,  and 
there  was  a universal  mourning,  not  only 
throughout  the  Roman  empire,  but  the  entire 
world.  Assuredly,  the  history  of  ages  does  not 
record  a single  instance,  from  the  time  of  Alex- 
ander the  Great,  of  any  individual’s  decease  be- 


416  GERMANICUS. 


GERM  AN ICl'S. 


ing  so  bitterly  and  sincerely  deplored  : nor  was 
this  the  feeling  of  the  moment  only,  but  it  con- 
tinued for  many  years  afterwards,  insomuch  that 
the  Romans  used  to  rejoice  in  the  prosperity, 
and  sympathise  with  the  misfortunes,  of  the 
children  whom  he  left  behind  him.  Ilis  praises 
became  the  theme  of  all  the  writers  of  Roman 
annals,  who  have  extolled  in  the  highest  terms 
his  advantages  of  person  and  mind,  his  bravery, 
his  wisdom,  his  eloquence  and  learning,  his  cour- 
teous demeanour  to  his  friends,  aud  his  cle- 
mency towards  his  enemies.  His  ashes  were 
transported  by  his  wrife  Agrippina  from  Syria  to 
Rome,  and  deposited  in  the  tomb  of  Augustus. 
— (Doctr.  vi.  208). 

He  married  Agrippina,  by  whom  he  had  nine 
children,  six  of  whom  survived  him, — viz.  Nero, 
Drusns,  and  Caius,  called  Caligula ; Agrippina 
(who  married  Claudius),  Drusilla,  aud  Julia 
Livilla. 

The  coins  struck  in  honour  of  Gcrmanicus  are 
very  rare  in  gold  ; of  the  highest  rarity  in  first 
brass ; common  in  second  brass  ; colonial  rare. 
Those  of  Roman  die,  bearing  his  portrait,  were 
minted  after  his  death,  under  Caligula  and 
Claudius.  Some  of  them  were  restored  by  Ves- 
pasian. On  these  lie  is  stvlcd  GE  It  MANIC  VS 
CAESAR  TI.  AVGVST.  F.  DIVE  AVG.  N.  (as 
on  the  foregoing  cut) — also  GERM.  CAESAR  ; 
GERMAN  1CVS  CAES.  C.  CAESARIS  (Cali- 
gulic)  PATER. 


GERMANICVS  CAESAR. — A warrior  stands 
with  a sceptre  in  his  left  hand,  guiding  a tri- 
umphal quadriga. 

Rev. — S1GNIS  RECE///m  DEVICTIS  GER- 
M anil.  A warrior,  clothed  in  a complete  suit 
of  armour,  stauds  with  his  right  hand  extended, 
and  in  his  left  holds  a legionary  eagle.  In  the 
field  are  the  initials  S.  C.  (struck  by  authority 
of  the  Senate). 

This  middle  brass,  coined  dnriug  the  life-time 
of  Gennanicus,  is  a monument  of  the  honours 
which  were  decreed  to  that  prince,  wheu  he  had 
retakcu  from  the  Germans,  and  brought  back  to 
Rome,  the  military  ensigns  lost  by  Varus,  in 
the  reign  of  Augustus.  And,  although  common, 
these  coins  are  of  remarkable  interest,  as  com- 
memorative of  so  important  an  historical  eveut. 


GERMANICVS  CAESAR  Tlimi  AV-  | 
GXSti  YU  ins  DIVE  KXQusti  N epos.  (Ger-  ! 
mauicus  Cicsar,  sou  of  Tiberius  Augustus,  grand- 
son of  the  divine  Augustus.)  Bare  head  of  Gcr-  ; 
manicus.  (Engraved  iu  preceding  page,  from  a 
second  brass). 

foe.— Cains  CAESAR  AYQustus  GERMA- 
NICVS YOStifex  Maximus  TRibunicia  PO-  ' 


T estatis.  In  the  middle  of  the  coin  S.  C.  (Se- 
ll at  ns  Consul  to). 

The  before  described  coin  is,  as  the  legend 
shews,  a mark  of  Caligula’s  professed  veneration 
for  the  memory  of  his  illustrious  father. 

Iu  the  Revue  Numismatiqne  for  1838,  a gold 
coin  of  Gennanicus  is  for  the  first  time  pub- 
lished. It  had  recently  been  brought  from  Asia 
Minor,  where  it  is  considered  to  have  been 
struck.  The  legends  and  types  are  of  surpassing 
interest,  inasmuch  as  they  constitute  an  his- 
torical monument,  confirmatory  of  the  fact,  that 
during  the  fatal  sojourn  of  that  heroic  Roman  in 
the  East,  lie  conferred  royal  powers  on  an  Ar- 
menian prince  named  Artaxias.  From  the  able 
commentary  on  the  subject,  inserted  in  vol.  i.  p. 
338  et  scq.  of  the  above-named  French  periodi- 
cal ; and  also  from  a letter,  replete  with  learn- 
ing aud  intelligence,  from  the  pen  of  the  late 
Mr.  Borrcll,  of  Smyrna,  addressed  to  Mr.  Aker- 
man,  and  published  iu  the  Numismatic  Chronicle 
for  July,  1839,  an  article  has  been  compiled, 
which,  together  with  a graphic  illustration  (un- 
avoidably omitted  here),  will  be  found  in  letter 
R of  this  dictionary,  under  the  head  of  RexAR- 
T A X I AS — Caesar  GYM  M A NICVS. 

[At  the  sale  of  the  Sabatier  collection,  in 
April,  1853,  this  unique  denarius  brought  £30 
10s.  It  is  now  iu  Lord  Londesborough’s  cabi- 
net], 

GERMANICVS  COS.  X— A woman  half 
naked,  sitting  in  a sorrowful 
at  tit  tide  on  a Germanic  shield; 
below  is  a broken  spear. — 
Gold  of  Domitian. — With 
the  tenth  consulate  of  this 
emperor  837  (a.  p.  84),  the 
title  of  Gennanicus  occurs 
on  his  coins  for  the  first 
time ; derived,  as  he  wished  it  to  be  understood, 
from  his  conquest  of  the  Germani ; whereas  he 
actually  returned  from  that  absurd  expedition 
without  even  seeing  the  enemy,  as  Dion  has 
testified,  (lxvii.  $ 4).  Nor  did  he  hesitate  to 
celebrate  a triumph,  which,  however,  as  Tacitus 
informs  us  (Agricola,  c.  39),  furnished  matter 
for  ridicule,  from  the  fart  that  individuals  were 
paid  to  personate  prisoners  of  war.  The  title 
thus  conceded  to  a contemptible  vanity,  lie 
made  so  much  part  and  parcel  of  his  designation, 
that  not  only  on  all  coins  struck  thenceforth  up 
to  the  day  of  his  death  did  he  insist  on  its  being 
added  to  the  rest  of  his  distinctions,  but  even 
Martial,  Silius  Italicus,  aud  Statius,  invariably 
style  him  par  excellence  Gennanicus.  Now  this 
may  be  tolerated  as  a poetical  license,  inasmuch 
as  the  poets  would  naturally  adopt  a word, 
which  offended  less  against  the  laws  of  metre 
than  that  of  Domitianus.  But  even  that  base 
flatterer  Quiuctilian,  though  unconstrained  by 
any  such  metrical  difficulty,  cau  find  no  other 
appellation  for  him,  than  that  of  Germanicus 
Augustus.  (Just.  x.  c.  1.)  There  arc  numer- 
ous coins  of  succeeding  years,  which  bear  this 
unfounded  assumption  of  victory  over  a valiant 
people  iu  the  legend  of  their  reverse : viz.  GF.it- 
MANICVS,  or  GKUMANIA  CAPTA,  Or  IMP.  with 


GERMAN  IS. 


GERM  ANIS.  417 


the  iuhlition  of  various  numerals  ; and  of  which 
the  types  are,  like  the  coin  before  us,  Germania, 
as  a woman  sitting  on  a shield  in  an  attitude  of 
grief ; the  shield  from  its  oblong  shape  being  a 
Germanic  one,  and  distinctive  of  that  people ; 
or  a trophy  erected  between  a woman  sitting 
and  a German,  with  his  bands  bound  behind 
him,  standing  by  his  arms. — Eekhel,  vi.  379. 

GERMANICVS  MAX.  TER.— A trophy  be- 
tween two  captives  seated  on  the  ground.  This 
silver  coin  of  Valerianus  is,  on  account  of  the 
addition  ter.  treated  with  great  distinction 
by  Banduri,  who  aitinns  that  there  is  no  coin 
of  auy  other  emperor  bearing  such  an  inscrip- 
tion. Nevertheless,  the  same  reverse  is 
plainly  to  be  seen  on  a coin  of  Gallienus,  in 
the  cabinet  of  Vienna.  Each  emperor,  on  ac- 
count of  the  victories  won  by  Gallienus 
over  the  Germans,  calls  himself  Germanicus 
Maximus,  and  the  Ter.  is  affixed  in  record  of 
three  victories  gained.  Gallienus,  indeed,  sup- 
plies several  examples,  shewing  that  in  that  age, 
victories  were  enumerated,  in  like  mauncr  as  at 
an  earlier  period  the  title  of  IMP eralor  was  ex- 
alted according  to  the  number  of  victories. — See 
GEiiMANicvs  max.  v.  of  Gallienus. — D.  2V.  vii. 
385  and  401. 


GERMAN  IS  (DE).  Victory  over  the  Ger- 
mans.-A  trophy  composed 
of  German  arms. Obv. 

NERO  CLAVD1VS  DRVSVS 
GERMANICVS  IMP(ERA- 

tor).  Laurelled  head  of 
Drusus  senior.  Gold. — 
Engraved  from  a speci- 
men in  the  British  Mu- 


seum. 

GERMANIS  (DE).  An  equestrian  statue  on 
a triumphal  arch,  between  two  trophies. — Obv. 
Same  legend  and  type  as  the  preceding. — See  p. 
349  for  a wood-cut  of  this  gold  coin. 

The  two  subjects  above  described  serve,  with 
other  numismatic  monuments  to  recal  the 
honours  decreed  to  Drusus  after  his  death: 


including  the  statues,  both  equestrian  and  pedes- 
trian, which  were  raised  to  his  memory,  and 
the  triumphal  arch  built  on  the  Appian  way  in 
honour  of  this  celebrated  general  of  Augustus. 

Of  Germania,  now,  under  the  general  desig- 
nation of  Germany,  the  most  extensive  country 
in  modern  Europe,  the  derivation  of  the  name  is 
not  clearly  ascertained.  By  some  it  is  supposed  to 
have  been  so  called  from  the  nation  that  passed 
the  Rhine  and  expelled  those  Gauls  who,  in  the 
time  of  Tacitus,  were  called  the  'l'ungri  (inhabit- 
ing the  present  territory  of  Julicrs  and  Treves). 
Afterwards,  the  whole  vast  region  from  the  shores 
Of  the  Baltic  to  the  Rhretian  and  Norican  Alps, 
was  included  under  that  appellation.  It  was 
divided  by  the  Romans  into  Germania  Prima, 
Superior  or  Upper ; and  Germania  Secunda,  In- 
ferior or  Lower.  The  former  so  called  as  being 
more  inland,  lay  along  the  western  bauk  of  the 
Rhine,  and  contained  several  German  nations. 
On  the  eastern  bank  of  that  river,  were  the  Frisii 
(in  part  of  Holland,  Friesland,  and  Groningen), 
whose  country  was  intersected  by  a canal,  made 


3 H 


by  the  elder  Drusus,  whose  victories  our  coin 
here  commemorates.  North-east  of  the  Frisii 
were  the  Chauci,  distinguished  by  Tacitus  as  the 
most  noble  and  just  of  all  the  German  nations. 
South-east  of  the  Chauci  were  the  Chernsci 
(inhabiting  the  country  now  comprehending 
Luueburg,  Brunswick,  and  part  of  Branden- 
burg). It  was  by  this  nation,  in  league  with 
neighbouring  tribes,  under  the  conduct  of  Armi- 
nius,  that  the  three  legions  commanded  by  Quiu- 
tilius  Varus,  762  (a.  d.  9),  were  defeated  and 
slain,  in  the  Saltus  Teutobergiensis  (Bishopric 
of  PaderbornJ.  And  it  was  on  this  very  scene 
of  his  countrymen’s  slaughter,  and  of  disgrace 
to  the  Roman  arms,  that,  about  seven  years 
afterwards,  Germanicus  terminated  his  cam- 
paigns in  Germany  by  a crowning  victory,  the 
triumphal  result  of  which  was  the  recapture,  by 
that  hero,  of  the  lost  ensigns  from  a brave  but 
thoroughly  vanquished,  and  for  a long  time 
humbled  foe ; as  recorded  on  his  well  known 
coin  ; SIGNIS  RECEPTIS  DEVICTIS  GERM. — For 
an  account  of  the  different  nations  comprised 
within  the  division  of  Germania  Inferior  (now 
Southern  Germany),  the  principal  seat  of  war 
in  the  reign  of  M.  Aurelius,  see  Ancient  and 
Modem  Geography,  by  the  late  Bp.  Butler, 
edit.  1846. 


GERMANIS  (DE.)— IMP.  VIII.  COS.  III. 
P.  P. — A heap  of  arms  and  armour. — Obv. 
M arcus  ANTONINVS  AVG ustus  GERM«?»'ckj 
SARM«fi™«  TR.  P.  XXX.  P.  P.— DE  GERM. 
TIL  P.  XXXI.  IMP.  VIII.  COS.  III.  P.  P.— 
Gold,  silver,  and  large  brass  of  VI.  Aurelius. 

It  is  remarkable  that  in  the  graves  in  Ger- 
many, no  example  of  oblong  shields  are  found, 
but  all  are  round. — See  Roach  Smith,  Collec- 
tanea Antiqua. 

There  is  something  not  a little  refreshiug 
and  satisfactory  in  the  tokens  of  victory  dis- 
played on  these  military  coins  of  the  “ philo- 
sophic prince because,  unlike  the  vain  con- 
ceited lies  of  Domitian’s  prostituted  mint,  they 
truly  attest  that  series  of  arduous  but  even- 
tually successful  campaigns,  his  personal  share  in 
which  as  Imperator  and  Augustus,  obtained  for 
Aurelius  the  surname  of  Germanicus.  AY  hat 
renders  them  of  peculiar  interest  is,  that  the 
coins  in  question  were  struck  at  a period  so 
calamitous  and  full  of  difficulties,  that  historians 
compare  the  perils  which  then  environed  Rome 
to  those  of  the  Punic  wars.  In  920  (a.d.  167), 
with  which  the  third  consulate  in  the  legend 
corresponds,  the  empire  was  ravaged  by  a pesti- 
lence, believed  to  have  been  brought  from  the 
East  by  the  legions  of  L.Verus.  The  Marcomanni, 


418  GERME.— GETA. 

the  Qnadi,  and  almost  all  the  barbarian  tribes  of 
the  North,  rose  in  one  wide  circle  of  revolt 
against  the  empire.  It  was  at  the  commence- 
ment of  that  year,  that  the  two  emperors,  M. 
Aurelius  and  L.  Ycrus  set  ont  for  Germania.  On 
their  arrival  there,  the  barbarians  asked  for  and 
obtained  peace.  In  921  (a.  d.  168),  the  em- 
perors returned  to  Rome.  The  following  year 
saw  the  Germani  in  renewed  aud  formidable 
insurrection,  and  the  two  Augusti  made  instant 
preparations  for  another  campaign.  The  sudden 
death  of  Verus,  from  apoplexy,  left  Aurelius 
sole  emperor,  but  after  bringing  back  the  re- 
mains of  his  colleague  to  Rome,  and  causing  the 
honours  of  consecration  to  be  decreed  to  him, 
Marcus,  mindful  of  his  duty  to  the  State,  re- 
sumed his  march  on  rebellious  Germania.  Iu 
923  (a.  d.  170),  pressing  vigorously  the  war 
against  the  Marcomanni,  he  established  his  head 
quarters  in  I’annonia.  Thence  he  pursued  the 
course  of  his  victories  over  the  Germans.  And 
in  925  (a.  d.  172),  the  title  of  Gerinanicus  was 
conferred  as  a well-earned  distinction  upon 
Marcus  Aurelius.  The  interval  from  926  (a.  d. 
173)  to  928  (a.  d.  175)  was  occupied,  however, 
with  an  almost  ceaseless  struggle  on  the  part  of  the 
barbarians  in  arms  against  the  military  power  of 
the  Romans  ; but  the  enemy  being  beaten  on  all 
sides,  and  forced  to  sue  for  peace,  the  brave  and 
victorious  emperor  added  the  title  of  Sarmaticus 
to  that  of  Germanicus,  and  returned  in  triumph 
to  Rome.  In  less  than  four  years  after- 
wards the  Germans  were  again  leagued  against 
the  empire ; and  although  they  were  defeated  in 
many  bloody  battles,  and  the  Marcomanni  in 
particular  nearly  exterminated  by  his  legions, 
51.  Aurelius  was  not  destined  to  revisit  his 
capital,  but  died  933  (a.  d.  180),  at  Yindobona, 
(Yicnna),  in  Panuouia,  the  base  of  his  warlike 
operations  aud  scene  of  his  proudest  achieve- 
ments. 

GERME,  Galatia:,  colonia,  to  the  south  of 
Pessinus  now  Ghermesti  in  Asiatic  Turkey. — The 
coins  of  this  colony  are  Latin  imperial,  in  first 
and  second  brass,  from  Doinitian  to  Etruscilla, 
including  Coinmodus,  Diadumeniauus,  and 
Otacilia  Severa.  One  of  the  types  consists  of 
an  eagle  with  wings  spread,  on  a pedestal 
between  two  ensigns,  allusive  to  the  vetcraus  of 
some  legion  whose  name  is  not  known,  but  w ho 
from  the  legend  COLo»/a  AYG usta  GER- 
MENorwm  would  appear  to  have  been  sent  in 
the  time  of  its  founder  Augustus  to  people  that 
colony.  It  took  the  title  of  Felix  out  of  ill- 
bestowed  compliment  to  Commodus.  The  other 
types  are  the  wolf  and  twins ; a priest,  guiding 
two  oxen  at  plough.  And  the  Etruscilla  exhibits 
on  its  reverse,  COL.  GERMENomw  ACTIA 
AYSARIA  (sic).  A table  raised  on  three  steps, 
and  on  which  is  a globe  between  two  urns. 
Above  the  globe  is  the  torcular  (wine  or  oil 

Fress) ; the  whole  within  a crown  of  laurel. — 
Tanini,  cited  by  Mionnct.") 

GETA  (Lucius  or  Publius),  the  younger  son 
of  Scverns  aud  Domna,  brother  of  C'aracalla, 
was  born  at  Mediolanum  (Milan),  about  the  year 
of  Rome  942  (a.d.  189.)  He  was  called  Lucius  [ 


GETA. 

from  his  father,  and  took  the  name  of  Publius 
from  his  uncle,  a llomau  knight.  In  951  (a.  d. 
197),  Severus  having  assumed  the  sole  authority 
on  the  removal  of  his  rivals,  Geta  followed  his 
father  to  join  the  Parthian  campaign  in  the 
East,  where  lie  declined  to  accept  the  title  of 
Ctcsar,  though  pressed  upon  him  by  the  army, 
approved  by  the  Senate  aud  the  Emperor,  and 
though  at  the  same  time  his  brother  Caracalla 
was  already  styled  Augustus.  But  he  received 
the  titles  of  1‘rinceps  Jucenlutis  and  of  Ponlife x. 


951  to  957  (a.  d.  198  to  204.) — Being  as  yet 
too  young  to  participate  in  affairs  of  state,  no 
events  worthy  of  record  occurred  during  these 
years. 

958  (a.  d.  205). — The  name  of  Lucius  was 
dropped,  but  that  of  Publius  retained.  Geta 
proceeded  consul  for  the  first  time,  as  colleague 
to  his  brother,  who  was  then  iu  his  second  con- 
sulate. 

961  (a.  d.  208). — Consul  for  the  second  time, 
with  his  brother  (Consul  III.)  he  accompanied 
his  father  and  Caracalla  to  the  war  in  Britain. 

962  (a.  D.  209). — He  received  from  his  father 
the  title  of  Augustus,  and  was  invested  with  the 
tribuuician  power.  The  following  year  he  began 
to  be  styled  BRITanim*. 

964  (a.  d.  211). — llis  father  dying  this  year, 
he  began  to  be  styled  Voter  Vatrur ; aud  the 
PONTtyw-  was  discontinued.  On  the  death  of 
Severus  at  Eboracum,  on  the  4th  February, 
their  father’s  funeral  being  solemnized,  and 
peace  being  concluded  with  the  Caledonians,  the 
two  brothers  returned  to  Rome.  Serious  appre- 
hensions were  excited  throughout  the  empire  by 
their  disagreements.  Caracalla,  both  ou  the  jour- 
ney, and  when  arrived  at  Rome,  was  constantly 
eugaged  in  plots  for  Geta’s  destruction. 

905  (a.d.  212). — No  hopes  being  eutertained 
of  a reconciliation  between  these  two  young 
princes ; and  the  disturbances  w hich  arose  iu 
every  quarter  from  their  dissensions,  increasing 
day  by  day,  a division  of  the  empire  was  con- 
templated ; but  given  up  at  the  instance  of  their 
mother.  At  length,  having  long  in  vain  at- 
tempted to  put  an  cud  to  Grta’s  life,  Caracalla 
inveigled  him  by  a show  of  affection  into 
security,  nud  killed  him  iu  the  arms  of  bis 
mother,  at  the  age  of  22  years  and  niue  months. 

“ Never  (observes  the  author  of  Doctrina) 
since  the  days  of  the  Theban  brothers  (Eteocles 
and  Polyniccs),  had  the  world  beheld  a more 
cruel  and  disastrous  feud  between  men  related  to 
each  other  by  the  nearest  ties  of  cousauguinity. 


GETA. 


419 


GETA. 

That  one  of  them  would  eventually  perish  by 
the  other’s  hand,  had  long  before  been  antici- 
pated, from  the  animosity  so  openly  manifested 
between  them,  and  from  the  obvious  intcutions 
of  Caracalla.  Yet  all  joined  in  the  prayer  that 
a fate,  which  could  not  be  averted,  might  at 
last  befall  Caracalla,  rather  than  Geta.  The 
ferocious  and  ungovernable  disposition  of  the 
former  was  well  known;  whilst  Geta,  on  the 
other  hand,  maintained  a character  for  integrity 
aud  moderation  ; lie  was  courteous  in  his  inter- 
course with  the  world,  particularly  foud  of  the 
society  of  eminent  men,  and  devoted  to  refined 
pursuits;  though  Spartian  attributes  to  him 
a roughness  of  manners,  unaccompanied  how- 
ever with  profligacy.  The  cruelty  exercised 
by  Caracalla  towards  the  friends  of  his  murdered 
brother,  is  recorded  by  historians.  And,  indeed, 
that  implacable  hatred,  which  usually  subsides 
on  the  death  of  its  object,  even  if  one  not 
connected  by  blood,  yet  in  this  case  of  a brother, 
continued  so  unappeased,  that  all  who  even 
wrote  or  pronounced  the  name  of  Geta  were  put 
to  death ; so  that  *he  very  poets  dared  not 
thenceforth  use  that  customary  and  familiar 
name  for  a slave.  His  fury  extended  itself  to 
the  statues  aud  coins  of  the  deceased,  which  he 
destroyed.  But  he  was  foiled  in  his  attempts 
to  obliterate  all  memorials  of  his  brother ; for 
not  only  are  numerous  coius  of  Geta  extant  at 
this  moment,  but  some  also  of  his  statues 
escaped,  at  sight  of  which,  if  we  may  credit 
Spartian,  Caracalla  was  wont  to  weep.  This 
emotion,  however,  was  no  proof  of  repentance, 
but  only  of  unavoidable  remorse.  The  erasure 
of  Geta’s  name  from  public  monuments  is 
testified  by  numerous  marbles,  and  particularly 
by  the  arch  of  Scverus,  still  standing  at  Home. 
(Sec  pp.  78-79).  Notwithstanding  this  relent- 
less conduct,  Caracalla  bestowed  greater  atten- 
tion than  could  have  been  expected  upon  his 
brother’s  funeral,  aud  deposited  his  remains  in 
the  tomb  of  Severus,  on  the  Via  Appia.” — 
(vii.  227-230-233.) 

It  is  not  known  whether  this  unfortunate  prince 
was  married  or  not. 

MINTAGES  OF  GETA. 

On  his  coius  which  arc  numerous  (very  rare 
in  gold,  for  the  most  part  commou  in  silver, 
rare  in  first  but  common  in  second  brass),  he  is 
styled  P.  SEPT.  GETA— GETA  CAESar— 
I Sip.  CAES.  P.  SEPT.  GETA  AVG.— or  P. 
SEPT.  GETA  PIVS.  AVG.  B1UT.  Some- 
times the  prenomen  of  Lucius,  sometimes  that  of 
Publius  is  seen  on  the  Latin  coius  of  Geta ; but 
on  some  Greek  coins  both  names  are  found 
together.  There  are  pieces  which  represent  him 
with  Sept. -Severus,  Julia  Domna,  aud  Caracalla. 

The  following  arc  amongst  the  rarest  reverses: 

Goi.d. — antoninvs  avgvstvs.  Young  head 
of  Caracalla.  (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  200  fr.  aud 
55  fr.  in  silver). — castor.  (Mt.  150  fr). — 
concordiae  avgg.  Caracalla  and  Geta. 

(160  fr.) — cos.  Geta  in  a quadriga.  (1 60  fr.) — 

FELICITAS  PVBLICA.  (150  fr). FELICITAS 

TEMPOR  (100  fr.) — FORT.  BED.  (120  fr.) 

3 II  2 


lib.  avgg.  vi.  et  v.  Caracalla  aud  Geta 
seated  together  on  an  estrade ; Lilieralitas  with 
her  tessera  stands  near  them.  Below-  is  a reci- 
pient of  their  bounty. 

Obv. — p.  sept,  geta  pivs  avq.  brit.  Lau- 
relled and  bearded  head  of  Geta.  (Mionnet 
values  the  axireus,  from  which  the  above  is 
engraved,  at  200  fr.) 

minerv.  SANCT.  Pallas  standing. — MINER. 
victrix.  (Mt.  120  fr.  each). — pontif.  cos.  it. 
Minerva  seated.  (150  fr.) — Same  epigraph. 
Woman  and  tw-o  children. — Same  epigraph. 
Woman  holding  fruits.  (120  fr.  each.) — princ. 
i went.  cos.  (A  well  preserved  specimen  of 
this  very  rare  coin  brought  £14  5s.  at  the 
Thomas  sale). — princ.  ivvent.  Geta  near  a 
trophy.  (100  fr.) — severi  invicti  avg.  pii. 
fil.  Radiated  bust  of  Geta.  (£14,  Thomas). — 
spes.  pvblica.  (Mt.  1 10  fr.) — trp.  hi.  cos.  ir. 
Emperor  trampling  on  a captive. — Same  epi- 
graph. Geta  stands  before  Rome  seated.  (Mt. 
150  fr.  each.) — vota  pvblica.  A sacrificial 
group.  (An  extremely  well  preserved  specimen, 
£16  16.  Thomas;  £18  5s.  Brumell). — Same 
legend.  Sacrifice. — Obv. — geta  caes.  pont. 
cos.  (£13,  Brumell). 

Silver. — aeternit.  imperi.  Heads  of  Seve- 
rus and  Caracalla.  (Mt.  55  fr.) — ivlia  avgvs- 
ta.  Head  of  Domna. — l.  sept,  severvs.  Head 

of  Severus.  (45  fr.  each). pontif.  cos.  ii. 

The  three  emperors  seated. — romae  aeternae. 
Rome  seated  in  a temple.  (40  fr.  each). 

Brass  Medallions. — aeqvitati  pvblicae. 
(See  p.  18.  Mt.  100  fr.) — concordia  mili- 
tvm.  Emperor  between  five  military  standards. 
Obv.  p.  septimivs  geta  caesar.  Bust  of  Geta. 
(Brought  £13  at  the  Catnpana  sale). — PRINC. 
IVVENT.  Three  horsemen  galloping. — iovi  sos- 
pitatoki.  Temple.  (A  spccimeu  formed  with 
parts  of  two  different  medals,  joined  together, 
and  assisted  by  the  graver,  sold  for  £3  4s.  at 
the  Campana  auction). 

First  Brass. — castor. — concordia  avgg. 
Caracalla  aud  Geta  crow-ned  by  two  figures.  See 

p.  248. IOVI  SOSPITATOllI. PONTIF.  TR.  P. 

Three  figures  at  a sacrifice.  (£3  3s.  Trattle). 

princ.  i vventvtis.  Three  horsemen  riding 
at  full  speed.  For  an  explanation  of  the  decur- 
sion  type  sec  pp.  314-315. 

Obv. — geta  CAEsar  pontifex  consul,  s.  c. 
Bust  of  Geta,  the  head  bare,  and  the  shoulders 
clothed  with  the  paludamentum.  See  wood-cut 
at  the  head  of  biographical  notice,  p.  418. 

This  coin,  beaiing  the  youngest  portraiture 
of  the  prince,  was  minted  between  a.  d.  197 
aud  207,  in  which  interval,  Geta,  then  about 
ten  years  old,  was  proclaimed  C’a-sar  by  the 
Senate  and  the  Army , but  consented  to  receive 


420  GIGAS. — GLOBULI. 

only  the  titles  of  Prince  of  the  Youth,  and  of  j 

Pontifex. — See  princeps  iwentvtis. 

saecvlaria  sacra.  Temple  and  four  figures. 
(Two  specimens  of  this  type  sold  together  for 
£15  15s.  at  the  Trattlc  sale). — vict.  brit.  (£2 
8s.  Trattle) — victoriae  britanmcae  (Mt.  30 
fr.)  victoria  avgvstorvm.  (50  fr.) 

Second  Brass. — pontif.  cos.  ii.  Minerva 
Medico,  seated,  feeding  a serpent.- -See  Lenor- 
mant,  Iconographie  Rom.  p.  82,  pi.  xi.  No.  11. 

GETA  III  V1R. — See  hosidia  gens. 

GIGAS.  A giant. — One  of  these  fabled  re- 
bels against  the  king  of  gods  and  men,  is  re- 
presented as  struck  with  lightning  by  Jupiter, 
who  stands  in  a quadriga.  See  a denarius  of 
the  Cornelia  gens,  engraved  in  p.  286.  The 
monster  beneath  the  quadriga  is  pronounced  by 
certain  antiquaries  to  be  Triton,  whereas  (says 
Eckhcl,  v.  189)  it  is  certainly  meant  for  one  of 
the  giants,  whose  lower  parts  are  described  to 
have  terminated  in  two  serpents.  There  is  no 
account  of  enmity  subsisting  between  Jupiter 
and  Triton ; but  every  one  is  familiar  with  the  ex- 
pression— Jupiter  “ clarm  Gigantum  hiumpho.” 
Vain,  therefore,  are  the  conjectures  of  the 
learned,  to  support  which  they  have  wrested 
the  interpretation  of  this  type,  which  appears 
to  be  wholly  symbolical,  in  allusion  to  some 
sedition,  quelled  at  Rome  as  effectually  as 
Jupiter  put  down  the  revolted  giants.  A 
similar  combat  of  Jupiter  with  a snake-legged 
Titan  is  exhibited  on  a brass  medallion  Of  An- 
toninus Pius. — See  Jupiter. 

GLOBULI. — Globules,  or  pellets,  marked  on 
ancient  coins,  shew  their  weight  and  value. 
For  example  . or  a single  globule  is  the  sign  of 
the  undo. — Tico  globules  on  small  brass  coins 
are  the  mark  of  the  sextans  in  value,  although  it 
became  less  in  weight  on  account  of  the  dimi- 
nution of  the  coinage  during  the  first  and  second 
Punic  war.  It  is  thus  on  coins  of  the  Aburia, 
Afraria,  and  other  families. — Three  globules  on 
Roman  brass  denote  the  fourth  part  of  the  as, 
three  quadrans  being  three  uncia  in  value. 
They  are  seen  on  coins  of  the  Aburia  and 
Domitia  families. — Four  globules  are  the  mark 
of  the  triens,  as  on  the  brass  of  the  Cornelia 
gens. — Five  globules,  the  quincunx. — Six  glo- 
bules, the  semis. — See  as  and  its  parts  (p.  83). 

GLOBUS. — A Globe  is  the  symbol  of  the 
world  (orbis  terrarum),  or  rather  of  dominion 
in  the  world  ; hence  it  forms  the  sign  of  the 
Roman  empire.  The  same  spherical  figure  is 
the  type  of  eternity,  because  (according  to  Pie- 
rius  on  Hieroglyphics)  it  hath  neither  beginning 
nor  end. — Rasche. 

The  symbolical  globe  first  makes  its  appear- 
ance on  coins  of  Augustus.  “ On  this  subject, 
Isidorus  makes  the  following  assertion  (Orig. 
b.  xviii.  eh.  3): — 'Augustus  is  said  to  have 
used  a ball  as  a military  eusign  (pilam  in  signo 
constituissc),  to  indicate  the  nations  which  he 
had  subdued,  in  a perfect  circle  around  him,  and 
the  more  vividly  to  display  the  figure  of  the 
world.’  With  the  same  intention,  it  is  often 
subsequently  borne  in  the  hand  of  emperors.” 
— Eckhel. 


GLOBUS. 

A globe  appears  on  a great  many  different 
coins  of  the  imperial  scries,  in  the  hand  of  Her- 
cules, of  Jupiter,  of  the  Sun,  and  of  Oriens,  an 
appellation  of  the  sun.  Also  in  the  hand  (sur- 
mounted by  a phoenix)  of  Eternity,  of  Eelicity, 
of  Fortune,  of  Providence,  of  the  Genus  llu- 
manutn,  of  ludulgcntia,  of  Nobilitas,  of  Per- 
petuitas,  of  Securitas,  and  of  Virtus. — Rome 
seated,  likewise  holds  the  globe  in  her  right 
hand,  whilst  resting  her  left  on  the  hasta. — 
Italy  is  seated  on  a globe. — The  same  emblem 
repeatedly  appears  under  the  feet  of  Victory,  of 
Honour,  and  of  several  emperors. 

A globe  supported  by  two  capricorns  refers  to 
the  horoscope  of  Augustus,  on  large  brass  of 
that  prince. 


A globe,  on  the  face  of  which  a rudder  is 
placed,  on  a second  brass  of  Augustus  (restored 
by  Nerva),  represents  the  earth,  as  the  rudder 
does  the  sea,  over  both  which  the  government 
of  Rome  had  extended  itself.  A second  brass 
of  Tiberius  bears  the  same  type  as  in  the  above 
engraving.  On  a gold  coin  of  the  last  named 
emperor,  Victory  seated  on  a globe  holds  a 
crown.  The  same  emblem  of  power  is  held  by 
the  Princeps  Juventutis,  or  Cesar,  as  the  de- 
signated successor  to  the  empire. 

A globe  sunnouuted  by  an  eagle  with  ex- 
panded wings,  serves  to  shew  the  supreme  power 
of  imperial  Rome,  and  the  subjection  of  the 
world  to  its  government ; and  is  a type  which 
may  be  seen  on  coins  of  Augustus,  Vespasian, 
Titus,  Hadrian,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Verus,  Per- 
tinax,  &c.  Or  it  is  used  for  a symbol  of  Con- 
secration, as  on  coins  of  M.  Aurelius,  Verus, 
Pertinax,  S.  Severus,  Caracalla,  Alex.  Severus, 
Cams  and  others.  Sec  consecratio,  p.  249. — 
There  is  a coin  of  Antoninus  Pius,  on  the  reverse 
of  which  an  eagle,  with  its  wings  shut,  holds  a 
crown  in  its  beak. 

A globe  is  held  jointly  by  Vespasian  and  Titus, 
by  Nerva  and  a Senator,  by  Diocletian  and 
Maximianus.  It  frequently  displays  itself  in  the 
hand  of  an  emperor,  as  in  the  Rector  Orbis  of 
Didius  Julianas,  the  Victoria  Aug.  of  Gal- 
lienus;  the  Sarmafia  of  Constantinus  jun.  It 
was  by  this  figure,  as  symbolical  of  the  whole 
earth,  that  the  Angusti  proclaimed  Themselves 
invested  with  imperial  power.  A pictorio/a,  or 
small  image  of  victory,  standing  on  a globe  and 
held  by  the  emperor  generally  signifies  that  this 
dominion  over  the  world  was  the  fruit  of  suc- 
cessful wnrs. 

A globe,  surmounted  by  a victoriola,  is  on 
coins  seen  delivered  by  Jupiter  to  Alexander 
Severns  nnd  toCnrinus;  by  Hercules  to  Mali- 


GLORIA  CONSTANTINI.  GLORIA  EXERCITUS.  421 


lnian ; by  Jupiter  to  Diocletian;  by  Carus  to 
Niimerianns ; as  if  the  gods  and  dcmi-gods 
united  in  bestowing  upon  emperors  the  govern- 
ment of  the  whole  earth.  Thus  we  likewise  sec 
the  Genius  of  Rome  giving  the  same  symbol, 
respectively,  to  Tacitus,  Probus,  Maxentius,  &c. 

A globe,  surmounted  by  a phoenix,  appears  in 
the  hands  of  Emperors  and  Cicsars  of  the  Con- 
stautine  family. — See  Fel.  Temp.  Rep.  (p.  378) 
Gloria  Sreculi,  &c. 

A globe,  surmounted  by  the  sign  of  the  cross, 
either  held  by  Victory,  or  placed,  instead  of  a 
vicloriola,  in  the  hand  of  the  Augustus  himself, 
appears  on  coins  of  Christian  emperors,  from  Va- 
leutinian  I.  Theodosius  II.  Justiuus,  Justinianus, 
through  the  entire  Byzantine  series  to  the  last 
of  the  Palscologi,  A.  n.  1453. 

The  two  symbols  thus  combined  were  received 
amongst  the  insignia  of  the  lower  empire, 
whence  they  have  been  uninterruptedly  handed 
dowu  to  the  present  time.  The  meaning  of  this 
cross-surmounted  globe  being  adopted  is  ex- 
plained as  follows  by  Saidas,  in  his  life  of 
Justinian,  “ it  signifies  (says  he),  that  through 
Faith  in  the  Cross,  he  (the  Emperor)  is  made 
Lord  of  the  earth  ; for  the  globe  represents  the 
earth  by  the  rotundity  of  its  form  ; whilst  faith 
is  designated  by  the  cross  on  account  of  the 
Incarnate  Deity  who  was  fixed  to  it.” 

The  cross  is  not  placed  on  the  globe,  in  the 
mint  of  Julian  II.  liis  hatred  of  Christianity 
and  love  of  idolatrous  worship  again  supplied, 
in  its  stead,  the  small  image  of  Victory  used  by 
other  heathen  emperors. 

GLORIA.  Glory. — This  word,  which  appears 
for  the  first  time  on  a coin  of  Probus,  in  con- 
junction with  Orbis  (see  below),  and  is  repeated 
with  wearisome  frequency  on  coins  of  the  lower 
empire,  is  interpreted  by  \ aillant  to  mean — 
“ manifestatio  virtutis  et  recte  factorum  per 
ora  hominum  divulgatio” — (the  manifestation 
of  valour,  and  the  publication  of  worthy  ex- 
ploits, by  the  tongues  of  men.)  For  exam- 
ple, the'  Glory  of  the  Army — the  Glory  of 
the  Roman  people — the  Glory  of  the  Romans — 
the  Glory  of  the  world.  Yet  never  was  glory 
more  boasted  of  by  those  Romans  than  when 
the  once  proud  empire  of  the  Cicsars  was  with 
the  greatest  rapidity  hastening  to  decay  and 
ruin. 

GLORIA  CONSTANTINI  AVGusti.— The 
emperor,  helmed  aud  paludated,  stands  with  a 
trophy  on  his  left  shoul- 
der : he  drags  by  the  hair 
of  his  head  a captive 
with  bound  hands ; and 
treads  with  his  left  foot 
on  another. — Obv.  With- 
out legend.  The  head  of 
Constantine  the  Great, 
adorned  with  a gemmed 
fillet,  face  looking  up  to  heaven : on  the  exergue 
sis. 

Of  this  rare,  elegant,  and  largest  sized  aureus, 
the  above  reverse  is  engraved,  after  a flower- 
of-the-die  specimen  in  the  British  Museum. — 
For  the  obverse  type  see  Diadem,  p.  322. 


If,  says  Vaillant  (Num.  Impp.  ii.  89),  the 
authority  of  Nazarius  is  to  be  received,  the 
captive  figures  may  be  looked  upon  as  represent- 
ing those  two  kings  of  the  Fraud,  of  whom  the 
writer  above  named  says  in  his  panegyric — “Tu 
ferocissimis  regibus  Ascarico,  et  comitc  suo, 
tauta  laude  res  bellicas  auspicatus  C9,  ut  jam  in- 
auditsc  inagnitudinis  obsidem  teneremus.” 

From  the  mint-mark  sis.  the  initials  of  Siscia, 
a city  of  Pannouia,  it  may  be  inferred,  that  this 
coin  was  struck  about  1079  (a.  i>.  326),  when 
Constantine  visited  Rome,  and,  after  a short 
stay  quitted  the  capital  of  the  empire,  never  to 
see  it  agaiu.  As  to  the  epithet  ferocissimi,  ap- 
plied to  the  poor  Franeian  kings,  Ascaricus  and 
Ragaiscus,  his  panegyrist  with  less  of  the  courtier 
but  more  of  the  man  of  truth,  might  have  ad- 
dressed the  emperor  himself  with — “ Tu  ferocis- 
sime princeps,”  &c.  No  sooner,  indeed,  had  Con- 
stantine become  sole  master  of  the  empire,  than 
he  abandoned  himself  to  wrath  and  cruelty. — 
“The  punishment  inflicted  (observes  the  impartial 
I Beauvais)  on  two  kings,  his  prisoners,  whom  he 
caused  to  be  devoured  by  wild  beasts  at  a public 
spectacle;  the  death  of  the  two  Licinii,  w'ith 
w hom  he  broke  faith  ; and  that  of  his  eldest  son 
I Crispus,  who  had  won  battles  for  him,  and  whom, 
nevertheless,  he  unjustly  doomed  to  perish; — 
these  and  other  barbarous  actions  of  this  nature 
I are  indelible  stains  on  his  character.” 

GLORIA  ET  REPA RATIO  TEMPORVM. 
The  emperor  standing  in  a military  habit,  hold- 
j ing  a Victory  and  the  labarum. — Obv.  D.  N.  mag- 
nentivs  p.  F.  avg.  Laurelled  bust  of  the 
usurper,  with  the  paludauicntum. 

This  gold  coin  was  probably  struck  about 
1103  (a.  d.  350),  whilst  Magnentius,  his  bands 
just  imbrued  in  the  blood  of  the  Emperor  Con- 
staus,  was  endeavouring,  but  in  vain,  to  effect 
terms  of  accommodation  with  the  brother  of  his 
murdered  prince,  Constanlius  the  Second.  To 
| a man  of  his  perfidious  and  most  cruel  disposi- 
j tion,  whose  usurped  reign  was  one  dark  tissue 
' of  avarice  and  tyranny,  unrelieved  by  a single 
| feature  of  distinction  but  what  ability  and  valour 
imparted  to  it — such  titles  as  are  recorded  in 
the  above  legend,  and  also  that  of  Restitutor 
Libertatis,  were  flagrantly  unsuited.  But  such 
perverted  eu/ogia  had  only  too  many  precedents 
1 in  the  earlier  mintages  of  Rome ; aud  the  later 
the  period  of  her  empire,  the  more  numerous 
are  the  examples  of  monetal  flattery  and  men- 
dacity.— See  Magnentius. 

GLORIA  EXERCITVS,  with  soldiers  armed 
| with  spears  and  shields,  standing  on  each 
side  a labarum,  or  two  military  ensigns.  On 
j coins  of  Christian  emperors  the  labarum  bears 
' the  monogram  of  Christ.  This  legend  and  type 
i arc  common  on  the  coins  of  Constantine  the 
Great,  Dclinatius,  Constantine  jun  Constans, 
j and  Constantins.  They  are  regarded  as  bearing 
reference  to  the  bravery  and  fortitude  of  the 
; soldiers  in  subduing  the  barbarous  tribes,  espe- 
cially those  of  Francia  and  Alamannia. 

GLORIA  EXERCITVS.— Two  soldiers  with 
I a tripod  between  them. — See  Dei.matius,  p. 
j 315. — Amongst  the  Romans,  the  soldiers  were 


422  GLORIA  EXERCITUS. 


GLORIA  ORBIS. 


allowed  to  participate  with  their  general  in  the  I 
honours  of  the  triumph,  and  with  that  view, 
according  to  Plutarch,  Marius  on  one  occasion 
refused  a triumph,  that  he  might  not  by  accept- 
ing it  prevent  his  then  absent  troops  from  shar- 
ing in  it.  The  soldiers  were  accustomed  to 
march  before  the  triumphal  car,  with  branches 
of  laurel  in  their  hands,  as  we  see  it  on  a me- 
dallion of  the  younger  Gordian.  And  in  the 
various  Roman  coins,  especially  of  the  Constan- 
tiuian  age,  it  is  clearly  shewn  by  the  trophies 
with  captives  attached,  and  by  the  inscriptions 
to  the  valour  and  to  the  glory  of  particular 
corps,  as  well  as  of  the  whole  Roman  army,  | 
that  the  emperors  hesitated  not  to  ascribe  to 
their  troops  the  honour  of  victory,  and  to  decree  , 
the  monuments  which  handed  their  exploits  down 
to  posterity. — Spanhcim’s  Ctesars  of  Julian, 


A new  stylo  of  legend,  which,  6ays  Eckhel 
(in  condemnation  of  the  distorted  fancies  of 
Harduin  respecting  its  meaning),  signifies 
neither  more  nor  less  than  predicting  glory  to  a 
new  government  of  the  empire  under  Gratiau. — 
(viii.  159.) 


pp.  226-241. 

GLORIA  EXERCITVS  GkLLicani. An 

equestrian  figure,  bare-headed  and  paludated, 
with  right  hand  raised.  On  the  exergue  PTR. 
— Gold  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

Whether  by  Exerdtus  Gallicanus  is  to  be 
understood  all  the  legions  which  served  in  Gallia 
under  Constautius  Chlorus  and  under  his  sou 
Constantine ; or  whether  by  the  term  was  meaut 
the  cavalry  of  the  Gaulish  nobility,  fighting 
under  the  Roman  standards ; this  legend  has  at 
least  the  merit  (rare  enough  on  imperial  coins) 
of  recording  a complimentary  truth ; for  it  ap- 
pears on  gold  and  silver  of  Coustantine  the 
Great,  who  mainly  owed  his  repeated  successes 
over  the  Alamanni  ou  the  banks  of  the  Rhiue, 
and  his  signal  victory  over  Maxcntius  near  the 
Tibur,  to  the  aid  aud  prowess  of  that  army, 
whose  glory  is  predicated  on  these  rare  and  fine 
coins — Vaillant,  hupp.  Rom.  iii.  89. 


GLORIA  EXERCITVS  KART,  (or 
KARTH). — An  equestrian  figure,  in  a pacific 
dress.  In  the  exergue  Tl'ii. 

Pellcrin,  in  the  first  volume,  pi.  xii.  No.  2 
of  his  Melange,  gives  the  engraving  of  a second 
brass,  which  (from  the  legend  of  its  obverse  imp. 
alexandkr  p.  f.  avg.)  is  ascribed  to  Alexander, 
who  in  1061  (a.  d.  308),  revolting  against 
Maxeutius,  was  proclaimed  emperor  by  the 
soldiers  at  Carthage.  (Sec  p.  34).  Of  this 
usurper’s  coins  very  few  are  extaut;  and  the  oue 
above  cited  is  the  more  remarkable,  inasmuch  as 
no  other  has  been  seen  with  the  legend  inscribed 
on  this  reverse.  Eckhel  moreover  points  out 
another  remarkable  feature  ou  this  coin,  viz. 
that  instead  of  an  elderly  aud  bearded  head,  like 
that  ou  other  coins  of  the  African  Alc'xandcr, 
the  obverse  type  of  Pcllcriu’s  second  brass 
exhibits  the  profile  of  a young  man,  without 
beard,  which,  from  the  narrative  of  Zosimus, 
he  thinks  it  not  improbable  to  be  that  of 
Alexander’s  sou — the  same  whom  Maxcntius 
demanded  of  the  usurper  as  a hostage,  aud  who 
was  then  in  the  flower  of  his  age. 


GLORIA  NOV  I SAECVL1. — The  emperor, 
in  the  paludamcntum,  stands  with  an  image  of 
Victory  in  his  right  hand,  and  in  his  left  the 
labarum.  Ou  silver  aud  third  brass  of  Gra- 
tian. 


GLORIA  ORBIS. — On  the  exergue  COS.  V. 
In  a triumphal  car,  drawn  by  six  horses  abreast, 
the  emperor  Probus  stauds  with  his  right  hand 
extended,  holding  a volumen  or  a short  baton, 
whilst  victory  crowns  him  from  behind.  About 
the  car  are  four  figures  on  foot  with  palm 
branches.  Two  soldiers,  armed  with  spears, 
lead  the  outermost  horses. — Obv. — i.nvictvs 
probvs  p.  f.  avg.  Bust  of  I’robus  laurcatcd 
and  paludated,  holding  in  his  left  hand  a globe 
surmounted  by  a victoriola. 

Of  this  large  silver  medallion,  both  Khcll  aud 
Buonarotti  have  given  engravings.  The  former 
(p.  206),  justly  characterises  it,  not  only  for 
weight  aud  purity  of  metal,  but  also  for  superla- 
tive elegance  of  device,  aud  vividness  of  histori- 
cal interest,  as  one  of  the  most  valuable  relics 
of  monetal  antiquity. 

The  legends  and  types  appear  to  have  im- 
mediate reference  to  that  brilliant  period  of 
his  brief  career,  between  1032  (a.  d.  279)  and 
1034  (a.  i>.  281),  when,  after  having  driven 
the  Fraud  and  Alamanni  out  of  Gaid  ; relieved 
the  Illyrian  and  Thracian  provinces  from  the 
barbarian  hordes  that  infested  them  ; concluded 
a ticaty  of  peace,  on  honourable  terms,  with 
the  Persians ; and  lastly,  caused  no  less  than 
three  competitors  to  pay  the  forfeit  of  their  lives 
for  their  assumption  of  the  purple, — this  great 
prince  aud  successful  cominuuder,  at  length 
enabled  the  empire  to  enjoy  a general  peace,  aud 
himself  to  celebrate  a scries  of  magnificent 
triumphs  at  Rome,  for  his  victories  gained  over 
many  nations.  This  suddeu  lull,  however,  in  the 
constant  storm  of  invasions  from  without,  and 
of  interior  conflicts,  by  which  the  State  had 
alternately  been  assailed  aud  lacerated — this  ab- 
rupt transition  from  world-wide  war  to  universal 
tranquillity — proved  fatal  to  “ Uncouquered 
l’robus.”  The  legions,  tired  of  planting  vines 
in  Hungary,  rose  mutinously  against  their  brave 
sovereign ; whom,  iu  their  military  licen- 
tiousness regarding  him  rather  as  their  task- 
master thau  their  geueral,  they  killed  at  Sir- 
miuin,  iu  the  year  u.  c.  1035  (a.  d.  282), 
whilst  he  was  preparing  for  another  expedition 
against  the  Persians,  and  had  proceeded  consul 
for  the  fifth  time,  as  is  indicated  on  the  lower 


GLORIA  REIPUBLICAE. 


GLORIA  ROMANORUM.  423 


part  of  the  preceding  reverse. — Sic  transivit 
Gloria  orbis  ! 

GLORIA  R E I P V B L I C A E.— Two  sedent 
female  figures,  eacli  holding  a l/asta.  The  figure 
to  the  right  is  galeated  ; that  on  the  left  wears  a 
turreted  crown,  and  places 
her  right  foot  on  the  prow 
of  a ship.  Together  they 
support  with  their  right 
hands  a shield,  on  which 
is  inscribed  vot.  xxx. 
mvi.t.  xxxx.  (For  the 
vows  of  thirty  years  mul- 
tiplied for  forty  years). 
Ohv.  dn.  coxstaxtivs  max.  AVGVSTVs.  Dia- 
demed head  of  Constantins  II.  Ou  the  exergue 
tes.  (money  of  Thcssalouica)  bet  ween  two  stars, 
or  cox. — Other  coins  of  this  reign  exhibit  the 
same  legend  and  type  of  reverse,  but  with  vot. 
xxxv.  mvlt.  xxxx.  and  on  the  exergue  sir- 
m(ium).  The  obverse  legend  is  FL arias  IVLius 
CONSTANTIVS  PERPetuus  AVG ustus.  The 
type  exhibits  the  bust  of  Constantius  II.  face  to 
the  front,  the  head  covered  with  a helmet,  or- 
namented with  a diadem  of  precious  stones,  and 
an  aigrette,  the  shoulders  clothed  with  the  pa/u- 
damentuw,  holding  in  the  right  hand  a javelin, 
and  carrying  on  the  left  arm  a buckler,  on  which 
is  represented  a horseman  (the  emperor  himself) 
charging  an  enemy. 

These  elegant  and  peculiarly  interesting  gold 
coins  would  appear  to  have  been  minted  in  1114 
(a.  d.  364),  when  Constantius,  having  driven 
back  Sapor  II.  king  of  Persia,  found  himself 
free  for  a war  against  Julianus  as  C ccsar,  who  had 
already  established  his  authority  in  Italy  and 
Illyria. — It  was  in  the  midst  of  preparations  for 
this  formidable  struggle  that  he  was  attacked 
with  sickness  at  Mopsucrcuc,  in  Cilicia,  and  died 
there. 

Alluding  to  the  respective  coverings  to  the 
heads  of  the  two  personifications  on  the  above 

described  reverse,  Eckhcl  says “ By  these 

marks  the  two  Romes  are  distinguished.  The 
o/d,  which  sits  ou  the  right,  wears  a helmet ; 
the  new,  with  towers  around  her  brows,  as  ap- 
pears on  those  coins  first  issued  from  Constan- 
tine the  Great’s  mint,  and  which  arc  inscribed 
constantixopolis.  The  vota  xxxv.  are  rare ; 
the  renewal  of  vows  for  the  emperors  being  usu- 
ally, not  quinquennial  but,  from  ten  years  to 
ten  years. — See  Dortr.  viii.  116.  Also  Khell, 
supplement  to  Yaillant,  p.  157. 

GLORIA  ROMAXORUM.— This  legend  was 
first  used,  as  a new  title  of  personal  honour, 
under  Constantine  the  Great,  who  certainly  did 
perform  so  many  remarkable  achievements,  that 
in  his  case,  the  emperor  was  the  whole  Glory 
of  the  Romans.  The  same  epigraph  also  ap- 
pears ou  coins,  not  ouly  of  his  sous  Constantine 
jnn.  Constans,  and  Constantius;  but  likewise 
of  Xepotiauus,  Vetranio,  Magncntius,  Constan- 
tius Gallus,  Julianus  II.  Yalcutinianus,  Va/ens 
(see  p.  424),  Procopius,  Gratianus,  Valentini- 
auus  II.  Theodosius  the  Great,  Aicadius,  Ilono- 
rius,  &c. 

The  types  assigned  to  the  epigraph  of  Gloria 


Romanorum  are  generally  cither  Rome  seated  ; 
or  the  emperor  on  horseback,  javelin  in  hand, 
trampling  on  a kneeling  or  a prostrate  captive. 
Sometimes  it  is  a woman  turret-crowned,  or  an 
altar  inscribed  with  votive  numerals.  On  gold 
of  Eugenius,  Rome  and  Constantinople  are  per- 
sonified seated  together  (as  in  Gloria  Reipublicse 
of  Constantius  above  engraved).  On  a gold 
medallion  of  Arcadius,  that  emperor  nimbated, 
right  hand  held  up,  the  left  holding  a globe, 
stands  in  a chariot  drawn  by  six  horses,  full- 
faced  ; and  in  the  field  is  the  monogram  of 
Christ.  It  is  engraved  in  Yaillant,  Impp.  Rom. 
iii.  262. 

There  are,  however,  examples  of  types  ac- 
companying Gloria  Romanorum  shewing  that 
legend  not  always  to  identify  itself  with  the 
person  of  the  emperor  on  whose  coin  the  legend 
appears.  One  of  these  is  a gold  medallion  of 
Constantius  the  Second,  the  reverse  of  which 
exhibits  a wroman  seated  on  a throne,  holding 
in  her  right  hand  a globe  surmounted  by  a vic- 
tor iota,  and  in  her  left  the  hasta,  or  a sceptre 
with  oval-formed  top.  Her  right  foot  rests  on 
the  prow  of  a vessel. — When  a highly-preserved 
specimen  of  this  extra  rare  piece  formed  part  of 
the  Thomas  cabinet,  Mr.  Akerman  caused  it  to 
be  engraved,  for  his  Descriptive  Catalogue  of 
Roman  Coins.  See  vol.  ii.  pi.  G.  and  also  a 
note  on  the  subject  by  the  same  writer,  who 
suggests  that  the  female  figure  may,  from  her 
imperial  robe  and  embroidered  shoes,  probably 
be  a portrait  of  the  empress  Fausta  (p.  271), 
he  further  remarks,  that  the  symbol  which  she 
supports  in  her  left  hand  resembles  the  thyrsus 
of  Bacchus. 

There  is  a gold  medallion  of  Valens,  with  the 
same  legend  and  a reverse  similar  to  the  one 
above  described,  but  with  koma  on  the  exergue, 
engraved  in  Steinbiichel,  p.  21,  pi.  i.  XTo.  6, 
but  not  in  so  fine  a state  of  preservation  as  the 
one  above  described. 

GLORIA  ROMANORUM. The  Emperor 

(Valens)  on  horseback,  with  the  nimbus,  and 
togated.  Before  him  is  the  figure  of  a woman 
habited  in  the  stola,  and  wearing  a turreted 
crown,  holding  in  the  left  hand  a lighted  torch, 
and  with  the  right  hand  lifting  a portion  of  her 
girdle,  which  falls  to  her  feet.  She  bends  her- 
self as  if  to  receive  the  emperor  with  the  greater 
degree  of  respect.  Below  is  another  female 
figure,  recumbent,  holding  apples  or  other  fruits 
in  the  folds  of  her  tunic,  whilst  on  her  left  arm, 
as  far  as  can  be  discerned,  rests  a cornucopia;. 
NTear  the  recumbent  figure  are  the  letters  A.  N. 
shewing  that  the  medallion  was  struck  at  An- 
tioch, in  Syria. 

Obv. — d.  x.  valens  p.  f.  avg.  Bust  of  the 
emperor,  the  head  crowned  with  a diadem  of 
pearls.  The  right  hand  held  up,  and  in  the  left 
a globe.  Gold,  weighing  63  (Hungarian  avrei) 
ducats. 

There  is  another  gold  piece  of  the  same  em- 
peror, part  of  the  Tr'esor  trouve  en  Hongrie, 
1797,  since  preserved  in  the  Imperial  Museum. 
It  bears  exactly  the  same  legends  and  types  as 
the  one  above  described,  and  surpasses  in  weight 


421 


GLORIA  ROMANORUM. 


GLORIA  ROMANORUM. 


all  of  ancient  date  yet  discovered ; being  equal 
to  1 18  ducats. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  manu- 
script of  Eckhel,  as  published  by  Steinbiichel, 
relative  to  these  two  medallions,  the  smaller  of 
which  is  represented  in  the  above  wood-cut:  — 

“The  type  of  this  reverse,  as  it  is  evidently 
a novel  one,  and  such  as  the  numismatic  soil 
has  never  before  produced,  so  for  various  rea- 
sons it  presents  several  particulars  deserving  of 
remark.  I shall  not  greatly  err  in  pronouncing 
that  by  this  type  is  indicated  the  visit  of  Valens 
to  some  city  of  note.  To  cite  one  out  of  the 
many  instances  confirmatory  of  this  opinion,  on 
a coin  of  Commodus,  struck  in  933  (a.  D.  80), 
that  emperor  is  represented  mounted  on  a horse, 
proceeding  at  a gentle  pace,  the  accompanying 
legend  adventvs  avg.  And,  what  points  with 
still  greater  certainty  to  an  arrival  at  some 
place,  is  the  figure  of  the  genius  of  a city,  shewn 
to  be  such  by  the  turreted  head,  in  the  act  of 
meeting  the  emperor,  and  paying  him  reverence 
by  a slight  bending  of  the  body.  Of  this  kind 
of  meeting  there  arc  other  examples.  On  some 
imperial  coins,  struck  in  Egypt,  a female  figure 
of  the  Genius  of  Alexandria  (see  p.  412  of  this 
dictionary)  meets  Hadrian,  and  takes  in  her 
band,  and  kisses,  the  right  hand  of  her  imperial 
visitor  ; or  the  same  Genius,  bearing  a vexillum 
and  corn  ears,  joins  right  bands  with  the  em- 
peror on  his  arrival;  or,  holding  out  an  olive 
branch,  liasteus  to  meet  the  eiupcror,  who  ap- 
proaches in  a quadriga. — If  more  proofs  were 
needed,  I might  add,  that  on  another  coin  of 
Hadrian,  with  the  legend  adventvi  avg.  alkx- 
ANDRlAE,  even  the  presiding  deities  of  that 
city,  Serapis  and  Isis  themselves,  have  deigned 
to  honour  with  their  presence  the  advent  of  the 
emperor.  With  regard  to  the  torch  in  the  left 
baud,  since  it  caunot  be  considered  as  the  distin- 


guishing symbol  of  any  particular  city,  its  ap- 
pearance, no  doubt,  indicates  a compliment  paid 
to  Valens.  For  by  numerous  testimonies  of 
ancient  writers,  and  especially  of  Ilcrodinn,  we 
are  assured,  that  it  was  the  custom  to  bear 
lights  before  the  emperors,  as  a mark  of  the 
highest  respect ; and  we  may  venture  also  to 
say,  as  a kind  of  attribution  of  divinity.  Dion 
Cassius  is  the  first  to  supply  an  iuslnncc  of  this 
practice,  when,  speaking  of  the  modesty  of  M. 
Aurelius,  he  says  of  him,  that  whenever  he  ap- 
peared in  public  unaccompanied  by  his  father, 
lie  wore  a cloak  of  a sombre  colour,  aud  never, 
when  alone,  permitted  lights  to  be  carried  before 
him.  We  have  a confirmation  of  the  truth  of 
Dioo’s  statement  in  the  Commentaries  of  M. 
Aurelius  himself,  where  he  remarks,  that  he  had 
learnt  from  his  father  the  possibility  of  living 
even  at  court  without  a crowd  of  attendants, 
or  an  ostentatious  display  of  dress,  or  flambeaux 
and  statues.  According  to  Ilerodian,  when 
Pertinax,  at  a perilous  juncture,  was  hailed  im- 
peralor  by  acclamation,  and  made  his  appear- 
ance in  the  Senate-house,  lie  suffered  neither 
lights  to  be  borne  before  him,  nor  any  other  in- 
signia of  sovereignty  to  be  displayed.  And  the 
same  author  informs  us  that  Pesceunius  Niger, 
on  being  proelaimed  Augustus  in  opposition 
to  Didius  Julianas,  immediately  arrayed  him- 
self in  the  purple  and  all  the  imperial  para- 
phernalia that  could  be  procured  at  short  notice, 
aud,  with  lights  preceding  him,  visited  in  pro- 
cession the  temples  at  Antioch.  The  same  dis- 
tinction was  accorded  to  Quartiuus,  whom  the 
Osrtncnian  soldiers  set  up  in  opposition  to 
Maximinus,  who  had  iucurrcd  their  enmity  on 
nccount  of  the  murder  of  Alexander  Sevcrus  ; 
and  not  long  afterwards  the  like  compliment  was 
paid  at  Carthage  to  Gordianus  Africauus.  Nor 
did  the  Augusti  withhold  this  honour  from  the 


GLORIA  ROMANORUM. 
empresses.  The  same  llerodian  informs  us, 
that  Coinmodus,  even  after  the  death  of  L. 
Verus,  and  her  subsequent  marriage  with  Pom- 
peianus,  a private  citizen,  preserved  to  his 
sister  Lucilla  all  the  insignia  of  imperial  dignity; 
for  he  permitted  her  to  view  the  public  games 
from  an  imperial  throne,  and  to  have  lights 
carried  before  her.  Indeed,  that  this  “ fiery” 
distinction  was  by  far  the  most  exalted  of  the 
honours  paid  to  sovereignly,  we  learn  again 
from  the  statement  of  Herodian,  that  Com- 
tnodus  carried  bis  infatuated  attachment  for 
Marcia  to  such  a length,  that  her  position 
differed  in  no  respect  from  that  of  a legitimate 
wife,  all  the  privileges  of  an  empress  being 
showered  upon  her,  except  that  of  having 
lights  borne  before  her.  1 think  the  foregoing 
testimonies  from  ancient  writers  are  sufficient  to 
prove  the  existence  of  the  custom  iu  question. 
Put  there  are  monuments  also  extant,  which 
corroborate  their  statements.  Count  Caylus  has 
published  a marble  iu  bas-relief,  which  presents 
the  emperor  delivering  an  adlocut'io  from  a 
suggestas.  By  his  side  stand  soldiers  with 
military  ensigns,  one  of  which  exhibits  a lighted 
fire  fixed  on  the  end  of  a spear  ( I tec.  cl’  Ant. 
iii.  pi.  CO),  intended  doubtless  to  indicate  the 
custom  of  which  we  are  now  speaking.  Mho 
was  the  originator  of  the  practice,  or  what  the 
country  from  which  it  was  first  derived,  are 
questions  about  which  I do  not  much  trouble 
myself.  It  very  likely  came  from  the  East, 
where  fire  is  held  iu  such  peculiar  veneration. 
And  Ammianus,  in  reciting  the  customs  of  the 
Persian  magi,  says,  that  a small  quantity  of 
celestial  fire  was  carried  before  the  kings  of 
Asia ; and  generally  we  may  remark,  that 
antiquity  was  in  the  habit  of  connecting  every 
bright  and  fiery  object  with  its  princes,  witness, 
on  the  coins  of  emperors,  the  radiated  crown, 
the  nimbus,  the  emperors  and  empresses  com- 
pared with  the  Sun  and  the  Moon,  &c.  &c. 

“ As  I have  said  that  the  type  of  this  reverse 
alludes  to  some  imperial  arrival,  I must  en- 
deavour to  discover  some  probable  conjecture, 
by  which  the  name  of  the  very  city  may  be 
elicited.  My  belief  is,  that  it  refers  to  the  city 
of  Antioch,  the  most  renowned  in  the  East,  and 
where  history  informs  us  that  Valens  resided  for 
many  years,  whilst  engaged  in  the  war  with 
Sapor  the  Persian ; where,  too,  he  built  baths. 
'Phis  opinion  is  confirmed  by  the  letters  AN.  the 
initials  of  Antioch.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that 
the  female  figure  lying  on  the  ground  is  .1  later 
Tellus,  so  frequently  observed  in  this  posture  on 
ancient  monuments.  * * * * * By 

the  open  fold  of  the  tunic,  with  apples  ap- 
pearing therein,  and  by  the  cornucopia;,  she 
boasts  her  own  peculiar  gifts,  and  seems  to 
prognosticate  increased  abundance  and  fertility 
from  the  arrival  of  the  emperor.  Nor  was  such 
hope  without  foundation,  for  it  was  to  Hadrian’s 
visit  that  the  Africaus  attributed  the  grateful 
fall  of  rain  after  a five  years’  drought.  Indeed 
some  of  the  ancients  believed  that  fate  itself  was 
controlled,  or  executed,  by  the  power  of  princes. 
On  the  obverse  of  the  first  described  medallion, 
3 I 


GLORIA  ROMANORUM.  425 
Valens  is  typified  raising  his  right  hand,  which 
was  the  customary  gesture  of  emperors,  when 
proclaiming  peace  and  their  own  supremacy.” 

[Such  is  the  light  which,  with  his  peculiar 
tact  and  ability,  the  Prince  of  the  Science  we 
study  after  his  system,  has  thrown  on  the  subject 
of  these  monetal  prodigies.  Iu  fulfilling  the 
duty  which  had  devolved  to  him,  of  giving 
publicity  to  Eckhel’s  manuscript,  M.  Steinbiichel 
admits  that  nothing  can  be  more  clear  than  the 
ensemble  of  the  elucidation — that  it  is  the  ar- 
rival of  the  emperor — that  the  female  figure 
must  be  the  genius  of  the  city,  or  of  the  pro- 
vince, which  receives  him  with  all  due  sub- 
mission— and  that  the  symbolical  figure  of  the 
earth,  below,  indicates  an  imperial  journey  into 
distant  countries.  Having  thus  unhesitatingly 
adopted  the  general  views  expressed  in  the  pre- 
ceding observations,  Steinbiichel  proceeds  to 
animadvert  on  some  points  of  detail,  the  mean- 
ing of  which  is  less  apparent,  and  the  argu- 
ments adduced  iu  support  of  which  are  less  con- 
vincing, to  him,  than  the  other  parts  of  Eck- 
hel’s  explanation.] 

“ The  w hole  difficulty  (says  the  learned  Ex- 
Direcleur  (In  Musee  I.  It.)  consists  in  the  female 
figure  before  the  emperor.  Eckhel,  guided  by 
history  and  the  expedition  of  Valens  to  Antioch, 
coupled  with  that  prince’s  long  residence  in 
the  rich  capital  of  Syria,  has  taken  it  for  the 
Genius  of  that  city.  His  erudition  furnished  him 
with  the  explanation  of  the  lighted  torch  ; he 
derives  its  signification  from  the  custom  which 
prevailed  in  ancient  times  of  carrying  the  sacred 
(ire  before  kings  and  emperors.  * * * 

But  it  is  needful  to  observe,  that  this  fire  which 
was  borne  before  princes  is  not  proved  to  have 
been  of  lighted  torches,  as  Eckhel  has  supposed. 
We  are  on  the  contrary  persuaded  that  on  these 
occasions  portable  altars  were  used,  such  as  we 
see  actually  represented  in  the  bacchanalian  pro- 
cessions on  some  antique  bas-reliefs.  It  is 
generally  allowed  that  this  custom  came  from 
the  East ; aud  we  find  these  altars  even  dis- 
tinctly named  by  Cnrtius,  lib.  iii.  aud  by  Xc- 
noph,  Cyropoed,  lib.  iii.  c.  3. 

“ Again,  it  is  necessary  to  observe,  that  on  so 
many  coins  aud  other  monuments  which  repre- 
sent the  arrival  of  emperors  in  different  pro- 
vinces and  cities,  wre  in  no  instance  find  an 
allusion  to  the  usage  in  question,  that  is  to  say, 
of  carrying  the  sacred  fire ; or,  as  Eckhel  says, 
lighted  torches  before  them.  If  sometimes  we 
find  on  these  coins  an  altar  placed  iu  the  centre 
between  the  figure  of  the  emperor  and  that  of 
the  province,  it  is  evidently  to  indicate  thanks- 
givings rendered  to  the  gods  for  the  happiness 
which  the  presence  of  the  emperor  bad  afforded 
them.  On  most  of  these  reverses  the  victim 
there  seen  offered  on  the  occasion,  is  a bull  ex- 
tended on  the  ground,  in  such  a way  as  to  lead 
to  the  conclusion,  that  the  ancients  did  not 
employ  the  symbol  of  the  lighted  torch  to  re- 
present the  arrival  of  emperors.  Why  then 
should  it  have  been  adopted  ou  these  medals  of 
Antioch  ? 


420  GLORIA.  ROMANORUM. 

“ The  torch,  without  any  reference  to  the  action 
of  the  emperor,  seems  to  ns  a distinctive  and 
characteristic  mark  of  the  female  figure.  Our 
reason  for  believing  it  is  this  : — In  the  Museum 
Theupolum,  which  the  Emperor  of  Austria  caused 
to  be  purchased  for  the  Imperial  Museum  at 
Vienna — [an  acquisition  made  subsequently  to  i 
Eckhel’s  death] — there  is  a small  Greek  coin  in 
brass  which  exhibits  on  the  obverse  the  bust  of 
the  Sun,  with  radiated  crown,  and  a torch  ; on 
the  reverse  the  bust  of  Diana,  with  the  crescent 
and  likewise  a lighted  torch.  Vi  hat  constitute 
the  merit  of  this  little  mouument  are  the  in- 
scriptions ANATo\t)  and  AT2I2,  that  is  to  say 
East  and  West.  Are  we  to  suppose  that  these 
types  represent  to  us  only  the  two  stars  of  day 
and  of  night?  Without  entering  into  detail 
respecting  the  times  of  M.  Aurelius,  to  whose 
reign  the  coin  belongs,  it  is  nevertheless  cer- 
tain that  the  signification  of  it  will  prove 
altogether  symbolical.  There  is  no  doubt  but 
that  these  saine  figures  of  the  sun  and  moon  have 
already  been  made  use  of  on  the  triumphal  arch 
of  Constantine  the  Great  at  Rome,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  indicating  the  two  great  divisions  of  our 
world  ( Oriens  el  Occidens),  East  and  West. 
Nowr,  the  spirit  of  Christianity  no  longer  per- 
mitted it  under  Valens,  to  avail  itself  too  faith- 
fully  of  pagan  symbols.  This  accounts  for  our 
no  longer  seeing  the  crescent  on  the  forehead  of 
the  woman  on  our  medallion;  but  we  have  there 
the  torch  and  the  turreted  crown  to  replace  them. 
There  is  nothing,  therefore,  opposed  to  our  re- 
cognising the  image  of  the  West  in  this  figure, 
which  seems  to  enter  into  the  presence  of  the 
emperor,  and  to  receive  him.  In  that  case  it 
would  be  the  grand  expedition  against  the  Goths 
which  was  meant  to  be  pointed  to  an  expe- 
dition whence  a very’  diflerent  issue  was  assur- 
edly hoped  for  than  a defeat,  destined  to  cost 
Valens  both  throne  and  life. 

“ But  it  will  be  said  that,  as  on  the  coins 
of  Yalcrianus  and  Gallienus,  with m Restitutori 
Orienlis  (Banduri,  i.  1 10  and  124),  the  East  is 
represented  by  a similar  figure  of  a woman,  with 
the  same  radiated  crown,  although  without 
torch,  why  should  she  not  be  the  East,  on  the 
medallions  of  A alcus,  coming  to  meet  him,  and 
why  should  not  these  medallions  have  actually 
been  struck  for  his  journey  into  Syria,  aud  for  the 
expedition  which  lie  was  contemplating  against 
the  Persians?  To  speak  frankly  (concludes  M. 
Steinbiichcl),  we  have  nothing  to  oppose  to  such 
an  assertion,  provided  that  the  female  figure  re- 
mains the  symbolical  figure  of  the  East,  and 
not  that  of  the  city  of  Antioch,  and  that  the 
torch  be  then  a Jf am  beau  du  soled , the  great 
tutelary  of  the  East,  and  not  an  indication  of 
ceremonies  for  the  entry  of  the  emperor  into 
Antioch.” — See  Satire  sur  let  Medaillont  Ro- 
maius  en  Or,  du  Mttsee  de  Vienne,  p.  22  ct  seq. 

[Here  then  the  opinions  of  two  such  high  au- 
thorities as  those  above  quoted  arc  placed  in 
juxta-position,  as  well  where  they  couflict  as 
where  they  agree  with  each  other,  on  a matter 
of  more  than  ordinary  numismatic  iuterest. — 
In  having  done  so,  the  compiler  grudges  not  the 


GLORIA  SAECULI. 

space  thus  occupied  in  his  pages,  but  he  leaves 
the  respective  points,  on  which  a Steinbiichcl 
and  an  Eckhel  differ  and  coincide,  to  the  reader’s 
consideration  and  judgment]. 

GLORIA  ROMANORVM.— Rome  seated, 
holding  a victoriola  in  the  right  hand  and  resting 
left  hand  on  the  hasta.  In  the  exergue  sms. — 
Obv.  without  legend,  Head  looking  upwards, 
diadem  with  pearls,  &c.  (sec  p.  322).  Gold 
medallion  of  Constantine  the  Great.  Size  8. 

[An  unpublished  specimen  in  the  highest  pre- 
servation, brought  £11  at  the  Sabatier  sale,  en- 
graved in  pi.  ii.  No.  3,  annexed  to  the  catalogue, 
lot  532]. 

GLORIA  ROMANORVM.  Personified  Rome 
1 -eated. — In  the  exergue  TB. — Obv. — fl.  ivl. 

| CONSTANTIVS  NOB.  c.  Bast  diademed  with 
pearls,  and  wearing  the  paludamcutum.  Gold 
medallion  of  Constantius  II.  size  7. 

[A  fine  specimen,  brought  £9  at  the  sale  of 
the  Sabatier  collection,  the  catalogue  of  which 
contains  an  engraving  of  it  in  pi.  ii.  No.  4, 
lot  538], 


GLORIA  SAECVLI  VIRTVS  CAESS. 
(Ctesarum).  The  valour  of  the  Ctesars  is  the 
ylory  of  the  age. — The  emperor,  naked  to  the 
waist,  seated  ou  a cuirass,  and  resting  his  left 
hand  on  a long  sceptre.  In  front  of  him  stands 
a young  warrior,  wearing  the  puludamentum,  he 
bears  a trophy  on  his  left  shoulder,  aud  with  his 
right  hand  offers  a globe  surmounted  by  a phrenic, 
to  the  emperor.  At  his  feet  is  a panther.  Ou 
t lie  exergue,  P.  It.  ( Percussuin  Iioitiie  struck 
at  Rome.) 

Obv. — CONSTANTIN  VS  MA Ximus  AV- 
Guslus.  Bust  of  Constantine  the  Great,  wear- 
ing the  paludamentuin,  aud  a diadem  ornamented 
with  precious  stones  and  laurel  leaves.  (Sec 
this  portrait  engraved  iu  p.  257.) 

Yaillant,  in  his  scries  of  brass  medallions, 
(lmpp.  Rom.  T.  iii.  237),  has  given  a print  of 
this  line  historical  monument.  Buonarotti  also 
(Medagl  Ant.  p.  390),  has  engraved  it,  and 
moreover  made  it  the  subject  of  a learned  com- 
mentary, without  however  resolving  all  the 
difficulties  to  which  the  reverse  has  given  rise. 
Eckhel  makes  no  mention  of  it.  Nor,  indeed,  has 
Vaillant  contributed  anything  to  its  elucidation, 
but  he  at  once  pronounces  Crispus  to  be  repre- 
sented in  the  figure  of  the  warrior. 


GLORIA  SAECULI. 

M.  Ch.  Lcnormaut,  on  the  other  hand,  and 
with  greater  shew  of  reason,  says — “ The  Cicsar 
who  presents  the  globe  appears  to  us  indubitably 
Constantius  the  Second  The  trophy  which  he 
carries,  surmounted  by  a Phrygian  cap,  points 
to  a victory  gained  over  the  peoples  of  the  East; 
and  Constantius  is  the  only  oue  of  Constantine 
the  Great’s  sons,  who  had  been  charged,  two 
years  before  the  death  of  his  father,  with  an  ex- 
pedition against  the  Parthians.  The  plural 
caesarvm  indicates,  it  is  true,  several  Crcsars ; 
but  according  to  a custom,  already  become  old 
at  the  epoch  of  Constantine,  it  is  probable  that 
the  achievements  of  one  Caesar  were  inter- 
communicated with  the  others.  A more  precise 
explanation  of  this  plural  is  also  capable  of 
being  furnished.  Constantine  junior,  five  years 
before  the  expedition  of  Constantius,  had  ob- 
tained a great  victory  over  the  Goths ; probably 
it  is  that  prince  whom  the  legend  here  asso- 
ciates with  his  brother.  The  panther  doubtless 
alludes  to  the  public  shews  celebrated  with  the 
animals  which  Constantius  had  brought  to  Rome 
from  his  eastern  campaign.  It  will  be  perceived, 
that  the  vonng  prince  has  his  right  foot  placed 
on  the  tail  of  the  panther,  whose  mouth  is  half 
open  as  if  crying  out.  It  is  indeed  by  acting 
on  the  tail  (en  agissant  sur  la  queue)  that  the 
most  ferocious  beasts  are  tamed.  As  to  the 
phanix,  Buonarotti,  ou  good  ground,  affirms, 
that  this  symbol  of  renovation  had  been  adopted 
by  the  first  Christians,  which  serves  to  explain 
to  ns  why  it  is  met  with  on  a monument  of  the 
last  years  of  Constantine’s  reign.  The  same 
Italian  antiquary  even  cites  a passage  from  John 
of  Salisbury,  a writer  of  the  13th  century,  ac- 
cording to  -whom  the  symbol  of  the  phoenix 
shewed  itself  from  the  foundation  of  Con- 
stantinople. To  what  more  ancient  author 
John  of  Salisbury  was  indebted  for  this  piece  of 
information,  we  have  not  been  able  to  verify.” — 
Iconographie  des  Empereurs  Remains,  p.  121, 
pi.  lvii.  No.  13. 

There  are  gold  and  silver  coins  of  the  same 
emperor,  but  of  the  ordinary  size,  having  for 
legend  of  reverse  gloria  saecvli  virtvs  caes. 
with  simply  two  figures  standing,  the  one  pre- 
senting a globe  to  the  other. 

GL.  P.  R.  Gloria  Populi  Romani.— Rasehe. 

GL.  R.  Gloria  llomanorum. — Vaillaut,  Pr. 
i.  p.  300. 

GL.  E.  R.  Gloria  Exercitus  Romani. 

Akcrman  — Rasehe. 

G.  P.  R.  Genius  Populi  Romani. — Denarius 
of  Cornelia  gens.  2 B.  Hadrian  and  Antoninus. 

GRA.  and  GRAC.  Gracchus. — Surname  of 
Scmpronia  gens. 

G.  T.  A.  Genius  Tutelaris  JEggpti,  or  Africa. 
— Sec  silver  of  Cmcilia  gens. 

GLYCERIUS  (Flavius)  usurped  the  empire 
after  the  death  of  Olybrius  (the  son  in  law  of 
\alentinian  III.)  a.  d.  470,  and  the  next  year 
he  was  forced  to  abdicate,  and  content  himself 
with  the  bishopric  of  Saloua,  in  Dalmatia. — 
Died  about  the  year  480.  On  his  coins,  which 
are  in  gold  and  silver,  of  very  great  rarity,  he 
is  styled  d.  n.  glycerivs  p.  f.  avg. 

3 I 2 


GOLD  COINAGE.  427 

G.  M.  Germanicus  Maximus. — It  thus  ap- 
pears on  a coin  of  Gallienus — imp.  g allien  vs 
p.  f.  avg.  c.  m. — Banduri,  i. 

G.  M.  Q.  or  C.  MESS.  Q.  &c. — Gneus  Mes- 
sius  Quintus.  These  are  prenomiua  of  Trajan 
Decius. — See  dkcius,  p.  313. 

G.  M.  V.  Gemina  Minervia  Victrix. — Name 
of  a Roman  legion. 

GOLD  COINAGE  of  the  Romans. — At  the 
period  when  silver  money  was  introduced  into 
Rome,  namely  in  the  year  u.  c.  485  (is.  c.  269), 
Roman  power  had  already  gained  a great  in- 
crease. It  extended  itself  still  more  and  more 
as  riches  and  the  mass  of  the  circulating  medium 
augmented.  According  to  Pliny,  gold  was  first 
coined  at  Rome  in  the  year  of  that  city  547  (b.  c. 
206).  It  has  been  supposed,  that  amongst  the 
money  issued  from  that  epoch  to  the  time  of  the 
first  Triumvirate,  some  coins  were  minted,  not 
in  Rome  but,  in  oue  or  other  of  the  Italian  cities 
subject  to  Rome.  But  on  this  point  sufficiently 
positive  data  do  not  exist  whence  satisfactory 
inferences  can  be  drawn. 

When  gold  was  first  employed  by  the  mo- 
ncyers  of  Rome — namely,  at  the  date  above 
mentioned,  when  the  war  with  llanuibal  wras  at 
its  height,  coins  in  that  metal,  which,  to  abide  by 
the  statement  of  Pliny,  “ were  struck  like 
the  silver  ones,  in  such  a manner,  that  the 
scruple  [twenty  grains  of  gold]  was  equivalent 
to  twenty  sestertii  [of  silver],  which,  con- 
formably to  the  standard  of  sestertii  then  pre- 
vailing, gave  900  sestertii  to  the  pound. — 
Subsequently  it  became  the  custom  to  strike  i 
40  denarii  to  the  pound  of  gold  ; and  gradually 
the  weight  was  diminished  by  successive  empe- 
rors ; by  Nero  so  low  as  45  to  the  pound.” 
And  these  coins  are  frequently  called  by  Pliny 
denarii,  as  their  half  were  called  quinarii,  a 
misapplication  of  the  term,  as  they  were  neither 
of  the  weight,  nor  of  the  relative  value,  of 
the  silver  coins,  though  nearly  the  same  in 
dimensions. — Arrian,  too,  mentions  ‘ a gold 
and  a silver  denarius ; and  Pctrouius  says 
— ‘ instead  of  black  and  white  couuters,  he 
used  gold  and  silver  denarii.’ 

It  is  thus  that  the  weight  of  the  gold  dena- 
rius has  been  calculated  from  the  ascertained 
weight  of  the  silver  one.  From  Pliny  we  know 
that  84  denarii  were  struck  to  the  pound  of 
silver.  Since  each  of  these  weighed  75  Parisian 
grains,  the  number  of  grains  required  to  make 
up  the  monetary  pound  would  be  6,300.  But 
as  we  have  already  learned  from  the  same  au- 
thority, that  40  denarii  were  struck  to  the 
pound  of  gold,  you  will,  by  dividing  6300  by 
40,  arrive  at  the  number  of  grains  which  each 
gold  piece  weighed,  viz.  157 a- — lienee  it  is 
clear  that  the  gold  denarius  weighed  more  than 
two  silver  ones  by  7 a grains.  And  thus  it 
follows,  that  from  Nero’s  time,  when  45  denarii 
were  first  struck  to  the  pound  of  gold,  the 
weight  of  the  gold  denarius  was  140  grains. 

The  Roman  aureus  held  the  invariable  value 
of  25  denarii,  under  such  regulations,  that  any 
increase,  or  diminution,  of  weight  in  the  aureus, 
should  be  attended  by  a corresponding  altera- 


428  GOLD  COINAGE, 

tion  in  the  weight  of  the  denarius. — The  above 
mentioned  weight  of  the  aureus  is  confirmed  by 
abundant  testimony.  Zouaras  speaks  clearly  ou 
this  point — “ Among  the  Romans  twenty-five 
drachma:  [drachm,  8th  part  of  an  ounce  Troy 
weight]  make  one  gold  coin.” — Xiphilinus  says 
the  same. — According  to  Lucian,  30  aurei  arc 
equivalent  to  750  drachma:,  and  consequently 
one  aureus  to  25  drachm®,  or  denarii. — Sueto- 
nius relates,  that  Otho  gave  an  aureus  to  each 
of  the  soldiers  composing  his  outlying  cohort ; 
and  Plutarch,  who  records  the  same  fact,  says, 
in  Greek — \pvaovv  tua/TTy  Siavepccv — distri- 
buting to  each  an  aureus.  What  these  authors 
call  an  aureus,  Tacitus  describes  as  a sestertius 
— “ that  he  might  distribute  100  numi  to  each 
man  of  the  cohort,  which  was  keeping  watch 
and  ward.”  But  100  sestertii  arc  equal  to  25 
denarii.  Suetonius  says  of  Domitiau — “ He 
added  a fourth  aureus  to  the  pay  of  the  soldier, 
which  was  three  aurei.”  Zonaras  gives  the  same 
sum  in  drachm® — “ Whereas  75  drachm®  were 
usually  paid  to  each  soldier,  he  ordered  100  to 
be  paid  to  them.”  This  will  enable  us  to  un- 
derstand the  expression  of  Martial,  when  he  de- 
sires that,  to  the  57  years  which  he  had  already 
lived,  should  be  added  twice  nine  more,  that  he 
might  complete  his  Ires  aurei  of  life.  lie  would 
then  have  lived  75  years,  the  number  of  de- 
narii contained  in  three  aurei. 

Most  authors  of  modern  times  state  the  pro- 
portion of  gold  to  silver,  among  the  ancient 
Romans,  as  nearly  1 to  12,  so  that  12  pounds  of 
silver  were  exchanged  for  one  of  gold.  Nor  docs 
investigation  materially  contradict  this  state- 
ment ; since  for  the  aureus,  which  was  rather 
more  than  double  the  weight  of  the  denarius, 
25  denarii  were  given  in  exchange.  To  com- 
pare it,  for  example,  with  the  modern  coinage, 
an  aureus  of  Julius  Cicsar,  or  Augustus,  is  worth 
2 } } } Hungarian  or  Dutch  gold  pieces  [viz. 
ducats,  2 dwts.  5 J grs.  9s.  5}d.  English 
value],  the  weight  decreasing  gradually,  in 
successive  periods. 

The  proportion  or  relation  borne  by  Gold  to 
Silver  in  the  coinage  of  Rome,  is  a subject,  with 
the  abstruse  difficulties  of  which  Eckhcl  has 
powerfully  grappled,  in  his  dissertation  lie 
Monetd  Aurea  Romanorum  (v.  c.  iv.  p.  28), 
whence  the  foregoing  passages  have  been  taken. 
Referring  the  reader  to  that  portion  of  his 
Doctrina,  for  other  details  too  copious  to  be 
even  alluded  to  within  our  limits,  we  hereto 
subjoin  an  extract  from  M.  llcnnin’s  Manuel 
(t.  i.  ix.  p.  183,  on  “The  Value  and  Weight 
of  Ancient  Money”),  in  which  that  scientific 
French  numismatist  has  given  an  analysis  of 
the  opinions  respectively  entertained  by  Savot, 
Nauze,  Barthflemy,  Lctronne,  and  Eckhcl,  ou 
the  matter  in  question  : — 

The  proportion  of  gold  to  silver  is  more 
easy  to  establish  by  proofs,  in  the  case  of  the 
Romans  than  of  the  Greeks,  and  we  have, 
in  that  respect,  certain  aids'  which  fail  us  in 
investigating  the  monetary  systems  of  other 
nations.  The  passages  in  ancient  authors  which 
connect  themselves  with  this  subject,  are  not 


GOLD  COINAGE. 

entirely  satisfactory ; but  in  comparing  these 
data  with  what  we  know  respecting  the  value  of 
the  gold  denarius,  fixed  at  25  silver  denarii, 
and  in  making  the  calculation  of  weights,  re- 
sults are  arrived  at.  Moreover  we  fiud  iu  the 
coins  themselves  sources  of  important  informa- 
tion, which  ought  to  serve  ns  by  way  of  guide, 
although  they  relate  to  only  one  epoch. 

* Three  very  rare  pieces  of  gold  money,  which 
were  in  all  probability  struck  iu  Campania, 
under  Roman  authority  during  the  republic, 
are  considered  to  have  been  issued,  about  the 
time  when  gold  coins  of  Roman  die  began  to 
be  struck.  These  three  coins  bear  the  following 
numeral  marks  : \[/  x.  (sixty'  sestertii ) ; xxxx. 
(forty  sestertii)  ; xx.  (twenty  sestertii).  There 
is  no  doubt  as  to  the  accuracy  of  these  interpre- 
tations. After  the  examinations  to  which  the 
weight  of  these  pieces  were  submitted,  with 
as  much  exactness  as  circumstances  would 
allow,  the  coins  being  very  rare,  and  few  speci- 
mens of  them  extant,  there  appeared  the  fol- 
lowing results,  which  nevertheless  ought  to 
be  regarded  only  as  approximations,  for  they 
were  not  exactly  in  agreement  with  each  other : 
Piece  of  60  sestertii,  weighing  three 

scruples  of  the  Roman  pound......  64  grains. 

Piece  of  40  sestertii,  weighing  two 

scruples  of  the  Roman  pound 43  „ 

Piece  of  20  sestertii,  weighing  one 

scruple  of  the  Roman  pouud 21 J „ 

The  following  calculations  were  subsequently 
made : — 

The  scruple  of  gold  being  the  twenty-fourth 
part  of  the  ounce,  an  ancient  pound  contained 
288  scruples.  In  multiplying  288  by  21 J grains 
weight  of  the  gold  piece  of  20  sesfbrtii,  which 
weighed  a scruple,  we  have  for  the  weight  of 
the  ancient  pound  6,144  grains.  The  gold 
scruple  being  worth  20  silver  sestertii,  or  five 
denarii,  the  pound  of  gold,  containing  288  scru- 
ples, was  worth  1,440  silver  denarii. 

\Ve  know  from  Pliny,  already  quoted,  that 
84  silver  denarii  were  made  out  of  one  pound  of 
that  metal.  Dividing  1440  by  84,  leaves  17}. 
Therefore  the  proportion  of  gold  to  silver  was 
then  that  of  1 to  17}  pounds  of  silver,  that 
is  to  say,  one  pouud  of  gold  was  worth  17} 
pounds  of  silver. 

It  is  necessary,  however,  to  observe,  that 
these  calculations,  and  the  bases  ou  which  they 
are  founded,  have  not  been  generally  accepted, 
and  that  the  results  have  been  given  by  divers 
authors,  in  somewhat  different  ways. — The  fol- 
lowing arc  the  principal  of  these  valuations: — 
Savot  fixed  the  weight  of  the  Roman  scruple 
at  21  grains,  and  that  of  the  Roman  pound  at 
6,048  grains. 

Nauze  carries  them  to  21  grains  J,  and  to 
6,144  grains. 

Rome  de  l’lsle  the  same  as  Savot. 

Eckhcl  the  same  as  Nauze. 

M.  Lctronne  fixed  these  weights  at  21-^-,^ 
grains,  and  6,160  grains. 

Be  it  as  it  may  with  regard  to  these  differ- 
ences, and  some  others  which  nrc  not  of  much 
importance,  the  proportion  of  gold  to  silver 


GOLD  COINAGE. 


GOLD  COINAGE.  429 


r 


was,  under  the  adoption  of  this  system,  that  of 
1 to  about  1 7,  when  gold  was  for  the  first  time 
employed  in  coiuing  by  the  Romans. 

At  this  epoch,  gold  existed  only  in  a small 
quantity.  It  became  by  degrees  less  rare.  It 
has  been  sought  to  fix  the  divers  scras  to  which 
the  relation  of  this  metal  with  silver  was  progres- 
sively reduced.  The  details  on  this  subject  would 
be  too  numerous  for  us  to  enter  into  them.  It 
must  suffice  here  to  point  out  what  is  the  opi- 
nion most  generally  entertained  on  this  point. 
We  subjoin  therefore  the  indication  of  these 
proportions,  according  to  the  most  universally 
adopted  system  : — 

1.  From  the  vear  of  Rome  547  (b.c. 

206)  to  560  (b.c.  193) 1 to  17} 

2.  From  the  above  epoch  to  the  vear 

620  (b.c.  133)  ".....  1 to  14} 

3.  From  that  epoch  to  635  (b.c.  118)  1 to  13 

4.  From  that  epoch  to  650  (b.c.  103)  1 to  12} 

5.  From  that  epoch  to  717  (b.c.  36)  1 to  1 11} 

6.  F’rom  that  epoch  to  767  (a.  n.  14)  1 to  11$$ 

7.  From  that  epoch  to  821  (a.  d.  68) 
viz.  from  the  death  of  Augustus  to 

the  last  years  of  Nero  „ „ 

[“  A reference  to  the  scales  (says  Eckhel), 
proves  the  truth  of  Pliny’s  statement,  that  the 
emperors  gradually  diminished  the  weight  of  the 
aureus,  42,  43,  and  44  aurei  being  now  struck 
to  the  pound.”] 

8.  From  821  (a.d.  60)  to  970  (a.  d. 

217)  viz.  from  the  last  year’s  of 
Nero  to  the  last  of  Caracalla,  45 
aurei  to  the  pound,  each  weighing 

136t8j  grains 1 to  12 

[“  The  coins  themselves  (says  Eckhel)  serve 

to  confirm  this  ride ; not,  however,  without  ex- 
ceptions. For  the  coins  of  Dotnitian,  Nerva, 
and  Trajan  (iu  the  first  two  years  of  his  rcigu) 
weigh  140  grains  and  more,  up  to  145.  From 
the  period  when  45  aurei  were  struck  to  the 
pound,  96  denarii  were  struck  to  the  pound  of 
silver.  If,  therefore,  45  be  multiplied  by  25 
(the  number  of  denarii  equivalent  to  one  aureus), 
the  result  will  be  1125,  and  this  divided  by  96, 
will  give  a quotient  of  11  ff,  the  proportion 
of  gold  to  silver,  i.  e.  nearly  1 to  12.”] — D.  N. 
Vet.  v.  33. 

This  scale  of  variations  in  the  proportion  of 
gold  to  silver  is  shewn  by  Eckhel  to  be  far  from 
certain,  lie  contends  that  the  doctrine  of  Barthe- 
lemv  and  Nauze,  which  refers  to  the  three  aurei, 
exhibiting  the  arithmetical  marks  i.x.  xxxx. 
and  xx.  is  at  once  refuted,  if  that  be  true  which 
is  now  supposed  by  the  majority  of  writers,  viz. 
that  those  celebrated  coins,  which  served  as  the 
basis  of  Barthelcmy’s  calculations,  are  not  to  be 
reckoned  as  belonging  to  the  Roman  mint,  but 
are  rather  to  be  regarded  as  the  productions  of 
Magna  Gracia  or  Sicily.  In  other  respects  he 
also  differs  from  his  learned  contemporaries 
above-named,  whose  calculations  on  this  matter 
he  criticises  with  great  freedom  and  at  consider- 
able length,  pronouncing  them  not  to  have  been 
established  iu  a clear  and  authentic  mauuer,  and 
viewiug  the  experiments  made  on  the  coins 


themselves  as  having  been  neither  sufficiently 
numerous  nor  sufficiently  exact. 

On  the  other  hand,  some  passages  of  ancient 
writers  (Livy,  1.38,  c.  11 — Sucton.  J.  Caesar, 
c.  54),  point  to  data  of  a different  kind.  It  would 
seem,  according  to  those  passages,  that  the  propor- 
tion in  question  would  have  been,  at  first,  that 
of  1 to  15,  afterwards  1 to  10,  1 to  9,  and  even 
less.  It  is  obvious  then  that  these  important 
points  have  not  yet  been  cleared  up  in  a satis- 
factory manner.  From  the  reign  of  S.  Severus 
the  disorder  which  had  introduced  itself  into 
the  coinage,  with  regard  to  standards,  renders 
the  ideas  relative  to  the  connection  of  gold 
with  silver  still  more  obscure  and  more  intricate; 
and  almost  goes  to  set  at  defiance  any  further 
endeavours  to  establish  reasonable  suppositions. — 
Iu  the  times  of  the  lower  empire  this  obscurity 
is  still  greater. 

At  the  epoch  of  commencing  a gold  mint 
at  Rome,  there  were,  as  we  have  seen,  two 
effective  gold  coins  introduced,  viz.  a gold 
denarius  (worth  25  silver  denarii),  and  a 
quinarius  of  gold  (worth  half  the  gold  denarius), 
the  gold  denarius  was  also  called  an  aureus.  In 
the  third  century  of  the  Christian  era,  this 
money  took  the  name  of  solidus.  Under  the 
lower  empire  the  weights  and  dimensions  of 
these  coins  varied  greatly,  in  consequence  of  the 
disorder  which  then  prevailed. 

2-Gold  Coinage  of  Rome — Was  it,  during 
the  commonwealth,  struck  under  the  ordinary 
regulations  (ex  lege  ordinaria)  ? This  subject 
is  discussed  by  Eckhel  (vol.  v.  pp.  37-42), 
iu  a way  so  well  calculated  to  assist  in  rescuing 
from  obscurity,  and  even  to  render  generally  in- 
teresting, that  recondite  but  still,  from  histori- 
cal associations,  important  branch  of  monetary 
research — the  origin  and  progress  of  a gold 
currency  in  Free  Rome — that,  omitting  those 
personal  allusions  with  which  his  auimadversions 
on  the  main  question  are  mixed  up  in  contro- 
versy by  our  great  preceptor  and  guide,  we  shall 
not  be  prevented,  merely  on  account  of  the 
extent  to  which  they  run,  from  inserting  the 
principal  passages  of  so  fine  a display  of  learned 
research,  and  acute  argumentation.  They  are 
to  the  following  effect : — 

The  remarkable  paucity  of  coins  struck  in 
gold  during  the  republic  serves  to  suggest  doubts. 
And  to  render  the  fact  more  evident,  Eckhel 
has  brought  together,  at  one  view,  those  pieces 
which  are  attributed  to  the  time  of  the  common- 
wealth down  to  the  government  of  Julius  Cscsar. 
Of  these  there  arc  two  kinds,  viz. : — 

First. — Those  which  belong  to  Epoch  I.  (547 
to  560),  inscribed  with  only  the  wrord  koma,  and 
bearing  certain  arithmetical  marks  (see  p.  428), 
the  type  being  a head  of  Mars.  And  also 
those  which  belong  to  Epoch  II.  (560  to  620), 
also  with  the  sole  inscription  roma  ; the  types 
being — head  of  Janus  ; soldiers  touching  a sow 
with  their  spears  ; and  the  Dioscuri. 

Second. — Those  inscribed  with  the  name  of 
a family — ex.  gr.  Cornelius,  Blasio,  C.  Servilius, 
Nerva,  Furius  Philus,  and  Cn.  Lentulus  ; which 
are  said  to  have  been  struck  between  the  years 


430  GOLD  COINAGE. 

547  and  650.  After  that  time  till  the  reign  of 
Julius  Caesar,  the  following: — Cl.  Clodius, 
Nuinonius,  Arrius,  Ccstius,  Mctellus,  Sulla, 
and  Fufms  Calenus. 

The  above  is  the  entire  list  of  gold  consular 
coins  hitherto  discovered.  Nor  is  even  this  per- 
fect ; for  from  it  must  be  taken  two,  namely,  the 
first  cited,  as  inscribed  with  the  word  roma  only; 
and  which  more  correctly  are  to  he  ascribed  to  a 
foreign  mint,  as  stated  in  Section  I.  on  this  sub- 
ject of  the  Gold  Coinage.  Also  two,  the  date  of 
which  should  he  fixed  at  the  time  of  J ulius  Csesar, 
or  the  Triumvirs ; for  that  which  Nauze  assigns 
to  them  is  often  arbitrary,  and  founded  merely  on 
conjecture.  If  then,  all  these  be  deducted  from 
the  scanty  number  of  gold  consular  coins, 
scarcely  a tenth  part  will  remain  of  such  as  by 
universal  consent  are  attributed  to  the  age  of  the 
commonwealth.  Since,  therefore,  gold  coins  of 
this  class  (acknowledged  to  have  been  certainly 
struck  from  the  years  547  to  the  reign  of  Julius 
Ca:sar),  are  so  rare,  can  these  furnish  any  valid 
argument,  that  gold  coins  were  struck,  under 
the  consuls,  by  the  law  ordinarily  in  force  (lege 
ordinarid  ?)  The  point  might  readily  be  con- 
ceded, if  abundant  specimens  were  extant  of  the 
few  coins  of  this  class,  as  is  the  case  in  the 
silver  coinage  ; but  the  fact  is,  that  all  the  gold 
coins,  properly  assigned  to  the  times  of  the  con- 
suls, are  either  exceedingly  rare,  or  unique ; a 
paucity  which  so  little  favours  the  notion  of 
their  being  regulated  by  the  same  laws  as  the 
ordinary  coinage,  especially  under  so  vast  an 
empire,  that  it  would  seem  rather  to  be  totally 
at  variance  with  it.” 

The  question  then,  as  to  whether  there  was 
no  gold  struck,  under  the  Commonwealth,  by 
any  fixed  law  ? the  author  of  Doclrina  meets  by 
demanding,  that  a probable  reason  be  first  ad- 
duced, why  during  the  glorious  period  of  a 
mighty  empire,  extending  over  so  long  a time, 
scarcely  even  a few  should  have  been  left  to  us? 

“It  will  be  conjectured,  that  they  have  perished 
through  the  injuries  of  Time.  But  why  should 
Time  have  directed  his  wrath  so  specially  against 
this  species  of  coins,  when  he  has  been  so  lenient 
to  the  gold  coins  of  Philip  II.  of  Maccdon, 
which  preceded  by  150  years  the  alleged  date  of 
the  introduction  of  a gold  coinage  into  Koine — 
and  again  those  of  Alexander  the  Great  and  Lysi- 
rnachus — that  they  have  not  even  yet  ceased  to 
annoy  ns  by  their  abundance  and  worthlessness  ? 
But  to  pass  over  these  more  important  kingdoms ; 
there  still  remain  numerous  gold  coins  of  Syra- 
cuse, Tarentum,  and  the  remote  Cyrcnc,  all 
struck  long  prior  to  the  period  of  the  gohlen  age 
in  Rome;  and  yet  how  insignificant  the  terri- 
tory of  all  these  states  together  compared  with 
the  Roman  Empire  ! And  so,  forsooth,  the  gold 
coins  of  Julius  Ctcsar,  Sextus  Pompeius,  Brutus, 
Cassius,  the  Triumvirs,  all  could  escape  destruc- 
tion, but  those  which  immediately  preceded 
them  could  not ! What  more  reasonable  or  ap- 
propriate juncture  could  there  have  been  for 
strikiug  gold  coins,  than  when  L.  Scipio,  after 
lie  conquered  Autiochus  the  Great,  or  Cn.  Pom- 
pey,  victorious  over  Mithridates  and  Tigrancs, 


GOLD  COINAGE. 

poured  into  Rome  the  treasures  of  all  Asia? 
— But  silver  coins  of  both  those  individuals 
are  extant  in  abundance,  while  of  gold  not  one 
has  been  discovered.  If  any  one  is  inclined  to 
wonder,  that,  in  a city  of  such  power  and  wealth 
as  Rome,  gold  was  not  employed  iu  its  coinage, 
let  him  extend  his  surprise  to  the  fact,  that  so 
far  as  our  present  knowledge  goes,  the  same 
custom  prevailed  among  the  Athenians,  whose 
power  and  resources  are  well  known,  but  of 
whom  not  a single  gold  coin  has  yet  been  found  ; 
and  that  it  prevails  at  the  present  day  in  the 
powerful  Empire  of  the  Chinese. 

With  regard  to  the  statement  of  Pliny,  Eckhcl 
asks,  “ if  this  illustrious  writer  had  bestowed  so 
much  pains  on  determining  the  date  of  the  in- 
troduction of  a gold  coinage  into  Rome,  why  did 
he  abstain,  in  the  gold  coius  alone,  from  noticing 
the  types  by  which  they  were  distinguished,  or 
their  division  into  parts,  and  the  names  of  those 
parts,  when  he  has  not  failed  to  describe  all 
these  particulars  iu  the  silver  and  brass  coin- 
age? How  is  it  that  Livy,  who  so  learnedly 
recorded  the  first  striking  of  silver  at  Rome,  did 
not  introduce  the  slightest  allusion  to  stamped 
gold,  when  lie  arrived  at  that  period  of  his 
history,  when,  according  to  Pliny,  a gold  coin- 
age was  introduced?  Why  did  no  one  of  the 
ancient  writers,  whilst  narrating  the  events  of 
that  age,  make  mention  of  Roman  gold  money? 
Though,  even  if  any  testimony  for  it  existed,  it 
would  prove  nothing  more  than  that  the  author 
might  have  spoken  bg  anticipation,  and  thought 
only  of  an  equivalent  value? — Indeed,  according 
to  the  accounts  of  ancient  writers,  and  especially 
of  Livy,  the  highest  authority  of  all  on  this 
subject,  it  appears,  that,  before  the  era  stated  by 
Pliny,  or  a.  u.  c.  547,  the  Romans,  iu  making 
payments,  used  gold  by  weight  instead  of  by  the 
number  of  pieces — (i.  e.  weighed  instead  of 
counting  it.)  Every  one  is  aware,  how  they  re- 
deemed the  capitol  from  the  Gauls,  viz.  by  gold 
weighed  out.  In  the  year  u.  C.  544  (B.  C.  210), 
when  Hannibal  was  pressing  them  hard,  and 
the  treasury  was  baukrupt,  wrought  gold  was 
liberally  brought  forward  by  the  senators  to  de- 
fray the  expenses  of  the  war.  In  the  following 
year,  u.  c.  545,  when  the  want  of  money  was 
still  more  harassing,  ‘ it  was  determined  to  ap- 
propriate the  gold  raised  bg  the  tax  of  the  twen- 
tieth part  ( durum  vicesi  atari  urn),  which  was 
reserved  for  emergencies  in  a more  sacred  trea- 
sury.’ That,  therefore,  which  supplied  the  place 
of  moneg,  would  very  naturally  be  called  moneg, 
even  subsequently  to  the  period  at  which  Pliny 
has  fixed  the  introduction  of  coined  gold  iuto 
Rome. 

“ Lastly,  it  may  be  inquired,  why  we  hnvc  not 
a single  gold  Consular  coin  restored  by  Trajan, 
when  we  possess  several  Imperial  gold  coins  re- 
stored by  that  Emperor,  who  was  in  the  habit 
of  adhering  not  merely  to  the  types  hut  to  the 
metal  also  ot  his  restitutions.  Prom  this  fact  a 
suspicion  arises,  that  at  the  same  time  that  many 
other  privileges  were  conferred  on  Julius  Ciesar, 
there  was  grauted  to  him  also  that  of  striking 
gold  coins  in  the  ordinary  course  of  things  (lege 


GOLD  COINAGE. 

ordinarid),  a privilege  retained  through  the 
licence  of  that  age  by  those  who  immediately 
succeeded  him,  i.  e.  Sextus  Pompeius,  Brutus, 
the  Triumvirs,  and  others  ; and  that  those  few 
gold  coius,  which  we  have  a right  to  reckon  as 
consular,  owe  their  existence  to  extraordinary 
occasions,  which  like  many  other  points  in 
history  have  escaped  us  ; though  we  may  readily 
account  for  the  appearance  of  Sulla’s  aurei  (and 
even  they  are  extremely  rare),  when  we  reflect 
on  that  Dictator’s  power  and  extravagance.  It 
is  needless  to  iusist  on  the  evidence  afforded  of 
the  fact  in  question  by  the  law  which  this  very 
Sulla  introduced.  ‘ By  the  Lex  Cornelia ,’  says 
Ulpian,  * it  is  enacted,  that  whosoever  shall  mix 
any  foreign  ingredient  with  the  gold,  or  stamp 
coins  of  adulterated  silver,  shall  be  convicted  of 
fraud.’  Now,  if  it  was  then  struck  in  the 
ordinary  course,  why  does  this  law  use  the  word 
aurum  simply,  and  not  aureos  nurnos,  just  as, 
afterwards,  nnmos  aryenteos  ? If,  however, 
any  one  should  consider  such  a practice  to  be 
incredible  uuder  the  commonwealth,  and  wish  to 
have  some  more  tangible  reason  assigned  for  it, 
he  would  be  acting  in  the  same  manner  as  if  he 
were  to  require  to  be  informed  why,  on  the 
other  hand,  from  the  time  of  Claudius  Gothicus 
to  that  of  Diocletian,  the  silver  coinage  was 
almost  cutirely  stopped,  whilst  the  gold  money 
continued  to  be  struck  under  its  usual  regula- 
tions and  in  abundance.  There  are  many  kuotty 
points  in  antiquarian  research  worthy  enough  of 
an  elucidator,  but  no  deity  has  as  yet  appeared 
to  solve  them.  Aud  for  myself,  I undertook 
the  discussion  of  these  matters,  not  with  a view 
to  convict  Pliny  of  falsehood  or  a hasty  con- 
clusion, but  to  challenge  those  who  espouse  the 
side  of  Pliny,  to  produce  in  greater  abundance 
coins,  which  by  indisputable  signs  are  to  be  re- 
ferred to  consular  times. 

“ I will  not  conceal  the  existence  of  other 
authorities  favourable  to  the  upholders  of  the 
consular  gold  coinage,  namely,  those  of  Pom- 
ponius  and  Cicero  himself.  According  to  Pom- 
ponius.  ‘ the  Monetal  Triumvirs’  were  con- 
stituted ‘ strikers  (coiners)  of  brass,  silver,  and 
gold,'  about  the  year  465  (n.  c.  189).  Cicero, 
in  his  epistle  to  Trebatius,  about  the  year  TOO 
(b.  c.  54),  says  : — ‘ I advise  you  to  keep  out  of 
the  way  of  the  Treviri  [the  men  of  Treves — a play 
on  the  words  Triumviri  Monetalcs],  1 hear  that 
they  are  sharp  fellows  (capitales).  I would 
rather  that  they  were  charged  with  the  striking 
of  gold,  silver,  and  brass.’  And  again,  in  his 
third  book  Be  Legibus,  chap.  3,  a work  which 
appears  to  have  seen  the  light  two  years  after 
Kabricius,  he  enunciates  this  law  : ‘ Let  them 
publicly  coin  brass,  silver,  and  gold.'  The  pas- 
sage from  Pomponius  claims  but  little  attention. 
That  writer’s  statement,  even  if  its  truth  be 
admitted,  may  certainly  be  modified  in  the  in- 
terpretation. But  there  is  a weightier  authority 
in  both  the  passages  of  Cicero  ; for  though  the 
former  of  them  be  spoken  in  joke,  and  in  the 
latter  he  be  laying  down  a rule  of  his  own,  it  is 
nevertheless  evident  that  the  writer  is  alluding 
to  a rccoguized  institution  of  his  country.  This 


GOLD  COINAGE.  431 

conflicting  testimony,  however,  does  not  give 
me  much  trouble  ; since  I am  not  denying  that 
gold  was  stamped  under  the  consuls,  but  simply 
denying  that  it  was  stamped  in  the  ordinary 
procedure  of  the  mint. — Livy  himself  may  give 
rise  to  a doubt  on  the  question,  when  he  tells 
us  that  M.  Valerius  Licviuus,  consul,  a.  u.  c. 
544,  on  the  failing  of  the  treasury  in  con- 
sequence of  the  protracted  war  with  Hannibal, 
thus  addressed  the  Senators : ‘ Let  us  Senators 
bring  forward  to-morrow,  for  the  public  benefit, 
all  our  gold,  silver,  and  stamped  brass,’ — words 
which  may  appear  to  indicate,  that  even  at  that 
time  the  Romans  were  using  stamped  gold.  But 
I can  easily  prove,  that  in  this  passage  of  Livy 
the  word  signaturn  by  no  means  refers  to  the 
gold,  but  only  to  the  brass,  or  perhaps  also  to 
the  silver.  I have  two  reasons  for  saying  this — 
First,  if  the  word  signaturn  refers  also  to  the 
gold,  it  will  follow,  that  so  early  as  the  year 
544,  the  Romans  used  a gold  coinage  univer- 
sally; but  on  this  supposition,  we  must  throw 
over  the  authority  of  Pliny,  who  states  that 
gold  was  not  stamped  at  Rome  till  the  year 
u.  c.  547.  And  secondly,  that  the  sense  of 
Livy’s  words  is  such  as  I have  stated  it  to  be, 
will  clearly  appear  from  the  succeeding  context. 
For,  when  Lsevinus  defines  how  much  of  these 
three  metals  might  be  reserved  for  the  use  of 
each  of  the  Senators  themselves,  he  specifics  the 
brass  only  as  stamped  (signaturn),  and  sums  up 
the  rest  of  the  fund  in  wrought  (factum)  gold 
and  silver  : to  each  Senator  lie  allows  an  ounce 
of  gold  for  riugs  for  himself  and  his  wife,  aud  a 
India  for  his  son  ; a pound  of  silver  for  his 
horses’  caparison,  his  salt  cellar,  and  the  patella 
of  the  gods ; but  of  stamped  brass  five  thousand 
pieces  (sestertii.)  In  another  part  of  his  writ- 
ings, Livy  explains  his  meaning  more  clearly, 
where,  describing  the  same  period  of  the  war 
with  Hannibal,  he  introduces  L.  Valerius,  the 
tribune  of  the  people,  thus  speaking — ‘ Care 
was  taken  that  we  should  have  no  more  wrought 
gold  and  silver,  no  more  stamped  silver  and 
brass,  in  our  houses.’  The  purport  of  which 

words  has  been  well  rendered  by  Isidores 

‘ There  arc,’  he  says,  ‘ three  kinds  of  silver, 
gold,  aud  brass,  the  stamped,  the  wrought,  and 
the  unwrought.  The  stamped  is  that  which  is 
coined;  the  wrought  appears  in  vases  and  sta- 
tues ; the  unwrought  in  masses.’  * * * 

“ Though,  however  we  may  come  to  the  con- 
clusion, that  the  Romans  at  the  period  in  ques- 
tion almost  wholly  abstained  from  coining  gold, 
there  was,  notwithstanding,  no  deficiency  of 
gold  money  in  Rome,  when  wrc  consider  the 
| abundance  of  it  which  flowed  in  from  foreign 
countries.  I refer  to  the  Philippei,  or  coins  bear- 
ing the  names  of  Philip  II.  king  of  Macedon, 
the  extraordinary  number  of  which  that  found 
their  way  to  Rome  may  be  seen  stated  in  Livy. 
Quinctius,  returning  in  triumph  from  Greece 
brought  with  him  14,515  Philippei;  Scipio 
Asiaticus,  after  the  conquest  of  Antiochus  the 
Great,  140,000  ; M.  Fulvius,  on  his  triumph 
over  the  iEtoliaus,  12,422;  Cn.  Manlius,  hav- 
ing reduced  the  Gallogrreci,  16,320. — If  so 


432  G0LTZ1ANI. 

enormous  n sum  was  thus  transferred  to  the 
treasury  of  Rome  by  the  rapine  of  war,  as  stated 
by  Livy  alone,  and  that  in  a part  of  his  writ- 
ings wretchedly  mutilated,  what  must  have  been 
tbe  amount  produced  by  private  speculation,  aud 
by  the  commercial  intercourse  between  the  Ro- 
mans and  the  Greeks  ? What  I have  advanced 
respecting  this  employment  of  foreign  money  in 
Rome,  receives  remarkable  confirmation  from 
the  expressions  of  Pompeius  Festus — ‘ For  the 
Romans  were  in  the  habit,  even  from  the  time 
of  Romulus,  of  using  foreign  ( uUramarinis) 
coins  of  stamped  gold  and  silver ; a fact  proved 
both  by  public  and  private  memoranda.’  Lac- 
tantius  relates,  that  the  Sibyl  demanded  of  Tar- 
quinius  Prisons  three  hundred  Pkilippei  for  her 
Nine  Books  of  Prophecy. — I shall  not  stop  to 
consider  the  absurd  anachronism  by  which  Tar- 
quin  and  Philip  are  made  contemporaneous. — 
Thus  much  the  author,  who  in  other  matters 
was  well  enough  informed,  intended  to  convey, 
that  when  the  Romans  had  no  gold  coinage  of 
their  owru,  they  availed  themselves  of  that  of  a 
foreign  nation.  Consequently,  if  at  so  remote  a 
period  of  their  history,  the  Romans  were  well 
supplied  with  foreign  money,  how  much  greater 
an  abundance  of  it  must  they  have  had  at  their 
command  in  after  times,  when  the  treasures  of 
so  many  vanquished  kingdoms  rolled  into  their 
city  !”— D.  N.  V.  v.  37-42. 

GOLTZIANI  numi.—A  term  given  to  the  coins 
engraved  in  the  Fasti ; the  Historia  Impp.  Julii, 
Augusti,  et  Tiberii ; the  Thesaurus ; the  Gricciae 
et  Siciliic  numismata;  and  other  works,  by  Hu- 
bert Goltz,  or  Goltzius.  Of  this  extraordinary 
man’s  proceedings,  much  has  been  written  by  nu- 
mismatists both  of  the  elder  and  the  more  modern 
school ; on  the  one  liaud  to  support  his  character; 
and  on  the  other  to  impugn  not  only  his  accu- 
racy but  his  veracity  and  good  faith.  The  most 
unqualified  panegyrist  of  the  learned  and  indus- 
trious Autwerpian’s  labours,  and  least  scrupulous 
defender  of  his  literary  conduct,  is  Mcdiobarbus. 
Next  in  flic  rank  of  admirers  and  supporters  are 
antiquarian  critics  of  no  less  eminence  than 
Noris,  Pagi,  Tilleraont,  aud  Dodwell : to  these 
must  be  added  the  name  of  Pinkerton,  who, 
without  hesitation,  “recommends  Goltzius,  tho’ 
all  his  works  have  many  coins  not  fouud  in  cabi- 
nets. Yet,  adds  our  English  Essayist  on  Medals, 
it  is  certain  that  he  was  often  imposed  upon, 
and  his  works  must  be  used  with  great  caution.” 
— Similar  language  had  previously  been  used  by 
Vaillant,  Morel,  Havcrcamp,  and  others  who 
profess  general  deference  to  Goltzius  as  a numis- 
matic authority,  but  who  finish  by  exhibiting 
particular  examples  of  his  dealings  with  legends 
and  types  oil  both  Greek  and  Roman  coins,  that 
destroy  the  very  foundation  of  contideucc  in 
what  he  has  written  aud  engraved  respecting 
them.  The  sentiments  of  Bimard  dc  la  Bastie 
and  of  Eckhel,  arc  most  decidedly  Anti-Goltzian. 
The  former  in  his  notes  on  Jobcrt,  (t.  i.  p.  99), 
intimates  that  it  was  his  intention  to  have  pub- 
lished a dissertation  on  the  subject  of  a MS. 
volume  left  by  Goltzius  on  Imperial  Medals,  in 
which  he  would  have  shewn  what  kind  of  con- 


GOLTZIAXI. 

fidcncc  it  is  reasonable  to  place  in  Goltzius  with 
refcreucc  to  medals,  which  that  antiquary  had 
professed  to  have  drawn  from  the  originals  with 
his  ow  n hand,  yet  which,  on  examination,  arc 
not  to  be  fouud  at  the  present  day.” — It  seems 
that  this  dissertation  never  saw  the  light : a 
circumstance  to  be  regretted  ; inasmuch  as  such 
a work,  emanating  from  a man  of  Bimard’s 
erudition,  integrity,  aud  judicious  application  of 
numismatic  knowledge,  to  every  branch  of  the 
science,  would  have  been  a great  aid  to  simple 
truth  aud  justice  in  a case  like  the  one  in  ques- 
tion. 

Eckhel,  who  had  entered  early  into  the  Golt- 
ziau  controversy,  and  with  characteristic  energy 
encountered  the  arguments  employed  by  the  par- 
tisans of  Goltzius  to  exonerate  him  from  suspi- 
cion of  fraud — avails  himself  of  his  Bibliotheca 
Numismatica,  to  repeat  his  charges,  the  correct- 
ness of  which  further  and  more  deliberate  in- 
vestigation had  only  served  to  confirm  in  his 
own  mind.  Rendering  a free  tribute  of  praise 
and  appreciation  to  the  singular  diligence  and 
industry  of  the  celebrated  author,  in  acquiring 
numerous  coins,  and  obtaining  access  to  others, 
and  allowing  him  the  merit  that  belongs  to  an 
indefatigable  spirit  of  research  amongst  ancient 
monuments,  and  of  great  learning,  particu- 
larly in  Roman  History,  displayed  in  the  ex- 
planation of  those  relics  of  antiquity;  Eckhel 
nevertheless  contends,  that  the  greater  part  of 
the  coius  coutaiued  iu  the  plates  of  Goltzius  are 
counterfeit — that  scattered  up  aud  dow  n his  vo- 
lumes many  coius  are  to  be  found,  genuine  of 
their  kind,  but  which  the  author  lias  dishonestly 
falsified — that  he  frequently  states  a coin  to  be 
gold,  which  in  the  original  is  only  silver.  That 
whilst  he  delineates  an  abundance  of  consular 
coins  which  no  one  ever  saw,  or  is  likely  to  see, 
he  gives  many  which  have  no  pretensions  to 
rarity,  and  includes  in  his  copious  engravings 
none  of  the  restitutions  of  Trajan. — Alluding  to 
his  work  on  Sicilian  coius,  the  l’rincc  of  Torre- 
muzza,  speaking  of  the  medals  of  Drcpanc,  says, 
“ the  good  faith  of  Goltzius  is  to  be  suspected.” 
Florez,  the  devoted  collector,  and  profound  critic, 
of  the  Higpauian  mint,  refers  in  terms  of  ridi- 
cule to  that  cornucopia;  of  coins  assigned  to 
Spanish  cities,  ns  struck  after  the  reign  of  Culi- 
gida,  and  published  by  Goltzius. — Spanheim, 
mentioning  a coin  adduced  from  tbe  same  fertile 
source,  observes — “ it  has  hitherto  remained 
elsewhere  unseen,  and  is  therefore  justly  to  be 
held  in  suspicion. ” 

Andrew  Morel,  in  a letter  to  Ferizoni,  says, 
“ Xumi  consularcs  Goltzii,  online  nlphabetico, 
ad  finem  operis  adjecti  sunt,  sicut  libri  apocryphi 
canonieis,  quia  dubiic  sunt  tidui,  rt  major  pars 
baud  ineertas  notas  falsitatis  pne  sc  fert.” — 
[The  consular  coins  of  Goltzius  are  subjoined, 
in  alphabetical  order,  at  the  end  of  the  work, 
just  as  the  Apocrypha  is  added  to  the  canonical 
books  of  Scripture,  because  their  genuineness  is 
suspected,  and  the  majority  of  them  present 
unequivocal  indications  of  fraud.] 

1 lavercamp  subjoins  to  the  foregoing,  " Tantus 
Goltziauorum  uumoruui  est  numenis,  qui  nus- 


GOLTZIANI. 

qiiain  observant ar,  quorundam  quoqne  non  in- 
justa  velut  subditoram  suspicio,  ut  a Morellii 
scntcntia  neqnaquam  disccdam.” — [So  large  a 
proportion  of  the  Goltzian  coins  have  never 
come  under  observation,  whilst  to  some  of  them 
attaches  a justifiable  suspicion  of  spuriousness, 
that  I find  it  impossible  to  differ  from  the  opi- 
nion of  Morel.] 

Entertaining  such  opinions  as  these,  is  it  not 
to  be  lamented  that  they  should  have  copied 
so  many  of  the  Goltzians  into  the  Thesaurus, 
both  consular  and  imperial,  which  one  of  these 
learned  men  collected  materials  for,  and  the 
other  contributed  his  explanatory  comments 
upon  ? It  has  doubtless  tended  much  to  mislead 
and  confuse  the  student,  and  was  an  inconsistent 
step  to  take  in  a work  of  such  standard  value. 

“ That  Goltzius  (says  Eckhcl)  has  in  his 
works  presented  an  incredible  number  of  coins, 
of  which  the  like  were  never  again  seen  from 
that  time — is  a fact  not  only  not  denied,  but 
even  extolled  by  the  writers  who  patronise  his 
cause.  I refer  my  reader  however  to  testi- 
monies of  the  most  learned  men,  which  shew  that 
it  is  not  only  extremely  suspicious  but  positively 
beyond  belief,  that  one  man  should  have  been 
able  to  obtain,  or  even  to  have  inspected  in 
museums  then  known  in  Europe,  coins  of  such  a 
nature,  and  iti  such  overflowing  abundance,  as 
neither  the  extensive  means  of  princes,  nor  the 
stubborn  cupidity  of  wealthy  individuals,  nor  the 
eager  competition  of  those  who  all  their  lives 
have  been  occupied  in  poring  into  the  bowels  of 
their  native  soil,  for  the  purpose  of  extracting 
therefrom  the  relics  of  antiquity — have  since 
succeeded  in  discovering  or  procuring.  In  this 
respect  the  Kiugs  of  France,  as  well  as  Pelleriu, 
Hunter,  Ennery,  &c.  were  nothing  as  compared 
to  Goltzius.” 

Now,  it  often  happens  in  numismatic  pur- 
suits, that  by  the  effect  of  time  and  other 
causes  operating  injuriously  on  the  legends  of 
ancicut  coins,  the  eyes  of  the  most  skilful  may 
be  deceived,  and  false  opinions  may  be  based 
thereon,  without  the  least  infringement  on  the 
principles  of  honesty.  It  is  not,  however,  on 
any  such  grounds  that  Eckhel  accuses  Goltzius 
of  imposture.  He  combats  offences  of  quite  an- 
other description.  By  examples  taken  from 
Goltzius’  own  works,  tested  by  coins  in  the  Im- 
perial Museum,  Eckhcl  proves  that  the  cele- 
brated Flemish  antiquary,  not  from  error  or 
inadvertency,  but  with  a deliberate  attempt  at 
deception,  has  affixed  to  really  genuine  coins 
inscriptions  of  a different  and  a spurious  kind. 
— See  Doclrina  Num.  Vet.  v.  c.  xxii.  p.  cxl.  et 
scq. — Prolegomena  Generalia. 


GORDIANUS  I.  (y [arcus  Antonins)  Afri- 
canus  senior,  was  the  issue  of  an  illustrious 
3 K 


GORDIANUS  I.  433 

family.  His  father  was  Mctius  Marulus,  his 
mother  Ulpia  Gordiaua.  lie  was  born  about  the 
year  of  Rome  940  (a.  d.  157).  Of  a mild,  just, 
and  munificent  disposition,  correct  in  morals 
and  dignified  in  manners ; well  versed  in  the 
higher  branches  of  literature,  loving  and  cul- 
tivating both  eloquence  and  poetry,  he  soon 
obtained  public  offices,  and  displayed  his  vir- 
tues and  moderation  in  a remarkable  man- 
ner. His  edileship  was  a splendid  one  ; for  the 
riches  of  his  family  enabled  him  to  serve  that 
ruinously  expensive  magistrature  with  great  bril- 
liancy. In  96G  (a.  d.  213),  he  was  consul 
for  the  first  time.  In  982  (a.  d.  229),  his 
second  consulate  was  in  collcagueship  with  the 
Emperor  Alexander  Severus,  replacing  in  the 
middle  of  the  year  Dion  Cassius,  the  historian. 
The  emperor  sent  Gordian  into  Africa,  as  pro- 
consul, and  appointed  his  son  to  be  his  lieu- 
tenant. In  that  province  lie  won,  as  governor, 
the  affection  of  the  governed — and  this  popu- 
larity proved  at  once  glorious  and  fatal  to  him. 

991  (a.  d.  238). — A procurator  (commis- 
sioner) of  Maximinus  arriving  in  Africa,  and 
having  by  his  exactions  exasperated  the  people, 
was  killed  by  some  young  nobles.  These  rash 
men,  to  escape  the  anger  of  the  Thracian  savage, 
who  would  have  been  sure  to  avenge  the  death 
of  his  officers  in  a cruel  manner,  compelled 
Gordian,  then  80  years  of  age,  and  who  was  at 
the  moment  at  Thysdras,  to  accept  the  empire, 
which  they  also  decreed  to  his  son.  This  choice 
of  the  army  and  province  was  approved  by 
the  Senate  and  by  the  whole  city  of  Rome, 
who  detested  Maximinus  on  account  of  his 
ferocious  tyranny.  A senatus  consultum  pro- 
claimed the  deposition  of  Maximinus,  and  the 
accession  of  the  two  Gordians.  The  new  Augusti 
did  not  long  enjoy  the  honours  of  imperial 
sovereignty.  Capellianus,  governor  of  Maure- 
tania, enraged  against  Gordian,  the  father,  who 
had  superseded  him  in  that  lieutenancy,  marched 
upon  Carthage  with  a numerous  army.  On  re- 
ceiving this  intelligence,  the  elder  Gordian, 
under  the  desponding  impression,  that  he  should 
not  be  able  to  resist  so  vast  a multitude  of  assail- 
ants, put  an  end  to  his  life  by  strangulation.  His 
son  was  slain  in  the  conflict  which  took  place 
when  the  partizans  of  Capellianus  entered  Car- 
thage. Thus  perished  both  father  and  son, 
after  having  joint  ly  held  the  supreme  power 
about  forty-five  days.  The  Senate  in  token  of 
its  regrets  placed  the  two  Augusti  in  the  rank 
of  the  gods.  Gordian  senior  had  married  Fabia 
Orestilla,  great  grand-daughter  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  by  whom  he  had  Gordian,  afterwards  his 
associate  in  the  empire,  and  Metia  Faustina, 
wife  of  Junius  Balbus,  a consular  personage. 

His  style  is  IMP.  C.  (or  CAES.)  M.  ANT. 
GORD1ANVS  AFR.  AVG.  His  coins  consist 
of  silver  and  brass,  and  are  of  extreme  rarity. 
The  Latin  pieces  are  considered  (by  Ileunin)  to 
have  been  struck  at  Carthage.  If  so,  they  arc  a 
credit  from  their  workmanship  to  the  mint  of 
the  African  province.  But  it  is  much  more 
probable  they  were  minted  at  Rome. 


434  GORDIANUS  I. 


MINTAGES  of  GORDIANUS  AFR.  PATER. 

^ S'lver.— c°nc°rd,a  avo.  Woman  seated. 
(Valued  by  Mionnet  at  110  fr.)— p.  m.  tr.  i>. 
cos.  p.  p.  Figure  standing,  in  the  toga,  with 
laurel  twig.  (£3  15s,  Pembroke;  £7  5s.  Tho- 
mas ; £3  6s.  Brumell ; J64  4s.  Tovcy.) — sect- 
iutas  avg.  or  avgg.  Woman  seated.  (£3  3s. 
Drumell ; £3  19s.  Sabatier).— Victoria  avgg. 
(td  8s.  Thomas).— virtvs  avgg.  (£4  5s.  Tho- 
mas; £4  Os.  Campana). 


ROMAE  aeternae.  Rome  the  victory-bearer 
seated.  Obv.  imp.  m.  a.\t.  gordianvs.  afr. 
avg.  Head  of  the  elder  Gordian.  (£3  3s. 
Brumell  ; £3  6s.  Sabatier  sale.  Engraved  at 
the  head  of  this  article). 

First  Brass. — p.  m.  tr.  p.  cos.  p.  p.  Figure 
standing,  habited  in  the  toga,  holding  in  the 
right  band  an  olive  branch,  and  a truncheon  in 
the  left.  (Mt.  45  fr.)  Engraved  in  the  Cabinet 
fie  Christine. — provident,  avgg.  s.  A woman 
stands  with  cornucopia!  pointing  to  a globe. 
(£4  Is.  Devonshire).  Engraved  in  Akcrman,  i. 
P-  461,  pi.  8,  No.  1. — SECVRITAS  AVGG.  A 
woman  seated.  (£3  Is.  Od.  Thomas). — romae 
aeternae.  Rome  seated.  (Mt.  45  fr.) vic- 

toria avgg.  Victory  walking.  (£3  11s.  Od. 
Thomas;  £2  12s.  Campana). 

***  The  easiest  method,  according  to  M.  Rol- 
lin,  of  Paris,  for  classifying  the  rare  medals  of 
the  two  first  Gordians,  is  to  remember  that  on 
the  father’s  the  hair  is  fuller  on  the  forehead, 
and  the  cheek  is  rather  sunk  in  through  age’ 
whilst  the  son  is  bald  in  front,  but  has  a much' 
fuller  face.— Note  in  p.  126  of  the  Campana 
Sale  Catalogue . 


GORDIANUS  II. 

province  (a.  d.  238).  He  was  killed  a few  weeks 
afterwards,  fighting  valiantly  at  the  head  of  the 
troops  which  his  father  and  lie  had  levied  to 
oppose  the  advance  from  Mauretania  of  Capcl- 
lianus,  a ready  instrument  of  Maximin’s  cruelty, 
lie  was  forty-six  ycar9  old  when  he  died  ; har- 
ing  occupied  the  rank  of  Augustus  for  oulv  the 
short  space  of  forty  days.  The  name  of  his 
wife  is  unknown.  His  son  was  Gordiauns  111. 
called  Pina. 

The  Gordiani , father  and  son,  having  adopted 
the  same  legend,  it  is  dillicidt  to  distinguish, 
amongst  the  coins  of  those  emperors,  what  be- 
long to  the  one  and  what  to  the  other.— Eckhel 
(vii.  31)  has  treated  this  question  in  a satisfac- 
tory manner,  lie  agrees  with  Vaillant,  that 
the  pieces  which  bear  the  legend  p.  m.  tr.  p. 
cos.  p.  p.  arc  the  only  ones  which  can  with 
certainty  be  attributed  to  Gordian  the  father. 
As  to  the  other  pieces,  the  monographic  indica- 
tions arc  our  only  guide.  Frequently  the  lean- 
ness of  the  father,  the  good  condition  and  more 
marked  features  of  the  son,  lead  to  distinc- 
tions nearly  indubitable.  In  other  respects, 
the  uncertainty  remains  complete;  and  above 
all,  one  is  iudisposed  to  ask  how  an  octogena- 
rian in  age,  and  a man  of  forty-six  years,  could 
have  been  represented  in  a manner  almost  iden- 
tical? It  is  even  possible  that  at  Rome,  where 
these  coins  were  struck  in  great  haste,  the 
artists  had  at  their  disposal  only  the  portraits 
of  the  elder  Gordian,  already  old,  and  which 
remounted  to  the  epoch  of  his  maturity  of  man- 
hood.— M.  Leuormaut,  Iconographie  'Romaine, 


GORDIANUS  II.  (Marcus  Antoninus),  son 
of  Gordianus  Afrieanus  I.  and  of  Fabia  Orcs- 
tiUa,  was  born  under  the  reign  of  Commodus, 
a.  d.  191.  He  was  instructed  iu  the  highest 
and  most  clegaut  branches  of  literature  bv  Sere- 
nas Sammonicus  the  younger,  who  left  him  his 
library  composed  of  62,000  volumes,  and  he 
profited  from  the  instructions  he  had  received 
trom  his  friend  and  preceptor  to  render  himself 
accomplished  in  the  study  of  the  law,  and  more- 
over gained  a high  reputation  amongst  the 
writers  of  his  time,  in  publishing  several  works 
both  in  prose  and  verse,  which  reflected  honour 
on  his  talents  and  attainments.  Capitolinus,  in 
praising  him  for  these  high  qualities,  adverts  to 
his  handsome  figure,  courteous  demeanour,  and 
mildness  of  character;  but  at  the  same  time 
remarks  that  he  was  too  foud  of  women  He 
was  questor  under  Elagabalus  ; pretor  aud  con- 
sul under  Alexander  Severus,  by  whom  (a  d 
229)  he  was  appointed  the  leoatus  of  his  father 
in  Africa,  and  was  acknowledged  emperor  with 
him  at  the  eud  of  eight  years'  residence  iu  that 


If  we  apply  these  remarks  to  the  dcuarii,  we 
shall  unquestionably  recognize  each  Gordian  as 
prefixed  to  the  notices  of  their  respective  reigns. 
The  large  brass  are  more  embarrassing  : and  in 
general  it  is  to  be  observed,  that  these  monies, 
struck  at  Rome  by  authority  of  the  Senate,  are 
those  of  which  the  iconographie  characters  arc 
less  distinct.  Some  of  them  would  appear  to 
belong  to  the  son  ; from  their  apjiearancc  more 
assimilating  with  the  meridian  of  life;  others 
would  be  assigned  to  the  father,  to  judge  from 
the  strongly  indicated  signs  of  old  age,  which 
they  present. 

The  two  Gordians,  proclaimed  in  Africa,  had 
neither  time  nor  opportunity  to  arrive  nt  Rome : 
a fact  which  shows  that  the  Seuatc  did  not 
always  wait  for  the  actual  entry  of  the  new 
emperor  iuto  the  capital,  before  they  caused 
brass  money  to  be  minted  bearing  his  image 
and  subscription.  The  abbreviation  on  some 
reverses  avgg.  for  avgvstohvm,  recalls  to 
mind  that  there  were  then  two  Augusti. 

MINTAGES  OF  GORDIANUS  AFRICANUS 
JUNIOR. 

On  coins  lie  is  styled  IMP.  C.  (or  CAES) 
M.  ANT.  GORDIANVS.  AFR.  AVG.— The  fol- 
lowing list  of  reverses  in  silver  and  large  brass 
shews,  that  like  those  of  the  father  their  rarity 
constitutes  their  greatest  merit. 

Silver,— Concordia  avgg.  Concord  seated. 

I (Valued  by  Mionnet  at  lOOfr.) — fuomuentia 


GORDIANUS  III. 

avoo.  Providence  stands  leaning  on  a column, 
a globe  at  her  feet.  (Brought  £5  10s.  at  the 
Devonshire ; £4  Is.  at  the  Thomas ; £5  at  the 

Tovcy,  sales.) victoria  avog.  (£4  5s. 

Thomas). — virtvs  avgg.  A military  figure. 

(£6  10s.  Devonshire;  £3  15s.  Pembroke; 
£3  14s.  Thomas;  £-1  Campana;  £1  2s.  Brumcll) . 

Large  Brass. — providentia  avgg.  (Mt. 
501'r.) — uomae  aeternae.  Home  seated.  (£4  7s. 
Thomas  ; £4  18s.  Campana.) — victoria  avgg. 
Victory  walking.  (Mt.  50  fr.). — virtvs.  avgg. 
Military  figure,  s.  c.  in  the  field.  (£2  12s.  Pem- 
broke i £4  2s.  Brumell;  £4  10s.  Tovey.)  — 
Same  legend.  Mars  carrying  a trophy  and  a 
lauce  ( Cat.  d'  Ennery ; valued  by  Mionnet  at 
CO  fr.) 


GORDIANUS  PIUS  (or  III.) — The  year  of 
this  youug  prince’s  birth  is  not  ascertained. — 
All  that  appears  certain  is  that  his  anniversary 
fell  on  the  13th  of  the  calends  of  February  (20t'h 
January),  lie  was  the  grandson  of  Gordianus 
I.  but  whether  by  his  son  Gordianus  II.  or  by 
his  daughter,  is  still  unknown.  In  the  year  of 
Rome  991  (a.d.  238),  the  youngest  Gordian,  who 
was  at  Rome  when  the  two  African  Gordiaus 
were  massacred,  was  named  Priuce  of  the  Youth 
by  the  Senate.  The  people  who  loved  him,  in 
remembrance  of  his  relations,  had  never  ceased 
to  besiege  the  capitol  until  the  dignity  of  Cmsar 
had  been  conferred  on  him.  He  was  then  thir- 
teen or  sixteen  years  of  age.  Pupicnus  and  Bal- 
binus  were  elected  Augusti.  The  same  year 
Pupicnus  proceeded  to  the  war  against  Maximi- 
nus, whilst  Balbinus  and  Gordianus  acted  on  the 
defensive  at  Rome.  A serious  tumult  arising 
between  the  pretorian  guards  and  the  people, 
the  young  Cmsar  was  lifted  up  and  shewn  to  the 
contending  parties,  which  had  the  effect  of  allay- 
ing their  excited  feelings,  and  bringing  about"  a 
reconciliation.  The  authority  of  the  new  em- 
perors was  re-established  by  the  death  of  Maxi- 
minus and  of  his  sou  Maximus.  At  the  end  of 
the  month  of  July,  in  the  same  year,  Balbinus 
and  Pupicnus  being  put  to  death  by  the  pre- 
torians,  Gordianus  was  formally  declared  Augus- 
tus by  the  unanimous  voice  of  the  pretorians 
and  the  Senate. — In  992  (a.  d.  239),  Gordianus 
111.  proceeded  consul  for  the  first  time.  History 
records  nothing  certain  respecting  the  events  of 
this  year. 

993  (a.  d.  240),  or  the  following  year,  Sabini- 
auus  usurped  the  imperial  government  in  Africa, 
3 K 2 


GORDIANUS  III.  435 

but  was  defeated  and  taken  prisoner  by  the  go- 
vernor of  Mauretania,  through  the  treachery  of 
his  own  party.  The  young  emperor  planted  at 
Viminacium  (see  the  word),  a city  of  Upper 
Mresia  (now  Widdin),  a colony  which  dates  its 
foundation  from  this  year. 

994  (a.  d.  241). — This  year,  which  was  that 
of  Gordian’s  second  consulate,  Sapor  I.  king  of 
the  Persiaus,  invaded  Mesopotamia,  then  sub- 
ject to  the  Romans ; and  the  terror  which  his 
arms  inspired,  spread  not  only  in  the  East,  but 
through  Italy  itself.  The  Sapor  in  question  was 
son  of  that  Artaxerxes  who,  after  overthrowing 
the  Arsacidm,  brought  Parthia  again  under  Per- 
sian rule,  as  it  is  said,  during  the  reign  of  Alex- 
ander Scverus.  Gordianus  III.  made  immense 
preparations  to  meet  this  powerful  foe.  The 
same  year  he  married  Sabinia  Tranquiliina. 

995  (a.  d.  242). — Gordian  left  Rome  and  pro- 
ceeded through  Msesia  aud  Thrace  into  Asia, 
and  thence  into  Syria.  He  defeated  Sapor  in 
several  battles ; and,  recapturing  from  him  many 
cities  which  the  latter  had  taken  from  the 
Romans,  drove  the  Persian  monarch  out  of 
Mesopotamia. 

996  (a.  d.  243). — In  consequence  of  his 
brilliant  successes  in  war,  a triumph  in  a biga  of 
elephants  was  decreed  to  Gordianus  111.  (see 
the  monetal  record  of  this  fact  in  p.  203). — 
Misitheus,  prefect  of  the  pretorian  guard,  father- 
in-law  of  the  emperor,  and  who  had  greatly 
contributed  to  his  successes,  on  the  same  occa- 
sion triumphed  in  a quadriga  of  horses.  That 
w'ise  and  true  friend  of  the  emperor  died  the 
same  year,  poisoned,  as  it  was  believed,  by 
Philippus,  an  Arabian,  who  fatally  succeeded 
him  in  the  dignity  of  pretorian  prefect. 

997  (a.  d.  244). — This  artful  aud  ambitious 
man,  having  an  eye  upon  empire,  intercepted 
the  supplies  for  the  campaign,  and  thus  irritated 
the  army  against  their  priuce.  Gordian  was 
assassinated  at  Zeila,  on  the  Euphrates,  in  the 
month  of  February,  in  the  22nd  year  of  his  age, 
after  he  had  reigned  about  six  years. 

“ Thus  terminated  the  life  of  Gordianus  III. 
in  whom  nothing  was  wanting  to  establish  the 
character  of  a first-rate  prince,  except  a longer 
life.  The  love  of  the  people,  founded  on  the 
merits  of  his  grandfather  and  father,  conferred 
upon  him  first  the  title  of  Csesar,  and  then  that 
of  Augustus ; and  so  adored  was  he  for  the 
beauty  of  his  person,  and  the  suavity  of  his 
manners,  that  the  Senate  and  army  called  him 
their  son,  and  the  people  their  darling.  A re- 
markable proof  of  the  excellence  of  his  dis-  • 
position  was  shewn  in  the  docility  with  which, 
at  an  age  exposed  to  every  temptation,  he 
listened  not  to  the  voice  of  passion,  but  to  the 
sage  counsels  of  Misitheus,  than  whom  the  em- 
pire could  boast  no  one  more  learned,  eloquent, 
or  distinguished  in  the  arts  of  peace  and  war; 
and  whom  he  had  chosen,  not  only  as  his  prefect 
of  the  pretorian  guard,  but  as  his  father-in-law, 
by  marrying  his  daughter  Tranquiliina.  As  he 
was  happy,  so  long  as  he  had  the  advantage  of 
such  a man’s  assistance,  so  was  he  most  un- 
fortunate in  his  selection  of  a successor.  For 


436  GORDIANUS  III. 

by  appointing  Philippas,  tliro’  whose  nefarious 
arts  it  was  supposed  that  Misithcus  himself  met 
his  death,  he  fell  a victim  to  his  ingratitude  and 
hostility,  in  the  atrocious  manner  above  de- 
scribed. The  soldiers  afterwards  erected  his 
tomb  at  the  Circcsian  camp  on  the  borders  of 
Persia,  and  Ammianus  Marcellinus  affirms,  that 
as  late  as  the  time  of  Julianus  II.  it  was  seen  by 
himself,  and  that  it  was  a conspicuous  object 
from  a considerable  distance.  The  life  of  Gor- 
dian III.  has  been  given  at  great  length  by 
Capitoliuns.” — I).  N.  V.  vol.  vii.  309,  310,  313. 

The  Latin  coins  of  Gordianus  Pius  are  rare 
in  gold;  but  for  the  most  part  common  in  silver 
and  brass,  except  those  with  the  title  of  Ctesar. 

Before  his  accession  to  the  empire,  the  youngest 
Gordian  is  styled  M.  ANT.  GORDIAN  VS 
CAES,  (the  head  bare)  a.  d.  238.  The  same 
year,  ascending  the  throne  on  the  death  of  Bal- 
binus  and  Pupienus,  his  coins  exhibit  the  titles 
of  IMP.  CAES.  M.  ANT.  GORDIANVS  AVG. 
and  these  he  bore  during  the  two  first  years  of 
his  reign. — In  a.  d.  239,  the  title  of  PIVS  was 
added ; in  240,  the  further  addition  was  made 
of  FELIX ; and  to  the  end  of  his  life  he  pre- 
served the  style  of  IMP.  GORDIANVS  PIVS 
FELi>  AVG. 

MINTAGES  OF  GORDIANUS  III. 

Gold  Medallion. — mleturm  (sic.)  pbo- 
PVGNATOREN  (sic.)  Mars  armed  with  buckler 
and  lance. — Obv.  nip.  gordianvs  pivs  pelt. 
(sic.)  avo.  Radiated  head  of  Gordianus  Pius. 
(Mionnet  values  this  piece,  which  is  of  barbar- 
ous workmanship,  at  200  fr.  See  De  la  llarete 
ties  Med.  t.  i.  p.  394). 

Silver  Medallions. — aeqvitas  avgvsti. 
The  three  moucLe.  (Mionnet,  200  fr.) — virtvs 
avgvsti.  Emperor  and  the  Sun  supporting  a 
globe,  with  trophy,  standards,  captives,  and 
soldiers.  (Brought  £12  at  the  sale  of  Mr.  Saba- 
tier’s collection,  lot  433). — moneta  avgvsti. 
The  monetic  type.  (Mt.  250  fr.) — profectio 
avg.  Emperor  on  horseback  and  other  figures). 
Mt.  300  fr.) — victoria  avg.  Emperor  aud 
several  attendauts  sacrificing  before  a round 
temple,  on  the  front  of  which  is  read  NE1KH 
oriAOi-opoc.  (Mt.  300  fr.) 

Gold. — aeternitati  avg.  Sun  standing. 
(£3  3s.  .Brumcll  sale). — aeqvitas  avg.  (£2. 
2s.  Pembroke;  £2  12s.  Sabatier). — concordia 

AVG. — PE  LICIT.  TEMP. — FIDES  MIL1TVM.  (48  fr. 

each.) — iovi  statori.  (£4  5s.  Trattle ; Saba- 
tier, £2  12s.) — DIANA  LVCIFERA.  (£2  3s.  Trat- 
tle).—LAETIT1A  avo.  N.  (Trattle,  £5  12s.  6d.) 
— liberalitas  avo.  ii.  (£4  5s.  Trattle).— pie- 
tas  avgvsti.  (£5  12s.  Trattle).— p.  m.  tr.  p.  ii. 
aud  ill.  cos.  ii.  p.  p.  Sacrificial  group.  (£3  10s. 
Brumcll). — P.  M.  tr.  p.  ii.  Soldier  stauding  (a 
finely-preserved  specimen  bought  at  the  Thomas 
sale  for  £4  10s.) — providentia  avo.  Provi- 
dence with  globe.  (£3  10s.  Thomas).-sECVRiTAS 
avg.  (£2  Trattle;  £1  8s.  Sabatier). — SEcvitrr. 
perp.  Security  leaning  on  a column.  (Mt. 
48  fr.) — victoria  avg.  A Victory  holding  a 
wreath  and  palm  branch.  (£3  Is.  Trattle  ; £3 
10s.  Thomas,  £2  12s.  Pembroke;  £3  7s.  De- 


GORDIANUS  III. 

vonshirc ; £2  2s.  Campana. p.  m.  tr.  p.  ii. 

Jupiter  the  protector  aud  a little  figure.  (Mt. 
50  fr.) — p.  m.  tr.  p.  iiii.  cos.  n.  Figure  seated 
with  olive  twig.  (£3  Cs.  Sabatier  sale). — p.  m. 
tr.  P.  vi.  cos.  ii.  Emperor  with  lance  and 

globe.  (£2  5s.  Trattle). virtvti  avgvsti. 

Hercules  (Farnese)  rcstiug  on  his  club.  (£3 
10s.  Thomas  ; £3  4s.  Brumell). 

Silver. — p.  m.  tr.  p.  iiii.  cos.  ii.  Emperor 
in  a quadriga,  crowned  by  Victory. — principi 
I went.  Emperor  with  globe  and  hasta.  (Mt. 
24  fr.  each). 

Brass  Medallions. — adlocvtio  avgvsti. 
Emperor  and  four  other  military  figures. — 
(Brought  £7  10s.  at  the  Thomas  sale.  In 
Mionnet  it  is  valued  at  120  fr.) — mvnificentia 
gordiani  avg. — Amphitheatre,  bull  aud  ele- 
phant combatting. — Sec  Munificentia.  (Mionnet 
300  fr.) — P.  M.  tr.  P.  v.  cos.  II.  The  great 
circus,  with  wrestling,  chariot  raciug,  &c. 
(Mt.  300  fr.) 

p.  M.  tr.  p.  v.  cos.  ii.  Rome  presenting 
a globe  to  the  emperor,  in  presence  of  two  pre- 
toriaus. — traiectvs.  Trireme,  with  several 

figures. — victoria  avgvsti.  Emperor  and 
attendauts,  sacrificing  before  a round  temple,  as 
in  the  silver  mcdalliou  described  above. — 
(Miounet  values  these  three  medallions  at  200 
fr.  each). — liberalitas  avgvsti  ii.  The  em- 
peror aud  several  other  figures.  (Mt.  150  fr.) 
— pax  aeterna.  Sun  in  a quadriga,  the  em- 
peror sacrificing,  &c.  (A  specimen,  partially 
injured,  obtained  £4  19s.  at  the  Thomas  sale.) — 
pontipex  max.  tr.  p.  iiii.  cos.  ii.  Emperor 
in  a quadriga,  full-faced,  crowned  by  a victory, 
a foot  soldier  on  each  side  of  the  horses.  (£7  5s. 
Thomas.) 

felicitas  avgvsti. — vict.  gordiani.  Prc- 
torian  galley. — pontifex  max.  tr.  p.  ii.  cos. 
ii.  Emperor  in  a quadriga,  holdiug  a Roman 
eagle. — pont.  max.  tr.  p.  ill.  Rome  present- 
ing a globe  to  the  emperor,  accompanied  by  two 
soldiers. — pont.  max.  tr.  p.  iiii.  cos.  ii.  Em- 
peror in  a quadriga  crowned  by  Victory  ; Rome 
leads  tbc  horses,  preceded  by  soldiers  holding 
palms. — victoria  avg.  Emperor  seated,  Victory 
crowning  him ; in  the  group  arc  captives  with 
military  ensigns. — victoria  avgvsti.  Emperor 
on  horseback,  preceded  by  a Victory,  and 
escorted  by  soldiers  bearing  trophies  aud  eagles. 
This  alludes  to  Gordian’s  successes  over  the 
Persians.  (The  foregoing  seven  arc  valued  by 
Mionnet  at  120  fr.  each.) 

virtvs  avgvsti.  Emperor  crowned  by  Vic- 
tory ; and  three  other  figures.  (Mt.  150  fr.)  — 
fides  exercitvs.  Two  military  figures  joining 
hands — p.  m.  tr.  p.  vi.  cos.  ii.  Impcrutor 
eques,  Victory,  and  soldiers.  (The  two  fore- 
going 100  frs.  each,  Mionnet). 

p.  M.  tr.  p.  vii.  cos.  n.  P.  P. — The  interior 
of  a circus.  Iu  the  centre  of  the  spina  is  an 
obelisk  ; at  each  of  the  two  extremities  are  three 
metis  of  a conic  form.  In  the  fore  ground, 
several  groups ; the  first,  to  the  right,  exhibits 
two  gladiators  fighting ; the  second,  two  wrest- 
lers ; the  third,  two  alhlette , exercising  them- 
selves in  the  use  of  the  halteres  (the  dumb- 


GOTHI. 

bells  of  modern  gymnastics)  ; the  fourth,  two 
other  athletes  combatting  with  the  cestus ; 
the  fifth,  a wounded  gladiator,  led  out  of  the 
circus  by  an  apparitor.  Behind  the  spina  are 
two  quadrigae  driven  at  a racing  pace  by 
their  respective  aurigee.  And  lastly,  quite  in 
the  back-ground,  a car  drawn  by  six  horses, 
in  which  stands  the  emperor,  holding  a branch 
of  laurel,  accompanied  by  Victory,  and  pre- 
ceded bv  three  pretorians  carrying  palms. — Obv. 

1 M Vendor  GORDIANVS  PI  VS  FELIX  AV- 
G ust us.  Bust  of  Gordiauus  111.  laurcated, 

clothed  in  the  paludamentum,  the  lance  resting 
on  his  right  shoulder.  On  the  front  of  his 
cuirass,  the  emperor  is  figured  on  horseback, 
overthrowing  two  barbarians. 

This  fine  monument  belongs  to  the  last  year  of 
Gordian’s  rcigu.  For  au  engraving  of  the  re- 
verse, see  p.  203.  That  of  the  obverse  is 
placed  at  the  head  of  the  biographical  summary, 
(p.  435).  The  original  is  in  the  Cabinet  de 
France.  Mionnet  values  it  at  300  francs. 

Large  Brass. — adlocvtio  avgvsti.  (Mt. 

40  fr.) AETERNITA8  avgvsti.  Equestrian 

statue.  (Mt.  30  fr.) 

liberalitas  avovsti  mi.  Three  figures 
seated,  and  several  others  standing. — p.  M.  tk. 
p.  li.  cos.  Emperor  in  a quadriga. — virtvs 
avgvsti.  Emperor  on  horseback.  (Mt.  20  fr. 
each.) 

Middle  Brass. — mart,  victor.  Sacrifice 
before  a round  temple,  on  the  frieze  is  in- 
scribed ©EOT  onAO*OPOT.  (Mt.  48  fr.)— 
pontif.  maxim,  tr.  P.  Rome  seated,  three 
figures  standing.  (20  fr.) — poxtif.  max.  cos. 
ii.  Emperor  in  a quadriga,  crowned  by  Victory, 
preceded  by  a soldier.  (40  fr.) 

p.  M.  tr.  p.  vi.  cos.  ii.  Apollo  seated  on  a 
throne,  resting  on  the  lyre,  holding  a laurel 
branch.  Engraved  in  Lenormant,  Iconog.  Rom. 
p.  92,  pi.  vi.  No.  8. — secvrit(as)  pekpet(va). 
Security  stands  resting  herself  on  a column. — 
Engraved  in  Iconog.  Rom.  p.  92,  pi.  vi.  No.  8. 

GOTHI — The  Goths;  ancient  tribes  of  north- 
ern Europe,  who  inhabited  the  borders  of  the 
Vistula  to  its  month  in  the  Baltic  Sea,  where  at 
the  present  stands  the  city  of  Dantzic.  This  bar- 
barous people  spreading  themselves  as  far  as  the 
Oder,  combined  with  the  lleruli,  and  during  the 
reign  of  Marcus  Aurelius  passed  the  Vistula,  and 
proceeding  south  eastward  as  far  as  the  Rains 
Mceotis  (now  sea  of  Asof),  took  possession  of 
Dacia  after  having  crossed  the  Borysthencs  (now 
the  Dnieper).  Afterwards  those  who  inhabited 
the  more  eastern  parts  towards  the  Black  Sea 
(Pontus  Euxinus),  were  called  Ostrogoths,  or 
Eastern  Goths ; the  others  who  dwelt  towards  the 
west  were  called  Visi-goths,  or  Western  Goths. 
These  two  nations  ravaged  at  different  times  many 
provinces  of  the  Roman  empire.  In  the  time  of 
Gallicnus,  the  whole  of  Thrace  was  depopulated 
by  them.  (Vaillant.) — Claudius  II.  Tacitus, 

Probus,  Constantine  and  his  sons,  Julian  II. 
Valentinian,  and  other  emperors  respectively  de- 
feated them,  and  succeeded  in  confining  those 
desolating  hordes  within  their  own  natural  con- 
fines. But  during  the  government  of  Valens, 


GOTHI.  437 

the  IIuus,  having  passed  the  Pains  Mceotis, 
came  like  an  impetuous  torrent  upon  the  Goths, 
subdued  the  Ostrogoths,  and  driving  the  Visi- 
goths from  their  new  country  established  them- 
selves there  in  their  room.  The  Visigoths  thus 
compelled  to  emigrate  across  the  Danube,  applied 
for  support  to  Valens,  and  that  emperor,  without 
any  treaty,  and  even  without  disarming  them, 
gave  up  to  their  possession  a portion  of  Thrace, 
w'hence  they  soon  afterwards  began  to  make  war 
upon  other  provinces  of  the  empire.  Valens  pro- 
ceeded to  attack  them  near  Hadrianopolis,  but 
his  army  having  been  cut  to  pieces,  and  himself 
wounded  by  an  arrow,  he  took  refuge  in  a cabin, 
w here  he  was  burnt  alive  a.  d.  278.  The  Visi- 
goths, intoxicated  with  this  success,  went  on 
carrying  fire  and  sword  everywhere,  and  set 
about  besieging  Constantinople.  Theodosius  the 
Great,  Valens’  successor,  from  a.  d.  379  to  382, 
gained  several  victories  over  them,  forcing  them 
and  their  king  Athanaricus  to  submit  to  his 
laws.  After  the  death  of  that  emperor  (a.  d.  395), 
the  Visigoths  elected  for  their  monarch  Alaric ; 
who,  after  the  death  of  Stilicho,  the  intriguing 
and  ambitious  minister  of  Honorius,  invaded 
Italy,  and  besieged  Rome,  which  was  obliged  to 
pay  a heavy  ransom  (a.  d.  408).  The  following 
year  Rome,  again  besieged  by  the  Visigothic 
king,  was  taken  by  him ; and  Priscus  Attalus 
was  proclaimed  emperor  under  his  protection. 
In  a.  d.  410,  Attalus  was  deposed  by  Alaric, 
who  was  then  on  the  point  of  concluding  a 
treaty  with  Honorius.  But  in  a fit  of  irritation 
and  caprice,  the  Visigoth  broke  off  his  negocia- 
tions  with  the  emperor,  and  restored  to  Attains 
the  imperial  title;  but  almost  immediately  again 
deprived  him  of  it.  He  then  marched  to  Rome, 
which  he  took  and  pillaged.  Alaric  died  A.  d. 
410 ; and  was  succeeded  by  his  brother-in-law 
Ataulphus,  who  after  a time  retired  with  his 
army  into  Gaul,  where  he  instituted  the  king- 
dom of  the  Visigoths  in  Aquitania  and  Gallia 
Narbonnensis  (since  called  Languedoc),  and 
Italy  was  once  more  left  free  from  invaders. 

In  a.  d.  476,  Odoaccr,  king  of  the  Hcruli, 
being  invited  by  the  party  of  Junius  Nepos  to 
enter  Italy  with  a vast  army  of  barbarians,  com- 
pelled the  then  reigning  and  last  Emperor  of  the 
West,  Romulus  Augustus,  to  abdicate  his 
throne,  and  retire  as  an  exile  into  Campania. 
In  477,  the  Eastern,  or  Ostrogoths,  were  called 
in  to  the  assistance  of  Zeno,  Emperor  of  the  East, 
against  Odoacer,  and  the  result,  after  many 
battles,  was  their  amalgamation  in  Italy  with 
the  lleruli,  and  the  foundation  of  a kingdom 
there  under  Theodoricus,  who  died  526.  The 
Gothic  monarchy  in  Italy  lasted  from  that 
period  till  the  year  553 — 77  years ; and  the 
series  of  its  kings  is — Theodoricus,  Athalaricus, 
Theodahatus,  Witigcs,  Ilildibaldus,  Araricus, 
Baduela,  Theias.  It  was  these  diademed  chiefs 
of  the  hardy  northern  warriors,  who  under  the 
successive  reigns  of  Anastasius,  Justinus,  and 
Justinianus,  occupied  the  western  scat  of  the 
Roman  empire,  its  “ Eternal  City whilst 
invicta  [sometimes  blundered  into  invita] 
roma,  and  the  name  of  some  Gothic  rex. 


438 


GOTH  I A.— GRACES. 


figured  in  strange  companionship  on  coins  of 
the  imperial  series! — See  Mionnct  aud  Akerman. 

GOTIIIA,  that  is  to  say  Gothia  subacta  (sub- 
dued), is  read  on  the  exergue  of  a very  rare  gold 
coin  of  Constantine  the  Great,  the  epigraph  of 
which  is  DEBEU.ATORI  GENTIVM  BARB  Alt  ARVM ; 
and  the  type,  two  military  figures  standing,  the 
hand  of  one  (representing  the  emperor)  resting 
on  the  head  of  a youth  by  his  side. 

This  singular  coin  relates  to  the  year  322, 
when  Constantine  overcame  the  Goths  and  Sar- 
matians  in  repeated  battles,  both  in  Illyria  and 
in  Ma;sia — the  remnants  of  whom,  fleeing  beyond 
the  Danube,  he  pursued  across  that  river,  again 
overthrew',  and  punished  with  an  almost  exter- 
minating slaughter.  (Vaillaut,  iii.  p.  87). — On 
this  signal  success  the  emperor  was  congra- 
tulated by  a coin  struck  at  Treves,  whence  the 
words  GOTIIIA  TR evens,  by  the  mint  of  which 
colony  the  exploits  of  emperors  were  sometimes 
commemorated. — Uanduri. 

GO  THIC.  Gothicus — on  coins  of  Claudius, 
suruamed  Gothicus,  not  only  as  a distinction 
from  the  former  emperor  of  that  name,  but  also 
on  account  of  a signal  victory  gained  by  him 
over  the  Goths. 

GOTHICO. — The  surname,  in  the  dative  case, 
conferred  on  the  above  mentioned  Claudius,  who 
reigned  tw'o  centuries  aud  more  after  the  first 
Claudius,  aud  before  Aureliauus.  Several  of  his 
coins  bear  this  titular  cognomen,  and  these 
were  struck  as  well  during  his  life-time  as  after 
his  death;  viz. : — germanico  gothico  oftimo 
principi — and  divo  clavdio  gothico. — Ban- 
duri,  i.  pp.  353-354. 

GOTHICUS. — This  appellation  (says  Ban- 
duri)  was  fitly  given  to  that  Claudius  who  re- 
covered Dacia  to  the  empire,  and  conquered  the 
Scythiaus  and  the  Quadi,  having  first  of  all  re- 
pelled from  the  Komau  territory  an  irruption  of 
Goths  and  Sarmatiaus,  whose  cupidity  of  plun- 
der he  punished  by  a signal  slaughter,  to  the 
amount  (according  to  historians)  of  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  thousaud  men.  lienee  we 
read  on  his  coins  imp.  caesaii  ci.avdivs  ger. 
gothicvs. — The  same  surname  of  Gothicus  was 
assigned  by  the  Senate  to  Probus,  but  it  no 
where  occurs  on  that  emperor’s  coins. 

GRAC. — GRACC. — Gracchus. — Surname  of 
the  Scmpronia  gens. 

GRACES  (Gratia,  a translation  of  the  Greek 
xaptTfsJ.  The  three  goddesses  of  favour,  love- 
liness, aud  benevolence.  They  were  respectively 
named,  the  first,  Aglaia, 
(which  means  Fenustas, 
or  Beauty) ; the  second, 
Euphrosyuc  (that is Hi/a- 
\ ritas) ; aud  the  third, 
Thalia  ( Testivilas) . But 
the  ancients  were  not 
more  agreed  respecting 
the  number  of  the  Graces 
than  as  to  their  parent- 
age; some  making  them  the  daughters  of  Jupi- 
ter, others  assigning  to  Bacchus  the  honour  of 
their  paternity,  llomcr  describes  them  as  em- 
ployed in  attendance  on  Venus  aud  the  other 


GRACCURR1S. — GRAECIA. 
most  beautiful  of  the  goddesses.  In  various 
I parts  of  Greece  there  were  temples  dedicated  to 
their  worship,  as  the  acknowledged  patronesses 
of  refiuement,  gentleness,  and  moderation,  iu 
social  intercourse.  The  most  perfect  works  of 
art  were  therefore  called  the  works  of  the  Graces. 
— They  are  represented  on  many  ancient  bas- 
reliefs,  and  iu  two  or  more  numismatic  rnonu- 
' incuts,  as  beautiful  women,  standing  together, 
entirely  uudraped,  the  central  figure  having  au 
arm  placed  each  on  a shoulder  of  the  other  two. 
They  thus  display,  as  if  in  a dancing  attitude, 

| symmetry  of  person,  combining  with  elegance 
[ of  movement,  unadorned  beauty,  unconscious 
of  offence  to  modesty,  dcsigued  to  indicate  the 
constant  reciprocation  of  kindness  and  friend- 
ship, without  concealment  or  reserve,  but  un- 
tainted by  any  mixture  of  voluptuous  fami- 
liarity. Such  was  the  sentimental  gloss  put  by 
the  imaginative  Greeks  on  the  questionable 
exhibition  of  three  young  virgins  in  a state  of 
nudity. — It  is,  says  S[>auhcim  (iu  his  Gesars  de 
Julien)  not  disagreeable  to  see  the  figures  of  the 
Graces,  as  they  arc  found  ou  ancient  coins,  con- 
formable to  those  which  the  poets  describe  to 
us.  The  one  (see  foregoing  wood-cut),  was  dedi- 
cated to  Alexander  Severus  by  a city  of  Thrace, 
called  Colonia  Feavia  Pacifica  [or  Pacensis], 
Deultum  [or  Deultana ] ; and  the  other,  bear- 
ing a Greek  legend,  struck  by  the  inhabitants 
of  Hadrianopolis,  in  the  same  country. — See 
Deultum,  p.  320. — See  also  Vaillaut,  in  Coloniis, 
ii.  118. 

GRACCURRIS,  a Roman  munic’pium  of 
Hispania  Tarracouensis,  now  Agreda,  near 
Turiaso,  iu  Arragou.  It  was  anciently  called 
I/luricis,  but  changed  its  name  in  honour  of 
Titus  Seinpronius  Gracchus,  who  repaired  it 
after  his  victories  over  the  Ceitiberians.  It  pre- 
served the  memory  of  his  name  by  a second 
brass  coin,  ou  the  obverse  of  which  is  ti.  Cae- 
sar divi.  avgvstvs,  and  the  laureated  head  of 
Tiberius.  On  the  reverse  mvmcip(ivm)  gkac- 
CVrris.  The  type  is  an  ox  standing,  adorned 
with  the  inf uta  or  veil,  as  a victim. — Engraved 
iu  Vaillaut,  Col.  i.  p.  76;  and  in  the  Cabinet 
de  Christine. — See  Akerman,  Coins  of  Cities 
and  Princes,  p.  89. 

GRAECIA,  Greece,  formerly  the  most  re- 
nowned for  polity  and  civilization,  aud  still  the 
most  classically  interesting,  country  iu  Europe. 
The  vast  regiou  to  which  this  name,  aud  that  of 
Hellas,  were  generally  given,  comprehended  to 
the  south,  below  Sinus  Coriuthiaeus  (Gulf  of 
Lcpauto),  aud  Siuus  Sarouicus  (Gulf  of  Egina), 
a great  peninsula  called  the  Pclopoucssus  (Morca) 
— and  this  contained  to  the  west  the  several  states 
of  Achaia,  Elis,  and  Arcadia ; to  the  south-west 
Messcuia;  to  the  east  Corinth,  Megaris,  Attica, 
(including  the  city  of  Athens),  and  Argolis  ; to 
the  south-east  Lacouica.  The  northern  great 
division  of  Gracia  Antigua  comprised,  from  west 
to  cast,  Acaruania,  iEtolia,  Locriozolic,  Doris, 
l’hocis,  Burnt  ia — and  stretching  much  further  in 
the  same  uorthward  direction,  the  more  exten- 
sive kingdoms  aud  territories  of  Epirus,  Thes- 
salia,  aud  Macedonia.  Of  the  Gnecian  islands 


GRAECI. 

ill  the  Ionian  Sen,  along  the  north  and  south- 
western coasts — and  in  the  JSgacan  Sea,  to  the 
cast  and  south-east,  opposite  the  coast  of  Asia 
Minor,  the  principal  were  Corcyra  (Corfu),  Leu- 
cadia  (St.  Maura),  Cephalleuia  (Ccphalonia), 
Ithaca,  Zacynthus  (Zantc),  Euboea  (Ncgropont), 
Lemnos,  Naxos,  Crete,  Carpathos,  Ceos,  Cythcra, 
and  the  smaller  islands  of  the  Archipelago,  the 
names  of  which,  as  also  of  the  larger,  arc  well 
known  to  every  scholar. — “ It  is  remarkable 
(says  Dr.  Butler,  Ancient  Geog.  p.  1 OS),  that  the 
word  Gnvcia  was  not  legally  recognized  by  the 
Romans.  The  name  of  Graicia,  however,  was 
sufficiently  familiar  among  them,  iu  writing  and 
conversation.” 

GRAECI.  The  Grecians,  Greeks. — Histori- 
cal references  to  Greece,  and  the  coins  struck  by 
the  respective  kings  and  cities  of  its  various 
distinct  and  independent  states,  high  as  arc  the 
peculiar  claims  of  both  to  the  attentive  study  of 
the  artist  and  the  antiquary,  form  no  part  of  the 
compiler’s  design  to  touch  upon  in  this  volume, 
except  from  and  after  the  epoch  at  which  those 
peoples  were  finally  subiugated  by  the  Romans  ; 
and  then  solely  with  a view  to  a brief  numismatic 
notice  of  the  few  colonies  planted  by  their  con- 
querors, in  Macedonia,  Ac'naia,  and  Epirus, 
whose  mintages  bear  Latin  legends.  Not  only 
must  the  fabulous,  and  til  t first  historic,  age  of 
Greece  be  here  passed  by,  but  also  the  second 
historic  mra,  commencing  with  the  reign  of 
Darius  I.  and  finishing  with  the  death  of  Alex- 
ander the  Great — a period  in  which,  besides  the 
military  glory  which  they  acquired  by  their  vic- 
tories over  the  Persians,  the  Greeks  carried 
(particularly  the  Athenians)  their  philosophy 
and  their  oratory,  their  sentiments  and  tastes, 
their  knowledge  in  science,  and  their  skill  iu 
art,  to  the  highest  pitch  of  contemporaneous 
refinement  and  pre-eminence.  Little  more,  there- 
fore, remains  for  us  to  observe  on  this  subject, 
than  that  after  the  war  between  Macedonia  and 
Rome,  which,  after  seven  years’  duration,  ter- 
minated a.  u.  C.  586  (b.  c.  168),  in  the  defeat 
and  capture  of  king  Perseus,  by  the  towu- 
dcstroving  cousul  Paulus  /Emilias,  when  one 
thousand  of  the  principal  Aclucans  (Polybius 
amongst  the  rest)  were  sent  prisoners  to  Rome. 
In  the  year  u.  c.  607  (».  c.  147),  Macedonia 
was  reduced  to  the  form  of  a Roman  province. 
The  following  year,  war  having  been  resumed 
between  Rome  and  the  Aclucans,  the  latter  were 
defeated,  and  Corinth  was  taken  and  pillaged 
by  L.  Mummius,  consul,  a.  u.  c.  609  (b.  c. 
145).  The  Romans,  after  having  thus  esta- 
blished their  power  over  all  Greece  ( Gracia 
Universa),  divided  it  into  two  provinces,  the 
one  called  Macedonia,  and  the  other  Achaia, 
which  they  respectively  assigned  to  the  govern- 
ment of  a pretor,  or  a pro-consul. 

It  was  then  and  thenceforward  that  this  highly 
polished  but  degenerate  people  began  to  vie 
with  each  other  in  flattering  their  conquerors — 
in  literally  deifying  the  Emperors,  the  Senate, 
and  the  City  of  Rome — in  ostentatiously  dedi- 
cating to  Princes  and  Empresses,  their  Neo- 
coria,  a worship  till  then  exclusively  appropri- 


GRAECI.  439 

ated  to  their  gods — aud  iu  impressing  upon  their 
coins  figures  and  inscriptions  never  before  used, 
but  indicative  of  voluntary  subjection  on  their 
part  to  the  meanest  slavery.  An  exception, 
perhaps,  is  to  be  made  in  favour  of  the  Athe- 
nians, who  appear  to  have  been  free  from  this 
black  spot  of  servile  adulation ; nor  did  they, 
before  the  time  of  Vespasian,  allow  either  the 
name  or  the  effigy  of  any  Roman  personage  to 
be  struck  on  their  medals. 

Mr.  Akerman,  in  his  learned  and  instructive 
“ Remarks  on  the  Coins  of  Ephesus,  struck 
under  the  dominion  of  the  Romans,”  makes  the 
following  observations  respecting  a coin  minted 
at  Ephesus,  on  which  Hadrian  is  styled  KAICAP 
OATMniOC,  Ctesar  Olympius — “ Long  before 
the  days  of  Hadrian,  the  Greeks  had  been  iu 
the  habit  of  paying  divine  honours  to  the  worst 
of  princes.  Magnificent  temples  were  built  iu 
honour  of,  and  the  most  fulsome  adulation  was 
offered  to,  men  who  practised  every  species  of 
vice  that  can  debase  human  nature.  Hadrian 
was  unquestionably  possessed  of  qualities  which 
if  rightly  exercised,  might  have  rendered  him 
without  a parallel  in  the  history  of  the  Roman 
empire,  but  these  were  obscured  by  vices  which 
will  bear  neither  description  nor  comment. — 
Why  and  on  what  occasion,  the  people  of  Ephe- 
sus gave  to  Hadrian  the  title  of  Olympius  is,  I 
believe,  unknown.  That  odious  system  of  poly- 
theism which  associated  Jupiter  with  Ganymede, 
might  have  suggested  the  epithet.  Whilst  the 
Ephesians  were  bestowing  a surname  of  the 
king  of  the  gods  upon  their  emperor,  other 
cities  of  Greece  were  erecting  temples  to  Anti- 
nous  1” — Numismatic  Chronicle,  vol.  iv.  p.  89. 

“ The  practice  of  paying  divine  honours  to 
their  rulers  was,  as  already  noticed,  a very  com- 
mon one  with  the  degenerate  and  degraded 
Greeks.  Every  one  acquainted  with  ancient 
history  will  remember  the  account  which  Plut- 
arch gives  of  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  at  Alex- 
andria, when  the  triumvir  was  styled  Neos  Aio- 
waos  (the  New  Bacchus),  and  his  paramour, 
Nea  Ions  (the  New  Isis),  which  latter  title,  or 
rather  that  of  Of  a Nea  or  Neaixepa,  is  found  on 
a coin  of  Cleopatra,  doubtless  struck  at  the  very 
time  of  that  insane  mummery. — Buonarotti  cites 
many  examples  of  this  practice,  quoting  a mar- 
ble from  Spon,  on  which  Sabina  the  empress  is 
styled  the  New  Ceres,  and  another  from  the 
same  author,  inscribed  to  Julia  Domna  as  the 
New  Vesta.”  Ibid,  p.  109. — See  also  diana 
ephesia,  p.  324  of  this  dictionary. 

Greek  coins,  whether  they  were  struck  by 
states,  or  cities,  or  by  colonies,  are  deserv- 
ing of  particular  attention,  not  only  on  the 
ground  of  their  remoter  antiquity,  but  also 
chiefly  because  they  are  of  a kind  totally  different 
from  what  were  issued  from  the  mints  of  Greece, 
after  that  country  had  fallen  under  the  sway  of 
Rome.  Indeed,  that  the  people  of  Free  Greece, 
and  even  after  the  loss  of  their  independence, 
were  greatly  superior  to  the  Romans  in  the  art 
of  engraving  money  is  a fact,  to  be  convinced 
of  which  we  need  only  to  examine  those  of  the 
former  which  remain  to  us,  and  compare  them 


440 


GRATIA  NUS. 
with  the  mintages  of  Roman  die,  coined  under 
the  empire,  with  the  exception  of  such  from 
Nero  to  Comraodus,  as  are  evidently  the  work  of 
Greek  artists. 

GRADIVUS. — Sec  Man. 


GRATIANUS,  the  son  of  Valentinian  I.  and 
Val.  Severa,  was  born  at  Sirmium,  in  Pannonia, 
a.  T).  359,  whilst  his  father  was  still  a private 
citizen.  In  a.  D.  367,  when  eight  years  old,  he 
was  declared  Augustus  at  Ambianum  (Amiens), 
having  for  colleagues  his  father  Valentinian  I. 
and  his  uncle  Yalcns.  Gratianus  was  sixteen 
years  of  age  when  his  father  died,  a.  d.  375. — 
He  immediately  acknowledged  as  his  colleague 
Valeutiuianus,  his  natural  brother,  whom  on  the 
death  of  his  father  the  legions  had  proclaimed 
Augustus,  though  he  was  scarcely  five  years  old. 
The  empire  was  then  so  divided  between  them, 
that  Gratianus  had  for  his  share  Hispania,  the 
Gallia:  and  Britain,  and  Valentinian  Italy,  Illy- 
ricum,  and  Africa,  but  under  the  regency  of  his 
brother,  while  Valcus  retaiued  the  East.  He 
was  victorious  over  the  Lentiani  Alamanni,  a 
people  inhabiting  Rhcetia  (the  Tyrol),  iu  a me- 
morable battle  fought  at  Argcutovaria,  or  Argen- 
taria  (at  or  near  Colmar,  in  Alsace).  He  went 
to  reinforce  Valcus,  who  was  hard  pressed  by 
the  Goths  in  Thrace,  but  arrived  only  in  time  to 
find  him  overpowered  and  slain,  A.  D.  378.  The 
barbariaus  completely  over-running  and  devast- 
ating this  region,  he  recalled  Theodosius  from 
his  exile  in  Hispania,  and  for  his  services  against 
those  tribes  on  the  Istcr,  gave  him  the  title  of 
Augustus,  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  379, 
and  appointed  him  governor  of  the  eastern  pro- 
vinces held  by  Valens.  Having  set  out  on  an 
expedition  against  Magnus  Maximus,  a man  of 
energy  and  reputation  (who,  elected  by  the 
legions  in  Britain,  had  assumed  the  purple  in 
that  island,  aud  invaded  Gallia),  he  found  him- 
self abandoned  by  his  troops  near  Paris,  at  the 
moment  of  his  being  about  to  attack  the  usur- 
per’s army,  who  put  him  to  death  in  his  flight 
near  Lugdunum  (Lyon),  a.  d.  383,  iu  the  24th 
year  of  his  age. 

“ Historians,  Pagan  and  Christian  (says  an 
able  writer  iu  Dr.  Smith’s  Biographical  Dic- 
tionary, ii.  p.  302),  are  agreed  as  to  the  cha- 
racter of  Gratian.  In  person  he  was  well  made 
and  good  looking ; in  his  disposition  geutle  aud 
and  docile — possessed  of  a cultivated  under- 
standing and  of  a ready  aud  pleasing  eloquence, 
he  was  chaste  and  temperate,  but  too  yielding 
and  pliant,  the  influence  of  others  leading  him 
to  severities  foreign  to  his  own  character.  His 
piety  and  his  reverence  for  ecclesiastics,  espe- 
cially Ambrose  of  Milan,  reudered  him  too 
willing  a party  to  the  persecutions,  which  the 
Christians,  now  gaining  the  ascendancy,  were 


GRATIANUS. 

too  ready  to  exercise,  whether  against  the  hea- 
then, or  against  heretics  [the  Arians  especially] 
of  their  own  body.  Whilst  by  these  excesses 
of  religious  zeal,  he  cooled  the  attachment  of 
those  of  his  subjects  who  were  exposed  to  his 
severity,  his  constant  engagement  in  archery, 
field  sports,  and  other  amusements,  to  the  neg- 
lect of  more  serious  matters,  incurred  contempt, 
and  rendered  liim  unpopular  with  both  the  army 
and  the  people.” 

Eckhel  says  of  him — “ He  was  a priuce  of 
many  good  qualities,  by  which  he  distinguished 
himself  at  the  commencement  of  his  reign, 
though  towards  the  close  of  his  career,  he  was 
deficient  iu  the  discretion  and  eucrgy  so  indis- 
pensably requisite  for  managing  the  alTairs  of  an 
empire,  vast  in  extent,  and  involved  in  such 
difficulties  and  dangers  as  pressed  upon  it  at  the 
critical  epoch,  in  which  his  lot  was  cast  among 
the  rulers  of  the  Roman  world.  With  regard 
to  his  attachment  to  the  Christiau  religion,  as 
he  was  detested  by  the  pagans,  so  was  he  re- 
gretted by  the  orthodox.” — D.  -V.  V.  viii.  137. 

Gratian,  in  A.  D.  378,  married  Constantin, 
daughter  of  Constantius  II.  and  Maxima  Faus- 
tina, who  was  born  a.  d.  362,  and  died  some 
years  before  her  husband. 

The  coins  of  this  emperor  in  second  aud  third 
brass  arc  common ; nor  arc  his  gold  and  silver 
of  the  usual  size  very  rare.  But  the  few  medal- 
lions extant  in  gold,  are  of  extreme  rarity.  On 
these  he  is  styled  D.  N.  GR.\TI  LNVS  AVG. — 
D.  N.  GRAT1ANVS  P.  F.  AVG.— One  of  his 
coins  bears  round  the  head  D.  N.  GR  VTIANYS 
AVGG.  AVG.  Of  this  singular  legend  various 
interpretations  have  been  given,  which  may  be 
seen  in  the  “ Remarques”  of  Billiard  (sec  Jo- 
bert’s  Science  des  Medailles , edit.  1739,  t. 
ii.  p.  324). — See  also  the  observations  of  Eck- 
hel, Doctr.  Sum.  Vet.  viii.  158. 

MINTAGES  OF  GRATIANUS. 

Gold  Medallions. — gloria  uomanorvm. 
Rome  seated.  Engraved  in  Steinbiichel’s  notice 
of  the  Vienna  Medallions.  (Mionnct  values  this 
at  600  fr.  and  another,  with  the  same  legend 
and  type,  at  800  fr.) — Same  legend,  Rome  and 
a turreted  woman  seated  (at  200  fr.) 

Silver  Medallions. — gloria  uomanorvm. 
Emperor  with  globe  and  hasta.  (Mt.  30  fr.) — 
victoria  avgo.  Gratian  and  Yalrntiniau  jun. 
seated.  (Tovey  sale,  £1  6s.  Mt.  50  fr.) — vir- 
tvs  exercitvs.  (15s.  Thomas.  Engraved  in 
Akcrman,  ii.  p.  324). — votis  v.  mvltis  x. — 
votis  xv.  mvltis  xx.  (Mt.  30  fr.  each). 

Gold. concordia  avogge.  (sic.)  Rome 

helmed  and  seated.  In  exergue  conob.  (Mt. 
24 fr.  (Brumcll,  13s.) — Victoria  avgvstorvm. 
Victory  seated  and  writing  vor.  v.  mvlt.  x.  (Mt. 
24  fr.) — victoria  avgg.  The  emperor  and  his 
father  Valentinian  I.  seated.  Struck  a.  d.  367. 
(Brought  only  17s.  at  Campana  sale),  —gloria 
novis  (sic.)  or  novi  saecvli.  Emperor  stands 
in  a military  dress,  supporting  a victoriola  on  a 
globe,  and  holding  the  labarum,  adorned  with 
the  monogram  of  Christ.  F)  (Mt.  30  fr.) — 

PRINCIPIVM  IVVENTVTIS.  RESTITVTOR  HEI- 

rVBLICAE. — VOTA  PVBLICA.  (Mt.  30  fr.  each.) 


GRYPIU. 


HADRIANUS.  441 


Silver. — oloria  novi  saecli.  (sic.)  The 
emperor  holding  the  Christian  labarum. — vota 
pvblica.  Hercules  stands  with  right  hand  upon 
the  mouth.  (Mt.  24  fr.) 

vrbs  roma.  Rome  seated,  holding  the  hasta 
and  a victoriola. — Obv.  d.  n.  gratianvs  p.  k. 
avg.  Diademed  head  of  the  emperor. — (See 
wood-cut  at  the  head  of  this  article). 

Brass  Medallion. — vrbs  roma.  (20  fr.) 

Small  Brass. — vota  pvblica.  Isis  holding 
the  sistrum. — Same  legend.  Isis  in  a car  drawn 
by  two  mules. — Same  legend.  Anubis  standing, 
with  caduceus  and  branch. 

[It  is  curious,  as  an  evidence  either  of  im- 
perial inconsistency,  or  of  monctal  careless- 
ness, that  whilst  the  sacred  symbol  of  Chris- 
tianity adorns  so  many  of  Gratian’s  gold  and 
silver  coins,  his  small  brass  arc  paganised  not 
only  with  Greek  but  with  Egyptian  mythology 
— Hercules  with  club  and  lion’s  spoils  ; Isis 
with  her  sistrum,  and  Anubis  with  dog’s  head  !] 

GRYPHI.  Griffins  or  Griffons. — Fabulous 
animals,  having  the  body  of  a lion,  and  the  head 
of  an  eagle  or  hawk,  with  a crest  and  wings. — 
They  were  sacred  to  Apollo  or  the  Sun,  and  are 
often  figured  near  him.  On  coins  of  Aurelio- 
polis,  griffins  are  represented  drawing  his  cha- 
riot. A third  brass  of  Gallienus  exhibits  a grif- 
fin walking,  the  accompanying  legend  being 
APOLLINI  CONS ervatori  A V Gusli.  On  a 

brass  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  this  monster 
appears  flying,  with  a young  man  on  his  back, 
wearing  a Phrygian  cap.  A woman  seated  on  a 
griffin  forms  the  reverse  type  of  a brass  me- 
dallion of  Hadrian.  It  is  also  seen  on  denarii 
of  the  Aclia,  Junia,  andPapia  families.  Vaillant 
considers  the  griffin  to  indicate  the  Apollinarian 
games.  There  is  a griffin  sitting,  on  a small 
brass  coiu  of  Domitian  (engraved  in  Morell. 
Thesaurus , tab.  25). 

GUBERNACULUM. — The  rudder  of  a ship 
appears  on  numerous  Roman  coins,  generally  in 
the  hand  of  Fortune ; sometimes  at  the  feet  of 
Victory.  This  nautical  instrument  is  delineated 
in  types  of  the  Pretorian  gallies,  on  consular 
as  well  as  on  imperial  coins. — See  Fontcia  gens, 
p.  392 — Felicitat.  Aug.  of  Hadrian,  p.  381,  and 
Fortuna,  pp.  394-396-397. 

GUTTUS,  an  oblong  vase,  designating  the 


augural  priesthood.  It  is  seen  on  coins  of  Pom- 
peius  Magnus,  Julius  Cicsar,  and  M.  Antonius, 
&c.  accompanied  by  the  lituus. — Sec  Prafericu- 
lum. 

II. 

II.  This  letter,  the  eighth  of  the  Latin 
alphabet,  has  two  general  uses.  The  former 
before  vowels  at  the  beginning  of  syllables,  as  in 
llonos ; and  the  second  after  consonants,  as  in 
tlironus.  According  to  Quintilian,  the  ancient 
Romans  did  not  use  the  H.  after  consonants. 
“ Diu  deinde  reservatum  ne  consonantibus  ad- 
spiraretur,  ut  in  Graccis  and  Triumpis.”  Cicero 
has  also  remarked,  “ Quin  ergo  ipse,  cum  scirem, 
ita  majores  locutos  esse,  ut  nusquam  nisi  in  vo- 
cali,  adspiratione  uterentur,  loquebar  sic,  ut  pul- 
cros  et  Celegos,  triumpos,  Cartaginem  dicercm.” 
And  on  coins,  for  the  most  part,  the  words  Grac- 
cus  and  Triumpus,  are  found  without  this  letter. 
In  the  Latiuity  of  the  early  age,  as  shewTn  ou 
the  more  ancient  marbles,  as  well  as  on  denarii 
of  the  Marcia  family,  pilippvs— pilippi  is 
read  for  Philippus,  Philippi. — ypsaevs  also 
instead  of  Ilgpsceus. — Nor,  to  quote  the  autho- 
rity of  Quintilian  and  of  other  old  grammarians, 
is  it  to  be  ascribed  to  an  error  of  the  engraver, 
when  we  find  on  the  coins  of  M.  Antony, 
chortis  specvlatorvm  and  ciiortivm  prae- 
toriarvm.  On  coins  moreover  of  Gallienus 
we  find  coor.  praet.  vi.  p.  vi.  f.  Cohors 
Pretoria  Sextum  Pia,  Sextum  Felix,  or  Fidelis. 
The  II  is  sometimes  omitted  as  in  ercvi.i, 
and  sometimes  doubled  as  in  the  conn,  praet. 
Cohortes  Pretoriarue,  of  Gallienus. — Sec  Eckliel, 
vol.  v.  75  and  171. 

H.  This  letter  served  to  mark  the  standard 
of  the  Ilastati,  who  were  accustomed  to  be 
placed  in  the  front  of  the  Roman  legionaries, 
when  in  battle  array,  armed  with  spears.  And 
II . P.  signified  Ilastati.  Principes.  These 
letters  inscribed  on  standards  appear  on  coins  of 
the  Neria  and  Valeria  families. — See  Rasche, 
Lex.  Num.  t.  ii.  p.  2,  et  scq. 

H.  Heliopolis. — Also  Herennius. 

H.  Hispaui®. — p.  h.  c.  Provincia  Hispani® 
Citerioris. 

HAD.  lladrianus. — Also  hadr.  also  hadri 
and  Hadrian. — See  below. 


HADRIANUS  ( Publius  /Elius),  born  at 
Rome,  according  to  some;  according  to  others, 
at  Italica,  a colonial  city  of  Spain,  where  his 
family,  originally  of  Hadria  in  Italy,  was  esta- 


blished from  the  time  of  the  Scipios — that  is  to 
say,  from  about  two  centuries  before  Christ. — 
His  father  was  /Elias  lladrianus  Afer,  his  mo- 
ther Doinitia  Paulina ; aud  he  was  born  on  the 


3 L 


442 


HADRIANUS. 

9th  of  the  calends  of  February,  A.  u.  c.  829 
(a.  d.  76).  Losing  his  father  at  the  age  of  ten, 
he  was  placed  under  the  guardianship  of  Trajan, 
his  cousin  and  fellow  countryman  (afterwards 
emperor),  at  that  time  holding  the  office  of  pre- 
tor.  After  discharging  the  first  offices  usually 
conferred  upon  a youth,  he  was  sent  into  M®sia; 
and  having  subsequently  set  out  to  greet  Trajan, 
as  the  new  Caesar  by  adoption,  and  to  convey 
to  him  the  congratulations  of  the  army,  he  was 
ordered  to  remain  in  Germania  Superior.  Being 
from  the  first  a great  favourite  with  Trajan,  on 
account  of  his  handsome  person  and  captivating 
manners,  he  afterwards  drew  closer  the  bonds 
of  friendship  by  marrying  (it  is  not  known  in 
what  year)  the  emperor’s  niece  Sabina,  daughter 
of  Marciana ; and  thus  opened  the  path  to  his 
future  greatness.  In  854  (a.  d.  101),  he  be- 
came questor,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that 
office,  followed  Trajan  to  the  Dacian  war. — In 
858  (105)  he  was  tribune  of  the  plebs;  and 
having,  about  the  same  epoch,  entered  upon  an- 
other campaign  in  Dacia,  he  was  appointed  to 
the  command  of  Legio  I.  Minervia;  and  gave 
signal  proofs  of  his  valour.  At  the  termination 
of  this  war,  he  celebrated  games  at  Rome,  with 
great  magnificence,  as  pretor.  After  this  he 
was  sent  as  pro-pretor  into  Pannonia  Infe- 
rior, where  he  defeated  the  Sarmatians,  and 
earned  his  consulate  ; which,  however,  was  not 
of  the  ordinary  kind,  but  by  substitution  (suf- 
fectus).  This  consulate  took  place  in  862  (a.d. 
109).  Growing  more  and  more  in  favour  with 
Trajan,  he  was  appointed,  as  legatus,  to  con- 
duct the  war  then  impending  with  Parthia. — 
In  870  (117),  when  Trajan  was  preparing  to  re- 
turn from  the  East,  in  consequence  of  ill-health, 
he  left  to  Hadrian  the  command  of  the  army 
in  Syria,  after  the  latter  had  been  nominated, 
through  the  agency  of  Plotina,  as  consul  for  the 
year  ensuing.  Shortly  afterwards,  Trajan  died 
at  Selinus  (now  Selenti ),  Cilicia.  And  Hadrian, 
in  virtue  of  letters  of  adoption,  signed  by  Plo- 
tina, and  forwarded  to  Rome,  took  at  Antioch 
the  title  of  emperor,  without  waiting  for  the 
Senatorial  confirmation.  It  was  on  the  5th  day 
before  the  ides  of  August,  that  Hadrian  re- 
ceived his  letters  of  adoption,  and  theuceforth 
kept  that  day  as  his  birth-dag  by  adoption. — 
On  the  3rd  day  before  the  ides  of  August,  the 
death  of  Trajan  was  publicly  announced ; and 
this  was  afterwards  reckoned  as  the  natal  day 
of  his  reign. — The  same  year,  he  withdrew  the 
legions  from  Armenia,  Mesopotamia,  aud  As- 
syria, assigning  as  his  reason  for  so  doing,  the 
difficulty  of  keeping  those  regions  in  subjection  ; 
and  fixed  on  the  Euphrates  for  the  eastern 
boundary  of  the  empire.  He  sent  to  Rome  the 
ashes  of  Trajan  ; and  the  same  year  was  elected 
consul  for  the  first  time,  from  the  mouth  of 
August  to  the  month  of  January. 

a.  u.  c.  871  (a.d.  118. — Hadrian  made  his 
public  entry  into  Rome.  And  soon  paid  divine 
honours  to  Trajan.  Proceeding  consul  for  the 
second  time,  he  remitted  to  the  people  all  debts 
on  account  of  taxation. 

872  (119). — Consul  for  the  third  and  last 


HADRIANUS. 

time,  he  was  victorious  over  the  Sarmatic, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  his  lieutenants. 

873  (120). — It  is  conjectured  by  the  learned, 
that  Hadrian  this  year  commenced  his  tour 
through  the  different  provinces  of  the  empire. 
He  first  visited  the  Gallia;,  aud  then  Germania. 

874  (121). — lie  passed  over  into  Britain, 
where  he  constructed  a wall  from  one  sea  to  the 
other,  to  keep  the  Caledonian  tribes  within 
bounds.  Returning  to  Gaul,  he  proceeded  to 
Spain. 

876  (123). — It  is  considered  uncertain  in 
which  direction  he  went  on  leaving  Spain.  But 
it  is  not  improbable  that  he  passed  a portion  of 
the  year  at  Athens. 

877  (124). — Hadrian  is  believed  to  have 
journied  this  year  into  Asia,  and  made  the  in- 
spection of  its  provinces. 

878  (125). — After  having  visited  the  islands 
of  the  Archipelago,  he  returned  to  Athens,  and 
it  is  thought  that  he  then  made  a voyage  to 
Sicily. 

880  (127). — It  is  uncertain  where  he  went 
this  year,  but  he  is  supposed  to  have  returned 
from  Sicily  to  Rome. 

881  (128). — Hadrian  accepted  the  title  of 
P ater  P atria,  and  conferred  that  of  Augusta  on 
his  wife  Sabina. 

882  (129). — It  is  inferred  from  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  following  year,  when  he  visited 
Egypt,  that  at  the  cud  of  this  the  emperor  was 
in  Arabia.  That  he  went  thither  from  Syria, 
Eckhcl  (vi.  481)  gathers  from  Dion  aud  from 
the  coins  of  Gaza,  which  town  establi  died  (a.  d. 
130)  a fresh  icra  in  honour  of  his  visit.  A 
temple  of  Rome,  and  another  of  Venus,  were 
built  there  in  memory  of  the  same  event.  The 
succeeding  year  Hadrian  returned  from  Egypt 
into  Syria. 

885  (132). — Eckhcl  thinks  it  probable  that 
in  this  year  began  the  Jewish  war,  set  on  foot 
by  Barchoccbas,  though  Tillcmont  dates  it  two 
years  later.  The  events  of  the  two  following 
years  arc  uncertain. 

888  (135). — Hadrian  returned  to  Athens,  and 
was  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  Elcusis.  lie 
also  completed  a temple  of  Jupiter  Olyrapius,  at 
Athens,  which  had  been  commenced  many  ages 
before.  Finding  himself  in  a declining  state  of 
health,  he  adopted  L.  Ailius.  It  is  probable 
that  the  Jewish  war  was  this  year  brought  to  a 
conclusion  by  the  valour  of  Julius  Scverns. 

889  (136). — His  strength  being  exhausted 
by  repeated  bleeding  at  the  nose,  aud  his  temper 
in  consequence  becoming  morose,  he  caused 
several  individuals  to  be  put  to  death,  on  charges 
of  attempted  usurpation. 

891  (138). — L.  Ailius,  whom  Hadrian  had 
adopted,  being  dead,  Antoninus,  on  the  25th  of 
February,  was  adopted  in  his  stead  ; Antoninus 
at  the  same  time  having  adopted  Marcus  Aure- 
lius and  L.  Vcrus.  After  protracted  suffering, 
and  having  lost  Sabina,  he  died  of  dropsy,  at 
Baiic,  on  the  10th  of  July,  at  the  age  of  62 
years  and  nearly  six  months,  after  a reign  of  20 
years  and  1 1 months. 

The  subjoined  character  of  this  celebrated 


HADRIANUS. 

prince  is  by  a master-hand  for  fidelity,  discri- 
mination. and  judgmcut  in  the  province  of  bio- 
graphical writing : — 

“ Hadrian’s  name  deserves  to  he  handed  down 
to  posterity  among  those  of  the  greatest  bene- 
factors of  the  Roman  empire ; though  his  merits 
were  tarnished  by  crimes  of  great  magnitude, 
and  by  vices  of  the  worst  description. — If  we 
credit  the  accounts  of  his  life,  furnished  by  his 
biographer  Spartianus,  aud  by  Dion  Cassius,  we 
shall  find  that  there  was  no  emperor  who  enter- 
ed more  into  the  most  minute  details,  as  well  as 
into  the  highest  coucerus,  of  government.  How 
indefatigable  he  was  in  visiting  all  the  provinces 
of  the  empire,  and  investigating  in  person  their 
respective  grievances  ; how  severe  an  exactor  of 
mditary  discipline,  aud  how  ready  to  share  the 
duties,  not  only  of  a general,  but  of  a private 
soldier,  a reference  to  his  coins  affords  frequent 
opportunities  of  proving,  [as  has  already  been 
shewn,  and  will  continue  to  be  shewn,  in  this 
dictionary.]  Courteous  in  his  demeanour  to  all 
persons,  he  was  in  the  constant  habit  of  joining 
the  social  meetings  of  his  friends ; the  sick, 
though  of  much  lower  rank,  he  used  to  visit 
two  or  three  times  a day,  and  cheer  them  with 
cucouragemeut ; in  short,  conducted  himself  iu 
all  respects  as  a private  individual.  As  in 
social  life,  so  in  public,  his  liberality  was  dis- 
played iu  bis  remitting  to  the  nation,  a.u.c.  871 
(a.  d.  118),  an  enormous  debt  to  the  treasury, 
aud  relieving  the  provinces  which  had  suffered 
loss,  by  money  supplied  from  his  private  re- 
sources ; also  in  the  erection  of  temples  of  the 
greatest  splendour,  especially  at  Athens,  of  which 
city  he  was  very  fond,  aud  in  the  construction  of 
aqueducts  aud  ports,  by  which  he  consulted  both 
the  ornament  and  the  utility  of  the  different 
cities. — There  is  still  to  be  seen  at  Rome  a mau- 
soleum of  vast  proportions,  built  by  him  near 
the  Tiber,  accurately  described  by  Procopius  (now 
well-known  under  the  name  of  the  castle  of  St. 
Angelo) ; also  the  remains  of  the  town  of  Tibur,  a 
lasting  monument  of  his  magnificence,  where,  as 
Spartian  relates,  he  built  himself  a villa,  and  in- 
troduced the  novelty  of  inscribing  on  its  several 
parts  the  names  of  the  most  celebrated  provinces 
aud  localities,  such  as  the  Lyceum,  the  Acade- 
mia, the  Prytaueum,  Canopus,  Psecile,  and 
Tempe.  Although,  from  the  moment  of  his 
accession  to  empire,  he  devoted  his  whole  atten- 
tion to  the  preservation  of  peace  throughout  the 
world,  in  pursuance  of  which  policy  he  volun- 
tarily ceded  Armenia  and  the  other  regions 
beyond  the  Euphrates,  as  beiug  a perpetual 
hot-bed  of  war,  yet  he  did  not  permit  the 
soldiers  to  become  enervated  by  inaction,  but 
kept  them  ever  on  the  alert  and  in  the  practice 
of  arms ; a circumstance  which  rendered  him 
constantly  formidable  to  foreign  powers,  and  the 
more  ready  to  suppress  aggression,  that  he 
never  himself  took  the  initiative. 

“ Amidst  these  weighty  cares  of  state,  he 
still  found  time  to  bestow  on  his  bodily  exer- 
cise and  intellectual  pursuits.  His  coins  bear 
witness  to  his  untiring  love  of  the  chace.  To 
Grecian  literature  he  was,  from  his  boyhood,  so 
3 L 3 


HADRIANUS.  443 

devoted,  that  he  was  called  by  many  Gnecnlus. 
He  was  a proficient  not  ouly  in  arithmetic, 
geometry,  painting,  and  music,  but  even  in  the 
arts  of  moulding  in  brass  and  chiselling 'in 
marble ; whether,  indeed,  iu  such  a manner  as 
to  rival  the  Polycleti  aud  Euphrauors,  we  have 
only  the  testimony  of  Victor  to  assure  us.  He 
was  so  fond  of  travelling,  that  he  wished  to 
verify,  by  personal  inspection,  all  the  accounts 
which  he  had  read  of  different  parts  of  the  world. 
His  extreme  addiction  to  sensual  pleasures  to  the 
extent  of  indulgence  in  propensities  not  to  be 
named,  nor,  even  to  be  alluded  to,  was  a foul  and 
detestable  blot  upon  his  character.  The  iufatuated 
attachment  which  he  manifested  for  Antinous, 
and  his  ill-treatment  of  au  amiable  wife,  cannot 
be  too  severely  reprobated.  It  is  a matter  of  his- 
tory, that  his  love  of  peace  carried  him  beyond 
bounds  at  all  consistent  with  the  honour  of  the 
empire.  For,  that  he  was  iu  the  habit  of  bribing 
foreign  powers  to  forego  their  offensive  designs, 
is  stated  not  only  by  Dion,  but  Victor  also  more 
openly  charges  him  with  boasting,  after  pur- 
chasing pacific  relations  from  many  kings,  that 
he  had  gaiued  more  without  stirring  foot,  than 
others  had  by  their  campaigns.  Hut,  much 
more  fatal  in  its  effects  was  the  spirit  of  envy, 
in  which  lie  persecuted  those  who  excelled  in 
auy  of  the  arts,  going  even  so  far  as  to 
put  some  of  them  to  death;  among  whom 
were  Euphrates,  a celebrated  philosopher  of  the 
period,  aud  Apollodorus  Damasceuus,  the  archi- 
tect of  the  Forum  of  Trajan,  and  the  bridge 
over  the  Danube ; nay  many  have  supposed  that 
a desire  of  peace  and  public  tranquillity  was  but 
an  ostensible  reason  for  the  relinquishment  of 
Armenia  and  other  provinces,  aud  the  dis- 
mantling of  the  famous  bridge  over  the  Danube, 
the  actual  one  being  his  envy  of  Trajan’s  re- 
nown. His  character,  as  drawn  by  Spartian,  is 
full  of  contradictions,  shewing  him  at  one  time 
cheerful,  liberal,  aud  merciful;  at  another  severe, 
obstinate,  perfidious,  aud  cruel.  The  sauguinary 
disposition,  indeed,  which  at  the  commencement 
of  his  reign  he  displayed  in  putting  several  emi- 
nent men  to  death,  broke  out  with  still  greater 
violence  in  the  later  years  of  his  life,  when  sour- 
ness of  temper  supervened  upon  the  sufferings  of 
disease,  and  a morbid  suspicion  took  possession 
of  his  mind,  which  prompted  him  to  take  the 
lives  of  the  most  distinguished  men  iu  the  state, 
and  many  of  consular  rank,  on  the  charge  of 
cherishing  designs  upon  the  sovereignty.” — Sec 
Doctritia,  vi.  473  to  484. 

He  was  buried  first  at  Puteoli,  in  the  villa  of 
Cicero  ; and  subsequently  his  ashes  were  trans- 
ferred to  Rome,  and  deposited  in  the  tomb, 
which  he  had  built  for  himself  on  the  banks  of 
the  Tiber. 

Hadrian,  in  the  first  instance,  not  only  took 
the  name  of  Trajan  [HADRIANVS  TRAIA- 
NVS  CAESAR]  ; but  he  also  called  himself 
Filins  Optimi  Trajani ; and  also  the  grandson 
of  Nerva  [IMP.  CAES.  HADRIANVS  DIVI 
NER.  TRAIAN.  OPT.  FIL.]  Afterwards  the 
style  and  title  of  this  prince,  as  struck  on  his 
money,  were  for  the  most  part  HADRIANVS 


444  HADRIANUS. 

AVGVSTVS  P.  P.  with  the  addition,  towards 
the  close  of  his  reign,  of  Valer  V atria. 

On  Hadrian's  coins,  after  A.  D.  117,  wc  read 
P.  M.  TR.  P.  COS.  And  from  a.  d.  119  to 
138,  TR.  P.  II.  to  XXI.  COS.  III.  P.  P.  IMP.  II. 
For  from  COS.  III.  a.  d.  119,  the  number  of  the 
consulates  is  no  longer  repeated,  nor  are  the  suc- 
cessive investitures  of  the  tribunitian  power  any 
longer  recorded,  a circumstance  which  renders 
it  so  difficult  to  mark  the  date  of  his  mintages. 
The  subjoined  observations  on  the  obverses  of 
Hadrian’s  coins  are  from  Eckhcl,  vi.  484  ct  seq. : 

Firstly. — That  Hadrian  appears  on  them,  for 
the  most  part,  with  bare  head , which  is  of  less 
frequent  occurrence  in  the  emperors  immediately 
preceding  and  following  him.  Some  suppose 
that  this  arises  from  the  fact  that,  according  to 
his  biographer  Spartianus,  “ he  was  so  indiffer- 
ent to  cold  and  weather,  that  he  never  covered 
his  head.”  And  this  testimony  is  confirmed  by 
Dion  ; “ he  could  not  be  induced  by  any  extre- 
mity of  heat  or  cold,  to  go  with  his  head 
covered  ; for  even  amidst  the  Celtic  snows,  and 
the  burning  suns  of  Egypt,  he  always  travelled 
with  his  head  bare.”  This  practice,  however, 
was  eventually  fatal  to  him ; for,  according  to 
the  same  writer,  “ after  travelling  in  every  direc- 
tion with  no  covering  to  his  head,  and  generally 
amidst  storms  of  wet  and  cold,  he  at  length  fcil 
a victim  to  disease.” 

Secondly. — The  beard  is  also  a novelty;  as 
wc  gather  not  only  from  coins,  but  from  the 
express  statement  of  Dion — “ For  Hadrian,”  he 
says,  “ was  the  first  emperor  who  allowed  his 
beard  to  grow.”  We  sec,  indeed,  that  on  coins, 
both  Augustus  and  Nero  display  a small  beard, 
but  in  their  cases,  as  we  have  before  remarked, 
the  reason  for  its  appearance  was  either  some 
occasion  of  public  mourning,  or  that  their  age 
was  not  sufficient  to  admit  of  their  laying  aside 
their  beard,  in  accordance  with  ancient  custom. 
Spartian  says,  that  the  motive  in  Hadrian’s  case 
was  “ that  he  might  conceal  some  natural  ble- 
mishes on  the  face.”  But  I suspect,  that  an- 
other motive  was  at  the  bottom  of  this  fashion, 
viz.  that  he  was  more  constant  in  his  devotion 
to  the  study  of  philosophy,  than  its  professors 
were  to  the  cultivation  of  their  beards.  And 
that  such  was  the  view  of  the  subject  taken  by 
the  Emperor  Julian  is  evident  from  the  fling  he 
has  at  him  in  his  Casars — “ After  him  (Tra- 
jan) appears  a venerable  old  man,  with  a long 
beard.  * * * Silenus,  observing  him  fre- 

quently lifting  up  his  eyes  to  heaven,  and  anxi- 
ously enquiring  after  abstruse  subjects,  exclaims, 
what  think  you  of  this  Sophist  P”  Certainly, 
it  is  well  known,  that  Hadrian  greatly  encour- 
aged the  Sophists,  with  the  exception  of  those 
against  whom  he  entertained  feelings  of  envy; 
and  Spartian  informs  us,  that  at  the  museum  in 
Alexandria,  he  proposed  many  questions  to  the 
professors,  which  he  answered  himself,  aud  that 
the  sole  reason  for  his  attachment  to  Athens 
was  its  long  established  reputation  for  the  en- 
couragement of  philosophy.  His  immediate 
successors  in  the  empire,  devoting  their  atten- 
tion with  equal  ardour  to  these  pursuits,  also 


HADRIANUS. 

allowed  their  beards  to  grow ; unless  Spartian 
would  have  us  believe,  that  they  too  were  de- 
sirous of  hiding  personal  defects.  The  fashion, 
thus  introduced  in  connexion  with  philosophical 
habits,  became  in  subsequent  emperors  a mere 
custom,  so  that  for  a long  period,  all  the  em- 
perors, however  little  addicted  to  learning,  still 
persisted  in  wearing  the  beard. — See  babba, 
pp.  123,  124. 

Thirdly. — Whoever  will  inspect  attentively 
the  coins  of  Hadrian,  cannot  fail  to  remark, 
that  on  those  struck  in  his  first  and  second 
consulates,  there  appears  rather  a bust  than  a 
head  of  the  emperor ; in  other  words,  a por- 
trait, including  the  greater  portion  of  the  breast 
aud  the  back ; also  a considerable  thiuness  in  the 
face,  and  sharpness  of  the  chin ; and  further, 
that  the  inscription  accompanying  such  busts 
continues  to  give  the  name  of  traiani,  in  re- 
ference to  his  adoption,  whereas,  subsequently 
where  the  head,  and  not  the  bust,  is  displayed, 
and  that  too  with  fuller  features,  the  name  is 
invariably  abseut.  And  this  peculiarity,  both  of 
the  portrait  and  the  legend,  is  observed  also  on 
some  coins  of  the  third  consulate.  Whence  it 
follows,  that  during  the  first  year  of  his  third 
consulate,  the  original  mode  of  ponrtraying  and 
inscribing  was  retained,  and  consequently  that 
all  such  coins  must  be  referred  to  the  beginning 
of  Consulate  III. 

Fourthly. — Again,  the  custom  of  using  the 
dative  case  in  the  legend,  borrowed  from  the 
coinage  of  Trajan,  is  observed  still  in  force 
during  the  first  consulate  of  lladriau,  or  the 
year  u.  c.  870  (a.  d.  117).  Nevertheless,  at  the 
end  of  the  year,  in  which  he  is  styled,  cos. 
des.  n.  the  nominative  case  begins  to  take  its 
place.  There  are  a very  few  coins  of  the  second 
consulate,  which  retain  the  dative  case. 

Hadrian  carried  his  display  of  reverence  and 
affection  for  his  parents,  by  adoption,  to  so  high 
a pitch,  as  to  cause  a gold  coin  to  be  struck  with 
the  epigraph  of  divis  parentibvs,  and  the 
heads  of  Trajan  and  Plotina  on  the  reverse  ; and 
others  with  the  head  of  Trajan  and  the  inscrip- 
tion DIVO  TRAIANO  PATKI  or  PATRI  AVG.  or 

divvs  traiaxvs  avg.  (See  p.  335.) 

Hadrian's  various  and  continual  jonrneyings 
amongst  the  provinces  of  the  Roman  world — as 
for  example  into  Gaul,  Germany,  Britain,  Spain, 
Africa,  Mauretania,  Asia,  Actinia,  Egypt,  &c. 
are  narrated  by  Spartianus  and  by  Aurelius 
Victor.  No  mention,  however,  is  made  on  his 
coins  of  the  word  profectio,  as  wc  find  it  (pro- 
fectio  avg.)  on  the  coins  of  succeeding  em- 
perors. But  on  the  other  hand  we  find  the  com- 
memoration of  arrivals  (adventvs)  no  where 
more  numerously  or  more  curiously  exhibited  on 
any  of  the  imperial  scries  than  on  the  coins  of 
lladriau.  This  geographical  class  of  medals 
present  on  their  obverse  the  laureated  head  of 
Hadrian,  and  on  the  reverse  the  emperor  aud 
another  figure,  generally  a woman,  in  the  act  of 
performing  sacrifice,  and  sometimes  a victim 
before  the  altar,  bearing  for  inscription  the 
words  Adventus  or  Adventui,  prefixed  to  the 


HADRIANUS. 

name  of  each  province  or  city,  viz. : — AFRICAE 
— ALEXANDRIAE — AltABlAE — ASIAE — 
BITHYN1AE — BRITANNLAE — CILICIAE— 
GALL1AE— IIISPANIAE— ITALIA  E— 

IVDEAE MACEDONIAE — MAVRETA- 

NIAE — MOESIAE-P1IRYGIAE — SICILIAE 
THRACIAE. 

And  as  no  journcyings  or  progresses  from  the 
capital  into  the  different  provinces  of  the  Roman 
empire  were  more  numerous  thau  those  of  Ha- 
drian, so  neither  were  there  any  in  which  the 
arrival  of  an  emperor  in  a provincial  city  was 
attended  with  greater  benefit  or  advantage  to 
that  city,  cither  in  privileges  granted  or  in  em- 
bellishments bestowed.  These  are  indicated  on 
those  of  his  coins  which  bear  the  inscriptions, 

RESTITVTORI  ACIIAIAE AFRICAE 

ASIAE— AltABIAE — BITHYNIAE — GAL- 

LIAE — IIISPANIAE — MACEDONIAE 

MAVRETANIAE—  PHRYGIAE— SICILIAE. 
— We  find  also  on  the  coinage  of  this  great  prince 
memorials  of  his  visit  to,  or  favours  conferred 
on,  AEGYTTOS, and  CAPPADOCIA,  inscribed 
on  coins  without  the  addition  of  either  advenlus 
or  restitutor.  Whilst  first  brass  of  the  same 
Emperor,  bearing,  in  comprehensive  magnifi- 
cence of  terms,  the  epigraph  RESTITVTORI 
ORBIS  TERRARVM,  will  be  found  described 
and  illustrated  in  its  proper  place. — See  also 
adventvs  avgvsti,  pp.  8 and  9. 

It  is  stated  by  Spartian,  that  many  cities 
called  themselves  after  him  by  the  name  of 
Hadriana,  or  Hadrianopolis ; but  that  he  does 
not  remember  any  colonies  to  have  been  planted 
by  him ; although  Eusebius,  in  his  Chronicles, 
affirms  that  the  emperor  sent  many  into  Lybia, 
in  the  fifth  year  of  his  reign. 

With  certain  exceptions,  arising  from  the 
rarity,  historical  interest,  workmanship,  or  pre- 
servation of  the  specimens,  Hadrian’s  coins,  of 
every  metal  and  size,  as  well  Greek  as  Latin, 
are  common  ; especially  those  in  first,  second, 
and  third  brass.  First  brass  colonial  arc  rare, 
the  others  common. 

MINTAGES  OF  HADRIANUS. 

The  following  are  among  the  rarest  reverses  : 

Silver  Medallions. cos.  hi.  Jupiter 

/Ethophorus  standing. — cos.  hi.  Minerva — 

Pluto  & Cerberus — Apollo — Esculapius — Ephe- 
sian Diana. — com.  bit.  Octostvle  temple  ; on 
its  frieze  rom.  s.  p.  avg.  (Brought  only  £1  4s. 
at  the  Thomas  sale). — [The  above  seven  Mionnet 
values  at  40  fr.  each.] — cos.  hi.  Neptune — 
Two  Furies — Cybele.  (Mt.  48  fr.  each). — PONT. 
max.  tr.  pot.  cos.  in.  Jupiter  Victor  seated. 
[This  splendid  medallion  (engraved  in  Mionnet, 
who  values  it  at  600  fr.)  nearly  the  size  of  large 
brass,  is  of  Romau  die.  The  preceding  ones 
were  struck  in  Asia], 

Gold. — ann.  d.  ccc.  lxxhii.  nat.  vrb.  p. 

cir.  conc. [This,  one  of  the  rarest  of 

Hadrian’s  aurei,  and  of  high  historical  interest, 
(see  p.  46),  brought  £7  15s.  at  the  sale  of  the 
Thomas  collection.  A specimen,  at  the  Pem- 
broke auction  brought  £4  3s.] 

adventvi  avg.  italiae.  (£1  14s.  Thomas 


HADRIANUS.  445 

sale;  Brumcll,  £2  2s.) — aegyptos.  (£4  5s. 
Thomas). — Africa.  (£3  18s.  Od.  same  collec- 

tion.)— consecratio.  Emperor  on  an  eagle. 
(Brought  at  the  Thomas  sale  £12  10s.) — cos.  in. 
Jupiter,  Hadrian,  and  Rome.  (£4  Os.  Thomas). 
— disciplina  AVG.  (Mt.  72  fr. ; Pembroke,  £6 
10s.;  Thomas  sale,  £3  5 s.;  see  same  in  brass, 
engraved  in  p.  333). — divis  parentibvs.  Busts 
of  Trajanus  and  Plotina.  (Mt.  100  fr. ; Thomas 
sale,  £13;  Brumell,  £11  15s.) — divo  traiano 
patri  avg.  Head  of  Trajan.  (Mt.  120  fr. ; 
brought  £9  15s.  at  the  Thomas  sale).  Engraved 

in  Akerman,  pi.  vi.  No.  4. hero,  gadit. 

Hercules  standing.  (Mt.  60  fr. hispania. 

(£5  10s.  Thomas). — imp.  Hadrian  divi  ner. 
traian  opt.  fil.  rest.  The  emperor  sacri- 
ficing. (Mt.  150  fr.) — p.  m.  tr.  p.  cos.  hi. 
Mars.  (£3  Is.  Pembroke). — p.  m.  tr.  p.  cos. 
in.  Hercules  and  two  figures  in  a temple. 
(Mt.  60  fr. ; Thomas,  £4.  Engraved  in  p.  456). 
— p.  m.  tr.  P.  cos.  in.  £3  11s.  Thomas. — Same 
legend.  Hercules  in  a temple.  (£3  19s.  Tho- 
mas).— Same  legend.  Hercules  seated  on  ar- 
mour. (£2  10s.  Od.  Thomas). adventvi 

africae.  (Mt.  50  fr.  Engraved  in  p.  9). — 

RESTITVTORI  IIISPANIAE.  (Mt.  60  fr.) — RESTI- 
TVTORI italiae. — tellvs  STABIL.  A woman 
seated  on  the  ground.  (Mt.  72  fr.  each). — ro- 
mvlo  conditori.  (£2  Thomas.) — saec.  avr. 
p.  m.  &c.  (Mt.  72  fr. ; Pembroke,  £5  15s.  6d. 
Thomas,  £1  14s). — secvritas  avg.  (£2  9s. 
Brumell). — vota  pvblica.  Emperor  and  four 
figures  sacrificing.  (Estimated  by  Mionnet  at 
120  fr. ; brought  £6  2s.  6d.  at  the  Thomas  sale). 
— Without  legend.  Wolf  and  Roman  twins. 
(£6  12s.  6d.  Pembroke;  £4  10s.  Thomas). — 
Without  legend.  The  Nile  seated,  sphinx  and 
hippopotamus.  (£3  10s.  Thomas). — Without 
legend.  Trophy  with  shields.  (Half  aureus, 
(£4  Is.  Thomas).— cos.  iii.  The  emperor  on 
horseback.  (This  very  fine  aureus  sold  for  £16 
at  the  Thomas  auction). 

Silver. italia  felix.  (Mt.  20  fr.) 

MARTI.  (30  fr.) — RESTITVTORI  ACHAIAE.  (24 
fr.) — sabina  avgvsta.  Head  of  the  empress. 
(48  fr.) 

Brass  Medallions. concordia  parth. 

&c.  Female  sacrificing.  (£2  14s.  Thomas). — 
cos.  iii.  p.  p.  Man  dragging  a ram  towards  an 
altar.  Engraved  in  Akerman,  i.  plate  A.  No.  1. 
(Mt.  200  fr. ; £2  14s.  Thomas). — [A  beau- 
tifully patiuated  specimen  of  this  rare  and  fine 
medallion  brought  the  sum  of  thirty  pounds 
at  the  sale  of  Signor  Campana’s  collection], — 
cos.  ii.  p.  p.  Cybele  drawn  by  four  lions. — 
cos.  in.  p.  p.  Victory  in  a biga. — decvrsio. 
Two  horsemen  and  one  on  foot. — Diana  carrying 
two  torches.  (Mt.  100  fr.  each). — cos.  iii.  p.  p. 
s.  c.  A galley,  on  the  sail  of  which  felici- 
tati  avg.  (Mt.  40  fr.  Engraved  in  p.  383). 
— cos.  III.  FORT.  RED.  Fortune  seated. — cos. 
iii.  Romulus  and  Remus  and  the  wolf. — vota 
svscepta.  Two  figures  sacrificing.  (Mt.  50  fr. 

each). felicitati  avg.  cos.  iii.  p.  p.  s.  c. 

Pretorian  galley,  with  eight  rowers,  gubemator, 
&c.  (£1  5s.  Thomas.) — genivs  popvli  romani. 
Mt.  150  fr.  Engraved  in  p.  410). — p.  m.  tr.  p. 


416 


HADRUMETUM. 

Roma  Nicephoros  seated. Without  legend. 

Apollo  aud  Bacchus  drawn  by  a goat  and  a pan- 
ther. Seep.  120.  (Mt.  150  fr.  each). — p.  ji. 
tr.  p.  mi.  Jupiter  standing  between  two  ga- 
leated  females.  Without  legend.  Jupiter  seated 
between  Juno  and  Minerva."  (Mt.  200  fr.  each). 
— YIRTVTI  avgvsti.  Emperor  on  horseback, 

chasing  a lion.  (£5  15s.  Campana  sale). — p.  m. 
tr.  p.  cos.  hi.  Sow  aud  numerous  piglets. 
(£4  IGs.  Campana). 

[The  medallion  with  the  Pons  .Eli us,  orna- 
mented with  statues,  quoted  by  the  early  numis- 
matic writers,  is  a modern  fabrication. — Mion- 
net — Akcrman.] 

Large  Brass. — adlocvtio  cou.  praetor. 

ADVENTYI  AVG.  ALEXANDRIA!'.  Serapis,  Isis, 
Hadrian  and  Sabina. — Without  legend.  Eagle, 
peacock,  and  owl.  (Mt.  24  fr.  each). — adven- 

TVl  AVG.  BRITANNIAE. — ADVENTVI  AVG.  MOE- 
SIAE. — Do.  PHRYGIAE.  (30  fr.  each). — COS.  III. 
Emperor  fully  armed.  (£2  5s.  Pembroke  sale, 
—cos.  hi.  Emperor  in  the  toga,  addressing 
six  personages  from  the  steps  of  a portico. — [See 
this  reverse  engraved  under  the  head  ofTEii- 
PLVM.] — EXERCITVS  SYR1ACVS.  (£2  15s.  0d. 

Campana). exercitvs  dacicvs.  (£2  same 

sale). — exercitvs  cappadocic vs.  (Mt.  30  fr.) 

— GERMAN  ICVS. — MAVRETANICVS. — RHAETICVS. 

(20  fr.  each). — moesiacvs. — noricvs.  (40  fr. 
each). — fortvna  redvci.  Rome  aud  the  em- 
peror. (Not  in  Mionnct : brought  £4  2s.  at  the 
Brumcll  sale).— locvpletatori  orbis  terra- 
RVM. — r eli q.  VETERA,  &c.  (30  fr.  each). — 

romvlo  conditori.  Emperor  carrying  tropliv. 
(24  fr.) — sabina.  Head  of  empress.  (Mt.  40  fr.) 
— sicilia.  Head  of  Medusa. — virtvs  avgvsti. 
Emperor  on  horseback,  pursuing  a lion. — vot. 
pvb.  Emperor  and  several  figures  at  a sacrifice. 
— Without  legend.  Pons  rElius.  (72  fr.) — 
Without  legend.  Jupiter,  Juuo,  and  Minerva 
seated.  (30  fr.) 

Middle  Brass. — s.  c.  Four  children  repre- 
senting the  four  seasons.  (20  fr.) 

Small  Brass. — aei.ia  pincensia,  within  a 
crown  of  laurel.  (18  fr.)  See  p.  15. 

II  ADR. — Eadrumetum,  the  capital  of  a par- 
ticular country  in  Africa,  called  Byzacena,  be- 
tween the  Syrtis  and  Zcugitana. — “ All  authors 
who  speak  of  Africa  (says  Pellerin)  make  men- 
tion of  this  city  as  one  of  considerable  import- 
ance, and  as  the  metropolis  of  the  province  in 
which  it  was  situated.  Pliny  includes  it  in  the 
list  of  free  cities.  But  Grutcr  has  given  an  in- 
scription by  which  it  appears  that  it  was  made 
a colony  by  the  Emperor  Trajan  ; and  Ptolemy 
in  effect  assigns  to  it  the  title  of  a colouy.” — 
Vaillant  docs  not  appear  to  have  been  aware  of 
the  existence  ol  any  coins  belonging  to  this 
colony.  But  Pellerin  lias  published  two.  One 
of  these  he  shews  by  an  engraving  to  be  of  a 
module,  which  approaches  the  size  of  a medal- 
lion, and  which  he  describes  to  be  in  perfect 
preservation  ; the  other  is  about  the  dimensions 
of  first  brass.  Both  have  on  their  obverse 
IlADR/iiwefim  AVGVSTVS,  and  the  naked 
head  of  Augustus;  and  for  their  reverse  the 
bare  head  of  Julius,  with  lituus  and  star,  and 


HANN1BALLIANUS. 

the  legend  CAESAR. — See  vol.  iv.  pi.  Ixxxviii. 
page  17  ; also  Melange , i.  vignette  title-page. 

It  is  only  by  these  two  medals  that  the  city 
of  Hadruinetum  (although  a considerable  city 
in  the  most  fertile  and  corn-growing  district  of 
Africa  Propria),  is  numismatically  identified 
with  the  imperial  series  of  Roman  colonies  aud 
municipia.  It  is  not,  however,  included  in 
Eckhel’s  or  Mionnct’s  list  of  either. 
IIANDSyoi>i«/. — Sec  Manus  humana. 


1 1 A XNI B ALLIAXU S {Flavius  Claudius  jt 
nephew  of  Constantiuc  the  Great,  aud  brother 
to  Delmatius,  born  at  Toulouse,  in  what  year  is 
uncertain.  11c  was  called  Nobilissimus  by  his 
uncle  Constantine,  who  appointed  him  prefect 
of  Cappadocia  aud  Armenia,  which  provinces 
he  governed  with  the  title  of  king,  a.  d.  335. 
He  and  his  brother  Delmatius  were  killed  by 
the  soldiers,  a.  d.  337.  (See  delmattvs,  p. 
315).  Of  this  prince  there  arc  no  gold  or  silver 
coins.  His  third  brass  arc  very  rare.  They 
bear  on  their  obverse  fl.  iianniballiano  regi, 
with  the  bare  head,  aud  the  paluda  meat  urn ; 
and  on  the  reverse  secvritas  pvblica,  and  also 
reipvblicae,  with  a river  god. — The  former 
valued  by  Miounet  at  50  fr.  the  latter  at  72  fr. 

HARP.Y,  a very  ancieut  kind  of  instrument, 
in  the  form  of  a denticulated  sickle,  of  which 
Saturn,  according  to  a horrid  myth,  made 
use  to  mutilate  his  father  Uranus,  and  is 
therefore  one  of  the  symbols  of  that  god. — 
The  harpa  is  seen  on  a coin  of  the  Neria  gens, 
behind  the  head  of  Saturn,  and  on  a denarius  of 
the  Seutia  family,  in  the  hands  of  the  same 
deity ; also  on  a silver  coin  of  Valerianus,  accom- 
panying the  epigraph  of  Eternitas.  (Eckhclj.— 
Mercury  is  also  said  to  have  used  it  to  kill  Ar- 
gus, and  Perseus  employed  it  as  a weapon  to 
cut  oil  the  head  of  Medusa. — See  saturnus. 
llARLSPICES. — See  aruspices. 

IIASTA,  a spear,  lance,  or  pike — a weapon 
derived  by  the  Romans  from  the  Etrurians,  who 
called  it  Co  vim . By  the  Sabines  it  was  named 
Qutris,  whence  Romulus  received  the  designa- 
tion of  Quiriuus,  as  Ovid  atlirms — 

Sive  quod  liasta  Quiris  priscis  est  dicta  Sabiais, 
Bellicus  5 telo  veuit  in  nstra  Deus. 

The  Sabines  called  their  kings  Coritos,  that 
is  to  say  doves  hastatos , because  the  spear  was 
with  them  the  attribute  of  royalty.  Per  ea 
tempora  (says  Justin),  Reges  hastas  pro  diadc- 
mate  habebant,  quas  Gricci  sceptra  dixerc. 

1 lie  Easta  was  the  symbol  not  only  of  power, 
fortitude,  and  valour,  but  nlso  of  majesty  ami 
even  of  divinity.  Inverted  or  reversed  it  de- 
noted tranquillity. Ilnvcrcamp,  ad  Morell. 

T/iesanr.  Fain.  p.  458. 

Easta  Fura  was  a spear  staff,  without  nu 
iron  head — as  in  Virgil, 

Ille,  vidcs,  purl  juvenis  qui  nititur  haiU. 


HASTA  — HELENA. 

Whereupon  Servius  remarks,  that  the  ancient 
Romans  presented  a spear,  without  an  iron  point, 
to  him  who  had  conquered  for  the  first  time. — 
Spauhcim  ( Pr.  i.  p.  455),  says  the  hasta  pura, 
as  a kind  of  sceptre,  is  an  indication  of  power 
both  divine  and  human.  It  is  one  of  the  insignia 
of  the  Gods,  and  of  the  Emperors  and  Augusta 
after  their  apotheosis,  implying  that  they  had 
become  objects  of  worship.  It  is  generally 
found  in  the  hands  of  female  divinities  and  per- 
sonifications ; as  the  war-spear  is  in  those  of 
warriors  and  heroes. 

Hasta. We  see  this  weapon  on  Roman 

coins  in  the  bands  of  various  deities,  amongst 
the  rest  those  of  Apollo,  Bacchus,  Castor  and 
Pollux,  Ceres,  Cybele,  Diana,  Hercules,  Juno, 
Jupiter,  Mars,  Pallas,  Sol,  Venus,  Vesta,  and 
(as  a demigod)  Romulus.  In  like  rnanucr  it  is 
an  attribute  of  qualities,  such  as  ZEquitas, 
.ZEternitas,  Annona,  Clemcntia,  Concordia, 
Fecunditas,  Felicitas,  Fides,  Fortune,  Hilaritas, 
Honos,  Indulgcntia,  Justitia,  Liberalitas,  Muni- 
ficcntia.  Nobilitas,  Paticntia,  Pax,  Pcrcnnitas, 
Pcrpetuitas,  Pictas,  Providentia,  Pudicitia,  Quics, 
Salus,  Securitas,  Tranquillitas,  Virtus,  &c.  A 
man  on  horseback  with  the  hasta  in  his  hand, 
on  imperial  coins,  betokens  an  emperor  hasten- 
ing to  the  wars.  The  type  of  an  emperor 
shaking  his  spear  over  an  enemy  lying  prostrate 
on  the  ground,  denotes  that  his  heroism  in 
battle  against  the  “ barbarians”  shone  like  that 
of  another  Mars,  and  such  like  flattery.  The 
genius  of  a city  carries  a hasta  in  the  right  band 
for  the  defence  of  the  citizens  against  the  bar- 
barians. Rome,  when  personified  on  coins,  is 
almost  always  represented  holding  the  hasta, 
that  particular  mark  of  dominion  and  sove- 
reignty. 

Hasta,  placed  crosswise  behind  a shield,  arc 
marks  of  the  equestrian  dignity.  Sec  eqvestep. 
ordo  pkincipi  I WENT,  on  a coin  of  Corn- 
modus.  For  the  Romans  under  the  empire  were 
accustomed  to  oiler  such  spears,  as  well  as  a 
shield,  to  young  princes. 

Uastati,  infantry  of  the  Roman  legions,  so 
called  because  at  the  commencement  of  their 
institution,  they  were  armed  with  spears. — 
Uastati  (says  Varro),  quod  primo  Hastis  pug- 
nabaut.  And  though  afterwards  armed  in  a 
different  manner,  they  always  preserved  the 
name  ; for  in  Polybius’s  time  they  fought  with 
swords,  and  a dart  called  Pilum ; the  Velites, 
or  light  troops,  alone  continued  to  use  the 

javelin  termed  Hasta.  (Pitiscus). Hastati 

and  Principes  are  expressed  on  family  coins  by 
the  letters  H.  and  P.  (See  Neria  gens). — 
The  Principes,  like  the  Hastati,  were  the  most 
distinguished  of  the  Roman  soldiers : their  post 
was  at  the  head  of  an  army,  the  first  in  rank, 
and  as  it  were,  the  princes ; it  also  mcaut  the 
first  cohorts  and  the  first  legions. — (Kolb.) 

IIEDERA.— See  Ivy. 

HELEN' A (Flavia  Julia),  born  at  Drepanum, 
in  Bithynia  (a.  d.  248),  was  the  first  wife  of 
Constantius  Chlorus,  to  whom  she  was  married 
several  years  previously  to  his  being  invested  with 
the  rank  of  Ctesar,  and  by  whom  she  was  divorced 


HELENA.  447 

after  his  elevation  to  that  high  dignity,  a.  d.  292> 
Constantius  immediately'  afterwards  took  Theo- 
dora, daughter-in-law  of  Maximianus  Hercules, 
for  his  second  wife;  and  Helena  retired  into  pri- 
vate life ; but  was  subsequently  honoured  with 
the  title  of  Augusta  by  her  son  Constantine  the 
Great.  She  died  a.  d.  328.  There  are  brass 
medallions  (rare)  of  this  empress,  and  third 
brass  which  are  common  ; on  these  she  is  styled 
FL avia  1VL ia  HELENA  AVG  usta. 

Mionnet  values  secvritas  avgvsta,  and 
pietas  avgvstae,  two  brass  medallions  of  this 
empress,  at  100  fr.  each. 


HELENA  (Flavia),  wife  of  Julian  the 
Apostate,  to  whom  she  was  united  in  marriage 
when  that  emperor  was  declared  Cscsar,  a.  d. 
355.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Constantine  the 
Great  by  the  empress  Fausta.  Her  death  took 
place  in  360,  a short  time  after  Juliau  had  been 
proclaimed  Augustus.  The  coins  of  this  lady 
have  been  by  mistake  assigned  to  Helena,  wife 
of  Constantine  I.  The  gold  are  of  extreme 
rarity,  but  the  third  brass  are  common  : ou 
these  she  is  styled  FL.  HELENA  AVGVSTA. 

Au  aureus,  with  legend  secvritas  keipvb- 
i.icae.  Female  standing  ; s.  m.  t.  (Valued  by 
Mionnet  at  1000  fr.) 

[This  coin  Eckhel  (see  his  observations,  B.  N. 
V.  vol.  viii.  p.  143),  confidently  assigns  to 

Helena,  wife  of  Julian. Mionnet  (Be  la 

Jiarete  des  Med.  vol.  ii.  p.  303),  follows  on 
this  point  the  opinion  of  Eckhel. — M.  Lc  Baron 
Marchant  (in  his  xviith  Letlre  Numismati/jue), 
at  once  repudiates  the  distinctions  previously 
established  between  the  coins  of  the  three  dif- 
ferent Helenas,  and  ascribes  all  the  pieces  which 
bear  that  name  to  the  mother  of  Constantine. 
— In  this  absolute  revolt  against  a part  of  the 
system  of  appropriation,  laid  down  by  the  illus- 
trious German,  and  for  some  time  acquiesced  in 
without  further  contest  by  the  numismatic  world, 
M.  Ch.  Lenormant  has  joined.  And  in  vol.  vi. 
p.  88  et  scq.  of  Revue  Numismalique,  the  latter 
has  given  liis  reasons  in  full  for  undertaking 
to  corroborate  and  carry  out  the  ideas  of  Baron 
Marchant.  To  this  luminous  dissertation  the 
attention  of  the  student  is  particularly  directed.] 


HELENA  N.  F.  (Noii/issima  FeminaJ. — A 
third  brass,  bcariug  this  legend  and  the  unde- 


448  HELIOPOLIS, 

coratcd  head  of  a female. — Rev.  without  legend. 
A large  star  within  a garland. — “ This  princess 
is  not  alluded  to  in  history,  but  from  the  men- 
tion of  her  name  together  with  that  of  Crispus, 
in  the  Theodosian  code,  she  is  supposed  to  have 
been  the  wife  of  that  Ccesar,  the  son  of  Con- 
stantine, although  it  does  not  clearly  state  that 
she  was.  The  supposition  is  strengthened  by 
the  style  of  the  coin  (engraved  in  preceding 
page),  which  bears  a strong  resemblance  to  that 
of  Fausta,  the  supposed  wife  of  Constantius  the 
Second. — Akerraan,  Descript.  Cat.  ii.  25. 

[According  to  the  new  distribution  by  Baron 
Marchant  and  M.  Ch.  Lcnormant,  this  is, 
amongst  others,  rendered  up,  as  a coin  struck 
under  her  son,  to  the  mother  of  Constantine. — 
See  Nobilissima  Femina']. 

I1EL. — Heliopolis , or  city  of  the  Sun. 

HELIOPOLIS. — There  were  more  cities  than 
one  of  this  name.  That  however,  which  is  dis- 
tinguished numismatically,  was  situated  near 
Mount  Lebanon;  and  having  received  from 
the  Egyptian  Heliopolis  an  idol  of  the  Sun, 
adopted  the  same  appellation.  It  became  a 
Roman  colony  under  Julius  Ciesar’s  foundation, 
and  therefore  called  Julia.  Augustus  sent  many 
veterans  to  it ; and  the  name  of  Augusta  was 
consequently  added  to  its  colonial  titles. 

They#*  Ilalicum  was  moreover  conferred  upon 
it  by  Sept.  Scverus,  for  its  attachment  to  his 
interest  during  his  struggle  for  empire  with 
Pcscennius  Niger.  The  ancient  Heliopolis  is 
now  called  Balbec  or  Baalbeck  ; and  the  ruins 
of  its  once  celebrated  temple  still  exist.  It 
is  marked  by  some  geographers  a city  of  Pkcc- 
nicia,  by  others  a city  of  Cocle-syria.  Those, 
however,  who  place  it  in  Phoenicia,  make  a 
double  Phoenicia,  one  proper  or  by  the  sea 
shore,  the  other  Lybanisia  or  Damascan  (Da- 
mascena — Plin.  1.  v.  c.  18).  That  old  soldiers 
were  sent  by  Augustus  to  Heliopolis  as  a re- 
cruitment to  the  colony,  drafted  from  the  Fifth 
or  Macedonica,  and  the  Eighth  or  Augustan 
Legions,  is  shewn  by  its  coins  under  Philip 
senior.  This  city  inscribed  money  to  Nerva, 
Hadrian,  Antoninus  Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  Com- 
modus,  Pcrtinax,  S.  Scverus,  Julia  Domna, 
Caracalla,  Plautilla,  Geta,  Maerinus,  Alexander 
Sevcrus,  Gordianus  Pius,  Philip  sen.  Philip 
jun.  Valerianus,  Gallicnus ; and  styled  col.  h. 
or  hel.  Colonia  Heliopolis.  On  one  of  Cara- 
calla’s  it  bears  the  title  of  col.  ivl.  avo.  ff.l. 
hel.  Colonia  Julia  Augusta  Felix  Heliopolis, 
or  He/iopo/itani. — The  epigraph  of  this  colony 
on  a coin  of  the  elder  Philip  is  col.  hel.  leg. 
v.  maced,  avg.  Colonia  Heliopolis  Legionum 
Quintie  Macedonica  et  Oct  a vie  Augusta . — Span- 
lieim,  ii.  p.  f>02 — Vaillant,  in  Col.  i.  and  ii. 

The  coins  of  this  colony  are  Latin  imperial, 
in  small,  middle,  and  large  brass  (see  Mionnct, 
Supplt.  T.  viii.  208).  Amongst  the  types  which 
occur  on  their  reverses  arc  the  following,  viz. : 

Astarte. — On  large  brass  of  Philip  sen.  A 
woman,  with  tutulatcd  head,  standing,  and 
clothed  in  the  stola,  holds  a rudder  in  the  right 
hand,  and  a cornucopia-  in  the  left.  At  her  feet 
arc  two  small  figures,  each  supporting  a rex- 


HELIOPOLIS. 

ilium.  On  either  side,  elevated  on  a cippus,  is 
a young  draped  female,  each  holding  the  ends  of 
a veil,  floating  in  the  air  above  the  head  of 
the  goddess,  whom  Vaillant  calls  the  genius  of 
Heliopolis,  and  Mionnet  describes  as  Astarte. — 
It  is  at  any  rate  as  remarkable  a type  as  any 
engraved  on  a colonial  coin. 

Athleta  (wrestler). — On  a second  brass  struck 
by  the  Ilcliopolitans,  in  honour  of  the  emperor 
Valerianus,  a male  figure  naked,  stands  with  his 
right  hand  placed  on  a vase  (or  is  in  the  act  of 


receiving  it  as  a prize).  He  holds  in  his  left 
hand  a palm-branch,  the  symbol  of  victory. — 
[Coins  were  minted  at  Heliopolis  to  record  the 
arrival  of  Valerianus  in  Syria,  on  his  way  to 
undertake  against  the  Persians  (a.  D.  258),  an 
expedition,  to  the  catastrophe  of  which  he  fell 
a miserable  victim]. 

The  abbreviated  legend  col.  cer.  sac.  cap. 
OEC.  isel.  hel.  Vaillant,  supported  by  Bimard, 
interprets  Colonia  Certamen  Sacrum  Capiloli- 
num,  Oecumenicum,  Iselaslicum,  Hcliopolita- 
num,  and  considers  that  it  alludes  to  the  public 
games  which  were  celebrated  at  Heliopolis  in  the 
above  named  emperor’s  presence,  the  same  year. 
In  these  games  the  objects  of  competition  and 
contest  were  of  a three-fold  kind,  namely  eques- 
trian, gymnastic,  and  musical.  The  certamen  was 
called  Oecumenicum ; because  not  only  Syrian 
athletic,  but  other  champions,  from  all  parts, 
were  admitted  as  candidates  for  the  prizes. — 
Iselasticum,  because  the  victors  were  said  tttrt- 
\avvf iv,  to  be  carried  in  quadrigae  through  the 
country.  The  shews  were  called  sacred  (sacrum) 
because  they  were  celebrated  in  honour  of  some 
deity  ; and  at  Heliopolis  they  were  dedicated  to 
Jupiter,  surnamed  Capitolinus  by  the  Romans. 
— Colonia,  ii.  37- 

The  above  figure  is  that  of  an  Athleta,  who 
seems  to  have  triumphed  in  the  gymnastic  branch 
of  the  certamen,  which  itself  comprised  five 
different  kinds  of  bodily  exercises,  viz.  running, 
leaping,  wrestling,  pugilism,  and  throwing  the 
discus,  in  all  which  they  contended  naked. — 
The  vase  or  discus  was  the  prize,  the  palm- 
branch  the  symbol,  of  victory. — (ii.  231-233). 

Colonist  driving  Oxen  at  plough,  behind 
which  are  two  military  ensigns. — Sec  coloniae 
komanae,  p.  227. 

Cornucopia  (double,  with  caduceus  between 
them).  On  third  brass  of  Gallicnus. 

Eagles. — Two  legionary  eagles  within  a wreath 
of  laurel  appear  on  third  brass  coins  of  Helio- 
polis, dedicated  to  Sept.  Scverus,  and  to  his 
second  son  Geta ; also  to  his  wife  Julia  Doinua, 


HELIOPOLIS. 

who  was  a native  of  the  province  in  which  this 
colony  was  situated.  The  same  type  likewise 
occurs  on  a medal  of  Philip  jun. — [The  eagle- 
standard  of  the  legionaries,  exhibited  on  coins 
of  Roman  colonics,  indicates  (as  has  already 
been  observed),  the  origin  of  such  colonies  from 
the  veterans  of  a legion  ; and  when  two  eagles 
are  represented,  they  argue  that  the  colonists 
had  been  selected  and  sent  from  the  soldiers 
of  two  legions.  The  two  here  alluded  to  were 
the  5th  and  8th.  See  Philip  sen. — Vaillant, 
ii.  p.  20.] 

Port utue  Bute. — On  a coin  of  this  colony,  in- 
scribed to  Hadrian,  two  draped  females  stand 
arm  in  arm.  One  holds  a rudder  in  the  right 
hand,  the  other  a similar  attribute  in  the  left. 

[The  legend  is  leg.  h.  col.  ii.  which  Vail- 
lant (i.  158),  interprets  Legio  Heliopolis — 
Colonia  Heliopolis ; adding  that,  “ uuder  the 
effigies  of  two  Fortunes,  which  often  stand  for 
genii  loci,  the  people  of  this  city,  mindful  of 
their  Roman  origin,  dedicated  the  genius  of  the 
legion  and  that  of  the  colony  to  Hadrian,  then 
tarrying  within  the  borders  of  Syria.” — Bimard, 
in  noticing  the  same  coin,  whilst  admitting  that 
it  is  properly  assigned  to  Heliopolis,  in  Coele- 
syria,  expresses  his  opiniou  that  leg.  h.  should 
be  explained  by  Legio  Octava ; the  8tb  legion 
( Macedonica ) belonging  to  this  colony,  and  the 
letter  ll.  being  employed,  after  the  fashion  of 
the  Greeks,  for  a numeral  sign.  This  eminent 
numismatist  supports  himself  in  this  hypothesis 
on  the  precedent  of  a coin  struck  in  the  same 
colony,  also  under  Philip,  and  which  exhibits 
the  union  of  a Greek  legend  with  a Latin  legend. 
(ad  Jobert,  ii.  187). — Pellerin,  commenting  on 
these  tw'o  opinions,  says  “ there  is  no  apparent 
likelihood  that  the  city  which  coined  the  medals 
here  quoted  by  Bimard,  should  have  used  nume- 
ral letters  purely  Latin  on  the  one,  and  Greek 
numerals  on  the  other,  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
signating the  Roman  legions  which  were  sta- 
tioned in  this  colony.”  11c  therefore  infers,  as 
Vaillant  does,  that  it  was  a legion  bearing  the 
name  of  Heliopolis,  the  initial  of  which  follows 
the  abbreviated  word  leg.  in  the  reverse  legend 
of  this  coin,  and  he  adds  that  it  was,  beyond 
doubt,  struck  at  the  Coelc-syrian  Heliopolis. — 
Melange,  i.  273]. 

Mercury. — On  small  brass  of  Philip  senior 
and  junior,  this  deity,  standing  clothed  in  a 
short  dress,  holds  the  crumena  in  his  right  hand, 
and  the  caducous  in  his  left..  From  this  and 
other  numismatic  evidences,  it  appears  that 
Mercury  was,  as  well  as  Jupiter,  worshipped  in 
the  lleliopolitan  colony. — Sec  Vaill.  ii.  166. 

Temples. — There  are  two  specimens  of  this 
type  on  second  brass  of  Sept.  Severus,  one  pre- 
senting the  front  of  a temple,  with  a portico  of 
ten  columns.  The  other  exhibits  a side  view  of 
the  whole  building,  which  has  steps  leading  up 
to  it.  The  legend  is  COL.  ltEL.  I.  o.  m.  h.— 
Colonia  Heliopolis  Jovi  Optimo  Maximo  Helio- 
politano. 

[Both  these  types  are  intended  to  represent 
the  temple  dedicated  at  Heliopolis  to  Jupiter, 
who,  as  he  was  called  Capito/inus  at  Rome,  so 
3 M 


HELIOPOLIS.  440 

is  he  here  sui  named  Heliopolitanus ; and  at  both 
places  he  was  termed  Optimus  Maximus.  The 
people  of  this  Coele-syrian  colony,  in  return  for 
their  obligations  to  Severus,  who  had  conferred 
on  them  the  jus  Italicum,  inscribed  the  above 
described  coins  to  that  emperor,  adding  the  type 
and  the  name  of  the  temple  which  they  had 
erected  to  Jupiter  Heliopolitanus.  Coins  with 
similar  legends  and  types  were  dedicated  to 
Caracalla. — Vaillant,  ii.  pp.  13  and  37.] 

Temple,  upon  a foundation  of  rock,  with  a 
flight  of  many  stairs  up  to  it.  Before  the  tem- 
ple is  au  arula  (or  small  altar),  and  near  that 
a sacrificial  urn.  In  the  field  of  the  coin,  which 
is  a first  brass  of  Philip  senior,  near  the  top  of 
the  stair-case  is  a caduceus.  Legend  col.  ivl. 

AVG.  FEL.  HEL. 

[Judging  from  the  caduceus,  Vaillant  (ii.  167) 
adopts  the  opinion  that  this  reverse  typifies  the 
temple  of  Mercury,  to  whom  another  coin  of 
the  same  colony,  struck  under  the  same  empe- 
ror, and  already  noticed  in  this  list,  points  as 
to  a favourite  object  of  religious  worship  at 
Heliopolis.  The  situation  of  that  city  being  on 
one  of  the  spurs  of  Mount  Lebanon,  is  supposed 
to  account  for  the  temple  being  delineated  as 
built  on  a rock]. 

Pellerin  (in  Melange,  i.  pi.  xxii.  No.  5,  p. 
328),  has  engraved  a coin  of  Valcrianus,  which, 
with  legend  col.  hel.  typifies  two  temples, 
placed  sideways  opposite  each  other.  Above  arc 
three  urns  or  vases,  with  palm  branches  in  each. 

Victors  at  Games. — On  a second  brass  of  the 
same  emperor,  having  for  the  legend  of  its  re- 
verse sac.  cap.  oec.  ise.  but  without  the  col. 
hel.  engraved  on  the  preceding  coin,  the  type 
consists  of  two  seated  male  figures,  facing  one 
another,  each  wearing  the  pallium,  and  placing 
with  his  left  hand  a crown  on  his  own  head. — 
These  two  figures  sustain  between  them  with  the 
right  baud  a discus,  or  broad  round  vase,  in 
which  are  two  palm  branches.  Between  the 
two  men  is  an  altar. 

[The  two  figures  above  described  arc  evidently 
designed  to  represent  victors  at  the  certamen 
sacrum,  celebrated  at  Heliopolis,  although  the 
epigraph  does  not  give  the  name  of  that  city. — 
At  such  public  trials  of  skill,  all  the  conquerors 
were  crowned.  But  the  question  is,  which  kind 
of  crown  was  given  as  a prize  at  these  Capito- 
linc  games  ? Vaillant  thinks  it  probable  that  it 
was  the  olive  leaf,  as  at  the  Olympic.  The 
seated  figures  both  supporting  the  same  vase, 
which  has  two  branches  in  it,  serve  to  indicate 
that  they  had  both  come  off  victors  at  one  of 
the  three  exercises  (viz.  gymnastics,  equitation, 
and  music).  In  this  case  there  is  room  for  con- 
jecture that  it  was  for  music,  because  the  two 
figures  are  seated,  and  invested  with  the  pallium 
or  cloak.  In  wrestling  and  in  horsemanship  the 
candidates  exercised  naked.  In  music  they  per- 
formed clothed.  The  altar  is  placed  between 
them  on  the  coin,  to  denote  that  sacred  rites 
had  been  paid  to  the  gods  before  and  after  the 
games  were  celebrated. — Vaillant,  ii.  231], 

The  other  types,  occurring  on  coins  of  this 
colony  consist  of  a turreted  woman,  repre- 


450  HERCULES. 

scnted  both  as  a whole  figure  and  as  a bust, 
portraying  the  genius  of  Heliopolis.  Also  urns 
(disci),  from  one  to  three  in  number,  in  each  of 
which  arc  from  one  to  three  palm  branches, 
struck  on  the  occasion  of  the  Capitolina  games, 
celebrated  there,  in  honour  of  Jupiter,  as  al- 
ready mentioned  under  the  head  of  Athletes  in 
this  article. 


HERCULES. — This  celebrated  hero  of  my- 
thological romance  was  at  first  called  Alcidcs, 
but  received  the  name  of  Hercules,  or  Heracles, 
from  the  Pythia  of  Delphos.  Feigned  by  the 
poets  of  antiquity  to  have  been  a son  of  “ the 
Thunderer,”  but  born  of  an  earthly  mother,  he 
was  exposed,  through  Juno’s  implacable  hatred 
to  him  as  the  offspring  of  Alcmena,  to  a course 
of  perils,  which  commenced  whilst  he  was  yet  in 
his  cradle,  and  under  each  of  which  he  seemed 
ready  to  perish,  but  as  constantly  proved  vic- 
torious. At  length  finishing  his  allotted  career 
with  native  valour  and  generosity,  though  too 
frequently  the  submissive  agent  of  the  mean- 
ness and  injustice  of  others,  he  perished  sclf- 
devotedlv  on  the  funeral  pile,  which  was  lighted 
on  Mount  Oeta.  Jupiter  raised  his  heroic  pro- 
geny to  the  skies ; anil  llercides  was  honoured  by 
the  pagan  world,  as  the  most  illustrious  of  deified 
mortals.  The  extraordinary  enterprises  cruelly 
imposed  upon,  but  gloriously  achieved  by,  this 
famous  demigod,  are  to  be  found  depictured,  not 
oidy  on  Greek  coins,  but  also  on  the  Roman  series 
both  consular  and  imperial.  The  first,  and  one  of 
the  most  dangerous,  of  undertakings,  well-known 
under  the  name  of  the  twelve  labours  of  Her- 
cules, was  that  of  killing  the  huge  lion  of 
Nemcea;  on  which  account  the  intrepid  warrior 
is  represented,  clothed  in  the  skin  of  that  forest 
monarch ; he  also  bears  uniformly  a massive 
club,  sometimes  without  any  other  arms,  but 
at  others  with  a bow  and  quiver  of  arrows.  On 
a denarius  of  the  Antia  gens  he  is  represented 
walking  with  trophy  and  club.  (See  uestio.) — 
When  his  head  alone  is  typified,  as  in  Mucia 
gens,  it  is  covered  with  the  lion’s  spoils,  in 
which  distinctive  decoration  he  was  imitated  by 
many  princes,  and  especially  by  those  who 
claimed  descent  from  him — as  for  example,  the 
kings  of  Macedonia,  and  the  successors  of  Alex- 
ander the  Great.  Amoug  the  Roman  emperors 
Trajan  is  the  first  whose  coins  exhibit  the 
figure  and  attributes  of  Hercules.  On  a denn- 


HERCULIS  LADORES. 

rius  of  this  prince  (p.  M.  tr.  p.  cos.  hi.  p.  p.) 
his  image  standing  on  a basis,  has  a club  in  the 
right  hand,  and  an  apple  in  the  left  (allusive  to 
the  llcsperidcs) ; the  skin  of  the  Nemtcau  liou 
being  thrown,  like  the  pallium,  over  his  shoul- 
ders, and  falling  on  his  left  arm. — On  a first 
brass  of  the  same  emperor  (s.  p.  Q.  R.  opt. 
prin.)  appears  a club  resting  perpendicidarlv  on 
the  head  of  a lion  placed  on  a pedestal,  llut  it 
was  left  for  Commodus  to  shew  his  folly  in 
affecting  “the  Herc’les  vein.”  And  not  only 
does  the  cfligy  of  the  demi-god  appear  on  numer- 
ous coins  of  that  pest  of  society,  but  his  own 
head  is  covered  with  the  leonine  attribute,  and 
he  assumes  the  appellation  of  “the  Roman  Her- 
cules.”— Gallienus,  Postumus,  Probus,  Maxi- 
miauus  Hercules,  and  other  emperors,  also  se- 
lected this  deity  as  the  peculiar  object  of  their 
worship. 

Hercules  and  the  Centaurs. — On  a silver  coin 
of  the  Aurelia  gens  (sec  p.  Ill),  Hercules  stands 
in  a car  drawn  by  two  centaurs,  holding  branches 
in  their  hands.  His  victory  over  these  quadru- 
pedal monsters  is  referred  to  on  several  coins ; 
amongst  others  a beautiful  medallion  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius.  (See  the  subject  described  and  en- 
graved in  p.  194). — On  a highly-relieved  brass 
medallion  of  M.  Aurelius,  Hercules  bearing  a 
trophy  on  his  left  shoulder,  and  holding  the 
club  in  his  right  hand,  stands  in  a car  drawn  by 
four  centaurs.  (See  Temporum  Felicilas.)  En- 
graved in  Mionnct  and  in  Akerman. 

1IERCULIS  LABORES. 

M.  Dc  Witte,  an  eminent  numismatist,  resi- 
dent at  Cologne,  in  an  elaborate  and  ably  written 
paper,  addressed  to  the  Editor  of  the  Revue  Nu- 
mismatique  (vol.  vii.  p.  330  to  369),  respecting 
the  veneration  which  Postumus  manifested  to- 
wards Hercules,  gives  a description  of  a set  of 
coins,  struck  under  that  prince,  the  reverses  of 
which  present  a complete  series  of  the  labours 
of  Hercules.  It  is  from  the  engravings  (plate 
vii.)  which  illustrate  the  dissertation  in  question, 
that  the  subjoined  cuts  have  been  copied  ; whilst 
advantage  has  also  been  taken  of  M.  Dc  Vi  itte’s 
commentary  on  the  different  types,  to  throw 
fresh  light  on  the  numismatic  as  well  as  mytho- 
logical bearings  of  the  subject : — 


No.  1. — iiercvli  neiiaeo.  Hercules  suffo- 
cating a lion,  that  tremendous  beast,  which  ra- 
vaged the  country  near  the  Ncnncan  forest,  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Clconas,  and  which  he  had 
in  vain  endeavoured  to  kill,  with  the  sword,  the 
club,  aud  the  stone ; and  the  skin  of  which  he 
afterwards  wore  as  a trophy  of  his  victory. 

My < hographers  speak  of  two  or  three  lions 


IIERCULIS  LABORES. 

slaiu  by  Hercules.  That  of  Mount  Cithcra, 
or  rather  that  of  Mount  Helicon,  that  of  Les- 
bos, and  that  of  Nennea.  llis  combats  with  the 
“ king  of  beasts”  have  often  been  represented  by 
ancient  artists ; this  group  offering  favourable 
combinations,  as  well  for  sculpture  as  (or  paint- 
ing ; numberless  and  very  varied  repetitions  arc 
also  found  of  it,  especially  on  Greek  coins.  It 
is  the  lion  of  Nemcea,  the  slaying  of  which  was 
the  first  of  the  hero’s  twelve  labours,  that  is 
shewn  by  the  inscription  on  the  denarius  of  l’os- 
t umus,  No.  1. 

Mionnct  has  described  an  aureus  similar  to 
the  above,  with  the  legend  hercvli  invicto  ; 
which  accompanies  the  group  of  Alcides  and  the 
lion  on  a reverse  of  Postumus.  Lastly,  Ban- 
duri  cites  a brass  coin  of  Postumus,  which  bears 
on  its  reverse  the  legend  virtvs  postvmi  avg. 
s.  c.  with  the  same  type. 

No.  2. — Rev. — hercvli  argivo.  Hercules 
armed  with  the  club,  the  skin  of  the  lion  wrap- 
ped round  the  left  arm,  attacking  the  Hydra,  or 
many-headed  serpent  of  Lerna. 

Obv. — postvmvs  pivs  felix  avg.  Jugatcd 
heads  of  Postumus  and  Hercules,  both  crowned 
with  laurel,  to  the  right.  (See  obverse  of  a 
silver  medallion  of  Postumus,  p.  382). 

From  an  unpublished  denarius  of  billon,  be- 
longing to  the  collection  of  M.  Dupre.  This 


No.  3. — postvmvs  p.  f.  avg.  cos.  Radiated 
head  of  Postumus  to  the  left. 

Rev. — virtv  postvmi  avg. — Hercules  seizing 
by  the  antlers,  the  hind  or  stag  Ceryquita. — 
Middle  brass,  in  the  Cabinet  de  France. — Mion- 
net,  Rarete  des  Med.  ii.  68. 

The  hind,  with  golden  horns  and  brazen 
hoofs,  furnished  to  Hercules  his  third  labour. 
This  is  a rare  subject  on  ancient  monuments, 
except  on  the  bas-reliefs  dedicated  to  this  series 
of  representations.  A few  paintings  on  vases 
refer  to  the  capture  of  this  wild  stag  so  famous 
for  its  swiftness.  Sometimes  also  Hercules  aud 
Apollo  are  seen  contending  for  this  fleet  animal, 
a struggle  figured  on  a magnificent  helmet  of 
bronze,  in  the  collection  of  M . lc  Due  de  Luyncs, 
and  on  two  painted  vases.  The  type  of  the  hind 
tamed  by  Hercules,  although  not  of  frequent 
occurrence,  is  not  unknown  in  Greek  numis- 
matics ; and  it  is  found  on  the  gold  and  small 
brass  of  Diocletian,  and  of  Maximian  Hercules ; 
virtvs  avgg.  or  viRTVTi  avgg.  The  brass 
coin  of  Postumus  (engraved  above)  is  unique. — 
De  AVitte,  Revue  Num.  vol.  vii. 

No.  4. — hercvli  erymantino  (sic.) — Her- 
cules carrying  on  his  shoulders  the  wild  boar  of 
3 M2 


HERCULIS  LABORES.  451 

piece  (says  M.  De  Witte)  formed  part  of  a depot 
of  medals  found  in  the  environs  of  Cologne. — 
Compare  with  Banduri,  Num.  Imp.  Rom.  vol.  i. 

p.  286. 

Hercules  and  the  Hydra  arc  represented  on  a 
tolerably  large  number  of  monuments  in  marble 
and  on  paiuted  vases.  With  regard  to  coins, 
this  type  is  found  on  some  Greek  money,  aud 
upon  imperial  Latin  coins  of  Maximianus  Her- 
cules, bearing  the  legends  hercvli  debella- 
tori  (brass  medallion,  and  gold  and  silver) — 
hercvli  victori  (gold) — and  hercvli  invicto 
— and  on  those  of  Constantius  Chlorus,  virtvti 
avgg.  (also  gold).  It  has  been  conjectured  that 
the  extermination  of  the  Hydra,  which  is  often 
repeated  on  coins  of  Maximianus  Hercules,  bear 
reference  to  the  persecution  exercised  against 
the  Christians. 

The  marshes  of  Lerna  were  situated  in  Ar- 
golis,  whence  came  the  epithet  Aryivus,  which 
Hercules  bears  on  the  denarius  of  Postumus,  en- 
graved in  preceding  page.  “ Of  all  the  reverses 
of  the  labours  of  Hercules,  says  M.  Dupre,  that 
with  the  legend  hercvli  argivo  is  the  most  rare. 
Published  solely  by  Goltzius,  and  not  being 
found  in  the  greatest  collections,  its  existence 
has  been  doubted.  But  we  are  acquainted 
with  an  indubitable  specimen  of  it,  discovered 
amongst  a deposit  found  near  Treves.” 


Erymanthus.  The  lion’s  skin  is  hung  on  the 
left  arm.  At  his  feet  is  a pithos  or  wine-jar. 
Denarius  of  billon  in  the  Cabinet  de  France. — 
Mionnet,  ii.  61.  Banduri  i.  285  and  291,  in 
whose  work  it  is  engraved. 


Hercules,  carrying  the  huge  wild  boar  alive 
on  his  shoulders,  is  often  depictured  on  painted 
vases  as  well  as  on  marbles,  on  one  of  which 
Eurystheus  is  seen  hiding  himself  in  the  pithos. 
The  king  of  Mycenae,  affrighted  at  the  sight  of 
the  enormous  victim  to  heroic  strength  and 
courage,  lifts  up  both  his  arms,  and  seems  to 
conjure  Hercules  to  take  himself  away  with  his 
dreadful  burthen. — On  coin  No.  4,  neither  the 
head  nor  the  arms  of  Eurystheus  are  visible. — 
On  other  coins  the  pithos  is  seen,  and  Eurys- 
theus concealing  himself  therein,  in  the  same 


452  1IERCULIS  LABORES. 

manner  as  on  the  painted  urns — as  for  example, 
on  a brass  coin  struck  at  Alexandria,  in  Egypt, 
under  Antoninus  Pius ; on  another  brass  coin, 
struck  at  Hadrianopolis  of  Thrace,  uudcr  Cara- 
ealla ; and  lastly,  on  three  brass  medallions  of 
Pcrinthus,  struck  under  Caracalla,  Geta,  and 
Gordianus  Pius. 

No.  5. — hero pisaeo.  Hercules  naked, 

earn  ing  on  his  right  shoulder  what  M.  De  Witte 
calls  a kind  of  hogau  pioche  (but  what  in  the 
engraving  looks  more  like  a club),  proceeding 
to  the  task  of  cleansing  the  Augean  stables. — 
A denarius  of  Postuinus  in  billon,  unpublished, 
from  the  Treves  Museum. 

The  myth  of  the  stable  of  Augias  is  re- 
presented only  on  a small  number  of  ancient 
monuments  ; for  instance,  on  the  celebrated  cup 
Albani ; on  the  Borgia  marble ; and  on  the  altar 
of  the  Giustiniani  gallery.  The  representation 
which  corresponds  most  closely  with  the  type  of 
this  rare  denarius  (No.  5),  is  the  bas  relief  on 
the  altar  last  named,  and  on  which  Hercules  is 
seen  walking  to  the  left,  armed  with  a auairavp 
(hoe  or  mattock),  by  means  of  which  he  prepares 
to  split  rocks,  and  open  a passage  for  the  waters 
of  the  Alphcus  and  the  Pcneus.  The  club  is 
placed  against  the  rock. 

The  coin  (No.  5)  is  unfortunately  defective  in 
point  of  preservation.  “ In  the  type  of  the 
reverse  (remarks  M.  De  Witte)  may  without 
hesitation  be  recognized  the  fifth  labour  of  Her- 
cules— that  in  which  the  hero  cleansed  the  Elide. 
But  there  remain  difficulties  attached  to  the  task 
of  reading  the  legend,  in  which  it  might  have 
been  supposed  that  more  than  one  surname 
would  have  been  found  connected  with  the  oper- 
ation— such  as  those  of  Hercuh  Alpheo,  Eleo, 
or  Peneo.  The  first  letter  especially  is  of  an 
uncertain  form. — M.  Chassot  de  Florencourt,  to 
whom  I had  communicated  my  doubts,  shewed 
in  the  most  convincing  manner,  that  it  was  a 
a P,  and  that  it  ought  to  be  read  hercvli 
pisaeo.” 

Pisteus  is  a new  surname  for  Hercules.  This 
epithet  alludes  to  the  territory  of  Elis,  within 
the  confines  of  which  once  stood  the  city  of 
Pisa,  of  which  no  vestiges  are  now  discover- 
able, although  known  to  have  been  situated  near 
the  plain  of  Olympia,  where  the  Olympic  games 
in  honour  of  Jupiter  were  celebrated. 

“ Pisa  was  regarded  as  the  residence  of  king 
Augias,  and  the  capital  of  the  country  called 
Pisatis.  Some  authors  seem  to  make  a distinc- 
tion between  Olympia  and  Pisa ; others  say  that 
it  was  the  same  city.  Seneca  the  tragedian 
gives  the  epithet  of  Pisanis  to  Jupiter  (Aga- 
memnon, 930) : — 

“ £t  ista  donum  palma  Pisaei  Jovis.” 

M.  De  Witte  concludes  his  learned  commen- 
tary on  coin  No.  5,  by  observing,  that  on  a bas- 
relief  in  the  Vatican,  and  on  a brass  coin  of 
Egyptian  Alexandria,  struck  under  Antoninus 
Pius,  Hercules,  after  having  finished  his  labour 
(of  opening  a passage  through  a rock  for  the 
waters  of  two  rivers — symbolized  under  the 
figure  of  stable-cleansing),  is  seen  mashing  his 
hands. 


llERCULIS  LABORES. 


No.  6. — Rev. — hercvli  av(g).  Hercules 
standing,  the  lion’s  skin  on  his  shoulders, 
shoots  with  his  arrows  two  of  the  Stgmpha/ides. 
On  an  aureus  of  Postumus  in  the  Cabinet  de 
France. — Tauini,  Num.  Imp.  Rom.  tab.  ii. 

Hercules  killing  with  shafts  discharged  from 
his  unerring  bow  the  birds  of  Stympbalus,  is  a 
subject  found  on  ancient  monuments  of  every 
kind,  and  on  many  Greek  coins.  This  aureus, 
which  bears  on  its  obverse  the  jugated  heads  of 
Postumus  and  Hercules,  both  crowned  with 
laurel,  is  a fine  one,  and  may  be  considered  to 
have  been  unpublished  until  cugraved  in  the 
Recue  Numismatique  to  illustrate  with  others 
M.  De  Witte’s  dissertation.  Mionnct  has  not 
described  it.  Tauini  has  given  a very  had  copy 
of  it,  the  only  one  heretofore  known.  Nor  are 
the  birds  of  Stymphalus  represented  on  any  other 
Latin  coin. 

[These  birds  were  so  called  from  the  lake 
Stymphalus,  in  Arcadia,  the  neighbourhood  of 
which  they  infested.  They  were  said  to  have 
been  of  prodigious  size,  of  insatiable  voracity, 
and  to  have  fed  on  human  flesh.  With  the 
assistance  of  Minerva,  they  were  partly  de- 
stroyed by  the  arrows  of  Hercules,  aud  the  rest 
driven  away  by  the  sound  of  brass  timbrels. 
A specimen  of  these  winged  monsters  (which 
differed  from  the  Syren  and  the  Harpy),  is  sup- 
posed by  certain'  numismatists  of  the  elder 
school  to  be  exhibited  on  a well-known  denarius 
of  the  Valeria  gens.  That  type,  however,  docs 
not  agree  with  Pausanias’s  description  of  the 
Stgmphates  Aces,  which  the  Greek  writer  com- 
pares to  a crane  in  size,  and  with  a head  aud 
beak  somewhat  like  those  of  an  Ibis.  It  were, 
however,  worse  than  trifling  to  criticise  the  form 
and  dimensions  of  creatures  about  which  even 
fable  contradicts  itself,  and  the  existence  of  which 
probably  had  no  place  but  in  the  imagination  of 
the  ancient  poets]. 

No.  7.-HERCVU  cretf.ssi. — Hercules,  naked 
(turned  to  the  right),  seizes  a bull  by  the  horus. 
Obv. — POSTVMVS  FIVS  FELIX  avg.  Jugated 
heads  of  Postumus  and  Hercules  (as  in  p.  382). 
On  gold,  in  the  Museum  of  Berlin. — Mionnet, 
Rarete  des  Med.  v.  ii.  61  — Banduri,  Num.  hupp. 
i.  287. — For  a cast  of  this  unique  aureus,  M. 
Dc  Witte  acknowledges  himself  indebted  to  M. 
Th.  Panofka  and  to  M.  Piudcr,  keepers  of  the 
Berlin  Cabinet. 

The  type  of  Hercules,  struggling  with  a bull, 
also  appears  on  a middle  brass  of  Postumus, 
with  the  legend  hercvli  ixvicto. — Engraved 
in  Patin,  Imp.  Num.  Rom.  p.  335,  edit.  1696. 

On  other  monuments,  Hercules  is  sometimes 
seen  endeavouring  to  bind  a bull  with  cords  : — 
viz.  on  nn  amphora  with  black  figures,  in  the 


HEItCULlS  LABORES. 


HERCULIS  LABORES.  45  3 


Musee  Gregorien,  at  Rome ; and  on  another 
(unpublished)  amphora,  also  with  black  figures, 
in  the  collection  Panckoucke. 

[Diodorus  designates  Hercules  by  the  sur- 
name of  Creiensis.  And  the  reverse  of  this 
coin  typifies  a great  success  which  the  hero 
achieved  in  taming  a wild  bull.  The  scene  of 
the  exploit  is  assigned  to  Crete;  and  it  is  enu- 
merated as  the  seventh  of  the  labours  awarded 
by  his  tyrant  brother  to  this  never-daunted, 
cver-victorious,  undertaker  of  apparently  im- 
practicable enterprises.] 


No.  8. — postvmvs  avg. — Bust  of  Postumus, 
with  face  to  the  front,  and  head  encircled  with 
a radiated  crown. 

Rev. — herctu  thracio.  Hercules  taming 
a horse.  On  gold,  in  the  Cabinet  de  France. 
Leuormant,  Iconographie  des  Empereurs  Ro- 
mains,  pi.  lii.  No.  14. — Mionnet,  Rarete,  &c. 
ii.  G2. — On  a denarius  of  billon  the  same  type 
of  reverse  occurs. 

[IIercu/es  Thracius  was  the  conqueror  of  Dio- 
mede, king  of  Thrace,  son  of  Mars  and  Cyrene, 
who  fed  his  horses  with  human  flesh.  It  was 
one  of  the  formidable  tasks  imposed  on  Hercules 
to  destroy  Diomede.  And  accordingly  the  hero, 
accompanied  by  some  of  his  friends,  attacked 
the  cruel  monarch,  forcibly  took  possession  of 
his  horses,  and  gave  him  up  to  be  devoured  by 
the  same  savage  animals  which  he  had  employed 
to  destroy  the  unfortunate  dupes  of  his  barbar- 
ous treachery]. 

The  subject  of  Hercules  taking  the  horses 
of  Diomede  is  rarely  represented  on  monuments 
of  antiquity.  Independently  of  a group  in  marble 
preserved  at  the  Vatican,  it  is  recognised  on  a 
paiuted  cup  in  the  second  collection  of  Sir  IV m. 
Hamilton.  Several  Greek  medals  bear  the  type 
of  the  horses  taken  away  by  Hercules. — Eckhcl 
quotes,  after  Tanini,  a billon  of  Postumus,  which 
on  the  reverse  of  a galeated  head  of  that  em- 
peror, exhibits  Hercules  accomplishing  his  8th 
labour. 


No.  9. — Rev. — hercvi.i  invicto. — Hercules 
standing,  presses  with  his  right  foot  on  the  body 
of  a draped  female,  stretched  on  the  ground 
beneath  him,  and  from  whose  waist  he  is  pre- 
paring to  detach  the  girdle.  The  club  is  in  his 


left  hand,  and  the  lion’s  spoils  are  wrapped  round 
his  left  arm. — Oi».-POSTVMVS  pivs  pelix  avg. 
Tctes  accolees  dc  Postume  et  d’Hcrculc. — “ This 
denarius  of  billon,  unpublished,  from  the  col- 
lection of  M.  Dupre,  was  found  near  Rennes, 
in  Britannv.” 

[The  type  alludes  to  the  combat  of  Hercules 
with  Ilyppo/ita,  whom,  having  overcome  (in 
scarcely  to  him  very  creditable  fight)  he  forth- 
with dispossessed  of  the  baldrick  or  sword-belt 
of  Mars,  which  this  queen  of  the  Amazohs  car- 
ried at  her  girdle,  as  the  mark  of  her  royalty ; 
and  which  Adineta,  daughter  of  Eurystheus,  and 
a priestess  of  J uno  at  Argos,  had  ordered  the 
Theban  hero  to  bring  to  her. — In  Millin,  Gale - 
rie  Mgthologique,  ii.  pi.  exxii.  No.  443,  the  sub- 
ject, copied  from  a Greek  vase,  is  artistically 
dealt  with,  at  an  earlier  stage  of  the  encounter  ; 
when  the  beautiful  equestrian  is  about  to  hurl 
her  ineffectual  lance  at  the  man  of  the  ponderous 
club]. 

“ Hercules  fighting  with  the  Amazons  (says 
hi.  De  Witte),  a frequent  subject  on  painted 
vases,  is  of  very  rare  occurrence  on  monetary 
types.  Hercules  is  seen  pursuing  an  Amazon 
on  horseback,  on  brass  money  of  Heraclca,  in 
Bithynia.  There  is  also  a specimen  of  the  same 
type  in  the  Cabinet  de  France,  of  mediocre  pre- 
servation ; but  there  is  in  the  imperial  and  royal 
cabinet  at  Vienna  a third  example,  as  w'ell  pre- 
served as  that  in  hi.  Dupre’s  collection.” 

No.  10. HERCVLI  GADITANO. Hercules 

standing,  with  the  lion’s  skin  suspended  on  the 
left  arm,  and  the  right  arm  raised  as  in  the  atti- 
tude of  fighting  against  armed  men.  On  a de- 
narius of  billon,  from  the  collection  of  M.  Du- 
pre, unpublished  till  engraved  in  the  Revue 
Numiswatique  for  the  dissertation  of  M.  De 
Witte,  who  says  “ this  unique  piece  was  found 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Cologne,  at  the  same 
time  as  denarius  No.  2. 

[In  type  No.  10  is  to  be  recognised  the  fabled 
conflict  between  Hercules  and  the  triple  Geryon, 
represented  in  this  instance  by  three  heavy-armed 
soldiers),  in  the  garb  of  Roman  warriors. — 
The  passage  in  question,  like  several  others 
connected  with  the  labours  of  Hercules,  is  very 
confused  and  contradictory.  Geryon  is  de- 
scribed, by  the  poets,  as  a giant  with  three 
bodies,  three  heads,  six  arms,  and  six  legs. — 
This  monster,  who  lived  in  the  island  of  Gadira 
or  Gades,  kept  numerous  herds  of  oxen ; Eurys- 
theus, the  hard  and  malignant  task-master  of 
Hercules,  believing  that  it  was  impossible  to 
take  away  these  cattle,  charged  Hercules  with 
the  consummation  of  this  exploit.  The  hero 
nevertheless  went  to  Gades,  destroyed  Geryon, 
although  the  giant  was  succoured  by  Juno,  and 
carried  away  all  the  cattle  to  Tirynthus. — Ac- 
cording to  Servius,  Geryon  was  king  of  the  three 
Balearic  islands,  Majorca,  Minorca,  and  Ivica ; 
from  which  circumstance  the  ancients  have  made 
him  with  a three-fold  set  of  bodies  and  limbs. 
— In  later  ages,  the  people  of  Gades  (now 
Cadiz),  reverencing  the  valour  of  Hercules,  de- 
dicated a temple  to  his  memory  under  the  name 
of  Hercides  Gaditanus. — See  gades]. 


454  IIERCULIS  LABORES. 

“ The  combat  of  Hercules  with  Geryon  (ob- 
serves M.  De  Witte)  is  figured  on  only  one  brass 
coin  of  oriental  fabric,  and  of  which  there  are 
but  two  specimens  extant.  The  following  is  a 
description  of  the  piece  : — Obv.  Hercules  armed 
with  the  club,  and  wearing  the  lion’s  spoils,  in 
a fighting  attitude. — Rev.  Geryon  with  three 
heads,  each  covered  with  a Phrygian  cap,  and 
armed  with  a round  buckler,  in  the  act  of  com- 
batting. jE.  3. 

“ The  above  was  not  long  ago  the  only  medal 
known,  as  offering  the  type  of  Hercules  light- 
ing with  the  triple  king  of  Iberia.  But  Air. 
Samuel  Birch  has  recently  published  a rare  brass 
medallion  of  Caracalla,  struck  at  Blandos,  in 
Lydia.  This  medallion  is  preserved  in  the  Bri- 
tish Museum.  Its  reverse  type  exhibits  Her- 
cules, armed  with  the  club,  seizing  the  heads  of 
Geryon,  figured  under  the  form  of  a little  man, 
entirely  naked,  having  three  heads.  On  the  left 
arm  the  triple  giant  carries  a buckler,  which 
resembles  a wheel.  In  the  field  of  the  coin  are 
two  oxen.  jE.  1,  2.” 

M.  De  Witte  contends  for  the  Asiatic  origin 
of  the  myth  of  Geryon,  remarking  that  “ a 
tradition,  preserved  by  Pausanias,  places  the 
tomb  of  Geryon  in  Lydia.”  The  coin  of  Blandos 
alludes  to  that  local  myth — a circumstance  which 
he  regards  as  corroborative  of  his  own  views  on 
the  subject. 

The  legend  herc.  gadit.  appears  on  an  au- 
reus of  Hadrian ; hut  the  type  of  that  coin  does 
not  represent  Hercules  fighting  with  Geryon : 
but  the  unconqucred  hero  holds  the  apples  of 
the  Ilcspcrides,  whilst  at  his  feet  is  the  recum- 
bent figure  of  Occanus. 


No.  11. — iiercvli  libyco. — Hercules,  wrest- 
liug  with  Autams,  suffocates  him  in  his  arms. — 
Gold  of  Postumus,  formerly  of  the  Cabinet  de 
France,  disappeared  at  the  time  of  the  robbery 
in  1831.  Mionnet,  t.  ii.  p.  Gl. — This  piece, 
which  will  be  found  in  Banduri’s  work  (t.  i. 
287),  was  engraved  after  a cast  preserved  at  the 
French  Institute. 

[Fable  tells  us  that  when,  in  the  course  of  his 
peregrinations,  Hercules  arrived  in  Lybia,  his 
progress  was  opposed  by  a mighty  giant  named 
Antrcus,  son  of  Neptunus  and  Terra,  whose 
strength  as  a wrestler  was  invincible,  so  long 
as  he  remained  in  contact  with  his  mother  earth. 
Boasting  that  he  would  raise  a temple  to  his 
father’s  honour  with  the  skulls  of  those  whom 
he  conquered  in  certamine  luctationis,  he  com- 
pelled the  strangers  who  came  to  the  country  of 
Irasa,  of  which  he  was  king,  to  engage  in 
athletic  combat  with  him,  and  slew  his  antago- 
nists, when  he  had  exhausted  them  with  fatigue. 


IIERCULIS  LABORES. 

Having  challenged  Hercules,  the  cruel  savage 
was  three  times  prostrated  by  the  intrepid  hero, 
but  in  vain.  Hercules,  perceiving  at  length  the 
source  of  the  giant’s  force  and  security,  lifted 
him  up  from  the  ground,  and  caused  him  to  ex- 
pire by  violently  compressing  him  in  his  arms], 

“In  the  series  of  the  twelve  labours  (observes 
M.  De  Witte),  the  wrestling  of  Auticus  is  sub- 
stituted, on  the  reverse  of  Postumus,  for  the 
taking  away  of  the  apples  of  the  Hcsperides. — 
Sometimes  in  the  succession  of  the  labours  the 
order  is  changed.  At  other  times,  some  sub- 
jects arc  omitted,  or  one  of  the  twelve  great 
labours  is  replaced  by  one  of  the  other  exploits 
of  Hercules.  It  is  thus  that  Pausanias,  in  de- 
scribing the  pediment  of  the  temple  of  Hercules 
Promachos  at  Thebes,  makes  a remark,  that 
Praxiteles,  instead  of  the  combat  against  the 
birds  of  Stymphalus,  and  the  cleansing  of  the 
Augean  stables,  in  other  words,  the  drain- 
ing of  the  country  of  Elis,  had  introduced 
the  contest  with  Antaeus.  Moreover,  the 
scene  of  this  wrestling  with  the  giant,  as 
well  as  the  garden  of  the  Hcsperides,  was 
placed  in  Lybia;  thence  the  epithet  Lybicus, 
which  Hercules  bears  on  the  aureus  of  Postu- 
mus ; and  Servius  gives  it  to  be  understood,  that 
it  was  in  pursuing  his  course  towards  the  abode 
of  the  llespcrides,  that  Hercules  vanquished 
Ant, 'cus. — “ Item  ad  llespcrides  perrexit,  ct  An- 
thamin,  filinm  Terra:  victum  luctationc  nccavit.” 
Some  painted  vases,  and  several  Greek  coins, 
exhibit  the  conflict  of  Hercules  with  the  Libyan 
athlete.  This  group  is  also  fouud  on  a small 
brass  of  Maximianus  Hercules,  with  the  legend 

VIRTYTI  AVGG.” 

No.  12. — hercvli  inmortali.  (sic.J  Her- 
cules, with  the  club  aud  lion’s  skin  on  his 
shoulder,  drags  Cerberus  enchained.  Billon  of 
Postumus,  in  the  imperial  aud  royal  cabinet  of 
Vienna. — Spauhcim,  i.  2G5 ; Mionnet,  ii.  61; 
Banduri,  i.  291. 

[The  twelfth  and  last  labour  of  Hercules  was 
that  in  which,  conducted  by  Minerva  aud  by 
Mercury,  he  descended  into  the  kingdom  of 
Pluto,  whence  he  delivered  Theseus ; and  drag- 
ged forth  into  the  light  of  day  the  watch-dog  of 
the  infernal  regions.  Eurystheus,  however,  after 
having  seen  that  triple-headed  monster,  ordered 
Hercules  to  lead  him  hack  again.  Of  this 
crowning  and  closing  trial  Ausouius  sings — 
Cerberus  extremi  suprema  est  meta  laboris. 

The  myth  of  Cerberus  describes  him  as  born  of 
Typhou  and  Echidna ; huge  in  size,  extremely 
cruel,  with  a terrible  voice,  and  of  extraordinary 
strength.  Guard  of  the  gates  of  hell,  and  of 
the  dismal  palace  of  its  sovereign,  this  fearful 
dog  was  not  less  cunning  than  ferocious;  he 
fawned  upon  and  gave  a deceitful  welcome  to 
those  who  entered ; but  he  never  permitted  them 
to  go  out  again,  and  devoured  those  who  at- 
tempted to  escape  from  the  dark  realms  of 
“ gloomy  Dis." — See  Millin,  Dictionnairc  de  la 
Fable,  for  an  article  on  Cerberus,  full  of  well- 
comlcnscd  mythological  information]. 

The  subject  is  typified  on  a great  many  paint- 


HERCULES. 

cd  vases,  engraved  stones,  and  Greek  coins  ; — 
also  on  an  aureus  of  Maximianus  Hercules,  in 
which  the  dragging  forth  of  Cerberus  is  accom- 
panied by  the  legend  HERCVLl  inmortali,  ex- 
actly the  same  as  is  read  on  the  dcuarius  of  bil- 
lon engraved  in  No.  12. 

All  the  labours  of  Hercules  being  then  accom- 
plished, his  submission  to  Eurystheus  no  longer 
continued,  and  the  hero  reposed.  This  repose, 
like  his  labours,  was  a favourite  and  a noble 
subject  of  composition  for  artists ; a fine  exam- 
ple of  which,  though  prostituted  to  the  flattery 
of  an  execrable  prince,  will,  for  its  monetary 
excellence,  be  given  in  another  page. — See  her- 
cvli  ROMANO. 

Then  commenced  a series  of  exploits,  per- 
formed, so  to  speak,  from  his  own  will  and  on 
his  own  account.  Amongst  other  desperate  en- 
terprises, he  descended  again  into  the  regions 
below,  and  rescued  therefrom  Alccste,  who  had 
devoted  herself  to  death  for  her  husband. — 

“ These  descents  into  the  subterranean  world  of 
paganism  (says  Millin,  Gal.  My t hoi.  ii.  181), 
are  allegories  of  the  mysteries  of  Eleusis,  into 
which  he  gained  initiation.” — Unable,  after  suf- 
fering horrible  tortures,  longer  to  endure  the 
effects  of  wearing  a tunic  tainted  with  the  em- 
poisoned blood  of  Ncssus,  which  that  centaur 
had  deceitfully  persuaded  Dejanira  to  send  her 
husband,  he,  to  terminate  his  miseries,  caused 
an  immense  funeral  pile  to  be  raised  on  Mount 
Octa ; and  Philoctetcs  lighted  the  fire  in  w'hich 
the  hero  was  consumed.  The  idole  of  the  great 
Alcides  descended  to  the  infernal  regions,  but 
he  was  himself  conducted  by  Iris  and  by  Mer- 
cury into  the  presence  of  the  celestial  deities ; 
Jupiter  reconciled  him  to  Juno  ; he  received  the 
honours  of  the  apotheosis,  and  obtained  the 
hand  of  Hebe. 

And  here,  in  direct  reference  to  the  tradition 
of  his  deification,  this  coin  presents  the  type 
of  his  concluding  work,  and  conformably  to 
pagan  assumptions,  the  legend  records  the  title 
of  his  immortality.  Tacitus  says — “ Hercules 
and  Bacchus  among  the  Greeks,  and  Quiriuus 
(Romulus)  amongst  the  Romans,  are  placed  in 
the  ranks  of  the  gods.”  And  thus  by  com- 
paring the  reign  of  l’ostumus  with  the  career  of 
Hercules,  the  people  of  Gaul  sought  to  houour 
an  emperor  who  had  long  prosperously  governed, 
and  against  all  opponents  gloriously  defended 
them. 

Hercules  Alexiacus. Among  other  attri- 

butes this  apotheosised  hero  had  a medicinal  in- 
fluence assigned  to  him,  and  for  that  reason  was 
surnamed  Alexiacus  (one  who  drives  away  ill- 
ness). He  was  likewise  regarded  as  the  pre- 
siding divinity  over  baths  of  health  supplied 
from  hot  springs.  This  serves  to  explain  the 
meaning  of  one  of  two  medals  struck  during  the 
last  years  of  Caracalla’s  reign,  and  which  bear 
reference  to  the  precarious  state  of  the  health 
of  that  emperor,  which  the  remembrance  of  his 
crime,  as  the  murderer  of  his  brother,  was 
secretly  undermining.  The  silver  coin  in  ques- 
tion has  for  the  legend  of  its  reverse  p.  m.  tr. 
p.  XVIII.  cos.  mi.  P.  p.  (Sovereign  Pontiff,  in- 


I1ERCULES.  455 

vested  with  the  Tribuuitian  dignity  for  the 
eighteenth  time,  Consul  for  the  fourth  time. 
Father  of  the  Country).  The  type  represents 
Hercules  holding  a branch  in  his  right  hand, 
and  in  his  left  his  club  and  the  spoils  of  the 
Nenueau  lion. — See  aescui.apius,  p.  21. 


Hercules,  the  destroyer  of  Cacus. — The  myth 
of  Cacus,  son  of  Vulcan  and  Medusa,  represents 
him  as  a monster  of  enormous  size,  half-man 
half-snake,  and  as  vomiting  flames.  He  resided 
in  Italy ; and  the  paths  to  his  cavern,  dug  in 
Mount  Aventiue,  were  covered  with  human 
bones.  Setting,  as  usual  with  these  legends, 
geographical  and  other  probabilities  at  defiance, 
the  story  brings  Hercules,  the  conqueror  of 
Geryon  (see  Here.  Gadil.J  to  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  what  afterwards  formed  one  of  the 
seven  hills  of  Rome. — Cacus  stole  some  of  the 
oxen  of  which  Hercules  had  forcibly  dispos- 
sessed the  triple-giant  of  Cadiz,  and  which  the 
hero  was  driving  along  the  banks  of  the  Tiber. 
The  lowing  of  the  cattle  of  Hercules  was  an- 
swered by  the  stolen  ones  shut  up  in  the  den  of 
Cacus,  and  the  robber)'  was  thus  revealed  to  Her- 
cules, who  attacked  the  horrid  monster  and 
strangled  him  in  his  blood-stained  cavern.  Her- 
cules is  said  to  have  erected  an  altar  to  Jupiter 
Conservator,  in  commemoration  of  his  victory, 
and  the  inhabitants  of  the  surrounding  country 
every  year  celebrated  a festival  in  honour  of  the 
occasion. 

It  is  to  this  that  allusion  is  made,  on  a brass 
medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  published  by  Ve- 
nuti,  from  the  Museum  Albani : the  valiant  and 
all-conquering  Alcides  has  just  slain  the  giant 
robber,  half  of  whose  dead  body  is  still  within 
the  cavern,  the  upper  extremities  alone  being 
visible.  The  inhabitants  of  Mount  Avcntine 
are  returning  thanks  to  the  hero  for  having  deli- 
vered them  from  the  tyrant  of  their  fields,  and 
they  kiss  the  hand  of  the  brave  champion  to 
whom  they  owe  the  blessing. 

Hercules  Bibax. — On  another  brass  medal- 
lion of  the  same  emperor  (published  by  Vaillant 
from  the  Decamps  collection),  without  epi- 
graph on  the  reverse,  Hercules  is  represented 
sitting  before  a table,  with  club  in  left  baud, 
and  patera  in  right.  Opposite  to  him  sit  several 
figures  holding  pateras : around  are  urns  and 
vases  of  various  sizes  ; and  on  each  side  are  vine- 
trees  spreading  their  branches. — Vaillant  con- 
siders this  unique  type  to  be  one  of  the  attempts 


450  HERCULES, 

of  Antoninus  to  restore  an  old  local  tradi- 
tion— namely,  the  sacrifice  performed  by  Her- 
cules before  the  great  altar  (ara  maxima)  at 
Rome  ; and  he  describes  the  piece  as  exhibiting 
the  demi-god  sitting  with  Pinarius  and  Poti- 
tius  on  bundles  of  grass.  The  vines  and 
vases,  and  especially  the  huge  bowl  above  the 
great  altar,  he  considers  to  indicate  a liba- 
tion poured  out  by  the  hard-drinking  hero 
(Ueros  bibaxj. — Eckhel,  on  the  other  band,  ex- 
plains the  type  as  allusive  to  the  bauquet  in- 
stituted by  Hercules  himself,  after  he  had  put 
Cacus  to  death.  This  feast  was  afterwards  made 
an  annual  one ; the  Pinaria  and  Potitia  families 
being  the  superintendents  of  the  sacred  cere- 
monies, to  which  Virgil  rather  copiously  alludes 
( /Eu.  t.  viii.  268).  The  guests  at  these  ban- 
quets did  not  assume  the  recumbent  posture,  but 
sat  at  table.  This  would  seem  to  be  a pecu- 
liarity of  the  feast;  for  says  Macrobius  (cited 
by  Eckhel,  vii.  30),  “ It  is  a distinguishing 
custom  connected  with  the  worship  of  Hercules, 
that  the  guests  are  seated  at  the  banquet.  Cor- 
nelius llalbus,  in  his  18th  book,  says  that,  in 
the  cercmouics  of  the  Ara  Maxima  it  was  cus- 
tomary to  have  no  triclinia.” — Sec  lectister- 
nium. 

Herculis  Ara  Maxima.  The  great  altar  of 
Hercules. — A denarius  of  the  Antia  gens  has  for 
its  obverse  legend  restio,  and  for  type  an  altar 
with  flame  kindled.  Its  reverse  exhibits  the 
name  of  c.  antivs,  and  the  head  of  a bull,  or- 
namented with  the  inf  ala.  Comparing  this  coin 
with  auother  of  the  same  family,  on  which  a 
naked  Hercules  is  carrying  his  club  uplifted  in 
one  hand,  and  a trophy  in  the  other,  Eckhel  is 
of  opinion,  that  the  altar  called  maxima  at 
Rome,  dedicated  to  the  above-named  demi-god, 
is  here  represented. 


Hercules  in  the  Garden  of  the  Ilesperides. — 
This  subject  is  so  vague  in  itself,  and  treated 
even  as  a myth  in  so  unsatisfactory  a manner, 
by  poets  and  scholiasts,  that  it  would  scarcely 
claim  notice  amongst  the  exploits  of  Hercules, 
but  for  the  fine  bas-reliefs,  and  other  monuments 
of  antiquity,  on  which  it  is  grouped,  especially 
on  that  noble  brass  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
in  the  Cabinet  de  France,  from  a cast  after 
which  the  above  wood-cut  is  executed. 

[The  Ilesperides  are  described  to  have  been 
three  (some  say  four)  young  women,  celebrated 
or  their  beauty,  daughters  of  Hesperus.  They 


HERCULES. 

were  appointed  to  guard  the  golden  apples  of  a 
tree  planted  in  a delightful  garden,  situated  near' 
Mount  Atlas,  in  Africa.  But  the  nymphs,  in- 
stead of  preserving  their  splcudid  charge  from 
depredation,  were  always  gathering  for  their  own 
eating;  Juno  therefore  confided  the  care  both 
of  the  fruit  and  of  the  Ilesperides  themselves 
to  a terrible  serpent,  which  never  slept.  It  was 
imposed  by  Enrystheus,  as  an  extra  labour,  on 
Hercules,  to  procure  some  of  the  golden  apples 
from  the  garden  above  named.  This  he  effected, 
after  having  killed  the  watchful  monster,  whose 
dreadful  folds  were  always  coiled  around  the 
tree  which  bore  those  precious  fruits]. 

On  this  medallion,  the  hero,  personifying 
manly  strength  and  symmetry  in  perfectiou, 
after  having  slain  the  serpent,  which  remains 
cut wiued  about  the  tree,  elevates  his  right  hand, 
as  if  about  to  pluck  one  of  the  apples.  He 
holds  in  the  other  hand  the  club  and  the  lion’s 
skin.  On  the  other  side,  standing  close  to  the 
tree,  arc  the  three  nymphs,  whose  neglect  of 
duty,  according  to  the  fable,  led  to  an  under- 
taking full  of  danger  to  Hercules;  but  who  suc- 
ceeded in  bringing  away  the  golden  produce  of 
the  tree,  and  in  releasing  the  Ilesperides. 

Hercules  between  Virtue  and  Voluptas. — 
p.  M.  tr.  P.  cos.  iii.-A  temple  with  two  columns, 
within  which  a naked  male 
figure  stands  with  a club  in 
his  right  hand,  whilst  a 
draped  female  on  his  right, 
and  another  on  his  left,  ap- 
pear endeavouring  to  attract 
him  each  to  her  side.  Gold 
of  Hadrian. 

This  coin  involves  in  itself  a moral  subject. 
The  remarkable  type  is  explained  in  the  words 
of  Cicero  himself  (Be  Ojficiis,  i.  r.  32).  Ac- 
cording to  Xenophon,  “ Hercules  Prodieius,  as 
soon  as  he  arrived  at  years  of  puberty,  a time 
assigned  by  Nature  for  every  individual  to  choose 
his  path  iu  life,  went  forth  iuto  some  desert 
spot;  and,  sitting  there  a long  time  by  himself, 
was  much  perplexed  with  doubts,  whilst  he  re- 
flected that  there  were  two  ways,  the  one  of 
Pleasure  the  other  of  Virtue.”  Respecting  this 
Hercules  Prodieius,  Eckhel  refers  to  Xenophon, 
Quinctilian,  and  others  enumerated  by  Potter” 
(ad  C/ementis  A/exand.  Pedagog.  ii.  ch.  10). 

The  fable  was  afterwards  elegantly  applied  by 
Silitis  Italicus  (Punic,  xv.  v.  20)  to  the  elder 
Africauus  ; aud  in  later  times,  as  we  here  see, 
the  moneyer  compares  Hadrian  with  Hercules. 
For,  as  that  demi-god,  with  a disposition  averse 
to  pleasure,  chose  a life  of  severe  discipline,  and 
by  exterminating,  with  vast  exertions,  the  mon- 
sters that  infested  it,  restored  tranquillity  to  the 
world, — so  Hadrian  also,  eschewing  the  allure- 
ments of  a luxurious  life,  preferred,  with  a re- 
markable endurance  of  fatigue,  to  travel  over 
the  Roman  world,  and  by  chastising  the  extor- 
tions of  the  governors  of  its  provinces,  by  set- 
tling legal  disputes,  and  by  alleviating  the  con- 
dition of  the  destitute,  to  leave  behind  him  im- 
perishable monuments  of  his  benevolence. — IV  e 
have  already  seen,  that  Hadrian  i9  compared 


HERCULES. 

with  Hercules  repeatedly  throughout  the  types 
of  his  coins ; “ whether,  however  (adds  the 
Author  of  Doctrina),  there  be  really  such  coins 
in  existence  as  the  one  which  Casaubou  declares 
that  he  has  seen  apud  prasidem  Thuanum  (ad 
Spartiani  Iladr.  eh.  13),  inscribed  ATT.  K.  AA- 
PIANOC.  CEBACTOC.  HPAKI.HC.  PfiMAIOC. 
and  representing  the  emperor  with  the  attri- 
butes of  Hercules,  I am  much  inclined  to  doubt. 
It  is  probable  that  this  is  a coin  of  Commodus, 
who  was  often  styled  Hercules  Romanes  both 
on  Roman  and  Greek  coins ; though  there  is 
actually  quoted,  among  the  medallions  of  the 
Museum  Thcupoli,  page  778,  one  ou  which  the 
head  of  Hadrian  is  said  to  be  covered  with  the 
skin  of  a lion  ; provided,  indeed,  that  this  coin 
is  considered  to  be  genuine.  What  is  meant  by 
the  aged  and  reclining  figure,  I am  at  a loss  to 
discover.  If  it  either  held  a reed,  or  were  lean- 
ing on  the  customary  urn,  I should  pronouucc 
it  a river ; but  cvcu  then  1 could  not  account 
for  its  appearance.” 

Hercules,  his  attributes  and  arms. — On  a 
denarius  of  c.  coponiv«  pr.  s.  c.  is  a club  erect, 
with  the  skin  of  a lion ; on  one  side  a dart  or 
arrow,  on  the  other  a bow.  The  arms  of  Her- 
cidcs  undoubtedly  bear  allusion  to  Copouius  de- 
riving his  origin  from  Tibur,  in  which  city 
great  honours  were  paid  to  Hercules,  whence 
Propertius  calls  it  Herculeum  (ii.  El  eg.  32)  ; 
and  Strabo  states  that  there  was  a temple  of 
Hercules  at  Tibur. — See  coponia  gens,  p.  279. 

A second  brass  of  the  Curtia  gens  (engraved 
in  ilorell.  Thesaur.  Tam.  Rom.  vol.  ii.)  exhibits 
on  its  obverse  the  beardless  head  of  Hercules, 
covered  with  the  lion’s  skin  ; and  on  its  reverse 
a bow,  club,  and  arrow  arc  typified. 

On  a brass  medallion  of  Commodus,  with  legend 
of  reverse  p.  m.  tr.  p.  x.  imp.  vii.  cos.  iiii.  Her- 
cules is  represented  naked,  standing  with  the  club 
and  lion’s  skin,  lifting  up  with  his  right  hand  a 
crown  to  his  own  head.  To  the  right  are  a bow 
and  a quiver  of  arrows,  suspended  from  a branch 
of  a tree;  to  his  left  is  an  altar  with  the  fire 
kindled. — See  a cut  of  this  reverse,  engraved 
after  a cast  from  the  original  in  the  Cabinet  de 
France,  at  the  head  of  the  article  hercvles, 
p.  450. 


The  same  vile  caricature  of  an  emperor,  to 
whose  fertile  mints,  nevertheless,  our  numis- 
matic treasuries  are  indebted  for  many  a fine 
and  interesting  coin,  caused,  in  his  Herculean 
frenzy,  the  above  legend  to  be  struck,  with  the 
type  of  the  club,  bow,  and  quiver  full  of  arrows, 
3 N 


HERCULES.  457 

which  symbolize  the  hero,  with  whose  world- 
wide fame  his  own  contemptible  notoriety  dared 
to  compare  itself. — See  hercvli  romano. 

IIERCVLES  ADSERTOR.  (Hercules  the 
Assister  or  Liberator). — See  florente  for- 
TVNA  P.  R.  p.  391. 

HERCVLI.  COMITI.  AVG.  COS.  III.  A 
naked  Hercules,  standing  with  club  and  lion’s 
skin ; near  him  the  emperor  veiled,  sacrificing 
over  a tripod ; the  viclimarius  stands  beside  him 
holding  an  ox.  Brass  medallion  of  Postumus. 
(Morelli.  Specimen,  p.  41). 

On  this  coin,  which  Morel  states  to  be  in  the 
highest  state  of  preservation,  and  of  the  most 
elegant  workmanship,  not  only  do  the  portraits 
of  the  obverse  correspond  in  every  feature,  but 
the  countenances  of  Hercules  and  Postumus, 
given  on  the  reverse,  also  bear  the  closest  re- 
semblance to  those  on  the  obverse.  And  from 
this  circumstance,  it  is  evident  that  the  jugated 
heads,  which  so  commonly  appear  on  the  ob- 
verses of  Postumus’  coins,  are  not  those  of  two 
Postumi,  but  those  of  Postumus  and  Her- 
cules (see  p.  382.) — To  the  worship  of  that  deity 
the  Gauls  were  much  devoted,  and  to  the  sculp- 
tured lineaments  of  his  countenance  Postumus 
studiously  conformed  his  own,  in  the  hope  of 
rendering  himself  personally  more  sacred,  by 
this  conciliatory  homage  to  the  popular  super- 
stition of  the  provinces  he  governed. — Doctrina, 
vii.  443. 

This  title  given  to  Hercules  as  Comes  Augusti 
(compauion  of  the  emperor),  was  in  compliment 
to  Postumus,  who,  bravest  in  wrar,  faithful  in 
peace,  grave  in  character  and  counsels,  was  re- 
garded as  accompanied  every  where  by  the  cour- 
ageous genius  of  Hercules  himself, — and  this 
brave  prince  is  on  the  above  medal  rendering 
thanks  to  his  tutelary  divinity  for  being  present 
with  him  as  his  companion  m the  triumph  he 
had  just  achieved  over  his  enemies  the  Germans. 
On  a gold  coin  of  Maximinus  Daza  appears  the 
inscription  of  Hercules  Comes  Casarum  Nostro- 
rum,  as  indicating  the  companionship  of  the 
same  deity  with  himself  and  Constantine. 

HERC.  COMM,  or  COM. MODI ANO.  P.  M. 
TR.  P.  XVI.  COS.  VI.  Hercules,  standing  before 
an  altar,  with  patera  in  his  right  hand,  aud  cor- 
nucopia; in  his  left,  near  him  a tree,  from  which 
is  suspended  the  skin  of  a lion.  Gold  of  Corn- 
modus  (engraved  in  Caylns) — Brass  medallion 
of  do.  (in  Mus.  Albani). — First  brass,  engraved 
in  the  Cabinet  de  Christine. — See  hercvli. 

HERCVLI  CONS ervatori  AVGVS ti.  (To 

Hercules  the  Preserver  of  the  Emperor). — On  a 
very  rare  gold  coin  of  Gallienus,  having  for  the 
type  of  its  reverse  the  Calydonian  boar  ruuning, 
a symbol  of  Hercules. 

HERCVLI  CRETENSI.  See  Herculis  La- 
bores,  p.  452. 

HERCVLI  DEBELLATORI.  (To  Hercules 
the  Vanquisher). — This  legend,  with  the  killing  of 
the  Hydra  as  its  type,  appears  on  a coin  of  Max- 
imianus  Hcrculius,  respecting  which  Eckhel  ob- 
serves as  follows  : — “ As  his  colleague  Diocle- 
tian made  an  ostentatious  display  on  his  coins 
of  his  attachment  to  the  worship  and  name  of 


458  HERCULES. 

Jupiter,  so  Maximianus,  in  like  manner,  boasted 
of  Hercules.  Thus  we  find  on  the  medals  of 
the  latter  emperor,  Hercules  the  Preserver,  the 
Conqueror,  the  Unvanquished,  the  Peace  bear- 
ing, the  Victorious,  with  various  accompanying 
types,  which  exhibit  different  labours  of  the 
god,  and  many  others  occur  on  those  coins  of 
Maxcntius  which  are  inscribed  virtys  avgg. — 
This  was  the  reason  why  sometimes  he  appears 
on  his  coins  in  the  worship  of  his  favourite 
deity,  his  head  covered  with  the  skin  of  the 
lion,  as  though  he  made  his  son  Maxentius  heir 
of  the  glory  symbolized  in  this  reverse.  And 
if  we  consider  the  barbarians  every  where  van- 
quished and  subdued  by  him,  as  monsters  dan- 
gerous to  the  empire,  Maxim  ianus  may  be  es- 
teemed, if  not  Hercules,  at  least  his  most  sedu- 
lous and  warlike  imitator.”  viii.  p.  19. 


1.  2. 

1 FIERC.  DEVSONIENSI.— Hercules,  with 
the  club  in  his  right  hand,  and  the  lion’s  spoils 
on  his  left  arm,  stands  in  a temple  of  four 
columns.  On  a denarius  in  billon  of  Postumus, 
whence  cut  No.  1 is  engraved. — On  another  bil- 
lon coin,  engraved  in  Baiiduri,  Hercules  stands 
(not  within  a temple),  but  with  the  usual  attri- 
butes of  club  and  lion’s  skin. 

This  appellation  was  given  to  Hercules  from 
a place  where  he  was  worshipped,  though  it  is 
not  as  yet  sufficiently  ascertained  where  Deuso 
or  1 Deuson  was  situated. — Tristan,  following 
other  writers,  considered  it  not  improbable  that 
this  place  was  the  same  as  that  of  which  Hiero- 
nymus thus  speaks  in  the  Chronicou  of  Euse- 
bius— “ The  Saxons  were  slaughtered  at  Denso, 
in  the  district  of  the  l’ranci.”  Tristan  conjec- 
tures that  Deuso  may  possibly  have  been  what 
is  now'  called  Dugz,  on  the  Rhine,  opposite  to 
Colonia  Agrippina;  (Cologn).  If  resemblance 
of  name  be  the  object,  it  is  not  necessary  to 
look  for  the  site  of  Deuso,  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Rhine;  for  there  arc  on  this  bank  at 
the  present  day  several  towns  called  Duisburg, 
w hich  may  have  derived  their  name  from  Deuso. 
It  is  the  opinion  of  the  authors  of  a work  en- 
titled La  Religion  des  Gaulois,  b.  iii.  cli.  8, 
that  this  Hercules  was  identical  with  the  Her- 
cules Magusanus  mentioned  bclowr. 

2.  HERCVLI  MAG  VS  A NO.— Hercules 
stands,  in  repose,  the  right  hand  placed  on  the 
right  hip ; whilst  his  left  hand,  on  which  hangs 
the  lion’s  skin,  rests  on  the  club. — Silver  aud 
first  and  second  brass  of  Postumus. 

As  in  the  case  of  Hercules  Deusonicnsis,  so 
in  this  of  Hercules  Magusanus,  there  is  a dis- 
pute as  to  the  locality.  It  is  probable,  that 
Macusa,  or  Magusa,  was  a town  celebrated  for 
the  worship  of  Hercules.  Muratori  cites  (p.  64, 


HERCULES. 

Nos.  1 aud  2),  two  marbles  dedicated  to  this 
Hercules,  aud  states  that  they  were  discovered 
in  Belgium.  —See  various  conjectures  on  this 
subject  in  Tristan,  Muratori,  and  the  authors  of 
the  work  entitled  De  la  Religion  des  Gaulois. — 
An  anonymous  writer  of  Ravenna  enumerates, 
among  the  towns  situated  on  the  river  Moselle, 
Macusa  (Geogr.  iv.  c.  26),  from  w hich  perhaps 
this  Hercules  derived  his  appellation.  Few  will 
imagine,  with  llarduin  (ad  Plin.  vi.  p.  344), 
that  he  was  so  called  from  Magusa,  in  ^Ethiopia. 
Kcyslcr  has  published  a marble  found  at  Wcst- 
chapcl  (M'estcapella),  on  which  is  inscribed — 
HERCVLI  MAGVSANO  - - - TERTIVS.  V.  S.  L.  M. 
with  a figure  of  the  deity,  representing  him  as 
standing  naked,  aud  holding  in  his  right  haud 
a dolphin,  in  his  left  the  trunk  of  a tree  cleft 
in  two,  aud  at  his  feet  a scorpion  (Antiq.  Sep- 
tembr.  p.  200)  ; “ though  (adds  Eckhel)  1 am 
not  aware  how  these  attributes  cau  appertain  to 
Hercules,  such  as  through  classical  myTths  we 
are  made  acquainted  with  him.  The  types  of 
the  coins  in  question  differ  in  no  respect  from 
the  Hercules  of  the  Greeks.”  vii.  444. 

HERCVLI  ERYMANTHINO. — Sec  Labours 
of  Hercules,  p.  451. 

HERC.  GADIT.  P.  M.  TR.  P.  COS.  III. 
Hercules  standing,  rests  his  right  hand  on  the 
club  ; in  his  left  hand  arc  three  apples.  On  one 
side  of  him  is  a man  reclining  on  the  ground  ; 
on  the  other  is  the  half  of  a ship.  Coinage  of 
Hadrian.  Engraved  in  Caylus  (No.  379),  gold 
imperial  series,  in  the  Cabinet  de  France. 

“ Transported  from  the  metropolis  Tyre  to 
the  colony  Gades,  Hercules  Got! it  anus  became 
celebrated,  not  only  in  Spain,  but  at  Rome  it- 
self ; insomuch  that,  according  to  the  Roman 
law,  the  Hercules  of  Gades  acquired  a privi- 
lege, denied  to  most  other  foreign  deities,  of  in- 
heriting property  by  bequest.  (F/pian  Fragm. 
xxv.) — This  deity  appears  on  the  coinage  of  Ha- 
drian ; firstly,  beeausc  the  town  of  Gades,  from 
its  proximity  to  Italics,  his  native  place,  easily 
communicated  to  it  the  worship  of  Hercules, 
Domitia  Paulina,  his  mother,  also  deriving  her 
origin  from  Gades ; and  in  the  next  place,  be- 
cause Hadrian,  by  visiting  all  the  provinces  of 
the  empire,  and  conferring  benefits  on  each  of 
them,  in  a certain  sense  earned  the  name  and 
honours  of  Hercules.  The  ship  doubtless  alludes 
to  the  maritime  power  of  the  Gaditani ; but  the 
recliuiug  figure,  which  most  other  writers  have 
pronouuced  a river,  Eckhel  agrees  with  Florez 
in  considering  to  be  still  a matter  of  dispute.  It 
is  not,  perhaps,  a very  rash  conjecture  to  say, 
that  it  is  a figure  of  Oceanus.  At  any  rate,  ou 
coins  of  Tyre  the  metropolis,  we  see  Occauus  re- 
presented uuder  the  same  figure  of  a man  re- 
clining, and  inscribed  near  it,  to  prevent  misin- 
terpretation, the  word  flKEANOC ; and  it  is 
known  to  every  one,  that  Gades  was  situated  on 
the  sea  coast.” — Doctrina,  vol.  vi.  504. 

A similar  figure  of  a man  reclining  appears 
ou  a coin  of  Hadrian,  referring  to  the  anecdote 
of  Hercules  (Prodicius)  standing  betweeu  Vir- 
tue and  Voluptas,  accompanied  by  the  legend 
p.  si.  TR.  P.  cos.  in.  described  and  eugraved  in 


HERCULES. 

p.  456.  To  the  same  subject  may  be  referred 
the  gold  aud  silver  coins  of  the  same  emperor 
inscribed  cos.  ill.  or  jp.  M.  tr.  P.  cos.  iii.  and 
the  type  of  which  is  a naked  Hercules,  sitting 
by  bis  armour,  with  the  club  in  bis  right  band, 
and  a thuuder-bolt  in  his  left.  Engraved  in  Cay- 
lus,  gold,  No.  380. 

11ERCVLI  INV1CTO.— Sec  Labours  of  Her- 
cules, No.  9,  p.  453. 

HERCVLI  NEMAEO.— See  Labour  of  Her- 
cules, No.  1,  p.  450. 

HERCULES  MVSARVM. See  Pompouia 

gens. 

HERC.  PAC. — Hercules  naked,  stands  hold- 
ing a branch.  Gold  of  L.  Yerus. — “ No  men- 
tion (says  Vaillant)  is  made  except  on  ancient 
coins  of  Hercules  Pacifer  (the  pacific  Hercules). 
In  ancient  times  strong  men  were  called  Her- 
cules, aud  many  Roman  princes  were  exhibited 
under  the  name  aud  image  of  that  hero.  Vcrus 
also,  after  having  performed  his  labours  in  the 
Parthian  war,  condescended  to  give  peace  to  the 
enemy,  and  was  called  Hercules  the  Peace- 
bearer.” 

HERCVLI  PACIFEF.O. Hercules  naked, 

stands  with  the  face  turned  to  the  right,  holding 
up  a branch  in  his  left  hand,  whilst  he  bears  the 
club  aud  lion’s  skin  in  his  right. — Postumus. 

Banduri  is  of  opinion  that  this  rare  silver 
coin  is  most  correctly  to  be  referred  to  the  year 
a.  D.  266,  in  which  Gallienus,  despairing  of  an 
opportunity  to  avenge  the  murder  of  his  son  Cor- 
nelius Saloninus,  left  off  carrying  on  the  war 
which  up  to  that  period  had,  with  mutual  loss, 
been  waged  in  Gaul  between  him  aud  Pos- 
tumus, in  order  that  he  might,  with  the  uni- 
versal strength  of  the  empire,  resist  and  repel 
the  Scythian  nations,  who  had  for  nearly  fifteen 
years  been  ravaging  both  the  European  aud  the 
Asiatic  provinces  ; for  such  was  then  the  condi- 
tion of  the  Roman  government,  that  it  was  un- 
able to  sustaiu  against  one  sufficiently  formid- 
able enemy  two  wars  at  the  same  time.  But 


HERCVLI  ROMANO  AVG.  P.  M.  TR.  P. 
XVIII.  COS.  VII.  P.  P. — Hercules  stands  lean- 
ing with  his  left  arm  on  the  club,  which  is 
placed  on  a rock.  His  left  hand  grasps  a bow, 
behind  which  hang  the  lion’s  spoils.  His  right 
hand  rests  ou  the  hip.  An  attitude  which  the 
artists  of  antiquity  were  fond  of  assigning  to 
their  statues  of  this  hero. 

3 N 2 


HERCULES.  459 

this  coin  shews  that  Postumus  chose  to  ascribe 
the  accepted  peace  to  his  owrn  valour,  rather 
than  to  the  calamities  of  the  state.  There  are 
similar  pieces  in  brass,  vol.  i.  p.  292. 

HERCULI  ROMANO  AVGVSTO. This 

legend  appears  on  a silver  coin  of  Commodus, 
which  has  for  its  type  Hercules  standing ; he 
holds  his  club  and  lion’s  spoils,  and  is  crown- 
ing a trophy.  Ou  first  aud  second  brass  of  the 
above  emperor,  with  the  same  legend,  we  see, 
in  the  place  of  Hercules,  only  his  attribute  of 
the  club,  either  by  itself  placed  upright  within 
a laurel  crown  ; or  accompanied  by  a bow  aud 
quiver. 

HERCVLI  ROMtf  CONI  Wo™  COS.  VII. 
P.  P. — Hercules  driving  a plough  with  oxen. — 
On  the  other  side  of  a gold  medal  is  the  head 
of  Commodus  covered  with  the  lion’s  skin. 

Commodus  carried  his  ridiculous  vanity  aud 
presumption  so  far  as  to  cause  himself  to  be 
called  the  young  Jupiter,  and  the  Roman  Her- 
cules (Hercules  Augustus,  or  Commodiauus).— 
The  above  three  coius  furnish  additional  proofs 
of  this  fact,  as  regards  the  latter  assumption. 
It  appears  that  in  order  the  better  to  accomplish 
his  preposterous  design,  he  laid  down  the  laurel 
crown  which  emperors  were  accustomed  to  wear, 
affecting  to  cover  himself  with  the  lion’s  skin, 
and  to  carry  a club  like  Hercules.  He  appeared 
in  public  in  this  costume,  aud  with  these  ac- 
coutrements. His  statues  aud  his  medals  otten 
represent  him  in  this  new  dress.  Indeed,  hav- 
ing given  multiplied  proofs  of  his  prodigious 
strength,  aud  even  of  physical  courage,  in 
vanquishing  divers  ferocious  animals  in  the 
Circus,  he  might  well,  on  that  accouut,  be  com- 
pared to  Hercules. 

The  last  quoted  coin,  bearing  the  extraordi- 
nary inscription  of — “ To  Hercules  the  Founder 
of  Rome,”  has  reference  to  the  insanity  of  Com- 
modus, in  decreeing  to  change  the  city  of  Rome 
into  a Colony , bearing  his  name ! — See  COL onia 
Lucia  AN loniniana  COMmodiana,  p.  234. 


Obv. — L.  AELIVS  AVRELIVS  COM5IODVS  AVG. 
pivs  feux.  Laureated  head,  exhibiting  the 
likeness  of  the  emperor,  but  covered  with  a 
lion’s  skin,  being  intended  to  represent  Corn- 
modus  as  Hercules. 

[Brass  medallion,  engraved  after  a cast  from 
the  original  in  the  Cabinet  de  France.  Besides 
the  very  fine  preservation  and  high  relief  of  this 


460  HERCULES. 


HERCULES. 


particular  specimen,  the  compiler  has  been  in-  I 
duccd  to  select  it  for  the  classic  example  which  I 
its  reverse  presents  of  Hercules  in  repose ; and  J 
also  because  the  obverse  serves,  as  a striking 
type,  to  illustrate  those  portraitures  of  Roman 
emperors  who  successively  adopted  the  titles  and 
attributes  of  the  derai-god.l 

To  such  a pitch  of  madness  did  Commodus 
anive,  as  not  only  to  give  himself  oat  as 
a god,  which  indeed  he  would  have  done  in 
common  with  several  of  his  predecessors,  but 
throwing  aside  even  the  laurel  crown,  the  ens- 
tomary  badge  of  sovereignty,  he  caused  his  por- 
trait to  be  exhibited  on  his  coins  with  the  attri- 
butes of  divinity.  Up  to  this  time,  such  an 
indulgence  had  been  conceded  to  Grecian  vanity, 
which  was  wont  to  liken  its  kings  to  various  ] 
deities,  as  it  also  did  9ome  of  the  Augnsti,  of  ] 
which  we  have  seen  instances  in  the  coins  of  j 
Nero  of  foreign  die.  But  till  this  moment  the  J 
mint  of  Rome  was  guiltless  of  so  base  an  adula-  ! 
tion ; and  though  its  reverses  sometimes  clothed 
an  emperor  in  the  attributes  of  a god,  it  was 
still  done  with  some  shew  of  reverence  ; for  the 
legend  invariably  abstained  from  the  name  of  a [ 
deity,  nor  was  any  change  made  in  the  attire  of  . 
the  head,  inconsistent  with  the  majesty  of  the 
empire.  Those  barriers,  however,  were  broken 
down  by  the  shamelessness  of  Commodus ; and 
from  that  year  to  the  end  of  his  life,  both  the 
legends  and  types  of  his  coins  speak  of  him  as  a | 
present  deity , — on  the  same  principle  that  he  in-  [ 
sisted,  as  Lampridius  observes  (ch.  15),  on  having  ' 
recorded  in  the  annals  of  Rome,  all  the  base,  foul, 
cruel,  butcherly,  and  profligate  acts  of  his  life. 
Having  the  power  to  assume  what  character  lie 
would,  he  chose  that  of  Hercules,  because  lie  I 
wished  it  to  be  thought,  that  in  the  slaughter 
of  savage  beasts  he  had  rivalled  that  personage.  I 
This  folly  of  the  sometime  mau,  but  now,  for-  \ 
sooth,  divinity  ! is  proved  not  merely  by  numer- 
ous  coins,  but  by  a host  of  ancient  writers,  the  I 
most  remarkable  of  whose  testimonies  arc  here  . 
subjoined : — 

Commodus  was  first  called  Hercules  Romanus 
on  account  of  his  having  slain  wild  beasts  in  the 
amphitheatre  of  Lanuvium.  If  we  may  credit 
the  accounts  of  historians,  his  personal  strength 
entitled  him  to  the  name,  for  he  transfixed  an 
elephant  with  a spear  ; and  in  one  day  killed  a 
hundred  hears  with  darts  ; fatigued  with  which 
exploits,  he  drained  at  a draught  a cup  brought 
to  him  by  a girl, — faithful  to  the  character  of 
Hercules  even  in  his  drinking  and  amours. — 
These  particulars  are  related  by  Dion,  an  cyc- 
w it  ness,  and  by  Lampridius.  That  a hundred 
lions  were  killed  by  him  in  one  day,  is  stated  by 
Ilerodianus  and  Ammianus.  Being  regarded, 
on  account  of  these  doings,  as  a second  Alcides, 
and  wishing  to  be  so  called,  a crowd  of  statues 
w ere  instantly  executed,  representing  Commodus 
in  the  attributes  of  that  deity,  and  soon  after, 
sacrifice  was  offered  to  him.  So  persuaded  was 
lie  that  he  wa9  indeed  Hercules,  that  when  he 
went  abroad,  he  ordered  the  lion’s  skin  and  club 
to  be  carried  before  him.  And  to  carry  on  his 
imitatiou  of  Hercules  in  the  slaving  of  mon- 


sters, which  were  universally  believed  to  be 
fabulous,  lie  had  men  sewn  up  alive  in  sacks, 
and  made  into  the  form  of  giants,  and  then 
killed  them  with  darts.  A report  having  been 
spread  that  the  emperor  intended  to  put  several 
persons  to  death  by  shooting  arrows  at  them,  as 
Hercules  had  done  in  one  of  his  encounters,  few 
had  the  courage  even  to  appear  in  the  amphi- 
theatre. And  all  this  took  place  before  the  eyes 
of  the  people  and  the  Senate.  To  such  a depth 
of  infamy  had  sunk  the  son  of  Marcus,  and  to 
such  a degree  of  degradation  was  that  venerable 
assembly  of  the  Fathers  reduced  by  fear.  The 
people,  indeed,  as  far  as  they  could,  took  their 
revenge  in  lampoons,  of  which  the  following 
example  from  Lampridius  is  not  without  merit. 
Commodus  lierculeum  nomen  habere  cupit, 
Antoninornm  non  pntat  esse  bonum, 

Expcrs  humani  juris  et  imperii, 

Spcrans  quiuetiam  clarius  esse  deum, 

Quara  si  sit  princeps  nomiuis  egregii, 

Non  erit  iste  dcus,  nec  tainen  ullus  homo. 

(Lamp,  in  Diadumen.  I 

[Commodus  covets  the  name  of  Hercules,  nor 
thinks  that  of  the  Antonines  good  enough  for 
him.  Setting  at  defiance  all  humau  law  and 
control,  and  imagining  it  a more  glorious  lot  to 
be  a god  than  a prince  of  noble  fame,  he  will 
not  after  all  be  a god,  nor  in  auy  sense  a man]. 

One  writer,  however,  ha9  been  found  some- 
what to  mitigate  the  sentence  of  condemnation 
on  this  emperor’s  follies.  “ Why  then  (says 
Athenaeus,  xii.  p.  537),  should  we  feel  so  much 
surprize,  that  the  Emperor  Commodus,  when 
riding  in  his  chariot,  should  have  had  placed 
beside  him  the  club  of  Hercules,  and  the  lion’s 
[ skin  spread  beneath  him,  and  desire  to  be  called 
Hercules,  when  Alexander,  though  imbued  with 
the  precepts  of  Aristotle,  could  liken  himself  to 
the  deities,  nay  even  to  Diana.” — Eckhel,  vii. 

■ pp.  125,  126. 

HERCVLI  T1IRAC10.— See  Herculis  La- 
bores,  No.  8,  p.  453. 

HERCVLES  VICTOR.— Sec  restio. 
HERCVLI  V ICTORL — Hercules  naked, 

I stands  with  club  reversed  in  his  right  baud  rest- 
ing on  the  ground,  and  holding  a bow  in  his 
left : the  spoils  of  the  lion  hang  from  his  left 
arm. — This  appears  on  a silver  coin  of  .Fmili- 
anus,  struck  on  the  occasion  of  a victory  gained 
by  that  emperor  over  the  Scythians.  (Banduri). 
The  temple  of  1 Icrculcs  the  Victorious  was  built 
at  Rome,  by  Octavius  Herennius.  (llavercamp). 
— This  surname  of  Victor,  amongst  the  many 
appropriated  to  Hercules  on  Roman  coins,  agrees 
with  the  epithet  CalUnicns,  given  to  him  by  the 
Greeks,  and  which  was  borne  by  the  successors 
of  Alexander  the  Great,  who  pretended  like  him- 
self to  have  descended  in  a right  line  from  llcr- 
| cules.  (Spanheim’s  Grsars  of  Julian). 

HERCVLI  VICTOKI. — A naked  Hercules, 
standing  with  a club  in  his  right  hand,  and  an 
' apple  and  lion’s  skin  in  his  left ; in  the  field  the 
letter  Z,  aud  at  the  bottom  S.  M.  S.  D.  Gold  of 
FI.  Severus,  in  the  imperial  museum  of  Vienna. 
“ This  fine  coin  (says  Eckhel),  which  came 
i into  my  possession  mauy  years  ago,  I published 


1IERCULI0  MAX1MIANO. 
at  the  time  with  the  greater  satisfaction,  that  it 
was  then  au  unique  specimen  of  a gold  coin  of 
Sevcrus,  bearing  the  title  of  Augustus.  Taniu 
has  since  added  two  more,  one  of  which  is  of 
medallion  size.”  vii.  44 A. 

HERCVLI  VICTORI.— This  legend  also  ac- 
companies the  type  of  Hercules  Requiescens, 
which  represents  the  demi-god  reposing  after  his 
victorious  labours,  cither  standing  with  his  right 
hand  resting  on  his  club,  and  his  left  holding 
the  apples  of  the  Hesperides,  as  is  seen  on  a 
second  brass  of  Val.  Maximianus,  or  sitting  on 
a rock,  with  his  bow  and  other  attributes,  as 
on  coins  of  Constautius  Chlorus,  Valer.  Severus, 
Maximinus  Daza.  There  is  also  a most  rare 
brass  coin  of  Coustantiue  the  Great,  with  the 
same  legend  and  type,  quoted  by  Baudnri  from 
Mcdiobarbus  and  Spaukeim. 


IIERCVLIO  MAX1MIANO  AVG.— Maxi- 
mianns  in  the  paludamentum,  seated  with  a 
globe  in  his  left  baud,  on  which  side  sits  Her- 
cules. Victory  flying  behind  crowns  them  both  ; 
at  the  bottom  ROM.  Brass  medallion  of  Dio- 
cletian. The  above  cut  engraved  after  a cast 
from  the  original  in  the  French  Cabinet. 

In  illustration  of  the  meaning  of  this  coin, 
as  well  as  of  a gold  medallion  of  the  same 
emperor  (see  iovio  et  hercvlio),  the  author  of 
Doctrina  (viii.  p.  9),  quotes  a passage  from 
Victor  (In  Casaribus);  “ He  (Maximianus)  after- 
wards acquired  the  surname  of  Herculins  from 
the  circumstauce  of  his  worshipping  that  deity, 
just  as  Valerius  (Diocletian)  did  that  of  Jovius ; 
whence  the  name  was  also  applied  to  such  por- 
tions of  the  army  as  had  evidently  distinguished 
themselves.” — The  first  part  of  this  passage 
receives  confirmation  from  the  coin  before  us : 
and  the  second,  as  Banduri  observes,  from  the 
fact,  that  in  the  Notitia  imperii,  there  occur  re- 
peatedly the  expressions — ala  Jovia,  leyio  Jovia, 
ala  Herculia,  aitxilia  llercuUa,  Herculiana, 
Ilerculensia,  &c. — Clandiau  (de  bello  Gild.  v. 
418)  makes  allusion  to  them  as  late  as  the  reign 
of  Honorius : — 

Herculeam  suns  Alcides,  Joviam  que  cohortem 

Rex  ducit  superum. 

[The  Herculean  cohort  is  led  by  its  own  Al- 
cides, and  the  Jovian  by  the  king  of  the  gods.] 

That  these  Jovian  and  Herculean  bands  held 
the  most  exalted  position  in  the  Roman  army, 


HERENNIUS  ETRUSCUS.  461 
and  acted  as  body  guard  to  the  emperor,  we 
learn  from  Sozomen,  speaking  of  the  reign  of 
Julian  (vi.  ch.  6). — Respecting  this  absurd  vanity 
of  Diocletian  and  Maximian,  in  their  adoption, 
respectively,  of  the  titles  Jovius  and  Herculius, 
sec  further  remarks  in  Spanhcim  (vol.  ii.  p.  494), 
and  Banduri  (p.  13,  note  4)  ; also  the  inscrip- 
tion virtvs  hercvli  caesaris,  and  Eckhel’s 
comments  on  a coin  of  Constantius  I. 


IIERENNIA  gens. — A plebeian  family,  but 
of  consular  rank.  It  has  many  varieties  on  its 
coins.  The  only  one  of  any  interest,  and  that 
not  rare,  bears  on  its  obverse  pietas,  with  a 
female  head ; on  the  reverse  m.  heiienni,  and 
the  group  of  a young  man  carrying  his  father 
on  his  shoulders. — Who  this  Herennius  was,  and 
what  occasion  led  to  the  adoption  of  this  type, 
is  uncertain.  But  it  evidently  alludes  to  the 
story  of  the  two  pious  brothers  of  Catana,  who 
rescued  their  parents  from  the  flames  of  Etna, 
during  an  eruption  which  endangered  their  lives. 
— See  Amphinomus  and  Anapis,  p.  41. 

HERENN1A  ETRUSCILLA. — See  etrus- 

CII.LA. 


HERENNIUS  ETRUSCUS  (Q.  Messius 
Decius),  eldest  son  of  Trajanus  Decius  and 
Etruscilla,  was  named  Caesar  by  his  father,  a.  d. 
249.  He  gained  the  following  year  the  battle 
of  Nicopolis  against  the  Goths ; but  was  after- 
wards surprised  and  defeated  at  Berea.  In  a.d. 
251,  he  was  named  Augustus ; served  the  con- 
sulate, fully  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
empire.  He  perished  with  Trajan  Decius  at 
the  battle  of  Abrittium,  a town  of  Msesia, 
the  same  year. — On  his  coins,  which,  with  the 
exception  of  the  silver  (some  of  which  are  com- 
mon), are  of  more  or  less  rarity,  he  is  styled 

HEREN.  ETRV.  MES.  QV.  DECIVS  CAESAR  01'  AVG. 

The  following  are  the  rarest  reverses  : — 

Gold. princ.  ivvent.  A seated  figure. 

(Valued  by  Mionnet  at  600  fr.) — principi  iv- 
ventvtis.  A military  figure  standing.  (Mt. 
600  fr. 

Silver. — Same  epigraph  and  type.  (Quina- 

rius.  Mionnet,  24  fr.) concordia  avgg. 

Right  hands  joined. — Obv.  q.  her.  etr.  mes. 
decivs  nob.  caes.  Radiated  head  of  Ilcren- 
nius. — secvritas  avgg.  Woman  standing,  rest- 
1 iug  on  a column.  (Mt.  24  fr.) — victoria  ger- 


462  HILA  RITAS. 

manica.  Victory  passing.  (Mt.  10  fr.) — votis 
oecennalibvs  within  a crown.  (Mt.  30  fr.) 

Large  Brass. — paci.  Temple  of  six  cols. 
(Mt.  20  fr.) — principi  ivventvtis.  Prince  in 
military  habit,  holding  a sceptre  and  the  liasta. 
(Large  size,  Mt.  24  fr.) — pietas  avgvstorvm. 
Sacrificial  instruments.  (Mt.  20  fr. ; brought  at 
Thomas  sale  10s.) 

HESPERIDES. — See  Hercules  in  the  garden 
of,  p.  456. 

HILARITAS  (Gaiety  or  Joy  personified). — 
On  most  Roman  coins  this  legend  has  for  its 
accompanying  type  the  figure  of  a matron,  stand- 
ing with  a long  foliaged  branch  of  palm  in  her 
right  hand,  which  she  plants  in  the  ground. — 
Green  branches  are  the  signs  of  gladuess ; and 
thence  amongst  almost  all  nations,  on  occasions 
of  joy  both  public  and  private,  it  was  the  cus- 
tom to  ornament  streets,  temples,  gates,  houses, 
and  even  entire  cities,  with  branches  and  leaves 
of  trees.  In  her  left  haud  Hilarity  holds  the 
cornucopia;  sometimes  a patera  supplies  the 
place  of  a branch  ; sometimes  a hasta ; at  other 
times  a flower ; but  the  palm  is  the  most  fre- 
quent and  peculiar  attribute. 


HILARITAS  P.  R omani  (Joy  of  the  Roman 
People),  S.  C.  COS.  III. — On  a first  brass  of 
Hadrian,  Hilarity,  figured  as  above,  appears  be- 
tween two  draped  children.  According  to  Arte 
midorus,  the  children  of  princes  are  themselves 
designated  by  palm  branches.  In  Scriptural 
language,  the  olive  emblematically  designates 
the  products  of  conjugal  union. 

Referring  to  this  reverse,  old  Angeloni  (p.  112) 
in  substance  says — “To  fill  up  the  emperor’s 
cup  of  glory  many  coius  were  coutiuually  de- 
creed to  him  by  the  Senate.  And  amongst 
these,  none  held  a superior  place  to  those 
which  represented  the  provinces  he  had  visited, 
or  which,  having  been  first  conquered  and  then 
lost  by  others,  he  had  recovered  back  again ; or 
which  he  had  enriched  with  his  favours,  em- 
bellished with  buildings,  furnished  with  laws, 
loaded  moreover  with  gifts,  and  afterwards  re- 
stored to  the  Roman  Republic ; one  remarkable 
instance  of  which  was  that  of  Egypt.” 

HILAR.  TEMPORUM.  (Joy  of  the  Times). 
By  the  same  type  of  a woman  holding  a palm 
branch  and  cornucopia?,  was  the  delight  of  the 
Romaus  intended  to  be  signified,  at  the  period 
which  gave  birth  to  children  by  Didia  Clara, 
only  daughter  of  the  emperor  Didius  Julianus. 

The  same  legend  aud  type  of  llilaritas,  with 
the  addition  of  avgvsti  avg.  avgg.  (Hilarity 
of  the  Emperor,  Empress,  or  Emperors)  are 


H1RTIA. — I1ISPANIA. 

found  on  coins  of  M.  Aurelius,  Faustina  jun. 
Lucilla,  Commodus,  Crispiua,  Julia  Domna, 
l’lautilla,  Caracalla,  Tetricus  senior,  Claudius 
Gothicus,  &c. — See  laetitia. 

HIPPOPOTAMUS  (river  horse). — A huge 
amphibious  animal,  inhabiting  the  Nile,  aud 
also  found  on  the  Gauges.  On  coins  which 
serves  to  symbolize  Egypt  (see  the  word  nilvs). 
The  figure  of  this  remarkable  beast  occurs  on 
several  coius  of  the  two  Philips,  aud  also  on 
those  of  Otacilia  Severn,  with  the  legend  of 
saecvlares  avgg. — Spauhcim  (Pr.  i.  p.  175) 
shews  when  this  fluvial  monster  was  first  ex- 
hibited at  Rome  in  the  public  spectacles. 

1IIRCO  (a  goat). — The  figure  of  this  auimal 
is  seen  on  some  consular  coins.  A family  de- 
narius exhibits  a naked  man,  riding  on  a goat, 
at  full  speed,  aud  holding  a branch  iu  his  right 
hand. — See  Cornelia  gens,  Cethegus,  p.  285, 
No.  5. — On  a silver  coin  of  l'onteius,  a winged 
boy  is  typified  riding  on  a goat. — See  fonteia 
gens,  p.  393. — On  a denarius  of  the  Rcnia 
family,  a woman,  in  a biga  of  goats,  is  goiug  at 
a rapid  pace. — See  renla. 


HIRTIA,  gens  plebeia. — Its  coins,  rare  and 
in  gold  only,  have  but  one  type,  ns  follows  : — 

Obv. — c.  caesak  cos.  in,  A veiled  female 

head. Rev. — a.  hirtivs  p.  r.  Poutifical 

instruments,  viz.  lituus  (the  augural  crook), 
urceus  (the  pitcher),  and  secespita  (the  axe). 

Eckhel  reads  the  legend  of  reverse  thus : — 
Aulus  Ilirtius  Prefectus  and  not  Pretor,  as 
some  have  done.  (See  his  explanatory  reasons, 
in  Cestia  gens,  vol.  v.  269.)  A.  Ilirtius  was  a 
great  favourite  of  the  Dictator  Ciesar,  to  whose 
commentaries  he  is  believed  to  have  put  the  last 
finishing  touches.  Consul  iu  the  year  of  Rome 
711  (u.  c.  43),  he  perished,  together  with  his 
colleague,  Yibius  Pansa,  at  the  battle  of  Mutiua. 

HIS. — This  abbreviation  of  Ilispania  appears 
on  a vcxillum  behind  the  head  of  Coelius  Cnidus, 
who,  having,  subsequently  to  a.  u.  c.  060,  been 
scut  as  proconsul  to  Spain,  gaiued  iu  that  coun- 
try much  military  renown. — See  Coelia  gens, 
p.  223 — also  epulones,  p.  360. 

IlISPAN.  Ilispania. — See  postumia  gens. 

Ilispania  (Spain). — The  Romaus  uuder  this 
name  comprehended  all  that  exteut  of  territory, 
which  is  bounded  by  the  Pyrenees  on  the  cast, 
by  the  Mediterranean  to  the  south  aud  east,  aud 
by  the  occau  to  the  north  and  west. — The  same 
motive  which  carried  them  into  Sicily,  led  them 
into  Spain ; that  is  to  say,  the  political  neces- 
sity of  opposing  the  Carthaginians  who  occu- 
pied the  larger  portion  of  the  country.  After  a 
long  and  bloody  struggle  the  Romans  succeeded 
in  driving  the  Carthaginians  cutirely  out  of 
Spain.  It  was  Publius  Scipio,  afterwards  but- 


HISPANIA. 


HISPANIA.  4G3 


named  Africanus,  under  whose  command  the 
legions  triumphed  over  the  troops  of  Hannibal. 
And  Hispania  being  thus  subjected  to  the  power 
of  the  republic,  was  divided  iuto  two  provinces. 
Augustus  afterwards  made  three  of  it,  Brntica, 
Lusitania,  and  Tarraconensis.  He  left  the  last 
named  to  the  Roman  people,  who  seut  a Prctor 
there ; and  he  reserved  the  two  other  portions, 
which  were  governed  by  his  Lieutenants.  Bretica 
comprised  the  kingdoms  of  Grenada  and  Anda- 
lusia, Estrcmadura,  and  some  places  in  New 
Castille.  Lusitania  included  the  kingdoms  of 
Portugal,  the  Algarves,  and  some  parts  of  the 
twro  Castillos.  Tarraconensis  comprehended  the 
kingdoms  of  Valentia,  Murcia,  Arragon,  Na- 
varre, Galicia,  and  Leon,  a large  part  of  the 
two  Castilles,  the  principality  of  the  Asturias, 
Biscay,  and  Catalonia. — (See  PitiscusJ. 


HISPANIA. — On  several  imperial  coins  Ilis- 
pania  in  genere  is  personified  by  a female  figure, 
clothed  sometimes  in  the  stola,  at  others  in  the 
lighter  folds  of  the  tunic  ; holding  in  one  hand 
corn-cars,  poppies,  or  (more  frequently)  an  olive 
branch,  emblems  of  the  fertility  of  that  country  ; 
and  in  thc-other  hand  a garland,  or  some  war- 
like weapon.  The  rabbit  too,  a well-known 
symbol  of  Hispania,  appears  on  coins  of  Hadrian 
and  Antoninus  Pius.  On  a first  brass  of  the 
last-named  emperor  (engraved  above  from  a cast 
after  the  original  in  the  British  Museum),  with 
the  legend  of  reverse  iiispania  s.  c.  cos.  n. 
Tire  province  represented  by  a turreted  woman, 
stands  holding  in  her  right  hand  a crown  of 
laurel,  and  in  her  left  a spreading  branch  of 
olive.  At  her  feet  is  a rabbit.  The  quautity  of 
rabbits  in  Spain  was  such,  that,  according  to 
Pliny,  they  undermined  a whole  town  with  their 
burrows  ; and  Strabo  affirms,  that  a portion  of 
the  inhabitants  entreated  the  Romans  to  give 
them  a settlement  elsewhere,  because  they  were 
no  longer  able  to  prevent  the  increase  of  this 
race  of  animals. 

Iiispania  was  greatly  replenished  with  nu- 
merous colonies  by  Julius  Csesar  and  by  Augustus, 
under  whom,  as  well  as  under  Galba,  Vespasian, 
Hadrian,  Antonine,  and  other  emperors,  coins 
were  struck  referring  in  legend  and  in  type  to 
Roman  domination  in  the  provinces  of  Spain. 

The  types  of  the  autonomous  coins  of  the 
Spanish  cities  make  the  same  kind  of  reference 
to  the  fertility  of  the  country,  to  its  produc- 
tions, and  to  the  warlike  spirit  of  its  natives. 
Coins  bearing  the  inscription  mspanobvm, 
exhibit  horses,  cavaliers  armed  and  crowned. 


branches  of  olive,  corn-cars,  and  fish. — See 
Akerman,  Ancient  Coins  of  Cities  and  Princes, 
p.  9;to  120. 

IIISPANIA. — A woman,  clothed  in  a long 
dress,  stands  holding  in  her 
right  hand  some  corn-ears  ; 
and  in  her  left  she  bears  two 
short  javelins,  and  the  small 
round  Spanish  shield.  This 
reverse  legend  and  accom- 
panying type  appear  on  gold 
and  silver  coins  of  Galba, 
(Obv. — galba  imp.  Lau- 
reated  head  of  that  emperor),  under  whom  Spain 
and  the  provinces  of  Gaid  were  highly  favoured, 
because  they  had  been  the  first  to  declare  them- 
selves against  Nero.  The  corn-ears  indicate 
the  fertility  of  Spain  ; the  buckler  and  the  two 
spears  represent  the  weapons  in  use  amongst 
her  warriors. — (Kolb.  vol.  i.  p.  124.) 

An  elegant  silver  coin  with  the  same  epi- 
graph, exhibits  the  head  of  a woman,  with  twro 
javelins.  On  the  obverse  is  the  figure  of  Galba 
on  horseback. 

This  female  bust  represents  Spain  ; her  head 
of  hair  flows  curling  upon  her  neck  ; the  small 
shield  behind  her  is  what  Livy  calls  the  cetra. — 
Hispania  is  struck  on  the  coins  of  the  emperor, 
not  only  because  it  was  in  Spain  that  he  was 
first  proclaimed,  but  also  on  account  of  the 
equestrian  statue  which  the  exercitus  Hispanicus 
decreed  should  be  erected  to  his  honour. — 
(Vaillant,  Pr.  vol.  ii.) 

HISPANIA. — A woman  standing,  w'ith  ears 
of  corn  in  her  extended  right  hand,  and  two 
spears  in  her  left ; a Spanish  buckler  hanging 
behind  her. 

On  a gold  coin  of  Vespasian,  the  reverse  type 
of  which  so  closely  resembles  the  preceding 
silver  coin  of  Galba,  Eckhcl  gives  the  following 
description  and  commentary,  as  from  a specimen 
in  the  Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna, 

“ This  beautiful  coin  (says  the  author  of 
Doctrina,  vi.  338)  I formerly  published  in  my 
Sglloge  i.  where  I remarked,  that  it  was  intended 
to  commend  the  attachment  shewn  by  Hispania 
towards  Vespasian ; it  being  a well-known  cir- 
cumstance, that  at  a very  early  period,  and  at  the 
instigation  of  Primus  Antonius,  that  country 
favoured  the  pretensions  of  Vespasian,  at  the  ex- 
pense of  Vitellius,  as  Tacitus  has  recorded.  (Hist. 
iii.  cli.  53,  70.)  It  is  probable,  that  it  was  on 
this  very  account  that,  as  Pliny  expresses  it  (iii. 
p.  144),  “ Vespasian,  Impcrator  and  Augustus, 
when  tossed  by  the  storms  of  civil  commotion, 
conferred  upon  the  whole  of  Hispania  the  Jus 
Latii. — Indeed,  in  such  a position  of  affairs. 
Hispania  might  have  been  a formidable  auxiliary 
being,  as  Tacitus  says,  considered  in  conjunction 
with  Gaul,  “the  most  powerful  portion  of  the 
earth.” — Juvenal,  too  (Sat.  viii.  116),  cautions 
the  governors  of  those  provinces  against  harass- 
ing and  provoking  such  robust  and  hardy  tribes, 
as  though  they  were  so  many  effeminate  Asiatics. 
Perhaps,  also,  this  type  was  intended  to  intimate 
the  transfer  to  Vespasian  of  the  affections  of  the 
Legio  Hispanica , which  formerly  accompanied 


464  1IISPANIA. 

Galba,  and  kept  guard  in  Rome.  (Tacit,  llist. 
i.  ch.  6.)  All  these  circumstances  may  have 
combined  to  induce  a repetition,  on  Vespasian’s 
coins,  of  a type  frequently  observed  on  those  of 
Galba.  This  coin  appears  to  have  been  struck 
at  Rome  immediately  on  the  accession  of  Ves- 
pasian, and  whilst  he  was  still  absent  abroad ; 
for,  though  it  is  of  undoubted  antiquity,  yet  the 
likeness  of  the  portrait  is  not  very  striking,  and 
we  do  not  find  on  his  later  coins  the  avg.  placed 
before  the  Vespasianus.” — The  coin  in  question 
is  not  included  in  the  catalogue  of  either 
Mionuet  or  Akerman. 


HISPANIA.  S.  C. — Spain  personified  on  coins 
of  Hadrian.  Capt.  Smyth,  R.N.  thus  describes 
and  animadverts  upon  the  reverse  of  a large 
brass  of  Hadrian,  with  this  legend,  in  his  own 
cabinet  of  first  brass : — “ A robed  female  re- 
clining against  a rock,  holds  in  her  right  hand  a 
branch  of  olive — which,  according  to  Pliny, 
flourished  luxuriantly  in  Boetica.  Her  head  is 
encircled  by  a sort  of  wreath,  which  some  me- 
dallists have  also  prouounced  to  be  of  olive,  from 
recollecting  the  ‘ limits  olivifera  crinem  redi- 
mite corona ,’  of  Martial,  and  the  description  of 
Claudiau,  ‘ glaucis  turn  primo  Minerva,  Nexa 
contain  soliis.’  ” (p.  105). 

The  same  type  appears  on  other  reverses  of 
Hadrian,  in  gold,  silver,  and  second  brass. 

HI  SPAN  ICVS  EXERCITVS.  S.  C.— The 
emperor  ou  horseback,  addressing  his  soldiers. 
First  brass,  engraved  in  the  Cabinet  de  Christine. 

1 1 1 SPANIAE  RESTITVTORI. Hadrian 

togated,  raises  a kneeling  woman,  who  holds  a 
branch  in  her  left  hand,  at  her  feet  is  a rabbit — 
an  altar  between  the  two  figures.  Silver  and 
first  brass.  See  p.  365.  Engraved  iu  Cabinet 
de  Christine. 

In  respect  of  his  ancestors,  Hadrian’s  native 
country  was  Hispania,  and  the  place  of  his  birth 
was  Italica,  a municipium  of  Boetica ; though 
Hadrian  himself  first  saw  the  light  at  Rome. 
When  a boy  he  spent  some  time  in  Spain,  till 
he  was  called  away  to  Germany,  and  subse- 
quently to  Rome,  as  has  already  been  observed. 
After  his  accession  he  went  to  Hispania,  on 
leaving  Gaul,  and  having  held  a congress  of  all 
the  Hispani  at  Tarraco,  lie  wintered  in  that 
place,  and  at  his  own  cost  restored  the  temple 
of  Divus  Augustus.  Though  then  within  so 
short  a distance,  he  did  not  visit  Italica  ; never- 
theless, he  lavished  upon  it  many  honours  and 
munificent  presents.  Spartian  positively  informs 
us,  that  he  there  celebrated  quinquenna/ia,  to 
do  honour  to  the  place.  D.  N.  Vet  vi.  495. 


HISPANIA. 

Sec  Eckhcl’s  remarks  on  the  rabbit  as  a sym- 
bol of  Hispania,  in  his  prolegomena  to  the  coins 
of  Hispania,  vol.  i.  p.  8. 


HISPANIA  CLVNIA  SVL.  S.  C.— A large 
brass  coin  of  Galba,  bearing  this  remarkable  in- 
scription, is  equally  remarkable  for  its  finely- 
designed  type,  engraved  above.  The  emperor 
is  there  seen,  seated,  armed  with  a cuirass,  the 
head  crowned  with  lam'd.  He  holds  the  para- 
zonitim  in  his  left  hand,  and  extends  his  right 
to  a woman  who  stands  opposite  to  him.  She 
is  clothed  in  a long  flowing  robe,  and  holds  in 
her  left  hand  a horn  of  plenty,  whilst  with  her 
right  she  presents  the  figure  of  a Victory,  or 
some  trophy,  to  the  emperor.  Round  it  we 
read  Hispania : Clunia : N«/(picia). 

The  explanation  of  the  subject  rests  entirely 
on  the  following  statement  of  Suetonius  (ch.  9), 
that  Galba,  when  hesitating  whether  he  should 
accept  the  sovereignty,  “ was  encouraged  to  do 
so  both  by  the  most  favourable  auspices  and 
omens,  and  also  by  the  prediction  of  a virgin  of 
good  birth,  to  which  was  added  the  circum- 
stance that  the  priest  of  Jupiter  at  Clunia,  in- 
structed by  a dream,  had  discovered  in  the  pene- 
trate of  the  temple,  the  self-same  verses,  simi- 
larly pronounced  by  a young  prophetess  two 
hundred  years  before ; the  purport  of  which 
verses  was  that  at  some  future  time  a prince  or 
Lord  of  the  world  would  arise  in  Hispania.” — 
Wc  must  uot  (says  Eckhcl.  vi.  294)  omit,  what 
Plutarch  (in  Galba,  p.  1055)  relates,  viz.  that 
Galba,  on  hearing  of  the  death  of  Vindex,  re- 
tired to  Colunia,  and  actuated  by  repentance 
for  his  past  conduct,  and  a longing  for  his  for- 
mer life  of  ease,  took  no  decided  steps  on  his 
own  account,  but  remained  at  that  place  till  the 
Senatus  Consultum  was  brought,  by  which  the 
empire  was  decreed  to  him.  There  is  no  doubt, 
that  the  KoAouwa  of  Plutarch  is  identical  with 
the  Clunia  mentioned  on  the  coin  ; and  that  this 
city  was  an  especial  favourite  with  Galba,  both 
on  account  of  the  prediction  above  alluded  to, 
and  as  being  the  place  where  he  was  first  assured 
of  his  accession  to  empire;  in  consequence  of 
which  lie  loaded  it  with  honours  and  beuefits,  as 
is  proved  by  his  conferring  upon  it  even  the  dis- 
tinguished name  of  SVLpicui,  as  testified  by  the 
coin  before  us.” 

HOC.  SIGNO.  VICTOR  F,RIS.— Victory 
crowning  the  emperor,  who  stands  in  a military 
dress,  holding  iu  his  right  hand  a labarum,  on 
which  appears  the  monogram  of  Christ,  and  iu 
his  left  a spear.  Second  brass. — Sec  vetran'io. 


HONOR  AND  IIONOS. 


MONOS  ET  VIRTUS.  405 


This  is  a coin,  common  in  Constantius  IJ. 
and  Vetranio,  though  rare  in  Gallus.  Tlie  mo- 
nogram of  Christ  (sec  the  word)  was  intro- 
duced by  order  of  Constantine  the  Great  on  a 
standard,  when  setting  out  on  his  campaign 
against  Maxentius.  This  standard  being  carried 
into  the  middle  of  the  ranks,  where  the  danger 
appeared  to  be  greatest,  and  invariably  bringing 
victory  with  it,  according  to  Eusebius,  it  at 
length  became  the  belief,  that  success  was  to  be 
attributed  to  the  standard  alone ; and  hence  is 
gathered  the  sense  of  the  legeud,  hoc  sic  no 
victor  eris,  which,  in  all  probability,  was 
inscribed  upon  the  actual  standard.  Some  have 
referred  this  reverse  to  the  cross  seen  by  Con- 
stantine in  the  heavens,  accompanied  with  the 
words — EN.  TOTTHI.  NIKA,  in  hoc  (signo) 
vince. — Sec  Eckhel’s  remarks  on  the  legend 
spes  pvblica.  viii.  117. 

HONOR  and  MONOS.  Honour.  The  Ro- 
mans, not  satisfied  with  receiving  amongst  the 
objects  of  their  worship,  the  gods  of  Greece, 
of  Egypt,  and  even  of  Persia,  thought  fit  to 
deify  the  virtues,  the  qualities,  the  affections 
of  the  mind,  and  to  represent  them  by  various 
attributes,  on  their  monuments,  principally 
those  of  a monetal  kind.  Such  divinities  were 
called  allegorical,  but  had  not,  like  the  others, 
a mythological  history. 


IIONOS.  S.  C.  A young  man  togated,  stands, 
with  a branch  in  his  right  hand,  and  the  cor-  j 
nucopiic  in  his  left.  On  gold,  silver,  and  first 
brass  of  M.  Aurelius. 

The  above  is  not  the  only  occasion  on  which 
honos  occurs  on  the  coins  of  this  prince — 

“ Rare  proofs  (says  Eckhcl),  vii.  4),  in  the 
mintages  of  a youthful  Cresar,  of  his  bias  to- 
wards honour  and  virtue,  even  in  such  times.” 

IIONORI. — Obv. — iionori  m.  dvumivs  hi. 
vir.  A youthful  head  on  the  denarii  of  the 
durmia.  gens. — Sec  p.  350. 

The  obverse  of  these  denarii  constantly  pre- 
sents a head  of  Honos,  just  as  on  similar  coins 
of  Aquillius  Floras,  the  triumvir,  struck  at  the 
same  period  there  appears  the  head  of  Virtu s. — 
Dion  Cassius  states,  that  in  the  year  u.  c.  737 
(b.  c.  20),  Augustus  made  some  alteration  in 
the  games  consecrated  to  Virtus  and  Honos, 
in  consequence  of  which  it  appears,  that  Aquil- 
lius and  Durmins,  who  in  the  years  immediately 
following  734  were  Triumviri  Monetales  in  i 
conjunction  with  Caninius  and  Petronius,  intro- 
duced the  personified  head  of  each  of  those 
qualities  on  their  coins,  (v.  236.) 

3 O 


The  laurcated  head  of  Honour  also  appears  on 
coins  of  the  Lollia  (Morell.  Fam.  Rom.  p.  249), 
the  Meinmia  (p.  277),  and  Sulpicia  families 
(p.  405). 

Honour  is  generally  depictured  on  the  mint- 
ages of  Republican  Rome,  with  a long  robe,  or 
toga,  as  though  the  Roman  Magistrates  derived 
their  dignity  from  that  divinity.  The  jugated 
heqds  of  Honour  and  of  Virtue  (or  Valour) ; the 
former  designated  by  a laurel  crown,  the  latter 
by  a helmet,  appears  on  denarii  of  the  Fufia 
and  Mucia  families. — Sec  fufia  gens,  pp.  399. 


IIONOS  ET  VIRTVS.  S.  Q,.— Honos,  naked 
to  the  waist,  stands  with  spear  in  right  hand, 
and  cornucopia:  in  the  left ; whilst  Vi)  tus  stands 
opposite,  with  galcated  head,  a paraeonium  in 
the  right  hand,  and  a spear  in  the  left,  and  with 
the  right  foot  planted  on  a stone.  First  brass 
of  Galba.  The  above  engraving  is  after  a cast 
from  a specimen  in  the  British  Museum. 

We  have  already  seen  on  coins  of  the  Fufia 
family  the  head  of  honos  joined  with  that  of 
v l kt vs.  And  here  both  those  divinities  are  re- 
presented on  the  coinage  of  Galba ; but  why 
they  should  have  found  a place  there,  Eckhel 
say3  he  has  no  reason  to  assign,  any  more  than 
their  appearance  on  a similar  reverse  of  Vitcl- 
lius.  Respecting  the  temple  erected  at  Rome  to 
Honour  and  Virtue,  see  Livy,  xxvii.  c.  25. 

Honour,  says  Gesner,  is  occasionally  exhi- 
bited on  coins  as  the  associate  of  Virtue,  in 
which  case  he  bears  a spear  as  well  as  a cornu- 
copia;. Virtue  stands  face  to  face  with  Honour, 
indicating  that  through  the  temple  of  Virtue 
that  of  Honour  was  to  be  entered. 

Du  Choul  in  his  ingenious  book  De  la.  Reli- 
gion des  Romains,  cites  the  fact  of  Marius 
having  been  the  first  to  erect  a temple  to  Honour 
and  Virtue — and  observes,  that  “ the  temple  of 
Virtue  was  anciently  placed  before  the  temple  of 
Honour,  which  had  only  one  gate,  shewing  that 
the  path  which  leads  to  honour  was  inaccessible 
but  by  means  of  virtue.  This  (he  adds)  is  what 
Marcus  Marcellus  designated  to  impress  on  the 
understanding  of  the  people  of  Rome,  when  he 
built  two  square  temples  joined  together,  one 
consecrated  to  Virtue,  and  the  other  to  Honour. 
And  unquestionably  great  honours  spring  from 
the  pure  and  beautiful  root  of  Virtue,  whence  it 
happens  that  they  arc  rendered  more  illustrious, 
more  glorious,  and  full  of  immortal  recollec- 
tions.” (p.  34). 

HONORIA  (Justa  Grata),  daughter  of  Con- 
stantius III.  and  of  Placidia,  was  born  at  Ravenna, 


406  HONORIA. 

in  Cisalpine  Gaul,  a.  d.  417.  Brought  up  at  the 
court  of  her  brother  Yalentinian  III.  under  the 
eyes  of  her  mother,  who  kept  her  under  great 
restraint,  she  received  the  title  of  Avgusta, 
about  a.  d.  433,  being  then  sixteen  years  of  age. 


It  is  conjectured  that  this  elevation  was  con- 
ferred upon  her,  in  order  to  prevent  her  from 
entering  into  any  matrimonial  engagement,  by 
raising  her  above  the  rank  of  a subject.  Thus 
debarred  from  marriage,  however,  she  secretly 
communicated,  by  one  of  her  eunuchs  whom  she 
sent,  with  Attila,  who  had  lately  become  king 
of  the  Huns,  inviting  him  to  come  into  Italy, 
and  to  marry  her.  It  is  most  probable  that  at 
the  time  of  this  mission  (exact  period  unknown) 
she  conveyed  her  ring  to  Attila,  as  a pledge  of 
her  faith.  But  the  barbaric  chief  treated  her 
invitation  with  apparent  inattention.  And  she 
afterwards  dishonoured  herself  and  the  imperial 
dignity  she  held,  by  an  illicit  connection  with  a 
man  named  Eugenius,  her  own  household  stew- 
ard, by  whom  she  became  pregnant.  On  the 
discovery  of  her  condition,  she  was  expelled  from 
the  palace ; and  sent  (a.  n.  434)  to  Constanti- 
nople, where  Theodosius  II.  ami  Pulchcria  re- 
ceived her  with  kindness.  It  appears  that  she 
remained  in  the  East,  until  the  death  of  Theo- 
dosius, which  occurred  a.  d.  450.  In  that  year, 
Attila,  desirous  of  some  pretext  for  quarrelling 
with  the  Emperor  of  the  West,  sent  an  em- 
bassy to  Yalentinian,  setting  forth  the  wrongs  of 
Honoria,  and  claiming  her  as  having  engaged 
herself  to  him  ; furthermore  he  said,  that  he 
regarded  her  as  his  wife,  and  was  entitled  to 
have  half  of  the  empire  as  the  dowry  of  the 
princess.  The  answer  of  Yalentinian  was,  that 
Honoria  was  already  married  (supposed  to  be  a 
forced  alliance  with  some  obscure  person) ; that 
women  had  no  part  in  the  succession  of  the  em- 
pire, uud  that  consequently  his  sister  had  no 
claim.  The  fatal  war  which  followed  this  re- 
fusal, and  which  brought  so  many  calamities 
upon  the  Romans,  having  been  terminated,  Ho- 
noria passed  the  remainder  of  her  days  in  Italy, 
where  there  is  reason  to  believe  she  died,  though 
at  what  time,  or  in  what  place,  is  doubtful,  but  | 
later  than  a.  d.  454. 

The  coins  of  this  princess  are  in  gold  and  sil-  j 
ver,  and  of  the  highest  raritv.  On  these  she  is 
stvlcd  D.  N.  I VST.  (or  I VST A)  GRAT.  (or 
GRATA)  HONORIA  P.  F.  AVG. 

Gold. — The  a reus  described  below  is  Tallied 
by  Mionnct  at  20  francs,  and  brought  at  the 
sale  of  the  Pcmbr  ' c collection  £7. 

D.  N.  ivst.  grat  honoria.  Bust  stolata  to 
the  right,  a cross  cn  the  right  shoulder,  double 
necklace,  ear-rings,  and  helmet-like  head-dress, 
formed  of  double  diadem  of  laurel  and  pearls,  1 


HONORIUS. 

with  round  jewel  in  front : above  the  head  a 
hand  holding  a wreath. — Rev. — bono  reipvb- 
licae.  Victory  standing,  holding  a long  staff 
surmounted  by  a broad  cross,  near  which  is  a 
star.  On  the  exergue  conob. 

The  above  is  engraved’  after  a'cast  from  the 
original,  in  the  finest  preservation,  in  the  Bri- 
tish Museum. 

Rev. — salts  beipvblicae.  Crown  of  laurel, 
in  the  middle  of  which  is  the  monogram  of 
Christ.  On  the  exergue  comob.  (Quinarius. 
Mionnet,  150  fr.) 

Rev. — vot.  xx.  mvlt.  xxx.  Victory  stand- 
ing, holding  a cross.  (Mt.  200  ft.) 

Silver. — Rev. — Without  legend.  Cross  with- 
in a crown  of  laurel ; on  exergue  comob.  ( Qui- 
narius. Mt.  100  fr.) 


HONORIUS,  the  son  of  Theodosius  the 
Great,  and  JE1.  Elaccilla,  was  born  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  384.  When  ten  years  old,  he  re- 
ceived from  his  father  the  title  of  Augustus ; 
and  at  his  death  in  395,  he  presided  over  the 
Western  Empire,  under  the  guardianship  of  Sti- 
licho.  Being  at  the  first  much  favoured  by 
fortune,  he  quelled  the  revolt  of  Gildo  iu  Africa, 
and  of  others  in  different  parts  of  the  empire. 
Alaric,  king  of  the  Goths,  and  Itadagaisus,  king 
of  the  Huns,  elated  with  their  occupation  of  the 
very  centre  of  Italy,  were  checked  iu  some  me- 
morable engagements  by  Stilicho,  who,  even 
then,  however,  revolving  in  his  mind  plans  for 
securing  the  sovereignty,  invited  Alaric  into 
Italy,  and  other  barbarians  iuto  Gaul,  but  was 
put  to  death  with  his  son  Eucherius,  by  his  own 
soldiers,  at  Ravenna.  Alaric,  finding  no  oppo- 
sition, besieged  Rome,  which  he  took  and  sacked 
a.  D.  410 ; but  died  shortly  after  in  Lucania, 
whilst  preparing  to  pass  over  into  Africa.  His 
successor  Ataujphus,  leaving  Italy,  turned  his 
steps  towards  Gaul,  where  he  had  married  Galla 
Placidia,  whom  he  had  forcibly  taken  away  from 
her  brother  llonorius;  and  proceeding  thence 
into  Hispania,  he  died  at  Barcinone  (Barcelona). 
— Amidst  these  disturbances  iu  Italy,  the  Ala- 
manni  occupied  the  part  of  Germany  adjoining 
the  Alps,  and  the  l'rauci,  under  Pharamond, 
Gallia  Bclgica ; whilst  the  Alani  and  Vandals, 
coming  down  from  the  shores  of  the  Baltic,  and 
scouring  the  Gallia;,  made  an  incursion  into 
Hispania  ; and  the  Burgundionrs  retained  forci- 
ble possession  of  that  part  of  Gaul  bordering  on 
the  Upper  Rhine. — Pressed  on  all  sides  by  so 
many  dangers,  llonorius,  iu  the  year  421,  con- 
ferred the  title  of  Augustus  upon  Constantius, 
a man  of  distinguished  military  reputation,  with 
whom  he  had  already  allied  himself,  by  giving 
him  in  marriage  his  sister  Placidia,  the  widow 
of  Ataulphus  ; and  iu  423  he  died,  leaving  no 


HOSIDIA. — HOSTILIA. 


467 


HORATIA.—  HOSIDIA. 
issue  by  either  of  his  two  wives;  a prince  of  a 
slothful  disposition,  to  whom,  if  l’rocopius  has 
told  truth  (Bell.  Fund.  i.  c.  2),  the  safety  of 
his  wife  Gallina,  whom  he  used  to  nickname 
Roma,  was  matter  of  much  greater  solicitude  [ 
than  that  of  the  city  itself. — See  viii.  171  and 
172. 

His  coins  in  each  metal  are  common,  with  the 
exception  of  medallions,  which  in  gold  and  sil- 
ver, are  of  the  highest  rarity.  On  these  he  is 
styled— HONORIVS  AVGVSTVS — D.  N.  110- 
NORIVS  AVG.— D.  N.  HONORIVS  P.  F. 
AVG. 

The  following  are  the  rarest  reverses  : — 

Gold  Medallions. gloria  romanorvm. 

Rome  seated,  comob.  Front  face.  (V alued  by 
Mionnet  at  300  francs.) — cloria  romanorvm. 

Similar  type.  (Mt.  600  fr.) Same  legend. 

Emperor  drawn  in  car  and  s ix.  (Mt.  200  fr.) 

Silver  Medallion. — trivmfator  gent, 
barb.  Emperor  holding  Christian  labarnm. 

Silver.— ivssv.  richiari.  reges  (sic.)  round 
a crown,  within  which  is  X between  b.  and  r. 
(Mionnet,  250  fr.) 

Exagium  Solidi. — d.  n.  honorivs  p.  f.  avg. 

Bearded  head  of  Honorius. Rev. — exagivm 

solidi.  Equity  standing.  (Mt.  18  fr.) 

Rev. — EXAG.  SOL.  SVB.  V.  INL.  IOANNI  (sic.) 

com.  3.  l.  In  exergue  cons.  (24  fr.) 

HORATIA  gens — a most  ancient  and  noble 
family,  of  consular  rank,  bearing  the  surname 
of  Codes.  The  following  denarius  is  of  the 
highest  rarity,  inscribed  cocles.  Galcated  head 
of  Koine  ; behind  it  X. — Rev. — roma.  Iu  the 
exergue.  The  dioscuri  on  horseback,  galloping 
with  levelled  lances,  and  with  their  caps  laure- 
ated,  and  stars  above. 

Mionnet  values  at  150  francs  this  elegaut  de- 
narius (of  which  an  engraving  will  be  found  in 
p.  316  of  this  dictionary,  under  the  head  of 
denarius. — The  same  restored  by  Trajan  he 
prices  at  300  fr.  There  is  a modern  fabrication  ' 
of  this  coin,  which  must  be  guarded  against. 

The  name  of  Horatius  Cocles  recalls  the  me- 
mory of  transcendant  benefits  derived  from 
members  of  that  family  to  the  primitive  Romans. 
Two  are  most  remarkable.  The  former  was  the 
successful  resistance  offered  by  the  first  Codes, 
on  the  Pons  Sublicius,  to  the  troops  of  Por- 
senna,  king  of  Etruria,  who  attempted  to  take 
Rome  by  a coup-de-main. — For  a medallion  of 
Antoninus  Pius,  representing  this  exploit,  sec 

p.  221. 

On  account  of  this  valuable  service  the  Romans 
erected  a statue  to  his  honour  in  the  Comitium, 
and  gave  him  as  much  land  as  lie  could  plough 
round  in  a day.  The  other  benefit  rendered  to 
Rome  by  the  Horatii,  was  their  combat  with 
the  Curiatii,  who  to  the  number  of  three,  re- 
mained slain  by  tbe  last  of  the  Horatii.  The 
cognomen  of  Cocles  was  attached  to  the  first  1 
Horatius,  from  the  circumstance  of  his  having 
lost  au  eye  on  the  occasion  of  some  fight  with 
the  enemy. 

HOSIDIA  gens. — It  is  not  known  whether 
this  family  was  patrician  or  plebeian.  The 
following  is  its  sole  type. 

3 0 2 


geta  in vi r.  Bust  of  Diana  with  jewels, 

mitella,  and  ear-rings.  On  her  shoulder  the 
bow  and  quiver. 

Rev. — c.  hosidi.  c.  f.  A wild  boar  trans- 
fixed with  a dart,  and  followed  by  a dog.  There 
is  one  variety  of  no  importance. 

The  precise  period  when  Cains  Ilosidius  Geta 
was  monctal  triumvir  is  not  known.  The  type  of 
reverse  is  supposed  by  Havercamp  to  refer  to  the 
great  hunting  parties  wTith  which  in  734  (b.  c. 
20),  the  birth-day  of  Augustus  was  so  magnifi- 
cently celebrated.  Eckhel  gives  his  reasons  for 
regarding  this  coin  as  older  than  the  age  of  Au- 
gustus, and  considers  the  wounded  boar  only  as 
an  apt  accompaniment  to  Diana  Venatrix,  whose 
bust  Hosidius  has,  for  some  reason,  chosen  to 
place  on  the  obverse  of  his  denarius. 

HOSTILIA  gens  patricia ; an  ancient  and 
illustrious  family,  which  claimed  descent  from 
Tullus  Hostilius.  Saserna  and  Tubulus  are  the 
two  surnames,  attached  to  it  on  coins.  There 
are  five  varieties.  The  silver  are  rare.  Two 
denarii  of  Hostilius  Saserna  (whom  Cicero  men- 
tions as  among  the  most  eminent  senators  living 
iu  his  time),  are  remarkable  for  bearing,  one 
the  head  of  Pallor,  the  other  that  of  Pavor. 


1. — Head  of  Pavor  (Fear  or  Dread),  typified 
by  the  bearded  head  of  a man,  with  hair  ou  end; 
behind  it  a feather,  br  leaf ; in  some,  a buckler. 

Rev. — hostilivs  saserna.  A naked  man, 
in  a rapid  biga,  turns  himself  to  the  rear,  and 
fights  with  spear  and  shield,  perhaps  against 
enemies  who  assail  him,  and  the  biga  is  driven 
by  an  auriga  also  naked,  who  whips  the  horses. 


2. — Head  of  Pallor  (Paleness),  behind  whose 
head,  as  a follower  of  Mars,  is  the  military 
litttus,  or  trumpet. 

Rev. — l.  hostilivs  saserna.  Diana  stand- 
ing, with  the  radiated  crown,  and  dressed  after 
the  Ephesian  fashion  of  that  goddess.  The 
right  hand  holds  a stag  by  its  horns,  and  the 
left  carries  a spear. 

The  image  of  <po6o s (Terror)  ornaments  the 
breastplate  of  Ptolemy  Philadelphos,  on  a splcn- 


468  HOSTILIA. 


HOSTILIAXUS. 


did  Cameo,  which  formerly  belonged  to  Madame 
Buonaparte.  The  Romans  worshipped  Terror 
under  the  name  of  Favor,  and  they  also  ad- 
dressed their  invocations  to  Pallor,  which  is  at 
once  the  result  and  evidence  of  terror. 

The  story  on  this  point  is  that  Victory  hav- 
ing, through  the  treachery  of  the  Albani, 
threatened  to  turn  against  the  Romaus,  in  a 
battle  they  fought  with  the  Veil,  King  Tullius 
Hostilius  made  a vow  to  consecrate  a temple  to 
Paleness  and  to  Terror.  The  enemy  were  finally 
routed ; and  from  that  epocha  Pallor  and  Pavor 
were  honoured  as  divinities  at  Rome.  One  is 
represented  to  the  full  as  spectrally  woe-begone  as 
he  that  “ drew  back  Priam’s  curtains  in  the  dead 
of  night” — the  other,  with  every  particular  hair 
on  end,  “like  quills  upon  the  fretful  porcupine.” 
Hostilius  Saserna,  as  one  of  the  monetal  trium 
vies  of  the  republic,  caused  these  two  ima- 
ginary personifications  to  be  engraved  on  his 
family  denarii,  with  the  view  to  have  it  believed 
by  posterity,  that  he  was  descended  from  Tullius 
Hostillius.  “ The  trick  of  au  insignificant  per- 
son ( homuncio)  remarks  Eckliel,  whose  ouly 
pretence  for  so  vain  an  assumption  was  a com- 
munity of  name.” 


3.  — Head  of  Venus,  richly  adorned  with 
laurel,  flowers,  mitella,  car-rings,  and  necklace. 

Rev. — l.  hostilivs  saserna.  A winged 
Victory  in  a long  light  dress,  walkiug,  carries  a 
trophy  ou  her  left  shoulder,  and  a caduceus  iu 
her  left  hand. 

The  head  of  Venus  bears,  on  other  coins, 
allusion  to  the  origin  of  Cmsar.  Victory  refers 
to  Caesarian  prosperity,  given  by  signal  (per 
tessera)  to  his  legions.  The  head  of  Diana  on 
the  denarius  No.  2,  bears  reference  to  that 
divinity,  whether  worshipped  in  the  place  where 
the  coin  was  struck,  or  more  peculiarly  the 
object  of  devotion  with  the  family  of  the 
moueyer. 

4.  — There  is  another  denarius  of  the  Hostilia 
gens,  on  the  obverse  of  which  are  the  word 
saserna,  and  the  bust  of  Pallor,  with  the 
right  hand  raised  up  to  the  chin,  as  in  a 
thoughtful  attitude;  behind  the  head  is  a mili- 
tary lituus.  Ou  the  reverse  L.  HOSTIL.  A 
bridge,  on  which  three  tognted  figures  stand,  as 
on  the  Cancelli  of  the  Comitia  to  give  their 
votes. 

This  very  rare  coin  constitutes  an  honorary  I 
representation  of  the  Comitia  at  Rome,  in  which 
the  llostilii  allude  to  the  election  of  TuUus 
Hostilius,  which  the  Romans  carried  by  popidur 
suffrage,  according  to  llavcrcnmp,  in  which 

opinion  Eckliel  concurs. Cavedoni  adds, — 

“ Cicero  points  to  the  true  and  sole  nature  of  the 
Cancelli  of  the  Comitia,  as  exhibited  on  a de- 


narius of  Hostilius  Saserna,  where  he  says,  King 
Tullus  Hostilius  (de  Rep.  ii.  17)  “ fecitque  idem 
ct  septis  de  manibus  Comitium  et  Curiam.  Come 
la  Curia  dal  uome  lui  fu  detta  Osti/ia,  il  simile 
puo  credcrsi  avvenisse  ancora  del  Comizio." — 
Borghesi  throws  some  doubt  on  the  genuine 
existence,  of  this  medal,  ou  account  of  his  never 
having  seen  it.  But  Riccio  (p.  102)  confirms  its 
authenticity  from  his  owu  possession  of  the 
coin. — There  is  no  specimen  of  it  in  the  British 
Museum. 

All  these  denarii  would  appear  to  have  been 
struck,  iu  from  the  704  to  712th  year  of  Rome 
(b.  c.  50  to  42),  and,  according  to  Eckliel,  with 
whom  Cavcdoui  agrees,  belong  to  the  brother  of 
1’.  Saserna,  w hose  surname  is  not  known ; or  to 
L.  Hostilius  Saserna,  son  of  the  one  or  of  the 
other,  who  had  fought  in  708,  with  Cwsar  in 
Africa,  against  Scipio  and  the  other  adherents  of 
Pompcy  the  Great. 


Obv. — Head  of  Pallas,  to  the  right. — Rev. — 
L.  h.  tvb.  (Lucius  Hostilius  Tubulus)  in  the 
field  of  the  coin,  and  within  an  oaken  crown ; 
below  uoma.  On  an  uncia  of  brass. 

Putin  first  published  this  very  small  and  very 
rare  coin,  and  afterwards  Pcrizoni  gave  the 
attribution  of  it,  in  which  he  was  followed  by 
all  the  numismatists.  The  subject  of  the  coiu, 
and  the  precise  time  when  it  was  struck,  arc 
equally  unknowu,  according  to  Eckliel  and  the 
other  later  writers ; although  some  of  the  elder 
school  have  ascribed  it  to  a certain  Hostilius 
Tubulus,  who  was  pretor  iu  61 1 (b.  c.  143). 


HOSTILIANUS  (Cams  Valens  Messius 
Quintus),  second  sou  of  Trajanus  Decius,  was 
created  Cicsar  at  the  same  time  with  his  brother 
Hcrcnuius  Etniscus,  a.  d.  249,  and  on  the 
death  of  his  father,  being  proclaimed  Emperor 
by  the  Senate,  reigned  in  association  with 
Treboniauus  Gallus,  whom  the  soldiers  elected 
A.  d.  251.  In  order  to  the  proper  understand- 
ing of  this  prince’s  history  and  coins,  the  fol- 
lowing requisite  parlieidars  arc  premised  by 
Eckhel : — 

“ That,  during  the  rcigu  of  Dccius,  there 
was  one  third  person  of  the  male  sex  dis- 
tinguished with  the  title  of  Ca'sar,  we  have 
already  secu  from  coins  of  Dccius,  inscribed 
CONCORDIA  AVGO.  or  PIETAS  AVOYSTOHVM,  On 
which,  in  addition  to  the  hends  of  Dccius, 


H0STIL1ANUS. 


HOSTILIANUS.  4G9 


Etruscilla,  and  Herennins,  there  appears  another 
joined  with  that  of  Herennius.  That  this 
belongs  to  the  individual,  whom  several  coins 
describe  as  C.  Valens  Ilosli/ianus  Messius 
Quintus,  is  a point  upon  which  all  antiquaries 
are  agreed.  For,  not  only  is  Herennius  joined 
with  llostiliauus  in  express  words  on  a coin, 
which  Spauheim  has  given  from  the  Barbcrini 
collection  (ii.  p.  256),  inscribed  Q.  HER.  ETit. 
decivs  c.  val.  hostiuanvs,  but  also  on  a 
marble,  which  Muratori  cites  from  Gori.  But, 
there  is  an  old  dispute  among  the  learned,  some 
stoutly  affirming  llostiliauus  to  be  the  son, 
others  the  son-in-law  of  Dccius.  Those  who 
consider  him  the  son,  and  their  opiuiou  Eckhel 
himself  embraces,  rest  on  the  authority  of 
Zosimns,  who  expressly  mentions  a second  son 
of  Decius,  though  without  giving  his  name,  who, 
after  the  miserable  end  of  his  father  and  his 
brother  Herennius,  was  associated  by  Trebonianus 
as  his  colleague  in  the  empire.  And,  moreover, 
the  custom  which  was  retained  even  up  to  this 
period,  of  considering  as  sons  of  an  emperor, 
those  individuals  who  are  represented  on  coins 
iu  juxta- position  with  him,  accompanied  with 
the  appellation  and  dress  of  Ciesars,  unless 
where  some  special  reason  demands  a different 
account  of  the  matter,  and  such  has  not  as  yet 
been  adduced  by  the  partizans  of  the  opposite 
theory, — this  very  custom  will  go  far  to  prove, 
that  Hostilianus  was  the  son  of  Decius,  from  his 
being  in  the  same  manner  associated  on  coins 
with  Decius,  Etruscilla,  and  Herennius.  To 
this  may  be  added  the  fact  of  the  name  Messius 
Quintus  being  assigned  to  Hostilianus,  which  he 
certainly  could  have  derived  only  from  his  father 
Messius  Quintus  Decius.  Those  who  consider 
Hostilianus  to  have  been  the  son-in-law  of 
Dccius  among  whom  (after  Panvini,  Tristan, 
Spauheim,  and  others),  is  Licbc  (Goth.  Num.  p. 
429),  endeavour  to  support  their  case  by  the 
authority  of  historians,  and  by  the  very  names 
of  Hostilianus. 

“ I pay  no  regard  (continues  the  Author  of 
Doctrina ) to  the  historians  who  have  recorded 
the  events  of  this  period,  as  it  is  well  known 
that  they  have  contradicted  themselves  iu  so 
barefaced"  a manner,  that  you  find  yourself  in 
the  end  utterly  at  a loss  for  a true  conclusion. 
As  regards  the  names  Valens  Hostilianus,  these, 
they  say,  belong  neither  to  Decius  nor  to  Etrus- 
cilla, and  thence  argue,  that  he  was  transferred 
from  some  other  family  into  that  of  Decius. — 
They,  therefore,  think  it  probable  that  Decius 
gave  some  daughter  to  this  stranger  in  marriage, 
aud  thus  made  him  his  son-in-law,  with  the 
rank  of  Caisar.  To  strengthen  the  credibility 
of  their  views,  it  occurred  to  them,  that  Zona- 
ras  aud  Ccdrenus  mention  a certain  Severus  Hos- 
tilianus, who,  they  say,  was  amongst  the  suc- 
cessors of  Gordian  III.  aud  whose  son  was  the 
Hostilianus  of  the  present  memoir;  and  thus  he 
received  the  names  Messius  Quintus  from  his 
adoptative  father  Decius,  and  those  of  Valens 
Hostilianus  from  his  natural  parent. — But  after 
all,  this  argument  founded  on  the  names,  is  a 
weak  one.  For  sous  have  derived  their  appel- 


lations, not  only  from  tbeir  fathers  and  mo- 
thers, but  even  from  their  grandfathers  and 
grandmothers.  Many  years  earlier,  M.  Aure- 
lius was  called  Annius  Verus  from  his  grand- 
father ; Catilius  Severus,  from  his  great  grand- 
father on  his  mother’s  side ; Geta,  the  sou  of 
Severus,  took  his  name  from  his  paternal  grand- 
father, or  from  his  uncle.  (Spartian  in  Geld, 
c.  2).  Caracalla  was  named  Bassianus  from  his 
maternal  grandfather.  Elagabalus,  before  his 
accession,  was  called  Yarius  Avitus,  from  his 
father  and  grandfather.  Consequently,  as  Hcren- 
nius,  the  son  of  Decius,  derived  his  names  from 
both  his  father  and  mother,  it  is  most  probable, 
that  the  second  son  Hostilianus,  took  his  from 
his  father  aud  his  grandfather,  cither  paternal 
or  maternal.  Neither  am  I much  disturbed  by 
the  testimonies  of  Zonaras  and  Cedrenus  re- 
specting one  Severus  Hostilianus  Aug.  as  their 
credibility  has  already  been  called  in  question 
by  Tillemont  (Nola  n,  in  Philipp.) ; nor  do  I 
suppose  that  such  insignificant  writers  wrould 
have  had  much  weight  with  the  eminent  numis- 
matists above  mentioned,  who  are  in  favour  of 
the  son  in  law  theory,  had  not  their  judgments 
been  warped  by  the  authority  of  Goltzius,  from 
whose  dictum  it  is  thought  a crime  to  differ,  aud 
who  has  put  fonvard  a coin  inscribed  imp.  caes. 
L.  AVK.  sev.  hostilianvs  avg.  p.  m.  tk.  p. 
(Thes.  p.  105),  which  we  had  better  look  upon 
as  coined  by  Goltzius  himself  out  of  the  words 
of  Zonaras. 

“ Hostilianus,  then,  the  second  son  of  Decius, 
as  he  most  probably  was,  remained  at  Rome, 
when  his  father  and  brother  set  out  on  their 
campaign.  Both  of  them  being  killed  in  battle, 
Trebonianus  Gallus,  the  successor  of  Decius, 
adopted  him,  in  order  to  pay  a public  compli- 
ment to  the  late  emperor’s  reign ; but  shortly 
afterwards,  through  apprehension  of  revolution- 
ary designs,  he  plotted  against  him,  with  a total 
disregard  both  of  honour  aud  of  the  relation- 
ship existing  between  them  by  adoption.  Eutro- 
pius  also  records  his  elevation  to  the  sovereignty, 
Sia8ex€Tal  ttjp  fiao’iAeiai'  VaAAos,  ‘OoTtAiavos, 
uai  w tovtov  thus  BovAoutriaros  ; which  passage 
Paeanius  renders,  more  agreeably  to  fact,  thus — 
‘ The  emperors  then  appointed  were  Gallus,  Hos- 
tilianus, and  Volusianus,  the  son  of  Gallus.’ — 
The  former  Victor  says — ‘ When  these  things 
came  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Senate,  they  de- 
creed the  rank  of  Augusti  to  Gallus  and  Hos- 
tilianus, and  that  of  Caesar  to  Volusianus,  the 
son  of  Gallus.’  And  Victor  II. — ‘In  their 
time  (viz.  that  of  Gallus  and  Volusianus),  Hos- 
tilianus Perpcnna  was  created  Imperator  by  the 
Senate.’  ” — See  Doctr.  Num.  Vet.  vii.  350,  351, 
352. 

From  the  foregoing  observations  it  is  plain, 
that  the  coins  of  Hostilianus  will  be  found  to 
belong  to  two  reigns,  viz.  those  on  which  he  is 
styled  Cicsar,  to  the  reign  of  his  father,  aud 
those  which  bear  the  title  of  Augustus,  to  that 
of  Trebonianus. 

Hostilianus  received  the  title  of  Augustus 
from  the  Senate  and  Trebonianus  a.  d.  251,  and 
not  long  after  either  fell  a victim  to  a pestilence 


470  HYGIA. 

which  was  then  committing  great  ravages,  or 
he  had  met  his  end  through  the  machinations 
of  Gallus. 

On  his  coins,  which  arc  rare  in  each  metal, 
and  of  the  highest  rarity  in  gold,  lie  is  styled 
C.  VAL.  HOST.  M.  QVINTVS  NOB.  CAE.— 
IMP.  C.  VAL.  HOSTIL.  MES.  QVINTVS 
AVG. 

MINTAGES  OF  HOSTILIANUS. 

The  following  are  the  rarest  reverses:  — 

Gold. — pietas  avg.  Sacrificial  instruments. 
— pietas  avgg.  Mercury  standing. — princ. 
i vventvtis.  Emperor  with  baton  and  lance, 
by  the  side  of  two  ensigns. — Same  legend,  with 

slight  typical  variety. romae  aeternae. 

Borne  seated.  (These  five  aurei  are  valued  by 
Mionnet  at  600  fr.  each.) 

Silver. — aeqvitas  avgg.  Equity  standing. 
The  obverse  lcgcud  of  this  denarius  is  co.  vai.. 

M.  QVINTVS  AVG.  (Mt.  12  fr.) SAECVLVJI 

nowm,  & victoria  germanica.  (15  fr.  each). 

Brass  Medallions. — piiincipi  iwentvtis. 
(Mionnet,  200  fr.) — victoria  avgg.  Victory. 
— Same  epigraph.  Apollo.  (100  fr.  each.) 

Large  Brass. — salvs  avgvs.  Hygeia  and 
a serpent. — victoria  avgvstorvm.  (24  fr. 
each). — votis  decennalibvs.  (30  fr.) 

11.  S. — See  Sestertius. 

HUM.  Uumani. See  sal.  gen.  hvm. — 

Sains  Generis  Humani. 

HYDRA. — See  Herculis  Lahores,  p.  451. 

11YPSAE  A ED.  CVR. — Sec  Plant ia  gens, 

llYGIA,  the  daughter  of  /Esculapius  Mcdicus, 
called  by  the  Greeks  T-yeia,  and  inscribed  on  Ro- 
man coins  salvs.  The  Gentiles  are  supposed  to 
have  adopted  the  serpent  as  the  symbol  of  health, 
from  the  brazen  one  of  Moses.  The  patera  in 
Ilygia’s  hand  indicates  that  health  is  to  be 
sought  through  religion.  On  coins  of  Deultum, 
■truck  under  Alexander  Scvcrus,  llygia  stands 
with  serpent  and  patera.  Of  Alexander  himself 
Lampridius  says — “ He  visited  the  sick  soldiers 
in  their  tents,  even  those  the  most  distant, 
causing  them  to  be  conveyed  in  waggons,  and 
assisted  them  with  all  things  needful. 

When  mention  of  Hygia,  or  of  /Esculapius, 
as  deities  of  health,  is  made  on  the  imperial 
mint  of  Rome,  it  always  indicates  that  those 
emperors  arc  at  the  time  themselves  labouring 
under  disease ; or  that  sacrifices  have  been  per- 
formed for  their  recovery. — Sec  salvs. — salvs 

AVGVSTA. — SALVS  AVGVSTORVM. 

Hygia  et  /Esculapius  cum  cane  suo. — Pnusa- 
nias  alludes  to  t he  magnificent  works  which  An- 
toninus Pius  dedicated  to  the  honour  of  /Escu- 
lapius. The  veneration  of  that  emperor  for  the 
god  of  medicine  has  been  evidenced  by  a brass 
medallion  (see  p.  20  of  this  dictionary),  bear- 
ing on  its  reverse  the  name  of  aescvlapivs, 
and  a type  allusive  to  the  legend  of  that  divi- 
nity’s arrival  in  the  form  of  a serpent  at  Rome 
from  Epidaurus.  Another  brass  medallion  of 
the  same  emperor  exhibits  .Esculapius,  sealed 
on  a throne,  with  a dog  at  his  feet.  In  his  left 
hand  he  holds  a staff,  round  which  coils  a ser- 
pent ; in  his  right  is  a patera,  attesting  his  as- 


HYGIA. 

signed  divinity.  The  other  figure  represents  his 
daughter  llygia,  clothed  in  the  stola ; she  stands 
near  au  altar,  and  in  the  act  of  sacrificing. — 
Behind  the  goddess  is  a tree. 

Peilrusi  having  thus  described  the  reverse  type 
of  this  unique  and  remarkable  medallion,  and 
caused  it  to  be  engraved  in  the  5th  volume  of 
the  Museum  Famese  (tav.  ix.  fig.  6),  a faith- 
ful copy  of  it  is  inserted  below,  together  with 
the  purport  of  some  of  the  learned  Italian’s 
animadversions  on  the  subject : — 


the  health  of  a beloved  monarch.  All  united 
in  putting  up  vows  for  its  restoration,  for  every 
one  enjoyed  the  results  of  the  imperial  bene- 
ficence. Punctiliously  courteous  to  his  subjects, 
“ Impcratorium  fastigium  ad  summam  civilita- 
tem  deduxit — Kind  and  considerate  with  the 
Senate,  to  which  “ tantum  detulit  linperator, 
quantum,  cum  privatus  esset,  deferri  sibi  ab 
alio  Principe  optavit — Most  benignant  to- 
wards the  people,  among  other  examples — “ Bal- 
neum, quo  usus  fuisset,  sine  merccde,  populo 
exhibuit.” — Provident,  and  always  attentive  to 
the  good  of  the  conquered  provinces,  it  was  under 
Antoninus  that  all  the  provinces  flourished. — 
Most  honest  in  his  opinions,  he  was  resorted  to 
by  nations  even  as  distant  from  Rome  as  the 
Bactrians  and  the  Indians,  when  they  had  dif- 
ferences to  settle,  soliciting  his  decision  as  that 
of  an  oracle.  A monarch  adorned,  then,  with 
so  many  estimable  qualities,  might  well  lay 
claim  to  the  public  vows  in  favour  of  his  own 
health. 

But  the  true  /Esculapius,  who  watched  over 
the  health  of  Antoninus,  was  the  celebrated 
Galcu,  to  whose  consummate  knowledge  this 
prince,  in  one  of  his  dangerous  sicknesses,  was 
indebted  for  the  preservation  of  his  life.  * * * 
The  ancients  frequently  associated  Hygia  with 
.Esculapius,  and  in  Achaia  and  other  districts  of 
Greece,  their  statues  stood  together  iu  the  tem- 
ples erected  to  their  united  houour.  Aud  at 
Rome  the  same  union  took  place  in  the  worship 
of  father  and  daughter,  with  this  sole  difference, 
that  the  goddess  whom  the  Greeks  called  lly- 
gcia,  was  by  the  Latins  termed  Sal  us  or  Bona 
Vatetudo. 

Eckhcl  (vi.  33)  remarks,  that  frequently  as 
the  image  of  /Esculapius  appears  on  ancient 


HYGIA.— JANUS. 

coins,  the  dog  is  rarely  seen  as  his  companion. 
Pausanias,  however,  affirms  a figure  of  that 
animal  to  have  been  placed  at  the  feet  of  the 
celebrated  statue  of  JEsculapius  at  Epidaurns. — 
The  reason,  as  explained  by  the  same  writer, 
was  that  having  soon  after  his  birth  been  left 
exposed,  he  was  suckled  by  a goat  and  guarded 
by  a dog.  “ Canes  adhibebantur  ejus  (/Escu- 
lapii)  templo,  quod  is  uberibus  cauis  sit  nutri- 
bus.” — “ Cane  ad  pedes  (simulacri  /Esculapii) 
decumbcute.”  (Pausan.  ii.  01). 

The  appearance  of  the  tree  rising  in  the  field 
of  the  reverse,  is  supposed  to  bear  reference  to 
another  superstitious  belief  of  the  ancients  re- 
specting /Esculapius,  that  the  god  of  medicine 
took  no  satisfaction  in  the  worship  of  his  vota- 
ries unless  paid  to  him  in  his  own  grove.  On 
this  point  Pausanias  (ii.  GO)  says — “ /Esculapii 
lucum,  circumquaque,  moutes  iuciugunt,  intra 
enjus  ambitum  mori  quenquam,  ant  nasci,  reli- 
gio  cst.” 

I. 

I a Latin  vowel,  which  Cicero  (Orat.  iii.) 
calls  Iota.  Sometimes  it  is  made  a consonant, 
either  simple  as  in  ivno,  ivpiter,  &c.  or  double 
as  in  eivs,  maiok,  &c.  The  ancients  some- 
times changed  it  into  v,  and  wrote  maxvmo  for 
maximo,  of  which  there  are  not  only  examples 
from  Pliny,  Livy,  and  Cicero,  but  the  proofs 
appear  also  on  coins.  Rasche. 

I is  the  customary  mark  of  the  As.  See  the 
word  (p.  83). 

I.  This  letter,  by  itself,  signifies  Jovi,  or 
Julius,  or  Juuo. 

1.  This  Latin  letter  served  as  a numeral  sign 
in  the  products  of  the  Roman  mint.  Thus  I. 
II.  III.  IIII.  &c.  as  may  be  seen  within  a laurel 
crown  on  brass  of  Augustus,  cos.  n.  in.  mi. 
Consul  for  the  second,  third,  fourth  time. — 
leg.  i.  ii.  ill.  mi.  First,  second,  third,  fourth 
Legion,  ii  vik.  Duumvir,  iii  vir.  Triumvir, 
mi  vir.  Qualnorvir. 

JANUS,  the  fabled  offspring  of  Coclus  and 
Hecate,  or  of  Apollo  and  Crcusa,  reigned,  says 
Arnobius  (Arlv.  Genies,  iiii.  p.  m.  69),  in  early 
times  over  Italy,  and  was  the  founder  of  the 
town  Janiculntn,  the  boasted  father  of  Fontus. 

[For  a learned  dissertation  on  the  myth  of 
Janus,  see  Nouvelle  Gallerie  Mythotogique,  par 
M.  Ch.  Lenormant,  p.  5]. 

Representations  of  Janus  occur,  as  well  on 
the  early  Roman  As  (sec  p.  83,  et  scq.)  as  on 
those  of  much  later  date,  marked  by  the  names 
of  families,  to  which  arc  to  be  added  the  follow- 
ing specimen,  which  forms  the  obverse  type  of  a 
denarius  of  the  Furia  gens,  described  in  p.  401. 


JANUS.  471 

All  these  coius  present  a double  head,  which 
procured  for  Janus,  among  the  ancients,  the  ap- 
pellation of  Bifirons.  Both  faces  exhibit  a long 
beard,  while  the  head  itself  is  variously  orna- 
mented. Generally  it  is  wreathed  with  a crown 
of  laurel.  Sometimes  he  has  a half  moon  (lunu- 
lam)  intercepted  by  both  heads.  On  other  asses, 
as  in  the  Cmsia  gens,  the  double  head  is  covered 
with  a sort  of  cap.  The  same  representation  of 
Janus,  just  described  from  Roman  coins,  un- 
doubtedly found  its  way  into  several  coins  of 
foreign  die;  as  on  coius  struck  at  Panormus 
(Palermo).  The  same  double  head  also  appears 
on  coins  of  Amphipolis  and  Thessalonica,  in 
Macedonia.  We  have  not,  says  Eckhel  in  de- 
scribing them  (vol.  i.  p.  234),  to  pronounce 
them  portraits  of  Janus.  No  doubt  the  different 
peoples  of  Greece  often  had  come  under  Roman 
dominion,  by  representing  on  their  coins  the 
figure  of  Janus,  who,  from  the  very  infancy  of 
Rome,  was  worshipped  among  her  principal 
divinities,  testified  that  they  paid  to  the  Roman 
gods  the  same  adoration,  which  in  private  they 
did  to  their  own ; just  as  several  other  Greek 
cities  exhibited  on  their  coins  Jupiter  Capito- 
linus.  See  v.  216. 

From  the  above  examples,  and  others  that 
might  be  adduced,  it  is  shewn  that  the  Janus  of 
the  Romans  invariably  appeared  with  a beard. 
Nor  are  monuments  of  a later  age  at  variance 
with  this  rule.  For  he  appears  bearded  on  brass 
coins  of  Hadrian,  Antoninus  Pius,  Commodus, 
and  Pertinax. 

The  Author  of  Doctrina  then  alludes  to  opi- 
nions entertained  by  other  men  of  great  learn- 
ing, who  have  pronounced  certain  beardless 
heads,  joined  in  the  same  manner,  to  be  those 
of  Janus  ; and  confesses  that  before  he  had  suf- 
ficiently considered  the  subject,  his  own  opiuion 

was  the  same.  (See  his  observations,  i.  94). 

“ One  reason  for  their  supposition  (says  he),  is 
the  resemblance  of  the  mode  of  joining  the 
heads,  being  such  as  Janus  exhibits.'  But  it  is 
found  that  this  mode  was  in  vogue  with  foreign 
nations,  who  certainly  employed  it  with  no  re- 
ference whatever  either  to  the  religion  or  cus- 
toms of  the  Romans.  From  such  evidence  it 
is  clearly  shewn,  that  this  unnatural  device  was 
in  use  both  among  the  Greeks,  the  Etrurians, 
aud  the  Romans.” — Passing  over  the  conjectures 
of  those  who  have  attempted  to  ascertain  to 
which  people’s  imagination  the  invention  of  such 
a monster  is  to  be  attributed,  Eckhel  prefers 
rather  to  consider  the  question,  what  the  an- 
cients understood  by  those  two-headed  figures  ? 
That  some  allegory  lay  beneath  them  is  evident, 
even  from  the  accounts  which  Roman  writers 
have  given  of  their  Janus.  Some  have  said 
that  he  was  represented  with  two  faces,  because 
he  had  been  endowed  by  Saturn  with  the  know- 
ledge of  past  and  future  events  (Cedrenus  ex 
Dione).  Others,  in  order  that,  by  being  placed 
between  them,  he  might  seem  to  be  looking  up- 
on the  commencing  and  the  retiring  year. 

Servius  says,  in  one  place  fad  Virg.  yF.n.J  i.  v. 
291) — “ It  is  stated  by  some  that,  Tatius  and 
Romulus  built  a temple,  after  entering  into  a 


472  JANUS, 

treaty  with  each  other,  whence  Janus  himself 
has  two  faces,  as  if  in  allusion  to  the  coalition 
of  the  two  kings.”  And,  in  another  passage 
(ad  JEneid,  I.  v.  198)—“  It  is  with  propriety 
that  he  invokes  him  (Janus)  as  he  presides  at 
the  ratification  of  treaties  ; for  after  Romulus 
and  Titus  Tatias  had  entered  into  a compact,  a 
statue  was  erected  to  Janus,  with  two  faces,  as 
if  to  represent  the  two  nations.”  And  lastly, 
Pliny  (xxxiv.  § 16) — “The  double  Janus  was 
consecrated  by  king  Numa,  and  is  worshipped 
in  matters  both  of  peace  and  war.”  The  double 
heads  of  Janus,  as  well  as  those  of  the  man  and 
woman  on  the  coinage  of  Tenedos,  have  been 
explained  by  ancient  writers  allegorically,  lhc 
devotion  of  Caracalla  to  the  memory  of  Alex- 
ander the  Great  becoming  the  subject  of  general 
remark,  a circumstance  occurred  which  is  re- 
corded by  Ilerodian  (iv.  in  CaracaJl.) — “ We 
have  also  seen  figures  absurdly  represented,  with 
one  body  and  one  head,  but  two  half  faces^  of 
Alexander  and  Antoninus  (i.  e.  Caracalla).  - 
These  instances  of  allegory  may  suffice ; altho’ 


JANUS. 

Saturnus,  who  had  come  with  a fleet  to  Italy, 
and  after  having  been  instructed  by  him  in  agri- 
culture, had  improved  the  rude  and  savage  mode 
of  living  which  had  prevailed  before  fruits  were 
known,  he  bestowed  upon  him  (Saturnus)  a 
share  in  the  kingdom.  He  was  the  first  also 
who  stamped  brass ; and  in  this,  too,  he  dis- 
played his  respect  for  Saturnus ; for,  as  he  had 
arrived  in  a ship,  on  one  side  was  expressed  a 
likeness  of  his  own  head,  and  ou  the  other  a 
ship,  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  Saturnus. 
That  the  money  was  so  stamped,  may  be  gathered 
from  the  game  of  ' pitch  and  toss’  at  the  pre- 
sent day,  in  which  boys,  throwing  up  their  de- 
narii, cry  out  ‘ heads  or  ships  ?'  ” — Aurelius 
Victor  gives  the  same  information.  And  Ovid, 
having  made  the  following  enquiry  of  Jauus 
(Fast.  i.  229)  : — 

“ Malta  quidein  didici ; sed  cur  navalis  in  acre 
“ Altera  signata  est,  altera  forma  biceps?” 

[“  I have  learned  a thing  or  two  in  my  life ; 
but,  why  is  the  figure  of  a ship  stamped  on  one 
side  of  money,  and  a double  head  ou  the  other  ?’] 


it  is  not  necessary,  at  all  times,  to  suppose  an 
allegorical  allusion.  For  it  might  happen,  that 
an  artist  would  represent  some  deity  with  two 
heads ; because,  perhaps,  the  statue  was  in- 
tended to  be  so  placed,  that  every  one,  whether 
within  or  without  the  building,  might  have  a 
view*  of  his  countenance ; such  as  was  the  case, 
according  to  Lucian,  with  some  of  the  Ilcrmtc 
— “ two-headed,  and  alike  both  ways,  in  which- 
ever direction  you  turn  yourself.”  “I  have 
seen  (says  Schiiltzc,  in  his  Introduzione  alia 
scienza  della  Slonete  Anliche ),  a four -faced 
Janus  on  a coin  of  Hadrian,  in  the  rich  and 
noble  collection  of  the  illustrious  Antonio  Gunt- 


When,  therefore,  you  see  double  heads  on 
coins,  either  of  the  Etrurians  or  the  Syracu- 
sans, or  the  Athenians.  You  may  be  sure,  that 
they  convey  some  allegory,  though  it  may  often 
be  beyond  our  power  to  discover  its  meaning. — 
And,  w*hcn  we  see  ou  Roman  coins  the  two 
heads  in  question,  sometimes  with  beards,  at 
others  without,  w*c  need  be  in  no  doubt,  that  if 
they  are  bearded,  Janus  is  intended;  and  if 
beardless,  some  other  account,  aud  without 
much  difficulty,  can  be  given  of  them.  Thus, 
in  the  case  of  the  gold  coin,  on  the  revcisc  of 
which  is  a double  head  without  beard ; and  on 
the  reverse  roma,  and  the  sacrificing  of  a sow , 
since  this  type  of  the  reverse,  undoubtedly  sig- 
nifies the  rite  of  ratifying  a treaty ; and  the 
coin  was  unquestionably  struck  without  the  walls 
of  Rome,  it  is  not  necessary  to  suppose  that  the 
double  head  on  the  obverse  belongs  to  Janus, 
but  that  after  the  fashion  of  the  Greeks,  some 
reconciliation  between  themselves  and  the  Ro- 
mans is  thereby  allegorically  signified. See 

Doct.  N.  Vet.  v.  210  to  333. 

Janus'  Head  on  the  Monetal  As. — The  head 
of  Janus  ou  one  side,  and  the  prow  of  a ship 
on  the  other,  is  an  almost  perpetual  type  on  the 
Roman  As.  Several  ancient  writers  have  alluded 
to  this  fact,  and  the  reason  for  it. — Macrobius 
sayS_«This  Jauus  having  hospitably  received 


— receives  from  that  deity  this  answer  : — 

“ Causa  ratis  superest ; Tuscum  rate  veuit  in  ainnera 

“ Ante  pererrato  falcifer  orbe  dens.  - - - 

“ At  boua  posteritas  puppim  servavit  in  sere, 

“ Ilospitis  adventura  testificata  dci.” 

[“The  reason  for  the  appearance  of  the  ship 
remaius  to  be  explained.  The  scythc-bcaring 
god  (i.  e.  Saturn)  entered  with  his  vessel  a river 
of  Etruria,  after  traversing  the  earth.  Now, 
worthy  posterity  has  preserved  the  ship  on 
money,  in  commemoration  of  the  arrival  of  their 
divine  visitant.”] 

Plutarch  speaks  to  the  same  effect.  ( Quasi • 
Horn.) — Draco  of  Corcyra  has  the  following  in 
allusion  to  Janus  (apud  Athenreum , xv.  p.  m. 
692),  that  “ he  first  invented  crowns,  ships,  and 
boats,  and  first  stamped  brass  money.  On  which 
account,  many  Greek,  Italian,  and  Sicilian  cities 
engraved  on  their  coins  a double  head,  aud  on 
the  other  side  either  a boat,  or  a crown,  or  a 
ship.” — The  same  also  is  to  be  found  in  Eusta- 
thius (ad  Odyss.  E.  v.  251).  We  have  no  coin 
of  any  Greek  or  Sicilian  city  with  these  types  on 
both  sides.  All  that  arc  extant  arc  undoubtedly 
Roman.  According  to  Pliny  (xxxiii.  $ U)> 
when  the  as  fell  as  low  as  the  sextantarius,  the 
mark  of  brass  (i.  c.  of  the  as)  was,  ou  one  side 
a double  Janus,  on  the  other  the  beak  of  a ship, 
aud  on  the  triens  and  quadrans,  boats.  Eck- 
hel,  v.  p.  14. 


The  half-naked  figure  of  Janus  Bifrons  stand 
ing,  with  spear  in  right  hand,  cos.  ill.  s.  C.  be 


JANUS. 

longs  to  the  second  brass  of  Hadrian. 

I.  A. — Imperalor  Augustus,  or  Indu/gentia 
Augusti. 

IAN.  Janum. — ian.  clv.  Janum  Clusit 

or  Clausit,  the  temple  of  Janus  closed. 

Janus,  the  fabled  son  of  Uranus,  is  believed 
to  have  been  the  most  ancient  King  of  Italy, 
who  hospitably  received  Saturn,  when,  as  a 
fugitive  from  Crete,  the  father  of  Jupiter, 
banished  by  his  son,  arrived  in  a ship  on  the 
shores  of  Laiium. — According  to  the  account  of 
Aurelius  Victor,  Janus  was  the  master-mind  of 
the  age  in  which  he  lived ; he  was  the  founder 
of  a city  called  Janiculum,  taught  liis  people 
the  divisions  of  the  year,  the  use  of  shipping, 
and  of  money,  the  rules  of  justice,  and  the 
mode  of  living  happily  under  the  authority  of 
the  laws ; he  also  instructed  them  how  to  build 
temples  and  to  honour  the  Gods  with  sacrificial 
worship ; to  surround  the  cities  with  walls,  to 
grow  corn  and  to  plant  the  vine.  It  was  out  of 
gratitude  for  these  alleged  benefits  that  Janus 
was  placed  by  the  Homans  in  the  rank  of  the 
Gods,  and  regarded  as  presiding  over  treaties. 
On  the  first  of  January,  or  in  the  calends  of 
that  month,  they  celebrated  the  Janualia.  At 
that  festival  they  offered  to  Janus  a mixture 
of  flour  and  salt,  with  incense  and  with  wine. 
The  temple  of  Janus  was  said  to  have  been 
built  by  Romulus,  after  he  had  made  peace  with 
the  Sabines ; and  in  this  temple  was  a statue 
with  two  faces.  King  Numa  ordained  that  it 
should  be  opened  during  war  and  shut  during 
peace.  In  the  seventh  book  of  the  /Eneid, 
Virgil  has  described,  in  some  fine  verses,  this 
imposing  ceremony.  The  figure  ot  this  temple 
is  preserved  on  medals.  It  was  shut  only  twice 
from  the  foundation  of  Rome  to  the  year  725  ; 
namely,  under  the  reign  of  Numa,  year  38,  and 
after  the  second  Punic  war,  in  519,  under  the 
consulate  of  Titus  Manlius.  It  was  shut  three 
times  under  Augustus,  first  in  725,  after  the 
Aetiac  war,  and  subsequently  in  729  and  752. 
Therefore  it  became  an  important  event  to  shut 
the  Janus,  an  allegorical  expression  signifying 
the  restoration  of  peace  to  the  empire.  The 
poets  celebrated  these  memorable  closings. — 
From  the  first  book  of  Ovid’s  Tristia,  it  appears 
that  the  temple  of  Janus  was  shut  under  the 
reign  of  Tiberius.  On  a brass  coin  of  Neio 
we  read  pace.  p.  e.  teera  mariq.  parta  ianum 
clvsit.  (after  having  procured  peace  for  the 
Roman  people,  on  land  and  on  the  sea,  he,  the 
Emperor,  has  shut  the  Janus,)  because  this 
temple  was  called  the  Janus. — Lucan  makes 
mention  of  the  closing  of  this  temple  under 
Nero,  to  which  the  coin  referred  to  above 
refers.  Other  princes  afterwards  performed  the 
same  ceremony,  on  a similar  consummation  of 
general  peace.  Trajan  not  only  shut  the  Janus 
but  embellished  its  site  with  an  enlarged  area. 
The  last  cpocha  when  the  fane  of  this  deity  was 
closed  was  under  the  Emperor  Constantius 
(Gallus),  about  a.  d.  353  or  4. 

Janus  Bifrons. — This  was  an  appellation 
assigned  to  Janus,  because  he  was  represented 
with  two  faces,  in  consideration,  as  Servius 
3 P 


JANUS.  473 

states,  of  the  alliance  made  between  the  Romans 
and  the  Sabines.  Also,  perhaps,  according  to 
other  writers,  to  signify  that  he  blew  both  the 
past  and  the  future. — The  as,  the  most  ancient 
coin  of  the  Romans,  bears  on  one  side  the  head 
of  Janus  with  two  faces,  bearded,  and  above  it 
a crescent,  symbol  of  eternity  ; on  the  reverse, 
we  see  the  prow  of  the  ship  which  brought 
Saturn  to  Italy : a type  which  has  caused  this 
coinage  of  brass  money  to  be  called  ratiti,  from 
the  Latin  word  rat  is,  a ship  or  galley.  These 
pieces  are  common  in  numismatic  cabinets. — The 
half  naked  figure  of  two-headed  Janus,  standing 
with  a spear  in  his  right  hand,  on  a first  brass 
medal  of  Antoninus  Pius,  indicates  either  some 
sacred  honours  paid  to  Janus  by  that  Emperor ; 
or  that  the  securitv  of  the  age  was  established 
by  the  providential  care  of  Antoninus,  as  formerly 
under  the  reign  of  Janus.  The  legend  of  thi9 
coin  is  tr.  pot.  cos.  III.,  which  Eckhel  gives 
to  v.  C.  893. — There  is  a brass  medallion  of 
Commodus,  which  exhibits  on  its  reverse  the 
head  of  Janus,  one  of  the  faces  having  the 
likeness  of  that  Emperor : the  epigraph  which 
accompanies  it  is — p.m.  tr.  p.  xii.  imp.  viii. 
cos.  v.  p.p. — See  also  the  tellvs.  stabil.  of 
commodvs.  on  a brass  medallion. 

There  are  other  medallions  of  Commodus, 
which  all  present  the  figure  of  the  double  Janus, 
and  are  remarkable  for  their  elegance  and  rarity 
though  the  reason  for  the  selection  of  such  a 
type  remains  unbiown. — This  adoration  of  Janus 
on  the  paid  of  Commodus,  appears  to  have  been 
an  exemplification  of  that  Pietas  of  which  we 
see  him  styled  the  Auctor  The  excess  of  his 
predilection  for  Janus  is  manifested  by  a coin  of 
the  Medicean  collection,  on  the  obverse  of  wilieh 
the  head  of  Commodus  is  represented  with 
double  face,  like  that  of  the  god. — D.  N.  Vet. 
vii.,  119. 

The  head  of  Janus,  with  its  beardless  faces, 
after  the  likeness  of  Cnadus  Pompeius  (Pompey 
the  Great)  appears  on  the  obverse  of  Pompcy’s 
first  brass,  and  the  prow  of  a ship  on  the 
reverse. 

Janus  is  said  to  have  had  a son,  named 
Fontus,  from  whom  the  Fonteii  assumed  to 
derive  their  origin,  and  their  right  to  place  the 
head  of  Janus  on  their  coins. — See  Fonteia. 

Janus  Quadrfrons. — Janus  with  four  faces 
(three  of  which  only  are  seen),  is  found  on  a 
second  brass  coin  of  Hadrian. 

IAN.  CLV. — On  a silver  coin  of  Augustus, 
and  either  relates  to  the  second  time  of  that 
Emperor’s  closing  the  temple  of  Janus,  viz.,  in 
the  year  of  Rome  729  (a.d.  25),  after  the 
conquest  of  the  Cantabri  (of  northern  Spain) ; 
or  it  was  struck  to  renew  the  memory  of  the 
year  725,  when  the  temple  was  closed  on  the 
occasion  of  terminating  the  Bellum  Actiacum , 
or  the  war  ending  with  the  battle  of  Actiiun, 
which  ruined  Marc  Antony,  and  made  Augustus 
master  of  the  Roman  world. 

For  the  most  detailed  architectural  representa- 
tion of  the  temple  of  Janus  closed,  to  be  found 
l on  the  imperial  mintages,  is  the  first  brass  of 
I Nero,  in  which  this  celebrated  fane  is  typified 


i 


474  JANUS. 

with  one  gate,  and  a double  door.  Its  form  is 


square,  and  its  walls  are  ornamented  with  laurel 
garlands,  which  the  Romans  placed  on  it  after 
a victory.  The  doors  arc  shut. — See  the 
legend  pace  r.K.  terra  makiq.  parta,  ia.nvm 

CLVSIT. 

IANO  CONSERVAT,  Janus  with  two  faces, 
standing  with  a spear  in  the  right  hand. — Silver 
of  Pertinax. 

“ Rprtinax  here  styles  Janus  his  preserver, 
and  with  some  reason;  for  at  the  very  time  that 
Janus  begins  the  new  year,  he  commenced  his 
reign ; and  this  appears  beyond  question  to  be 
the  motive  for  the  adoption  of  the  type.” — 
Eckhcl  vii.,  141. 

IANO  PATRT. — Two  head  Janus,  with  one 
face  bearded,  the  other  without  a beard  : the 
whole  figure  stands  clothed  in  the  toga,  holding 
a patera  in  the  right  and  a sceptre  in  his 
left  hand. — See  gold  mintages  of  Gallicuus, 
p.  406. 

Pcllerin,  in  his  Melange  i.  p.  160,  gives  an 
engraving  of  the  above,  and  merely  says  “ the 
legend  iano  patri  which  one  sees  on  this  silver 
piece  of  Gallicnus,  is  singular.  It  is  found  on  no 
other  known  coin.” — But  Eckhcl,  animadverting 
on  the  still  more  singular  circumstance  of  its 
exhibiting  a bearded  head  joined  to  a head  with- 
out a beard,  enters  at  some  length  into  a research 
into  all  previous  numismatic  examples  which 
show  that  the  two  faces  must  be  bearded  iu 
order  to  be  characteristic  of  Janus,  and  concludes 
with  saying,  “I  think,  therefore,  it  may  be 
allowed  one  to  suppose  cither  that  the  portraiture 
of  Pcllerin  is  fallacious,  which  depictures  Janns 
with  one  head  only  bearded,  the  other  without 
beard ; or  that  in  the  age  (of  Gallicnus — A.n. 
253  to  268),  there  was  something  in  the  mode 
of  representing  this  deity  which  deviated  from 
the  old  immutible  imagery.” — Vol.  vii.,  p.  397.  I 

Ibex. — A figure  of  this  animal,  walking  j 
towards  the  right,  with  the  epigraph  saecvlares 
avgo,  nnd  the  note  VI.  (perhaps  because  on  the 
sixth  day  of  the  games  this  alpine  animal  was 
exhibited)  appears  on  a silver  coin  of  Philip  ; 
senior. — Ange/oni  calls  it  the  Gazelle. 

Ibis,  a bird  held  sacred  by  the  Egyptians,  I 
similar  to  a stork,  except  that  its  beak  is  some-  J 
what  thicker  and  more  crooked. — The  Ibis  is  the  I 
peculiar  symbol  of  Egypt,  on  account  of  the 
benefit  which  it  rendered  to  that  conntry  in  | 
constantly  waging  a destructive  war  with  serpents  I 


ICONIUM. 

and  insects,  in  which  Egypt  abounds,  and  which 
it  pursues  and  kills. 

The  Ibis  is  seen  at  the  feet  of  a female  figure, 
lying  on  the  ground,  with  the  epigraph  aegyftos, 
on  gold,  silver,  and  brass  of  Hadrian. — See 
p.  13. 

1CONIVM,  (now  Konich,  or  Cogni,)  the 
ancient  capital  of  Lycaonia,  (now  Karamania, 
Asiatic  Turkey).  This  city  is  mentioned  in  the 
Acts  of  the  Apostles,  c.  xiii.,  v.  51. — A Roman 
colony , its  coins  (besides  autonomes  in  sm.  brass 
and  imperial  Greek  in  brass)  consist  of  brass 
of  the  three  modules,  with  Latin  legends.  The 
pieces  with  Greek  inscriptions  are  respectively 
of  Nero,  Hadrian,  and  Faustina,  jun.  The 
following  arc  its  Latin  brass : — 

Gordianus  Pius. — Ileo.  col  aei,.  iconien. 
s.  r — A veiled  priest  tracing  the  limits  of  a 
colony  with  plough  and  two  oxen.  In  the  field 
two  military  ensigns. — Rev.  iconiensi.  colo. 
s.r.  Fortune  seated. 

Valerianus,  sen. — Same  legend.  Fortune 
seated,  a wheel  under  her  chair. 

Ga/lienus. — Rev.  iconiensivm  co.  s.r. — 
I The  twins  and  the  wolf — same  legend , Hercules 
standing — same  legend , Minerva  seated. 

Icuncula  (from  icon)  a small  image  of  fre- 
quent occurrence  on  Roman  coins,  sometimes  in 
the  right,  sometimes  in  the  left-hand  of  the 
principal  figure. 

Idas,  the  Ides,  from  Ida  us,  an  Etruscan 
1 verb,  iduare,  to  divide,  because  the  Ides 
divide  the  month  into  two  almost  equal  parts. — 
They  were  (says  Vaillant)  sacred  to  Jupiter. — 

| The  Ides  of  March  are  marked  on  a denarius 
; of  Junius  Brutus — eid.  mar. — See  Marcus 
Brutus,  p.  145  of  this  Dictionary. 

Jerusalem , the  most  illustrious  and  most 
celebrated  city  of  Palestine,  besieged  and  de- 
stroyed by  Titus ; restored  by  Hadrian  at  bis 
own  expense.  For  further  allusions  to  this 
place,  in  its  state  of  subjection  to  the  Romans, 

; sec  AELIA  CAPITOLINA,  p.  15. 

II.  Secundus. — cos.  it.  Consul  Secundum. 
Consul  for  the  second  time. — imp.  II.  Imperator 
Secundum. — leg.  ii.  Legio  Secunda,  &c. 

IIS.  or  IIS.  Sestertius. — See  the  word. 

II.  Iterum.  tr.  p.  ii.  Tribunitia  Potestate 
Iterum. 

I1V1R.  Duumvir. — A dignity  in  place  of 
Consul,  in  the  Roman  colonies. 

I1VIR.  QVINQ.  Duumvir  Quinguena/is. — 
The  dignity  of  the  Qninqucnnicl  Duumvir  in  the 
Colonics  rivalled  that  of  the  Censorship  at  Rome. 

II.  VICT.  Dux  llelorut.  victoriae  avgo. 
ii.  germ. — Two  Germanic  Victories  of  the 
Emperors — on  a coin  of  Gallicnus. 

III.  VIR.  A.A.A.F.F.  Triumvir  or  Triumviri 
(monctales),  Auro,  Argento,  Acre,  F/audo, 
Teriundo. — One  of,  or  all,  the  three  Roman 
Magi -(rates  appointed  to  superintend  the  coin- 
age of  money. — Sec  p.  1. — Also  Monela  Ramona, 
and  Sa/umus. 

III.  VIR.  R.P.C.  Triumvir  Rcipublirir 
Constitncndie — Triumvir  for  the  establishing  of 
the  Republic. 

IIII.  VIR.  Quatuorviri  a.  p.  e. — See  p.  62. 


IMPERATOR. 

ILEUCAVONIA,  or  Ilergavonia ; a Roman 
municipium  iu  llispania  Tarracoueusis  (now 
Am  post  a in  Catalonia,  near  Tortosa.)  It  was 
the  eapital  city  of  the  llercaoueuses,  situated  on 
the  coast  near  the  mouth  of  the  Ebro.  Its 
coins  struck,  in  alliance  with  Dertosa,  under 
Augustus,  Agrippa,  and  Tiberius,  bear  on  their 
reverses  the  legend  m.  hi.  ilercavonia  d eVt. 
The  type  is  a galley,  with  sail  set. — See  Aker- 
wan,  “ Ancient  Coins  of  Cities  and  Princes.” 
p 91. 

1LERDA,  a city  of  Hispania  Tarracoueusis, 
the  eapital  of  the  llergetcs,  which  by  a slight 
transposition  of  letters,  is  now  called  Lerida, 
in  Catalonia. — Under  the  Roman  sway  it  became 
a municipium,  as  is  proved  by  a small  brass  coin 
of  Augustus,  inscribed  man.  ilkkda.  with  the 
type  of  a wolf  walking. — See  Akerman,  “Coins 
of  Ancient  Cities,  &c.”  p.  92.  PI.  x.,  No.  1, 
2,  3,  4,  and  5,  for  specimens  of  the  Celtibcrian 
and  Latin  brass  of  this  municipium. 

ILICI,  a city  of  Hispania  Tarraconensis.  It 
was  situated  in  the  country  of  the  Contestant 
It  is  now  called  E/c.'te,  and  gave  the  name 
to  the  port  called  Alicant — pottos  Ilicitanus. — 
It  appears  from  the  legends  of  its  coins  c.  I.  il.  a. 
struck  under  Augustus  and  Tiberius,  that  it  was 
a colony,  and  the  second  letter  is  considered  the 
initial  of  Immunis. — Colouia  Immunis  It/ici 
Augusta. — See  Akerman,  same  work,  p.  94. 
The  Imperial  Latin  coins  of  this  Colony  arc 
engraved  in  Vaillant,  vol.  i.  p.  37.,  p.  73 — 78. 

ILLVRICVS  or  ILLYR1ANVS. — See  Genius 
Excrcitus  Illyriciaui,  p.  411. 

Ittgricum,  or  as  it  is  otherwise  called  Illyris, 
is  a region  lying  on  the  shores  of  the  Adriatic, 
opposite  to  those  of  Italy,  and  extending  inwards 
from  the  Alps  and  the  sea,  to  the  Danube  By 
some  writers  this  tract  of  country  is  considered 
to  be  what  is  now  called  Dalmatia. 

IMP.  Imperator. — caesak.  imp.  p.m. 

IM  PERATOR. — The  title  of  Emperor  (Impe- 
rator) was,  at  first,  only  used  as  a surname, 
and  placed  after  all  the  names  of  the  individual 
on  whom  it  was  conferred.  But  at  the  esta- 
blishment of  the  empire,  this  appellation  took 
another  nature.  The  prince  being  general- 
issimo of  the  Roman  legions,  appropriated  to 
himself  the  merit  of  all  the  victories  achieved, 
whether  he  commanded  the  army  in  person,  or 
whether  he  merely  carried  on  the  war  by  his 
lieutenants.  When  the  Senate  in  the  year  29 
before  Christ  (725  of  Rome)  bestowed  on 
Augustus  the  title  of  Imperator , it  was  placed 
after  his  name.  Subsequently  we  see  it  borne 
by  Emjierors  from  the  first  days  of  their  reign ; 
and  without  any  victory,  even  without  any  war 
to  give  occasion  for  it.  In  fact  the  word,  from 
that  time,  became  one  of  tbe  attributes  of 
sovereignty  ; but,  in  this  latter  case,  it  is  found 
preceding  all  the  other  names  and  dignities, 
even  that  of  Ctesar,  and  is  not  followed  by  any 
number  as  I.  n.  hi.  &e.,  on  medals.  But 
when,  on  the  contrary,  the  ivord  imp.  or 
imperator  was  designed  to  enumerate  victories, 
it  is  usually  placed  after  the  name,  and  often 
at  the  end  of  all  the  other  titles.  Thus  we 
3 P 2 


IMPERATOR. 


475 


sometimes  see  the  prince  declaring  himself 
Emperor  for  the  fifteenth  or  twentieth  time, 
and  giving  himself  for  surnames,  titles  formed 
out  of  the  names  of  the  vanquished  nations. 
To  such  a pitch  of  mad  presumption  was  tliis 
imperial  vanity  carried,  that  we  sometimes  see 
an  emperor  assuming  the  marks  of  triumph, 
and  impudently  pretending  to  be  the  conqueror 
of  people  who  had  actually  defeated  his  armies. — 
After  the  extinction  of  the  consular  government, 
the  name  of  imperator  was  very  seldom  con- 
ferred upon  private  individuals,  either  on  account 
of  military  command,  or  of  victories  gained ; 
and  it  soon  became  the  exclusive  appendage  of 
Imperial  rank  and  power. — This  title  is  expressed 
in  Greek  by  the  word  ATTOKPATUP,  which  is 
often  abridged. 

After  the  death  of  Caligula,  the  title  of 
Emperor  became  elective,  and  it  was  the  soldiers 
of  the  Prmtorian  Guard  who  proclaimed  the 
Emperor  Claudius.  The  children,  however, 
of  the  deceased  Prince,  or  lie  whom  the  Em- 
peror had  adopted,  pretty  generally  succeeded 
to  the  empire,  not  by  right  of  succession,  but 
because  the  reigning  sovereign  had,  during  his 
life-time,  associated  them  iu  the  governnfent,  or 
had  created  them  Caesars,  that  is  to  say, 
appointed  them  his  successors,  with  the  con- 
currence of  the  armies,  who,  having  the  strength 
to  enforce  their  wishes,  had  wrested  from  the 
Senate  the  right  of  election.  The  choice  of  the 
soldiery  almost  always  fell  ou  some  one  of  their 
own  chiefs,  whose  bravery  wTas  well  kuowni ; and 
held  higher  in  their  appreciation  than  either 
birth  or  political  abilities.  It  was  thus  that  the 
empire  frequently  devolved  into  the  hands  of 
mere  soldiers  of  fortune,  whose  only  merit  w as 
their  ferocious  valour.  On  the  other  hand, 
when  the  Senate  could  influence  the  choice  of 
an  Emperor,  that  body,  with  all  its  faults,  con- 
sulted with  more  judgment  the  qualities  most 
suitable  in  the  master  of  so  mighty  an  empire. 
Immediately  after  their  election,  the  Emperors 
sent  their  image  to  Rome  and  to  the  armies,  in 
order  that  it  might  be  placed  on  the  military 
standards.  This  was  the  customary  mode  of 
acknowledging  the  new  Princes.  Their  accession 
thus  announced,  they  failed  not  to  distribute 
largesses  amongst  the  troops,  each  soldier  re- 
ceiving his  share  as  he  marched  past  the 
emperor,  to  mark  their  joy  at  whose  election 
they  carried  crowns  of  laurel  on  their  heads. 
The  first  who  introduced  the  system  of  giving 
money  to  the  soldiers  was  Claudius,  who,  in 
gratitude  for  their  choice  of  him,  promised  them 
fifteen  sesterces  a head.  Soon  after  the  election 
of  the  Emperor,  the  Senate  conferred  the  name 
of  Augusta  on  his  wife  and  daughters. 

That  the  Imperial  title,  or  appellative  of  the 
Roman  general  was  augmented  according  to  the 
number  of  victories,  so  that  on  coins  it  should 
be  found  marked  by  the  inscription  of  imp. 
itervm  or  Hi.,  IV.,  &c.,  there  are  frequent 
proofs,  in  the  series  of  the  Augusli;  nor  arc  like 
examples  wanting,  during  the  existence  of  the 
republic,  or  at  least  before  it  was  utterly 
abolished,  though  these  however  are  more  rare. 


476  IMPERATOR. 

Sylla  is  numismaticallv  called  imper.  itervm  ; 
whilst  Cn.  Pompey  M.,  after  having  gained  the 
greatest  victories  and  those  of  the  most  varied 
description,  is  styled  on  his  coins  only  imp. — 
Cmsar  the  Dictator,  only  imp.  iter. — Nor  is 
Sextus  Pompey,  son  of  Pompey  the  Great, 
mentioned  as  having  oftencr  enjoyed  the  title. 
But  Antony  the  iiivir  is  recorded  as  imp.  iiii. 
— And  it  is  certain  that  after  Blsesus,  who  was 
the  last  private  individual  (by  Tiberius’s  per- 
mission) to  be  called  Imperator,  the  important 
honour,  although  obtained  by  the  Lieutenants  of 
the  Augusti,  belonged  to  the  Prince  alone, 
because  wars  were  carried  on  under  his  sole 
auspices  ; thus  a preetor  of  former  times  derived 
the  title  of  Imperator  from  a victory  achieved 
by  his  quwstor,  of  which  Varro  records  one 
example.  If  Dio  is  to  be  relied  on,  it  was  the 
Roman  custom  to  assume  the  name  of  Imperator 
not  oftener  than  once,  for  one  war ; and  this 
practice  was  abused  by  Claudius  Aug.,  who 
allowed  himself  to  be  called  by  that  title  several 
times  on  account  of  victories  over  the  Britons. 
— It  is  very  questionable,  however,  whether  this 
usage  was,  even  in  the  earlier  age,  religiously 
observed,  for  from  the  coins  of  Sylla  it  is 
probable  that  he  was  called  Imperator  for  the 
second  time,  during  the  same  war. 

It  is  abundantly  clear  on  inspection,  that  the 
greater  part  of  the  Imperial  coins  exhibit  a 
numeral  addition  to  this  inscription  of  imperator 
on  account  of  fresh  victories  gained.  But  it  is 
observable,  that  Caracalla  was  the  last  who 
stamped  this  illustrious  title  on  his  coinage,  as 
now  by  degrees  the  ancient  institutions  of  the 
Roman  empire  had  begun  to  be  neglected  or 
corrupted.  Ncvcrthelcss.in  the  mint  of  Postumus, 
singular  to  say,  there  occur  imp.  v.  and  imp.  x. 
— But  Ducange  adduces  from  marbles,  some 
examples  of  adding  numbers  to  the  title  con- 
tinued to  a later  period,  although  of  rarer 
occurrence. — The  gold  solidi  of  Theodosius 
II.  are  common,  bearing  amongst  his  titles 
even  imp.  xxxxii.,  which  Ducange  considers 
to  import  the  old  acclamation  of  the  soldiers. 
But  Eckhel  is  of  opinion  that  on  the  coins  of 
this  emperor  the  years  of  his  reign  are  indicated 
by  that  number. — Gallienus,  for  the  reiterated 
title  of  Imp.  called  himself  Gcrmanicus 
Maximus  in.  or  v.,  or  inscribed  on  his  coins 
victoria  avo.  vi.  vii.  viii.;  and  similar 
examples  occur  on  the  medals  of  Postumus,  as 
before  observed  ; especially  on  one  bearing  the 
legend  of  p.m.  tr.  p.  imp  v.  &c. — Other 
evidences  which  verify  the  derivation  of  the  title 
from  Victories,  are  to  be  found  in  the  Doct. 
Hum.  Vet  of  Eckhel.  De  Nomine  Imperatoris. 
vol.  viii.  p.  346. 

IMP. — Imperator.  Cassius,  the  assassin  of 
Ciesar,  is  so  called : c.  cassi.  imp.  Caio  C'assio 
Imperatori. — In  like  manner,  Brutus,  brvt. 
imp.  otherwise  q.  caep.  brvt.  imp. — see  the 
J a ilia  family. — M.  l.F.PIDVS  obtained  the  title  of 
imp.  in  Spain,  and  received  triumphal  honours 
for  his  victories  there. — In  imitation  also  of  M. 
Antonins  imp.  the  title  of  Imperator  is  given  on 
coins  to  Caius  Ciesar. — Moreover  Poui]>cy  is 


IMPERATOR. 

styled  mag.  or  magn.  pivs.  imp. — See  the 
Pompeia  family. 

IMP.  BRVTVS. — Sec  brvtvs  imp. 

IMP.  or  IMPER. — Imperator  is  frequently 
read  on  coins  of  Julius  Ca*sar,  (he  being  already 
dead)  on  whieh  this  single  title  of  honour  is 
assigned  to  him,  in  place  of  the  prenomen ; 
not  for  any  victory  obtained,  but  by  that  signi- 
fication whieh  refers  to  the  heighth  of  power 
conferred  upon  him,  he  is  called  c.v.sar.  imp.  or 
IMPER.  and  afterwards  with  the  Julian  star. — 
For  as  in  others,  struck  before  his  death,  he  is, 
after  the  ancient  manner  of  the  republic,  called 
imp.  qvint.,  on  others  imp.  sex.  and  besides 

DICT.  QVAHT.,  or  DICTATOR  PERPETVO,  SO  this 

one  title  imp.  on  only  two  coins,  and  a few 
struck  after  his  death,  can  hardly  be  understood 
otherwise  than  as  that  highest  title  of  Imperator, 
then  for  the  first  time  granted  to  him  by  the 
Senate,  not  long  before  he  was  slain ; because, 
as  occurs  on  many  other  coins  of  Roman 
Emperors,  that  name  of  supreme  power  docs 
not  occupy  the  place  of  a prenomen  but  rather 
that  of  a surname.  Such  is  the  opiuion  of 
Vaillant  and  of  Spanheim  on  these  coins  of 
Julius. 

IMP. — On  a silver  and  a gold  coin  of  Galba, 
bearing  this  word  on  its  reverse,  that  Emperor, 
in  the  patudamentum,  appears  on  horseback, 
extending  his  right  hand. — The  figure  of  Galba 
appears  to  refer  to  the  statues  erected  to  his 
honour  in  Gaul  and  in  Spain,  as  he  docs  not  sit 
on  horseback  in  the  garb  of  peace,  as  emperors 
were  accustomed  to  do  when  approaching  Rome, 
\ut  he  is  represented  as  they  are  depictured 
when  setting  out  on  a military  expedition. — Sec 

HISPANIA. 

IMP.  AVG. — Imperator  Augustus.  On 
another  silver  coin  of  Galba,  a female  figure, 
clothed  in  a robe,  holds  an  olive  branch  in  her 
right  hand,  whilst  her  left  rests  on  a shield 
placed  on  the  ground. 

This  figure  of  a woman  personifies  Peace, 
bearing  the  olive  branch  which  was  peculiarly 
dedicated  to  that  goddess,  and  was  also  worn  on 
the  head  at  pacific  celebrations. 

Galba,  through  the  concord  of  the  two 
provinces,  Spain  and  Gaul,  by  whom  he  was 
elected  Emperor,  declared  his  conciliatory  feelings 
to  the  Roman  people. 

IMP.  CAES  AVG.  LVD.  SAEC.— On  a 
coin  of  Augustus,  in  memory  of  the  Secular 
games,  which  that  Emperor  restored  and  cele- 
brated afresh. 

IMP.  CAES. — A naval  trophy  fixed  on  the 
prow  of  a ship,  with  spoils  of  arms  also  appended, 
and  a rudder  and  anchor  added. 

This  apjicars  on  a silver  coin  of  Augustus,  by 
whom,  after  the  defeat  of  Antony  at  Actiuin, 
this  trophy  seems  to  have  beeu  erected.  Others 
think  the  coin  was  struck  in  memory  of  the 
naval  victory  gained  by  Augustus’s  lieutenant 
over  Sextus  Pom|>cv,  near  Sicily. 

IMP.  CAESAR  AVG.  FILL  COS.— Sevcrns 
seated  on  a suggestum  (or  raised  platform) 
between  Caracalla  and  Gcta. — On  a silver  coin 
I of  Caracalla.  The  epigraph  of  Uie  reverse  (says 


IMPERATOR. 

Eckhel)  is  thus  to  be  read : — Imperator  (An- 
toninus— meaning  Caracalla)  et  C'tesar  (Geta) 
Augusti  (Severi)  Ji/ii  consules,  wlio  doubtless 
made  their  consular  procession  together  in 
the  vear  when  the  coin  was  struck,  viz.,  a.d. 
205. 

The  type  represents  Scvcrus  distributing  the 
congiarium  to  the  people,  after  his  return  from 
the  East. 

IMP.  NERVA  CAESAR  AVGVSTVS  REST. 
— This  legend  appears  on  a brass  medallion,  by 
which  the  Emperor  Ncrva  restored  the  memory 
of  Augustus  and  of  his  consecration. — Vaill. 
Pr.  III.  p.  101. 

IMP.  PERP. — Imperator  Perpetuus,  is  read 
on  coins  of  Alexander  and  of  Probus. 

IMP.  QVART.  Imperator  Quartum. — Julius 
Crcsar  was  styled  Emperor  for  the  fourth 
time. 

IMP.  INVICTI  PII  AVGG.— Laurcatcd 
heads  of  Severus  and  Caracalla,  side  by  side, 
each  with  the  paludamcntum. 

Rev. — Victoria  parthica  maxima.  Victory 
marching  with  a garlaud  and  palm  branch.  Silver 
and  gold. 

lMVERatore  RECEPTo. — This  inscription 
is  found  on  a gold  coin  of  Claudius,  placed  above 
the  gateway  of  a structure,  designed  to  represent 
the  camp  of  the  Prietorian 
guard. — It  serves  to  shew 
in  what  manner  Claudius 
was  presented  to  the  Prie- 
torians,  recognised  by  them 
as  Emperor,  and  taken  under 
their  protection. — AsEckliel 
observes  this  rare  aureus 
together  with  the  equally  remarkable  one  of 
Pnetorianis  Receptis,  confirms  history  with 
wonderful  precision,  both  in  legend  and  in  type. 
Suetonius  relates  that  “ he  was  received  within 
the  entrenchments  [of  the  Prretorian  camp]  and 
passed  the  night  amongst  the  sentinels  of  the 
army  ; where  also  on  the  following  day,  according 
to  the  account  of  Dion  Cassius,  the  empire  was 
offered  to  him  with  the  unanimous  consent  of  the 
soldiers,  as  the  descendant  of  an  imperial  line, 
and  as  a man  of  good  reputation.” — See  praetor 
recep.,  which  has  for  its  type  the  Emperor  and 
one  of  his  guards  joining  hands,  allusive  to  the 
protection  which  Claudius  extended  in  his  turn 
to  the  Prmtorians,  who  took  an  oath  of  fidelity 
to  him,  on  the  same  day  that  he  received  the 
imperial  power. 

IMP.  TER  Imperator  Tertium. — -Emperor 

for  the  third  time.— This  inscription  with  a 
trophy,  and  two  bucklers  and  spears,  appears  on 
a silver  coin  of  M.  Antony,  who,  having  captured 
Artavasdc,  King  of  Armenia,  triumphed  at 
Alexandria. — Gessner.  Impp.  Rom. 

IMP.  TR.  P.V.  COS.  II.  P.P.  Imperator, 
Tribunitia  Potest  ate  Quinta,  Consul  Secun- 
dum, Pater  Patrite. — Oiselius  in  his  Select. 
Numis.  gives  a coin  with  the  foregoing 
legend,  and  for  its  type,  a most  elegant  and 
sumptuous  building,  with  trophies  and  victories 
about  its  upper  ranges,  and  a quadriga  on  the 
top  of  it. 


IMPERATOR. 


477 


IMPERATOR  VII.  Septimum.— The  Em- 
peror sitting  on  an  estrade,  haranguing  the 
I soldiers. 

This  legend  and  type,  on  a very  rare  gold 
j coin  of  Trajan,  refer  to  an  anecdote  of  that 
Emperor,  who  assumed  the  title  of  Imperator 
{ for  the  seventh  time,  on  the  occasion  of  his  over- 
i coming  the  Adiabeni  and  Assyrians,  a.v.c.  867. 
Being  about  to  wage  war  against  the  Parthians, 
Trajan  made  an  oration  to  his  assembled  troops. 
— (Cirnel.  Vindob.  Eckhel.) 


IMPERATOR  VIII.  (or  VIIII.)  S.  C.— 
The  Emperor  seated  on  a suggestum,  attended 
by  two  figures : below  and  before  him  stand  four 
or  five  soldiers  with  standards  and  a horse. — 
This  legend  and  type  appear  on  a first  brass  of 
Trajan. 

IMP.  X. — Augustus  was  called  Imperator 
Decimum,  in  honour  of  a victory  gained  by  the 
Roman  legions  in  Pannonia. 

IMP.  X — A military  figure  presents  a branch 
to  the  Emperor,  seated. — This  silver  coin  of 
Augustus  refers  to  the  signal  victory  gained  by 
Tiberius,  as  that  Emperor’s  lieutenant,  over  the 
Pannonians. 

IMP.  X. — Two  male  figures,  or  Tiberius  and 
his  brother  Drusus,  offer  a laurel  to  Augustus, 
sitting  on  a curule  chair ; the  former  for  the 
Pannonian,  the  latter  for  the  German  conquest ; 
or  they  are  two  ambassadors,  with  olive  branches, 
asking  terms  of  peace  with  the  Emperor. 

IMP.  X.  SICIL.  Imperator  Decimum  Sicilia. 
— See  sicil. 

IMP.  XI.  ACT.  Imperator  TJndecimum, 
Actiacus. — See  act. 

IMP.  XIII. — Sow  and  pigs.  Vespasian. — 
See  Rasche. 

IMP.  XIIII.  Imperator  Decimum  Quartum. 
—The  Emperor,  seated  on  an  estrade,  receives 
into  his  hands  a child  offered  to  him  by  a 
man  wearing  a clilamys. — Gold  and  Silver  of 
Augustus. 

The  learned  widely  differ  in  their  explanations 
of  this  type,  which  is  the  more  to  be  regretted, 
because  it  obviously  refers  to  some  rather  inter- 
esting point  in  the  history  of  Augustus.  Some 
think  it  represents  Germanicus  presenting  Caius 
to  the  Emperor  ; but  this  idea  is  not  probable. — 
Vail/ant  pronounces  it  to  be  Tiridates,  who,  driven 
from  Parthia  by  Phraates,  fled  with  his  infant 
son  to  Augustus. — Eckhel,  however,  adduces 
chronological  objections  to  this  otherwise  likely 
supposition;  but  suggests  no  opinion  in  its 


/ 


478 


IMPERATOR. 


place.  “ It  is  certain,  however  (he  says),  that 
the  dress  of  the  person  offering  the  child,  on 
this  denarius  is  foreign,  and,  as  it  seems  to  me, 
is  that  of  a German.” — (Vol.  vi.  Ill) 

IMP.  XXXXII.  COS.  XVII.  P.P.— On  a 
gold  coin  of  Theodosius  II. — The  number  of 
forty-two,  hitherto  unusual,  and  almost  without 
precedent,  doubtless  indicates  the  years  of 
Theodosius’s  reign,  when  this  coin  was  struck, 
Therefore,  as  he  was  proclaimed  Augustus  a.d. 
402,  the  year  xxxxii.  began  in  the  year  of 
Christ  443  ; and  he  was  the  Consul  for  the 
seventeenth  time,  as  the  fasti  testify ; and 
about  to  enter  into  the  eighteenth  consulate  the 
following  year.  Why  this  particular  year  should 
thus  ostentatiously  be  stamped  on  the  gold 
coinage  of  Theodosius  II.,  adds  Eckhel,  1 do 
not  inquire,  because  I may  judge  rashly.  It  is, 
however,  extraordinary  that  the  same  reverse 
shoidd  appear  ofl  coins  of  his  wife  Eudoxia,  of  his 
sister  Pulehcria,  of  Galla  Placidia,  Yalentiniunus 
III.  and  Leo  I.,  although  to  them  belongs 
neither  the  year  nor  the  consulate. — Vol.  viii. 

p.  182. 

Imperator. — This  title  is  not  found  attached 
to  the  names  of  the  Roman  Emperors  much 
beyond  the  time  of  Constantine.  For  the 
sons  of  that  great  prince,  instead  of  Imperator , 
caused  themselves  to  be  called  D.  N.  Domini 
Nostri. 

Imperatores. — AftcrNero, the  Emperors  for  the 
most  part  ceased  to  govern  by  hereditary’  right. 
(Spanh.  Pr.  ii.  p.238).  AY riting  to  the  governors 
of  provinces  they  called  themselves,  not  Augusti , 
but  Imperatores  (ibid.  p.  374) — nay,  some- 
times they  eveu  mentioned  themselves  as  of  the 
number  of  the  Senators  (ibid.  p.  413). — 
Emperors  were  called  Patres,  after  the  example 
of  Jupiter,  as  Patres  Ausonii,  Patres  Lutii, 
&c.  (ibid.  p.  450). — Appellations  peculiar  to 
the  Imperatores  Romanorum , and  observable 
on  their  coins,  are  Pater  Castrorum,  Pater 
Exerdtuum,  which  as  words  denoting  the 
highest  rank  were  accustomed  to  be  exclusively 
applied  to  the  Augusti,  or  to  their  appointed 
heirs.  Moreover  a new  surname  was  invented 
in  honour  of  the  Emperors,  viz.,  that  of  Pater 
Senatus,  which  was  first  received  by  Commodus, 
called  on  his  silver  coin  pater  senatvs  ; and 
afterwards  by  Pupienus  aud  Balbinus,  as  appears 
on  their  coins,  inscribed  patres  senatvs. — 
(Vaillant). — Some  Emperors  were  called  Op/imi, 
some  Maximi,  and  others  Optimi  Maxi  mi,  the  two 
being  joined  as  if  equalling  them  with  Jupiter 
himself.  (Spanh.  Pr.  500-501). — Pii  and 
Felices  were  also  among  the  titles  of  honour. 
And  in  like  manner  some  of  them  were  called 
Or  bis  Rec  tores,  Restitutores,  Locnpletatores 
orbis  terrarum — also  Pacatores  Orbis,  Vbique 
Victores,  &c.,  &c. 

The  Imperatores  Romani  had  by  right  no 
other  power  in  sacerdotal  and  sacred  affairs  than 
that  which  they  derived  from  holding  the  highest 
pontificate  ( maxim  us  poutificatus),  and  the  Em- 
perors themselves  exhibited  their  testimonies  of 
piety  to  the  Gods,  in  discharging  the  oflices  of 
pontiffs.  For  after  Tiberius  they  were  admitted 


IMPERATOR. 

i to  all  the  functions  of  the  priesthood ; and  from 
! the  very  moment  of  their  accession  to  the 
empire,  they  sacrificed  bare-headed  and  covered, 

; aud  in  quality  of  pontiffs  performed  sacred  rites. 

The  Emperors,  on  their  coins,  are  represented 
1 in  the  act  of  sacrificing.  We  sec  the  contents 
of  the  patera  poured  out  by  them  on  the  lighted 
altar ; the  popa,  or  priest  w hose  province  it  w as 
to  slay  the  victim,  standing  near  it,  and  ready  to 
perform  his  office.  Amongst  the  numerous  rc- 
I presentations  of  this  kiud  to  be  found  ou  the 
I Latin  Ctcsarian  medals  may  be  mentioned — 
I Caligula  sacrificing  in  front  of  a temple  (see 
, pi  etas.)  Alexander  Severus  sacrificing  before 
Jupiter.  Ou  coins  also  of  Trajan,  AI.  Aurelius, 
L.  Verus,  Commodus,  Severus,  Alexander, 
Maximinus,  Gordiauus  Pius,  we  see  some  fine 
sacrificial  groups,  in  which  the  Emi>erors  are  the 
prominent  figures. — See  Sacrifices. 

Some  of  the  Imperial  scries  bear  legends  and 
typos  which  testify  the  piety  or  religion  of  the 
reigning  prince  towards  the  gods,  as  in  the 
relioio  avg.  of  M.  Aurelius  and  Valerian  us ; 
aud  in  the  pi  etas  avg.  of  Trajan,  Hadrian, 
Antoninus,  M.  Aurelius,  and  others,  with  an 
altar,  or  with  the  Emperors  sacrificing  ; or  with 
i pontifical  instruments,  or  with  a temple,  or 
with  Piety  personified  under  the  figure  of  a 
woman,  standing  with  a patera  in  her  hand 
• before  an  altar ; also  with  the  image  of  Mercury 
holding  his  caducous,  aud  crumeun,  or  purse. — 
Even  the  truculent  monster  Commodus  is  on  one 
: of  his  coins  called  avctor  pietatm. — In  token 
1 of  Piety,  the  temples  of  the  Gods  were  frequently 
either  erected,  or  repaired,  or  dedicated  by 
the  Emperors  as  well  at  Rome  as  in  the  pro- 
vinces ; a custom  which  explains  w hy  on  so 
many  of  their  coins,  we  read,  aedes  avg.  or 

AEn  D! VI  AVG.  REST;  DEDICATIU  AEDIS,  and 
similar  inscriptions. 

1MPERI,  instead  of  IMPERII. — See  Aeter- 

i vitas  Imperii. 

IMPERII  FEL1CITAS. — A female  standing, 
holding  an  infant. 

j On  a silver  coin  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  which 
1 appears  to  have  been  struck  ou  the  birth  of  a 
son  of  that  Emperor,  through  which  event  the 
Happiness  of  the  Empire  was  predestined,  an 
heir  having  at  length  been  born  after  so  many 
adoptions.  The  goddess  of  Felicity,  therefore, 

J holds  in  her  hand  the  child  Auuius  Verus,  who, 
however,  died  in  his  seventh  year,  after  Aurelius 
had  proclaimed  him  C'.esar. — (VailL,  Pr.  ii. 

I 171.) 

IMPERATORI. — See  uestinato  impeka- 

I TORI. 

Imperium  Romanum. — The  Roman  Empire 
I was  sometimes  governed  by  two  Augusti,  at 
first  ns  a compact  aud  undivided  territory  as  in 
the  ease  of  M.  Aurelius  and  L.  Verus,  and  nlto 
of  Diocletian  and  Val.  Maximinn ; but  after- 
wards divided  into  two  parts,  the  Eastern  and  the 
Western. — The  Imperial  coins  are  distinguished 
by  their  chronological  order,  as  belonging  cither 
to  the  earlier,  which  is  railed  the  Higher  Empire, 
or  to  the  age  of  its  decline,  which  is  called  the 
Lower  Empire. 


IMPERIAL  SERIES. 


IMPERIAL  SERIES. 


479 


CATALOGUE  OF  THE  IMPERIAL  SERIES. 

Strictly  speaking  the  Imperial  Series  commences  with  Augustus;  hut  many  of  his  coins 
properly  come  under  the  Consular  or  Family  Series,  in  which  department  all  prior  to  Augustus 
may,  with  propriety,  be  ranged.  But  the  following  catalogue  is  drawn  up  in  accordance  with  the 
usual  sequence  in  which  the  coins  are  arranged  in  cabinets  and  described  by  numismatic  writers  : — 


Cnacius  Pompcius. 

Marciana. 

Hercnnius  Etruscus. 

Romulus. 

Caius  Jidius  Caesar. 

Matidia. 

llostillianus. 

Alexander  II. 

Cuaeius  Poinpeius,  the 

Hadrianns. 

Trebonianus  Callus. 

Licinius,  the  Father. 

son. 

Sabina. 

Volusiauus. 

Licinius,  the  Son. 

Sextus  Pompcius. 

Lucius  Aelius, 

Aemilianus. 

Martiniauus. 

Marcus  Junius  Brutus. 

Antoninus  Pius. 

Comelia  Supcra. 

Constantinus  I. — 

Caius  Cassius  Longi- 

Faustina the  Elder. 

Valeri  anus. 

(Maximus). 

nus. 

Galerius  Antoninus. 

Mariniana. 

Fa'usta. 

Marcus  Aemilius  Le- 

Marcus  Aurelius. 

Gallienus. 

Crispus.  ' 

pidus. 

Faustina  the  Younger. 

Salonina. 

Delmatius. 

Marcus  Antonius. 

Annius  Verus. 

Salopians. 

Hanniballianus. 

Octavia. 

Lucius  Verus. 

Postumus. 

Constantinus  11. 

Marcus  Antonius,  the 

LuciUa. 

Postumus,  the  Son? 

Constans. 

son. 

Commodus. 

Laelianus. 

Constantius  II. 

Cleopatra. 

Crispina. 

Victorinus. 

Nepotianus. 

Caius  Antonius. 

Pcrtinax. 

Victorina  ? 

Vetranio 

Lucius  Antonius. 

Titiaua. 

Marius. 

Magnentius. 

Augustus. 

Didius  Julianas. 

Tctricus,  the  Father. 

Decentius. 

Livia. 

Manlia  Scautilla. 

Tctricns,  the  Son. 

Constantius  III. — 

Marcus  Vipsanius 

, Didia  Clara. 

Macrianus,  the  Father. 

(Gallus). 

Agrippa. 

Pescennius  Niger. 

Macrianus,  the  Son. 

Julianus  II. 

Julia. 

Fulvia  Plautiana. 

Quietus. 

Jovianus. 

Caius  and  Lucius. 

Clodius  Albinus. 

Alexander  Aemilianus. 

Valentinianus  I. 

Postumus  Agrippa. 

Scptimius  Scvcrus. 

Rcgalianus. 

Valens. 

Tiberius. 

Julia  Domna. 

Dryantilla  ? 

Procopius. 

Nero  Claudius  Drusus, 

Caracalla. 

Aureolus  ? 

Gratianus. 

son  of  Tiberius. 

Gcta. 

Claudius  Gothicus. 

Valentinianus  II. 

Nero  Claudius  Drusus, 

Plautilla. 

Quintillus. 

Theodosius  I. 

brother  of  Tiberius. 

Julia  Maesa. 

Aurcliauus. 

Aelia  FlaccUla. 

Antonia. 

Macrinus. 

Severiana. 

Magnus  Maximus. 

Germanieus. 

Diadmuenianus. 

Odenathus. 

Victor. 

Agrippina,  senior. 

Elagabalus. 

Zenobia. 

Eugcnius. 

Nero  and  Drusus. 

Julia  Paula. 

Vabalathus. 

Arcadius. 

Caius  (Caligula). 

Aquilia  Severa. 

Athenodorus. 

Aelia  Eudoxia  ? 

Agrippina,  junior. 

An  uia  Faustina. 

Tacitus. 

Honorius. 

Drusilla. 

Julia  Soaemias. 

Florianus. 

Constantius  IV. 

Julia. 

Severus  Alexander. 

Probus. 

Galla  Placidia. 

Claudius. 

Barbia  Orbiana. 

Bonosus  ? 

Constantinus  III. 

Messalina. 

Julia  Mammaea. 

Caras. 

Constans  II. 

Claudia  Antonia. 

Uranius  Antoninus. 

Carinus. 

Maximus? 

Britannicus. 

Maximinus  I. 

Magnia  Urbica. 

Jovinus. 

Nero. 

Paulina. 

Nigrinianus. 

Sebastianus. 

Octavia. 

Maximus. 

Numerianus. 

Priscus  Attalus. 

Poppaea. 

Gordianus  Afrieanus, 

Julianus  II. 

Theodosius  11. 

Messalina. 

the  Father. 

Diocletianns 

Aelia  Eudoxia. 

Claudia. 

Gordianus  Afrieanus, 

Maximianus  I.  (Uer- 

Johannes. 

Clodius  Macer. 

the  Son. 

culeus). 

Valentinianus  III. 

Galba. 

Balbinus. 

Carausius. 

Licinia  Eudoxia. 

Otho. 

Pupienus. 

Allectus. 

Honoria. 

Vitellins. 

Gordianus  Pius. 

Domitius  Domitianus. 

Petronius  Maximus. 

Vespasianns. 

Tranquillina. 

Constantius  I. — 

Marcianus. 

Flavia  Domitilla. 

Philippus,  the  Father. 

(Chlorus). 

Pulchcria. 

Domitilla,  junior. 

Otacilia  Severa. 

Helena. 

A vitus. 

Titus. 

Philippus,  the  Son. 

Theodora. 

Leo  I. 

Julia . 

Marinus. 

Maximianus  II.  (Gale- 

Verina. 

Domitianus. 

Iotapianus. 

rius  Valerius). 

Majorianus. 

Domitia. 

Pacatianus. 

Galeria  Valeria. 

Severus  III. 

Nerva. 

Sponsianus. 

Severus  II. 

Anthemius. 

Trajanus. 

Trajanus  Decius. 

Maximinus  II.  (Daza). 

Euphemia. 

Plotina. 

Etruscilla. 

Maxcntius. 

Olybrius. 

I 


480  IMPERIAL  SERIES. 

IMPERIAL  SERIES. 

Placidia. 

Aclia  Zenonis. 

Anastasius. 

Justinus  II. 

Glyccrius. 

Leontius. 

Justinus. 

Sophia. 

Leo  II. 

Julius  Nepos. 

Vitalianns. 

Tiberius  II. 

Zeno. 

Basiliscus. 

Romulus  Augustus. 

Justinianus. 

Mauricius, 

The  Incus , in  the  field  of  a coin,  is  a mark  I 
of  the  monclal  triumvirs,  designed  to  shew 
cither  the  instrument  or  office  of  the  mint,  or 
the  power  of  striking  money.  It  is  seen  on 
coins  of  the  Annia,  Apronia,  Claudia,  Livineia, 
Na:via,  Rubellia,  Silia,  Statilia,  Valeria,  and 
other  families.  So  on  denarii  of  Claudia, 
Livineia,  and  Statilia  families,  the  incus,  as  a 
mint  mark,  is  seen  opposite  the  letters  ill.  viu. 
a. a. a.  f.p.  added  to  their  surnames  pvlchek. 
TAVrvs.  regvlvs. — On  a denarius  of  the 
Carisia  family  we  sec  all  the  tools  used  in  the 


Roman  process  of  coinage,  namely,  the  incus, 
or  anvil;  the  forceps,  or  tongs;  and  the  malleus, 
or  hammer. 

Incuse. — This  epithet  is  applied  to  coins, 
which  exhibit  the  same  image,  concave  on  one 
side,  convex  on  the  other.  Some  of  these, 
from  the  rudeness  of  the  workmanship,  are 
obviously  of  the  most  ancient  date  ; others,  it  is 
no  less  evident,  were  thus  stamped  through 
the  carelessness  of  the  moneyers,  in  putting 
the  metal  to  be  struck  on  a coin  already 
struck. 


Accordingly  incuse  coins  (numi  incusi)  arc  found 
to  bear  neither  a new  figure  nor  a new  inscrip- 
tion on  the  opposite  face.  The  example  here 
given  is  a second  brass  coin  of  Diocletian. 

IND.  Indictio. — This  form  of  INI),  n.  began 
for  the  first  time  to  be  struck  on  small  brass  of 
Mauricius,  about  a.d.  582. 

Indictio.  Indiction. — Indiction,  a mode  of 
reckoning,  which  contained  a revolution  of  15 
years.  Under  Augustus,  the  indiction,  according 
to  some  authors,  signified  the  year  when  tributes 
were  paid  to  the  Roman  Treasury.  Most  writers, 
however,  insist  that  the  iudiction  was  not  known 
till  long  after  the  reign  of  that  Emperor,  and 
that  under  Constantine  the  Great  it  was  intro- 
duced, not  for  the  payment  of  tributes,  bnt 
simply  to  obviate  errors  in  the  mode  of  counting 
years.  It  would,  however,  be  difficult  to  fix 
the  year  in  which  they  began  to  reckon  by 
indiction,  as  indeed  it  would  be  to  explain  the 
reason  why  the  indiction  is  comprised  w'ithin 
the  space  of  fifteen  yearn,  or  why  this  appellation 
was  given  to  it. 

Indulgentia.  Clemency,  lenity,  pace,  favour. 
— This  word  is  used  on  Roman  coins  to  denote 
either  some  permission  given,  some  privilege 
bestowed,  or  sonic  tribute  remitted. — In  inscrip- 
tions of  a very  early  date,  princes  arc  called 
indu/gentissimi. 

INDVLGENTIA.  AVGG.  IN.  CARTIL— 
Silver  and  middle  brass  coins  of  Scptim.  Scvenis 
bearing  this  inscription  on  the  reverse,  have  for 
accompanying  type,  Cybelc  with  a turreted  crown 
on  her  head,  seated  on  a lion ; she  holds  a 
thunderbolt  in  her  right  and  a spear  in  her  left 
hand.  The  mother  of  the  Gods  was  the  favourite 
deity  of  the  Carthageninns  ; here  the  bon,  whirh 
Virgil  tells  us  {.Eneid  lib . 3)  was  tamed  by  Cy  bclc, 


I may  be  taken  as  an  emblem  of  Afrira. — Scverns 
I was  of  African  origin,  and,  attached  to  the  land 
of  his  birth,  conferred  benefits  (among  others 
| theyV.s  Italicum)  on  Carthage  and  Utica,  accord- 
I ing  to  Ulpianus. — A medal  of  Caracalla  exhibits 
the  same  reverse. 

INDVLG.  AVG.  Indulgentia  Augusti. — 
On  a medal  of  Gallienus,  Indulgence  is  repre- 
sented under  the  form  of  a woman  seated,  holding 
out  the  right  hand,  and  grasping  hasta  pura  in 
the  left.  On  another  of  the  same  reign,  she 
appears  in  the  act  of  walking,  with  a flower  held 
in  the  right  hand  and  spreading  her  robe  with 
her  left,  “ as  if  (says  MUlin,  fancifully  enough,) 
for  the  purpose  of  skreening  the  guilty.” 

INDVLGENTIA  AVG. — On  a first  brass  of 
Antoninus  Pius,  the  virtue  is  personified  by  a 
woman  seated,  having  in  the  left  hand  a wand, 
and  the  other  open,  or  holding  a patera. 


Eekhel  observes  that  “ by  this  coin  the  words 
of  Capitolinus  arc  confirmed,  where  he  asserts 
that  Antoninus  Pius  was  eminently  disposed  to 
acts  of  indulgence  and  favour.”  (Ad  indutgentias 

pronissimnm.J 


INDULGENTIA. 

INDVLGENTIA  AVGG  IN  ITALIAM. — 
A female  figure  with  turreted  crown,  sitting  on 
a globe,  bears  a trophy  in  her  right  hand,  and 
a cornucopia  in  her  left. — Silver  of  S.  Severus. 
In  memory  of  this  Emperor’s  indulgences  towards 
Italy.  Vaillant  connects  this  with  a passage  in 
Spartianus,  and  supposes  it  to  relate  to  some 
remission  of  the  vekiculatio  (or  posting  impost) 
of  Italy,  by  which,  as  in  the  case  of  Nerva,  the 
burthen  was  taken  off  individuals  and  transferred 
to  the  public  treasury. 

INDVLGENTIAE  AVG  MONETA  IMPE- 
TRATA.  (The  privilege  of  coining  money 
obtained  by  permission  of  Augustus.) — This 
legend  appears  on  the  reverse  of  a large  brass 
struck  by  the  colony  of  Patrsc  in  honour  of  Julia 
(or  Li  via)  wife  of  Augustus. — See  Patrw  colon  ia. 

INDVLG.  P1A.  POSTVMI  AVG.— The 
Emperor  seated,  extends  his  right  hand  to  a 
woman  bending  the  knee  before  him. — This 
legend  on  a gold  coin  of  Postumus,  is  to  be 
remarked  for  its  novelty ; and  also  for  its  reference 
to  the  indulgence  of  that  powerful  usurper  both 
in  remitting  tribute  at  the  supplication  of  the 
Gauls,  and  in  showing  mercy  to  condemned 
criminals. 

IN.  HOC.  SIGNO  VICTOR  ERIS.— On  a 
coin  of  Constautius. — See  hoc  signo,  &c. 

Ino,  daughter  of  Cadmus  aud  Hermione,  and 
the  unhappy  wife  of  Athamas,  King  of  Thebes. 
She  was  mother  of  Melicerta,  and  regarded  as  a 
goddess  by  the  Greeks.  On  a first  brass  coin 
struck  at  Corinth,  under  Domitian,  and  on  anot  her 
minted  in  the  same  colony  under  Lucius  Verus, 
a female  is  holding  an  infant  in  her  anns  towards 
a male  figure,  seated  on  a rock  by  the  sea  side. 
A fish  appears  at  his  feet. — Above  this  group  the 
legend  is  perm.  imp.  (with  the  permission  of  the 
Emperor).  This,  says  Vaillant  (in  col.  I.  140), 
refers  to  Ino  presenting  her  newly  born  son  to 
Neptune,  and  imploring  his  assistance  and  pro- 
tection (see  Ovid  Metam.  4).  The  rock  is  that 
of  Moluris;  aud  the  fish  bears  allusion  to  the 
dolphin,  on  the  back  of  which  Melicerta  was 
carried  away  aud  saved  from  the  unnatural 
persecutions  of  Athamas. — See  Melicerta,  also 
Corinthu s colonia. 

Inscription. — A brief  statement,  or  sentence, 
by  which  a memorable  event  is  recorded  on  some 
monument.  The  Latin  word  inscriplio  is  derived 
from  two  words,  in,  above,  and  scribere,  to 
write ; as  the  Greek  word,  for  the  same  thing, 
is  derived  from  epi,  above,  aud  grapliein,  to 
write. — Properly  aud  distinctively  speaking,  the 
inscriptions  are  engraved  on  the  field  of  the  coin  ; 
the  legend,  epigraphe,  is  placed  around  it.  (See 
Legend). — On  many  Greek  and  Latin  medals, 
no  other  inscription  is  found  than  a few  initial 
letters,  such  as  s.  c.,  that  is  to  say,  by  a Senalus 
Consu/tum— or  a.  e.  letters  which  indicate  the 
Tribunitian  Power,  mostly  enclosed  in  a crown. 
On  others  the  inscriptions  form  a species  of 
epochas,  as  in  Marcus  Aurelius  ( Prim i De- 
cennales,  Cos.  Ill ) Sometimes  great  events 
are  marked  on  them,  such  as  the  victory  gained 
over  the  Germans  in  the  third  consulate  of 
Marcus  Aurelius  (Victoria  Germanica,  Imp.  VI. 

3Q 


INDULGENTIA.  481 

Cos.  III.)  : the  military  standards  re-taken  from 
the  Parthians,  an  event  commemorated  on 
coins  of  Augustus  (Signis  Parthicis  Receptis, 
S.  P.  Q.  R.) ; the  victory  gained  over  the  Par- 
thians under  Sept.  Severus  (Victoria  Parthica 
Maxima.) — Other  inscriptions  express  titles  of 
honour  given  to  the  prince,  as  S.  P.  Q.  R. 
Optimo  Principi,  in  Trajan,  and  in  Antoninus 
Pius ; and  the  Adsertori  Public ie  Liberta/is  of 
Vespasian.  Others  are  marks  of  grateful  ac- 
knowledgment from  the  Senate  and  the  People ; 
as  in  Vespasian,  Libertale  P.  R.  Restitutes 
ex  S.  C.  In  Galba  A.  P.  Q.  R.  Ob  Gives  Servatos. 
In  Augustus,  Galba,  and  Caracalla,  Salus  Generis 
Humani.  Some  of  these  inscriptions  have  re- 
ference only  to  particular  benefits  granted  on 
certain  occasions  and  to  certain  places,  or  to  the 
vows  (vota)  addressed  to  the  Gods  for  the  re- 
establishment, or  for  the  preservation  of  the 
health  of  Princes,  as  objects  of  importance  to 
the  state  and  of  interest  to  the  people. 

The  ancients  seem  to  have  been  of  opinion 
that  medals  should  be  charged  with  none  but 
very  short  and  expressive  inscriptions ; the 
longer  odes  they  reserved  for  public  edifices, 
for  columns,  for  triumphal  arches,  and  for 
tombs. — Sometimes  monetary  inscriptions  simply 
comprise  the  names  of  magistrates,  as  in  a coin 
of  Jidius  Caesar,  L.  Aimilius,  Q.  F.  Buca 
Illltwr.  A.  A.  A.  F.  F. ; and  in  Agrippa,  M. 
Agrippa  Cos.  Designatus. 

It  is  well  and  truly  observed  by  the  learned 
Charles  Patin,  that  how  justly  soever  we  may 
prize  the  different  reverses  of  medals,  as  deserv- 
ing to  be  ranked  among  the  most  precious  remains 
of  antiquity,  it  would  ill  become  us  to  neglect 
the  inscriptions  which  we  read  around  the  por- 
traits of  those  whom  they  represent.  “ We 
behold  there  (says  he)  all  the  dignities  with 
which  the  Romans  honoured  their  Emperors, 
and  indeed  they  often  serve  to  authenticate 
chronology  by  the  number  of  years  of  their 
reign,  which  is  marked  upon  them.  The  style 
of  these  two  kind  of  inscriptions  (that  of  the 
obverse  and  that  of  the  reverse)  is  as  simple  as 
it  is  grand ; and  I believe  that  with  all  the 
rhetoric  of  our  moderns,  the  thought  cannot  be 
more  nobly  expressed,  although  it  may  be  with 
greater  delicacy.  The  ancients  despised  all 
affectation,  and  dwelt  more  on  the  grandeur  of 
the  subject  they  described  than  on  the  cadence 
and  the  pomp  of  words,  which  they  deemed 
unworthy  of  their  attention.  Demosthenes  and 
Cicero  give  us  the  first  proof  of  this,  in  their 
writings,  which  are  altogether  of  a grand  and 
natural  style,  a style  of  which  the  magnificence 
has  nothing  of  the  affected.  Aud  I take  the 
second  from  medals,  wherein  we  see  histories 
perfectly  described  in  two  or  three  words,  as 
may  be  seen  in  the  following  examples  : — 

ADLOCVTIO  COHORTIVM. 

SALVS  GENERIS  HVMANI. 

PAX  ORBIS  TERRARVM. 

VICTORIA  AVGVSTI. 

DECVRSIO. 

CONCORDIA  EXERCITVVM. 

VIRTVS  EXERCITVS. 


482 


1NV1CTA. 


1VDAEA  CAPTA. 

AI1SERT0RI  UHERTATIS  PVBL1CAE, 

LIBERTAS  REST1TVTA. 

REX  PABTH1S  UATVS. 

KEGNA  ADS1GNATA. 

AMOR  MVTVVS  AVGVSTORVM. 

PAX  PVNDATA  CVM  PERS1S. 

RESTITVTOR  VRBIS. 

PACATOR  ORBIS. 

SECVRITAS  ORBIS. 

LOCLVPLETATORI  ORBIS  TERRARVM. 

VICTOR  OMNI VM  GEN'TIVM. 

AMPI.IATORI  CIVIVM.  &C. 

Eckhel,  with  his  usual  sagacity,  remarks  that 
the  brevity  of  inscriptions  on  medals  is  the 
character  of  a flourishing  empire ; whilst  their 
loquacity,  consequent  upon  flattery,  vanity,  and 
ambition,  is,  on  the  contrary',  the  sign  of  a state 
tottering  to  its  fall. 

Instruments  of  sacrifice,  and  relating  to  the 
priesthood,  designate  Piety ; and  it  was  cus- 
tomary to  stamp  the  figure  of  such,  instru- 
ments on  the  coins  of  a new  emperor  or 
of  a recently  proclaimed  Cscsar,  as  if  to  shew 
that  the  business  of  empire  began  with  the  care 
of  divine  things.  (See  the  word  Augur.) — The 
tripos,  patera,  capeduucula,  and  lituus,  all 
appear  on  a coin  of  Nero.  (See  sacerdos 
cooptatvs,  &c. — The  lituus,  capeduncula,  and 
aspergillum,  on  a first  brass  of  Maximus  Csesar, 
&c. — See  PIET  AS  AVG. 

INT.  VRB  — This  appears  on  a coin  com- 
monly assigned  to  Gallienus.  Patin  thinks  it 
was  dedicated  to  that  Emperor  int ranti  vrbcot, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  re-entry  into  Rome.  The 
legend  of  this  obverse  oenivs  P ojtuli  Romani, 
connected  with  that  of  the  reverse  l.vrru  vrbem, 
seems  to  explain  it  flatteringly  to  the  Prince. 
Eckhel  quotes  Patin’s  opinion,  and  refers  to 
Bauduri,  but  declines  adding,  “ in  so  doubtful 
a case,”  any  conjecture  of  his  own. 

INV.  and  INVIC.  In  rictus. — maxentivs. 
p.  p.  avg.  inv.  avg.  according  to  Khell. 

imp.  c.  probvs  invic. — Probus  took  this 
grand  surname,  as  having  beeu  the  conqueror  of 
of  all  the  barbarous  nations,  and  also  victor  over 
the  usurpers. — inv.  also,  occasionally,  appears 
on  the  coins  of  Carausius. 

INVICTA  ROMA  AETERNA. Rome 

seated. — This  ridicidous  and  insolent  epigraph 
appears  on  a third  brass  of  Priscus  Attalus. — 
The  epithets  of  Unconquered  aud  Eternal  are 
here  applied  to  a city  which  had  already  beeu 
three  times  besieged,  whose  impending  destruc- 
tion was  delayed  only  by  its  submission  to  the 
commands  of  the  barbarians,  and  by  the  almost 
total  exhaustion  of  its  wealth ; yet  such  was 
the  inscription  invented  at  the  period  of  her 
ruin  , for  it  does  not  occur  before. 

INVICTA  ROMA.  FELIX  SENATVS.— 
This  sounding  legend  belongs  to  no  part  of  the 
regular  coinage  of  cither  Rome  or  her  colonics ; 
but  appears  on  one  of  those  Contomiates,  which 
relate  to  amphithcatric  shews  (munera)  of  gla- 
diators and  wild  beasts ; which  were  struck  in 
the  times  of  the  Christian  Emperors.  The 
obverse  exhibits  the  bust  of  the  Genius  of 


INVICTUS. 

Rome  helmcted ; and  the  reverse  is  inscribed 
reparatio  mvneris,  peliciter,  with  the  type 
of  a hunter  killing  a bear ; another  repre- 
sents a gladiator  victorious  and  his  antagonist 
slain,  referring  to  the  same  barbarous  and  cruel 
sports  with  which  princes  calling  themselves 
Christian  entertained  the  people  of  Constan- 
tinople.— (See  Morell,  Num.  Coutorn.) 

INVICTA  VIRTVS. — The  Emperor  on 
horseback  trampling  on  a captive.  This  legend, 
of  which  the  accompanying  type  renders  the 
meaning  sufficiently  clear,  as  a compliment  to 
Imperial  valour,  appears  for  the  first  time  on  a 
silver  coin  of  Sept.  Severus.  There  is  a similar 
reverse  on  one  of  Caracalla’s  medals. — The 
warlike  virtus  may  be  said  in  the  case  of 
Severus  to  have  been  unconquered,  if  what 
Spartianus  asserts  be  true,  that  he  was  victorious 
in  every  action  with  the  enemy,  and  no  less  dis- 
tinguished for  science  in  the  military  art  than 
for  courage  in  the  field. — (Vaillant.) 

INVICTI. — Those  military'  commanders  were 
thus  called  who  gained  a glorious  victory  over 
the  enemy.  On  some  coins,  Severus  together 
with  his  sons  Caracalla  and  Geta,  took  this  sur- 
name on  account  of  their  united  successes  in 
warlike  expeditions. 

INVICTVS.  AV. — The  Sun  holding  up  his 
right  hand  and  bearing  a globe  in  the  left.  On 
a small  brass  of  Carausius. — There  arc  numerous 
coins  in  the  Roman  Imperial  scries  which  refer 
to  the  worship  of  the  Sun — in  the  same  manner 
as  oriens.  avg.  with  a similar  type,  or  pacator 
orbis,  with  the  radiated  bust  of  the  same  deity, 
which  name  and  ty'pes  are  frequently  found  on 
the  coinage  of  Aureliau,  Probus,  and  those  Em- 
perors to  whom  the  disturbed  condition  of  the 
Eastern  provinces  gave  much  employment. — 
But  to  Carausius  (says  Eckhel),  who  governed 
in  the  furthest  (then  known)  regions  of  the 
West,  the  affairs  of  the  East  do  not  belong. 
It  must  therefore  be  understood  to  be  one  of 
those  types  which  his  mint-masters  restored, 
w ithout  attention  to  appropriate  circumstances. — 
Vol.  viii.  45. 

INVICTVS.  PROBVS.  P.  F.  AVG.— Bust  of 
the  Emperor  laurcatcd,  in  his  right  hand  a globe 
surmounted  by  a Victoriola. — For  the  reverse 
type  of  this  flue  silver  medallion  of  Probus,  sec 
gloria  romanorvm,  in  Khell,  p.  206. 

INVICTVS  SACERDOS  AVG.— The  Em- 
peror togated,  stands  before  a lighted  altar, 
with  a palm  branch  in  his  left  hand  ; on  the 
ground  is  a bull  ready  to  sen  e as  the  victim  : in 
the  field  of  the  coin  is  a star.  Silver. — This 
is  one  of  the  coins  which  serve  to  attest  the 
insane  passion  of  Elagabalus  for  the  worship  of 
that  Syriac  divinity,  whose  priest  he  was  at 
Emesa,  when,  under  the  name  of  Varius  A pit  us 
Bassianus,  he  was,  through  the  intrigues  of 
his  female  relations,  called  to  the  empire.  The 
mad  adoration  which  this  young  monster  paid  to 
his  idol,  is  referred  to  on  the  coin  which  is 
inscribed  sanct.  deo.  soli,  commemorative  of 
his  introduction  of  it  into  Rome,  and  of  his 
performing  the  part  of  Chief  Pontiff  to  his 
favourite  elagabalvs,  who,  from  the  star  ou 


JOVE,  OR  JUPITER 

his  coins,  is  believed  to  be  the  Sun,  although 
the  idol  for  which  he  built  a temple  was  only  a 
large  black  stone  of  conical  form.— See  sacerdo 
dei  sous ; see  also  svmmvs  sacerdos. 

JOVE,  or  JUPITER,  the  king  of  Gods  and 
men,  was  the  son  of  Saturn  and  of  Rhea.  The 
Greeks  called  him  Zeus,  and  he  was  their  prin- 
cipal deity  as  well  as  of  the  Romans.  Fable  has 
been  more  than  usually  whimsical  and  obscure 
in  describing  the  circumstances  alleged  to  have 
been  connected  with  his  birth  and  education. 
We  find  him,  however,  at  length  arrived  at 
adolescence,  and  making  no  ceremony  of  de- 
throning and  mutilating  his  very  unnatural  father ; 
he  then  divided  the  empire  of  the  world  with  his 
brothers  ; to  Pluto  he  assigned  the  infernal 
regions,  to  Neptune  the  seas ; for  himself  he 
reserved  the  whole  of  terra  Jirma,  with  the  air 
and  the  heaven.  But  before  he  was  allowed  to 
remain  in  peaceable  possession  of  his  new  govern- 
ment, Jupiter,  having  already  dispatched  the 
Titaus  to  Tartarus,  had  to  encounter  the  Giants, 


[Medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  in  brass.] 
his  memorable  victory  over  whom  is  represented 
on  a great  number  of  monuments.  We  see  him 
on  marbles,  on  engraved  gems,  and  on  medals 
represented  in  the  act  of  hurling  the  thunder 
with  destructive  aim  at  his  gigantic  foes. — Jupiter 
was  worshipped  in  all  the  states  of  Greece,  and 
throughout  the  whole  Roman  empire.  At  Rome, 
his  principal  temple  was  in  the  Capitol,  with 
those  of  Juno  aud  Minerva;  for  which  reason 
they  are  often  called  the  three  divinities  of  the 
Capitol. 


On  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  in  the 
French  cabinet,  Jupiter  is  represented  with 

3 Q2 


JUPITER.  483 


tiast a and  fulmen  standing  between  Atlas  and 
an  altar  surmounted  by  an  eagle.  The  altar  is 
oranamented  with  a bas-relief,  the  subject  of 
which  is  Jupiter  overcoming  the  Titans. 

On  a medallion  of  Hadrian,  Jupiter,  full  face, 
is  seated  between  two  female  figures  also  seated  : 
the  one  on  his  right  hand,  Minerva,  wears  a 
helmet  and  holds  the  hasta ; the  figure  on  his 
left,  Juno,  holds  the  patera  and  hasta. 


Jupiter  was  venerated  as  the  supreme  deity, 
and  received  the  name,  therefore,  of  oftimvs 
maximvs.  The  attribute  of  his  majestic  power 
was  the  lightning.  On  coins  he  appears  some- 
times with  naked  head  ; on  others  crowned  with 
laurel  or  olive ; and  often  bound  with  a small 
band,  his  form  and  aspect  being  that  of  a 
venerable  man  in  vigorous  old  age,  with  a hand- 
some beard,  and  generally  an  eagle  near  him ; 
when  seated  he  is  naked  to  the  waist,  and  the 
lower  half  of  his  body  clothed.  On  most  Roman 
Imperial  medals  he  holds  a figure  of  Victory  in 
his  right  hand. 

The  Greeks  and  Romans,  but  more  particularly 
the  former,  gave  Jupiter  many  surnames,  takeii 
or  derived  from  some  quality  ascribed  or  some 
action  performed,  otherwise  from  some  province, 
city,  or  temple,  where  he  was  worshipped.  On 
Roman  coins  we  find  this  deity  distinguished  by 
the  following  names  : — 


IVPITER  AVGVSTVS.— Jupiter  the  August 
is  seated,  and  holds  in  his  right  hand  a globe 
with  victory,  as  may  be  seen  on  coins  of  Dio- 
cletian. 

IVPPITER  CVSTOS.  Jupiter  the  Preserver. 
— Under  this  title,  on  the  coins  of  Nero  and 
others,  he  is  generally  repre- 
sented seated,  holding  in 
'/fit  /Cjf  ^ 4\  his  right  hand  something 
‘“MrU  ***  intended  to  resemble  the 
thunderbolt,  and  in  his 
left  a spear. — IVPPITER 
LIBERATOR  of  Nero  has 
a similar  type. — Vaillant 
observes  that  Nero  caused  a coin  to  be  struck,  on 
which  the  effigy  of  Jupiter  is  seen  sitting,  with 
the  epigraph  of  Jupiter  Liberator,  on  the  occasion 
of  the  Pisonian  plot  haviug  been  discovered,  in 
acknowledgment  that  the  deity  had  rescued  him 
from  so  great  a danger,  as  in  the  former  medal 
of  ivppiter  he  recognised  Jove  as  his  keeper 
and  guardian. 


484  JUPITER. 

This  execrable  tyrant  was,  however,  not  con- 
tent with  honouring  Jupiter  as  his  liberator  from 
the  poniards  of  his  enemies ; hut  he  made  a 
bloody  libation  at  the  shrine  of  his  tutelary 
divinity,  by  putting  Seneca  and  Thraseas  l’aetus 
to  death,  with  a hecatomb  of  other  victims,  (iovi 
yindici)  to  the  avenging  Jove  of  the  Capitol, 
or  rather  to  the  sanguinary  impulse  of  his  own 
vindictive  and  cruel  nature. 

IVPITER  CONSERVATOR.— Jupiter  the 
Protector  is  depicted  either  sitting  or  standing 
with  the  fulmeu  in  his  right  hand,  and  a hasta 
in  the  other ; or  to  the  same  attributes  are 
generally  added  the  eagle ; and  a figure  of 
Victory  which  he  holds  in  his  right  hand. 

On  a large  brass  of  Commodus,  (edited  by 
Pedrusi,  in  Mus.  Farnese  vii.  xxi.  2)  Jupiter  the 
Conservator  holds  the  sceptre,  extends  his  mantle 
aud  raises  his  thunderbolt  over  the  head  of  a 
small  figure  representing  the  emperor,  who  has 
also  in  his  hands  the  sceptrum  and  the  fulmen : 
around  it  we  read  ivpitee  conservator  tr.  p. 
m.  imp.  mi.  cos.  hi.  p.p. 

The  annexed  cut  represents  Jupiter  standing 


between  two  togated  figures,  Antoninus  and 
Marcus  Aurelius.  It  is  engraved  from  a fine 
medallion  in  the  British  Museum. 

IVPITER  PROPVGNATOR.— Jupiter  the 
Defender  is  represented  on  foot,  or  walking  in 
the  attitude  of  attacking  an  enemy,  and  for  the 
most  part  he  is  naked,  haviug  only  a mantle 
hanging  from  the  arm. 

IOVI  PROPVGNATORI. — On  a silver  coin 
of  Alexander  Sevems  this  legend  appears  with 
the  type  of  the  god  standing  with  thunderbolt 
and  spear. 

Jupiter  is  often  exhibited  in  the  Imperial 
Scries  with  the  surname  of  Propugnator,  to 
denote  that  the  emperors  in  their  contest  with 
the  barbarians  were  defeuded  in  battle,  as  it  were, 
by  Jove  himself;  hence  they  made  sacrifices  of 
congratulation  on  their  own  safety,  in  the  temple 
of  the  god,  according  to  Gmtcr. — (Vaillant.) 

IVPITER  STATOR,  or  IOVIS  STATOR.— 
Jupiter  Stator  appears  also  ou  foot,  naked,  resting 
himself  on  his  spear,  and  sometimes  holding  the 
thunderbolt  in  his  left  hand — on  silver  coins  of 
Gallicnus. 

Jupiter  was  denominated  Stator,  either  bernusr 
he  restored  stability  and  firmness  to  an  army  of 
the  Romans  which  was  fleeing  before  the  Sabiues, 


JUPITER. 

or  because  (as  Cicero  appears  to  indicate)  all 
things  exist  and  arc  established  by  his  beneficence. 
— Romulus  dedicated  a temple  to  Jupiter  Stator 
on  the  Palatine  hill  after  he  had  overcome  the 
Sabines.  The  example  here  given  is  from  a 
large  brass  coin  of  Antoninus  Pius. 


IOVI  TVTATORI.— This  word  Tutator, 
which  is  derived  from  tutari,  to  defend  or  keep 
safe,  Bauduri  observes  : — J linns  Latinum  esse 
pterique  volant ; certain  it  is  that  cxrept  on  the 
coins  of  Diocletian  and  Val.  Maximian,  it  is 
not  easily  to  he  found.  Besides  which  we  fiud 
him  named  in  coins  of  Coinmodus  defensor 
salvtis avg.  and  sponsor  secvritatis  avgvsti. 

Amongst  the  Consular  coins,  on  which  the 
figure  or  the  head  of  Jupiter  is  often  seen,  there 
is  one  which  has  for  its  type  the  temple  of  Jupiter 
Feretrius  (Jovis  Feretrins.),  in  which  stands 
a triumphant  warrior,  who  bears  the  spolia 
opimd.  This  figure  may  be  found  in  Morel l 
on  the  coins  of  the  Claudia  family,  in  which 
Mnrcellus  is  represented  in  the  act  of  carrying 
into  the  above-named  temple  the  spoils  which  he 
had  just  captured  from  the  slain  king  of  the 
Gauls,  Viridomnrus. — Jupiter  Ammon,  with  the 
horns  of  a ram  on  his  head,  is  seen  on  coins  of 
the  Coruuficia,  Pinaria,  and  Papia  families,  and 
on  medals  of  Augustus,  M.  Antony,  Trajan, 
and  M.  A artlms.—Jupiter  Serapis,  the  Jove  of 
the  Egyptians,  with  the  modius  on  his  head, 
appears  on  a medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  sur- 
rounded by  Zodiacal  signs,  struck  at  Alexandria. 

IVPITER  VICTOR.— Jupiter  the  Victorious 
— sitting  with  the  image  of  I'ic/org  in  his  right 
hand,  and  an  eagle  near  him — is  found  on 
' coins  of  Vitellius,  of  Domitian,  of  Nuinerian,  of 
Claudius  Gothicus,  &c. 

Jupiter  is  named  Victor,  as  being  regarded 
the  conqueror  of  all  things,  according  to  Livy. 
His  temple  was  on  Mount  Palatine.  He  appears 
on  the  coins  of  Vitellius,  in  commemoration  of 
that  emperor’s  army  having  vanquished  the  forces 
of  Otho  at  Bcbriacum,  on  the  feast  day  of 
Jupiter,  celebrated  at  Rome  in  the  Ides  of  April. 
(Vaillant,  p.  81.) 

IOVI  VICTORI. — When  the  emperors  repre- 
sent Jupiter  the  Victorious  on  their  coins,  they 
either  intend  to  ascribe  the  glory  of  their  victories 
to  him,  or  rather  to  designate  themselves  under 
the  form  and  attributes  of  Jupiter  \ictor,  as 
though  they  had  conquered  the  enemy  under  his 
auspices. — This  legend  appears  first  on  a coin  of 
Commodus,  and  afterwards  on  those  of  many 
other  emperors. — Kckhel  vii.  108. 


JUPITER. 


JUPITER.  485 


On  the  coins  of  Gallienus  ami  of  Saloninus, 
we  see  Jupiter  repre- 
sented as  a child  riding 
on  a goat  with  the  inscrip- 
tion IOVI  CKESCENTI. — 

[See  Eckhel  vii.  33  me- 
dallion of  Antonine.] — 
This  reverse  bears  rela- 
tion to  the  fable  of  Jove 
having  been  suckled  by 
the  goat  Amalthiea. 

10.  CANTAB. — Jupiter  standing  with  thun- 
bolt  and  spear  Silver  and  small  brass  of 
Gallienus.  Here  we  have  a foreign  Jupiter;  this 
medal  being  dedicated  IOw  CANTABrionm — 
to  the  Jove  of  the  Cantabri,  a people  of  His- 
pania  Tarraconensis. 

IOVI  CONSERVATORI.— Jupiter  sitting 
or  standing,  holds  a Victory  in  his  right  and 
the  hasta  in  his  left.  This  appears  on  a first 
brass  of  Domitian,  and  on  a silver  coin  of  S 
Severus,  &c. — And  (as  Vaillant  remarks)  it  is 
not  to  be  wondered  at,  if  that  Emperor,  after 
so  many  wars  conducted  on  his  part  with  sur- 
passing valour  and  military  skill,  should  have 
performed  sacrifice  Jovi  Conservaloii,  as  ascrib- 
ing his  own  preservation  and  success  to  the  help 
and  assistance  of  the  Optimum  Maximus  of  the 
Roman  Pantheon ; and  it  is  in  memory  of  so 
many  victories  that  Jupiter  himself  bears  the 
image  of  Victory.” — (p.  219.) 

IOVI  EXSVPER.— This  legend,  with  Jupiter 


seated,  holding  a branch  in  his  right  hand  and  a 
spear  in  his  left,  appears  on  a large  brass  of 
Commodus. 

That  this  abbreviated  word  exsvper  is  to  be 
filled  up  thus — EXSVPER«»fiMM»0,  is  shown 
by  that  celebrated  marble  which  Spon  has 
published,  and  on  which  is  read  i.  o M.  svmmo. 
exsvperantissimo  (to  Jupiter  the  most  benefi- 
cent, the  greatest,  the  highest,  the  all  surpassing.) 
— Of  this  Jove  the  Vienna  marble  published  by 
Scipio  Malleus  speaks  more  copiously  as  follows: 
SVMMO 

SVPERANTI3SIMO 
DIVINARVM  HV 
MANARVMQVE 
RERVM  RECTORI 
FATOKVMQVE  AR 
BITRO. 

Commodus  himself  added  the  title  of  Ex  super a- 
toriv.s  to  his  own,  as  if  he  had  excelled  all  othe>- 
mortals  in  all  things,  (according  to  the  explana- 
tion of  Dio). — Sec  exvperator. 


IOVI  FVLGERATORI. — Jupiter  hurling  a 
thunderbolt  at  a Titan : in  the  exergue  PR.  upon 


a gold  coin  of  Diocletian.  The  same  legend 
occurs  on  coins  of  Claudius  Gothicus. 

IOVI  IVVENI. — Commodus  represented  as 
Jupiter  with  his  attributes.  At  his  feet  are  an 


eagle,  and  an  altar  with  a bas  relief,  the  subject 
of  which  is  Jupiter  launching  a thunderbolt 
against  the  Titans.  Brass  medallion  of  Com- 
modus. 

IOVI.  OLYM.  To  Olympian  Jove. — A 
temple  of  six  columns,  surmounted  by  a pediment. 

This  is  considered  to 
represent  the  temple  of 
J upiter  Olympius,  the 
building  of  which  was 
commenced  at  Athens  at 
a very  early  period,  and 
the  completion  of  wliich 
was  effected  at  the  common 
expense  of  the  kings  in 
alliance  with  the  Roman 
people,  by  whom  it  was  dedicated  to  the  genius 
of  Augustus. 


IOVI  PACATORI  ORBIS.  To  Jove  the 
Appeaser  of  the  world. — On  a silver  coin  of 
Valerianus  (given  in  Bauduri)  this  epigraph 
appears  with  Jupiter  seated,  and  an  eagle  at  his 
feet. 

Eckhel  observes,  “ This  is  a rare  inscription, 
and  it  is  remarkable  that  the  title  of  the  Appeaser 
of  the  world  (pacator  orbis)  should  be  assigned 
to  Jupiter  at  a time  (from  a.d.  253  to  260  and 
afterwards)  when  the  whole  earth  was  shaken  by 
a vast  movement  of  all  people.  But,  indeed,  it 
is  sufficiently  evident  elsewhere  that  the  types  of 
coins  were  often  ordered  to  be  struck  in  con- 
formity with  the  public  desire.” 


486  JUPITER. 


JUPITER. 


IOVI  PRAE.  ORBIS. — This  inscription 
appears  for  the  first  time  on  a silver  coin  of 
Pesccunius  Niger,  (edited 
by  Vaillant).  Severus, 
however,  immediately 
afterwards  adopted  the 
same  dedication  in  his 
own  coinage.  The  ancients 
always  believed  Juppiter 
to  be  Prases  Orbis — the 
governor  of  the  world — 
and  on  this  occasion  (of 
contest  for  the  empire  between  Pescennins  and 
Septimius)  the  deity  was  equally  acknowledged  by 
each  of  the  two  competitors,  when  the  one 
refused  to  yield  superiority  to  the  other. — [Eckhel 
v vii.  155.] 

To  Jupiter  Tonans. — The 
image  of  the  thunderer 
stands  in  a temple  of  six 
columns,  bearing  the  usual 
attributes.  Augustus,  on 
the  occasion  of  his  escape 
from  imminent  danger 
during  a storm  of  thunder 
and  lightning,  encountered 
in  his  Cantabrian  (Spanish) 
expedition,  dedicated  a temple  in  the  Capitol  of 
Rome  Jovi  Tonanti,  in  the  year  732. — [Dio. 
lib.  53.] — The  engraving  is  from  a denarius  of 
Augustus. 

IOVI  VLTORI. — On  first  and  second  brass 
of  Alexander  Severus,  (p.M.  tr.  P.  III.  cos.  p.p.) 
statue  of  Jupiter  seated  within  a temple  standing 


IOVI.  TON. 


in  a spacious  enclosure. — Also  on  coins  of  Galli- 
enus  this  dedication  appears  with  Jupiter  and 
his  fulminating  attributes.  The  name  of  V/tor 
was  given  to  Jove  because  he  was  considered  to 
be  the  avenger  of  wicked  men’s  impieties. — 
According  to  Pliny,  the  temple,  called  also  the 
Pantheon,  was  erected  to  his  honour  by  Agrippa 
the  kinsman  of  Augustus.  Another  temple  was 
also  built  and  consecrated — Jovi  Ultori — by 
Alexander  Severus,  and  the  type  of  one  of  that 
emperor’s  huge  brass  is  regarded  by  Vaillant  as 
confirmatory  of  the  fact. 

IOVI  VOT.  SVSC.  PRO.  SAL.  CAES. 
AVG.  S.P.Q.lt.,  with  a crown  of  oak  leaves. — 
Jovi  Votis  Susccptis  Pro  Salute  Casa r is  Augusti 
Senalus  Popul usque  Romanus. — Gold  of  Au- 
gustus. 

This  and  the  coin  inscribed  pro  valrtvdine. 
caesaris  are  considered  to  bear  reference  to  the 
dangerous  illness  with  which  Augustus  was 


attacked  when  at  Tarragona,  in  Spain,  and  when 
public  vows  were  made  for  his  restoration  and 
safe  return. 


IOVIS  CVSTOS.— 
J upitcr  standingand  hold- 
ing the  hast  a pura  and  a 
patera:  at  his  feet  is  a 
small  lighted  altar.  On  a 
denarius  of  Titus. 


I.  O.  M. — Jovi  Optimo  Maximo,  under  which 
name  Jupiter  Capilolinus  is  always  understood. 


I.  O.  M.  D.  Jovi  Optimo  Maximo  Dicatnm. — 
Dedicated  to  Jupiter  the  most  excellent  and  the 
greatest  of  deities. 


I.  O.  MAX.  CAPITO- 
LINUS.  Statue  of  Jupiter 
seated  in  a temple. — Silver 
of  Vitellius. — See  Eekliel 
v.  6 p.  312. 


I.  O.  M.  ET  VICT.  CONSER.  DD.  NN.— 
On  second  brass  of  Licinins  and  his  son  appears 
this  legend,  with  the  type  of  Jupiter  stauding 
crowned  by  Victory. 

I.  O.  M.  S PON  SO  Ron  ST.Curiiatu  WGusti. 
— IOVI.  DEFENS.  SALVTIS.  AVG.— On  silver 
coins  of  Commodus  these  inscriptions  respectively 
appear,  in  which  Jupiter  is  recognised  as  the 
sponsor  or  watching  over  the  security,  and  as  the 
defender  of  the  health  of  the  emperor. 

I.  O.  M.  S.  P.  Q.  R.  V.  S.  PR.  S.  IMP. 
CAES.  QVOD.  PER.  EV.  R.  P.  IN.  AMP. 
ATQ.  TRAN.  S.  E. — Jovi  Optimo  Maximo, 
Senatus  Popu/usque  Romanus  vota  suscepta  pro 
salute  Imperatoris  Caesaris  quod  per  eum  Res 
Publica  in  ampliore  atque  tranquilliore  statu 
est.  [struck  about  738  v.c.] — The  Senate  and 
the  Roman  people  have  addressed  vows  to  the 
best  and  greatest  Jupiter  for  the  preservation 
of  the  Emperor  Ciesar,  in  acknowledgment  of 
his  having  re-established  the  republic  in  a better, 
richer,  happier,  and  more  tranquil  condition. — 
The  above  long  and  remarkable  inscription,  within 
an  oaken  or  civic  crown,  is  stamped  on  the  reverse 
of  gold  and  silver  coins  of  Augustus,  in  relation 
to  which  Suetonius  (vita  c.  23)  says, — " Vovit 


JUPITER. 

et  mug  nos  ludos  Jovi  Optimo  Marimo , ft.  res- 
publiea  in  meliorem  statum  vertisset,  quod 
factum  Cimbrico  Mar  si  cogue  betto  crat." 

Jupiter  Feret  rites. — See  fereteius — clavdia 
family. 

Jupiter  Axtir. — See  axvr,  or  Vijovis. 

Jupiter  Capitolinas. — A large  lirass  of  Ves- 
pasian exhibits  the  faqade  of  a temple  of  six 
columns,  the  exterior  and  pediment  of  which  are 
ornamented  with  statues. — Inthc  inside  the  figure 
of  Jupiter  is  seated,  having  Minerva  on  his  right 
and  Juno  on  his  left  haud.  In  the  exergue 
is  s.c. 

The  temple  of  Jupiter  in  the  Capitol  at  Rome, 
burnt  during  the  disorders  which  prevailed  in 
that  city  at  the  close  of  Vitellius’  reign,  was 
rebuilt  with  costly  magnificence  by  Vespasian. — 
It  was  the  Jews  who  contributed  the  most  largely 
towards  the  expenses  of  this  grand  undertaking ; 
for  whereas  being  by  their  own  laws  obliged  to 
furnish  each  two  drachmas  towards  the  mainten- 
ance of  the  temple  at  Jerusalem,  they  received 
the  emperor’s  order  to  surrender  this  money  to 
the  proposed  purpose  of  rebuilding  the  temple  of 
Jupiter.  The  statues  of  the  three  divinities  were 
placed  in  the  same  manner  that  they  are  repre- 
sented on  the  medal,  in  which  we  see  Minerva 
occupying  the  place  of  precedence  to  Juno.  It 
was  certainly  the  custom  at  Rome  to  render  to 
Pallas  the  first  honours  after  Jupiter.  Thus 
Horace,  speaking  of  the  god,  says — “ Proximos 
il/i  tamen  occupavit  Pallas  honores.”  On  a 
brass  medallion  of  Trajan,  the  three  divinities  of 


the  Capitol  are  represented  standing,  Minerva 
being  on  the  right  of  Jupiter. 

For  the  same  reason  there  appear  on  a medal 
of  Antoninus  Pius  the  birds  consecrated  to  these 
three  deities,  in  the  order  above  described,  viz., 
the  eagle  in  the  middle,  the  owl  of  Minerva  on 
the  right,  and  the  peacock  of  Juno  on  the  left. 


IOVIO  ET  HERCVLIO. — On  a gold  medal- 


JUPITER—  ISIS.  487 

lion  of  Diocletian,  edited  by  Banduri,  that 
emperor  appears,  with  his  colleague  Maximianus, 
sacrificing  .it  a tripod  to  Jupiter  and  Hercules. 

Jupiter  was  the  favourite  deity  of,  and  his  name 
was  assumed  by,  Diocletian,  as  Hercules  was,  in 
like  manner,  by  Maximian. — See  HERCVLIO. 

10.  10.  TRIVMP.  10.  SAT.  10.— Eckhel 
in  his  Section  II.  on  Pseudo-Moueta,  notices  two 
small  brass  tessera,  one  with  the  former,  the 
other  with  the  latter  inscription. — The  Io 
Triumphe  doubtless  relates  to  the  joyous  accla- 
mation which  welcomed  the  victorious  charioteer 
at  the  circus. — The  other  epigraph  is  explained 
by  Seguin,  who  reads  it  10.  SAT urnalia  10. — 
(See  Eckhel,  vol.  8,  p.  316.) 

Jovianus  ( Flavius  Claudius),  born  in  Pan- 
nonia  (a.d.  331)  son  of  Varronianus,  an  illustrious 
nobleman  of  that  province.  He  distinguished 
himself  in  the  war  against  the  Persians,  during 
the  reign  of  Julian  the  Apostate,  at  whose  death 
he  was  elected  emperor  by  the  army.  Compelled 
by  necessity,  he  agreed  to  conditions  of  peace 
with  Sapor,  far  from  honourable  to  the  Romans. 
Though  luxurious  and  even  dissolute  in  his 
manners,  Jovian  possessed  many  excellent 
qualities ; he  was  watchful  over  the  tranquillity 
and  zealous  for  the  happiness  of  his  subjects.  He 
recalled  the  bishops  and  priests  whom  Julian  had 
banished,  and  was  judiciously  promoting  the 
restoration  of  Christianity  through  the  empire, 
when  he  died  suddenly  in  Bithynia,  a.d.  364, 
after  reigning  little  more  than  four  months. — 
His  style  is  d.n.  fl.  c.  iovianvs.  p.  p.  avg.  ; 

or  D.N.  IOVIANVS  P.F.  AVG. 


His  brass  coins,  of  which  an  example  is  here 
given,  are  scarce ; silver  rare ; gold  very  rare. 

Jovinus,  the  most  noble  of  the  Gallic  chiefs, 
in  the  reign  of  Honorius,  assumed  the  imperial 
purple  in  the  Gaulish  provinces,  a.d.  411.  He 
was,  however,  taken  prisoner  by  Adolphus, 
King  of  the  Goths,  and  put  to  death  a.d.  413. 
On  his  coins,  which  are  all  of  extreme  rarity,  he 
is  styled  d.n.  iovinvs  p.  f.  avg. 

I.  S.  Juno  Sispila. — I.  S.  Jussu  Senatus. 

ISIS,  the  most  ancient  and  most  celebrated  of 
the  Egyptian  divinities.  Her  husband  was  Osiris, 
the  symbol  of  the  sun  and  of  the  source  of  all 
fertility.  Amongst  the  various  foreign  deities 
whose  worship  became  in  time  introduced  among 
the  Romans,  Isis  appears  to  have  been  one  of 
the  greatest  favourites  of  that  superstitious 
people.  In  Rome  itself  she  had  several  temples, 
the  ceremonies  in  which,  whatever  might  be 
their  mystic  meaning,  real  or  pretended,  teemed 
with  abominations.  The  festivals  of  this  goddess 
were  indeed  so  frequently  marked  by  indecencies 


ITALIA. 


488  ISIS, 

that  decrees  were  passed  for  their  abolition,  but 
they  were  as  often  re-established.  In  the  year 
of  Koine  711,  Augustus  and  Antony  pandered 
to  the  depraved  and  dissolute  taste  of  their  age 
by  dedicating  to  Isis  a temple  in  the  centre  of 
the  city  Even  Tiberius,  however,  found  it 
needful  to  close  it.  But  the  prohibition  of  her 
worship  was  not  of  long  duration.  Domitian, 
Commodus,  and  Caracalla  became  her  priests. 
And  some  of  the  empresses  arc  represented  under 
the  figure  of  Isis. — On  a coin  of  the  Cacilia 
family,  edited  by  Morell,  (p.  52  tab.  iii.)  Isis 
appears  standing : she  has  the  head  of  a lion, 
ornamented  with  the  lotus  flower ; she  is  clothed 
in  the  Egyptian  fashion,  and  holds  in  her  right 
hand  the  sistrum,  and  her  left  hand  is  in  the  act 
of  pressing  the  right  breast.  The  legend  to  this 
type  is  METEL/u*.  PIVS.  SCIPIO  IMPmrtor. 
Near  the  head  of  this  figure  are  the  letters  G.  t.  a 
which  are  interpreted  by  some  to  mean  Genius 
Tutelaris  Africa,  (by  others  Aegypti),  Isis  being 
called  the  tutelary  genius  of  Africa. — We  also 
sec  the  figure  of  this  goddess  on  coins  of  Com- 
modus and  Caracalla,  with  the  sistrum  and 
situla  (or  bucket)  anil  sometimes  carried  by  a 
dog. — Sec  Osiris. 


ISIS  FARIA. — These  words,  inscribed  round 
the  beardless  head  of  Julian  II.,  on  third  brass 
of  that  emperor,  have  reference  to  Isis  as  pro- 
tectress of  the  Pharos  islet  at  Alexandria.  Ban- 
duri  quotes  Statius  to  show  that  Isis  was  the 
“ regina  Phari,  numenque  Orientis  anheli.” 
Respecting  the  sistrum  and  the  situla  in  the 
hands  of  Isis,  Scrvius,  as  quoted  by  Eekhcl, 
says,  “ Isis  is  the  genius  of  Egypt,  who  by 
the  movement  of  her  sistrum,  which  she  carries 
in  her  right  hand,  signifies  the  access  a.id  recess 
(or  the  rising  and  falling)  of  the  Nile;  and  by 
the  situla,  or  bucket,  which  she  holds  in  her  left 
hand,  she  shows  the  tilling  of  all  lacuna,  that 
is  of  all  ditches  aud  furrows  into  which  the 
stagnant  wrater  of  the  Nile  is  received.” — Sec 
Pharia  Isis 

Isis  and  Serapis. — Busts  of  Isis  and  Scrapis, 
face  to  face : her  head  ornamented  with  the 
lotus:  his,  with  the  modius.  DEVS  SARA. — Rev. 
tota  l’VBMCA.  Isis  suckling  Horns.  Small 
brass  struck  under  Julian  the  Apostate. 


Isis  suckling  Horns. — This  Egyptian  goddess 
seated  in  a chair  before  an  altar,  with  the  lotus 
flower  upon  her  head ; in  her  lap  a naked  infant 
whom  she  is  suckling,  and  who  has  also  a flower 
upon  his  head  : in  the  field  L.  u. 


Large  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius,  struck  in 
Egypt. 

1.  S.  M.  R.  (Juno  Sispita,  or  Sosjnta,  Magna 
Regina.) — On  a coin  of  the  Thoria  family,  we 
find  these  abbreviations,  accompanied  with  the 
head  of  the  Lanuvinian  Juno,  covered  with  the 
goatskin,  and  even  the  leg  and  hoof  of  the  goat 
are  seen  below  the  neck  of  the  bust. — See  Juno. 

IT.  Iterum.  COS.  DES.  IT.  Consul 
Designates  Iterum. — Consul  Elect  for  the  second 
time. 

ITALIA.  Italy. — This  most  noble  and  most 
interesting  of  European  countries  was  thus  called, 
from  Italus,  ancient  King  of  the  (Enotrians,  or, 
as  Thucydides  says,  of  the  Sicilians,  previous  to 
w hich  it  bore  the  name  of  Hesperia,  from  Hcs- 
perius,  brother  of  Atlas,  King  of  Mauritania. — 
Latium  and  Ausonia  are  also  names  of  certain 
parts  of  the  same  celebrated  and  beautiful  region, 
which  has  for  its  natural  boundaries  the  Alps  aud 
the  Mediterranean  Sea. 

ITALIA. — Italy's  fertility  and  power  over  the 
rest  of  the  world  are  expressed — the  one  by  the 
cornucopia;  and  the  cars  of  corn,  the  other  by 
the  sceptre,  on  coins  of  Vespasian,  Titus,  Hadrian, 
&c.  First  brass  medals  of  Antoninus  Pius  and 
also  of  Commodus  represent  italia  under  the 
figure  of  a matronly  female  (the  latter  with  head 
turrited)  sitting  on  a globe  and  holding  the  hasta 
pura  and  cornucopia. 


ITALIA. — A woman  standing  with  spear  in 
her  right  and  cornucopia;  in  the  left  hand.  It  is 
thus  that  Italy  and  its  personified  genius  are 
stamped  on  silver  coins  of  Hadrian,  whose 
arrival  in  that  country  (adventvs  avg.  italiae) 
is  also  marked  on  others  of  his  medals. — A 
woman  with  cornucopia*,  holding  a patera  on  a 
lighted  altar,  on  the.  other  side  of  which  stands 
the  emperor:  adventvi  avo.  italiae:  on  the 
gold,  silver,  and  brass  of  Hadrian. 


ITALIA,— ITALIC. 

Hadrian’s  first  coming  to  Italy  is  dated  in  the 
year  of  Rome  871,  and  this  advent  was  often  com- 
memorated; as  often,  indeed,  as  he  returned  to  the 
capital  of  his  empire  from  his  accustomed  pere- 
grinations. But  it  also  appears  that  the  mistress 
of  the  world  received  many  benefits  and  embellish- 
ments from  him.  lie  remitted  her  fiscal  debt ; 
an  indulgence  which  greatly  relieved  Italy. — -In 
an  increased  spirit  of  liberality  he  remitted  to 
her  moreover  the  aurum  coronarium  (see  the 
words) ; and  he  augmented  the  funds  which  Trajan 
had  destined  for  the  maintenance  (alimenta)  of  a 
certain  niunber  of  the  Italian  youth  of  both 
sexes.  He  likewise  bore  annual  honorary  office 
in  the  magistracy  of  many  cities  of  Italy;  thus 
establishing,  beyond  the  mere  claim  of  imperial 
flattery,  his  pretension  to  be  called  restitvtor 
italiae,  as  he  is  styled  on  a fine  large  brass 
medal,  the  reverse  of  which  exhibits  the  emperor 
who, standing,  raises  with  his  hand  a woman  bend- 
ing the  knee  to  him,  and  holding  the  cornucopia;. 

ITALIA  RESTffafa.  S.  P.  Q,  R.  OPTIMO 
PRINCIPI. — The  Emperor,  in  the  toga,  with 
sceptre  surmounted  by  an  eagle  in  his  left  hand, 
stauds  holding  out  his  right  hand  to  a female 
wearing  aturreted  crown,  who  kneels  before  bim, 
accompanied  by  several  children,  who  hold  up 
their  hands  to  “ the  best  of  princes.” — On  second 
brass  of  Trajan. 

ITALIC.  Italicum.  Itatica. 

Italica  was  a city  of  llispania  Brctica  (Anda- 
lusia), and  a Roman  municipium,  situate  on 
the  river  Iiactis  (Guadalquiver)  : it  is  now- 
called  Sevilla  la  Fieja  (Old  Seville).  An  inscrip- 
tion of  Grutcr’s  refers  to  this  place  under  the  title 
of  COLONIA  ITALICENSIS  IN  PROV.  BAETICA.  It 

was  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Hispalis,  the  native 
country'  of  Trajan,  Hadrian,  and  Theodosius 
senior. — In  the  year  v.c.  654,  when  Scipio 
Africanus,  after  bringing  the  affairs  of  Rome 
with  the  Carthaginians  in  Spain  to  a pacific 
settlement,  contemplated  his  return  to  Italy,  he 
allocated  all  the  Italian  soldiers,  disabled  by 
wounds  and  fatigue,  in  one  town,  which,  from 
their  native  country,  he  called  Itatica.  This  is 
what  Appianus  Alexandrines  states  in  his 
Bellum  Hispan.  p.  463. — The  town  had  after- 
wards the  title  of  municipium  bestowed  upon  it ; 
but  as  the  number  of  its  citizens  became  greatly 
diminished  by  the  wars,  it  seems  to  have  been 
re-peopled  with  legionary  veterans  scut  thither 
by  Augustus.  Hence  its  coins,  dedicated  to  Augus- 
tus, Livia,  Drusus,  and  Germanicus,  bear  the  in- 
scription mvn.ital. or mvnic. or  mvnicip. italic. 
— It  here  deserves  remark  that  the  privilege  of 
coinage  granted  to  the  Spanish  municipium  by  Au- 
gustus, is  noted  on  all  its  coins  by  the  abbreviated 
word  per.  or  perm.  avg.  Permissu  Augusti. 

The  following  are  among  the  types  of  this 
Roman  municipium : — 

Altar. — On  a second  brass  struck  by  the 
Italicenses,  in  memory  of  Augustus,  (whose 
radiated  head  appears  on  its  obverse  with  legend 
of  divvs  avgvstvs  pater.)  an  altar  is  repre- 
sented on  which  is  the  word  provident.  The  rest 
of  the  legend  is  mvn.  ital.  perm.  avg. — Muni- 
cipium Itatica,  or  Italicense,  Permissu  Augusti. 
3 R 


ITALIC.  489 

After  the  example  of  many  cities  who,  after 
the  apotheosis  of  Augustus,  built  temples  to  his 
honour,  the  people  of  this  municipium  placed 
on  their  coins  a representation  of  the  altar, 
which  they  erected  to  the  Providence  of  their 
benefactor — as  if  in  his  deified  capacity  he  still,  as 
whilst  living,  happily  administered  the  affairs  and 
watched  over  the  interests  of  the  Roman  world. 

A similar  reverse  appears  on  a second  brass  of 
the  same  colony,  struck  in  honour  of  Tiberius, 
with  the  sole  difference  of  the  words  pro- 
videntiae  augusti  being  engraved  on  the  side, 
instead  of  at  the  foot,  of  the  altar.  The  Pro- 
vidence which  the  coin  is  meant  to  commemorate 
is,  in  the  opinion  of  Vaillant,  not  that  of 
Tiberius,  but  of  his  imperial  predecessor  divvs 
avgvstvs  pater — the  august  Rather,  whom 
by  the  ceremony  of  consecration  Rome  had 
placed  among  her  Gods  ! 

Woman  seated,  holding  in  her  right  hand  a 
patera,  in  her  left  the  hast  a.  This  type  appears 
on  the  reverse  of  a rare  and  elegant  coin  dedi- 
cated to  Julia  (Livia),  called  in  the  legend 
avgvsta. — The  obverse  presents  a female  head 
(that  of  Livia  herself)  surrounded  by  the  in- 
scription of  mvnic.  italica.  perm.  avg. 

[The  seated  female  figure  seems  to  be  the  statue 
of  Livia,  w'hich  is  often  found  represented  on 
coins  struck  by  order  of  the  Senate,  in  refer- 
ence to  statues  raised  to  her  honour. — The  colony 
of  Italica,  mindful  of  the  privileges  bestowed 
on  them  by  Augustus,  and  amongst  others  the 
right  of  coinage,  placed  the  statue  here  depicted, 
in  token  of  their  congratulation,  that  Livia  his 
wife  had  been  adopted  into  the  Julia  family.] 
— Vaillant,  i.  51. 

Legionary  Eagle  and  Vexillum,  a second 
brass,  noticed  as  elegant  and  very  rare,  by  Vaillant 
(i.  92),  bears  on  its  obverse  drvsvs  caesar  ti. 
avg.  f.  with  the  bare  head  of  Drusus.  And  on 
its  reverse  appear  the  aquila  et  vexillum  of  a 
legion. — [The  Duumviri  who  struck  the  above 
coin  in  honour  of  Drusus  obviously  designed 
by  this  type  to  indicate  the  military  origin  of 
the  municipium. — There  is  the  same  reverse  and 
the  same  legend  (mvnic.  italic,  per.  avg.)  on 
a second  brass  of  Germanicus.  Thus  the 
veterans  of  Italica  pay  a compliment  to  each  of 
the  two  young  Caesars : to  Drusus,  indeed, 
because,  as  the  son  of  Tiberius  by  natural 
right,  he  stood  apparent  heir  to  the  empire; 
and  to  Germanicus,  because  being  adopted  by 
Tiberius  at  the  desire  of  Augustus,  he  became 
the  associate  of  Drusus.] 

There  are  pieces  which  on  one  side  bear  the 
name  of  Italica,  and  on  the  other  that  of  Bilbilis. 
This  circumstance  is  noticed  in  Ilardouin’s  Opcr. 
Selec. — M.  Hennin  also  mentions  it,  in  the 
nomenclature  of  his  Manuel,  as  indicating  that 
an  alliance  subsisted  between  the  two  cities. 

Ilia,  a family  of  unknown  rank ; its  denarii 
of  a single  type ; rare,  hut  devoid  of  both  numis- 
matic and  historical  interest.  Winged  head  of 
Minerva : X. — Bev.  L.  ITD/.r.  The  Dioscuri  on 
horseback. — In  the  exergue  roma. 

Itinera  Hadriani.  Hadrian’s  travels. — Seo 
Rasche.  it. — 1016. 


490 


JUDAEA. 


IV.  Juventutis. — Titus  and  Domitianus  are 
called  PRIN cipet  IVventutis. 

Juba  I.,  son  of  Hiempsalis,  and  King  of 
Numidia,  in  the  time  of  Sylla  and  Pompey,  died 
in  the  year  of  Home  708,  46  years  before  Christ, 
A silver  coin  of  this  prince  hears  on  one  side  the 
Latin  legend  of  hex  ivba,  with  the  head  of  the 
king,  bearded,  and  curiously  curled  hair  on  his 
head;  on  his  shoulder  a sceptre,  the  sign  of  royal 
majesty.  On  the  reverse  arc  unknown  characters, 
supposed  to  be  Numidian,  and  a temple  of  eight 
columns,  with  a flight  of  steps  to  the  portal. 

IVD.  Judaea. — Judaea , a region  of  Syria, 
comprising  the  whole  country'  of  Palestine,  but 
more  strictly  speaking  that  part  inhabited  by  the 
two  tribes  of  Judah  aud  Benjamin.  It  was 
conquered  by  Pompey,  and  given  at  first  to 
Herod,  then  to  Autiochus,  next  to  Philip,  and 
to  a second  Herod,  and  after  their  time  it  became 
a province  of  the  Roman  empire.  But,  revolt- 
ing against  the  tyranny  and  exactions  of  Gcssius 
Floras,  the  people  of  Judaea  waged  a long  and 
bloody  war  with  the  Romans.  Flavius  Vespasi- 
anus  was,  however,  at  length  sent  by  Nero 
against  them  with  a vast  army,  and  brought 
them  again  into  complete  subjection  to  the  Roman 
power.  He  took  and  entirely  destroyed  Jerusalem, 
and  since  that  time  the  Jews,  driven  from  their 
country,  have  been  scattered  as  wanderers  over 
the  face  of  the  earth. 

It  was  under  Vespasian  that  those  medals  were 
first  struck  which  record  the  victories  gained  by 
the  Romans  over  the  Jews.  They  bear  the  in- 
scription of  IVDAEA,  IVDAEA 
CAPTA,  IVDAEA  DEVICTA, 
de  rvDAEis,  and  their  types 
are  most  interestingly  allu- 
sive to  the  conquest  of 
Judaea,  aud  to  that  awfully 
destructive  war  which  ended 
in  making  “ Jerusalem  a 
heap  of  stones.” — There  are 
coins  of  Titus,  hearing  the  same  character. — 
On  a large  brass  of  Hadrian  (in  the  Farnese 
Museum),  with  the  legend  ivdaea,  the  van- 
quished country  is  personified  by  a woman 
bending  the  knee  before  that  Emperor.  She  is 
accompanied  by  three  children  bearing  palms, 
and  who,  according  to  Winkleman,  are  intended 
to  represent  the  three  divisions  of  the  province, 
namely,  J udtea,  Galikca,  and  Petra:a.  Another 
coin  of  the  same  emperor  represents  a togated 


a 


JUDAEA. 

female  clothed  in  the  stola,  and  holding  a patera 
over  an  altar,  by  the  side  of  which  is  a victim 
for  sacrifice.  By  the  side  of  the  woman  stands 
a child ; and  two  children,  hearing  palms, 
approach  the  'emperor : in  the  exergue  is  in- 
scribed ivdaea. 

On  a very  rare  first  brass  of  Vespasian,  bearing 
the  usual  mark  of  Senatorial  authority,  but 
without  legend,  the  Emperor,  with  radiated 
head,  is  represented  standing,  with  his  right 
foot  placed  on  a ship’s  prow,  or  ou  a helmet ; 
he  holds  the  hasta  in  his  left,  and  a victonola 
in  his  right  hand ; before  his  feet  an  old  man  is 
kneeling,  behind  whom,  under  a palm  tree, 
stands  a woman  in  a tunic,  raising  her  hands 
towards  the  l’rincc,  in  the  act  of  supplication. — 


There  is  a large  bronze  coin,  which  t aillant 
gives  as  struck  under  Titus,  and  which  agrees 
with  it  in  type  except  that  the  head  of  the 
Emperor  is  hclmcted.  This  medal  is  described 
to  bear  the  legend  of  ivdaea. 

IVDAEA  CAPTA.  SC. — Outlie  well-known 
coin  of  Vespasian,  in  large  brats,  Judaea  appears 
under  the  figure  of  a woman,  clothed  in  a tunic, 
with  short  sleeves ; she  sits,  in  the  attitude  of 


extreme  sorrow,  at  the  foot  of  a palm,  which 
tree  is  peculiarly  the  growth  of  Palestine: 
behind  her  stands  the  Emperor  habited  in 
military  vestments,  holding  a spear  in  his  right 
and  the  parazonium  in  his  left  hand ; aud  with 
a buckler  or  a helmet  under  his  lcfl  foot. — A 
medal  in  the  same  metal,  and  of  the  same 
module,  struck  under  Titus,  exhibits  the  same 
lcgcud  and  a similar  type. 

This  coin  presents  the  emblem  of  Judaea, 
whose  inhabitants,  not  easily  to  be  ruled  over, 
were  compelled  at  length  to  crouch  under  the 
Homan  yoke,  in  consequence  of  the  wise  aud 
skilful  measures  taken  by  \ espasian,  and  espe- 


figure  (Hadrian  himself),  standing  opposite 


JUDAEA. 

cially  after  the  taking  of  Jerusalem  by  Titus,  in 
the  70th  year  of  the  Christian  era. 


IVDAEA  CAPTA. — On  another  first  brass 
of  Vespasian  a female  sits  weeping  beside  a 
a palm,  close  to  which  tree  a man  stands  with 
his  hands  tied  behind  him. — Havcrcamp  gives 
a first  brass  of  Titus,  with  a slight  variation  in 
the  grouping  of  the  figures,  and  with  a helmet 
and  buckler  on  the  ground  before  the  captive. — 
The  legend  of  this  fine  medal  is  inscribed  ivd. 
cap.  s.  c.  in  the  field. 


1VDEA  DEVICTA. — This  legend  is  read 
on  coins  of  Vespasian  and 
Titus.  The  type  is  a 
woman  standing  in  a sor- 
rowful posture  under  a palm 
tree. — Mionnet  and  Aker- 
mau  give  examples  of  this 
in  all  the  three  metals. 

DE  IVDAEIS.  A Trophy. — On  gold  coins  of 
Vespasian. 

FISCI.  IVDAICI.  CALVMNIA.  SV PLATA. 
S.  C.  A Palm  Tree. — First  brass  of  Nerva. 


The  type  of  this  historically  interesting  re- 
verse is,  as  well  on  ancient  Jewish  as  on  Roman 
coins,  symbolical  of  Judrna,  the  palm  being 
3 R 2 


JUDAEA.  491 

indigenous  to  the  country. — It  is  engraved  in 
Akerman’s  Baser.  Catalogue ; in  llavercamp’s 
Cabinet  de  Christine;  in  Kolb’s  Traite  Ele- 
mentaire. 

In  explanation  of  the  unique  and  very  re- 
markable legend  attached  to  this  reverse,  the 
observations  made  by  the  author  of  Boctrina 
are  hereto  subjoined  as  worthy  of  the  coin’s 
historical  interest,  and  of  his  own  learned 
sagacity: — From  the  earliest  period  of  the 
Jewish  Commonwealth,  the  Jews  were  enjoined 
to  pay  the  half  of  a ficlus,  or  two  drachmae, 
for  the  service  of  the  altar,  as  may  be  seen  from 
the  Book  of  Exodus  (eh.  xxx.  12,  13.)  This 
money,  in  after  times,  went  towards  the  ex- 
penses of  the  Temple,  being  collected,  not  only 
from  the  inhabitants  of  Judaea,  but  from  all 
Jews,  in  whatever  part  of  the  world  residing:  and 
this  private  system  of  taxation  was  sometimes 
prohibited  by  the  Romans,  of  which  I have 
given  instances,  under  the  coins  of  Vespasian 
(p.  327),  and  sometimes  sanctioned  by  an  edict, 
an  example  of  which,  issued  in  the  name  of 
Augustus,  has  been  given  by  Philo  Judaeus  (de 
Legat.  ad  Caium,  p.  592) ; and  several  by 
Josephus  (Antiq.  xvi.  c.  6.)  The  same  Philo 
frequently  throughout  his  treatise  calls  this 
money  auapxai,  first-fruits  for  offerings) ; 
and,  consequently,  it  was  of  the  same  nature 
as  those  gifts,  which  colonics  were  formerly  in 
the  habit  of  presenting  every  year  to  their 
mother-countries,  to  support  the  worship  of  the 
national  deities;  just  as  Polybius  has  applied 
the  term  hirapxai  to  the  contribution  which  the 
Carthaginians  used  to  send  to  their  mother- 
country  Tyre.  Now  it  is  certain,  that  the  Holy 
City  was  regarded  by  the  Jews  of  every  clime, 
as  their  mother-country.  But  the  half  ficlus 
alluded  to  above  was  the  well-known  didrachnr, 
which  our  Saviour  paid  for  himself  and  Peter 
with  the  stater  miraculously  found  in  the  mouth 
of  the  fish,  as  recorded  in  the  Gospel  of  St. 
Matthew  (ch.  xvii.  24.)  When  Jerusalem  and 
its  Temple  were  overthrown  by  Vespasian  in  the 
year  v.c.  823  (a.d.  69),  the  Jews,  wheresoever 
residing,  were  ordered  to  continue  the  payment 
of  this  didrachm,  not,  however,  to  be  applied 
to  their  own  religious  uses,  but  to  the  worship 
of  Jupiter  Capitolinus,  as  is  expressly  stated  by 
Josephus  (de  Bell.  Jud.  vii.  c.  6,  § 6)  and 
Dio  (lxvi.  § 7.) — Suetonius  relates  (Bomit.  c.  12) 
that  Domitian  “ rigorously  exacted  the  Jewish 
tax,  under  which  were  charged  all,  who  either 
clandestinely  lived  after  the  Jewish  fashion 
within  the  walls  of  Rome,  or  who,  concealing 
their  origin,  had  evaded  the  payment  of  the 
tribute  imposed  upon  their  nation.” — Spauheim, 
who  has  proved  his  learning  and  eloquence  in 
his  explanation  of  this  coin  (vol.  ii.  p 500), 
argues  from  the  terms  of  the  legend  itself,  that 
it  was  not  intended  to  convey  the  notion,  that  the 
Jewish  tax  or  didrachm,  as  many  have  sup- 
posed, was  abolished  by  Nerva,  but  simply  that 
the  calumnia  (system  of  false  accusation)  was 
done  away  (sublata)  ; that  is  to  say,  exemption 
from  the  tax  in  question  was  thenceforth  secured 
to  all  who  did  not  admit  themselves  to  be  Jews, 


492  JUDAICUS. — JULIA, 

and  their  names  no  longer  entered  on  the  fiscal  I 
lists  as  belonging  to  that  nation.  For  the 
iniquitous  inquisitorial  system  pursued  by  Domi-  ' 
tiau  towards  those  who  were  suspected  of 
Judaism,  is  circumstantially  recorded  by  Sue- 
tonius in  the  passage  above  referred  to. 

In  confirmation  of  this  mode  of  interpreting 
the  legend  in  question,  Eekhel  adduces  an  ad- 
mirable example : — According  to  Eusebius  (in 
vita  Const,  ii.  c.  45),  Constantine  the  Great, 
with  a view  to  repress  the  excesses  of  idolatry, 
drew  up  two  laws,  one  of  which  was  called  “ a 
law  to  suppress  the  abominations  so  long  per- 
petrated by  idolatry  throughout  the  cities  and 
districts.” — Not  a few  individuals  have  taken 
these  words  to  mean  that  Constantine  wished, 
by  this  law,  to  put  a stop  to  all  the  rites  of 
Paganism ; a notion  entirely  at  variance  with 
history. — Eusebius  merely  says  that  such  abomi- 
nations (rd  uvaapa ) were  forbidden  by  the 
Emperor,  as  the  ancient  superstition  cherished, 
especially  beyond  the  wralls  of  the  city.  That 
the  Jews  were  not  afterwards  exempt  from  the 
payment  of  the  didraclim,  is  shewn  from  an 
epistle  of  Origen  to  Africanus,  in  which  the 
expression  occurs : — “ Since  even  at  the  present 
time  the  Jews  still  payT  the  didrachm  to  them 
(the  Romaus.”) — It  is  sufficiently  evident  that 
the  affair  of  the  Jews  had  become  one  of  con- 
siderable moment  (rem  Juilaicum  magni  fuisse 
momenta ) even  within  the  walls  of  Rome;  and 
that  the  people  generally  suffered  so  much  indis- 
criminate severity,  on  account  of  suspected 
Judaism,  that,  when  at  last  the  evil  was  re- 
moved, the  Senate  considered  the  event  of 
sufficient  importance  to  be  perpetuated  on  coins. 
— Eekhel,  vi.  405. 

1VDAICVS. — Although  it  was  a frequent 
custom  with  Roman  conquerors  to  assume  the 
appellation  of  a vanquished  people  as  a surname 
of  honour,  as  Dacicus,  Parthicus,  Britannicus, 
&c.,  yet  neither  Vespasian  nor  Titus  was  called 
Judaicus,  so  greatly  were  the  name  and  the  re- 
ligion of  the  Jews  held  in  detestation. 

Jngurt/ia,  a King  of  Numidia,  grandson  of 
Masinissa,  delivered  by  his  father-in-law 
Bacchus , King  of  Gartulia  toSylla.when  the  latter 
was  lieutenant  to  Marius. — See  Cornelia  family. 

IYL.  Julia. — A colony  is  thus  called  as 
having  been  planted  by  [Julius  Caesar,  as  the 
name  indicates,  or  as  having  received  benefits 
from  him.  Such  for  the  most  part  relates 
to  Africa. — The  epigraph  COL.  White,  or  in 
reversed  order  AVG ustte  IVL,  when  it  Orem's 
on  colonial  coins  is  considered  to  signify  a 
colony  established  in  the  first  instance  by  Julius 
Cicsar,  and  after  augmented  by  Augustus. 

IVL I.  Jutii. — nrvi  IVLI.  The  customary 
epigraph  on  coins  of  Julius  Cicsar  struck  after 
his  death. 

Julia  Augusta. — From  an  ancient  inscription, 
edited  by  Mark  Velserus,  Julia  Augusta,  it 
appears,  is  the  Augusta  Vindelicorum,  now 
Augsburg,  in  Germany.  To  this  splendid  colony 
of  the  Rhodian  province,  reference  is  made  on 
coins  of  Augustus,  Ncrva,  and  Gordiauus  l’ius, 
under  the  name  of  con.  IVL.  avg. 


JULIA. 

Julia  (Traducta),  a colony  of  Hispania  Bsctica 
(now  Algesiras). — See  Traducta. 

Julia. — This  illustrious  family  is  that  of  Julius 
Cicsar. — The  name  Julius  is  derived  from  lulus, 
whom  some  believe  to  be  Ascanius,  the  son  of 
iEneas  ; and  others,  the  son  of  that  Ascanius. 
In  claiming*  to  be  descended  from  this  stock, 
Julius  Cicsar  prided  himself  on  his  origin  from 
the  Goddess  of  Beauty,  and  hence  the  images 
of  Venus,  and  of  .Eneas  earning  Anchises, 
which  are  often  found  on  his  denarii.  Be  the 
question  of  pedigree  decided  as  it  may,  it  appears 
that  after  the  destruction  of  Alba,  the  family 
came  to  Rome,  aud  eventually  furnished  twelve 
persouages,  honoured  as  huperatores , with  the 
highest  offices  and  dignities  of  the  Roman 
Commonwealth.  According  to  Eekhel  it  is 
patrician  in  the  Casarian  branch,  and  uncertain 
in  that  of  Bursio,  the  only  two  surnames  which 
occur  ou  its  coins. — There  are  seventy-live 
varieties,  of  which  the  rarest  type  is  a silver 
one,  bearing  on  its  obverse  a youlhfid  head, 
ornamented  with  wings,  and  having  hair  hang- 
ing down  in  ringlets,  behind  which  is  a trident 
and  two  arrows  (in  others,  a scorpion), — the 
reverse  is  inscribed  L.  ivu.  bvksio  (in  another 
ex  a.  p.),  with  Victory  in  a quadriga  holding  a 
crown.  The  head  which  presents  itself  oil  the 
obverse  of  this  denarius  is  of  au  unusual  kind, 
aud  there  has  been  much  ado  amongst  anti- 
quarians to  find  out  its  meaning.  L’rsin  and 
Yaillaut  take  it  to  be  that  of  Mercury,  whilst 
Ilavercamp  boldly  calls  it  the  head  of  “Triumph.” 
But  it  is  evidently  not  a male  but  a female  head, 
and,  as  the  judicious  Eekhel  observes,  it  is 
scarcely  worth  while  to  enter  into  a new  field  of 
conjectures  about  w hat  nymph  or  goddess  (of  the 
sea  or  sky)  it  is  meant  to  depicture.  And,  even 
after  the  prolix  guessings  of  Vaillant  and  Haver- 
camp,  it  is  perhaps  better  openly  to  confess 
ignorance  as  to  who  Bursio  is,  to  whom  these 
medals  belong. 

Those  denarii  of  the  Julia  family  writh  the 
elephant  trampling  on  a serpent,  and  Pontifical 
instruments  on  the  reverse  ; also  with  the  head 
of  Veuus,  and  .Eneas  bearing  the  palladium  in  his 
hand  aud  his  father  on  his  shoulders,  arc  common 
enough.  The  name  of  this  family  is  also  found 
on  coins  struck  by  the  mint  masters  of  the  great 
Julius. — See  caesar — dict. 

Julia  is  a name  frequently  found  given  on 
coius  to  thewives  of  Emperors,  and  in  several 
instances  to  their  daughters  and  mothers. — 
Lida,  fourth  wife  of  Augustus,  assumed  it  when 
by  adoption  she  had  passed  into  the  Julia  family. 
We  find  also  medals  of  Julia  Agrippina,  senior, 
mother  of  Caligula ; Julia,  mother  of  Cains 
and  Lucius,  by  Agrippa;  Julia,  sister  of  Caligula; 
Julia,  daughter  of  Titus ; Julia  Agrippina, 
junior,  second  wife  of  Claudius,  and  mother  of 
Nero;  Julia  Aquilia  Secern,  second  wife  of 
Elagabalus;  Julia  Paula,  first  wife  of  Eluga- 
balus ; Julia  Domna,  second  wife  of  Scvcrus ; 
Julia  Maesa,  grandmother  of  Elagabalus  and 
Alexander  Severus  ; Julia  Vantaea,  mother  of 
Alexander  Scvcrus ; Julia  Paulina,  wife  of 
Maximiuus. 


JULIA. 

IVL  (or  IVLTA)  AQVIL.  (or  AQVILTA) 
SEV.  (or  SEVERA.)  A\G  us/a.  Julia  Aquilia 
Severn. — Sec  Aquilia  Severa. 

IVLIA  AYGVSTA  GENETRIX  ORBIS.— 
Sec  Livia. 


JULIANUS.  493 

Julia  Augusta,  the  wife  of  Sevcrus,  is  styled 
Julia  Augusta,  or  Julia  Domna  Aug.  ; or  Julia 
Pin  Augusta ; or  Julia  Pin  Felix  Aug.  as  upon 
the  large  brass  of  which  an  example  is  sub- 
joined.— See  Domna. 


Julia  Cornelia  Paula,  said  to  be  the 
daughter  of  l’aulus,  praetorian  prefect,  was  the 
first  wife  of  Elagabalus  having  been  married 
to  that  odious  miscreant  a.d.  219. — Divorced 
shortly  after  her  nuptials,  on  some  pretence  of 
bodily  defect,  she  died  in  retirement. — Her  gold 
coins  are  of  the  highest  rarity,  silver  by  no 
means  scarce,  first  and  secoud  brass  very  rare. — 
Her  name  of  Cornelia,  to  which  illustrious 
family  she  belonged,  is  omitted  on  her  Latin 
medals,  on  which  she  is  styled  only  ivlia  pavla 

AVGVSTA. 

Julia  Maesa,  the  grandmother  of  two  Em- 
perors, Elagabalus  and  Alexander  Sevcrus,  is 
honoured  on  medals  with  the  title  of  Augusta. 
— Sec  Maesa. 

Julia  Mamaea,  daughter  of  the  Julia  Maesa 
and  mother  of  Alexander  Sevcrus,  bears  the  title 
of  Augusta  on  her  coins. — See  Mamaea. 

Julia  Soaemias,  mother  of  Elagabalus. — See 
Soaemias. 

Julia,  the  daughter  of  Titus,  by  Eurnilla, 
his  second  wife ; she  was  a woman  of  great 
beauty,  at  first  refused  the  infamous  addresses 
of  her  uncle  Domitian,  married  Sabinus  her 
cousin  german,  afterwards  became  the  mistress 
of  her  father’s  brother  and  successor,  who 
caused  her  husband  to  be  put  to  death,  and 
lived  in  open  concubinage  with  her.  Julia 
abandoning  herself  to  debauchery,  died  in  the 
attempt  to  destroy  the  fruits  of  her  incestuous 
connection.  She  was  nevertheless  placed  by 
apotheosis  amongst  the  deities,  and  is  called 
diva  ou  her  coins,  which  in  brass  and  silver 
are  rare,  and  in  gold  of  the  highest  rarity. 
On  medals  struck  during  her  life-time,  she  is 
stvled  IVLIA  AVGVSTA  1 III  AVGVSTI 
Yilia;  also  IVLIA  IMP.  T.  AVG.  F.  AVGVSTA. 
(The  August  Julia,  daughter  of  the  August 
Titus).  The  reverse  of  one  of  her  gold  coins  bears 
the  legend  of  DIVT  TITI  FILLA,  with  a pea- 
cock ; and  ou  a silver  coin  of  hers  appears  the 
word  VESTA,  and  that  Goddess  seated,  whence 
it  would  seem  that  she  wished  at  least  to  be 
thought  chaste  ; and  this  incident  agrees  with 
the  attempt  to  conceal  her  pregnancy,  to  which 
she  fell  a victim. 

On  a large  brass  of  this  princess,  who  died 
in  Domitiau’s  reign,  we  see  her  consecration 


recorded,  and  the  honours  of  deification  paid  to 
her  memory  at  the  will  of  her  profligate  uncle, 
by  an  obsequious  senate,  in  the  following  dedi- 
catory inscription,  divae  ivjliae  avg.  div.  titi 
f.,  accompanied  with  the  type  of  the  carpentum, 
or  funeral  car,  drawn  by  mules.  There  is  no 
portrait ; but  the  emperor’s  titles,  and  the  mark 
of  cos.  xvi.,  shew  the  direct  influence  under 
which  the  coin  was  struck  Senatus  Consul iu ; 
and  in  the  name  of  that  body  and  of  the  Roman 
people  (s.p.q.r.)  On  a silver  medal  the  image 
ot  diva  ivlia  appears  on  a car,  drawn  by 
elephants. 


IVLIANVS.  f Didius  Severus .) — The  father 
of  this  emperor  was  Petronius  Didius  Sevcrus, 
his  mother  Clara  Aemilia,  and  his  paternal 
grandfatherlnsuberMediolanensis.  (Spartian.) — 
According  to  the  calculation  of  Dio,  whom,  in 
the  disagreement  of  other  writers,  we  prefer  to 
follow',  as  he  lived  at  Rome  at  that  period, 
Didius  Julianus  was  born  a.v.c.  886,  at  the  end 
of  January.  Being  advanced  in  due  time  to  a 
share  in  public  business,  he  defeated,  in  the 
reign  of  M arcus,  the  Cauei,  a people  living  on 
the  river  Albis,  and  gained  his  Consulate ; after 
which  he  succeeded  Pertinax  in  the  government 
of  Africa.  (Spartian.) — Pertinax,  having  been 
put  to  death  by  the  Pnetorian  guards,  and  those 
soldiers  having  fortified  their  camp,  and  from 
its  walls  proclaimed  the  empire  open  to  the 
highest  bidder,  though  all  men  of  standing  and 
integrity  strove  to  avert  such  a disgrace,  Julian 
listened  to  the  instigation  of  his  party,  and 
taking  his  stand  outside  the  trenches,  blushed 
not  to  bid  against  Flavius  Sulpicianus,  the 
father-in-law  of  Pertinax,  who  within  the  camp 


494  JULIANUS. 

offered  his  own  price  for  the  empire. — Julian, 
however,  made  the  most  liberal  offers,  scaling 
ladders  were  let  down  from  the  walls,  and  he  was 
received  into  the  camp,  acknowledged  Emperor, 
and,  escorted  by  a guard  of  Praetorians,  was 
conducted  to  the  Senate-house.  But  the  people, 
irritated  no  less  by  the  undeserved  fate  of  Per- 
tinax,  than  by  the  recent  disgraceful  sale  of  the 
empire,  attacked  the  newly-created  Emperor 
first  with  abuse,  and  then  with  a shower  of 
stones ; nor  would  they  be  satisfied  without 
demanding  as  their  Emperor,  Pescennius  Niger, 
the  newly  appointed  Governor  of  Syria.  On 
learning  this  position  of  affairs,  Pescennius 
allowed  himself  to  be  declared  Emperor  by  his 
friends,  but  neglecting  to  follow  up  his  ad- 
vantage, Severus,  the  Prefect  of  Paimonia,  in 
obedience  to  the  wish  of  a party,  put  in  his 
claim  to  the  honours  of  the  sovereignty, 
and  taking  all  his  measures,  made  a hasty 
journey  to  Italy.  (Eckhcl,  vii.  148,  Didius 
Julian.) — Intelligence  of  this  movement  being 
received  at  Rome,  Jidianus  gave  orders  that 
Severus  should  be  declared  by  the  Senate  as  the 
enemy  of  his  country  ; but  he  found  the  army 
less  prepared  than  he  expected  to  act  on  the  de- 
fensive; and  in  a state  of  disaffection,  partly  because 
he  was  dilatory  in  the  liquidation  of  the  sum  he 
had  agreed  upon  in  the  purchase  of  the  empire, 
and  partly  because,  from  being  long  habituated  to 
sloth  and  inactivity,  they  wanted  the  courage  to 
cope  with  the  hardy  soldiers  of  Severus. — Severus 
meanwhile  threatening  the  city,  Julian  is  driven 
to  adopt  milder  counsels,  and  induces  the  Senate 
to  allow  him  a participation  in  the  sovereignty ; 
but  a universal  turn  of  feeling  in  favour  of 
Severus  having  taken  place,  he  is  deserted  by 
all,  and  put  to  death.  His  body  was  restored 
by  Severus  to  his  wife  Seantilla  for  burial,  and 
deposited  in  the  tomb  of  his  great-grandfather 
on  the  Via  Lavicaua. — According  to  Dio,  he 
lived  sixty  years,  four  months,  and  four  days, 
and  reigned  sixty-six  days.  It  is  generally 
admitted  that  he  was  a distinguished  lawyer. 
Spartian  speaks  of  his  economical  habits,  his 
gentle  manners,  and  other  virtues ; but  Dio,  his 
contemporary,  and  alse  Ilerodian,  assert  that 
his  vices  were  numerous. — Eckhel,  vii.  147. 

Julianas  (Planus  Claudius),  usually  called 
Julian  the  Apostate,  because  he,  at  an  early 
age,  abandoned  the  Christian  faith,  and,  as 
soon  as  he  had  the  power,  restored  the 
worship  of  idols,  which  he  pretended  to  re- 
form, but  which  he  in  fact  enforced  in  all  (lie 


bigoted  extravagance  and  blind  absurdity  of 
Pagan  superstition,  lie  was  the  son  of  Julius 
Constantins,  nephew  of  Constantine  the  Great, 
and  brother  of  Constantius  Gallus,  bom  at  Con- 
stantinople a.d.  331.  He  was  created  Cmsar 


JULIANUS. 

a.d.  335,  and  married  Helena,  sister  of  Con- 
stautius II.  The  government  of  Gaul,  Spain, 
and  Britain  was  committed  to  his  charge.  Ho 
repulsed  the  Gcrmaus  from  Gaul,  and  esta- 
blished himself  at  Lutet'ut,  now  Paris,  in  358. 
Proclaimed  Emperor  by  the  troops  in  360  ; the 
death  of  Constantius  soon  after  left  him  sole 
master  of  the  empire. — J ulian  was  a great  general 
— a man  of  learning — a fine  writer — possessing 
many  qualities  of  a wise,  energetic,  and  excellent 
prince ; but  in  matters  of  religion  one  of  the 
weakest,  most  fantastic,  and  mischievous  of 
mankind.  This  declared  and  inveterate  enemy 
of  Christianity  made  war  upon  Persia,  with 
decided  success ; but  w as  slain  in  an  engage- 
ment on  the  banks  of  the  Tigris,  at  the  age 
of  thirty-one,  a.d.  362,  in  the  fourth  year  of 
his  reign.  His  second  and  third  brass  coins  arc, 
with  certain  exceptions,  common  ; his  silver  of 
the  usual  size,  are  by  no  means  scarce ; but  his 
gold  are  rare. — On  these  he  is  styled  d.  n. 
IVLIA.NVS  NOB.  CAES. — IMF.  FL.  CL.  JVLIANVS 
FERP.  or  P.F.  AVG. 

“The  Ciesars”  of  Julian,  a work  which 
that  Emperor  wrote  in  Greek,  is  a remarkable 
proof  no  less  of  his  scholarship  than  of  his 
talent  for  raillery  and  satire.  The  translation 
of  that  extraordinary  production  by  Ezech. 
Spanheim,  illustrated  by  the  most  learned  re- 
marks, mythological,  historical,  and  numis- 
matical,  enriched  by  a profusion  of  medals  and 
other  ancient  monuments,  is  one  of  the  most 
interesting  as  well  as  instructive  volumes  which 
can  be  perused  by  the  student  of  the  mcdallic 
science. 

Julian  is  noted,  by  Ammianus  his  pagan 
admirer,  but  by  no  means  indiscriminate  pane- 
gyrist, for  having  made  himself  very  con- 
spicuous in  wearing  a long  and  bushy  beard, 
which  amongst  the  courtiers  of  Constantius 
procured  for  him  the  derisive  appellation  of  a 
goat  (capetlam  non  hominem).  In  confirmation 
of  this  alleged  peculiarity  we  find  him  on  many 
of  his  coins  “ bearded  like  a pard  as  Cicsar 
he  appears  with  naked  head ; but  as  Emperor 
he  wears  a diadem  ornamented  with  precious 
stones. 

Under  the  reign  of  Julian  coins  were  strurk, 
which  Bauduri  exhibits,  and  which  Eckhel 
comments  upon,  inscribed  deo  sekapidi  (see 
the  words),  and  vota  publica,  shewing  that 
this  philosophic  contemner  of  the  Christian 
mysteries  was  not  ashamed  to  stamp  his  iin- 
perial  coinage  with  representations  of  Serapis, 
Isis,  and  Anubis,  and  to  revive  the  monstrous 
Egyptian  idolatry. 

Julianas  ( Marcus  Aure/ianus),  nn  usurper 
of  the  imperial  purple  at  the  period  of  Nmnc- 
rianus’s  death,  from  which  time  (a.d.  284) 
Pannonia  acknowledged  his  claim  and  submitted 
to  his  government,  until  defeated  and  slain  in 
a battle  with  Carinus,  near  Verona,  in  the  fol- 
lowing year. — There  are  gold  and  brass  coins  of 
this  “ tyrant,”  all  of  extreme  rarity,  and  on 
which  he  is  styled  imp.  c.  m.  avr.  ivlianvs 
p.  F.  AVG. 

Julius  (C)  Casar. — Sec  Cains  Julius  Caesar. 


junianus. 


JUNO.— JUNO  AUGUSTAE.  495 


IVN.  Junior. — Augusti  reigning  together, 
but  with  unequal  authority,  were  called  majores 
and  seniores,  or  minores  and  juniores.  Thus 
Commodus,  advanced  by  his  father,  M.  Aurelius, 
from  the  Ctcsarship  to  the  title  of  Augustus,  is 
called  on  one  of  his  coins  ivn.  avg.,  or  Junior 
Augustus. — In  like  manner  Gaterius  Maximi- 
anus,  in  contradistinction  to  his  father-in- 
law,  Diocletian,  is  called  ivn.  avg. — We  find 
also  Coustantiuus  ivn.,  and  Coustautius  ivn., 
&c. 

IVN  I.  J unianus. — p.  cras.  ivni.  leg.  peopr. 
Publius  Crassus  Junianus  Legatus  Propraetor, 
that  is  to  say,  of  Metellus  Scipio  in  Africa. — 
See  Ctecilia  family. 

Junia,  this  celebrated  Roman  family  was 
patrician  under  the  kings,  but,  as  it  appears 
from  coins,  was  regarded  as  plebeian  under  the 
consular  government.  The  surnames  are  Brutus, 
Si/auus,  and  perhaps  Libo.  It  took  its  name 
from  Junius,  the  companion  of  iEneas,  from 
whom,  as  Dion  Ha/ic.  writes,  this  family  derived 
its  origin.  It  took  the  cognomen  of  Brutus  on 
account  of  the  idiotic  folly  which,  through  fear 
of  Tarquin,  was  feigned  by  Lucius  Junius, 
previous  to  the  overthrow  of  the  monarchy,  as 
Plutarch  informs  us. — Of  this  renowned  avenger 
of  his  country’s  liberty  upon  a proud  tyrant  and 
his  licentious  sons,  there  arc  no  coins  extant  of 
contemporaneous  date ; but  in  honour  of  the 
man  who  was  the  first  consul,  with  his  colleague 
Collatinus,  after  the  expulsion  of  the  Tarquins, 
the  head  of  Lucius  Junius,  with  the  inscription 
brvtvs,  has  been  placed  on  the  obverse  of  a 
denarius  belonging  to  the  Servilia  family,  which 
bears  on  its  obverse  the  naked  head  of  Servilius 
AHALA. 

Of  the  name  of  Brutus  there  are  also  two 
individuals  recorded  on  the  coins  of  the  Junia 
family — viz.,  M.  Junius  Brutus,  likewise  called 
Caepio,  the  assassin  of  C'resar  the  Dictator,  and 
Decimus  Junius  Brutus,  an  orator  and  lawyer, 
who  each  of  them  gained  a very  conspicuous 
place  in  the  history  of  their  age. — The  coins  of 
M.  Brutus  Caepio  arc  ranged  with  the  Imperial 
series.  (See  Bitvrvs.) 

The  coinage  of  this  family,  which  Morcll 
states  to  consist  of  more  than  seventy  varieties, 
exhibits  an  interesting  type  on  a denarius,  of 
which  the  following  is  a description : — 

LiBERTAS. — Head  of  Liberty. 

Rev.  brvtvs. — The  march  of  the  Consul 
(Consulis  Processus)  between  two  lictors,  carry- 
ing the  fasces,  and  preceded  by  a verger  or 
usher  (accensus.) 


Some  of  the  silver  pieces  arc  restored  bv 
Trajan,  and  are  rarer  than  the  original  coins.— 


The  brass  of  this  family  are  the  As,  or  parts  of 
the  As. 

Juno,  daughter  of  Saturn,  and  at  once  the 
sister  and  the  spouse  of  Jove,  the  goddess  of 
kingdoms  and  of  riches,  was  believed  to  preside 
over  marriages,  and  thence  received  her  appella- 
tion of  Pronuba ; aud  from  her  supposed 
obstetrical  tutelage  over  women,  was  likewise 
called  Lucina. — The  Romans,  as  well  as  the 
Greeks,  assigned  to  her  the  highest  rank  amongst 
the  goddesses,  and  the  poets  relate  many  fables 
respecting  her  jealous  and  imperious  disposition, 
which  she  carried  sometimes  to  the  length  of 
attempting  to  put  even  Jupiter  himself  (who 
gave  but  too  much  cause  of  offence)  under  her 
feet. — The  figures  of  Juno  differ  from  each  other, 
inasmuch  as  we  find  this  deity  on  the  most 
ancient  coins  of  the  Romans,  as  Juno  Lanuvina, 
or  Sispita  (Sospita),  aud  Juno  Moneta.  She  is 
most  frequently  represented  with  her  head  veiled, 
and  when,  as  Juno  Pronuba,  the  goddess  patro- 
nises a solemnization  of  nuptials,  she  is  covered 
with  a veil  that  conceals  half  the  body.  ’Whilst, 
on  the  other  hand,  as  Juno  Sospita,  her  head  is 
adorned  with  the  skin  and  two  horns  of  a goat. 
The  distinctive  symbol  and  protege  of  this 
goddess  is  the  peacock,  into  which  bird  she  had 
changed  her  faithful  Argus,  after  he  had,  as  the 
guard  of  Io,  fallen  a victim  to  the  pandering 
artfulness  of  Mercury,  and  the  intriguing  revenge 
of  Jupiter. 

On  the  imperial  coins  Juno  appears  under 
various  aspects— viz.,  sometimes  standing,  some- 
times sitting,  as  in  Faustina,  jun.,  at  others  in 
a walking  attitude,  with  a serpent  at  her  feet, 
holding  a flower,  a sceptre,  a patera,  the  hasta, 
or  a child,  as  Juno  Augusta,  Juno  Regina, 
Juno  Conservatrix,  &c. 

On  a first  brass  of  Faustina  the  Younger,  the 
reverse,  without  legend,  is  charged  with  a 
female  figure,  clothed  in  the  stola,  standing 
between  a peacock  and  a lion. 

IVNO. — On  silver  and  second  brass  coins  of 
Julia  Domna  with  this  inscription,  the  goddess 
stands  veiled,  holding  a patera  in  the  right,  a 
hasta  in  her  left  hand ; and  a peacock  stands  at 
her  feet.  . • 

The  Empress  herself  is  exhibited  under  this 
image,  for,  in  order  to  conciliate  greater  dignity 
and  reverence  towards  women,  the  Empresses 
were  foud  of  assimilating  themselves  to  the 
goddesses,  and  were  accustomed  to  represent 
their  own  forms,  under  the  names  of  female 
divinities,  to  the  people. 

IA  NO  A\  GVSTAE. — Silver  and  brass 

coins  of  Julia  Mam  sea,  with  this  legend, 
exhibit  the  goddess  sitting,  holding  in  her 
right  hand  a flower,  and  in  her  left  an  infant 
in  swathing  bands.  This  Juno  of  the  Em- 
press is  obviously  Juno  Lucina,  and  the 
coin  is  struck  in  acknowledgment  of  the 
favour  of  the  goddess  at  the  birth  of  an  im- 
perial heir. 

IA  NONEM  (in  the  accusative  case),  occurs 
on  silver  and  brass  coins  of  Julia  Domna. — • 
See  p.  493. 

IVNO  CONSERVATRIX.— Juno,  the  pro- 


490  JL'NO  CONSERVATRIX. 

tectress  or  preserver,  is  another  surname  given  on 
medals  of  the  Augusta  to 
the  great  Queen  of  the 
Goddesses.  Her  figure 
on  silver,  gold,  and  brass, 
of  Julia  Jlamtca,  Ota- 
ciliaSevera,  andSalonina, 
is  that  of  a female  stolated 
and  veiled,  holding  a 
patera  and  the  hasta 
pura,  and  generally  with 
a peacock  at  her  feet. 

Juno  Lanuvina,  or  with  the  title  in  full,  Juno 
Sispita,  or  Sospita  Maxima  Regina , as  it  is 
expressed  on  denarii  of  Thorius  Balbus  ; see  the 
initial  letters  i.s.m.r.,  p.  488  of  this  Diet. — The 
goddess  bearing  this  surname  is  found  on  the 
silver  coins  of  those  Roman  families  who  drew 
their  origin  from  the  town  or  munieipium  of 
Lanuvina,  to  which  the  Cornuficii,  the  Mettii, 
the  Papii,  the  Procillii,  the  Roscii,  and  the 
Thorii  belonged.  Her  appearance  on  these  coins 
nearly  corresponds  with  the  description  given  hv 
Cicero,  in  lib.  i.  de  nat.  Deor.  cap.  23,  viz., 
cum  pelle  caprina,  cum  hasta,  cum  scututo, 
cum.  calceolis  repandis  (shoes  turned  up  at  the 
points),  to  which  it  only  remains  to  be  added 
that  her  head  is  covered  with  a goat’s  skin,  as 
Hercules’s  head  is  with  that  of  a lion,  having, 
moreover,  two  horns,  and  her  entire  vestment 
is  composed  of  this  skin,  with  the  fur  outwards. 
On  a denarius  of  the  Cornuficia  family  is  an 
eagle  on  the  top  of  her  shield  (probably  intended 
for  a legionary  one)  ; at  other  times  she  is 
depictured  in  a biga,  as  on  some  medals  of  the 
Mettia  and  Procilia  families,  a great  serpent 
preceding  her,  and  in  the  act  of  raising  itself. 
On  a denarius  of  the  Roscia  family  we  see 
opposite  to  the  serpent  a woman  offering  food 
to  it,  the  meaning  of  which  may  be  learnt  in 
Elianus  and  Propertius.  Cicero  teaches  us  in 
his  Oration  pro  Murana,  in  what  high  estima- 
tion this  goddess  was  with  the  Romans,  to 
which  may  be  joined  the  testimony  of  Livy, 
who  says  that  she  wa3  worshipped  (majoribus 
hostiis)  with  sacrifices  of  the  highest  order, 
shewing  that  the  Romans  granted  to  the 
Lanuvians  the  right  of  citizenship,  on  condition 
that  they  themselves  (the  people  of  Rome) 
should  have  a share  in  the  Temple,  and  in  the 
sacred  grove  of  the  Goddess. 

In  the  Imperial  series,  Juno  Lanuvina,  or 
Sispita,  is  seldom  to  be  seen.  Mcdiobarba, 
however,  notes  two  medals  of  Antoninus  Pius 
(a.d.*140),  and  one  of  Commodus  (a.d.  177), 
with  the  inscription  lVNONI  sospitae  : after 
which  period  it  again  disappears. — See  Juno 
Sospita. 

Juno  Lucina. — It  was  under  this  name,  as 
has  been  already  observed,  that  Juno  presided 
over  parturition  ; and  accordingly  on  medals  of 
those  Empresses,  who  either  had  brought  forth 
a child,  or  who  had  invoked  the  aid  of  the 
goddess  in  their  approaching  accouchement,  we 
see  her  represented  seated,  holding  an  infant  and 
a flower.  On  coins  of  Faustina,  wife  of  M. 
Aurelius,  she  appears  with  two  children  near 


JTNONI  LUCINAE. 

her. — There  are  some  writers,  indeed,  who 
think  this  Juno  Lucina  to  be  the  same  as  Diana; 
and  with  Luna,  one  deitv. 

IVNONI  LVCINAE.— The  Goddess  sits  with 
a flower  in  her  exteuded  right  hand  ; in  her  left 
an  infant  in  swathing  bands. — Silver  and  brass 
coins  of  Lucilla,  with  the  above  legend  and 
type,  present  that  tutelary  goddess  presiding 
over  child-birth,  whom  the  Greeks  called 
llithgia,  and  the  Romans  denominated  Juno 
Lucina. — It  is  in  reference  to  the  custom  of 
parturient  women  to  address  their  prayers  to 
to  her  that  Terence,  in  his  Andria,  puts  these 
words  into  the  mouth  of  Glycerium  : — 

Juno  Lucina,  fer  opem,  serva  me,  obsecro. 
For  this  reason,  therefore,  she  holds  a child  in 
her  left  hand,  whilst  her  right  is  extended  with 
a (lower  in  it,  because  this  is  the  symbol  of 
hope,  and  she  delights  in  hoping  well  of  the 
safety  and  growth  of  the  child;  or  rather, 
says  Eckhel,  she  herself  displays  her  attribute 
manifestly  as  indicated  by  Ovid.  In  the  speci- 
men here  selected  from  the  first  brass  of  Lucilla, 
the  right  hand  is  extended  empty. 


Juno  was  called  Magna  Regina. — See  I.  s.  M.  r. 

IVNONI  M ARTIALI. — Juno  Martial  is,  or 
the  warlike  Juno,  is  seen  seated  with  globe 
in  left  hand  and  corn  ears  in  right.  She  is  also 
seated  in  a round  temple,  with  a shield  or 


[Large  brass  of  Yolusian.] 
other  attributes,  on  silver  and  first  brass 
coins  of  Trcbouianus  Gallus,  and  also  of  Volu- 
sianus,  by  the  latter  of  whom  the  legend 
and  type  appear  to  have  been  restored.  The 
legend  originated  with  Trcbonian,  and  was 
struck  about  the  period  when  a dreadful 
pestilence  excited  the  then  reigning  princes  of 
the  empire  to  “ weary”  all  the  gods,  of  every 
name  in  Olympus,  with  victims  and  with  prayers. 
Juno  might  appear  at  that  juncture  a deity 
whose  aid  ought  to  be  propitiated,  because. 


JUNONI  REGINAE. 

according  to  Tally,  “The  air  which  floats 
between  the  skies  and  the  ocean  is  consecrated  to 
the  name  of  Juno ; and  it  was  this  region  (or 
element)  which,  having  contracted  some  taint, 
brought  destruction  on  men.”  And  the  same 
author  says  shortly  afterwards — “ Hut  1 believe 
the  name  Juno  to  be  derived  a juvendo,  from 
rendering  aid.” 

“ But  why  Juno  is  in  this  instance  called 
Martialis,  I have  not  (says  Eckhcl)  been  as  yet 
able  satisfactorily  to  ascertain.”  Yet  by  that 
title  the  goddess  was  commemorated  not  ouly 
on  medals,  but  in  a temple  erected  to  her 
honour  as  the  Martial  Juno,  in  the  Roman  Forum. 

Juno  Moneta. — According  to  Suidas,  Juno 
was  suruamed  Moneta  by  the  Romans,  a 
monendo,  because  this  goddess  is  said  to  have 
counselled  that  very  docile  and  scrupulous  people 
to  undertake  none  but  just  wars,  promising  them, 
that,  in  that  case,  they  should  never  want  for 
money.  A pretty  story ; but  it  would  he  much 
more  to  the  purpose  to  suppose  that  she  was 
honoured  with  this  cognomen,  as  denoting  her 
presidency  over  the  Homan  mint,  which  was 
established  in  the  precincts  of  the  temple. 

The  (supposed)  effigy  of  Juno,  with  the  title 
of  Moneta,  appears  on  a denarius  of  the  Carisia 
family ; the  reverse  of  the  coin  exhibits  a 
hammer,  a pair  of  tongs,  and  an  anvil,  above 
which  is  the  bonnet  of  Vulcan,  with  the 
circumscription  of  t.  carisivs,  and  on  some 
coins  salvtaris,  the  whole  surmounted  by  a 
laurel. — See  Carisia — Moneta. 

Juno  liegina. — This  surname  of  REGINA  was 
given  to  ivno,  because  she  was  the  wife  of 
Jupiter,  who  was  the  King  of  Gods  and  Men. 
The  type,  which  generally  accompanies  this  legend 
ou  coins  of  the  Imperial  series,  is  that  of  a 
woman  standing  or  sitting,  veiled,  who  holds  in  the 
right  hand  a patera,  and  in  the  left  a hasta  pura, 
or  rather,  perhaps,  a sceptre ; and  frequently  at 
her  side  the  peacock,  a bird  consecrated  to  her, 
either  because  it  is  so  beautiful  in  plumage,  or 
because  all  the  colours  in  its  tail  are  comparable 
to  the  rainbow,  or  Iris,  who  was  the  messenger 
of  Juno,  as  Mercury  was  of  Jupiter. 


IVNONI  REGINAE. — A throne  and  a pea- 
cock with  tail  spread  beneath  it  ; on  some  a 
sceptre  is  placed  transversely  upon  the  throne. — 
On  large  brass  of  Faustina,  senior. 

IVNO  REGINA  and  IVNONI  REGINAE. 
—This  legend  is  never  seen  on  coins  of  the 
Emperors,  except  one  of  Claudius  Gothicus. 
But  as  the  venerated  Queen  of  Deities,  Juno  was 

3 S 


JUNONI  SOSPITAE.  497 
a favourite  patroness  of  the  Empresses,  and  thus 
she  appears  on  coins  of  Sabina,  Lucilla,  Faustina, 
junior,  Manlia  Scantilla,  Julia,  Soaemias, 
Etruscilla,  Cornelia  Supera,  and  others.  With 
some  of  the  Augusta:,  the  inscription  (in  the 
dative  case)  was  simply  a dedication  of  the 
medal  to  the  honour  of  the  goddess ; with  others 
it  was  a positive  appropriation  of  the  name  in 
flattery  to  the  Emperor’s  wife,  who  was  herself 
in  a concealed  manner  represented  under  the 
figure  of  Juno. 

Juno  Sospita,  or  according  to  the  more  ancient 
mode  of  writing  it  Sispita,  Juno  the  preserver ; 
also  called  Lanuvina  (see  above),  because  she 
had  a temple  and  statue  at  Lanuvium.  On  a 
coin  of  the  Procilia  family  she  has  on  her  tunic 
a goat-skin,  which  also  serves  as  the  covering 
of  her  head.  The  points  of  her  shoes  are 
turned  up,  after  a fashion  which  was  renewed  in 
the  twelth  century  of  the  Christian  era.  She  is 
armed  with  a buckler  and  a lance  to  defend  the 
people  under  her  protection.  The  serpent  which 
is  at  her  feet  is  a symbol  of  the  health  and 
safety  which  they  owe  to  her,  and  also  serves  to 
typify  the  serpent  to  which  a young  girl  of 
Lanuvium  went  every  year  to  offer  it  nourish- 
ment in  its  cavern.  This  denarius  was  struck 
by  I.  Procilius  whilst  he  was  monetary  triumvir. 
He  chose  this  type  because  his  family  was 
originally  of  Lanuvium,  where  he  perhaps  pos- 
sessed the  estate  called  Prociliana,  and  by 
corruption  Porcilien,  which  has  become  cele- 
brated for  the  great  number  of  monuments  dis- 
covered there. — See  Procilia. 

Juno  Sospita  crowning  an  Augur,  is  seen  on 
a denarius  of  the  Cornuficia  family,  bearing  the 
inscription  of  Q.  cornvfici.  avgvr.  imp. — For 
by  an  institution  of  Nurna,  perpetuating  a 
most  ancient  ceremony  of  the  Aborigines,  a 
goat  was  sacrificed  at  the  altar  of  Juno,  in  the 
presence  of  an  Augur,  as  appears  from  a dena- 
rius of  Liciuius  Varus ; whence  Juno  Sospita 
herself  is  made  to  place  a crown  on  the  head  of 
Quintus  Cornuficius,  standing  in  his  augural 
robes  and  with  his  lituus  of  office.  The  Em- 
peror Trajan  restored  this  numismatic  monu- 
ment, relating  to  the  religion  and  to  the  history 
of  times  long  antecedent  to  his  own. 

IVNONI  SOSPITAE— and  SISPITAE.— 
On  first  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius  and  of  Com- 
modus,  the  former  legend  spelt  Sospitac,  the 


latter  Sfspitac,  the  Goddess  appears  with  goat- 
skin and  horns  on  her  head,  and  casting  a 
javelin,  having  a serpent  before  her. 


498  JUPPITER  GUSTOS. 


JUSTINIANUS. 


Juno  Sarnia. — The  Samian  Juno,  so  called 
from  the  island  of  Samos,  where  she  was  (also 
as  Pronuba ) worshiped  with  great  devotion.  A 
figure  of  the  Goddess  in  question,  standing  with 
an  ear  of  corn  at  her  feet,  appears  on  a silver 
medallion  of  Hadrian,  with  the  legend  cos.  in. 
a legend  very  common  on  that  Emperor’s  silver 
coins. 

Juppiler  and  Jupiter. — On  coins  this  name  is 
spelt  both  without  and  with  the  double  P. 

IVPPITER  CVSTOS— 1VPP1TER  LIBE- 


RATOR.— Jupiter  seated,  holds  the  thunder- 
bolt in  his  right  hand  and  a spear  in  his  left. 

The  above  two  legends  (with  the  double  p), 
accompanied  hv  the  same  type,  appear  on  gold 
and  silver  of  Nero. — “ It  is  very  probable  (says  | 
Eekhel)  what  Vaillant  thinks,  that  these  coins 
were  struck  on  the  occasiou  of  the  tyrant’s 
escape  from  the  conspiracy  of  l’iso,  about  the 
year  of  Rome  818,  under  the  peril  of  which  he 
acknowledges  the  interposing  guardianship  of 
Jupiter  the  Protector  and  the  Liberator.  It 
appears  that  Nero,  after  the  defeat  of  that  plot 
against  his  life,  consecrated  in  the  Capitol  the 
dagger  which  had  been  aimed  at  him,  and  in- 
scribed it  iovi  vindici. — The  Greek  colonics  of 
Patras  and  of  Corinth,  were  also  induced,  in 
consequence  of  this  danger,  to  inscribe  on  their 
coins  under  Nero,  ivppiter  liberator. — See 
Patrcc  col.  in  which  he  is  represented  standing 
with  Eagle  in  right  and  hasta  in  left  hand. — 
And  not  only  with  Nero,  hut  also  with  others, 
at  the  same  period,  was  Jupiter  the  Liberator 
held  in  honour,  though  from  different  causes. 
For  Seneca  and  Thraseas  Paitus,  doomed  by  that 
sanguinary  monster  to  sutFer  death,  sprinkling 
around  the  blood  from  their  opened  veins,  ex- 
claimed tibemus  Jovi  Liberatori. — See  Jupiter. 

Jus  appettandi  or  provocandi  — The  exercise 
of  this  privilege  is  well  represented  on  a coin  of 
the  Porcia  family,  on  the  obverse  of  which  there 
is  the  head  of  Rome  helmeted,  with  the  in- 
scription Publius  laeca  roma  : on  the  reverse 
is  a figure  in  a military  dress  between  two 
others,  of  whom  the  otic  on  the  right  hand  is 
togated,  or  in  the  habit  of  a Roman  citizen, 
over  the  head  of  which  the  other  extends  his 
hand  ; on  the  left  is  a Lictor  with  rods  : in  the 
exergue  we  read  provoco. — See  porcia  family. 
— This  medal  is  a monument  of  a law  carried  by 
a Tribune  of  the  People,  called  the  Lex  Porcia, 
that  no  citizeu  of  Rome  should  be  beaten  with 
rods.  The  advantages  of  this  law  have  been 
attested  by  many  writers ; anil  especially  by 
Ciccro. — On  another  coin  of  the  same  family 
is  found  a monument  of  this  Tribune  in  the 
safety  of  the  main  liberty  of  Roman  citizens. 
The  obverse  of  this  is  nearly  like  the  one  above 
described ; but  on  the  reverse  appears  the 
Goddess  of  Liberty  with  the  pi/eus  or  bonnet  in 
her  right  hand,  and  with  a spear  in  her  left, 
standing  in  a quadriga,  and  crowned  by  a figure 
of  Victory.  The  legend  is  Murruj  PORCiiw 
ROM  A.  ‘ 

IVSSV.  RICIIIARI.  REGES.  fsie.J— This 
memorial  of  Rirhiarus,  king  of  the  Suevi, 
appears  on  the  reverse  of  a silver  medal  of  i 


Ilonorius.  It  is  inscribed  round  a garland, 
within  which  is  a cross,  between  the  letters 
B.  R. 

This  singular  coin  was  first  published  in  the 
Catalogue  of  the  D’Enucry  Cabiuet  (p.  .893),  the 
author  of  which  adds  that  it  was  found  at 
Tolosa  (Toulouse),  where  reigned  Thcodoricus, 
King  of  the  Goths,  who,  about  the  year  449, 
gave  his  daughter  in  marriage  to  Rechiarius, 
son  of  Rcchila,  King  of  the  Suevi. — Taniui, 
who  republishes  the  same  coin,  merely  adds  : 
Richiarius  Suecorum  rex  in  monument  am  pads 
hunc  singularem  minimum  percutere  jussit. — 
“ That  celebrated  collection  (says  Eekhel  in  his 
note  on  this  subject),  well  deserved  to  have  been 
more  thoroughly  examined,  nor  ought  it  to  have 
been  so  loosely  asserted  that  the  medal  in  question 
was  struck  by  Rechiarius,  the  son-in-law  of 
Thcodoric.  The  former,  according  to  Idacius 
and  the  Chronicle  of  Isidoms,  became  Kiug  of 
the  Suevi,  in  Spain,  in  the  year  447 ; but 
Ilonorius,  to  whom  the  coin  is  inscribed,  had 
already  paid  the  debt  of  nature  (423).  This 
coin,  therefore,  must  necessarily  belong  to  some 
King  of  the  Suevi  of  the  same  name,  who, 
during  the  reign  of  Honorius,  might  have 
obtained  kingly  power  over  his  countrymen,  or 
a portion  of  them,  and  to  whom  it  may  have 
seemed  fit  thus  publicly  to  honour  this  emperor. 
In  the  same  manner  at  a later  period,  the 
Gothic  Kings  of  Italy  adopted  the  practice  of 
placing  the  heads  of  the  Emperors  of  the  East 
on  their  coinage,” 

Mionnct  gives  the  above  coin,  as  from  the 
cabiuet  of  M.  Gosselin,  and  observes — Cette 
medaiUe  unique  paroit  etre  le  seal  monument 
que  Von  ait  des  Suttees. 

I VST.  Just  a. — I VST.  VENER.  MEMOR. 
— Justa  Veneranda  Memorue  (Sotuta  beiug 
understood). — Legend  on  a coin  of  Constantine, 
mentioned  by  Bimard  in  his  notes  on  Joubert, 
vol.  i.  p.  283. — See  also  Eekhel,  vol.  viii. 
p.  93. 

Justinianus  I.  (T/acins  AnidusJ,  born  in  the 
district  of  Bederiana,  or  in  the  town  of  Tauresium, 
near  Bederiana,  in  Illyria,  A..D.  483,  was  the 
nephew  of  Justinus  the  First,  by  his  sister 
Vigilantia,  the  divorced  wife  of  Sebatius,  and 
adopted  by  his  uncle  in  527,  succeeded  to 
the  empire  a few  mouths  afterwards.  He  was  a 
prince  of  weak,  ungenerous,  vain,  and  heart- 
less character;  whose  reign,  though  marked 
by  events  of  honour  to  the  Roman  name,  was 
no  less  stained  by  the  Emperor’s  mennuess 
under  adversity,  overhearing  arrogance  in  more 
prosperous  circumstances ; aud,  worst  of  all,  by 
his  ingratitude  to  Belisariua,  the  most  illustrious 
of  his  many  able  generals.  Of  a studious  dis- 
position, his  talents  for  jurisprudence  linvc 
served  more  than  his  princely  virtues  to  hand 
down  his  name  to  posterity.  For,  by  his 
command,  all  the  laws,  as  well  as  edicts  of 
sovereigns,  and  the  opinions  of  jurisconsults, 
were  collected  into  one  body,  nfterwards  digested 
into  those  celebrated  volumes  called  the  codex, 
pandects,  institutions,  Ac.  Before  his  death 
(a.d.  5C5),  he  made  a fifty  years’  truce  with 


JUSTINUS. 

Chosroes,  King  of  the  Persians,  which,  how- 
ever, that  scourge  of  the  Romaus  broke  under 
Justinian’s  imprudent  successor,  Justinus  the 
Secoud. 

Justinianus  is  styled  on  his  coins  d.  n. 
ivstixianvs.  p.p.  avo.  and  appears,  after  the 
mauncr  of  Coustautinopolitan  Emperors,  crowned 
with  a gemmed  diadem.  His  brass  coins  are 
common ; silver  and  gold  less  so.  An  unique 
gold  medallion  exhibits  his  full-faced  bust 
on  one  side;  and  his  equestrian  figure  with 
sai.vs  and  glouia  eomanorvm,  on  the  re- 
verse.— See  Mionnet. 

Justinus  I.  born  of  a peasant  family  at 
Bcdcriana,  in  Thrace,  in  the  year  450,  and 
employed  dining  his  earliest  years  in  the  lowest 
occupations,  lie  travelled  to  Constantinople  in 
his  sixteenth  year,  and  there  exchanged  his 
ragged  garments  for  the  dress  and  arms  of  a 
soldier.  His  striking  figure  recommended  him 
to  one  Emperor,  and  his  military  qualities  to 
another,  till  at  length,  by  dint  of  cunning  and 
courage  united,  the  poor  cottager’s  half-starved 
son  contrived  to  mount  the  first  throne  of  the 
east. — On  the  death  of  Anastasius,  whose 
Prietorian  prefect  he  had  become,  A.n.  518,  he 
was  proclaimed  emperor  at  Constantinople. — 
Considering  his  origin,  it  is  not  surprising  if  his 
natural  abilities  proved  greater  than  his  educa- 
tional acquirements.  In  fact,  he  could  neither 
write  nor  read.  But,  says  .Beauvais,  “ The 
mildness  of  his  character,  the  affability  of  his 
deportment  towards  his  subjects,  the  justice 
with  which  he  governed  them,  his  zeal  (carried, 
however,  to  a rigorous  excess  against  the  Arians) 
for  the  purity  of  the  Christian  faith,  marked  the 
course  of  his  reign,  and  have  entitled  him  to  a 
place  in  the  rank  of  good  princes.” — In  526, 
Cabadcs,  king  of  Persia,  having  broken  the 
peace  which  subsisted  between  the  two  empires, 
Justin  sent  against  him  an  army  commanded  by 
the  celebrated  Belisarius,  who  marched  vic- 
toriously into  the  heart  of  Persia;  but  the 
Emperor  did  not  see  the  end  of  that  war,  for  he 
died  on  the  first  of  August,  527,  having  a few 
months  before  associated  his  nephew  Justinianus 
in  the  government.  He  had  no  children  by  his 
wife,  named  Eufemia. — On  his  coins  (which  are 
common  in  gold,  with  his  head  only,  and  in 
brass  of  every  size ; but  rare  in  silver,  and  very 
rare  with  his  figure  and  that  of  Justinian)  he  is 
styled  d.n.  ivstinvs  p.p.  avg. — On  the  reverses 
of  some,  appear  the  monograms  of  Theodoricus 
and  of  Athalaricus,  kings  of  the  Ostrogoths. 

Justinus  II.  (Flavius  Anicius),  who  had 
held  the  office  of  master  of  the  palace  to 
his  uncle  Justinianus,  was  the  son  of  Dulcissi- 
mus  and  Vigilantia,  and  became,  by  succession, 
Emperor  of  the  East,  a.d.  565.  A weak  and 
imprudent  prince,  addicted  to  pleasure,  and 
selfish  in  policy,  he  re-called  and  ill-treated 
Narscs,  his  predecessor’s  wise  general,  and 
conqueror  of  the  Goths  in  Italy ; who,  in 
revenge,  invited  the  Lombards  (Lonyobardi) 
into  Italy,  which  that  Scandinavian  people  over- 
ran, with  200,000  fighting  men,  making  them- 
selves masters  of  the  greatest  portion  of  that 
3 S 2 


JUSTIT1A.  499 

country,  a.d.  568. — Italy  lost,  Justin  had  to 
struggle  with  the  increasing  difficulties  of  a 
Persian  war,  and  died  in  the  midst  of  it,  a 
Pelagian  heretic,  in  the  year  of  Christ  578, 
and  the  thirteenth  of  his  reign,  having  appointed 
Tiberius  as'  his  successor. — He  is  numismatically 
styled  d.n.  ivstinvs.  inn.  pp.  avg.  His  coins 
in  yold  are  common,  except  those  with  title  of 
junior,  and  with  the  legend  of  Gabalorum ; 
silver  are  very  rare ; brass  are  common,  except 
those  on  which  his  name  is  conjoined  to  that  of 
his  truculent  and  imperious  wife  sopiiia. — “ The 
coins,  however  (says  Akerman),  of  Justinus  the 
Second  arc  difficult  to  distinguish  from  those  of 
the  elder  Justinus ; but  those  which  are  supposed 
to  belong  to  the  latter  arc  more  common  than 
the  others.” 

Justitia,  the  virtue  that  renders  to  everyone 
his  own  (suurn  cuique).  On  coins  of  the  Roman 
mint,  struck  under  the  Emperors  Tiberius, 
Ncrva,  Hadrian,  Antoninus  Pius,  Pesecunius 
Niger,  Sept.  Severus,  and  Alexander  Severus, 
Justitia,  or  Justitia  Auyusti,  is  represented 
under  the  type  of  a woman,  standing  with 
patera,  sceptre,  hasta,  or  rudder,  in  her  hands ; 
or,  like  aeqvitas,  sitting  with  balance  in  one 
hand,  and  holding  the  hasta  pura  in  the  other, 
or  a cornucopia:. 

IVSTITIA. — On  a gold  coin  of  Hadrian’s, 
Justice  is  seated  on  the  curule  chair,  as  on  a 
tribunal : with  the  insignia  of  the  hasta  pura 
and  the  extended  patera  she  displays  her  care 
for  religion. — The  head  of  this  goddess,  whose 
other  name  is  Themis,  appears  adorned  with  the 
diadem  on  a coin  of  the  Mamitia  family,  iu 
memory  of  a law  made  respecting  boundaries  or 
land  marks. 

IVSTITIA. — On  a second  brass,  Livia,  or 
Julia,  appears  with  the  name,  and  after  the 
form  of  Justitia.  It  is  one  of  three  medals  on 
which  the  mother  of  Tiberius  is  represented 
under  the  figure,  or  attributes  of  different 
Divinities.  She  is  called  on  the  first,  salvs 
avgvsta  ; on  the  second,  ivstitia  ; on  the 
third,  piet as.  These  medals  were  struck  under 
Tiberius;  the  two  latter  were  afterwards  restored 
by  Titus. 

IVV.  Juventutis. — PRINceps  YfN entvtis. — 
See  the  w'ords. 

IVYENTAS — IVVENTA — IVVENTVS. — 
The  Goddess  Juvenlas,  or  of  Youth,  the  same 
with  her  who  was  called  Hebe  by  the  Greeks,  is 
thus  made  by  Ovid  to  perform  the  office  of  cup 
bearer  at  the  feasts  of  the  Gods : — 

Nectar,  ct  ambrosiam,  latiees,  epulasque,  deorum 
Dct  mihi  formosa  nava  Juventa  manu. 

Pontic.  Epist.  I.  x.  11. 

There  was  a temple  of  Juventas  at  Rome, 
where,  by  a very  ancient  custom,  money  was 
deposited  by  those  who  assumed  the  toya  viri/is. 

After  Antoninus  Pius,  adopting  M.  Aurelius, 
had  nominated  him  as  his  successor,  a medal 
was  struck,  on  the  obverse  of  which  we  see  M. 
Aurelius  having  the  dowyn  merely  on  his  cheeks, 
and  with  the  inscription  avk.  cae.  avg.  pii.  f., 
| and  on  the  reverse  a crown,  writhin  which  is  the 


600  JI7VENTAS. 

word  IWENTVS,  or  in  some  coins  IVTENTAS ; 
and,  below,  s.  C. — Antonio  Agostini  believes 
that  this  medal  was  struck  in  remembrance  of 
that  important  day  when  the  beard  of  Aurelius 
was  first  submitted  to  the  tonsor’s  operation, 
and  the  downy  fruits  were,  according  to 
established  usage,  consecrated  to  this  same 
goddess. — Allusive  to  the  same  event,  there  are 
the  coins  in  which  Juventas  stands  under  the 
figure  of  a woman  placing  frankincense  on  a 
candelabrum,  with  her  right  hand,  and  holding 


a patera  in  her  left,  as  here  shown  from  a second 
brass  coin  of  Marcus  Aurelius. 

1VVENTAS.  S.  C— On  a first  brass  of  M. 
Aurelius,  bearing  this  legend,  the  type,  instead 
of  the  goddess  above  described,  presents  the 
figure  of  a young  man,  in  a short  dress,  stand- 
ing with  a branch  in  one  hand,  and  a ha.it a in 
the  other,  near  a trophy. 

The  type  of  a young  man  standing  with  a 
spear  near  a trophy  is  frequently  seen  on  coins 
of  subsequent  reigns,  with  the  accompanying 
legend  of  phinceps  iwentvtis  ; and  this, 
perhaps,  was  intended  to  represent  the  statue 
dedicated  to  M.  Aurelius  as  Prince  of  the  Roman 
youth. 

IVVENTA  IMPERII. — This  legend  appears 
on  a denarius  of  Caracalla,  on  the  reverse  of 
which  the  Emperor  stands,  in  military  garb, 
holding  a globe  surmounted  by  Victory,  and  a 
spear  ; a captive  crouching  at  his  feet. 

Caracalla,  says  Vaillant,  when  his  father 
Sevcrus  had  already  become  an  old  man,  was 
called  Juventa  Imperii,  the  youth  of  the  empire, 
because  great  hope  was  entertained  of  him  in  his 
early  years.  Thus  we  see  him  represented  on 
this  coin  with  a Victory  in  his  hands,  having,  in 
conjunction  with  his  father,  conquered  the 
Parthians,  as  the  captive  at  his  feet  serves  to 
testify.  Hence  also  on  another  silver  coin  of 
this  ferocious  prince,  struck  during  the  reign  of 
his  scarcely  less  truculent  sire,  he  is  fondly 
called  Imperii  Fe/icitas. 

Juventia ; this  family  is  scarcely  to  be  classed 
amongst  those  of  the  Romans.  The  colony  of 
Ccrsar-Augusta  exhibits  on  its  coins  the  names  of 
magistrates  who  bear  the  surname  of  Juventius. 
For  example  the  Luperci : ivvent  lvpehco 
llviR.  Juventio  Luperco  Ihiumeiro. 

Juventns. — See  PRINCEPS  IWENTVTIS. 

IX.  Numeral  marks — as  imp.  ix.  &c.,  on 
coins  of  Augustus — lmperator  Non  urn  for  the 
ninth  time. 


LABARUM. 

K. 

K,  the  Kappa  of  the  Greeks,  and  the  tenth 
letter  of  their  alphabet,  very  seldom  appears 
amongst  Latin  letters,  and  then  only  in  small 
words.  On  Roman  coins,  with  Latin  inscriptions, 
the  K is  used  only  iu  the  instance  of  Karthago, 
as  felix  kart.,  and  that  not  always ; for  on 
the  well-known  coins  of  Severus  we  read 
indvi.gentia  in  cart. — See  the  legend. 

K and  C were  formerly,  from  similarity  of 
sound,  employed  indiscriminately  the  one  for 
the  other,  as  in  the  above-named  example — 
karthago,  kalendae,  &c.  But  though  this 
was  the  most  ancient  custom,  yet  in  inscriptions 
of  a subsequent  date  the  K.  was  relinquished 
and  those  words  remained  written  with  the  letter 
C.  In  later  times  the  K resumed  its  ascendaucy. 

K is  found  in  use  on  Latin  coins  of  the  lower 
empire,  viz. : kaa.  and  bka.,  on  medals  of 
Tacitus,  Florianus,  Probus,  Cams,  Numerianus, 
Carinus,  as  subsignationes  (or  monetary  under- 
signings.) — Tristan,  in  his  remarks  on  the 
Carthaginian  state,  has  attempted  an  interpreta- 
tion of  these  letters. 

L. 

L.  — The  eleventh  letter  of  the  Roman  alpha- 
bet.— A single  L is  sometimes  put  for  a double 
one,  as  apolini  for  afoi.lini.  Banduri  i.  p. 
157-  AQViuvsfor aqmllivs.  Seethe Aquitia 
family.— This  letter  is  used  as  a mint  mark  on 
many  family  coins. 

L. — This  letter  signifies  the  colony  called 
Laos,  or  Julia  Laos.  It  also  signifies  Legio 
(Legion),  or  Lucius,  or  Ludi,  the  public 
games. 

L.  on  a tablet  means  Libero.  Sec  the  denarius 
of  the  Coe/ia  family,  on  which  arc  the  letters 
L.  D.,  Libero,  Damno,  struck  in  memory  of  C. 
Coelius  Caldus. 

L.,  Lugdunum,  or  Lugduni,  the  city  of 
Lyon. — L.  p.,  Lugduni  Percussa  (money)  struck 
at  Lyons ; or  Lugdunensis  Pecunia,  money  of 
Lyons. — L.,  on  coins  of  Carausius  and  Allectus, 

Londinium. 

L.  is  a Latin  sign  for  the  number  fifty. 

LA.,  Latienus,  as  in  Postumus. 

Labarum,  a Romau  military  ensign,  which  is 
described  to  have  been  a more  distinguished 
species  of  veiitlum,  or  cavalry  standard,  and, 
like  the  rest,  was  an  object  of  religious  veneratiou 
amongst  the  soldiers,  who  paid  it  divine  honours. 

That  the  Labarum  dated  its  designation  ns  the 
imperial  standard  from  an  early  period  of  the 
empire,  is  a supposition  confirmed  by  a colonial 
medal  of  Tiberius  (dedicated  to  that  Prince  by 
Cttsarea  Augusta — Saragozza),  on  w hich  may 
be  remarked  the  form  of  tliat  ensign.  It  was 
originally  a kind  of  square  banner  of  purple 
bordered  with  gold  fringe,  attached  to  the  upper 
end  of  a long  pike  or  spear ; on  the  drapery  of 
this  banner  an  eagle  was  painted,  or  embroidered, 
in  gold  tissue,  and  it  was  hoisted  only  when  the 
Emperor  was  with  the  army.  But  Constantine, 


LABIEXUS. 
after  having  abandoned  paganism,  caused  a 
decided  change  to  he  made  in  the  ornaments  of 
the  labarum.  The  staff  of  the  pike  was  crossed 
at  a certain  height  by  a piece  of  wood,  forming 
a cross.  At  the  upper  part,  above  this  cross- 
piece, was  fastened  a brilliant  crown  of  gold  and 
precious  stones,  iu  the  middle  of  which  appeared 
the  monogram  of  Christ,  formed  by  two  Greek 
initials,  X.  P.,  joined  together  thus  T)  and 
often  accompanied  by  two  other  letters,  A. 

and  Cl.,  placed  on  each  side,  indicating  the  belief 
of  Our  Saviour’s  divinity,  in  the  words  of  St. 
John’s  Apocalypse,  as  noted  in  Eusebius’s  Life 
of  Constantine.  From  the  two  arms  of  the 
cross-piece,  hung  the  purple  banner,  richly 
ornamented  with  jewels  and  with  gold  embroidery. 
And,  instead  of  the  Roman  Eagle,  the  former 
object  of  the  soldiers’  idolatry,  Constantine 
caused  the  monogram  of  Christ  to  be  placed  on 
the  banner  also.  In  the  space  between  the 
crown  and  tjie  flag,  the  Emperor  placed  his  bust 
in  gold,  or  those  of  his  children.  But  this 
feature  is  not  engraved  on  the  medals. — Fifty 
chosen  men  were  charged  by  him  with  the 
appointment  of  carrying  and  defending  this 
sacred  standard  at  the  head  of  the  army,  when 
commanded  by  the  Emperor  iu  person,  and  were 
thence  called  Labariferi. 

The  Labarum  marked  with  the  monogram  of 
Christ  is  seen  on  coins  of  Constantine  the  Great, 
also  of  Constaus,  of  Jovianus,  of  Valentinianus, 
&c.  A vexillum,  or  cavalry  standard,  resembling 
the  Labarum,  appears  on  several  colonial  coins, 
such  as  Acci,  Antiochia  Pisidisc,  Cacsar-Augusta, 
&c. — It  is  also  found  in  the  left  hand  of  emperors, 
on  some  military  figures,  on  coins  of  Nero, 
Domitian,  Trajan,  Hadrian,  Antoninus  Pius,  M. 
Aurelius,  Commodus,  Sevenis,  and  other  princes 
anterior  to  Constantine,  with  whose  family  and 
successors  it  appears  on  coins  with  the  Christian 
symbols  to  the  end  of  the  imperial  scries. 

The  Labarum,  or  at  least  the  vexillum,  is  an 
attribute  which  accompanies  the  numismatic 
personification  of  many  of  the  Roman  provinces, 
viz.,  Africa,  under  Diocletian,  Maximian, 
Galerius,  Constantius  Chlorus. — Armenia,  under 
Marcus  Aurelius,  and  Lucius  Verus. — Britannia, 
under  Antoninus  Pius,  and  Sept.  Severus. — 
Cappadocia,  under  Hadrian,  and  Antonine. — 
Dacia,  under  Antonine,  Philip  sen.,  Trajanns 
Decius. — Ilium,  under  Caracalla. — Pannonia, 
under  Aelius  Cajsar. 

LABIEN\S,  a Roman  General  under  the 
Republic,  surnamed  Parthicus,  for  his  hav- 
ing conquered  the  Parthiaus,  is  thus  re- 
corded on  a denarius  of  the  Atia  family  : — Q. 
LABIENVS  PARTHICVS  IMP erator.—Rev. 
A horse  saddled  and  bridled. — This  coin  is  of 
the  first  rarity : in  gold  unique. — See  Atia. 

Laelianus  (Tjtpius  Cornelius),  one  of  the 
usurpers  in  the  time  of  Gallienus. — He  appears 
to  have  been  of  Spanish  origin,  and  when 
Postumus  was  slain  by  his  soldiers,  he  seized 
upop  the  government  atMaguntiacum,  (Mayence, 
in  Germany),  about  a.d.  267.  An  active  and 
very  courageous  man,  he  was  distinguished  for 
his  military  knowledge  aud  skill,  and  made  head 


L.  AELIUS  CAESAR.  501 

against  the  Germans  on  the  Rhine,  where  he 
fortified  several  towns  ; but  after  a few  mouths, 
in  the  midst  of  his  labours,  he  was  treacherously 
slain  by  his  troops,  at  the  instigation  of 
Victorious. — He  is  styled  imp.  c.  vlp.  cok. 
J.AELIANVS.  p.  f.  avg. — His  gold  and  base  silver 
are  the  rarest  of  all  the  coins  struck  by  the 
usurpers  in  the  time  of  Gallienus.  Those  in 
third  brass  are  also  rare. 

Mr.  Akerman,  in  his  “ Descriptive  Catalogue” 
(vol.  ii.  p.  63),  observes  : — “ The  names  of 
Laelianus,  Lollianus,  and  Aelianus,  are  used 
indiscriminately  by  historians,  who  appear  to 
apply  them  to  the  same  personage,  namely,  the 
usiu-per  who  assumed  the  purple  in  Gaul,  during 
the  reign  of  Postumus  in  that  country ; but, 
according  to  some  coins,  upon  which  the  preno- 
men is  different,  the  above  names  belong  to 
three  different  persons.  The  coins  of  Laelianus 
are  fully  authenticated ; not  so  those  ascribed  to 
Lollianus  and  Aelianus.” 

L.  AELIVS  CAESAR. — Lucius  Aelius  Casar, 
sou  of  Annius,  created  Csesar  by  Hadrian,  aud 
adopted  as  his  successor. — See  aelivs. 

Laetitia,  Joy,  or  Rejoicing,  is  personified  on 
many  Roman  medals,  and  characterised  by 
different  attributes.  This  Latitia  first  occurs  oil 
a gold  coin  of  Antoninus  Pius,  struck  in  his  fourth 
consulate  (v.c.  902),  under  the  figure  of  a woman, 
having  corn-ears  in  her  right  hand  and  an  apple 
in  her  left ; and  the  same  type  is  frequently 
found,  in  subsequent  reigns,  engraved  on  Im- 
perial coins,  with  various  additions  to  the  name, 
viz.,  Latitia, Avg.,  Temporum,Publica,Fundata, 
&c.  Nor  (says  Eckhel),  is  there  any  room  for 
doubt  but  that  sacred  rites  were  publicly  dedi- 
cated to  her,  the  same  as,  on  an  ancient  marble 
we  read,  were  paid  to  Jucunditas : — 

GENIO  IVCVNDITATI  MVSIS  FI.ORAEQ.  S. 

On  other  coins  she  appears,  sometimes  holding 
a sceptre  or  wand  in  one  hand,  and  in  the  other 
a croton,  because  in  public  festal  rejoicings  the 
people  were  accustomed  to  wear  crowns.  Some- 
times she  holds  a branch  of  a tree,  because  the 
verdure  of  boughs  and  branches  delight  the 
mind;  on  which  account,  during  public  occa- 
sions of  rejoicing,  the  houses  and  streets  of  a 
city  were  ornamented  with  them.— On  some 
medals  Latitia  holds  an  anchor,  to  shew  that 
the  cause  of  hilarity  was  of  a solid  and  lasting 
kind.  It  is  thus  that  we  see  her  represented  on 
coins  of  Gordianus  Pius,  Philip  senior,  Valerian, 
Gallienus,  Victorinus,  Quintillus,  Aurelian  and 
Severina,  Tetricus,  Floriauus,  Probus,  Carausius, 
Allectus,  Galerius. — Sometimes  Latitia  is  de- 
pictured standing,  with  a garland  and  a rudder, 
as  on  coins  of  Crispina,  Lueilla,  Severus,  Domna’ 
Caracalla,  Elagabal us,  A quilia,  Alexander  Severus, 
Mresa,  Philip  senior,  Tacitus,  and  Carinus.— 
On  other  medals  she  is  seated  with  the  same 
attributes,  as  we  see  in  the  case  of  Philip  senior 
— Sec  Hilaritas. 

. I V ^ DATs — W ell  founded  re- 

joicing—On  coins  of  Crispina  and  also  of 
Philip  senior,  with  this  inscription,  a woman 
with  a garland  iu  her  right  hand  ; and  in  her  left 
the  rudder  of  a ship  placed  on  a globe;  because. 


502  LAETITIAE. 


LAODICAEA. 


says  Oiselius  (Set.  Num.),  “ the  pilots  of  vessels 
direct  their  course  firmly  through  the  waves  of 
the  ocean  to  the  place  of  their  destination.” 
LAETITIAE  PVBLICAE—  To  Public  Joy. 


— Lmtitia  stands  with  corn-cars  in  her  right 
hand  and  the  hasta  pura  in  her  left : on  first 
brass  of  Faustina  jun. 

LAETITIA  AVG. — On  coins  of  Gallicnus, 
in  all  the  three  metals,  this  legend  appears 
with  type  of  a woman  holding  a garland  and  an 
anchor,  struck  by  order  of  that  voluptuous, 
heartless,  and  eccentric  emperor,  when  his 
father  Valerian  was  actually  groaning  under  the 
cruel  and  ignominious  captivity  of  the  Persians. 
— According  to  Pollio,  “ Gallieuus,  aware 
that  Macrianus  and  his  children  had  been 
slain,  and  that  his  father  was  still  a pri- 
soner to  Sapor,  in  fancied  security  against  con- 
sequences, abandoned  himself  to  lewd  plea- 
sures, gave  public  games,  aud  invited  the  people 
as  if  in  days  of  victory  to  festivity  and  re- 
joicing.”— Sometimes  the  legend  of  Latilia 
Augusti  (Joy  of  the  Emperor)  has  for  its  accom- 
panying type  a galley  at  sea,  with  rowers  pro- 
pelling it,  and  the  Emperor  standing  at  the  helm  : 
as  on  gold,  silver,  aud  brass  coins  of  Postumus. 


LAETITIA  COS.  IIII. 
Two  female  figures  stand- 
ing together ; one  holding 
corn-ears,  the  other  a globe. 
On  a gold  coin  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius. 


LAETITIA  TEMPORVM. — A galley  with 
sail  spread,  about  which  quadriga  are  running  ; 
and  many  animals. — This  unusual  type,  on  the 
reverse  of  a gold  coin  of  Sept.  Sevcrus,  serves 
to  illustrate  a passage  in  Dio,  wherein  that 
writer  referring  to  various  spectacles,  exhibited 
by  the  above  Emperor  on  his  return  from  the 
East,  and  in  which  a great  many  wild  beagts 
were  killed,  says — “ A receptacle  w-as  built  for 
them  in  the  amphitheatre,  constructed  in  the 
form  of  a ship,  so  that  150  (c.  d.)  wild  beasts 
might  be  received  into  it, 
and  at  the  same  time  be  at 
once  sent  forth  from  it. 

, The  ship  suddenly  falling  to 
pieces,  there  issued  out  of  it 
bears,  lionesses,  panthers, 
lions,  &c” — A gold  coin  of 
Caracalla  here  engraved 
has  also  the  same  reverse. 


LAETITIAE  C.  V.  S.  P.  Q.  R. — Laetiiia 
Clipeum  Vovit  Senatus  Populusq.  Romania. — 
This  appears  on  a first  and  second  brass  of  Corn- 
modus. 

Lanuvina. — Juno  with  head  covered  with  the 
goat-skin,  carrying  spear  and  small  shield,  and 
wearing  shoes  turned  up  at  the  toes. — See  Juno 
Sospita  or  Sispita. 

Lanuvina,  the  virgin  who,  according  to  the 
ancient  Campania  fable,  was  yearly  sent  to  offer 
a serpent  food  in  its  cave,  represented  on  a 
denarius  of  L.  Papius  Celsus,  to  shew  his  origin 
from  the  city  of  Lanuvium. — The  same  virgin 
is  seen  on  coins  of  the  Papia  and  Roscia 
families,  offering  food  to  a serpent,  which  is 
raising  itself  in  coils  before  her. — A bronze 
medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius,  in  the  Mus.  Pisan. 
i exhibits  a girl  standing  near  a tree  and  feeding 
a serpent  folded  round  the  trunk. 

The  Lanuvinian  serpent,  or  dragon,  coiled  in 
folds,  appears  on  coins  of  Poinponia  and  Papia 
families,  with  the  figure  of  a woman  near  it. 

Lanuvinium,  or  Lanuvium,  also  Lavinium, 
a municipal  and  colonial  city  of  Campania, 
whose  temples  were  restored  by  Antoninus  Pius. 

LAOCOON,  with  his  two  sons,  entwined  in 
the  folds  of  serpents,  appears  on  the  reverse  of 
a contorniate  medal  (in  the  Imj>crial  Museum  at 
Vienna),  having  on  the  obverse  the  head  of 
Nero,  and  the  legend  imp.  neko  Caesar  avg. 

Laodicea  Syria  (now  called  Ladkcyah  or 
Lafakia),  a maritime  city  situated  on  a peninsula 
towards  Phoenicia,  and  possessed  of  cue  of  the 
finest  harbours.  It  was  founded  by  Seleucus 
Nicator  (one  of  the  most  powerful  of  Alexander’s 
generals,  and  the  first  of  the  Selcucidie,  Kings 
of  Syria).  It  afterwards  received  many  favours 
from  Ciesar,  and  in  conscqucucc  took  the  name 
of  Julia,  about  a.  v.  c.  707,  from  which  time 
it  dates  its  new  epoeha  (before  Christ  48). — It 
struck  both  Autonomous  and  Greek  Imperial 
coins.  The  former  offer  the  head  of  Alexander  I., 
Bala,  King  of  Syria. — An  Imperial  Greek  of 
Hadrian  bears  the  name  of  Aradus,  in  token  of 
its  alliance  with  that  island  ; but  it  was  not  till 
the  reign  of  Sept.  Sevcrus  that  this  Laodicea 
became  a Roman  Colony.  By  the  same  Emperor 
it  was  constituted  a Metropolis,  and  invested 
with  the  privilege  of  striking  coins  with  Imtiu 
legends,  which  it  exercised  under  his  reign, 
(including  his  Empress  Julia  Domna),  and 
continued  to  do  so  in  considerable  numbers, 
under  the  succeeding  reigns  of  Caracalla,  Geta, 
Macrinus,  Diadumcnianus,  Klngabnlus,  Philip 
scuior,  Trebonianus  Gallus,  and  Valerian  senior  ; 
on  which  were  inscribed  col.  SEP.  aur.  i.aod. 
metro.  Colonia  Scp/imia  Aurelia  Laodicea 
Metropolis.  The  name  of  Scptimia  being  adopted 
in  memory  of  its  benefactor  Sevcrus,  and  the 
former  name  of  Julia  abandoned. 

Vaillaut  has  uot  enumerated  any  colonial 
medals  of  Laodicea  in  Syria  ad  mare,  struck 
under  S.  Sevcrus.  But  Pcllcrin  has  supplied 
that  omission  by  giving  engravings  of  three  fine 
large  brass  of  this  colony  dedicated  to  that 
j emperor,  viz. : — 

I 1.— IMP.  CAES.  L.  SP.  SEVERO  AVG. 


LAODICEA. 

T.  IVL.  AVG.  M.C. — Radiated  head  of  Severus, 
joined  with  that  of  Julia  Domna. — It  is  judged 
that  this  legend  should  be  read  IMP eratori 
CAESari  L urio  SeP  timio  SEVEUO  AVG  usto 
e T.  1 V Lia  AVG ustce  M atri  Castrorum. 

Reverse. — SEP.  LAOD.,  that  is  to  say, 
SFjV/imia  LAOD icea. — Jupiter  seated,  holds  a 
Victory  in  one  hand,  and  rests  his  other  hand 
on  a sj>car.  Under  his  chair  is  an  eagle,  llcfore 
him  is  a table,  on  which  is  a large  urn. 

2.  — Ou  the  second  medal  arc  the  same  legend 
and  portraits  outhe  obverse  ; and  on  the  reverse 
a figure  of  Silcnus  standing. 

3.  — The  third  coin  has  the  single  head  of 
Severus  on  its  obverse;  and  on  the  reverse  ANT. 
AVG.  GET.  CAE. — Caraealla  and  Geta  joining 
hands. 

The  following  are  also  amongst  the  types  of 
this  colony,  as  given  in  Yaillaut : — 

Temple. — On  a second  brass  of  Caraealla, 
which  bears  the  legend  of  col.  i.aodiceas 
metropoleos,  and  the  initials  A.  E. ; in  the 
field  of  the  coin  an  eagle,  with  its  wings  j 
spread,  stands  within  a temple  of  two  columns 
sunnounted  by  a dome. — The  same  reverse  J 
appears  ou  a coin  of  Elagabalus. — [The  eagle  in 
the  temple  is  considered  by  Yaillant  as  referring 
to  Jupiter  rather  than  to  the  llomau  empire. — 
ii.  38.] 

In  Vaillant’s  work  there  is  only  one  medal 
of  this  colony  inscribed  to  Caraealla. — Pellerin, 
however,  speaks  of  no  less  than  ten  others 
struck  under  the  same  emperor.  Among  the 
more  remarkable  of  these  he  mentions  those  that 
have  for  their  legend  aeternvm  bexeficivm, 
and  for  their  type  a measure  full  of  corn-cars ; 
also  those  attributed  to  this  city  which  repre- 
sent the  wolf  suckling  Romulus  and  Remus, 
with  the  legend  ROMAE  EEL. 

Laurel  Crown. — A small  brass,  inscribed  to 
Geta  as  Osar,  bears  for  legend  sept.  col. 
laod.  Metro.  Sept i mia  Colonia,  &c.,  within 
a laurel  wreath. 

[Laodicea,  as  has  been  already  remarked, 
computed  a new  era  from  the  times  of  Severus, 
to  whom,  deserting  the  cause  of  Pescennius, 
this  city  adhered,  during  the  brief  but  bloody 
struggle  of  those  two  ambitious  men  for  the 
imperial  throne.  The  consequence  was  that 
Pescennius  treated  her  with  the  greatest 
oppression  and  cruelty.  But  as  soon  as  he  was 
slain,  Laodicea  was  invested  with  the  colonial 
privileges  of  which  Severus  had  instantly  stripped 
the  people  of  Antioch,  who  had  sided  with  his 
rival.  As  Antioch,  however,  was  afterwards 
pardoned  by  Severus,  he,  as  if  by  way  of  com- 
pensation, made  Laodicea  a colony,  and  amongst 
other  great  privileges  allowed  it  to  assume 
Metropolis  for  its  second  title. — The  laurel 
wreath  alludes  to  the  victory  gained  by  Severus 
over  the  Parthians,  and  on  which  account  the 
title  of  Cicsar  was  conferred  upon  Geta  by  his 
father  — ii.  p.  57.] 

Diana. — On  a middle  brass  of  Elagabalus 
(ii.  82),  this  goddess  in  her  character  and 
costume  of  huntress  stands  in  the  attitude  of 
drawing  with  her  right  hand  an  arrow  from  the 


LAODICEA.  503 

quiver  which  hangs  at  her  back,  and  holding 
the  bow  in  her  left. 

[The  Laodiccans  of  Syria,  from  the  variety 
of  coins  which  they  dedicated  to  Elagabalus, 
a native  of  that  country,  seem  to  have  been 
among  the  first  who  proclaimed  him  Emperor. 
They  selected  Diana  as  the  type  of  this  reverse, 
doubtless,  on  account  of  her  being  the  object  of 
supreme  worship  in  their  city,  as  Lampridius 
records,  in  noticing  her  image  placed  in  the 
adytum,  a most  secret  and  sacred  place  of  her 
temple  there.] 

Diana  also  appears  on  a small  brass  of  Philip 
senior,  standing  with  bow  and  arrow  in  her 
hands,  and  with  two  stags  at  her  feet,  one  on 
each  side;  those  animals  being  sacred  to  her, 
as  Apollodius  affirms. — In  this  medal  the  goddess 
appears  with  the  tutulus  on  her  head,  and  clothed 
in  a long  tunic. — ii.  p.  162. 

T arreted  head. — On  a small  brass  of  Elaga- 
balus is  the  turreted  head  of  a female,  with 
the  legend  laodiceon. — On  another  of  the 
same  size,  is  the  same  head,  placed  within 
a temple  of  two  columns : in  each  are  the 
letters  A.  E. 

[Vaillant  gives  what  appear  to  be  sufficient 
reasons  for  regarding  this  type  as  representing 
the  Genius  of  the  City,  and  not  one  of  the  Dii 
majorum  gentium,  such  as  Pallas  and  Diana,  as 
l’atin  seems  to  consider  it. — ii.  82.] 

Wrestlers. — On  a small  coin  of  the  same 
Emperor  are  two  naked  Athletce  wrestling. — 
Legend  laodeceon 

[These  male  figures  indicate  certain  certamina 
or  public  sports  celebrated  at  Laodicea.  On 
such  occasions  the  competitors  for  the  prize 
were  stripped  of  every  particle  of  clothing,  and 
being  previously  annointed  with  ccroma  (oil 
mixed  with  wax),  they  contended  together  with 
mutual  grappling  and  lifting,  whilst  each 
endeavoured  to  give  the  other  “a  flooring.” — 
Hercules  was,  according  to  Pausanias,  the  re- 
puted institutor  of  the  Olympic  games. — There 
are  colonial  medals  of  Caraealla  which  inform 
us  that  the  certamina  o/ympia  were  perfonned 
at  Tyre ; and  this  coin  shews  the  probability  of 
the  same  contests  having  been  celebrated*  at 
Laodicea. — ii.  83.] 

Woman,  with  a tutulated  or  turreted  head, 
stands  holding  in  her  right  hand  an  eagle,  and  in 
her  left  a rudder,  on  a small  brass  of  Philip 
senior ; on  another  the  same  female  figure  ex- 
tends her  hand  but  without  the  eagle ; and  on  a 
third  she  appears  sitting  on  the  rudder,  holding 
the  handle  of  it  in  her  right  hand. — The  legend 
of  the  reverse,  on  all  three  coins,  is  col.  laod. 
or  LAODICEON  METROPOI.EOS. 

[The  woman  delineated  in  these  different  ways 
represents  the  city  of  Laodieea,  and  is  the 
Genius  loci,  adorned  w ith  towers  as  if  strongly 
fortified ; bears  a ship’s  rudder,  to  indicate  its 
maritime  site,  and  its  possession  of  a directing 
| influence.  As  a Roman  colony,  the  Genius 
of  Laodicea  holds  an  eagle,  the  symbol  of 
i Rome.  (The  port  of  the  city  appears,  from 
I the  description  given  of  its  ruins  by  Shaw, 
to  have  been  spacious  and  well  sheltered.) 


504  LAODICEA. 


LAODICEA. 


The  Genius  being  seated  on  the  rudder  (an 
unusual  mode  of  representation)  argues  the 
tranquil  state  of  the  colony  ; for  Laodicea  re- 
posed awhile  after  peace  had  been  entered  into  by 
Philip  with  the  Persians,  who,  occupying  part 
of  Mesopotamia,  threatened  Syria  herself,  and 
therefore  the  city,  in  congratulation,  inscribed 
these  coins  to  the  Emperor. — ii  168.] 

Woman  standing  with  tutulus  on  her  head 
and  clothed  in  the  tunic,  places  her  right  hand 
on  the  tiller  of  a ship’s  rudder,  and  in  her  ex- 
tended left  baud  holds  two  small  images. 

[The  personification  of  Laodicea  here  supports 
the  small  statues  of  Trebouianus  Gallus  and  his 
son  Volusiauus,  as  if  those  two  princes  were  the 
Genii  of  the  city,  in  like  manner  as  on  coins  of 
Phillipopolis,  Rome  seated  is  seen  bearing  in 
her  hand  the  images  of  the  Philips,  father  and 
son. — ii.  214.] 

SUenus. — On  a first  brass  of  Trebonianus 
Gallus,  struck  by  the  Laodiceans,  Silenus  appears 
in  his  usual  posture  and  with  his  usual  attributes, 
the  right  hand  uplifted,  and  the  goat-skin  bag 
on  his  left  shoulder. 

[This  type  shews  that  the  deified  tutor  and 
associate  of  Bacchus  was  worshipped  at  Lao- 
dicea.— ii.  215.] 

Wolf  suckling  Romulus  and  Remus. — This 
type  appears  on  a second  brass  of  this  colony 
struck  under  Macrinus,  omitted  in  Vaillant,  but 
engraved  in  Pcllerin  (Mel.  i.  pi.  xviii.  No.  11), 
with  legend  of  reverse  ROMAE  EEL — also 
on  a very  fine  first  brass  of  Diadumcnianus,  not 
noticed  in  Vaillant,  but  given  in  l’lauch.  xix.  of 
the  Melange , tom.  i.  No.  2. 

Women  with  turreted  heads. — On  a large 
brass  of  Elagabalus  struck  in  this  colony,  the 
reverse  presents  for  legend  col.  i.aod.  Metro- 
poleos,  and  for  type  a group  of  six  figures,  the 
centre  one  of  which  represents  a woman  with 
towers  on  her  head,  seated,  having  the  figure  of 
a river  god  at  her  feet.  Four  other  females 
standing,  two  on  each  side  of  the  middle  one, 
have  the  like  turreted  ornaments  on  their  heads, 
and  have  their  faces  turned  towards  the  woman 
who  is  seated.  In  the  field  of  the  coin  are  the 
letters  A E. — This  remarkable  and  elegant  medal 
is  described  in  Pclleriu’s  Melange , T.  i.  pi.  xix. 


No.  7. 


Quadriga. — On  a second  brass  of  Laodicea 
struck  under  the  same  emperor,  is  another  re- 
markable reverse,  allusive  to  the  stone  worship 
introduced  by  that  Syrian  priest  of  the  Sun 
into  the  city  of  Rome.  The  reverse  CO  Lon  or 
SEPri'mia  'Laodicea ; and  the  type,  a car  drawn 
by  four  horses,  on  which  is  the  image  of  the 
God  Elagabalus , represented  under  the  symbol 
of  a round  conical  formed  stone. — This  also  is 
engraved  in  Pellerin’s  Melange , pi.  xix.  No.  8. — 
For  further  explanation  of  the  type  see  con- 
servator. avo.  of  Elagabalus. 

Table,  with  urn  and  palms. — On  a second 
brass  of  Gordiamis  Pius,  with  legend  col.  1 
iieliop.  is  a table  on  which  is  placed  a large  I 
urn,  containing  three  palm  brauches. — Pellerin,  I 
Mel.  i.  pi  xx.  No.  11. 

Colonist  at  plough. — This  type  appears  on  a I 


second  brass  of  Philip  junior,  inscribed  to  him 
by  the  Laodiceans. 

Lapis,  a stone,  was  with  certain  oriental 
nations  of  antiquity  a symbol  of  divinity. 
(Jobert,  i.  p.  394 — 423.) — A stone  shaped  in 
the  form  of  a cone,  or  of  a pyramid,  and  placed 
in  a temple,  was  the  type  of  Venus.  And 
under  this  lapidary  form  Jupiter  himself  appears 
to  have  been  worshipped,  and  was  hence  called 
Jupiter  Lapis.  (Bimard,  i.  p 423.) — A huge 
stone  in  the  form  of  a mount,  and  placed  in  a 
car,  was  the  representative  of  the  Sun,  whom 
Elagabalus  worshipped,  and  by  whom  this  type 
was  impressed  on  silver  coins,  with  the  legend 
of  conservator  avo.  and  sanct.  dei.  soli, 
elagabal. — See  those  inscriptions. 

Lares,  household  gods,  who  were  supposed 
to  take  care  of  both  house  aud  land  ; and  hence 
the  Latins  called  them  Dii  familiares.  Each 
tutelary  deity,  chosen  by  a family,  received  this 
appellation.  They  were  at  first  worshipped  on 
the  domestic  hearth  (focus),  but  afterwards  in  a 
particular  chapel  or  oratory  named  the  Lararium. 
The  Lares  were  commonly  represented  under 
the  figure  of  twins  in  the  age  of  adolescence; 
still  oftener  as  young  men,  between  whom  was 
placed  a dog,  the  usual  house-guard. — There 
was  a more  than  ordinary  display  of  superstition 
among  the  Romans  with  regard  to  the  Lares. 
They  were  crowned  with  flowers,  and  at  each 
meal  a portion  of  the  victuals  was  served  to 
them,  no  one  daring  to  touch  it ; but  it  was 
burnt  in  honour  of  them.  Slaves  on  their 
emancipation  consecrated  their  chains  to  the 
Lares ; and  youths  arrived  at  manhood,  dedi- 
cated to  these  household  gods  the  symbols  of 
their  minority ; that  is  to  say,  the  golden  bulla 
as  children  they  had  worn  on  their  breast. 
Youug  women  did  the  same  when  they  married. — 
The  Lares  were  considered  to  be  the  guardians 
of  the  cross-ways.  And  Augustus,  according 
to  Ovid  in  the  Fasti,  decreed  that,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  spring,  the  cross- ways  (compita) 
should  he  adorned  with  chaplets  of  flowers. 

A denarius  of  the  Casia  family  (see  the 
word,  p.  197),  on  one  side  of  which  appears 
the  image  of  the  God  Vejovis,  represented 
in  the  manner  in  which  Aulus  Gellius  de- 
scribes it  at  Rome  near  the  capitol ; with  the 
letters  ap.  (Argentum  Publicum)  iu  monogram. 
— On  the  reverse  of  this  rare  silver  coin,  we 
see  the  legend  of  l.  caesi  ; and  the  type  consists 
of  two  juvenile  figures  with  spears,  seated 
together,  each  with  helmets  on,  the  upper  part 
of  their  bodies  naked  ; the  lower  part  clothed  ; 
with  a dog  between  them,  and  above  them  the 
bust  of  Vulcan,  with  forceps.  Iu  the  field  on 
one  side  is  la.  on  the  other  he.,  both  iu 
monogram — which  put  together  makes  lare  ; 
and  which  fully  warrants  the  supposition  that 
the  Vejovis  on  the  obverse  was  a god  chosen  as 
Lar  or  special  protector  of  L.  Cassius,  who 
caused  the  medal  to  be  struck. 

This  reverse  exhibits  in  the  seated  youths  two 
of  the  Lares,  whose  domestic  and  familiar 
guardianship  has  just  been  adverted  to;  and  to 
these  household  gods  the  head  of  Vulcan  is 


LARGITIO. 

appropriately  conjoined,  because  the  focus  or 
hearth,  whose  protection  was  religiously  assigned 
to  the  Lares,  was  moreover  sacred  to  the  God 
of  Fire  ( Volcanos J The  figure  of  a dog  seated 
between  them  refers  to  the  fidelity  and  domestic 
habits  of  that  animal.  The  composition  and 
union  of  such  objects  as  these  was  not  of  rare 
occurrence  among  the  Romans,  as  the  following 
words  of  Ovid  very  illustratively  shew  : — 

Pnestitibus  Maine  Laribus  videre  Kalends: 

Aram  constitui,  signaque  parva  deum 

At  canis  ante  pedes  saxo  fabricatus  codem 

Stabat.  Qua:  standi  cum  Lare  causa  fuit  ? 
Servat  uterque  domuin, domino  quoque,  fidus  uterque, 

Compita  grata  deo,  compita  grata  cani. 
Exagitant  et  Lar,  et  turba  Diania  fures, 

l’ervigilantquc  Lares,  pervigilantque  canes. 
Bina  gemellorum  qmerebam  signa  deorum. . . 

Fasti.  Lib.  v.  1.  129. 

In  Bandelot  de  Dai  real's  curious  work  entitled 
Be  I'utilite  des  Voyages , vol.  i.  p.  171,  the 
medal  in  question  is  given,  with  some  learned 
remarks  on  the  Lares  and  Penates  of  the 
Romans. 

LARGITIO,  a bountiful  largess. — This  word, 
indicative  of  the  Liberalitas  Imper atorum, 
occurs  on  a brass  medallion  of  Constantius  II. 
(son  of  Constantinus  Magnus),  on  the  obverse 
of  which  is  d.  n.  constantivs  p.  p.  avg.  ; and 
on  the  reverse,  the  Emperor,  crowned  with  a 
tiara,  sitting  between  two  figures  standing,  the 
one  hclmeted  and  in  a military  dress,  the  other 
wearing  a radiated  crown,  and  extending  the 
right  hand  to  Coustautius,  from  whom  it  appears 
to  be  receiving  something — with  the  epigraph 
of  LARGITIO. 

The  learned  differ  in  their  explanations  of 
this  very  rare  medallion. — Eckliel,  however, 
adopts,  and  apparently  on  the  better  grounds, 
the  opinion  of  Gori,  the  Florentine  numismatist, 
that  Constantinople  is  persouified  by  the  type  of 
the  woman  with  radiated  head  : that  the  female 
with  a helmet  is  intended  to  represent  Ancient 
Rome ; and  that  the  whole  relates  to  donations 
on  an  extensive  scale  distributed  to  the  troops 
aud  people  by  Constantius.  The  word  largitio 
is  introduced  in  this  instance  for  the  first  time 
on  coins,  instead  of  the  Liberalitas,  and  the 
Congiarium,  previously  in  use.  “ Iu  fact  (adds 
Eckhel)  this  was  the  term  peculiar  to  the  period 
in  question,  whence  the  expression  Comites 
privatarum,  or  sacrarum  largitionum,  &c.” 
[vol.  viii.  p.  117.] — See  abvndantia — libe- 
ralitas. 

Larices,  larch  trees. — For  the  fable  of  three 
nymphs,  sisters  of  Phaeton,  changed  into  these 
trees,  see  Accoleia. 

LARISCOLYS,  surname  of  the  Accoleii, 
from  the  abundance  of  the  larch  tree.  p. 
accoleivs  lariscolvs,  whose  name  appears 
on  a denanus  of  the  Accoleia  family,  is  believed 
to  have  been  appointed  monetal  triumvir  by 
Julius  Caesar. 

LAT.  otherwise  LATI.  Latienus : one  of 
the  prenomina  of  Postumus  senior. 

Latii  jus. — To  what  regions,  states,  and 
cities,  the  privilege  of  this  Latin  law  wras  con- 
3 T 


LAUREA  CORONA.  505 

ceded,  and  of  what  rights  it  consisted,  Birnard 
de  la  Bastie,  in  his  notes  on  Jobert,  has  shewn 
in  a very  able  and  diffuse  inquiry. 

Latium,  or  the  country  of  the  Latins ; a 
region  of  Italy,  between  the  Tiber  and  the  plains 
of  Circe,  a city  of  the  Volscian  territory 

Lavinium,  a city  of  Latium,  built,  according 
to  Servins,  by  Lavinius,  brother  to  Latinus, 
King  of  the  Latins,  under  whose  reign  iEneas 
landed  in  Italy. — For  an  interesting  illustration 
of  the  story  of  the  arrival  of  riiucas  on  the 
shore  of  Latium,  see  JEneas. 

Laurea  corona,  the  laurel  crown,  among  the 
Romans,  was  rightly  conferred  only  on  those 
who  had  acquired  pro-consular  dignity  ; nor  was 
it  granted  even  to  the  Ccesars,  unless  they  had 
been  invested  with  the  title  of  Emperor. — 
Respecting  the  laurel  crown  of  Julius  Casar,  Sue- 
tonius (in  his  “ Life”  of  him,  c,  45)  says  : “ He 
| manifested  much  impatience  under  the  blemish 
| of  baldness,  which  often  exposed  him  to  the 
! jest  of  malicious  detractors.  It  was  on  this 
account  that  he  was  desirous  to  remedy  the 
deficiency  of  hair  on  his  head ; and  of  all  the 
honours  decreed  to  him  by  the  Senate  and 
people,  there  was  none  which  he  more  readily 
received  or  more  freely  availed  himself  of,  than 
the  jus  laurea  perpetuo  gestanda — the  privilege 
of  perpetually  wearing  the  laurel. — This  state- 
ment is  confirmed  by  Dion  Cassius  (L.  xliii.) 
who  observes,  speaking  of  Julius — “Always 
and  everywhere  he  wore  the  laurel  crown, 
with  which  he  covered  his  head,  becanse  he 
was  bald.” — The  laurel  crown',  as  the  prin- 
cipal ornament  of  Augusti,  is  seen  for  the  most 
part  on  Roman  coins,  tied  with  a kind  of 
ribband,  which  they  employed  in  place  of  a 
diadem,  although  that  specially  royal  emblem  was 
itself  not  placed  on  the  head  of  an  Emperor. 

Augustus,  after  the  example  of  Julius,  by 
whom  he  was  adopted,  frequently  allowed  the 
laurea  corona  to  be  assigned  him.  Referring 
to  this  point  Dion  (L.  xlix.)  says — “ By 
unanimous  consent,  at  Rome,  among  other 
honours,  this  also  was  decreed  to  him  ut  semper 
lauro  coronaretur.” — Hence,  on  many  of  his 
coins  we  see  the  laurel  encircling  his  head. 
And  the  same  author  affirms  (L.  liii.)  that, 
in  addition  to  numerous  honours  already  con- 
ferred on  Augustus,  it  was  ordained  by  the 
Senate  and  people  that  laurel  trees  should  be 
planted  in  front  of  his  palace,  and  oaken  crowns 
suspended  on  them,  as  though  he  were  the 
perpetual  conqueror  of  the  enemies,  and  saviour 
of  the  citizens  of  the  republic.” 

In  memory  of  this  Senatorial  decree,  a gold 
coin  was  struck,  having  on  the  obverse  the 
naked  head  of  Augustus,  with  the  legend  of 
CAESAR  cos.  VII.  civibvs  servateis,  and  on 
the  reverse  the  words  avgvstvs  s.  c.  with  the 
type  of  an  Eagle,  whose  wings  are  expanded, 
and  who  stands  on  an  oaken  crown,  behind 
which  are  two  branches  of  laurel. — A denarius 
of  the  Caninia  family  bears  a type  which 
alludes  to  the  same  event. 

The  s.  c.  observes  Eckhel,  in  this  coin, 

“ shews  both  Ciesar  called  Augustus,  Senatus 


506  LAUREA  CORONA. 

Consul  to,  and  by  the  same  law  decreed  the 
oaken  wreath  and  the  laurels.  Illustrating  the 
voice  of  Pliny,  that  Augustus  having  put  an 
end  to  the  civil  wars  of  Rome,  accepted  a 
civic  crown  from  the  human  race.” — vol.  vi. 
p.  58. 

Dion  further  mentions  that  after  the  death 
of  Drums,  Augustus  carried  the  laurel  into 
the  temple  of  Jupiter  Feretrius,  prater  con- 
suetudinem  Romanam,  and  that  ascending  to 
the  capital,  he  took  otf  the  laurel  from  the 
fasces  and  placed  it  on  the  lap  of  Jupiter. — 

L.  liv. 

The  head  of  Tiberius  likewise  occurs,  on 
coins,  adorned  with  a crown  formed  of  laurel, 
which  sign  of  the  highest  rank  is  known  to 
have  devolved  to  him  from  Julius  Ciesar  him- 
self, although  it  is  also  known  that  he  wore  it 
as  a preservative  against  danger  from  lightning, 
conformably  to  “a  vulgar  error”  of  the  ancients, 
which  even  Pliny  adopts,  and  which  encouraged 
the  belief  that  the  electric  fluid  never  struck  the 
laurel.  His  predecessor  and  relative  Augustus 
is  said  to  have  had  the  same  dread  of  thunder, 
and  to  have  worn  the  laurel  for  the  same  reason. 
The  numismatic  portraits  of  succeeding  emperors 
are  crowned  with  laurel,  generally  tied  rouud 
the  head  with  a fascia  or  tillct,  of  which  the 
ends  hang  down  behind. 

The  laurealed  ornament  of  the  Imperial  head 
does  not  appear  beyond  the  reign  of  Constantine. 

It  is  indeed  found  as  far  down  as  on  coins  of 
his  son,  accompanied  with  the  title  of  Caesar ; 
but  afterwards  the  Augusti  assumed  the  diadem, 
the  use  of  which  Constantine  had  already  intro- 
duced, as  may  be  seen  ou  the  chief  portion  of 
their  coins. — -See  Diadem. 

Upon  a medal  of  Probus  we  see  the  laurel 
between  two  Victories.  The  laurel  appears  in 
the  hands  of  Pietas,  of  Securitas,  of  C/ementia, 
on  medals  of  Tiberius,  of  Helena,  wife  of  Con- 
stantius  Chlorus,  Ac.  Two  laurels  before  the 
paflace  of  the  Emperor  Augustus  are  given 
amongst  others  by  Oisclius,  plate  92. — The 
laurel  is  also  to  be  remarked  on  coins  of  the 
Asia,  Caninia,  Claudia,  Cornelia,  and  Junia 
families ; and  tbc  Emperors  Augustus,  Nero, 
Vespasian,  Domitian,  Nerva,  Ac.  The  same 
type  also  exhibits  itself  on  coins  of  Trajan, 
Caracalla,  Trcboniauus  Gallus,  Volusinnus, 
JSmilianus,  Valerianus,  Gallicnus,  and  Quiutillus, 
The  branch  of  laurel  is  sometimes  in  the  hand 
of  another  figure,  but  often  in  the  hands  of  the 
Emperor. 

The  laurel  crown  is  observable  on  coins  of 
colonics,  families,  and  emperors,  from  Julius 
Ciesar  to  Honorius,  sometimes  by  itself,  some- 
times containing  an  inscription  within  it ; at 
others  with  the  addition  of  emblems  ; or  placed  . 
on  the  head  of  a figure. — The  laurel  in  the  [ 
band  of  Victory,  or  of  Jove,  of  Minerva,  and 
other  figures  appears  ou  coins  of  the  Cordia,  | 
Julia,  and  Sallust  in  families  ; and  in  the  Imperial 
series  on  those  of  Claudius,  Nero,  Vespasian, 
Trajan,  Hadrian,  Antoninus,  Caracalla,  Ac. — 
The  laurel  in  the  beak  of  an  eagle  appears  on 
coins  of  the  Emperors  Geta,  Macrinus,  Gallicnus, 


LAURENTIA  NICA. 

Probus,  Licinius,  and  Julian  the  Apostate. — The 
laurel  branch  in  the  hand  of  Apollo  is  a 
frequent  type  on  coins  of  Trajan,  Caracalla, 
Trebonianus  Gallus,  Volusianus,  iEmilianus, 
Valerianus,  Gallicnus,  Quiutillus. 

L.  AVREL.  Lucius  Aurelius. — Sec  Corn- 
modus. 

L.  AVREL.  COMMOD.  GERM.  SARM. 
Lucius  Aurelius  Commodus  Germanicus  Sar- 
maticus. 

LAVRENTIA  NICA.— Amongst  the  Con- 
toruiate  medals  described  by  Eckhel  from  the 
Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna,  is  one  bearing  on 
its  obverse  the  head  and  superscription  of  Nero ; 
and  on  its  reverse  the  above  legend.  The  type 
represents  an  instrument,  composed  of  pipes 


ranged  in  regidar  order,  joined  together,  and 
descending  in  size,  as  the  pipes  of  Pan  are 
represented.  Near  it  stands  the  figure  of  a man 
holding  out  something  similar  to  a fan.  The 
legend  expresses  a wish  that  Laurcntius  (the 
organ  player)  may  succeed  or  conquer. 

All  the  learned,  in  explaining  this  and  similar 
medals  (of  which  Havercamp  has  given  engrav- 
ings in  his  Dissertatio  de  Nummis  Conlomiatis), 
agree  iu  pronouncing  the  type  in  question  to  be 
tiiat  of  a musical  organ,  thus  exhibiting  the 
image  of  a machine  already  known  to  the 
ancients,  and  which  serves  also  in  our  age  for 
various  uses.  This  organ  was  also  of  two  kinds, 
the  hydraulic,  which  was  worked  by  water,  and 
the  pneumatic,  in  w hich  bellows,  or  a ball  filled 
with  wiud  (follis)  was  employed.  Of  the  former 
more  frequent  mention  is  made  by  ancient 
authors. — “ Nero,”  says  Suetonius  (in  allusion 
to  the  eccentric  manner  in  which  that  prince 
trifled  away  time  which  ought  to  have  been 
devoted  to  state  affairs),  “ Nero,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  those  who  were  now  really  his 
greatest  enemies,  spent  the  principal  part  of  the 
day  in  shewing  the  first  men  of  the  city  certain 
hydraulic  instruments  ( organa ) of  a novel  and 
hitherto  unknown  description.” — Testimony  of 
a more  definite  kind,  adds  Eckhel,  is  to  be 
found  on  this  subject  in  Thcodorctus  (de  Pro- 
vident. Oral.  3.)  For  it  was,  says  that  writer, 
“ of  the  same  construction  as  the  organ  com- 
posed of  brass  tubes  (or  trumpets),  and  blown 
into  by  bellows,  which  when  put  in  motion  by 
the  fingers  of  the  player  produces  those  har- 
monic modulations.” 

It  would  seem  that  the  hydraulic  were  on 


LECTISTERNIUM. 

a small,  what  the  pneumatic  organs  were  on  a 
larger  scale. — “ Athenseus  (observes  Millin)  in 
the  chapter  wherein  he  treats  of  musical  instru- 
ments, speaks  of  an  hydraulic  organ,  and  in  a 
way  which  proves  that  it  was  sufficiently  small 
to  be  capable  of  beiug  transported  from  place  to 
place  like  the  hand  organs  of  our  Savoyards. 
The  same  passage  informs  us  that  the  people 
were  in  extacy  when  at  a fair  they  heard  un- 
expectedly an  instrument  of  this  description.” 

L.  CAN.  Lucias  Caninius. — Name  and  pre- 
nomen of  a man. 

L.  D. — Letters  inscribed  on  tablets,  exhibited 
in  a denarius  of  the  Coelia  family,  to  signify 
the  words  Libero  Damno,  in  giving  votes  at 
elections. — i,n,  a mint-mark,  Lugdunum. 

LE.  Lepidus, 

Lectisternium,  a species  of  sacrifice,  at 
which,  in  times  of  great  public  calamity,  the 
Gods  themselves  were  invited  to  a solemn  feast. 
Their  statues  were  taken  from  their  pedestals, 
and  they  were  laid  on  pulvinaria,  or  lecti.,  that 
is  to  say,  on  beds  prepared  purposely  for  their 
reception  in  the  temples,  with  pillows  under 
their  heads,  and  in  this  posture  they  were  each 
day  of  the  festival  served  with  a magnificent 
banquet,  which  the  priests  never  failed  to 
clear  away  in  the  evening.  There  were  tables 
set  out  in  all  the  different  quarters  of  the  city, 
to  which  every  one,  without  distinction,  was 
admitted.  The  festival,  whilst  it  lasted,  was  a 
signal  for  reconciliation,  and  an  occasion  of 
universal  good-will,  in  which  enemies  were 
treated  as  friends,  and  liberty  was  given  to  all 
prisoners  and  captives.  This  ceremony  was 
appointed  by  the  order  of  magistrates  called 
Quindecemvin  sacris  faciendis,  and  the  feast 
was  prepared  by  those  who  went  under  the 
appellation  of  Septemviri  epulones,  or  Epulones. 
The  first  celebration  of  the  kind  was  held  by 
Duumvirs,  in  the  year  356,  after  the  foundation 
of  Rome. — Livy  (in  his  xxii.  book,  cap.  x.)  gives 
an  account  of  the  most  splendid  leclisternia, 
reckoning  in  them  the  twelve  principal  cities. 
Turn  lectisternium,  says  he,  per  triduum 
habitum  decemviris  sacrorum  curantibus ; sex 
pulvinaria  in  conspectu  fuere:  Jovi  et  Junoni 
unum ; alterum  Neptuno  ac  Minerva; ; tertium 
Marti  et  Veneri,  quartum  Apollini  ac  Diana ; 
quint um  Vulcano  et  Vesta;  sextum  Mercurio 
et  Cereri. — The  word  lectisternium  signifies  the 
act  of  making  or  preparing  beds.  It  is  derived 
from  lectus,  a bed,  and  sternere,  to  raise, 
prepare,  spread.  The  word  also  designates 
sometimes  the  bed  itself,  on  which  was  placed 
the  statue  of  the  divinity  in  honour  of  whom  the 
above-mentioned  ceremony  of  the  lectistcm  was 
celebrated. — A true  representation  of  a lecti- 
sternium, with  the  recumbent  figure  of  Jupiter 
upon  it,  is  seen  on  a denarius  of  the  Coelia 
family,  with  the  inscription  l.  cai.dvs  virviR 
Epvl.  Septemvir  Epulonum. — In  further  numis- 
matic illustration  of  this  subject,  it  may  be 
mentioned  that  a medal  of  Caracalla’s,  struck 
by  the  colony  of  Sinope  (c.  I.  a.  v.  sinop.) 
exhibits  in  the  attitude  of  lying  on  a lectisternium, 
Jupiter,  who  has  a calathus  on  his  head,  an 
3 T 2 


LECTISTERNIUM.— LEGEND.  507 

eagle  on  his  right  hand  and  a hasta  in  his 
left. — The  same  deity  is  in  like  manner  figured 
on  a coin  of  Pergamus.  By  Jupiter’s  side  a 
woman  is  seated,  and  there  is  also  a young  man 
who  seems  to  wait  at  table.  * 

Lectisternium. — We  also  see  this  represented 
on  medals  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  Lucilla,  Alexander 
Severus,  and  Philip  senior,  whereon  Fortune, 
Isis,  or  some  other  female  figure  is  seated. — On 
a coin  of  Nero,  there  is  upon  this  prepared  bed 
of  honour  a woman  who  offers  food  out  of  a 
small  vase  to  a serpent. — Some  authors  consider 
this  figure  to  be  meant  for  Hygcea ; others  refer 
the  type  to  Agrippina,  mother  of  Nero,  who 
was  desirous  of  passing  with  the  Roman  people  for 
Hygcia  Salutaris — the  health-giving  Goddess. — 
On  the  medals  of  Vespasian,  Titus,  Domitian, 
&c.,  there  are  lectisterns  on  which  a thunderbolt 
is  placed.  Several  coins  of  the  Elder  Faustina 
present  a lectistern,  writh  a peacock  having  its 
tail  spread,  and  the  hasta  pura,  or  sceptre  of 
divinity.  These  medals  evidently  refer  to  the 
apotheosis  of  that  Empress,  the  wife  of  Anto- 
ninus, indicated  sometimes  by  the  word  ivnoni 
reginae,  in  others  by  that  of  consecratio. — 
A coin  of  Faustina  the  younger,  in  first  brass, 
saecvli  felicit.  s.  c.,  has  for  its  type  a 
lectistern,  on  w'hich  are  seated  two  young 


children,  viz.,  Commodus  and  Annius  Verus, 
who  were  twins.  The  same  legend  Saeculi 
Felicitas  (the  happiness  of  the  age)  occurs  also 
in  silver. — On  a coin  of  Septimius  Severus 
appear  the  lectisternium  and  the  corona  laurea, 
both  of  them  insignia  of  the  Emperor’s  con- 
secration. 

LEG.  Legatus,  a Lieutenant  or  Deputy. — 
l, eg.  avg.  pr.  r.  LEG atus  AXGusti  P ro- 
Vratore.  Lieutenant  of  the  Emperor  for  the 
Pnctor. 

LEG.  Legio,  the  Roman  Legion. 

Legend. — By  this  appellation  numismatists 
distinguish  the  words  engraved  on  coins  around 
heads  and  types,  from  the  inscription  which,  on 
the  contrary,  is  an  assemblage  of  wwds  that  hold, 
in  the  area,  or  middle,  of  the  medal,  the  place 
of  a type.  After  this  distinction,  it  may  he 
said  that  each  medal  bears  two  legends,  that  of 
the  head  and  that  of  the  reverse.  The  former 
generally  serves  no  other  purpose  than  to  make 
known  the  personage  represented,  by  his  proper 
name,  by  his  offices,  or  by  certain  surnames 
which  his  alleged  good  qualities  have  assigned 
for  him.  The  second  is  destined  to  publish. 


508 


LEGEND. 


whether  justly  or  unjustly,  his  virtues  and  his 
tine  actions  ; or  to  perpetuate  the  remembrance 
of  advantages  derived  through  his  means  to  the 
empire ; and  also  of  the  glorious  monuments 
which  serve  to  dedicate  his  name  to  immortality. 
Sometimes  great  actions  are  expressed  on  medals, 
either  in  a natural  manner,  or  by  symbols, 
which  the  legend  explains.  It  is  thus  that  on 
a medal  of  Trajan,  which  shews  that  prince 
putting  the  crown  on  the  head  of  the  Parthian 
King,  we  find  the  legend  to  he  rex  partuis 
dat vs.  (a  King  given  to  the  Parthians).  On 
the  other  hand,  by  a symbol,  the  victories  of 
Julius  and  of  Augustus  in  Egypt  are  repre- 
sented by  a crocodile  chained  to  a palm-tree, 
with  the  words : — aegypto  capta. 

A considerable  number  of  legends  arc  only 
the  explanations  of  symbols  which  form  the 
types  of  medals,  intended  to  proclaim  the 
virtues  of  priuces,  together  with  certain  events 
of  their  life,  the  honours  decreed  to  them,  the 
services  rendered  by  them  to  the  state,  the 
monuments  of  their  glory,  the  deities  they 
professed  in  an  especial  manner  to  worship,  and 
from  whom  they  believed,  or  pretended  to  believe, 
that  they  had  received  particular  protection. 
The  legend  of  a medal,  therefore,  is  (so  to 
speak)  the  key  to  its  type,  which  without  it 
would  sometimes  be  with  difficulty  explained. 
Amongst  Roman  medals,  the  types  of  those  of 
the  first  Emperors  are  always  studiously  chosen, 
and  applied  from  some  motive  which  the  legend 
reveals  to  us.  In  the  lower  empire,  on  the 
contrary,  the  same  types  and  the  same  legends  | 
are  continually  and  without  discrimination  re- 
curring under  all  the  Emperors.  The  legends  | 
which  express  the  benefits  conferred  on  the 
cities,  and  spread  over  the  provinces  of  the  ! 
empire,  are  generally  very  short  and  simple;  | 
without  being  on  that  account  the  less  mag-  I 
nificent;  such  as  conservator  vrbis  svae  (the 
saviour  of  his  city) ; kestitvtor  vrbis — \ 
hispaniae — gali.iae,  &c.  (the  Prince  who  has 
re-established  the  City,  Spain,  Gaul,  &c.) ; i 
saevs  generis  humani  (the  safety  of  the  j 
human  race) ; exvperator  omnivm  gentivm 
(the  conqueror  of  all  the  nations) ; roma 
kenascens  (Rome  reviving),  &c.  The  par-  | 
ticular  acts  of  public  benefit  conferred  by  the 
reigning  prince  are  sometimes  more  distinctly  | 
expressed  in  the  legends  of  Imperial  medals,  as  I 
HEMISSA  dvcentesima. — Legends  also  oeca-  [ 
sionally  point  to  events  peculiar  to  a province,  j 
when  they  are  represented  only  by  ordinary  | 
symbols,  such  as  a military'  trophy,  a figure  of  I 
Victory,  &c.  At  other  times  the  legend  speci- 
fically indicates  the  victory  and  over  whom  it 
was  gained.  Thus  on  a medal  of  Claudius  the  I 
legend  tells  us  of  the  glorious  reception  which  J 
the  soldiers  of  his  army  gave  to  that  Emperor. 
In  the  same  manner,  the  unusual  mark  of  favour 
shewn  to  Nero,  whilst  he  was  ns  yet  only 
Princeps  Juventutis  (Prince  of  the  Roman 
Youth),  in  admitting  him  a member  of  all  the 
sacerdotal  colleges  is  a fact  which  has  been  pre- 
served by  the  legend  Sacerdo s co-opt  at  us  in 
omnia  collegia  supra  numerum. — In  a coin  of  1 


LEGEND. 

Philip  senior,  there  is  this  legend,  pax  FVNTUTA 
cvm  persis  (Peace  concluded  with  the  Persians); 
by  which  that  Emperor  has  left  us  a monument 
of  the  pacific  treaty  which  he  made' with  the 
people  of  that  powerful  monarchy. — The  legends 
of  some  coins  shew',  as  has  already  been  hinted, 
the  professed  attachment  of  certain  princes 
for  particular  deities.  For  example,  we  become 
acquainted  with  the  marked  veneration  of 
Numerianus  for  Mercury,  from  the  circumstance 
of  several  medals  of  that  Emperor  exhibiting  on 
their  reverse  the  legend  PIETAS  AY  Oust i, 
round  a figure  of  Mercury. — Jupiter  was 
the  tutelary  deity  of  Diocletian ; and  we  see 
on  medals  of  that  prince  the  legends  of 
j IOVI  co.nservatori  ; iovi  propvgnatori  (to 
Jupiter  the  Preserver;  to  Jupiter  the  Defender). 
This  Emperor  also  took  the  surname  of  Jovius. 
— Gordianus  Pius,  having  gained  a battle  by  the 
firmness  of  his  soldiers,  who  would  not  abandon 
their  position,  caused  a medal  to  be  struck 
which  has  for  its  legend  iovi  statori.  The 
| good  fortune  of  the  Roman  Emperors  is  often 
j recorded,  in  a dedicatory  form,  on  their  coins. 

'llie  names  of  particular  legions  are  also  re- 
I corded  in  the  legends  of  medals  which  likewise 
I make  known  the  names  of  public  games,  the 
‘ vows  for  the  Emperors ; their  titles,  alliances, 
adoptions,  &c.  It  is  by  means  of  these  legends 
that  we  also  ascertain  how  long  their  gratitude 
lasted,  who,  having  received  the  empire  from 
| their  father,  or  from  their  predecessor  who  had 
adopted  them,  soon  afterwards  quitted  the  name 
and  quality  of  son,  which  they  had  at  first  most 
eagerly  assumed. — Trajan  began  his  reign  by 
joining  to  his  own  name  that  of  Ncrva,  whose 
successor  he  was  by  adoption.  Sometimes,  how- 
ever, cither  ambition  or  vanity  prompted  certain 
emperors  to  retain  and  even  to  assume  the  names 
of  princes,  whose  memory  was  cherished  by  the 
people.  Accordingly  we  find  that  of  Antoninus 
used  by  six  Emperors  down  to  Elagabalus.  The 
circumstance  of  this  name  having  become 
common  to  several  princes,  has  indeed  occa- 
sioned much  difficulty  in  numismatic  researches. 

The  natural  position  of  the  legend  is  along 
the  round  of  the  medal,  within  the  engrailed 
ring,  commencing  from  left  to  right ; there  are 
instances  also  in  w hich  it  is  read  from  right  to 
left  ; and  even  where  it  is  partly  to  the  left, 
partly  to  the  right.  Some  legends  appear  only 
on  the  exergue  (see  the  word) ; or  upon  two 
parallel  lines,  one  above  the  type,  the  other  at 
the  bottom ; sometimes  they  are  placed  across ; 
at  other  times  saltier- wise. 

LEG.  Legio. — Legion,  the  body  of  soldiers 
thus  named  by  the  Romans,  was  composed  of 
cavalry  and  infantry',  but  the  number  of  which 
it  consisted  differed  considerably  at  different 
cpochas.  Under  the  republic,  the  legions  were 
commanded  by  one  of  the  consuls,  and  by  their 
lieutenants.  Under  the  emperors  they  were 
commanded  by  a prefect  us  exercituum.  In  the 
earliest  ages  of  Rome,  when  the  number  of 
the  legion  did  not  exceed  three  thousand  foot- 
soldiers,  there  were  only  three  tribunes  in  each. 
But  when  afterwards  the  legion  was  augmented 


LEGIONS. 


LEGIONS.  509 


to  four  thousand  and  five  thousand,  that  of  the 
tribunes  was  carried  to  six ; and  on  a further 
increase  to  six  thousand  infantry,  the  number  of 
tribunes  was  increased  again,  even  to  sixteen. 
Each  manipu/us  or  division  of  two  hundred 
men,  had  for  its  chief  an  officer  named 
ducenarius ; and  he  who  commanded  a 
century,  or  one  hundred  men,  was  called  a 
centurion.  Each  legion  had  for  its  general 
ensign  an  eagle  with  stretchcd-out  wings.-1-  | 
The  cavalry  which  belonged  to  each  legion  bore 
the  name  of  al<e,  because  usually  placed  on  its 
flanks  it  formed  its  wings.  It  was  divided  into 
ten  parts,  called  turma,  as  many  as  there  were 
cohorts.  The  cavalry  of  the  Roman  armies 
were  heavily  armed ; but  made  no  use  of  spears, 
and  had  only  flat  saddles. — Among  the  Roman 
legionaries  under  the  republic  there  was  no  light 
cavalry  ; it  was  a species  of  force  known  only 
among  the  auxiliary  troops.  But  the  Emperors 
established  troops  of  light  horse  under  the  name 
of  sagittarii , or  archers,  armed  only  with 
sword,  bow,  and  quiver  of  arrows.  When 
the  legions  had  gained  a victory,  the  Roman 
eagles  were  adorned  with  laurels,  and  so  were 
the  standards  of  the  cavalry,  and  the  ensigns 
ou  which  the  portrait  of  the  Emperor  was 
placed,  and  before  w hich  perfumes  w'ere  burnt, 
as  a religious  ceremony. 

The  Legions  were  distinguished  by  the  order 
in  which  they  W'ere  respectively  raised,  as  prima, 
secunda,  tria,  (leg.  I.  II.  III.)  &c. — Previous  to 
the  time  of  Mark  Antony,  no  mention  is  made 
of  the  Legions  on  Roman  coins.  The  thirtieth 
(leg.  xxx.)  is  the  last  noted  on  the  denarii  of 
that  Triumvir.  The  series  up  to  xx.  is  perfect. 
From  that  to  the  thirtieth  there  are  several  gaps. 
The  twenty-fifth,  the  twenty-eighth,  and  the 
twcuty-ninth  are  not  to  be  found  on  coins.  The 
twenty-seventh  appears,  indeed,  ou  one  medal, 
but  its  genuineness  is  not  authenticated.  The 
twenty-second,  snrnamed  Primigenia,  is  found 
on  coins  of  Carausius. — Besides  the  denarii  of 
Antony,  of  which  an  example  is  here  intro- 
duced, we  find  the  number 
of  the  legions  marked  on 
coins  struck  under  the  Em- 
perors Severus,  Gallienus, 
Victorinus,  Carausius,  &c., 
as  well  as  upon  many  colo- 
nial medals. — It  is  to  be  re- 
marked, that  upon  the  coins, 
not  only  of  Mark  Antony,  but  also  of  many 
emperors,  the  indication  of  legions,  between 
the  numbers  twenty  and  thirty  were  incomplete. 
Their  number,  which  had  too  much  increased 
during  the  civil  wars  of  the  republic,  was 
diminished  by  Augustus. — Dion  Cassius  relates 
that  in  the  year  of  Rome,  758,  the  number  of 
legions  of  Roman  citizens  was,  according  to  some, 
twenty-three ; according  to  others,  twenty-five. 
Under  Alexander  Severus,  there  yet  remain 
nineteen.  As  to  the  legions  not  composed  of 
Roman  citizens,  the  same  author'  says  that 
they  had  been  either  totally  disbanded,  or 
amalgamated  with  the  other  legions  under 
different  emperors.  The  imperial  series  of 


Roman  coins  exhibit  the  number  of  the  legions 
no  further  than  the  twenty-second : the  seven 
following  are  not  mentioned  ou  them.  But 
the  thirtieth  is  again  found  on  medals  of  Severus, 
of  Gallienus,  of  Victorinus,  and  Carausius. 
Some  of  these  intermediate  legions  are,  how- 
ever, recorded  in  lapidary  inscriptions. 

Legions  were,  after  Augustus’s  time,  some- 
times designated  by  the  same  number.  Thus 
there  were  three  “ third  legions,”  distinguished 
from  each  other  by  the  surnames  of  Gal/ica, 
Cyrenaica,  and  Augusta ; also  two  “ sixth 
legions,”  the  one  called  Victrix,  and  the  other 
Ferrata.  The  Emperor  Gatba  raised  a Legio 
Prima,  surnamed  Adjutrix,  although  Nero  had 
already  formed  a first  legion,  called  Italica. 

With  regard  to  the  probable  motives  which 
led  to  the  inscription  of  legions  on  Roman 
medals,  it  may  be  observed  that  not  only  Mark 
Antony  and  Clodius  Macer  ; but  in  later  times 
Septimius  Severus  and  other  Emperors  were,  in 
certain  periods  of  their  career,  dependent  in  a 
great  measure  for  their  very  existence  on  the 
favour  of  the  troops,  whom  they  thus  sought 
to  conciliate. — On  colonial  coins,  the  legions 
were  numerically  cited,  either  in  consequence 
of  certain  veterans  belonging  to  these  legions 
having  been  sent  by  some  of  the  emperors  into 
those  cities ; or  because  the  particular  legions  so 
marked  happened  to  be  stationed  there.  Accord- 
ingly, on  coins  of  Emerita  (now  Merida  in  Por- 
tugal), we  see  leg.  v.  and  LEG.  x.,  correspond- 
ing with  the  fact  adduced  by  Dion  Cassius,  that 
a colony  of  old  Legionaries  was  established  in 
that  Lusitanian  city  by  Augustus.  The  coins  of 
Viminiacum  record  the  Fourth  and  Seventh 
Legions  (LEG iones  IV.  and  VII.)  as  having  been 
placed  there. — From  the  same  cause  the  coins 
of  the  Dacian  province  present  to  us  Legions  V. 
and  XIII. ; and  those  of  Egypt  LEGzo  II. 
Traiana — (the  Second  Trajanian  Legion.) 

Legions  derived  their  peculiar  appellations 
from  various  causes. — Whilst  the  republic  existed, 
they  were  almost  wholly  distinguished  by  their 
number  alone,  as  Legio  I.  II.  &c. — Some, 
however,  even  at  this  period,  received  their 
names  from  those  of  their  commanders.  The 
Legion es  Valeriante,  or  Valerian  legions,  were 
thus  denominated,  because  they  were  raised  by 
Cains  Valerius  Flaceus,  the  same  chief  who 
gave  the  name  of  Valeria  to  the  Twentieth 
legion.  On  the  denarii  of  Mark  Antony  we 
have  the  legions  called  Antigua,  Classica,  Lybica. 
Under  the  Emperors,  the  legions  received  titles 
derived  from  the  names  or  families  of  the 
reigning  princes,  as  Augusta,  Flaria,  Trajana, 
TJlpia,  & c.  Also  from  deities,  as  Minervia ; or 
from  regions,  as  Italica,  Parthica,  Macedonica, 
&c. ; or  from  some  event,  as  Victrix,  Adjutrix, 
Liberatrix,  &c.  Sometimes  the  legions  bear 
the  name  of  gemella  or  gemina.  But  of  all 
the  surnames  assigned  to  the  Roman  legions, 
none  are  so  common  as  those  of  Pia  and 
Fidelis. — Dion  fully  explains  these  names,  and 
shews  that  Ti.  Claudius  caused  the  Seventh  and 
Eleventh  Legions,  who  in  the  sedition  of 
Camillus  had  preserved  their  fidelity  to  him,  to 


610  LEGTOXUM  INSIGNIA, 
be  named  Claudia  et  Fideles  et  Pia,  by  a 
senatus  comult um. — To  this  may  be  added  the 
celebrated  marble,  adduced  by  Gruter  and 
Fabretti,  inscribed  under  the  reign  of  Commodus, 
on  which  C.  Vesnius  Vindex  is  called  trib. 

MIL.  LEO.  VIII.  AVO.  QVO.  MI  LIT  ANTE.  CVM. 
LIBERATA.  ESSET.  NOVIA.  OBSIDIONE.  LEGIO. 
PIA.  El  DELIS.  CONSTANS.  COMMODA.  COGNO- 

minata.  est.  Monumental  inscriptions  should 
be  studied  conjointly  with  coins  for  the  location 
of  the  legions  much  information  of  importance 
will  be  found  in  Horsley’s  Britannia  liomana, 
a standard  work  on  the  Roman  inscriptions  re- 
lating to  Britain  up  to  1732.  Gough,  Lvsons, 
and  others,  including  Wellbeloved’s  Eburacum , 
J.  E.  Lee’s  Caerleon,  and  the  Collectanea 
Antigua,  may  be  consulted  for  the  more  recent 
discoveries  in  Great  Britain. 

Legionum  Imignia. — Most  of  the  insignia 
of  the  Legions  may  be  seen  on  the  silver  coins 
of  Gallienus.  As  the  legion  was  composed  of 
hastati,  principes,  and  legionarii,  even  after 
the  form  of  the  Militia  Bomana  was  changed  by 
C.  Marius,  so  there  are  to  be  observed  on  denarii 
of  the  Claudia  family,  and  others,  three  military 
ensigns ; the  first  of  which  may  denote  the 
Hastati,  that  is  to  say,  those  who  formed 
the  first  line . of  the  army,  carrying  spears ; 
another,  the  Principes,  who  formed  the  second 
line  of  battle  array,  and  were  of  a more 
robust  age ; and  the  third  the  eagle  of  the 
legionarii  placed  in  the  middle,  between  the  two 
above  mentioned.  Upon  a second  brass  of  Galba 


arc  three  military  standards,  which,  from  being 
mounted  on  prows  of  galleys,  denote  the  two 
services,  the  army  and  the  navy.  The  eagle  is 
the  especial  symbol  of  the  legions.  The  legions 
were  divided  into  cohorts,  maniples,  and 
centuries.  To  the  second  of  these  the  hand, 
manus,  which  is  often  seen  upon  some  of  the 
standards,  may  apply. 

Legionarii. — This  is  the  name  given  to  the 
foot  soldiers  of  the  Roman  legions.  The  horse- 
men were  distinguished  by  the  appellation  of 
Equites.  Amongst  the  Legionarii  the  Velites, 
the  Hastati,  the  Principes,  and  the  Triarii  (see 
these  words),  held  a conspicuous  place,  as  has 
above  been  alluded  to.  The  term  of  sixteen 
years  was  the  period  fixed  for  the  service  of  the 
Legionarii.  Before  the  reign  of  S.  Sevcrus 
they  were  not  permitted  to  marry,  or  at  least 
to  have  their  wives  with  them  in  the  camp. 
The  military  discipline  of  these  troops  was  very 
severe.  They  led  a life  of  great  hardship,  and 
made  long  marches,  laden  with  heavy  burthens. 


LEIBERTAS. 

During  peace  they  were  employed  in  working  on 
the  fortifications  of  towns  and  of  camps,  as 
well  as  in  repairing  the  high  roads. 

LEGio  IV. — The  legionary  eagle,  between 
two  military  ensigns. 

Rev. — The  Praetorian  galley,  with  the  legend 
of  ANTonius  AVG«r  III.  VIR.  R ei  P ub/ica 
Constiluenda. 

Many  legions  are  found  on  the  denarii  of 
Antony,  which  he  caused  to  be  struck  with 
ensigns  and  numbers,  in  order  to  ingratiate  him- 
self with  the  soldiers,  and  to  display  his  resources 
both  by  sea  and  land. 

LEG.  VIII. — See  P inaria  gens. 

LEG.  M.  XX. — Legio  Macedonian,  or  Minercia 
Vicesima,  on  a silver  coin  of  Gallienus. — V. 
Banduri. 

LEG.  PRI. — Legio  Prima,  with  the  eagle 
and  ensigns  of  the  First  Legion,  on  a silver  coin 
of  M.  Antony. 

LEG.  PRO.  COS. — -Legal us  Pro-consule, 
Legate  for  the  Consul. — See  Sempronia  family. 

LEG.  PRO.  PR. — -Legal us  Pro  Pratore. — 
On  a denarius  belonging  to  the  Caecilia  family 
we  see  on  the  obverse  metel.  pivs.  scip.  imp., 
a male  head,  with  curled  beard  and  a fillet ; 
below,  an  eagle’s  head  and  sceptre. — On  the 
reverse,  crass,  ivn.  leg.  pro.  pr.,  a curule 
chair,  on  the  right  of  which  is  the  head  of  an 
eagle,  and  above  it  are  a cornucopia;  and  a pair 
of  scales. 

On  another  silver  coin  of  the  same  family, 
the  legend  metel.  pivs.  scip.  imp.,  and  the 
type  of  a trophy  between  the  iituus  and 
prcfcriculum  occupies  the  obverse  ; and  the 
reverse  exhibits  a female  head,  with  tnrretcd 
crown,  between  an  car  of  corn  and  a caducous, 
the  legend  being  the  same  as  above,  shewing 
that  Crassusjun.,  whilst  leoatvs  pro  praetore, 
caused  these  denarii  to  be  struck  in  honour  of 
his  celebrated  ancestor  Metellus. 

The  Legate,  or  Deputy  of  the  Prsetor,  was  an 
officer  who,  according  to  the  institution  of 
Augustus,  held  the  chief  authority  in  the 
province  of  the  Emperor,  at  the  discretion  of 
the  Pro-consuls,  who  governed  the  provinces  of 
the  Roman  people,  and  at  the  same  time  were 
accustomed  to  coin  money  for  the  use  of  the 
army,  cspeciaUy  when  war  broke  out  in  the 
province  where  they  administered  the  govern- 
ment.— Hence  P.  CAR1SIVS  LEGaYwj  PRO 
PR atore,  under  Augustus,  for  the  public  con- 
venience, ordered  a coinage  of  denarii  for  ten 
asses,  and  for  the  daily  pay  of  the  soldiers ; also 
quinarii,  the  half  of  the  denarius — viz.,  five 
asses  — These  denarii  bear  on  their  obverse  the 
portrait  of  the  above  named  Emperor,  and  on 
their  reverses  trophies  of  victory. 

LEIBERTAS,  instead  of  LI  BERTAS,  accord- 
ing to  the  ancient  mode  of  spelliug  with  the 
dipthong  EI  for  the  single  letter  I. — It  is  thus 
that  it  appears,  with  his  head,  on  the  denarius 
of  M.  Brutus,  to  show  that  he  was  the  asserter 
of  Liberty. — S eeJunia. 

LEIBERTAS,  with  the  head  of  the  Goddess 
of  Liberty  veiled,  appears  on  a coin  of  C. 
Cassius,  in  memory  of  the  event  in  which  he 


LENTIILUS. 

and  Marcus  Brutus,  with  the  other  conspirators, 
killed  Julius  Ctesar,  and  asserted  what  they,  who 
“ called”  it  freedom  when  themselves  were  free, 
termed  the  Liberty  of  the  Republic. 

LEN. — Lent ut us,  a surname  of  the  Cornelia 
family. 

LENTVLVS  SPINTer. — This  inscription 
appears  on  a silver  coin  of  Augustus,  having  for 
its  type  the  Li  ficus  and  the  Praefericulum  (see 
those  words)  which  instruments  of  augury 
Lent  ulus,  surnamed  Spinier,  caused  to  be  en- 
graved on  the  said  coin,  to  shew  his  sacerdotal 
functions. 

L.  LENTVLVS  FLAMEN.  MARTIAJJS, 
of  whom  and  of  whose  sumptuous  supper  see 
Macrobius. — The  name  appears  on  a denarius  of 
Augustus. 

The  Lion  appears  in  the  attitude  of  walking 
on  coins  of  Mark  Autony,  of  Antonine,  Caraealla, 
Philip,  Gallienus,  Aurelian,  Probus,  and  other 
emperors. — lu  this  attitude  he  is  also  the 
symbol  of  Imperial  Consecration,  see  memoriae 
aeternae  ; likewise  of  Munificence,  sec 

MVN1FICE.NTIA — SAECV LARES  AVG. 

A Lion  with  a thunderbolt  in  his  mouth  is 


seen  on  coins  of  Caraealla,  of  Aurelian,  of 
Postumus,  Probus,  and  Diocletian. — He  stands 
at  the  feet  of  Hercules  in  a brass  medallion  of 
Hadrian,  and  at  the  feet  of  Cybele  (see  matri 
deym),  who  also  is  seen  seated  on  a lion. — On 
accoimt  of  the  abundance  of  these  animals  in 
that  quarter  of  the  globe,  Africa  is  personified, 
having  likewise  a lion  at  her  feet  on  coins  of 
Hadrian,  Commodus,  and  Diocletian. — A biga 
of  lions,  with  the  legend  of  aeternitas,  is  the 
type  of  Consecration. 

A Lion  pierced  with  a lance,  which  the 
Emperor  on  horseback  holds  in  his  hand,  is  seen 
on  a coin  of  Commodus,  with  the  legend  virtvti 
avgvsti. — On  a first  brass  of  Hadrian,  the 
emperor  on  horseback  is  striking  his  dart  at  a 
lion  running  before  him,  with  the  legend  virtvs 
avgvst. — On  a silver  medal  of  Constantine  is 
the  same  type  ; see  liberator  orbis. 

A Lion  fighting  with  a stag,  which  it  is  tear- 
ing to  pieces,  appears  ou  a coin  of  Augustus, 
struck  in  memory  of  a grand  hunting  of  wild 
beasts,  instituted  in  celebration  of  that  emperor’s 
birthday. — See  Durmia  gens, 

A Lion  and  a boar  yoked  together  to  a chariot 
in  which  Victory  is  seated,  and  before  which 
Hercules  marches,  is  given  by  llavercamp  among 
the  Contorniate  medals  of  Trajan. — On  a coin 


LEO.  511 

of  the  same  emperor,  four  lions  draw  a car  in 
which  are  Trajan  and  Plotina. 

The  Lion  is  the  sign  of  Fortitude.  Hence  we 
see  him  on  a coin  of  Gallienus  as  the  accompany- 
ing type  of  LEGio  1 III . FL avia. — By  the  same 
rule  the  Lion  is  the  symbol  of  Hercules,  and  of 
Herculean  labour  and  fortitude. — Represented 
with  radiated  head,  and  with  the  thunderbolt 
between  his  teeth,  as  on  coins  of  Caraealla, 
Alex.  Sevcrus,  Probus,  Val.  Maximianus,  and 
other  emperors,  the  Lion  is  the  acknowledged 
symbol  of  Empire  and  of  Providence. 

On  an  elegant  gold  coin  of  Gallienus  in  the 
Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna,  the  type  of  a lion 
with  an  eagle  on  its  back  appears  within  a crown 
of  laurel,  and  below  are  the  initial  letters 
s.  p.  Q.  r. — The  lion’s  slrin  is  seen  on  the  head 
of  some  Roman  Emperors,  such  as  Commodus, 
Alexander  Severus,  and  others ; also,  though 
more  rarely,  on  the  head  of  Gallienus. 

Leo  (Flavius  Valerius),  surnamed  the  Great, 
of  Thracian  origin,  was  raised  to  the  Empire  of 
the  East,  a.d.  457,  on  the  death  of  Marcianus. 
A prince  of  high  character  for  clemency, 
generosity,  and  piety.  He  died  a.d.  474. — His 
style  on  coins  is  D.  N.  LEO.  PERPefazu  F. 
AVG. — Gold  and  silver,  common ; third  brass, 
rare. 

Leo  II.,  the  son  of  Zeno  and  of  Ariadne, 
daughter  of  Leo  I.,  was  born  at  Rome  a.d. 
459,  and  created  Ciesar  while  as  yet  a youth, 
by  his  grandfather.  The  following  year,  Leo 
the  First  dying,  he  was  proclaimed  Augustus,  but 
soon  after  he  himself  died,  having  reigned  only 
six  months. — His  style,  as  associated  with  his 
father,  is  on  coins  D.  n.  leo  et.  zeno  p.p.  avg. 
— Akerman  observes  that  “ if  any  coins  exist  on 
which  the  style  of  this  Emperor  is  found  alone, 
they  are  confounded  with  those  of  Leo  I.” — 
Gold  and  Quinarii  very  rare. 

Leo  III.,  surnamed  Isaurus,  from  an  Isaurian 
family  of  ignoble  rank  to  which  he  belonged, 
was  proclaimed  Emperor  by  the  soldiers  near 
Nicomcdia,  and  crowned  in  that  royal  city  a.d. 
717,  when  Theodosius  III.  abdicated  the  throne. 
He  was  a prince  of  some  military  talent,  but  of 
tyrannical  disposition,  and  stands  condemned  by 
ecclesiastical  writers  of  that  period  as  impious, 
having  been  a great  hater  and  destroyer  of 
sacred  images.  Leo  died  a.d.  741. — His  style 
is  d.  n.  leon.  p.  av. — His  gold  coins  are 
common ; silver  and  brass  more  or  less  rare. 

Leo  IV.,  surnamed  Chazarus,  because  his 
mother  Irene  was  the  daughter  of  a Khan  of 
the  Chozars,  was  the  son  of  Constantinus 
Copronymus.  He  was  born  at  Constantinople 
a.d.  750,  and  proclaimed  Emperor  in  the 
following  year,  in  association  with  his  father, 
whom  he  succeeded  a.d.  775.  He  died  a.d. 
780,  in  the  fourth  year  of  his  reign,  and  the 
thirtieth  of  his  age. — His  coins,  on  which  he  is 
styled  leo,  are  very  rare  in  gold,  and  equally 
rare  in  third  brass,  if  indeed  there  be  any  of  his 
authentic  in  that  metal. 

Leo  V.,  surnamed  Armenvs,  son  of  the 
patrician  Bardus,  of  Armenian  origin,  on  the 
expulsion  of  Michael  I.,  whose  general  he  was. 


512  LEO—  LEPIDUS. 

was  proclaimed  Emperor  by  the  army,  a.d.  813. 
He  was,  however,  assassinated  in  about  seven 
vears  after  he  had  ascended  the  throne. — There 
are  only  third  brass  extant  of  this  insignificant 
Emperor  of  the  East,  coins  equally  rare  and 
barbarous. 

Leo  VI.,  surnamed  Sapiens,  or  Philosopher, 
the  son  of  Basilius,  succeeded  his  father  as 
Emperor  of  the  East,  a.d.  886. — A learned 
man,  but  an  indifferent  soldier,  he  was  first 
beaten  by  the  Bulgarians,  and  afterwards  by 
the  Saracens.  He  (lied  a.d.  911. — His  style 
on  his  coins  is  leon.  basilevs.  kom. — The 
brass  of  this  prince  are  rare,  the  silver  still 
rarer,  the  gold  most  rare. 

Leontius,  an  usurper  in  the  reign  of  Zeno, 
who  having  assumed  the  purple  in  Syria,  when 
he  was  soon  afterwards  taken  prisoner  by  the 
Imperial  army,  and  beheaded  at  Constantinople 
a.d.  488. — There  arc  gold  coins  of  Leontius,  on 
which  he  is  styled  d.  N.  leontivs.  p.  f.  avg. 
They  are  very  rare. 

Leontius,  surnamed  Isaurus  from  the  birth- 
place of  bis  family,  was  the  second  usurper  of 
that  name,  and  belonged  to  the  patrician  order. 
He  employed  the  armies  of  Justinianus  II.  to 
overthrow  that  emperor,  and  to  obtain  his 
throne,  a.d.  695. — Absimarus,  however,  de- 
feated him  in  Dalmatia,  and,  cutting  off  his 
nose  and  cars,  imprisoned  him  in  a monastery, 
where  he  was  put  to  death,  together  with 
Absimarus  himself,  on  the  restoration  of  Justinian 
the  Second,  a.d.  705. — On  his  coins  which  are 
gold,  of  the  highest  rarity,  Leontius  II.  is  styled 
D.  leonti.  a. — The  unique  third  brass,  pub- 
lished by  llionnet,  is  supposed  to  belong  to 
Leontius  I. 

LEPI. — Lepidus,  the  surname  of  a Roman 
Patrician  family,  in  which  are  found  seventeen 
of  the  greater  Magistracies. 

Lepidus  (Marcus),  the  most  celebrated  of 
his  name  and  race,  is  that  Triumvir  whose 
weakness  was  as  fatal  to  the  Republic  as  the 
sanguinary  disposition  of  his  colleagues,  Octavius 
and  Antony.  The  year  of  his  birth  is  unknown, 
but  in  the  civil  wars  he  is  found  following 
Caesar’s  party,  and  his  colleague  in  the  Consulate, 
v.c.  708.  The  year  following  he  was  appointed 
Master  of  the  Horse  to  the  Dictator,  at  whose 
death  he  contrived  to  obtain  the  vacant  high 
dignity  of  Pontifex  Maximus. — Entrusted  by 
the  Senate  with  the  government  of  Transalpine 
Gaul,  he,  through  perfidy  or  the  most  incon- 
siderate fear,  soon  after  gave  up  his  legions  to 
Mark  Antony  and  Octavius,  by  whom  he  was  at 
the  same  time  admitted  into  that  political 
association  on  which  the  second  Triumvirate  was 
formed,  in  the  year  of  Rome  711  (43  A.C.), 
and  took  the  honours  of  a triumph  for  his 
previous  successes  in  Spain. — In  recompense  of 
his  nefarious  share  in  the  proscriptive  horrors 
that  ensued,  Lepidus  had  Spain  and  Gallia 
Narbonensis  assigned  to  him  in  the  division  of 
provinces ; elected  consul  for  the  second  time 
fiterum)  v.c.  712,  he  had  the  care  of  Italy 
whilst  his  brother-triumvirs  were  engaged  in 
war  with  Brutus. — Having  answered  the  purposes 


LEPIDUS. 

I of  his  more  astute  colleagues,  the  legions  he 
commanded  were  seduced  from  him  by  the 
blandishments  of  Octavius,  who,  depriving  him 
of  his  triumvirship  (v.c.  718),  still  allowed  him 
to  pass  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  tranquil 
obscurity  at  Circseum,  on  the  shores  of  Latium, 
where  he  died  (v.c.  741,  b.c.  13)  despised  for 
his  indolence  of  character,  and  total  want  of 
the  talents  necessary  to  sustain  that  leading 
part  in  the  tragic  drama  of  the  times  to  which 
the  selfishness  of  his  ambition  had  induced  him 
to  aspire. 

The  gold  coins  of  this  Triumvir  are  of  the 
highest  rarity  ; the  silver  also  are  rare,  especially 
those  with  the  head  of  Octavius,  and  those 
without  the  head  of  Mark  Antony,  on  the 
reverse.— On  these  he  is  styled  st.  lep.  imp. 
iiivir.  k.p.c.  Marcus  Lepidus  Imperator 
Triumvir,  llei  Publica  Constituenda. 


Lepidus  to  the  left. — Rev.  iuivib.  a.  p.  p.  l. 
mvssidivs.  t.  f.  lonovs.  A nude  warrior 
standing  with  his  left  foot  upon  a shield,  holding 
a spear  and  parazonium.  In  gold  and  silver. 

Though  the  head  of  Lepidus  appears  on  silver 
and  gold  coins  of  the  Roman  mint,  yet  it 
is  never  seen  on  those  of  brass  of  the  same 
fabric  But  on  some  very  rare  brass  medals  of 
certain  Greek  cities,  and  also  of  some  colonial  of 
Gallia  Narbonensis,  his  portrait  is  found. 

LEPIDVS.  PONT.  MAX.  IIIVIR.  R.P.C. 
(Lepidus,  Sovereign  Pontiff,  Triumvir  of  the 
Republic.) — On  a silver  medal,  the  uaked  head 
of  Lepidus  has  this  legend  around  it. — On  the 
reverse  caes.  imp.  iiivik.  k.p.c.  The  naked  head 
of  Octavius,  gcucral  of  the  armies,  triumvir  of 
the  republic 

Mongez,  in  his  Encyclopedic  Methodique, 
recueil  d'antiquites,  observes,  pointedly,  “ Lepi- 
dus was  a man  without  talents,  without  energy ; 
whom  whimsical  fortune  took  pleasure  in  ele- 
vating ; who  was  twice  consul,  sovereign  pontiff, 
triumpher  without  having  fought  an  enemy, 
commanding  thirty  legions  without  knowing  the 
art  of  war,  triumvir  and  master  of  the  fate  of 
his  two  colleagues  (Octavius  and  M.  Antony) 
without  being  able  to  profit  by  it ; and  who 
finally  dragged  on  a long  old  age  in  shame  and 
contempt.” 

(M.)  LEPIDVS.  COS.  IMP— Sacrificial 
instruments  (viz. : Capeduncula,  aspergillum, 
secespita,  apex), — Reverse:  M.  ANTON,  cos. 
imp.  Augural  symbols  (viz. : Lituus,  prtrferi- 
culum,  coruus). 

On  this  denarius  we  see  the  title  of  IMP erator 
given  to  Lepidus,  who,  before  medals  of  that 
kind  were  struck,  had  been  already  called 
Imperator  iterum,  according  to  Cicero.  And 


LEPTIS  MAGNA.— LEX. 

not  only  had  he  legions  under  him,  but  he 
twice  enjoyed  triumphal  honours,  although  from 
no  personal  claim  to  military  merit. — On  this 
coin  Lepidus,  as  sovereign  pontiff,  exhibits  the 
instruments  of  the  priesthood,  just  as  Antony’s 
quality  of  augur  is  designated  by  the  augural 
insignia. — See  Aemilia. 

Leptis  Magna , a city  (says  Pellerin,  Rectti/, 
vol.  iv.  p.  15),  situate  at  some  distance  from 
the  river  Cynipas  (Wad-Quahain)  in  the  Syrtica, 
by  which  is  understood  the  entire  space  between 
the  Syrtis  Major  (Gulf  of  Sidra)  and  the 
Syrtis  Minor  (Gulf  of  Cabes),  the  shores  of 
which  form  at  this  time  the  greater  part  of  the 
territory  called  the  kingdom  of  Tripoli.  It  was 
called  Magna  to  distinguish  it  from  another 
Leptis,  which  was  in  Byzacium  or  Emporiee, 
and  which  was  called  Leptis  Parva,  below 
Hadrumetum,  now  called  Lemta. — Leptis  Magna 
is  now  called  Lebda,  not  far  from  Tripoli.  It 
is  marked  as  a Roman  colony  in  the  Itinerary 
of  Antoninus. — Vaillant  states  it  to  have  been 
invested  with  the  Jus  Italicum,  by  Sept. 
Severus  ; but  gives  no  description  or  engraving 
of  any  of  its  money. — Havercamp,  in  his  notes 
on  the  Queen  of  Sweden’s  medals,  has  given  a 
second  brass,  which  bears  on  its  obverse  drvso 
Caesaki  with  the  head  of  Drusus,  son  of 
Tiberius,  and  on  the  reverse  a head  of  Mercury, 
with  the  following  legend : — PERMISSV  Luca 
APRON  It  PROCO«Sk/m  III.  This  medal  he 
attributes  to  Leptis ; but  on  no  other  apparent 
ground  than  that  the  said  Apronius  was  the 
successor  of  M.  Camillus  in  the  Pro-consulate 
of  Africa.  The  coins  of  this  city  consist  of 
Colonial  Autonomes,  with  Latin  legends,  and 
Imperial  of  Augustus  and  Tiberius,  with  Latin 
or  Greek  legends. — Autonomous  and  Imperial 
coins,  with  Punic  legends,  are  also  assigned  to 
Leptis  Major,  (which  is  said  to  have  been  founded 
by  the  Phcenicians).  But,  says  M.  Henuin, 
ces  attributions  sont  douteuses. — Pellerin  has 
given  three  medals,  which  he  inclines  to 
assign  to  the  greater  Leptis — 1.  Has  the 
helmeted  head  of  Rome,  and  COL.  vie.  ivl. 
lep.  Reverse : a bull,  with  names  of  Duumvirs. 
— 2.  Female  head  with  same  legend  on  obverse, 
and  same  type  on  reverse. — 3.  A female  head, 
with  palm  branch.  Over  the  head  is  pk.  n. 
vir.,  and  below  it  C.  v.  i.  L.  Colonia  Victrix 
Julia  Leptis,  shewing  its  origin  under  Julius 
Caesar. 

Lex,  a Law. — This  word  in  its  peculiar  sense, 
as  applied  to  the  Romans,  signifies  that  order 
or  command,  which  was  decided  upon  by  the 
Roman  people  in  their  assemblies  by  centuries  ; 
Lex  est  quam  Populus  Centuriatis  comitiis 
sciverit.  The  laws  were  proposed  hv  certain 
high  magistrates,  most  frequently  in  the  Forum, 
or  in  the  Campus  Martius ; under  stated  pre- 
liminary fonns,  which  being  gone  through,  every 
one  was  permitted  to  speak  for  or  against  them. 
And  if  a law  passed,  it  was  engraved  on  a table 
of  brass;  and  being  thus  received,  it  remained 
in  force  until  it  pleased  the  people  to  abolish, 
or,  as  it  was  called,  abrogate  it  (abrogare  legem). 
During  the  republic  a very  great  number  of 
3 U 


LEX  DIDIA.— LEX  JULIA.  513 
laws  were  published,  either  by  the  Decemvirs 
under  the  name  of  the  Twelve  Tables,  or  by  the 
Consuls,  or  the  Dictators,  or  the  Tribunes  of 
the  people. — The  following  are  those  few  laws 
to  which  allusion  is  made  on  coins  of  the 
Romans : — 

Lex  Bidia,  de  Ptenis  Militum. — Traces  of 
this  law,  in  reference  to  military  punishments, 
are  found,  or  said  to  be  found,  on  a silver  coin 
of  the  Bidia  family ; on  the  obverse  of  which 
appears  the  head  of  Minerva,  and  behind  it 
roma,  in  monogram.  On  the  reverse  are  two 
men  engaged  in  combat,  one  of  them  armed 
with  a whip,  the  other  with  a sword,  and  both 
bearing  shields.  The  legend  on  the  exergue  is 
T.  DEIDItti. — Opinions  amongst  the  learned 
respecting  this  representation  arc  various  enough, 
and  the  question  seems  still  undecided. — Haver- 
camp has  given  a long  account  of  them  in  his 
Commentary  on  Morell’s  Thesaurus.  Some 
refer  it  to  the  castigation  of  slaves,  during  the 
servile  war ; others  to  the  restoration  of  military 
discipline  by  a law  proposed  by  T.  Didius  (Lex 
Bidii),  and  to  the  punishment  of  the  soldier  with 
the  centurion’s  rod  (centurionis  vitis) ; others 
think  otherwise.  But  none  of  their  explanations 
carry  conviction  of  the  truth,  nor  even  of  that 
which  is  probable,  to  our  minds,  respecting  the 
meaning  of  this  vciy  curious  and  unique  type. — 
See  Bidia. 

Lex  Julia,  de  Maritandis  Ordinibus. — History 
bears  testimony  to  the  good  intention  of  Augustus 
in  renewing  by  this  enactment,  the  provisions  of 
an  ancient  law  ( Lex  Papia  Poppa  a),  com- 
pelling and  encouraging  men  of  a proper  age  to 
take  to  themselves  wives,  giving  rewards  to 
those  who  had  children  born  to  them  in  wed- 
lock, and  on  the  other  hand  inflicting  penalties 
on  bachelors. — Amongst  the  coins  of  Augustus, 
there  is  one  on  the  reverse  of  which  appears  the 
Emperor  seated  on  a small  estrade,  and  before 
him  a figure  standing,  in  the  act  of  presenting 
to  him  a naked  child ; on  the  exergue  we  read 
imp.  xiii. — Schulze,  in  the  introduction  to  his 
Science  of  Aucient  Coins,  expresses  an  opinion 
that  “ the  type  of  this  medal  seems  to  be  ex- 
plained by  those  words  of  Suetonius  (In  Aug. 
cap.  34),  in  which  he  says : — Sic  quoque 
abolitionem  e/vs  ( Legis  Julia)  publico  spectaculo 
pertinaciter  postulante  Equite,  adcitos  Ger- 
manici  liberos,  receptosque  partim  ad  se,  partim 
in  patris  premium,  ostentavit : manu  vultuque 
signijicans,  ne  gravarentur  imitari  juvenis 
exemplum.” 

Lex  Papia. — A law  carried  in  the  time  of 
the  republic  by  C.  Papius,  a Tribune  of  the 
people,  for  excluding  foreigners  from  Rome. — 
There  is  a denarius  of  the  Papia  family,  edited 
by  Morell,  which  close  to  the  head  of  Juno 
Sispita  exhibits  a tablet  (lobelia),  on  which  is 
inscribed  the  word  papi.  and  which  is  supposed 
to  allude  to  this  Lex  Papia,  which  in  the 
opinion  of  Cicero  was  equally  unjust  and 
inhuman. 

Lex  Porcia. — The  law  so  called  was  made  by 
Porcius  Laeca,  Tribune  of  the  people  in  453, 
in  favour  of  Romau  citizens,  whom  it  exempted 


514  LEX  TABELLARIA. 


LIBER.— LIBERO  PATRI. 


from  being  subjected  to  the  ignominious  punish- 
meut  of  the  scourge. — Porcia  Lex,  says  Cicero, 
virgas  ab  omnium  civium  Romanorum  corpore 
amovit.  [Pro  C.  Rabir.  c.  iv.]. — This  ex- 
ample took  place  only  in  the  cities,  and  was 
not  allowed  to  prevail  in  the  camp  on  behalf  of 
the  soldiers,  who  were  entirely  dependent  on 
their  general. — An  allusion  to  the  law  of  appeal 
(Provocatio)  offers  itself  on  a coin  of  the 
Porcia  family  ; on  the  obverse  of  which  is  the 
winged  head  of  Minerva,  with  the  legend 
p.  i.aeca  and  eoma. — On  the  reverse  is  a figure 
in  a military  dress;  a Lictor  behind  crowning 
a citizen : on  the  exergue  we  read  the  word 
pkovoco. — See  Porcia. 

Lex  Tabellaria. — A law  carried  by  L.  Cassius 
Longinus,  a Tribune  of  the  people,  and  which 
prohibited  the  Roman  citizen  from  giving  his 
suffrage  viva  voce,  and  required  him  to  write 
down  on  a tablet  (see  tabella),  the  first  letters 
of  the  name  of  the  candidate  for  whom  he 
voted. — The  tabella  was  also  used  in  public 
judgments  (in  judiciis  pubheis),  and  the  Prietor 
distributed  to  the  Judges  three  tablets;  viz.: 
that  of  absolution,  marked  with  a letter  a.  ; 
that  of  condemnation,  ou  which  was  written  the 
letter  c. ; and  the  third  tablet,  demanding  more 
ample  information,  was  marked  with  the  letters 
N.  and  L.,  signifying  Non  liquet. — The  memory 
of  L.  Cassius  Longinus,  and  his  Lex  tabellaria 
are  recalled  by  a denarius  of  the  Cassia  family, 
on  the  obverse  of  which  is 
the  head  of  VESTA  ; and  on 
the  reverse  a round  temple, 
within  which  is  a curule 
chair  ( sella  curulisj.  In 
the  field  of  the  coin  is  on 
one  side  an  urn,  and  on  the 
other  a tabella,  inscribed 
a.  c.,  that  is  to  say  Absolvo. 
— Condemno.  This  Cassius,  having,  in  the  year 
of  Rome  641,  been  appointed,  under  the 
Peduceian  law,  Commissioner  with  pra-torian 
power  to  investigate  cases  of  violation  of  chastity 
in  Vestals,  summoned  again  to  trial,  and  con- 
demned (to  death)  Lieiuia  and  Marcia,  who  had 
been  acquitted  by  L.  Metellus  P.M.,  according  to 
Asconius  Ptedianus  on  Cic.  pro  Mi/one. — Cassius 
was  so  great  an  exemplar  of  severity,  that  he 
was  commonly  called  reorum  scopulus,  and 
Cassianajudicia  became  a proverb.  [SecMorell.] 
— The  curule  chair  within  the  temple  denotes  the 
Praetorian  power.  The  urn  (or  cista)  is  that  into 
which  the  tabella  were  cast. — There  is  also 
another  silver  coin  of  the  same  family,  which  bear- 
ing the  same  reverse,  but  having  on  its  obverse  the 
head  and  name  of  libektas,  belongs  to  the 
history  of  the  same  Cassius.  In  these  designs 
the  ballot  law  concerning  trials  is  alluded  to,  by 
which,  in  all  cases  except  that  of  treason,  the 
people  were  allowed  to  vote  by  tablets  (i.  e.  the 
ballot),  “ a regulation  (adds  the  unsuspecting 
Eckhel,  who  had  not  lived  to  see  the  shameful 
example  of  the  United  States  as  to  the  abuses, 
corruptions,  and  intimidations  practised  under 
it),  eminently  adapted  for  the  preservation  of 
Liberty." 


LIBER. — This  appellation  was  given  to 
Bacchus,  for  various  'reasons  noticed  by  his- 
torians. Not  from  a license  of  expression,  says 
Seneca,  is  the  inventor  of  wine  called  Liber, 
but  because  he  rescues  the  free  mind  from  the 
thraldom  of  cares,  and  impels  it  with  more 
quickness  and  greater  boldness  into  all  enter- 
prises. His  feasts  were  called  Liberalia. — 
Macrobius  affirms  that  Liber  and  Mars  were  one 
and  the  same  deity.  And  it  was  under  that 
notion  that  the  Romans  worshipped  both  by 
the  appellation  of  Pater. 

LI  BERO  PATRI.— This  legend  appears  on  a 
rare  gold  and  on  an  equally  rare  silver  coin 
of  Sept.  Severus,  having  for  its  type  the 
god  Bacchus,  under  the 
image  of  a young  man 
who  holds  in  his  left  hand 
the  thyrsus,  and  in  his  right 
a dish  or  cup ; at  his  feet 
is  a panther  or  tiger. — 
It  may  be  supposed,  says 
Pedrusi,  who  gives  an  en- 
graving of  this  medal  (Mus.  Fames,  vol.  iii. 
p.  291),  that  the  vain  devotion  which  Severus 
professed  towards  this  divinity  might  occasion 
him  to  believe  himself  indebted  to  the  high 
patronage  of  Father  Bacchus  for  the  favour- 
able issue  of  his  military  enterprises  in  Asia — 
“ Fella  stolta  crqdenza  di  quei  tempi  veneravasi 
Bacco  come  Signore  e Conquestatore  dell’ 
Oriente ; e in  consequenza  pregiavasi  motto  in 
quelle  regioni  la  di  lui  protezione.” 

The  alleged  reason  for  giving  the  appellation 
of  Liber  to  Bacchus  has  already  been  stated. — 
The  thyrsus,  observes  Pedrusi,  is  the  appro- 
priate sceptre  of  Bacchus,  hut  in  the  present 
instance  he  holds  iustead  of  it  a spear  in  his 
left  hand ; and  in  that  peculiarity  the  type 
conforms  to  Macrobius’s  description  of  the 
image  of  Liber  Pater  worshipped  with  peculiar 
attachment  by  the  Lacedemonians,  and  which  bore 
(says  the  writer)  “ Hasta  insigne,  non  Thgrso." 

Bacchus  is  attended  by  a tiger  or  panther,  as 
an  animal  consecrated  to  him,  and  which  is 
often  seen  on  medals  and  has  reliefs  drawing  the 
chariot  of  the  god. — Alluding  to  this  Seneca  (in 
IJyppotit.)  is  thus  descriptive  in  his  poetry : — 

Et  tn  thqrsigera  Liber  ab  India 
Intonsi  juvenis  perpetuum  coma 
Tigres  pampinea  cuspide  territans,  <fc. 

And  thus  also  sings  Martial  (lib. 8,  epig.  26): — 

Fain  cum  captivos  ageret  sub  curribus  Indos 
Content  us  gemina  tigride  Bacchus  erat. 

The  head  of  Liber,  crowned  with  ivy,  appears 
on  coins  of  the  Cassia,  Petronia,  Porcia, 
Vibia,  Vipsania,  and  Volteia  families. 

LIBERO.  P.  CONS  AVG.  Libero  Pairs 
Conservatori  Augusti. — With  a panther  or 
tiger,  sacred  to  Bacchus,  who  is  the  same  with 
Liber  pater.  Gallieuus  on  a silver  and  a third 
brass  coin  calls  him  his  Conservator,  as  indeed 
he  was  in  the  habit  of  calling  Jupiter,  Mars, 
Mercury,  Neptune,  aud  other  members  of  the 
Heathen  Pantheon — all  were  Preservers  of 
Emperors. 


LIBERALITAS. 


LIBERALITAS.  515 


Liberalitas. — Liberality,  being  one  of  the 
princely  virtncs  and  at  the  same  time  a most 
popular  quality,  appears  both  as  a legend  and  as 
a type  on  a great  many  Roman  Imperial  medals. 
These  attest  the  occasions  when  the  Emperors 
made  a display  of  their  generosity  towards  the 
people  by  all  kinds  of  distributions  amongst  them, 
in  money  and  provisions.  In  the  earlier  age  this 
was  called  Congiarium  (Manus),  because  they 
distributed  congios  oleo  plenos. — In  the  time  of 
the  free  republic,  the  Ediles  were  specially 
entrusted  with  these  distributions,  as  a means  of 
acquiring  the  good-will  of  the  people.  The 
same  practice  was  followed  under  the  Emperors  ; 
and  we  occasionally  find  on  their  coins  the  word 
congiarivh,  but  the  more  common  term  is 
LIBERALITAS,  to  which  is  frequently  added  the 
number  of  times,  i.  n.  III.  up  to  vii.  and  vm. 
that  such  liberality  has  been  exercised  by  each 
Emperor. — On  these  occasions  of  Imperial 
munificence,  a certain  sum  of  money  was  for 
the  most  part  given  to  each  person,  and  when 
grain  was  distributed,  or  bread,  to  prevent  the 
evils  of  dearness  and  famine  from  affecting  the 
Roman  populace,  it  was  called  Annona;  (see  the 
word.)  But  when  something  beyond  their 
ordinary  pay  was  bestowed  upon  the  soldiers,  it 
was  denominated  Donativum,  a ivord,  however, 
not  found  on  coins,  but  comprised  under  that  of 
Liberalitas,  or  of  Congiarium  ; and  after  the 
reign  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  congiarivm  is  no 
longer  found,  and  the  expression  liberalitas 
is  alone  employed. 

Liberality  is  personified  under  the  image  of  a 
woman,  holding  in  one  hand  a tessera,  or 
square  tablet,  furnished  with  a handle,  and  on 
which  is  a certain  number  of  points,  shewing 
that  the  prince  had  given  to  the  people  money, 
corn,  and  other  articles  of  consumption.  In 
the  other  hand  she  holds  a cornucopia,  to 
indicate  the  abundance  of  wheat  contained  in 
the  public  granaries. — Liberalitas  is  represented 
as  presiding  at  all  congiaria  (see  the  word). 
The  liberalities  of  the  Augusti,  by  which  the 
distribution  of  their  bounties  to  the  people  is 
signified,  were  of  two  kinds,  ordinary  and 
extraordinary. — The  first  mention  of  Liberalitas 
occurs  on  coins  of  Hadrian ; on  those  of  suc- 
ceeding Emperors  it  is  frequently  reiterated. 
Indeed  these  instances  of  imperial  generosity 
are  more  carefully  recorded  on  medals  than  they 
are  by  history. — On  a coin  of  Hadrian,  struck 
under  his  second  consulate,  in  the  year  of  Rome 
870,  wc  see  two  figures  seated  on  a suggestum, 
or  raised  platform.  The  genius  of  Liberality, 
with  the  attributes  above  described,  stands 
beside  or  behind  them  ; and  another  figure  is 
ascending  a small  flight  of  steps,  which  leads  to 
the  raised  platform,  where  the  gift  of  the  Em- 
peror is  received. — On  a gold  coin  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  and  also  on  one  of  Philippus  senior,  the 
Emperor  sits  in  a curule  chair,  placed  on  a 
raised  platform  ; before  him  stands  the  image  of 
Liberalitas,  pouring  out  from  a cornucopise 
money  into  the  bosom  of  a man,  who  is  ascend- 
ing by  steps  on  the  opposite  side. — On  a silver 
coin  of  Antonine  we  see  the  figure  of  a woman 


3 U 2 


standing  by  herself,  holding  a hom  of  plenty  in 
her  left  hand,  and  in  her  right  hand  a tessera, 
or  a tablet,  which  specifies  the  quantity  of  wheat 
delivered  to  each  person  at  a low  price  through 
the  liberality  of  the  Emperor,  or  on  which  was 
inscribed  what  was  given  to  each  citizen. — A 
gold  coin  of  Elagabalus  exhibits  that  Emperor 
sitting  on  a suggestum,  with  Liberality  standing 
on  one  side,  and  the  Praetorian  Prefect,  or  a 
Lictor,  on  the  other — distributing  the  congiarium 
to  the  Roman  citizens. — In  that  emphatic  tribute 
of  eulogy  to  Hadrian’s  unexampled  munificence, 
the  celebrated  coin  which  bears  the  legend  of 
LOCVPLETATOKI  OUB1S  TERRARVM,  we  See  that 
the  type  refers  to  the  Liberalilates  of  that 
emperor,  who,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Goddess, 
is  distributing  his  bounties  with  an  outstretched 
hand. — Many  medals  consecrated  to  the  liberality 
of  the  emperors  shew  by  a numeral  cipher  how 
many  times  that  liberality  has  been  repeated  by 
the  same  prince. — Thus,  a coin  of  Antoninu 
Pius,  struck  a short  time  before  his  death,  under 
his  fourth  consulate,  in  the  year  of  Rome  914, 
bears  the  epigraph  liberalitas  avg.  ix.,  that 
is  to  say,  the  ninth  Liberality  or  distribution 
made  by  the  Emperor. — The  medals  of  Com- 
modus  and  of  Caracalla  present  to  us  eight 
liberalities  or  donations ; those  of  Hadrian  and 
M.  Aurelius  record  seven.  On  the  coins  of 
Sept.  Sevcrus  and  of  Geta,  we  find  indications 
of  six  liberalities ; there  are  five  recorded  on  a 
medal  of  Alexander  Severus ; four  on  coins  of 
Elagabalus,  of  Gordianus  Pius,  and  of  Gallienus ; 
three  on  some  of  Veras ; and  of  the  two 
Philips  (in  these  the  Emperors,  father  aud  son, 
are  represented  sitting  together,  without  atten- 
dants or  recipients).  It  is,  however,  to  be  borne 
in  mind  as  to  the  emperors  of  whom  some 
medals  offer  us  a more  considerable  number  of 
liberalities,  that  some  others  give  us  also  most 
of  the  preceding  liberalities. — The  greater  part 
of  these  coins  refer  to  the  times  when  it  was  the 
custom  to  bestow  on  each  citizen  a quantity  of 
corn  from  out  of  the  public  granaries. — One  of 
the  most  remarkable  of  Hadrian’s  liberalities 
was  that  of  his  having  remitted  to  the  people 
their  arrears  of  taxes  accumulated  during 
the  space  of  sixteen  years,  and  of  his  having 
caused  the  vouchers,  by  which  the  Imperial 
Treasury  could  have  made  good  its  claim  to 
fiscal  dues,  to  be  burnt  in  the  Forum  at  Rome. — 
See  RELIQVA  VETERA,  &C. 


LIB.  AVG.  TR.  P.  COS.  II  S.  C.— The 
Emperor,  on  an  estrade,  distributes  a liberality. 


516  LIBERALITAS. 


. LIBERALITAS. 


Behind  him  is  the  pnctorian  prefect ; on  the 
right,  a little  in  advance,  stands  the  Goddess 
Liberalitas  ; a recipient  of  the  bounty  is  ascend- 
ing the  steps. — Large  brass  of  Pertinax. 

LIB.  AVGG.  VI.  ET  V. — Liberalitas  Aligns- 
torum  Sexla  et  Quinta. — This,  which  appears 
on  first  brass  coins  of  Caraealla  and  of  Geta, 
means  the  sixth  liberality  of  the  former,  and 
the  fifth  of  his  brother  Geta. — The  two  princes 
are  sitting  together  on  an  estrade,  and  a figure 
stands  at  the  bottom  of  the  steps. 

LIBERALITAS  AVG.  TR.  P.  II.  COS. 
S.C  — On  a first  brass  of  Septimius  Severus  we 
see  that  Emperor  sitting  on  the  same  estrade 
w'ith  his  two  sons,  Caraealla  and  Geta,  and 
Liberality,  with  another  figure  standing  near 
them : a fifth  figure  appears  in  the  act  of 
ascending  the  steps. — Herodianus  says  of  Severus 
that  he  made  the  most  profuse  and  costly  dis- 
tributions.— There  is  a gold  coin  of  the  same 
Emperor  inscribed  liberalitas  vi.,  with  the 
above  tvpe. 

LIBERALITAS  AVG.,  in  others  with  II. 
III.  1111. — On  a gold  coin  of  Gordianus  Pius  the 
personification  of  Liberality  stands  holding  up 
the  tessera  in  her  right  hand,  and  two  horns  of 
abundance  in  her  left,  as  designating  a double 
gift  made  at  that  time ; or,  as  was  usual  to  be 
done,  a donative  to  the  soldiery,  a congiarium 
to  the  people. — A great  many  “ Liberalities”  of 
Gordianus  Pius  appear  on  the  coins  of  that 
prince,  of  which  no  notice  is  taken  by  historians. 

LIBERALITAS  VII.  IMP.  VIII.  COS.  III. 
S.  C. — This  legend  appears  on  a first  brass  of 
Marcus  Aurelius,  which  has  on  its  reverse  the 
usual  type  of  Liberality  standing  alone.  Noris 
pronounces  this  seventh  Liberalitas  to  have  been 
the  donative  given  by  that  emperor  to  the 
Legions  in  Germany. 

LIBERALITAS  AVGVSTORVM.— TheLibe- 
rality  of  the  Emperors. — On  a large  brass  of 
Balhinus  and  Pupienus,  with  this  legend  on  the 
reverse,  we  see  an  estrade,  on  which  are  seated 
those  two  emperors  and  the  young  Gordian, 
then  only  Caesar,  between  two  figures  standing, 
one  of  whom  holds  a tablet;  and  at  the  foot  of 
the  estrade  is  a sixth  figure. — Here,  then,  we 
have  three  imperial  personages,  attended  by  the 
praetorian  prefect,  and  in  the  supposed  presence 
of  the  Liberal  Goddess,  presenting  a gift  to  a 
Roman  citizen. — On  a coin  of  Valerianus,  with 
the  above  legend,  that  Emperor  and  his  son 
Gallienus  appear,  both  clothed  in  the  toga  and 
laureated,  sitting  on  raised  curule  chairs  ; 
another  figure  stands  near  them,  extending  the 
right  hand,  and  holding  a wand  or  sceptre  in 
the  left. 

LIBERALITAS.  AVG.  II  (or  III).— The 
type  of  a Congiarium,  in  which  the  Emperor, 
seated  on  an  estrade,  is  distributing  presents. — 
On  gold  of  Antoninus  Pius;  also  with  legend  of 

LIBERALITAS.  AVO.  Vlt.  IMP.  VIII.  COS.  II.;  OB 
first  brass  of  the  same  Emperor. 

We  perceive  from  his  coins  that  the  first 
Liberality  exercised  by  this  Em|>eror  took  place 
in  his  second  Consulate.  The  third  Consulate  ! 
offers  two  following  each  other.  Capitolinus  in  I 


many  passages  of  his  history  notices  the  cov- 
giaria  and  the  donatives  bestowed  by  Antonine, 
and  vini,  o/ei,  et  tri/ici,  penuriam  per  aerarii 
j sui  d annul  emendo,  et  gratis  poputo  dando, 
sedarit.  But  he  mentions  these  generally  with- 
out making  mention  of  the  time.  Of  these 
liberalities,  however,  which  the  coins  in  question 
extol,  one  doubtless  seems  to  have  been  that  of 
which  Capitolinus  speaks  thus — Suptias  Jitue 
sutr  Faustina  usque  ad  donalivum  mititum 
ceteberrimas  fecit. 

LIBERALITAS  COS.  IIII.  AVG.  IIII.  or 
V.— LIBERALITAS  AVG.  V.—Ou  first  brass 
of  Antoninus  Pius.  Similar  type  to  the  pre- 
ceding medals,  except  that  here  the  pnctorian 
prefect  stands  behind  the  Augustus. 

LIB.  IIII.  COS.  IIII. — A woman  stands 
with  the  tabarum  in  her  right  hand  and  a 
cornucopia:  in  her  left. — Silver  coin  of  Antonine. 
According  to  Capitolinus,  on  the  day  when 
Verus  took  the  toga  v iritis,  Antoninus  Pius 
dedicated  the  temple  of  his  father  and  was 
liberal  to  the  people.  This  silver  coin,  in  which 
Liberalitas  is  represented  as  holding  the  splendid 
tabarum  instead  of  the  accustomed  tessera, 
teaches  us  that  the  liberality  of  the  Emperor 
was  also  extended  to  the  soldiers,  as  indeed  is 
testified  by  Capitolinus,  who,  however,  takes  no 
notice  of  the  time  : Congiarium  poputo  dedit, 
militibus  donalivum  addidil. 


LIBERALI  (tas  Aug.  Cos.  mi.) — A woman 
standing,  holding  in  her  right  hand  a tessera, 
and  in  her  left  a labarum,  in  which  is  VI. — 
First  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius. 

LIBERALiVflj  AVG.  II.;  in  others  III, ; in 
others  IIII. — Liberality  is  standing  (in  the  field 
of  the  coin  a star). — Elagabalus.  Silver  and 
second  brass. — On  a first  brass  medal  of  the 
same  Emperor  he  is  figured  seated  on  an  estrade 
distributing  gifts. 

This  vile  youth  profaned  and  degraded  the 
name  of  Liberality  by  having  two  about  the 
year  a.d.  220 ; but  the  cause  of  them  is  not 
assigued. — Thus  much  is  known  on  the  authority 
of  Lampiidius  that  the  mad -brained  monster 
caused  a species  of  lottery  tickets  to  be  dis- 
tributed amongst  the  people,  which  assigned  to 
“ the  fortunate  holders”  ten  camels,  or  ten 
pounds  (libra-)  of  gold,  or  as  many  pounds  of 
lead,  Sic. ; whilst  other  lots  appropriated  to 
those  who  drew  them  ten  bears,  ten  dormice, 
ten  lettuces,  &c.,  whereby  the  populace,  whether 
desirous  of  gain  or  of  amusement,  were 
abundantly  delighted. 


LIBERALITAS. 

LIBERAL.  AVG.  TR.  P.  COS.  II.  SC.— 
The  Emperor  seated  oil  an  estrade ; in  advance 
of  him,  on  the  right  hand,  is  the  personification 
of  Liberality ; behind  him  stands  the  praetorian 
prefect ; a figure  is  ascending  the  staves  of  the 
raised  platform. — On  a first  brass  of  Pertiuax 
this  legend  and  type  appear,  and  with  apparent 
fidelity  and  truth,  for  Capitolinus  observes' that 
the  donatives  and  congiaria  which  G'ommodus 
had  promised  Pertinax  distributed. — [There  is 
also  a second  brass  of  Pertinax  with  the  same 
legend,  but  the  type  is  simply  that  of  Liberality 
standing.] 

LIBERALITAS  AVGVSTI.  III.  S.C.— The 
Emperor  seated  on  a suggestum,  two  figures 
standing  behind  him,  the  statue  of  the  goddess 
at  his  right  hand,  and  a figure  ascending  from 
below. — On  a first  brass  of  Alexander  Severus, 
under  whom  were  struck  other  coins  in  each 
metal,  recording  a fourth  act  of  similar  munifi- 
cence, and  on  which  seven,  and  even  eight 
figures  are  seen  at  the  foot  of  the  estrade. — The 


illustration  selected  is  taken  from  a medallion  of 
this  Emperor. 

LIBERALITAS  AVG.  or  AVGVSTI— On 
a first  brass  of  Maximinus  the  emperor  is  repre- 
sented sitting  on  a curulc  chair  surmounting  a 
platform  on  which  are  three  other  figures  ; and 
there  arc  several  small  ones  at  the  foot  of  the 
suggestum. 

LIB  Libertas. — LIB.  AVG.  Libertas  Au- 

gusti,  or  Augusta. 

LIBERATIS  CIVIBVS. — ToCitizensrestored 
to  Liberty. — This  inscription,  which  appears  on 
a rare  silver  coin  of  Pertinax,  is  new  to  the 
Roman  mint ; but  its  meaning  is  obvious,  as 
struck  by  the  virtuous  prince  who  restored 
Rome  to  liberty,  after  the  tyranny  of  Commodus 
had  been  abolished.  It  is,  however,  more 
difficult  to  find  any  agreement  between  the 
epigraph  and  the  type  of  this  medal,  which  is 
simply  the  usual  one  of  Liberality  (a  woman 
with  tessera  and  cornucopia).  It  appears  that 
by  this  reverse  only  the  liberality  of  Pertiuax  is 
indicated,  which  has  been  noticed  on  a preceding 
medal,  but  which  was  the  more  agreeable  to  the 
Roman  people,  because  it  was  a liberality  no 
longer  bestowed  on  citizens  oppressed  with 
tyranny,  but  granted  at  length  liberatis  civibus — 
to  freemen. 

LIBERATOR  ORBIS. — The  Liberator  of 
the  World. — This  new  title,  and  sufficiently 


LIBERATOR.  517 

assumptive,  appears  on  a third  brass  of  Con- 
stantine the  Great,  the  type  which  it  accompanies 
being  that  of  the  Emperor  on  horseback  with 
his  right  hand  raised,  and  a lion  crouching 
under  his  horse’s  feet. — Eckhel  refers  it  to  the 
successes  of  Constantine  over  cither  his  rivals  or 
the  barbarians  whose  incursions  were  pernicious 
to  the  whole  Roman  world,  and  who  there- 
fore on  this  medal  are  shadowed  forth  under 
the  image  of  a lion  trampled  upon  by  a horse- 
man. 

LIBERATOR  REIPVBLICAE.— Thislcgend 
is  found  on  a gold  coin  of  Magncntius,  who  is 
typified  on  the  reverse  as  on  horseback,  ottering 
his  right  haud  to  a woman  turret-crowned,  hold- 
ing a palm  branch  aud  cornucopiie. — It  forms 
one  amongst  several  medals  struck  under  this 
usurper,  in  which,  prematurely  enough,  he 
boasts  of  himself  as  the  liberator  of  the  republic, 
the  renovator  of  the  Imperial  City,  and  the 
restorer  of  the  liberties  of  the  Roman  World, 
chiefly  grounded  on  his  victory  over  Nepotianus, 
who  only  imitated  him  in  assuming  the  purple, 
and  in  acting  with  great  cruelty  during  a short 
career. 

LIBERI  IMP.  GERM.  AVG.  Liberi  Im - 
peratoris  Germanici  Augusti. — This  legend 
appears  on  an  elegant  gold  coin  of  Vitellius, 
which  has  for  the  type  of  its  reverse  the  naked 
heads  of  that  Emperor’s  two  sons,  looking 
towards  each  other.  The  names  of  these  chil- 
dren are  not  known.  Of  one  of  them  Tacitus 
speaks  (Hist,  ii.)  in  reference  to  the  time 
when  reports  were  sent  to  Vitellius  respecting 
the  death  of  Nero: — “ Mox  universum  exer- 
citum  occurrere  inf  anti  filio  jubet : perlainm, 
et  paludamento  opertum,  sinu  relinens , Ger- 
manicum  appel/avit.” — According  to  Suetonius, 
he  perished  at  the  same  time  with  his  father 
and  uncle. 

LIBERI  IMP.  AVG.  VESPASm«aj— The 
heads  of  Titus  and  Domitian,  on  a silver  coin 
of  Vespasian. 

This  reverse  is  taken  from  the  above  cited 
coin  of  Vitellius,  except  that  the  faces  in 
the  latter  look  towards,  and  these  look  from, 
each  other.  Titus  and  Domitian  are  here 
called  the  children  of  the  Emperor  Vespasian ; 
their  mother  was  Flavia  Domitilla ; and  each  in 
his  turn  reigned  after  the  father,  but  both  died 
without  male  issue. 

There  is  another  rare  and  elegant  silver  coin 
of  Vespasian,  with  the  same  legend,  but  of 
which  the  type  consists  of  two  veiled  figures 
standing,  each  holding  in  his  right  hand  a 
patera.  These  represent  Titus  and  Domitian, 
on  whom  their  father  conferred  the  honours  of 
the  priesthood,  in  the  anticipation  of  their 
future  succession  to  the  empire.  This  custom 
was  borrowed  from  the  example  of  Augustus, 
in  his  adoption  of  Caius  and  Lucius,  on 
w'hich  occasion  that  Emperor  placed  the  one 
amongst  the  Pontiffs  and  the  other  amongst  the 
Augurs. 

L1BERIS  AVG usti  COL.  A.  A.  P.— The 
Colonia  Augusta  Aroe  Palrensis  (in  Achaia) 
is  pronounced  by  Vaillant,  and  confirmed  by 


618  LI  BERTAS. 

Eckhcl,  to  have  struck  a second  brass  coin, 
which  throws  a light  on  the  domestic  history  of 
Claudius.  On  the  obverse  is  that  Emperor’s 
image  and  superscription  ; on  the  reverse  is  the 
uncovered  head  of  Britannicus  between  the  heads 
of  his  sisters  Antonia  and  Octavia,  placed  on  a 
cornucopia: — a proof  of  the  fecundity  of  the 
Imperial  house. — See  Patrae  Col. 

LIBERT.  Liberia!. — This  word  appears 

behind  the  head  of  the  Goddess  of  Liberty,  on 
a silver  coin  of  the  Cassia  family. 

LI  BERTAS. — Liberty  is  represented  in  two 
ways  on  coins : the  one  as  a woman  with  a 
naked  head,  which  is  the  image  of  Roman 
Liberty ; the  other  having  her  head  covered 
with  a veil,  and  adorned  with  a diadem,  is  the 
effigy  of  the  Goddess  of  Liberty,  whose  temple 
was  on  Mount  Avcntine.  The  veil  is  in  this 
case  the  token  of  divinity,  as  indeed  the  diadem 
is  the  ornament  of  a goddess. — Liberty  is  repre- 
sented not  only  on  Consular  medals,  but  also 
w'ith  considerable  frequency  on  those  of  the 
Imperial  series. 

The  head,  of  Liberty  is  the  type  of  many 
medals  of  Roman  families ; she  is  crowned  with 
an  olive  garland  in  Licinia;  with  laurel  in 
Junia,  Pedania,  Servilia,  Vibia ; and  her 
head-dress  in  different  styles  on  coins  of  the 
Csecilia,  Cassia,  Cousidia,  Junia,  Petillia, 
Porcia,  Postumia,  Sempronia,  Silia,  and  Valeria 
families;  she  appears  veiled  on  the  denarii  of 
the  .Emilia,  Calpurnia,  Crcpusia,  Lollia,  Lutatia, 
Mamilia,  Marcia,  and  Sulpicia  families  ; and  she 
is  both  veiled  and  laureated  on  a medal  of  the 
Scstia  family. — On  the  greater  part  of  the 
denarii,  struck  by  the  conspirators  against 
Cmsar,  we  sec  the  head  of  Liberty,  sometimes 
ornamented,  at  other  times  veiled.  “ By  this 
symbol  (says  Milliu)  they  intended  to  shew  that 
they  had  taken  up  arms  only  to  deliver  Rome 
from  the  tyranny  of  Julius ; whilst  on  the  other 
hand  even  Caesar  himself  pretended  also  that 
to  avenge  the  liberty  of  the  Roman  people  was 
his  sole  object.” — On  a celebrated  silver  coin  the 
head  of  M.  Brntus  appears  on  one  side  ; and  on 
the  other  a cap  between  two  daggers,  with 
this  historically  interesting  inscription  EID/Awr 
MAR/uj;  “to  the  Ides  of  March,”  the  day  of 
Caesar’s  murder. — Dion  Cassius  (in  the  25th 
chap,  of  his  47th  book)  also  acquaints  us  that 
Brutus  caused  coins  to  be  struck,  of  which  the 
type  was  simdar  to  the  one  above  described.. 
The  same  writer  adds  that  by  this  type  and  by  a 
medal  bearing  the  legend  of  mrertas  p.r. 
rest.  (Liberty  restored  to  the  Roman  people), 
Brutus  wished  to  shew  that,  conjointly  w'ith 
Cassius,  he  had  restored  the  liberty  of  bis 
country. — See  ElD.  mar. — m.  brvtvs — and 
Junia  family. 

Liberty  is  often  depicted  under  the  figure  of 
a woman  standing,  with  a hat  or  cap  (pileus)  in 
her  right  hand,  and  holding  in  her  left  a hasta, 
or  perhaps  that  particular  wand  which  the 
Romans  called  rudis  or  vindirta,  with  which 
slaves  were  slightly  struck,  at  the  moment  of 
their  emancipation.  Under  this  form  and  with 
such  attributes  she  is  seen  on  medals  of  Claudius, 


LIBERTAS. 

Vitellius,  Galba,  Vespasian,  Nerva,  Trajan, 
Marciaua,  Hadrian,  Antoninc,  Commodus, 
Severus,  Caracalla,  Gcta,  Elagabalus,  Alexander 
Scverus,  Mamma,  Gordiauus  Pius,  Trajanus 
Decius,  Trebouianus  Gallus,  and  Claudius  Gothi- 
cus. — On  a medal  of  Hadrian  we  see  Liberty 
seated,  holding  in  the  left  hand  a branch,  and  in 
the  right  a spear. — A coin  of  Galba  shews  us 
this  Goddess  standing,  w'ith  a horn  of  plenty  in 
the  left  hand,  holding  in  her  right  the  pi/eus  or 
cap  of  liberty. — On  a coin  of  Antoninus  Pius 
she  holds  a patera  in  her  right  hand. — On  a 
medal  of  Clodius  Macer,  and  on  a gold  coin  of 
Galba,  restored  by  Trajan,  she  holds  a cap  in 
the  right  and  the  patera  in  the  left  hand. — The 
pileus  held  in  the  right  and  the  cornucopia:  in 
the  left  are  the  attributes  of  Liberty  on  coius  of 
Antoninus,  Elagabalus,  Volusiauus,  Gallienus, 
Quintillns,  Aurelianus,  Julianus  the  usurper,  and 
Julianas  II. 

LIBERTAS  AVG usta  (August  Liberty),  or 
LIBERTAS  AVG ustorum  (the  Liberty  of  the 
Emperors),  “who  called  it  freedom  when  them- 
selves were  free.”  We  find  the  title  of  mb.  p.  r. 
(the  Liberty  of  the  Roman  people),  indis- 
criminately expressed  on  coins  of  Galba, 
Vitellius,  Vespasian,  Nerva,  Hadrian,  Antoniue, 
Commodus,  Gordianus  Pius,  Treb.  Gallus,  and 
Gallienus,  as  if  libektas  pvbLlCAand  mbebtas 
restitvta  were  epigraphs  applicable  to  the 
political  state  of  the  Roman  Commonwealth 
under  the  best  and  mildest  of  those  princes, 
even  a Nerva,  or  an  Antoniue. 

Liberty  is  a type  especially  repeated  on 
the  medals  of  Galba ; a circumstance  not  sur- 
prising, when  it  is  considered  that  after  the 
death  of  Nero  the  people  testified  so  lively  a 
joy,  and  so  fully  believed  that  the  republic  was 
re-established,  that  according  to  the  testimony 
of  Suetonius,  they  ran  through  the  streets,  their 
heads  covered  with  the  cap  of  liberty. 

Liberty,  in  a biga,  appears  on  coins  of  the 
Crepusia,  Mamilia,  and  Marcia  families;  and 
in  a quadriga  on  a denarius  of  the  family  Cassia  ; 
she  sometimes  holds  a cap  with  one  hand  and  the 
reins  of  the  horses  in  the  other,  or  otherwise 
she  holds  the  reins  with  both  hands. — On  a 
silver  coin  of  L.  Dolabclla,  in  the  Cornelia 
family,  a figure  of  Victory  flying  through  the 
air  offers  a crown  to  Liberty. 

LIBERTAS.  Head  of  Liberty. — Reverse. 
brvtvs. — Procession  of  the  Consul,  between 
two  lictors,  preceded  by  the  accensus,  a public 
officer  of  Rome,  appointed  to  call  courts  aud 
assemblies. — On  a silver  coin  of  M.  brvtvs. — 
See  the  name. 

LIBERTAS.  Head  of  Liberty. — Reverse. 
P opu/o  Kama  no  RESTtlula. — The  pileus  or  cap 
of  Liberty,  between  two  daggers.— On  another 
denarius  of  M.  brvtvs. — See  the  name. 

LEI  BERTAS  for  LIBERTAS.— The  head  of 
a female  crowned  with  a nimbus  or  glory ; on 
others  veiled  besides  — On  a denarius  of  C. 
Cassius  Longinus,  the  colleague  of  Brutus,  who 
here  places  the  head  of  Liberty  on  his  medals, 
because  he  had  taken  up  arms  in  her  cause. 

LIBERTAT1S. — Sec  Lollia  gens. 


LIBERTAS. 

LIBERTAS  AVGVSTA  S.  C.— The  goddess 
standing,  holds  the  pileus  in  her  right  hand, 
and  extends  her  left — This  legend  and  type 


LIBERTAS.  519 

appear  on  a second  brass  of  Claudius,  as  if  he 
had  restored  liberty  to  the  Republic  after 
Caligula’s  tyranny  and  oppression. 


LIBERTATIS  P.  R.  VINDEX.— ' This  flatter- 
ing title — Vindicator  of  the  Liberty  of  the 
Roman  People — appears  on  the  obverse  of  a 
silver  medallion  of  that  Liberticide,  Augustus ! 
So  much  for  Roman  flattery.  It  is,  however, 
the  only  instance  in  which  the  adopted  son  of 
the  great  Julius  received  such  adulation  on  a 
coin,  and  none  of  the  succeeding  emperors  offer 
on  their  respective  coins  a similar  example. — 
The  reverse  of  this  coin  exhibits  a female  figure, 
holding  a caduceus ; near  to  which  is  an  altar 
with  a serpent  on  it.  The  word  pax  is  in  the 
field  of  the  coin,  and  the  whole  is  within  a 
laurel  garland. 

LIBERTAS  P.  R.— The  Liberty  of  the 
Roman  People. — This  legend  appears  on  a 
denarius  of  Galba,  which  presents  the  image  of 
Liberty  in  an  unusual  attitude.  She  is  depicted 
under  the  form  of  a woman  standing  between 
two  corn  ears,  and  raising  her  hands  towards 
heaven. — “ It  seems  (says  Eekhel)  that  this  type 
involves  a fine  allegory,  namely,  that  Liberty 
exhorts  the  people  to  devote  themselves  anew  to 
the  pursuits  of  agriculture,  after  the  extinction 
of  that  execrable  tyranny  with  which  Nero  had 
desolated  the  empire — as  if  in  joyful  accents  she 
exclaimed  to  the  Roman  husbandmen,  with 
Maro : — 

“Pascite  ut  ante  boves,  pueri,  submittite  tauros." 

LIBERTAS  RESTITVTA.  S.C.— The  restor- 
ation of  liberty  is  for  the  first  time  typified  on  a 
first  brass  of  Galba,  by  a group  representing  that 
Emperor  standing,  in  the  toga,  and  raising  up 


a kneeling  female  figure,  whilst  a soldier  stands 
behind  him,  allusive  to  the  freedom  of  the 
Roman  people  rescued  from  destruction  by  the 
death  of  Nero,  and  the  accession  of  Galba. 


This  coin  of  Galba  evidently  formed  the  prototype 
from  which  Hadrian  afterwards  took  his  tvpes  in 
reference  to  restored  provinces. 

On  a first  brass  of  Hadrian,  with  the  same 
legend,  we  sec  the  Emperor  seated  on  an  estrade, 
below  which  stands  a woman,  who  offers  in  her 
left  hand  a child  to  the  Emperor.— Eekhel 
expresses  himself  at  a loss  to  know  what  this 
type  signifies,  unless  it  be  to  what  Spartianus 
mentions  : Libens  proscriptoruni  duodecimo s 
bonorum  concessit. 

LICI.  Licinius. — LICIN.  Licinianus. 

Licinia.  A plebeian  family.  Its  surnames 
on  coins  are  Crassus , Macer , Murena , Nerva , 
Stoto.  From  this  stock  many  illustrious  branches, 
adorned  by  men  of  consular  and  pontifical 
dignity,  have  sprung,  as  the  above  appellations 
serve  to  impart. — There  are  silver  medals  bear- 
ing the  name  of  this  family  amongst  those 
struck  by  the  moneyers  of  Augustus. — The 
brass  pieces  are  the  As,  or  its  parts,  and  some 
are  also  by  the  moneyers  of  Augustus. — There 
are  thirty-one  varieties.  Silver  and  first  brass 
rare  ; the  rest  common. 

Ihe  following  denarius  of  this  family,  bearing 
the  surname  of  Crassus,  is  rare : — 

The  head  of  Venus : behind  which  is  S.  C. 

Rev.  p.  crassvs  M.  f. — A soldier  standing, 
holds  in  his  left  hand  a spear  and  buckler,  with 
his  right  he  holds  a horse  by  the  bridle. 

I his  silver  coin  appears  to  have  been  struck 
by  P.  Crassus,  the  son  of  Marcus  Crassus,  killed 
by  the  Parthians,  and  who  himself  lost  his  life 
in  the  same  war ; but  who,  previously  to  the 
Parthian  war,  followed  the  camp  of  C®sar  in 
the  Gallic  war,  as  the  latter  often  testifies  in  his 
Commentaries.  Whether  this  denarius,  as  some 
have  supposed,  was  struck  by  him  whilst  he  was 
qumstor  in  Gaul,  or  at  another  time,  is  un- 
certain.— The  type  of  the  reverse  is  believed  to 
allude  to  the  ceremony  of  the  transvectio  equi, 
or  parading  of  the  liorse,  accustomed  to  be 
performed  before  the  Censor,  thus  recalling  to 
remembrance  an  ancestral  honour,  for  both 
his  father  and  grandfather  wrere  censors. — See 
Spanheim,  tom.  ii.  p.  99. 

The  following  denarius  of  the  same  family, 
under  the  surname  of  Stoto,  is  also  rare  : — 

avgvstvs  tr.  pot. — Augustus  on  horseback, 
holding  a garland  in  his  right  hand. 

Rev.  The  pontifical  Apex  between  two  ancilia, 
with  p.  stolo  iirviB, — On  first  and  second 


520  LICINIUS. 


LITUUS. 


brass  of  Augustus  we  read  p.  licinivs  stolo 

IIIVIR. 

This  Licinius,  who,  as  tribune  of  the  people, 
caused  a law  to  be  passed,  prohibiting  any 
Roman  citizen  from  possessing  more  than  five 
hundred  acres  of  laud,  was,  according  to  Varro, 
called  Stolo,  because  he  bestowed  so  much  care 
in  cultivating  his  land,  that  no  one  could  find  a 
stolo,  or  off-shoot  of  a plant,  on  his  farm. — 
One  of  this  man’s  descendants  was  Stolo,  whom 
these  coins  shew  to  have  been  a monetal  triumvir 
of  Augustus  — Vaillant  is  of  opinion  that  on 
these  denarii  Augustus  is  exhibited  on  his  return 
from  Syria,  entering  the  city  with  the  honours 
of  an  ovation,  because  without  bloodshed  he  had 
recovered  Roman  citizens  and  standards  from 
the  Parthians,  as  Dion  relates ; to  which  event 
the  reverse  type  is  also  thought  to  bear  reference, 
for  these  military  standards  were  hung  up  in  the 
temple  of  Mars  Ultor,  whose  flamen,  or  priest, 
wore  the  apex,  and  whose  duty  it  was  to  preserve 
the  ancilia. — See  the  word. 

Licinius  ( Publius  Flavius  Claudius  Galerius 
Valerius  Licinianus)  was  born  of  an  obscure 
family  in  Dacia,  a.d  263  : distinguished  him- 
self against  the  Persians. — Upon  the  death  of 
Severus  II.,  he  was  named  C®sar  and  Augustus 
by  Galerius  Maximianus,  who  associated  him  in  , 
the  empire,  a.d.  307,  and  assigned  Pannonia 
and  Rhcetia  to  his  government. — Covetous,  and 
of  infamous  habits,  he  cruelly  persecuted  the 
Christians.  In  313  he  espoused  Constantia,  | 
the  sister  of  Constantine  the  Great,  and  daughter 
of  Constantius  Chlorus.  The  same  year  he  defeated 
Maximinus  Daza,  and  reigned  with  Constantine  ; 
caused  the  deaths  of  Valeria  and  Prisca ; made 
war  upon  Constantine ; was  beaten  at  Cibalis 
in  314,  and  was  offered  terms  by  the  victor; 
declared  his  son  Licinius,  Caesar ; and  again 
appealed  to  arms  against  Constantine,  by  whose 
generals  he  was  defeated  at  Adrianople,  in  323, 
and  at  Chalccdon  ; shortly  afterwards  he  sur- 
rendered himself  at  Thcssalonica,  where,  by 
order  of  Constantine,  he  was  strangled  a.d. 
324  — The  style  of  this  prince  on  his  coins 
(which  are  very  rare  in  all  metals  except  second 
and  third  brass)  is  imp.  c.  oal.  val.  licin. 
licinivs  P.  P.  avg. — The  coins  published  by 
Banduri,  on  which  Licinius  is  styled  Ciesar  only, 
when  it  would  appear  that  Galerius  had  first 
given  him  that  title  alone,  arc  regarded  by  Eckhel 
to  be  either  false  or  to  belomr  to  Licinius  jun. 

Licinius  (Ft.  Val.  Licinian.)  the  younger, 
son  of  the  elder  Licinius,  by  Constantia,  was 
born  a.d.  315,  and  declared  Cassar  a.d.  317 ; a 
prince  of  great  promise ; but  the  victim  of 
Constantine’s  policy,  he  was  stripped  of  his 
title  on  the  death  of  his  father  in  323,  and  put 
to  death  in  326.  His  style  is  LICINIVS 
IVN.  NOB  C ttsar — also  Ft.,  vai,  licinianvs 
licisivs  nob.  caes. — On  the  same  coin  with  j 
his  father  it  is  dd.  nn.  iovii  licinii.  invict. 
avg.  et.  caes. — His  gold  and  silver  are  very 
rare  ; brass  medallions  still  rarer ; third  brass 
very  common. 

Lictores. — Lictors,  officers  established  by 
Romulus,  after  the  example  of  the  Etruscans. 


They  were  usually  taken  from  the  dregs  of  the 
people,  but  were  nevertheless  free,  and  some- 
times emancipated  by  the  magistrates  they 
served.  Their  functions  were  various  : — 1st. 
They  walked  in  procession  before  the  magistrates 
with  fasces,  composed  of  axes  and  rods.  2nd. 
They  gave  notice  to  the  people  to  render  to 
the  magistrates  the  honour  due  to  them.  3rd. 
They  walked  before  the  magistrates,  not  two  and 
two,  nor  confusedly,  but  ranged  one  after  the 
other  in  single  file.  4th.  When  the  magistrates 
pronounced  these  words  : — I,  Lictor,  adds  virgas 
reo,  et  in  eum  lege  age,  they  struck  the  guilty 
person  with  rods,  and  cut  off  his  head.  The 
Dictator  had  twenty-four  of  these  officers  in 
attendance  on  him  ; the  Master  of  the  Horse 
six  ; the  Consul  twelve ; the  Praetor  six. 

A denarius  of  the  Junia  family,  bearing  on 
its  reverse  the  head  of  Liberty,  exhibits  on  its 
obverse  a group  of  four  figures,  considered  to 
represent  the  sons  of  Junius  Brutus,  guarded  by 
the  lictors. — See  brvtvs. 

A Lictor  standing  with  the  virga  or  rod  is 
seen  ou  a brass  coin  of  Antoninus — also  on  a 
second  brass  Liberalitas  of  Alexander  Severus. — 
See  likewise  the  denarius  inscribed  provoco. 

L.  I.  MIN.  RESTITVTA.  Legio  'Pnma 
Minercia  Resliluta. — On  a brass  coin  of  Aure- 
olus,  who  is  figured  joining  hands  with  Minerva, 
a palm  branch  being  between  them  both. — 
Banduri,  i.  p.  328. 

Lit u us  Augurum,  the  augural  staff,  like  a 
Bishop’s  crosier,  but  shorter,  which  the  augur 
held  in  his  haud,  whilst  describing  and  measuring 
off  the  different  regions  of  the  sky,  is  found  on 
a denarius  of  the  Licinia  family,  bearing  the 
portrait  of  Numa  Pompilius — and  also  is  seen 
behind  the  head  of  King  Ancus,  on  a denarius 
of  the  Marcia  family,  inscribed  ancvs.  Ancus 
Martins  being  the  kiug  who  restored  from  their 
neglected  state  the  institutions  of  religiou  which 
Numa  had  formed. — The  same  augural  instru- 
ment appears  on  coins  of  Julius  Cwsar,  M. 
Antony,  Lepidus,  Augustus,  Caius  Lucius,  and 
Caligula, — frequently  accompanied  with  other 
religious  utensils,  such  as  the  prsefericulum, 
secespita,  &c. 

The  Lituus  Auguralis,  or  pontifical  symbol, 
also  appears  on  coins  of  Vespasian,  Nerva, 
Hadrian,  Antonine,  M.  Aurelius,  Commodus, 
Elagabalus,  Gordianus  Pius,  Maximus  Caesar, 
Philippus  junior,  Herennius,  Hostiliauus,  Volu- 
sianus,  and  other  Emperors. — The  Lituus  is  like- 
wise observed  on  medals  of  the  Annia,  Cassia, 
Cornelia,  Domitia,  and  other  Roman  families. 

Lituus  Militaris,  a military  instrument,  so 
called  from  its  resemblance  to  the  augural  lituus, 
was  a species  of  curved 
trumpet,  which  served  in 
camps  to  mark,  by  its 
sounding,  the  day  and  night 
watches  of  the  soldiers.  In 
the  Junia  family,  a denarius 
exhibits  on  its  reverse  two 
of  these  military  him,  placed 
crosswise,  with  bucklers  at 
top  and  bottom.  A silver  coin  of  the  same 


LIYIA. 

family  bears  for  type  Jupiter  in  a quadriga, 
holding  a military  hi  tins  ■ as  does  Mars,  on  a 
coin  of  the  Domitia  family  — Two  military  litui 
appear  placed  with  shields  and  spears,  on  a coin 
of  Marcus  Aurelius. 

Lima  Brasilia,  also  called  Julia,  was  the 
daughter  of  Livius  Calidiauus  of  the  Claudia 
family,  and  the  fourth  wife  of  Augustus.  She 
first  was  espoused  to  Tiberius  Claudius  Nero, 
by  whom  she  was  yielded  up  to  Augustus,  who 
divorced  his  third  wife  Scribonia  in  order  to 
marry  her;  she  being  already  mother  of  Tiberius, 
and  pregnant  with  Nero  Drusus.  Handsome, 
and  of  great  abilities,  yet  proud,  cruel,  and 
unprincipled,  she  compassed  the  deaths  of 
Augustus’s  heirs,  Marcellus,  Agrippa  junior, 
and  Germanicus,  in  order  to  raise  her  son 
Tiberius  to  the  imperial  throne. 

The  coins  of  this  princess,  of  Roman  mintage, 
do  not  hear  her  portrait.  She  is  represented  as 
JVSTITU,  as  pietas,  and  as  salvs,  on  second 
brass  (which  are  scarce)  struck  under  Tiberius  : 
the  two  latter  restored  by  Titus.  A first  brass 
with  the  head  of  Justice  is  very  rare.  (See 
ivstitia  ) It  was  after  the  death  of  Augustus 
that  she  took  the  name  of  Julia,  and  these 
pieces  are  of  that  epocha. — On  Latin  coins  she 
is  always  styled  ivlla  avgvsta. — On  some 
Greek  medals  she  is  called  livia. — The  legend 
avgvsta  mater  patriae  is  found  ou  a coin 
struck  in  her  honour  by  some  unkuown  colony. 

LIVIAN.  Livianus,  surname  of  the  ^Emilia 
family. 

Livineia,  a plebeian  family,  whose  surnames 
on  coins  are  Regulus  and  Ga/his.  Its  medals 
present  thirteen  varieties,  extremely  rare  in 
gold  ; somewhat  common  in  silver,  except  those 
pieces  restored  by  Trajan : the  third  brass  of 
this  family  are  by  the  moneyers  of  Augustus, 
and  are  common. 

The  following  are  among  the  few  interesting 
denarii  of  the  Livineia  family  : — 

h.  regvlvs.  PR. — The  bare  head  of  a young 
man,  without  beard. 

Rev.  regvlvs.  f.  praef.  vr. — A curide 
chair,  upon  which  is  a crown  ; on  each  side  are 
the  fasces  without  axes. 

Same  head. — Rev.  Two  men,  with  spears, 
fighting  with  a lion,  a tiger,  and  a bull. — In 
the  exergue  l.  regvlvs. 

The  portrait  on  the  obverse  of  these  coins 
is  certainly  intended  to  represent  some  one  of 
the  more  ancient  Reguli,  but  which  of  them  in 
particular  does  not  seem  to  be  blown. — Haver- 
camp  thinks  that  the  letters  PR.  following  the 
word  REGVLVS  should  be  read  Taler  Reguli, 
because  ou  the  reverse  of  the  first  coin  we  read 
REG\  LVS  F ilius. — Eckhel  clearly  proves,  how- 
ever, that  there  should  be  no  point  between  the 
P and  the  R,  as  erroneously  engraved  in  Morel], 
but  that  it  should  be  read  PR cetor.  He,  more- 
over, entertains  no  doubt  of  the  epigraph  of  the 
reverse  reading  REGVLVS  Y ilius,  meaning  the 
son  of  the  Praetor  Regulus.  It  is  thus  also 
ou  coins  of  the  Valeria  family  that  we  read 
MESSAL.  F. — These  coins,  in  the  opinion  of 
Havercamp,  were  struck  by  that  L.  Regulus, 
3 X 


LOLLIA.  521 

who,  as  may  be  implied  from  the  addition 
PRAEF.  VR.,  was  one  of  the  Prefects  of  the 
City,  whom  Julius  Csesar,  when  he  went  to 
Spain,  left  at  Rome  (as  Dion  relates),  and  who 
assumed  to  themselves  the  jus  lictorum  et  sellte 
curulis,  as  the  coins  of  this  Regulus  seem  to 
shew,  unless  perhaps  the  type  in  the  above 
described  denarii  more  correctly  belongs  to  the 
Pnctorship  of  Regulus  the  father,  especially  as 
there  are  no  axes  (secures)  to  the  fasces ; and 
we  learn  from  Spauheim  that  such  was  the  case 
with  the  fasces  of  the  pratores  urbani. — By  the 
type  of  the  combat  of  men  with  wild  beasts, 
the  magnificent  gladiatorial  shews,  given  by 
Julius  Caesar,  are  probably  indicated. 

LN.,  as  a mint-mark,  Lugdunum. 

Lollia,  a plebeian  family,  having  for  its  sur- 
name palikanvs.  Its  ’ coins  offer  twelve 
varieties,  two  of  which  deserve  note,  viz.,  one 
a denarius  with  legend  libertatis  and  head 
of  Liberty,  and  the  other  inscribed  honoris, 
with  laurcatcd  head  of  Honour. 

libertatis. — The  head  of  Liberty. 

Rev.  palikanvs. — A portico,  to  the  columns 
of  which  are  affixed  the  beaks  of  ships,  and  on 
the  top  of  which  is  placed  a table. — The  fore- 
going is  Eckhel’s  description  of  the  type. — By 
Mionnct  it  is  described  as  a bridge  with  several 
arches ; a table  above,  mid  three  galleys  below. 

The  brass  pieces  of  this  family  were  struck 
in  Cyrenaica,  by  L.  Lollius,  one  of  the  lieu- 
tenants of  Augustus. 

honoris. — A juvenile  head  laureated. 

Rev.  palikanvs. — A eurule  chair  between 
two  ears  of  corn. 

The  reverse  of  the  first  denarius  exhibits  the 
rostra  Populi  Romani,  an  appellation  given  to  the 
suggestum,  or  elevated  platform,  constructed  in 
the  forum,  and  adorned  with  the  beaks  of  galleys 
captured  from  the  Antiates.  The  type  is  re- 
garded as  referring  to  M.  Lollius  Palikauus,  who, 
being  tribune  of  the  people  in  the  year  of 
Rome  684,  succeeded,  with  the  assistance  of 
Pompey  the  Consul,  in  restoring  to  the  tribune- 
ship  its  ancient  power,  of  which  Sylla  had  left  the 
shadow  without  the  substance.  [See  Tribunitia 
Potestas.]  By  the  head  of  Liberty,  therefore, 
the  restoration  of  liberty  to  the  Roman  people 
is  clearly  indicated  : whilst  the  rostra  point  to  the 
place  where  the  tribuni  plebis  were  accustomed 
to  speak  on  behalf  of  the  assemblies  of  the  people. 

LOCVPLETATORI  ORBIS  TERRARVM. 
S.C.  (To  him  who  enriches  the  world). — The 
Emperor  Hadrian,  seated  on  au  eslrade,  has 


522  LUCILLA. 

Liberalitas  beside  him,  who,  from  a horn  of 
plenty,  pours  forth  gifts  into  the  bosoms  of  two 
figures  standing  beneath. 

The  generosity  and  munificent  largesses  of 
Hadrian,  after  having  been  recorded  many  times 
on  various  coins  and  in  divers  ways,  arc  on  the 
reverse  of  a first  brass  medal  of  great  rarity, 
glorified  altogether  by  the  above  splendid  title — 

“ The  Benefactor  of  the  World”— a superlative 
the  more  remarkable,  inasmuch  as,  neither 
before  nor  afterwards,  js  it  found  conferred  on 
any  other  Emperor. — Dion  Cassius  at  once 
illustrates  and  countenances  the  otherwise  hyper- 
bolical character  of  this  legend — locupletator 
orbis  terrarum,  in  a passage  wherein  he  says 
of  this  prince  that  he  was  accustomed  to  enrich 
whole  provinces  with  his  gifts,  which  were 
bestowed  ou  a crowd  of  citizens  of  all  ranks 
and  classes,  and  that  he  never  waited  to  be 
asked,  but  bestowed  his  beneficence  wherever 
the  necessity  of  the  case  required  it. — See 
Hadrian. 

Lollianus. — Sec  Laelianus. 

LON.  Longus. — Surname  of  a man. 

LONG  VS  is  a surname  common  to  many 
families  of  different  races.  It  is  an  addition  to 
the  Casca  branch  of  the  Servilia  family — 
CASCA  LONGVS. 

Lorica,  the  cuirass  of  the  Romans.  This 
piece  of  defensive  armour,  which  the  ancients 
at  first  made  of  leather,  was  afterwards  formed  j 
of  iron  rings,  and  lastly  of  steel,  brass,  silver,  1 
and  even  gold  scales.  The  lorica  squamece  of 
the  Emperors  is  frequently  seen  on  their  coins,  j 
— See  Bomitian,  Severus,  & c. 

L.  P.  D.  AE.  P.  Lucius  Papirius  Besignatus 
JEdilis  Plebis. — Plebeian  Edile  elect. — Vaillant 
in  his  coins  of  Families  gives  this  as  inscribed 
on  a remarkable  brass  coin,  having  on  one  side 
Janus,  and  on  the  other  the  prow. 

L.  R.  Lucius  Rubrius  or  Roscius. 

L.  S.  DEN.  Lucius  Sicinius  Bentatus. — 
Prenomcn,  name,  and  surname  of  a man. 

L.  VAL.  Lucius  Valerius. — Preuomen  and 
name. 

LVC1F.  Lucifera. — Sec  diana  lvcifera.— 

LVNA  I.VCIFEIIA. 

Lucilia,  a plebeian  family,  whose  cognomen  [ 
is  Rufus.  It  has  only  one  type,  winged  head  of 
Minerva,  behind  it  a.  fv.,  the  whole  within  a 
laurel  crown. — Rev.  Victory  in  a biga,  inscribed 
m.  lvclli.  rvf.  Silver  common. 


( / ) Lucilia  ( AnniaJ , daughter  of  Marcus  Aurelius 


LUCIES.— LUCRETI. 

and  of  Faustina  the  younger.  Handsome,  and 
at  first  virtuous,  she  was  married  to  Lucius 
Vcrus.  Forsaken  by  him,  she  gave  herself  up 
to  lewdness  and  excess.  After  Vcrus’s  death, 
to  which  Lucilia  is  accused  of  having  been  an 
accessory,*  she  espoused  Claudius  Pompeianus,  a 
Roman  senator ; lived  with  Cominodus  as  his 
mistress ; abandoned  by  him  she  conspired 
against  that  tyrant,  by  whom  she  was  exiled  to 
Capreae,  where  she  was  shortly  after  put  to 
death. 

She  is  styled  on  her  coins  (which  in  every; 
metal  are  more  or  less  common),  LVCILLAI 
AVGVSTA — and  as  the  daughter  of  Marcus! 
Aurelius,  LVCILLA  AVG.  M.  ANTONI NI 
AVG.  F ilia.  The  types  of  some  of  her  brass 
medallions  are  of  great  beauty  and  rarity.  She 
had  children  by  her  two  husbands,  and  her 
medals  often  make  allusion  to  her  fecundity. 

LVCINA. — See  ivno  lvcina. 

LVCIO. — See  caio  et  lvcio. 

Lucius,  born  seventeen  years  before  Christ, 
was  one  of  the  sons  of  Agrippa,  by  Julia, 
daughter  of  Augustus,  and  with  his  elder 
brother  Coins  was  adopted  into  the  Julia  yens, 
and  at  the  same  time  into  the  family  of  the 
Caesars,  by  his  grandfather  Augustus,  and  was 
called  Princeps  Juventutis — Prince  of  the 
Roman  youth,  llis  portrait  appears  on  second 
brass  colonial  of  Augustus  (l.  avg.  or  L. 
caes  avg.  f.  princ.  tWEN.)  Sent  to  the 
army  of  Spain,  he  died  on  his  way,  at  Marseilles 
(Massilia),  a.d.  2 ; supposed  to  have  fallen  a 
victim  to  the  poisouiny  arts  of  Li\ia. 

LVC.  or  LVG.  P.S.  Lucduni,  or  Lugduni, 
pecunia  signata. — Money  struck  at  Lugdunum, 
now  Lyons. 

LVCR. — LVCRETI  — The  name  of  Lucretius. 
— Sec  Lucretia  gens,  a family  extinct  in  its 
patrician  branch ; but  its  plebeian  cognomen  of 
trio  is  preserved  on  eleven  varieties  of  coins ; 
none,  however,  of  any  remarkable  interest. 

The  following  is  a rare  denarius;  but  as 
restored  by  Trajan  it  is  trebly  rare  : — 

I.  Head  of  the  Sun  radiated. — Rev.  The 
| crescent  Moon  between  the  Triones,  or  constella- 
tion of  seven  stars — L.  i.vcreti  trio. 

There  is  an  elegant  though  by  no  means  a 
scarce  silver  coin  : — 

II.  Head  of  Neptune,  behind  it  a trident 
ami  xxxi. — Rev.  Cupid  riding  on  the  back  of 
a dolphin,  which  he  guides  with  a bridle — 

L.  LVCRETI  TRIO. 

It  is  evident  that  the  seven  stars,  or  Triones, 
arc  placed  on  this  family  coin  in  allusion  to  its 
name. — Eckhcl  adds,  “ The  symbols  of  the  sun 
and  inoon  were,  moreover,  engraved  on  it, 
because  those  planets  diffusing,  as  they  do  above 
all  others,  an  abundant  light,  have  a reference, 
in  my  opinion,  to  the  name  of  Lucretius." 

Cupid  mounted  ou  a dolphin  is  a doubtful 
subject  on  this  second  denarius  of  Lucretius. — 
Vaillant  refers  to  the  naval  victory  of  Aemilius, 
Pnctor  of  Sicily ; bnt  that  eminent  writer 
carries  his  perspicuity  so  far  ns,  from  the 
numerals  xxxi.  which  he  secs  near  the  head  of 
Neptune,  to  gather  the  very  number  of  ships 


/ci Lift  hmnifi  /. 

iCsiLLft  1hp\iTiA-/L  . 


LUDI  ROMANI. 

captured ! Quis  hac  refutabit  ? drily  asks 
the  unimaginative  but  sagacious  Eckhel. 

LVD.  Ludi,  Ludis,  Ludos. 

Ludi.  Games. — Public  sports  or  spectacles 
exhibited  for  the  amusement  of  the  people. 
These  celebrations  formed  part  of  the  religion 
of  the  ancients ; the  games  themselves  were 
solemnized  for  the  professed  purpose  either  of 
appeasing  the  wrath  of  the  gods,  and  meriting 
their  favour ; or  of  invoking  the  blessing  of 
health  for  the  people,  whose  good  graces  were 
also  sought  to  be  conciliated  by  those  who 
instituted  and  arranged  them. — The  Grecian 
states,  in  the  ages  of  their  independence,  carried 
the  system  of  holding  public  games  to  the 
highest  point  of  national  distinction.  After- 
wards when  Greece  submitted  to  the  Roman 
yoke,  her  conquerors  encouraged  this  extravagant 
taste,  which  better  suited  their  ambitious  policy 
than  to  leave  her  to  the  galling  thoughts  of  lost 
liberty.  And  from  numismatic  evidence,  it 
woidd  even  appear  that  the  provinces  increased 
the  number  of  their  public  games  in  the  very 
ratio  of  their  decreasing  prosperity. — From  the 
time  of  Septimius  Severus,  medals  are  fouud 
to  indicate  many  new  institutions  of  this  sort, 
of  which  no  preceding  record  had  been  made. 
Rut  their  number  was  never  so  great  as  under 
Valcriauus  and  Gallienus — that  is  to  say,  during 
reigns  in  which  the  Greek  provinces  of  the 
empire  were  in  the  most  neglected  and  ruinous 
state.  Passing  over  (by  no  means  as  uninterest- 
ing but  simply  as  exceeding  the  limits  of  a work 
expressly  confined  to  Roman  numismatics),  those 
notices  of  Grecian  games  which  Millin  has  so 
nobly  given  in  his  bictionaire  des  Beaux  Arts, 
we  proceed  to  enumerate  and  shall  attempt  con- 
cisely to  explain  the  Ludi  Romani.  These  re- 
ceived their  respective  appellations  from  the 
places  where  they  were  celebrated,  as  circensian 
and  as  scenic  games ; or  by  the  name  of  the 
deity  to  whom  they  were  consecrated  ; and  these 
latter  were  divided  into  sacred  games,  and  votive 
games,  funeral  games,  and  games  of  amuse- 
ment. The  Plebeian  Ediles  had  tbc  manage- 
ment of  the  plebeian  games.  The  Prator,  or 
the  Curulc  Edile,  took  the  direction  of  the 
games  dedicated  to  Ceres,  to  Apollo,  to  Jupiter, 
to  Cybele,  and  to  the  other  principal  deities, 
under  the  name  of  Ludi  Megaleuses.  Amongst 
this  variety  of  public  spectacles,  there  were  some 
which  were  specially  denominated  Ludi  Romani, 
and  which  were  themselves  divided  into  magni, 
and  maximi. 

Ludi  Publici,  the  public  games  which  the 
Roman  Emperors  dedicated  to  the  amusement  of 
the  people,  were  a species  of  feasts  or  holidays ; 
but  it  was  not  every  public  festivity  that  was 
accompanied  by  public  games.  On  coins  these 
ludi  are  very  frequently  noticed. — Besides  being 
indicated  by  vases,  whence  spring  palm  branches, 
or  over  which  appear  crowns,  they  are  dis- 
tinguished by  legends,  which  for  the  most  part 
exhibit  either  the  name  of  the  author,  or  that 
of  the  deity  to  whose  honour  they  were  insti- 
tuted.— Thus  Nero  is  shewn  to  be  the  author  of 
certain  contests  celebrated  every  fi'vc  years  by  a 
3X2 


LUDI  ROMANI.  623 

coin  bearing  the  inscription  ceu.  qvinq.  kom. 
co.  Cerlamen  Quinquennale  Roma  Oon- 
stitulum. — See  CEit.  qvinq.  kom.  co. — And 
from  a legend  on  a Greek  coin  of  Caraealla,  it 
is  ascertained  that  at  Ancyra  in  Galatia  games 
had  been  celebrated  in  houour  of  Esculapius,  in 
like  manner  with  those  already  dedicated  in  the 
Isthmus  of  Corinth  to  Apollo. 

Ludorum  Pramia,  the  prizes  or  symbols  of 
public  games,  were  the  caduceus,  the  corona  or 
garland,  the  laurel,  the  palm,  vases,  &c. 

The  following  are  the  only  Roman  games 
alluded  to  on  medals  with  Latin  inscriptions : — 

Ludi  Apollinares,  which  w'ere  instituted  in 
Rome  to  the  honour  of  Apollo  by  a Senatus 
consul  turn,  and  celebrated  for  the  first  time  in 
543.  These  annual  games  consisted  of  horse- 
racing in  the  circus.  Several  coins  of  the 
Calpurnia  family  offer  types  which,  in  the  head 
of  Apollo,  the  laurel  crown,  the  vase,  and  a 
horse  at  full  gallop  with  its  rider,  are  considered 
as  having  reference  to  the  Apollinariau  games, 
which  were  identical  with  the  Pythian  games  of 
the  Greeks. 

Ludi  Cereales. — These  games,  common  to 
Ceres  and  to  Bacchus,  were  under  the  direction 
of  the  Curulc  Ediles. 

Ludi  Circenses. — The  games  of  this  name, 
borrowed  from  the  Greek,  were  fust  celebrated 
at  Rome,  when  the  Elder  Tarquin  built  a circus 
between  Mounts  Aventine  and  Palatine.  They 
commenced  on  the  23rd  September,  lasted  five 
days,  and  five  sorts  of  exercises,  called 
Gymnici,  were  performed  at  them — viz., 

racing,  pugilism,  wrestling,  the  discus,  and  the 
dance.  The  procession  from  the  Capitol  to  the 
Circus,  on  the  opening  day,  was  of  the  most 
imposing  description. — A coin  of  Nerva  records 
the  games  of  the  Circus  in  connection  with  their 
reputed  founder,  Neptune  ; and  an  equally 
interesting  allusion  to  them  is  found  ou  coins  of 
Roman  mintage,  that  which  is  inscribed  on  a 
coin  of  Hadrian,  inscribed  ANNo  DCCCLXX1 II 
NAT ali  VRB is  Yritnum  CIRcenses  CON stituti, 
recording  the  revival  and  re-cstablishment,  alter 
long  disuse,  of  the  Circensian  games,  in  celebra- 
tion of  the  874th  anniversary  of  Rome’s  natal 
or  foundation  day  (see  the  words  anno,  &c). — 
Havercamp,  in  his  remarks  on  Coutorniate 
medals,  show's  to  what  an  insane  pitch  the  love 
of  these  games  wTas  carried,  even  under  the 
Christian  Emperors. 

Ludi  becennales. — Games  which theEmperors 
gave  to  the  people  ou  the  tenth  year  of  their 
reign.  The  custom  of  celebrating  the  decennial 
games  derived  its  origin  from  Augustus,  after 
whose  example  other  Emperors  adopted  it,  as 
Dion  Cassius  teaches  us  (L.  iii.) — See  peimi 
decennaj.es  and  decexnalia. 

Ludi  Florales. — Floral  games  which  were 
celebrated  at  Rome  in  honour  of  the  Goddess 
Flora,  under  the  direction  of  the  Curule  Ediles, 
on  the  29th  of  April,  to  invoke  the  seasonable 
appearance  of  the  Flowers. — A record  of  one 
ol  these  cclcbratious  is  seen  on  a denarius  of  the 
Servilia  family. — Sec  Flora. 

Ludi  Funebres. — Funeral  games  given  in 


524 


LUDI  ROMANI. 


honour  of  persons  of  distinction  after  their  death, 
under  the  superstitious  idea  of  satisfying  their 
manes,  and  of  appeasing  the  wrath  of  the 
infernal  gods.  Th  ey  included  combats  of 

gladiators ; and  this  cruel  spectacle  was  called 
inunus,  that  is  to  say  a gift. — The  Romans  for- 
bade women  being  present  at  these  murderous 
exhibitions.  The  games  lasted  three  or  four 
days,  and  the  people  attended  them  in  mourning 
habits. 

The  ludi funebres  in  honour  of  Divus  Augustus,  ] 
instituted  by  the  Col.  Ficlr.  Jut.  Carth.,  arc  | 
referred  to  on  coins  of  Roman  families,  edited 
by  Havercamp  and  Morell. 

Ludi  Francici. — In  the  calendarium  of  ; 
Philocalus,  published  by  Lainbecius,  mention  is 
made  of  games  bearing  the  name  of  Francici , 
and  which  are  supposed  to  have  been  instituted 
on  the  occasion  of  the  victory  gained  over  the 
Franks  and  Alemanni  by  Constantine  the  Great, 
who,  according  to  Eutropius — “ Casts  Francis  < 
atque  Alemannis  reges  eorum  cepit,  et  bestiis,  j 
cum  magnificum  spectaculum  muneris  parasset,  \ 
objecit.” — If  this  horrible  act  of  ungenerous 
bloodthirstiness  was  really  committed  by  this  first 
professed  imperial  convert  from  Paganism  to  the 
religion  of  the  Cross,  the  gavdivm  which  stands 
on  the  numismatic  record  of  his  achievement,  as 
the  vanquisher  THAN  Comm  et  AI.A  'Sian  norum, 
should  have  been  written  CRVDEL1TAS 
ROMANORVM.  The  man,  indeed,  who  could 
deliver  up  the  chiefs  of  his  no  longer  resisting 
foes  to  wild  beasts  at  the  games  which  he 
exhibited  for  the  amusement  of  the  people,  was 
not  a monarch  but  a monster — not  a Christian 
Emperor,  but  an  incarnate  fiend. — Eumenius,  in 
his  panegyrics,  lauds  Constantine  in  giving 
his  Frankish  prisoners  in  such  numbers  to  the 
wild  beasts  that  they  at  last  stood  still,  satiated 
with  slaughter. — See  a notice  of  the  amphitheatre 
at  Treves,  the  site  of  the  carnage,  in  Mr.  Roach 
Smith’s  Col.  Ant.  vol.  ii. 

Ludi  Magni,  or  Romani,  were  institnted 
under  the  Kings  of  Rome,  and  were  called 
magni,  because  they  were  given  on  a grand  scale 
and  at  a great  expense.  They  were  dedicated  to 
Jove,  Juno,  and  Minerva.  The  curule  chair, 
with  the  thunderbolt  and  face  of  Jupiter  above 
it,  on  the  obverse  of  denarii,  shew  that  it  was 
the  Ediles  who  celebrated  these  grand  or  Roman 
games. 

Ludi  Megalenses,  or  Megalesii,  in  honour  of 
Mater  Magna,  the  Idican  Goddess  (Cybele), 
were  held  in  April,  with  great  religious  pomp. 
Tlic  early  coinage  of  Rome  shews  that  the  above- 
named  goddess  was  a principal  deity,  whose 
favour  it  was  sought  to  invoke,  and  whose  wrath 
to  appease,  by  these  games.  Their  types  arc 
found  on  certain  denarii  of  Roman  families  (see 
Havercamp ; aud  Morell,  Fam.  p.  298).  These 
public  games  were  celebrated  by  Scipio  at 
Nassica,  in  Spain. — Sec  Calagurris. 

Ludi  Farthici. — The  Parthian  games  were 
celebrated  at  Rome  in  remembrance  of  the 
victories  gained  by  Trajan  over  the  1’arthiaus. — 
“ It  would  seem  (says  Millin)  that  the  com- 
memorations occasioned  a great  number  of  Con- 


LUDI  SJSCl'LARES. 

tomiatc  medals,  with  the  head  of  Trajan  on 
them,  to  be  distributed  amongst  the  people.” 
Ludi  Saculares. — Secular  games,  so  called, 
because  they  were  celebrated  only  once  in  a 
century  or  age,  or  perhaps  because  it  was 
scarcely  given  to  a man  to  see  them  more  than 
once  in  his  life.  They  constituted  one  of  thei 
most  solemn  of  the  Roman  festivals.  Their 
actual  origin  is  thus  related.  In  the  same  year 
when  the  kingly  government  was  abolished, 
Rome  became  afflicted  with  a dreadful  pestilence; 
and  Publius  Valerius  Publicola,  then  one  of  the 
two  consuls,  sought  to  stay  the  vengeance  of 
the  offended  deities,  by  causing  sacrifices  to  be 
offered  on  the  same  altars  to  Pluto  and  Proser- 
pine ; and,  as  we  are  told,  the  plague  ceased. — ■ 
Sixty  years  afterwards,  the  same  rites  were 
repeated  by  order  of  the  priests  of  the  Sybilliue 
Oracle,  and  certain  ceremonies  were  added,  as 
pretended  to  be  prescribed  in  the  sacred  books 
of  the  Sybills;  and  then  it  was  ordained  that 
these  feasts  should  take  place  at  the  end  of 
each  century.  The  preparation  for  and  arrange- 
ments of  these  games  were  extremely  imposing, 
especially  during  the  period  of  the  empire,  with 
whose  preservation  they  were,  in  popular 
opinion,  identified.  When  the  time  arrived  for 
holding  these  secular  sports,  the  Quindeccmvirs 
sent  heralds  throughout  all  Italy,  for  the  express 
purpose  of  inviting  the  people  to  assist  at  a 
festival  “ which  they  had  never  seen,  and  which 
they  would  never  see  again.” — When  everybody 
was  assembled,  the  solemnities  began  with  a 
procession,  consisting  of  the  Priesthood,  the 
Seuate,  and  the  Magistrates,  accompanied  by  a 
multitude  of  citizens  clothed  in  white,  crowned 
with  flowers,  and  each  holding  a palm-branch. 
For  the  three  days  and  nights  that  the  festirtd 
lasted,  three  different  hymns  were  sung  in  the 
temples,  and  various  shows  were  exhibited  to 
the  people.  The  scene  of  action  was  changed 
each  day.  The  first  was  in  the  Campus  Martins; 
the  second  at  the  Capitol ; the  third  on  the 
Palatine  Hill.  After  a preparatory  form  of 
devotion,  called  Perrigi/wm,  when  lustral  cere- 
monies were  gone  through,  and  black  victims 
offered  up  to  the  Infernal  Gods,  the  multitude 
assembled  in  the  Field  of  Mars,  and  sacrificed  to 
Jupiter,  Juno,  Apollo,  Diana,  Ceres,  and  other 
divinities.  The  first  nizht  of  the  games,  the 
Emperor  himself,  at  the  head  of  fifteen  Pontiffs, 
proceeded  to  the  banks  of  the  Tiber,  and 
there  at  three  altars  erected  for  the  occasion, 
and  sprinkled  with  the  blood  of  three  lambs, 
they  dedicated  victims  and  other  burnt -offerings. 
A certain  space  of  ground  was  afterwards 
marked  out,  and  converted  into  an  illuminated 
scene.  During  the  first  two  days  appropriate 
hymns  were  chanted  in  chorus ; different  kiuds 
of  games  were  performed  ; scenic  pieces  were 
exhibited  at  the  theatre ; and  at  the  circus  there 
were  foot,  horse,  and  chariot  races.  The  third 
day,  which  concluded  the  festival,  seventeen  young 
men  and  as  many  young  women  of  condition, 
and  having  their  fathers  and  mothers  living, 
entered  the  temple  of  Apollo  Palatinus,  and 
I sang  hyinns  in  Greek  and  Latin,  invoking 


Ll'Dl  S.ECULARES. 

upon  Rome  the  protection  of  the  gods,  who  had 
just  been  honoured  by  the  most  solemn  sacrifices. 
At  length  the  Sibylline  Priests  who  had  opened 
the  ludi  see  cut  ares  with  prayers  to  the  deities, 
closed  them  in  the  same  manner. 

In  giving  an  account  of  the  various  epochas 
when  the  Secular  games  were  celebrated  under 
the  Emperors,  M.  Millin  observes  that  after  an 
interruption  which  lasted  for  a long  series  of 
years,  these  festivities  took  place  for  the  sixth 
time  from  their  original  institution  during  the 
reign  of  Augustus,  and  in  the  year  of  Rome 
737. — The  Emperor  Claudius,  indeed,  when  he 
was  but  a private  individual,  had  borne  testimony 
1 to  the  fact  that  Augustus’s  calculation  of  the 
j year  for  performing  the  secular  games  was  carc- 
I fully  and  correctly  made.  But  when  Claudius 
became  emperor  he  found  fault  with  this 
calcidation,  which  he  said  had  anticipated  the 
I time;  and  he  pretended  that  the  celebration  ought 
to  have  been  reserved  to  the  end  of  the  century 
in  which  he  was  living.  In  conformity  with 
I this  his  professed  opinion,  Claudius  repeated 
these  games  in  the  80uth  year  after  the  founda- 
tion of  Rome.  It  is  in  reference  to  that 
occasion  Suetonius  remarks  that  the  pro- 
clamation of  the  herald,  about  “ what  people 
had  never  seeu  and  would  not  see  again,”  failed 
in  its  application  to  this  particular  instance; 
because  many  persons  who  had  witnessed  the 
secular  games  under  Augustus,  were  then  still 
living ; and  because  there  were  even  actors  that 
had  been  employed  on  the  former  occasion,  who 
took  part  in  the  spectacle  of  this  Claudian  cele- 
bration.— Forty-one  years  afterwards,  Domitian 
renewed  the  secular  games,  not  according  to  the 
calculation  established  by  Claudius,  but  agree- 
ably to  that  of  Augustus,  by  which  it  had  been 
laid  down  that  the  games  in  question  were  to  be 
celebrated  every  hundred  and  ten  years. — Tacitus 
was  then  praitor,  and  actively  assisted  at  this 
celebration  of  Domitian,  in  his  office  of  quin- 
decemvir,  or  sibylline  pontilf,  as  he  calls  him- 
self, says  in  his  Annals  (Lib  xi.  c.  11). — 
| Antoninus  Pius,  as  Aurelius  Victor  informs  us, 
celebrated  the  900th  year  of  Rome,  with  great 
, magnificence;  it  is  not  said  that  the  secular 
i games  were  then  exhibited,  but  that  they  were 
* is  the  more  probable,  inasmuch  as  the  writer 
above-mentioned  does  not  even  use  that  ex- 
pression when  speaking  of  the  secular  games 
celebrated  in  the  reign  of  Philip. — Septimius 
Severus  adopted  the  computation  of  Augustus, 
in  giving  the  secular  games  at  Rome,  in  the 
year  957.  It  is  well-known  that  Philip  repeated 
them  with  unexampled  magnificence  and  splen- 
dour, in  the  year  of  the  city  1001.  The  types 
of  several  medals  of  Gallienus  shew  that,  under 
his  reign,  there  was  a performance  of  these 
games.  And  Eckhel,  Syllog.  i.  Num.  Vet.  has 
published  (plate  10,  No.  11)  a coin  of  Maxi- 
niianus,  which  goes  to  prove  that  under  that 
prince  also  the  same  games  were  celebrated. 
Nevertheless,  according  to  the  two  modes  of 
calculating  the  epochas  of  the  secular  games, 
which  we  have  seeu  were  adopted  by  preceding 
emperors,  viz.,  a period  of  one  hundred  and 


LUDI  SJDCULARES.  525 

ten  years,  in  taking  for  a base  the  737th  year 
of  Rome,  when  Augustus  re-established  them ; 
or  else  the  period  of  one  bundled  years  adopted 
by  Claudius,  Antoninus  Pius,  and  Philip — in 
taking  for  a base  the  secular  games  celebrated 
in  957  under  Severus,  according  to  the  com- 
putation of  Augustus,  they  ought  to  have  been 
celebrated  one  hundred  and  ten  years  after,  that 
is  to  say,  in  1067 ; but  Maximianus  w as  dead 
in  1063.  The  same  reasoning  may  be  employed 
in  order  to  prove  that  dining  the  reign  of 
Gallienus,  which  comes  in  the  series  between 
that  of  Philip  and  that  of  Maximian,  there  should 
not  have  been  any  secular  games.  It  is  this 
circumstance  which  induced  Eckhel  to  suppose 
that,  having  found  the  period  of  a whole  century 
too  long,  the  Emperors  determined  upon  cele- 
brating these  splendid  feasts  at  the  end  of  half  a 
century.  This  hypothesis  acquires  great  weight, 
when  it  is  considered,  in  the  first  place,  that  at 
this  cpocha,  the  Roman  empire  was  afflicted  with 
pestilence  and  ravaged  with  wars,  and  that  it 
was  expressly  with  the  view  of  removing  these 
scourges  that  the  celebration  of  the  secular 
games  was  instituted ; in  the  next  place,  accord- 
ing to  the  newer  computation,  the  time  for  per- 
forming them  coincides  with  the  reign  of 
Gallienus,  and  with  that  of  Maximianus,  under 
whom  the  testimony  of  medals  shews  that  they 
took  place.— Severus  celebrated  the  games  in 
957,  ou  the  computation  'of  Augustus.  In 
adding  thereto  55  years,  the  half  of  110, 
according  to  Augustus,  composing  the  period 
required  to  elapse  between  one  celebration  and 
another,  we  arrive  at  the  year  1012,  which 
corresponds  with  the  seventh  year  of  the  tri- 
bunitian  power  of  Gallienus,  a period  at  which 
his  father  Valerianus  was  taken  prisoner  by  the 
Persians — an  event  which  perhaps  induced  Gal- 
lienus to  give  the  secular  games  as  a supposed 
means  of  appeasing  the  anger  of  the  gods. — 
M ith  respect  to  Maximianus,  it  must  be  con- 
cluded that  he  took  for  the  basis  of  his  calcula- 
tion the  games  celebrated  in  1001  under  Philip, 
adding  thereto  fifty  years,  as  the  half  century, 
according  to  the  computation  followed  by  Clau- 
dius, in  which  case  the  secular  games  would 
have  been  celebrated  under  Maximianus,  in  the 
year  1051  of  Rome — the  thirteenth  year  of  his 
tribunitian  power. — Constantine  did'  not  cele- 
brate them  in  the  year  when  he  was  consul, 
with  Licinius  for  the  third  time,  in  the  1066th 
year  of  Rome,  or  a.d.  313.— But  the  Emperor 
llonorius,  having  received  intelligence  of  the 
victory  gained  by  his  general  Stilico  over 
Alaric,  permitted  all  the  Pagans  again  to  cele- 
brate the  secular  games ; and  these  were  the  last 
of  which  history  makes  mention. 

Ludi  Votivi. — Games  which  Roman  Generals 
caused  to  be  celebrated  when  they  were 
about  to  depart  for  the  wars,  or  which  they 
made  a vow  to  celebrate  in  the  event  o’f 
their  escaping  some  imminent  danger. — The 
ludi  votivi  were  performed  on  various  occa- 
sions, being  of  a private  as  well  as  public  kind. 
Mention  is  made  of  them  on  a coin  of  the 
Non ia  family,  the  reverse  of  which  has  for  its 


620  lud;  s.-eculares. 

circumscription  SE Xtus  NONImw  VRimus  (or 
as  some  read  it  PR ator)  Ludus  Xotivus  P ublicos 
Fecit. — To  this  may  be  added  a medal  of  the.  Maria 
family,  in  tab.  i.  no.  5 of  Morell’s  Thesaurus. 

LVD.  SAEC. — On  a rare  silver  coin  of 
Augustus  is  a cippus  on  which  are  inscribed  the 
words  IMP.  CAES.  AVG.  LVD.  saec.  In  the 
field,  on  one  side,  is  xv.,  on  the  other,  s.  F., 
which  means  Casar  Augustus  lud  os  sacularcs, 
( subandit ur  fecit,)  Quindecemcir  sacris faciun- 
dis.  (The  Emperor  Cicsar  Augustus  instituted 
the  Secular  games  as  Quindecemvir  having  the 
care  of  sacred  things.) 

Augustus,  as  has  been  stated,  restored  the 
secular  games  in  the  year  of  Rome  737,  when  ' 
he  was  one  of  the  Quindqcemciri,  or  officers  | 
appointed  to  superintend  the  sacrifices.  Hence 
we  find  it  recorded  on  the  cippus,  as  on  the 
coins  of  Domitian  and  of  Philip. 

LVD.  SAEC.  EEC.  COS.  XIIII. — Ludos 


sttcttlares  fecit  Consul  XIIII. — The  Emperor 
(Domitian)  caused  to  be  celebrated — or  rather 
under  the  reign  of  Domitian,  and  during  his  14th 
Consulate,  the  secidar  games  were  celebrated, 
about  the  year  of  Rome  841 ; 104  years  after 
those  of  Augustus,  and  41  after  those  of 
Claudius.  The  coin  above,  in  second  brass, 
commemorates  this  event. 

Of  all  the  medals  struck  under  different 
Emperors  in  commemoration  of  the  secular 
games,  none  arc  more  curious,  none  are  more 
replete  with  antiquarian  interest,  than  those  of 
Domitian,  representing  the  solemn  ceremonies 
of  these  games. — On  one  of  these  (a  denarius) 
we  sec  a man  habited  in  the  toga,  standing  near 
a cippus  inscribed  as  above, 
and  wearing  on  his  head  a 
helmet,  whence  spring  two 
wings  ; in  his  right  hand  he 
holds  a small  staff,  and  in 
his  left  a round  buckler. — 
This  figure,  it  is  conjectured, 
is  that  of  the  herald  whose 
duty  it  was  to  announce  the 
celebration  of  the  games ; or  perhaps  one  of  the 
quindecemcirs  who  presided  at  them.  The  same 
figure  (says  Millin)  is  found  on  coins  of  the 
Sanquinia  family,  of  which  the  type  recalls  the 
memory  of  those  secular  games  which  Augustus 
re-established  (737),  and  when  one  of  the 
members  of  the  above  named  family  was 
monetary  triumvir. 

On  a first  brass  of  the  same  Emperor,  bear- 
ing the  same  legend,  we  sec  his  figure  standing, 
clothed  in  the  toga,  holding  a patera  in  his  right 
hand,  aud  performing  sacrifice  before  .an  altar. 


LUDI  S JSCCLARES. 


Near  the  Emperor,  a woman  holding  a cornucopia; 
is  seated  on  the  ground  ; whilst  on  the  other 
side  we  see  a harper,  a flute  player,  and  a popa 
I (or  priest  who  slew  the  victims)  with  a sow. — 
("he  woman  whom  we  see  on  the  ground,  says 
Eckhcl,  is  Tel/us,  or  Mother  Earth — the  fertile 
nurse  of  all  living  creatures,  characterised  as 
such  by  the  horn  of  plenty.  The  sow  which  we 
see  brought  to  the  altar  is  destiued  to  be  sacrificed 
to  her,  as  the  verses  of  the  Sibylls,  quoted  in 
Zosimus,  indicate,  by  mentioning  the  hog  and 
the  black  sow  as  fit  immolations  to  the  Goddess 
■ of  the  Fertile  Earth.  Hence  also  Horace, 
amongst  other  deities,  to  whom  vows  were 
accustomed  to  be  made,  invokes  Tellus,  in  the 
Carmen  Krcu/are : — 

FertilLi  frugum,  pecorisque  Tellus 
Spicea  donet  Cererem  corona. 

On  another  first  brass  of  Domitian,  bearing 
the  same  legend  of  lvd.  saec.  fec.  Cos.  xiIll. 
s.  c.,  the  Emperor  stands  in  front  of  a Temple, 
holding  a patera  over  a lighted  altar ; opposite 
him  is  a man  seated  on  the  ground  with  a harp 
in  his  hand  ; behind  arc  two  flute  players. 

On  a second  brass  of  Domitian,  the  Emperor 
is  seen  in  the  act  of  sacrificing  at  a lighted  altar, 


whilst  one  popa  holds  down  an  ox,  the  second  popa 
strikes  him  with  his  axe.  This  type  refers  to  the 
custom  which  prevailed  at  the  Secular  games  of 
offering  up  while  bulls  to  Jupiter  and  Juno,  aud 
black  ones  to  Pluto  aud  Proserpine,  as  Horace 
says — Qiorque  cos  bobus  reneratur  albis. — 


LUDI  SiECULARES. 

Sheep  and  goats  were  also  sacrificed  on  these 
occasions,  as  may  be  remarked  on  other  second 
brass  coins  of  Domitian,  which  bear  equally 
specific  reference  to  the  Secular  games. 

On  a first  and  second  brass  of  the  same 


Emperor  we  see  a river  personified  in  a recum- 
bent posture,  and  holding  a cornucopia;  — This 
river,  says  Eckliel,  is  the  Tiber  ; for,  according 
to  the  laws  of  these  games,  as  Zosimus  instructs 
us,  the  victims  were  immolated  on  the  bank  of 
the  Tiber,  near  the  Campus  Martins,  at  the 
spot  called  Tereutum. 

On  a first  brass  0i  Domitian  the  Emperor 
appears  clothed  in  the  toga,  and  holding  a 


volume,!,  or  roll  of  papyrus,  in  his  left  hand ; 
behind  him  is  another  togated  man  ; whilst  near 
him  is  a procession  of  three  young  persons,  whose 
hands  are  raised,  and  who  hold  palm  branches. — 
This  type  has  relation  to  the  twenty-seven  boys 
and  the  twenty-seven  girls,  who  ( ambos  parent es 
adhuc  superstites  habent)  had  both  parents  still 
surviving,  and  who  chanted  hymns  in  Latin  and 
Greek. — Horace  illustrates  this  custom  thus  in  his 
Carm.  Sac. : — 

Condito  mitis,  placidusque  telo 
Supplices  audi pueros,  Apollo  ; 

Sulerum  regina  bicornis  audi 
Luna , puellas. 

And  Catullus  still  more  pointedly: — 

Diana  sumus  in  fide 
Puellce,  et  pueri  integri, 

Dianavn  pueri  integri, 

Puellteque  canamvs. 

On  a first  brass  also  of  Domitian,  which  on 
its  obverse  bears  his  laureated  head,  with  the 
newly  assumed  title  of  CENiOr  PER petuus, 
and  which  on  the  reverse  is  notified  as  having 
been  struck  in  the  14th  Consulate  (cos.  xim). 
D e read  as  on  all  the  foregoing : — 

LVD.  SAEC.  EEC.  S.  C. ; and  we  see  the 
Emperor  clothed  in  the  toga,  sitting  in  front  of 
a temple  on  the  suggest  um,  or  raised  platform. 


LUDI  SjECULARES.  527 

on  which  is  written  svfpd  ; and,  unattended  by 
the  usual  assistants,  he  is  making  a distribution 
to  a man  and  a child. — This  type,  according  to 
the  concurrent  opinion  of  the  learned,  refers  to 
certain  functions  performed  by  the  Emperor  as 
quindecemvir  sacris  faciundis.  The  letters 
SVlj'PD  being  explained  to  mean  SVE fimenta 
Vopulo  Data  LVlJoj  SXECularcs  FEC#,  that  is 
to  say,  perfumes  (for  the  purpose  of  lustrations) 
given  to  the  people , some  days  before  the  com- 
mencement of  the  Sfceular  games. 

A large  brass  of  the  same  Emperor,  which 
has  for  the  legend  of  its  reverse  cos.  xim.  lvd. 
saec.  a.  pop.,  and  on  the  base  of  a suggestum 
frvg.  ac. — Here  we  see  Domitian  seated; 
before  him  stand  two  figures,  in  front  of  a 
temple.  This  last  legend  gives  rise  to  two 
interpretations.  Some  read : cos.  xim.  Ludi 
Srecularibus  a Populo  fruges  accepit ; which 
alludes  to  the  first  fruits  of  the  harvests  offered 
to  the  Gods  by  the  people.  But  the  greater 
number  of  numismatists,  holding  opinion  with 
Spanheim,  think  it  should  be  interpreted  Cos. 
xim.  Ludos  Saculares,  (the  word  fecit  being 
understood)  a Populo  fruges  accepter,  it  being 
remembered  that  after  the  games  an  abundance 
of  distributions  were  made  to  the  multitude. — 
Another  first  brass,  with  the  same  legend  (but 
without  the  abbreviated  wrords  frvg.  ac.), 
represents  Domitian  near  a temple,  having 
before  him  several  figures  kneeling,  with  them 
hands  raised  towards  the  Emperor. 

LYDOS.  SAECVL.  FECIT.  COS.  III.— 
Bacchus  with  panther , and  Hercules  with  club 
st ending ; and  between  them  a cippus  bearing  this 
legend  constitute  the  reverse  of  a second  brass 
of  Severus  in  the  Queen  of  Sweden’s  cabinet. 
A gold  coin  is  given  by  Mionnct,  which  he 
values  at  150  francs,  bearing  the  same  legend 
and  type,  but  apparently  without  the  cippus. — 
These  medals  record  the  renewal,  by  this  warlike 
Emperor,  of  the  Secular  games  celebrated  by 
Domitian;  but  not  till  after  a lapse  of  116 
years,  as  perhaps  on  account  of  the  civil  wars 
he  was  unable  to  give  them  at  the  prescribed 
time.  Herodianus  (as  quoted  by  Vaillant)  thus 
alludes  to  them — “ We  see  also  under  him 
(Severus)  certain  games  of  every  kind  produced 
at  all  the  theatres,  and  at  the  same  time  public 
festivities  celebrated,  and  vigils  after  the  manner 
of  the  initiated  in  the  rites  of  Ceres  ; these  are 
now  called  the  Secular  games.” — Dion  Cassius 
states  that  Severus  built  a large  temple  to 
Bacchus  and  Hercules. 

COS.  111.  LVD.  SAEC.  EEC.  S.  C.— The 


528  LUGDUNUM.— LUNA. 

Emperor  sacrificing  before  an  altar,  attended  by 
Hercules  and  Bacchus.  In  the  back  ground  a 
flute  player.  In  the  front,  on  the  left  , is  Tcllus ; 
on  the  right,  a boy  holding  the  victim. — First 
brass  of  Scverus. 

Thus  we  see  from  the  above  cited  instances  of 
Augustus,  Claudius,  Domitian,  and  Severus, 
that  in  spite  of  their  name  (saecvlares),  these 
solemnities  had  no  decidedly  fixed  epochas ; the 
will  of  the  reigning  prince,  and  the  circumstances 
of  the  empire,  uuiting  to  alter  the  era  from 
which  their  return  was  computed. 

LVG.  Lugdunensis. — C.  C.  COL.  LVG. 
Claudius  Copia  Colonia  Lugdunensis. — The 
Roman  colony  of  Lugdunum. 

Lugdunum,  a city  and  colony  of  Gaul ; 
according  to  Herodianus  a large  and  opulent 
city,  now  called  Lyon,  in  central  France. — 
Havcrcamp  ( ad  Morell  Tam.  p.  26 ) states  that 
Lugdunum  was  made  a Roman  municipium 
under  the  provincial  qnaestorship  of  M.  Antonins 
Creticus,  the  father  of  Mark  Antony  the 
triumvir.  It  was  furthermore  invested  with  the 
jus  civitatis  Romance  by  the  Emperor  Claudius, 
who,  by  his  mother  Antonia,  was  related  to  the 
Antonii. — An  ancient  copy  of  the  decree  of 
Claudius,  upon  brass  plates,  is  preserved  at 
Lyon.  They  were  discovered  in  1528. 

LVGDVNI  A.  XL. — A Lion  walking. — This 
inscription  and  type  appear  on  a quinarius  of  M. 
Antonius,  and  shew  it  to  have  been  struck  at 
Lugdunum  in  Gaul,  now  Lyon. 

Lugdu.ni  Genius. — The  Genius  of  Lyon, 
personified  by  a male  figure,  turret-crowned, 
standing  with  a spear  in  his  right,  and  a 
cornucopia:  in  his  left  hand,  with  an  eagle  at  his 
feet,  appears  on  a silver  coin  of  Clodius 
Albinus. — See  gen.  lvo. 

Luna,  the  Moon. — This  deity  was  by  the 
Romans,  who  borrowed  their  worship  of  her 
from  the  Greeks,  generally  identified  with  Diana, 
from  which  chaste  goddess  she  is,  however,  to 
be  distinguished,  inasmuch  as  to  Inna,  or 
Selena,  were  attributed  certain  amorous  adven- 
tures, amongst  others  that  with  Endymion,  of 
which  the  fable  is  depicted  on  one  of  the 
Contorniates  in  llavercamp’s  collection. 

The  symbols  of  Luna  are  various  on  Roman 
coins ; on  those  of  Vespasian,  Titus,  Domitian, 
Trajan,  and  Hadrian  (second  brass),  the  figure 
of  Eternity  holds  in  her  hands  the  heads  of  the 
Sun  and  Moon. — The  moon  mingled  with  stars 
is  a type,  of  Consecration,  and  serves  on  a 
second  brass  of  Faustina  senior  to  designate  the 
reception  of  that  Empress  amongst  the  celestial 
divinities. — On  a second  brass  of  the  younger 
Faustina  Luna  is  seen  standing  with  a torch  in 
each  hand,  symbolically  pointing  to  that  princess 
as  siuektbvs  kecepta. — See  that  legend ; also 
see  aeternitas  and  conseciiatio. 

Luna  is  represented  in  different  designs  on 
coins  of  the  Empresses,  amongst  others  in  those 
which  exhibit  Julia  Domna,  whether  in  allusion 
to  the  fecundity  of  that  princess,  or  as  flattering 
her  with  the  Sond  idea  of  being  another  light  to 
the  world.  She  appears  in  a biga  of  bulls  on 
coins  of  Caracalla. — The  crescent,  or  two-horned 


LUNA  LUCIFERA. — LUNUS. 

moon,  over  or  under  the  head  of  the  Emperor 
or  Empress,  on  coins  of  Augustus,  Nero, 
Commodus,  Mamira,  Otacilia,  Etruscilla,  Salo- 
nina,  Saloninus,  Postumus,  &c. 

The  Luna  Crescens,  with  seven  stars,  apj>ears 
on  a silver  coin  of  Hadrian. 

LVNA  LVCIFERA. — A female  figure  in  a 
car  drawn)  by  two  horses,  and  having  a crescent 
moon  on  her  head. — This  epigraph  and  type 
appear  on  silver,  gold,  and  second  brass  coins  of 
Julia  Domua.  The  ambitious  wife  of  Severus 


is  exhibited  on  her  coins  now  as  Cybcle,  then  as 
Venus,  but  here  as  Diana,  or  Luna.  Just  as 
her  imperial  husband  is  styled  uumisinatically 
Parator  Orbis  under  the  figure  of  the  Sun, 
so  Julia  on  account  of  her  fertility  in  bearing 
sons,  is  called  Luna  Luci/era,  for  as  Cicero  says, 
(Lib.  ii.  De  Nat.  Dear.)  Diana  was  invoked  by 
women  at  the  time  of  child-birth. 

It  is  singular  to  find  such  a legend  as  this, 
with  the  type  of  the  Goddess  (her  head  adorned 
with  a crescent,  walking  and  holdmg  a torch 
in  her  hand),  on  a coin  (third  brass)  of  Gallicnus; 
but  that  Emperor  was  a complete  pantheist  in 
his  mint,  and  has  dedicated  his  coins  to  all  the 
Goddesses  as  well  as  Gods  of  Heaven,  Earth, 
and  Hell ! 

Lunus,  a deity;  that,  by  the  testimony  of 
many  coins,  and  also  according  to  Spartianus 
( Anton.  Caracal! us,  c.  vii.),  was  a peculiar  object 
of  Pagan  worship  throughout  almost  all  Asia 
Minor  and  Syria.  It  was  iu  fact  Luna,  or  the 
Moon,  adored  by  several  nations  under  the  figure 
of  a man,  because,  as  the  above-mentioned 
author  aflirins,  they  persuaded  themselves  that 
he  alone  would  obtain  obedience  from  his  wife 
who  worshiped  Lunus  as  a male  divinity ; but 
that  he  who  adored  the  moon  as  Luna  that  is 
to  say,  as  a female  divinity,  could  not  assure 
himself  that  his  wife  would  obey  him.  The 
Romans  called  him  Mcnsis  as  well  as  Lunus. — 
On  medals  of  Antioch  in  Pisidia  (see  Vaillant, 
Col.  i.  p.  180),  struck  under  Antoninus  Pius,  we 
sec  this  deity  standing,  clothed  in  the  long  dress 
of  a woman,  wearing  a phrygian  pileus,  or  cap ; 
holding  the  hasta  in  his  right  hand,  aud  extend- 
ing his  left  with  a Victory  in  it.  At  his 
feet  is  what  looks  like  an  eagle,  but  which  is 
described  to  represent  the  galfus  gallinaceus, 
or  cock.  At  his  back  is  a crescent,  the  cha- 
racteristic attribute  of  Lunus.  The  legend  of 
the  reverse  is  mensis  col.  caes.  antioch. — 
“ The  Antiochians  of  Pisidia  by  this  medal 
(says  Havcrcamp  in  Mus.  Christ.  896),  npjicar 
to  have  designed  the  congratulation  of  Antoninc 


LUNUS.— LUPA. 

on  some  victory  gained  by  his  lieutenants  under 
his  fourth  consulate  (cos.  mi.  as  recorded  on 
the  side  of  the  portrait).” — It  is  not  without  a 
cause  that  mention  is  made  of  Mensis  (or  Mouth) 
in  the  inscription  of  the  reverse,  for  the  people 
of  Pisidinn  Antioch  rendered  a religious  worship 
to  the  mouth,  called  Ascens,  as  we  learn  by  a 
passage  from  Strabo  (L.  xii.  p.  557),  quoted  by 
' Vaillant,  in  Col.  tom.  i.  p.  240 .—Lunus,  as 
distinguished  by  the  above  noted  attributes, 
appears  on  the  reverse  of  a first  brass  of  Sept. 
Severus,  in  the  Colonies  of  Vaillant  (tom.  ii. 
p.  4),  who  shews  that  the  worship  of  this  god 
was  particularly  observed  in  Pamphvlia,  and 
that  the  Antiochians  had  consecrated  this  medal 
to  Severus  after  his  victory  over  Pescenuius 
Niger. — In  the  coin  of  Severus,  the  legend  of 
the  reverse  is  col.  caes.  antioch.  Colonia 
Casarea  Antiochensis.  In  the  field  are  the 
letters  s.  K.,  which  Vaillant  interprets  Senatus 
Romanus ; but  without  assigning  his  reasons 
for  so  doing. — On  the  medal  in  question,  as 
engraved  in  his  “ Colonies,”  the  god  Lunus  is 
represented  in  male  attire ; a similar  medal  of 
Severus  and  of  Julia  Domna  (in  Mus.  Christina) 
gives  him  the  long  robe  of  a female. — See 
Antiochia  Pisidia. 


Lupa. — The  she  wolf  suckling  Romulus  and 
Remus.  On  one  of  the  coins  (struck  in  each 
metal)  of  Antoninus  Pius,  we  see  the  fabled 
cohabitation  of  Mars  with  Rhea  Sylvia,  the 
Vestal  daughter  of  Numitor;  and  on  another 
we  see  the  fruits  of  that  alleged  connection  in 
the  birth  of  the  twin  brothers,  and  in  their 
preservation  by  the  popularly  credited  miracle 
of  a savage  animal  performing  the  office  of  a 
mother  to  the  exposed  and  deserted  babes. — We 
see  on  a second  brass  of  M.  Aurelius  the  wolf 
in  the  cave  on  the  banks  of  the  Tiber,  with  the 
two  sturdy  infants  imbibing  nourishment  at  her 
pendent  dugs — a representation  consecrated  on 
innumerable  monuments,  and  held  as  a symbol 
indicating  the  origin  of  the  Roman  Coinmon- 
w-ealth,  especially  of  the  Colonies  : the  whole  is 
singularly  illustrated  by  the  following  verses  of 
Virgil : — 

Fecerat  et  viridi  fetam  Mavortis  in  antro 
Procubuisse  lupam  : geminos  huic  ubera  circum 
Ludere  pendentes  pueros,  et  lambere  matrem 
Impavidos;  illam  tereti  cervice  rejiexam 
Mulcere  alternos,  et  corpora  fingere  lingua. 


LUPA.— LUPUS.  529 

The  illustration,  taken  from  a large  brass  of 
Antoninus  Pius,  exhibits  above  the  cave  a bird, 


which  has  been  usually  considered  to  be  an  eagle. 
It  may  be  so ; but  Ovid  describes  the  wood- 
pecker as  officiating  at  the  nursing  of  the 
infants. 

Besides  those  of  Antoninus  Pius,  the  well- 
known  type  of  the  Lupa  cum  puerulis,  occurs  on 
coins  of  that  Emperor’s  predecessors  Tiberius, 
Vespasian,  Titus,  Domitian,  Trajan,  and  Hadrian; 
and  of  his  successors  M.  Aurelius,  Commodus, 
Severus,  Caracalla,  Maerinus,  Elagabalus,  Alex. 
Severus,  Gordianus  Pius,  Philippus,  Trebonianus 
Gallus,  Valerianus,  Gallienus,  Aurelianus,  Probus, 
Carausius,  Maxentius,  and  Constantine  the  Great. 
The  last-named  exhibits  the  wolf  suckling 
the  twins ; and,  on  some,  two  stars  appear 
above  the  wolf,  an  emblem  under  which 
Castor  and  Pollux  are  generally  represented. 
With  the  mint-masters  of  the  Roman  colonies 
this  is  a frequently  recurring  type. — See  Beul- 
tum. — On  a coin  of  Maxentius  quoted  by 
Vaillant,  the  same  type  is  united  to  a singular 
epigraph,  viz.,  aetekna  felicitas. — On  a 
family  coin  of  Sextus  Pompeius  (having  the 
helmetcd  head  of  Rome  on  its  obverse,  and  for 
the  legend  of  its  reverse  sex.  pomp,  fostvlvs.) 
we  see  the  wolf  standing  before  the  fig-tree 
quietly  devoting  her  teats  to  the  mouths  of 
Romulus  and  Remus. 

LVP.  Lupercus. — The  name  of  a man. — 
On  a coin  of  the  Gallia  family  is  read  g.  gallivs 
lvpercvs  III.  VIE.  A.A.A.F.F. 

L.  V.  P.  F.  LudosVotivos  Publicos  Fecit. — 
In  the  collection  of  Ursinus,  p.  188,  and  in 
Vaillant’s  Pam  Rom.  ii.  p.  172,  a coin  is  given, 
in  which  a togated  figure,  sitting  on  spoils,  is 
crowned  by  a victory ; with  the  inscription  of 
SEXlus  NONIkj  PR.  and  the  above  letters  — 
The  Ludi  Votivi  in  this  instance  are  con- 
sidered to  relate  to  the  celebration  of  a victory 
gained  by  Sulla,  the  uncle  of  this  Nonius,  over 
Mitbridates. 

LV  PO  PR.  C.  CAESAR.  Lupo  Prafecto 
Cohortis  Caesarea. — On  a coin  of  Livia  in 
Vaillant’s  Colonies,  i.  p.  50. 

Lupus. — The  wolf  was  sacred  to  Mars.— On 
a coin  of  the  Satriena  family,  wTe  see  a she- 
wolf  walking,  and  above  it  the  word  roma. — 
A wolf  is  also  the  distinctive  sign  of  the  Roman 
colonial  town  of  Ilerda,  now  Lerida,  in  Spain. — 
See  Ilerda. 

On  a coin  of  the  Papia  family,  we  see  a 
wolf  holding  a log  in  his  mouth,  whilst  an  eagle 


530  LTJRIA.— LUTATIA. 

stands  by  it  with  expanded  wings,  near  a fire. 
This  coin  was  struck  to  shew  the  origin  of  the 
Papii  in  the  town  of  Lanuvium,  of  whose 
“ wonderful  wolf”  Dionysius  Halicarnassus  re- 
lates a strange  story. — See  Papia. 

LVRIA,  a family  little  known.  Its  cognomen 
Agrippa : — P.  lvrivs  agripfa  iiivir.  &c.,  on 
first  and  second  brass  of  Augustus. 

Lusitania , part  of  Uispania  ulterior , which 
Pliny  (L.  iv.  c.  12)  bounds  by  the  river  Durius 
(or  Douro),  calling  the  other  and  by  far 
the  larger  portion  by  the  name  of  Uispania 
citerior.  But  Strabo  and  Mela  ascribe  to  it 
much  ampler  boundaries.  It  is  now  called 
Portugal. — Vaillant  in  his  Colonies  (L.  p.  35; 
shews  it  to  have  been  a province  under  Augustus. 
— The  Lusitani  offered  a resistance  of  some 
duration  to  the  Romans,  but  were  conquered  by 
D.  Brutus. 

Lustratio.  Lustration. — A ceremony  by  which 
things  both  animate  and  inanimate  were  purified. 
The  Romans  regarded  it  as  so  solemn  a rite, 
that  on  certain  occasions  not  only  the  army  but 
also  the  city  itself  was  lustrated,  crimes  being 
then  expiated,  and  the  polluted  citizens  purgated 
with  pure  water. — The  manner  of  purifying  the 
armies  was  by  dividing  a sacrificial  victim  in 
two,  and  causing  the  soldiers  to  march  between 
the  two  portions,  in  pronouncing  some  form  of 
prayer. — The  rite  of  Lustration  is  shadowed 
forth  on  a coin  of  the  Poslumia  family  (see 
the  word). — A large  brass  medallion  of  Lucilla, 
without  legend,  is  also  considered  to  be  a monu- 
ment of  the  lustral  ceremony  performed  on 
infants — viz.,  a female  shaking  a tree,  from 
which  an  infant  is  falling;  another  female 
bathing  an  infant  in  the  sea ; three  winged 
genii ; one  on  an  estradc,  the  other  on  an  altar, 
the  third  on  a gardeu  wall. 

Lupercal,  a place  thus  named,  was  situated 
under  the  Palatine  Hill  at  Rome.  It  was 
sacred  to  the  God  Lupercus  whom  the  Romans 
otherwise  called  Pan  Lyccrns.  There  were 
yearly  feasts  termed  Lupercatia,  on  the  days  of 
which  the  Luperci  or  Priests  of  Pan,  ran  naked 
through  the  streets,  and  with  the  whips  they 
carried  struck  the  hands  of  women,  who  held 
them  out  to  receive  the  lash  that  they  might 
conceive  and  bear  children. — As  bearing  allusion 
to  this  piece  of  indecent  superstition,  Du  Choul, 
in  his  Religion  des  Anciens  Romains,  professes 
to  copy  a large  brass  of  Lucilla,  exhibiting 
Juno  Lucina  sitting  with  a sceptre  in  one  hand 
and  a whip  in  the  other. 

LVTATIA,  a plebeian  family,  whose  surname 
on  its  coins  is  Cerco. — It  has  three  varieties. 
The  following  is  a rare  denarius,  viz.,  cerco 
roua.  Hclmcted  head  of  Minerva. — On  the 
reverse  Q.  lvtati.  Q.  A galley  within  an  oaken 
garland. 

The  type  of  the  reverse  is  supposed  to  indicate 
the  celebrated  naval  victory,  which  Lutatius 


LYRA. 

Catulus  gained  at  rEgates  over  the  Carthagenians, 
in  the  year  of  Rome  512,  and  which  at  a later 
period  this  Q.  Lutatius  Cerco  has  in  this  manner 
alluded  to  in  honour  of  his  family. 

LYX  MYNDI. — Banduri  gives  this  epigraph, 
on  a silver  coin  of  Tiberius  Constantinus  (Em- 
peror of  the  East  in  a.d.  578),  with  a cross  in 
the  middle. 

Lyra. — The  lyre  was  generally  regarded  as 
the  instrument  of  Apollo,  although  artists  have 
given  it  also  to  other  divinities.  It  was  distin- 
guished by  many  names  such  as  lyra,  chelys, 
barbiton,  cithara.  It  seems  that  the  grand 
lyre  of  the  Apollo  Citharoede  and  Palatine 
was  the  barbiton.  The  number  of  strings  to 
this  instrument  varied  much ; that  of  seven 
strings  was  the  most  used,  it  was  that  appro- 
priated to  Apollo,  and  was  the  most  perfect. 
The  lyre  was  played  with  the  fingers,  or  with  a 
small  ivory  instrument,  or  a reed,  called  pecten, 
or  plectrum,  which  was  employed  to  save  the 
fingers;  but  it  was  deemed  more  skilful  to 
touch  the  lyre  without  the  plectrum.  The  lyre 
w as  also  performed  upon  w ith  both  hands,  which 
was  called  touching  or  nipping  it  inside  and 
outside.  The  great  lyre  was  considered  to  be 
the  invention  of  the  God  of  Music,  the  divine 
Apollo,  whilst  the  smaller  or  cithara  was  re- 
puted to  have  been  invented  by  Mercnry. 

The  Lyre  is  figured  on  various  coins  both 
Roman  and  Greek.  One  or  two  of  these  instru- 
ments appear  on  medals  which  have  been  struck 
in  those  cities  where  Apollo  Actius,  or  the 
God  of  the  Muses,  was  worshipped. — A single 
lyre  is  found  on  coins  of  Acmilin,  Papia,  and 
Pctronia  families;  and  in  the  Imperial  series  on 
medals  of  Augustus,  Hadrian,  and  Domitian. 

The  Lyre,  as  displaying  the  image  of  celestial 
harmony,  is  represented  in  the  hand  of  Apollo, 
or  the  arm  of  that  deity  is  seen  resting  upon  it, 
on  coins  of  Augustus,  Nero,  Domitian,  Hadrian, 
Antonine,  Commodus,  Severus,  Caracalla,  Tre- 
bonianus  Callus,  Valerian,  Gnllienus,  Probus, 
&c. — In  the  hand  of  Calliope,  or  the  Muse 
Clio,  and  of  HerculesMusagctcs,  in  the  Pompunia 
family. — In  the  hand  of  a citharoedus,  or 
harper,  it  is  a frequent  type  in  sacrificial 
solemnities ; likewise  in  the  secidar  festivals — 
sec  lvd.  saec.  fec. — On  Nero’s  coins,  we  sec 
it  in  more  than  one  instance  in  the  hands  of 
that  imperial  "fiddler." 

The  Lyre  and  laurel  branch  is  exhibited  on  a 
coin  of  Domitian. 

Two  Lyres  suspended,  one  on  each  side  of 
an  altar,  on  a coin  of  the  Scribonia  family — and 
the  same  number  with  a caduceus  in  the  middle, 
on  a silver  coin  of  Domitian. — Havercainp  on 
Morcll  (Pam.  p.  204)  gives  the  type  of  two 
Lyres,  on  which  an  owl  is  standing,  designating 
as  he  interprets  it.  Concord  assisted  by  prudent 
counsel,  or  indicating  simply  the  worship  of 
Apollo  and  Minerva. — See  Cithara. 


MAGISTER. 

M. 

M.  The  twelfth  letter  of  the  Latin  alphabet. 
A capital  M appears  on  coins  of  Anastasius, 
JustinusL,  Justinus  II.,  Tiberius  Constantiuus, 
Mauricius,  Phocas,  Heraclius,  and  other  Em- 
perors of  the  East. 

M.  as  a letter  of  the  alphabet  is  observed  on 
many  coins  of  Roman  families. 

M.  Magister. — KQ.  M.  Equitum  Magister. 
Master  of  the  Horse. 

M.  Magna. — I.s.m.r.  Juno  Sospita  Magna 
Regiua. 

M.  Marci. — m.  f.  Marti  Filius.  In  like 
manner  as  M.  N.  Marci  Nepos. 

M.  or  MA.  Marcia. — aqva.  m.  on  a 

deuarius  of  the  Marcia  family. 

M.  Marcia,  a prenomen  and  name  of  a 
woman. 

M.  Marci-us. — Q.  M.  Quintus  Marcius. 

M.  or  MA.  Marcus,  a prenomen,  frequently 
found  on  coins  of  Roman  families,  and  likewise 
on  those  of  the  Imperial  series,  where  we  see 
IMP.  C.  M.  (or  MA.)  AVREL.  ANTONINVS  ; on 
a coin  of  Caracalla. 

M.  A.  Marcus  Atitonius,aho  3f arcus  Aurelius. 

M.  AVR.  Marcus  Aurelius. 

M.  Martia. — leg.  xiiii.  gemina.  m.  v. 
Legio  xiiii.  Gemina  Martia  Victrir. — This 
epigraph,  with  the  legionary  eagle  between  two 
standards,  appears  on  a very  rare  silver  coin  of 
Sept.  Severus,  as  edited  in  Khcll's  Suppl.  p.  108. 

M.  Mater. — M,  c.  Mater  Casaris;  or 

Mater  Castrorum. — M.  patr.  Mater  Patrice. 

M.  Maxima. — victoria  g.  m.  Germanica 
Maxima,  on  a coin  of  Gallienus,  in  Khell’s 
Suppl.  p.  184. 

M.  Maximo. — See  I.  o.  M Jovi  Optimo 
Maximo. 

M.  Maximus. — p.  m.  Pontifex  Maximus. 

M.  Messius,  prenonien  of  Trajanus  Decius. 
m.  Q.  traianvs. 

M.  Metropolis. — col.  sep.  avr.  laod.  m. 
Colonia  Septimia  Aurelia  Metropolis. 

M.  Militaris. — R.  M.  Pei  Militaris. 

M.  Minervia. — leg.  m.  xx.  Legio  Minervia 
P icesima. 

M.  Moesia. — p.  M.  s.  col.  vim.  Provincia 
Moesia  Superioris  Colonia  Viminiacum. 

M.  Moneta. — m.  sacra  avgg.  et  caess. 
NX.  Moneta  Sacra  Augustorum  Et  Casarum 
Nostrorum. 

M.  Multis. — See  votis  x.  m.  xx.  on  coins 
of  Galerius. 

M.  Munita. — qvod.  v.  m.  s.  &c.  Quod 
Via  Munita  Sunt. 

M.  Municipe s. — m.  ivl.  vticen.  Municipes 
Julii  Uticensis. 

M.  Municipium. — M.  r. — Munidpium  Pa- 
vennatum. — Vaillant,  Pr.  i.  300. 

M.  at  the  end  of  Roman  words  was  now 
and  then  formerly  omitted ; for  example  we  find 
it  wanting  on  denarii  of  the  Aemilia  family,  as 
priver.  captv. — It  is  also  sometimes  observed 
to  be  left  out  in  the  word  avgvstorvm,  as 
victoria  avgvstorv. 

3 Y 2 


MACEDONIA.  531 

M.  as  a numeral  signifies  Mille,  a thousand. 

MAC.  or  MACED.  Macedonica. — leg.  v. 
mac.  Legio  Macedonica  Quinta,  Sexta,  fy~c. 

MAC.  AVG.  Macellum  Augusts. — On  the 
reverse  of  a large  and  a middle  brass  of  Nero  we 
find  this  inscription,  and  for  its  accompanying 
type  an  elegant  edifice,  with  many  columns, 
into  wrhich  the  ascent  is  by  a flight  of  steps, 
ornamented  with  a statue  in  its  portico.  These 
rare  coins  were  struck  in  memory  of  the  Mar- 
ket-place, which,  as  Dion  relates,  was  con- 
structed by  order  of  Nero. — See  a view  of  the 
building,  p.  77. 

The  Macellum  was  a place  where  meat  and 
other  eatables  w’crc  sold.  It  appears  that  at  Rome 
the  place  appropriated  to  the  slaughtering  of 
beasts  was  not  the  same  as  that  destined  to  the 
sale  of  meat,  but  that  each  had  its  particular 
locality.  Hence  the  word  macellum,  which  is 
commonly  translated  butchery,  properly  means 
a market  for  meat,  fish,  and  other  eatables  ; 
and  in  this  sense  the  word  as  used  by  Varro, 
Plautus,  and  other  writers,  must  he  understood. 
On  the  above  quoted  medal  of  Nero,  we  see  a 
building  equal  in  exterior  magnificence  of  archi- 
tecture to  the  public  baths,  to  the  circusses, 
and  to  the  amphitheatres.  This  Market-place 
is  perfectly  characteristic  of  the  Roman  empire,  * 
which  lavished  the  utmost  grandeur  of  design 
and  splendour  of  art,  on  the  simplest  monu- 
ments of  public  utility. — The  word  macellum 
(adds  Milliu),  written  on  tbe  map  of  the  capitol, 
in  front  of  an  edifice  adorned  with  columns, 
leaves  no  doubt  as  to  its  destination ; hut  it 
does  not  appear  to  be  the  same  with  that  repre- 
sented on  the  medal  in  question. 

Therefore  by  this  epigraph  of  mac.  avg. 
and  the  type  above  described  the  macellum 
is  recorded,  respecting  which  Xiphilinus  from 
Dion  thus  speaks : — “Then  also  Nero  dedicated 
the  forum  of  provisions,  which  is  called  the 
macellum.” — The  name  is  derived  from  Maccllus, 
formerly  a noted  robber  in  Rome,  on  whose  con- 
demnation the  censors  ordained  that  in  his  house 
victuals  should  be  sold.  Suetonius  also  mentions 
annona  macelli.  This  coin  of  Nero  clearly  then 
confirms  the  words  of  Dion,  and  at  the  same 
time  shews  the  form  of  the  building,  with  which 
that  emperor  embellished  the  forum  obsoniorum. 
The  ever  visionary  Harduin  interprets  the  epi- 
graph Mausoleum  Casaris  AVG ustil 

MACED.  Macedonica. — leg.  v.  maced, 

viii.  avg.  Legionis  Quinta  Macedonica 

Octava  Augusta.  On  a colonial  coin  of  Philip 
senior. 

Macedonia,  an  ancient  Greek  monarchy,  in 
the  south  of  Europe ; the  kingdom  of  Philip 
and  of  Alexander  the  Great.  After  royalty 
became  extinct  in  Macedonia,  the  people  governed 
themselves  by  their  own  laws.  Conquered  by 
/Emilius,  it  was  at  first  left  free,  but  w'as  at 
length  made  a Roman  province  by  Cecilius 
Metcllus,  and  was  divided  into  four  parts. — 
During  tbe  empire  it  struck  Greek  medals  in 
honour  of  Augustus,  Claudius,  Nero,  Vitellius, 
Vespasian,  Domitian,  Hadrian,  Antonine,  Marcus 
Aurelius,  Faustina,  Commodus,  Severus,  Gor. 


532  MACER. — MACRINUS. 

dianus  Pius,  and  Diadumcnianus. — The  four 
Roman  colonies  in  Macedonia,  of  Cassandra, 
Dium,  Pella,  and  Philippi,  indicate  their  esta- 
blishment by  Julius  Cmsar,  or  Augustus,  on 
their  coins  which  bear  the  inscription  col.  Ivl. 
avg.  Colonia  Julia  Augusta. — Macedonia,  as 
a province  under  Imperial  Rome,  is  personified 
on  two  distinct  coins  of  Hadrian,  viz.,  the 
adventvs  and  the  restitvtor  macedoniae  of 
his  large  brass  geographical  scries  : the  latter 
exhibits  in  its  type  the  pointed  cap  and  the 
round  buckler  of  the  Macedonians. 

MACEDONIC.  Maeedonieus,  a surname  of 
Metellus.  Q.  mete.  MACEDONIC.  Quintus 
Met  i'll  us  Maeedonieus , appears  on  the  denarius 
which  records  the  triumphal  honours  decreed 
to  Metellus  on  the  conquest  of  Macedonia. 

MACER  (Lucius  Clodius),  Proprietor  of 
Africa  under  Nero,  and  afterwards  for  a short 
interval  invested  with  the  title  of  Augustus, 
until  he  was  deposed  and  put  to  death  by  order 
of  Galba.  His  coins,  struck  in  Africa,  arc  in 
silver,  and  very  rare,  those  without  the  head 
being,  perhaps,  somewhat  more  common  than 
those  wTith  the  portrait.  They  present  several 
varieties  of  type,  one  of  the  most  interesting  of 
which  is  here  engraved : — Obv.  L.  clodivs 


macek  s.c.  Bare  head  of  Clodius  Macer. — 
Rev.  PRO  prae.  africae.  A galley  upon 
which  is  a military  standard. — Valued  by 
Mionnet  at  300  francs. 

M.  ACILIVS. — Prenomen  and  name  of  the 
Aeilia  family. 

MACRIANVS  ( Marcus  Fulvius)  the  elder, 
one  of  the  many  usurpers  who  took  advantage  of 
the  distracted  state  of  the  empire,  during  the 
reign  of  Gallienus.  The  friend  of  Valerianus, 
he  excited  him  against  the  Christians,  and  then 
betrayed  his  cause.  Elected  Emperor  a.d.  261, 
he  appointed  Balista  his  general,  and  defeated 
the  Persians.  But  soon  afterwards  marching 
into  Illyria  against  Aurcolus,  another  tyrant,  he 
was  himself  defeated,  and  fell  a victim  to  the 
treachery  of  his  own  soldiers  a.d.  262. — 
Beauvais,  in  his  History,  quotes  coins  of  the 
elder  Macrianus ; but  according  to  the  opinion 
of  Vaillant,  confirmed  by  later  writers,  there 
are  no  Latin  coins  of  his  extant ; but  those 
which  remain  belong  to  the  younger  Macrianus. 
Those,  in  potin,  struck  at  Alexandria,  are  of 
extreme  rarity. 

MACRIANVS  junior  (Marcus,  or  Titus, 
Fulvius),  proclaimed  Augustus  nt  the  same  time 
with  his  father,  by  the  legions  of  the  eastern  pro- 
vinces a.d.  261.  He  was  a good  soldier ; acted  as 
a tribune  under  Valerianus ; associated  in  govern- 
ment with  his  father,  whose  fate  he  shared  alter 
their  just  defeat  by  Aurcolus. — There  are  no 
gold  coins  of  Macrianus  jun.,  and  those  called 


MACRINUS. 

silver  are  of  base  metal  (often  described  as  third 
brass).  On  these  he  is  styled  macrianvs, 

NOBIL.  CAES.,  or  IMP.  C.  FVLVIVS.  MACRIANVS 
P.F.  AVG. 

“ It  would  appear  (says  Mr.  Akcrman)  from 
the  first  of  these  titles  that,  contrary  to  the 
testimony  of  historians,  Macrianus  the  younger 
was  first  declared  Caesar,  and  that  the  title  of 
Augustus  was  conferrred  upon  him  subsequently. 
The  Latin  coins  of  the  young  Macrianus  do  not 
bear  the  prenomcn.  His  Greek  coins  differ  in 
the  name ; some  have  marcvs,  others  titvs. 
If  any  of  the  coins  with  these  names  bore  an 
old  head,  instead  of  the  youthful  portrait  always 
found  on  them,  it  might  reasonably  be  supposed 
that  either  Titus  or  Marcus  belonged  to  the 
elder  Macrianus.  Nevertheless,  it  is  certain 
that  many  of  the  Imperial  Greek  coins  have 
portraits  but  little  resembling  those  on  the  Latin 
coins  of  the  same  emperor.” — Descript.  Catal. 
vol.  ii.  p.  77,  78. 

MACRINUS  (Marcus  Ope/ius  Secerns),  the 
successor  of  Caracalla,  who  was  assassinated  in 
Mesopotamia  at  his  instigation.  He  was  born 
in  Africa,  of  an  obscure  family  (a.d.  164).  At 
first  an  advocate,  he  came  to  Rome  and  was 
favourably  received  by  Scptimius  Severus;  after- 
wards appointed  Prmtorian  Prefect  by  Caracalla, 
but  having  ascertained  the  intention  of  that 
ferocious  tyrant  to  destroy  him,  he  took  the 
above-mentioned  effectual  but  treacherous  step 
to  prevent  it,  and  was  proclaimed  Emperor 
a.d.  217.  He  was  a prince  well  skilkJ  in  the 
laws,  and  just  in  their  administration;  a pro- 
tector of  literature,  and  a great  disciplinarian, 
but  somewhat  cruel  and  voluptuous.  Although 
confirmed  in  the  government  by  the  Senate,  he 
did  not  proceed  to  Rome,  having  immediately 
entered  into  a war  with  the  l’arthians,  by  whom 
he  was  defeated,  and  at  length  was  constrained 
to  make  a peace  with  their  King  Artabanes  on 
terms  disgraceful  to  the  Roman  arms.  Having 
by  his  parsimony  and  severity  indisposed  the 
troops  towards  him,  and  being  attacked  by  the 
generals  of  Elagabalus,  he  was  defeated,  pursued, 
and  slain,  in  Bythinia,  a.d.  218,  in  the  54th 
year  of  his  age,  not  having  completed  the 
second  year  of  his  reign. — The  coins  of  Macrinus 
are  of  extreme  rarity  in  gold ; not  scarce  in 
silver;  but  rare  in  first  and  second  brass,  and 
his  brass  medallions  arc  very  rare.  On  these  he 
is  styled  imp.  caes.  m.  opf.l.  sev.  macrinvs  avg. 

On  the  obverse  of  a first  brass  medal,  with 
the  above  names  and  titles  for  its  legend,  is  the 
laureated  head  of  the  Emperor. — On  the  reverse, 
the  epigraph  is  secvritas  tempokvm,  and  the 
type  a woman  holding  the  hasta  in  her  left 
hand,  and  resting  her  right  hand  on  a column. 

The  more  frequently  revolutions  multiplied 
themselves  under  the  Emperors,  the  more  the 
throne  tottered  on  its  base ; and  the  princes  who 
were  called  to  the  government  of  the  empire 
affected  to  invoke  a security  of  which  they 
would  hardly  have  been  otherwise  than  doubtful. 

For  the  portrait  of  Macrinus,  sec  Annona  Aug. 

M . ,EM . Marcus  - EniiUus . — Preuomen  and 
name  of  a man. 


M.ECILIA  — MjENTA  — MAESA. 

MvECILIA,  a plebeian  family ; surname 
Tiillus.  Four  varieties  of  coins,  all  common. — 
M MAECII.IVS.  TVLLVS.  IIIV1R.  A.A.A.F.  F.  This 
inscription  is  found  un  first  and  second  brass  of 
Augustus. 

MyENIA,  a plebeian  family,  which  extended 
itself  from  the  two  Manii,  tribunes  of  the 
people.  Its  surname  is  said  to  be  Antiaticus. 
There  are  four  varieties  on  its  coins,  which  arc 
rare  in  silver,  and  much  rarer  in  third  brass. — 
The  types  of  the  silver  (Mania)  are  the  common 
ones  of  Minerva’s  head  on  the  obverse ; and 
Victory  in  a quadriga,  or  the  Dioscuri  on  horse- 
back, on  the  reverse,  with  the  legend  p.  mae.  or 
P.  mae.  ant. — A small  brass  of  this  family 
bears  on  one  side  the  head  of  Hercules,  and  on 
the  other  the  prow  of  a galley,  with  the  inscrip- 
tion P.  MAE.  ANT.  ME. 

Aloysius  Odericus  thus  signally  explains  the 
above  coins  in  the  dissertation  which  he  has 
given  in  Saggi  di  Cortona.  Havercamp,  says 
he,  from  these  contracted  epigraphs,  ( epigraphes 
sigla,  for  the  letters  arc  tied  together)  (colligahs) 
has  made  out  three  persons,  viz.,  P Mtenius, 
Antonius  (or  Antronius),  and  Mctellus,  when 
nevertheless  only  one  individual  is  named,  that 
is  to  say,  P.  Manias  Antiaticus , Megellus,  or 
Medullinus , or  what  other  surname  soever 
begins  with  the  syllable  me.  The  first  surname 
rightly  belongs  to  the  Mania  race,  of  which 
was  C.  Mien ius,  who,  in  the  year  of  Rome  4 1C, 
triumphed  over  the  Antiates,  according  to  Livy’s 
history,  and  the  Fasti  Capitolini,  in  which 
latter  appears  as  follows: — C.  MAENIVS  P. 
F.  P.  N.  COrcSaf  DE  ANTIATIBVS. — The 
second  cognomen,  whatever  it  was,  distinguishes 
this  Msenius  from  other  Antiatici,  just  as  the 
cognomen  Spinther  serves  to  distinguish  the 
Cornelii  Lentuli  from  the  Marcellini. 


MAESA  (Julia),  born  at  Einesa  in  Syria, 
daughter  of  Julius  Bassianus,  priest  of  the  Sun, 
sister  of  Julia  Domna,  and  grandmother  of 
Elagabalus.  She  married  Julius  Avitus,  by 
whom  she  had  Julia  Soacmias  and  Julia  Mamma, 
the  mother  of  Alexander  Severus.  She  was  a 
woman  of  great  sagacity  and  courage,  possessed 
of  vast  wealth.  Retiring  to  Emcsa,  at  the 
period  of  Caraealla’s  death,  she  gained  over  the 
soldiery  by  her  largesses  ; proclaimed  Elagabalus 
emperor ; fought  at  the  head  of  his  troops 
against  Macrinus ; proceeded  to  Rome,  took  her 
seat  in  the  Senate,  though  contrary  to  the  laws ; 
gave  good  counsels,  but  in  vain,  to  her  infamous 
grandson ; and  died  regretted  in  the  reign  of 
Alexander  Severus,  a.d.  223,  whom  she  had  ! 


MAESA.  533 

adroitly  iuduced  Elagabalus  to  adopt  for  his 
successor,  and  by  whom  she  was  honoured  with 
the  ceremonies  of  consecration. — Her  coins  are 
of  extreme  rarity  in  gold ; but  common  in  silver 
and  first  and  second  brass.  On  these  she  is 
styled  IVLIA  maesa  avgvsta,  and,  after  death, 
diva  maesa  avg. 

On  a large  brass  medal,  with  the  head  of 
Micsa,  we  read  ivlia  maesa  avg.;  and  on  the 
reverse  S4ECVLI  felicitas  s.  c.  A woman 
standing,  with  a caduceus  in  her  hand  ; at  her 
feet  a modius,  or  bushel,  out  of  which  issue 
ears  of  coins ; in  the  field  of  the  medal  is  a 
star. — The  greater  part  of  Mmsa’s  coins  probably 
belong  to  the  reign  of  Elagabalus. 

MAG.  M agister. — MAG.  IVVENT.  Ma- 
gister  Juventutis. 

MAG.  PI  VS.  Magnus  Pius. — Great  and 
Pious,  names  and  titles  of  Cueius  Po’mpey. — 
See  Pompeia  fam. 

Magister  Juventutis. — One  of  the  coins  on 
which  this  title  is  read,  according  to  Morcll,  is 
of  the  Mitreia  family,  thus — on  the  obverse 
C.  M1TRE1VS  L.  F.  MAGwfer  IWENTwfw, 
with  the  naked  head  of  a man. — On  the  reverse 
the  number  XII.  within  a laurel  crown. — 111  the 
Pembroke  coins  this  is  placed  amongst  the 
Spintria. — The  office  of  the  Magister  Juventutis 
seems  to  have  bceu  that  of  instructing  in 
military  discipline  and  equestrian  exercises  the 
Roman  youth — i.e.,  the  young  nobility,  and, 
in  the  first  place,  Caius  and  Lucius,  on  whom 
Augustus  had  conferred  the  title  of  principes 
juventutis. — On  one  of  the  ancient  inscriptions 
by  Gruter  is  read  M.  fveiiorvm  dom.  avgvst. 
Magister puerorum  domus  Augusta. — The  word 
Magister  properly  signifies  a man  invested  with 
some  authority — a master,  one  who  has  more 
power  than  another. 

Magistratus. — Magistracy  or  the  dignity  of 
Magistrate. — This  name  was  at  Rome  given 
only  to  those  offices,  which  were  discharged  in 
that  city,  and  the  functions  of  those  who 
governed  in  the  provinces  were  simply  denomi- 
nated Potestates. — Magistratus  also  (derived 
from  Magister)  signifies  the  Magistrate,  of 
whom  there  were  several  sorts  among  the 
Romans.  1.  The  ordinary  magistrates,  and  the 
extraordinary  magistrates.  2.  Patrician,  Plebeian, 
and  mixed  magistrates.  3.  And  these  were 
again  distinguished  as  the  great  and  the  lesser 
magistrates.  There  were,  moreover,  Curutes 
and  Non  Curutes,  Magistrates  of  the  City,  or 
Capital,  and  Provincial  Magistrates. — The  Magis- 
tratus Curutes  were  those  who  had  a right  to 
the  curule  chair,  as  the  Dictator,  the  Consul, 
the  Praetor,  and  the  Curule  Edile,  and  these 
alone  possessed  the  jus  imaginis,  or  right  to 
have  the  images  of  their  ancestors  in  their  houses, 
&c. — The  Magistratus  Majores,  or  superior 
magistrates,  were  so  called  because  they  had 
the  grand  auspices,  the  right  to  have  lictors  and 
messuages,  and  were  chosen  in  the  comitia  by 
centuries,  such  were  the  Consuls,  the  Pnetors, 
and  the  Censors. — The  Magistratus  Minores 
were  those  who  were  appointed  in  the  comitia 
by  tribes — viz.,  the  Curule  and  Plebeian  Ediles, 


534  MAGNENTniS. 

the  Tribunes  of  the  people,  the  Questors,  the  I 
Monetary  Triumvirs,  and  the  Provincial  Magis-  , 
trates,  both  ordinary  and  extraordinary. — 
Magistrate  Ptitricii : At  the  commencement 

of  the  republic  the  magistrates  were  all  patricians, 
but  in  the  end  the  people  acquired  a share  in  all. 
these  dignities,  except  that  of  the  interrex. — 
Magistratus  Plebeii:  The  plebeian  magistrates 

were  the  'Tribunes  and  Ediles  of  the  people ; all 
the  others  were  mixt. — Magistrate  Provinciates 
were  those  the  exercise  of  whose  functions  was 
limited  within  the  provinces  to  which  the 
republic  sent  them,  as  governors,  in  quality 
either  of  Proconsul,  of  Prretor,  of  Proprietor, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  administering  justice 
according  to  the  Roman  laws. 

The  insignia  of  Roman  Magistrates,  repre- 
sented on  the  reverses  of  Consular  medals,  are 
sella  curules,  fasces,  secures,  gubernacula, 
tripodes,  &c. — See  those  words. 

MAGN.  Magnentia. — salvs  d.  n.  magn. 
et.  caes. — Sal  us  Domini  Nostri  Magnentii  et 
Ca saris — ( Decentii  understood.) 

MAGNENTIVS  (FI.  Magnus),  born  in  Gaul, 
of  obscure  British  or  German  parents,  about  a.d. 
303,  was  brought  up  by  Constans,  with  whom 
he  was  so  great  a favourite,  on  account  of  his 
skill  in  military  affairs,  that  in  a tumult  when 
the  soldiers  were  on  the  point  of  putting  him  as 
captain  of  the  guard  to  death,  his  imperial 
master  threw  his  pa/udamenlum  as  a protection 
over  him,  and  thus  saved  his  life.  This  kind- 
ness Magnentius  most  ungratefully  requited  with 
treachery,  and  the  basest  machiuations,  through 
which  the  Emperor  fell  a victim,  and  this 
usurper  obtained  the  empire,  after  having 
assumed  the  purple  at  Autun  (Augustoduuurn), 
a.d.  350.  He  was  a man  of  studious  habits, 
powerful  in  conversation,  but  hard-hearted  and 
cruel.  He  named  as  Ctesar  his  brother  Decentius 
whom  he  sent  with  an  army  to  defend  Gaul 
beyond  the  Alps  ; and  he  himself  marched  against 


of  peace  he  had  rashly  rejected,  and  by  whom 
he  was  defeated  in  two  engagements,  one  in 
Italy,  the  other  in  Gaul.  Fleeing  to  Lyons,  and 
unable  to  retrieve  his  affairs,  he  then  slew  him- 
self a.d.  353,  in  the  50th  year  of  his  age. — The 
second  and  third  brass  of  Magnentius  arc  very 
common;  his  gold  arc  rare;  his  silver  rarer. 
On  these  lie  is  styled  imp.  cae.  magnentivs 

AVG. DN  MAGNENTIVS  P.F.  AVG IMP.  PL. 

MAGNENTIVS  P.P.  AVG. — Also  MAGNENTIVS  TR. 

p.p.  avg.  The  signification  of  the  lclteis  tr. 
has  not  been  explained. 


MAGXIFICENTIA  AUG. 

MAGX1A  VRBICA,  whose  coins  in  every 
metal  are  extremely  rare,  has  by  some  been 
ascribed  as  the  wife  of  Maxentius,  by  others  of 
Magnentius  or  Decentius,  by  others  again  of 
Carus  and  Nuincrianus;  but  Khell  and  Eckhel 
assigu  her  to  Carinus. — See  Urbica. 

M A GN I FI  CENT  I A AVG. — The  mag- 
nificence, or  as  it  is  generally  expressed  muni- 
ficence (mvnificentia)  of  the  Emperors,  is 
a legend  which  has  relation  to  public  games, 
through  the  attractive  medium  of  which  the 
Roman  Emperors  strove  to  gain  the  affections 
of  the  people.  The  usual  type  is  the  figure  of 
an  elephant  standing,  as  we  see  it  on  coins  of 
Antoninus  Fills,  of  Commodus,  of  Sept.  Severus, 
and  of  Elagabalus. 

M AGNI FICENTI AE  AVG.  COS.  VI.  P.  P. 
within  a crown. — Second  brass  of  Cominodus. — 
This  coin  is  wanting  in  Mcdiobarbus,  but 
appears  in  Vaillant,  and  in  Ilavercamps’s  Cabinet 
of  Queen  Christina,  and  is  recognised  by  Mionnet 
and  Akennan.  It  is  an  unique  example  of 
Magnificentia  (says  Eckhel)  inscribed  on  coins ; 
an  epigraph  the  adoption  of  which  any  occasion 
or  motive,  how  trifling  and  absurd  soever,  might 
suggest  to  so  very  vain  a man. 

MAGNVS,  a surname  or  title  of  gods, 
heroes,  kings,  and  emperors.  The  deities  were 
generally  called  Magni,  and  the  term  was  par- 
ticularly applied  to  Jupiter,  Diana.  &c. — Magnus 
and  Maximus  are  titles  often  found  assigned 
to  Roman  Emperors.  The  inscription  divo 
antonino  magno  appears  ou  coins  of  Caracalla 
struck  after  his  death  ; for  that  bad  prince,  as 
vain  as  he  was  ferocious,  loved  to  be  saluted 
with  the  distinctive  appellation  of  Magnus,  after 
the  example  of  Alexander  the  Great,  whom  he 
affected  to  imitate. 

MAGNVS  is  a cognomen  ascribed  on  certain 
consular  coins  to  Pompey  and  to  his  sons, 
Cnaeus  and  Sextus ; to  the  father  on  account  of 
his  victorious  exploits,  and  to  his  posterity  as  an 
hereditary  distinction  — See  Pompeia  family. 

The  name  of  Magnus  was  assumed  by  the 
usurper  Magnentius,  and  also  by  his  brother 
Decentius. — Maximus,  another  pretender  to  the 
imperial  throne,  during  the  rcigu  of  Theodosius 
I.,  took  the  prenomen  of  Magnus. 

Magusano,  or  Macusano,  on  coins  of  Pos- 
tumus. — See  Hercu/i  Magusano. 

MAIANIA,  a family  of  uncertain  rank,  and 
respecting  which  no  mention  is  made  by  ancient 
writers.  Its  coins  bearing  on  the  reverse  c. 
maiani.  present  three  varieties;  are  rare  in 
silver ; common  in  first  brass,  being  parts  of 
the  as ; but  very  rare  in  third  brass,  which  are 
by  the  moneyers  of  Augustus. 

The  denarius  of  this  family  bears  on  its 
obverse  the  head  of  Minerva,  with  winged 
helmet. — Rev.  c.  maiani.  A winged  figure, 
with  a whip  guiding  a biga  at  full  speed.  In 
the  exergue  roma. 

Vaillant  assigns  this  silver  coin  to  the  Mtcnia 
family,  and  liavcrcainp  leans  to  this  opinion  ; 
but  l rsin  and  Morell  place  it  under  the  head  of 
Maiania,  and  in  doing  so  npjicar  to  have  the 
sanction  of  Eckhel. 


MAJORIANUS. — MAMEA. 

MAJORIANVS  ( Flavius  Julius),  appointed 
by  Leo,  Emperor  of  the  East,  to  be  bis  general  in 
chief,  and  sent  by  him  to  occupy  the  government 
of  the  western  empire ; assumed  the  title  of 
Imperator,  at  Ravenna,  after  the  deposition  of 
Avitus  a.d.  457.  He  had  proved  himself  a 
good  general  under  Aetius,  and  possessed  great 
and  excellent  qualities.  lie  inflicted  severe 
injury  on  the  barbarian  tribes  both  in  Italy  and 
in  Gaul : whilst  his  friend  and  general,  Ricimer, 
defeated  Genseric,  458  ; Majorian  beat  the  Goths 
under  Theodoric;  but  he  had  scarcely  made 
peace  with  Genseric,  when  Ricimer  conspired 
against  and  deposed  him  at  Dertona,  now 
Tortona,  in  Liguria ; and  he  died  by  his  own 
hand  a.d.  461. — The  gold  coins  of  Majorianus 
are  esteemed  rare;  the  brass  still  rarer;  on 
these  he  is  styled  D.  N.  ivuvs.  maioiuanvs. 

FELIX.  AVG.  P. 

M.  or  MAM.  Mamercus ; a prenomen,  and 
afterwards  a name  of  the  Aemilia  family : — 
mam.  lf.pidvs.  Mamercus  Lepidus. 

MAMAEA  (Julie),  daughter  of  Julia  Masa, 
sister  of  Julia  Soaemias,  and  mother  of  Alex- 
ander Severus.  She  took  the  name  of  the  Julia 
family  from  her  father,  whom  some  call  Jidius 
Avitus,  but  her  surname  of  Mamea,  like  that  of 
her  sister  Soaemias,  is  believed  to  be  Syriac. — 


Julia  Mamaea  was  married  to  Genesius  Mar- 
cianus,  by  whom  she  had  Theoelia  and  Alexander 
Severus.  On  Roman  coins  she  is  honoured  with 
the  title  of  Augusta  (a.d.  222).  By  her  sagacity 
she  conciliated  the  good-will  of  the  soldiery  in 
favour  of  her  son  Alexander,  of  whom  by 
education  she  made  a perfect  prince ; by  her 
assiduity  with  her  mother  Micsa  she  promoted 
his  adoption  to  the  empire,  whilst  by  her  pru- 
dence she  extricated  him  from  the  snares  laid 
for  him  by  Elagabalus.  She  ruled  under  her 
son  with  talent  and  courage ; was  Ids  companion 
even  in  the  Persian  war ; but  ambitious,  haughty, 
and  covetous,  she  committed  some  acts  of  in- 
justice from  the  love  of  money.  It  is  said,  on 
historical  authority,  that  she  had  embraced  the 
Christian  faith.  This  princess  was  murdered 
at  the  same  time  with  her  imperial  son  a.d.  235. 

The  silver  coins  of  Mamaea  are  common ; 
the  brass,  first  and  second,  very  common ; third 
brass  rare ; her  gold  arc  of  the  highest  rarity. 
On  these  she  is  styled  IVLIA  MAMAEA 
WGusta  MATcr  AVG usta.  On  the  reverse  is 
sometimes  MATER  CASTRORI  M. 

MAMJLIA,  although  a most  noble  and  most 
ancient  famdy,  emigrating,  it  is  said,  from 
Tusculum,  or  from  Tibur,  yet  it  became  plebeian 


MAMILIA.  535 

at  Rome.  It  derived  its  surname  Limetanus,  it 
is  believed,  from  its  being  given  at  first  to  C. 
Mamilius,  tribune  of  the  people,  because  he  (v.c. 
589)  carried  the  lex  de  limitibus  or  boundary 
law.  In  its  coins  which  are  for  the  most  part 
common,  there  are  eighteen  varieties ; the 
silver  pieces  restored  -bv  Trajan  are  extremely 
rare,  amongst  these  is  the  following  interesting 
type:— 

C.  MAMIL.  LIMETAN. — A man  in  a short 
habit,  w'earing  on  his  head  the  pileus,  or 
hemispherical  bonnet,  and  holding  a long  knotted 


stick,  and  a dog  at  his  feet  fawning  on  him. — 
The  obverse  of  this  denarius  bears  the  head 
of  Mercury,  as  designated  by  his  attributes, 
the  winged  cap  and  the  caduceus.  This  coin 
has  been  explained  as  representing  Ulysses 
recognised  by  his  dog. — According  to  the 
Homeric  recital,  that  Grecian  hero,  after  an 
absence  of  twenty  years,  resolved  to  repair  once 
more  to  his  kingdom  of  Ithaca  without  making 
himself  known.  Accordingly  he  disguised  him- 
self, as  a pilgrim,  or  traveller,  and  effectually 
escaped  discovery  by  any  man,  when  his  faithful 
dog  Argus,  knew  again  his  long  lost  master, 
and  by  wagging  his  tail,  and  other  canine 
blandishments,  testified  his  dying  joy  at  the 
sudden  recognition — 

“ Et  moriens  reminiscitur  Argos." 

The  affecting  incident  is  most  graphically  re- 
corded on  this  elegant  denarius.  The  Mamilia 
family  pretended  to  derive  its  origin  from 
Mamilia,  the  daughter  of  Tclegonus,  the  reputed 
son  of  Ulysses  and  Circe ; and  C.  Mamilius,  as 
a monetai  triumvir,  caused  this  subject  to  be 
adopted  on  one  of  his  medals. 

There  is  another  denarius,  with  same  reverse, 
but,  instead  of  the  bust  of  Mercury,  its  obverse 
exhibits  that  of  Diana  Venatrix,  below  which 
is  S.  C. 

MAN.  Manias;  a prenomen,  which,  in 
linked  monogrammated  letters  (MN),  appears  on 
coins  of  Fonteia  family. 

M.  AN.  Marcus  Annius. — Sec  Florianus. 

Manens,  an  epithet  of  Fortune,  on  a coin  of 
Commodus. — See  foktvnae  manenti 

MANLIA,  a plebeian  family.  The  coins  said 
to  belong  to  it  are  passed  over  by  Eckhel  as 
“ numi  Goltziani,”  and  not  noticed  by  Mionnet 
or  Akerman. 

Manipulus,  a band  or  company  of  Roman 
soldiers,  whose  military  ensign  was  an  extended 
hand  placed  on  the  top  of  a spear. 

MANL.  or  MANLI.  Manlius. 

MANLIA,  a patrician  family,  of  the  most  noble 
descent.  Its  principal  surname  is  Torquatus, 
celebrated  in  its  association  with  Manlius  in 
Roman  story. — The  gold  coins  are  very  rare ; 


636  MANLIA. 


MANLIA. 


the  silver  common. — This  family  took  the  sur- 
name of  Torquatus  from  the  valour  of  T. 
Manlius,  who,  in  the  year  of  Rome  393,  slew 
in  single  combat  a Gaul  of  superior  strength  to 
himself,  and  took  away  his  collar  (torques). 
Thenceforward  the  Manlii  adopted  the  honour- 
able addition,  and  stamped  it  on  their  coins. 
— Thus  on  the  reverse  of  a silver  medal  of 
this  family  we  see  l.  tohqva.  q.  ex.  s.  c. 


A man,  armed  with  helmet,  spear,  and  buckler, 
galloping  on  horseback. — The  obverse  presents 
the  winged  head  of  Pallas,  the  word  koma  and 
x.,  all  within  a torques. — On  the  reverse  of 
another  denarius  of  the  Man/ia  family  we  read 
the  words  l.  svi.i.a.  imp.,  and  the  type  represents 
Sylla  in  a triumphal  quadriga,  holding  in  his 
right  hand  a caduceus,  and  crowned  by  a flying 
Victory. — The  obverse  of  this  coin  bears  the 
legend  L.  max  1. 1.  pro.  q.,  and  for  its  type  hits 
the  winged  head  of  Minerva. — We  learn  from 
Plutarch  that  Manlius  Torquatus,  who'  on  the 
above  is  called  Proquastor,  was  one  of  Svlla’s 
generals. — Another  coin  of  the  Man/ia  family 
exhibits  the  same  reverse  of  Sylla  triumphing, 
and  bears  on  its  obverse  ROM.  and  the  mark  x., 
together  with  the  head  of  Pallas,  all  within  a 
torques,  or  ornamental  collar , allusive  to  their 
intrepid  and  victorious  ancestor. 

Besides  the  silver  coins  above  described,  there 
is  an  elegant  one  inscribed  ser.  ( Serranus , or 
more  probably  Sergius),  with  the  head  of 
Minerva  for  the  type  of  its  obverse,  and  roma 
before  it ; on  the  reverse  of  which  is  a.  maxli. 
Q.  F.,  and  Apollo,  or  the  Sun,  in  a chariot 
draw-n  by  four  horses,  on  his  left  X.,  on  his 
right  a crescent,  and  on  each  side  a star. — See 

SOL. 

Also  another  denarius,  with  female  head,  and 
inscribed  SIBYLLA. — Rev. : L.  TORQVATiw 
III.  VIR.  A tripod,  above  which  are  two 
stars,  the  whole  within  an  ornamental  circle. — 


See  Sibylla. 

MANLIA  SCANTILLA,  the  wife  of  Didius 
Julianas,  by  whom  she  had  the  beautiful  Didia 
Clara,  she  being  herself  the  .most  deformed  of 
women.  On  the  same  day  that  her  husband  j 
became  Emperor  (a.d.  193),  she  was  proclaimed  j 
Augusta,  by  a decree  of  the  Senate,  but  her 
happiness  was  of  brief  duration,  for  Julianus  j 
having  in  a few  weeks 
been  put  to  death,  the 
imperial  titles  were  taken 
away  both  from  her  and 
her  daughter  by  Scverus, 
and  Manila  Scant  ilia  died 
in  obscurity.— She  is  nu- 
mismatieally  styled  Manl. 
(or  MANLIA)  SCANT1I.LA. 

avg. — All  her  coins  are 


of  extreme  rarity,  the  gold,  silver,  and  second 
brass  particularly  so. — The  silver  and  bronze 
have  on  their  reverse  ivno  regina,  aud  a veiled 
female,  or  deity,  standing  with  a patera  in  her 
right  hand,  a hast  a in  her  left,  and  a peacock 
at  her  feet. — The  illustration  has  been  selected 
from  a gold  coin  in  the  British  Museum. 

M.  ANN  Marcus  Annius ; prenomen  and 
name  of  a man. 

Manus  Humana,  the  human  hand,  is  some- 
times the  numismatic  index  of  Liberality ; at 
other  times  two  hands  joined  together  serve  to 
symbolize  the  concord  of  individuals,  and  to 
designate  the  confirmation  of  friendship  and  of 
treaties. — We  see  a human  hand,  intended  to 
represent  “the  hand  divine,’’  put  forth  from 
clouds  on  a coin  of  Constantine  the  Great ; 
another  holding  the  cross  or  a crown,  on  coins 
of  Arcadius,  and  of  Eudoxia  his  wife. 

Manus  dua  juncta. — Two  hands  joined,  hold- 
ing a caduceus,  or  corn-ears,  with  poppies,  or 
other  fruits,  in  indication  of  the  happy  con- 
sequences of  concord,  appears  on  coins  of  the 
Junia  family;  also  on  medals  of  Julius  Ciesar, 
M.  Antony,  Lepidus,  Augustus,  Vespasian,  Titus, 
Doinitian  (see  Caduceus),  Antoninus,  M.  Aure- 
lius, Albinus. 

Manus  dua  juncta. — Two  hands  joined,  hold- 
ing a military  ensign  placed  on  the  prow  of  a 
galley,  symbolical  of  the  concord  of  the  army, 
is  a type  found  on  coins  of  M.  Antony, 
Vespasian,  Domitian,  Nerva,  M.  Aurelius,  Com- 
inodus. — See  Concordia  Ezercituum. 

Tw  o hands  joined,  occur  on  silver  of  Balbinus 
and  Pupicuus,  with  amor  mvtvvs  avgg.  ; 
and  pi  etas  mvtva  avgg.  ; and  on  silver  of 
Carnusius  with  the  legend  concordia  militvm. 

Three  hands  joined,  appear  on  coins  of  Anto- 
ninus, Salonina,  and  Valerian,  jun.,  and  the 
same  holding  a caduceus  on  a coin  of  Augustus. 

MAQ.  Moneta  Aquileia  Percussa. — smaQP. 
Secra  Moneta  Aquileia  Percussa. — These  letters 
appear  on  the  exergue  of  a coin  of  Gratianus  ; 
also  on  one  of  Theodosius  M. — [Aquileia,  for- 
merly a rich  town,  near  the  Gulf  of  Venice,  is 
now  a small  village.] 

MAR.  Marcellinus — lent.  mar.  f.  Len- 
tulus  MarceUini  Fi/ius. 

MAR.  Marcellus. — mar.  cl. — Marcellas 
Clodius. 

MAR.  Marcus. — mar.  avrelivs  probvs. — 
Banduri,  i.  p.  456. 

MAR.  Mars,  Marti. 

MAR.  The  month  of  March. — eid.  mar. 
Idas  Martii.  The  Ides  of  March. — See  Junia 
family. 

MARCELLINVS. — On  a denarius  of  the 
Claudia  family  ap]>cars  the  name  of  mxrcel- 
Lixvs.,  aud  the  head  of  Claudius  Marcellus, 
behind  which  is  the  triquetra  (or  three  mens’ 
legs),  allusive  to  his  conquest  of  Sicily.  On  the 
reverse  of  the  same  denarius  appears  the  word. 

MARCELLVS,  the  surname  of  the  above- 
meutioned  plebeian  family,  marcellvs  cos. 
qvinq.  (Consul  Quinquies,  five  times  Consul.) — 
The  type  represents  this  valiant  commander, 
clothed  in  the  toga,  carrying  into  a temple 


MARCIA. 

of  four  columns,  a trophy  formed  of  armour 
which  he  had  himself  taken  from  the  person  of 
Viridomarus,  a Gaulish  chief. — See  Claudia. 

51 A RC I . Marcius. 

MARCIA,  a family  originally  patrician, 
but  afterwards  plebeian.  Its  surnames  are 
Censorinus,  Libo,  Philippas. — Morell  gives 
forty-two  varieties  of  type,  of  which  the 
silver  are  common,  the  brass  rare.  Many 
of  the  latter  pieces  are  asses  or  parts  of 
the  as,  or  struck  by  the  moneyers  of  Augustus. 
— The  Marcia  family  claimed  to  derive  its  origin 
from  Ancus  Marcius,  King  of  the  Romans— a 
claim  which  is  plainly  indicated  on  a silver 
coin  of  that  house,  on  which  are  exhibited  the 
name  and  portrait  of  ancvs,  with  the  iituus 
behind  the  head  — On  the  reverse  are  the  word 
PHILIPPVS,  and  an  equestrian  statue  on  a 


bridge,  underneath  the  arches  of  which  we  read 
AQVA  MARcta.  This  is  allusive  to  the  famous 
Marcian  aqueduct  at  Rome,  whence  flowed  another 
honour  to  the  family.  Respecting  it  Pliny  ex- 
presses himself  in  the  following  emphatic  terms  : 
“The  most  renowned  of  all  waters  (conveyed 
by*  aqueducts)  for  the  merit  of  coolness  and 
wholesome  qualities  is,  by  the  city’s  testimony, 
that  of  marcia.  Ancus  Marcius,  one  of  the 
Kings  of  Rome,  was  the  first  to  introduce  it 
into  the  city.  In  after  times  Q.  Marcius 
restored  it,  during  his  praetorship,  and  the 
same  thing  was  done  subsequently  by  M. 
Agrippa.” — With  respect  to  the  figure  of 
the  horseman  placed  on  the  arches  of  the 
aqueduct,  Eckhcl  observes  that  as  the  same 
recurs  ou  several  coins  of  the  Philippi,  it  is 
probable  that  it  may  allude  to  the  surname 
Phi/ippus,  although  he  would  not  deny  that  it 
may  probably  refer  besides  to  the  domestic 
praise  of  the  family,  since  both  Livy  aud  Pliny 
bear  witness  to  an  equestrian  statue  publicly 
erected  to  Q.  Marcius  Tremulus,  on  his  victory 
over  the  Samnites. — See  Ancus  Marcius,  p.  44. 

MARCIA,  the  prenomen  of  a woman,  taken 
from  Marcus — as  marcia  otacilia  seyera,- 
wife  of  Philip  senior. — See  Otacilia. 

MARCIA,  a concubine  of  Commodus,  to  whom 
(according  to  Lampridius  and  other  historians) 
above  all  others  that  profligate  emperor  was  the 
most  passionately  attached,  appears  depicted  on 
his  coins  under  the  form  of  an  Amazon.  (Span- 
heim,  Pr.  ii.  p.  292.) — On  the  obverse  of  a 
fine  bronze  medallion  of  this  prince  (having  for 
the  type  of  its  reverse  a sacrificial  group)  are  the 
joined  heads  of  Commodus  aud  Marcia ; that 
of  the  former  is  laureated  ; that  of  the  other 
helmeted.  The  bust  of  this  woman  is  some- 
times clothed  in  a cuirass ; at  other  times  it  is 
accompanied  by  the  Amazonian  pel  la.  This 

3 Z 


MARCIANA. — MARCLANUS.  537 

medallion  is  valued  by  Mionnet  at  200  fr. ; and 
there  are  others,  of  equal  value,  which  he 
describes  in  his  Recaeil  des  Medailles  Romaines, 
and  on  which,  in  the  opinion  of  Vaillant,  the 
head  of  this  Amazonian  female  is  to  he  re- 
cognised. 

MARCIANA,  sister  of  the  Emperor  Trajan, 
and  mother  of  Matidia,  an  accomplished  woman. 
She  lost  her  husband  previous  to  the  accession 
of  her  brother  to  the  empire,  and  lived  as  a 
widow  with  the  Emperor’s  wife,  Plotina,  to 
w hom  she  was  united  by  the  tenderest  and  most 
uninterrupted  friendship.  She  died  about  a.d. 
114,  and  received  the  honours  of  Consecration 
(see  that  word). — She  is  styled  marciana  avg. 
SOROR.  IMP.TRAIANI — DIVA  AVGVSTA  MARCIANA. 
The  coins  of  this  princess  are,  in  every  metal, 
exceedingly  rare.  The  brass  which  form  a 
monument  of  her  consecration  are  all  of  the 
first  size. — The  annexed  cut  is  from  a specimen 
in  the  British  Museum. 


In  commenting  on  the  medals  of  Plotina, 
Marciana,  and  Matidia,  the  intelligent  and  accu- 
rate author  of  Lemons  de  Numismatique  liomaine 
observes,  in  reference  to  the  types  of  Consecration, 
which  appear  on  the  coins  of  these  three  princesses, 
that  “although  the  Roman  mintage  retraces, 
from  the  earliest  reigns  aud  in  divers  manners, 
the  apotheosis  of  Emperors  aud  Empresses,  yet 
the  word  consecratio  appears  only  for  the  first 
time  on  the  medals  of  Marciana  ; and  with  that 
legend  a funeral  pile,  an  altar,  chariots  of 
various  forms,  &c.,  serve  to  represent  the 
apotheosis,  without  its  being  possible  to  deter- 
mine the  rules  by  which  one  type  was  employed 
in  preference  to  another.  Nevertheless  the 
eagle  taking  its  flight,  a type  at  first  common  to 
both  sexes  (as  is  shewn  in  a large  brass  medal  of 
Marciana),  was  afterwards  reserved  for  the 
Augusti  alone ; whilst  the  peacock  (a  bird  con- 
secrated to  Juno),  and  the  covered  car  drawrn  by 
two  mules,  known  by  antiquaries  under  the 
name  of  carpentum , became  types  exclusively 
appropriated  to  theEmpresses  and  other  Augusta. 

MARCIAN  VS  (Flavius  Valerius),  born  of 
humble  parentage  in  Thrace,  or  in  Illyria,  but 
an  accomplished  soldier,  he  was  honoured  in 
marriage  with  the  hand  of  Pulcheria,  sister  of 
Theodosius  the  Second,  who  proclaimed  him 
Emperor  of  the  East,  a.d.  450.  From  that 
time  to  the  end  of  his  reign,  seven  years  after, 
he  preserved  the  peace  and  integrity  of  the 
empire ; refused  to  pay  tribute  to  Attila ; 
destroyed  paganism;  favoured  the  Christians; 


538  MARCUS.— MARIDIANTJS. 


MARINIANA.— MARIUS. 


and  died  regretted,  at  Constantinople  a.d.  457, 
supposed  to  have  been  poisoned,  in  the  65th 
year  of  his  age. — All  his  coins  arc  of  the  highest 
rarity,  and  on  them  he  is  called  D.  N.  MARCIANVS 
P.  F.  AVG. 

MARCVS,  a frequently  recurring  prenomen, 
which  on  silver  coins  of  the  ^Emilia,  Antonia, 
and  Aquilia  families,  is  commonly  found  joined 
with  the  prenomina  of  relations  and  ancestors, 
for  we  read  M.  aemiu.  m.  f.  m.  n.  Marcus 
Aemilius,  Marci  Hlius,  Marci  Nepos.  In  like 
manner  M.  AQVILIVS  M.  f.  m.  n. — The  Emperor 
Commodus  used  the  same  prenomen  of  Marcus, 
which,  as  well  as  that  of  Lucius,  by  the  initials 
M.  and  L.  is  designated  on  his  coins. 

Marcus  Agrippa. — See  Vipsania  family. 

Marcus  Antonius. — See  Antonia  fam. 

Marcus  Aurelius. — See  Aurelius. 

MARI.  Marius. — See  Maria  fam. 

MARIA,  a plebeian  family.  Its  surnames, 
on  coins,  are  Capito  and  Trogus. — The  varieties 
are  forty-six — most  of  them  rare.  Connected 
with  its  surname  of  Marcus,  is  a denarius,  on 
the  obverse  of  which  we  read  C.  mari.  c.  f. 
( Caius  Marius,  Caii  Filius)  capit.  xxvm., 
with  head  of  Ceres. — Rev. : A man  driving 

two  oxen. 

Trogus. — C.  Marius  Trogus  was  one  of  the 
moneycrs  of  Augustus,  as  is  shewn  by  his 
denarii,  which  arc  all  honoured  with  the  portrait 
of  that  prince.  It  is  probable  that  they  were 
struck  about  the  year  v.c.  741.  As  these 
denarii,  with  the  exception  of  the  name,  offer 
nothing  that  relates  to  Trogus,  but  refer  in  all 
their  types  to  Augustus  and  his  family,  and  they 
are  also  of  doubtful  explanation,  it  will  suffice  to 
notice  a few,  and  those  briefly : — 

Epigraph. — c.  makivs.  tro.  nrviR.,  or  c. 

MARIVS.  C.  F.  TRO. 

Tgpes. — On  the  obverse,  as  has  been  stated, 
the  head  of  Augustus. — On  the  reverse,  the 
head  of  Julia,  daughter  of  Augustes,  between 
the  heads  of  Caius  and  Lucius,  her  sons  by 
Agrippa. — This  coin  was  struck  under  Augustus, 
about  the  year  737. — See  avgvstvs  divi.  f., 
in  which  the  type  is  explained. 

Two  men,  clothed  in  the  toga,  standing,  one 
of  whom  has  his  head  laureated,  the  other  wears 
a turreted  crown  ; they  both  hold  a roll  in  their 
left  hands,  and  at  the  feet  of  each  is  something 
that  resembles  an  altar,  or  pedestal ; or,  as 
Ilavcrcamp  thinks,  the  scrinium  (or  casket), 
such  as  it  was  customary  to  place  at  the  feet  of 
senatorial  statues.  The  same  writer  recognises 
in  these  two  figures,  Augustus  and  Agrippa,  and 
the  latter  especially  from  his  turreted  crown. 

A priest  veiled  stands,  holding  in  his  right 
hand  the  simpu/um  (or  small  chalice  used  in 
sacrifice).  This  is  perhaps  intended  for  Augustus, 
promoted  to  be  pontifex  maximus,  in  the  year 
of  Rome  741. 

Some  pieces  in  gold  and  silver  of  this  family 
are  by  the  moneycrs  of  Augustus  ; and  (here 
are  denarii  restored  by  Trajan. 

MARIDIANVS. — Caius  Cossutius,  a verv 
rich  man,  seems  to  have  adopted  Maridius,  who, 
according  to  the  custom  of  those  who  were 


adopted,  lengthened  out  the  name,  and  was 
called  Maridianus. — C.  MARIDIANVS,  who  is 
read  on  the  denarii  of  Julius  Cicsar,  was  of  the 
Cossutia  family,  that  is  of  the  equestrian  order. — 
As  one  of  the  monetary  triumvirs,  he  placed  the 
figure  of  Venus  Victnx  on  Julius’s  coins,  to 
indicate  the  latter’s  pretensions  to  divine 
origin. 

MARINIANA,  the  second  wife,  as  it  is  be- 
lieved, of  Valerianus,  and  the  mother  of  Valeri- 
anus  jun. — This  priucess  is  known  only  through 
the  medals  on  which  her 
name  as  diva  Mariniana 
appears,  and  from  which 
it  is  inferred  that  she 
died  at  the  beginning  of 
Valerian’s  reign.  It  is 
still  a matter  of  doubt 
whether  she  was  the  wife 
of  Valerianus ; but  she 
certainly  was  of  his  family. 
Her  silver  coins,  or  rather  billon,  are  very  rare, 
on  the  reverse  of  which  we  see  a peacock,  the 
symbol  of  her  consecration.  The  brass  are  still 
rarer. — See  Akerman’s  note  on  Mariniana. 

MARIQVE. — See  pace  p.  r.  terra  mariqve 
on  a coin  of  Nero. 

MARIT.  Maritima. — PRAKP.  CLAS.  ET  OR. 
marit.  Prafectus  C/assis  Et  Ora  Maritima. — 

See  Pompeia. 

Maritime,  or  naval  power,  is  denoted  on 
Roman  coins  by  the  prow  of  a ship,  as  on  a 
denarius  of  Pompey  the  Great  (with  legend 
maqn.  pro.  cos.),  or  by  the  Roman  Eagle  and 
two  standards,  the  latter  resting  on  the  prows  of 
vessels,  on  a second  brass  of  Serious  Gallia. — 
The  prictorian  galley,  with  rowers,  also  serves 
to  mark  the  prefecture  and  command  of  the  sea, 
as  on  medals  of  Hadrian  and  other  emperors. — 
See  Pratoria  Navis  and  Felicitati  Augusti. 

MARIVS  ( Caius.) — It  is  observed  by  Plutarch 
in  the  beginning  of  his  life  of  this  man,  ennobled 
by  so  many  consulates  and  by  two  triumphs, 
that  he  had  no  cognomen  or  third  name.  That 
this,  however,  is  not  to  be  referred  to  the  entire 
family  called  amongst  the  Romans  by  the  name 
of  Maria,  but  only  to  the  branch  of  the  house 
whence  Marius  descended,  the  surname  of 
Capi/o  and  of  Trogus  struck  on  other  coins  of 
the  same  family  serve  abundantly  to  shew. 

MARIVS  ( Marcus  Aurelius),  called  also  Ma- 
nurius  and  Vecturius,  from  being  an  artificer  in 
iron  and  an  armourer,  became  a Roman  General, 
and  proclaimed  himself  Emperor  a.d.  267,  by 
favour  of  the  Gaulish  legions,  after  the  death  of 
Victorinus.  lie  was  a bold  and  active  man, 
conspicuous  for  prodigious  powers  of  body,  aud 
of  especial  strength  in  the  use  of  his  hands  and 
fingers.  According  to  Po/lio  he  reigned  only 
three  days,  having  been  killed  by  one  of  his 
ancient  comrades  with  a sword  which  he  had 
himself  fabricated.  The  mode  of  his  death  may 
have  been  authentically  described  ; but  that  the 
career  of  his  usurpation  should  have  been  so 
extremely  short  is  scarcely  credible,  when  regard 
is  had  to  the  abundance  of  coins  (of  limited 
variety)  struck  with  the  muue  and  portrait  of 


MARIUS.— MAES. 

Marius, and  which  though 
exceedingly  rare  iu  gold  ; 
are  scarce  in  potin  or  base 
silver,  and  in  third  brass, 
but  less  so  in  the  latter 
He  is  styled  imp.  c.m. 

AVR.  MARIVS.  P.F.  AVG. — 

The  cut  is  taken  from  a 
gold  coin  iu  the  British 
Museum. 

MARS,  the  god  of  war,  was,  according  to  the 
common  belief  of  the  ancients,  the  son  of  Jupiter 
and  of  Juno;  or  as  some  of  the  later  poets 
have  pretended,  the  son  of  Juno,  by  whom  solely 
he  was  generated,  as  the  goddess  Minerva  was 
brought  forth  of  Jupiter  alone.  Mars  was  re- 
garded as  a great  leader  iu  battle  ; as  presiding 
over  discord  and  contest,  everywhere  exciting 
slaughter  and  war.  Although  this  divinity  had 
numerous  adorers  in  Greece  and  iu  many  other 
countries,  there  was  no  place  where  his  worship 
became  more  popular  than  at  Rome. — On  a 
gold  coin  and  also  on  a middle  brass  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius,  appears  a type  which  reeals  to  mind 
the  legendary  origin  of  Rome.  It  represents 
Mars  armed  with  helmet,  spear,  and  shield, 
descending  to  Ilia  or  Rhea,  the  Vestal  mother 
of  Romulus  and  Remus,  who  is  depicted  half 
naked  iu  a recumbent  posture,  and  buried  in 
a profound  sleep.  It  was  to  support  the  fable 
which  made  Romulus  pass  for  the  son  of  Mars, 
that  the  Romans  gave  to  their  first  king,  in  his 
apotheosis,  the  name  of  Quirinus,  and  afterwards 
to  Mars  himself  many  temples,  amongst  which 
that  built  by  Augustus  after  the  battle  of 
Philippi,  under  the  name  of  mars  victor,  was 
the  most  celebrated.  The  priests  of  this  deity, 
called  Salians,  had  the  custody  of  the  ancilia, 
or  sacred  shields.  The  Hat  ins  derived  his  name 
from  Mares  (males),  because  it  is  men  who 
are  employed  in  wars.  They  also  called 
him  Gradivus  and  sometimes'  Quirinus ; and 
established  this  difference  between  the  two 
appellations,  that  the  former  indicated  this  god 
during  war,  and  the  latter  during  peace.  The 
Romans  likewise  denominated  him  pater,  on 
several  of  their  imperial  coins,  in  allusion  to 
his  being  father  of  Romulus  aud  Remus. — On 
medals  and  other  ancient  monuments  Mars  is 
represented  under  the  figure  of  a man  armed 
with  a helmet,  a lance,  and  a shield,  sometimes 
naked,  at  others  in  a military  habit,  or  with  a 
soldier’s  mantle  over  the  shoulders;  in  some 
instances  bearded,  hut  more  frequently  without 
a beard.  Mars  Victor  appears  bearing  a 
trophy,  and  Mars  Gradivus  is  depictured  in 
the  attitude  of  a man  who  is  walking  with 
great  strides.  The  wolf  was  sacred  to  Mars, 
and  the  Romans  sacrificed  a horse  to  him  on  the 
12th  of  October.  His  familiarity  with  Venus 
is  shadowed  forth  on  coins  of  Marcus  Aurelius 
and  Faustina  jun.,  in  which  we  see  the  goddess 
of  beauty,  as  venvs  victrix,  embracing  him 
iu  her  arms,  and  retaining  him  by  her  blandish- 
ments. 

The  unbearded  head  of  Mars  appears  on  a 
denarius  of  the  Cornelia  family,  with  inscription 
3 Z 2 


MARS.  539 

of  cn.  bi.asio  c.  iv.  f — See  Visconti  and  Riccio 
on  this  point. 

The  temple  of  Mars,  with  the  epigraph  of 
mar.  vlt.,  Marti  Ullori,  appears  on  coins  of 
Augustus.  On  medals  of  Caracalla,  Gordianus 
III.  and  other  emperors,  he  has  the  name  of 
propvgnator  (the  defender);  and  Constantine, 
previous  to  his  profession  of  Christianity,  dedi- 
cated a coiu  to  his  honour,  with  the  circum- 
scription of  MARTI  PATRI  PROPVGNATORI. 

The  legend  of  mars  victor  is  found  on  medals 
of  Domitiau,  Antoninus,  Numerianus,  Claudius 
Gothieus,  Probus,  &c.  mars  vltor  (the 
avenger)  on  those  of  Alexander  Severus,  and 
others ; mars  pacifer  (the  peace-bearer)  on 
those  of  Gallienus,  &c.;  mars  conservator 
(the  preserver)  on  those  of  Licinius,  Constantine, 
&c.  We  see,  moreover,  on  other  products  of 
the  Imperial  mint,  that  this  favourite  deity  of 
warlike  Rome  was  distinguished,  according  to 
the  occasion  on  which  the  medal  was  struck,  by 
titles  of  adsertor,  stator,  and  pacator. 

MARS  ADSERTOR.  (Mars  the  Assister.) — 
On  a silver  coin  ot  Galba  this  legend  appears, 
with  the  type  of  Mars  in  the  paludamentum, 
standing  with  trophy  and  shield.  Like  that 
which  bears  the  inscription  of  mars  vltor, 
with  the  same  type,  it  was  clearly  intended 
as  a memorial  of  acknowledgment  on  the  part  of 
the  veteran  general  of  Nero’s  Legions  in  Spain, 
that  he  owed  the  success  of  his  enterprise 
against  the  tyrant,  and  his  own  elevation  to  the 
empire,  to  tbe  assistance  and  tutelary  favour  of 
the  god  of  war. 

MARTI  AVGVSTO. — Mars  helmeted,  march- 
ing with  spear  iu  right  hand  and  trophy  on  his 
left  shoulder.  On  silver  of  Pescennins  Niger. — 
See  Pescennius. 

Khell,  in  recording  this  coin  from  the  Imperial 
Cabinet  at  Vienna,  says — “ Unicum  kune,  atque 
prelii  non  eestimandi  pronunciare  confidenter 
audeo.” — Vaillant  notes  two  coins  of  Niger  as 
rarissimi,  with  the  epigraph  of  Marti  Victori ; 
and  with  the  exception  of  the  parazonium 
instead  of  the  spear,  the  type  of  one  of  them 
is  the  same  as  that  above  described.  The  leeend 
of  Mars  Augustus  appears  on  no  other  Roman 
Imperial  medals  as  yet  discovered. 

MARTI  DEO. — See  deo  marti. — On  a 
silver  coin  of  Gallienus  we  see  this  rare  inscrip- 
tion, with  a figure  of  Mars,  supporting  his  left 
hand  on  his  spear  and  his  right  hand  on  his 
shield,  standing  helmeted  in  a temple  of  four 
columns. 

MARTI.— The  figure  of  Mars  stands  helmeted 
and  in  a military  dress,  his  right  hand  grasping 
the  hasta  f errata  or  iron-headed  lance,  and  his 
left  placed  on  a shield  resting  on  the  ground. 
On  this  rare  silver  medal  Hadrian  is  depictured 
under  the  form  of  Mars. — “A  similar  image, 
says  Vaillant,  may  be  seen  in  Parian  marble  at 
the  Capitol  in  Rome,  with  this  sole  difference, 
that  in  the  statue  Hadrian  is  represented  naked  ; 
while  on  the  coin  he  appears  in  the  costume 
of  a warrior.” 

MARTI  CONSERA  ATORI. — Respecting  this 
dedicatory  inscription  which  appears  on  coins  of 


540  MARS. 

Maxentius,  Licinius,  and  Constantine, — Span-  1 
heira,  in  his  “ Ca-sars  of  Julian,”  observes — 

“ Ancient  medals  present  to  us  this  son  of 
Jupiter,  not  only  under  the  images  of  an  avenging, 
a victorious,  and  a lighting  god — Martis  U/toris,  \ 
Victoria,  Propugnatoris — in  a word,  he  who  takes  | 
delight  in  nothing  but  war  and  combats  ; but  they 
also  designate  him  to  us  under  the  appearance 
of  a peaceable  and  peace-making,  a preserving, 
and  fatherly  deity — Martis  Pad/ici,  Pacatoris, 
Conservatoris,  Statoris,  Patris,  in  order  to  teach 
ns  what  are  the  duties  of  conquerors,  and  even 
what  ought  to  be  the  aim  of  their  conquests.” — 
Banduri  gives  a second  brass  of  Maxentius, 
with  an  armed  Mars  walking,  and  the  legend 
MARTI.  CONSERVATort  AVG usti  N ostri. 
(To  Mars  the  Preserver  of  our  Emperor.) 

MARS  PACATOR. — A half-naked  figure  of 
a man,  with  helmet,  a branch  iu  the  right  and 
a liasta  in  the  left  hand.  On  silver  of  S. 
Severus.  Mars  here  carries  the  olive  branch,  a 
symbol  of  peace. — As  the  supposed  father  of 
their  city’s  founder,  the  Romans  (observes 
Vaillant)  paid  the  highest  honours  of  their  re- 
ligious worship  to  Mars,  whom  they  denominated 
Gradivus,  and  offered  sacrifices  to,  when  on  the 
point  of  war  ; but  whom  they  called  Pacator 
when  they  entered  into  pacific  treaties  with  the 
enemy.  To  this  Ovid  alludes  in  the  3rd  book 
of  his  Fasti : — 

Nunc  primum  studiis  pads,  deus  it  til  is  armis, 

Advocor. 

MARTI  PACIFERO. — This  dedication,  with 
the  image  of  the  god  holding  the  olive  branch, 
appears  on  a silver  coin  of  Volusianus,  who 
thus  assumes  to  be  Mars  the  Pacificator,  or 
Peace-bearer,  on  account  of  the  peace  made, 
under  his  father,  with  the  Vandals.  The  same 
legend  appears  on  coins  of  Florianus,  &c. 

MARTI  PATRI  CONSERVATORI. — This 
new  title  on  a second  brass  of  Constantine  has 
for  its  accompanying  type  an  armed  and  hclmctcd 
effigy  of  Mars,  under  whose  lineaments  Beger 
thinks  the  features  and  helmet  of  Constantine 
himself  are  plainly  to  be  recognised.  Hence  he 
observes  we  may  understand  that  it  was  the 
emperor  himself  rather  than  the  heathen  deity 
who  is  on  this  medal  represented.  Constantine 
is  called  Mars  on  the  occasion  of  his  great 
slaughter  of  the  Fraud  and  Alemanni,  and  his 
capture  of  their  lriugs,  thus  preserving  Gaul  to 
the  empire. 

The  surname  of  Conservator  is  found  assigned 
to  Mars,  not  only  on  coins,  hut  on  an  ancient 
inscription,  given  in  Gruter — (p.  lvii.) 

Mars  is  called  Pater,  as  Liber  (or  Bacchus) 
was  called  Pater,  and  as  Janus  was  called  Pater, 
because,  as  Lactantius  writes,  it  was  “ the 
custom  to  invoke  by  that  name  every  god  when 
offering  to  him  solemn  rites  and  prayers 
besides,  who  does  not  know  that  Mars  was 
commonlv  held  to  be  the  parent  of  the  Romans? 

MARTI  PATRI  SEMP.  VICTORI.  (To 
the  ever  victorious  Father  Mars). — On  another 
second  brass  of  Constantine  the  Great  appears 
this  epigraph  ; and  it  occurs  only  in  the  case  of 
this  emperor. 


MARS. 

MARTI  PROPAG.  IMP.  AVG.  N.— Mars, 
in  military  garments,  stands  with  spear  in  left 
hand,  and  joins  his  right  hand  to  that  of  a 
woman  standing  before  him,  between  both  is 
the  wolf  suckling  the  twins. — Respecting  this 
epigraph  and  type  on  a silver  coin  of  Maxentius, 
Eckhel  observes  that  Mars  Propagator  imperii, 
like  Princeps  imperii  Romani,  on  a gold  coin  of 
the  same  Augustus,  is  a new  title,  contrived  by 
the  ingenuity  of  Maxentius,  to  be  conferred 
upon  this  deity. 

Vaillant  says,  “ At  a time  when  Constantine 
was  iu  possession  of  great  part  of  the  empire, 
and  Galerius  with  Licinius  governed  a still  larger 
portion,  Maxentius  invokes  Mars  as  the  author 
of  the  City  of  Rome,  praying  him  that  he 
w ould  amplify  and  propagate  the  boundaries  of 
his  empire.” 

MARS  PROPVGnahw,  and  MARS  PRO- 
PVGNATVri.  (Mars  the  Champion  or  Defender.) 
— A hclmctcd  fieure,  clothed  in  armour,  walk- 
ing, with  spear  and  buckler.  The  former  legend 
appears  on  a silver  piece  of  Gordianus  Pius,  and 
the  latter  on  a denarius  of  Gallienus,  who,  as 
his  coins  teach  us,  paid  particular  adoratiou  to 
Mars.  Indeed  he  is  known  to  have  raised  a 
temple  to  the  worship  of  that  divinity  in  the 
Circus  Flaminius,  and  to  have  called  the  god 
Propugnator.  See  Hostilianus. — Well  indeed 
he  might,  being  at  that  period  sore  pressed  in 
every  quarter  of  his  government  by  both  civil 
and  foreign  wars.  (Vaillant.) — There  is  a second 
brass  of  Constantine  which  presents  on  its 
reverse  the  naked  figure  of  Mars,  with  spear 
and  buckler,  marching,  and  the  inscription 
MARTI  HATH!  PROPVGNATOBI. 

MARS  VICTOR. — A helmeted  figure  walk- 
ing, holding  a spear  transversed,  and  in  his  left 
hand  a trophy  resting  on  the  shoulder. — A very 
rare  gold  coin  of  Probus  bears  this  legend  and 
inscription,  by  which  this  warlike  emperor  is 
compared  to  Mars — no  inappropriate  or  un- 
meaning compliment  to  a prince,  of  whom  it 
has  been  recorded  that  every  part  of  the  Roman 
world  w as  rendered  celebrated  by  his  victories. 


MARTI  VICTORI. — In  noticing  this  lcgrnd 
of  Pescennius  Niger,  Vaillant  ( Pr.  ii.  204) 
observes  that  Mars,  in  his  quality  of  presiding 
over  war  seems  to  have  had  the  cognomen  of 
Fir/or  assigned  jto  him;  and  that,  as  the  coins 
bearing  that  epigraph  denote,  it  is  probable  that 
Pescennius  performed  sacrifices  to  the  God  of 


MARS.— MARTINIANUS. 

Rattles,  propitiating  his  aid  to  gain  the  hoped- 
for  victory  over  Severus — a rival  who,  how- 
ever, proved  to  be  his  conqueror. — See  Marti 

AVGVSTO. 

MART  VLTO. — On  a denarius  of  Augustus 
we  see  a round  temple,  in  which  is  a figure  of 
Mars  Ultor,  whose  temple  Augustus  caused  to 
be  built  in  the  capital. 
There  is  another  silver 
coin  of  the  same  Emperor, 
with  the  same  epigraph, 
and  a similarly  formed 
edifice,  in  which  is  a 
military  ensign.  This 
represents  the  temple  of 
Mars  the  Avenger,  which 
Augustus  ordered  to  be 
built  at  Rome,  in  imitation  of  that  of  Jupiter 
Feretrius,  in  which  the  military  standards 
restored  by  the  I’arlhians  were  suspended. 

MARS  VLTOR. — Mars  walking  with  spear 
in  hand,  and  trophy  on  his  shoulder ; on  coius  of 
Alex  Severus,  Claudius  Gothicus,  Quintillus, 
Tacitus,  and  Probus. — With  the  ancient  Romans, 
as  well  as  Greeks,  it  was  one  of  the  principal 
marks  of  worship  paid  to  their  gods,  to  honour 
them  as  Avengers  of  injuries  received ; hence 
originated,  amongst  others,  the  titles  of  Jupiter 
Ultor,  of  Mars  Ultor,  and  the  like,  which 
medals  so  frequently  exhibit  to  us. 

MARTI  VLTORI. — On  a silver  coin  of 
Galba  edited  in  Morcll’s  Inipp.  Rom.  we  see 
this  legend  accompanied  by  the  type  of  Mars, 
naked,  except  the  helmet,  walking:  he  brandishes 
aloft  a dart  in  his  right  hand,  and  holds  out  a 
small  round  shield  on  his  left  arm. 

MARTI  COMITI  W Gusli  N ostri.  (To 
Mars,  the  companion  of  our  Emperor.) — A 
second  brass  of  Maxentius  bears  this  sufficiently 
presumptuous  inscription.  The  Emperor  who 
thus  makes  a colleague  of  his  deity  is  represented 
on  horseback,  with  right  hand  uplifted,  and  a 
soldier  with  spoils  preceding  him. — The  epigraph 
and  type  occur  only  on  the  money  of  Maxentius, 
who  on  other  coius  treats  Hercules  with  the 
same  familiarity  (Herculi  Comiti f 

MARTIALI. — See  ivnoni  martiali. 

MARTIN  I AN  VS  ( Marcus J,  general  of 
Licinius,  in  whose  palace  he  held  the  post  of 
M agister  Officinorum . — He  was  created  Ciesar  by 
that  prince,  after  the  latter  had  declared  against 
Constantine,  A.n.  324. — Martinianus  usurped 
the  style  and  title  of  Augustus,  as  appears  by 
his  coins,  which  are  in  third  brass,  and  most 
rare,  d.  n.  m.  Marti  an  vs  p.  f.  avg. — Two  years 
afterwards  he  shared  the  fate  of  his  master,  both 
he  and  Licinius,  after  the  two  disastrous  battles 
of  Ailriauopolis  and  Chaleedon,  having  been  put 
to  death  by  order  of  Constantine. 

Martins,  formerly  the  first  month  of  the  year 
with  the  Romans,  it  being  named  by  Romulus 
after  his  reputed  father. — It  appears  on  certain 
celebrated  coins. — See  Ell),  mar. 

MASSO,  a surname  of  the  patrician  family  of 
Papiria. 

MAT.  Mater. — Thus  Julia  Mamtea  is  styled 
mat.  avgvsti.  (Mother  of  the  Emperor.) 


MATER  AUGG.  541 

MATER  AVGG. — Cybele  in  a quadriga  of 
lions,  holding  a branch.  This  appears  on  gold 
and  silver  of  Julia  Domna,  wife  of  Severus ; and, 
as  Eckhel  observes,  there  does  not  exist  on  coins 
a weightier  proof  of  servile  adulation.  Here 
we  behold  Domna  held  out  as  the  object  of  the 
high  worship  paid  to  Cybele,  and  that,  too, 
when  this  “ Mother  of  the  Gods”  was  really  the 
parent  of  Caracalla,  and  of  Geta ; see  also  by 
how  subtle  a device  these  two  young  Augusts 
are  placed  on  an  equality  with  the  gods  them- 
selves I — This  coin  was  struck  when  Geta,  as 
well  as  his  elder  brother,  had  attained  to 
Augustal  honours. 

MAT  AVGG.  MAT.  SEN.  M.  PATR. 
Mater  Augustorum,  Mater  Senatus,  Mater 
P a tries. — A female  figure  representing  Julia, 
sitting  or  standing,  with  corn  ears  in  one  hand, 
and  the  hasta  in  the  other. — Gold,  silver,  and 
large  brass  of  Domna  exhibit  this  unique  and 
remarkable  inscription. 

On  this  medal  we  see  not  only  new  titles,  but 
such  as  no  other  princess  ever  before  assumed. 
For  one  Domna  to  call  herself,  on  her  coins,  the 
Mother  of  the  Senate,  and  the  Mother  of  the 
Country,  was  bold  iudeed.  It  was  the  result  of 
that  insensate  veneration  which  her  son  Caracalla 
affected  to  entertain  for  her,  it  being  also  under 
his  reign  that  the  surnames  of  pia,  fei.ix,  were 
conferred  on  the  imperial  widow  of  Severus. 

MATER  AVGVSTI  ET  CASTRORVM. — 
The  Mother  of  the  Emperor  and  of  Camps  are 
the  titles  assumed  (on  large  and  second  brass 
coins)  by  Mamma,  mother  of  Alexander  Severus, 
who  in  all  things  acted  under  her  counsels,  and 
who,  with  her,  was  assassinated  by  the  troops 
of  the  ferocious  Maximinus. 

MATER  CASTRORVM. — A woman  seated, 
having  before  her  three  military  ensigns.  This 
reverse  of  a large  brass  of  Faustina  the  younger, 
is  remarkable.  The  title  of  Mother  of  Camps, 
which  no  empress  previous  to  her  had  borne, 
though  others  afterwards  received  it,  was  given 
to  Faustina,  on  the  occasion  of  her  having 
followed  her  husband,  M.  Aurelius,  in  his 
victorious  expedition  against  the  Quadi,  a.d. 
174,  a campaign  memorable  for  the  victory 
regarded  as  miraculous,  and  ascribed  to  the 
prayers  of  the  Theban  legion,  called  Legio 
fulminans. — Julia  Domna,  and  Julia  Mamma, 
successively  exhibit  the  same  title  on  their  coins’ 
the  latter  (as  above  observed)  prefixing  to  it  that 
of  mater  avgvsti,  as  the  mother  of  Alexander 
Severus. — The  type  in  Julia  Domna’s  first  and 
second  brass,  with  this  legend,  is  a female 
figure,  sacrificing  before  three  military  ensigns. 

MATRES  AVGUSTORVM — The  following 
are  nearly  all  the  mothers  of  emperors  of  whom 
there  are  authentic  coins  : — 

1.  — Livia,  of  Tiberius. 

2.  — Antonia,  of  Claudius. 

3.  — Agrippina,  of  Caligula. 

4.  — Agrippina,  of  Nero. 

5.  — Domitilla,  of  Titus. 

6.  — Julia  Domna,  of  Caracalla  and  of  Geta. 

7.  — Julia  Soaemias,  of  Elagabalus. 

8.  — Julia  Mamaea,  of  Alexander  Severus. 


542  MATER  DEUM. 


MATIDIA. 


9. — Marcia  Olacilia  Severa,  of  Philip  jun. 

10.  — Mariniana,  of  Valcrianus  jun. 

11.  — FI  a via  Helena,  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

To  no  living  mother  was  there  by  any  son, 

being  emperor,  any  coin  struck  representing 
two  portraits,  except  to  those  who  either  had 
mingled  in  the  allairs  of  state,  or  had  sons 
under  their  guardianship  who  were  afterwards 
advanced  to  the  empire.  Of  these  there  were 
six,  viz.,  Livia  with  Tiberius.  2.  Agrippina 
with  Caius  (Caligula).  3.  Agrippina,  jun.,  with 
Nero.  4.  Domna  with  Caracalla  aud  Geta, 
whose  coins,  however,  were  struck  with  the 
heads  of  the  sons  upon  them  during  the  life- 
time of  their  father  Scverus.  5.  Julia  Sotemias 
with  Elagabalus.  6.  Julia  Mamaea  with 
Alexander. 

MATER  DEVM.  See  Cybele.— Numerous 
coins  of  pro-consular  cities  in  Asia  attest  the 
worship  of  this  Phrygian  deity,  by  the  exhibition 
of  her  image.  The  same  Magna  Deum  Mater, 
or  Great  Mother  of  the  Gods,  celebrated  under 
so  many  names,  was  worshiped  in  her  inmost 
sanctuary  under  the  form  of  nothing  more  than 
a black  stone  ( lapis  niger),  as  Arnohius,  L. 
vii.,  from  personal  observation  describes. — Her 
temple  was  repaired  by  Augustus. — As  identified 
with  Tel/us,  Cybele  carries  the  tympanum,  by 
which  the  terrestrial  globe  was  signified  ; and 
the  towers  on  her  head  bespeak  her  influence 
over  towns. 

MATER  DEVM.  and  MATRI  DEVM.— 
Cybele  seated  between  two  lions,  or  Cybele 


standing,  with  a lion  at  her  feet. — On  gold, 
silver,  and  brass  of  Julia  Domna,  called  on  the 
obverse  ivlia  avgvsta. — The  ambitious  wife  of 
Severus  is  not  more  fully  exhibited  by  the  title 
of  Mater  Avgustorum  than  she  is  as  Cybele ; 
hut  on  the  above  coin,  with  the  epigraph  of 
Mater  Deum,  she  is  represented  as  though 
Cybele  and  Julia  were  the  same. 

'MATRI  CASTRORVM. — On  her  coins,  in 


gold,  silver,  and  brass,  Julia  Domna  stands 


veiled  before  a small  altar,  and  two,  or  three 
military  ensigns,  performing  sacrifice,  as  though 
partaking  the  councils  of  her  husband,  in  his 
warlike  expeditions,  she  invoked  success  on  his 
enterprises,  and  made  herself  a consort  in  his 
victories. — This  title  of  Mater  Cattrorum  con- 
ferred for  the  first  time  on  the  unworthy  wife  of 
M.  Aurelius,  was  afterwards,  in  the  same  spirit 
of  congratulation  to  the  husband,  bestowed  on  the 
masculine  and  ambitious  empress  of  Septimius 
Severus. — We  sec  the  same  inscription  and  a 
similar  type  on  a medal  of  Julia  Sooemias ; whose 
claim  to  this  martial  appellation  of  honour, 
as  an  imperial  camp  mistress,  is  in  like  manner 
substantiated  by  her  historical  character  as  a 
courageous  princess  and  a leader  of  armies 
MATIDIA,  the  daughter  of  Marciana  aud  niece 
of  Trajan  ; she  was  the  mother  of  Sabina,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Hadrian.  She  was  declared 
Augusta  along  with  Plotina,  by  a decree  of  the 
Senate  about  the  year  of 
Christ,  113;  possessing 
all  the  virtues  of  her 
mother,  she  equally  re- 
ceived with  her  the 
honours  of  the  apotheo- 
sis, under  the  reign  of 
Hadrian,  some  say  of 
Antoninus  Pius.  The 
medals  of  Matidia,  like 
those  of  Plotina  and  Marciana,  are  in  each 
metal  of  the  highest  degree  of  rarity,  especially 
the  first  brass.  On  these  she  is  stvled  MATIDIA. 
AVG.  F.— MATIDIA  AVG.  D1VAE  MAR- 
CIA NAK  Viha. also  DIVA  MATH  H A 

SOCRVS. — The  annexed  cut  is  from  a denarius 
in  the  British  Museum. 

MATRI  DEVM  CONSERV.  AVG.  (Con- 
servatrici  Augusti.J — This  legend,  with  Cybele 
riding  on  a lion,  appears  on  first  and  second 
brass  and  ou  silver  of  Commodus ; who  with  his 
characteristic  audacity,  whilst  he  was  violating 
every  law,  divine  and  human,  calls  the  Mother 
of  the  Gods  his  preserver ; in  like  manner  as  on 
other  medals  he  selects  Jupiter  himself  as  the 
spousor  for  his  security  ( sponsor  securitatis), 
and  as  the  defender  of  his  health  and  safety 
( defensor  salutis.) 


-MATRI  DEVM  SALVTARI. — A temple 
in  which  Cybele  is  seated : on  the  outside 
stands  Atys  near  a tree,  which  he  touches  with 
his  left.  hand. — Bronze  medallion  of  Faustina, 
senior. 

The  type  of  Cybele,  or  mother  of  the  gods, 
is  common  ou  the  coinage  of  Faustina  the  elder ; 
but  on  this  exceedingly  rare  medallion  we  see 
also  introduced,  Atys  both  the  priest  and  the 
lover  of  Cybele.  He  stands  near  a tree,  and 
touches  it ; either  because  he  was  detected  by 
the  goddess  in  a forbidden  amour,  and  being 
sought  after  to  receive  punishment,  hid  himself 
under  a pine  tree,  or  because  he  was  changed 
into  a pine  tree  by  Cybele  (which  are  the  several 
opinions  of  certain  mythologists),  or  because 
this  was  the  very  tree  on  whose  existence  de- 
pended the  life  of  the  nymph  Sangaris,  with 
whom  Atys  had  fallen  desperately  in  love,  aud 


MAURETANIA. 

which  tree  the  goddess,  in  wrath  at  her  lover’s 
infidelity,  had  cut  down  and  destroyed. — See 
Cybe/e — and  Atys. 

Matrix  (Matrice). — This  word  is  used  by 
some  numismatic  writers  to  signify  the  die, 
square,  or  punch,  that  is  to  say,  the  mass  of 
hardened  medal,  on  which  is  engraved  or  sunk, 
the  inverse  way,  the  type  of  the  medal,  in  order 
to  impress  it,  the  right  way,  on  the  blank  which 
is  exposed  to  its  stroke.  The  word  by  which 
the  Romans  designated  the  die,  or  as  the  French 
call  it  the  coin  of  the  medal,  is  not  known. 

MAVRETANIA — spelt  with  an  e as  well  on 
inscribed  marbles,  edited  by  Gruter,  as  on  coins 
of  Hadrian,  Autoninc,  and  Commodus — a region 
of  Africa,  separated  from  Spain  by  the  straits 
of  Gibraltar  (/return  Gadilanum),  and  from 
Numidia  by  the  river  Ampsaga.  It  now  forms 
the  kingdoms  of  Fez  and  Morocco. — Mauretania 
was  made  a conquest  of  by  Julius  Caesar,  who 
having  vanquished  its  king,  Juba,  reduced  the 
country  to  a Roman  province,  giving  the  govern- 
ment of  it  to  the  Pro-consul  Crispus  Sallustius. — 
Augustus  afterwards  exchanged  it  with  Juba,  the 
son,  for  Numidia. — This  region  remained  under 
subjection  to  the  Romans  till  about  a.d.  441, 
when  Genscric,  King  of  the  Vandals,  gained 
possession  of  it.  The  Emperor  Valentinian  dis- 
puted with  him  its  retention,  sword  in  hand, 
for  three  years,  with  various  success;  and  at 
length  peace  was  established  between  these  two 
potentates,  who  divided  Northern  Africa  between 
them.  At  the  death  of  Valentinian,  Genserie 
not  only  recovered  all  which  he  had  ceded,  but 
again  overthrew'  the  Empire  of  the  West. 
Justinian  re-conquered  this  territory  ninety-live 
years  after  the  Vandals  had  permanently  occu- 
pied it. 

Spauhcim  (Pr.  ii.  p.  583)  affirms  that  the 
ensigns  of  royalty  were  accustomed  to  be  sent  to 
the  Mauretanian  Kings  by  the  Roman  Emperors, 
and  in  no  other  way  w'ere  they  confirmed  in 
their  regal  dignity. 

MAVRETANIA. — An  inhabitant  of  this  pro- 
vince stands  with  a spear  in  his  left  hand,  and 
holds  with  the  other  a horse  by  the  bridle. — 
This  name  and  appropriate  type  of  the  Moorish 
race,  appears  on  a large  brass  of  Hadrian, 
of  which  an  illustration  is  here  given.  The 


cavalry  of  the  Mauri  was  renowned  of  old 
both  for  the  excellence  of  the  horses  and  the 
skill  of  the  riders. — Accordingly  we  find  the 
figures  of  horses  stamped  even  on  the  earliest 
coins  of  the  Mauretanian  Kings.  That  this 
equestrian  people  were  employed,  under  their 


MAURICIUS  TIBERIUS.  543 
leader  Lusius  Quintus,  in  the  various  wars  of 
Trajan,  is  attested  in  several  passages  of  Dion ; 
and  the  Trajan  column  itself  affords  a lasting 
testimony  to  this  fact,  in  that  compartment  of 
its  sculptured  shaft,  on  which  the  Moorish 
horsemen  arc  represented  making  a furious 
charge  upon  the  Dacians. 

Tlie  Mauretaniau  is  depictured  on  the  coin, 
walking  with  bridle  and  lance  in  his  hand, 
because  that  people,  according  to  Strabo,  gene- 
rally fought  with  spears  and  on  horseback. 

MAVRETANIA.  COS.  II.  S.C. — A man, 
with  garment  tucked-up,  standing  with  basket 
in  right  hand,  and  spear  in  left.  First  brass  of 
Antoninus  Pius. — Eckhcl. 

For  other  numismatic  memorials  connecting 
the  same  province  with  the  Emperor  Hadrian, 

see  ADVENTVI  AVG.  M AV  RETAN  LA  E . — EXEKC1TVS 
MAVRETANICVS. — RESTITVTORI  MAVRETANIAE. 

MAVRICIVS  TIBERIVS,  as  on  coins  he  is 
styled,  w'as  born  in  Cappadocia,  but  of  a family 
of  Roman  extraction,  a.d.  539.  Adopted  by  his 
father-in-law  Tiberius,  he  succeeded  to  the 
empire  in  582.  An  energetic  prince,  skilled  in 
war  and  not  less  conversant  with  peaceful  arts, 
but  avaricious  and  wrathful.  He  conquered  the 
Persiaus,  by  his  generals  Philippicus  and  Ger- 
manus : he  also  fought  many  battles,  with 
different  degrees  of  success,  against  Chosroes, 
king  of  Persia,  and  also  against  the  Avars, 
who  had  invaded  the  eastern  provinces.  His 
soldiers  revolting,  under  the  leadership  of  Focas, 
either  because  they  had  not  received  their  pay, 
or  because  the  emperor  had  refused  to  ransom, 
at  a small  price,  many  thousand  captives  taken 
by  the  Avars,  paid  the  forfeit  of  his  outrageous 
covetousness;  the  emperor  himself,  with  his 
whole  family,  having  been  murdered  by  the 
traitorous  usurper  Focas,  a.d.  602,  in  his  63rd 
year  and  20th  of  his  reign. — The  gold  of 
Mauricius  are  common ; silver  rare  ; brass  com- 
mon, except  quinarii.  His  name  and  titles  are 
d.  n.  mavric.  Tiber,  p.  p.  avg. — The  legends 
of  bis  medals  are  in  the  Latin  character,  but 
like  nearly  all  the  rest  of  the  Byzantine  series, 
the  types  are  uninteresting  and  the  execution 
I barbarous. 

MAX.  Maxima. — Sec  vict  part.  max. 

Victoria  Parthica  Maxima  on  coins  of  Caracalla. 

MAX.  Maximo. — i.  o.  max. — Jovi  Optimo 
Maximo. 

MAX.  Maximus. — A title  of  the  chief  pontiff. 
Thus,  P.  max.  Ponlifex  Maximus,  in  Nero; 
pon.  max.  in  Domitian. 

MAX.  Maximus. — A masculine  surname  de- 
rived from  illustrious  exploits. 

MAX.  Maximus. — An  epithet  of  honour 
applied  to  several  emperors,  as  referring  to  some 
conquest  or  victory.  Thus  M.  Aurelius,  L. 
Veins,  Sept.  Severus,  Caracalla,  were  dis- 
tinguished by  the  title  of  Parthicus  Maximus ; 
Commodus  with  that  of  Britannicus  Maximus. 
Constantine  the  Great,  after  overcoming  Max- 
entius,  assumed  this  superlative  max.,  which  was 
afterwards  conferred  on  Constans  and  Valens. 

MAXENTIVS  (Marc.  Aurel.  Valerius),  son 
of  Maximianus  Hercules  and  of  Eutropia,  was 


544  MAXIMIANUS. 

bom  a.d.  282. — Diocletian  wished  to  have 
named  him  Ctesar ; Galerins  was  opposed  to  it. 
This  neglect,  and  the  promotion  of  Severus, 
Maximinus  Daza,  and,  later,  of  Constantine  to 
that  rank,  made  him  a mal-eontent;  and  he 
caused  himself  to  be  declared  Emperor  at  Rome 
by  the  Pretorian  soldiers  ; the  Senate  assented, 
and  proclaimed  his  assumption  of  the  purple, 
according  to  history,  in  306.  But  “ the  medals, 
which  assign  to  Maxentius  the  title  of  Caesar 
only,  lead  (as  Mionnet  observes)  to  the  belief 
that  this  prince  was  at  first  content  with  that 
honour,  and  that  he  did  not  receive  the  title  of 
Augustus  until  some  time  afterwards.  In  that 
case  the  coins  are  at  variance  with  the  historians, 
who  make  him  Caesar  and  Augustus  at  once,  by 
the  united  voice  of  the  soldiers  and  the  senate.” — 
Maxentius  was  a monster  of  cruelty  aud  lust ; 
he  compelled  his  father  to  re-aseend  the  throne 
in  order  to  maintain  him  in  the  government  of 
the  empire;  he  ruled  Rome  like  a sanguinary 
tyrant,  resembling  his  parent  in  harshness  of 
disposition ; pillaged  Italy  by  his  confiscations  of 
private  property  and  by  fiscal  extortions  to 
increase  his  revenues,  till  he  became  the  object 
of  universal  hatred.  After  having  sustained  his 
authority  against  Severus  II.,  and  against  Gale- 
rius  Maximianus,  by  whom  he  was  successively 
attacked  ; he  drove  Maximianus  Hercules,  his 
father,  from  Rome ; defeated  the  usurper  Alex- 
auder  in  Egypt,  which  he  ravaged ; burnt 
Carthage  in  311;  and  having  quarrelled  with 
Constantine,  his  former  ally,  he  proceeded 
horribly  to  persecute  the  Christians.  Con- 
stantine, however,  secretly  invited  by  the 
Seuate,  marched  from  Gaul,  and  arriving  near 
Rome,  gave  battle  at  the  Milvian  bridge  to 
Maxentius,  who  being  totally  defeated,  threw 
himself  as  a fugitive  into  the  Tiber  and  was 
drowned,  on  the  28th  December,  312,  in  the 
30th  year  of  his  age  and  sixth  of  his  reign, 
leaving  his  victorious  rival  Constantine  undis- 
puted master  of  the  Roman  empire. — Maxentius 
had  a sou,  named  Romulus,  who  died  before  his 
father,  in  the  fourth  year  of  his  age,  to  whose 
aeterna  memoria  medals  were  struck,  and  are 
extant  in  each  metal. 

(See  romvlvs.) The 

style  of  Maxentius  on  his 
coins  is  MAX  EXT  I VS 
NOB.  CAESAR  — IMP. 
MAXENTIVS.  P.  F. 
AVG. — MAXENTIVS. 
P.  F.  AVG  — MAXEN- 
TIVS PKINCV/w  IN- 
V I CTmj. — Several  of  the 
reverses  are  of  historical  interest. 

MAX1MIANVS. — Two  Emperors  rejoiced 
in  the  common  name  of  Maximianus ; and  of 
these  Galerius  Maximianus  was  called  junior,  to 
distinguish  him  from  the  elder  by  birth,  and 
who  in  respect  to  the  other  was  called  senior. 
This  distinction,  however,  we  do  not  always  see 
observed  in  cither  else.  For  the  coins  of 
Maximianus  the  elder  born,  called  by  the  other 
name  of  llerculeus,  do  not  all  present  the 
name  SEN.  or  senior;  and  it  is  very  seldom 


MAXIMIANUS. 

that  the  appellative  of  IVN.  or  junior  is  found 
on  the  coins  of  Galerins.  For  as  Herculeus 
Maximianus  alone  had  hitherto  home  the  title 
of  Augustus,  it  was  the  less  necessary  by  the 
word  SEN /or  to  distinguish  him  from  Galerius, 
who  was  at  that  time  only  Caesar.  Nor  was 
there  any  risk  of  Galerius  being  confounded 
with  llerculeus  Maximianus,  because  the  title  of 
Caesar  sufficiently  distinguished  his  coins  from 
those  of  the  elder  one,  who  is  said  never  to  have 
received  the  dignity  of  Caesar,  but  was  declared 
at  once  Augustus  by  Diocletian.  Hence  it  is 
that  the  title  of  IVNior  is  never  found  con- 
joined to  N ( J bilissim us  CAESar  on  the  medals 
of  Galerius ; nor  is  the  prenomen  of  Galerius 
by  any  means  common  on  them,  as  for  example 
by  MAX1MIANVS  NOB.  CAES.  Galerius  is 
indicated,  although  no  mark  of  the  prenomen 
GAL.  should  be  found,  the  title  HObi/issimus 
CAESar  sufficiently  distinguishing  him  from 
Herculeus.  But  when  Galerius  became  Augustus, 
the  prenomen  of  each  might  be  left  out,  and  the 
title  alone  of  IVNior  and  of  SENior  might  be 
placed  on  their  respective  medals.  And  we  find 
this  done  on  their  coins  which  arc  inscribed — 
MAXIMIANVS  SEN.  P.F.  AVG.  when  Valerius 
Maximianus  is  indicated,  or  IMP.  MAXI- 
MIANVS IVN.  P.F.  AVG.  when  Galerius 
Maximianus  is  intended  to  be  designated. — The 
following  are  the  observations  of  the  perspicuous 
and  accurate  Bimard  (in  his  notes  on  Jobert), 
with  reference  to  this  point,  than  which  nothing 
is  better  calculated  completely  to  remove  the 
difficulty  which  some  learned  writers  have  started 
thereupon : — “ History,  both  ecelesiastic  and 
profane,  teaches  us  that  there  were  two,  and 
only  two  Emperors,  of  the  name  of  Maximianus; 
one  of  whom  called  himself  M.  Aurelius 
Valerius  Maximianus,  and  the  other  C.  Galerius 
Valerius  Maximianus.  The  former  was,  on 
the  medals  struck  after  his  abdication  (as 
Diocletian’s  colleague),  called  Maximianus 
Senior  Augustus  -,  the  latter  to  distinguish  him- 
self took  at  the  same  time  the  appellation  of 
Maximianus  Junior  Augustus  It  is,  however, 
needful  to  observe,  that  Junior  is  never  found 
except  on  medals  whence  we  see  only  the  name 
of  .Maximianus,  and  which  we  have  not  yet 
remarked  on  those  which  bear  the  family  name 
of  Galerius  Maximianus,  because  then  the  name 
of  Galerius  suffices  to  distinguish  him  from 
Maximianus  Aurelius.  Nor  do  we  find  Maxi- 
mianus Junior  Nobi/issimus  Ctrsar,  because  the 
quality  of  Ctrsar  sufficiently  distinguished  Galc- 
rius  Maximianus  from  Mnximianus  Hercules, 
who  always  bore  the  tide  of  Augustus.” — (vol. 
ii.  p.  309.) 

M AXIMIANVS  ( Marcus  Aurelius  Valerius), 
surnamed  Herculeus,  on  the  ground  of  his  pre- 
tended descent  from  Hercules,  was  born  at 
Sirmium  (Sinnich),  in  Pantionia,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  250.  Entering  the  army  he  served 
with  distinction  under  Aurclian  and  Probus.  It 
was  on  account  of  his  valour  and  military 
talents,  and  in  spite  of  his  unpolished  mind  and 
harsh  temper,  that  he  was  associated  in  the 
empire  with  the  title  of  Augustus,  by  Diocletian, 


MAX  TMI  ANUS. 


MAXIMINUS.  545 


a.d.  286,  having  previously  been  created  C;csar 
by  the  same  emperor. — Maximianus  was  an  out- 
rageous tyrant,  covetous,  violent,  and  cruel ; 
an  abominable  persecutor  of  Christians,  against 
whom  he  further  instigated  his  sufficiently  pre- 
judiced colleague.  He  conquered  and  kept  down 
the  Bagaudie,  the  Persians,  and  the  Germans. — 
In  292,  whilst  Diocletian  adopted  Galerius 
Maximianus,  be  on  his  part  conferred  the  title 
of  Caesar  on  Constantius  Chlorus,  and  besides 
adopting  the  two  emperors  joined  them  by  the 
closer  bond  of  relationship.  After  becoming 
Augustus,  he  defeated  aud  dispersed  the  Mauri 
of  Africa  (296). — On  the  day  of  Diocletian’s 
abdication  (305),  Maximianus  renounced  the 
empire  also,  the  former  retiring  to  Nicomedia, 
the  latter  iuto  Luoania,  having  named  Scverus 
in  his  place.  At  the  solicitation  of  his  son 
Maxentius,  or  as  some  say  for  the  lust  of  power, 
he  resumed  the  quality  of  Emperor  at  Rome 
(307) ; but  driven  from  that  city,  he  fled  (308) 
into  Gaul,  and  received  protection  from  Con- 
stantine, afterwards  the  Great,  who  had  married 
his  daughter  Fausta,  and  to  whom  he  had  given 
the  title  of  Augustus.  Lodged  in  the  palace  of 
Constantine  at  Arles,  he,  in  the  absence  of  that 
prince,  once  more  attempted  to  regain  the 
imperial  dignity  a.d.  309.  But  Constantine 
having  retraced  his  steps  back  into  Gaul,  soon 
compelled  Maximianus  to  make  his  escape  to  the 
city  of  Marseilles,  where  he  was  made  prisoner, 
and  for  the  third  time  forced  to  abdicate  his  pre- 
tentions to  empire.  Having,  however,  entered 
iuto  a plot  against  his  son-in-law,  he  was 
detected,  through  the  disclosures  of  his  wife, 
who  preferred,  in  this  case,  her  husband  to  her 
father,  and  Constantine  ordered  him  to  be 
strangled,  at  Marseilles,  in  the  60th  year  of 
his  age,  and  in  the  year  of  Christ  310.’  He  is 
numismatically  styled  VAL.  MAXIMIANVS 
NOBt/imnttu  CAES. — IMP.  M.  AVR.  VAL. 
MAXIMIANVS  P.  F.  AVG. — HERCVLEVS 
MAXIMIANVS  AVG.  &c.— The  same  as  in 
the  instance  of  Diocletian,  the  medals  which  give 
to  Maximiau  the  epithets  of  SENt'or,  BEATIS- 
SIMUS,  FELICwmttj,  and  the  title  of 
Domi/ius  N oster,  arc  posterior  to  his  first  abdi- 
cation, as  above  noticed.  Maximianus  the  elder 
boasted  of  celestial  origin ; hence  on  his  coins 
is  read  HERCVLI  DEBELLATORI,  with  the 
figure  of  Hercules  striking  the  hydra ; then 
HERCVLI  PACIFERO ; and  also  HERCVLI 
VICTORI.  His  head  not  unfrequently  appears 
covered  with  the  lion’s  skin.  (See  iovi  et 
hercvli  avgg.) — Eutropia,  a Syrian  woman, 
yras  the  wife  of  this  Maximianus.  His  silver 
medals  arc  rare ; his  gold  still  rarer ; second 
and  third  brass  for  the  most  part  very  common. 
— See  Herculio  Maximiano. 

MAXIMIANVS  ( Galerius  Valerius),  the  son 
of  a peasant,  was  born  near  Sardica,  in  Dacia  ; 
he  distinguished  himself  by  his  ability  and 
valour  under  Aurelian  aud  Probus ; in  the  year 
of  the  Christian  era,  292,  he  was  declared  ' 
Ca>sar,  by  Diocletian,  who  adopted  him,  and 
gave  him  his  ourn  daughter  Valeria  in  marriage. 

A man  of  lofty  stature  and  robust  frame,  his 
4 A 


look,  voice,  and  gesture  inspired  terror  by  their 
savage  rudeness.  Ignorant,  arrogant,  brutal, 
and  cruel,  his  lust  for  power  w as  equalled  only 
by  his  ingratitude  to  his  benefactors ; he  per- 
secuted the  Christians  with  unexampled  bar- 
barity ; constrained  Diocletian  and  Maximian 
to  abdicate,  and  reigned  in  their  place  with  the 
assumed  dignity  of  Augustus,  a.d.  305.  This 
prince  founded  the  colony  of  Valeria,  in  Illyria  ; 
defeated  Narscs,  King  of  Persia,  and  forced 
him  to  conclude  a peace  favourable  to  the  em- 
pire ; declared  Constantine  Caesar,  and  Severas 
Augustus,  a.d.  306 ; died  iu  311  of  a most 
horrible  disease,  nineteen  years  after  being 
nominated  Caesar,  and  the  seventh  from  Diocle- 
tian’s abdication.  He  was  buried  in  the  place  of 
his  birth,  and  placed  in  the  rank  of  the  gods  by 
Maxentius. 

The  second  and  third 
brass  coins  of  this  Maxi- 
mianus are  common ; his 
silver  are  rare,  and  gold 
rarer.  On  them  he  is 
styled  GAL.  MAXIMIANVS 

CAES. IMP.  GAL.  VAL. 

MAXIMIANVS  P.F.  AVG. — - 
DIVVS  MAXIMIANVS  SOCER 

(that  is  to  say  socer  Maxentii.) 

M AX  1 M IN  VS  ( Caius  Julius  Verus),  bom 
in  Thrace,  a.d.  173,  of  an  obscure  and  bar- 
barous family,  the  son  of  Alicea,  a Goth,  and 
of  Ababa,  an  Alanian.  This  herdsman,  by 


original  occupation,  entering  into  the  Roman 
cavalry,  attracted  by  his  extraordinary  size  and 
strength  the  notice  of  Septimius  Severus,  who 
eventually  raised  him  to  military  dignities. — 
Alexander  Severus  caused  him  to  be  elected  a 
senator,  and  appointed  him  to  different  govern- 
ments. In  the  war  against  Persia  he  shewed 
his  courage  aud  capacity.  Accompanying  that 
excellent  Emperor  into  Germany,  he  basely  pro- 
cured bis  assassination ; and  then  usurped  the 
empire  a.d.  235.  The  army  haring  proclaimed 
him  Augustus,  he  associated  with  himself  his 
son  Maximus,  as  Caesar,  and  the  Senate  con- 
firmed their  election.  A harsh  and  distrustful 
tyrant,  pride,  insolence,  avarice,  and  blood- 
thirtiness  governed  all  his  actions.  Of  gigantic 
stature  and  of  prodigious  muscular  powers,  the 
wondrous  proofs  of  his  bodily  form  obtained  for 
him  the  names  of  Hercules  and  Milo.  His 
ferocity  was  equally  manifested  iu  his  devasta- 
tions of  Germany  by  fire  and  sword ; and  in 
letting  loose  his  fury  against  the  Christians  as 


546  MAXIMINUS, 

well  as  his  other  subjects.  At  length,  justly 
abhorred  for  his  cruelty,  and  declared  the  enemy 
of  the  country,  this  sanguinary  despot  was 
massacred  by  his  own  soldiers,  at  Aquileia, 
(together  with  his  son.)  in  the  65th  year  of  his 
age,  a.d.  238. — Maximinus  manned  Paulina, 
by  whom  he  had  Maximus. — This  Emperor’s 
brass  and  silver  coins  are  common,  but  the  gold 
extremely  rare.  His  numismatic  titles  are  imp. 
maxi  min  vs  pivs  avg.  (for  this  most  impious 
usurper  assumed  the  honoured  surname  of  the 
good  Antoninus !) — maximinvs  pivs  avg. 

GERM. — IMP.  C.  IVL.  MAXIMINVS  AVG. — Tile 

reverses  of  the  large  brass  medals  arc  common 
enough,  such  as  liberalitas  avg. — fides 

MIMTVM. — VICTORIA  GERMANICA. 

There  is  a large  brass  medal  of  Maximinus, 
which  exhibits  the  laureated  head  of  that  em- 
peror, and  which  has  for  the  legend  of  its 
reverse  p.m.  tr.  p.  mi.  cos.  p.p.  s.c.  (Sovereign 
PontitT,  possessing  the  tribuneship  for  the  fourth 
time;  Consul;  Father  of  the  Country;  struck 
under  the  authority  of  the  Senate.)  The  type 
is  the  Emperor  standing,  holding  his  spear,  in 
the  midst  of  three  military  ensigns. 

The  above  medal  has  an  interest  in  reference 
to  chronology.  Historians  were  not  agreed 
respecting  the  duration  of  Maximinns’s  reign. 
Several  assign  to  him  only  two  years,  whilst 
others  suppose  it  4o  be  five  or  six.  But  we  here 
see  by  the  fourth  tribunitian  power,  which  this 
coin  records,  that  the  third  year  of  his  reign 
was  at  least  begun  when  it  was  struck.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  fifth  tribunitian  power  for 
Maximinus,  is  found  on  no  public  monument 
whatever : and  since  chronologers  determine  the 
commencement  of  his  reign  to  have  been  the 
month  of  March,  in  the  year  of  Roue  988 ; 
the  fourth  tribunate  of  Maximinus  must  be 
referred  to  the  year  of  Rome  991,  the  more 
probable  cpocha  of  the  death  of  this  barbarian, 
as  well  as  of  the  ephemeral  reigns  of  the  two 
African  Gordians,  immediately  followed  by  those 
of  Balbinus  and  Pupienus. 

MAXIMINVS  II.  ( Ga/erius  Valerius), 
surnamed  Daza,  bom  in  Illyria,  was  the  son 
of  the  sister  of  Galerius  Maximianus,  and 
like  his  paternal  ancestor,  rude  and  un- 
educated.— Importuned  by  Galerius,  Diocletian 
reluctantly  confers  upon  him  the  dignity 
of  Ca'sar,  a.d.  305.  He  governed  Syria  and 
other  provinces  of  the  East.  Timid,  super- 
stitious, addicted  to  drunkenness,  cruelty  with 
him  went  hand  in  hand  with  debauchery.  This 
savage  tyrant  persecuted  the  Christians  in  the 
most  horrible  manner.  In  the  year  307, 
Maximinus  received  the  title  of  Filius  Augusti, 
at  the  same  time  with  Constantine,  conferred 
by  Galerius  Maximianus.  The  year  following 
he  caused  himself  to  be  proclaimed  Augustus, 
by  his  army.  In  313,  he  having  imprudently 
allied  himself  to  Maientius,  the  enemy  of  Con- 
stantinc  and  Licinius,  the  latter  marched  against 
him  into  Thrace,  and  defeated  him  in  a decisive 
battle.  Pursued  and  besieged  by  Licinius,  he 
poisoned  himself  at  Tarsus,  in  Cilicia,  a.d.  313, 
eight  years  after  being  named  Ctcsar,  aud  five 


MAXIMUS. 

and  a half  after  assuming  the  purple. — Advert- 
ing to  the  dreadful  tortures  both  of  mind  and 
body  which  marked  the  end  of  Maximinus 
Daza,  Beauvais  observes — “ This  destroyer  of 
the  faithful  exclaimed  in  the  paroxysm  of  his 
torment  ; — It  is  the  blood  of  the  Christians 
which  I have  caused  to  be  shed  that  has  re- 
duced me  to  this  state.  His  memory  was 
stigmatised  as  that  of  a brutal  ruffian ; his 
children  were  put  to  death ; and  his  wife  was 
thrown  (at  Antioch)  alive  into  the  river  Oroutes, 
where  by  her  orders  a great  number  of  Christian 
women  had  been  drowned  ” 


The  coins  of  this  emperor  are  extremely  rare 
in  gold  : of  still  greater  rarity  in  silver ; but 
for  the  most  part  common  in  third  brass,  aud 
very  common  in  second  brass.  On  them  he  is 
styled  maximinvs  nob.  caesar. — gal.  val. 

MAXIMINVS  NOB.  C. — MAXIMINVS  F1L.  A VUG. 

IMP.  GAL.  VAL.  MAXIMINVS.  P.F.  INV.  AVG. 

MAXIM  VS,  a surname  of  the  Fabia  family. — 
The  title  of  Maximus  appears  on  Imperial  coins, 
as  ascribed  to  some  few  princes,  not  as  a family 
name,  but  as  an  adjunct  to  the  surnames  of 
conquest.  Thus  we  find  Parthicus  Maximus 
borne  by  S Scvems,  who  subdued  the  Part  Ilians ; 
Anneniacus  Maximus  is  included  in  the  style  of 
Lucius  Verus,  for  his  successes,  or,  rather  for 
those  of  his  colleague  M.  Aurelius,  over  the 
Armenians. — We  read  on  the  coins  of  Valerianus, 
Gallienus,  and  Postumus,  Germanicus  Maximus, 
a title  which  these  princes  assumed  on  account 
of  victories  gained  by  them  respectively  over 
the  Germans. — Constantine  the  Great  is  called, 
on  his  coins,  maximvs,  as  a title  of  the  greatest 
distinction. — The  idea  of  Harduin,  concurred  in 
by  Jobert,  that  Maximus  was  a name  belonging 
to  Constantine’s  family  is  clearly  shewn  by 
liimard,  in  every  point  of  view,  to  be  unsus- 
tainable. 

MAXIMVS. — See  germanicvs. 

MAXIMVS. — Sec  Petronius,  on  whose  coins 
the  circumscription  of  the  head  is  petronivs. 
maximvs. 

MAXIMVS. — Sec  Pupienus,  whose  coins  bear 
pvpienvs  maximvs.  avg. 

MAXIMVS  ( Coins  Julius  Verus),  son  of 
Maximinus  1.  and  (as  is  supposed)  of  Paulina, 
came  into  the  world  about  a.d.  216.  He  passed 
for  one  of  the  finest  and  haudsomest  young  men 
of  the  empire ; but  early  abandoned  himself 
to  pleasure  and  luxury.  After  the  elevation 
of  his  father,  who  declared  him  Cicsar  (235), 
he  became  so  proud,  insolent,  aud  vicious,  us 


MAXIMUS. 

to  render  himself  as  much  detested  by  the 
Romans  as  Maximinus  himself  was.  This 
beautiful  and  accomplished  but  ill-mannered 
prince,  who  was  eighteen  years  of  age  when 
clothed  with  the  purple,  enjoyed  his  honours 
but  a short  time,  for  being  obliged  to  join  his 
father  in  Germany,  he  was  assassinated  with 
him  by  his  soldiers  near  Aquileia  (238),  just  as 
he  was  on  the  point  of  uniting  his  barbarian 
blood  to  that  of  the  illustrious  family  of  Anto- 
ninus Pius,  by  a marriage  with  Junia  Fadilla. — 
His  silver  coins  are  rare;  the  gold  exceedingly 
so  ; the  brass  scarce.  lie  is  styled  c. 

IVL.  VERVS.  MAX  III  VS  CAES. — MAXIMVS  CAES. 

GERM. 


MAXIMVS  ( Flavius  Magnus),  bom  in  a 
family  of  little  distinction  in  Spain,  he  rose, 
from  serving  in  the  army  of  Britain,  to  be  a 
general  under  Theodosius.  Profiting  by  the 
hatred  entertained  by  the  legions  in  that  island 
towards  Gratian,  who  neglected  them,  he  cor- 
rupted their  fidelity,  and  was  proclaimed  by 
them  Emperor.  This  usurper  then  passed  over 
from  England  into  Gaul,  a.d.  383,  and  assem- 
bling around  him  a large  force,  marched 
against  Gratian,  who  was  encamped  near  Paris, 
seduced  that  emperor’s  army  from  their  alle- 
giance, and  caused  him  to  be  assassinated  at 
Lyon  the  same  year.  Thus  become  master  of 
Gaul,  Spain,  and  Britain,  with  all  the  legions 
of  the  west  under  his  orders,  Maximus  sought 
alliance  with  Theodosius,  who,  on  certain  con- 
ditions made  in  favour  of  Valentinian  the 
Second,  conferred  on  him  the  title  of  Augustus. 
He  subsequently  established  his  residence  at 
Treves,  rendering  himself  formidable  to  the 
nations  surrounding  him,  especially  to  the 
Germans,  whom  he  laid  under  tribute.  His 
ambition  leading  him  to  drive  Justina  and  Valen- 
tinian II.  from  Milan,  he  was  attacked  by 
Theodosius,  defeated  on  the  Save,  near  Siscia, 
and  being  taken  prisoner  at  Aquileia,  was 
put  to  death  by  the  soldiers  of  Theodosius, 
in  spite  of  the  wish  of  that  emperor  to  spare  the 
life  of  a man  who  had  borne  with  glory  the 
title  of  Augustus  for  more  than  five  years. — 
“ Brave,  skilled  in  war,  active  and  vigorous, 
this  tyrant  (says  Beauvais)  would  have  appeared 
worthy  of  the  throne  if  he  had  not  ascended  it 
by  means  of  a crime.” — His  coins  are  rare  in 
gold  and  in  second  brass ; common  in  silver  of 
the  usual  size ; but  extremely  rare  in  large  silver 
or  medallions ; and  scarce  in  third  brass.  On 
these  he  is  styled  d.n.  mag.  maximvs.  p.f.  avg. 

4 A 2 


MAXIMUS.— MEDAGLIONI.  547 

The  annexed  cut  is  from  a fine  silver  medallion 
in  the  British  Museum. 


The  portrait  of  Magnus 
Maximus  on  some  of 
the  brass  coins  is  very 
different  from  the  above, 
as  is  shewn  by  an  example 
found  at  Richborough,  in 
Kent,  and  published  in 
Mr  Roach  Smith’s  “An- 
tiquities of  Richborough, 
Reculver,  and  Lymne.” 
It  appears  to  exhibit  much  individuality  of 
features. 

MAXIMVS  (Tyrannus) , on  the  death  of 
Constans  II.,  was  proclaimed  Emperor  in  Spain 
by  Geroutius,  one  of  the  generals  of  the  usurper 
Constantinus,  a.d.  409.  But  divesting  himself 
of  the  purple,  he  returned  into  private  life,  and 
might  have  died  in  peace. — “ The  caprice  (how- 
ever, says  Gibbon,)  of  the  barbarians  who 
ravaged  Spain,  once  more  seated  this  imperial 
phantom  on  the  throne  : but  they  soon  resigned 
him  to  the  justice  of  Honorius  ; and  the  tyrant 
Maximus,  after  he  had  been  shewn  to  the  people 
of  Ravenna  and  Rome,  was  publicly  executed 
a.d.  411. — -There  .are  two  varieties  of  silver 
coins  of  this  Maximus,  bearing  his  portrait, 
and  the  legend  d.n.  maximvs  p.f.  avg.  The 
reverse  of  one  is  inscribed  victoria  aavggg., 
a helmeted  woman  holding  a globe,  surmounted 
by  a Victory ; and  that  of  the  other  victoria 
romanorvm,  a similar  type. 

M.  C.  I.  or  IV.  Municipium  Calagurris 
Julia. — The  Municipality  of  Calagurris  Julia, 
(now  Lahorre,  in  Spain.) 

M.  COM  MOD  VS  ANTONINVS  AVG. 
BRIT.  Marcus  Commodus  Antoninus  Au- 
gustus Britannicus. 

M.  D.  M.  I.  Magna  Leum  Matri  Idea. — 
To  lda;an  Cybele,  the  great  mother  of  the 
gods. 

MEDAGLIONI.  Medallions. — Everybody  in 
the  least  acquainted  with  the  Italian  language 
knows  that  the  augmentations  end  in  one  ; thus 
of  medaglia,  medal,  they  have  made  medaglione. 
The  French  have  borrowed  from  the  Italians 
the  word  medallion,  grand  medaille;  and  we 
have  taken  from  the  French  our  word  medallion, 
to  express  a large  medal. 

MEDALET,  an  appellation  given  by  Pinkerton 
to  a curious  though  not  uncommon  class  of 
Roman  pieces  not  intended  for  currency,  which 
consists  of  small  coins,  or  missilia,  scattered 
among  the  people  on  solemn  occasions;  those 
struck  for  the  slaves  in  the  Saturnalia ; private 


548  MEDALLION, 

counters  for  gaming ; tickets  for  baths  and 
feasts  ; tokens  in  copper  and  lead,  and  remains 
of  a like  kind. 

MEDAL,  from  the  French  word  midaille , 
which  takes  its  derivation  from  the  Latin, 
metallum.  The  appellation  of  medal  is  given 
to  every  piece  of  gold,  of  silver,  or  of  brass, 
which  bears  an  impression  designed  to  preserve 
the  remembrance  of  a great  man,  of  a sovereign, 
or  of  a remarkable  eveut.  Medals  or  coins  in 
the  monetary  sense  of  the  term  may  also  be 
defined  as  pieces  of  metal  on  which  public 
authority  has  stamped  different  signs  to  indicate 
their  weight  and  their  value,  iu  order  that  they 
might  serve  for  the  acquisition  of  things  neces- 
sary to  human  existence,  and  that  they  might 
facilitate  commerce,  which,  without  that  means 
of  exchange,  would  be  too  difficult. 

The  Greeks  called  money  or  coins  vipicrpa, 
the  Latins  nummus  or  numus.  The  science  of 
medals  has  beeu  called  by  modern  French 
archicologists  Numismatique. 

MEDALLION. — Under  this  term  ore,  without 
distinction,  comprised  all  monetary  productions 
of  the  ancients,  whether  in  gold,  silver,  or 
brass,  the  volume  and  weight  of  which  mate- 
rially exceed  the  usual  size  of  coins  struck  in 
those  respective  metals. — There  is,  however,  a 
difference  of  opinion  amongst  numismatic  anti- 
quaries as  to  whether  what  are  called  medallions 
were  or  were  not  used  for  money. — Patin 
observes  that  they  were  made  for  no  other 
original  purpose  than  that  of  satisfying  the 
curiosity  of  princes,  as  is  done  to  this  day  with 
fancy  pieces  (piece  de  plaiser). — Jobert,  in  his 
Science  des  Medail/es,  remarks  that  their  work- 
manship was  too  exquisite,  and  their  size  too 
unwieldy  for  common  currency.— -Biinard,  in 
his  historical  and  critical  notes  on  the  work  of 
the  last  named  writer,  agrees  that  it  is  most 
probable  not  to  have  been  the  intention  of  those, 
who  in  ancient  times  caused  medallions  to  be 
struck,  that  they  should  serve  for  money ; but 
with  his  usual  cautious  and  discriminative  judg- 
ment adds — “ 1 think,  nevertheless,  that  when 
those  pieces  had  fulfilled  then-  first  destination, 
and  were  dispersed  abroad  (distribuees),  a free 
currency  was  given  them  in  commerce,  by  re- 
gidating  their  value  in  proportion  to  their  weight 
and  to  their  standard  of  purity.  At  least  I 
have  thought  myself  warranted  in  coining  to 
this  conclusion,  from  the  countermarks  which  I 
have  seen  on  several  Greek  medallions  of  the 
Imperial  scries,  and  it  is  certain  that  the  Greek 
medallions  were  real  money.  It  was  doubtless 
after  the  example  of  the  Greeks,  that  the 
Romans  put  also  their  medallions  into  circula- 
tion as  current  coin.” — Malmdal,  to  whose 
dissertation  on  the  same  subject  Billiard  refers, 
supports  the  opinion,  “ that  medallions  were 
pieces  distinguished  from  money,  as  they  were 
with  us  from  medals." — But,  says  Millin,  “there 
are  other  writers,  who  far  from  entertaining 
this  opinion,  maintain  against  the  system  of 
Malmdal,  that  we  are  to  recognise  money  in 
those  medallions  which  are  multiplied  from  a 
piece  generally  acknowledged  to  be  money,  such 


MEDALLION. 

as  the  tetradrachms  and  the  cisiophori,  the  only 
pieces  with  which  the  province  of  Asia  payed 
its  tributes  to  the  Komau  republic ; and  by 
analogy,  all  the  Greek  medallions  of  the  same 
weight  aud  form.  Millin  himself  goes  on  to 
instance  the  fine  gold  medallion  of  the  Emperor 
Augustus,  found  at  Herculaneum,  which  “ought, 
he  says,  to  be  regarded  us  a piece  of  money,  so 
likewise  those  of  Domitian  aud  Cotnmodus,  all 
these  quadruples  of  the  aurei  of  Augustus, 
which  weigh  nearly  two  gros.  Whatever  might 
have  been  the  weight  of  their  monies,  the 
Romans  neither  knew,  nor  employed,  more  than 
the  two  synonyms  nutni  aud  numismata  to 
designate  them  all.  Marcus  Aurelius  caused  a 
great  number  of  medallions  of  the  largest 
volume  to  be  struck,  numos  maximos,  says 
Julius  Capitolinus.  A particular  word  would 
have  been  invented  to  name  these  extraordinary 
pieces,  if  they  had  been  anything  else  than 
extra  sized  money.  An  inference  favourable  to 
this  opinion  (adds  Millin)  is  derived  from  types 
which  adorn  the  Roman  medals  iu  each  metal ; 
these  types  and  their  legends  arc  absolutely  the 
same  with  those  of  the  ordinary  sized  medals. 
We  find,  indeed,  on  the  medallions,  especially 
from  the  reign  of  Gallicnus  to  that  of  the 
Constantiues,  the  figure  of  Moneta,  sometimes 
aloue,  at  others  uuder  the  emblem  of  three 
women,  bearing  each  a balance.  These  symbols 
are  accompanied  with  legends  used,  in  a similar 
case  ; MONETA  AVO.  ; AEl^VlTAS  AVO.  ; MONETA 
avgg. ; and  upon  a medallion  of  Crispin,,  moneta 
vrbis  vkstrae.  Some  medallions,  few  how- 
ever in  number,  bear  the  two  letters  s.  c.,  that 
is  to  say,  Senatus  Consultus,  which  are  gene- 
rally placed  on  the  bronze  medals  of  the  three 
modules  (first,  second,  and  third  brass),  and 
announce  the  authority  of  the  Senate. — As 
it  is  nowhere  read  that  the  Senate  made 
largesses  or  liberalities,  the  pieces  which  have 
the  mark  of  the  Senatus  Consultus,  large  and 
heavy  as  they  may  be,  were  therefore  struck  by 
order  of  that  body,  only  to  be  used  as  money. — 
As  to  the  rest  it  is  generally  to  be  observed  on 
medallions  of  all  the  three  metals,  that  they 
are  worn  just  like  the  coins.  This  wearing  of 
the  coin  is  certainly  attributable  to  the  same 
cause,  namely  the  continual  rubbing  to  which 
circulation  exposes  all  monies.  The  medallions, 
therefore,  (proceeds  Millin,)  served  for  the  same 
purpose,  although  they  were  much  more  rare. 
They  moreover  often  exhibit  a characteristic 
which  only  belongs  to  money,  and  which  is  the 
countermark.  Their  fabrication,  therefore,  has 
always  had  a commercial  object,  into  which  they 
entered,  after  having  originally  been  presentation 
pieces  (pieces  de  largesses). — Such  (concludes 
Millin)  was  doubtless  their  first  destination. 
The  Emperors  caused  them  to  be  struck  for  the 
purpose  of  distributing  them  on  solemn  days, 
aud  on  occasions  of  state  pomp.  Those  who 
came  afterwards  into  possession  of  them,  were 
competent  to  supply  with  them  the  wants  of 
life  and  the  demands  of  commerce.” 

Amongst  the  number  of  writers  opposed  to  this 
theory  is  our  owu  Addison,  who,  in  his  “ Dialogues 


MEDALLION. 

upon  the  usefulness  of  Ancient  Medals,”  makes 
Philander  tell  his  numismatic  pupils  that  “ for- 
merly there  was  no  difference  between  money 
and  medals.  An  old  Roman  had  his  purse 
full  of  the  same  pieces  that  we  now  pre- 
serve in  cabinets.  As  soon  as  an  Emperor  had 
done  anything  remarkable,  it  was  immediately 
stamped  on  a coin,  and  became  enrreut  through 
the  whole  dominions.”  (p.  147).  And  a little 
further  ou,  in  answer  to  Cynthio’s  question, 
“were  all  the  ancient  coins  that  are  now  in 
cabinets  once  current  money?”  our  illustrious 
countryman,  through  the  mouth  of  his  imaginary 
representative,*' replies,  “It  is  the  most  pro- 
bable opinion  that  they  were  all  of  them  such, 
excepting  those  we  call  medallions.  These  in  re- 
spect of  the  other  coins  were  the  same  as  modern 
medals  in  respect  of  modern  money.  They 
were  exempted  from  all  commerce,  and  had  no 
other  value  but  what  was  set  upon  them  by  the 
fancy  of  the  owner.  They  are  supposed  to 
have  been  struck  by  Emperors  for  presents  to 
their  friends,  foreign  princes,  or  ambassadors. 
However,  that  the  smallness  of  their  number 
might  not  endanger  the  loss  of  the  devices  they 
bore,  the  Romans  took  care  generally  to  stamp 
the  subject  of  their  medallions  on  their  ordinary 
coins  that  were  the  running  cash  of  the  nation. 
As  if  in  England,  we  should  see  on  our  half- 
penuy  and  farthing  pieces,  the  several  designs 
that  shew  themselves  in  their  perfection  on  our 
medals.” — (p.  148.) 

A later  and  perhaps  more  practised  English 
numismatist,  the  dogmatical  but  still  scientific 
and  sagacious  Pinkerton,  in  his  “ Essay  on 
Medals,”  says — “ Under  the  term  of  medallions 
arc  included  all  the  pieces  produced  by  the 
ancient  mints,  which,  from  their  superior  size, 
were  evidently  not  intended  for  circulation  as 
coins,  but  for  other  occasions.  Medallions 
were  presented  by  the  emperor  to  his  friends, 
and  by  the  mint-masters  to  the  emperor,  as 
specimens  of  fine  workmanship.  They  were 
struck  upon  the  commencement  of  the  reign  of 
a new  emperor,  and  other  solemn  occasions,  as 
monuments  of  gratitude  or  of  flatten'.  Some- 
times they  were  merely  what  we  would  call 
trial,  or  pattern  pieces,  teslimonia  probata 
moneta ; and  such  abound  after  the  reign  of 
Maximian,  with  the  tres  moneta  on  the  re- 
verse.”— (vol.  i.  p.  278;) 

The  most  recently  published  observations  ou 
the  subject  in  question  are  from  the  pen  of  M. 
Hennin,  a very  acute  and  accomplished  French 
numismatist,  who  in  his  “Manuel”  of  the 
Science,  devotes  a chapter  to  the  purpose 
of  defining  the  difference  between  coins  and 
medals,”  (difference  des  monnaies  aux  me- 
dailles),  words  which  are  continually  con- 
founded with  each  other,  particularly  in  re- 
ference to  the  mintages  of  ancient  times. 

“ Coins ” (les  monnaies),  says  the  above- 
named  writer,  “ are  pieces  of  metal  which, 
uniformly  and  very  numerously  multiplied,  and 
bearing  similar  impressions  in  evidence  of  their 
value,  whether  real  or  fictitious,  serve  for  an 
universal  medium  of  exchange  against  all  other 


MEDALLION.  549 

objects  of  value. — Coins,  or  money , ought 
necessarily  to  unite  these  three  determinate, 
uniform,  and  known  characters — standard, 
weight,  and  types. 

“ Medals  ( medailtes)  arc  pieces  of  metal 
which,  multiplied  in  an  uniform  manner,  with- 
out having  any  precise  value,  and  without 
uniting  the  known  and  determinate  characters 
for  standard,  weight,  and  types,  are  designed 
to  serve  in  commemoration  of  events  or  of 
personages.” 

M.  Hennin  proceeds  to  remark  that,  in  giving 
the  name  of  medals  to  the  money  of  the 
ancients,  three  inconveniences  arc  incurred — the 
first  is  that  of  calling  these  pieces  by  what  is 
not  their  real  name  ; the  second,  that  of  giving 
a false  idea  of  what  they  were  in  the  ages 
of  antiquity ; the  third,  that  of  confounding 
thereby  antique  coins  with  antique  medals,  for 
the  ancients  themselves  knew  the  difference 
between  one  and  the  other. 

So  much  for  the  questiou,  whether  any  of 
the  pieces  called  medallions  passed  as  coins  with 
the  ancients,  a matter  of  no  intrinsic  import- 
ance. It  is  of  much  greater  moment  to  notice 
the  different  articles  belonging  to  the  class  of 
medallions.  There  were  a great  number  of 
medallions  struck  in  the  Grcekc  ities,  subject  to 
the  Roman  empire,  and  they  arc  of  considerable 
importance  on  account  of  the  extent  of  their 
inscriptions,  which  elucidate  many  extremely 
curious  points  connected  with  antiquity.  Pellerin 
has  published  and  explained  many  of  these 
medallions,  and  the  Royal  Library  at  Paris 
possesses  a large  collection  of  them.  They  are 
particularly  useful  to  beginners,  because  their 
legends  are  more  easily  read  than  those  ou  coins 
of  a smaller  module,  and  because  they  exhibit 
themselves  in  a great  variety  of  form. — Rut 
passing  by  the  Greek,  both  Autonomous  and 
Imperial,  which  though  highly  interesting  in 
each  metal,  from  the  general  excellence  of  their 
workmanship  and  the  diversity  of  their  types, 
do  not  come  within  the  province  of  this  work, 
we  proceed  to  that  more  truly  Roman  branch 
of  the  Imperial  series,  commonly  called  Latin 
Medallions.  All  gold  and  silver  pieces  larger 
than  the  diameter  ordinarily  assigned  to  im- 
perial money  may  be  regarded  as  comprised 
in  this  category,  and  are  all  of  greater  or  less 
rarity. 

Medallions  are  indeed  generally  more  adapted 
to  facilitate  the  study  of  antiquity  than  common 
medals,  because  their  types  present  more  curious 
and  interesting  subjects  in  reference  to  mytho- 
logy, and  to  ceremonies  and  customs  religious, 
civil,  military,  &c.,  representing  as  they  gene- 
rally do,  on  their  reverses,  triumphs,  games, 
edifices,  and  other  monuments,  which  are  the 
most  particular  objects  of  an  antiquary’s  re- 
search. Nor  is  the  information  to  be  derived 
from  medallions  less  important  with  regard  to 
the  history  of  art.  Their  superior  size  has 
enabled  those  who  executed  them  to  charge 
their  reverses  with  more  complex  designs  ; and 
accordingly  we  find  amongst  the  medallions  of 
the  Roman  Emperors,  many  specimens  of  work- 


550  MEDALLION. 


MEDALLION. 


manship  almost  equal  in  point  of  exquisiteness 
to  that  of  the  finest  engraved  stones. 

Millin  places  at  the  head  of  these  antique 
pieces  of  inetal  the  gold  medallion  of  Jus- 
tinian, in  the  French  King’s  Cabinet.  This 
magnificent  product  of  coinage,  not  for  money 
purposes,  is  more  than  three  inches  (French)  in 
diameter,  and  in  proportionably  high  relief. 
Its  extraordinary  volume,  equal  to  that  of  the 
gold  medallion  of  Tetricus,  shews  it  to  have 
been  appropriated  to  the  same  use.  The  per-  | 
forated  rams-horns  (be/ieres,  as  the  French  call  I 
them),  which  are  attached  to  the  former,  clearly 
point  out  that  it  was  originally  destined  to  serve 
as  an  ornament,  principally  for  suspension  from 
the  neck. 

With  these  medallions  should  be  classed  those 
pieces,  which  are  surrounded  with  borders, 
encircled  with  ornamental  mountings,  and  wliieh 
are  double  the  size  of  coins,  to  which,  however,  J 
their  types  are  common.  Sometimes  the  circles 
are  of  the  same  metal  as  that  of  those  extra-  j 
ordinary  pieces,  and  in  that  case  they  arc  con-  I 
tinuous  with  the  field  of  the  coiu  ; at  other  times 
they  are  found  composed  of  a metal,  or  rather 
of  a mixture  of  metals  (alliage),  different  from 
that  of  the  medallion  with  which  they  have  been  j 
soldered  after  being  placed  between  the  dies.  | 
These  sorts  of  medallions  do  not  commence  ! 
until  the  reign  of  Commodus.  Sometimes  even 
the  circle  made  of  a different  metal,  or  alloy,  is  i 
itself  enclosed  in  a rim,  the  material  of  which  I 
still  differs  from  its  own.  In  these  singularities 
is  seen  a marked  intention  to  place  them  out  of  \ 
currency.  It  was  the  custom  to  use  these  j 
extraordinary  medallions  as  ornaments  for  the 
decoration  of  military  ensigns,  whether  they 
were  suspended  to  them  with  be/ieres,  or  fixed 
to  the  standards  by  means  of  holes  pierced  in 
the  centre  of  their  diameter,  or  whether  they  j 
were  inlaid  on  them  from  space  to  space.  Per-  j 
haps  the  medallions  which  were  composed  of 
two  different  metals  were  employed  for  the  same  , 
purpose. 

Medallions  from  the  time  of  Julius  to  that  of 
Hadrian,  are  very  uncommon,  and  of  enormous 
price ; from  Hadrian  to  the  close  of  the  western 
empire  they  are  generally  speaking  less  rare. 

The  largeness  of  medallions  is  not  to  be  1 
understood  merely  in  comparison  with  that  of 
common  coins,  of  which  the  greater  have  some 
advantage  over  the  others.  The  size  of  me- 
dallions is  so  considerable,  that  it  sometimes 
exceeds  the  ordinary  weight  of  medals  by  one 
or  two  proportions.  The  thickness,  the  height 
of  relief,  and  the  extent  of  surface  are  the 
qualities  which  are  held  by  numismatists  in  the 
higher  esteem. 

A remarkable  distinction  between  tho  Greek 
and  Roman  medallions  lies  in  their  different 
thickness,  the  Roman  being  often  three  or  four  | 
lines  thick,  whilst  the  other  seldom  exceed  one. 

M.  Mionnct,  in  some  observations  which  he  , 
makes  (in  the  preface  to  his  celebrated  work  De 
la  rare/d  et  da  pri-r  des  Medailles  Rom  nines,)  j 
on  the  module  of  the  coins,  says, — “ Silver  , 
medals  of  the  larger  size,  as  they  arc  called,  I 


I ought  not  to  bo  confoimded  with  medallions ; 
they  are  distinguishable  by  the  head  of  the 
Prince,  which  is  always  radiated,  whilst  it  is 
laureated  on  coins  of  the  common  size.  These 
medals  were  not  struck  till  the  period  from 
Caracalla’s  reign  to  that  of  the  elder  Philip 
inclusive. — As  to  medallions  of  gold  and  of 
silver,  it  is  very  easy  to  recognise  them ; it 
suffices  that  they  arc  found  to  exceed  the  usual 
module  by  their  weight,  or  their  diameter ; 
when  however  of  extraordinary  dimensions  they 
are  of  extreme  rarity,  and  should  not  be  mixed 
up  with  the  smaller  size,  which  in  general  are 
less  estimated. — Brass  medallions  and  large  brass 
medals  have  for  the  most  part  been  frequently 
the  object  of  mistaken  notions  with  authors 
and  connoisseurs.  Some,  foi  the  reign  of 
Postumus  especially,  have  given  us  for  medal- 
lions the  coins  w hich  belong  only  to  large  brass ; 
whilst  others,  for  the  hower  Empire,  have 
passed  off  for  large  brass  w hat  can  be  regarded 
as  no  more  than  middle  brass.” 

The  following  remarks  concerning  the  Roman 
medallions  are  chiefly  drawn  from  Pinkerton 
and  Millin : — Many  of  these  have  s.  c.  as 
being  struck  by  order  of  the  Senate;  others 
have  not,  as  being  by  order  of  the  Emperor. 
Of  Augustus  a noble  gold  medallion  was  fouud 
in  Herculaneum.  There  are  many  of  Tiberius 
and  Claudius.  Some  of  Agrippina,  Nero,  Galba, 
Vespasian,  and  Domitiau,  are  also  extant.  Those 
of  Trajan  and  Hadrian  have  generally  a broad 
rim  beyond  the  legend  with  indented  circles. 
Above  all  it  was  under  the  reign  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  and  some  of  his  first  successors,  that  very 
fine  medallions  were  struck.  That  emperor  hail  a 
religious  respect  for  all  which  recalled  the 
history  of  Rome’s  foundation  aud  that  of  her 
first  ages.  Thus  we  find  on  these  medallions 
Hercules,  whom  the  inhabitants  of  Mount 
Avcutinc  thanked,  for  having  delivered  them 
from  the  giant  Cacus ; likewise  we  sec  Horatius 
Codes  defending  the  Sublirian  bridge ; the 
arrival  of  ,-Esculapius  at  Rome,  under  the  form 
of  a serpent,  &c.,  &c.  These  medallions,  more- 
over, retrace  many  ancient  aud  important  features 
of  mythological  and  heroic  history.  A medallion 
of  Lucilla  represents  the  combat  of  the  Romans 
and  the  Sabines,  and  Hersilia  throwing  herself 
between  Tatius  her  father  and  Romulus  her 
husband. — A fine  one  of*  the  same  empress  has 
for  the  type  of  its  reverse  that  lady  walking 
in  a garden  and  several  cupids  overturning  each 
other — “ A meet  emblem  (says  Pinkerton)  of 
her  various  amours ; and  which  calls  to  mind 
Anacreon’s  description  of  his  heart,  as  a nest  in 
which  old  loves  begot  young  ones.”  There  are 
medallions  of  Commodus  remarkable  for  their 
superior  workmanship : one  of  them  in  bronze, 
Pat  in  has  engraved  in  his  “ llistoire  de* 
Medailles ,"  of  which  the  reverse  is  enriched 
with  one  of  the  finest  sacrificial  groups,  a 
master- piece  of  ancient  art. — On  another  of  this 
emperor  we  see  him  aud  his  concubine  Marcia  ; 
their  heads  joined,  and  she  wearing  a helmet. — 
One  of  Pertinax  has  for  reverse  that  emperor 
sacrificing,  with  votis  dece.vnalldvs.  Of 


MEDALLION. 

Septimius  Severus  there  are  many.  The  mints  of 
Gordian  III.  and  of  Philip  contribute  to  the 
number.  Numerous  varieties  subsequently  appear 
of  Trebonianus  Gallus,  Valerian,  Gallienus, 
Aureliau,  Piobus,  Diocletian,  Maximian  I., 
Constantins  I.,  Coustantiuus  I.  and  11.,  Constans 
aud  Constantius  II. — For  a notice  of  the  curious 
brass  medallion  of  Constans,  which  represents 
him  standing  in  a ship,  aud  a human  figure  in 
the  waves, — see  the  legend  bononia  oceanen. 

It  has  been  asserted  that  no  medallions  were 
ever  struck  in  the  colonies.  Nevertheless, 
Vaillant  has  published  one  of  Cordova  and 
another  of  Saragossa.  The  medallions  called 
Contorniate,  from  an  Italian  word,  indicating 
the  manner  in  which  they  are  struck,  are  quite 
a distinct  class  of  pieces. — See  the  word. 

It  is  very  difficult  to  form  a numerous  suite 
of  medallions;  those  extant  do  not  furnish  all 
the  Emperors,  and  thus  the  series  remains 
always  imperfect. — The  first  who  collected 
any  considerable  number  of  these  pieces  was 
Gothifredi,  a Roman  gcutlcmau,  who  possessed 
nearly  two  hundred  of  them  about  the  middle 
of  the  seventeenth  century.  These  he  augmented 
from  time  to  time,  and  in  1672,  wheu  they 
became  the  property  of  Christina,  Queen  of 
Sweden,  they  amounted  to  more  than  three 
hundred. — Cardinal  Gaspard  Carpegna  was  also 
one  of  the  earliest  who  attached  themselves  to 
the  task  of  forming  a suite  of  medallions.  He 
caused  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  of  them  to 
be  engraved,  and  they  were  accompanied  with 
observations  by  Buonarotti. — Vaillant  has  de- 
scribed about  foiu-  hundred  and  fifty  from  Julius 
C;esar  to  Constans,  which  he  had  seen  in  different 
cabinets  of  France  and  Italy. — According  to  a 
catalogue  published  at  Venice,  there  were  two 
hundred  and  twenty-nine  medallions  in  the 
Museum  Pisaui. — The  Carthusians  at  Rome  had 
a very  fine  collection  of  medallions,  which  was 
afterwards  sold  to  the  Emperor  of  Germany ; 
the  engravings  from  it  are  now  extremely 
rare  — In  the  seventeenth  century  more  than 
four  hundred  medallions  in  the  French  Kiug’s 
Cabinet  were  engraved.  Their  number  had  been 
much  increased  since  the  acquisition  made  of 
all  that  belonged  to  Marshal  D’Estrees.  This 
suite  comprised  all  the  medallions  which  had 
enriched  the  collection  of  the  Abbe  de  Camps, 
besides  those  which  appeared  with  the  explana- 
tions of  Vaillant,  aud  which  did  not  exceed  one 
hundred  and  forty.  The  Abbe  de  Rothelin  also 
possessed  a very  considerable  series  of  them. — 
Above  all,  Cardinal  Albani’s  fine  series  of 
medallions  ought  to  be  mentioned.  These  after- 
wards passed  to  the  Vatican  ; Venuti  engraved 
and  described  them.  This  collection  and  those 
of  Cardinal  Carpegna  were,  in  Buonaparte’s 
time,  united  to  that  in  the  cabinet  of  antiques 
in  the  national  Library  at  Paris,  which  even 
before  that  period  was  one  of  the  most  numerous 
in  Europe.  [Restored  to  the  Vatican  at  the 
peace  of  1815.]  In  1806,  when  M.  Millin  was 
Conservateur  des  Medailles  in  that  magnificent 
establishment,  the  number  of  autique  medallions 
there  accumulated  was  not  less  than  1,500. 


MEDUSA. — MELICERTA.  551 

Medals  and  Monies,  or  Coins,  difference 
between. — See  Medallion. 

The  following  are  among  the  terms  used  by 
French  numismatists  to  denominate  and  dis- 
tinguish the  different  pecularities  of  ancient 
medals  and  coins : — 

Medailles  non  /rappees. — Pieces  of  metal  of 
a certain  weight,  which  served  wherewith  to 
make  exchanges  against  merchandize  and  com- 
modities, before  the  art  was  discovered  of  im- 
pressing figures  or  characters  upon  them,  by 
means  of  dies  and  of  the  hammer. 

Medailles  affrontees,  frc.— A medal  some- 
times offers  several  heads.  The  French  call 
them  affrontees,  or  opposees,  according  as  they 
look  towards  each  other,  or  as  they  are  placed 
in  a contrary  direction.  They  are  conjugees, 
or  conjoined,  when  there  are  more  than  one  on 
the  same  side. 

Medailles  enchassees.  Euchased  medals, — 
A small  number  of  pieces  in  bronze,  are  of  two 
metals,  that  is  to  say,  of  two  different  qualities 
of  copper,  the  centre  being,  as  the  French  calls 
it,  enchasse,  or  surrounded  by  a circle  of 
another  quality.  The  plates  (plans)  thus  pre- 
pared were  afterwards  struck,  and  of  this  there 
can  be  no  doubt  (says  Hennin)  since  the  letters 
of  the  legends  are  often  found  imprinted  on  the 
two  metals  at  one  time.  These  pieces  are  all 
Imperial  of  the  Roman  die,  and  they  appear 
under  the  reign  of  various  Emperors  up  to  the 
end  of  the  third  century.  They  ought,  without 
doubt,  to  be  considered  as  true  medals,  con- 
tradistinguished from  current  coius,  aud  to  be 
ranged  amongst  the  medallions — (see  the  word). 
They  are  generally  of  fine  workmanship,  and 
remarkable  for  the  pains  bestowed  on  their 
fabrication. 

MEDUSA,  one  of  the  three  Gorgonides,  who, 
according  to  Ovid’s  amplification  of  the  fable, 
was  a most  beautiful  nymph,  both  in  form  and 
feature ; but  of  all  the  charms  with  which  she 
was  gifted,  none  were  more  lovely  than  her 
luxuriant  locks  of  golden  hue.  Neptune  declared 
to  her  his  passion  in  the  temple  of  Minerva,, 
who  was  so  offended  that  she  changed  the  hair 
of  Medusa  into  serpents;  and  gave  to  this 
horrible  image  of  deformity  the  power  of  turn- 
ing iuto  stone  all  who  looked  upon  it.  The 
beauty  thus  become  a monster,  fatal  to  all 
beholders,  was  at  length  encountered  by  Perseus, 
who  cut  off  her  head  with  the  sword  of  Minerva; 
and  that  goddess  placed  the  viper-tresses  and  the 
hideous  countenance  on  her  own  redoubtable 
-Egis. — The  head  of  Medusa  appears  on  a 
first  brass  of  Hadrian,  hearing  the  legend  of 
sicilia. — Also  on  gold  and  silver  of  Septimius 
Severus,  with  the  epigraph  providentia,  where 
the  winged  head  (Jf  the  Gorgon,  bristling  with 
serpents,  is  exhibited  as  the  symbol  of  Pro- 
vidence. 

MELICERTA  or  Melicertes,  called  by  the 
Latins  Portumnus,  and  by  the  Corinthians 
Palamon,  was  the  son  of  Athamus,  King  of 
Thebes,  and  of  Ino.  It  was  with  Melicerta 
that  Ino  is  said  to  have  cast  herself  into  the 
sea,  from  the  summit  of  the  Moluris  rock,  to 


552  MELICERTA. — MEMMIA. 


MEMORIA. — MEMORIE. 


avoid  the  persecutions  of  Athamas.  Melicerta  | 
then  became  a marine  deity,  and  was  worshipped  j 
under  the  name  of  Palsemon.  Sisyphus  insti- 
tuted the  Isthmian  games  to  his  honour.  He 
was  regarded  as  the  god  who  came  to  the  succour  , 
of  the  shipwrecked.  The  Romans  have  con-  [ 
founded  Palsemon  with  their  tutelary  divinity  1 
of  the  sea-ports,  Portumnus. — See  Connthus 
Cotonia  for  the  following  types : — 

Melicerta  is  represented  on  a first  brass 
struck  at  Corinth  under  Domitian.  Ino  pre- 
sents him  as  a child  to  Neptune,  who  is  seated 
or*  a rock  by  the  sea-side ; a dolphin  is  at  his 
feet ; above  we  read  perm.  imp.  (by  permission 
of  the  Emperor),  referring  solely  to  the  miutage 
of  the  coin. 

Melicerta , lying  on  the  dolphin  who  saved 
his  life ; behind  him  is  the  pine-tree  near  to 
which  he  had  fallen,  when  Sisyphus  took  care 
of  him.  This  type  with  the  legend  clicor, 
(Colonia  Julia  Connthus ,)  appears  on  a coin 
struck  at  Corinth. 

The  same  subject  is  alluded  to  on  another  ; 
Colonial  medal  of  the  Romano-Corinthian  mint,  I 
struck  under  Aurelius.  In  the  round  temple  of 
Neptune,  of  which  the  dome  is  formed  of  fish 
scales,  and  where  a dolphin  is  placed  on  each 
side  of  the  roof,  we  see  the  same  recumbent 
figure  of  a boy  on  a dolphin,  and  read  the 
same  inscription  of  cli  cor. 

A third  medal  of  Corinth  exhibits  its  acropolis, 
or  citadel,  with  the  temple  of  Neptune  on  the 
top,  and  a grotto  at  the  bottom,  in  which  the 
body  of  Melicerta  had  been  deposited.  On  the 
right  is  the  pine  where  Sisyphus  found  him. 
Same  inscription. 

On  a fourth  medal  struck  by  the  Roman  ! 
colony  of  Corinth,  Melicerta  is  seen  on  a 
dolphin.  By  his  side  is  Sisyphus,  conqueror  at 
the  Isthmian  games,  which  he  had  instituted  in  ' 
honour  of  Melicerta.  He  bears  away  the  case 
and  the  palm-branch,  symbols  of  the  prizes  he 
had  won. 

MEMMIA,  a plebeian  family.  Its  surnames 
arc  uncertain.  Its  coins  which  in  silver  are 
common  exhibit  fifteen  varieties.  Some  were 
restored  by  Trajan  and  are  very  rare.  The 
bronze  pieces  of  this  family  are  parts  of  the  as. 
One  of  the  scarce  types  refers  to  the  CeriaJia, 
or  festival  of  Ceres;  it  bears  on  its  obverse  a 
laureated  head,  with  curled  beard,  and  the 
inscription  c.  memmi.  c.  f.  qvirinvs. — On  the 
reverse  Ceres  sitting ; a serpent  at  her  feet ; in  | 
her  right  hand  three  ears  of  corn ; in  her  left  a 1 
distatf,  and  memmivs.  aed.  cerialia.  preimvs.  I 

FECIT. 

Whether  the  word  Quirinus  may  be  con- 
sidered as  a cognomen  of  the  Memmia  family, 
or  whether  it  refers  to  the  head  as  that  of 
Quirinus  or  Romulus,  or  both  together,  is  a 
point  iu  dispute  among  the  learned.  But  the 
reverse  of  this  rare  denarius  teaches  us  that 
Meinmius,  in  his  edileship,  was  the  first  who 
celebrated  at  Rome  the  CeriaJia,  or  feasts,  in 
honour  of  the  Goddess  of  Harvests,  a ceremony 
held  in  much  consideration  by  the  Romans,  but 
of  the  time  of  first  celebrating  it  no  mention 


is  made  by  ancient  writers. — We  see  Ceres  with 
serpent,  torch,  and  corn-ears,  things  dedicated 
to  that  divinity  on  account  of  the  earth’s  fertility. 
The  colus  or  distaff  seems  to  point  her  out  as 
presiding  over  the  domestic  care  of  matrons. — 
See  Ceres,  and  Cerialia. 

The  same  type,  as  restored  by  Trajan,  bears 
on  its  exterior  circle  imp.  caes.  traian.  avg. 
germ.  dac.  P.  P.  rest.  Imperator  Ctesar 
Traianus  Augustus  Germanicus  Dacicus  Pater 
Patrue  Restituit. 

MEMOR.  Memorise. — On  a coin  of  Maxi- 
miauus. 

MEMORIA. — See  aeternae  memoriae,  on 
a gold  medallion  of  Maxentius,  having  for  type 
a temple  with  an  eagle  seated  on  the  summit  of 
its  dome. 

MEMORIAE  AETERNAE.— There  are  two 
third  brass  coins  of  Claudius  Gothicus  (both 
struck  after  that  Emperor’s  death,  as  the  in- 
scription of  DIVO  CLAVlllO  opt.  imp.  on  the 
obverse  clearly  shew),  but  the  type  of  one  is  an 
eagle  with  expanded  wings,  and  of  the  other  a 
lion  standing. 

MEMORIA  DIVI  CONST  ANTI. — On  a 
medallion  of  second  brass  of  Constantius 
Chlorus,  the  type  of  which  is  a round  temple 
surmounted  by  an  eagle. 

Spanheiin,  in  his  commentaries  on  theCmsars 
of  Julian,  observes  that  “ Immortal  remem- 
brance” was  esteemed  the  most  glorious  reward 
of  conquerors  in  ancient  times.  Hence  pro- 
ceeded the  choice  of  such  inscriptions  as  those  of 
Aeterna  Memoria,  of  Memoria  Perpetua,  and 
of  Memoria  Felix,  which  arc  found  on  the  coins 
of  some  Roman  Emperors,  struck  after  their 
death,  and  which  clearly  mark  that  this  was  the 
end  and  true  meaning  of  their  consecration. — 
Moreover  we  find  these  inscriptions  accompanied 
cither  with  temples,  or  with  lighted  altars,  or 
eagles  (generally  with  expanded  w ings),  or  with 
cars  destined  for  public  processions,  the  usual 
symbols  of  Apotheosis,  as  (amongst  others) 
on  two  medals  of  Constantius  I.,  the  father  of 
Constantine,  both  of  them  struck  at  Treves — one 
with  the  words  Memoria  Did  Constantii,  the 
other  JFAema  Memoria. 

MEMORIA  FELIX. — An  eagle  with  ex- 
panded wings,  within  a temple,  on  the  frieze  of 
which  is  another  eagle. — The  obverse  has  the 
veiled  head  of  Constantius  I. — See  Constantius 
I., — Arte, — Consecratio. 

MEMORIAE  AGRIPPINAE.  S.P.Q.R. — A 
funeral  carpentum  drawrn  by  two  mules. — This 
medal,  in  large  brass,  aud  also  a bronze  medal- 
lion cited  by  Morell,  bear  on  the  obverse  the 
portrait  of  Agrippina  senior,  struck  after  her 
death,  in  exile  under  the  cruel  and  unjust 
Tiberius,  and  remind  us  of  the  translation  of 
her  ashes  from  the  island  of  Pandatarin,  and  of 
all  the  funeral  honours  which  were  decreed  to 
her  by  the  filial  piety  of  Caligula  her  son,  at 
the  seemingly  auspicious  commencement  of  his 
reign. — Suetonius,  whose  account  is  confirmed 
by  Dion,  adds  that  the  above-named  emperor 
caused  annual  sacrifices  to  be  instituted  to  the 
maucs  of  his  mother,  together  with  Circensian 


MEMORIAE. — MENSIS. 
celebrations,  in  which  the  carpentum  was  drawn 
in  state  procession. 

MEMORIAE  DOMITILLAE  S.P.Q.R.— 
Funeral  car  as  in  the  foregoing.  On  a rare 
large  brass,  struck  under  Titus ; the  reverse 
of  which  has  s.  c.  in  the  middle  of  the  field, 
surrounded  with  the  inscription  imp.  x.  caes. 
Divi.  vesp.  p.  avg.  p.m.  tr.  P.  P.P. — See  Car- 
pentum, with  illustration. 

“ Antiquaries  (says  the  author  of  Lemons  de 
Numismatique  Romaine)  are  divided  on  the 
question  whether  the  medal  belongs  to  the  wife 
or  to  the  daughter  of  Vespasian,  for  each  of 
them  bore  the  same  name.  It  seems  with  more 
probability  assignable  to  the  daughter,  who 
never  received  the  title  of  Augusta,  nor  the 
honours  of  the  apotheosis,  whilst  those  high  dis- 
tinctions were  decreed  to  Domiti/la  the  mother, 
who  was  consequently  called  DIVA.  AVG usta 
on  the  gold  and  silver  coins  which  incontestably 
belong  to  her,  and  who  would  undoubtedly  have 
been  in  like  manner  honoured  on  those  of 
brass. — The  car  with  two  mules  was  uot  ex- 
clusively appropriated  to  consecrations  ; and  the 
type  of  the  above  medal,  struck  by  order  of 
Titus,  is  copied  after  that  of  Agrippina ” above 
noticed. 

MENS,  the  mind,  was  worshipped  as  a 
goddess  by  the  Romans,  who  erected  an  altar 
and  a temple  to  its  honour.  Ovid  bears  witness 
to  this  fact  when  (in  L.  vi.  Fastor.  1.  21 1)  he 
sings — 

Mens  (juoqae  numen  hahet.  Menti  delubra  videmus. 

(See  menti  lavdandae  below.) 

MENSA,  a table  on  three  feet — Tripus. — See 
the  word  Table. 

MENSIS,  the  name  of  the  god  Lunus,  which 
is  read  ou  coins  of  Antioch  in  Pisidia,  dedi- 
cated to  Antoninus  Pius.  col.  caes.  antioch. 
mensis,  according  to  Patin,  Havercamp,  and 
Vaillant. — See  Lunus. 

MENSOR,  one  who  measures  fields  or  camps; 
the  surname  of  the  Farsu/eia  family. — L.  far- 

SVLEI  MENSOR. 

MENTI  LAVDANDAE.— A woman  stand- 
ing, holds  in  her  right  hand  a crown  and  in 
her  left  a lance.  The  coin,  which  bears  on  its 
reverse  this  singular  legend,  is  a Pertiuax  in 
silver,  treasured  in  the  Imperial  Cabinet  at 
Vienna,  and  for  a long  time  unknown  to  other 
museums,  till  afterwards  produced  in  the  collec- 
tion of  M.  D’Ennery. — By  the  words  mens  was 
understood  human  reason,  sense,  or  judgment, 
which  arc  in  themselves  susceptible  of  good  or 
cl  evil  influences.  Taken  in  a favourable 
acceptation,  such  for  instance  as  bona  mens,  a 
temple  was  erected  and  worship  paid  to  “ the 
divine  intelligence.” 

But  the  reign  of  Commodus  having  been  one 
continuous  outbreak  of  dementedness,  or  mala 
mens;  it  was  of  great  consequence  to  Pertinax 
t c restore  the  sanity  of  public  sentiment  and 
ideas  (mentem  bonam  vel  laudandam.)  He 
made  a virtuous  and  bold  attempt  to  re-establish 
good  morals  and  military  discipline,  but  in  vain. 
The  goddess  of  the  praiseworthy  mind  was  not  a 
4 B 


MERCURIES.  553 

match  for  the  ma/us  animus  which  caused  the 
wise  and  honest  Pertinax  to  be  butchered  at  the 
shrine  of  Prsetorian  avarice. 

MER.  Meritorum.— See  REQVIES  OPTi- 
morum  MER itorum  ; on  third  brass  of  Claudius 
Gothicus. 

MERC.  Mer curio. 

MERCVRIVS. — The  God  Mercury,  son  of 
Jupiter,  and  Maia  one  of  the  daughters  of 
Atlas : so  called  by  the  Latins  (according  to 
Festus)  from  merces  or  the  gains  of  trade, 
because  he  was  supposed  to  preside  over 
mercantile  affairs.  The  Greeks  called  him 
Hermes.  By  the  poets  he  was  honoured  under 
various  surnames ; and  the  offices  and  occupa- 
tions assigned  to  him  by  inythologists  were  still 
more  numerous  and  diversified.  His  principal 
characteristic  was  that  of  being  the  faithful  and 
intimate  attendant  upon  Jupiter,  and  his  ordi- 
nary messenger.  Next  in  importance  was  his 
dignity  of  chief  herald  and  minister  of  the 
gods,  as  well  infernal  as  celestial. — Diodorus 
Siculus  says  of  Mercury  that  he  was  the  first 
amongst  the  deities  who  instituted  religious 
worship  and  sacrifices;  hence  we  see  him  on 
coins  imaged  with  caduceus  and  purse,  and  the 
inscription  around  his  effigy  of  pietas  avg.,  or 
avgg. — There  is  a coin  of  Gallienus  which 
illustrates  his  attributes  of  rewarding  acts  of 
religion  to  the  gods  with  gifts,  and  on  which 
Mercury  is  represented  with  caduceus  and 
crumena,  the  inscription  being  dona  avg. — He 
is  distinguished  on  all  ancient  monuments  by 
his  head  being  covered  with  a winged  cap  (in 
latin  petasus),  and  his  feet  are  also  furnished 
with  wings.  He  wears  a hat,  as  the.  reputed 
god  of  merchants,  because  (says  Vaillant  in  his 
Colonics)  all  business  negociations  should  be 
kept  hidden;  and  wings  are  appended  to  it, 
because  the  bargaining  between  sellers  and 
buyers  should  be  speedily  dispatched  like  a bird 
through  the  air. — The  rod  with  serpents  entwined 
on  it,  called  caduceus,  signifies  the  regal  power 
which  is  sometimes  given  to  merchants,  or  it  is 
the  symbol  of  contentions  removed  and  peace 
promoted.  Sometimes  we  see  a ram,  a tortoise, 
a dog,  or  a cock  at  his  feet. 

Mercury,  the  worship  of  whom  was 
borrowed  (so  early,  it  is  said,  as  the  time  of 
Romulus)  from  the  Etruscans,  has  his'  bust 
impressed  (with  or  without  the  petasus  covering 
his  head)  on  the  ancient  brass  coins  of  the 
Romans. — See  the  Sextantes  or  parts  of  the 
As.— On  a quinarius  of  the  Papia  family 
appears  the  head  of  Mercury,  and  a lyre  on  the 
reverse,  an  association  which  corroborates  the 
pretensions  made  for  him  by  Horace  and  other 
poets,  to  be  considered  as  the  inventor  of  that 
instrument. — We  also  see  the  head  of  Mercury, 
with  the  caduceus  behind  it,  on  denarii  of 
the  Aburia,  Apronia,  Pomponia,  and  other 
families. 

Mercury's  image  at  full  length  is  not  often 
found  on  coins  of  the  republic  or  of  the  upper 
empire.  His  head  is,  however,  to  be  discerned 
on  some  denarii  of  the  Mamilia  family  ; and  on 
one  of  th eRubria  family  it  exhibits  itself  united 


554  MERCURIO. 

to  that  of  Hercules,  like  the  head  of  Janus. — | 
Mercury  seated  is  the  most  rare  to  be  met  with. 
His  posture  is  almost  uniformly  upright. — 
Bcgcr,  however,  gives  a very  rare  medal  of 
Tiberius,  on  the  obverse  of  which  is  that 
Emperor’s  head  laurcated,  with  the  circum- 
scription TI.  CAES.  DIVI.  AVG.  F.  AVG.  IMP. — On 
the  reverse  appears  Mercury  sitting  on  a rock, 
with  a caduceus  in  his  right  hand,  and  with  the 
inscription  pekmis.  p.  cokneli.  dolabellae. 
pnocos.  c.p.  cas.  n.D. — Spanhcim  (in  his  ! 
Carsars  of  Julian)  gives  us,  on  two  Greek 
Imperial  medals,  Mercury  with  all  his  adorn- 
ments, his  hat  with  two  wings,  his  caduceus  in 
one  hand,  his  purse  iu  the  other;  and  his  two 
winged  buskins,  which  he  put  on  when  lie  per- 
formed the  part  of  Jupiter’s  messenger. 

Mercury,  with  his  attributes,  is  depictured 
on  a rare  third  brass  of  Claudius  Gothicus,  with 
the  epigraph  fides.  avg. — A half-naked  male 
figure,  with  radiated  head,  holding  the  winged 
caduceus  of  Mercury  in  his  right  and  an  instru- 
ment like  a trident  in  his  left  hand,  appears 
on  a first  brass  of  Albinus,  with  legend  of 
saecvlo  FliVGlFKKO. — A similar  figure,  and  the 
same  legend  is  seen  on  first  brass  of  Sept. 
Scverus. 

Mercury  standing,  with  the  crumena  in  his 
right  hand,  forms  the  reverse  type  of  a very  rare 
gold  coin  of  Gallienus,  inscribed  FORT l XA 
KEDVX. — An  image  of  the  same  deity  appears 
on  coins  of  Hcrenuius,  Iiostilianus,  Valerianus, 
I’ostnmus,  Cariuns,  and  Numcrianus  : the  epi- 
graph to  most  of  these  is  PIETAS  AXGiuti. — 
On  a gold  coin  of  Gallienus  Mercury  accompanies 
the  legend  of  PROV1DENTIA  AVG. — On  a first 
brass  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  he  appears  iu  a 
temple;  and  also  without  the  temple.  See 
REGLIGio  AVGVSTI. — On  a silver  coin  of 
Gallienus,  Mercury  with  his  attributes  accom- 
panies the  legend  of  dona  avg. 

Mercury  dragging  a ram  to  the  altar  is  the 
type,  without  legend,  of  one  of  the  beautiful 
medallions  of  Antoninus  Pius. 

Mercury,  though  not  unfrequent ly  typified 
on  coins  of  Roman  die,  is  represented  with  his 
various  attributes  of  the  petasus,  caduceus,  and 
crumena,  on  many  colonial  medals,  bearing 
Latin  legends. — See  Heliopolis  (Philip,  sen.), 
Paine  (Caracalla  and  Elagabalus),  and  Tyrus 
(Valerianus  and  Salonina). 

MERCVRIO  COXS.  AVG. — The  Egyptian 
sea-ram,  with  horns  turned  backwards  like 
those  of  Capricomus. — Silver  and  third  brass 
of  Gallienus. 

The  ram  is  here  uuited  with  Mercury,  because 
as  Pausanias  allinns,  this  deity  was  esteemed 
above  others  as  the  protector  of  flocks ; and  as 
the  shepherds  chose  him  for  their  patron  he  is 
fouud  on  ancient  monuments  associated  with  the 
rum.  It  is  also  stated  that  near  Tanagra,  in 
Breotia,  a temple  was  erected  to  him  under  the 
uaiue  of  Chriophorus. — The  Chriophorian  Mer- 
cury has  his  hand  on  a ram  ; but  on  some  gems, 
and  on  a Corinthian  coin  of  L.  V crus,  the  he  yoat 
is  substituted  for  the  he  sheep.  Jt  is  not  so  easy 
to  assign  the  reasou,  from  ancieut  monuments 


MERCURIO.— MESCIXIA. 
or  ancient  writers,  why  in  this  instance  the  ram 
should  have  a fish’s  tail,  except  from  the  fancy 
of  poets  and  painters  to  change  almost  every 
animal  which  the  earth  produces  into  fishes. — 
Eckhel — Millin. 

MERCVRIO  FELICI. — This  circumscrip- 
tion appears  on  gold,  silver,  and  small  brass 
coins  of  Postumus,  with  the  ertigy  of  Mer- 
cury standing  naked, with 
the  pallium  thrown  back 
on  the  left  shoulder, 
the  purse  iu  his  right 
hand,  ns  the  tutelary  of 
merchants,  and  in  his  left 
a caduceus. — 1 The  Gaids 
(according  to  Caesar)  wor- 
shipped Mercury  as  the 
iuvrutor  of  arts,  a.-,  the 
guide  of  jourueyings,  aud  also  as  the  favourer 
of  merchants.  Allusion  in  this  coin  is  made  to 
the  civic  virtues  in  w hich  Postumus  was  acknow- 
ledged to  excel ; and  for  encouraging,  as  well 
as  enforcing,  the  practice  of  which  he  was 
esteemed  vir  dignisshnus  by  the  Gauls,  whom 
he  governed. 

On  a small  brass  of  Diadumcuinnus,  struck 
by  the  Roman  colonists  of  Sinope,  Mercury  is 
represented  holding  the  purse  in  his  right  hand 
and  caduceus  in  left. — See  Crumena. 

MERCVRIO  PAOIFERO. — Mercury  stand- 
ing, the  caduceus  iu  his  right  hand,  the 
petasus  on  his  head.  This  legend,  on  small 
brass  coins  of  Postumus,  is  quoted  by  Bnnduri. 
It  is  not  included  in  either  the  catalogues  or  the 
Doetrina  Mum.  of  Eckhel ; blit  both  Miuuuct 
aud  Akerman  give  it  as  authentic. — The  epithet 
of  Pacifer  would  well  apply  to  Postumus,  w ho  re- 
stored peace  to  Gallia,  by  defeating  aud  coercing 
her  German  invaders. 

MERIT.  Meritomm. — REQV1ES  OPTI- 
MODarn  MERITorirm  on  third  brass  of  Clau- 
dius Gothicus ; also  Yal.  Maximiauus  aud  Con- 
stantius  C’hlorus. 

MESCIXIA,  a plebeian  family;  surname 
Rufus. — L.  mescinivs  rvfvs  was  monetary 
triumvir  under  Augustus.  Many  coins  inscribed 
with  his  name  are  extant,  (both  iu  gold  and 
silver,  the  former  of  extreme  rarity,)  because 
they  proclaim  the  deeds  of  that  Emperor,  as 
occurring  in  the  years  v.c.  737  and  73S,  when 
he  was  moneyer. — Morell  gives  six  varieties. 

MESOPOTAMIA,  so  called,  because  it  lny 
betweeu  the  Tigris  and  Euphrates.  It  is  now 
denominated  Diarbec. — According  to  Spartianus, 
Mesopotamia  was  brought  under  the  power  of 
Rome  as  a province  of  the  empire  by  Trajan; 
declared  free  of  tribute  by  lludrinn,  and  after- 
wards relinquished  to  the  Parthians  by  that 
Emperor ; received  into  the  empire  again  by 
Vcrus;  lost  by  Commodus;  recovered  again  by 
Sept.  Severus;  ceded  to  the  Persians  together 
with  Armenia  by  Philip. — Sec  on  a large  brass 
coin  of  Trajan,  the  line  group  composed  of  that 
Emperor  standing,  armed  and  sceptred,  amidst 
the  prostrate  personifications  of  the  Armenian 
province,  and  of  the  two  celebrated  rivers  abovc- 
meutioned — with  the  inscription  ahmema  et 


MESSALINA. 


MESOPOTAMIA  IN  POTESTATEM  P.K.  REDACTAE.  ) 

s.c. — See  Armenia. 

MESS.  Messius. — A family  Roman  name, 
occupying  the  place  of  a pneuomen,  on  coins 
of  Trajanus  Decius,  Herennius  Etruscus,  and 
Hoslilianus. 

MESSAL.  Messala. — A surname  of  the 

Valeria  family. 

MESSALINA  (Valeria),  fourth  wife  of  the 
Emperor  Claudius,  was  daughter  of  Val.  Messala 
Barbatus  and  Domitia  Lcpida  (daughter  of 
Domitius  Lepidus  and  of  Antonia,  daughter  ol 
M.  Antony  and  Octavia,  sister  of  Augustus.) 
'Chough  thus  high  in  birth  and  rank,  and  the 
mother  of  Octavia  and  Britannicus,  the  name  of 
this  woman  has  descended  with  horror  to  pos- 
terity, as  a monster  of  shameless  lust,  avarice, 
and  cruelty.  She  caused  Julia  Li  villa,  Julia, 
daughter  of  the  younger  Drusus,  Silanus, 
Yiuucigs,  lhfppsca  senior,  and  many  others,  to  be 
put  to  death  ; and  was  herself  subjected  to  the 
same  fate,  from  her  adulteries  and  prostitu- 
tions, by  order  of  Claudius,  a.d,  48. — There 
are  no  Latin  coins  of  this  Augusta , except 
colonial. 

MESSALINA  (Slalilia),  third  wife  of  Nero, 
who  put  to  death  her  fourth  husband,  Attieus 
Vestinus.  She  was  distinguished  for  her  taste 
in  the  sciences,  and  for  her  perfect  eloquence. 
After  Nero’s  death,  Otho  would  have  married 
her,  if  he  had  survived  his  defeat. — Of  this 
Empress  no  Latin  coins  are  extant. 

MET.  otherwise  METAL.  Metallum. — There 
arc  coins  extant  which  serve  as  memorials  of 
mines,  which  the  industry  and  cupidity  of  the 
Romans  established  iu  different  provinces  of  the 
empire.  Of  this  kind  are  some  inscribed  with 
the  name  of  Trajan,  and  of  Hadrian ; and 
perhaps  also  of  their  immediate  successors ; 
they  are  all  of  third  brass,  although  it  is 
certain  that  the  mines  commemorated  on  these 
coins  also  yielded  more  noble  metals.  From 
thence  it  may  be  reasonably  supposed  that  this 
description  of  money  was  struck  to  pay  the 
wages  of  those  who  were  employed  iu  the 
occupation  of  making  the  metals.  Eckhcl  has 
(in  the  sixth  volume  of  his  Doct.  Nuin.  \ et. 
p.  445  et  seq.)  brought  together  the  various 
specimens  of  these  numi  metallorum.  Thus  we 
see,  among  others  in  small  brass,  bearing  the 
head  and  titles  of  Trajan,  the  following  re- 
verses ; — 

META  LIT  VLPIANI  TSElMatici  (Ulpian 
and  Dalmatian  metals)  ; a woman  with  balance 
and  cornucopia. 

METAL.  PANNONICI  (Metals  of  Pannonia), 
in  the  field  of  the  coin. 

Third  brass  of  Hadrian  bear  the  inscriptions 
of  MET.  NOR.  ( Metallum  Noricum,  Metal 
of  Noricum),  within  a crown  of  oak  leaves; 
and  metal.  HELM.  (Metallum  Belmaticum , 
metal  of  Dalmatia) ; a coat  of  mail ; shewing 
that  the  mines  of  Noricum  and  Dalmatia 
contributed  their  treasures  to  the  mint  of 
Hadrian 

MET.— METR.— METRO.— METROP.— 
Metropolis. 

4 B 2 


METROPOLIS.— MEHTA.  655 

METROPOLIS  (Mater  XJrbium ),  the  mother 
city. — The  Greeks  called  a chief  city  M^rpiuoKis, 
the  Latins  civitas.  Afterwards  the  term  was 
applied  to  the  larger  or  more  ancient  city,  in 
which  deputies  from  other  cities  ( civitates) 

I assembled  on  provincial  affairs. 

The  more  distinguished  metropoles  of  the 
Roman  empire  were  designated  on  their  respective 
coins,  both  Greek  and  Latin. 

Thus  on  medals  of  Caesarea,  in  Palestine,  is 
read  col.  pr.  fl.  avg.  caes.  metro,  p.  s.  p. 
Colonia  Prima  Flavia  Augusta  Cresarea  Metro- 
polis Provincire  Sprite  Palastina. — Also  on 
coins  of  Damascus,  Laodicea,  Sidon,  and  Tyre, 
the  dignity  of  each  of  those  cities  as  the 
METROPo/w  of  Roman  colonies  is  in  like 
manner  recorded. 

META,  a pillar,  or  boundary  mark  placed  in 
the  circus.  It  consisted  of  three  columns,  or 
pyramidal  figures,  round  which  the  racing 
chariots  turned.  Horace  alludes  to  them  in  his 
ode  to  Maecenas — Metaque  fervidis  evilata  rotis. 
The  rule  was  to  turn  seven  times  round  these 
bounds  ; and  in  doing  so  it  was  necessary  to  avoid 
approaching  too  near  to  them,  lest  in  driving 
against  them  the  chariots  should  be  broken ; 
whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  if  the  charioteer 
kept  too  far  distant  from  them,  he  ran  the  risk 
of  being  cut  off  by  a competitor,  who  should 
have  taken  advantage  of  the  interval.  These 
metre  circensium  were  of  wood  ; and  the 
Emperor  Claudius,  according  to  Suetonius, 
caused  them  to  be  gilt.  They  are  shewn  with 
great  clearness  on  several  medallions  and  coins 
of  Augustus,  Nero,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Trajan, 
Hadrian,  Caracalla,  Alexander  Severus,  and 
Gordianus  Pius.— See  Circus. 

META  SUDAN'S,  a fountain  so  called,  situate 
at  Rome,  near  the  amphitheatre  of  Titus,  and 
from  whose  waters  the  people  drank  who  came 
to  the  public  spectacles  exhibited  in  that  vast 
structure. — It  is  thought  to  be  represented  on  a 
large  brass  of  Vespasian,  and  a middle  brass  of 
Titus. 

METELL.  Metellus. — Surname  of  the 
Ceecilia  family,  from  which  descended  many 
very  great  personages.  Of  these,  nineteen 
obtained  four  Chief  Pontificates,  two  Dictator- 
ships, three  the  titles  of  Princes  of  the  Senate, 
seven  Censorships,  twenty  Consulates,  and  nine 
Triumphs,  in  the  space  of  290  years.- — Q. 
METELL.  SCIPIO  IMP erator,  on  a denarius 
of  the  Ceecilia  family. 

METTI.  Mettius. — Name  of  the  Mettia 

family. 

METTIA,  a family  of  uncertain  rank,  and 
little  known  in  Roman  history. — There  are  coins 
inscribed  with  the  name  of  31.  Mettius,  of 
which  the  greater  part  present  on  their  obverse 
the  head  of  Julius  Caesar,  one  of  whose 
moneyers  he  appears  to  have  been.  Indeed, 
Caesar,  in  two  passages  of  his  Commentaries, 
mentions  M.  Mettius  as  having  been  bound  in 
chains,  and  afterwards  liberated  by  Ariovistus. 
Mettius  is  also  named  by  Cicero. — Two  very 
rare  quinarii,  each  bearing  (the  first  on  its 
obverse,  the  second  ou  its  reverse)  the  type  of 


556  MILIAR1UM  SAECULUM. 

Juno  Sispita,  would  warrant  the  inference  that 
the  Mettii  were  of  Lanuvian  origin ; “ unless 
perhaps  (says  Eckliel)  it  may  rather  be  supposed 
that  this  goddess  and  her  attributes  were  engraved 
on  these  coins,  in  consequence  of  Launvium 
having,  from  a municipium , been  made  a colony, 
and  surrounded  by  a wall,  by  J.  Crosar,  as  is 
affirmed  by  Frontinus  (de  coloniis ).” — Eight 
varieties  arc  givcu  by  Morel], 

M.  F.  ManiiFilius. — M.  N.  Manii  Sepos. 

M.  F.  Marci  Filia. — AGRIPPINA  M 1 
GERMAXICI  ( A ESA  U1S. 

MGN.  Magnus. — MGN.  PIVS.  IMP. 
Magnus  Pius  Imperator,  and  two-headed  Janus, 
on  coins  of  Pompey  the  Great. 

M.  H.  ILLERGAVONIA  DERT.  Muni- 
cipium Ibera  Iltergavonia  Dertora. — Muni- 
cipality of  Ilibera,  IUergavonia  Dertora  ( Tortosa 
in  Catalonia,  Spain). 

Michael  I.,  Michael  II.,  Michael  III.,  Michael 
IV.,  Michael  V„  Michael  VI.,  Michael  VII., 
Michael  VIII.,  Michael  IX. — The  coins  of  these 
Byzantine  Emperors,  whose  reigns  took  place 
between  a.d.  811  and  a.d  1320,  present  no 
Latin  inscriptions,  except  the  mired  one  of 
IHS.  XIS.  REX.  REGNANTIVM  on  the  reverse 
of  a gold  coin  belonginir  to  the  second  of  that 
name. — See  Akerman’s  Descriptive  Catalogue, 
vol.  ii. 

MIL.  Militum. — CONCORD.  MIL.  Con 
cordia  Militum. — Concord  of  the  Soldiers. — 
FIDES  M ILi/um.  Fidelity  of  the  Soldiers. — 
TR.  MIL.  Tribunals  Militum. — Military  Tri- 
bune ; the  last  on  a coin  of  the  Fonteia  family. 

MILIARIVM  SAECVLVM. — On  the  reverse 
of  a large  brass  of  Philip,  senior,  we  read  this 
legend,  which  is  accompanied  by  a cippus, 
whereon  is  ineribed  cos.  lit.  It  forms  the  first 
of  a series  of  five  medals,  struck  under  that 
emperor,  in  record  of  his  having,  with  extra- 
ordinary' magnificence,  celebrated  the  secular 
games  (they  were  the  ninth  and  last) ; for  the 
purpose  of  consecrating  the  completion  of  the 
year  1000  from  the  foundation  of  Rome.  This 
memorable  period,  appropriately  called  the 
millenary  age,  might  well  seem  to  authorise 
the  commencement  of  a new  era ; and  the 
appropriation  of  the  term  sceculum  novum,  or  a 
new  age,  to  that  which  was  about  to  begin. — See 
Ludi  Stecu/ares. 

Miliarium  is  on  these  coins  almost  invariably 
spelt  with  only  one  l,  it  is  scarcely  ever  written 
MiLLiAiuvM  ; not,  however,  from  any  error  of 
the  mint-masters,  for  both  mile  and  mills  are 
written  by  the  ancients,  as  Papinianus  (in 
Cassiodorus)  has  it,  and  as  not  a few  antique 
monuments  also  shew  ; but  it  is  never  read 
millen arivm  on  these  coins,  although  in  Occo 
and  the  Arschot  collection  it  is  thus  written. 

MILITARY  ENSIGNS.— The  image  of  on 
eagle  (aquila)  was  the  ensign  of  the  whole 
legion.  One  of  these,  either  in  gold  or  in 
silver,  was  placed  on  the  top  of  a spear,  with 
wings  expanded,  and  frequently  holding  a 
thunderbolt  (fulmen)  in  its  talons. — In  the  first 
period  of  Rome,  the  standards  of  her  armies 
were  but  a bundle  of  hay  tied  to  the  end  of  a 


MINATIA. 

pole,  called  in  Latin  Manipulus  foeni,  which 
caused  the  name  of  Munipu/us  to  be  given  to 
the  companies  which  are  ranged  under  those 
ensigns.  Two  such  may  be  seen  represented  on 
a first  brass  of  Augustus,  given  in  Seguin’s 
Set.  Sum.  Ant.,  p.  110.  But  these  standards 
of  poverty  soon  assumed  a new  and  more 
imposing  form.  The  Roman  troops  placed 
either  a cross  piece  of  wood  at  the  top  of  a 
lance,  whence  hung  a velum,  or  banner,  as  may 
be  seen  on  the  same  coin  of  Augustus  between 
the  two  manipuli ; or  they  surmounted  the 
ensign  staff  with  the  figure  of  a hand,  as  may 
be  observed  on  two  military  ensigns  which 
appear  on  a large  brass  of  Tiberius,  givcu  iu 
Seguin  (l.  c.  109)  ; perhaps  as  the  word  manus 
bore  allusion  to  the  word  manipulus.  Below 
this  hand,  covering  the  whole  shaft  of  the  spear, 
were  little  round  plates  of  go^jl  or  silver 
( orbiculi) , on  which  are  portraits  at  first  of  the 
Gods,  and  subsequently  of  the  Emperors,  aud 
other  persons  of  princely  distinction.  The 
names  of  Emperors  were  also  inscribed  on  the 
v exilla,  or  cavalry  standards  of  the  army. — On 
a denarius  of  the  Valeria  family  is  seen  the 
name  of  C.  VAL erius  FLAot’m  IMPERATor, 
and  a legionary  eagle,  between  two  military 
ensigns. — On  a silver  coin  of  the  Sena  family 
is  a legionary  eagle,  between  two  vexi/la,  one  of 
which  has  on  it  H (astati),  the  other  P (rincipes). 
A similar  type  appears  on  a denarius  of  the 
Cornelia. — It  is  to  be  observed,  as  a reason  why 
these  military  ensigns  appear  in  an  upright 
position  on  Roman  coins  and  other  monuments, 
that  the  lower  end  of  the  spears  on  which 
the  ensigns  were  placed  had  sharp  points, 
in  order  that  they  might  be  planted  into  the 
ground,  and  be  made  to  stand  perpendicularly 
whether  in  the  camp  or  in  the  field  of  battle. 
— See  Signa  Militaria  ; also  Aquila, — Laba- 
rum, — Vexillum. 

Military  Standards,  on  Roman  coins,  near  a 
colonist  ploughing  with  oxen,  shew  that  the 
colony  had  been  peopled  by  veteran  soldiers. 

Military  Lituus. — See  Lituus. 

MIN.  Minerva. — MIN.  Minerria. — The 

name  of  a legion,  so  denominated  by  Doinitiau, 
on  account  of  the  particular  devotedness  of  that 
emperor  to  the  worship  of  Minerva,  as  appears 
from  his  coins. — There  is  on  a gold  coin  of 
Sept.  Severius,  in  Banduri,  whirh  exhibits  two 
military  standards  and  a legionary  eagle  between 
them,  with  this  inscription,  LEO.  i.  min.  Legio 
Prima  Minervia. 

MIN  AT.  Minatius. — Family  name  of  the 
gens  Mitia/ia. 

MINATIA,  a plebeian  family;  its  surname 
Sabi nus. — There  arc  three  varieties,  all  very 
rare. — The  following  silver  pieces,  which  bear 
the  name  of  this  family,  were  struck  in  Spain 
by  Cnaeius  Pompey  the  younger,  after  his 
father’s  death,  or  by  the  other  son,  Sextus, 
in  Sicily : — 

1st.— CNw  MAGNVS  IMP.  F.— The  bare 
head  of  Cnaeius  Pompey. 

Rev. — Marcus  MIN  AT  iut  SABINw  l’Ro 
Quest  or. — Pompey  landing  from  a ship  joins 


MINATIA. 


MINATIA.  557 


his  right  hand  with  that  of  a woman,  .wearing 


a turreted  crown,  and  holding  a spear  in  her  left 
hand,  before  whose  feet  is  a heap  of  Spanish  arms. 

On  this  denarius  (says  Vaillant)  is  represented 
the  entry  of  Pompeins  Magnus  into  Spain  (for 
the  purpose  of  assisting  Metellus  against  Ser- 
torius),  respecting  which  event  great  expecta- 
tions had  been  entertained  both  by  the  Homans 
themselves  and  by  their  Spanish  allies. — 
Plutarch  in  his  life  of  Pompey,  narratest  hat 
when  he  “ first  reached  Spain,  the  reputation 
of  the  new  commander  inspired,  as  is  usual, 
new  hopes  in  the  minds  of  men,  that  such  of 
the  Spanish  nations  as  had  not  taken  a decisive 
part  with  Sertorius,  began  to  change  their 
opinions  and  go  over  to  the  Romans.” — There- 
foVe  we  here  see  Hispania  meeting  Pompey  with 
congratulations  on  his  happy  arrival. — The  above 
cut  is  engraved  from  a denarius  in  the  British 
Museum. 

2ud. — CN.  magn.  IMP. — The  same  head. 

Rev. — m.  minat.  sabin.  pit.  Q. — Pompey  the 
Great,  in  a military  habit,  stands  with  a spear 
in  the  right  hand.  On  one  side  stands  a woman, 
with  turreted  head  and  short  dress,  and  who, 
holding  two  spears  in  her  left  hand,  offers  her 
right  to  Pompey.  On  the  other  side,  a woman 
carrying  a trophy  on  her  left  shoulder,  places 
with  her  right  hand  a crown  on  the  head  of  the 
middle  figure. 

Havereamp,  in  Morell  (differing  from  Vaillant, 
who  considers  the  middle  figure  to  represent  not 
Pompey,  but  Metellus),  shews  on  good  historical 
grounds  that  on  this  coin  Minatius  had  in  view 
to  display  the  honours  not  of  Metellus  but  of 
Pompey.  Indeed,  referring  to  the  authority  of 
Plutarch  for  the  results  of  the  sanguinary 
struggle  engaged  in  by  the  latter,  first  with  the 
brave,  skilful,  and  active  Sertorius,  and  after- 
wards with  that  formidable  chieftain’s  assassin 
and  successor,  Perpenna,  Havereamp  appears 
warranted  in  bis  opinion  that  the  type  of  this 
rare  denarius  alludes  to  the  two  closing  victories, 
by  which  the  Sertorian  revolt  was  subdued,  and 
Spain  restored  to  the  Roman  empire.  Nor  is 
there,  perhaps,  anything  erroneous  in  the  con- 
jecture of  the  same  antiquary,  that  the  trophy- 
bearing figure  persouities  Rome  herself,  crowning 
the  victor ; Hispania,  as  a Roman  province, 
standing  by,  and  with  extended  hand  bearing 
testimony  to  the  merits  of  the  all  powerful 
imperalor. 

3rd. — On  another  very  rare  denarius,  with 
the  same  head  (that  of  the  elder  Pompey),  and 
stamped  with  the  name  of  M.  Minatius  Sabinus, 
Proqusestor,  the  type  of  the  reverse  is  a military 
figure  standing  between  two  women,  both 
turreted ; one  of  whom,  bending  on  one  knee, 
offers  a drown  of  laurel  to  him. 


In  Morell’s  Thesaurus  (under  the  head  of  the 
Minatia  family),  Havereamp,  who  characterises 
Vaillant’s  reference  of  this  denarius  to  Poinpey’s 
successes  in  Spain  as  interpretatio  infelicissima, 
after  describing  the  standing  female  figure  as 
having  her  head  radiated,  proceeds  to  give  his 
own  opinion,  that  the  above  type  alludes  to 
the  Mithridatic  war. — It  shows  (according  to 
the  learned  but  often  fanciful  commentator)  that 
the  long-continued  war  with  the  great  barbaric 
king  could  be  brought  to  a termination  by  no 
other  Roman  General  than  Pompey,  “ and 
therefore  (says  he)  1 understand  the  figure  wear- 
ing the  pallium,  and  having  her  head  radiated, 
to  mean  the  East  (Oriens),  who  beckons  and 
seems  to  call  Pompey  to  her ; whilst  he  himself 
| displays  his  expectation  of  a sure  victory  over 
j Mithridates,  by  pointing  with  hand  stretched 
forth  and  finger  extended  to  the  garland  (corolla), 
which  Spain  (the  kneeling  figure)  gratefully 
offers  to  him,  as  to  the  conqueror  of  the 
republic’s  foes.” — After  quoting  a passage 
from  Florus,  lib.  iii.,  cap.  5,  as  the  quasi 
interpres  of  this  very  coin,  Havereamp  con- 
cludes by  exclaiming — “ Behold  here  the 
honours  and  titles  of  Pompey,  especially  those 
I gained  in  Spain,  about  to  be  augmented  in  the 
East.” 

By  the  above  cited  observations,  it  will  be 
I seen  that  Havereamp  lays  some  stress  on  the 
J fact  which  he  asserts,  that  the  figure  of  the 
J woman,  standing  before  Pompey,  is  pa/lia/a 
et  radiata,  whereas  in  Morell’s  engraving  of 
this  denarius,  (and  Dr.  King’s  is  the  same,)  the 
female  in  question,  though  wearing  the  pallium 
or  cloak,  falling  from  the  shoulders,  has  a 
turreted,  not  a radiated,  head-dress. — And 
Eckbel  describes  both  women  as  turretce. — Mr. 
Akerman,  in  His  Descriptive  Catalogue  of 
Roman  Coins,  has  given  (see  plate  3,  No.  9,) 
the  design  of  a silver  coin  amongst  those  struck 
[ by  Cnteius  Pompey  the  son,  which  with  the 
head  of  the  father  for  its  obverse,  exhibits  on 
j the  reverse  a type  resembling  in  most  par- 
; ticulars,  though  not  in  all,  the  denarius  of 
Morell  and  King. — The  able  secretary  of  the 
Numismatic  Society  states  that  the  kneeling 
figure  is  presenting  not  a crown  but  “ a petition, 
or  written  instrument,  as  appears  very  plain 
from  this  denarius,  which  shews  four  miuute, 
but  distinct  lines,  drawn  across  the  object  called 
by  Morell  a crown.” — But,  unfortunately  for 
those  who  have  only  the  engraving  in*  Mr. 

! Akerman’s  catalogue  to  form  their  opinions  by, 
the  type  of  the  reverse  is  so  indistinctly  de- 
lineated as  to  make  the  “ kneeling”  figure  look 
[ as  if  she  was  seated,  and  what  she  holds  in  her 
lap  resembles  a shield  more  than  a petition. — 
l Be  this  as  it  may,  the  difference  in  the  repre- 
I sented  type  has  suggested  a different  interpreta- 
tion to  Mr.  Brumell,  in  whose  cabinet  the 
J coin  is,  which  Mr.  Akerman  has  caused  to  be 
J copied. — “ I should  describe  the  reverse  (savs 
i Mr.  Brumell)  as  bearing  the  personification  of 
; the  East,  inviting  Pompey  to  relieve  that  region, 

I oppressed  by  Mithridates, — an  invitation  which 
I he  appears  to  decline ; and  points  to  the  kneeling 


558  MINEIA.— MINERVA, 

figure,  whose  petition  claims  priority  of  atten- 
tion.”— That  kneeling  figure,  Mr.  Brumell 
thinks  it  probable,  is  the  personification,  not  of 
Spain  as  Morell  conjectures,  but  of  “ Cilicia, 
who  implores  the  aid  of  Pompey,  that  country 
being  ravaged  by  pirates,  whose  power  was 
crushed  by  the  Roman  general,  immediately 
before  he  obtained  the  command  in  the 
Mithridatic  war.” — Who  shall  decide  when 
the  learned,  the  scientific,  and  the  ingenious 
disagree  ? 

MINEIA,  a family  of  uncertain  rank,  to 
which  Morell  assigns  some  small  brass  coins ; 
one  has  on  its  obverse  mineia.  m.  f.  and  a 
female  head,  and  an  edifice  on  the  reverse; — rare ; 
the  others  equally  uninteresting. 

MINERVA,  the  goddess  whom  fable  describes 
to  have  come  forth  fully  armed  and  of  mature 
age  from  the  brain  of  Jupiter — in  other  words, 
an  emanation  from  the  intellect  of  Jove  him- 
self.— She  was  the  tutelary  divinity  of  the 
Athenians,  and  was  called  in  Greek  Athene. 
Her  head  is  the  type  of  the  medals  of  Athens ; 
and,  under  the  name  of  Pallas , she  was  wor- 
shipped in  that  city  and  throughout  Greece,  as 
the  protectress  of  heroes. — By  the  Romans  she 
was  regarded  as  the  first  in  rank  after  Jupiter 
and  Juno,  and,  with  the  statues  of  those 
deities,  was  placed  in  the  principal  temple  of 
the  capitol  at  Rome.  As  the  goddess  of  reason, 
wisdom,  and  prudence,  she  was  considered  to 
preside  over  literature  and  the  sciences.  The 
invention  of  weaving  and  embroidery,  together 
with  the  honour  of  having  first  taught  mankind 
the  use  of  the  olive,  was  ascribed  to  her. — On 
consular  coins  Minerva  but  seldom  appears. 
Morell  has  givcu  her  image  or  attributes  on 
coins  of  the  Gloria,  Cordia,  Cornelia,  and 
Vibia  families.  During  the  period  of  the  empire, 
she  occupies  somewhat  more  frequently  a place 
on  Roman  medals,  particularly  those  of  Domitian 
(sec  Domitianus),  Cominodus,  Albinus,  Scverus, 
Caracalla,  Geta,  as  far  as  Gallienus  and  Postumus. 
— On  these  generally  she  is  figured  in  a walking 
attitude,  clothed  in  a long  tunic,  with  sometimes 
the  icgis  on  her  breast,  a helmet  on  her  head, 
holding  in  her  right  hand  by  turns — as  the  deity 
both  of  war  and  of  peace — a spear,  the  thunder- 
bolt, an  image  of  Victory,  a branch  of  olive,  and 
in  her  left  hand  a buckler. — On  one  silver  coin  of 
the  Vibia  family  she  stands  as  Minerva  the 
Vanquisher,  with  victory  and  spear;  on  another 
her  bust  is  represented,  and  on  a third  she 
stands  in  a quadriga. — Amongst  the  rare  medal- 
lions in  brass,  struck  uuder  Antoninus  Pius, 
without  legend,  the  image  of  this  goddess  is 
three  times  introduced — viz.,  1.  Where  she  is 
placed  on  the  right  hand  of  Jupiter,  whilst  Juno 
is  on  his  left,  and  all  three  arc  seated,  full  faced, 
on  curulc  chairs.  2.  Minerva  leaning  against 
u tree,  around  which  a serpent  is  entwined,  and 
looking  at  Prometheus,  who  is  in  the  act  of 
forming  a man.  3.  Minerva  standing  before 
Vulcan,  who  is  forging  a thunderbolt : on  another 
coin  a helmet.  4.  Vulcan  standing  before  a 
statue  of  Minerva  placed  on  a cippus. — On  a 
coin  of  Clodius  Albinus  the  surname  of  Pacifera 


MINERVA  VICTRIX. 

is  assigned  to  this  goddess. — See  Oleir  Ramus, 
the  olive  branch. 

Minerva  was  the  object  of  especial  adoration 
with  that  vain,  profligate,  and  murderous  tyrant 
Domitian  ; on  coins  of  each  metal  struck  under 
this  Emperor,  we  see  a well  executed  figure  of 
the  goddess,  holding  in  one  hand  her  buckler, 
and  in  the  other  the  fulmen  or  thunderbolt, 
which  she  is  going  to  lauueh,  intended,  says 
Oise/ius,  “ as  the  symbol  of  Domitiau’s  au- 
thority,” with  the  circumscription  imp.  xix. 
cos.  xvi.  ce.ns.  P.  P.  (emperor  for  the  nineteenth 
time,  consul  for  the  sixteenth,  censor,  father  of 
the  country.) — On  a first  brass  of  this  em- 
peror, without  legend  on  its  reverse,  but 
bearing  the  authorisation  of  the  Senate,  he 
stands  between  Minerva  and  Victory,  the 
latter  of  whom  is  placing  a laurel  crown  on 
his  head. 

MINERcd  5 ICTriju  Minerva  the  Victorious. 
— On  a large  brass  of  Commodus,  with  this 
legend,  we  see  the  victory-bringing  Minerva 
(Nicephora)  helmeted,  having  in  one  baud  an 
image  of  A ictory,  which  holds  a palm  branch, 
and  in  the  other  hand  a spear;  behind  her  is  a 
trophy. — Minerva  the  Victorious  was  called  by 
the  Greeks  Nnnj^Jpos,  as  is  shewn  on 

the  coinage  of  the  Athenians. 

Eckhcl  dedicates  a short  chapter  of  his 
Prolegomena  on  Family  Coins  (vol,  v.,  84-5) 
to  shew  that,  when  on  the  silver  coiii  of  the 
Roman,  as  well  as  of  the  Athenian  mint,  we 
see  a winged  Pallas,  or  Minerva,  it  is  to  be 
understood  as  representing  Pallas  Nnfij^opoi,  or 
Minerva  Victrix. 

A brass  medallion  of  Trajan  exhibits  Minerva 
standing  on  the  right,  and  Juno  on  the  left  of 
Jupiter. — See  Jupiter. 

MLNERVAE  VICTRICI  — VaUlant,  in  de- 
scribing a silver  coin  of  Pescennius  Siger  hav- 
ing a similar  figure,  but  without  the  trophy, 
and  inscribed  to  the  Victorious  Minerva,  observes 
that  Minerva,  like  Mars,  was  said  to  preside  in 
war  ; thus  as  the  surname  of  Victor  was  applied 
to  Mars,  so  also  the  appellation  of  Victrix  was 
given  to  Minerva;  and  that  the  title  was 
dedicated  to  that  goddess  by  Pesccnuius  for  a 
victory  about  to  be  obtained  over  Scverus,  is 
indicated  by  this  coin,  on  which,  as  if  certain 
success  had  been  assured  him,  she  bears  the  sign 
in  her  right  hand. 

MIN ER V A SANCT. — Tiie  goddess  stands 
with  spear  and  shield. — On  a silver  coin  of  Sept. 
Sevcrus  this  legend  of  Minerva  Sancta  appears 
for  the  first  time,  and  afterwards  occurs  on  coins 
of  Geta  Cccsar. 

That  the  ancients  put  sanctus  (saered)  for 
propitius  (favourable  or  propitious)  we  learn 
from  Tibullus  respecting  Juno,  whom  he  ad- 
dresses At  tu  sancta  fare;  and  from  Catullus, 
speaking  of  Venus,  Quern  neqne  sancta  Venus. 
Moreover,  .Minerva  was  accounted  the  Goddess 
of  Arts,  and  Geta,  according  to  llcrodiunns, 
Disciptinarum  laude  celebres  Arch  se frequent es 
habebat,  instructed  by  his  mother  Julia,  who 
daily  disputed  with  philosophers. — (Vaillaut, 
ii.  p.  260.)  » 


MINUCIA. 

MINER  FAVTR.  Minerva  Tautrix  — The 
favouring  Minerva. — This  legend,  accompanying 
the  usual  type  of  the  goddess,  appears  only  on 
a silver  coin  of  Postumus,  who  was  so  renowned 
for  valour  and  for  wisdom,  that  Gallienus 
assigned  to  him  the  education  of  his  young  son, 
Cornelius  Saloninus,  choosing  him,  according  to 
Pollio,  quasi  custodi  vita,  et  morum  et  actuum 
imperialium  inslituton.  Besides,  Minerva  was, 
in  the  estimation  of  the  heathen  world,  the 
goddess  of  wisdom  and  fortitude. 

Mint  Marks. — See  Notes  Monetales. 

MINVCIA,  a plebeian  family,  whose  sur- 
names, as  they  appear  on  coins,  are  Augurinus , 
Rufus,  Thermits. — The  gold  are  very  rare ; the 
silver  common.  Some  of  the  latter,  restored 
by  Trajan,  are  of  high  price.  The  brass  pieces 
of  this  family  are  parts  of  the  As. — Amongst 
the  same  types  is  one  in  silver,  having  on  its 
obverse  a female  head  helmetcd,  and  ou  the 
reverse  the  legend  Q.  TMERMtw  M.  P.  Two 
soldiers,  armed  with  sword  and  buckler,  engaged 
in  combat ; another  soldier  similarly  armed,  on 
his  kuecs  between  them. 

This  type  clearly  points  to  the  honour  of 
having  saved  a Roman  citizen’s  life  in  battle  ; 
but  leaves  it  in  doubt  to  whom  the  glory  of  this 
distinguished  exploit  belongs. 

Morell  gives  his  reasons  at  some  length  for 
believing  that  this  denarius  was  struck  by 
Quintus  Mimtcius  Thermits,  the  son  of  Marcus 
(as  the  inscription  indicates),  a monetal  triumvir 
perhaps,  or  quatuorvir,  under  Julius  Catsar, 
who  had  just  attained  the  direction  of  affairs  in 
that  public  department,  and  that  he  had 
particularly  fixed  on  this  type,  in  order  at  once 
to  compliment  Cicsar,  and  to  recall  his  own 
father’s  prowess  to  remembrance. — For  wc  have 
the  testimony  of  Suetonius  that  Caesar  made 
the  first  payments  to  the  legions  in  Asia,  in  the 
tent  of  Marcus  Therm  us,  and  that  Caesar  was 
by  the  same  Thcrmus  presented  with  a civic 
crown  at  the  taking  of  Mitylene. 

The  head  of  Pallas,  or  of  Rome,  winged ; 
behind  it  X. 

Rev. — c minvci  c.  f.  avgvkini. — A fluted 
or  chamfered  column,  on  which  a statue  is 
placed ; on  the  left  of  the  column  stands  a man 
in  the  augural  habit,  and  holding  the  lituus ; to 
the  right  stands  another  togated  figure,  holding 
in  each  hand  something  uncertain,  and  planting 
his  left  foot  ou  something  equally  doubtful;  from 
the  base  of  the  column  ou  each  side  springs  a 
corn-ear ; above,  roma. 

These  denarii  revive  the  memory  of  Lucius 
Minucius,  who  is  also  by  Pliny  called  Augurinus, 
and  who,  being  Vrafectus  Annona  at  a time  of 
dearth,  when  Spurius  Madias  was  attempting  to 
corrupt  the  populace  with  largesses  of  corn, 
detected  his  pernicious  designs,  reported  him  to 
the  senate,  and  then  at  a low  price  distributed 
the  corn  to  the  common  people.  Ou  this  account, 
according  to  Pliny,  a statue  was  erected  to  him 
outside  the  Porta  Trigemina  (at  Rome)  at  the 
public  expense.  The  statue  in  question  is  here 
represented  mounted  on  a column,  as  Vaillant 
says  striata,  fluted;  perhaps,  says  liavereamp, 


M1SSILIA. — MITRE1A.  559 

with  more  ingenuity  than  judgment,  consisting 
of  modi*  (or  bushel  measures)  placed  one  ou  the 
top  of  another;  and,  in  connection  with  the 
subject  which  the  medal  was  struck  to  com- 
memorate, there  are  ears  of  corn  rising  up 
from  the  base  of  this  pillar. — ( l)oct . num.  vet. 
vol.  v.  p.  255.) 

MISSILIA,  now  called  by  the  Italians 
Medaglioni,  is  a term  applied  generally  to 
the  medals  which  the  Emperors  caused  to 
be  struck  for  their  own  especial  use,  with  a 
view  to  distribute  them  as  presents  among  their 
friends. — The  term  Missilia  was  also  applied  to 
those  gifts  which  princes  scattered  amongst  the 
people  on  festival  days,  and  which,  like  money, 
were  in  no  danger  of  being  spoiled  by  their 
being  flung,  as  they  were  generally,  from  some 
lofty  spot.  Thus,  according  to  Suetonius 
Caligula  ascended  to  the  top  of  Basilica  Julia, 
in  order  to  throw  money  to  the  people.  Qtiim 
et  ninnmos  non  mediocris  sitmma  e fastigio 
Basilica  Julia  per  aliquot  dies  sparsit  in 
plebem. — “ Caligula,”  cap.  xxxvii. 

MITREIA,  a family  of  uncertain  rank,  and 
known  only  from  its  name  of  mitreivs  appear- 
ing on  two  third  brass  coins  struck  by  the 
moneyers  of  Augustus. 

M.  K.  V.  Moneta  Carlhaginensis  Urbis. — 
Money  of  the  city  of  Carthage. 

M.  L.  Moneta  Lugdunensis. — Money  of 
Lyons,  in  France. 

INI.  MARC.  Marcus  Marcellus. — Prenomen 
and  name  of  a man. 

M.  M.  I.  V.  Municipes  Municipii  Julii 
Uticensis. — The  citizens  of  the  municipality  of 
Julius,  of  Utica  (now  Biserta  in  Africa) . 

M.  N.  Moneta  Narbonensis. — Money  of 
Narbonne. 

MO.  Moneta. 

MODERATIONI.  A richly  decorated  shield, 
in  the  centre  of  which  is  the  full  front-faced 
head  of  Moderation. — On  a second  brass  of 
Tiberius. — See  dementia. 

MODIVS,  a bushel  measure — of  wheat  for 
instance,  or  any  dry  or  solid  commodity.  It 
contained  the  third  part  of  an  amphora,  and 
four  of  these  measures  per  month  was  the 
ordinary  allowance  given  to  slaves. 

On  Roman  coins  we  see  the  modius  repre- 
sented with  corn-ears,  and  sometimes  a poppy 
hanging  or  rising  from  it — and  having  reference 
to  distributions  of  w'heat  to  the  people,  by 
various  Emperors,  such  as  Nerva,  Vespasian, 
M.  Aurelius,  and  Doinitian.  On  a denarius  of 
Nerva,  with  the  legend  cos.  mi.,  there  is  a 
modius  with  six  ears  of  corn.  The  modius  is 
also  the  sign  of  the  /Edilcship  on  coins  of  the 
Papia  and  other  families,  and  is  represented 
full  of  wheat,  between  two  ears  of  corn,  as  the 
symbol  and  attribute  of  Ahundantia  and  of 
Annona  (see  the  words).  The  coins  of  Nero, 
and  from  that  Emperor  down  to  Gallienus, 
furnish  frequent  examples  of  this  figure  as  in- 
dicating the  fruits  of  fertility,  whether  domestic 
or  foreign;  and  the  Imperial  liberality  and 
providence  in  procuring,  and  in  bestowing  them 
on  the  people. — See  Spica. 


560  MOBSIA. — MONETA. 

MOESIA,  a country  of  Europe,  between 
Mount  llemus  and  the  Danube,  joining  to 
Pannonia.  There  were  two  provinces  of  Moesia, 
now  called  Servia  and  Bulgaria.  The  latter  (or 
Upper  Mcesia)  lying  towards  the  Black  Sea,  and 
which  was  subdued  by  the  Romans  under  L. 
Piso,  during  the  reign  of  Augustus,  the  former 
(or  Lower  Moesia)  was  inhabited  by  the  Get  re. 
Sec  P.  m.  s.  cot,,  vim.  Provincia  Mania 
Superioris  Colonia  Viminacium. — The  Roman 
legions  stationed  in  the  Upper  Province  are 
honoured  by  oue  of  the  large  brass  of  Hadrian, 
on  which,  with  the  legeud  exercitvs  moesiacvs, 
that  Emperor  stands  on  nil  cstrade  addressing 
four  soldiers.  A visit  paid  by  the  same  Prince 
to  the  province  itself  is  also  commemorated  on 
another  large  bronze  medal,  inscribed  adventvi 
avg.  moesiae,  and  exhibiting  the  Emperor  and 
the  Province  sacrificing  at  an  altar. 

MON.  Moneta  (the  Goddess.) 

MONET.  AVG.  Moneta  Angusti. — The  mint 
of  the  Emperor. 

MO.  S.  T.  Moneta  Signata  Treveris. 

M.  S.  TR.  Money  struck  at  Treves. 

M.  S.  AVGG.  ET  CAESS.  NOSTR.  Moneta 
Sacra  August  or  um  et  Casarum  Noslrorum. — 
The  sacred  mint  of  our  Emperors  and  of  our 
Ciesars.  Inscription  on  coins  of  Diocletian, 
Val.  Maximian,  Constantins  Chlorus,  and  Gal. 
Maxiinian. 

MONETA. — This  term  was  used  by  the 
Romans  to  designate  their  public  mint,  in  con- 
sequence of  money  having  originally  been  struck 
at  Rome,  in  the  temple  of  Juno  Moneta — a 
surname  given  to  the  consort  of  Jupiter,  because 
she  was  said  to  have  counselled  the  Romans  to 
undertake  none  but  just  wars,  in  which  case  she 
promised  that  they  should  never  be  in  want  of 
money. — The  name  of  Moneta  was  afterwards 
used  alike  to  signify  pieces  of  money,  aud  the 
officina  or  workshops  in  which  they  were 
fabricated. — There  are  some  consular  deuarii  of 
the  Carisia  family,  which  on  their  obverse  re- 
present the  head  of  a woman,  with  the  legend 
moneta  ; and  on  the  reverse  a pair  of  pincers, 


an  anvil,  and  a hammer — instruments  used  by 
the  ancients  in  the  coinage  of  money — these  are 
surmounted  by  the  rap  of  Vulcan,  and  circum- 
scribed by  the  word  T.  carisivs. — Upon  another 
silver  coin  of  the  same  family,  similar  monetnl 
instruments  are  figured,  the  accompanying  legeud 
being  SALVT.vRis. — See  Carisia. 

The  epithet  salvtaris  refers  to  Juno  Moneta 
having  afforded  relief  to  the  Romans  when  their 
affairs  were  straightened  by  the  events  of  war. 
The  head  of  the  Goddess  is  also  found  with 
but  slight  difference  on  coins  of  the  Platoria 
family.  The  legeud  moneta  is  indeed,  as  has 


MONETA.— MONET  JE. 
already  been  remarked,  very  frequently  seen  on 
medals  of  the  Emperors,  and  particularly  on 
medals  of  the  lower  empire. 

MONETA,  typified  as  a woman  holding  the 
balance  and  cornucopia:,  occurs  on  coins  of 
nearly  all  the  Emperors,  from  Vitellius  to  Con- 
stantine the  Great,  both  inclusive,  with  the 
epigraph  of  aeqvitas — aeqvitas  avg.  &c. ; or 
with  the  inscription  mon,  avg. — moneta  avog. 
&c. — The  head  of  the  Goddess,  with  moneta 
round  it,  appears  on  a silver  coin  of  the 
Platoria  and  (as  above-mentioned)  of  the 
Carisia  family. 


MONET.E — the  three  standing  with  their 
accustomed  attributes,  sometimes  with  and  other 
times  without  the  mass  of  metal  at  the  feet  of 
each  female,  make  their  first  apjicarance  on  a 
brass  medallion  of  Commodus. — Under  the  reign 
of  Scptimius  Severus  they  begin  frequently  to 
display  themselves ; and  they  are  also  found  on 
coins  of  the  following  princes : — Caraealla,  Geta, 
Elagabalus,  Alexander,  Maxiininus,  Gordiauus 
III.,  the  Philips,  Trajan  Decius,  Hercuuius, 
Treboniauus  Gallus,  Claudius  Gothieus,  Tetricus, 
Tacitus,  Floriauus,  Probus,  Cams,  Carious, 
Numerianus,  Dioclctianus,  Val.  Maximianus, 
Constantius  Chlorus,  Gal.  Maximianus,  Max- 
entius,  Maximiuus  Daza,  Constantine  and  Family, 
Jovian,  Yalcutinian,  and  down  to  Yalcns. — The 
illustration  given  above  is  from  a brass  medallion 
of  Diocletiau. 

MONETA  AVGVSTA.  (T he  mint  of  the 
Emperor.) — A woman  standing  with  balance 
and  coruucopiie,  (or  as  in  Alexander  Severus,) 
dropping  coins  from  her  right  hand  into  a 
measure. — Coins  bearing  the  image  of  the 
Goddess  Moneta,  with  the  above  epigraph,  occur 
for  the  first  time  in  the  reign  of  Domitian,  in 
whose  honour  they  were  struck  for  his  imputed 
care  in  restoring  purity,  exact  weight,  and  good 
workmanship,  to  the  coinage  of  the  empire. 
Certain  it  is  that  the  medals  of  this  otherwise 
worthless  prince,  are  in  every  metal  finely 
designed  and  boldly  executed.  The  recurrence 
of  this  legend  and  type  on  so  many  im|>crial 
medals  of  divers  reigns  is  in  itself  one  of  the 
clearest  and  most  direct  proofs  that  these  medals 
were  real  money. 

MONE'l’A  AVG. — A female  figure,  with  the 
usual  attributes  of  Moneta.  On  a most  rare 
silver  coin  of  Pcsceunius  Niger,  edited  by 
Vuillant,  who  says — “ Moneta  is  exhibiteJ  on 
the  coins  of  Pescennius  to  denote  the  supreme 
right  which  he  asserted  over  the  imperial  miut. 


MONETA. 

The  woman  holds  the  balance  to  shew  that  the 
quantity  of  metal  was  to  be  weighed,  and  a just 
portion  assigned  to  each  piece.” 

MONET.  AVG.  COS.  II— Moneta,  with 
her  accustomed  attributes.  On  a very  rare  coin 
of  Albinus. 

The  coining  of  gold  and  silver  money  was  a 
right  which  Augustus  and  his  imperial  successors 
reserved  to  themselves  exclusively,  leaving  to  the 
Senate  the  privilege  of  striking  brass  money. — 
Albinus,  whom  Severus  had  made  his  associate 
in  the  empire,  had  the  same  right  as  the  latter 
to  coin  money,  and  he  exercised  it  throughout 
his  short,  but  eventful,  career  of  power. 

MONETA  AVG.— Moneta  personified  in  the 
usual  form. — This  legend  and  type  occur  on 
a silver  coin  of  Julia  Domna,  the  wife  of 
Severus,  and  indicate  the  supreme  authority 
which  that  ambitious  woman  was  allowed  to 
share  with  her  husband,  who  had  yielded  to  her 
the  privilege  of  the  Roman  mint.  There  is  a 
medallion  of  Julia  with  the  three  Monetae,  and 
the  epigraph  Aequitus  Publica;  the  same  may 
be  observed  on  coins  of  Julia  Paula,  Julia 
Aquilia,  and  Julia  Maesa,  struck  under  Elaga- 
balus ; also  on  coins  of  Saloniua,  wife  of 
Gallienus,  and  other  Augusta. 

MONETA  AVGG. — The  three  Moneta  stand- 
ing.— This  type  and  legend  occur  (says  Vaillant) 
on  coins  of  Volusianus,  not  because  he  was  the 
restorer  ’of  purity  to  the  Roman  mint,  for  his 
silver  was  not  better  than  that  of  his  pre- 
decessors ; but  simply  to  shew  a new  coinage 
struck  with  his  image.  This  coin,  in  gold,  is  of 
the  utmost  raritv. 

MONete  RESTITVTA.  S.  C. — Moneta 
standing,  with  balance  and  cornucopia: ; at  her 
feet  a heap  of  metal. — This  epigraph  aud  figure 
appear  on  a second  brass  of  Alexander  Severus. 
Another  brass  coin  of  the  same  Emperor,  and  the 
same  module,  bears  the  legend  of  restitvtor 
mon.  s.  c.,  and  represents  Alexander  wearing 
the  paludamcntum,  extending  his  right  arm, 
and  a spear  in  his  left  hand. 

Alexander  is  the  only  Emperor  who  boasts 
of  being  the  restorer  of  the  mint  (restitutor 
Moneta:  and  Moneta  restituta). — Eckhel,  in 
his  annotation  on  these  two  coins,  after  quoting 
a long  passage  from  Lampridius,  whom  he 
shews  to  be  no  safe  authority  to  guide  the 
opinion  of  a practical  numismatist,  appeals  to 
the  fact  that  the  silver  coinage  of  Alexander  is 
not  purer  than  that  of  preceding  reigns,  but 
rather  more  adulterated,  “so  that  (he  adds) 
were  it  not  for  the  testimony  of  the  above- 
named  author,  and  the  legends  of  the  medals 
in  question,  we  should  not  know'  that  this 
Emperor  had  made  any  improvement  whatever 
in  the  state  of  monetarv  affairs.” 

MONETA  IOVI  ET  HERCVLI  AVGG  — 
Moneta  with  her  attributes,  standing  between 
Jupiter  aud  Hercules,  standing  in  like  manner 
with  their  respective  attributes. — Brass  me- 
dallion of  Diocletian. 

The  brass  medallions  of  Diocletian  arc  rare, 
but  this  is  amongst  the  rarest  of  them,  and 
forms  a curious  deviation  from  the  common 
4 C 


MONETA.  561 

types  under  w'hich  the  Moneta  August orum  is 
represented. — We  here  see  depicted,  as  sup- 
porters on  each  hand  of  the  Monetary  Goddess, 
the  tutelary  divinities  of  those  two  cruel  per- 
secutors of  the  Christians — Diocletianus,  who 
called  himself  Jovius,  after  Jupiter,  and  Maxi- 
mianus,  who  assumed  the  name  of  Herculius, 
after  Hercules. 

MONETA  VRBIS  VESTRAE.  The  mint 
of  your  city. — This  unusual  expression  of 
Vestra  in  this  legend,  which  (accompanied  by 
the  three  Moneta)  is  found  on  brass  medallions 
of  Crispus,  and  Constautimis,  jun.,  indi- 
cates (according  to  the  opinion  of  Du  Cange,) 
that  the  right  of  coinage  was  conceded  to 
other  cities  besides  Rome,  from  the  period 
I when  Claudius  is  supposed  to  have  taken 
aw'ay  from  the  Senate  the  power  of  striking 
money. 

MONETA  SACRA.;  in  others  SACRA 
MONET.  AVGG.  ET  CAESS.  NOSTR. ; in 
others  SACRA  MON.  VRB.  AVGG.  ET 
j CAESS.  NN. — Woman  standing,  w'ith  balance 
and  cornucopia:.  On  second  brass  of  Diocletian. 
The  above  are  common  under  the  reign  of  this 
Emperor. 

The  divinitg  whom  the  avarice  of  individuals 
in  every  age  had  made  an  object  of  private 
adoration,  has  at  length  a public  expression  of 
honour  cousecratcd  to  her ; and  “ we  now  (says 
Eckhel)  find  Moneta  called  sacra.”  This  appella- 
tion was  assigned  to  the  public  mint,  doubtless, 
on  account  of  the  vast  advantages  which  it  con- 
fers on  mankind,  whom  in  return  it  behoves  to 
guard  that  institution  from  being  violated,  either 
by  adulteration  of  metal  or  diminution  iu  weight. 
Accordingly,  to  preserve  its  sacred  character, 
the  penalties  of  sacrilege  were  denounced  against 
offenders  of  this  description,  similar  to  those 
enacted  for  the  punishment  of  such  as  had 
dared  to  assault  the  Tribuni  Plebis. — The 
inscription  Sacra  Moneta  urbis,  which  from 
Diocletian’s  time  becomes  more  aud  more  fre- 
quent, is  recorded  on  the  marble,  cited  by 
Muratorius,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  which, 
as  appears  from  the  correct  emendation  of 
Marini,  is  read— CVRANTE  VAL.  PELAGIO 
Viro  Egregio  PROC uratore  Sacrae  Moneta 
Vrbis  VNA.  CVM.  P.P.  (prapositis)  ET. 
OFFICINATORIBVS.  Lastly,  it  may  be 
observed  that  long  before  this,  the  Antiochians 
used  the  inscription  MON^fa  VRBis  on  their 
coins. 

MONETAL  TRIUMVIRS. — From  the  com- 
mencement of  the  republican  form  of  govern- 
ment at  Rome,  the  coinage  of  money  was 
entrusted  to  three  officers,  who  bore  the  title  of 
lirviR,,  a. A. A.  F.F.,  which  signifies  Triumviri 
Auro,  Argento,  Aere,  Plando,  Feriundo.  The 
supposed  date  of  their  institution  is  about  the 
year  of  Rome  465  (289  before  Christ). — Julius 
Ca:sar  added  one  more  person  to  this  Monetary 
Triumvirate,  who  thus  became  iiiiviri.  But 
the  number  was  again  reduced  to  three  by 
Augustus. — From  their  first  institution  under 
the  republic,  these  Monetal  Magistrates  were 
invested  with  a supreme  degree  of  authority  in 


562  MONETARII. 

all  things  that  related  to  the  fabrication  of 
money ; a striking  proof  of  which  is  exhibited 
in  the  privilege  which  belonged  to  them  of  re- 
cording, by  means  of  types  and  legends,  facts 
connected  with  the  history  of  their  ancestors  or 
of  other  branches  of  their  families. — On  money 
struck  during  the  existence  of  the  republic,  and 
even  afterwards,  the  names  of  those  who  formed 
the  potent  triumvirate  of  the  mint,  together 
with  the  initial  letters  which  indicate  their 
office,  were  inscribed  on  medals  of  Roman 
die.  But  it  is  to  the  ancient  marbles  that  we 
are  obliged  to  resort  for  information  as  to  the 
different  appellations  given  to  the  workmen 
employed  in  the  various  processes  of  the 
coinage.  We  there  find  the  following  deno- 
minations : — Monelarii  ; Officinal  ores  moneta 
auraria,  argentaria,  Casaris ; Numutarii 
officinarum  argentareum ; Familia  monetaria  ; 
Numutarii  officinatores  moneta;  Exactores 
auri,  argenti,  aeris ; Signatores ; Suppostores ; 
Malleatores ; Flatores.  But  though  the  officers 
and  even  the  mere  artizans  of  the  mint  are  thus 
noticed,  yet  neither  the  coins  themselves,  nor 
any  writers  on  monuments  of  antiquity,  furnish 
the  slightest  particulars  respecting  the  artists 
who  engraved  the  dies  for  the  mint  of  Rome. 
There  is,  however,  an  antique  inscription, 
(edited  by  Marini),  which  bears  these  words — 
NOVELLIVS  AVG.  LIB.  ATIVTOR  PRAE- 
VOSitus  SCALPTORVM  SACRAE  MONE- 
TAE,— See  Triumviri  Monetales. 

MONETARII,  coiners,  or  workmen  of  the 
mint. — Amonst  the  Romans  they  formed,  with 
their  wives  and  their  children,  an  immense 
body,  exclusively  employed  in  the  fabrication  of 
specie,  and,  doubtless  paid  from  the  public 
treasury,  were  under  the  orders  of  particular 
magistrates.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed,  however, 
that  there  would  have  been  so  vast  a number  of 
them,  if  in  ancient  times  the  process  of  striking 
coins  had  been  as  simple  as  it  is  become  in  our 
days.— The  monelarii  were,  moreover,  of  the 
lowest  order,  and  classed  so  much  as  a matter 
of  course  amongst  those  who  follow  menial 
occupations,  that  the  path  to  honours  was  closed 
to  them,  and  their  position  in  society  differed 
little  from  that  of  slaves. — On  coins  of  the 
Cornelia  family,  edited  in  the  Pembroke  collec- 
tion, we  read  CVR.  j.  FL.  C V Hat  or  Dena- 
riorum  Fhandorum.  And  as  in  the  age  of 
Julius  and  of  Augustus,  Triumviri  or  Quatuorviri 
were  appointed  as  mint-masters,  so  in  the  reign 
of  Diocletian  and  his  successors,  the  super- 
intendents of  those  who  coined  the  money  of 
the  empire  were  called  Procuratores  Moneta, 
or  Prapositi  Moneta. 

The  monelarii  not  unfrcqucntly  made  blun- 
ders, especially  in  the  case  of  plated  coins, 
where  the  type  was  least  accordant  with  the 
legend. — Fra-lich  and  Morell  notice  many 
instances  of  monetal  errors  committed  by  the  i 
workmen,  and  amongst  others  that  of  producing 
a duplicate  impression  of  the  type  when  the 
medal  was  turned  on  the  die.  Of  these  lapsi 
monetarionim  several  examples  are  given  in  the 
Mu*.  Pembroeh. 


MONOGRAMMA. 

MONOGRAMMA.  Monogram — This  name 
is  given  to  a figure  which  joins  together  several 
letters,  so  that  they  seem  to  make  but  one. — 
Monograms  are  thus  characters  composed  of 
many  united  letters,  and  therefore  differ  from 
the  ligature  which  is  only  a connecting  stroke 
which  unites  several  letters.  Monograms, 
which  are  very  frequent  on  Greek  money,  are 
seldom  found  on  Latin  medals,  except  on  those 
of  Roman  families. — Millin,  in  his  Dictionnaire 
des  beaux  Arts , after  acknowledging  the  great 
learning  and  research  displayed  by  Montfaucon, 
Froclich,  Combe,  Torremuzza,  Pellcrin,  Rasche, 
and  other  distinguished  numismatists,  in  their 
endeavours  to  explain  the  meaning  of  mono- 
grams, observes  that  “ the  pains  thus  taken 
eau  hardly  be  regarded  as  otherwise  than  use- 
less, since  these  abbreviations  are  for  the  most 
part  incapable  of  bciug  deciphered,  and  to  be 
considered  in  no  other  light  than  as  conventional 
signs,  whose  signification  was  known  |>crhaps 
only  to  a few  persons.  Possibly  (he  adds)  these 
monograms  were  adopted  for  the  purpose  of 
throwing  difficulties  in  the  way  of  forgers.  It 
may  be  as  well  to  know  w hat  letters  are  repre- 
sented by  such  and  such  monograms,  but  with 
the  exception  of  some,  it  is  lost  labour  to 
attempt  to  discover  their  meaning.” 

Monograms  appear  on  coins  of  the  Ca/purnia, 
Didia,  Papiria,  and  other  Roman  families. 

MONOGRAMMA  CHRISTI.— The  mono- 
gram of  Christ  T3  is  observed  on  coins  of 
Constantine  the  Great,  Lieinius, juu., Con- 
stantine, jun.,Constans,Constantius  11.,  Vctranio, 
Magnentius,  Deceutius,  Constant  ius  Gallus, 
Jovianus,  Valentinianus  I.,  Valcns,  Procopius, 
Gratianus,  Valer.tiniauus  II.,  Theodosius,  Magnus 
Maximus,  Arcadius,  Houorius,  and  most  of  the 
Emperors  of  the  East  down  to  lleraclius. — See 
Decent  tus. 

MOS.  Moneta  Ostia  Signata. — These  initials 
are  found  under  the  exergue  of  coins  struck 
under  Maxentius  and  others. — Sec  Banduri,  who 
also  gives  mosp.  most,  mosta.  mostb.,  Ac. 

MOS.  S.  T.  orTR.  Moneta  Signata  Treveris. 
— Money  struck  at  Treves. 

M.  POP.  Marcus  Popitius. — Mark  Popilius, 
prsenomen  and  name  of  a man. 

M.  R.  P.  Moneta  Roma  Percussa. 

M.  S.  Masia  Superior. — P.  m.  s.  col.  vim. 
Provincia  Masia  Superioris  Colonia  Fimi- 
nacium. 

M.  S.  or  MVN.  S.  Manila  sunt. — Sec 
Qvod.  v.  M.  s.  Quod  Via  Manila  sunt ; on 
coins  of  Augustus. 

M.  S.  AVGG.  NOSTR.  Moneta  Sacra  An- 
gustorum  Nostrorum. — The  sacred  mint  of  our 
Emperors. 

MV.  Municipitm. — mv.  avgvsta  bilbilis, 
in  llispania  Tarraeonensis. 

MVCIVS ; name  of  the  Mucin  family. — C. 
Mucius  was  a distinguished  architect  in  the  time 
of  Marius,  about  v.c.  653. 

MVCIA.  A plebeian  family.  'Die  surname 
Cordus. — The  only  coin  attributed  to  it  is  one, 
respecting  which  it  holds  a contested  claim  for, 
with  the  Fujia  family.  The  denarius  in  question 


MUMMIA. 

has  on  its  obverse  kaleni,  with  two  jugated 
heads,  one  juvenile  and  laureated,  near  which 
are  the  letters  ho  ; and  the  other  juvenile  and 
helmeted,  near  which  is  the  word  virt. — 
Eckhel  remarks  that  the  Mucia  family  was 
equally  worthy  with  the  Fufia  to  claim  the  dis- 
tinction of  Honor  and  Virtus,  by  adorning  their 
medal  with  the  heads  of  those  favourite  Homan 
divinities.  This  silver  coin  is  rare.  That  in 
gold  is  pronouuced  by  Mionnet  to  be  false. 

MVL.  Multa. — mvl.  fel.  Multa  Felicia. — 
Vows  made  for  the  Emperors,  and  wishing 
them  prosperity  and  happiness. 

MVL.  X.  MVL.  XX.  MVLT.  XXX  — 
Multis  Decennalibus.  Multis  Vicennalibus. 
Multis  Tricennalibus. — Other  kinds  of  vows 
and  acclamations,  by  which  the  Emperors  were 
wished  long  life,  as  of  many  tens  or  scores 
of  years,  or  many  thirties  of  years,  &c. — See 
VOTA. 

MVLT.  XXXX.  Multis,  oi  Multiplicatis 
Quadricennalibus, — On  a gold  coin  of  Con- 
stantius  jun. — Eckhel,  Catal. 

Mules. — Vehicles  drawn  by  these  animals 
were  amongst  the  accustomed  shews  of  funeral 
pomp  connected  with  the  interment  of  womens’ 
remains.  It  was  a custom  borrowed  by  the 
Romaus  from  eastern  nations. 

The  Carpentum  Mu/are,  or  covered  chariot, 
with  two  mules,  is  a type  of  consecration.  [See 
Carpentum — Consecratio — Thensa7\  One  of 

these  with  the  epigraph  s.p.q.r.  ivliae  avgvst., 
in  honour  of  Livia,  appears  on  a first  brass  of 
Tiberius. — A funeral  biga  of  mules  appears  on 
large  brass  of  Agrippina,  wife  of  Germanicus ; 
and  of  Domililla,  wife  of  Vespasian,  with  the 
word  memoriae  preceding  their  respective 
names. — The  same  type  appears  on  a silver  coin 
of  Marciana,  Trajan’s  sister,  with  the  epigraph 
consecratio;  and  also  on  a first  brass  of 
Faustina  senior. — A carpentum,  drawn  by  two 
mules,  appears  on  a rare  first  brass  of  Julia 
Titi , struck  after  her  death,  under  the  15th 
consulate  of  Domitian,  and  which  by  the  sacred 
title  of  diva  prefixed  to  her  name,  proves  that 
that  princess  had  been  placed  by  her  “ incestuous 
uncle”  in  the  rank  of  divinities. — But  we  see 
other  instances,  as  the  intelligent  author  of 
Logons  de  Numismatique  Romaine  says,  that 
“ the  car  and  pair  of  mules  were  not  exclusively 
appropriated  to  designate  consecrations.” 

MVMMIA,  a plebeian  family,  but  of  con- 
sular rank. — Goltzius  alone,  and  on  his  autho- 
rity Morell  assign  coins  to  it,  which,  however, 
are  not  recognised  either  by  Eckhel,  Mionnet, 
or  Akerman. 

MVN.  or  MVNT.  Municipium. — mvn.  avg. 
bi i. bills.  Municipium  Augusta  Bilbilis. — The 
municipality  of  Augusta  Bilbilis. 

MVN.  CAL.  IVL.  Municipium  Calaguris 
Julia. — See  Calaguris. 

MVN.  CLVN.  Municipium  Clunia. — Muni- 
cipium of  Clunia,  an  ancient  city  of  Spain  (now 
Corunna.) 

MVN.  PANE.  AEL.  Municipium  Fanestre 
jElium. 

MVNICIP.  STUB,  or  STOBENS. — Muni- 
4 C 2 


MVNATIA. — MUNICIPIA.  563 

cipium  Stobensium. — Municipium  of  the  Sto- 
bians,  in  Macedonia. 

MVNIC.  ITAL.  PER.  AVG. — Municipium 
ItalicensePermissuAugusti. — The  Italian  Muni- 
cipality (of  Hispania  Boctica,  now  Andalusia), 
bv  permission  of  the  Emperor. 

MVN.  IVL.  VTICEN.  D.  D.  P.  V.—Muni- 
cipii  Julii  Uticensis  Decuriones  Posuere. — 
The  Decurions  of  the  Municipality  of  Utica ; 
(or,  of  Julius,  of  Utica),  have  placed,  &c. 

MVNICIPI  PARENS. — See  Vaillant  (Priest. 
Num.  Impp,  iii.  104). 

MVN.  TVR.  or  MV.  TV. — Municipium 
Turiaso,  in  Hispania  Tarraconensis. 

MVN  AT.  Munatius. 

MVNATIA,  a plebeian  family,  surnamed 
Plancus. — L.  Munatius  Plancus  joined  Ciesar 
the  Dictator,  and  in  the  beginning  of  the  civil 
war  in  Spain  took  up  arms  against  L.  Afraniu%; 
was  appointed  by  Cmsar  Prefect  of  Rome,  and 
next  governed  in  Gaul  as  Pro-consul.  After- 
wards, in  v.c.  714,  Mark  Antony  promoted  him 
to  the  government  of  Asia ; and  he  served  his 
second  Consulship  in  718. — Morell  notes  three 
varieties  in  the  coins  of  the  Munatia  family. — 
Its  gold  and  silver  pieces  were  struck  under 
Mark  Antony,  and  are  rare,  particularly  the 
latter  ; one  of  which  is  inscribed  L.  PLANCVS 
PRAEFec/«i  VRBij — and  another  bears  the 
same  surname  followed  by  PRO  COnSul. 

The  following  rare  coin,  struck  in  gold  and 
silver  by  the  monetal  triumvir,  by  order  of  his 
patron  and  chief  Mark  Antony,  is  curious  from 
its  exhibition  of  sacrificial  instruments  and  re- 
ligious symbols : — 

M.  ANTON.  IMP.  AVGwr  IIIVIR.  R.  P.  C. 
— The  lituus  and  the  prscfcriculum. 

Rev  — L.  PLANCVS  IMP.  ITER.— The 
pricfericulum  between  a thunderbolt  and  a 
caduceus. 

For  a further  account  of  Munatius  Plancus, 
and  some  remarks  on  a brass  medal  of  extreme 
rarity,  bearing  the  head  of  that  consular  per- 
sonage, see  the  word  Plancus. 

M VNICIPIA. — This  name  was  given  to  towns 
in  the  Roman  provinces,  whose  inhabitants  had 
obtained  from  the  Senate,  with  the  consent  of 
the  people,  some  or  all  of  the  civic  rights 
and  privileges  of  Rome,  and  were  allowed  to 
govern  themselves  by  their  own  lawrs. — Some- 
times the  colonics  Romanorum  arc  called  muni- 
cipia ; but  this  appears  to  arise  from  writers 
being  in  the  habit  of  indiscriminately  using  one 
word  for  the  other.  That  there  was,  however, 
a marked  distinction  between  the  colonics  and 
the  municipia,  and  that  the  superiority  of  con- 
dition rested  with  the  latter,  is  shewn  by  a 
passage  in  Aulus  Gellius,  wherein  he  relates 
that  the  Emperor  Hadrian  expressed  his  in- 
dignant surprise  that  the  inhabitants  of  Italica, 
(in  Spain,)  the  place  whence  he  himself  derived 
his  origin,  and  which  had  been  elevated  to  the 
rank  of  a municipium,  should  have  petitioned 
him  to  bestow  on  them  the  rights  of  a colony. 

Among  the  privileges  granted  by  Rome,  under 
her  Emperors,  to  these  municipal  cities,  was 
' the  right  of  coinage;  and  taking  as  their  inha- 


564  MUNIFICENTIA. 

bitants  did  the  title  of  Roman  citizens,  they  I 
were  subject  to  no  burthens  or  offices  but  such  j 
as  were  imposed  on  the  Romans  themselves.  It 
is  not  precisely  known  what  were  the  nature  aud 
extent  of  power  yielded  in  this  instance;  but 
the  towns  on  whom  these  peculiar  privileges 
were  conferred  did  not  fail  to  stamp  on  their 
money  the  name  of  Munieipium. — On  those  of 
the  Spanish  provinces  a bull  appears  to  be  the 
customary  symbol ; as  may  be  seen  on  coins  of 
Cascantum,  Ercaviea,  Graccurris,  Osicerda,  &c. — 
For  a review  of  the  Municipia  of  Imperial 
medals,  see  Vaillaut’s  learned  and  unique  work 
on  the  Colonies  of  llome ; of  the  principal 
points  of  information  contained  in  which  an 
analysis  has  been  attempted  in  this  Dictionary. 

MVNIFICENTIA.  Munificence. — Another 

term  for  expressing  the  magnificent  liberality  of 
the  reigning  prince  to  the  Roman  people,  in 
giving  them  public  shews,  or  spectacles,  with 
the  accustomed  exhibition  of  games.  We  find 
it  commonly  represented  on  coins  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  Commodus,  Severus,  aud  Elagabaltis,  by 
the  symbol  of  a lion  or  of  an  elephant.  On  a 
brass  medallion  of  Gordiauus  Pius,  which  pre- 
sents the  figure  of  a man  sitting  on  an  elephant, 
and  fighting  with  a bull  in  the  Flavian  amphi- 
theatre, the  inscription  added  is  mvnificentia 
gordiani  avg. — The  incomparable  munificence 
of  Hadrian  is  most  elegantly  complimented  on 
that  most  rare  coin,  in  first  brass,  which  bears 
the  epigraph  locvpletatori  oiusis  terrarvm. 
— The  munificence  displayed  by  different  Em- 
perors, at  stated  times,  in  the  distribution  of 
largesses  to  the  Roman  people  is  frequently  re- 
corded on  their  coins,  nuder  the  designation  of 

CONGIAR1A  DATA  POP.R.,or  I.1BERAMTAS  AVG. 

Other  examples  of  imperial  munificence,  cither  in 
the  remission  of  taxes  (centesimal,  ducentesima, 
guadragesima),  or  in  the  abolition  of  out- 
standing claims  on  state-debtors  are  to  be  found 
in  the  same  series  of  Roman  coins. 

MVNIFICENTIA  AVG.  COS.  I ill. — An 
elephant  harnessed  in  armour.  The  types  of 
two  coins  (the  former  a brass  medallion,  the 
latter  a second  brass,)  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
most  clearly  explain  what  Capitolinus  relates  of 
that  Emperor.  “He  gave  public  spectacles, 
(munera)  iu  which  were  exhibited  elephants, 
and  crocuta  (a  mongrel  beast  of  Ethiopia),  and 
bouquetins  (strepsiccrota:)  with  tigers , and  all 
rare  animals  from  every  part  of  the  world. 
He  also  shewed  a hundred  lions  at  one  dis- 
play.”— It  is  nuder  this  prince  that  the  epigraph 
mvnificentia  first  appeared  on  coins  (to  which 
Eekhel  assigns  the  date  v.c.  902),  though  it 
became  of  frequent  occurrence  in  subsequent 
reigns,  with  the  accompanying  type  of  some 
wild  or  foreign  animal  destined  to  be  hunted  in 
the  arena  of  the  amphitheatre.  For  the  word 
munus  was  used  by  the  old  writers  to  signify 
a shew  of  wild  beasts,  or  a combat  of  gladiators, 
as  Cicero  says — Magnificent  issi  ma  vero  nostri 
Pompeii  munera  secundo  consulatu. — (Sec 
Eekhel,  vol.  vii.  p.  19.) 

It  is  also  to  be  observed  that  on  the  second 
coin  the  elephant  is  represented  in  a covering  of 


MUNIFICENTIA. 

armour  (loricatus).  The  first  type  of  this  kind 
is  seen  on  medals  of  Titus,  about  the  year  of 
Rome  833.  That  it  alludes  to  the  games  then 
celebrated  by  that  Emperor  is  more  fully  proved, 
because  of  Titus  it  is  said  by  Suetonius — et 
tamen  nemine  ante  se  mvnificentia  minor. 
Amphitheatro  dedicato,  t/iermisque  juxta  cele- 
riter  exstructis,  munus  edidit  adparatissimum, 
largissimumque.- — The  same  type  of  a loricated 
clephaut,  with  the  legend  mvnificentia  avg. 
recurs  on  coins  of  Commodus,  in  the  year  v.c. 
936  (when  lie  shewed  his  wondrous  skill  in 
archer)’  at  a public  spectacle),  and  also  on  coins 
of  Severus  in  950  (before  he  set  out  on  his 
Parthian  expedition),  and  is  therefore  to  be 
regarded  like  that  of  Gordianus  Pius  above 
quoted,  as  indicating  some  grand  display  of 
Roman  prodigality  and  cruelty  in  the  sports  and 
combats  of  the  amphitheatre. — See  FAephant. 

MVNIFICENTIA  GORDIAN  I AVG.— The 
Flavian  Amphitheatre,  in  which  a bull  and  an 


elephant  (the  latter  with  a man  sitting  on  it)  arc 
opposed  to  each  other.  On  each  side  of  the 
amphitheatre  is  an  edifice ; by  the  side  of  that 
on  the  left  stands  a colossal  figure  of  Hercules. 

To  a description  of  this  remarkable  type, 
which  appears  on  a brass  medallion  of  Gor- 
dianus III.,  Eekhel  appends  the  following 
illustrative  note.  After  adverting  to  the 
word  Munificentia,  accompanied  with  the  figure 
of  an  elephant  on  coins  of  Antoninus  Pius  (see 
preceding  column  of  this  work),  he  says — “Livy 
has  recorded  that  elephants  first  appeared  in  the 
games  of  the  circus,  in  the  year  v.c.  586. 
Extravagance  keeping  pace  with  the  increase  of 
wealth,  they  were  frequently  introduced  into  the 
spectacle,  and  afforded  a sight,  not  only  ex- 
traordinary, but  in  many  instances  pitiable. 
Pompey  the  Great,  in  his  second  Considate, 
exhibited  altogether  eighteen  of  these  animals, 
which,  wouuded  and  mutilated  as  they  were 
during  the  progress  of  the  performances,  met 
with  the  commiseration  even  of  the  people, 
when,  on  feeling  tlicir  wounds  they  desisted 
from  the  combat,  and  moving  round  the  circus, 
with  their  trunks  lifted  into  the  air,  they 
appeared  to  entreat  the  interference  of  the 
spectators,  and  to  rail  their  lords  to  witness, 
reminding  them,  ns  it  were,  of  the  oath  by 
which  they  had  been  induced  to  allow  them- 
selves to  be  allured  from  Africa.  This  is  Dion’s 
account;  to  which  Pliny,  writing  on  the  same 


MURCUS. — MU  RENA. 

subject,  adds  that  the  people  were  so  excited 
with  indignation  at  this  spectacle,  that  dis- 
regarding the  general  in  chief  (imperator),  and 
the  signal  munificence  displayed  by  him  in  their 
honour,  they  rose  as  one  man,  with  tears  in 
their  eyes,  and  showered  on  Pompey  impreca- 
tions, the  weight  of  which  he  soon  afterwards 
experienced. — Cicero,  also,  who  was  a spectator 
on  the  occasion,  has  related,  that  great  as  was 
the  astonishment  of  the  people,  they  felt  no 
gratification  at  the  sight,  hut  rather  that  a feel- 
ing of  pity  followed  the  exhibition,  and  an 
opinion  that  there  was  a kind  of  affinity  between 
that  animal  and  the  human  race. — “ For  myself,” 
adds  Eckhcl,  “ I would  willingly  bestow  my  praise 
on  the  feeling  displayed  by  the  people,  who 
suffered  themselves  to  be  touched  by  the  toils 
and  pains  even  of  beasts.  But  I am  reluctantly 
compelled  to  withhold  my  commendations,  when 
I reflect  on  the  inconsistent  sympathies  of  this 
same  populace,  which,  desiring  that  the  blood 
of  brutes  should  be  spared,  could  feed  its  eyes 
and  thoughts  with  the  slaughter  of  human 
beings  in  the  arena. — I now  recur  to  the  coin 
itself,  which  represents  the  Amphitheatre  of 
the  Flavii  (at  Rome),  and  within  it,  in  addition 
to  the  elephant,  a bull  also ; for  these  animals 
used  anciently  to  be  pitted  against  each  other ; 
Martial  having  described  such  a combat.” — 
Doct.  Num.  Vet.  vol.  vii.  p.  315. 

MURAL  CROWN. — The  Corona  Muralis 
was  given  by  the  Emperor  to  him  wrho  first 
scaled  the  wall  or  fortifications  of  an  enemy’s 
town  or  camp. — M.  Agrippa  was  decorated  with 
both  the  mural  and  the  rostral  crown ; with  the 
former  for  having  suppressed  an  insurrection  in 
Rome ; and  he  bore  the  latter  also  on  account 
of  his  victory  over  Sextus  Pompey. — The  mural 
crown  is  an  attribute  of  Cybele  ; and  its  turreted 
circlet  is  found  adorning  the  head  of  those 
images  which  serve  as  the  personifications  of 
cities  and  provinces. — See  Coiona. 

M.  VRB.  Moneta  Vrbis. — The  mint  or 
money  of  the  City. — See  m.  vrb.  avgg.  et. 
Caess.  JJ.N.  Sacra  Moneta  Vrbis  Augustorurn 
Et  Casarum  Nostrorum. — On  a coin  of  Con- 
stantins Chlorus. 

MVRCVS,  surname  of  L.  Statius,  as  it  is 
read  on  a coin  of  the  Statia  family. 

MVRENA,  surname  of  the  Licinia  family. 

MVREX,  a shell  fish,  of  the  liquor  whereof 
was  made  the  celebrated  purple  of  the  Tyrians  ; 
accordingly  it  forms  the  numismatic  symbol  of 
Tyre. — It  is  said  that  the  inventor  of  this 
purple  dye  made  the  discovery  by  accidentally 
observing  the  jaws  of  his  dog  tinctured  with  the 
liquor  of  the  murex. — A colonial  medal  of  Tyre, 
struck  under  Elagabalus,  and  another  under 
Gallienus,  are  given  by  Vaillant  as  exhibiting 
the  murex,  or  conc/tylium. — See  Tyrus. 

MVS — -a  mouse  or  rat — the  figure  of  one  is 
seen  under  a horse  on  a coin  of  the  Quinctia 
family,  on  which  are  the  letters  TI.  Q. — 
Havercamp  not  improbably  conjectures  that  this 
medal  refers  to  some  Tiberius  Quinctitis , 
who  perhaps  had  the  surname  (like  JDetius) 
of  Mas. 


MUSjE.  565 

MYS.-E  (Muses),  the  goddesses  of  song,  of 
verse,  and  of  civilization,  given  to  mankind 
through  the  medium  of  music  and  poesy. — 
The  daughters  of  Jupiter  and  of  Mnemosyne 
(Memory),  their  usual  abode  were  the  heights 
of  Parnassus,  except  when  they  assisted  at  the 
banquets  of  the  gods.  At  first  there  were  only 
three  of  them,  but  the  poets  successively  in- 
creased their  number  to  nine,  and  artists  repre- 
sented them  sometimes  together,  at  others  in 
separate  figures,  in  a great  variety  of  com- 
positions. Amongst  the  rest,  the  muses  are 
found  on  the  denarii  of  the  Pomponia  family, 
on  account  of  the  analogy  between  the  name  of 
Pomponius  Musa  (who  caused  their  images  to 
be  thus  exhibited),  and  the  generic  designation 
of  these  “ Heavenly  maids.”  They  are  ordi- 
narily depictured  in  long  dresses  and  the  neck 
covered.  Sometimes,  however,  the  shoulder 
and  the  arm  are  naked,  to  facilitate  their  per- 
formance on  the  cithara  or  harp. — At  Rome 
one  temple  of  worship  was  common  to  them 
and  to  Hercules  Mvsayetes. 

In  Morell’s  Thesaurus  Pam.  Rom.,  amongst 
the  coins  of  the  Pomponia  family,  are  given  the 
types  of  denarii,  on  which  Ursin,  Vaillant,  and 
Havercamp  have,  each  in  their  turn,  exercised 
their  spirit  of  research  and  ingenuity,  to  dis- 
tinguish successively  by  their  habiliments  and 
attributes  the  respective  personifications  of  the 
whole  choral  troup.  The  same  difficulty  has, 
however,  opposed  itself  to  the  success  of  this 
attempt  at  discriminating  the  different  demi- 
goddesses,  which  is  experienced  with  regard  to 
the  sculptures  of  the  celebrated  sarcophagus 
published  by  Spon ; because,  unlike  the  case  of 
the  Herculaneum  pictures,  no  names  of  muses 
are  inscribed,  but  the  inquirer  is  left  to  identify 
each  member  of  the  “ tuneful  choir,”  merely 
from  the  accompanying  insignia,  which  are  not 
in  all  instances  either  clearly  delineated,  or  ex- 
clusively appropriated. — Of  each  of  this  series, 
the  obverse  bears  the  head  of  a young  female, 
laureated,  (representing  the  muse,)  with  a 
vo/umeu,  or  a star,  or  a garland,  or  some  other 
distinctive  mark,  behind  it. — On  the  reverse  we 
see  a female  figure,  and  the  words  mvsa.  q. 
pomponi. — The  types  and  substance  of  the  ex- 
planations are  as  follow,  viz. : — 

Calliope,  the  inventor  of  the  heroic  poem 
(carmen  heroicum)  stands  holding  in  her  right 
hand  a rolled  volume,  her  left  aim  resting  on 
a column,  with  the  epigraph  q.  pomponivs 
mvsa. 

Clio,  inventress  of  the  lyre  (cithara),  stands 
holding  against  her  side  with  the  left  hand  that 
musical  instrument,  the  strings  of  which  she 
touches  with  her  right,  as  if  playing  on  it,  not 
with  the  plectrum,  but  (what  was  more  highly 
esteemed)  with  the  fingers. 

Erato,  who  invented  hymns  to  the  Gods,  is 
represented  as  if  singing ; with  dishevelled  locks 
she  stands,  clothed  in  the  stola,  quietly  hold- 
ing her  right  hand  thrust  into  her  vest ; the 
graphium,  or  iron  pen,  is  in  her  left  hand, 
which  hangs  down. 

Euterpe,  the  inventor  of  Tragedy,  stands 


566  MUSSIDIA. 

resting  her  right  haud  on  a club,  and  holding 
a mask  in  her  left. — The  sceptrum  (says 
Havercamp  in  Morell)  which  appears  behind 
the  head  of  the  female  on  the  obverse  of  this 
denarius  shews  to  what  muse  the  image  on  its 
reverse  is  to  be  assigned,  viz.,  to  Euterpe,  to 
whom,  as  above  stated,  the  invention  of  Tragedy 
was  imputed  by  the  Greeks. 

In  describing  Tragedia  herself,  Ovid  says — 
Lava  maims  sceptrum  late  regale  tenebat. 

The  costume  and  attributes  of  the  muse  on  this 
coin  are  singular : she  not  only  holds  a massy 
club,  but  she  wears  the  lion’s  skin  for  a head- 
dress. The  carmen  tragicum  seems  to  have  been 
regarded  by  Ovid  as  robust,  violent,  immortal, 
and  therefore  truly  Herculean.  Thus  he  sings 
(in  his  Amor.  iii.  1.  68) : — 

Exiguum  vati  concede,  Tragadia.  tempos. 

T u,  labor  aternus,  quod  petit  ilia,  breve  est. 

Melpomene,  to  whom  Horace  ascribes  the 
epigram,  stands  playing  on  a barbiton  resting 
on  a pillar  before  her ; the  right  hand,  with 
extended  fingers,  strikes  the  strings,  and  the 
left  supports  the  instrument.  She  seems  to  be 
accompanying  her  voice  on  this  harp. 

Potymnia,  to  whom  the  invention  of  the 
barbiton  is  attributed  by  Horace  (L.  i.  Od.  i.), 
stands  with  right  hand  hanging  down,  holding 
the  plectrum  : she  supports  the  lyre  in  her  left 
hand,  and  her  right  foot  is  slightly  uplifted. 
This  last  named  attitude  alone  (as  we  are  told) 
proclaims  this  type  to  be  that  of  “ Polgmnia 
mater  chorea for  it  was  by  the  silent  move- 
ment of  the  foot  that  regular  time  was  given  to 
the  song.  And  thus  on  this  denarius  the 
goddess  (as  Havercamp  quotes  from  Virgil  (in 
Catalectis,) 

Carmina  vultu 

Signal  cuncta,  manu,  loquitur  Polyhymnia  gestu. 

Terpsichore,  who  taught  the  act  of  playing 
on  the  pipes  (calamos  inflare)  is  recognised  by 
Morell  in  the  female  figure,  clothed  in  the  stola, 
who  stands  supporting  her  head  on  her  left  hand, 
which  she  rests  on  a column,  whilst  she  holds 
two  flutes  (tibia)  in  her  right  hand. — Others, 
however,  refer  this  type  to  Euterpe. 

Thalia,  the  inventress  of  comedy,  and 
delineator  of  the  manners  of  society,  stands 
with  her  left  elbow  resting  on  a column,  and 
holding  a theatric  mask  in  her  right  hand. 

Urania,  the  muse  of  astronomy,  stands 
before  a globe  placed  on  a tripod,  which  she 
touches  with  a wand  held  in  her  right  hand. — 
According  to  the  old  Greek  epigram,  Urania 
discovered  the  pole,  or  point  of  the  axis,  on 
which  the  ancients  supposed  the  heavens  to  be 
turned,  and  also  the  mystic  dance  of  the  stars 
(chorus  celestium  aslrorum ). — For  this  reason 
a star  is  placed  behind  the  head  of  this  muse  on 
the  obverse  of  the  medal. 

MVSARVM. — See  Hercules  Musarum. 

MVSSIDI.  Mussidius. 

MVSS1D1A,  a family  little  known,  except 
on  the  coins  of  Rome  struck  during  the  latest 
days  of  her  republic.  Its  surname  is  Longus. — 
The  silver  are  rare.  There  are  pieces  of  this 


MUTUA.— NAEVIA. 

family,  in  gold  and  silver,  struck  by  the  moncycrs 
of  Julius  Caisar  and  of  the  triumvirate  (Antony, 
Lepidus,  and  Octavius). — The  brass  coins  of  the 
Mussidia  family  are  by  the  moneyers  of  Augustus, 
and  are  common. 

Among  twenty  varieties  given  in  Morell, 
there  is  a denarius  of  this  family,  bearing  on  one 
side  either  a portrait  of  Jidius  Osar,  or  the 
radiated  head  of  the  Sun,  or  the  head  of  Con- 
cordia ; and,  on  the  reverse,  a representation  of 
the  Comitium,  in  which  is  seen  a distributer 
(diribitor)  of  voting  tablets,  and  a citizen 
giving  his  suffrage.  On  the  base  of  the  comitium 
is  inscribed  cloacin,  and  above  it  is  read  L. 
m vssidivs  lon'gvs. — See  C/oacina,  and  Comi- 
tium. 

MVTVA. — Mutual,  reciprocated,  equal  on 
both  sides. — Sec  caritas  mvtva  avgg. — amor 
mvtvvs. — pi  etas  mvtva. — On  coins  of  tialbinus 
and  Pupienus. 

Mysteries  of  Bacchus. — See  Cista  Mystica ; 
also  ASIA  RECEPTA. 


N. 

N.  the  thirteenth  letter  of  the  Latins,  is  to 
be  observed  as  a mint  mark  (ad  matrices 
discernendas)  on  coins  of  the  Antonia,  Cal- 
purnia,  Cornelia,  Fabia,  Hcrennia,  Julia, 
Junia,  Mamilia,  Poblicia,  Scrvilia,  Sulpicia, 
and  other  Roman  families. 

N.  is  also  seen  on  the  exergue,  and  in  the 
field  of  coins  of  Gallienus,  Claudius  Gothicus, 
Quintillus,  Probus,  Diocletian,  and  of  a subse- 
quent age. 

N.  This  letter  signifies  Natalis  (birth),  or 
Nepos  (nephew),  or  N'obilis  (nohlc),  or  Noster 
(ours),  or  Novus — Nova  (new),  or  Nurncn 
(divinity),  or  Numus  (money). 

NN.  Xoslri. — The  double  N,  like  the  double 
D and  double  G,  denotes  the  plural,  thus  dd. 
nn.  avgg.  liominorum  Nostrorum  Augustorum. 
This  letter  is  three  times  repeated  ou  a coin  of 
Constans,  and  on  another  of  Valcus,  to  express 
three  Augusfi — avggg.  nnn. — and  four  times 
repeated  on  medals  of  Constantius  Chlorus, 
Diocletian,  and  Val.  Maximianus,  to  acknow- 
ledge the  authority  of  two  emperors  and  two 
Cicsars — as  for  example,  avgg.  et.  caess. 

NNNN. 

NAEVIA,  a plebeian  family — its  name  naevtvs 
— its  surnames  bai.bus,  capella,  surdinus. — 
The  silver  coins,  of  which  there  are  many 
varieties,  arc  common.  Its  brass  pieces  are  by 
the  moneyers  of  Augustus.  None  of  them  arc 
interesting ; very  few  rare. 

Head  of  Venus,  with  s.  c.  in  the  field. 

Rev. — C.  NAEctks  HALIW.  Victory  in  a 
car  drawn  by  three  horses,  at  full  sjiced. 

The  denarii  of  this  type  arc  all  serrated. 

Names  on  coins  of  Roman  families. — See 
Nomina  Romanorum. 

NARBON ENSIS.  The  Narbonnaise;  part 
of  Gaul,  which,  under  the  Romans,  comprised 
Savoy,  Dauphiny,  Provence,  the  Ccvennes,  the 
county  of  Foil,  and  the  rest  of  Laugucdoc. 


NASIDIA.— NASO. 

NASIDIA,  a family  whose  name  comes  for- 
ward late,  and  whose  rank  is  plebeian.  Some 
silver  coins,  however,  bearing  the  name  of  this 
family,  are  by  Sextus  Pompey ; and  the  follow- 
ing is  both  rare  and  interesting  : — 


neptvni.  The  head  of  Pompey  the  Great, 
in  front  of  which  is  a trident. 

Rev. — Q.  nasi  »i  vs.  A ship  with  sails  spread. 
— This  Nasidius  was  the  prefect  (or  admiral)  of 
Sextus  Poinpey’s  fleet  in  Sicily,  and  afterwards 
served  in  the  same  capacity  under  the  appoint- 
ment of  Mark  Antony  — See  neptvni. 

NASO,  surname  of  the  Axia  family,  the  first 
man  of  which  had  perhaps  a large  nose.  L. 
axivs  l.  f.  naso. — It  was  the  cognomen  of 
Ovid,  OVIDIVS  NASO. 

NAT.  Natalis.  Relating  to  birth. — ann. 
DCCCLXxim.  nat.  vrb.  circ.  con.  Anno 
874.  Natalis  Urbis  Circenses  Constituit,  on 
a coin  of  Hadrian,  allusive  to  certain  games 
of  the  circus,  or  combats,  instituted  on  the 
anniversary  day  of  the  foundation  of  Rome, 
noticed  in  pp.  202  and  203  of  this  Dic- 
tionary. 

NAT.  Nato. — See  Constantino  p.  avg. 
b.r.p.  nat.  Bono  Rei  Public ee  Nato. 

NAVALIS  CORONA. — The  naval  crown 
was  given  to  him  who  was  the  first  to  board  an 
enemy’s  ship. — See  Corona. 

NAVIS — a ship  or  galley. — See  the  former 
word. 

The  representation  of  a ship’s  prow  is  the 
customary  symbol  of  the  Roman  As  and  its 
parts. — See  Eckhel’s  explanation  as  to  its 
cause. — vol.  v.  p.  14. 

NAVIS  PRETORIA — or  admiral’s  ship. — 
See  Pretoria  Navis. 

NAVIVS. — The  Augur  Nmvius,  with  head 
veiled,  and  holding  the  lituus  in  his  left  hand, 
kneels  before  Tarquinius  Priscus,  who  stands 
clothed  in  the  toga,  and  sees  with  astonishment 
the  miiacle  performed  of  cutting  a whetstone 
in  two  with  a razor. 

This  inscription  and  type  on  a brass  medallion 
of  Antoninus  Pius,  assist  in  handing  down, 
from  the  mass  of  Roman  traditions  that  notable 
prodigy  performed  by  Accius  Navius  for  the 
timely  and  effectual  removal  of  all  doubts  in 
the  King’s  mind  as  to  the  veritable  powers  of 
augury  ! — See  Augur. 

N.  C.  Nero  Ceesar — or  Nobilissimus  Casar — 
or  Noslri  (hesaris. 

N.  CAPR. — Letters  struck  on  some  coins  of 
Augustus,  Germanicus,  Drusus,  Antonia  Drusi, 
Claudius,  and  Agrippina.  Some  numismatists 
think  that  it  signifies  N ota  Cusa  or  N ummus 
Cusus,  A P opulo  Pomano. 


NEAPOLIS.  567 

NEAPOLIS,  the  name  of  many  ancient 
cities;  that  which,  on  account  of  its  Latin 
coins  alone,  comes  within  our  province  to  notice, 
is  Nea]>olis,  in  Samaria,  situate  at  the  base  of 
Mount  Garizim,  and  called  Sichern  in  our 
Saviour’s  time.  Its  modern  name  is  Naplouse 
or  Napulosa. 

It  was  near  “ Sichem,  in  the  plain  of 
Moreh,”  that  (Genesis  12)  the  Patriaich  Abra- 
ham dwelt,  and  built  an  altar  to  the  Lord,  as 
did  also  his  descendant  Jacob  (Genesis  33).  Of 
this  place  there  are  Imperial  coins,  with  Greek 
legends,  from  Titus  and  Domitian  to  Antoninus 
Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  Commodus,  Caracalla, 
Elagabalus,  and  Maximinus.  It  was,  as  is 
believed,  made  a Roman  colony  by  Philip 
senior,  for  the  first  coins  struck  by  the  Samarian 
Neapolis,  in  its  colonial  quality,  have  the  head 
of  that  Emperor,  and  from  his  reign  to  that 
of  Volusianus,  its  coins  bear  Latin  as  well  as 
Greek  inscriptions.  The  former  run — con. 
NEAPOL. ; or  COE.  SEllG.  NEAPOL.  ; or  COL. 
NEAPOL.  NEOCORO. 

The  following  are  the  types  which  appear  on 
coins  of  this  colony,  on  every  one  of  which 
(besides  the  particular  subject)  appears  a mount 
with  a temple  upon  it,  pointing  to  the  site  of 
Neapolis  Samarise,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
Mount  Garizim : — 

Colonist  ploughing  with  oxen.— On  a middle 
brass  of  Neapolis  Samaria:  dedicated  to  Otacilia, 
wife  of  Philip,  appears  this  customary  symbol 
of  a Roman  colony,  above  which  is  a temple  on 
a mountain. 

Cybele,  seated  between  two  lions,  a patera  in 
her  right  hand,  a cymbalum  in  her  left ; above 
her  is  a mount  with  a temple  upon  it,  with 
legend  of  col.  neapol.  Colonia  Neapolis,  or 
Neapolitana. — On  second  brass  of  Philip  senior. 
The  goddess  is  represented  on  this  medal  as 
having  been  worshipped  at  Neapolis. 

Aesculapius  and  Hygeia. — On  a second  brass 
of  the  same  Emperor,  the  God  of  Medicine, 
seated,  extends  his  right  hand  towards  the 
Goddess  of  Health,  who  is  standing  opposite 
him ; both  are  respectively  distinguished  by  their 
usual  attributes. — The  legend  of  this  coin  is 
COL.  serg.  neapol.  Colonia Sergia Neapolis.  At 
the  upper  part  of  this  medal  is  a temple  on  a rock. 

SEltGfrz,  or  Sergiana,  or  Sergiapolitana,  is 
placed  on  this  coin  instead  of  its  former  appella- 
tion of  Flavia,  which  it  bore  in  honour  of 
Vespasian  and  his  family,  under  whom  it  first 
began  to  strike  money.  But  why  Neapolis 
should  have  adopted  this  word,  after  Philip  had 
made  it  a colony,  is  difficult  to  comprehend. 
Vaillant  ingeniously  conjectures  that  the  colonists 
selected  and  sent  by  the  last  named  Emperor 
belonged  to  the  tribe  called  Sergia  at  Rome,  and 
hence  the  appellation  on  Philip’s  coin.  Escu- 
kpius  and  Hygeia  were  deities  of  the  colony, 
and  their  images  were  perhaps  engraven  on  the 
above  medal,  in  commemoration  of  sacrifices 
performed  by  the  Neapolitans  of  Samaria  for 
Philip  the  founder. 

Silenus. — On  two  medals  of  this  colony, 
inscribed  to  the  same  Emperor,  Silenus  stands 


568  NEAPOLIS. 

in  the  usual  manner ; before  him  is  a temple  on 
a rock.  On  one  of  these  medals  (of  which  the 
rarity  is  very  great)  an  eagle  stands  at  the  foot 
of  Silenus,  with  legend  col.  sekg.  neapo. — 
On  the  obverse  of  the  same  coin  appear  the 
laurcated  heads  of  the  two  Philips,  father  and 
son,  with  the  inscription  d.d.  n.n.  phii.ippis 
avgg.  Dominis  Nostris  Phi/ippis  Augustis. 


The  example  selected  for  illustration  is  taken 
from  a brass  coin  in  the  British  Museum.  It  is 
explained  by  the  description  given  of  the  pre- 
ceding varieties. 

The  image  of  the  associate  of  Bacchus  war- 
rants the  inference  that  as  one  of  the  minor 
deities  the  Pagan  conquerors  of  Samaria  wor- 
shipped him.  On  Mount  Garizim  (figured  on 
this  and  all  other  coins  of  Neapolis),  a temple 
had  been  built  in  honour  of  Jupiter,  as  is  shewn 
by  a passage  in  Josephus  Gib.  12,  cap.  7), 
stating  that  the  Garizitanean  temple  was  for- 
merly dedicated  to  the  Mo9t  High  (and  only  true) 
God  - but  that  the  Samaritans  sent  ambassadors 
to  Antiochus  Epiphanes,  petitioning  him  that 
as  the  temple  had  not  hitherto  the  title  of 
any  God,  it  might  thenceforth  be  called  that  of 
Jupiter  Grtecanicus , which  request  was  granted. 
— The  eagle  with  wings  spread  is  regarded  by 
some  as  au  ensign  of  the  Romans,  whilst  others 
think  it  refers  to  Jupiter,  to  whom  the  temple 
on  Mount  Garizim  was  dedicated. 

Triumphal  Quadriga. — The  following  singular 
type,  on  a first  brass  of  this  colony,  struck 
under  Philippas  senior,  is  given  in  Pcllcrin’s 
Melange , i.  pi.  xxi.  No.  2,  p.  316: — 

Rev. — neapoli.  NEOCOii.  On  a ear  drawn 
by  four  horses,  abreast,  the  figure  of  a man  is 
represented  standing,  facing  to  the  front,  hav- 
ing the  right  hand  extended,  and  holding  a spear 
in  his  left.  Two  other  male  figures,  one  at  his 
right,  the  other  at  his  left  hand,  hold  each  a 
spear  in  the  left  hand  ; he  on  the  right  side  ex- 
tends his  right  hand ; and  he  on  the  left  side 
raises  his  right  hand  over  the  centre  figure,  a9  if 
in  the  act  of  crowning  him.  In  the  upper  part 
of  the  medal  is  seen  Mount  Garizim  and  a 
temple  on  its  summit. 

Wolf,  with  Twin  Children. — This  type  (the 
accustomed  symbol  of  Homan  colonics)  alSo 
appears  on  first  and  sccoud  brass  of  Philip 
senior,  with  a temple  on  Mount  Garizim  at  the 
top  of  the  coin.  The  legend  of  the  reverse  is 
col.  neapoli  neokoro.  Colonia  Neapolitana 
Neoeoros. 

The  Neapolitan  colony  of  Syria  Palastina, 


NEMAUSUS. 

after  the  manner  of  the  Greek  cities  in  Asia 
Minor,  adopted  the  inscription  of  Neoeoros. 
The  coins  indeed  exhibit  the  letter  k for  c,  but 
the  Romans  used  both  letters,  as  in  the  instance 
of  Calend  and  Kaleud.  The  Neocori  (N  twicipoi) 
seem  to  have  been  the  curators  of  sacred 
edifices,  and  managers  of  public  games,  or  as 
in  Latin  they  would  be  called  Aedi/es. — See 
Neoeoros. 

Venus  and  ITercules. — On  a first  brass  of 
Philip  senior  arc  the  following  legends  and  type, 
which  Pellerin  adds  to  those  of  Neapolis,  edited 
by  Vaillant : — 

NEAPOL.  NEOCORO.  COL. — VcnUS,  clothed, 
is  standing  before  Hercules,  who  extends  his 
hand  towards  her.  Above  is  Mount  Garizim 
with  a temple,  on  one  side  of  which  is  the  sign 
of  the  sun,  and  on  the  other  the  sign  of  the 
moon. — Melange,  i.  pi.  xxi.  No.  2,  p.  317. 

Eagle  with  expanded  wings,  beneath  a temple 
on  a rock,  appears  on  a coin  of  Trebonianus 
Gallus,  struck  at  Neapolis  Samaria;,  with  Greek 
legends  on  both  sides. 

Legionary  Eagle  and  Serapis. — On  a second 
brass  of  Volusiauus,  stmek  by  the  colonists  at 
the  Samaritan  Neapolis,  Serapis  stands  opposite 
a cippus,  on  which  is  placed  a legionary  eagle 
with  a military  ensign  ; between  them  is  a ram 
on  one  side  and  three  corn-ears  on  the  other ; 
above  them  is  a temple  on  a rock — legend  col. 
neapol. 

[The  legionary  eagle  and  military  ensign  on 
this  coin  shew  that  not  only  togated  citizens 
from  the  Sergia  gens  (whence  Neapolis  is  called 
Sergia)  were  transmitted  to  it  (in  Vespasian’s 
time),  but  also  that  this  colouy  was  reinforced 
with  legionary  veterans.  Serapis  was  worshipped 
at  Neapolis  as  coins  of  M.  Aurelius  and  Caracalla 
(Greek)  serve  to  prove.  The  ears  of  corn 
signify  their  abundance  in  the  territory  of 
Neapolis.  The  ram  (arics)  seems  to  designate 
the  season  of  spring,  with  which  under  the 
above-mentioned  sign  of  the  Zodiac  the  Nea- 
politans, like  the  Antiochians  and  Damascenes, 
were  accustomed  to  begin  this  year,  whilst  some 
cities  in  these  regions  calculated  theirs  from 
autumn.] 

Nebrus,  an  animal  represented  tm  coins  of 
Gallienus,  sacred  on  account  of  the  chase,  to 
Diana. 

NE.  CA.  Q.  PR.  Nerone  Cesar e,  Qnwstore 
Provinciali. — See  Utica. 

NE.  CAES.  Nerone  Cesare. 

NEM.  Nemausus,  or  Nemauseniorum . 

Nemausus,  a celebrated  city  in  Gallia 
Narboncnsis,  so  called  from  its  founder  of  that 
name,  was  established  as  a colony  o(  the  Romans 
during  the  reign  of  Augustus.  It  is  now  called 
Nismes,  in  Languedoc  (France).  A large  number 
of  its  coins,  gold,  silver,  and  brass,  have  been 
found  at  various  times. — The  autonomous  medals 
of  this  colony,  in  second  and  third  brass,  have 
the  head  of  Mars  or  of  Rome  for  their  type, 
and  arc  inscribed  NEM.  col.,  Nemausus  Colonia, 
within  a crown  of  laurel  — The  imperial  medals 
struck  at  Nismes  arc  of  middle  brass,  and 
present  on  their  obverse  the  heads  of  Augustus 


NEMAUSUS.— NEMESIS. 


NEPOS. 


569 


and  Agrippa  placed  back  to  back,  with  the 
inscription  imp.  divi.  f.,  Lnperator  Bivi 
Fi/ius ; and,  on  the  obverse,  a crocodile 
attached  by  a chain  to  a palm-tree,  with 
the  epigraph  col.  nem. — The  type  refers  to 
the  conquest  of  Egypt,  and  its  reduction  into 
the  form  of  a province. — Strabo  speaks  of 
Nemausus  as  of  a colony  invested  with  great 
privileges,  among  the  rest  that  of  the/iw  Latii ; 
and  an  ancient  inscription  found  at  Nismes  calls 
it  CO Lonia  AYGusta.  Thus  derived  and  con- 
stituted, the  Nemausenses  invariably  struck  the 
associated  effigies  of  Agrippa  with  Augustus, 
and  the  image  of  the  crocodile  tied  to  a palm- 
tree,  on  their  coins,  as  pointing  to  the  origin 
and  date  of  their  colonial  foundation.  After 
Mark  Antony’s  overthrow,  a great  many 
veterans  from  various  I/egions  were,  as  a matter 
of  necessity,  sent  to  defend  different  colonies, 
partly  in  Italy,  partly  in  other  provinces.  And 
those  who  were  passed  over  to  Nismes,  having 
perhaps  been  themselves  present  in  the  Alexan- 
drine war,  were  pleased  to  commemorate  that 
occurrence  by  stamping  on  their  coins  also  that 
symbol  of  vanquished  Egypt  which  has  just  been 
described. 

Nemesis,  avenger  of  crimes  and  punisher 
of  wicked  doers.  The  divinity  thus  named  aud 
adored  by  the  Greeks  was  also  by  the  Homans 
held  in  high  respect  for  the  equitable  and  im- 
partial severity  of  her  chastisements;  an  altar 
was  consecrated  to  her  in  the  capitol ; and  there 
before  setting  out  for  battle,  warriors  resorted 
to  immolate  victims  aud  to  make  her  the  offer- 
ing of  a sword.  In  a philosophic  sense,  Nemesis 
was  the  symbol  of  Providence,  and  of  the  care 
which  the  supreme  power  takes  of  what  happens 
in  this  world. — On  a medallion  of  Macrinus, 
struck  at  Cyzicus,  Nemesis  is  crowned  with 
towers,  because  it  is  the  Fortune  of  Cyzicus. — 
Nemesis  is  recognised  as  having  a sister  goddess 
of  the  same  name,  though  sometimes  called 
Adrastia.  The  two  avenging  goddesses  appear 
on  Greek  medallions  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  Anto- 
ninus, Severus,  and  others. — Millin  says  that 
these  Nemeses  are  the  two  Fortunes  Antiates , 
which  are  seen  on  a denarius  of  the  Rustia  family, 
(see  Fortuna  and  Rustia ).  Both  divinities, 

principally  invoked  in  treaties  of  peace,  were 
guarantees  for  the  fidelity  of  oaths. — On  Roman 
coins  Nemesis  has  accordingly  the  same  attri- 
butes with  the  Goddess  of  Peace  (Pax).  The 
Nemeses  of  Smyrna,  where  they  had  a temple, 
appear  on  a brass  medallion  of  Hadrian,  stand- 
ing, the  one  holding  a wheel,  the  other  a sword : 
4 D 


each  has  her  right  hand  lifted  to  her  mouth, 
with  the  inscription  cos.  hi. — The  Nemeses 
have  often  a finger  placed  on  the  mouth,  to  shew 
that  it  is  necessary  to  be  discreet. — On  a very 
rare  gold  coin  of  the  Tibia  family,  a winged 
woman  stands,  holding  her  robe.  This  figure 
Eckhel  pronounces  to  be  that  of  Nemesis,  and 
gives  examples  of  similar  types  on  gold  and 
silver  coins  of  Claudius,  in  which  the  same 
winged  figure  of  a female  is  walking,  lifting  her 
robe  from  the  bosom  towards  the  face  with  one 
hand,  and  holding  a caduceus  in  the  other,  a 
serpent  on  the  ground  before  her,  with  the 
inscription  paci  avgvstae. — Also  on  a silver 
coin  of  Hadrian  there  appears  the  same  type  of 
a woman,  only  that  she  holds  a branch  in  her 
left  hand,  with  victoria  avg. — The  former  of 
these  Eckhel  calls  the  Nemesis  of  Peace,  the 
latter  the  Nemesis  of  Victory. — [See  vol.  vi. 
pp.  237  and  511.] 

NEP.  Nepos,  or  Nepoti — Grandson. — divi 
ner.  nep.  Bivi  Nerva  Nepos. — By  this 
appellation  Hadrian  is  frequently  called  in 
inscriptions,  and  sometimes,  rarely,  on  coins 
(second  brass.) 

NEP.  Nepotianus. — fl.  nep.  constantinvs 
avg. — See  Nepotianus. 

NEPOS  (Julius),  born  in  Dalmatia,  was  son 
of  Nepotianus,  a general  officer,  and  of  a sister 
of  Marcellinus,  who  had  been  made  sovereign 
of  that  province  under  the  reign  of  Severus  III. 

The  Emperor  Leo  I.  gave 
him  the  niece  of  his  wife 
in  marriage,  and  having 
first  deposed  Glycerius, 
declared  him  Emperor  of 
the  West  and  Augustus 
a.d.  474.  Victorious, 
humane,  courageous,  he 
was  both  worthy  to  hold 
the  sceptre  and  capable  of 
re-establishing  by  his  wisdom  and  justice  the 
glory  of  that  more  truly  Roman  portion  of  the 
empire  over  wrhich  he  had  been  placed.  But  his 
desire  to  preserve  peace  and  tranquillity  for  his 
war-worn  aud  exhausted  people  was  frustrated 
by  the  revolt  of  Orestes,  commander  of  the 
Gallic  legions,  an  ambitious  and  intelligent 
usurper,  who  compelled  Nepos  to  abandon  Italy ; 
and  this  unfortunate  priuee  was,  about  four 
years  after  his  dethronement,  assassinated  at 
Salona  in  Dalmatia,  by  two  members  of  his  owti 
household,  at  the  instigation  of  Glycerius,  who 
had  there  afforded  him  an  asylum,  a.d.  480, 
having  reigned  in  Italy  one  year  aud  two  mouths. 


I 


570  NEPOTIANUS.— NEPTUNE. 

— His  coins  are  all  very  rare.  He  is  styled 
D.N.  1VLIVS  NEPOS.  P.F.  AVG.  ; or  D.N.  1VLIVS 
nepos.  peep.  p.f.  avg.  The  example  given 
is  from  an  aureus  in  the  British  Museum. 

NEPOT1ANUS  ( Const  ant  in  us  Flavius 

Popilius ) was  the  son  of  a senator  of  that  name, 
and  of  Eutropia,  sister  to  Constantine  the  Great, 
lie  was  consul  in  a.d.  336.  In  imitation  of 
Magneutius,  he  aspired 
to  the  empire,  assumed 
the  purple  in  June,  A.n. 
350;  took  the  title  of 
Augustus,  which  his 
gladiatorial  mercenaries 
pretended  to  confirm  to 
him ; and  after  repulsing 
Auicetus,  prefect  of  the 
Praitorians  at  Rome, 
obtained  easy  possession  of  the  capital  of  the 
West.  But  this  usurper  had  not  the  genius  to 
preserve  to  himself  what  his  good  fortune  had 
acquired.  Instead  of  conciliating  the  Romans 
who,  from  hatred  to  Magnentius,  had  received 
him  with  pleasure,  he  struck  terror  through  the 
city  with  his  proscriptions,  and  irritated  the 
inhabitants  by  his  murderous  cruelties.  Within 
a month  the  tyrant  was  killed,  desperately  de- 
fending himself,  in  a battle  with  Marcelliauus, 
one  of  the  generals  of  Magnentius,  who  punished 
Rome  for  her  revolt  by  the  most  ferocious 
execution  of  military  vengeance  ou  the  wretched 
people. — The  only  coins  of  Nepotianus  probably 
struck  at  Rome  are  in  second  brass,  and  of 
the  highest  rarity.  He  is  styled  Ft.,  pop. 

NKPOTIANVS  P.  F.  AVG.  ; and  FL.  NEP.  CONST  AN 

tinvs  avg. — The  example  given  above  is  taken 
from  a coin  in  the  British  Museum 

Neptes  Augustorum. — The  graud-daughters 
and  grand-nieces  of  emperors  were  called 
Augusta,  as  Matidia,  daughter  of  Trajan’s 
sister. 

NEP.  S.  or  SACR.  Neptuno  Sacru> a. 

NEPT.  RED.  Neptuno  Reduei,  as  if  Rome 
was  about  to  render  thanks  to  Neptuue,  who 
had  been  propitious  to  the  Emperor’s  invocation, 
and  guarded  him  safely  over  the  sea. 

NEI’T  Neplunus. — Neptune,  son  of  Saturn 
and  Rhea,  was  one  of  the  twelve  greater 
divinities  of  Greek  and  Roman  worship.  In  the 
partition  of  the  world  with  his  brothers  Jupiter 
and  Pluto,  the  empire  of  the  waters  fell  to  his 
share.  Statues,  medals,  and  engraved  stones, 
present  to  us  the  peculiar  incidents  of  his  fabled 
history.  His  image  differs  but  little  from  that 
of  Jupiter;  there  is  a great  conformity  in  the 
arrangement  of  the  hair  of  the  head,  and  in  the 
form  of  the  beard,  but  the  expression  of  power 
aud  majesty  is  comparatively  feeble  in  the  figure 
of  the  Sea-King.  He  is  usually  pourtrayed 
naked,  or  with  a very  light  chlaniys. — Ou  some 
medals,  coins  of  Corinth  and  of  Berytus,  he  is 
seen  drawn  by  sea-horses,  which  have  the  upper 
portion  of  that  animal,  whilst  the  lower 
extremities  terminate  in  a fish’s  tail.  This 
imaginative  creature  is  the  hippocampus.  Nep- 
tune carries  a sceptre  with  three  points  or  teeth, 
called  the  trident. — Mythologies  give  many 


NEPTUNE. 

reasons  for  this  attribute,  amongst  others  to 
mark  the  triple  authority  of  the  God  over  the 
sea,  which  he  was  supposed  to  have  the  power 
of  troubling  and  of  calming,  and  which  he  also 
preserves. — Millin  suggests  whether  it  may  not 
be  regarded  “ as  an  instrument  for  catching 
fish,”  and  he  instances  the  Greek  fishermen,  who, 
to  this  day,  make  use  of  a similar  instrument 
for  that  purpose. — See  Berytus — Hippocampus. 

The  poets  have  ascribed  a prodigious  number 
of  amatory  adventures  to  Neptune,  and  made 
him  the  father  of  various  enterprising  heroes 
and  warriors,  the  founders  of  cities.  In  Greece 
aud  in  Italy,  especially  in  maritime  places,  a 
great  many  temples  were  raised  to  his  worship. 
The  Romans  held  him  in  such  veneration  that 
festivals  and  games  of  the  circus,  at  Rome, 
were  celebrated  in  his  honour  ou  the  first  of 
July,  and  which  were  marked  for  that  day  in 
their  calendar  by  the  words  1).  Neptuni  Ludi. 
What  is  most  singular,  -as  they  believed  that 
Neptune  formed  the  first  horse,  so  all  horses 
and  mules  remained  without  working  during  the 
feasts  of  this  deity,  and  enjoyed  a repose  which 
no  one  dared  interrupt. — Neptuue  crowned  by 
Victory  signifies  the  gratitude  of  him  who 
ascribed  to  that  diviuity  the  means  of  his  gain- 
ing a naval  victory. — The  great  number  of 
children  assigned  to  this  god  arose  from  the 
circumstance  of  those  being  generally  called  the 
sons  of  Neptune  who  had  distinguished  them- 
selves in  sea  fights,  or  by  their  skill  in  naviga- 
tion. Sextus  Pompeg,  puffed  up  with  his  naval 
successes,  chose  to  be  so  denominated ; and  we 
find  this  title  on  his  medals. — The  temple  of 
; Neptune  is  seen  represented  on  a coin  of  the 
' Domitia  family.  The  god  himself  placing  his 
I foot  on  a globe,  in  a medal  of  Augustus 
(inscribed  caesak  divi.  f.),  and  iu  another  of 
Titus,  iudieatcs  that  the  Emperors  assumed 
equally  to  be  masters  of  laud  aud  sea.  Besides 
the  trident,  the  dolphin,  the  rudder,  and  the 
acrostolium  were  attributes  of  Neptune,  and 
bear  refereuce  on  medals  to  maritime  power. — 
Neptuue  was  held  to  be  the  author  of  earth- 
quakes, which  he  produced  by  pressing  the 
earth  with  his  feet ; hence  we  often  see  him  on 
coins  with  sometimes  the  right,  sometimes  the 
left  foot  on  a globe. — See  Trident — Dolphin — 
Acrostolium. 

Neptune,  lying  down,  is  seen  on  a coin  of  Nero, 
representing  the  port  of  Ostia.  He  is  figured 
in  a sitting  posture,  with  a dolphin  in  the  right 
hand  and  trident  in  the  left,  on  colonial  coins 
of  Corinth,  struck  during  the  reigns  of  Domitian, 
Antoninus  Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  and  Coinmodus. 
He  stands  naked  on  colonial  coins  of  Augustus, 
Trajan,  Autoninc  and  Commodus. — Sec  poet, 
ost. — and  CORINTHVS. 

Neptuue  standing,  with  dolphin  and  trident, 
appears  on  a second  brass  medal  of  Agrippa, 
with  the  epigraph  of  M.  AGRIPPA.  L.  F.  COS.  III., 
his  head  bearing  the  rostrated  crown. — See 
Agrippa. 

Neptune  standing,  to  the  right,  his  left  hand 
grasping  a trident;  behind  him  the  Tiber ; 
NEPTVNO  CIRC ENS.  rest,  or  CONSTIT. — On  a 


NEPTUNE. 

rare  second  brass  of  Nerva. — See  Mr.  R.  Smith's 
“ Catalogue  of  London  Antiquities and  “ Num_ 
Chrou.”  vol  iv.  p.  150. 

Neptune  appears,  ou  a brass  medallion  of 
Cmnniodus,  standing,  with  the  trident  in  his 
right  hand,  a dolphin  in  his  left,  and  his  right 
foot  on  the  prow  of  a vessel ; the  Emperor, 
full-faced  and  in  the  toga,  sacrificing  before  him. 
The  accompanying  epigraph  is  Fio.  imp.  omnia 
Felicia,  &c.  (see  the  words),  which  shews  that 
Neptune  was  a type  of  Felicity  and  of  Con- 
gratulation. 

Neptune's  head,  with  long  heard,  and  crowned 
with  laurel,  appears  on  a coin  of  the  Procu/eia 
family.  Medals  of  other  Roman  families  exhibit 
similar  busts  of  this  deity. 

NEPTuniei. — This  inscription  accompanies 
the  type  of  a temple  of  four  columns,  on  a very 
rare  gold  coin  of  the  Domifia  family,  struck  by 
Cn.  Domitius  Ahenobarbus,  son  of  L.  Domitius, 
who  in  the  year  of  Rome,  705,  dared  to  resist 
Julius  Cmsar’s  passage  of  the  Rubicon,  but 
afterwards  became  reconciled  to  Antony  and 
Octavian’s  party.  The  temple  of  Neptune  indi- 
cated by  the  abbreviated  word  kept.,  shews 
maritime  power,  which  Domitius  retained  under 
the  Triumvirate,  as  commander  of  a fleet  of 
triremes,  on  the  Italian  coasts. 

NEPr.  COMITI. — Neptune  standing,  hold- 
ing the  trident ; his  right  foot  upon  the  prow  of 
a vessel : on  gold  of  Postumus. — Tanini. 

NEP.  RED. — Neptune  stamping  with  his 
right  foot  on  a globe,  holds  the  acrosto/ium  in 
his  right  hand,  and  a spear  in  the  left. — This 
type  appears  on  gold  and  silver  of  Vespasian, 
and  also  recurs  on  coins  of  Titus. — Vespasian 
had,  indeed,  in  the  year  of  Rome  823  (a.D.  70), 
and  Titus  in  the  following  year  had  safely  re- 
turned to  Rome,  by  a sea  voyage ; in  con- 
sequence of  which  honours  were  rendered  to 
Neptune  under  the  name  of  Redux. 

NEPTVNI. — On  the  obverse  of  one  of 
Sextus  Pompcy’s  silver  coins,  this  verbal  dedi- 
cation accompanies  the  head  of  his  father, 
Poinpey  the  Great,  below  which  is  a dolphin, 
and  before  it  a trident. — The  reverse  presents  a 
galley  with  swelling  sail,  and  star  near  it. 
Another  denarius,  with  the  same  portrait,  has 
on  the  other  side  four  galleys  with  their  rowers. 
See  Nasidia  family. 

Neptuni,  inscribed  over  the  head  of  Pompeius 
Magnus,  was  doubtless  intended  to  be  read 
Neptuni  Jitius,  “ the  son  of  Neptune,”  whom 
Sextus  himself  pretended  to  be ! Hence  the 
typical  allusions  on  his  medals  arc  all  maritime 

NEPTVXO  REDVCI. — Neptune  standing. 

■ holding  a dolphin,  and 
the  trident ; at  the  feet, 
in  some  instances,  an 
anchor : on  coins  of  Pos- 
tumus. In  the  example 
here  engraved  (from  the 
cabinet  of  Mr.  Roach 
Smith),  Neptune  holds 
what,  no  doubt,  was 
intended  for  a dolphin, 
though  it  more  resembles  an  eel. 

4 D 2 


NEPTUNE.— NERO.  571 

NEPTVNO  AVG. — Neptune  standing,  holds 
a dolphin  in  one  hand,  a trident  in  the  other. — 
On  a third  brass  of  Claudius  Gothicus. 

NEPTVNO  CIRCEXS.  (RESTIT.  or  CON- 
STIT.) — See  “Num.  Chron.”  vol.  iv.  p.  150; 
and  “ Eckhcl,”  vol.  vi.  p.  406. 

NEPTVNO  CONS.  AVG.  Neptuno  Con - 
servatori  Augusti. — This  dedicatory  inscription, 
with  the  accompanying  type  of  a sea-horse,  is 
quoted  by  Banduri  as  occurring  on  silver  and 
third  brass  of  Gallicnus : on  other  third  brass 
coins  of  the  same  Emperor  the  type  is  Capri- 
cornus,  or  the  sea-goat.  On  these  Eckhel 
remarks — “That  the  horse  was  held  sacred  to 
Neptune  is  generally'  known.” 

This  compouud  animal  is  conjoined  with 
Neptune,  either  because  it  terminates  in  the 
form  of  a fish ; and  according  to  Hyginus 
formerly  inhabited  the  Nile;  [Ibis  doubtless 
is  an  allusion  to  the  Hippopotamus  or  River 
Horse]  ; or  because  it  assailed  the  Titans  with 
sea-shells. — “ Banduri  thinks  that  this  coin 
was  struck  on  occasion  of  the  naval  victory 
gained  over  the  Scythians  in  the  Euxine,  of 
which  Trebellius  speaks,  and  confirms  this 
opinion  by  a coin  inscribed  Victoria  nept. 
But  his  reading  is  erroneous : it  should  be 
victoria  aet.” — There  is  the  same  inscription 
to  Neptune  the  Preserver,  and  the  same  type  of 
a sea-horse  on  a third  brass  of  Tetricus  Pater. — 
The  other  coin,  with  the  tyrpe  of  Capricorn, 
was  unknown  to  Banduri. 

NER.  Nero ; ox' Nerva. 

NER.  I.  Q.  VRB.,  as  some  interpret  it  Nerva 
Primus  Quaestor  Urbis. 

Nereides. — Nereids  were  sea-nymphs,  to 
whom  the  poets  of  antiquity  ascribed  the  human 
form,  and  whom  artists  represented  under  the 
form  of  women  as  far  as  the  waist,  but  ter- 
minating in  two  tails  of  fishes — in  short  the 
mermaid  of  the  middle  ages. — There  is  a figure 
exactly  answ'ering  to  this  description  ou  a silver 
coin  of  the  Valeria  family. 

Neria,  a plebeian  family. — The  following  in 
silver  is  its  only  type: — NERLm  Q ueestor  VRBw 
or  Urbanus. — The  head  of  Saturn,  with  theHarpa 
projecting  behind. — Rev.  Lucius  LENT  ulus 

Caius  MARC  el/us  COnSules.  A legionary 
eagle  between  two  military  standards,  on  one 
of  which  is  incribed  H. ; on  the  other  P.  The 
former  is  by  some  numismatists  considered  to 
signify  Hastati,  the  latter  Piincipes,  as  re- 
ferring to  certain  corps  of  the  legion.  But 
Eckhel  regards  the  interpretation  as  doubtful. — 
See  the  family  Cornelia. — See  Salurnus. 

NERO,  a surname  common  to  the  Claudia 
family,  as  appears  from  writers  on  Roman 
affairs,  and  from  inscriptions  in  the  fasti,  as 
well  as  from  the  ancient  denarii  of  that  family; 
thus  we  see  C.  CLAVDIVS  NERO,  or  TI. 
CLAVDIVS  TI.  F.  NERO,  and  NERO  CLAV- 
DIVS DR  VS  VS  GERM««fr/a-  IMP  erator. 

Nero  Claudius  Drusus,  commonly  called 
Drusus  senior,  brother  of  Tiberius,  second 
son  of  Tiberius  Claudius  Nero  and  of  Livia, 
was  born  in  the  year  of  Rome  716,  three 
months  after  his  father  had  yielded  up  Livia 


572  NERO, 

to  Augustus.  Realizing  the  anticipations  of 
that  Emperor,  he  became  the  most  accom- 
plished hero  of  his  time.  Sent  at  the  age 
of  twenty-three  into  ilhaetia  (the  Tyrol)  to 
quell  a revolt,  he  conquered  the  insurgents  at 
Trent  in  a pitched  battle.  Afterwards  named 
General  of  the  armies  in  Germany,  his  successes 
were  so  great  that  he  extended  the  dominion  of 
the  Romans  to  the  banks  of  the  Elbe.  This 
fine  character  conceived  the  design  of  re- 
establishing the  Republic,  and  entrusted  his 
secret  to  his  brother  Tiberius,  who  it  is  said 
betrayed  him  to  Augustus. — He  died  in  the  year 
745  (a.d.  9),  before  he  had  repassed  the  Rhine, 
in  the  30th  year  of  his  age,  deeply  regretted  by 
the  whole  empire  for  the  great  and  virtuous 
qualities  with  which  his  name  was  so  gloriously 
associated.  After  his  death  the  Senate  sur- 
named  him  germanicvs,  which  was  transmitted 
to  his  children.  Statues  and  triumphal  arches 
were  also  erected  to  his  honour  and  figured  on 
his  medals.  This  Prince  had  married  Antonia, 
by  whom  he  had  Germanicus  and  Livilla.  On 
his  coins  which,  in  each  metal,  arc  all  more 
or  less  rare,  he  is  styled  DRVSVS — NERO 
CLAVDIVS  DRVSVS  GERMANS  IMP. 

NERO  ET  DRVSVS  CAESARES  QVINQ. 
C.  V.  I.  N .C. — Nero  et  Drusus  Casares  Quin- 
quennales,  Colonics  V ictricis  Julia  Nova  Car- 
t hay  inis. — Nero  and  Drusus,  Csesars,  Quin- 
quennial (Duumvirs)  of  the  Victorious  Colony 
Julia  Nova  Carthago — now  Carthage. 

Nero,  son  of  Germanicus  and  of  Agrippina, 
brother  of  Drusus,  with  whom  he  was  carefully 
educated  and  trained  by  his  mother.  He  was 
born  760  (a.d.  7),  an  accomplished  character 
and  of  excellent  qualities.  The  monster  Tibe- 
rius, who  had  married  him  at  15  years  old  to 
his  graud-daughter  Julia,  soon  after  employed 
the  infamous  minister  Sejanus  to  entangle  him 
in  the  snares  of  his  cruelty,  and  becoming  him- 
self his  accuser,  caused  his  exile  in  734  to  the 
Ponza  isles  (Pontia),  where  he  was  left  to  die  of 
hunger,  in  the  course  of  the  following  year. 
Caligula  his  brother,  at  the  beginning  of  his 
reign,  brought  back  his  ashes  with  those  of 
their  mother,  Agrippina,  and  deposited  them  in 
the  same  tomb.  (Sec  Drusus). — The  coins  of 


these  two  young  princes  (in  second  brass)  arc 
common — they  are  represented  together  on 
horseback,  with  the  style,  nero  et  drvsvs 
caesares. — See  Drusus  Crsur. 

NERO  ( Claudius  Domitius),  son  of  Cncius 
Domitius  Ahcnobaibus  and  of  Agrippina  the 
younger,  was  born  at  Autium,  in  the  37th  year 


NERO. 

of  the  Christian  era.  He  was  adopted  (a.d  50) 


and  created  Caesar  by  Claudius,  whose  daughter, 
Octavia,  lie  married,  and  whom  he  eventually 
succeeded,  although  he  had  no  family  claim  or 
birth-right  to  the  imperial  throne.  But  Claudius 
having  espoused  Agrippina,  that  unscrupulously 
ambitious  princess  persuaded  him  to  adopt  her 
son  by  Domitius,  and  consequently  to  exclude 
Britannicus,  whom  the  Emperor  had  by  Messa- 
lina.  From  this  time  he  took  the  name  of 
Claudius  Nero ; received  the  title  of  Princeps 
Juventutis  in  51  ; and,  Claudius  being  removed 
by  poison,  Nero  succeeded  him  a.d.  54,  being 
then  17  years  of  age.  It  is  said  that  he 
naturally  possessed  great  and  even  good  qualities. 
His  preceptor  Seneca  certainly  neglected  nothing 
to  ennoble  his  mind  and  to  accomplish  his 
education.  He  was  fond  of  the  fine  arts,  of 
poetry,  and  above  all  of  music,  his  passion  for 
which  led  him  to  commit  a multitude  of  ex- 
travagances. In  the  first  year  he  seemed  to 
give  promise  of  a happy  reign.  But  in  this  he 
evidently  was  disguising  the  atrocity  of  his  dis- 
position. Nero  soon  dropped  the  mask  of 
virtue  ; and  abandoned  himself  to  his  vicious 
and  cruel  propensities.  He  successively  put 
to  death  Britannicus  his  half-brother  (55), 
Agrippina  his  mother  (59),  Domitia  his  aunt, 
Octavia  his  wife,  Claudia  his  sister-in-law, 
Seneca  and  Burrhus,  who  had  bccu  his  tutors, 
and  Corbulo  his  victorious  general ; Lucan  and 
Petronius,  and  his  second  wife  Poppica,  also 
became  the  victims  of  his  murderous  fury, 
which  extended  to  a multitude  of  other  persons. 
In  the  year  64  he  caused  ten  districts  of  Rome 
to  be  burnt,  at  the  same  time  falsely  accusing 
the  Christians  as  the  incendiaries;  and  this 
crime  being  imputed  to  them,  gave  rise  to  the  first 
persecution.  Among  the  works  which  he  caused 
to  be  constructed  in  Rome  after  this  horrible  con- 
flagration, was  a palace  for  himself,  railed  the 
golden  house,  on  which  he  lavished  prodigious 
expenses.  Meanwhile  he  amused  himself  publicly 
in  contesting  for  the  prize  with  musicians,  with 
actors,  and  with  charioteers  of  the  circus,  both 
in  Italy  and  in  Greece.  In  social  life  he  gave  him- 
self up  to  such  excesses  of  cruelty  and  infamy 
that  his  name  afterwards  became  synonymous 
with  that  of  monster  and  of  tyrant.  At  length 
his  detestable  conduct  having  rendered  him  an 
object  of  universal  execration,  the  Gallir  and 
Spanish  provinces  revolted  in  68.  Gal ba  was 
proclaimed  Emperor,  the  Senate  confirming  the 
election,  declared  Nero  cucmy  of  the  Republic ; 


NERO. 

and  this  odious  prince,  abandoned  by  everyone, 
found  himself  compelled  to  plunge  a dagger  into 
his  own  throat,  llis  death,  to  tiie  joy  of  all, 
took  place  in  the  68th  year  of  the  Christian  era, 
in  the  31st  year  of  his  age,  and  in  the  14th  of  his 
reign.  He  left  no  children  by  his  three  wives— 
Octavia,  Poppsca,  and  Statilia  Mcssalina.  llis 
name  on  coins  is  nero.  clavd.  caesak.  ayg. 

GERMANICVS.  P.M. — NERO  CLAVDIVS  DKYSYS, 
&c. — imp.  NERO  caesar,  &c  — On  medals 
struck  after  Christ  51  to  53,  Nero  is  styled 
CAESAR  PRINC.  1WENT.  COS.  DES. — In  54,  his 
titles  are  avgvstvs  tr.  p.  cos.  des.  p.m. 
imp.  The  name  of  Drusus  is  dropped,  which 
he  bore  during  the  lifetime  of  Claudius. — In  66 
he  is  styled  IMP.  NERO  CLAVD.  CAES. 
AVG.  GERMrtw;V«i. 

Nero  established  in  Italy  the  colonies  of 
Antium  and  Atina  in  Latium ; Beneventum  in 
the  Hcrpini ; and  reinforced  with  fresh  veterans 
Capua  and  Nuceria  in  Campania : the  city  of 
Puteoli  in  Campania  received  from  him  the  right 
and  title  of  a colony. — Vaillant,  Col.  i.  p.  115. 

Nero's  first  jrife  was  Octavia,  daughter  of 
Claudius  by  adoption,  whom,  however,  he  soon 
got  rid  of  after  that  Emperor’s  death. — Poppaa 
was  his  second,  whose  nuptials  are  celebrated 
on  an  Ephesian  medal. — Statilia  Messalina  was 
his  third. — See  their  names. 

Nero’s  coins  are  numerous,  and  for  the  most 
part  common  in  each  metal.  Some  of  them  re- 
present the  Emperor  with  his  mother  Agrippina 
the  younger. — “ The  silver  pieces,”  says  Aker- 
man,  “ are  generally  ill  struck,  or  are  in  bad 
condition.  A really  fine  round  denarius  is 
seldom  met  with,  and  will  consequently  bring 
a high  price.” — The  bronze  on  the  other  hand 
afford  many  specimens  of  high  relief  and  tine 
workmanship. — Havercamp  on  Morcll  gives 
numerous  illustrations  and  descriptions  ot  the 
Contorniate  medals  of  Nero.  But  as  the  pieces 
so  denominated  aTe  well  understood  not  to  have 
been  struck  under  the  princes  whose  portraits 
they  bear,  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  more  re- 
specting them  than  that  the  most  interesting  of 
the  inscriptions  and  types  on  their  reverses  will 
be  found  noticed  in  this  Dictionary  under  their 
proper  heads 

Neronia,  an  appellation  given  to  the  quin- 
quennial meetings,  for  contests  (certamina)  in 
music,  poetry,  aud  gymnastic  exercises,  founded 
at  Rome  by  the  Emperor  Nero,  in  the  60th 
year  of  our  era.  An  evidence  of  this  institution 
of  Nero’s,  so  far  as  relates  to  his  favourite 
science  of  music,  is  given  on  a brass  coin  of 
that  Emperor’s,  the  reverse  of  which,  inscribed 
pont.  max.  tr.  pot.  and  S.C.,  exhibits  his 
whole  length  figure,  in  a walking  attitude, 
clothed  in  a long  flowing  tunic,  and  holding  a 
lyre,  on  which  he  seems  to  be  in  the  act  of 
playing. 

Neroniana. — The  city  of  Patrae,  in  Achaia, 
was  so  called,  as  Vaillant  (i.  Col.  179)  proves 
from  Pausanias;  and  the  same  is  shewn  also  by 
a coin,  bearing  for  its  inscription  gen.  cot.  ner. 
pat.  Genius,  vel  Genio,  Colonies  Neroniana 
Patrensis. — See  Patrae. 


NERVA.  573 

NERVA  ( Marcus  Cocceius),  born  at  Narni 
(Narnia),  in  Umbria,  a.d.  32.  He  was  the  son 
of  M.  C.  Ncrva,  of  a family  not  particularly 
illustrious,  though  eminent  from  its  consular 


honours ; of  Cretan  origin.  His  mother  was 
Sergia  Plautilla,  daughter  of  Lunas.  For  his 
warlike  virtues,  or,  as  some  have  said,  for  his 
poetic  talents,  he  was  on  good  terras  with 
Nero,  who  accorded  to  him  triumphal  ornaments 
in  the  year  of  Rome  818;  placed  his  statue  in 
the  imperial  palace,  and  the  following  year 
appointed  him  Pnctor. — In  824  (a.d.  71)  he 
was  consul  with  Vespasian ; and  in  843  (a.d.  90) 
consul  for  the  second  time,  with  Domitiati  for 
his  colleague.  On  the  day  of  that  tyrant’s 
death,  Nerva  was  elected  Emperor  by  the 
Senate  and  the  Prmtorians  (a.d.  96).  Upright, 
moderate,  merciful,  wise,  generous,  and  of  a 
sweet  disposition,  this  prince  sought  no  other 
object  than  to  restore  happiness  to  the  empire. 
Substituting  for  the  horrors  of  his  predecessor’s 
reign  a government  of  justice  aud  equity,  he  re- 
established the  laws,  reduced  the  taxes,  protected 
and  encouraged  literature,  and  taking  for  his  motto 
that  a good  conscience  is  worth  a kingdom, 
displayed  his  humanity,  fortitude,  clemency,  and 
munificence,  less  as  the  master  than  as  the  father 
of  his  subjects.  Nevertheless  being  advanced  in 
years,  and  under  the  impression  that  on  that 
account  the  Prmtorian  guard  failed  to  treat  him 
with  the  consideration  due  to  the  exalted  rank 
which  he  held,  he  completed  his  noble  and 
virtuous  administration  of  public  affairs  by 
adopting  Trajan,  a.d.  97,  whom  he  created 
Cmsar  and  made  his  colleague  and  successor. — 
Nerva  died  three  months  afterwards,  in  the 
66th  year  of  his  age,  having  reigned  sixteen 
months,  leaving  a name  venerated  by  all  good 
men. — The  inscriptions  borne  on  his  medals  are 
imp.  nerva  caes.  avg.  germ.,  and  after  his 
death  divvs  nerva. 

Nerva’ s coins  in  the  year  of  Christ  96  (the 
year  of  his  accession),  bear  P.M.  TR.  P.  COS. 
'll. — Those  struck  in  97  read  COS.  III.  DES. 
IV.  In  the  same  year  commences  the  title  of 
GERMANS.?. — On  those  of  98  he  is  called 
TR.  P.  II.  COS.  IV.  IMP.  II.  GERM. 

Notwithstanding  the  shortness  of  his  reign, 
the  coins  of  this  prince  are  numerous,  Some 
of  them  represent  him  w ith  Trajan. — The  gold, 
especially  those  restored  by  Trajan,  are  very 
rare;  so  are  the  silver  medallions. — Silver  of 
the  ordinary  size,  common,  except  some  re- 
verses.— The  brass  are  for  the  most  part 


574  NICOMEDIA. — NIGRINIANUS. 


NILT'S. 


common ; but  there  are  some  rare  reverses,  and  l 
of  great  historical  interest,  as  illustrative  of  the  I 
mild  and  equitable  character  of  his  government,  t 

N.  F. — N.  N.  Numerii  filius,  or  Numerii 
Nepos.— Son  or  Nephew  of  Numerius. 

NICEPH.  Nicephorium, — A city  of  Meso- 
potamia, situate  near  Edessa,  according  to  Pliny,  \ 
who  states  it  to  have  been  founded  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  Euphrates,  by  order  of  j 
Alexander  the  Great,  on  account  of  the  ad-  I 
vantages  of  its  locality.  In  it  was  the  temple 
of  Jupiter  Nicephoros,  whence,  as  Spartianus 
relates,  an  oracle  announced  the  destination  of 
Hadrian  to  the  empire. — Banduri  (i.  p.  205),  in 
a note  on  a Greek  second  brass  of  Gallienus, 
quotes,  on  the  authority  of  Mediobarbus,  a 
colonial  coin  of  that  prince  as  bearing  on  its 
reverse  colonia  niceph.  cons,  or  cond. — But 
no  such  coin  is  to  be  found  in  Vaillant. — And 
Greek  imperial  of  Gordianus  Pius  and  Gallicnns 
arc  all  that  M.  Hennin,  under  the  head  of  Nice- 
phorium, recognizes  in  the  nomenclature  of  his 
Manual. — vol.  2.  p.  293. 

NICOMEDIAE. — See  restitvtori  nico- 
MEDIAE,  on  a first  brass  of  Hadrian,  with  the 
the  accustomed  type  on  coins  of  restored  cities 
and  provinces,  viz.,  the  figure  of  the  Emperor, 
clothed  in  the  toga,  standing,  and  lifting  up 
with  the  right  hand  a woman,  who  bends  the 
knee  before  him. 

Nicomedia,  a city  of  Bithynia  (in  Asia  Minor, 
on  the  Black  Sea).  It  is  described  by  ancient 
writers  as  a place  of  superior  size  and  mag- 
nificence, ranking  next  to  Rome,  Alexandria, 
and  Antioch  in  the  splendour  and  beauty  of  its 
buildings;  and  was  one  which  Diocletian  studied 
to  make  the  equal  of  Rome  itself.  But  not- 
withstanding the  great  consequence  of  Nicomedia 
among  the  provincial  cities  of  the  empire,  and 
though  its  Greek  medals  present  a numerous 
and  almost  uninterrupted  series  from  Augustus 
down  to  the  age  of  Gallienus,  there  appears 
to  be  no  coin,  with  Latin  inscription,  which 
refers  to  Nicomedia,  except  the  Restitutori  of 
Hadrian  above-named ; and  that  was  evidently 
not  struck  in  Asia,  but  is  of  Roman  die. — 
Eckhcl  gives  and  describes  it  from  the  Imperial 
Museum  at  Vienna,  but  Mionnet  does  not 
include  it  in  his  catalogue. 

NIG.  Niger. — Surname  of  the  Emperor 

Pescennius  Niger  — See.  Pescennius. 

NIGRINIANVS. — This  name,  accompanied  j 
by  a youthful  radiated  head,  appears  on  certain  j 
gold  coins  of  the  greatest  degree  of  rarity,  and  j 
on  third  brass  also  of  great  rarity — coupled  with  | 
the  appellation  of  Divvs. ; and  on  the  reverse  is  ' 
CONSEC RATIO.  The  type  ' 
of  the^ofrfisa  funeral  pile  j 
with  a biga  placed,  on  the  , 
summit.  The  type  of  the 
third  brass , (which  are 
sometimes  found  washed 
with  gold  or  with  silver,) 
is  an  eagle  having  its 
wings  ex]>andcd.  The 
annexed  portrait  is  from 
a brass  coin  in  the  British  Museum. 


History  makes  no  mention  of  this  Nigrinianue, 
who  is  known  only  by  the  coins  above  alluded  to. 
— Tristan  supposes  him  to  have  been  son  of  the 
tyrant  Alexander,  who  reigned  in  Africa  during 
the  time  of  Maxentius. — Beauvais  and  other 
subsequent  writers,  on  the  other  hand,  furnish 
more  conclusive  reasons  for  giving  him  Carinus 
for  his  father,  and  with  much  probability  Arria 
Nigrina  for  his  mother. — It  would  further  appear 
that  this  prince  died  in  his  early  youth,  and  that 
Carinus,  after  the  example  of  Domitian,  ambi- 
tiously gave  Nigriuianus  the  honours  of  the 
apotheosis. — Both  Eckhcl  and  Mionnet  quote 
the  gold  coin  from  the  museum  of  Saxe  Gotha. 

Nilus,  the  Nile,  after  traversing  a large 
portion  of  Northern  Africa,  enters  Egypt,  which 
it  passes  through  in  its  course  towards  the 
Mediterranean  sea.  This  most  celebrated  river, 
formerly  more  than  at  present  abounding  with 
crocodiles  and  hippopotami,  is  by  its  inunda- 
tions the  principal  cause  of  the  fertility  of 
Egypt  ; hence  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  that 
country  paid  divine  honours  to  it. 

N1LVS. — The  river  personified,  recumbent, 
holding  in  his  right  hand  the  cornucopia,  in  his 
left  a reed  ; somet  imes  with  a female  figure  in 
the  stola,  standing  at  his  feet : below  him  a 
crocodile. — On  large  brass  of  M.  Aurelius  (struck 
in  Egypt),  without  legend. 

NlLVS.  S.C. — The  Nile  lying  down,  with 
a cornucopia;  in  his  right  haud ; a hippopotamus 


at  his  feet ; a crocodile  below.  In  other  coins  a 
child  is  seated  on  the  hippopotamus ; several 
children  also  arc  cither  standing  round  the  old 
long-bearded  man,  or  are  creeping  over  his 
body. — On  first  and  second  brass  of  the  same 
Emperor  (Hadrian). 

The  above  coins,  struck  during  the  reign  of 
Hadrian,  have  reference  to  Antinous,  who  was 
drowned  whilst  navigating  this  illnstrious  river. 
— Hence  (as  Eckhel  observes,)  on  these  most 
elegant  medals,  we  have  the  Nile  pourtroyed 
with  all  his  attributes;  the  reed,  the  sphinx 
(who  had  two  natures,  as  indicated  by  her 
woman’s  bust  and  lion’s  body) ; the  crocodile 
and  the  hippopotamus  (amphibious  animals),  and 
the  children,  being  symbols  frequently  found  on 
coins  of  Alexandria,  which  present  a similar 
personification  of  the  river  in  the  same  recum- 
bent posture. 

The  Nile  was  considered  and  adored  ns  a god  by 
the  Egyptians,  among  other  reasons,  as  possess- 
ing the  property  of  spreading  its  waters  and  of 


NILO. — NIMBUS. 


NIMBUS. — NO  BILLS  CvESAR.  575 


fertilizing  the  country  by  its  periodical  risings. 
And  perhaps  the  most  ingenious  allegory  under 
which  this  famous  stream  has  been  represented, 
is  that  of  the  sixteen  children  which  are  grouped 
around  the  fine  half-colossal  statue  of  the  Nile, 
preserved  iu  the  Vatican  at  Rome,  and  which 
allude  to  the  sixteen  cubits  to  which  the  river 
required  to  rise  iu  order  to  make  Egypt  fertile. 
The  degree  of  actual  elevation  was  ascertained 
by  an  instrument  called  nilometer. — This  subject 
is  admirably  illustrated  by  Pliny,  (N.tl.  lib.  v.,) 
who  thus  expresses  himself  Justum  incremen- 
tum  est  cubitorum  xvi. — In  xii.  cubitis  famem 
sunlit ; in  nil.  etiamnum  esuril ; xiv.  cubita 
hilaritatem  afferunt ; xv.  securilatem ; xvi. 
de/icias.  The  proper  increase  of  the  Nile  is 
sixteen  cubits.  At  twelve,  Egypt  experiences 
famine ; at  thirteen,  it  feels  want ; fourteen, 
restores  gaiety  ; fifteen,  security  ; and  sixteen, 
the  pleasures  of  abundance.  This  last-named 
number  is  designated  on  coins  by  the  mark  is, 
which  signifies  sixteen,  and  serves  to  shew  that 
in  that  year  the  Nile  attained  the  height  so 
much  desired  by  the  Egyptians. 

NILO. — deo.  sancto.  serapidi.  The  head 
of  Serapis. — Rev.  deo.  sancto  kilo.  A 

River,  bearded,  sitting  on  the  ground,  with  reed 
in  right  hand  and  cornucopia;  in  left ; and  lean- 
ing upon  an  urn ; below  ale.  Third  brass  of 
Julian. — (Banduri.) 

On  the  obverse  of  a third  brass  of  the  same 
prince,  published  by  Tanini,  we  read  Deo  Sancto 
Serapidi,  and  on  the  reverse  deo  sancto  nilo, 
its  accompanying  type  being  the  personified 
Nile  holding  a reed  and  a sceptre,  sitting  upon 
a hippopotamus : in  the  exergue  ale. 

It  is  stated  by  Eusebius,  amongst  other 
authors,  that  the  Nile  was  religiously  worshipped 
by  the  natives  of  those  regions  through  which 
it  flowed.  Sozomenus  also  expressly  testifies 
that,  conformably  to  the  established  custom  of 
the  ancients,  sacrifices  were  ottered  up  to  it, 
that  its  overflowings  might  be  plentiful.  To  this 
coin,  which  exhibits  the  God  Serapis  on  one 
side  and  the  God  Nile  on  the  other,  applies 
what  Sozomenus  relates  as  having  been  ordered 
by  Julian,  that  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
ancients,  the  cubitus  Nili  should  be  carried  to 
the  temple  of  Serapis,  as  in  previous  years  by 
command  of  Constantine  the  Great,  it  had  been 
carried  to  the  church. — Moreover,  Serapis  and 
Nilus  were  appropriately  conjoined  on  these 
coins,  because  the  former  was  believed  by  the 
Egyptians  to  bring  the  latter  through  their 
country  for  its  irrigation,  and  to  regulate  the 
river’s  increase  and  decrease. 

Nimbus,  a circlet,  or  disc,  which  on  Roman 
coins,  almost  exclusively  of  the  lower  empire, 
appears  around  the  head  of  Deities  and  of 
Emperors  similar  to  that  lucid  nebulous  ring 
with  which  the  hands  of  Christian  artists  were 
afterwards  accustomed  to  adorn  the  Saviour, 
the  Virgin  Mary,  the  Angels,  Apostles,  and 
at  length  all  the  Saints  in  the  calendar.  The 
word  nimbus  was  formerly  used  in  a varied  sense. 
It  originally  signified  the  veil  or  band  which 
w omen  wore  round  their  foreheads.  As  a small 


forehead  was  a mark  of  beauty,  those  women 
who  possessed  that  feature  on  too  large  a 
scale,  diminished  its  extent  by  means  of  this 
bandeau,  and  they  effected  it  with  so  much  art  as 
to  render  it  difficult  of  detection.  This  frontal 
decoration  is  seen  on  the  head  of  goddesses,  and 
principally  of  Juno. — Of  the  coins  which  ex- 
hibit specimens  of  the  nimbus,  the  most  ancient 
is  that  in  large  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius,  on  the 
reverse  of  which  is  the  figure  of  that  Emperor, 
who  stands  writh  this  circlet  surrounding  his 
head,  which  is  radiated  also : in  his  right  hand 


he  holds  a branch,  and  in  his  left  a spear. 
The  Emperor  is  here  represented  with  the 
emblems  of  Apollo. 

Nimbus  purus,  that  is  to  say,  without  rays, 
simply  the  form  of  a circle,  after  a long  series 
of  years  from  the  age  of  the  Antouines,  presents 
itself  as  ornamenting  the  bust  of  Constantine 
the  Great,  on  a gold  coin  published  by  Morell, 
inscribed  gavdivm  romanorvm. — The  same 
ornament  appears  on  an  aureus  of  Elavia 
Maxima  Fausta,  wife  of  Constantine.  Then  it 
occurs  on  coins  of  Constans  and  Constantius. 
From  that  period  it  became  frequent  on  the 
Eastern  Imperial  medals ; and  especially  on 
those  of  Valens.  Lastly,  among  the  Byzantine 
Emperors,  we  see  the  head  of  Our  Saviour,  and 
of  the  Virgin,  crowned  with  the  nimbus,  as  on 
the  coins  of  Iohn  Zimisces,  a medal  of  whose 
reign  bears  a cross  enclosed  in  the  nimbus. — 
Eckhel  remarks  that  the  Romans  conferred  the 
honour  of  the  nimbus  on  the  phoenix,  regarding 
that  fabulous  bird  as  the  symbol  of  immortality 
and  of  eternity. 

Nisibis,  or  Nesibis,  a city  of  Mesopotamia, 
at  the  foot  of  Mouut  Masius,  erected  into  a 
Roman  Colony  by  S.  Severus,  and  made  metro- 
polis of  the  province  by  Philip  senior. — There 
are  Imperial  Greek  coins  of  this  colony  (struck 
in  honour  of  Julia  Paula,  wife  of  Elagabalus, 
Alexander  Severus,  Gordianus  Pius,  and  Philip) ; 
but  none  with  Latin  inscriptions 

NOB.  C.  NOBi/f*  or  NOB ilissimus  C cesar. 
— Noble  or  Most  Noble  Caesar. 

Nobilis  Caesar,  Philip  the  younger,  before  he 
was  declared  Augustus,  and  admitted  by  his 
father  to  all  the  honours  of  the  sovereign 
power,  enjoyed  the  title  of  Nobilis  Cesar ; a 
distinction  which  was  afterwards  continued  to 
princes  who  were  not  associated  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  empire,  as  well  as  to  those  on 
whom  the  Emperors  devolved  the  administration 
of  their  State  affairs.  For  example,  Diocletian 
gave  the  title  of  Nobilis  or  Nobilissimus 


576  N0B1  LITAS. — NISB1S. 

Cesar,  to  Constantins,  Maximinus,  Scverus, 
and  Maximianus,  as  we  perceive  by  their  medals 
(Bimard  and  Jobert,  vol.  i.  248). — The  style 
of  nob.  C.  occurs  on  Imperial  coins  from 
Hcrennius,  a.d.  249,  to  Julianus  II.,  a.d. 
355. — Some  women  also,  were,  in  like  manner 
distinguished — for  example  Nobilissima  Fausla. 

Noctua — the  image  of  Wisdom. — See  Owl. 

Nobility,  both  as  a privilege  and  as  a quality, 
was  always  held  in  the  highest  consideration 
with  the  ltomaus.  Those  were  called  Nobles 
who  could  shew  a long  series  of  ancestral  por- 
traits. For  in  the  times  when  the  Republic 
was  free,  the  Jus  imaginum  or  right  of  images 
was  but  another  term  to  express  the  right  of 
Nobility,  and  the  one  is  often  used  for  the 
other.  Thus  it  was  not  the  circumstance  of 
birth  which  conferred  nobility,  but  the  public 
offices,  which  entitling  their  possessors  to  the 
right  of  images,  consequently  rendered  them 
noble.  At  first  none  were  accounted  Nobles 
but  the  Patricians,  they  alone  being  invested 
with  functions  that  gave  nobility.  Afterwards, 
however,  the  appellation  of  Nobles  was  extended 
to  those,  who  without  belonging  to  the  mere 
ancient  families  of  Rome,  could  point  to  their 
ancestors  or  themselves  as  having  occupied  the 
chair  and  fulfilled  the  office  of  a Curule  Magis- 
trate.— Nobilitas  is  personified  on  medals  of 
Commodus,  Geta,  Elagabalus,  Philip  the  elder, 
and  Tetricus  the  elder. 

NOBILIToj  \\  Gusli. — A woman  clothed 
in  the  stola,  standing,  with  the  hasta  pura  in 
her  right  hand,  and  the  palladium  in  her  left. 
On  gold,  silver,  and  first  brass  of  Commodus. — 
On  this  coin  a degenerate  Emperor  boasts  to  his 
own  shame  of  his  own  nobility.  It  would 
appeal-  that  although  Roman  respect  for  the 
nobility  of  families  was  from  the  earliest  date 
of  their  history  intimately  associated  with  their 
patriotism,  yet  the  type  of  nobleness  as  a 
virtue,  does  not  occur  on  coins  of  the  empire 
before  the  reign  of  Commodus.  His  example 
was,  however,  followed  by  several  of  his  suc- 
cessors. The  figure,  with  varieties,  is  seen 
principally  on  coins  struck  in  honour  of  those 
young  Imperial  heirs,  to  whom  was  sub- 
sequently given  the  title  of  Nobi/issimus  Gesar. 

NOBILITAS. — A female  figure  standing, 
with  a lance  in  one  hand  and  the  palladium  in 
the  other.  This  type, 
on  a silver  medal  of 
Geta,  indicates  by  the 
attribute  of  the  spear,  and 
the  image  of  Minerva, 
the  two  means  (valour  in 
war,  wisdom  in  council,) 
by  which  nobility  was  or 
ought  to  be  acquired. — 
Commodus,  the  descend- 
ant of  Emperors,  might  rightly  lay  claim  to 
the  highest  distinctions  of  hereditary  rank, 
though  he  disgraced  his  illustrious  birth  by 
every  vice;  but  the  nobility  of  Geta’s  father 
wras  that  of  a novus  homo,  the  first  gieat  man ' 
of  his  family,  and  therefore  not  tit  mntter  foi 
self  glorification  on  the  part  of  a younger  son. 


NOMINA. 

Nomina  Romanorum.  The  proper  names  of 
the  Romans. — Cicero  thus  defines  the  word 
nomen ; it  is,  says  he,  quod  unicuique  personte 
datur  quo  suo  quoeque  proprio  el  certo  vocabulo 
appellatur.  Amongst  the  Romans  there  were 
gentes  and  familia.  The  latter,  as  a species, 
were  comprehended  under  the  former.  The 
gens  or  race  was  made  up  of  many  families,  or 
branches.  Thus  the  gens  Cornelia  had  for  its 
families  the  Blasioues,  Ccthcgi,  Dolabellte, 
Lentuli,  Scipiones,  &c  Whilst  the  Greeks 
assigned  to  each  individual  but  one  name,  the 
Romans,  who  allowed  only  one  name  to  their 
slaves,  gave  each  citizen  three  and  even  four, 
especially  when  he  was  adopted,  viz.,  pnenomen, 
uomen,  and  cognomen — as  Publius  Cornelius 
Scipio.  The  pnenomen  served  to  distinguish 
each  persou  such  as  that  of  Publius;  the  no  men 
designated  the  race  whence  he  sprang,  such  as 
that  of  Cornelius;  and  the  surname  marked 
the  family  to  which  he  immediately  belonged, 
such  as  that  of  Scipio.  To  these  sometimes  was 
added  a fourth,  called  agnomen,  which  was 
given,  either  on  account  of  adoption,  or  in 
reward  of  some  great  exploit,  nnd  even  for  some 
personal  defect  or  peculiarity.  Thus,  on  Publius  _ 
Cornelius  Scipio,  for  his  conquests  and  services 
to  the  republic,  was  conferred  the  agnomen,  or 
additional  appellative,  of  Africanus.  An  ancient 
grammarian,  whose  authority  Eckhcl  quotes  from 
Sigonius,  thus  succinctly  defines  the  appellative 
words  by  which  the  heads  of  Roman  families 
were  distinguished,  and  which  wetc  ot  four 
kinds — viz.,  the  Pnenomen,  which  was  prefixed 
to  mark  the  difference  in  the  ancestral  name 
( Nomini  genfi/itio)  : the  Nomen,  which  was 
designed  to  shew  the  origin  of  the  gens  or  race : 
the  Cognomen,  which  was  subjoined  to  the 
ancestral  names : and  the  Agnomen,  which  was  an 
extrinsic  designation  constantly  added,  for  some 
particular  reason,  or  on  account  of  some  public 
incident.  Valerius  expresses  himself  of  a similar 
opinion  on  these  points. — By  some  writers  even 
the  agnomen  was  recognised  as  the  cognomen  or 
surname.  “ Of  this  an  example,”  observes 
Eckhel,  “ is  furnished  to  us  in  the  case  of  L. 
Calpurnius  l’iso  Frugi,  by  Cicero,  who  distinctly 
points  to,  and  comments  on,  Frugi  as  the  sur- 
name of  Calpurnius  Piso. — See  Poet.  Num. 
Vet.  vol  v.  p.  56. — See  also  Cognomen. 

It  has  been  remarked  that,  during  the  exist- 
ence of  the  Republic,  it  was  the  sedulous  rare 
of  the  Romans  to  preserve  and  hand  down  their 
nomen  gentililium,  or  name  which  came  to  them 
by  descent  from  their  ancestors.  The  eldest  son 
usually  took  the  proper  name  of  his  father,  as 
in  the  Claudia,  Fabia,  and  Cornelia  families. 
With  respect  to  the  younger  sons,  they,  it 
appears,  assumed  inditTcrcntly  other  names.  But 
under  the  Imperial  Government  of  Rome  the 
people  gradually  relaxed  in  attention  to  this  rule, 
till  at  length,  when  the  Emperor  Caracalla  made 
I it  a law  to  bestow  the  name  of  Citizen  indis- 
criminately on  all  the  subjects  of  the  Roman 
empire,  the  ancient  custom  with  regard  to  names 
was  entirely  forgotten,  and  everyone  colled  him- 
self what  he  pleased. 


. NOMINA. 

Nomina  gentilicia. — The  ancestral  names 
ended  in  ivs.  “ This  rule  of  termination,” 
observes  Eckhel,  “seems,  but  only  seems,  to 
fail  in  some  cases.  For  we  have  in  this  very 
class  of  families,  Norbanus,  Caecina,  Betilienus, 
Allicnus,  Setrienus,  which  end  otherwise.  Never- 
theless, it  is  almost  beyond  a doubt  that  these 
were  not  nomina  gentilicia,  but  cognomena,  or 
agnomena,  the  real  nomina  being  unknown,  in 
consequence  of  the  practice  which  prevailed  among 
the  Romans  of  calling  some  individuals  by  the 
name  of  their  gens  and  others  by  their  cognomen. 
Thus  Cicero,  in  his  orations  and  elsewhere, 
always  speaks  of  Ceesar,  never  of  Julius;  on 
the  other  hand  he  always  names  Pompeius, 
never  Strabo. — Moreover  there  were  those  who 
in  speaking  of  themselves  always  omitted  the 
nomen  gentis,  or  name  of  their  original  race. 
Agrippa  at  no  time  either  called  or  wrote  him- 
self Vipsanius,  but  M.  Agrippa. — And  hence 
historians,  as  the  established  custom  leant  one  way 
or  the  other,  designated  them  by  their  surnames 
only.  For  which  reason,  when  we  read  the 
name  of  a Roman  personage  ending  otherwise 
than  in  ivs,  it  is  to  be  considered  as  the 
cognomen,  and  unless  we  have  other  means  of 
ascertaining  the  nomen  gentis,  we  may  be  cer- 
tain that  the  nomen  gentilicium  was,  not  indeed 
wanting,  but  unknown.  But  this  rule  also 
applies  only  to  the  times  when  the  republic 
flourished,  and  was  deviated  from  at  a sub- 
sequent period.” 

Nomina  per  adoptionem.  Names  by  adoption. 
— The  adopted  Romans  passed  into  the  family 
of  him  who  adopted  them,  so  that  having  re- 
ceived all  his  names  they  placed  the  name  of 
their  own  family  last,  but  lengthened  out  to 
anvs.  Thus  Acmilius  Paulus,  adopted  by  P. 
Cornelius  Scipio,  was  thenceforward  called  P. 
Cornelius  Scipio  Aemilianus.  C.  Octavius, 
afterwards  Augustus,  adopted  by  Cicsar  the 
Dictator,  became  C.  Julius  Caesar  Octaviants ; 
and  in  like  manner  on  coins  we  see  A.  LICINIVS. 
NERVA  SILIANms  ; and  T.  QVINCTIVS 
CRISPINVS  SVLPICIANVS. — This  rule, how- 
ever, was  often  departed  from.  M.  Junius  Brutus, 
he  who  slew  Ca:sar,  bciug  the  adopted  son  of 
Q.  Scrvilius  Csepio,  was  called  Q.  Cmpio  Brutus, 
that  is  to  say,  his  family  surname  was  retained, 
whereas  he  ought  to  have  been  called  Q. 
Servilius  Cmpio  Junianus. — So  also  Scipio,  who 
opposed  himself  to  Cfesar  in  Africa,  being 
adopted  by  Q.  Csecilius  Metellus  Pius,  is  called 
on  coins,  Q,  Metellus  Pius  Scipio,  not  Cor- 
nelians.— It  does  not  appear,  however,  that 
about  the  assumption  of  names,  to  which  they 
succeeded,  they  were  particularly  scrupulous. 
The  same  adopted  Brutus  is  often  on  coins  styled 
only : brvtvs  imp.  ; and  P.  Clodius,  adopted 
by  Fontcius,  to  the  end  of  his  life  continued  to 
be  called  P.  Clodius.  Moreover  the  surname  was 
elongated  by  adoption,  as  from  Marcellus,  Mar- 
cellinus,  of  which  an  example  may  be  seen  on  coins 
of  Lcntulus  Marcellinus,  in  the  Cornelia  family. 

Nomen  patris  et  avi. — The  name  of  a father 
and  even  of  a grandfather  will  sometimes  be 
found  alluded  to  on  the  family  coins  of  the 

4 E 


NOMINA.— NONIA.  577 

Romans;  as,  P.  CRASSVS  M.  F.,  or  C. 
ANNI.  T.  F.  T.  N.,  that  is  to  say  T iti  Yilius 
T iti  N epos.  Another  way  of  mentioning  the 
name  of  a father,  but  a somewhat  ambiguous 
one,  is  that  exemplified  by  REGVLVS.  F.,  that 
is  Vilius,  as  may  be  observed  on  coins  of  the 
Curiatia  family. 

Nomina  foeminina. — Names  of  females  as 
given  to  men,  are  to  be  found  on  the  family 
medals  of  ancient  Rome.  For  example,  asina, 

BESTIA,  CAECINA,  CAPEI.LA,  FIMBRIA,  GLVCIA, 

mvrena,  mvs a,  svra,  vaala,  &c. — Harduin 
says  “ the  names  of  the  Romans  were  derived  to 
them  partly  from  the  fathers’,  partly  from  the 
mothers’  side.” — But  this  was  not  always  the 
case ; for  Spanheim  ( Pr . ii.  p.  309),  among 
other  instances  to  the  contrary,  quotes  that  of 
Herennia  Etruscilla,  daughter  of  Trajanus 
Decius,  who  took  no  part  of  the  paternal  name, 
but  was  called  after  her  mother. 

Nomina  gentilicia  mulierum. — The  family 
name  of  the  woman  frequently  received  the 
addition  of  the  husband’s.  In  the  earliest  ages 
of  Rome  women  had  but  one  name ; afterwards, 
following  the  men’s  example,  the  names  of 
women  were  multiplied. 

Nomina  Augustomm. — The  names  commonly 
assigned  to  some  Roman  Emperors  are  not  to  be 
found  on  their  coins,  Thus  we  never  read 
Caligula,  but  Caius ; never  Caracalla,  but 
Marcus  Aurelius  Antoninus.  The  w'ord  Ela- 
gabalus  is  not  placed  as  a name  round  the  head 
of  that  Emperor,  but  forms  part  of  a legend  to 
the  reverse,  as  Sanclo  Deo  Elagabalo  ; whilst 
on  the  obverse  he  also  pirates,  or  rather  pollutes, 
the  name  of  M.  A.  Antonina. 

We  find  Emperors,  on  their  accession  to  the 
throne,  assuming  the  names  of  their  immediate 
predecessors,  in  cases  where  those  predecessors 
were  their  parents  by  nature  or  by  adoption. 
Thus  Trajan,  adopted  by  Nerva,  called  himself 
nerva  traianvs;  Hadrian  wishing  to  appear 
in  the  same  relationship  to  Trajan,  at  first  took 
the  style  of  traianvs  hadrianvs. — Antonine, 
adopted  by  Hadrian,  is  called  on  his  earliest 
mintages  hadrianvs  antoninvs.  Ills  suc- 
cessor, Marcus  Aurelius,  took,  not  his  pre- 
nomen, but  his  surname,  and  is  styled  on 
medals  M.  avrelivs  antoninvs. — Commodus 
bears  the  name  sometimes  of  his  natural  parent, 
sometimes  that  of  his  family — and  his  coins 
accordingly  are  inscribed  either  h.  or  m.  anto- 
ninvs commodvs,  or  m.  commodvs  antoninvs. 
— Spanheim  explains  the  reason  (Pr.  ii.  p.  508) 
why  Severus,  who  was  not  the  son  of  Pertinax, 
either  by  nature  or  by  adoption,  nor  assumed 
the  government  either  in  association  with,  or  as 
succeeding  him,  yet,  being  made  Emperor, 
added  the  name  of  Pertinax  to  his  own. 

NONIA,  a plebeian  family,  but  of  con- 
sular rank.  Its  surnames  are  Sufenas  and 
Quinctilianus.  There  are  three  varieties  of 
type.  The  silver  are  scarce : the  brass  pieces 
are  by  the  moneyers  of  Augustus  and  common. 
The  following  is  a rare  type  : — 

svfenas  s.c. — The  head  of  Saturn  as  Eckhel 
considers  and  shews  it  to  be. 


578  NORBA.— NORBANA. 

Rev. — sex.  noni.  PR.  l.  v.  p.  p.,  which  some 
learned  antiquaries  read  Sextus  Nonius  Primus 
Ludos  Votivos  Publicas  Fecit;  or  as  others 
interpret  it,  Sextus  Nonius  Prator  Ludos 
Publicos  Fecit. — The  type  is  a female  figure, 
considered  to  personify  Rome,  sitting  on  spoils, 
holding  in  her  right  hand  a spear  and  in  her 
left  a parazonium  : a Victory  stands  behind  and 
crowns  her  with  a garland. — Spanhcim  decidedly 
gives  preference  to  the  reading,  which  records 
Nonius  as  having  celebrated  the  Ludi  Votivi 
during  his  prsetorship ; not  as  being  the  author 
of  those  games. 

NOR.  Noricum. — See  met.  nor.  Metellum 
Noricum,  on  third  brass  of  Hadrian. — The 
ancient  Noricum  was  part  of  Illyria. — See 
f.xerc.  noric.,  on  first  and  second  brass  of 
Hadrian. 

Norba,  a city  situate  on  the  river  Tagus, 
formerly  part  of  Lusitania,  supposed  to  be  the 
modern  Alcantara,  in  Old  Castille,  in  Spain. — 
Raschc,  on  the  authority  of  Hardouin,  Patin, 
and  Liebe,  quotes  coins  as  struck  there,  not 
only  under  Augustus,  but  also  under  Tiberius 
and  Caligula. — The  assignment  of  this  coin  to 
wrhat  Pellerin  calls  “ the  pretended  colony”  of 
Norba,  is  shewn  to  be  erroneous  by  that  writer, 
who  on  the  contrary  agrees  with  Florez  in  read- 
ing the  four  letters  in  question,  as  Colonia 
Casarea  Nova  Carthago  (New  Carthage  now 
Carthagena,  in  Spain.) — M.  Hennin,  in  the 
nomenclature  of  his  Manual,  under  the  head 
of  Lusitania  (ii.  p.  87),  makes  Norba  to  be 
now  Brozas;  and  he  limits  its  coinage  to 
imperial  autonomes,  and  even  these  he  appears 
to  treat  as  of  doubtfid  attribution. 

NORBANA. — The  name  of  this  family  is  lost, 
and  the  surname  norbanvs  substituted  in  its 
room.  It  appears  to  have  been  plebeian,  but 
consular.  There  are  many  varieties  in  the  coins, 
but  none  of  any  interest,  although  some  of  the 
silver  were  restored  by  Trajan.  The  latter 
denarii  are  very  rare — the  rest  common.  It  is 
not  ascertained  to  which  C.  Norbanus  they 
belong. — There  arc  gold  of  high  rarity  inscribed 
c.  norbanvs  l.  CESTivs.  pr.,  which  come 
under  the  Cestia  family. — See  Cestia. 


NOVA  SPES  REIPUBLICAE. 

NOST.  NOSTR.  Nostrorum. — See  avgo. 
et  caess.  nost.  Augustorum  et  Casarum 
Nostrorum,  on  coins  of  Diocletian,  Constantius 
Chlorus,  &c. 

Notre  Monetales. — The  family  coins  of  the 
Romaus  exhibit  an  infinite  number  of  marks 
peculiar  to  the  moncyers,  placed  there  to  dis- 
tinguish their  workmanship.  These  consist  of 
characters  and  of  small  figures;  and  are  found 
also  in  great  abundance  on  coins  of  the  lower 
empire,  particularly  from  the  time  of  Trcbonianus 
Callus  and  Volusiauus,  to  denote  (Jobert,  vol.  i. 
186;  the  place  where  they  were  struck;  but 
often  in  so  obscure  a manner  as  to  baffle  the 
conjectural  skill  of  the  most  erudite  numis- 
matists. 

NOVA  SPES  REIPVBLICAE.— Victory 
seated  on  spoils  of  the  enemy,  inscribes  on  a 
buckler  xx.  xxx. ; in  the 
field  is  a star : below 
conob. — This  legend  and 
type  appear  on  a very  rare 
gold  eoiu  of  Arcadius,  one 
of  which  is  now  in  the  H un- 
tcrian  Museum. — Bauduri 
is  (naturally  enough)  at  a 
loss  to  know  in  what 
manner  Arcadius  could  at  the  time  when  the 
vows  for  xx.  (years)  were  already  discharged  for 
him,  be  called  Nora  Spes  Reipublica ; he  offers 
therefore  various  conjectures  on  the  point — the 
trouble  of  settling  w’hich  Eckhel,  in  his  quiet 
easy  way,  freely  leaves  to  those  who  are  fond  of 
exercising  their  critical  skill  on  coins  struck  in 
“ times”  so  much  “ out  of  joint,”  as  the  age  of 
Arcadius. 

NOVI. — See  gloria  novi  saecvli.  On 
coins  of  Gratian. 

Novia,  a plebeian  family,  as  may  be  inferred 
from  the  fact  of  L.  Nonius  having  been  a 
tribune  of  the  people. — But  the  coins  struck 
at  Corinth  by  the  colonial  Duumvir  Novius, 
belong  not  to  the  family  class. 

NO  VIES  M 1 LLies  ABOLITA.— See  be- 
liqva  vetera,  &c.  On  a coin  of  Hadrian. 

NVBIS  CONS. — The  signification  of  these 
letters,  on  the  coins  of  young  Romulus,  the 


son  of  Maxentius,  notwithstanding  all  the 
attempts  made  by  the  learned  to  explain  it,  still 
remains  not  fully  ascertained. — The  Baron 
Bimard,  in  his  commentary  on  Jobert’s  work, 
decides  that  the  Nostra;  Xrbis  CON servatori  of 
Tristan;  the  N ostra  Xrbis  B is  CON suli  of 
Harduin  ; and  the  Nobilissimo  Consuti  of  Car- 
dinal Noris,  arc  interpretations  all  of  them 
respectively  beyond  the  bounds  of  probable  con- 
jecture.— Eckhel  confesses  himself  destitute  of 


patience  sufficient  either  to  record  or  refute  the 
conflicting  opinions  on  these  still  ambiguous 
words.  And  Mionnet  pleads  absolute  ignorance 
of  their  import. — E.  C.  B.,  in  the  “ Numis- 
matic Journal,”  vol.  i.,  thinks  that  Jobert  is 
correct  in  reading  N.  V.  as  Nostra  Urbis.  He 
adds  that  “.it  would  of  course  be  absurd  to 
expect  to  find  DIVVS  and  CONSVL  in  the 
same  legend  ;”  but  it  docs  not  appear  evident  to 
us  why  they  should  be  so  inconsistent ; and 


NUMA. 

BIS  CONSVL.  (twice  Consul),  seems  at  least 
not  objectionable;  and  as  upon  one  of  his 
earlier  coins  Romulus  is  styled  NOBILIS 
CAES.,  the  previous  letters  may  be  considered 
rather  as  something  equivalent,  in  preference  to 
Nostra  Xrbis. — See  Romulus. 

N.  T. — Numini  Tute/ari. 

N.  TR.  ALEXANDRIANAE  COL.  BOSTR. 
Nervia  Trajana  Alexandriana  Colonia  Bos- 
trensis. — To  the  Nervian,  Trajan,  Alexandrian 
Colony  of  Bostra  (a  city  of  Palestine). 

NVM.  Numa. — NVM.  POMPILI  —Numa 
Pompilius. — NVM.  Humerus. 

Numa  Pompilius,  of  a Sabine  family,  was, 
after  the  death  of  Romulus,  elected  to  till  the 
throne  of  Rome,  and  is  calculated  to  have 
commenced  his  reign  in  the  third  year  of  the 
sixteenth  Olympiad.  Conspicuous  for  justice 
and  piety,  he  entered  into  treaties  of  peace  and 
amity  with  the  neighbouring  nations,  whose 
minds  hitherto  brutalized  by  long  and  cruel 
wars,  he  led  to  cultivate  the  arts  of  peace.  He 
shewed  particular  atticliment  to  the  ceremonies 
of  religion ; reformed  the  manners,  and  im- 
proved the  legislation  of  the  people ; and  of  a 
mere  band  of  warriors,  undertook  to  make  a 
nation  of  men  civilized,  just,  and  fearing  the 
Gods.  To  Numa  is  ascribed  the  Jionour  of 
having  first  founded  a temple  to  Janus,  and  also 
of  haring  been  the  original  author  of  the  Roman 
coinage.  He  created  the  pontifical  order  of  the 
Flamines  C Ilia  l is,  Martialis,  and  Quirialis.) 
Twelve  Salian  Priests  were  also  assigned  by  him 
to  the  worship  of  Mars.  He  instituted  the 
Vestals,  as  a body  of  virgins,  to  preserve  the 
sacred  fire ; established  on  the  calendar  the 
dies  fasti  et  nefasti ; and  divided  the  year 
into  twelve  months.  To  Numa  is  likewise 
attributed  the  foundation  of  the  Feciales, 
heralds  who  decided  on  the  justice,  and  made 
the  declaration  of  wrar,  and  who  watched  over 
the  observance- of  pacific  treaties. 

NVM  A. — The  head  of  this  king,  with  his 
name  inscribed  on  the  diadem  (see  the  word), 
appears  on  a rare  stiver  coin  of  the  Calpurnia 
family,  whose  boast  it  was  that  they  were 
descended  from  Calpus,  the  son  of  Numa 
Pompilius,  as  both  Plutarch  and  Festus  ex- 
pressly affirm. — The  head  of  Numa  also  occurs 
on  a denarius  of  the  Pompeia  family,  with 
the  legend  cn.  piso  pro  q. — Likewise  on  a brass 
coin  of  the  same  monetary  triumvir,  on  the 
reverse  of  which  is  the  head  of  Augustus,  as 
may  be  seen  in  Morell. — A denarius  of  the  Marcia 
family  also  presents  a portrait  of  this  royal 
lawgiver;  and  on  a scarce  denarius  of  the 
Pomponia  family,  the  reverse  exhibits  the  fol- 
lowing : — 

NVM.  POMPIL. — A figure  representing 
Numa  in  his  quality  of  Augur,  holding  the 
lituus,  stands  before  a lighted  altar,  to  which  a 
man  is  leading  a goat. — See  Pomponia, 

That  the  Pomponia  family  referred  its  origin 
to  Numa  we  have  the  positive  testimony  of 
Plutarch.  And  to  his  account  of  the  four  sons 
of  Numa,  being  Pompo,  Pinus,  Calpus,  and 
Mamercus,  he  subjoins  “for  from  Pompo  are 
4 E 2 


NUMERIANUS.  579 

descended  the  Pomponia.”  On  the  reverse  of 
this  coin  Numa  is  represented  employed  in  that 
sacred  office,  of  which  he  was  the  chief  author. 

NVMA  POMPILI  ANCVS  MARCI.— Heads 
of  Numa  Pompilius  and  Ancus  Marcius. — Rev. 
C.  CENSOri»«i;  below  ROMA.  Two  sterns 
of  galleys,  on  one  of  which  is  a figure  of  Victory 
placed  on  a column.  This  appears  on  a second 
brass  of  the  Marcia  family,  of  which  Ccnsorinus 
is  one  of  the  surnames. — See  Ancus  Marcius 
for  another  coin  of  the  same  family.  Both  types 
appear  to  refer  to  the  Port  of  Ostia,  built  by 
Ancus  Marcius. 

NVMERIANVS  ( Marcus  Aurelius),  second 
son  of  Cams,  wras  bom  about  a.d.  254.  Declared 
Cfesar  at  the  beginning  of  his  father’s  reign,  he 
accompanied  him  in  the  war  against  the  Sar- 
matians,  and  afterwards  against  the  Persians. 
On  the  death  of  Cams,  a.d.  283,  he  was  re- 
cognised Emperor  of  the  army  in  Persia,  con- 
jointly with  his  elder  brother  Carinus,  who  re- 
sided in  the  West. — Unlike  that  brother,  how- 
ever, he  was  an  excellent  prince,  endowed  with 
the  most  amiable  virtues,  governed  by  the  most 
honourable  principles,  eloquent,  a good  poet, 
a man  of  tried  courage  and  sound  wisdom,  a 
decided  supporter  of  the  laws  and  promoter  of 
the  public  interests.  Attacked  by  illness,  and 
obliged  to  be  conveyed  in  a litter,  on  his  return 
into  Europe,  he  was  basely  assassinated  by  his 
father-in-law  Arrius  Aper,  near  Heraclea,  in 
Thrace,  a.d.  284,  to  the  great  grief  of  his 
subjects,  in  the  thirtieth  year  of  his  age,  having 
reigned  only  nine  months. — The  honours  of  con- 
secration were  paid  to  his  memory  by  Carinus 
or  by  Diocletian. 

The  coins  of  this  prince  in  third  brass  are 
common — silver  doubtful,  if  any — brass  me- 
dallions very  rare — gold  most  rare.  Some 
pieces  represent  him  with  his  brother  Carinus. 


Numerianus  is  styled  M.  avr.  nvmerianvs. 
c.  (On  reverse,  sometimes  princeps  iwent.) 

— NVMERIANVS  NOB.  CAES. — IMP.  C.  M.  AVR. 
NVMERIANVS  NOB.  C. — IMP.  NVMERIANVS.  P.F. 
AVG. — IMP.  NVMERIANVS  INVICT.  AVG. — DIWS. 

nvmerianvs. — The  illustration  is  taken  from 
a fine  brass  medallion. 

Numerius,  a surname  peculiar  to  the  Fahia 
family,  and  which  the  Latins  designated  by  the 
single  letter  n. — Valerius  Maximus  informs  us 
that  the  only  one  of  the  Fabii  who  escaped  the 
massacre  of  Cremera,  where  300  of  them 
perished,  married  the  wife  of  Numerius  Otacilius, 
on  condition  that  the  son  whom  he  might  have 


580  NUMITORIA. — NUMONIA . 

should  bear  the  name  of  Numerius.  The 
denarii  of  this  family  bear  witness  to  the  alleged 
fact  that  the  Fabian  race  used  the  pr&nomen  of 
Numerius,  and  expressed  it  solely  by  the  letter 
N.,  as  N.  FAR  I.  pictoe.  Numerius  Fabius 
Fictor. — Sigonius,  however,  states  that  two 
other  ancient  and  patrician  families,  Furia  and 
Quinctia,  also  used  the  surname  of  Numerius. 

Numidia,  a part  of  Africa  between  Mauretania 
Cmsaricnsis  and  the  Carthaginian  region,  whose 
inhabitants  were  called  Numid®  by  the  Romans. 
— Jugurtha,  King  of  Numidia,  waged  a long 
and  bloody  war  against  the  Roman  republic. 
Twice  subdued  by  the  Consul  Quintus  Metellus, 
he  again  took  up  arms  against  the  power  of 
Rome ; but,  though  at  first  occasionally  success- 
ful, he  was  finally  vanquished  by  Marius,  with 
Bocchus,  King  of  Mauritania,  whom  he  had 
drawn  over  to  his  party.  That  traitor  betrayed 
him  to  Marius,  who  conveyed  him  to  Rome, 
dragged  him  in  the  train  of  his  triumphal 
procession,  and  caused  him  to  perish  in  prison. 
Numidia,  in  the  year  of  Rome,  became  a 
province  of  the  republic,  and,  after  the  death  of 
Lepidus,  was  ceded  to  Augustus. — For  the  kings 
of  Numidia,  on  Roman  coins,  see  Juba. 

NVMITORIA,  a plebeian  family,  as  appears 
from  its  having  furnished  to  the  republic  tribunes 
of  the  people ; but  it  was  also  a family  of  the 
greatest  antiquity,  and  seems  to  have  referred  for 
its  origin  to  Nuinitor,  brother  of  Aurelius, 
grandfather  of  Romulus  and  Remus. — There  are 
five  varieties.  Silver  very  rare.  The  brass, 
which  arc  common,  form  parts  of  the  As. — A 
denarius  of  this  family  has  on  one  side  the 
winged  head  of  Pallas,  and  koma  ; on  the 
other,  c.  nvjiitori,  a man  in  a triumphal 
quadriga,  crowned  by  a flying  victory. 

NVMONIA,  a family  of  but  little  celebrity 
in  Roman  annals.  Whether  it  was  plebeian  or 
patrician  is  uncertain. — Its  surname  on  coins  is 
Vala,  or  Vaala. — Velleius  alludes  ta  Numonius 
Vala,  who  basely  deserted  Varus  in  Germany ; 
and  Horace  writes  an  epistle  to  Numonius  Vala 
(Lib.  i.  15). — There  are  three  varieties.  Both 
the  gold  and  silver  coins  of  this  family  are 
extremely  rare  ; of  the  latter,  some  were  restored 
by  Trajan,  and  these  are  of  the  highest  degree 
of  rarity. 

One  of  the  gold  medals  bears  on  its  reverse 
the  name  of  nvmonivs  vaala,  and  for  its  type 
a soldier  attacking  the  rampart  of  a camp,  which 
two  others  inside  are  defending,  The  same  type 
occurs  in  silver,  of  which  an  example  is  here 
given. 


“ From  this,”  says  Eckhcl,  “ we  learn,  what 
besides  is  attested  by  ancient  writers,  that  a 


NUMONIA. 

certain  C.  Numonius  gained  renown  by  assault' 
ing  an  enemy’s  entrenchment  (vallum)-,  and, 
moreover,  that  on  account  of  such  exploit  the 
surname  of  Vala  was  conferred  on  him,  which, 
handed  down  as  usual,  is  in  this  instance  made 
mAtter  of  boast  by  one  of  his  descendants,  who 
places  the  image  of  his  distinguished  ancestor  on 
this  coin. — vaala  for  vala  is  an  archaism,  as 
on  coins  of  Sylla  we  read  feelix  for  felix. — 
An  archaism  also  leaves  out  an  h.  Thus  pilipvs, 
for  philippvs,  in  the  Marcia  family. — On  the 
above  denarius  you  have  also  a representation 
of  the  form  of  the  Roman  vallum.” 

Nutnus,  or  Nummus,  the  name  by  which  the 
Romans  denoted  a coined  piece  of  metal.  The 
word  seems  to  be  derived  from  the  Greek 
vipos,  although  among  the  Greeks  the  word 
vipiopa  was  more  in  use,  whence  the  Latins 
wrote  Numisma,  which  signifies  what*  (from  the 
French  monnoie)  we  call  money — namely,  pieces 
of  metal  bearing  the  impress  of  different  signs, 
indicative  of  their  weight  and  value,  which,  for 
the  public  accommodation  and  benefit,  are 
ordained  by  law  to  circulate  in  exchange  for  the 
necessaries  and  the  luxuries  of  life,  and  to 
facilitate  the  otherwise  too  difficult  means  of 
conducting  commercial  transactions,  but  the 
liberty  of  fabricating  which  was  denied  to  private 
individuals. 

Numi  bigati. — Roman  coins  so  called,  from 
their  bearing  the  representation  of  cars  drawn 
by  two  horses. 

Numi  bracteali.  Plated  coins. — This  name 
was  given  to  a species  of  fraudulent  coinage 
practised  by  the  ancients,  which  consisted  in 
covering  with  leaves  of  gold  or  of  silver  pieces 
of  metal  of  inferior  value. 

Numi  cistophori , medals  so  denominated 
from  their  presenting  the  mystical  eista  or 
basket,  with  a serpent  issuing  from  or  coiled 
round  it,  allusive  to  the  worship  of  Bacchus. — 
See  Cistojibori. 

Numi  contomiati. — Sec  Contomiale  Coins. 

Numi  contrasignati.  Counterm arked  coins. 
— Numerous  instances  of  medals  stamped  with 
some  particular  mark  occur,  in  the  ancient 
mints  of  Greece,  especially  those  of  kings  and 
cities.  Coins  struck  with  a similar  countersign 
arc  to  be  found  in  the  Roman  Imperial  series, 
under  Claudius  and  also  under  Vespasian. 

Numi  frustati. — The  Latin  word  frustatus, 
derived  from  frustum,  a bit,  a fragment,  is 
applied  by  numismatic  antiquaries  to  a medal 
which  is  so  much  defaced  that  its  inscription  is 
illegible. — The  French  call  it  une  medaille 
fruste. 

Numi  incusi. — Incuse  medals  arc  those 
which  are  stamped  only  on  one  side,  and  which 
represent  the  same  type  on  both  sides,  one  in 
relief  and  the  other  hollow.  The  process  was 
employed  by  some  cities  of  Magna  Gracia  in 
striking  their  silver  money.  But  they  must  not 
be  confounded  with  those  which  are  incuse 
through  the  neglect  or  participation  of  the 
moneyers,  and  which  are  found  as  well  among 
the  Consular  coins  as  among  the  brass  and 
silver  of  the  Imperial  series. 


NUMI. 

Numi  pelliculati. — Tlie  same  as  subarati. 
— See  below. 

Numi  quadrigati. — So  called  from  the 
quadriga,  or  chariots  with  four  horses,  which 
form  the  type  of  their  reverses. 

Numi  raliti. — A name  given  to  the  most 
ancient  pieces  of  the  Roman  mint,  which  bear 
on  the  reverse  a galley  (ratisj,  or  rather  the 
rostrum  or  beak  of  a galley. 

Numi  restituti.  Restored  medals. — These 
are  pieces,  both  Consular  and  Imperial,  on 
which,  besides  the  type  and  legend  which 
belonged  to  their  original  fabric,  exhibit  the 
name  of  the  Emperor,  by  whose  order  they 
were  struck  a second  time. — See  rest. 

Numi  serrati. — By  this  term  are  distinguished 
certain  Greek  and  Roman  medals,  of  which  the 
rim  is  indented,  or  garnished  with  teeth. — 
Authors  have  conjectured  various  reasons  for 
this  process  having  been  adopted  in  the  mints  of 
antiquity,  but  none  which  appear  to  solve  the 
mystery. — Eckhel  is  of  opinion  that  the  earliest 
of  these  medailles  dentelees  (as  the  French  call 
them)  mount  to  as  remote  a date  as  the  year 
of  Rome,  564.  Under  the  Emperors  none  of 
these  serrated  coins  are  found,  but  they  fre- 
quently occur  amongst  the  Consular  medals. 

Numi  subarati.  Another  term  for  plated 
coins. — Rink  (in  his  work  Be  Vet.  Numism.) 
describes  this  species  of  money  in  the  following 
terms : — “ It  should  be  understood  that  the 
numus  subaratus  is  a brass  (or  copper)  coin, 
which  has  been  overlaid  with  a coating  of  silver, 
in  such  a manner  that  the  silver  can  easily  be  re- 
moved from  the  brass,  by  merely  loosening  it  at 
the  edge.” 

Numi  tincti. — These  are  what  the  French 
call  medailles  saucees,  namely,  struck  on  copper 
and  afterwards  covered  with  a leaf  of  tin — 
numbers  of  which  are  found  amongst  those 
struck  in  the  declining  periods  of  the  empire. 

Numi  victoriali. — On  the  Consular  coins  the 
figure  of  Victory  in  a big  a or  a quadriga  is 
frequently  seen ; and  hence  this  kind  of  money 
took  the  name  of  victoriatus. 

Numi  metallorum. — See  met.  or  metal  ; also 
Trajan. 

Numi  pro  moneta  kabiti  (says  Vaillant) 
marmore  perenniores,  ac  monumentis  veteribus 
sunt  accuraliores. — Coins  are  more  durable  than 
marble,  and  more  accurate  than  ancient  monu- 
ments. For  (he  adds)  they  were  struck  by 
authority  of  magistrates  after  mature  delibera- 
tion ; therefore,  all  things  respecting  them  must 
have  been  carefully  weighed,  rendered  clear 
and  perspicuous,  and  freed  from  obscurity  and 
doubt.  The  same  writer  admits,  however,  that 
in  some  cases  medals  are  of  less  value  than 
monuments. 

Numismatique. — By  this  word,  used  sub- 
stantively, the  French  designate  that  science 
which  has  for  its  object  the  study  of  medals, 
principally  those  struck  by  the  ancient  Greeks 
and  by  the  ancient  Romans. — See  Numus. 

Numismatiste. — Hennin,  in  the  introduction 
to  “ his  Manual,”  observes  that  the  word 
numismate  has  been  for  some  years  replaced  by 


NYMPH.®  581 

that  of  numismatiste,  which  is  now  adopted  to 
signify  a person  who  studies,  explains,  and 
collects  antique  coins  and  medals  ; in  short  who 
cultivates  the  numismatic  science,  or  la  numis- 
matique. 

Nympha. — The  ancients  were  accustomed  to 
place  under  the  protection  of  beings  whom  they 
called  nymphs,  those  productions  of  nature 
which,  as  in  the  vegetable  woMd,  seem  to 
possess  certain  attributes  of  life.  Neither 
goddesses  nor  mortals,  but  partaking  to  a degree 
of  the  quality  of  both,  they  lived  a long  time, 
for  ambrosia  was  their  food;  but  their  life  at 
length  yielded  to  the  fatal  axe  of  the  woodman, 
or  to  the  scissors  of  the  inexorable  Fates. 

The  nymphs  of  Roman  fable  were  of  divers 
kinds.  For  some  of  them  presided  over  moun- 
tains, others  over  fountains  and  fields,  whilst 
others  again  found  their  element  in  the  sea  and 
other  places. — Some  writers  appear  to  regard 
them  in  no  other  light  than  as  celebrated  women 
of  the  most  remote  antiquity.  For  example, 
Egeria,  the  familiar  spirit  of  Numa;  Acca 
Laurentia,  the  nurse  of  Romulus ; Anna 
Perenna,  the  sister  of  Dido;  Flora  is  said  to 
have  been  a most  noted  courtezan. — Figures  of 
nymphs  are  often  found  on  Roman  monuments 
and  vases;  they  also  appear  on  a few  Greek 
Imperial  and  Colonial  coins.  But  the  only 
Latin  coins  which  present  them,  as  a type,  are 
that  denarius  of  the  Accoleia  family,  on  which 
the  three  sisters  of  Phaeton  appear,  as  changed 
into  larch  trees ; and  the  bronze  medallion  of 
Antoninus  Pius,  which  exhibits  two  nymphs 
of  the  Hesperides  standing  close  to  a tree  bear- 
ing apples,  round  the  trunk  of  which  a serpent 
is  entwined. — See  Hercules. 

0. 

0.  Fourteenth  letter  of  the  Latin  alphabet. 

O.  a globule  or  circle,  is  generally  accepted  as 
denoting  the  uncia,  as  the  sign  of  weight  and 
value — viz.,  o,  uncia;  thence  oooo,  trims ; 
000,  quadrans ; oo,  sextans. 

O.  and  AV.  were  used  promiscuously  by  the 
more  ancient  Romans. — Thus  in  the  Claudia 
family  clodivs  and  clavdivs  ; in  like  manner 
in  the  Plautia  family  plottvs  and  plavtivs 
appear  on  consular  denarii.  By  the  same 
custom  the  foster-father  of  Quirinus  (Romulus), 
whose  name  among  Latin  writers,  spelt  Faus- 
tulus,  is  inscribed  fostvlvs  on  the  denarius  of 
the  Pompeia  family. 

O.  was  often  substituted  by  the  ancient 
Latins  for  V. — Of  this  we  have  examples  in  the 
words  aegyptos  instead  of  aegyptvs  ; divos 

for  DITVS  ; VOLCANO  for  WLCANO,  &C. 

0.  is  adjoined  sometimes  to  V.,  forming  the 
diphthong  OV.,  in  place  of  the  single  letter  V. 
Thus  on  family  denarii  fovlvivs,  is  written 
in  the  room  of  Fulvius,  fovri,  or  fovrivs, 
for  Furius. 

O.  This  letter  by  itself  signifies  Ob,  on 
account  of ; or  qfficina,  office  of  the  mint ; or 
Ogulnius,  the  name  of  a man ; or  optimo,  an 
epithet  often  given  to  Jupiter. 


582  OB  CIVIS  SERVATOS. 

OB.  C.  S„  or  OB.  CIV.  SER.,  or  0.  C.  S. ' 
Ob  Civet  Servatos. — Money  struck  in  houour  of, 
or  an  oaken  crown  dedicated  and  given  to,  some 
one  for  having  been  the  preserver  or  saviour  of 
citizens. 

OB  CIVIS  SERVATOS. — Many  coins,  in 
gold,  silver,  and  brass,  struck  by  the  moncycrs 
of  Augustus,  exhibit  this  commendatory  legend 
(the  letter  i being  usually  elongated),  within 
a crown  of  oak  leaves,  or  around  a votive 
shield  (cl.  v.),  inscribed  S.  P.  Q.  R. — This 
more  frequently  occurs  after  the  Emperor 
above-named  had  caused  the  Roman  citizens 
made  prisoners  in  Parthia  to  be  restored  to 
liberty  in  the  year  of  Rome  734,  as  may  be 
seen  on  coins  of  Aquilius,  Caninius  Durmius, 
and  Petronius,  who  about  that  period  were 
monetal  III  Viri  at  Rome.  (See  Caninia  family.) 
— “This  reverse  (observes  Eckhel),  which  makes 
its  first  appearance  under  Augustus,  was  fre- 
quently revived  by  succeeding  Ca-sars,  not  often 
careful  about  whether  such  praise  could  truly 
be  bestowed  upon  them.” — For  example,  the 
words  ex  s.  c.  ob  crvES  servatos  inscribed 
with  a laurel  crown,  forms  the  legend  of  the 
reverse  «on  a first  brass  coin  of  Claudius,  as  if 
that  most  indolent  and  apathetic,  if  not  most 
stupid,  of  Emperors,  ever  did  an  heroic  or 
humane  action  to  merit  the  eulogy  conveyed  in 
this  senatus  consult um. 

OB.  C.S.  S.P.Q.R.  P.P.  Within  an  oaken 
crown. — On  gold,  silver  (and  first  brass,  with 
addition  of  P.P.)  of  Caligula. — According  to 
Dion,  Caligula  accepted  the  honours  (such  as 
Augustus,  Pater  Patria,  &c.),  some  of  which 
his  predecessor  Tiberius  uniformly  refused.  On 
these  coins  we  see  not  only  the  title  of  Pater 
Patrite,  but  also  the  civic  crown,  neither  of 
which  are  found  in  the  mintage  of  Tiberius,  and 
rightly  so,  for  Suetonius  tells  us  of  'Tiberius  cog- 
nomenque  Patris  Patna,  et  civicam  in  veslibuto 
coronam  recusavit.  By  these  coins,  therefore, 
it  is  (says  Eckhel)  revealed  to  us,  that  this 
commendatory  distinction  meritoriously  earned 
by  Augustus ; afterwards  decreed  to,  but  re- 
jected by,  Tiberius,  was  seized  upon  quite  early 
enough  by  Caligula,  and  subsequently  intruded 
into  the  public  coinage,  by  one  so  utterly 
unworthy  as  the  man,  who  far  from  deserving 
rewards  for  saving  his  fellow-citizens,  had  openly 
wished  that  all  had  but  one  neck  that  he  might 
dispatch  them  at  one  blow. — (Vol.  vi.  223.) 

OB.  C.S.  S.P.Q.R.  P.P.  Within  a laurel 
wreath. — Silver  of  Albinus. — On  this  coin  as 
given  in  Vaillant,  Num.  Prast.  T.  ii.  edit.  Rom. 
p.  208, — Eckhel  makes  the  following  remarks  : 
“ As  Albinus,  from  the  moment  of  his  usurping 
the  honours  of  an  Augustus,  in  defiance  of 
Sevcrus,  was  declared  the  enemy  of  Rome, 
this  medal  could  not  have  been  struck  in  the 
city,  “ nor  could  the  honour,  which  the  coin 
indicates,  have  been  conferred  upon  him  by  the 
Senate,  devoted  n3  that  body  might  be  to  his 
service.  If,  therefore,  it  be  genuine,  the 
above  quoted  coin  teaches  us  what  all  historians 
have  passed  over  without  notice,  that  Albinus  in 
Gaul  formed  a Senate  of  his  own,  from  whom 


OB  CONSERVATIONEM, 
he  obtained  the  appellation  of  Pater  Patria, 
and  the  distinctive  ob  cives  servatos,  with  the 
laurel  crown.  For  the  same  reason,  in  an 
earlier  age,  Pompey  the  Great  in  Greece,  Scipio 
in  Spain,  had  each  his  Senate,  although  Ctesar 
had  at  the  same  time  the  city,  which  was  the 
scat  of  the  Senate,  in  his  power.  And  at  a later 
period  of  the  empire,  the  same  thing  was  done 
by  Postumus,  as  is  shewn  on  his  coinage.” — 
(Vol.  vii.  p.  164.) 

OB  CONSERVATIONEM  PATRIAE. 
— GALLIENVM  AVGVSTVM  POPVLVS 
ROMANVS. — Ilygeia  feeding  a serpent. — By 
this  epigraph,  which  appears  on  a large  and  very 
rare  silver  coin  of  Gallicnus,  the  Roman  people 
are  made  to  worship  that  Emperor  for  his  having 
saved  the  country  (ob  conservationem  patria), 
after  the  model  of  the  servile  Greek  inscriptions. 
“ The  goddess  of  health,  and  the  word  Salutis 
in  the  next  coin  (says  Vaillant),  shews  that  the 
merit  of  having  effectually  exerted  himself  to 
drive  away  the  pestilence  from  Rome  was 
claimed  by  Gallicnus,”  and  awarded  by  the 
obsequious  Senate. 

OB  CONSERVATIONEM  SALVTIS.— 
Same  type  as  above. — Here  Gallienus  Augustus 
receives  the  religions  veneration  of  the  Roman 
people,  as  the  preserver  of  the  public  health. — 
On  this  legend  and  type,  Vaillant  observes — 
“ The  praise,  though  flatteringly,  was  not  alto- 
gether falsely  bestowed  by  the  people  on  their 
prince;  for  that  general  plague,  or  pestilence, 
which  had  raged  throughout  the  empire,  under 
Decius,  G alius,  and  -Einilianus,  after  fifteen 
years’  duration,  ceased  under  Gallienus,  who 
seems  thus  to  have  fulfilled  his  vow  to  the 
goddess  Salus. — Tristan,  therefore,  is  of  opinion, 
from  the  epigraph  of  this  coin,  that  a statue 
was  erected  to  him  in  honour  of  the  event.” 

OB  CONSERVATOREM  SALVTIS.— A 
similar  type  on  a silver  medallion  of  Gallienus. 

OB  LIBERTATEM  RECEPTAM.— GAL- 
LIENVM  AVG  l’.P.  -With  the  laureated head 
of  the  same  Emperor  on  one  side,  and  the 
figure  of  Liberty  on  the  other;  a gold  medal 
records  the  veneration  of  the  Roman  people 
towards  Gallienus  Augustus  for  their  “recovered 
liberty.” — That  was  indeed  a vain  and  false 
display  of  popular  praise,  which  could  openly 
affirm  the  existence  of  Liberty,  under  the  son, 
whilst  the  Emperor  Valcrianus,  his  father,  was 
languishing  in  ignominious  and  cruel  captivity 
amongst  the  Persians,  to  the  great  disgrace  of 
the  whole  Roman  empire. 

In  adding  a second  brass  of  the  same  emperor, 
bearing  a similar  type,  and  having  for  its 
epigraph  on.  kkdmtam  ubertateh,  Eckhel 
justly  observes  that  “the  above  coins  are  remark- 
able for  the  ostentatious  grandeur  and  novel 
terms  of  their  respective  inscriptions.  But  the 
base  adulation,  as  well  of  the  Senate  as  of  the 
people,  which  they  betray,  must  be  obvious  to 
evervone.” 

OB  VICTORIAM  TR1VM FALEM  (sic.)— 
Two  victories  holding  a crown,  on  which  is 
inscribed  vot.  x.  mvi.t.  xv.  or  mvlt.  xx. — This 
occurs  on  gold  and  silver  coins  of  Coustans  I. 


OBSEQUENS.— OCTAVIA. 

(son  of  Constantine  the  Great),  who  it  appears 
had  waged  war  with  the  Franks,  and  afterwards 
with  the  Caledonians,  which  procured  for  him 
this  distinction  of  a triumphal  victory. 

OB.  DV.  FILII  SVI. — A legend  of  uncertain 
signification  on  a coin  of  Licinius  senior. — 
Noris  has  made  it  the  subject  of  a dissertation, 
in  which  he  expresses  his  opinion  that  the 
letters  OB.  DV.  mean  Oblationem  Bevotam, 
aud  endeavours  to  shew  that  gifts  were  accus- 
tomed to  be  offered  to  princes  on  account  of 
the  performance  of  vows.  But  other  writers 
of  equal  erudition  prefer  reading  the  DV.  as 
D ecennalia  Yota,  that  is  to  say  suscepta, 
accepted  or  received. 

Obeliscus,  an  obelisk,  formed  of  the  hardest 
stone,  rising  from  a square  base,  becoming 
" fine  by  degrees  and  beautifully  less”  to  gene- 
rally a commanding  altitude. — This  figure  may 
be  observed,  as  situate  in  the  circus  maximus, 
on  medals  of  Augustus,  Nero,  Trajan,  Caracalla, 
Alexander  Severus,  Gordianus  Pius,  and  else- 
where.— See  Circus. 

An  obelisk,  placed  on  a round  foundation, 
adorned  with  statues,  appears  on  a second  brass 
of  Titus. — Vaillant  in  his  Colonies  (i.  p.  137) 
gives  on  a coin  of  Corinth,  struck  under  M. 
Aurelius,  an  obelisk,  on  which  stands  a little 
naked  image,  and  on  each  side  an  equestrian 
figure  as  if  in  the  act  of  running. — Sec 
Corinthus  Colonia. 

Obices  Castrorum. — The  gates  of  a camp, 
with  a spear,  and  below  it  the  pileus  (or  cap  of 
liberty),  appear  on  a denarius  of  Cacpiq  Brutus, 
to  shew  that  he  was  in  arms  for  the  defence  of 
liberty,  and  that  his  camps  were  for  such 
Roman  soldiers  as  were  friends  to  liberty. 

OBSEQVENS. — See  Fortuna  Obsequens. — 
On  silver  and  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius.  It  is 
also  written  opseqvens  from  interchange  of 
the  consonants  b and  p.  * 

Obsidionalis  Corona. — See  Corona. 

Obulco,  a Roman  municipium,  of  Hispania 
Bietica  (Andalusia),  now  called  Porcuna,  a 
town  of  some  note  between  Cordova  and 
Gienna. — Its  coins,  which  are  autonomous,  bear 
for  their  types  generally  a female  head,  some- 
times a horseman,  at  others  a bull,  and  the  word 
obvlco,  with  the  names  of  Roman  duumvirs, 
and  Celtiberian  inscriptions. 

OCEAN  VS,  on  a coin  of  Constans. — See 

BONONIA. 

Octavia,  one  of  the  most  ancient  families  of 
Rome. — Elected  into  the  Senate  by  Tarquinius 
Priscus,  and  introduced  amongst  the  patricians 
by  Scrvius  Tullius,  it  in  aftertimes  united  itself 
to  the  plebeian  order,  and  then  returned  again 
with  great  influence  into  the  patrician  ranks 
through  Julius  Csesar.  It  was  principally  noted 
from  Caesar  Octavianus  Augustus. — Mionnet 
and  Akerman  do  not  include  the  reputed  coins 
of  this  family  in  their  catalogues. — Eckhel 
mentions  them  only  as  numi  Goltziani,  aut 
Llvirorum  Corinthi. 

Octavia,  the  sister  of  Augustus,  the  third 
wife  of  Mark  Antony,  whom  she  married  in  the 
year  of  Rome  714  (b.c.  40),  aud  by  whom  she 


OCTAVIA.  583 


was  divorced  in  722.  She  is  said  to  have  died 
of  grief  for  the  loss  of  the  young  Marcellus, 
her  son  by  a former  husband.  There  are  coins 
of  this  Octavia ; but,  according  to  Mionnet, 
none  are  known  in  either  metal  of  Roman  die 
bearing  her  likeness,  except  a gold  one  of  the 
highest  degree  of  rarity,  thus  described  by  that 
eminent  medallist,  cos.  design,  itek  ex  ter. 
11IVIB.  R.P.C.  Naked  head  of  Octavia. 

Rev. — M.  ANTONIVS  M.F.  M.N.  AVG.  IMP.  TER. 
Naked  head  of  M.  Antony.  But  the  portrait 
and  even  the  name  of  Octavia,  adds  Mionnet, 
is  also  found  on  a Latin  brass  medallion  of 
Tiberius,  struck  out  of  Rome  (in  what  province 
is  not  known).  On  the  reverse  of  this  coin 
appears  the  head  of  the  princess,  fronting  that 
of  her  brother  Augustus;  and  the  legend  is 
DIVVS  AVG.  IMP.  OCTAVIA. 


Octavia,  the  daughter  of  the  Emperor  Clau- 
dius, by  Messalina.  Born  at  Rome  in  795-6 
(a.d.  42  or  43) ; given  in  marriage  to  Nero 
(806),  by  whom  soon  after  her  father’s  death 
she  was  put  away  and  banished  to  Campania, 
and  afterwards  to  the  island  of  Pandataria, 
where  the  ungrateful  tyrant  caused  her  death  by 
suffocation  in  a bath,  under  pretext  of  her  being 
an  adulteress,  a.d.  62,  in  the  20th  year  of  her 
age.  Her  successful  rival  Poppiea,  at  whose 
instigation  she  was  murdered,  had  the  bleeding 
head  of  the  victim  brought  to  her ; and  little 
perhaps  anticipating  the  fatal  kick  of  her  brutal 
paramour,  fed  her  own  monstrous  barbarity 
with  the  sight  of  it.  The  Romans  were  dis- 
mayed at  her  death,  and  preserved  her  memory  as 
that  of  a virtuous  as  well  as  a most  unfortunate 
empress. 

The  only  coins  of  this  empress  which  are 
known  are  of  Colonial  and  of  Greek  fabric.  From 
one  of  the  former  in  the  British  Museum, 
in  potin,  the  portrait 
annexed  has  been  en- 
graved. They  are  all  of 
great  rarity.  One  in 
third  brass  with  her  head 
is  mentioned  by  Beau- 
vais, as  contained  in  his 
time  in  the  cabinet  of 
Pellerin,  having  for  its 
legend  octaviae  avg. 
c.  I.  f.  Colonia  Julia  Felix. — On  the  reverse 
is  the  head  of  Nero,  crowned  with  laurel,  and 
inscribed  nero  ci.avd.  caes.  avg.  ann.  c. 
nil.  A medal,  adds  Beauvais,  which  may  be 
regarded  as  unique. — Eckhel  has  since  edited 
from  the  cabinet  of  Count  Festitic,  a remark- 
able coin  of  an  uncertain  colony,  with  the 
following : — octavia  avgvsta.  Octavia  veiled, 
standing  before  an  altar : patera  in  her  right 
hand. — Rev.  aorippina  avg.  Agrippina 

seated. 

Octavianus,  a name  elongated  from  Octavius, 
who  was  afterwards  called  Augustus.  (See 
Nomina  Romanorum). — But  Augustus,  after  his 
adoption  by  Julius  Csesar,  is  never  styled  on 
coins  either  Octavianus  or  Octavius. 

Odenathus  Septimius,  Prince  of  the  Palmy- 
renians,  a warlike  man,  the  saviour  of  the 


584  OFFICINA  MONETAE. 

Roman  empire  in  the  East.  When  Valerian 
became  the  captive  of  Sapor,  Odenathus  took 
the  Persian  Generals  prisoners ; and  commanded 
himself  to  be  styled  in  the  first  place  King,  and 
then  Emperor  He  married  the  famous  Zenobia, 
Queen  of  Palmyra,  and  died  a.d.  267. 

“ The  coins  of  Odenathus  (says  Eckhel)  arc 
known  only  to  Goltzius ; and  if  any  one  will 
put  faith  in  their  existence,  let  him  go  to  the 
fountain  head  ( i.e . Goltzius). — According  to 
Trebellius,  Gallienus  caused  a coin  to  be  struck 
in  honour  of  Odenathus,  on  which  he  was  re- 
presented leading  the  Persians  captive;  but  a 
coin  of  this  kind  has  met,  as  yet,  no  one’s 
eye — not  even  that  of  Goltzius.” 

Oea,  or  Ocea,  a maritime  city  of  Africa, 
situate  on  the  Sertice,  and  according  to  Pliny 
(L.  v.  c.  4),  a Roman  colony. — The  city  of  Oea 
( Civitas  Oeensis  or  Oecensis)  was  one  of  three, 
which  from  their  number  gave  the  title  to  the 
African  Tripolis,  according  to  Solinus,  quoted 
by  Rasche.  To  this  city  Vaillant  attributes 
a coin  of  Antoninus  Pius,  on  the  obverse  of 
which  appear  the  titles  and  portrait  of  that 
Emperor;  and  on  the  reverse  c.  a.  o.  a.  f., 
which  he  has  rendered  Colonia  Aelia  Oea  (or 
Oeensis),  Augusta  Felix,  with  the  turreted  head 
of  the  Genius  loci.  But  Pellerin,  by  the  pro- 
duction of  a better  preserved  but  exactly  similar 
medal,  has  shewn  it  to  belong  to  Hadrian’s 
colony  of  (Elia  Capitolina  (Jerusalem). — 
Pellerin  adds  that  no  coins  of  the  city  of  Oea 
were  known  in  his  time.. 

OEC.  Oecumenicum,  or  Oecumenica. — 
Public  games  or  combats  of  athletes,  so  called 
because  competitors  from  every  part  of  the 
world  were  allowed  to  enter  the  lists,  in  contra- 
distinction to  the  Eirixwpta,  which  were  only 
provincial  games  (certamina  provincialia).  On 
colonial  coins  of  Heliopolis  in  Cado  Syria, 
among  other  epigraphs  allusive  to  these  wrestling 
matches,  is  one  of  Valerianus  scuior,  given  by 
Banduri  (I.  p.  120),  cer.  sac.  cap.  oec. 
isel.  hel.  Certamen  Sacrum  Capitolinum 
Oecumenicum  Iselasticum  lleliopolitanum. — 
See  Heliopolis  Colonia. 

OFF  III.  CONST.  Officiate  Tertia  Con- 
stantinopoli. — Struck  in  the  third  office  of  the 
mint  of  Constantinople. 

Officina  moneta,  a monetary  workshop  or 
mint. — Officinatores  moneta,  inspectors  of  the 
mint. — Inscriptions  on  ancient  marbles  collected 
by  Gruter  and  others  have  preserved  the 
appellations  given  to  the  respective  workmen  em- 
ployed in  different  parts  of  the  coinage.  Among 
these  are  found  the  following  denominations  : — 
Monetarii ; Officinatores  monette  auraria, 
argentaria,  Casaris ; Numularii  officinarum 
argentiarum  ; Families  monetaria;  Numularii; 
Officinatores  moneta  ; Exactores  auri,  argenlo, 
aeris ; Signatores  ; Suppostores;  Malleatores ; 
Flatores  . 

The  learned  arc  of  opiuion  that  under  the 
reign  of  Probus,  or  thereabouts,  those  cities  of 
the  empire  which  enjoyed  the  right  of  coinage 
designated  their  names,  and  the  officina,  in 
which  their  money  was  struck.  This  was  done 


OGULN1A. 

by  certain  initial  letters  and  numerals,  as  well 
Greek  as  Latin,  engraved  either  in  the  field  of 
the  coin  or  on  the  exergue.  Of  this  sort  are 
the  following: — 

antp.  Antiochia  Percussa. — Struck  at 

Antioch. 

ants.  Antiochia  Signata. — Coined  at 

Antioch. 

aqps.  Aquileia  Pecunia  Signata. — Coined 
at  Aquileia. 

comob.  otherwise  conob. — Constantinopoli 
Obsignata,  or  Constantinopoli  officina  Secunda. 

lv g ps.  Lugduni  Pecunia  Signata. — Money 
coined  at  Lyons. 

ptr.  Percussa  Treveris — (Treves.) 

sisepz.  Sciscia  Percussa  in  officina  Septima. 

sma.  Signata  Moneta  Antiochia — or  smab. 
Signata  Moneta  Antiochia  in  officina  Secunda. 

smsise.  Sacra  Moneta  Siscia  in  officina 
Quinta. 

The  following  inscription  on  a coin  of  Mau- 
ricius,  edited  by  Banduri  and  Ducange,  in  which 
the  debated  syllables  are  drawn  out  at  length, 
favours  the  above  interpretations — viz.,  Vienna 

DE  OFFICINA  LAVRENTI. 

Officina  Monetaria. — The  monetary  offices 
arc  frequently  recorded  on  coins  of  Valentinianus 
II.,  as  well  as  on  those  of  Valens  aud  Gratianus, 
thus — OF.  II.  III.  &C.,  or  R.  PR1MA,  R.  SECVNDA, 
R.  TERTIA,  R.  QVARTA. 

OGVLNIA  gens. — Q.  and  Cn.  Ogulnins,  being 
recorded  as  tribuni  plebis,  teach  us  that  this 
family  was  plebeian.  They  had  the  cognomen 
of  Gal/ut. — Five  varieties  of  its  coins  are  given 
in  Morcll ; one  of  which  in  silver,  bears  on 
one  side  a juvenile  head  laurcated,  under  it  a 
thunderbolt;  and  on  the  other,  ogvl  ver. 
car. — The  bronze  pieces  are  the  as  or  some  of 
its  parts. — Coins  of  the  Carcilia  family  exhibit 
the  same  ^iame  and  cognomen,  but  not  the 
same  types. 

Olba,  and  not  Olbia,  according  to  Vaillant, 
quoting  Ptolemy,  was  a city  of  Pamphylia, 
which  territory  borders  on  Cilicia.  It  was  also 
a Roman  colony,  as  its  coins  testify,  bearing 
the  legend  col.  ivl.  avo.  olbanen*  with  the 
equestrian  figure  of  the  God  Lunus.  It  has  one 
autonomous  coin,  one  Greek  Imperial,  struck  in 
honour  of  M.  Aurelius,  and  two  Colonial 
Imperial,  inscribed  to  Julia  Mmsa  and  Gordianus 
Pius. 

Olbasa,  Pisidia,  Colonia. — The  Latin  Imperial 
medal  ascribed  to  this  colony,  is  following  in 
middle  brass,  namely,  with  the  style  and  por- 
trait of  Gordianus  Pius  on  the  obverse — and 
with  col.  olba  on  the  reverse,  and  the  type  of 
Bacchus  standing,  holding  the  cartherns  and 
thyrsus  : a leopard  squatting  at  his  feet.  But 
Mionnet  mnrks  it  “ questionable .” 

Olea,  the  Olive,  of  which  Minerva  is  (by 
Virgil)  styled  the  inventress ; or,  according  to 
Ovid  (Metam.  lib.  vi.,  v.  80),  Pallas  produced 
out  of  the  earth  the  olive  tree,  during  her 
contest  with  Neptune  for  the  possession  and 
name  of  Athens.  Hence,  on  coins,  this  goddess 
has  her  helmet  adorned  with  au  olive  branch,  as 
sacred  to  her,  or  she  carries  the  same  in  her 


OLY  BRIUS.— OLYMPIAS. 

right  hand.  And  when  Minerva  bears  this 
symbol  of  peace,  she  is  called  Paci/era ; an 
example  of  which  appellation  and  type  is  found 
on  a brass  coin  of  Albinus.  Minerva  is  also 
seen  with  similar  attributes  on  coins  of  Anto- 
ninus, Counnodus,  Postumus,  and  Tetricus 
junior. 

Olece  Ramus. — The  olive  branch  in  the  hand 
of  Peace  is  to  be  seen  on  nearly  all  the  medals 
of  the  Imperial  series,  from  Augustus  to 
Gallienus,  and  further  downwards  to  Gal. 
Maximianus. — The  same  as  a symbol  of  peace, 
appears  in  the  hand  of  Mars  Pacifer,''  on 
coins  of  Commodus,  Sept.  Sevcrus,  Caracalla, 
Alex.  Severus,  Maximianus  I.,  Gordianus  III., 
Gallus,  Volusianus,  yEmilianus,  Gallienus,  and 
other  emperors. — The  olive  branch  appears  in 
the  haud  of  Emperors,  as  the  preservers  of 
peace,  on  coins  of  Augustus,  Tiberius,  Vespasian, 
Titus,  Trajan,  Commodus,  Sept.  Severus,  Bal- 
binus,  Pupienus,  yEmilianus,  Diocletian,  and 
Maximianus. 

The  olive  branch  appears  on  divers  of  the 
Imperial  medals,  in  the  haud  of  Concord,  of 
Felicity,  of  Security,  of  Procidentia.  It  is 
the  symbol  of  Hispania,  on  account  of  the 
abundance  of  olive  trees  in  that  country. 

OLV.  for  OLY.  Olympico. — See  iovi  olym.  ; 
and  a temple  on  a coin  of  Augustus. 

OLYBRIVS  (Anicius),  descended  from  the 
ancient  family  of  the  Anicii,  who  held  a high 
senatorial  rank,  married  (a.d.  462)  Placidia, 
daughter  of  Valentiniau  III.  and  of  Eudoxia. 


The  Emperor  Leo  nominated  him  Consul  464, 
and  sent  him  against  Ricimer,  who  proclaimed 
him  Augustus  in  472,  in  the  place  of  the 
Emperor  Anthemius,  whom  Ricimer  caused  to 
be  assassinated.  Olybrius  is  described  as  a man 
of  distinguished  merit,  estimable  for  his  morals, 
piety,  and  patriotism.  A good  general,  hut  an 
ambitious  subject,  he  had  not  the  time  allowed 
him  to  perform  any  memorable  action,  as  he  ter- 
minated his  days  in  the  year  of  his  accession, 
possessing  the  empire  only  three  months  from 
the  death  of  his  predecessor.  His  daughter 
Juliana  married,  during  the  reign  of  Anastatius, 
the  patrician  Areobindus.  His  style  is  d.  n. 

ANICIVS  OLYBRIVS  AVO. — D.  N.  ANIC.  (or 
ANICIVS.)  OLYBRIVS,  P.F.  AVG.  His  coins  both 
in  gold  and  silver  are  very  rare. — Tanini  gives 
a piece  in  lead  with  a reverse  similar  to  that  on 
the  aureus  represented  above ; but  the  obverse 
bears  full-faced  heads  of  Olybrius  and  Placidia. 

OLYMPIAS  (or  sometimes  OLIMPIAS) 
REGINA. — A female  veiled,  reposing  on  a 
richly  adorned  bed,  extends  her  right  hand 
towards  a serpent  which  is  rearing  itself  before 
her. — This  legend  aud  type  appear  on  a Roman 
4 P 


OLYMPIAS.— OLYMPICUS.  5S5 

Contomiate  medal,  bearing  the  head  of  Nero; 
and,  according  to  Havercamp,  the  recumbent 
female  is  no  other  than  Queen  Olympias  herself, 
the  faithless  wife  of  Philip,  King  of  Macedon,  and 
the  courageous  mother  of  Alexander  the  Great. 
Of  this  lady  it  is  related,  by  Plutarch,  among 
other  writers,  that  becoming  pregnant  during 
the  absence  of  Philip,  she,  for  the  purpose  of 
concealing  her  shame,  devised  a story  about  her 
having  had  intercourse  with  Lyhian  Jove,  or 
Jupiter  Ammon,  who  had  assumed  the  form  of 
a serpent. 

Olympias,  an  olympiad,  the  space  of  four 
years,  sometimes  used  as  equivalent  to  the 
Roman  Lustrum,  which  included  five  years. 
From  the  period  when  the  Greeks  began  to 
reckon  dates  of  time  by  olympiads,  they 
enumerated  them  as,  the  first,  or  second,  or 
third,  &c.,  olympiad. 

Olympicus,  Olympic,  or  what  is  of  or  belong- 
ing to  Olympus. — Jupiter  was  called  Olympicus, 
either  from  Mount  Olympus,  in  Thessaly,  the 
reputed  place  of  his  education,  or  from  heaven 
itself,  which  the  Greeks  denominated  Olympus, 
and  in  which  he  was  said  to  reign. — The  title  of 
Olympicus  was  also  assigned  to  Hercules,  who 
instituted  the  certamen  olympicum,  and  won  at 
those  games  the  victory  in  wrestling. 

Olympius. — This  appellation  (says  Eekhel,  vi. 
518),  peculiarly  appropriated  to  the  king  of 
heathen  divinities,  was,  by  an  unusual  stretch  of 
even  Grecian  flattery,  assigned  in  common  to 
the  Emperor  Hadrian  and  to  Jove  himself,  as 
appears  from  a variety  of  inscriptions  both  on 
marbles  and  on  coins,  especially  Athenian.  The 
cause  or  pretext  for  this  adulation  was  the 
finishing  and  dedication  by  the  above  Emperor, 
of  the  great  temple  of  Olympian  Jupiter  at 
Athens.  Connected  with  this  fact  was  the 
institution  of  games,  called  Hadriana  Olympia, 
by  various  Greek  cities. — This  application  of  a 
celestial  cognomen  to  Hadrian  finds  no  example 
on  any  Latin  coins ; and  we  find  on  contorniate 
coins,  the  epithet  of  Olympius  degraded  so  low 
as  to  be  the  designation  of  an  auriya  or  an 
athleta. 

Olympiodorus,  Olympius. — 'These  names  occur 
on  the  reverses  of  eontorniates,  the  obverses  of 
which  bear  the  portrait  of  Nero.  The  types  are 
naked  men  standing  in  quadrigae,  and  the  names 
are  doubtless  those  of  victorious  charioteers  or 
wrestlers. 

O M.  Optimus  Maximus. — I.  0.  M.  Jovi 
Optimo  Maximo. — To  the  name  of  Jupiter,  the 
tutelary  Deity  of  Rome,  these  letters  are  added, 
in  recognition  of  his  goodness  and  his  power. 

OMN.  Omnia. — SACERDcw  COOV' l' at  us 

IN  OMNta  CONL eyia  SVPRA  NVMcnm. 
On  a coin  of  Nero. 

Omnipotens. — Jupiter  is  thus  called  on  a 
colonial  coin  quoted  by  Vaillant. 

O.  M.  T.  Optimo  Maximo  Tonanti — i.e. 
(Jovi)  (to  Jupiter)  the  best,  the  greatest,  the 
thunderer. 

OP.  or  OPT.  or  OPTIM.  PRIN.  or  PR. 
Optimo  Principi. — To  the  best  of  Princes.  An 
epithet  given  to  Trajan. 


586  OPEIMI A . — OPI.  DIVIN 

Opeimia,  as  written  on  coins,  otherwise 
Opimia,  a plebeian  family ; but  it  was  dis- 
tinguished nevertheless  by  several  consulships, 
especially  that  of  L.  Opimius,  by  whom  C. 
Gracchus  was  put  down. — Among  seven  varieties 
of  coins  is  a rare  denarius  with  a winged  head 
of  Minerva  on  one  side;  and  on  the  other 
M.  opeimi.  and  Apollo  in  a biga,  holding  his 
bow : below  it  roma.  The  bronze  pieces  of 
this  family  are  the  as,  or  some  of  its  parts. 

OPEL.  Opelius. — We  learn  from  coins  that 
Macriuus  and  his  son  Diadumcnianus  should  be 
called  Opelius,  and  not  Opi/ius,  as  it  is  com- 
monly written  by  historians. 

OPI.  DIVIN.  Opi  Divina. — A female 
seated,  holding  ears  of  corn.  On  a very  rare 
large  brass  of  Pertinax. 


This  reverse  will  admit  of  a two-fold  inter- 
pretation. It  may  be  taken  for  the  Divine  Ops, 
wife  of  Saturn,  who  had  a temple  dedicated  to 
her  at  Rome.  Or  it  may  be  supposed  to  mean 
the  power  of  producing  in  abundance  all  things 
generally  useful.  The  abundance,  personified  on 
this  medal,  holding  in  her  right  hand  ears  of 
com,  that  truly  divine  gift  of  nature  to  man- 
kind, apparently  refers  to  the  great  pains  which 
Pertinax  took  for  the  subsistence  and  advantage 
of  his  subjects. — Capitolinus  says  of  this 
virtuous  Emperor,  Annona  consultissime  pro- 
vid'd ; and  Dion  also  in  like  manner  speaks  of 
his  provident  care.  In  dedicating  this  medal 
to  Ops,  who  is  the  same  as  Rhea,  or  Terra, 
which  brings  forth  com,  Pertinax  shews  his 
disposition  to  ascribe  to  divine  assistance  that 
universal  plenty  which  he  had  secured  for  his 
people. — With  this  legend  and  type,  therefore, 
may  be  appropriately  conjoined  the  inscription 
which  Gruter  has  published,  and  which  reads  : 

OPI.  DIVINAE.  ET  FORTVNAE.  PR1MIGENIAE. 
SACK.  IMP.  SACR.  IMP.  CAESAR.  HELVII  PER- 
TINACIS  AVGVSTI.  V.  D.  D. 

There  arc  coins  of  Antoninus  Pius  in  silver 
and  first  brass,  struck  in  the  year  of  Rome  893, 
on  which  is  the  epigraph  OPI.  AVG usta ; and 
the  type  a woman  sitting  with  the  hasta  in  her 
right  hand,  and  her  left  hand  lifted  to  her 
head. — The  Ops  Augusta  whom  this  coin  was 
intended  to  honour,  is  considered  by  Spanhcim 
(in  his  notes  on  Julian’s  Cicsars),  as  only 
another  name  for  the  Goddess  Oybele,  to  whom 
the  Romans  assigned  a feast  of  two  days  dura- 
tion, under  the  name  of  Opalia. — See  Temptum 
Opis. 

Opima  Spolia. — Sec  Spolia. 


OPPIA.— OPTIME  MAXIME. 

(M)  OPPIVS  CAPIT.  PROPR.  PRAEF. 
CLAS.  ( Marcus)  Oppius  Capito  Proprietor 

Prafectus  Classis. — Propretor  and  Commandant 
of  the  Fleet. 

OPPIA. — This  family  is  known  to  have  been 
of  the  plebeian  order,  from  the  tribunes  and 
ediles  of  the  people,  who  belonged  to  it.  Its 
surnames  were  Capito  and  Salinator. — The 
former  appears  on  brass  coins  of  Mark  Antony, 
struck  during  his  triumvirate.  The  latter  may 
be  considered  as  belonging  to  two  families,  viz., 
Livia  and  Oppia. — In  the  whole  there  are  nine 
varieties,  all  of  second  brass.  The  rarest  of 
which  bears  on  its  obverse  the  double  head  of 
Janus,  and  on  the  reverse  c.  cassi.  l.  saxin. 
The  prow  of  a galley,  with  the  doubtful  epi- 
graph of  dss. — Livy  affirms  that  L.  Oppius 
Salinator  was  sent  in  the  year  of  Rome,  561, 
with  a fleet  to  guard  the  coast  of  Sicily,  and 
to  bring  back  a supply  of  corn.  And  this 
frumentatio  is  regarded  by  Havcrcamp  as  here 
commemorated.  Eckhcl,  however,  shews  that 
such  an  inference  is  not  to  be  drawn  merely 
from  a ship’s  prow,  which  is  in  fact  a pcr|>etual 
and  almost  exclusive  type  on  the  brass  coinage 
of  Republican  Rome.  There  are  bronze  pieces  of 
this  family  struck  in  Cyrcniaca.  The  following 
second  brass  is  probably  one  of  them : — The 
head  of  Venus,  with  a capricorn  behind  it. — 
Rev.  q.  oppivs  pr.  Victory  walking,  holds 
on  her  right  shoulder  a long  palm  branch,  and 
in  her  left  hand  a patera  containing  fruit. 

According  to  Havercamp,  the  letters  PR.  are 
to  be  read  Prafectus,  and  Oppius  was  one  of 
eight  prefects,  whom  Julius  Ctcsar,  on  setting 
out  for  Spain,  appointed  to  act  for  him  at 
Rome. — “ This  opinion  (says  Eckhel)  1 have 
enlarged  upon  in  commenting  on  the  medals  of 
the  Cestia  family ; and  as  I have  there  noticed 
its  vagueness  and  uncertainty,  so  I hesitate  not 
to  assert  that  respecting  these  coins  of  Oppius 
he  is  greatly  mistaken.  For  the  capricorn 
which  in  some  of  them  is  placed  beside  the 
head  of  Venus,  {mints  to  a later  {icriod  ; in  all 
probability  the  time  when  Augustus  was  at  the 
head  of  Roman  atfaiis,  and  in  houour  of  whom 
alone  that  fabulous  animal  was  engraved  on 
medals.  Moreover,  the  fabric  of  the  coins 
themselves,  bears  evidence  of  their  not  having 
proceeded  from  the  mint  of  Rome,  insomuch 
that  in  all  likelihood  they  were  struck  in  some 
province.” 

OPr.  Optimo,  in  other  instances  optim.,  or 
at  full  length  optimo. 

OPT.  IMP.  Optimo  Imperatori,  on  coins 
of  Claudius  Gothicus,  and  also  (as  given  by 
Banduri)  of  Constautius  Chlorus. 

OPT.  Optimorum. — OPT.  MER.  Opti- 

mo rum  Meritorum, — See  Requies. 

OPTIME  MAXIME. — Jupiter  stands  hold- 
ing the  thunderbolt  in  his  right,  and  a spear  in 
his  left  hand ; on  some  an  eagle  is  at  his  feet. — 
Silver  and  second  brass  of  Commodus. 

Jupiter  (observes  Vaillant)  was  called  Optimus 
for  his  beneficence  and  Maximus  for  bis  power. 
But  this  epigraph  of  oitime  maxime  seems 
placed  on  the  above  coin  on  aceouut  of  the 


OPTIMO—  OPTIMUS. 
acclamation  made  to  Commodus  by  the*  Senate. 
— Eckhel,  in  noticing  this  legend,  alludes  to 
the  opinion  of  Spauheim,  that  on  this  coin 
Commodus  is  addressed  (proponi)  with  the 
worship  of  Jupiter,  and  that  to  him  also  were 
applied  the  names  Optimus  Maximus.  But  he 
does  not  see  sufficient  cause  for  coming  to  such 
a conclusion.  Each  of  these  epithets  (he  adds) 
is  ascribed  to  Commodus  on  the  marble  of 
Muratori ; but  several  emperors  before  him 
were  called  by  titles  sacred  to  Jupiter,  as  is 
shewn  by  inscriptions. 

OPTIMO.  PRINCIPI.  S.P.Q.R— This  le- 
gend, cither  in  abbreviation  or  at  full  length, 
is  most  frequently  to  be  read  on  coins  of  Trajan, 
of  whom  Dion  Cassius  observes  that  he  seemed 
to  take  much  greater  pride  in  the  surname  of 
Optimus  (as  combined  with  Princeps),  than  in 
all  the  rest  of  his  titles,  from  which  trait  of 
character  might  be  recognised  his  mild  nature 
and  his  courteous  manner,  which  predominated 
over  his  love  for  military  renown.. — See  Tra- 
janus. 

The  same  legend  also  appears  on  coins  of 
S.  Severos,  Gallienus,  Daza,  Licinius  Sen.,  and 
Constantine  the  Great 

OPTIMO.  PRINCIPI.  S.P.Q.R.  S.C.— This 
same  legend  also  appears  within  lam-el,  on  a 
second  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius,  in  the  Imperial 
Cabinet  of  Vienna.  That  the  title  of  Optimus 
Princeps  was  decreed  to  Antonine,  as  it  had 
beeu  to  Trajan,  by  the  Senate,  is  not  affirmed 
by  history.  But  the  right  to  this  title  devolved 
to  him  from  Trajan  by  adoption. — Eckhel,  vol. 
vii.,  18. 

OPTIMVS. — This  laudatory  cognomen,  first 
conferred  on  Trajan,  was  regarded  by  the 
Roman  people  as  exclusively  suitable  to  that 
Emperor,  insomuch  that  after  him  (according  to 
Pliny)  it  was  a solemn  custom  in  public  acclama- 
tions thus  to  address  each  succeeding  Augustus : 
“ May  you  be  better  than  Trajan ( Sis  melior 
Trajano).  We  learn  from  coins  that  Trajan  did 
not  accept  this,  by  him  most  highly  prized, 
title  of  Optimus  before  his  sixth  consulate. 
There  are  extant  some  coins  of  Hadrian,  who 
was  adopted  by  Trajan  and  succeeded  him  in  the 
empire,  on  which  not  only  the  name  Trajanus, 
but  that  of  Optimus  is  retained — viz.,  imp. 

CAES.  TRAIAN.  HADRIAN  VS.  OPT.  AVO,  GER. 

dac. — The  appellation  of  Optimus  conjoined  to 
Maximus  has  already  been  noticed  as  occurring 
on  a coin  of  Commodus. — And  the  same  title 
appears  on  a consecration  medal  of  Claudius 
Gothicus  : DIVO  CLAVDIO  opt.  or  OPTIMO. 

Optimus  Princeps. — Patin  in  his  work  on 
Imperial  coins  (p.  455)  remarks  that  not  only 
Trajan,  Antonine,  Aurelius,  and  other  good 
Emperors  were  honoured  with  this  high  com- 
pliment, but  it  is  mendaciously  applied  (amongst 
others  undeserving  of  it)  to  Sept.  Sevcrus, 
whose  conduct,  at  least  during  the  first  years  of 
his  reign,  was  atrociously  cruel  and  inhumanly 
vindictive.  Nay  even  the  Thracian  Maximinus 
was  so  styled  by  the  Senatus  Populusque 
Romanes,  at  the  very  worst  period  of  his  bad 
reign,  and  at  a time  when  he  was  not  in  Rome. 

4 F 2 


ORBIAMA. — ORBIS.  587 

The  most  probable  supposition  is  that  this  bar- 
barian was  so  called  by  his  own  creatures 
(terming  themselves  a Senate)  out  of  sheer 
adulation. 

OR.  Ora. — PRAEP.  CLAS.  ET.  OR.  MARIT. 

Prafectus  Classis  et  Ora  Maritima. 

ORB.  Orbis. — orb.tekr.  Orb/s  Terrarum. 
— The  world;  the  universe. — See  Gloria  Orbis. 

ORBIAN  A ( Gneia,  Seia,  Herennia,  Sallustia, 
Barbia.)  This  princess  is  not  mentioned  even 
by  name  in  the  writings 
of  any  historian.  It 
is  to  modern  research 
alone,  amongst  antique 
medals,  that  we  owe 
the  knowledge  of  her 
having  existed,  and  the 
proofs  that  she  was  the 
last  wife  of  Alexander 
Severus.  Her  first  three 
prenomina  are  only  on  Greek  coins.  Antiquaries 
had  long  been  of  opinion  that  sallvstia  barbia 
orbiana  was  the  Empress  of  Trajanus  Deeius. 
But  medals  of  Alexander  Severus  having  been 
found  which  bear  her  portrait  on  their  reverse, 
the  lot  of  this  lady  has  .been  fixed  and  a true 
place  in  the  Imperial  series  assigned  to  her. — 
Orbiana  is  represented  on  medals  (especially  on 
large  brass  where  her  features  are  more  de- 
veloped) as  possessing  an  agreeable  physiognomy. 
— The  author  of  Lefons  de  Numismatique 
Romaine  describes  a coin  of  this  princess  in  his 
collection,  which,  on  its  reverse,  with  the 
legend  concordia  avgvstorvm,  typifies  the 
Emperor  and  the  Empress  standing  hand  in  hand. 
And  this  intelligent  numismatist  remarks,  that 
“ small  as  are  the  two  figures  they  are  so  clearly 
engraved  (when  the  medal  is  in  perfect  pre- 
servation) that  in  the  lineaments  of  the  emperor 
the  likeness  may  plainly  be  traced  of  the  true 
husband,  and  not  the  totally  different  coun- 
tenance of  Trajanus  Deeius”  (p.  200.) — It 
appears  by  a coin  struck  at  Alexandria,  that  she 
was  married  to  Alexander,  a.d.  226.  Her  gold 
medals  and  brass  medallions  are  of  the  highest 
degree  of  rarity — the  silver  and  first  brass  are 
very  rare.  On  these  she  is  styled  sal.  or  (sall.) 
barb,  (or  barbia)  orbiana.  avg.  Some  pieces 
represent  her  with  Julia  Mamaa  as  well  as  w ith 
Severus  Alexander. 

Orbis. — An  orb,  or  circle,  on  coins  denote  the 
Roman  empire.  We  see  it  united  sometimes 
to  the  rudder  a symbol  of  government ; at  other 
times  to  the  sacrificial  axes,  the  fasces,  the 
joined  right  hands,  and  the  caduceus  on  a gold 
medal  of  Julius  Csesar ; and  placed  on  a tripod, 
in  a coin  of  Augustus.  It  is  also  the  symbol  of 
the  terraqueous  globe.  In  the  hand  of  the 
Emperor  it  signifies  his  accession  to  the  supreme 
power. 

Orbis  terrarum. — The  world,  which  the 
ancients  divided  into  three  parts,  and  to  which 
one  of  the  most  ephemeral  of  the  Roman 
Emperors  assumed  to  have  given  Peace. — See 
pax  orbis  terrarvm  on  gold  and  silver  of  Otlio. 

ORBIS. — This  word  forms  a component  part 
of  several  different  epigraphs  on  medals  of  the 


588  ORIENS. 

Imperial  series. — See  ff.i.icitas  ; genetrix  ; 

GLORIA  ; IOYl  CONSERVATORI ; LOCVPLETATORI ; 
PACATOR;  RECTOR  ; RESTITVTOR ; SECVRITAS ; 
VOTA  DECENNALIA,  ORBIS. 

ORD.  or  OR  DIN,  Ordini. — eq  ord. 

Equestri  Ordini. — Sec  Equester  Ord. 

Organum  hydraulicum. — A representation  of 
one  of  these  (supposed)  musical  instruments — a 
water  organ  of  a triangular  form — appears  on  a 
large  contomiate  brass  of  Nero,  which  Haver- 
camp  has  given  an  engraving  and  description  of 
in  his  work  on  that  peculiar  class  of  medals. — 
See  LAVRENTI  NIKA. 

Orient.  The  East. — This  word  was  used  by 
the  Romans  to  designate  cither  that  part  of  the 
world  where  the  sun  appears  to  rise,  or  some 
province  of  the  empire  situate  towards  the 
East ; or  the  Sun  itself.  The  East  is  figured  by 
a young  head  crowned  with  rays ; and  Oriens 
often  is  the  accompanying  legend. 

ORIENS. — Vaillant,  in  noticing  a coin  struck 
under  Trajan,  referring  to  a similar  one  of 
Hadrian,  observes : Orient,  personified  by  a 
radiated  head,  represents 
the  provinces  of  Armenia 
and  Mesopotamia,  which 
Trajan  had  just  added  to 
the  Roman  territories  in 
that  quarter  of  the  globe 
where  the  sun  seemed  to 
rise. — Orient,  as  mean- 
ing the  Sun,  is  pourtraved 
under  the  form  of  a naked 
man,  generally  standing  with  the  right  hand 
raised,  and  the  left  holding  a globe,  or  a whip, 
on  coins  of  Gordianus  Pius,  Valerianus,  senior 
and  junior,  Gallienus,  Postiunus,  Claudius 
Gothicus,  Aurelianus,  Probus,  Numerianus, 
Diocletian,  Constantins  Chlorus,  Allectus,  &c. — 
A medal  of  Diocletian  places  a branch  in  one 
hand  and  a bow  in  the  other  ; and  on  a reverse 
of  Gallienus,  Oriens  is  represented  under  the 
figure  of  a woman,  wearing  a turreed  crown, 
who,  offering  a figure  of  Victory  to  the  Emperor, 
gives  him  assurance  of  success  against  the  bar- 
barians who  have  over-run  the  Asiatic  provinces. 

ORIENS  AVGG. — Sol  standing,  naked,  ex- 
cept a cloak  thrown  back  from  his  shoulders, 
lifts  up  the  right  hand,  and  holds  a whip  or 
scourge  in  his  left.  On  third  brass  of  Valerian. 

On  a quinariut  of  Valerian  the  elder,  ex- 
hibiting this  epigraph  and  type,  the  Editor  of 
the  Roman  edition  of  Vaillant  makes  the  fol- 
lowing historical  remark: — “When  the  empire 
of  Rome  was  on  all  sides  assailed  by  barbarian 
arms,'  Valerianus  declared  his  son  Gallienus 
Emperor,  and  leaving  him  to  the  defence  of  Gnid 
and  Germany,  he  himself,  haviug  assembled 
together  the  legions  from  the  neighbouring  pro- 
vinces, resolved  to  march  and  give  battle  in  the 
East  to  the  Scythians  who  were  peopling  Asia, 
and  to  the  Persians  who  had  already  takeu 
possession  of  Mcso]>otamia  and  of  Syria.  For 
this  reason  Orient  Augustorum — (the  rising 
Sun  of  the  Emperors) — was  struck  on  their 
coins;”  already  anticipating — alas!  how  fal- 
laciously— the  Victories  of  Valerian. 


ORIENS  — ORIGINI  AVG. 

ORIENS. — Valerian  the  younger,  in  a mili- 
tary garb,  [daces  a crown  on  a trophy.  A very 
rare  silver  coin  bearing  this  legend  and  type,  is 
given  both  in  Danduri  and  Vaillant,  the  latter 
of  whom  makes  the  following  annotation  : — 
“ Valerianus  junior  is  on  his  coins  called  Orient, 
as  though  a new  sun  had  risen  on  the  empire, 
when  he  was  associated  in  the  government  with 
Gallienus.” 

ORIGINI  AVG. — The  wolf  suckling  the 
twins, — On  a very  rare  third  brass  of  Probus, 
whose  origin  is  veiled  in  obscurity.  This  is  a 
new  reverse  (says  Eckhcl),  and  known  only 
from  the  coins  of  Probus.  It  seems  to  intimate 
that  Probus  was  descended  from  Roman  blood, 
which  might  be  true,  although  he  was  allirmed 
to  have  been  bom  in  Pannonia. 

Origin  of  the  Surnames  belonging  to  Roman 
Families  and  races.  This  is  derived  either  from 
brute  animals,  as  asina,  capella,  vitvlvs, 
&c. ; or  from  some  mark  or  member  of  the 
human  body,  and  especially  from  the  head,  as 
capito,  chilo,  labeo,  &c. ; or  from  some 
corporeal  affection  or  peculiarity,  as  Niger, 
pvlcher,  rvfvs,  &c.  ; or  from  the  manners 
and  disposition  of  men,  blandvs,  frvgi, 
LEPIDVS,  &c. ; or  from  occupations  and  offices, 
as  CAPRA R1VS,  FIGVLVS,  VESPLLLO,  &C.  ; OT 
from  deeds  and  achievements,  as  achaicvs, 
African  vs,  NUMimcvs,  &c. ; nay,  even  from 
garden  herbs  or  pulse,  as  cicebo,  fabivs,  piso, 
&c. — Sec  Families  Romance. 

Orontes,  the  largest  river  of  Syria,  which 
has  its  source  not  far  from  the  ancient  Seleucia, 
Picrin,  and  Mount  Lebanon,  and  flows  past 
Antioch,  into  the  Mediterranean  sea. — On  a 
Greek  colonial  coin  of  Trajan,  a figure  per- 
sonifying the  Orontes,  is  seen  emerging,  writh 
extended  arms  as  if  swimming,  at  the  feet  of 
the  Genius  of  Antioch,  who  is  sitting  on  a hill, 
the  rocky  features  of  which  indicate  the  lofty 
site  of  that  city. — “ The  Antiochians  (says 
Vaillant)  commemorated  by  this  medal  the  visit 
of  Trajan  to  their  tow  n.” — See  Antioch. 

Orut,  or  Horns,  the  son  of  Osiris  and  of 
Isis,  by  which  the  Egyptians,  according  to 
Plutarch,  understood  the  subjection  of  this 
world  to  birth  and  to  death — to  decay  and  to 
revival.  By  Isis  and  Osiris  all  those  effects 
were  said  to  be  designated,  which  by  Solar 
and  Lunar  influences  are  produced  in  the 
world. — On  a third  brass  of  Julianas  II., 
among  other  types  of  the  monstrous  super- 
stitions of  Egypt,  which  that  philosophic  re- 
pudiator  of  Christianity  “ delighted  to  honour,” 
is  Isis  seated,  in  the  act  of  suckling  Orus:  the 
legend,  vota  pvblica. 

Osca,  a very  ancient  and  noble  city  of 
Hispania  Tarraconensis,  formerly  a Roman 
mnnicipium,  now  called  Huesca,  in  Arragon. — 
According  to  Morell,  it  is  denominated  on  coins 
v.  v.  osca,  or  Osca  was  called  Urbs,  as  the  city 
par  excellence,  and  took  its  name  of  Victrix 
from  Julius  Cicsar. 

VRB.  VIC.  OSCA.  Urbs  Victrix  Osca  — 
The  monetary  triumvirs  of  Osca  arc  almost 
always  designated  by  the  surnames  only ; hence 


OSCA.— OSICERDA. 


OSIRIS.— OSTIENSIS  PORTUS.  589 


it  is  impossible  from  their  coins  to  ascertain  their 
respective  families.  The  Oscenses  uniformly 
stamped  their  medals  with  the  figure  of  a man  on 
horseback,  wearing  a helmet,  holding  a lance, 
and  riding  at  full  speed.  That  Osca  was  a place 
of  great  riches  is  shewn  by  the  argentum 
oscense  (its  silver  bullion),  to  which  Livy  more 
than  once  alludes.  But  the  argentum  oscense 
differs  from  the  bigati,  in  this  respect,  that  the 
latter  signify  silver  coined  by  the  Romans, 
either  at  Rome,  or  in  the  provinces ; whereas 
argentum  oscense  is  a term  applied  to  money 
struck  in  Spain  and  in  the  city  of  Osca,  having, 
moreover,  Spanish  types.  Accordingly  Livy 
afterwards  distinguishes  those  particular  coins 
from  Roman  denarii. 

There  are  five  varieties  of  autonomous  coins 
belonging  to  this  once  celebrated  town : one  of 
these  bears  a beardless  head  of  a man,  and  in 
the  field  URBS.  vict.  ; on  the  reverse  is  a horse- 
man, with  couched  spear,  galloping. — The 
Imperial  coins  of  osca  extend  from  Augustus  to 
Tiberius,  Germanicus,  and  Caligula;  all  with 
the  equestrian  figure  on  the  reverse — “either,” 
says  VaiUant,  “ because  the  country  abounded 
in  good  horses,  or  because  the  inhabitants  were 
pre-eminently  warlike.  Julius  Csesar  himself 
praises  the  Spanish  Cavalry.” 

On  a first  brass,  bearing  on  its  reverse  the 
same  horseman  galloping,  with  spear  couched 
in  his  right  hand,  is  the  following  legend : — 

V.  V.  OSCA.  C.  TARRACINA.  P.  PR1SCO.  II.  VIE. 

Urbs  Victrii  Osca,  Caio  Tarracina  (et)  Pub/io 
Frisco,  Fuumviris. — [This  is  a coin  which 
VaiUant  gives  as  of  the  highest  rarity,  struck 
by  the  municipium  of  Osca,  in  congratulation 
to  Caius  Caesar  (Caligula)  Augustus,  whom  it 
calls  by  the  name  of  his  father  Germanicus,  but 
by  whom  its  privilege  of  coining  money  was,  in 
common  with  the  other  Roman  cities  in  Spain, 
taken  away,  never  afterwards  to  be  renewed,  it 
appears,  by  any  subsequent  Emperors.] 

OSCA. — Ou  a silver  coin  of  the  Cornelia 
family  is  the  head  of  a 
man,  bare  and  bearded. 
Behind  it  is  the  word 
OSCA.  On  the  reverse 
is  a male  figure,  seated 
on  a eurule  chair,  holding 
a cornucopia  and  a spear, 
over  whom  a Victory 
floats  with  a crown,  with 
the  legend  p.  lent.  p.  f. 

SPINT. 

Eckliel  points  to  the  bare  head,  bearded, 
such  as  occurs  on  common  denarii  of  Hispania, 
and  also  to  osca,  as  that  of  the  noted  Tarraco- 
nensian  city,  and  as  sufficiently  warranting  the 
belief  that  these  denarii  were  coined  iu  Spain. 
A similar  head,  and  the  same  inscription  of  osca  , 
appear  on  a denarius  of  the  Domitia  family. 

Osicerda,  a city  of  Hispania  Tarracouensis, 
whose  people  are  eaUed  by  Pliny  Ossigerdenses ; 
it  was  admitted  to  the  rank  of  a municipium 
under  the  Romans.  But  the  only  imperial  coin 
extant  is  one  struck  under  Tiberius,  on  the 
reverse  of  which  is  inscribed  mvn.  osicerda. 


with  a bull  for  its  type,  the  common  symbol  of 
a Roman  Municipium. — Its  autonomous  coins 
bear  celtiberian  and  latino-celtiberian  legends. 
There  are  coins  of  this  city  which  also  bear  the 
name  of  Sesaraca,  ns  in  alliance. 

Osiris,  the  principal  deity  of  the  Egyptians, 
who  attributed  to  him  their  original  laws,  their 
instruction  in  agriculture,  and  all  useful  in- 
ventions. According  to  the  recitals  which  com- 
pose his  mythological  history,  he  married  Isis, 
his  sister,  and  lived  with  her  in  uninterrupted 
harmony ; both  applying  themselves  to  the 
civilization  and  instruction  of  their  subjects. 
He  was  the  founder  *of  Thebes,  and  extended 
his  conquests  far  and  wide.  From  the  most 
remote  periods  of  antiquity,  the  Nile,  which  is 
the  centre  of  the  whole  religion  of  the  Egyptian 
people,  was  represented  under  the  image  of 
Osiris,  and  worshipped  as  such  in  that  country. 
Osiris  was  also  regarded  by  the  same  super- 
stitious nation  as  a symbol  of  the  sun,  and 
figured  sometimes  with  the  head  of  a man,  at 
others  with  that  of  a hawk.  Sometimes  he  has 
the  horns  of  an  ox,  allusive  to  his  union  with 
the  earth,  which  owed  to  him  the  blessings  of 
fertilization.  His  living  representative  was  the 
bull  Apis,  and  he  often  appears  with  the  lotus 
flower  on  his  head. — Osiris  was  afterwards  re- 
placed by  Serapis.  The  Roman  Emperors 
placed  his  statue  among  the  images  of  their  own 
pantheon. — There  is  in  Fedrusi's  “ Museum 
Farncse,”  a brass  medallion  of  Commodus,  which 
bears  a very  elegant  group  allusive  to  Osiris, 
who  stands  with  the  modius  on  his  head,  whilst 
the  Emperor  holds  out  his  hand  to  him,  over  a 
lighted  altar.  Behind  the  togated  figure  of 
Commodus  is  Victory  holding  a garland  over  his 
head  ; and  by  the  side  of  Osiris  is  the  Goddess 
Isis,  with  the  sislrum  in  her  right  hand. — The 
legend  of  this  fine  reverse  is  p.m.  tr.  p.  xvii. 
imp.  vm.  cos.  VII.  p.p. 

OST.  Ostia. — m.  ost.  p. — Moneta  Ostia 
Perci/ssa. — Money  struck  at  Ostia — on  the 
exergue  of  coins  of  Val.  Maximianus,  Maxentius, 
Romulus,  and  Licinius  Senior. 

Ostiensis. — See  port.  ost.  avgvsti.  Portus 
Ostiensis  Augusti.  On  large  brass  of  Nero. 

Ostia,  a Latian  city,  built  by  Ancus  Martius 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Tiber;  it  was  afterwards 
made  a colony  and  a sea-port  by  that  enterprising 
king.  This  commodious  haven  afforded  to  Rome 
the  easy  means  of  enjoying  all  the  riches  of 
foreign  lands.  Its  excellent  baths,  its  good 
cheer,  and  its  healthy  site,  fanned  by  the  breezes 
of  the  Mediterranean,  rendered  Ostia  a favourite 
resort  with  the  pleasure-loving  Romans. 

Ostiensis  Portus. — The  port  of  Ostia,  accord- 
ing to  Suetonius,  was  with  difficulty  constructed 
by  the  Emperor  Claudius,  although  thirty 
thousand  men  were  unintermittingly  employed 
on  the  work  for  eleven  years  in  succession — a 
quay  being  carried  round  the  harbour  right  and 
left,  and  a mole  carried  out  at  the  entrance  of 
it  into  deep  water.  Moreover,  in  order  to 
strengthen  its  foundation,  he  caused,  before  this 
mole,  a ship  to  be  sunk,  on  board  of  which  a 
large  obelisk  from  Egypt  had  been  brought,  and 


590  OTACILIA  SEVERA. 

placed  a very  lofty  tower  on  a basis  of  piles,  in 
imitation  of  the  Alexandrian  pharos,  for  the 
purpose  of  directing  the  course  of  navigators  by 
fires  at  night.  The  same  author  (in  his  Life 
of  Nero,  c.  9 and  31,)  relates  that  when 
Claudius  had  resolved  upon  building  the  port, 
he  questioned  the  architects  what  they  estimated 
the  cost  of  his  work  would  be.  They  answered 
by  naming  such  a sum  as  he  might  he  unwilling 
to  incur,  hoping  that  when  he  heard  the  mag- 
nitude of  the  charge,  he  would  abandon  the 
design  altogether.  Nothing  discouraged,  how- 
ever, the  Emperor  bent  his  mind  upon  pursuing 
his  plan,  which  he  accomplished  in  a manner 
worthy  of  Roman  powers. — Nevertheless,  there 


are  no  coins  of  Claudius  extant  which  exhibit 
types  of  this  port,  though  many  of  Nero’s 
appear  with  a representation  of  it,  (as  the 
large  brass  here  introduced)  a circumstance 
which  shews  either  that  the  ‘latter  named 
prince  put  the  finishing  stroke  to  this  grand 
work,  or  that  he  was  so  ungrateful  aud  vain  as 
not  to  acknowledge  even  that  a share  of  the 
merit  belonged  to  his  Imperial  predecessor. — 
See  pok.  ostia,  avgvsti. 

Ostro  Gothi. — Those  tribes  of  the  Goths 
were  so  called  whose  original  country  lay 
towards  the  East.  See  Gothici  numi. — For  the 
Ostro  Gothic  Kings  in  Italy— see  Athalaricus — 
Baduila — Theoda/iatus — JFitiges. 

OT.  or  OTACIL.  Otacilia,  or  Otacilius. — 
Otacilia,  the  name  of  an  Empress,  or  Otacilius, 
the  name  of  a man. 

OTACILIA  ( Marcia ) Severn,  daughter  of 
Severus,  Governor  of  Pannonia,  married  Philip 
senior,  about  a.d.  234,  by  whom  she  had 
Philip  the  younger,  seven  years  before  the 
elevation  of  her  husband  to  the  Imperial  throne. 
Of  an  engaging  person,  and  in  private  conduct 
without  reproach,  she  was  culpably  ambitious, 
and  participated  with  Philip  in  the  murder  of 
the  Third  Gordian.  This  princess  professed 
Christianity,  and  is  said  to  have  been  subjected 
to  ecclesiastical  penance  by  the  Bishop  of 
Antioch,  Saint  Bnbvlas,  for  her  criminal  share 
in  the  death  of  the  virtuous  young  emperor. 
It  was,  however,  by  Otacilia’s  protection  that 
the  Christians  breathed  in  peace,  during  the 
reign  of  her  husband,  and  by  her  instruction 
that  her  son,  a youth  of  great  promise,  was 
brought  up  in  the  piety  and  wisdom  of  their 
holy  faith.  But  the  death  of  Philip  precipitated 
this  woman  into  the  obscure  condition  in 
which  she  was  born,  and,  after  sustaining  the 


OTHO. 

horror  of  having  her  son  slain  in  her  arms  by 
the  Pretorians,  in  whose  camp  they  jointly 
sought  a refuge  on  the  approach  of  Trajan 
Dacius  to  Rome,  Otacilia  passed  the  remainder 
of  her  days  in  retirement.  The  inscriptions  on 
her  coins  arc  otacilia.  severa.  avg.,  and 
Marcia,  otacilia.  severa.  avg.  Some  pieces 
represent  her  with  Philip  the  father  and  Philip 
the  younger — aud  many  of  her  coins  retrace  the 
celebrated  epocha,  aud  the  festal  solemnities 
which  occcupy  so  large  a portion  of  the  types 
struck  in  honour  of  her  husband  and  her  son. 
On  the  large  brass  of  this  Empress  we  read 


CONCORDIA  AVG.  S.C. ; PVDICITIA.  AVG.  S.C. ; 
and  on  another  saecvlakes  avg.  s.C.,  with  the 
figure  of  a hippopotamus. — Pellerin  also  gives 
in  his  Melange  a silver  coin  of  Otacilia,  with 
fecvnditas  TEMPORVM.,  and  a woman  seated 
on  the  ground,  holding  a cornucopia:  in  her  left 
hand,  and  extending  a branch  in  her  right 
towards  two  children.  She  is  said  to  nave  had 
a daughter  as  well  as  a son.  Her  gold  coius  and 
brass  medallions  are  very  rare : silver  of  the 
usual  size,  and  first  and  second  brass,  very 
common. 

OTHO,  surname  of  the  Salvia  family,  m 
salvivs  otho  IIIVIR.  a.  a.  a.  p.  f.  on  a large 
brass  struck  by  Salvius  Otho,  oue  of  the 
moucyers  of  Augustus,  and  the  maternal  uncle 
of  the  Emperor  Otho. — See  Salvia. 

OTHO  ( Marcus  Salvius),  born  A D.  32,  was 
son  of  Lucius  Salvius  Otho,  a man  of  consular 
rank,  and  of  an  illustrious  Etrurian  family. 
His  mother’s  name  was  Albia  Tcrcntia,  also  of 
an  illustrious  house. — Handsome,  brave,  and 
possessed  of  talents,  his  youth  gave  promise  ot 
high  distinction.  As  one  of  the  favourites  of 
Nero,  he  soon,  however,  became  voluptuous 
and  prodigal,  abandoning  himself,  like  his 
infamous  master,  to  the  most  shameful  excesses 
of  debauchery.  He  hnd  scarcely  served  the 
Pnetorship,  when  that  tyrant  libertine,  wishing 
to  possess  himself  of  Poppiea,  his  wife,  sent 
him,  in  the  year  58,  as  Governor  to  Lusitania. 
After  ten  years’  absence  from  Rome,  he  took 
part  in  the  revolt  which  led  to  Nero’s  death. 
He  was  at  first  faithful  to  Gnlba;  but,  in  09, 
displeased  and  disappointed  at  Piso’s  adoption, 
Otho  basely  instigated  the  Praetorian  soldiers  to 
assassinate  this  veteran  Emperor  ; and,  by  their 
audacious  aid,  succeeded  iu  mounting  the  throne. 
But  his  reign  was  short.  Having  to  contest  the 
crown  with  his  competitor  Vitellius,  whom  he 
three  times  defeated,  Otho  was  vanquished  in 
his  turn  at  the  battle  of  Bcdriacum ; and,  rather 


OTHO. 

than  be  the  occasion  of  further  bloodshed  in 
civil  war,  he  preferred  making  the  sacrifice  of 
his  life,  and  with  a firmness  wholly  unlooked 
for  from  so  effeminately  luxurious  a character, 
deliberately  slew  himself  with  his  own  hand. 
He  died  on  the  16th  of  April,  v.c.  822  (a.d. 
69),  in  the  37th  year  of  his  age,  having  reigned 
only  ninety-five  days.  v 

The  inscriptions  on  the  medals  of  this  Prince 
style  him— IMP.  OTHO 
CAESAR  AVG.,  or  M. 
OTHO  CAES.  AVG ust. 
IMP.  P.  P.— All  Otho’s 
medals  of  Roman  die  are 
in  gold  or  in  silver. — No 
Latin  brasscoiu,  properly 
<^/  so  called,  is  known  or 
acknowledged  as  truly 
authentic. — The  medal  on 
which  Otho  is  styled  p.  p.  (Father  of  the 
Country)  is  of  brass,  “ but  (says  Mionnct) 
elle  est  suspecte.  C'est  une  medaille  de 
restitution .” — All  tbe  brass  medals  of  Otho 
were  struck  at  Antioch,  in  Syria,  or  at  Alexan- 
dria, in  Egypt.  His  genuine  gold  and  silver 
medals  present  nothing  very  remarkable,  except 
that  which  bears  the  legend  of  Victoria 
otiionis. 

It  has  been  alleged,  as  a reason  for  the  total 
absence  of  authentic  coins  of  Otho  in  brass  of 
Roman  fabric,  that  the  senate  did  not  declare 
itself  in  that  prince’s  favour,  being  desirous, 
before  it  recognised  his  imperial  title  and  caused 
brass  money  to  be  struck  in  his  name,  to  see  a 
termination  put  to  the  civil  war  which  had 
arisen  between  his  party  and  that  of  Vitellius. 
Still  (as  Mr.  Akermau  observes)  it  is  singular 
that  “ no  medal  by  order  of  the  conscript 
fathers  would  appear  to  have  been  struck  in 
honour  of  the  new  prince ; for  Tacitus  informs 
ns  that,  when  Otho  was  elected,  the  senate 
assembled,  and  voted  him  the  title  of  Augustus 
and  the  Tribunicia  Potestas.  Some  antiquaries 
indulge  the  fond  hope  that,  at  a future  time,  a 
deposit  of  the  (Roman)  brass  coins  of  the 
Emperor  may  be  discovered.” 

M.  Hennin,  a scientific  and  highly  intelligent 
numismatist  of  the  present  day,  in  bis  “ Manuel,” 
referring  to  those  ancient  wrritings  and  historical 
facts  which  support  the  opinion  that  the  brass 
coinage  alone  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
senate,  says — “ Gold  and  silver  money  of  Otho 
is  found  in  large  quantities;  but  of  this  prince 
not  a brass  coin  exists  of  Roman  die.  If  the 
senate  had  been  invested  with  the  right  of 
striking  money  in  all  three  metals,  why  should 
it  have  exercised  that  right  with  respect  to  the 
two  precious  metals,  and  not  have  done  the  same 
with  the  brass,  since  the  latter  was  the  most 
common  money  ? The  division  of  the  right  of 
coinage  between  the  Emperor  and  the  seuate 
explains  this  circumstance.  Otho  caused  money 
with  his  effigy  to  be  struck  in  gold  and  in  silver, 
therein  exercising  his  privilege ; and  yet  the 
senate  did  not  order  any  brass  money  to  be 
struck  for  that  Emperor,  although  it  had  yielded 
to  him,  and  he  was  master  of  Italy.  The 


OTIIO— OVATIO. 


591 


reason  of  this  is  unknown.  It  might  be  because 
he  wras  the  first  Emperor  proclaimed  by  the 
Pnetorians,  and  as  such  not  likely  to  conciliate 
the  good  will  of  the  senators.  The  short  dura- 
tion of  his  reign  might  also  be  alleged  as  a 
cause.  But  these  reasons  arc  not  entirely  satis- 
factory. There  must  have  been  for  this  conduct 
of  the  senate  motives  of  which  we  are  ignorant.” 

See  on  this  subject  Eckhel,  Doctrina  Num. 
Vet.  vol.  vi.  p.  302  et  seq. 

Otho’s  Coin  of  the  Colony  of  Antioch. — 
Tbe  obverse  of  this  middle  brass  coin  bears  on 
its  obverse  imp.  m.  otho  caes.  avg.  round  the 
head  of  this  Emperor.  The  reverse  exhibits 
simply  s.  c.  in  a crown  of  laurel. 

This  medal  is  described  to  be  of  coarser 
workmanship  than  that  of  the  Roman  mint,  but 
by  no  means  of  a barbarous  fabric.  Although 
marked  with  the  two  letters  s.  c.  (Senatus 
Consutlo),  it  could  not  have  been  struck  at 
Rome,  where  the  senate  never,  by  any  formal 
act,  acknowledged  the  authority  of  Otho.  Many 
circumstances,  such  as  its  workmanship,  its 
resemblance  to  other  coins  bearing  Greek  legends 
round  the  heads,  and  peculiar  to  Antioch  in 
Syria,  seem  to  shew  that  it  must  have  been 
struck  in  the  last  mentioned  city,  to  which  the 
right  of  coinage  had  been  continued  from  the 
time  of  Pompey,  by  senatorial  decree,  which  is 
what  is  meant  by  the  letters  s.  c. 

The  desire  to  fill  up  the  void  left  in  the 
Roman  brass  series  of  imperial  medals,  causes 
this  Antiochian  piece  to  be  sought  after  with  an 
eagerness  that  renders  it  extremely  dear.  But, 
as  before  observed,  all  other  brass  medals  with 
the  head  of  Otho,  and  with  Latin  legends,  are 
known  to  be  false. 

Otho  (M.  Sa/viusJ.  This  name  appears  on 
brass  of  Augustus,  struck  s.  c.  Obverse ; 
CAESAR  AVGVST.  PONT.  MAX.  TRIBVNIC.  POT., 
with  laureated  head  of  the  Emperor,  behind 
which  is  a winged  Victory.  Reverse  : m.  salvivs 
otho  mviR.  (See  a.  a.  a.  f.  f.,  p.  1 of  this 
Diet.)  This  coin,  and  two  others  by  monetal 
triumvirs,  are  the  only  ones  which,  in  large 
brass  of  the  real  Roman  mint,  were  coined 
during  the  life-time  of  Augustus,  and  present  to 
us  the  head  of  that  prince.  They  are  rare  ; whilst 
the  large  brass  of  the  same  reign,  without  the 
head  of  Augustus,  arc  common;  and  those  in 
middle  brass,  with  the  head,  are  extremely 
common.  With  reference  to  the  moneycr 
otho,  above-named,  it  may  be  observed  that 
certain  persons,  curious,  but  not  well-informed, 
in  these  matters,  have  sometimes  confounded 
him,  from  close  similarity  of  appellation,  with 
the  Emperor  Otho.  Hence  so  many  popular 
tales  respecting  Othos  in  brass  found  in  such 
and  such  a place.  (See  Lefons  de  Hum.  Rom 
p.  71.) 

Ovalio,  the  lesser  triumph.  This  was  dis- 
tinguished from  the  triumph,  by  its  being  con- 
ducted with  less  pomp  and  magnificence  than 
the  greater  ceremony,  for  (as  Dionysius,  of 
llelicamassus  relates)  the  successful  general  on 
whom  the  honours  of  an  ovation  were  conferred 
made  his  entry  into  the  city  commonly  on  foot, 


592.  OVATIO. 

never  in  a chariot,  seldom  even  on  horseback ; I 
to  the  sound  of  flutes  not  of  trumpets ; neither 
did  he  bear  the  triumphal  insignia,  the  toga 
picta,  the  sceptre,  &c.  Preceded  by  warriors, 
he  held  a branch  of  olive  in  his  hand,  was 
clothed  in  a white  robe  bordered  with  purple, 
and  wore  a crown  of  myrtle  on  his  head,  to 
indicate  that  the  action  had  not  been  sanguinary. 
The  Senate,  the  members  of  the  Equestrian 
Order,  and  the  principal  inhabitants  attended 
the  procession,  which  terminated  at  the  capitol, 
where  a sacrifice  of  rams  was  performed.  The 
ovation  was  awarded  to  those  who  had  gained 
over  the  enemy  some  advantage  which  had  cost 
but  few  lives,  and  which  had  not  been  sufficiently 
decisive  to  finish  the  war ; or  in  which  the  foe 
defeated  was  of  no  reputation  and  unworthy  of 
the  Roman  arms,  or  even  when  a war  had  not 
been  declared  with  all  the  accustomed  forms. — 
The  term  ovalio  is  derived  from  Ovis,  a sheep 
being  the  animal  sacrificed  by  the  ov antes,  or 
those  honoured  with  an  ovation. 

After  the  servile  war,  an  ovation  was  con- 
ceded to  M.  Licinius  Crassus ; to  have  vanquished 
slaves  being  deemed  unworthy  of  the  full 
honours  of  the  triumph.  Augustus,  after  the 
recovery  of  the  captured  standards  from  Parthia, 
returning  from  the  East,  entered  Rome  in  an 
ovation  ; and  Vaillant  thinks  this  event  expressed 
on  a coin  of  the  Licinia  family,  in  which  that 
Emperor  on  horseback  is  holding  a crown  ; but 
Spanhciiu  is  not  of  that  opinion. 

The  ovation  of  M.  Aurelius,  who,  after  an 
eight  years’  war  carried  on  against  numerous 
nations  of  Germany,  returned  victorious  to 
Rome,  is,  according  to  Vaillant,  typified  on  a brass 
medallion,  on  which  that  Emperor  marches  on 
foot,  adorned  neither  with  the  trabea  nor  with 
the  toga  picta,  but  in  a military  garb,  holding  a 
spear  in  his  right  hand.  He  appears  to  have 
been  sacrificing  at  an  altar  in  front  of  the 
temple  of  Jupiter  Capitolinas,  which  is  seen 
behind  him,  and  to  be  about  to  pass  through  a 
triumphal  arch  as  if  on  his  way  back  to  the 
Imperial  palace.  A praitorian  standard  hearer, 
as  was  the  custom,  precedes  him,  and  Victory 
follows  him,  holding  a laurel  crown  over  his 
head. — The  xxviiith  Tribunitian  power,  with 
the  title  of  IM1  'erator  VI.  COS.  III.  round 


the  medallion,  shews,  says  Vaillant,  the  time 
when  the  ovation  was  decreed.  At  the  bottom 


P. 

of  the  coin  the  epigraph  of  ADVENTVS 
AVG usti  also  points  to  the  period  when  it 
took  place,  namely,  after  the  return  of  the 
Emperor. 

P. 

P.  the  fifteenth  letter  of  the  Latins. — On 
some  very  early  coins  of  the  Romans  its  form 
is  somewhat  like  the  T of  the  Greeks,  the 
semicircular  part  not  being  complete,  as  on 
coins  of  the  Minucia  and  of  the  Faria  families. 

P.  is  found  serving  as  a mint-mark  on  the 
denarii  of  several  Roman  families,  and  appears 
also  on  the  Held  and  in  the  exergue  of  many 
coins  of  the  Lower  Empire.  It  is  sometimes 
doubled  as  in  Jupiter,  written  jvppiter. 

P.  was  occasionally  used  by  the  Latins  for  B, 
and  this  not  only  in  the  more  ancient  times  but 
also  in  later  ages,  probably  from  similarity  of 
sound.  An  instance  occurs,  so  far  in  the  Imperial 
series  of  Roman  coins,  as  Antoninus  Pius,  on  a 
second  brass  of  whose  reign  is  to  be  observed  the 
word  OPSEQVENS,  as  an  epithet  to  FORT  VN  A, 
when,  according  to  the  ordinary  rule  of  writing, 
it  should  he  05SEQVENS. 

P.  This  letter  by  itself  signifies  Pater;  or 
P atria ; or  Per  ; or  Percussa ; or  Perpetuus  ; 
or  Pius ; or  Pontifex , or  Popu/us ; or  Posuit  ; 
or  Prafectus ; or  Primus ; or  Princeps ; or 
Provincia ; or  Publius ; or  Publico  ; &c. 

P.  Pecunia,  or  Percussa  moneta. — aqvil. 
p.  Aquiliensis  Pecunia,  or  Aquileia  Percussa  ; 
on  a coin  of  Julianus  II. 

P.  Penates. — D.  P.  Dii  Penates. — (Bau- 
delot,  i.  p.  180.) 

P.  Peragrata. — adventvs  avovsti.  g.  p., 
that  is  to  say,  Romam  in  urban  Adcentus 
Augusti  Gracia  Peragrata ; on  a medal  of 
Nero. 

P.  Pia. — LEGio  V.  P.  C.  Pia  Ponstans. — 
P.  for  Pia  is  also  an  epithet  frequently  applied 
to  Roman  colouies. 

P.  Plebis. — TR.  p.  Tribunus  Plebis.  A 
Tribuue  of  the  people. 

P.  Pondus — Pondera. — PNR.  On  the  field 
of  a second  brass  of  Claudius ; Pondus  Mu  mi 
Restitutum,  as  it  has  been  interpreted. 

P.  Populi. — P.  R.  Populi  Romani.— C A PR. 
Casus  Auctoritate  Populi  Romani.  Money 
struck  by  the  authority  of  the  Roman  people. 

P.  Populo. — P.  CIK.  con.  Popu/o  Circenses 
Concessit. — P.  D.  Populo  Datum. 

P.  Potestate. — T.  P.  or  tr.  p.  Tribunicia 
Potestate. 

P.  Prator. — pro  p.  Pro  Pratore. 

P.  in  the  r exillum,  or  cavalry  standard, 
means  Principes,  or  that  corps  of  Rnmau 
soldiers  which  formed  their  second  line  in  battle 
array.  Thus  on  certain  denarii  of  the  Valeria 
family  the  letters  H.  and  P.  on  the  legionary 
standards  signify  Principes  and  Hastati. 

P.  Pro. — P.  c.  Pro  Consul  or  Pro  Con- 
sule. — p.  Q.  Pro  Quasi  ore. 

P.  Pronepos. — C.  OCTAVXVS  C.  P.  Caii 
Pronepos. 


PACATIANUS. 

P.  Provincia. — A.  p.  Armenia  Provineia. 

P.  Public#. — R.  P.  C.  Rei  Public#  Con- 
stituent!#. 

P.  Publius,  a frequent  Roman  pramomen, 
both  on  Family  and  Imperial  coins. 

P.  A.  Pietas  Augusti,  or  Augusta ; also 
Perpetuus  Augustus. 

PAC.  Pad. — PAC.  ORBIS.  TERRARVM.  Pad 
Orbis  Terrarum ; also  Pacator,  Pacifier,  Paci- 
fero,  as  mars.  pac.  Mars  Padfer. — HERO. 
paci.  llerculi  Pacifero. — [To  the  Pacilic  Her- 
cules, or  the  Pacific  Mars.] 

PAC.  Pads. — ARA  PACw. 

PACATIANVS,  an  usurper  whose  existence 
has  not  been  alluded  to  by  any  historian,  and 
whose  memory  is  preserved  by  medals  alone. — 
Even  on  coins  the  names  of  TIBERIVS 
CLAVDIVS  MARIVS,  or  MARCIVS,  PACA- 
TIANVS were  unknown  to  antiquaries  “ until 
(says  Beauvais)  for  the  first  time  a medal  of 
him  was  discovered  by  Chamillart,  during 
his  travels  in  the  Pyrenees.  This  was  at  first 
regarded  as  spurious ; but  several  others,  and 
all  of  them  in  silver,  were  afterwards  found.” — 
Of  the  medal  brought  home  and  engraved  by 
Chamillart,  the  antiquity  is  on  all  hands  allowed 
to  be  incontestable.  The  obverse  exhibits  the 
radiated  head  of  this  tyrant  with  the  inscription, 
not  as  Jobcrt  gives  it  IMP.  T.  IVL.  MAR. ; 
but,  according  to  Eckhel,  with  the  coin  before 
his  eyes,  IMP.  77.  CL.  MAR.  PACATIANVS. 
P.F.  AVG. — The  reverse  represents  a woman 
standing  clothed  in  the  robe  called  stola,  hold- 
ing in  her  right  hand  an  olive  branch;  and  in  her 
left,  which  is  also  employed  in  lifting  the  skirt 
of  her  gown,  is  a hast  a pura ; the  legend  reads 
PAX  AETERNA. — From  the  workmanship 
of  this  coin  and  others,  the  Tgrannus  whom  it 
represents  is  supposed  to  have  lived  during  the 
reign  of  Philip  or  of  Trajan  Decius;  and  to 
have  been  recognised  as  Emperor  at  the  same 
time  that  Marinus  and  Jotapianus  assumed  the 
purple. — There  is  another  silver  medal  engraved 
in  Akerman  from  the  one  in  the  French  King’s 
cabinet,  which  has  for  its  legend  round  the 
radiated  head,  IMP.  TI.  CL.  PACATIANVS 
AVG.,  and  on  the  reverse  ROM AE.  AETER. 
AN.  MIL.  ET.  PRIMO.  Roma-Victrix, 
seated. — Eckhel,  in  correcting  the  egregious 
error  into  which  both  Frcelich  and  Khcll,  as 
well  as  some  other  writers  had  fallen,  quotes 
a letter  of  M.  D’Ennery  to  Khell  in  1772,  in 
which  the  learned  French  numismatist  says — 
“The  legend  of  this  tyrant  (Pacatianus)  does 
not  bear  the  prenomina  of  T.  IVL.,  but  those 
of  TI.  CL.,  as  I have  ascertained  from  all  the 
medals  of  that  prince,  which  are  esteemed  to  be 
indubitably  genuine  ; and  you  may  rely  upon  it 
that  those,  on  which  you  do  not  find  the  afore- 
said prenomina  of  Tiberius  Claudius,  are  of 
modern  fabrication.  It  is  an  error  which  I have 
corrected  in  several  works.” 

With  respect  to  the  theatre  of  Pacatian’s 
revolt,  observes  Miounet,  “opinions  are  divided. 
Some  place  it  in  the  south  of  Gaul,  where  his 
medals  were  first  found ; others,  on  the  contrary, 
believe  that  there  are  reasons  for  placing  it  in 
4 G 


PACATIANUS.— PACATOR.  593 

the  same  country  (Moesia),  where  Marinus  took 
the  title  of  Augustus.  There  are  even  anti- 
quaries, he  adds,  who  suspect  that  Marinus  and 
Pacatianus  are  the  same  person,  and  that  the 
vprenomen  mar.  in  the  legend  ought  to  be  read 
Marinus,  instead  of  Marius  or  of  Mardus." — 
The  latter  conjecture  may  or  may  not  be  well 
founded ; but  the  former  suspicion  appears 
totally  devoid  of  any  valid  support;  and  after 
the  description  above  given  of  the  medals  them- 
selves may  surely  be  dismissed  without  hesita- 
tion. There  is  ground  to  suppose  that,  falling 
into  the  power  of  Trajanus  Decius,  (who  in  that 
age  of  usurpers  “ passed  for  no  better  than  one 
himself,”  as  Beauvais  says,  “before  he  had 
vanquished  Philip,”)  Pacatianus  was  deprived 
of  life  in  the  district  where  he  commanded, 
shortly  after  his  assumption  of  the  purple.  His 
medals,  which  present  five  different  reverses, 
and  which  give  him  the  physiognomy  of  a man 
of  about  thirty,  are  of  the  highest  degree  of 


rarity.  They  were  evidently  struck  at  the  seat 
of  his  usurped  authority,  whether  that  were  in 
Gaul,  which  is  most  probable,  or  in  Moesia,  or 
in  Pannonia,  or  elsewhere. — The  illustration  of 
the  coins  of  Pacatianus  which  appears  above  is 
taken  from  a denarius  in  the  cabinet  of  Thomas 
Faulkner,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  who  purchased  it  at 
the  sale  of  the  Sabatier  collection  for  £19  10s. 

PACATOR. — Sometimes  by  this  cognomen, 
at  others  by  that  of  Bellator,  Mars,  as  the 
reputed  father  of  Romulus,  was  distinguished 
by  his  most  ardent  worshippers  the  Romans. 
A bronze  medallion  of  Gordianus  Pius,  in  the 
lies  Camps  Collection,  and  exhibiting  a fine 
sacrificial  group,  is  considered  by  Vaillant  to 
shew  the  devotion  of  that  young  prince  to  the 
God  of  Armies,  in  his  two-fold  character  of 
pacific  and  warlike. 

PACATOR  ORBIS. — The  radiated  head  of 
the  Sun.  This  appears  on  the  reverse  of  a 
gold  and  a silver  coin  of  Sept.  Severus;  and 
alludes  to  the  restoration  of  peace  to  the  world 
by  the  conquest  of  Parthia,  lying  as  regards 
Rome,  to  the  East. — Of  Odens  or  the  East,  the 
ancient  symbol  was  the  Sun,  as  represented  by 
a young  man’s  head  adorned  with  rays. — It  was 
after  having  subdued  the  Parthians  that  Severus 
took  the  name  of  Part/iicus  Maximus;  and 
now,  on  his  making  peace  with  them,  he  is 
called  Pacator  Orbis. — This  Emperor  is  also 
designated  on  a marble  in  Gruter,  as  Pacator 
Orbis  and  Fundator  Imperii. — Besides  its  appro- 
priation to  Severus,  the  title  of  Pacator  Orbis 
is  bestowed,  in  the  inscription  of  their  coins, 
on  Caracalla,  Gallienus,  Postumus,  Marius, 
Aurelianus,  Florianus,  and  after  them  on  other 


594  PACI.  AETERNAE. 

Roman  Emperors,  but  more  out  of  hope  than 
from  reality,  for  the  world  was  never  at  peace 
under  any  of  these  princes. 

PACE.  P R.  TERRA.  MARIQ.  PARTA. 
IANVM.  CLVSIT. — The  first  and  second  brass 
medals  of  Nero,  on  which  this  interesting 
legend  appears,  represent  in  their  type  the  temple 
of  Janus  shut — a circumstance  limited  to  the 
very  rare  epoclias  of  an  universal  peace. — It  is 
only  on  his  coins  that  Nero  is  recorded  to  have 
closed  the  sacred  fane  of  old  bifrons,  after 
having  procured,  peace  for  the  Roman  people  by 
land  and  by  sea.  But  possibly  the  infatuation 
of  that  vain  tyrant  prompted  him  to  boast  of  a 
peace  which  seems  denied  as  a fact  by  some  his- 
torians— and  though  the  coins  themselves  are 
common,  it  is  uncertain  to  what  year  the  reverse 
alludes. — On  others  we  read  Pace  populi 
Romani  ubique  (instead  of  Terra  Manque) 
parla  Janum  clusit. — It  will  be  remarked  that 
clvsit  is  here  read  for  clavsit.  That  “ this 
was  a mode  of  writing  the  word  in  Nero’s 
time  is  proved  (observes  Eckhel),  not  only  by 
these  coins,  but  by  the  contemporaneous  autho- 
rity of  Seneca,  who  in  various  passages  of  his 
work  employs  the  term  cludere  for  claudere.” — 
See  Janus.  , 

According  to  Livy,  the  temple  of  Janus, 
which  remained  always  open  when  Rome  was  at 
war,  was  shut  only  once,  from  the  foundation 
of  the  city  to  the  battle  of  Actium.  Under 
Augustus  it  w as  closed  three  times  ; and  one  of 
the  occasions  was  about  the  period  of  our  Blessed 
Saviour’s  Nativity,  when,  as  the  writings  of 
the  Fathers  attest,  the  whole  world  enjoyed 
peace. 

PACI.  AETER»<ze. — A female  figure  seated, 
holding  the  hasta  para  and  an  olive  branch. — 
This  inscription  and  type  appear  on  a very  rare 
gold  medallion  of  Cominodus,  accompanied 
with  the  following  record  of  the  date  when  it 
was  struck,  namely : — tb.  p.  xiiii.  imp.  viii. 
cos.  v.,  to  mark,  as  Vaillant  observes,  victories 
over  the  Mauritanians  and  Dacians,  and  the 
pacification  of  the  Pannouians ; in  Britain,  in 
Germany,  and  in  Dacia,  the  revolted  provinces 
being  quieted  by  the  government  of  this  em- 
peror, as  though  paa  tetema  was  about  to  be 
(esset  futura). — (vol.  ii.  p.  188.) 

PACI  AVGVSTAE. — The  Goddess  of  Peace, 
in  the  form  of  a winged  victory  walking,  lifts 
with  her  right  hand  the  border  of  her  robe  to 
her  face,  and  holds  in  her  left  a winged  caduceus, 
before  her  feet  a serpent  is  moving  forwards.” — 
“ This  elegant  type,  on  a gold  coin  of  Claudius 
(says  Eckhel  in  his  Catalogue,  ii  ),  expresses  the 
manifold  virtues  of  the  Emperor  and  the  public 
happiness  enjoyed  under  his  government.  For 
in  one  single  image  are  represented  the  symbols 
of  Victory,  Peace,  Felicity,  Prudence,  and 
Modesty,  qualities  which  indeed  were  not  all 
wanting  in  the  character  of  Claudius.” 

PACI  AVGVSTI. — To  the  Peace  of  the  Em- 
peror.— Victory  walkiug,  in  the  dress  and  with 
the  attributes  above  described.  This  appears 
on  a silver  coin  of  Vespasianus,  who,  evidently 
borrowing  the  legend  and  type  from  Claudius, 


PACI  ORBIS  TERRARUM  AVG. 
caused  it  to  be  struck  on  the  occasion  of  his 
having  brought  to  completion  the  structure  of  a 
splendid  temple  dedicated  to  the  Goddess  of 
Peace. — The  reverse  of  a silver  medal  of  Domi- 
tilla,  wife  of  Vespasian,  bears  a similar  type. — 
See  paci  avgvstae  — Vaillant.  ii.  p.  94. 

PACI  ORBIS  TERR/ir«»t  AVG.—1 The  head 
of  a woman,  adorned  with  a crown,  on  which 
are  two  towers. — On  a silver  coin  of  Vespasian, 
with  whose  mint  this  deity  appears  to  be  a fre- 
quent type,  as  the  goddess  herself  was  a favourite 
object  of  the  Emperor’s  worship.  It  was  in 
the  year  of  Christ  75,  when  he  and  Titus  were 
consuls  together,  that  he  dedicated  the  temple, 
begun  under  Claudius,  and  described  by  ancient 
writers  as  the  most  beautiful  in  Rome,  to  Peace. 
In  that  building,  if  Hieronymus  is  to  be  relied 
upon,  were  deposited  the  vases  and  other  spoils 
of  the  Holy  Temple  of  Jerusalem,  brought  in 
triumph  by  Titus  to  Rome. 

PACI  PERPe/ifcr. — A temple  of  six  columns, 
in  the  middle  of  which  is  an  altar,  on  a silver 
coin  of  Augustus.  The  temple  of  Janus  was 
twice  shut  by  Augustus ; hence  the  occasion  of 
this  silver  coin  being  struck,  with  the  leirend  to 
Perpetual  Peace. — Suetonius  says  Augustus  shut 
the  temple  of  Janus  three  times. 

PACIS  EVENT. — The  Genius  Eventus  stands 
naked,  holding  in  the  right  hand  a patera,  and 
corn-ears  and  poppies  in  his  left. — Silver  of 
Vespasian. 

Bonus  Eventus  (the  God  of  good  Success) 
was  worshipped  by  the  Romans  among  the  other 
Dei  Consentes , as  a deity  especially  presiding 
over  agriculture.  His  statue  is  said  to  have 
been  sculptured  by  Praxiteles,  in  a form  similar 
to  the  figure  on  this  medal,  and  which  is 
designated  by  the  epigraph  as  Pads  Eventus,  as 
if  Vespasian  wished  to  have  it  inferred  that 
through  the  prosperous  event  of  peace,  a greater 
disposition  had  Seen  promoted  for  agricultural 
pursuits. — [Vaillant,  ii.,  p.  88.] 

Pacuvia  or  Paguia,  a family  of  uncertain 
rank,  indeed  scarcely  if  at  all  mentioned  by  old 
writers,  although  sometimes  its  name  occurs  on 
ancient  marbles. — Grutcr  gives  an  inscription 
which  reads  c.  paqvivs;  and  Muratori  another, 
ossa  paqwiae.  paqvvi  RVFi.,  an  example  pro- 
bably of  Q.  used  for  c.,  thus  rendering  it  likely 
that  paqvivvivs  is  the  same  as  pacvvivs,  and 
consequently  that  the  Paquius  Rufus  of  the  fol- 
lowing coin  was  of  the  same  family  as  the 
Pccuvius  Rufus  of  the  inscribed  marble : — 

a.  c.  L.  v.  Bare  head  of  M.  Antony. 

q.  paqvivs.  rvf.  leg.  A togated  figure 
seated  in  a cunde  chair,  holding  a charta  or 
sheet  of  parchment  in  his  right  hand,  into 
which  he  is  looking ; on  the  ground  is  a vase  or 
globe. — Small  brass,  rare. 

Paduan. — By  this  name  arc  designated  the 
false  medals  executed  with  much  care  and  with 
surpassing  skill,  by  Giovanni  del  Cavino,  sur- 
nnmed  it  paduano,  and  by  Bassiano. — These 
fabricators  of  counterfeits,  who  are  equally  dis- 
tinguished by  the  appellation  of  the  Paduans, 
copied  medals  from  the  antique,  or  according 
to  the  antique  method,  or  they  composed  designs 


PAETUS. 

for  reverses,  with  a profound  knowledge  of 
history. 

These  medals,  which  belong  to  the  sixteenth 
century,  were  held  in  great  repute,  and  are  still 
much  in  request  on  account  of  their  beautiful 
workmanship.  It  is  to  the  Paduans,  and  also 
to  the  Dutchman  Carteron  that  the  greatest 
portion  of  the  false  coins  are  to  be  ascribed, 
which  find  a place  in  almost  all  cabinets.  The 
French  King's  Collection,  at  Paris,  contains  a 
fine  suite  of  these  mock  antiques. 

PAETVS,  surname  of  the  Aelia  family ; on 
a denarius  of  which  is  p.  paetvs.  koma.  with 
the  Dioscuri  on  horseback. 

PAL.  Palastina. — PR.  s.  pal.  Provincia 
Syria  Palastina. 

PAL.  Palalino. — apol.  pal.  or  palat. 
Apollini  Palatino. — imp.  viii.  tr.  p.  xiii.  cos. 
v.  On  a first  brass  of  Commodus,  which  repre- 
sents Apollo  holding  a lyre.  Apollo  Actius 
is  meant  in  this  case.  The  god  was  called 
Pa/atinus,  because  a dedication  was  made  to 
him  by  Augustus  in  ihe  Palatium  at  Rome, 
after  the  battle  of  Actium.  The  coins  of  Com- 
modus, struck  with  this  epigraph,  refer  to 
the  ludi  Apollinares,  or  Apollinarian  games, 
which  were  celebrated  at  Rome,  in  supplication 
to  Apollo  as  the  God  of  Medicine,  that  he 
would  stay  a dreadful  pestilence  raging  in  that 
city  in  the  year  943,  during  the  height  of 
which,  by  the  testimony  of  Dion,  it  often 
happened  that  two  thousand  persons  died  of  it 
in  one  day. 

Palaeographia,  Paleography — the  science 
which  serves  to  make  us  acquainted  with  the 
writing  used  on  ancient  marbles,  coins,  manu- 
scripts, &c. — The  coins  of  some  cities  shew  that 
they  bore  a succession  of  different  names.“  These 
variations  (says  Hcnnin,  ii.  p.  12)  are  useful  to 
geography  and  history,  and  also  to  (numismatic) 
Paleography,  inasmuch  as  they  serve  to  establish 
the  epochas  of  coinage. — Under  the  Roman 
power,  many  Greek  cities  added  to  their  own 
names  imperial  denominations,  particularly 
those  of  Augusta;  or  otherwise  changed  their 
names  for  those  of  the  Emperors,  Trajanopolis, 
Hadrianotherce , &c.  Other  epithets  of  divers 
kinds  are  useful  in  a geographical  point  of  view.” 
— [See  Inscription. — Millin,  Diet.  Des  Beaux 
Arts.'] 

Pastum,  a city  of  Lucania  (now  a province 
of  Naples),  called  by  the  Greeks  Posidonia, 
situate  on  the  shore  of  the  Mediterranean. — 
“ This  city,”  says  Eckhel,  “ when  uuder  the 
government  of  its  own  laws,  struck  many  coins 
with  its  Greek  name  of  Posidonia.  But  once 
established  as  a Roman  colony  it  was  called  on 
its  coins  Pastum,  in  the  old  Latiu  form  of 
letters  and  orthography.  And  from  the  time  of 
its  receiving  the  rights  of  a colony,  no  coins  of 
Pastum  exist,  except  brass  ones,  and  those  with 
Latin  inscriptions,  whence  it  appears  that  to 
their  colonies  no  privilege  was  given  by  the 
Romans  for  the  coinage  of  gold  and  silver,  but 
solely  of  brass.” — [Num.  Vet.  p.  39.] 

Palatium , Mount  Palatine,  one  of  the  seven 
hills  of  Rome,  on  which  the  Kings  first,  then 
4 G 2 


PALIKANUS.— PALLAS.  595 

the  Consuls,  afterwards  the  Emperors,  from 
Augustus  downwards,  in  a long  succession, 
fixed  their  residence.  Hence  the  word  Palace, 
as  designating  the  house  of  a royal  or  imperial 
personage. — The  term  palativm  does  not  occur 
on  any  ancient  Roman  medals,  that  ascribed  to 
Nerva  being  pronounced  spurious. — [See  Eckhel, 
vi.  411.] 

PAL1KANVS,  the  surname  of  the  Lollia 
family,  on  whose  denarii  we  see  it  sometimes 
accompanying  the  head  of  Pelicitas ; sometimes 
the  head  of  Libertas,  and  a bridge  of  five  arches ; 
at  others,  the  laureated  head  of  Honos,  with  a 
curule  chair  between  corn-ears,  the  symbols  of 
the  edileship. — See  Lollia. 

Palladium,  an  image  of  Pallas,  or  Minerva, 
to  which  were  attached  the  destinies  of  Troy. 
This  statue,  three  cubits  in  height,  held  a lance 
in  the  right  hand,  a shield  on  the  left  arm. 
Dionysius  of  Halicarnassus,  who  follows  the 
Grecian  figment  that  it  was  the  gift  of  heaven 
to  the  Trojans,  adds  that  .Eneas  possessed  him- 
self of  it,  and  conveyed  it  to  Italy,  with  his 
household  gods  (Penates).  It  was  said  to  have 
long  been  preserved  in  the  Temple  of  Vesta,  at 
Rome,  and  many  medals  represent  that  goddess 
seated,  with  the  Palladium  in  her  hand. 

That  the  Palladium  was  preserved  in  the 
Temple  of  Vesta,  at  Rome,  is  a fact  considered 
by  Eckhel  to  be  typified  on  a brass  medallion  of 
Lueilla,  Empress  of  Lucius  Verus,  on  which, 
without  epigraph,  appears  a temple,  in  which 
is  an  idol,  and  before  which  six  female  figures 
are  sacrificing,  at  a lighted  altar.  It  is  narrated 
by  Val.  Maximus  that,  at  the  burning  of  the 
temple  of  Vesta,  Metellus  preserved  the  Palla- 
dium, which  was  snatched  unharmed  from  out 
of  the  midst  of  the  conflagration.  Lucan, 
Ilcrodian,  and  Livy,  confirm  this  statement ; 
the  last  named  writer  says — “ Quid  de  alernis 
Vesta  ignibus  signoque,  quod  imperii  pignus 
custodia  ejus  temp/i  tenetur,  loquar  ?” — 
[“  Why  need  I speak  of  the  eternal  fire  of 
Vesta,  and  of  the  statue  (i.e.  Palladium)  which 
is  preserved,  as  a pledge  of  the  empire’s  safety, 
in  the  sanctuary  of  her  temple  ?”] 

The  Palladium  borne  by  rEneas  in  his  right 
hand,  whilst  he  carries  Anchises  on  his  shoulders, 
appears  on  coins  of  the  Cecilia  and  Julia 
families,  and  on  denarii  of  Julius  Cresar. — 
Minerva  also  holds  it  on  some  imperial  medals. 
— It  appears  in  the  hand  of  Juno,  on  a coin  of 
Julia  Soemias.  In  the  hands  of  Vesta  it  is 
placed,  on  coins  of  Vespasian,  Titus,  Domitian, 
Trajan,  and  Antonine ; and  also  on  medals  of 
the  Faustinas  and  other  Empresses. — Also  in 
the  hand  of  Venus,  on  a coin  of  Faustina,  jun. 

The  Palladium  also  is  seen  in  the  right  hand 
of  the  Genius  of  Rome,  on  coins  of  Vespasian, 
Domitian,  Antoninus  Pius,  and  Constantius 
Chlorus. — It  also  appears  in  the  right  hand  of 
Annona,  on  a silver  medal  of  Titus,  as  indicating 
the  popular  belief  that  so  long  as  that  image 
was  preserved  the  Roman  empire  would  flourish. 

Pallas , the  daughter  of  J upiter,  from  whose 
brain  she  is  said  to  have  sprung,  is  the  same 
deity  whom  the  Latins  called  Minerva. — Pallas 


596  PALLAS.— PALLOR. 

is  represented  on  numberless  coins  as  a young 
virgin  wearing  a helmet.  In  a variety  of  types 
she  is  depictured  armed  with  javelin,  or  with 
thunderbolt,  or  with  spear  and  shield. 

Pallas  Bellatrix,  as  the  presiding  divinity  of 
wars,  appears  in  Roman  medals  armed  with  the 
hasta  and  the  bhcklcr. 

Pallas  Fulminatrix.  Minerva  armed  with  the 
irresistible  bolts  of  Jupiter  Tonans  is  most 
frequently  exhibited  on  gold  and  silver  coins  of 
Domitian,  who,  by  this  image  of  the  thunderess, 
aimed  to  shew  himself  born  to  be  a terror  to  the 
enemies  of  the  Roman  name. 

Pallas  Jaculatrix.  The  dart-throwing  Pallas, 
armed  with  the  aegis  and  shield,  and  iu  the  act 
of  casting  a javelin,  standing  on  a ship’s  prow, 
and  with  her  symbol,  an  owl,  at  her  feet, 
occurs  on  a great  many,  gold,  silver,  and  brass 
coins  of  Domitian,  who  paid  a peculiarly  zealous 
worship  to  this  goddess.  That  vain  and  cruel 
Emperor  is  said  to  have  preserved  her  image  in 
his  bed-chamber,  to  have  devoted  the  most 
solemn  adoration  to  her  shrine,  and  to  have 
boasted  that  he  governed  himself  in  all  things 
by  her  auspicious  will  and  pleasure. 

Pallas  (or  Minerva)  Nicephora,  the  tutelary 
deity  of  the  Athenians,  appears  on  a second 
brass  of  the  Clovia  family. — The  goddess  walks 
with  a trophy  on  her  right  shoulder,  and  in  her 
left  a shield  charged  with  the  head  of  Medusa. 
C.  CI.OVIkj  PRAEFccfiw. — Her  attributes: 
the  owl  standing  on  a helmet,  are  seen  on  denarii 
of  the  Cordia  family. — All  her  attributes  are 
collected  in  one  type  on  a coin  of  the  Valeria 
family,  under  the  figure  of  a bird,  with  the 
helmeted  head  of  a virgin,  and  a shield  and  two 
spears  attached  to  its  left  side. 

Pallas  Victrix,  depicted  with  small  figure  of 
victory  in  the  right,  and  a spear  in  the  left 
hand,  with  a shield  at  her  feet,  appears  on  silver 
of  Domitian  ; also  with  a trophy  by  her  side  on 
a brass  medallion  of  Commodus. — Sec  Ml.NERra. 

The  helmeted  head  of  Pallas  appears  fre- 
quently on  the  early  brass  coinage  of  the 
Romans  ; and  also  on  denarii  of  the  Claudia, 
Valeria,  Vibia,  and  other  families. 

Pallium,  an  open  vestment,  used  by  the 
Greeks  and  Romans  as  a eloke,  or  exterior 
garment.  Some  writers  say  it  was  of  a round, 
others  of  a semi-circular  form.  It  was  so  worn 
(and  much  nicety  was  displayed  in  its,  proper 
adjustment),  as  to  be  capable  of  covering  the  | 
other  habiliments,  and  even  to  envelop  the 
whole  person  of  a man.  On  coins  the  figures 
of  Emperors  and  Gods  sometimes  appear  clothed  [ 
in  the  pallium. 

Pallor,  the  Goddess  of  Paleness,  as  indi-  | 
native  of  Fear,  is  represented  by  the  countenance 
of  a woman,  with  long  dishevelled  hair,  on  a 
denarius  of  the  Ilostilia  family.  This  type,  | 
and  the  head  of  Pavor,  on  another  silver  coin 
of  L.  HostiUus  Sasenia,  were  adopted  by  that  I 
monetary  triumvir  to  denote  his  claimed  descent 
from  King  Tulius  Hostilius,  who  (Livy  tells  us) 
being  in  the  heat  of  battle  with  the  Vtians,  iu 
danger  of  defeat,  vowed  twelve  Solian  priests  I 
and  a temple  each  to  Pallor  and  Pavor ; I 


PALMA. 

1 which  vows,  after  victory,  he  performed,  and 
afterwards  worshipped  these  “ white-faced”  per- 
sonifications of  the  very  opposites  to  martial 
courage.  This  seems  preposterously  absurd; 
but  as  heathen  superstition  scrupled  not  to  con- 
secrate altars  to  impiety,  to  worship  obscenity, 
and  even  to  place  some  diseases  in  the  number 
of  her  divinities,  there  is  nothing  very  sur- 
prising in  the  folly  of  her  having  dcifyed  the 
attributes  of  pusillanimity  and  panic ! 

Palma,  the  palm-tree,  or  a branch  of  it,  may 
be  remarked  on  an  infinity  of  ancient  medals 
and  other  monuments.  It  is  the  numismatic 
symbol  of  Phoenicia ; and  also  offers  itself  as 
the  token  of  fecundity,  because  the  palm  con- 
stantly fructifies  as  long  as  it  lives.  It  was, 
moreover,  the  symbol  of  Judaa,  as  is  shewn 
j (says  Spauheim),  not  only  on  coius  struck  by 
the  Roman  mint,  after  the  conquest  of  that 
country,  under  Vespasian,  Titus,  and  Domitian, 
but  likewise  on  much  older  medals,  formerly 
coined  by  the  Jews  themselves.  The  palm-tree 
forms  the  type  of  a consular  coin,  struck  under 
M.  Antony,  with  legend  alexandr.  aegypt. 

The  Palm  sometimes  serves  as  the  symbol 
of  victory,  because,  on  the  days  of  triumph, 
the  conqueror,  besides  the  crown,  bore  a 
palm-branch;  at  other  times  it  signified  the 
duration  and  permanence  of  the  empire,  because 
the  palm  lives  a long  time.  Palm-branches 
were  borne  before  a victor  on  his  reception  at 
the  gate  of  a city.  The  palm  sometimes  denotes 
joy  (hilaritas),  abundance,  equity,  piety,  health, 
and  felicity.  We  also  see  it  on  coins  in  the 
haud  of  Hercules,  of  Jupiter,  of  Juno,  of 
Mars,  of  Mercury,  of  Venus,  and  especially  of 
Pallas  (or  Minerva).  It  is  given  to  Rome,  to 
Victory,  to  Fortune,  to  Liberty,  and  to  Peace. — 
The  Emperors  Julius  Caesar,  Augustus,  Trajan, 
Elagabalus,  Alexander  Severus,  Probus,  are  re- 
presented w ith  a palm-branch  in  their  hand. — A 
long  branch  of  it  appears  in  the  right  hand  of 
a woman,  with  the  epigraph  of  H 1 1. a ritas 
temporvm,  on  a coin  of  Didia  Clara. 

Palm-branches  in  the  hands  of  wrestlers 
( at  hi  eta ) appear  on  Contomiate  medals  of 
Nero,  Trajan,  Sept.  Severus,  Caracalla,  Hono- 
i rius,  Julianus  II.,  &c. 

Palmyra,  a region  of  Syria,  in  which  was  a 
once  celebrated  metropolis  of  that  name.  The 
city  called  by  the  Romans  Palmyra,  was  more 
anciently  named  Thadmor,  that  is  to  say.  City 
of  Palms,  whence  it  derived  its  appellation  of 
Palmyra.  This  magnificent  capital  was  situated 
to  the  north-east  of  Damascus,  between  that  city 
and  the  Euphrates,  within  a fertile  territory, 
watered  with  springs,  but  surrounded  by  samiy 
deserts.  After  the  destruction  of  the  kingdom 
of  Israel,  it  fell  into  the  possession  of  inde- 
pendent princes,  who  formed  a state,  centrally 
situated  between  the  Roman  empire  and  the 
kingdom  of  I’arthia ; and  they  succeeded  in 
aggraudising  it  at  the  expense  of  both. — 
Odenalhus,  the  last  powerful  prince  of  Palmyra, 
was  associated  in  the  Imperial  government  by 
Gallicnus,  and  conjointly  with  that  emperor 
made  couqucsts  of  territory  from  the  Persians. 


PALUDAMENTUM. — PALUDATUS, 

Septimia  Zenobia,  his  widow,  succeeded  her 
husbaud,  who  had  been  assassinated  by  his 
nephew.  That  woman  had  the  repute  of  being 
the  most  heroic  and  the  wisest  princess  of  her 
age.  In  270,  after  a brave  and  long  resistance 
to  the  progress  of  her  Roman  invaders,  she  was 
vanquished  by  Aurelian,  who  barbarously  graced 
his  triumph  with  her  presence  as  a captive  at 
Rome. — The  effigy  of  Vubalathus,  a Palmy- 
renian  Prince,  appears  on  the  reverse  of  a small 
brass  coin  of  Aurelian. — See  vabalathvs. 

Paludamentum,  a military  cloke,  like  that 
which  the  Greeks  called  chlamys.  It  was 
fastened  with  a fibula  or  clasp  upon  the  right 
shoulder,  in  such  a manner  as  to  leave  that 
side  uncovered  in  order  to  give  freedom  to  the 
right  arm.  This  peculiarity  gave  rise  to  the 
occasional  application  of  the  term  Paludati 
to  warriors  in  general,  although  it  properly 
belonged  only  to  the  chiefs  who  won  the  palu- 
damentum. This  mantle,  not  so  large  as  the 
pallium , was  easily  put  on  and  off,  and  adapted 
itself  conveniently  to  service  in  the  field.  'When 
a Roman  Emperor  or  General  was  on  the  point 
of  setting  out  to  take  the  command  of  his 
army,  he  went  first  to  the  capital,  and  was 
there  invested  with  the  paludamentum.  On 
his  return  from  the  expedition,  he  threw'  off  his 
war-cloke  at  the  gates,  and  entered  Rome 
clothed  in  the  toga.  This  custom,  it  appears, 
was  so  well  established,  that  (according  to 
Suetonius)  Vitellius  was  looked  upon  as  having 
committed,  not  only  a novel  but  a tyrannical 
act,  because  he  entered  the  city  paludatus. — 
Septimius  Severus,  on  the  other  hand,  had  the 
policy  always  to  doff  his  soldier-like  habiliments, 
and  to  assume  the  civil  garb  on  such  occasions. 
On  the  coins  of  this  Emperor  and  his  son 
Caracalla  we  see  him  with  the  fibulated  paluda- 
mentum. Indeed,  we  are  told  by  Spartianus, 
that  he  wore  such  scanty  clothing  that  he 
scarcely  had  any  purple  vestment  over  his 
tunic,  but  covered  his  shoulders  with  a shaggy 
chlamys. — The  cuirass  and  the  paludamentum 
often  appear  together.  Some  medals,  however, 
present  the  figures  of  Emperors  in  the  cuirass 
without  the  military  cloke;  yet  the  paluda- 
mentum over  the  tucked-up  tunic  is  more  rarely 
to  be  seen  without  the  cuirass. 

Paludatus. — An  Emperor,  or  General,  was 
thus  called,  when  dressed  in  the  warlike  habit, 
which  consisted  of  paludamentum  or  short 
mantle,  lorica  or  breast-plate,  with  other  mili- 
tary armour  and  ornaments. — 'When  Roman 
authors,  such  as  Suetonius  (in  his  Life  of 
Galba),  make  mention  of  an  Emperor’s  going 
out  with  his  army  (faciens  profectionem  ad 
bel/um),  they  almost  invariably  say  that  he 
departed  paludatus. — On  a large  brass  of 
Domitian  we  see  the  Emperor  standing,  in  the 
dress  of  a warrior,  holding  a lance  in  his  left 
hand,  and  the  paludamentum  on  his  shoulder  ; 
a captive  at  his  feet. 

Pampinea  corona. — The  crow'n  of  vine  leaves 
adorns  the  head  of  Bacchus,  on  many  coins  of 
cities ; and,  in  imitation  of  that  deity,  appears 
on  the  head  of  the  vain  and  presumptuous 


PAN.  597 

Mark  Antony,  in  more  than  one  of  his  medals, 
struck  during  the  period  of  his  Asiatic  cam- 
paigns. 

v.  Pan,  the  lablcd  son  of  Mercury  and  Penelope, 
and  one  of  the  companions  of  Bacchus.  The 
infancy  of  this  god  of  shepherds  and  husband- 
men, was  entrusted  to  the  nymphs  of  Arcadia; 
and  in  reference  to  the  worship  paid  to  him  as 
the  guardian  of  flocks  and  herds,  Virgil  thus 
sings  of  him  : — 

Pan  primus  calamos  cera  conjungere  plures 

Instiluit : Pan  curat  oves  omumque  magistros. 

Eel.  ii.  1.  31. 

And  not  of  shepherds  only,  but  of  all  nature  he 
| was  the  reputed  divinity,  his  name  being,  accord- 
ing to  some  writers,  derived  from  the  similar 
word  in  Greek,  itav,  by  whic h-omne  or  totum 
(everything  or  all)  is  signified. — Pan  is  usually 
represented  in  the  form  of  a satyr,  with  goat’s 
horns,  and  a cloak  of  goat’s  skin,  playing  the 
Syrinx,  or  flute  of  seven  pipes,  and  holding  the 
pedum  or  pastoral  staff.  It  was  in  his  honour, 
as  presiding  over  an  important  branch  of  rural 
affairs,  that  the  festivals  called  Lupercalia 
(from  Lupercus,  the  wolf  hunter,  as  Pan  was 
also  called)  were  instituted,  at  first  by  Evander, 
and  afterwards  introduced  into  Rome  by  Romulus. 
They  were  celebrated  on  the  15th  of  February, 
with  ceremonies  so  absurd  and  disgusting,  that, 
after  they  had  for  a time  fallen  into  disuetude, 
it  seems  strange  that  so  decorous  a prince  as 
Augustus  affected  to  be,  on  his  accession  to 
imperial  power,  should  have  revived  and  patro- 
nised them. 

Panis  persona.  The  mask  of  Pan,  with 
the  attribute  of  the  pedum,  appears  on  a denarius 
of  the  Vibia  family,  in  allusion,  as  Havcrcamp 
says,  to  the  name  of  C.  Vibias  Pansa,  who  was 
consul  in  the  year  of  Rome  711.  Another 
silver  coin  of  the  same  family,  bearing  the 
cognomeu  of  pansa,  exhibits  the  mask  of  Pan, 
encircled  with  ivy  leaves  and  berries. — The  only 
other  Latin  medal  which  represents  this  rustic 
deity  is  one  struck  by  the  Colonia  L aus  Yulia 
COR inthus,  under  Marcus  Aurelius,  on  w'hich 
his  entire  figure,  with  horns  and  hoofs,  appears, 
holding  on  his  left  arm  the  head  of  a goat,  and 
in  his  hand  a crook.  Another  coin,  with  Greek 
inscription,  bearing  the  names  of  two  cities  of 
Cappadocia,  Cerasus  and  liana,  exhibits  this 
same  goat-footed  god,  w'ith  the  pastoral  staff  in 
his  left  hand,  and  a lighted  torch  in  his  right ; 
allusive  (as  Spanheim  observes)  to  his  having 
been  one  of  those  divinities  whose  feasts  were 
celebrated  with  burning  flambeaux ; and,  accord- 
ing to  Pausanias,  a fire  was  perpetually  kept  up 
in  his  temple  in  Arcadia. — pansa,  says  Pitiscus, 
is  the  surname  of  a Roman,  given  him  on 
account  of  the  large  size  of  his  feet. 

Panis  civi/is  was  bread  which  the  authorities 
at  Rome  distributed  among  the  people. — Panis 
, gradilis  was  a distribution  of  bread  made  in  a 
public  place,  at  the  liberalities  of  the  Emperors. 
We  see  on  various  coins  a representation  of  the 
suggestum,  or,  as  the  French  term  it,  an  estrade, 
meaning  a raised  platform,  to  which  those 
appointed  to  receive  the  congiarium  or  bounty,  of 


598  PANN. — PANNONIA. 

the  imperial  donor,  were  accustomed  to  ascend 
by  steps  (gradibus) ; hence  the  term  gradilis 
pan  is, — See  co.vgiarivm  and  liberalitas. 

PANN. — pannon.  Pannonia.  The  Pan- 

nonian  provinces. — MET  all.  vlpian  pann. 
Metalli  U/jnani  Pannonici. — Coins  in  third 
brass  struck  of  metal  dug  from  the  mines  of 
Pannonia,  and  which  were  called  Ulpiani,  after 
the  family  name  of  Trajan,  in  whose  reign,  it  is 
said,  the  Romans  first  discovered  them. 

Pannonia , a country  of  Eastern  Europe, 
which  the  ancients  divided  into  Upper  Pannonia, 
now  Austria  and  Hungary;  and  Lower  Pannonia, 
which  at  this  time  of  day  comprehends  Bul- 
garia, Bosnia,  and  Servia. — Tiberius,  during 
the  reign  of  Augustus,  conquered  this  country 
in  two  years.  Its  name  aud  personified  genius 
appear  on  coins  of  Aelius  Vcrus,  Trajanus 
Decius,  Hostilianus,  and  Aurelianus. 

Pannonia  is  designated  on  medals  by  two 
figures  of  women  clothed,  “ because  that  country 
(says  Jobert)  is  cold.  They  also  hold  military 
ensigns  in  their  hands,  as  betokening  the  valour 
of  its  inhabitants.” 

PANNONIA. — Pannonia  personified  under 
the  form  of  a woman,  stands  covered  with  the 
pileus  or  bonnet  of  the  country,  holding  a pike 
in  her  right  hand,  on  which  is  a small  standard. 
This  legend  and  type  appear  on  first  and  second 
brass  of  L.  Aelius,  who,  adopted  as  successor 
and  proclaimed  C«sar  by  Hadrian,  was  (according 
to  Spartianus)  soon  afterwards  sent  by  that  Em- 
peror as  Governor  into  Pannonia;  and  these 
coins  were  struck  in  commemoration  of  the 
event. — “The  figure  representing  this  province 
is  distinguished  by  a kind  of  cap,  which  ancient 
authors  assert  to  have  been  the  covering  for  the 
head,  worn  by  people  inhabiting  the  western 
shores  of  the  Black  Sea. — The  square  standard 
at  the  top  of  the  lance  which  Pannonia  holds 
in  her  hand,  called  at  first  vexillum,  and 
peculiar  to  the  cavalry,  was  in  a later  age 
denominated  labarum,  and  became,  in  the 
Lower  Empire,  the  principal  ensign  of  the 
Roman  armies.” — \Lefons  de  Num.  Rom. 
133.] 

PANNONIAE. — The  division  of  this  region 
into  two  parts  is  characterised  by  two  female 
figures,  on  gold,  silver,  and  brass  of  Trajanus 
Decius.  [See  Decius  Trajanus .] — The  cause  of 
this  Emperor’s  attachment  to  these  provinces  is 
sufficiently  obvious;  for  they  were  the  first  to 
proclaim  his  election  to  the  purple,  and  it  was 
to  the  fidelity  and  bravery  of  the  Pannonian 
legions  that  he  owed  his  victory  over  Philip. 
Hence  it  was  the  peculiar  care  and  pride  of 
Decius  to  rescue  or  defend  Pannonia  from  the 
incursions  of  the  barbarians. — There  is  a similar 
reverse  on  a coin  of  Julianus  the  usurper. — 
[Eckhel,  vol.  vii.  p.  345.] 

Pannonia,  according  to  Lampridius,  was 
brought  into  a state  of  pacification  with  the 
Romans,  during  the  reign  of  Commodus. — 
Vaillaut,  in  his  selections  from  the  cabinet  of 
Descamps,  interprets  a medallion  of  that  Em- 
peror’s, inscribed  virtvs  avg.,  &c.,  nnd  ex- 
hibiting for  its  type  Rome  sitting  on  a heap  of 


PANORMUS. — PANTHEON. 

spoils,  as  referring  to  that  event  having  been 
accomplished  by  the  lieutenants  of  Commodus. 

Panonnus,  a maritime  and  very  celebrated 
city  of  Sicily,  now  called  Palermo.  It  was 
founded  by  the  Carthaginians;  and  the  whole 
island  having  become  a conquest  of  the  Romans, 
Panormus  was  in  process  of  time  established 
into  a colony  by  Augustus. — Vespasian  after- 
wards assigned  its  territory  to  the  veterans  of 
his  army  and  to  the  members  of  his  family. 
The  number  of  coins  of  this  city  is  very  con- 
siderable, especially  the  autonomous  pieces  both 
Punic  and  Greek.  There  are  brass  Imperial  of 
Augustus,  and  his  family,  and  of  Tiberius. — 
Among  the  Latin  coins  some  are  found  bear- 
ing the  name  HISPANORVM. — Vaillant,  in  his 
Colonies  (vol.  i.  p.  52),  gives  one  Latin  Imperial 
second  brass  with  the  head  of  Augustus,  and 
the  epigraph  PANORMITANORVM.  On  the 
reverse  is  CN.  D0MITIP5  PROCobSk/,  and 
the  type  of  the  three  human  legs,  the  triquetral 
symbol  of  Sicily,  over  which  is  placed  capri- 
corn, the  sign  of  Augustus. 

Pantheon,  a temple  in  honour  of  all  the 
gods,  as  the  Greek  word  signifies.  The  most 
celebrated  edifice  of  this  description  is  the  one 
at  Rome,  which,  built  by  Agrippa,  the  son-in- 
law  of  Augustus,  exists  to  this  day,  under  the 
well-known  appellation  of  the  Rotunda,  its 
interior  being  circular.  It  also  still  retains  the 
name  of  the  Pantheon,  and  constitutes,  with 
its  surperb  portico,  one  of  the  most  perfect  as 
well  as  majestic  remains  of  Roman  antiquity. 

The  term  Pantheon  or  Panthea  was  also 
applied  to  statues  or  images,  which  bear  the 
signs  or  symbols  of  several  divinities  united 
together.  Of  those  represented  by  medals  the 
most  remarkable  is  that  on  a coin  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  and  of  the  younger  Faustina,  where  at 
once  are  to  be  recognised  Serapis  by  his  modius 
or  bushel  ; the  Sun  by  his  rays  ; Jupiter  Ammon 
by  his  ram’s  horns;  Pluto  by  his  large  beard; 
Neptune  as  indicated  by  the  trident ; and  Escu- 
lapius  distinguished  by  the  serpeut  twined 
around  his  staff. — Another  medal,  quoted  by 
Tristan,  exhibits  a man  with  head  veiled  and 
body  naked,  who  bears  the  weapons  and  attri- 
butes of  Sol,  Mercury,  and  Neptune. — Vaillant 
calls  this  kind  of  medals  pantheon ; aud  there 
is  little  doubt  but  that  the  spirit  of  Pagan 
superstition  encouraged  the  design  of  rendering 
such  figures  portable,  as  representations  of  the 
Dei  Lares,  as  Baudelot  learnedly  and  forcibly 
contends. — These  pautheons,  or  their  symbols, 
are  conjectured  to  be  represented  by  certain 
types  on  coins  of  the  Julia  and  Platoria 
families. — [See  Eckhel.] 

Panther,  an  animal  sacred  to  Bacchus  (liber 
pater  as  in  Gallicuus) ; and  its  image  forms  ou 
coins  and  other  monuments  at  once  the  attribute 
of,  and  the  attendant  upon,  that  deity.  Bacchus 
and  his  followers,  indeed,  appear  on  ancient 
monuments  covered  with  the  skin  of  this  auiinal, 
which  is  also  symbolical  of  Pan.  This  ferocious 
beast,  which  is  still  very  common  in  Asia,  was 
in  the  time  of  the  Romans  to  be  found  in  con- 
siderable numbers  in  Caria,  Pamphylia,  and 


PAPIUS. 

Syria.  It  was  often  brought  from  the  East, 
and  also  from  Africa,  to  figure  at  Rome  in  the 
sports  of  the  circus,  where  sometimes  it  was 
harnessed  to  chariots ; at  others  made  to  fight. 
— Scaurus,  during  his  edileship,  was  the  first 
to  furnish  a public  shew  of  panthers  to  the 
number  of  one  hundred  aud  fifty.  Pompey  pro- 
duced five  hundred  and  ten  ; and  Augustus  four 
hundred  and  twenty,  according  to  Pliny. 

Panthers  appear  on  coins  as  the  companions 
of  Bacchus,  because  the  natural  history  of  the 
ancients  ascribed  to  these  animals  a peculiar 
fondness  for  wine ; and  this  liquor  was  one  of 
the  means  said  to  have  been  employed  to  take 
them  ; the  hunters  using  it  to  make  the  panthers 
intoxicated.  The  round  spots  on  the  hide 
forbid  our  confounding  either  th e,  panther  or  the 
pard  with  the  tiger,  aud  the  distinction  is 
observable  on  coins. 

A panther,  on  which  Cybele  or  Isis  is  seated, 
occurs  on  a coin  of  Hadrian.  It  appears  at  the 
feet  of  Bacchus  on  colonial  coins  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  Sept.  Severus,  Caracalla,  and 
Geta. — On  a medallion  of  Hadrian  a panther 
and  a goat  draw  a chariot,  in  which  are  seated 
Bacchus  and  Apollo. — And  on  a coin  of  Anto- 
ninus a panther  is  similarly  employed,  with  a 
satyr  for  his  yoke-fellow,  in  a car  where  the 
God  of  Wine  is  recognised  by  his  thyrsus,  and 
the  fair  Ariadne  sits  beside  him.— Vaillant, 
in  his  Latin  Colonies,  gives  us  a coin  of 
Corinth,  struck  under  M.  Aurelius,  on  the  re- 
verse of  which  is  C.  L.  I.  COE.  Colonia  Laus 
Julia  Corinthus ; and  Liber  Pater  standing 
with  the  cup  or  flagon  in  his  right  hand  and 
the  thyrsus  in  his  left.  A panther  sits  at  his 
feet  looking  up  as  if  at  the  goblet  which  con 
tains  “ the  liquor  that  he  loves.” 

A panther  appears  on  a brass  coin  of 
Gallienus,  with  legend  of  LIBERO  P atri 
CQNservatori  AV Gust i. 

PAP.  Papius.  The  name  of  a family. — 

L.  pap.  avit.  Lucius  Papius  Avitus,  prseno- 
men,  name,  and  surname. 

Papaver. — The  poppy  was,  with  the  ancients, 
the  symbol  of  fertility,  on  account  of  the  large 
quantity  of  seeds  which  this  plant  produces,  and 
therefore  consecrated  to  Ceres  Hence  Virgil 
(Georg.  L.  i.)  calls  it  Cereale  Papaver ; and 
amongst  the  corn-ears  given  to  that  goddess  the 
poppy  is  generally  intermingled. — The  poppy 
between  two  corn-ears,  held  by  Ceres,  occurs 
on  a second  brass  of  Vitcllius,  with  the  epigraph 
of  CERES  AVGVSTA.  The  same  goddess,  with 
the  same  attributes,  seated,  and  a female  stand- 
ing by  her,  appears  on  a first  brass  of  Nerva, 
with  the  legend  of  ANNONA  AVGVST. — It  also 
is  seen  on  coins  of  Nero,  Julia  Titi,  and  Cara- 
calla ; and  the  poppy,  ears  of  corn,  and  modius 
are  found  on  medals  of  Trajan,  Hadrian,  and 

M.  Aurelius. — On  a coin  of  Domitian  the  poppy 
is  represented  in  conjunction  with  corn-ears, 
whilst  two  right  hands  united  sustain  a caduceus; 
the  epigraph  is  FIDES  PVBLica.  [Eckhel, 
Cad.  ii.  p.  156.] — See  pi.ebei  vrbanae,  &c. 

PAPI.  Papia. — This  abbreviated  word  ap- 
pears on  a tablet  behind  the  head  of  Juno 


PAPIA.  599 

Sospita  on  a coin  of  the  Papia  family,  struck  in 
qommemoration  of  a law,  carried  by  C.  Papius, 
against  permitting  foreigners  to  reside  in  Rome. 
— See  Papia. 

PAPI.  also  stands  for  Papirius,  the  name  of 
a man. 

PAPIA,  a plebeian  family  of  consular  rank, 
and  originally  belonging  to  Lanuvium  ; its  sur- 
name on  coins  is  Celsus.  The  Papii  were 
tribunes  of  the  people,  who  passed  the  laws 
named  Papia  respecting  vestals  and  strangers. — 
Morell  enumerates  no  less  than  63  varieties. 
The  silver  arc  common.  Among  the  scarce 
types  is  that  on  a denarius,  the  obverse  of 
which  bears  the  word  tkivmpvs,  a young 
laureated  head,  with  a trophy  behind  it  (others 
have  the  head  of  Juno  Sospita  without  legend). 
The  reverse  presents  l.  papivs  celsvs  iiivir. 
A wolf  holding  in  his  mouth  a lighted  stick, 
aud  setting  fire  to  a heap  of  wood  placed  before 
an  eagle  with  its  wings  spread. — For  some  re- 
marks on  the  legend  and  type  of  the  obverse, 
see  trivmpvs. — With  respect  to  the  singular 
type  on  the  reverse,  it  is  considered  by  numis- 
matists (Eckhel  among  the  rest)  to  be  explained 
by  a passage  in  Dionysius  Halicarnassus,  who 
says — when  Lavinium  was  about  to  be  built, 
some  prodigies  offered  themselves  to  the  (super- 
stitious) apprehensions  of  the  Trojans.  In  a 
wood  they  observed  that  a fire  lighted  spon- 
taneously was  fed  by  a wolf  bringing  to  it  a 
dry  stick  or  faggot,  as  fuel,  in  its  mouth ; and 
an  eagle  which  had  flown  to  the  same  spot  was 
fanning  the  flame  with  its  wings.  On  the  other 
hand  a fox  haring  dipped  his  tail  in  the  river 
was  seen  sprinkling  water  over  the  conflagra- 
tion ; and  sometimes  those  who  had  raised,  at 
other  times  the  fox  who  endeavoured  to  ex- 
tinguish the  flame,  prevailed ; but  at  length  the 
latter  failed  of  success,  and  the  wolf  with  his 
aquiline  ally  triumphed.  The  historian  adds  to 
this  evidently  allegorical  statement,  what  wras 
possibly  the  literal  fact,  that  the  brazen  images 
of  the  wolf  and  an  eagle  were  preserved  in  the 
forum  at  Lavinium,  to  the  day  in  which  he 
wrote,  in  record  of  the  event,  which,  as  Mr. 
Akerman  observes,  was  the  mode  adopted  by 
.Eneas  to  predict  the  destiny  of  “ the  infant 
colony,  which,  although  exposed  to  the  enmity 
of  surrounding  states,  would  finally  subdue 
them.” — For  other  denarii  of  this  family,  bear- 
ing on  their  reverse  a griffin,  see  Eckhel,  vol.  v. 
268. — For  Juno  Sispita  see  the  word;  also  see 
Roscia  family. — On  each  of  the  many  silver 
coins  of  this  family,  and  others,  we  see  a small 
stamp,  or  mark  (such  as  an  apex,  an  owl,  a 
lion’s  head,  a foot,  a sistrum,  &c.,  &c.,  prettily 
engraved),  of  which  the  infinite  variety  im- 
presses one  with  a most  forcible  idea  of  the 
stupendous  quantity  of  different  matrices  em- 
ployed in  the  mint  of  Rome,  under  the  re- 
public. 

Papilio. — The  butterfly  held  in  the  claws  of 
the  sea-crab  (pagurus)  appears  on  a gold  coin 
of  m.  dvrmivs,  one  of  the  monctal  triumvirs 
of  Augustus. — The  application  of  this  type  to 
the  Durmia  family  is  unascertained. 


600  PAPIRIA. — PARAZONIUM.  PARAZONIUM. — PARCjE. 


By  the  image  of  the  Papilio  the  ancients 
understood  the  power  and  origin  of  the  soul 
to  be  designated.  And  the  mind,  or  Psyche, 
itself  is  no  otherwise  attempted  to  be  expressed 
than  by  this  figure  of  a butterfly. — Thus,  on  the 
reverse  of  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius 
(without  epigraph),  the  fable  of  Prometheus 
occurs,  in  which  Minerva  places  a butterfly  on 
the  head  of  the  man  whom  the  Promethean 
touch  has  just  formed,  as  if  intended  to  sym- 
bolise “ the  breath  of  life” — “ the  living  soul” 
of  a human  being  under  the  winged  form  of 
that  volant  and  ephemeral  insect. — Ou  the 
obverse  of  this  curious  coin,  which  Vaillant 
notices  as  being  in  the  Vatican  collection,  is 
read  antoxinvs  avg.  pivs.  p.p.  tr.  p.  cos.  hi., 
and  we  see  the  portrait  of  that  most  wise  and 
prudent  Emperor,  with  head  laureated,  and  the 
chlamys  on  his  breast. — See  Prometheus. 

PAPIRIA,  a family  of  double  order,  the  one 
patrician  of  the  junior  race  (minorum  gentium), 
called  in  the  earlier  ages  Papisia ; the  other  was 
plebeian,  according  to  Cicero,  whose  words  of 
the  epistola  ad  Ptetum,  both  Ursinus  and 
Havercamp  quote  in  illustration  of  Papiria 
gens. — The  surnames  of  the  plebeian  branch, 
which  was  of  consular  rank,  and  to  which  alone 
the  coins  of  this  family  belong,  are  Carbo  and 
Tardus.  There  are  sixteen  varieties : silver 
common.  On  one  of  the  denarii  of  this  family 
appears  the  head  of  Pallas,  winged : behind 
which  is  a branch. — Rev.  Jupiter  in  a quadriga 
at  full  speed.  The  brass  pieces  of  this  family, 
less  common  than  the  silver,  are  the  as  and 
parts  of  the  as. 

P.  AQ.  Percussa  Aquileia. — Money  strack 
at  Aquileia.  Mint-marks  ou  the  lower  part  of 
coins. 

P.  AR.  Percussa  Arelate. — Money  struck 
at  Arles,  on  the  exerque  of  a coin  of  Mag- 
nentius. 

PAR.  Parium,  a colony  in  Mysia. 

PAR.  Parthica. — leg.  ill.  par.  Legio 
Tertia  Parthica. — Vic.  par.  Victoria  Parthica. 

PAR.  Parlhicus. — par.  ar.  ad.  Parthicus 
Arabicus  Adiabenicus. — The  Parthian,  the 
Arabian,  the  Adiabcnican  titles  given  to  Sept. 
Scverus  for  having  conquered  those  countries; 
and  which  appear  on  a silver  coin  of  that  Em- 
peror, exhibiting  a trophy  between  two  captives 
sitting  on  the  ground,  struck  in  his  sixth  con- 
sulate ; and  also  on  other  medals  of  his. 

Parazonium. — Numismatic  antiquaries  are  not 
agreed  as  to  the  proper  signification  of  the 
word,  when  applied  to  an  object  seen  on  several 
Roman  coins  of  the  Imperial  series.  Patin, 
also  referring  to  its  Greek  etymology,  says  the 
parazonium  was  a weapon  so  called  because  it 
was  worn  suspended  by  a belt  or  chain  from  the 
zona,  or  girdle ; but  that  it  had  no  point, 
because  a general  ought  not  to  be  cruel  towards 
his  own  people.  Spanheim  speaks  of  parazonia 
as  swords  attached  to  the  thigh,  or  hanging 
from  a girdle.  “ But,”  says  Jobert,  “ Its  very 
form,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  is  held,  is 
opposed  to  this  opinion.”  And  then  he  alludes 
to  the  medal  of  Honos  et  Virtus,  struck  I 


under  Galba,  in  which  Virtus  holds  what  is 
called  the  parazonium  upright,  one  end  resting 
on  his  knee.  He  also  adduces  instances,  on 
coins  of  Titus  aud  Doraitian,  in  both  which  it 
rests  on  the  side,  not  attached  to  the  girdle. 
And  he  quotes  a reverse  of  Antoniuus  Pius,  in 
which  this  parazonium,  which  Patin  calls  scipio, 
is  across  both  shoulders  in  the  form  of  a quiver. 
These  exceptional  cases  of  the  manner  in  which  it 
appears  upon  coins  to  have  been  carried,  do  not, 
however,  interfere  with  the  more  usual  accepta- 
tion of  the  word  as  signifying  a short  sheathed 
sword,  worn  at  the  girdle.  The  circular  ter- 
mination docs  not  shew  that  the  sword  had  no 
point,  for  it  is  merely  the  metallic  end  of  the 
sheath. 

The  Parazonium,  as  a symbol  of  virtue,  or 
rather  of  valour  (Virtus),  appears  in  the  right 
hand  of  that  Roman  deification,  on  coins  of  the 
Licinia  family,  in  Morell’s  Num.  Consular ; and 
Vaillant  shews  it  on  coins  of  the  Volteia  family. 
— It  appears  in  the  left  hand  of  the  Emperor 
on  Trajan’s  well-known  large  brass,  Armenia 
redacta  ; also  on  coins  of  Vespasian,  Titus, 
Domitian,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Verus,  Commodus, 
Caracalla,  Alexander  Severus,  and  other  Augusli. 

ParctB,  the  three  sisters,  Clotho,  Lachesis, 
Atropos,  the  same  as  the  Fates  in  Pagan 
theology,  according  to  which  they  were  the 
daughters  of  Night,  and  employed  together  in 
disjicnsing  the  thread  of  human  life ; the  first 
holding  the  distatf ; the  second  spinning  the 
length  of  each  mortal’s  existence  to  its  destined 
termination ; the  third  cutting  the  thread ; that 
is  to  say,  awarding  death  at  the  appointed  time. 
Procopius  mentions  a temple  erected  to  the 
Parcte  at  Rome;  and  that  it  was  erected  in 
the  reign  of  Diocletian  seems  probable  from 
the  gold  coins  of  that  Emperor  and  his  colleague 
Val.  Maxiinianus,  inscribed  fatis  victricibvs, 
and  on  which  three  Parca  stand,  each  hold- 
ing a torch  on  a rudder  in  their  right 
hands  joined  together;  for  the  Romans  were 
accustomed  to  call  the  Parcte  by  the  name  of 
Fata,  aud  to  give  them  the  title  of  Lamina 
and  Viet  rices , as  they  spoke  of  Venus  Victrix, 
and  Diana  Victrix. 

PAREN/i  CO  NS  E Rvatori  SVO. — This,  pre- 
ceded by  s.  P.  q.  R.,  appears  on  the  reverse  of 
a denarius  of  Augustus,  the  type  being  the  toga 
picta  between  a sceptre  surmounted  by  an  eagle 
and  a garland  of  laurel. — [The  obverse  of  this 
coin  presents  a car  drawn  by  four  horses,  with 
caesari.  avg vst.] — The  reverse  of  this  silver 
coin  exhibits  the  principal  personal  ornaments 
of  the  triumpher,  according  to  Livy  (viz.,  the 
aurea  corona,  the  scipio  eburneus,  the  toga 
picta,  to  which  were  added  the  tunica  palmata, 
and  the  sella  curulis). — And,  by  the  inscrip- 
tion s.  p.  q.  r.,  it  appears  that  the  senate  and 
the  Roman  people  had  decreed  these  honours  to 
Augustus. — Eokhel  assigns  the  coinage  of  this 
piece  to  a.  v.  c.  752  (b.  c.  2),  because  Augustus 
is  thereon  called  Parens,  by  which  name,  not 
by  senatorial  decree,  but  from  affection,  he  was 
at  that  period  distinguished. — On  the  same 
medal  he  is  called  Conservator,  although  it  does 


PARENS.— PARIUM. 

not  appear  that  this  name  was  given  to  him  Ex 
Senatus  Consulto. 

PARENS. — As  Augustus  was  at  first  snr- 
named  pater  patriae,  so  also  (according  to 
Spon)  he  is  entitled  on  medals  parens  coloniae. 
— M.  Agrippa  is  also  denominated  mvnicip. 
parens,  on  a coin  of  the  Gaditani  (people  of 
Cadiz.) 

PARENS.  PATRIAE  (CAESAR.)  EX.  S.C. 
— A circular  temple  of  six  columns,  in  which  is  a 
statue  on  a pedestal. — This  honourable  title 
Julius  Ca;sar  saw  conferred  upon  him  after  his 
victory  iu  Spain,  according  to  the  concurrent 
evidences  of  l)ion,  Appianus,  and  Suetonius.  It 
was  also  continued  after  his  death,  for  it  is 
related  by  the  writer  last  named — that  “ after 
he  had  been  put  to  death,  the  people  erected  in 
the  forum  a solid  column,  nearly  twenty  feet 
high,  of  Niunidian  marble,  and  inscribed  on  it 
the  words  parenti.  patriae.” — Cicero  states 
the  same  fact,  but  transfers  the  cause  to 
Antony — “ Your  friend  (Antony)  adds  fuel  to 
the  flame  daily  ; especially  by  inscribing  on  the 
statue,  which  he  erected  in  the  rostra,  the  words 
parenti.  optime.  MEIUTO. — For  this  reason 
the  assassins  of  Cassar  were  everywhere,  out  of 
hatred,  called  parricides , and  even  the  ides  of 
March,  in  which  he  was  slain,  received  the 
name  of  parricidium. — See  caesar  parens 
patriae,  on  coins,  in  gold  and  silver,  of  Julius 
Ciesar,  which  confirm  this  title,  the  monetary 
record  of  which  is  supposed  to  date  about  the 
year  of  Rome  710. — See  Eckhcl  vol.  vi.  p.  17. 

PARENTIBVS. — See  Eiris  Parentibus,  on 
a gold  coin  of  Hadrian. 

Parium,  a city  of  Mysia,  on  the  Propontis, 
built  by  the  Parians,  inhabitants  of  an  island 
in  the  Egean  Sea,  afterwards  a Roman  colony, 
founded  by  Julius  Caesar,  whence  its  name  of 
Julia;  it  also  took  the  name  of  Augusta,  from 
its  having  been  re-peoplcd  with  veteran  colonists 
by  Augustus.  This  city  possessed  the  privileges 
of  the  Jus  Italica.  Its  ruins  are  still  to  be 
seen  near  a place  now  called  Kamares,  or 
Porto  Camera.  Its  coins,  which  are  numerous, 
cousist  of  autonomes,  colonial  autonomes,  and 
colonial  imperials  : the  last-named  include  the 
reigns  of  Nerva  ? Trajan,  Antoninus,  M.  Aurelius, 
* Commodus,  Plautilla,  wife  of  Caracalla,  Geta, 
Macrinus,  Severus  Alexander,  Valerianus,  Gal- 
lienus,  and  Salonina.  These  colonial  imperial 
coins,  some  of  which  are  very  rare,  have  Latin 
legends.  In  the  time  of  Trajan,  and  antecedent 
to  his  reign,  it  appears  the  oulv  initial  letters 
inscribed  on  the  reverse  of  the  Parian  medals 
were  C.  G.  I.  P.  Colonia  Gemella  Julia 
Pariana ; but  after  Hadrian,  who  was  a great 
benefactor  to,  and  embellisher  of,  this  colony, 
the  city  of  Parium,  as  if  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  those  benefits,  always  added  the 
letter  H to  the  others  already  enumerated,  and 
thenceforth  they  read  C.  G.  I.  H.  P.  Colonia 
Gemella  Julia  Hadriana  Pariana.  This  is  an 
observation  of  the  Abbe  Belley,  quoted  by 
Pcllerin,  and  supported  by  the  authority  of  the 
two  following  medals,  the  one  being  dedicated 
to  Trajan,  the  other  to  Antoninus  Pius  : — 

4 II 


PARIUM.  601 

11.— IMP.  CAESARI.  TRAIANO.  AVG. 
GER.  DA. — Laureated  head  of  the  Emperor. 

Rev. — OPTIMO  PRINCIPI.  C.  G.  I.  P. 
D.D. — A capricorn,  having  on  the  top  of  its 
back  a cornucopia;. 

Pellerin,  in  referring  to  this  example,  says — 
This  medal  in  particular  serves  to  prove  that 
Vaillant  (who  has  edited  no  medals  of  Parium 
under  'Trajan,)  and  other  antiquaries  have  been 
wrong  iu  attributing  certain  medals  [viz.,  those 
with  the  initial  letters  separate,  C.  G.  I.  H.  P.] 
to  the  city  of  Hippo,  in  Africa,  and  he  asserts 
that  all  such,  as  well  as  the  above,  belong  to 
Parium,  in  Mysia.  (Melange,  i.  270.) — See 
Hippo. 

2. — ANTONINVS  AVG.— Head  of  Anto- 
ninus crowned  with  laurel. 

Rev. — C.  G.  I.  H.  P.  A colonist  driving 
two  oxen. 

Vaillant  furnishes  no  coins  of  Parium  under 
Antonine ; but  here  Belley  gives  one  dedicated 
to  the  immediate  successor  of  Hadrian,  and  we 
see  H.  added  to  the  other  letters  (C.  G.  I.  P.) 
inscribed  on  the  coin  of  Trajan  above  described. 

On  coins  of  M.  Aurelius,  Commodus,  and 
Caracalla,  is  the  type  of  Ceres  walking  with  a 
lighted  torch  in  each  hand,  accompanied  by  the 
separated  initial  letters  C.  G.  I.  H.  P.  A.  All 
these  Vaillant  assigns  to  the  city  of  Hippo. 
But  Pellerin,  with  greater  shew  of  probability, 
affirms  them  to  be  of  Parium,  adding  “ on 
n'en  connoit  point  de  la  colonie  d’ Hippo.” 

The  only  coin  which  Vaillant  assigns  to 
Parium  is  a second  brass  of  M.  Aurelius,  which 
has  for  the  type  of  its  reverse  a woman,  clothed 
in  the  stola,  standing  with  a military  ensign  in 
the  right  hand,  and  a horn  of  plenty  in  the  left. 
The  legend  is  one  respecting  which  there  can  be 
no  mistake,  viz.,  col.  paria.  ivl.  avg.  Doubt- 
less to  be  read  Colonia  Pariana  Julia  Augusta. 

Among  the  colonial  coins  of  Commodus 
apparently  unknown  to  Vaillant,  but  given  by 
Pellerin,  who  for  the  reasons  above  alluded  to 
attributes  them  all  to  Parium,  are  the  follow- 
ing : — A youthful  and  beardless  male  figure  is 
seated,  and  before  him  is  an  ox,  which  seems 
to  be  holding  up  one  of  his  fore  feet  to  him,  as 
if  it  were  wounded,  and  the  animal  was  praying 
the  man  to  cure  him. 

This  coin,  and  some  others  of  Commodus 
and  Gallicnus,  bearing  a similar  type,  were 
edited  by  the  Abbe  Belley  in  one  of  his  dis- 
sertations, and  the  interpretation  of  the 
legend,  as  offered  by  him,  is  DEO  AESC ulapio 
SVB venienti. — Pellerin,  on  the  other  hand, 
reads  it  DEO  AESCu/apio  SVB urbano. 

The  other  types  of  this  colony  given  by 
Pellerin  to  supply  the  omissions  in  Vaillant 
are 

1.  The  colonist  at  plough,  as  in  Commodus 
and  in  Geta. 

2.  Hggeia,  with  her  attributes  of  patera  and 
serpent. 

3.  Capricorn  and  cornucopia;,  as  in  Commodus 
and  jEmilianus. 

4.  The  wolf  suckling  the  twins,  as  in  Com- 
modus, Alexander  Severus,  and  Gallienus;  and 


602  PARLAIS. 

the  Genius  of  the  City  standing  at  an  altar,  as 

in  Macrinus  and  in  Salonina. 

These  different  coins  are  inscribed  C.  g.  I.  H. 
pa.,  or  pak.,  or  paria. — And  it  deserves 
remark  that  there  are  points  between  the  first 
four  letters  of  the  legend,  but  none  between 
pa.  and  par.,  which  are  at  the  end.  “ This 
circumstance  (says  Pcllerin)  serves  to  show  that 
each  of  them  belongs  to  the  colony  of  Parium, 
and  the  more  convincingly  so  as,  in  their  form 
and  workmanship,  they  resemble  other  medals, 
whose  legend  is  terminated  by  the  entire  word 
PARIANA. 

M.  Dumersan  gives  from  the  Allicr  de  Haute- 
roche  cabinet  the  following  inedited  brass  coin 
of  this  colony  (in  PI.  xii.  No.  15). 

Obv. — M.  BARBATO.  MAN.  ACILIO  II  V1R. 
c.  g.  i.  p.  Naked  head  to  the  right. 

Rev. — p.  vibio.  sac. caes.  q.  barb,  praep. 
pro.  li  vir.  Colonist  at  plough. 

Vaillant  appears  to  have  been  unaware  that 
there  were  coins  of  Cornelia  Supera  struck  in 
the  colonies,  but  Pellerin  has  edited  one,  which 
he  assigns  to  Parium,  in  his  Recueil,  tom.  1, 
p.  xxi.,  and  gives  an  engraving  of  it,  on  account 
of  its  singularity,  in  p.  207 — as  follows : Guea 
CORN  E/m  SYPEICi  AVG.  Head  of  the  Em- 
press. — Rev. : C.  G.  H.  I.  P.  A capricorn 

with  globe  between  its  feet,  and  a cornucopia: 
on  its  back. 

The  letters  (says  Pcllerin)  c.  g.  h.  i.  p. 
signify  Colonia  Gemella  HadrianaJuliaPariana. 

Parlais , a city  of  Lycaonia,  and  a Roman 
colony.  As  its  coins  are  very  rare,  Eckhcl  has 
arranged  them  according  to  the  age  in  which 
they  were  first  issued.  The  colonial  imperial 
are  from  M.  Aurelius  to  Maximinns:  the  im- 
perial from  Gallicnus.  The  colonial  have  Latin 
legends,  viz.,  ivl.  avg.  col.  parlais. — Vaillant 
not  only  gives  no  coins  of  Parlais , but  seems 
to  deny  the  existence  of  such  a city  in  ancient 
Lycaonia,  and  considers  a coin  which  Hardouin 
ascribes  to  Parlais  to  belong  to  Parium. — Haym, 
in  his  Thesaurus  Britannicus  [ii.  t.  6.  39.  fig. 
8]  gives  a medal  of  Julia  Domna,  with  the  le- 
gend ivl.  avg.  col.  parlais.  and  type  of  the  god 
Mensis  wearing  the  Phrygian  cap  ; and  Gcssner 
and  Eckhel  repeat  it  in  their  catalogues. — The 
editor  of  the  Museum  Pembroc.  published  a second, 
bearing  the  head  of  L.  Verus ; and  on  the  reverse, 
Fortune  standing,  with  the  legend  above  quoted. — 
Pclerin  ( Rec . i.  p xvii.  and  p.  1.)  produces  another 
of  this  colony,  struck  in  honour  of  this  Empress. 
Pellerin’s  coin  on  its  obverse  bears  the  legend 
ivlia  Domna  and  the  head  of  that  Empress. — 
Its  reverse  has  for  legend  ivl.  avg.  col. 
parlais.,  with  the  type  of  Fortune  standing 
with  her  usual  attributes. 

PART,  or  PARTI IIC.  Parthicus.— K sur- 
name  adopted  by  several  Roman  Emperors, 
amongst  others  by  Trajan,  Hadrian,  Marcus 
Aurelius,  and  his  imperial  associate  L.  Verus  : 
Profligato  hello  (says  Capitolinus)  uterque  Par- 
thicus  appellatus  est. 

PART.  ARAB.  PART.  ADIAB.  Parthicus 
Arabicus , Parthicus  Adiabenieus. — On  silver 
and  brass  coins  of  Scptimius  Sevcrus,  accom- 


PARTIIAMASIRIS. — PARTHIA. 

panied  with  the  type  of  two  seated  captives,  on 
each  side  a trophy,  on  that  of  Victory  walking. 
See  ARAB.  ADIAB. 

After  the  defeat  and  death  of  his  rival  Pes- 
cennius  Niger,  Scverus,  crossing  the  Euphrates, 
attacked  and  conquered  the  Arabs,  the  Osrhoeni, 
and  the  Adiabenians.  It  is  to  these  victories 
that  the  above  quoted  medal  relates. — There  is 
an  inscription  still  legible  on  the  arch  of  Severus 
at  Rome,  where  the  same  titles  are  given  without 
abbreviation.  Aud  with  this  for  guide  we  may 
read  here  PART/ricas  ARAfiww,  PARTA/cux 
ADIABcwiVhs ; but  without  being  able  to  ex- 
plain why  the  word  Parthicus  is  thus  repeated. 
— Capt.  Smyth  adverts  to  this  circumstance  in 
describing  a specimen  of  this  large  brass  in  his 
own  select  cabinet — “ Severus  obtained  some 
success  over  the  Parthians,  but,  apparently  not 
in  open  warfare,  since  he  woidd  not  assume  the 
title  of  Parthicus  (which  here,  oddly  enough,  is 
twice  repeated),  lest  he  should  give  umbrage  to 
that  still  powerful  nation : — Tela  fugacis  egui, 
et  braccati  militis  arcus.” — Respecting  the 
Arabians  and  the  Adiabenians,  Spartianus  says, 
in  reference  to  the  Emperor’s  expedition  against 
those  two  nations,  Arabas  in  deditionem  accepit. 
Adiabenos  in  tributaries  coegit. — Eckkcl  assigns 
the  striking  of  these  medals  to  a.d.  195. 

Part  ham  asiris,  son  of  Pacorus,  King  of  the 
Parthians,  grandson  of  Artabanus,  on  the  death 
of  his  father,  was  appointed  King  of  Armenia, 
by  Chosrocs,  King  of  the  Parthians,  on  the  ex- 
pulsion of  Exedares,  but  was  despoiled  of  his 
kingdom  by  the  Emperor  Trajan  — See  REX 
PARTHIS  DATVS. 

Parthamaspates,  the  king  whom  Trajan 
gave  to  the  Parthians,  and  who,  after  having 
been  expelled  by  them,  accepted  from  the 
Emperor  Hadrian  his  native  kingdom  of  Armenia. 
Achaemenides,  sou  of  this  Parthamaspates,  suc- 
ceeded his  father  in  the  kingdom  of  Armenia, 
Antoninus  Pius  having  placed  the  diadem  on  his 
head,  as  we  learn  from  coins. — See  rex  parthis 
datvs. 

Parthenope,  one  of  the  Syrens,  half  virgin, 
half  bird.  Her  image  playing  on  a double  flute 
appears  on  a gold  coin  struck  by  Pefronius 
Turpilianus,  one  of  the  inoncvers  of  Augustus. 
— The  same  appears  on  a coin  of  the  Petronia 
family, — See  Strenes. 

Parthia,  a region  of  Asia,  whose  inhabitants 
were  called  Part  hi,  originally  the  most  inveterate’ 
enemies  of  the  Roman  name,  and  who,  under 
their  Kiug  < trades,  having  laid  a snare  for 
Crassus,  into  which  that  unfortunate  general 
fell,  destroyed  him  and  his  whole  army  in  one 
general  slaughter.  This  disaster  to  the  Romans 
was  soon  after  avenged  by  Cassius,  the  Questor 
of  Crassus,  who  cut  the  Parthian  army  to 
pieces.  The  Parthians  sided  with  Pompcy 
against  Cscsar,  and  also  with  the  party  of 
Ctesar’s  murderers,  to  whose  aid  they  sent 
troops.  After  the  defeat  of  Brutus  and  his 
friends  at  Philippi,  Pacorus,  son  of  Orodes,  put 
himself  at  the  head  of  the  Parthian  auxiliaries, 
but  perished  in  a battle  which  he  gave  to 
Ventidius  Bassus,  the  Roman  General,  in  Syria. 


PARTHIA. 

Sometime  afterwards  Orodes  was  murdered  by 
his  son  Phraates,  who  took  possession  of  the 
kingdom,  and  gained  a decisive  victory  over 
Antony  the  triumvir;  but  having  treated  his 
subjects  with  great  cruelty  and  oppression,  they 
drove  him  from  the  throne,  and  elected  one 
Tyridates  for  their  sovereign.  Phraates,  how- 
ever, by  the  aid  of  the  Scythians,  defeated 
Tyridates  ; regained  the  Parthian  sceptre,  and 
to  conciliate  the  favour  of  Augustus,  scut  back 
to  Rome  the  prisoners  and  the  standards  which 
had  been  taken  from  Crassus  and  from  Antony  ; 
an  event  commemorated  with  no  little  ostenta- 
tion ou  coins  bearing  the  following  inscriptions : 
CAESAR  AVGVSTVS.  SIGN1S  RECK.— 
Cl V I B«j  ET  SIGNw  miATaribus  A PAR- 
TI IIS  RECVPERATIS — and  A PARTHIS 
RESTITVTIS. — On  the  death  of  Phraates, 
ouc  of  his  sons  succeeded  him  under  the  same 
name,  and  was  followed  by  Orodes,  who,  being 
assassinated,  Vonones,  eldest  son  of  the  first 
Phraates,  whom  the  Parthians  had  invited  from 
Rome  (where  he  had  resided  as  a hostage  to 
Augustus),  became  king,  but  was  soon  de- 
throned ; and  Artabanus,  assuming  the  diadem 
of  Parthia,  declared  war  against  the  Romans, 
and  was  conquered  by  Vitellius,  then  Governor 
of  Syria,  who  raised  to  the  throne  Tiridates,  a 
prince  of  the  blood  royal  of  the  Arsacides. — 
After  several  ephemeral  sovereigns  had  appeared 
and  disappeared,  the  kingdom  devolved  to 
Vologeses,  a prince  of  some  celebrity,  who  had 
a long  war  to  sustain  against  the  Romans,  in 
which  he  not  only  proved  himself  their  equal, 
but  often  achieved  victories  over  them.  Under 
the  reign  of  Nero,  Vologeses  took  Armenia 
from  the  empire,  and  caused  two  legions  to  pass 
under  the  yoke.  In  Trajan’s  time,  Parthia  was 
governed  by  Chosroes,  on  whom  that  emperor 
made  war ; and  afteb  taking  from  him  Armenia, 
Mesopotamia,  and  Assyria,  drove  him  from  the 
throne,  and  placed  thereon  Parthamaspates — (see 
the  name  above).  Sometime  afterwards  Chosroes 
again  became  king,  and  left  his  dominions  to  his 
son  Vologeses,  who  had  to  fight  for  his  crown 
against  the  Emperors  Marcus  Aurelius  and 
Lucius  Verus.  At  length  Artabanus  succeeded 
Vologeses,  and  was  the  last  king  of  the  race  of 
the  Arsacides.  lie  carried  on  a tierce  war  against 
the  empire  of  Rome,  during  the  reigns  of 
Severus,  Caracalla,  and  Macrinus ; and  having, 
whilst  Alexander  Severus  was  emperor,  been 
attacked  by  Artabanus,  King  of  Persia,  he  was 
defeated  in  three  battles,  and  lost  both  his 
kingdom  and  his  life  Thus,  four  hundred  and 
seventy-three  years  after  the  reign  of  its  founder 
Arsaces,  the  Parthian  monarchy  was  again 
transferred  to  the  Persians. 

Parthian*  offering  branches  of  laurel  to  the 
emperors  are  seen  on  gold  and  silver  coins  of 
Augustus.  The  numismatic  record  of  their 
restoring  the  captured  standards  to  that  prince 
is  already  noticed  above. — A Parthian  holding 
up  with  both  his  hands  a little  boy  to  Augustus, 
sitting  on  a curule  chair,  occurs  on  silver  coins 
of  that  prince. — On  the  medal  rex  paiith  is 
datvs  a Parthian  appears  kneeling ; and  on  the 

4 H 2 


PARTHIA.  603 

fust  brass  of  L.  Verus,  a captive  of  the  same 
nation  sits  ou  the  ground  with  his  hands  tied 
behiud  him. 

PARTHIA,  with  COS.  II.  ^.C.  at  the  bottom. 
— A l’ai  t liian  soldier  standing,  holding  in  Ids 
right  hand  a radiated  crown,  in  the  left  his 
weapons,  consisting  of  a bow  and  quiver  of 
arrows. — On  a first  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius. — 
The  medal,  with  this  legend  and  type,  forms  one 
ot  a series  struck  under  the  above-named 
Emperor  in  his  second  consulate,  and  in  which 
those  inscribed  asia,  Cappadocia,  hispaxia, 
scythia,  sicilia,  Syria,  are  also  to  be  included. 
They  all  present  to  us  the  Genius  of  each 
province  holding  a crown,  or  a vase,  or  a small 
chest  (canistrum) . These  symbols  involve  an 
interesting  subject.  It  was  customary  in  Greece 
to  offer  crowns  of  gold  to  princes  and  other 
great  men,  on  occasions  when  the  object  was  to 
testify  the  loyal  devotedness  of  their  subjects, 
or  to  give  them  proofs  of  popular  attachment. 
This  custom,  being  profitable  to  those  in  whose 
houour  it  was  observed,  did  not  fail  to  meet 
with  favour  from  the  Romans.  History  makes 
frequent  mention  of  similar  presentations  of 
crowns  by  cities  and  provinces  to  Roman  generals 
as  soon  as  the  latter  entered  their  territories. 
Under  the  Emperors,  every  extraordinary  event 
served  to  multiply  the  occasions  for  their  recep- 
tion of  such  valuable  gifts.  When,  for  example, 
they  had  just  gaiued  a victory,  or  been  raised  to 
the  throne,  or  even  when  they  assumed  a new 
title,  the  provinces  never  missed  such  an  oppor- 
tunity of  uniting,  as  a token  of  their  joy  and 
congratulation,  in  the  tender  of  a golden  crown ; 
and,  although,  at  first,  the  donation  had  been 
purely  voluntary,  it  afterwards  degenerated  into 
a forced  presentation,  and  at  length  became  a 
species  of  tribute,  differing  from  that  exaction 
only  in  the  name  assigned  to  it.  It  was,  in 
fact,  what  we  now  understand  by  the  appellation 
of  a free  gift.  This  system  quietly  sank  into 
complete  abuse  ; and  this  description  of  presents 
became  very  burthensome  to  the  provinces, 
especially  when  it  was  made  compulsory  upon 
them,  as  was  the  case  under  Caracalla,  who 
extorted  these  donaria  in  the  most  arbitrary 
manner,  and  for  the  most  trivial  occurrences. — 
It  is  necessary  to  explain  that  these  offerings  did 
not  always  consist  of  actual  crowns  of  gold,  but 
often  were  given  in  coined  gold,  or  in  gold 
bullion,  w hich  thence  derived  the  name  of  crow  n 
gold,  aurum  coronarium.  At  the  accession  of 
Antoninus  Pius  to  the  imperial  throne,  the 
envoys  from  the  provinces  came  to  him  for  the 
purpose  of  presenting  their  golden  crowns,  and 
the  names  of  those  very  provinces  arc  recorded  on 
his  medals.  They  arc  usually  represented  on 
the  reverses  under  the  figure  of  a woman,  who 
holds  either  a crown,  or  a small  coffer,  enclosing 
the  value  of  a real  crown.  Writers  affirm  that 
Antoninus  had  the  generosity  to  relieve  all  Italy 
and  half  the  exterior  provinces  from  the  pressure 
of  this  tribute — It  may  on  this  point  be  objected 
that  Parthia  aud  Scythia  are  here  ranged 
amongst  the  friendly  provinces,  whereas  during 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  they  were  active 


604 


PARTHIA  CAPTA. 


enemies  of  the  Romans.  But  it  is  necessary  to 
bear  in  mind  that  foreign  nations  often  rendered 
these  honours  to  princes  who  governed  the 
empire,  in  order  to  conciliate  their  good  will, 
or  secure  their  protection,  which  necessity  some- 
times obliged  them  to  implore.  Josephus,  in  his 
History  of  the  Jews,  relates  that  the  King  of 
the  Parthians  had  sent  a crown  of  gold  to  Titus, 
in  commemoration  of  his  conquests  in  Judaea. 

Attention  ought,  moreover,  to  be  paid  to  the 
characteristic  symbols  of  the  provinces.  Asia 
has  beside  her  an  anchor  and  a vessel,  because 
to  visit  Rome  from  that  province  it  was  needful 
to  perform  a sea  voyage. — Cappadocia  has 
mount  Argaeus  at  her  feet,  that  mountain  having 
been  worshipped  by  the  Cappadocians  as  a deity, 
on  account  of  its  sometimes  appearing  on  fire 
during  the  night. — Parthia  is  seen  armed  with 
bow  and  quiver,  in  consequence  of  its  inhabitants 
being  celebrated  as  the  best  archers  or  bowmen. 

PARTHIA  CAPTA  (Conquest  of  Parthia), 
with  the  date  of  cos.  VI.,  and  the  type  of  a 
trophy,  on  each  side  of  which  a captive  is  seated, 
appears  on  a gold  coin  of  Trajan. 

The  subject  and  device  of  this  coin,  together 
with  those  inscribed  parthico. — oriens  avg. — 

REGNA  ADSIGNATA — REX  PARTHIS  DATVS,  &c., 
refer  to  events  alike  glorious  to  the  Roman  name, 
and  to  Trajan  himself. — We  learn  from  Dion, 
Entropius,  and  other  historians,  that  this 
illustrious  Emperor,  during  his  stay  in  the  East,  ! 
after  the  conquest  of  Armenia,  gave  kings  not  , 
only  to  the  Parthians,  but  also  to  other  nations ; 
that  he  accepted  the  allegiance  of  some,  and 
adjusted  the  disputes  of  others. 

Parthica  tiara. — An  ornament  for  the  head,  ! 
worn  by  the  kings  of  Parthia,  and  other  oriental 
sovereigns,  is  seen  conjoined  with  bow  aud 
quiver  full  of  arrows,  which  were  also  amongst 
the  insignia  of  the  monarchs  of  the  east. 

PARTHICA.— Sec  VICToWa PARTI! ICA  ou 
coins  of  S.  Scverus. 

PARTHICO  or  PARTHICVS.— This  word, 
as  a title  of  honour,  is  read  on  coins  of  Trajan,  I 
Hadrian,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Verus,  Commodus, 

S.  Severus,  Caracalla,  and  Carus. 

PARTHICVS  IMP. — Obv.  Q.  lapienvs. 
Parthicvs.  imp.  Bare  head,  with  beard  of 
moderate  size. — Rep.  No  legend.  A horse 
with  bridle  and  honsings.  Silver. — This  appears 
on  a denarius  of  the  Alia  family,  as  the  sur- 
name of  Q.  LABlE.ws.  (sec  the  name),  who  was 
the  son  of  t.  labienvs,  of  whose  assistance 
Julius  Cttsar  availed  himself  much  in  his  Gallic 
wars;  but  who,  at  the  beginning  of  the  civil 
war,  went  over  to  Pompey,  and  shared  the 
common  flight  and  dispersion  of  that  party. 
The  son,  whose  portrait  is  supposed  to  be  re- 
presented on  the  obverse  of  this  silver  coin, 
proved  himself  to  be  the  heir  of  his  father’s 
hatred  against  Csesar,  and  having  followed  the 
army  of  Brutus,  was  sent  by  him  to  Orodes, 
the  Parthian  King,  for  the  purpose  of  seeking  I 
his  assistance ; but  presently  hearing  of  the  j 
disaster  to  his  friends  at  Philippi,  aud  despairing  j 
of  pardon  from  the  victors,  when  he  heard  that 
Antony  was  revelling  in  base  indolence  in  Egypt,  I 


PARTHICUS  TRIUMPIIUS. 


he  incited  the  Parthians  against  the  Romans, 
and  with  the  assistance  he  obtained  from  Orodes 
and  his  son  Pacorus,  crossed  the  Euphrates, 
and  occupied  Palestine,  Phcrnieia,  Syria,  and 
Caria,  calling  himself  Parthicus  Imperator, 
because  that  appellation,  as  Dion  observes,  was 
the  more  alien  from  Roman  custom ; since  the 
Romans  had  affected  titles  from  nations  subdued, 
he  from  one  which  was  victorious.  Having  at 
length  sought  a battle  with  P.  Ventidius,  the 
lieutenant  of  Antony,  he  was  routed  and 
captured ; and  he  closed  his  scenic  empire 
v.c.  715. 

PAR  mi.  MAX.  Parthicus  Maximus. — 
This  honorary  surname  was  assumed  in  the  first 
instance  by  M.  Aurelius,  and  L.  Verus,  and 
afterwards  by  Sept.  Severus  and  his  sou  Cara- 
calla. 

PARTHICA  MAXIMA. — See  victoria 
part.  MAX. 

PAR  1 HICVS  TRI\  MPIIV'S. — See  trivm- 
phvs. 

Julian  in  his  “ Caisars”  makes  it  a matter  of 
reproach  that,  after  a war  of  more  than  three 
hundred  years’  duration,  the  Romans  had  not 
been  able  to  bring  under  their  dominion  a single 
portion  of  territory  beyond  the  Tigris,  which  is 
under  the  power  of  the  Parthians  — In  reference 
to  this  remark,  Spanhcim  says — “ Nevertheless 
there  were  Roman  generals,  such,  for  instance, 
as  Lucullus,  Ventidius,  Corbulo ; and  also 
emperors,  as  Trajan,  Verus,  Severus,  Caracalla, 
Carus,  and  Galerius,  who  carried  the  war 
into  Parthia,  or  into  its  neighbourhood ; 
conquered  their  country ; took  their  cities, 
and  even  Ctesiphon,  their  capital ; who,  more- 
over, saw  these  kings  of  kings  either  driven 
from  their  thrones,  or  made  prisoners,  or 
prostrated  before  the  legions  of  Rome,  and  com- 
pelled to  receive  on  their  knees,  as  they  did 
from  Trajan,  their  tiara  and  the  empire  of  the 
Parthians.  It  is  of  these  events,  amongst 
others,  that  the  medals  of  some  of  the  Emperors, 
particularly  of  Trajan,  are  to  this  day  the 
glorious  monuments,  with  such  fine  inscriptions 
\ “ Aex  Part  his  Datus ; Parthia  Capta  ; or 
| Victoria  Parthica  Maxima,  on  a medal  of 
Severus ; and,  lastly,  the  surnames  of  Parthicus 
and  Adiabemcus,  which  we  find  on  their  coins.” 
The  same  learned  translator  of,  and  able 
commentator  on,  the  “ Ciesars”  of  Julian  (which 
he  has  numismaticalJy  illustrated,  in  so  authentic 
and  interesting  a manner),  observes  that  “ it 
was  in  the  eastern  portion  of  Assyria,  beyond 
the  Tigris,  that  the  seat  of  the  Parthian  empire 
was  situated.  This  was  their  nearest  province 
to  the  Roman  boundaries:  citra  omnes propingua 
est  nobis  Assyria,  says  Ammianus  ; and  conse- 
quently the  most  exposed  to  the  Roman  arms. 
Whence  also  it  happens  that  the  Parthians  are 
sometimes  designated  by  the  name  of  Assyrians, 
as  in  Lucan — Assyria  pad  Jin  cm  fortuna  pre- 
camur,  to  express  the  existence  of  peace  with 
the  Parthians.” 

PAT.  Pater. — pat.  pa.  Pater  Patrur,  on 
coins  of  Augustus.  Father  of  his  country. 

PAT.  Palra,  Patrensis,  in  Achaia. 


PATER. 

PATER. — The  appellation  of  Pater  is  some- 
times given  alone  (that  is  to  say  without  the 
addition  of  the  name  Patna)  to  the  Emperors, 
after  their  deaths,  and  when  their  deification  or 
consecration  had  taken  place.  Thus  we  find 
Divvs  avgvstvs  pater  inscribed  on  some  of 
that  Emperor’s  coins,  with  the  various  symbols 
of  the  apotheosis.— In  like  manner,  after  they 
were  dead,  medals,  with  the  additiou  of  that 
word,  were  struck  iu  honour  of  the  memory  of 
Trajan,  and  of  Pertinax — viz.,  divvs  TRaianvs. 

PARTH.  PATER. — DIVVS  PERT  PATER. 

The  title  of  Pater  appears  on  a gold  coin 
struck  by  order  of  Trajan  in  memory  of  his 
own  father,  Marcus  Ulpius  Trajanus,  who  is 
thereon  styled  DIVVS  PATER  TRAIANVS,  and 
represented  seated  on  a curule  chair.  And  in 
like  manner  some  coins  of  Hadrian  (who  was, 
through  the  intervention  of  Plotina,  the  adopted 
son  and  appointed  successor  of  Trajan),  present 
the  heads  of  Trajan  and  Plotina  face  to  face, 
with  the  inscription  D1VIS  PARENTIBVS. — 
Another  medal  with  ‘he  head  of  Trajan  bears 
DIVVS  TRAIANVS  PATER  AVGVSTVS. 
Besides  which  there  is  another  of  Hadrian, 
on  which  we  read  DIVVS  TRAIANVS  AVG. 
PARTHrcttJ  PATER.  To  the  same  class  of 
medals,  on  which  sons,  natural  or  adopted,  of 
deceased  emperors,  pay  filial  honour  to  their 
memory,  are  to  be  referred  these  coins  of 
Maximianus  Hercules,  inscribed  DIVVS  MAXI- 
MIANVS  PATER;  and  on  another  DIVVS 
MAXIMIANVS  SOCER  (perhaps,  as  Akcr- 
man  says,  MAXENTII),  probably  struck  after 
his  death  by  his  son  Maxentius. 

Pater;  almost  every  Pagan  God  was  so 
called ; as  Neptunus  Pater , Janus  Pater , &c. 
(Vaillaut,  Pr.  ii.  p.  223). — Thus  also  on  coins  of 
Commodus  and  of  Severus,  Bacchus  Pater.  See 
JL1BERO  PATRI. — See  also  libero  p.  CONS.  AVG. 
on  a medal  of  Gallienus. — In  like  manner  Mars 
is  surnamed  Pater,  as  the  founder  (through 
Romulus)  of  the  city  and  the  empire  of  Rome. 
See  mars  pater;  to  which  are  added  the  titles 
of  conservator  and  propvgnator  ou  medals 
of  Constantinus  M. 

Pater,  as  already  observed,  is  also  an 
appellation  given  on  coins  to  Augustus,  as 
seated  in  the  likeness  of  Jupiter  himself,  that 
Emperor  is  depictured  as  one  of  the  celestial 
deities,  divvs  avgvstvs  pater  appears  not 
only  with  radiated  head,  but  also  with  naked 
and  with  laureated  head,  and  with  various 
symbols  of  consecration. 

Pater  Patratus  was  one  of  the  Fecial  priests, 
and,  indeed,  according  to  Spanheim  and  Pitiscus, 
the  chief  of  the  sacerdotal  college  so  called. — 
On  a denarius  of  the  Veluria  family,  two  men 
armed  with  spears  are  touching  with  their 
daggers  a sow,  which  is  held  by  a man  on  his 
knees. — “This  (says  Schulze,  in  his  Introdurione,  I 
&c.)  is  the  Pater  Patratus,  whose  office  it  was  j 
to  preside  on  occasions  when  treaties  were  to  be 
ratified,  and  to  kill  a sow  or  hog  with  a stone.” 
— “ Pater  Patratus,  says  Festus,  adjusjurandum 
Patrandum,  id  est,  jusjurandum  sit;  because  he 
took  the  oath  for  the  whole  people.” 


PATER.  605 

Pater  Patria. — The  man  who  first  of  all 
obtained  this  glorious  title  was  Cicero,  on  whom 
it  was  conferred  by  the  Senate  of  Rome,  in 
acknowledgment  of  his  paternal  guardianship  of 
the  republic,  as  the  detector  of  Catiline’s  con- 
spiracy. It  is  a phrase  purely  of  honour, 
unconnected  with  power. — Nor  indeed  was  it 
(says  Oiselius)  bestowed  immediately  ou  all  the 
Romau  Emperors. — It  was  from  Julius  Casar 
that  the  custom  of  conferring  this  cognomen 
passed  to  his  successors ; and  this  is  shewn  by 
coins  struck  during  his  lifetime,  on  which  he  is 

called  CAESAR  PARENS  PATRIAE. To  JuffHStllS, 

on  account  of  his  clemency  (as  Aurelius  Victor 
affirms),  the  cognomen  of  Pater  Patria  was 
given  in  the  year  of  Rome  752,  and  in  the 
twenty-first  renewal  of  his  tribunitian  power,  in 
consequence  of  which  medals  were  forthwith 
struck,  charged  with  the  inscription  of  CAESAR 
AVGVSTVS  DIVI  F.  PATER  PATRIAE.— 
And  on  some  large  brass,  struck  out  of  Rome, 
supposed  to  be  of  the  mint  of  Lyons,  we  more- 
over read  the  same  inscription  rouud  the  Em- 
peror’s head — the  reverse  exhibiting  the  altar, 
dedicated  by  the  Gaulish  tribes  to  ROM.  ET 
AVG ustus. — Tiberius  constantly  refused  this 
title,  and  his  coins  omit  it. — Nero  also,  at  the 
beginning  of  his  reign,  rejected  the  honourable 
surname,  but  soon  after  accepted  it,  as  appears 
from  his  coins. — The  same  distinction  was  borne 
by  Vespasian,  according  to  Suetonius,  and  is  re- 
corded on  medals  of  his,  struck  in  the  second 
year  of  his  reign. — We  likewise  read  the  well- 
deserved  compliment  of  Paler  Patria  on  the 
coins  of  Nerva. — Of  Trajan  it  is  related  by  the 
younger  Pliny,  that  he  declined  the  offer  of 
this  title,  made  to  him  on  his  accession  to  the 
throne,  assigning  as  a reason  that  he  did  not 
esteem  himself  worthy  of  being  denominated 
the  Father  of  his  Country.  Nevertheless,  we 
find  coins  struck  in  his  second  year,  and  fre- 
quently afterwards  inscribed,  among  the  rest, 
with  Pater  Patria. — Hadrian’s  coins,  bearing 
the  senatorial  mark  S.C.,  and  struck  in  the 
first  year  of  his  Imperatorship  and  tribunitian 
power,  present  numerous  examples  in  which  he 
is  styled  P.P. — And  the  same  initial  letters  are 
frequently  found  appended  to  the  names  of  other 
Emperors. 

Pater  Senatus. — The  flattering  title  of  Father 
of  the  Senate,  bestowed  in  the  first  instance  out  of 
fear  ou  the  monster  Commodus,  was  afterwards 
conferred  on  Balbiuus  and  Pnpiemts,  whose 
extraordinary  merit  as  mild  and  prudent  rulers 
of  the  empire  gave  them  some  claim  to  this  new 
and  honourable  surname. — Julia  Domna,  under 
a succeeding  reign,  had  the  daring  boldness  to 
assume  on  her  coins  the  appellation  of  Mother 
of  the  Senate  (MATer  SENA'IW.^)  She  had 
(in  imitation  of  Faustina,  jnn.)  already  dubbed 
herself  MA'IVr  CASTRORVM. 

PATER  SENAT.  or  SENATVS.— A togated 
figure  stands  with  a branch  in  the  right  hand, 
and  in  bis  left  a wand  siu-mounted  by  an  eagle, 
held  crosswise.  On  silver  of  Commodus. 

I Vaillant  aptly  observes,  in  noticing  this 

I medal,  that  Commodus  had  more  rightly  earned 


606  PATEENTTA  AUGUSTI. 
the  distinction  of  beiug  called  Senatus  car- 
nifex — the  executioner  rather  than  the  Father 
of  the  Roman  Senate.  He  had  thinned  the 
ranks  of  that  once  powerful  body  by  the 
slaughter  of  its  most  illustrious  members ; and 
was  especially  infuriated  against  them  after  the 
discovery  of  his  sister  Lucilla’s  conspiracy. 
But  in  proportion  to  his  cruelties  were  the 
flatteries  lavished  on  this  gladiatorial  cut-throat 
by  the  degenerate  people  and  abject  Senate  of 
Rome. 

Patera,  a round  shallow  dish  or  vase  used  by 
the  Romans,  (who  adopted  it  from  the  Etrurians,) 
at  their  religious  ceremonies,  either  in  making 
libations  of  wine  to  the  gods,  or  in  receiving 
the  blood  of  sacrificial  victims.  On  Roman 
coins  and  other  monuments  the  patera  is  placed 
in  the  hands  of  all  the  deities,  whether  of  the 
first  or  of  the  second  rank,  as  a symbol  of  the 
divine  honours  rendered  to  them,  or  in  that  of 
their  ministers  as  an  attribute  of  their  functions. 
It  also  appears  often  in  the  hands  of  princes,  to 
mark  the  union  of  the  sacerdotal  with  the 
imperial  power,  effected  through  the  office  of 
Ponlifex  Maximus.  For  this  reason  the  figure 
of  the  deity,  priest,  or  emperor  is  frequently 
seen  beside  an  altar,  upon  which  he  seems  to  be 
pouring  the  contents  of  the  patera.  In  the 
more  ancient  periods,  these  utensils,  always 
consecrated  to  religious  purposes,  were  made  of 
baked  earth  : afterwards  of  brass,  a metal 
peculiarly  dedicated  to  the  gods ; st ill  later  they 
were  also  fabricated  of  gold  and  silver,  and 
sometimes  ornamented  with  fine  compositions  in 
high  relief;  as  in  the  case  of  that  magnificent 
gold  one  in  the  Royal  Library  at  Paris. 

A serpent  feeding  out  of  a patera  is  the  symbol 
of  the  Goddess  of  Health  (Solus). — A patera 
appears  in  the  right  hand  of  Cybcle,  of  de- 
mentia, of  Concordia. — And  the  Genius  of  a 
city  holding  in  his  right  hand  a patera,  as  in 
the  act  of  performing  sacrifice  for  the  health  of 
the  Emperor  is  a frequent  tvpe.  We  see  tills 
in  the  GENIVS  E.X.ERC.  ILLY RICIAN  I of 
Trajauus  Decius ; and  the  GENIVS  WGusti 
of  Gallieuus  and  Claudius  Gothicus. 

The  ■patera  is  to  be  observed  in  the  right 
hand  of  ivpiteh  conservator,  of  Hercules, 
Juno  Conscrvatrix,  Mercury,  Patientia,  Pietas, 
&c. ; also  in  the  hand  of  the  Emperor  sitting, 
as  in  Tiberius ; and  of  the  Emperor  standing,  as 
in  Elagabalus. — See  invictvs  sacekdos. 

PATIENTIA  AVGVSTI. — A woman  seated, 
holding  a patera  in  the  right  hand,  and  the 
hasta  in  her  left.— On  a silver  coin  of  Hadrian, 
struck  in  his  third  consulate — and,  singular  to 
say,  on  the  coin  of  no  other ; and  as  Hadrian  in 
his  conduct  shewed  himself  to  have,  in  one  sense 
of  the  word,  possessed  very  little  patience — this 
legend  has  been  suspected  as  a false  quotation, 
or  a forgery,  for  clemkntia  avgvsti.  But 
Eckhel  admits  its  genuineness,  and  alludes  to 
two  specimens  of  it  in  the  Royal  Cabinet. 
— Vaillant,  in  reference  to  this  reverse,  observes 
that  Patience  does  not  appear  to  have  been  re- 
garded by  the  heathen  world  in  the  same  light 
as  that  in  which  it  was  viewed  among  Christians. 


PATR.E. 

According  to  the  acceptation  of  the  latter  it 
consists  in  enduring  contumely  and  misfortune 
with  submissive  resignation  ; according  to  the 
ideas  of  the  former,  it  is  the  voluntary  and  daily 
struggle  with  difficult  circumstances,  and  like- 
wise the  endurance  of  personal  hardships,  as  in 
the  case  of  Hadrian,  who  patiently  bore  the 
vicissitudes  of  heat  and  cold,  and  never  covered 
his  head ; thus  corresponding  to  the  definition 
of  Cicero — “ Patientia  est  honestatis,  aut 
uti/italis  causa,  rerum  arduarum,  ac  difflcilium 
vo/untaria,  ac  diutuma  ac  perpessio. — See 
Eckhel,  vol.  vi.  p.  506. 

Patina  is  that  beautiful  and  brilliant  kind  of 
time-created  varnish,  of  a green  or  brownish 
colour,  which  covers  the  surface  of  some  ancient 
brass  medals.  It  prevents  them  from  dete- 
riorating, and  is  regarded  as  an  evidence  of 
antiquity.  The  patina  docs  not,  however,  readily 
attach  itself  to  brass  and  copper ; this  depends 
much  on  the  state  of  the  soil  in  which  the  medals 
have  lain  for  ages.  The  fabricators  of  false 
coins  have  endeavoured  to  imitate  it  with  sal 
ammoniac,  vinegar,  and  other  artificial  com- 
pounds ; but  a coating  of  this  kind  is  easily 
removed,  and  it  is  by  no  means  difficult  to 
detect  the  fraud  : whilst  on  the  other  hand  the 
genuine  patina  becomes  so  inherent  to  the  metal 
that  it  would  be  impossible  to  scrape  it  off 
without  injuring  the  medal  which  it  covers. — 
False  varnish  (says  Beauvais)  may  be  discovered 
with  the  greater  facility,  as  it  is  in  general 
black,  coarse,  and  glossy,  or  the  colour  of 
verdigris,  empdte  and  tender  to  the  point  of  any 
sharp  instrument,  instead  of  which  the  patina 
(or  antique  cncrustment)  is  extremely  brilliant 
aud  as  hard  as  the  metal  itself.  The  agreeable 
appearance  of  this  splendid  rust  having  rendered 
it  particularly  acceptable  to  the  taste  of  the 
Italians,  they  gave  it  the  name  of  Patina  verde, 
as  counterfeiting  the  emerald ; and  the  French 
numismatists  introduced  the  expression  into  their 
own  language  by  calling  it  Patine.  It  should 
be  observed,  however,  that  the  natural  trruyo, 
or  rust,  which  adds  so  much  beauty  to  bronze 
medals,  is  injurious  and  even  destructive  to 
siver  coins. 

PATH.  Patrensis  — COL  path.  Co/onia 

Patrensis. — The  colony  of  Patrie. 

Patr.e  (now  Patra-Patrasso),  a principal  city 
of  Arliaia,  situated  on  the  longest  promontory  of 
the  Peloponnessus.  Under  Augustus  it  became  a 
Roman  Colony  (in  the  year  of  Rome  725),  the 
veterans  of  the  xxii.  Primigenian  Legion  having 
been  sent  thither,  as  is  shewn  by  the  name  of 
that  legion,  and  its  military  standards  being  a 
frequent  type  on  the  coins  of  the  colony. — 
Augustus  is  said  to  have  given  liberty  of  self- 
government  to  Patrse,  in  memory  of  which  and 
of  other  benefits  which  that  prince  heaped  upon 
the  city,  the  inhabitants  called  themselves  on 
their  coins  COL.  a.  a.  P.  Co/onia,  Auyusta, 
Aroe,  Patrensis.  Thus  recording  the  name  of 
its  three  founders  and  restorers,  Eumclus, 
Patricns,  and  Augustus  It  was  also  called 
Neroniana,  after  Nero. — A coin  of  this  colony, 
struck  under  Commodus,  a prospect  of  the  city 


PATR.E. 

is  attempted,  to  be  given,  with  three  temples 
above,  and  two  gallies  in  the  sea  below. — 
Besides  the  Autonomous,  and  Colonial  Auto- 
nomous coins  struck  at  the  mint  of  Patrse,  there 
are  extant  Colonial  Imperial  medals  of  this 
celebrated  colony  from  Augustus  to  Gordianus 
Pius,  with  but  few  breaks  in  the  series,  as  will 
be  seen  by  the  following  list : — Augustus, 
Tiberius,  Claudius,  Nero,  Galba,  Domitian, 
Nerva,  Hadrian,  Antoninus,  M.  Aurelius,  L. 
Verus,  Commodus,  Sept.  Scvcrus,  Caracalla, 
Elagabalus,  Gordianus  Pius. — The  legends  of 
the  Colonial  Autonomes  and  of  the  Imperial 
are  Iuitin.  Some  few  are  Greek. 

The  following  are  among  the  types  of  this 
Roman  colony  : — 

Aesculapius,  standing,  with  right  hand  placed 
on  his  side,  and  the  usual  attribute  of  staff 
and  serpent  in  his  left.  On  second  brass  of 
Commodus. 

Apollo,  standing,  naked,  holds  in  his  right 
hand  a patera,  and  rests  his  left  on  a lyre 
placed  on  a cippus.  Second  brass  of  Antoninus 
Pius. 

[The  people  of  Pat  rce  dedicated  but  few 
coins  to  this  good  emperor,  how  ready  soever 
they  were  to  exercise  their  monetary  privileges 
for  the  purpose  of  flattering  any  tyrant  master. 
There  was  indeed  a rebellion  excited  during 
Antonine’s  reign,  in  Achaia  (as  well  as  in 
Egypt),  which  Capitolinus  records,  and  which 
may  possibly  account  for  the  fact  above-stated. 
From  the  figure  of  Apollo  it  may  be  inferred 
that  he  was  adored  at  Patrte  ; and  Pausanias 
warrants  such  a supposition,  by  speaking  of  an 
image  of  this  deity  placed  in  the  Odeum  of  that 
city. — Apollo  bears  the  patera  to  indicate  that 
sacrifices  had  beeu  performed  for  the  Emperor. 
— Apollo  leaning  on  his  lyre  embodies  the  har- 
mony of  the  celestial  spheres,  whence  he  was 
called  Musicus  and  Citharnedus.] 

Apollo  and  Venus. — On  a second  brass  of 
Commodus,  struck  at  Patrte,  Apollo  appears 
standing  in  a female  dress ; he  holds  a bow  in 
his  right  hand.  Opposite  him  stands  also  Venus 
Victrix,  half  unclothed,  holding  up  a shield 
with  both  hands. 

[In  thus  associating  together  the  above-men- 
tioned god  and  goddess,  the  colony  evidently 
sought  to  flatter  Commodus  and  his  wife  Cris- 
pina ; for  he  was  fond  of  being  called,  not  only 
Hercules,  but  Apollo  (Apollo  Palatinus  and 
Monet  alts).  And  she  was  often  on  medals 
pointed  to  and  even  represented  as  Venus.  The 
temples  of  these  two  divinities  were  (according 
to  Pausanias’s  description)  erected  in  Patnc  on 
the  same  spot.] 

Co/onus  agens  botes. — The  colonist  with  his 
right  hand  on  the  plough  appears  on  two  { 
Patrsean  coins  of  Augustus,  one  struck  during 
his  lifetime,  and  the  other  after  his  apotheosis. 
— Same  type  also  appears  on  coins  of  Domitian 
and  of  Commodus,  in  which  the  colonist  holds 
the  plough  with  his  right  hand,  and  in  his  left 
bears  the  vexillum  ; with  legcn(J  path.  C a.  a.  P. 
and  col.  a.  a.  pate.  Colonia  Augusta  Aroe 
Palrensis. 


PATR.E.  607 

[Vaillant  says  (i.  40)  the  co/onus  at  plough 
is  the  type  of  citizens  (or  civilians),  as  military 
ensigns  are  the  insignia  of  veterans  sent  to 
reinforce  the  population  of  a Roman  colony. 
But  a colonist  carrying  the  vexillum  in  his  left 
hand,  and  in  his  right  holding  the  plough, 
shews  the  coin  to  have  been  struck  by  colonial 
Duumviri,  one  of  whom  had  been  selected 
from  the  citizens,  and  the  other  from  the  old 
soldiers.] 

Cornucopia  (double.) — On  a second  brass 
struck  under  Claudius,  are  two  horns  of  plenty, 
over  which  is  the  head  of  a boy  between  two 
female  heads.  Legend  : col.  a.  a.  p.  libeius 
avg.  Colonia  Augusta  Aroe  Patrensis  Liberis 
Augnsti. 

[The  colony  of  Patrte  here  dedicates  a coin 
to  Claudius  and  his  children.  The  boy’s  head 
is  meant  for  that  of  the  unfortunate  young 
prince  Britannicus.  On  the  left  is  that  of 

Octavia  his  sister,  whom  Claudius  had  by 
Messalina ; on  the  right  is  Antonia,  whom  he 
before  had  by  JElia  Petina .] 

Diana,  standing,  in  her  dress  as  a huntress, 
rests  her  left  hand  on  a bow.  Legend:  diana 
laphria.  On  coins  of  Nero  and  of  Domitian. 

[Although  the  above  does  not  present  the 
name  of  the  city,  yet  the  word  Laphria 
justifies  the  belief  that  it  belongs  to  the  colony 
of  Patra:.  It  was  a name  given  to  her,  in  con- 
sequence of  L.  Laphrius,  a Phocian,  having 
erected  a statue  to  her  honour  in  Caiydon 
(zEtolia). — Diana  Laphria  had  a shrine  in  the 
citadel  of  Patra:. — Vaillant,  i.  124.] 

On  a small  brass  coin  of  M.  Aurelius  and  of 
L.  Verus,  bearing  for  the  legend  of  its  reverse 
col  A.  A.  patrae.  ( Colonia  Augusta  Aroe 
Patrensis)  is  Diana  Venatrix,  with  a torch 
in  her  right,  a spear  in  her  left  hand,  and  a 
hound  at  her  feet. 

[This  Diana  (says  Vaillant,  i.  199)  is  the 
Laphria  recorded  above,  and  whom  the  Patrcnses 
adored  with  a supreme  shew  of  devotion.  Her 
image,  when  /Etolia  was  laid  waste  by  Augustus, 
was  removed  from  Caiydon  to  Patrsc,  as  Pausanias 
narrates. — Diana  is  most  frequently  figured  in  a 
hunting  dress  ; the  spear  and  dog  are  her  attri- 
butes, as  president  over  the  chase,  or,  as  some 
say,  because  she  was  the  tamer  of  ferocious  dogs. 
She  carried  a torch  in  her  right  hand,  as  being 
identified  with  Luna,  whose  lucid  orb  illumes 
the  circumambient  air  at  night ; whence  in  like 
manner,  on  coins  inscribed  diana  lvcifera, 
she  is  represented  carrying  a lighted  torch.] 

On  a third  brass  inscribed  to  Caracalla  by 
this  colony,  Diana  stands  with  quiver  at  her 
back,  carrying  an  arrow  in  her  right  hand,  and 
resting  her  left  on  a bow. 

On  a second  brass  of  the  same  colony  and 
reign,  the  same  goddess  stands  leaning  on  her 
bowu  In  both  types  a hunting  dog  is  at  Diana’s 
feet. 

[According  to  Pausanias,  a variety  of  Dianas 
were  worshipped  at  Patrfe — viz.,  Laphria, 
Limnatis,  and  Trielaria.  The  above  two  coins 
represent  her  like  the  Diana  Laphria  of  Nero 
and  Domitian,  namely  as  a huntress.] 


608  PATR.E. 

On  a very  rare  second  brass  of  this  city,  dedi- 
cated to  M.  Aurelius,  there  is  a female  figure 
seated  in  a chariot  drawn  by  two  stags. 

[Patin  and  other  numismatists  regard  this 
figure  as  Diana  herself ; but  she  is  adorned 
neither  with  the  crescent  moon  nor  with  the 
quiver,  nor  does  she  indeed  exhibit  any  attribute 
of  that  goddess. — Vaillant  therefore  discards 
that  idea,  and  pronounces  it  to  be  the  Virgin, 
who,  on  an  anniversary  when,  conformably  to 
the  custom  of  the  country,  the  sacred  rites  of 
Diana  Laphria  were  celebrated,  was,  as  the 
officiating  priestess  of  the  goddess,  carried  about 
in  a chariot  drawn  by  two  stags,  as  Pausanias 
describes  it.] 

A similar  type  exhibits  itself  on  a Patrsean 
coin  of  Elagabalus.  Cities  aud  colonics  (says 
Vaillant)  never  caused  anything  to  be  engraved 
on  their  coins  without  some  reason  or  mysterious 
object  in  view. 

Emperor  in  a quadriga. — On  a large  brass 
dedicated  to  Livia  (by  the  name  of  Julia 
Augusta),  Augustus  is  depictured  in  a chariot 
drawn  by  four  horses  ; he  holds  in  his  right 
hand  a sceptre,  on  the  top  of  which  is  an  eagle. 
Legend : col.  a.  a.  p.  caesari.  avg.  Colonia 
Augusta  Aroe  Patrensis  C'rfsari  Augusto. 

[The  I’atrenses,  in  acknowledgment  of  their 
obligation  to  Augustus,  who  had  been  a great 
benefactor  to  them,  exhibit  on  one  side  of  this 
coin  the  head  of  his  wife,  with  inscription 

INDVLGENTIAE  AVG.  MONETA  IMPETRATA ; and 
on  the  reverse  his  own  effigy  in  a triumphal 
chariot,  principally  on  account  of  the  naval 
victory  at  Artium.  For  the  Roman  colony, 
newly  established  at  Patrae,  had  been  depopu- 
lated, duriug  the  civil  war  between  Augustus 
and  Antony,  and  was  afterwards  re-established 
through  the  clemency  and  care  of  Augustus, 
the  inhabitants  of  the  neighbouring  towns  being 
introduced  into  the  city,  and  the  veterans  of 
the  twenty-second  legion  having  also  been 
allocated  there,  were  made  colonists  of  Patrae. 
The  word  Indulgentia  is  used  on  this  coin  for 
Permission] 

Emperor  and  Genius. — On  a second  brass  of 
Sept.  Severus,  with  the  usual  legend  of  the 
Colonia  Patrensis,  a lmlitary  figure  standing, 
and  a female  figure  seated,  hold  each  in  their 
right  hands  a patera  over  an  altar. 

[Vaillant  observes,  respecting  this  type,  that 
it  represents  Severus  on  one  side,  and  the 
Genius  of  the  city  on  the  other.  He  as  a 
mortal  is  standing.  She  as  a deity  is  sitting. 
lie  holds  a patera  as  sacrificing  to  himself.  She 
also  holds  a patera,  as  denoting  the  sacrifice  to 
be  acceptable  to  herself.  Severus  performs  the 
sacred  rite,  habited  as  an  Imperator,  on  the 
point  of  setting  out  on  a warlike  expedition ; 
for  it  was  competent  to  him  to  sacrifice  both  as 
Emperor  and  as  Pontifex  Maximus. 

Euripglus. — On  a small  brass  of  Patr®, 
dedicated  to  L.  Vcrus,  appears  a male  figure, 
naked,  holding  in  his  right  band  a patera  over 
an  altar,  and  placing  his  left  on  the  head  of 
some  image  terminating  in  a square  form. 

[This  figure  is  supposed,  by  Vaillant,  to  re- 


PATR.E. 

present  a favourite  legendary  hero  of  the 
Patrcuscs,  namely  Euripylus.  He  is  said  to 
have  been  the  son  of  Telephus  and  Astyoche, 
who  was  the  daughter  of  Laomedon,  and  sister 
of  Priam.  He  was  King  of  the  Cetaeans,  a 
people  of  Mysia,  and  came  to  the  aid  of  the 
Trojans  towards  the  close  of  the  war.  A man 
of  the  greatest  bravery,  he  was  regarded  as  the 
noblest  prince  of  his  time,  aud  is  said  to  have 
proved  a most  formidable  enemy  to  the  besiegers 
of  Troy,  several  of  whose  leaders  he  killed  with 
his  own  hand,  but  was  at  length  slain  by 
Pyrrhus  or  Neoptoleinus.  The  history  of 
Euripylus  is  so  mixed  up  with  fable  aud  so  con- 
fused an  incident,  that  but  for  the  episode  of 
his  being  driven  by  adverse  winds  into  the  port 
of  Patrte,  in  time  to  prevent  the  superstitious 
horrors  of  a human  sacrifice  to  Diaua  Triclaria, 
it  would  not  deserve  adverting  to  here.] 


Genius  of  the  Port. — On  a rare  second  brass 
coin  of  Nero,  Genius  stands  with  cornucopia;, 
his  right  hand  resting  upon  what  is  probably 
intended  for  an  anchor : around,  portvs 

frvgifera  : in  the  field  c.  P. — From  the 

cabinet  of  Mr.  Roach  Smith. 

Genius. — On  a second  brass  of  Nero,  with 
the  legend  gen.  col.  ner.  patren  , meaning 
the  Genius  of  the  Colony  of  Ner  on  i a Patrensis, 
the  Genius  stands  half  clothed,  with  the  pallium 
on  his  arm,  holding  in  his  right  hand  a patera 
over  an  altar,  and  in  his  left  hand  a cornucopia:. 

[The  type  and  legend  of  the  above  medal 
constitute  a monument  of  the  gross  flattery 
paid  to  Nero  by  this  colony,  yet  only  following 
in  that  respect  the  example  of  Rome  herself. 
The  Senate  had  already  decreed  coins  to  the 
Genius  of  the  Emperor  ( Genio  Augusti ).  The 
colonists  of  Patnc  called  Nero  Colonue  Genius. 
And  to  Genius  the  ancients  gave  the  appellation 
of  a tutelary  or  local  Deity  ( tutetaris  seu  topicus 
Dens)  ; thus  the  emperor  was  worshipped  as 
a god. — Accordingly  Suetonius  (in  Neron.  Vita 
cap.  60)  relates  that  a temple  was  dedicated 
to  Nero’s  Genius  at  Athens.  And  nlthough 
Augustus  himself  had  already  bestowed  many 
immunities  and  some  exclusive  privileges  on 
Patrsr,  yet,  as  if  forgetful  of  all  these  peculiar 
favours,  they  dropped  the  name  of  Augusta 
and  called  their  colony  after  Nero’s  name,  thus 
professing  to  be  more  indebted  to  Nero,  who 
had  extended  freedom  indiscriminately  to  the 
whole  province  of  Greece,  than  to  Augustus, 
who  had  bestowed  his  boon  of  liberty  on  their 
own  city  alone.  , 

A similar  type,  but  with  legend  of  gen.  col. 
a.  a.  patren.  presents  itself  on  a coin  dedicated 


PATILE. 

to  Donfitian  by  this  colony,  evidently  in  the 
same  spirit  of  adulation  to  the  reigning  monarch, 
although  the  unworthy  successor  of  Vespasian 
aud  Titus ; he  who  carried  his  impious  arrogance 
so  far  as  (according  to  Suetonius)  to  require  his 
ministers  to  call  him  a God ; and  a letter  of  one 
of  his  procurators  begins  thus — “ Bominus  et 
Beus  nosier  sic  fieri  jubet.” 

Hercules  stands,  with  his  right  hand  resting 
on  his  club.  In  his  left  he  holds  the  spoils  of 
the  Nemsean  lion.  Legend:  c.  p.  hehcvli 
avgvsto. 

[A  second  brass  of  Nero  bears  this  reverse. 
On  coins  struck  at  Rome,  senatus  consulto, 
Nero  is  represented  as  Apollo  striking  the  lyre. 
On  this  medal  of  Patric  he  appears  under  the 
effigy  of  Hercules,  as  if  victor  at  all  the  public 
games  of  Greece.] 

On  second  and  small  brass  of  M.  Aurelius 
and  L.  Vcrus,  Hercules  stands  leaning  with  his 
left  arm  on  his  massive  club,  in  the  attitude  of 
the  Farnese  statue.  The  accompanying  legend 
is  col.  a.  a.  pate,  Colonia  Augusta  Aroe 
Patrensis. 

[This  is  rather  a frequent  type  of  the 
Patrenses,  who,  to  flatter  M.  Aurelius  and  his 
colleague  Vcrus,  simidtaucously  inscribed  coins 
to  each.  The  image  of  the  ilemi-god  on  these 
medals  shews  that  he  was  adored  at  Patrsc. — 
Hercides  bears  the  club  as  his  favourite  weapon. 
He  is  decorated  with  the  lion’s  skin,  because 
the  slaving  of  one  in  the  Nennean  forest  was  his 
first  aud  one  of  his  most  glorious  achievements, 
lienee  Ausonius  sings  (Edyll.  19) : — 

Prima  Ckoncei  tokrata  cerumna  konis. 

Jupiter  standing,  naked,  holds  an  eagle  in 
his  right  and  the  hasta  in  his  left  hand.  Legend  : 
C.  r.  ivpiter  liberator.  Second  brass  of  Nero. 

[This  colony  erected  a statue  to  Jupiter  the 
Liberator,  on  account  of  the  freedom  restored 
to  the  province  (of  Achaia)  by  Nero ; and  this 
statue,  therefore,  they  delineated  on  their  coins. 
— Jupiter  is  variously  depicted ; sometimes 
naked,  sometimes  adorned  rather  than  clothed 
with  the  pallium ; at  other  times  he  is  clothed 
in  a robe  : nearly  as  various  were  his  attributes 
and  names.] 

On  a second  brass  of  Hadrian,  with  legend 
of  col.  a.  a.  p atrens.,  Jupiter  is  seated  within 
a temple  of  six  columus. 

[Struck  by  the  colonia  Patrensis  in  con- 
gratulation to  Hadrian  on  his  arrival  in  the 
Roman  province  of  Achaia. — Pausanias  alludes 
to  the  temple  of  Jupiter  Olympius  at  Patrae,  as 
a most  superb  structure,  situate  in  the  forum  of 
that  city,  and  describes  the  image  of  that  god 
as  seated  on  a throne,  within  that  temple. 
From  inscriptions  on  coins  of  Laodicea  aud 
Smyrna,  and  on  a statue  at  Smyrna,  we  learn 
that  Greek  flattery  pointed  to  the  living  deifi- 
cation of  Hadrian,  under  the  surname  of 
olympioc  (Hadriauus  Olympius).] 

On  a Patncan  coiu  of  Commodus,  Jupiter  is 
seated  with  a Victory  in  his  right  haud,  but  not 
within  a temple. 

[The  Victory  placed  in  the  haud  of  Jove 

4 I 


PATRAS.  609 

alludes  to  some  battle  gained  by  the  Emperor’s 
lieutenants  over  the  enemy  in  one  or  more  of 
the  provinces  of  the  empire.] 

Legionary  Eagles. — These  military  symbols 
appear  on  second  and  small  brass  of  Claudius, 
Nero,  Galba,  Domitian,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Vcrus, 
and  Commodus,  struck  by  this  colony.  The 
eagles  are  placed  between  two  ordinary  ensigns 
of  the  Roman  array ; and  the  accompanying 
legend  is  col.  a.  a.  pate.  xxii.  (Colonia 
Augusta  Aroe  Patrensis  vicesima  secunda — 
the  word  Legio  being  understood). 

[The  colonists  of  Patrae  having  dedicated 
coins  to  Claudius  on  his  having  adopted  Nero  as 
his  son,  congratulated  Nero  in  like  manner  on 
his  adoption  by  Claudius. — Vaillaut  says  that 
the  Patrenses  chose  this  type  to  indicate  the 
origin  of  their  colony  as  derived  from  the  veterans 
of  the  Twenty-second  Legion,  surnamed  Primi- 
genia.  Augustus  had  sent  those  old  soldiers  as 
colonists  to  Patrae,  from  Egypt,  where  the  legion 
itself  was  stationed,  and  where  it  remained 
until  the  time  of  Vespasian,  who  employed  it  in 
the  Judaic  war.  In  Hadrian’s  time  the  Twenty- 
second  Legion  seems  to  have  been  quartered 
in  Germany. — Livy  states  that  there  was  a 
temple  to  Fortuna  primigenia  on  the  Quirinal 
Hill  at  Rome.] 

Mercury,  seated  (sometimes  in  a temple  of 
two  columns) ; he  extends  his  right  hand  (which 
sometimes  has  the  crumena),  whilst  holding  the 
caduccus  in  his  left.  A ram  stands  at  his  feet. 
On  second  brass  of  this  colony,  dedicated  to 
Antoninus  Pius,  Commodus,  Caraealla,  aud 
Elagabalus. 

Mercury,  seated,  is  a frequent  type  of  the 
Patrman  coins,  and  as  in  the  case  of  Antouine 
and  Commodus,  his  image  is  exhibited  in  a 
temple,  it  may  be  inferred  that  this  deity  was 
also  included  in  the  polytheistic  worship  of  the 
colony,  though  Pausanias,  in  his  detailed  descrip- 
tions of  l’atric,  makes  no  ineution  of  Mercury 
having  a temple  there. — A ram  is  here  made  the 
companion  of  Mercury,  as  on  the  Corinthian 
coins,  because  that  god  was  regarded  as  pecu- 
liarly watchful  over  the  protection  and  increase 
of  sheep  flocks,  on  which  accouut  he  was  called 
the  God  of  Shepherds.  Mercury  carries  in  his 
hand  the  caduccus  (namely,  a wand,  round 
which  two  serpents  are  entwined),  as  a symbol 
of  peace : hence  ambassadors  (Leg at i)  sent  on 
pacific  negociatious  were  denominated  cadu- 
ceatores .] 

Minerva. — On  a small  brass  of  this  colony, 
inscribed  to  Marcus  Aurelius,  Minerva,  helmeted, 
stands  within  a two-columned  temple,  with  right 
hand  extended,  and  holding  a spear  in  the  other. 
At  her  feet,  on  one  side,  is  an  owl,  aud  on  the 
other  a shield. 

[This  coin  shews,  and  Pausanias  confirms, 
that  Minerva  had  a temple  at  Patra;.  She  was 
called  Panaehaeis,  because  her  temple  was 
common  to  all  the  Achaians.] 

Neptune,  standing,  naked,  his  right  foot 
placed  on  a rock,  holds  in  his  right  hand  a 
dolphin,  and  in  his  left  the  trident.  Second 
brass  of  Domitian. 


610  PATR.E. 

[The’  maritime  cities  of  antiquity  made 
Neptune  an  especial  and  pre-eminent  object  of 
their  superstitious  adoration.  The  Patrenses 
(as  Pausanias  affirms)  called  him  Pelagius 
and  Asphalion,  or  the  Guardian,  and  erected  a 
temple  to  his  honour  near  the  harbour.  The 
people  in  Pagan  times  were  accustomed  to 
exhibit  on  their  coins  the  divinities  whom  they 
principally  worshipped ; accordingly  we  find  the 
colonists  of  Patr®  placing  on  theirs  the  figure  of 
the  God  of  the  Sea.] 

On  a second  brass  of  S.  Sevcrus,  Neptune 
stands  with  his  right  foot  planted  on  a pedestal ; 
he  holds  an  image  of  Victory  in  his  right  hand, 
and  the  trident  in  his  left. 

[Struck  by  the  Patrenses  in  honour  of  this 
victorious  emperor,  for  Neptune  bears  this 
victoriola  in  record  of  Severus’s  successes  over 
the  Parthians.  There  was,  according  to  Pau- 
sanias,  a temple  at  Patras  dedicated  to  the 
monarch  of  the  waves. 

Nero’s  Statue. — This  is  represented  on  a small 
brass  coin,  having  for  legend  c.  P.  CLEAN DKO. 
Cotonia  Patrensis  Cleandro.  The  Emperor’s 
effigy,  clothed  in  the  toga,  stands  on  a pedestal, 
with  the  right  hand  extended,  and  the  left  hold- 
ing a roll  of  papyrus. 

[The  statue  here  delineated  seems  to  have 
been  one  erected  by  the  people  of  Patra;,  in 
commemoration  of  the  liberties  conceded 
(according  to  Suetonius)  by  Nero  to  all  Greece. 
Who  this  Oleander  was  does  not  appear  to  be 
known.  Nor  is  it  discernible  from  the  coin  what 
magisterial  office  was  held  by  him,  in  con- 
sequence of  some  letters  being  effaced.] 

Roma,  helmeted,  sitting  on  a shield,  and 
holding  a victoriola  in  her  right  hand,  and  a 
spear  in  her  left,  is  crowned  by  the  Emperor, 
who  stands  behind  her,  dressed  in  a military 
habit.  On  a second  brass  of  M.  Aurelius, 
having  for  legend  col.  a.  a.  patr. 

[The  colony  congratulates  M.  Aurelius,  by 
striking  this  coin,  which  forms  indeed  a monu- 
ment of  his  victory,  but  in  such  a way  as  to 
make  the  emperor  ascribe  to  the  republic  the 
whole  merit  of  his  great  warlike  exploits.  For 
here  he  crowns  Rome  personified,  as  though  he 
acknowledged  himself  wholly  indebted  to  the 
assistance  of  the  Goddess  Roma  (0EA  ROMA 
as  the  Greeks  phrased  it),  for  his  victories  over 
the  foes  and  invaders  of  the  empire.  But  in 
thus  giving  the  glory  to  the  republic,  Marcus 
was  far  from  loading  the  state  with  all  the 
onerous  consequences  of  war.  On  the  contrary, 
his  conduct  towards  the  provinces  was  marked  by 
wonderful  moderation  and  benignity.  And  to 
prevent  any  extraordinary  expenses  from  falling 
on  them  on  account  of  the  war  with  the 
Marcomanni,  he  caused  the  imperial  ornaments 
to  be  sold  by  auction  in  the  forum  Trajani,  thus 
ruling  the  state,  amidst  the  love  and  veneration 
of  nil.] 

There  is  a similar  type  to  the  above  on  a 
second  brass  of  L.  Verus,  iu  honour  of  his 
successes  over  the  Parthians. 

On  n second  brass  of  this  colony,  inscribed 
tojCommodus,  appears  a female  figure  seated  on 


PATRJ2. 

a heap  of  arms,  holding  a spear  in  her  right 
hand,  and  having  a shield  near  her  left  side. 
She  is  crowned  by  Hercules,  who  holds  his  club 
iu  his  left  hand. 

[To  flatter  this  vain  and  frenzied  tyrant  of  an 
emperor,  and  at  the  same  time  to  identify  them- 
selves as  Romans,  the  colonists  of  Patr®  have 
here  represented  Commodus  under  the  image  of 
Hercnles,  by  whose  name  (as  llerodianus  relates) 
he  had  expressly'  commanded  himself  to  be 
called.  In  this  madly  assumed  character,  which 
the  mint  of  Rome  herself  had  already  been  sub- 
mitted to  the  degradation  of  recognising,  he 
places  a crown  on  the  head  of  that  “ goddess,” 
to  whom  his  ancestor  by  adoption,  Antoninus 
Pius,  had  raised  a temple  under  the  title  of 
ROMA  AETEENA.] 

Statue  on  a Column. — A second  brass  of 
Patr®,  inscribed  to  Domitian,  exhibits  a column 
on  which  stands  a colossal  figure  in  a military 
garb,  with  sceptre  in  right  hand,  and  spear  in 
left. 

[Vaillant  considers  this  to  have  been  meant 
for  an  honorary  reference  to  the  restoration  of 
liberty  to  the  Achaians  by  Domitian,  whose 
father  and  brother  had  taken  away  and  with- 
held their  previously  enjoyed  immunities  and 
privileges — a circumstance  which  accounts  for 
there  being  no  coins  of  the  Patrenses  found 
bearing  the  heads  and  inscriptions  cither  of 
Vespasian  or  of  Titus.] 

There  is  a similar  type  on  a very  rare  second 
brass  of  this  colony  struck  under  Commodus. 

Victory. — On  a small  brass  of  Gordianus  III., 
struck  at  Patr®,  a figure  of  Victory  stands  on  a 
globe,  bearing  a laurel  crown  in  her  right,  and 
a palm  branch  in  her  left  hand. 

[The  Patrenses,  to  compliment  the  youthftd 
emperor  on  his  victory  over  the  Persians, 
dedicate  to  him  this  medal,  on  which  the 
personification  of  Victory  is  placed  on  a globe ; 
because  Gordian,  by  that  last  successfid  exploit, 
is  supposed  to  have  overcome  all  the  enemies  of 
the  Roman  world.  For  at  Rome,  solely  through 
his  timely  election  to  the  empire,  a sedition  of 
the  veteran  legionaries  with  the  people  was 
quelled.  In  Africa  the  Carthaginians  rebelled, 
but  Gordianus  Pius  succeeded  in  suppressing  the 
insurrection.  In  Europe,  he  drove  back  the 
barbarian  iuvaders  of  Maesia  and  Thrace;  lastly 
he  defeated  the  Persians,  and  expelled  them  from 
the  Roman  provinces.] 

View  of  Patrit. — On  coins  of  Commodus 
and  of  Gordianus  III.  a city  is  attempted  to  be 
delineated  by  a structure  composed  of  coluinus, 
in  two  tiers,  above  which  arc  three  temples. 
At  the  bottom  are  three  galleys  in  the  water.  In 
front  of  the  whole,  below,  is  a statue  placed  on 
a pedestal. 

[Vaillant  (I.  219)  calls  this  prospectus  nriis, 
meaning  a view  of  Patr®,  but  it  fails  to  convey 
any  distinct  idea  of  either  the  local  features  or 
the  architectural  character  of  a place  once  so 
celebrated  for  its  magnificence  amongst  the  cities 
of  the  Peloponnesus.  The  most  recognisable 
objects  are  the  temples  at  the  top  of  the  coin, 
and  the  triremes,  which  plainly  designate  a 


PATRiE. 

seaport.  The  Patrenses,  in  remembrance  of 
Augustus,  as  the  founder  and  benefactor  of  their 
colony,  seem  to  have  placed  his  colossal  statue 
on  the  shore,  for  the  figure  is  in  the  military 
dress  of  an  emperor.] 

Wolf  and  the  Twin  Children  appear  on  a 
small  coin  of  Patra;,  inscribed  to  M Aurelius. 

[Most  of  the  Roman  colonies  engraved  this 
well-known  group  amongst  the  types  of  their 
coins,  by  way  of  reference  to  their  origin,  and 
to  show  that  they  possessed,  or  assumed  to 
possess,  the  same  rights  as  the  resident  citizens 
of  Rome,  to  whom  the  fable  of  Romulus  and 
Remus  nourished  by  a wolf  was,  from  its 
national  associations,  a fondly  endeared  subject. 

Woman’s  Head , turreted,  appears  on  a second 
brass  of  the  Colonia  Patrensis,  struck  under 
M.  Aurelius;  also  with  a cornucopia;  behind  it,  ou 
coins  inscribed  to  Commodus  and  to  S.  Severus. 

[This  is  a type,  says  Vaillant,  which,  besides 
denoting  Cybele,  is  also  a symbol  i#  cities.  For 
Cybele  was  believed  to  be  the  earth  itself,  and 
therefore  her  image  was  crowned  with  towers, 
in  reference  to  great  walled  cities.  All  cities, 
however,  were  not  represented  by  a turreted 
female  head,  but  only  the  principal  ones,  and 
particularly  the  metropolis.  Now,  the  colony 
of  Patr®,  founded  by  Augustus,  increased  by 
his  command  from  the  population  of  neighbour- 
ing towns,  and  distinguished  by  the  benefits  he 
conferred  upon  it,  was  in  effect  the  metropolis 
of  Achaia ; and  it  was  to  the  Patrenses  alone 
that  Augustus  granted  those  privileges  and 
immunities,  which  Nero  and  other  succeeding 
princes  extended  to  the  whole  province.] 

Woman  with  Turreted  Head,  standing  with 
patera  in  right  hand  and  cornucopia;  in  left,  on 
a second  brass  of  Commodus. 

[This  type,  like  the  preceding,  represents  the 
Genius  of  the  colonial  city  performing  sacri- 
fices for  the  health  of  the  emperor,  ou  the 
occasion  of  that  terrible  plague  which  in  the 
reign  of  Commodus  raged  with  depopulating 
fury  throughout  all  Italy,  and  especially  at 
Rome.  It  was  from  fear  of  f idling  a victim  to 
that  dreadful  scourge  that  Commodus  retired  to 
Laurentum.  The  cornucopia;  was  the  customary 
symbol  of  a Genius,  who  was  supposed  to 
possess  the  procreative  and  productive  power. 
It  also  by  analogy  signified  the  fertility  of  the 
soil.] 

Pellerin  supplies  an  omission  of  Vaillant’s  by 
giving  a coin  of  this  colony  dedicated  to  Faustina 
the  younger,  the  obverse  of  which  bears  the 
legend  favstjna  avg.  C.  a.  a.  pa.  Colonia 
Augusta  Aroe  Patrensis.  Head  of  the  Empress. 
— Rev.  imp.  c.  antoninys  av.  Head  of  M. 
Aurelius  crowned  with  laurel. — ( Melange  i. 
pi.  xvii.  No.  8 p.  281.) 

Patraus  or  Patreus,  the  son  of  Prcugenes, 
grandson  of  Agenor,  the  conqueror  and  general 
of  the  Iones,  occupied,  with  his  companions  in 
arms,  Aroe  in  Achaia,  and  gave  his  name  to  the 
city  afterwards  colony  of  Patra,  but  so  that 
the  more  ancient  appellation  of  Aroe  was  not 
altogether  abolished,  but  was  often  united  to 
the  more  recent  name. — See  Patra. 

4 I 2 


PATRES.  611 

Patres  Auguslorum. — The  fathers  of  Empe- 
rors, although  they  might  have  held  only  a 
private  station,  had  their  names  and  portraits 
struck  on  the  coins  of  their  sons,  and  were 
placed  in  the  rank  of  divinities — for  example, 
Divvs  pater  tkaianvs,  head  of  Trajan  the 
Father ; and  divi  nerva  et  tkaianvs  pat., 
heads  of  Nerva  and  Trajan  the  Father,  on  coins 
of  Trajan. 

Patres  Castrorum. — This  title  of  Fathers  of 
Camps  was  appropriated  to  Emperors  alone,  or 
to  their  appointed  heirs. 

PATRES  SENATVS. — It  was  by  this  title 
that  H albinos  and  I’upieuus  were  designated  on 
their  coins,  accompanied  by  two  hands  joined  ; 
which  appellation  of  Pater  Senatus  was  adopted 
instead  of  that  of  Princeps  Senatus  as  under 
the  old  republic. — On  coins  of  Commodus 
pater  senatvs  had  already  appeared. 

PATRIAE. — See  pater  patriae. 

PATRIC.  Patricia. — col.  patric.  Colonia 
Patricia. 

Patricia,  a city  in  Hispania  Bretica  (Anda- 
lusia), and  the  first  colony  planted  by  the  Romans 
in  Spain  ; its  original  name  was  Corduba — now 
Cordova. — Pliny  speaks  of  Corduba  as  taking 
the  name  of  Colonia  Patricia,  when  it  became 
a Roman  colony ; and  Antonio  Augustino 
describes  it  as  a colony  of  veterans  and  worthy 
men,  to  whom  honour  was  due,  as  to  Fathers 
(PalribusJ. — Mention  is  made  of  Patricia 
on  an  inscription  in  Gruter,  where  it  is  called 
colonia  Patricia  cordvbensis. — The  autono- 
mous coins  of  this  city  bear  the  name  of 
cordvba. — The  colonial  imperial  are,  according 
to  Vaillant,  confined  to  the  reign  of  Augustus, 
and  the  same  writer  gives  five  specimens  of  their 
types,  all  of  which  bear  on  their  obverse  the 
head  of  Augustus  without  laurel,  with  the 
legend  perm.  caes.  avg.  Permissu  Casaris 
Augusti;  and  on  their  reverses  the  inscription 
colonla  Patricia,  whilst  the  types  vary — some 
representing  sacerdotal  insignia,  others  sacrificial 
instruments,  or  legionary  eagles  between  other 
military,  standards. 

Types  of  the  Spanish  Colony  of  Patricia, 
from  Vaillant,  vol.  i.  pp.  40,  41,  42. 

COLONIA  PATRICIA,  within  an  oaken 
crown.  The  obverse  of  this  coin  in  second 
brass  bears  the  bare  head  of  Augustus,  and  has 
for  inscription  perm.  caes.  avg.  Permissa 
Casaris  Augusti. 

[The  colonists  placed  an  oaken  crown  on  this 
coin  of  Augustus,  on  account  of  citizens  pre- 
served by  him  in  the  war,  which  he  brought  to 
a termination  favourable  to  Roman  interests  in 
Spain.] — See  a fac  simile  of  this  in  Akerman’s 
Coins  of  Hispania,  pi.  iii.  No.  11,  p.  30. 

The  same  legend. — Apex  and  Simpulum. — 
See  those  words. 

[On  the  death  of  Lcpidus,  Augustus  having 
been  created  Pontifex  Maximus,  the  people  of 
Corduba  (or  Patricia),  in  congratulating  him, 
placed  the  appropriate  type  of  sacerdotal  or 
pontificial  instruments  on  this  small  and  also  on 
larger  brass  coins.] 

A very  large  brass  inscribed  by  this  colony  to 


612  PAULA. 

Augustus,  on  the  same  occasion,  hears  a still 
more  ample  display  of  sacrificial  instruments, 
symbolic  of  the  chief  priesthood,  viz.,  the 
aspergillum,  the  preefericulum,  the  HtUus,  and 
the  patera. — See  those  words. 

[The  dignity  of  Pontifex  Maximus,  which 
comprised  all  tilings  appertaining  to  the  priestly 
functions,  was  transmitted,  as  it  were  hereditarily, 
from  Augustus  to  his  imperial  successors.] 

On  a large  brass  of  extreme  rarity,  dedicated 
to  Augustus  and  struck  “ by  his  permission,” 
appears  a legionary  eagle  between  two  military 
ensigns,  and  on  a second  brass  this  type  is 
accompanied  with  the  legend  col.  path  leg. 
v.  x.  Colonia  Patricia  Legiones  quinta 
decima. 

[Military  ensigns,  as  has  been  noticed  re- 
specting coins  of  Roman  colonies,  serve  to 
denote  towns  originally  peopled  by  veterans 
transmitted  to  them.  This  was  the  case  with 
Patricia,  founded  by  Augustus.  And  on  the 
very  rare  second  brass  of  the  same  colony, 
dedicated  to  that  emperor,  the  eagle  is  accom- 
panied with  the  names  of  the  Legions  ; viz.,  the 
Fifth  and  Tenth,  from  which  the  veterans 
destined  to  occupy  the  city  now  called  Cordova 
were  drafted.] 

PATRON.— See  MVNICIPIam  GADitanum 
PATRONO.  “ The  municipium  of  the  Gaditani 
to  its  patron on  a coin  of  M.  Agrippa ; 
“ which  teaches  us  (says  Bimard)  that  under  the 
reign  of  Augustus  the  Municipium  of  Cadiz  had 
chosen  Agrippa  for  its  protector.” 

P.  AV.  Perpetuus  or  Pius  Augustus. 


PAVLA  (Julia  Cornelia),  daughter  of  Julius 
Paulus,  of  an  illustrious  family,  was  the  first 
wife  of  the  Emperor  Elagabalus,  whose  Prmtorian 
Prefect  her  father  had  become.  Handsome, 
graceful,  agreeable,  well  regulated  in  her  con- 
duct, hut  seduced  by  the  ambition  of  being 
mistress  of  the  empire,  she  gave  her  hand 
(a.d.  219)  to  the  most  cruel  and  infamous 
wretch  that  ever  disgraced  humanity  and  polluted 
a throne,  only  to  be  the  victim  of  his  brutal 
inconstancy. — At  the  end  of  a year  from  the 
day  of  her  marriage,  which  had  been  celebrated 
at  Rome  with  unprecedented  magnificence,  she 
was  repudiated  by  her  husband,  stripped  of  the 
title  of  Augusta,  bestowed  on  her  by  the  senate, 
and,  without  being  allowed  to  retain  a single 
honour  connected  with  her  short-lived  dignity  of 
Empress,  Paula  returned  into  private  life,  and 
died  in  retirement. 

She  is  styled  on  coins  of  Roman  die  ivlia 
pa vi, a avg.  The  name  of  Cornelia  is  given  to 
this  lady  only  on  Greek  medals. — In  all  metals 
her  coins  are  rare : those  in  gold  extremely  so. 


PAULINA. 


PAVLINA. — Beyond  the  fact,  of  which  there 
appears  no  doubt,  that  the  diva  pavlina  of 
the  Roman  Imperial  scries  was  the  wife  of 
Maximinus  the  Thracian,  nothing  is  authentically 
known  of  her,  history  being  silent  on  the  subject 
of  that  gigantic  barbarian’s  marriage.  The 
medals,  bearing  the  name  of  l’aidiua,  present  the 
portraiture  of  a comely  woman,  whose  regidar 
features  are  s#t  off  with  an  air  of  dignity ; on 
some  the  features  are  those  of  a woman  in  more 
advanced  life. — There  arc  no  gold  coins  of  her : 
the  first  brass' arc  rare,  the  silver  still  rarer. — 
The  legend  of  the  reverse  is  conseckatio,  and 
the  usual  symbol  of  a peacock  bearing  the 
Empress  to  the  skies ; or,  standing,  with  its 
tail  spread ; hut  a coin  in  large  brass  prescuts 
Paulina  in  a biga. 


PAVLLVS,  thus  written  with  the  double  L,  as 
it  is  seen  on  Roman  coins  and  other  monumeuts, 
was  at  first  (says  Pitiscus)  the  name  of  the 
family  of  the  Aemi/ii,  and  towards  the  decline 
of  the  republic  became  the  prenomen  of  that 
family.  Thus  the  (adopted)  brother  of  the 
Triumvir  Lepidus  assumed  the  name  of  Paulus 
Aemilius  Lepidus. 

PAVLVS  LEPIDVS  CONCORDIA.— A 
veiled  head  of  a female,  wearing  a diadem. — 
Rev.  teb  pavllvs.  Three  captives  standing 
opposite  a figure  erecting  a trophy.  On  gold 
and  silver  coins  of  the  Aemi/ia  family. 

This  legend  and  type  “evidently  refer  (as 
Akcrman  observes)  to  the  victory  of  Lepidus 
over  Perseus,  King  of  Maccdon,  to  whom  and 
to  his  two  children  the  three  captives  probably 
allude.” — Descriptive  Catalogue,  vol.  i.,  p.  21. 

The  word  tee  (according  to  Morcll)  points 
to  the  fact  of  Aemilius  (who,  adopted  by  the 
father  of  Lepidus,  the  Triumvir,  was  railed 
Paulus  Lepidus),  having  three  times  enjoyed 
the  honours  of  the  triumph. 

Favor consternation— dread wa3,  with 

Pallor,  deified  by  the  Greeks,  who  in  war 
sought  to  appease  these  two  terrible  goddesses 
by  sacrifices.  The  Corinthians  consecrated  a 
statue  to  Pavor,  who  was  also  worshipped  by 


PAX. 

the  Spartans.  Tullus  Hostilius  in  a battle,  in 
in  which  his  soldiers  had  begun  to  give  way, 
vowed  a temple  to  Pear  and  Paleness  (Favor 
and  Pallor),  and  he  won  the  victory. — This 
tradition  is  commemorated  on  medals  of  the 
Hostilia  family.  On  one  of  them  is  a head, 
with  hair  standing  on  end,  the  face  raised, 
the  mouth  open,  and  the  countenance  troubled. 
The  other  has  a long  and  lean  visage,  the  hair 
lank  and  flat,  and  a fixed  look.  It  is  the  true 
picture  of  that  peculiar  ghastliness  of  expression 
which  great  fear  produces  on  the  human  coun- 
tenance.— See  Pallor  in  Hostilia  family. 

PAX.  Peace. — This  word  is  of  very  frequent 
occurrence  on  Roman  coins,  nor  is  it  always 
possible  to  decide  as  to  which  particular  pacifica- 
tion it  is  to  be  referred. 

Pax,  regarded  by  the  ancients  as  a goddess, 
was  worshipped  not  only  at  Rome  but  also  at 
Athens.  Her  altar  could  not  be  stained  with 
blood.  The  Emperor  Claudius  began  the  con- 
struction of  a magnificent  temple  to  her  honour, 
which  Vespasian  finished,  in  the  Via  Sacra.  The 
attributes  of  Peace,  as  exhibited  on  medals,  are 
the  hast  a pura,  the  olive  branch,  the  cornu- 
copia: ; and  often  the  caduceus.  Sometimes  (as 
on  coins  of  Vespasian,  Domitian,  and  M. 
Aurelius)  she  is  represented  setting  fire  to  a pile 
of  arms. 

Peace  was  considered  to  be  in  the  power  of 
him,  to  whom  belonged  the  auspices  (auspida)  ; 
whence,  according  to  Dion,  the  Caesars  were 
called  the  Lords  of  Peace  and  War  (Pads  et 
Belli  Domini).  Accordingly  we  find  coins  of 
the  Emperors  proclaiming  P ax  AVGusta,  or 
AVG usti ; Pax  Aeterna ; Pax  Perpetua  ; 
Pax  Fundata ; Pax  Publica ; Pax  Ubique 
Parta ; and  these  inscriptions  are  accom- 
panied by  various  symbols  such  as  the 
Temple  of  Peace,  as  on  medals  of  Augustus, 
or  the  Temple  of  Janus  shut,  as  on  those  of 
Nero  ; or  a woman  holding  a cornucopia:  in  her 
left  hand  as  in  Augustus,  Hadrian,  &c.  The 
symbol  of  Eternal  Peace,  as  manifested  in  the 
figure  of  the  goddess  setting  fire  to  a heap  of 
armour  both  offensive  and  defensive,  is  seen  on 
coins  of  Galba,  Yitellius,  Vespasian,  Antoninus 
Pius,  and  Aurelius. — See  Pax  Augusti. 

Singular  to  say,  no  representation  of  the 
superb  Temple  of  Peace,  built  by  Vespasian, 
appears  on  coins  of  that  Emperor,  nor  of  his 
son  Titus. — See  Templum  Pacis. 

The  head  of  Pax  is  seen  on  denarii  of  Julius 
Caesar  and  of  Augustus. 

Pax. — The  effigy  of  this  goddess  (whose 
blessings  the  Romans  were  never  more  prone 
to  boast  of  than  when  their  proud  empire, 
hastening  to  decay,  was  least  in  a condition  to 
enjoy  them),  is  seen  with  caduceus  and  olive 
branch  on  coins  of  Titus,  Galba,  and  Otho; 
with  cornucopia:  and  torch,  as  in  Galba,  Vitellius, 
and  Vespasian ; with  cornucopia:  and  olive 
branch,  as  in  Vespasian,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Verus  ; 
bearing  the  olive  branch  and  liasta,  as  in  Alex. 
Severus ; standing  by  an  altar  with  patera  in 
right  hand,  as  in  Vespasian  and  Titus ; walking 
with  laurel  crown,  as  in  Claudius  Gothicus ; 


PAX.  613 

adorned  with  the  sceptre,  as  in  Gordianus  Pius, 
Maximinus,  Philip  senior,  /Emilianus,  Nume- 
riauus,  Trajauus  Decius*  Volusianus,  Gallienus, 
Postumus,  Victorious  sen.,  Gal.  Maximianus, 
&c. ; carrying  a trophy,  as  on  a coin  of 
Claudius  Gothicus : also  with  olive  branch  and 
military  ensign,  as  in  Constantine  the  Great, 
and  Carus. — On  coins  of  Augustus  (says 
Woltereek)  we  see  the  Goddess  of  Peace  not 
only  with  the  caduceus,  the  olive  crown,  and 
other  ornaments  usually  appropriated  to  her,  but 
with  attributes  belonging  to  the  Goddess  of 
Health,  as  if  with  a view  to  represent  under 
one  type  all  the  emblems  of  felicity  which  Rome 
was  supposed  to  enjoy  beneath  the  paternal 
sway  of  that  Emperor. 

Peace  is  signified  by  two  right  hands  joined 
as  iu  M.  Antony,  Augustus,  Antoninus  Pius. 
She  is  also  figured  under  the  form  of  a bull,  on 
a coiu  of  Vespasian. 

The  images  of  Peace  appear  in  an  unbroken 
series  on  the  coins  of  the  Roman  Emperors, 
several  of  the  Augusta;,  and  most  of  the 
usurpers,  from  Julius  Caesar  to  Justinian. — See 
PACE  and  PACI  ; PACA'l'OR,  &C.  ; also  ARA  PACIS. 

PAX. — A female  standing,  holding  a caduceus 
and  ears  of  corn.  On  a denarius  of  Augustus. — 
See  also  the  medalliou,  p.  519. 

The  inscription  of  cos.  vi.  shews  that  this 
coin  was  struck  in  the  year  of  Rome  726. — The 
title  which  flattery  has  given  on  the  obverse  to 
this  Emperor,  of  libertatis  p.  r.  vindex, 
(the  champion  of  the  Roman  people’s  liberties) 
appears  on  no  other  medal  of  this  prince,  nor 
of  succeeding  Augusli.  It  was  designed  to 
commemorate  the  peace  which  was  established, 
on  the  death  of  Antony,  whose  removal  put  an 
end  to  the  civil  war.  Hence  the  expression 
of  Paterculus : — Finita  vicesimo  anno  bella 
cioi/ia,  sepulta  externa,  revocata  Pax.  L.  ii. 
cap.  89. 

PAX.  AVG.  Pax  Augusta. — August  Peace. 

PAX  AVG usti. — A female  standing,  dressed 
in  the  stola,  holds  in  her  left  hand  an  olive 
branch;  in  her  right  a torch,  the  flame  of 
which  she  applies  to  a heap  of  armour,  placed 
by  the  side  of  an  altar.  Behind  the  female  is  a 
column,  at  the  foot  of  which  is  a shield,  and 
the  capital  is  surmounted  by  a statue. — This 
legend  and  type,  with  varieties  as  below,  appear 
on  first  brass  of  Vespasian. 

PAX  AETERNA  AVG  usti. — A woman  stands 
holding  a branch  raised  in  her  right  hand,  and  a 
spear  in  her  left.  On  silver  and  brass  of 
Alexander  Severus. 

This  “eternal  peace”  of  the  emperor  was  the 
one  which  followed  his  splendidly  victorious 
campaign  against  the  Persians, — Arlaxerxes, 
after  haring  conquered  Artabanus,  the  last  King 
of  the  Partliians,  and  re-established  the  Persian 
empire,  proceeded  to  contend  with  the  Romans. 
This  led  to  Alexander’s  departure  (prqfectio) 
from  Rome  to  his  victories,  to  his  triumphs, 
and  finally  to  the  treaty  which  concluded  the 
war  by  a peace  highly  honourable  to  the  Emperor 
and  advantageous  to  the  Roman  interests,  or 
rather  to  Roman  ambition. 


614  PAX. 

PAX  FVNDATA  CVM  PERSIS. — A woman 
standing,  with  olive  branch  and  spear.  On 
silver  of  Philip  senior. 

This  coin  confirms,  what  Zosimus  relates, 
that  Philip,  soon  after  the  murder  of  Gordian 
HI  , established  relations  of  peace  and  friend- 
ship with  Sapor,  King  of  the  Persians,  about 
a.d.  244. 

PAX  GERMaaicaj  ROMA.  S.  C.— Rome, 
the  Emperor  and  a female  standing ; the  latter 
presenting  an  olive  branch  to  Vitellius. 

This  (on  a first  brass)  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  struck  in  record  of  any  particular  peace, 
but  merely  offers,  with  others  of  the  same  short 
reign,  subjects  of  flattery,  and  pledges  of  hope 
and  good  wishes,'  with  which  it  was  customary 
to  greet  the  event  of  a new  accession  to  the 
imperial  throne. 

PAX  ORBIS  TERRARVM. — The  figure  of  a 
womau  standing,  clothed  in  the  stola ; a caduceus 
in  her  right  hand,  a branch  in  her  left. — avr. 
and  ar.  of  Otho. 

This  appears  but  an  inappropriate  legend  on 
the  com  of  a prince  who  had  raised  the  banner 
of  insurrection,  and  directed  the  dagger  of 
assassination  against  a rightful  possessor  of  the 
empire.  But,  according  to  Tacitus,  Otho,  not- 
withstanding the  civil  war  then  waging  between 
his  party  and  that  of  Vitellius,  disposed  of 
public  offices,  and  engrossed  the  administration 
of  government  as  if  it  had  been  in  a time  of 
profound  peace;  and  because, in  consequence  of  the 
Sarmatians  being  quieted,  there  were  no  external 
hostilities,  this  strange  compound  of  personal 
effeminacy  and  physical  courage,  caused  a medal 
to  be  struck  with  the  above  epigraph — boasting 
of  “Peace  all  over  the  world  1” — Spanhcim 
(in  his  Cesars  de  Julien ) justly  observes,  that  to 
have  been  accessory  to  the  death  of  his  master 
and  benefactor  Galba,  added  to  the  effeminacy 
of  his  life,  to  say  nothing  of  his  suicide  which 
to  some  seems  so  glorious,  renders  Otho  worthy 
enough  of  the  name  of  Brutal,  rather  than  gives 
him  the  least  claim  to  assume  on  his  medals,  as 
he  has  done,  and  in  times  so  disastrous  and  so 
full  of  confusion,  to  be  the  security  of  the 
Roman  people,  and  to  vaunt  about  having  re- 
stored the  peace  of  the  whole  universe  !” 

PAX  PERPETVA. — This  legend  is  found  on 
a gold  coin  (a  quinarius ) of  Valeutinianus  I., 
which  has  for  its  type  Victory  seated  on  a coat 
of  mail,  holding  a buckler,  supported  by  a 
winged  Genius,  inscribed  vot.  v.  mvlt.  x. — On 
another  gold  quinarius  of  the  same  Emperor, 
is  Victory  standing,  full-faced,  waving  in  each 
hand  a laurel  garland. — Eckhel  (vol.  viii.  p.  150) 
observes  that  these  two  coins  are  known  to  exist 
in  no  other  cabinet  than  the  Imperial  at  Vienna. 

The  only  two  of  Valcntinian’s  predecessors 
who  ventured  to  assert  that  they  had  established 
perpetual  peace  (even  by  implication  in  dedi- 
cating a medal  paci  perpet.)  were  Augustus, 
and  Constantine  the  Great,  who  might  each  be 
said  to  have  some  claim  to  the  honour.  Vespasian 
himself,  who  re-built  the  Temple  of  Peace  at 
Rome,  abstained  from  such  self-flattery,  and 
inscribed  his  beautiful  coin,  representing  the 


PAXS. 

portico  of  that  temple,  to  the  Senate  and  the 
people. — But  Valentinian,  though  an  able,  brave, 
and  generally  victorious  prince,  was,  during  the 
latter  part  of  his  reign,  so  constantly  engaged 
in  repelling  the  incursions  and  punishing  the 
chieftains  of  the  barbarian  tribes,  that  bello 
perpetvo  would  have  been  his  more  appro- 
priate and  more  veracious  legend. 

PAXS  anciently  written  for  pax  appears  on  a 
silver  coin  struck  by  aemilivs  bvca,  one  of 
Julius  Cfcsar’s  moncyers. 

PAXS.  AVGVSTI. — This  old-fashioned  mode 
of  writing  the  word  pax,  which  presents  itself 
on  a second  brass  of  Galba,  is  quite  unusual  as 
respects  the  period  of  that  Emperor’s  reign. — 
The  accompanying  type,  viz.,  a woman  apply- 
ing a lighted  torch  to  a pile  of  arms,  occurs  for 
the  first  time  on  this  coin  ; but  is  found  repeated 
afterwards  in  the  Imperial  series,  on  medals  of 
Vitellius,  Vespasian,  Domitian,  etc. 

PAXj  WGusti  also  appears  on  a coin  of 
Aemilianus. 

Pax  Julia,  a city  of  Lusitanian  Spain,  and 
according  to  Pliny  a Roman  colony  (Colonia 
Pacensis). — Vaillant,  in  describing  the  coins  of 
the  municipium  Ebora,  quotes  the  above  autho- 
rity for  including  Pax  Julia  amongst  the  colonics 
of  Lusitania  (i.  p.  33),  but  he  gives  none  of  its 
medals. — Ilcunin,  however,  in  the  nomenclature 
of  his  Manuel,  mentions  it  as  the  modern 
Badajoz,  and  assigns  to  it  colonial  imperial 
coins,  as  of  great  rarity,  and  inscribed  to  its 
founder  Augustus. — See  Akerman’s  Coins  of 
Hispania,  pi.  1,  No.  7,  p.  15. 

P.  BARCIN. — Pia  Barcino. — See  Bimard 
on  Jobert,  ii.  p.  232. 

P.  B.  G.  MAX.  Parthicux,  Britanicus, 
Gennanicus,  Maximus. — Caracalla  is  thus  sur- 
uamed  on  a first  brass  of  Laodicea  in  Syria, 

viz.,  M.  AVREL.  ALiTONINVS  P1VS  AVG.  P.  B.  G. 
MAX. 

P.  B.  M.  V.  N.  R.  P.  on  coins  of  Constantine 
the  Great,  of  which  letters  a doubtful  explana- 
tion is  given  by  Bimard  in  his  notes  on  Jobert, 
vol.  ii.  p.  192. 

P.  BRIT.  Pius  Britannicus. — Commodus  is 
thus  surnamed  on  a coin  struck  a.d.  184. 

P.  C.  Pro  Consul. — m.  avr.  cot.  p.  c. 
Marcus  Aurelius  Cotta  Pro  Consul. 

P.  C.  CAES,  or  CAESAR.  Pater  Caii 
Crrsaris. — Gennanicus  was  thus  called  as  the 
father  of  Caligula. 

P.  CIR.  CON.  Plebei  Circenses  Consliluit, 
or  Popu/o  Circenses  Concessit. 

P.  C.  L.  VALERIANVS,  &c.  Publius  Cor- 
nelius Licinius  Valerianus. — See  Saloninus. 

P.  CONS.  AVG.  Patri  Conservatori  Augusti. 
— On  a coin  of  Gallienus. — See  libero,  &c. 

P.  D. — These  initials  appear  on  a second  brass 
of  Commodus,  fonning  the  first  letters  of  the 
legend  on  the  reverse  of  the  coins  thus : — p.  d. 
s.  p.  q.  r.  laetitiae.  c.  v.  (within  laurel.) 

Patin  ami  other  numismatists  have  supposed 
that  P.  D.  was  falsely  engraved  for  P.  P.,  and 
that  therefore  the  reading  should  be  Pater 
Pat 'rut ; but  Eckhel  has  shewn,  from  other 
coins  with  a similar  reverse  in  the  Imperial 


PEACOCK. 

cabinet,  that  P.  D.  is  the  right  reading ; and  that, 
meaning  primi  decennai.es,  it  serves  to  recall 
to  mind  the  vota  primi  decennates,  or  vows  for 
the  first  ten  years  of  the  Emperor’s  reign,  which 
were  solved  or  accomplished  in  the  year  (a.d.) 
186  when  the  medal  was  struck. — See  Eckhel, 
vol.  vii.  p.  116). 

P.  D.  Populo  Dedit,  or  Populo  Datum. 

Peacock. — A bird  originally  brought  into 
Europe  from  the  further  East,  and  which  the 
ancients  held  in  great  estimation.  It  is  re- 
lated of  Alexander  the  Great,  that  having  seen 
peacocks  for  the  first  time  in  India,  he  was  so 
much  struck  with  the  variety  and  beauty  of 
their  plumage,  that  he  forbade  killing  them 
under  the  heaviest  penalties. — The  Romans, 
however,  were  not  so  scrupulous,  but  made  them 
an  article  of  food  on  solemn  festivals,  and  gave 
great  prices  for  the  eggs  of  these  birds. — With 
Pagan  mythylogy,  the  peacock  is  connected 
by  the  well-known  story'  of  Argus,  to  whom 
Juno  confided  the  faithful  keeping  of  Jupiter’s 
favourite  Io,  under  the  form  of  a cow.  Mer- 
cury haring  first  lulled  to  sleep,  aud  then  slain, 
him  of  the  hundred  eyes,  Juuo  metamorphosed 
her  panoptical  watchman  into  a peacock , aud 
took  that  bird  under  her  especial  protection. 

Hence  the  peacock  w as  called  Junonia  Avis,  by 
the  Romans  ; and  we  see  its  image  on  their  coins, 
sometimes  as  the  symbol  or  attendant  of  Juno 
Regina,  at  others  as  the  attribute  of  an  Empress’s 
consecration. — See  aeternitas. — consecratio. 

Pavo. — The  peacock  at  the  feet  of  Juno  is 
seen  on  coins  of  Trajan,  Antoninus,  the  two 
Faustinas,  Lucilla,  Crispina,  Scautilla,  Julia 
llomna,  and  others  of  the  Imperial  series  down 
to  Severina. — See  ivno. 

The  peacock  is  also  the  type  of  conjugal  con- 
cord, because  Juno  was  feigned  to  preside  over 
marriages ; for  which  reason  it  appears  on  coins 
of  Julia,  the  daughter  of  Titus,  who,  haring 
abandoned  herself  to  marriage  with  her  uncle 
Domitian,  that  incestnous  tyrant  caused  a silver 
coin  to  be  struck  with  her  portrait  on  one  side, 
and  a peacock,  with  expanded  tail,  on  the 
other.  The  legend  of  the  reverse  is  concordia 
avgyst.  ; also  a gold  medal  with  divi  titi 
filia,  and  a peacock. 

The  peacock  marks  the  consecration  of  prin- 
cesses. It  is  never  the  symbol  of  the  consecra- 
tion of  princes;  though  the  eagle,  as  well  as 
the  peacock,  sometimes  serves  to  designate  the 
consecration  of  princesses,  as  may  be  seen  on 
medals  of  Plotina,  Marciana,  Sabina,  and 
Faustina  senior. 

As  the  eagle,  Jove’s  bird,  wras  appropriated 
to  the  Emperors  as  the  sign  of  their  consecra- 
tion after  death,  so  the  peacock,  Juno’s  bird, 
was  dedicated  to  the  apotheosis  of  their  wives. 
Hence  it  forms  the  type  of  a reverse,  on  various 
coins  of  the  Augusta  above-mentioned,  some- 
times with  tail  spread,  at  others  with  the  tail 
compressed ; and  sometimes  flying,  with  the 
figure  of  a woman  (or  the  spirit  of  the  Empress), 
seated  on  its  back,  as  on  coins  of  Faustina 
senior  and  junior,  Julia  Domna,  Julia  Maisa, 
Paulina,  Mariniana. 


PEDANIA.  615 

Pecunia. — Money  was  by  the  Latins  called 
pecunia,  cither  because  it  was  in  the  course  of 
commercial  exchanges  employed  in  lieu  of 
pecudes  (cattle) ; or  because  the  images  on  the 
earliest  coins  chiefly  related  to  some  sort  of 
pecus,  as  a bull,  a sheep,  a ram,  a horse,  a 
goat,  a sow,  or  other  animals. 

A writer  in  the  French  Transactions  philo- 
sophiques  (tom.  i.  2nde  partic,  p.  299)  observes — 
“ The  first  riches  of  mankind  were  their  flocks 
and  herds,  especially  their  oxen.  The  first 
money  in  Italy  was  called  pecunia  or  pecus,  and 
the  most  ancient  pieces  of  money  had  the  figure 
of  an  ox  stamped  on  one  of  its  sides.  The 
Greeks,  from  the  time  of  Homer,  calculated 
their  wealth  by  the  number  of  oxeu  to  which  it 
was  equivalent,  as  we  learn  from  that  celebrated 
poet ; for  he  tells  us  that  the  armour  of  King 
Glaucus  was  worth  a hundred  oxen,  whilst  that 
of  Diomede,  for  which  it  was  exchanged,  was 
not  valued  at  more  than  nine.  The  figure  of 
the  ox,  which  appears  on  the  earliest  money, 
seems  in  Etruria  to  have  been  converted  into 
the  symbol  of  the  head  of  that  animal,  united 
with  that  of  Janus,  who,  it  is  said,  was  the 
first  who  introduced  money  into  Italy.” 

PEDANIA,  a plebeian  family,  as  it  seems, 
for  its  origin  is  veiled  in  obscurity.  It  has  Costa 
for  its  surname. — Of  two  varieties,  in  silver, 
the  rarer  bears  on  one  side  costa,  leg.  A 
laurcated  female  head. — Rev.  brvtvs  imp.  A 
trophy. — From  this  denarius  nothing  else  is  to 
be  gleaned  but  that  a person  named  Costa 
adhered  to  Brutus  in  the  civil  war. 

Pedum,  the  pastoral  staff  of  Apollo,  with 
which  he  tended  the  flocks  of  Admetus.  This 
implement  was  of  knotted  w'ood,  crooked  at  the 
end,  in  order  to  entangle  the  legs  of  the  cattle 
and  sheep  that  endeavoured  to  escape,  and  to 
throw'  after  them  occasionally.  Hence  the  word 
pedum,  which  is  derived  from  pes,  the  foot.  As 
the  symbol  of  pastoral  life,  the  pedum  appears 
on  Roman  coins  in  the  hands  of  Atys,  of  Pan, 
and  of  deities  reduced  to  the  station  of  shep- 
herds, as  Apollo,  the  Fauns,  Satyrs,  Bacchants, 
also  the  muse  Thalia,  considered  as  the  Goddess 
of  Agriculture.  The  shepherd  Faustnlus,  who, 
according  to  the  Roman  legend,  found  Romulus 
and  Remus  suckled  by  the  wolf,  is  represented 
on  ancient  monuments  carrying  the  pedum, 
which  in  after  times  was  dedicated  to  sacred  uses, 
and  served  the  purpose  of  taking  the  auguries. 
In  the  religious  ceremonies  of  Pagan  Rome  it 
bore  the  name  of  liluus,  by  which  appellation 
was  also  distinguished  a military  wind  instrument 
which  was  crooked  in  like  manner  at  its  further 
extremity.  It  is  indeed  said  to  have  been  a 
questionable  point,  even  in  ancient  times,  which 
of  the  tw'o,  the  augural  staff  or  the  wind 
instrument,  had  given  its  name  to  the  other. 
Subsequently  the  lituus  became  the  sign  of 
augural  functions,  as  the  pedum  was  that  of 
pastoral  life.  Its  figure  is  found  on  the  most 
ancient  medals  struck  at  Rome,  not  only  as  a 
mark  of  the  augurship,  but  likewise  as  an  orna- 
ment of  the  Pontifex  Maximus.  It  is  on  this 
account  that  it  appeal's  on  coins  of  many  of  the 


616  PEGASUS. 

Emperors,  because,  amongst  other  offices,  they 
appropriated  to  themselves  the  sovereign  pontifi- 
cate. The  pedum  once  converted  into  the 
lituus,  and  used  as  an  instrument  of  divina- 
tion, was  employed,  as  before  observed,  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  the  auguries.  The  priest 
invested  with  this  office  divided  the  heavens 
into  as  many  regions  as  Romulus  had  par- 
titioned his  city,  and  drew  presages  of  signs 
which  lie  had  observed  there.  The  custom  of 
carrying  the  lituus  continued  till  the  total 
extinction  of  paganism,  and  it  is  seen  on  monu- 
ments coeval  with  the  period  when  Christianity 
was  greatly  extended.  Indeed,  there  is  no 
doubt  but  that  the  crosier  of  bishops  was  either 
borrowed  from  the  lituus  of  the  augurs,  or  was 
derived  from  the  form  of  the  pedum , which  is 
of  greater  antiquity. 

Pegasus,  the  celebrated  winged  horse,  sprung 
from  the  blood  of  Medusa.  Flying  to  Helicon 
he  struck  the  earth  with  his  hoof,  and  caused 
the  fountain  of  Hippocrene  to  flow.  Bellerophon 
afterwards  rode  him  in  his  combat  with  the 
Chimrera. 

Pegasus,  either  alone  or  with  his  rider 
Bellerophon — who  is  sometimes  fighting  with  a 
lion,  or  with  the  Chimera,  at  other  times 
performing  the  part  of  breaker  to  this  winged 
horse,  appears  on  the  Latin  coins  of  Corinth, 
with  the  inscription  CORINTHVS,  or  COL. 
L.  IVL.  COR. — or  it  is  found  with  the  words 
AVG.  and  FLAV.  added — namely,  COL onia 
haus  IVLra  AVG usta  FLAVia  COlUnthus. — 
See  Corint/ius  Colonia. 

Pegasus,  as  the  symbol  of  Apollo,  because 
he  gave  rise  to  the  Heliconian  fountain,  sacred  to 
the  nine  muses,  over  whom  the  God  of  Poetry 
aud  Song  presided,  occurs  on  coins  of  Valerianus 
and  Gallienus,  with  the  inscriptions  apollini 

CONS.  AVO. — SOLI  CONS.  AVG. — and  ALAC1UTATI. 

Pegasus,  sometimes  flying,  at  other  times 
walking,  occurs  on  coins  of  the  Aemilia, 
Ciecilia,  Maria,  Petronia,  Popilia,  Titia,  aud 
other  Roman  families. — Also  on  coins  of 
Augustus,  Claudius,  Nero,  Domitian,  Trajan, 
Hadrian,  L.  Vcrus,  Commodus,  Sept.  Severus. 

Pegasus  fly  ing,  with  Faustina  senior  on  his 
back,  appears  on  a cousccratiou  medallion  in 
brass  struck  in  honour  of  that  Empress,  under 
her  husband  Antoninus  Pius. — Vaillant  and 
Spanheim  both  recognise  the  coin  of  which  this 
fine  and  remarkable  design  forms  the  type  of 
the  reverse.  The  latter,  in  his  notes  on  the 
C'esars  of  Julian,  speaks  of  it  as  belonging 
to  the  French  King’s  Cabinet,  and  gives  an 
engraving  of  it  (p.  82)  with  the  following 
descriptive  remarks  : — “ This  beautiful  medallion 
represents  on  one  side  the  Emperor  Antoninus, 
and  on  the  other  the  consecration  of  his  wife 
Faustina,  symbolised  under  a type  of  great 
rarity,  representing  this  new  goddess  half  veiled, 
and  borne  to  heaven,  not  on  an  eagle,  but  on  a 
Pegasus.  And  this  mcdalliou  (adds  Spanheim) 
has  relation  to  auother  placed  at  the  head  of  the 
mcdallious  published  by  Cardinal  Carpegna, 
where  this  same  Faustina  is  represented  as 
carried  to  the  skies  on  a horse,  with  two  lighted  1 


PELLA. 

torches  in  her  hands : that  is  to  say,  under  the 
usual  figure  of  lliana,  or  Luna  Lucifera.” 

PELAG.  Pelagia. — Title  given  to  Venus. 

PELL.  Pella  in  Macedonia. — col.  ivl. 
avg.  pell.  Colonia  Julia  Augusta  Pella. — 
On  a colonial  coin  (3rd  brass)  of  Macrinus. 

Pella,  formerly  the  capital  and  metropolis  of 
the  third  region  of  Macedonia,  situate  (accord- 
ing to  Livy,  1.  xliv.  c.  6)  on  a mount  on  the  shore 
of  the  .'Egean  sea,  near  the  confluence  of  the 
rivers  Erigonus  aud  Axius. — Pella  was  the  birth- 
place of  Philip,  King  of  Macedon,  who  greatly 
augmented,  and  strongly  fortified  it.  As  a 
place  of  importance  it  was  so  much  regarded  by 
Julius  Cicsar  that  he  formed  it  into  a colony; 
and  for  the  security  of  the  proviuce  in  which  it 
was  situated,  Augustus  preserved  its  rights  and 
increased  its  population  with  discharged  veterans. 
To  this  circumstance  Lucan  (happily  quoted  by 
Spanheim)  alludes : — 

Exiguce  secura  fuit  Provincia  Pella. 

On  the  Imperial  coins  Pella,  in  reference  to 
its  founders,  is  ealled  IV  Lux  aud  AVG  usta. — 
The  coins  of  this  once  important  place  consist  of 
Autonomes  (Greek),  and  of  Colonial  lui]>crial, 
with  Latin  legends,  beginning  with  Hadrian 
and  finishing  with  Philip  the  younger,  including 
Caracalla,  Macrinus,  Elagabalus,  Alexander 
Severus,  Julia  Mamma,  Maximinus,  Maximus, 
and  Gordianus  Pius. 

The  following  are  the  types  of  this  colony, 
as  given  in  Vaillant : — 

On  second  and  small  brass  of  this  colony, 
inscribed  to  Hadrian,  to  Macriuus,  and  to 
Gordianus  III.,  the  reverse  exhibits  the  figure 
of  a young  man,  sitting  naked  on  a rock,  having 
his  right  hand  lifted  over  his  head,  and  his  left 
elbow  resting  on  musical  reeds,  or  Pan’s  pipes. — 
Pellerin  supplies  a coin  of  Pella,  dedicated  to 
Maximus  Caesar,  which  Vaillaut  omits,  and 
which  exhibits  the  same  type  ou  its  reverse. — 
See  Melange,  i.  pi.  xx.  No.  2. 

A second  brass  of  Pella,  struck  uuder  Alex. 
Severus,  presents  the  same  figure  of  a naked 
man,  sitting  ou  a rock,  with  his  right  hand  over 
his  head ; but  in  this  instance  he  holds  the 
pedum  (or  shepherd’s  crook)  in  his  left  hand, 
and  the  fistula  or  pipe  of  reeds  appears  before 
him  in  the  field  of  the  coin. 

Pellerin  supplies  a coiu  of  this  colony,  struck 
under  Maximus,  of  whom,  as  well  as  of  his  son 
Maximus,  Vaillant  has  failed  to  give  any  medals. 
— col.  ivl.  avg.  peli.a.  A female  figure 
seated  on  a rock,  on  which  she  rests  her  left 
hand  ; she  lifts  her  right  baud  to  her  mouth. 

[Spanheim,  in  his  notes  on  the  G tsars  of 
Julian  (p.  160),  cites  this  colonial  medal  of 
Pella,  and  refers  to  the  figure  sitting  on  a rock, 
as  allusive  to  the  fart  of  its  being  a city  built  on 
a hill. — Scguin  regards  it  as  a wrestler,  the 
victor  at  some  athletic  games,  who  is  placing 
the  crown  he  has  won  on  his  own  head. — Others, 
amongst  whom  is  Eckhel  himself,  seem  to  con- 
sider the  figure  to  be  intruded  for  Pan,  and 
Mionnet  adopts  that  designation. — On  the  other 
hand,  Vaillaut,  throughout  his  various  notices 


PELLA. 

of  the  same  type,  as  it  occurs  successively  under 
Hadrian,  Macrinus,  Alex.  Severus,  and  Gordian 
III.,  argues  that  it  is  meant  for  Apollo,  in  his 
pastoral  capacity  (as  God  of  Shepherds),  crown- 
ing himself  after  his  victory  over  the  unfortunate 
Marsvas,  who  had  daringly  provoked  this  vin- 
dictive and  merciless  deity  to  a trial  of  musical 
skill,  and  that  his  left  arm  is  resting  on  the  pipe 
of  the  satyr,  as  the  trophy  of  his  triumph. — 
In  confirmation  of  this  opinion,  Vaillant  adds 
that  according  to  Goltzius  (in  Gracia  minimis ), 
the  inhabitants  of  Pella  represented  Apollo  on 
their  coins,  with  the  tripod  and  a crown  of 
laurel,  whence  it  is  inferred  that  he  was  wor- 
shipped there.] 

On  coins  of  Caracalla,  and  also  on  one  dedi- 
cated to  Julia  Mam.ca,  appears  a woman  clothed 
in  a tunic,  sitting ; she  seems  to  be  lifting  her 
right  hand  up  to  her  face,  whilst  her  left  hand 
falls  at  case  beside  her  chair.  The  legend  of 
this  reverse  is  c.  iv. ; in  others  col.  ivl.  avg. 
pella.  Colnnia  Julia  Augusta  Pella. 

[This  is  the  Genius  Urbis,  seated  in  the 
attitude  which  Security  is  made  to  assume  on 
coins  of  Roman  die ; a security  that  belongs  to 
a city  built  upon  a hill.] 

On  a small  brass  of  Macrinus,  bearing  the 
legend  of  that  colony,  Victory  seated  on  the 
spoils  of  war,  holds  a stylus  in  her  right  hand, 
and  with  her  left  supports  a shield,  which  rests 
on  her  knee. 

[This  type  refers  to  the  Parthian  war : that 
war  having  been  brought  to  an  end,  and  peace 
made  with  the  Parthians  by  Macrinus,  we  see 
Victory  seated. — The  Roman  Senate  had  decreed 
sacrifices  to  Macrinus  on  account  of  the  alleged 
victory,  and  offered  him  the  surname  of  Parthicus, 
which,  however,  he  did  not  accept.  The 
Pellenscs  have  here  intimated  the  compliment  to 
the  short-lived  and  intrusive  emperor.] 

There  was  another  city  called  Pella,  situate  on 
the  JiecapoHs  of  Syria,  which  is  said  to  have 
struck  some  coins  with  Greek  inscriptions,  under 
Commodus  and  Elagabulus.] 

Pelliculati  Numi. — See  Numi  PelHculati. 

Pellis  Caprina. — The  goat’s  skin  covers  the 
head  of  Juno  Sospita. — See  the  word. 

Pellis Leonina. — The  lion’s  skin,  which  appears 
so  oftin  on  ancient  coins,  not  only  indicates  the 
valour  aud  strength  of  Hercules,  as  he  is  sup- 
posed to  be  going  forth  invested  with  the  skin, 
but  it  was  also  the  distinguishing  mark  of  the 
Heraclidse,  and  of  other  Kings;  such, for  example, 
as  those  of  Macedonia,  who,  like  Amyntas, 
Philip,  and  Alexander  the  Great,  arrogating  to 
themselves  the  honour  of  being  descendants  of 
the  renowned  Alcides,  imitated  his  attribute  by 
placing  the  spoils  of  the  Neinieau  lion  on  their 
coins. 

In  the  same  spirit  of  imitation,  but  with 
infinitely  less  pretension,  that  gladiatorial  ruffian 
of  the  empire,  Commodus,  calling  himself  the 
Homan  Hercules,  caused  his  numismatic  por- 
traits to  be  decorated  with  the  exuvia  leonis. 

Peloponnesus,  a fertile  peninsula,  pleuteously 
flowing  with  all  things  needful  to  man’s  subsist- 
ence and  convenience;  its  most  ancicut  name 

4 K 


PENATES.  6I7 

was  Aeyialea , which,  derived  from  Aegialus, 
it  retained  till  the  time  of  Pelops,  a Phygian 
by  birth,  who  having  ascended  the  throne  of 
this  country,  called  this  celebrated  part  of 
Greece  after  his  own  name.  It  is  united  to 
the  northern  regions  of  Greece  by  the  Isthmus 
of  Corinth,  and  is  washed  by  five  seas — viz.,  the 
Ionian,  the  Siculan,  the  Cretan,  the  iEgaean, 
aud  the  Myrtoan,  which  from  the  advantages 
they  offer  for  navigation,  give  it  a local  superi- 
ority over  the  other  Greek  provinces.  For  coins 
struck  in  the  Peloponnesus,  by  Roman  colonists, 
under  the  Emperors,  see  corinthvs  and 

PATRAE. 

Pella,  a short  buckler  or  shield,  the  use  of 
which  is  traditionally  ascribed  to  the  Amazons, 
and  also,  with  more  authenticity,  to  the  warriors 
of  Thrace ; but  the  latter  differs  from  the  former 
in  having  two  sloping  indentations.  On  medals 
aud  monuments  the  Pelta  of  the  Amazons  is  in 
the  form  of  a half-moon. 

Penates. — What  these  were  is  perspicuously 
shown  by  Millin  in  his  Dictionaire  de  la  Fable. 
— According  to  Servius,  it  wras  a title  given  to 
all  deities  who  wrere  worshipped  privately  and  at 
home  (qui  donii  coluntur).  Cicero  (de  Nat. 
Deor.  ii^l  says  the  Penates  are  so  called  sire  a 
penu  ducto  nomine,  est  enim  omne,  quo 
vescuntur  homines,  penus ; or  because,  penitus 
insident,  they  rest  in  the  inmost  and  most 
secure  part  of  the  family  dwelling. 

These  domestic  gods  are  sometimes  confounded 
with  the  Lares  and  Genii,  but  they  are  still  more 
frequently  distinguished  the  one  from  the  other. 
It  was  permitted  by  the  religion  of  the  Romans 
for  each  individual  to  choose  his  Penates ; thus 
sometimes  Jupiter,  and  oftencr  Vesta,  with  other 
deities  of  the  heavens,  the  earth,  the  water,  and 
the  infernal  regions,  were  selected  for  household 
worship.  Even  living  Emperors,  and  a man’s 
own  ancestors  were  allowed  to  be  amongst  the 
number  of  these  Penates,  and  the  last-mentioned 
case  was  the  most  common  of  all. — The  origin, 
indeed,  of  this  species  of  devotion  was  founded 
on  the  opinion  entertained  by  that  most  super- 
stitious people,  that  the  manes  of  their  forefathers 
delighted,  after  their  removal  from  this  life,  still 
to  dwell  in  their  former  habitations,  where  not 
unfrequently  their  ashes  were  deposited,  and 
where  their  poi  traits  were  usually  preserved  in 
the  most  honourable  situations.  For,  after  having 
been  praised  whilst  living  as  illustrious  persons, 
they  became  gradually  the  object  of  homage  and 
respect  when  dead,  and  at  length  their  assistance 
was  implored,  aud  religious  rights  were  assigned 
to  be  paid  to  them.  The  statues  of  the  Penates 
were  consecrated  in  the  Penetralia,  or  most 
secret  apartment,  and  on  certain  occasions  were 
covered  with  festoons  of  garlic  and  poppies; 
wine  and  incense  likewise  were  offered,  and  some- 
times sheep  and  lambs  were  sacrificed  to  them. 
It  was  during  the  Saturnalia  that  the  festivals 
of  the  Lares  and  Penates  were  celebrated ; 
besides  which  a day  in  each  month  was  dedicated 
to  the  honour  of  these  domestic  gods.  The  zeal 
for  this  species  of  worship  sometimes  went  so 
far  that  they  were  feted  every  day.  Nero  is 


618  PENATES, 

recorded  to  have  forsaken  all  the  other  divinities 
for  the  sake  of  favourite  Penates.  The  figure 
of  these  deities  was  at  times  the  simple  repre- 
sentation of  some  god,  genius,  hero,  or  demi- 
god, or  in  short  of  some  celebrated  ancestor. 
They  were  often  represented  by  Panthean 
figures ; that  is  to  say,  such  as  bore  the  symbols 
of  many  divinities. — Eckhel  considers  them  to 
be  identical  with  the  Dioscuri  and  the  Caiiri. 

DEI  PENATES. — On  a coin  of  the  Julia 
family,  quoted  and  figured  by  Morcll,  appear 
two  juvenile  heads  jugated,  and  close  to  which 
is  the  foregoing  inscription,  clearly  shewing  that 
the  images  are  those  of  Penates. — See  Antia. 

On  a gold  coin  of  the  Sulpicia  family,  with 
the  inscription  l.  servivs  ryfvs,  occur  two 
juvenile  heads  laureated,  wearing  the  pileus,  and 
with  each  a star  over  him. — The  type  on  the 
reverse  of  this  denarius  exhibits  the  walls  of  a 
city,  whose  gate  is  inscribed  tvscvl. — A silver 
coin  of  the  same  family  has  two  young  heads  on 
the  obverse,  and  the  letters  d.  f.  p.,  that  is  to 
say  Dei  Penates. — On  the  reverse  of  this  silver 
coin,  which  is  inscribed  o.  svlpici  C.F.,  appear 
two  men,  in  military  habits,  standing  with  spears 
in  their  hands,  they  point  to  one  kneeling 
between  them  holding  a sow. — See  Scrofa. 

Eckhel,  in  commenting  on  the  reverse  of  the 
first  coin  inscribed  L.  servivs  rvfvs,  pronounces 
the  two  juvenile  heads  to  be  those  of  the  Dioscuri, 
as  plainly  bespoken  by  their  appearance  and 
attributes.  And  the  type  bears  reference  to  the 
following  historical  fact — viz.,  that  “ Servius 
Sulpieius,  a military  tribune,  being  invested 
with  considar  power,  in  the  year  v.C.  378,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  relief  of  Tusculum  with  an  army 
from  Rome,  and  obliged  the  Latins  to  raise  the 
siege  of  that  place.  Now  it  appears  from  Cicero 
that  the  temple  of  Castor  and  Pollux  stood  in 
Tusculum,  and  Festus  also  states  that  Castor 
was  worshipped  in  that  town. — Therefore  (adds 
Eckhel),  not  only  the  two  deities  who  were 
anciently  honoured  with  especial  worship  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Tusculum,  but  the  walls  of  the 
town  itself  are  exhibited  on  this  superlatively 
rare  and  curious  gold  coin.” 

1’ENTESlLEiE  ACHILLIS,  on  a contorniate 
medal  of  Trajan. — See  Eckhel,  vol.  viii.  p.  287  ; 
and  Havercamp,  De  Num.  Contor.  p.  115. 

Penetrate. — The  ancient  Romans  called  by 
this  name  a small  apartment  in  their  houses, 
which  they  dedicated  as  a private  chapel,  to 
the  Penates ; it  was  a sacred  and  retired  spot, 
in  which  they  deposited,  as  in  a secret  and  sure 
asylum,  whatever  they  held  most  precious. 

" Peplus,  a long  robe,  clothed  in  which  Minerva 
appears  on  coins : it  is  a garment  much  celebrated 
by  poets  and  mythologists ; and  was  worn  by 
honourable  matrons  at  Rome  whenever  they 
went  into  public. 

PER.  Periodicum. — cer.  per.  Certamen 
Periodicum. — Rejecting  ns  incorrect  interpreta- 
tions both  the  Certamen  Periodicum  of  Yaillant, 
and  the  Certamen  Perpetuum  of  llarduin, 
followed  by  Jobcrt,  the  Baron  Biinard  adopts 
the  opinion  of  bis  contemporary  Iselin,  of  the 
French  Academy,  who,  in  a dissertation  on  this 


PERMISSU. 

point,  has  shewn  that  by  cer.  per.  is  to  he 
understood  CER tamen  PER iodicum,  that  is  to 
say,  games  at  which  were  united  all  the  different 
kinds  of  combats  and  gymnastic  exercises  prac- 
tised in  the  (our  grand  spectacles  of  Greece.  To 
thesewere  given  the  name  of  certamen  periodicum, 
because  to  conquer  at  the  Pythian,  Isthmian, 
Nemrean,  and  Olympic  games  was  denominated 
Vi uav  ttjp  irtploSov. 

PER.  or  PERM.  Permissu,  by  the  Per- 
mission.— This  marks  the  privilege  of  striking 
coins  granted  by  Augustus  to  any  municipium 
or  colony. — per.  avg.  Permissu  Augusti  (by 
permission  of  the  Emperor),  occurs  on  medals 
of  the  municipium  Ita/icu,  in  llispania  Bietira 
(Southern  Spain). — imp.  caesaeis  avg.  per. 
On  a coin  of  Patricia  (Cordova)  in  the  same 
province.  * 

PER.  A.  or  PERPET.  Perpetuus  Augus- 
tus. Perpetual  Emperor. — Also  Perpetuo — as 
CAESAR  Dictator  PER petuo,  on  coins  of 
Julius  Caesar. 

PER.  Persicus. — exercitvs  per.  on  a 

coin  of  Probus. 

PER.  Pertinax. — severvs  per  avg. — See 

Sept.  Secerns. 

PER.  or  PERP.  AVG.  Perpetuus  Augustus, 
as  on  coins  of  Gal.  Maximianus.Constantiiiusjun., 
and  Juliau  the  Apostate  ; also  Zeno  and  I'ocas. 

PERG.  Pergaea. — Diana  was  thus  called, 
from  the  city  of  Perga,  in  Pamphylia,  where 
there  existed  a temple  of  that  goddess,  to  which 
the  privileges  of  a sanctuary  were  attarhed. — 
A silver  medallion  of  Trajan  bears  on  its  re- 
verse the  date  of  cos.  II.,  and  has  for  its  type 
a statue  of  Diana,  of  Perga,  within  a temple : 
on  the  frieze  of  which  is  inscribed  diaxa  perg. 

PERM.  IMP.  Permissu  Imperatoris,  on 
coins  of  the  Corinthians,  to  whom  the  privilege 
of  coining  money  together,  with  the  liberty  of 
the  province  (tibertas  prorincia),  seems  to 
have  been  extended  by  Vespasian,  inasmuch  as 
there  are  coins  which  signify  that  this  privilege 
had  been  restored  to  the  colony  of  Corinth,  by 
Domitian  his  son.  Hence,  iu  Morell,  we  read 
on  their  coins  cor.  perm.  imp. 

PERM1SSV. — After  Augustus  had  given  up 
the  brass  mint  to  the  Senate — a shadow  as  it 
were  of  Roman  liberty,  that  body  granted  the 
power  of  coining  to  errtain  cities  in  those  pro- 
vinces which  remained  under  its  authority,  as 
Augustus  did  to  those  whose  government  he  still 
retained.  Some  coins  are  inscribed  as  having 
been  struck  by  permission  of  the  pro-consul 
(Morcll,  Fam.  p.  32) — an  instance  of  this  is 
found  on  a coin  bearing  the  head  of  Tiberius, 
and  inscribed  permissv  doi.abeli.ae  procos. — 
And  on  another,  bearing  the  head  of  Dmsns, 
son  of  Tiberius,  with  the  inscription  permissv 
l.  a pros  I procos  ill. — Thus  we  see  that  even 
a simple  magistrate,  governing  one  of  the  pro- 
vinces, of  which  the  Emperor  had  left  the 
administration  to  the  Senate  and  to  the  Roman 
people,  sometimes  gave  these  sorts  of  per- 
missions : examples  of  the  kind  are  to  be  found 
on  medals  struck  in  the  cities  of  Aehaia,  and  of 
Africa. — Dimaid,  i.  210,  _ 


PERPETUETAS. 

PERP.  Perpetuus. — cens.  peep.  Censor 
Perpetuus.  This  abbreviation  appears  frequently 
on  the  medals  of  Doinitian. — imp.  peep.  Im- 
perator  Perpetuus  occurs  on  coins  of  Alexander 
Severus,  and  of  Probus. 

PERPETVETAS  (sic). — This  epigraph 
occurs  for  the  first  time  ou  a silver  coin  of 
Valentinian  II.  But  though  the  legend  is  new, 
the  accompanying  type,  which  is  a phoenix 
radiated,  standing  on  a globe,  is  by  no  means 
an  unusual  mark  of  eternity,  or  symbol  of  ages. 
Still  there  is  this  novelty  as  respects  the  type 
itself,  that  it  forms  the  sole  instance  in  which 
Perpetuitas  unites  itself  on  the  same  medal  with 
the  phoenix. 

PEKPETVITAS  AVG.  or  AVGG.  (the  im- 
mortality of  the  Emperors)  appears  on  coins  of 
Gallienus,  FI.  Severus,  Florianus,  Probus,  Carus, 
and  others ; but  the  type  is,  on  all  these,  a 
woman,  who  stands  holding  a globe  and  spear, 
and  resting  her  elbow  on  a column. 

PERPEl'VA  CONCORDIA.  On  a silver 
coin  of  S.  Severus,  bearing  the  portraits  of 
Caraealla  and  Geta.— This  epigraph  also  appears 
on  the  reverse  of  a most  rare  and  elegant  gold 
coin  of  Sept.  Severus,  which  exhibits  all  the 
heads  of  himself  and  family ; viz.,  the  Emperor 
and  his  wife  Julia  on  one  side,  and  their  two 
sons,  Caraealla  and  Geta,  on  the  other.  There 
seems  no  doubt  but  that  this,  and  three  other 
gold  and  silver  medals  offering  a similar  union 
of  portraits  of  the  reigning  house,  were  struck 
in  that  period  of  S.  Severus’s  life  (about  a.d. 
201),  when  he  was  in  Syria,  occupied  with  the 
affairs  of  the  East,  and  when  he  gave  the  toga 
viri/is  to  his  ferocious  first-born,  Caraealla. — 
With  respect  to  the  legend,  unless  “ the  wish” 
rather  than  the  fact  be  taken  as  “father”  to 
the  phrase,  nothing  could  be  less  veracious  ; for 
perpetual  discorA,  mutual  hatred,  and  sanguinary 
dissection  were  the  real  characteristics  of  that 
ambitious  and  ill-governed  house — the  Imperial 
familv  of  Severus. 

PERPETVA  VIRTVS.— A military  figure, 
with  spear  and  buckler,  marching. — In  the 
exergue,  s.  T.  Ou  second  brass  of  Constantinus 
Magnus. 

PERPETVA  VIRTVS  AVG.— The  Emperor 
on  horseback,  preceded  by  a foot-soldier.  On 
gold  of  Licinius. 

PERPETVO!  was  a form  of  acclamation 
addressed  by  the  soldiers  and  people  to  their 
Emperors. — According  to  Lampridius,  in  his 
Life  of  Alex.  Severus,  ou  the  inauguration  of  a 
new  Augustus , the  multitude  shouted  not  only 
Dii  te  servent,  but  also  Dii  te  perpetuent ! 

Perpetuus  Augustus. — Spanheim  alludes  to 
Trajan  and  Biinard  to  Nerva,  as  the  first  who 
added  this  emphatic  word  perpetuus  to  the 
Imperial  titles.  But  Eckhel  rejects  both  these 
authorities,  and  assigns  the  primary  assumption 
of  it  to  Probus. — pekpetvo  imp.  pbobo.  avg., 
with  the  helmeted  or  radiated  bust  of  Probus 
appears  on  third  brass  coins  of  that  Emperor  ; 
[on  the  reverse  eestitvtoe  okbis.] — Harduin, 
with  a degree  of  judgment  which  that  learned 
Jesuit  but  seldom  displays,  observes,  “that  the 
4 K 2 


PERSIA.— PERRUQUES  619 

appellation  Perpetui  Imperatoris,  thus  assigned 
to  Probus  as  the  highest  title  of  honour,  dearly 
teaches  us  that  not  all  the  Roman  Emperors 
were  perpetual  Emperors,  but  only  temporarily 
appointed  by  the  Senate.” 

Afterwards,  we  find  peep.  avg.  inscribed  on 
their  coins  by  the  sous  of  Constantine  the  Great. 
The  origin  of  this  epithet,  perpetuus , dates 
itself  from  a remote  period,  as  ou  coins  of  the 
earliest  princes  a boast  is  made  of  their  eternity, 
but  peepetvitati  avg.  occurs  frequently  from 
the  period  of  Alexander  Severus,  on  a single 
coin  of  whom  is  also  read  potestas  peepetva. 

PERS. — On  a consecration  medal  of  Carus 
is  read  the  surname  of  Persicus,  which  the 
biographer  of  that  Emperor  says  he  merited. — 

DIVO  CAltO  PEES1CO. 

Persia,  a region  of  Asia,  so  called  (according 
to  Stephauus)  from  Perse,  son  of  Medeas. — 
The  people  of  this  country — the  Persians — were 
noted  as  the  most  corruptly  addicted  to  luxiu-y 
and  pleasures. — Ptolemy  describes  the  geography 
of  Persia,  as  bounded  on  the  north  by  Media, 
on  the  west  of  Susiana,  on  the  east  by  the  two 
Carmania;,  on  the  south  by  the  Persian  Gulf. 
— As  the  empire  of  the  Persians  was  in  ancient 
times  celebrated,  so  to  this  day  it  is  an  important 
state,  and  includes  several  extensive  provinces, 
which  are  governed  in  our  age  by  the  Sop/iis, 
Kings  of  Persia. — Except  on  a coin  of  Philip 
senior,  uo  mention  is  made  of  the  Persians  on 
Roman  Imperial  medals. — See  pax  fvndata 
cvm  peesis. 

Perruques,  or  Wigs. — From  a learned,  ela- 
borate, and  comprehensive  historical  disserta- 
tion on  Perruques,  contained  in  M.  Millin’s 
Dictionaire  des  Beaux  Arts,  the  following  ex- 
tracts are  made,  as  applicable  to  the  connection 
of  the  subject  with  Roman  numismatics  : — 

“ The  custom  of  covering  the  head  with  false 
hair  (or  more  correctly  speaking  with  hair  of  its 
own  growth),  fixed  in  whatever  manner  it  might 
be,  is  traceable  to  a very  remote  antiquity — it  is 
a custom  which  prevailed  especially  amongst  the 
Greeks  and  the  Romans.  The  usage  is  to  be 
ascribed  not  less  to  necessity  than  to  luxury  and 
to  the  love  of  dress.  The  Romans  designated 
the  adornment  of  the  head  with  false  hair 
by  such  expressions  as  the  following : — Coma 
adulterina,  coma  apposita,  positi  capilli, 
galerus,  capillamentum,  reticulum.  They  had 
also  adopted  the  Greek  term  corgmbus. — 
Martial  uses  the  word  persona  capitis,  when 
speaking  of  what  the  French  call  perruques  and 
we  call  wigs. — The  commonest  denomination  of 
perruques,  with  the  Romans,  was  galerus,  a 
word  which  originally  meant  a bonnet  which 
went  circularly  round  the  head.  We  learn  from 
Suetonius  that  Domitian  was  entirely  bald  ; and 
yet  upon  all  his  medals  he  is  represented  with 
hair.  Now,  we  see  on  the  other  hand,  Julius 
Csesar  figured  on  many  medals  with  the  head 
bald,  but  having  a crown  of  laurel,  under 
which  this  defect  is  concealed.  It  is  therefore 
probable  that  Domitian  covered  his  baldness 
with  a species  of  perruque,  which  had  already 
become  common  enough  to  be  represented  on 


C20  PERRUQUES. — PERTINAX. 

medals  as  if  it  were  the  natural  head  of  hair.  | 
This  is  the  more  probable,  as  the  biographer  of 
that  emperor  says,  he  was  vexed  at  being  bald,  I 
and  never  liked  to  have  it  mentioned  to  him. — 
Domitian’s  head  of  hair,  as  we  observe  it  on  his 
medals,  has  the  form  of  a galerus,  rounded  and  j 
curled  with  so  much  care  and  art,  as  leaves  it 
necessarily  to  be  inferred  that  it  is  represented 
as  he  wore  it,  because  it  is  not  handsome  enough 
to  be  taken  for  an  ideal  head  of  hair,  and  it  is 
an  uudisputed  fact  that  Domitian  had  a bald 
head. — Suetonius  and  Plutarch  both  aflirm  that 
Galba  had  but  little  hair.  Upon  some  of  his 
coins  he  is  bald,  upon  others  he  is  figured  with 
hair.  It  seems  probable,  therefore,  that  some- 
times this  prince  wore  a wig. — The  Emperor 
Otho  constantly  wore  one,  which,  according  to 
Suetonius,  was  so  well  made,  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  distinguish  it  from  natural  locks. 

“ The  Roman  women  especially  took  great 
pains  with  the  coiffure , and  generally  wore 
veritable  wigs. — A passage  of  the  7th  chapter 
of  Tertullian’s  treatise,  de  cullu  feminarum, 
seems  to  indicate  that  in  his  time,  that  is  to 
say,  in  the  third  century  of  the  Christiau  sera, 
the  art  of  wig-making  had  already  arrived  at 
perfection.  By  the  same  passage  it  is  also 
shewn  that  the  name  of  galerus  was  given  only 
to  those  round  perniques  which  covered  the  to]) 
of  the  head,  or  which  surrounded  the  head,  and 
that  they  differed  from  the  corymbus,  which 
formed  a point,  or  cone. — Julia,  the  daughter 
of  Titus,  on  her  medals  has  a similar  corymbus. 
The  coins  struck  in  honour  of  the  Roman 
Empresses,  together  with  the  statues,  busts, 
intaglios,  and  other  works  of  antiquity,  which 
have  been  preserved  to  us,  in  the  various 
museums  of  Europe,  serve  to  make  us  acquainted 
with  the  various  ways  of  dressing  the  hair  in 
use  amongst  the  Roman  ladies.  But  it  is 
scarcely  possible  to  distinguish  with  precision 
the  natural  clievelure  from  that  which  repre- 
sents the  false  hair.  Some  marble  busts  of 
Roman  ladies,  which  have  a moveable  coiffure , 
prove  evidently  the  use  of  perruques  by  the 
women  of  Rome.  There  is  one  of  this  kind, 
representing  the  Empress  Lucilla,  and  greatly 
resembling  her  image  on  medals. — The  coiffure 
of  Plautilla,  wife  of  Caracalla,  is  clearly  a 
perruque,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  a bust  of 
Julia  Pia.” — See  Galerus. 

PERT.  Pertinax. — According  to  Orosius, 
Scptimius  Scvcms  was  desirous  of  being  called 
by  this  name,  after  that  of  the  Emperor,  w hose 
death  he  affected  to  avenge.  Hence  on  his  coins 
we  read  imp.  sev.  peut.  avo.  &c. 

PERTIN.  Pertinax.— Iterator  CAESar 
Publius  HELVuw  PERTINW  ANGustus. 

PERTINAX  (Publius 
SelciusJ,  the  son  of  a 
freedman  and  timber- 
merchant,  named  Ilelvius 
Suceessus,  was  born,  ac- 
cording to  Capitolinus, 
in  Villa  Mnrtis,  in  the 
Appcnuines;  according  to 
Dion,  at  Alba  Pompeia, 


PESCENNIUS  NIGER. 

a.d.  126. — Quitting  his  father’s  business,  he  first 
applied  himself  to  literary  pursuits, and  soon  after- 
wards adopting  the  military  profession,  he  dis- 
tinguished himself  in  Parthia,  Britain,  and 
Noricum  (part  of  Illyria).  For  his  good  con- 
duct he  was  placed  among  the  Senators  by 
Marcus  Aurelius,  then  the  pnetorship,  and  lastly 
the  consulate,  was  conferred  upon  him. — Recalled 
from  a distant  command,  under  Commodus,  he 
was  appointed  Prefect  of  Rome,  and  although 
he  discharged  the  duties  of  the  office  with  the 
strictest  integrity,  he  yet  succeeded  in  securing 
the  approval  of  that  worst  of  Emperors,  who 
even  chose  him  as  colleague  in  his  seventh 
and  last  consulate,  and  last  year  of  his  life. — 
In  the  year  of  Rome  945  (a.d.  192),  on  the 
night  when  Commodus  was  slain,  the  con- 
spirators, looking  round  for  an  able,  honest, 
sober-minded  man  to  fill  the  vacant  tbone,  fixed 
upon  Pertinax,  and  at  their  earnest  and  repeated 
persuasions,  he  reluctantly  accepted  the  fatal 
gift  of  supreme  power.  The  soldiers  elected 
him  by  acclamation  iu  their  camp,  and  the 
Senate  confirmed  their  choice  with  sincere 
felicitations.  To  restore  the  ancient  discipline, 
to  reform  the  morals  of  the  city,  to  bauish 
informers,  to  replenish  an  exhausted  treasury, 
and  iu  his  own  person  to  set  the  first  example  of 
frugality — were  objects  to  which  the  sexagenarian 
Emperor  was  intent  in  commencing  his  unwilling 
career  of  government.  But  it  was  these  very 
measures  for  the  public  good  that  brought 
upon  Pertinax  the  furious  displeasure  of  the 
Praetorians,  whom  the  intemperate  liberalities 
of  Commodus  had  rendered  impatient  of  all 
restraint.  A hastily  assembled  troop  of  these 
military  debauchees,  rushed  into  the  palace,  and 
seizing  upon  the  virtuous  and  unsuspecting 
prince,  slew  him  after  a reign  of  ouly  87  days, 
in  the  66th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a vcuerable 
looking  old  man,  with  flowing  beard  and  thick 
hair  turned  back — a character  honest,  just,  and 
virtuous.  The  people  and  senate  lamented  his 
death,  and  distinguished  his  funeral  with  the 
deifying  rites  of  cousecration. — Scvcrus  also, 
after  Didius  Jidianus  had  been  also  removed  by 
I a violent  death,  paid  a tribute  to  the  virtues,  in 
assuming  the  name,  of  Pert  ih  ax,  and  by  dedi- 
cating other  honours  to  bis  memory. 

The  coins  of  Pertinax,  in  each  metal,  arc 
very  rare.  The  large  brass  arc  especially  so, 

' and'  the  gold  and  silver  hardly  otherwise.  As 
this  Emperor  reigned  only  four  months,  4 affiant 
! finds  no  medals  struck  byT  the  colonics  to  his 
honour. — The  head  of  Pertinax  on  his  Latiu 
i coins  is  circumscribed — imp.  CAES.  P.  helv. 
pekt.  (or  pehtin.  or  pektinax.)  avo. — Also, 
struck  after  his  death,  Divvfc  pebt.  pivs 
pater.,  with  the  usual  symbols  of  consecration. 

PES  or  l’ESV.  Pesucius — A prcnoinen  of 
Tctricus  senior. — imp.  c.  c.  pesv.  tetuicvs. 

l’ESC.  N1G.  J’escennius  Niger. 

l’E.  S.  C.  on  a denarius  of  Lcutulus,  which 
letters  Manutius  has,  from  ancient  inscriptions 
interpreted — Publico  Aere,  Senatus  Consulto. 

Pescennius  Niger  (Cuius)  was  descended 
from  a family  that  originally  belonged  to 


PESCENNIUS  NIGER.  PETILLIA. — PETRONIA.  C21 


Aquinum  (now  Aquino).  His  parents,  Annins 
Fuscus  and  Lampridia, 
were  of  the  middle  class. 
After  discharging  in  a 
laudable  manner  various 
military  offices,  he  was 
declared  Consul  by  Corn- 
modus,  and  at  length  was 
appointed  to  the  command 
of  the  Syrian  army. — On 
the  death  of  Pertinax,  and  the  execrable  pur- 
chase of  the  empire  by  Didius  Julianns,  tbe 
troops  of  Niger  immediately  invested  him  with 
the  purple,  in  the  year  of  Rome  946  (a.d.  193). 
He  was  a man  conversant  with  every  important 
branch  of  public  affairs,  eminently  skilled  in  the 
art  of  war,  and  a great  disciplinarian ; but 
ferocious  in  his  manners,  and  given  to  the 
unbridled  indulgence  of  a libidinous  disposition. 
— Septimius  Scvcrus  made  war  upon  him,  as 
against  a public  enemy,  and  routed  his  forces  in 
several  engagements.  Pescennius  finally  took 
refuge  at  Antioch,  where,  whilst  endeavouring 
to  conceal  himself,  he  was  discovered  by  some 
of  Scverus’s  soldiers,  and  put  to  death  in  the 
58th  year  of  his  age,  a.d.  195. 

The  extreme  rarity  of  Pescennius  Niger’s 
coins  is  a fact  known  to  all  numismatists. — 
Eckhel,  in  his  animailversio  on  the  Latin  coins 
of  this  brief  reign,  says  : — 

“ All  the  medals  of  Pescennius , even  those 
wrought  after  the  manner  of  the  Roman  mint, 
are  certainly  of  foreign  fabric,  and  were  doubt- 
less struck  at  Antioch,  that  being  the  capital 
city  of  the  region,  in  which  he  fixed  the  scat  of 
his  temporary  government.  For  at  the  time 
when  he  usurped  the  purple  in  the  East,  Didius 
Julianus,  and,  presently  after,  Sevcrus  held 
possession  of  Rome,  by  whom,  although  the 
senate  and  people  might  have  been  well  affected 
to  his  cause,  either  he  was  not  acknowledged 
as  an  associate  in  the  empire,  or  what  happened 
at  a later  period,  he  was  denounced  as  an  enemy. 
This  is  the  reason  why  no  brass  coins  of 
Pescennius  struck  (ex  s.  c.)  by  order  of  the 
Senate  are  extant ; and  if  you  happen  to  light 
upon  any  pretending  to  be  such,  you  may  con- 
demn them  at  once  as  unworthy  of  credit.  As, 
however,  the  gold  and  silver  coinage  belonged 
of  right  to  the  Emperors,  and  as,  in  what- 
ever part  of  the  world  they  seized  upon  the 
imperial  sceptre,  it  was  their  practice  to  coin 
money  instantly  in  token  of  their  power  (a 
palpable  instance  of  which  we  see  in  the  case 
of  Vespasian),  so  following  the  same  example 
Pescennius  issued  gold  and  silver  coins  stamped 
with  his  image.”  After  remarking  that  a gold 
medal  of  Pescennius  hitherto  unique  had  been 
found,  with  the  inscription  of  Concordia,  and 
that  all  the  rest  bearing  Latin  legends  are 
silver,  and  of  the  greatest  rarity,  and  conse- 
quently of  the  highest  price,  the  illustrious 
numismatist  above  quoted,  concludes  his  ani- 
madveision  by  saying — “ Re  it  observed  that  all 
these  coins  are  of  very  inferior  workmanship, 
the  letters  of  the  inscription  often  vilely  dis- 
torted and  disjointed,  whence  their  foreign  origin 


may  at  once  be  inferred ; a circumstance  to  be 
borne  in  mind,  lest  on  account  of  the  ill- 
favouredness  of  their  appearance,  we  should 
undeservedly  impute  a spurious  origin  to  the 
medal  itself.” 

Style: — IMP.  CAES.  PESC.  NIGER.  IVST.  or 
1VSTYS. — IMP.  CAES.  C.  PESCEX.  NIG.  IVS.  AVG. 

“ His  brass  coins  (says  Akerman)  have  Greek 
legends ; and  although  there  are  many  types, 
are  all  very  rare.  The  unique  gold  coin  (alluded 
to  by  Eckhel)  was  formerly  in  the  cabinet  of 
the  French  King.  It  has  been  considered 
dubious  by  most  medallists,  on  account  of  the 
title  “ Pater  Patriae,”  which  it  • bears  on  the 
reverse;  and  which  Niger  could  not  have  re- 
ceived from  the  Senate  of  Rome.  This  coin 
unfortunately  formed  part  of  the  recent  plunder 
of  the  Flench  cabinet,  and  has,  in  all  pro- 
bability, been  consigned  to  the  crucible.” — 
(Descriptive  Cat.  vol.  i.  p.  333.) 

The  illustration  selected  above  is  from  a fine 
denarius  in  the  British  Museum. 

The  only  colonial  coins  struck  in  honour  of 
Pescennius,  during  his  reign  of  a year  and  a half, 
were  those  of  Ccrsarea  and  Aelia  Capitolina , 
which  indicate  that  his  authority  did  not  extend 
beyond  Syria  and  Palestine. 

Petasus,  Mercury’s  cap,  with  tw'o  wings. — 
Sec  Mercury. 

PETILLIA,  a plebeian  family — surname 
Capilo/inus.  Its  coins  (which  are  rare)  consist 
of  two  varieties  ; one  denarius  bears  on  its  obverse 
CAPlTOLiNvs,  with  the  head  of  Jupiter,  and  on 
its  reverse  petillivs,  with  a temple  of  five 
columns.  [See  engaving  p.  171.]  The  other  has 
on  one  side  petii.livs  capitolinvs.  An  eagle 
standing  on  a thunderbolt.  Pev.  A temple  of 
six  columns  richly  adorned  with  statues. 

“ M hatever  might  have  been  the  reason  why 
the  Petillii  took  the  cognomen  of  Capitolinus, 
certain  it  is  (says  Eckhel)  that  the  type  as 
well  of  Jupiter  Capitolinus,  as  of  the  temple, 
refers  to  that  cognomen. — At  a subsequent 
period,  some  individual  of  the  same  family,  being 
curator  of  the  Capitoline  temple,  is  said  by 
Horace  to  have  pilfered  various  precious  things 
therefrom : — 

Mentio  si  qua 
De  Capitolini  furtis  injecta  Petilli 
Te  coram  fuerit. 

Lib.  i.  Sat.  iv.  1.  93. 

PETRONIA,  a Roman  family,  which  although 
of  the  plebeian  order,  was  of  consular  rank,  and 
of  the  most  ancient  date,  for  it  was  noted  as  early 
as  the  reigns  of  the  Tarquins,  and  had  a Sabine 
origin.  Its  only  surname  on  coins  is  Turpilianus. 
P.  Petronius  Turpilianus  was  monetary  triumvir 
under  Augustus,  whose  head  or  epigraph  appears 
ou  all  the  coins  of  this  family,  which  are  rare 
both  in  silver  and  gold,  and  present  nineteen 
varieties.  The  types  allude  to  Petronius  him- 
self, or  they  are  occupied  in  celebrating  certain 
deeds  of  Augustus ; as  in  those  which  repre- 
sent Armenia  kneeling — a Parthian  restoring 
standards — the  Emperor  borne  in  a biga  of 
elephants — and  other  similar  events  of  the  year 


622 


PETRONIUS  MAXIMUS. 


of  Rome  734. — Petronius  was  the  name  of  a 
pro-consul  of  Asia  under  Tiberius,  and  after- 
wards of  Syria  under  Claudius. 

FERON.  TVRPILLIANVS  IIIVIR.  Head 
of  the  Goddess  Feronia.— Rev.  CAESAR 
AVGVSTVS.  SIGNj'j  RECEPTm.  A Parthian 
kneeling,  offers  a military  ensign.  AV.  R. 

From  this  type  it  may  be  inferred  that 
Petronius  was  master  of  the  Imperial  mint 
when  the  Parthiaus  restored  to  Augustus  the 
Roman  eagles  they  bad  formerly  taken  from 
Crassus.  Feronia,  whose  head  appears  on  the 
obverse  of  this  denarius,  was  worshipped  as  a 
goddess  by  the  Sabines,  in  a city  of  the  same 
name,  situate  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Soracte. 
See  Feronia. 

Another  denarius  of  this  family  bears  on  its 
reverse  the  surname  of  tvrpillianvs  iiivik. 
(one  of  Augustus’s  moneycrs),  and  the  figure  of 
a woman  hall-buried  in  a heap  ot  shields. 
Here  we  have  a fresh  instance  of  a Sabine  type 
adopted  by  Petronius,  which  indeed  from  the 
birth-place  of  his  remote  ancestors  he  had  a 
right  to  make  choice  of.  Ihe  subject  shadowed 
forth  in  the  above  denarius,  is  the  well-known 
legend  of  Tarpeia,  the  virgin  daughter  of  Sp. 
Tarpeius,  who,  during  the  wrar  which  arose  out 
of  the  famous  rape  ot  the  Sabine  women,  com- 
manded the  citadel  of  Rome.  The  Roman 
maiden,  as  Livy  relates,  being  allured  by  the 
desire  of  possessing  the  bracelets  of  gold  which 
the  Sabine  soldiers  wore  on  their  arms,  engaged 
to  admit  them  into  the  fortress,  on  condition 
that  they  gave  her  what  they  had  on  their  left 
wrists  (meaning  the  bracelets).  And  the  Sabines 
were  as  good  as  their  word ; only,  instead  ot 
their  bracelets  (anniUse),  they  threw  upon  her 
the  shields  which  also  they  carried  on  their  lelt 
arms,  until  she  was  crushed  to  death  by  their 
overwhelming  weight. 

For  a medal  of  Petronius,  exhibiting  a Siren 


on  its  reverse,  see  the  word  Sirenes. 

PETRONIVS  MAXIMVS  (Flavius Anicius), 
a wealthy  senator  of  the  Anician  family,  who 
by  the  favour  of  Valentinian  III.,  had  risen 
to  be  patrician,  twice  consul,  and  three  times 
prsetorian  priefect ; but,  enraged  at  his  imperial 
benefactor’s  having  dishonoured  his  wife,  he  em- 
ployed assassins  to  destroy  him  a.d.  455.  He 
afterwards  seized  upon  the  empire,  and  com- 
pelled Licinia  Eudoxia,  widow  of  his  sovereign 
prince,  to  marry'  him.  She,  however,  to  avenge 
the  death  of  Yaleutinian,  and  in  resentment  of 
this  forced  union  with  her  husband  s murderer, 
invited  Geuseric  from  Africa  into  Italy ; and  on 
the  approach  of  that  Gothic  chieftain  to  Rome, 
Petronius  was  torn  to  pieces  in  an  insurrection 
of  the  people,  in  the  third  month  of  his 
usurpation. — There  are  no  brass  coins  of  this 
tyrant,  and  both  his  gold  and  silver  ones  are  of 
extreme  rarity.  On  these  he  is  styled  d.  n. 
PETRONIVS  MAXIMVS.  r.F.  Avo.  A beardless 
head,  crowned  with  an  impcarlcd  diadem. — On 
the  reverse  victoria  avo.  The  Emperor  hold- 
ing an  oblong  cross  and  treading  on  a dragon’s 
head.  The  coins  resemble  in  character  those  of 
Houorius  and  his  time. 


PHARETRA. 

P.  F.  Pia  Felix. — Pious,  happy,  a feminine 
title  of  honour  given  to  none  of  the  Roman 
Empresses  before  the  time  of  Theodosius  jun. 
Thus  Aetia  Eudoxia,  wife  of  that  Emperor, 
Licinia  Eudoxia,  wife  of  Valentinian  III., 
Galla  Placidia,  and  Honoria,  are  styled  P.  F. 
AVGorfa. 

P.  F.  Pia  Fidelis. — Pious,  faithful : epithets 
applied  on  coins  to  certain  Roman  colonies  and 
legions. 

P.  F.  Pius  Felix,  a frequent  abbreviation 
on  Imperial  medals. — Everyone  is  aware  that  the 
Emperor  Antoninus  was  distinguished  by  the 
surname  of  Pivs ; but  why  it  was  thus  formally 
appropriated  to  him  is  a point  on  which  opinions 
vary  ; whether  it  was  on  account  of  his  signal 
devotion  to  the  gods  of  his  religion,  as  Pau- 
satiias  hands  it  down,  or  rather  for  his  virtue  of 
clemency. 

P.  F.  Primus  Fecit. — He  did  such  and  such 
a thing  the  first,  sex.  noni.  pr.  l.  v.  p.  f. — 
Sec  Nonia  fam. 

P.  F.  Pui/ii  Fi/ius,  son  of  Publius  ; or  Pii 
Filia,  daughter  of  Pius  (viz.,  of  Antoninus 
Pius.) 

P.  11.  C.  Provincire  IHspania  Citerioris. — 
Of  the  province  of  hither  Spain  (i.e.  nearer  to 
Italy.) 

Phaeton,  son  of  Apollo  (or  the  Sun),  drawn 
in  a quadriga,  appears  on  a Corinthian  coin 
of  M.  Aurelius. — See  Vaillant,  in  Col.  vol.  i. 

p 181. 

Phaeton's  sisters  changed  into  larch-trees. — 
This  subject  is  found  coustautly  and  exclusively 
repeated  on  the  denarii  of  the  Accoteia  family ; 
on  one  side  of  which  is  the  effigy  of  Clymeue, 
with  the  epigraph  P.  accoleivs  i.akiscoi.vs  ; 
on  the  other,  the  three  sisters  metamorphosed, 
according  to  the  ancient  myth,  as  a consequence 
of  their  grief  for  the  loss  of  their  rash  brother. 

Pharetra,  the  quiver  or  case  for  arrows  and 
darts,  is  a frequent  type  on  coins  of  kings, 
cities,  and  people,  with  Greek  inscriptions.  It 
is  by  no  means  common  on  Roman  medals. 
Conjoined  with  the  bow  and  a tiara,  it  occurs 
on  coins  of  Augustus,  with  the  inscriptions 
ARMENIA  capta,  and  df.  PAHTHls  ; also  on  a 
brass  medallion  of  Hadrian,  without  legend, 
appears  a quiver  peudant  from  the  branch  of  a 
tree,  near  which  stands  Hercules,  holding  his 
club  and  lion’s  skin. — The  quiver,  according  to 
Vaillant,  was  dedicated  to  that  demi-god.  It 
appears  as  a mint-mark  on  coins  of  the  Julia 
and  other  Roman  families ; and  as  an  emblem  of 
Hercules,  on  coins  of  Postumus. 

Pharia  Isis,  or  as  on  coins  of  Jidian  the 
Apostate  it  is  written  Faria,  was  so  called 
according  to  Pliny,  from  Pharus,  in  Egypt,  an 
island  joined  by  a bridge  to  the  Roman  colony  of 
Alexandria.  Isis  here  means  the  protectress  of  the 
Pharus,  on  which  a light-house  was  built. — Isis 
is  fabled  to  have  been  the  daughter  of  Inachus, 
King  of  the  Argives,  and  to  have  been  trans- 
formed by  Jupiter  into  a cow ; and  having 
afterwards  been  restored  to  her  pristine  form 
was  made  a goddess,  and  adored  as  such  by  the 
Egyptians  above  all  other  divinities.  On  coins 


PHILIPPI. 

she  holds  in  her  right  hand  the  sistrum,  a 
musical  instrument  used  in  the  sacred  rites  qf 
this  favourite  divinity  of  Egypt ; whose  worse 
than  absurd — whose  grossly  indeceut — worship, 
the  above-named  imperial  philosopher  preferred 
to  the  pure  and  holy  religion  of  Christ ! — One 
or  two  of  the  Roman  Empresses  appear  on 
medals  under  the  figure  of  Isis. — See  Isis  Faria. 

Philippi,  in  Macedonia,  named  in  the  Acts 
of  the  Apostles  (c.  xvi.  v.  12)  as  “ a chief  city 
and  a colony,”  and  to  the  Christian  converts  in 
which  the  epistle  of  St.  Paul  was  addressed. 
Situate  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Pangreus,  it  wras 
originally  a part  of  Thrace,  under  the  name  of 
Crenides ; but  afterwards  became  annexed  to 
Macedonia,  and  was  then  called  after  his  own 
name  by  King  Philip.  Subsequently  it  was 
made  a Roman  colouy,  and  invested  with  the 
Jus  Italica.  Near  this  town  two  celebrated 
battles  in  the  civil  wars  of  Rome  were  fought, 
namely,  first  that  memorable  campus Philippicus, 
where  Pompev  w as  defeated  by  Julius  Ciesar,  aud 
afterwards  that  when  Brutus  and  Cassius  were 
vanquished  by  Octavius  and  Mark  Antony, 
memorable  events  to  which  Lucan  in  his  Phar- 
sa/ia  alludes  repeatedly;  and  which  are  re- 
corded by  other  poets  and  historians. 

It  was  Philip,  the  son  of  Amyntas,  wrho 
enlarged  the  city,  and  from  whom  it  derived  its 
name  of  Philippi.  By  this  appellation  it  is 
also  designated  on  its  imperial  coins,  with  the 
addition  of  surnames,  which  shew  it  to  have 
been  made  a colony  by  Julius,  and  to  have  been 
re-peopled  with  veterans  by  Augustus.  COL. 
ivl.  avo.  Philip. — The  scries  (a  very  much 
broken  one)  of  these  coins  extends  as  far 
(says  Rasche)  as  Caracalla.  Hennin  carries  it 
to  Gallienus.  The  modern  name  of  the  city  is 
written  Filippi. 

In  the  types  there  is  but  little  variety. — The 
first  colonial  imperial  medal  of  this  colouy  appears 
to  be  a second  brass  inscribed  to  Claudius,  and 
bearing  on  its  reverse  col.  ivl.  avg.  philipp. 
Colonia  Augusta  Julia  Philippensis.  Two 
figures  standing  on  a pedestal,  one  that  of  a 
man  clothed  in  military  habiliments,  with  right 
hand  elevated,  and  left  hand  placed  against  his 
side.  The  other  that  of  a woman  having  in  her 
right  hand  a crown,  which  she  from  behiud 
holds  over  the  head  of  the  male  figure.  On  ^hc 
pedestal  is  engraved  divvs  avg. 


Patin,  in  his  engraving  of  this  type,  has 
caused  both  figures  to  be  represented  in  the 
dress  of  warriors  (paludata),  lifting  up  each  his 


PHILIPPI.  623 

right  hand ; and  that  learned  numismatist  has 
pronounced  his  opinion  from  the  inscription  on 
the  pedestal,  that  the  images  of  Julius  Ciesar 
and  Augustus  are  therein  delineated. — Spanheim, 
in  his  Ccesars  of  Julian,  has  given  a similar 
representation  (p.  221),  and  although  at  first  of 
opinion  that  the  hinder  figure  was  that  of  a 
woman,  afterwards  adopted  Patin’s  sentiments. 
— But  Vaillant  affirms  that  on  the  above  coin  of 
Claudius,  as  well  as  on  others  inscribed  by  the 
Philippians  to  several  succeeding  emperors,  it  is 
constantly  a woman  who  holds  the  crown  over 
the  head  of  the  foremost  figure,  which  alone  is 
in  military  garments.  And  then,  observing 
that  the  title  diws  avg.  belonged  solely  to 
Augustus,  as  indeed  an  honour  of  deification 
awarded  to  him  after  death,  the  last-named 
writer  goes  on  to  express  his  decided  opinion 
that  the  type  in  question  represents  the  Genius 
of  the  city  crowuiug  the  image  of  Augustus, 
whose  statue  had  beeu  erected  in  the  public 
forum  of  Philippi,  in  gratitude  for  his  having 
re-established  and  greatly  favoured  that  colony. 
— [The  type  of  a Genius  placing  a crown  on 
the  head  of  an  Emperor  is  often  met  with  on 
Greek  coins.] — Ilardonin,  Havereamp,  and 
several  others  take  the  same  view  of  the  subject. 

Pellerin,  on  the  other  hand,  publishes  a 
second  brass  medal  of  Philippi,  which  he 
observes  was  unknown  to  any  of  the  above-men- 
tioned numismatists  (tom.  i.  Recueil  des 
Medailles,  p.  xiv.)  On  the  obverse  of  this  coin 
appears  the  laureated  head  of  Augustus,  with 
PHIL.  IVSSV.  AVG.  COL  AVG.  IVL. Rev.  DIVO. 

ivlio.  avg.  divi.  f.  Two  figures  standing 
on  a pedestal,  the  foremost  young  and  in  a 
military  dress  ; the  one  behind,  older,  and  in 
the  toga,  who  holds  his  right  hand  extended 
over  the  head  of  the  other.  Respecting  the 
figure  last-described,  Pellerin  says — “II  est 
indubitable  que  cette  figure  est  celle  de  Jules 
Cesar  designS par  son  nom  divo  ivlio,  inscrit 
derriere  lui;  comme  Auguste  est  pareillement 
designe  par  son  nom  avg.  divi.  f.  inscrit 
au-devant.” — The  same  judicious  author  adds, 
however,  that  this  medal  is  not  to  be  regarded 
as  laying  down  any  rule  for  the  explanation  of 
those  other  coins  which  have  on  the  pedestal 
diws  avg.,  but  on  those  of  this  kind  in  his 
collection,  whereon  the  above  described  type 
appears ; he  concludes  by  pronouncing  "the 
hinder  one  of  the  two  figures  to  be  that  of 
Julius  Casar  deified,  holding  the  right  hand 
stretched  out  and  elevated,  witli  the  body  naked 
to  the  waist.  [This  is  not  so  clearly  discernible 
in  the  engraving.]  The  same  as  Jupiter  and 
the  other  pagan  deities  are  most  generally  repre- 
sented on  medals  aud  other  ancient  monuments. 
— Havereamp  gives  the  engraving  of  a small 
brass  of  Philippi  as  struck  under  Vespasian, 
very  like  Pellerin’s,  except  that  the  hindermost 
figure  is  not  naked  to  the  waist,  but  clothed  in 
the  toga  from  the  shoulders  to  the  feet. 

It  appears,  moreover,  from  a second  brass  of 
Claudius  and  Nero,  which  are  described  in 
Eckhel’s  Catalogue  (i.  p.  86,  n.  5 and  6),  and 
the  figures  on  which  he  identifies  with  Augustus 


(524  PIIILIPPOPOLIS.— PHILIPPI'S. 

aud  Julius  Ctesar,  that  the  interpretation  of 
Patin  and  of  Spanheim  is  supported  hy  that  of 
the  great  German  numismatist,  but  it  is  no  less 
evident  that  their  interpretation  refers  to  another 
coin  of  Claudius  quite  distinct  from  that  com- 
mented upon  in  Vaillant’s  work  on  the  colonies, 
but  of  which  the  type  corresponds  with  that 
delineated  in  Patin  and  Spanheim  Thus  both 
opinions  may  he  reconciled  in  almost  every 
material  point,  or  at  any  rate  need  no  longer  to 
he  regarded  as  conflicting  with  each  other. 

Second  brass  dedicated  by  the  Philippians 
successively  to  Galba,  Vespasian,  Domitian, 
Hadrian,  M.  Aurelius,  and  Caracalla,  how 
different  soever  the  precise  occasion  might  be  for 
striking  such  medals,  still  continue  to  exhibit 
(with  the  exception  of  the  wolf  and  children  on 
a coin  of  Cominodus)  the  type  of  the  military 
figure  crowned  by  a female  figure,  together  with 
the  divvs  avg.  on  the  pedestal,  as  if  to 
perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  their  great 
benefactor,  Augustus. 

Philippopolis. — There  were  two  cities  of  this 
name  : one  in  Thrace,  dignified  with  t he  title  of 
metropolis;  the  other  in  Arabia,  which  was 
included  amongst  the  number  of  the  Homan 
colonies. — The  Thracian  Philippopolis  (now 
Fi/ibe),  situate  in  that  province  of  European 
Turkey  at  this  day  called  Pome/ia,  derived  its 
origiual  name  from  the  Philips  of  Macedon. 
It  does  not  appear  to  have  been  a Roman  colony  ; 
but  its  Imperial  coins  are  very  numerous, 
beginning  with  Domitian,  and  extending  to 
Salonina,  wife  of  Gallienus. — The  pieces  of 
Domitian  have  Latin  legends  on  the  side  of  the 
head — namely,  imp.  caes.  domit.  avo.  germ. 
cos.  xml.  cens  per.  p.  P.  Imperator  Ctesar 
Domitianus  Augustus  Germanicus  Consul  (for 
the  fourteenth  time)  Censor  Perpetuus  Pater 
Patrirr. — On  the  reverse  in  Greek  characters 
'I'lAinnOnOAEITflN  PAi/ippopo/itarum.  A 
woman  with  turreted  crown  stands  holding 
patera  and  branch ; at  her  feet  is  the  recumbent 
personification  of  a river. — This  large  brass 
bilingual  coin  is  published  in  Eckhel’s  Doct. 
Num.  Vet.,  and  is  also  noted  in  his  Catalogue  of 
the  Imperial  Museum  at  Vienna. — The  Arabian 
Philippopolis  was  founded  by  Philip  senior,  in 
honour  of  his  native  country.  One  coin  of  this 
Philippopolis,  edited  by  Vaillant  (ii.  p.  173), 
has  its  legend,  both  of  the  obverse  aud  reverse, 
in  Greek.  It  is  a first  brass  of  elegant  design, 
inscribed  to  Philip,  who  colonised  as  well  as 
built  the  city ; aud  the  type  is  Rome  seated, 
holding  in  her  hand  an  eagle,  on  which  are 
placed  the  images  of  the  Emperor  and  his  son. 

PHILIPPVS  ( Marcus  Julius),  commonly 
called  the  Arab,  or  Senior,  or  the  Father,  was, 
according  to  Zonarns,  horn  in  the  Arabian 
colony  of  Bostra,  his  father  being,  it  is  said,  a 
captain  of  robbers.  Rising  through  the  various 
grades  of  office  in  the  Roman  army,  on  the 
death  of  Misithcus  (in  which  he  is  supposed  to 
have  had  a secret  hand),  he  became  Prsctorian 
Prefect  under  Gordian  III.  And  when  that 
vouug  prince  was  (at  his  instigation)  slain  in 
Mesopotamia,  Philip  was  proclaimed  Emperor 


PIIILIPPUS. 

hy  the  soldiers,  a.d.  244.  He  is  said,  by 


historians,  to  have  been  a man  of  wonderful 
craftiness,  and  of  the  greatest  military  skill. 
He  won  the  mercenary  hearts  of  the  troops  with 
ample  largesses,  whilst  he  sent  the  discharged 
veterans  into  colonies  which  he  had  himself 
established,  viz.,  Damascus  in  Coelcsyria, 
Neapotis  in  Samaria,  P/ii/ippo/is  in  Arabia, 
which  latter  city  he  himself  founded.  Imme- 
diately on  his  accession  to  the  throne,  he  made 
an  inglorious  peace  with  Sapor,  King  of  the 
Persians,  aud  returned  to  Rome.  He  marched 
afterwards  against  the  Carpi,  a Scythian  or 
Gothic  people,  who  had  given  trouble  (during  the 
reign  of  Balbinus  and  Pupienus  and  the  younger 
Gordian),  to  the  Roman  provinces  bordering  on 
the  Danube,  and  compelled  them  to  be  peace- 
able. Aud  that  Dacia  should  owe  its  pre- 
servation to  him,  he  declared  it  to  be  a free 
province.  He  was  the  first  ipse  primus 
alien  foreigner  presented  with  the  rights  of  a 
Romau  citizen.  He  celebrated  the  saecularia 
or  secular  games  on  the  thousandth  anniversary 
of  the  foundation  of  Rome.  He  took  to  wife 
Marcia  U/aci/ia  Secera,  who  is  believed  to  have 
been  a Christian.  By  this  marriage  he  had  a 
son  aud  a daughter,  the  former  bore  his  own 
name  of  Philip,  and  was  declared  Ctesar  and 
Augustus.  Marching  against  Trajanus  Decius, 
who  had  been  saluted  Emperor  by  the  army  in 
Pannonia,  Philip  was  killed  at  Verona  by  his 
own  troops,  about  the  sixth  year  of  his  reign, 
a.d.  249. 

The  monies  of  this  Emperor  arc  very 
numerous ; the  gold  very  rare ; the  silver  and 
brass,  with  certain  exceptions,  common.  Some 
pieces  represent  him  with  Otacilia  and  with 
Plidip  jun.  His  numismatic  titles  arc  imp.  m. 
IVL.  FILIPPVS.  (sic.) — IMP.  PHILIPPVS  AVG.  or 
P.  r.  AVG. 


PHILIPPVS  ( Marcus  Julius),  junior,  the 
son  of  Philip  and  Otacilia,  appears  to  have  been 
seven  years  old  when  his  father  ustuped  the 
empire,  and  immediately 
proclaimed  him  Ctesar, 
a.d.  2 44.  The  Roman 
Senate  granted  to  him  the 
title  of  Nobitissimus,  as 
if  to  conceal  the  ignoble- 
ness of  his  Arab  sire ; 
although  Philip  is  said  to 
have  boasted  of  his  origin 
from  A nrhiscs.  and  con- 
sequent connection  with  the  Julia  family. — In 
247  the  son  was  associated,  as  imperii  consors. 


PIIILUS.— PHOENICE. 
with  Philip,  who  bestowed  on  this  mere  child 
the  title  of  Augustus.  The  unhappy  youth 
shared  the  fate  of  his  clever  but  unprincipled 
father;  and  when  the  latter  was,  under  a just 
retribution,  slain  at  Verona  by  his  own  soldiers 
his  innocent  son  was  murdered  by  the  same 
prictorian  banditti,  in  the  very  arms  of  his 
mother,  a.d.  249,  in  the  12th  year  of  hi3  age. — 
From  the  period  when  the  younger  Philip  was 
declared  Augustus,  and  admitted  to  all  the 
honours  of  the  sovereign  power,  the  reverses  of 
most  of  the  coins  both  of  father  and  son  exhihit 
similar  types. — The  coins  of  Philip  junior  are 
numerous,  and  for  the  most  part  common  in 
brass,  and  also  in  silver,  but  are  very  rare  in 
gold.  On  them  he  is  styled  m.  ivl.  philip.  caes. 

— PRINCEPS  IWENTVTIS. — M.  IVL.  PHILIPPVS. 

NOBII,.  CAES. IMP.  PHILIPPVS.  P.  F.  AVG. — 

Some  pieces  represent  him  with  Philip  senior 
and  Olacitia. 

Phi/osophus. — The  Emperor  M.  Aurelius 
Antoninus  was  commonly  called  the  philosopher, 
because  he  was  enthusiastically  addicted  to  philo- 
sophical pursuits,  and  had  that  sentiment  of 
Plato  constantly  on  his  lips,  which  expresses  an 
opinion  that  “ The  state  would  flourish  if  either 
philosophers  governed  or  Emperors  were  philoso- 
phised.” It  is  to  be  observed,  however,  that 
neither  monetal  legends  nor  lnpidary  inscriptions 
of  any  kind  take  the  least  notice  of  this  imputed 
denomination  of  Aurelius,  though  some  writers 
have  mistaken  the  epithet  for  his  surname. 

PHILVS,  surname  of  the  Furia  family. — 
M.  fovri.  l.p.  roimd  the  head  of  Janus. — Rev. 
phili.  Minerva  crowning  a trophy. 

Phoenice,  part  of  Syria. — All  ancient  and  the 
most  accurate  modern  writers  write  the  word 
Phoenice,  not  Phoenicia — witness  the  coins  of 
Antoninus  Pius  and  of  Caracalla,  inscribed 
phoenice. — Vaillant,  in  his  Colonies  (I.  p.  106), 
derives  the  name  of  this  country  from  the  Greek 
word  Phoinix,  a Palm.  Nor  is  it  to  be  denied 
that  the  Palm  is  a typo  of  Syria,  Jud:ea,  Egypt, 
and  of  other  countries  remarkable  for  Palms; 
but  it  is  more  probable  that  the  tree  received  its 
name  from  the  country  than  the  country  from  the 
tree.  Above  all  other  regions  belonging  to  the 
ancient  Phoenicians,  that  of  Tyre  was  celebrated, 
hence  the  Palm  occurs  ou  a coin  quoted  by  Span- 
heim,  and  which  is  inscribed  tyrvs  metropolis 
colonia.  According  to  Strabo,  the  Phoenicians 
were  distinguished  for  their  knowledge  of  arith- 
metic and  astronomy,  and  equally  so  for  their 
skill  iu  the  arts  of  navigation  and  of  war — inso- 
much that  they  became  the  sovereigns  of  the 
Mediterranean  Sea,  and  everywhere  established 
colonies  on  its  coasts. 

The  imperial  coins  of  the  Phoenicians  were 
struck  at  'l'yre ; they  comprise  only  four  reigns. 
Those  of  Nero  and  Trajan  bear  Greek  inscriptions; 
those  of  Antoninus  Pius  and  of  Caracalla  are  in 
Latin. 

PHOENICE.  COS  II.  S.  C.— A figure  stands 
holding  a vase,  or  basket,  in  the  right  hand,  a 
wand  in  the  left — behind  is  a palm  tree.  Respect- 
ing a large  brass,  with  the  head  of  Antoninus 
Pius  on  its  obverse  (in  the  imperial  cabinet  at 
4 L 


PHOENIX.  625 

Vienna),  bearing  the  above  legend  and  type  on 
its  reverse,  Eckhcl  remarks  to  the  following 
brief  purport : — “ Cellarius,  in  his  Geographia 
Antiqua,  says  this  region  is  properly  written  in 
Latin  Phoenice,  not  Phoenicia,  which  opinion, 
indeed,  this  medal  confirms.” — (D.N.V.,  vii.  5.) 

A similar  medal  is  ascribed  in  Mediobarbus 
(Occo)  to  Caracalla,  but  it  is  not  acknowledged 
either  in  Mionnet  or  Akerman;  nor  is  the  Anto- 
ninus Pius,  above  quoted,  in  their  catalogues. 

Phoenix. — This  name  was  given  by  the 
Egyptians  to  a bird,  which  some  writers  have 
professed  to  regard  as  a reality,  or  at  least  as 
possible ; whilst  others  have  treated  its  existence 
and  history  as  equally  fabulous.  Many  Christian 
ecclesiastics  of  the  early  ages  have  followed 
(strange  to  say)  the  traditions  of  paganism  re- 
specting the  Phoenix,  and  adopted  it  as  a symbol 
of  the  resurrection. — On  imperial  medals  we  find 
it  with  its  head  surrounded  by  rays,  symbolizing 
eternity. 

The  radiated  head  of  the  Phoenix  (says  Addi- 
son) gives  us  the  meaning  of  a passage  in  Clauilian, 
who  must  have  had  his  eye  ou  the  figure  of  this 
bird,  in  ancient  sculpture  and  painting,  as  indeed 
it  was  impossible  to  take  it  from  the  life : — 

Arcanum  radiant  oculi  jubar : igneus  ora 
Cingit  honos:  rutilo  cognatum  vertice  sidus 
Attollit  cristatus  apex , tenebrasque  serend 
Luce  secat. 

His  fiery  eyes  shoot  forth  a glittering  ray, 

And  round  his  head  ten  thousand  glories  play: 
High  on  his  crest,  a star  celestial  bright 
Divides  the  darkness  with  its  piercing  light. 

The  Phoenix  occurs  on  medals  of  Constantine 
the  Great,  and  of  his  children,  after  the  example 
of  the  Princes  and  Princesses  of  the  early 
empire,  in  order  to  designate,  by  this  bird  of 
reputed  immortality,  either  the  eternity  of  the 
empire,  or  the  eternity  of  happiness  supposed  to 
be  enjoyed  by  those  princes  who  already  were 
placed  in  the  ranks  of  the  immortal  gods. — 
Biinaid,  confirming  this  observation  of  Jobert, 
says,  “ the  phoenix  appears  on  coins  of  the  upper 
empire.  We  see  it  iu  Trajan  and  in  many  other 
emperors.  On  a first  brass  of  Faustina  senior, 
a female  seated,  holds  a phoenix  on  her  right 
hand.” — See  aeternitas. 

[Amongst  the  medals  which  have  birds  on  their 
reverses,  scarcely  any  are  more  curious  than  those 
of  Hadrian  and  of  Antoninus  Pius.  The  type  re- 
presents an  Eagle,  a Peacock,  and  an  Owl, 
placed  on  the  same  line,  with  the  simple  legend 
cos  in.  for  Hadrian,  and  cos  un.  for  Antoninus 
Pius.  These  medals  have  their  meaning  easily 
explained  by  means  of  a medallion  of  Antoninus, 
which  represents  Jupiter,  Juno,  and  Minerva 
on  its  reverse.  It  is  to  these  three  divinities 
that  the  type  of  the  three  birds  refers,  the  Eagle 
being  consecrated  to  Jupiter,  the  Peacock  to 
Juno,  and  the  Owl  to  Minerva.] — See  Birds. 

The  Phoenix,  on  medals,  signifies  not  only 
eternity,  but  also  the  hope  of  better  times, 
because  this  bird  was  formerly  believed  to  rise 
again  into  existence  from  its  ashes.  Sometimes 
it  is  seen  by  itself  perched  on  a globe;  but 


626  PHRYGIAE. — PIA  FELIX, 

more  frequently  on  the  hand  of  the  emperor. — I 
The  fable  of  the  Phoenix,  and  its  revival  from 
extreme  old  age  to  a new  youth  (on  a funeral  l 
pile  of  its  own  construction),  probably  led  to  its 
adoption  as  a symbol  of  restoration,  on  the 
reverse  of  medals  (with  the  legend  fel.  temp, 
re  pa  ratio),  struck  in  honour  of  the  Emperor 
Constans,  under  whom  the  city  of  Smyrna  was 
restored. — On  a coin  of  Constantius  jun.  a figure 
in  military  garb  holds  a Pluenix  instead  of  the 
more  usual  figure  of  a Victory. — Sometimes  this 
“ wondrous”  bird  is  seen  standing  oil  a rock  ; 
at  others,  placed  on  the  funeral  pile. — See  fel. 
TEMP.  REPARATIO  ; also  CONSECRATIO. 

Phrygia , a region  of  Asia  Minor,  adjoining 
to  Caria,  Lydia,  Mysia,  and  Bithynia,  “ of  all 
which  (says  Strabo)  the  boundaries  so  intermix 
as  to  be  with  difficulty  distinguished.” 

PHRYGIAE. — See  adventvi  phuygiae  on 
a coin  of  Hadrian,  who  performs  sacrifice  with 
the  Genius  of  the  Province,  personified  by  a 
figure  wearing  the  Phrygian  bonnet. — Also  see 
restitvtori  phrygiae,  on  a first  brass  of 
Hadrian,  on  which  the  Emperor  is  seen  lifting 
up  a figure  clothed  in  the  Phrygian  habit,  and 
bearing  a branch  or  garland. 

Phgsiognomia,  or  more  correctly  (in  accord- 
ance w ith  its  Greek  derivation)  Physiognomonia. 
On  the  utility  of  medals  for  prosecuting  the  study 
of  this  science  (the  object  of  which  is  to  teach 
the  mode  of  discerning  the  dispositions  and 
qualities  of  men,  from  their  eyes,  countenances, 
forehead,  and  personal  appearance),  the  cele- 
brated Swiss  antiquary  Spoil  published  a Disser- 
tation. 

PI.  or  PIAV.  Piauvonius,  the  prenomeu  of 
Victorinas,  both  senior  and  junior,  imp.  c.  pi. 
(or  PIAV.)  V1CTOR1NVS  AVG. 

PI.  Pius  ; as  in  Commodus.  avg.  PI.  MAX. 
— PI.  FE.  Pius  Felix ; as  in  Valcrianus  senior. 

P.  I.  Pius  Imperator ; as  on  coins  of  the 
Ciecilia  family. — Q.  c m.  p.  i.  Qui/itu-  Cacilius 
Met  elites  Pius  Imperator. 

P.  I.  or  PR1N.  I WEN.  Principi  or  Princeps 
Juventutis.  Prince  of  the  youth. 

PIA. — Why  this  name  was  given  to  colonics, 
see  Vaillant,  Col.  i.,  p.  189. 

PIA.  The  surname  of  a Roman  legion. — 
leg.  xxx.  vlpia.  pia.  F.  Legio  Tricessima 
Ulpia  Pia  Fide/is. 

PI.  A.  Pius  Augustus. 

PIA  FELIX. — These  denominations,  applied 
to  some  of  the  Augusta,  appear  to  have  re- 
ference to  their  fellowship  in  the  imperial  | 
government. — Spanheim  and  Liebe  concur  in 
the  opinion  that  the  above  appellation  of  Pia  | 
and  Felix,  like  that  of  the  Pius  and  Felix  of  i 
the  Emperors,  was  not  a title  of  virtue  and  of 
raise,  but  is  simply  to  be  regarded  as  the 
ereditary  surname  of  the  Empress’s  family, 
Thus  in  Julia  Domna,  wife  of  Severus;  in 
Severina,  wife  of  Anrelian ; in  Aelia  Eudoxia, 
wife  of  Arcadius ; in  Gal l a P/acidia,  mother  of 
Yalentinian,  and  in  other  Empresses,  we  find 
Via  Felix  preceding  the  title  of  AVG usta. 

PIET.  AVG.  Pi '.etas  Augusta. — August 

piety. 


PIETAS. 

PIETAS. — On  many  coins  of  Roman 
families,  and  on  a vast  variety  of  Imperial 
medals  from  Augustus,  in  almost  uninterrupted 
succession  down  to  Constantine  the  Great,  we 
see  the  personification  of  Piety,  a virtue  which, 
elevated  by  the  Romans  to  the  rank  of  a 
divinity,  had  a temple  erected  to  its  honour  in 
the  ninth  and  in  the  eleventh  region  of  Rome. 
They  expressed  by  this  word  not  only  the 
worship  and  reverence  due  towards  the  gods, 
but  also  in  a more  extended  sense  applied  it  to 
love  and  charity  borne  towards  parents,  children, 
friends,  and  neighbours,  to  their  country,  prince, 
and  soldiers. 

Piety  has  her  head  ornamented  with  a veil  or 
with  a fillet,  and  in  this  form,  with  the  title 
pietas,  is  found  on  denarii  of  the  Ilerennia 
family,  and  also  on  some  coins  of  the  Emperor 
Tiberius  : although  in  the  latter  instance  the 
effigy  is  by  some  considered  to  be  that  of  an 
imperial  lady ; for  at  that  period  they  had  not 
the  boldness  and  confidence  to  place  female 
portraits  publicly  on  coins,  or  as  it  were  to  deify 
them.  It  is  generally  supposed  that  the  image 
in  question  (beneath  which  is  inscribed  pietas) 
is  that  of  Livia  Drusilla,  mother  of  Tiberius. 

Piety  is  for  the  most  part  represented  under 
the  figure  of  a devout  woman,  with  veiled  head, 
near  a lighted  altar,  before  which,  as  in  Hadrian 
and  Antonine,  she  sometimes  stands  with  both 
hands  lifted  up,  which  is  peculiarly  the  attitude 
of  praying  (as  in  Antonine  and  Verus) ; at 
others  she  is  seen  with  a patera  in  the  right  and 
the  acerra  (or  censer)  in  the  left  hand  ; or  with 
the  right  hand  extended  she  is  dropping  grains 
of  fraukiuccnsc  into  the  fire,  as  we  observe  in 
the  silver  coins  of  I..  Aclius,  and  of  Faustina, 
all  with  the  title  PIETAS,  by  which  repre- 
sentation is  clearly  shewn  the  pious  feeling,  aud 
religious  worship,  implied  by  both  the  legend 
and  the  type. — To  these  are  to  be  conjoined 
many  Imperial  medals  bearing  the  circum- 
scription PIETAS  AYGVSTI,  or  AVG ustorum, 
and  which,  having  the  same  professed  object  of 
reverence  for  the  gods,  exhibit  on  their  reverses 
the  fa9ades  of  splendid  temples,  as  in  Antoninus 
Pius  and  Faustina  senior ; others  represent 
pontificial  and  augural  vases,  pateras,  altars ; 
also  sacrifices  and  sacrificial  instruments  (such 
as  the  lituus,  the  urceolus,  the  aspergillum,  the 
simpulum,  and  on  the  larger  coins  the  scccspita 
(or  axe) — as  in  Commodus,  Maximus  Caesar, 
Gordianus  Pins,  &c. 

Pietas,  when  intended  by  the  Romans  to 
signify  the  love  and  affection  of  parents  towards 
their  children,  or  of  children  towards  their 
parents,  and  in  like  manner  those  of  Emperors 
and  Empresses  towards  subjects,  is  found 
symbolized  under  the  figure  of  a stork,  an 
example  of  which  we  have  on  a denarius  of 
Q.  Mctellus  Pius. — The  same  attribute  of  filial 
love  is  displayed  under  the  figure  of  .Eneas,  in 
the  act  of  carrying  on  his  shoulders  his  aged 
father  Anchiscs,  after  having  been  taken  captive, 
and  expelled  from  the  city  of  Troy,  as  may  be 
seen  not  only  on  denarii  of  the  Hcrennia 
i family,  but  also  on  coins  of  rouipcy  the  Great 


TIETAS. 

and  of  Julius  Cmsar’s  moneycrs. — The  story  of 
the  pious  brothers  ( Pii  F rat  res)  of  Catania,  in 
Sicily,  who,  during  a destructive  eruption  of 
Etna,  were  content  to  lose  all  their  property  in 
order  to  secure  the  safety  of  their  father  and 
mother,  is  also  made  the  subject  of  a type  on 
silver  of  the  Hereuuia  family,  and  on  a denarius 
of  Sextus  Pompey.  See  Amphinomous  and 
Anapius. — Another  coin  of  the  Pompeia  family, 
with  the  legend  of  pietas,  has  a female  figure, 
in  the  stola,  holding  a hasta  transversely  in  her 
left  hand,  and  a laurel  branch  in  her  right. 
And  as  it  was  a freqnent  custom  of  the  Romans 
to  include  in  the  use  of  the  words  Fins  and 
Pietas,  love  towards  parents,  children,  country, 
&c.,  so  on  Imperial  coins  Piety  frequently 
shadows  forth  the  same  mutual  affection,  not 
only  under  the  symbol  of  a mother  cherishing 
her  children  in  her  bosom,  or  extending  her 
hand  protectively  over  them  ; but  also,  as  in  a gold 
coin  of  Antoninus  Pius,  designates  it  by  a female 
figure  standing  with  three  children,  one  in  her 
arms,  the  other  two  by  her  side  ; whilst  below 
is  the  inscription  pietati  avg.  cos.  iiix. 
Nor  ought  mention  to  be  omitted  of  a third 
brass  struck  in  honour  of  FI.  Maximiana 
Theodora,  second  wife  of  Constantins  Chlorus, 
which  represents  a woman  standing,  with 
an  infant  (and  in  rarer  coins  two  infants) 
at  her  breast,  with  the  inscription  pietas 

ROMANA. 

On  coins  of  the  Imperial  series  we  also  see 
represented  the  submission  and  the  veneration  of 
the  Senate  towards  the  Prince,  as  towards  a 
common  parent,  or  even  as  a kind  of  tutelary 
deity.  This  is  finely  illustrated  on  a rare  first 
brass  of  Galba,  where  the  Emperor  stands,  in  a 
military  dress,  crowned  by  a Senator,  accom- 
panied with  the  significant  legend  senatvs 
pietati  avgvsti.  (See  the  words). — An  utterly 
prostituted  instance  of  similar  honours  was 
afterwards  wrung  from  the  senatorial  body 
during  the  reign  of  terror  established  under 
Commodns,  who  (on  gold  and  large  brass)  com- 
plimented them  on  their  affection  for  him — 
pietati  senatvs — whilst  he  was  at  the  same 
period  thinning  their  affrighted  ranks  by  daily 
murders. — Could  we  find  this  legend  and  its 
accompanying  type  (two  men  clothed  iu  the 
toga,  joining  hands)  amongst  the  genuine  coins 
of  Antoninus  Pius,  they  would  indeed  be  pro- 
nounced worthily  appropriated ; but  none  such 
receive  authentication  from  Eckhel,  Mionnet, 
or  Akcrman. 

The  concord  (more  matter  of  boast  than  of 
reality)  subsisting  between  the  two  Augusti, 
Balbinus  and  Pupienus,  is  symbolized  by  their 
favourite  device  of  two  hands  joined,  and  round 
it  is  read  pietas  jivtva  avgg. 

There  is  something  very  peculiar  in  the  mode 
of  representing  pietas  avgg.  The  piety  of 
the  Emperors,  by  the  mint  of  Trajanus  Decius, 
on  one  targe  brass  specimen  of  which  we  see 
Mercury,  with  the  crumena  or  purse  in  his 
right  hand,  and  his  caduceus  in  the  left,  writh 
the  above  circumscription. — The  same  legend 
and  type  is  continued  on  coins  of  Ilerenuius 
4 L 2 


PIETAS.  627 

and  Hostillianus,  sons  and  successors  of  the 
abovc-uamed  emperor. — Similar  to  this  is  a 
medal  of  M.  Aurelius,  on  which  also  Mercury 
appears,  holding  in  his  right  hand  the  crumena 
(or  purse),  if  indeed  it  be  not  a patera.  But 
the  legend  round  the  type  is,  not  Pietas,  but 
RELIGzo  AVG usti,  under  which  expression  the 
Emperor  perhaps  wished  to  teach  the  Roman 
people,  that  in  paying  all  honour  and  service  to 
the  gods,  was  the  way  to  proceed  in  the  path  of 
national  improvement,  to  preserve  peace  with 
their  neighbours,  and  to  increase  the  fertility  of 
their  country. — See  eelig.  avg. 

With  reference  to  the  pietas  avgvsta,  or 
Imperial  Piety,  a word  or  two  may  here  be  said, 
respecting  coins  of  Matidia,  on  which  “ August 
Piety”  appears  as  a female  standing  between 
two  children ; also  respecting  a rare  medal  of 
Faustina,  wife  of  Antoninus  Pius,  on  the  re- 
verse of  which  that  princess  is  seen  seated  in  an 
elevated  place,  in  the  act  of  receiving  from 
Roman  matrons  their  infant  daughters,  for  the 
benevolent  purpose  of  educating  and  providing 
for  them,  as  is  further  illustrated  by  the  legend 

Of  PVEI.I.AE  FAVSTINIANAE. 

On  a coin  belonging  to  the  Antonia  family, 
Piety  is  represented  standing  with  a lighted 
altar  in  her  right  hand,  and  with  a cornucopia; 
in  her  left.  On  a coin  of  Trajan,  she  appears 
with  a caduceus  in  one  hand  and  cornucopia  in 
the  other;  and  on  coins  of  Constantine  the 
Great,  Piety  is  represented  under  the  image  of 
a soldier,  who  holds  in  his  right  hand  a globe, 
with  the  usual  monogram  of  Christ,  and  in  the 
left  a hasta,  with  the  circumscription  pietas 

AETEENA. 

PIETAS. — A first  brass  of  Caligula,  a very 
beautiful  though  not  a very  rare  coin,  has  on 
one  side  the  Goddess  Piety  seated,  with  patera 
in  her  right  hand,  and  on  the  other  side  are 
three  figures  sacrificing  a bull  before  a temple  of 
six  columns,  richly  ornamented : thus  repre- 
senting divine  honours  paid  to  Augustus,  and 
indicating  the  pious  affection  professed  by 
Caligula  for  the  memory  of  his  deified  pro- 
genitor.— At  the  bottom  of  the  obverse  is  the 
PIETAS,  and  round  the  figure  is  this  legend, 
C.  CAESAR  DIVI  AVGVStf  PRONe/ww 
AVG  \T  slus  V on  t if  ex  Maximus  TR  ibunicia 
Potestate  1 1 II.  Pater  P atria. — The  inscription 
of  the  reverse  explains  to  whom  the  sacrifice 
was  offered,  namely,  DIVO  AVG.  S.  C.  To 
the  divine  Augustus  by  decree  of  the  Senate. 

PIETAS,  a surname  of  L.  Antonius  the 
consul,  brother  of  Mark  Antony  the  triumvir. 
According  to  Dion,  he  assumed  this  addition  to 
his  name  during  his  consulate  in  the  year  of 
Rome  713,  out  of  fraternal  piety  towards 
Marcus,  then  absent  in  the  Perusinian  war. 
This  accounts  for  the  legend  of  pfETAS  cos., 
with  the  type  of  a woman  standing  with  rudder 
and  cornucopia;,  and  stork  at  her  feet,  appearing 
on  a denarius  of  VI.  Antonius,  who  caused  it  to 
be  struck  in  memory  of  the  act.  Storks  were 
chosen  as  symbols  of  Piety,  because  it  was 
believed  of  them  that  they  supported  on  their 
wings  their  parents  when  enfeebled  by  old  age. 


628  PIETAS. 

PIETAS  AV6VST.— This  legend  accom- 
panying the  type  of  a female  figure  seated,  with 
a boy  at  her  feet,  appears  on  a silver  coin  of 
Doniitilla,  which  the  filial  piety  of  Titus  caused 
him  to  have  struck  iu  honour  of  his  mother’s 
memory,  who  had  educated  and  taken  care  of 
him  in  early  youth.  Thus  we  tiud  the  virtuous 
wife  of  Vespasian  represented  as  Piety  seated 
and  veiled,  whilst  a boy  stands  before  her 
clothed  in  the  toga  prelexta , which  noble 
youths  were  accustomed  to  wear  until  their 
17th  year. 

PIETAS  AVGVSTa.  S.  C— Titus  and 
Domitian  joining  hands ; between  them  is  a 
female  veiled  On  first  brass  of  Titus. 

This  beautifully  designed  type  exhibits  an 
interesting  symbol  of  fraternal  union.  The 
Goddess  Concord  herself  here  joins  the  hands  of 
the  two  sons  of  Vespasian,  Titus  and  Domitian. 
The  sincerity,  however,  of  the  reconciliation  to 
which  this  fine  medal  alludes,  was  exclusively 
on  the  side  of  the  former. — Titus,  according  to 
Suetonius,  often  adjured  his  brother,  in  private 
and  with  tears,  ut  tandem  mutuo  erga  se  animo 
vellet  esse,  but  in  vain.  Domitian  never 
ceased  to  aim  at  the  possession  of  the  empire, 
unscrupulous  as  to  the  means. — pietas  avgvsta, 
therefore,  as  expressive  of  natural  affection,  is 
an  inscription  congenial  to  the  character  of 
Tittu,  but  the  very  reverse  of  applicable  to  such 
a prince  as  Domitian. 

PIETAS  AVG. — This  legend  appears  on  an 
extremely  rare  silver  coin  of  Alexander  Severus, 
having  for  its  type  certain  pontificial  and  sacri- 
ficial instruments)  which  indicate  that  with  the 
title  of  Caisar  all  the  sacerdotal  offices  were 
conferred  upon  Alexander,  as  on  the  destined 
successor  to  an  imperial  throuc. — For  on  the 
death  of  Macrinus,  Elagabalus  being  proclaimed 
Augustus,  Alexander,  the  cousin- german  of 
Elagabalus,  was  forthwith  honoured  with  the 
appellation  of  Caisar  by  the  Roman  Senate. 
Soon  after  this,  by  the  persuasion  of  Julia 
Itl  a;sa,  who  advised  it  as  a means  of  removing  ) 
from  him  the  general  hatred,  Elagabalus 
adopted  him  and  again  declared  him  Caisar. — 
Coins  of  llostiliauus  (gold  and  silver)  exhibit 
the  same  inscription  and  type,  as  indicating 
the  piety  of  that  young  prince  towards  the  gods, 
on  account  of  the  priesthood  conferred  upon  him 
as  a candidate  for  the  throne,  after  the  custom 
first  established  by  Augustus. 

PIETAS  AVGG. — On  a remarkably  elegant 
and  rare  silver  coin  of  Philip  senior  there  appear 
on  the  reverse  the  heads  of  Otacilia  and  of 
Philip  junior,  fronting  each  other.  The  Em- 
peror here  denotes  his  piety,  or  love,  towards 
his  wife  and  son,  the  latter  of  whom  under  the 
auspices  of  the  empire  he  had  nominated  Cicsar, 
whilst  he  takes  care  to  inscribe  the  name  round 
the  image  of  both. — [Vaillant.] 

PIETAS  AVG.  N. — A woman  in  a robe 
standing,  holds  out  a globe  in  her  right  hand : a 
boy  at  her  feet.  On  silver  of  Otacilia  Scvcra. — 
The  boy  who  stands  before  the  figure,  evidently 
intended  to  represent  the  Empress,  is  her  son 
Philip,  aud  the  coin  was  desigued  to  proclaim  I 


PIETAS. 

her  maternal  piety  in  educating  him  for  the 
empire.  Otacilia  here  holds  out  to  him  a globe, 
the  symbol  of  imperial  power,  for  the  infant 
l prince  had  already  been  declared  Caisar  by  his 
father,  and  young  Philip  uplifts  his  owu  little 
right  hand  as  if  to  clutch  the  proffered  gift — 
splendid  delusion  ; for  soon  after  theTribuuitian 
power  aud  title  of  Impcrator  were  conferred 
upon  him  and  stamped  on  his  coins,  at  the 
premature  age  of  12,  he  was  slain  by  the 
Prmtorians,  whose  hands  were  reeking  with  his 
father’s  blood. 

PIETAS  AVGG.  (Pietas  Augustorum.) — 
A robust  female  seated,  with  the  hasta  pura  in 
her  left  hand,  and  extending  her  right  towards 
a couple  of  children  before  her,  whilst  a third 
child  stands  by  the  side  of  the  throne.  In  this 
group  Pedrusi  secs  the  offspring  of  Gallicuus 
and  Salonina — or  as  he  (in  more  high  flown 
language)  expresses  it,  “ the  three  precious 
pledges,  with  which  the  Caisarcan  lady  had 
enriched  the  marriage  bed  of  her  august  Con- 
sort.” This  is  perhaps  the  case,  though  it  may 
be  merely  a symbol  of  Charity  towards  the 
Puellte  Alimentar'ue,  subsisted  by  her  bouuty. 
The  female  is  not  veiled,  for  the  reason  which 
Beger  gives  in  his  Selection  from  the  Thesaurus 
Paiatinus : — “ Piety  towards  God  was  cus- 
tomarily depicted  iu  a veiled  dress.  But  Piety 
towards  men  without  veil.” — Smyth,  p.  303. 

[There  is  a similar  reverse  on  a silver  coin 
of  the  same  empress,  except  that  the  female 
figure  holds  a patera  in  her  extended  right  hand 
over  the  heads  of  the  two  children  before  her.] 

PIETAS  FALERI. — A goat  under  a tree, 
with  two  children,  one  of  which  is  sucking  the 
! udder  of  the  animal,  the  other  sits  on  the 
ground  ; near  it  is  au  eagle ; at  the  bottom  a 
thunderbolt. 

In  his  appendix  to  Vaillant,  Khcll  has  given 
a plate  of  this  singular  silver  medallion  of 
Gallieuus,  and  also  written  copiously  in  illustra- 
tion of  its  meaning. — “ His  exposition  of  this 
type,  however  (says  Eckhcl),  is  far-fetched ; as 
w ill  be  shewn  by  a comparison  of  it  with  the 
following  reverse  on  a silver  coin  of  the  same 
Emperor,  viz. : — 

PIETAS  SAECVLI. — A goat  giving  suck  to 
a child. — Silver  of  Gallienus. 

“ It  is  easy  to  perceive  (adds  the  author  of 
Doct.  yum.  Vet.)  that  allusion  in  these  coins  is 
made  to  the  infant  Jove  nourished  by  a goat,  to 
which  myth  certain  well-known  coins  of  the 
same  age  also  allude,  bearing  the  inscription 
iovi  CliESCENTI,  and  the  type  of  the  boy  Jove 
seated  on  a goal. — [On  a brass  medallion  of 
Antoninus  Pius,  without  legend,  the  infant 
Jupiter  appears  riding  on  a goat  before  an  altar, 
on  which  is  the  figure  of  an  eagle.] — But  to 
what  do  the  infant  twins  of  the  preceding  coin, 
inscribed  Pietas  Faleri,  allude  ? Khcll’s  opinion 
is  that  one  boy  relates  to  Jupiter,  the  other  to 
Saloninus  (son  of  Gallienus)  as  likened  to  Jupiter, 
an  opinion  which,  I fear,  will  not  be  approved 
by  all  learned  numismatists.  That  by  this 
‘ piety  of  the  age'  was  intended  to  shew  the  care 
bestowed  on  infants  by  Gallienus,  after  the 


PIETAS. 

example  of  Trajan  and  Antoninus,  was  an 
opinion  founded  on  extreme  probability ; for  the 
word  pietas  often  appears  used  in  conjunction 
with  a woman  taking  care  of  children,  in  place 
of  which  <rvpdo\iKus  now  comes  the  self-same 
goat  which  nurtured  Jove  of  old.  Nevertheless 
there  was  one  erudite  writer  who  dissented  from 
this  interpretation. — In  the  next  place  it  is  to  be 
observed,  respecting  the  word  FALERI,  that  it 
is  perhaps  inadvertently  written  for  VALERI, 
seeing  that  there  are  coins  inscribed  VIRTVS 
VALERI,  written  short  for  VALERIana.  And 
the  name  of  Valerianus,  according  to  the  Alex- 
andria coins,  was  applied  to  Gallienus,  though 
it  more  properly  belonged  to  his  father,  brother, 
and  son.” 

PIETAS  DDD.  NNN.  AVGVSTORVM.— 
Three  figures  standing,  each  clothed  in  the 
paludamcntum,  and  each  holding  a spear  and 
shield ; the  middle  figure,  which  is  the  tallest, 
has  the  nimbus  over  its  head.  The  figure  on  the 
left  is  somewhat  shorter,  and  that  on  the  right 
shorter  still;  both  are  without  the  nimbus;  in 
the  exergue,  tesob. — There  are  two  gold  coins 
of  Valens  of  unusual  weight,  and  similar  to  each 
other,  in  the  Imperial  cabinet  at  Vienna,  bear- 
ing this  singular  legend  and  type. — Eckhel,  in 
describing  them,  observes  as  follows : — “ That 
the  three  upright  figures  are  all  of  them  men  of 
the  Imperial  house  the  triplicate  D.  and  N.  leave 
no  doubt.  During  the  reign  of  Valeris,  there 
were  on  two  occasions  three  Augusti  in  colleague- 
ship  with  each  other.  First  the  two  brothers 
Valentinianus  and  Valens,  and  Gratianus  the 
son  of  Valentinian.  At  a later  period  (Valeutiui- 
anus  the  first  being  dead),  there  w'ere  Valens 
and  his  two  nephews  (sons  of  the  first  Valeutini- 
anus)  Gratianus  and  Valentinianus  II. 

The  first  trio  cannot  be  intended  to  be  repre- 
sented on  the  coins  now  in  question,  for  the 
honour  of  the  nimbus  (or  circlet  of  glory)  would 
not  have  been  denied  to  Valens,  who  reigned  in 
the  East  with  equal  power  to  that  with  which 
Valentinianus  governed  the  West ; after  which 
fashion,  on  another  coin  of  Valens,  inscribed 
Gloria  romanorvm,  we  see  each  brother  seated 
on  a common  throne,  and  each  adorned  with  the 
refulgent  nimbus.  It  is,  therefore,  to  be  held 
that  these  coins  were  struck  after  the  death  of 
Valentinianus  I.,  and  that  he  who  stands  in  the 
midst  is  Valens  (uncle  to  Gratian  and  to 
Valentinian  the  Second),  to  whom  the  honour 
of  the  nimbus  is  exclusively  given  from  the 
greater  reverence  due  to  more  advanced  age.” 

PIET  AT  I AVGVSTAE  S.C.  To  the  piety 
of  the  Empress. — On  a first  brass  (bearing  on 
its  obverse  the  head  of  Julia  Domna,  with  the 
inscription  ivlia  avgvsta)  the  above  legend 
appears  round  its  obverse,  the  type  of  which 
represents  a military  figure  crowned  with  laurel, 
and  giving  his  hand  to  another  figure  clothed  in 
the  toga.  In  the  midst  of  these  two  stands  a 
third,  also  in  the  toga,  and  wearing  a beard. 

Havercamp  (in  his  notes  on  the  Queen  of 
Sweden’s  Cabinet)  refers  this  fine  medal  to 
Caraealla  aud  Geta,  the  sons  of  Scvcrus  and  of 
his  Empress.  “The  Senate  (he  observes)  in 


PILEUS.  629 

causing  it  to  be  struck,  evidently  intended  to 
record  thereby  the  vows  which  they  had  put  up 
for  the  establishment  of  union  and  good  under- 
standing between  the  two  brothers — an  union 
which  might  have  subsisted  had  one  of  them 
devoted  his  attention  to  warlike  affairs,  and  the 
other  applied  himself  to  those  connected  with 
the  civil  government.  But,  in  questions  of 
sovereign  power  and  rule,  Fratrum  quoque 
gratia  rara  est.” 

P1I  AVG.  F.  Pii  Augusti  Filia. — On  coins 
of  Faustina  junior,  who  was  the  daughter  of 
Antoninus  Pius. 

PII  F.  Pii  Filius. — This  is  read  on  coins  of 
M.  Aurelius,  Sept.  Severus,  Geta,  and  Cara- 
calla. 

Pii  Fratres. — See  Amphinomus  and  Anapias  ; 
also  Pietas. 

PII  IMPERATORIS. — See  bono  genio  pii 
imperatoris,  on  coins  of  Maximinus  Baza. 

Pileus,  a bounet,  or  cap,  composed  by  the 
ancients  usually  of  woven  wool.  The  form  of 
the  Roman  pilei  was  varied ; some  were  round, 
others  resembled  the  helmet,  others  were  shaped 
almost  like  a pyramid,  others  again  were  of  a 
more  depressed  form.  The  Romans  for  the 
most  part  went  with  the  head  naked,  and  dis- 
pensed altogether  with  the  use  of  caps,  except 
on  religious  occasions,  and  the  saturnalia,  or 
when  on  journies  aud  on  military  service.  There 
are,  moreover,  examples  of  the  sick,  the  aged 
men,  and  the  newly  affranchised  (the  latter  in 
token  of  liberty),  wearing  the  pileus. 

Pileali  fratres ; that  is  to  say  the  brothers 
who  have  bonnets  or  caps. — Castor  and  Pollux, 
or  the  Dioscuri,  are  so  called,  because  they  are 
represented  with  caps  on  their  heads. 

Pileatum  caput,  the  bonneted  head  of  Liberty, 
appears  on  a coin  of  the  Ptancia  family. 

Pilei  duo. — Two  caps  surmounted  by  stars 
indicate  the  Dioscuri.  Castor  and  Pollux  were 
marked  by  stars,  because  those  stars  themselves 
were  believed  to  serve  as  a guide  to  mariners. — 
The  starred  caps  of  the  Dioscuri  are  fouud  on 
coins  of  the  Cordia,  Fonteia,  and  Vibia  family. 

The  Pileus  covers  the  head  of  certain  provinces 
on  Roman  coins ; of  the  Dioscuri  on  consular 
coins;  and  it  also  appears  on  several  of  the 
imperial  series,  usually  as  a provincial  or  foreign 
head-dress. 

The  Pileus,  or  cap  of  Liberty,  appears 
between  two  daggers  on  a celebrated  denarius  of 
the  Junta  family. — SeeEiD.  mar.  and  libertas 
p.r.  restitvta. — Also  on  coins  of  the  Platoria 
and  Sestia  families. — The  Pileus  was  in  fact 
the  common  symbol  of  liberty  amongst  the 
Romans,  and  it  was  given  to  whomsoever 
emancipation  from  a state  of  servitude  was 
granted,  in  token  of  freedom  conferred ; as  such 
it  occurs  on  numerous  coins  both  in  the  Consular 
aud  in  the  Imperial  scries. — The  Phrygian  Pileus 
was  curved  at  the  extremity.  This  is  observed 
on  coins  where  the  god  Lunus,  also  Atys,  the 
companion  of  Cybcle,  and  lulus,  the  sou  of 
Aeneas,  arc  adorned  with  it. 

PI.  MAX.  Pius  Maximus. — On  a first  brass 
of  Commodus. 


630  PINARIA. 

PIN  ARIA,  a most  ancient  Roman  family,  of 
the  patrician  order. — It  was  already  a race  of 
great  renown  in  the  times  of  the  monarchy. 
According  to  Livy,  the  Pinarii,  together  with  the 
Potitii,  had  been  appointed  by  Evander  to  the 
ministration  of  sacred  rights  paid  to  Hercules. 
The  surnames  of  this  family  are  Natta  and 
Scarpus. — Its  coins  consist  of  ten  varieties. 
Some  of  the  brass  pieces  are  the  As,  or  parts  of 
the  As.  And  there  are  others  which  were  struck 
in  honour  of  Mark  Antony. 

The  following  is  in  silver,  and  very  rare,  viz : — 

M.  anto.  cos.  hi.  imp.  mi. — Head  of  Jupiter 
Ammon. 

Rev. — Victory  walking. 

On  another,  and  the  rarest,  denarius  of  this 
family,  given  in  the  Pembroke  collection,  the 
obverse  exhibits  M.  anto.  cos.  iii.  imp.  mi. 
Marcus  Antonins  Consul  Tertium  Imperator 
Quart 'um.  Head  of  Jupiter  Ammon. — Rev. 

scarpvs  imp.  A legionary  eagle  between  two 
ensigns,  inscribed  leg.  viii. 

The  following  arc  also  amongst  the  rare 
denarii  of  Pinarius  Scarpus: — 

caesau  divi  f.  avg.  pont. — Victory  stand- 
ing with  crown  in  right  hand,  and  palm  branch 
in  left. 

Rev. — imp.  caesari  scarpvs  imp.  An  open 
hand  in  the  middle  of  the  field. 

avgvstvs  divi  f. — Victory  standing  on  a 
globe,  holds  out  a crown  in  her  right  hand. 

Rev. — imp.  caesari  scarpvs  imp.  A 
human  hand  in  the  field  of  the  coin. 

A first  brass  medal,  with  the  conjoined  por- 
traits of  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  has  L.  pinar. 
scarpvs  imp.  af.,  and  a ship  with  sail  spread  on 
its  reverse,  given  in  Angeloni.  The  coins  which 
have  the  type  of  Jupiter  Ammon  indicate  that 
they  were  struck  in  Egypt,  between  the  years 
719  and  726. 

The  date  of  the  first  denarius,  inscribed 
cos.  iii.  (signifying  that  the  honour  of  the 
Consulate  was  then  for  the  third  time  enjoyed 
by  M.  Antony),  is  thereby  ascertained  to  be  the 
year  v.c.  723.  The  account  given  by  Dion  is 
eminently  serviceable  in  explaining  this  medal, 
viz. : That  Antony,  after  his  defeat  at  Actium, 
directed  his  course  into  Africa,  to  join  Pinarius 
Scarpus,  who  was  stationed  there  with  an  army 
to  defend  Egypt,  but  that,  not  being  received  by 
Scarpus,  he  was  obliged  to  proceed  in  another 
direction,  without  attaining  his  object.  There 
is  no  doubt  that  the  Scarpus  whose  name  appears 
on  this  denarius  was  that  individual:  for  it  was 
first  struck  just  about  the  time  of  Antony’s 
downfall.  Moreover,  the  type  of  Jupiter  Ammon 
points  to  the  African  Prefecture  held  by  Piuarius. 
It  may  be  concluded,  therefore,  that  the  present 
coin  was  struck  in  that  proviuce.  The  denarius 
of  the  Pembroke  Museum,  also  above  quoted, 
shews  by  the  military  standards  (and  inscription 
leg.  viii.)  on  it,  that  the  command  of  the  army 
had  devolved  on  Scarpus.  And  the  opinion 
which,  on  this  point,  1 have  just  stated,  is  fully 
borne  out  by  a brass  coin  published  in  Angcloni’s 
work,  the  legend  of  which,  if  rightly  given, 
furnishes  us  with  lvcivs  as  the  prcuonien  of 


PINCENSIA. 

Pinarius,  and  the  letters  af.  denoting  his  African 
governorship. — (Eekhcl  vol.  v.  p.  272.) 

PINCENSIA  (AELIANA).  Within  a crown. 
— These  words  appear  on  a second  brass,  having 
on  its  obverse  the  head  of  Hadrian,  and  on  the 
reverse  aeliana  pincensia.  Harduin,  and 
even  Froelich  and  Morel],  have  thought  it 
related  to  contests  or  feats  of  wrestling,  &c., 
celebrated  in  honour  of  AE/ius  Hadrianus,  at 
Pincus  in  Mccsia.  But  Eckhel  differs  entirely 
from  this  opinion — observing  “ that  it  is  not 
credible  that  games  which  required  great  expense 
and  vast  preparations  should  have  been  instituted 
in  an  inconsiderable  aud  scarcely  known  town  of 
Mccsia,  especially  as  there  is  not  a single  example 
of  games  inscribed  on  coins  of  cities  in  that 
tract  of  country.  But  (he  adds)  we  have  many 
coins  struck  in  that  region  which  commemorate 
metal/a,  or  mines — such  as  the  Dalmatian,  Pan- 
nonian,  and  Dardanian,  with  which  the  above  coin 
coincides  in  workmanship,  magnitude,  and  also 
in  age;  for  only  with  the  head  of  Trajan  and  of 
Hadrian  have  we  coins  of  the  mines  (numi 
metallorum),  at  least  that  are  certain.  Nor 
docs  the  type  of  this  coin  differ  from  the  fashion 
of  those,  for  the  epigraph  within  a crown  of 
laurel  appears  also  in  the  Metallum  Noricum 
and  the'  Metallum  Aurelianum.  If,  therefore, 
we  supply  the  omitted  word  metallum,  which 
also  we  sec  suppressed  in  the  instances  of  two 
coins  of  Trajan,  inscribed  dardanici,  wc  shall 
have  the  most  suitable  interpretation  of  (he 
meaning : metalla  aeliana  pincensia  ; 

doubtless  called  Aeliana  from  their  author, 
Ae/ius  Hadrianus,  as  wc  see  the  word  Ulpiana 
used  to  designate  the  Metalla  struck  by  order  of 
Ulpivs  Trajanus,  aud  Pincensia,  from  Pincus, 
at  which  city  they  were  fabricated.” 

PIO. — See  Divo  pio,  on  coins  of  Antouinus 
Pins. 

PIO  IMP.  OMNIA  FELICIA.  P.  M.  TR. 
P.  XV.  IMP.  VIII.  COS  VI.  P.  P.— Neptune 
standing,  his  left  foot  placed  on  the  prow  of  a 
vessel;  a dolphin  in  his  right  hand. — Opposite 
is  the  figure  of  the  Emperor,  clothed  in  the  toga, 
and  veiled,  with  a patera  in  his  right  hand, 
sacrificing  at  an  altar. — Brass  medallion  of 
Coinmodus. 

The  singular  form  of  words  inscribed  on  this 
reverse  Eckhel  would  consider  to  relate  to  the 
vo/a  xx,  discharged  in  the  year  when  the  coin 
was  struck  (about  a.d.  190).  “ Did  not  the  type 
of  Neptune  militate  against  such  an  interpreta- 
tion. Perhaps,  therefore,  this  type  has  a retro- 
spective allusion  to  some  sea  voyage,  such  as, 
Ijainpridius  tells  us,  was  often  announced  to  be 
in  contemplation  by  Commodus,  cither  for  true 
or  for  fictitious  reasons.” 

Pirene,  a nymph  transformed  into  a fountain. 
Her  elligy  appears  on  a colonial  coin  of  Corinth, 
struck  under  Septimius  Sevcrus,  and  also  on  one 
of  the  same  colony,  dedicated  to  l’lautila. 
(Vaillant’s  Col.  ii.,  pp.  9 and  51).  The  type 
represents  her  sitting  on  a rock,  with  a cup  in 
her  right  hand.  Pirene  is  seated  on  a rocky  hill, 
to  indicate  the  city  of  Corinth,  where  she  was 
worshipped,  aud  her  spring  of  water  tlowed  into 


PISO.— PIUS—  PLACIDIA. 
the  town  ; hence  she  holds  the  urceus  or  water 
pot,  just  as  her  symbol  is  represented  in  the 
citadel  of  Corinth. — See  Corinthus. 

PISO,  a noble  surname  peculiar  to  the 
Cafpurnia  family. 

PISO  CAEPiOQ.  Pisoand  Cmpio  Qiuestores. 
— This  appears  on  the  obverse  of  a denarius  of 
the  Calpurnia  family,  with  the  type  of  a bearded 
head  crowned  with  laurel : behind  a sickle,  and 
below  a trident. — On  the  reverse,  ad.  frv.  emv. 
ex.  s.  c.  Ad  fruges  emundas  or  emendas,  or 
ad  frumentum  emundum.  Two  furores  in  the 
toga,  sitting  between  two  cars  of  corn. — See  ad. 
frv.  emv. — Also  see  Calpurnia. 

P1VS. — Metellus,  son  of  Numidicus,  was 
thus  snrnamed,  because  through  his  tears  and 
prayers  he  obtained  the  revocation  of  his  father’s 
sentence  of  bauishmeut  from  Koine,  lienee  the 
common  surname  which  appears  on  coins  of  the 
Catcilia  family  Q.  xietel.  pivs. — See  Cacilia. 

PI  VS  is  a surnamewhich,  after  Sextus  Pompey, 
was  borne  by  the  Pompeia  family. 

PIVS. — Nearly  all  the  Roman  Emperors,  from 
Antoninus  to  Julian  the  Apostate,  appear  by 
their  respective  coins  to  have  assumed  this 
venerable,  but  in  most  instances  unmerited, 
epithet. 

P.  I WENT.  Princeps  or  Principi  Juventulis. 

P.  K.  Percussa  moneta  Karthagine. — Money 
struck  at  Carthage. 

P.  L.  Percussa  Moneta  Lugduni. — Money 
struck  at  Lyon  (France.) 

PL.  Plebis. — aed.  PL.  Aediles  Plebis. — 
Edile  of  the  people. 

P.  L.  Publius  Licinius. — p.  l.  valerianvs 
CAESAR.  VaJerianus  jun. 

PLA.  or  PLAC.  Placidius. — D.  N.  pla. 

VALENTINl AN V S AVG. 

PLACIDIA  (Galla),  daughter  of  Theodosius 
the  Great  and  of  Galla,  second  wife  of  that 
prince.  Being  detained  at  Rome  as  a hostage 
by  Alaric,  she  afterwards  was  married  to  that 
Visigothic  King’s  successor,  Ataulplms,  A.D. 
414. — Ataulphus  being  slain,  Placidia  was  re- 
stored to  her  brother  Honorius,  and  her  first 
widowhood  terminated  by  Constantius  III. 
(Patricias)  taking  her  to  wife  a.d.  417-  He 
also  dying,  she  retired  into  private  life,  which 
extended  till  450,  when  she  expired  at  Rome. — 
All  her  coins,  especially  gold,  and  second  and 
third  brass,  are  of  extreme  rarity.  On  these 
she  is  styled  galla  placidia.  p.f.  avg. 

PLACIDIA,  daughter  of  Valcntinian  III., 
and  wife  of  Olybrius,  to  which  Emperor  she 
was  married  in  a.d.  462. 
— On  a gold  coin  of  the 
greatest  rarity  she  is 
styled  AEL.  PLACIDIA 
avg. — The  reverse  bears 
the  inscription  vot.  xx. 
mvi.t.  xxxi.  Victory 
holding  a long  cross : 
above  it  is  a star.  In 
the  exergue  conob. 

This  aureus  is  in  the  collection  of  the  British 
Museum.  Mr.  Akennan,  who  has  given  an 
engraving  of  it  in  his  Descriptive  Catalogue, 


PLAETORIA.  631 

says  (vol.  ii.  p.  377),  “ The  continental  numis- 
matists doubt  its  authenticity  [Eckhel  does  not 
mention  this  Placidia  at  all]  ; bnt  it  is  certainly 
a genuine  coin.  It  is,  however,  not  so  certain 
that  it  belongs  to  the  wife  of  Olybrius ; since 
the  coins  of  Galla  Placidia,  wife  of  Constantius 
III.,  have  legends  and  types  very  similar.  The 
wife  of  Constantius  III.  may  have  borne  the 
name  of  Aclia  as  well  as  that  of  Galla,  in  which 
case  the  coin  in  question  would  certainly  appear 
to  belong  to  her,  instead  of  to  the  consort  of 
Olybrius.” 

M.  llennin  says  that  the  Empress  appears 
only  on  a leaden  coin  of  Olybrius. 

PLAE.  TRAN.  Plaetorius  Tranquillus. 

PLAET.  sometimes  in  separate  letters ; at 
others  with  the  aet  joined  in  a knot ; also 
plaetor.  Plaetorinus ; the  family  name  of 
the  house  of  Plictoria. 

PLAETORIA,  a plebeian  family,  of  Sabine 
origin.  They  had  the  surname  of  Cestianus. 
Fifty-seven  varieties  of  the  coins  of  this  family 
arc  engraved  by  Morcll,  all  silver ; amongst 
which  there  are  pieces  struck  in  honour  of 
Brutus,  including  the  celebrated  one  that  bears 
the  subjoined  legend  and  type: — brvt.  imp. 
L.  plaet.  cest.  Brutus  Imperator  -.  Lucius 
P/atorius  Cestianus.  Bare  head  of  Marcus 
Brutus,  the  stabber  of  Cmsar. — Rev.  eid.  mar. 
Eidus  Martia.  A cap  of  liberty  between  two 
daggers. — This  very  rare  denarius  was  struck  by 
Lucius  Plietorius,  who  took  part  with  Brutus  in 
the  civil  war. — See  biivtvs  imp. 

A female  head ; a globe  or  some  other  symbol 
behind.  No  legend. — Rev.  m.  plaetor  (or 
plaetori)  cest.  s.  c.  Youthful  bust  placed  on 
a plinth,  on  which  is  inscribed  sors. — For  an 
explanation  of  this  denarius  see  the  word  sons. 

I.  — The  first  denarius  has  the  effigy  of  Sors, 
or  chance. — And  according  to  Cicero,  Sors,  idem 
propemodum,  quod  micare,  quod  talos  jacere, 
quod  tesseras,  quibus  in  rebus  temeritas  et 
casus,  non  ratio  nec  consilium  valet. — DeDivin. 
lib.  ii. 

II.  — A female  head,  with  hair  gathered  up  in 
a kind  of  net  work. — Rev.  m.  plaetori  cest. 
s.  c.  The  pediment  or  triangular  summit  of 
the  portico  of  a temple. — Eckhel  thinks  it  pro- 
bable the  reverse  type  is  intended  to  represent 
the  temple  of  Dea  sors. 

III.  — cestlanvs  s.  c.  Female  bust,  winged, 
and  hclmeted ; before  it  a cornucopia , behind 
it  a quiver. — Rev.  m.  plaetorivs  m.  f.  aed. 
cvr.  An  eagle  with  wings  displayed,  standing 
on  a thunderbolt.  The  type  on  each  side  is 
within  an  ornamented  circle. 

IV.  — cestlanvs.  The  head  of  a woman, 
turret-crowned,  before  winch  is  a globe. — Rev. 
M.  plaetorivs.  aed.  cvr.  A curule  chair. 

V.  — A juvenile  head,  with  long  hair. — Rev. 
m.  plaetori  cest.  ex.  s.  c.  A eaduccus. 

V I.  — A female  head,  with  reticulated  coiffure. 
On  others  moneta,  with  head  of  Moneta. — 
Rev.  xi.  plaetori  cest.  ex.  s.  c.  The  guttus 
(or  cruet)  and  a lighted  torch. 

VII.  — xioneta.  s.  c.  Head  of  the  Goddess 
Moneta. — Rev.  L.  plaetori.  l.  f.  q.  s.  c.  A 


632  PLANCUS. 

naked  man  runniug,  holding  something  in  each 

hand. 

“ It  were  wearisome  (says  Eckhel)  to  detail 
in  what  manner  both  Vaillaut  and  Havercamp 
have  attempted  to  explain  the  doubtful  type, 
which  appears  on  the  above  coin  (No.  VII.)  I 
think  it  better  that  the  point  should  be  left  in  a 
state  of  uncertainty.” 

The  coins  numbered  III.  and  IV.  of  the 
above  bear  record  to  the  curule  edileship  (aed. 
cvu.)  of  Pbctorius.  Cicero  himself  notices 
Phetorius  as  having  conducted  himself  memor- 
ably in  that  magistracy,  and  the  types  of  the 
coius  seem  to  allude  to  the  same  tact.  I he 
sella  curu/is  places  this  beyond  dispute.  The 
eagle  and  the  turreted  head  of  Cybele  indicate 
that  the  public  games  sacred  to  Jupiter  and 
Mater  Magna  were,  as  usual,  caused  to  be  per- 
formed by  the  curule  edilcs.  Hut  the  bust  of 
the  femaie  winged  and  helineted  ou  coin  No. 
111.,  unless  it  be  a pautheon,  which  the  union 
of  attributes  would  seem  to  shew,  is  of  the 
enigmatical  kind.  Nor  are  the  coins  V.  and  VI. 
sufficiently  open  to  a rational  interpretation,  to 
make  it  worth  while  to  dwell  upon  the  investiga- 
tion of  their  respective  meanings. 

PLANC.  Plancus,  the  surname  of  the 
Munatia  family. 

PLANCV S COS. — The  bare  head  of  Munatins 
Plancus. 

Rev.  S.  P.  Q.  R.  OB.  civ.  SEE. — Within  an 
oaken  crown.  A medal,  in  large  and  middle 
brass,  bearing  the  above  legend  and  type,  formerly 
belonged  to  the  cabinet  of  M.  D’Enncry.  A 
similar  one  was  published  by  Goltzius,  and,  at  a 
much  later  period,  was  given  in  the  Pembroke 
collection  ; but  in  both  these  instances  the  word 
cos  is  wanting. 

The  author  of  the  Catalogue  d'Ennery  pro- 
fesses to  regard  each  of  these  coins  as  genuinely 
antique,  and  supposes  them  to  have  been  struck 
by  the  Lugdunenses  (people  of  Lyon,  in  France), 
in  gratitude  to  L.  Munatius  Plancus,  who  planted 
that  colony  of  the  Homans.  (Eckhel  v.,  258.)  j 
This  eitreirtfely  rare  medal  could  not,  in  the 
opinion  of  M.  Visconti,  have  been  issued  as 
money.  “ It  is  known,”  says  this  learned  tiumis-  | 
matis't,  that  “on  the  occasion  of  feasts  and  of 
funeral  games,  medals  were  struck,  which  served 
as  tessera,  or  admission  tickets  to  the  public 
shows,  and  were  distributed  among  the  people. — | 
The  one  before  us  exhibits  on  one  side  the  head 
of  Plancus,  at  a very  advanced  age.  The  legend 
records  his  name  and  dignity,  plancvs  cos. 
(Plancus  Consul).  The  type  of  the  reverse  is  a 
representation  of  the  civic  crowu,  which  that 
consul  had  caused  to  be  offered  by  the  Senate 
to  Octavian,  with  the  title  of  Augustus,  and 
which  was  to  be  suspended  before  the  gate  of 
his  palace.  The  inscription,  engraved  within  the 
centre  of  this  crown,  announces  it  to  have  been 
decreed  by  the  Senate  and  by  the  Roman  people 
to  the  saviour  of  the  citizens  : 8.P.Q.R.  on  cives 
sekvatos.” — (See  Iconographie  Romaine,  Part 
i,  p.  158.) 

There  are,  as  is  well  known,  three  more  medals, 
which  recall  to  mind  the  dignities  with  which 


PLANCUS.— PLANCIA. 

the  Consul  Plancus  was  invested.  The  first 
is  a denarius,  bearing  on  one  side  the  head  of 
Julius  Casar,  with  the  legend  DIVVS  IVLVS, 
and  on  the  reverse  L.  MVNATI  PLANCVS 
PRAEFecf/u  VRBw. — The  second  is  a gold  coin 
of  the  consular  class,  having  on  its  obverse  C. 
CAESAR  D1CT.  TER.,  with  a head  of  Victory, 
winged  on  the  shoulders,  and  on  the  reverse  the 
sacrificial  vase  named  Prrefericulum , used  to 
contain  the  wine  with  which  the  victim 
was  sprinkled  at  the  altar. — The  legend,  L. 
PLANCVS  PRAEF.  or  PR.  VRB.,  is  the  same 
as  the  preceding  one. 

The  third  is  a denarius,  inscribed  on  its  reverse 
L mvnatiys  pko  cos. — See  Munatia  family. 

Plancus,  after  Cicsar’s  death,  leaned  some- 
times towards  one  side,  sometimes  towards 
another,  always,  however,  declaring  himself  in 
favour  of  the  dominaut  party.  Au  able  and 
profound  politician,  from  the  moment  that  he 
saw  civil  war  approaching,  he  decided  for 
Octavian,  to  whom  every  probability  augured 
success.  A refined  and  highly  cultivated  intellect, 
an  exquisite  literary  taste,  a prudent  though 
timid  conduct,  a character  whose  suppleness 
could  accommodate  itself  to  times  and  circum- 
stances— these  were  the  qualities  which,  added 
to  great  skill  in  the  management  of  public 
affairs,  both  civil  and  military,  together  with  the 
favours  of  fortune,  carried  Munatius  Plancus 
to  the  pinnacle  of  honours  and  dignities  under 
Julius  Cfesar,  under  Mark  Antony,  and  under 
Octavian.  During  his  lifetime  he  had  caused  a 
magnificent  mausoleum  to  be  built  near  Gaeta, 
on  an  eminence  which  commanded  a view  of  the 
sea,  where  he  doubtless  had  a villa  This  monu- 
ment, which  has  been  preserved  to  the  present 
I time,  is  described  as  a model  of  purity  in  its 
design  and  of  elegance  in  its  ornaments,  thus 
proving  the  good  taste  of  the  individual  who  had 
destined  it  to  contain  his  ashes. — There  is  yet  to 
be  seen,  in  the  court  of  the  Hotel  de  ViUe,  at 
Basle,  in  Switzerland,  the  statue  which  that 
city  raised  in  1528  to  the  memory  of  Plancus, 
founder  of  the  Roman  colony  of  Augst.  (Augusta 
Rauracorum.) 

The  inscription  on  the  above-mentioned  monu- 
ment at  Gaeta,  of  which  Grutcr  furnishes  the 
following  copy,  clearly  explains  those  on  the 
denarii  and  other  coins  of  the  Munatia  family : — 
L.  Munatius  L.  F.  L.  N.  L.  Pron.  Plancus 
Cos.  Cens.  Imp.  iter.  Yllvir  epul.  triump.  ex 
Raetis,  aedem  Salurni  fecit,  de  manuhiis  agros 
divisit  in  Italia  Beneventi,  in  Gallia  cotonias 
dedurit  Lugdunum  et  Rauricam.  “LuciusMuna- 
tius  l’laucus,  son  of  Lucius,  grandson  of  Lucius, 
great  grandson  of  Lucius:  Consul,  Censor,  de- 
clared general  of  the  army  for  the  second  time ; 
one  of  the  seven  superintendents  of  the  banquet 
of  the  gods  ; triumphed  over  the  Rhscti ; built, 
out  of  the  spoils  of  the  enemy,  the  temple  of 
Saturn ; divided  amongst  the  soldiers  the  lands 
of  Bcneventum  in  Italy ; established  two  colouies 
in  Gaul  (namely),  Lugdunum  and  Raurica. 

Plancia  was  a plcbciau  family,  for  some  of 
its  members  bore  office  as  tribunes  of  the 
people.  It  has  no  Latiu  cognomen,  but  on  its 


PLAUTIA. 

Greek  coins  the  surname  of  Verus  is  read.  Of 
eight  varieties,  one  rare  denarius  is  noted,  viz., 
C.  PLANCIVS.  AEDi/t#  CVR ulis  S.  C.  A 
female  head  covered  with  the  pi/eus,  ornamented 
with  ear-rings,  and  a collar  of  pendent  gems. — 
Rev.  without  inscription : a goat,  a bow,  and  a 
quiver. — Bcger,  remarking  on  this  coin,  says  : 
“ this  mountain  or  forest  goat,  probably  of 
Lybia,  is,  together  with  the  bow  and  quiver,  a 
sign  of  hunting,' which  connects  itself  with  the 
edileship.  For  Cicero  hath  testified  that  the 
business  of  superintending  the  public  sports, 
amongst  which  the  chase  of  wild  beasts  was 
customary,  belonged  specially  to  the  Ediles.” — 
According  to  Visconti,  quoted  by  Eckhel  (v., 
275),  the  woman’s  head  was  intended  to  repre- 
sent Diana,  as  mention  is  made  of  an  ancient 
marble  of  diana  planciana,  who  is  supposed 
to  have  been  worshipped  by  the  Plancii,  and  to 
have  received  this  appellatiou  from  them.  The 
attributes  on  the  reverse  arc  also  evidently  those 

(of  Diana,  as  goddess  of  hunting. — M.  Plancius 
Varus  appears  as  pro-consul,  on  coius  of  cities, 
in  Bithynia,  during  Vespasian’s  reign. 

PLAVTIA  was  a plebeian  family,  as  is  indi- 
cated by  the  tribunes  of  the  people  elected 
therefrom,  but  some  of  its  members  enjoyed  the 
highest,  viz.,  the  consular  and  triumphal  honours 
of  the  republic  (Ant.  Augustino).  Its  surnames 
on  coins,  of  which  there  are  nine  varieties  (in 
silver),  are  Hypsaus  and  Plancus. — Under  the 
former  cognomen  there  are  two  denarii  of 
historical  interest,  viz. : — 

p.  ypsae.  s.  c.  A female  head  encircled  with 
a broad  fillet : behind  it  a dolphin.  In  others, 
the  head  of  Neptune  : behind  it  is  a trident. 

Rev. — C.  YPSAE.  COS.  PRIV.  CEPIT.  (or  PR1EVER 
CAPT.)  Jupiter,  the  fulminator,  in  a quadriga 
at  full  speed. 

In  the  year  of  Rome  413,  C.  Plautius,  being 
consul,  took  Privernum,  a town  of  the  Volsei, 
and  triumphed  on  the  occasion  of  that  conquest. 

P.  HYPSAEVS.  AED.  CVR.  C.  HYPSAE 
COS.  PREIVERnam  CAPTVm.— Jupiter  in  a 
quadriga  at  full  speed,  brandishing  the  thunder- 
bolt. 

Rev. — M.  SCAVR.  AED.  CVR.  EX.  S.  C.  REX 
aretas. — Aretas  kneeling  beside  a camel  offers 
a branch  of  olive. — This  denarius  is  explained, 
in  reference  to  Scaurus,  in  noticing  the  Aemilia 
family — also  see  Rex  Aretas. 

P.  Hypsaeus  and  M.  Scaurus  served  the  edile- 
ship together  in  the  year  v.c.  696  (b.c.  58), 
and  the  coin  commemorates  on  one  side  the 
submission  of  Aretas,  King  of  Arabia,  to  the 
Roman  arms  under  M.  Scaurus;  and  on  the 
other  the  capture  of  Privernum,  mentioned  in 
the  foregoing. 

Connected  with  the  surname  of  Plancus,  we 
have  the  following  interesting  medal  of  the 
Plautia  family. 

l.  plavtivs. — A masque  representing  a 
woman’s  head,  of  which  the  hair  is  formed  of 
serpents,  like  that  of  Medusa. 

Rev. — plancvs.  Aurora  winged,  conducting 
the  four  coursers  of  the  sun. 

Various  interpretations  have  been  put  on  the 
4 M 


PLAUTIA.  633 

types  of  this  denarius ; Vaillant  refers  it  to  the 
Appollinarian  games,  and  Havercamp  supposes 
it  to  have  been  struck  in  the  East  from  the 
effigy  of  Awora.  But  Eckhel  refers  to  Ovid 
for  a lucid  explanation.  It  seems  that  the 
minstrels  or  flute-players  ( tibicines),  who  were 
accustomed  to  be  employed  in  public  festivals, 
having  taken  offence  at  the  behaviour  of  the 
Censor  Appius  Claudius  towards  them,  quitted 
Rome  and  retired  to  Tibur  (Tivoli). — The 
Romans,  however,  not  being  able  to  dispense 
with  their  services,  which  were  so  much  in  re- 
quest at  theatricals,  sacrifices,  and  funeral 
dirges,  the  second  Censor  Plautius  undertook 
to  calm  the  popular  irritation  excited  by  his 
colleague.  But  in  order  to  bring  these  mimes 
back  to  Rome  he  employed  the  following 
stratagem ; — He  went  to  Tibur,  ingratiated  him- 
self with  the  voluntary  exiles,  gave  them  a 
banquet ; and  having  plied  them  liberally  with 
wine,  had  no  difficulty,  in  prolonging  con- 
viviality, to  steep  their  senses  in  the  let  he  of 
intoxication.  In  this  state  he  caused  a mask  to 
be  placed  over  the  face  of  each,  in  order  that 
they  might  not  be  recognised  by  the  magistracy, 
and  conveyed  them  in  a carriage  to  Rome,  where 
he  deposited  them  in  the  middle  of  one  of  the 
public  places.  At  break  of  day  (the  Aurora)  all 
the  people  ran  to  the  spot  and  welcomed  the 
tibicines  with  an  universal  shout  of  laughter. 
They  were  at  length  induced  to  be  again  on  good 
terms  with  the  public.  And  in  memory  of  the 
event  which  had  thus  taken  place,  L.  Plautius 
Plancus,  one  of  the  Censor  Plautius'  descendants, 
stamped  on  one  side  of  his  medal  the  masque 
which  we  see,  and  on  the  other  the  figure  of 
Aurora,  which  shews  that  the  consummation  of 
the  scheme  in  question  occurred  at  sun-rise. — 
Leaving  out  the  rest  of  Ovid’s  verses  (Fast.  vi. 
651),  Eckhel  concludes  with  giving  the  following 
extract : — 

Jamque  per  Esquilias  Romanam  intraverat  urbem, 

Et  .mane  in  medio  plaustra  fuere  foro. 
plavtivs,  ut  posset  specie  numeroque  senatum 

Fallere,  personis  imperat  ora  tegi. 

If  a narrative  like  this  affords  us  but  a low 
idea  of  Roman  civilization  in  the  earlier  days  of 
the  republic,  it  should  be  recollected  that  the 
festivals  of  Europe  in  the  middle  ages  were  many 
of  them  indebted  to  as  rustical  and  strange  an 
origin. 

There  is  another  coin  of  the  Plautia  family, 
on  the  obverse  of  which  is  the  head  of  a 
woman,  crowned  with  towers,  and  the  inscrip- 
tion a.  plavtivs  aed.  cvr.  s.  c. ; and  on  the 
reverse  the  inscription  bacchivs  ivdaevs. 
Baechius  kneeling,  holds  a camel  by  the  bridle 
with  his  left  hand , in  his  right  a branch  of 
olive.  Since  of  the  Plautii  it  is  only  the 
Silvani  that  arc  found  with  the  prsenomcn  of 
Aldus,  Havercamp  justly  conjectures  that  the 
present  denarius  must  be  referred  to  some  one  of 
these.  The  head  on  the  obverse  alludes  to  the 
games  of  the  Mater  Magna,  which  used  to  be 
celebrated  by  the  Curule  zEdiles,  as  we  have 
stated  respecting  a similar  head  on  coins  of  the 


634  PLAUTILLA. 

Plrctoria  family. — But  the  reverse  offers  a sub- 
ject not  recorded  by  historians,  viz.,  Bacchius 
Judseus  in  the  same  suppliant  posture,  in  which 
wc  find  King  Aretas  on  coins  *jf  vEmilius 
Seamus. — It  cannot,  therefore,  he  questioned, 
that  at  the  same  time  that  Cu.Pompey,  through 
the  agency  of  Scaurus,  brought  Aretas  to  terms, 
he  imposed  conditions,  through  A.  Plautius,  on 
Bacchius,  then  as  it  would  appear  the  Governor 
of  Arabia,  and  by  religion  a Jew ; and  that  he  ‘ 
afterwards  recorded  this  success  on  the  denarii 
struck  during  his  icdileship. 

PLAVTILLA  (Just a Fuloia),  daughter  of 
the  enormously  rich  Plautianus,  and  the  unhappy 
wife  of  the  cruel  Caracalla,  to  whom  she  was 
married  a.d.  202,  her  arrogant  and  conceited 
father  having,  it  is  said, 
given  with  her  a dowry 
which  would  have  sufficed 
to  portion  off  fifty  queens. 
This  young  Empress  had  a 
fine  figure,  regular  features, 
and  might  have  been  esteem- 
ed a beauty,  but  for  the 
imperious  manner  in  which 
she  behaved  to  everybody,  not  excepting 
even  her  husband,  who  soon  returned  her 
haughtiness  with  deadly  hatred.  At  the  instiga- 
tion of  Caracalla,  she  was  banished  by  Sept. 
Scverus  to  the  isle  of  Lipari,  where,  after 
languishing  miserably  amidst  constant  alarms 
and  total  privations  till  the  commencement  of 
her  husband’s  reign,  she  wTas  assassinated  by  his 
order  a.I).  212  (after  seven  years  suffering),  along 
with  a daughter  whom  she  had  by  this  uuion, 
and  whom  the  same  execrable  tyrant  caused  to 
he  slain  as  the  companion  of  her  exile. — The 
coins  of  Plautilla  are  extremely  rare  in  gold,  'hut 
common  in  silver,  with  exception  of  some 
reverses.  First  brass  are  the  rarest,  second  and 
third  brass  not  so  scarce. — Some  silver  pieces  of 
this  Empress  represent  her  with  Caracalla. — Her 
name  and  title  on  Latin  coins  is  thus  inscribed — 
PLAVTILLA  AVO.,  Or  PI.AVTILLAE  AVGVSTAE. 

PLEB.  Plebis. — Of  the  common  people. — 
C.  val. — C.  sext.  aed.  pleb, — Cains  Valerius 
and  Cains  Sextus  rEdiles  Plebis. 

PLEBEI  VRBANAE  FRVMENTO  CON- 
STITVTO.  S.C. — A tnodius,  or  measure,  out 
of  which  issue  corn-ears  and  a poppy. — On  a 
rare  large  brass  of  Nerva. 

P/ebs  TJrbana , as  used  in  the  above  inscription, 
means  only  the  lowest  and  most  indigent  class 
of  the  population  of  Rome,  who  had  from  the 
earliest  period  been  accustomed  to  receive  gra- 
tuitous distributions  of  corn  for  food.  Under 
the  imperial  government,  these  donations  became 
regular  in  their  periods  of  delivery,  and  fixed  in 
their  proportions  to  each  citizen. — They  are  to 
be  regarded  as  totally  distinct  from  the  largesses 
made  to  the  whole  body  of  the  Roman  people, 
under  the  names  of  Liberalitas  or  of  Congiarium. 
— The  poppy  is  associated  with  the  ears  of  corn, 
as  being  also  a plant  dedicated  to  Ceres. — See 
Frumentaria  Largitiones. 

Plebeii,  those  who  belonged  to  the  commonalty 
(qui  ex  plebe  erantj. — Romulus  divided  the 


PLOTINA, 

entire  people  into  two  ranks  or  orders. — To  such 
as  in  the  general  state  were  conspicuous  for 
wisdom  and  wealth,  and  were  qualified  to  furnish 
him  with  good  counsel  in  government,  he  gave 
the  appellation  of  Patres.  All  the  rest  were 
called  Plebs,  or  the  common  people.  Those, 
therefore,  who  were  ex  glebe  went  under  the 
denomination  of  Plebeii,  or  Plebeians  ; whilst 
those  ex  patribus  were  called  Patrieii,  or 
Patricians. — Each  class  had  its  peculiar  rights. 
And  in  the  earlier  ages  the  principal  power  was 
vested  in  the  patricians,  who  exclusively  bore 
office  in  the  government  and  magistracy  of 
Rome.  In  process  of  time,  however,  almost 
all  the  privileges,  at  first  solely  enjoyed  by  the 
patricians,  whether  in  relation  to  the  senate,  the 
priesthood,  the  magistracy,  or  the  judgment- 
scat,  were  extended  to  the  common  people. 
Hence  the  plebeius  ordo  embraced  within  its 
extensive  scope  not  only  artizans  and  other 
persons  of  low  estate,  but  also  the  greatest  and 
most  illustrious  members  of  the  republic. 

Plebis  scita,  as  Pomponius  Fcstus  explains  it, 
were  those  laws,  statutes,  or  ordinances,  which 
were  made  by  the  aggregate  vote  aud  consent  of 
the  common  people,  without  the  senate,  on  the 
petition  of  the  plebeian  magistracy. 

Plebs  is  sometimes  used  in  contradistinction 
to  Popn/us,  as  designating  the  vilest  class  of  the 
city’s  inhabitants. — On  the  other  hand,  it  is  a 
word  by  which  is  understood  the  whole  state,  so 
far  as  it  consisted  of  patricians  and  plebeians. 

Plectrum. — An  instrument  which  was  em- 
ployed to  strike  the  chords  of  the  Grecian  lyre, 
or  cithara. — The  plectrum  and  lyre  are  found 
on  coins  of  the  Junia  family,  and  in  the  right 
hand  of  Apollo  on  gold  aud  silver  coins  of 
Augustus,  also  of  Nero,  M.  Aurelius,  and  the 
Pomponia  family. 

P.  LIC.  or  LICI.  Publius  Licinius. — It  is 
thus  read  on  a coin  of  Valerian,  sen.,  imp.  P. 
LICI.  VALEBIANVS  AVO. 

PLON.  PecuniaLondinensis  — Money  coined 
at  Lotidinium,  now  London. — See  coins  of  Con- 
stantine the  Great  and  of  his  family,  in  Mr. 
Akerman’s  “ Coins  of  the  Romans  relating  to 
Britain.” 

Plotia,  the  same  (says  Eckhcl)  as  Plautia. — 
In  like  manner  also  Claudius  and  Clodius ; 
Cauponius  and  Coponius  ; Faustulus  and  Fos- 
t ulus  ; &c. 

c.  plotivs.  kvfvs.  iiivir  a.a.a.f.f.  appears 
on  brass  coins  of  Augustus.  This  perhaps  is  the 
Plotius  Rufus  whom  Suetonius  states  to  have 
conspired  against  Augustus. 

PLOTINA  (Pompeia),  the  Empress  ofTrajan, 
had  been  married  to  that  prince  whilst  as  yet  he 
himself  was  in  a private  station.  On  his  acces- 
sion to  the  empire,  she  accompanied  him  at  his 
entry  into  Rome,  amidst  the  universal  acclama- 
tions of  the  people,  whose  admiration  she  had 
won,  not  less  by  her  humility  and  modesty  than 
by  her  noble-mindedness  aud  her  exalted  fortune. 
This  princess,  amiable  in  disposition,  dignified 
in  manuers,  rich  in  intellectual  endowments,  and 
truly  benevolent  in  all  her  actions,  conferred 
honour  by  her  virtues  on  the  throne  itself ; and 


PLOTINA. 

greatly  added  to  the  glory  of  her  husband’s  reign 
by  the  wisdom  of  her  councils,  aud  the  fidelity 


with  which  she  repaid  his  unbounded  confidence. 
She  lived  in  perfect  union  with  Marciana,  the 
sister  of  Tiajan ; and  these  twro  ladies  received 
each  from  the  Senate  the  title  of  avgvsta,  at 
the  moment  when  that  great  Emperor  accepted 
the  appellation  of  Pater  patriae. — It  W'as 
through  her  influence  that  Trajan  consented  to 
give  his  grand  niece  Sabina  in  marriage  to 
Hadrian  ; and  it  is  even  asserted  that  at  her 
earnest  entreaty,  her  husband  ou  his  death  bed 
adopted  the  above-named  prince  as  his  successor. 
— Plotina,  who  had  followed  Trajan  in  his  eastern 
expedition,  returned  after  his  death  to  Rome, 
with  the  urn  of  gold,  containing  the  ashes  of  her 
imperial  spouse. — The  death  of  this  celebrated 
woman  took  place  a.d.  129,  and  the  deifying 
honours  of  consecration  were  bestowed  upon  her 
by  the  Emperor  Hadrian. — Her  coins  are  very 
rare  in  gold  ; rarer  in  silver  and  first  brass,  and 
unknown  in  second  aud  third.  She  is  styled 
plotina  avg.  imp.  traiani.  Some  represent 
her  with  Trajan,  Matidia,  and  Hadrian. 

The  colonial  coins  of  Plotina  are,  according 
to  Vaillant,  of  the  highest  degree  of  rarity. 
Amongst  the  Latin  are  Cassendreia  in  Macedonia, 
and  Corinth  in  Achaia. 

Plumbei  Numi.  Leaden  Coins. — “ Roman 
coins  in  lead  (says  Pinkerton)  are  all  extremely 
rare.  Most  of  them  arc  pieces  struck  or  cast  on 
occasions  of  the  Saturnalia.  Others  are  for 
tickets  to  the  guests  at  festivals  and  private 
exhibitions,  some  for  public.  The  common 
tickets  for  the  theatres  seem  to  have  been  lead, 
as  well  as  bone.”  Ficoroni,  in  his  Piombi 
Antichi,  has  published  a numerous  and  curious 
collection  of  leaden  coins  from  his  own  cabinet. 
He  observes  that  “ in  Rome  leaden  coins  must 
have  been  pretty  ancient,  for  Plautus  mentions 
them  in  one  or  two  passages  of  his  plays ; and  a 
few  imperial  ones  have  been  found,  but  they  are 
chiefly  trial  pieces,  iu  order  to  enable  the  artist 
to  judge  of  the  progress  of  the  die.  Others  are 
those  which  have  been  plated  by  forgers,  but  the 
covering  worn  off.”  Many  of  these  leaden  pieces 
have  been  found  of  late  years  in  the  Thames  at 
London  Bridge. — See  Eckhel,  Numi  Plumbei, 
vol.  viii.,  317-318.  See  also  Rasche,  Plumbei 
Numi. 

PLVR.  NATAL.  FEL. — This  epigraph,  which 
appears  within  an  oaken  garland,  on  the  reverse 

4 M 2 


POBLICIA.  C35 

of  one  of  Constantine  the  Great’s  third  brass, 
and  is  the  only  instance  of  the  kind  extant, 
appears  to  have  originated  in  the  fancy  of  some 
pious  mint-master,  who  prays  for  Plurimi  Natales 
Felices  to  Constantine.  The  Kalendars  assign 
three  natal  days  to  that  Emperor;  one  the 
natural  time,  or,  as  it  was  called,  genuinus ; the 
second,  on  which  he  was  created  Caesar  ,■  the 
third,  when  he  was  proclaimed  Augustus. — 
[Eckhel,  d.n.v.,  viii.,  72.] 

P.M.  Pontfex  Maximus. — Grand  or  Sove- 
reign Pontiff.  This  appellation  is,  after  the  reign 
of  Gallienus,  more  rarely  expressed  on  the  coins 
of  succeeding  princes,  on  which  at  length  we 
find  P.F.  avg.,  or  Pius  Felix  Augustus,  in- 
scribed, other  titles  being  almost  entirely 
omitted. 

P.  MAX.,  or  PON  MAX.,  or  PONT.,  or 
PONTIF  MAX.,  and  sometimes  with  the  words 
at  Ml  length,  PONTIFEX  MAXIMVS,  is  very 
frequently  read  on  imperial  coins  from  Augustus 
to  the  time  of  Gallienus,  and,  indeed,  is  found 
almost  always  to  take  priority  before  the  other 
imperial  titles.  And  this  we  may  readily  suppose 
to  have  been  done,  in  order  that  by  such  a union 
of  the  priestly  and  imperial  functions  in  their 
own  single  persons,  the  Emperors  might  make  it 
known  to  the  world  that  the  Senate  aud  people 
of  Rome  invested  them  with  the  supreme  admin- 
istration as  well  of  sacred  aud  religious  affairs, 
as  of  the  civil  and  military  business  of  the  state. 

P.M.S.  COL.  VIM.  Yrovincia  Moesite 
Superioris  Colonia  Viminiacum;  velFiminacium. 
— Colony  of  Viminiacum,  in  the  province  of 
Upper  Mocsia  (now  Widm,  in  Servia). 

P.M.  T.R.  P.  VII.  COS  P.P.  Pontifex  Maxi- 
mus,  Tribunitia  Yotestate  Septimum,  Consul, 
Pater  P atria. — On  a gold  coin  of  Gallienus. 

P.  MAX.  Parthicus  Maximus. — Caracalla 
is  thus  denominated. 

P.  MET.  SID.  Pia  Metropolis  Sidon. — See 
Sidon. 

P.N.  Publii  Nepos. — A frequent  abbreviation 
on  denarii  of  Roman  families. 

PNR. — These  letters  arc  found  on  a third 
brass  coin  of  Claudius.  The  reverse  type  of  it 
is  a right  hand  holding  a balance,  between  the 
scales  of  which  are  these  initials. — Havercamp 
and  others  interpret  them  Yondus  Numi  Romani. 
Eckhel  agrees  with  Bellori  in  thinking  it  better 
explained  by  P ondus  Numi  R estilutum. — [d.n.v., 
vi.,  238.] 

PO.  Pontifex. — PO.  MAX.  Pontifex 

Maximus. — On  a first  brass  of  Galba. 

PO.  Populi. — FELIC1TATEM  PO.  R. 

Popu/i  Romani. — On  a first  brass  of  Gordian  111. 

PO.  Potestate. — TR.  PO.,  &c.  Tribunitia 
Potestate. — On  a first  brass  of  Hadrian. 

POBLICIA,  a plebeian  family,  but  of  consular 
rank.  Its  cognomen  on  coins  is  Malleolus. 
There  are  fifteen  varieties,  all  of  silver,  on  some 
of  which  a small  hammer  or  mallett  is  engraved, 
evidently  alludine  to  the  surname  Malleolus,  but 
none  of  these  arc  scarce  or  of  historical  interest, 
except  a denarius  of  Cneius  Pompey,  the  son 
(without  his  portrait),  which  bears  the  name  of 
the  family. 


636  POMPEIA. 

M.  poblici.  leg.  PEO.  pr. — Head  of  Minerva. 

Rev. — CN'.  MAGNVS  imp. — Pompey  the  Great, 
in  a military  habit,  with  his  right  foot  on  the 
prow  of  a ship,  is  receiving  a palm  branch,  which 
a female  figure  (with  two  javelins  and  a small 
shield)  is  offering  to  his  acceptance. 

According  to  the  received  opinion,  this  silver 
coin  was  struck  by  M.  Poblicius,  propraffor, 
under  Pompeius  Magnus,  and  the  type  signifies 
the  benignant  reception  of  that  Roman  Imperator 
by  the  Genius  of  Spain,  at  the  period  when  he 
landed  in  that  country  to  assist  in  carrying  on 
the  war  against  Sertorius.  (See  Pompcia  family.) 
An  almost  similar  subject  appears  on  the  reverse 
of  a denarius  of  Minatius  Sabinus. — S ecMinatia. 

Poena  mi/itares.  Military  punishments. — 
Well  aware  of  the  advantages  to  be  derived  in 
their  armies  by  a prompt  and  liberal  attention  to 
the  reward  of  valour,  the  Romans  were  no  less 
convinced  of  the  bad  consequences  resulting  from 
too  great  indulgence;  and  accordingly,  they 
manifested  the  same  strictness  in  chastising 
cowardice  and  relaxation  of  discipline.  Amongst 
the  military  punishments  of  this  truly  warlike 
people  were  decimation  (or  death  inflicted  on  one 
in  ten)  in  cases  of  mutiny  against  the  general. 
Deserters  were  publicly  whipped,  and  sold  as 
slaves.  Cowardice  in  an  individual  soldier,  if 
not  with  death,  was  punished  with  degradation 
and  prohibition  to  wrear  arms  again.  For  sedition 
a legion  or  a corps  would  be  broken  with  infamy. 
For  exhibiting  want  of  courage  in  face  of  an 
enemy,  a whole  body  of  troops  would  be  deprived 
of  their  rations  of  wheat,  and  obliged  to  live  on 
barley  ; they  were  also  made  to  take  up  their 
quarters  out  of  the  enclosure  of  the  camp,  exposed 
to  the  enemy.  Nor  were  either  generals  or 
consuls  exempt  from  condign  punishment  and 
disgrace,  if  found  guilty  of  gross  misconduct, 
treachery,  or  peculation. 

A military  punishment  is  thought  to  be 
represented  on  a denarius  of  the  Didia  family, 
inscribed  t.  deidi.,  Titi  Didii,  wherein  a 
centurion  is  seen  beating  a soldier,  who  is 
supposed  to  be  stopped  in  the  act  of  deserting 
from  the  camp. — See  Didia. 

POL.  Pol/io,  a surname  found  on  Corinthian 
colonials. 

Pollux , the  son  of  Jupiter,  brother  of  Castor. 
— See  Dioscuri. 

POM.  signifies  the  Pompeia  family. 

POMP.  Pompi/ius. — pomp.  Pomponius. 

Pompeia. — This  was  a plebeian,  but  at  the 

same  time  a consular  family,  which  derived  its 
name,  it  is  said,  from  Pompeii,  a town  of  Cam- 
pania. Certain  it  is  that  it  furnished  the  Republic 
of  Rome  with  several  illustrious  citizens.  The 
surnames  of  this  family,  as  they  appear  on  coins, 
are  Faustulux , Magnus,  Pius,  Rufus. — There 
are  thirty-three  varieties,  amongst  which  we 
find  some  rare  types  in  gold  and  silver.  Of  the 
latter  metal,  some  pieces  are  extant,  struck  by 
Sextus  Poinpcy,  with  magnvs,  one  of  the 
surnames  of  this  family,  borne  by  Cn.  Pompeius. 
— The  brass  coins  of  the  Pompeii  are  the  As,  or 
its  parts. 

Of  this  Pompeia  family,  one  of  the  Faust  ulus 


POMPEITS. 

branch,  treating  the  fable  of  Romulus  and 
Remus  being  suckled  by  a wolf  as  true  history, 
and  assuming  himself  to  be  a descendant  of  the 
shepherd  Faustulus,  who,  according  to  that 
ancient  figment,  adopted  and  brought  up  the 
twin  brothers,  caused  a silver  coin  to  be  struck, 
on  the  reverse  of  which  the  subject  in  question 
is  represented  as  follows : — 

sex.  pom.  fostlvs. — Romulus  and  Remus 
taking  nourishment  from  their  four-footed  nurse 


of  the  forest,  beneath  the  shade  of  a fig  tree. 
A woodpecker  or  magpie  is  perched  on  a branch 
of  this  tree,  and  the  shepherd  Faustulus,  in  the 
attitude  of  admiration,  appears  contemplating 
this  extraordinary  group. 

Inthiscase  Fos/lus  is  read  instead  of  Faustulus, 
the  same  as  Clodius  was  written  for  Claudius, 
and  vinclum  for  vinculum. 

POMPE1VS  Magnus  Cnaius  (commonly  called 
Pompey  the  Great)  was  born  in  the  year  of 
Rome  648,  one  hundred  and  odd  years  before 
the  Christian  era.  llis  father,  Pom|ieius  Strabo, 
was  of  a distinguished  Roman  family,  through 
whose  care  he  received  the  highest  advantages  of 
education.  Of  a lofty  genius,  vaunting  ambition, 
and  heroic  courage,  he  early  embraced  a military 
life,  and  at  nineteen  years  of  age  gained  a famous 
victory  over  the  Marsi,  in  Gaul.  At  twenty- 
three,  he  received  the  title  of  IMP erator  from 
Sylla,  the  Dictator.  Mas  honoured  with  a 
triumph  for  his  conquests  in  Sicily  aud  Africa. 
Three  times  he  served  the  office  of  Consul,  and 
the  last  time  (in  the  year  of  Rome  702)  had  the 
unique  distinction  conferred  on  him  of  being 
named  Sole  Consul.  The  senate  having,  with 
the  title  of  YROconsul,  given  him  unlimited 
power  as  a naval  commander,  he  destroyed  with 
his  fleets  the  piratical  marauders  who  had  long 
ravaged  the  coasts  of  Italy.  Supremely  skilled 
in  the  art  of  war,  his  valour  and  success,  in  a 
numerous  series  of  brilliant  actions,  established 
him  in  the  opinion  of  his  contemporaries  as  one 
of  the  first  captains  that  ever  commanded  an 
army.  Besides  terminating  the  revolt  of  Sertorius 
in  Spain,  he  vanquished  Tigranes,  king  of 
Armenia,  routed  the  great  Mithridates,  sovereign 
of  the  Mcdes  and  Parthians,  took  the  temple  of 
Jerusalem,  aud  reduced  a part  of  Judica;  and 
for  all  these  victories  enjoyed  triumphal  honours 
of  the  most  magnificent  kind  at  Rome.  Hence 
on  some  coins  Pompey  is  seen  in  a triumphal 
quadriga,  crowned  by  a figure  of  Victory.  It 
was  for  these  splendid  exploits  that  the  title  of 
Magnus,  or  Great,  was  awarded  to  him  But 
blinded  by  false  ambition,  and  aiming  at  the 
mastership  of  the  Republic,  he  formed  with 
Julius  Ctesar  and  Crassus  the  first  Triumvirate. 


POMPEII'S. 


POMPONIA.  637 


Soon  after  quarrelling  with  liis  more  artful  rival, 
a civil  war  ensued,  and  Pompey  was  defeated  at 
Pharsalia.  At  this  adverse  turn  of  his  affairs  he 
shewed  himself  as  deficient  in  fortitude  as  his 
friends  in  fidelity.  Seeking  the  protection  of 
Ptolemy  in  Egypt,  he  w’as  basely  assassinated 
within  sight  of  Alexandria  by  Achillas,  the 
prefect  of  that  perfidious  king,  in  the  year  of 
Home  706 ; before  the  birth  of  Christ  48 
years. — His  style  on  coius  (which  in  each  metal 
are  of  great,  and  some  of  excessive,  rarity)  is 

MAGNV8. — MAGN.  (or  MAGNYs)  PRO.  COS. — CN. 
MAGN.  IMPEKATOK. 

Some  pieces  represent  him  writh  his  sons, 
Cnteius  Pompeius  and  Sextus  Pompeius. — There 
is  a fine  portrait  of  this  celebrated  man  on  a 
silver  coin,  inscribed  MAGttttf  PIYS  IMP erator 
ITKR«wf.  The  bare  head  of  Pompey  is  between 
the  lituus  and  the  prtefericulum,  as  denoting  his 
augural  dignity.  On  the  reverse  the  legend  is 
ritAEF.  oitAE.  mab.it.  et  clas.,  allusive  to  his 
supreme  naval  command  against  the  corsairs  of 
the  Mediterranean.  The  accompanying  type 
exhibits  Neptune  standing  between  Anapius  and 
Amphinomus. — Sec  pkaef.,  &c. — Also  see 
Anapius,  &c. 

MAGN.  The  two-faced  and  beardless  head 
of  Janus. — Rev.  pivs  imp.  A ship’s  prow. 

Sextus  Pompey  was  in  the  habit  of  placing 
the  head  of  his  father  Magnus  on  the  coins 
which  he  caused  to  be  struck  whilst  carrying  on 
(as  Lucan  intimates)  “the  trade  of  pirate  on  the 
coasts  of  Sicily,  and  thus  inconsistently  tarnish- 
ing the  laurels  which  his  great  sire  had  won  in 
those  very  seas.” — Havercamp,  in  giving  an 
engraving  of  this  coin,  remarks  that  the  two 
faces  of  Janus  are  thereon  represented  imder  the 
lineaments  of  the  Great  Pompey,  and  in  this 
opinion  he  is  decisively  supported  by  Eekhel. 

Pompeius  Cnteius,  son  of  Pompey  the  Great, 
fell  at  the  battle  of  Muuda,  in  Spain,  in  the 
year  of  Rome  709  (b.c.  45).  Silver  coins 
without  his  head  arc  not  very  scarce,  but  those 
with  his  head  are  of  a high  degree  of  rarity. — 
Some  pieces  represent  him  with  his  father  and 
his  brother,  Cnteius  Pompeius  Magnus  and 
Sextus  Pompeius.  He  bore  by  hereditary  right 
from  his  father  both  the  title  of  imp.  (meaning 
iu  consular  times  simply  a military  chief)  and 
the  surname  of  magnvs. — There  are  curious 
reverses  on  certain  very  rare  denarii,  the  coinage 
of  which  is  ascribed  by  all  numismatic  anti- 
quaries to  Ctueius  Pompeius  jun. — See  Minatia 
in  this  Dictionary : see  also  Mr.  Akerman’s 
Catalogue,  wherein  there  is  an  engraving  of  a 
coin  (pi.  5,  No.  9)  from  Mr.  Brumell’s  cabinet, 
with  that  distinguished  collector’s  observations 
upon  it. — (Vol.  i.  p.p.  109,  110.) 

Pompeius  Sextus,  second  son  of  the  Great 
Pompey,  was  born  in  the  year  of  Rome  689 
(b.c.  65).  Under  his  father’s  instructions,  he 
soon  became  an  able  general. — His  elder  brother 
Cnaeius  and  himself  uniting  together  in  the  great 
and  perilous  enterprise  of  avenging  their  father’s 
death,  these  two  young  men  formed  powerful 
alliances,  and  bravely  sustained  their  own  cause, 
with  that  of  the  free  Roman  Republic,  against 


Julius  Caesar,  who  at  length  defeated  them  at 
the  battle  of  Munda,  in  Spain  (709). — Cnajius 
Pompey  was  slain  in  his  flight  from  that 
disastrous  field.  But  Sextus,  though  alone, 
continued  to  lead  the  army  of  the  Republic,  and 
carried  on  the  war  with  so  much  resolution  that 
Octavius  and  Antony  came  to  terms  with  him, 
and  the  senate  conferred  upon  him  the  title  of 
pkaef.  clas.  (Admiral  of  the  Elect)  in  710. — 
But  with  characteristic  inconstancy  he  soon 
quarrelled  with  Octavius,  who  sent  Agrippa 
against  him  with  a powerful  navy.  The  result 
was  the  total  defeat  of  Sextus,  who  lost  the 
greater  part  of  his  vessels,  and  was  compelled, 
for  his  own  immediate  safety,  to  join  Mark 
Antony  against  Octavius.  This  alliance  was 
short-lived ; disagreeing  with  Anthony,  he  fled 
into  Phrygia,  and  being  abandoned  by  all  his 
soldiers,  fell  into  the  hands  of  one  of  Antony’s 
officers,  who  caused  him  to  be  beheaded  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  Sargaris  in  719  (b.c.  35). — 
On  his  coins  (gold  and  silver)  he  is  styled  s. 
POMP.  MAGN. — SEX.  MAG.  PIVS  IMP. — also 
neptvni  (by  implication  filius). — Sextus  not 
only  assumed  the  surname  of  Magnus,  as  of 
hereditary  right,  but  was  also  distinguished  by 
that  of  Pius,  on  account  of  his  filial  piety  in 
devoting  himself  with  such  extraordinary  zeal 
and  perseverance  to  appease  the  manes  of  his 
illustrious  parent,  by  waging  wrar  against  the 
parties  wrho  had  caused  his  death. — On  some 
silver  coins  his  head  and  name  both  appear; 
on  others  his  head  only,  without  his  name. 
There  are  some  pieces  which  represent  him  with 
his  father  and  brother ; these  are  in  gold  and  of 
great  rarity. 

Pomponia. — This  family,  although  it  aspired 
to  derive  its  origin  from  Nurna,  or  from  Pompo, 
the  son  of  that  king,  was  nevertheless  of  the 
plebeian  order,  as  is  shewm  by  the  tribunes  of 
the  people,  who  belonged  to  it. — Its  surnames 
on  Roman  denarii  are  Molo,  Musa,  Rufus. — 
Morell  gives  three  varieties.  Amongst  the  rarest 
types  of  which  are  the  following  in  silver : — 

Molo. — l.  pompon,  (or  POMPONI.)  MOLO. 
Laureated  head  of  Apollo. 


Rev. — nvm.  pompil.  A figure  clothed  in  the 
toga,  holding  the  lituus,  and  sacrificing  at  an 
altar,  to  which  another  male  figure  is  leading  a 
goat. 

The  Molones  are  unknown  in  Roman  history. 
We  have  the  testimony  of  Plutarch  that  the 
Pomponia  family  referred  their  origin  to  Numa. 
For  after  recording  that  there  were  four  sons  of 
Numa,  viz.,  Pompo,  Pinus,  Calpus,  andManercus, 
he  adds — “ for  the  Pompouii  are  descended  from 


638  POMPONIA. 

Pompo.” — For  this  reason,  Numa  is  represented 
on  the  reverse  of  the  above  denarius  engaged  in 
performing  a sacred  rite,  of  which  he  was  him- 
self the  principal  originator. — On  the  same 
ground  of  pretension,  the  Catpurnii  also,  the 
descendants  of  Calpas,  and  the  Marcii  Censorini 
have  introduced  Numa  on  their  coins. 

Musa. — Q.  pomponi.  mvsa.  A youthful  head, 
with  the  hair  arranged  in  curls. — Rev.  hehcvles 
itvsakvm.  Hercules,  clad  in  the  lion’s  skin, 
stands  playing  on  the  lyre. 

On  the  reverse  of  another  denarius  is  the 
same  epigraph  of  Q.  pomponi,  mvsa  ; and 
Urania,  one  of  the  Nine  Muses,  with  her 
attributes. 

Apparently  governed  in  his  choice  by  the 
analogy  of  appellation,  this  Pomponius  Musa, 
has  adopted  the  Muses  for  types  to  enrich  his 
family  coius.  The  first  of  the  above  two  denarii 
offer  to  us  Hercules  Musarum ; the  second, 
and  eight  other  medals,  present  the  full  chorus 
of  those  personifications  of  the  arts  and  sciences, 
in  the  order  mythologically  assigned  to  them. — 
See  Muses. 

Hercules  Musagetes,  or  conductor  of  the 
Muses,  was  known  in  Greece  under  that  name, 
and  his  worship  was  often  associated  with  that 
paid  to  the  nine  virgin  goddesses  of  poetry  and 
civilisation.  It  is  difficult  to  account  for  this 
seeming  abandonment  of  his  maiden  companions 
by  the  God  of  Song  himself  to  the  protection  of 
another  and  an  inferior  divinity.  But  such  were 
the  contradictions  aud  inconsistencies  of  the 
superstitious  patchwork  which  formed  the  Graeco 
Roman  system  of  deification.  The  subject  before 
us  has  been  reasonably  supposed  to  iudicate,  by 
an  allegory,  that  the  cultivation  of  intellectual 
pursuits  rests  secure  under  the  guardiauship  of 
strength  and  courage,  and  that  the  heroic  genius 
of  Hercules  can  be  worthily  proclaimed  only 
through  the  magic  organ  of  the  Muses. 

On  different  denarii  of  the  Pomponia  family, 
given  in  Morell,  we  see  each  of  the  Muses 
respectively  distinguished  by  their  peculiar  attri- 
butes. Thus  we  easily  recognise  Urania,  whose 
Greek  denomination  signifies  heaven,  by  her 
holding  a globe  and  a compass,  as  the  Muse  of 
Astronomy.  Millin  observes  “ that  the  com-  , 
parison  of  these  medals  with  the  Muses  repre- 
sented in  the  paintings  of  Herculaneum,  in  the 
apotheosis  of  Homer,  the  marble  of  the  Capitol, 
aud  the  nine  Muses,  antique  copies  of  those  by 
Pbiliseus  in  the  Museum  Pio-Clemcntiue,  serves 
to  ascertain  those  true  attributes  of  each 
muse,  which  artists  sometimes  depicture  too 
arbitrarily.” 

The  following  are  rare  denarii,  viz. : — 

I.  — C.  N.  P1SO.  PRO  Q«<r stor.  Head  of 
Numa,  bearded,  and  encircled  with  a diadem; 
the  inscription  NVM.V.  — AVr.  MAGNwj  PRO 
CO«S«/.  The  prow  of  a galley. 

II.  — varro  I'Roq.  A bearded  and  diademed 
head  and  bust  like  a terminus. — Rev.  maqn. 
pro  cos.  Au  eagle  and  a dolphin,  and  between 
them  a sceptre  is  erected. 

III.  — magnvs.  A female  head  covered  with 
the  skin  of  au  elephant’s  head,  between  the 


PONTIFEX. 

lit uus  and  the  urceus,  all  within  a garland. — 
Rev.  pro  cos.  Pompey  in  a quadriga. 
Victory  standing  near  him.  On  a gold  coin  of 
the  highest  degree  of  rarity,  [catalogued  in 
the  Collection  d’Ennery,  p.  195.] 

It  is  universally  agreed  that  the  above- 
described  coins  were  struck,  at  the  time  when 
Pompey  was  engaged  in  the  war  with  the 
pirates,  during  the  proqmestorship  of  Cntcius, 
Piso  and  Varro,  respecting  whom,  as  also  con- 
cerning the  obverses  of  these  medals,  notice  is 
taken  under  the  head  of  the  Calpurnia  and 
Terentia  families.  This  may  safely  be  inferred 
from  the  maritime  types  of  the  reverses. 
Pompey  is  iu  these  called  Pro-consul ; no  doubt 
by  a decree,  that  he  should,  during  the  war, 
have  pro-cousular  authority  over  the  whole  sea, 
and  to  the  distance  of  fifty  miles  inland  from 
the  coast.  The  addition  of  the  title  magnus 
throws  some  light  on  the  date  when  this  honour 
was  conferred.  Appian,  in  two  passages,  but 
doubtingly,  intimates,  that,  after  the  Mithridatic 
war,  or  at  least  after  the  subjugation  of  the 
pirates,  this  title  was  given  him. — Lampridius 
makes  Alexander  Scvcrus  assert,  that  Pompey 
received  the  appellation  of  Magnus  after  great 
victories.  Since,  therefore,  in  the  present 
denarii,  which  were  undoubtedly  coined  during 
the  war  with  the  pirates,  Pompey  is  already 
invested  with  the  name  of  Magnus,  greater 
credit  is  to  be  given  to  the  account  of  Plutarch 
and  Pliny,  who  affirm  that  it  was  conferred  on 
him  by  Sulla. 

For  other  coins  of  Pompeia  family,  see 

Cnieius  Pompeius. 

Pontifei. — Pontif  or  Priest  of  the  Gods, 
amongst  the  people  of  heathen  Rome.  Many 
were  the  persons  dedicated  to  the  service  of 
those  false  deities,  and  in  their  corporate 
capacity  they  formed  a college.  It  is,  however, 
to  be  observed,  that  the  individuals  thus 
employed  (and  whose  principal  function  was  to 
offer  sacrifices,  not  to  any  particular  divinity, 
but  to  all  the  gods  of  their  mythology),  did  not 
constitute  any  separate  order  set  apart  like  that 
of  the  Christian  clergy  from  civil  employments, 
but  were  eligible,  with  other  citizens,  to  ex- 
ercise, at  the  same  time,  the  office  of  magis- 
trate, and  also  to  act  iu  a military  capacity. — 
The  number  of  Pontifs  instituted  by  Numa  was 
four;  they  were  taken  from  the  body  of  the 
Patricians.  In  the  year  454,  under  the  con- 
sulate of  Apuleius  Pansa  and  Valerius  Corvus, 
four  more  were  added  from  the  plebeians.  In 
Sylla’s  time  the  number  was  augmeuted  to 
fifteen  ; and  from  that  period  commenced  the 
distinction  of  the  greater  and  the  inferior 
priests.  The  eight  ancient  ones  were  called 
Pontifices  majores,  aud  the  other  Pont  fees 
minores. — The  pontifs  were  regarded  as  sacred 
personages,  and  for  distinction’s  sake  took  pre- 
cedence before  all  the  magistrates : they  pre- 
sided at  all  such  games  of  the  cirrus,  of  the 
amphitheatre,  and  of  the  theatre,  as  were  cele- 
brated in  honour  of  any  deity.  The  insignia 
of  the  sacerdotal  dignity  were  the  veil  called 
, tutu/us,  the  apex  (a  pointed  rap),  aud  the 


PONTIFEX. 

suffihuhim.  The  pontifs  also  wore  the  pretexla, 
and  had  all  the  equipage  of  great  magistrates, 
as  well  as  the  same  kind  of  retinue. — On  coins 
with  the  inscription  of  pi  etas  avgvsta  we  see, 
amongst  the  symbols  of  the  priesthood,  the 
instruments  of  sacrifice,  such  as  the  secespita, 
the  lituus,  the  simpulum,  the  aspergillum,  &c. 
(See  those  words.) — Morell’s  work  furnishes  re- 
presentations of  pontificial  insignia  without  the 
augural,  on  coins  of  Julius  Caesar,  and  with  the 
augural  signs,  united  to  the  legend  avgvr. 

PONT.  MAX. 

Pontifex  Maximus  (the  High  Priest  or  Chief 
Pontif)  was  thus  called,  not  only  because  he  was 
president  of  the  whole  college  of  priests  or 
pontiffs,  but  also  because  he  was  the  judge 
and  superintendent  of  whatever  related  to  the 
religion  and  sacred  ceremonies  of  the  Romans, 
whether  in  public  or  in  private.  Accordingly  it 
was  the  accustomed  practice  of  the  Senate  to 
delegate  its  authority  over  all  matters  connected 
with  the  established  worship  of  their  gods  to  the 
Pontifex  Maximus , and  it  was  his  duty  to  lay 
before  the  sacerdotal  college,  of  which  he  was 
the  head,  all  such  questions  as  arose  on  the  sub- 
ject of  their  peculiar  superstition,  and  to 
report  their  aggregate  opinion  thereon  to  the 
Senate. 

The  Sovereign  Pontificate  was  a dignity  of 
Numa’s  creation,  and  the  privilege  of  conferring 
it  on  any  one  was  vested  at  first  in  the  elective 
choice  of  the  Patricians ; but  in  process  of  time 
this,  as  well  as  other  offices,  which  had  once 
belonged  exclusively  to  the  nobles,  was  occa- 
sionally conferred  on  plebeian  candidates  by  the 
suffrages  of  the  people.  Cicero,  as  if  to  indi- 
cate the  immense  influence  of  this  office  over  the 
whole  commonwealth,  remarks  that  temples, 
altars,  penates,  gods,  houses,  wealth,  and  fortune 
of  the  people  were  subject  to  its  power. 

The  Pontifex  Maximus,  under  the  republic,  was, 
indeed,  one  of  the  principal  personages  of  the 
state,  and  his  functions  were  held  in  profound  vene- 
ration. Entrusted,  as  has  been  already  observed 
with  the  direction  of  religious  matters,  of  which 
he  prescribed  the  ceremonies  and  explained  the 
mysteries,  it  was  the  high  priest  who  had  the 
government  of  the  Vestals,  and  the  inspection 
of  every  order  of  the  priesthood.  He  dictated 
the  form  in  which  the  public  statutes  were  to  be 
couched ; and  professed  the  right  of  presiding  at 
adoptions,  was  keeper  of  the  public  annals, 
regulated  the  calendar,  and  took  cognizance  of 
certain  cases  relating  to  marriages.  To  him  it 
solely  appertained  to  grant  dispensations;  nor 
was  he,  except  in  very  extraordinary  cases, 
required  to  answer  for  his  conduct  either  to  the 
Senate  or  to  the  people.  Moreover,  it  was  a 
dignity  always  held  for  life  ; he  on  whom  it  was 
once  conferred  continuing  in  it  without  even  the 
form  of  a renewal,  and  without  acknowledging 
an  equal  in  his  office.  This  fact  is  evidenced  by 
the  circumstance  of  Lepidus  having  been  allowed 
to  hold  it  alone  to  the  day  of  his  death,  although 
the  people  were  desirous  that  Augustus  should 
accept  the  office  in  his  stead,  or  at  least  share  its 
exercise  with  the  retired  triumvir.  Manifold, 


PONTIFEX.  639 

however,  as  were  the  prerogatives,  and  decided 
as  was  the  superiority  of  power  enjoyed  by  the 
Chief  Pontif,  there  still  were  bounds  to  his 
authority.  The  consent  of  the  sacerdotal  college 
was  indispensable  on  several  points  to  give  validity 
to  his  proceedings  ; and  appeals  might  be  made, 
on  questions  of  peculiar  importance,  as  well  from 
his  decisions  as  from  those  of  the  college,  to  the 
people  at  large. — Crassus,  according  to  Livy, 
was  the  first  Pontifex  Maximus  who  contravened 
the  ancient  law  which  prohibited  that  high  digni- 
tary of  religion  from  proceeding  beyond  the 
boundaries  of  Italy.  Others  afterwards  availed 
themselves  of  the  same  relaxation,  and  a law 
(that  of  Vatinia)  was  passed  which  permitted 
the  Grand  Pontiff  to  draw  lots  for  the  provinces 
he  was  to  govern.  The  consecration  of  this  highly 
privileged  and  exalted  officer  was  attended  with 
ceremonies  of  a very  extraordinary  description. — 
There  is  a great  distinction  to  be  observed  between 
the  Pontifex  Maximus  of  the  republic  and  the 
same  high  functionary  under  the  imperial  form 
of  government. — Julius  Cicsar  united  this  office 
with  the  perpetual  dictatorship  in  his  own  person. 
And  from  the  period  when  (prudently  declining 
the  latter  distinction)  he  was  invested  with  the 
honours  of  Sovereign  Pontificate,  and  had  in- 
creased the  measure  of  its  authority,  the  first 
emperors,  knowing  the  importance  of  such  an 
office,  from  the  hold  which  it  had  on  the  feelings 
of  the  people,  did  not  fail  to  attach  it  to  their 
own  persons,  conjunctively  with  their  other 
attributes,  and  in  conformity  with  a regulation 
made  by  Tiberius,  to  whom  the  senate  had 
yielded  the  privilege,  the  example  of  using  the 
title  of  PONT.  max.  was  followed  through  an  ex- 
tended portion  of  the  imperial  series. 

Until  the  reign  of  Balbinus  and  Pupienus,  who 
were  chosen  as  joint  Emperors  at  one  and  the 
same  time,  the  Ponlificatus  Maximus  was  held 
by  the  principal  sovereign  alone,  and  not  by  his 
colleague  or  colleagues,  in  those  instances  wherein 
he  had  deemed  it  fit  to  associate  one  or  more  with 
him  in  the  government.  But  the  others  might 
be  simply  Ponlifices,  and  they  often  assumed  the 
title. 

After  the  time  of  Balbinus  and  Pupienus  it 
would  seem  that  the  dignity  in  question  was 
divided  amongst  all  the  colleagues  of  the  senior 
prince,  and  that  regardless  of  the  (gradually 
fading)  prerogatives  of  the  senate,  they  all 
assumed  to  call  themselves  Grand  Pontiffs,  and 
to  stamp  the  designation  on  their  respective 
medals  almost  as  a matter  of  course. 

The  sacerdotal  dignities  of  Paganism  were 
retained  for  some  time  by  even  Christian  em- 
perors, as  their  coins  serve  to  shew.  Doubtless 
this  was  done  from  motives  of  policy  and  expe- 
diency (the  governing  rule  of  most  princes)  on 
account  of  the  state  influence  and  the  wealthy 
endowments  still  attached  to  the  Pontificate  of 
Rome.  But  though,  after  the  complete  estab- 
lishment of  Christianity,  the  title  of  Pontifex 
Maximus  ought  naturally  and  consistently  to 
have  been  abandoned  by  the  emperors  long  before 
it  was,  it  does  appear  to  have  finally  and  entirely 
ceased  in  the  reign  of  Gralianus. 


640  PONTIFEX. 

PONTIFEX. — On  a middle  brass  of  Tiberius, 
struck  in  the  year  of  Rome  763,  during  the 
life  time  of  Augustus  (who  had  twelve  years 
before  granted  his  adopted  son  the  Tribunitian 
power),  the  former  prince  is  called  simply  Pontiff 
and  son  of  the  emperor,  without  being  honoured 
himself  with  the  name  of  Augustus.  But  after 
his  accession  to  the  throne,  Tiberius  took  the 
Divi  avg.  F.  AUGUST.  (August  son  of  the 
divine  Augustus ),  and  also  that  of  p.  m. 
(Pontifex  Maximus),  as  many  of  his  coins 
testify. 

Pondus  et  Pretium—  Both  weight  and  value 
are  inscribed  on  some  Roman  coins. 

Pontes.  Bridges. — Public  structures  of  this 
most  useful  description  are  referred  to  as  amongst 
the  w'orks  of  illustrious  Romans. — In  proportion 
as  Rome  itself  increased  in  size,  comprising 
within  its  enclosure  more  and  more  space  on 
each  bank  of  the  Tiber,  bridges  were  obliged  to  be 
built  to  facilitate  access  from  one  quarter  of  the 
city  to  the  other,  as  well  as  to  avoid  the  accidents 
so  liable  to  occur  from  the  passage  of  the  river 
in  boats.  On  account  of  the  rapid  current  of 
the  Tiber,  bridges  were  kept  up  at  very  consider- 
able expense,  and  their  inspection  and  repair 
were  at  first  entrusted  to  the  Pontiffs,  afterwards 
to  the  censors  and  to  certain  commissioners 
charged  with  the  care  of  the  highways.  Nor, 
lastly,  did  the  Emperors  themselves  deem  it 
beneath  them  to  undertake  personally  to  super- 
intend the  repair  of  old  bridges  aud  the  erection 
of  new  ones. — In  Rome  there  were  eight,  and 
many  more  in  Italy  and  the  different  provinces 
of  the  empire. 

Pons  Ae/ius,  or  the  bridge  of  Hadrian,  was 
thus  called  from  the  family  name  of  the  emperor 
who  caused  it  to  be  built  on  the  Tiber,  so  it  is 
now  called  the  bridge  of  St.  Angelo.  It  was 
constructed  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  w ith  Rome 
the  superb  mausoleum  which  he  had  raised,  and 
which,  under  the  name  of  the  Castle  of  St. 
Angelo,  still  constitutes  one  of  the  finest  monu- 
ments of  the  ancient  city. 

Oisclius,  and  some  other  early  numismatic 
writers,  have  given  as  genuine,  a brass  medallion, 
bearing  the  portrait  of  Hadrian  on  its  obverse, 
whilst  the  reverse,  without  epigraph,  presents  a 
bridge  with  eight  columns,  on  which  stand  as 
many  statues.  The  bridge  thrown  over  the 
Tiber  by  Hadrian,  and  called  JFJius,  is  obviously 
intended  to  be  referred  to  in  this  instance.  But 
Eckhel,  in  remarking  that  the  Museum  at  Vienna 
contains  a specimen  of  the  coin,  odds  that  it  is 
without  question  a spurious  medal.  And  neither 
Mionnet  nor  Akerman  deign  to  notice  it  further 
than  by  saying  that  “the  Pons  AZlius  is  a 
fabrication.” 

Pons  Aemi/ius. — This  bridge,  the  most  ancient 
in  Rome,  at  first  built  of  wood,  and  called 
Sublicius,  was  re-constructed  of  stone  many  ages 
after  by  Acmilius  Lcpidus,  and  thence  called 
Aemilius.  It  was  the  same  which  l loratius  Codes 
defended  againBt  the  Tuscans.  Its  remains  are 
still  to  be  seen  in  the  channel  of  the  Tiber. 
The  Emperor  Antoninus  re-built  it  entirely  of 
marble. — There  is  a rare  denarius  of  the  Aemilia 


PONS. 

familv,  which  with  the  epi- 
graph of  M.  AEMILIO, 
has  for  its  type  a bridge, 
on  which  is  an  equestrian 
statue,  holding  a spear  in 
the  right  hand,  and  within 
the  three  arches  is  written 
LEP idus.  — If  Plutarch 
be  right  in  ascribing  the 
architectural  merit  of  this  w'ork  to  Man.  .Emilias 
Lepidus,  who  was  qmestor  in  the  year  675,  then 
this  coin  may  be  regarded  as  a memorial  of  the 
act,  offered  by  one  of  his  posterity.  Who  the 
equestrian  statue  was  meant  for  is  doubtful. 
Havercamp  supposes  it  to  be  that  of  King  Ancus 
Martins,  who  first  joined  the  Mons  Janiculuin 
to  the  city  by  means  of  the  old  Sublician  bridge. 
This  silver  coin  is  amongst  the  most  ancient  of 
the  middle  age  of  the  Roman  mint  (between  the 
early  republic  and  the  commencement  of  the 
Cffisare). 

Pons  fractus. — A broken  bridge  and  a man  in 
armour  swimming  across  a river  is  represented 
on  a medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius. — See  cocles. 

Pons  Mitvius,  now  the  Ponte  Mole,  is  about 
a thousand  paces  from  Rome.  It  was  con- 
structed by  the  Censor  .Eli us  Scaurus ; and  it 
was  near  that  bridge  that  Constantine  the  Great 
defeated  the  horrible  tyrant  Maxentius,  a.d.  313. 
See  Victoria  constantini  avg. — Vaillant,  in 
his  remarks  on  a coin  of  Maximinus  II.,  bearing 
the  above  legend,  and  having  for  the  type  of  its 
reverse  Victory  walking,  with  laurel  in  one  hand 
and  a palm  branch  in  the  other,  says  that  Con- 
stantine gained  this  signal  and  decisive  battle, 
" Signo  Crucis  protectus,”  and  then  proceeds  as 
follows  : — “ Christianorum  hostis  acerrimus 

Maximinus,  qnamvis  invilus,  et  fremens, 
celebrare  iltam  in  nummis  coactus  fait  metu, 
ne  ob  societatem  cum  Maxenlio  initam  ad 
panam  postu/aretur. 

Pons  nava/is. — The  bridge  of  boats,  con- 
structed for  the  immediate  passage  of  troops,  is 
seen  on  more  medals  than  one  in  the  Imperial 
scries. — On  a brass  medallion  of  Caracalla,  the 
Emperor  is  seen  passing  a river,  with  his 


soldiers,  by  one  of  these  pontoons.  See 
traiectvs. — A similar  epigraph  and  type 
present  themselves  on  coins  of  M.  Aurelius, 
Scverus,  Gordianus  Pius,  Valcrianus,  &c. — The 
engraving  is  from  a large  brass  of  M.  Aurelius. 

Pons  Danubii. — The  bridge  of  stone  which 
Trajan  caused  to  be  constructed  over  the 
Danube,  was  the  most  glorious  feature  of  his 


PONS. 

Dacian  campaign.  It  was  a work  which,  if  the 
description  that  Dion  has  given  of  it  may  be  re- 
lied on,  far  exceeded  all  the  other  works  of 
Trajan,  and  shewed  that  nothing  of  the  kind, 
however  difficult,  is  beyond  the  reach  of  human 
ingenuity  and  labour.  It  is  said  to  have  been 
4,600  feet  in  length.  The  form  of  this  mag- 
nificent pile,  some  remains  of  which  are  yet 
to  be  seen,  is  depictured  on  the  arch  of 
Trajan,  aud  has  been  copied  and  placed  by 
Morell  in  his  Thesaurus,  at  the  finish  of 
his  coins  of  the  twelve  Emperors. — An  arch 
of  this  bridge  is  considered,  by  Eckhcl  (Boot. 
Num  Vet.,  vol.  vi.  p.  427),  to  be  represented 
on  a large  brass  coin  of  Trajan.  [See  s.  p.  Q.  r. 
optimo  principi.] — But  the  large  bronze  medal, 
edited  by  Mediobarbus,  on  which  a type  of  this 
famous  edifice  is  represented,  with  the  epigraph 
of  pons  traiani  DANWivs,  is  rejected  by  Eckhel 
and  other  modern  judges  as  a fabrication. 

On  a gold  and  a brass  coin  of  Constan- 
tinus,  bearing  the  epigraph  of  salts  reip. 
danvvivs,  and  having  for  its  type  a stone 
bridge  of  three  arches,  on  which  are  three 
figures  (the  Emperor,  a Victory,  and  a barbarian 
in  the  act  of  supplication.) — The  bridge  over 
the  Dauube  here  delineated  alludes,  not  to  the 
work  of  Trajan,  but,  according  to  the  opinion 
of  Eckhel,  to  that  of  Constantine,  who  often 
and  often  crossed  the  Dauube  in  his  military 
expeditions,  and  built  a stone  bridge  over  that 
magnificent  river. 

Pons  (Seven.) — On  a second  brass  of  Sept. 
Severus,  inscribed  on  its  reverse  p.m.  tr.  p.  xvi. 
(sometimes  xn.,  at  others  nn.  or  xiv.),  there 
is  a bridge  of  a single  arch,  fortified  with  a 
tower  at  each  extremity.  On  the  top  of  these 
towers  stand  sentinels  or  guards,  unless  the 
figures  in  question  be  intended  to  represent 
statues  placed  there  for  ornameut.  Below,  in 
the  water,  beneath  the  arch,  is  a small  bark. — 
The  entire  legend  (viz.,  as  well  that  of  the  head 
as  of  the  reverse)  reads  as  follows: — severvs 
pivs.  avg.  p.m  tr.  xvi.;  viz.,  Sevents,  Pious, 
August,  Sovereign  Pontiff , exerising  the  Tri- 
b unit ian  power  for  the  sixteenth  time.  cos.  ill. 
p.  p. — A somewhat  similar  type  has  already 
been  noticed  as  exhibited  on  a well-known 
medal  of  Trajan,  in  which  some  think  they 
discern  a sea-port;  others,  the  arch  of  a bridge. — 
With  respect  to  the  present  coin  of  Severus, 
opinions  differ  both  as  to  the  occasion  when  it 
was  struck  and  the  definition  of  the  type. 
Eckhel  contents  himself  with  referring  his 
readers  to  his  observations  on  Trajan’s  first 
brass. — The  remarks  of  Havercamp  (in  Num. 
Reg.  Christina,  p.  461)  have  at  least  the  merit  of 
historical  research  and  good  sense  to  recommend 
them.  “ Many  antiquaries  (says  he)  believe 
that  this  type  relates  to  Severus’s  expedition 
into  Britain,  where  he  was  often  obliged  to  con- 
struct bridges  over  marshes,  iu  order  to  euable 
his  soldiers  to  fight  with  firm  foot-hold  and 
with  greater  security  (as  Herodian  eulogist ically 
affirms  of  that  warlike  prince.)  But  the  bridge 
delineated  on  the  above  medal  seems  to  be  a 
different  kind  of  thing  to  the  pontoons  employed 
4 N 


POPA.  641 

in  a military  campaign,  for  it  is  vaulted  or 
arched  over  the  water,  so  that  vessels  may  pass 
under  it.  Whereas  on  the  contrary,  bridges 
constructed  across  marshy  lands  are  made  flat, 
and  it  is  only  by  joining  many  of  these  together 
that  the  troops  can  conveniently  stand  upon 
them  and  combat  with  an  enemy,  as  upon  solid 
ground.  I think,  therefore  (adds  the  learned 
antiquary),  that  the  type  in  question  refers 
rather  to  some  other  work  of  a more  durable 
and  magnificent  description,  executed  by  order 
of  Severus — that  is  to  say,  some  handsome 
bridge  built  over  a large  river,  or  considerable 
stream,  and  flanked  with  strong  turrets  at  each 
end,  as  is  shewn  in  this  medal.” 

Ponticus,  one  of  the  titles,  says  Eckhel, 
assumed  by  Sept.  Severus  in  honour  of  his  con- 
quests, as  appears  from  a marble  published  by 
Muratori ; but  which  no  coin,  hitherto  found,  of 
that  emperor  commemorates. 

Pontificalia  signa. — The  pontifieial  symbols 
consisted  of  vases,  instruments,  and  habits. — 
A baton  or  staff  turned  up,  called  the  tituus, 
was  a mark  of  the  augurs. — A cap,  pointed  at 
the  top  and  with  two  pendants  on  each  side, 
which  the  Romans  called  apex,  designated  the 
priestly  and  pontifieial  dignity.  The  instruments 
which  were  used  at  the  sacrifices  were  the  urceus, 
or  water  urn,  a simpulum,  the  prafericulum, 
or  wine  vase,  a patera,  or  round  shallow  dish,  an 
aspergillum,  or  sprinkler,  a sectiris,  or  hatchet, 
and  a secespita,  or  knife;  to  these  are  to  be 
added  the  ara,  or  altar,  and  the  tripos,  or 
tripod. 

The  head  represents  the  victim,  sometimes 
ornamented  with  the  infula,  or  garland ; the 
hatchet  serves  to  slaughter  him,  the  basin  to 
receive  the  entrails  and  the  meats  which  were  to 
be  offered,  the  vase  for  containing  the  lustral 
water,  and  the  sprinkler  to  throw  it  over  the 
assistants  to  purify  them. — The  simpulum,  a 
ladle  or  cup  with  a long  handle,  to  make 
libations  with,  and  to  take  the  liquors  which 
were  to  be  poured  out  on  the  head  of  the 
victim,  from  the  crater,  or  other  deep  vessel. 

These  i>ontificial  signs  (a  further  explanation  of 
which  will  be  found  under  their  respective  heads) 
are  exhibited  on  coins  of  Julius  Caesar,  Antony, 
Lepidus,  Augustus,  &c.,  to  denote  that  each  was 
invested  in  succession  with  the  office  of  Pontifex 
Maximus. — See  pietas — pietas  avg.,  &c. 

POP.  Populo. — See  cong.  dat.  pop.  Con- 
giarium  Datum  Populo. 

POP.  ROM.  Populus  Romanus,  on  a third 
brass,  struck  under  Constantine  or  his  family. 

P opa,  was  the  sacerdotal  minister,  who, 
crowned  with  laurel,  and  naked  to  the  waist,  con- 
ducted the  victims  to  the  altar,  provided  the 
knives,  mallets,  water,  and  other  necessaries, 
for  the  sacrifices,  felled  the  victims,  and  cut  their 
throats.  Vaillant,  in  his  brass  medallions,  gives 
a fine  group  of  this  kind,  in  which  the  Emperor 
Commodus  stands  as  Pontifex  at  a lighted  altar, 
and  opposite  him  is  the  Popa,  answering  to  the 
above  description,  standing  by  a bull  with  his 
slaughtering  hammer.  [See  vota  pubi.ica.] — 
A gold  coin  of  Caracalla  also  exhibits  the  Popa, 


642  POPPAEA. 

with  the  victim,  near  the  altar,  before  which  : 
the  veiled  high  priest,  in  the  person  of  the 
emperor,  stands  in  the  act  of  sacrificing,  whilst 
a flute-player  performs  on  his  double  instru-  I 
ment. — The  I’opa  appears  with  a pig  as  the  ] 
victim  on  a bronze  medal  of  Domitian. — See 
Porca. 

POPPAEA  (Sabina),  daughter  of  Titus 
Ollius,  was  married  to  Nero,  as  his  second 
wife,  a.d.  63.  This  woman,  equally  celebrated 
for  her  beauty  and  voluptuous  extravagance,  was 
three  years  afterwards  the  victim  of  that 
execrable  tyrant’s  murderous  brutality.  She 
died  in  consequence  of  the  injuries  she  received  ; 
from -a  kick,  which  Nero,  in  a fit  of  anger,  [ 
gave  her  on  the  abdomen,  when  she  was  in  a 
state  of  pregnancy. — With  the  exception  of  two 
small  brass,  no  Latin  coins  referring  to  this 
princess  are  known.  Upon  these  her  name  is 
inscribed  as  divi  poppaea,  on  the  reverse  of 
that  of  her  daughter  Claudia.  These  medals, 
says  Mionnct,  seem  to  have  been  struck  in  some 
colony. — See  CLAVDIA,  the  daughter  of  Nero.  I 

P.  OPTIMO.  Pio  Optimo. — On  a coin  of 
Val.  Maximianus. 

POPVL.  Populi. — popvl.  ivssv.  (by  order 
of  the  Roman  people). — An  equestrian  figure  in  : 
a military  garb,  lifting  up  the  right  hand.  On 
a silver  coin  of  Augustus. 

The  learned  are  of  opinion  that  this  repre-  [ 
sents  the  equestrian  statue  which  was  erected 
in  the  year  of  Rome  710,  in  honour  of  Augustus  j 
Caesar,"  by  a decree  of  the  Senate,  pursuant  to 
tlie  command  of  the  people,  when  be  went  I 
forth  against  M.  Antony  to  the  Mutinian  war, 
of  which  Velleius  Paterculus  speaks. 

• POPVLI. — Sec  PEi.iciTAS  popvli  romans 
and  genio  popvu  romani. 

POR.  Portus. — A port  or  harbour. 

Porca.  a sow. — This  animal  was  sacrificed  to 
Ceres,  and,  says  Gellius,  was  called  pracidanea ; 
a silver  coin  of  the  Vibia  family  in  Oisclius 
represents  Ceres  walking,  holding  before  her  a 
torch  in  each  hand,  and  a pig  is  at  her  feet. 
Those  also,  who  formed  a treaty  of  alliance  with 
each  other,  ratified  it  by  the  immolation  of  a sow 
or  a hog.  It  is  depicted  in  connection  with 
federal  rites  on  several  Roman  denarii.  The 
animal  on  these  occasions  was  killed  by  the 
blow  of  a stone  struck  by  the  Fecial  priests. — 
See  Scrofa. 

Amougst  the  incerta  of  the  Roman  family 
coins  is  one  on  which  is  a man  squatting  down 
with  a pig,  or  sow,  on  his  knees ; behind  him 
is  an  obelisk ; on  each  side  of  him  arc  four  men 
pointing  with  their  daggers  towards  the  pig. 

On  a denarius  of  the  Veturia  family  (c. 
svlpici.  c.F.)  engraved  in  Morcll’s  Thesaurus,  is 
the  type  of  a sow  crouching  down  between  two 
men  standing,  in  military  garb,  each  with  spear 
in  his  left  hand,  and  pointing  to  her  with  his 
right. — See  Veturia. 

Amongst  the  series  of  Domitian’s  coins  that 
serve  to  illustrate  the  ceremonies  of  the  Ludi 
Scecutares,  there  is  a fine  first  brass,  on  which 
the  Emperor  is  represented  sacrificing  at  an 
altar,  to  the  accompanying  music  of  the  lyre  I 


PORCIA. 

and  the  flute.  Mother  Earth  (Tel/tis  Mater) 
personified  by  a woman,  who  holds  a cornu- 
copia;, sits  on  one  side  on  the  ground : on  the 
other  a sow  is  brought  forward  by  the  popa, 
as  if  about  to  be  sacrificed  to  Tell  us;  it  being 
prescribed  by  the  Sibylline  verses,  among  other 
solemnities,  due  to  that  fruitful  goddess,  that 
there  should  be  sacrificed  to  her  honour  the  hog 
and  the  black  sow. — See  Ludi  Saculares. 

PORCIA,  a plebeian  family,  whose  surnames 
on  its  coins  are  Cato,  Lceca,  Licinus. — Out  of 
twenty-six  varieties  of  types,  the  following  two 
arc  the  only  rare  and  (historically  speaking) 
interesting  for  their  legends  or  reverses. 

Cato. — M.  CATo  PRO.  PR.  A female  head, 
behind  which  is  ROMA. — Rev.  VICTRIX. 
Victory  seated,  holds  out  a patera  in  her  right 
hand,  and  a palm  branch  in  her  left. 

There  is  a quinarius  similar  to  the  above 
denarius,  but  without  the  word  roma  ; and 
doubtless  struck  by  the  same  person,  that 


is  to  say,  by  Marcus  Porcius  Cat6  Uticensis 
as  is  generally  supposed,  although  there  is  a 
difference  of  opinion  on  this  point ; inasmuch 
as  some  imagine  them  to  have  been  coined, 
when  Cato  was  sent  to  Cyprus,  as  Proprietor, 
to  receive  the  treasure  of  Ptolemy,  while  others 
think  they  were  struck  when  the  war  was 
carried  on  by  Scipio  against  Ciesar  in  Africa. 
The  question  remains  doubtful. — liavereamp 
unites  the  legend  of  the  obverse  with  that  of 
the  reverse,  so  as  to  read  roma  victrix. — The 
more  ancient  view  seems  to  be  taken  by  Ursiu, 
viz.,  that  the  ancient  glory  of  the  Porcia 
family  was  restored  by  Cato.  According  to  the 
j account  of  Livy,  a.v.C.  561 ; “ at  the  same 
time  Marcus  Porcius  Cato  dedicated  a small 
temple  to  Victoria  Virgo,  near  the  temple  of 
Victory.”  The  illustration  is  from  a quinarius. 

P.  LA  EC  A. — The  winged  head  of  Pallas ; in 
the  field  of  the  coin  x and  above  the  head, 
roma.  On  the  reverse  a man,  in  military  dress, 
standing,  places  his  right  hand  on  the  head  of 
a togated  citizen ; near  him  stands  a lictor  w ith 
! rods ; below  provoco. 

This  remarkable  silver  medal  reeals  the 
memory  of  the  Porcian  Law  carried  by  Porcius 
Licca  in  the  year  of  Rome  454,  in  favour  of 
Roman  citizens,  to  whom  it  gave,  on  appeal 
(provocatio),  exemption  from  the  ignominious 
punishment  of  scourging.  Porcia  Lex,  says 
Cicero,  virgas  ab  omnium  civium  Romanorum 
corpore  umovit ; hie  misericors  flagella  retulit. 
— Oral,  pro  C.  Rabirio.  This  exemption,  how- 
ever, was  confined  in  its  operation  to  towns 
and  cities.  Soldiers  on  duty  were  still  left 
entirely  dependent  on  the  will  of  their  cora- 
mander-in-chicf. — See  provoco. 

The  brass  pieces  of  the  Porcia  family  were 
struck  in  Cgrenaica  (now  Barca)  in  Africa. 


PORT. 

Porcia  Lex. — It  was  the  Porcian  law,  accord- 
ing to  Cicero,  which  rescued  the  liberty  of  the 
citizens  from  the  rod  of  the  lictors,  and,  as  Livy 
records,  sola  pro  tergo  civium  videtur  lata,  “The 
only  law  which  seems  to  have  been  carried  to 
save  the  backs  of  the  citizens.”  lienee  the 
Apostle  Paul,  when  scourged  by  a centurion, 
asked  the  question  : is  it  just  or  lawful  to  scourge 
a Roman  citizen  ? — The  law  is  expressed  by  the 
word  provoco,  on  a coin  of  the  Porcia  family 
above  quoted. 

’ Porp/igrogenitus. — This  title  is  frequently 
found  on  those  medals  of  the  Byzantine  Emperors, 
who  were  of  the  family  of  the  Comnena  and  their 
successors.  This  word  IIOI’<t>  VPOTEN HTOC, 
(says  Jobert)  derives  its  origin  and  adoption  from 
an  apartment  of  his  imperial  palace,  which 
Constantine  the  Great  had  caused  to  be  built, 
paved  and  lined  with  a precious  kind  of  marble, 
having  a red  ground  spotted  with  white,  and 
which  was  destined  for  the  lgings-in  of  Empresses, 
whose  children  were  in  consequence  said  to  be 
(Mali  in  purpura)  bom  in  the  purple. 

PORT.  Portus.  port,  avgvsti. — A port 
with  ships  in  the  midst  of  it,  and  the  river  Tiber 
recumbent  at  its  mouth. — See  OSTia. 

Porta. — A gate  or  entrance  to  a camp  or 
walled  towrn. — The  Romans,  when  they  built  a 
city,  traced  the  line  of  its  enclosure  with  a plough, 
and  the  person  entrusted  with  this  office,  accord- 
ing to  the  plan  drawn  out,  lifted  up  the  plough 
at  the  place  where  a gate  was  intended.  It  was 
also  the  custom  to  place  images  of  the  gods  at 
the  gates  of  towns  ; and  subsequently  those  of 
the  emperors  were  placed  there  instead.  They 
were  plated  with  iron,  so  that  the  enemy  might 
neither  break  nor  burn  them.— On  a denarius  of 
Augustus  is  the  gate  of  a walled  city,  before 
which  is  placed  an  equestrian  statue  on  a pedestal, 
with  SPQR.  IMP.  CAES. 

The  gates  of  cities  are  often  to  be  found  on 
Roman  coins,  especially  those  of  the  colonies. 

Porta  Castrorum. — The  gates  of  (Pnctorian) 
camps  appear,  with  two  or  more  towers,  some- 
times with  a star  above  them,  on  coins  of  the 
Constantine  family,  Gratian,  Magnus  Maximns, 
and  Victor. 

On  silver  coins  of  Diocletian,  Maximian,  and 
Constantine  Chlorus,  with  the  legend  of  virtvs 
militvm,  is  the  gate  of  the  Prmtorian  camp, 
with  four  soldiers  sacrificing  before  it. 

Gates  of  Temples  wrere  sometimes  surmounted 
with  the  round  arch,  but  more  frequently  square 
in  form. — See  the  Temple  of  Janus,  on  coins  of 
Nero. 

POR.  (in  some  PORT.)  OST.  AVGVSTI.— 
The  Portus  Osliensis,  or  Port  of  Ostia,  repre- 
sented on  first  and  second  brass  of  Nero,  who  in 
this  instance  appropriates  to  himself  the  honour 
of  those  immense  works,  w'hich,  according  to 
Suetonius,  were  caused  to  be  commenced,  and 
in  a great  measure  executed,  if  not  entirely  com- 
pleted, by  the  Emperor  Claudius,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Tiber. 

The  medal  exhibits  a sea  port,  with  several 
vessels  in  it,  and  a recumbent  figure  of  Neptune 
at  the  entrance. — Sec  Osliensis  Portus. 

4 N 2 


PORTUM.— PORTRAITS.  643 

PORTVM  TRAIANI.  S.C.— A port  adorned 


with  various  edifices,  and  in  the  middle  of 
which  are  three  gallies.  On  a first  brass  of 
Trajan. 

“There  are  three  Italian  sea-ports,  which 
seem  (says  Eekhel)  to  have  claimed  each  for 
itself  this  title  of  the  port  of  Trajan .”  Our 
great  numismatist  then  enumerates  them  as 
follows  : — I.  Centum  Celia,  now  called  Civila 
Vecchia;  II.  Ostia,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tiber: 
III.  Ancona,  in  the  Adriatic;  and  (after 
apposite  quotations  from  Roman  writers)  con- 
cludes with  expressing  an  opinion  in  which  his 
readers  can  hardly  fail  to  concur — that  “ all 
things  duly  considered  it  appears  most  probable 
that  this  portus  Trajani  is  the  port  of  Centum 
Celia,  which  was  wholly  the  work  of  that 
Emperor,  according  to  the  testimony  of  Pliny. 
And  although  Ostia  was  also  called  the  port  of 
Trajan,  it  is  not  likely  that  the  Senate  would 
make  boast,  on  its  coinage,  of  a port  which 
Trajan  had  only  restored  and  augmented,  and 
yet  neglect  the  other  port  of  Centum  Cell*, 
raised  as  it  was  by  that  priuce,  at  an  immense 
expense,  from  the  very  foundations.  Much  less 
is  to  be  regarded  as  the  port  of  Ancona,  which 
it  appears  by  certain  inscriptions  was  indeed 
enlarged,  and  rendered  more  secure,  at  Trajan’s 
own  cost,  but  which  did  not  bear  the  honour  of 
his  name.” 

The  form  of  this  port  of  Trajan,  on  the  medal 
engraved  in  Oiselius  (p.  533),  and  also  in  Haver- 
camp’s  Cabinet  of  the  Queen  of  Sweden,  is 
hexagonal.  That  on  Nero’s  coin,  wnth  the 
inscription  of  port.  OST.  is  nearly  round. — As, 
however,  the  Roman  moneyers  were  not  dis- 
tinguished for  their  skill  in  perspective,  so 
neither,  perhaps,  is  much  reliance  to  be  placed  on 
the  geometrical  accuracy  of  their  designs. 

Portus  Anconitanus. — The  type  of  a sea- 
port, or  the  arch  of  a bridge,  underneath  which 
a boat  or  vessel  is  seen,  on  a first  brass  of 
Trajan  (with  the  inscription  s.  p.  Q.  r.  optimo 
principi.  s.  c.)  is  by  some  thought  to  be  the 
port  of  Ancona;  but  by  others,  an  arch  of 
that  celebrated  bridge  of  stone  which  the 
Emperor  caused  to  be  built  over  the  Danube. — 
See  Pons  Danubii. 

Portus  Frugifer. — See  Patra  Colonia. 

Portraits. — The  coins  of  the  ancients  have 
been  the  means  of  handing  down  to  us  the 
features  of  numerous  sovercigus  and  celebrated 
personages. 


644  PORTRAITS. 

Under  the  Greeks  and  other  nations  who  | 
followed  their  policy  in  this  particular,  the  right  I 
of  engraving  portraits  or  money  was  vested 
solely  in  the  government.  And  the  types  which  j 
the  magistrates  adopted  to  attest  their  superin-  | 
teudence  over  that  most  useful  and  important  | 
sign  of  commerce,  and  to  secure  the  standard 
and  weight  of  the  coins,  were  the  images  of  , 
their  tutelary  and  national  deities,  the  emblems 
of  those  divinities,  or  the  symbols  of  peoples  and  | 
cities. 

It  is  desirable,  however,  in  order  to  put  on 
their  guard  those  who  are  but  little  versed  in 
numismatic  science,  that  a remark  should  be 
made  with  reference  to  those  ancient  coins  which 
exhibit  the  effigies  of  persons  who  existed  long 
before  the  invention  of  coinage,  as  Homer, 
Pythagoras,  Numa  Pompilius,  Ancus  Martius, 
and  others.  These  pieces  are  not  coeval  with 
the  times  in  which  the  individuals  they  represent 
flourished,  but  are  purely  commemorative,  and 
only  serve  to  prove  how  high  must  have  been 
the  character  and  fame  of  men  who  were  thus 
honoured  so  long  after  their  death,  by  tra- 
ditional portraits,  which  were  believed  to  re- 
semble them. 

The  Romans  were  late  in  allowing  the  images 
of  living  men  to  be  placed  on  their  money. 
But  as  the  Republic  hastened  to  its  fall  it  was 
a prominent  object  with  those  ambitious  men 
who  possessed  themselves  of  ascendancy  in 
power  to  cause  medals  to  be  fabricated  with 
their  effigies. — This  became  an  invariable  custom 
and  peculiar  privilege  of  the  Emperors  ; and  we 
find  that  even  those  usurping  adventurers  who, 
in  different  provinces  of  the  empire  raised  the 
standard  of  revolt  against  the  reigning  prince, 
lost  no  time  in  circulating  coins  bearing  their 
portraits  whenever  they  had  the  means  of 
striking  them. 

In  the  earlier  times  of  the  Republic  no  one 
was  allowed  the  privilege  of  coining  money  ; 
still  less  was  it  permitted  to  stamp  the  portrait  | 
of  any  living  person  on  a medal. — In  particular 
instances  the  senate,  by  an  express  ordinance, 
conceded  this  honourable  distinction  to  some 
illustrious  characters  after  their  death.  And 
we  know  that  the  Monetary  Triumvirs  occa-  | 
sionally  obtained  the  official  privilege  of  placing 
on  the  coinage  with  which  they  were  entrusted  | 
the  head  of  some  ancestor  or  other  of  theirs  | 
rcuowTied  in  Roman  story.  Even  Sylla,  all 
powerful  as  he  was,  both  over  the  lives  and 
legislation  of  his  countrymen,  had  not  the 
hardihood  to  perpetuate  the  traits  of  his 
physiognomy  by  that  moneta  over  which  he,  for 
a time,  held  dictatorial  and  unlimited  power. 
It  was  Julius  Cfcsar  on  whom  this  mark  of 
supremacy  first  was  bestowed  by  the  Senate  of 
Rome.  His  example  w'as  imitated  by  Pompey 
and  his  sons  ; and,  strange  to  say,  that  stern 
tyrannicide  Marcus  Junius  Brutus,  after  assist- 
ing to  slay  C cesar,  for  the  love  of  freedom  and 
to  restore  the  republic,  was  likewise  the  man  to 
adopt  this  regal  practice  of  numismatic  por- 
traiture, as  witness  the  celebrated  denarius,  on 
the  reverse  of  which  is  the  eld.  mab.,  with  the 


POSTUMIA. 

cap  of  liberty  and  two  daggers,  clearly  allusive 
to  the  assassination  of  the  Great  Julius.  The 
example  thus  set  never  ceased  to  have  followers 
in  those  who  attained  sovereign  authority  in 
the  state.  Octavius  and  his  colleagus,  Mark 
Antony  and  Lcpidus,  no  sooner  began  their 
triumvirate  than  they  placed  their  likenesses  on 
the  products  of  the  Roman  mint.  Afterwards 
as  sole  master  of  the  Roman  world,  Augustus 
conferred  this  peculiar  privilege  on  the  members 
of  his  family ; as  we  see  from  the  coins  of 
Tiberius,  Marcus  Agrippa,  and  Cains  and  Lucius 
his  adopted  grandsons,  which  respectively  bear 
their  portraits.  In  like  manner  Tiberius  placed 
the  effigies  of  his  son  Drusus,  and  afterwards 
of  Germanicus,  sou  of  Nero  Claudius  Drusus, 
his  adopted  son,  ou  the  early  medals  of  his 
reign.  * 

The  Roman  government  having  become  “ a 
monarchy,”  though  still  preserving  some  out- 
ward shew  of  respect  for  “ republican  institu- 
I tions,”  a series  of  coins  commences,  which, 
besides  its  other  numerous  claims  to  attention, 
possesses  the  merit  of  presenting  to  us,  in 
uninterrupted  succession,  the  portraits  of  Princes, 
who,  during  a period  of  fifteen  centuries,  reigned 
over  the  greatest  empire  in  the  world.  The 
portraits  of  the  Emperors,  Cmsars,  aud  other 
personages  of  their  families,  together  with  most 
of  the  generals  who  assumed  the  purple  emblem 
of  imperial  authority  in  divers  provinces  of  that 
vast  dominion,  form  indeed  a suite  not  only 
precious  and  instructive  in  themselves,  but  ren- 
dered still  more  valuable  as  affording  almost  the 
only  means  of  ascertaining  the  personal  identity 
of  various  statues,  busts,  and  relievos,  which 
without  comparison  with  medals  on  which  names 
are  united  to  effigies,  would  remain  totally  void 
of  historical  interest. 

Postica  pars,  or  aversa  pars.  The  reverse 
side  of  a coin. — See  the  word  Reverse. 

POSTYMIA,  a patrician  family,  and  as  such 
always  remained  unadopted  by  any  plebeian 
family.  It  was  divided  into  several  branches, 
the  noblest  of  which,  as  recorded  by  name  on 
Roman  denarii,  was  the  Albini.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  a few  rare  reverses,  its  coins,  all  in 
silver,  are  common. 

The  following  is  rare  and  of  historical 
interest : — 

I. — a.  posTVMivs.  cos.  The  bare  head  of  Pos- 
tumius  the  consul. — Rev.  ai.bisvs.  brvti.  f. 
inscribed  within  a crown  of  corn-ears. 

This  denarius  was  struck  by  Junius  Brutus, 
who,  after  being  adopted  by  Postumius  Albinus, 
was  called  Albinus  Bruti  t\,  and  who,  to  indi- 
cate the  conspicuous  rank  of  the  family  into 
which  he  was  admitted,  inscribed  on  these  coins 
the  name  of  A.  Postumius  Albus,  who,  in  the 
year  of  Rome  258,  whilst  as  yet  the  republic 
was  in  its  infancy,  gained  a signal  victory  over 
the  Latins  near  the  lake  Regillus;  whence  he 
received  the  appellation  of  Hegillensis.  Titus 
and  Sextus  Tanpiinius,  sons  of  King  Tarquin 
the  Proud,  the  chief  authors  of  the  war,  having 
both  been  slain  in  that  battle,  according  to  the 
copious  narratives  of  the  Roman  historians. 


POSTUMIA. 


The  following  serves  to  illustrate  a fabulous 
passage  built  on  the  above-named  fact  of 
Postumius’s  victory,  as  related  by  Dionysius 
of  Halicarnassus: — 

II. — On  the  obverse  is  the  bead  of  Apollo, 
crowned  with  laurel,  before  which  is  the  sign  x ; 
behind,  there  is  a star ; at  the  bottom  is  inscribed 
ROMA. 

On  the  reverse  we  see  the  Dioscuri  (Castor 
and  Pollux)  wearing  the  distinctive  caps  of 
conical  shape;  they  stand  resting  on  their 
lances  by  the  side  of  their  horses,  which  are 


drinking  at  & fountain  ; above  their  heads  are 
stars,  and  before  them  is  a crescent.  Below  we 
read  the  most  illustrious  cognomen  of  the 
family  : a.  albinvs.  s.  f.  (Aulus  Albinus,  son 
of  Spurius.) 

After  the  Regillensian  victory  achieved  by 
Postumius  Albinus  over  the  Latins  and  the  sons 
of  Tarquinius  Supcrbus,  it  is  said  the  Dioscuri 
appeared,  as  they  are  represented  on  this  medal, 
in  the  forum  of  Rome,  and  brought  the  intelli- 
gence of  this  battle,  at  a moment,  when,  on 
account  of  the  distance,  no  one  could  as  yet 
have  known  of  its  occurrence.  The  story  goes 
on  to  say,  that,  during  the  action,  two  young 
men  were  seen  fighting  valiantly  on  two  white 
horses  for  the  Romans  ; and  this  figment  gave 
rise  to  the  worship  of  the  twin  brothers  at 
Rome. — This  silver  coin  was  struck  by  a monetal 
triumvir  of  the  Postumia  family,  in  memory  of 
his  consular  ancestor’s  great  exploit. 

III. - — There  is  another  denarius  of  this  family, 
which  doubtless  refers  to  the  same  subject.  It 
exhibits  on  one  side  the  head  of  Diana  with  the 
inscription  roma,  and  on  the  reverse  the  epi- 
graph a.  albinvs.  s.  f.,  with  the  type  of  three 
horsemen  armed  with  bucklers  and  lances,  riding 
at  full  speed,  whilst  a foot-soldier  is  running 
before,  as  if  endeavouring  to  escape  them. 

Roman  historians  relate  that,  as  at  the  fight 
near  lake  Regillus,  victory  at  one  time  was 
doubtful,  the  Master  of  the  Horse  ordered  his 
men  to  give  the  reigns  to  their  horses,  that  they 
might  the  more  powerfidly  charge  the  enemy, 
and  it  was  by  this  means  that  they  broke  the 
ranks  of  the  Latins,  and  took  their  camp. 

The  following  denarii  of  this  family  are 
serrated  and  rare  : — 

IV.  — Head  of  Diana,  over  which  is  placed  the 
head  of  a stag,  and  behind  her  shoulders  are 
bow  and  quiver. — Rev  a.  post.  a.  f.  s.  n.  albin. 
The  top  of  a rock  or  hill,  on  which  stands  a 
togated  man,  who  extends  his  right  hand  over  a 
victim  bull;  in  the  middle  between  each  is  a 
lighted  altar. 

V.  — IilSPANi'a.  A female  head,  wearing  a 
veil  and  with  dishevelled  hair. — Rev.  a.  post. 


POSTUMUS.  645 

a.  f.  s.  n.  albin.  A man  clothed  in  the 
toga,  stretches  forth  his  right  hand  towards  a 
legionary  eagle  planted  near  him ; behind  are 
the  fasces  with  their  axes. 

In  commenting  on  the  former  of  these  two 
denarii  (IV.  and  V),  Eckhel  cites  Livy  to  shew 
that  A.  Postumius  Albinus  was  created  a 
Decemvir  sacris  faciundis  in  the  room  of  L. 
Cornelius  Lentulus.  Antiquaries  (he  goes  on  to 
observe)  are  of  opinion  that  as  it  belonged  to 
these  Decemviri  to  superintend  the  secular 
games,  those  public  3hews  were  celebrated  by 
him,  or  by  his  son  appointed  to  the  same  office, 
and  that  this  honour  was  long  afterwards  re- 
corded on  these  silver  coins  of  Aulus.  For  the 
games  above-mentioned  were  performed  in 
honour  of  Apollo  aud  of  Diana,  accordingly  the 
the  image  of  the  latter  deity  is  placed  on  the 
obverse.  Moreover,  the  temple  and  altar  of 
that  goddess  stood  on  Mount  Aventine,  and 
that  at  these  games  of  Diana  oxen  were  immo- 
lated we  have  the  testimony  of  Horace  in  his 
Carmen  saculare : — 

Quceque  vos  bolus  veneratur  albis. 

Quceque  A ventinum  tenet , Atgidumque, 
Quindecim  Diana  preces  virorum 
Curet. 

The  type  of  the  denarius  (No.  V.)  is  thought 
by  Ursin  'to  allude  to  the  triumph  which  L. 
Postumius  Albinus  obtained  in  the  year  v.c. 
576,  for  his  victories  over  the  Lusitani  aud 
Vaccaei  in  Hispania  ulterior,  as  Livy  and  the 
Fasti  triumpha/es  record. 

POST VM VS  (Marcus  Cassianus  Latinius), 
born  in  an  obscure  village  of  Gaul,  was,  on 
account  of  his  remarkable  valour  and  other  good 
qualities,  appointed  by  Valerianus  to  be  Praefect 
of  Gaul,  and  guardian  of  its  frontier  against  the 


Germans,  whose  incursions  he  also  effectively 
repressed  during  the  first  years  of  Gallienus’s 
reign.  That  prince  had  already  entrusted  to 
him  the  care  of  his  son,  Saloninus,  a mark  of 
confidence  which  he  faithfully  repaid,  until  the 
year  258,  when  he  assumed  the  title  of 
Augustus,  and  all  the  accustomed  honours  con- 
nected therewith.  The  commencement  of  his 
usurpation  was  sullied  by  an  act  as  cruel  as  it 
was  traitorous.  He  caused  Saloninus,  who  had 
taken  refuge  in  Cologne,  to  he  delivered  up  to 
him,  and  he  put  him  to  death  with  Sylvanus, 
the  youth’s  preceptor,  who  had  become  his 
enemy.  He  then  established  his  reign  over 


64(5  POSTUMUS. 

Gaul,  Spain,  and  Britain,  in  each  of  which 
three  provinces  the  people  acknowledged  him 
with  joy  as  their  Emperor,  whilst  he,  by 
his  courage  and  wisdom,  defended  them  from 
every  foe,  and,  though  an  usurper,  saved  the 
empire  from  threatened  destruction.  At  the 
head  of  the  Roman  armies  in  the  west,  he  drove 
the  barbarians  beyond  the  Rhine,  and  built  forts 
to  restrain  them.  This  Restitulor  Galliarum, 
as  he  is  styled  on  his  medals,  having  established 
public  tranquillity,  not  less  by  the  influence  of  his 
character  for  justice,  moderation,  and  sagacity, 
thau  by  the  power  of  his  victorious  sword,  took 
the  dignity  of  consul  three  times,  and  associated 
his  son  Postumus  with  him  in  the  government, 
under  the  title  of  Caesar  and  Augustus. — 
Gallienus  having  made  war  upon  him  with 
fluctuating  success,  Postumus  took  Victorious, 
a brave  and  able  general,  into  colleagucship ; 
and  by  their  united  efforts,  in  spite  of  the 
hostility  of  the  legitimate  Emperor,  and  the 
numerous  tyranni  who  were  tearing  the  empire 
to  pieces,  the  provinces  were  nobly  rescued  from 
the  attacks  of  the  barbarous  tribes  that  swarmed 
on  the  frontiers.  Crowned  with  success  in 
arms,  Postumus  reigned  with  glory  and  honour 
over  the  western  provinces,  until  the  period 
when  Ladianus  assumed  the  purple  in  the  city 
of  Mayenee.  It  was,  after  vanquishing  this 
adventurer  about  a.d.  208,  that  he  and  his  son 
were  assassinated  by  his  own  soldiers,  instigated 
by  an  officer  named  Lollianus.  Thus  perished 
Postumus  after  a reign,  which,  rendered  alike 
brilliant  by  his  personal  merit  and  his  military 
talents,  caused  him  justly  to  be  regarded  not 
only  as  by  far  the  most  illustrious  of  “ the 
thirty  tyrants,”  but  also  as  one  whom  nature 
had  formed  to  be  a hero,  and  qualified  at  once 
to  govern  and  defend  a state. 

On  the  coins  of  Postumus,  which  arc  numer- 
ous, especially  in  base  silver,  and  first  and  third 
brass,  he  is  styled  imp.  postvmvs.  avg. — imp 
CAES.  POSTVMVS.  P.  F.  AVG. — Also  IMP.  C.  M. 
cass.  lat.  postvmvs.  p.  f.  avg.,  with  some- 
times P.  P.  or  GERMANICVS  MAXIMVS,  or  RESTI- 
tvtor  galmarvm  on  the  reverse. 

Some  pieces  of  Postumus  likewise  bear 
another  head,  which  was  for  a long  time  sup- 
posed to  represent  that  of  his  son.  (See  Pos- 
tumus junior).  All  his  coins,  though  of  Roman 
die,  were  struck  in  the  provinces  of  Gaul,  where 
he  reigned  as  Emperor.  His  gold  coins  are  of 
the  highest  rarity,  and  oue  is  unique. — See 
Akcrman’s  Catalogue. 

Junia  Donata  is  conjectured  to  have  been  the 
wife  of  Postumus ; but  nothing  is  known  of  a 
princess  so  named,  nor  is  even  her  existence 
proved. — The  piece  published  by  Chiftlct  from 
a MS.  of  Goltzius  is  suspected  by  Beauvais,  and 
pronounced  by  Eckhel,  Miounct,  and  Akerman, 
to  be  false. 

As  the  authority  of  Postumus  did  not  extend 
over  Italy,  he  was  never  acknowledged  by  the 
Senate  of  Rome.  This  circumstance  did  not, 
however,  deter  him  from  investing  himself  with 
the  usual  titles  of  legitimate  Emperors.  He 
even  caused  the  senatorial  mark  of  s.  c.  on 


POSTUMUS. 

many  of  his  brass  monies,  but  not  on  the  greater 
portion.  His  coins  generally  exhibit  the  portrait 
radiated;  sometimes,  however,  crowned  with 
laurel,  but  more  rarely  is  the  head  covered  with 
a helmet. — A great  number  of  his  medals  seem 
to  have  been,  not  struck,  but  cast.  Others, 
evidently  re-struck,  still  retain  remains  of  the 
impression  of  preceding  emperors  and  empresses: 
a circumstance  which  shews  that  he  hastily  re- 
stamped  with  his  own  “image  and  super- 
scription” a part  of  the  current  coin  of  the 
empire. 

POSTVMVS  junior,  was  the  son  of  Postumus, 
and  (according  to  conjecture)  of  Junia  Donata. 
He  is  described  by  Trebellius  Pollio  as  a most 
eloquent  youth,  and  so  skilful  in  his  harangues 
and  declamations,  that  they  were  sometimes 
taken  for  those  of  the  celebrated  Quinctiliau. 
Associated  by  his  father  in  the  government, 
under  the  title  of  Cicsar,  and  soon  afterwards 
with  the  supreme  dignity  of  Augustus  (a.d. 
258),  the  younger  Postumus  is  affirmed,  by  the 
author  above-named,  to  have  partaken  with  his 
father  both  in  civil  government  and  in  military 
command.  Thus  united,  they  bade  defiance  to 
all  the  efforts  of  Gallienus  to  conquer  them,  and 
held  possession  of  the  three  great  provinces  of 
Gaul,  Spaiu,  and  Britain  for  seven  years,  that 
is  to  say  until  a.d.  267,  when  they  both 
perished  by  the  bauds  of  the  soldiers  uuder 
their  command. 

It  is  by  no  means  certain  that  there  arc  any 
pieces  of  Postumus  the  son  extant,  and  those 
which  were  formerly  ascribed  to  him  have  been 
re-appropriated  to  his  father,  with  the  exception 
of  a very  small  number,  and  even  those  cannot 
with  positive  certainty  be  attributed  to  him. 

Mionuet  gives  an  engraving  as  of  Postumus 
junior,  of  the  ordinary  size  in  base  silver 
(billon),  which  on  the  obveise  is  inscribed  imp. 
c.  postvmvs.  p.  f.  AVG.,  with  the  laurcated 
head  of  Postumus  senior;  and  on  the  reverse 
bears  the  legend  invicto  avg.,  with  the  radiated 
bust  of  Postumus  the  son,  holding  a sceptre  on 
his  shoulder. — See  Mionnct's  note  on  Eckhel's 
opiniou  relative  to  the  alleged  medals  of  the 
younger  Postumus,  and  Akcrman’s  animad- 
versions on  both. 

The  heads  represented  on  the  reverse  of 
some  coins  of  Postumus  senior  may  be  with 
great  probability  regarded  as  those  of  Mars  or 
of  Hercules. 

POT.  Potestate. — aed.  pot.  Aedilitia 

Potestate. — cens.  pot.  Censoria  Potestate. — 
tr.  pot.  Tribunitia  Potestate. 

Potin. — This  is  one  of  the  names  given  by 
French  numismatists  to  base  silver.  The  writers 
of  that  nation  have  adopted  both  this  denomina- 
tion and  that  of  billon,  either  indiscriminately, 
or  in  their  endeavour  to  discover  the  differences 
between  the  nature  of  the  alloys  which  form  the 
materials  thus  qualified.  Potin  is  a composition 
of  copper,  tin,  and  lead,  of  which  some  of  the 
money  of  the  ancients  was  fabricated.  “ Its 
name  (says  Millin)  is  derived  from  the  mixture 
of  metals  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  pots.” 
— Savot  denies  that  there  is  any  silver  in  potin ; 


p.  p. 

an  opinion  not  coincided  in  by  Rinckens,  who 
agrees  in  sentiment  with  Savot. — Biinard  asserts, 
that,  “ besides  copper,  lead,  and  a little  tin, 
there  enters  into  the  components  of  that  potin, 
of  which  medals  were  coiued,  about  one-fifth  of 
silver.”  In  which  case  there  is  but  little  dis- 
tinction between  potin  and  billon,  the  latter 
containing  a slight  portion  of  silver. 

“ These  discussions  respecting  the  real  mean- 
ing of  two  modern  appellations  (as  M.  Ilennin 
justly  observes),  lead  to  no  result  of  any  im- 
portance. It  is  sufficient  to  know  that  silver 
was  subjected  to  various  degrees  of  adulteration, 
in  different  countries  and  at  different  epoehas ; 
and  this  species  of  ancient  coinage  is  designated 
by  the  names  of  potin  or  of  billon,  always  bear- 
ing in  mind  that  the  denomination  of  potin  is 
more  generally  applied  to  Imperial  Greek;  and 
that  of  billon  to  Roman  money.” 

P.  P.  Pater  Patrie. — Father  of  the  Country. 
(See  the  words.) — It  w'as  hy  this  title  that 
Augustus  was  most  desirous  of  being  called  on 
his  coins,  as  indicating  the  clemency  of  his 
government,  and  the  security  of  the  people 
under  it ; — a name  of  honour  which,  after  his 
example,  the  successors  of  that  prince  seldom, 
if  ever,  omitted  to  couple  with  their  own. — 
Augustus  began  to  assiunc  the  name  of  P.  P.  in 
the  year  of  Rome  752. — It  is  found  on  medals 
of  Tiberius  and  of  Caligula.  Nero  at  the  com- 
mencement of  bis  reign  refused  the  title,  but 
subsequently  p.  P.  is  read  on  his  money.  Olho, 
Vespasian,  Domitian,  Nerva,  Trajan,  exhibit 
on  their  respective  mints  the  same  initials. 
Hadrian  adopted  it  in  the  twelfth  year  of 
his  reign.  Antoninus  began  to  use  the  title 
a.d.  130.  Capitolinus  relates  that  the  name 
was  proffered  by  the  Senate  to  this  good 
Emperor,  who  at  first  declined,  but  afterwards 
accepted  it.  Hence  on  his  coins  we  read 
antoninvs  avg.  pivs.  p.  p.  M.  Aurelius  first 
took  this  denomination  a.d.  139.  Commodus, 
amongst  his  other  profanations,  must  also  pass  for 
the  Father  of  his  Country ! Sept.  Severus  appears 
first  as  p.  P.  in  the  year  190  ; Geta  a.d.  211,  and 
Caraealla  about  the  same  time.  Postumus  and 
Tetricus  also  assumed  it ; and  the  same  title 
appears  on  coins  of  iEmilianus,  Yalerianus,  and 
other  Emperors,  down  to  Theodosius  Magnus ; 
bestowed,  as  in  the  preceding  instances,  some- 
times on  princes  who  possessed  claims  on  the 
public  gratitude,  but  much  more  frequently 
awarded  to  unworthy  and  even  odious  men  in  a 
spirit  of  servile  flattery  by  a frightened  and  a 
degraded  senate. 

P.  P.  Penates,  or  Penates  Patrii. — Two 
joined  heads  laureated  and  youthful,  with  stars 
over  them.  On  coins  of  the  Fonteia  and 
Sulpilia  families. 

P.  P.  A.  Perpetuus  Augustus. — These 
initials  appear  on  Imperial  medals  of  the  lower  age. 

P.  Q.  R.  Populigue  Romani. — See  CON- 
SENSV  SENATkj  ET.  EQV«fm  ORDINw 
P.  Q.  R.  On  coins  of  Augustus. — Also  Popu- 
lusque  Romanus. — See  S.  P.  Q.  R. 

PR.  or  PRAE.  P ret  or,  and  sometimes 
Prefectus.  Prefect. 


PRiEFECTUS.  647 

PR.  Pretextatus. — PR.  H.  o.  c.  s.  Pretex- 
tatus  Hostem  Occidit,  Civem  Servavit.  On  a 
coin  of  the  /Emilia  family. — See  Aemilia. 

PR.  Pretoria. — coh.  PR.  Cohors  Pre- 
toria. On  a coin  of  Gallicnus. 

PR.  Primum. — cong.  PR.  Congiarium 

Primum. 

PR.  Principi. 

PR.  The  preposition  Pro. — PR.  s.  imp.  cae. 
&c.  Pro  Salute  Imperaloris  Cesaris. 

P.  R.  Percussa  Rome.  Struck  at  Rome. 

P.  R.  Populus  Romanus. 

PRAEF.  CLAS.  ET  ORAE  MARIT.  EX. 
S.  C.  Prefectus  Classis  et  Ore  Maritime. 
Prefect  (or  Commander-in-Chief)  of  the  Fleet 
and  of  the  Sea  Coasts. 

This  legend  appears  on  denarii  of  Sextus 
Pompeius.  (See  the  name.) — The  type  which 
accompanies  one  of  these  very  rare  silver  coins 
represents  the  fabidous  Scylla,  with  dogs  issuing 
from  her  waist,  and  striking  around  her  with 
her  rudder.  This  subject  shadows  forth  a naval 
victory.  Sextus  had  gained  some  advantage 
over  Octavianus  (afterwards  Augustus)  at 
the  entrance  of  the  straits  of  Sicily ; and 
this  event  the  former  designed  to  commemorate, 
by  placing  on  his  medals  the  personification  of 
that  whirlpool-environed  rock  which  the  terror 
of  ancient  mariners  and  the  imagination  of 
Greek  poets  had  converted  into  a monster, 
depicted  with  the  body  of  a sea-nymph,  but  the 
tail  of  a fish,  and  a belt  of  dogs’  heads  ready  to 
devour  the  unfortunates  whom  the  fatal  stroke 
of  her  massive  weapon  had  dashed  into  the 
foaming  billows. 

As  the  zealous  and  brave,  but  unsuccessful 
champion  of  the  republic,  after  the  death  of 
Julius  Casar,  against  the  Triumvirate,  Sextus 
Pompey  received  from  the  Senate  a high  naval 
appointment,  under  the  same  title  as  that  which 
had  been  previously  conferred  on  his  father, 
when  the  latter  weut  out  to  destroy  the  Medi- 
terranean pirates.  And  hence  we  find  him 
inscribing  it  on  his  medals.  To  this  empire  of 
the  seas,  he  alludes  with  no  little  portion  of 
insane  presumption,  on  another  of  his  coins 
beariug  the  dedicatory  inscription  of  neptvnj, 
with  a type  of  the  God  whose  son  he  preteuded 
to  be. 

Prefecture. — Those  cities  of  Italy  were  called 
Prefectures  which  were  governed  by  Roman 
magistrates,  according  to  the  laws  which  these 
magistrates  thought  proper  to  impose  on  them. — 
The  condition  of  these  towns  Festus  describes  as 
having  been  worse  than  that  of  the  colonies  and 
municipia. — It  was  the  lot  of  those  nations  who 
had  resisted  to  the  last  extremity  the  yoke  of 
Rome,  or  who  had  revolted  from  her  domination 
after  having  been  subjected  to  it.  This  hard  and 
unjust  distinction  was  removed  by  the  operation 
of  the  Lex  Julia,  by  which  all  the  Italian  cities 
received  the  rights  of  Roman  citizenship,  and 
all  the  privileges  of  colonies,  municipalities,  and 
prefectures  were  amalgamated. 

Prefectus. — The  name  of  Prefect,  so  long  as 
Rome  retained  even  a shadow  of  a republican 
government,  was  confined  to  certain  magistrates 


648  PR.EFECTUS. 

of  the  city  and  to  the  governors  of  provincial 
towns  in  Italy.  But  under  the  emperors,  such 
changes  took  place  both  in  the  authority  and 
influence  which  had  formerly  belonged  to  the 
first  officers  of  state,  that  some  were  redueed  to 
mere  ciphers,  and  others  were  called  by  new 
appellations.  Julius  Ciesar  appointed  Prefects 
instead  of  Praetors. — Augustus  was  the  first  to 
confer  the  title  of  Prefect  on  governors  of  pro- 
vinces.— The  title  of  Prefect  is  frequently  found 
on  leaden  coins. — Prrefecti  Classium  and  Prrefecti 
Fabrum  are  found  on  silver  coins  of  the  repub- 
lican mint,  and  of  the  triumvirate  of  Octavius 
Lepidus  and  Antony. — Prefects  are  also  enume- 
rated among  the  magistrates  of  colonies. 

Prafectus  Classis. — The  commander  of  a 
naval  armament  was  thus  called.  It  answers  to 
our  terra  Admiral  of  the  Fleet,  which  under  the 
republic  was  usually  entrusted  by  the  senate  to 
men  of  consular  or  prretorian  rank.  Those  who 
in  M.  Antony’s  time  enjoyed  the  maritime  pre- 
fecture had  his  permission  to  place  their  names 
on  his  coins,  as  for  example,  L.  atratinvs,  L. 
BIBVLVS,  M.  OPPIVS  CAP1TO,  who  as  PEAEF. 
clas.,  or  Prafecti  Classis,  are,  with  the  prre- 
torian  galley  (the  symbol  of  their  prefecture), 
thus  inscribed.  For  as  to  this  day  in  maritime 
states,  so  amongst  the  Romans,  in  the  fleet  of 
the  prefect,  which  consisted  of  a vast  number  of 
vessels,  there  was  one  which  took  precedence  of 
all  others,  as  the  “ Admiral’s  ship.” — That  both 
the  Pompeys,  father  and  son,  claimed  the  empire 
of  the  sea  as  a charge  delegated  to  them  by  the 
senate  is  shown,  under  different  titles,  on  well- 
known  denarii  of  that  family,  which  designate 
the  parent  as  magn.  pro.  cos.,  with  the  prow  of 
a galley;  and  Sextus,  the  son,  as  praef.  class. 

ET.  ORAE  MARIT. 

A prefect  of  the  British  fleet  is  recorded  in 
an  inscription  found  at  Lymne,  in  Kent. — 
“ Report  on  Excavations  made  ou  the  site  of  the 
Roman  Cast  rum  at  Lymne,”  pi.  vii.,  by  C. 
Roach  Smith 

Prafectus  Pne/orii. — Prefect  of  the  Pre- 
torium.  He  was  the  chief  commander  of  the 
Prsetorian  bands,  -and,  as  a high  military  officer 
in  a monarchy,  may  be  termed  Colonel  of  the 
Imperial  Guard.  The  office,  established,  as  we 
learn  from  Dion,  by  Augustus,  was,  at  first, 
of  little  importance,  being  purely  military,  and 
given  only  to  one  of  the  Equestrian  Order.  But 
afterwards  these  prefects,  by  the  concentration 
of  their  cohorts  within  the  prretorian  camp  on 
the  outskirts  of  Rome,  rendered  themselves 
equal  in  real  power  to  the  emperors  themselves, 
whose  constant  companions  they  were.  For  as, 
after  Augustus,  most  of  the  Caesars  were  tyrants, 
their  security  was  solely  placed  in  the  fidelity  of 
the  praetorian  soldiers,  with  whom  their  com- 
mander was  an  object  of  greater  attachment 
than  the  sovereign  himself.  Hence  it  was  the 
custom  for  the  Praetorian  Prefects  to  be  con- 
stantly near  the  emperors  for  the  protection  of 
their  persons,  and  fatal  indeed  was  such  pro- 
tection to  some  of  those  who  trusted  in  it. — 
During  the  reign  of  Coustantine  the  Great,  four 
Praefecti  Prretorii  were  appointed,  to  whom  that 


PRJ2FECTUS. 

Emperor  gave  supreme  civil  and  judicial  power 
in  the  provinces,  but  deprived  them  of  the 
command  of  the  army,  which  originally  belonged 
to  them. — On  medals  which  commemorate 
Liberalities,  the  military  figure  which  stands 
behind  the  Emperor,  seated  on  an  estrade,  and 
distributing  the  congiariitm,  is  considered  to  be 
that  of-  the  Prsetorian  prefect,  who  always 
stood  near  his  prince  on  public  occasions. — See 
Liberalilas  and  Congiarium. 

Prefectus  Annona. — The  prefect  of  provisions 
was  appointed  only  at  periods  of  scarcity  and 
of  pressing  necessity  with  regard  to  the  supply 
of  food  for  the  people.  It  was  then  their 
especial  duty  to  take  measures  for  the  promptest 
possible  conveyance  of  corn  from  the  provinces 
and  neighbouring  states  to  Rome.  Afterwards 
this  dignity  was  conferred  with  greater  extent  of 
power  on  Pompcy,  as  Cicero  ( L.  iv.  ep.  i.  ad 
At/icumJ  mites. — Subsequently  Augustus  took 
upon  himself  the  care  of  the  Annona,  and  to 
avoid  the  personal  trouble  of  this  prefecture, 
appointed  two  persons  to  whom  he  committed 
the  task  of  distributing  wheat  and  other  victuals 
to  the  people  (according  to  Dion  Cass.  L.  iv. 
p.  521). 

Prafectus  TJrbis.  Prefect  or  Warden  of  the 
City  (of  Rome). — Under  the  free  republic  there 
was  no  such  magistrate,  except  for  a short  space 
of  time,  when  the  consuls  were  absent  on 
account  of  the  peculiar  ceremonies  called  Ferue 
Laiitue,  celebrated  on  Mount  Albanus  at  the 
breaking  out  of  a war,  in  order  that  Rome 
should  not  be  left  without  a government  and  a 
magistrate  ( Tacit  Annul  l.  vi J.  But  Augustus 
rc-created  this  Urban  Prefecture,  and  his  coun- 
sellor Mieeeuas  was  the  first  to  fill  it. — The 
jurisdiction  of  this  officer  extended  entirely  over 
Rome,  and  to  the  hundredth  stadium  beyond  its 
walls,  and  his  authority  became  at  length  so 
considerable  as  to  equal  that  of  the  Pretorian 
Prefect. 

On  the  reverse  of  a denarius  of  the  Livineia 
family  we  see  a curule  chair  between  two  fasces, 
and  the  inscription  regvlvs  f.  praef.  vr. 
Regulus  Filius  Prefectus  Urbis. — There  are  also 
extant  coins  of  M.  Lepidus  and  L.  Plancus,  of 
the  Munatia  family,  on  which  is  inscribed  the 
same  dignity  of  PR.IEFwfw  V U Bw,  but  with- 
out the  insignia  of  the  fasces.  In  after  times, 
however,  the  Prefects  of  the  City  had  the  privi- 
lege of  the  fasces. — See  Livineia  fam. 

Prafericulum,  a metal  vase,  used  by  the 
Roman  augurs  aud  priesthood  at  their  sacrifices 
for  holding  wine  used  in  the  libations.  It  had  a 
prominent  mouth,  aud  an  ear  or  handle  like 
our  modern  ewers ; and  in  it  was  put  the 
wine  or  other  liquors  dedicated  to  libations. — 
Du  Choul  (p.  283)  observes  that  it  was  gene- 
rally carried  in  religious  processions  by  one  of 
the  sacrificial  ministers. 

Like  the  lituus,  these  prafericula  were 
amongst  the  sacerdotal  insignia,  and  although 
the  former  was  the  principal  symbol  of  the 
augur,  yet  on  coins  of  pontiffs  both  arc  pro- 
miscuously exhibited. — Sec  Pontificalia. 

PIIAE.  ITER.  (Prafectus  IterumJ. — The 


PILENOMINA. 

prctorian  galley  with  sails  set. — On  the  reverse 
of  a first  brass  coin,  having  on  its  obverse  three 
heads  assigned  to  M.  Antony,  Octavia,  and 
Augustus. — See  Seguin’s  Selecta  Numismata, 
p.  106,  where  the  medal  is  engraved  and 
explained,  llavcrcainp  in  Morell’s  Thesaur. 
gives  a similar  type  with  this  legend ; hut 
neither  Eckhcl,  Mionnct,  or  Aker  wan,  makes 
any  allusion  to  it. 

Premia. — The  rewards  or  prizes  of  gladiators 
and  wrestlers  (athletic)  were  palms,  money, 
aud  wands.  They  were  placed  before  the  eyes  of 
the  contending  parties  in  the  midst  of  the 
course  or  the  arena.  (Vaillant  on  Colonial 
Coins,  p.  218.) — The  prizes  distributed  to  the 
victors  in  the  various  public  games  of  the 
Greeks  and  Romans  were  distinguished  by 
numerical  marks,  from  one  to  three  and  even 
four. 

Praneste,  a celebrated  city  of  Latium,  about 
ten  miles  from  Rome,  where  the  Dictator 
Sylla  planted  a Roman  colony,  now  called 
Palestrina. 

Pranestina  Sortes,  as  if  of  some  sibyl  or 
prophetess. — See  Platoria  family. — Sors. 

Praenomen. — The  first  name  of  the  three,  by 
which  each  Roman  citizen  was  called,  took  its 
place  before  the  nomen  gentilicium,  or  family 
name,  for  the  sake  of  distinction,  that  they 
might  be  known  from  others  who  were  of  the 
same  high  and  honourable  race.  Of  these  pre- 
noinina  some  are  derived  from  the  Roman 
people,  others  more  frequently  from  neigh- 
bouring nations. 

Praenomina,  for  the  sake  of  brevity,  were 
accustomed  to  be  written,  some  with  a single 
letter  only,  others  with  two,  others  with  three 
letters. — Thus  the  following  are  designated  ou 
coins  by  one  letter  only : — A.  Aulus ; C.  Caius; 
D.  Decimus;  K.  Caso;  L.  Lucius;  M.  Manius, 
or  Marcus;  N.  Numerius;  P.  Publius;  Q. 
Quintus;  T.  Titus.  In  like  manner,  with  two 
letters,  AP.  Appius ; CN.  Cnaus ; OP.  Opiter 
(according  to  Sigonius)  ; SP.  Spurius ; TI. 
Tiberius.  Lastly  with  three  letters,  as  MAM. 
Mamercus ; MAN.  Manius;  SER.  Servius; 
SEX  Sextus;  TVL.  Tu/lus. 

That  in  the  earliest  times  of  Rome,  pranomina 
occupied  the  place  of  a proper  name,  there  are 
sufficient  examples  to  be  found,  as  well  ou  coins 
as  in  ancient  authors.  This  is  abundantly  shewn 
in  the  instances  of  the  Kings  Numa,  Tu/lus, 
Ancus,  Servius. — In  like  manner  the  same  usage 
prevails  among  the  Roman  families,  which  for 
the  most  part  want  the  cognomen. — [Spanheim, 
Pr.  ii.,  p.  23,  sq.~\ 

Pnenomina  are  sometimes  peculiar  to  one 
family  or  race.  There  are  extant  denarii  of  the 
Domitia  family  wliieh  show  this.  And  particu- 
larly in  those  of  the  Abenobarbi,  on  which  no 
other  than  CN.  or  the  pranomen  Cnarns  is  read  ; 
otherwise  the  common  name  of  Caius,  as  belong- 
ing to  the  Octavia  family.  The  pranomen  of 
Numerius  is  pccidiar  to  the  Fabia  family. 
Manius  is  the  first  name  of  the  Aquillia  family, 
aud  the  name  is  likewise  given  on  coins  of  the  : 
Acilia  family. 

4 0 


PRjENOMINA.  649 

Pranomina  of  fathers  and  grandfathers  are 
ordinarily  retained,  as  M.ANTONIVS  M.F.M.N. 
the  son  of  which  triumvir  by  Fulvia,  Marcus,  is 
in  like  manner  named  ou  a coin  of  Seguin’s, 
M.  ANTON1VS  M.  P.  On  other  denarii  the 
same  pnenomina  of  parents  and  ancestors  occur, 
e.g.  M.  AIMILI  M.  F.  M.  N,  aud  so  likewise 
M.  AQVJL1VS  M. P.  M.  N.— AP.  CLAVDIVS. 
AP.  F.  AP.  AN.— C.  PANSA.  C.  F.  C.  N.— 
C.  VIBIVS.  C.  F.  C.  N.— CN.  FVLVI.  CN.  F. 
CN.  N. — L.  CAEC1L.  L.  F.  L.  N.,  and  others 
similar  to  these. — In  fact,  we  learn  from  coins 
that  the  pramomen  of  a great  grandfather  passes 
down  to  a great  grandchild,  as  in  the  case  of 
C.  OC'l'AVIVS.  C.  P.  C.  N.  C.  P.  Caii  Pronepos. 
In  like  manner,  L.  MVNATIVS.  L.  F.  L.  N.  L. 
PEONeyww. 

The  Pranomina  belonging  to  some  families, 
the  nomen  gentile  being  omitted,  are  used  instead 
of  the  names,  as  appivs  on  medals  of  the 
Claudia  family,  and  SERVivs  on  those  of  the 
Sulpicia  family. — See  Sigonius  and  Nomina 
Romanorum. 

PRAE.  ORB.  or  ORBIS. — See  iovi  frae., 

&c. 

PRAES.  Prasidi.  To  the  Patron  or  Presi- 
dent.— iovi  PRAES.  ORBIS. — Presidents  or 
Governors  ol  the  Provinces  of  the  Roman 
people  were  called  Proconsuls,  but  Presidents 
of  the  Provinces  of  Augustus  were  distinguished 
by  the  appellation  of  Legati  August i (Lieutenants 
of  the  Emperor) ; or  Legati  Pro  Pratore,  or 
both  those  titles  conjoined,  Legati  Augusii 
Pro  Pratore. — In  process  of  time  the  name  of 
Prases,  or  President,  was  given  indeed  to  those 
who  administered  public  affairs  eveu  in  the  minor 
provinces  of  the  empire ; thence  it  came  to  pass 
that  provinces  were  divided  into  proconsular, 
and  praitorian,  and  even  into  praisidial. 

PRAESID1A  REI PVBLIC. — Two  soldiers 
armed  with  spears,  stand  with  hands  joined, 
supporting  a figure  of  Victory ; between  them  is 
a captive  on  bis  knees. — On  the  reverse  of  a 
third  brass  of  Constantius  Chlorus. 

Eckhel,  from  whose  catalogue  of  the  Vienna 
cabinet  the  above  is  quoted,  says — “ This  epi- 
graph has  hitherto  been  unknown.  It  indicates 
[in  conjunction  with  the  type]  clearly  enough 
that  the  defence  of  the  commonwealth  was  con- 
fided to  the  valour  of  the  soldiers.” 

Prastantia  numorum. — The  excellence  of 
numismatics. 

PRAET.  Prat  or — Pratore. — KEREN  NIO 
PRAETorc.  On  a coin  of  M.  Agrippa. — PRO 
PRAET.  A FR ICae. — Sec  Clodius  Macer. 

PRAET.  Pratoria,  or  Pratoriana. — 
COIIII.  PRAET.  VI.  P.  VI.  aud  COOIJH. 
PRAET.  V 1 1,  P.  VII.  F.  (Cohortes 
Pratoriana  sephmam  pia  septimam  fidelis.) 

Pratexta. — A long  white  robe  bordered  with 
purple,  and  much  resembling  the  toga.  It  was 
worn  bv  noblemen’s  children  ; that  is  to  say  by 
boys,  from  the  time  of  their  entering  the  age  of 
adolescence  to  their  assumption  of  the  manly 
gown  : aud  by  girls  till  they  were  married.  It 
was  also  used  by  aedilcs,  censors,  tribunes  of 
the  people,  and  even  by  consuls  and  dictators  on 


650  PR.ETOR. 

certain  occasions  of  ceremony,  when  it  was 
likewise  worn  by  the  priests  and  augurs. 

Prator. — This  was  a title  which  the  Romans, 
immediately  after  the  expulsion  of  the  kings, 
conferred  on  the  consul  and  other  great  magis- 
trates, who  in  the  law,  the  army,  aud  amongst 
the  people  (prairent ) took  the  lead,  or  who 
were  appointed  to  any  office  of  dignity,  whether 
for  things  sacred  or  profane.  Rut  in  the  year 
of  Rome  387,  a magistrate  was  created  to 
whom  this  name  was  thenceforward  exclusively 
appropriated.  Two  causes  led  to  his  institution. 
The  tirst  was  to  abate  the  discontent  of  the 
Patricians  with  the  law'  which  had  rendered  the 
Plebeians  eligible  to  the  consulship.  The  second 
was  to  provide  some  competent  person  as  pre- 
sident at  the  tribunals,  during  the  too  frequent 
absences  of  the  consuls,  on  warlike  expeditions. 
At  first  only  one  Prator  was  elected,  hut  on 
account  of  the  numerous  strangers  whom  busi- 
ness of  every  kind  drew  to  Rome,  a second  was 
appointed,  whose  functions  were  solely  confined 
to  the  administration  of  justice,  and  this  officer 
was  called  Prator  Peregrinus , to  distinguish 
him  from  the  former,  who  was  called  Prator 
Urbanus.  In  or  about  the  year  526,  two 
praetors  were  chosen  to  govern  the  recently 
conquered  provinces  of  Sicily  and  Sardinia,  in 
the  name  of  the  republic.  And  the  same  year, 
six  praetors  were  created  to  govern  subjugated 
Spain.  It  was  thus  that  as  Rome  extended  her 
conquests  beyond  Italy  she  augmented  the 
number  of  her  magistrates  to  rule  over  her 
territorial  aggrandisements,  aud  these  were 
called  Pratores  Provinciates. — Cscsar  consti- 
tuted ten  I’netors  instead  of  the  eight  who  bad 
continued  to  preside  from  the  time  of  Sylla. 

The  Pnctors  were  denominated  “ Colleagues 
of  the  Consuls and  the  honour  of  the  fasces 
was  extended  to  them  also,  but  with  a less 
number  of  lictors  than  attended  the  consuls. 
These  magistrates  wore  the  pretexta ; and  each 
took  his  seat  on  a curulc  chair  plated  on  an 
elevated  tribunal.  All  the  pnctors,  after  having 
exercised  their  functions  at  Rome  for  a whole 
year,  were  seut  to  govern  their  respective  pro- 
vinces. (Spanheim,  107.)  The  duties  of  these 
magistrates  were  principally  to  administer  jus- 
tice to  the  citizens  and  to  strangers,  to  preside 
at  the  public  games,  and  to  superintend  the 
sacrifices.  Jurisdiction  appertained  as  well  to 
the  provincial  as  to  the  urban  praitors.  The 
goverumeutal  powers  of  the  prtetorship  in  the 
provinces  embraced  the  right  of  punishing 
criminals.  Neither  during  the  republic,  nor 
even  under  the  cmpeiors,  were  the  prmtors 
invested  with  the  jus  gtadii  in  Rome  itself. — 
Under  Augustus  the  praitors  discharged  the 
duties  of  prefects  of  the  city  ; afterwards  the 
official  employments  of  the  pnctors  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  urban  prefects. 

Prator  Urbanus. — The  government  of  the 
city,  as  above  observed,  was  in  the  first  instance 
entrusted  to  a single  magistrate,  called  simply 
Prator ; but  the  immense  increase  of  public 
business  in  Rome  subsequently  led  to  the 
appointment  of  a colleague  for  him,  under  the 


PRyETOR. 

name  of  Prator  Peregrinus. — The  authority  of 
the  Prator  Urbanus  was  great  in  Rome  com- 
pared with  that  of  all  the  other  praitors,  who 
were  of  later  creation.  Besides  sustaining 
the  consular  functions  during  the  absence 
of  the  consuls  themselves,  a privilege  which 
they  sometimes  were  allowed  to  exercise  under 
the  emperors,  the  Pratores  Urbani  per- 
formed the  office  of  introducing  ambassadors 
from  the  allies  of  Rome  to  the  senate,  and  of 
replying  to  those  ambassadors  in  the  name  of 
that  illustrious  assembly  ; they  heard  and  deter- 
mined on  matters  of  petition,  when  the  consuls 
were  not  present,  and  under  like  circumstances, 
this  print  or,  honoralus  et  maximus,  put  his 
name  to  epistles  and  edicts.  This  dignity  was 
expressed  on  the  public  money. — The  Prator 
Urbanus  had  the  care  of  the  games  celebrated 
in  honour  of  Apollo,  on  which  occasion,  clothed 
in  the  triumphal  robe,  he  was  carried  round  the 
circus  (per  circum)  in  a quadriga — a mark  of 
distinction  which  was  afterwards  denied  by 
Augustus  to  the  tribunes  of  the  people,  although 
they  had  offered  to  exhibit  these  shews  to  the 
public  at  their  own  expense.  He  also  had  the 
management  of  the  venationes,  or  wild  beast 
hunting,  and  the  spectacles  in  which  rare 
foreign  animals  were  displayed.  The  ludi  votivi, 
or  extraordinary  games,  likewise  devolved  on  the 
I’rictor  Urbanus  to  conduct,  and  at  length  the 
whole  of  the  various  festal  celebrations  fell 
under  the  superintendence  of  that  magistrate. 
The  name  and  office  remained  in  use  down  to  a 
later  period  of  the  empire,  and  even  in  Con- 
stantinople there  were  several  prretors,  whose 
functions  were  especially  counected  with  the 
public  games.  Spanheim,  Pr.  ii.  p.  120  et 
seq. — The  Urban  I’rastois  did  not  strike 
money. 

Prator  Peregrinus,  so  called,  because  he 
administered  the  law  to  foreigners  at  Rome ; for 
as  the  state  increased,  many  natives  of  foreign 
countries,  subject  to  the  power  of  the  Romans, 
came  to  reside  at,  or  to  visit,  the  “eternal  city.” 

Prator. — A figure  representing  this  high 
officer  of  the  republic  appears  oh  coins  of  the 
Postumia  family,  standing,  in  the  toga,  with 
right  hand  uplifted,  between  the  legionary  eagle 
and  the  fasces  with  axe. 

PRAETOR.  RECEPT.  Pratorianis  Re- 
ceptis. — The  Emperor  in  the  toga,  and  upstand- 
ing, gives  his  right  haud  to  one  of  the  Praetorian 
soldiers  (or  imperial  body-guard),  who  holds  in 
his  left  hand  the  eagle  of  the  Roman  legions. 
On  silver  of  Claudius. 

This  is  the  second  of  two  medals,  both  of 
them  illustrious  as  confirmatory  of  historical  facts; 
the  first  inscribed  lMPEIWore  RECEPTo,  (see 
p.  477  of  this  Dictionary),  shewing  the  manner  in 
which  Claudius  was  presented  to  the  guard,  who 
acknowledged  him  for  Emperor,  and  placed  him 
under  their  protection.  The  prescut  denarius 
has  for  its  subject  the  patronage  and  favour 
which  the  same  Emperor  granted  in  his  turn  to 
the  Pra-torians,  ou  the  occasion  of  their  taking 
the  oath  of  fidelity  to  him. — The  “ Pnetorians 
received  (that  is  to  say,  received  into  alle- 


PILETORIUM  CASTRUM. 
fiance),  is  the  appropriate  inscription  of  this 
coin,  for  it  is  an  allusion  to  the  military  oath 
as  “ on  that  same  day  (according  to  Suetonius, 
c.  10,  quoted  by  Eckhcl,)  he  (Claudius)  Suffered 
the  Praitoriau  guards  to  swear  in  his  name.” 

Pratorium  Lustrum  or  Castra  Pratoriana. — 
The  camp  of  the  Praetorian  soldiers. — The 
Emperor  Tiberius  built  for  the  cohorts,  who 
were  under  the  command  of  the  Praetorian 
Prefect  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Koine,  a 
permanent  camp  enclosed  within  walls,  and, 
moreover,  defended  by  a rampart  and  ditch,  in 
the  form  of  a fortress,  where  they  were  gene- 
rally stationed. — The  earliest  instaucc  in  which 
the  Pnetorian  camp  is  represented  on  Roman 
coins  is  that  of  the  Imperatore  Becepto  of 
Claudius  above  alluded  to.  [See  imp.  recep.] — 
Ou  coins  of  the  later  empire  we  sec  the 
Pratoria  Castra  with  towers  aud  gates,  some- 
times without  figures;  at  others,  with  two  or 
four  soldiers  performing  sacrifice  at  a tripod,  or 
otherwise. 

The  Pnetorian  camp,  with  or  without  figures, 
is  represented  on  reverses  of  the  following 
Imperial  coins,  chiefly  silver  and  third  brass, 
viz:— On  GLORIA  ROMANORVM  of  Gratian; 
on  PROVIDENTta  CAESaraw  of  Licinins  jun., 
Crispus,  aud  Constautinus  jun. ; on  PliOVI- 
DENTIA  AVG.  or  AVGG.  of  Diocletian, 
Maximian  Hercules,  Constantius  Chlorus,  Gal. 
Maxiinianus,  Licinius  senior,  Constantiuus 
Magnus,  and  Constantiuus  jun. ; on  SPES 
ROMANORVM  of  Magnus  Maximus  and  FI. 
Victor;  on  VICTORIA  AVGG.  of  Diocletian, 
Val.  Maximian,  Constantius  Chlorus,  Gal. 
Maximian,  &c. ; on  VICTORIA  SARMAT.  or 
VICTORIA  SARMATICA  of  Diocletian, 
Maximianus  Hercules,  and  Constantius  Chlorus ; 
on  VIRTVS  MILITVM  of  Diocletian,  of  Val. 
Maximianus,  of  Constantius  Chlorus,  of  Gal. 
Maximianus,  Maxcntius,  Maximinus  Daza, 
Licinius  jun.,  and  Constantiuus  M. 

“ The  prmtorian  camp  (says  Milliu),  which  is 
believed  to  have  been  situated  to  the  east  of 
Rome,  behind  the  Baths  of  Diocletian,  was  con- 
structed of  bricks,  of  reticulated  work,  faced 
with  stucco,  finished  with  great  nicety,  and 
enriched  with  superb  porticos,  supported  by 
columns.  It  was  surrounded  by  an  enclosure, 
sometimes  double,  more  or  less  extended,  in 
which  were  wrought,  on  a quadrangular  plan  of 
two  stories  in  height,  the  barracks  of  the 
guards,  between  which  an  easy  communication 
was  effected  by  means  of  covered  galleries. 
Towers  placed  on  the  outside  gave  to  this  camp 
the  aspect  of  a formidable  castle,  or  fortified 
town ; whilst  the  vast  space  included  within  its 
walls  conduced  to  its  salubrity,  and  alforded 
every  facility  for  exercising  the  troops.” 

Pratoria  Navis,  the  galley  on  board  of  which 
was  the  commander  in-chief  of  the  naval  arma- 
ment— or  as  we  should  call  a modern  vessel  of  war, 
the  admiral’s  flag  ship. — The  navis  pratoria  is 
seen  ou  various  coins  from  Augustus  to  Hadrian 
aud  thence  to  Cominodus,  Sept.  Sevcrus,  Cara- 
calla,  aud  other  Emperors,  some  with  sails  and 
others  with  rowers  ; a figure  seated  at  the  helm, 
4 0 2 


PREIVER  CAPTUM.  C51 

and  others  standing  in  other  parts  of  the  galley. 
— See  FEI.ICITAS  AVG. 

Pratorium. — This  word  in  its  original  accep- 
tation meant  the  prictor’s  or  general’s  tent,  which 
was  placed  in  the  situation  best  suited  to  render 
it  conspicuously  visible  to  the  whole  camp.  It 
was  afterwards  used  to  signify  the  palace  or 
other  place  ‘where  the  praetor  of  a province  re- 
sided, aud  where  he  administered  justice  to  the 
people.  There  was  a prmtorium  in  all  the  cities 
of  the  Roman  empire. 

PREIVER.  CAITV M. ( Preivemum  Captum). 

— P.  HYl'SAEVS.  AED.  CVR.  C.  HYPSAE.  COS. 

This  inscription  appears  on  a denarius  of  the 
Plautia  family,  which  bears  on  its  reverse 
Jupiter  fulminator  in  a quadriga.  This  coin 
was,  it  seems,  struck  to  commemorate  the  event 
of  C.  Plautius,  who  was  consid  in  the  year  of 
Rome  425,  having  taken  the  city  of  Preivernum, 
or  rather  Privernum,  and  received  triumphal 
honours  on  that  account. — See  Plautia,  p.  226. 

Pretium  numorum  antiquiorum. — The  re- 
lative value  of  coins  was  indicated  in  the  early 
times  of  the  Roman  mintage,  either  by  single 
letters  or  by  points,  thus — 

X.  or  the  denarius. 

V.  the  Quinarius  or  Victoriatus. 

S.  Semis. 

L.  Libra,  or  as. 

LLS.  Sestertius,  or  two  asses  and  a half. 

O.  one  globule  or  point,  the  uncia. 

00.  two  points,  the  sextans. 

000.  three  points,  the  quadrans. 

0000.  lastly,  four  points  or  globules  signify 
the  triens. 

PRI.  FL.  Primus  Flavit. — This  appears  on 
a coin  of  the  F/aminia  family,  bearing  the 
inscription  l.  Flamini.  chilo.  iiiivir.  pri.  pi„, 
that  is  to  say,  L.  Flaminius  Chilo,  one  of  the 
four  magistrates  appointed  by  Julius  Caesar  to 
superintend  the  coinage  of  denarii,  (primus 
flavit ),  was  the  first  prsefect  of  that  depart- 
ment of  the  moneta  at  Rome.  • 

PRI  MI  DECEN.  Primi  Decennales. — The 
first  period  of  ten  years.  This  epigraph  (with 
cos.  mi.  in  a crown  of  laurel)  appears  for  the 
first  time,  either  abridged  or  at  full  length,  on 
coins,  in  all  three  metals,  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
and  afterwards  on  those  of  his  immediate  suc- 
cessors, M.  Aurelius  and  Commodus. — These 
decennales  (says  Eckhcl)  like  the  vota,  whether 
suscepta  or  so/uta,  were  doubtless  celebrated  for 
the  health  and  safety  of  the  reigning  prince. 
Recorded  in  the  first  instance  during  the  reign 
of  the  Antonines,  they  afterwards  became  a 
constantly  recurring  subject  of  numismatic 
inscription,  and  especially  in  the  age  of  the 
Constantines.  The  primi  decennales  of  Anto- 
ninus ended  on  the  tenth  of  July,  a.d.  148, 
and  then  the  second  term  of  ten  years  began. 

PRIMIGENIA. — A name  given  to  the  22nd 
Legion,  on  a silver  coin  of  Mark  Antony,  as 
given  by  Morell,  in  the  Antonia  family,  exhibit- 
ing also  a legionary  eagle  between  two  military 
standards.  With  a capricorn  it  occurs  ou  a 
small  brass  coin  of  Carausius. — Num . Chron. 
vol.  ii.  p.  121. 


652  PRIMIS.— PRIMUS. 

PRIMIS  X MVLTIS  XX.—Primis  Becen- 
nalihus  Mult  is  Vicennalibus. — Two  figures  of 
Victory  attach  a shield  to  a palm,  on  which 
is  inscribed  vox.  x.  fel.  (Vota  Becennalia 
Felicia.)  On  the  reverse  of  a gold  coin  of 
Diocletian. — On  a medal  of  Val.  Maximianus 
the  same  legend  appears,  but  a single  figure  of 
Victory  inscribes  vo.  xx.  on  the  shield. 

In  the  Lower  Empire,  as  has  been  already 
observed  under  the  head  of  primi  decennai.es, 
these  votive  legends  are  continually  recurring; 
the  vows  themselves  being  carried  forward  even 
beyond  the  term.  This  is  expressed  by  the 
word  mullis ; for  instance,  votis  x.,  multis  xx., 
or  by  the  word  sic , for  example,  sic  x.,  sic.  xx. 

On  epigraphs  of  this  kind,  Bimard,  in  his 
Notes  on  Jobert,  remarks  that  “among  those 
mcdtds,  on  which  allusion  is  made  to  Vota 
Becennalia  and  Vicennalia,  there  are  scarcely 
any  more  curious  than  those  of  Diocletian  and  of 
Maximian  his  colleague,  which  have  for  their 
legend  puiMis  x.  mvltis  xx. — Banduri  has 
quoted  two  of  these  medals,  but  there  were 
more  than  thirty  varieties  in  the  cabinet  of 
the  Abbe  de  Rothelin.  Some  bear  the  type  of 
Jupiter  standing  ; others  ot  Hercules  also  stand- 
ing. A Victory  seated  is  seen  ou  several,  hold- 
ing with  the  left  hand  a buckler  resting  on  her 
knee,  and  with  her  right  hand  inscribing  on  this 
buckler,  votis  x.  or  vox  x.  Others,  lastly, 
represent  two  Victories,  who  sustain  a buckler, 
on  which  we  read  vot.  x.  fel.,  and  sometimes 
vot.  x.  et  xx.  These  medals  are  so  much  the 
more  remarkable,  as  the  vows  form  the  legend 
and  not  the  inscription ; and  as  they  are  re- 
peated on  those  where  we  again  read  them  in 
the  buckler. 

PRIMI  XX.  IOVI  AV6VSTI, — Jupiter 
sitting,  with  thunderbolt  and  hasta.  This  legend 
and  type  appear  on  a very  rare  gold  coin  of 
Diocletian,  who  celebrated  the  vota  vicennalia, 
the  twentieth  year  of  his  reign  being  been  com- 
pleted a.D.  303. — Banduri  and  Vaillant. 

PRIMO  AVSP. — The  infant  Hercules 
strangling  two  serpents.  On  a fourth  brass  of 
Gal.  Maximianus.  This  fine  and  remarkable 
little  coin,  in  the  Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna, 
was  first  noticed  by  Eckhel  in  his  Syllog.  i. 
Num.  Vet.  And  the  same  great  numismatist  in 
his  Boot.  Num.  Vet.  thus  explains  the  epigraph: 
“ Two  modes  (he  observes)  suggest  themselves. 
It  is  called  PRIMO  AVSPtee,  as  on  coins  of 
S.  Severus  we  read  D1S  AVSPICIBVS,  or  it 
is  PRIMO.  AVSPIeio;  for  on  coins  of  that  very 
age,  viz.,  that  of  Diocletian  and  Maximinian 
Hercules,  we  find  it  written  AVSPIC.  FEL., 
which  may  be  held  certainly  to  mean  AVSPICio 
FELtei. 

PRIMVS. — Those  who  were  the  first  (primi) 
to  do  any  particular  thing  of  public  importance, 
or  who  bore  any  office  first,  were  noted,  by 
• writers  accordingly,  and  the  memory  of  the 
event  struck  ou  coins,  as  L.  BRVTVS  PRIMui 
CONSUL.  A similar  instance  is  rend  on  a 
denarius  of  the  F/aminia  family  sec  PRI.  FL. 
or  Qualuor  Vir  Monet al is  Primus  flarit). — On 
other  coins  the  word  primus  occurs:  SEX. 


PRINCEPS. 

NONI.  PR.  LVD.  V.  P.  F.  Sextus  Nonius 
Prcetor  Ludos  Votivos  Primus  fecit.  The 
Prtctor  Sextus  Nonius  was  the  first  who  cele- 
brated the  Votive  Games;  and  C.  SERVEIL. 
M.  F.  FLORA.  PRIMVS.  Cuius  Serveillius, 
Marci  Filius,  Floratia  Primus;  that  is  to  say, 
he  first  instituted  the  Floral  Games. 

PRIN.  Princeps. — PEI N.  IVVENTVTIS. 
S.  C.  On  a third  brass  of  Maximus  Cicsar. 

PRIN.  Principes. — TITVS  ET  DOMI- 

TIANVS  PRIN.  I V VENri/riJ. C.  L. 

CAESARES  AVGVSTI  F.  COS.  DES.  PRIN. 
I WENT.  Cains  Lucius  Caesares,  Augusti 
Filii,  Consu/es  Besignali,  Principes  Juventutis. 

PRIN.  Principi. — OPTIMO  PRIN.  On 
coins  of  Trajan.— DIVO  CONSTANTIO  PIO 
PRIN.  On  a coin  of  Coustnutius  Chlorus. 

PR  INC.  Princeps , Principle,  Principi, 

Principes. — PRINC.  1VV.,  or  JVVEN.,  or 
IV VENT.,  or  IVVENTVT.,  or  at  full  length 
IVVENTVTIS.  Princeps  Juventutis. 

Princeps  Juventutis  was  a name  of  dignity 
even  in  the  most  flourishing  days  of  the  re- 
public. It  was  an  honorary  appellation  given 
to  him  who  took  the  lead  of  the  greater  and 
lesser  boys  appointed  to  perform  a part  in  the 
game  of  Troy  (ad  ludum  Troja).  The  prince 
of  the  youth  was,  in  the  earlier  times,  the 
chief  of  the  Equestrian  Order.  Under  the 
empire,  and  from  the  very  commencement 
of  that  monarchical  form  of  government,  this 
title,  although  simply  honorary,  appears  to  have 
been  given,  as  an  apanage,  to  such  young 
princes  of  the  imperial  family  as  were  destined 
to  reign,  and  was  sometimes  conferred  on 
them  at  a very  early  age.  Tjie  dignity  in 
eeitain  instances  accompanied  that  of  Ccrsar. 
It  is  a mark  of  distinction  of  which  the 
memorial  is  found  perpetuated,  cither  directly 
or  indirectly  on  the  medals  dedicated  to  these 
youthful  heirs  of  the  throne.  Sometimes,  as  in 
the  case  oi  Cains  and  Lucius,  sons  of  M. 
Agrippa,  adopted  by  Augustus,  two  princes 
were  honoured  together  with  this  title.  The 
types  which  bear  reference  to  it  present  to  us 
usually,  under  the  first  reigns,  horsemen,  with 
spears,  as  in  Nero  and  Drusus,  Titus,  Domitian, 


[First  brass  of  Gcta." 

and  Gcta.  But  after  Gcta,  the  Princeps 
Juventutis  was  no  longer  represented  by  an 
equestrian  figure,  but  appeared  on  foot,  in  a 
military  habit,  either  by  the  side  of  two  ensigns, 
aud  hoidiug  the  hasta  pura  and  a short  wand,  as 


PRINCIPES. 

in  Alex.  Severus  and  Maximus ; or  holding  a 
globe  in  left  hand  and  a javelin  in  the  right,  as 
in  Gordianus  Pins  and  Philippus  jun. ; or  the 
prince  standing,  in  a military  habit,  holding  a 
sceptre,  with  three  standards,  as  on  first  brass  of 
Diadumenianus,  of  which  an  example  is  here 


given.  There  are  several  slight  varieties  of 
this  coin,  in  which  Diadumenianus  holds  also  a 
javelin  ; or  the  hasta  pura  in  the  right  hand,  a 
globe  in  the  left,  as  ii  the  younger  Philip  and 
Numerianus,  and  with  a captive  at  his  feet,  as 
on  a rare  medallion  of  Saloniuus ; or  holding  a 
military  standard  in  the  right  and  a spear  reversed 
in  the  left  hand ; or  with  bacillum  and  javelin, 
or  hasta  pura,  as  in  Herennius  and  Numerianus; 
or  holding  a military  ensign  in  the  right  and  the 
hasta  in  the  left  hand,  near  to  which  a sacred 
standard  is  sometimes  planted,  as  in  Hostilianus ; 
lastly,  the  frequently  recurring  legend  of  princ. 
IWf.nt.  accompanies  the  unusual  and  scarcely 
appropiiatc  type  of  a woman  seated,  holding  an 
dive  branch  in  her  right  hand,  and  resting  her 
left  arm  on  the  back  of  the  chair,  as  is  seen  on 
the  coins  of  Herennius  and  Hostilianus  alone. 

On  a silver  coin  of  Saloninus,  son  of  Gallienus, 
we  find  the  legend  of  princ.  iwentvtis,  accom- 
panying the  type  of  a military  figure  (evidently 
intended  for  that  of  the  young  prince),  standing, 
not,  however  (as  is  commonly  the  case  on 
coins  of  the  Lower  Empire),  holding  a military 
standard,  but  with  spear  and  buckler  in  his  left 
hand,  and  crowning  a trophy  with  his  right. — 
A coin  of  Tetricus,  junior , shows  the  prince  of 
the  youth , holding  an  olive  branch,  and  the 
hasta  pura. 

PRINC.  IVVENTVT.  Principes  Juventutis. 
— On  a very  rare  silver  coin,  bearing  on  its 
obverse  the  uaked  head  of  Augustus,  and  on  the 
reverse  two  horsemen  galloping,  this  legend 
appears,  with  the  letters  C.  L.  (Caius  and  Lucius) 
at  the  bottom.  The  former  received  the  houours 
when  he  was  14  (v.  c.  749)  ; the  latter  when  he 
was  15  years  old  (v.c.  750).  For  the  emperor 
above-named  having  destined  these  sons  of 
Agrippa  (whom  he  had  adopted)  to  be  his  suc- 
cessors in  the  empire,  it  became  the  delight  of 
the  Equestrian  Order  to  call  them  Principes 
Juventutis  (Tacit.  Annal.)  The  spear  and 
buckler  (hasta  et  clypeum)  were  the  insignia  of 
the  Princes  of  the  Youth : see  a denarius  of 
Augustus,  on  the  reverse  of  which  the  two 
Cicsars,  Caius  and  Lucius,  are  standing,  veiled 
and  togated,  each  holding  the  above-named 
dcsciiption  of  arms. 


PRIXCIPI. — PRISCUS.  653 

PRINCIPI  IWENTVTIS.  S C.— Two  right 
hands  joined,  hold  a military  ensign,  fixed  into 
a ship’s  prow. — Second  brass  of  Commodus. 
This  coin  on  its  obverse  bears  the  yonne  head  of 
Commodus,  and  the  inscription  CAES.  AVG. 
FIL.  GERM.  SARM.  Its  date  is  assigned  to 
the  year  930  (a.d.  177),  when  the  title  of 
IM Yerator,  and  the  dignity  of  the  Tribnnition 
Power  (TR.  P.)  began  to  be  added  to  that  of 
CAESAR  AVG.  FIL.,  &c.,  which  had  previous 
to  that  period  appeared  on  the  coins  of  that 
emperor.  It  was  about*  the  same  time  that  he 
took  Crispina  to  wife. — The  meaning  of  a type 
so  unusual  as  an  accompaniment  to  the  legend 
is  not  explained  by  Eckhel,  through  he  quotes 
the  coin  from  the  Vienna  cabinet. 

The  title  of  Princeps  Juventutis,  which  at  the 
beginning  was  accustomed  to  be  bestowed  only 
on  the  young  princes  who  were  as  yet  only 
Ceesars,  and  on  actually  appointed  successors, 
was  at  a later  period  accepted  even  by  the  Augusti 
themselves.  “Volusian,”  says  Bimard,  “is,  I 
believe,  the  first  on  whose  medals  Princeps 
Juventutis  appears,  on  the  reverse  of  a head 
which  has  in  the  legend  the  title  of  Imperator ; 
but  in  the  lower  empire  a thousand  examples  of 
it  are  found.” 

PRINCIPI  IMPERII  ROMANI.— Mars 
helmeted,  walking,  with  spear  in  right  hand  and 
trophy  on  his  left  shoulder. — On  a gold,  coin  of 
Maxentius. 

A dedication  to  Mars,  as  the  Prince  of  the 
Roman  Empire,  was  a new  title  for  their  God  of 
War,  created  by  the  ingenuity  of  Maxentius, 
who  had  already  inscribed  one  of  his  silver  coips 
to  Mars  Propagator  Imperii. 

PRIN CIPI A IWENTVTIS. — Crispns  Csesar 
in  a military  habit,  standing  with  spear  and  shield. 
On  a third  brass.  So  many  coins  of  Crispns 
with  this  inscription  are  extant,  that  it  would 
exceed  the  bounds  of  reasonable  belief  to  suppose 
PRiNCiriA.  written  by  mistake  for  principi, 
especially  as  there  are  medals  with  this  epigraph 
which  yet  differ  in  type  from  those  which  exhibit 
the  word  principi.  This  epigraph  seems  to 
occur  only  in  the  mint  of  Crispus;  for 
Bandurins,  who  produces  one  similarly  inscribed 
among  the  gold  coins  of  Constantine  the 
younger,  draws  his  authority  from  Ilarduin 
only,  and  it  was  seen  by  no  one  else.  Lastly, 
there  are  the  coins  of  Gratian  inscribed 
principivm  iwentvtis.  “I  shall  not  (says 
Eckhel),  perhaps,  seem  to  go  wide  of  the 
mark,  if  I express  my  opinion  that  by  the 
principia  juventutis  here  in  question  are  to 
be  understood  those  principles  or  that  descrip- 
tion of  youth,  required  in  camps  by  Crispus, 
whose  image  is  represented  by  the  military 
figure  on  the  reverse  of  this  coin.”  How  greatly 
distinguished  by  warlike  deeds  was  the  youth  of 
this  truly  noble  but  ill-fated  Caesar,  the  pen  of 
history  has  with  sufficient  clearness  proved. 

PRISCVS. — He  was  called  Priscus,  who  was 
the  eldest  born.  It  is  the  cognomen  of  the 
Bahia,  Mussidia,  and  Tarquitia  families. 

PRISCVS  ATTALVS,  an  Ionian  by  birth, 
and  of  no  ignoble  family,  was  appointed'  Prefect 


654  PRISCUS. 

of  Rome  by  Honorius  the  same  year  (a.d.  509( 
that  Alaric  took  possession  of  that  city.  The 
Gothic  King,  having  a friendship  for  Attalus, 
compelled  the  conquered  Romans  to  recognise 
him  as  Emperor;  but  disgusted  with  the  in- 
dolence, imprudence,  and  presumption  of  his 
protege , Alaric  deposed  him  the  following  year 
(a.d.  410)  ; and  this  feeble  puppet  of  the 
northern  conqueror  remained  in  a state  of 
obscurity  and  humiliation  until  the  death  of 
Alaric,  which  happened  shortly  afterwards. 
Attalus  then  re-assumed  the  purple  in  Gaul,  but 
meeting  with  no  support  either  from  the  soldiers 
or  the  inhabitants,  and  being  destitute  of  re- 
sources, he  continued  to  dwell  with  the  Goths 
till  a.d.  416,  when  he  was  delivered  into  the 
hands  of  Constantius,  general  of  the  armies  of 
Honorius,  who  sent  him  to  Ravenna,  where  that 
Emperor  then  resided.  After  experiencing  again 
the  most  extraordinary  vicissitudes  of  fortune, 
sometimes  being  suddenly  re-elevated  to  a 
semblance  of  dignity,  and  at  others  as  speedily 
plunged  into  the  lowest  depths  of  degradation, 
he  was  condemned,  after  the  amputation  of  his 
right  hand,  to  a perpetual  banishment  in  the 
Isle  of  Lipari,  where,  supplied  with  decent 
necessaries,  he  ended  his  eventful  but  unhappy 
life. 

The  coins  of  this  Emperor  are,  in  all  metals, 
classed  by  numismatists  among  the  rarest  of  the 
imperial  series. — Iiis  style  on  them  is  prisc. 

(or  I’RISCVS)  ATTALVS.  P.F.  AVG. — IMP.  PRISCVS 
ATT  A I.  VS  P.F.  AVG. 

The  engraving  of  a silver  medallion  of  very 
large  size  (weight  2oz.  lOdwt.  4gr.)  bearing  on 
its  obverse  the  portrait  and  imperial  superscrip- 
tion of  Priscus  Attalus,  and  on  its  reverse 
1NVICTA  ROMA  AETERNA,  with  type  of  Rome 
seated,  holding  a globe  surmounted  by  Victory, 
and  the  hasta,  is  given  by  Air.  Akcrinan  (see 
Descriptive  Cat.,  vol.  ii.  p.  353)  who  observes 
that  “ it  is  in  the  collection  of  the  British 
Museum,  and  is  probably  unique.” — The  dete- 
rioration of  the  arts,  betrayed  in  the  bad  design 
and  coarse  workmanship  of  this  coin  (supposing 
the  engraving  to  be  from  a faithful  copy)  renders 
it  alike  congenial  to  the  degeneracy  of  the 
Lower  Empire,  and  worthy  of  being  issued  from 
the  gothic  mint  of  Rome. 

PR.  IV.  Princeps  Juventutis. — On  a coin 
of  Tetricus  the  younger,  published  by  Bandurins 
(i.  p,  411). 

PRIV.  CEPIT.  Privemum  Cepit. — On  coins 
of  the  Aemi/ia  and  Plautia  families. 

PR.  L.  V P.  F.  Prtetor  Lit  dot  Voticos 
Puhlicos  Fecit. — See  Nonia  family  (Spanhcim). 

PR.  N.  Pronepos. — See  Caligula. 

PRO.  Preposition. — pro.  r.  caes.  Pro 

Reditu  Caesaris. — pro.  s.  caes.  Pro  Salute 
Caesaris. 

PRO.  VALETVDINE  CAESARIS.  S.P.Q.R. 
On  a very  rare  gold  coin  of  the  Antestia 
family  this  legend  appears,  accompanying  the 
type  of  a veiled  priest  standing  before  a lighted 
altar,  holdiug  a patera  in  his  right  hand ; whilst 
on  the  other  side  is  the  victimarius  bringing  up 
a bull  for  sacrifice. 


PROBUS. 

This,  and  the  coins  inscribed  PRO  Salute 
ET  RED/7k  WGusti,  or  CAESarw  S.  P.  Q.  R., 
struck  respectively  by  the  Monetal  Triumvirs 
Antistius  Fetus  and  Mescinius  Rufus,  arc  all 
referred  by  Eckhel  to  the  year  v.c.  738  (before 
Christ  16),  when,  in  consequence  of  war  being 
threatened  by  the  Germans,  Augustus  made  a 
journey  towards  Gaul,  and  when  (as  Dion 
records),  vows  were  made  at  Rome  for  his  health 
and  safe  return. — Doct.  Num.  Vet.  vol.  v.  p. 
137,  vol.  vi.  p.  103. 

Alluding  to  these  votive  medals,  Dr.  Clarke 
says — “ Although  the  Emperor,  who  had  removed 
to  Ariminium  (Rimini)  for  the  greater  con- 
venience of  giving  bis  orders  and  receiving 
intelligence,  did  not  purpose  to  go  farther,  yet 
it  appears  that  public  vows  were  made  for  his 
safety  and  return  with  as  much  solemnity  as  if 
he  had  been  personally  engaged  in  foreign 
war and  indeed  “ the  apprehensions  of  the 
public  were  great,  the  enemy  being  numerous, 
bold,  well  disciplined,  and  near  at  hand.” — 
Medal.  Hist.  vol.  i.  p.  294. 

PRO.  Procidentia. — pro.  avo.  Procidentia 
Augusli.  The  providence  of  the  Emperor. 

PROB.  Probi. — See  adventvs  probi.  avo. 

Proboscis. — An  elephant’s  proboscis  is  a 
symbol  of  Africa. — [Vail.  Pr.  ii.,  p.  75.] 

PHOBVS  (Marcus  Aurelius ). — This  illus- 
trious Emperor  was  born  at  Sirmium  (Scnniel), 
in  Panuouia,  a.d.  232.  His  father’s  name  was 
Maximus,  of  an  obscure  family ; that  of  his 
mother  is  not  known.  Eminently  favoured  by 
nature,  from  the  dawn  of  manhood,  his  look  was 
uoble,  his  carriage  majestic,  and  his  inclinations 
heroic.  Valerian,  discovering  his  rising  merit, 
made  him  a military  tribune,  at  an  unusually 
early  age.  In  the  reigns  of  Claudius  II.,  of 
Aurelian,  of  Tacitus,  he  displayed  his  valour 
and  skill ; as  rendering  himself  formidable  in 
Africa,  Egypt,  and  tbe  Gallic  provinces ; the 
Rhine,  the  Danube,  the  Euphrates,  also  bore 
witness  to  his  warlike  triumphs  over  the  foes  or 
the  empire.  Prefect  of  the  East,  at  the  period 
of  the  death  of  Tacitus,  he  was  about  44  years 
of  age  when  he  ascended  the  imperial  throne ; 
“ in  the  full  possession  of  his  fame,  of  the  love 
of  the  army,  and  of  mature  mental  and  bodily 
vigour”  (a.d.  276).  After  having  vanquished 
Florianus,  he  was  confirmed  in  his  title  by  the 
Senate,  who  in  homage  to  his  exploits  and  to 
his  virtues  conferred  upon  him  at  once  the 
names  of  Cicsar,  Augustus,  Pontifex  Maximus, 
the  Tribunitiau  power,  and  the  Proconsular 
command.  Thus  honoured  by  “ the  Conscript 
Fathers,”,  he  was  no  less  acknowledged  by  the 
whole  empire,  and  his  reign  was  a succession  of 
victories  and  useful  labours.  He  strengthened 
the  Rhietinn  frontier;  made  the  Goths  feel  the 
keen  edge  of  the  sword,  and  induced  them  to 
seek  his  alliance ; broke  the  power  of  the 
Sarmatiaus  in  the  north  and  of  the  Isaurians  in 
the  east ; defeated  the  Blemmycs,  and  con- 
strained the  King  of  Persia  to  sue  for  peace. 
Then  retracing  his  steps  westward,  Probus  de- 
livered Gaul  from  an  invasion  of  the  barbarous 
tribes  of  Germany — drove  back  the  Franks  into 


PROBUS. 

their  morasses ; and  carrying  his  amis  into  the 
German  fastnesses,  built  a wall  from  the  Rhine 
to  the  Danube.  Victor  in  all  these  expeditions 
and  encounters  both  with  foreign  and  domestic 
enemies,  he  eiyoved  triumphal  honours  at  Rome 
a.d.  279 ; on  which  occasion,  as  is  shewn  by 
his  coins,  he  distributed  the  congiarium,  and 
treated  the  people  with  maguiGccut  shows.  In 
quelling  the  subsequent  revolt  of  Saturninus, 
Proculus,  and  Bonosus,  who  had  severally 
usurped  the  puqde  under  his  reign,  he  used  his 
good  fortune  with  remarkable  moderation  and 
humanity.  Many  and  stupendous  were  the 
works  which  this  ever  active  Prince  caused  to 
be  effected  by  the  labour  of  his  soldiers,  after 
having  restored  peace  to  the  world.  But  the 
treaty  between  Rome  and  Persia  having  been 
broken  by  “the  Great  King,”  Probus  prepared 
for  war  again  on  a grand  and  decisive  scale ; 
but  his  rigid  and  exact  discipline,  and  certain 
expressions  which  had  unguardedly  escaped  him 
respecting  the  military,  provoked  his  own  troops 
to  mutiny,  and  they  assassinated  him  on  the 
march,  in  the  month  of  August,  a.d.  282. 
Probus  had  reigned  six  years  and  four  mouths ; 
and  his  death  was  deplored,  not  only  by  the 
Senate  and  people,  but  also  by  the  very  soldiers, 
whose  discontent  at  his  severity,  and  jealousy  of 
his  preference  for  civil  over  military  government, 
had  prompted  this  murderous  attack  ou  the  life 
of  their  Emperor.  Ilis  superior  genius,  both  in 
the  council  and  in  the  field,  had  indeed  placed 
him  ou  a levef  at  least  with  the  best  and  ablest 
princes  of  the  Roman  Empire  ; and  the  eulogium 
inscribed  on  liis  tomb  at  his  native  town  of 
Sirmium,  where  he  died,  fell  far  short  of  justice 
to  his  memory,  in  designating  him  merely  as 
the  vanquisher  of  the  barbarous  nations : for  his 
wisdom,  probity,  good  morals,  and  disinterested- 
ness, had  established  for  him  a more  valid  claim 
to  be  called  “ the  Father  of  his  Country,”  than 
could  ever  be  truly  advanced  for  au  Augustus, 
or  even  for  a Trajan. 

Probus  is  styled  on  his  coins — imp.  c.  piiobvs 

PIVS  AVG. — IMP.  CAES.  M.  AVR.  PItOPVS  P. 

F.  AVG. — PERPETWS  IMP.  PROllVS. PROBVS 

1NVICTVS. — BONVS  IMP.  PROBVS  INVICT.  AVG. 

The  gold  and  silver  of  this  Emperor  are  rare ; 
his  brass  money  of  the  third  form  is  extremely 
ommon.  Beauvais  states  that  the  Abbe  de 
Rot  helm  had  formed  a set  of  them,  amounting 
to  no  less  than  two  thousand  in  number,  with 
differences.  One  of  the  most  interesting  with 
the  reverse  of  virtvs  probi  avg..  Probus  on 
horseback  spearing  au  enemy,  is  here  given. 


Vopiscus,  in  his  life  of  Probus  (c.  ii.),  relates 
that  this  Emperor  was  called  Guthicus,  aud  also 


PROCILIA.  655 

by  the  other  cognomina  of  Parthicus,  Sarmalicus, 
and  Fraticicus , by  the  senate.  None  of  these 
honorary  appellations,  however,  arc  to  be  found 
on  his  coins.  But  we  do  read  on  some  of  his 
medals  victoria  germanica,  and  also  victoria 
gothica.  Moreover,  in  the  room  of  his  other 
more  usual  titles,  we  see  on  some  coins  of  this 
prince  virtvs  probi  invicti  av<?.,  with  his 
head  radiated,  javelin  in  his  right,  aud  a shield 
in  his  left  hand.  Another  piece  of  Probus’s 
money  is  inscribed  victorioso  semper. 

The  wife  of  this  Emperor  appears  on  coins, 
but  her  name  is  unknown.  Mionuet  describes 
a very  rare  bronze  medallion,  on  the  obverse  of 
which  are  the  heads  side  by  side  (accotees)  of 
Probus  et  Uxor.  By  Strada  she  is  called  Julia 
Procla  ; but  Tristan , from  whom  Strada  quotes, 
does  not  profess  to  have  discovered  the  name. — 
Beauvais  says  “ By  his  wife  procla,  Probus 
had  several  children,  whose  names  are  not 
known.  All  that  is  ascertained  is  that  they 
established  themselves  in  the  city  of  Rome.” 

PROC.  Proconsul. — l.  bibvlvs  m.  f.  proc. 
sic.  Proconsul  Sicilia. — See  Catpurnia  family. 

PllOCE.  Processus. — felix  proces.consvl. 
avg.  Felix  Processus  Consults  Augusti,  and 
a quadriga  of  elephants,  on  a coin  of  Maxentius. 

Processus  Consulates. — This  term  was  used 
by  the  Romans  in  express  reference  to  a solemn 
progress  or  procession. — See  Consularis  Pro- 
cessus. 

Procilia. — This  family,  said  to  be  of  Lannvian 
origin,  was  of  the  plebeian  order,  as  appears 
from  its  name  being  associated  with  the  tribunate 
of  the  people.  Its  coins,  which  are  rare,  ofTer 
but  two  varieties,  both  silver.  The  first  aud 


rarest  has  on  the  obverse  the  laureated  head  of 
Jupiter,  with  the  mark  of  the  senate’s  authority, 
s.  c. ; on  the  reverse  is  l.  pbocili.  f.,  and  Juno 
Sospita,  or  Sispita,  is  typified  walking  with 
lance  and  buckler  raised,  a serpent  before  her, 
rising  from  the  ground. — See  lloscia  family; 
also  see  Juno  Sispita. 

There  is  a serrated  denarius  of  this  family, 
bearing  the  same  legend  on  its  reverse,  but  with 
the  type  of  Juno  Sispita  in  a biga  at  full  speed, 
and  exhibiting  on  its  obverse  the  head  of  Juno 
Sispiia,  as  recognisable  by  the  goat-skin  head- 
dress.— The  letter  f.  in  the  legend  of  the  reverse 
claims  a word  or  two  of  observation,  llaver- 
camp  has  expressed  his  opinion  that  it  indicates 
Flamen,  the  priest  or  arch-priest  of  Juno 
Sispita.  But,  says  Eckhel,  “ when  that 
learned  antiquary  wrote  to  the  above  effect,  it 
could  not  have  occurred  to  him  that  on 
certain  other  (consular)  coins  the  names  of  a 
man  is  in  like  manner  followed  by  the  letter 
F.,  as  REGVLV  S F. — MESSALr«i  F. — C, 


656  PROCONSUL 

CVButui  F. — Therefore  in  the  same  wav  L 
PROC1LI.  F.  is  also  to  be  explained,  and  the 
F.  is  in  all  probability  to  be  read  YtMus.”  It  is 
doubtful  who  this  L Procilius  was. 

PROCOXS.  Proconsul. — no*,  caesae 

tsaiaxts  atg.  P.JL  til  p.p.  peocons.,  a legend 
round  the  head  of  Trajan  on  a contorniate  medal 
cataloged  by  EckheL  The  words  Consul  and 
Proconsul  are  to  be  read  at  foil  length  on  coins 
of  Licinins  senior  and  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

Proconsul,  one  who  under  the  Republic  was 
sent  by  the  consuls  to  govern  a province ; for 
which  purpose  he  was  invested  with  powers 
almost  as  extraordinary  as  those  which  apper- 
tained to  the  consulship  itself. — Names  of  pro- 
consuls  and  proprwtors  were  stamped  on  coins 
of  Roman  families  under  the  authority  of  the 
senate.  Thus  we  see  on  denarii  of  the  Anuia, 
Appuleia,  Ccecilia,  Junta,  Ua.nl ia,  and  Seri- 
Ionia  families  the  ex  s.c.  added  to  the  title  of 
pjtocos.,  together  sometimes  with  the  names  of 
the  provinces  whose  affairs  those  magisterial 
delegates  administered,  as  in  the  case  of  Sicily. 

The  Proconsul  governed  the  province  to  which 
he  was  appointed,  according  to  the  Roman 
laws.  The  year  of  the  proconsulate  datod 
its  commencement  from  the  time  that  this 
magistrate  made  his  official  entry  upon  his 
provincial  government.  At  the  expiration 
of  the  year,  he  resigned  his  charge,  which 
included  the  command  of  the  soldiers,  into  the 
hands  of  his  successor,  if  arrived,  and  in  thirty 
days  quitted  the  province.  If  the  successor 
was  not  yet  arrived,  the  proconsul  left  his 
lieutenant  to  act  d urine  the  interval,  and  on  his 
return  to  Rome  rendered  an  account  of  his 
administration  to  the  senate. — These  magistrates 
enjoyed  in  their  respective  provinces  the  same 
honours  as  the  consuls  did  at  Rome  All  pro- 
consuls  of  provinces  were  called  rectors  or  pre- 
sidents of  the  Roman  people ; they  were  attended 
on  state  occasions  by  twelve  lictors,  armed  with 
fasces  and  axes,  if  they  had  served  the  con- 
sulate ; otherwise  by  six  only.  The  heads  of 
proconsuls  were  not,  as  a matter  of  custom, 
engraven  cm  coins ; but  their  titles  were  recorded 
on  the  products  of  the  mint,  and  they  are  repre- 
sented, in  quadric®,  bearing  the  ivory  sceptre, 
as  the  symbol  of  proconsular  government,  on 
coins  of  the  Sen  ilia,  Sertia,  and  Sosia  families. 

Under  the  empire  the  proconsulate  was  pre- 
served: and  with  the  stronger  reason  for  its 
continuance  that  as  the  dominion  of  Rome 
increased  in  extent,  it  became  requisite  to 
multiply  tbe  number  of  officers,  invested  with 
sounding  titles  and  armed  with  the  fullest  autho- 
rity. for  the  government  of  territories  at  a dis- 
tance, more  or  less  remote,  from  tbe  great 
centre  of  supreme  power.  From  the  period 
when  Augustus  divided  the  administration  of  tbe 
empire  between  himself  and  tbe  senate,  the  latter 
sent  to  those  provinces  which  had  been  con- 
eeded by  tbe  Emperor  to  their  care,  governors, 
who  under  the  names  of  proconsuls  or  pro- 
pnrtors.  administered  justice  there ; but  these 
senatorial  representatives  held  no  military  com- 
mand, nor  any  control  over  the  revenue,  both 


PROCONSUL.— PROCOPIUS, 
which  were  exclusively  confined  to  the  sove- 
reign’s officers. — “ Under  the  Emperors  (says 
EckheL  tbe  proconsular  dignity  soon  became 
perpetual  in  their  persons,  or  in  those  of 
their  destined  successors.  By  anthority  of  the 
senate,  Claudios  decreed  that  Not)  Ciesar  should 
possess  proconsular  power  ( extra  urlem)  out  erf 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  city.  Antoninus  Pius 
was  made  by  Hadrian,  at  one  and  the  same 
time,  his  colleague  in  proconsular  government 
and  in  the  tribtmitiaa  power.  And  a similar 
privilege  was  conferred,  in  his  turn,  by  Anto- 
ninus Pius  on  his  adopted  son  M.  Amelias.” 

“There  were,  therefore,  (adds  the  same 
writer),  three  kinds  of  proconsulates  among  tbe 
Romans  ; of  these  the  first  were  the  ordinary 
ones,  who  went  out  to  govern  provinces,  hav- 
ing acquired  the  office  either  by  lot,  or  by 
agreement,  or  subsequently  by  the  mission  of 
the  prince  himself.  The  second  was  an  ex- 
traordinary proconsnlship,  to  which,  for  a cer- 
tain period  of  time,  greater  power,  than  usually 
belonged  to  proconsuls,  and  extending  over  more 
provinces,  was  entrusted.  The  third  was  per- 
petual, and  its  authority  prevailed  throughout 
all  the  provinces;  and  this,  therefore,  was 
decreed  by  Augustus  to  all  Emperors,  and  by 
them  frequently  to  the  Cresais,  and  to  the 
destined  successors  to  the  throne.” — Vol  vii.. 
340. 

The  proconsulate  of  the  Autrusti  and  Caesars 
is  seldom  read  on  the  monumental  inscriptions 
of  antiquity,  either  on  marble  'or  brass.  Of 
such  coins,  still  fewer  in  number,  as  add  the 
title  of  proconsul  to  that  of  emperor,  the  follow- 
ing list  is  famished  by  Erkhel : — 

colvsvl.  mi.  p.  p.  r kotos,  in  others  coxsvx. 
vu.  p.  p.  p kotos.  On  coins  of  Diocletian. 

cos.  ra.  P.  p.  pkocos.  ; on  others  coksvl. 
mi. — vi. — vii. — vm. — p.  p.  pkocos  On  coins 
of  Maximian  Hercules. 

coxsvl.  v.  p.  p.  pkocos.  On  coins  of  Con- 
stantins Chlorus. 

consvl.  p.  P.  pkocossvl.  On  coins  of 
licinins,  senior. 

COXSVL.  P.  P.  PEOCOXSVL. — P.  M.  TKIB.  P. 

cos.  nn.  p.  p.  peo.  cos. — p.  m.  trib.  p.  cos. 
vl  P.  P.  pkocos.  On  coins  of  Constantine  the 
Great. 

PROCOPITS,  bora  A.D.  334,  in  Cilicia,  related 
to  Julian  the  Apostate,  who  honoured  him  with 
various  dignities  ; he  was  charged  by  Jovian  to 
conduct  the  dead  body  of  that  emperor  to  Tarsus, 
for  interment.  But  as  the  rumour  prevailed  that 
Julian  had  made  choice  of  him  as  his  successor  to 
the  throne,  Procopius  retired  first  into  Cherso- 
nesus  Taurica,  afterwards  to  Chalcedon  ; at 
length,  having  proceeded  to  Constantinople,  he 
took  advantage  of  the  known  unpopolaiity  of 
Vale  ns  to  assume  the  title  of  Augustus  in  that 
city,  A.  d.  365.  Bat  although  at  first  successful 
in  this  assumption,  his  pride,  extortion,  and 
cruelty  plunged  him  into  ruin,  by  rendering  his 
own  government  insupportable.  Valens,  hating 
been  joined  by  the  legions  of  the  east,  who  had 
remained  faithful  to  his  cause,  encountered 
Procopius  at  Nacolia,  in  Phrygia,  vanquished 


PROCOPIUS.—  PROFECTIO. 
him  in  a hard  fought  battle,  and  caused  him  to 
be  put  to  death  a.d.  366,  in  his  32nd  year,  and 
after  he  liad  borne  the  vainly  ambitious  title  of 
Augustus  for  the  space  of  eight  months. 

The  coins  of  Procopius  are  extremely  rare 
in  gold,  silver,  and  middle  brass,  and  almost 
equally  so  in  third  brass.  On  these  he  is 
styled  d.  n.  procopiys.  p.  F.  ayg.  The  example 


here  given  is  in  brass,  from  the  cabinet  of  Mr 
Roach  Smith. 

Procu/eia,  a plebeian  family,  first  known 
under  Augustus.  Its  coins  are  of  third  brass, 
and  exhibit  only  two  varieties;  one  having  a 
head  of  Neptune,  and  the  reverse  a bipennis, 
with  C.  PROCVLEIitr  L.  F. ; on  another,  a 
skate  fish. 

Proculus,  a usurper  in  Gaul,  bom  among  the 
Albigauni,  a people  of  the  maritime  Alps  (now 
Albenga,  on  the  coast  of  Genoa),  a powerful 
man,  of  outrageous  lustfulness.  At  Lyons  he 
was  named  Emperor,  at  first  in  jest,  but  being 
afterwards  proclaimed  as  such  in  good  earnest, 
his  revolt  was  speedily  suppressed  by  Probus,  and 
he  himself  was  put  to  death  near  Cologne,  about 
the  time  that  Bonosus  and  Satuminus  met  the 
same  fate. — Goltzius  gives  a coin  as  belonging 
to  this  Proculus , and  Mediobarbus  publishes 
another,  equally  unauthenticated. 

Procuratores  Jfonela. — Officers  holding  the 
management  of  the  various  mints  of  the  empire 
under  the  appointment  of  and  for  the  Emperor 
or  Caesar.  In  the  Notitia  Dignilatum  appear 
the  Procurator  Monet  re  Aquileiensis ; the 

Procurator  Moneta  Arelatensis,  &c. See 

Monetre  et  seq. 

PROF.  A VG.  Profedio  Augusti. — The 
departure  of  the  emperor. 

Profectiones  Imperatorum. — The  joumies  or 
marches  of  an  emperor  were  undertaken  with 
great  pomp,  as  had  also  in  the  times  of  the 
republic  been  the  expeditionary  departure  of  the 
consuls. — Spanheim  (Pr.  ii.,  p.  619)  assigns 
various  causes  for  these  imperial  profectiones, 
which  are  designated  by  different  symbols  on 
coins;  chiefly  by  a representation  of  the  prince 
himself  on  horseback,  preceded  by  a soldier  or 
a figure  of  victory,  and  by  two  or  three  soldiers 
following  him. — Thus  on  a gold  and  on  a first 
brass  coin  of  Trajan,  we  see  the  inscription  of 
profectio  avgvsti  ; and  the  type,  an  equestrian 
figure  of  that  emperor,  with  a spear  in  his  right 
hand,  a military  personage  going  before,  aud 
three  others  following — a medal  struck  in  com- 
memoration of  his  proceeding  on  a campaign 
against  the  Parthiaus. — Of  all  the  Roman 
Aug  usd,  none  performed  these  profectiones 
ab  urbe  more  frequently  or  more  extendedly  than 
Hadrian,  who,  according  to  Spartianus,  made 
4 P 


PROFECTIO.  657 

journies  into  the  Gallic  provinces,  afterwards 
into  Germany,  Britain,  &c.  Then  after  having 
returned  to  Rome,  he  made  a voyage  to  Africa, 
and  from  thence,  coming  back  again  to  the 
capital  of  his  empire,  he  made  a visit  to  the 
East — yet  not  a single  medal  has  hitherto  been 
found  that  records  any  of  his  numerous  wander- 
ings from  the  Roman  metropolis,  under  the 
term  of  Profedio. — On  the  brass  coinage,  how- 
ever, of  M-  Aurelius  and  of  Verus,  we  read 
profectio  avg.,  and  find  that  inscription 
invariably  accompanied,  in  the  mintages  of  both 
these  princes,  with  the  figure  of  an  emperor  on 


horseback,  preceded  and  followed  by  soldiery,  as 
doubtless  allusive  to  the  many  warlike  expeditions 
of  the  two  imperial  brothers  and  colleagues 
asainst  the  Germans,  the  Marcoinanni,  the 
Saimatians,  the  Parthians,  &c. — On  a rare  silver 
coin  of  Sept.  Severus,  we  sec  the  image  of  that 
warlike  emperor  on  horseback,  and  the  inscrip- 
tion of  propectio  avg.,  marking  the  period 
(a.d.  196)  of  his  expedition  into  Gaul  against 
Albinus,  whom,  early  the  next  year,  he  vanquished 
at  the  sanguinary  battle  of  Lyons. — Another 
denarius,  bearing  on  its  reverse  the  same  inscrip- 
tion and  type,  shows  the  same  prince  in  the  same 
year,  going  forth  on  his  contemplated  war 
with  the  Parthians. — There  is  a third  coin  of 
Severus,  incribed  frofect.  avgg.  peek,  with 
the  prince  on  a horse  at  full  speed,  which 
Mediobarbus  believed  to  indicate  the  expedition 
undertaken  by  Severus  into  Britain ; but  which 
Eckhel,  on  apparently  better  grounds,  under- 
stands to  mean  the  march  that  indefatigable 
warrior  prosecuted  from  Syria  towards  the  con- 
fines of  Parthia. — Medals  of  Caraealla  exhibit 
the  effigy  of  that  prince,  sometimes  on  horse- 
back, as  in  the  above-quoted  examples  of  his 
father.  On  a large  brass,  inscribed  prof.  avgg. 
poxtif.  tr.  p.  xi.  cos.  iii.,  Caraealla  is  depic- 
ted, galloping  his  horse  over  a prostrate  bar- 
barian, at  whom  he  is  darting  a javelin.  This 
medal  was  struck  (a.d.  209)  during  his  Britannic 
campaigns. — On  other  coins,  the  same  emperor 
appears  marching  on  foot,  in  a military  habit, 
and  holding  a spear,  with  two  legionary  stand- 
ards behind  him,  or  another  figure  carrying  an 
ensign.  This  profedio  is  referred  by  Eckhel 
to  Caracalla’s  Gallic  expedition,  a.d.  213,  the 
year  after  he  commenced  his  imperial  atrocities 
by  the  murder  of  his  brother  Geta. — In  the 
monetal  relics  of  Alexander  Severus,  there 
are  three  coins  of  this  description : the  first 
represents  the  Emperor  on  horseback,  pre- 


658  PROMETHEUS, 

ceded  by  a Victory,  recording  the  fact  of  his  J 
having  set  out  from  Rome  on  his  successful 
expedition  against  the  Persians  (a.d.  231).  Of 
the  two  others,  one  is  a medallion,  bearing  ' 
on  its  obverse  the  portraits,  face  to  face,  of 
Alexander  and  Mamaea  his  mother,  with  a cor- 
responding legend,  aud  on  the  reverse  profectio 
avgvsti.  ; the  type,  an  equestrian  figure  of  the 
Emperor,  his  right  hand  raised,  and  a spear  in 
his  left,  a Victory  going  before  him  holding  out 
a laurel  crown,  and  (on  some  reverses)  soldiers 
following  or  preceding.  Both  these  are  shewn 
by  Eckhel  to  be  memorials  of  Alexander’s  hav- 
ing marched  an  army  against  the  Germans  who, 
crossing  the  Rhine  (a.d.  234),  had  made  de- 
vastating iucursions  upon  the  Gallic  borders  of 
that  river. — Besides  the  term  Profectio,  we  find 
that  of  expeditio  and  of  traiectvs  used  for  a 
similar  purpose  of  indication ; and  when  the 
emperor  returned  to  the  capital  after  a war  or  a 
victory,  his  entry  was  denoted  by  the  inscriptive 
distinction  of  adventvs. — See  the  words. 

P.  ROMANI.  Populi  Romani. — sol.  domin. 
p.  romani.  On  a coin  of  Aurelian. 

Prometheus  forming  man. — The  ancient  story 
of  man  being  formed  by  Prometheus,  and 
animated  by  Minerva,  is  made  the  reverse  type 
of  a bronze  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius.  On 
this  beautiful  specimen  of  the  ornamental  mint 
of  Rome,  in  her  best  days  of  numismatic  art, 
Prometheus  appears  seated  on  a rock,  con- 
templating the  recent  work  of  his  hands,  a 
naked  human  figure,  placed  before  him  like  a 
statue.  Behind  this  image,  distinguishable  by 
her  helmet  and  the  aigis,  is  seen  Minerva  giving 
life  to  it  by  placing  a butterfly  (emblem  of  the 
soul)  upon  its  head.  Near  the  goddess  is  a tree, 
round  which  a serpent  has  entwined  itself — 
symbol  of  that  prudence  which  regulates  all  the 
actions  of  the  wise  daughter  of  Jove. 

According  to  the  well-known  interpretation 
of  the  myth,  Psyche  and  Love  signify  the 
union  of  the  soul  with  the  body  : hence  Psyche 
is  frequently  depicted  with  a butterfly  above 
her  head. — The  above  medallion  is  quoted  by 
Eckhel,  as  from  the  Museum  Albani,  aud  as 
bearing  on  its  obverse  the  laurcaled  head  of  the 
emperor,  with  inscription  antoninvs  avg. 
pivs.  p.p. — Millin  also  assigns  a medallion  of 
brass,  representing  the  same  subject,  and 
without  legend,  to  Antoninus  Pius,  as  pre- 
served in  the  Museum  of  the  Vatican. 

' However  disguised  in  the  fabulous  mask  of 
heathen  mythology  and  of  ancient  poetry, 
Prometheus’s  real  character  appears  to  have  been 
properly  recognised  by  the  Greeks,  amongst 
whom  his  name  passed  proverbially  for  that  of 
a skilful  and  ingenious  man.  The  name  of 
Prometheus  also  signifies  a potter,  because  he  was 
said  to  excel  in  works  made  of  white  clay.  An 
engraved  stone  represents  him  modelling  statues. 
The  name  likewise  means  foresight ; and  the 
individual  who  bore  it  was  evidently  famous  in 
his  time  for  the  number,  utility,  and  ingenuity 
of  his  inventions. — Bcgcr  derives  from  writings 
less  figurative  and  extravagant  than  the  dramas 
of  ancient  Greece,  that  Prometheus  was  the 


PROPR.ETORES. 

first  to  instruct  the  Assyrians  in  astronomy, 
that  he  comprehended  the  nature  of  thunder, 
aud  that  it  was  from  his  knowledge  of  causes 
with  regard  to  atmospheric  phenomena  that  he 
gained  the  dangerous  reputation  of  having 
stolen  Jupiter’s  own  lightning. — Bocchart  also 
gleans  from  the  writings  of  the  ancients  that 
Prometheus  was  the  author  of  medicine,  divi- 
nation, music,  and  other  arts  of  man  in  a 
civilized  state. 

PRON.  Pronepos. — A great  grandson. — 
C.  OCTAVIVS  C.  F.  C.  N.  C.  PRON.  C.  ABN. 
Cains  Octavius,  Caii  Filius,  Caii  Nepos,  Caii 
Pronepos,  Caii  Abnepos  (a  grandchild’s  grand- 
son). So  on  a coin  of  Caligula  c.  Caesar  divi 
avg.  pron.  Pronepos  Augusti. 

PROPAGO  IMPERIL — This  legend  accom- 
panies the  type  of  a man  and  a woman  standing 
face  to  face,  and  joining  hands,  on  gold  and 
silver  of  Caracalla  and  Plautilla. 

Struck  during  the  life-time  of  Severus  in 
honour  of  his  eldest  son’s  marriage  (a.d.  202) 
this  coin  shews  the  hope  entertaiued  by  that 
Emperor  of  male  descendants  from  this  union, 
to  perpetuate  the  empire  in  his  family,  as  the 
denarius  with  Aeternitas  Imperii  also  serves  to 
demonstrate — a hope  blighted  by  the  event — a 
marriage  rendered  fatally  miserable  to  the  wife 
by  the  atrocious  brutality  of  the  husband. — See 

AETERNITAT.  IMPERI. 

PROPR.  or  PROPRAE.  AFRICAE.  Pro- 
prietor of  Africa. — See  Clodius  Macer. 

PRO.  SIC. — Proprietor  Sicilia. 

Proprcetores. — Among  the  magisterial  per- 
sonages employed  in  the  government  of  the 
different  provinces  of  the  Roman  empire,  aud 
of  whom  mention  is  made  on  coins,  are  the 
Proprietors,  to  whom  full  Pnetorian  power  and 
dignity  was  extended  within  the  sphere  of  their 
administration.  As  the  territories  of  the  re- 
public increased,  so  was  the  necessity  forced 
upon  her  of  increasing  in  proportion  the  number 
of  provincial  officers,  and  consequently  magis- 
trates were  scut  by  the  senate  with  the  titles  of 
proconsul  and  proprietor,  according  to  the 
estimated  importance,  either  for  extent  or  for 
situation,  of  the  particular  position  of  country 
subjected  to  Roman  domination.  The  only 
difference  between  the  relative  position  of  the 
proconsular  and  the  proprictorian  governors  con- 
sisted in  the  former  having  an  attendance  of 
twelve  lictors,  and  the  latter  but  six  ; and  that 
the  retinue  and  soldiery  of  the  proconsul  were 
generally  the  more  numerous.  The  propratores, 
as  well  as  the  proconsuls,  by  whom  the  larger 
provinces  were  ruled,  arc  found  recorded  on 
many  coins  of  families  given  by  Morell  aud 
Vaillant. 

l’ROPVGNAT.  Propugnator.  Defender. — 
mars  propvgnat.  on  coins  of  Gordian  111. 

PROPVGNATORI  (understand  10VI.)  IMP. 
Vnil.  COS.  III.  P.P. — Jupiter  shaking  his 
thunderbolt  over  a barbarian  lying  prostrate  on 
the  ground. 

This  silver  coin  of  M.  Aurelius,  inscribed 
(as  by  associating  the  legend  with  the  type  will 
appear)  to  Jupiter  the  Defender,  was  struck  in 


PROQUJESTOR.— PROSERPINA, 
the  year  of  Christ  178,  when  the  Germans 
having  again  revolted  against  Rome,  the 
Emperor  set  out  in  August  on  a military  expe- 
dition to  Germany,  with  his  son  Commodus. 
This  is  the  first  time  the  inscription  of  peo- 
Pvgnator  appears  in  the  Imperial  scries.  After- 
wards we  find  it  joined  sometimes  to  the  word 
iovi,  at  others  to  the  word  maeti,  and  even  to 
apoi.lini,  according  to  the  choice  made  by  the 
reigning  prince  of  a particular  champion  from 
amongst  the  various  gods  of  his  Pantheon. — 
Examples  of  this  kind  are  to  be  found  on  coins 
of  Alex.  Severus,  Sept.  Severus,  Caracalla, 
Gordianus  Pius,  Volusianus,  Aemilianus,  Vale- 
rianus,  Gallienus,  Postumus,  Tetricus,  Diocle- 
tianus,  Val.  Maximianus,  Gal.  Maximianus, 
Constantinus  Magn. 

PROQ:  Proquastor. — peoq.  p.— As  on  a 

denarius  of  the  Cocceia  family  with  the  epi- 
graph m.  neeva  peoq.  p.,  which  Vaillant  reads 
Proquastor  Provincialis,  or  Provincial  but 
which  Eckhel  says  is  most  likely  to  mean  Pro- 
quastore  Propratore.—The  title  of  Proqusestor, 
expressed  as  above,  not  unfrequently  appears  on 
coins  of  Roman  families. 

Proquastores. — Thequa-stors  and  proqurestors 
were  the  paymasters-general  of  the  Roman 
legions:  nay  even  the  business  of  the  coinage 
came  also  under  their  care.  And,  in  the  event 
of  a qumstor  dying,  or  leaving  his  province,  the 
proquastor  acted  in  his  room. 

Prora,  the  prow  or  fore  part  of  a ship. — This 
figure  on  colonial  coins  indicates  a city  situated 
on  the  sea-coast. — It  is  a symbol  of  maritime 
power,  as  on  coins  of  M.  Antony  and  of  the 
Pompeys. 

Prows  are  seen  on  brass  coins  of  many 
Roman  families,  which  are  thence  denominated 
ratiti. — They  are  also  found  on  medals  of  Julius 
Caesar,  Augustus,  Vespasian,  (with  a star  above, 
and  cos.  vin.)  and  Hadrian. — Also  with  the 
goddess  Annona  standing  on  or  near,  as  in 
Titus,  Domitian,  Nerva,  Trajan,  Hadrian, 
Antoninus  Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  Severus,  Gallienus. 
On  a second  brass  of  Commodus  (peincipi 
ivventvtis)  a legionary  eagle,  supported  by  two 
right  hands  joiued,  is  seen  planted  on  the  prow 
of  a galley. 

The  prow  of  a galley,  with  the  figure  of 
Felicity,  of  Fortune,  of  Laetitia,  of  Neptune, 
of  Minerva,  and  of  Rome,  is  seen  on  coins  of 
Vespasian,  Hadrian,  Commodus,  Antoninus 
Pius,  Severus,  Postumus,  Philip,  and  Gallienus. 

- — The  same  object,  on  which  stands  a Victoria 
Navatis,  appears  on  medals  of  Augustus, 
Vespasian,  and  Titus. — See  Victoria  avgvsti. — 

VICTORIA  NAVALIS. 

PRO.  R.  CAES.  Pro  Reditu  Casaris. — For 
the  return  of  the  Emperor. 

PRO.  S.  Pro  Salute. — pro.  s.  et  eed.  avg. 
Pro  Salute  et  Reditu  Augusti. — See  s.  f.  Q.  R. 
v.  s.,  &c. 

Proserpina,  daughter  of  Jupiter  and  Ceres, 
and  the  wife  of  Pluto,  by  whom,  according  to 
the  fable,  she  wTas  forcibly  borne  away  from 
Enna,  or  Mount  Aetna,  and  conveyed  to  his 
infernal  kingdom  [see  Ceres]. — Vaillant,  in  a 
4 P 2 


PROSERPINA.— PROVIDENTIA.  659 

selection  of  brass  medallions  from  the  Abbe  De 
Camp’3  cabinet,  gives  from  a coin  of  Cyzicus, 
with  Greek  inscription,  a portrait  of  Faustina 
sen.  under  the  type  of  Proserpine,  with  Ceres, 
on  the  reverse,  in  search  of  her  lost  daughter. 
Millin  (in  his  Gal.  Myth.  t.  i.  pi.  xlix.,  340) 
gives  the  reverse  of  a coin  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  with  legend  of  laetitia  cos.  nil.  and 
type  of  two  women  standing,  one  holding 
corn-cars,  the  other  a globular  figure  ; and 
he  interprets  the  device  as  follows  : — “ Pro- 
serpine has  been  found  again  by  Ceres,  who 
is  characterised  by  the  ears  of  corn  which 
she  holds  in  her  right  hand.  The  daughter 
holds  in  her  left  hand  the  pomegranate  of  w hich 
she  had  eaten,  and  which  was  the  cause  of  her 
not  being  permitted  always  to  remain  in 
heaven.” — With  the  foregoing  exception,  the 
figure  of  Proserpine  does  not  appear  on  any  coin 
of  Roman  die.  But  the  medals  of  Syracuse 
present  her  image,  the  Sicilians  worshiping  her 
as  a goddess,  and  swearing  fidelity  to  their 
promises  by  her  name. 

PROV.  AVG.  Procidentia  Augusti. — To 
the  foresight  of  the  Emperor. — prov.  deor. 
Procidentia,  or  Procidentia,  Deorum. — The 
providence,  or  to  the  providence,  of  the  gods. 

Procidentia.  (Providence). — With  all  their 
vices,  follies,  and  gross  superstitions  (indeed,  in 
spite  of  them),  the  Romans  still  appear  to  have 
cherished  a belief  in  the  perpetual  and  direct 
interposition  of  the  gods  with  respect  to  human 
affairs. — Among  the  various  monuments  which 
attest  this  religious  feeling,  or  at  least  this  pro- 
fession of  religion,  on  the  part  of  both  piinces 
and  people,  none  are  more  conspicuous  than 
those  to  be  found  on  their  imperial  coins,  for  it 
is  to  be  observed  that  previous  to  the  substitution 
of  the  monarchical  for  the  republican  form  of 
government,  that  allegorical  divinity  whose 
name  is  derived  from  providere  (to  foresee)  is 
not  seen  either  on  metal  or  on  marble. — The 
first  coin  on  which  the  name  of  Providence 
appears  is  a unique  one  of  small  brass,  having 
on  one  side  a radiated  head  surrounded  with  the 
inscription  divos  ivlivs  caesar,  and  on  the 
other  an  altar  lighted,  with  provid.  s.  c. — 
From  the  commencement  of  the  reign  of 
Augustus  and  afterwards,  the  wTords  Providence 
and  Providence  of  the  Gods  came  very  fre- 
quently into  use,  and  the  accompanying  symbols 
were  greatly  multiplied,  insomuch  that  Ant. 
Augustino  in  his  second  Dialogue  exhibits 
twelve  varieties  of  types,  taken  from  reverses  of 
different  emperors’  coins,  for  adulation  soon 
proceeded  to  lavish  upon  princes  all  the  attributes 
of  divinity. — Providence  (proved  entia  deorvm) 
however,  is  oftenest  depicted  under  the  form  of 
a female,  clothed  in  a matron’s  gown,  holding 
in  her  left  hand  a cornucopiee,  or  the  hasta  pura, 
and  in  her  right  a short  wand,  with  which  she 
either  touches  or  points  to  a globe.  Sometimes 
she  holds  this  globe  in  her  right  hand,  at  others 
it  lies  at  her  feet.  This  type  is  intended  to  mark 
the  power  and  wisdom  of  the  emperor,  wTbo 
ruled  the  Roman  world. — On  a first  brass  of 
Alexander  Severus,  inscribed  providentia  avg., 


6C0  PROVIDENT, 

is  a woman  resting  her  right  hand  on  an  anchor,  i 
and  holding  two  corn-ears  over  an  altar. — On  a 
second  brass  of  Numerianus  the  Providence  of 
the  Emperor  holds  a cornucopia:  in  her  right 
hand. — Other  types,  pccidiar  to  certain  emperors 
and  events,  will  be  found  described  below. 

PROVID.  S.  C.  A lighted  altar. — This  is 
the  legend  and  type  alluded  to  above  as  forming 
the  reverse  of  a middle  brass  of  Julius  Cmsar. — 
Pellerin  was  the  first  to  publish  it,  in  his 
Melange  de  MedaiUes  (vol.  i.  p.  196),  and 
Eckhcl  quotes  the  coin  from  the  work  of  that 
great  French  munismatist  as  an  evidence  that 
Providence  was  an  attribute  almost  exclusively 
assigned  to  the  gods.  But,  at  the  same  time, 
he  denies  the  correctness  of  I’ellerin’s  assertion 
that  the  word  Providentia  coupled  with  the 
figure  of  an  altar  was,  in  the  age  of  Jidius,  a 
mark  of  consecration,  “ for  (says  the  German 
medallist)  wc  also  see  both  of  them  conjoined  on 
coins  of  Galba  and  Vitellius.”  This  is  the 
earliest  Roman  coin  hitherto  found  which  exhibits 
such  a reverse,  but  it  is  common  on  those  of 
Dims  Augustus. 

PROVIDENT.  S.  C.  An  altar. — On  a second 
brass  coin  restored  by  Vespasian. 

By  the  old  masters  of  the  numismatic  science 
it  was  thought  that  this  and  other  coins  having 
on  the  obverse  a radiated  bead  of  Augustus, 
with  the  inscription  diws  avgvstvs  fater, 
were  struck  in  the  life-time  of  Augustus,  and 
that  by  the  type  of  the  reverse  the  temple  of 
Janus  was  represented — that  temple  being  closed 
in  consequence  of  Cresar  having,  by  his  provi- 
dence, restored  peace  to  the  world.  These 
coins,  therefore,  as  Pighius  expresses  his  opinion, 
were  struck  in  the 'year  of  Rome  725.  But 
the  radiated  head  and  legend  diws  avgvstvs 
on  the  obverse  fully  prove  that  they  were 
struck  after  that  emperor’s  death  ; aud  that  the 
type  of  the  reverse  is  not  the  temple  of  Janus, 
is  sufficiently  shewn,  by  that  remarkable  and 
unique  coin  of  Julius  Ctesar  above  described 
from  Pellerin — a coin  very  like  the  one  now  iu 
question,  except  that  on  the  obverse  is  read 
divos.  ivlivs.  c.esar.  It  is  known,  however, 
that  this  Dictator  never  shut  the  temple  of 
Janus. — The  type,  therefore,  represents  an 
altar,  as  not  only  its  form  suggests,  but  as  we 
moreover  perceive  it  must  be  from  the  circum- 
stance, of  that,  on  the  above-mentioned  coin  of 
Julius,  being  lighted.  There  are  likewise  coins 
of  the  Lusitanian  colony  of  Emcrita  (Merida), 
which  by  their  great  similitude  corroborate  this 
opinion. — See  emeuita. 

It  appears  that  the  Romans  not  only  inscribed 
coins,  but  erected  statues  to  the  Providence 
of  the  Gods.  In  his  Thesaurus,  cutitlcd 
Inscriptiones  Antigua  totius  orbis  Romani,  ej’c. 
(1,  ii.,  p.  1075),  Grutcr,  after  Boissard,  has 
published  a bas-relief,  which  represents  a 
Goddess  crowned  with  laurel.  She  holds  iu  her 
right  hand  a kind  of  baton ; the  left  hand  is 
wanting:  at  her  feet  arc  seen,  on  one  side,  a 
horn  of  plenty,  and  on  the  other  a basket  of 
flowers:  on  the  base  wc  read  frovidentiae 
deouvm. 


PROVIDENTIA. 

PROVIDENTIA. — Scguin  in  his  Selecta 
Numismata  Impp.  (p.  148)  has  given  us  the 
engraving  of  a beautiful  gold  coin,  on  the 
obverse  of  which  is  the  head  of  Septim.  Sevcrus, 
with  the  epigraph  severvs  pivs  avg.,  and  on 
the  reverse  a head  similar  to  that  of  Medusa, 
with  the  word  providentia. — In  reference  to 
this  remarkable  medal,  both  Seguin  and  Vaillant 
consider  it  to  mean,  in  an  allegorical  sense,  that 
Minerva  is  the  Goddess  of  Prudence  or  of 
Providence,  which  is  indicated  by  the  head  of 
Medusa,  sacred  to  her,  and  which  she  bore 
affixed  to  her  tegis. — Eckhcl  apjicars  to  be  of 
the  same  opinion,  and  refers  to  other  medals  of 
Severus  in  confirmation  thereof. 

PROVIDENT.  AXGiisli  IMP.  VI.  COS. 
III. — On  a first  brass  of  M.  Aurelius.  This 
medal,  eulogising  the  Emperor  for  his  foresight 
(Procidentia),  is  rare,  and  its  type  very  re- 
markable. The  Emperor  stands  on  an  cstrade, 
addressing  his  soldiers.  The  Prictorian  prefect 
stands  close  behind  him.  The  troops  are  com- 
posed of  cavalry  as  well  as  infantry,  as  is 
shewn  by  four  military  figures,  aud  by  a horse 
whose  head  appears  amidst  them. — llavereamp 
(Museum  Reg.  Suevorum)  gleans  the  explana- 
tion of  this  fine  medal  from  one  of  the  same 
emperor’s  (see  p.  640  of  this  Dictionary), 
which,  with  the  legend  imp.  vi.  cos.  iii.  re- 
presents in  the  type  of  its  reverse  the  trajectus, 
or  passage  of  the  Emperor  with  his  troops  over 
a bridge  of  boats.  As  the  ordering  of  bridges 
to  be  constructed  whenever  they  were  needful, 
belonged  peculiarly  to  the  provident  care  of  the 
reigning  prince,  so  Marcus  Aurelius  is  depicted 
in  the  act  of  haranguing  his  soldiers,  ou  the 
prescut  coin,  iu  which  he  would  seem  to  be 
exhorting  them  gallantly  to  brave  the  dangers  of 
war,  since  on  his  part  no  means  were  neglected 
that  human  prudence  could  suggest,  to  ensure 
success  to  the  Roman  arms. 

PROVID.  AVG,  (Providentia  Augus/i .) — 
This  legend  api>ears  ou  a first  brass  of  Corn- 
modus,  with  the  type  of  a ship,  whose  two  sails 
are  expanded. — Vaillant. 

Even  that  monster  of  cruelty,  and  of  bru- 
talized voluptuousness,  is  not  without  the  his- 
torical honour  of  having,  amidst  a reign  of 
atrocities  aud  indecencies,  been  the  author  of 
an  establishment  advantageously  useful  for  the 
simply  of  provisions  to  Rome  and  to  Italy. — 
“ 'I’lie  fleet  of  Alexandria  (says  Crcvicr,  quoting 
Lampridius  as  his  authority,)  was  the  accustomed 
vehicle  for  conveying  thither  the  corn  of  Egypt. 
Commodus  employed  a similar  one  at  Carthage 
for  the  transport  of  grain  from  Africa,  in  order 
that  in  rase  of  need,  the  one  might  supply 
what  the  other  failed  to  bring.  But  here  again 
he  spoiled  this  really  laudable  institution,  by  the 
ridiculous  vanity  which  he  mingled  with  it,  in 
changing  the  name  of  Carthage  into  tlint  of 
Alexandria  Commodiana,  and  in  causing  the 
fleet  to  be  called  fleet  of  Commodus  Hercules." 

Krklirl  considers  this  coin  to  refer  to  the 
African  fleet  destined  for  the  purpose  above 
described,  and  which  was  established  by  Com- 
modus in  the  year  of  Rome  944  (a.d.  191). 


PROVIDENTIA. 

PROVIDENTIA  AVG. — A woman  standing 
with  the  proboscis  of  an  elephant  on  her  head, 
and  at  her  feet  a lion,  displays  a sistrum  in  her 


left  hand.  Opposite  is  a naked  figure  of  Her- 
cules, whose  foot  is  placed  on  the  prow  of  a 
vessel,  and  whose  left  hand  holds  a club ; both 
figures,  symbolical  of  Hercules  and  Africa,  join 
right  hands  with  each  o*her. 

This  legend  and  type,  on  a large  brass  of 
Commodus,  is  regarded  by  the  learned  as  re- 
ferring to  the  African  fleet  of  corn  transports, 
alluded  to  in  the  preceding  coin,  and  which  is 
also  believed  to  be  referred  to  in  a medallion  of 
the  same  emperor.  (See  votis  felicibvs.) — 
The  elephant’s  head,  the  sistrum,  the  lion,  are 
attributes  peculiar  to  Egypt  aud  to  Africa 
proper,  which  were  the  granaries  of  Rome. 
But  Commodus  haring  sent  his  ships  for  freights 
of  corn  is  on  this  coin  represented  paying 
worship  to  Hercules,  and  he  himself  plants  his 
foot  on  the  prow  of  one  of  the  vessels,  as  if 
shewing  care  for  his  new  colonv. 

PROVIDENTIA  AVGVSTI.  S.  C.— Two 
figures  in  the  toga  standing ; one  presenting  a 
globe  to  the  other ; between  them  is  a rudder. 
On  a first  brass  of  Titus. 

As  the  coin  on  which  this  fine  historical 
reverse  appears  is  recognised  as  genuine  by 
Mionnet  and  Akerman,  although  unnoticed  by 
Eckhel,  we  shall  here  append  an  explanation 
of  the  type  from  Ilavercamp’s  Commentaries 
on  the  Cabinet  of  Queen  Christina  : — “ This 
medal  was  struck  in  praise  of  the  Providence, 
or  foresight  of  the  Emperor,  that  is  to  say 
of  Titus,  who  to  annihilate  factious,  and  to 
prevent  the  occurrence  of  every  thing  calcul- 
ated to  disturb  the  public  tranquillity,  had  asso- 
ciated his  brother  Domitian  with  himself  in  the 
government  of  the  empire.  For,  according  to 
Suetonius  (in  his  Life  of  Titus,  chap,  ix.),  a 
primo  Imperii  die  consortem  successoremque 
testari  perseveravit.  And  this  he  did  doubtless 
to  gratify  the  haughty  and  ambitious  dis- 
position of  Domitian,  who,  ps  the  same  writer 
(in  vita  Domit.  c.  ii.)  says,  nunquam  jaclare 
dubilavit,  relictum  se  participem  Imperii,  sed 
fraudem  testamento  adhibitam.  To  disprove 
this  foul  charge  of  having  falsified  his  father’s 
will  was,  therefore,  the  provident  policy  of  the 
Emperor,  by  sharing  the  imperial  inheritance 
with  his  unworthy  brother.  And  accordingly 
on  this  medal  Titus  and  Domitian  are  represented 


PROVIDENTIA.  C61 

as  taking  each  other  by  the  hand,  and  together 
supporting  a globe  (orbem  terrarum  of  the 
Roman  world),  under  which  is  placed  a rudder, 
to  mark  (that  one-sided  reciprocity)  their  mutual 
concord  in  the  government  of  the  state.  On 
this  coin  we  see  one  of  the  two  figures  wearing 
a radiated  crown  (corona  radiata). — By  some 
antiquaries  this  type  is  described  as  representing 
Vespasian  delivering  over  a globe  to  his  son 
litus,  as  a symbol  of  entrusting  him  with  the 
management  of  state  affairs.  But  this  supposi- 
tion is  not  borne  out  either  by  the  countenances 
of  the  two  figures,  which  are  both  those  of  young 
men,  or  by  the  assignment  of  the  medal  to  the 
reign  of  Titus. 

PROVIDENTIA  DEORVM.  S.  C.-Impe- 
rator  togatus  stans  d extenta,  s.  volumen 
respicit  aquilam  supeme  advolantem,  et  scipio- 
nem  unquibus  deferentem,  ae.  i.  and  ii.  (Mus. 
Cas.J 

It  is  in  the  above  terms  that  Eckhel  (Doct. 
Num.  Vet.  vol.  vi.  p.  507),  describes  a coin  of 
Hadrian,  in  first  and  second  brass,  as  from  the 
Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna,  viz.,  the  magnificent 
collection  over  the  safe  keeping  and  arrangement 
ot  which  that  most  able  and  judicious  numismatic 
antiquary  presided. — The  same  remarkable  type 
of  the  Roman  fuovidentia  is  given  in,  and 
commented  on,  first  by  Tristan  (Comment. 
Hist.  tom.  i.  p.  402),  and  afterwards  by  Pcdrusi 
(vol.  vi.  p.  336,  Museum  FarneseJ.  But  it  is 
not  included  in  Mionqet's  Itecueil,  nor  in  Aker- 
man’s  Catalogue. 

I n the  descriptions  respectively  made  byTrajan, 
Pedrusi,  and  Eckhel,  there  are  some  minor 
points  of  difference  ; but  all  agree  about  the 
togated  figure  standing,  with  right  hand  ex- 
tended towards  an  eagle,  which  appears  flying 
down  with  something  in  his  talons,  either  a 
branch,  or  a wand,  or  sceptre. — Tristan  (after 
observing  that  Antonio  Augustino  is  wrong  in 
ascribing  this  medal  to  Trajan,  and  in  speaking 
of  the  bird  not  as  an  eagle  but  as  a dove,)  says, 
“ Pour  le  certain,  ce  revers  regarde  la  piete 
d’  Hadrian,  qui  ref  ere  a la  providence  des 
Dieux,  et  non  au  Destin,  sa  promotion  a 
V Empire,  cet  Aigle  ltd  en  presentant  le  sceptre 
de  la  part  de  Jupiter He  then  quotes 
Eustatius  on  the  subject,  to  the  effect  of 
shewing  it  to  be  that  Greek  writer’s  opinion, 
that  “ the  Eagle  is  the  sign  of  the  Providence 
and  the  Love  of  Jupiter  towards  mankind.” 
This  seems  a felicitous  explanation  of  an  other- 
wise obscure  subject;  and,  supposing  the  great 
German  medallist  not  to  have  been  deceived  by 
the  specimens  immediately  under  his  own  eye, 
the  coin  is  an  interesting  and  curious  adjunct  to 
the  legend  of  fhovidentia  deorvm. — It  may 
be  as  well,  however,  to  add  that  Pedrusi  con- 
siders the  figure  to  be,  not  that  of  Hadrian, 
but  of  an  Augur,  who  stands  in  the  act  of 
taking  the  auspices,  for  some  purposes  of  super- 
stitious inquiry  into  future  events,  to  which 
that  emperor  was  greatly  addicted. — Dion 
says  that  Hadrian  was  much  addicted  to 
divination  and  the  use  of  magic  in  sacred 
ceremonies. 


662  PROVIDENTIA. 

PROVIDENTIAE  DEORVM.  COS.  II.— 
A woman  stands  holding  out  both  hands  towards 


a globe  suspended  in  the  air  and  radiated.  On 
a first  brass  of  Pertinax. 

It  has  already  been  remarked  that,  from  the 
time  of  Augustus,  frequent  mention  is  made  of 
Providence  by  the  mint  of  Rome.  The  first 
types  were  the  altar,  the  thuuderbolt,  the 
eagle.  At  a later  period  a globe  is  generally 
employed  to  designate  it,  as  being  the  image  of 
the  orbis  terrarum,  or  the  whole  world. — 
“ This  globe,  therefore,  serves  to  symbolise  that 
orb  of  earth  whose  government  is  entrusted  to 
princes  by  the  providence  of  the  gods;  and 
those  princes  themselves  often  bear  it  in  one  of 
their  hands  with  that  signification.  A small 
figure  of  Victory  is  frequently  placed  on  this 
globe;  but  afterwards,  under  Christian  Em- 
perors and  Ciesars,  a cross  was  substituted  for 
the  Victory.  And  lest  it  should  be  taken  for  a 
common  globular  figure,  it  was  sometimes  en- 
circled with  zones,  which  correspond  with  the 
celestial  zones,  as  may  be  seen  on  the  denarii 
of  Mussidius  Lougus.  A female  genius  either 
points  to  this  globe,  with  a rod  or  short 
stick,  or,  what  is  almost  solely  observed  on  this 
coin  of  Pertinax,  she  seems  to  accept  it  as 
descending  from  above,  occasionally  adorned 
with  rays,  as  if  it  was  to  be  regarded  as  a 
heavenly  gift.  A similar  type  appears  on  the 
second  brass  as  well  as  on  the  gold  and  silver  of 
Pertinax. 

PROVIDENTIA  DEORVM  QVIES.AVGG. 
('Quiet  Augustorum.) — A woman  standing  with 
a branch  in  right  hand  and  a hast  a in  the  left, 
opposite  another  female  figure,  who  has  no 
attribute.  [This  type,  therefore,  presents  the 
respective  images  of  Providence  and  Repose!] 

This  legend  is  common  on  the  coins  of 
Diocletian  and  of  Maximian  Hercules,  as  asso- 
ciated with  the  well-known  fact  of  those  two 
partners  in  empire  having  (a.d.  305)  abdicated 
their  high  positions,  and  retired  from  the  ad- 
ministration of  public  affairs  to  lead,  as  private 
individuals,  a more  tranquil,  if  not  a happier 
life.  That  Diocletian’s  abdication  was  per- 
formed with  a sincerity,  and  persevered  in  with 
a temper  of  mind,  which  justified  the  appella- 
tion of  Quies,  in  its  calmest  and  most  peaceful 
sense,  we  have  the  concurrent  authorities  of 
both  ecclesiastical  and  profane  historians  for 
believing.  Not  so  with  respect  to  Maximian, 
who,  during  the  whole  period  of  his  reluctant 
privacy,  appears  to  base  been  the  very  imago 


PROVIDENTIA. 

inquiet ud inis,  and  whose  perturbed  spirit  was 
ever  at  variance  with  anything  like  resignation. 

In  illustration  of  the  above  reverse,  as  well 
as  in  explanation  of  the  term  SENior  k\  Gust  us, 
which  forms  part  of  the  inscription  on  the 
obverse  of  this  coin,  Baron  Bimard  makes  the 
following  instructive  remarks  : — “ Although 
(says  he)  Diocletian  and  his  colleague  had  quitted 
the  throne,  and  had  divested  themselves  of  all 
their  authority  in  favour  of  the  two  Casars, 
Constantius  Chlorus  and  Galerius  Maximianus ; 
yet  they  nevertheless  retained  the  title  of 
Augusti,  because  the  character  which  that  title 
imparted  to  those  who  bore  it  legitimately,  was 
regarded  as  ineffaceable.  The  only  point  about 
which  care  was  taken,  being  to  join  the  uame  of 
Senior  to  that  of  Augustus  (thus  designating 
Diocletian  and  Maximinian  as  the  elder  em- 
perors) in  the  laws  wherein  Diocletian  and 
Maximinian  were  spoken  of ; in  the  medals  which 
were  continued  to  be  struck  in  their  die,  and 
even  in  the  inscriptions,  in  order  to  distinguish 
them  from  the  reiguing  emperors.  It  is  so  well 
authenticated  a truth,  that  the  honours  apper- 
taining to  their  rank  were  preserved  to  these 
princes,  after  they  had  voluntarily  laid  them 
down,  that  in  the  year  of  Christ  307,  Maxi- 
mian Hercules  was  consul  with  Constantine, 
and  the  following  year  with  Galerius  Maxi- 
mianus. The  Chronicler  of  Alexandria,  Cassio- 
dorus,  the  Greek  Fasti  at  Florence,  and  Prosper, 
also  place  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  308  a tenth 
consulate  of  Diocletian,  who  had  abdicated  the 
empire  three  vears  before.” 

PROVIDENT  I SSI  MI.— See  sapiestia 
principis  providentissimi. — On  coins  of 
Constautinus  M. 

Providenlia. — Besides  the  instances  which 
have  been  already  noticed,  shewing  the  various 
modes  of  typifying  Providence,  whether  in 
praise  of  an  emperor’s  care  and  foresight,  or  in 
acknowledgment  of  a divine  superintendence, 
the  following,  among  many  others,  appear  in 
the  Roman  scries  : — A thunderbolt  as  in  Anto- 
ninus Pius — the  Emperor  addressing  his  soldiers 
on  large  bronze  of  M.  Aurelius — on  coins  of 
Gallienus,  Mercury  with  his  usual  attributes 
appears,  accompanied  by  the  legend  of  PRO- 
VIDENTIA avg. — the  Providence  of  the  Gods  is 
symbolised  by  a thunderbolt,  on  gold  and  silver 
coins  of  Autoninus  Pius — on  a second  brass  of 
Aurelian,  the  same  legend  is  accompanied  by 
the  figure  of  a woman  holding  two  militnry 
ensigns,  opposite  whom  stands  the  Sun,  with 
radiated  head,  uplifted  right  hand,  and  globe 
in  his  left — on  coins  of  l’ostumus  the  same 
legend  has  for  its  type  a woman  leaning  on 
a column.  The  type  of  Providence,  as  applied 
to  an  Emperor’s  acts,  assumes  the  form  of 
some  edifice,  such  as  a temple,  an  altar,  or  the 
castra  prtrtoria,  frequently  with  a star  above, 
on  medals  of  Constantius  Chlorus,  the  two 
Liciuii,  and  Constautine  the  Great  and  his 
family. 

PROVIDENTIA  SENATVS.  S.  C.— Two 
men  clothed  in  the  toga,  one  of  whom  gives  a 
globe  to  the  other. — On  a first  brass  of  Nerva. 


PROVINCIA  DACIA. 

These  two  figures  (says  Havcrcnmp)  are  de- 
signed to  represent  the  Senate  and  Nerva. — The 
republic  (or,  more  properly  speaking,  the  imperial 
monarchy)  began  to  breathe  again,  and  to  recover 
from  the  effects  of  past  calamities,  after  the 
death  of  Domitian,  under  Nerva,  the  excellent 
prince  who  succeeded  that  cruel  tyrant.  In  fact 
Nerva  not  only  in  his  own  person  rendered  great 
services  to  the  state,  hut  also  by  his  choice  of 
a successor  as  the  public  interest  required. 
Having  no  child  of  his  own,  he  adopted  Ulpius 
Trajan,  who  from  his  virtues  and  great  qualities 
was  most  worthy  of  being  selected  for  so  glorious 
a destiny.  Nerva,  whilst  living,  transmitted  to 
Trajan  all  the  rights  of  empire,  which  he  had 
himself  received  from  the  senate,  for  Nerva  had 
beeu  chosen  by  the  senate,  who  had  placed  the 
supreme  power  in  his  hands  as  the  worthiest  to 
which  they  could  he  confided.  Accordingly  the 
present  medal  is  made  to  hear  the  inscription  of 
PROVIDENTIA  SENATVS. 


PROVINCIA  DACIA.  AN.  I. — The  province 
of  Dacia,  on  brass  of  Philip  the  elder. 

Havercamp,  in  his  commentary  on  the  Queen 
of  Sweden’s  cabinet,  says  in  reference  to  this 
coin  : — “ Dacia  was  the  second  province  (Moesia 
was  the  first)  that  struck  a medal  in  honour  of 
Philip.  It  is  dated  of  the  year  1.  The  type 
consists  of  a figure  standing,  clothed  after  the 
manner  of  the  Dacians,  and  representing  the 
genius  of  that  province.  She  holds  a Dacian 
sword  in  the  right  and  a standard  in  the  left  hand, 
on  which  is  marked  the  number  xiii.”  Vaillant, 
in  his  colonies,  gives  a medal  of  /Emilianus,  with 
Provincia  Dacia,  a.n.  vii.,  and  a female  figure 
holding  an  ensign  marked  xiii.,  and  a number  v. 
being  in  the  field  of  the  coin.  “ The  numbers 
(says  Havercamp)  signify  that  the  veterans  of 
the  fifth  legion,  called  Macedonian,  and  of  the 
thirteenth,  called  Gemina,  had  beeu  placed  in 
the  province  of  Dacia  by  the  Emperor  Philip. 
These  legions,  from  the  time  of  Trajan,  were 
almost  always  stationed  in  that  province.” 

On  a medal  of  Trajanu9  Decius,  given  by 
Spanheim  in  his  notes  on  Julian’s  “Caisars,”  the 
Dacian  Province  assumes  an  upright  posture, 
standing,  with  right  hand  elevated,  between  an 
eagle  and  a lion. 

Provincia  Dacia  Romana. — This  vast  and 
very  noted  province,  as  has  already  been 
observed  (p.  334),  comprehended  within  its 
limits,  not  only  the  modem  Transylvania, 
Wallachia,  and  Moldavia,  but  also  part  of 
Hungary.  How  much  too,  after  its  dearly 
purchased  acquisition  by  the  victorious  arms  of 
Trajan,  it  was  the  care  of  Imperial  Rome  to 
civilize  and  adorn  it,  is  shewn  by  various  remains 


PROVINCIA  DACIA.  663 

of  its  acknowledged  importance,  in  sculptured 
marbles,  and  inscribed  stones,  in  public  roads  and 
edifices,  in  the  ruins  of  Trajan’s  bridge  and  other 
monuments.  But  although  the  name  of  Dacia, 
and  the  memory  of  its  conquest,  are  recorded  on 
many  coins  of  Roman  die,  struck  in  all  the 
three  metals,  yet  it  docs  not  appear  that  any  of 
its  cities  or  districts  were  admitted  to  partake  of 
colonial  or  municipal  privileges,  nor  that  any 
pieces  of  money  wrere  struck  within  the  provinces 
itself,  until  the  reign  of  Philip  senior,  who  was 
the  first  emperor  that  changed  its  political  con- 
dition from  subjugation  to  frec-citizenship,  and 
gave  it  immunities  which  placed  its  inhabitants 
on  an  equality,  as  to  rights,  with  the  Romans 
themselves. — The  Imperial  Greek  pieces  which 
bear  the  name  of  this  country  in  Greek,  were 
fabricated  elsewhere,  in  memory  of  the  advan- 
tages which  the  Romans  had  gained  over  the 
Dacians.  “ It  has  not  been  possible,”  says  M. 
Henniu  (Manuel  vol.  ii.  p.  107),  “to  ascertain 
positively  the  places  where  those  pieces  were 
coined.  M.  Sestini  ascribes  them  to  the  Isle  of 
Crete,  and  believes  them  to  have  been  struck  in 
the  city  of  Thalassa.”  Be  this,  however,  as  it 
may,  it  was  under  Philip  senior  that  it  began  to 
use  Latin  legends.  And  from  notations  of  years 
which  appear  on  the  exergue  of  these  coins, 
such  as  an.  I.,  an.  II.,  an.  in.,  &c.,  the 
inference  seems  warranted  that,  having  been 
rendered  free  under  Philip,  and  admitted  by  him 
to  share  in  the  immunities  of  the  Jus  Italicum, 
and  thus  to  be  placed  on  the  footing  of  Roman 
citizens,  the  entire  province,  out  of  grateful 
remembrance  of  benefits  thereby  conferred  upon 
it,  adopted  the  plan  of  computing  dates  from 
that  period,  as  being  the  sera  of  its  liberation. 
The  marks  of  years  appear  on  coins  of  the  two 
Philips  and  Otacilia,  also  on  coins  of  Decius, 
Etruscilla,  Hcrennius,  Hostilianus,  Gallus,  Volu- 
sianus,  .Emilianus,  Valerianus  sen.,  and  Gallienus; 
and  they  begin  in  the  year  of  Rome  1,000, 
a.d.  247,  being  the  fourth  year  of  Philip 
senior’s  reign,  in  which,  as  may  be  gathered 
from  Zo9imus,  that  emperor  rescued  Dacia  from 
the  incursions  of  the  Carpi. — On  the  coins  of 
Philip  only  i.  n.  and  in.  are  engraved.  Under 
Trajanus  Decius,  this  province  struck  coins  with 
the  years  mi.  and  v.,  answering  to  the  years  of 
Rome  1003  and  1004,  in  which  last  Decius 
perished. — There  is  a medallion  of  extreme 
rarity,  struck  under  Volusianus  (as  given  by 
Froclich,  Tert.  p.  137),  which  bears  for  legend 
provincia  DACIA  an.  v.  as  the  Fifth  year  of 
this  Dacian  sera. — The  next  which  arc  noted  arc 
the  years  vi.  and  vii.  under  Treb.  Gallus,  agree- 
ing with  the  years  of  the  City  1005  and  1006, 
in  which  last  Gallus  was  slain. — But,  as  Dacia 
in  the  same  year,  vii.  of  its  sera,  inscribed  coins 
to  Hostilianus,  Gallus,  Emilianns,  and  Gal- 
lienus, the  fact  shews  that  all  these  princes 
reigned  in  the  course  of  that  year : viz.,  that 
Hostilianus  died  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  of 
this  sera,  that  Gallus  was  put  to  death  some 
months  afterwards,  that  /Emilianus  was  killed 
after  three  months  more,  lastly  that  Valerianus 
and  Gallienus  were  proclaimed  emperors  at  the 


664  PROVINCIA  DACIA. 

close  of  the  same  year.  The  Annus  vim.,  or 
Ninth  year  of  Free  Dacian,  engraved  on  a coin 
of  Valerian,  falls  within  the  third  year  of 
Valerian  and  Gallienus.  The  Tenth  year  of  the 
Dacian  sera,  which  is  the  fourth  of  Gallienus, 
is  revealed  on  a coin  of  his  by  Froelich  (ibid, 
p.  140),  with  the  assistance  of  chronology. — 
So  long  as  Dacia  was  treated  as  a conquest,  the 
personification  of  the  province  was,  on  coins  of 
Roman  die,  almost  invariably  in  a sitting 
posture,  before  some  trophy,  as  if  weeping  for 
the  loss  of  her  barbaric  independence ; but 
from  the  period  when  Philip  senior  bestowed 
upon  her,  less  perhaps  from  choice  than  from 
necessity,  the  too  tardily  conceded  boon  of 
liberty,  Dacia  Provincia  is  seldom  found  seated. 
— Neumann  (Pop.  Num.  i.  lb.  3,  4,  2)  has  edited 
a second  brass  of  Philip,  on  the  reverse  of  which 
the  genius  of  the  province  is  seated,  her  head 
covered  with  the  mitra,  or  bonnet,  of  her 
country. — But  on  the  colonial  imperial  coins  of 
Dacia  in  general,  from  Philip  to  Gallienus,  the 
province  is  represented  as  follows  : — 

A woman,  adorned  with  the  pi/eus,  and  wear- 
ing a sort  of  tunic  and  long  cloak,  stands  holding 
in  each  hand  a military  ensign.  On  the 
velum,  or  small  flag,  of  the  right  hand  is  the 
numeral  v. ; on  that  of  the  left,  the  numeral 
XIII. — On  others  the  woman  bears  in  her  right 
hand  a curved  sword,  peculiar  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  country ; and  a military  ensign  is  planted 
near  her  to  the  right.  At  her  feet  is  on  one 
side  an  eagle  with  a crown  in  its  beak,  and  on 
on  the  other  side  a lion. — On  another  coin  the 
velum  of  the  military  standard  contains  the 
letters  d.  f. — The  above  types  belong  to  coins 
dedicated  to  Philip  senior  and  junior,  and  to 
Otaeilia  Scvera. — On  a very  rare  second  brass 
inscribed  to  Trcbonianus  Gallus,  the  female  figure 
holds  in  her  right  hand  a branch ; and  in  her 
left  a staff,  on  the  top  of  which  is  an  ass’s  head. 

[According  to  the  explanations  of  these  types 
given  by  Vaillant,  Froelich,  and  others,  the 
woman  represents  the  Genius  Provincia:  her 
head  is  covered  with  the  pi/eus  held  to  he  the 
symbol  of  liberty,  and  allusion  in  this  instance 
to  the  freedom  conceded  to  Dacia  by  Philip. — 
D.  F.  is  Dacia  Felix.  Dacia,  as  is  well  known, 
was  added  to  the  empire  by  Trajan,  yet  in  an 
ancient  inscription  the  merit  of  this  annexation 
and  of  giving  this  province  the  appellation  of 
Felix  is  (strangely  enough)  awarded  to  Hadrian, 
in  the  following  terms : — IMP.  caes.  diyo 
NERVAE  TRALANO  HADRIANO  PONT.  MAX.  COS. 
III.  P.  P.  CVIVS  VIRTVTE  DACIA  1MPERIO  ADDITA 

Felix  est. — Under  Philip  it  resumed  the  name 
of  Felix,  having  been  declared  free  by  that 
emperor,  and  on  coins  of  Trajanus  Decius, 
Philip’s  successor,  it  is  also  called  Dacia  Felix. 
— In  reference  to  the  figures  v.  and  xni.  on  the 
military  ensigns,  Vaillant  observes  that  as  Trajan 
had  placed  the  fifth  Macedonian  and  the 
thirteenth  Gemina  Legions  in  Dacia,  so  Philip, 
having  transmitted  their  veteran  soldiers  into 
all  the  colonics  of  the  province,  proclaimed  them 
Roman  citizens,  n fact  shadowed  forth  in  the 
military  ensigns  borne  in  each  hand  by  the 


PROVINCIA  DACIA. 

Genius  of  the  Province. — Dion  states  that,  under 
Alex.  Severus,  both  legions  (viz.,  v.  Maccdonica 
and  xm.  Gemina)  were  stationed  in  Dacia.  And 
Philip  having  sent  the  veterans  of  these  legions 
into  the  colonies  of  the  province,  made  a new 
levy  of  soldiers  to  guard  Dacia  from  the  inroads 
of  the  barbarians.  The  sword  in  the  hand  of 
the  female  figure,  is  called  by  Clemens  Alexand. 
[Strom,  lib.  1]  apinj,  and,  according  to  that 
writer,  was  borrowed  from  the  Thracians. — On 
some  of  these  Dacian  coins  it  more  resembles 
the  lituus  than  a sword. — The  eagle,  which  is 
the  ensign  of  the  Roman  empire,  is  here  adopted 
by  Dacia  because  she  has  been  made  Roman. 
The  lion  is  the  accustomed  symbol  of  the  pro- 
vince.— The  female  figure  representing  Dacia, 
which  on  coins  of  the  Philips  and  of  Trajanus 
Decius  holds  (as  already  described)  a military 
ensign  in  each  hand,  is  exhibited  on  a very  rare 
second  brass  of  Trcb.  Gallus,  in  a different 
manner.  Instead  of  those  legionary  standards 
allusive  to  the  Roman  soldiers  appointed  to 
guard  her  confines,  the  genius  of  the  province 
now  presents  the  olive  branch,  indicating  (says 
Vaillant  ii.,  p.  213)  that  peace  had  been  entered 
into  by  Gallus  with  the  barbarian  invaders — a 
peace  which  that  emperor  had  ignominiously 
purchased  by  the  payment  of  an  annual  tribute, 
of  200  gold  drachmas.”  The  figure  in  question 
bears  in  her  left  hand  a tall  staff,  on  which  is 
placed  the  head  of  an  ass,  seemingly  as  though 
it  were  a national  ensign,  as  may  be  observed  on 
coins  of  Trajanus  Decius  struck  by  the  Senate : 
likewise  on  the  silver  mint  of  that  emperor. 

We  shall  here  append  the  scries  of  annual 
notations  on  coins  of  dacia  provincia,  making 
the  sera  of  her  freedom,  as  exhibited  by  Eckhcl 
[Cat.Mus.  Cas.  i.  p.  48,  49,  50];  not  like 
Vaillant  and  others,  taking  them  in  the  chrono- 
logical order  of  the  imperial  reigns,  from  Philip 
to  Gallienus ; but  according  to  the  order  of 
years,  commencing  under  the  first  named 
emperor. 

Annus  I. ; as  in  Philip  senior,  Otaeilia  Scvera, 
and  Philip  junior. 

Annus  II. ; as  in  Philip  junior  and  Otaeilia 
Scvera. 

Annus  IIT. ; as  in  Philip  sen.,  Otaeilia,  Philip 
jun,,  Trajanus  Decius,  and  Volusianns. 

Annus  IV. ; as  in  Trajauus  Decius,  and 
llerennius  Etruscus. 

[In  honour  of  Decius,  who  dethroned  and 
succeeded  to  the  founder  of  her  freedom,  Darin 
nevertheless  deemed  it  policy,  no  doubt,  to  strike 
coins.  But  as  the  Illyrian  army  acknowledged 
the  inactive  Philip,  it  first  proclaimed  Marinas, 
and  afterwards  Decius,  Emperors  against  the 
Barbarians  then  pouring  into  the  Roman  terri- 
tories , the  neighbouring  provinces  followed  the 
same  movement,  especially  as  Decius  was  boru 
in  Pnnnonia,  on  the  borders  of  Dacia,  whilst 
Philip  being  a native  of  Arabia,  was  less  popular 
with  the  provinces.  It  was  for  this  reason  that 
the  senate  struck  coins  of  Decius  with  the 
epigraph  of  oenivs  exercitvs  illvriciani, 
and  recorded  the  names  of  those  provinces 
which  had  proclaimed  him  emperor,  viz.,  Pan- 


PROVINCIA. 

nonia  and  Dacia.  In  fact  they  inscribed  dacia 
felix,  on  the  coins  of  the  latter,  as  if  she  had 
recovered  her  pristine  felicity  under  such  a 
prince  as  Dccius,  she  having  become,  to  the 
most  privileged  extent,  a Roman  province,  to 
which  allusion  is  made  on  a marble  edited  bv 
Zamosins. — See  Vaillant,  ii.  p.  196. — With  re- 
gard to  the  an.  IV.  appearing  on  a coin  inscribed 
to  Hereunius,  Vaillant  remarks — “ Dacia,  on 
receiving  intelligence  that  Trajanus  Decius,  at 
the  entreaty  of  the  senate,  had  proclaimed  his 
son  Herennius  Etruscus,  Cicsar,  struck  coins  of 
congratulation  as  well  to  the  son  as  to  the 
father,  and  placed  the  marks  of  the  year  iv. 
(annus  quartos)  on  those  of  the  former,  as  a 
monument  of  liberty  derived  from  Philip.” — 
ii.  p.  206.] 

Annus  V.  ; as  in  Trajanus  Decius,  Ilerennia 
Etruscilla,  Ilostilianus,  Treb.  Callus,  and  Volu- 
siauus. 

[The  fifth  year  of  the  Dacian  sera  is  the 
second  of  Decius’s  reign. — Vaillant,  ii.  206.] 

Annus  VI. ; as  in  Tr.b.  Gallus,  Valerianus, 
and  Gallicnus. 

Annus  VII. ; as  in  Ilostilianus,  /Emilianus, 
and  Gallienus. 

Annus  VIII. ; as  in  /Emilianus  and  Vale- 
riauus. 

Annus  IX. ; as  in  Valerianus. 

Annus  X. ; as  in  Gallicnus. 

Provincia.  Provinces. — These  were  territories 
which  the  Romans  had  either  conquered  in  war 
or  obtained  possession  of  by  other  means.  They 
formed  a third  part  of  the  empire,  and  for  the 
purposes  of  government  were  divided  into  con- 
sular, proconsular,  pnetorian,  and  pnesidial, 
according  to  the  respective  rank  and  dignity  of 
the  magistrates  appointed  to  ride  over  them  the 
maxim  of  the  republic  being  to  form  the 
countries  which  it  subdued  into  so  many  distinct 
governments.  As  soon  as  it  acquired  them,  their 
laws  were  annulled,  their  own  magistrates  re- 
moved, and  themselves  subjected  to  the  Roman 
laws,  for  the  administration  of  which,  according 
to  the  extent  and  importance  of  the  provinces, 
a proconsul,  or  a prator,  or  a prases  (see 
these  words)  was  sent  from  Rome — each  with  a 
quastor,  whose  business  it  was  to  enforce  pay- 
ment of  the  tributes  imposed  by  the  conquerors. 
In  return  for  the  loss  of  its  independence,  in 
being  reduced  to  a provincial  state  (redacta  in 
formam  Provincia '),  its  generous  masters  granted 
to  such  country  the  Jus  Provincia,  a privilege 
very  inferior  to  the  Jus  Italicum  and  to  the  Jus 
Latium,  inasmuch  as  it  not  only  fell  short  of 
exempting  its  inhabitants  from  tribute,  but  com- 
pelled them  to  receive  their  laws  and  governors 
from  Rome. — Thus  during  the  republic,  the  pro- 
vinces, as  well  those  of  Italy  as  those  at  a greater 
distance  from  the  capital,  were  altogether  under 
the  control  of  the  senate  and  people.  But  when 
Augustus  became  master,  that  subtle  personage, 
to  serve  his  own  ambitious  policy,  made  a divi- 
sion of  the  provinces,  which,  whilst  it  apparently 
abolished  a monopoly  of  administrative  power  on 
his  part,  had  the  effect  of  placing  the  whole 
military  force  of  the  state  at  his  sole  disposal. 

4Q 


PROVINCIA.  665 

To  the  senate  he  yielded  those  provinces  which 
were  situated  in  the  centre  of  the  empire,  reserv- 
ing for  himself  and  successors  the  frontier  lines 
ot  country,  under  pretence  of  defending  them 
from  the  attacks  of  barbarian  and  other  hostile 
nations.  The  provincia  subnrbana,  as  those  of 
Italy  were  called,  from  their  comparative  proxi- 
mity to  Rome,  were  placed  under  the  authority 
of  annually  appointed  magistrates,  sent  to  them 
by  the  Senatus  Populusque  Romanus,  whether 
proconsuls  or  praetors.  On  the  other  hand,  the . 
provinces  reserved  for  imperial  government  were 
presided  over  by  the  Legati  Augusti,  or  lieu- 
tenants chosen  by  the  prince  himself. 

After  the  partition  above  referred  to,  conquered 
territories,  moulded  iuto  provinces,  fell  to  the 
sway,  not  of  the  people,  but  of  the  emperor,  as 
Dion  informs  us.  Thus  Thrace,  at  length  made 
a province  of,  in  the  reign  of  Vespasian,  likewise 
Dacia  and  Arabia  under  Trajan,  increased  the 
number  of  Caesarean  provinces.  Hence  it  is  that 
on  the  coins  of  those  provinces  so  acquired,  we 
read  the  name  not  of  the  proconsul  or  of  any 
other  popular  magistrate,  but  of  the  legates  of 
the  emperor— On  this  point  Spanheim,  in  his 
notes  on  the  Casars  of  Julian,  makes  the  follow- 
ing remarks  on  those  medals  of  Trajan,  which 
display  Dacia,  under  various  types,  as  a sub- 
jugated nation : — “ We  sec  these  coins  (says 
this  erudite  and  observant  author)  with  in- 
scriptions not  only  of  vict.  dac.  and  of  dacia 
capta,  but  even  of  dacia  avqvstj  provincia.  ; 
that  is  to  say,  according  to  the  custom  alluded 
to  by  Dion  that  'nations  or  conquered  provinces, 
subsequently  to  the  division  made  by  Augustus, 
fell  no  longer  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Roman  people,  but  devolved  to  that  of  the 
Emperor,  and  became  his  provinces,  and  were 
therefore  governed  by  his  Lieutenants,  and  by 
Praetors  or  Proconsuls,  except  in  those  changes 
which  the  Emperors  themselves  made  on  the 
subject  from  time  to  time.” — Spanheim  then 
cites  the  well-known  medal  of  Trajan,  com- 
memorative of  his  capture  of  Dacia;  and  also 
the  less  common,  but  not  less  interesting  coin 
of  the  same  emperor,  which  bears  the  legend  of 
Dacia  Augusti  Provincia — that  province  being 
represented  by  a Dacian  seated  on  a rock,  with 


j two  children  near  him,  and  with  a Roman 
| ensign  in  his  left  hand.  [See  Dacia.']— The 
l same  numismatist  refers  to  other  medals  of 
[ Trajan,  as  marking  the  fact  that  this  emperor, 
after  having  conquered  arabia,  had  made  a 


6GG  PROVOCO. — PRUDENTIA. 

Roman  province  of  it,  particularly  that  inscribed 

ARABIA  AVGVST.  PROVINCIA  ; also  ARABIA 
ADQVis.  Arabia  Adquisita , or  ARABIA  CAPTA. 
— Sec  those  inscriptions. 

PROVOCO,  title  of  the  Porcian  Law  (Lex 
Porcia),  on  the  denarius  of  that  family,  in 
which  the  prmtor  is  represented  standing  with 
his  hand  extended  towards  a citizen  clothed  in 
the  toga : behind  the  pnetor  stands  a lictor, 
holding  in  his  right  hand  a rod. — See  Porcia 
family. 

PR.  P.  Pro  Pratore. — pro  pr.  pr.  a. 
Pro  Pratore  Provincia  A chat  a. 

Pit.  Q.  Pro  Quastore. — m.  min  at.  sabin. 
pr.  Q.  On  a denarius  of  the  Minatia  family. 

PR.  S.  P or  PAL.  Provinc'ue Syria Palestina. 
Of  the  province  of  Syria  in  Palestine. 

PRVDENTIA  AVG. Banduri,  citing 

Mediobarbus,  gives  this  epigraph  as  inscribed 
on  the  reverse  of  a gold  coin  of  Aureolus, 
in  which  a female  figure  stands  holding  a short 
wand  in  her  right  hand,  and  resting  her  left 
arm  on  a column. 

The  word  Prudentia  is  in  this  instance 
obviously  used  instead  of  Procidentia , one  of 
whose  well-known  types  is  here  represented. — 
Millin  indeed  says  that  “Prudence  is  the  same 
allegorical  divinity  as  Providence,  and  that  there 
are  medals  on  which  she  is  figured.”  But  as 
Eckhel,  Mionuct,  aud  Akermau  are  all  silent  on 
the  subject,  it  is  probable  they  consider  the 
word  misread  or  blundered  for  Procidentia. 

P.  R.  VOT.  Poputi  Romani  Pota. — In  a 
shield,  held  by  two  victories,  round  which 

V1CTOR1AE  LAETAE.  PRIN.  PERP.  On  a gold 
medal  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

PR.  VRB.  Pr  refect  us  Urbi,  or  Prietor 

Urbanus. — l’ncfcct  of  the  city,  or  rather  Pnetor 
of  the  city. 

P.  S.  Percussa  moncta  Siscia. — Money 
struck  at  Sicia  (a  town  of  Croatia  now  Sisscg) 
on  the  exergue  of  a coin  of  Liciuius  sen. 

Pseudomoneta. — This  term  is  applied  to  such 
numismatic  irregularities  as  the  Contorniati , 
the  Spin  trice,  Tessera,  &c. 

P.  T.  Percussa  Treveris. — Money  struck  at 
Treves. 

Ptolomaus  IV.  Phitopator. — One  of  the 
many  Egyptian  kings  who  rejoiced  in  the  regal 
patronymic  of  Ptolomicus,  died  in  the  year 
of  Rome  550,  having  appointed  by  his  will 
that  the  Roman  people  should  be  tutor  to  his 
infant  son.  This  remarkable  fact,  which  history, 
by  the  pens  of  Valerius  Maximus,  and  Justiuus, 
affirms  and  explains,  forms  the  subject  of  typical 
allusion,  on  a rare  denarius  of  the  y Emilia 
family,  described  by  Eckhel  as  follows,  from  one 
in  the  Imperial  cabinet  at  Vienna : — 

alkxandre a. — The  tuiTetcd  head  of  a female 
Genius. 

M.  LEP1DVS.  PONT.  MAX.  TVTOR.  REG.  S.  C. 

Two  figures,  in  the  Roman  toga,  standing ; 
one  placing  a crown  on  the  head  of  another. 
Here  then  we  have  Lepidus  in  the  consular 
robe,  crowning  with  the  regal  diadem  the  young 
Ptolemy  (V.  Epiphancs),  whom  the  king,  his 
father,  had  left  under  the  tutelage  of  the  Roman 


PTOLEMAIS  G ALII, A Edik 

people.  And  on  the  other  side  is  seen,  under 
the  image  of  a woman  crowned  with  towers, 
the  city  of  Alexandria,  capital  of  the  kingdom, 
where  the  ceremony  took  place. tSee  Aemitia 
family  in  this  Dictionary.) — The  year  in  which 
an  event  so  strikingly  illustrative  of  the  power 
aud  influence  of  republican  Rome  occurred  is 
not  exactly  known.  But  it  appears  that  the 
Marcus  .Emilius  Lcpidus,  to  whom  the  office  of 
Tutor  Regis  was  entrusted  by  the  senate,  com- 
menced his  first  consulate  a.v.c.  567,  was 
elevated  to  the  supreme  pontificate  v.c.  574, 
and  served  his  second  consulate  v.c.  578. 

Plolemais  Gatitaea,  a town  on  the  Phoenieean 
coast,  originally  called  Acc,  from  Hercules,  now 
St.  John  of  Acre.  It  took  its  Greek  name 
from  one  of  the  Ptolemies,  Kings  of  Egypt, 
and  was  the  only  eity  of  that  name  converted 
by  the  Romans  into  a colony — an  cveut  which 
occurred  under  Claudius.  Except,  however,  the 
bare  title  of  colony,  it  docs  not  appear  that  any 
right  or  privilege  was  conferred  upon  the  place. 
For  example,  if  Ulpian  is  to  be  relied  upon, 
Ptolemais  was  never  admitted  to  a participation 
in  the  Jus  Italicum,  and  was  invested  with 
nothing  but  the  name  of  a colony  (nihil  prater 
nomen  colonite  habet).  Yet  it  docs  not  seem 
probable,  that  an  emperor  would  send  citizens 
and  veterans  to  colonize  a distant  territory, 
without  investing  them  with  some  special 
liberties  and  immunities,  to  enjoy  in  their 
establishment  there.  At  any  rate  we  know  that 
Ptolemais  had  its  scries  of  colonial -impel  ial 
coins,  from  Claudius  to  Salouinus,  including 
also  those  of  Nero,  Trajan,  Hadrian,  Severus, 
Caracalla,  Alexander  Severns,  Philip  senior, 
Valerianus,  and  Otaeilia  Sevcra. 

The  following  arc  the  chief  types  found  on 
coins  of  this  colony  : — 

Altar  and  Serpents. — On  a fine  aud  rare 
first  brass  of  Valerianus,  bearing  tbe  legend 
COLONIA  PTOLEM  A 1 DEN  Sis,  the  type  is  a 
lighted  altar,  from  underneath  the  base  of  which, 
on  each  side,  rises  a serpent.  On  the  left  is  a 
caduccus. 

[This  appears  to  be  the  memorial  of  a sacrifice 
offered  by  the  people  of  Ptolemais  for  a happy 
issue  to  the  war  with  Persia,  commenced  by 
Valerian  about  the  time  when  the  medal  was 
struck.  We  sec  in  it  the  altar  on  whirh  sacred 
rites,  accordiuu  to  the  usages  of  paganism,  were 
performed  to  the  gods  on  this  account.  The 
serpents  arc  an  augury  of  victories,  as  the 
caduceus  is  a symbol  of  felicity.  But  the 
auspices,  which  thus  promised  triumphs  over 
the  barbariaus,  proved  fatally  deceitful ; for  the 
emperor  was  defeated,  made  prisoner  and,  after 
the  most  ignominiously  cruel  treatment,  put  to 
death  by  Sapor,  King  of  the  Persians.] 

Bust  of  a Bearded  Man. — On  a second  brass 
of  Sept.  Severus,  struck  at  Ptolemais,  is  the 
head  of  a man  with  long  beard  flowing  in  thick 
curls,  and  as  if  adorned  with  several  horns; 
before  whom  is  a cornucopia:. 

[Vaillaut  regards  this  as  intended  to  personify 
the  Nile.  lie  observes  that  the  people  of 
Ptolemais  had  borrowed  the  worship  of  that 


PTOLEMAIS  GALILAEJ3. 

celebrated  stream  as  well  as  the  worship  of 
Scrapis,  from  Egypt — the  Nile  being,  according 
to  Parmenides,  the  Jupiter  of  the  Egyptians. 
The  images  of  rivers  were  exhibited  on  ancient 
coins,  with  beards  unshorn  and  with  dishevelled 
hair,  as  in  the  instance  of  the  Nile  itself  on 
Egyptian  medals.  Horns  were  appended  to  the 
heads  of  these  effigies,  as  denoting  the  different 
months  through  which  a river  debouched  into 
the  sea : accordingly  Virgil  calls  the  Rhine 
bicornis.  But  the  Nile  has  several  horns 
assigned  to  it,  because  it  was  said  to  branch 
into  seven  arms,  as  Virgil  himself  sings : — 

Et  septem  gemini  (urbant  trepida  ostia  Nili. 

\_FEn.  vi.,  L BOO.] 

The  cornucopise  shadows  forth  the  fertility,  and 
the  abundance  of  all  fruits,  of  the  earth.] 

Colonist  and  Military  Ensigns. — -On  second 
und  third  brass  of  this  colony,  dedicated,  in  the 
first  instance,  to  Claudius  its  founder,  and 
afterwards  in  succession  to  Nero  and  to  Hadrian, 
the  type  of  co/onus  bores  age/is,  is  accompanied 
with  four  or  five  military  standards  placed  behind 
the  oxen. — The  legend  is  col.  ptol.  or  ptolem. 
Co/onia  Pto/emais. — On  a very  rare  and  fine 
large  brass  of  Philip  senior,  with  the  legend 
COL.  VTOl.emais,  there  are  the  colonist  and 
oxen,  but  not  the  military  ensigns. 

[The  colonist,  or  more  properly  the  pontiff 
guiding  a plough  team  of  oxen,  refers  to  the 
origin  and  antiquity  of  the  settlement.  The 
military  ensigns  are  introduced  because  not  only 
citizens  from  Rome,  but  veterans  from  a legion, 
were  sent  to  Ptolemais  by  Claudins.] 

It  is  doubttul  whether  this  medal  of  Ptolemais 
has  been  correctly  copied  as  havingyfre  military 
ensigns.  Pellerin  has  given  two  coins  of  this 
colony,  one  with  the  head  of  Claudius,  and  the 
other  with  the  head  of  Nero. — On  the  reverse 
of  each  of  these,  behind  the  colonist  at  plough, 
appear  four  military  standards.  And  on  the 
square  of  each  of  these  standards  are  seen 
certain  numbers,  not  visible  on  the  medals 
published  by  Vaillant.  These  numerals  shew 
the  Legions  whence  were  drafted  the  veteran 
soldiers  who  were  sent  to  Ptolemais  to  form 
that  colony.  It  seems  that  it  is  the  vith,  lxth, 
xith,  and  xnth  Legions  which  are  marked 
thereorf.  Nevertheless,  adds  Pellerin,  it  is 
very  possible  that  the  last  two  numbers  were 
only  x.  and  XI.,  the  unit  which  apparently 
terminates  both  those  numbers  being,  perhaps, 
only  the  lateral  line  of  the  squares  in  which 
they  are  enclosed. — [ Recueil , tom.  ii.  p.  xi.  and 
2,  which  see  for  an  explanation  of  the  legends 
of  these  coins.] 

Cgbele. — On  a first  brass  of  Valerianus, 
struck  at  Ptolemais,  the  type  of  the  reverse  is 
Cvbcle,  who,  seated  between  two  lions  which 
are  at  her  feet,  holds  in  her  right  hand  some- 
thing which  resembles  an  infant  in  swaddling 
clothes.  Behind  the  chair  of  the  goddess  is  a 
caduceus  winged. — See  Pellerin,  Melange,  i. 
pi.  xxii.  No.  8,  p.  329. 

Diana  Venatrix. — On  a rare  second  brass 
dedicated  to  Valerian,  the  people  of  this  colony 
4 Q2 


PTOLEMAIS  GALILAEjE.  667 

have  stamped  the  image  of  the  hunter-goddess 
within  a temple  of  two  columns,  round  which 
are  the  signs  of  the  Zodiac. 

[This  is  one  of  the  coius  struck  by  the  city 
of  Ptolemais  under  Valerian,  whilst  he  was 
engaged  in  the  Persian  war. — By  the  temple 
and  its  idol,  it  shews  that  Diana  was  adored  ill 
quality  of  Venatrix  by  the  people  of  this 
colony. — The  twelve  signs  of  the  Zodiac, 
referring  to  astronomy,  seems  to  have  been 
introduced  into  this  type  in  memory  of  a science 
in  which  their  (Phoenician)  ancestors  were, 
according  to  Strabo  and  Pliny,  pre-eminently 
skilled.] 

Emperor  on  Horseback,  with  right  hand 
elevated,  and  holding  the  reins  in  his  left,  on  a 
second  brass  of  Caracalla,  with  legend  colonia 
ptolemais. 

[This  appears  intended  to  record  the  arrival 
of  the  above  named  Emperor  at  Ptolemais ; 
for  he  is  represented  as  an  equestrian,  and  in  the 
garb  of  a pacificator,  just  as  coius  of  Roman  die 
exhibit  the  entry  of  Emperors  into  Rome  itself. 
This  also  agrees  with  what  Herodiauus  relates 
of  Caracalla’s  advent  and  sojourn  in  Syria : 
when  on  his  military  expedition  against  Armenia 
and  Parthia,  he  visited  Antioch,  and  most  pro- 
bably Ptolemais,  which  is  situated  between  the 
former  place  and  Syria.] 

Emperor  on  Horseback. — An  exactly  similar 
type  and  legend  (to  that  of  Caracalla’s)  appears 
on  a second  brass,  bearing  on  its  obverse  the 
portrait  and  titles  of  Alexander  Severns. 

[Struck  in  congratulation  to  that  Emperor  on 
his  having  defeated  and  dispersed  the  invading 
armies  of  Persia,  and  (as  Lampridius  testifies) 
vanquished  their  powerful  King,  Artaxerxes.  The 
equestrian  figure  is  viewed  by  Vaillant  as  re- 
lating, not  to  Alexander  Severus,  but  rather  to 
a statue  raised  at  Ptolemais  to  Caracalla’s 
honour  (and  represented  on  the  preceding  coin). 
For  Alexander,  according  to  Herodianus,  took 
the  name  of  Severus  from  reverence  for  his 
ancestor  Septimius  Severus,  and  called  himself 
the  son  of  Caracalla,  professing  to  have  won  his 
many  trophies  of  success  over  the  barbarians, 
under  the  auspices  and  tutelage  of  those  two 
Emperors]. 

Fortune,  standing,  clothed  in  the  stola,  with, 
as  usual,  the  rudder  and  cornucopias,  on  a small 
brass  of  Hadrian. 

[The  many  coins  of  tliis  colony,  dedicated  to 
Hadrian,  afford  an  indication  that  some  singular 
benefit  had  been  conferred  by  that  munificent 
Emperor  on  Ptolemais.  Fortune  forms  the 
type  of  the  reverse,  as  a goddess  worshipped  by 
the  inhabitants  of  the  city,  and  also  as  a favourite 
object  of  Hadrian’s  veneration.] 

On  an  elegant  second  brass,  inscribed  to 
Caracalla,  stands  Fortune  as  designated  by  her 
accustomed  attributes,  and  with  the  calathus  on 
her  head.  Behind,  is  a small  figure  of  Victory, 
placed  on  a cippus  or  column,  extending  a crown 
over  the  head  of  the  Goddess. — There  is  a similar 
type  of  Fortune  crowned  by  Victory,  placed  on 
a cippus,  on  a second  brass  of  Valerianus,  with 
the  sole  addition  of  a winged  caduceus  in  the 


668  PTOLEMAIS  GALILAE.E. 

field  of  the  coin. — See  PeUerin,  Melange,  i.  pi. 

xxii.,  No.  8,  p.  332. 

[Vaillaut  says  that  the  Victoriola  standing  on 
a short  column  frequently  appears  on  colonial 
coins  of  Phoenicia,  in  allusion  to  the  victories 
gained  by  the  ancient  and  enterprising  people  of 
that  country,  and  to  the  colonies  which  they 
established  far  and  wide  ] 

Human  Foot. — Pcllcrin  furnishes  ns  with 
the  engraving  of  a singular  coin  dedicated  by 
the  city  of  Ptolemais  to  Salonina,  wife  of 
Gallienus  (to  whom  Vaillaut  assigns  no  medals 
of  this  colony).  It  bears  on  its  reverse  a human  I 
foot  with  part  of  the  leg  [most  probably  an  I 
ex  voto  on  account  of  some  cure  supposed  to  be  i 
miraculously  effected].  Above  it  is  a thunder- 
bolt, and  by  its  left  side  a caducous. — [See  also  ! 
Recueil — Let/res  Addition,  t.  ix.  p.  36.] 

Hercules  and  the  Emperor. — On  a first  brass 
of  this  colony  inscribed  to  Otacilia,  wife  of 
Philip  senior,  given  in  Pcllcrin  ( Melange  i.  1 
pi.  xxi.  No.  5,  p.  317),  Hercules  joins  his  right  I 
hand  to  that  of  the  Emperor,  both  standing 
opposite  each  other.  Between  them  is  an  altar, 
and  above  them  a eaduecus.  Legend,  coi,.  noi. 

Neptune  and  Proserpine. — Pellerin,  in  supply-  J 
ing  an  omission  of  Yaillant,  who  has  given  no 
medals  of  Otacilia,  as  struck  by  this  colony,  has 
noted  one  which  exhibits  on  one  side  the  head  of 
that  Empress,  and  on  the  other  Neptune 
[contrary  to  the  well-known  myth  which  makes 
Pluto  the  ravisher  of  Ceres’  daughter]  driving 
a quadriga,  in  which  he  is  carrying  away 
Proserpine.  Above  are  horses,  and  Mercury 
flying  with  a caduceus  in  his  right  hand. 

Serapis. — A second  and  third  brass  of  Sept. 
Scvcrus  and  of  Caracalla,  bearing  the  legend  of 
COLmis  PTOLmaw,  the  head  of  Serapis 
appears  with  the  Modias. 

[The  image  of  this  divinity  occurs  on  a great 
many  coins  of  Phoenicia  and  Palestine,  those 
countries  having  respectively  adopted  his  worship 
from  Egypt,  where  he  was  held  in  the  highest 
adoration. — Sec  Serapis. 

Thunderbolt. — This  type  presents  itself  on 
second  brass  of  Ptolemais,  inscribed  to  S. 
Sevcrus. 

[The  thunderbolt  (sec  the  word  Fu/men)  is 
the  mark  of  Providence  and  the  symbol  of 
empire ; but  on  this  coin  its  appearance  seem- 
ingly refers  to  some  passage  in  the  history  of 
the  city.  Perhaps  (says  Vaillaut)  as  the  Ptote- 
maideuses  were  in  the  habit  of  admitting  the 
deities  of  their  Egyptian  neighbours  among  their 
own  objects  of  worship,  so  also  is  there  room  for 
conjecture  that  the  Ccraunian  Jove  of  the  Scleu- 
ccnsians  was  adored  at  Ptolemais  under  the 
symbol  of  a fulmen,  or  thunderbolt.  They  after- 
wards called  Jupiter  by  the  surname  of  Ful- 
minator,  and  dedicated  a temple  to  him  under 
that  title.] 

Woman  and  River  God. — On  second  brass  of 
this  colony,  dedicated  to  Trajan  and  to  Hadrian, 
a woman,  turret  crowned,  is  seated  on  a rock, 
with  corn-cars  in  her  nght  hand  At  her  feet  a 
male  figure  appears,  emergiug  from  water  with 
outspread  hands. 


PTOLEMAIS  GALILAE.E. 

[The  seated  female  is  the  Genius  urlis, 
crowned  with  towers,  as  Ptolemais  was  sur- 
rounded with  strong  walls;  she  sits  on  rocks, 
as  the  city  was  on  every  side  encompassed  by 
lofty  mountains;  she  carries  corn-ears,  as  the 
colony  was  situated  in  a fertile  and  well  culti- 
vated plain  ; the  foot  treads  ou  the  shoulder  of 
a river  god,  being  the  personification  of  the 
Pagida  or  Bcleus,  which  flowed  past  Ptolemais, 
as  Josephus  states,  at  the  distance  of  two 
stadia.] 

On  second  and  small  brass  of  Julia  Domna, 
there  is  a similar  figure  of  a woman,  some- 
times with,  sometimes  without,  the  male 
figure. 

Woman  with  Turreted  Head,  clothed  in  the 
stola,  holding  a rudder  in  the  right  hand,  and  a 
cornucopia  iu  the  left  hand.  She  stands  beside 
a column,  on  which  are  placed  the  infants 
Romulus  and  Remus,  suckled  by  the  wolf. 

[The  colony  of  Ptolemais,  deriving  its  founda- 
tion from  Claudius,  has,  to  indicate  that  origin, 
placed  on  its  coinage  the  graphic  illustration  of 
Rome’s  pet  legend,  in  like  manner  as  all  Roman 
colonies  were  accustomed  to  adorn  their  market- 
places with  the  same  group  in  statuary.] 

PVR.— lM  RE.  Pub/ica. 

PUBLICA. — See  aeqvitas  publica. — fides 

PVBLICA,  &c. 

Pudicitia. — Modesty  was  worshipped  at  Rome 
as  a goddess,  especially  by  females  She  bore 
the  surnames  of  Patricia  and  P/ebeia.  The 
temple  of  the  latter  was  erected  by  Yiiginia,  the 
daughter  of  Aldus,  who  had  married  a plebeian, 
and  to  whom  the  Patricians,  in  consequence,  had 
refused  entry  into  the  temple  of  Pudicitia 
patricia.  The  image  of  this  divinity  is  rarely 
found  on  coins  of  emperors,  but  it  is  frequently 
seen  figured  (not  always  appropriately)  on  those 
of  the  Augustre,  viz.,  Plotina,  Sabina,  Lucilla, 
i Faustina  junior,  Crispina,  Julia  Micsa,  Mnnura, 
Otacilia,  Etruscdla,  Salonina,  &c.,  under  the 
traits  of  a woman,  in  a matronly  gown  and 
veiled;  or,  on  the  point  of  veiling  herself,  holding 
in  one  hand  the  hasta  pura;  she  is  sometimes 
j standing,  as  in  Lucilla;  but  oftener  seated,  os  in 
| Julia  Micsa  and  llercunia  Etruscilla. 

PVDIC.  P.  M.  TR.  P. COS.  III.— A woman, 
j veiled,  stands  with  her  bauds  concealed  within 
her  robe.  i 

This  dedicatory  legend  appears  on  a silver  coin 
of  Hadrian,  who,  as  Eckbcl  observes,  was  by 
tnrns  both  “ pudicus  et  impudicus." — With  this 
special  point  for  our  remembrance,  that  although 
his  modesty  (pudicitia J could  ou  certain  occa- 
sions be  grievously  offended  at  the  vices  and 
indecencies  of  others,  yet  it  nevertheless  easily 
| reconciled  itself  to  his  own  more  numerous  and 
infinitely  more  odious  rriiuinalitics.  But  as 
coins  of  contemporaneous  date  record  the  virtues 
only  of  princes,  it  remains  for  history,  after 
their  death,  to  make  mention  of  their  vices. 
Thus  also  the  medals  of  Hadrian  boast  of  his 
clemency;  but  history,  not  to  be  corrupted,  calls 
to  mind  the  violent  deaths  of  illustrious  men 
whom  he  caused  to  be  sacrificed  to  his  hatred 
and  revenge. 


PUDICITIA. — PUELLAE. 
PVDICITIA.—' This  legend  appears,  with  a 
variety  of  types,  in  every  metal  and  form,  on 
coins  of  Faustina  the  younger,  wife  of  .M . Aurelius, 
and  of  Lucilla,  wife'of  L.  Verus.— Whether  the 
modesty  of  these  two  princesses  is  boasted  of  on 
these  medals  according  to  the  custom  of  court 
flattery?  or  whether,  after  the  manner  iu  which 
we  hoid  up  princes,  as  wishing  to  he  what  they 
ought  to  be?  is  a question  we  presume  not  to 
decide.— We  have  seen  that  even  the  coins  of 
Hadrian  make  a vaunt  of  his  pudicitia,  a claim 
to  commendation  which  no  one  less  than  he  had 
established  for  himself. 

PVDICITIA  AVGaite— This  form  of  legend 
by  which  the  attributes  of  deified  modesty  are 
more  closely  identified  with  the  person  of  the 
Empress  than  they  are  in  the  previously  cited 
instances,  appears  with  the  usual  type  of  a veiled 
woman,  on  coins  of  Orbiana,  l ranquillina, 
Magnia  L'rbica.  And  also,  by  an  inappropriate 
ostentation,  if  not  by  a mistake  of  the  nioneyers, 
the  same  reverse  is  found  on  medals  of  Gordianus 
111.,  Trajanus  Decius,  Hostilianus,  \ olusianus. 

Puella,  or  Pueruli. — Infants  of  both  sexes 
in  the  arms  of  females,  or  standing  by  the  side 
of  women,  appear  on  many  coins  of  the  Imperial 
series,  especially  of  the  Trajan  and  Antonine 
families. — See  Children  or  Infants. 

Puella  Alimentaria  — This  term  will  be, 
perhaps,  most  significantly  rendered  by  the 
English  phrase  “Charity  Girls,”  the  objects  of  an 
institution  by  Antoninus  Pius,  in  honour  of  his 
wife  Faustina  senior,  and  called  Faustinianoe, 
after  that  Empress.  Two  of  these  Puella 
Alimentaria  are  seen  standing  before  the  Em- 
peror on  a gold  medal  of  Trajan,  which  thu9 
commemorates  the  signal  liberality  of  that  great 
prince  in  constituting  and  assigning  throughout 
Italy  permanent  funds  for  the  maintaiuance  and 
education  of  destitute  children,  both  girls  and 
boys. 

PVELLAE  FAVSTINIANAE. Reference 

has  already  been  made  to  these  benevolent  insti- 
tutions, founded  by  the  Emperor  Trajan,  who  took 
under  his  protection  and  support  such  children 
as  were  orphaus,  or  had  been  deserted.  Antoninus 
Pius  followed  this  excellent  example,  and  in 
honour  of  his  wife,  Faustina  senior,  caused  a 
great  number  of  poor  girls  and  young  women  to 
he  brought  up,  at  the  expense  of  the  state.  The 
memory  of  this  institution,  which  reflects  equal 
honour  on  the  Emperor  and  on  the  Empress,  is 
preserved  on  medals  in  gold  and  silver.— 1 he 
obverse  is  inscribed  diva  avg  favstina,  accom- 
panying the  head  ot  Faustina.  On  the  reverse, 
Antoninus  is  represented  sitting  on  an  eslrade, 
in  the  attitude  of  extending  his  arms  to  a child 
whom  one  of  the  people  presents  to  him. 
Faustina  had  promised  to  many  distressed  per- 
sons that  she  would  take  care  of  their  children’s 
education  and  future  interests:  she  had  even 
given  these  unfortunate  infants  her  owrn  name, 
as  a further  assurance  of  her  generous  intentions 
in  their  behalf,  as  we  perceive  by  the  legend  of 
Puella  Faustinian®.  It  seems  evident,  how- 
ever, that  this  institution  was  not  carried  into 
effect  until  after  her  death,  as  well  from  the  word 


PUELLAE. — PUER.  C69 

diva,  which  announces  that  Faustina  had  already 
reeeived  the  honours  of  the  Apotheosis — as  from 
that  passage  in  Julius  Capitolinus,  which  says 
“Antoninus  appropriated  a fund  for  the  nurture 
of  a number  of  girls  whom  he  called  Faustiniana, 
in  honour  of  Faustina.” — It  is  also  said  that 
Marcus  Aurelius  formed  a similar  establish- 
ment iu  compliment  to  his  wife,  the  younger 
Faustina. 

To  a similar  institution  for  the  children  of 
citizeus,  who  (according  to  Pliny  the  younger) 
were  nourished  and  provided  for,  at  the  public 
cost,  under  Antoninus  Pius,  a bronze  medallion 
is  considered  to  refer,  on  which  stands  a female 
figure,  holding  a child  and  a globe*  and  having 
at  her  feet  two  children,  with  the  inscription 
pietati.  avg.  cos.  mi. — See  pietati. 

Puer  or  Puella , (see  Infant). — Children  at 
the  breast,  or  in  the  arms,  or  at  the  feet  of  their 
mother  are  seen  on  various  coins  of  the  Imperial 
series — such  as  of  Lucilla,  Juba  Domua,  Faustina, 
Otacilia,  Urbiea;  with  epigraphs  of  fecvnditas 
avg.  and  ivnoni  lvcinae.  A naked  boy  sits 
on  a globe,  between  seven  stars  (the  Triones)  on 
a denarius  of  Domitia,  wife  of  Domitiau,  in 
memory  of  a son  they  had  lost.  See  divvs 
caes.  imp.  domitian.  A boy  sitting  on  a goat, 
with  the  epigraph  aetf.rnitas  ; and  another 
seated  on  the  same  animal,  with  legend  of  iovi 
crescenti,  appear  on  coins  of  Gallienus, 
Saloninus,  and  Yalerianus  jnn. — See  Fecunditas, 
Juno  Lucina,  JEternitas  Imperii. 

Puer  alatus. — A winged  boy  (see  Cupido)  ap- 
pears in  the  area  of  a coin  of  the  Julia  family; 
and  is  seated  on  a goat  in  a denarius  of  the 
same  family. — See  Julia. 

Puer. — A boy  as  the  sign  of  Felicitas,  or  of 
Succession,  appears  on  medals  of  the  Faustinas, 
Lucilla,  Crispina,  Domua,  Msesa,  Aquilia,Mamsea, 
Orbiana,  Etruscilla,  and  other  Augusta. — The 
same  figure  is  an  index  of  Hilaritas,  on  coins  of 
Hadrian,  Caracalla,  Elagabalus,  Tetricus. 

Pueri  quatuor. — Four  boys,  with  the  attri- 
butes of  the  seasons  of  the  year,  on  first  brass 
of  Commodus,  Caracalla,  and  other  Emperors ; 
and  ou  a small  brass  of  Carausius. See 

FELICIA  TEMPORVM. 

Pugiones. — The  figure  of  two  daggers,  or 
poiguards,  with  the  pi/eus  or  cap  of  liberty, 
appear  on  coins  of  Brutus. — Sec  eid.  mar. 

Pugna. — The  combat  of  a lion  with  a stag, 
on  a silver  coin  of  jhe  Burmin  family,  is  regarded 
as  allusive  to  some  celebration  of  the  secular 
games  (ludi  saculares). 

Pu/cheria  (Aelia),  daughter  of  the  Emperor 
Arcadins,  sister  of  Theodosius  the  second,  and 
the  wife  of  Marciatius,  was  born  at  Constanti- 
nople (a.d.  399).  This  princess  was  associated 
in  the  imperial  government  by  her  brother,  from 
whom  she  received  the  rank  and  title  of  Augusta 
(a.d.  414).  Pulcheria’s  historical  character  is 
that  of  a woman,  as  virtuous  as  she  was  beautiful ; 
no  less  distinguished  for  charity  and  beneficence 
than  for  sweetness  of  temper  and  affability  of 
manners.  That  her  piety,  however,  partook  of 
the  ascetic  taint  of  the  age  in  which  she  lived, 
is  strongly  indicated  by  the  unconjugal  condition 


670  PUPIENUS. 

on  which,  after  the  death  of  Theodosius  (a.D. 
450),  she  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  and  a seat 
on  the  throne  of  empire  to  Marcianus — viz.,  that 
he  should  not  claim  his  rights  as  a husband,  but 
leave  her  to  live  chaste.  Accordingly  she  re- 
mained in  a state  of  perpetual  virginity,  and 
died  in  “the  odour  of  sanctity”  (a.d.  453). 
There  are  silver  and  gold  coins  of  Pulcheria 
extant,  but  they  are  of  extreme  rarity.  Bimard 
and  Beauvais  both  assert  the  non-existence  of 
any  brass  medals  of  this  empress,  but  Tanini 
gives  two  examples  of  third  brass  coinage  to  her 
reign,  which  Mionnet  recognises  as  genuine, 
and  values  at  twenty  francs  each. — Her  style  is 

ALE.  PVLCHERIA.  AVG. 

Pulli. — Two  chickens  are  seen  in  the  act  of 
feeding,  at  the  bottom  of  a tripod,  on  a silver 
coin  of  Lepidus.  A cockerel  appears  among  the 
insignia  of  the  augural  office  on  a denarius  of 
Mark  Antony. — See  avgvr. 

Punic  (or  Carthaginian)  characters. — We  find 
these  on  the  reverse  of  a silver  coin  of  Juba 
the  younger,  King  of  Mauretania,  whose  por- 
trait, and  title  in  Latin , is  engraved  on  the 
obverse. — See  ivba  rex. 

Puncta. — For  points  on  Roman  Coins,  espe- 
cially Consular,  see  Globulus. 

PUPIENUS  ( Marcus  Clodius),  with  the  sur- 
name of  Maximus,  born  about  the  year  of  Christ 
164,  of  humble  parentage,  attained,  through  the 
various  grades  of  military  rank  and  civil  sendee, 
to  the  highest  honours  and  powers  of  the  state. 
For  his  exploits  in  the  field  the  senate  received 
him  into  their  body ; made  praetor  and  twice 
elected  consul,  he  afterwards  governed  iu  succes- 
sion the  provinces  of  Bithynia  and  Gaul  with 
great  credit.  Victorious  over  the  Sarmatians 
and  the  Germans,  he  was  rewarded  with  the 
Prefecture  of  Rome,  and  discharged  that  respon- 
sible office  with  great  talent  and  prudence.  At 
length  he  was  elected  Emperor,  in  association 
with  Balbiuus,  about  the  year  237,  and  con- 
tributed by  his  courage,  activity,  and  generalship 
mainly  to  the  deliverance  ot  the  empire  from  the 
insupportable  tyranny  of  Maximinus.  On  the 
death  of  that  ferocious  Thracian  and  his  son,  the 
army  acknowledged  Pupienus  as  Augustus,  con- 
jointly with  Balbinus,  who  had  remained  at 
Rome.  This  virtuous  prince  was  lofty  in  statue, 
grave  in  demeanour,  and  venerable  in  aspect. 
Of  a melancholy  t urn  of  character,  he  was  strict, 
yet  humane ; firm  and  decisive,  without  rudeness 
or  irascibility.  Irreproachable  in  morals,  the 
friend  of  his  country  and  obedient  to  her  laws, 
he  rendered  impartial  justice  to  all,  and  main- 
tained discipline  amongst  the  soldiery.  After 
enjoying  for  a brief  space,  with  his  colleague, 
the  state  of  peace  which  he  had  procured  for  the 
empire,  Pupienus  was  preparing  to  carry  the 
Roman  arms  into  Persia,  when  he  and  Balbinus 
were  suddenly  dragged  from  the  imperial  palace 
by  the  Pnctori.au  guards,  and  massacred  in  the 
streets  of  Rome,  on  the  15th  of  July,  a.d.  238, 
in  his  74th  year,  after  having  reigned  three 
months  and  a few  days. 

On  his  coins,  which  are  rare  in  silver  and 
brass,  and  of  great  rarity  in  gold,  Pupienus  is 


PUPIENUS.— PUTEAL. 
styled  IMP.  CLOD.  PVPIENVS  AVG.— IMP 


CAES.  M.  CLOD.  PVPIENVS.  AVG.— IMP. 
CAES.  PVPIEN.  MAX  I MVS.  AVG.  On 
reverses  sometimes  Voter  Vat  rice  and  PATRES 
SENATNS.  The  silver  is  of  two  sizes,  the 
larger  of  which  exhibits  the  head  of  this  emperor 
with  the  radiated  crown.  The  second  brass  are 
very  rare,  and  so  are  such  of  the  first  brass  as 
have  the  title  of  Maximus  after  Pupienus. 

Puppis. — The  poop  or  hinder  part  of  a ship; 
the  image  of  which  does  not  appear  on  Roman 
coins  so  frequently  as  the  prora,  or  prow.  It 
was  on  the  puppis  or  stern  of  ancient  vessels,  as 
in  those  of  our  own  day,  that  the  pilot  or  helms- 
man (Gubernator)  took  his  station,  and  where 
the  commander  had  his  post.  This  part  of  tho 
ship  was  held  inviolably  sacred;  it  was  also  in 
the  larger  gallics  formed  into  a kind  of  temple, 
ornamented  with  crowns,  fillets,  aud  other 
religious  decorations  in  honour  of  the  gods. — On 
a medal  of  Hadrian,  the  Emperor  is  seated  on 
■the  poop  of  the  prietorian  galley,  and  Pallas  on 
the  prow. 

PI  I’EAL. — In  the  comilium,  or  place  of 
popular  assembly,  at  Rome,  there  is  said  to  have 
been  a spot,  on  which  a statue  of  Accius  Nievius 
(of  Tarquinius  Priscns’s  time)  was  placed,  because 
there  the  celebrated  augur  was  said  to  have 
severed,  or  caused  the  above-named  king  to  sever, 
the  whetstone  with  a razor.  Under  this  statue 
there  was  (according  to  Dionysius  Halicarnassus) 
a subterranean  cavity,  called  putcus  (a  well  or 
pit),  in  which  beneath  an  altar,  the  whetstone  of 
Accius  was  deposited ; over  the  well  a cover  was 
placed,  whence  it  derived  its  name  of  Put  eat.  But 
when  the  place  fell  into  decay,  Scriboitius  Libo, 
by  order  of  the  senate,  caused  it  to  be  restored, 
which  led  to  its  being  called  pitteal  scribo.vii, 
as  certain  denarii  show. — According  to  Beger’s 
opinion,  this  covering  to  the  well  was  called 
libo,  because  that  person  (see  Scribonia  fumilv) 
lived  in  the  vicinity,  or  because  it  was  erected 
or  repaired  at  his  expense.  Thus  Horace  would 
seem  to  infer  (lib.  1.  ep.  xix.  1.  8.) 

Forum  Putealque  Libonis. 

It  was,  however,  not  the  tribunal  itself,  but 
only  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  tribunal. — 
One  of  the  numerous  opinions  subsisting,  as 
well  among  ancient  authors  as  among  modern 
commentators,  respecting  this  place,  so  often 
alluded  to  in  Roman  history,  is  this,  that  on  some 
occasion  or  other,  lightuing  had  fallen  upon  it, 
and  that  in  consequence  a covered  well  was  con- 
structed there,  under  authority,  by  the  functionary 
whose  name  it  bears.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it 


PUTEAL. 

seems  agreed  on  all  hands  that  the  Puteal  of 
Libo  was  much  frequented,  as  a sort  of  exchange, 
by  the  commercial  and  banking  classes  of  Rome. 
— Sec  Scribonia. 

Spanheim  (Pr.  ii.,  p.  189)  contends  that  the 
Puteal  Libonis  or  Scribonii  ought  not  to  be  con- 
founded with  the  one  constructed  in  the  comitium, 
to  which  Cicero  refers. 

The  object  represented  on  medals  of  the 
Aemilia  and  Scribonia  families  looks  more  like 
an  altar  adorned  with  sculptured  flowers  than 
the  tribunal  or  scat  of  a prietor.  But  the  whole 
matter  remains  involved  in  obscurity,  and  is  too 
much  associated  with  fabulous  history,  and  too 
little  with  events  of  any  importance,  to  repay  or 
to  deserve  the  learned  researches  and  conjectures 
which  have  been  bestowed  on  it. 

Q- 

This  letter  (the  sixteenth  of  the  Latin  alphabet) 
by  itself  signifies  Quastor,  or  Quinarius,  or 
Quintus,  or  Quinquennalis,  or  Quod,  because 
q.  is  sometimes  put  for  c.  on  early  denarii,  as 
qv>f.  for  cvm.  in  the  Antestia  family. 

Q.  or  QV.  Quinquennalis. — Duumvir  or 

Quatuorvir  Quinquennalis,  a magistrate  peculiar 
to  some  Roman  colonies,  so  called  because  the 
term  of  his  government  was  limited  to  five 
years.  Two  or  four  of  these  magistrates  were 
elected  according  to  the  size  of  the  colonial 
city. — Quinquennalis  was  also  the  name  of  the 
Roman  censors,  who  exercised  their  office  for 
five  years. 

Q.  C.  Quintus  Cassius. — Name  of  a man. 

Q.  C.  M.  P.  I.  Quintus  Cacilius  Meteltus 
Pius  Imperator. — See  his  initials  among  the 
denarii  of  the  Crecilia  family. — These  are  the 
preuomen,  surname,  and  qualities  of  Quintus 
Metellus.Scipio,  who  served  as  Consul  v.c.  702, 
and  was  a contemporary  of  Pompey  the  Great. 
He  was  the  natural  son  of  P.  Cornelius  Scipio 
Nasica,  but  adopted  by  Q.  Metellus  Pius 
Pontifex  Maximus. 

Q.  DES.  Quastor  Designalus. — The  Qua:stor 
Elect. 

Q.  HER.  ETR.  MES.  DEC.  NOB.  C. 
Quintus  Herennius  Etruscus  Messius  Decius 
Nobilis  Casar. 

Q. M.  Quint usMarcius. — Praenomen andname. 

Q.  O.  C.  F.  or  FAB.  Quinto  Ogulnio  (et) 
Caio  Fabio. — Preuomen  and  name  respectively 
of  two  men. 

Q.  P.  Quastor  Pratoris,  or  Pralorius,  or 
Pratorianorum. — Qurestor  of  the  Praetor,  or  of 
the  Praetorians. 

Q.  PAPIR.  CAR.  Q.  TER.  MON.  Quinto 
Papirio  Carbone  (et)  Quinto  Terentio  Montano. 

Q.  PR.  Quastor  Promncialis. — The  Qumstor 
of  the  Province. 

Q.  PRO.  C.  or  COS.  Quastor  Proconsulis. — 
The  Proconsul’s  Quaestor. 

QQ.  Quinquennales. — QQ.  II.  Quinquen- 

nales  Iterum. — Quinquenals  for  the  second  time. 

QVAD.  Quadrans. — The  fourth  part  of  a 
Roman  As,  that  is  to  say  three  uncue. — See  As. 

QVAD.  Quadralus. — Name  of  a man. 


QUADRAGENS.  671 

Quadi  — A nation  or  tribe  formerly  inhabit- 
ing that  part  of  Europe  now  called  Bohemia ; 
as  the  Marcomanni  occupied  the  modern 
Moravia,  and  the  country  bordering  upon 
Austria.  The  Quadi  accepted  kings  at  the 
hands  of  the  Roman  Emperors,  and  frequent 
mention  is  made  of  them  in  the  annals  of  the 
reign  of  Marcus  Aurelius. 

QVADIS. — See  rex  qvadis  datvs. 

QVADORVM  TRIVMPHVS.— See 
Triumphus. 

QVADRAGENSVM  (sic)  REMISSA.  S.  C. 
On  second  brass  of  Galba,  or  on  others. 

QVADRAGENS.  REMISSAE.  S.  C.  (first 
and  second  brass),  or  QVADRAGENSVMA 
REMISSA.,  or  XXXX  REMISSAE.,  with 
types  of  a triumphal  arch. — These  legends  refer 
to  the  remission  made  by  the  Emperor  above 
named,  either  of  a tax  called  the  fortieth,  or  of 
the  fortieth  part  of  certain  imposts. 

Eckhel’s  remarks  on  this  subject  are  in  sub- 
stance as  follows  : — That  Galba  was  unseasonably 
parsimonious  is  the  concurrent  affirmation  of  all 
historians — that  there  was,  however  an  occasion 
in  which  he  showed  some  little  liberality  of 
disposition,  and  doubtless  immediately  on  his 
accession  to  the  empire  for  the  sake  of  conciliating 
public  favour,  is  proved  by  these  medals,  which 
proclaim  a benefit  conceded  on  his  part  to  the 
people,  amounting  to  the  remission,  or  at  least 
the  reduction  of  a tax  (quadragesima  remissa). 
To  this  may  be  added  the  testimony  given  by 
implication  in  that  passage  of  Suetonius,  stating 
that  Vespasian  reinforced  the  fiscal  burthen 
remitted  under  Galba  (omissa  sub  Galba  vecti- 
ga/ia  revocasse) .” — What  was  the  nature  of  the 
quadragesima,  and  whether  the  abolition  of 
this  tax  was  the  act  of  Galba — for  there  are  some 
who,  from  what  Tacitus  has  written,  assign  this 
boon  to  Nero — are  points  which  the  learned  do 
not  seem  to  have  ascertained,  although  it 
would  appear  that  the  law  alluded  to  as  having 
been  repealed  in  this  instance  was  one  by  which 
the  fortieth  part  of  the  property  of  individuals 
was  required  to  be  brought  into  the  publio 
treasury. 

Quadrans. — Three  globules  are  the  certain 
token  of  the  Quadrans,  or  of  the  as  divided  into 
four  parts,  and  the  head  of  Hercules  is  the 
equally  sure  type. 

Quadrans — The  brass  coin  so  called  had  its 
name  from  a mark  of  three  globules,  originally 
denoting  three  uncia,  whilst  the  as  weighed  a 
pound  (libra),  hut  in  the  second  Punic  war  it 
was  reduced  to  one  uncia. 

Quadranlis  not  a. — The  mark  of  Vac  quadrans, 
namely,  three  globules  struck  on  each  side  of 
the  coin,  and  indicating  its  price,  is  to  be  seen  on 
coins  of  many  Roman  families.  On  the  obverse  of 
this  money  appears  either  the  head  of  Hercules, 
covered  with  the  spoils  of  the  lion,  as  in  Aburia 
and  Acilia,  &c. ; or  the  head  of  Mercury,  as  in 
Fabrinia,  or  the  head  of  Rome  helmeted,  as  in 
the  Apuleia  and  other  families ; on  the  reverse 
of  these  early  brass  coins  of  Rome,  the  repre- 
sentation of  a ship  is  to  be  observed,  whence 
their  appellation  of  numi  ratiti. — See  As. 


672  QUADRIGA. 

Quadriga. — A chariot  drawn  by  four  horses, 
by  four  elephants,  or  indeed  by  four  animals  of 
any  other  kind.  The  quadriga  on  coins  docs 
not  always  signify  a triumph,  for  it  was  also 
employed  in  the  consular  procession,  and  in 
the  conveyance  of  him  who  was  victor  at  the 
public  games.  In  like  manner  it  was  used  at 
the  funeral  ceremony  of  an  Emperor’s  con- 
secration. (Froelich,  Num.  Reg.  p.  79,  80.) — 
The  right  of  using  quadriga  in  the  processus 
consularis,  or  at  the  assuming  of  the  tribunitian 

power,  was  bestowed  by  the  senate. Sec 

Car. 

Quadriga. — On  a medal  of  M.  Aurelius,  in 
memory  of  Faustina  jun.,  is  a quadriga  of 
elephants  drawing  a thensa,  with  a statue  of 
the  deceased  empress ; and  on  a coin  of  Con- 
stantine the  Great,  who,  veiled,  is  carried 
upwards  in  a quadriga,  a hand  from  above  being 
extended  to  receive  him.  We  see  a quadriga 
placed  on  the  summit  of  the  funeral  pile  (rogus) 
on  the  consecration  medals  of  M.  Aurelius, 
Sept.  Sevcrus,  and  Constantius  Chlorus. — See 

CONSEC  RATIO. 

The  Quadriga  (and  the  same  remark  applies 
to  the  Biga  and  Triga),  which  so  frequently 
occur  on  coins  of  Roman  families,  do  not  relate 
to  the  honours  of  the  triumph,  as  we  learn  from 
an  historical  dissertation  published  by  the  French 
Academy  of  Inscriptions. — On  some  coins,  both 
consular  and  imperial,  xvc  see  a quadriga,  without 
a driver,  and  without  any  figure  standing  or 
sitting  in  it,  hut  only  a flower,  or  some  orna- 
mental object,  as  in  Aquilia,  and  coins  of 
Augustus,  ami  in  Titus.  On  others  a legionary 
eagle  appears  in  the  quadriga,  as  on  a coin  of 
Augustus. 

Quadriga  of  horses  and  elephants  arc  seen 
placed  on  the  summit  of  triumphal  arches  in 
coins  of  Julius,  Augustus,  Tiberius,  Nero,  Galba, 
Domitian,  Trajan. — A car  with  four  horses,  ou 
which  is  a species  of  cone,  or  stone,  with  four 
small  vexilla,  or  standards,  appears  on  gold 
and  silver  of  Elagabalus,  with  the  epigraph  of 
sanct.  deo  sou  ELAGABAi,.  (See  the  In- 
scription ) — A quadriga  of  centaurs,  carrying 
Hercules,  appears  on  a medallion  of  M.  Aurelius. 
— See  TEMPO RVM  FELICITAS. 

Quadriga,  in  which  the  Emperor  himself  is 
the  charioteer,  is  a type  of  very  frequent 
occurrence,  and  extends  through  the  Imperial 
series  from  Julius  Cmsar,  Augustus,  Tiberius, 
Caligula,  Vespasian,  Domitian,  and  so  on  down 
to  Placidius  Valentinianus. — Some  Roman  Em- 
perors are  represented  on  coins  standing  in 
quadrigie,  who  took  no  triumphal  honours  ; and 
in  these  cases  wc  must  suppose  the  medals  to 
refer  to  their  having  participated  in  the  pompous 
solemnity  of  the  consular  procession,  as  those 
coins  indicate,  on  which  the  imperial  functionary 
tcagqons  his  own  team  of  four,  with  the  inscrip- 
tion FEL.  PROCES. 

Quadriga,  in  which  the  Emperor  is  crowned 
by  Victory,  whilst  a prietorian  soldier  leads  the 
horses,  and  another  or  more  prictorinns  follow 
the  cur,  appears  on  coins  of  Gordiauus  l’ius, 
Alex.  Severn*,  Probus. 


QUADRIGA. 

Quadriga,  in  which  are  the  figures  of  two 
Emperors,  occur  on  coins  of  Titus,  M.  Aurelius 
and  L.  Verus;  of  M.  Aurelius  aud  Commodus; 
the  two  Philips,  Trcb.  Gallus  and  Volusiatius ; 
Cams  and  Nuincrianus ; Diocletian  and  Val. 
Maximian.  In  all  these  the  Emperors  are 
crowned  by  standing  or  flying  Victories,  and 
preceded  and  followed  by  soldiers  bcariug 
trophies.  On  a medal  of  Valerianus  senior, 
with  legend  of  felicitas  temporvm,  the 
Emperor  and  his  two  sons  appear  in  a quadriga — 
and  there  is  a medallion  selected  by  Vaillant 
from  the  collection  of  De  Camjts  (p.  109), 
wherein  Victory  crowms  Valerian,  stauding 
between  his  two  sons — all  in  the  same  quadriga, 
the  four  horses  of  which  are  led  by  two  soldiers, 
one  on  each  side. 

Jupiter  standing  in  a quadriga  is  the  dis- 
tinguishing mark  of  those  quiuarii  and- denarii 
called  quadrigati  (that  is  to  say  haring  the 
stamp  of  a chariot  on  them),  which  belong  to 
the  class  of  family  coins. — In  Vaillaut’s  selection 
from  the  De  Camps  cabinet  (p.  31),  we  see  a 
bronze  medallion  of  M.  Aurelius,  in  which 
Jupiter,  driving  furiously  in  a quadriga,  shakes 
his  thunderbolt  at  the  King  of  the  Quadi,  who 
is  falling  prostrate  on  the  ground  at  the  horses’ 
feet. 

Mars,  Neptune,  Pallas,  Pluto,  Sol,  and 
other  deities  of  pagan  worship  appear  on  a 
variety  of  coins,  and  the  favourite  Genius  of 
Victory  guides  the  four  horses  of  the  Roman 
car,  on  numerous  denarii  both  consular  and 
•imperial. 

Quadriga  Consulares. — These  in  memory  of 
the  pomp  and  circumstance  attendant  on  the 
consular  procession,  appear  on  coins  of  M. 
Aurelius  and  of  Alexander  Severus,  aud  also  on 
denarii  of  the  Cacilia  family ; in  these  the  consul 
holds  the  ivory  sceptre  in  his  right  and  reins  of 
the  horses  in  his  left  hand,  aud  in  some  instances 
is  crowned  by  a Victory  behind  Similar  memo- 
rials of  proconsular  and  of  propratorian  honours 
were  recorded  by  the  mint  of  Republican  Rome. 

Quadriga  Triump hales. — Amongst  the  chariots 
with  four  horses  represented  on  consular  medals, 
are  those  which  are  regarded  as  triumphal,  and 
in  which  the  triumpher  stands  crowmed  with 
laurel,  and  holding  the  scipio  eburnens.  In 
these  they  appear  going  at  a slow'  pace  as  if  in  a 
state  procession.  A figure  of  Victory,  more- 
over, stauding  in  a quadriga  with  a palm  branch, 
and  a crown  above,  also  designates  the  occasion 
of  a triumph,  whilst  the  head  nnd  name  of 
Rome,  on  the  obverse  of  the  medal  serves  as  a 
fit  symbol  of  the  subject. — Triumphal  quadriga 
were  drawn  not  only  by  horses,  hut  also  by 
elephants,  and  indeed  sometimes  their  drivers  or 
conductors  were  hoys,  an  rxample  of  which  was 
for  the  first  time  given  in  the  case  of  L. 
Mctellus,  who  triumphed  over  the  Carthaginians 
in  the  first  Puuic  war.  [Baudrlot,  quoted  by 
Rasehe.] — On  a silver  coin  of  Augustus  (caes. 
i mi\)  a figure  stands  in  a triumphal  quadriga, 
holding  a laurel  ciown  in  the  right  hand  — 
Vaillant  (ii.  p.  29)  states  it  to  have  been  struck, 
on  the  occasion  of  the  triple  triumph,  which 


QUADRIGA. — QUiESTORES. 

Augustus  enjoyed  in  the  year  725,  for  the 
victory  gained,  in  the  preceding  year,  over 
Mark  Antony;  from  which  circumstance  he 
wore  a crown  of  laurel  as  the  conqueror  of  all 
his  foes. 

Quadriga  E/ephantorum. — These  arc  rarely 
represented  on  the  coins  of  Roman  families  ; hut 
on  coins  of  the  Imperial  series  their  occurrence 
is  not  un frequent.  The  honour  of  thi3  species 
of  quadriga  is  found  bestowed  on  Augustus, 
Tiberius,  Caligula,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Antoninus 
Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Verus,  after  their  deaths, 
as  the  words  Divo  and  consecratio  inscribed 
on  such  coins  of  those  emperors  shew. — Nero 
and  liis  mother  Agrippina,  arc  represented 
sitting  in  a car  drawn  hy  four  elephants. 
Diocletian  and  Yal.  Maximian  appear  on  a 
medallion  in  Banduri,  standing  in  a mag- 
nificent triumphal  chariot  drawn  by  four  ele- 
phants, on  whose  shoulders  sit  as  many  drivers. 
One  of  the  Emperors  carries  a trophy,  aud 
behind  them  hovers  a Victory. 

Quadrig  rtus,  an  early  Roman  coin,  so  called 
from  quadriga. — “ The  marks  of  silver  money 
were  biga  and  quadriga , and  hence  their 
appellations  (says  Pliny)  of  bigati  aud  quadrigati. 
That  piece  of  money  which  is  now  (he  adds) 
called  Fictoriatus,  was  struck  under  the  Lex 
Clodia.  It  wras  also  stamped  with  the  figure  of 
Victory,  and  thence  derived  its  name. — In  the 
course  of  time,  however,  the  types  of  denarii 
varied.  For  each  individual  magistrate,  at  his 
own  will  and  pleasure,  placed  on  the  coin  which 
he  was  officially  privileged  to  have  struck,  that 
particular  god  or  goddess,  who  was  the  favourite 
object  of  his  worship,  or  whom  for  any  other 
reason  he  might  choose  in  that  manner  to  honour. 
Thus  for  example  C.  Licinius  Macer  represented 
Pallas  wearing  a helmet,  in  a car  drawn  hy 
four  horses  at  full  speed.  In  like  manner  C. 
Aburius  stamped  his  deuarii  with  the  figure  of 
Mars,  as  his  brother  M.  Aburius  did  that  of 
the  Sun. 

Quadrussis,  a coin  of  the  Romans,  of  the 
weight  and  value  of  four  asses,  with  the  figure 
of  an  ox  on  each  side. 

Quastores. — The  quaestors  were  magistrates, 
thus  named,  amongst  the  Romans,  from  the 
duties  attached  to  their  office,  which  was  the 
first  and  the  lowest  in  public  honours.  Their 
origin  seems  to  have  been  very  ancient,  but 
whether  it  was  coeval  or  not  with  the  regal  insti- 
tutions of  Rome  old  writers  and  modern  com- 
mentators are  not  agreed.  Be  this  as  it  may, 
the  quaestor  was  a public  treasurer,  a kind  of 
receiver  general  of  taxes  and  tributes,  whose 
function  was  to  watch  over  the  sources  of 
revenue,  and  to  detect  aud  bring  to  justice  the  per- 
petrators of  peculations  and  frauds  in  that  depart- 
ment. At  first,  there  were  only  two  qutestors 
appointed,  but  afterwards  their  number  was 
increased  to  four.  Two  of  these  were  assigned 
to  the  city,  and  the  other  two  were  appointed  to 
accompany  the  consuls,  in  time  of  war,  as  pay- 
masters in  the  armies. — Towards  the  close  of 
the  republic,  the  number  of  these  magistrates 
was  still  further  augmented.  Sylla  created  as 
4 R 


QU.ESTOKES.  073 

many  as  twenty  of  them  ; Julius  Cccsar  appointed 
forty ; and  under  the  empire  there  were  no  limits 
to  their  number.  One  portion  of  them  was 
named  by  the  prince,  the  other  by  the  senate 
and  people.  It  was  customary  for  the  booty 
taken  in  war  to  be  sold  by  the  qiuestors.  As 
the  boundaries  of  the  empire  extended  them- 
selves, the  discretionary  power  of  these  officers 
was  great. 

As  the  quscstorship  was  the  first,  so  it  was 
frequently  an  effectual,  step  towards  the  attain- 
ment of  the  highest  honours  among  the  Romans. 
“ The  fidelity  of  the  quoestorship,  the  mag- 
nificence of  the  edileship,  the  punctuality  and 
integrity  of  the  pne torsi!  ip,  opened  a sure  path 
to  the  consulate.” 

Quastura. — The  quscstorship  was  of  a two- 
fold kind.  There  were  the  quastores  urbani, 
who  presided  over  the  treasury,  and  were  for 
that  reason  called  quastores  ararii.  There 
were  also  the  quastores  provinciates,  who  were 
usually  sent  with  the  governors  ( rectores ) into 
the  provinces,  and  who  sometimes  presided  in 
the  absence  of  those  governors.  No  one  was 
eligible  to  the  quarstorship  who  had  not  com- 
pleted his  twenty-sixth  or  twenty-seventh  year. 
When  a person  had  served  this  office,  he  might 
go  into  the  senate,  although  he  might  not  yet 
be  a senator.  The  qufestorship  was  abolished 
and  re-established  several  times  under  the 
emperors. 

Quastores  Urbani. — The  quaestors  of  the 
city  exercised  their  functions  within  the  walls  of 
"Rome.  Besides  being  entrusted,  as  has  been 
already  stated,  with  the  custody  of  the  public 
money,  with  the  receipt  of  tributes  and  imposts, 
and  with  the  expenditure  of  the  state  revenue, 
they  had  in  their  keeping  the  laws  and  senatus 
consutta ; and  when  the  consuls  went  forth  in 
their  capacity  at  the  head  of  the  troops  against 
an  enemy,  the  quaestors  brought  to  them  the 
military  ensigns  from  the  treasury.  It  was  also 
the  duty  of  the  same  class  of  functionaries  to 
give  the  first  reception  to  the  ambassadors  or 
envoys  of  foreign  nations,  to  shew  them  hos- 
pitality, provide  for  their  accommodation,  and 
conduct  them  to  an  audience  with  the  supreme 
authorities  of  the  republic.  Frequent  mention 
is  made  of  quaestors  on  the  coins  of  Roman 
families,  the  name  of  the  consul  or  consuls 
being  also  thereon  recorded. 

On  a denarius  of  the  Neria  family,  the  head 
of  Saturn  (as  designated  by  the  harpa  or  sickle 
behind  it)  is  accompanied  by  the  inscription  NEIU 
Q.  vkb.  (Quastor  Ur  bonus). — On  the  other  side 
of  the  coin  is  a legionary  eagle  between  two 
standards,  with  the  epigraph  of  l.  lent,  c.- 
marc.  cos.  (See  Neria). — Here  then,  as  Ecklicl 
remarks,  is  not  only  the  image  of  Saturn,  hut 
the  title  of  Quastor  added  to  the  name  of  Nerius, 
whilst  military  ensigns  present  themselves  on  the 
reverse.  Thus  it  plainly  appears  not  only  that 
the  Qumstors  were  prefects  of  the  treasury 
(prafecti  ararii),  but  also,  what  Plutarch 
teaches  and  inscriptions  confirm,  that  the  treasury 
itself  was  the  temple  of  Saturn.  “But  (adds  the 
German  numismatist)  what  have  the  signa  mili - 


674  QUiESTORES. 

taria  to  do  with  the  quicstor  ship  ? Rightly  this, 
that  those  things  were  preserved  in  the  temple  of 
Saturn,  assigned  to  the  care  of  the  quaestors. 
This  is  expressly  stated  by  Livy.  And  thus  we 
have  a clear  explanation  of  the  cause  why  the 
Quicstor  Nerius  placed  the  head  of  Saturn  and 
the  military  standards  on  his  denarius.  One 
more  fact  of  interest  may  he  gathered  in  refer- 
ence to  time.  From  the  names  of  the  consuls, 
L.  Lcntulus  and  C.  Marccllus,  being  inscribed 
on  this  denarius  it  is  manifest  that  it  svas  struck 
in  the  year  of  Rome  705 — that  year  in  which 
Julius  Caesar,  eager  to  possess  himself  of  the 
public  money,  broke  open  and  plundered  the 
treasury ; L.  Metellus,  tribune  of  the  people, 
who  endeavoured  to  defend  the  sacred  wealth  of 
the  republic,  by  opposiug  his  person  to  the 
violence  of  Caesar,  being  driven  from  his  post 
through  fear  of  death.  It  therefore  pleased  the 
Quicstor  Nerius,  who,  together  with  the  consuls 
had  left  the  city  from  dread  of  Caesar’s  power  and 
vengeance,  to  insert  on  this  medal  (for  the  pur- 
pose of  increasing  popular  hatred  against  the 
perpetrator  of  such  sacrilege)  the  head  of  Saturn, 
whose  very  divinity  had  by  force  been  violated.” 

Quastores  Provinciates. — The  quaestors  of 
proviuces  accompanied  the  proconsuls  and  pro- 
prietors to  the  appointed  scats  of  provincial 
government,  as  superintendents  over  that 
department  through  which  provisions  and 
money  were  supplied  to  the  soldiers — or 
(in  modern  phraseology  to  express  it)  as  heads 
of  the  commissariat.  If  it  happened  that  a 
governor  left  his  province  before  the  arrival 
of  his  successor,  the  quaestor  performed  his 
functions  during  the  interval.  Under  such  cir- 
cumstances the  quaestor  was  called  Qiuestor  Pro- 
prcelore  (as  inscribed  marbles  show)  or  Qiuestor 
Proconsule,  as  is  read  on  a denarius  (quoted  by 
Spanheim)  Ml  sii.anvs.  avo.  q.  procos. — 
Quaestors  went  out  from  Rome  to  the  provinces, 
by  authority  of  a senatus  consultum ; and  when 
money  was  struck  in  those  provinces,  “ there  is 
no  doubt  (says  Eckhcl)  but  that  the  care  and 
mastership  of  the  provincial  mint  devolved  ou 
the  quaestors.  The  words  of  Cicero  (in  epistola 
ad  Plancum)  expressly  confirms  this  fact  that 
the  same  kind  of  services  were  performed  by  the 
queestores provinciates,  that  constituted  the  duties 
of  the  mouctal  triumvirs  at  Rome.  For  cither 
they  inscribed  their  names  alone,  or  those  of 
the  proconsul  or  the  proprietor,  with  whom  they 
were  sent  to  the  province,  or  the  name  of  the 
quicstor  was  joined  to  that  of  the  proconsul. 
Of  this  an  example  is  offered  on  coins  of  the 
Annia  family,  on  one  side  of  which  appears  c. 
annivs  procos.,  on  the  other  q.  TARqvrri. 
Quaestor.” 

The  curulc  chair  was  uot  included  amongst 
the  privileged  distinctions  of  (he  quicstor,  unless 
the  individual  himself  had  been  proconsul. — Thev 
had  the  fasces  and  indeed  the  lietors  in  the  pro- 
vinces, but  without  the  axes.  Vnillant,  in  his 
Colonies,  shews  the  quastor  provincial^  on  coins 
of  the  Antonia  family — also  an  example  of  two 
quicstors  under  one  and  the  same  proconsul. 
Fart  of  the  qurcstor’s  office  was  the  importation 


QUART1NUS. — QUI  LUDIT  ARRAM. 

of  wheat  from  the  corn-growing  provinces  to 
Rome  and  other  parts  of  Italy. 

QVAR.  Qiiarlum. — As  cos.  qvAR.  Consul 
for  the  fourth  time. 

QUART  I XUS  (Titus). — Proclaimed  Emperor 
iu  Germany  during  the  reign  of  Maximinus; 
and  slain  shortly  after  his  assumption  of  the 
purple.  To  this  personage  has  been  attributed 
a denarius  of  base  silver,  bearing  on  one  side 
nivo  tito,  and  ou  its  reverse  consecbatio. 
It  is,  however,  says  Eckhel,  sufficiently  evident 
that  the  coin  in  question  is  one  referring  to 
Titus  Vespasian,  and  is  of  the  number  of  those 
which  about  the  time  of  Trcbonianus  Callus 
were  struck  in  honour  of  the  memory  of  conse- 
crated Cicsars.  Itcrodiauus  calls  the  usurper 
Qudrtinus.  Mcdiobarbus,  who  has  engraved  the 
coin,  names  him  Quarcinns,  and  makes  the 
strange  mistake  of  ascribing  it  to  an  ephemeral 
tyrant  whose  name  is  not  rncutioucd  iu  the 
inscription,  and  whose  pranomen  is  scarcely 
ascertained,  some  writers  calling  him  Tyrus, 
others  Titus. 

Qnartuorviri  monetales. — Four  joint  masters 
of  the  Roman  mint,  appointed  by  Julius  Osar, 
who  (according  to  Suetonius)  had  increased  the 
number  of  the  iuferior  magistrates,  and  added 
one  to  that  of  the  monetary  triumvirs.  Accord- 
ingly, under  the  supreme  triumvirate  of  Lcpidus, 
Antony,  and  Octavianus,  we  find  1 1 1 1 . VlRr. 
inscribed  on  the  denarii  of  iEmilius  lluca,  P. 
Clodius,  L.  Flaminius,  Liviueius  Regtdus, 
Maridianus,  and  others. — Sec  Triumviri. 

Quercea  Corona,  commonly  called  the  civic 
crown.  Such  a crown  of  oak  leaves  was 
granted  to  him  who  saved  a citizen,  as  one  of 
laurel  was  awarded  to  the  victor  in  battle. — The 
corona  quercea  was  offered  by  the  curulc  ediles 
to  Jupiter,  as  to  the  supreme  preserver  of  the 
citizens,  previous  to  the  celebration  of  the 
games,  and  whilst  sacred  rites  were  paid  to  him 
in  the  capitol.  Before  the  doors  of  Augustus’s 
house  on  the  Palatine  hill,  crowns  of  oak  were 
renewed  yearly  in  the  kalends  of  March,  because 
he  was,  in  the  language  of  Roman  flattery, 
‘‘perpetuus  hostium  victor  ac  civium  senator." 
— See  Corona. 

Qitercus.- — The  oak  tree  was,  with  the  ancients, 
held  sacred  to  Jupiter.  It  was  also  consecrated 

to  Juno. 

QVIES  AVGG.  or  AVGVSTORVM.  The 
rest  or  repose  of  the  Emperors. — This  legend 
cither  abbreviated  or  at  full  length  (with 
the  accompanying  type  of  a woman,  in  the 
stola,  with  a laurel  branch  in  one  hand,  and  the 
hasta  pura  in  the  other)  ap]>cars  on  coins  of 
Diocletian  and  Val.  Maximianus  struck  after 
their  abdication  of  the  Empire.  “ .Viter  having 
prosperously  governed  the  empire  for  the  period 
of  twenty  long  years  (says  Harduin)  the  Quiet 
Augnstorum  (by  the  voluntary  resignation  of 
their  imperial  power  and  retirement  into  private 
life)  is  here  recorded  ns  a subject  of  commenda- 
tion.” 

QVI  I,  YD  IT  ARRAM  DET  QVOD 

SATIS  SIT. — Ou  the  reverse  of  a third  brass 
coin,  or  tessera,  published  by  Peter  Scguin 


QUI  LUDIT  ARRA.M. 

fSelecta  Numismata  Antigua)  appeal's  this 
remarkable  legend,  accompanied  by  the  type  ot 
four  astragali,  or  tali  lusorii  (bones  of  lour 
sides  to  play  with — in  other  words  gamesters’ 
dice.) — On  the  obverse  of  this  piece  is  the  head 
of  a womau,  with  the  letter  c.  on  one  side  and 
s.  on  the  other. 

Seguin  calls  this  the  medal  of  Sors.  He 
supposes  the  female  head  to  be  that  of  the 
ancient  goddess  of  chance,  or  destiny,  and  that 
the  letters  C.  and  s.  placed  near  it  arc  to  be 
explained  Casus,  Sors,  influences  which  certainly 
govern  most  games,  and  especially  that  of  the 
dice.  The  reverse  of  this  tessera  contains  a 
saying  of  the  gaming  table — namely,  let  him 
who  plays  put  down  arram,  or  his  stake  of 
mouey,  as  agreed  upon  by  the  rule  of  the  game. 
The  subject  itself  therefore  shows  (says  Eckliel) 
to  what  uses  small  coins  of  a similar  description 
were  applied.  Bet,  quod  satis  sit,  is  a known 
form  of  legal  expression,  employed  in  testa- 
mentary documents. 

Baudelot  de  Dairval  thinks  that  this  medal 
may  be  interpreted  oy  referring  the  c.  and  the 
S.  on  the  side  of  the  head  to  the  feast  of  the 
Saturnalia  at  Home,  and  reads  it  Conti  Satur- 
nalia or  Consulto  Saturni,  or  Consuetudine 
Saturnatiorum,  or  Convivio  Soluto,  in  joining 
it  with  this  legend  of  the  reverse,  Qui  ludit 
arram  det  quod  satis  sit,  which  is  in  the 
midst  of  the  four  little  pieces  of  bone,  as  above 
described. — Indeed  it  is  certainly  (adds  the 
ingenious  author  of  L’Utilile  des  Voyages ) that 
the  ancients  made  few  festivities  which  did  not 
terminate  in  play,  as  among  other  expressions 
of  Plautus,  thisyVw  de  mots  demonstrates  : 
Accuratote  ut  sine  talis,  domi  agitent  convivium. 

Be  careful  that  they  Itave  not  the  liberty  at 
mine  to  make  feasts ; which  means,  drive  them 
away  from  my  house.  The  poet  avails  himself 
of  a quirk  or  pun  of  the  common  people,  which 
plays  upon  the  Tali,  or  small  bones,  because 
that  word  in  the  plural  expresses  the  same 
thing.  Lucian  makes  Saturn  order  that  folks 
slioidd  play  particularly  at  that  game;  and 
Macrobius,  saying  that  the  Saturnalia  did  not 
anciently  begin  till  the  14th  of  the  January 
kalends,  adds — Quo  solo  die  apud  tedem 
Saturni  convivio  dissoluto,  SAT  vena  LI  A.  clami- 
tabantur.  Sat.  c.  x. — On  which  day  only,  at  the 
end  of  the  banquet  given  in  the  temple  of  Saturn, 
they  made  the  cry,  or  exclamation  of  Saturnalia. 
Thus  the  medal  should  be  a symbol  of  those 
festivals,  and  for  the  feast  of  some  quarter,  and 
for  the  gaming  which  is  about  to  take  place. 
For  there  arc  marks  which  were  so  called  at  that 
time — Symbotum  dedit,  cvenavit:  “ he  has 

given  his  sign  and  has  supped,”  says  an  actor 
in  the  Andria.  Baudclot  goes  on  to  adduce 
another  passage  from  Macrobius,  which  seems  to 
him  capable  of  throwing  light  on  the  medal  of 
Monsieur  Seguin;  but,  at  the  same  time,  he 
confesses  himself  (as  well  he  may)  to  be  not  yet 
entirely  satisfied.  For  instance,  he  admits  that 
he  is  totally  at  a loss  to  conceive  whose  was  the 
female  head  on  the  obverse ; but  a learned 
4R2 


QUIETUS.— QUINARIUS.  675 

friend  of  his,  he  adds,  had  no  hesitation  in 
pronouncing  it  to  be  that  of  Copa  Syrisca,  a 
famous  woman  of  Rome,  who  kept  an  academy 
for  gambling,  feasting,  and  lascivious  dancing ; 
and  was  the  subject  of  an  epigram  written  by 
Virgil,  in  which  her  Greek  head-dress  (caput 
Grata  redimita  mitelld),  and  her  accommoda- 
tions for  drinking  and  gaming  ( merum  el  la/os) 
are  alluded  to  in  a lively  manner.  This  rich 
and  luxurious  courtezan,  it  is  remarked  by  the 
friend  of  Baudelot,  could  well  afford  to  have 
her  portrait  engraved  on  the  symbol  (the 
tessera)  which  she  was  accustomed  to  bestow  on 
those  who  frequented  her  abode;  and  also  to  have 
inscribed  thereon  the  first  letters  of  her  name — 
c.  s.  Copa  Syrisca.  Be  this  as  it  may,  com- 
paring the  Pone  merum  et  talos  of  the  epigram 
with  the  bones  delineated  on  the  reverse  of  the 
medal  in  question,  Baudelot  de  Dairval  thinks 
they  do  not  ill  serve  to  confirm  the  conjecture 
which  he  has  endeavoured  to  explain — namely, 
that  the  legend  and  type  of  this  singular  medalet 
bear  reference  to  the  Saturnalian  celebrations 
at  Rome.  This  piece  is  engraved  in  Pinkerton’s 
Essay  on  Medals. 

QVIETVS  (Caius  Fu/vius),  second  son  of 
Macrianus  (one  of  the  numerous  usurpers  that 
assumed  the  imperial  title  and  authority  in  most 
of  the  Roman  provinces  under  the  reigns  of 
Valerianus  and  of  Gal- 
lienus),  was  first  named 
Cicsar,  and  afterwards 
also  Augustus,  about  the 
beginning  of  a.d.  261. 
His  father  and  brother, 
however,  having  been 
overcome  and  slain  by 
Aureolus,  who  afterwards 
himself  assumed  the  pur- 
ple, Quietus  fled  into  Asia,  and  for  a short,  time 
occupied  Emesa,  where  he  was  besieged  by 
Odenatus,  Prince  of  Palmyra,  and  being  taken 
prisoner  was  put  to  death  a.d.  262. — Born  with 
heroic  qualities,  he  early  distinguished  himself 
iu  arms,  and  shewed  great  talents  for  government 
both  civil  aud  military.  But  the  Quies  Augus- 
torum  was  not  enjoyed  by  Quietus. — On  his 
coins  he  is  styled  IMP.  C.  FVLw’im  QVIETVS 
P.F.  AVG.  All  the  medals  of  this  prince  arc  of 
billon  or  in  small  brass,  and  very  rare. 

QVIN.  Quinquennalis. — The  censors  in 

Roman  colonies  were  called  Duum  viri  Quinquen- 
nales,  because  they  were  elected  every  five 
years.— P.  POSTV;«i«i  ALBINVS  II.  VIR. 
QVIN.  ITEll.  Duumvir  Quinquennalis Iterum. 
— See  Q. 

Quinarius. — This  word  sufficiently  indicates 
that  the  piece  of  money  so  called  was  the  half 
of  the  denarius.  The  mark  of  this  coin 
was  v.,  as  beiug  worth  five  asses,  or  five 
lbs.  in  brass  money.  On  some,  as  on  those 
of  the  Egnatuleia  family,  the  mark  is  Q., 
namely,  the  initial  letter  of  Quinarius.  In  the 
most  ancient  quinarii,  as  also  iu  the  sestertii, 
the  types  were  the  same  as  in  the  denarii, 
namely,  the  head  of  Pallas  with  a winged 
helmet. — Rev.  roma  and  the  Dioscuri  (Castor 


676  QUINCTIA.— QUINDECIMVIRI. 

and  Pollux)  on  horseback. — At  a later  period,  I 
however,  a figure  of  Victory  became  its  perpetual 
type — now  occupying  the  obverse,  now  trans- 
ferred to  the  reverse  side  of  the  coin.  It  also 
appears  in  various  postures,  sometimes  standing, 
at  others  sitting;  now  erecting  a trophy,  now 
in  the  act  of  doing  something  else.  “ Out  of  so 
large  a number  of  quinarii  as  are  extant,  I see 
(says  Ecldiel)  extremely  few  that  have  any  other 
type  than  Victoria,  viz.,  those  which  were 
struck  by  C'ordius,  Mettius,  Pappius,  and 
Cestius.  The  quinarii  coined  in  the  times  of 
the  emperors  conform  to  the  same  rule,  having 
rarely  any  other  type  than  a Victory.  So  that 
it  may  be  considered  as  peculiarly  designating 
that  class  of  silver  money” — aigl  thence  they 
were  called  Victoriali. — For  an  illustration  of 
the  Quinarius,  see  Porcia. 

Quinctia  was  originally  a patrician,  afterwards 
a plebeian  family.  Its  surname  is  Crispinus, 
with  the  agnomen  of  Su/picianus  added  by 
adoption. — The  brass  are  parts  of  the  As,  and 
pieces  coiued  by  the  mint -masters  of  Augustus. 
Morcll  gives  twelve  varieties. — There  is  a gold 
coin  struck  iu  Macedonia  (valued  by  Mionnet  at 
800  francs)  which  exhibits  on  its  obverse  the 
bare  head  of  a man,  but  without  legend;  on 
the  reverse  is  t.  qvincti.  with  the  type  of 
Victory  holding  a palm  branch  and  a garland. — 
The  portrait  on  the  obverse  is  ascribed  to 
Quinctius  Flaminius,  who  gained  a victory  over 
Philip  of  Macedon.  And  a Macedonian  shield, 
which  appears  below  the  Dioscuri  on  a denarius 
of  the  same  family,  is  supposed  to  have  reference 
to  the  same  event. 

Quincunx,  five  uncia,  or  parts  of  the  as, 
with  the  distinctive  mark  of  five  globules. — 
Eckhcl  describes  one  of  these  most  rare  of 
Roman  coins,  contained  in  the  Imperial  cabinet 
at  Vienna,  as  having  on  one  side  the  head  of 
Apollo  laureated,  with  T behind  it,  and  on  the 
reverse  ROMA.  The  Dioscuri  on  galloping 
horses,  and  below  five  circles  or  globules. 

Quindecimviri. — The  sacerdotal  functionaries 
thus  named  were,  according  to  Livy,  the 
specially  appointed  keepers  of  the  Sybylline 
books,  which  were  first  entrusted  to  the  care  of 
two  officials  (duumviri),  by  King  Tarquin  the 
Proud ; afterwards  (a.v.C.  387)  their  number 
was  increased  to  ten,  under  the  name  of 
Decemviri  sacris  faciundis,  that  part  should  be 
of  the  plebeian  and  part  of  the  patrician  order. 
— Lastly,  Sylla  (at  the  same  time  that  he 
augmented  the  numbers  of  the  priesthoods) 
increased  the  Decemviri  to  fifteen  (Quinde- 
cimviri),  who  were  instituted  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  Pontiffs ; and  their  chief  was 
called  Magister  Col/egii.  The  dignity  was  for 
life,  aud  it  exempted  its  possessors  from  mili- 
tary service  aud  from  every  other  civil  office. 
Besides  guarding  with  mysterious  care  the 
oracles  of  heaven,  which  the  superstitious 
Romans  believed  to  be  contained  in  the  volumes 
of  the  Sybils,  find  which  were  consulted,  by 
order  of  the  senate,  in  times  of  great  actual 
calamity  or  of  impending  danger  to  the  state, 
these  magistrates  were,  moreover,  charged  with 


QU I X QUF,  NNALES.— QUINTILLUS. 
the  celebration  of  the  sccidar  games  aud  also 
the  Apolliuarian  games. 

The  memory  of  the  Quindccimviral  order  of 
Priests  is  preserved  on  a silver  coin  of  Yitcllius, 
the  reverse  of  which  presents  a tripod,  upon 
which  is  a dolphin,  and  below,  a crow,  with  the 
the  inscription  xv.  vie.  sac.  fac.  Quindecimvir 
Sacris  Faciundis  (one  of  fifteen  appointed  to 
superintend  sacred  things). — “ The  whole  type 
of  this  coin  (says  Eckhcl)  belongs  to  Apollo — 
the  tripod  symbolising  the  oracles  of  the 
Pythoness,  and  the  dolphin  aud  crow  being  (as 
everyone  knows)  sacred  to  Apollo. — Augustus, 
when  he  was  himself  Quindecimvir,  was  honoured 
with  that  title,  on  a silver  coin  of  Mescinius 
Rufus,  in  the  field  of  which  on  the  one  hand 
is  xv. ; on  the  other  side  sf.  and  on  a cippus 
is  inscribed  imp.  caes.  avg.  lvd.  saec.,  that  is  to 
say  Imperator  Ceesar  Augustus  Ludos  Scrru/ares 
(fecit  being  understood)  Quindecimvir  Sacris 
Feciundis  • because  the  Qnindceimvirate  had  the 
care  of  the  greater  public  sports,  and  at  the 
secular  games  distributed  the  tustra/ia  (or  per- 
fumes for  purification)  to  the  people. — Eckhcl, 
in  corroboration  of  this  fact,  happily  quotes  the 
authority  of  Tacitus — “ Collegio  XVvirorum 
antiquitus  ea  cura : and  as  happily  that  of 
Horace,  who  has  immortalised  the  secular  games 
and  the  Quindccimviri  in  his  ode — “ Quindecim 
Diana  preces  virorum  curet. — Doct.  Num.  Vet. 
vol.  vi.  p.  102. 

Quinquennales  Ludi. Games  celebrated 

by  the  Romans  every  five  years  under  such 
Emperors  as  had  reigned  during  that  period. 
They  were  instituted  in  the  reign  of  Augustus, 
in  whose  honour  many  of  the  provincial  cities, 
especially  Nicopolis,  near  Aetium,  which  (accord- 
ing to  Suetonius)  he  built— established  the 
quinquennial  shows,  which  had  some  resem- 
blance to  the  Olympic  games  of  the  Greeks. 

Quinquennalis,  a magistrate  in  the  colonies, 
so  called  because  his  term  of  government  lasted 
five  years.  It  was  also  the  name  of  the  Roman 
Censors,  who  exercised  their  functions  for  the 
same  period. 

Q V I \ Q VEX  N A LES  POSTVMI.  AVG  — 
This  legend  appears  on  the  reverse  of  a gold 
coin  of  Postumus,  with  the  type  of  Victory 
inscribing  on  a shield  the  words  VOT/r  X. 

This  emperor,  as  he  deserves  to  be,  although 
legally  he  cannot  be,  called,  celebrated  the  quin- 
qucnualian  games  a.d.  262.  The  vor.  x.  refers 
to  his  having,  in  his  tenth  tribunate,  performed 
the  vows  registered  for  five  years,  engaged  him- 
self in  fresh  vows  for  teu  years.  The  quin- 
quenna/ia  of  the  Augusti  had  not  hitherto  been 
recorded  on  their  coins. 

Quinquessis,  or  Quinrussis,  according  to 
Spanheim,  was  of  an  oblong  form,  and  of  nil 
the  Roman  coins  the  largest,  earliest,  and  most 
rare,  its  weight  equal  to  five  of  the  as  libralis. — 
Akcrmnn,  however,  in  his  Descriptive  Cat. 
(vol.  i.  p.  i.)  says,  “ the  quinrussis  (five  asses, 
equivalent  to  a quinarius)  is  only  a "nominal 
sum.” 

QV1NTILLVS  (Marcus  Aurelius  Claudius), 
resolved  to  be  the  successor,  although  Aurcliau 


QXJINTILLUS. — QUIRIN. 

was  the  choice  of  his  brother  Claudius  the  Second, 
took  the  title  of  Augustus,  which  the  legions 
of  Italy  by  acclamation 
had  bestowed  upon  him, 
and  which  the  senate,  from 
a high  opinion  of  his  vir- 
tues, readily  confirmed  to 
him  (a.d.  279).  In  the 
meantime,  however,  Aurc- 
lian  was  proclaimed  Em- 
peror by  the  array  that  was 
at  Sinnium  (Pannonia).  And  Quintillus,  finding 
himself  abandoned  by  the  soldiery  who  had  just 
elected  him,  but  to  whom  the  rigor  of  his  mili- 
tary discipline  was  unwelcome,  caused  his  veins 
to  be  opened,  and  thus  terminated  his  life,  in 
the  city  of  Aqnilcia.  Possessed  of  the  modera- 
tion and  integrity  which  distinguished  Claudius 
Gothicus,  he  was  deficient  in  that  firmness  and 
enterprise  which  also  characterised  that  great 
prince,  otherwise  he  would  have  been  well  worthy 
to  occupy  the  imperial  throne.  “ Most  of  the 
ancient  writers,  (says  Eclthel)  agree  in  limiting 
the  duration  of  his  reign  to  the  short  period  of 
seventeen  days.  But  from  the  abundance  of  his 
coins  and  the  remarkable  variety  of  their  types, 
the  workmanship  of  which  would  require  more 
time,  the  opinion  expressed  by  Zoziinus  seems  the 
most  probable,  that  at  least  some  months  must 
have  elapsed  between  his  accession  and  his  death. 
— He  is  numismatically  styled  imp.  C.  m.  avr.  cl. 
qvintillvs.  P.  F.  avg. — His  gold  coins  are  of 
the  highest  degree  of  rarity.  There  arc  no  silver. 
One  brass  medallion  is  known.  Third  brass 
are  common. — There  arc  Consecration  medals  of 
this  Emperor,  indicating  the  honours  of  the 
apot  heosis,  which  w ere  in  all  probability  rendered 
to  his  memory,  through  the  intervention  of 
Aurclian. 

QVIRIN. — On  a denarius  of  the  Fabia  family 
we  find  this  written  on  a shield  to  the  left  of  a 
sitting  figure,  helmeted,  representing  Rome,  and 
holding  in  her  right  hand  the  pontificial  apex,  with 
the  following  inscription,  N.  FAB1.  PICTOR, 
Numerius  Fabius  Pictor. — Ursin,  Vaillant,  and 
Spanheiin  have  all  three  interpreted  the  inscrip- 
tion QVIRIN  on  the  shield  by  reading  it 
QVIItlNai,  and  have  expressed  their  belief  that 
Quirinus  (or  the  deified  Romidus)  himself  is 
exhibited  by  the  type  of  the  seated  figure.  “But 
(says  Eckhcl)  the  coins  when  accurately  inspected 
clearly  represent  the  form  of  a woman.  Besides 
which,  it  appears  that  Quirinus  was  usually 
represented  with  a flowing  beard,  as  may  be  seen 
on  a denarius  of  the  Memmia  family.  For  which 
reason,  as  Havcrcamp  rightly  observes,  the  figure 
on  the  coin  of  Fabius  is  rather  to  be  regarded  as 
the  image  of  Rome,  and  to  be  read  QVIRINa/w, 
namely  Flamen,  as  is  more  fully  inscribed  on 
medals  of  the  Cornelia  family,  L.  LENTVLVS 
FLAMEN  MARTIALIS. — Of  the  Fabii,  who 
were  Quirinalian  Flamens  (an  order  of  priests 
attendant  in  the  temple  of  Quirinus  at  Rome), 
frequent  mention  is  made  in  Livy  and  by  Valerius 
Maximus.  To  which  Fabius  Pictor,  however, 
this  denarius  relates,  there  are  not  sufficient 
reasons  for  determining.”  • 


QUIRINUS.— QUOD  VIAE.  677 
QVIRINVS. — Mcmmius,  whose  family  coin 
is  above  alluded  to,  lived  in  the  time  of  Julius 
Crcsar,  and  was  one  of  the  Curule  Ediles  named 
Ceriales,  established  by  that  dictator.  The 
legend  on  the  reverse  of  this  medal — .mem mi  vs 

AED.  CERIALIA  PUE1MVS  FECIT simply  sllCWS 

that  a certain  person  named  Mcmmius  wras 
the  first  who  presided  at  games,  which  it 
had  been  the  custom  to  celebrate  in  honour 
of  Ceres — a fact  not  noticed  by  any  of 
the  old  writers,  and  which  has  led  to  a 
variety  of  conjectures  among  numismatists  as 
to  the  age  of  this  coin.  But  our  present  concern 
is  with  its  obverse,  on  which  appears  the 
laureated  head  of  a man,  with  a long  and 
luxuriant  beard,  accompanied  with  this  inscrip- 
tion, c.  memmi.  c.  f.  QviiuNVs. — Respecting 
the  word  Quirinus,  Eckhcl  says,  “ It  is  still  a 
question  whether  it  refers  to  the  surname  of 
Mcmmius,  or  to  the  portrait  as  beiug  that  of 
Quirinus  or  Romulus.  Those  who  regard  it  as 
a surname,  adduce  the  instance  of  Calpurnius 
Quirinus,  and  of  Sulpicius  Quirinus,  whence 
they,  with  seeming  probability  infer,  that  the 
same  cognomen  also  belonged  to  some  individual 
of  the  Memmia  family.  As  these  opinions  do 
not  amount  to  more  than  conjecture,  so  it  is 
certain  that  the  god  Quirinus  is  indicated  by  this 
bearded  head,  and  that'  the  word  Qviuinvs  was 
added,  in  the  same  way,  in  which  that  of  nvma 
or  of  ancvs  is  placed  near  each  of  their  heads, 
although  it  still  may  be  that  the  word,  moreover, 
serves  to  denote  the  surname  of  the  family,  as 
in  yens  Pomponia,  the  word  mvsa  stands  both 
for  the  suniame  of  Pomponius,  and  the  Muse ; 
but  wffiich  Memmius  is  not  known,  for  none  of  the 
old  writers  bring  forw  ard  a Memmius  Quirinus. 
Of  as  little  value  are  the  examples  of  Calpurnius 
and  Sulpicius,  cited  by  Havercamp.  For  the 
name  of  Calpurnius  Quirinus  is  found  solely 
on  a Spanish  lapidary  inscription  quoted  by 
Gruter;  whilst  in  Tacitus,  Sulpicius  is  not  called 
Quirinus,  but  Quirinius.  It  still,  therefore 
(concludes  Eckhcl),  remains  uncertain  why  the 
head  of  Quirinus  was  engraved  on  this  dena- 
rius.”— See  Fabia. 

Quirinus,  a surname  of  Mars,  allusive  to 
potency  in  war.  The  name  is  said  to  be  derived 
from  the  spear,  which  the  Sabines  called 
Curis. — Quirinus  was  also  the  name  given  to 
Romulus  (as  the  fabled  son  of  Mars  by  Rhea 
Sylvia)  after  his  death.  It  was  thence  that  the 
Romans  took  the  name  of  Quirites,  and  it  was 
under  the  appellation  of  the  god  Quirinus,  that 
tlut  first  King  of  Rome  had,  in  the  city  which 
he  founded,  many  magnificent  temples  erected 
to  his  honour  and  worship,  among  others  one 
on  the  Quirinal  hill, 

QVIR1TIVM. — See  vesta  p.  r.  qviritivm. 

Q.  V.  or  QVOD  V.  M.  S.  Quod  Via  munitee 
sint,  or  sunt. — On  account  of  the  public  roads 
having  been  made  safe  and  convenient. 

QVOD  VIAE  MUNI 771 A SVNT. — A figure, 
with  Victory,  in  a biga  of  elephants,  on  the  top 
of  a triumphal  arch,  built  on  a bridge  of  several 
arches.  This  legend  and  type  appear  on  a gold 
coin  of  Augustus ; and  there  are  other  coins  in 


678  QUOD  VIAE. 

silver  as  well  as  in  gold,  bearing  the  same 
legend,  with  the  type  somewhat  varied  from  the 
first,  such  as  a quadriga  on  a triumphal  arch, 
or  two  triumphal  arches,  with  an  equestrian 
statue  and  a trophy  on  each.  There  is  also  a 
denarius,  struck  by  the  monetal  triumvir 
Vinicius  in  honour  of  Augustus,  which  displays 
on  its  reverse  a cippus  (or  the  milliary  column) 
on  which  is  inscribed  S.P.Q.lt.  IMP.  CAESari 
QVQD  Vise  M uni  tie  Hunt  EX  EA  Pecunia, 
Quam  IS  AD  A erarium  DEtulit.  [The  Senate 
and  the  Roman  people  to  the  Emperor  (Augustus) 
for  having  caused  the  highways  (or  great  public 
roads)  to  be  repaired  with  the  money  which  he 
had  procured  from  the  treasury  of  the  state.] 
All  these  medals,  therefore,  it  is  evident,  refer 
to  that  systematic  reparation  of  the  different 
roads  of  the  Roman  empire,  on  which  Augustus 
bestowed  the  utmost  care  and  attention,  dedi- 
cating to  those  works  of  public  utility  aud 
grandeur  a portion  of  the  contributions  which 
he  had  levied  on  the  foreign  enemy.  The  sim- 
plicity of  the  last  quoted  inscription  is  remark- 
able. Yet  nothing  can  be  more  clear,  nothing 
more  free  from  affectation  or  pomposity,  than 
the  manner  in  which  the  sense  is  conveyed  (the 
meaning  of  the  initial  letters  being  once  inter- 
preted). It  would  be  difficult  indeed,  if  not 
impossible,  to  find  a like  subject  for  admiration 
and  praise  in  the  inscriptive  memorials  of 
modern  times. 

There  arc  passages  in  Dion  which  point  with 
singular  and  luminous  exactitude  to  the  facts 
commemorated  and  typified  on  the  above-men- 
tioned coins.  “ Augustus  himself  took  the 
management  of  the  formation  of  the  Flamiuiau 
way  ; because  he  intended  to  lead  forth  an  army 
in  that  direction,  and  so  it  was  immediately 
renewed.  On  this  account  statues  on  arches 
were  raised  to  Augustus  as  well  on  the  bridge 
over  the  Tiber  as  at  Ariminum.” — This  work 
of  repairing  the  principal  highways  (or  military 
roads),  which  diverged  from  Rome  to  the  most 
remote  territories  of  the  republic,  appears  to 
have  been  begun  in  the  year  v.c,  727.  “But 
the  labour  was  great,  demanding  both  time  and 
expense,  and  frequently  it  was  obliged  to  be 
suspended.  At  length,  in  the  year  of  Rome 
738  (says  (Eckhel)  it  was  finished,  aud  then  and 
for  that  reason  were  the  statues  placed  and 
dedicated,  which  Dion  notices  aud  these  medals 
represent.  The  same  historian  also  adds  that 
other  roads  were  subsequently  repaired. — There 
arc,  moreover,  testimonies  even  more  specific, 
which  are  related  by  Suetonius,  who  says,  “In 
order,  however,  that  the  city  might  be  more  easy 
of  access  from  all  quarters,  he  took  upon  himself 
the  task  of  constructing  the  Elaminian  way  as 
far  as  Ariminum,  and  distributed  the  others 
among  individuals  who  had  gained  triumphs,  to 
be  laid  down,  and  the  expenses  defrayed  out  of 
the  money  that  the  spoils  of  war  were  sold  for.” 
— And  what  Suetonius  here  states,  without 
marking  the  time,  is  related  by  Dion  to  have 
taken  place  in  the  above  year : “ To  those  who 
had  gained  a triumph,  he  enjoined  that  they 
should  erect  some  monument  in  memory  of 


QUOD  INSTINCTU. 

their  exploits,  out  of  the  money  raised  by  the 

sale  of  the  spoils.” 

QYOD.  INSTINCTV.  DIVIXITATIS. 
MENTIS. MAG N l I’VDINE  CVM.EXKRdTV. 
SYO.  TAM.  DE  TYRAXXO.  QVAM  DE 
OMNI.  El  VS  FACTIONE.  VXO.  TEMP. 
IVSTIS.  REMP.  YLTVS.  EST.  ARMIS.  ARC. 
TRIVMPHIS  IXSIGXEM.  DICAY1T. 
S.  P.  Q.  R. — Within  a laurel  crown.  On  a brass 
medallion  of  Constantine,  having  his  head,  on 
the  obverse,  within  the  signs  of  the  zodiac. — Sec 
Mus.  Pembrok.  iii.  tab.  89,  fig.  2. 

Bauduri  places  the  above  in  the  class  of 
Contorniati • medals  (see  the  word). — “But  what- 
ever it  should  be  called  (says  Eckhel)  it  does  not 
appear  to  me  to  be  of  autique  workmanship. 
Be  it  however  what  it  may,  this  inscription  is 
altogether  the  same  as  that  which  is  read  at  the 
present  day  on  the  arch  of  Constantine  at  Rome 
(near  the  Flavian  amphitheatre),  erected  in 
honour  of  his  victory  over  Maxeutius,  which 
freed  the  state  from  the  reign  of  terror  that 
had  been  established  by  that  tyrant.  The  words 
inslinctu  Divinitatis,  according  to  the  opinion 
of  many  of  our  later  writers,  arc  to  be  referred 
to  the  Divine  or  Holy  Cross,  which  is  said  to 
have  appeared  in  the  heavens  to  the  above- 
named  emperor. — (vol.  viii.  p.  87.) — Eckhel 
condemned  this  remarkable  Contorniate  medal 
without  having  seen  it.  In  Messrs.  Sotheby 
and  Co.’s  “ Catalogue”  for  the  sale  of  the  Pem- 
broke Collection,  p.  297,  arc  some  very  sensible 
remarks  on  this  singular  piece,  from  which  it 
may  be  concluded  that  this  Contorniate  is 
genuine;  but  that  the  use  of  a graving  tool  to 
remove  oxidation  has  been  the  chief  cause  of 
exciting  suspicions  of  its  antiquity. 

R. 

R.  The  seventeenth  letter  of  the  Latin 
alphabet. — Pomponius  hands  down  a traditionary 
notice  that  the  letter  R.  was  invented  by  Appius 
Claudius,  but  the  far  more  ancient  appellations 
of  Roma,  Romulus,  Remus,  together  with  the 
brass  and  silver  coinage  of  the  earliest  ages, 
refute  this  assertion,  as  Spanheim,  commenting 
ou  the  Dialogues  of  Augustino,  justly  observes. 

R.  This  letter  serves  as  a mint-mark  on  the 
denarii  of  several  Roman  families,  and  also  ou 
some  coins  of  the  Lower  Empire. 

R.  Remissa,  vel  Restituit,  vel  Roma,  vcl 
Romanus,  & c. — Remitted,  or  he  re-established ; 
or  Rome,  or  Roman,  &c. 

R.  Reditu. — pro  r.  caes.  Pro  Reditu 
Catsuit. — R.  avo.  Reditus  Augusti. 

R.  placed  before  P.  Rei  Pubtica. 

R.  in  the  monetal  tubsig nations  shews  the 
coin  to  have  bccu  struck  at  Rome. — M.  R. 
Monet  a Ronue  (pereussa  vel  signata). — P.  R. 
Percussa  Roma,  i.e.  Moneta. 

R.  Romani. — in  protestatem  p.  r.  Populi 
Romani,  on  a coin  of  Trajan. 

R.  Romano. — coxgiar.  dat.  pop.  r.  Con- 
giarium  Datum  Populo  Romano,  as  in  Nero. 

R.  Romanorum. — gl.  r.  Gloria  Roman • 
orum. 


RAMUS.— RATITI. 

R.  Romanus. — P.  K.  Populus  Romanus, 

on  a coin  of  Constantinus  Magn. — s.  p.  q.  k. 
Senatus  Populusque  Romanus , of  frequent 
occurrence. 

R.  or  RA.  Ravenna. 

Radiala  Corona.  A crown  cortiposed  of 
rays. — It  first  appears  on  coins  encircling  the 
head  of  Augustus,  denoting  his  consecration,  or 
as  the  Greeks  called  it  apotheosis.  But  on  the 
medals  of  succeeding  Emperors,  both  during 
their  life-time  and  after  their  death,  it  is  dis- 
played indiscriminately,  as  if  thereby  to  claim 
openly  some  kind  of  divinity. — See  Corona. 

Ramus,  a branch,  or  more  properly  Ramus- 
culm,  a little  branch,  is  seen  in  the  hands  of 
many  different  personifications,  figured  on  Roman 
as  well  as  Greek  coins. — A branch  either  of 
laurel  or  of  olive  (for  the  ancients  used  both  the 
one  and  the  other  in  performing  the  lustrations) 
is  an  attribute  or  sign  of  Apollo  Salutaris,  as 
may  be  seen  on  a coin  of  Trebonianns.  It  is 
also  a symbol  of  Hilaritas  and  of  Lsctitia. — 
Hercules,  Mars,  and  Minerva,  in  their  respec- 
tive qualities  of  Pacifer,  or  Peace-bearing,  are 
distinguished  by  a branch  held  in  the  right 
hand. — The  olive  branch  of  Peace  is  held  in  the 
right  hand  of  that  goddess,  on  numerous  coins 
of  the  Imperial  series — pax  avgvsTI. — The 
types  of  Concord,  Hope,  Fortune,  Providence, 
Piety,  Rest  ( Quies),  Security,  Victory,  and 
Valour  (Virtue),  likewise  bear  palm  or  other 
branches  among  their  other  attributes  on  Roinau 
coins. — On  coutorniate  medals  we  see  the 
Quadrigarii,  or  charioteers  of  the  circus,  hold- 
ing palm  branches. 

Raptus  Sabinarum. — The  memorable  rape  of 
the  Sabine  women  is  graphically  referred  to  on 
a coin  of  the  Tituria  family.  A first  brass  of 
Antoninus  Pius  is  quoted  by  Vaillant,  on  which 
arc  many  figures  represeutiug  the  rape  of  the 
Sabines.  The  same  numismatist  speaks  of  a 
bronze  medallion  of  Constantine  jun.,  without 
epigraph,  exhibiting  traits  of  the  same  cele- 
brated event. 

llatis,  or  the  ship  stamped  on  the  Roman 
triens  and  quadrans. 

Raliti. — Certain  brass  consular  coins  were 
called  asses  ratiti,  quadrans  ratilus,  because 
those  asses  and  quarter  asses  were  marked  on 
the  reverse  with  the  figure  of  a ship.  And  this 
kind  of  money'  was  in  use  among  the  Romans 
long  before  they  had  begun  to  coin  silver  money, 
whether  denarii,  or  quinarii,  or  sesterces. — See 
As  and  its  parts. 

RAV.  and  RAVEN.  Ravennte . — Subsigna- 
tions  on  coins  of  Justinian  I.  and  of  Mauricius, 
signifying  that  they  were  minted  at  Ravenna,  an 
ancient  city  of  Italy,  situate  on  the  shores  of 
the  Adriatic. 

R.  C.  Romana  Civitas,  or  Romani  Cives. 

R.  CC.  Remissa  Ducenlesima. — Initial  letters 
inscribed  on  the  reverse  of  a third  brass  coin  of 
Caligula,  commemorative  of  a tax  having  been 
abolished  by  that  Emperor. — The  treasury  of 
the  state  having  been  exhausted  by  the  civil  wars, 
Augustus,  to  assist  in  replenishing  the  public 
revenues,  ha3  established  an  impost  of  the 


RECTOR  OR  BIS.  079 

hundredth  denarius  on  all  sales.  But  this 

burthen,  in  the  year  v.C.  770,  Tiberius,  yield- 
ing to  the  petitions  of  the  people,  had  reduced 
one-half,  that  is  to  say  to  one  denarius  for  200. 
At  length,  iu  the  year  v.c.  792  (a.i>.  39),  the 
whole  tax  was  taken  off  by  Caligula,  as  the 
inscription,  on  this  small  brass  coin,  of  Remissa 
CC.  plainly  tells ; and  Suetonius  confirms  the 
fact,  in  saying  ducentesimum  auctionum  Italics 
remisit,  although  he  does  not  specify  the  time. 
And  that  this  act  of  liberality  was  permanent  is 
proved  by  medals  struck  in  subsequent  years  of 
Caligula’s  reign,  on  which  the  memory  of  this 
benefit  is  gratefully  renewed  by  the  senate. — The 
obverse  is  inscribed  C.  CAESAR.  DIVI.  AVG. 
PRONepos  AVG.  S.  C.  (Caius  CaiSar  Augustus, 
great  grandson  of  the  Divine  Augustus),  and  the 
type  is  the  pileus,  or  cap  of  liberty,  an  allusion 
made  to  the  right  of  suffrage  granted  to  the 
people  in  the  year  791- 

RE.  Receplis,  Reditu,  Redux. 

Rechiarius,  king  of  the  Suevi — his  name 
inscribed  on  a coin  of  Hohorius. — See  tvssv 

RICHIARI  REGIS. 

REC.  Recepto. — IMP.  REC.  Imperatore 
Recepto,  as  in  Claudius. 

RECE.  Receptis. — See  SIGN  is  RECEjjfts, 
as  in  Augustus. 

RECEP.  Recepta. — See  ARMEN*#  RE- 
CEIVtf,  as  in  Augustus. 

Rector,  a governor  or  ruler. — The  proconsuls 
were  restores  provinciarum,  whether  sent  by  the 
people  or  by  the  Emperor. — Spanheim  observes 
that  governors  (red ores)  were  sent  into  the 
provinces,  invested  with  consular  authority. 

RECTOR  ORBIS.— This  legend,  with  a 
togated  figure  holding  a globe  in  his  right  hand 
for  its  accompanying  type,  appears  on  gold, 
silver,  and  first  brass  of  Didius  Julianue.  The 
flattery  was  as  gross  as  the  times  were  venal 
which  could  give  this  ephemeral  sovereign — this 
contemptible  dealer  and  chapman  in  state  affairs 
— the  appellation  of  Master  of  the  World. — 
The  title  occurs  iu  this  instance  for  the  first  time, 
and  is  found  repeated  in  very  few  subsequent 
instances.  A silver  coin  of  Septimius  Sevcrus 
exhibits  the  same  words ; but,  from  the  type  of  a 
naked  man  standing  with  a globe  in  his  right 
hand  and  a spear  in  his  left,  it  would  seem  that 
the  sun,  as  a deity,  and  not  the  reigning  prince, 
was  referred  to  as  Rector  Orbis;  and  that,  peace 
being  restored  in  the  East,  Severus  by  this 
medal,  paid  religious  homage  to  Sol,  as  the 
arbitrator  of  the  world’s  destinies.  Caracalla  is 
perhaps  the  only  other  emperor  (besides  Juliauus) 
on  whose  medals  this  legend  presents  itself. 

R E C V P.  Recuperatio.  Recovered — re- 
gained.— See  Civibus  et  Sign  is  Militaribus  a 
Parthis  RECVPeratfis,  as  in  Augustus. 

RECVPERATOR  VRB1S  SVAE.  The 
rescuer  of  his  city. — The  Emperor  seated  : a 
I soldier  presenting  to  him  a figure  of  Victor)'. 

In  the  exergue  sahl. — Mionnct  gives  this  from 
j the  reverse  of  a third  brass  of  Constantinus 
Magnus  in  the  Catalogue  d’Ennery. — Billiard, 
in  his  annotations  on  Joberl  (vol.  i.  p.  27),  gives 
the  following  minute  description  of  a medal  in 


C80 


REG  ALI  ANUS. 


small  bronze  of  the  same  prince,  which  at  the 
time  he  wrote  was  in  the  cabinet  of  the  Abbe 
de  Rothelin,  and  not  then  published,  and  which, 
considering  its  diminutive  size,  must  be  a wonder 
for  design  and  workmanship. 

RECVPERATORI  YRB.  SVAE.  (in  the 
exergue  PARL.) — The  Emperor  seated  on  a 
kind  of  trophy,  composed  of  cuirasses  and 
bucklers,  receives  with  his  right  hand  a small 
image  of  Victory  placed  on  a globe,  and  which 
is  presented  to  him  by  a figure  clothed  in  a 
military  garb,  having  a helmet  on,  and  standing 
before  him.  On  the  obverse  is  the  head  of 
Constantine  crowned  with  laurels ; the  bust  of 
the  Emperor  is  visible  to  the  middle  of  the 
chest,  adorned  with  the  Imperial  habiliments ; 
the  right  baud  is  also  to  be  seen,  and  holds, 
resting  on  the  right  shoulder  a javelin,  or  a sort 
of  staff  rounded  at  the  two  ends.  The  left 
hand,  which  is  not  in  sight,  holds  a buckler,  on 
which  is  engraved  a man  on  horseback,  who 
treads  under-foot  a captive  thrown  down. 

These  legends,  together  with  that  of  roma 
restitvta  on  another  small  brass  coin  of  Con- 
stantine the  Great,  certainly  refer  to  him  as  the 
rescuer  of  Rome  by  the  defeat  and  destruction 
of  the  tyrant  Maxentius,  than  whom  no 
one  ever  more  afflicted  the  inhabitants  of  that 
city. 

RED.  Redact  a.  Reduced,  brought  under. — 
Armenia  et  Mesopotamia  in  Potestatem  Populi 
Romani  RED actae,  on  a coin  of  Trajan. 

RED.  Redux,  oi  Reduci. — Sec  Fortuna. 

REDDIT.  Reddi/am.— See  OB  REDDITam 
LIBER'lWem,  as  in  Gallienus. 

REDITVS  AVG itsli. — The  return  of  the 
Emperor. — Rome  seated,  presents  a globe  to 
the  Emperor  as  he  approaches  her.  On  a 
third  brass  of  Florianus.  It  is  common  to  read 
on  the  reverses  of  coins  the  words  adventvs 
avg.,  or  when  the  Emperor  has  returned  to 
Rome,  FORTVNAE  REDVCI ; but  REDITVS  AVG. 
is  a legend  that  appears  only  on  this  coin, 
which  Tauini  has  published.  It  is  evident  from 
this  inscription  that  the  return  of  Florianus  is 
to  be  understood  as  an  event  desired  ; but  his 
deatli  prevented  its  being  realised. 

REF.  Refecta.  Re-built,  or  repaired. — 
AIMIMA  ref.  The  Basilica  /Emilia  Refecta 
on  a denarius  of  the  .(Emilia  family. — Rejicere, 
was  a word  peculiarly  applied  to  such  public 
edifices  ns  were  re-constructed  afresh,  or  restored 
to  a perfect  state. 

REG.  Regis. — See  TVTOR  REGw,  on  a 
silver  coin  of  the  Aemilia  family. 

REGALIANVS,  one  of  the  usurpers  in  the 
reign  of  Gallienus. — Trebellius  and  Victor  call 
him  Rcgiltianns,  “ and  from  this  name  (says 
Eekhcl),  Goltzius,  on  his  own  authority,  has 
fabricated  Q.  Nonnius  Regi/tianus.  But  there 
arc  genuine  coius  which  call  him  P.  C.  Regali- 
anus.  He  was  a Dacian  by  birth,  and  was 
believed  to  be  a lineal  descendant  of  Dcccbalus, 
whom  Trajan  with  difficulty  subdued.  Regali- 
nnus  is  said  to  have  possessed  the  heroic  courage 
and  great  qualities  of  that  king,  lie  served 
under  Valerian,  and  commanded  the  Illyrian 


REGI  ARTIS.— REGNA  ADSIGNATA. 

army  when  Ingenuus  assumed  the  title  of 
Augustus,  about  the  end  of  the  year  260.  The 
cruelties  inflicted  by  Gallienus  on  the  troops  and 
inhabitants  in  Mcesia,  who  had  declared  in 
favour  of  Ingenuus,  induced  them,  after  the 
defeat  of  that  usurper,  to  elect  Rcgalianus,  who  . 
had  already  distinguished  himself  by  his  victories 
over  the  Sarmatiaus,  against  whom,  even  after 
his  election,  he  continued  to  signalise  bis  valour 
and  augment  his  military  renown.  Some  say 
that  he  was  defeated  and  slain  in  battle  by 
Gallienus;  others  that  he  was  killed  by  his  own 
soldiers,  in  concert  with  the  people  of  Illyria, 
who  dreaded  becoming  victims  again  to  the  in- 
human vengeance  of  Gallienus. — Beauvais  cal- 
culates his  death  to  have  occurred  about  the  cud 
of  August,  a.d.  263,  and  Eckhel,  on  the 
authority  of  Trebellius,  assigns  the  same  date  to 
the  event.  Instead,  however,  of  agreeing  with 
Beauvais  that  the  medals  of  Rcgalianus  arc  to 
be  found  only  in  the  collection  of  Goltzius, 
Eekhcl  publishes  two  coins  from  the  Cabinet  of 
Vienna  with  the  style  imp.  c.  i>.  c.  regai.ianvs, 
and  his  head  radiated;  the  legends  of  the 
reverses  being  respectively  liiiekalitas  avggo. 
and  oriens  avg.  The  great  German  numis- 
matist also  ascribes  another  coin  to  Rcgalianus, 
which  is  preserved  iu  that  Imperial  collection. — 
The  coins  of  Rcgalianus  arc  iu  small  brass  or  in 
billon,  and  of  extreme  rarity. 

REGI  ARTIS.— To  the  King  of  Arts.— 
Spanheim,  in  bis  Casars  of  Julian  (107), 
mentions  a rare  coin  of  Claudius  Gothicus  in 
third  brass,  contained  in 
the  French  King’s  cabinet, 
with  this  unique  inscrip- 
tion, and  with  the  effigy 
of  Vulcan,  holding  a ham- 
mer and  pincers, — aud 
observes  that  it  alludes  to 
a Greek  word,  Cheironax ■, 
or  Rex  manuum,  that  is  to 
say,  the  chief  of  handicraftsmen,  or  manufac- 
turers, the  true  epithet  of  Vulcan. — In  reference 
to  the  same  coin,  Eckhel  calls  to  mind  those 
coins  of  Valcrianus  and  Gallienus  inscribed  deo. 
volkano,  with  a similar  type  of  Vulcan  stand- 
ing. At  the  same  time  he  expresses  an  opinion 
that  this  rex  artis  is  probably  the  god  Cabirus 
commemorated  on  another  coin  of  Claudius  II., 
who  (see  deo  cabibo)  was  believed  to  have  been 
beneficent  to  that  emperor,  and  who  might  like- 
wise be  called  rex  artis,  as  the  type  of  that  coin 
and  the  doctrine  respecting  the  Cabiri  lead  one 
to  suppose. 

REGINAE  REGYM.  FILIORVM  REGYM. 
— See  Cleopatra,  on  a coin  of  M.  Autouy. 

REGN.  Regna 

Regina. — Sec  Juno. 

REGN  A ADSIGNATA.  Kingdoms  assigned. 
— The  legend  of  a coin  of  Trajan,  in  gold,  silver, 
aud  large  brass,  (from  the  last  of  which  an 
example  is  here  given,)  on  which  is  the  Em|>eror 
sitting  on  an  eslrade,  and  attended  by  two  figures 
standing ; before  and  below  him  arc  five  other 
figures,  the  foremost  of  whom  touches  the  hand 
of  the  Emperor  with  his  own.  * 


RELIGIO  AUG. 


The  subject  of  this  coin,  analogous  with  that 
of  the  first  brass  inscribed  rex  parthis  datvs, 
(see  the  words)  is  alike  glorious  to  the  Roman 
name  and  to  Trajan  himself : for  that  this 
illustrious  prince,  when  he  was  in  the  east,  gave 
kings  not  only  to  the  Parthians  but  also  to  other 
nations ; that  he  received  some  foreign  states 
into  alliance;  confirmed  treaties  with  others;  and 
settled  differences  existing  between  people  aud 
people,  are  facts  vouched  for  by  Dion,  by 
Eutropius,  and  other  writers. 

REI. — RE1 P.— REIPV.— REIPVB.  Rei- 

publicce. — See  felicitas — gloria — reparatio 

— RESTITVTOR — SALVS — SECVRITAS SPES 

ReipubUcce. 

KKLIGfo  AVG. — The  Religion  of  the  Em- 
peror.— On  the  reverse  of  a first  brass  of  M. 
Aurelius  is  a temple,  supported  by  four  termini , 
and  in  the  centre  of  which  stands  the  statue  of 
Mercury  on  a pedestal ; in  the  pediment  appear 


a tortoise , a cock,  a ram,  and  other  attributes 
of  the  messenger  of  the  gods. — The  tust-named 
animal  recalls  the  fable  that  Mercury  was  the 
inventor  of  the  lyre,  called  in  Latin  testudo. 
The  second  is  the  symbol  of  watchfulness,  a 
quality  needful  to  his  employment;  and  the 
shepherds  having  adopted  him  as  their  patron, 
he  is  sometimes  seen  accompanied  by  a ram. 

The  legend  of  this  reverse  presents  itself  for 
the  first  time  on  any  medal — Religio  Augusli. 
That  Marcus  Aurelius,  malgre  his  love  of 
philosophy,  was  zealous  for  all  that  related  to 
Polytheistic  worship,  even  to  the  utmost  extent 
of  its  manifold  superstitions,  is  proved  hy  his 
oppressive  and  cruel  rigor  towards  the  Christians. 
But  it  would  have  been  difficult  to  account  for 
his  having  selected  Mercury  from  so  great  a crowd 
of  deities,  in  order  to  display  his  piety,  had  not 
Diodorus  Siculus  thrown  a light  on  this  point  by 
stating  that,  in  Egypt  the  bearer  of  the  caducous 
and  wearer  of  the  winged  cap  was  reputed  to  he 
the  author  of  sacred  rites  and  sacrificial  cere- 
monies connected  with  religion. — On  coins  of 
4 S 


REL1QUA.  VETERA.  CS1 
Valcrianus,  we  read  RELIGIO  AVGGvstorum; 
but  as  it  was  a privilege,  freely  exercised  by 
princes,  to  choose  the  divinity  whom  they  most 
delighted  to  honour,  so  the  religion  of  Valerian 
aud  his  imperial  colleague  is  found  associated  not 
with  Mercurius  but  with  Diana  Fenalrix. 

Religio  Christiana. — We  see  the  scries  of 
imperial  medals  consecrated  to  the  Christian 
religion,  from  the  time  of  Constantine  the  Great, 
with  the  sole  exception  of  Julian  the  Apostate. 
The  celebrated  monogram  composed  of  the  Greek 
letters  X aud  P,  indicating  the  name  of  Christ, 
displays  itself  on  a coin  of  l’laeidia,  encircled 
with  laurel ; on  the  helmet  of  Constantiue  ; and 
most  frequently  on  military  standards,  with 
various  inscriptions ; such  as  gloria  exercitvs 

— GLORIA  ROMANORUM — IN  HOC  SIGNO  VICTOR 
eris. — A brass  medallion  of  the  usurper  Mag- 
nentius  offers  on  his  reverse  the  monogram 
between  the  Alpha  aud  Omega,  aud  salvs  dd. 
nn.  avg  et  caes.  The  monogram  also  occurs 
on  the  reverse  of  a coin  of  Procopius  in  the  line 
of  the  legend. — See  p.  657. 

RELIQVA.  VETERA.  HS.  NOVIES. 
MILLief.  ABOLITA. — The  coin  of  Hadrian 
(in  first  brass),  on  the  reverse  of  which  this 
legend  appears,  is  certainly  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  monuments  of  imperial  munificence 
that  can  be  found  within  the  recording  province 
of  numismatic  art.  They  tell  us  that  the 
emperor  voluntarily  remitted  to  his  subjects  all 
the  arrears  owing  to  his  treasury,  on  account  of 
1 tributes,  revenues,  or  other  debts,  amounting  to 
an  immense  sum  of  money,  and  that  he  caused 
the  notes  aud  bonds  relating  to  arrears  to  be 
burnt  in  the  Forum  Trajani — an  act  of  liberality 
unexampled  in  its  extent,  and  every  way  worthy 
of  a great  aud  mighty  prince.  The  inscription 
states  the  abolition  or  cancelling  of  old  fiscal  dues 
to  the  value  of  nine  thousand  sestertia,  or 
(according  to  Eckhel,  equal  to  60  millions  of 
Austrian  florins,  or  30  millions  of  Roman  scudi — 
and  by  the  calculation  of  the  author  of  Lemons 
de  Numismatique  Romaine,  to  about  157  million 
French  francs ; and  according  to  Pinkerton 
7,500,000  pounds  sterling). 

The  emperor  is  here  represented  standing, 
clothed  in  the  chlamys,  and  with  a lighted  torch 
in  the  act  of  setting  fire  to  a heap  of  scrolls. — 
There  is  another  and  a rarer  medal  of  Hadrian 


bearing  the  same  legend  ; but  in  which  the  type 
exhibits  the  emperor  standing  in  the  attitude 
and  act  above-described,  before  three  citizens  of 


682  REMUS. 

Rome,  who  lift  up  their  right  hand  as  if  in 
acclamations  to  their  sovereign.  The  inscription 
of  the  obverse  marks  his  third  consulate. 

There  is  a passage  in  Spartian’s  Life  of 
Hadrian  (c.  vii.)  with  which  these  two  medals 
perfectly  correspond.  He  says  that  this  pririce, 
omitting  nothing  that  was  calculated  to  gain  the 
favour  and  good  opinion  of  the  people,  remitted 
his  claims  to  immense  sums,  which  were  due  to 
the  imperial  exchequer  (infinitam  pecuniam  qua 
fisco  debebatur)  by  many  private  individuals,  as 
well  in  Rome  as  in  the  rest  of  Italy,  and  even 
exempted  the  provinces  from  paying  residues 
amounting  to  very  large  sums,  and  that  he 
caused  to  be  burnt  inforo  Divi  Trajani  all  the 
syngrapha  or  documentary  proofs  of  these 
pecuniary  obligations,  in  order  to  remove  thereby 
every  subject  of  disquietude  to  the  debtors  for 
the  future.  The  term  reliqua  vetera  is  used  on 
coins  to  denote  arrears  of  the  last  sixteen  years ; 
and  the  liberality  of  Hadrian  in  this  memorable 
instance  was  also  limited  to  that  space  of  time, 
according  to  the  testimony  of  Dion.  Yet, 
the  reliqua  thus  abolished  were,  it  seems, 
not  arrears  of  every  kind  of  debt,  but  only 
of  money.  Hence,  as  Spanhcim  remarks,  this 
act  of  generosity,  however  extraordinary,  has 
not  remained  free  from  the  shafts  of  de- 
tractors. And  looking  to  so  vast  a sum  of 
outstanding  debts  as  arc  stated  to  have  been 
remitted  by  Hadrian,  the  same  author  shrewdly 
asks,  “ whence  could  they  have  accumulated  to 
such  an  amount  within  the  space  of  sixteen 
years?”  Nevertheless,  making  all  proper  allow- 
ances for  uncertainty  as  to  the  exact  value,  and 
for  exaggeration  as  to  the  scope  of  the  benefit 
conceded,  it  was  an  illustrious  boon  worthy  of 
a Roman  Emperor  to  grant,  and  of  the  Roman 
Senate  and  people  to  applaud  with  heart  and 
hand. 

Reliqua  were  remitted  by  other  Emperors 
also.  Thus  there  is  an  act  of  vast  liberality 
recorded  of  M.  Antoninus,  by  whom,  as  Dion 
relates  (1.  lxxi.),  arrears  of  six  and  forty  years 
due  to  the  Emperor’s  treasury  and  to  the  public 
exchequer  were  freely  forgiven  to  the  people. 

Remus,  the  brother  of  Romulus,  and  reputed 
son  of  Mars  by  Rhea  Sylvia. — Sec  Lupa ; also 
see  Romulus  and  Remus. 

According  to  fable,  miscalled  history,  he 
appeared  after  his  death  to  his  foster  father  and 
mother,  Acca  Laurentia  and  Faustulus,  to 
demand  that  divine  honours  should  be  rendered 
him.  And  certain  it  is  that  in  the  most  remote  j 
times,  a temple  was  consecrated  to  liim  iu  the 
fourth  region,  at  Rome. 

REN.  This  abbreviation,  about  the  meaning 
of  which  there  are  various  opinions,  appears  on  j 
the  reverse  of  a silver  medallion  of  great  rarity, 
which,  having  the  bare  head  of  Augustus  on  its 
obverse,  exhibits  as  the  legend  of  its  reverse  an 
upright  figure,  holding  out  two  ears  of  corn  in  | 
his  right  hand,  his  left  hand  wrapped  up  in  the 
toga  which  he  wears,  and  inscribed  hadrianvs 
avo.  p.  P.  REN. 

Baldiui  would  explain  this  REN  by  reading  it 
REN ovavit,  that  is  to  say,  as  though  Hadrian 


RENIA. 

had  wished  to  renew  the  memory  of  Augustus! 
after  a hundred  years  had  elapsed  since  his 
decease.  Others  approve  of  the  same  reading, 
but  think  that  the  word  renovavit  was  put  for 
the  more  usual  word  restituil,  and  that  it 
signifies  that  the  original  coin  was  restored  by 
Hadrian,  in  like  manner  as  was  done  by  Titus 
and  others.  But  this  opinion  is  overturned  by 
the  subjoined  observations  of  Eckhcl,  who,  in 
opposing  himself  to  Baldini,  begins  by  remarking 
that  this  coin  does  not  belong  to  the  class  of 
numi  reslilulionum.  For,  in  the  first  place 
(says  he)  even  if  it  were  granted  that  the 
abbreviation  meant  RENorarif,  yet  it  still 
would  remain  uncertain  what  Hadrian  was 
to  be  understood  to  have  renovated.  Then, 
it  is  evident  enough  that  this  silver  coin, 
because  it  is  of  the  largest  module  not  used  in 
the  mint  of  Rome,  must  have  been  struck  at  a 
distance  from  the  city,  respecting  which  rule  a 
frequent  lesson  is  read  on  Roman  imperial  coins. 
And,  indeed,  not  a few  silver  medals  of  this  size 
are  extant  with  the  names  of  Trajan  and  Hadrian, 
which  were  almost  all  of  them  struck  in  the 
eastern  provinces  of  the  empire.  But,  says 
Eckhcl,  1 have  sufficiently  proved  that  this  coin 
offers  every  indication  of  its  having  been  struck 
abioad.  It  is,  therefore,  very  likely  that  some 
such  temple  of  Augustus  (and  there  were  many 
then  existing  in  the  provinces,  especially  in 
Asia),  together  with  its  image,  as  is  exhibited 
on  the  reverse  of  this  medallion,  had  been 
renovated  by  Hadrian.  Nor  (he  adds)  do  I 
rashly  imagine  this;  for  it  was  not  the  only 
benefit  bestowed  by  Hadrian  on  the  temple  of 
Augustus.  Spartianus  alluding  to  the  jouruies 
of  that  emperor  relates,  Post  lure  Uispanias 
petit,  et  Tarracone  hgemavit,  ubi  sumptu  suo 
aedem  Augustirestituit.  Cap.  12.  Similar  acts 
of  bounty  and  liberality  performed  not  only  by 
princes,  but  also  by  private  individuals,  are 
sometimes  boasted  of  on  coins  (abundant  men- 
tion is  made  of  such  deeds  on  marbles),  and 
on  this  point  we  arc  taught  by  the  denarius 
of  Aemilius  Lepidus  with  the  epigraph 
AIM  I LI  A REFecfa.  And  that  the  word 
renovare  is  rightly  applied  to  substructures,  or 
buildings,  may  be  learnt  from  Cicero — rides 
Honoris  templum  a M.  Marcello  renocatum. 
Let  the  reader  judge  (says  Eckhcl  in  conclusion) 
whose  explanation  may  appear  most  entitled  to 
the  preference.” 

Renia,  a family  of  whom  historians  make  no 
mention.  Its  denarii  have  but  one  type,  namely, 
the  winged  head  of  Pallas,  on  one  side,  and  on 
the  other,  c.  keni.  with  a female  driving  a biga 
of  goats,  and  koua  in  the  exergue.  Morcll 
remarks:  Renius  ille,  triumvir  monetatis,  apte 
bigis  imposuit : pro  equis  renos  posuil  ad  nomen 
mum  adludens. 

RENORATIO.  VRBIS.  ROM  IT.  For  Reno- 
vatio  Urbis  Romic. — This  legend  with  its  pecu- 
liar orthography  appears  on  a second  brass  of 
Magnentius,  forming  one  of  four  medals  struck 
by  that  usurer,  and  which  boast  of  the  liberty 
of  the  republic,  ns  vindicated,  of  victory  and 
freedom  as  restored  to  the  Roman  world;  of  the 


REQUIES.  OPTIMOR.  MERIT. 

renovation  of  the  city  itself  as  accomplished ; 
and  all  this  to  he  understood  as  the  result  of  his 
having  conquered  and  slain  his  rival  in  usurpa- 
tion and  tyranny,  Nepotianus.  Yet  these  vain- 
glorious pretensions  to  the  character  of  a liberator 
and  a restorer  are  not  confined  to  the  coins  only 
of  Maguentius,  hut  arc  assumed  in  an  inscription 
on  a marble  quoted  by  Grutcr,  dedicated  to  his 
honour  as  liberatori  vrbis  et  okbis  romani 

RESTITUTORI  LIBERT ATIS,  etc. 

REP. — REPARA. — Reparatio. 

REPARATIO.  MVNERIS.  FELICITER. — 
A man  receiving  on  the  poiut  of  his  spear  a bear 
which  is  rushing  upon  him. 

This  is  one  of  those  Venationes,  or  hunting 
subjects,  which  appear  on  the  reverses  of  Con- 
toruiate  medals,  having  on  their  obverses  the 
head  of  Nero,  included  in  Havcrcamp’s  Catalogue 
and  represented  in  MoreU’s  plates. — See  Eckhel, 
who  uuder  the  name  of  Pseudomoneta,  has 
classified  these  peculiar  productions  of  the  Roman 
mint,  not  in  the  order  of  the  Emperors’  reigns, 
but  according  to  their  respective  subjects,  and 
these  latter  are  so  various  as  to  embrace,  among 
others,  mythology,  history,  illustrious  personages, 
public  spectacles  and  sports,  &c. 

REP.  Reparatio. — See  fel.  tem.  rep.  Felix 
Temporum  Reparatio. — A legend  which  first  ap- 
pears on  coins  of  Constans  I.  (from  a.d.  337  to 
350),  with  various  types ; and  afterwards  occurs 
frequently  in  succeeding  reigns.  See  p.  378. 

Repetitions  of  types  and  of  inscriptions  on  the 
reverse  as  on  the  obverse,  are  among  those  errors 
of  the  mint,  more  or  less  gross,  which  occa- 
sionally betray  themselves  on  Roman  coins  of 
the  Imperial  scries;  even  in  the  earlier  reigns 
such  as  Vespasian,  Trajan,  Hadrian  not  omitting 
Augustus  himself.  [See  Rasche.] 

REQVIES.  OPTIMOR.  MERIT.  (Opti- 
mo rum  Meritorum.) — A figure  veiled,  wearing 
the  toga,  sits  in  a curule  chair,  the  right  hand 
extended,  the  left  holding  a sceptre. 

This  epigraph  and  the  accompanying  type 
prescut  themselves,  for  the  first  time  of  their 
occurrence  in  the  Imperial  series,  on  a silver  and 
on  small  brass  coins  of  Claudius  Gothicus.  It 
appears,  says  Bauduri,  as  well  from  the  deified 
title  on  the  obverse — (divo  clavdio  optimo 
imp.) — as  from  the  veil  (likewise  a symbol  of 
divinity)  with  which  the  head  of  Claudius  is 
covered,  that  these  medals  were  struck  after  his 
death. — The  rest  or  repose  of  the  highest  merits, 
was,  as  applied  to  him,  the  language,  not  of 
adulation  or  of  exaggerated  praise,  (as,  when 
similarly  used  in  subsequent  reigus  on  coins  of 
Maximianus  aud  Constantins  Chlorus,)  but  of 
truth  and  justice,  to  the  memory  of  a prince  so 
universally  beloved  and  lameuted  that  all  writers 
of  Augustan  history  unite  in  making  him  the 
theme  of  the  most  glowiug,  and  apparently  as 
sincere  as  glowiug,  panegyric.  Trebellius  Pollio, 
in  relating  the  various  honours  awarded  to 
Claudius  after  his  decease,  says  a golden  shield 
was,  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  whole  senate, 
placed  as  a tribute  to  his  virtues  in  Romana 
curia.  And  the  people  (a  thing  never  before 
done)  placed,  at  the  public  cost,  a statue  of  him 
4 S 2 


RESTIO.— RESTITUTIONS.  683 

in  gold,  ten  feet  high,  in  the  capitol  before  the 
temple  of  Jupiter;  nor  were  similar  demonstra- 
tions of  respect  confined  to  the  authorities  and 
population  of  Rome,  but  (we  are  told  by  the 
same  writer)  that  in  every  city  throughout  all 
the  provinces  statues,  standards,  crowns,  altars, 
temples,  aud  arches,  were  dedicated  and  erected 
to  his  honour.  Trebellius,  indeed,  in  his  life  of 
this  good,  great,  aud  victorious  Emperor, 
finishes  with  saying — Ilium  et  Senatus  et 
populus  ante  imperium  et  in  imperio  et  post 
imperium  sic  ditexit,  ut  satis  constet,  neque 
Trajanum,  neque  Antoninos,  neque  quemquam 
alium  pnncipem  sic  amatum. 

RES.  REST.  RESTIT.  Restitutis  or 
Restituit. — Restored,  or  he  has  restored. 

RESTIO. — The  cognomen  of  Antia  gens,  on 
a denarius  of  which  the  obverse  type  is  the  head 
of  a man,  remarkable  for  its  muscular,  large 
featured,  aud  hard  favoured  countenance.  This 
is  supposed,  with  much  probability,  to  be  the 
portrait  of  the  C.  Antius  Restio  who  was  the 
author  of  a sumptuary  law,  which  not  ouly 
placed  the  expenses  of  convivial  banquets  under 
restriction,  but  also  prohibited  any  magistrate, 
or  magistrate  elect,  from  dining  abroad,  except 
at  certain  people’s  houses. — It  is  not  worth 
while  to  inquire  when  this  unsocial  aud  fruitless 
limitation  was  enacted,  for  a law  so  absurd  met 
its  fate  of  remaining  unobserved,  aud  even  its 
proposer  is  said  to  have  never  afterwards  dined 
out,  for  fear  of  witnessing  (and  perhaps  assisting 
in)  the  violation  of  his  own  legislative  inhospi- 
tality.— See  Antia  gens. 

Restitutions,  or  restored  coins,  is  (from  the 
verb  restiluo ),  a name  given  to  pieces  of 
money  copied  from  other  pieces  struck  at  an 
anterior  period  of  time,  with  the  adjunction  of 
legends  which  prove  the  reproduction  of  these 
particular  coins. — The  motives  which  led  to  the 
fabrication  of  such  medals  do  not  appear  sus- 
ceptible of  a satisfactory  explanation,  notwith- 
standing the  pains  bestowed  and  the  ingenuity 
exercised  by  the  most  learned  numismatists,  with 
a view  to  throw  light  upon  the  subject  Certain 
it  is,  that  many  of  the  Roman  Emperors  caused 
the  coins  of  several  of  their  predecessors,  and 
also  coins  of  the  consular  or  republican  sera,  to 
be  restored — that  is  to  say,  they  commanded 
pieces  to  be  struck  which  reproduced  the  types 
and  legends  of  those  more  aucieut  coins,  with 
the  addition  of  the  name  of  the  reigning  emperor, 
together  with  the  word  REST\V«i7 — a word 
which  has  been  subjected  to  very  different 
interpretations. 

The  learned  and  judicious  Bimard  de  la 
Bastie,  in  his  annotations  on  Jobert’s  work,  thus 
defines  the  kind  of  money  now  in  question : “ We 
call  (says  he)  -those  restored  medals  ( Medailles 
Restituees),  be  they  consular  or  be  they  imperial, 
upon  which,  besides  the  type  and  the  legend 
which  they  had  at  their  first  coinage,  we  see, 
moreover,  the  name  of  the  emperor  who  caused 
them  to  be  struck  a second  time,  followed  by  the 
word  REST. — Of  such  a sort  is  the  second  brass 
coin  on  which,  round  the  radiated  head  of 
Augustus,  we  read  DIVVS  AVGVSTVS  PATER, 


631  RESTITUTIONS, 

nnd  of  which  the  reverse  type  is  a globe  with  a 
rudder,  and  the  legend  IMP.  T.  VESP.  AVG. 
REST. — Of  the  same  kind  is  that  silver  medal 
of  the  Rubria  family,  which  represents  on  one 
side  the  head  of  Concord  veiled,  with  the  abbre- 
viated word  DOS.,  that  is  to  say  DOSjenniw; 
and  on  the  reverse  a quadriga,  on  which  is  a 
Victory  holding  a crown,  below  it  L.  RUBRI., 
and  round  it  IMP.  CAES.  TRAJAN.  AVG. 
GER.  DAC.  P.P.  REST.— There  arc  other 
medals  to  which  the  epithet  of  restored,  has 
improperly  been  given,  although  they  do  not 
bear  the  word  REST.,  which  seems  to  be  the 
distinctive  mark  of  these  restitutions.  Such 
arc  the  medals  struck  under  Gallicnus,  to  renew 
the  remembrance  of  the  consecration  of  many 
of  his  predecessors.  Nor  can  the  appellation  of 
restored  medals  be  in  any  sense  given  to  those 
which  Augustus,  Tiberius,  Caligula,  Claudius, 
and  Nero  caused  to  he  struck  with  the  name  aud 
the  head  of  Julius  Cscsar,  of  Augustus,  of 
Livia,  of  Agrippa,  of  Agrippina,  of  Drusus,  and 
of  Gcrmanicus,  because  these  are  not  instances 
of  ancient  types  employed  afresh,  hut  absolutely 
new  coinages,  as  well  with  respect  to  the  type 
as  to  the  matrix  or  die.” — After  correcting  the 
error  which  (misled  by  false  coins  quoted  by 
Oiselius  and  Hardouin)  Jobert  had  made  in  stat- 
ing the  restorations  to  have  commenced  with  the 
reigns  of  Claudius  and  Nero,  Bimard  proceeds : j 
— “ It  is  under  Titus  that  we  begin  to  see 
restored  coins,  and  we  know  them  to  have  been 
struck  in  memory  of  Augustus,  of  Livia,  of 
Agrippa,  of  Drusus,  of  Tiberius,  of  Drusus  son 
of  Tiberius,  of  Gcrmanicus,  of  Agrippina 
mother  of  Caligula,  of  Claudius,  of  Galba,  aud 
of  Otho. — After  Titus’s  example,  Domitian 
restored  certain  medals  of  Augustus,  of  Agrippa, 
of  Drusus,  of  Tiberius,  of  Drusus,  son  of 
Tiberius,  and  of  Claudius. — Nerca  restored 
none  of  his  predecessors’  coins  except  those  of 
Augustus  ; hut  Trajan  renewed  by  restoration 
the  medals  of  almost  all  the  emperors  who  had 
reigned  before  him.”  Besides  which,  he  restored 
numerous  coins  of  Roman  families. — Marcus 
Aurelius  and  L.  Verus  jointly  restored  a denarius 
of  M.  Antony. 

The  majority  of  the  earlier  writers  on  Roman 
numismatics,  and  Bimard  seems  nearly  to 
coincide  with  them  in  opinion,  contend  that  the 
word  rest.,  that  is  to  say,  Res/iluit,  signifies 
merely  that  Titus,  Domitian,  Nerva,  and  Trajan 
eansed  the  dies  of  their  predecessors’  coins  to 
be  re-made  ; that  by  their  command  medals 
were  struck  with  these  same  dies  ; and  that  they 
allowed  such  medals  to  be  circulated  in  com- 
merce, like  their  own  money.  These  anti- 
quaries also  believed  that  Trajan  did  not  confine 
himself  to  this  practice  of  coining  medals  from 
the  dies  of  the  princes  who  had  preceded  him ; 
but  took  the  further  step  of  re-establishing  all 
the  matrices  which  had  been  used  for  the  con- 
sular medals,  at  the  period  when  they  were  the 
current  coin  of  the  state. 

After  combating  at  considerable  length  the 
objections  of  Pere  Hardouin,  who  has  ridiculed 
the  above  ideas  ou  the  subject,  and  who  has 


RESTITUTIONS. 

I given  ( Oper.  Select,  p.  507),  a counter  explana- 
tion fraught  with  great  ingenuity  but  equally 
fraught  with  greater  diflicidties,  Bimard  declares 
his  preference  for  the  opinion  of  Yaillant,  as 
having  much  more  of  probability  in  it ; namely, 
that  Trajan,  in  order  to  conciliate  in  his  own 
favour  the  sentiments  of  the  senate  and  people, 
wished  to  shew  marks  of  his  veneration 
(generally)  for  the  memory  of-  his  predecessors, 
and  of  his  good-will  towards  the  first  houses  of 
the  republic.  With  this  view  be  restored  the 
money  of  emperors  who  had  reigned  before  him, 
and  those  coins  also  upon  which  were  inscribed 
the  uames  of  Romau  families.  A proof  (adds 
Bimard)  that  Trajan  had  restored  all  the  con- 
sular medals  is  that  in  the  small  number  of 
such  restorations  extant  at  the  present  day, 
many  arc  found  of  the  same  family,  with 
different  types,  and  sometimes  of  a family  but 
little  celebrated,  as  amongst  others  the  Rubria 
family,  of  which  we  have  three  different  coins 
restored  by  Trajan.  According  to  this  opinion, 
the  meaning  ascribed  to  the  legend  imp.  caf.s. 
TRAIAN.  AVG.  GER.  DAC.  P.P  REST,  is  perfectly 
conformable  to  the  rules  of  grammar  and  to  the 
genius  of  the  Latin  tongue.  When  the  inscrip- 
tion was  engraved  ou  the  very  monument  itself 
which  an  emperor  caused  to  be  re-built,  the 
name  of  the  restored  monument  was  frequently 
omitted,  because  it  was  impossible  to  make  any 
mistake  as  to  the  case  governed  by  the  word 
restituit,  and  because  everybody  supplied  it  with 
ease.  Thus  when  ou  the  Nimes  road  n 
military  column  is  seen,  with  this  inscription 
TI.  CAESAR  DIVI  P.  AVG.  PONT.  MAX.  TR.  POT. 
xxxil.  refecit,  et  RESTITVIT.  v.,  we  clearly 
understand  that  this  column,  which  served  to 
mark  the  fifth  mile  from  Nimes,  had  been  re- 
erected  by  order  of  Tiberius.  Amongst  an 
infinity  of  examples  exhibiting  this  elliptical 
mode  of  expression,  there  is  in  an  ancient 
inscription  on  the  Pous  Fabricius  at  Rome  the 
following:  b.  FABRICIVS  C.F.  CVR.  VIARVM. 

facivndvm  coeravit;  and  that  was  sufficient 
to  convey  the  meaning  that  Fabricius  had  caused 
this  bridge  to  be  built,  because  the  inscription  was 
engraven  ou  the  bridge  itself.  Nothing  is  more 
common  thau  to  find  on  Cippi,  whether  votive 
or  sepulchral,  posvit. — fecit. — faciendvm 
cvravit,  without  those  verbs  being  followed  by 
any  governing  noun,  because  the  Cippi  (or 
altars)  themselves  arc  supposed  to  supply  the 
place  of  it.  For  the  same  reason,  when  we  find 
on  medals  IMP.  TITVS— IMP.  DOMITmni/j 
—IMP.  TRAIAN uf  RESTifaiV,  if  it  is,  as  I 
believe,  of  the  re- fabrication  of  the  coin  itself 
that  it  is  designed  to  make  mention,  it  was  not 
necessary  to  add  hunc  nummum,  for  we  hold  in 
our  hand,  nnd  have  under  our  eye  the  very 
thing  which  was  re-established.  But  it  would 
not  be  thus  if  it  had  been  intcuded  to  record 
that  these  Emperors  caused  in  some  sort  the 
revival  of  their  predecessors,  nnd  of  the  great 
men  whose  names  were  engraved  on  these 
pieces  of  money,  for  it  often  happens  that 
there  is  nothiug  in  the  type  which  bears  re- 
lation to  the  virtues,  or  to  the  actions,  by 


RESTITUTION'S. 

which  the  Emperors  are  supposed  to  represent 
them.” 

But,  before  he  approaches  the  task  of  elu- 
cidating, so  far  as  erudition,  research,  and 
numismatic  skill  can  elucidate,  the  obscure  and 
difficult,  yet  curious  and  engaging,  subject  of 
Restored  Coins — Eckhcl  has  applied  himself  to 
draw  up  a descriptive  catalogue  of  these  peculiar 
monuments,  in  composing  which, — I.  He  has,  in 
the  order  of  the  three  metals,  enumerated  them, 
with  the  addition  of  the  restorer’s  name. — II. 
He  has  noted  such  coins  of  this  kind  as  arc 
known  to  have  archetypes ; also  such  as  have 
none  yet  known ; and  such  as  in  any  degree 
differ  from,  or  fall  short  of,  the  archetype. — III. 
He  lias  likewise  inserted  those  coins  of  the 
Augusti  and  Casares,  without  which  no  decision 
could  be  arrived  at  in  this  examination. — IV. 
Aud,  lastly,  he  mentions  none  but  coins  of 
perfectly  authenticated  genuineness,  and  which 
credible  witnesses  have  seen  and  approved. — The 
catalogue  is  divided  into  the  following  heads  : — 

Silver  Coins  of  Restitution. — These  are  all 
the  work  of  Trajan  (except  the  medal  of  Divus 
Trajanus,  on  which  is  read  the  name  of  Hadrian 
as  the  restorer;  aud  the  coin  of  Mark  Antony 
the  Triumvir,  restored  hy  M.  Aurelius  and  L. 
Verus). — On  the  reverses  of  all  the  coius 
restored  hy  Trajan  we  find  the  legend,  inscribed 
circularly,  imp.  traian.  avg.  gek.  dac.  p.  r. 
rest. — Of  this  class  we  have  the  archetypes 
(with  the  exception  of  the  above  cited  one  of 
Hadrian)  manifestly  agreeing  with  the  restored 
coins. — Of  consular  medals  there  are  two,  one 
with  the  head  of  Janus,  the  other  with  the  head 
of  Pallas — the  reverse  of  the  former  has  Jupiter 
in  a quadriga,  and  the  word  uoma  ; the  reverse 
of  the  latter  is  the  Genius  of  Rome  seated,  with 
roma  and  the  wolf  aud  twins  before  her. — Of 
family  coins  there  are  thirty-five — viz.,  of 
Aemilia,  Cfccilia,  Carisia,  Cassia,  Claudia, 
Cornelia,  Cornuficia,  Didia,  Horatia,  Junia, 
Livineia,  Lucretia,  Mamilia,  Marcia,  Maria, 
Memmia,  Minucia,  Norbana,  Numouia,  Pompeia, 
Rubria,  Scribonia,  Sulpicia,  Titia,  Tullia, 
Valeria. — The  denarius  restored  by  Hadrian 
bears  on  its  obverse  the  head  of  Trajan,  with 
the  epigraph  mws  traianvs  pater  avgvstvs; 
and  on  its  reverse  Hadrian  sacrificing;  it  is 
inscribed  imp.  Hadrian,  diyi.  ner.  traian. 
opt.  fil.  rest. — The  silver  coin  of  M.  Antony, 
restored  jointly  by  M.  Aurelius  aud  L.  Verus, 
is  inscribed  an'toninvs  avgvr.  iii.vir.  r.  p.  c., 
the  type  a Triremis.  On  the  reverse  is  the 
legionary  eagle  between  two  other  military 
ensigns,  and  these  words  LEGio  VI.  ANTO- 
MNYS  UT  VKRVS.  AVGG.  REST. 

[The  intelligent  author  of  Leqons  de  Numis- 
matique  Romaine,  in  a passing  observation  on 
the  silver  coins  of  families  restored  by  Trajan, 
says  “ tout  en  conservant  soigneusement  les 
anciens  types  ces  deniers  n'ont  que  le  poids 
ordinaire  des  autres  deniers  du  mime  prince : 
ce  qui  prouve  qu’ils  etaient  assimilees  a la 
monnaie  couranle  de  son  regne.”~\ 

Gold  Corns  of  Restitution. — These  also  have 
Trajan  for  their  restorer,  with  the  exception  of 


RESTITUTIONS.  685 

six  which,  if  genuine,  were  restored  by  Titus. — 
Of  all  these  no  archetype  is  known  to  exist,  or 
| if  anything  like  their  original  be  extant,  there  is 
some  material  difference  betweeu  them.  They 
consist  of  Julius  Cicsar,  Augustus,  Tiberius, 
Claudius,  Galba,  Vespasian,  Titus,  Nerva. 

Brass  Coins  of  Restitution. — Coins  of  this 
metal  have  Titus,  Domitian,  and  Nerva  for 
their  restorers.  The  epigraph  of  the  restorers 
vary,  as  it  also  varies  in  other  coins  of  theirs. 
In  these  medals  Domitian  often  indicates  his 
name  by  the  single  letter  d.— At  the  end  is 
added  rest.,  or  at  full  length  restitvit.  These 
brass  are  of  Augustus,  Agrippa,  Drusus  senior, 
Tiberius,  Drusus  jun.,  Gennanicus,  Agrippina 
senior,  Claudius,  Galba,  Otho,  Julia  Titi. 

Lc  Beau,  in  bis  “ Lucubrations  on  restored 
coius,”  rejects  the  views  of  the  matter  in 
question  entertained  by  Bimard  and  others,  and 
brings  forward  what  he  thinks  a sounder  opinion. 
He  asserts  that  the  word  restituit  signifies 
that  the  emperor  whom  the  coin  denominates  as 
the  restorer,  had  restored  some  public  monu- 
ment of  him  (whether  emperor  or  other  illus- 
trious man)  whose  name  the  coin  publishes.  A 
compendium  of  the  prolix  arguments  urged  by 
this  learned  writer  in  support  of  this  opinion  is 
furnished  by  Eckhel,  who  characterises  them  as 
being  all  so  specious  as  to  be  worthy  of  the 
genius  of  Hardouin  alone. 

II.  — Brass  coins,  on  which  the  portraits  of 
Emperors  are  restored,  belong  chiefly  to  that 
class  whose  reverses  exhibit  nothing  but  the 
letters  s.  c. ; a mark  from  which  we  cannot 
glean  any  other  information  than  that  it  was  the 
pleasure  of  ’Titus,  of  Domitian,  and  of  Nerva, 
from  what  cause  soever,  to  recall  the  images 
of  those  princes. 

III.  — To  this  class,  iu  which  the  types  only 
are  restored,  or  the  memory  of  some  singular 
facts  are  recalled,  belong  all  the  gold  and  most 
of  the  brass  coins  of  this  kind.  They  cannot 
be  called  restored  coins,  because  between  these 
and  the  originals  a striking  difference  presents 
itself,  whether  seen  in  the  epigraph  or  in  the 
types,  and  sometimes  even  another  metal.  The 
same  coins  may  be  seen  in  the  first  gold  of 
Tiberius,  and  iu  others.  In  many  the  archetypes 
are  manifestly  wanting,  as  in  the  greater  portion 
of  the  gold  ; and  it  is  probable  that  they  never 
did  exist ; but  that  the  types  of  those  medals 
were  devised  by  Trajan,  whatever  might  be  the 
motives  which  actuated  him.  In  the  same 
manner  Trebonianus  also  (others  suppose  it  to 
have  been  Gallienus)  restored  the  consecrations 
of  preceding  emperors  ; but  after  a new  fashion, 
or  certainly  one  but  little  iu  conformity  with 
the  size  of  the  archetypes.  But  no  one  may 
persuade  himself  that  the  fust  models  of  the 
gold  coins  have  perished,  and  (what  follows) 
that  in  like  manner  the  gold  and  the  silver 
can  be  reckoned  among  the  number  of  restored 
coins ; for  who  would  believe  that  the  gold  had 
suffered  such  a fate,  as  that  their  primeval 
forms  should  have  been  annihilated,  when  the 
originals  of  all  the  silver,  so  far  as  we  have 
hitherto  met  with  them,  are  still  extant  ? 


686  RESTITUTIONS.— REST1TUT0R. 

These  are  the  things,  adds  Eckhcl,  which 
either  ascertained,  or  probable,  or  uncertain,  or 
wholly  unknown,  I find  on  the  subject  of  re- 
stored medals  (de  reslitutionum  numis).  I 
shall  conclude  with  but  a few  animadversions. — 
I.  As  Trajan  restored  the  coins  of  obscure 
families,  for  instance  three  of  Rubria,  it  is  very 
likely  that  most  of  them  (the  Consular  and 
Family  coins),  and  perhaps  all,  were  restored  by 
that  emperor,  but  they  have  hitherto  not  been 
seen.  For  we  perceive  that  their  numbers, 
although  slowly,  yet  by  degrees  increase,  and 
without  doubt  a great  many  lie  in  various 
museums  hidden,  and  unknown  to  us. — II.  We 
have  no  gold  piece,  either  consular  or  of  a 
family,  restored  by  Trajan,  who  nevertheless 
ordered  the  restored  imperial  medals  to  be 
struck  generally  in  gold.  This  deficiency  serves 
gieatly  to  confirm  me  in  the  conjecture  which  I 
have  formed  (and  stated  in  section  i.  cap.  iv.), 
that  during  the  republic  there  were  no  gold 
coins  struck.  For  what  was  the  reason  why 
Trajan  should  abstain  from  restoring  the  gold 
consulars  ? The  cause  of  his  omitting  to  re- 
store the  brass  coinage  of  the  republic,  I think, 
was  that  these  had  common  types,  peculiar  to 
the  weight  of  each,  and  which  therefore  it  did 
not  seem  worth  while  to  restore. — III.  As 
hitherto  no  restored  coin  of  any  family  has  been 
discovered,  of  which  the  archetype  is  not  also 
extant,  a ray  of  hope  may  now  he  indulged, 
that  hereafter  the  scries  of  family  medals  may 
be  more  amply  enriched  with  the  desired 
accessions. — IV.  Out  of  the  whole  crowd  of 
family  medals,  which  the  fertility  of  Goltzius 
has  brought  to  light,  though  kuowu  to  himself 
aloue,  we  are  cognizant  of  no  restored  coin  ; 
nor  has  any  restored  coin  hitherto  appeared, 
whose  origiual  the  Thesaurus  Goltzianus  sup- 
plies. This  may  seem  wonderful,  but  we  can 
nevertheless  divine  the  true  cause.  To  forge 
restored  coins  will  not  have  exercised  much 
reflection,  but  he  will  never  he  able  to  furnish 
the  archetypes,  because  the  coins  hitherto  seen 
by  him  (Goltzius)  alone  arc  almost  all  esteemed 
fictitious. 

Such  is  the  substance  as  well  of  the  various 
opinions  hazarded,  as  of  the  ditferent  facts 
stated,  by  autiquaries,  both  of  the  new  aud 
of  the  elder  school  respecting  restored  coins. 
And,  although  some  of  the  speculations  on 
this  subject  are  freer  from  objections*  as  being 
more  reconcileable  to  probabilities  than  others, 
yet  when  we  look  to  these  instances  con- 
fined to  a few  reigns  of  emperors  re-coining 
the  money  of  the  republic  precisely  after  the 
designs  of  the  original  types,  and  also  of  re- 
newing the  medals  of  their  predecessors  on  a 
less  accurate  principle  of  imitation,  it  must  be 
confessed  that  the  restorations  in  question  arc 
still  left  amongst  the  unsolved  riddles  of  aucient 
numismatism. 

RESTIT.  GALL1AR.  Restitutor  Ga/tiarum. 
— On  the  reverse  of  a silver  coin  of  Gallienus 
that  effeminate  voluptuary,  who  by  his  heartless 
misconduct  brought  the  Roman  empire  to  the 
very  verge  of  ruin,  is  here  represented  lifting 


RESTITUTOR. 

the  personified  Genius  of  the  Gauls  from  a kneel- 
ing posture.  This  piece  of  inscriptive  adulation 
was  fabricated  after  a victory  which  Gallienus 
obtained  over  the  barbarous  invaders  of  Gaul, 
by  the  assistance  of  Postumus  ; but  that  great 
commander,  nevertheless,  retained  the  govern- 
ment and  improved  the  security  of  those 
important  provinces,  and  therefore  might  with 
greater  right  have  assumed  that  title  on  his  own 
coins.  That  Gaul  was  spoken  of  by  the  Romans 
in  the  plural  we  have  seen  iu  the  coin  of  Galba, 
inscribed  tkes  oalliaE. 

REST.  1TAL.  Restituta  Italia,  or  Restitutor 
Ita/ue. — The  Emperor  raising  a woman  that 
kneels  before  him ; opposite  arc  two  children 
standing  with  uplifted  hands. — This  legend  aud 
type,  ou  gold,  silver,  and  first  brass  of  Trajan, 
doubtless  refer  to  the  large  funds  appropriated 
by  this  beneficent  prince  to  the  maintenance  and 
education  of  youth  iu  various  cities  of  Italy, 
which  by  this  well-timed  and  paternal  liberality 
of  his  mav  rightly  be  said  to  have  been  restored. 

RESTITVTOR  LI  BER  TATIS.— The  Em- 
peror holding  iu  his  right  hand  a figure  of 
Victory,  and  iu  his  left  hand  a banner  with  the 
monogram  of  Christ. — This  medal,  in  gold  and 
in  silver  (engraved  in  Khell’s  Supplement,  ad 
Vaillant,  p.  259),  is  one  of  several  struck 
under  Magnentius,  in  which  that  ferocious 
traitor  and  most  cruel  tyrant,  who  profaned 
the  Christianity  he  professed,  has  impudently 
designated  himself  as  the  restorer,  the  renovator, 
the  conqueror  of  liberty  and  of  republican 
independence  for  Rome,  whose  lawful  prince 
(Constaus)  he  had  caused  to  be  assassinated, 
and  whose  Illyrian  provinces  he  had  deluged 
witli  Roman  blood. 

RESTITVTOR  MON.  Restitutor  Monet ce. 
— The  Emperor  (Alexander  Scverus)  standing 
with  his  riuht  hand  extended,  and  a spear  iu 
the  left.  Second  brass  Of  all  the  emperors, 
Alexander  is  the  only  one  who  boasts  of  himself 
as  the  Restorer  of  the  (Roman)  Mint.  But 
this  he  has  done,  with  the  sanction  of  the  senate 
(s.  C.),  both  on  the  prescut  coin  and  on  another 
middle  bronze,  inscribed  MON<?/a  RESTITVTA. 
There  is  a long  passage  of  Lampridius,  in  which 
that  historian  assigns  to  the  prince  in  question 
the  merit  of  having  caused  the  silver  coinage  of 
Rome  to  be  restored  to  greater  purity. — Eckhcl, 
however,  who  has  quoted  Lampridius  at  full 
length,  denies  that  the  silver  medals  of  Alex- 
ander are  such  as  to  bear  out  this  ancient 
writer’s  assertion,  and  concludes  his  remarks 
by  saying — that  “ this  emperor  only  in  one 
respect  deviated  from  the  practice  of  his  imme- 
diate predecessors,  viz.,  by  discontinuing  the 
mintage  of  that  larger-sized  silver  which  Cara- 
calla  instituted.  Nor,  indeed,  is  the  silver  of 
Alexander’s  money  of  a better  quality,  but 
rather  more  impure,  iusomuch  that,  but  for  the 
testimony  of  Lampridius  and  of  these  legends 
on  Kis  coins,  we  should  not  know  that  Alex- 
ander had  made  any  change  whatever  in  the 
monetary  affairs  of  his  empire.” 

REST.  NVM  (as  read  by  mistake)  on  a 
silver  coin  of  Galba,  having  for  the  type  of  its 


RESTITUTOR. 

reverse  a female  head  with  au  ornament  round 
the  neck. — This  medal,  which  is  now  in  the 
French  Imperial  Cabinet,  has  given  rise  to  various 
conflicting  opinions  among  the  learned.  But 
M.  Barthclemy,  having  again  minutely  inspected 
it,  and  also  compared  it  with  a similar  one  in 
the  D’Ennery  Collection,  proved  that  the  con- 
troversy on  this  abbreviation  was  a foolish  one, 
aud  that  it  is  to  be  read  libertas  restitvta. 

RESTITVTOR  ORBIS.— This  legend  ap- 
pears on  a third  brass  of  Aurelian,  on  which  is 
typified  the  Emperor  standing,  and  to  whom 
Victory  presents  a laurel  crown. — Another  third 
brass  of  the  same  emperor  exhibits  the  figure  of 
a woman,  clothed  in  the  stola,  offering  a crown 
to  him  : a star  in  the  field  of  the  coin.  In  the 
exergue  K.  A.  r. — And  on  another  medal  of  the 
same  metal,  size,  and  reign,  arc  the  same 
legend  and  the  same  type,  except  that  a captive 
kneeling  before  the  emperor  is  substituted  for 
the  star  in  the  field. — From  these  coins  Span- 
heim  takes  occasion  to  animadvert  upon  the 
cruel,  sanguinary,  and  ferocious  disposition 
which  characterised  this  celebrated  prince.  In 
fact,  historians  agree  in  speaking  of  him,  as 
one  who  had  no  less  stained  the  empire  by  his 
cruelty,  than  he  had  restored  it  by  his  victories 
gained  over  the  Sarmatians,  the  Goths,  the 
Palmyrians,  the  Francs  ; — victories  which, 
amongst  others,  had  given  rise  to  that  medal  of 
Aurelian,  on  which  he  is  crowned  by  Victory, 
and  honoured  with  the  glorious  inscription  above 
quoted. — Ce'sars  de  Julien,  p.  97. 

Same  legend , with  the  type  of  a woman 
offering  a laurel  crown  to  the  Emperor,  appears 
on  the  reverse  of  a small  brass,  bearing  on  its 
obverse  the  portrait  of  Cams  (the  successor  of 
Probus),  and  the  impious  dedication  deo  et 

DOMINO  CARO. 

RESTITVTOR  ORBIS.— A nearly  naked 
figure,  with  the  pallium  on  the  right  shoulder, 
and  the  hasta  in  the  right  hand,  offers  with 
his  left  a globe  to  another  figure,  in  military 
habiliments,  and  laureated,  holding  a spear  in 
left  hand,  and  extending  his  right  hand  towards 
the  proffered  orb. 

This  appears  to  symbolize  Jupiter  placing  the 
government  of  the  world  in  the  hands  of  an 
emperor. — Spanheim,  in  a note  to  his  translation 
of  the  Caesars  of  Julian , gives  (p.  102)  an 
engraving  of  this  legend  and  type,  as  from  the 
reverse  of  a coin  of  Probus.  [The  obverse  type 
being  the  radiated  head  of  that  emperor,  with 
the  legend  ferpetvo  imp.  c.  probo  invict. 
avg.] — And  then,  quoting  Vopiscus,  to  shew 
how  many  provinces  aud  allies  of  the  empire 
were,  by  the  warlike  exploits  of  Probus,  delivered 
from  the  oppression  of  the  Goths,  Germans, 
and  other  barbarians,  as  well  as  from  various 
usurpers  of  the  Imperial  purple,  thereby  re- 
establishing peace  throughout  the  Roman  world, 
he  concludes  by  saying — “ On  voit  des  Medailles 
de  Probus  avec  les  Inscriptions  et  les  Figures 
de  m vrs  pacipeb.  et  d‘  hercvles  paciper, 
et  d’ailleurs  par  un  litre  bien  plus  glorieux, 
et  qui  lui  convenoit  mieux  encore  qu’d  Aurelian, 
vis.,  restitvtor  orbis.” — But  this  reverse,  is 


RESTITUTOR.  687 

common  to  the  coins  of  Valerian,  Gallienus, 
Postumus,  Aurelian,  Tacitus,  Probus,  and  Cams, 
from  a third  brass  of  the  last  of  whom  an 
engraving  is  taken. 


RESTIT.  ORIENTIS.  A tuncted  female 

crowning  the  Emperor. RESTITVTOR 

ORBIS.  The  Emperor  raising  a female,  whose 
head  is  turreted ; also  the  Emperor,  with  spear 
aud  military  ensigns. — RESTITVT.  GENER. 
HVMANI.  The  Sun  standing,  holding  a globe. 
— The  appellations  of  “ Restorer  of  the  East,” 
“of  the  World,”  “of  the  Human  Race,”  as 
applied  to  Valerianus,  on  whose  silver  coins  they 
appear,  are  indeed  “ more  glorious  than  true.” — 
All  three  medals  were  struck  in  anticipation  of 
Valerian’s  success  against  the  Persians.  It  was 
a fallacious  augury.  The  event  of  this  expe- 
dition proved  signally  disastrous ; he  was  taken 
prisoner  by  Sapor,  and  after  suffering  every 
species  of  indignity,  miserably  perished,  to  the 
disgrace  of  his  son  and  successor  Gallienus,  and 
to  the  dishonour  of  the  Roman  race. 

RESTITVTOR  ORIENTIS. — Aurelianus  is 
thus  called,  on  a rare  gold  coin,  which  has  the 
figure  of  the  sun  radiated  for  the  type  of  its 
reverse,  and  which  was  struck  after  his  victory 
over  and  capture  of  Zenobia,  who  had  assumed 
the  title  of  Queen  of  the  East,  the  Persians 
and  Armenians  having  also  yielded  to  the  power 
of  his  arms. — “ Pacato  igitur  Orienle ,”  says 
Vopiscus,  “ in  Europam  Aurelianus  rediit 
victorP 

RESTITVTOR  REIPVBLTCAE. — Ona  brass 
medallion  (and  also  on  a gold  coin)  of  Valens, 
the  Emperor  is  represented  standing,  with  the 
labarum  in  his  right  hand  aud  a victoriola  in  his 
left. 

Valens,  brother  of  Valentinian  the  First,  is 
here,  in  the  pompous  inanity  of  imperial  decad- 
ence, called  the  Restorer  of  the  Republic  of 
Rome. — Havercamp  gives  a similar  reverse  of  a 
brass  medallion  of  Gratian , but  it  is  not  re- 
cognised either  in  Mionnet  or  in  Akerman. 

RESTITVTOR  SEC.  or  SAEC«A'.— The  Em- 
peror (Probus)  standing,  holds  a globe  and  the 
hasta  ; a Victory  behind  him,  with  palm  branch 
in  left  hand,  holds  with  her  right  hand  a crown 
above  his  head. — Third  brass. 

There  is  another  and  a rarer  third  brass  coin 
of  the  same  great  and  warlike  prince,  on  which 
the  legend  is  given  restitvtor  secv.  in  Aker- 
man’s  Catalogue,  and  of  which  the  type  is  there 
described  to  be  the  Emperor  standing,  holding 
the  globe  and  spear  ; his  right  foot  on  a captive; 
the  Sun  standing  : in  the  cxerque  xxiq. 

Appearing,  as  this  legend  docs,  on  coins  of 
Probus,  it  serves  as  an  instance  to  show  that 
numismatic  eulogies  arc  sometimes  based  on 


688  IlESTITUTOR. 

truth  and  justice.  This  illustrious  ruler  of  the 
Roman  empire  was  indeed,  by  his  wisdom,  energy, 
and  valour,  the  instrument  of  its  restoration  to 
peace  and  security,  during  the  period  in  which 
lie  only  too  briefly  flourished. 

RESTITVTOR,  or  RESTITVTORI,  VRBIS. 
— The  Emperor  standing  at  a sacrifice : another 
with  the  same  epigraph,  has  the  type  of  Rome 
seated. — This  appears  on  silver  of  Sept.  Scverus, 
to  whom  this  flattering  appellation  was  given 
doubtless  on  account,  not  of  his  haring  either 
rebuilt  or  embellished  Rome,  but  of  his  having 
restored  the  honour  of  the  “ Eternal  City”  by 
avenging  the  death  of  Pertinax,  secured  domestic 
tranquillity  to  the  empire  by  the  destruction  of 
his  competitors  Albinus  and  Niger,  and  made 
the  Roman  name  again  respected  abroad  by 
his  victories  over  the  Parthians. — In  a similar 
manner,  but  without  the  same  pretence,  coins 
were  struck  by  order  of  his  cut-throat  son, 
Caracalla,  in  dedication  to  himself  as  to  “ the 
Restorer  of  the  City." 

R EST1TVTORI  ACHAIAE, — A F R I C A E, 
—ARAB  I AE,— A S I A E,— B I T H Y N I A E,— 
GALLIAE, — IT  I SPA  N 1 A E,—  1TA  LI  AE,— 
L 1 B Y A E,— M ACEDON I AE,—  M A V R E T A- 
N I A E, — N I C O M E DI  AE,— P 1 1 R Y G I A E,— 
SICILIAE. 

These  legends  are  all  on  coins  of  Hadrian, 
who  travelled  frequently  over  and  surveyed  with 
attention  the  different  provinces  of  the  Roman 
Empire,  inspecting  the  armies,  embellishing  the 
cities,  and  everywhere  leaving  marks  of  his 
liberality  and  munificence. 


These  manifold  proofs  of  solicitude  for  the 
interests  and  prosperity  of  his  subjects  were 
typified  on  medals  with  a carefulness  that  seems 
to  have  anticipated  the  records  of  history,  and 
in  a variety  of  modes  most  suitable  to  the 
circumstances  of  his  visits. — Sometimes  the  pro- 
vinces are  represented  simply  by  a figure  and 
some  attributes  as  on  a first  brass  inscribed 
AEGYPTOS,  where  a woman  is  seen  seated  on 
the  ground,  having  at  her  feet  the  bird  Ibis ; 
sometimes  the  coins  of  this  most  magnificent  of 
emperors  present  themselves  as  so  many  monu- 
ments of  his  arrival  at  and  residence  in  these 
provinces,  explained  by  the  words  ADYENTYI 
AUGm/i;  as  for  example  MOESIAE,  with  an 
analogous  type,  such  as  the  Emperor  and  the 
Genius  of  the  province,  standing  opposite  each 
other  at  an  altar,  sacrificing : the  Genius  bolding 
a patera  in  her  right  hand,  and  in  her  left  a 
cornucopia  or  a sceptre. — At  other  times  we  see 
the  armies  which  he  inspected  designated  by  the 


RESTITUTOR. 

names  of  their  respective  provinces  in  which 
they  were  stationed  ; and  distinguished  further 
by  some  tvpe  of  allocution,  as  on  the  large  brass 
EXERCITVS  MAVRETANICVS,  with  the 
Emperor  on  horseback,  and  four  soldiers  on  foot 
bearing  military  ensigns. — Next,  we  observe,  as 
in  the  present  case,  that  the  Emperor  is  termed 
the  Restorer  of  a particular  piovince,  as  in  the 
large  bronze  medal  dedicated  by  the  Senate’s 
decree,  RESTITVTORI  ACHAIAE,  whereon 
Hadrian  is  represented  extending  his  riirht  hand 
to  lift  up  a kneeling  woman,  an  urn  with  a palm 
branch  in  it,  standing  in  the  midst — or  in  that 
of  RESTITVTORI  HISPANIAE,  where  the 


kneeling  genius  has  a rabbit  at  her  foot.  And 
lastly,  to  crown  the  climax  of  distinction,  not 
unjustly  due  to  the  benefactor  and  rc-establisher 
of  so  many  component  portions  of  a vast  empire, 
we  find  a medal  of  the  same  size  and  metid, 
whose  type  exhibits  Hadrian,  in  the  imperial 
robe,  raising  from  her  posture  of  genuflexion  a 
female  figure,  wearing  a crown  of  towers  on  her 
head,  aud  holding  a globe  in  her  left  hand ; 
whilst  the  legend,  in  one  emphatic  title,  designates 
him  Restitutor  orbis  terrarum,  the  Restorer  of 
the  (Roman)  world. 

By  terrarum  here,  of  course,  is  meant  every 
land  inhabited  by  citizens  in  towns,  and  culti- 
vated by  a civilized  rural  population.  Spartianus, 
in  his  Life  of  Hadrian,  observes,  “ Nee  quisquam 
fere  principum  tanlum  terrarum  tam  celeriter 
peragravit." 

The  suite  of  these  geographical  medals  (numi 
geographici),  as  Eckhcl  calls  them,  is  consider- 
able in  point  of  number,  and  deservedly  sought 
after  by  all  collectors  of  taste  and  intelligence. 
Some  of  them  are  very  rare;  others  are  sulfi- 
cientlv  common. 

RESTITVTORI  ITALIAE  IMP.  V.  COS. 
III.  S.  C. — Marcus  Aurelius,  whose  great  and 
good  qualities,  as  a prince,  shone  no  less  in 
peace  than  in  war,  had  certainly  a just  title  to 
the  honour  here  bestowed  u]»n  him,  senatus 
consu/to,  of  being  the  acknowledged  Restorer 
of  Italy ; for,  besides  paying  particular  atten- 
tion to  that  province,  as  the  first  in  importance 
and  the  nearest  to  the  capital,  he  may  truly  be 
said  to  have  restored  Italy,  by  averting  the 
danger  which  at  one  time  impended  over  her 
from  the  sanguinary  revolt  aud  threatened 
invasion  of  the  Germans. — This  transcendent 
merit,  as  Havercamp  (in  Num.  Reg.  Christina) 
observes,  “ it  appears  to  have  been  the  object  to 
mark  in  the  type  of  this  (large  brass)  medal. 
The  Emperor  standing,  holding  a lance,  and 


REX  ARMENIIS  DATUS. 

clothed  in  armour,  offers  his  right  hand  to  a 
female  figure,  who  has  one  knee  on  the  ground, 
and  whom  he  assists  to  rise.  This  figure  not 
ouly  has  a radiated  crown  on  her  head,  hut 
moreover  a globe  in  the  left  hand,  because  she 
represents  Italy,  a country  which  then  possessed 
the  empire  of  the  world.” — The  legend  of  the 
reverse  tells  us  that  the  coin  was  struck  when 
Marcus  Aurelius  was  Imperator  for  the  sixth 
and  Consul  for  the  third  time  : the  inscription  of 
the  obverse  shews  that  it  was  under  his  twenty- 
seventh  renewal  of  the  tribunitian  power. — 
a.d.  159. 

Reverse  of  a coin,  in  Latin  called  averse  and 
postica,  is  the  side  opposite  to  that  of  the  head. 

REX  v.  IVBA  REX. — King  of  Numidia  and 
Mauretania. 

HEX  ARETAS. — This  title  and  name  appear 
on  an  elegant  historical  medal  of  the  JEmilia 
family.  Dion  briefly  alludes  to  the  subject  of 
the  type  by  relating  that  Syria  and  Phoenicia 
having  been  assigned  to  the  government  of 
Arctas,  King  of  Arabia  Petnea,  who  had  often 
disturbed  Syria  with  his  incursions,  Pompey  the 
Great  waged  war  against,  and  delivered  him  as  a 
conquered  prince  into  captivity. — Josephus,  how- 
ever, imparts  a clearer  explanation  concerning 
this  denarius.  He  says  that,  affairs  in  Syria 
having  been  settled,  Pompey  made  his  prepara- 
tions for  returning  to  Rome,  and  committed  all 
Syria,  from  the  Euphrates  as  far  as  Egypt,  to 
M.  /Emilius  Seaurus,  who  immediately  attacked 
Aretas ; but  the  latter,  mistrusting  his  own 
power  to  make  a successful  resistance,  sued  for 
peace  and  obtained  it,  at  the  expense  of  three 
hundred  talents.  These  transactions  took  place 
v.c.  672. — Accordingly  the  denarius  above 
alluded  to  (see  Aemi/ia  and  Aretas)  shews  the 
Arabiau  king  as  if  dismounted  from  the  camel, 
(on  which,  after  the  Arabian  fashion,  he  had 
been  riding,)  and  kneeling,  as  in  the  act  of 
supplication,  holding  up  an  olive  branch  (symbol 
of  pacification),  hanging  from  which  are  to  be 
seen  (as  Havercamp  has  already  observed)  fillets 
or  ribbands,  according  to  that  which  Virgil 
(A'.neid,  viii.  127)  mentions : 

Optime  Grajugenum,  cui  me  Fortune  precari, 

Et  vitta  comptos  voluit  preetendere  ramos. 

REX  ARMENIIS  DATVS.— There  is  a 
magnificence  in  this  legend  (on  a large  bronze 
medal  of  Autoninus  Pius)  which  is  by  no  means 
expatiated  upon  with  corresponding  precision  in 
the  annals  of  that  prince’s  reign.  The  event  which 
it  commemorates  is  one  illustrious  for  Rome  : 


A King  given  to  the  Armenians. — In  the 

4 T 


REX  ARMENIIS  DATUS.  689 

type  the  Emperor  stands  clothed  in  the  toga, 
and  is  in  the  act  of  placing  a diadem  on  the 
head  of  the  new  monarch.  The  latter  is  covered 
l with  a royal  mantle,  and  lifts  his  right  hand  to 
his  head. — Notwithstanding  the  mauy  fierce  and 
bitter  contests  of  the  Romans  with  the  Parthians, 
Armenia,  situate  between  both  those  empires, 
was  accustomed  to  receive  its  sovereigns  some- 
times from  the  one,  sometimes  from  the  other. — 
Eckhel  observes  that  there  is  nothing  to  be 
gathered  from  the  res  gesta  of  Antoninus  which 
bears  upon  this  event,  except  what  Capitoliuus 
hands  down  : Parthorum  regem  ab  Armeniorum 
expugnalione  so/is  lileris  repulit. — Vaillant  has 
been  led  to  conjecture,  from  a passage  of 
Jamblicus,  quoted  by  Photius,  that  the  king  of 
Armenia,  appointed  by  Antoninus,  was  named 
Ackaemenes. 

lint,  although  the  old  writers  have  scarcely 
anything  to  say  on  the  subject,  yet  the  legend 
and  type  of  this  reverse  unite  in  proving  the 
occurrence  of  such  an  event,  and  form  an 
addition  to  the  mauy  instances  in  which  medals 
are  not  a little  serviceable  to  history,  and,  if 
only  on  that  account,  are  well  entitled  to  be 
deposited  in  cabinets  and  studied  as  amongst  the 
most  useful,  as  well  as  the  most  curious,  monu- 
ments of  antiquity. — This  point,  amongst  others, 
Ezekiel  Spanheim  has  admirably  demonstrated  in 
his  great  work  Be  Prast.  Num. 

REX  ARMENIIS  DATVS.  IMP.  II.  TR.  P. 
IIII.  COS  II.  S.C. — The  emperor,  surrounded 
by  three  figures,  is  seated  on  an  estrade,  at  the 
foot  of  which  stands  the  king  of  Armenia. — 
First  brass  of  Lucius  Veras. 

As  in  the  case  of  the  coin  of  Antoninus  just 
described,  so  with  respect  to  this  of  Verus,  struck 
twenty-four  years  afterwards  ; but  little  light  has 
been  thrown  by  historians  on  the  fact  of  another 
“ king  given  to  the  Armenians,”  though  recorded 
and  typified  on  this  interesting  reverse. — 
Capitoliuus,  as  cited  by  'Tristan,  in  allusion  to 
Verus’s  campaign,  says,  “ when  the  war  was 
terminated,  he  gave  kingdoms  to  kings,  and 
the  government  of  provinces  to  his  officers.” — 
For  (adds  the  old  French  numismatist) 
“Armenia  was  a kingdom,  and  nevertheless 
sometimes  made  a province  of  by  the  emperors. 
But  Capitolinus  does  not  distinctly  say  that 
Veius  had  created  a king  in  Armenia.  Now, 
this  medal  supplies  what  the  historian  has 
neglected.  It  says  iu  the  inscription  that  the 
emperor  established  a king,  a fact  which  in 
truth  is  not  elsewhere  mentioned.  But  Photius, 
on  the  authority  of  Jamblicus,  states  that  the 
king  in  question  was  named  Socemus,  and  that 
he  was  living  in  his  time ; that  this  prince  was 
son  of  Acha:mcnes,  and  grandson  of  Arsaces, 
and  descended  from  great  kings;  that,  never- 
theless, he  was  only  a Roman  senator,  and 
honoured  with  the  consular  dignity.”  Tristan 
goes  on  to  say  that  this  Soeemus  wras  at  length 
appointed  king  of  the  greater  Armenia  by  the 
Romans ; that  he  was  afterwards  driven  from 
his  throne  by  Vologeses,  king  of  the  Parthians, 
and  that  he  re-ascended  it  under  the  protection 
of  the  Emperor  Verus. 


690  REX  PARTHIS  DATES, 

REX  ARTAXIAS. — On  reverse  of  a denarius 
of  Gcrmauicus. — Qbo.  germanicvs,  with  other 
letters  indistinct,  round  a naked  head  of  Ger- 
manicus. — Rev.  Two  male  figures  standing ; by  j 


the  side  of  one  is  inscribed  artaxias;  behind 
the  other,  germamcvs.  This  coin,  introduced 
by  Mr.  Borrell,  who  procured  it  from  Kaisar, 
the  ancient  Cxsarea  of  Cappadocia,  records  the 
crowning  of  Zeno,  sou  of  Polemon,  king  of 
Pontus,  by  Gcrmauicus,  the  name  Artaxias 
being  received  by  him  from  Artaxata,  the  capital 
of  Armenia.  The  coin  is  of  the  highest  his- 
torical interest,  and  is  fully  explained  by  a 
passage  in  Tacitus  Ann.  lib.  ii.  cap.  206. — -See 
also  the  Numismatic  Chronicle,  vol.  ii.  p.  4. 

REX  PARTHIS  DATVS.— This  superb 
legend,  of  which  those  of  Antoninus  and  of 
Verus,  as  to  the  Armenian  kings,  are  to  be 
regarded  in  the  light  of  imitations,  appears  on 
the  reverse  of  a first  brass  of  Trajan;  and 
together  with  the  regna  adsignata  of  the 
same  reign,  already  noticed  in  its  alphabetical 
order,  refers  to  events  that  must  have  been  in 
the  highest  degree  flattering  to  Roman  pride 
and  ambition.  Towards  the  close  of  Lis  reign 
this  illustrious  Prince,  having  conquered  the  | 
Parthians  and  dethroned  Chosroes,  their  king, 
imposed  a new  sovereign  upon  them,  and  the 
scene  of  this  important  transaction  is  represented  j 
with  consummate  tact  on  the  present  medal.  I 
We  see  here  the  personification  of  Parthia, 


kneeling  before  the  emperor,  as  if  soliciting  a 
king  at  his  hands.  Trajan,  who  is  seated  on  a 
suggest  am,  attended  by  the  commander  of  the 
Pnetorian  guards,  complies  with  the  request, 
by  giving  her  one,  whom  he  points  to  with  his 
hand.  The  fact  is  attested  by  the  words  of  the 
inscription — A king  given  to  the  Parthians. 

REX  PARTHVS. — This  is  also  a very  rare 
gold  coin,  allusive  to  the  same  transaction, 
haring  for  the  epigraph  of  its  reverse  rex 
partuvs;  and  for  its  type,  the  king  of  the 
Parthians  bending  the  knee  before  Trajan,  who 
is  surrounded  by  soldiers  and  military  ensigns. 


REX  QUADIS  DATES. 

— According  to  Dion  (quoted  by  ^ aillant)  the 
Rex  Parthus  of  this  and  the  preceding  coin, 
was  Parthamaspales,  son  of  Artabanes. 

REX  QVADIS  DATVS.  — The  emperor 
Antoninus,  clothed  in  the  toga,  with  his  right 
hand  joined  to  that  of  the  king  of  the  Quadi. — 
Large  brass. 


This  is  another  of  those  imperial  medals 
which,  like  those  described  above,  serve  to 
show  the  superiority  acquired  by  the  Romans 
over  foreign  nations.  History,  however,  is 
silent  with  regard  to  the  fact  of  Antoninus 
having  given  a new  king  to  the  Quadi,  who 
were  a people  inhabiting  the  left  bank  of  the 
1 Danube,  occupying  that  tract  of  country  which 
now  forms  part  of  Lower  Austria,  and  extends 
as  far  as  Moravia.  The  history  of  this  barbarous 
I tribe  was  more  fully  known  in  the  subsequent 
reign  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  to  whom  they  became 
formidable. — Perhaps  (says  Eckhel)  the  king 
here  given  to  the  Quadi  by  Antoninus  is  the 
same  as  he,  of  whom  Capitolinus  speaks  (in  bis 
life  of  Marcus) : Quadi  autem  amisso  rege  suo, 
non  prius  se  confirmaturos  eum  qui  erat  creatus, 
dice  bant,  quam  id  nostris  p/acuisset  impera- 
toribus. 

Rhea  Silvia,  the  daughter  of  Numitor,  king 
of  the  Albans,  whom,  after  she  had  been  conse- 
crated by  her  uncle  Amulius  as  a virgin  to  the 
service  of  Vesta,  became  pregnant  by  Mars,  and 
brought  forth  Romulus  and  Remus. — On  a 
second  coin  of  Antoninus  Pius,  she  is  repre- 
sented half  naked  in  a sleeping  posture,  aud 
Mars  descending  towards  her;  to  this  remarkable 
coin  there  is  no  other  legend  than  cos.  hi.  s.c. 

Rhenus,  that  celebrated  river  now  called  the 
Rhine,  which,  rising  in  the  chain  of  the  Rhietian 
Alps  (amidst  the  terrific  rocks  and  glaciers  of 
the  Grisons),  flows  through  the  lake  of  Coustauce 
(Brigantinus  Locus)  past  Basilia  or  Baste ; then 
taking  its  true  direction  to  the  north-west, 
divided  ancient  Germania  from  Gallia,  and 
empties  itself  into  the  sea  through  the  country  of 
the  Batavi,  of  which  Lugdunum  Batacorum,  now 
Leyden,  was  the  capital. — The  three  Gallic  pro- 
vinces, on  the  western  bank  of  the  Rhine,  con- 
tained several  German  nations — namely,  the 
| Vantriones,  whose  capital  was  Borbetomagus, 
j now  IPorms,  north  of  which  were  Moguntiacum, 
now  Mains,  and  Confluentes,  now  Cobtent: — 
the  Nemetes,  whose  capital  was  Noviomagns, 
now  Spires;  and  the  Triboci,  whose  chief 
town  was  Argcntoratum,  now  Strasburg.  lower 
down,  on  the  same  bank  of  the  river,  were  also 
the  Lbii,  whose  capital  was  Colouia  Agrippina 


RHENUS.—  RHESAENA. 

(now  Cologne),  so  called  after  Agrippina  Claudii ; 
and  the  Eburones,  whose  country,  afterwards 
occupied  by  the  Tungri,  had  for  its  principal 
city  Aduataca,  now  called  Tong  res. — On  the 
eastern  bank  of  Rhenus,  were  the  Frisii,  occupy- 
ing the  country  which  now  forms  part  of 
Holland,  Friesland,  and  Groningen.  It  was 
across  this  tract  that  Drusus,  in  his  campaigns 
against  the  Germans,  caused  a canal  or  dyke  to  be 
dug,  called  Flevo  Lacus,  as  a fortification  against 
the  incursions  of  the  barbarians.  On  the  same 
bank  were  the  Chauci  Minores  and  Majores,  of 
the  race  of  the  Suevi,  praised  by  Tacitus  as  the 
best  of  the  German  tribes.  On  the  east  bank 
also  were  the  Catti,  a great  and  powerful  nation, 
whose  capital  was  Mattium,  now  Marburg ; 
and  to  the  south  of  them  were  the  Mattiaci, 
occupying  the  present  electorate  of  Hesse  Darm- 
stadt. 

RHENVS. — There  are  two  medals  in  large 
bronze,  the  types  of  which  represent  Germania 
vanquished — alluding  to  a victory  to  which 
Domitian  falsely  laid  claim. — In  the  former 
a German,  on  his  knee,  surrenders  a long 
shield,  that  is,  his  arms,  to  the  emperor.  In 
the  latter  the  vain-glorious  Domitian  treads 
underfoot  the  Rhine,  which  serves  here  as  the 
symbol  of  Germany. 

That  the  river  personified  on  the  last-mentioned 
medal  signifies  the  Rhine  (which  Domitian,  as 
Zouaras  writes,  passed  over  in  his  expedition  of 
a.d.  84),  is  indicated  by  other  coins  similar  to 
this,  except  that,  as  Patin  and  Morell  have 
delineated  them,  they  exhibit  rhenvs  written 
in  the  exergue. — As  coins  of  the  former  kind 
are  common,  so  those  with  the  word  rhenvs 
arc  of  the  greatest  rarity,  unless  perhaps  it  be 
safer  to  suspect  them  of  being  counterfeits ; for 
it  is  exceedingly  strange  that  the  name  in  ques- 
tion was  unknown  to  Vaillant,  and  that  they  arc 
also  unknown  in  the  finest  collections.  Nor 
does  Morell  add  to  his  engraving  of  the  coin  any 
reference  to  the  museum  which  contains  it ; 
whence  it  would  appear  that  he  had  followed 
only  the  authority  of  others.  It  was  from  the 
Rhine  that  Martial  took  a subject  matter  for 
adulation,  when  addressing  the  prince ; he  says  : 
Tibi  summe  Rheni  domilor,  §rc. — Ejng.  ix.  vii. 

Rhenus  fluvius. — There  is  another  image  of 
the  Rhine  on  a coin  of  Postumus  (in  gold  and 
silver),  in  which  the  recumbent  Genius  of  the 
mighty  stream  is  represented  with  two  horns 
(bicornis),  as  indicating  the  belief  of  ancient 
geographers  that  this  river  made  its  outlet  to 
the  sea  by  two  mouths. — See  salvs  pro- 
VINCIARVM. 

Rhesaena,  or  rather  Rhesaina,  a city  of 
Mesopotamia,  situate  on  the  declivity  of  Mount 
Masius,  near  the  river  Chabora,  at  its  point  of 
confluence  with  the  Euphrates,  not  very  far 
from  Carrhac,  and  close  upon  the  eastern 
frontier  of  the  Roman  empire.  This  place, 
which  was  in  a later  age  called  Theodosiopolis, 
has  for  its  present  name  Ras-al-ain  (Asiatic 
Turkey,  province  of  Diarbekir).  It  was  made 
a colony  by  Sept.  Severus,  as  indicated  by  its 
assumed  surname  of  Septimias,  adopted  from 
4 T 2 


RHESAENA. — RHINOCEROS.  691 

that  of  Severus’s  family. — Near  Rhesaina,  the 
Persian  king  was  signally  defeated  and  his  army 
put  to  flight  by  Gordianus  III. — Old  writers 
furnish  no  particulars  respecting  this  Mesopo- 
tamian town ; but  its  coins,  which  take  their 
date  from  the  reign  of  Hadrian,  form  in  this 
respect  a supplemental  monument  to  history. — 
They  consist  of  ( Greek)  Imperial  of  Caracalla  ; 
aud  of  Colonial  Imperial  successively  dedicated 
to  Alexander  Severus,  to  Trajan  Decius,  to 
Hercnuia  Etruscilla,  and  to  Herennius.  These 
latter  have  Greek  legends  with  some  few  words 
in  Latin.  For  example,  there  is,  on  a very  rare 
second  brass,  struck  in  honour  of  Alex.  Severus, 
the  legend  PHCAINHCIfiN,  Rhesainesiornm, 
accompanied  by  the  type  of  a colonist  at  plough 
with  oxen,  together  with  a vexillum,  on  which 
is  jnscribed  leg.  iii.  gal.  Legio  Tertia 
Gallica. 

The  type  of  the  Colonus  boves  agens  here 
used  shews  that  Rhesaina  was  a colony;  and 
it  is  to  be  observed  that  although  the  word 
COL onia  does  not  appear  on  the  coin,  yet  it 
does  appear  (in  Greek  characters)  on  another  of 
the  same  emperor,  and  also  on  one  of  Trajan 
Decius — see  below.  The  present  medal  also 
denotes  that  the  veterans  of  the  Third  Gallic 
Legion  were  settled  in  Rhesaina,  which  city 
dedicated  coins  to  Alexander,  as  in  gratitude 
bound,  because  that  good  emperor  had  freed 
them  from  the  devastating  presence  of  the  Per- 
sians, as  Eutropius  states,  by  his  waging  war 
against  that  people,  and  gloriously  vanquishing 
their  king  Artaxerxes. — The  second  brass  of 
Alexander  Severus  and  of  Trajan  Decius  alluded 
to  above  exhibit  the  colonist  and  oxen,  but 
without  the  vexillum.  In  that  of  Decius  there  is 
an  eagle,  typical  of  Roman  government.  Thus 
we  have  the  colomis  as  representing  the  citizens, 
and  the  vexillum  as  symbolizing  the  legionary 
veterans. — “ Quanta  igitur  (exclaims  Vaillant) 
Historian  lux  e nummis  !” 

There  is  another  type  of  this  colony,  which 
(like  the  Ptolemais  of  Trajan  already  quoted,) 
presents  the  figure  of  a turreted  woman,  sitting 
on  a rock  with  corn-ears,  and  a river -god  at  her 
feet.  This  is  meant  for  the  Genius  of  the  City, 
whose  mountainous  site  is  also  here  denoted, 
whilst  the  corn-ears  serve  to  indicate  the  abund- 
ance of  wheat  produced  on  its  fertile  soil.  The 
man  emerging  from  the  water  represents  the 
river  Chabora,  which,  rising  from  Mount  Masius, 
flowed  past  the  walls  of  Rhesaina. 

Rhinoceros. — This  animal  (according  to  Span- 
heim)  indicates  both  games  and  wars : it  is  also 
the  sign  of  imperial  munificence  and  eternity. — 
The  rhinoceros,  as  certain  coins  of  Domitian 
shew,  was  seen  at  Rome  in  the  times  of  the 
Flavian  emperors,  it  being  exhibited  in  the 
secular  games. — Eckliel  mentions  three  small 
brass  coins,  well  preserved,  in  the  Imperial 
cabinet,  bearing  on  their  obverses  imp.  domit. 
avg.  germ.,  and  on  their  reverses  the  figuie  of 
a Rhinoceros,  from  whose  snout  rise  two  horns : 
of  these  the  one  nearest  the  mouth  is  the  longer, 
the  other  a little  higher  up  and  less  prominent. 
The  rhinoceros  bicornis  is  the  rarer  species ; the 


692  ROGUS  FUNEBRIS. 


ROMA. 


old  writers,  however,  recall  it  to  remembrance.  | 
Thus  Martial,  Spectac.  xxii. : 

Kamque  gravem  OBMINO  COliN'V  tic  extulit  ursum. 

Fausanias’s  narrative  corres]>onds  clearly  with  [ 
these  coins  of  Domitian,  when  he  affirms  him-  j 
self  to  have  seen  rhinocerotes  (which  he  calls  j 
^Ethiopian  bulls)  from  the  extremity  of  whose  1 
nose  a horn  juts  out,  and  a little  higher  up 
another,  but  not  a large  one. — These  particulars  | 
(adds  Eckhel)  have  demanded  notice,  because 
Hardouiu  teaches  that  from  these  identical  coins 
of  Domitian  it  is  manifest  that  this  wild  beast  is 
furnished  with  only  one  horn  on  its  snout ; and 
the  same  error,  derived  perhaps  from  Ilar- 
douin,  about  only  one  horn  being  observable  on 
the  coins  of  Domitian,  has  since  been  propagated 
by  James  Bruce,  an  Englishman,  who,  iu  his 
travels  in  Abyssinia,  relates  many  things  respect- 
ing this  animal,  at  one  time  as  unicornis,  at 
another  as  bicornis,  when  describing  the  natural 
history  of  quadrupeds  in  that  region. 

Right  hands  joined,  are  symbols  of  Concord 
and  indications  of  mutual  confidence,  real  or 
assumed. — See  Manus. 

Bogus  funebris,  or  funeral  pile  of  the  Romans, 
was  a quadrangular  kind  of  scaffold,  or  compact 
structure  of  timber-work,  on  which  the  dead 
bodies  of  princes  and  princesses  were  burnt  to 
ashes. — Vaillant  says  it  was  called  Rogus  because 
the  dii  manes,  or  deities  of  the  shades  below, 
in  eo  rogantur,  were  supplicated,  and  believed  to 
be  propitiated  by  the  ceremonies  performed  at 
them. — The  rogus,  from  the  reign  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  is  the  common  type  of  consecration  on 
coins  of  Imperial  personages  of  both  sexes. — 
Dion  briefly  speaks  of  this  pile  as  in  form  like  a 
tower  of  three  stories,  adorned  with  ivory,  gold, 
and  a few  statues. — Herodianus  gives  a fuller 
description  of  it,  observiug  that  the  ground- 
floor  of  this  square  building  was  filled  with  dry 
fuel ; that  on  this  substructure  stood  another 
tier,  similar  iu  form  and  ornament,  but  narrower, 
and  furnished  with  open  doors ; that  on  these 
were  erected  a third  and  a fourth,  still  narrower 
in  dimensions,  so  that  the  whole  work  presented 
the  appearance  of  a pharos ; that  the  corpse 
being  then  deposited  in  the  second  story,  and 
the  accustomed  ceremonies  being  performed, 
the  lighted  torch  was  applied,  and  the  entire 
mass  consumed  by  fire. — After  making  these 
citations  from  the  old  writers,  Eckhel  alludes  I 
to  the  abundance  of  coius,  which  place  before 
our  eyes  the  form  of  the  rogus,  exactly  corres- 
ponding with  their  description  ; and  he  par-  I 
ticularly  mentions  a medal  of  Julia  Micsa,  not  | 
long  ago  found  at  Rome  ; the  possessor  of 
which,  Viscount  Ennius,  an  antiquary  of  great 
repute,  wrote  to  the  Papal  Nuncio  at  Vienna, 
saying  that  it  was  in  so  beautiful  and  entire  a 
state  of  preservation,  that,  what  had  never 
before  been  observed  in  these  representations  of 
funeral  piles,  the  body  of  the  Augusta  appeared 
placed  on  a bier  in  the  second  story. 

As  symbols  of  consecration,  these  Rogi  are 
seen  on  coins  of  Aclius  Cn-sar,  Antoninus  l’ius, 
Faustina  senior,  M.  Aurelius,  Faustina  jun.,  L.  , 


Verus,  Pertinax,  Sept.  Scverus,  Caracalla,  Julia 
Miesa,  Saloninus,  Valerianns  jun.,  Claudius 
Gothicus,  Tetricusjnn.,  Nigrinianus,  Constantins 
Chlorus. — See  conskckatio. 

Ou  the  Rogus  (says  Vaillant,  Pr.  ii.  293), 
an  eagle  was  placed  at  the  consecration  of 
emperors,  and  a peacock  at  that  of  empresses; 
and  when  the  cord  by  which  it  was  tied  became 
consumed  in  the  flames,  the  bird  thus  freed,  and 
flying  through  the  air,  was  popularly  believed  to 
carry  the  spirit  of  the  deified  personage  up  to 
heaven.  This  image  of  consecration  was  after- 
wards struck  on  the  Imperial  medals. 

RO.  or  ROM.  Roma.  At  Rome. — ROM. 
Romani,  or  Romano,  or  Romanorum. 

Roma,  formerly  queen  of  almost  the  whole 
earth. — Horace  (L.  iv.  od.  3)  calls  her  the 
prince  of  cities;  and  according  to  Martial  (L.  xii. 
epig.  8)  she  is  terrarum  dea  genliumque : — 
Rome,  a city  of  Latium  in  Italy,  situated  on 
the  Tiber,  founded  by  the  Alban  youth,  under 
the  leadcrsliip  of  Romulus  and  Remus,  the 
grandsous  of  Numitor.  At  least  the  most 
generally  received  opinion  is  that  Rome  was 
so  called  from  Romulus,  who  was  first  named 
Roraus,  according  to  the  authority  of  Scrvius. 
For  when  Romidus  and  Remus  undertook  joiutly 
the  building  of  the  city,  the  latter  wished  that 
its  name  should  be  Remuria,  from  his  own  name. 
Romulus,  ou  the  other  hand,  preferred  to  have 
it  named  Roma.  The  auspices  were  given  in 
favour  of  Romulus  ; nevertheless,  the  city  was 
not  styled  Romu/a,  lest  such  a diminutive  of  the 
name  should  derogate  in  any  degree  from  the 
majesty  of  the  city. 

Rome  took  for  its  sign  the  wolf  suckling  the 
twin  brothers,  in  recognition  of  the  well-known 
story.  When,  indeed,  the  power  of  the  city 
became  so  great  that  the  descendants  of  its 
founder  begau  to  he  ashamed  of  their  origin, 
its  history  was  adorued  with  fables. — Hence  the 
sagacious  Livy,  in  his  preface  to  his  Libr.  llistor., 
says — “ Qua  ante  conditam  condendamce  urbem, 
poeticis  magis  decora  fabulis,  quam  incorruptis 
rerum  gestarum  monumenlis  traduntur,  ea  nec 
adfinnare,  nec  refellere,  in  animo  esi." — But 
although  it  is  the  common  belief  that  Rome  was 
built  by  Romidus,  because  he  founded  a monarchy 
there,  yet  there  are  many  authors  who  assert 
that,  before  him,  Evander,  from  Arcadia, 
reigned  over  that  part  of  the  city,  afterwards 
called  Mons  l’alatinus;  nay,  there  are  others, 
especially  the  Greeks,  who  pretend  that,  before 
the  time  of  Romidus,  there  existed  in  the  same 
place  a city  named  Rome  which  had  been  budt 
by  a certain  noble  lady,  Greek  or  Trojan,  named 
Roma,  who  was  with  Eneas,  it  is  not  known 
iu  what  quality,  whether  slave  or  wife. 

Leaving  these,  however,  and  other  opinions 
which  have  been  advanced  respecting  the  origin 
of  Rome,  and  which  are  founded  only  on  con- 
jectures altogether  arbitrary,  we  may  regard  it 
thus  far  as  certain,  that  she  sprang  from  the 
smallest  beginnings;  that  her  first  foundations 
were  on  the  Palatine  mount ; and  that  her 
boundaries  were  then  from  time  to  time  enlarged 
round  that  spot  to  a vast  extent.  For  Pliny 


ROMA. 

(L.  iii.  c.  6)  writes  that,  in  the  reign  of 
Vespasian,  the  circuit  of  the  city  was  13,000 
paces.  And  Vopiscus  relates  that  the  Emperor 
Aurelian  increased  the  compass  of  its  walls 
to  thirty  thousand  paces. — So  great  and  tamous 
did  this  city  in  the  end  become,  as  the  capital 
of  the  most  powerful  and  extensive  empire 
ever  known,  though  it  owed  its  origin  to  a 
troop  of  herdsmen,  fugitive  slaves,  and  robbers, 
conducted  by  a man  of  ability  and  resolution. — 
If  writers  have  varied  in  their  sentiments  on  the 
origin  of  Rome,  they  have  equally  differed  with 
regard  to  the  year  of  its  foundation.  The  most 
general  opinion  assigns  for  that  event  the  year 
from  the  creation  of  the  world  3231,  viz.,  753 
years  before  the  birth  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  third 
year  of  the  sixth  Olympiad,  431  years  after  the 
ruin  of  Troy,  and  during  the  reign  of  Jothau, 
King  of  Judah. 

Rome  wras  called  Septicollis,  because  she  in- 
closed within  her  mural  boundaries  seven  hills, — 
viz.,  Palatinus,  Quirinalis,  Aventinus,  Coclius, 
Viminalius,  Esquilicns,  and  Tarpeius,  or  Capi- 
tolinus.  Such  was  “ the  eternal  city”  under 
King  Romulus  and  his  successors.  And  if, 
after  the  substitution  of  the  consular  for  the 
monarchical  form  of  government,  she  gained  in 
point  of  extent,  she  was  but  a rude  and  unsightly 
mass  of  cabins  and  cottages,  until  the  period  of 
her  being  burnt  by  the  Gauls.  Subsequently  to 
that  event  she  assumed  a better  architectural 
character,  having  been  re-built  in  a more  com- 
modious and  durable  manner.  Rut  it  is  stated 
by  her  historians,  that  even  so  far  down  as  the 
arrival  of  Pyrrhus  in  Italy,  the  houses  were 
covered  with  only  shingle  and  planks.  Nor  was 
it  till  the  year  622,  that  the  embellishments  of 
Rome  commeuecd,  thence  proceeding  to  that 
pitch  of  splendour  to  which  Augustus  carried 
them.  A spleudour  which  Nero,  after  playing 
himself  the  part  of  an  incendiary  with  the  old 
city,  still  further  improved  upon  in  restoring  it 
from  its  ashes.  This  high  and  pabny  state  was 
under  Trajan  not  only  maintained,  but  rendered 
still  more  noble  ; and  long  after  that  great 
emperor’s  time  it  exhibited  almost  untliminished 
magnificence,  in  spite  of  the  ravages  of  the 
Goths,  the  Vandals,  the  Ostrogoths,  and  other 
barbarians,  whose  assaults  were  scarcely  more 
ruinous  than  the  degeneracy  ot  the  people  them- 
selves.— Rome  still  contains  relics  which  serve 
to  indicate  what  she  must  have  been  in  the  days 
of  her  imperial  power  and  grandeur. 

Romanum  imperium. — The  Roman  dominion 
or  territorial  jurisdiction,  which  began  under 
kings  (viz.,  Romulus  and  his  six  successors, 
Numa  Pompilius,  Tuilus  Uostillius,  Aucus 
Martins,  Tarquinius  Priscus,  Servius  Tullius, 
and  Tarquinius  Superbus),  whose  united  reigns 
occupied  a space  of  243  years, — did  not  extend 
further  than  within  18  (Roman)  miles  each  way 
from  the  city.  But  under  the  Consuls,  amongst 
whom  were  sometimes  Dictators,  &c.,  the  advance 
of  Roman  power,  and  the  extent  of  Roman  con- 
quests, during  a period  of  447  years,  were  in  effect 
nearly  as  follows  : — Italy  captured  as  far  as 
beyond  the  Po;  Africa  and  Spain  subdued; 


ROMA.  693 

Gallia  and  Britannia  rendered  tributary ; the 
Illyrians,  the  Istrians,  the  Liburni,  the  Dalma- 
tians, vanquished ; Achaia  invaded ; the  Mace- 
donians overcome;  war  waged  with  the  Dar- 
danians,  the  Moesians,  and  the  Thracians  ; the 
legionary  eagle  was  planted  on  the  banks  of 
the  Danube.  Having  defeated  Antiochus,  the 
Romans  set  foot  for  the  first  time  in  Asia ; 
victorious  over  Mithridatcs,  they  take  possession 
of  the  kingdom  of  Pontus,  together  with 
Armenia  Minor,  which  that  monarch  had  held ; 
they  march  into  Mesopotamia,  and  enter  into  a 
treaty  with  the  Parthians ; they  fight  against 
the  Arabians;  Judaea  is  conquered  ; Cilicia  and 
Syria  brought  into  subjection  ; at  length  Egypt 
is  reached  by  the  victorious  arms  of  Rome,  and 
her  republic  is  no  more. — Under  the  Emperors, 
from  Augustus  to  the  times  of  Theodosius  and 
his  sons,  a period  of  440  years — the  Cantabri, 
the  Astures,  and  all  Spain  were  placed  under  the 
yoke;  the  Alps,  Rhrctia,  Noricum,  Pannonia, 
and  Moesia,  were  added  to  the  empire;  the 
whole  tract  of  the  Danube  was  reduced  to  the 
state  of  provinces ; all  Pontus  and  the  Greater 
Armenia,  Mesopotamia,  Assyria,  Arabia,  and 
Egypt  yielded  obedience  to  the  laws  of  Rome, 
And  thus,  by  the  successive  efforts  of  these 
“foremost  men  of  all  the  world,”  and  by  the 
valour  and  perseverance  of  the  Roman  people, 
this  most  august  empire  was  elevated  to  the 
supremest  height  of  human  glory- — having  for 
its  limits  the  ocean  on  the  west,  the  Rhine  and 
the  Danube  on  the  north,  the  Tigris  on  the 
east,  and  Mount  Atlas  on  the  south. 

ROMA. — This  word  is  often  found  inscribed 
on  nearly  all  the  coins  of  families,  in  addition 
to  their  names,  especially  on  the  most  ancient 
denarii,  and  even  on  coins  anterior  to  them. 
They  are  generally  wanting  on  such  as  were 
struck  in  the  decline  of  the  republic. — VailLmt 
says,  and  so  docs  Havcrcamp,  in  very  many 
places,  that  when  the  word  ro.wa  is  added  it 
indicates  that  the  medal  was  struck  in  the  city  ; 
the  omission  of  it  signifies  that  the  piece  wras 
coined  in  some  province.  “ In  the  first  place, 
this  rule  is  fallible,  because  on  coins  of  a later 
age  the  word  is  wanting ; in  the  next  place,  I 
know  not  why  coins,  although  struck  in  a pro- 
vince yet  by  a Roman  magistrate,  could  not 
have  been  recognised  as  Roman,  wheu  they  were 
doubtless  Roman  currency,  especially  as  on  even 
foreign  coins  the  word  koma  is  not  unfrequently 
read,  by  which  indeed  the  conquered  people 
sought  to  prove  their  connexion  with  the  govern- 
ing city.” — Eckhel,  vol.  viii.  70. 

ROMA. — This  word  also  appears  in  mono- 
gram on  denarii  of  the  Didia  and  Marcia 
families,  and  on  a denarius  of  Calpurnius  Piso 
Frugi. — Roma  likewise  is  inscribed  on  the  Con- 
sular coinage,  in  silver,  both  denarii  and  quinarii. 
On  family  denarii  it  is  generally  accompanied  by 
types  of  Victory  in  a big  a or  in  a quadriga,  or 
by  the  Dioscuri. 

Rome  was  personified  and  worshipped  as  a 
deity  by  the  Latins  as  by  the  Greeks,  and  the 
appellation  of  0«a,  or  of  Dea  Roma,  is  found 
applied  to  that  renowned  but  presumptuously 


694  ROMA, 

proud  city  both  amongst  writers  and  on  coins. 
Thus  it  was  said  of  her : “ Terrarum  dea 
gentiumque  Roma.” — Cassiodorns  narrates  that 
under  Hadrian,  Pompeianus  and  Alettins  being 
consuls,  a temple  was  raised  to  the  worship  of 
Rome  ; and  a representation  of  this  temple 
appears  on  coins  of  Antoninus  Pius,  with  the 
legcud  of  romae  aeternae. — There  arc  also 
Several  coins  of  Augustus  and  Tiberius,  with  an 
altar  and  the  inscription  rom.  et  avg. — See  the 
words. 

Designed  after  statues  of  the  best  age  of  art, 
(which  are,  however,  extremely  rare,)  we  see 
her  on  medals  of  Nero,  in  the  dress  of  an 
Amazon,  seated  on  a mass  of  body-armour  or 
spoils  of  war,  holding  in  one  hand  a short 
sword  and  in  the  other  a spear.  On  coins  of 
Galba,  Titus,  Domitian,  Ncrva,  Hadrian,  Anto- 
ninus Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  Commodus,  L.  Verus, 
Pcrtinax,  Severus,  aud  many  other  emperors, 
Dea  Roma  appears  either  standing  or  sitting, 
with  her  amazonian  habit  tucked  up,  and  the 
right  breast  uncovered.  On  a first  brass  of 
Vespasian,  she  presents  herself  seated  on  seven 


hills,  at  the  foot  of  which  are  Romulus  and 
Remus  suckled  by  the  wolf : in  the  front, 
the  Tiber  personified.  The  mint  of  ancient 
Rome  invaiiably  represents  “ the  goddess” 
wearing  a helmet,  and  frequently,  besides  the 
hasla,  or  the  lance,  holding  a small  image  of 
Victory,  and  sometimes  a globe.  It  is  a remark 
of  Eckhel’s  that,  under  the  lower  empire,  Rome 
was  represented  with  the  head  surmounted  by  a 
crown  of  towers,  and  resting  the  right  foot  on 
a ship’s  prow. 

On  Greek  coins  of  the  Imperial  scries,  the 
effigy  of  Dea  Roma  is  not  always  represented 
with  a helmet,  but  is  also  ornamented  with  a 
turreted  crown. — The  people  of  Smyrna,  accord- 
ing to  Tacitus,  built  a temple  to  her,  and  she 
was  worshipped  as  a goddess  by  most  of  the 
cities  of  Asia,  as  coins  to  this  day  testify.  Nor 
did  the  adulation  of  the  Greek  cities  stop  at 
paying  divine  honours  to  Rome ; but  many  of 
them,  with  the  view  of  conciliating  favour  from 
their  conquerors,  stamped  ou  one  side  of  their 
coins  BEAN  PflMHN,  Deam  Romam  ; and  on 
the  other  side  ©EON  CYNKAHTON,  Deum 
Senatum  ; thus  including  the  senate  with  the 
city  of  Rome  within  the  “ ample  room  and 
verge”  of  their  impious  llattcry. 


ROMA  RENASC.— ROMA  RESTIT. 

ROMA  RENASC.  vcl  RENASCES,  vel 
RENASCENS. — Rome  rising  again — or  Rome 
reborn. — A helmeted  figure  standing,  with  a 
Victoriola  in  right  hand. — This  epigraph,  on  gold 
and  silver  coins  of  Galba,  was  a vain  augury  of 
the  Romans  indulging  in  hopes  of  happier  days, 
after  the  reigns  of  those  impure  and  tyrannical 
men  Tiberius,  Caligula,  Claudius,  aud  Nero. 
Rome  is  here  called  renascens,  as  if  appearing 
to  be  again  free  ; for  after  the  death  of  Caligula 
the  senate,  though  the  government  still  continued 
in  the  family  ot  the  Ca'sars,  had  it  in  contem- 
plation to  assert  the  cause  of  liberty,  so  it  seemed 
that,  the  Ciesarian  stock  being,  by  the  death  of 
Nero,  now  extinct,  Roman  freedom  came  to  a 
second  birth  through  the  election  of  Galba  to 
the  empire. 

On  the  word  renasces,  Eckhel  makes  the 
following  remark  in  reference  to  Ilavcreamp, 
who  interprets  it  in  the  future  tense: — “An 
opinion  this,  truly,  which  imports  a gross  solecism 
iu  the  Roman  mint,  since  even  tyros  knew  that 
it  was  (in  that  case)  to  be  written  renascf.ris. 
llut  its  true  sense,  the  word  placed  on  other 
coins  being  renascens,  is  suificiently  clear. 
Thus  on  medals  of  Aespasian  also  is  read  roma 
rksvrges.  The  Latins  were  often  in  the  habit 
of  leaving  out  the  N,  especially  when  it  preceded 
the  letter  s.  Thus  also  on  marbles  of  the  best 
age  you  may  read  infas  for  infans,  and  other 
instances  similar  to  it  have  been  searched  out 
from  lapidary  inscriptions  by  Marinins.  The 
same  fancy  prevails  in  the  words  quotient,  guad- 
ragensima,  &e.,  the  N.  is  omitted.” 

ROMA  RENASCENS.  S.C. — Rome  seated, 
a helmet  on  her  head,  a victoriola  in  her  right 
hand,  and  the  hasla  pura  in  her  left.  First 
brass  of  Nerva. 

Eckhel  does  not  notice  this  legend  and 
type  under  the  reign  of  Nerva ; but  Mionnet 
and  Akcrman  recognize  its  genuineness;  and 
llavercamp,  from  whose  work  this  engraving  is 
taken,  makes  the  following  comment : — “Medals 
were  struck  during  the  above  reign  with  the 
type  and  inscription  of  roma  renascens. 
(Rome  reviving,  or  springing  up,  rising,  or 
being  born  again),  in  like  manner  as  had  already 
been  done  under  Galba,  but  with  more  justice 
and  truth  in  regard  to  the  latter  than  to  the 
former  emperor.  For  under  Galba  the  Roman 
people  had  cherished  only  a vain  hope  of  better 
times — whereas  their  condition  soon  changed 
lor  the  worse  through  the  gross  negligence  and 
the  shameful  debaucheries  of  Vitellius.  Under 
Nerva,  on  the  contrary,  the  Roman  common- 
wealth began  really  to  revive,  and  was  perfectly 
re-established  under  his  successors.” — Cabinet 
de  ta  Reine  Christine,  p.  49. 

ROMA  R.  XL. — See  r.  xl.  roma. 

ROMA  RES  FIT.  S.C. — There  is  a first  brass 
of  Galba  with  this  legend  of  Roma  Restituta 
(Rome  restored),  which — accompanied  by  the 
type  of  the  emperor  raising  up  by  the  right  hand 
a helmeted  female  figure  having  in  her  left 
hand  a trophy,  or  in  some  coins  a child — was 
obviously  designed  to  shadow  forth  the  same 
[ state  of  popular  feelings  of  joy  aud  confidence 


ROMA  RESURGES. 

at  the  death  of  Nero  and  the  accession  of  the 
veteran  Galba,  which  is  referred  to  under  roma 

W W A RrVltfQ 

ROMA  RESVRGENS. — S.  C.— Vespasian, 
veiled  and  clothed  in  the  toga,  and  a female  hold- 
ing a shield,  standing  by  a kneeling  female, 
whom  the  Emperor  is  raising  up.  First  brass. — 
Under  Vitellius  the  Roman  empire  fell  into 
decay  and  confusion.  Assigning,  therefore,  to 
that  glutton  the  merit  of  restoring  Rome 
was  an  act  of  wretched  flattery  on  the  part  of 
the  senate.  To  Vespasian,  on  the  contrary,  it 
was  an  honour  rightfully  awarded.  And  the 
large  bronze  medal,  which  thus  ascribes  to  him 
the  re-establishment  of  the  Eternal  City,  first 
by  his  military  virtues  and  afterwards  by  his 
attention  to  her  architectural  embellishment, 
represents  that  fine  old  emperor  standing,  clothed 
in  the  toga,  lifting  up  a kneeling  woman;  another 
female  figure,  helmcted,  and  with  a buckler, 
stands  at  the  back  of  the  kneeling  figure,  as  if 
supporting  her. — Ruhenius  and  Oiselins  under- 
stand by  the  woman  on  her  knees  Liberty  op- 
pressed under  Vitellius.  This  fallen  goddess  Ves- 
pasian raises  up  and  restores  her  to  Rome,  who 
is  present  in  a military  form. 

ROMA  RESVRGES. — Similar  type. — The 
Roma  Renasces,  in  Galba,  has  been  noticed 
above. — Here  we  have  Resurqes  doubtless  for 


Resurgens,  as  already  stated. — “ And  truly  (says 
Eckhel)  Vespasian  could  speak  of  Rome  rising 
again  in  his  reign  ; for  he  signally  adorned  her 
with  new  edifices,  whilst  he  as  effectively  repaired 
the  old  buildings,  which,  either  through  neglect 
in  antecedent  times  or  from  the  ravages  of  in- 
cendiary fires  under  Nero  and  Vitellius,  had  sus- 
tained great  injury.  And  it  is  this  golden  period 
of  Vespasian  of  which  a retrospect  is  taken  by 
Tacitus,  in  that  passage  of  his  Annals  (xv.  41) 
where,  in  dwelling  on  the  splendid  monuments 
of  the  city  which  were  ruined  by  the  Neronian 
conflagration,  he  goes  on  to  say : — quamvis  in 
tanta  RESVRGENTIS  V JIB  IS  pulchitudine 
multa  seniores  meminerant,  quee  reparari 
nequibant.” 

Roma  Aetema. — Vaillant  observes  that  the 
Genius  of  Rome  bears  a Victory  in  her  hand,  as 
conqueror  of  the  world,  and  that  the  peculiar 
epithet  of  Eternal  as  applied  to  Rome  is  one 
which  Livy,  Ammianus,  Dionysius  of  Halicar- 
nassus, and  Symmachus  severally  employ,  cither 
in  prediction  of  her  perpetual  domination,  or 
for  the  purpose  of  distinguishing  her  from  other 
cities. 


ROMA  AETERNA.— ROMANUS.  695 

ROMA  AETERNA. — This  legend,  with  the 
type  of  Rome  seated,  supporting  the  heads  of 
the  sun  and  the  moon,  appears  for  the  first  time  on 
a rare  gold  coin  of  Hadrian,  “ under  whom  (says 
Vaillant)  Rome  was  called  Eternal , on  account 
of  the  many  things  restored,  and  the  various 
edifices  constructed  by  him,  so  as  thereby  to 
have  been  ensured  a perpetual  duration.  A 
temple  was  constructed  to  the  honour  of  Rome, 
as  a goddess,  on  Mount  Palatine,  by  Hadrian 
himself.  It  was  in  memory  of  these  benefits 
that  she  holds  in  one  hand  the  head  of  the  sun, 
in  the  other  that  of  the  moon,  as  symbols  of 
eternity,  the  Romans,  from  the  religion  of  the 
Egyptians,  regarding  those  planets  as  eternal.” 

Rama;  Aetema. — From  the  earliest  age  it  wa9 
the  presentiment  of  the  Romans  that  their  city 
would  he  Eternal;  and  to  such  a pitch  of  mad- 
ness did  this  opinion  of  theirs  proceed,  that  they 
paid  divine  honours  to  Rome,  erected  temples 
and  altars  to  her  honour,  and  instituted  priests 
to  perform  sacrifices  to  this  deity  of  their  own 
creation. 

ROMAE  AETERNAE. — This  legend,  struck 
in  each  metal,  with  various  types  (hut  chiefly 
that  of  Roma  Victrix  seated,  a shield  by  her  side, 
a spear  in  her  left  hand,  and  a figure  of  Victory 
in  her  right,)  appears  on  coins  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  of  Pescenuius  Niger,  of  Sept.  Severus, 
of  Gordianus  I.  and  II.,  Alex.  Severus  (first 
brass),  Philip  sen.,  Treb.  Gallus,  Hostilianus, 
and  others. — A silver  medal  of  S.  Severus  bears 
on  its  reverse  romae  aeternae,  with  a temple 
of  six  columns,  adorned  with  many  statues,  in 
the  midst  of  which  Rome  is  seated. 

ROMAE  RESTITVTAE. — On  the  reverse  of 
a third  brass  of  Constantine  the  Great,  are  this 
legend,  and  the  image  of  Rome  seated,  holding 
in  her  right  hand  a flower,  and  in  her  left  a globe, 
divided  into  zones. 

This  doubtless  was  meant  to  describe  the  happy 
change  in  the  state  of  the  city  which  ensued  on 
the  death  of  the  tyrant  Maxentius,  than  whom 
no  one  had  more  cruelly  afflicted  the  inhabitants 
of  Rome;  and  in  contrast  to  whose  atrocious 
government  the  lawful  and  comparatively  merciful 
sway  of  Constantine  was,  therefore,  in  the  eyes 
of  the  Romans  a renovation  of  Rome. 

Romans. — The  following  heads  of  illustrious 
Romans  occur  on  coins  of  families,  viz.,  of 
Agrippa,  M.  Antony,  and  M.  Antony  ’ the 
Younger,  Lucius  Antony , gens  Autonia;  L. 
Brutus  and  also  M.  Brutus,  g.  Junia ; Coelius 
Caldns,  g.  Coelia;  Bolabella,  g.  Trebonia; 
Domitius  Ahenobarbus,  g.  Domitia ; L.  Libo,  g. 
Livia;  Livineius  Regulus,  g.  Livineia;  Munatius 
Plancus,  g.  Munatia;  Norbanus  Place  us,  g. 
Norbana ; Pompeius  Magnus,  as  also  Cn.  Pom- 
peius  F.  and  Sextus  Pompeius,  and  Pompeius 
Rufus,  g.  Pompcia ; Numonius  Vaala,  g. 
Numonia  ; A.  Postumius,  g.  Postumia ; Servius 
Rufus,  g.  Servia : Servilius  Ahala,  g.  Junia ; M. 
Silanus,  g.  Junia ; Sulla,  g.  Cornelia. 

Roman  Emperors—  Portraits  of  on  coins. — 
See  Imperatores. 

Romanus  I.  Lecapenus,  born  in  Armenia,  of 
a family  in  private  life,  became  distinguished  in 


696  ROMANUS. 

arms,  and  was  made  prafectus  classic,  or  ad- 
miral, under  Constantine  X.,  by  whom  he  was 
afterwards  declared  Augustus,  and  associated  iu 
the  empire  at  the  same  time  he  married  Helena, 
daughter  of  that  prince,  a.d.  919. — He  soon 
usurped  priority  of  rank,  and  gave  the  second 
station  with  title  of  emperor  to  his  son  Christo- 
pher, compelling  his  benefactor  Constantiue  to 
content  himself  with  the  lowest  place — Driven 
from  the  throne  and  banished  to  the  isle  of 
Prota,  by  his  son  Stephen,  whom,  after  Christo- 
pher’s birth,  he  had  taken  as  his  imperial  col- 
league, a.d.  944,  lie  died  in  a monastery,  a.d. 
946. — Romauus  and  his  son  Christopher  united 
on  coins  are  called  ROHAN,  et.  xristofo.  avgg. 
His  medals  are  most  rare,  both  in  gold  and  silver. 

Romanus  II.  surnamed  Junior,  the  son  of 
Constantinus  X.  Porphyrogenitus,  and  of  Helena, 
daughter  of  Romanus  Lccapenus,  born  at  Con- 
stantinople, a.d.  938.  Succeeded  his  father  in 
the  eastern  empire  a.d.  959 — a bad  prince,  and 
suspected  to  have  been  a parricide. — Died  a.d. 
963,  aged  twenty-one. — The  inscriptions  on  his 
coins  arc  in  Greek. 

Romanus  III.  surnamed  Argyrus,  the  son  of 
Leo,  horn  about  a.d.  973,  married  Zoe  (another 
Messalina),  daughter  of  Constantinus  XI.,  a 
few  days  before  the  death  of  that  Emperor,  and 
through  that  union  arrived  at  the  throne,  a.d. 
1028. — Poisoned  and  stifled  in  a bath  by  his 
lascivious  and  wicked  wife,  who  then  bestowed 
her  hand  and  the  empire  on  Michael  of  Paphla- 
gonia,  a.d.  1034. — Mionuet  says  there  are  no 
coins  of  this  prince. 

Romanus  IV.  surnamed  Diogenes,  of  eminent 
Cappadocian  family,  and  himself  a great  com- 
mander, was  the  son  of  Constantinus  Diogenes ; 
raised  to  the  throne  by  Eudocia,  widow  of  Con- 
stautine  Ducas,  whom  he  married  a.d.  1068 ; 
he  was  made  prisoner  by  the  Turks  a.d.  1071. 
Restored  to  freedom  the  same  year  he  was  de- 
prived of  sight  by  Michael  Ducas,  whq,  during 
his  captivity,  had  usurped  the  throne,  and  he 
died  in  a convent  a short  time  afterwards.  There 
are  noLatin  inscriptions  on  this  emperor’s  medals, 
which  are  all  extremely  rare. 

Roma  Latii. — From  certain  coins  of  Com- 
modus,  we  find  “the  Eternal  City”  itself  treated 
as  a colony  by  that  mad-brained  emperor — thus 
confirming  the  assertion  of  Dion,  in  which,  speak- 
ing of  the  unworthy  son  of  Aurelius,  he  states  that 
he  wished  his  City  to  seem  to  be  a colony ; and  to 
this  refers  his  golden  statue  with  a bull  and  a cow. 
It  is  on  large  and  middle  brass,  struck  senatus  con- 
su  !/o,  that  thciusaucidcaof  changingt  he  very  name 
of  Rome  to  that  of  COLouia  Lucia  AXT oniniana 
COMM odiana,  is  proved  to  have  been  enter- 
tained by  Commodus — and  not  only  entertained 
but  recorded  as  a work  actually  wrought  with 
the  usual  ceremonial  observed  in  founding  a new 
colony,  by  a veiled  priest  (in  this  case  the  Im- 
perial Pontifex  Maximus  himself),  tracing  its 
circuit  with  a plough,  to  which  arc  harnessed  a 
bull  and  a cow.  See  col.  i,.  an.  com. 

ROM.  COND. — Sec  herc.  rom.  cond. 
Tlerculi  Romano  Condi  tori. — Ou  a coin  of 
Commodu3. 


ROM.  ET  AUG. 

ROM.  ET  AVG.  ( Roma  et  Augtisto.  To 
Rome  and  Augustus.)  COM.  AS1AE. — Com- 
munitas  Asia. — A silver  medallion  in  the  im- 
perial cabinet  at  Vicuna,  exhibits  on  one  side 
the  naked  head  of  Augustus,  with  imp.  ix.  tr. 
po.  v.,  and  bears  this  inscription  ou  its  reverse. 
The  type  is  a temple  of  six  columns,  on  the 
epistyle  of  which  the  words  bom.  et  avg.  are 
engraved.  See  com.  asiae. 

The  most  learned  and  skilful  numismatists 
unite  in  opinion  that  coins  of  this  type  (and 
there  is  a variety  of  them  as  well  in  brass  as  in 
silver)  were  struck  out  of  Rome  with  the 
character  and  workmanship  of  whose  mint  they 
have  iudeed  nothing  in  common. 

Suetonius,  in  his  life  of  Augustus,  says — 
“ Templa  quamvis  sciret  etiam  proconsutibus 
decerni  solere,  (namely  Titus  Flamiuius,  by  the 
people  of  Calcbcdon),  in  nulla  tamen  provincia, 
nisi  communi  SVO  ROMAEQVE  nomine  recepit: 
nam  in  urbe  quidem  pertinacissime  abstinuit  hoc 
honore. — Ecklicl,  after  making  the  above  cita- 
tion, alludes  to  the  supposition  hazarded  by 
Schlcgel,  that  the  temple  represented  on  this 
medallion  was  that  of  the  Olympic  Jove,  at 
Athens,  the  construction  of  which  was  fiuishcd 
at  the  common  cost  of  the  kings  of  Asia.  This 
Eckhel  treats  as  an  unfortuuate  conjecture,  and 
proceeds  to  observe  on  the  contrary — “ We  have 
other  and  most  derisive  evidences  that  the 
temple  in  question  was  that  of  Pergamus  (now 
Bergamo),  the  capital  of  a province  of  Asia 
(Miuor).  This  in  the  first  place  is  proved  by 
Tacitus — cum  divus  Augustus  SIBI  atque  urbi 
ROMAE  lemp/um  apud  Pergamum  sisti  non 
prohibuisset.  To  corroborate  the  fact  there  are 
also  Greek  coins  of  Pergamus,  struck  not  only 
after  Augustus’s  death  but  during  his  lifetime, 
on  v\hich  he  is  represented  standing  with  a spear 
in  his  hand,  within  a temple  inscribed  0EON 
2EBA2TON  (Deum  Augustum). — Moreover,  on 
other  coins  stnrck  also  ift  the  age  of  Augustus, 
at  the  same  city  of  Pergamus,  is  seen  the  head 
of  Rome  turreted,  with  the  epigraph  0EAN 
PGMHN  (Dcam  Romam). — And  likewise  on  a 
Pergamanean  coin,  in  the  Imperial  Museum, 
struck  under  Trajan,  is  read:  PflMH.  KAI. 
2EBA2TD.  accompanied  with  the  type  of  a 
temple,  within  which  Augustus  stands,  and,  hold- 
ing a spear,  is  crowned  by  Rome,  who  sup- 
ports a cornucopia-  in  her  left  arm.  If  there- 
with be  compared  those  silver  medallions  which 
severally,  bearing  the  heads  of  Claudius,  Ncrva, 
and  Trajan,  are  inscribed  COM.  ASI.  (Com- 
munitas  Asia);  ROM.  ET.  AVG.,  accompanied 
with  a similar  type ; and  also  the  beautiful  silver 
medallion  of  Hadrian,  bearing  on  its  reverse  the 
words  COM.  BIT.  (Communitas  Bithynia),  and 
for  its  type  a temple  of  four  columns  with  the 
statue  of  the  emperor  in  the  portico,  and  the 
legend  ROM.  S.  P.  AVG.  on  the  entablature 
above,  it  will  be  apparent  enough  that  the  coins 
which  both  in  inscription  and  in  type  thus  agree, 
although  they  may  differ  in  language,  yet  were 
struck  in  one  and  the  same  city,  namely  in 
Pergamus.  Still  more  applicable  to  the  present 
medal  ore  the  words  of  Dion,  who  after  having 


ROM.  ET  AUG. 

stated  that  Caesar  had  permitted  a temple  to  be 
erected  at  Ephesus  and  at  Nicasa,  in  honour  of 
Rome  and  father  Julius,  adds : extraneis  autem 
hominibus  quos  Grcecos  ipse  appel/abal,  concessit, 
ut  SIBI  quoque  templa  facerent,  ASIANIS 
quidem  Pergami,  Bithynis  vero  Nico media. 
Therefore  those  also  are  Asiatics,  who,  on  this 
coin,  call  themselves  COM munitas  ASIAE,  and 
who  show  that  it  was  purposed  to  raise  at  their 
own  expense  the  temple  ROM<re  ET.  AVGVST*. 
— See  the  word  COM mune  or  COMmunitas. 

ROM.  ET.  AVG. — An  altar  richly  orna- 
mented between  two  columns  surmouuted  by 
Victories,  who  themselves  bear  other  images  of 
Victory  and  palms.  On  the  face  of  the  altar, 
two  Genii  support  a crown  placed  between  two 
pines.  On  a brass  medallion  of  Augustus,  also 
on  first  and  second  brass  of  the  same  emperor, 
and  of  his  successor  Tiberius.  There  is  a 
splendid  bronze  medallion  of  Tiberius  with  his 
portrait  and  tib.  caesar  avgvst.  f.  imperat.  j 
vii.  on  the  obverse — and  this  same  type  of  an 
altar  and  two  Victories  with  ROM.  ET.  avg.  on  ! 
the  reverse — in  the  Imperial  Cabinet  at  Vienna. 

Antiquaries,  in  treating  of  these  coins,  which 
are  to  be  found  in  all  large  collections,  have 
adopted  various  opinions  concerning  them. 
Amongst  the  more  modern  writers,  reference 
may  he  made  to  Schlegel  and  Havercamp,  both 
of  whom  regard  it  as  beyond  a doubt  that  all  of 
them  were  struck  at  Rome,  but  differ  from  each 
other  in  assigning  reasons  for  their  having  been 
publicly  stamped. — Eckhel  on  the  contrary 
asserts,  and  iu  the  most  masterly  way  makes 
good  his  opinion,  that  they  are  all  of  foreign 
workmanship. — Schlegel  thinks  it  sufficiently 
proved  from  these  coins  that  even  whilst  Augus- 
tus lived,  an  altar  was  dedicated  in  the  city,  and 
a temple  built  to  his  honour,  and  that  this  was 
done  about  the  year  v.c.  741,  as  on  the  coin  itself 
Augustus  is  called  font.  max.  ; and,  moreover, 
he  names  from  Sex.  Rufus  the  region  (of  Rome) 
in  which  these  sacred  structures  stood.  Rut 
that,  so  long  as  Augustus  lived,  no  divine 
honours  were  paid  to  him  in  the  city,  is  placed 
beyond  a doubt  by  the  arguments  of  Eckhel  on 
the  medals  of  Divvs  Augustus.  The  coins  in 
question,  therefore,  could  not  have  been  struck 
in  Rome  itself  during  the  life-time  of  that 
prince.  As,  however,  from  Suetonius  and  others 
it.  is  clear  that  altars  and  temples  were  every- 
where established  iu  the  provinces,  to  the  joint 
worship  of  Rome  and  Augustus,  Havercamp 
strangely  reconciles  himself  to  the  notion  that 
these  medals  are  of  Roman  die,  by  supposing 
that  the  senate  wished,  by  this  type,  to  evince 
the  respect  of  the  conquered  people  towards  the 
emperor,  but  that  divine  worship  had  not  been 
decreed  to  the  living  prince  in  the  city  itself. — 
On  these  two  opinions  Eckhel  passes  judgment 
to  the  following  effect : — “ Even  though  we  may 
arrive  at  the  conclusion  that  all  these  coins  were 
struck  beyond  the  walls  of  the  city,  in  some  one 
or  other  of  the  provinces,  it  will  not  be  needful 
either  that  with  Schlegel,  against  the  authority 
of  historians  the  most  worthy  of  belief,  we 
should  rashly  assert  that  Augustus,  whilst  still 
4 U 


ROM.  ET  AUG.  607 

I living,  received  the  honours  of  consecration  at 
Rome ; or  that  with  Havercamp  we  should  devise 
the  evasion  above-mentioned.  But  I have  proofs, 
not  a few,  and  these  of  the  most  valid  kind, 

[ to  shew  that  this  money  was  coined  abroad. 
I.  Augustus,  though  he  forbade  divine  worship 
to  he  paid  to  him  in  the  city,  allowed  it  freely 
out  of  Rome.  From  a mass  of  testimonies  too 
numerous  to  cite  at  length,  I shall  adduce  some 
which  spontaneously  occur  to  me.  Suetonius 
says : Provinciarum  plerceque  super  templa  et 
aras,  ludos  quoque  quinquennales  paene  oppida- 
tim  cotislituerunt.  Aug.  c.  lxi.  The  testi- 
monies of  Tacitus  and  of  Appianus  may  be 
added,  from  which  it  partly  appears  that  divine 
honours  were  paid  to  Augustus,  on  the  defeat 
of  Sextus  Pompey,  and  therefore  early  enough. 
We  have  already  noticed  the  altar  erected  to 
Augustus  at  Tarracona.  Concerning  that  at 
Lugdunum,  Strabo  states  it  was  erected  to 
Augustus,  xvith  a temple,  at  the  confluence  of 
the  rivers  (the  Saone  and  Rhone),  in  the 
name  of  the  Gaulish  nations,  or  peoples, 
sixty  in  number.  Suetonius  hands  it  down  to 
us  that  this  altar  was  dedicated  v.c.  744 ; but 
Dion  informs  us  that  the  festal  day  of  Augustus 
had  already  been  celebrated  two  years  before  at 
the  altar  of  Lyons.  Livy  moreover  notices  the 
dedication  of  an  altar  to  Caesar  (Augustus)  at 
the  confluence  of  Arar  and  Rhodanus  (Saone 
and  Rhone),  and  the  appointment  of  C.  Julius 
Vercundaridubiusof  the  -Edui  as  priest  of  the  same. 
An  epigraph  iu  Grater  makes  mention  of  the 
altar  erected  at  Narbo  (Narbonne),  by  Martius ; 
and  the  priest  of  the  altar  of  Rome  and  Augustus 
is  mentioned  in  inscriptions  found  at  Lyons. 
But,  what  still  more  closely  applies  to  the  present 
coins,  I have  brought  forward  several  testi- 
monies under  the  year  v.c.  735  [see  rom.  et.  avg. 
com.  asiae  above],  that  everywhere  through- 
out the  provinces  temples  were  dedicated  to 
Rome,  and  at  the  same  time  tip  Augustus.  I add 
to  these  the  inscription,  whidh  (as  mentioned  by 
Pocock)  to  this  very  day  is  read  at  Pola  in  Istria, 
inscribed  on  the  fronts  of  the  temples:  romae.  et. 
avgvsto.  caesari.  divi.  f.  patri.  patriae.” — 
After  having  quoted  Josephus’s  History  for 
Cmsarea  in  Palestine,  Chishull’s  Ant.  Asiat.  for 
My  he  in  Caiia,  and  ancient  marbles  for  Pergamus 
and  other  cities  in  Asia,  to  shew  that  in  the 
Greek  provinces  of  the  empire,  temples  were 
consecrated  and  inscribed  to  Augustus,  and  that 
the  worship  paid  to  him,  in  his  life-time,  was 
associated  with  that  to  Rome,  the  learned  and 
acute  author  of  Doctrina  Numorum  Veterum, 
proceeds,  II.  To  observe,  that  “the  (religious) 
veneration  jointly  paid  to  each  of  the  divinities 
(Roma  et  Augustus)  is  also  marked  by  the  coins 
themselves,  which  were  doubtless  struck  extra 
urbem.” — With  regard  to  the  medal  above 
desciibed,  which  exhibits  the  temple  erected  by 
COyi munitas  ASIAE  ROMae  ET  AVGVSTo, 
Eckhel  expresses  his  belief  that  “ no  one  would 
wish  to  deny  that  as  a temple  established  in  Asia 
itself  is  thereby  indicated,  so  also  the  medallion 
itself  was  struck  in  Asia;  and,  therefore,  for 
the  coins  now  in  question,  a country  foreign  to 

o 


698  ROM.  ET  AUG. 

Rome  must  be  sought.  III.  If  these  coins  had 
been  struck  in  " the  city,”  there  would  not  have 
been  wanting  the  mark  s.  c.  ( Senalus  Consul  to), 
which,  on  brass  money  of  assuredly  Romau  die, 
struck  under  Augustus,  it  was  never  the  practice 
to  omit.  IV.  Many  proofs  of  this  are  derived 
from  medals  of  the  largest  size,  but  of  this  age 
there  are  none  of  such  volume  coined  at  Rome ; 
not  a few,  however,  appear  which  were  struck 
in  Spain  and  in  other  colonies.  V.  Vie  have 
extremely  few  coins,  in  large  brass,  of  Roman 
die,  on  the  obverse  of  which  the  head  of 
Augustus,  he  still  living,  was  engraved.  It  is 
therefore  in  no  way  probable  that  the  mint- 
masters,  in  stamping  coins  of  this  kind,  should 
have  wished  to  infringe  upon  the  custom  of  his 
age.  Lastly,  VI.  If  their  fabric  be  examined, 
the  eye  accustomed  to  inspect  coins  will  easily 
perceive  that  it  differs  exceedingly  from  that 
which  is  found  peculiarly  to  distinguish  Roman 
workmanship.  Indeed  there  is  in  the  Imperial 
Museum  (at  Vienna)  a coin  of  this  kind  extant, 
with  Nero’s  head  upon  it,  of  a fabric  so  bar- 
barous, and  with  the  letters  of  the  reverse  so 
gaping,  that  there  is  evidently  uo  likelihood 
whatever  of  its  having  seen  the  light  in  Rome. 

No  one,  therefore  (says  Eekhel  in  conclusion), 
will  now,  I think,  question  the  fact  that  all  these 
coins  were  executed  at  a distance  from  Rome. 
But  it  is  less  safe  to  hazard  an  opinion  as  to  the 
particular  city  which  brought  forth  this  com- 
modity ; for  the  worship  of  Augustus,  as  may 
thus  far  he  seen,  was  prevalent  in  all  the 
provinces  of  the  Roman  world.  All  things  duly 
weighed,  the  supposition  may  at  length  be 
allowed  that  those  divine  honours  paid  to 
Augustus  at  Lyons  (Luydunum  Gallia)  must 
have  been  on  the  days  of  his  nativity.  This 
opinion  is  the  more  6tronglv  countenanced  by 
the  high  celebrity,  at  that  period,  of  the  above- 
named  town,  in  which  Augustus  himself  resided 
many  years,  that  he  might  keep  a watch,  from 
its  neighbourhood,  over  the  turbulent  Germans : 
Tiberius  and  Dmsus  also  often  took  up  their 
abode  in  that  city,  not  to  say  anything  of  its 
being  the  birthplace  of  the  Emperor  Claudius. 
The  chief  reason,  however,  for  ascribing  these 
coins  to  Luydunum  Gallia  is  the  altar  itself  of 
Augustus,  the  image  of  which  is  so  conspicuous 
on  their  reverse — an  altar  consecrated  with 
particular  devotion,  and,  according  to  Strabo, 
in  the  name  of  all  Gallia ; insomuch  that  the 
day  on  which  those  religious  solemnities  were 
performed,  was  made  a festival  in  perpetuity,  ' 
and  this  custom  obtained  up  to  the  age  of  Dion. 
The  same  writer  also  relates  that  the  chief  men 
of  Gaul,  during  the  life-time  of  Augustus, 
assembled  together  every  year  on  the  anniversary  j 
day  of  the  festival  to  renew  their  vows.  Nor 
was  the  city  [of  Lyons]  without  a mint  (qfficina 
monetalis) ; for  Strabo  expressly  states  that 
both  gold  and  silver  money  was  struck  there. 
It  is,  therefore,  extremely  probable  that  on  the 
occasion  of  Augustus’s  festal  day,  these  coins 
were  then  struck  and  distributed  amongst  the 
common  people.  To  the  same  city  of  Lyons,  in 
all  likelihood,  belongs  an  inscription  (cited  by 


ROMANO  RENOVA. 

Muratori)  in  which  C.  Julius  is  called  sacerdos 

ROMAE  ET  AYGVSTO.  AD.  ARAM.  QVAE.  EST. 

ad.  conflvextem,  namely  of  the  Rhoue  aud 
the  Saoue  ( Rhodani  et  Araris),  near  which,  we 
see  from  Strabo,  this  altar  stood. — Doct.  Hum. 
Vet.  vol.  vi.,  pp.  135,  136,  137. 

The  author  of  La  Gallerie  MythoJogique 
informs  us  (t.  ii.  p.  120)  that  the  columns  of 
this  altar  have  been  sawn  in  two,  and  form  at 
the  present  day  the  pillars  which  support  la 
vnfite,  or  the  arched  roof,  of  the  Church  of 
Dismay,  at  Lyon. 

ROM.  ET.  AVG. — Under  the  head  of 
“ Monnaies  /rappees  hors  de  Rome,"  the 
intelligent  author  of  “ Lemons  de  Numismatique 
Romaine”  (p.  72-3)  has  given  as  an  unedited 
coin  a second  brass  of  Augustus,  having  on  its 
obverse  the  laurcated  head  of  that  Emperor, 
with  legend  of  caesar  pont.  max.;  and  on  the 
reverse  the  words  dva.  tf.no,  and  the  type, 
already  noticed,  of  an  altar  between  two  Victories 
placed  on  pedestals,  or  columns. 

The  following  arc  the  remarks  of  this  judicious 
writer  on  the  above  singular  variety  of  a well- 
known  coin : — “ The  ablest  antiquaries  agree  in 
regarding  the  medals  of  this  type  as  not  being  of 
Roman  die,  of  which  indeed  they  exhibit  neither 
the  workmanship  nor  the  distinctive  mark  s.c. — 
It  is  supposed  that  they  must  have  been  struck 
at  Lyons,  where  a temple  and  an  altar  had  been 
erected,  by  sixty  Gaulish  tribes,  to  Rome  and 
to  August  us." — He  then  goes  on  to  say  : “ This 
same  type  is  found  again  on  the  above  describe  1 
medal ; but  with  a legend  calculated  to  excite 
the  curiosity  of  the  learned.  The  word  (or  words) 
below  the  altar  (dva.  teno)  : does  it  present  the 
name  of  one  of  the  sixty  peoples,  or  of  some 
magistrate?  or,  rather,  is  it  anything  more  than 
a defective  (or  blundered)  inscription  ? Be  this 
as  it  may,  the  coin  in  question  was  found  in 
Virarais  (south  of  France)  ” In  the  engraving 
the  first  letter  seems  more  like  s than  3. 

ROMANO  RENOVA.  Wolf  and  Twins.— 
romano  rknov.  Same  type. — On  coins  of 
Carausius. — The  epigraph  is  to  be  read  Itouian- 
orum  Renovatio. — That  is  to  say,  Carausius 
wrests  a part  of  the  Roman  empire  from  the 
hands  of  Diocletian  and  Maximian;  and  excuses 
the  robbery  under  an  honourable  term — the 
renewal  of  the  Romans. 

Romu/ca,  or  Romula,  a colony  founded  by 
Julius  Cresar  in  Ilispania  Baetica,  now  Seri/le 
in  Andalusia. — It  is,  according  to  both  Pliny 
and  Strabo,  the  same  place  ns  Jfispalis  Co/onia; 
and  it  was  situnte  on  the  banks  of  the  River 
Bactis  (Guadnlquiver). — Of  this  city  there  are 
colonial  im|icrial  roins,  bearing  the  heads  of 
Augustus  and  of  Tiberius,  and  their  fainibes. 

A first  brass  of  this  colony,  inscribed  COL. 
ROM.  Colonia  Romutra,  or  Romn/ensis,  and 
struck  in  honour  of  the  former  emperor,  after 
his  death  (as  indicated  by  the  title  of  Liras, 
the  radiated  crown  and  the  thunderbolt,  symbols 
of  apotheosis),  exhibits  on  its  reverse  the  head 
of  Julia  placed  on  a globe  aud  adorned  with  a 
crescent  I d IV  LI  A AVGsrfl  QIHB- 

TRJLX  ORBIS. — To  flatter  Tiberius,  the  colo- 


ROMULO  AUGUSTO. 

nists  of  Romula  caused  a similar  coin  to  be 
struck  in  honour  of  his  mother  Julia,  with  the 
preposterous  appellation  of  Mother  of  the 
IVorld.  For  this  reason  her  portrait  is  placed 
on  a globe,  and  adorned  with  a half  moon,  as 
though  she  were  Lueina,  presiding  over  women 
in  child-bed,  or,  to  adopt  Tristan’s  suggestion, 
as  though  she  were  Venus  Genetrix. 

A small  brass  of  the  greatest  rarity,  struck 
by  the  Romulenses  of  Hispania  Baetica;  the 
head  of  Germanicus  is  engraven  on  the  obverse, 
and  the  reverse  presents  a votive  shield  within  a 
laurel  crown,  aud  CO Lonia  ROM ulea  PERM  mu 
AVGVS  ti. 

[Yaillant  is  of  opinion  that  this  type  of  a 
shield  was  struck  by  the  colonists  in  honour  of 
Germanicus,  for  having  compelled  the  Germans 
to  restore  the  military  standards  and  legionary 
cagles  captured  by  the  Germans  when  the  legions 
under  Varus  were  destroyed.] 

On  a very  rare  second  brass,  bearing  the  legend 
COL.  ROM.,  appears  the  head  of  Tiberius  on 
oue  side,  and  on  the  other  the  head  of  Nero 
and  Drusus  Caesars. — See  Akerman’s  Coins  of 
Hispania,  p.  51,  pi.  vi.  No.  5. 

ROMVLO  AVGVSTO, — This  dedicatory 
legend  is  inscribed  on  a large  brass  of  Antoninus 
Pius.  The  type  depictures  the  warlike  founder 
of  Rome,  in  a military  habit,  marching  with  a 


spear  in  his  right  hand,  and  a trophy  on  his 
left  shoulder  — The  same  type  is  also  found  on 
coins  of  Hadrian. — Nevertheless,  as  Ilavcrcamp 
(in  Num.  Regin.  Christin.)  observes,  this  com- 
parison, whether  of  Hadrian  or  of  Antoninc 
with  Romulus  is  by  no  means  too  suitable  either 
to  the  one  or  the  other;  for  neither  had  followed 
the  example  of  Romulus  by  enriching  himself 
with  booty  personally  won  from  an  enemy  in 
the  field. — By  senatorial  adulation,  however,  it 
would  seem,  that  allusiou  is  made  on  the  medals 
of  both  emperors  to  victories  gained  by  their 
generals  abroad.  We  learn,  indeed,  from  Capi- 
toliuus,  that  Antoninc’s  love  of  peace  and  tran- 
quillity did  not  prevent  him  from  employing  the 
Roman  arms  in  repressing  such  wars  as  occa- 
sionally broke  out  in  the  provinces  and  other 
more  distant  countries.  Per  legatos  suos plurima 
bel/a  gessit,  are  the  first  words  of  that  historian 
in  the  passage  of  this  Emperor’s  life,  where  he 
states  the  defeat  of  the  Britons  by  Lollius 
Urbirus,  and  the  construction  of  another  wall, 
of  turf,  to  restrain  their  incursions.  By  means 
of  presidents  and  lieutenants,  Antoninc  also 
compelled  the  Moors  to  sue  for  peace ; kept  1 
4 U 2 


ROMULO.— ROMULUS.  699 

dowm  the  insurrectionary  spirit  of  the  Germans, 
Dacians,  and  Jew's;  put  an  end  to  rebellions  in 
Achaia  aud  Egypt ; and  stopped  the  hostile 
progress  of  the  Alani  and  other  barbarous  tribes. 

Eckhel  observes  that  this  type  of  Romulus 
appears  to  have  been  chosen  on  account  of  the 
singularly  fond  attachment  of  Antoninus  for  the 
religious  antiquities  aud  customs  of  the  city,  a 
fondness  which  embraced  even  the  prodigies  re- 
corded in  its  early  history.  It  seemed  good, 
therefore,  to  the  moneyers,  that  this  emperor, 
who  endeavoured  to  revive,  by  every  means  in 
his  power,  a love  for  the  country  which  had  been 
carried  to  the  height  of  greatness  by  so  many 
wonders,  should  be  held  up  as  another  Romulus ; 
that  is,  as  a komvlvs  avgvstvs  ; although  by 
reason  of  his  pacific  policy  and  pious  character 
i he  should  rather  have  been  assimilated  to  Numa. 

ROMVLO  CONDITOR1. — Hadrian,  on  one 
of  whose  silver,  as  well  as  first  brass  coins,  this 
legend  is  engraved,  with  a type  similar  to  the  pre- 
ceding, is  said  to  have  held  Romulus,  as  founder 
of  the  city,  in  great  honour.  The  truth  of  this 
assertion  is  manifested  by  his  having  caused  the 
day  of  Rome’s  foundation  to  be  celebrated  with 
more  than  usually  grand  ceremonies,  as  may  be 
seen  by  the  memorable  coin  inscribed  ann. 
DcccLxxmi.  nat.  vrb.  p.  cm.  con.  (See  the 
description  of  it  in  its  place.) — Nor  is  the  claim 
of  tins  emperor  to  be  regarded  himself  as 
another  Romulus  the  founder,  otherwise  than 
fairly  to  be  allow'ed,  so  many  were  the  edifices 
at  Rome  which  lie  built  and  repaired. — Spartianus 
thus  enumerates  some  of  the  renovations  and 
enrichments  of  the  capital  accomplished  under 
this  magnificent  prince  : Roma  instauravit 

Pantheum,  Septa,  basilicam  Neptuni,  sacras  redes 
plurimas,  forum  Augusti,  lavacrum  Agrippa. 
Fecit  et  sui  nominis  ponlem,  el  sepulchrum,  et 
adem  Boius  Dea  transtulit. 

Romulus  et  Remus. — See  Lupa. 

ROMVLVS  ( Marcus  Aurelius),  eldest  son  of 
Maxentius  and  of  the  daughter  of  Galcrius 
Maximianus,  born,  as  it  appears,  a.d.  306.  Of 
this  youth,  who  is  said  to  have  been  very  hand- 
some, nothing  more  is  known  for  a certainty 
than  that  he  was  declared  Csesar  by  his  father 
when  he  had  completed  only  his  first  year,  and 
Augustus  a short  time  after — that  he  twice  pro- 
ceeded as  the  colleague  of  Maxentius  in  the 
consulship,  whilst  as  yet  a mere  boy,  as  his 
countenance  on  the  coins  shews,  and  that  dying 
a.d.  309,  his  father  placed  him  in  the  rauk 
of  the  gods — all  the  medals  which  arc  extant 
of  him  being  struck  in  memory  of  his  con- 
secration.— Mionnet  has  given  (in  his  work,  JJe 
la  rarele  des  Medailles  RomainesJ  a highly 
finished  engraving  from  an  unique  gold  medallion, 
in  the  most  perfect  state  of  preservation ; on  the 
obverse  of  this  with  his  bust  clothed  in  the  toga, 
the  young  prince  is  styled  divo  romvlo  .wins 
cons.  On  the  reverse  is  a temple  round  in  form 
aud  having  on  its  domed  top  an  eagle  with  wings 
spread : the  legend  surrounding  it  is  aeternae 
memoriae,  and  in  the  exergue  post,  or  other 
letters. — The  great  French  numismatist  values 
this  superb  coin  at  1,200  francs,  but  professes. 


700  ROMULUS  AUGUSTUS.— ROSCIA.  ROSTRA.— ROSTRUM. 


with  Eckhel,  his  entire  ignorance  of  the  meaning  | 
of  the  words  nvbis.  cons,  (see  p.  578),  which  j 
have  given  rise  to  so  many  conjectures  amongst 
the  older  schools  of  medallists. — There  is  a fine 
silver  coin  of  Romulus,  cited  by  Beauvais,  as 
unique. — The  second  and  third  brass  are  not 
very  rare. — -One  brass  medallion,  of  great  rarity,  I 
represents  him  on  one  side,  and  Maxenlius,  his 
father,  on  the  other. — Sec  nvbiscons. 

ROMVLVS  A VG  VST  VS,  son  of  Orestes, 
who  was  one  of  Julius  Nepos’s  favourite  generals,  I 
but  who,  devoured  by  ambition,  ungratefully 
returned  the  confidence  of  his  imperial  master 
by  driving  him  from  the  throne,  and  proclaim- 
ing in  his  place  this  young  prince,  Augustus  and 
Emperor  of  the  West,  a.d.  475.  But  Odoaeer, 
the  Ilcruliau,  having  captured  Rome,  assumed 
the  title  of  King  of  Italy  in  478,  stripped 
Romulus  of  the  purple;  but  compassionating  his 
youth,  spared  his  life ; and  this  last  emperor  of 
Rome,  being  sent  away  into  Campania,  finished 
his  days  as  a private  individual  near  Naples, 
enjoying  a considerable  yearly  income  assigned 
to  him  by  Odoaeer 


This  Romulus,  on  his  coins,  is  styled  D.  N. 

ROMVLVS  AVGVSTVS  P.  F.  AVG. 

The  head  of  Romulus  Augustus,  as  on  the  gold 
quinarius  here  given,  is  diademed  with  pearls : 
usually  it  is  helmeted;  and  he  holds  a spear 
in  his  right  hand,  and  in  his  left  a buckler,  on 
which  is  the  figure  of  a horse. — The  reverses 
are,  on  third  brass,  salvs  reipvblicae.  : a 
Victory  marching  with  trophy  on  right  shoulder, 
aud  dragging  a captive. — victoria  avg.:  Victory 
marching.  On  one  gold, — victoria  avogg.  : 
Victory  holding  a long  cross. — Without  legend  : 
a cross  within  a laurel  garland ; iu  the  exergue 
conob.  : a quinarius  (sec  cut.) — Withoutlegeud: 
a soldier  standing.  All  are  extremely  rare. 

ROSCIA,  a plebeian  family,  having  for  its 
surname  Fabatus,  of  Lanuvinian  origin.  It  was 
at  Lavinia,  the  ancient  Lanuvium,  and  also  at 
Rome,  that  I.  s.  M.  R. — Juno  Sispita  Magna 
Regina  (Juno  the  Preserver,  the  Great  Queen), 
was  worshipped  with  particular  devotion ; and 
accordingly  we  find  on  the  coins  of  this  family 
(which  are  all  silver,  serrated,  and  common), 
L.  rosci,  with  the  head  of  the  above-mentioned 
goddess  covered  with  a goat  skin,  and  behind 
it  some  small  figure.  On  the  other  side  fabati, 
with  the  figure  of  one  of  her  priestesses  per- 
forming her  allotted  task  of  feeding  the  sacred 
serpent  of  the  Lanuvian  grove.  Propertius 
gives  an  interesting  description  of  this  cere- 
mony.— Lucius  Roscius  Fabatus  was  a very  great 
admirer  of  Julius  Csesar,  and  was  his  quicstor  in 
the  year  v.c.  69S,  in  Gallia  Trnnsalpina.  He 
is  mentioned  by  Cicsar  himself  in  his  Com- 
mentaries, amongst  the  Legati  of  the  XII  Ith 
Legion. — Morcll  enumerates  forty-three  varieties 


of  the  Roscia  coins,  but  the  variety  lies  almost 
exclusively  in  the  sigilla,  or  miut-marks,  and 
none  arc  of  historical  interest. — See  Juno 

Sispita. 

Rostra,  from  Rostrum. — This  name  was 
given  to  a public  place  in  Rome,  where  a species 
of  estrade  or  seafTold  stood,  surmounted  by  a 
tribune,  whence  the  magistrates  or  other  orators 
harangued  the  people.  It  was  square  in  form, 
supported  on  columns,  ornamented  at  its  base 
' with  beaks  of  ships,  and  ascended  by  a staircase. 
There  were  two  Rostra,  cetera  and  nova.  The 
former  were  placed  in  the  Forum,  or  great 
square,  near  the  spot  called  curia  hostilia.  The 
naval  beaks  with  which  they  were  originally 
enriched  were  from  the  ships  taken  from  the 
Antiati  by  the  Romans,  commanded  by  the 
Consul  Micnius,  who,  in  the  year  v.c.  416, 
destroyed  the  port  of  Antium,  took  their  fleet  of 
twenty-two  gallics,  six  of  which  were  armed 
with  spurs  or  beaks.  The  figure  of  these  rostra 
is  to  be  seen  on  a medal  of  the  Lottia  family  in 
the  Thesaurus  Morellianus,  on  the  obverse  of 
which  is  a female  head,  with  the  name  of 
libertas,  to  whom  the  rostra  were  sacred ; 
also  on  a deuarius  of  C.  Junius  Silanus,  published 
by  Gessner,  and  upon  other  coins  both  consular 
and  imperial. — The  rostra  nova  were  called 
rostra  Julia,  cither  in  consequence  of  their  being 
situated  near  the  temple  of  Augustus,  or  because 
they  were  the  work  of  Julius  Cicsar,  or  from 
Augustus  having  ordered  them  to  be  restored. — 
Two  medals  (given  in  Ursinus)  refer  to  the  rostra 
| nova  or  Julia  On  one  is  the  bare  head  of 
| Augustus,  as  is  testified  by  the  inscription, 
caesar  avovstvs.  The  reverse  of  this  medal 
exhibits  two  persons  (whom  some  have  supposed 
to  be  Augustus  and  Agrippa)  seated  in  curule 
chairs,  on  a suggestum  ornamented  with  three 
rostrated  prows  of  ships.  Above  it  is  inscribed 
Cains  SVLP1CIVS  PLATORINw.— The 
other  coin,  illustrative  of  the  rostra  nova,  is 
thus  briefly  described  and  explained  by  Span- 
hciin  (Pr.  ii.  p.  193) : There  exists  (says  he) 
a coin  of  the  Mussidia  family,  which  shews  the 
comitium  (or  place  of  legislative  assembly) 
situated  near  the  rostra  cetera,  or  elsewhere,  in 
the  Roman  foium,  or  by  its  side,  with  the 
cancelli  (lattice),  and  with  two  personages 
clothed  in  the  toga,  who  cast  the  voting  balls 
into  urns.  At  the  bottom  of  the  medal  is 
inscribed  the  surname  CLOACIN'ae  Veneris 
(the  Cloaciuian  Venus),  whose  image  stood  in 
the  same  place.  Thus  Plautus  (in  Curcul.  iv. 
1.  10)  is  illustrated,  whilst  in  his  turn  he  throws 
light  on  the  medal — 

Qui  perjurum  concenire  volt  hominem,  mitto  in 

Comitium  ; 

Qui  mendacem  et  gloriosum,  apud  CLOA  CIS  A E 

sacrum.  See  Mussidia. 

Rostrata  Columna. — Sec  Columna  Rostrata. 

Rost  rat  a Corona. — See  Corona  Rostrata. 

Rostrum,  the  beck  or  spur  of  an  ancient 
galley,  placed  on  a level  with  the  water.  It 
protruded  iu  front  of  the  prow,  and  was  armed 
| with  a sharp  point  of  copper  or  of  iron.  It  was 


RUBELLI  A. — RUBRIA . 

almost  exclusively  used  in  ships  of  war  (thence 
denominated  Rostrata  naves),  to  render  them 
more  formidable  against  an  enemy’s  vessel, 
which,  when  near  enough  to  strike,  they  fre- 
quently sank,  by  piercing  a hole  through  the 
side,  and  lettiug  in  the  water, — The  figure  of 
these  rostrated" vessels  occurs  frequently  on 
Roman  coins,  both  consular  and  imperial. — 
There  is  a denarius  of  Pompey  the  Great,  bear- 
ing on  its  reverse  a galley  with  a legionary  eagle 
on  its  rostrated  prow,  and  with  oars  and  rudder ; 
its  stern  ornamented  with  the  apluslrum,  and  on 
the  deck  a tower  stands,  surmounted  by  the  figure 
of  Neptune,  who  holds  the  trident  in  his  right 
hand,  and  plants  his  left  foot  on  a rostrum.  Round 
this  type  are  the  w'ords  mag.  pivs.  imp.  iter. 

That,  in  the  earliest  times  of  the  Romans, 
coins  were  struck  with  the  prow  and  beak  of  a ship 
appears  from  Pliuv  (1.  xxxiii.  c.  3),  Nota  aeris 
fuit  ex  altera  parte  Janus  geminus ; ex  altera 
rostrum  navis;  in  triente  vero  et  quadrante 
rates. — S ceProra  navis;  also  the./.f  and  its  parts. 

On  the  rostrum  of  a ship  Minerva  Jaeulatrix 
stands,  in  gold  and  silver  coins  of  Domitian.— 
A silver  medal  of  Augustus  also  exhibits  the 
prow  of  a rostrated  galley,  on  which  a naval 
trophy  is  fixed,  together  with  a rudder  and 
auchor  placed  transversely ; the  inscription  is 
CAESAR.  Dm.  F. 

RO.  P.  S.  Roma  Fecunia  Signala. — Money 
struck  at  Rome. 

Rota,  the  figure  of  a wheel,  is  the  symbol  of 
public  roads  repaired  by  order  of  the  reigning 
prince,  for  the  convenience  of  carriages,  as  in 
via  traiana. — At  the  feet  of  Fortune,  it 
signifies  the  mutability  and  inconstancy  of  that 
goddess. — We  see  the  wheel,  beneath  the  chair 
of  Fortune  sitting,  on  coins  of  Sept.  Severus, 
Caracalla,  Gordianus  Pius,  Aurelianus,  Gallienus, 
and  other  emperors,  with  “■  the  epigraph  of 
FORTVNA  REDVX. 

R.  P.  Roma  Percussa. — Money  struck  at 
Rome. 

R.  P.  Rei  Publica. — See  iiivir.  r.  p.  c. 
Triumvir ReiPublica Constiluenda  (for  establish- 
ing the  Republic),  on  coins  of  Antony,  Lcpidus, 
and  Octavianus  (Augustus). 

R.  S.  Roma  Signata. — Money  struck  at  Rome. 

RUBELL1A,  a family  of  the  equestrian 
order,  according  to  Tacitus,  originally  from 
Tibur.  Its  cognomen  Blandus. — The  only  coins 
are  small  brass,  struck  under  Augustus,  inscribed 
C.  RVBEI.I.IVS.  BLANDVS.  IIIVIll.  A.  A.  A.  F.  F. 

RUBRIA,  a plebeian  family.  Surnamcd 
Dossenus.  Its  plebeian  rank  is  inferred  from 
Rubrius,  a tribune  of  the  people,  having  carried 
a law,  named  after  him  Lex  Rubria. — There  are 
ten  varieties  in  its  coins,  of  which  the  silver  are 
common;  some  of  them  were  restored  by  Trajan. 
The  bronze  pieces  of  this  family  are  the  as,  or 
parts  of  the  as. — Some  denarii  present  reverses 
which  have  given  rise  to  various  unsatisfactory 
conjectures  amongst  the  learned — Havcrcamp  in 
particular ; and  even  Eckhel  himself,  though  he 
bestowed  two  erudite  notes  on  the  types  in 
question,  acknowledges  his  ignorance  of  their 
exact  meaning. 


ROCKS.— RUS.  701 

The  following  quinarius  is  rare : — dossen. 
Head  of  Neptune,  with  trident — Rev.  L.  rvbri. 
Victory  walking,  holds  a long  palm  branch  above 
her  shoulders  ; before  her  feet  is  an  altar,  upon 
which  is  a serpent. 

R.  V.  Roma  Victrix. — Rome  the  victorious. 

RVLLI.  Rullus,  surname  of  the  Servilia 
family. 

Ruminalis  ficus. — The  tree  under  which  the 
wolf  (it  is  said)  gave  suck  to  Romulus  and  Remus. 
— It  is  represented,  together  with  the  shepherd 
Faustulus,  the  wolf,  and  the  twins,  on  several 
Roman  coins. — A brass  medallion  of  Antoninus 
Pius  exhibits  the  ficus  Ruminalis,  w ith  Rome  in 
her  helmet  sitting  under  it,  before  whom  arc  the 
emperor  and  other  figures. 

The  same  fig  tree  of  traditionary  fame  appears, 
with  a bird  (picus),  on  a denarius  of  the 
Pompeia  family.  See  Pompeia. — And,  with  the 
twins,  on  the  shield  which  Val.  Maximianus 
bears. 

Rocks. — These  figured  on  medals  indicate  a 
city  built  on,  or  situate  near,  a hill  or  small 
mounts.  The  personified  genius  of  a Roman 
province  is  sometimes  seen  seated  or  reclining 
upon  rocks  or  hills.  (Sec  Roma.) — Thus  Africa, 
on  a coin  of  Antoninus  Pius ; Britannia  in  Anto- 
ninus and  Commodus ; Dacia,  in  Trajan  and 
Hadrian ; Hispania,  in  Hadrian  ; &e. — Rome 
herself,  on  the  coin  which  represents  the  ficus 
Ruminalis,  above  alluded  to,  is  seated  on  rocks, 
allusive  to  the  seven  hills  on  which  the  city  was 
built. 

RVS.  Ruslicus,  the  surname  of  the  Aujidia 
family. 

RVS. — The  names  of  several  Roman  colouies 
begin  with  the  letters  rvs.  Amongst  others 
Ruscino,  a city  in  Gallia  Narbonensis,  which 
Pliny  calls  oppidum  Latinorum  Ruscinorum, 
and  to  which  Mela  assigns  the  title  of  colony ; 
but  by  whom  founded,  whether  by  Augustus  or 
by  Julius  Caisar,  is  a matter  of  question. — Its 
modern  name  is  Tour  de  Rousillon,  in  the  county 
of  that  name,  province  of  Languedoc,  not  far 
from  Perpignan. — To  this  place,  situate  on  the 
Telis  (Tela),  near  where  that  river  empties  itself 
into  the  Mediterranean,  the  following  small  brass 
coiu  is  referred,  alike  by  Vaillant,  Morell,  and 
the  editor  of  the  Mus.  Theup : — imp.  caes. 
avgvstvs.  Head  of  Augustus,  without  laurel. 
— Rev.  col.  rvs.  leg.  vi.  (Colonia  Ruscino. 
Legiones  SextaJ.  Two  legionary  eagles. 

[The  above  military  type  denotes,  says  Vaillant 
(i.  43),  the  planting  of  veterans  from  two  legions 
in  this  colony.  For  the  Sixth  Legion  was  a 
double  one  (Gemina),  namely,  Victrix,  which 
Augustus  sent  to  Syria,  and  Ferrata,  which  he 
established  in  Spain.  But  before  he  stationed 
them  in  the  provinces,  that  emperor  drafted  off 
the  discharged  and  worthy  soldiers  ( Emeriti ) 
of  each,  partly  to  colonise  Casaraugusta  and 
Acci  (as  we  know  from  their  coins)  and  partly  to 
occupy  Ruscino.  Hence  on  the  reverse  in 
question,  two  legionary  eagles  are  engraved,  with 
the  inscription  of  leg.  vi.  Legio  Sexta. — 
Vaillant  describes  this  medal  as  one  of  singular 
elegance  and  rarity;  and  further  observes  that  it 


702  RUSTTA.— RUTILIA. 

had  been  fouud  in  the  district  of  Ruscino,  given 
to  him,  and  held  a place  in  his  cabinet  w hilst  he 
was  composing  his  work  on  the  colonial  coins.] 

Huso,  a surname  of  various  Roman  families. 

Rustia,  a family  scarcely  known  in  the  time 
of  the  republic.  Its  coins  (which  in  silver  arc 
not  very  rare,  but  in  gold  ranssimi)  exhibit  but 
two  varieties,  one  of  which  otters  on  one  side 
two  female  busts  (one  of  them  wearing  a helmet), 
placed  on  a flattened  cippus,  ornamented  on  each 
side  with  a ram’s  head,  with  the  epigraph 
Q.  kvstivs.  fortvnae.  ANTIAT. — The  obverse 
of  the  denarius  has  caesari.  avqvsto.  ex.  s.  c., 
and  an  altar,  inscribed  for.  re. — See  fortvnae 
antiat. — An  almost  similar  type  accompanies 
sons,  on  a coin  of  the  PUetoria  family  The 
reverse  applies  to  Augustus,  and  shows  that  this 
denarius  was  struck  v.  c.  735.” 

Rutilia,  a plebeian  family  ; surnamed  Flaccus. 
The  following  is  the  only  medal  (in  silver,  and 
not  very  rare)  extant  of  this  family,  viz. : — fi.ac. 
Head  of  Pallas. — Rep.  L.  rvtiu.  Victory  in 
a biga  at  full  speed.  This  denarius  refers  to  L. 
ltutilius  Klaccus,  who  was  an  editis  plebis  in  the 
year  v.c.  597,  and  praetor  of  a province  in  600. 
This  coin  seems,  however,  to  have  been  struck 
before,  viz.,  in  his  provincial  quaestorship. 

U.  XL.  LIBERTAS.  AVG usti.  S.  C. — Liberty 
standing.  On  first  and  second  brass  of  Galba. 

R.  XL.  (Remissa  Quadragesima.  The  fortieth 
abolished  or  remitted  to  the  people.)  ROMA. — 
On  a first  brass  of  Galba  we  sec  Rome,  hclmetcd 
and  paludatcd,  standing,  with  right  band  extended, 
on  which  stands  a female  figure,  holding  a branch 
or  garland  in  right  hand  and  cornucopia:  in  left. 
The  left  arm  of  the  Genius  of  Rome  rests  on  a 
coat  of  mail,  and  holds  a caduccus,  or  in  some 
a legionary  eagle;  she  sets  her  left  foot  on  a 
helmet,  and  before  her  right  foot  is  a shield. 

All  writers  agree  in  characterising  Galba  as 
unseasonably  penurious.  Nevertheless,  that 
there  was  an  interval  iu  which  he  indidged  in 
some  liberal  acts,  and  doubtless  at  his  accession 
to  the  empire,  for  the  sake  of  winning  favour 
from  the  public,  is  proved  by  those  medals,  which 
predicate  a benefit  to  the  public  in  the  no  small 
sum  of  quadragesima  remissa  ; to  which  is  to 
be  added  the  testimony  of  Suetonius,  who  states  j 
that  Vespasian  renewed  the  taxes  remitted  under  ! 
Galba — (omissa  sub  Galba  vectigalia  recocasse) 
— See  qVADRAGENSVMA  REMISSAE. 

s. 

S.  Sacra. — As  iu  the  subsigning  of  Roman 
coins. — s.  M.  Sacra  Moneta ; thus  sma  Sacra 
Moneta  Alexandria,  §'c. 

S.  M.  VRB. — Sacra  Moneta  Urbis,  fi'e.,  at 
the.  bottom  of  a coin  of  Constantius  Chlorus. 

S.  Sacris. — aed.  8.  Aedibus  Sacris. — 
s.  f.  Sacris  Faciundis. 

S.  Sacralissimi. — ADVEXTVS.  S.  D.  N. 
AVG;  the  emperor  crowned  with  the  nimbus, 
and  on  horseback  in  the  habit  of  peace. — On 
the  reverse  of  a gold  medallion  of  Marcianus, 
published  by  Pellerin,  who  reads  the  inscription 
thus,  A1)YE.\’T\  S S ecundus  Domini  N ostri 


SABIN.— SABINA. 

AVG  usti.  But  Eckhcl,  with  better  ground  of 
probability  for  his  opinion,  thinks  that  the  single 
letter  S constitutes  part  of  the  titles  of  Mar- 
cianus, and  that  it  should  be  read  Sacralissimi. 
This  name,  he  adds,  is  by  no  means  iu  the 
present  case  a newly  invented  attribute  of  the 
emperors.  I'rontinus  had  said  of  Trajan,  clara 
sacralissimi  imperatoris  noslri  expeditio.  But 
iu  the  age  of  Marcianus — namely,  the  fifth 
century,  nothing  is  more  hackuied  than  this 
title  of  sacra/issimus  as  applied  to  a Roman 
emperor,  especially  amongst  lawyers. 

S.  Salute. — pro.  s.  CAES.  Pro  Salute 
Ccesans. 

S.  Senatus. — S.  R.  Senatus  Romanies. 

S.  Seni  or  Seniori. — 1>.  n.  diocletiano. 
p.  F.  s.  avg.  Domino  Nostro  Diocletiano  Pio 

Fetid  Seni  Augusto. 

S.  Servatos. — o.  c.  s.  Ob  does  Sercaios. 

S.  Sercavit. — H.  O.  C.  s.  Moslem  Occidit 
Civem  Sercavit. 

S.  Sextus. — S.  ATIL.  Sextus  Atilius. — 
s.  pomp.  Sextus  Pompeius. 

S.  Signal  a Moneta. — P.  S.  Pecunia  Signata. 

S.  Sint  — qvod.  v.  M.  s Quod  Via  Ma- 
nila Sint,  or  Sunt. — See  Vinicia  family. 

S.  Money  struck  at  Siscia. — s.  C.  Siscia 
Cusus,  at  bottom  of  a gold  coin  of  Diocletian. 

S.  Sispita. — i.  s.  xi.  R.  Juno  Sispita,  or 
Sospita. 

S.  Solvit. — v.  s.  Votum  Solvit,  on  a coin  of 
Augustus. 

S.  Soluta. — vot.  XX.  S.  Vo  la  Vicvnnalia 

Soluta,  on  coin  of  Val.  Maximinianus. 

S.  Solution. — v.  and  S. — Votum  Solutum, 
on  coin  of  Augustus. 

S.  Spes. — s.  a.  Spes  Augusta. — s.  r.  Spes 
Reipublica . 

S.  Spurius,  a-'  surname. — s.  N.  Spurii 
Nepos,  Spc. — Sec  Postumia  family. 

S.  Sumptibus. — D.  S.  S.  Dedit  Suis  Sump- 
tibus. 

S Suo. — cons.  s.  Conserratori  Suo. 

S.  Suscepto. — v.  s.  Voto  Suscepto.- 

S.  A.  in  the  field  of  some  coins.  Sal  us 

Augusti,  or  Securitas  Augusti,  or  Spes  Angusti, 
or  Signata  Antiochia  (money  struck  at  Antioch). 

SABIN.  Sabina. — sarin,  avg. — See  Sabina, 
wrife  of  Hadrian. 

SABIN.  Sabinus,  surname  of  the  Minatia 
and  Tituria  families ; the  heads  of  which  pro- 
duced their  origin  from  the  Sabines. 

SABINA  (Julia),  the  consort  of  Hadrian, 


of  Mitidia,  and  great  rriccc  of  Trajan, 


SABINA. 

by  his  sister  Marciana.  History  Las  not  re- 
corded the  name  of  her  father.  She  was  given 
in  marriage  a.d.  100,  to  Hadrian,  who,  through 
this  alliance  and  the  influence  of  Plotina,  was 
enabled  to  become  the  successor  of  Trajan. 
But  although  coins  in  plenty  boast  of  Concordia 
Augusta,  and  some  even  exhibit  Hadrian  and 
Sabina  together,  yet  mutual  disagreements  in 
domestic  life,  which  resulted  fatally  to  Sabina, 
abundantly  prove  that  these  nuptials  were  uncon- 
genial to  Hymen.  The  infamous  passion  of  the 
emperor  for  his  minion  Autinons  was  partly  the 
cause,  and  a just  one  too,  of  that  irreeoncileable 
hatred  which  Sabina  entertained  towards  her 
husbaud.  And,  he  no  sooner  saw  himself  in  pos- 
session of  the  throne,  than,  throwing otf  the  mask 
of  pretended  courtesy  and  of  conjugal  regard,  he 
became  the  morose  and  persecuting  tyrant  of 
his  wife.  On  her  arrival  at  Rome,  this  princess 
received  the  title  of  Augusta  (sabina.  avgvsta. 
IMP.  HADBIANI.  avo.)  ; and  the  senate  flattered 
her  with  the  name  of  Nova  Ceres.  But  treated 
by  Hadrian  rather  as  his  slave  than  as  his 
empress,  her  life  was  one  continual  course  of 
vexation  and  unhappiness.  Nor  on  her  side  was 
there  any  display  of  resignation  or  forbearance 
under  the  insults  and  indignities  to  which  she 
was  exposed  by  the  brutality  of  him  who  ought 
to  have  been  her  protector.  She  openly  declared 
that  the  sterility  of  their  marriage  was  owing  to 
a determination  on  her  part  never  to  bear 
children  to  him,  lest  she  should  give  birth 
to  one  who  should  be  more  wicked  than  his 
father,  and  become  the  scourge  of  man- 
kind. Enraged  at  her  alienation  and  re- 
proaches, Hadrian,  though  feeling  himself  sink- 
ing under  a mortal  disease,  had  the  barbarity  to 
compel  her  to  commit  suicide,  or,  as  Roman 
writers  singularly  express  it,  ad  mortem  volun- 
tariam  computsa  est.  It  has  been  said  he 
poisoned  her  himself  (a.d.  13?),  a short  time 
before  his  own  death, — and,  according  to  the 
sarcastic  remark  of  Beauvais,  satis/ait  de 
V avoir  ravie  a la  terre,  it  la  fit  placer  dans 
le  del! — That  she  was  canonised  into  the 
number  of  the  goddesses  we  indisputably  learn 
from  the  coins  of  diva  Sabina ; but  that  this 
honour  was  conferred  on  her  by  Hadrian,  is 
scarcely  credible  under  all  the  circumstances  of 
the  case.  Eekhcl  argues  this  point  with  his 
usual  intelligence,  and  refers  to  the  two  follow- 
ing silver  coins,  as  confirmatory  of  his  opinion, 
that  Sabina  was  consecrated  not  by  her  husband, 
but  by  his  successor  Antoninus,  whose  mother 
she  was  by  the  law  of  adoption. 

diva.  avg.  sabina. — Head  of  Sabina,  veiled. 

Rev.  consecuatio. — Aft  eagle  standing;  on 
others,  Sabina  with  hasta  in  right  hand,  carried 
upwards  by  an  eagle. 

The  second  medal  has  the  same  obverse. 

Rev.  PIET  ATI.  avg. — An  altar. 

According  to  the  opinion  of  some  ancient 
writers,  Antoninus  was  called  Pius  because  he 
wrought  upon  the  senate  by  the  earnestness  of 
his  entreaties  to  decree  celestial  honours  to  his 
father  Hadrian.  He  would  seem  to  have 
obtained  the  same  requested  object  in  favour 


SABIN  AE. — SABINI.  70.3 

of  Sabina,  from  the  coinage  of  this  medal  with 
the  type  of  an  Altar,  which  he  dedicated  to  her 
with  the  epigraph  of  Pie/as  Augusta. 

This  empress  is  described  by  historians  as 
particularly  handsome  and  well  formed,  of  noble 
manners  and  gracious  demeanour,  of  great  recti- 
tude and  even  elevation  of  mind,  in  short  a truly 
virtuous  woman,  whose  temper,  naturally  amiable, 
had  been  soured  only  by  the  ill  treatment  of  her 
husband.  That  her  countenance  beamed  with 
an  air  of  majestic  dignity  will  readily  be  believed 
by  those  who  have  contemplated  the  lineaments 
of  her  profile  and  the  symmetry  of  her  bust 
handed  down  on  coins  of  the  Imperial  and  Sena- 
torial mints  of  Rome.  The  head  dress  of  Sabina, 
like  those  of  Marciana,  Matidia,  and  Plotina, 
is  arranged  in  different  styles,  sometimes  with 
the  hair  flowing  straight  and  terminating  in  a 
long  braid  behind,  with  or  without  a veil ; at 
other  times  bound  upwards  tightly  from  the  back 
of  the  neck  in  a circular  knot,  and  ornamented 
w'ith  a tiara  or  diadem  in  front,  but  almost 
always  with  great  elegance,  proving  the  diversity 
and  inconstancy  of  female  fashions,  whilst  the 
medal  fixes  the  epocha  of  their  change. 

The  Roman  coins  of  Sabina  are  common  in 
silver  and  brass,  except  medallions ; but  the 
gold  are  somewhat  rare. 

Sabinia  called  Tranquillina,  wife  of  Gordianus 
Pius. — See  Tranquillina. 

SABINAE. — The  rape  of  the  Sabine  women 
is  represented  on  Contorniate  medals,  one  of 
| which  has  the  image  and  superscription  of  Nero  ; 
another  those  of  Agrippina  senior;  and  a third 
those  of  Constantins  II. — On  these  the  soldiers 
of  Romulus  are  seen  engaged  in  their  violent 
breach  of  hospitality  and  good  faith  ; behind  the 
group  of  men  and  women  are  seen  three  obelisks, 
constituting  one  of  the  Circensiau  metre,  at  Rome. 

Eckhel,  in  his  no  less  instructive  than  copious 
observations  on  what  he  terms  “ Pseudomoneta,” 
states  that,  amongst  the  various  subjects  to 
which  the  types  of  this  peculiar  elass  of  medals 
refer,  only  one  example  is  to  be  found  drawn 
from  the  history  of  Rome’s  earliest  age— viz., 
that  flagrant  injury  inflicted  on  the  whole  Sabine 
nation,  which  the  denarii  of  the  Tituria  family 
also  typify,  but  upon  which  it  would  have  been 
more  honourable  to  have  remained  silent,  instead 
of  restoring  its  characteristic  incidents  as  the 
fabricators  of  these  conlorniati  have  done.  The 
meta  is  introduced  as  indicating  the  place  in 
which  the  affront  was  given,  namely  the  Circus. 

Sabini. — The  Sabines,  a people  of  ancient 
Italy  (Italia  Propria),  whose  country  lay 
between  Latium  and  Etruria.  Pliny  writes  that 
it  was  enclosed  on  both  sides  by  the  chain  of 
the  Appennines. — Strabo  says  the  Sabines  inhabit 
a narrow  field. — Feronia  was  their  goddess. 
See  Petronia  family  in  Morell. — Butler,  in  his 
Ancient  and  Modern  Geography,  describes  the 
territory  of  the  Sabini  as  south-east  of  the 
Lmbria,  separated  from  Latium  by  the  river 
Anio,  nowT  the  Teverdne. 

SABVLA. — See  Cossulia  family. 

SAC.  Sacra.  Thus  sac.  mon.  veb.,  &c. 
Sacra  HI  one  la  Urbis,  as  in  Diocletian. 


704  SACER. 

SACR.  F.  Sacris Faciundis,  vel  Sacra  Faciens, 
Appointed  to  take  care  of  sacred  things. 

C.  SACR.  FAC.  Censor  Sacris  Faciundis. 
xv.  vi r.  sacr.  fac.  Quindecimvir  Sacris 
Faciundis.  A tripod,  with  a dolphin  upon  and 
a crow  below  it,  on  a silver  and  gold  coin  of 
Vitellius. 

SACER.  Sacerdos,  Sacerdotes.  Priests, 
ministers,  who,  under  the  Pagan  system,  were 
entrusted  with  all  the  affairs,  interests,  and  cere- 
monies of  religion.  Amongst  the  Romans  the 
sacerdotal  institution  commenced  with  their 
worship  of  the  gods.  Romulus  appointed  two 
persons  in  each  enria,  to  the  priesthood.  Numa, 
in  adding  to  the  number  of  the  deities,  increased 
also  the  number  of  those  who  were  dedicated  to 
the  service  of  their  temples.  This  important  i 
function  was  for  some  ages  exclusively  confined 
to  the  Patricians  and  the  most  illustrious 
families,  but  after  a time  the  Plebeians  were 
allowed  to  share  every  branch  of  the  priesthood 
with  the  nobles.  At  first,  these  priests  were 
chosen  by  the  college  in  which  they  entered  ; 
hut  in  the  sequel,  after  a hard  struggle,  the 
privilege  of  electing  them  was  transferred  to  the 
people,  and  the  colleges  retained  only  the  right 
of  admitting  the  candidate  into  their  body. 
Under  Sylla’s  dictatorship,  things  resumed  their 
former  state,  and  the  people  were  deprived  of 
the  privilege  they  had  usurped.  But  the  altera- 
tion was  short-lived.  Atius  Babrinus,  a tribune 
of  the  people,  carried  the  revival  of  the  Lex 
Domitia,  which  Marc  Antony  caused  to  be  again 
abrogated.  At  length  a monarchical  form  of 
government  rose  on  the  ruins  of  republican 
liberty ; and  the  emperors  seized  upon  the  rights  j 
which  had  so  long  been  the  subject  of  mutual  [ 
contention  between  the  priests  and  the  people. 
[See  the  word  Pont  i/ex.']  Augustus  aug- 

mented the  number  of  priests.  The  emperors  j 
who  followed  him  made  a great  point  of  j 
having  those  destined  to  succeed  them  in  the 
empire,  even  boys,  admitted  into  the  College  of 
Priests,  which  was  called  cooptari,  and  cooptari 
supra  numerum.  The  case  of  Nero  presents  a 
flagrant  instance  of  mauy  different  sacerdotia 
being  heaped  upon  one  individual,  and  he  a 
youth.  [See  sacerd.  coopt,  in  omn,  coni.., 
&c.] — The  emperors  went  under  the  assumed 
name  of  Pontifex  Maximus. — The  member's  of 
the  pontifical  order  possessed  several  privileges  ; 
they  could  not  be  deprived  of  their  dignity ; 
they  were,  moreover,  exempt  from  serving  in 
the  army,  and  from  the  obligation  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  any  civic  office.  The  heathen 
priesthood  continued  to  exist  some  time  under 
the  Christian  emperors,  and  was  not  wholly 
suppressed  until  the  reign  of  Theodosius,  who 
expelled  from  Rome  the  whole  sacerdotal  body, 
of  both  sexes,  as  Zozimus  states — Expellebantur 
utri  usque  sexus  Sacerdotes,  et  fana  destituta 
sacrificiis  omnibus  jacebant. — The  Roman  priests 
may  be  divided  into  two  classes,  viz.,  those  who 
were  attached  to  the  service  of  no  duty  in  1 
particular,  but  whose  duty  was  to  offer  sacrifices  } 
to  all  the  gods.  Of  this  class  were  the  Pontiffs,  j 
the  Augurs,  the  Decemvirs,  the  Aruspiccs,  the 


SACERDOS. 

Curiones,  the  Septemvirs,  named  Eputones,  the 
Feciales,  the  Rex  Sacrificulus. — The  other 
priests  had  each  their  peculiar  divinity,  such  as 
the  Flaincns,  the  Salians,  the  Luporcals,  the 
Potitii,  the  Pinarii,  the  priests  (of  Cybele) 
called  Galti,  the  Vestals.  These  priests  had 
assistant  ministers  to  serve  them  at  the  sacri- 
fices, such  as  the  Camilli  and  Camilla,  the 
F/amines  and  F/aminica,  the  Cultrarii,  the 
Popa,  the  Victimarii,  the  Fictores,  the  Pracla- 
mitatores,  the  Lictors,  the  Scribes,  the  attend- 
ants on  the  Aruspices,  the  Pul/arii,  the  Cala- 
tores,  &c. 

Sacerdos. — The  figure  of  a priest  appears  at  the 
altar,  holding  a patera,  and  behind  him  is  the 
victimariis,  or  slaughterer  of  the  victim,  with 
the  ox  for  sacrifice,  appears  on  a gold  coin  of 
Augustus,  with  legend  of  vota.  pvblica. — On 
a coin  of  the  Postumia  family,  a priest  stands 
on  a bullock,  with  his  right  hand  extended 
above  an  ox,  the  altar  being  between  them. 

SACERD.  COOIT.  IN.  OMN.  CONL. 
SVPRA.  NV.MR.  Sacerdos  Cooptatus  In  Omnia 
Collegia  Supra  Numerum. — This  legend,  having 
for  its  accompanying  type  four  instruments  of 
sacrifice  (namely,  simpu/um,  tripns,  lituus, 
patera)  appears  on  a gold  and  silver  coin  of 
Nero,  with  the  addition  of  ex.  s.  C. 

By  the  manoeuvres  of  Agrippina,  unscrupu- 
lously ambitious  to  procure  from  the  senate  fresh 
accessions  of  honours  for  her  son  Nero,  at  the 
age  of  fourteen,  he,  already  designated  for 
emperor,  and  made  Princeps  Juventulis,  was 
(as  this  medal  tells  us)  adopted  priest  in  all  the 
colleges,  and  admitted  as  supernumerary.  The 
various  sacerdotal  companies  into  which  this 
boy  was  co-optatus,  or  elected  a member,  are 
thus  enumerated  in  a lapidary  inscription,  copied 
by  Pighius. — PONTIF.  AYGYR.  XYFIR. 
EPYLON. — And  a Grutcrian  marble  marks  the 
time  with  singular  preciseness.  ADLECTVS. 
AD.  NVMERVM.  EX.  S.  C.  Nero  Claudius 
CAES.  AN  Gust  i films  GERMAN  ICVS.  &c. 
ANN.  DCmiM.  iv. < 804).  These  four 

colleges  are  also  indicated  by  the  type  itself. 
For  the  simpu/um  is  the  sign  of  the  pontifi- 
cate, as  coins  of  Caius  Agrippae  F.  manifestly 
show  ; the  lituus  denotes  the  office  of  augur,  or 
soothsayer ; the  tripus,  or  tripod,  is  the  mark 
of  the  quindecimvirate  (or  commission  of 
fifteen  magistrates  for  ordering  religious  affairs) ; 
the  patera  is  that  of  scptcmdecimvirate,  officers 
called  Eputones,  whose  number  had  been  in- 
creased from  three  (or  seven)  to  seventeen, 
and  whose  duty  it  was,  according  to  the 
testimony  of  Cicero,,  ludorum  epulare  sacri- 
ficium  facere,  to  furnish  banquets  on  feast  days 
for  Jupiter  and  the  rest  of  the  Gods. 

SARERDoj.  DEI  SOLIS  ELAGA Ba/us. — A 
figure,  clothed  in  the  stola,  stands  holding  in 
the  right  hand  a patera  over  an  altar,  ns  in  the 
act  of  sacrificing. — On  silver  aud  bronze  of 
Elagnbalus. 

At  the  period  of  his  being  elected  emperor, 
the  son  of  Soicmias,  whose  real  name  was  not 
Antoninus,  but  Farius  Aritus  Bassianus,  held 
at  Emcsa,  in  Syria,  the  office  of  the  Phoenician 


SACERDOS. 

Deity  called  Elagabalus,  or  Ileliogabalus  (which 
his  coins  lead  us  to  believe  was  the  sun.) — The 
present  is  one  of  a set  consisting  of  six  or  seven 
coins  (all  struck  a.d.  219),  which  bear  witness 
to  the  insane  devotion  of  this  wretched  youth 
for  his  favourite  divinity  ; of  which  he  brought  ! 
to  Rome  both  the  worship  and  the  idol  (the  j 
latter  being  a large  black  coloured  stone  of  a 
conical  form) ; and  built  a temple,  where  he 
himself  exercised  the  priestly  office,  llcrodianus, 
speaking  of  him  and  his  cousin  Alexander,  says, 
they  were  both  high  priests  of  the  Sun,  which 
the  people  of  the  country  chiefly  worshipped 
under  the  Phoenician  name  of  Elagabalus.  So 
when  he  had  brought  his  oriental  tutelary  to 
Rome,  and  adored  him  in  preference  to  others,  he 
himself  always  adopted  the  title  of  the  God,  of 
whom  he  was  called  Summits  et  Inviclus 
Sacerdos. — See  Elagabalus. 

The  medals  convey  but  a faint  idea  of  the 
extravagant  veneration  which  this  half  madman, 
half  monster,  paid  to  the  symbol  of  the  Deity, 
whose  barbaric  appellative  has  remained  a nick- 
name to  the  execrable  pontiff. — The  star  placed 
above  in  the  field  of  the  coin,  in  this  and  most 
others  of  the  emperor  in  question,  signifies  Letts 
Sol — the  Sun,  as  an  object  of  Divine  worship, 
according  to  the  religion  of  the  Phoenicians  and 
other  Asiatic  nations.  On  a marble,  in  Muratori, 
is  read  Junius  Matemus  sacer.  d.  s.  halagab. 

SACERDOS  DIVI  AVGVSTI.— Two  torches 
with  garlands  attached.  The  legend  and  type 
appear  on  gold  and  silver  of  Antonia,  whose 
head  on  the  obverse  is  crowned  with  corn-ears, 
as  if  she  had  been  another  Ceres. — Caligula, 
who  was  grandson  to  this  princess,  conferred  upon 
her  the  title  of  Augusta,  made  her  Priestess 
of  (the  temple  of)  Augustus,  and  appropriated 
to  her  all  the  honours  of  a Vestal. — Vaillant  con- 
siders the  torches  on  the  reverse  as  referring  to 
the  mysteries  of  Ceres.  But  Eckhel  is  of 
opinion  that  this  type  bears  simply  on  the  rites 
of  her  Augustan  priesthood.  He  adds  that  “ as 
it  is  certain  from  the  very  titles  themselves  that 
the  present  coin  could  not  have  been  struck 
before  the  government  of  Caligula,  so  is  it  most 
probable  that  it  saw  light  in  the  reign  of 
Claudius.” 

Similar  reverses  to  this  and  to  another  coin 
(const anti ae  avgvsti)  is  found  also  amongst 
the  money  of  her  son  Claudius,  who  frequently 
restored  the  memory  of  ancestors. — See  Antonia 
Augusta. 

It  was  this  circumstance  which  induced  Haver- 
camp  to  suspect  that  the  dies  had  been  changed 
through  the  carelessness  of  the  mint-master. — 
Eckhel  sees  no  reason  for  supposing  any  such 
thing.  For,  he  remarks,  “ Claudius,  as  well 
as  his  mother  Antonia,  had  been  appointed  a 
Sacerdos  L.  Augusti,  and  he  indeed  by  Tiberius, 
as  Tacitus  affirms.  And  there  seems  to  have 
been  another  cause  for  Claudius’s  choice  of 
this  reverse.  For,  besides  his  professing  to 
reverence  Augustus  so  much  as  to  hold  no  oath- 
taking more  sacred  than  that  of  swearing  per 
Augustum,  he  appears  to  have  employed  this 
type  for  the  purpose  of  removing  the  disgrace 
4 X 


SACERDOS.  705 

of  another  priesthood,  the  office  of  which  he  was 
himself  forced  by  Caligula  to  accept,  when  the 
latter  called  himself  Jupiter  Latialis,  &c. — 
Loci.  Num.  Vet.  vol.  vi.  p.  230. 

SACERDOS  VRBIS. — The  emperor  stands 
before  an  altar ; his  right  hand,  hanging  down 
holds  a branch  ; in  his  left  is  a spear. — On  a third 
brass  of  Alexander  Severus,  the  obverse  of  which 
bears  his  laureatrd  head,  with  the  epigraph  of 
imp.  marco.  avr.  se.  al.  av. — In  the  imperial 
cabinet  at  Vienna. 

Eckhel,  in  his  Sylloge  (i.,  p.  103),  has  edited 
and  copiously  illustrated  this  remarkable  and 
genuine  antique  coin.  It  will  have  been  seen, 
from  the  description  of  some  of  his  medals,  that 
Elagabalus,  treating  with  contempt  the  sacred 
rites  of  the  Romans,  had  the  stupid  folly  to  intro- 
duce the  religion  of  his  Syrian  god  into  the  city, 
and  attempt  to  spread  through  the  empire  the 
worship  of  the  Lea  Coelestis  of  the  Carthaginians. 
But  it  also  appears,  on  the  positive  authority  of 
llcrodianus,  that,  immediately  on  his  accession 
to  the  throne,  Alexander,  having  abolished  those 
barbaric  ceremonies,  restored  in  all  their  former 
splendor  the  forms  of  the  ancestral  worship. 
“ To  this  fact,  therefore  (adds  the  great  German 
numismatist),  both  the  inscription  and  the  type 
of  the  present  coin  allude.  F'or  the  reason  above 
mentioned,  Alexander  called  himself  Sacerdos 
Urbis — the  priest  of  the  city — namely  of  Rome, 
which  was  itself  regarded  as  a goddess,  by  whose 
influence  Roman  affairs  were  governed,  and  not  by 
the  power  of  that  deity,  from  whom  either Einesa 
or  Carthage  sought  protection.  In  the  same 
manner,  on  an  inscriptive  marble  ( Ilosci  Memo  rue 
Breasc.),  a certain  Sex.  Valerius  boasts  of  being 
SACERDm  VRBIS  ROMAE  AETERNAE. 
— On  account  of  the  metal,  the  bad  workman- 
ship, and  the  epigraphs  on  the  obverse,  the  like 
of  which  does  not  occur  in  the  Roman  mint, 
there  is  no  doubt  but  that  this  coin  was  struck 
out  of  the  city. — [Eckhel,  vol.  viii , p.  270.] 

Sacerdotalia  Instrumenta. — Instruments,  or 
insignia  of  sacrifices — such  as  the  apex,  securis, 
culler,  capeduncula,  adspergillum,  &c.,  are  re- 
presented on  coins  of  the  pontiffs  and  priests. — 
Spanheim  (Pr.  ii.  p.  370),  with  his  usual  dis- 
play of  learning  and  ability,  treats  of  those  coins 
which,  exhibiting  the  sacerdotal  instruments  and 
the  names  of  the  sons  of  emperors,  refer  to  the 
offices  of  priesthood  borne  by  those  Caesars.  Thus 
that  class  of  coins  which  bears  the  inscription 
severi.  pii.  avg.  fil.  is  to  be  explained  as  re- 
lating to  the  adoption  of,  and  admission  of  the 
children  of  Severus  (Caracalla  and  Geta),  into 
the  sacerdotal  colleges. — See  Pontificalia  and 
Sacrficia. 

Sacerdotal  Crotons. — The  priests,  to  denote 
their  sacred  office,  took  for  their  model  the  skulls 
of  oxen,  and  the  dishes  into  which  they  put  the 
entrails  of  victims,  strung  together  with  the 
ribands  that  served  to  decorate  them  when  led  to 
the  altar,  and  wrought  the  representation  of 
these  objects  into  the  form  of  a crown. — Such 
an  one  is  found  on  a medal  of  Augustus. 

SACR.  PER.  Sacra  Periodica. — Sacrificers, 
periodical  or  perpetual  vows. 


706  SACHA  MONETA. — SACRIF1CIA. 

SACK.  MON.  VRIi.  AVGG.  ET.  CAESS.  | 
NOSTR.  Sacra  Moneta  Urbis  Auguslorum  Et 
Casarum  Nostrorum. — This  legend,  more  or 
less  abbreviated,  and  with  the  type  of  a woman 
holding  a balance  in  one  hand  and  a cornucopia: 
in  the  other,  appears  frequently  on  second  brass 
coins  of  Diocletian,  Maximianus,  Maximinus 
Daza,  and  other  emperors  of  the  same  age. 

Sacra  Moneta  Urbis,  an  inscription  which, 
from  the  period  of  its  adoption  by  Diocletian, 
appears  more  and  more  frequently  on  the  coins 
of  the  empire,  is  also  engraved  on  a marble  (in 
Muratori),  at  the  end  of  which,  according  to 
the  amended  reading  of  Marini,  is  CVRANTE. 
VAL.  PELAGIO.  Xiro  Y.gregio  RROCuratore 
Sacra  M onette  Xrbis  VNA.  CYM.  P.  P.  fpra- 
positis)  ET  OFFICINATORIBVS. — The 
inscription  of  MONe/a  VRBw  occurs  also  on 
medals  of  Antioch. 

SACRA  MONETA  VRBIS,  and  MONETA 
VRBIS  VESTRAE,  with  the  type  of  the  three 
Moneta  standing,  appear  on  fine  bronze  medal- 
lions of  Constantine  junior. 

Sacrficia.  Sacrifices. — To  make  these  con- 
stituted a principal  part  of  the  worship  which 
the  heathens  paid  to  their  fabled  deities.  In  this 
act  the  ceremonies  performed  had  relation  to  the 
individuals  who  sacrificed,  the  animals  to  be 
immolated,  and  the  sacrifices  themselves.  With 
reference  to  the  sacrifices,  they  were,  in  the 
first  place,  required  to  he  pure  and  chaste,  and 
without  spot  or  blemish ; secondly,  to  wash 
themselves,  especially  their  hands,  for  which 
purpose  near  the  temples  there  were  vases, 
called  Fanissa,  or  Futitia.  The  sacrificer  was 
clothed  in  white,  and  wore  a crown  formed  of 
the  leaves  of  the  tree  sacred  to  the  god  to  whom 
he  made  the  sacrifice.  When  the  sacrifice  was 
votive,  or  promised  by  a vow,  the  priest  per- 
formed it  with  dishevelled  hair,  with  robe 
unloosed,  with  naked  feet,  and  the  ceremony 
always  began  with  pledges  and  prayers.  The 
animals  intended  to  be  offered  up  were  called 
Fictima  or  Ilostia. — At  the  commencement  of 
the  sacrificial  rites  a herald  proclaimed  silence, 
the  profane  were  driven  away,  and  the  priests 
threw  upon  the  victim  a sort  of  paste  made  of 
wheaten  flour  and  of  salt ; this  was  termed 
immotalio,  or  the  offering.  He  afterwards 
lightly  tasted  of  wine,  and  gave  it  to  others 
present,  for  them  in  like  manner  to  taste,  pour- 
ing the  remainder  between  the  horns  of  the 
victim.  This  was  called  Libalio,  or  the  drink 
offering.  After  the  libations,  the  fire  was 
lighted,  and,  as  soon  as  incense  had  been  burnt, 
certain  menial  attendants,  named  Popa,  naked 
to  the  middle,  led  up  the  victim  before  the 
altar;  another  of  the  priest’s  servants,  named 
Cultrarius,  struck  it  with  an  axe,  and  instantly  I 
cut  its  throat.  The  blood  was  received  into 
goblets,  or  broad  circular  plates,  called  patera, 
and  poured  over  the  altar.  Theslaiu  victim  was 
then  laid  on  the  sacred  table,  Anclabris,  and 
there  it  was  skinned  and  cut  into  pieces.  Some- 
times it  was  burnt  whole,  but  more  frequently 
the  sacrificcrs  and  their  friends  shared  it  with 
the  gods,  whence  it  often  happened  that  many 


SACRIFICIA. 

| persons  performed  this  religions  solemnity  solely 

] from  gluttony.  The  ceremony  being  finished, 
the  sacrificers  washed  their  hands,  said  some 
prayers,  and,  having  made  fresh  libations,  were 
dismissed  in  the  customary  form.  If  the 
sacrifice  was  in  the  name  of  the  public,  it  was 
succeeded  by  a public  feast,  called  Eputa 
sacrificales,  but  if  it  was  a private  act  of 
worship  the  feasting  was  also  in  private,  and 
the  parties  eat  of  that  portion  of  the  victims 
shared  with  the  gods. — Allusion  having  just 
been  made  to  public,  in  contradistinction  to 
private,  sacrifices,  it  should  be  mentioned  that 
the  Romans  had,  in  effect,  three  sorts  of 
sacrifices — viz  , public,  private  or  domestic,  and 
foreign.  The  first  of  these  was  conducted  at 
the  expense  of  the  state ; the  second  was 
performed  by  each  family,  and  at  the  expense  of 
the  particular  family  on  whose  account  the 
sacrifice  was  undertaken,  and  they  were  called 
Gentititia;  the  third  class  was  celebrated  on 
occasions  when  the  tutelary  gods  of  conquered 
cities  and  provinces,  together  with  their  mysteries 
or  ceremonies,  were  transported  to  Rome. — The 
sacrifices  themselves  differed  from  each  other 
according  to  the  diversity  of  gods  adored  by  the 
ancients.  There  were  sacrificial  rites  peculiar  to 
the  celestial  deities,  others  for  the  infernal  gods, 
others  again  for  the  marine  deities,  for  those  of 
the  air,  and  for  those  of  the  earth.  So  there 
was,  moreover,  as  already  observed,  a difference 
both  in  the  victim  and  in  the  manner  of 
sacrificing  it.  In  the  public  sacrifices,  there 
were  some  called  Stata,  fixed  and  solemn  ones, 
which  were  reckoned  as  feast  days,  marked  in 
the  Roman  calendar ; others  extraordinary, 
named  Indicta,  because  they  were  ordered  for 
some  extraordinary  and  important  reason  ; others 
again  depended  on  chance;  such  were  those  of 
the  Erpiationes,  or  atonement ; the  Benicales 
and  Novendia/es  feria,  viz.,  ten  or  nine  days 
together  kept  holy,  for  the  expiation  of  some 
awful  prodigy  or  calamitous  event. 

Sacrificial  preparations  are  minutely  set  forth 
on  Roman  coins,  revealing  the  clearest  represen- 
tations of  sacred  vestments  and  instruments. 
Thus  we  see  the  pontifical  mitre,  or  atbogatenu, 
with  its  iu/ula  or  labels  hanging  on  each  side. 
The  ]>eculiar  form  of  the  apex  or  top  of  this 
cap,  said  to  be  the  sign  of  the  flamen  martialis, 
is  also  learnt  from  medals.  Then  there  is  the 
whole  apparatus  of  sacrificial  weapons  spread 
before  us  through  the  same  ancient  medium — 
viz.,  secespita,  a species  of  knife ; securis,  the 
axe ; prafericulum,  the  vase ; urceolus,  the 
small  water  pitcher ; patera,  the  broad  dish  ; 
simpulum,  a ladle,  or  cup  with  long  handle; 
and  capeduncuta,  a little  pitcher ; all  suited 
to  hold  wine  or  blood ; acerra,  or  turibulum-, 
the  censer ; also  altars  and  tripods  in  great 
variety.  On  coins  of  M.  Antony  the  lituus, 
or  augural  staff,  is  frequently  seen  with  the 
prafericulum. — The  adspergillum,  or  sprinkler, 
as  well  in  its  ordinary  form  (see  the  word) 
as  in  that  of  the  lustral  brauch,  which  the 
censors  used  in  their  office  of  purification 
may  also  be  seen  ou  coins  of  Augustus. — Nor 


SAECULARES  AUGG. 

are  the  instruments  solely,  but  all  the  “ pomp 
and  circumstance”  of  the  sacrifice  are  offered  to 
our  new,  on  coins  of  the  Imperial  series,  as  in 
the  pietas  of  Caligula,  the  vota  pvbljca  of 
Commodus,  &c.  The  sacrificed  dressed  in  the 
toga  and  veiled ; the  doomed  and  decorated  ox 
held  bound  by  the  victimarius,  and  standing 
under  the  uplifted  axe  of  the  popa  ; the  sacerdos, 
with  head  veiled,  pouring  from  a patera  libations 
on  the  altar ; lastly,  the  augural  crows,  together 
with  the  tibicen,  ot  flute  player,  the  citharoedus, 
the  harper,  and  other  assistants  at  a pagan 
sacrifice,  are  clearly  and  graphically  displayed  on 
these  medallic  monuments  of  Roman  antiquity. 

Sacrificans  Imperator. — The  emperor  sacri- 
ficing before  an  altar  appears  on  Latin  coins  of 
Domitian. — Also  of  Nerva,  Trajan,  Hadrian, 
Antonine,  M.  Aurelius,  L.  Yerus,  Commodus, 
Severus,  Caracalla,  Geta,  Elagabalus,  Alex. 
Severus,  Gordianus  Pius,  Trebonianns  Gallus, 
and  their  successors  down  to  Licinius  senior. 

The  emperors,  as  soon  as  elected,  performed 
solemn  sacrifices,  in  quality  of  their  pontifi- 
cate. After  Tiberius,  they  were  admitted  to  all 
the  orders  of  priesthood. — On  a first  brass  of 
Severus  arc  three  figures  clothed  in  the  toga, 
veiled,  and  in  the  act  of  sacrificing,  two  joining 
hands  across  a lighted  altar,  and  one  in  the 

centre  behind  the  altar. In  the  Cabinet 

Famese  a similar  type  is  given  as  from  a 
first  brass  of  Caracalla.  And  as  the  former 
medal  bears  the  18th  Tribunitian  power  of  the 
Father  (cos.  in.),  and  the  latter  medal  records 
the  13th  Tribunitian  power  (cos.  in.)  of  his 
eldest  son  and  successor,  the  supposition  of 
Havcrcamp  (in  Mus.  Christ  in.  164)  appears  ex- 
tremely probable,  that  the  type  in  question  of  an 
offered  sacrifice  refeis  to  the  subject  of  the 
Britannic  victory,  achieved  by  the  emperor  and 
his  sons,  a.D.  210,  and  that  Severus,  Caracalla, 
and  Geta  here  are  represented  redeeming  the 
vows  which  they  had  made  to  the  gods  at  the 
commencement  of  that  memorable,  but  to  the 
emperor  himself  fata],  expedition. — On  a coin  of 
Caracalla  and  Geta,  two  emperors  are  seen 
sacrificing  (see  saecvlarla  sacra)  ; the  same 
type  occurs  in  the  Philips,  father  and  son  ; in 
Valerianus  and  Gallienus ; and  on  a medal  of 
Aurelian  the  Emperor  and  a woman  standing 
opposite  each  other  perform  sacrifice  at  an  altar. 
On  some  imperial  coins,  three,  four,  five,  and 
even  six  figures — for  example,  the  saecvlvm 
NOWM  of  Philip  sen. 

SAE.  Saculares. See  lvd.  sae.  fec. 

Ludos  Saeeutares  Fecit. — On  coins  of  Domitian, 
Severus,  Caracalla,  referring  to  the  celebration 
of  the  secular  games. 

SAEC.  Saculi. — saecvli  felicitas. 

SAECV LARES 
A V G G . — This  legend, 
with  the  type  of  a cippus, 
or  of  Romulus  and  Remus 
suckled  by  a wolf,  or  of 
some  wild  beast  (such  as 
a hippopotamus,  an  ibex, 
a stag,  a lion,  &c.), 
appears  on  coins,  in  each 


SAECULARES  AUGG.  707 
metal,  of  Philip,  father  and  son,  and  qf 
Otacilia,  empress  of  the  former.  They  bear 
reference  to  the  secular  games  celebrated  in 
the  thousandth  year  from  the  foundation  of 
Rome.  The  animals  represented  on  the  re- 
verses of  some  of  these  medals  are  amongst  those 
which  were  exhibited  in  the  amphitheatre  on 
that  and  similar  occasions.  The  cippus  is  a 
column  with  an  inscription,  which  it  was  cus- 
tomary to  erect  for  the  purpose  of  preserving 
the  memory  of  some  particular  public  event ; as 
may  be  seen  on  coins  of  Augustus,  struck  ob 
vias  munitas ; and  as  in  former  cases  of  secular 
celebrations  may  be  observed  to  have  been  before 
done,  in  the  respective  reigns  of  Domitian  and 
Severus. — See  Ludi  Stecu/ares. 

SAECV  LARES  AYG. — A stag  standing, 
beneath  it  a palm  branch.  This  appears  on  a 
silver  coin  of  Gallienus  in  the  Vienna  Museum. 
On  others  it  is  engraved  saecvlarhs. 

As,  not  very  long  before  the  reign  of  Gallienus, 
the  secular  games  were  performed,  viz.,  under 
Philip  and  his  son,  it  has  been  supposed  by 
some  that  the  above  reverse  was  rashly  counter- 
feited by  Gallienus  from  the  mint  of  those  two 
predecessors  of  his. — But,  says  Eckhel,  they 
certainly  are  mistaken ; for  on  the  coins  of  the 
Philips  avgg.  is  always  read,  and  at  the  bottom 
of  them,  instead  of  the  palm-branch,  there  is 
invariably  a numeral  mark  ; nor  on  any  medals 
of  the  last-named  princes  do  we  ever  find  that 
barbarous  saecvlarhs  which  is  common  on  the 
coins  of  Gallienus.  It  must  be  acknowledged, 
therefore,  on  numismatic  testimony,  that  among 
other  proofs  of  madness  by  which  Gallienus 
signalised  his  reign,  was  his  having  at  an 
irregular  period  ordered  the  secular  games — an 
instance  by  no  means  without  precedent — the 
time  for  these  particular  celebrations  having  been 
anticipated  by  Claudius  also. — We  learn  from 
TrebeUius,  that  on  receiving  intelligence  of 
Macrinus’s  death,  Gallienus  began  to  indulge  in 
pleasures,  and  to  give  to  the  public  sports  of 
every  description,  amongst  which  it  is  probable 
were  also  the  ludi  saculares. — But,  respecting 
the  apparently  improper  times  in  which  these 
games  were  suffered  to  take  place,  our  illustrious 
numismatist  has  more  copiously  discussed  the 
question  in  his  annotation  on  a third  brass  of 
Maximianus  Hercules  (in  the  Imperial  Cabinet 
at  Vienna),  bearing  on  its  reverse  the  following 
inscription : — 

SAECY  LARES  AVGG.  A cippus ; below 
it  iaxx. — This  remarkable  coin,  however,  from 
which  all  suspicion  of  fraud  is  to  the  remotest 
degree  removed,  openly  attests  the  celebration 
of  those  games,  which  were  secular,  as  is 
manifestly  shewn,  not  only  by  the  epigraph 
(saecvlabes  avgg.)  but  also  by  the  type  (a 
cippus),  which  is  also  the  symbol  of  the  Ludi 
Saculares  on  the  coins  of  the  Philips.  * 

Eckhel  in  an  elaborate  dissertation  observes 
that  this  is  not  the  only  coin  bearing  witness 
to  the  fact  of  secular  games  performed  at  an 
irregular  period  of  time,  yet  on  which  historians 
are  silent.  He  then  refers  to  the  two  silver 
coins  of  Gallienus,  which  have  just  been  noticed. 


4X2 


708  SAECULARIA  SACRA, 
as  the  subject  of  his  own  elucidations ; and  re- 
marks that  Banduri  is  one  of  those  who,  aware 
of  the  existence  of  both  the  above  medals, 
charges  Gallicnus  with  having  recklessly  applied 
to  his  own  coin  a reverse  which  belongs  to  the 
Philips. — Doct.  Num.  Vet.  vol.  viii.  pp.  20 
et  seq. 

SAECVLARIA  SACRA.  S.  £.— Sacrifice, 
with  victim,  llute-playcrs,  popa,  and  some  other 
assistants.  On  a first  brass  of  Sept.  Severus. 


This  is  one  of  three  medals  which  com- 
memorate the  secular  games  performed  by 
Severus, — a fact  corroborated  by  Caracalla’s 
coins  of  the  same  year,  and  still  further  authen- 
ticated by  Hcrodian  and  Zosimus. 

SAEC.  AVR.  Saculum  Aureum. — This 
legend  appears  on  a silver  and  a gold  coin 
(both  of  them  transccndently  rare)  of  Hadrian. 
The  accompanying  type  is  a half  naked  man, 
standing  in  the  middle  of  a circle,  which  he 
touches  with  his  right  hand ; his  left  baud  holds 
a globe,  on  which  rests  a phoenix. 

The  Genius  of  the  Senate  seems  to  be  in  this 
circle,  as  if  to  denote  that  Hadrian's  reign 
deserved  to  be  called  the  Golden  Age.  For  this 
reason  the  circle  is  introduced,  as  likewise  a 
phirnix  placed  on  a globe,  both  these  constituting 
symbols  of  eternity. 

SAECVLI  FELICITAS. — On  a third  brass 
of  Julia  Domna,  this  legend  appears  with  the 
type  of  a female  figure,  standing  with  a child 
on  her  arm,  and  her  left  foot  on  a galley. — 
Akerman. 

SAEC.  FEL.  Sacnli  Felieitas. — On  a silver 
coin  of  Oommodus,  which  has  for  its  ty]>e  a 
figure  of  Victory  inscribing  on  the  trunk  of  a 
palm-tree  vo.  de.  Vo/a  Becennalia. 

SAECVLI  FELICITrtj.  The  happiness  of 
ilie  age. — On  silver  and  brass  of  Faustina  junior 
this  legend  appears,  with  the  type  of  two  boys 
in  a leclistemium. — Sec  Lectistemium. 

Commodus  and  Antoninus,  whom  Faustina 
brought  forth  at  one  birth,  arc  here  dedicated  in 
worship  to  the  Dioscuri  (Castor  and  Pollux). 
As  to  any  degree  of  felicity  imparted  to  the  age 
by  that  event,  it  is  certain  that  the  subsequent 
fera  uttArly  failed  to  prove  the  reality  of  the 
anticipated  blessing. 

SAECVLI  F ELICIT  A S. — Accompanying 
this  legend  there  is  a rare  and  curious  type,  from 
the  mint  of  Severus,  given  among  the  second 
brass  of  the  M us.  Christina,  and  also  from  a 
gold  coin  in  the  Imperial  Greet  Cabinet,  pub- 


SAECULO  FECUNDO. 

lished  by  Andrew  More  11,  in  his  Specimen  Bet 
Numaria.  The  inscription  of  the  obverse  round 
the  laureated  head  of  the  emperor  is — SEVERVS 
PI  VS  AVG. ; and  on  the  reverse  is  read  COnSu/ 
III.  Voter  1 'atria.  SAECVLI  FELICITAS. 
In  the  field  of  the  coin  stands  a female  figure, 
clothed  in  the  stola,  holding  on  her  left  arm  a 
cornucopia:  filled  with  grain  and  fruit,  and  iu 
her  left  a dish  or  patera,  which  she  extends 
before  her  over  the  heads  of  two  smaller  figures 
(apparently  children),  as  if  in  the  act  of  shower- 
ing its  contents  over  them  : there  are  three  other 
little  figures  close  behind  her,  lifting  their  faces 
and  hands  up  towards  this  personification  of  the 
Felicity  of  the  Age.  The  particular  occasion 
on  which  this  singidar  medal  was  stnick  is  but 
matter  of  conjecture. — Ilavcrcamp  quotes  the 
commentary  of  MoreU,  who  regards  the  medal 
as  referring  to  the  great  and  munificent  care 
taken  by  Severus  in  furnishing  an  abundance  of 
provisions  to  the  Roman  people.  On  this  subject 
he  cites  the  authority  of  Spauheim  (Biography 
of  Secerns,  c.  xxiii.)  to  the  effect,  that  this 
emperor  “ bequeathed  for  public  distribution  so 
great  a number  of  measures  of  corn,  as  would 
supply  every  day,  for  seven  years,  75,000 
bushels ; and  that  he  likewise  left  by  his  dying 
will  for  the  same  purpose  a quantity  of  oil 
sufficient  for  the  consumption,  during  five  years, 
not  only  of  the  city  of  Rome,  but  even  of  all 
Italy  !” — Mionnet  and  Akerman  both  include 
this  among  the  rare  reverses.  It  is  not  noticed 
in  Eckhel. 

Saculi  Felieitas. — This  flattering  legend  also 
appears  on  bronze  medals  and  medallions  of 
Trebonianus,  Marius,  Probus,  and  Cams,  with 
the  elegant  type,  copied  from  the  well-known 
coin  of  four  boys,  representing  the  four  seasons 
and  their  attributes. 

SAECVLI  GLORIA. — See  oi.oria  saecvi.i. 

SAECVLO  FECVNDO. — On  a first  and 
second  brass  of  Clodius  Albinos,  exhibiting  the 
type  of  a man  with  radiated  head,  holding  in 
one  hand  a caduccus  and  in  the  other  a rake,  or 
some  instrument  resembling  a trident. 

The  age  of  Albinus  and  his  successful  rival 
Severus,  was  indeed  fruitful,  but  its  fecundity 
chiefly  consisted  in  human  misery  and  in  social 
desolation,  produced  by  the  wars  of  ambitious 
chieftains  and  their  military  adherents  fighting 
for  supremacy  at  the  expense  of  a mighty 
empire  in  its  period  of  decline. 

SAECVLO  FRUGIFKRO. — A caduccus 
between  corn-ears.  On  silver  of  Pertinax. — To 
the  honour  of  this  good  but  ill-fated  emperor,  it 
is  recorded  by  Dion,  that  scarcely  had  he  ascended 
the  throne  when  he  himself  undertook  a sca- 
voyage  for  the  sake  of  procuring  a supply  of  corn 
for  the  people.  Annona  consuttissime  proridisse 
is  a merit  on  the  part  of  Pertinax  expressly 
ascribed  to  him  by  Capitolinus. — It  was  there- 
fore to  signify  the  abundance  of  all  articles  of 
subsistence  which  prevailed  under  his  govern- 
ment that  this  epigraph  of  the  fruit-bearing  or 
plentiful  age  (Saculum  Fmgferum)  was  adopted, 
with  the  appropriate  type  of  ears  of  corn  and  the 
caduccus,  as  a symbol  of  peace. 


SAECULO  FKtGIFERO. 


SAG  ITTA .— S AGUNTUM. 


709 


SAECVLO  FRVGIFERO.  COS.  TI.— On 
first  ami  second  brass  of  Clodius  Albinos.  The 
type,  which  is  given  here,  from  a large  brass 
coin,  resembles  that  described  above.  In  the 
gold  series,  how  ever,  occurs  a remarkable  variety. 
The  Saeculum  Frugifer  is  represented  as  a seated, 
bearded,  figure,  wearing  an  eastern  head-dress ; 
his  right  hand  is  raised ; and  in  his  left  he  holds 
a flower.  On  each  side  of  the  chair  is  a winged 
sphinx,  wearing  the  Phrygian  cap.  A similar 
type  is  found  on  tw  o medallions  in  brass  in  the 
French  cabinet. — See  M.  Lenormant’s  remarks 
in  Revue  Num.,  1842,  p.  20. 

The  same  legend  (sakcvt.o  frugifero)  is 
found  on  a first  brass  of  S.  Severus,  who  certainly 
appears  to  have  been  almost  unprecedentedly 
provident  for  the  wants  of  his  subjects,  in  re 
frumentarid. — Immediately  on  his  arrival  at 
Rome,  he  evinced  his  policy  as  well  as  his 
providence  by  sending  legions  into  Africa,  lest 
Pcscennius  Niger  should,  through  Libya  and 
Egypt,  occupy  the  former  province,  and  cause 
the  Romans  to  suffer  under  a scarcity  of  corn. 
And  (as  Spartian  affirms)  he  extended  his  care  in 
this  respect  during  all  the  remaining  years  of  his 
reign,  ut  moriens  septem  annonum  canonem 
reliquit ; so  that  75,000  measures  of  oil  alone 
might  be  expended  daily,  which  should  suffice 
for  five  year’s  consumption  not  only  of  the  city 
but  of  all  Italy.  “ The  type  of  this  coin  repre- 
sents a man  with  a radiated  head,  holding  a 
caduceus  with  corn  ears  and  a trident,  and 
(observes  Eckhcl)  is  composite ; for  the  rays 
indicate  the  sun,  by  whose  ripening  influence  the 
fruits  of  the  earth  come  to  maturity;  the  caduceus 
and  the  corn  cars  apply  to  Mercury,  the  presid- 
ing deity  of  trading  people;  the  trident  symbolises 
Neptune,  across  whose  waves  the  corn-laden  fleet 
was  borne.” 

SAECVLVM.  An  altar  with  fire  on  it. — 
Banduri  gives  this  as  on  a third  brass  of  Tetricus 
films. 

Eckhel  briefly  says  of  this  coin,  that  the 
epigraph  of  its  reverse  is  new,  and  that  its  type 
has  a recondite  meaning,  which  he  does  not 
attempt  to  explain. 

SAECVLVM  NOVVM. — A temple  of  six, 
in  other  coins,  of  eight  columns,  in  which  is  an 
idol  seated — Silver  and  first  and  second  brass  of 
Philip  sen. — There  is  also  a middle  brass,  in 
which  Philip  and  his  son,  veiled,  are  sacrificing 
at  an  altar,  with  flute  players  and  four  other 
figures  standing  near,  in  front  of  a temple. 


This  New  Age , like  the  Thousandth  Year, 
(milliarivm  saecvi.ym,  which  see,)  comme- 
morated on  a coin  of  the  same  emperor,  bears 
reference  to  the  secular  games  so  munificently 
celebrated  by  him  in  the  10th  century  from  the 
foundation  of  the  city,  the  charge  and  manage- 
ment of  which  wras  entrusted  to  the  Quinde- 
cimvirs.  The  temple  is  that  of  Jupiter  Capitolinus. 

The  same  reverse  occurs  on  coins  of  Herenniua 
Etruscus,  Hostilianus,  Trebonianus,  and  Volusi- 
anus,  from  which  it  appears  that  Novum  Scecutum 
does  not  necessarily  signify  the  first  year  of  a 
new  century  or  age ; for  we  read  this  epigraph 
ou  the  coins  of  the  above-mentioned  princes, 
although  the  saculum  was  not  renewed  during 
their  reigns. 

Sagitta,  an  arrow'. — This  missile  is  seen  in  the 
hand  of  Diana  Venatrix,  on  coins  of  Titus, 
Domitian,  Hadrian,  Trebonianus,  Aemilianus, 
Gallienns,  and  other  emperors. — Also  with  quiver 
and  bow,  between  two  serpents,  on  a medal  of 
M.  Antony. — An  arrow,  bow,  and  tiara  appear 
on  a coin  of  Augustus. — Three  arrows  appear  in 
the  hand  of  the  figure  of  Asia,  on  a coin  of 
Hadrian. — On  a denarius  of  the  Cornelia  family, 
Bacchus  (standing  between  two  females)  holds  in 
his  right  hand  the  thyrsus,  and  in  his  left  a 
bundle  of  arrows,  both  of  which  Eckhel  shows 
to  have  been  attributes  of  the  god  of  wine. 

Saguntum,  a city  of  Hispania  Tarraconensis, 
founded  by  the  Zacynthians,  “and  situate  beyond 
the  river  Iberus,  or  Ebro,  at  the  foot  of  a chain 
of  mountains  (says  Pliny)  which  divides  the 
Hispani  from  the  Ccltiberi,  about  a thousand 
paces  distant  from  the  sea.  It  was  once  a 
flourishing  and  faithful  ally  of  the  Romans. — 
During  the  second  Punic  war  (a.v.c.  535,  b.c. 
216,)  Saguntum  was  rendered  famous  by  the 
siege  which  it  endnred  for  four  months,  at  the 
expiration  of  which  time  Hannibal  took  it,  and 
the  inhabitants,  rather  than  that  their  persons  and 
property  should  tall  into  his  hands,  committed 
both  to  the  flames. — Saguntum  is  stated  by 
Pliny  to  have  been  neither  a colony  nor  "a 
municipium,  but  simply  a town  of  Roman 
citizens,  for  that  writer  makes  a ‘distinction 
between  the  co/onia,  and  the  urbs  or  oppidum. 
cimum  Romanorum. — It  is  still  a place  of  some 
consequence  in  Valencia,  under  the  modern 
Spanish  name  of  Murviedro,  at  the  mouth  of 
the  river  of  that  name  (the  ancient  Turia ). — 
The  coins  of  the  Saguntines  (brass)  arc  autono- 
mous and  imperial,  the  latter  with  the  head  and 
uame  of  Tiberius  only. — Rev.  sag.  Saguntum, 


710  SAL.— SALII  SACERDOTES. 

and  the  names  of  the  Duumvir,  with  the  type  of 
a trireme  aud  military  standard.  The  galley 
either  refers  to  its  site,  or  implies  its  maritime 
importance. — See  Akerman’s  Coins  of  Cities 
and  Princes,  p.  102-3. 

Satacia,  the  reflux  or  ehb  of  the  sea  personified. 
— Venitia  was  the  flow  of  the  tide. — Milliu — 
Diction,  de  la  Table. 

SAL. — These  three  letters  are  engraved  on  a 
silver  coin  of  Sextus  Pompey,  immediately 
beneath  the  head  of  Cn.  Pompey  his  father. — 
On  the  subject  of  this  singular  abbreviation, 
which  has  given  rise  to  some  conflicting  con- 
jectures, Jobert,  among  others,  reads  it  SALduba, 
which  was  the  old  name  of  C/esar august  a 
(Sarragossa.)  Bimard,  on  the  other  hand,  shews 
the  fallacy  of  this  opinion  ; but,  in  its  place  (for 
reasons  with  which,  however,  he  seems  himself 
not  sufficiently  satisfied),  proposes  that  it  should 
be  read  SALka — There  is  ingenuity  in  the 
explanation  offered  by  Vaillant,  citing  Appian, 
who  reads  it  SALocia,  a marine  goddess  regarded 
as  the  spouse  of  Neptune.  Vaillant  thinks, 
therefore,  that  as  Sextus  Pompey  had,  on  other 
denarii,  caused  himself  to  be  called  the  son  of 
Neptune,  so,  on  the  coin  in  question,  he  openly 
professes  to  be  the  sou  of  Salacia. — Against 
Vaillant’s  ingenious  interpretation  is  the  question 
as  to  what  the  word  in  the  Greek  text  of 
Appian  may  have  been,  for  it  reads  $a\a<r<rTi 
and  not  2aAana , and  thus  would  mean  merely 
mare,  the  sea.  Still  Eckhel  thinks  the  latter 
may  have  been  the  word,  as  in  H.  Stevens’ 
edition,  quoted  by  Vaillant,  and  that  it  may 
have  been  altered  by  some  transcriber  who  was 
ignorant  of  the  goddess  Salacia. — See  Doct. 
Num.  Vet.  vol.  vi.  pp.  27  aud  28. 

SAL.  AVG.  Sal  us  Augusta,  or  Saluti 

Augusta ; on  a silver  coin  of  Hadrian. 

Salduba,  a city  of  liispania  Tarracouensis, 
situate  on  the  river  Iberus  ( Ebro). — Its  name 
was  changed  by  Augustus  to  Casarea  Augusta ; 
afterwards  it  was  called  in  one  word  Casar - 
august  a (now  Saragossa ). — Cresaraugusta  was 
made  a free  colony,  and  its  imperial  coins  extend 
from  Augustus  to  Caligula. — col.  Caesarea, 
avo.  saldvba. — See  Casar-Augusta. 

SAL.  GEN.  HVM.  Solus  Generis  Humani  ; 
on  a coin  of  Commodns. 

Sa/ii  Sacerdotes. — The  origin  of  the  Salian 
priesthood  is  uncertain.  Its  usages  and  cere- 
monies do  not  appear  to  have  ever  been  pract  ised 
by  the  Greeks,  though  it  is  probable  that  the 
Romans  modelled  their  institution  in  imitation 
of  the  Pyrrhic  system  of  religious  dances.  Numa 
Pompilius  was  the  first  to  establish  a college  of 
them  as  priests  of  Mars,  on  the  occasion  of  an 
alleged  prodigy,  related  by  Dionysius  of  Halicar- 
nassus. A buckler  having  fallen  from  heaven, 
the  Aruspices  oracularly  pronounced  the  event 
to  signify  that  the  city,  in  which  it  should  be 
preserved,  was  destined  to  possess  the  empire  of 
the  world.  The  politic  monarch  affecting  to  be 
apprehensive  lest  this  precious  monument  should 
be  stolen,  caused  eleven  others  to  be  made  like 
it,  in  order  that  the  recognition  of  the  true  one 
might  be  rendered  impossible,  and  by  his  com- 


SALIORUM  CAPITA.— SALONINUS. 

mand  also  they  were  all  deposited  in  the  temple 
of  Mars,  where  twelve  young  patricians,  who 
had  father  and  mother,  were  appointed  to  guard 
them.  Tullus  Hostilius  doubled  the  number  of 
these  priests,  and  also  of  the  Ancilia,  as  the 
sacred  bucklers  were  called.  And  every  year, 
on  the  feast  of  the  god,  the  Saliaus  carried  these 
shields  in  procession  through  the  city,  dancing 
and  leaping,  whence  came  their  name  of  Salii. 
At  these  festivities,  which  lasted  three  days, 
they  also  sang  verses  which  bore  reference  to  the 
solemnity. — This  priesthood  was  held  in  great 
veneration  at  Rome,  aud  the  noblest  families  of 
the  city  regarded  it  as  a high  honour  to  have 
any  of  their  members  admitted  into  the  college 
of  the  Salians.  These  priests,  when  performiug 
their  functions,  wore  a gold  embroidered  tunic, 
a sword  in  a belt  of  brass,  and  on  their  heads 
either  the  cap  called  apex,  or  brazen  helmets ; 
in  their  right  hand  they  held  a lauce,  or  a wand; 
and  on  the  left  arm  each  bore  an  ancilium. — It 
was  thus  dressed,  accoutred,  and  armed  that  they 
executed  their  leaping  dances  to  the  sound  of 
flutes,  and  between  the  dancing  chanted  obsolete 
hymns  of  praise  to  all  the  dictics,  and  in  honour 
of  the  great  men  of  the  republic. 

Saliorum  Apex. — This  head  dress  of  the 
Salian  priesthood  appears  between  two  ancilia, 
on  a very  rare  gold  coin  of  Augustus,  struck  by 
his  moneycr,  P.  Licinius  Stolo. — See  Ancilia. 

Saliorum  Capita. — Gesner  and  Morell  in 
their  family  and  consular  coins  respectively  give 
the  heads  of  Salians,  with  an  ancilium,  as  from 
a denarius  of  C.  Aufidius  Orestis  Aurelianus, 
struck  on  the  occasion  of  some  successful  war. 
For  it  was  the  custom  for  him,  who  had  the 
charge  and  command  of  any  war,  before  he  went 
out  on  his  expedition,  to  enter  the  sacrarium  of 
Mars  with  the  Salian  priests,  aud  there  to  move 
or  raise  up  (commocere)  first  the  ancilia,  and 
afterwards  the  spear  of  the  God’s  idol,  saying — 
Mars,  vigi/a. 

A Salian  priest  is  represented  on  a coin  of 
Sanquinia  family.  And  one  of  this  sacerdotal 
order  is  on  account  of  the  military  dance  which 
the  Salians  performed  at  the  secular  games, 
represented  on  a silver  medal  of  Doinitian, 
standing  before  a cippus,  holding  in  one  hand  a 
winged  caduceus,  and  in  the  other  a shield. — 
See  lvd.  saec.  tec.  cos.  xiiii. — Also  see 
Sanquinia. 

SALONINA  ( Cornelia ) wife  of  Gallicnus. — 


SALONINA.— SALONINUS. 


SALONINUS.  711 


rians  agree  in  characterising  this  lady  as  one 
whose  beauty  and  wisdom  were  equalled  only  by 
her  prudence,  courage,  and  conjugal  virtue. 
Married  to  Gallienus  about  ten  years  before  his 
accession  to  the  throne,  she  was  named  Augusta, 
when  her  husband  became  associated  with  his 
father  Valerian,  in  the  sovereign  power  a.d.  254. 
Without  pride,  without  luxury  or  ostentation, 
and,  though  flagrantly  outraged  by  the  infidelities 
of  her  imperial  consort,  superior  to  the  pro- 
vocation of  jealousy  ; ever  zealous  for  the  public 
good,  and  distinguished  by  her  true  benevolence 
and  amiable  condescension,  this  accomplished 
princess  patronised  learning  and  encouraged 
meritorious  talent  throughout  the  empire,  which 
her  voluptuous  consort  would  have  left  without 
a struggle  on  his  part  to  be  torn  to  pieces,  but 
that  she  more  than  once  stimulated  his  dormant 
valour  by  her  remonstrances,  and  conciliated 
the  wavering  loyalty  of  his  legions  by  her  com- 
panionship in  the  dangers  and  privations  of  war. 
The  vicious  misconduct  of  her  husband  had, 
however,  brought  state  affairs  into  inextricable 
difficulties ; and  at  the  siege  of  Milan,  where 
the  usurper  Aureolus  had  shut  himself  up,  she 
fell  a victim  to  the  fatal  conspiracy  formed 
against  Gallienus,  and  perished  with  him  a.d. 
268.  She  was  the  mother  of  two  princes, 
Saloninus  and  Julius  Gallienus ; aud  of  one 
daughter  Licinia  Galliena. 

Her  small  brass  coins  and  the  silver  ones  of 
of  the  ordinary  size  are  common ; first  and 
second  brass  rare ; the  gold  very  rare.  On 
these  she  is  styled  SALONINA  AVG. — 
COR nelia  SALONINA  AVG usta. — Some  pieces 
represent  her  with  Gallienus. 

M.  de  Witte,  with  good  reason,  considers  the 
coins  of  Salonina,  bearing  on  the  reverse 
AVG usta  IN  PACE,  to  have  been  struck  by 
Christian  moneyers  after  her  death. — Revue 
de  la  Numismatique  Beige,  1852,  p.  321.  An 
example,  in  small  brass,  from  Mr.  R.  Smith’s 
collection,  is  here  given. 


SALONINVS  (Cornelius),  eldest  son  of 
Gallienus  and  Salonina,  born  a.d.  242,  was 
declared  Ciesar  by  Valerian,  his  grandfather,  at 
the  same  time  that  his  father  was  associated  to 
the  imperial  government,  a.d.  253. — About  the 
year  258  (according  to  Beauvais)  he  received 
from  his  father  the  titles  of  Imperator  and 
Augustus.  Sent  bv  Gallienus  into  Gaul,  under 
a preceptor,  named  Sylvauus,  his  residence  in 
those  provinces  contributed  to  maintain  them  in 
obedience  to  the  Romans  till  260. — Gallienus, 
after  the  captivity  of  his  father,  being  compelled 
to  go  into  Paunonia,  then  disturbed  by  the 
revolt  of  the  usurper  Ingenuus,  continued  to 
entrust  his  son  to  the  care  of  Sylvanus,  who. 


jealous  of  the  warlike  exploits  and  increasing 
glory  of  Postumus,  prefect  of  the  Gauls,  em- 
broiled his  young  master  with  the  soldiers  of 
that  experienced  general,  in  the  paltry  matter 


of  some  booty  taken  from  barbarians  who  had 
been  repulsed  in  an  attempt  to  pillage  the 
borders  of  the  Rhine.  The  consequence  was 
their  revolt  from  Saloninus,  and  their  election  of 
Postumus  as  emperor — immediately  followed  by 
his  laying  siege  to  Colonia  Agrippina  (Cologne), 
where  the  youthful  Augustus  and  his  preceptor 
resided,  and  where  on  their  being  delivered  up 
by  the  cowardly  garrison,  both  were  put  to 
death  by  order  ot  Postumus,  a.d.  259. — Salo- 
uinus  was  placed  amongst  the  number  of  the 
gods  by  his  sorrowing  father,  who,  however, 
did  not  fulfil  his  oath  to  avenge  his  death  on 
the  head  of  Postumus. 

The  coins  of  this  young  prince  are  in  ordinary 
sized  silver,  and  in  small  brass,  common  ; rare 
in  first  and  second  brass,  and  very  rare  in  gold, 
as  also  are  his  bronze  medallions. — On  these  he 
is  styled  p.  Lie.  con.  valekianvs  caes. — salon. 

VALEEIANVS  NOB.  CAES. — IMP.  C.  L.  VALERI- 
ANVS.  NOB.  CAESAR. — VALERIANVS  NOBIL  CAES. 
IMP.  C.  P.  LIC.  VALERIANVS.  P.  F.  AVG. 

diws  corn.  sal.  valerianvs. — Some  of  the 
pieces  represent  him  with  Gallienus. 

The  medals  which  numismatists  were  formerly 
accustomed  to  divide  between  Saloninus  and 
Valerianus  junior,  are  now  assigned  solely  to 
Saloninus.  The  researches  and  opinions  of 
Eckhel  have  led  to  this  decision  amongst 
antiquaries  on  a once  perplexed  and  unsettled 
question.  The  learned  and  acute  author  of 
Loot.  Num.  Vet.  has,  in  two  copious  and  elaborate 
diatribes  (see  tom.  vii.  p.  427  et  seg.),  clearly 
shewn  that  Valerianus  the  younger,  brother  of 
Gallienus,  never  took  the  title  cither  of  Caesar 
or  of  Augustus,  aud  consequently  that  no  medals 
were  ever  struck  in  honour  of  that  prince. 

“ The  medals  of  Saloninus  (says  Mionnet — 
Med.  Rom.  tom.  ii.  p.  54)  have  this  peculiarity, 
that  great  numbers  of  those  struck  during  the 
life-time  of  this  young  prince  give  him  the  title 
of  Augustus,  whilst  on  the  greater  part  of  the 
medals  struck  after  his  death  he  bears  only  the 
title  of  Ciesar.  From  this  latter  circumstance, 
it  seems  to  follow  that  Saloninus  had  no  legal 
claim  to  be  called  Augustus ; that  is  to  say,  if 
this  title  was  conferred  on  him  by  his  father,  it 
was  not  confirmed  to  him  by  the  senate.  But, 
in  that  case,  how  does  it  happen  that  this  title 
is  found  on  medals  which  were  struck  before  the 
death  of  that  prince  ? We  must  believe,  with 
Eckhel,  who  seems  to  have  given  the  most  satis- 
factory solution  to  this  difficulty,  that  Gallienus, 
in  departing  from  Gaul  on  his  expedition  to 


712  SALVIA. — SALVIS  AUGG. 

pacify  Pannonia,  and  in  leaving  there  his  son 
(Salomons)  under  the  care  of  Sylvanus,  had 
previously  taken  the  step  of  conferring  upon  him 
the  title  of  Imperator,  in  order  to  give  him 
more  authority,  and  that  many  mint-masters, 
deceived  hy  this  title,  which  was  usually  accom- 
panied by  that  of  Augustus,  were  induced  to 
add  that  title  also  on  their  medals,  believing 
that  it  really  belonged  to  the  prince.  The 
supposition  respecting  the  title  of  Imperator 
given  to  Saloninus  is  warranted  by  several 
monuments  in  which  this  honour  is  united  to 
that  Of  CAESAR,  or  of  NOBII.ISSIMVS  CJiSAR.” — 
See  Doct.  Nam.  Vet.  tom.  vii.  p.  426. 

SALVATOR  REI PVBLICAE. — This  legend 
occurs  on  a most  rare  gold  coin  of  Vctranio  (an 
usurper  in  the  reign  of  Constantius,  about 
a.d.  350),  the  type  being  a common  one  of  that 
age — viz.,  the  Emperor  holding  a labarum  with 
the  monogram  of  Christ,  and  a Victory  crowning 
him. 

Eckhcl,  who  gives  it  from  the  Mas.  Cas., 
says — “ This  inscription  is  new,  but  it  is  also 
barbarous.  For  by  Seidelius,  and  other  learned 
commentators,  it  has  already  been  remarked 
that,  instead  of  salvatore  and  salvare,  words 
taken  from  the  discipline  of  the  Christians,  and 
inverted  by  the  Holy  Fathers  (of  the  Church), 
it  would  be  iu  better  latinity  to  say  senator  and 
servare 

SALVIA,  a plebeian  family;  surname  O/ho. 
Its  coins  present  four  varieties.  There  are  pieces 
in  silver  and  in  brass  bearing  the  name  of  this 
family,  struck  by  the  moneyers  of  Augustus; 
and  among  others  the  following: — M.  salvivs. 
otho  iiivir  a.  A.  F.  F.,  in  first  and  second 
brass,  with  the  head  of  Augustus,  behind  which 
is  a victory,  as  if  crowning  the  emperor  with 
laurel. — This  monctal  triumvir  was  the  grand- 
father of  the  Emperor  Otho,  and  had  himself 
served  the  prmtorship. 

SALVIS  AVGG.  ET  CAESS.  AVCT\.  (vel 
FELIX)  KART. — A woman  standing,  holds  in 
outstretched  hand  a branch  or  some  fruits. 

This  reverse  frequently  occurs  on  second  brass 
coins  of  Diocletian,  and  of  his  imperial  colleague 
Maximum.  Victor  thus  explains  it : — Ac  mirum 
in  modum  novis  adhuc,  cultisque  moenibus 
ltomana  culmina,et  cetera  urbes  ornata ; maxi  me 
Carthago , Mediolanum,  Nicomedia. — It  is  certain, 
therefore,  that  Carthage  was  enriched  and  im- 
proved (avcta)  by  the  senior  Augusti,  with 
similar  bounties  to  what  the  same  city  experienced 
under  Severils,  some  examples  of  which  are 
referred  to  hy  the  mint  masters  of  that  emperor, 
iu  the  year  v.c.  956,  on  the  .coin  inscribed 
INDVLGENTIA  avgg.  in  carth. — Accordingly 
we  find  the  medals  of  Diocletian  and  Maximiaii 
predicting  the  happiness  of  Carthage,  felix 
kart. — ludecd,  Hcrodianus,  speaking  of  that 
city  as  it  existed  in  his  time,  highly  extols  its 
prosperous  condition,  in  point  of  population, 
extent,  and  resources.  And  it  appears  to  have 
continued  a most  flourishing  place  under  subse- 
quent emperors,  until  a rival  sprung  up  in  the 
Byzantine  capital  of  Coustautme  the  Great. — It 
is  not  sulliciently  clear  what  the  woman  holds  in 


SALVIS  AUGG. 

her  hand,  whether  a chaplet  or  a branch,  corn 
cars  or  grapes,  nor  what  connection  there  is 
between  the  type  and  the  inscription.  The 
epigraph  of  the  reverse  is  some  form  of  accla- 
mation. 

SALVIS.  AVGG.  ET.  CAESS.  FEL/'j-  ORBIS 
TER Hamm. — One  of  the  moneta  standing 
between  a wroman,  and  Mars  who  bears  a Victory. 


— On  the  other  side  is  a bust  of  Maximian, 
armed  with  a buckler,  and  holding  his  horse  hy 
the  bridle,  with  this  legend,  virtvs  maxiuiam 
avg. 

Here  not  merely  a single  city  like  Carthage, 
or  Nicomedia,  or  Milan,  but  the  i chole  world  is 
made  fiappg  in  the  health  aud  safely  of  the 
Augusti  aud  Caesares  of  Rome ! — Medallion  in 
bronze,  of  great  rarity. 

Sa/us  (Health),  a Goddess  of  the  Romans, 
the  same  that  was  worshipped  under  the  name 
of  Ilygiea  by  the  Greeks,  who  feigned  her  to  be 
the  daughter  of  yEsculapius  aud  of  Minerva. 
On  a dcuarius  of  the  Acilia  family  appears  the 
head  of  the  goddess,  and  on  the  reverse  a 
female  standing  with  a serpeut  in  her  hand. 
The  types  of  this  divinity  on  imperial  eoius  most 
frequently  present  to  view  a woman  clothed  in 
the  stola ; sometimes  she  is  sitting,  at  others 
standing;  iu  others  in  a reeumbeut  posture, 
with  a serpent  either  on  her  right  or  her  left 
arm  in  a quiescent  state,  rising  in  folds,  or 
entwined  round  an  altar  before  her,  and  re- 
ceiving food  from  a patera,  which  she  holds  in 
her  extended  hand.  It  is  in  this  form  (which 
was  doubtless  that  of  her  statues  aud  with 
these  symbols)  that  she  is  exhibited  on  most 
of  the  coins  of  the  imperiid  series  from 
Galha  to  Maximianus  She  had  a celebrated 
temple  at  Rome,  painted,  it  is  said,  by  Q. 
Fabius,  who  thence  was  surnamed  Victor  (the 
painter). — There  appears  to  be  some  affinity 
between  this  personification  of  Sa/us,  when 
offering  food  in  a patella  to  a serpent,  and  the 
Lanuvian  virgin  represented  in  the  same  act  on 
coins  bearing  the  head  of  Juno  Sospita. — The 
opinion  also  has  probability  on  the  face  of  it, 
which  refers  the  serpent  on  coins,  where  locution 
is  made  of  Salas  Augusti,  or  Augustorum,  to 
jEscu/apius  and  his  daughter  Ilygaia  for  Sat  us) 
as  deities  of  Health. — Ccitain  it  is  that  when 
those  sanitary  divinities,  and  especially  when 
Dca  Sa/us,  occur  on  coins  of  Em|MTors,  they 
indicate  that  those  princes  were  labouring  at  the 
time  uuder  some  diseases;  on  which  account,  it 
w ould  seem,  sacred  rites  had  been  performed  lor 


SALUS. — SALUS  AUGUSTA, 
them,  and  the  memorial  of  the  event  recorded 
on  public  monuments. — Sec  YOTA  PVBL1CA 
PRO.  SALufi  PR.,  as  in  Commodus ; SALVS 
AVG usti,  as  in  Tetricus  Filius  and  Claudius 
Gothicus ; and  SALVTI  AVG usti,  or  AVGVS- 
TQR»»»,  as  in  M.  Aurelius. 

Salus  and  Aesculapius  standing,  with  their 
customary  attributes,  viz.,  the  former  carrying 
the  serpent,  the  latter  bearing  a staff,  round 
which  a serpent  is  coiled,  appear  on  coins  of 
L.  Aclius,  Antoninus  Pius,  Faustina  sen.,  M. 
Aurelius,  Faustina  jun.,  L.  Verus,  Commodus, 
and  other  emperors. — On  a bronze  medallion  of 
Antoniuc,  quoted  by  Vaillant,  Salus  stands 
pouring  wine  into  a patera,  which  Aesculapius 
sitting  holds  out  in  his  right  hand;  a small  altar 
is  between  both  figures,  and  a tree  behind. 
Vaillant  also  gives  a first  brass  of  Hadrian,  in 
which  the  Goddess  of  Health  is  holding  a wand 
with  serpent  entwined  on  it ; a naked  figure  of 
Hercules  stands  opposite,  and  behind  him  is 
Trajan’s  pillar. — On  a brass  medallion  of  Aure- 
lius, without  legend,  the  type  of  the  reverse  is  a 
female  with  her  legs  crossed,  standing  under  a 
tree,  feeding  a serpent  entwined  around  Hygeia, 
who  is  staudiug  on  a table,  on  one  side  of  which 
is  a vase. 

SALVS. — Head  of  the  Goddess  of  Health 
within  a collar  or  chain  (torques). — On  a 
denarius  of  the  Junia  family,  the  obverse  of 
which  is  Victory  in  a biga,  around  which  D. 
si  i.  an  vs  l.  f.,  who  was,  perhaps,  one  of  the 
descendants  of  C.  Junius  Bubulcus,  consul 
v.c.  4 13,  by  whom  the  temple  of  Salus  was 
built  at  Rome,  and  who  designed  by  this  coin  to 
restore  the  memory  of  the  piety  of  his  ancestors. 
— See  Torques. 

SALVS. — The  goddess  sitting,  holds  a patera 
in  her  right  hand. — On  common  gold  and  silver 
of  Nero.  This  tyrant  made  frequent  vows  for 
his  own  health,  and  also  instituted  certamina  on 
that  account.  Indeed,  Tacitus  records  that,  for 
his  escape  from  a plot  laid  against  him  in  the 
year  of  Rome  8 IS,  he  erected  a temple  to  Salus. 
But  so  little  did  he  care  about  the  health  of 
others,  that  he  made  the  same  conspiracy  against 
his  life  a pretext  for  sacrificing  hundreds  to  his 
revenue. 

SALVS.  P.M.  TR.  P.  X.  IMP.  VI.  COS.  III. 
P.P. — On  a bronze  medallion  of  Commodus  the 
foregoing  legend  accompanies  the  type  of  Salus 
seated  on  a chair  ornamented  with  the  figure  of 
a griffin.  The  goddess  is  in  the  act  of  giving 
food  to  a serpent,  which  raises  itself  on  its  tail 
before  a column,  behind  which  is  a tree.  On 
the  top  of  this  column  there  is  a small  statue, 
which  Ilavercamp  believes  to  be  that  of  Mars, 
but  which  Miounet  describes  as  that  of  Bacchus. 
— This  medal,  of  which  the  design  is  very 
elegant,  appears  to  have  been  struck  on  the 
occasion  of  some  vow's  pledged,  or  prayer  put 
up  flatteringly  for  the  health  of  the  Emperor,’ 
or  secretly,  and  with  greater  propriety,  for  the 
safety  of  the  commonwealth,  which  the  imperial 
gladiator  was  so  ruinously  misgoverning. 

SALVS  AVGVSTA. — A female  head;  on 
second  brass. — This  is  one  of  the  medals  struck 
4 Y 


SALUS  AUGUSTA.  713 

under  Tiberius  (about  twenty-two  years  after  the 
birth  of  Christ),  and  which  represent  Livia  (or 
Julia),  the  wife  of  Augustus,  under  the  figure, 
or  under  the  symbol,  of  several  different  deities. 
On  one  she  is  called  ivstitia  ; on  a second 
FiETAS;  on  a third,  as  in  the  present  instance, 
SAI.VS  AVGVSTA. 

SALVS.  AVG usla. — This  legend  is  used  on 
several  third  brass  coins  of  Claudius  Gothicus, 
the  type  of  one  being  Hygeia  standing;  of 
another,  Apollo  holding  a branch  and  his  lyre ; 
of  another,  Isis  holding  the  sistrum. 

“ An  agreeable  variety  of  divinities  (says 
Eckliel)  for  Claudius  to  entrust  writh  the  charge 
of  his  health.” 

SALVS  AVGVSTA  PERM.  AVGVSTI. — A 
first  brass,  assigned  to  Livia,  bears  on  its 
obverse  this  legend,  together  with  the  type  of  a 
female  head. — The  reverse  bears  ivlia  avgvsta 
— a female  seated  with  hast  a and  patera. 

That  Salus  Augusta  was  worshipped  as  one 
of  the  greatest  deities  by  the  Romans  is  well 
kuown  ; but  wby  Livia  should  have  been 
identified  with,  and  even  delineated  as  that 
goddess,  it  would  be  difficult  to  imagine,  except 
that,  as  on  coins  struck  to  her  in  the  altered 
name  of  Julia  (as  she  was  called  after  the  death 
of  Augustus),  she  was  personified  not  only  as 
Pietas  and  Juslitia,  but  also  as  Vesta,  Juno, 
and  Ceres ; so,  in  the  same  spirit  of  senatorial 
flattery,  to  please  her  son  Tiberius,  this  poor 
helpless  mortal  might  have  been  honoured  as  the 
dispenser  of  that  greatest  of  earthly  blessings — 
health;  or,  as  Ilavercamp  renders  it,  salvs 
avgvsta — August  Prosperity. — The  above  coin 
is  quoted  by  Eckhel,  from  Florez,  ou  the  coins 
of  Emcrita  (Merida),  in  Spain,  a Roman 
colony. — The  intelligent  author  of  Lefons  de 
Numismatique  Romaine  describes  a large  brass 
(from  his  own  cabinet)  of  the  same  empress, 
struck  in  the  colony  of  Romula,  now  Seville, 
which  presents  openly  both  the  image  and  the 
name  of  (Livia  as)  Julia,  followed  by  the  pre- 
posterous title  of  (Genetrix  Orbis)  Mother  of 
the  World.  And  he  calls  attention  to  the  fact, 
that  “excessive  flatteries  and  divine  honours 
had  their  beginning  in  the  provinces.” — The 
word  PERMfma)  AVGVSTI  mark  the  pri- 
vilege of  coining  money,  granted  by  Augustus 
to  Emerita,  Romula,  and  other.cities  of  Spain. 

SALVS  AVG usti.  (The  health  of  the  Em- 
peror.)— The  type  of  a first  brass  of  Commodus 
with  this  legend. 

SALVS.  AVG.  NOSTRI.  (The  health  of 
our  Emperor.) — This  legend  appears  for  the  first 
time  on  a second  brass  of  Coustantius  II,  (son 
of  Constantine  the  Great),  though  the  type 
which  accompanies  it  (the  monogram  of  Christ) 
had  been  abundantly  used  in  prior  reigns  of 
Christian  printes,  as  well  as  the  A and  £2 
in  the  field  of  the  coin. 

SALVS  DD.  NN.  AVG.  ET  CAES.,  with 
monogram  of  Christ  aud  A and  12  in  the  fieid. 
— See  Decentius. 

SALVS  EXERCITI. — iEsculapius  standing. 
On  gold  coin  of  Postuinus. 

Salus  Generis  Humani. — This  eulogistic  testi- 


714  SALUS  GENERIS  IIUMAN'I.  SALES  PRO  VINCI  ARUM. 


monial  was  bestowed  on  emperors  of  very 
different  cliaracters.  It  is,  for  example,  applied 
on  coins  in  common  to  Galba,  Trajan,  Commodus, 
and  Caracalla ; and  if  the  truth  of  history  de- 
pended on  these  monuments  alone,  they  would 
seem  all  to  have  equally  merited  the  widely  em- 
bracing expression  of  praise. — Eckhcl  describes, 
and  comments  on,  three  reputed  medals  of 
Augustus,  also  bearing  the  above  legend  (with 
types  of  Victory  standing  on  a globe,  and 
writing  on  a shield) ; but  as  he  quotes  them 
not  from  his  own  (the  Vienna)  cabinet ; on  the 
authority  of  others ; and  as  neither  Mionnet  nor 
Akerman  recognises  any  coin  of  Augustus  with 
such  an  inscription,  their  genuineness  may  be 
regarded  as  doubtful.  Passing  on  then  to  Galba, 
we  find  amongst  the  rare  reverses  of  that  reign, 
in  gold  and  silver,  as  follows : 

SALVS  GEN.  HVMANI.— A woman  stand- 
ing with  patera  in  her  right  hand  sacrifices  at  an 
altar;  iu  her  left  she  holds  a rudder  reversed, 
and  plants  her  right  foot  on  a globe. — This  coin 
alludes  to  what  Suetonius  relates,  viz.,  that 
Galba  was  induced  to  take  charge  of  the  govern- 
ment by  Julius  Vindex,  who  (having  already 
raised  the  Gauls  against  Nero)  wrote  to  the  noble 
veteran  (then  governor  of  the  Tarraconeusian 
province  in  Spain),  telling  him  that  his  high 
birth  and  established  reputation  warranted  him 
to  aspire  to  the  first  place,  if  it  became  vacant, 
and  concluding  with  these  words — ut  humano 
generi  adsertorem,  ducemque  se  adcommodaret . 

SALVS  GENERIS  HVMANI.— This  legend, 
with  similar  type  to  the  above,  appears  on  a rare 
silver  coin  of  Trajan. — By  the  figure  of  a woman 
sacrificing,  and  holding  a rudder  whilst  placing 
her  foot  on  a globe,  is  signified  (says  Vaillant) 
that  health  and  stability  were  derived  to  the 
human  race  from  the  piety  and  the  government 
of  Trajan,  so  that  the  emperor  himself  is  called 
Stilus  generis  humani,  as  we  read  it  on  Galba’s 
coin ; and  as  Nerva,  in  Pliny’s  panegyric,  is 
termed  Imperator,  et  parens  generis  humani. 

SAL.  GEN.  HVM. — The  Emperor  raising 
lip  a figure. — Mionnet  and  Akerman  both  assign 
this  legend  and  type  to  a silver  coin  of  Commodus 
But  they  take  no  notice  of  a medal  which  Haver- 
camp  includes  amongst  the  large  brass  of  Queen 
Christina  of  Sweden’s  Cabinet,  which  to  the 
abbreviated  words  sal.  gen.  HVM.  adds  cos.  vi. 
p.p.  s.c.,  &c.,  and  which  has  for  its  alleged  type 
the  Goddess  of  Health  with  staff,  round  which  a 
serpent  is  entwined,  and  lifting  up  a kneeling 
male  figure. — Laurent  Beger,  in  Thesaurus  Bran- 
denburgicus  (tom.  ii.  680),  has  given  this  last- 
named  coin,  but  without  any  explanation. — 
Tristan,  on  the  other  hand,  who  (tom.  i.  p.  729), 
lias  engraved  nearly  the  same  type  as  that  in 
Bartolo’s  plate,  supposes  “ que  la  Deesse  llggee, 
ou  Sa/us,  agant  rendu  la  sante  a Commode  en 
une  maladie  fort  peril/euse,  elle  devoii,  par 
fiatterie  enters  ce  monstre , etre  reconnue  pour 
le  saint  de  tout  le  resle  des  homines. — W hilst 
Havercamp,  and  apparently  with  great  pro- 
bability, thinks  that  the  type  of  Health  raising 
up  a man  from  his  knees,  " refers  to  the  iota 
which  were  made  in  the  year  of  the  sixth  con- 


sulate of  Commodus,  for  the  health  or  pre- 
servation of  the  Roman  people ; seeing  that 
during  the  year  preceding,  viz.,  a.v.c.  942,  the 
city  of  Rome  and  all  Italy  were  afflicted  with  a 
cruel  pestilence.” — But  whether  the  standing 
figure  in  the  group  be  meant  for  Ilygeia  or  for 
the  Emperor  himself,  there  never  was  a more 
shameless  prostitution  than  this  nobly  eulogistic 
dedication  to  a monster,  who  was  in  the  most 
odious  and  destructive  sense  of  the  phrase — 
gravissima  pestis  humani  generis — the  execrable 
plague  and  desolating  ruin  of  the  world. 

SALVS.  MVNDI. — A cross  in  the  middle  of 
the  coin. — On  gold  of  Olvbrius  (a.d.  472). 

SALVS  PROVINC1ARVM. — The  Rhine 
personified,  under  the  recumbent  figure  of  a 
bearded  man,  having  two 
horns  on  his  forehead, 
his  right  hand  placed  on 
a prow,  his  left  hold- 
ing a reed,  and  resting 
on  an  urn. — On  gold  and 
silver  of  Postumns — a 
type  of  elegant  design  for 
the  age  in  which  it  was 
struck. — Having  iu  the 
strongest  manner  fortified  the  Rhine  on  both  its 
banks  with  camps  and  citadels,  Postumus 
watched  over  the  welfare  (sains)  of  the  Gallic 
provinces.  It  is  thus  that  Trcbellius  speaks  of 
him  : Si  quidem  nimius  amor  erga  Postumum 
omnium  oral  in  Gallica  gents  populorum.  quod 
submotis  omnibus  Germanicis  gentibus,  Romanum 
in  pristinam  securitatem  revocasset  imperium. 

The  title  bestowed  in  the  above  legend  on  the 
Rhine,  as  being  the  health  or  safety  of  the 
Provinces,  was  doubtless  appropriate  to  that 
mighty  stream,  which  either  hindered  altogether, 
or  rendered  extremely  difficult,  the  incursions  of 
barbarians  into  a most  important  portion  of  the 
Roman  empire.  The  river  god  is  represented 
furnished  with  two  horns,  exactly  according  to 
Virgil,  Rhenusque  bicornis — an  epithet  which 
is  repeated  also  by  Ausouius ; and  Eumenius 
likewise  calls  the  Rhine  bicornis.  The  attribute 
of  horns,  which  the  ancients  usually  assigned 
to  rivers,  is  in  this  case  with  more  than  ordinary 
suitableness  applied,  because  the  Rhine  emptied 
itself  into  the  sea  by  two  horns,  or  channels. 
Hence  the  above-named  Eumenius  observes: — 
alvei  unius  impatiens  in  sua  cornua  gestit 
excedere. — Paneg.  Cons.  Aug.  vii.  13. 

SALVS  PVBLICA. — A woman  seated,  hold- 
ing coru-ears  in  her  right  hand.  On  gold  of 
Nerva.  As  the  scarcity  of  wheat  at  Rome, 
during  the  reign  of  Domitian,  had  occasioned 
the  greatest  inconvenience  and  distress  to  the 
people,  Nerva  had  no  sooner  been  elevated  to 
the  imperial  sovereignty,  than  he  commanded 
corn  to  be  imported  to  the  great  capital  of  his 
dominions,  lienee  the  public  safety  (Solus 
Publico)  secured  by  an  abundant  supply  of  corn, 
(annonaj  is  signified  by  this  type. 

Solus  Reipubhctr. — The  health  or  safety  of 
the  Roman  commonwealth  is  represented  in 
various  ways  on  coins  of  the  lower  empire.  It 
is,  for  example,  seen  typified  by  the  monogram 


SALUS  ET  GLORIA  ROMANORUM. 
of  Christ’s  name,  with  Alpha  and  Omega,  on 
medals  of  Constantius  II.,  Valentiuianus,  Lib. 
Severus,  and  Authemius;  also  of  the  Empresses 
Eudojia,  Galla  Placidia,  and  Grata  Honoria. 
Four  military  standards,  in  Valentiniau  I.  and 
Valens.  A military  figure  standing  with  a 
captive  at  his  feet,  in  Ilonorius.  The  emperor 
standing  with  globe  and  spear,  in  Constantius 
jun.  The  Emperor  holding  a globe  surmounted 
by  a victoriola,  and  treading  on  a captive,  in 
Valentinian  I.  and  Valens.  Two  emperors 
sitting  on  a throne,  holding  a vo/umen  in  the 
right,  and  a cross  in  the  left  hand,  on  coins  of 
Theodosius  jun.  A woman  veiled,  holding  two 
children  to  her  breast,  on  coins  of  Fausta,  wife 
of  Constantine  the  Great  (see  Spes  Reipublica). 
A female  figure  (Victory)  walking,  carries  a 
trophy  on  her  left  shoulder,  and  with  her  left 
hand  drags  along  a captive  by  the  hair  of  the 
head,  on  medals  of  Theodosius  Magnus,  Arcadius, 
and  Honorius.  Victory  sitting,  inscribes  on  a 
shield  fixed  to  the  trunk  of  a tree  the  monogram 
of  Christ,  on  coins  of  Flaccilla  (see  Flaccilla, 
wife  of  Arcadius),  Galla  Placidia,  Aclia  Eudoxia 
(wife  of  Theodosius  jun.),  and  Pulcheria. — See 
the  words. 

SALVS  REIP. — A stone  bridge  of  three 
arches,  on  which  a Victory  is  marching  with  a 
trophy  on  her  shoulder,  followed  by  the  Emperor, 
armed  with  cuirass,  javelin,  and  buckler ; at  the 
feet  of  Victory  is  a suppliant  captive,  and  below 
the  bridge  the  figure  of  a river  god. — Pelleriu, 
in  his  Melange  (i.  p.  215),  gives  this,  with  the 
word  danvbivs,  as  the  reverse  of  a bronze 
medallion  of  Constantine  the  Great. 

SALVS  REIP. — A stone  bridge  of  three 
arches,  on  which  a soldier  with  his  spear  either 
pursues  a woman  or  is  following  her,  who  points 
the  way ; near  her  are  two  suppliants  on  bended 
knees.  On  one  side  is  the  god  of  the  river 
sitting  with  his  urn,  whence  water  is  flowing. 
On  the  other  side  is  a tower;  at  the  bottom, 
the  word  danvbivs. — This  is  described  by 
Etkhel,  from  the  Imperial  collection  at  Vienna, 
as  a brass  medallion  of  Constautinus  M.,  and 
as  having  two  ships  with  rowers  in  the  river 
itself. — See  danvvivs. 

SALVS  ET  GLORIA  ROMANORVM. — 
This  magniloquent  legend  appears  on  a gold 
medallion  of  Justinian,  described  by  Akerman, 
after  Eckhel  and  Mionnet,  as  unique. — The 
type  of  the  reverse  represents  the  Emperor  on 
horseback,  his  helmet  adorned  with  the  nimbus, 
and  holding  a spear  in  the  right  haud.  Before 
him  goes  Victory,  hearing  a trophy  on  her  left 
shoulder,  and  pointing  the  way  with  her  right 
hand.  In  the  exergue,  conob. — On  the  obverse 
is  the  bust  of  the  Emperor,  helmcted  and 
nimbed : he  holds  a spear  before  him  in  his 
right  hand,  and  bears  a shield  cast  behind  his 
shoulder. 

Distinguished  not  only  by  its  unique  character, 
but  also  by  its  unusual  volume  and  weight  (for, 
according  to  Eckhel),  it  equals  five  ounces  and 
nearly  three  drachms,  and  Mionnet  gives  its 
diameter  as  38  lines  (French  measure),  this 
splendid  coin  was  fouud  in  the  year  1751,  near 

4 Y 2 


SALUTI  AUGUSTORUM.  715 
Caesarea  ad  Argoeum  (Mazaca),  formerly  the 
capital  of  Cappadocia,  amongst  some  rubbish 
iu  the  foundations  of  an  old  building,  cast  out 
from  the  depth  of  twenty  feet  underground,  and 
having  been  presented  to  Louis  XV.,  is  now  an 
illustrious  ornament  of  the  Royal  collection  at 
Paris. 

“ With  respect  (says  Eckhel)  to  this  and  other 
coins  of  Justinian  inscribed  gloria  romanorvm, 
Cedrcnus  allirms  that  that  Emperor  delighted  so 
much  in  the  warlike  virtues  of  Belisarius,  that 
he  caused  a medal  to  he  engraved  with  his  own 
effigy  on  one  side,  and  that  of  Belisarius  armed 
on  the  other,  and  near  it  to  be  written  bei.i- 
sarivs  gloria  romanorvm.  No  similar  coin, 
with  the  name  of  Belisarius  expressed  thereon, 
has  yet  been  found,  if  you  pass  by  that  which 
Ducange  quotes  from  the  cabinet  of  Peter 
Gyllius,  but  which  I suspect  to  be  counterfeit. — 
It  was  possible,  however,  to  happen  that  money 
of  one  kind  or  other,  such  as  we  have  just 
described,  had  met  Cedrcuus’s  observation,  with 
the  epigraph  gloria  romanorvm,  and  that  he 
thought  Belisarius  appeared  on  their  reverse. 
And,  so  many  enemies  of  the  empire  being 
vanquished,  Justiuianus  no  doubt  thought  that 
this  Glory  of  the  Homans  constituted  his  own 
also,  for  he  is  found  assigning  to  himself  a crowd 
of  surnames  taken  from  conquered  nations — 
Alemanici,  Gotthici,  Francici,  Germanici, 
Antici,  Alanici,  Vandalici,  Africani,  as  they 
arc  read  in  various  laws  made  by  himself,  and 
indeed  written  in  the  preface  to  his  Institutes ; 
and  they  appear  also  in  the  same  order  on  a Greek 
marble  edited  by  Muratori,  although  he  evidently 
used  some  of  them  too  much  by  anticipation.” 

Salutaris  is  a title  of  praise  dedicated  to  the 
gods  by  the  Romans  on  their  coins.  It  is  an 
epithet  assigned  to  Apollo,  as  the  god  of 
mediciue,  on  medals  of  Trebon.  Gallus,  Volusi- 
anus.  Valerian,  Gallienus,  Postumus ; and 
indeed,  was  one  of  the  modes  dictated  by  the 
blind  spirit  of  heathen  superstition  for  averting 
the  plague  which,  during  the  reigns  of  the 
above-mentioned  princes,  raged  with  more  or 
less  violence  throughout  the  empire. — See  Apollo; 
Moneta ; and  also  Cgbele,  Salutaris  being  like- 
wise an  attribute  of  mater  devm. 

SALVTI.  AVGVSTORww. — A woman  stands 
feeding,  from  a patera,  a serpent  rising  from  an 
altar;  in  her  left  hand  she  holds  the  hasta. 
From  a passage  in  the  8th  chaper  of  Capitolinus’s 
Life  of  Marcus  Aurelius,  it  would  appear  that 
this  legend,  which  occurs  on  gold  and  brass 
coins  struck  cos.  in.  of  that  emperor,  has 
reference  to  the  circumstance  of  his  colleague 
Verus  hating,  on  his  expedition  against  the 
Parthians,  fallen  sick  near  Canusium,  a fact  of 
which  Aurelius  was  no  sooner  apprised  than  he 
set  off  in  great  haste  to  see  him,  after  pledging 
vows  (for  the  health  of  Verus)  in  the  senate, 
which,  on  his  return  to  Rome,  the  news  of 
Verus’s  safe  passage  being  reported,  he  immedi- 
ately fulfilled. 

SALVTIS. — This  word  occurs  on  the  obverse 
of  a denarius  of  the  Acilia  family,  having  for 
its  type  the  laureated  head  of  a woman. — The 


716  SALUSTIUS  AUTOR. 

reverse  is  inscribed  M.  ACIL11 S 111.1  IR.  I 
VALETV.,  and  represents  the  figure  of  a female  I 
standing,  who  holds  in  her  right  hand  a serpent, 
and  rests  her  left  arm  on  a little  pillar. — Eekliel  j 
observes,  on  this  silver  coin  (vol.  v.  119)  the 
obverse  exhibits  the  head  of  Solus,  to  whom,  as  | 
Livy  relates,  a temple  was  vowed,  raised,  and  J 
dedicated  by  C.  Junius  Bubuleus,  and  which 
Victor  states  to  have  stood  in  the  sixth  region  of 
Rome.  But  the  word  VALETV  has  induced  | 
learned  men  to  hazard  various  opinions  upon  | 
it.  Onuphrius  lengthens  out  the  whole  epigraph  I 
by  conjoining  IH.VIRi  XALEludinis  TVenda, 
functionaries  hitherto  unknown  in  Roman  insti- 
tutions. The  same  objection  applies  to  the  ; 
HI  V lit  \ ALEflUX dinarius  of  Putin. 

8ALVSTIVS  AVTOlt. — On  a contorniate 
medal  (given  in  Morell’s  Thesaurus)  appeals  the  | 
bare  head  and  bearded  chin  of  a man,  which  are 
allowed  to  be  intended  for  those  of  C.  Sallus- 
tius  Crispus,  the  celebrated  writer  on  Roman 
affairs.  In  others  of  this  pseudo-monetary 
class,  the  beard  is  wanting,  a circumstance 
which  goes  to  invalidate  the  hypothesis  of 
Gesner  (Num.  Viror.  Illustr.),  who  thinks  that 
this  medal  was  struck  in  the  reign  of  Julian, 
because  that  Emperor  was  also  addicted  to  the 
nourishment  of  his  own  beard. 

SANCTo  LEO  SOLI  ELAGABALo. — Four 
horses  drawing  a chariot,  upon  which  is  a species 
of  cone,  surmounted  by  an  eagle,  and  round  it 
four  poles  (perticaf.—Gold  and  silver  of 
Elagabalus. 

On  this  very  rare  and  singular  coin  Elagabalus, 
whom  the  frenzied  emperor  of  that  assumed 
name  worshipped  as  his  favourite  deity,  is 
represented  under  the  form  of  a black  conical 
stone,  drawn  in  state.  The  subject  is  with 
surprising  clearness  illustrated  by  llcrodianus. 
Vaillaut  mterprets  the  word  sanctvs  as  used  in 
the  legend,  to  meaning  in  this  instance  propitius, 
or  favourable. 

Respecting  this  public  exhibition  of  the  Syrian 
God  Elagabalus  (or  the  Sun)  at  Rome,  we  learn 
from  the  copious  narrative  of  the  historian  above 
quoted  that  the  vehicle  which  bore  it,  glittering 
with  gold  and  gems,  proceeded  out  of  the  city 
into  the  suburb,  where  its  temple  stood,  the 
emperor  going  before  the  ear,  and  holding  the 
reins. — As  to  the  four  perticcs  or  poles,  which 
encompass  the  body  of  the  carriage,  and  sustain 
as  many  cones,  Eckhel  acknowledges  himself 
unable  to  discover  wThat  they  denote,  “ nor  (he 
sensibly  adds)  is  it  worth  while  to  inquire  more 
fully  into  all  the  mysteries  of  a foolish  super- 
stition.” The  god  ileliopolitanus,  under  which 
name  also  the  sun  was  worshipped,  was  conveyed 
in  the  same  manner  at  Heliopolis,  for  it  is  thus 
that  Macrobius  writes : Vehitur  enim simulacrum, 
del  Heliopolitani  ferculo,  uti  vehtmlur  in  pompa 
ludorum  Circensium  deorum  simulacra.  Sat.  1.  i. 
— Lampridius  affirms  that  the  son  of  Soacmias 
was  the  priest  of  lleliogubalus,  or  of  Jupiter,  or 
of  the  Sun,  as  if  it  were  doubtful  which,  unless 
they  were  all  considered  as  identical. 

Mr.  Akcrman,  in  alluding  to  the  conical  shaped 
stone  represented  on  Latin  coins  of  Elagabalus, 


SAPIENTIA  PRINC1PIS. 

observes  that  “they  appear  on  many  Imperial 
Greek  coins.”  The  same  able  numismatist 
remarks  that  “ the  gods  of  the  ancient  Greeks 
were  originally  worshipped  under  such  forms ; 
so  that  the  veneration  of  Elagabalus  for  his 
block  of  stone  is  not  deserving  of  the  ridicule  it 
has  met  with.  In  a superstitious  age,  the  feel- 
iug  was  natural  enough.” — For  an  apposite 
passage  from  Winkelman  on  the  subject  of  stone 
worship,  see  Akcrman’s  “Descriptive  Cata- 
logue,” vol.  i.  p.  411 ; and  SACEB.  DEI.  sous. 

ELAGAB. 

Sanquinia. — With  the  exception  of  its  coins 
(which  have  four  varieties,  and  are  not  very 
rare),  there  are  no  memorials  of  this  family, 
although  Tacitus  and  Dion  have  recorded  the 
consulate  of  Sanquinius  Maximus  under  Tiberius 
and  Caligula. — There  are  pieces  iu  silver  and 
brass  bearing  the  name  of  this  family,  which 
were  struck  by  the  moncyers  of  Augustus ; on  a 
denarius  of  M.  sanqvixi  vs  is  inscribed  avovst. 
Divi.  f.  lvdos  sae.,  and  it  commemorates  the 
secular  games  celebrated  by  that  emperor  iu  the 
year  v.c.  737.  Therefore  this  Sanquinius  was 
iu  that  year  a monetal  triumvir.  The  type  of 
the  reverse  represents  a man,  clothed  iu  the 
toga,  standing  with  a helmet  on  his  bc&d,  a 
caduceus  in  his  right  hand,  and  bearing  in  his 
left  a round  shield.  Eckhel  holds  opinion  with 
those  who  think  that  this  is  the  prtreo,  or  herald, 
in  his  sacred  dress,  announcing  and  inviting  the 
people  to  the  solemnities  of  the  ludi  saculares. 

Sapieu/ia. — The  propensity  of  the  Romans  to 
imitate  the  Greeks,  among  and  above  other 
things  iu  selecting  objects  of  religious  worship, 
is  well  known  to  the  classic  reader,  and  to  none 
more  than  the  numismatic  antiquary.  It  will 
appear,  therefore,  the  more  remarkable  that, 
although  they  built  temples  and  paid  their  adora- 
tions to  llouour  aud  Valour,  to  Hope,  Health, 
and  Security,  and  rendered  peculiar  devotion  to  t he 
fickle  divinity  of  Fortune,  yet  to  that  concentra- 
tion and  result  of  pre-eminent  virtues  sapientla, 
no  altar  was  raised,  no  acknowledgment  of 
tutelary  influence  offered ; and  that,  until  a late 
period  of  the  empire  (viz.,  the  times  of  Liciniu* 
anil  Constantine),  U'isdom,  that  sovereign 
mistress  as  she  is  of  human  existence  and 
advancement,  should  have  obtained  no  place, 
and  that  but  an  insulated  one,  in  the  mintage  of 
Rome. 

SAPIENTIA  PRINCIPIS. — An  owl  placed 
on  a pedestal,  between  a shield,  a spear,  and  a 
helmet. — This  new  sort  of  reverse  is  given  by 
Bunduri,  as  from  a third  brass  of  Lieinius  Pater. 
— The  same  legend,  and  a type  of  an  owl  sitting 
on  the  top  of  a column,  against  which  rest  a 
helmet,  spear,  and  shield,  nppears  on  a medal  of 
| Constantine  the  Great,  with  legend  of  safientia 
I on  the  column  and  rmNciFis  fbovidentismmi 
round  the  coin.  Also  on  a contorniate  medal  of 
Honorius  safientia  is  read,  with  the  type  of 
| Pallas,  who  stands  holding  a branch  of  laurel  or 
of  olive  in  her  right  band. 

| Sarmatia. — That  part  of  Europe  which  lay 

east  of  Germania  and  north  of  the  immediate 
I vicinity  of  the  Danube  was  know  n by  the  Romans, 


SARMATIA. — SARMATICUS. 
and  inscribed  on  their  coins,  under  the  gcucric 
name  of  Sarmatia,  and  the  inhabitants  were 
called  Sarmatm  and  Sauromatsc.  These  barbarous 
and  almost  unknown  tribes  also  occupied  the  vast 
tracts  of  territory  now  called  Russia. 

SARM.  Sarmatico,  on  a coin  of  Commodus. 

SARM.  (DE).  This  appears,  with  the  type 
of  a heap  of  armour,  on  gold,  silver,  and  brass 
coins  of  M.  Aurelius,  who  in  his  thirty-first 
tribuuitiau  power  and  third  consulship  (viz.,  a.d. 
930)  triumphed  over  the  Germans  and  Sarmatec, 
and  in  the  following  year  these  coins,  with  a 
representation  of  the  arms  of  those  warlike 
tribes  engraved  for  a trophy  on  their  reverse, 
were  struck  in  remembrance  of  the  event. — In 
the  year  v.c.  932  (a.d.  178),  another  revolt 
having  taken  place  on  the  part  of  these  trans- 
Danubian  nations  against  the  Roman  power, 
Aurelius,  who  had  gone  forth  on  this  second 
northern  expedition  a year  before,  conquered  the 
Marcomanni,  the  Hermunduri,  the  Quadi,  and 
the  Sarmalce  in  a bloody  battle,  and  for  that 
victory  was  called  Imperator  X. — The  next  year, 
engaged  in  an  almost  internecine  contest  against 
the  same  obstinate  enemies  of  the  empire,  he  died 
of  disease,  at  Vindoboua,  in  Pannonia  (Vienna) 
at  the  age  of  50. 

SARMATIA.  DEVICTA. — Victory  standing, 
treads  with  one  foot  on  a captive,  while  she  holds 
a palm  branch  in  her  right  and  a trophy  in  her 
left  hand. 

This  coin  (in  silver  and  third  brass)  alludes  to 
the  Sarmatian  war  and  the  victories  of  Constan- 
tine in  the  year  of  Christ  322.  According  to 
Zosimus  (lib.  2)  that-  great  emperor  drove  back 
the  routed  Sarmatie  beyond  the  Danube,  and 
pursued  them  to  a place  where  they  had  rallied 
for  the  purpose  of  renewing  the  fight.  He  there 
again  defeated  and  put  them  to  flight,  taking  a 
great  number  of  them  prisoners,  whom  he  doomed 
to  captivity,  and  their  King,  Rausimodus,  being 
left  among  the  slain. 

SARMATIA. — This  word  appears  at  the 
bottom  of  a coin  (gold  and  silver)  of  Constantinus 
II.,  which  bears  on  its  reverse  the  legend 
gavdivm  romanorvm,  with  the  type  of  a trophy, 
near  which  a woman  sits  in  a sorrowful  attitude. 

Similar  medals  arc  extant  both  of  the  father 
of  the  above  emperor  and  of  his  brother 
Crispus,  but  those  are  inscribed  alamannia  or 
francia,  and  never  sakmatla. — See  gavdivm 

KOMANOBVM. 

SARMATICVS. — M.  Aurelius  received  this 
surname  (a.d.  175),  and  his  medals  also  ascribe 
it  to  him  on  account  of  his  success  in  subduing 
the  Sarmalce ; a general  appellation  designating 
not  only  the  Sarmatians  but  also  the  neighbour- 
ing tribes,  such  as  the  Marcomanni,  the  Quadi, 
&c.  See  sarm. — His  unworthy  son  Commodus 
assumed  the  same  title,  but  without  having  per- 
formed the  same  services  to  the  empire,  and 
he  is  styled  also  in  his  coins  GERMANICVS  and 
SARMATICVS. 

SASERN.  Saserna,  a surname  of  the  Ilosli/ia 
family. — See  hostilla. 

SAT.  Saturninus,  surname  of  the  Sentia 
family. 


SATURNINUS.  717 

SATRIE.  Satrienus,  the  Roman  nomen 
gentile  of  a family  known  only  by  the  denarii  on 
which  it  is  inscribed.  Yet  of  these  silver  coins 
(which  are  common)  Morell  enumerates  twenty- 
two  varieties,  noue  of  them,  however,  offering 
any  other  legend  and  type  than  the  following  : — 
A juvenile  head,  helmeted. — Rev.  l\  satrienvs. 
A she  wolf:  above,  ROMA. 

Some  take  the  head  on  the  obverse  of  this 
denarius  for  that  of  Mars,  others  think  it  is  that 
of  Minerva.  But  supposing  it  to  bp  Mars,  it 
will  easily  accord  with  the  wolf  on  the  reverse. 
Albricus  (Deorum  Imag.,  p.  3)  affirms  that  “ the 
wolf  is  depictured  bringing  a sheep  before  Mars, 
because  that  animal  was  by  the  ancients  specially 
consecrated  to  that  deity.” — On  this  point,  still 
more  properly  belongs  what  is  related  in  Origo 
Gentis  Romance,  ascribed  to  Aurelius  Victor,  that 
the  wolf  was  under  the  protection  of  Mars,  Mars 
bestowing  on  her  this  signal  favour,  because  she 
suckled  his  twin  children  (Romulus  and  Remus)  by 
Rhea.  “I  think  (addsEckhel)  this  was  the  reason 
why  the  wolf  is  called  Martins  by  Virgil,  and  also 
why  Livy  (1.  x.  c.  27)  thus  expresses  himself — 
hinc  victor  Martius  lupus  gentis  nos  Mortice, 
et  conditoris  nostri  admonuit. — Therefore,  Lau- 
rentius  Lydus  (Be  Mensibus)  rightly  says — 
“ the  eagle  is  the  symbol  of  Jupiter,  Lions  of 
the  Sun,  the  wolf  of  Mars,  serpents  of  Mercury.” 
— Boot.  Num.  Vet.  vol.  v.  p.  300. 

SATVRNINVS  I.,  an  excellent  general  under 
Valerian,  and  an  unwilliug  usurper  of  the 
purple  in  the  time  of  Gallienus ; he  perished  by 
the  murderous  hands  of  the  soldiers  who  forcibly 
elected  him. — It  is  uncertain  in  what  region  he 
performed  for  a little  while  the  part  of  emperor. 

Two  tyrants  of  the  name  of  Saturninus  are 
handed  down  to  us,  one  the  above-mentioned 
under  Gallienus  in  the  writings  of  Trebcllius, 
another  in  Egypt  under  Probus,  according  to 
Vopiscus,  equally  the  reluctant  instrument  of  a 
licentious  and  cruel  soldiery.  The  former  of 
these  is  Publius  Sempronius,  the  second  Sextus 
Julius. — The  medals  ascribed  to  the  Jirst 
Saturninus  were  copied  from  Goltzius  by  Mcdio- 
barbus  and  Banduri,  but  are  considered  false  by 
Eckhel.  Those  of  the  second  Saturninus  are 
given  by  Goltzius  and  Ursinus,  but  are  as  yet 
unknown. — But  if  a third  brass  coin  described 
by  Banduri  is  to  be  regarded  as  genuine,  there 
was  a third  Saturninus,  who  in  some  necessarily 
remote  province  was  recognised  as  emperor. 
The  medal  in  question  bears  on  its  obverse  a 
radiated  head,  with  the  inscription  imp.  cae. 
satvrninvs.  av. — The  type  of  its  reverse  is  a 
soldier,  who  pierces  with  his  lance  an  enemy 
fallen  from  his  horse : the  legend  is  fel.  temp, 
reparatio.,  and  at  the  bottom  bsis. 

Eckhel,  in  quoting  the  above,  says  this  coin 
can  belong  neither  to  the  Saturninus  of  Gal- 
lienus’s  reign,  nor  to  the  other  tyrant  of  that 
name  who  revolted  under  Probus,  because  it 
offers  a reverse  which  was  not  in  use  in  the  age 
of  either  of  those  emperors.  “ However  (adds 
our  authority)  as  this  coin  is  justly  entitled  to  be 
ascribed  to  the  age  in  which  we  live,  in  other 
words,  is  a fofgcry  ; so  by  all  the  historians  who 


718  SATURN. 

have  written  concerning  the  transactions  of  this 
age  (viz.,  that  of  Constans  and  Constantius  IF.), 
Saturninus  tyrannus  III.  is  manifestly  an  un- 
known  personage.” — “There  arc  also  those,”  he 
adds,  “ who  raise  doubts  as  to  the  authenticity 
of  this  coin,  as  Bauduri  bears  witness."  [Vol. 
vii.  p.  113.] — Mionnet  evidently  suspects  the 
genuineness  of  the  coin. 

Saturnus. — Saturn,  under  whose  fabled  reign 
— the  “ golden  age”— the  happiest  times  were 
enjoyed  by  all,  was  nevertheless  affirmed  by  the 
ancients  to  have  been  himself  expelled  from  his 
kingdom  of  felicity  by  his  son  Jupiter,  and  to 
have  sought  refuge  in  Italy  at  the  court  of  king 
Janus. — There  is  a passage  in  Macrobius  (quoted 
by  Bimard)  which  attributes,  not  to  Saturn  (as 
Jobert  makes  Eutropius  do),  but  to  Janus,  the 
first  use  of  money,  adding,  however,  that  out 
of  respect  for  Saturn  (in  Salurni  reverentiam ) 
Janus  caused  to  be  engraved,  on  these  first 
specimens  of  coinage,  the  ship  which  had 
brought  Saturn  to  Italy. — Saturn  was  regarded 
as  the  God  of  Time,  and  is  represented  on 
ancieut  monuments  as  a decrepit  old  man,  hold- 
ing a sickle  or  reaping-hook,  called/a/x.  Some-  j 
times  also  he  is  represented  with  his  infant  son  I 
in  his  arms,  and  lifting  the  child  up  to  his  j 
mouth,  as  if  intending  to  devour  it,  as  the  old 
myth  relates  on  that  point. 

Spauheim  (in  his  Notes  on  the  Casars  of\ 
Julian,  p.  10)  refers  to  this  god  a figure  on  an  * 
ancient  marble  published  by  Spon,  in  which 
Saturn  is  represented  in  the  form  of  an  old  man  j 
veiled,  and  with  his  falx.  The  same  writer  also 
mentions  to  have  seen  a small  silver  medal 
bearing  a similar  bust,  which  he  likewise  refers 
to  Saturn,  on  account  of  the  attribute  of  the 
curved  kuife,  also  engraved  upon  it.  Besides 
which  (he  adds)  there  is  a medal  in  the  French 
King’s  Cabinet,  struck  under  Elagabalus,  by 
the  city  of  Heraclea,  and  published  in  the 
collection  of  Patin,  which  represents  Saturn,  or 
Time,  with  a scythe  in  his  hands,  and  moreover 
with  wings  on  his  shoulders. — According  to 
Plutarch,  he  was  believed  by  the  Romans  to 
have  presided  over  agriculture  and  fruits — 
to  have  been,  in  short,  the  guardian  of  rural 
affairs,  as  well  as  the  Father  of  the  year  and  of 
the  months. — For  this  reason  a laureated  and 
bearded  head,  with  a sickle  behind  it,  on  a de- 
narius of  the  Calpurnia  family,  commemorative 
of  the  mission  of  Piso  and  Caepio  as  Quitslores 
AD  FRVmentum  EMVndum,  to  buy  com,  and  I 
distribute  it  among  the  people,  is  considered  by  j 

Eckhel  as  most  probably  the  head  of  Saturn. | 

Another  head  of  the  same  deity,  as  designated 
by  the  falx  aeperis  dentibus,  or  reaping  hook, 
with  serrated  edge— an  instrument  allusive  to 
him  as  the  reputed  inventor  of  agriculture,  and 
whence  he  is  called  falcifer  by  Ovid,  is  to  be 
found  on  coins  of  the  jilemmia,  Servi/ia,  and 
Sentia  families. 

Saturn  is  most  certainly  represented  on  a 
silver  coin  of  the  Neria  family— his  symbol  the 
harpa,  or  fair,  is  prominent' behind 'the  head.  J 
“ But  this  (says  Eckhel)  is  not  the  only  proof  ! 
that  it  is  Saturn.  The  title  givesi  to  NERIiw  | 


SATURN.— SAUFEIA. 

! of  Q 'krstor  VRBrt’nwj,  and  the  military  stand- 
ards which  are  on  the  reverse  additionally  testily 
it.  It  is  well  known  that  the  Qiuestors  were  the 
Prefects  or  principal  officers  of  the  Roman 
treasury  (Pnrfecti  aerariij,  bnt  it  is  also 
known  that  the  cerarium  was  in  the  temple  of 
Saturn.  r 

Saturn  is  considered  to  be  typified,  in  a 
quadriga,  on  a denarius  of  Saturninus. — See 
Sentia  family. 

Salurni  navis.— The  ship  of  Saturn,  which 
appears  on  the  reverse  of  the  Roman  as,  was  in 
the  most  ancient  times  the  peculiar  symbol  of 
Saturn,  it  being,  according  to  the  story,  with  a 
fleet  that  he  came  to  Janus,  in  Italy. 

I Saturn,  under  the  form  of  a man  with  a 
beard,  veiled,  and  wearing  tbe  toga,  who  standing 
holds  the  harpa  in  his  left  hand,  appears  on 
coins  of  Valcrianus  and  of  Gallienns,  as  a svmbol 
of  Eternity.  See  aetermitati  avgg. 

It  is  thus  that  Eckhel  decidedly  considers  the 
above  described  effigy  should  be  understood,  and 
and  not  as  an  image  of  Pluto,  which  Tauini 
supposes  it.  In  proof  of  its  being  Saturn,  he 
relers  inter  alia  to  the  harpa  (reaping  hook), 
the  beard,  the  veil  covering  the  head,  all  sure 
indications  of  that  pagan  deity,  the  two  former 
attributes  being  never  omitted’in  his  typification. 
The  Romans  gave  him  the  falx  or’  harpa  on 
account  of  agriculture,  over  which  they  com- 
monly believed  him  to  preside.  Macrobius  says : 
Simulacrum  ejus  indicio  est,  cuifalcem  intig  ne 
messis  adjecit.  Cyprian  observes : Rusticitatis 
hie  cu/tor  fuit ; inde  falcem  ferens  pingitur. 

SAT. — In  Morell’s  Thesaurus  (Fam.  Incert. 
tab.  4)  a silver  piece  of  the  form  of  a denarius 
is  published,  which,  with  the  foregoing  abbre- 
viation, has  for  its  type  the  bearded  head  of  a 
man,  whose  hair  is  bound  with  a fillet,  and 
below  it  the  falx,  to  which  is  affixed  a longer 
handle  than  usually  is  seen  on  this  attribute  of 
Saturn,  and  more  like  our  modern  scythe. — 
Eckhel  is  of  opinion  that  this  coin  (which  he 
I classes  under  the  head  of  Pseudomoneta ) is  one 
of  those  which  refer  to  the  Saturnalia,  and 
that  sat  and  the  type  allude  to  Saturn,  in  whose 
honour  those  extraordinary  outbreaks  of  society 
were  professedly  originated  among  the  Romans. 
But  the  form  of  the  /a/j-  he  regards  as  of  doubtful 
antiquity,  observing  that  the  true  shape  of 
Saturn's  scythe  is  typified  on  the  denarii  of  the 
Neria  family,  and  especially  on  the  silver  coins 
of  the  Emperor  Valerian,  inscribed  aetkk- 

NITATI  AVGG. 

Sources. — The  French  distinguish  by  this 
epithet  medals,  which  were  struck  simply  on 
copper,  and  then  covered  with  a leaf  of  jHwter, 
or  a wash  of  silver. — Jobert  says  “ such  coins 
are  found  from  Postumus  to  Diocletian.” 

SAUFEIA,  a plebeian  family  ; there  are  five 
varieties  of  its  coins  ; one  denarius  bears  the 
head  of  Pallas ; and  \ ictory  in  a biga,  gallop- 
ing, inscribed  l.  SAvr.  arid,  below,  the  type 
Roma.  “ This  Lucius  Saufeius  (says  Ynillnut) 
may  be  he  who  was  the  familiar  frieud  of  Cicero 
and  of  Atticus,  and  who  was  Quaestor  Urbanus 
in  the  year  v.c.  696,  when  the  above  described 


S.  AUG  — S.  C. 

medal  was  struck.” — The  brass  pieces  belonging  j 
to  this  family  are  the  as  or  parts  of  the  as. 

S.  AVG.  Seculi  Augusti. — restitvt  s.  avg. 
Restitutor  Secu/i  Augusti. 

S.  AVG.  Seniori  Augusto.  (To  the  Senior 
Emperor.) — On  coins  of  Diocletian  and  Val.  { 
Maximianus. 

S.  C. — The  letters  placed  in  the  reverse 
(generally  on  each  side  of  the  type,  but  some- 
times below  it)  intimate  that  the  coins  were 
struck  by  the  public  authority  of  the  Senate , 
according  to  the  constitution  of  the  republic,  i 
and  the  laws  of  the  Roman  mint. 

Found  constantly  on  the  brass  coins  of  the 
Roman  emperors,  from  Augustus  to  Gallieuus, 
and  but  very  rarely  on  their  gold  and  silver : 
that  these  are  initials  of  the  words  Senatus 
Consulto  has  scarcely  been  at  any  time  disputed 
or  doubted.  But  there  have  been  differences  of 
opinion  amongst  the  learned  as  to  the  way  in 
which  these  words  ought  to  be  understood,  with 
reference  to  the  precise  meaning  involved  in  this 
memorandum  (as  it  were)  of  a decree  of  the 
Senate,  which  exhibits  itself  on  almost  all  brass 
money  of  Roman  die,  struck  after  the  com- 
mencement of  the  empire.  The  justly  cele- 
brated Bimard  de  la  Bastie  is  the  author  who 
first  advanced,  against  the  doctrines  of  a fanciful 
school,  what  is  now  held  to  be  the  true  opinion 
on  this  subject ; and  the  views  of  that  acute  and 
judicious  antiquary,  have  since  had  a full  tribute 
paid  to  their  accuracy  and  shrewdness  by  the 
congenial  sagacity  of  the  learned  Eckhel.  That 
great  luminary  of  numismatics  and  most  trust- 
worthy guide  in  all  difficult  points  of  discussion 
connected  with  the  science,  has,  in  the  Prolego- 
mena Generalia  of  his  immortal  work  (Boot. 
Bum.  Vet.,  vol.  i.,  p.  73,  et  seq.),  given  so  clear 
and  conclusive  an  exposition  of  all  that  is 
materially  important,  to  guide  the  judgment 
and  to  fix  the  decision  in  this  matter,  that  we 
cannot  do  better  than  subjoin  the  substance  of 
his  remarks. 

After  a slight  passing  allusion  to  the  various 
but  obsolete  notions  which  Jobcrt  bas  collected 
together  in  his  Science  des  Medailles,  he 
commences  by  observing  that  the  common  and 
almost  universally  received  opinion  is  that 
Augustus,  became  possessed  of  the  whole  power 
of  the  republic,  appropriated  to  himself  the 
rights  of  the  gold  and  silver  mint,  and  permitted 
the  Senate  to  preside  over  the  coinage  of  brass 
money.  There  are  twro  principal  and  most  deci- 
sive grounds  on  which  this  division  of  the  fabri- 
cation of  money  between  the  emperors  and  the 
senate,  without  being  textually  recorded  by 
historians,  appears  fully  established.  First,  it 
is  certain  that  the  letters  S.  C.  are  not  to  be 
found  on  imperial  gold  and  silver  medals,  or,  if 
there  be  any  instance  of  the  coin,  those  initials 
refer  to  the  type  of  the  piece  and  not  to  the 
piece  itself.  Secondly,  it  is  also  certain  that 
the  letters  S.  C.  are  to  be  seen  on  almost  all  the 
brass  coins,  from  Augustus  to  Gallieuus,  with 
the  exception  of  a very  small  number,  and  these 
admit  of  a clear  and  satisfactory  explanation. 
From  so  constant  a rule,  therefore,  we  may  1 


S.  C.  719 

rightly  infer  the  monetary  partition  of  the  three 
metals  between  the  emperors  and  the  senate,  in 
the  manner  above  mentioned.  In  support  of 
this  opinion,  as  founded  on  metals,  be  then 
brings  forward  evidence  from  monuments  of 
another  kind.  A marble,  published  by  Gruter, 
bears  these  words: — officinatores  monetae 

AVRARIAE  ARGENTARIAE  CAESAR1S.  If  the 
brass  mint  had  belonged  to  the  emperor,  a 
notice  of  it  would  doubtless  have  been  included 
in  this  inscription. 

Some  historical  facts  handed  down  by  ancient 
writers  corroborate  the  truth  of  this  opinion. 
We  learn  from  Dion,  that  after  the  death  of 
Caligula,  the  senate,  out  of  hatred  to  his  very 
name,  ordered  the  whole  of  his  brass  coinage  to 
be  melted  down.  Why,  since  the  object  was  to 
abolish  the  memorials  of  this  imperial  tyrant, 
did  the  ordinance  confine  itself  to  the  brass  money 
alone  ? Assuredly  wre  shall  find  no  other  suitable 
reason  than  that  the  senate  had  no  authority  over 
the  gold  and  silver  mints,  but  solely  over  the 
brass. — Lastly,  what  is  indeed  one  amongst  the 
most  weighty  reasons,  but  hitherto  untouched 
by  those  who  have  entered  into  the  disputation 
on  this  subject,  it  can  be  proved  by  the  most 
certain  testimonies  that  the  emperors  had  entirely 
relinquished  all  claims  to  the  right  of  coining 
brass  money.  In  the  first  place,  there  are  extant 
a great  quantity  of  Otho’s  gold  and  silver  coins, 
but  not  one  genuine  brass  coin  of  that  prince 
of  Roman  die,  struck  at  Rome.  Those  who 
think  that  the  whole  monetal  department  of  the 
public  business  wTas  entrusted  to  the  senate,  are 
bound  to  furnish  some  substantially  good  reason, 
why  that  body  should  have  dedicated  to  Otho 
coins  of  the  more  precious  metals,  and  to  have 
withheld  that  of  less  value ; notwithstanding  the 
greater  portion  of  the  money  usually  struck  at 
Rome  was  from  brass  ? The  division  of  the  right 
of  coinage  between  the  emperor  and  the  senate 
constitutes  an  explanatory  answer  to  this  other- 
wise insurmountably  difficult  question.  In  causing 
money  to  be  struck  in  gold  and  silver,  Otho 
exercised  his  right  as  emperor  ; he  did  not  inter- 
fere with  the  brass,  because  that  coinage  came 
under  another  jurisdiction.  The  causes  which 
induced  the  senate  not  to  strike  brass  money  for 
this  emperor,  like  many  other  things  connected 
with  matters  of  antiquity,  arc  unknown. — Tacitus 
relates  that  at  Vespasian’s  accession  to  the  throne, 
one  of  that  emperor’s  first  cares  (apud  Antio- 
clienses  aurum  argentumque  signatur)  was  to 
have  gold  and  silver  money  struck  at  Antioch. 
Then  why  not  brass  also?  Certainly  because, 
though  the  right  of  the  former  belonged  to  him, 
that  of  the  latter  was  exclusively  senatorial. 
The  coins  of  Pescennius  Niger  are  likewise  a 
support  to  this  opinion.  There  are  of  this  per- 
sonage not  a few  silver  ones  extant,  as  published 
by  numismatists  worthy  of  credit,  and  probably, 
one  in  gold ; but  no  brass  coin  of  his  with  l atm 
inscription,  uncondemncd  as  counterfeit,  has 
hitherto  been  found.  This  was  not  without  cause. 
For  Pescennius,  after  he  had  once  assumed  the 
imperial  titl^  struck  silver  and  gold  as  belonging 
to  him,  but  not  brass  also,  the  senate  in  the 


720  S.  C. 

meantime  being  occupied  at  Rome  in  the  coinage 
of  brass  money  with  the  effigy  of  Sevcrus,  in 
whose  power  it  then  was. — An  examination  of 
Clodius  Albiuus’s  coins  will  be  found  still  more 
decisively  to  bear  on  the  present  point.  Of  this 
general,  to  whom  Sevcrus  had  given  the  title  of 
Caesar,  we  have  not  only  gold  and  silver  money, 
but  also  brass.  From  the  moment,  however, 
that  he  had  separated  himself  from  Sevcrus,  and 
proclaimed  himself  Augustus,  of  his  own  accord, 
brass  money  evidently  ceased  to  be  coined  in  his 
name.  For  no  brass  coin  of  Albinus  has  hitherto 
been  discovered,  which  call  him  Augustus, 
although  there  is  an  abundance  in  silver  on  which 
he  is  so  styled.  The  cause  of  this  fact  is  clearly 
developed.  It  appears,  from  the  express  testi- 
mony of  Herodianus,  that  Severus  ordered  money 
to  be  struck  at  Rome  in  the  name  of  Albinus, 
then  absent  in  Gaul.  The  senate,  therefore, 
minted  brass  coins,  as  well  in  the  name  of  Severus 
Augustus  as  in  that  of  Albinus  Casar,  after  the 
manner  in  which  the  same  body,  at  one  and  the 
same  time,  struck  coins  in  the  name  of  Antoninus 
Pius  Augustus  and  of  M.  Aurelius  Cfcsar.  But 
as  soon  as  Albinus,  having  taken  the  title  of 
• Augustus,  was  denounced  by  Severus  as  an  enemy 
of  the  country,  his  brass  coinage  must  have 
ceased,  Albinus  not  arrogating  to  himself  a right 
which  belonged  to  another  power,  viz.,  to  the 
senate;  and  the  senate,  under  the  control  of 
Sevcrus,  not  daring  to  continue  the  honours  of 
its  mint  to  Albinus.  We  find,  therefore,  those 
coins  of  Albinus  with  the  title  of  Augustus  arc 
all  of  the  nobler  metals  (viz.,  silver  and  a few 
gold),  having  been  struck  by  his  orders  in  Gaul 
or  in  Britain,  of  which  provinces  he  held  the 
government. 

Having  by  these  proofs,  drawn  as  they  are 
from  the  very  sources  of  numismatic  know  ledge, 
the  medals  themselves,  manifestly  showTn  that 
the  business  and  control  of  the  Roman  mint 
was  divided  betw’ecn  the  reigning  princes  and 
the  senate  ; having,  moreover,  shown  that  these 
proofs  chiefly  arise  from  affinities,  which  indicate 
an  identity  of  workmanship  and  regulation 
between  the  gold  and  silver  medals,  in  respect 
to  types  and  legends — affinities  which  fail  to 
exemplify  themselves  on  the  brass  coinage — the 
same  learned  and  eminent  writer  proceeds  to 
deduce  fresh  arguments  in  favour  of  all  that  he 
has  just  advanced,  from  the  legends  which 
appear  on  gold  and  silver  coins  of  the  imperial 
scries,  and  which  do  not  appear  on  the  brass ; 
as  also  from  those  legends  which  are  found  on 
the  brass,  but  neither  on  the  gold  nor  on  the 
silver  medals  of  the  empire,  the  types  them- 
selves likewise  corroborate  the  accuracy  of  this 
opinion. 

The  details  into  which  onr  illustrious  “teacher” 
enters  in  his  further  observations  on  this  subject 
are  more  copious  than  would  be  compatible 
with  the  plan  of  the  present  compilation  to  give 
at  length.  But  referring  to  the  Doctrina 
Numontm  Veterum  (vol.  1.  p.  lxxiv)  itself,  it 
shall  suffice  with  us  to  say  that  those  particulars, 
and  the  remarks  which  accompany  them,  are  of 
a nature  fully  to  establish  the  exactness  of  his  ex- 


S.  C. 

planation,  as  well  as  the  accuracy  of  his  research, 
in  adopting  as  he  has  done  the  views,  and  in 
strengthening  the  arguments  of  Baron  Biinard, 
respecting  the  letters  S.  C.  which  appear  on  the 
brass  coins  of  the  Roman  die. — To  the  grounds 
and  inferences,  however,  on  which  this  explana- 
tion is  based,  ccrlaiu  objections  have  been 
opposed,  one  of  which  has  been  drawn  from  the 
excessive  flatteries  which  were  lavished  on  the 
emperors  in  the  inscriptions  and  legends  of  their 
medals.  It  has  been  argued  that  it  was  not 
possible  that  the  emperors  should  have  decreed 
to  themselves  such  adulations,  and  that,  there- 
I fore,  it  was  to  be  believed  that  the  senate  had 
the  management  of  what  related  to  the  fabrica- 
tion of  money  of  the  tlirec  metals.  But  it  may 
be  supposed  that  the  emperors  took  cognizance 
of  what  concerned  the  due  weight  and  purity 
of  the  coinage,  leaving  to  the  monetary  triumvirs 
to  determine  upon  the  legends  and  the  types. 
Add  to  which  princes,  who  had  deified  their 
parents,  and  who  had  allowed  almost  divine 
honours  to  be  reudered  to  themselves,  might 
well  be  supposed  capable  of  ordering  themselves 
the  flattering  legends,  which  were  placed  on  so 
great  a number  of  their  monies.  To  complete 
these  ideas  it  will  be  right  to  add  the  following 
observations : — 

1st. — The  letters  S.C.  arc  found,  as  we  have 
seen,  on  all  the  brass  money  of  Roman  die 
struck  from  Augustus’s  reign.  Nevertheless, 
some  pieces  unquestionably  of  Roman  die,  and 
undoubted  money,  are  without  that  indication. 
These  arc  coins  of  the  second  size,  on  middle 
brass,  struck  under  Tiberius ; and  also  under 
Vespasian  and  Domitian,  which  represent,  on 
the  reverse,  a caduceus  between  two  horns  of 
plenty.  But  this  type  (as  Eckhel  has  shown  on 
coins  of  Tiberius,  struck  in  the  year  v.c.  775), 
is  the  symbol  of  the  senate  and  the  people  of 
Rome,  and  it  is  probable  that  on  this  account 
the  usual  sign  S.C.  was  not  placed  on  those 
pieces. 

2nd. — The  greatest  number  of  medallions  of 
Roman  die  in  brass,  struck  after  the  time  of 
Hadrian,  do  not  bear  the  mark  S.C. ; some 
few,  however,  arc  to  be  found.  This  omission 
of  the  indication,  so  far  as  regards  the  greater 
part  of  the  brass  medallions,  added  to  the  con- 
sideration of  their  large  volume  and  extreme 
rarity,  ha3  led  to  the  very  probable  supposition 
that  these  pieces  were  not  money,  or  at  least 
that  they  had  not  the  character  of  actual  money 
like  all  the  rest.  This  point  has  already  been 
animadverted  upon  (sec  Medallion).  But  the 
absence  of  the  letters  S.C.  from  most  of  the 
medallions  alters  in  no  respect  whatever  the 
principle  on  which  the  right  of  coining  money 
was  divided  between  the  emperor  and  the 
senate,  even  admitting  that  the  medallions 
which  do  not  bear  S.C.  were  not  money , an 
opinion  which  may  be  applied  even  to  the 
greater  part  of  those  w hich  exhibit  that  mark. 

3rd. — After  the  reign  of  Gallienus,  the  S.C. 
does  not  appear  on  the  brass  coins  of  Roman 
die.  Two  causes  probably  led  to  this  change. 
First,  the  successive  diminution  of  the  rights 


s.  c. 

and  of  the  authority  of  the  senate,  which  re- 
tained no  more,  so  to  speak,  than  a shadow  of 
power ; secondly,  the  establishment  of  monetary 
workshops  in  different  provinces  of  the  empire, 
and  the  habit  which  those  provincial  establish- 
ments contracted,  as  a consequence  of  their 
distance  from  the  capital,  viz.,  of  withdrawing 
themselves  from  the  central  authority  on  points 
connected  with  the  coining  of  monies. 

4th. — The  notation  s.  c.  sometimes  occurs  on 
Roman  imperial  coins  of  gold  and  silver.  It 
docs  not  follow,  however,  that  this  money  was 
struck  under  the  authority  of  the  senate.  The 
mark  of  a Senalus  Consultum,  in  that  case, 
indicates  that  what  the  type  of  the  piece  alludes 
to  was  done  by  order  of  the  senate,  and  it  does 
not  apply  to  the  piece  itself.  Thus  for  example, 
the  gold  and  silver  coins  of  Vespasian  relative 
to  his  consecration  bear  EX  S.C.  This  signifies 
that  the  above-mentioned  emperor  had  been 
cousecrated  by  a Senatus  Consultum,  and  not 
that  these  coins  had  been  struck  by  order  of  the 
senate.  The  moucy  fabricated  under  the  re- 
public, had  before  offered  similar  examples,  at 
an  epocha  when  the  senate  regulated  the  coinage 
of  all  the  three  metals.  Accordingly  we  read 
on  denarii  of  M.  Lepidus,  S.C. ; on  denarii 
of  M.  Scaurus,  EX  S.C.,  viz.,  that  Lepidus,  as 
this  consular  coin  declares,  was  made  TVTOR 
REGIS  ( Ptolemcei  F.,  King  of  Egypt), 
Senatus  ConsuJto,  by  a decree  of  the  senate ; 
and  that  Scaurus,  as  the  other  consular  medal 
records,  was  made  AEDiA'j  CVR ulis  (Curule 
jEdile)  EX  S.C. — Other  denarii,  such  as  those 
of  Manlius  Torquatus,  Sex.  Pompeius,  and 
Lentulus,  present  additional  examples.  In  like 
manner,  the  epigraph  of  POPVL:  1VSSV  on  a 
silver  coin  of  Octavianus  (afterwards  Augustus), 
indicates  that  the  equestrian  statue,  which  this 
denarius  exhibits,  not  the  coin  itself,  was 
executed  populi  jussu. — Some  gold  coins  of 
Diocletian  and  Maximian  bear  the  two  letters 
S.C.  It  woidd  be  difficult  to  find  a satisfactory 
explanation  of  this  singularity,  as  well  as  of 
many  others  which  occur  on  Roman  money,  at 
that  mra  of  political  confusion  and  decay  of  art. 

5th. — We  also  see  the  mark  S.C.  on  the 
imperial  coins  of  some  cities:  these  are  chiefly 
pieces  struck  at  Antioch  in  Syria,  aud  money 
of  certain  Roman  colonies ; the  cause  of  which 
has  not  been  sufficiently  unravelled. — [M. 
Hennin,  in  reference  to  this  passage  from 
Eckhel,  observes  that — “ L’ explication  la  plus 
naturelle  de  ce  fait  serait  que  ces  villes 
avaient  recu  la  faveur  de  voir  leur  monnaie 
de  cuivre  assimilee  a cette  de  I’Empire,  et 
placee  sous  la  jurisdiction  de  la  Senate; 
mais  ce  fait  n’a  pas  ete  convenablement 
explique.”  [The  most  natural  explanation  would 
be  that  these  cities  had  received  the  favour  of 
seeing  their  brass  money  assimilated  with  that  of 
the  empire,  and  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  senate ; this  fact,  however,  has  not  been 
suitably  explained.] — But  what  is  much  more 
surprising,  and  equally  unaccountable,  the  same 
mark,  senatus  consulto,  appears  on  some  coins 
of  Agrippa  II.,  king  of  J udsca. 

4 Z 


SCAUR.— SCEPTRUM.  721 

I 6th. — Eckhel,  in  conclusion,  remarks  that 

“ the  Emperors  of  the  East  ( Imperatores 
Orientis)  were  so  desirous  of  appropriating  the 
gold  coinage  wholly  to  themselves,  that  they 
were  unwilling  that  gold  should  be  coined  by 
foreign  kings,  unless  with  their  assent  and  autho- 
rity; and  if  it  happened  that  any  of  those  foreign 
sovereigns  dared  to  do  in  this  respect  what  the 
j Romans  were  not  able  to  prevent,  such  money 
| was  prohibited  from  having  currency  at  any 
value  within  the  confines  of  the  Roman  empire.” 

S.C. — It  has  already  been  stated  that  this 
mark  is  omitted  on  some  of  the  brass  coins 
of  the  first  emperors.  In  describing  those 
of  Tiberius,  under  the  year  774,  Eckhel 
notices,  as  a fact  worthy  of  observation,  that 
from  such  as  have  for  their  type  the  double 
cornucopia:  and  caducous,  the  letters  S.C.,  con- 
trary to  the  custom  of  the  brass  mint,  are 
absent,  and  that  there  is  the  same  omission  on 
coins  of  the  same  metal,  exhibiting  the  same 
j type,  struck  under  Vespasian  in  the  year  v.c. 

827,  as  well  as  on  coins  of  Domitian  (Cmsar) 

I in  826. — As,  therefore,  it  is  solely  the  brass 
coins  with  this  type  which  want  the  mark  in 
question,  there  must  necessarily  be  some 
particular  reason  for  the  circumstance.  “ I am 
of  opinion  (says  our  authority)  that  it  is  to  be 
sought  in  the  type  itself ; namely,  that  the 
cornucopia:  and  the  caduceus,  inasmuch  as  they 
were  symbols  of  the  senate  and  people,  supplied 
the  mentiou  of  the  senate.  That  those  insignia 
were  appropriate  to  each  of  the  two  orders  is 
shewn  by  an  ancient  gem,  on  which  is  engraved 
a cornucopia:  and  a caduceus,  with  this  inscrip- 
tion sen.  pop.  qve.  rom.  For  a similar  cause, 
on  common  coins  of  Caligula,  with  the  epigraph 

S.  P.  Q.  R.  P P.  OB.  CIVES  SERVATOS,  the  S.C.  is 

suppressed,  because  the  authority  of  the  senate 
is  already  indicated  in  the  inscription.” — [Vol. 
vi.  p.  192.] 

SCANTILLA. — See  Manila  Scantilla. 

SCAVR.  Scaurus,  surname  of  the  Aemilia 
family. — M.  Aemilius  Scaurus,  one  of  the 
j lieutenants  of  Pompey  the  Great,  in  the  year 
v.c.  692,  being  appointed  to  the  governorship 
of  Syria,  repelled  the  incursions  of  Aretas, 
king  of  Arabia  Petnca,  and  compelled  him  to 
sue  for  peace. — See  Aemilia,  a denarius  of 
which  family  elegantly  alludes  to  this  historical 
fact. — The  sedileship  of  the  same  Scaurus  was 
J distinguished  by  the  excessive  magnificence  of 
the  public  shews  which  he  and  his  colleague,  P. 
Hypsams,  gave  during  their  year  of  office. — See 
Rex  Aretas. 

S.  C.  D.  T. — These  letters,  added  to  the  type 
of  a serpent  twined  round  a tripod,  and  to  the 
name  of  volteivs,  on  a silver  coin  of  the 
Volteia  family,  are  by  some  explained  to  be 
Senatus  Consulto  Die  Tertio  ; by  others, 
Dedicato  Tripode. — Eckhel  calls  them  both 
“ inanes  conjectural" 

Sceptrum,  sceptre,  an  ancient  ornament  held 
by  kings  in  their  right  hand  when  they  per- 
formed any  of  the  important  functions  attached 
to  royalty,  especially  when  they  administered 
justice. — The  sceptre  is,  on  coins,  the  sign  of 


722  SCEPTRE— SCIPTO. 


SCIPIO. 


divinity,  and  particularly  an  attribute  of  Jupiter. 
Tarquin  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  who  carried 
a golden  sceptre  surmounted  by  au  eagle;  and  the 
Romans,  who  invested  their  consul  with  regal  j 
power  and  authority,  added  to  other  marks  of 
dignity  enjoyed  by  those  chief  magistrates  of 
the  republic  a kind  of  sceptre  called  tcipio  (see  the 
word). — It  served  afterwards  to  designate  impe-  j 
rial  power. — Jobert  observes  that  on  medallions,  ; 
and  even  on  the  smaller  coins  of  the  lower  empire, 
the  Augusti,  when  represented  in  the  consular 
habit,  hold  the  sceptre ; and  it  is  thus  that 
almostalltheConstantinopolitan  emperors  appear. 
The  sceptre  is  surmounted  by  a globe,  on  w hich 
an  eagle  is  placed,  to  shew  by  these  tokens  of 
sovereignty  that  the  prince  governs  by  himself. 
From  the  time  of  Augustus  this  consular  sceptre  \ 
of  which  we  speak  is  seen  on  medals  of  the  i 
Imperial  series. — “ Phocas  (adds  the  same  author)  j 
was  the  first  who  caused  the  cross  [which  sacred  ' 
symbol  of  Christianity,  by  the  way,  he  insulted  j 
by  his  murderous  ingratitude  to  an  earthly  bene-  I 
factor]  to  be  added  to  his  sceptre ; his  successors  ! 
relinquished  the  sceptre  altogether,  in  order  to  j 
hold  in  their  hands  nothing  but  crosses  of 
different  forms  and  sizes.” 

The  Sceptre  appears  in  the  hands  respectively 
of  Cybcle,  Jupiter,  Juno,  Mars,  Pallas,  The 
Sun,  Venus,  Vesta,  Acteruitas,  Pax,  Pietas, 
Pudicitia,  Salus,  Securitas,  Arabia,  Asia,  Italia,  j 
and  Macedonia,  with  other  deities  and  personi- 
fications, on  numerous  coins  of  emperors  and 
also  on  several  coins  of  Roman  families. 

The  Sceptre  is  seen  in  the  hand  of  the  em- 
peror, on  medals  throughout  nearly  the  whole 
series  from  Augustus  to  Johannis  Comncnis. 

It  also  appears  in  the  hand  of  other  figures  on 
various  family  coins  and  many  imperial  medals 
from  Julius  Crcsar  to  Honorius. 

A Sceptre,  on  whose  point  a globe  and  an 
eagle  appear,  being  the  sign  of  empire  acquired 
by  arms,  is  often  observed  in  the  hand  of  em- 
perors whose  effigies  are  adorned  with  a breast- 
plate. 

A Sceptre,  to  which  a laurel  crown,  a globe, 
and  a rudder  are  added,  on  a denarius  of  the 
Cornelia  family,  indicates  the  sovereign  power 
of  the  Romans,  since  kings  for  the  sake  of 
majesty  used  the  sceptre.  The  globe  is  displayed 
to  signify  the  earth,  as  the  rudder  does  the  sea, 
over  both  which  the  Roman  empire  extended 
itself.  Moreover,  the  Corona  laurea  is  united 
to  the  Sceptre  to  denote  that  the  power  of  Rome 
was  strengthened  by  victories. 

A Sceptre  and  a peacock  on  a lcctistcrnium  I 
form  tbe  type  of  the  reverse  on  a coin  of  j 
Faustina  senior,  allusive  to  her  consecration. 

SCIP.  Scipio,  surname  of  the  Cacilia,  and  J 
likewise  of  the  Cornelia  family. 

Scipio  Eburneus,  a wand  or  stick,  made  of 
ivory,  which  it  was  the  custom  of  those  who 
were  allowed  triumphal  honours  to  bear  in  their 
hand. — Many  representations  of  this  arc  seen 
on  coins  of  ancient  Roman  families,  such  as 
those  of  Acilia,  Aemi/ia,  Curiatia,  and  others, 
on  which  we  sec  figures,  carried  in  triumphal 
quadriga,  holding  the  scipio  in  their  right  hand. 


— This  ivory  staff  was  a prominent  mark  of  the 
hieher  magistracies,  viz.,  of  the  consuls,  the 
pra;tors,  and  in  like  manner  of  the  proconsuls. 
In  the  time  of  the  republic,  the  scipio  eburneus 
had  no  sort  of  ornament ; and  the  senate  alone 
had  the  right  of  giving  it  to  the  consuls  elect. — 
Under  the  emperors  it  was  surmounted  by  the 
image  of  an  eagle,  or  as  Juvenal  (Satyr  x., 
v.  43)  expresses  it : — volucrem  sceptro  qua 
surgit  eburno.  During  the  republic  the  consuls 
bore  this  distinctive  symbol  of  their  great  office 
only  on  the  day  of  their  triumph ; but  uuder  the 
emperors  they  carried  it  every  day,  and  entered 
the  senate  with  it  in  their  hands. — Millin  says 
“ the  emperor  never  carried  the  scipio.”  True, 
not  as  emperor — the  sceptrum  being  the  mark 
of  imperial  distinction — but  probably  an  emperor 
carried  the  scipio  when  he  made  procession  as 
one  of  the  consids,  for  Morell  has  given  us  the 
scipio  eburneus,  with  an  eagle  on  the  top  of  it, 
as  in  the  hand  of  Vespasian  and  of  Titus,  on  a 
brass  coin  of  the  former  emperor. — The  same 
ensign  of  consular  dignity  appears  in  the  hand 
of  Trebouianus  Gallus,  of  1‘robus,  of  Nume- 
rianus,  of  Val.  Maximiauus,  on  the  respective 
coins  of  those  Augusti. 

SCIPIO,  surname  of  the  Cornelia,  likewise 
of  the  Cacilia  family,  derived,  according  to 
Macrobius,  from  a certain  Roman  citizen,  named 
Cornelius,  who,  in  filial  piety,  made  himself,  as 
it  were,  a walking-staff  to  his  blind  father,  by 
conducting  him  through  the  streets.  Qui 
cognominem  patrem  tuminibus  carentem,  pro 
baculo  regebat,  Scipio  cognominatus,  nomen 
ex  cognomine  posteris  dedit.  JSat.  1.  i.,  c.  vi. — 
The  race  of  the  Cornelii,  divided  into  many 
branches,  took  for  distinction  sake  various 
cognomina. — The  first  was  Cornelius  Scipio, 
without  any  other  surname. — 2.  Scipio  Afri- 
canus,  the  celebrated  son  of  P.  Cornelius  Scipio. 
— 3.  Scipio  Aemilianus,  also  called  A/ricanus 
minor,  adopted  out  of  the  /Emilia  family  into 
that  of  Cornelia  Scipionum. — 4,  Scipio  Asiageta, 
elder  brother  of  Scipio  A/ricanus  major. — 
5.  Scipio  Asina. — 6.  Scipio  Calcus. — 7.  Scipio 
Hispalus. — 8.  Scipio  Nasica,  son  of  the  Scipio 
who,  together  with  his  brother,  fell  in  Spain  ; 
a man  held  in  the  highest  reverence  by  the 
senate. 

SCIPIO,  a surname  of  adoption;  for  the 
natural  son  of  P.  Cornelius  Scipio  Nasica  being 
adopted  in  the  will  of  Quintus  Mctcllus  Pius, 
pontifex  maximus,  was  on  that  account  called 
Q.  Cmcilius  Metellus  Pius,  but  retained  the  sur- 
name Scipio,  in  order  to  show,  as  Spnnheim 
says,  that  he  had  passed  over  from  the  Cornelia 
into  the  Cacilia  family. 

SCIPIO  IMP. — lienee  on  one  of  his  coins  is 
read  SCIPIO  I M IVr«/or.  On  another  appear 
the  letters  Q.  C.  M.  P.  I.,  which  are  explained 
to  be  the  sig/a  of  all  his  names,  as  collected 
from  his  denarii — namely,  Q.  Caci/ius  Metellus 
Pins  Imperator.  This  man  (according  to  Sue- 
tonius) was,  in  the  year  v.c.  702,  associated  for 
the  remaining  five  months  of  the  consulship 
with  Pompey  the  Great,  whose  father-in-law  he 
was,  and  to  whose  party  he  adhered  during  the 


SCORPIO.— SCRIBONIA. 


SCROFA.— SCUTUM.  72.3 


civil  war.  The  Pompeians  being  conquered  at 
Pharsalia,  and  the  war  being  renewed  in  Africa, 
he  was  appointed  summits  Imperator,  or  general 
of  the  whole  army  of  that  province,  from  super- 
stitious regard  for  the  name  of  Scipio,  which  in 
Africa  was  held  to  be  invincible.  But  Casar, 
to  whom  he  was  opposed,  proved  the  omen  to  be 
fallacious,  by  defeating  his  forces  in  the  field,  and 
compelling  him  to  embark  on  board  ship ; when 
finding  himself  on  the  point  of  falling  into  the 
enemas  hands,  he  drove  his  sword  through  his 
own  body,  and  at  the  same  moment  plunged  into 
the  sea. — See  Cacilia. 

SCON.  Signata  (moneta)  ConstantinopoH. 
— Money  struck  at  Constantinople,  in  the  exergue 
of  coins  of  Constantius  jnn.,  Constantius  Callus, 
Julian  II.,  and  others  subsequent. 

Scorpio , a symbol  of  Africa,  is  seen  in  the 
right  hand  or  at  the  feet  of  the  figure  personify- 
ing that  country  on  Roman  coins. 

SCR.  Scribonia,  or  Scribonius. — Name  of  a 
Roman  family  or  of  a man. 

Scribonia,  a plebeian  family  ; surname  Libo. 
— Six  varieties  of  coins,  some  of  which,  in  silver, 
were  restored  by  Trajan. — The  brass  pieces 
belonging  to  this  family  are  Asses,  or  parts  of 
the  As. — The  only  medal  of  historical  interest  is 
a denarius,  on  the  obverse  of  which  we  read 
PAVLLVS  LEPIDVS  CONCORD.,  with  the 
veiled  head  of  Concordia ; on  others  appears  a 
woman’s  head,  encircled  with  a fascia,  and  the 


epigraph  LIBO.  BON.  EVENT. ; on  the  reverse 
of  both  is  PUTEAL  SC1UBON.,  and  a structure, 
to  which  are  attached  two  lyres  and  a garland  of 
flowers.  The  Puteal  of  Libo,  a celebrated  place 
in  Rome,  was  the  round  parapet  of  a wall  with 
a cover  to  it,  which  Scribonius  Libo  had  caused 
to  be  raised,  by  order  of  the  senate,  over  a place 
where  thunder  had  fallen,  in  the  field  of  the 
Comilia,  and  near  the  statues  of  Marsyas  and 
Janus.  It  contained  within  its  enclosure  an  altar 
and  a chapel.  It  seems,  moreover,  that  it  was 
a kind  of  tribunal  or  seat  of  justice,  like  our 
Court  of  Common  Pleas. — On  some  medals, 
with  the  same  type  of  puteal,  the  inscription  is 
PUTEAL  LIBOnii. — See  the  word  Puteal. 

The  Bonus  Eventus,  which  occurs  on  one  of 
the  above  denarii,  has  reference  to  the  custom 
of  the  Romans  in  holding  sacred  whatever  was 
callable  of  bringing  good  or  evil,  as  fortune, 
hope,  genius,  &c.  So  also  Eventus,  according 
to  the  list  enumerated  by  Lucretius  in  his 
“ Evcnta,”  brought  slavery,  liberty,  riches, 
poverty,  war,  and  coucord.  But  Cicero’s 
definition  of  Eventus  is  alicujus  exitus  negotii, 
in  quo  queeri  so/et,  quid  ex  quaque  re  evenerit, 
ecemat,  eventurumque  sit.  Therefore,  if  any- 

4 Z 2 


thing  happened  well,  it  was  received  as  the  gift 
of  Bonus  Eventus.  That  this  was  esteemed  to 
be  a Genius  of  the  same  nature  as  Felicitas  is 
shown  by  a denarius  which  Morell  gives. 

SCROFA,  a surname  used  by  the  Romans. 

Scrofa. — The  figure  of  a sow,  with  or  without 
a litter  of  pigs,  appears  on  several  Roman  coins, 
as  well  imperial  as  consular.  Among  other 
instances,  on  a denarius  of  the  Feturia  family, 
there  is  a sow,  which  a man  on  his  knees  holds 
between  two  soldiers,  one  of  whom  carries  a 
spear  upright,  the  other  a spear  reversed,  and 
each  touches  the  sow  with  a stick  or  with  their 
daggers.  (See  Feturia.) — This  is  considered  by 
some  allusive  to  the  treaty  of  peace  between 
Romulus  and  Tatius. — Another  silver  family  coin 
(amongst  the  Incerta  of  Morell)  represents  eight 
men  standing,  four  on  one  side  and  four  on  the 
other  of  the  kneeling  figure,  and  each  touches 
the  sow  with  his  short  stick  or  dagger.  On  a 
coin  of  the  Su/picia  family  are  seen  standing  two 
military  figures,  armed  with  spears,  who  point 
with  the  right  hand  to  a sow  lying  on  the  ground 
between  them.  (See  Su/picia.) — This  curious 
reverse,  and  others  similar  to  it,  have  given  rise 
to  various  opinions  amongst  the  learned.  Eekhel, 
after  stating  all,  gives  his  in  favour  of  the  view 
taken  by  Ericius,  namely,  that  the  figures  per- 
sonify the  Dei  Penates  of  Lavinium,  and  that 
the  animal  represents  the  sow,  with  its  thirty 
pigs,  which  was  the  cause,  according  to  the 
Roman  legend,  of  iEneas  building  in  a cer- 
tain spot  the  city  of  Lavinium.  (See  JEneas.) 
— On  a silver  coin  of  Vespasian,  accom- 
panying the  abbreviated  inscription  imp.  xix. 
is  the  figure  of  a sow  and  pigs,  doubtless  re- 
ferring to  the  same  portentous  mother  and  brood 
of  thirty  which  were  seen  by  ./Eneas,  and  to 
which  \ irgil  adverts  at  the  beginning  of  the 
eighth  book  of  his  immortal  poem,  in  the  words 
addressed  in  a dream  by  “ Father  Tiber”  to  the 
Trojan  chief. 

This  favourite  incident  of  Roman  tradition, 
in  the  way  of  marvellous  augury,  is  graphically 
shadowed  forth  on  two  finely  designed  and  boldly 
relieved  medallions  in  bronze  of  Antoninus  Pius, 

| both  without  epigraph.  The  former  of  these 
represents  .Eneas  disembarking  by  a plank  from 
| a ship  on  the  shore  of  Latium,  where,  holding 
| his  son  Ascanius  by  the  hand,  he  contemplates 
a sow  suckling  its  little  ones  under  an  oak  tree, 
above  which  appear  the  walls  of  a city.  The 
latter  exhibits  the  fortified  gate  of  a city, 
above  which  stands  a sow  with  her  young : behind 
is  .Eneas  carrying  Anehises,  an  altar  lighted, 
and  a rouud  temple.  The  town,  which  is  depicted 
on  the  last-mentioned  coin,  is  Lavinium,  accord- 
ing to  Eekhel,  who  has  more  fully  explained  the 
subject  iu  his  annotations  on  the  denarii  of 
Sulpicius  Rufus. — See  Su/picius. 

Kolb,  in  his  Traite  de  NumismaliqueAncienne, 
gives  (pi.  vii.  fig.  1.3)  a second  brass  of  Anto- 
ninus, with  a sow  and  litter  under  a tree,  evi- 
dently in  allusion  to  the  same  fable. 

Scutum,  a shield. — Spanheim  observes  that 
the  ancient  shields,  as  figured  on  coins,  were  of 
au  oblong  or  circular  form.  The  oblongum 


724  SCYLLA.— SCYTHIA. 


SCYTHIA. 


scutum  formed  part  of  the  defensive  armour 
appropriated  to  the  cavalry  of  the  ltomans,  as 
the  clipeus  was  the  buckler  of  the  foot-soldier. 

The  scutum  appears  on  the  left  arm  of  Juno 
Sospita,  on  coins  of  the  Procilia  family ; and  on 
the  arm,  or  by  the  side,  or  at  the  feet,  of 
Pallas , and  of  Pea  Roma. — See  Clipeus,  and 
Victoria. 

Scutum  Macedonicum. — See  Pella. 


Scylla,  a fabulous  monster  of  the  sea,  de- 
scribed by  the  poets  and  mythologists  to  have 
borne  the  form  of  a woman  downwards  to  the 
waist,  and  thence  divided  into  two  tails  of  a fish, 
with  the  heads  of  three  dogs,  open  mouthed,  at 
her  waist.  It  is  in  this  shape  she  is  seen  on 
an  ancient  Sicilian  medal  and  on  some  other 
monuments.  In  her  hands  she  is  usually  made 
to  hold  a rudder  in  the  act  of  striking  some  one ; 
thus  is  she  figured  on  a denarius  of  Sextus 
Pompey  (praef.  okae  marit.  et  clas.  s.c.),  to 
indicate  that  spot  in  the  gulf  of  Sicily,  where 
(after  the  death  of  his  greater  father)  he  gained 
some  successes  by  sea  over  Julius  Caesar.  Scylla, 
iu  fact,  was  a lofty  and  dangerous  rock,  over- 
looking the  narrow  straits  that  divide  Sicily 
from  Italy,  and  opposite  the  whirlpool  of 
Carybdis;  the  two  together  were  regarded  by 
the  ancients  as  presenting  the  very  acme  of 
perilous  navigation;  and  the  extreme  difficulty 
of  steering  safely  between  them  gave  rise  to  the 
proverb — -Incidit  in  Scyllam  qui  vult  vitare 
Charybdin. 

Scylla. — See  Contorniate  Medals. 

Scytha , Scythians,  a people,  who  in  the  time 
of  the  earlier  emperors,  inhabited  the  borders  of 
the  Euxine,  on  the  confines  of  the  two  Mccsias 
(now  Servia  and  Bulgaria). — The  Scythians,  a 
very  ancient  as  well  as  warlike  nation,  possessed 
themselves  by  conquest  not  only  of  a large 
portion  of  Northern  Europe,  but  also  of  North- 
eastern Asia.  Hence  the  terms  Scythia  intra 
Imaum  and  Scythia  extra  Lnaum , as  apnlicd  by 
the  Romans  to  the  vast  tracts  of  country,  on 
either  side  of  Mount  Imaus,  part  of  a chain 
supposed  to  be  that  which  extends  to  Thibet. — 
In  the  progress  of  their  southern  incursions  the 


Scytha  penetrated  as  far  as  Cappadocia,  during  , 
the  reign  of  Gallicnus,  and  afterwards  devastated 
Italy. 

SCYTHIA,  S.  C. — This  legend  appears  on  , 
first  and  second  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius,  with 
the  figure  of  a woman  (personifying  the  country) 
standing  with  a crown  in  her  right  hand,  and  a 
staff  in  the  left. 

This  coin  is  classed  by  Eckhel,  under  the  i 
head  of  those  numi  yeoyraphici,  on  which,  as 
in  the  money  of  Hadrian,  so  in  that  of  his 
adopted  son  and  successor  Antoninus,  are  ex-  | 
hibited  images  of  various  provinces  and  peoples. 
In  doing  so  the  author  above-named  has  thrown 
a clearer  light  on  the  subject  of  the  types, 
which  present  themselves  in  this  batch  (so 
to  speak)  of  medals  struck,  by  a decree  of 
the  senate  (s.c.),  in  the  first  year  of  the  reign, 
or  in  the  second  consulate,  of  Antoninus 
Pius.  For  this  purpose  he  has  entered  into  a 
most  learned  dissertation  on  the  subject  of  pre-  I 


senting  crowns  of  gold  (corona  aureaj  to  princes 
and  other  great  men — a custom,  origiuating  with 
the  Greeks,  but  afterwards  readily  sanctioned 
by  the  Romans,  and  not  a little  abused  by  them 
as  well  in  the  time  of  the  republic  as  in  the 
subsequent  period  of  the  empire,  for  it  led  at 
last  to  the  gilt  called  aurum  coronarium,  that 
is  to  say  of  yold  itself. — Referring  to  those 
erudite  and  luminous  observations  as  much  too 
diffuse  to  quote  at  length,  it  must  .here  suffice  to 
note  the  confidence  and  respect  in  which  (by  the 
concurrent  testimony  of  historians)  Antoninus 
was  held  by  the  neighbours  and  by  the  subjects 
of  his  vast  empire  ; a fact  which  Eckhel  con- 
siders to  have  caused  not  only  all  the  Roman 
dominions,  whether  more  or  less  distant  from 
the  capital,  (such  as  Africa,  Alexandria,  Asia, 
Britannia,  Cappadocia,  Italia,  Dacia,  llispania, 
Mauretania,  Sicilia,  Syria,)  but  also  certaiu 
foreign  regions  and  independent  kingdoms  and 
states  bordering  on  some  of  the  remoter  pro- 
vinces, to  be  brought  within  the  scope  of  com- 
memoration by  the  senatorial  mint,  as  evidencing 
at  once  the  flourishing  slate  of  all  the  pro- 
vinces, during  this  happy  reign,  and  the  amicable 
terms  on  which  the  prince’s  conciliatory  yet 
firm  policy  enabled  him  to  continue  even  with 
the  hitherto  hostile  and  aggressive  ] lowers  of 
parthia  and  scythia. — It  is  related  of  Anto- 
ninus, by  Capitolinus,  that  of  that  expensive, 
and  to  the  donors  frequently  over  burthensome, 
present — the  aurum  coronarium — offered  to 
him  on  the  occasion  of  his  adoption,  he  restored 
the  whole  to  the  Italians,  and  half  of  it  to  the 
provinces.  The  manifestation  of  grateful  feel- 
ings which  this  considerate  remission  of  a quasi 
tax  naturally  produced  towards  him  throughout 
the  empire  at  large,  serves  strongly  to  counte- 
nance the  opinion,  that  the  type  of  the  coins 
above  alluded  to,  bearimr  the  names  of  so  many 
provinces,  directly  points  to  this  liberal  conduct 
of  the  emperor.  On  most  of  them  we  see 
standing  the  Genius  of  the  province,  who  holds 
out,  with  exteuded  arm,  what  she  carries  iu  her 
hand,  in  an  attitude  which  indicates  the  offering 
of  something.  This  is  on  some  of  the  medals 
in  question  cither  a crown,  or  a little  chest 
( canistrum  vel  capsa),  which  might  be  snpposcd 
to  contain  either  the  aurea  corona,  or  a quantity 
of  gold  itself,  instead  of  the  coronal  ornament. 

To  this  view  of  the  subject,  Eckhel  anticipates 
the  objection,  that  besides  the  provinces  of  the 
Roman  empire,  commemoration  is  also  made  of 
Parthia  and  Scythia,  from  which,  being  foreign 
states,  such  a gift  could  not  be  exacted.  For 
indeed  the  provinces  from  custom  which  becomes 
law,  were  wont  to  pay  it,  and  foreign  nations 
spontaneously  to  offer  it ; whether  because  they 
were  allies  and  friends,  or  because  from  hope 
or  fear  they  curried  favour.  If  that  be  true, 
which  Photius  relates  from  Mcmnon,  author  of 
the  Heracleau  history  of  Pontus,  the  Romans 
scut  to  Alexander  the  Great,  at  that  time  pre- 
paring for  war  with  the  Persians,  a golden 
crown  of  high  price,  as  a gift  for  the  sake  of 
esteem.  Dion  affirms  that  Julius  Ciesur  received 
many  crowns  from  kings  and  princes  after  his 


SCYTIIIA.— SEBASTE. 
achievement  of  so  many  victories.  And  Josephus 
states  what  particularly  belongs  to  this  point, 
that  Vologeses,  king  of  Parthia,  sent  a gold 
crown  to  Titus,  on  account  of  his  conquest  of 
Juduia ; nor  was  this  custom  extinct  at  a later 
age,  as  is  attested  by  Eusebius,  who  narrates 
that  aurea  corona  were  presented  to  Constan- 
tine by  distant  nations,  whereby  they  signified, 
as  lie  proceeds  to  add,  the  offer  on  their  part  of 
obedience  and  alliance  to  the  emperor,  if  he 
was  willing  to  accept  it.  When  Julianus, 
having  engaged  in  war  with  the  Persians, 
had  crossed  the  Euphrates,  the  petty  kings  of 
the  Saracens  (according  to  Ammianus)  genibus 
supp/ices  nixi  oblata  ex  auro  corona  tanquam 
munch  nationumque  suarum  dominum  adora- 
runt.  L.  xxiii.  c.  iii. — Influenced  by  the 
same  notions,  therefore,  the  Parthians  and 
the  Scythians,  that  they  might  ingratiate  them- 
selves with  the  recently  adopted  Antoninus 
immediately  on  his  entrance  upon  imperial 
dignities,  sent  to  the  destined  successor  those 
accustomed  gifts  which  render  both  men  and 
gods  propitious.  Nor  was  this  done  without 
hope  by  the  Parthians,  for  it  appears  from 
Spartianus,  that  Hadrian  had  promised  that 
nation  that  he  would  restore  to  them  the  chair 
of  their  kings  (sella  regia)  which  Trajan  had 
taken  away ; but  that  he  did  not  make  good  his 
promise,  we  learn  from  Capitolinus,  who  states 
Antoninus  to  have  stoutly  refused  the  same 
chair  to  the  renewed  entreaty  of  the  Parthian 
monarch.  Concerning  the  Scythians  nothing 
certain  appears,  except,  perhaps,  that  they 
endeavoured  to  win  the  favour  of  Antouine,  lest 
he  should  assist  certain  bordering  states,  with 
whom  they  wrere  at  war.  Indeed,  it  is  affirmed 
by  Capitolinus  that  the  Tauroscyt/ue  of  Olbiopolis 
were  molested  by  an  army  from  Pontus  (on  the 
shore  of  the  Euxinc),  but  that  an  auxiliary  force 
having  been  sent  by  Antoninus  to  that  city, 
the  invaders  were  expelled,  and  had  to  give 
hostages  for  maintenance  of  peace.” — See  Aurutn 
coronarium. 

S.  D.  Senatus  Decreto. 

S.  DEN.  Sicinius  JDentatus. — On  a coin  of 
the  Sicinia  family. 

SE.  Severus,  or  Severo. — IMP.  C.  SE. 
ALE.YANDer  AVG tutus. 

Seasons  (the  four  of  the  year)  are  designated 
on  coins  of  the  imperial  series  by  four  little 
boys,  or  girls ; these  types  are  found  on  medals 
and  medallions  of  Hadrian,  Antoninus  Pius, 
Faustina  sen.,  L.  Verus,  Commodus,  Julia 
Domna,  Caracalla,  Alexander  Severus,  Trebon. 
Gallus,  Probus,  Diocletian,  Licinius  jun.,  Con- 
stantine the  Great,  &c. — See  tellvs  stabil. — 

TEMPORVM  FELICITAS. — FELICIA  TEMPORA. 

SEBAST.  Sebaste. — col.  sebast.  Colonia 
Sebaste. — An  Augustan  colony,  distinguished 
from  others  of  the  same  name  by  the  title  of 
Sebaste  Ponlica,  formerly  called  Cabira. 

Sebaste,  Samaria,  in  Syria  Palastina  (now 
Cliienirum). — A city  of  very  great  antiquity, 
situate  on  the  mountain  Samaria.  After  be- 
coming subject  in  succession  to  kings  of  Israel, 
to  the  Assyrians,  to  Alexander  the  Great,  to 


SEBASTE.— SEBASTIANUS.  725 

the  Ptolemies,  and  to  the  Jews,  it  was  aug- 
mented by  Herod  the  Great,  and  called  by  him 
Sebaste  in  honour  of  Augustus  (about  the  year 
v.c.  728).  Its  imperial  coins  do  not,  however, 
commence  before  the  reign  of  Nero;  and  after- 
wards appear  only  under  Domitian,  Commodus, 
and  Caracalla.  It  was  not  until  the  reign  of 
Sept.  Severus  that  Sebaste,  (or  Samaria)  was  made 
a Roman  colony ; on  which  occasion  it  took 
from  that  Emperor  the  names  of  Lucia  Sep- 
timia ; and  the  colonists,  out  of  gratitude  to 
the  founder  of  their  privileges,  struck  on  their 
coins  the  heads  of  Severus’s  family — namely, 
Julia  Domna,  Caracalla,  and  Geta,  with  the 
inscription  COL.  CEBACTE,  and  on  some 
others  COL onia  laccia  SEP timia.  No  later 

medals  of  this  colony  than  these  are  extant. — 
The  imperials  of  Domitian  and  of  Commodus 
are  bilingual  Greek  and  Latin. — The  colonial 
imperial  have  also  Latin  inscriptions  on  the 
obverse,  and  Greek  on  the  reverse. 

Vaillant  gives  the  two  following  types  of  this 
colony  from  coins  of  the  greatest  rarity,  viz. : — 

1.  — On  a second  and  third  brass  of  Julia  the 
empress  of  Severus,  three  figures  standing  w ithin 
a temple  of  four  columns,  accompanied  by  the 
legend  of  col.  cebacte,  Colonia  Sebaste. 

[The  middle  figure  of  this  group  is  that  of 
Jupiter,  whose  temple  it  appears  to  be.] 

2.  — On  second  brass  of  the  same  empress,  a 
figure  in  military  garments  standing,  is  crowned 
by  Victory ; on  the  other  side  stands  a woman, 
clothed  in  the  stola,  wearing  towrers  on  her 
head,  her  right  hand  extended  towards  the 
centre  figure,  and  her  left  hand  holding  a 
comueopiae. 

[The  colonists  of  Sebaste  here  dedicate  to 
Julia  Domna,  the  wife  of  their  founder,  a medal 
on  which  his  effigy,  taken  perhaps  from  a statue 
erected  in  their  forum,  is  exhibited,  crowned  by 
Victory  in  presence  of  the  Genius  of  their  city, 
in  memory  of  Severus’s  splendid  exploits  against 
the  Parthians,  Adiabenians,  and  Arabians.] 

Sebastianus,  brother  of  Jovinus,  was  asso- 
ciated in  sovereignty  with  that  usurper  of  the 
purple,  during  the  reign  of  Ilonorius,  a.d.  412, 
and  proclaimed  Augustus  in  Gaul,  of  which 
country  Jovinus  had  been  the  most  powerful 
nobleman.  But  Ataulphus,  King  of  the  Goths, 
who  had  just  abandoned  Italy  to  enter  Gaul  as 
the  ally  and  colleague  of  Jovinus  against  the 
rightful  emperor,  offended  at  the  elevation  of 
Sebastian  put  him  to  death  at  Narbonne  as  the 
condition  of  his  own  peace  with  Honorius, 
a.d  413.  Thus  perished,  after  a few  months 
of  false  glory,  a gay-hearted,  thoughtless,  un- 
warlike young  man,  premature  victim  to  the 
ambition  of  a brother,  who  himself  was  also 
captured  and  beheaded  by  the  unscrupulous  and 
vindictive  Ataulphus,  a short  time  afterwards. — 
The  coin  of  Sebastian,  in  silver,  published  by 
Mionnet  and  Akerman,  it  is  to  be  feared  is  not 
authenticated  as  genuine. 

SEC.  or  SECVRIT.  ORB.  Securitas  Orbis. — 
On  silver  of  Commodus  (the  safety,  security,  or 
tranquillity  of  the  world.) 

Secespita,  a long  knife  with  a round  ivory 


726  SECURIS.— SECURITAS, 

handle,  ornamented  with  gold  or  silver,  which  | 
the  priests  at  sacrifices  used  to  slaughter  the 
victims  or  to  extract  the  entrails. 

Securis,  axe,  or  hatchet. — The  fasces  which  ! 
the  Lictors  carried  before  the  Roman  consuls  and 
other  very  high  magistrates,  consisted  originally 
of  axes,  the  long  handles  of  which  were  bound 
up  in  a surrouuding  case  of  rods.  The  custom 
dated  itself  so  far  back  as  the  age  of  Romulus, 
who,  it  is  said,  borrowed  it  from  the  kings  of 
Etruria.  But  soon  after  the  establishment  of  a 
republican  government  at  Rome,  the  fasces  (as 
we  learn  from  Dionysius  of  Halicarnassus)  were  j 
allowed  to  be  armed  with  the  secures  only  when  J 
the  consuls  left  the  city  to  join  the  army.  These 
awful  instruments,  as  denoting  the  power  of  life 
and  death,  were,  however,  permitted  to  be  joined 
to  th e fasces  of  the  dictator,  whether  in  the  city 
or  at  a distance  from  it,  to  the  number  of  twenty- 
four.  The  same  number  was  also  granted  to 
both  consuls  if  they  happened  both  to  march  forth 
together. 

Havercamp  observes  that  the  Secures  in  fas- 
cibus  have,  by  way  of  ornament,  the  head  some- 
times of  a horse,  sometimes  of  a ram,  placed  on 
the  middle  of  them.  An  example  of  this  kind 
is  given  in  Morell,  on  coins  of  the  Licinia  family; 
and  also  of  the  gens  Norbana,  so  far  as  relates 
to  the  fasces,  but  the  securis  does  not  appear  on 
them.  [The  types  in  question  may,  therefore, 
perhaps  be  considered  to  represent  the  fasces  in 
the  state  in  which  they  were  borne  before  the 
consuls  within  the  city.] 

Securis  victimaria,  the  sacred  axe,  used  in 
dividing  the  bones  and  the  flesh  of  the  victim 
into  many  parts,  and  the  same  sacrificial  instru- 
ment was  also  employed  to  slay  the  victim. — The  | 
figure  of  it  appears,  as  a mark  of  the  chief  pon- 
tificate, on  coins  of  Julius  Ccesar  and  others. 
It  is  likewise  seen  on  coins  of  the  Aemilia, 
Antonia,  Iiomitia,  and  Junta  families,  accom- 
panied with  the  capeduncu/a  aud  other  sacerdotal 
insignia. 

Securitas. — Security,  as  a goddess  worshipped 
by  the  Romans,  is  delineated  in  a great  variety 
of  ways  on  their  imperial  coins.  She  appears 
for  the  most  part  under  the  form  of  a woman  in 
matronly  costume;  though  in  some  few  instances 
she  is  but  half  clothed,  having  a veil  thrown 
over  the  lower  extremities.  Sometimes  she  is  \ 
quietly  seated,  as  if  perfectly  at  her  case  and  ‘ 
having  nothing  to  fear.  That  is  to  say,  her  right 
or  her  left  elbow  rests  on  her  chair,  and  the 
hand  supports  her  head,  as  in  Nero.  Or  else 
one  of  her  arms  is  placed  above  the  head ; an 
attitude  which  ancient  artists  regarded  as  charac- 
teristic of  repose.  She  holds  in  one  or  other  of 
her  hands  either  a sceptre,  or  a scipio,  or  the 
hasta  pura,  or  a cornucopia;,  or  a patera,  or  a 
globe.  On  some  medals  there  is  near  her  a 
lighted  altar;  on  others  she  stands  leaning 
against,  or  with  her  arm  upon,  a column  or 
cippus,  having  sometimes  the  legs  crossed  in  a 
tranquil,  easy  posture,  carrying  one  of  the  above- 
mentioned  symbols,  or  otherwise  holding  before 
her  a branch  or  a crowu  of  olive,  or  a palm 
branch.  The  meaning  of  these  various  attitudes 


SECURITAS. 

and  attributes  is  on  the  whole  too  evident  to 
require  explanation.  There  arc  medals  of  nearly 
all  the  emperors  (with  flagrant  inappropriateness 
to  most  of  the  reigns)  from  Otho  and  Yitellius  to 
Coustaus  and  Constantins  jun.,  which  have  for  the 
type  of  their  reverses  this  figure  of  Security,  and 
present  for  their  legend  the  word  SECVRITAS, 
with  the  addition  of  the  words,  avgvsti,  or 
avovstorvm  (security  of  the  emperor  or  of  the 
emperors);  orb  is  (security  of  the  world); 
pvblica  (public  security) ; perpetva  (perpetual 
security) ; popvli  romani  (security  of  the 
Roman  people) ; tempobvm  (of  the  Times) ; 
imperii  (of  the  empire)  ; saecvli  (of  the  age) ; 
repvblicae  (of  the  republic),  &c. 

SECVRITAS.  AVGG. — The  emperor  in  a 
triumphal  quadriga,  with  an  olive  branch  in  his 
right  haud. — On  a gold  coin  of  Licinius  Pater. 

The  security  boasted  of  by  the  base-born  and 
brutal  priuce,  who  caused  this  medal  to  be  struck, 
is  considered  by  Eckhel  as  indicated  to  have  been 
obtained  in  the  first  place  by  the  defeat  of 
Maxentius,  and  afterwards  by  that  of  Maximinus 
Daza,  [after  whose  death  Liciuius  and  Constan- 
tinus  (the  Augg  alluded  to  in  the  legend)  remained 
masters  of  the  empire,  the  former  receiving  for 
his  allotted  portion  the  eastern  provinces.]  And 
the  present  coin  proves  beyond  a doubt  that  the 
unruly  Licinius,  having  overthrown  his  rival, 
assumed  the  honours  of  the  triumph  in  some  city 
of  the  cast  for  a victory  gained  over  his  own 
countrymen.  The  more  modest  Constantine 
had  indeed  used  the  same  sort  of  inscription 
( Securitas  reipublicte),  but  with  a very  different 
type,  namely,  the  usual  figure  of  Security,  leaning 
on  a column. 

SECVRIT.  PER  PET.  DD.  NN.— The  usual 
type  and  attributes  of  Security. 

The  above  legend  appears  on  a middle  brass 
of  Galerius  Maximinus  (in  which,  by  the  way, 
the  mintmaster  has  blundered  the  word  Perpet. 
into  Pepret). — Erkhcl  is  of  opinion  that  this 
coin  was  struck  not  long  after  the  period  wheu 
Diocletian  and  Maxiiniauus  abdicated  the  imperial 
throne  which  they  had  filled  together  as  asso- 
ciated emperors;  aud  that  to  those  two  princes 
alone  belongs  the  inscription  of  its  reverse,  by 
which  securilas  perpetua  is  promised  to  them, 
under  the  care  and  management  of  new  Augusti 
and  Ciesars ; for  in  that  age  (beginning  ot  the 
fourth  century)  the  title  of  Dominus  Noster  was 
customarily  given  on  money  to  the  Augusti  only 
as  private  individuals,  but  it  was  soon  afterwards 
greedily  caught  at  both  by  Augusti  and  Caesares. 

SECVRI  TAS  PERPETVA. — Minerva  stand- 
ing, holding  iu  her  left  hand  a spear  reversed, 
and  resting  her  right  haud  on  a shield. — Silver 
of  Caraealla. 

SECVRITAS  P.  R.  Security  of  the  Roman 
People. — Gold  and  silver  of  Otho  bear  this 
legend  on  their  reverse,  with  the  type  of 
i Securitas  in  a matron’s  habit,  who,  lifting  the 
left  hand  to  her  head,  and  resting  her  elbow  on 
a chair,  sits  at  her  ease,  holding  the  hasta  pura 
in  her  right  hnnd. 

Eckhel  gives  the  above  as  a genuine  coin  from 
the  Imperial  Cabinet  of  Vicuna,  aud  alludes 


SECURITAS. 

to  another  published  in  MoreU,  which  is  more 
fully  inscribed  pop.  rom.  as  “seeming  to  be 
suspected.” — Rasche  quotes  from  the  Arscliot 
collection  a silver  medal  of  Titus  (to  whom 
indeed,  but  not  to  ephemeral  Otho,  the  legend 
might  have  been  dedicated  without  either  false- 
hood or  flatten’) ; but  Eckhel,  Mionuet,  and 
Akerman  arc  alike  ignorant  of  its  existence,  or 
more  than  doubtful  of  its  authenticity,  for  they 
take  no  notice  of  such  a coin  under  Titus.  On 
the  other  hand,  Eckhel  describes  from  the 
illustrious  museum  of  which  he  was  himself  the 
conservator,  a silver  coin  of  Vitellius  (rather  a 
gluttonous  guarantee  for  the  security  of  a 
people),  inscribed  secvritas  p.  r.,  with  a 
woman  seated  before  an  altar. — Mionnet,  who 
does  not  give  this  with  P.  R.,  quotes  one  as 
reading  secvritas  p.  romani,  and  affixes 
thereto  the  words  MedaiUe  Suspect e. — Mr. 
Akerman’s  Catalogue  contains  neither  of  the 
above  uuder  Vitellius,  but  ascribes  to  that 
Emperor’s  mint  a gold  medal,  bearing  on  its 
reverse  secvritas  imp.  german,  and  the  figure 
of  a female  seated,  which  is  not  iu  either  Eckhel 
or  Mionnet. 

SECVRITAS  PVBLICA— This  legend 
(which  for  once,  and  only  once,  in  the  whole 
imperial  series  of  coins,  was  well  applied  in  the 
case  of  M.  Aurelius)  appears  on  a third  brass  of 
Hanniballianus (brother  of  Delmatius, and  nephew 
of  Constantine,  who  was  murdered  a.d.  337). 
It  claims  remark  only  on  account  of  the  unusual 
type,  namely,  a river  god  reclining  on  the 
ground,  his  right  hand  resting  on  a staff,  near 
him  is  an  uni  whence  water  issues  forth,  and 
also  a reed. — On  the  exergue,  cons. — There  is 
another  coin  of  the  same  unfortunate  young 
prince,  inscribed  secvritas  reipvbi.icae,  with 
a similar  type  to  the  above,  published  by 
Banduri. — It  is  the  conjecture  of  Tristan  that 
the  river  here  meant  is  the  Euphrates,  which 
divides  Cappadocia  from  Syria  and  Armenia, 
and  which  afforded  some  sort  of  security  (a  very 
poor  one  it  must  be  confessed)  to  the  former 
province,  of  which,  together  with  Pontus  and 
Armenia,  the  government,  with  the  title  of 
king,  had  been  assigned  to  Hanniballianus  by 
his  uncle  Constantine. 

SECVRITAS  REIPVB/itvp. — A bull  stand- 
ing : above  its  head  are  two  stars  ; on  some  there 
is  a crown  near  the  bull,  on  which  an  eagle 
stands.  In  the  exergue  are  the  names  of  various 
cities. — Secoud  brass  of  Julianus  II. 

Of  this  type  on  medals  of  Julian,  Socrates 
and  Sozomenus  (says  Eckhel)  have  made  mention. 
Namely,  that  the  townsmen  of  Antioch  falling 
short  of  provisions,  and  the  emperor  being 
present,  as  they  were  of  their  own  peculiar 
inclination  given  to  banter  and  jest,  said  that  a 
bull  should  be  engraved  on  coins,  and  the  whole 
world  (orbis  terrarum)  be  perverted  by  its 
example.  For,  as  Socrates  explains  the  point 
(of  this  joke),  Julian,  when  continually  immo- 
lating bulls  on  the  altars  of  the  gods,  com- 
manded an  altar  and  a bull  to  be  engraved  on 
coins. — As  to  what  relates  to  the  altar,  Socrates 
is  certainly  in  error,  for  among  the  many  coins 


SECURITAS.  727 

that  are  extant  with  this  type,  not  one  has 
hitherto  been  found  with  the  aforesaid  altar. 
Nor  has  Sozomenus  alluded  to  it. — Neither  does 
Banduri  agree  with  Socrates  respecting  the 
reason  why  such  like  coins  were  struck.  For, 
judging  from  Julian’s  pertinacious  adherence  to 
the  superstition  of  the  Egyptians,  he  is  of  opinion 
that  by  the  bull  standing  with  two  stars  are  to 
be  understood  Mnevis  [oneof  theoxen  worshipped 
as  the  living  symbol  of  the  Nile,  and]  con- 
secrated to  the  sun  [Osiris],  and  Apis  [another 
“ sacred”  bull  also  adored  by  the  people  of 
Egypt]  consecrated  to  the  moon  [Isis],  In 
good  earnest,  Ammianus  relates  that,  at  the 
time  he  (Julian)  tarried  at  Antioch,  the  new 
Apis,  having  been  diligently  sought  for  in 
Egypt,  was  at  last  found.— Coins  of  the  kind  in 
question  (adds  Eckhel),  besides  being  collected 
in  astonishing  numbers,  also  serve  this  purpose — 
that,  on  the  lower  part,  they  shew  the  cities 
from  whose  respective  miuts  they  were  issued, 
and  that  more  distinctly  than  other  monies 
exhibit  them.  Accordingly,  there  may  be  read 
on  them — ant.,  AqviL.,  cons.,  cyzic.,  heracl., 
LVGI).,  NIC.,  SIRM.,  SIS.,  TES.,  with  the  addition 
of  various  arithmetical  signs,  cither  in  Latin  or 
in  Greek  characters,  thus  serving  very  clearly  to 
explain  the  mint-marks  ol  that  age.  On  other 
medals  of  the  same  emperor,  especially  those 
of  the  Vota,  there  is  a careful  notation  of 
the  cities  [wherein  they  were  struck],  amongst 
which  is  also  found  vrb.  rom.  (the  city  of 
Rome). 

The  same  legend  of  secvritas  reipvbucae, 
but  with  a type  more  worthy  of  a Roman  coin 
than  the  above  favourite  of  Julian  (the  beast 
worshipper),  appears  on  a gold  and  third  brass 
of  Flavia  Helena.  On  these  the  Security  of  the 
Commonwealth  is  personified  by  a woman  in 
the  stola,  standing  with  a branch  in  her  right 
hand. — In  the  exergue  smt. 

Mr.  Akerman,  in  noticing  this  type  in  gold, 
observes  that  it  brought  £23  at  the  sale  of  the 
Trattle  collection.  It  is  valued  at  1000  francs 
by  Mionnet,  who  says  a coin  of  modern  fabric 
is  known,  bearing  on  the  exergue  smr. 

SEC V RITAS  REI PV BLICAE. — Thislegend, 
but  with  types  of  a very  different  kind  to  those 
on  Julian’s,  and  likewise  varying  from  each 
other,  also  appear  on  coins  of  that  philosophical 
pantheist’s  nominally  Christian  successor,  Jovian. 
— One  of  these  (in  gold)  exhibits  two  women 
sitting,  the  right  hand  one  of  whom  wears  a 
helmet,  she  to  the  left  having  her  head  turreted, 
a spear  in  her  left  hand,  aud  her  left  foot  on  the 
prow’  of  a ship.  They  together  hold  a buckler, 
inscribed  vot.  v.  mvi.t.  x.,  on  the  exergue  sirm. 
or  the  like. — A similar  type,  but  with  Gloria 
instead  of  secvritas,  appears  on  gold  of  Con- 
stantinus  II.  in  Hus.  Cces. — On  others  (in  gold 
and  silver),  the  emperor  standing  in  a military 
habit  holds  in  his  right  hand  a labarum,  with 
the  monogram  of  Christ,  and  iu  his  left  a globe, 
a captive  sitting  at  his  feet. — The  silver  of  this 
epigraph,  with  the  last  described  type,  arc  in  the 
highest  degree  of  rarity,  one  of  which  Eckhel 
records  as  being  iu  the  Imperial  Museum  at 


728 


SECURITAS.— SEGETIA. 


Vienna. — A female  figure  draped,  standing,  and 
holding  a branch.  See  hei.ena. 

SECVR1TAS  TEMPORVM— Security  rest- 
ing her  elbow  on  a column,  and  holding  the 
hasta. — Silver  and  gold,  and  second  brass  coins 
of  Macrinus  bear  this  legend,  with  the  usual 
type  of  Security.  And,  perhaps,  so  far  as 
reasonable  hopes  seemed  to  be  warranted  by  the 
appearance  and  prospect  of  things  at  the  outset 
of  this  emperor’s  accession  to  the  throne  of  the 
Cscsars,  it  may  be  remarked  in  reference  to  the 
epigraph  of  the  present  medal  (what  Vaillant 
says,  Pr.  ii.  vol.  2 p.  264,  of  another  of  the 
same  reign,  inscribed  feucitas  temporvm), 
that  it  was  not  to  he  wondered  at  if  Macrinus 
became  an  object  of  eulogy  on  the  ground  of 
having  restored  Security  to  the  Times  in  which 
he  was  elevated  by  the  acclamation  of  the  whole 
senate  to  the  supreme  rank  and  honours  of  the 
Augusti ; for  Herodianus  says — Neque  vero 
tantopere gaudebant  omnes  Macrini  successions, 
quantopere  exultabant  festamque  latitiam  uni- 
versi  agitabant,  quod,  Antonino  (Caracalla) 
liberati  essent.  Indeed,  the  fratricidal,  and 
would  have  been  parricidal,  son  of  Scverus  had 
long  been  looked  upon  as  the  most  cruel  tyrant 
of  Rome,  beloved  only  by  a venal  soldiery, 
whom  his  largesses  had  euriched,  and  whom  his 
ruffianism  encouraged  in  their  profligacy. 

Segetia,  or  Segesta,  so  called  from  segetes ; 
was  supposed  to  preside  over  wheat  and  other 
corn  when  they  appeared 
above  ground. — Cum  verb 
jam  super  terram  essent, 
says  St.  Augustin  (De 
Civil.  Dei),  et  segetem 
I facerent  Dram  Segitiam 
praposuerunt.  We  are 
informed  by  Millin  (in 
his  Dictionnaire  de  la 
Fable)  that  this  female 
deity  was  invoked  for  the  fields  at  seed  time, 
under  the  name  of  Seia,  and  that  she  was  not 
called  Segetia  until  the  plant  had  grown  ttp. 

The  virtuous  and  beneficent,  though  in  a 
religious  sense  benighted  and  ignorant,  Salonina, 
wife  of  Gallienus,  paid  peculiar  worship  to  this 
goddess,  as  is  attested  by  those  coins  of  hers 
inscribed  deae  segetiae.  It  was  that  exemplary 
princess  who  took  npon  herself,  in  a time  of 
great  public  calamity,  the  care  of  procuring  a 
plentiful  supply  of  provisions  for  the  population 
of  Rome,  and  it  was  her  real  sentiment  of  piety, 
however  mistaken  and  ill-directed,  which  caused 
her  ttf  build  in  that  city  a temple  to  the  rural 
divinity,  who,  under  the  above  name,  was 
supposed  to  yield  her  special  protection  to  the 
crops  of  corn  and  other  grain  at  the  time  of 
harvest. — See  Deae  Segetia. 

Segobriga  (now  Segorbe),  a city  of  the 
Ce/tiberi,  in  Iiispania  Tarraconensis  (part  of 
modern  Arragon  and  Valencia),  respecting 
which  and  Bilbilis  Scrtorius  and  Mctcllus  waged 
a bloody  war.  It  was  a Roman  municipium, 
possessing  the  privileges  of  the  jus  Ita/icum, 
and  its  imperial  coins  bear  successively  the 
heads  of  Augustus,  Tiberius,  and  Caligula, 


SELLA  CURULIS. 

with  segobriga  within  an  oaken  crown,  on 
their  reverse. — There  are  no  others  of  this 
Roman  station. 

Sella  Curulis. — The  cnrule  chair  was  a seat  of 
dignity,  of  which  the  Romans,  it  is  believed, 
first  adopted  the  use  under  king  Tarquinius 
Prisons,  having  borrowed  it  from  the  Etruscans, 
from  whom  they  copied  many  other  customs 
besides  this,  and  on  whose  monuments  a chair  of 
similar  form  often  presents  itself.  Numa  had 
already  granted  it  to  the  F/amen  of  Jupiter  as  a 
mark  of  his  poutificial  otfice.  It  was  made  of, 
or  at  least  covered  with,  ivory,  high  and  orna- 
mented with  engraved  signs  and  figures,  sup- 
ported on  four  carved  feet,  in  form  almost  like 
two  pair  of  horse  shoes,  each  pair  placed  inversely 
one  above  the  other,  as  is  shown  on  several 
family  coins. — After  the  change  from  monarchical 
to  republican  government  at  Rome,  the  sella 
curulis  was  appropriated,  as  a peculiar  mark  of 
their  high  office,  to  dictators,  consuls,  prietors, 
censors,  ediles,  and  also  to  the  prefect  of  the 
city  (prefectus  urbis),  who  for  that  reason  were 
called  curu/e  magistrates.  The  pontiffs  and  the 
vestals  likewise  had  the  right  of  the  cnrule  chair. 
But  neither  the  questores  nor  the  tribunes  were 
honoured  with  a similar  distinction.  The  high 
magistrates  endowed  with  the  jus  sella  curulis 
were  at  liberty  to  have  it  carried  with  them 
wherever  they  went,  not  only  at  home,  but  also 
extra  urbem,  if  sent  on  any  military  expedition, 
or  appointed  to  administer  the  government  of  any 
province. 

Sella  Curulis. — On  a denarius  of  the  Cornelia 
family  appears  a curule  chair,  between  the  lituus 
and  a garland;  with  legend  of  svi.la.  cos.  q. 
fompei.  rvp. — Rev.  rvfvs.  cos.  q.  POMPEI. 
q.  f. — A curule  chair,  between  an  arrow  and  a 
branch  of  laurel. 

This  silver  coin  records  the  eolleagueship  of 
the  celebrated  L.  Cornelius  Sulla  and  Q.  Pompeius 
Rufus,  who  made  the  processus  consu/aris 
together  in  the  year  of  Rome  666. — In  these 
types  the  curule  chair  indicates  the  supreme 
honour  of  the  consulate  enjoyed  by  Sulla ; the 
lituus  shows  the  augural  dignity  with  which  he 
was  also  invested.  The  other  attributes  are  of 
doubtful  signification. — Sec  Cornelia. 

On  one  denarius  of  the  Lollia  family  we  see  a 
laurel  crown,  and  on  one  of  the  Norbana  family 
a helmet,  placed  on  a curule  chair.  On  another 
the  sella  curulis  is  placed  betweeu  two  corn  ears. 

The  Sella  Curulis  appears  on  coins  of  the 
Furia  and  other  families,  between  two  fasces, 
with  the  secures.  This  is  considered  to  indicate 
the  provincial  prietorship  of  the  individual,  or 
of  the  ancestor  of  the  individual,  brocciivs, 
who,  as  mouctal  iiivir,  struck  the  coin.  On  a 
coin  of  the  Livineia  family,  the  curule  chair 
stands  betweeu  six  fasces  without  the  secures, 
viz.,  three  on  each  side. — This  denarius,  which 
bears  on  its  obverse  the  bare  head  of  a man,  was 
struck  by  h.  livineivs  regvlvs,  who,  as  the 
words  praef.  vrb.  intimates,  was  (according  to 
the  opinion  of  Havereamp)  one  of  the  prefects 
of  the  city,  whom  Julius  Cirsar,  on  going 
into  Spain,  left  at  Rome,  as  Dion  states,  and 


SELLA  CURULIS. 

who  assumed  to  himself  the  jus  lictorum  et 
sella  curulit.  And  the  circumstance  of  the 
fasces,  wanting,  in  this  instance,  the  secures  (or 
axes),  serves  to  support  the  doctrine  of  Spauheim 
that  those  edged  tools  were  additions  not  tolerated 
during  the  consular  government  as  part  of  the 
insignia  of  the  Urban  Prefects. 

The  Sella  Curulis  appears  on  a denarius  of 
M.  PLAETOKIVS,  whose  office  is  also  verbally 
expressed  by  aei>.  cvr.  Cicero  himself  has 
commemorated  ( Pro  A.  Cluentio)  the  curule 
edileship  of  that  eminent  magistrate. 

Sella  aurea  el  corona. — A curule  chair  of 
gold  and  a crown  were  decreed  by  the  senate  to 
honour  the  memory  of  Julius  Ciesar. 

In  reference  to  this  fact,  a sella  curulis,  upon 
which  is  a laurel  crown,  presents  itself  ou  a 
silver  coin,  struck  in  honour  of  Julius  after  his 
death  by  order  of  Octavianus,  his  adopted  son 
and  heir,  whose  head  (caesar  iiivir.  e.  p.  c.) 
is  on  the  obverse.  (See  Morcll’s  Pam.  Julia, 
tab.  7).  In  this  instance  the  curule  chair  itself 
bears  the  inscription  Caesar  Die.  pee.  ; in 
others  there  is  ex.  s.  c.  in  the  field.  It  was 
doubtless  the  sella  decreed  among  other  honours 
by  the  senate  as  related  by  Dion. 

(Duse)  Sella;  Carules. — Rasche  says  that  to 
the  above-mentioned  ceremony  of  placing  magis- 
terial mementos  of  illustrious  personages,  even 
when  absent  or  dead,  iu  the  theatres  at  Rome, 
is  to  be  referred  the  circumstance  of  two  curule 
chairs  appearing  on  silver  coins  dedicated  to 
Vespasian  and  Titus  after  their  death  aud  conse- 
cration. But  with  this  remark  of  the  learned 
lexicographer,  I do  not  find  any  coin  in  Morell 
or  elsewhere  to  correspond.  A gold  coin  bear- 
ing a type  of  the  same  character,  having  a curule 
chair  with  a laurel  crown  upon  it,  occsirs  in  the 
case  of  Titus,  but  struck  during  his  lifetime,  as 
its  inscription  (tr.  p.  ix.  imp.  xv.  cos.  vm.  p.  p.) 
manifestly  shows. — This  custom,  however,  seems 
to  have  been  revived  amongst  the  Romans  from 
the  usages  of  the  old  republic,  during  which,  at 
funerals  of  illustrious  men,  the  effigies  of  their 
ancestors  were  placed  in  ivory  chairs,  such  as 
were  the  sella  curules. — Scats  of  this  kind  were 
placed  in  the  theatres  in  honour  not  only  of 
deceased  or  absent  emperors,  but  also  of  their 
wives,  as  in  the  instance  of  Faustina,  empress 
of  Antoninus  Pius,  or  of  their  relations  and 
progeny,  as  in  the  case  of  Marcellus  and  Ger- 
mauicus. — By  degrees  also  it  was  so  ordered,  that 
not  merely  one  chair  of  this  sort  was  assigned  to 
one  emperor,  but,  out  of  greater  rcvcrcucc  for 
the  defunct  Augustus,  several  of  them  were  in 
this  manner  publicly  dedicated,  as  in  the  case  of 
l’ertinax,  at  whose  death  three  seller  curules  were 
so  appropriated.  Spauheim,  Pr.  ii.  p.  210. — 
The  same  honours  of  the  sella  were  sometimes 
exhibited  in  temples  to  the  Cmsars. 

Sella  curulis,  supra  quam  fulmen. — A curule 
seat,  with  a thunderbolt  upon  it,  appears  on 
gold  and  silver  of  Vespasian,  inscribed  imp 
caes  tuaian,  &c.,  rest. — It  is  well  known 
(says  Yaillant)  that  the  fulmen  is  a symbol  of 
imperial  power,  and  we  see  it  on  this  coin  de- 
posited on  the  sella  curulis  in  memory  of  the 
5 A 


SEMP.  729 

consecrated  Vespasian.  This  was  also  placed  iu 
a temple  as  a sign  of  the  highest  respect  for  the 
new  deity,  the  remembrance  of  which  honour 
paid  to  so  great  a prince  Trajau  has  here  re- 
stored.— A similar  restitution  by  the  same  em- 
peror is  also  extant,  of  which  Titus's  consecra- 
tion is  in  like  manner  the  object  of  reverence. 

Sella  Imperatoria,  called  also  Castrensis,  was 
the  curule  chair  which  the  geucrals  of  a Roman 
army,  in  the  time  of  the  republic,  used  when  in 
camp  with  their  troops,  aud  which  afterwards 
became  the  throne  of  the  emperors. 

Sella  Principle  Juvcntulis. — A chair  was 
given,  as  a token  of  honour,  to  such  sons  of 
emperors  as  were  graced  with  the  title  of 
Prince  of  the  (Roman)  Youth.  A seat  with  an 
anaclinlerium,  or  back,  richly  ornamented,  aud 
with  a stragulum,  or  embroidered  cover,  spread 
over  it,  is  elaborately  figured  on  the  reverse  of  a 
silver  coin  of  Domitian,  with  the  inscription 
PRINCEPS  IWENTVTw;  on  the  obverse 
appear  CAES.  DIVI.  F.  DOMIT1ANVS.  COS. 
VII.,  and  the  laureated  head  of  that  emperor, 
who,  in  his  seventh  consulate,  on  the  death  of 
his  father,  was  declared  by  his  brother  Titus 
partner  with  and  successor  to  him  in  the 
empire  ( imperii  consors  et  successor J,  aud 'to 
whom  a chair  of  this  ornamental  aud  honorary 
description  was  assigned. — In  Morell  is  an  en- 
graving of  the  above  coin,  and  the  commentary 
of  Gorias  thereupon,  who  says  : that  “ the  sella 
was  classed  amongst  those  decorations  with 
which  the  sons  of  emperors  were  endowed,  as 
soon  as  they  were  called  Ccesars,  may  be 
gathered  from  Tacitus  ('Hist.  1.  iv.  c.  i.),  who 
says  respecting  Domitian  : Nomen  SEDEMQVE 
CAESARIS  JJomitianus  acccperal ; it  is  there- 
fore not  surprising  if  on  his  medals  the  sella 
is  so  often  assigned  to  him.” 

Sella  Junonis,  or  Matronalis. — This  was  a 
seat  on  which  matrons  at  Rome  performed 
sacred  rites  to  the  goddess  Juno,  lienee  on 
Roman  coins  (as  in  Faustina  sen.),  a curule 
chair,  traversed  by  a hasta,  or  a sceptre,  is 
used  as  a symbol  of  Juno,  to  designate  the 
consecration  of  Augusta;. 

Semis,  or  Semissis,  or  Semi  as,  the  half  as, 
indicating  half  a pound,  weighed  at  first  six 
ounces.  But  when  the  Roman  commonwealth 
found  itself  unequal  to  meet  the  expenses 
incurred  from  the  Punic  wars,  it  began  to 
diminish  the  weight  of  this  early  piece  of  brass 
money.  Besides  the  face  of  Jupiter,  there  were 
struck  on  the  semisses  the  heads  of  Apollo, 
Hercules,  Mars,  Pallas,  Rome,  &c.  But  the 
ship  of  Saturn  (represented  by  the  prow  of  a 
galley)  was  impressed  on  the  reverse  side  of 
most  of  them.  And  for  the  most  part,  on  each 
field  of  the  coin,  is  the  mark  S,  (or  the  same 

reversed  S,  or  lying  </>,)  or  six  globules 

Many  of  these  coins  bear  the  names  of  Roman 
families. — See  As  Romanus,  and  its  parts  illus- 
trated. 

SEMP.  Semper. — semp.  avg.  Semper 

Augustus. — This  title  (according  to  Banduri)  is 
seen  first  on  coins  as  given  to  the  Emperor 
Julian  II. — [It  seems  but  another  mode  of  ex- 


730  SEM  PRONI A . — SEN  ATU  S . 

pressing  the  permanent  possession  of  the  im- 
perial dignity  by  the  reigning  prince,  as  implied, 
is  the  PERPefeus  IMP erator,  and  the  PERP. 
AVG.  of  an  earlier  period,  as  in  Probus,  and  in 
Constantius  II.] 

Sempronia. — The  surnames  of  this  Roman 
family  as  they  appear  on  coins  arc  At  rat  in  us, 
Graccus,  and  Pitio.  Of  these  (as  Livy  shews) 
the  Atratini  were  patricians,  the  Gracchi  ple- 
beians ; of  what  order  were  the  Pitiones  is 
uncertain. — Although  Morell  gives  twenty-two 
varieties,  in  silver  and  first  brass,  yet  the  types 
are,  as  Mr.  Akerman  observes,  “for  the  most 
part  uninteresting;  consisting  of  the  winged 
head  of  Minerva,  with  the  reverse  of  the 
Dioscuri.” — A very  rare  gold  coin,  bearing  on 
its  obverse  the  moderately  bearded  face  of 
Octavian,  with  divi  ivli.  f.,  and  on  its  reverse 
a female  figure  holding  rudder  and  cornucopiie, 
together  with  the  imposing  inscription  of  ti. 
SEMPKONIVS  GRACCVS  1III.VIR.  Q.  DES1G.  has 
given  rise  to  a dissertation  of  Havcrcainp’s,  in 
which  Eckhel  finds  him  to  have  twice  shewn 
symptoms  of  somnolence  (bis  dormitat)  ; and 
about  which  nothing  of  consequence  seems  pro- 
bable than  what  the  coin  itself  indicates,  viz., 
that  this  Graccus  (of  plebeian  parentage,  to  say 
nothing  “ de  sedilione”  of  his  famous  agitating 
ancestors,)  officiated  as  Quatuor  vir  monetalis 
to  Augustus,  and  at  the  time  when  he  struck 
the  coin  was  Quicstor  elect. — There  are  silver 
pieces  of  this  family  coined  by  the  mintmasters 
of  Julius  Ca:6ar  and  Augustus.  The  brass  are 
either  the  as,  or  parts  of  the  as. 

SEN.  Senatus. — See  mat.  sen.  mat.  pat. 
Mater  Senatus,  Mater  Patna  of  Julia  Domna. 

SEN.  Senior  or  Seniori. — This  title  is 
frequently  read  on  coins  of  the  Emperors 
Diocletian  and  Maximian,  to  indicate  (Spanheim 
observes),  or  to  explain  the  cause  of  their  both 
abdicating  the  government  at  the  time  when 
the  strength  of  Maximian  was  still  unimpaired. 

SENAT.  Senatus. — See  gonsensv  senat., 
&c.  Consensu  Senatus,  tyc.,  as  in  Augustus. 

SENAT. — See  pater  senat.  of  Coininodus, 
and  patres  senat.  of  Balbinns. 

SENATVS. — The  emperor  in  imperial  or 
senatorial  habit,  richly  ornamented  with  the 
clavus  latus,  holding  in  his  right  hand  a globe, 


and  in  his  left  a sceptre.  In  the  exergue  smts. 
This  beautiful  gold  medallion  of  Constantine 
the  Great  forms  the  vignette  to  the  second 
volume  of  Mr.  Akcrmnn’s  “ Rare  and  Unedited 
Roman  Coins.”  lie  observes  it  is  most  pro-  ! 


SENATUS. 

bably  unique.  The  obverse  shews  the  bust  of 
Constantine  arrayed  in  robes  covered  with 
ornament,  holding  a globe  in  his  left  hand  ; and 
a sceptre,  surmounted  by  an  eagle,  in  the  right. 
It  was  struck  at  Treves,  in  compliment  to  the 
emperor  and  the  senate. 

SENATVS NYS. — Victory  walking, 

holds  a shield  in  her  right  hand,  on  which  is 
inscribed  vi.  av. 

Eckhel  gives  the  above  from  a silver  coin  of 
Vitcllius,  in  the  imperial  cabinet,  and,  filling  up 
the  letters  which  are  wanting  in  the  legend  thus : 
SENATVS  JtomaNYS,  he  remarks  that  tlm 
inscription  appears  in  this  case  for  the  first  time 
on  the  coinage  of  the  Romans.  “ By  its  type 
(lie  adds)  the  senate  rejoices  at  the  August  Victory 
(Victoria  Wgusta ) gained  by  Yitellius  over 
Otho.” — Vol.  vi.  p.  317. 

SENATVS.— See  EX  SENATVS  CON- 
SVLTO. — GENIO  SENATVS  P.  Q.  R.,  in 
Gallicnus. — M A'lVr  SENatoz,  a title  given  to 
Julia  Domna. — PATER  SENATVS,  in  Coin- 
modus.— PATRES  SENATVS,  in  Balbinus. 
PIETATI  SENATVS,  in  Commodus. 

Senatus,  Senate,  or  assembly  of  senators,  the 
name  given  (from  series,  because,  at  first,  elders 
alone,  on  account  of  their  experience  and  sup- 
posed prudence,  were  alone  selected  for  mem- 
bers) to  that  council  of  state,  which  Romulus 
instituted  to  assist  him  in  the  government  of 
his  infant  kingdom,  and  to  regulate  its  public 
affairs,  durine  his  absence  on  any  warlike 
expedition.  The  original  number  ap|>ointcd  by 
the  founder  of  Rome  was  one  hundred,  and 
these  being  chosen  from  the  oldest,  as  well  as 
the  wealthiest  and  wisest  of  the  citizens,  were 
called  patricians,  from  the  word  pater. — Tar- 
quinius  Priscus  (himself  a novus  homo  and  of 
foreign  descent)  was  the  first  who,  from  amoug 
the  most  eminent  of  the  commonalty  (plebesj, 
took  another  hundred  men  of  advanced  age,  and 
conferred  upon  them  the  senatorial  title  and 
dignity.  It  was  the  object  of  Romulus,  in 
creating  the  senate,  to  establish  a body  who 
should  perform  a leading  part  in  the  administra- 
tion of  government,  and  occasionally  to  com- 
mand in  his  place.  His  successors  supported 
it  in  the  exercise  of  this  great  authority  until 
Tarquin  the  Proud  began  to  reign ; and  he, 
according  to  Livy,  abolished  their  former  pre- 
rogatives ; had  a council  of  his  own,  consulting 
neither  senate  nor  people,  but  made  peace  and 
war,  treaties  and  alliances,  with  whom  he 
pleased.  After  the  expulsion  of  that  tyrant, 
and  the  abolition  of  the  Roman  monarchy,  the 
first  consuls,  in  order  to  supply  the  places  of 
those  whom  Tarquin  had  slain,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  augment  the  order,  made  it  to  consist 
of  three  hundred.  It  was  at  this  cpocha  that 
the  senate  possessed  its  highest  degree  of 
political  power.  It  then  became  nbsolute 
master  of  the  commonwealth,  and  a senatus 
consultant  was  the  sole  channel  of  information 
about  public  matters  to  “ the  masses."  The 
people,  in  fact,  appeared  to  have  enjoyed  in- 
finitely less  liberty  under  the  consular  govern- 
ment than  had  been  granted  by  Romulus,  and 


SENATUS. 

continued  to  them  by  the  majority  of  their  kings. 
For  the  insupportable  weight  of  the  Patrician 
yoke  the  people  revolted  in  the  year  v.c.  259, 
and  their  retreat  to  Mous  Sacer  proved  the 
means  of  obtaining  for  them  the  right  of  electing 
Tribunes  as  the  peculiar  magistracy  of  the  Ple- 
beians ; and  the  subsequent  law  by  which,  on  the 
occasion  of  the  all'air  of  Coriolanus,  every  ltoman 
citizen,  without  respect  for  order  or  diguity, 
should  be  compelled  to  answer,  when  duly  sum- 
moned to  appear,  before  the  people  assembled  in 
comilia  by  tribes ; the  patricians  having  pre- 
viously acknowledged  themselves  amenable  to 
no  other  judges  than  the  senate  itself.  But, 
although  thus  materially  shorn  of  its  over  pre- 
dominating power,  this  aristocratic  and  justly 
influential  body  still  remained  the  sole  guardiau 
of  the  public  treasure  ; it  took  cognizance  of  all 
political  affairs  committed  in  Italy,  retained  the 
right  of  sending  ambassadors  to,  and  of  receiving 
envoys  from,  foreign  princes  and  states  ; it  con- 
tinued to  exercise  the  prerogative  of  decreeing 
triumphs,  of  receiving  the  despatches  trans- 
'mitted  by  those  who  commanded  the  Roman 
armies ; and  in  great  emergencies  of  ordering  the 
consuls  to  raise  forces  for  the  preservation  of 
the  state.  The  senate  was  moreover  entrusted 
with  the  superintendence  of  all  that  concerned 
the  festival  rites  and  the  functionaries  of  religion. 
In  a word,  so  long  a3  the  free  republic  lasted, 
it  was  regarded  by  all  as  the  sacred  head,  the 
perpetual  council,  the  support,  defender,  and 
preserver  of  the  commonwealth.  Three  hun- 
dred remained  the  number  of  the  senate  up  to 
the  age  of  Sylla.  And,  although  the  amount 
to  which  he  increased  it  cannot  be  precisely 
ascertained,  yet  probably  it  then  exceeded  four 
hundred,  which  was  the  number  in  Cicero’s 
time,  as  may  be  gathered  from  his  letters  to 
Atticus. — When  the  empire  supplanted  the 
republic  a corresponding  change  took  place  in 
the  constitution  of  the  senate,  which  had  already 
been  enormously  increased  by  Julius  Ciesar. 
(Dion  says  to  uine  hundred,  and  Suetonius  carries 
it  to  one  thousand).  But  as  a great  many  of 
these  new  members  were  totally  unworthy  of 
the  honour  (for  strangers  from  Gaul  and  else- 
where had  been  introduced  into  association  with 
the  patres  conscripti  of  Rome)  Augustus  sig- 
nalised his  accession  to  supreme  power,  amongst 
other  things,  by  bringing  the  senate  back  again 
to  the  numbers,  and  restoring  it  to  the  out- 
ward splendour  which  it  had  before  the  civil 
war ; or,  perhaps,  he  permitted  it  to  be  numeri- 
cally greater,  as,  according  to  Dion,  it  then 
consisted  barely  of  six  hundred  senators ; and, 
although  succeeding  emperors  sometimes  made 
augmentations,  its  average  number  was  never 
afterwards  much  more.  The  revolution,  still 
rejecting  the  name  of  King,  gave  a monarchical 
form  to  the  government,  and  soon  influenced  the 
positiou  of  the  senate.  Augustus’s  appointment 
of  a distinct  council  of  state  was  the  first  blow 
struck  at  the  pristine  authority  of  that  celebrated 
assembly.  Tiberius  managed  step  by  step  to 
deprive  it  of  executive  power  in  matters  of  any 
leading  importance.  There  was,  indeed,  a show 
5 A 2 


SENATUS.  731 

of  re-establishing  the  senate  in  its  old  rights 
under  Nero ; but  Tacitus,  who  alludes  to  the 
circumstance,  observes  that  it  was  a mere 
disguise  of  that  prince,  who,  under  some  such 
a fair  outside,  sought  to  mask  his  real  inten- 
tions, which  soon  betrayed  themselves  in  the 
most  atrocious  encroachments.  Succeeding 
Ctesars,  equally  arbitrary,  and  some  of  them 
still  more  artful,  proceeded  in  the  gradual  but 
effectual  task  of  robbing  this  powerful  and  once 
majestic  body  of  all  its  state  privileges,  and  of 
erecting  imperial  despotism  on  the  ruin,  humilia- 
tion, and  disgrace  of  the  senatorial  order. 

Senatus  Consultum. — See  s.  c. 

SENATVS.  PIETATI.  AVGVSTI.  S.  C.— 
On  an  elegant  first  brass  of  Galba,  with  the 
foregoing  legend,  a senator  is  represented  in  the 
act  of  crowning  the  emperor.  Ilavercamp,  in 
his  commentary  on  Morell’s  engraving  of  this 
coin,  says  he  has  no  doubt  but  that  this  remark- 
able type  refers  to  two  similar  statues,  which 
were  erected  at  Rome  by  a decree  of  the  senate 
in  honour  of  Galba.  For  he  is  here  seen  crowned 
by  the  senate,  or  by  the  Genius  of  the  senate,  a 
rite  originally  performed  among  the  Greeks  at 
the  ceremony  of  raising  statues,  and  which  seems 
to  have  been  adopted  from  them  by  the  Romans. 
As  to  the  Piety  celebrated  on  this  medal,  the 
same  numismatist  regards  it  as  an  allusion  to 
that  display  of  modesty  which  distinguished  the 
conduct  of  Galba,  who  shunned  the  appearance 
of  assuming  the  empire  without  the  consent  of 
the  senate,  and  who,  after  he  had  revolted  from 
Nero  and  been  saluted  as  emperor  by  the  army, 
had  the  prudent  shrewdness  (as  Suetonius  relates) 
to  call  himself  only  Legatum  Senatus  ac  Populi 
Romani. — See  genio  senatvs. 

SENATVS.  POPVLVSQVE.  ROMANVS. 
S.  C, — A column,  on  which  is  an  owl.  This 
legend  and  type  present  themselves  on  a first 
brass  of  Trajan.  And  in  reference  to  the 
column,  Ficorini,  in  his  dissertation  on  leaden 
coins,  has  expressed  an  opinion  that  it  was 
intended  to  represent  the  one  which  is  to  this 
day  seen  lying  on  the  ground  within  the  palace 
called  Curia  Innocenziana  on  Monte  Citorio  at 
Rome. 

SEN.  AVG. — Senior  Augustus,  additions  to 
the  title  of  the  Emperor  Vat.  Maximianus.  The 
word  Senior  appears  on  coins  of  Diocletian  and 
his  colleague  Maximian,  who  reserved  to  them- 
selves this  honour,  in  their  abdication  of  the 
empire. 

SEN.  ET.  P.  R. — See  vota  oebis,  &c.,  of 
Constantine  the  Great. 

Senes r,  an  old  man,  bearded,  with  a staff, 
which  a serpent  entwines  with  his  folds. — See 
/Escutapius. 

An  old  man  borne  on  the  shoulders  of  a 
younger. — Sec  Uerennia  family. 

SEN.  FORT.  IMP. — Senior  Fortissimus 
Imperator,  on  a consecration  medal  of  Val. 
Maximianus,  given  by  Banduri. 

Sentia,  a plebian  family,  from  which  sprang 
C.  SENTIVS,  who  served  as  tribune  of  the 
people  a. v.c.  651. — It  had  the  surname  of 
Salurninus. — Ou  the  obverse  of  one  of  the  many 


732  SENTIAM. — SEPFLLIA. 

denarii  of  this  family,  bearing  the  winged  head 
of  Pallas,  is  inscribed'  AUG.  PVB. — on  the 
reverse  is  the  name  L.  SENTIiw  C.  F. 

L.  SENT  ha  C aii  Yilius,  and  the  type 
Jupiter  in  a quadriga. — On  the  reverse  of 
another  denarius  we  read  L.  SATVRNmmm;  the 
type  being  a naked  man  driving  a four-horsed 
car  at  full  speed,  and  holding  up  in  his  right 
hand  a curved  knife. — It  is  not  clearly  known 
who  was  the  L.  Sentius  who  had  the  charge  of 
coining  these  earlier  denarii  (prions  denariis) 
out  of  the  public  silver — AUG entum  PVB lictim. 
As  to  what  the  naked  man  on  the  latter  coin 
holds  in  his  right  hand,  Eekhel  agrees  with 
Ilavcrcamp  in  pronouncing  it  to  be  the  falx  (or 
curved  reaping  hook),  and,  from  that  symbol 
recognizing  Saturn,  the  more  likely  to  be  figured 
by  Sentius  on  his  coins,  because  the  name  of 
that  deity  bore  allusion  to  his  own  cognomen  of 
Satuminus.  (See  Saturn .) — There  are  thirty- 
one  varieties,  but  differing  only  in  minute  par- 
ticulars. The  silver  common. 

SENTIAM. — Fortune  standing,  with  her 
rudder  and  cornucopia:. — Rev.  feliciteb,  with- 
out type. — These  appear  on  a leaden  coin,  or 
tessera,  of  the  third  magnitude ; and  Seguin  in 
his  Setecta  Num.  Antiq.  has  honoured  it  with  an 
attempt  at  explanation,  more  copious  and  much 
more  scrions  Ilian  merited  by,  or  elucidative  of, 
the  subject;  on  which  Baudclot,  in  his  Uti/ite 
des  Voyages,  is  judiciously  briefer,  but  scarcely 
more  luminous. — These  counters,  in  the  heaviest 
and  dullest  of  metals,  if  they  have  any  meaning, 
have  most  probably  reference  to  the  feelings  and 
fortunes  of  the  private  individual  who  caused 
them  to  be  struck, 

SEP.,  or  SEPT. — Septima,  an  appellation 
adopted  by  the  several  colonics  of  Laodicura  in 
Syria,  Sebastc  in  Palestine,  and  Tyrus  in 
Phoenicia,  from  the  praeuomen  of  their  founder, 
or  benefactor,  Septimius  Sevcrus. 

Septa,  places  in  the  Campus  Martius  at  Rome 
enclosed  with  rails,  in  which  the  people  were 
accustomed  to  assemble  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
their  votes.  From  the  resemblance  which  they 
originally  bore  to  sheep-folds,  these  septa  were 
also  called  oviles.  They  were  thirty-five  in 
number,  one  for  each  tribus  or  ward.  Built  at 
first  of  wood,  they  were  afterwards  more  solidly 
constructed,  and,  under  the  emperors,  shews  of 
gladiators  and  other  spectacles  were  occasionally 
given  in  them  to  the  people. — The  septa,  as  used 
for  the  purpose  of  collecting  the  popular  suffrages, 
arc  seen  depicted  on  denarii  of  the  Cocceia, 
Hostilia,  Licinia,  and  Mussidia  families. — v. 
suis  tods. 

Septem.  Septima,  Septimum. — This  number, 
seven,  we  find  written  on  Roman  coins  vn. — 
Thus,  VII.  vm.  Septemvir. — leg.  VII.  Legio 
Septima. — imp.  vn.  Imperator  Septimum. 

SEPVL.  Sepuf/ius. — Family  name  of  a 

Roman.— P.  sepvi..  macee.  Publius  Sipullius 
Macer. — See  SepuHia. 

SEPVLLIA,  a family  snrnamed  Mover,  known 
only  from  its  coins,  struck  in  silver  by  the 
moneyers  of  Julius  Caesar  and  Mark  Antony. — 
It  has  thus  been  1 he  instrument,  however,  of 


SEPCLLIA. — SERAPIS. 
handing  down  to  us  portraits  of  Julius  Cicsar  in 
various  attire,  and  with  different  inscriptions. 
And,  on  the  reverse  accompanying  the  names  of 
p.  sepvllivs  macee,  we  see  in  one  instance  the 
favourite  tutelary  of  the  Dictator,  Venus  VictrLc ; 
and  in  another  the  dedicatory  epigraph  clkmek- 
tiae  caesakis,  also  of  frequeut  occurrence  on 
the  coins  of  Julius. — The  following  is  one  of 
the  rarer  types  of  this  family  : — 

No  legend. — A veiled  head,  bearded,  before 
it  the  lituus,  behind  it  the  pncfericulum. 

Rev. — p.  sepvllivs  macee.  An  equestrian 
(Desuitor)  guiding  two  horses,  which  he  urges, 
on  w ith  raised  whip ; behind  is  a palm  branch 
and  a garland. 

The  veiled  head  on  this  denarius  is  considered 
to  be  that  of  Mark  Antony.  And  from  the 
circumstance  of  its  exhibiting  a beard  (the  fact 
being  recorded  that  Antony  suffered  his  board  to 
grow  for  some  time  in  token  of  his  grief  for 
(,'fcsnr’s  murder),  it  would  appear  that  these 
silver  coins  of  Sepullius  were  struck  not  long 
after  the  death  of  the  Dictator,  the  head  of 
Julius  being  placed  on  some  of  them,  in  grateful  ' 
remembrance  of  such  a man,  by  the  then 
governing  triumvirate. 

The  male  figure  on  the  reverse,  riding  on  one 
horse  and  leading  another,  is  regarded  by 
numismatic  antiquaries  as  one  of  the  desuttores, 
or  equestrian  vaulters  [the  Ducrows  and  Battys 
of  their  day],  whose  part  it  was,  at  the 
Apollinarian  and  other  public  games,  to  spur  on 
two  horses  together  at  their  fullest  speed,  so 
that,  being  mounted  on  one,  they  presently 
jumped  upon  the  other,  and  backagainaltcmatcly, 
with  wonderful  quickness. — Ilencc,  byametaphor, 
the  light  and  fickle  character,  he  who  courted 
many  mistresses,  or  who  often  changed  political 
sides,  was  called  desuitor.  Thus  Ovid — 
iVon  mi  hi  mille  placent,  non  sum  desuttor  amor  is. 

But  Manilius  ( Astron . 1.  v.  85),  whom  Eckhcl 
happily  quotes,  affords  the  clearest  illustration 
to  the  type  in  question  : 

Nec  non  ultemo  desuitor  sidere  dorso 
Quadrupcdum,  et  stabiles  poterit  defgcre  plantas, 
Perque  volebat  erpios,  ludens  per  terga  volantum. 

These  bold  and  skilful  horseriders  nre  likewise 
typified  on  coins  of  the  Marcia  and  Ca/purnia 
families. 

SER.  Sergius. — On  coins  of  Galba,  whose 
pricnomen  it  was. 

SER.  Servafos. — Sec  OB  GIVES  SFMratos. 

Scrapis. — The  mythology  of  the  Egyptians  is 
more  than  usually  obscure  and  difficult  in  ex- 
plaining the  powers  and  attributes  of  this  divinity, 
whose  name  and  worship,  however,  though  not 
known  to  them  in  the  earliest  age,  was  at  a later 
period  held  above  all  others  in  the  highest  rever- 
ence and  distinction  by  that  superstitious  people. 
— That  the  ancients  themselves  were  at  variance 
with  each  other  respecting  Scrapis  is  shown  by 
tlint  passage  in  Tacitus  wherein  it  is  affirmed 
that  many  recognised  in  this  god,  eEsculapius, 
imputing  the  healing  of  sickness  to  his  interven- 
tion ; sonic  thought  him  identical  with  Osiris, 
the  oldest  deity  of  the  Egyptians ; others  again 


SERAPIS. 

regarded  him  as  Jupiter,  possessing  universal 
power  ; but  by  most  he  was  believed  to  be  the 
same  as  Pluto,  the  “gloomy”  DU  Pater  of  the 
infernal  regions.  Be  this  as  it  may,  the  general 
impression  of  the  ancients  obviously  seemed  to 
have  been,  that  by  Scrapis,  was  to  be  understood 
the  beginning  and  foundation  of  things;  and 
accordingly  we  find  him  adored  in  process  of 
time  not  only  at  Alexandria,  but  at  Athens,  ami 
in  other  Greek  cities,  some  of  which  charged 
their  coins  with  the  figure  of  this  deity.  At 
length  the  Romans,  whose  fondness  for  new  gods 
increased  with  the  corrupting  influence  of  their 
foreign  conquests,  introduced  the  worship  of 
Serapis  within  the  walls  of  their  city  ; not,  how- 
ever, without  opposition  and  resistance  for  a 
season  on  the  part  of  the  senate  to  the  popular 
thirst  after  such  novelties.  Through  the  influence 
of  P.  Victor  an  altar  was  erected  to  Serapis  in  the 
Circus  Flaminii,  and  it  quickly  assumed  the  form 
of  a superb  temple,  which,  after  its  Alexandrine 
prototype,  was  called  the  Sera/peon.  The  prin- 
cipal Italian  cities,  never  far  behind  Rome  in  the 
race  of  idolatry,  soon  imitated  her  example  in 
this  instance;  and  it  was  not  long  before  the 
worship  of  Scrapis  was  extended  from  Italy  by 
the  different  colonies  sent  from  that  country  into 
Asia  Minor. — It  has  already  been  noticed  that 
amongst  the  motives  for  invoking  this  fabled 
deity,  was  his  healing  attribute,  especially  in 
cases  of  acute  diseases.  Marcus  Aurelius,  tor- 
tured with  the  malady  which  afterwards  proved 
fatal  to  him,  made  a visit  to  the  temple  of 
Serapis,  at  Perinthcus,  in  Thrace ; and  thence, 
according  to  his  historian,  he  returned  in  health. 
The  circumstance  is  recorded  on  a medal  (struck 
by  the  Pcrinthians),  on  which  is  seen  the  head 
of  the  emperor,  and  on  the  reverse  that  of 
Scrapis. — At  a much  later  a:ra,  and  with  not 
the  same  excuse  of  educational  prejudices,  the 
Emperor  Julian  II.,  another  philosopher,  but 
bigotcdly  preferring  Paganism  to  Christianity, 
and  especially  delighting  to  honour  Egyptian 
Polytheism,  under  Grecian  and  Roman  names, 
consulted  the  oracle  of  Apollo,  for  the  purpose 
of  learning  whether  Pluto  and  Serapis  were 
different  gods ; aud  he  received  for  answer  that 
J vpiler-SerapU  and  Pluto  were  one  and  the 
same  divinity. — We  sec  the  use  of  this  made  by 
that  able,  brave,  accomplished,  but  wretchedly 
inconsistent  man  and  most  eccentric  prince, 
in  his  coins  inscribed  deo  serapidi;  vota 
pvbmca,  &c. 

Serapis  is  represented  with  thick  hair  and 
rough  beard  ; he  is  also  furnished  on  his  head 
with  the  measure  (modius)  or  basket  (calathus) 
seen  in  Greek  coins  on  the  head  of  Jupiter. — In 
the  Roman  imperial  series,  he  usually  stands 
with  right  hand  elevated  aud  holding  a staff 
transversely,  and  the  skirts  of  his  garment  in 
his  left,  always  with  the  modius  in  capite.  It 
is  thus  that  he  is  delineated  on  coins  of  Com- 
modus,  Caracalla,  Trebonianus  Gallus,  Gallieuus, 
Postumus,  Claudius  Gothicus,  and  Helena. 

Serapis,  on  a first  brass  of  Hadrian,  given  by 
Vaillant,  appears  with  Isis,  and  they  both  join 
hands  wTith  that  emperor  and  Sabina,  across  an 


SERAPIS.— SERAPIDI.  733 
altar  placed  between  them. — See  adventvi  avg. 

AI.EXANDRIAE. 

On  a coin  of  the  colony  of  Caisarea  (col.  prima 
fl.  avg.  caesar.),  struck  under  M.  Aurelius, 
the  head  of  Scrapis  is  depicted,  covered  with 
the  calathus , or  bushel  measure.  This  serves 
as  one  of  numerous  proofs  that  the  worship  of 
Serapis  was  greatly  spread  at  this  time  among 
the  different  nations  of  the  pagan  W'orld;  and 
corroborates  the  observation  made  by  Vaillant 
(tom.  i.  p.  167),  that  the  ancients  understood, 
by  the  name  of  Serapis,  the  universe  itself, 
or  rather  the  soul  of  the  world,  that  is  to  say, 
that  ancient  principle  which  gives  life  and 
motion  to  all  created  beings. 

On  a coin  of  Commodus,  in  Eckhel’s  Cat.  (ii. 
p.  264),  Scrapis  is  depicted  with  Isis  behind 
holding  the  sislrum.  Opposite  to  them  is 
Commodus  W'cariug  the  toga,  \ ictory  standing 
at  his  back  and  crowning  him.  Scrapis  and  the 
Emperor  join  right  hands  together. 

Jobert  ( Science  des  Medailles,  vol.  ii.  p.  369) 
in  animadverting  on  the  word  Pantheon,  which 
signifies  an  assemblage  of  the  symbols  of  several 
different  deities  in  one  personification,  illustrates 
his  meaning  by  reference  to  a bronze  medal 
(coined  in  Egypt)  of  Antoninus  Pius.  This 
presents  on  its  reverse  the  head  of  a man  in 
which  (says  he),  all  in  one,  is  to  be  recognised 
“ Serapis  by  the  boisseau  or  measure  which  it 
carries ; the  Sun  by  its  crown  of  rays ; Jupiter 
Ammon  by  the  two  rams’  horns ; Neptune  by  the 
t rident ,•  and  vEsculapius  by  the  serpent  entwined 
round  the  handle  of  the  trident.  Sec  Pantheon. 
— [This  coin  is  given  not  only  in  Jobert  but 
also  by  Seguin.] 

On  a large  brass,  struck  by  the  colony  of 
Sinope  in  honour  of  Geta,  is  a majestic  figure  of 
Scrapis  standing.— See  Pellerin,  Melange . i. 
xviii.  No.  10. 

The  Emperor  Julian,  in  his  " Cmsars,” 
makes  Jupiter  address  himself  to  his  “ brother” 
Serapis  (the  imperial  author  taking  him  here  for 
Pluto),  because  (says  his  translator  Spanheim) 
it  w'as  in  his  celebrated  temple  at  Alexandria 
( Me  grandest  and  most  beautiful  in  the  world, 
as  we  learn  from  Thcodoret),  that  Vespasian  re- 
ceived intelligence  of  the  death  of  ViteOius,  and 
even  other  auguries  of  his  own  accessiou  to  the 
throne.  This  perhaps  led  his  son  Domitian  to 
raise  a temple  to  that  god  of  Rome,  or  at  least 
to  re-build  the  one  which  was  burnt  during  the 
reign  of  Titus.” 

M.  Dumcrsan,  in  his  Descriptive  Selection 
of  Ancient  Medals  from  the  A/lier  de  llau- 
teroche  Cabinet,  has  given  an  engraving  of 
an  unedited  first  brass,  struck  at  Sinope,  °and 
dedicated  to  Marcus  Aurelius. — The  reverse  of 
this  beautiful  coin  bears  for  its  legend  c.  1.  f. 
sinope  ann.  ccvn.,  and  for  type  the  busts  of 
Serapis  and  Isis— See  pi.  x.  No.  17,  pi  67 

SERAPIDI  CONSER.  AVG. -Serapis 
standing  with  the  modius  on  his  head,  his  right 
baud  extended,  and  a spear  or  wand  in  his  left. 
On  a rare  silver  coin  of  Commodus. 

Lampridius  bears  witness  to  the  fact  that 
Commodus  was  mightily  addicted  to  the  super- 


731  SERAPIDI.—  SERPENT. 

stition  of  the  Egyptians,  that  he  sacrificed  to  Tsis, 
shaved  his  head,  and  officiated  as  a priest  in  the 
procession  of  Anuhis.  As,  therefore,  Serapis 
was  thought  by  many  to  be  jEsculapius,  Vaillant 
supposes  that  the  medal  was  struck  on  the  occa- 
sion of  Commodus  being  cured  of  some  disease, 
after  paying  his  vows  to  Serapis,  who  is  for  that 
reason  here  called  the  Emperor’s  preserver  ( Con- 
servator Augusti.) 

SERAPIDI  COMITI  AJTQusti.—' This  le- 
gend, with  the  type  of  the  god,  and  an  ibis  at 
his  feet,  appears  on  a first  brass  of  Gallienus, 
w ho,  having  selected  a multitude  of  deities  as  his 
preservers,  here  condescends  to  acknowledge  the 
great  Serapis  for  his  “ companion." 

SERGIA,  a family  of  high  patrician  rank, 
which,  according  to  Virgil  (Aeneid.  v.  121),  re- 
ferred its  origin  to  Sergestus,  the  companion  of 
jEneas : 

Sergcstusque,  domus  tenet  a quo  Sergia  nomen. 

Prom  this  stock  sprang  Catilina,  the  mortal 
enemy  of  Cicero,  and  the  profligately  daring 
conspirator  against  the  very  existence  of  Rome 
itself.  Its  coins  are  silver,  and  exhibit  the  word 
Situs  as  the  surname  of  the  Sergia  family. 
There  is  only  one  type,  but  that  claims  notice 
as  being  of  historical  interest,  as  follows  : — 

On  the  obverse  is  the  winged  head  of  Minerva: 
behind  which  is  roma,  and  before  it  ex.  s.  c. — 
On  the  reverse  M.  sergi.  silvs.  A horseman 
helmeted  and  in  military  habit,  riding  at  speed, 
holding  in  his  left  hand  a human  head  and  a 
sword. 

This  denarius  represents  a Roman  veteran, 
named  M.  Sergius,  a prodigy'  of  courage  and 
fortitude,  as  evinced  by  his  exploits  in  the  Gallic 
and  Ilannibalic  wars.  Respecting  this  extra- 
ordinary man  there  is  a remarkable  passage  in 
Pliny  (1.  vii.  $ 29),  who  describes  Sergius  as 
having  lost  hi.3  right  hand  in  one  battle,  and  iu 
two  campaigns  receiving  three  and  twenty 
wounds — yet  fighting  four  times  with  his  left 
hand  only — and  afterwards  having  made  for 
himself  an  iron  right  hand,  fastening  it  on  (the 
stump)  and  again  skirmishing  in  mortal  combat 
with  the  foe ! To  this  Sergius,  Eckhel  considers 
the  coin  relates. 

Serpent — Serpents  appear  to  have  been  the 
symbol  of  Asia.  Pompouius  Mela  says  “ the 
figure  of  Asia  Minor  holds  in  its  hands  a ser- 
pent, because  perhaps  serpents  abound  in  that 
regiou.” — Serpents  may  have  become  the  symbol 
of  Asia  after  that  country  had  adopted  them  on 
its  coinage,  for  the  purpose  of  calling  to  mind  the 
worship  of  Bacchus,  which  they  carried  to  a 
great  extent. — The  Bacchantes  in  the  mysteries 
were  crowned  with  serpents.  The  serpent  was 
one  of  the  symbols  of  initiation  into  the 
Bacchanalian  orgies. 

Serpent. — This  reptile,  as  an  image  of  divinity 
and  of  nature,  is  figured  both  in  its  natural 
shape,  and  under  a variety  of  monstrous  and 
imaginary  forms,  on  a great  multitude  of  coins 
of  Greek  cities,  and  also  on  Greek  Imperial 
medals.  It  is  less  frequently  found  on  coins 
with  Latin  inscriptions ; but  still  there  arc  not 


SERPENT. 

a few  instances  in  which  it  is  represented  both 
on  the  Consular  and  on  the  Imperial  medals  of 
Rome. — The  inventor  of  medicine,  .Esculapius, 
son  of  Apollo,  was  worshipped  by  the  Romans 
under  the  form  of  a serpent.  That  animal  was 
the  sign  of  the  health -restoring  faculty,  because, 
as  the  serpent,  in  casting  off  its  skin,  was  sup- 
posed to  become  young  again,  so  the  sick, 
through  the  tutelary  aid  of  the  healing  deity, 
were  believed  by  the  ancients  to  renew  life  and 
to  put  off  old  age.  It  was  in  consequence  of 
this  animal  being  thus  regarded  as  the  symbol  of 
renovation,  that  the  name  Serpentarius  took  its 
rise  in  reference  to  the  constant  attribute  of 
^Esculapius. 

The  Serpent,  with  the  head  of  Serapis,  on 
medals  struck  under  Antonine,  is  thought,  by 
Millin,  to  signify  a beneficent  genius  and  the 
master  of  nature.  This  serpent  is  also  seen  on 
a medal  of  Nero,  with  a legend  which  indicates 
that  this  emperor  was  a new  beuefactor  for 
Egypt. — On  a medal  of  Memphis,  and  in  the 
hand  of  Isis,  it  symbolises  fecundity  and  fer- 
tility. And  as  the  serpent  was  said  to  renew  its 
youth  by  the  annual  casting  of  its  skin,  the 
above-mentioned  writer  thinks  it  may  be  taken 
for  the  symbol  of  the  Sun,  on  a medal  of  the 
Emperor  Vcrus,  on  which  a serpent,  with  the 
head  of  Serapis,  is  mounted  on  the  back  of  a 
horse,  whose  march  symbolises  the  year  passing 
away : the  head  of  Serapis  representing  the 
Sun  as  the  sovereign  of  the  universe. 

The  Serpent  was  a symbol  of  Apollo,  and  as 
salutifer  accompanies  the  image  of  that  deity 
whom  the  ancients  regarded  as  the  guardian  of 
health,  on  coins  both  of  the  Greeks  and  of  the 
Romans. 

The  Serpent  was  assigned  to  Bacchus  under 
various  titles,  and  for  various  reasons  founded 
like  the  object  symbolised  on  fable  and  super- 
stition. Clement  of  Alexandria  affirms  “ Sigmon 
Bacchicorum  Orgiorum  esse  initiatum  ser- 
pentem."  The  same  author  describes  Bac- 
chantes as  crowned  with  serpents,  lienee  a 
scrjieut  creeping  out  of  a half  opened  chest 
(cista)  betokens  the  orgies  of  Bacchus.  A 
serpent  appears  on  coins  of  M.  Antony,  who 
called  himself  a second  Bacchus. 

Twin  Serpents,  rising  in  tortuous  folds, 
attached  by  the  tails  to  each  other,  but  with  a 
cista  between  them,  appear  on  silver  medallions, 
bearing  the  heads  of  Antony  and  Cleopatra,  as 
given  in  Morcll. 

Two  Serpents  arc  seen  on  a medal  of  Hadrian, 
a male  and  a female;  one  has  by  its  side  a 
sistrum  and  a poppy,  the  attributes  of  Isis  ; the 
other  is  represented  with  a caduceus  aud  corn- 
cars,  attributes  of  Anuhis. - — “ This  type,  (says 
Millin)  ineontcstably  refers  to  the  mysteries  of 
Isis,  aud  the  fecundity  of  nature.” 

It  is  sacred  to  and  attendant  on  Juno  Lanurina, 
or  Sospita,  in  whose  temple  or  grove,  according 
to  ancient  custom,  it  was  required  that  a virgin, 
in  proof  of  her  chastity,  should  offer  food  to 
the  sacred  serpent  ("  corrupfis  virginibus  pericu- 
losus,"  says  Woltercck).  Coins  of  the  Popitia 
aud  Procilia  families,  and  of  Antoninus  Pius 


SERPENT. 

and  Commodus,  have  types  allusive  to  this 
legendary  subject.  The  same  animal  was  also 
held  sacred  to  Jupiter,  Neptune,  Minerva,  Pluto, 
Ceres,  Proserpine,  Mercury,  Isis,  and  Serapis. — 
And  that  its  image  was  used  by  the  ancieuts 
to  denote  Felicity,  Vigilance,  Concord,  Pru- 
dcuce,  Power,  Victory,  and,  above  all.  Health 
(Salus),  is  shewn  on  Rotnan  as  well  as  Greek 
coins. 

A dead  Serpent  twilled  round  a tree  appears 
on  a fine  brass  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius. 
Hercules,  who  has  slain  this  Hydra,  stands  on 
one  side  of  the  tree  gathering  its  fruit : on  the 
other  side  are  the  three  Hcsperidcs. 

A Serpent  is  the  sign  of  Asia  (see  Asia 
Recepta ) ; also  of  Africa ; we  see  a serpent 
trampled  upon  by  the  fore  feet  of  an  elephant  on 
a well-known  denarius  of  Julius  Ca;sar. — Like- 
wise a serpent  before  the  figure  of  Africa,  on 
one  of  Diocletian’S  medals. — It  is  seen  entwined 
in  folds,  erecting  itself  above  an  altar,  on  coins 
of  the  Claudia,  Nonia,  Rubria,  and  Tullia 
families;  and  on  imperial  medals  of  Augustus, 
Tiberius,  Nero,  Hadrian,  Antonine,  Aurelius, 
Alexander  Sevctus,  and  Maxfmian. 

A Serpent  coiled  round  a tripod  is,  according 
to  Jobert  (p  415),  referable  to  Apollo,  or 
indicates  the  Delphic  oracles.  This  type  is  seen 
on  Greek  coins  of  Nero  and  Domitian. — [But  it 
is  seldom  seen  on  imperial  medals  of  Roman 
die,  except  as  an  attribute  of  Aesculapius  and 
Sa/usi] 

A Serpent  issuing  forth  from  a ship,  occurs 
on  a fine  medallion  of  Antoninus  Pius. — See 
aescvlapivs. — There  is  one  that  crawls  before 
Victory  on  a gold  coin  of  Julius  Cmsar,  re- 
stored by  Trajan. — Another  is  seen  erecting 
itself  before  the  face  of  a woman,  in  Faustiua 
sen. 

A Serpent  invariably  appears  either  in  the 
hand  or  near  the  figure  of  Salu's,  goddess  of 
health,  on  numerous  coins  of  emperors  and 
empresses.  On  a contorniatc  medal  of  Nero 
a serpent  appears  as  if  lapping  food  from  a patera 
offered  to  it  by  a woman  [Olympias  ?]  lying 
on  a couch ; on  another  a huge  snake,  raising 
itself  in  a spiral  form,  directs  its  head  towards 
some  apples  deposited  on  an  altar ; behind  the 
serpent  is  a tree. 

A Serpent  is  placed  on  the  back  of  a 
horse  on  coins  of  Vespasian  struck  in  Egypt, 
and  the  same  reptile  creeps  with  head  uplifted 
on  the  prow  of  a ship  on  a Greek  medal  of 
Domitian. 

A Serpent  occupies  the  reverse  of  a coin  of 
the  Fabricia  family,  which  Eckhel  calls  “the 
serpent  of  Esculapiusr”  L.  Fabrieius  is  recorded 
to  have  caused  the  stone  bridge  to  be  built  at 
Rome  which  communicated  with  the  island  in 
the  Tiber,  in  the  year  v.c.  092. — To  this  fact 
the  epigraph  of  L.  FABRICD/i  on  a tablet  with 
Populus  Rom  anus  above  it,  which  appears  on 
this  second  brass  medal,  most  probably  alludes. 
And  this  opinion  is  the  more  strongly  corrobo- 
rated by  the  type  of  the  serpent,  inasmuch  as 
yEsculapius  being  brought  under  the  form  of  that 
creature  [as  the  story  goes]  from  Epidaurus  to 


SERPENT.— SERRATI  NUMI.  735 

Rome  had  a temple  in  that  very  insula  Tiberina, 
which  the  bridge  of  Fabrieius  served  to  unite 
with  the  city. 

A Serpent  folded  round  an  egg  placed  on  an 
altar  appears  on  a first  brass  of  the  Eppia 
family.  The  signification  of  which  type  Haver- 
camp  has  attempted  to  explain  with  various  con- 
jectures, no  waj's  satisfactory  to  the  judgment 
of  Eckhel,  who,  in  his  turn,  displays  as  usual 
his  learning  and  research,  but  perhaps  not  with 
his  accustomed  success  in  solving  the  enigma  of 
the  snake  and  the  egg. 

A Serpent  wound  (iortuosus)  into  many 
circles,  or  rising  in  spiral  folds,  occurs  on 
denarii  of  the  Aemilia,  Papia,  Pompeia,  and 
Pomponia  families,  and  on  Greek  coins  of 
Trajan,  Hadrian,  and  Faustina  sen. — A sinuous 
snake  glides  before  the  biga  of  Juno  Sospita,  in 
Procilia. 

A Serpent  with  a lioii’s  head  is  given  by 
Banduri,  from  a coin  of  Diocletian. 

A Serpent  creeps  before  Minerva  on  a brass 
coin  o{  the  Clovia  family. 

Two  Serpents  twined,  round  a winged  wand 
constitute  the  cadueeus  of  Mercury. 

A Serpent  is  placed  at  the  bottom  of  the 
labamm  on  medals  of  Constantine  the  Great 
(see  spes.  fivn.) ; and  on  coins  of  some  of  the 
later  Christian  emperors  (such  as  Petronius 
Maximus)  a serpent  prostrate  is  seen  with  the 
loot  of  the  emperor  placed  Upon  it. 

Serpentina  cista. — See  Cisla  Mgstica. 

Serrali  Numi. — Coins  arc  thus  called  Which 
have  their  edges  regularly  notched  round  like 
the  teeth  of  a saw.  These  serrated,  or  denti- 
culated, medals  are  common  amongst  products 
of  the  consular  mint  as  far  as  the  time  of 
Augustus,  after  which  scarcely  one  is  to  be 
found. — Thus  specimens  of  this  ancient  prac- 
tice are  seen  on  coins  of  the  Antonia, 
Aquilia,  Claudia,  Cornelia,  Domitia,  Mam  ilia, 
Maria,  Memmia,  Papia,  Porcia,  Postumia, 
Procilia,  Roscia,  Sulpicia,  and  other  families. 
It  waS  a precaution  adopted,  as  Pinkerton 
observes,  by  incision,  to  prevent  forgery,  by 
shewing  the  inside  of  the  metal.  “ But,”  .adds 
this  scientific  numismatist,  though  churlish 
writer,  “ the  old  forgers  also  imitated  this  ; and 
I have  a Serrated  consular  coin,  of  which  the 
incisions,  like  the  rest,  are  plated  with  silver 
over  copper.” — From  a brief  passage  in  Tacitus 
(1.  v.  Be  Mor.  Germ),  it  would  seem  that  the 
Germans  had  a partiality  for  this  class  of  Roman 
money — “ Pecuniam  probant  velerem  et  din 
notam,  serratos,  bigaiosque.” — The  brass  coins 
of  the  Syrian  kings  (such  as  the  Seleucida ?)  also 
exhibit  the  same  peculiarity;  but  this  probably 
was  done  to  them  as  an  ornamental  feature,  and 
the  metal  was  cast  in  that  shape  before  they 
were  struck. 

Serlum,  a garland  or  wreath,  of  leaves  or 
flowers,  a chaplet. — See  Corolla  and  Corona. — 
Seen  in  the  talons  or  the  beak  of  an  eagle  (see 
Aquila) ; and  in  the  hands  of  Victory  (see 
Victoria). 

SERVATOS. — See  ob  cives  seuvatos,  on 
I coins  of  Augustus  ; to  be  found  amongst  those  of 


736  SERVILIA. 

many  Roman  families ; also  on  medals  of 
Caligula,  Claudius,  Galba,  Vespasian. 

SERVILIA,  an  Alban  family,  transferred  to 
Rome,  after  the  destruction  of  Alba,  by  king 
Tullus,  and.  elcctcTl  into  the  patrician  order, 
according  to  Livy  and  Dionysius  of  Halicarnassus. 
It  became  divided  into  many  branches,  none  of 
whose  names,  however,  arc  recorded  on  coins 
except  Ahala,  Caepio,  Casca,  and  liullus.  The 
two  last  were  plebeian. 

Ahala. — A coin  of  the  Servilia  family  (most 
rare  in  gold,  though  common  in  silver,)  exhibits 
on  one  side  the  head  and  name  of  ahala,  and 
on  the  other  the  head  and  name  of  brvtvs,  re- 
marks on  w bieb  denarius  will  be  found  under  the 
head  of  Junta. — See  Ahala. 

Capio. — For  denarii  inscribed  piso  caepio 
q. — Sec  Calpurnia. 

The  following  silver  coin,  belonging  to  the 
Servilia  family,  is  of  historical  interest: — A 
laureated  female  head.  No  legend. — Rev.  Q. 
caepio  brvtvs.  imp.  (on  some  others  pro  cos.) 
Two  captives  at  the  foot  of  a trophy. 

The  above  are  the  names  and  titles  of  that 
M.  Junius  Hrutus,  who  stabbed  Ctesnr.  It  is 
thus  that  he  is  designated  on  denarii,  and  the 
fact  is  coulirmed  by  writers  of  his  time ; among 
others  by  Cicero,  who,  at  the  end  of  the  Tenth 
Fhilipic,  repeatedly  calls  him  Q.  Capio  Brutus, 
proconsul.  'Whence  (adds  Eckhel)  it  becomes 
certain  that  he  was  adopted  by  Q.  Servilius 
Cicpio,  who  was  his  uncle  on  the  side  of  his 
mother  Servilia.  llut  he  did  uot,  after  the  usual 
custom  of  using  the  family  name,  call  himself 
Junianus;  perhaps  because  at  that  period  there 
was  already  a Crassus  Juuianus;  but  he  turns 
the  surname  of  his  adoption  Capio  into  the 
name,  retaining  his  cognomen  of  Brutus. 

With  respect  to  the  inscription  of  I M Vendor 
on  the  above  denarius  nnu  others  of  Brutus, 
Dion  assigns  the  time  and  the  reason  of  Brutus’s 
accepting  this  title,  namely,  that  he  went  on  an 
expedition  against  the  Bessi  of  Thrace,  as  well 
with  a view  to  punish  the  hostilities  of  that 
savage  tribe,  as  in  order  to  gain  for  himself  the 
name  and  dignity  of  Imperator  (see  the  word), 
wherewith  he  might  the  more  easily  carry  on 
war  against  Cmsar,  and  against  Antony,  aud 
make  an  end  of  both.  According  to  Plutarch, 
Brutus,  together  with  Cassius,  was  proclaimed 
lmperator  by  the  army,  at  Saudis. 

Ou  a denarius  of  Brutus,  hearing  on  its 
obverse  a female  head  aud  the  word  LIBEKTAS, 
the  reverse  is  charged  with  the  inscription 
caepio  brvtvs  pro.  cos.,  and  the  type  is  a 
lyre  between  a laurel  branch  and  a stylus. 

The  word  procos  is  affixed  (instead  of  Imp.) 
on  this  coin  and  others  of  M.  Brutus,  because 
he  governed  the  province  of  Macedonia  with 
proconsular  authority. 

Casca. — Connected  with  this  surname  there 
arc  two  coins,  one  most  rare  iu  gold,  the 
other  very  rare  in  silver,  both  iuscrihcd  casca 
LONQVS ; the  gold  has  ou  the  obverse  a trophy 
between  two  prows,  the  silver  bears  the  laureated 
head  of  Neptune.  On  the  reverse  of  the  former 
is  brvtvs  imp.  aud  the  hare  head  of  Marcus 


SERVILIA. 

Brutus.  The  reverse  of  the  latter  exhibits 
Victory  marching,  with  a garland  and  palm 
branch,  and  the  same  inscription  brvtvs.  imp. 

Plutarch  states  that  the  two  brothers  Seroilii 
Casca  were  amongst  the  assassins  of  Ctcsar. 
Of  these  P.  Casca,  whom  Dion  asserts  to  have 
been  a tribune  of  the  people,  struck  the  first 
blow  at  the  Dictator.  Afterwards,  when  war 
was  declared  against  the  murderers,  he  associated 
himself  with  Brutus,  amougst  whose  friends  iu 
that  war  P.  Casca  is  classed  by  Plutarch,  and 
we  see  their  names  united  on  the  above  described 
coins.  Appin  states  that  Caius  was  the  pre- 
nomcn  of  the  other  Casca.  But  there  is  a prolix 
aud  tedious  examination  in  llavcrcamp,  as 
to  whether  Casca  and  Longus  be  surnames 
(cognomina)  of  different  families,  aud  whether 
Longus  be  the  agnomen  of  Casca,  or  otherwise. 
— The  types  of  these  two  denarii  allude  to  some 
maritime  victory ; which  it  was  is  uncertain. — 
Bod.  Bum.  Vet.  vol.  v.  p.  308. 

liullus. — A common  silver  coin  exhibits  the 
cognomen  of  the  Servilia  family,  viz.,  rvlli, 
with  the  bust  of  Minerva.  Ou  the  reverse  side 
is  p.  servili.  m.  F.  aud  Victory  galloping  in  a 
biga. 

P.  Servilius  Rullns  is  known  as  that  plebeian 
tribune  whose  agrarian  law  Cicero,  when  consul, 
stoutly  opposed  in  an  oration  which  is  still 
extant.  The  father  of  the  tribune,  also  named 
P.  Servilius  liullus,  was  the  man  of  whom 
Pliny  says,  that  he  first  at  feasts  served  up  a 
wild  hoar  whole  to  table.  It  is  uncertain  to 
which  of  the  two  this  denarius  belongs. 

Amongst  other  uncertain  coins  of  the  Servi/ii, 
Eckhel  takes  a copiously  intelligent  notice  of 
a denarius  of  no  rarity,  but  nevertheless  of 
some  historical  interest,  from  the  legend  and 
type  of  its  obverse,  allusive  to  the  public  shews 
celebrated  at  Rome  under  the  name  of  F/oralia. 
See  FLORAL.  PIUMVS. 

To  which  M.  Servilius,  lieutenant  (LEOatus) 
of  Brutus  aud  Cassius  the  following  coins  belong, 
has  been  matter  of  much  controversy,  hitherto 
with  no  benefit  resulting.  He  seems  to  have 
been  the  same  individual  whom  Cicero  calls  a 
tribune  of  the  people,  and  to  have  arrayed  him- 
self on  the  side  of  liberty ; but  the  surname 
docs  uot  appear.  The  former  of  the  two  denarii 
(very  rare  in  gold)  presents  types  that  agree  with 
the  times  of  Brutus  and  of  Cassius;  viz.,  C. 
Tassei.  imp.  A young  female  head  laureated. — 
Rev.  servilivs.  leo.  The  aplustrum. 

The  latter  denarius  bears  the  same  head  on 
its  obverse,  and  on  the  reverse  appears  the 
inscription  servilivs  (m.)  i.eo.,  with  a crab 
fish  griping  an  acroslolium  in  its  claws ; below 
it  is  the  flower  of  the  pomegranate  (balaustium) 
and  a diadem  unbound. — On  this  enigmatical 
reverse  both  Vaillant  aud  Havercamp  have  offered 
comments,  abounding  more  iu  the  wondrous, 
but  partaking  much  less  of  the  probable,  than 
the  following  remarks  of  Eckhel : — 

“ As  the  above  type  is  plainly  allegorical,  the 
very  manes  of  the  aucicnts  will  pardon  us,  if 
we  sometimes  decline  attempting  to  explain  the 
riddles  under  which  they  often  veil  the  truth. 


SERVIUS. — SERVVS 

Tlie  following  conjecture  alone  perhaps  carries 
probability  with  it,  viz.,  that  the  bataustium  or 
flower  of  the  pomegranate  (since  this  obviously 
was  the  symbol  of  the  Rhodians),  alludes  to  the 
victory  gained  by  Cassius  over  these  islanders, 
recorded  by  Dion  and  Appian,  It  may  be 
added,  that  there  appears  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  coin,  a diadem  unbound ; and  that  it 
is  a diadem,  I confidently  assert,  from  an 
inspection  of  the  best  preserved  specimens  of 
this  denarius  in  the  Imperial  Museum  (at 
Vienna) ; although  in  engravings  it  is  always 
represented  as  if  it  were  a shoot  springing  from 
the  stem  of  the  pomegranate  flower.  It  is 
diffieult  to  imagine  what  is  the  meaning  of  this 
diadem;  unless  it  may  perhaps  allude  to  the  fall 
of  the  regal  power  which  Julius  Ca>sar  aimed  at.” 

For  a description  of  the  acrostolium  see  the 
word  in  toco. 

Twenty-five  varieties  of  the  Servilia  coins  are 
given  in  Morell. — The  gold  arc  extremely  rare, 
the  silver  common.  The  brass  pieces  of  this 
family  are  parts  of  t*>e  As,  and  are  very  rare. 

Servius  Tullius,  king  of  the  Romaus,  who 
died  about  the  218th  year  of  the  city,  and  who, 
(passing  by  as  fabulous  the  asserted  claims  for 
Saturn  aud  Janus),  there  appears  something  like 
historical  ground  for  believing  to  have  been  the 
founder  of  a money  coinage  in  brass  at  Rome. — 
On  this  point  the  words  of  Pliny  ate  Servius 
rex  primus  signavit  as.  Antea  ritdi  usos  Roma 
Timaus  tradit.  In  this  opinion  Cassiodorus 
also  concurs — Servius  rex  monetam  in  aere 
primum  impressisse  perhibetur. — See  Moneta. 

Goltzius  has  published  a medal  as  belonging  to 
the  Tullia  family,  exhibiting  in  the  legend  the 
names  of  Servius  Decu/a,  and  in  the  type  the 
head  of  King  Servius  Tullius.  And  Morell  has 
copied  the  same  into  his  Thesaurus  Familiarum, 
under  the  head  of  Numi  incerta fidei  (pi.  xxxiii. 
No.  2).  But,  as  Visconti  observes,  this  numis- 
matic monument  has  never  been  seen  by 
antiquaries  whose  fidelity  and  judgment  are  above 
suspicion ; and,  therefore,  it  is  very  properly 
consigned  to  the  class  of  apocryphal  monuments. 

Servus  Christi. — Justinian  the  Second  is  thus 
called  on  his  coins ; the  reverse  of  which  exhibit 
a figure  of  that  Byzantine  Augustus  (who  died 
a.d.  711),  standing  with  his  right  hand  taking 
hold  of  a cross  placed  on  steps,  and  iuscribcd  d. 
JVSTIN1ANVS.  SERV.  CHRISTI. 

That  for  the  first  time  in  three  hundred  and 
seventy  years  after  the  cross  had  been  munis- 
raatically  acknowledged  as  the  sign  and  surety 
of  imperial  success,  (see  hoc  signo  victor 
eris  of  Constantius  II.),  the  title  of  Christi 
Servus  should  have  been  assumed  by  a Roman 
Emperor,  and  he  the  most  avaricious,  the  most 
debauched,  and  the  most  barbarously  cruel  of 
princes,  is  remarkable  in  a two-lbld  point  of 
view.  The  fact,  however,  constitutes  only  one, 
though  a flagrant,  example  amongst  many  which 
history  furnishes,  that  the  wickedness  of  the 
very  worst  men  is  found  equalled  by  their 
hypocrisy. — The  Servus  Servorum  Dei  of  the 
papal  style  too  often  marked  the  ecclesiastical 
pride  that  apes  humility aud  the  title  of 
5 B 


SESTERTIUS.  787 

Fidei  Defensor  was  in  as  bad  keeping  with  the 
character  of  the  lustful  tyrant  on  whom  pre- 
tended infallibility,  for  Iris  own  worldly  purposes, 
bestowed  it. 

Sestertius  ( quasi  sesquitertius),  the  sesterce, 
a coin  in  value  two  asses  and  a half.  It  was, 
therefore,  one  fourth  part  of  the  denarius,  and 
the  half  of  the  quinanus,  and,  when  the  value 
of  the  Roman  coinage  underwent  a change,  it 
shared  with  them  a common  fate.  It  was  the 
smallest  coin  of  the  Roman  silver  mint  (exclusive 
of  the  “ pretended  libella,”  which  was  the 
tenth  part  of  a denarius,  about  three  farthings 
of  our  money). — The  sestertius  is  marked  iis., 
shewing  it  to  be  worth  two  as  and  a semis, 
which  multiplied  by  four  make  the  denarius. — 
On  the  well-known  medal  of  Hadrian  inscribed 
reliqva  vetera  &c.  (sec  the  words),  as  well 
as  on  other  ancient  monuments  and  in  published 
books,  it  is  written  ns.,  namely,  with  a small 
line  joining  together  each  mark  of  the  as,  thus 
resembling  the  letter  h. 

Hoffman,  quoted  by  Rasche,  says — “ Four 
sesterces  make  a denarius,  that  is  ten  asses, 
which,  if  it  is  silver,  is  equal  in  weight  to  a 
drachm.” 

The  sesterce  has  for  its  types,  on  one  side  a 
female  head  helmeted  and  winged,  behind  it  ns., 
on  the  reverse  are  the  Dioscuri  on  horseback, 
and  below  roma. — This  little  coin  is  by  no 
means  common.  Eckhel  had  seen  but  two  ; one 
belonging  to  the  Cordia  family,  ascertained  to 
be  a sesterce  solely  by  its  weight ; the  other  to 
the  Sepullia  family,  which,  besides  the  right 
weight,  had  the  mark  ns. 

The  simple  sesterce,  or  little  sesterce,  says 
Kolb,  was  worth  about  four  sous  French  money 
(2d.  English). 

At  the  epocha  when,  according  to  the  generally 
received  opinion,  silver  money  was  introduced  at 
Rome,  viz.,  in  the  year  209  before  Christ  (485th 
of  the  city),  themonetal  unit  (V unite  monetaire) 
was  changed ; the  As,  which  had  become 
successively  of  a less  important  value,  ceased  to 
be  used  in  numbering  sums.  The  sesterce  was 
adopted  as  the  monetal  unit,  probably  because 
this  real  money  (monnaie  effective)  was  the 
intennedial  coin  of  three  established  forms  of 
specie. 

Sestertium. — Under  this  word,  as  contra- 
distinguished in  its  terminal  letters  from 
sestertius,  it  is  here  expedient  to  explain  the 
Roman  mode  of  reckoning  and  designating  sums 
in  sesterces,  an  object  which  has  been  accom- 
plished with  no  less  accuracy  than  conciseness 
by  M.  Hcnnin,  as  follows  : — 

1st. — Sestertius,  in  the  masculine  singular, 
signified  a single  sesterce;  aud,  in  order  to 
describe  any  number  whatever  of  these  pieces, 
the  Romans  put,  with  the  number,  the  plural 
masculine  sestertii ; thus,  centum  sestertii,  one 
hundred  sesterce  pieces. 

2nd. — Sestertium,  in  the  neuter  singular, 
signified  mille  sestertii,  one  thousaud  sesterces ; 
its  plural  sestertia,  with  a number,  denoted  as 
many  thousand  sesterce- pieces  as  that  number 
contained  units.  Thus,  decern  sestertia  was 


738  SESTIA. — SEVERINA. 


SEVERINA.— SEVERUS. 


equivalent  to  decern  millia  sestertiorum,  ten 
thousand  of  the  pieces  called  sesterces. 

3rd. — If  the  word  sestertium  was  used  with 
the  adverbs  decies,  vicies,  centies,  millies,  &c., 
centies  willies , a hundred  thousand,  was  under- 
stood ; thus  decies  seslertium  signified  decies 
centies  millies  sestertiorum , ten  times  a hundred 
thousand,  or  a million  of  sesterces ; centies 
seslertium  was  centies  centies  millies  sesterti- 
orum, one  hundred  times  a hundred  thousand, 
or  ten  millions  of  sesterces. — Of  this  mode  of 
reckoning  in  sesteices  there  is  an  example  in  the 
coins  of  the  imperial  series : ns  novies  miia. 
ABOLITA. — See  RELIQVA. 

According  to  some  authors,  sestertium  would  ! 
here  be  an  adjective  referring  to  mille  understood, 
and  would  signify  a seste diary  thousand;  as 
sestertia  would  be  the  adjective  of  millia, 
sestertiary  thousands  ; but  with  the  adverbs 
decies,  centies,  sestertium  would  be  a contrac- 
tion of  the  genitive  plural  sestertiorum. 

When  Claudius  was  elected  emperor  he  gave 
to  each  Prietorian  soldier  sestertia  quindena, 
which  (means  not  fifteen  sesterces  but)  is  equiva- 
lent to  quindena  millia  sestertiorum,  fifteen 
thousand  sesterces. 

SESTIA,  originally  a patrician,  at  a later  period 
a plebeian  family. — Four  varieties  in  its  coins ; 
all  of  silver  and  rare. — There  are  two  quinarii 
of  this  family,  the  former  of  which  bears  on 
one  side  I.,  sesti.  pro.  q.  Lucius  Sestius 
Pro- Quastore,  with  a chair  and  the  hasta.  The 
latter  has  on  its  obverse  the  same  name  of  the 
Proqua:3tor  Sestius,  and  for  its  type  the  veiled 
head  of  a woman.  The  reverse  of  both  is 
inscribed  q.  caepio  brvtvs  pro.  cos.  Quintus 
Ccepio  Brutus  Pro  Consule. — On  the  reverse  of 
the  former  is  a tripod  between  the  apex  and 
the  simpulum  ; on  the  reverse  of  the  latter  is  a 
tripod,  on  either  side  of  which  is  the  securis 
and  the  simpulum. 

The  Lucius  Sestius  mentioned  above  not  only 
was  a zealous  personal  friend  and  most  intrepid 
adherent  to  the  cause  of  Brutus,  but  what 
exhibits  a rarer  virtue,  he  shewed  unequivocal 
proofs  of  his  affection  for  him  after  his  death. 
On  the  authority  of  Dion,  quoted  by  Ursin,  aud 
adopted  by  Eckhel,  it  appears  that  Augustus,  in 
the  year  v.c.  731,  appointed  to  the  consular 
dignity',  L.  Sestius,  who  had  always  favoured 
Brutus,  had  taken  part  with  him  in  his  wars, 
and  reverenced  his  memory  in  possessing  his 
statue  aud  extolling  his  merits,  Augustus  regard- 
ing the  friendship  and  fidelity  of  Sestius  as 
honourable  to  him. — This  anecdote,  so  creditable 
to  both  parties,  deserves  to  be  adduced,  as  it 
has  been,  in  illustration  of  these  two  seemingly 
uninteresting  coius,  on  the  former  of  which  the 
sedile  and  the  hasta  indicate  the  rights  of  the 
Quicstorship. 

SEV.  Severn. See  IVLia  AQVILIA 

SEWra  AVG usta. 

SEV.  SEVER.  Secerns. 

SEVERA  (Julia  Aquilia ),  second  wife  of 
Elngabalus. — See  aqvii.ia  sevf.ra. 

SEVERINA  (UlpiaJ,  wife  of  the  Emperor 
Aurelian,  as  she  is  certainly  proved  to  have  been 


as  well  from  coins  as 
from  the  dedicatory  in- 
scription of  a marble 
copied  by  Muratori,  which 
names  her  as  ULPIA 
SEVERINA  AVG. 
COwIVX  INVICTI 
AVRELIANI  AVG.  But 
scarcely  anything  is  his- 
torically or  personally 
known  of  this  princess.  Her  medals,  as  Beauvais 
observes,  do  not  represent  her  as  handsome,  aud 
give  great  severity  to  her  countenance.  She  is 
said  to  have  been  warlike  in  disposition,  aud 
even  as  Empress  to  have  followed  Aurelian  ou 
his  military  expeditions,  ou  which  occasiou  she 
gained  the  affection  of  the  soldiers  by  her  kiud- 
uess  and  her  liberalities.  The  eyes  of  her 
cruelly  rigid  husband  were  watchful  over  her 
conduct,  but  she  never  gave  the  least  pre- 
tence for  slander. — Greek  medals  of  Severina, 
struck  at  Alexandria,  acquaint  us  that  she  sur- 
vived her  husband.  These  same  medals  give 
her  the  name  of  the  Ulpia  family  : a circum- 
stance which  induces  Eckhel  to  believe  (what 
indeed  Beauvais  had  already  stated)  that  she  was 
the  daughter  of  Ulpius  Crinitus,  a celebrated 
general  in  Valerian’s  time,  who,  descended  from 
the  family  of  Trajau,  resembled  him  in  valour  and 
talents  for  war.  This  great  captain  adopted 
Aurelian  (a.d.  258),  named  him  for  his  heir, 
and  gave  him  his  daughter  in  marriage. — Her 
coius  are  of  the  highest  rarity  in  gold;  sccoud 
brass  scarce;  base  silver  aud  small  brass  common. 


Some  pieces  represent  her  with  Aurelian. — 
Style:  severina  avg. — severina  p.f.  avg. 
— The  portrait  given  above  is  from  an  aureus 
in  the  British  Museum. 

SEVERYS  ( Sept  twins) , whose  talents,  judg- 
ment, prudence,  and  courage  qualified  him, 
before  all  other  men  of  his  age,  for  the  arduous 


task  of  restoring  the  empire  to  that  stability 
which  it  had  lost  under  the  baneful  sway  of 
Coinmodus — was  born  at  Eeptis,  in  Africa, 
year  of  Rome,  899  (a.u.  146.)  His  father, 
Septimius  Gcta,  was  of  a senatorial  family; 
his  mother’s  name  was  Fulvia  l’ia.  Before  bis 
attainment  of  sovereignty,  be  held  a command 
in  Gallia  Lugduncnsis ; administered  allairs  in 
Sicily  with  proconsular  authority  ; was  honoured 
w ith  the  consulship  in  the  year  V.c.  938  ; became 
governor  of  Pannonia  and  Illyria  under  Corn- 
modus,  after  whose  death  he  was  equally  faithful 
to  Pertinnx.  That  virtuous  prince  having  been 


SEVERUS. 

basely  slain,  the  legions  of  the  above-named 
provinces  revolted  against  the  venal  election  of 
Didius  Julianus,  and  proclaimed  Severus  Emperor 
at  Carnuntum  (now  Altenburg  on  the  Danube), 
he  effecting  a rapid  march  upon  Rome,  caused 
himself  to  be  acknowledged  by  the  senate,  who  put 
Julianus  to  death,  in  the  year  of  the  city  946 
(a .1).  193.)  Having  first  disgraced  the  Pnc- 
torian  guards  for  their  baseness  in  selling  the 
empire,  he  entered  Rome  with  a magnificent 
retinue,  amidst  the  favouring  acclamations  of  the 
people ; on  which  occasion  he  added  to  his  other 
names  that  of  Pertinax.  Then  proceeding  with- 
out delay  to  the  East,  he  defeated  Pescennius 
Niger;  returning  with  equal  celerity  to  the 
AA'est,  he  vanquished  Albinus  at  Lyons ; and 
thus  by  the  successive  fall  and  death  of  his  rivals 
he  remained  sole  and  undisputed  master  of 
millions  (a.d.  197).  No  less  victorious  over 
foreign  foes  than  successful  against  domestic 
enemies,  Severus,  as  emperor,  subdued  the 
Parthians,  the  Adiabenians,  and  the  Britons, 
adding  the  several  names  of  those  regions  to  his 
own  titles,  in  memory  of  his  conquests.  He 
formed  three  new  legions  ; celebrated  (a.d.  204) 
the  secular  games  with  a magnificence  that 
astonished  the  Romans ; adorned  Rome  itself 
with  many  edifices,  to  which  architectural  em- 
bellishments he  .added  the  restoration  of  the 
pantheon  ; above  all  he  made  a constant  and 
liberal  distribution  of  corn  and  provisions  to  the 
people.  He  founded  several  colonies  in  the 
Asiatic  theatre  of  his  military  glory,  among 
others  Helvia  Ricina  in  Picenum,  Laodicea  in 
Syria,  Nisibis  in  Mesopotamia,  Tyre  in  Phoenicia 
Moreover,  Heliopolis  in  Phoenicia,  Carthage, 
Leptis  Magna,  and  Utica  in  Africa  were  in- 
cluded by  him  in  the  privileges  of  the  jus 
Italicum.  In  the  year  of  our  Lord  209, 
he  set  out  from  Rome  with  his  wife  and 
his  two  sons,  for  the  purpose  of  conquering 
Caledonia ; that  expedition  is  recorded  to  have 
cost  the  Romans  above  fifty  thousand  men.  The 
next  year,  under  his  orders,  commenced  the  con- 
struction or  reparation  of  the  fortified  wall  which, 
crossing  from  sea  to  sea,  separated  the  bar- 
barians of  the  North  from  that  part  of  the 
island  forming  the  Roman  province  of  Britain,  and 
of  which  the  vestiges  still  remain.  It  was  after 
fighting  with  his  usual  success  in  many  battles, 
and  whilst  preparing  a war  of  extermination  to 
punish  the  renewed  invasion  of  the  Caledonians 
that  this  emperor  terminated  his  mortal  career. 
He  died  of  a disease  (it  is  said)  in  the  joints,  on 
the  4th  of  February,  211,  aged  65,  at  the  city  of 
York  (Eboracum),  not  without  suspicion  of 
having  been  poisoned  by  his  execrable  son 
Caracalla,  who,  impatient  to  reign,  had  already 
tried,  though  in  vain,  to  seduce  the  troops  from 
their  allegiance,  and  was  even  on  the  point  of 
making  an  attempt  on  his  father’s  life,  whilst 
the  latter  was  at  the  head  of  his  army. 

Severus  had  great  qualities,  but  their  glory 
was  tarnished  and  their  utility  impaired  by 
atrocious  crimes.  In  his  character  there  was 
no  mediocrity ; his  vices  were  enormous,  whilst 
even  his  virtues  carriel  to  excess,  approximated 
5 B 2 


SEVERUS.  739 

to  the  most  odious  faults.  Simple  in  his  habits, 
patient  under  laborious  exertion,  content  with 
the  coarsest  fare,  and  temperate  amidst  luxu- 
rious abundance,  persevering,  intrepid,  self- 
possessed  in  danger,  and  unsubdued  by  adverse 
circumstances;  skilful  in  war,  indefatigable  in 
state  affairs,  he  had  early  cultivated  eloquence, 
philosophy,  and  other  liberal  acts  congenial  to 
peace ; an  able  statesman,  a victorious  com- 
mander, a prosperous  ruler ; on  the  other  hand 
his  sanguinary  disposition  and  vindictive  temper 
revelled  in  the  destruction  of  Roman  competitors 
and  their  families,  whilst  his  cruelty  no  less 
frightfully  displayed  itself  in  the  brutal  fury 
with  which  he  persecuted  the  Christians.  A\  ise 
and  just  in  his  general  policy,  a friend  to  order 
and  the  public  good,  he  oppressed  a defenceless 
senate  whom  he  hated,  and  relaxed  the  discipline 
of  soldiers  whom  he  both  loved  aud  feared. 
Craft  and  dissimulation  equally  with  force  aud 
bloodshed  ministered  to  his  remorseless  ambition 
and  to  his  insatiate  avarice.  “ He  promised, 
only  to  betray ; he  flattered,  ouly  to  ruin,”  as 
in  the  instances  of  Niger  and  Albinus.  And 
though  he  left  the  empire  in  a state  of  glory, 
peace,  aud  plenty,  yet  the  consequence  of  his 
system  and  conduct,  especially  as  regarded 
his  licentious  children,  was  destructive  to  the 
permanence  of  its  power  ; and  of  this  sovereign 
of  the  Roman  world,  as  of  Augustus,  it  was 
said,  “ that  he  ought  never  to  have  been  born, 
or  that  he  should  have  lived  for  ever” — so 
bloodstained  was  the  path  of  his  ascent  to 
supremacy — with  so  firm  a hand  did  he  hold  the 
reins — with  so  sagacious  a mind  did  he  direct 
the  course  of  governmeut — so  ruinous  an  example 
of  military  despotism,  and  so  fatal  a legacy  of 
calamities  in  his  immediate  successor  did  he 
bequeath  to  his  subjects  and  their  posterity. — 
He  had  two  wives,  namely  Martia ,.  who  died 
before  he  became  emperor,  and  Julia  Domna, 
by  whom  he  had  Caracalla  and  Geta. — His 
coins  are  very  numerous ; those  of  Roman  die 
are  rare  in  gold,  common  in  silver,  first  and 
second  brass;  his  bronze  medallions  are  very 
rare.  There  are  no  third  brass  of  his. 

Severus  is  stvled  IMP.  CAES.  L.  SEP- 
TIMIVS  PERTINAX  AVG. ; also  SEVERVS 
PI  VS  AA7G.  WYVannicus. — On  reverses  his  ad- 
ditional titles  are  often  A RABt«w,  ADI  ABenicus, 
PART hicus, PARTAicw MAXmmw.DIVI  M arci 
PI  I Yilius,  Voter  Patria. — [This  last  reverse, 
observes  M.  Mionnet,  confirms  the  statement  of 
historians  who  have  recorded  that  in  the  year 
v.c.  948  (a.d.  195),  Septimius  Severus  declared 
himself  the  adopted  son  of  Marcus  Aurelius, 
although  that  prince  had  then  been  dead  fifteen 
years.]— -On  other  reverses  we  see  him  further 
distinguished  by  the  appellation  of  FVNDATOR 
PACIS,  or  of  PACATOR  ORBIS,  or  of 
RECTOR  ORBIS,  or  of  RESTITVTOR 
ARBIS. — His  stvle  in  association  with  his  son 
Caracalla  is  IMP.  INVICTI.  PII.  AVG.— Some 
pieces  of  this  Emperor  represent  him  with 
Julia  Domna,  Caracalla,  and  Geta. 

It  was  during  the  reign  of  Septimius  Severus 
that  the  silver  money  of  Roman  die  began  to  be 


740  SEVERUS. 


SEVERUS. 


adulterated.  Coins  of  that  metal  are  mentioned 
in  the  following  reigns,  as  far  as  that  of  Gallienus 
inclusive,  as  being  of  silver,  although  the  standard 
of  them  was  successively  debased,  insomuch  as 
to  reuder  them  no  longer  anything  but  billon  of 
the  lowest  alloy. 

The  coins  of  this  Emperor  arc  exceedingly 
numerous,  and  present  a great  variety  of 
reverses,  many  of  which  are  historically  interest- 
ing. The  denarii  are  particularly  common,  but 
include  many  rare  reverses,  and  a legionary 
series  of  at  least  fourteen 
legions.  The  gold  coins 
are  somewhat  rare,  with 
several  rare  reverses,  from 
which  that  of  the  Circus 
Maximus  (see  the  word) 
is  here  given.  Quinarii 
in  gold  are  still  rarer. 
Silver  and  brass  medal- 
lions are  rare.  The  large 
brass  and  the  second  also  may  be  termed  scarce  ; 
the  third  brass  rare. — For  a list  of  the  rarer 
coins  of  Sevcrus,  see  Akcrmau’s  “ Descriptive 
Catalogue.” 

SEVERI  INV1CTI.  AVG.  PIT.  FIL.— A 


youthful  bust  with  radiated  head  and  right  hand 
uplifted. — The  obverse  exhibits  the  legend  of  p. 
sept.  geta.  caes.  pont.,  and  the  portrait  of 
Geta  as  Caesar. — Eckhel  gives  this  from  a gold 
medal  in  the  imperial  cabinet  at  Vienna,  with 
the  following  remarks  on  the  singularity  of  the 
reverse  type  .• — 

Geta  is  here  exhibited  in  the  guise  of  the 
Sun,  as  appears  from  the  radiated  head  aud 
elevated  right  hand,  which,  coins  commonly 
teach  us,  are  peculiar  to  the  God  of  Day,  or,  ; 
what  is  the  same  thing,  to  the  East  (Orient), 
which  is  delineated  with  those  attributes  as  well 
as  the  Sau._  It  was  about  this  period,  v.c.  957  I 
(a.d.  204),  that  Sevcrus  effected  his  Oriental 
conquests,  whence  lie  derived  the  title  of  Invictus, 
or  Invincible,  engraved  on  this  medal.  This 
was  the  reason  why  Geta  is  here  depictured  under 
the  figure  and  usual  attitude  of  Sol,  for,  indeed, 
from  that  son,  Severus  received  aid  throughout 
his  campaigns  in  the  East.  ' 

SEVERI  PI  I AVG.  FIL.  Son  of  the  August 
Severus  Pius. — This  legend  appears  on  the 
reverse  of  coins  (in  all  three  metals)  of  Anto- 
ninus (Caracalla),  the  type  of  which  presents 
the  figure  of  that  Emperor  standing  in  the  dress 
of  war,  holding  in  his  right  hand  a figure  of 
Victory  placed  on  a globe,  a spear  in  his  left 
hand,  and  a captive  at  his  feet. 

This  medal,  which  is  rare  in  gold  and  silver, 
was  struck  in  the  year  v.c.  951  (a.d.  198), 
when  Caracalla  was  called  Augustus  by  his 
father,  and  soon  after  his  brother  Geta  had  been 
declared  Caesar  It  was  in  that  year  when 
Sevcrus,  at  the  expostulations  of  friends,  haring 
relinquished  the  assumed  name  of  Pertinax,  took 
the  surname  of  Pius. 

SEVERVS  ( Flavius  Valerius),  second  of  the 
name,  Caesar,  and  afterwards  Augustus.  Born 
of  an  humble  family  in  Illyria,  he  was  dis- 
tinguished chiefly  if  not  solely  for  his  vices. 


But  the  very  perverseness  of  the  man  was  the 


cause  of  his  advancement.  For,  in  the  year 
v.c.  1058  (a  d.  305),  Galerius,  whom  his 
profligacy  and  subservience  alike  suited,  raised 
him  to  the  dignity  of  Caesar  ; and  soon  after, 
on  the  the  death  of  Constantius  Cliloros,  rc- 
fused  to  recognise  Conslantine,  son  of  that 
emperor  (whose  superior  merit  he  dreaded),  iu 
any  other  quality  than  that  of  Caesar,  whilst  he 
persuaded  Maximianus  Hcrculius  to  invest  the 
debauched  Severus  with  the  title  of  Augustus, 
and  in  the  partition  of  provinces,  Italy,  Africa, 
and  Upper  Pannouia,  were  allotted  to  his  share. 
But  when,  by  Galerius’s  orders,  Severus  marched 
at  the  head  of  a numerous  array  from  Milan 
upon  Rome,  for  the  purpose  of  dethroning 
Maxcntius,  who  had  there  assumed  the  purple, 
Maximianus,  resuming  his  recently  abdicated 
titles,  came  to  the  assistance  of  his  intrusive 
son,  and  besieged  Severus  in  Ravenna.  There, 
haring  surrendered  himself  to  Maximian,  on 
the  promise  of  being  allowed  the  unmolested 
enjoyment  of  his  imperial  dignity,  this  unhappy 
prince  was  perfidiously  sent  captive  to  Rome,  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  which  he  was  put  to 
death,  April,  307,  after  having  home,  without 
glory  and  without  desert,  the  name  of  Ciesar 
for  fifteen  months,  and  the  supreme  title  of 
Emperor  about  nine  months.  He  left  a son 
named  Scvcrianus,  whom  Licinius  caused  to  be 
slain  six  months  afterwards.  His  gold  coins 
and  small  silver  medallions  are  extremely  rare. 
Eckhel  doubts  whether  any  silver  of  the  ordinary 
size  exist.  His  brass  medallions  and  small  brass 
arc  very  rare,  and  his  second  brass  are  scarce. 
On  these  he  is  styled  severvs.  nob.  caesarj  or 

IMP.  PL.  VAL.  SEVEKVS.  P.  P.  AVG. 

SEVERVS  (Libius),  the  thiid  emperor  who 
bore  that  name,  successor  of  Majorianus,  was  a 
native  of  Lucania.  This  phantom  of  a sovereign, 
enslaved  to  the  will  of 
lti(  imer,  who  induced  the 
soldiers  to  give  him  the 
title  of  Augustus,  in  the 
city  of  Ravenna  (a.d. 
461),  passed  his  days 
carelessly  and  iuiquitously 
at  Rome,  and  died  there 
in  the  palace  of  the 
Ctrsars,  a.d.  465,  after 
about  three  years  and  eight  months’  occupation 
of  a degraded  throne,  during  which  the  bar- 
barians under  Genscric  invaded  the  empire  on 
all  sides,  scarcely  leaving  a single  province  ex- 
cept Gaul  iu  the  possession  of  the  Romans,  lie 


SEXTARIUS. — SIBYLLAE. 

is  styled  on  his  coins,  which  (of  each  metal)  arc 
more  or  less  rare,  d.  N.  lib.  severvs  avo., 
and  imp.  severvs  p.  f.  avg.,  with  the  monogram 
of  Christ,  or  the  emperor  holding  a long  cross, 
and  planting  his  foot  on  the  head  of  a dragon  ; 
or  Victory  standing ; or  Rome  seated.  In  the 
exergue  comob.  or  other  letters. — The  portrait 
here  given  is  from  a gold  coin  in  the  .British 
Museum.  Rev.  victoria  avggg. 

Six  globules,  or  circular  marks,  indicate  a 
semiss. 

SEX.  Sextus,  a Roman  pnenomen. — sex.  f. 
Sexli  Filius,  son  of  Sextus. 

SEX.  NONI.  PR.  L.  V.  P.  F — See  Nonia 
family. 

Sexdecim,  marked  thus  xvi.  denotes  the 
increased  value  of  denaria. — [Havercamp  and 
Morell,  tom.  p.  202,  419.] 

Sextans,  a Roman  coin,  which  is  marked 
sometimes  on  the  obverse,  sometimes  on  the 
reverse,  or  on  both  sides  with  two  globules  or 
[.  ,],  denoting  it  to  be  the  sixth  part  of  the 
as,  or  two  ounces  ( uncia),  because  the  as  was 
divided  into  twelve.  It  has  for  its  types  the 
head  of  Mercury  and  the  prow  of  a ship. — Some 
of  these  pieces  bear  the  names  of  Roman 
families.  The  sextans  was  also  a measure  for 
liquids,  which  contained  two  cyathi,  or  twelfth 
part  of  a sextarius. 

Sextarius,  a Roman  measure  for  liquids, 
which,  like  the  as,  was  divided  in  twelve 
ounces,  that  was  also  called  cyathi.  This 
measure  held  two  cotytce,  or  hemina,  being 
about  an  English  pint  and  a half — “ Hence 
(says  Eckhel)  the  phrases  duo  cyathi  sextans, 
tres  cyathi,  quadrant,  &c.,  by  which  is  easily 
explained  that  passage  of  Martial : Ep.  xi.  37. 

Quincunees  et  sex  cyathos  hessemque  bibamus, 
Caius  ut  fiat  Julius,  et  Proculus. 

Namely,  nineteen  cyathi  for  the  number  of 
letters,  which  are  in  Caius,  Julius,  Proculus.” 

■ — The  sextarius  was  also  the  sixth  part  of  a con- 
gius,  a liquid  measure  of  ten  libra  in  weight  (about 
one  gallon).  It  was  the  moderate  quantity  of 
wine  which  persons  of  sober  habits  drank  at 
their  meals,  as  Vopiscus  remarks  of  the  Emperor 
Tacitus : — Ipse  fait  vita  parcissima,  ita  ut 
sextarium  vini  tot  a die  nunquam  potaverit. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  congius  was  the  scale 
and  criterion  of  “ deep  drinking some  topers 
being  celebrated  under  the  names  of  bicongii, 
whilst  those  more  daring  were  called  tricongii ; 
three  or  rather  six  bottle  men  I 

S.  F.  Sacris  Faciundis. See  Mescinia 

family. — S.  V.  Saculi  Felicitas.  On  coins  of 
Diocletian  and  his  colleagues. 

Shield. — See  Buckler ; also  cl.  v.  (Clipeus 
Votivus.) 

SIBYLLAE,  the  Sibylls,  women  who,  pre- 
tending to  be  divinely  inspired,  predicted  future 
events.  Authors  agree  neither  as  to  who  the 
Sibyls  were,  nor  respecting  their  numbers,  nor 
the  times  and  places  where  they  prophesied. 
Some  reckon  fourteen,  others  ten,  others  only 
four,  and  even  three.  The  principal  were 
the  Erythrean  and  the  Cumiean.  It  is  the 


SIBYLLAE.  741 

Sibyll  of  Curmea  in  Italy,  whom  Virgil  makes 
.Eneas  consult,  at  a time  when,  according  to 
the  fable  of  Apollo’s  gift  of  longevity  to  her, 
she  had  lived  some  hundred  out  of  the  thousand 
years  allotted  to  her,  The  same  attribute  of 
supernaturally  prolonged  existence  has  been 
given  to  another  of  these  prophetesses  ; so  that 
to  signify  an  extremely  old  woman,  she  is 
termed  a Sibyll.  Nothing  is  known  of  the  way 
in  which,  what  arc  called,  the  Sibylline  verses 
were  composed — Among  the  records  of  anti- 
quity no  information  is  to-  be  found  as  to  how 
this  alleged  mass  of  predictions,  put  into 
hexameters,  happened  to  be  discovered,  nor  at 
what  period  it  appeared,  nor  who  was  the 
author  of  it.  The  early  Romans  boasted  of 
being  the  preservers  of  the  Cumsean  Sibylls’ 
verses.  But  all  that  their  historians  state  which 
can  be  construed  to  bear  on  the  subject,  is  the 
wrcll-known  story  they  tell  in  connection  with 
the  reign  of  Tarquinius  Super  bus,  of  a woman 
who  offered  to  that  prince  nine  books  of  this 
prophetic  poetry,  for  three  hundred  pieces  of 
gold,  and  obtained  her  price  after  burning  six 
and  leaving  Tarquin  only  three  for  his  money. 
So  profoundly  secret  was  the  custody  of  this 
precious  deposit,  that  fifteen  officers  formed 
specially  into  a college  alone  were  allowed  to 
see  and  examine  it.  They  were  called  the 
Sibylline  Quindecemvirs ; and  so  implicit  was 
the  popular  belief  in  the  truth  of  the  things 
foretold  in  this  collection,  that  the  Romans, 
whenever  they  had  a war  to  undertake,  or  when- 
ever pestilence,  famine,  or  any  extraordinary 
calamity  afflicted  the  city  or  the  country, 
invariably  had  recourse  to  it.  The  senate  itself 
set  the  example  of  consulting  these  mysterious 
volumes  on  occasions  of  seditious  insurrections 
or  of  any  serious  defeat  sustained  by  the  armies 
of  the  republic,  or  when  the  appearance  of 
prodigies  seemed  to  threaten  some  great  mis- 
fortune. Many  examples  arc  furnished  in  the 
annals  of  Rome,  which  shew  the  solemnity 
with  which  the  Sibylls’  books  were  referred  to 
in  similar  conjunctures.  The  Sibylline  verses 
continued  to  be  held  in  respect  even  under  the 
emperors,  but  a large  portion  of  the  senate 
having  become  professed  Christians  about  the 
time  of  Theodosius,  the  sentiment  of  veneration 
for  these  supposed  revelations  began  to  decline, 
and  at  length  Stilicho,  the  general  of  llondrius, 
caused  them  to  be  burnt.  Such,  however,  was 
the  degree  of  superstitious  regard  which  the 
different  Sibyls  and  their  oracles  had  at  one  time 
obtained,  that  some  of  them  received  divine 
honours  ; the  Sibylla  Tiburtina  was  worshipped 
at  Tibur  as  a goddess ; and  the  Sibylla  Cumaa 
had  her  temple  at  Cuma. 

On  a denarius  of  the  Manlia  family,  the 
obverse  bears  a female  head,  beneath  which  is 
the  word  SIBVLLA  ; on  the  reverse  of  the  coin 
is  a tripod,  with  two  stars  above  it ; the  whole 
within  an  ornamented  circle,  including  the  name 
of  L.  TORQVATtw  III.VIR. 

The  learned  have  hitherto  adduced  nothing 
either  probable  or  consistent  on  the  subject  of 
these  types.  Havercamp,  in  Morell,  iuclines 


742  SIBYLLAE. 

to  regard  the  female  head  as  that  of  the 
Erythraean  Sibyl,  and,  in  confirmation,  points  to 
the  tripos,  as  the  sure  and  constant  sign  of  the 
quindecemvirs  specially  entrusted  with  the 
guardianship  and  inspection  of  the  Sibylline 
hooks.  Eckhel  offers  no  explanation  of  his  own  ; 
nevertheless,  in  describing  the  medal,  he  speaks 
of  the  caput  Sibylla,  and  shews  the  accompany  • 
ing  word,  SIBVLLA,  to  have  been  written  for 
SIBYLLA  (the  V.  being  on  ancient  monumeuts 
not  unfrequent ly  substituted  for  Y.)  If  the  same 
Lucius  Manlius  Torquatus  who  struck  the  coin 
had  been  called  All  VI R,  instead  of  HIM  IR, 
the  direct  allusion  of  these  types  to  the  Sibyll 
and  her  sacred  books  would  have  been  indubitably 
clear.  It  is,  however,  not  unlikely  that  he 
who,  as  Monetal  Triumvir  to  Caisar,  has 
encircled  the  reverse  with  his  ancestral  collar 
(torques),  should  have  decreed  the  word 
SIBYLLA  on  one  side,  and  the  tripos  figured  on 
the  other,  to  be  sufficient  designations  of  the 
Sibylline  Oracles  entrusted  to  the  authorities  of 
Rome  And,  considering  the  importance  in 
which  they  were  ostensibly  held,  and  the  care 
bestowed  ou  their  preservation,  as  well  as  the 
many  occasions  on  which  they  were  consulted, 
the  matter  of  surprise  is  that  these  denarii 
should  be  the  only  known  memorials,  at  least 
of  a numismatic  kind,  pointing  to  so  favourite 
and  long  prevailing  a superstition. — Sec  Manlia. 

SIC.  Sic. — Sicut. 

SIC.  V.  SIC.  X.  Sic  Quinquenna/ia,  sic 
Decennalia  (decurrant feliciter)  ! — These  mono- 
syllabic words  and  numerals  appear  on  a gold 
coin  (given  by  Banduri)  of  Licinius  junior, 
inscribed  on  the  pedestal  of  a sitting  statue  of 
Jupiter,  who  holds  in  one  hand  the  hasta  pura, 
and  in  the  other  a small  victory ; an  eagle  at 
his  feet ; and  encircled  with  the  legend  of  IOYI 
CON’SERVATORI  CAESW 

This  most  rare  and  remarkable  medal  repre- 
sents on  its  obverse  the  full  face  of  Licinius  Filius, 
under  the  features  of  a child  scarcely  two  years 
old,  bare-headed,  and  clothed  np  to  the  bosom 
in  the  paludamentum.  It  was  struck  on  the 
occasion  of  his  being  called  Cmsar,  when  he  was 
placed,  with  festal  celebrations,  under  the  pro 
tection  of  Jupiter,  the  tutelary  god  of  his 
father.  To  this  infant  a happy  five  years  are 
wished,  and  that  ten  years  more  may  roll  on 
with  equal  felicity  to  him.  Alas,  for  the  un- 
certain fate  of  imperial  princes  in  the  fourth 
century ; he  perished  in  his  twelfth  year,  a 
victim  to  the  same  barbarous  policy  which 
subjected  his  ambitious  father  to  a violent  death, 
but  which,  carried  out  against  the  life  of  this 
meritorious  and  innocent  yonth,  disgraces  the 
memory,  as  it  belies  the  pretensions,  of  the 
Emperor  Constantine,  his  nncle. 

SIC.  X.  SIC.  XX. — By  these  marks  of  votive 
augmentation,  it  was  the  custom  of  the  Roman 
mints  of  the  Lower  Empire,  to  wish  that  (xx.) 
Ficennalia,  or  a score  of  years,  might  be 
enjoyed  in  health  and  prosperity,  after  the  com- 
pletion of  the  first  (X.)  Decennalia,  by  the 
prince  in  whose  honour  the  coin  was  struck. — 
This  is  extended  from  XX.  to  xxx.,  viz  . sicut 


SICILIA. 

Ficennalia  sic  Tricennatia  (vota  solvantur,)  on 
medals  of  Diocletian  and  Maximian. 

Sicilia,  Sicily,  the  most  celebrated  island  of 
that  part  of  the  Mediterranean,  called  Tyrrhenum 
mare,  or  the  Tuscan  sea.  It  was  anciently- 
denominated  Sicania,  from  the  Sicani,  a Spanish 
tribe,  who  held  possession  of  it  until  driven  to 
its  western  extremity  by  the  Siculi,  a nation 
of  Italy,  the  original  inhabitants  of  Latium. — 
The  soil  of  Sicily,  favoured  by  its  fine  climate, 
was  so  luxuriantly  fertile,  especially  in  corn,  as 
to  have  obtained  for  it  the  not  undeserved 
appellation  of  the  granary  of  the  Roman  em- 
pire ; it  was  regarded  as  the  ce/la  panaria,  or 
bread  store-houses  of  the  Romans— plebisque 
Romance  nulrix.  It  is  believed,  at  a very  re- 
mote period  of  antiquity,  to  have  been  joined 
to  Italy,  from  which  it  afterwards  was  divided 
by  some  great  natural  convulsion.  Thence  it  is 
supposed  to  have  derived  its  name  quasi. 

Sicilita,  i.e.  Reseda. — The  very  narrow  sea 
which  separated  it  from  the  main  land,  pre- 
sented two  well-known  objects  of  terror  to 
ancient  mariners,  in  Chrybdis  and  Scylla,  the 
former  rock  being  on  the  Sicilian,  the  latter  on 
the  Italian  shore.  On  the  general  principle  of 
assimilating  countries  to  the  form  of  some 
familiar  object,  Sicily  was  called  Triquelra, 
from  the  figure  of  a triangle  It  was  also  called 
Trinacria,  from  its  three  promontories  Peloram, 
Pachynum,  and  Lilvbmura. 

Sicily,  (observes  M.  Heunin,)  from  the  re- 
markable events  which  have  taken  place  in  it, 
offers,  in  a numismatic  point  of  view,  the 
greatest  degree  of  interest.  The  principal  cities 
of  the  island  issued  a very  considerable  number 
of  coins,  in  all  the  metals,  which  do  not  yield 
to  those  of  any  other  country  in  historical 
importance  and  in  beauty  of  workmanship. 
Some  of  them  are  perhaps  even  superior  to  all 
that  can  be  mentioned  as  belonging  to  other 
countries — particularly  those  pieces  of  unusual 
size,  commonly  named  large  silver  medallions 
of  Syracuse.  These  are  in  the  highest  degree 
to  be  admired  for  the  style  and  grand  character 
which  they  display  in  their  fabric.  It  is  doubtfid 
whether  they  were  current  money.  There  seems 
better  ground  for  believing  that  they  were  used 
as  prizes  at  the  games,  or  on  other  occasions. 

[In  this  class,  holding  a chief  place  in  the 
foremost  rank  for  excellence  of  design  and 
execution,  is  that  with  the  head  of  Proserpine 
on  one  side,  and  on  the  other  a quadriga,  and  a 
Victory  flying  to  meet  and  crown  the  successful 
charioteer,  who  seems  to  be  cheering  on  his  fleet 
coursers  to  the  goal. — The  Aretbusa,  with  a 
similar  reverse,  is  also  a splendid  specimen  of 
the  Greco-Siciliau  mint. — Syracuse  iudeed,  as 
Kolb  says,  is  a veritable  Peru  for  the  antiquary, 
for  no  city  produces  so  many  gold  and  silver 
pieces,  nor  of  such  heavy  weight,  and,  what  is 
most  remarkable,  they  surpass  in  perfection 
everthing  that  presents  itself  on  other  medals  ] 

Money  appears  to  have  been  coined  in  Sicily 
from  almost  the  original  period  of  the  art. 

Passing  the  autonoms  and  the  coins  of  kings 
and  tyrants,  it  may  be  remarked  that  the  Car- 


SICILIA. 

thaginians,  who  conquered  and  occupied  ^a 
portion  of  Sicily,  struck  money  there  which  is 
conspicuous  for  its  elegance.  These  pieces,  with 
Punic  characters,  are  considered  to  have  been 
coined  at  Panormui  (Palermo),  the  central  seat 
of  Carthaginian  power  in  the  island. 

The  neighbourhood  of  Magna- Grsccia,  and 
the  relations  existing  between  the  monetary 
systems  of  those  two  countries,  warrant  the 
belief  that  Sicily  was  subjected  by  the  Romans 
to  the  same  regulations  as  those  they  imposed 
upon  Italy,  and  that  the  independent  rights  of 
coinage  ceased  to  be  exercised  in  both  those 
countries  towards  the  same  epocha.  Some  cities 
of  Sicily,  however,  issued  I mperial-Greek  pieces, 
which  was  not  the  case  in  Italy;  hut  those 
pieces  were  struck  only  under  Augustus  and 
Tiberius.  Subsequently,  there  is  reason  to 
believe,  offices  were  established  in  that  island 
for  minting  coins  of  Roman  die. 

In  the  partition  of  territory,  which  took 
place  after  the  death  of  Sextus  Pompev,  who 
at  one  time  held  despotic  sway  over  the  island, 
whilst  Corinth  and  Achaia  were  ceded  to  M. 
Antony,  Sicily,  with  Sardinia,  was  assigned  to 
Octavianus  (afterwards  Augustus).  By  that 
emperor  the  Sicilians  were  included  in  the 
number  of  Roman  citizeus ; and  l’anonnus 
(Palermo)  made  a Roman  colony,  with  the 
power  of  coining  money,  which  privileges  were 
continued  to  that  city  under  Tiberius.  The 
whole  island  became  a praetorian  or  proconsular 
province.  Hence  it  is  that  so  many  coins,  both 
denarii  and  brass  money,  are  extant,  on  which 
the  remembrance  of  those  Roman  proconsuls 
and  praetors,  who  were  sent  into  Sicily,  are 
preserved.  From  family  medals  we  also  learn 
that  Sicily  received  two  Qutcstors  from  Rome. 

Sicily  is  represented,  as  well  on  Latin  as  on 
Greek  coins  by  the  Triquetra,  composed  of  three 
human  legs,  spread  out 
from  one  another  in  a 
triangular  form,  in  allu- 
sion to  the  three-sided 
shape  of  the  island,  or  to 
its  three  promontories. 
On  some  also  of  these 
medals,  in  the  centre  be- 
tween the  three  uniting 
thighs,  a female  head  (namely,  of  Medusa)  is  seen. 
See  Panormus. — The  iria  crura,  and  a Medusa’s 
head  in  the  centre,  and  sometimes  with  corn-ears 
joiued  thereto,  as  upon  the  above  denarius  of  the 
Cornelia  family ; also  a maritime  trophy  in  a 
temple,  whose  pediment  exhibits  the  same 
symbol  of  Sicily,  appear  on  certain  medals  of 
Augustus,  and  refer,  says  Spanheim,  to  the 
defeat  of  Sextius  Pompeius  (shortly  after  that  of 
Brutus  and  Cassius,)  in  the  straights  of  Sicily, 
where  this  son  of  the  Great  Pornpey  had  become 
a captain  of  pirates,  as  Homs  states : not 
to  say  that  Augustus  oppressed  this  young 
man  under  the  appearance  of  Peace,  as  some 
wise  men  view  it  in  Tacitus,  and  moreover  that 
Agrippa  had  the  better  share  in  all  the  suc- 
cesses of  that  war  of  which  Sicily  was  the 
theatre. — On  a denarius  of  L.  aqylli\s  florvs, 


SICILIA.  743 

monetal  iii.vik.  to  Augustus,  we  see  the  three 
legs  with  the  head  of  Medusa,  which  symbolise 
Sicily,  which  coin  he  caused  to  he  struck  in 
memory  of  his  ancestors,  the  Caii  and  Manii 
who  were  proconsuls  of  that  province. 

SICIL.  Sicilia. — This  abbreviated  word 

appears  on  the  exergue  of  a denarius  struck  by 
the  above-mentioned  mint-master,  to  revive  the 
memory  of  his  ancestor  Manius  Aquilius  Floras, 
who,  as  proconsul  of  Sicily  in  the  year  v.c. 
654,  put  an  end  to  the  senile  war.  Round  the 
reverse  of  this  historically  interesting  coin  is  the 
inscription  MANtuJ  AQVILjkj  M A N ii  i'ilius. 
MANti  N epos.  The  type  is  a soldier  holding  a 
shield  on  his  right  arm,  and  looking  back,  he 
lifts  up  with  his  right  a female  figure,  who,  with 
a shield  on  her  left  arm,  is  sunk  down  on  her 
knees.  It  is  thus  elegantly  that  Sicily,  which 
had  been  despoiled  and  insulted  by  the  fugitive 
Italian  slaves,  is  figured  under  the  traits  of  a 
helpless  and  almost  prostrate  woman,  raised 
from  degradation  and  misery  by  the  rescuing 
hand  of  a brave  warrior,  who,  on  his  return  to 
Rome  after  this  service  performed,  enjoyed  the 
honours  of  an  ovation. — See  Jquilia  gens. 

SICIL.  IMP.  VIII.  IX.  X.  &c.— The  word 
Sicilia,  thus  abbreviated,  is  exhibited  on  other 
gold  and  silver  coins  of  Augustus,  after  he  had 
recovered  possession  of  that  island,  on  the  ex- 
pulsion therefrom  of  Sextus  Pompey.  On  the 
obverses  of  these  medals  are  avgvstvs  divi  f. 
and  his  head ; on  the  reverse  is  Diana,  who, 
walking,  with  a dog  at  her  feet,  holds  a bow 
and  arrow. 

Vaillant,  and  other  learned  antiquaries,  have 
referred  the  coinage  of  this  denarius  to  the  year 
of  Rome  733  (before  Christ  21),  because  during 
that  year  Augustus  tarried  in  Sicily,  and  arranged 
his  affairs  there.  On  many  similar  coins  the 
numbers  IX.  X.  XI.  and  XII.  are  added  to 
IMP erator,  in  the  same  manner  as  other  denarii 
of  Augustus  are  inscribed  ACT.  IMP.,  with 
various  numbers  and  with  the  type  of  Apollo  of 
Actium. — On  these  circumstances,  Eckhel  com- 
ments with  his  usual  sagacity  and  intelligence. 
These  types  of  the  Sicilian  Diana  and  of  the 
Actian  Apollo  (says  he)  are  not  without  motive 
repeated  through  many  consecutive  years ; for 
(according  to  the  popular  superstition  of  the 
Romans)  Augustus  owed  his  good  fortune  to 
both  those  divinities,  namely,  at  Artemisium  or 
Dianium  Sicilia,  near  Mylas,  when  Sextus 
Pompey  was  vanquished,  and  at  Actium,  sacred 
to  Apollo,  where  M.  Antony  sustained  his  deci- 
sive defeat. — The  same  pre-eminent  teacher  of 
the  numismatic  science,  refers  to  the  priesthood 
(sacerdotium)  DIAN«e  VICTRim  ET  APOL- 
LINIS  PALATini,  recorded  on  a marble  by 
Muratori,  and  which  priesthood  was  unques- 
tionably instituted  by  Augustus,  when,  by  the 
assistance,  as  was  believed,  of  the  divine  brother 
and  sister  (Apollo  and  Diana)  he  achieved  the 
victory  over  his  enemies.. 

SICILIA.  S.  C. — On  a first  brass  of  Hadrian, 
with  this  legend  of  the  reverse  is  a juvenile  head 
which  presents  a full  face  without  neck  : it  has 
the  hair  dishevelled,  and  the  chin  without  beard. 


744  SICILIA.— SICILIAE. 

Beneath  it  is  some  sea  monster,  having  the  figure 
of  a woman  from  the  head  to  the  waist,  and 
having  serpents  for  the  legs  and  arms.  Vaillant 
thinks  that  this  head  represents  that  of  Medusa. 
Havercamp  regards  it  as  more  likely  to  be  in- 
tended for  the  Sun,  such  as  it  is  represented  on 
medals  of  Rhodes,  which  often  sent  colonists  to 
Syracuse. — Kckhel  believes  that,  if  the  head  be 
really  that  of  the  sun,  of  which,  however,  he 
thinks,  there  is  strong  ground  for  doubt,  it 
alludes  to  the  sun  as  seen  at  the  rising  by 
Hadrian  at  Mount  Etna  (as  related  by  Spartian) 
rather  than  to  the  Rhodian  strangers,  especially 
as  the  inhabitants  of  his  Mount  .Etna  engraved 
the  head  of  the  sun  on  their  money.  . But  (he 
adds)  the  head  is  more  probably  that  of  Medusa, 
which  pften  appears  on  Sicilian  medals,  placed 
(as  above  described)  in  the  centre  of  the  triquetra. 
— There  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  the  marine 
monster,  placed  below,  is  Scylla,  which,  in  the 
Sicilian  straights  (fretum  SiculumJ,  appears  to 
have  exercised  a grievous  tyranny,  and  which  in 
a form  not  greatly  dissimilar  is  typified  on  coins 
of  Sextus  Pompev. 

SICILIAE  (AD VENT VI  AVGi) — An  altar, 
by  which  on  one  side  stands  the  emperor,  and 
and  on  the  other  a woman  whose  hand  is  adorned 
with  ears  of  corn,  and  who  also  holds  corn  ears 
in  her  left  hand. — On  first  and  second,  brass  of 
Hadrian.  < 

SICILIAE  (RESTITYTORI).— The  emperor 
raising  up  a kpeeling  woman,  whose  left  hand 
holds,  aud  whose  head  is  bound  round  with  ears 
of  corn. — On  first  and  second  brass  of  Hadrian. 

The  types  of  the  above  described,  forming  as 
they  do  part  of  the  series  of  geographical  medals, 
furnished  by  the  rich  and  varied  mint  of  Hadrian, 
are  susceptible  of  easy  explanation ; since  the 
ears  of  corn  clearly  denote  fertility ; one  of  the 
well-known  qualities  of  Sicily.  It  was  to  that 
island,  on  his  returning  from  Achaia  (to  which 
event  Tillemont  assigns  the  date  of  v.  c.  879), 
that  Hadrian  made  a voyage,  on  which  occasion, 
according  to  Spartianus,  Aetna m montem  con- 
scendit,  ut  soils  ortum  rider et,  arcus  specie,  ut 
dicetur,  carium.  On  first  and  second  brass  of 
Antoninus  Pius,  bearing  the  word  sicllia,  was 
the  same  figure  of  a woman  holding  corn  ears, 
thus  associating  with  the  name  of  Sicily  the 
symbol  of  abundance  in  agricultural  products, 
which  served  long  to  distinguish  her  as  the 
granary  of  Rome. 

SICIXIA. — A plebeian,  but  formerly  also  a 
pratrician  family. — Its  coins  consist  of  three 
varieties,  in  silver,  rare. — On  a denarius  of  Q. 
sicinivs  mviB  monetalis,  are  port.  p.R.,  and 
the  type  of  a female  head.  The  type  of  the 
reverse  is  a palm  branch,  caduceus,  and  laurel 
crown. 

Ursinus  explains  the  word  port,  as  meaning 
Fortitudo.  Eckhcl  and  others  as  Fort  ana.  His 
observation  is  that  Fortitude  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  worshipped  by  jhe  Romans,  though 
Firtus,  which  is  almost  equivalent,  was  placed 
among  the  qualities  deified  by  that  people.  But 
the  Romans  on  the  other  hand  paid  vast  honour 
to  Fortune,  to  whom  splendid  temples,  under  a 


SIDERIBl'S. — SIDOX. 
multiplicity  of  epithets,  were  raised,  as  Plutarch 
says,  who  besides  uuhesitatingly  affirms  that 
more  to  fortune  than  to  their  virtue  the  Romans 
owed  their  aggrandisements,  which  gradually 
extended  their  empire  from  the  banks  of  the 
Tiber  over  the  greatest  nations  of  the  known 
world. 

Fortuna  Vopuli  Romani  appears  also  on  coins 
of  the  Arria  family. — Another  denarius  of  the 
above  Q.  Sicinius  is  classed  with  the  Coponia 
familv. 

SIDERIBVS  RECEPTA.— On  a first  brass 
of  Faustina  junior  (Empress  of  M.  Aurelias), 
bearing  this  legend,  is  the  type  of  Diana  Lucifera 
walking.  On  another  bronze  medal,  we  see 
her  conducting  a car,  after  the  fashion  of 
Diana.  Other  medals  struck  in  honour  of  her 
apotheosis,  represent  her  seated  on  a peacock 
that  wings  its  flight  heavenward.  But  the  present 
ty]>e  was  evidently  intended  to  announce  to  the 
subjects  of  an  emperor  who  loved  this  wife  of 
his  “ not  wisely,  but  too  well,”  that  she  was 
already  received  into  the  firmament,  and  had 
become  a new  star. — On  the  obverse,  round  the 
head,  we  read  diva  favstixa  pia.  The  Divine 
Faustina  Pia. — See  Consecration. 

Sidon,  or  Zidon  (now  Seyde),  a maritime  city, 
in  that  part  of  Syria  called  Phcsmcia,  renowned 
for  its  great  antiquity,  being  celebrated  in  history 
both  sacred  aud  profane.— Sidon  has  its  name 
from  the  son  of  Canaan,  mentioned  in  Genesis 
(c.x.  v.  15).  The  equally  famous  city  ofTyrelong 
contended  .with  it  for  primacy.  But,  as  Isaiah 
(c.  xxiii.  v,  12)  calls  Tyre  the  “ daughter  of 
Zidon,”  thus  confirming  what  Strabo  says,  that 
Sidon  only,  and  not  Tyre,  was  celebrated  by 
Homer,  the  palm  of  antiquity  must  necessarily 
be  yielded  to  Sidon.  Its  inhabitants  were  early 
famous  for  their  naval  power,  insomuch  that, 
according  to  Diodorus,  they  could  send  out  a 
hundred  gallies  of  the  largest  class.  At  length  the 
opulence  of  this  grand  emporium  of  commerce 
became  a prey  to  Persian  cupidity. — Falling  after- 
wards under  the  sway  of  the  Romans,  Sidon  was 
deprived  of  her  long  enjoyed  dignity  of  a metro- 
polis by  Augustus. — But  Trajan,  mindful  of  its 
ancient  glory,  reconstituted  its  pre-eminence  in 
the  Syrian  province;  and  at  length  this  most 
ancient  city  was  restored  to  its  metropolitan  rank, 
and  made  a Roman  colony,  by  one  utterly  un- 
worthy to  hold  the  sceptre  of  imperial  Rome,  viz., 
by  Elagabalus,  himself  a Syrian  by  birth. — These 
metropolitical  rights,  however,  seem  to  have 
been  soon  abolished,  for  beyond  the  reign  of 
Alexander  Severus  no  coins  assign  that  title  to 
her. — That  Sidon  was  constituted  a colony,  with 
the  distinctive  appellation  of  Aurelia  Pia,  by 
Elagabalus  is  shown  by  the  numerous  coins  struck 
in  honour  of  himself  and  wives,  of  his  mother 
and  annts. — The  autonomous  coins  of  this  place, 
many  of  which  have  Phmnician  legends,  bear  the 
heads  of  Syrian  kings  from  Antiochus  IV.  to 
Demetrius  III.  Its  imperial  medals,  with  Greek 
legends,  are  from  Augustus  to  Hadrian.  The 
colonial  are  inscribed  to  Elagabalus,  Julia  Paula, 
Annia  Faustina,  and  Julia  Maesa,  and  also  to 
Alexander  Severus.  These  all  have  Latin  legends. 


SIDON. 

such  as  col.  met.  avr.  pi  a.  sidon.  Colonia 
Metropolis  Aurelia  Pia  Sidon  ; and  On  their 
reverses  the  features  of  the  Greek  and  Roman 
are  singularly  mingled  with  those  of  the  Syrian 
and  oriental  superstitution. 

The  following  are  the  types  found  on  coins 
of  this  colony,  as  given  by  Yaillant,  whose  work 
is  rich  iu  Latin  medals  of  Sidon,  and  no  les3  so 
in  explanatory  animadversions  on  the  subjects 
to  which  the  different  types  refer : — 

Astarte. — Among  the  numerous  numismatic 
dedications  made  by  the  Sidouians  to  the  Syrian 
Elagabalus  aud  to  members  of  his  house,  are 
first  aud  second  brass,  bearing  the  legend  of 
COL.  avr.  PIA.  METR.  sid.  (Colonia  Aurelia  Pia 
Metropolis  Sidon),  and  exhibiting  the  effigy  of 
their  favourite  goddess,  standing  with  her  right 
hand  placed  on  a trophy,  and  with  her  left 
holding  a wand.  A figure  of  Victory,  placed  on 
a column,  extends  to  her  a crown,  and  at  the 
feet  of  Astarte  is  the  figure  of  Silenus. — On 
another  first  brass,  inscribed  to  the  same  emperor, 
the  same  deity  appears,  and  the  same  Victoriola, 
within  a temple  supported  by  four  columns,  but 
without  the  trophy.  This  type  also  appears  on 
corns  of  Julia  Paula. 

[The  Sidonians,  like  their  Tyrian  neighbours 
and  rivals,  paid  supreme  adoration  to  Astarte 
(see  the  word);  aud  their  city  contained  a 
temple  erected  to  her  honour.  The  goddess 
lays  her  hand  on  a trophy,  in  the  same  way  as 
will  be  seen  on  the  Tyrian  money,  aud  seem- 
ingly for  the  same  purpose — namely,  to  point  at 
the  various  colonies  established  far  and  wide 
fiom  Phoenicia,  and  in  which  trophies  had  been 
placed  as  tokens  of  conquest ; for  which  reason, 
perhaps,  the  small  figure  of  Victory  is  made  to 
offer  a crown  to  Astarte,  who  holds  the  scipio, 
or  a sceptre,  her  appropriate  symbol,  as  queen 
of  the  place,  loci  regina .] 

[Sidon,  after  having  experienced  many  changes 
of  fortune,  was  at  length  made  a colony,  and 
the  metropolis  of  Phcenicia,  by  Elagabalus. 
And  he,  having  invested  Alexander  Severus  with 
the  title  and  rank  of  Cscsar,  had  this  medal 
dedicated  to  him,  in  congratulation  of  the  event, 
and  especially  in  remembrance  of  Alexander’s 
victory  over  the  Persian  invaders  of  Syria.  The 
Sidonians,  therefore,  adopted  the  deified  hero  as 
a type  on  their  coins,  perhaps  in  flattery  to 
Alexander  himself,  as  if  he  were  another  con- 
queror of  the  eastern  world.] 

Colonies  agens  boves. — On  the  first  brass  of 
Elagabalus,  the  colonial  priest  drives  his  plough- 
team  of  oxen,  by  whose  side  stands  a vexil/um, 
on  which  is  inscribed  leg.  hi.  par. — Legio 
Tertia  Parthica. — On  a similar  reverse  of  Annia 
Faustina,  the  colonist  extends  his  right  hand, 
which  holds  a staff  over  the  oxen. 

[The  third  legion  had  its  appellation  of 
Parthian  conferred  upon  it  by  Sept.  Severus ; 
and  the  military  standard  here  inscribed  with 
its  name  denotes  that  old  soldiers  from  that 
legion  were  sent  as  a reinforcement  to  the 
Roman  population  of  this  colony. — It  appears 
that  in  order  to  supply  the  place  of  the  many 
veterans  who  had  fallen  in  the  civil  con- 

5 C 


SIDON.  745 

tests  between  him  and  Pescenuius  and  Albinus, 
and  also  to  fulfil  his  determination  of  waging 
war  against  the  Parthians,  Severus  established 
three  new  legions,  which,  that  he  might  give 
them  a character  for  valour,  as  if  they  had 
already  gained  victories  over  the  enemy,  he 
called  Parthicce.  But  having  brought  the  war 
to  a successful  conclusion,  he  ordered  the  first 
and  third  of  these  newly  formed  legions  to 
winter  in  Mesopotamia  for  the  protection  of 
that  province.  Subsequently,  as  many  of  the 
soldiers  had  completed  their  term  of  sendee, 
they  were  ordered  by  Elagabalus  to  be  stationed 
in  this  colony  of  his  own  founding,  not  far 
remote  from  the  place  of  their  winter  quarters. 

Europe,  riding  on  the  back  of  a bull,  holds 
with  both  hands  a veil,  which  floats  above  her 


head ; on  a second  brass  of  Elagabalus  and  of 
Annia  Faustina,  his  third  wife,  the  legend  of 
this  coin  is  c.  a.  pi.  met.  sid.,  Colonia  Aurelia 
Pia  Metropolis  Sidon. 

[Vaillant  observes  that  this  elegant  type,  re- 
presenting the  rape  of  Europa  by  Jupiter  under 
the  form  of  a bull,  refers  to  the  antiquity  of 
Sidon.  Biniard  (ad  Jobert.  ii.  261)  views  it  in 
the  same  light,  in  opposition  to  the  conjecture 
of  some  writers,  who  contend  that  the  young 
woman  and  the  bull  simply  designate  the 
united  beauty  and  strength  of  the  Sidonians, 
qualities  for  which  they  were  by  no  means 
remarkable. — The  same  learned  annotator  judi- 
ciously adds  that  “ Sidon,  at  the  period  when 
its  Roman  authorities  caused  these  medals  to  be 
struck,  was  inhabited  not  only  by  Phoenicians, 
but  also  by  Greeks,  the  latter  of  whom  had 
established  themselves  there  from  Alexander 
the  Great’s  time.  And  the  Greeks,  adopting  on 
their  part  the  worship  of  Astarte  (the  most 
ancient  divinity  of  the  Sidonians),  imparted 
in  their  turn  to  the  Sidonians,  the  worship  of 
Europa.”  Thus,  the  figure  of  Astarte  and  of 
Europa,  with  their  respective  attributes  and 
indications,  were  alternately  engraven  on  the 
colonial-imperial  coins  of  Sidon,  whose  inhab- 
itants, like  the  rest  of  Phcenicia,  had  eventually 
become  composed  of  people  who  paid  adoration 
equally  to  each  of  these  deifications.] 

Emperor  Sacrificing. — On  a coin  of  Sidon, 
struck  under  Elagabalus. — The  emperor,  in  the 
garb  of  a pontiff,  stands  before  an  altar  with 
patera  in  right  hand ; star  in  field. — PI.  xix.  10, 
p.  203. 

Modius. — On  a first  brass  of  Elagabalus, 
struck  at  Sidon,  appears  the  modius,  or  bushel 
measure,  filled  with  cars  of  corn,  and  at  the 
bottom  of  the  coin  is  aeternv.  bexefi. 
Aetemum  Beneficium. 


740  SIDON. 

[Allusive  to  the  donations  of  corn  which, 
after  the  custom  of  Rome  (see  Annond),  were 
made  by  Elagabalus  to  the  Sidonians.  This 
type  seems  to  have  been  borrowed  from  a cele- 
brated coin  of  Nerva,  struck  by  order  of  the 
senate,  with  the  epigraph  Plebei  Urban a Fru- 
mento  Constitutor 

The  epigraph  is  singular,  but  still  in  keeping 
with  the  monstrous  exaggerations  and  fulsome 
flatteries  of  a hideous  reign. 

Signa  Militaria. — There  is  a first  brass  of 
Sidon,  struck  under  the  same  Emperor,  which 
exhibits  three  military  ensigns,  whose  tops  are 
surmounted  by  small  eagles.  These  refer  to  the 
veterans  of  the  Third  Parthian  legion  sent  by 
Elagabalus  as  colonists  to  Sidon,  and  on  which 
remarks  have  already  been  made  in  describing 
the  type  of  Colon  us  boves  agens ; see  above. 

On  small  brass,  dedicated  by  this  colony 
respectively  to  Julia  Sommias,  the  mother,  and  to 
Julia  Msesa,  the  grandmother  of  Elagabalus,  are 
three  military  standards,  but  without  the  eagles. 

Tables  and  Urns. — A coin  of  Sidon,  inscribed 
to  Elagabalus,  has  a table  with  two  urns  upon 


it,  each  urn  having  a palm  branch.  Around  is 
inscribed  col.  metro,  avr.  pia.  sid.  ; or  col. 
avr.  pia.,  etc.,  as  in  the  example  here  given. 
Below  are  a vase,  apples,  aud  the  epigraph  cer. 
or  cert.  per.  isel.  oecvm.  (Periodonica, 
'■Iselastica,  (EcumenicaJ.  In  the  coin  engraved 
above  it  must  read,  ce.  pe.  oec.  is. 

[Vaillant  considers  cer.  or  cert.  per.  to 
signify  Certamina  Periodonica.  But  Bimard, 
who  rejects  Periodonicum  as  an  unknown  and 
even  barbarous  word,  and  who  equally  rejects 
the  explanation  offered  by  Hardouin  of  Certamen 
Perpetuum,  adopts  the  opinion  of  Iseliu,  that 
by  cer.  per.  is  to  be  understood  Certamen  I 
Periodicum,  that  is  to  say,  public  games,  in 
which  all  the  different  kinds  of  combats  and 
contests  were  united,  as  was  the  custom  at  the  ! 
four  great  games  of  Greece.  Compare  with  I 
\ aillant  “ Num.  Imp.  in  Coloniis  Pcrcussa,” 
vol.  ii.  p.  90. 

On  a very  rare  first  brass  coin  of  this  colony, 
struck  under  the  same  emperor,  and  on  a second 
brass  of  Annia  Faustina,  his  wife,  appears  a 
laurel  crown,  within  which  is  read  CERT. 
SAC.  PER.  OECVME.  1SELA.,  the  whole  sur- 
rounded by  COL onia  AVR elia  PIA.  METRopo/w 
SIDON. — alluding  to  the  celebration  by  the 
Sidonians  of  the  same  certamen  periodicum. 

Triremis,  or  Galley. — On  a rare  second  brass 
of  Elagabalus,  bearing  the  usual  legend  of  this 
colony,  arc  two  gallics,  iu  the  right  baud  one  of 


SIDON.— SIGNA  MILITARIA. 
which  a male  figure  stands  with  hands  extended 
towards  two  figures  (one  of  them  a female),  in 
the  other  galley.  At  the  top  of  the  coin  is  the 
car  of  Astartc,  and  iu  the  lower  part  is  a 
dolphin. 

[This  naval  group  is  supposed  to  refer  to  the 
story  of  Dido’s  flight  from  Sidon.] 

On  another  Sidonian  medal  of  Elagabalus 
a half  naked  woman  is  seen  stauding  on  the 
prow  of  a galley,  with  right  hand  extended,  aud 
left  hand  holding  a wand  transversely. 

[Some  regard  this  type  as  alluding  to  the 
flight  of  Dido;  others,  as  merely  representing 
Astarte.] 

Woman,  with  turreted  head,  standing,  clothed 
in  the  sto/a,  holds  her  right  hand  over  an  altar, 
opposite  to  which  is  a legionary  eagle  placed  on 
the  prow  of  a ship. — On  a first  brass  of  Ela- 
gabalus. 

[This  figure  represents  the  genius  of  Sidon. 
She  wears  a crown  of  towers,  as  a Metropolis ; 
she  is  dressed  in  the  garb  of  a Roman  matron, 
as  a colony ; she  holds  a patera  over  the  altar, 
as  in  the  act  of  sacrificing  for  the  emperor.  The 
legionary  eagle  refers  to  the  veterans  with  w hich 
the  colony  was  peopled  ; it  is  placed  on  a ship’s 
prow,  either  to  shew  the  site  of  the  place 
(Sidon,  till  its  capture  by  the  Persians,  being, 
according  to  Mela,  the  greatest  and  most  optdent 
of  maritime  cities),  or  to  demonstrate  the  naval 
power  of  the  place.] 

Sidonia  dea,  or  goddess  of  the  Sidonians,  is 
believed  to  have  been  the  same  object  of  worship 
as  that  called  Europa  by  the  Greeks,  Astaroth, 
or  Astarte  by  the  Hebrews,  and  Venus  Caelestis 
by  the  African  colonists  of  the  Sidonians.  Nor 
is  she  otherwise  considered  by  Froclich,  who 
shews  her  (Ann.  Syr.  p.  113)  on  many  Greek 
Imperial  coins  to  be  denominated  Lea 
Syria. 

Sidus. — A star  or  sign  in  the  heavens. — See 

Astra — Stella. 

Sidus  Jidium,  a star  with  hairy  train,  like  a 
comet,  is  near  the  head  of  Julius  Osar,  some- 
times opposite  his  face,  at  others  behind  his 
neck,  on  coins  of  his  struck  after  his  death. 

S1G.  Signis. — SIG.  EEC. — Sign  is  Receptis. 

Sigil/um,  a little  image  of  something,  im- 
printed on  a medal  as  a mark. 

Sighr,  abbreviations  in  writing  on  coins  and 
on  marbles. 

Signa  militaria.  Military  ensigns. The 

Romans  entrusted  these  to  the  custody  of  the 
Qiucstors,  who  preserved  them  with  the  ararium 
or  public  treasury,  in  the  temple  of  Saturn. — 
See  Salumus. 

The  ensigns  of  the  legions  arc  roinmon  on 
Roman  coins,  especially  the  imperial,  not  with 
the  bundle  of  hay  ( manipulus  foenij,  but  with 
small  bucklers  on  the  top,  in  which  were  painted 
images  of  the  Gods  and  of  the  Caesars,  and 
even  of  illustrious  men.  On  a colonial  medal 
(of  CiTsaraugusta ) the  simpler  aud  more  ancient 
form  of  the  signum  manipulare  is  exhibited, 
viz.,  fasciculi  of  corn-cars,  straw,  or  hay.  As 
symbols  of  the  soldiery  they  were  held  by  the 
Romans  in  the  highest  veneration ; auspices 


SIGNA  MILITARIA.  . SIGNA.— SIGNIS.  747 


were  taken  upon,  and  divine  worship  paid  to, 
them. 

The  signa  militaria,  captured  by  the  Parthians 
from  M.  Crassus  and  M.  Antony,  but  restored 
by  that  nation  to  Augustus,  in  consequence  of  a 
renewed  treaty  between  the  Parthians  and  the 
Romans,  arc  found  alluded  to  on  several  family 
denarii,  such  ns  those  of  Aquillia,  Caninia, 
Durmia,  Petronia,  which  have  perpetuated  the 
remembrance  of  this  event  by  a diversity  of 
types  and  symbols ; that  is  to  say,  by  the  kneel- 
ing figure  of  a Parthian  holding  an  ensign ; or 
by  a triumphal  arch  with  a quadriga  on  the  top 
of  it ; or  by  the  naked  image  of  Mars  standing 
with  an  eagle  in  his  right  hand,  and  the 
standard  of  the  legion  in  his  left ; or  by  a similar 
figure  holding  a trophy  and  standing  in  the 
temple  of  Mars.  The  same  fact  is  also  typified 
by  an  eagle  in  a thensa,  or  sacred  chariot, 
drawn  by  four  horses ; or  by  votive  shields 
placed  between  the  eagle  and  the  ensign  of 
the  legion ; likewise  by  oaken  garlands  and 
civic  crowns;  or  by  a capricorn,  the  astro- 
logical sign  of  Augustus’s  birth,  with  the 
addition  of  various  inscriptions. — Augustus 
always  treated  his  recovery  of  these  last  standards 
as  holding  the  place  of  a great  triumph  to  him- 
self.— The  signa  militaria,  taken  by  the  Ger- 
mans in  the  slaughter  of  the  legions  under 
Varus,  and  recovered  by  Gertnanicus,  are  also 
commemorated  on  coins  of  Tiberius. — Domitian’s 
pretended  re-capture  of  Roman  standards  from 
the  Sarmatians  occasioned  coins  to  be  struck, 
like  Augustus’s,  niutato  nomine,  Sarmati  for 
Parthi. 

Sign  a militaria  form  a frequent  type  on 
colonial  coins,  and  they  were  engraved  thereupon 
in  memory  of  the  colony  having  in  its  origin 
been  formed  of  legionary  veterans.  “For  (as 
Rubcnius  says  in  his  notes  on  the  Arschot  collec- 
tion) Augustus,  who  had  partly  associated  the 
legions  of  Lepidus  and  Mark  Antony  with  his 
own,  after  the  division  of  the  provinces  with 
the  people,  disbanded  a great  many  soldiers, 
and  sent  them  into  such  of  the  colonies  as 
needed  a supply  of  men.”  This  fact  is  proved 
from  a multitude  of  coins,  the  most  rare  of 
which  exhibit  the  names  of  the  legions.  Thus, 
as  Vaillant  teaches  us,  the  sign  a veteranorum 
are  found  on  medals  of  Antioch  iu  Pisidia, 
under  Caracalla,  Elagabalus,  Gordianus  Pius, 
Philip,  and  Decius  ; on  those  of  Apamea,  under 
Caracalla;  on  those  of  Cremna  and  of  Sidon, 
under  Elagabalus  and  his  family ; of  Dacia, 
under  Philip ; of  Deultum,  in  honour  of  Tran- 
quillina ; of  Heliopolis,  under  Maerinus ; of 
Viminacium,  under  Gordian. 

On  the  reverse  of  a fine  brass  medal  of 
Tiberius,  struck  at  Cmsaraugusta  (Sarragoza) 
in  the  thirty-seventh  year  of  that  emperor’s  tri- 
bunitian  power,  appears  a standard  (or  labarum) 
between  two  military  ensigns,  with  the  initial 
letters  of  the  colony,  and  with  the  names  of  the 
duumvirs  and  of  the  legions  who  had  been  sent 
to  settle  there.  Nor  arc  any  types  more  common 
on  Imperial  coins  of  Roman  die  than  the 
legionary  eagle,  the  vcxillum,  and  other  ensigns 
5 C 2 


of  the  army,  in  the  hands  either  of  the  emperor 
himself  or  of  his  cohorts,  or  iu  the  grasp  of 
some  personification,  or  placed  before  an  Em- 
peror, Empress,  or  Caesar,  throughout  the  series 
from  Tiberius  down  to  Constantine,  accom- 
panied by  legends  declaratory  of  the  concord, 
the  fidelity,  the  glory  of  soldiers,  who  were 
continually  quarrelling  amongst  themselves, 
murdering  their  sovereigns,  oppressing  their 
fellow-subjects,  and  betraying  the  empire  they 
were  entrusted  to  defend. 

The  eagle-standard,  as  distinguished  from  the 
ordinary  ensigns  of  the  Roman  legions,  is  well 
pourtrayed  on  a silver  coin  of  Nero,  and  still 
better  on  a second  brass  of  Galba,  where  these 
peculiar  objects  of  the  soldiers’  idolatry  are 
planted  on  prows  of  ships. — See  Legionum 
Insignia. 


SIGNA  P.  R.  Signa  Populi  Romani. — On 
gold  and  silver  of  Augustus ; this  legend  accom- 
panies a legionary  eagle  placed  on  an  altar 
between  two  military  ensigns,  thus  typifying 
and  designating  the  conquering  standards  of 
the  Roman  people. 


SIGNIS  RECEPTIS.  Capricornus.— An 
elegant  gold  medal  of  Augustus  bears  this  legend 
and  type.  It  was  under  the  Zodiacal  sign  of 
Capricorn  that  this  emperor  was  born,  to  use  the 
jargon  of  superstitious  astrology  (“  0 faustum 
et  felieem  diem”)  ; and  to  which  sidereal  influ- 
j enee  he  was  wont  to  ascribe  all  fortunate  and 
happy  events  of  his  life.  Even  the  very  surren- 
dering to  him  of  the  military  ensigns,  which  the 
Parthians  took  front  Crassus,  and  which  Augustus 
most  evidently  wished  for,  seems  here  to  be 
attributed  to  this  gencthliacal  constellation,  or 
star  on  which  “his  nativity  was  cast.” 

SIGNIS  PARTIIICIS  RECEPTIS.— Still 
more  specifically  allusive  to  the  same  event  is  a 
denarius  bearing  on  its  obverse  the  youthful 
head  of  Augustus,  and  on  the  reverse  side  the 
legend  annexed  within  the  field  of  the  coin,  and 
without  type. 

SIGN.  RECE.  CAESAR  AVGVSTVS. — A 
Parthian  kneeling  on  oue  knee,  and  holding  out 
in  his  right  hand  a military  ensign,  as  if  in  the 
act  of  presenting  it  to  some  one. 

This  appears  on  a denarius  minted  by  Aquilius 
Florus,  one  of  the  moneyers  of  Augustus,  the 
obverse  of  which  bears  the  radiated  head  of  a 
man,  and  which,  like  several  others,  was  struck 
in  memory  of  the  standards  captured  from,  and 
sent  back  to  the  Romans  by  Phraates,  King  of 
the  Parthians,  to  Caesar  Augustus  whilst  remain- 
ing in  Syria  (in  the  year  v.  c.  734),  and  which, 
says  Dion,  “ he  (the  emperor)  received  as  though 
he  had  been  victorious  in  some  battle  with  the 
Parthians.” — SeeAVGVSTVs,p.  105;andi'Eito.\'iA. 

Another  silver  coin  of 
Augustus,  bearing  the  same 
legend,  and  allusive  to  the 
same  event,  exhibits  the 
standing  figure  of  Mars, 
who  holds  in  his  right  hand 
a Roman  eagle,  and  in  his 
left  a military  ensign. — 
The  god  of  war  is  here 


748  SIGNIS. 

introduced,  iu  immediate  reference  (o  the  temple 
which  Augustus,  on  the  restitution  of  the 
military  ensigns  by  the  Parthians,  caused  to  be 
built  in  the  eapitol,  and  which  he  dedicated  to 
Mars  the  Avenger.  (See  Mars  Ultor.)  In 
grateful  memory  of  au  event  so  acceptable  to 
heal  their  wounded  national  pride,  the  senate 
and  people  of  Rome  voted  a buckler  of  honour 
to  the  emperor,  which  is  represented  with  the 
above  legend. 

SIGNIS  RECEPTIS.  S.  C.— The  emperor 
standing  on  a pedestal,  with  a spear  in  his  left 
hand,  accepts  with  his  right  a legionary  eagle, 
which  Victory  presents  to  him. — On  a first 
brass  of  Vespasian. 

Pcllcrin  in  giving  this,  from  the  treasures  of 
his  own  cabinet,  as  a coin  considered  to  be 
unique,  observes  that  “ there  is  no  doubt  but 
that  it  was  struck  after  the  model  of  those 
which  Augustus  caused  to  be  struck  at  Rome, 
in  each  metal,  to  record  the  fact  of  his  haring 
obtained  from  the  Parthians  a restoration  of 
those  military  ensigns,  which  they  had  kept  as 
a glorious  monument  of  victories  they  had 
gained  over  the  Roman  armies  commanded  by 
Crassus  and  Mark  Antony ; but  history  is  not 
found  to  have  made  mention  of  a like  event 
under  the  reign  of  Vespasian.  It  is  only 
seen  in  Josephus  and  Tacitus,  that,  whilst  in 
Italy  he  was  contending  for  the  empire  with 
Vitcllius,  the  Dacians  attacked  all  the  troops 
of  his  party,  who  were  on  the  banks  of  the 
Danube,  in  Mocsia ; and  it  may  be  inferred 
(adds  Pellerin)  that  haring  afterwards  reduced 
these  barbarous  tribes  to  obedience,  he  com- 
pelled them  to  give  up  the  military  ensigns  of 
which  they  had  possessed  themselves;  a par- 
ticular circumstance  which  probably  was  for- 
gotten or  neglected  by  the  historians.” — Melange, 
vol  i.  p.  200. 

Agreeing  with  the  illustrious  Frenchman 
above  quoted,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  motive  of 
Vespasian  being  similar  to  that  of  Augustus  in 
causing  medals  to  be  coined  as  a record  of 
military  honours  recovered  after  being  lost,  the 
equally  illustrious  German,  whose  Doctrina  is 
ihe  text  book  of  all  Greek  and  Latin  numis- 
matists of  the  present  day,  goes  on  to  express  his 
opiuion  that  this  singular  coin  refers,  not  to  trans- 
actions with  the  Dacians  or  any  other  barbarians 
inhabiting  the  borders  of  the  Danube ; but  rather 
with  barbarians  occupying  the  regions  washed 
by  the  Lower  Rhine,  and  which  followed  that 
sanguinary  and  desolating  revolt  raised  (v.c.  823, 
a.d.  70)  by  Cirilis  the  Batavian,  in  which  the 
Germans  made  common  cause  with  his  country- 
men, and  which  would  have  been  still  more 
injurious  to  the  Roman  empire,  if  either  there 
had  been  greater  concord  amongst  the  barbariaus, 
or  if  a general,  less  discreet  in  policy  and  less 
self-possessed  amidst  surrounding  dangers  than 
Petilius  Ccrcalis,  had  chanced  in  the  end  to 
command  the  Romans.  'That  during  that  war 
military  ensigns  were  lost  by  them  in  various 
unfortunate  battles,  Tacitus  the  eloquent  his- 
torian of  that  rebellion  distinctly  declares.  He 
states  that  Civilis  went  forth  to  the  assault 


SIGNIS. 

environed  with  the  signa  of  captured  cohorts; 
again,  after  that  disgrace  the  legions  lost  their 
standards  also ; and  these  were  carried  about  in 
reproachful  insult  to  the  Romans  (in  Itomanorum 
opprobrium  circumlata).  And  as,  indeed,  the  coin 
in  question  distinctly  exhibits  the  aquila  legion- 
aria,  so  we  find  the  same  author,  Tacitus,  not 
disguising  the  shame  incurred  by  his  own  nation, 
in  the  cutting  off  of  two  legions  by  Civilis,  but 
acknowledging  that  they  were  compelled  to 
surrender. — Eckhel,  under  the  circumstances, 
thinks  it  very  likely  that  these  ensigns  were 
restored  when  the  good  fortune  of  Civilis  had 
fallen  way,  and  he  was  himself  compelled  to  sue 
for  peace,  the  beginning  of  which  we  have  from 
Tacitus ; but  what  afterwards  happened  between 
those  things  which  have  been  narrated  and  that 
restitution  of  ensigns  which  this  coin  proclaims, 
together  with  the  fact  of  the  restitution  itself, 
has  had  the  misfortune  to  be  omitted  in  Roman 
history.  These  medals,  therefore,  teach  us 
what  we  arc  not  allowed  to  learn  from  written 
history.” 

A similar  case  of  signa  recepta  occurred,  or 
was  pretended  to  have  occurred,  under  Domitian, 
whose  duplicity  and  treachery  sufficiently 
betrayed  themselves  in  the  war  with  Cirilis. 
The  imperial  braggart  caused  medals  in  gold  and 
silver  to  be  struck  with  the  type  of  a Dacian, 
who,  kneeling  iu  the  attitude  of  a suppliant, 
presents  a military'  ensign. — Pellerin  on  this 
point  quotes  Dion,  who  relates  that  the  degene- 
rate son  of  Vespasian,  and  unworthy  successor 
of  Titus,  “ received  back  arms  and  captives 
from  Decebalus,  king  of  the  Dacians,  of  whom 
he  had  purchased  peace  at  the  price  of  great 
sums  of  money  ; and  that  he  was  so  vain  of  it  as 
to  cause  himself  to  be  decreed  a triumph  by  the 
senate,  as  if  he  had  gained  some  signal  victory  ; 
the  same  ancient  writer  also  states  that  Domi- 
tian had  required  all  the  Roman  prisoners  and 
arms  in  the  possession  of  the  Dacians  to  be 
delivered  up  to  him  ; but,  Dion  adds,  that  they 
kept  many  of  them  in  their  castles,  where 
Trajan  subsequently  found  them.” 

SIGNIS  RECEPTIS. — This  inscription,  with 
the  addition  of  S enatus  P opulus  Que  Worn  an  us, 
appears  on  gold  and  silver  coins  of  Augustus, 
some  with  the  type  of  a votive  shield  and  CL.  v. 
(Clipcus  Votivus)  engraved  on  it,  between  a 
military  ensign  and  a legionary  eagle;  others 
with  a triumphal  arch:  all  serving  to  accumulate 
evidences  of  the  joy  with  which  Augustus  received 
the  blood-stained  ensigns  of  slaughtered  legions 
from  the  Parthians,  and  for  which  he  took  an 
ovation,  entering  the  city  on  horseback,  and 
being  honoured  with  a triumphal  arch  in  the  year 
v.c.  734.  But  why  the  memory  of  the  event 
should  have  been  renewed  after  his  death  it  is 
certainly  difficult  to  imagine.  And  yet,  in  the 
Museum  Farncse,  there  is  a second  brass  with 
Divus  Augustus  s.  C.  and  his  radiated  head, 
having  on  its  reverse  the  above  inscription  of 
siqnis  recfptis  s.  P.  Q.  R.  and  cl.  v.  between 
military  standards,  as  in  the  gold  nud  silver 
medals  struck  during  his  life  time,  and  at  the 
|>eriod  of  the  transaction. 


SIGNIS.— SILENUS. 

SIGNIS.  RECEPT.  DEVICTIS.  GERM anis, 
S.  C. — Germauicus,  in  military  habiliments, 
stands  with  the  right  hand  extended,  and  hold- 
ing a legionary  eagle  in  his  left. — On  the 
obverse  is  germanicus  caesar,  who  stands  in 
a triumphal  quadriga,  holding  a wand  sur- 
mounted by  an  eagle  in  his  left  hand. — See  p. 
416. 

This  elegant  and  most  interesting,  although 
common  coin,  in  second  brass,  was  struck  in  the 
year  of  Rome  770,  under  Tiberius,  to  comme- 
morate the  celebrated  triumph  of  Germauicus, 
on  the  occasion  of  having  subdued  several  nations 
of  Germany  (such  as  the  Cherusci,  the  Catti, 
the  Angnvarii,  &c.) — The  obverse  attests  that 
triumph.  The  reverse  by  itsinscription  DEVICTIS 
GERMantr  bespeaks  the  complete  defeat  of 
those  tribes,  and  also  marks  the  subject  of  the 
triumph:  the  other  part  of  the  epigraph,  SIGNIS 
RECEPTwcomprisesan  allusion  to  that  renowned 
exploit  of  Germauicus,  iu  which,  after  his  victory, 
having  instituted  a search  for  the  eagles  lost  in 
the  overthrow  and  destruction  of  Varus  and  his 
legions  (by  the  Cherusci,  under  Arminius,  a.d. 
10),  and  having  found  them  in  a grove,  where 
they  had  been  buried  by  the  barbarians,  he 
brought  them  back  to  Rome,  as  Tacitus  most 
circumstantially  relates. — P.  Gabinius,  one  of 
Claudius’s  lieutenants,  having  in  the  year  v.c. 
794  (a.d.  41)  conquered  the  Chauci  (according 
to  Dion)  recovered  the  eagle  which  alone  had 
remained  with  that  noble  and  warlike  nation  as 
a relic  of  the  Varian  slaughter. 

SIGNIS  A SARMAT1S  RESTITVTIS. — A 
barbarian  on  his  knee  presents  a military  standard. 
On  a gold  coin  of  Domitian,  published  by  Morell. 
— See  civib.  et  sign.  &c.,  and  clipevs. 

Silenus,  the  Phrygian,  to  whom  fable  has 
assigned  the  distinction  of  being  the  foster-father, 
tutor,  and  companion  of  Bacchus,  as  one  of  the 
first  that  held  the  son  of  Jupiter  and  Semcle  in 
his  arms,  and  who  followed  him  in  his  travels 
and  excited  him  in  virtue  and  glory. — Indeed 
some  ancient  traditions  have  exalted  the  character 
of  Silenus  into  that  of  a great  captain,  a great 
physician,  and  a sage  counseller.  But  (as 
Spauheim  in  JulianusCasar  sarcastically  remarks) 
“he  was  evidently  better  versed  in  the  knowledge 
of  nature  than  in  that  of  reasoning.”  In  other 
words,  he  would  seem  to  have  beeu  more  the 
friend  of  wine  and  raillery  than  that  of  science 
and  research — a sort  of  philosophic  voluptuary. 
And  as  to  the  representations  of  this  personage 
on  antique  monuments,  the  ridiculous  consider- 
ably predominates  over  the  diguified.  He  is 
ordinarily  figured  as  an  old  man  with  a bald 
head  and  a thick  beard,  a snub  turned-up  nose, 
in  a state  of  more  than  half  nudity  and  of  entire 
drunkenness,  holding  a staff,  or  the  cantharus 
into  which  he  was  wont  to  press  out  th e juice  of 
the  grape ; sometimes  standing,  but  seldom 
without  support,  sometimes  lying  along  carelessly 
on  the  back  of  an  ass. — The  images  of  Silenus 
arc  found  on  medals  of  Macedonia,  and  of 
Ancyra  in  Galatia.  It  is  a type  seen  on  some 
family  coins,  and  is  of  sufficiently  frequent 
occurrence  on  Roman  colonial  medals.  On  a 


SILENUS.— SILIA.  749 

denarius  of  Marcius  L.  Censorinus,  Silenus 
stands  with  one  hand  raised,  and  the  wine  skin 
at  his  back ; behind  is  a small  pillar,  on  which 
stands  an  image. — Etkhcl,  in  his  commentary 
on  the  coins  of  the  Marcia  family,  acknowledges 
himself  ignorant  of  the  reason  why  the  figure  of 
Silenus  appears  on  the  medals  of  Censorinus. — 
Among  the  colonial  are  those  of  Troas,  in 
Phrygia,  struck  under  Marcus  Aurelius  and 
Commodus,  in  which  he  is  accurately  recognised 
by  Vaillant  as  an  elderly  male  figure,  naked, 
holding  up  his  right  hand  towards  the  stars,  and 
bearing  his  goat  skin  bottle  on  his  left  shoulder. 
The  people  of  Troas,  his  reputed  birth  place, 
honoured  his  memory  as  the  author  and  master 
of  the  best  of  studies,  and  worshipped  him  as  a 
god. — A coin  of  Boslra , under  Alexander  Severus, 
exhibits  Silenus  in  the  same  posture,  and  with 
the  same  attribute  of  the  wine  skin,  but  as 
a younger  man. — The  colonies  of  Coillu,  in 
Numidia,  under  Caracalla,  Elagabalus,  and 
Gordianus  Pius ; of  Damascus,  under  Philip 
senior ; of  Deultum,  in  Thrace,  under  Macrinus ; 
and  others,  likewise  bear  the  effigy  of  Silenus ; 
on  some  of  these  his  extended  hand  is  pointing  to 
a cypress  tree. 

SILIA,  a plebeian  family.  Its  surnames  Nerva 
and  Italicus. — A silver  coin  bearing  the  former 
cognomen,  exhibits  on  one  side  roma,  with  the 
bust  of  Minerva  holding  spear  and  buckler — on 
the  other  side  p.  nerva,  with  the  septa  or 
enclosure  of  the  Comitia,  within  which  a citizen 
standing  puts  a voting  tablet  into  an  urn,  whilst 
another  stands  by  in  the  act  of  receiving  the 
tablet  from  the  officer  (dirib  it  orj  appointed  for 
that  purpose. 

Morell  inserts  the  denarius  amongst  those  of 
the  Licinia  family,  to  which  the  same  surname 
of  Nerva  belongs.  Vaillant  assigns  it  to  the 
Silia  family ; and  Eckhel  thinks  this  the  more 
accurate  reference,  “ because  (says  he)  we  know 
of  no  Licinius  with  the  prsenomen  of  Nerva, 
whereas  there  are  many  Silii  who  bear  the  addi- 
tion of  Nerva.” — A similar  type  of  the  Comitia 
appears  on  coins  of  the  Mussidia  family,  under 
the  head  of  which  an  explanation  of  the  above 
described  is  given. — With  respect  to  the  surname 
of  Italicus,  Eckhel  adds  that  C.  Silius  Italicus, 
the  considar  poet,  is  commemorated  on  medals 
of  Smyrna. 

Silvanus,  the  god  of  cattle,  of  fields,  and  of 
woods,  at  whose  altar  a hog  w'as  sacrificed. 

Simpulum,  or  Simpuvium,  a small  vessel 
or  ladle  with  a long  handle,  used  at  sacrifices 
to  make  libations,  and  to  taste  the  wines 
and  other  liquors  which  were  poured  on  the 
head  of  the  victims.  It  is  the  sign  of  priest- 
hood, and  one  of  the  insignia  of  the  college 
of  pontiffs.  It  appears  on  a coin  of  Patne, 
struck  under  Augustus.  It  is  also  placed  before 
the  head  of  Vesta,  as  a mark  of  that  goddess, 
on  a coin  of  the  Domitia  family,  and  is  seen  iu 
the  hand  of  a vestal  on  eoius  of  the  Claudia. 
family. — A togated  and  stolated  man  holds  a 
simpulum  in  his  hand  on  a coin  of  Antonio 
Drusi,  sen. — This  vase  is  united  with  the  asper- 
gillum, securis,  aoex,  patera,  secespita.  urDeferi- 


750  SINGARA.—  SINOPE, 
culura,  lituus,  that  is  to  say,  with  one  or  other 
of  these  sacrificial  and  augural  instruments,  on 
coins  of  Julius  Cmsar,  M.  Antony,  Lepidus, 
Augustus,  Caligula,  Vespasian,  Nerva,  Anto- 
ninus, M.  Aurelius,  Caracalla,  Geta,  Philip  jun., 
Volusianus,  Salome  us,  Valcrianus  jun.,  as  well 
as  on  many  consular  aud  colonial  medals. 

Singara  (now  Sengiar),  a city  of  Mesopo- 
tamia, appears  to  have  been  a Iloman  colony, 
from  coins  inscribed  to  Alexander  Seferus,  aud 
also  to  Gordianus  Pius,  with  Greek  legends,  in 
which  it  is  called  Aurelia  Septimia  Colonia 
Singara. — Vaillaut,  who  gives  a specimen  of 
her  colonial  mint  under  each  of  the  above- 
named  emperors,  inclines  however  to  the  opinion, 
that  Singara  owed  its  first  foundation  as  a colony 
to  M.  Aurelius  and  L.  Verus  rather  than  to 
Alexander  Severus. — Its  sole  type  is  a female 
head,  turreted  and  veiled,  representing  the 
Genius  of  a fortified  town  (the  common  symbol 
of  the  Mesopotamian  cities) ; above  the  head  is 
placed  a centaur  (Sagittarius),  with  bow  in  his 
right  hand ; allusive  either  to  the  surpassing 
skill  of  the  Singarenes  in  archery,  or  more  pro- 
bably to  the  computation  of  their  year  com- 
mencing under  that  zodiacal  sign. 

Sinope , a very  ancient  city  (now  called  Sinub), 
situate  on  the  shore  of  Paphlagonia,  in  Asia 
Minor — the  birth-place  of  Diogenes,  the  cynic 
philosopher.  Originally  founded  by  the  Mile- 
sians (Greeks),  it  subsequently  became  the 
residence  of  the  kings  of  Asiatic  Pontus,  and 
especially  that  of  the  great  Mithridatcs,  after 
whose  death  it  was  brought  into  subjection  to 
the  Romans,  and  reduced  to  the  state  of  a pro- 
vince. But  Pharnaces,  having  driven  out 
Domitius  Calvinius,  one  of  Julius  Ctesar’s  lieu- 
tenants, occupied  for  a time  this  kingdom  of  his 
ancestors.  Cresar,  however,  at  the  entreaty,  as 
was  said,  of  the  Sinopians  themselves,  com- 
pelled Pharnaces  to  quit  the  province,  and 
formed  it  into  a colony,  to  which  he  crave  the 
name  of  Julia.  Its  colonial- imperial  coins 
extend  from  Julius  Ceesar  to  Gallienus,  including 
in  that  series  those  of  Augustus,  Tiberius, 
Caligula,  Agrippina  Claudii,  Octavia  Neionis, 
Nerva,  Hadrian,  L.  Verus,  Faustina  Aurelii, 
Caracalla,  Geta,  Diadumenianus,  Alex.  Severus, 
and  Maximus  Caesar.  All  these  pieces  have 
Latin  legends,  and  are  very  numerous. — The 
first  medal  of  Sinope  given  hv  Vaillaut  (who 
calls  that  city  the  oldest  of  Roman  colonies)  is 
dedicated  to  Hadrian.  But  Pellerin  and  the 
Abbe  Belley  agree  in  assigning  one  to  Julius 
Caesar.  Its  legend,  however,  shows  it  to  have 
been  coined  after  his  death,  viz.,  divos  ivlivs. 
C .....  . sivs.  iivir.  c.r.f.s.  Laurcated  head 
of  Julius.  Rev.  Augustus  divi  f.  Naked  head 
of  Augustus.  (Melange,  i.  p.  245.) 

Those  struck  in  this  colony  under  Augustus 
hear  the  initial  letters  c.  i.  f.  s.  Colonia  Julia 
helix  Sinope. — Pellerin  gives  a remarkable  one 
of  this  reign,  bearing  bis  portrait  on  one  side, 
and  the  united  heads  of  M.  Antony  and  Octavia 
on  the  othaf. — The  legend  of  the  obverse  is 

C.  I.  F.  8.  A.  XXXVI. 

Respecting  the  date  of  the  year  J6  marked 


SINOPE. 

on  this  coin,  Pellerin  observes  that  “ it  is 
reckoned  from  the  tera  of  the  year  of  Rome 
684,  which  was  established  at  Sinope  in  memory 
of  the  freedom  which  Lucullus  that  year  grafted 
to  this  city.  This  date  of  the  year  36  falls  in 
the  year  of  Rome  719,  in  which  M.  Antony 
openly  divorced  himself  from  Octavia  his  wife, 
seuding  her  from  Greece  into  Italy.  The  city 
of  Sinope  (he  adds)  was  doubtless  unacquainted 
with  that  fact,  when  it  caused  that  medal  to  be 
struck.  'I  he  Abbe  Belley  has  edited  a similar 
medal,  dated  the  year  xxxi,  accompanied  with 
remarks  on  the  two  scras  which  Sinope  followed 
at  different  times.” — ( Melange  i.  p.  245.) 

Sinope — Caligula — c.  I.  F.  s.  ann.  Lxxxrn. — 
A colonist  and  oxen.  (Melange  i.  xvi.  No.  8 

p.  262.) 

Sinope. — Agrippina  Claudii,  (xvi.  No.  10.) 

With  respect  to  the  types  found  on  coins  of 
this  colony,  as  given  in  Vaillant,  there  is  one 
struck  under  Hadrian,  which  bears  the  head  of 
Serapis ; another  coined  in  honour  of  Geta  ex- 
hibits a fish,  and  is  inscribed  c.  i.  f.  sinopes. — 
One  of  the  most  elegant  as  well  as  most  remark- 
able types  presented  on  the  Latin  coins  of  this 
Roman  settlement  was  struck  under  Caracalla, 
who  gave  it  the  name  of  Aurelia. — c.  I.  avr. 
Sinope.  ANN.  CCLII.  Colonia,  Julia,  Augusta, 
or  Aurelia  Sinope,  anno  252.  Jupiter  recum- 
bent on  a lectislernium,  his  head  adorned  with 
the  calathus,  an  eagle  on  his  right  band,  in  his 
left  the  hasta  of  divinity. — The  years  252  are 
the  a:ra  of  the  Sinopian  colony,  reckoning  from 
the  time  (v.  c.  706)  when  Julius  Ctesar  drove 
Pharnaces  out  of  Pontus,  and  which,  joined 
together  (as  Vaillant  observes),  make  v.c.  958, 
in  which  year  Caracalla  was  associated  in  the 
imperial  government  with  his  father. 

Among  many  other  reigns,  to  winch  Pellerin 
has  supplied  medals  of  this  colony  not  to  be 
found  in  Vaillant ’s  work,  arc  the  following, 
viz. : — 

1.  — A very  fine  brass  inscribed  to  Geta,  on 
the  obverse  of  which  is  the  laurcated  head  of 
that  prince;  on  the  reverse,  c.  i.  f.  sinope. 
ann.  cclv.  The  type  is  a majestic  figure  of 
Serapis,  having  the  moifius  on  his  head,  with 
his  right  hand  extended,  and  holding  a hasta 
pura  crosswise  in  his  left  hand.  ( Melange  i. 
pi.  18.)  A similar  figure  of  this  great  divinity 
of  the  Egyptians  appears  on  a coin  of  Alexander 
Severus,  pi.  xix.  14;  and  of  Maximus,  xx.  3. 

2.  — On  a small  brass  of  Sinope,  Strunk  in 
honour  of  Diadumenianus,  the  youthful  son  of 
Marrinus  (c.  i.  f.  sinope.  cclxi.)  ; the  type  of 
the  reverse  is  Mercury  standing,  holding  a purse 
in  his  right  hand,  and  a caduceus  in  the  left. 
(Melange  i.  pi.  xix.  No.  3.) 

3.  — On  a large  brass  of  Gallienus,  struck  at 
Sinope;  the  revel  sc  exhibits  a woman,  crowned 
with  towers,  standing  with  the  right  hand 
pointing  downwards,  and  resting  her  left  hand 
on  a hasta. 

4.  — Another  large  brass  of  this  colony  (c.  I. 
f.  s.  an.  cccxxx.),  dedicated  to  the  same 
emperor,  represents  Bacchus,  clothed  in  a long 
dress.  Holding  n cartharus  or  pitrher  in  the  right 


S1RENES. . 

hand,  and  supporting  himself  with  the  left  hand 
on  a thyrsus.  At  his  feet  is  a panther. 

Sirenes,  Syrens. — The  poets  represent  these 
fictitious  monsters  as  persons,  who,  with  the 
handsome  countenance  and  voice  of  women  and 
the  thighs  and  legs  of  a bird,  inhabiting  steep 
rocks  on  the  sea-coast,  allured  voyagers  by  the 
sweetness  of  their  singing,  and  caused  them  to 
perish.  On  some  ancient  monuments  the  Syrens 
are  figured  as  women,  with  the  lower  extremity 
of  the  body  terminating  in  shape  like  a fish,  but 
this  is  the  form  ascribed  to  Nereids. — On  others, 
they  have  the  head  and  breast  of  a woman,  with 
the  wings,  thighs,  and  feet  of  a bird,  which 
better  agrees  with  the  description  given  of  them 
by  the  poets  of  antiquity.  An  instance  of  the 
former  kind  occurs  on  a coin  of  the  Valeria 
family ; an  example  of  the  latter  is  also  given 
by  Morcll,  in  coins  of  the  Petronia  family. 
The.  Syren  Parthenope,  as  depictured  on  the 
medals  of  Cuma,  has  the  head  and  upper  part 
of  a young  woman,  with  wings  on  her  shoulders, 
and  the  lower  part  of  the  figure  terminates  in 
the  form  of  a fish. — See  Parthenope. 

The  medal  struck  by  P.  PETRONtai  TUR- 
PILIANVS.  IIIVIR  (Monetal)  of  Augustus,  has 
for  the  type  of  its  reverse  a figure  presenting  the 
head,  body,  and  arms  of  a young  woman ; and 
the  wings,  legs,  talons,  and  even  tail  of  a bird ; 
this  monster  stands  holding  a trumpet,  or  tibia, 
in  each  hand. 

On  this  type,  Eckhel  makes  the  following 
observations : — “ Here  we  see  a single  Syren ; 
and,  according  to  ancient  fables,  the  true 
appearances  of  those  beings,  w'ho  sprung  from 
Achclous,  and  as  some  say  the  muse  Terpsichore, 
others  Calliope,  have  been  represented  by  the 
voice  of  antiquity  as  at  once  delightful  from  the 
allurements  of  their  singing,  and  dangerous 
from  the  snares  laid  by  them  for  the  unwary. 
She  appears  with  the  face  of  a virgin,  her 
shoulders  have  wings  attached  to  them,  her 
form  ends  below  like  a bird,  and  she  holds 
in  each  hand  a trumpet,  or  a flute,  as  if 
about  to  sing ; that  is  to  say,  as  Servius  re- 
marks— there  were  three  Syrens;  one  of  these 
sang  with  the  voice,  the  other  performed  on  the 
pipes  (tibia)  the  third  played  the  lyre;  and  they 
inhabited  first  the  neighbourhood  of  Pelorus, 
afterwards  the  island  of  Capraa.  The  fact  is 
(he  adds)  they  were  harlots,  who,  because  they 
reduced  passengers  to  extremities,  were  feigned 
to  have  occasioned  shipwreck  to  them.  The 
three  Syrens  standing  together,  and  with  their 
respective  musical  instruments,  arc  represented 
on  ancient  anaglyphs,  and  especially  on  the  sar- 
cophagi of  the  Etruscans ; and  in  the  same 
design  Ulysses  is  generally  to  be  seen  on  board 
his  ship  with  his  hands  tied  to  the  mast.”  Why 
the  type  of  a Syren  is  placed  on  a coin  of 
Petronius  does  not  appear  to  be  known. 

SIRM. — Letters  engraved  at  the  bottom  of 
certain  coins,  doubtless  designating  Sirmium 
Pannonia:,  at  present  Sirmieh  in  Sclavonia. — 
This  mint  mark  is  seen  on  the  exergue  of  medals, 
struck  under  Constantius  Chlorus,  Licinius  jun., 
Constantine  the  Great,  Crispus,  Fausta,  Con. 


SISCIA.— SISPITA.  751 

stantine  jun.,  Julian  II.,  Jovian,  Valentiniau  I., 
and  other  Augusti  and  Cicsars  of  the  Lower 
Empire. 

Sirmium,  situated  in  a pleasant  and  fertile  spot, 
held  a conspicuous  and  important  rank  amongst 
the  ancient  cities  of  Pannonia.  Pliny  (1.  iii. 
cap.  25)  mentions  “ Sirmium  oppidum”  and 
“ Civitas  Sirmiensium.”  It  is  also  mentioned 
by  Ilerodian,  Aramianus,  Zosimus,  and  others; 
and  was  the  birth-place  of  the  Emperor  Probus. 
It  is  now  named  Sirmieh,  in  that  part  of  Sclavonia 
wliich  belongs  to  the  Turks,  between  the  Drave 
and  the  Save  rivers, 

SIS. — This  abbreviation  frequently  occurs  on 
coins  of  the  lower  empire,  and  denotes  that  they 
were  struck  at  Siscia. 

Siscia,  a chief  town  and  a colony  of  Pannonia, 
which  was  a Roman  province,  divided  into  upper 
and  lower,  comprising  Styria,  Austria,  and 
Croatia  of  the  present  day. — It  was  situate  at 
the  confluence  of  the  Colapis  and  Savus,  and  is 
now  called  Sissech.  There  were  offices  for 
coining  imperial  money  at  Siscia,  and  a mint 
master  called  procurator  monela  Sisciana. 

SISCIA.  AVG nsli. — On  a silver  coin  of  Galli- 
enus  this  legend  appears,  accompanied  by  the 
type  of  a woman  sitting,  who  holds  a hasta  iu 
the  right  and  a cornucopia;  in  her  left  hand, 
below  her  is  the  recumbent  personification  of  a 
river  (the  Save). — On  another  silver  coin  of 
Gallienus  the  female  figure  sits  with  outstretched 
hands,  and  the  river  deity  is  emerging  below. — 
On  a third  brass  of  Probus  is  the  inscription 
siscia  probi  avg.,  with  xxi  q in  the  exergue ; 
but,  in  the  type  of  this  last-named  coin,  the 
seated  female  holds  a sort  of  scarf  in  her  ex- 
tended hands,  and  there  are  the  demi  figures  of 
two  river  gods,  one  on  each  side  below  her. 

With  regard  to  the  former  coin,  Vaillant  thinks 
that  it  was  struck  after  Gallienus  had  conquered 
Ingenuus,  the  usurper  of  Pannonia.  But  as 
Siscia  may  be  seen  named  on  the  mint  of  Probus, 
Eckhel  conjectures  that  this  city  was  considered 
as  a sort  of  barrier  to  the  empire,  as  well  on 
account  of  its  convenient  situation  (on  the 
frontiers  of  Sarmatia)  as  because  it  was  fortified 
by  nature,  and  had,  therefore,  been  constituted 
a place  of  arms  amidst  the  wars  which  were  per- 
petually breaking  out  in  that  tract  of  country'. — 
On  a marble  found  near  Sabaria,  in  Pannonia, 
is  read  coi.onia.  septima.  siscia.  avgvsta. 

SISC.  P.  Siscia  Percussa  (moneta). — Money 
struck  at  Siscia  (Sissech.) 

SISC.  P.  S.  Siscia  percussa  officina  Septima. 
— Money  struck  at  Siscia,  iu  the  seventh  office 
of  the  mint. 

SISEN. — Sisenna,  surname  of  the  Cornelia 
family,  on  a coin  of  which  it  is  written  at  length, 
but  with  only  one  n. — thus  sisena. 

SISPITA,  surname  of  the  queen  of  the  gods, 
as  is  shown  on  some  rare  coins  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
with  the  inscription  ivnoni  sispitae;  such  as 
are  in  the  Medicean  and  Barberini  cabinets. 
Capitolinus  refers  to  the  tempta  Lanuvina  as 
restored  by  that  emperor ; for  this  Sispita  was 
the  goddess  of  Lanuvinm.  The  word  sispes  with 
the  ancients  was  the  same  as  Sospes ; whence 


752  SISTRUM. 

Festus  remarks — “ Sispitam  Junonem  quam  vulgo  1 
Sospitam  appellant , antique  usurpabant  ” — For 
thus  it  is  to  be  read,  not  Sospitam  and  Sospitem.  | 
— Spanheim  (Pr.  i.  p.  120)  confirms  this  by  an 
old  inscription,  in  which  mention  is  made  not 
only  of  Juno  Sispes,  but  also  of  Jupiter  Sispes. — 
Rasche's  Lexicon. 

Sisters  of  Emperors  were  sometimes  distin- 
guished by  the  Roman  moneyers  by  the  surname 
of  Augusta,  as  is  shown  on  coins  of  Drusilla,  of 
Domitilla,  of  Julia  Titi,  and  of  Marciana,  sister 
of  Trajan.  On  the  other  hand,  the  names  of 
Agrippina,  Drusilla,  and  Julia,  the  three  sisters 
of  Caligula,  are  found  inscribed  together  on  a 
large  brass  medal  of  that  Emperor,  without  the 
title  of  Augusta  being  affixed  to  either  of  them. 

Sistrum. — This  was  a species  of  timbrel,  or 
rattle,  made  of  brass  or  some  other  sonorous 
metal.  It  was  oval,  and  its  circumference  per- 
forated with  several  holes  opposite  each  other, 
through  which  were  inserted  horizontally  several 
small  metallic  rods.  This  “ tinkling  cymbal  or 
sounding  brass,”  shaken  in  cadence,  emitted  a 
harsh  sound,  and  was  carried  hv  the  priests  of 
Isis  when  sacrificing  to  that  Egyptian  idol.  It 
is  an  instrument  which  is  seen  figured  on  a 
great  many  monuments  of  antiquity.  It  is 
described  by  Apuleius  ( Metamorph.  lib.  xi.) 

The  Sistrum,  as  one  of  the  insignia  of  Isis 
is  seen  in  the  hands  of  that  deity,  on  coins  of 
the  Ceccilia  family ; and  on  coins  of  Hadrian,  the 
two  Faustinas,  Commodus,  Claudius  Gothicus, 
Julian  the  Apostate,  and  other  emperors.  The 
same  instrument  is  generally  seen  in  the  right 
hand  of  Egypt  and  of  Alexandria  personified. 
“ Isis  (says  Vaillant)  was  believed  to  be  the 
genius  of  Egypt,  who,  bv  the  shaking  of  the 
sistrum,  signified  the  increase  of  the  Nile.”  It 
also  appears  in  the  hand  of  Anubis,  another  of 
the  monster-divinities  of  Egypt,  on  coins  of 
Julian  and  of  Helena. 

Sitella  (diminutive  of  SitulaJ,  a little  vessel 
into  which  voting  tablets  were  put : one  of  them 
is  seen  on  a denarius  of  the  Cassia  family. 

S.  M.  Signata  Moneta. 

S.  M.  A.  Signata  Moneta  Antiochia. 

(Money  struck  at  Antioch). — On  the  exergue  of 
coins  of  Diocletian,  Licinius  jun.,  Constantinus, 
and  several  of  their  successors. 

Si  M.  AQR.  Sacra  Moneta  Aquileia 
Percussa. — On  coins  of  Valentiuian,  Valeus, 
and  Gratian. 

S.  M.  HER.  Signata  Moneta  Iferaclei/r. 
(Money  struck  at  Ilcracleia). — At  the  bottom  of 
coins  of  Constantine,  Gratian,  &c. 

S.  M.  KA.  Signata  Moneta  Carthagina 

oflicina  prima.  (Money  struck  at  Carthage,  in 
the  first  office  of  the  mint) — On  coins  of  Liciuius 
and  of  the  Constantines  and  their  successors 
down  to  Theodosius  the  Great. 

S.  M.  N.  Signata  Moneta  Narbona,  or  Nico- 
medeia. — On  coins  of  Val.  Maximianus,  Gal. 
Maximianus,  Maximinus  Daza,  the  two  Licinii, 
and  Constantine  and  his  family. 

S.  M.  R.  Signata  Moneta  Roma. — On  coins 
of  Diocletian,  Theodosius  M.,  Aelia  Endoxia, 
Gratian,  Valentiuian  jun.,  and  Valeus. 


SOCRATES.— SOAEMIAS. 

S.  M.  SISC.  Signata  Moneta  Siscia,  on  the 
exergue  of  coins  of  Valentinian  I.  and  of  Valcns. 

S.  M.  T.  and  S.  M.  TR.  Signata  Moneta 
Treceris. — (Money  struck  at  Treves).  On  coins 
of  Constans,  Constantius  jun.,  Valens,  Magnus 
Maximus,  &c. 

S.  M.  T.  SB.  Sacra  Moneta  Treveris  Signata 
Secundo  in  Officina. — (Sacred  money  struck  at 
Treves  in  the  second  office  of  the  mint).  On 
eoins  of  Constantine  M.  and  Constantine  jun. 

Socrates. — There  are  two  contorniate  medals 
which  bear,  what  are  said  to  be,  portraits  of 
this  great  philosopher.  One  of  these  is  taken 
irorn  Ursinus  by  Ilavercamp.  His  name  is 
given  in  Greek  characters,  and  his  head  is 
naked  and  bearded.  What  was  the  reverse  of 
this  medal  is  not  stated.  The  other  is  pub- 
lished by  I’edrusi  from  the  Faniesc  Museum, 
and  on  the  obverse  of  which  is  a bearded  head, 
but  with  no  epigraph  added.  “ I cannot  (says 
Eekhel)  discover  on  what  grounds  he  should  have 
ventured  to  pronounce  this  a head  of  Socrates.” 

SOAEM  IAS  (Julia),  mother  of  Elagabalus. — 
This  princess  was  the  daughter  of  Julius  Avitus,  a 
Syrian  by  birth,  who  was  consul  under  Caracalla, 


and  of  Julia  Mcesa,  sister  of  Julia  Domna,  wife 
of  Sept.  Severus.  Married  to  a senator  named 
Varius  Marccllus,  also  a Syrian,  she  became  the 
mother  of  Elagabalus  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
204.  Becoming  a widow  she  retired,  after  the 
death  of  her  nephew  Caracalla,  to  Emesa,  in  her 
native  country,  where  she  and  her  mother  Miesa 
caused  Elagabalus  to  be  declared  emperor.  By 
the  influence  of  her  beauty,  and  by  her  courageous 
example,  she  won  the  hearts  and  secured  the  aid 
of  the  legions  in  the  east,  by  whose  means  she 
succeeded  in  defeating  Macrinus  and  seating  her 
son  on  the  imperial  throne.  On  her  return  to 
Rome  she  was  declared  Augusta  and  admitted 
into  the  senate,  when  she  assumed  so  far  as  to 
give  her  vote  like  the  rest  of  the  senators.  Vain, 
proud,  and  profligately  ambitious,  her  whole 
I conduct  was  that  of  a shameless,  insolent,  and 
cruel  woman,  who  by  the  encouragement  which 
she  gave  to  the  abominable  crimes  of  her  son, 
had  made  herself  in  a great  degree  answerable 
for  the  horrors  of  that  monster’s  reign. — She 
fell  a victim  to  the  fury  of  the  soldiers,  who  put 
her  to  death  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same 
ignominious  way  that  they  killed  her  detestable 
son,  a.d.  222. — She  is  styled  on  her  coins  ivl. 
(or  ivlia)  soa km i as  avo.  (or  avgvsta).  The 
gold  are  extremely  rare ; silver  of  usual  size 
common ; large  brass  rare ; and  middle  brass 
1 common. 


SOL. 

Sol,  the  Sun. — This  glorious  luminary  was 
originally  regarded  and  worshipped  by  the  Pagans 
as  being  the  most  brilliant  and  the  most  useful 
object  in  the  uuiverse — as  constituting  by  his 
light  and  heat  the  natural  source  of  life  aud  health 
both  to  the  animal  aud  vegetable  kingdoms,  aud 
as  imparting  his  splendour  to  the  other  heavenly 
bodies,  aud  his  glory  to  the  whole  firmament. 
The  more  deeply  investigations  arc  carried  into 
heathen  mythology,  the  more  clearly  it  is  to  be 
seen  that  almost  all  its  principal  divinities 
resolve  themselves  into  an  identity  with  the  Sun, 
to  whose  predominating  influence  over  the  moon 
and  stars  the  government  aud  preservation  of  all 
things  both  in  heaven  and  earth  were  ascribed. 
Ancient  monuments  represent  the  Sun  under  the 
form  of  a man,  with  a youthful  face,  the  head 
encircled  with  rays : sometimes  he  is  mounted 
on  a chariot  drawn  by  winged  horses.  A horse 
was  sacrificed  to  him,  on  account  of  the  great 
swiftness  of  that  animal,  a usage  especially 
practised  by  the  Lacedemonians. 

The  Sun  was  called  Mithras  by  the  Persians ; 
Osiris  by  the  Egyptians.  He  was  considered  by 
some  to  be  the  same  deity  with  Apollo ; by  others 
the  same  with  JEsculapius.  Sol  and  Bacchus 
were  also  one  and  the  same  according  to  the 
superstition  of  the  Syrians ; and  in  illustration 
of  some  Roman  colonial  medals,  Vaillaut  quotes 
Macrobius  to  showr  that  Hercules  and  even 
Jupiter  were  only  other  names  under  which  the 
Suu  was  worshipped  iu  the  East  — The  Romans, 
following  in  this  and  almost  all  other  instances 
the  polytheism  of  the  Greeks,  paid  divine 
honours  to  the  Sun,  and  on  the  silver  coins  of 
the  republic  his  figure  is  represented. — A medal 
of  the  Manlia  family  exhibits  him  in  a quadriga, 
which  he  is  driving  at  full  speed  ; on  each  side 
of  him  is  a star.  Amongst  the  coins  of  foreign 
die  inscribed  homano,  Eckhcl  notices  one  with 
the  head  of  Apollo  on  one  side  aud  a horse 
leaping  on  the  other  ; a star  above  him,  which 
he  regards  as  confirming  what  is  asserted  by  old 
writers,  that  the  horse  was  consecrated  to 
Apollo  or  the  Sun ; and  that  the  same  animal 
was  in  many  countries  publicly  dedicated  and 
afterwards  immolated  to  the  honour  of  that 
deity.  Thus  by  the  Rhodians,  who  were 
especially  noted  for  being  Sun-worshippers,  a 
quadriga  of  consecrated  horses  was  cast  into  the 
sea,  because,  as  Festus  relates,  the  God  of  Day 
was  believed  to  be  carried  rouud  the  world  in 
such  a chariot. 

On  a denarius  of  Coelius  Caldus,  appears  the 
radiated  head  of  the  Sun,  evidently  iu  allusion 
to  the  name  of  Caldus,  for  Calidus.  (See 
Morell’s  “ Fa  mil.  Roman.”) 

Sol  is  represented  in  various  ways  on  coins  of 
the  Imperial  series.  A second  brass  of  Aurelian 
presents  the  naked  head  of  the  god,  with  the 
inscription  sol  dominvs  imperii  romani  (see 
the  words) ; thus  shewing  how  pecidiarly  he  was 
the  favourite  deity  of  that  emperor,  who  caused 
a magnificent  temple  to  be  built  at  Rome  to  his 
honour. — On  auothcr  coin  of  Aurelian,  with 
the  same  remarkable  inscription,  the  head  of 
Sol  is  radiated.  Sometimes  he  appears  in  his 
5 D 


SOL.  753 

perfect  stature,  either  standing,  or  in  a walking 
attitude,  or  even  as  if  running  with  great  swift- 
ness, and  almost  always  with  a circlet  of  rays 
diverging  from  the  head  ; the  right  hand  is  open 
and  extended  upwards,  the  left  holds  a globe  or 
a whip  (flagellum),  the  symbol  of  his  velocity. 
— On  coins  of  Elagabalus,  a huge  stone,  in  the 
form  of  a cone,  drawn  iu  a chariot,  represents 
the  Sun,  of  whose  temple  at  Emesa,  in  Syria, 
Elagabalus  was  a priest,  before  he  was  raised  to 
disgrace  the  throne  of  the  Cmsars. — Different 
types  of  the  Sun  are  more  frequently  seen  ou 
the  coins  of  Roman  emperors  without  any  other 
inscription  than  that  of  the  letters  p.m.  TR.  p. 
and  so  forth,  as  in  Alexander  Severus ; or  in 
conjunction  with  the  words  conservat.  avg.  as 
in  Probus : also  with  the  following  legends : 
ORIENS  AVG.  or  AVGVST. — SOLI  1NV1CTO.  — SOLI 
INVICTO  comiti. — invictvs.  These  are  found  on 
many  Imperial  coins  from  the  time  of  Hadrian 
to  Constantine,  shortly  after  which  there  is  uo 
longer  a recurrence  of  these  signs  of  paganism. 
The  personification  of  the  Sun  is  accompanied 
with  the  inscription  invictvs,  on  coins  of 
Victoriuus,  Tetricus,  and  Carausius. 

Sol  vTas,  with  the  Egyptians,  the  symbol  of 
eternity,  because,  said  they,  he  never  grows 
old,  but  flourishes  in  perpetual  youth.  Hence 
it  is  that  he  is  represented  on  some  Roman  coins 
under  the  figure  of  a naked  young  man,  with 
radiated  head  and  uplifted  right  hand,  as  an 
everlasting  sign  in  the  heavens.  So  we  find 
Sol  and  Luna  placed  on  other  coins  (see  p.  23) 
in  the  hands  of  the  female  figure  personifying 
eternity.  Nor  was  the  Sun  adopted  only  as  the 
symbol  of  eternity ; but  he  was  held  to  denote 
invincible  fortitude ; since  diversity  of  times  and 
seasons  withdraws  nothing  from  him,  and  he 
pursues  unwcariedly  his  ceaseless  course. — The 
first  of  the  emperors  who  dedicated  coins  to  the 
Sun,  under  the  name  of  Invictus,  was  Elagabalus, 
aud  he  called  himself  Solis  Sacerdos. 

On  a gold  coin  of  Vespasian,  given  by  Morel], 
is  a rostrated  column,  surmounted  by  the  image 
of  a naked  man,  with  radiated  head,  holding  the 
hasta  in  his  right  hand,  and  in  his  left  something 
like  a parazonium. — This  is  considered  to  repre- 
sent an  image  dedicated  by  Vespasian  to  the  Sun, 
and  which,  on  account  of  its  vast  height  (respect- 
ing the  exact  number  of  feet,  however,  historians 
greatly  differ),  and  of  its  wondrous  perfection 
as  a work  of  sculpture  (on  which  latter  point  all 
coincide),  the  testimonies  of  the  old  historians 
designate  as  having  ennobled  the  government  of 
the  above-mentioned  emperor.  This  colossus  is 
recorded  to  have  had  its  head  crowned  with  rays. 
— On  the  subject  of  this  prodigy  of  art  Eckhcl 
quotes  Martial: — Epig.  i.  71. 

Nec  te  detineat  miri  radiata  Colossi, 

Quce  Rhodium  moles  vincere  gaudet  opus. 

Now  (says  he)  the  image  presented  on  this  coin 
has  also  its  head  radiated.  The  time  likewise 
corresponds  accurately  : for  in  the  year  v.c.  829, 
not  before,  this  type  was  exhibited  on  medals. 
But  it  appears  from  Dion,  that  this  famous 
colossus  was  in  the  year  v.c.  828  placed  in  the 


754  SOL. 

Via  Sacra ; and,  therefore,  as  a work  of  such 
immense  hulk,  it  was  thought  fit  to  bestow  upon 
it  the  celebrity  of  coins. 

The  gold  medal  of  Geta,  whose  bust  is 
radiated  in  the  likeness  of  that  under  which  the 
Sun  is  generally  represented  on  coins,  has  already 
been  described  and  explained. — See  severi 

INVICTI  AVG.  PII.  PIL. 

SOL.  AVG. — This  epigraph,  accompanying 
the  type  of  Sol  standing  with  right  hand  elevated, 
and  with  the  flagellum  in  his  left,  appears  on  a 
third  brass  of  Claudius  Gothicus,  in  the  Vienna 
Collection. — There  is  another  with  a similar  type, 
but  inscribed  soi,vs  avg.,  given  in  Pellerin. — 
(Suppl.  ii.  p.  99.) 

This  allusion  to  the  Sun  recurs  not  unfrequently 
on  the  coins  of  the  above-named  emperor. — 
Pellerin  supposes  that  the  inscription  solvs 
avg.  intimates  that  Claudius,  to  the  exclusion 
of  Tetricus  and  Zenobia,  was  to  be  acknow- 
ledged as  the  sole  head  and  sovereign  of  the 
empire. — “ This  is  a shrewd  guess  (says  Eckhel) ; 
but  as  all  the  others  agree  with  the  first  quoted 
coin  (soi,.  avg.),  the  word  solvs  goes,  doubt- 
less, to  augment  the  catalogue  of  those  errors 
which  careless  moneyers  have  so  very  often 
committed.” 

SOL.  DOM.  IMP.  ROMANI— The  ra- 
diated head  of  the  Sun,  before  whom  are  his 
four  horses.  On  second  brass  in  the  Vienna 
Cabinet  and  in  the  British  Museum. 

SOL.  DOM  IN  VS.  IMPERI  ROMANI.— 
The  naked  head  of  the  sun,  without  rays.  On 
a brass  medallion  in  the  Museum  Pisani,  and  on 
second  brass  given  by  Banduri. 

These  very  rare  and  curious  medals  bear 
reference  to  the  worship  which,  according  to 
historical  as  well  as  numismatic  testimony,  was 
in  a peculiar  manner  and  beyond  the  example  of 
all  preceding  emperors,  paid  by  Aurelian  to  the 
Sun.  This  avowed  disposition  to  regard  the 
Solar  Orb,  not  only  as  a divinity,  but  also  as 
supreme  Lord  of  the  Roman  world,  is  said  to 
have  been  hereditary  in  Aurelian,  whose  mother 
was  priestess  of  the  Sun,  in  the  village  which 
his  family  inhabited. — Eckhel,  who  quotes  the 
authority  of  Callicrates,  as  adduced  by  Vopiscus 
on  this  point,  proceeds  to  remark  that  this 
prince’s  religious  reverence  for  the  Sun  dis- 
played itself  with  increased  ardour,  when  he 
took  upon  himself  to  wage  war  against  Zenobia 
in  the  East— a region  of  the  earth  anciently 
believed  to  be  peculiarly  subject  to  the  deified 
power  of  that  luminary.  This  is  the  reason 
why  the  head  of  the  Sun  appears  on  coins  of 
Trajan,  and  likewise  on  those  of  Mark  Antony 
the  triumvir,  both  of  them  having  been  much 
occupied  with  their  Oriental  expeditions  and 
conquests.  Nor  were  the  Romans  the  first  to 
acknowledge  the  government  of  the  Sun  in  the 
East.  The  Greeks  at  an  earlier  age  set  the 
example  of  this  devotion;  and,  according  to 
Pausanias,  erected  an  altar  at  Troezcne  (now 
Dhamald,  in  the  Morea),  to  Sol  the  liberator 
because,  as  they  thought,  they  were  freed  from 
the  dread  of  Xerxes  and  of  the  Mcdcs,  by  bis 
assistance  : and  therefore  iufluenccd  by  the  same 


SOLI. 

superstition,  Aurelian,  ascribing  hi3  military 
success  in  the  East  to  the  same  celestial  aid, 
performed  his  vows  and  founded  temples.  He 
also  ordained  the  same  honours  to  the  Sun  at 
Palmyra,  a city  greatly  addicted  to  that  kind 
of  worship.  But  the  chief  proof  of  this  em- 
peror’s devotion  to  the  Sun  was  the  temple 
which  he  caused  to  be  built  at  Rome  in  honour 
of  his  favourite  Do  minus  Imperii  Romani,  the 
magnificence  and  enormous  cost  of  which  edifice 
is  a subject  of  record  with  almost  all  the  old 
writers.  Hence  the  fact,  that  the  greater  part 
of  Aurelian’s  coins  relate  to  the  worship  of  the 
Sun,  who  either  alone  constitutes  the  type  of  the 
reverse,  or  at  least  his  head  is  placed  on  the 
field  of  the  coin.  Of  this  kind  there  are 
ORIEXS  AVG.  The  Sunstanding,  of  which  the 
abundance  is  incredible—  PACATOR  ORB1S. 
The  Sun  standing. — PROVIDE N tia  DEOItaw. 
The  Sun,  and  a woman  carrying  two  military 
ensigns. — REST1TVTOR  ORIENTIS.  The 
Sun  standing. — SOLI  INVICTO.  The  Sun 
treading  a captive  underfoot. — MARS  IN- 
VIC  I VS.  The  Sun  delivering  a globe  to  a 
military  man  standing  opposite. — On  the  two 
coins  to  which  we  are  now  directing  our  atten-. 
tion,  there  seems  to  be  a concentration  of  the 
honours  paid  to  the  Sun,  for  they  salute  him  as 
the  Lord  of  the  Roman  Empire. — After  quoting 
an  expression  of  Julian  the  Apostate,  iu  which 
he  calls  himself  the  serving  attendant  upon  Rex 
Sol,  Eckhel  concludes  by  observing  that  the 
manifestation  in  Aurelian’s  time  of  so  much 
obsequious  reverence  for  the  Sun  as  went  to 
ascribe  to  it  the  absolute  sovereignty  of  the 
universe,  is  not  to  be  woudered  at,  since  Pliny 
himself  appears  to  have  regarded  the  same  King 
of  Stars  ns  almost  the  only  deity. — The  first 
type  is  the  most  illustrative,  on  account  of  the 
four  horses  of  the  Sun  being  added;  on  the 
other  coin,  the  head  could  not  have  been  under- 
stood to  mean  that  of  the  Sun  but  by  the  help 
of  the  inscription. 

SOLI  COM  I PI  At  G.  N. — The  Sun  and  the 
Emperor  standing : a captive  kneeling  at  the 
feet  of  the  latter.  On  gold  of  Constantiuc  the 
Great. 

SOLI  CONSERVrt/on.  A centaur  holding  a 
bow.  On  a third  brass  of  Tetricus  Filius,  given 
by  Banduri. 

SOLI  CONS ervatori  At  Gusti. — Pegasus,  or 
an  ox  standing. 

SOLI  INVICTO. — The  Sun  standing,  with 
right  hand  raised,  and  a globe  in  the  left. 

These  inscriptions  and  types  occur  on  silver 
and  third  brnss  of  Gallieuus.  They  are  founded 
on  the  very  ancient  and  long-coutinued  belief  of 
paganism  that  Apollo,  or  the  Sun,  was  both  the 
author  and  dispeller  of  pestilence. — That  the 
Sun  was  worshipped  with  the  epithet  of  Invictus 
is  attested  by  numerous  marbles;  so  also  the 
Emperor  Julian,  in  one  of  his  orations,  says — 

“ Ultimo  mense,  qui  Sat  unnest,  sp/endidissimot 
ludos  So/if  icimus,  fest urn  illud  SOLI  INVICTO 
nuncupantes." 

Pegasus,  as  the  companion  of  the  Muses 
readily  applies  to  Apollo,  " unless  indeed  (says 


SOLI. 

Eckhel)  it  may  be  moic  correctly  considered  as 
one  of  the  horses  of  the  Sun,  to  which  wings 
arc  added  for  the  purpose  of  signifying  velocity 
— What  appertains  to  the  figure  of  an  ox,  Homer 
(in  the  Odyssey)  commemorates  the  oxen,  of  the 
Sun  granny.  Strabo  alludes  to  the  hull  Mnevis 
consecrated  to  the  Sun  at  Heliopolis  in  Egypt. 
Inscriptions  on  marbles  are  addressed  deo  sou 

INVICTO  MITHRAE. 

SOLI.  INVICTO. — The  Sun  personified, 
stands  with  his  right  foot  pressing  upon  a 
captive,  with  his  right  hand  he  offers  a globe  to 
a military  figure,  helmeted  and  armed  with  a 
spear : below,  xxn. — Small  brass  of  Aurclian, 
in  the  Vienna  cabinet,  not  noticed  by  Mionnet 
or  by  Akcrman. 

SOLI  INVICTO. — The  Sun  in  a quadriga : his 
right  hand  raised.  On  a small  brass  of  Carausius. 

SOLI  INVICTO  COMITI.— This  legend, 
with  the  usual  type  of  the  Sun  standing  with 
right  hand  uplifted,  and  a globe  in  the  left, 
occurs  on  brass  coins  of  Constantine  the  Great — 
one  of  the  relics  of  the  old  solar  worship, 
which,  like  other  symbols  of  paganism,  appears 
on  the  mint  of  this  professed  convert  to  Chris- 
tianity. The  words  sou  invicto  comiti  are 
found  on  twro  other  medals  of  the  same  Emperor ; 
one  (third  brass;  with  the  radiated  head  of  the 
Sun ; and  the  other  (gold  and  silver)  wherein 
this  god  is  represented  standing  with  his  crown 
of  rays,  a globe  which  he  holds  in  his  left  hand ; 
whilst  with  his  right  he  places  a crown  on  the 
head  of  Constantine,  who  holds  the  labarum,  or 
Imperial  standard.  Both  these  coins  have  the 
name  and  portrait  of  Constantine  on  their 
obverse.  In  noticing  them,  in  his  remarks  on 
the  Cicsars  of  Julian,  Spanheim  says  they  may 
be  supposed  to  have  been  struck  by  the  moneyers 
of  some  Roman  cities  still  addicted  to  idolatry, 
or  before  they  had  solemnly  renounced  the 
worship  of  false  gods.  The  fact  is,  howrcver, 
that,  with  the  exception  of  the  In  hoc  sig. 
vie.  legend  of  a doubtful  medallion,  all  the  epi- 
graphs and  types  of  the  artful,  cautious,  and 
anything  but  pious  or  humane  Constantine  arc 
drawn  from  heathen  mythology,  not  from 
Christian  theology.  And,  accordingly,  we  see 
on  his  medals  the  Sun  represented  as  the  Guide, 
Protector,  and  even  Colleague  of  this  emperor, 
with  the  inscription  sou  invicto  and  sou 
invicto  comiti. — See  Comes. 

The  same  inscription  of  Soli  invicto  Comiti 
occurs  on  coins  of  Probus,  Maximinus  Baza, 
Crispus,  and  others. 

SOLI  INVICTO  COMITI  —The  Sun  placing 
a garland  on  the  head  of  the  Emperor,  who 


stands,  in  military  costume,  holding  a globe 
5 D 2 


SORS.— SOSIA.  755 

and  spear:  in  the  exergue  sirm.  In  gold  and 
silver  of  Constantine.  In  the  exergue  of  some, 
aq.  or  other  letters. 

SOL.  BOM.  IMP.  ROM.  Soli  Domino 
Imperii  Ilomani. — Pull-faced  radiated  head  of 


the  Sun  surmounting  the  horses  of  a quadriga. 
Obverse  of  second  brass  of  Aurelian.  The  reverse 
reads  avreuanvs  avg.  cons.  The  Emperor 
sacrificing.  In  the  exergue  s. 

Solidus. — See  gold  coinage. — See  Exagium 
Solidi. 

SORS.  Chance,  or  Fortune. — A denarius  of 
the  P/celoria  family  (given  in  Morell)  presents 
on  one  side  a female  head,  and  on  the  other 
the  half-length  figure  of  a young  woman  (whose 
neck  is  adorned  with  a collar)  ; and  the  pedestal 
which  this  female  bust  rests  upon'  is  inscribed 
with  the  word  Sorts  round  the  type  is  M. 
plaetou.  cest.  (Marcus  Plcetorius  Cestius) 
s.c. 

The  Romans  (as  M.  Millin  observes),  not 
content  with  receiving  Gods  from  the  Greeks, 
from  the  Egyptians,  and  even  from  the  Persians, 
undertook  the  imaginative  task  of  deifying  the 
virtues,  the  qualities,  the  affections  of  the 
mind.  And  these  they  have  represented  by 
various  attributes  on  monuments,  principally 
medals.  Among  such  allegorical  divinities  was 
this  personification  of  Sors  (chance  or  hazard), 
which  has  been  sometimes  confounded  with 
Bestiny  or  Fate. — At  Autium  and  Prameste 
were  two  most  celebrated  temples  of  fortune. 
The  Fortunes  Anliales  are  already  noticed  in 
their  place,  as  appearing  on  a silver  coin  of  the 
Iiustia  family.  The  present  denarius  makes 
allusion  to  a similar  piece  of  superstition  called 
the  Sortes  Prtoiestue,  which,  it  seems,  were 
tesseree,  or  tablets  of  oak  inscribed  with  sentences 
of  antique  writing,  and  shut  up  in  a casket  of 
olive  wood.  It  was  believed  that,  under  the 
secret  guidance  of  the  goddess  Fortune,  Sors 
drew  these  lots  by  the  hand  of  a child,  and  it 
was  supposed  to  learn  its  fate  by  the  reading  of 
what  was  written  on  the  tablets  by  one  of  the 
ministers  called  sortilegi,  or  fortune-tellers. 

SOSIA,  a plebeian  family. — The  coins,  which 
are  of  second  and  third  brass,  exhibit  three 
I varieties.  Amongst  them  are  pieces  bearing  the 
head  of  Mark  Antony. — The  following  offers  a 
reverse  of  historical  interest : — c.  sosivs  imp. 
A male  and  female  captive  sitting  at  the  foot  of 
a trophy. 

This  small  medal,  in  bronze,  commemorates 
the  victory  gained  by  Antony,  in  the  year  v.c. 
716,  over  Antigonus,  King  of  Juda:a,  the  last 
of  the  race  of  the  Asmoneans,  who  had  retained 
the  kingdom  120  years. — The  C.  SOSIVS  whose 


756  SOVSTI. — SPES. 


SrES„ 


name  appears  on  this  coin  as  IMP erator  was  M. 
Antony’s  Lieutenant  in  Syria,  and  sent  by  him 
(as  Josephus  informs  us,  I.  xiv.  c.  16)  to  assist 
1 lerod  in  taking  the  government  from  Antigonus, 
according  to  the  decree  of  the  senate.  These 
two  generals  having,  by  their  united  forces, 
gained  possession  of  Jerusalem,  Antigonus  sur- 
rendered himself  to  Sosius,  who  sent  him  to 
Antony  at  Antioch,  where  he  was  put  to  death, 
being  the  first  kiug  whom  the  Romans  had  ever 
beheaded.  And  thus  was  the  cruel,  corrupt, 
and  low-born  Herod  confirmed  in  the  sovereignty 
of  Judica,  and  an  end  put  to  the  illustrious 
Asmoncan  family. 

Sospita. — See  Sispita. 

SOVSTI. — A brass  coin  of  Faustina  senior 
bearing  these  six  letters,  followed  by  the 
senatorial  authentication,  s.c.,  and  having  for 
its  reverse  type  Ceres  standing  on  a globe,  and 
holding  a torch  in  each  hand,  is  given  in  the 
Memoires  de  Trecour,  as  from  the  collection  of 
P.  Chamillart.  It  is  accompanied  by  various 
attempts  at  interpretation — the  productions  of 
as  many  learned  writers,  whose  conflicting 
opinions  ltasche  has,  without  comment,  re- 
capitulated ; but  respecting  which,  on  account  of 
their  far-fetched  extravagance  or  their  ludicrous 
absurdity,  sovsti  is  evidently,  Eckhel  says,  an 
unhappy  blunder  of  some  careless  mint-master, 
similar  instances  of  which  arc  not  unfrequent  on 
the  reverses  of  Homan  coins. 

SP.  A ltoman  prcnomcn. — sp.  F.  Spurii 
Filins. — On  coins  of  the  Postumia  family. 

SPE.  AVG.  i Sipes  Augusta. 

Speculator,  derived  from  Specula,  a prospect, 
that  is  to  say  a view  from  the  summit  of  a place, 
whence  anything  may  he  seen  advantageously  at 
a distance. — Thus  a cohort  of  this  description 
( Speculatorum  CohorsJ  was  established  by  M. 
Antony,  that  they,  from  an  elevated  part  of  his 
ships,  might  explore  and  act  as  sentries  or 
watchmen.  There  were  other  acceptations  of 
the  word,  such  as  spies,  and  even  executioners. 

Speculatores  under  the  early  emperors  were 
public  attendants  on  the  person  of  the  prince ; 
in  effect,  his  body  guard.  Otho  was  attended 
by  an  escort  of  this  kind ; whence  it  is  that 
Tacitus  conjoins  the  pratorian  cohorts  with  the 
speculatores.  And,  for  the  same  reason,  also 
in  inscriptions  on  marbles  the  latter  may  fre- 
quently be  seen  commingled  with  the  former,  as 
spec.  coh.  mi.  Pit. — On  a denarius  of  M. 
Antony,  the  cohors  speculatorum  evidently 
relates  to  maritime  affairs,  as  the  military 
standard  fixed  on  the  prow  of  a ship  serves  to 
indicate,  together  with  the  pnetorian  galley  and 
the  triumvir’s  name  on  the  obverse  of  the  coin. 
— See  CHORTIS  SPECVLATORVM. 

Spes. — The  ancients  worshipped  Hope  as  a 
divinity.  She  had  her  temples  aud  her  altars, 
but  nothing  is  said  by  old  writers  as  to  what 
victims  were  sacrificed  to  her.  Livy  speaks 
of  the  herb  market  (forum  olitorium)  at  Rome 
as  one  of  the  places  where  this  goddess  had  a 
temple ; and  he  also  makes  mention  of  that 
which  Publius  Victor  built  in  the  seventh  region 
of  the  city.  The  censor  M.  Fullius  also  dedi- 


cated a temple  to  her  honour  near  the  Tibur. 
The  personification  of  Hope  appears  on  some 
ancient  sculptures ; but  it  is  much  more  fre- 
quently seen  figured  on  medals  of  the  Imperial 
series,  struck  at  the  beginning  of  a prince’s 
reign,  indicating  either  the  favourable  anticipa- 
tions which  the  people  entertained  of  him,  or 
the  expectations  which  he  wished  to  raise  re- 
specting himself.  She  is  often  exhibited  on 
medals  of  the  Casars,  or  adopted  heirs  to  the 
Imperial  throne,  because  her  iuflucnce  is  pecu- 
liarly strong  over  youthful  minds. — Spes  is 
ordinarily  represented  iu  the  shape  of  a young 
woman,  standing,  or  walking,  holding  iu 
her  right  hand  a tender  flower : for  where  a 
flower  appears  there  is  hope  of  fruit  to  come. 
Her  left  hand  is  usually  employed  in  lifting  up 
the  skirt  of  her  semi-transparent  robe.  Some- 
times she  holds  in  her  left  hand  a cornucopia: 
with  other  symbols,  marking  the  benefits  antici- 
pated from  her  On  a brass  coin  of  Drusus 
senior,  the  word  spes  stauds  alone  ; it  was  with 
Claudius  that  the  practice  began  of  adding  the 
words  avg.  or  avgg.  or  avgvsta,  or  r.R.  or 
fvb.  pvblic.  pvblica,  &c.,  all  serving  re- 
spectively to  designate  the  occasion  for  which 
she  had  been  chosen  as  an  appropriate  type. — 
Yaillant  gives  a silver  coin  of  Pesccnnius  Niger, 
bearing  on  its  reverse  the  legend  bonae  spei, 
with  the  type  of  the  goddess  walking — Cicero 
opposes  the  feeling  of  good  hope  (bona  spes) 
to  that  of  despair  in  all  human  affairs. — And 
Plutarch  remembers  an  altar  at  Rome  inscribed 
For  tuna  Bona  Spei. — Gruter  quotes  a marble 
inscribed  bonae  spei  avg. — It  is  observable 
that  on  coins  of  the  lower  empire,  the  early 
image  of  Hope  no  longer  appears.  The  legend 
Spes  Reipublica  of  the  Empress  Fausta  has  for 
its  accompanying  type  a woman  suckling  two 
! childreu  ; and  the  Spes  Romanorum  of  Maguus 
! Maximus,  the  gate  of  the  Pratorian  camp. 

Spes  appears,  iu  the  form  and  with  the 
attributes  above  described,  on  coins  of  Claudius, 
Vespasian,  Hadrian,  M.  Aurelius,  Commodus, 
Pcscennius  Niger,  Albinus,  S.  Sevcrus,  Cara- 
calla,  Geta,  Diadumeniauus,  Elagabalus,  Alex. 
Severus,  Philip  senior  and  junior,  llercnnius, 
Hostillianus,  .Kmilianus,  Gallienus,  Postumus, 
Tetricus  senior,  Quietus,  Claudius  Gothicus, 
Tacitus,  Probus,  Carausius,  AUectus,  Julianna 
II.,  Yalcus,  &c. — The  following  arc  the  most 
rare  of  this  legend  and  its  types  : — 

SPES  AVGVSTA.  S.C. — Hope  walking, 
with  flower  in  right  hand,  and  left  raising  her 
tunic  behind,  as  if  to  disengage  her  tripping 
footsteps  from  impediment. 

This  type  of  Spes,  which  became  afterwards 
so  common  on  coins  of  the  Imperial  mint, 
appears  for  the  first  time  on  a large  brass  of 
Claudius.  From  other  bronze  medals,  having 
the  same  legend,  but  with  dissimilar  types,  as 
well  as  from  an  inscribed  marble,  it  would  seem 
that  Claudius  worshipped  Hope  as  a favourite 
divinity,  and  on  his  natal  day  made  vows  to  her 
honour. 

SPES  AVGVSTA.  S.C.— Hope  and  three 
I soldiers  standing.  On  first  brass  of  Vespasian. 


SPES. 


SPES.  757 


[Mionnet  and  Akcnnan  both  recognise  the 
genuineness  of  this  fine  coin,  of  which  Haver- 
camp  has  given  an  engraving  from  the  Mus. 
Christina;.  The  last-named  antiquary  thus  com- 
ments on  the  type — “ Vespasian  had  very  much 
greater  pretensions  to  the  empire,  and  a hotter 
founded  hope  for  success  in  his  enterprise,  than 
many  of  those  who  had  preceded  him.  In  fact, 
before  his  accession  to  the  throne,  he  had 
unequivocally  displayed  the  virtuous  qualities 
essential  to  the  character  of  a great  prince. 
Nor  did  he  disappoint  the  high  expectations 
entertained  of  him.  For  this  reason  spes 
avgvsta — August  Hope,  was  adopted  as  the 
type  of  this  medal ; and  the  goddess  is  repre- 
sented under  the  form  of  a female,  clothed  in 
light  drapery,  who  presents  her  right  hand  to 
the  foremost  of  three  soldiers,  because  Vespasian 
had  assisted  the  republic  with  his  victorious 
legions,  and  there  was  the  strongest  ground  of 
hope  that  this  warlike  emperor  would  re-establish 
it  on  a firm  foundation.”] 

SPES  AVG.  COS  II.  and  SPE.  COS.  II.— 
Hope  with  its  accustomed  attributes. — Silver  of 
Albinus. — In  reference  to  the  former  of  these 
inscriptions,  Vaillant  remarks  that  on  coins  of 
the  Casar. s (as  contradistinguished  from  those 
of  the  AugustiJ,  Hope  was  exhibited,  chiefly  to 
indicate  those  amongst  the  former  who  were 
actually  designated  as  successors  to  the  reigning 
prince;  but  as  the  harvest  of  empire  was  still 
in  embryo,  the  goddess  is  pictured  with  a flow'er, 
portending  fruit  to  the  plant  in  its  maturity. 

SPES  FELIC1TAT1S  OBB1S.— Hope  stand- 
ing in  her  usual  attitude. 

The  elder  Philip,  one  of  whose  silver  coins 
bears  this  reverse,  after  having  done  everything 
in  his  power  to  conciliate  the  Roman  senate  and 
people  in  favour  of  his  usurpation,  and  wheedled 
himself  into  the  soldiers’  good  graces  by  his 
profuse  largesses,  here  indicates  his  hope  that 
the  world,  under  his  sway,  would  enjoy  hap- 
piness. The  commencement  of  his  reign  is 
therefore  called  Spes  felicitatis  orbis. 

SPE  I FIR  MAE.— Hope  walking.— This 
unusual  legend  appears  for  the  first  time  on 
silver  of  Pcsccnuius  Niger,  published  by 
Gcssncr,  from  the  Pfau  cabinet;  it  is  afterwards 
found  repeated  by  the  mint  of  Sevcrus. 

SPES  PVBLICA. — Hope  standing. — Silver 
of  Diadumenianus. — Hope,  as  goddess  of  youth 
(says  Vaillant),  is  represented  on  the  coius  of 
Caesars,  as  if  for  the  purpose  of  exciting  the 
feeling  of  Good  Hope  (Bona  Spei)  iu  the 


breasts  of  these  young  princes  ; each  heir  of  au 
emperor  being  regarded,  like  Marcellus  by 
Virgil,  Magna  Spes  altera  Roma.  So  Diadu- 
menianus is  made,  by  Lampridius,  to  say  to  the 
soldiery  of  his  father,  Macrinus,  Ego  autem 
elaborabo,  ne  desim  nomini  Antoni nontm. 

SPES  PVBLICA. — Hope  advancing  towards 
three  military  figures,  extends  iu  her  right 


hand  towards  the  foremost  and  principal,  who 
may  be  considered  as  the  emperor  himself,  a 
figure  of  Victory.  The  obverse  exhibits  the 
laureated  head  and  bust  of  Alexander  Severus  iu 
armour ; iu  his  left  hand  he  holds  a baton ; in  his 
right,  a figure  of  Victory  bearing  a trophy.  Brass 
medallion  in  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  Roach  Smith. 

SPES  PVBLICA.  S.  C.— Hope  walking.— 
A coin  of  Aemilianus,  in  third  brass  (pub- 
lished by  Banduri),  bearing  this  legend  and 
type,  is  remarkable  on  account  of  the  s.  c. 
being  annexed  thereto,  after  having  for  a long 
interval  been  almost  wholly  disused. 

The  same  also  appears  on  a rare  and  elegant 
quinarius  of  Gallieuus.  This  coin  was  struck 
when  that  emperor  was  proclaimed  Imperator 
Augustus  by  his  father. — Vaillant  (Pr.  ii.  369) 
says  of  the  type  and  legend  that;  they  unite  in 
suggesting  to  the  people  to  place  their  firm 
faith,  not  in  the  old  age  of  Valerian,  but  in  the 
youth  of  Gallieuus,  to  whom  Spes  gives  promise 
of  a long  life  and  a happy  reign. — “ Hope  told 
a flattering  tale”  in  this  case. 

SPES  PVBLICA. — A serpent,  on  which 
stands  the  labarum,  inscribed  with  the  mono- 
gram of  Christ.  Small  brass  of  Constantine. 

SPES  PUBLICA. — A figure  in  military 
garb,  stands  with  right  hand  raised,  opposite  to 
which  stands  a female  with  flower  in  right  hand, 
&c. ; a star  between  them. — On  a rare  and 
elegant  silver  coin  of  Salouinus.  There  we  see 
Hope,  the  usual  companion  of  the  Cmsars,  pre- 
senting herself  to  Saloninus,  who  is  clothed  as 
a soldier  to  denote  his  having  just  embarked  in 
a war  with  the  incursive  barbarians.  The 
goddess  holds  out  a flower  to  the  young  prince, 
as  if  to  assure  him  of  victory. 

SPEI  PERPETVAE. — Hope  with  her  usual 
attributes. — On  a silver  coin  of  Elagabalus,  who 
is  here,  by  a w’retched  piece  of  flattery,  made 
to  appear,  whilst  growing  up,  to  be  under  Hope’s 
good  and  perpetual  influence. 

Spei  Perpetuae  is  first  found  on  silver  and 
bronze  of  Caracalla,  whose  conduct  and  dis- 
position from  his  boyhood  upwards  also  gave 
the  lie  perpetual,  to  such  a compliment. 


758  SPES.— SPHINX.— SPICA. 


SPINT. — SPINTRI  A. 


SPES  REIPUBLICAE. — A woman  suckling  i 
two  infants. — See  Faust  a. 

SPES  11. P.  (Romani  Populi). — The  Hope  of 
the  Roman  people. — On  a gold  coin  of  Valens 
given  by  Banduri,  two  imperial  personages  arc  ) 
seated,  each  with  the  nimbus  encircling  his 
head,  and  holding  the  hasta  and  a globe.  A 
smaller  figure  stands  between  them,  but  with-  i 
out  the  nimbus,  above  whose  head  is  a buckler  i 
inscribed  vot.  v.  mvl.  x. 

The  two  principal  figures  of  this  type  were  | 
doubtless  intended  to  represent  the  two  emperors 
Valcntiuian  and  Valens,  whilst  the  lesser  figure 
is  evidently  designed  for  the  boy  Gratian,  : 
already  destined  to  the  tluoue,  but  who,  not 
being  yet  proclaimed  Augustus,  remains  un- 
distinguished by  the  nimbus. 

Sphinx. — This  fabled  monster,  according  to 
the  myth  of  the  Greeks,  horn  of  Typhon  and 
Echidna,  had  the  head  and  face  of  a young 
woman,  with  the  wings  of  a bird  ; the  rest  of  I 
the  body  resembling  that  of  a dog.  This  fictitious 
animal,  whose  mysterious  origin  is  associated 
with  the  most  remote  antiquity,  is  said  to  have  | 
had  its  haunts  in  Mount  Sphincius,  near  Thebes,  ] 
and  to  have  been  accustomed  thence  to  assail  j 
and  destroy  wayfarers.  Apollo  having  been  con-  j 
suited  in  this  matter,  the  oracle  assumed  that  j 
there  was  no  other  way  to  rescue  the  country 
from  its  fury  than  some  oue’s  solving  the  enigma 
of  the  Sphinx  (allusive  to  man  in  his  infancy, 
youth,  and  old  age).  Oedipus  guessed  this  riddle,  | 
and  the  monster  flung  itself  from  its  rocky  seat  | 
and  perished. — On  numismatic  and  other  ancient  i 
monuments,  the  Sphinx  is  represented  in  two  | 
ways,  that  of  the  Greeks  and  that  of  the  | 
Egyptians.  The  former  has  wings  and  breasts,  j 
the  latter  has  neither.  The  early  mint  of  Rome 
adopted,  as  usual,  the  Greek  model.  On  denarii 
of  the  Carisia  aud  Rahinia  families  (says  Morell) 
is  a figure  of  the  Sphinx,  sitting  on  its  hind  legs; 
it  has  wings,  and  a virgin’s  head,  displaying  the  [ 
paps  of  a woman  in  front  and  the  dugs  of  an 
animal  of  the  canine  species  beneath  the  belly. 

Ou  coins  of  Augustus  the  Sphinx  occurs  I 
often;  in  one  instance  it  is  accompanied  by 
the  legend  akmexia  capta. — According  to  ; 
Suetonius,  that  emperor  was  accustomed  to  seal 
his  diplomatic  papers  and  private  letters  with  a ( 
figure  of  this  (enigmatical  nondescript.  \ aillant 
(Pr.  i 176),  and  Banduri,  describe  a first  brass 
of  Volusiauus  as  having  a Sphinx  for  the  type  of  , 
its  reverse.  But  neither  those  writers,  nor  ' 
Eckhcl,  who  quotes  their  authority,  attempt  to  ' 
give  any  explanation  on  the  subject  of  its  appear- 
ance, so  little  to  be  looked  for  on  a medal  of  j 
that  Emperor. 

Spica. — An  car  of  corn,  on  ancient  medals, 
sometimes  signified  the  fertility  of  a particular 
country,  aud  the  abundance  of  grain  produced  | 
in  it ; at  others  it  denotes  the  care  of  the  Annona  ! 
(sec  the  word),  or  import  of  corn  into  Rome  os  I 
well  as  its  distribution  to  the  people  by  the 
jJMiles,  to  whom  that  important  duty  was 
especially  committed  in  the  time  of  the  republic 
Many  denarii  struck  uuder  the  consular  govern- 
ment exhibit  (see  aed.  cyk.  aud  ad.  ruv.  emv.)  | 


this  symbol  of  the  tedileship.  In  the  Aemilia, 
Cornelia,  Norbana,  and  other  families,  the  Spica 
accompanies  the  papaver,  or  poppy,  the  caducous, 
aud  t he  fasces.  Sometimes  a corn-ear  is  placed 
on  each  side  of  a curule  chair;  at  others,  on 
each  side  of  the  rnodius,  as  on  a denarius  of  the 
Livincia  family.  On  many  imperial  medals  from 
Augustus  to  Val.  Sevcrus,  Spica  appear  either 
in  the  rnodius,  or  bushel  measure,  or  in  the  hand 
of  Ceres,  or  combined,  ns  before  observed,  with 
the  caducens  and  the  poppy,  or  placed  between 
a double  cornucopia:. — Sec  temp,  felicitas. — 
saecvlo  pkvgifeko. — On  a brass  coin  of  the 
Serci/ia  family  two  corn  cars  are  engraved, 
which  intimate  certain  shipments  of  wheat  and 
other  grain  from  the  corn-growing  provinces  to 
Rome. — Ears  of  corn  are  the  insignia  of  fertility 
in  the  hands  of  those  figures  which  personify 
Egypt,  Africa,  Spain,  Sicily.  &c, 

SPINT. — Spinther,  a suruamc  of  the  Cornelia 
family. 

Spintria,  in  Italian  Spindria,  from  “ cnrivSrip, 
scintilla,  quod  celut  scintilla  et  fomes  libidinis 
sit,”  as  Rasehc,  quotiug  Sabellicus,  says: — It  is 
a word  used  to  denote  the  inventor  or  inventress 
of  obscene  monstrosities,  such  as  were  patronised 
and  employed  by  Tiberius,  according  to  a passage 
in  the  work  of  that  depraved  emperor’s  biographer 
— “ Secessu  (says  Suetonius,  Tib.  Nero  Caes.  cap. 
xliii.)  vero  Capreensi  sellariam  exeogitacit,  sedem 
arcanantm  libidinum  : in  quani  undique  cou- 
quisiti puel/arum  et  exoletorum  greges,  monstro- 
sique  concubitus  repertores,  quos  SPINTRI  AS 
appellabat.  — — — Cubieula  plurfariam  dis- 
posita  tabe/fis  ac  sigilHs  lascicissimarum  pictu- 
rarum  et  figurarum  adomavit,  &c.” — To  the 
honour  of  the  MONETA  ROMAjw,  be  it  ob- 
served, however,  that  no  numismatic  monuments, 
even  under  the  most  profligate  of  her  princes, 
have  ever  been  found  to  fix  the  stain  of  such 
pollutions  on  any  medallions  or  coins,  either 
sanctioned  by  the  senatorial  mark  of  authentica- 
tion, or  in  auy  way  issued  under  the  public  guar- 
antee of  imperial  authority.  The  only  medals 
struck  within  the  pale  of  Roman  domination,  on 
which  shamelessly  indecent  figures  appear,  arc  a 
few  Greek  colonial,  dedicated  to  the  Lompsacan 
god — aud  that  suite  of  brass  tessera,  or  counters, 
known  under  the  name  of  Spintria,  which  ex- 
hibit on  one  side,  in  desigus  of  coarse  work- 
manship, immodest  representations ; and  on  the 
other  the  numeral  letters  I.  or  II.  or  iv.  or  x. 
to  xvi.  and  upwards. 

Numismatic  antiquaries,  as  well  as  other 
learned  writers,  arc  much  divided  in  opinion 
respecting  this  “ ignobile  vulgus”  of  mcdallic 
relics ; a vile  class  of  remaius,  which,  to  use 
the  sensible  expressions  of  Eckhcl  (viii.  315) 
“ thrown  into  the  rear,  like  the  suttlers,  soldiers’ 
boys,  wine  sellers,  and  strumpets  of  a great  army, 
are  to  be  recorded  more  to  avoid  the  slightest 
deficiency  in  anything  that  could  throw  light 
upon  the  subject  of  Roman  coins,  than  from  the 
profit  to  be  derived  from  them  to  learning  and 
to  a useful  knowledge  of  antiquity.”  Some 
think  that  the  Spintria  were  struck  to  ridicule 
aud  expose  that  perfidious  tyrant  and  worn-out 


SPINTRIA. 

voluptuary,  Tiberius,  who  made  the  sea-girt 
rocks  of  Caprsca  the  scene  of  his  brutal  pleasures, 
and,  to  issue  them  with  greater  facility,  numer- 
ous letters  were  imprinted  on  them  as  on  those 
which  served  as  admission  tickets  to  the  theatre ; 
others  consider  them  to  have  been  stamped  by 
“ the  rank  old  emperor’s”  express  orders.  Some, 
again,  believe  that  they  were  used  at  the  festivals 
of  Venus;  others,  for  the  Saturnalia,  and  others 
that  they  were  coined  for  the  purpose  of  being 
flung,  in  showers,  among  the  crowds  of  a corrupt 
metropolis,  who  flocked  to  the  public  exhibition 
of  licentious  spectacles,  and  which  were  of  the 
kind  alluded  to  in  the  epigram  of  Martial,  (lib. 
viii.  78.) 

Nunc  veniunt  subitis  lasciva  numismata  nimbis: 
Nunc  dant  spectator  tessera  larga  /eras. 

Addison,  who  visited  the  island  of  Caprma, 
in  1701,  observes  (in  his  “ Remarks  on  several 
parts  of  Italy”)  that  these  medals  were  never 
current  money,  but  rather  of  the  nature  of 
medallions  to  perpetuate  the  monstrous  inven- 
tions of  an  infamous  society  ; and  he  adds — 
“ What,  I think,  puts  it  beyond  all  doubt  that 
these  coins  were  rather  made  by  the  emperor’s 
order  than  as  a satire  on  him,  is  because  they 
are  now  found  in  the  very  place  that  was  the 
scene  of  his  unnatural  lusts.”  This  is  certainly 
a fact  strongly  calculated  to  support  the  opinion 
which  ascribes  to  Tiberius  himself  the  coinage  of 
these  Spintrim  and  their  circulation  amongst  the 
companions  and  victims  of  his  infamies. — Yet  it 
is  to  be  remembered  that  such  a belief  is  not 
borne  out  by  the  authority  of  any  historian. 
Even  Suetonius,  whose  language  we  have  above 
quoted,  and  who  touches  more  fully  than  any 
other  ancient  writer  on  these  revolting  traits  in 
the  biography  of  Tiberius,  says  indeed  that  the 
emperor  had  made  a collection  lascivissimarum 
piclurarum,  at  Capraa,  but  does  not  speak  of 
his  distributing  medals  of  that  sort,  unless  by 
the  word  sigillum  in  the  passage  in  question  be 
meant  a medal , as  Patin  interprets  it.  But  as 
M.  Kolb,  in  his  Traite  de  Numismatique,  ob- 
serves, “si  Tibere  eut  fail  f rapper  de  pareil/es 
medaiUes,  elles  se /assent  repandues  dans  Rome, 
et  ce  trait  d’in/amie  eut  ete  rendu  par  Sue  tone 
avec  plus  de  force  et  d’  energie .”  Execrable, 
therefore,  as  was  the  personal  character  and 
individual  conduct  of  that  emperor ; disgusting 
as  is  the  portraiture  which  historians  have  drawn 
of  his  vices  and  excesses,  it  appears  to  be  not 
without  sufficient  reason  that  Spanhcim  acquits 
him  of  being  the  originator,  or  (by  an  express 
command  of  his)  the  author,  so  to  speak,  of 
these  numi  obseveni,  or  lewd  counters  ; first,  be- 
cause they  are  not  identified  by  any  indication 
with  his  name ; and  next,  because  Tiberius  was 
evidently  disposed  rather  to  conceal  his  base 
enjoyments  within  the  recesses  of  Caprtea  than 
to  reveal  them  by  public  representations  and 
disclosures.  Nor  docs  that  profoundly  erudite 
man,  whose  opinion  is  above  referred  to,  as- 
sociate these  coins  with  the  lascivi  numismata 
of  Martial ; but  rather  seems  to  be  of  opinion 
that  what  arc  called  Spintria  are  to  be  added  to 
the  rest  of  those  tesserre,  or  species  of  marks 


SPOLIA. — SPONSIANUS.  759 

which,  uuder  impure  and  dissolute  rules,  served 
to  admit  persons  to  Floralia,  and  other  public 
spectacles,  where  the  grossest  indecency  was 
practised. — It  is,  however,  a curiosity  of  no 
creditable  kind  that  leads  to  minuteness  of  in- 
quiry into  so  filthy  and  profitless  a subject; 
and  it  shall  here  suffice,  therefore,  to  add,  from 
Spanhcim,  that  in  the  cabinets  of  Roman  anti- 
quaries, medalcts  similar  to  the  above,  are  found 
up  to  number  xxix.  inscribed  on  them,  whilst 
Beauvais  greatly  increases  this  estimate  of  their 
number  and  variety,  by  affirming  that  “more 
than  sixty  of  them,  with  different  attitudes, 
are  known.  Their  module  is  uncertain,  between 
middle  and  small  brass.” 

Spolia  bellica — spoils  of  war — are  exhibited 
on  coins  of  the  Cornelia,  Claudia,  Furia,  and 
many  other  Roman  families  ; also  on  the  imperial 
series  commemorating  victories  over  the  Par- 
thians,  Sarmatians,  &c.  It  is  sitting  on,  or 
standing  near,  warlike  spoils  of  armour  that 
Rome  is  personified  on  coins,  because  she  enriched 
and  loaded  herself  with  booty  taken  from  the 
foes  whom  she  had  conquered.  On  a denarius 
of  Lepidus  we  see  a figure  on  horseback  carrying 
on  his  shoulder  a trophy  composed  of  the  spolia 
bellica. — See  jEmilia  fam. 

Spolia  opima. — These,  “ the  most  honourable” 
of  military  acquisitions,  consisted  of  tbe  armour 
which  one  general  of  an  army  took  from  another 
general  whom  he  had  encountered  in  single 
combat.  In  their  origin  they  formed  nothing 
more  than  a trophy  of  arms  raised  on  a simple 
cross  of  wood,  or  the  stem  of  a young  oak 
tree.  During  the  republic,  they  were  carried 
bv  the  Romans  in  a triumphal  chariot,  aud 
afterwards  dedicated  in  the  temple  of  Jupiter 
Feretrius.  This  ceremony  is  shadowed  forth  on 
a denarins  of  Lentulus  Marccllinus,  whose 
ancestor  Claudius  Marcellus,  v.c.  532,  slew  in 
single  combat  Viridomarus,  chief  of  the  Insubrian 
Gauls.  Allusion  to  the  consecration  of  the 
Opima  Spolia  is  also  regarded  as  made  on  a coin 
of  Cossus  Lentulus,  struck  in  memory  of  his 
progenitor,  Cornelius  Cossus,  who,  v.c.  320, 
killed  in  battle  Lartis  Tolumnius,  king  of  the 
Veientcs. — See  Claudia  and  Cornelia  families. 

SPONSIANVS. — Who  this  person  was  cannot 
be  correctlj  ascertained,  as  historians  are  totally 
silent  respecting  him.  It  is  supposed  that  he 
usurped  the  title  of  Augustus  in  Dacia,  or  some 
adjoining  region  of  the  empire,  about  the  same 
time  as  the  equally  unknown  Iotapianus,  and 
the  no  less  obscure  Pacalianus,  assumed  the 
purple — viz.,  probably  during  the  reign  of 
Philip  senior  and  junior;  certainly  after  Gor- 
(lianus  Pius ; because  the  following  gold  medal- 
lion is  of  the  same  workmanship,  and  seems  to 
have  had  the  same  origin  as  the  barbaric  medal- 
lions, described  by  Mionnet  (vol.  i.  394  and 
404).  Eckhel  enumerates  two  medallions  in  the 
Vienna  Museum,  and  two  in  other  Austrian 
cabinets. 

imp.  sponsiani.  Radiated  head  to  the  right. 

R(‘v- — cavg.  A column  surmounted  by  a 
statue,  which  has  a spear  in  his  right  hand  ; on 
one  side  of  the  column  is  a man  clothed  in  the 


760  S.  P Q.  R. 

too,  holding  ^methimz  which  cannot  be  W»ed . 
on  tie  other  side  of  the  eolomn  is  an  a agur 
bearing  the  Hint;  and  at  the  foot  of  the 
rrJhmn  are  two  ears  of  corn. — See  Aserman, 
toI-  L p-  493,  pi.  vin.  Xo.  7. 

S.  P.  Q.  R Letten  whit*  were  used  by 
the  Romans  ou  their  coins,  standards,  and 
imUie  moo  ament*,  to  sznify  Senatut  Populutque 
Romanos.  TV  Senate  and  the  Roman  People;.— 
These  initials  appear  cm  several  eoins  of  uncertain 
families.  They  stand  ns  an  inscription  by  them- 
sdves.  with  some  type  or  other,  oo  coins  of 
A UTIL'S*',  Galba,  Faustina  jnn.,  Gallietina,  Ac. 

S.  P.  Q,  R. — A lkm,  on  which  stands 
u fg-rU  both  within  a laurel  crown. — On 
zold  of  Gallienns,  in  the  Imperial  cabinet  at 
Viram. 

“It  is  for  the  reader  to  jodee  says  Eekhel 
in  reference  to  this  coin)  whether  it  is  because 
the  senate,  with  its  inveterate  habit  of  adulation, 
had  compared  Gallienns  to  Jupiter  and  to 
Hercules,  that  the  creature  sacred  to  each  of 
those  denies  it  here  brought  forward:  or,  , 
whether  it  is  because  the  eagle  and  the  lion  are 
supposed,  after  a manner,  to  bear  sway,  each  over 
its  respective  genus  of  animal',  and  to  give 
jJm*  uq  m master — that  Gallienns  is  here 
feigned  to  possess  supreme  power  over  the  whole  . 
race  of  Tnanlrind,  and  even  over  the  very 
usurpers  themselves,  who  were  at  that  identical 
period  invading  every  part  of  the  empire.  — 
Doct.  Sum.  Vet.  voL  viL  p.  41L 

S.  P.  Q.  R — These  initials  likewise  exhibit 
themselves  on  numerous  medals  of  the  imperial 
series  in  each  ■“*»!.  from  Augustas  down  to 
Constantine  the  Great : they  are  found  placed 
nithrr  round  the  circumference  of  the  coin,  , 
along  with  some  other  legend,  or  in  the  field  of 
the  coin  on  a shield,  preceding  the  abbreviated 
word  cl  v.  (Oypeom  Tovit):  or  with  some  other 
legend,  as  in  the  following  examples : — 

S.  P.  Q.  R.  ADSERTORI  LIBERTATIS 
PVBLICAE.  (TV  Senate  and  the  Roman 
people,  to  the  Defender  of  Public  Liberty.)— 
On  first  brass  of  Vespasian. — See  p.  8.  of  this 
DietionarT. 

S.  P.  Q.  R DIVO  TRAIAXO  PARTHICO. 
— See  Aurora. 

S.  P.  Q.  B.  EX.  S.  C.  (Ex  Senain t Cousulto.J 
— Hadrian. 

S P.  Q R IMP.  CAES.  QVOD  V.  M.  S.  EX. 
EA.  P Q.  IS.  AD.  A.  I)E  (Senatut  Populutque 
Romanut  I m per  a ton  Cretan  quod  rue  mu  rut  a 
tint  ex  ea  petunia  quam  it  rtranum  detulit.) 
— This  is  inscribed  on  a coin  of  Augustus,  struck 
by  L visicits,  monetal  triumvir,  as  a monument 
of  the  gratitude  of  the  Senate  and  Roman  people 
towards  the  Emperor  Caesar  Augustus,  for  having 
established  hizh  roads,  and  contributed  to  fhe 
public  safety,  at  his  own  expense;  in  causing  to 
he  conveyed  to  tV  public  treasury  the  money 
which  is*  the  fruit  of  his  victories,  and  of  the 
advantages  which  he  has  gained  over  the  enemies 
of  the  state. — See  p.  19  of  this  Dictionary. 

S.  P.  Q,  R.  IVLIAE  AVGVST. — The  Senate 
nod  Roman  people  to  Jnlia  Augusta.— On  coins 
of  Li  via  and  Domna. 


S.  P.  Q R — SPIRILIA. 

S P Q R.  MEMORIAE  AGRIPPIXAE  — 

Sec  p.  552  of  this  Dietiocarr. 

S.  P Q.  R.  OB.  C.  S.  (06  Cere*  Serratot  )— 
Caligula  and  Albinos. — See  p.  166  of  this  Die- 
tionarT. 

S P.  Q.  R.  A.  X.  F.  F.  OPTIMO  PRIXCIPI 
The  Senate,  Ac.,  ‘pray  for)  a prosperous 
and  happy  new  year  (aamam  novum,  fauxtum, 
feticem)  to  the  best  of  Princes. — On  coins  of 
Hadrian,  Antoninas  Pins,  and  Alexander. — See 
p.  44  of  this  Dictionary. 

S.  P Q.  R.  OPTIMO  PRIXCIPI.— On  coins 
of  Trajan,  Hadrian,  Antoninus  Pins,  Sept. 
Severns,  Gallienns,  Mat  in. inns  Daza,  Akxand. 
Tyran.  Lieinius  pater,  and  Constantin  as  Magnus. 
— See  pp.  2-36-397  of  this  Dictionary. 

S.  P.  Q.  R.  PAREXT.  COXS.  SVO.  Senatut 
Populutque  Romanut  Parent i Conserratori  Suo. 
— This  is  engraved  on  a denarius  of  Augustas,  as  a 
memorial  that  the  Senate  and  Roman  people  pre- 
sented to  that  emperor  the  sceptre  with  an 
eagle,  tV  toga  picta,  or  embroidered  robe,  and 
the  laurel  crown,  as  to  their  parent  and  pre- 
server. 

S.  P.  Q.  R V.  S.  PRO.  S.  ET.  RED.  AVG. 
Senatut  Populutque  Rcrmanut  Vota  Sot  runt  pro 
Salute  et  Reditu  Quarit. — The  Senate  and 
Roman  people  acquit  themselves  of  their  vows 
for  the  health  and  happy  return  of  Caesar. — On 
a coin  of  Augustas. 

S.  P.  Q.  R QVOD  IXSTIXCTV  DITIXI- 
TATIS,  Ac. — On  a coin  of  Constantine  the 
Great. — See  p.  678  of  this  Dictionary. 

S.  P.  Q,  R.  V.  P.  RED.  CAES,  Senatut  Pcrpu- 
lutque  Romanut  Vota  pro  Reditu  Cretans. — 
The  Senate  and  Roman  people  offer  vows  for  the 
safe  return  of  Csesar. — On  a coin  of  August  ns. 

S.  P.  Q.  R.  SVP.  P.  D.  Senatut  Populutque 
Romanut  tufimeuta  Populo  data. — On  a first 
brass  of  Caligula  this  inscription  is  considered 
to  signify  that  the  emperor,  in  concurrence 
with  the  Senate  and  the  Roman  people,  had 
made  the  usual  distribution,  that  is  to  say,  of 
thing t necessary  for  the  Secular  Garnet. — See 
Sufimenia. 

SPVRILIA  gent. — There  is  no  authentic  or 
precise  information  to  be  gleaned  from  the  old 
writers  respecting  the  ordo  of  this  family.  Its 
eoins  present  but  one  type — namely,  in  silver;  a 
winged  bead  of  Pallas  on  one  side,  and  on  the 
reverse  A.  SPVRi/tas,  and  Diana  in  a biga  of 
horses  at  full  speed ; at  the  bottom,  ROMA. 

S.  R.  appears  on  the  field  of  certain  coins, 
about  the  time  of  Constantine,  signifying  Saint 
Romanorum  or  Spet  Retpublien. 

S.  R.  Senatut  Romanut. — On  coins  of 
Antioch  in  Pisidia,  instead  of  a.  c.  Senatut 
Coatulto. 

S.  T.  Signal  a Trererit. — A mint  mark  of 
eoins  struck  at  Treves. 

ST  A BOV. — These  letters,  accompanying 
the  type  of  a boll  walking,  appear  on  the  rev  erse 
of  a second  brass  of  Gets,  in  the  Vienna 
Museum. — Gessner  gives  it  as  a third  brats. 

Palin  and  Hard  rain  have  both  commented 
on  this  can  of  a foreign  mint.  The  former 
(Impp  p.  367)  reads  stjLBOV  a*  one  word,  and 


STAR. 

proceeds  to  ascribe  the  coin  to  Stabue,  a town 
iu  Cam pauia,  at  the  bottom  of  the  bay  between 
Naples  and  Sorrento,  now  Monte  de  la  Torre. — , 
Hardouin  (O/jer.  Selec.  p.  161)  divides  sta. 
from  nov.,  professing  to  believe  that  the  one 
means  Stabile  and  the  other  Bovilla.  He  goes 
on  to  call  them  oppidum  geminum,  twin  towns 
iu  Campania ; adding  that  Stabue  is  now  Castell' 
a mare  di  Stabia,  between  the  mouth  of  the 
river  Sarno  and  Sorrento ; and  that  Bovilla  was 
amongst  the  cities  of  Campania,  on  the  shores 
of  the  Mediterranean.  Eckhel,  who,  as  well  as 
Vaillant  (Col.  ii.  6.)  places  this  coin  in  the  list 
of  incerta  numiemata,  says,  after  quoting  the 
above  opinion  of  Hardouin,  “ I have  my  doubts 
whether  this  explanation  of  the  enigma  will  be 
deemed  satisfactory  at  the  present  day  ; for  the 
prevailing  impression  now  is  that  from  the  time 
when  the  supreme  power  of  Rome  was  vested  in 
the  emperors,  the  cities  of  Italy  at  large 
abstained  from  striking  money.  And  then, 
again,  how  can  Hardouin  say  that  Bovilla  is  a 
town  of  Campania,  when  in  point  of  fact  it 
stood  in  Latiurn  and  near  Rome?” — Eckhel 
(vii.  p.  234)  concludes  his  note  on  the  legend  in 
question  by  referring  his  readers  to  a coin 
struck  under  Trebonianus  Gallus,  which  bears 
the  words  akn.  asi.  as  throwing  light  on  the 
subject.  In  that  particular  case  (see  the  words,) 
the  enigma  seems  fairly  solved  by  the  reasonable 
conjecture  of  Pcllerin  ; but  the  riddle  sta.  bov. 
remains  as  dark  as  ever,  and  seems  hardly 
worth  the  pains  of  being  rightly  guessed. 

Star. — On  many  coius  the  figure  of  a star  has 
reference  to  astrology.  It  was  also  among  the 
Pagan  Romans  a symbol  allusive  to  eternity  or 
to  consecration  (see  those  words).  It  was  like- 
wise a sign  of  glory.  It  frequently  is  used  as  a 
mint-mark.  Besides  appearing  on  numerous 
medals  of  cities  and  kings,  it  is  found  on  several 
coins  of  Roman  families,  such  as  .Elia,  Aquillia, 
Maulia,  Papiria,  Portia,  Rustia,  &c. 

A Star  appears  before  the  head  of  Mars,  on 
a coin  of  the  Rustia  family,  because  the  year 
was  believed  to  begin  with  the  month  Martins, 
which  took  its  name  from  the  God  of  War. 

Stars  arc  seen  on  some  one  coin  or  other  of 
nearly  all  the  emperors,  from  Jidius  Ciesar  to 
Justinian,  and  even  still  further  down  the 
series. 

Long-haired  Star  (Stella  Crinita),  or  comet, 
appears  on  denarii  of  Augustus,  referring  to  an 
extraordinary  meteor  seen  immediately  after  the 
death  of  Julius  Cajsar.  This  cometary  sign  is 
placed  on  some  medals  behind  the  portrait  of 
the  murdered  dictator,  or  occupies  the  reverse 
side  of  the  medal. 

A Star,  under  the  heads  of  Mercury  and  Her- 
cules, on  coins  of  Vespasian  (Khell  33-34). 

— within  a crescent  moon,  as  in  Domitian, 
Trajan,  S.  Scvcrus,  and  Caracalla. 

— by  the  side  of  an  emperor  sacrificing,  as 
in  Elagabalus. 

Its  frequent  occurrence  on  the  coins  of  this 
Emperor  was  associated  with  his  Syrian  birth 
and  office  as  priest  of  the  sun  at  Emcsa.-«-See 
Bimard  i.  p.  399-426. 

5 E 


STAR.  761 

A Star  appears  opposite  the  personification  of 
the  Sun  (soli  invicto),  as  iu  S.  Sevcrus, 
Elagabidus,  Gallienus,  Maximinus  Daza, 
Licinius  senior,  and  Constantinus  M. 

— between  two  military  figures,  with  salvs 
beipvb.,  as  in  Theodosius  M. 

— by  the  side  of  Fortune,  as  in  Constantius 
Chlorus. 

— before  the  figure  of  Genius  Augusti,  as 
iu  Licinius  senior. 

— above  two  emperors,  standing  with  joined 
hands,  as  in  Theodosius  jun. 

— is  seen  over  the  spirit  (anima)  of  Con- 
stantine the  Great,  drawn  iu  a quadriga. 

— in  a crown  of  laurel,  on  coius  of  Con- 
stantine and  Constantius  II. 

A Star  and  Cross  appear  on  coins  of  Cou- 
stantinus  Magnus;  also  of  Flaccilla,  wife 
of  Theodosius,  and  .Elia  Eudoxia.  Also 
on  Justiniauus  II.  and  other  medals  of 
the  Byzantine  series. 

A Star  at  the  back  of  Venus,  as  in  a coin  of 
Scemias. — See  Venus  Coelestis. 

— under  Vesta,  seated. — (Khell,  Sup.  74-75.) 

— near  the  figure  of  Victory,  as  in  Aurelian, 
Valentinian  I.,  and  Gratian. 

Two  Stars  over  the  bonneted  beads  of  the 
Dioscuri,  who  are  distinguished  thus  as 
often  as  they  are  represented  on  coins 
or  other  ancient  monuments. — See  Castor 
and  Pollux. 

— over  the  head  of  a bull,  as  in  Julian  the 
Apostate. — See  Securitas  Reipub. 

— under  which  Cupid  sits  on  a dolphin,  as 
in  silver  of  Augustus,  inscribed  s.p.q.k. 

— above  the  wolf,  with  Romulus  and  Remus, 
and  the  epigraph  vkbs  koma,  on  coins  of 
Constantine  the  Great. 

Six  Stars  on  a globe,  on  which  Faustina  is 
seated,  with  epigraph  Aeternitas. 

— surrounding  the  figure  of  Jupiter. — See 
10VI  DEFEN Serf  SALVTIS  AVG. 

— amidst  which  a naked  child  sits  on  a 
globe,  appear  on  a silver  coin  of  Domitilla, 
wife  of  Domitian. 

Seven  Stars  encompassing  Augustus,  in  a 
chariot  drawn  by  elephants,  as  on  coins 
of  Caligulji  and  Claudius. 

— around  the  figure  of  Faustina  senior,  on  a 
consecration  coin  of  that  empress. 

Six  Stars,  surrounding  a crescent  moon,  appear 
on  coins  of  several  families ; and  on  some  of 
Augustus,  Hadrian,  F'austina  senior,  Faustina 
junior.  Sept.  Sevcrus,  and  Julia  Domna. 

Stars  on  Roman  imperial  coins  sometimes 
serve  to  distinguish  figures,  as  those  representing 
the  children  of  reigning  princes ; and,  in  other 
instances,  their  deceased  offspring  received  into  the 
ranks  of  the  gods,  and  placed  amongst  the  stars. 
A Starg  sphere,  on  which  stands  a phoenix, 
appears  on  a coin  of  Constans. — See  pel. 

TEMP.  KEPABATIO. 

— on  which  stands  an  eagle,  on  a consecration 
medal  of  L.  Verus. 

— on  which  the  emperor  is  seated,  forms  the 
type  of  a bronze  medallion  of  Alex.  Severus. 
— See  TEMP.  PELIC1TAS. 


762  STATIA. — STATILIA. 

STABIL.— See  TELLVS  STABILE,  on 
coius  of  Hadrian,  Sabina,  Faustina  sen.,  and 
Commodus. 

Stannei  numi,  pewter  money,  respecting  which 
see  Spanheim,  Pr.  i.  p.  9. 

STATIA,  name  of  a Roman  family ; it  was  of 
the  plebeian  order,  for  T.  Statius  belonging  to 
that  yens  is  enumerated  among  the  tribuni  plebis: 
its  surname  Marcus.  There  are  two  varieties  in 
its  coins.  One  of  them  bears  on  one  side  the 
head  of  Neptune,  on  the  other  mvrcvs  imp.  and 
a trophy,  before  which  stands  a male  figure  in 
the  toga,  who  extends  his  hand  to  a kneeling 
woman.  Lucius  Statius  Murcus  was  one  of 
Julius  Ctesar’s  lieutenants  during  the  civil  war. 
On  the  death  of  Julius,  he  first  of  all  gave  his 
aid  to  Octavianus  (afterwards  Augustus)  in  Syria. 
Subsequently  he  sided  with  the  republican  party ; 
and  Cassius  not  only  gave  him  the  rank  he  had 
before  held,  but  also  committed  the  fleet  to  his 
charge.  This  circumstance  is  alluded  to  by  the 
head  of  Neptune  on  the  above  denarius.  Cassius 
himself,  in  an  epistle  addressed  to  Cicero,  calls 
L.  Statius  Murcus,  imperator ; and  he  is  termed 
t nr  pratorius  and  imperator  by  Valleius.  It  is 
not  known  why  the  honour  was  conferred  upon 
him  which  led  to  the  title  imp.  being  placed  after 
his  name  on  this  coin.  Cicero  calls  him  publicly, 
proconsul.  After  distinguishing  himself  by  his 
skill  ami  courage  in  naval  warfare,  he  fled,  after 
the  defeat  of  Brutus  and  Cassius,  to  Sicily, 
where  he  was  at  first  kindly  received  by  Sextus 
Pompcy,  but  afterwards,  out  of  either  jealousy 
or  distrust,  he  waB  put  to  death.  On  the  reverse 
of  this  very  rare  silver  medal,  it  is  Asia  which 
seems  to  be  represented  in  a suppliant  posture, 
soliciting  the  help  of  Cassius. — [Eckhcl,  vol.  v. 
p.  316.] 

STATILIA,  a family  of  uncertain  rank.  It  was 
first  known  under  the  Caesars.  Its  surnames  are 
Taurus  and  Libo.  There  are  four  varieties  in  its 
coius,  all  in  brass,  either  Spanish  money,  or 
struck  by  the  mint-masters  of  Augustus. 

S Valor,  a surname  of  Jupiter,  from  sisto  (to 
make  or  cause  to  be  made  to  stand  or  continue.) 
See  iovi  statori. 

Statuaria  ars. — See  quotation  from  Baronius, 
iu  Rasche,  vol.  v.  pt.  i.  p.  30. 

Statues  abounded  in  ancient  Rome.  It  was 
the  custom  of  the  Romans  to  pourtray  in  images 
of  brass  and  of  marble,  their  various  deities 
and  illustrious  men,  whom  the  common  people 
believed  to  be  thereby  rendered  present  to  them, 
lienee  it  is  that  so  many  statues  of  gods  and 
goddesses,  demigods,  emperors  and  heroes,  re- 
main to  this  day. — Spanheim  (Pr.  i.  p.  26) 
animadverts  on  the  multitude  as  well  ns  the 
excellence  of  autique  statues  still  extant.  On 
family  aud  on  imperial  medals  we  see  repre- 
sentations of  statues,  both  equestrian  and  pedes- 
trian, of  Consuls  and  Ediles,  Emperors,  Em- 
presses, and  Cresars.  Statues  also  appear  in  the 
interior  and  on  the  pediments,  nnd  on  the  steps 
of  temples  and  triumphal  arches,  which  form 
the  types  of  numerous  Roman  coins.  Amongst 
other  denarii  of  the  Cornelia  family,  relating  to 
Sulla  (the  Dictator),  is  one,  which,  bearing  for 


STEPHANTJS. 

legend  l.  svli.a.  imi*„  and  for  type,  a military 
figure  on  horseback,  seems  to  derive  illustration 
from  a passage  in  Cicero,  wherein  he  mentions  a 
gilt  statue  of  Sulla  on  horseback,  erected  to  his 
honour  in  Rome.  (Eckhcl,  v.  191). — An  eques- 
trian statue  was  customarily  erected  in  a city 
on  the  occasion  of  the  reigning  priuce’s  arrival 
within  its  walls.  Vaillant  enumerates  seven 
different  equestrian  statues  of  Augustus,  as  repre- 
sented on  rare  coins,  chiefly  silver.  The  statue 
of  an  Emperor  on  horseback  (Imperator  eques) 
is  to  be  seen  frequently  on  Imperial  medals, 
sometimes  in  a military  dress  (palucbitus),  at 
other  times  iu  the  garb  of  peace  (habitu 
pacificatoris.) — See  Cornelia. 

Statue  of  Trajan,  on  horseback. — There  is  on 
silver  aud  first  brass  coins  of  this  emperor, 
accompanying  the  legend  s.  p.  Q.  n.  optimo 
phincipi,  an  equestrian  figure  of  this  “best  of 
princes,”  holding  a spear  in  his  right  hand. — 
Doubtless  (says  Eckhcl)  this  was  intended  to 
represent  what  Ammianus  (L.  xvi.  c.  10)  s|tcaks 
of  in  terms  of  the  highest  praise  as  a wonderful 
work  of  art.  That  writer  relates  that  Con- 
stantins the  Second,  having  come  to  Rome, 
viewed  with  admiration,  among  other  objects  of 
magnificence,  the  Forum  of  Trajan,  and  ex- 
pressed his  conviction  he  could  himself  construct 
nothing  equal  to  it,  but  added  that  he  was  both 
willing  and  able  to  imitate  the  horse  of  Trajan, 
placed  in  the  centre  of  the  court-yard  (atrium), 
and  which  bore  on  its  back  the  prince  him- 
self. One  of  the  distinguished  personages 
near  the  emperor  at  the  time,  llormisda  by 
name,  replied  by  saying, — “ Ante  stabulum  tale 
condi  jubeto,  si  vales : equus  quern  fabricare 
disponis,  ita  late  succedat,  ut  isle  quern 
videmus.”  “First  build  such  a stable  as  this 
(Trajan’s  forum),  and  then  let  your  horse  lie 
made  of  as  ample  dimensions  as  that  which  wo 
now  see.” 

Stephanas  Quadriyarius. A Contoraiatc 

medal,  given  by  Pcdrusi  in  the  Mas.  Fames. 
bears  on  it3  obverse  the  head  of  Trajan,  and  on 
its  reverse  the  word  step  an  vs,  accompanied 
with  the  type  of  a llieronices,  or  conqueror  at 
the  public  games,  who,  holding  iu  his  right 
hand  a whip,  and  in  his  left  a palm  brnm-h, 
stands  in  a chariot  drawn  by  four  palm-bearing 
horses. — Havcrcamp  (in  3/ore/ti  ImppA  also 
gives  a contorniate  which  has  a similar  type  on 
its  reverse,  and  with  the  words  stefan.  nika. — 
On  the  obverse  is  the  head  of  a man,  which 
Eckhcl,  as  well  as  other  antiquaries,  states  to  he 
that  of  Apollonius  Tyanensis. 

The  reason  which  the  portrait  of  Apollonius 
Tyanensis  is  here  found  on  the  same  medal,  with 
a representation  of  Stephanas,  the  charioteer, 
is  affirmed  to  be,  that  the  former  hap|>ening  to 
be  in  the  act  of  public  disputation  at  Ephesus, 
the  very  moment  when  Stephanas,  the  freed- 
man,  slew  Domitiau  at  Rome,  suddenly  became 
speechless,  nnd  seemingly  like  one  thunder- 
struck ; but  presently,  ns  if  regaining  his  senses, 
he  began  to  exclaim — “ Well  done  Stepbanus — 
bravo  Stcphnnug — strike  the  homicide — you  have 
struck — you  have  wounded — yon  have  slain 


STOBI. 

him.”  This  story,  fabulous  as  indeed  it  is,  was, 
according  to  Dion  and  Philostratus,  universally 
credited  at  the  time. — Eckhel,  vol.  viii.  297. 

Stobi,  or  Stobas  was,  according  to  Livy, 
one  of  the  most  ancient  cities  of  Mace- 
donia. Situate  in  Pclagonia,  a central  region  of 
that  kingdom,  to  the  north-east  of  Pella,  it  is 
called  by  Pliny  oppidum  civium  Romanorum, 
and  its  coins  prove  it  to  have  been  a municipium; 
but  by  whom  it  was  invested  with  that  character, 
whether  by*  Augustus  or  by  Vespasian,  is  uncer- 
tain.— Paulus  includes  this  place  amongst  those 
of  Macedonia,  which  enjoyed  the  privileges  of 
the  Jus  Italicum. — The  inouey,  struck  by  the 
Stobcuses,  comprised  but  one  Autonome ; the 
rest  are  Imperial,  with  Latin  legends,  beginning 
with  Vespasian,  and  continuing  under  Titus, 
Titus  and  Domitian,  Domitian,  Trajan,  S. 
Scverus,  Domna,  Caracalla,  and  Geta,  finishing 
with  Elagabalus. — The  followiug  arc  the  prin- 
cipal types  on  the  coins  of  MVNic.,  mvnici.,  or 
mvnicip.  stobens.  Municipium  Slobensium, 
as  given  in  Vaillant ’s  work  on  the  Roman 
Colonies : — 

Temple. — A second  brass  of  Vespasian,  Titus, 
and  Domitian,  has  a temple  of  four  columns,  in 
which  a military  figure  stands  with  right  hand 
extended,  and  holding  a spear  in  his  left. 

[The  people  of  Stobi  seem  to  have  been  much 
attached  to  the  Flavian  family,  for  we  see  coins 
of  this  municipium  dedicated  in  succession  to 
Vespasian  and  to  his  two  sons  and  successors  in 
the  empire. — The  temple  on  the  above  reverse 
is  regarded  by  Vaillant  as  representing  one 
which  was  erected  in  honour  of  Augustus,  rather 
than  of  Vespasian.  There  is  a similar  type  on 
a coin  of  the  Stobenses  bearing  the  head  of 
Trajan. 

Woman  Turreted. — A second  brass  of  Ves- 
pasian exhibits  a female  figure  standing,  clothed 
in  a short  dress,  and  wearing  towers  on  her 
head.  In  her  right  hand  is  a Victory;  in  her 
left  a cornucopia: ; at  her  feet  on  each  side  arc 
spoils  of  armour. 

[The  woman  thus  depicted  seems  to  be  the 
Genius  of  Stobi.  The  crown  of  towers  sym- 
bolises the  municipium,  whilst  the  horn  of 
plenty  is  an  especial  attribute  of  an  urban 
Genius.  She  holds  a victory,  in  reference  to 
the  conquest  of  Judsca,  the  warlike  spoils  being 
judications  of  that  recent  event.  It  was  by 
striking  this  medal  that  the  people  of  Stobi 
congratulated  the  emperor  ou  his  decisive  aud 
appalling  triumphs  over  the  Jewish  nation. — 
Col.  i.  p.  133.] 

Victory. — A second  brass  of  S.  Severus  has 
for  legend  on  its  reverse  mvnic.  stobens.,  and 
for  type  Victory  walking,  with  crown  and  palm 
branch. 

[Vaillant  supposes  the  Stobenses  to  have  placed 
this  type  ou  the  coins  of  Scverus,  in  memory  of 
the  victory  which  that  emperor  had  gained  over 
the  generals  of  Pescennius  Niger,  at  Cyzicus.] 

Victory. — There  is  a medal  of  the  Stobenses 
dedicated  to  Julia  Domna,  on  which  a female 
figure,  turret-crowned,  aud  with  wings,  stands 
holding  a cornucopia;  in  her  left  baud,  aud  in 
5 E 2 


STOBI.— STOLA.  703 

her  right  a hast  a pura,  round  which  a serpent 
coils  itself. 

[The  people  of  Stobi,  in  consecrating  a coin 
to  the  wife  of  Severus,  as  they  had  already 
done  to  himself,  have  flatteringly  coujoined  the 
Goddess  of  Victory  with  the  Genius  of  their 
city.  Respecting  Victory  with  wings,  Ovid 
writes  (Trist.  Eleg.  i.  lib.  i.) 

Victoria  Rea  te  solilis  circumvolat  alls. 

The  serpent  is  added,  as  a companion  of  Victory, 
because,  as  Valerius  Maximus  observes,  the 
former  foretold  the  latter : in  other  words  the 
serpent  predicted  military  successes.  The  head 
of  the  woman  is  turreted,  aud  bears  a cornu- 
copia:, as  the  Genius  of  a city.  Thus,  in  their 
self-exalting  adulation,  the  Stobenses  represent 
Victoria  under  the  form  of  Genius,  on  the  coins 
of  Domna,  as  though  that  empress  was  herself 
at  once  the  Guardian  Deity  of  their  town,  and 
the  companion  of  Severus  in  his  victorious 
career. — Col.  ii.  22.] 

A similar  type  appears  on  coins  struck  by  the 
same  municipium  in  honour  of  Caracalla,  whose 
successes  over  the  Parthiaus  had  afforded  security 
to  the  whole  province  of  Macedonia. — The  same 
type  is  also  appropriated  to  a coin  of  Geta; 
aud  to  Elagabalus  (the  last  in  the  list  of  em- 
perors whose  portraits  appear  on  Stobcnsian 
medals)  a second  brass  is  dedicated,  with  the 
same  reverse,  struck  on  the  occasion  of  Macri- 
nus’s  defeat  aud  death. 

River  Deities. — On  an  extremely  rare  and 
rather  singular  coiu,  dedicated  to  Geta  by  the 
Municipium  Slobensium,  two  Rivers  are  per- 
sonified in  a recumbent  posture,  resting  each  an 
elbow  on  an  urn  whence  water  flows,  and  between 
and  above  them  is  a military  figure. 

[The  site  of  Stobi  is  pointed  out  by  this  type, 
as  being  at  the  confluence  of  two  streams,  one 
of  which  was  called  Erigon,  the  other  Rhoedias. 
The  figure,  in  warlike  attire,  would  seem  to  be 
that  of  Geta,  to  whom  the  province  dedicates 
itself. — Col.  ii.  59.] 

Observe — In  the  text  of  Vaillant  one  of  the 
river  deities  is  described  as  bearded,  and  the 
other  as  without  a beard ; but  in  the  engraving 
inserted  to  illustrate  the  letter-press,  both  those 
recumbent  figures  arc  drawn  as  females,  clothed 
in  the  stola,  and  of  course  without  beards. 
Most  probably  the  engraver  has  made  a mistake. 

Stola. — This  was  the  long  gown  or  robe  worn 
by  every  honourable  matron  among  the  Romans. 
It  was  a dress  with  sleeves,  and  descended  to  the 
feet ; usually  of  purple  cloth,  having  quite  round 
it  at  the  bottom  a plaited  welt  or  border  of 
fringe,  sometimes  of  gold  stuff ; for  which  reason 
the  words  stola  et  instita  are  used  by  some 
authors  to  signify  the  chasteness  and  modesty 
which  best  become  women  of  respectability,  to 
whom  alone  it  was  allowed  to  wear  the  stola,  as 
according  to  Festus,  the  toga  had  been  abandoned 
to  the  lower  classes  of  women  aud  to  courtesans. 
Hence  the  phrase  mulier  stolata  designated  a 
woman  of  quality.  Over  the  stola  Roman  ladies 
put  a sort  of  mantle,  called  palla,  which  was 
also  an  article  of  dreos  peculiar  to  the  sex,  inas- 


764  STOLO.— SUBAURATUS. 
much  as  men  could  not  with  any  degree  of  pro- 
priety wear  it. — The  female  colonists  of  Antioch 
used  the  stola,  on  which  account  the  Genius  of 
that  Roman  city  appears  on  its  coins  stolata 
(Vaillant  Col.  ii.  p.  4). — The  Genius  of  the  colony 
of  Sidon  is  also  personified  as  mulier  stolata , 
after  the  Roman  manner. 

STOLO. — Surname  of  the  Licinia  family. — On 
first  and  second  brass  coins  of  Augustus  we  read 
r.  licinivs  stolo  iuviR  a a a f f. — Also  on  de- 
narii of  the  same  emperor  is  the  legend  P.  stolo 
llivnt. — The  apex  between  two  ancilia.  [Accord- 
ing to  Varro,  one  of  this  family,  who  as  tribune, 
caused  a law  to  be  passed  prohibiting  any  Roman 
citizen  from  having  more  than  five  acres  of  land, 
was  called  Stolo,  on  account  of  the  extreme  care 
which  he  took  to  have  all  such  suckers  and  other 
useless  offshoots  rooted  out  from  his  land  as 
might  inconvenience  his  farming  labourers.] 

S.  T.  R.  Signata  Treveris. — M.  S.  TR.,  or 
MO.  S.  TR.  Moneta  Signata  Treveris. — The 
mint  mark  of  money  coined  at  Treves. 

STRAB.  Strabo. — Surname  of  the  Volteia 
and  Pompeia  families. 

Strobilus  (artichoke)  or  nux  pinea  (apple  of 
the  pine  tree).  Something  that  bore  resemblance 
to  each  of  these  plants  was  an  ensign  of  the 
Vindelici. — On  a gold  coin  of  Claudius  appears 
a triumphal  quadriga,  in  which  is  cither  the 
strobilus  or  the  nux  pinea,  in  the  room  of  a 
human  figure. 

Strues  Armorum. — A pile  of  arms  ; the  sign 
of  victory  gained. — See  DE  GER,  as  in  Domitian; 
1)E  GERM,  as  in  Dmsus  senior,  M.  Aurelius, 
and  Commodus ; BE  GERMANIS,  as  in 
Augustus;  DE  SARMalu,  as  in  M.  Aurelius. 

Struthocametus. — An  ostrich  appears  on  a 
coin  of  the  Fabia  family,  as  a symbol  of  Africa. 
— On  a denarius  of  the  Cornelia  family  this  bird 
stands  between  a palm  and  a branch  of  laurel. 

STB. — SVBAC.  Subacla,  subdued. — See 

alemannia  svbacta,  as  in  M.  Aurelius. 

Subauratus  numus.  Plated  money. This 

species  of  false  coin  consisted  of  brass  or  copper 
covered  over  with  a thin  coating  of  silver  leaf, 
both  materials  beingso  dexterously  united  together 
as  frequently  to  baffle  detection,  except  by  the 
coin  itself  being  cut  in  two.  This  description  of 
counterfeiting  commenced  among  the  Romans 
(says  Jobcrt  i.  42)  during  the  times  of  the  early 
cousuls,  and  was  revived  at  the  period  of 
Augustus’s  triumvirate.  It  is  at  the  same  time 
an  ir. fallible  proof  of  the  antiquity  of  the  medal, 
and  even  of  its  rarity ; for,  as  Morcll  observes, 
as  soon  as  this  spurious  coinage  was  discovered, 
the  dies  were  broken  and  the  fabrication  de- 
nounced, under  the  heaviest  penalties,  by  the  state. 
— See  Pelliculati  numi  and  Medailles  Fourrees. 

Subtician  Bridge. — See  Aemilia  family. 

Subscriptionesf liter/e) . — Letters  or  characters, 
under-written,  with  which  coins  of  a late  age  in 
the  Imperial  series  are  furnished,  first  present 
themselves  in  the  reign  of  Gallienus. — Some, 
however,  are  observed  on  silver  of  Philip  sen., 
and  Otacilia  Severn,  his  wife.  But  it  is  under 
Gallienus  that  this  usage  is  more  clearly  found  to 
have  commenced : for  on  his  coins  are  engraved 


SU  FFIBULUM. — SU  BSELLI A . 
certain  numeral  letters,  either  Greek  or  Latin, 
placed  sometimes  in  the  field  of  the  medal,  viz.,  i. 
or  ii.  or  hi.  or  iv.  or  v.,  as  in  small  brass  of 
Tacitus ; at  other  times  on  the  lower  part  of 
the  coin,  viz.,  n.  c.  A.,  &c.,  as  in  small  brass 
of  Probus.  These  under-struck  characters  are 
also  found  on  small  brass  of  Saloninus,  Postumus, 
Victorious,  Claudius  Gothicus,  Quiutillus,  Aurc- 
lianus,  Florianus,  Caras,  Numerianus,  Cariuus, 
Magnia  Urbica,  Maxcntius,  &c. 

Suffibulum,  the  name,  which  according  to 
Festus,  was  given  to  a long,  white,  bordered 
veil,  or  covering  for  the  head,  worn  by  the 
Vestals  whenever  they  officiated  at  sacrifices. 
Its  name  derived  itself  from  the  word  Fibula, 
because  this  vestment  was  fastened  with  a buckle, 
or  broche,  lest  it  should  happen  to  fall  off. — 
Oiselius  (Set.  Num.,  tb.  46,  fig.  8)  gives  a coin 
of  an  uncertain  family,  inscribed  Vesta  P.  R. 
Quiritium,  and  on  which  the  fibula  as  well  as 
the  suffibulum,  is  very  conspicuous.  In  the  same 
work  arc  several  figures  of  Vesta,  whence  it  is 
easy  to  perceive  the  form  and  length  of  the 
suffibulum,  and  also  the  mode  in  which  it  was 
put  on  by  the  priestess  of  Vesta. 

Subsellia. — This  word  was  originally  applied 
to  the  public  benches  or  scats  in  the  amphi- 
theatre. But  it  was  afterwards  used  to  denote 
a low  sort  of  scat  (humilis  mensa),  of  which 
Ascouius  describes  the  use  by  saving  that  they 
were  appropriated  to  the  plebeian  tribunes  and 
ediles,  the  triumvirs,  the  qiuestors,  pro  qumstors, 
and  other  persons  who,  exercising  judicial  func- 
tions of  a minor  kind,  sat,  not  in  curulc  chairs 
nor  on  tribunals,  but  on  subsellia. — Eckhcl 
(vol.  v.  p.  317)  refers  to  a silver  coin  of  the 
Sulpicia  family,  on  which  two  men  clothed  in 
the  toga,  sit  together  on  a simple  sort  of  low 
form,  and  comparing  this  commou  looking  seat 
with  certain  ornamental  and  more  elevated  chairs, 
which  arc  represented  on  denarii  of  Cornelius 
Sulla,  Cestius,  Norbanus,  Lollius,  and  other 
consular  dignitaries,  he  leaves  his  reader  to  judge 
whether  the  humble  bench  figured  on  a coin  of 
Sulpicius  Platorinus  must  not  be  one  of  the 
subsellia  mentioned  by  Asconius. — See  Sulpicia 
family. 

Suffimenta,  donatives  of  sulphur,  bitumen, 
and  other  inflammable  and  combustible  sub- 
stances for  the  composition  of  torches,  which 
were  distributed  among  the  people  a few  days 
before  the  celebration  of  the  secular  games,  and 
with  which  they  performed  their  part  in  the 
expiatory  and  lustral  ceremonies  peculiar  to  those 
occasions.  Pitiscus  takes  notice  of  these  suffi- 
menta, which  he  observes  were  wont  to  be  given 
in  the  way  of  atonement  and  purification,  cither 
by  the  emperors  themselves,  or  by  the  consuls 
and  decemvirs  when  sacrificing  at  Rome  before 
the  temples  of  Apollo  Pallatinus  and  Jupiter 
Capitolinus.  Bellori  states  that  the  suffimenta 
included  frankincense  and  other  kinds  of  per- 
fume used  by  the  Romans  in  their  public 
lustrations. 

SVF.  P.D.  Suffimenta  Populo  Lata — In- 
scribed on  a first  brass  of  Domitian. — Sec  lvd. 
saec.  fec.,  p.  527  of  this  Dictionary. 


SUFFRAGIA. 

Suffragia,  suffrages ; the  vote  given  to  some 
one  in  elections  for  magistrates,  and  other  public 
offices.  The  right  of  suffrage  was  the  distinctive 
attribute  of  Homan  citizens  ; and  for  a long  time 
they  exercised  it  vivd  voce,  the  votes  being  re- 
ceived by  the  seniors  of  tribes  ( Rogatores) , who, 
each  for  his  respective  tribe,  reported  to  the 
President  of  the  Assembly  the  result  of  the 
polling.  But  this  custom  was  annulled  by  the 
Lex  Cassia  Tabellaria,  which  enacted  that  in 
order  to  leave  the  suffrages  of  the  citizens  in  a 
state  of  greater  freedom  they  should  thence- 
forward tender  them  by  means  of  a ticket  or 
tablet,  called  Tabelta,  which  gave  its  name  to 
the  law. — This  important  change  from  open 
voting  to  the  vote  by  ballot,  was  extremely 
popular  at  the  time,  inasmuch  as  it  appeared 
favourable  to  the  cause  of  republican  liberty, 
but  it  was  fraught  with  consequences  destructive 
to  the  purity  of  election  and  fatal  to  the  real 
freedom  of  the  state.  These  tabellte  were  very 
narrow  bits  of  wood,  or  other  materials,  on 
which  were  written  the  names  of  candidates  at 
the  elections  for  magistrates,  and  were  dis- 
tributed among  the  voters  according  to  the 
number  of  competitors. — If,  however,  the  busi- 
ness before  the  assembly  was  that  of  passing 
some  law  or  decree,  which  had  already  been  pro- 
posed to  the  people,  there  was  then  given  to  each 
citizen  two  tabellte,  or  billets;  the  one  for  ap- 
proving, the  other  for  rejecting.  On  the  former 
was  inscribed  a v.  and  an  R.,  which  signified 
Uti  rogas,  “ as  you  request and  on  the  latter, 
which  was  for  the  negative,  an  a.  meaning 
Antiquo,  “ I annul,”  or  “ I vote  for  the  old 
law.”  If  the  matter  in  question  was  to  pass  a 
verdict  in  judgment,  either  to  condemn  or  to 
acquit  any  one,  three  tabellte  were  given  to 
each  elector ; one  of  these  had  the  letter  a. 
absolvo,  the  other  C.  for  condemno ; and  the 
third  N.  and  L.,  meaning  non  liquet,  “ it  docs 
not  appear,”  as  expressing  inability  to  decide, 
or  a desire  to  put  off  the  business  in  hand  to 
another  hearing.  This  last  was  used  when  the 
accused  had  not  appeared  to  have  fully  cleared 
himself,  and  yet  (lid  not  seem  to  be  absolutely 
guilty. 

It  was  L.  Cassius  Longinus,  who,  during  his 
tribunate  in  the  year  v.  c.  617,  carried  the 
lex  tabellaria,  whereby  in  all  judgments,  cases 
of  murder  excepted,  the  people  were  required 
to  give  their  votes  on  inscribed  tablets ; and  in 
effecting  this  great  alteration  in  the  law  respect- 
ing suffrages,  he  was  regarded,  as  it  would  ap- 
pear, even  by  Cicero  himself,  to  have  eminently 
consulted  the  interests  of  public  liberty. 

There  is  a denarius  of  the  Cassia  family, 
which  bears  on  its  obverse  Q.  cassivs  and  the 
veiled  head  of  a woman,  with  the  word  vest. 
near  it. — Rev.  A round  temple,  within  which  is 
a curule  chair.  In  the  field  of  the  coin  is  on  one 
side  an  urn,  and  on  the  other  a tablet  inscribed 
a.  c.  The  letters,  as  above  explained,  signify 
Absolvo ; Condemno ; and  the  urn,  or  little  pot 
(often  by  Cicero  called  sitella),  into  which  the 
tabellte  of  the  voters  were  thrown,  is  here 
seen  standing  near  them. — Another  denarius 


SULLA.  765 

of  the  same  family  has  on  its  obverse  Q. 
cassivs,  a female  head,  and  the  word  LIBERT. ; 
and  on  the  reverse  side  the  same  type  and 
letters  as  the  preceding.  The  urn,  the  tablet 
marked  a.  c.,  and  the  head  of  Liberty,  all 
evidently  refer  to  the  above-mentioned  pas- 
sage in  the  history  of  Cassius  Longinus,  as 
the  author  of  the  system  of  voting  per  tabellas. 
And  it  was  in  memory  of  this  ancestor  of  his 
that  Q.  cassivs  longinvs,  a monctal  triumvir, 
caused  the  coins  to  be  struck. — See  Bod.  Num. 
Vet.,  vol.  v.  166. — See  also  Cassia  family  in 
this  dictionary. 

Suggestu,  de  suggestu,  pro  suggestu,  $rc. — 
A term  used  with  respect  to  the  emperor,  when 
standing  on  his  tribunal  or  eslrade  (suggestum) ; 
and  about  to  make  a speech  to  the  soldiers 
(Spanheim,  Pr.  ii.  p.  628). — See  adlocvtio. 

SVL.  Sulpicius. — Sec  Galba  Imp. 

SVLL.  Sulla. — Surname  of  the  Cornelia 
family. 

Suita  (or  Sylla). — Lucius,  descended  from  a 
high  patrician  family,  was  the  son  of  L.  Sulla, 
prietor  of  Sicily.  In  the  thirty-ninth  year  of 
his  age,  he  was  appointed  quaistor  to  Marius, 
who  was  then  in  his  first  consulship,  and  whom 
he  accompanied  into  Africa.  It  is  to  Sulla 
that  his  biographer,  Plutarch,  ascribes,  in  an 
especial  degree,  the  glory  of  those  victories 
which  crowned  the  Roman  arms  in  the  Jugur- 
thinc  war.  But  in  that  war  were  at  the  same 
time  laid  the  seeds  of  mutual  hatred  between 
the  consul  and  his  quaestor,  which  produced  the 
most  furious  factions,  and  involved  the  republic 
in  all  the  sanguinary  horrors  of  domestic  strife. 
Bocchus,  the  Numidian  king’s  perfidious  betrayal 
of  J ugurtha  into  the  hands  of  Sulla ; and  the 
ostentatious  use  which  the  aspiring  Roman  was 
prompted  to  make  of  praises  bestowed  by  his 
countrymen  on  that  early  instance  of  his  enter- 
prise and  courage,  excited  the  ferocious  jealousy 
of  Marius,  and  led  to  results  the  most  disastrous 
to  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  their  common 
country.  Ascending  in  the  scale  of  public 
offices,  he  obtained  his  election  for  prador,  and 
was  sent  as  general  into  Cappadocia.  In  the 
year  v.c.  665  he  obtained  the  consulship.  And 
after  Marius  and  himself  by  their  antagonistic 
system  of  proscription  had  filled  the  families  of 
Rome  with  terror,  and  her  streets  with  blood, 
he  succeeded  in  wresting  from  his  defeated 
rival  that  favourite  object  of  his  ambition,  the 
management  of  the  war  against  Mithridates. 
Having  taken  and  plundered  Athens  and  van- 
quished Achelaus,  the  general  of  that  monarch, 
near  Mount  Thurina  in  Bceotia,  he  erected  two 
trophies,  and  was  styled  Imperator.  After- 
wards, having  defeated  Dorylaus,  another  of  the 
Mithridatic  commanders,  he  raised  another 
trophy  in  Thessaly,  and  was  called  Imperator 
Itervm.  Hence,  we  find  three  trophies  on  his 
coins,  corresponding  with  the  number  of  those 
which,  it  is  tg  be  inferred  from  Dion,  were 
engraved  on  the  signet  ring  of  Sulla.  The 
flattering  surname  of  Felix  (i.  e.  Fortunate)  was 
added  to  his  own.  Indeed,  according  to 
Plutarch,  he  gave  himself  that  appellation. 


766  SULLA. 


SULLA. 


making  it  his  boast  that  he  enjoyed  perpetual 
felicity,  or  good  success,  in  all  his  affairs.  “ For 
this  reason,”  says  Appianus,  “ he  was  designated 
as  the  happiest  of  men.”  Pliny  also  testifies : 
“ units  hominum  ad  hoc  cevi  Felicis  sibi 
cognomen  asseruit  L.  Sulla.”  That  this 
name  of  “Felix,”  at  first  bestowed  upon  him  in 
private  was  afterwards  publicly  appended  to  his 
other  titles,  we  further  learn  on  the  authority 
of  Appianus,  who  writes  that  a gilt  equestrian 
statue  was  placed  in  the  rostra  at  Rome,  with 
this  inscription—"  Cornelio  Sul  he  Imperalori 
Felici.  Moreover,  Cicero,  whilst  Sulla  was 
still  living,  called  him  Felix.  Certain  it  is  also 
that  Sulla,  whether  sincerely  or  affectedly, 
ascribed  all  the  glory  of  his  exploits,  not  to 
himself  nor  to  human  wisdom,  but  to  Fortune, 
and  what  others  imputed  as  a disgrace  he  pro- 
fessed to  honour  as  proceeding  from  this  leadiug 
tutelary  of  his  choice  and  worship.  In  order 
still  more  closely  to  identify  the  source  of  his 
extraordinary  prosperity  with  the  favours  of 
Fortuna  et  Felicitas,  not  only  did  he  take  the 
surname  of  Faustus  (i.  e.  auspicious  and  happy), 
but  lie  also  conferred  it  upon  each  of  the  two 
childrcu  whom  he  had  by  his  wife  Mctella, 
naming  his  son  Faustus,  and  his  daughter  [ 
Fausta.  There  was,  however,  apparently  much 
art  and  tact  in  the  way  in  which  Sulla  made 
his  subservience  to  the  superstitions  of  the 
priesthood  work  together  for  advantage  to  his 
bold  and  unscrupulous  plans  of  aggrandisement. 
Not  only  Fortune  and  Felicity,  but  Apollo  and 
Venus,  and  Diana  came  in  for  a share  of  his 
grateful  devotion.  The  character  of  this  re- 
markable personage  was  one  of  st  rikingly  con- 
trasted qualities,  in  which,  however,  the  vicious 
predominated  frightfully  over  the  better  attri- 
butes of  his  nature.  A gross  voluptuary,  and 
a licentious  wit,  yet  strict  and  punctual  even  to 
austerity  as  a man  of  business ; infamous  for  his 
libidinous  excesses,  and  most  disorderly  in  his 
convivial  pleasures ; lie  was  a sage  in  council, 
and  a hero  on  the  field  of  battle.  In  the 
obscurity  of  his  early  life  the  associate  of  jesters, 
mimics,  and  profligate  revellers  of  both  sexes ; 
he  changed  his  exterior  behaviour  on  the  attain- 
ment of  supreme  power,  displaying  the  highest 
talents  for  civil  government,  combined  with 
consummate  genius  and  capacity  as  a military 
commander.  Yet,  in  these  and  in  all  other 
things,  ever  rushing  to  extremes  and  glorying  in 
eccentricities,  he  exhibited  himself  as  a monster 
of  lust  and  of  cruelty,  checkering  a life  of  the 
most  splendid  and  important  actions  with 
flagrant  inconsistencies,  blackened  by  enormous 
crimes,  and  paying  the  forfeit  of  intemperance 
and  debauchery  by  a horrible  death  from  the 
most  loathsome  of  diseases. — Sec  the  words 
FEELIX,  FAVSTVS,  and  UOCC11VS. 

As  connected  with  the  numismatic  illustra- 
tions of  Sulla’s  history,  it  may  here  be  noted 
that  ou  a dcuarius  of  the  /Emilia  family,  bear- 
ing the  name  of  L.  bvca.,  the  figure  of  a man 
is  represented  as  if  sleeping  in  the  presence  of 
a female  figure,  who,  distinguished  by  the 
crescent  moon  ou  her  forehead,  and  by  a veil  I 


floating  above  her,  seems  as  if  sitting  in  the 
clouds.  In  the  midst  stands  Victory  bearing  a 
palm  branch. — See  /Emilia  family. 

[This  type  corresponds  in  its  group  of  figures 
with  the  main  incidents  of  Sulla’s  dream,  in 
which  he  pretended  to  have  been  forewarned  by 
some  goddess  of  his  future  victorious  fortunes, 
and  ou  account  of  which  he  regarded  his  celestial 
monitress  with  “a  grateful  mind.” — The  relation 
by  Plutarch  of  this  incident  is  as  follows  : — 
“ There  appeared  to  him  (Sulla)  in  a dream  a 
goddess,  whose  worship  the  Romans  borrowed 
from  the  Cappadocians,  whether  she  be  Luna 
(Diana),  Minerva,  or  Bellona,  who  seemed  to 
stand  by  him  ; and  to  put  thunder  into  his  hand; 
aud  who,  having  summoned  each  of  his  enemies 
by  name,  bade  him  strike  them.  They  fell 
under  his  stroke,  and  were  consumed.  Inflamed 
by  this  vision,  he  related  it  to  his  colleague  the 
next  morniug,  aud  bcut  his  way  towards  Rome.” 
— This  dream  of  Sulla’s  refers,  in  point  of  time, 
to  v.c.  671,  when  he  was  threatening  the  city 
from  Campania. — L.  rEmilius  Buca  was  qutcslor 
in  Sulla’s  time.] 

The  following  are  the  only  denari:  of  Sulla 
that  were  struck  during  his  life-time  : — 

(L)  SVLLA  I M Verator. — A military  figure, 
standing  in  a triumphal  quadriga,  holding  a 
caduccus  and  crowned  by  a victory  flying  over 
his  head. — On  a coin,  rare  in  silver,  and  most 
rare  in  gold,  of  the  Cornelia  family.— Sec  also 
the  Manlia  family. 

SVLLA  IMP. — Sulla  in  military  habiliments, 
standing  with  parazoninm  in  his  left  hand,  joins 
his  right  hand  with  that  of  a soldier  standing 
opposite  him,  and  holding  a spear  in  his  left  ; 
behind  is  the  forepart  of  a galley,  from  which 
Sulla  seems  to  have  disembarked. — This  type 
appears  on  the  reverse  of  a very  rare  silver  coin 
of  the  Cornelia  family,  the  obverse  of  which  has 
a bust  of  Minerva,  with  Victory  behind  placing 
a garland  on  her  head. — Sec  Cornelia  family. 

(L)  SVLLA. — Head  of  Venus,  before  which 
a little  figure  of  Cupid  stands,  holding  a long 
branch  of  palm. 

Rev. — iMi'En.  itervm. — The  lituns  and  the 
pnefcriculum  between  two  trophies. — Ou  a 
denarius  of  the  Cornelia  family,  common  in 
silver,  but  most  rare  in  gold. 

[The first  of  the  above  three  seems  to  record 
some  signal  triumph  won  by  the  Dictator  over 
Mithridatea. — Of  the  type  on  the  second  coin, 
Eckhel  says,  “ 1 am  in  donbt  what  opinion  to 
adopt.  The  conjectures  which  antiquaries  have 
hitherto  hazarded  arc  not  satisfactory.” — The 
third  dcuarius  is  more  open  to  animadversion. 
The  head  of  Venus  is  placed  on  the  obverse, 
because,  on  the  authority  of  Plutarch,  it  appears 
that  Sulla  caused  the  names  of  Mars,  Fortune, 
and  Venus  to  be  inscribed  on  a trophy. — Cupid 
with  palm  branch  readily  poiuts  out  Venus 
Victrix.  AVc  further  learn  from  Plutarch  that 
Sulla  was  singularly  devoted  to  the  worship 
of  Venus  the  Conqueror,  and  that,  in  honour  of 
that  goddess,  he  adopted  the  Greek  surname  of 
E/mphroditus,  or  (as  translated  iuto  Latin) 
Venustus. — Plutarch  adds  that,  iu  writing  to  the 


SULLA. 

Greeks  (in  answer  to  their  applications),  he  took 
this  additional  name,  and  that  the  inscription  on 
the  Roman  trophies  left  at  Cheromea  was  Lucius 
Cornelia  Sulla  Epaphroditus. — A ppianus  records 
this  last  adopted  surname,  and  also  says  that 
Sulla  Imperator  dedicated  certain  gifts  to  Venus, 
because,  as  he  pretended,  he  beheld  in  a dream 
that  goddess  meeting  his  soldiers,  and  mixing 
with  them  in  martial  attire. — The  two  trophies 
on  the  reverse  denote  the  two  victories,  which, 
in  the  year  v.c.  667,  Sulla  gained  over  Arclielaus 
near  Mount  Thorium,  and  in  the  field  of 
Cheromea ; in  memory  of  which  events,  as  we 
learn  from  Plutarch,  two  trophies  were  erected. 
That  on  account  of  those  two  brilliant  and 
decisive  victories  he  was  called  IMP erator 
ITERVM,  is  shewn  with  sufficient  clearness  by 
the  epigraph  itself  of  this  denarius — a coin 
which,  by  universal  acknowledgment,  wras  struck 
in  Sulla’s  life-time ; aud  which,  in  its  type  of 
the  lituus  and  prafericulmn,  or  guttus,  un- 
questionable insignia  of  the  augurs,  demonstrates 
that  Sulla  was  one  of  that  fraternity,  as  was 
also  at  a later  period  Faustus  his  son. — Appianus 
affirms  that  Sulla  was  admitted  to  the  sacerdotal 
order.  (Num.  Vet.  vol.  v.  p.  191.) — See  Cor- 
nelia fam. 

SVLLA.  COS.  Bare  head  with  beardless 
face. — Rev.  hvfvs  cos.  q.  pomp.  evfi.  A 
bare  head  and  beardless  face.  Att. 

SVLLA  COS.  Q.  POMPEI.  RVF. — 
Curulc  chair,  between  the  lituus  and  a gar- 
land.— Rev.  hvfvs.  cos.  q.  pompei.  q.  f.  A 
curulc  chair,  between  an  arrow  and  a branch  of 
laurel,  ar. 

Sec  Eckhel’s  observations  on  the  above  two 
denarii,  vol.  v.  pp,  191,  192. — Sec  also  Sella 
Cuni/is. 

SVLLA  COS.— Head  of  a man,  bare  and 
beardless. 

Rev. — hvfvs  cos. — Q.  pom.  hvfi. — Another 
beardless  and  uncovered  head. 

This  denarius  of  the  Cornelia  family  pre- 
sents the  portraitures  of  two  Romans,  L.  Cor- 
nelius Sidla,  and  Q.  Pompeius  Rufus,  who  were 
Consuls  in  the  year  v.c.  666. — “It  is  an 
acceptable  thing  to  see,  as  we  do  on  this  coin, 
the  effigy  of  Sylla,  in  contemplating  whose 
countenance,  a certain  Chaleedon,  versed  in 
physiognomy  (as  Plutarch  relates),  exclaimed 
that  such  a man  could  not  be  otherwise  than 
destined  to  future  greatness,  and  that  he  even 
wondered  how  it  could  be  that  he  did  not 
already  occupy  the  highest  place  in  the  Republic. 
Those  traits  of  personal  appearance,  which  of 
course  are  not  perceivable  on  a medal  or  in  a 
statue,  are  also  mentioned  by  the  same  writer, 
who  observes  that  “ his  eyes  were  of  a lively 
blue,  fierce  aud  menacing ; and  this  ferocity  of 
aspect  was  heightened  by  his  complexion,  which 
was  of  a strong  red,  interspersed  with  spots  of 
white.” — His  sliining  hair  of  a golden  colour  is 
likewise  mentioned. 

SULP.  Sulpicia. — See  hispania  clvjtia. 

svlp.,  on  a coin  of  Sulpicius  Galba,  on  which 
Ilispania  is  called  Sulpicia  after  that  emperor’s 
family  name. 


SULPICIA.  767 

SULPI.  Sulpicianus,  surname  of  the  Qttinclia 
family. 

SVLPICIA. — This  house,  which  possessed  an 
illustrious  name  amongst  the  most  ancient  families 
of  Rome,  came  originally  from  the  city  of  Camera. 
— According  to  some  writers,  the  Sulpitia  were 
so  called  sue  specta.  And  this  is  done  by  a 
sufficiently  far-fetched  process  of  derivation, 
founded  on  the  legendary  figment  about  one  of 
/Eneas's  companions  being  the  first  to  behold, 
beneath  an  oak,  the  sow  lying  with  her  litter  of 
thirty,  on  the  spot  pointed  out  by  the  oracle,  and 
on  which  the  city  of  Lavinium  was  afterwards 
built.  Hence,  we  are  told,  this  fortunate  sow- 
finder  was  by  his  immediate  descendants,  called 
Suispicius,  which  word  was  changed  by  their 
posterity  into  Sulpicius  ! — This  family  did  not, 
however,  make  its  appearance  in  history,  it 
seems,  until  about  the  year  v.c.  254,  at  which 
period  Sulpicius,  suruamed  Camerinus,  was 
consul  with  M.  Tullius  Longinus — although  the 
Emperor  Galba,  who  belonged  to  it,  pretended 
to  trace  bis  descent  from  Jupiter.  Its  surnames, 
as  recorded  on  coins,  are  Galba,  Rufus,  Plato- 
rinus,  and  Proculus ; of  these  the  Galba  branch 
was  patrician,  that  of  Rufus  plebeian;  the 
others  are  of  uncertain  rank. — There  are  thirty- 
two  varieties  in  the  medals  of  this  family.  Its 
gold  arc  of  the  highest  rarity ; its  silver  common, 
except  those  restored  by  Trajan,  which  are 
very  scarce.  The  second  and  third  brass  are 
also  rare.  The  following  are  specimens  of  the 
Sulpician  denarii,  'arranged  according  to  sur- 
names : — 

Galba. — On  the  obverse,  head  of  a woman, 
veiled,  behind  it  S.  C. 

Rev. — P.  GAt.n.  (Publius  Galba)  ae.  cvr.,  or 
aed.  cvr.  (iEdilis  Curulis). — The  simpulum  and 
secespita. 

[It  is  uncertain  by  what  P.  Galba  this  coin 
was  struck  during  his  year  of  office  as  curule 
edile ; but,  as  already  stated,  it  was  from  this 
gens  that  the  Emperor  Galba  sprang  ] 

Platorinv.s. — On  the  obverse  of  a very  rare 
silver  coin  of  this  family  we  find  the  epigraph 
CAESAR  avgvstvs,  with  the  naked  head  of 
Augustus. 

Rev. — PLATORINVS  IIIVIR.  M.  agrippa. — 
Naked  head  of  Agrippa. 

Another  denarius  of  the  Sulpicia  family,  with 
the  same  obverse,  has  on  its  Rea.  c.  sulpicivs 
platorin.;  aud  for  type,  two  men  clothed  in  the 
toga,  sitting  on  a low  table,  or  form,  at  the 
bottom  of  which  are  three  rostra,  or  beaks  of 
gallies. — [No  mention  is  made  of  Platoriuus,  in 
ancient  history.  The  reverse  of  the  second 
denarius  remains  of  doubtful  interpretation. 
Ursinus  sees  in  it  the  rostra  nova,  or  Julia, 
which  Ciesar  caused  to  be  erected  at  Rome.  In 
this  opinion,  Spanheim,  Vaillant,  and  Haver- 
camp  appear  readily  to  coincide,  aud  they  even 
go  so  far  as  to  recognise  Augustus  and  Agrippa, 
as  consuls,  in  the  two  figures  sitting  here  with 
the  rostra  beneath  their  feet.  “ But  (says 
Eckhel)  on  what  a lowly  and  unbecoming  sub- 
sellium  would  this  supposition  place  two  men 
of  such  high  rank,  who  in  their  quality  of  con- 


768  SULPICIA. 

sular  dignitaries  ought  to  be  represented  seated 
on  curule  chairs.”  The  same  sagacious  com- 
mentator then  refers  to  the  form  of  scats 
assigned  to  inferior  magistrates,  to  whom  the 
jus  sella  curulis  did  not  belong,  many  examples 
of  which  are  furnished  on  consular  medals ; 
such  for  instance  as  those  on  which  Piso  and 
Ciepio,  qusestors  ad  frumendutn  emundum 
(officers  appointed  for  purchasing  and  importing 
corn  to  ltome),  and  also  such  as  M.  Fannius 
and  L.  Critonius  are  seated.  (See  Fannia 
family).  Moreover,  the  hasta  leaning  against 
the  seat,  as  in  the  denarius  in  question,  is 
also  seen  on  coins  of  Papius  Rufus,  qiuestor, 
and  L.  Cauinius  Gall  us.  “We  may  consider 
ourselves,  therefore,  (concludes  Eckhel,)  to 
have  before  us  in  the  type  of  this  reverse  the 
identical  kind  of  benches  or  seats  appropriated 
to  the  use  of  those  less  exalted  functionaries 
of  the  Roman  commonwealth,  whom  Asconius 
alludes  to  in  these  terms : — Subsellia  sunt 
Iribunorum,  triumvirorum,  quastorum,  et  hujut 
modi  minora  judicia  exercentium,  qui  non  in 
sellis  curulibus,  nec  tribuna/ibus,  ted  in  sub- 
sel/iis,  considebant.”~\ — Sec  the  word  Subsellia. 

Rufus. — 1.  The  obverse  of  a rare  denarius  of 
the  Sulpicia  gens  bears  for  legend  l.  servivs 
RVTV8.,  and  for  tvpe  a bare  head  with  short 
beard. 

Rev. — No  legend  ; but  the  type  exhibits  two 
naked  men  standing  with  spears ; a star  over 
the  head  of  each.  This,  restored  by  Trajan,  is 
very  rare. 

2.  A gold  coin  of  the  highest  rarity,  with 
same  legend  on  the  obverse,  has  two  heads  of 
youug  men,  jugated,  each  wearing  the  pilcus 
and  laureated  ; two  stars  over  head. 


Rev. — The  walls  of  a town,  over  the  gate  of 
which  is  inscribed  TVSCVL. — See  below. 

3.  Another  denarius  of  this  family  has  on  one 
side  d.  p.p.  ; two  jugated  heads  of  young  men, 
laureated. — Sec  Penates. 

Rev. — c.  svlpici.  c.  p.  Two  military  figures, 
with  spears,  stand  pointing  with  their  right 
hands  to  a sow,  which  is  lying  on  the  ground 
between  them. 

Who  the  L.  Servius  Rufus  of  the  first  two 
coins  was  is  a matter  of  uncertainty.  Some 
erudite  antiquaries  believe  him  to  have  been  the 
sou  ot  Ser.  Sulpicius  Rufus,  a celebrated  juris- 
consult, the  friend  of  Cicero,  and  who  was 
consul  v.c.  703  ; after  that,  having  embraced 
the  side  of  Cicsar,  he  was  seut  on  a mission  to 
M.  Antony,  at  the  time  of  the  Mutinensian  war. 
Whom  the  head  on  this  denarius  was  meant  for 
has  likewise  been  made  the  subject  of  a con- 
troversy still  undecided,  and  never  worth  the 
pains  bestowed  upon  it.  That  the  two  standing 


SULPICIA. 

figures  were  meant  for  the  Dioscuri  (see  the 
word)  is  plainly  indicated  by  their  caps  and 
other  attributes.  The  reason  why  the  type  of 
the  second  denarius  was  adopted,  appears  to  have 
been  that  Servius  Sulpicius,  a military  tribune, 
invested  with  consular  authority,  hastened  from 
Rome  with  an  army,  and  rescued  Tusculum, 
when  pressed  with  a close  seige  by  the  Latins. — 
But  it  seems  from  Cicero,  that  in  his  time  there 
was  a temple  dedicated  to  Castor  and  Pollux,  at 
Tusculum. — Festus  also  states  that  Castor  was 
worshipped  in  that  town.  On  account  of  this 
hereditary  honour,  not  only  the  most  venerated 
divinities  of  the  Tusculans,  but  the  very  town  of 
Tusculum  itself,  are  exhibited  on  the  pre- 
eminently rare  gold  coin. 

Eckhel  refers  to  the  Dioscuri  also,  the  two 
heads  on  the  obverse  of  the  third  coin,  although 
the  letters  D.  p.p.  (Dii  Penates)  are  inscribed 
near  them.  Heads  similarly  conjoined,  laureated, 
and  surmounted  with  stars,  are  likewise  found 
on  denarii  of  the  Fonteia  family,  with  the 
addition  of  p.p.  (i.e.  Penates.)  But  still  more 
explicitly  on  coins  of  the  Antia  family  we  read 
Dii  Penates,  at  full  length,  near  heads  similarly 
yoked  together.  Deities  in  appearance  different 
(because  they  are  differently  delineated  on  other 
coins)  are  in  reality  identical  with  these  Dioscuri. 
The  Dii  Penates  were  so  called,  according  to 
Cicero,  because  their  name  was  derived  from 
Penus,  the  name  given  to  everything  eaten  by 
man,  or  from  the  fact  of  their  having  their 
situation  w-itbin  the  house  ; whence  als<-.  they  are 
called  by  the  poets  Penet rales. — Sec  penates. 

The  reverse  type  of  the  third  coin  has  given 
rise  to  a difference  of  opinion  among  learned 
numismatists.  Some  have  professed  to  regard  it 
as  exhibiting  two  of  the  companions  of  .Eneas, 
who  first  beheld  the  white  sow  under  the  oak 
(ilex)  with  her  litter  of  thirty,  to  which  Yarro 
and  Virgil  both  allude. — Others  suppose  that  it 
relates  to  the  treaty  ratified  between  Tullus 
llostillianus  and  Mctius  Fuffetius,  by  the  sacrifice 
of  a pig. — Ericius,  on  the  contrary,  thinks  that 
the  Dii  Penates  (whom  it  was  not  unusual  to 
depict  armed  with  spears  and  in  warlike  costume) 
are  exhibited  in  this  instance  also. — Eckhel  (vol. 
v.  p.  320-21)  himself  considers  this  last-men- 
tioned opinion  to  correspond  the  most  closely 
with  the  tnith,  aud  he  goes  on  to  quote  old 
. writers  in  support  of  it — amongst  others  Dio- 
nysius Halicarnassus,  who  adds  that  “ the  sow 
and  the  whole  litter  were  offered  by  .Eueas  in 
sacrifice  to  the  Dii  Penates.”  It  was  held  as  a 
great  point  of  religion  amongst  the  Romans  that 
the  public  solemnities  or  rites  connected  with 
the  worship  of  the  Penates  should  always  bo 
celebrated  at  Laviuium.  Insomuch  that  when 
it  was  alleged  against  M.  -Emilius  Scaurus, 
prin ceps  Sena/ us,  as  a criminal  charge,  that  the 
public  solemnities,  in  honour  of  the  Dii  Penates 
were,  through  his  neglect,  omitted  to  be  per- 
formed at  Lavinium  with  the  solemnity  due  to 
those  sacred  observances,  he  very  narrowly 
escaped  a sentence  of  condemnation  from  the 
people.  (See  Asconius  on  Cicero  pro  Scauro.) 
These  testimonies  being  so  closely  in  accordance 


SULPICIUS. — SUMMUS. 
with  the  type  of  the  coin  in  question,  and  the 
Pii  Penates  being  so  distinctly  named  on  the 
Sulpician  medals,  there  can,  adds  Eckhel,  be  no 
doubt  hut  that  in  this  denarius  allusion  is  made 
by  the  type  of  its  reverse  to  those  household 
deities. 

SVLPJCIVS  URANIVS  ANTONINVS. — 
Zosimus  makes  mention  of  two  usurpers,  who, 
with  the  support  of  a disaffected  mutinous 
soldiery,  assumed  the  purple  in  the  reign  of 
Alexander  Severus.  He  adds  that  one  of  those 
was  called  Antoninus ; the  other  Uranius — 
that  the  former,  unable  to  sustain  the  weight 
of  government,  took  to  flight,  and  appeared 
uo  more;  that  the  latter,  a man  of  servile 
origin,  was  proclaimed  in  his  room,  but 
he  being  soon  taken  prisoner,  was  brought 
before  Alexander  with  the  purple  robe  on,  in 
which  lie  had  arrayed  himself. — It  is  to  Sid- 
picius  Uranius,  (unless,  as  Eckhel  observes, 
Zosimus,  whose  knowledge  of  the  history  of 
that  period  is  deficient  in  accuracy,  may  per- 
chance have  made  two  out  of  one  usurper,)  that 
the  unique  gold  coin,  described  below,  is  to  be 
assigned  : — 

L.  IVL.  AVR.  SVLP.  VRA.  ANTONINVS. — LaU- 
reated  head ; moderately  bearded ; shoulders 
clothed  with  the  paludamentum. 

Rev. — fecvnditas  avg. — A woman  standing, 
clothed  in  the  stola,  holding  in  one  hand  a 
cornucopia;,  in  the  other  a rudder. 

Meffei  hesitates  to  allow  the  antiquity  of 
this  medal.  His  doubts  are  based  on  these 
grounds — first,  that  medals  of  gold,  with  Latin 
legends,  and  of  such  fiue  workmanship  as  this 
is,  would  not  have  been  struck  for  a tyrant 
who  was  acknowledged  only  in  the  East,  and 
whose  reign  lasted  but  a few  days ; second,  that 
the  head  of  this  usurper  is  accompanied  by  the 
type  of  Fecundity,  and  that  that  Fecundity  is 
represented  with  the  attributes  of  Fortune. — 
But  Bimard,  who  (in  Jobert,  tom.  ii.  p.  348) 
has  given  an  engraving  of  this  coin,  and  written 
a long  and,  as  usual  with  him,  an  ably  critical  com- 
mentary on  it,  contends  that  these  difficulties  are 
not  such  as  to  be  in  any  degree  calculated  to  over- 
turn the  strong  intrinsic  evidence  of  its  genuine- 
ness offered  by  the  medal  itself.  To  the  opinion  of 
this  eminent  man,  and  of  those  equally  experienced 
numismatists  who  coincided  with  him,  “ I (says 
Eckhel),  who  have  not  seen  the  medal,  aud  have 
nothing  to  urge  in  opposition,  most  freely  sub- 
scribe.” (Poet.  Num.  Vet.  vii.  288.) — Mr. 
Akerman,  in  his  Descriptive  Catalogue,  states 
that  this  aureus  of  Sulpicius  Uranius  Antoninus 
“ formed  part  of  the  plunder  of  the  French 
Cabinet  in  November,  1834.”  The  genuine- 
ness of  the  gold  coin  is  confirmed  by  those  in 
brass  struck  in  the  East,  in  Greek  characters : 
like  the  gold  they  are  extremely  rare. 

SVL picia. — See  hispania  clvnia  svl. 

SVMMVS  SACEBDOS  AVG.— The  emperor 
clothed  in  the  toga,  and  holding  a palm-brauch, 
stands  before  a lighted  altar:  a bull,  as  a victim,  on 
the  ground ; a star  in  the  field.  The  foregoing 
legend  aud  type  appear  on  a silver  coin  of 
Elagabalus. — There  is  another  coin  of  the  same 
5 F 


SUPERA.  709 

! emperor,  which  has  for  legend  of  reverse  p.m. 

! tr.  p.  in.  cos.  in.  p.p.,  aud  of  which  the  type 
■ is  similar,  with  the  exception  of  there  being  in 
in  the  area  of  the  medal,  behind  the  figure,  two 
darts,  one  of  which  is  sharp-pointed,  the  other 
has  a conical  head. 

'[These  coins,  together  with  those  bearing  the 
legends  of  Inoictus  Sacerdos ; Sancto  Deo  Soli 
Elagabal.,  etc.,  indicate  the  worship  paid  by 
the  Syrian  Bassianus  at  the  time  of  his  accession 
as  emperor,  to  the  Phoenician  god,  called 
Elagabalus,  or  Heliogabalus,  believed  to  be  the 
Sun,  after  whose  name  he  has  since  beeu  called, 
and  of  whom  he  here  proclaims  himself  the 
High  or  Chief  Priest,  having  the  audacity  to 
prefix  it  to  the  Imperial  title.  We  here  indeed 
see  him  officiating  at  those  rites,  for  which 
functions,  as  his  hateful  biography  informs  us, 
that  loathsome  young  maniac  “circumcised  him- 
self and  abstained  from  swine’s  flesh.”  These 
coins  also  exhibit  the  sort  of  dress  which  he 
used  in  these  sacerdotal  ministrations — viz.,  a 
something  between  the  Phoenician  sacred  robe 
and  the  cloak  of  the  Medes,  according  to  Hero- 
dianus’s  description  of  it ; and  as  the  author  says 
in  another  passage,  “ he  (Elagabalus)  walked  in 
barbarian  costume,  with  purple  tunic  interwoven 
with  gold,  long-sleeved  and  down  to  the  feet.” 
The  palm-branch  which  he  holds  in  his  hand, 
and  which  on  most  of  his  coins  more  resembles 
a club,  perhaps  points  to  the  Phoenician  origin 
of  the  worship.  But  the  darts  placed  near  the 
before-meutioned  attributes  no  doubt  constitute 
part  of  this  absurd  idolatry.  The  star  placed 
above,  in  the  field  of  the  coin,  as  in  many 
others  of  Elagabalus,  denotes  the  god  Sol. — On 
a marble  published  by  Muratori  is  read  ivnivs 
maternvs  sacer.  d.  s.  helagab.] 

The  able  author  of  Leqons  de  Numismatique 
Romaine,  in  reference  to  the  monstrous  freaks 
of  Elagabalus,  as  faintly  shadow'ed  forth  on 
some  of  his  coins,  makes  the  following  pertinent 
and  comprehensive  remarks  : — Conservent  pour 
sa  divinite favorite  une  extravagante  veneration, 
it  en  apporta  a Route  le  culte  el  I’idole  (qui 
etait  une  grosse  pierre  noirdtre  de  forme 
conique)  et  lui  ft  batir  un  temple,  oii  il 
remplissait  lui  mime  les  fonclions  sacerdotales. 
Enfin  de  toutes  ces  demences,  dont  ces  medailles 
offre  un  faible  monument,  il  restu  a Vinfame 
pontife  le  nom  de  son  dieu  pour  sobriquet .” 

SVPERA  (CAIA  CORNELIA.)— This 
lady  is  known  only  through  the  medium  of  the 
coins  which  bear  her  name  as  Augusta.  Some 
antiquaries  have  regarded  her  as  the  consort  of 
Trebonianus  Gallus. — Tristan,  who  was  the  first 
to  publish  a medal  of  this  princess,  supposes 
her  to  have  been  the  w'ife  of  Valerian  the 
younger. — Vaillant,  and  as  it  would  seem  even 
Pellcrin  (Mel.  i.  p.  239)  adopted  the  same 
opinion. — Beauvais  also  expresses  himself  in 
favour  of  this  latter  conjecture ; but  .candidly 
admits  that  he  had  been  confidently  assured  by 
others  of  the  existence  of  a Greek  medal,  bear- 
ing the  name,  with  imperial  title,  of  Cornelia 
Supera,  the  date  of  which  led  to  the  inference 
that  she  was  the  wife  of  the  Emperor  /Emilianus . 


770  SYLVANUS.— SYMBOLS. 

This  opinion,  Eckhel,  by  reference  a9  well  to 
numismatic  monuments  of  indubitable  authen- 
ticity, as  to  the  chronology  of  the  period,  has 
proved  to  be  correct.  Adducing  two  medals  of 
Cornelia  Supera,  one  Greek  of  /Egea,  in  Cilicia ; 
the  other  of  the  colony  of  Parium,  in  Mysia, 
the  epochs  and  reverses  on  both  which  are  to 
be  retraced  with  exactness  on  the  medals  of 
jEmilianus ; Eckhel,  after  a full  investigation 
of  dates  and  historical  facts,  comes  unhesitatingly 
to  the  conclusion,  that  the  emperor  last  named 
must  have  been  the  husband  of  the  unknown 
Augusta.  (See  Boot.  Num,  Vet.  vol.  vii.  p. 
374  et  seq.) 

“In  this  decision  (says  the  judicious  author 
of  Lefons  de  Numismatique  Romaine)  we  are 
furnished  with  another,  amongst  many  instances, 
to  show  us  how  the  different  departments  of 
medallic  science  afford  mutual  aid  and  illus- 
tration to  each  other ; teaching  us  at  the  same 
time  how  disadvantageous  it  is  to  confine  our- 
selves to  the  study  of  a single  branch  of  it  ex- 
clusively.” The  style  of  this  princess,  on  coins 
of  Roman  die,  in  silver,  are  : — 

c.  con.  or  corn,  or  cornel,  svpera.  avg. — 
The  head  placed  on  a crescent  moon. 

The  reverses  are  concordia.  avo. — rvNO 
REGINA. — VENVS  VICTRIX. — VESTA;  with  the 
usual  types  accompanying  each  respectively. — 
These  are  in  silver  and  of  the  highest  degree  of 
rarity.  If  small  brass  really  exist,  they  are 
equally  rare. 

Sus. — The  figure  of  a sow  appears  on  the 
earliest  of  Roman  coins.  Thus,  on  the  semis, 
a sow  stands  with  s.  above  its  back. — A sow, 
or  bristly  boar,  accompanies  the  three  globules 
which  are  the  mark  of  the  quadrans. — The  head 
of  a sow  or  boar  is  placed  between  the  four 
globules  that  designate  the  triens. — The  sow, 
with  her  litter,  was  represented  on  the  coinage 
of  Rome  to  indicate  its  primary  origin. — The 
same  animal  is  figured  on  medals  of  Vespasian 
aud  of  Antoninus  Pius. — The  sow  was  conse- 
crated and  sacrificd  to  Ceres. — On  a coin  of  M. 
Aurelius,  given  by  Vaillant  (Pr.  iii.  138),  the 
popa,  or  slaughterer  of  victims,  is  dragging  by 
the  ear  a sow  to  the  altar  of  immolation.  It 
was  employed  in  connection  with  oaths  taken  on 
the  ratification  of  treaties. — (SeeFeciales,  Scro/a, 
Su/picia.J 

SVSC.  Suscepta. — See  vota.  svse.  ( Vota 
Suscepta),  an  epigraph  of  frequent  recurrence 
on  medals  of  the  imperial  series. 

Sglranus. — The  name  of  an  usurper,  in  the  j 
reign  of  Constantins  II.,  the  son  of  a Gaulish 
captain  ; proclaimed  emperor  at  Cologne  a.d.  | 
355;  slain  within  thirty  days  after  his  assumption 
of  the  purple.  The  coius,  which  have  been  as- 
cribed by  Goltzius  and  others  to  Sylvanus,  arc 
pronounced  to  be  false. 

Symbols,  or  signs,  on  Roman  coins. — Some 
of  these  allude  to  the  names  of  families ; as 
Aciscutus,  on  denarii  of  the  Valeria  family. 
Flos,  an  open  round  flower,  the  surname 
of  Aquilius  Floras.  The  Muses,  as  in  the 
l’ompouia  family,  on  account  of  the  surname 
musa.  Vitulus,  a calf  walking,  in  a symbol  of 


SYMBOLS. 

the  Voconia  family,  from  the  surname  vitulus, 
&c. — Other  symbols  are  [enigmatical  or  fabulous, 
such  as  Pegasus,  griliin,  sphinx,  chimmra,  centaur, 
capricorn,  &c. — The  following  symbols  have 
their  peculiar  and  appropiiate  signification  on 
Roman  coins,  viz. : — 

Aplustre,  a ship’s  ornament,  imports  maritime 
power. 

Apollo’s  head  refers  to  the  Apolliuarian  games. 

Bow,  symbolises  Apollo. 

Bow  and  club,  Hercules. 

Bow  and  quiver,  Diana. 

Buckler,  round,  Macedonia. 

Caduceus,  or  winged  rod  with  serpents,  is  an 
attribute  of  Mercury,  Felicity,  and  Peace. 

Caduceus,  between  two  cornucopia-,  signifies 
Abundance  and  Peace. 

Caduceus,  between  corn-ears,  Fertility  as  well 
as  Peace. 

Camel,  symbol  of  Arabia. 

Capricorn,  or  9ea  goat,  the  astrological  sign 
of  Augustus’s  nativity. 

Capricorn,  or  sea  goat,  also  symbol  of  Plenty 
and  Happiness. 

Ceres,  the  goddess,  denotes  Fertility,  and  dis- 
tribution of  corn. 

Cornucopia-,  or  horn  of  plenty,  Fecundity ; 
also  abundance  of  all  things. 

Corn  cars  (spiew  tritici)  symbolise  Egypt, 
Africa,  Spain,  and  also  Annona  and  Fertility. 

Crowns,  of  various  kinds,  relate  to  public  games. 

Crocodile,  symbol  of  Egypt. 

Crabfish  (pagurus)  indicates  a maritime  city. 

Chimaera  belongs  to  Corinth. 

Crane  fciconia) ; this  bird  symbolises  Piety, 
meauiug  affection  to  parents. 

Club  (data)  attribute  of  Hercules. 

Colonist  driving  two  oxen  to  plough,  sign  of  a 
Roman  colony. 

Column,  or  pillar,  denotes  security. 

Dog,  attribute  of  Diana  Vcnatrix ; also  of  the 

Lares. 

Dolphin,  attribute  of  the  Cyprian  Venus ; it 
also  marks  a maritime  town. 

Eagle,  the  wings  of,  Jupiter,  whose  attribute 
it  is  ; also  a type  of  Eternity. 

Eagle,  legionary,  refers  to  the  army  of  the 
commander-in-chief. 

Elephant,  symbol  of  Africa;  also  of  Eternity. 

Frankinsccnce,  branch  of  (thuris  ramus ) 
attribute  of  Arabia. 

Fasces  with  the  axe,  imports  sovereign 

authority. 

F'ish,  denotes  a maritime  state. 

Grain  of  wheat,  marks  Fertility. 

Grapes,  bunch  of,  indicates  a place  celebrated 
for  its  produce  in  wine. 

Horned  head,  Jupiter  Ammon;  also  regal 
power. 

Hasta  purn,  or  spear  with  blunt  point,  mark 
of  Divinity. 

Laurel,  attribute  of  Apollo  and  of  Victory ; 
also  refers  to  public  games. 

Lion,  symbol  of  Africa. 

Lion’s  skin,  attribute  of  Hercules. 

Lituus,  or  staff  with  curved  head,  sign  of  the 
Augurship,  or  Soothsayers’  office. 


SYMBOLS. 

Lotus  flower,  Isis ; the  Egyptian  people. 

Lyre,  attribute  and  symbol  of  Apollo. 

Modius,  or  bushel  measure,  symbol  of  the 
Edileship. 

Modius,  or  bushel  measure,  filled  with  corn 
ears,  signifies  provision,  chiefly  corn. 

Owl,  attribute  of  Pallas. 

Olive  branch,  of  Peace. 

Praetorian  galley,  represents  the  fleet  of  the 
Republic. 

Prow  of  a ship,  refers  to  Rome,  or  some  mari- 
time city. 

Palm  tree,  emblem  of  Alexandria,  Damascus, 
Judaea,  Sidon,  Tyre,  Phoenicia. 

Panther,  attribute  of  Bacchus. 

Peacock,  of  Juno. 

Pedum  pastorale,  shepherd’s  crook,  emblem  of 
Pan  and  Eaunus. 

Pegasus,  a winged  horse  so  called,  symbol  of 
Apollo  ; also  of  Corinth. 

Pegasus  and  Bellerophon,  type  of  Colonial 
Corinth. 

Pileus,  cap  so  eal'ed,  symbolises  Liberty. 

Rabbit,  attribute  of  Spain. 

Right  hand  raised,  signifies  Security,  Peace, 
Health. 

Right  hands  joined,  denote  concord. 

Right  hand  holding  a caduceus,  concord  ; and 
at  the  same  time  Peace. 

Rocks,  or  stones,  indicate  places  on  lofty  sites. 

Rudder,  or  helm  of  a ship,  attribute  of 
Fortune ; also  shows  a maritime  city. 

Serpent  signifies  Prudence  and  Wisdom ; it  is 
also  the  attribute  of  zEsculapius  ; and  of  Hygicia, 
or  Salus. 

Star,  the  numismatic  mark  of  Elagahalus. 

Stella  crinita,  or  comet,  alludes  to  Julius 

Cirsar. 

Stars,  over  the  heads  of  two  young  men, 
mark  the  Dioscuri. 

Sow,  with  litter,  symbolises  the  Romans. 

Staff,  round  which  a serpent  is  coiled,  attri- 
bute of  jEsculapius. 

Thyrsus,  or  spear  wrapped  round  with  ivy, 
attribute  of  Bacchus. 

Triquetra,  three  human  legs  triangularly  joined, 
is  an  emblem  of  Sicily. 

Tropseum,  trophy  with  captives  at  foot, betokens 
a province  captured  or  a people  vanquished. 

Table,  with  urns  upon  it,  refers  to  the  prizes 
at  public  games. 

Urns,  with  palm  branches  issuing  therefrom, 
allude  to  the  same  thing. 

Vases,  augural,  pontificial,  and  sacerdotal, 
insignia  of  the  Augurship,  Pontificate,  and 
Priesthood. 

Veil  on  the  head  of  a female,  sign  of  Vesta  or 
a Vestal  virgin  ; also  of  a consecrated  empress. 

Symbols. — On  the  subject  of  those,  by  which 
the  superintendence  and  control  of  the  Curule 
Ediles  over  the  celebration  of  public  games 
(Ludi)  is  designated  on  Roman  medals,  Spanheim 
should  he  consulted  (Pr.  i.  p.  149),  where  he 
refers  to  such  coins  as  hear  the  effigy  either  of 
the  dea  spici/era,  Ceres ; or  of  the  mater  magna, 
Cybcle,  drawn  in  a biga  of  lions ; also  where  the 
same  great  writer  treats  of  coins  on  which 
5 F 2 


SYRIA;  771 

appears  a curule  chair,  with  a crown  upon  it,  the 
latter  being  the  reward  of  victors  at  the  public 
games,  accompanied  frequently,  on  the  same 
medals,  with  the  inscription  itself  of  aed. 
or  AI'DIL.  cvk.  (JEdilis  Curulis ■),  viz.,  those 
same  Curule  Ediles,  under  whose  management 
and  direction  these  games  were  conducted  with 
due  dignity  and  order.  Objects  allusive  to  these 
matters,  always  of  intense  interest  and  predilec- 
tion to  the  people  of  Rome  and  of  her  colonies, 
are  to  be  found  on  coins  of  the  Norbana,  Papinia, 
and  Vibia  families. — Moreover,  as  to  this  class 
of  ediles  was  committed  the  curatio  annonee:  the 
important  charge  of  securing  a constant  supply 
of  provision  to  the  Roman  capital  and  circum- 
jacent territories : so  we  sec  the  exercise  of  these 
functions  recorded  on  coins  by  the  curule  chair, 
and  a corn  ear  on  each  side  of  it,  together  with, 
sometimes,  a cornucopia:  added,  as  on  denarii  of 
the  Lollia,  Plautia,  Quintia,  aud  Rutilia  families. 
Indeed,  the  title  aed.  cvr.  is  inscribed  on  the 
last  three,  whilst  the  modius,  or  bushel  measure, 
placed  between  two  corn  ears,  appears  with 
obviously  the  same  signification  on  medals  of 
the  Livineia  family. — Spanheim,  Pr.  ii.  p.  151, 
et  seq. 

Syria,  a maritime  region  of  Asia,  the  most 
interesting  as  well  in  a religious  as  in  an  his- 
torical sense,  of  any  in  the  world.  It  anciently 
included  Phoenicia  and  below  it  Palsestina,  (the 
latter  afterwards  called  the  Holy  Land,  as  hav- 
ing been  the  country  of  our  Blessed  Saviour’s 
nativity,  the  theatre  of  his  miracles  and  labours 
of  love,  the  scene  of  his  passion,  death,  burial, 
glorious  resurrection  and  ascension.)  Syria  was 
bounded  by  Cilicia  on  the  north,  by  Arabia  and 
the  river  Euphrates  on  the  east,  by  Arabia  and 
Egypt  on  the  south,  and  by  the  Mediterranean 
on  the  west.  This  magnificent  region  had,  for 
ages  before  its  subjugation  by  republican  Rome, 
been  governed  by  a succession  of  independent 
kings,  conspicuous  among  whom  were  the 
Scleucidce.  The  cpocha  when  Syria  became  a 
Roman  province  is  not  precisely  known;  pro- 
bably it  was  Pompey  the  Great  who  reduced  it 
to  that  condition,  as  he  appears  to  have  invested 
its  municipal  authorities  with  the  privilege  of 
coining  money  (autonomes).  It  stands  after- 
wards recorded  amongst  the  provinces  of  the 
empire,  under  Julius  Cmsar  and  Augustus;  and 
its  famous  city  Antioch,  (where  Christians  were 
first  distinguished  by  that  appellation,)  situate 
on  thc^Orontcs,  was  by  succeeding  emperors 
made  not  only  its  metropolis,  but  also  the 
metropolis  of  the  whole  East. — The  Syrians  were 
especially  devoted  to  the  worship  of  the  Sun; 
at  the  same  time  acknowledging  Jupiter  and 
Apollo  as  the  chief,  if  not  only,  divinities. — 
The  Genius  TJrbis  is  represented  on  Imperial 
colonial  coins  of  cities  in  this  province,  par- 
ticularly those  of  the  first  rank,  under  the  form 
of  a woman  with  turreted  head. — See  Vaillant’s 
Num.  Imp.  in  Col. ; also  the  words  Antioch  and 
Astarle. 

SYRIA.  S.  C. — Eekhel  gives  from  the  Im- 
perial cabinet,  a large  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius, 
having  on  its  reverse  this  legend,  and  for  type  a 


772  TABELLiE. 

woman  with  turrctcd  head,  holding  in  her  right 
hand,  apparently,  a triple  crown,  or  perhaps  a 
basket  (canistrum)  ; in  her  left  hand  is  a cornu- 
copia:. This  female  figure  has  her  right  foot 
placed  on  an  emerging  river  deity. — Mionuet 
recognises  this  coin  amongst  the  grand  bronze 
of  Antonine. — In  the  catalogue  of  the  Museum 
Thcupoli  is  a similar  medal,  with  the  addition 
of  cos.  II.  to  the  inscription. — The  sagacious 
author  of  Doct.  Num.  Vet.  (vol.  vii.)  eouples 
this  coin  with  the  scythia,  &c  , of  the  same 
emperor,  as  furnishing  in  the  type  of  its  reverse, 
an  instance  of  the  aurum  coronarium,  pre- 
sented by  a Roman  province  to  the  reigning 
prince. — See  the  word,  p.  115  of  this  Dictionary. 

T 

T.  This  letter  of  the  Roman  alphabet  is 
seen  as  a mint-mark  in  the  field  of  many  family 
coins,  and  also  on  medals  of  the  lower  empire. 

T.  double  is  a mark  of  the  plural  number. — 
See  ge.vtt.  Gentium,  as  in  Constantine  the 
Great. 

T.  Tarraco  Hispanite. — C.  v.  t.  t.  Colonia 
Victrix  Togala  Tarraco. — Billiard,  and  Vaillant. 

T.  Tat  ius. — ta  sabin.  Tat  ins  Sabinus. 

T.  Temporum. — T.  F.  Temporum  Felicitas. — 
Billiard  ad  Jobcrt,  and  Vaillant. 

T.  Tertia. — t.  akl.  Tertia  Arelatensis 
(ojjicina  monetaria  signavit  num  mum.) — Money 
struck  at  Arles  in  the  third  mint.  So  T.  con. 
Tertia  Constantinopolis  officina,  &c. 

T.  Tertio. — D.  t.  Die  tertio,  as  on  coin  of 
Volteia. — Vaill.  Fam. 

T.  Tiberius. — T.  ghacchvs.  Tiberius  Grac- 
chus.— Eekhel  Cat. 

T.  Titus. — T.  divi.  vest.  f.  Titus  son  of 
the  Divine  Vespasian. — On  a large  brass  of 
Titus,  the  legend  of  the  head  reads  as  follows  : 
— IMP erator  Titus  G'AESar  VESPajm/iKj 
AVG  ustus  Ponlifix  M aximus  TR  ibuniria 
Tut estate  Pater  P atria  COnSul  VIII. — The 
Emperor  Titus  Ciesar  Vespasianus,  the  August 
Sovereign  Pontiff,  enjoying  the  Tribunitian 
Power,  Rather  of  the  Country,  Consid  for  the 
8th  time. 

T.  Traducla. — cot.  I.  T.  Colonia  Julia 
Traducta. 

T.  Tranquillitas. — n.  T.,  in  the  field  of  coins 
of  the  lower  empire  : Beata  tranquillitas. 

T.  Tribunicia. — T.  P.  Tribunicia  Potestate. 

T.  P.  Treveris  percussa. — Coin  struck  at 
Treves. 

T.  Tutelaris,  or  Tulator,  on  denarii  of 
the  labia,  Licinia,  and  Octavia  families,  this 
letter  being  placed  before  the  head  of  a Genius, 
of  whom  Ccnsorinus  says, — “ Genius,  that  guar- 
dian under  whom  every  mortal  was  born  and 
lives.” 

Tabel/te— -Tablets  or  Billets. — These  arc  made 
the  subject  of  more  than  one  type,  on  coins  of 
the  Cassia  family,  on  account  of  the  lex  tabel- 
laria  carried  by  L.  Cassius  in  the  year  v.c.  653, 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  to  the  Roman  people 
the  right  of  voting  by  billet  (or  ballot)  in  all 
judgment  cases,  for  all  alleged  crimes  and  mis- 


TACITUS. 

demeanors,  excepting  murder. — See  Suffragia ; 
also  Cassia  gens. — The  letters  l.d.  were  inscribed 
on  Tabellte  to  signify  Libero,  Damno,  used  in 
voting  on  questions  of  guilty  or  not  guilty,  at 
judicial  assemblies.  One  of  the  tablets  marked 
L.n.  is  seen  at  the  back  of  a man’s  head,  C. 
caldvs.  cos.  on  a denarius  of  the  Coelia 
family. 

The  Tabella  or  Tessera  in  the  hand  of  the 
statue  of  Liberalitas  was  a square  brass  tablet, 
on  which  the  quantity  of  bread  and  the  name  of 
the  recipient  were  engraved,  according  to  what 
the  liberality  of  the  emperors  had  ordained  to 
be  distributed  to  each  citizen. — See  Tessera. 

TACITVS  (Marcus  Claudius),  a noble  Roman 
of  cousular  rank,  wbo  was  not  ashamed  to 


reckon  the  historian  Tacitus  among  his  ancestors; 
and  who,  after  an  interregnum  of  eight  months, 
during  which  the  empire  remained  wholly  with- 
out a head,  was,  by  the  united  assent  of  the 
senate  and  the  army,  elected  and  declared 
Augustus,  a d.  275,  as  the  successor  of  the 
illustrious  Aurclian.  The  elevation  of  this 
prince,  whose  merit  and  virtues  placed  him  on 
the  throne  of  the  Cmsars,  at  the  age,  it  is  said, 
of  65,  was  hailed  with  universal  joy  by  the 
people  of  Rome  and  of  the  provinces.  lie  was 
a man  of  strict  integrity,  correct  in  morals, 
benign  and  affable,  and  so  addicted  to  the  pur- 
suit of  literature,  that  he  never  suffered  a day 
to  pass  without  reading  or  writing  something. 
Temperate  in  his  habits,  he  ap|iearcd,  when 
emperor,  in  the  same  unostentatious  dress  to 
which  he  had  been  accustomed  in  individual  life, 
nor  woidd  he  permit  his  wife  to  wear  either 
diamonds  or  pearls.  Yet  he  expended  his  own 
immense  fortune  in  contributing  to  the  popular 
gratification  and  comfort,  causing  public  baths 
to  be  built  at  his  own  cost,  hut  command- 
ing them  to  be  shut  before  night. — Although 
an  involuntary  and  unwilling  occupant  of  the 
imperial  seat,  Tacitus,  after  having  established 
several  laws  for  the  maintenance  of  good  order 
and  the  preservation  of  internal  peace,  proceeded 
quickly  from  Rome  to  join  the  army  in  Thrace. 
The  Scythians,  who,  having  crossed  the  pa! us 
Mmotis,  had  penetrated  into  the  provinces  of 
Pontus,  Cappadocia,  and  Cilicia,  were  arrested 
in  their  career  of  devastation  and  cruelty  by  the 
arrival  of  this  brave  sovereign,  who,  in  con- 
junction with  his  brother  Floriatius,  vanquished 
those  barbarians  of  the  north,  and  compelled 
them  to  take  refuge  within  their  own  native 
forests.  Blit,  as  he  was  returning  from  this 
successful  expedition  into  Europe,  he  died, 
according  to  some  writers,  at  Tarsus,  according 
to  others,  at  Tyana,  in  March,  a.d.  276,  either 


TARQUINIUS. — TARQUTTIA. 

of  fever,  or  through  the  treachery  of  certain 
military  conspirators  concerned  in  the  assassina- 
tion of  Anrelian,  whose  death  he  had  avenged 
hy  the  capital  punishment  of  most  of  his  mur- 
derers.— His  coins,  which  are  very  rare  in  gold,  are 
still  rarer  in  brass  medallions  and  second  brass ; 
but  common  in  small  brass,  from  one  of  which  the 
engraving  above  was  made  : his  style  is  imp.  cl. 

TACITVS  AVG. — IMP.  C.  M.  CL.  TACITVS  P.  F.  AVG., 
or  INVICTVS  AVG. 

Tada. — See  Torch. 

T.  A EL.  Titus  Aelius. — Prenomcn  and  sur- 
name of  Antoninus  Pius. 

Ttctiia,  fillet  or  wreath. — An  ornament  for  the 
head,  which  the  figure  of  Victory  on  coins  often 
holds  in  her  haud.  This  head  band,  the  attribute 
of  heroes,  in  the  Homeric  age,  and  called  by  the 
Greeks  oT«pav>),  became  the  coronal  and  diadem 
of  a later  period. 

TAMP1L.  Tampilus. — Surname  of  theBaebia 
family. 

Tarpeia  virgo. — On  denarii  of  the  Petronia 
and  Tituria  families  two  soldiers  are  seen,  ap- 
parently in  the  act  of  casting  their  bucklers 
upon  a young  woman,  who,  with  arms  uplifted, 
seems  already  sinking  amidst  an  overwhelming 
heap  of  shields.  This  type  recalls  to  mind  a 
well  known  incident  of  early  Roman  story,  in 
which,  with  no  small  inconsistency  of  narration, 
a virgin,  at  the  period  of  Romulus’s  war  with 
Tatius  aud  the  Sabines,  is  made  to  earn  immor- 
tality by  a deed  of  perfidious  treason  to  her 
country ; and  to  give  her  name  to  the  highest 
rock  of  the  Capitoline  Hill  at  the  price  of  sacri- 
ficing her  life  to  her  sordid  love  for  “ gold 
bracelets.” — “ It  is  pretended  (observes  Visconti) 
that  this  woman  was  the  daughter  of  a warrior 
to  whom  Romulus  had  confided  the  defence  of 
the  capitol,  and  it  is  added  that  the  price  of  the 
treason  was  to  have  been  the  bracelets  of  gold 
which  the  Sabines  wore  round  the  left  arm. — 
Propertius  ( L . iv.  el.  iv.)  supposes  that  the 
female  named  Tarpeia  was  a priestess,  and  that 
she  had  fallen  iu  love  with  the  enemy’s  general 
or  prince.” — See  Petronia. 

Tarquinius  Prisons,  king  of  the  Romans, 
having  subdued  the  Tuscans,  is  said  to  have 
assumed  the  patudamentum  from  that  conquered 
nation.  His  figure  is  represented,  with  that  of  the 
Augur  Navius,  on  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus 
Pius. — See  navivs. — Eckhel  quotes  Macrobius 
to  show  that  a son  of  this  Tarquin  distinguished 
himself  whilst  yet  a boy  by  an  act  of  valour  against 
an  enemy  in  battle,  similar  in  description  and  in 
the  honour  of  its  reward  to  that  which  is  alluded 
to  in  the  remarkable  inscription  on  a coin  of  the 
jpmilia  family,  as  achieved  hy  the  stripling  M. 
Lcpidus,  and  which  Val.  Maximus  explains  to 
the  very  letter. — See  Aemilia. 

TARQVITIA. — a family  embracing  members 
both  of  the  patrician  and  the  plebeian  order.  Its 
surname,  on  a coin  of  foreign  die,  is  Prisons.  One 
in  silver,  out  of  but  two  numismatic  varieties, 
has  for  legend  and  type  of  obverse  C.  ANNIuj 
T.  F.  T.  N.  PRO  COS.  EX  S.  C.  Titi  Fi/ius, 
Titi  Eepos,  Proconsule  Ex  Senatus  Consnlto. 
The  head  of  a woman ; aud  of  the  reverse  Q. 


TARRACO.  773 

I TARQVITI.  P.  F.  Q.  Quintus  Tarquitius 
i Publii  Fi/ius  Quastor.  Victory  in  a biga. — 
Tarquitius  Priscus  appears  as  proconsul  on  medals 
of  Nictea  in  Bithyuia. — See  Annia  gens. 

Tarraco,  a city,  and  colony  of  Hispania 
citerior,  or  the  nearer  Spain — of  which  it  was 
the  capital,  and  thence  the  province  itself  was 
also  called  Hispania  Tarraconensis.  Situate  at 
the  mouths  of  the  Tulcis  (now  Franconi)  river, 
its  foundation  is  ascribed  to  Scipio  Africanus. 
The  Romans  of  Tarraco  took  part  with  G'lesar 
against  Pompey’s  lieutenants ; and  afterwards 
professed  on  all  occasions  to  be  influenced  by 
the  greatest  attachment  and  devotion  to  the 
person  and  government  of  Augustus — a fact 
which  the  legends  and  types  on  some  of  its 
numismatic  monuments  serve  to  place  in  a very 
servile  and  superstitious  point  of  view. — The 
modern  name  of  this  celebrated  old  city  is 
Tarragona,  on  the  coast  of  what  is  now  Cata- 
lonia. Some  of  the  coins  of  this  colony  are 
inscribed  with  the  initial  letters  c.  v.  t.,  which 
are  interpreted  Colonia  Victrix  Tarraco.  The 
surname  of  Victrix  was  generally  given  as  a 
reward  of  good  desert  to  cities  and  colonies 
founded  or  re-established  by  Julius  Cscsar. — On 
others  of  its  coins,  we  read  c.  v.  t.  t.,  which 
Vaillant  considers  to  mean  Colonia  Victrix 
Togata  Tarraco,  founding  as  he  does  the  epithet 
Togata  on  a passage  in  the  3rd  book  of  Strabo, 
from  which  it  would  appear  that  the  Tarraco- 
nensians  distinguished  themselves  from  the  in- 
habitants of  other  colonies  in  Spain,  by  their 
use  of  the  toga  after  the  manner  of  the  Romans. 
The  judicious  Bimard  agrees  in  regarding  this 
as  a reasonable  inference. — All  the  medals  of 
Tarraco  are  of  brass,  and  are  rare — consisting 
of  Colonial  Autonomes  and  of  Colonial  Imperials, 
with  Latin  legends,  from  Augustus  to  Drusus. — 
On  a first  brass  of  this  colony  divvs.  avgvstvs. 
pater,  is  read  on  the  obverse,  accompanied  by 
the  head  of  Augustus. — The  reverse  has  for 
legend  only  the  letters  c.  v.  t.  t.,  the  type  being 
a handsome  altar,  with  a palm  tree  on  the  top 
of  it. 

[This  elegant  coin  forms  an  historical  monu- 
ment. When  Augustus  had  set  out  on  his 
warlike  expedition  against  the  Cantabri  (a  people 
occupying  that  region  of  Spain,  now  the  Biscayan 
and  Asturian  provinces),  in  the  year  of  Rome 
728,  the  effects  of  anxiety  and  fatigue  threw 
him  into  a bed  of  sickness.  On  this  occasion 
the  people  of  Tarraco,  where  he  had  halted, 
offered  up  public  vows  for  his  health,  aud  after- 
wards raised  an  altar  in  memory  of  his  restora- 
tion. It  was  on  this  altar  that,  according  to  the 
current  story  of  that  period,  a palm  tree  was 
seen  growing.  Deputies  from  the  colony  made 
a journey  to  Rome,  and  congratulated  the  em- 
peror on  the  remarkable  circumstance,  as  being 
an  auspicious  presage  of  victory.  To  these  he 
replied  by  saying — Apparet  quam,  scepe  accen- 
datis — “ it  is  a sign  that  you  do  not  very  often 
light  it.”  In  quoting  this  shrewd  and  sarcastic 
bon  mot  from  Quinctillian,  Vaillant  (Col.  i.  45) 
adds  that  the  Tarraconensians  continued,  never- 
theless, to  regard  this  event  as  au  augury  and 


774  TARRACO.— TATIUS. 


TATIUS.— TAURUS. 


symbol  of  their  imperial  founder’s  immortal 
glory ; and  we  see  that  even  after  his  d.cath 
they  studiously  adorned  their  medals  with  a 
representation  of  this  palm-surmounted  altar.] 

There  is  another  first  brass  with  similar  ob- 
verse ; hut  the  reverse  exhibits  the  initials 
C.  v.  T.  T.  within  an  oaken  crown. 

[The  corona  quercea , or  wreath  of  oak  leaves, 
being  the  civic  crown,  was  struck  on  most  coins 
of  colonies,  under  Augustus,  in  honour  of  that 
emperor  as  the  liberator  of  Roman  citizens. 

Both  the  altar  and  the  oak  crown  appear  on 
medals  of  this  colony,  dedicated  to  Tiberius — a 
fact  which  proves  the  continuance  of  the  worship 
rendered  to  Augustus  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Tarraco,  and  their  disposition  to  cherish  and 
perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  the  palm  tree 
growing  on  his  altar,  as  a marvellous  event.] 

On  another  first  brass,  struck  at  Tarraco,  is 
seen  on  one  side  c.  v.  t.  t.  aeternitatis 
avgvstae,  and  a splendid  temple  of  eight  (in 
some  ten)  columns ; on  the  other  deo  avgvsto, 
and  the  statue  of  Augustus,  with  radiated  head, 
seated  after  the  fashion  and  attitude  of  Jupiter, 
holding  in  the  left  hand  the  hasta,  and  in  the 
right  a victoriola  (in  other  coins  a patera). — 
See  deo  avgvsto,  p.  318  of  this  Dictionary. 

[The  Tarraconensians,  whilst  as  yet  Augustus 
was  living,  and  even  suffering  as  a sick  man 
within  their  walls,  paid  divine  honours  to  him, 
as  oue  in  reality  immortal.  With  Greek  adula- 
tion (as  Vaillant  observes),  pretending  to  recog- 
nise him,  not  merely  as  Dims  (obtaining  deifica- 
tion through  the  ceremonial  of  the  apotheosis), 
but,  as  Deus,  these  colonists  raised  a statue  to 
him,  which  they  placed  in  a magnificent  temple, 
consecrated,  as  this  medal  shews,  to  his  Eternity! 

Havereamp  (in  Num.  Regina  Christina ) re- 
fers to  Bartolo’s  engraving  of  this  coin,  which 
places  a patera,  instead  of  a figure  of  victory, 
in  the  right  hand  of  the  emperor. — Pelleriu 
f Melange , i.  255)  edits  two  coins  of  Tarraco, 
one  dedicated  to  Augustus,  the  other  to  Cains 
and  Lucius  Cicsares  ; the  reverses  of  both  which 
have  for  legend  c.  v.  t.  tar.,  thus  marking  the 
name  of  this  colony  by  its  three  first  letters, 
instead  of  the  single  initial  T.,  as  it  is  on  all 
those  coins  of  Tarraco,  published  by  Vaillant. 

Other  medals  of  this  colony  bear  the  portraits 
of  Tiberius,  Julia,  Drusus,  and  Gcrmanicns. 

TATI  VS,  kiug  or  general  of  the  Sabines, 
who  inhabited  the  city  of  Cures,  with  whom  the 
Romans  waged  the  first  war.  This  brave  chief- 
tain proved  a formidable  enemy  to  the  then 
infant  colony  of  Rome,  within  whose  walls  he  and 
his  soldiers  succeeded  in  penetrating,  and  they 
would  perhaps  have  destroyed  it,  if  the  Sabine 
women,  whom  the  Romans  some  time  before 
carried  off,  had  not  made  themselves  the  medium 
of  consummating  peace  between  their  husbauds 
and  their  own  pareuts.  The  two  people  became 
united  as  one,  at  the  expense  of  the  power  of 
Romulus,  for  he  shared  the  functions  of  royalty 
with  Tatius,  and  admitted  into  the  senate  one 
hundred  of  the  principal  Sabines.  Tatius  was 
soon  after  assassinated,  and  had  no  successor. — 
On  a denarius  of  the  Tituria  family  there  is  a 


naked  and  bearded  head,  which  accompanied  by 
TA.  in  monogram,  and  the  legend  SABINoj 
[the  Titurii,  thus  referring  to  their  Sabine 
origin,]  is  generally  considered  by  numismatists 
•to  be  meant  for  that  of  Tatius,  the  Sabine. 

Visconti,  in  his  Iconographie  Romaine,  remarks 
that  certain  denarii  of  the  Tituria  and  Vettia 
families  present  two  very  forcible  instances  of 
the  eagerness  with  which  those  Roman  magis- 
trates, who  presided  over  the  mint  of  the  re- 
public, availed  themselves  of  every  opportunity 
to  unite  family  pretensions  with  historical  facts, 
in  the  legends  and  types  of  their  coins.  It  is 
thus  that  Titurius  Sabinus  and  Vcttius  Sabinus 
Judex,  magistrates  who  prided  themselves  on 
their  descent  from  the  ancient  Sabines,  and  pro- 
bably from  Tatius  himself,  have  cansed  the  head 
of  this  chieftain  to  be  engraved  on  the  coinage 
of  their  respective  families.  On  both  the  medals 
in  question  we  accordingly  see  the  head  of  Tatius 
without  ornament.  And  on  the  reverse  of  the 
Titurian  denarius,  the  Sabines  are  represented  as 
in  the  act  of  overwhelming,  with  their  bucklers, 
the  virgin  Tarpeia,  who  had  just  betrayed  the 
capital  into  their  hands.  The  posterity  of  Tatius, 
doubtless,  wished  to  do  honour  to  the  founder 
of  their  race  by  manifesting  his  hatred  of  traitors, 
even  whilst  profiting  from  the  treason. — On  the 
denarius  of  the  Vettia  family,  we  see,  behind  the 
head,  the  word  SABINkj,  being  the  surname 
of  a branch  of  that  family.  The  monogram, 
composed  of  a T.  and  an  A.,  gives  the  two 
initial  letters  of  the  name  Tatius.  The  two 
letters  S.  C. — Senates  Consulto — mark  the  fact 
that  Titus  Vettius  Sabinus  Judex  caused  this 
piece  of  money  to  be  struck  by  the  authority  of 
the  senate.  “ The  bearded  man,  who  stands  in  a 
car  drawn  by  two  horses  (adds  Visconti),  is  pro- 
bably Tatius  himself.  The  palm  braueh,  which 
on  the  first  described  medal  is  at  the  side  of  the 
portrait,  is  on  the  second  coin  seen  behind  the 
figure  of  a Sabine  prince,  and  bears  allusion  to 
his  victories.”  [Part  i.,  pp.  23-24.] 

Taurus — A bull  was  immolated  at  the  altars 
of  several  of  the  pagan  deities. — Virgil  points  to 
two  in  particular — 

Tau mm  Xeptuno,  taumm  tibi  putcher  Apollo. 

It  was  also  sacred  to  Jupiter,  and  to  the 
Egyptian  god  Apis. — Represented  on  Roman 
coins,  this  animal  is  the  symbol  of  a colonia 
deducta , or  transplanted  colony. — The  figure  of 
a bull  appears  on  many  family  coins,  and  also 
on  numerous  imperial  medals  from  Julian  and 
Augustus  down  to  Julianus  II.,  cither  as  a 
sacrificial  victim,  or  at  large,  standing,  walking, 
running,  or  butting  with  its  horns. 

Taurus  et  Etephas. — A brass  medallion  of 
Alexander  Scverus  presents  a bird’s-eye  view  of 
the  Flavian  Amphitheatre  at  Rome,  in  which  is 
seen  an  elephant,  with  driver  on  its  neck,  facing 
a bull. — See  Amphitheatre. 

Taurus  et  Leo. — The  bull  and  the  lion  at  the 
feet  of  a recumbent  female  arc  attributes  of 
Africa,  ns  on  a coin  of  Sept.  Scverus. — The 
same  two  animals,  with  a human  figure  standing 
between  them,  appear  on  coins  of  Viminaeium  in 


TAURUS.— TELEGONl'S. 

Moesia  Superior.— A bull  torn  in  pieces  by  a 
lion  appears  on  a coin  of  Probus ; a bull,  a lion, 
and  a tiger,  encountered  by  two  men  armed 
with  spears,  allusive  to  certain  public  shows  and 
combats  w ith  wild  beasts  at  Rome,  are  exhibited 
on  a silver  medal  inscribed  regvlvs  iu  the 
Livineia  family. 

Taurus  et  Mutter. — A bull  on  which  a young 
woman  is  sitting,  or  rather,  Jupiter  under  the 
form  of  a bull  carrying  away  Europa  on  his 
back,  is  seen  on  a denarius  of  the  Valeria 
family ; also  on  a third  brass  colonial  of  Sidon, 
dedicated  to  Elagabalus. 

Taurus  irrueus. — A bull  rushing  furiously 
along,  delineated  on  a rare  silver  coin  of  the 
Thoria  family  is  regarded  by  Eckkel  as  bearing 
allusion  to  the  name  of  Thorius;  “for  Suptos 
or  Sopios,”  says  he,  “ signifies  impetuous,  and 
the  bull  on  this  medal  carries  himself  with 
an  air  of  great  impetuosity,  for  which  reason  it 
seems  probable  that  the  Thurii,  or  Thorii,  of 
Italy,  caused  the  figure  of  a bull  charging  at 
full  speed  to  be  engraved  on  their  coins.” 

Taurus  Neptuni  victima. — On  a brass  medal- 
lion of  Commodus,  inscribed  votis  felicibvs, 
the  reverse  exhibits  five  ships,  and  a tower  on  a 
promontory,  from  which  a bull  is  thrown  down 
into  the  sea ; before  the  tower  are  two  men 
standing. — Hayin  (in  his Thesaur. Britan,  vol.  ii.) 
explains  this  singular  type  as  allusive  to  the 
African  fleet  sent  out  by  the  above-named 
emperor  to  fetch  corn.  “ And  here  (says  he) 
you  see  the  sacrifice  offered  to  Neptune,  when 
the  fleet  set  sail,  it  being  the  custom  of  the 
Romans  on  such  an  occasion  to  sacrifice  a bull, 
and  throw  it  into  the  sea ; the  two  figures  are 
priests  who  offered  the  sacrifice  at  the  sea-side.” 
— Eckhcl,  who  approves  of  this  interpretation, 
goes  on  to  explain  an  enigmatical  type  on  a gold 
coin  of  Augustus,  in  the  cabinet  of  Vienna, 
which  represents  Victory  plunging  a knife  into 
the  throat  of  a prostrate  bull ; and  this  he  does 
at  some  length,  by  shewing  it  to  be  an  ingenious 
mode  of  symbolizing  Mount  Taurus. 

Taurus  ' et  Stella. — On  coins  of  Julian  II., 
with  inscription  SECV1UTAS  R E 1 1J V B/ ica,  a 
bull  is  frequently  seen  with  two  stars  above  its 
horns,  or  over  its  back.  It  is  a well-known 
historical  fact  that  this  apostate  from  the 
Christian  faith,  with  all  his  enlightened  genius 
and  philosophic  learning,  was  superstitiously 
addicted  to  a system  of  polytheistic  worship, 
chiefly  borrowed"  from  the  Egyptians ; and  that 
he  was  in  t he  habit  of  sacrificing  whole  hecatombs 
of  bulls  at  the  various  altars  of  his  favourite 
deities.  Oiselius,  commenting  on  this  type, 
aud  referring  to  this  leading  feature  in  Julian’s 
character,  considers  that  by  the  bull  that  emperor 
meant  to  designate  the  god  Apis. — Both  Bauduri 
and  Eckliel  favour  this  opinion. — See  the  words 
Securitas  Reijmb.  for  the  substance  of  Eckhel’s 
remarks  on  the  question  why  a bull  appears 
on  so  many  of  Julian  the  Hud’s  medals. 

Telegonus , son  of  Ulysses,  and  the  reputed 
founder  of  Tusculum.  It  is  from  him  that  the 
most  noble  family  of  the  Mamilii,  who  came 
early  to  Rome  from  the  former  city,  were  accus- 


TELEPHUS.— TELESPIIORVS.  775 
tomed  to  claim  their  origin. — See  the  word 
Mamilia,  describing  the  elegant  denarius  of  C. 
Mamilius  Limetanus,  on  which  the  anecdote  of 
Ulysses  recognised  by  his  faithful  dog  Argus  is 
interestingly  illustrated. 

Telephus,  the  fabled  son  of  Hercules,  by 
Auge,  daughter  of  Alcns,  King  of  Tcgea,  in 
Arcadia. — On  a brass  medallion  of  Antoninus 
Pius,  in  the  Mas.  A/bano,  the  reverse  (without 
epigraph)  exhibits  Hercules  standing  near  a tree, 
looking  at  a little  boy  suckled,  on  a mountain, 
by  a doe.  On  the  top  of  the  mountain  is  an 
eagle. — Vaillant  and  Venuti  both  regard  this 
type  as  referring  to  the  twin  brothers  and  wolf 
of  the  Roman  story.  But  Eckhel,  after  com- 
paring it  with  that  on  the  coin  of  Pergamus  iu 
Mysia,  clearly  shows  that  it  relates  to  the  infancy 
of  Telephus,  who  being,  according  to  the  Greek 
myth,  the  offspring  of  a furtive  amour,  was 
abandoned  at  his  birth  by  his  unhappy  mother, 
ou  Mount  Parthenius,  where,  left  exposed  to  die, 
he  was  miraculously  suckled  and  fostered  w ith 
maternal  fondness  by  a doc.  The  presence  of  the 
eagle  above  is  explained  as  an  interposition  of 
Jupiter  himself,  who  sends  his  watchful  bird  to 
guard  the  helpless  child — ordaining  that  the 
deserted  progeny  of  his  own  son  by  AlcmeDa 
should  not  miserably  perish,  but  be  preserved 
for  a high  destiny. — See  copious  reasons  for 
this  interpretation  given  in  Loot.  Nam.  Vet. 
vol.  ii.  46S,  aud  vol.  vii.  34. 

Te/esphorus,  the  son,  or  at  least  the  companion, 
of  Aesculapius — symbol  of  success  attendant  ou 
the  exercise  of  the  healing  art,  aud  .allusive  to 
that  state  of  a person  with  whom  disease  has 
ended,  and  to  whom  perfect  health  is  restored. 
Telesphorus  is  figured  as  a little  boy  in  a 
hooded  cloak,  staudiug  by  ADsculapius. — In  an 
antique  paiuting  he  is  introduced  at  the  side  of 
Atropos  (one  of  the  Fates),  whose  aim  he  holds 
back  at  the  moment  when  she  is  going  to  sever 
the  thread  of  life. — Amongst  those  coins  of 
Caracalla  which  bear  express  reference  to  the 
alleged  recovery  of  that  ferocious  tyrant  from  a 
horrible  complication  of  diseases,  mental  as  well 
as  bodily,  and  to  the  various  deities  (such  as 
Apollo,  Serapis,  Hercules,  Sol,  Luna,  &c.)  who, 
during  the  paroxysms  of  his  painful  illness,  were 
invoked  for  his  relief,  there  is  one  on  which  are 
a bearded  man,  naked  to  the  waist,  with  staff 
and  serpent,  aud  a dwarfish  figure,  wrapped  in 
a mantle,  standing  near  him. — Here  then  we  see 
Aesculapius  and  Telesphorus  jointly  recognised 
as  deities  who  were  supposed  to  bestow  their  care 
and  power  ou  the  reparation  of  health.  Dion 
records  the  fact  of  Caracalla’s  having  implored 
the  aid  of  Aesculapius ; and  to  the  same  period 
of  Caracalla’s  history  belongs  what  Herodianus 
relates  of  him — viz.,  that  passing  from  Thrace 
into  Asia,  he  went  to  Pergamus,  in  order  that 
in  the  city  where  the  god  of  medicine  was  adored 
with  pecidiar  veneration,  he  might  place  him- 
self under  this  salutary  influence,  as  was  the 
custom.  This  is  clearly  confirmed  by  the  Greek 
coins  of  the  Pergamenses,  on  not  a few  of  which 
Caracalla  is  represented  offering  sacrifices  and 
vota  to  Aesculapius.  It  is  to  this  subject  that 


776  TELLUS. 


TELLUS. 


allusion  is  made  on  that  remarkable  gold  medal 
edited  by  Vaillant  (Pr.  ii.  p.  249),  the  reverse 
of  which  has  for  epigraph  pm.  tr.  p.  xvii.  cos. 
xnt.  p.  p. ; and  for  type,  the  emperor  dressed 
in  the  paludamentum,  sacrificing  at  the  altar  of 
iEsculapius,  which  stands  before  the  doors  of 
a temple.  (Pergamus  contained  a magnificent 
temple  dedicated  to  that  divinity.) — Buonarotti 
also  gives  a fine  bronze  medallion  of  Caracalla, 
with  iEsculapius  and  Telesphorus,  struck  on  the 
same  occasion  of  that  emperor’s  going  to  Per-  | 
gamus  (about  a.d.  215),  to  be  cured  of  his  j 
corporeal  ailment,  and  (hopeless  case  for  a fra- 
tricide !)  of  his  mind’s  disease. — See  i Esculapius . 

Tellus  (the  earth),  considered  to  be  the  same 
pagan  deity  as  Cybele,  Mater  Magna , and  Rhea.  ' 
— At  the  celebration  of  the  secular  games  at 
Rome,  a sow  pig  was,  as  a customary  victim, 
slain  in  sacrifice  to  Tellus,  personifying  the  fer- 
tile mother  of  all  things  terrestrial. — See  lvd. 
saec.  FEC. 


TELLVS  STABIL. — A 
man  in  a short  rustic  vest- 
ment stands  holding  in  his 
right  hand  an  implement 
which  appears  to  be  a 
weed-hook ; and  in  his  left 
a lake.  Gold  and  silver  of 
Hadrian. 


TELLVS  STABIL. — A woman,  seated  on  ! 
the  grouud,  leaning  upon  a basket  of  fruit,  and  1 
touching  with  her  right  hand  a large  globe. 
Silver  and  brass  of  Hadrian. 

[These  types,  and  the  epigraph  which  accom- 
panies each — Tellus  Slabilita — (the  earth  firmly 
established)  are  evidently  allegorical ; but  munis-  ] 
matists  seem  more  inclined  to  reject  each 
other’s  explanations  on  the  subject  than  to 
impart  any  that  shall  be  satisfactory  either  to 
themselves  or  to  their  readers. — Tristan  gives 
us,  in  one  of  his  neat  engravings,  a medal, 
having  this  legend  on  its  reverse,  with  the  male 
figure  holding  in  one  hand  a plough  share,  in 
the  other  au  anchor,  and  at  his  feet  are  two 
corn-ears.  The  commentary  of  this  fine  old 
French  writer  is  to  the  following  effect,  viz., 
that  the  device  of  "the  earth  rendered  firm” 
(La  Terre  Affermie),  does  not  allude  solely  to 
the  re-establishment  of  agriculture,  by  the 
couutry  being  relieved  from  all  fears  of  war  as 
well  external  as  domestic,  and  a permanent  state 
of  peace  being  secured  for  “ the  whole  world” 
by  the  prudent  and  wise  policy  of  Hadrian ; 
but  it  also  seems  to  praise  that  emperor  for  his 
“ piety,”  as  evinced  by  the  zealous  attention  he 
manifested  to  the  ceremonies  of  religious  worship 
in  every  part  of  the  empire — conduct  which  had 
so  propitiated  the  favour  of  the  gods,  that  the 
Roman  provinces,  it  was  believed,  would  thence- 
forth be  no  more  desolated  by  earthquakes,  such 
as  at  the  commencement  of  Iris  reign  had  fre- 
quently occurred,  to  the  ruin  of  many  cities, 
but  which,  according  to  Spartian,  Hadrian  had 
caused  to  be  effectually  and  in  some  instances 
splendidly  rebuilt.  Thus  restoring  confidence 
where  terror  before  prevailed,  and  plenty  where 


famine  had  annihilated  everything. — The  anchor 
(adds  Tristan,  Com.  Hist.  i.  479)  is  the  mark 
of  the  one,  and  the  plough-share  and  corn-ears 
indicate  the  other. — Vaillant  entertains  an  un- 
hesitatingly expressed  opinion  that  the  drainage 
of  the  lake  Fucinus  is  the  subject  alluded  to — 
an  opinion  certainly  untenable. — Eckhel,  whilst 
throwing  a doubt  on  Tristan’s  ingenious  attempt 
at  interpretation,  and  utterly  rejecting  Vaillant’s 
as  “ preposterous,”  ofiers  on  his  own  part  no 
other  clue  to  the  occult  meaning  of  this  reverse, 
than  one  which  rests  on  a brass  medallion  of 
Hadrian,  of  whose  genuineness  he  confesses  a 
strong  suspicion.  It  is  quoted  from  the  Mus. 
Thevpo/i,  as  having  for  legend  tellvs  sta- 
bilita  (at  full  length),  and  for  type  a woman 
seated  on  the  ground,  who  places  her  right  hand 
on  a globe,  round  which  are  seen  several  boys, 
or  girls. — A similar  type  appears  on  a coin 
of  Julia  Domna,  inscribed  felicitas  tem- 
porvm.  But  neither  Mionnet  nor  Akerman 
recognises  the  medallion  described  by  the 
editor  of  the  Museum  Theupoli,  as  bearing  the 
epigraph  of  Tellus  Stabilita. — Hadrian,  how- 
ever, as  Eckhel  himself  observes,  might  truly 
be  said  (in  a political  sense)  to  have  given 
stability  to  the  earth,  when,  having  suppressed 
all  internal  seditions,  and  banished  all  appre- 
hension of  foreign  wars,  he  took  measures  for 
restraining  the  avarice  of  governors,  and  diffused 
throughout  his  vast  dominions  <he  blessings  of 
peace,  liberty,  and  public  safety.] 

TELLVS  STABIL.  P.M.  TR.  P.  XII.  IMP. 
VIII.  COS.  V.  P.P. — On  a very  fine  and  rare 
brass  medallion,  the  obverse  of  which  (see 
Akerman’s  Catalogue)  presents  the  head  of 
Janus  with  the  features  of  Commodus,  we  see 
(on  the  reverse)  the  above  quoted  legend,  whilst 
the  type  is  a woman  seated  ou  the  ground. 


touching  with  her  right  baud  a large  globe, 
which  has  stars  on  it,  and  over  which  four 
young  boys,  or  girls,  personifications  of  the 
seasons,  seem  to  be  passing.  The  woman’s  left 
arm  rests  on  a basket : (in  some  specimens  she 
holds  a cornucopia;  on  the  same  arm)  : close 
behind  her  is  a vine  tree. 

[Vaillant,  in  his  illustrations  and  interpreta- 
tions of  brass  medallions,  selected  from  the 
De  Camps  Cabinet,  has  given  an  engraving  of 
this  coin,  remarking  that,  by  its  design  and  title, 
Commodus  wished  to  make  it  appear  that  the 
husbandman,  throughout  the  Roman  world,  was 
enabled  in  this  year  of  peace  to  devote  himself. 


TEMO. 

with  feelings  of  perfect  security,  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  Hence,  tell  us  stabilita  est — the  earth 
is  made  fast — is  established — society  is  restored 
to  a settled  and  safe  condition.  The  four  young 
figures  represent  the  four  seasons  of  the  year 
(typified  also  on  another  coiu  of  this  prince) — 
the  celestial  globe  necessarily  revolves  to  the 
increase  of  the  earth’s  produce,  at  the  will  of 
Tellus,  or  Providence,  who,  personified  in  a 
sitting  posture,  lays  her  hand  on  it,  as  betoken- 
ing that  the  abuudaucc  of  all  things  is  in  her 
gift,  as  denoted  by  the  cornucopia;. — Although 
to  Hadrian  the  exaggerated  praise  telluris  sta- 
bilita might  have  been  with  some  degree  of 
political  justice  attributed,  yet  the  same  eulogy 
conferred,  as  by  this  coin  it  is,  on  so  profligate, 
so  degraded,  and  so  ruinous  a government  as  that 
of  Commodus,  wear's  too  grossly  the  impress  of 
adulatory  prostitution  to  be  viewed  otherwise 
than  with  unmixed  disgust.]— See  felicitas 

TEMPORVM. 

Temo. — The  helm  or  rudder  of  a ship,  which 
directs  and  holds  it  on  its  course.  It  was  repre- 
sented on  coins  to  designate  the  sea,  as  a globe 
was  to  symbolise  the  land,  over  both  which  the 
power  of  Imperial  Home  had  so  far  and  widely 
spread  itself.  The  rudder  is  the  sigu  of  a 
maritime  city,  and  also  of  excellence  in  nautical 
science  and  skill : it  is  also  the  emblem  of  naval 
strength.  Thus  we  find  maritime  sovereignty 
denoted  by  it  on  denarii  of  the  Carisia,  Egnatia, 
and  Mussidia  families.  The  gubernaculum  or 
rudder  appears  as  an  invariable  attribute  in  the 
right  hand  of  Fortune,  who  was  believed  to 
hold  sway  over  human  affairs.  It  is  held,  or 
placed,  sometimes  in  an  inverted,  at  other  times 
in  a transverse  position ; and  again,  planted 
upright  on  the  ground : occasionally  we  see  it 
crosswise  with  the  prow  of  a ship.  On  coins  of 
the  Egnatia  family,  it  stands  with  a ship’s  prow, 
between  Honos  and  Virtus.  The  rudder  of  a 
galley,  under  the  guidance  of  the  steersman,  is 
a type  on  a coin  of  Hadrian.  It  is  in  the 
hand  of  Victory,  on  a medallion  of  Constantine 
juu.  (Buouarotti,  p.  398) ; iu  the  right  hand  of 
Annona,  as  in  Antoninus  Pius  and  Caracalla; 
and  is  frequently  held  by  the  Genius  of  a colonial 
city.  It  is  seen  in  the  left  hand  of  Alt  emit  as, 
as  in  Faustina  senior ; and  of  Asia,  as  in 
Hadrian ; of  a centaur,  as  in  Gallienus ; of 
Concord,  as  in  Postumus ; of  Felicitas,  as  in 
Tetricus;  upon  a globe,  as  in  Tiberius  and 
Elagabalus ; in  the  left  hand  of  Sa/us  Augusti,  as 
in  Antoninus  Pius.  The  rudder  also  i s combined 
with  an  anchor  on  the  prow  of  a ship,  on  a coin 
of  the  Qacilia  family  ; on  a naval  trophy,  as  in 
Augustus ; at  the  feet  of  Pietas,  on  a denarius 
of  M.  Antony;  on  a chariot  within  a temple, 
as  in  Augustus  ; near  a globe  in  the  left  hand  of 
the  emperor,  as  in  Antoninus  Pius;  grouped 
with  a globe,  the  apex,  the  caduceus,  and  the 
cornucopia:,  on  a denarius  of  Julius  Ca:sar, 
struck  by  Mussidius.  See  fortvna. — There  are 
medals  on  which  the  ancients  have  given  to 
Nemesis  the  rudder  which  usually  accompanies 
Fortune.  Buonarotti  furnishes  an  instance  of 
this  iu  his  Osservazioni. 

5 G 


TEMPLUM.  777 

Tempestates  Anni  quatuor. — See  Seasons. 

Tempestas,  the  weather. — In  his  observations 
on  a medallion  of  Commodus,  bearing  the  legend 
of  votis  felicibvs,  and  exhibiting  a curious 
type,  described  by  Haym  (see  Taurus),  Eckhel, 
after  successively  quoting  Plutarch  and  Valerius 
Flaccus,  Cicero  and  Virgil,  to  shew  that  it  was 
a custom  of  the  ancients  to  sacrifice  bulls  and 
other  victims,  in  imploring  the  gods,  either  to 
avert  storms,  or  to  send  auspicious  gales,  or  to 
appease  the  fury  of  the  sea,  goes  on  to  prove 
that  Tempestas,  as  a deity  presiding  over  the 
weather,  was  worshipped  at  Home.  And  this 
he  does  (Doct.  Num.  Vet.  vol.  vii.  p.  129) 
through  the  medium  of  a very  ancient  inscription, 
a dedication  by  Scipio  Barbatus  (see  lieinesius 
laser,  vi.  34,  p.  410) ; and  also  by  the  two 
following  lines  of  Ovid  (Fast.  vi.  193) : — 

Tequoque,  Tempestas,  meritam  delubra  fatemur; 

Quum  pcene  est  Corsis  obruta  classis  aquis. 

Templum,  Temple;  a building  appropriated 
to  the  public  exercise  of  a religious  worship. 
In  the  earliest  times,  nations  paid  adoration 
to  their  divinities,  simply  at  altars  of  coarse 
materials  and  of  the  rudest  construction,  raised 
in  the  open  air  on  elevated  ground,  or  in 
solitary  woods.  To  these  soon  succeeded  build- 
ings little  differing  from  the  usual  dwellings  of 
the  people,  but  consecrated  to  the  service  of 
their  gods.  The  introduction  of  temple-build- 
ing, properly  so  called,  was  gradual  amongst 
the  various  nations  of  antiquity.  The  Egyptians, 
Phoenicians,  and  Syrians,  taking  the  lead  in 
civilization,  taught,  through  the  instrumentality 
of  their  colonies,  the  method  of  constructing 
temples  to  the  Greeks,  who  in  their  turn,  having 
in  process  of  time  surpassed  all  other  com- 
munities in  civilization,  devoted  their  superior 
knowledge  in  the  arts  to  the  object  of  erecting 
temples  in  the  most  beautiful  style  as  well  as  on 
the  most  majestic  scale.  It  was  solely  from 
Grecian  models,  and  under  Grecian  designs,  that 
the  Romans  were  subsequently  enabled  to  render 
any  of  their  own  sacred  edifices  worthy  of  being 
numbered  amongst  the  chefs  d'ceuvre  of  archi- 
tecture. The  first  temples,  neither  of  the  Greeks 
nor  of  the  Romans,  were  otherwise  than  incon- 
siderable in  size.  According  to  Vitruvius  they 
were  round  in  form,  but  aftenvards  built  square. 
This  fact  is  confirmed  by  coins  struck  in  suc- 
cessive ages.  Even  in  later  times,  when  increased 
riches  were  employed  in  rearing  temples,  they 
were  not  distinguished  by  any  extraordinary 
extent  or  magnitude,  except  in  the  ease  of  those 
dedicated  to  the  tutelary'  deities  of  a city  or  a 
colony,  or  to  those  principal  divinities  which 
were  the  common  objects  of  worship  among 
entire  nations.  The  most  usual  form  of  Greek 
and  Roman  temples  was  that  of  an  oblong 
square ; sometimes  it  was  circular ; and  then 
they  were  covered  with  a cupola,  of  which  the 
Pantheon  at  Rome  still  offers  a striking  example. 

As  the  statue  of  its  presiding  deity  was  the 
most  sacred  object  in  the  temple  and  the  most 
conspicuous  ornament  of  the  adytum  or  cella, 
so  the  utmost  care  was  bestowed  on  the  work- 


778  TEMPLUM. 


TEMPLUM. 


manship  of  images,  and  the  most  eminently 
gifted  artists  were  employed  to  execute  such 
pieces  of  sculpture. — In  the  earliest  periods 
citron  and  cedar- wood  were  the  materials  used; 
afterwards,  these  statues  were  cast  in  brass,  but 
more  frequently  chiseled  in  marble,  especially 
in  the  Parian  and  Pentelic  marbles.  Among 
the  bronze  idols  at  Eomc  was  that  of  Jupiter 
Tonans.  Gold  and  ivory,  and  even  precious 
stones,  were  conjoined  with  marble  to  increase 
the  magnificence  of  these  images.  The  names 
of  Alcamenes,  of  Polyclitus,  of  Naucydes,  of 
Thrasymedes,  and  above  all  of  Phidias,  are  re- 
corded by  Greek  writer^  as  those  of  the  chief 
statuaries  whose  talents  were  devoted  to  these 
exquisite  works.  Nor  was  the  sister  art  of 
painting  less  in  requisition  to  decorate  the  in- 
terior walls  : on  the  contrary,  the  most  cele- 
brated pencils,  such  as  those  of  Polygnotus, 
Micon,  Zeuxis,  and  others  were  dedicated  to 
honour  gods  and  goddesses,  demigods  and  heroes, 
by  producing  vivid  representations  of  their 
fabled  personifications,  attributes,  and  exploits. 
Besides  the  statue  of  the  divinity  to  whom  the 
temple  was  consecrated,  there  were  occasionally 
other  images  placed  either  in  the  cella,  or  in  the 
portico.  Some  of  these  bore  reference  to  the 
principal  deity  ; others  served  merely  for  orna- 
ment, or  were  preserved  there  as  sacred  gifts. 
This  was  the  case  in  most  of  the  metropolitan 
cities  in  Greece  and  Asia;  whilst  at  Rome  many 
temples  were  adorned  with  various  statues. 
In  the  temple  of  Apollo  Palatinus  was  an  image  ' 
of  Latona,  by  Cephisodotus,  son  of  Praxiteles ; 
and  one  of  Diana,  by  Timotheus. — The  steps 
by  which  the  temples  were  surrounded  appear 
to  have  been  amongst  the  most  important  fea- 
tures of  their  general  design,  constituting  at  1 
once  their  bases  and  distinguishing  them  from  | 
all  other  edifices. 

Besides  what  may  be  gleaned  from  the  re- 
mains of  many  different  kinds  of  temples  both 
in  Greece  and  Italy,  there  is  much  that  is  well 
calculated  to  throw  light  on  the  subject,  which 
medals  exhibit  relative  to  the  various  forms  of 
structures  so  clearly  identified  with  the  religious 
rites  and  customs  of  the  heathen  world.  “ The 
ancients  (says  M.  Millin)  often  adopted  these 
buildings  for  the  types  of  their  coins ; according 
to  which  we  find  not  only  that  the  form  of  some 
temples  was  square,  and  others  circular ; but 
also  that  some  were  raised  on  steps  that  encom-  j 
passed  the  buildings  on  all  sides — whilst  others 
were  elevated  on  an  artificial  foundation,  to 
which  the  ascent  was  by  a flight  of  stairs.  There  \ 
are  to  he  seen  on  medals  deliueations  of  temples,  j 
whose  facades  display  from  four  to  six,  eight,  | 
and  even  ten  columns. — A coin  of  Verus,  struck 
at  Corinth,  shews  a tetrastyle  (temple  with  j 
four  pillars  in  front) ; and  a medal  of  Trajan,  ! 
struck  in  Galatia,  presents  to  us  a prostyle 
(row  of  columns  in  front  of  a temple),  in  which 
have  been  suppressed  the  two  pillars  that  should 
have  appeared  between  those  at  the  angles,  in 
order  to  give  the  needful  room  for  the  image 
of  Mensis,  chief  deity  of  the  pagan  Galatians.  I 
Many  medals  of  Corinth  have  on  their  reverses 


different  figures  of  circular  temples,  which  arc 
also  found  on  some  Imperial  coins,  struck  in 
that  city.  On  these  latter  the  temples  of  Vesta, 
of  Mars,  and  of  Juno  Martialis,  are  favourite 
types. — The  temples  of  those  gods,  who  were 
the  objects  of  a city’s  especial  worship,  are  seen 
on  different  medals,  struck  under  the  empire,  in 
Greece,  Proconsular  Asia,  and  other  provinces  and 
colonies. — The  temple  of  Jupiter  Capitolinus  at 
Rome  is  represented  not  only  on  a medal  of  the 
Petillia  family,  struck  under  the  republic,  but 
afterwards  on  the  coins  of  many  emperors,  such 
as  Vespasian  and  Domitian,  who  restored  that 
sacred  edifice  which  had  often  become  a prey  to 
the  flames. — On  medals  of  Augustus  we  also  see 
the  temple  of  Jupiter  Tonans,  which  that  prince 
caused  to  be  built  in  a style  of  great  mag- 
nificence.”— For  an  able  and  copious  article 
on  the  temples  of  the  ancients,  see  Millin’s 
Dictionnaire  des  Beaua  Arts. 

Temples  of  various  forms,  and  sitnate  in 
divers  places,  are  represented  on  medals  of  the 
Imperial  series,  with  scarcely  a break,  from 
Julius  Caesar  to  Maxentius. — See  also  those 
struck  in  the  colonics. — The  catalogue  of  the 
Vienna  Cabinet  (Cimel.  Vindob.  i.  p.  94), 
Vaillant’s  Prastant.  i.  p.  67,  and  Buouarotti’s 
Kum.  Carpeg.  (tb.  f.  5,  p.  16  and  19)  re- 
spectively exhibit  most  beautiful  specimens  of 
templa  decaslyla — temples  with  ten  columns 
in  front. 

Templa , or  Aides  deorum. — The  temples  of 
deities  represented  on  Roman  coins  were  those 
which,  to  shew  their  “ piety,”  were  erected,  at 
first  by  the  senate  and  people  ; and  which,  after 
the  extinction  of  the  consular  government, 
were  cither  built  or  restored  by  different  em- 
perors. They  were  also  fouuded  in  honour,  and 
for  the  worship,  of  those  emperors  themselves, 
as  well  at  Rome  as  in  the  provinces.  [See 
Spanheim,  Pr.  ii.  643  scq.] — At  Rome,  when  a 
temple  was  about  to  be  constructed,  strict  re- 
gard was  had  to  certain  rules  of  inauguration 
and  of  dedication.  It  was  under  the  forms 
prescribed  by  the  Auirurs,  as  interpreters  of  the 
will  of  the  gods,  that  the  spot  where  the  temple 
was  to  be  placed,  aud  the  space  it  was  to 
occupy,  were  determined  upon.  The  site  was 
theu  purified  aud  the  foundation  stone  laid  by 
the  magistracy,  amidst  the  solemn  rites  of  the 
priesthood,  in  the  presence  of  the  people.  The 
temple  having  thus  been  founded,  the  ceremony 
of  dedication  was  performed  by  the  cousuls,  or 
by  the  emperors,  or  sometimes  by  duunicirs 
specially  chosen  with  the  people’s  consent,  and 
under  the  authority  of  the  senate.  On  these 
occasions  the  presiding  pontiff  announced,  in  a 
set  form  of  words,  the  appropriation  of  the 
edifice  to  sacred  purposes : he  then  proceeded  to 
consecrate  it  by  laying  his  hand  on  the  door- 
posts, at  the  entrance  of  the  temple  ; and  then 
followed  sacrifices  and  public  games. 

Buildings  called  Aides  Sacra  differed,  accord- 
ing to  Varro,  from  Templa,  inasmuch  as  the 
former,  though  consecrated  like  the  latter,  were 
never  inaugurated,  nor  were  thev  dedicated  by 
the  authority  of  the  senate.  The  cedes  would 


TEMPLUM. 

indeed  seem  to  have  been  nearly  of  the  same 
form  as  the  templum,  but  less  sumptuous. 
There  were  in  Rome  a great  number  of  cedes, 
the  smallest  of  which  were  called  adicula. — 
Structures  called  delubra  were  also  distinct  from 
temp/a,  although  the  two  are  often  confounded 
together  in  the  works  of  ancient  writers.  The 
delubrum  appears  to  have  been  the  shrine; 
or  the  place  where  the  statue  of  the  deity 
or  the  altar  stood.  The  sacellum  (or  chapel) 
differed  entirely  from  a temple,  being  only 
enclosed  within  a wall,  and  without  a roof. — 
It  is  evident,  from  Livy  [L.  x.  c.  40],  that 
fana  were  different  from  temples,  although 
this  word  was  in  ordinary  acceptation  used 
by  the  old  writers  to  designate  whatever  edifice 
was  set  apart  for  the  worship  of  any  deity 
or  deities.  Some  contend  that  the  sacellum  was 
a small  place,  consecrated  to  some  particular 
god  or  goddess,  and  furnished  with  an  altar. — 
Sacred  places,  belonging  to  private  individuals, 
were  called  lararia,  or  sacraria,  the  one  from 
the  lares,  the  other  from  being  dedicated  by 
each  person  to  his  household  god. 

Temples  were  erected  not  only  to  the  celestial 
divinities  but  also  to  Rome  itself  as  a deified 
city ; not  only  to  Clementia,  Concordia,  Pax,  and 
other  qualities,  but  to  the  healths  of  emperors 
whilst  living,  and  to  their  memoyy  after  death. 
— It  was  also  a custom  with  the  Romans  to 
dedicate  temples,  erect  altars,  and  sacrifice  vic- 
tims to  the  angry  or  displeased  gods : witness 
those  coins  whicli  bear  the  images,  or  heads,  of 
Ve-Jupiter , of  Pallor  and  of  Favor.  Nay,  they 
erected  altars  and  temples  to  Fever  (FebrisJ, 
whom  they  worshipped  through  fear  of  that 
disorder,  and  that  it  might  prove  less  hurtful. 

Temples  at  Rome. — In  that  city  nothing  was 
more  sacred,  nor  more  celebrated  than  the 
temple  of  Jupiter  Capitolinas  (see  the  words.) — 
A temple  was  also  dedicated  by  Augustus  to 
Jupiter  Tonans,  which  appears,  amongst  the 
coins  of  that  prince,  represented  with  a front  of 
six  columns.  Other  medals  of  Augustus  exhibit 
a four-columned  temple,  iovi  deo;  likewise 
one  of  six  columns,  inscribed  xov.  oly.  (Jovi 
Olympio)  to  Jupiter  Olympius. — Other  temples, 
consecrated  to  this  monarch  of  the  heathen 
deities,  display  themselves  on  imperial  coins, 
such  as  that  of  Jupiter  Gustos,  which  Domitian 
consecrated  to  that  divinity,  whose  guardian 
image  he  also  placed  there. — Caracalla  dedicated 
a temple,  in  the  city,  to  Jupiter  the  Pre- 
server ( Jovi  Sospitatori),  and  Alexander  Severus 
another  to  Jupiter  the  Avenger  (Jovi  TJltori). 
These  three  edifices,  their  porticos  adorned  with 
statues,  appear  on  coins  of  the  said  princes  as 
edited  by  Tristan,  Gcssner,  Spanhcim,  Vaillant, 
and  others. — The  image  of  Jupiter  Conservator, 
within  a temple  of  six  columns,  appears  on  the 
larger  medals  of  Diocletian.  The  temples  of 
Mars  were  numerous  (see  the  word  Mars.) — On 
a very  rare  gold  coin  of  Augustus  (caesaiii 
avgvsto  s.  p.  Q.  e.),  the  reverse  type  is  a circular 
temple  of  four  columns,  in  which  a legionary 
eagle  is  placed  in  a triumphal  chariot. — 
Vaillant  referring  to  it  (Impp.  Rom.  ii.  35) 
5 G 2 


TEMPLUM.  779 

says,  “This  round  temple  I imagine  to  be 
the  one  which  Augustus  built  in  honour  of 
Mars  the  Avenger.  That  that  edifice  was  of 
such  a form  is  established  by  the  type  of  a silver 
coin  of  the  same  emperor,  bearing  the  epigraph 
of  MARTI  VLTOn.  For  we  find  from  Sue- 
tonius (Oct.  Aug.  c.  32),  that  Augustus  had  no 
temples  erected  to  his  honour  even  in  the  pro- 
vinces, except  in  the  name  of  Rome  as  well  as 
of  himself  [eom.  et  avg.]  But  within  the  walls 
of  Rome  he  most  strictly  abstained  from  that 
honour.” — It  has  already  been  said  that  temples 
were  consecrated  not  only  to  gods  and  goddesses, 
and  to  others  regarded  in  the  light  of  divinities, 
but  also  to  the  emperors  themselves  in  Rome. 
Thus,  in  pursuance  of  a senatus  consultum,  a 
temple  was  erected  by  Augustus,  inscribed  Divo 
ivl.  or  divo  ivlio  ex  s.c.,  in  the  adytum  or 
sanctuary  of  which  was  seen  the  image  of  Julius 
Ccesar  holding  the  inaugural  insigne  of  the 
lituus. — Vitruvius  alludes  to  this  temple  and 
image,  which  also  appear  on  a gold  coin  struck 
nnder  Augustus,  as  edited  by  Spanheim  and 
others,  and  confirmed  as  genuine  and  rare 
by  Mionnet.  This  temple  of  “ Caesar  deified” 
was  afterwards  held  by  the  Romans  so  in- 
violably sacred  that,  according  to  Dion,  no  one 
who  took  refuge  in  that  sanctuaiy  could  be  with- 
drawn therefrom  against  his  will — a privilege 
which,  according  to  the  same  writer,  had  not 
been  granted  to  the  temple  of  any  god,  not  even 
to  the  asylum  of  Romulus. — It  is  further  re- 
lated by  Dion,  that  a sacrarium,  or  place  set 
apart  for  divine  worship  was,  by  order  of  Tibe- 
rius, built  in  honour  of  Augustus ; and  the 
house  at  Nola,  where  he  died,  was  converted 
into  a temple. — Pliny  mentious  the  Palatine 
temple ; his  words  are — in  Palatii  templo, 
quod  fecerat  D.  Augusto  conjux  Augusta. 
(N.  H.  L.  xx.  c.  19).  This  fact  of  a temple 
raised  on  Mount  Palatinus  to  the  honour  of 
Augustus  after  his  death  by  his  widow  is 
confirmed,  through  the  medium  of  a first 
brass  of  Caligula,  inscribed  DIVO  AVG,  S.C., 
with  three  figures  sacrificing  before  a temple; 
and  that  this  or  some  other  temple  of  Augustus 
at  Rome  was  restored  by  Antoninus  Pius,  we 
learn  from  coins  of  the  last-named  emperor, 
inscribed  AEDES  DIVI  AVG.  RESTitata;  and 
TEMPLwm  DIVI  AVG.  REST.  COS.  iTTi.,  with 
a figure  seated  in  an  octostyle  temple  (see  the 
words). — That  there  was  a temple  built  and  dedi- 
cated at  Rome  to  Faustina  senior,  the  wife  of 
Antoninus  Pius,  is  proved  by  the  very  beautiful 
one  represented,  with  six  columns  in  front,  on 
a silver  coin  of  that  empress,  struck  after  her 
death  and  consecration.  The  legend  of  the 
obverse  gives  her  the  title  of  DIVA,  and  that 
of  the  reverse  reads  AED*s  DIV<*  FAVSTINAE. 

Other  temples  at  Rome,  dedicated  to  the 
honour  of  different  emperors,  form  the  types  of 
some  of  their  coins,  as  in  the  MEMORIAE 
AETERNAE  of  Val.  Maximinianus,  Constantius 
Chlorus,  Romulus,  and  others.  And  indeed 
not  at  Rome  only,  but  in  the  provinces  also, 
temples  were  consecrated  to  emperors,  as  ancient 
writers  affirm,  and  as  may  be  seen  on  medals. 


780  TEMPLUM. 

An  example  of  this  kind  is  offered  in  the  fine 
silver  medallion  of  Augustus,  which  presents 
a temple  of  six  columns,  with  ROMa  ET 
AVGVSTbs  on  the  pediment,  and  COM.  ASIA. 
(Commune  Asia)  on  each  side  of  the  edifice, 
commemorative,  as  Tacitus  and  Dion  both  shew, 
of  such  a structure  being  raised,  with  the  assent 
of  Augustus,  by  “ the  commonwealth  of  Asia.” 
Two  remarkable  coins  of  Hadrian  bear  witness 
to  a similar  honour  paid  to  that  prince  during 
his  life  time,  by  the  Bithynians — the  one 
inscribed  com.  bit.  (Commune  Bithynia),  and 
with  rom.  s.  P.  avg.  (on  another  it  is  s.  p.  r. 
avg.)  on  the  front  of  a temple  with  eight 
columns. — A brass  medallion  of  Hadrian  exhibits 
a temple  with  two  columns  ; and  the  inscription 
s.  p.  q.  r.  ex  s.  c.  would  seem  to  indicate  that 
this  architectural  object  had  reference  to  some 
sacred  fane  dedicated  to  the  same  emperor’s 
honour  at  Rome.  There  are  likewise  many 
Greek  imperial  medals  of  Pergamus,  Smyrna, 
and  Nicomedia,  struck  under  Augustus,  Tiberius, 
Trajan,  Antoninus  Pius,  M.  Aurelius,  Com- 
modus,  Caraealla,  &c.,  being  representations  of 
temples,  some  of  the  most  magnificent  of  which 
were  raised  and  consecrated  to  those  pfinccs 
respectively.  Subjoined  is  a further  notice  of 
temples  formerly  existing  in  Rome,  and  which, 
as  well  as  the  divinities  worshipped  there,  are 
typified  on  coins  of  the  imperial  mint,  viz  : — 

Temp/umAjiollinis  Palatini. — Octavian  (before 
he  was  called  Augustus)  built  a temple  to  Apollo 
on  the  Palatine  Hill.  Indeed,  according  to  Dion, 
in  the  year  v.c.  718  he  himself  bore  witness  to 
its  dedication,  as  is  recorded  on  the  marble  of 
Ancyra: — templvmqve  apollinis  in  palatio 
peci. — After  the  overthrow  of  Antony,  at 
Actium,  fresh  honours  were  paid  by  Augustus  to 
this  Palatine  Apollo,  to  whom  we  also  find  a 
dedicatory  type  and  inscription  on  a brass  medal- 
lion of  Commodus,  as  edited  by  Vaillant  from 
the  De  Camps  cabinet. — See  apol.  palattno. 

Templum  Bacchi  et  Herculis. — That  Scptimius 
Severus  raised  a magnificent  temple  to  these  two 
deities  is  proved  by  first  and  second  brass  coins, 
as  well  as  by  a bronze  medallion  of  that  emperor. 
—See  DIS.  AVSPICIBw. 

Templum  Clementia. — On  the  reverse  of  a 
silver  coin,  struck  by  one  of  the  monetal 
triumvirs  of  Julius  Caesar,  we  sec  a temple  with 
four  columns  in  front,  and  thelegcndcLEMENTlAE 
Caesaris.  (See  the  words.)  Eckhel  places  this 
medal  under  the  date  v.c.  710  b.c.  44 ; and 
quotes  Dion  as  his  authority  for  stating  that,  in  the 
above-named  year,  it  was  decreed  that  a temple 
should  be  dedicated  to  Caesar  and  to  Clementia ; 
and  that  M.  Antony  as  Flamen  Dialis  (Priest  of 
Jupiter)  should  be  appointed  to  officiate  in  it  as 
priest.  There  is  a passage  in  Appian  connected 
with  this  fact ; and  Plutarch  also  touches  upon 
it,  adding  that  the  decree  in  question  bestowed 
not  pardon  only,  but  honours,  on  Caesar’s  enemies. 
Pliny  likewise  says  that  Julius  was  accounted 
merciful  both  by  contemporaneous  flattery  and 
by  the  voice  of  posterity — Casarei  proprium  et 
peculiars  sit  clementiae  insigne,  qua  usque  ad 
panilentiam  omnes  superacit.  (N.  II.  L.  vii. 


TEMPLUM. 

c.  25).  And  M.  Aurelius,  in  a letter  to  his  wife 
Faustina,  which  Valentins  Gallicanus  has  pre- 
served, says,  “Hac  (Clementia)  Casarem  deum 
fecit. — See  clementia. 

TEMPLVM  DIVt  AX  Gusli  REST  it  ut  urn 
COS.  I1II. — A temple  with  eight  columns  in 
front,  within  which  are  two  figures ; also  two 
figures  appear  in  the  inter-columniation,  and 
two  more  on  the  steps  of  the  building. — This 
legend  and  type  are  found  on  gold,  silver,  and 
first  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius.  There  is  likewise 
a silver  coin  of  the  same  Emperor,  bearing  the 
same  tvpe,  but  having  for  legend  AEDcj  DIVI 
AVG.  REST.  COS.  LUX 

Representations  of  the  temple  of  Augustus 
first  appear  on  medals  of  Tiberius,  struck  about 
the  year  v.c.  787  ; also  on  coins  of  Caligula  in 
various  years  of  his  reign. — The  medals  of  Pius 
here  quoted  were  struck  in  the  year  of  Rome  912 
(a.d.  159),  and  inform  us,  what  history  has 
omitted  to  mention,  viz. : that  the  temple  of 
Augustus,  whether  fallen  into  decay  from  time, 
or  injured  from  other  causes,  was  restored  by 
the  reverential  piety  of  Antoninus  Pius.  There  is 
every  probability  that,  of  the  two  images  which 
appear  within  the  temple,  one  is  that  of  Livia 
(Julia  Augusta  as  she  is  called  on  Latin  coins), 
wife  of  Augustus,  for  Dion  states  that  divine 
honours  were  conferred  upon  her  by  her  grand- 
son Claudius,  who  dedicated  a statue  to  her  in 
the  temple  of  Augustus.  Eckhel  notices,  as 
a circumstance  worthy  of  observation,  that  this 
temple  offers  itself  in  the  present  instance  under 
architectural  features  different  from  those  which 
distinguish  the  same  temple  as  exhibited  on 
coins  of  Tiberius  and  of  Caligula,  above  alluded 
to. — Whether  this  discrepancy  arose  from  Anto- 
ninus having  altered  the  form,  in  restoring  the 
structure  of  the  temple?  or  whether  it  was 
because  the  edifice  represented  on  the  medal 
above  described  was  not  the  same  as  that  typified 
on  the  coins  of  Tiberius  and  Caligula  (for  Sex. 
Rufus,  besides  the  temple  of  Augustus  in  the 
eighth  region,  mentions  another  dedicated  to  the 
same  Emperor  in  the  fourth  region,  at  Rome)  ? 
or  whether  the  mint  masters  in  depicturing  the 
fronts  of  temples  were  always  faithful  to  the 
originals?  arc  qnestions  which  our  illustrious 
German  numismatist  asks  without  offering  any 
solution  of  his  own. — But  it  has  already  been 
shewn  that  engravers  of  imperial  medals,  both 
Greek  and  Roman,  were  in  the  habit  of  taking 
liberties  with  architectural  details  to  suit  purposes 
connected  with  the  introduction  of  figures.  And 
the  truth  of  the  fact,  respecting  which,  in  the 
absence  of  all  historical  record,  this  medal 
furnishes  the  clearest  proof,  remains  established 
in  the  legend  which  assigns  to  Antoninus  Pius 
the  honour  of  having  restored,  in  his  fourth 
consulate,  the  temple  of  the  deified  Augustus. — 
[Sec  Bod.  Bum.  Vet.  vol.  vii.  p.  25. — Sec  also 
a passing  reference  to  this  coin  in  p.  12  of  this 
Dictionary ; and  the  word  dedicatio.] 

Templum  Jani. — See  Janus  and  ian.  clv. 
Sec  also  pace.,  &c.,  ianvm  clvsit. 

Templum  Jovis  Capitolinis. — A first  brass 
of  Vespasian  has  for  the  type  of  its  reverse 


TEMPLUM. 

(finely  delineated  in  the  Thesaurus  Morellianus 
tab.  56,  fig.  23)  a most  elegant  temple  of  six 
columns,  adorned  with  statues  on  the  pediment 
and  on  each  side.  In  the  centre  of  this  edifice 
is  the  image  of  Jupiter,  on  whose  right  stands 
the  statue  of  Pallas,  and  on  whose  left  appears 
that  of  Juno.  This  beautiful  coin  (another 
engraving  of  which  is  given  by  Pcdrusi  in  his 
Mus.  Farnese)  exhibits  a front  view  of  the 
temple  of  Jupiter  Capitolinus,  which,  after  it 
had  been  destroyed  by  fire  during  the  Vitellian 
disturbances,  was  magnificently  restored  by 
Vespasian , or,  to  use  a more  correct  mode  of 
expression,  was  raised  anew  from  its  foundations 
by  order  of  that  Emperor. — On  the  coin  above 
described,  besides  the  idol  of  Jupiter  appear 
those  of  Minerva  and  Juno.  We  learn,  indeed, 
from  Tacitus,  that  Helvidius  the  Praetor,  at  the 
outset  of  the  undertaking,  invoked  with  prayers 
the  united  tutelage  of  those  three  principal 
divinities  of  the  Greek  and  Roman  superstition. 
Varro  speaks  of  Capitolinum  velus,  quod  ibi 
sacellum  Jovis,  Junot.is,  Minerva.  And  Martial, 
endeavouring  to  wheedle  the  Emperor  Domitiau 
into  a resolution  to  repair  the  Capitol  (for  it  had 
again  been  burnt  during  the  reign  of  Titus)  thus 
makes  the  flattering  appeal : — 

Quid  pro  culminibas  geminis  matrona  Tonanti t 
Pallada  pratereo  ; res  agit  ilia  ttias. 

Lib.  ix.  4. 

It  is  to  he  observed,  that  on  the  first  brass 
medal  in  question  Pallas  stands  on  Jove’s  right 
hand,  viz.,  in  the  place  of  greater  dignity,  and 
that  to  Juno  is  assigned  the  [second  place.  Nor 
does  this  numismatic  monument  afford  the 
only  proof  that,  in  the  most  superb  and  most 
venerated  of  all  the  temples  in  Rome,  Pallas 
was  placed  on  the  right  hand  of  Jupiter.  As 
early  after  the  foundation  of  the  city  as  the 
year  391,  Pallas  occupied  the  same  place  in  the 
same  temple,  according  to  Livy. — The  mint  of 
Antoninus  Pius  also  furnishes  confirmation  to 
the  fact,  some  of  that  Emperor’s  coins  exhibit- 
ing the  three  deities  above  mentioned,  sitting  in 
the  same  order  of  personal  distinction.  From 
these  and  other  evidences  it  clearly  appears  that 
the  Romans  assigned  a higher  degree  of  honour 
to  Minerva  than  to  Juno  herself ; the  reason  of 
which  is  doubtless  to  be  traced  to  the  fabled 
origin  of  their  commonwealth,  the  Trojan 
Palladium  having  been  transferred  to  Rome,  as 
Horace  sings : 

Unde  nil  majvs  generatur  ipso  (Jove), 

Nee  viget  quicquam  simile,  aut  secundum : 
Proximos  illi  tamen  occupavit 

Pallas  honores. 

Lib.  i.  Carm.  xii. 

A similar  type  of  the  Capitoline  temple,  and 
the  same  order  of  the  cello:  are  to  be  seen  on 
coins  of  Titus  and  Domitian. — Poet.  Nuni.  Vet. 
vi.  327-8. 

Templum  Mentis. — That  mens — the  mind — 
meaning  that  part  of  the  rational  soul  which  is  the 
seat  of  understanding,  thought,  judgment — had 
a temple  at  Rome,  and  that  vows  were  dedicated 
to  it  as  to  a deity,  when  the  Romans  were  hard 


TEMPLUM.  781 

pressed  by  Hannibal,  is  affirmed  by  Livy. 
Plutarch  also  mentions  a votive  offering  to  Pea 
Mens,  by  zEmilius'  Scaurus,  who  lived  in  the 
time  of  the  Cimbrian  war.  Cicero,  and  likewise 
S.  Augustine  ( de  Civitate  Pei)  allude  to  the  same 
deification.  Mens  quoque  numen  habet  is  the 
expression  of  Ovid,  who  adds  that  vola  were 
publicly  made  to  “ mens ” as  to  a goddess,  every 
year. — Propertius,  too,  makes  this  apostrophe  : 

Mens  bona,  si  qua  dea  es,  tua  me  in  sacrario  dono; 

Indeed,  as  the  philosophic  Cicero  in  many  pas- 
sages of  his  writings  truly  affirms,  the  chief  and 
noblest  part  of  a living  soul  is  “ the  mind,”  than 
which  nothing  that  nature  or  that  God  has  given 
to  man  is  more  excellent — more  divine. 

Templum  Opis. — It  is  recorded  by  Victor,  that 
there  was  a temple  at  Rome,  situate  in  the  eighth 
region,  dedicated  to  Ops,  the  wife  of  Saturn — 
JEdis  Opis  et  Saturni  in  vico  Jugario ; to  this 
edifice  Cicero  frequently  alludes  when  he  is  com- 
plaining of  seven  million  sesterces  ( septies 
mil/ies  hs)  having  been  taken  away  from  that 
temple  by  Mark  Antony,  which  large  sum  had 
been  deposited  there  by  Julius  Caesar,  as  a pro- 
vision towards  meeting  the  expenses  of  a war  then 
contemplated  with  the  Parthians. — A marble,  in 
Gruter,  likewise  confirms  the  fact  of  such  a 
temple  having  existed  at  Rome,  by  the  following 
inscription — locvs  adsignatvs  aedi  opis  et 
satvrni.  But,  says  Eckhel  (vii.  p.  143),  it  is 
to  be  observed  that  by  the  name  Ops  may  be 
understood  that  abundance  of  all  things,  which 
makes  life  happy  and  comfortable  (commodum) 
— a lot  certainly  not  enjoyed  by  one  who  is  inops 
(i.e.  poor  and  destitute).  And  that  Ops,  in  this 
sense,  had  a temple  at  Rome  we  have  Cicero’s 
authority  for  affirming. — Victor,  moreover,  de- 
scribes an  altar  placed  in  the  eighth  region  of 
that  city,  as  that  of  Ops  et  Ceres  cum  signo 
Vertumni. — Macrobins  says  Saturn  and  Ops 
were  believed  to  be  the  producers  or  inventors 
(repertores)  as  well  of  fruit  as  of  com.  The  same 
writer  adds,  et  terram  Opem,  cujus  ope  humana 
vita  alimenta  quaruntur ; vel  ab  opere,  per 
quod  fructus  frugesque  nascuntur. — Sat.  lib.  i. 
(And  the  earth  was  called  Ops ; by  whose  aid 
food  for  human  sustenance  was  obtained ; or  from 
opus,  as  being  the  work  through  which  both 
fruit  and  com  are  grown.)  In  another  place 
Macrobius  gives  to  Ops  the  name  of  Consivia, 
as  from  conserendus — to  be  sown  or  planted. — 
Plautus  calls  Ops,  opulenta — rich  and  mighty 
Ops — the  mother  of  Jupiter.  The  above  pas- 
sages, quoted  by  Eckhel  from  the  old  writers, 
combine  to  offer  an  easy  explanation  of  the  type 
on  these  coins,  as  well  of  Antoninus  Pius  as  of 
Pertinax,  which  bear  the  unusual  epigraph  of 
OPI  AVG usta  and  OPI  DIYINV. — See  these 
inscriptions. 

Templum  Pads. — There  is  no  genuine  coin 
of  Vespasian  extant,  bearing  the  representation 
of  the  Temple  of  Peace  raised  and  dedicated  by 
that  emperor  at  Rome,  in  the  year  of  the  city 
828  (a.d.  75).  “This,”  says  Eckhel,  “is  sur- 
prising, for  the  temple  in  question  constituted  a 
stupendous  monument  of  Vespasian’s  munificence. 


782  TEMTLUM. 

There  have  been  .those,  indeed,  and  amongst 
them  Spanhcim  himself,  who  thought  that  they 
had  seen  it  so  represented,  but  the  coin  which 
they  have  adduced  in  support  of  their  opinion 
has  for  its  type  the  temple,  not  of  Peace,  but  of 
Jove  in  the  Capitol.  (For  some  description  of 
which  sec  ivpiter  capitolinvs.) — Herodianus 
calls  Vespasian’s  temple  of  Peace  the  grandest 
and  most  beautiful  in  the  world. — Pliny  classes 
it  inter  pulcherrima  operum,  qua  unquarn ; and 
according  to  Josephus  ( Bell.  Jud.  1.  vii.,  c.  5,  6, 
7),  there  were  collected  together  within  its  walls 
everything  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  which  men 
had  employed  themselves  in  wandering  over 
the  face  of  the  earth.  Pliny  enumerates  the 
various  master-pieces  of  art  deposited  there ; 
and  Josephus  states  that  it  contained  the  golden 
vases,  and  other  sacred  utensils  of  the  Jews, 
brought  from  the  temple  at  Jerusalem.  But 
although,  so  far  as  is  hitherto  ascertained, 
Vespasian  omitted  to  typify  this  celebrated  temple 
of  Peace  on  his  coins,  yet  no  deity  or  genius 
was  more  frequently  exhibited  on  the  products 
of  his  mint  than  Peace,  as  is  shown  by  medals 
of  every  metal,  struck  in  each  successive  year, 
from  the -commencement  of  his  reign. — See  pax. 

Templum  Roma  et  Veneris. — That  Hadrian 
built  a temple  to  Venus  and  Rome  appears  from 
the  statement  of  Dion,  who  adds  that  the 
Emperor  himself  was  his  own  architect  in  the 
erection  of  that  edifice,  and  that  by  his  orders 
Appollodorus,  the  most  celebrated  of  the  age, 
and  whose  works  adorned  Rome  in  the  reign 
of  Trajan,  was  put  to  death  because  he  had 
freely  found  fault  with  those  parts  of  the  structure 
in  which  Hadrian  had  violated  architectural 
rules.  According  to  Spartian,  this  temple  was 
of  vast  proportions — his  expression  is  “ ita  ut 
operi  etiam  elephantes  XXIV adhiberet."  There 
is  a brass  medallion  of  Hadrian  which  bears  on 
its  reverse  a beautiful  temple  with  ten  columns 
in  front,  adorned  with  various  statues,  inscribed 
with  the  initial  letters  s.  P.  Q.  R.  ex  s.  C. — 
Bnonarotti,  who  gives  an  engraving  of  it  in  his 
Osservazioni  Istoriche  (pl.i.  fig.5,  p.  16),  thinks  it 
highly  probable  that  the  fane  represented  on  this 
medallion  was  intended  for  the  very  temple  in 
question. — Eckhel  dissents  from  this  opinion, 
observing  that  the  coin  itself  plainly  records 
that  the  temple  delineated  on  it,  was  raised 
in  pursuance  of  a senatorial  edict — ex.  s.  c.  j 
whereas,  according  to  Dion,  as  already  cited, 
Hadrian  himself  was  the  architect  of  the  temple 
erected  to  the  honour  of  roma  et  venvs.  It 
is,  therefore,  altogether  uncertain  to  whom  this 
sumptuous  building  was  raised  by  order  of  the 
senate  and  the  Roman  people.  But  there  is 
another  brass  medallion  of  Hadrian,  described 
by  the  Editor  of  the  Museum  Theupoli,  which 
has  for  legend  vrbs  roma  aeterna,  and  for 
type,  Rome  holding  in  her  right  hand  a globe 
and  in  her  left  the  hasta,  and  sitting  within  a 
a temple  of  six  columns.  To  this  medallion 
Eckhel  joins  a gold  coin  of  the  same  Emperor, 
in  the  Vienna  cabinet,  on  which  Venus  ap|>cars 
seated,  holding  a victory  and  spear,  accompanied 
by  the  epigraph  veneris  felicis;  aud,  in 


TEMPORUM  FELICITAS. 
explanation  of  this  last-mentioned  coin,  he 
quotes  Cassiodoros,  from  whose  words  it  would 
appear  that  what  was  originally  built  for  the 
temple  of  Rome  and  of  Venus,  was  afterwards 
called  the  Temple  of  the  City  (Templum  Roma 
et  Veneris  factum  est,  quod  nunc  Urbis  appel- 
latur). — That  the  joint  worship  of  those  two 
deities  continued  to  a late  period  in  templum 
Urbis  is  amply  attested  by  Prudentius  ( Contra 
Symmach.  1.  i.  v.  219)  in  the  following  verses : — 
Delubrum  Roma  (colitur  n am  sanguine  et  ipsa 
More  dea,  nomenque  loci  ceu  n umen  habetur 
Atque  Urbis:  Vene  risque  pati  se  culmine  tollunt 
j Templa,  simul  geminis  adolentur  thura  deabus.J 

TEMPORVM  FELICITAS  COS.  TTTI. — A 
double  cornucopia,  on  each  of  which  is  placed 
the  head  of  an  infant. 

The  type  of  this  reverse,  which  is  found  on  a 
first  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius,  resembles  that  on 
a well  known  coin  of  Drusus  junior.  There 
seems  no  reason  to  doubt  but  that,  in  the  present 
instance,  it  serves  to  represent  two  (twin) 
children  born  to  M.  Aurelius,  probably  about 
the  year  v.c.  902  (a.d.  149) : their  names, 
however,  remain  unascertained. 

TEMPORVM  FELICITAS.— A brass  medal- 
lion of  M.  Aurelius,  bearing  on  its  obverse  the 
bare  head  of  that  emperor,  with  legend  of 

AVREL1VS  CAESAR  AVG.  PII.  F.  TR.  P.  II.  COS. 
II. ; and  on  the  other  side,  Hercules  bearing  a 
trophy  in  his  left  hand,  and  resting  the  right 
hand  on  his  club,  as  he  stands  in  a car  drawn  by 
four  centaurs,  each  having  different  attributes. 

In  the  second  edition  of  his  work  Me  la 
Rarete  et  du  prix  des  Medailles  Romaines, 
Mionnet  has  given  an  exquisitely  finished  en- 
graving of  this  splendid  medallion.  It  is  also 
engraved  in  Akcnnan’s  Descriptive  Catalogue, 
vol.  i.  pi.  c. 

TEMPORVM  FELICITAS,— Four  children, 
designating  the  seasons  of  the  year ; on  a brass 
medallion,  thp  obverse  of  which  exhibits  the 
infant  portrait  of  Annius  Vcrus  (son  of  Aurelius 
and  of  Faustina  jun.)  facing  that  of  his  brother 
Commodus — [in  the  French  national  cabinet] — 
with  inscription  of  COMMODVS  CAESar ; 
VERVS  CAESar. 

It  was  during  the  childhood  of  these  two 
princes  (the  former  of  whom  died  at  a very  early 
age),  that  this  elegant  type  was  produced  for 
the  first  time  on  the  coinage  of  Rome,  though 
afterwards  revived  under  Commodus,  Caracalla, 
Diocletian,  and  others.  It  personifies,  in  sue- 


TEMPORUM  FEL1CITAS. 
cession,  Spring,  Summer,  Autumn,  and  Winter, 
each  season  bearing  some  symbol  of  its  respective 
gifts.  The  first  bolds  a basket  filled  with  flowers; 
the  second  a sickle  ; the  third  a basket  of  apples 
and  a bunch  of  grapes,  which  an  animal  (a 
panther)  is  leaping  at ; the  fourth  a hare,  and  a 
bird  suspended  from  a stick  upon  his  shoulder  ; 
all  the  figures  are  naked,  except  the  oue  which 
represents  winter,  which  is  wrapped  in  vest- 
ments— as  in  the  octagon  tower  of  Andronicus, 
at  Athens,  Boreas  is  sculptured,  enshrouding 
his  face  in  a cloak.  On  the  exergue  we  read  an 
announcement  of  that  public  happiness  which, 
in  flattery  to  the  reigning  emperor,  was  boasted 
of  as  the  characteristic  of  the  times  when  the 
medallion  was  struck. — See  felicitas  temp. 
and  FELICIA  TEMPORA. 

TEMPORVM  FELICITAS— COS.  fiTT.  P.P. 
— A woman,  seated,  holds  forth  corn-ears  in 
her  right  hand  ; before  her  four  naked  children 
are  plucking  fruit  from  a tree,  and  putting  them 
into  a vase. 

Eckhel  gives  this  as  the  reverse  type  of  a 
brass  medallion  of  Commodus,  from  the  collec- 
tion of  Count  De  Vitzai,  and  after  observing 
that  the  worn  state  of  the  coin  prevents  its  date 
from  being  sufficiently  ascertained,  goes  on  to 
mention  a similar  medallion  in  the  Royal 
Museum  at  Paris,  and  in  which  specimen  also 
the  chronological  marks  are  wholly  wanting, 
apparently  from  the  destructive  effects  of  time. 
The  four  boys  shew  that  the  type  was  meant  to 
symbolise  the  seasons,  as  clearly  appears  from 
a coin,  with  similar  legend,  struck  under  the 
same  prince  a.v.c.  944  (a.d.  191.) — See  feli- 
citas temp. 

Same  legend. — The  emperor  sitting  on  a globe, 
which  is  adorned  with  stars,  holds  in  his  ex- 
tended right  hand  a large  circle,  on  which  four 
naked  children  are  walking.  He  is  himself 
crowned  by  Victory,  who  stands  behind  him. 
Jupiter,  holding  the  hast  a,  is  also  present  at 
the  right  hand  of  the  prince. 

The  preceding  is  given  by  Eckhel,  as  from  a 
brass  medallion  of  Alexander  Severus,  from  the 
Museum  Albani. — The  starry  globe,  the  circle, 
the  children — all  indicate  the  Times  (Tempora) 
and  their  eventful  changes  (under  the  form  of 
the  Seasons)  as  we  learn  from  that  rare  coin  of 
Hadrian,  which  bears  for  legend  SAEC«/rm 
AVReum,  and  also  from  various  medals  of 
Commodus. — The  obverse  of  the  coin  in  question 
exhibits  the  head  of  the  Emperor  above-named 
opposite  that  of  his  mother,  accompanied  with 
the  following  inscription  : — IMP.  SEVERVS 
ALEXANDER  AVGustus,  IVLIA  MAMAEA 
AVGusta  MATER  AVG usti  (The  Empress 
Julia  Mamma,  Mother  of  the  Emperor). 

TEMPORVM  FELICITAS.— A woman  lying 
on  the  ground,  holds  in  her  right  hand  an  olive 
branch,  and  near  her  left  hand  is  figured  a 
rabbit. 

Banduri  gives  this  from  the  Vienna  cabinet, 
as  the  legend  and  type  on  the  reverse  of  a gold 
coin  of  Laelianus  (one  of  those  military  chieftains 
who  assumed  the  purple  in  the  troubled  reign  of 
Gallienus). — From  this  monetary  revival  of 


TER.  PAULLUS.  783 

the  rabbit,  as  the  old  symbol  of  Hispania,  it 
would  appear  that  that  country,  or  at  least  a 
portion  of  it,  was  subject  at  the  period  in 
question  to  these  usurpers  in  Gaul. 

TEMP.  FEL. — Buonarotti  (in  his  Osservazioni 
Istoriche)  gives  the  engraving  of  a fine  and  very 
rare  brass  medallion  of  Otacilia  Severa  (wife  of 
Philip,  sen.),  on  the  reverse  of  which  a matron 
of  dignified  appearance  is  seated  in  a chair  of 
state,  between  two  other  female  figures  likewise 
clothed  in  the  stola,  who  stand,  the  oue  holding 
a caducens,  the  other  the  hasta  pjtra  and  a small 
vase.  At  the  knees  of  the  seated  woman  are 
two  children. 

The  learned  and  judicious  Italian  above  cited 
describes  this  type  as  representing  Otacilia  in 
the  form  of  Piety  with  her  two  children,  one  of 
which  became  the  Philippus  Csesar  and  Augustus, 
whom  bis  father  associated  with  him  in  the 
empire,  and  the  other  a daughter  whose  name  is 
not  mentioned.  In  support  of  this  interpreta- 
tion, Buonarotti  refers  to  the  beautifid  first 
brass  of  Domitia,  in  which  that  lady,  wife  of 
Domitian,  is  represented  under  the  form  of 
Piety,  veiled  and  seated,  and  holding  her  right 
hand  extended,  as  if  pointing  towards  a child 
who  stands  before  her.  That  child  was  meant 
for  the  infant  Caesar,  her  son  by  Domitian,  as  is 
shewn  by  the  dedicatory  legend,  D1VI  CAESAR** 
MATRI,  and  the  epithet  DIVVS  as  applied  to 
the  word  CAESAR  also  shews  that  the  im- 
perial heir  was  already  dead  and  consecrated. 
“And  so  likewise  in  the  medallion  before  us 
(our  author  proceeds  to  say)  the  two  figures  of 
children  were  really  meant  for  those  of  Otacilia, 
as  is  proved  by  the  inscription  FELICITAS 
TEMPORVM — as  if  the  Roman  empire  had 
redoubled  its  happiness  in  the  hope  of  that 
happiness  being  continued  by  the  assurance  of  a 
succession  to  the  throne,  through  the  health 
and  domestic  felicity  of  the  imperial  family — 
hence  it  is  that  these  two  deities,  Hygeia  and 
Felicitas,  are  represented  on  the  above-described 
coin,  standing  on  each  side  of  the  Empress.” — 
p.  297. 

TEMPORVM  FEL.  or  FELIC.  or  FELICIT. 
— A woman  standing,  holding  a long  caduceus 
and  a cornucopia.  On  coins  of  Carausius  and 
Allectus. 

TER.  or  TERR.  Teirarum. — orb.  tee. 

Orbis  Teirarum. — paci.  orb.  terr. 

TER.  Tertium. — cong.  ter.  p.  r.  dat. 

Congiarium  Tertium  Fopulo  Romano  Datum. — 
COS.  DESIG.  ITER.  ET.  TER.  Consul  Design  at  US 
Iterum  et  Tertium.  Consul  for  the  third  time, 
was  the  highest  honour  in  the  republic  of  Rome. 

TER.  PAVLLVS. — The  very  rare  gold  coin, 
though  common  as  a denarius,  of  the  Aemilia 
family,  on  which  this  legend  is  found,  has  for 
its  reverse  type  a subject  of  high  historical 
interest ; for  it  serves  to  remind  us  of  the 
defeat  of  Perseus,  king  of  Macedonia,  at  the 
battle  of  Pydna,  by  the  consul  L.  Aemilius 
Paullus,  to  whom  he  was  compelled  to  surrender 
himself  and  his  family.  It  also  recalls  to 
memory  the  important  consequences  of  that 
victory ; namely,  the  reduction  of  the  Mace- 


784  TEREXTIA. 

donian  kingdom  to  the  state  of  a Roman  pro- 
vince; and  likewise  refers  to  the  magnificence  of 
the  triumph  with  which,  in  the  year  of  Rome 
587,  Paullus  was  honoured  for  that  signal 
achievement — a triumph  than  which,  for  wealth 
of  spoils  and  gorgeousness  of  warlike  pomp, 
nothing  (according  to  the  old  writers)  had  till 
then  been  exhibited  more  splendid  or  on  a 
grander  scale.  The  type  of  this  medal  repre- 
sents the  consul,  clothed  in  the  toga,  standing 
on  one  side  of  a trophy,  with  his  right  hand 
stretched  forth  as  if  he  were  in  the  act  of 
delivering  some  command  to  Perseus,  who  him- 
self stands  on  the  opposite  side,  with  his  hands  tied 
behind  him,  aud  accompanied  by  two  children, 
his  sons,  with  whom,  as  history  informs  us, 
this  unhappy  prince  followed  in  chains  the  tri- 
umphal chariot  of  the  victor.  Respecting  this 
remarkable  coin  there  is  much  in  Spanheim  (Pr. 
ii.  220),  but  it  is  preferred  to  take  advantage  of 
the  briefer  aud  more  useful  observations  of 
Eckhcl,  who  regards  the  epigraph  tek.  pavllvs 
as  ambiguous ; for  either,  says  he,  it  signifies 
the  duration  of  the  triumphal  honours  to  have 
been  extended  over  a space  of  three  days,  from 
the  fourth  kalends  of  December,  of  the  year 
above-mentioned,  of  which  Florus  (L.  ii.  c.  12) 
thus  speaks — quippe  cujus  spectaculo  triduum 
impleverit.  Primus  dies  sitjna , tab ul usque ; 
sequens,  anna,  pecuniasque  iransoexit ; tertius 
captivos,  ipsumque  regent  atlonitum  adhuc,  tan- 
quant  subito  malo  stupentem : (alas,  poor  fallen 
monarch  !)  Or  it  means  the  three  triumphs  of 
Paullus,  one  of  which  was  for  his  victories  over 
the  Ligurians  ; the  second  over  Perseus  ; the 
third  remains  uncertain,  (notwithstanding  what 
the  indefatigable  Pighius  could  glean  from 
Velleius.)  But  (hat  there  were  three  distinct 
triumphs,  is  a fact  which,  however  controverted 
by  some  antiquaries,  receives  confirmation  from 
a marble  still  existing  at  Rome,  and  which  is 
quoted  by  Pighius  as  follows: — L.  AEM1LIVS. 
L.  F.  PAVLVS.  COS.  II.  CENS.  AVGVR. 
TRIVMPHAVTT.  TER.— The  obverse  of  the 
medal  in  question  bears  for  legend  PAVLLVS 
LEPIDVS  CONCORDE,  and  for  type  the 
veiled  head  of  Concord. — See  Aemilia  family. 

TEREXTIA, a plebeiau  family,  whose  surnames 
on  its  Roman  coins  were  Lucanus  and  Varro. 
There  arc  fourteen  numismatic  varieties  belong- 
ing to  this  gens,  the  brass  pieces  of  which  are 
the  As,  or  some  of  its  parts,  or  struck  by  the 
moueyers  of  Augustus.  The  following  is 
amongst  the  more  rare  in  silver : — 

VARRO  PRO  Q uxestore. — Bearded  head 
with  diadem,  finishing  in  the  form  of  a 
Terminus. 

Reo. — MAG.  PRO.  COS.  An  eagle  and 
dolphin  with  sceptre  erect  between  them. 

M.  Tcrentius  Varro,  who  on  account  of  his 
singular  ability  and  extensive  acquirements  was 
honoured  with  having,  whilst  still  living,  his 
statue  placed  by  Asinius  PoUio  in  the  Bibliotheca, 
at  Rome,  had  a high  command  under  Pompey 
the  Great  in  the  war  agaiust  the  Pirates,  aud 
for  his  distinguished  exploits  in  that  war,  as 
commander  of  the  fleet  in  the  Ionian  sea,  was 


TEREXTIUS.— TERPSICHORE, 
rewarded  with  a naval  crown,  at  the  hands  of 
his  illustrious  chief.  The  above  denarius  shews 
that  Varro,  in  that  arduous  contest,  was  Pompey’s 
proquastor.  And  that  it  was  struck  during  the 
bellum  prtedonum  is  rendered  clear  by  the  name 
Magnus,  which  had  already  been  assumed  by 
Pompey. — For  similar  obverses  aud  reverses  see 
Pompeia  family. — In  the  civil  war,  he  was  com- 
pelled at  length  to  surrender  himself  to  Ctesar. 
The  head  of  the  obverse  is  by  some  thought  to 
be  intended  for  that  of  Quiriuus;  others  make 
it  a Jupiter  Terminalis;  both,  however,  are 
mere  conjectures. 

TEREXTIVS. — Terence,  so  celebrated  for 
his  dramatic  writings,  was  a native  of  Carthage, 
aud  the  slave  of  Terentius  Lucanus,  who,  in 
consideration  of  his  genius  aud  merit  generously 
gave  him  his  liberty.  This  facile  princeps 
comicorum  lived  on  terms  of  intimacy  with  many 
noble  personages,  aud  especially  with  Scipio 
Africanus  aud  C.  Ladius. — But  though  Rome 
wfas  the  scene  of  his  fame,  his  ashes  were  not 
destined  to  repose  there.  He  is  said  to  have 
died  at  Stymphalus  in  Arcadia,  from  disease 
brought  on  by  grief  for  the  los9  of  many  of  his 
comedies. — Amongst  the  contorniates  is  one  on 
which  appears  the  name  of  teuentivs  aud  the 
naked  and  beardless  head  of  a man  ; on  the 
other  side  is  a wrestler,  or  a young  man  leading 
a horse  by  the  bridle.  Of  the  uamc  inscribed 
on  the  reverse  only  the  last  letters  are  discernible 
....  rvs. 

Terminus. — A divinity  to  \jhom  the  ancients 
generally,  and  the  Romans  in  particular,  paid 
worship,  as  presiding  over  the  boundaries 
of  fields.  He  is  represented  with  a human  face 
aud  a body  terminating  in  the  form  of  an  inverted 
pyramid.  On  the  feast  days  of  these  tutelary 
gods  of  landmarks  (February  21),  the  inhabitants 
of  the  neighbouring  villages  crowned  their 
images  with  flowers. — On  the  obverse  of  a 
denarius  belonging  to  the  Catpurnia  family 
appears  the  statue  of  a man,  the  upper  part  of 
whose  body  is  clothed  in  the  toga ; but  it  has 
neither  arms  nor  feet,  on  one  side  of  which  is  a 
laurel  crown,  and  on  the  other  a vase — without 
legend ; but  on  the  reverse  si.  riso  m.f.  fhvoi. 
— Ursinus  sees  in  this  the  symbol  of  Terminus; 
and  supposes  that  Piso  (whoever  he  might  be) 
adopted  it  as  a type  for  his  coin,  for  the  purpose  of 
indicating  the  origin  of  certain  religious  rites  per- 
formed in  honour  of  that  rural  deity,  as  introduced 
by  Numa,  who  (according  to  old  writers  whom 
Ursinus  quotes)  first  erected  a little  temple 
(sacellum)  to  Terminus,  on  the  Tarpciau  hill, 
at  Rome.  A similar  figure  of  the  same  guardian 
of  property  limits,  having  on  its  head  a radiated 
crown,  and  with  a thunderbolt  lying  beneath, 
exhibits  itself  on  a silver  coin  of  Augustus, 
iuseribed  IMP.  caesak. 

Terpsichore,  one  of  the  Muses,  who  was 
said  to  have  taught  men  the  art  of  playing  on 
the  musical  reeds— or  “ Pan’s  pipes."  Her 
head,  covered  with  laurel,  is  delineated  on  a 
denarius  of  Q.  Poini>onius,  and  ou  the  reverse 
she  is  herself  represented  standing  (with  tho 
word  iivsA  before  her),  holding  the  above- 


TETRICUS. 

mentioned  instrument  with  both  hands. — See 
Pomponia  family. 

Terra. — See  Cybele — Ops — Rhea — Tellus. — 
The  earth,  which,  according  to  the  doctrine  of 
the  Pythagoreans,  and  now  of  all  philosophers, 
moves  round  the  sun. — Oiselius,  Selec.  Num.  p. 
253. 

TERT.  Tertium. — c.  caesar.  cos.  teut. 
Consul  Tertio  or  Tertium. — C.  Caesar  (Caligula), 
consul  for  the  third  time. 

Teruncins,  a silver  coin  of  the  Roman  mint, 
so  called  from  ter  for  tres,  and  uncia. — See  as 
et  partes  ejus. 

Tessera,  a square,  marked  with  a certain 
number  of  points,  to  serve  as  a ticket  or 
voucher. — Tessera  were  also  small  pieces  of 
wood,  of  bone,  or  of  ivory,  or  of  bronze, 
which  received  various  names,  according  to  the 
different  purposes  to  which  they  were  applied. 
Accordingly  there  were  theatrical,  gladiatorial, 
liberal  (frumentaria) , convivial,  military,  and 
hospitable  tessera.  Many  of  these  are  a species 
of  coin,  or  counter,  and  are  found  in  most  large 
numismatic  cabinets.  From  the  times  of  the 
emperors  they  were  chiefly  employed  for  dis- 
tribution amongst  the  people,  to  enable  each 
individual  to  go  with  one  or  more  of  them,  and 
receive  the  gifts  which  had  been  assigned  to 
him,  in  corn,  in  oil,  in  money,  and  in  every 
other  article  of  greater  or  less  value.  For  this 
reason  they  were  called  tessera  liberalitalis. — 
Medals,  struck  when  public  distributions  were 
made,  present  numerous  examples  of  this  kind, 
and  the  tessera,  or  tablet,  appears  in  the  right 
hand  of  the  figure,  which  respectively  personify 
Annona,  and  Liberalitas. — See  the  words. 

TETRI  CVS  (Caius  Pesuvius,  commonly 
called  Tetricus  pater  or  senior),  one  of  those 
who  took  the  name  of  Augustus  during  the 


troubled  state  of  the  empire,  under  Gallienus. 
This  prince  belonged  to  a family  of  high  dis- 
tinction in  the  senate,  and  had  been  honoured 
with  the  consulship.  Being  governor  of  Aqui- 
tania  at  the  time  when  the  usurper  Marius  died, 
Tetricus  was  induced  by  the  persuasions  of  that 
extraordinary  heroine  Victorina  (mother  of 
Victorious  senior),  to  accept  the  title  of  em- 
peror from  the  legionaries  in  Gaul,  a.d.  268. 
Already  in  great  repute  for  valour,  prudence, 
and  good  principles,  he  disarmed  envy  by  his 
unpretending  simplicity,  and  conciliated  general 
good  opinion  by  the  equity  of  his  administration. 
His  first  act  of  sovereignty  was  to  give  the  rank 
of  Ca;sar  to  his  son  Tetricus.  He  next  under- 
took to  reduce  the  revolted  city  of  Autun,  and 
succeeded  after  a six  months’  siege.  But, 
5 H 


TETRICUS. 


785 


although  he  maintained  himself  in  his  govern- 
ment for  more  than  five  years,  including  the 
period  of  Claudius  the  Second’s  reign,  yet 
frequent  mutinies  amongst  his  soldiers,  who 
were  continually  threatening  to  depose  him,  ren- 
dered his  crown  insecure  and  his  existence 
wretched  and  unsafe.  Disgusted  with  the  slavery 
of  his  situation,  and  anxious  to  regain  the 
tranquillity  of  private  life,  he  applied  for  succour 
to  Aurelian,  who,  on  his  return  from  the  East, 
advanced  with  his  victorious  army  as  far  as 
Catalaunum  (now  Chalons-sur-Marne),  delivered 
Tetricus  from  the  power  of  his  rebellious  troops, 
and  resumed  for  the  Roman  empire,  the  pos- 
session of  those  Gallic  provinces,  which  the  re- 
volt of  Postumus  had  detached  from  it.  In 
thus  surrendering  himself,  his  sou,  his  army, 
and  his  imperial  authority  into  the  hands  of 
Aurelian,  he  did  not  escape  the  deep  humiliation 
of  having  to  follow  the  triumphal  chariot  of  that 
proud  conqueror  ; by  whom,  however,  according 
to  Trcb.  Pollio,  he  was  aftenvards  treated  with 
the  utmost  benevolence,  friendship,  and  con- 
fidence. Among  the  honours  heaped  on  him  by 
the  emperor,  wrho  called  him  his  colleague,  was 
his  nomination  as  governor  of  the  important 
Italian  province  of  Lucania. — Tetricus  died  in 
retirement,  at  a very  advanced  age,  in  what 
year  is  not  known,  and,  as  his  coins  of  con- 
secration shew,  he  was  placed  in  the  rank 
of  divinities — “ a remarkable  circumstance,” 
observes  Beauvais,  ‘‘in  the  instance  of  a man 
who  for  many  years  before  had  renounced  the 
title  and  sceptre  of  supreme  power.” 

His  style,  on  coins,  is,  by  himself,  imp. 
TETRICVS  AVG. — IMP.  C.  C.  PESV.  TETRICVS 
p.  F.  avg. — in  association  with  his  son,  impp. 

TETRICI.  AVGG. — IMPP.  TETRICI.  PII.  AVGG. 

IMP.  INV1CTI  PII.  AVGG. 

There  is  a gold  medallion  of  this  prince,  said 
to  be  unique,  on  the  obverse  of  which,  with  the 
inscription  imp.  tetricvs.,  is  seen  the  bust  of 
Tetricus  as  emperor;  in  his  right  hand  is  an 
olive  branch,  in  his  left  a sceptre  surmounted  by 
an  eagle.  This  medallion,  according  to  a 
memoir  of  Dc  Boze,  is  composed  of  two  thin 
leaves  of  gold  stamped  together,  and  mounted 
in  an  ornamented  circle  of  gold  with  two  loops. 

His  gold  of  the  ordinary  size  are  of  the 
highest  rarity;  base  silver  or  billon  very  rare: 
third  brass  extremely  common.  The  money  of 
Tetricus  senior,  of  Roman  die,  was  fabricated  in 
Gaul. — Among  the  third  brass,  of  which  the 
number  extant  is  very  considerable,  there  are 
not  a few  of  which  the  workmanship  is  most 
barbarous,  and  the  legends  undecypherable. 

TETRICVS  filius,  or  junior,  as  he  is  com- 
monly called. — Caius  Pesuvius  Pivesus  Tetricus, 
son  of  the  preceding,  was  very 
young  when  his  father  became 
emperor  in  Gaul  (a.d.  267). 
He  was  soon  after  named 
Caisar ; and  associated  with 
his  father  in  sovereign  power. 
Possessed  of  a good  figure,  of 
an  agreeable  countenance,  and  of  high  intel- 
lectual endowments,  this  young  man  reigned  as 


786  TETRICUS. 


TIIEATRA.— THENSA. 


his  parent’s  colleague,  under  circumstances  of 
great  promise,  until  a.d.  272  or  273,  when  the 
elder  Tetricus  thought  fit  to  abdicate,  and 
voluntarily  submit  himself  to  Aurclian.  Then 
it  was  that  the  son  shared  the  degradation  of  the 
sire — walking  through  the  streets  of  Rome, 
behind  the  triumphal  car  of  “ Restitutor  Orbis,” 
as  Aurelian  had  the  oriental  presuraptuousness 
to  term  himself ; but  who  respected  neither  his 
own  good  fame  nor  the  dignity  of  the  senate  in 
thus  treating  two  such  distinguished  members  of 
that  body.  However,  after  this  indulgence  of 
his  pride  as  a triumpher,  the  emperor  is  said  to 
have  behaved  towards  both  those  princes  as 
though  they  had  not  “ fallen  from  their  high 
estate.”  The  younger  Tetricus  was  re-established 
in  the  possessions  of  his  family,  and  admitted  to 
a seat  in  the  senate.  Such,  indeed,  was  his 
conduct,  says  Beauvais,  “ that  he  obtained  the 
friendship  of  the  Romans  by  making  himself 
useful  to  every  one;  and  no  man  of  senatorial 
rank  was  more  honoured  than  himself  by 
Aurelian  and  his  successors.” — His  style  on 
coins  is  pivesvs  tetricvs  caes. — c.  pivesv. 

TETRICVS.  CAES. — IMP.  TETRICVS  P.  F.  AVG. 

and  caesar  tetricvs  avg.,  as  on  the  small 
brass  (from  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  Roach  Smith) 
given  above.  Whether  Tetricus  the  younger 
remained  Caesar  only,  or  whether  he  also  re- 
ceived the  title  of  Augustus , is  a question  which 
historians  appear  to  have  left  in  doubt,  and  on 
which  numismatists  are  not  agreed.  Referring 
the  reader,  who  may  desire  further  acquaintance 
with  the  pros  and  cons  of  the  case,  to  what 
Banduri  has  advanced  on  this  {>oint  and  Eckhel 
stated  in  opposition,  together  with  Mionnet’s 
comments  on  both,  in  his  notes  on  the  medals 
of  this  young  prince  (vol.  i.  p.  83-4),  it  shall 
suffice  for  us  here  to  observe  that,  with  the  fact, 
both  historical  and  numismatical  before  us,  that 
Tetricus  junior  was  conjoiued  as  imperator 
with  his  father,  there  is  the  greatest  probability 
of  his  having  also  been  proclaimed  avgvstvs. — 
And  as  moreover  a gold  coin  of  the  younger 
Tetricus,  with  the  title  avg.  has,  since  Eckhel’s 
death,  been  published  as  genuine  by  Mionnet, 
we  should  hardly  deem  it  premature  to  regard 
the  question  as  already  decided ; in  other  words 
we  are  of  opinion  that  there  exists  sufficient 
proof  of  Tetricus  jilius  having  been  styled 
Augustus  as  well  as  Csesar,  especially  as  we 
find  such  a conclusion  supported  by  those 
undoubtedly  authentic  medals  whereon  his 
portrait  joined  to  that  of  his  father  is  accom- 
panied by  IMPP.  TETRICII  P1I.  AVGG.  for 
legend  of  obverse,  and  by  AETERNTTAS 
AVGG.  (Augustorum)  for  legend  of  reverse. 

The  coins  of  Tetricus  jnn.  are  extremely  rare 
in  gold — very  rare  in  base  silver,  or  billon ; but 
very  common  in  small  brass. 

The  pieces  of  this  prince,  of  Roman  die,  were 
coined  in  Gaul,  as  were  those  of  his  father. — 
" A great  many  medals  of  the  two  Tetrici  are 
found  (says  Beauvais)  with  their  legends  and 
types  disfigured  by  the  coarseness  of  their  fabric, 
and  the  ignorance  of  the  workmen. 

T.  FL.  7 iti  Films. — T.  FL.  Titus  Flavius. 


Theatra,  places  specially  appropriated, 
amongst  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  to  the  repre- 
sentations of  dramatic  spectacles. — The  theatre 
differed  greatly  as  to  form  from  the  amphi- 
theatre, the  latter  being  of  a circular,  or,  more 
properly  speaking,  of  an  oval  figure  : whilst  the 
former  was  that  of  a half  circle,  at  the  extremity 
of  which  a structure  was  transversely  erected. 
The  theatrum  consisted  of  three  principal  parts : 
the  seats  of  the  spectators  occupied  the  semi- 
circular space,  the  stage  was  in  the  edifice  trans- 
versely built,  and  between  the  two  was  the 
orchestra. — [For  an  accurate  description  of  the 
construction,  arrangement,  and  decoration  of 
ancient  theatres,  see  Dictionnaire  des  Beaux 
Arts  par  Millin,  Dictionary  of  Greek  and 
Roman  Antiquities  by  Dr.  Taylor,  and  Museum 
of  Classical  Antiquities.] — The  reverse  of  a 
first  brass  coin,  stmek  under  Gordianus  Pius, 
at  Heraclea,  in  Bitbynia,  and  engraved  by 
Buonarotti  from  the  Carpegna  cabinet,  presents 
a theatre  with  a portico  behind  the  stage,  which 
exhibits  the  scene  of  a temple ; the  semi-circular 
portion  of  the  building  is  filled  with  spectators. 
— See  Amphitheatre. 

Thcnsa,  a sacred  car  in  which  the  images  of 
the  gods  and  godesses  were  carried  to  the  games 
of  the  circus.  Vehicles  of  this  kind  served  with 
the  Romans  to  symbolize  that  solemn  consecra- 
tion, or  apotheosis,  of  defunct  persouages,  which, 
confined  to  the  imperial  rank,  was  decreed  by 
the  senate  alone. — The  thensa  was  usually  made 
of  the  wood  of  such  tree  as  was  consecrated  to 
the  deity  whose  statue  was  thus  publicly  dis- 
played in  procession,  and  which  appeared  with 
all  his  or  her  attributes. — This  peculiar  sort  of 
carriage  was  also  used  to  convey  either  the 
image  of  some  emperor  or  empress  already 
placed  amongst  the  divinities,  to  some  public 
scene  of  pompous  celebration,  or  the  dead  body 
of  a prince  or  princess  round  the  campus 
martius,  where  the  corpse  was  afterwards  burnt 
on  a funeral  pile  amidst  very  imposing  rites 
and  ceremonies. — On  some  of  these  occasions, 
elephants  were  employed  to  draw  the  thensa , 
those  vast  animals,  on  account  of  their  longevity, 
being  selected  as  the  symbol  of  eternity. — Ac- 
cordingly we  find  a first  brass  coin,  struck  under 
Tiberius,  which  exhibits  the  statue  of  Augustus, 
with  radiated  head  and  other  marks  of  deification, 
seated  ou  a thensa,  drawn  by  four  elephants,  on 
the  neck  of  each  of  which  sits  a driver. — See 
DIYO  AVGVSTO. — There  is  also  a large 
bronze  medal,  struck  under  Titus,  with  similar 
types  of  the  thensa. — See  D1VO  AVG.  VES- 
PA Siano. 

From  the  above  and  several  other  numismatic 
monuments,  the  form  of  the  thensa  appears  to 
have  been  that  of  a platform,  richly  ornamented, 
and  mounted  upon  four  wheels,  by  which  mode 
of  construction  the  idols  or  statues  placed  upon 
it  were  rendered  conspicuously  visible.  In  this 
respect  it  .differed,  as  well  from  the  carpentum 
which  was  covered  with  an  arched  roof,  its  front 
1 alone  being  open,  as  from  the  triumphal  chariot 
which  was  an  open  vehicle  sometimes  of  cylin- 
' drital,  at  others  of  semi-circular  shape  and 


THEODORA.— T1IE0D0RICUS.  THEODOSIUS.  787 


entered  at  the  back,  both  of  them  being  two- 
wheeled  vehicles. — See  Carpentum  and  Currus. 

THEODORA,  second  wife  of  the  Emperor 
Constantins  Chlorus,  whom  she  married  a.d. 
292.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Galeria  Valeria 
Eutropia  (second  wife  of  Maxi- 
minian  Hercules)  by  a Syrian 
nobleman,  whose  name  has  not 
been  recorded.  Maximiuian, 
havingadoptedConstantiusaud 
conferred  on  him  the  title  of 
C cesar,  induced,  or  rather  com- 
pelled him  to  divorce  his  wife  Helena,  and  to 
marry  this  princess,  who  received  the  name  of 
Augusta,  but  who  is  known  only  by  her  rank 
as  empress,  and  by  the  numerous  family  she  left. 
History  is,  indeed,  equally  silent  respecting  the 
incidents  of  her  life,  the  qualities  of  her  character, 
and  the  time  of  her  death.  “Set  medailles 
(says  Beauvais)  la  representent  avec  des  traits 
assez fins , et  un  air  spirituel.”  It  speaks  well 
of  her  merit  as  a wife,  that  so  excellent,  a man 
as  Constantius,  was  greatly  attached  to  her,  and 
made  her  the  mother  of  three  sons  and  three 
daughters.  The  former  were — 1.  Delmatius 
Censor,  father  of  Delmatius  Crcsar,  and  of  the 
younger  liannibaliauus.  2.  Julius  Constantius, 
Consul,  who  had  by  Galla,  his  first  wife,  Con- 
stantius Gallus,  Caesar;  and  by  Basiliua,  his 
second  wife,  the  Emperor  Julian  the  Apostate. 
3.  Cuustantinus  Hauuibalianus.  The  princesses 
were — 1.  Constantin,  wife  of  the  Emperor 
Licinius.  2.  Anastatia,  wife  of  Bassienus,  Cajsar; 
and  3.  Eutropia,  mother  of  Nepotianus,  who 
assumed  the  name  of  Augustus.  The  medals  of 
this  lady  style  her  fl.  max.  Theodora,  avg. — 
There  are  two  (of  very  great  rarity)  catalogued 
in  the  Cabinet  d'Ennery,  and  which  Beauvais 
regarded  as  of  pure  silver  and  genuine  : one  has 
for  its  legend  of  reverse  pietas  romana,  the 
type  is  a woman  who  holds  an  infant  in  her 
bosom,  as  if  suckling  it,  and  in  the  exergue 
t.  r.  p. — This  legend  and  type  also  appear  on 
her  small  brass  coins,  which  are  rather  scarce. — 
The  coins  of  Theodora  arc  considered  to  have 
been  struck  by  Constantine  the  Great. 

Theodoricus,  first  of  the  Gothic  Kings  in 
Italy,  was  the  son  of  Tbeodemirus,  king  of  the 
Ostrogoths,  a tribe  of  people  from  northern 
Europe,  who,  about  the  middle  of  the  fifth 
century,  were  in  occupation  of  Pannonia  and 
Illyria. — Sent  at  eight  years  of  age  to  Constan- 
tinople, he  lived  there  ten  years  as  a hostage  at 
the  court  of  the  emperor  Zeno,  who,  with  his 
able  assistance,  vanquished  and  deposed  Basi- 
liscus,  and  who  rewarded  his  bravery  and 
sendees  with  wealth,  preferment,  and  the 
highest  honours.  But,  in  a.d.  478,  having 
quarrelled  with  his  imperial  benefactor,  Theodo- 
ricus marched  the  armies  of  which  he  had  been 
appointed  general  into  Thrace  and  Macedonia, 
where  he  rendered  himself  so  lormidable  that 
Zeno  was  necessitated  to  negociate  peace  with 
him.  In  483  he  was  elected  consul.  Four 
years  afterwards  he  again  broke  with  the 
emperor,  whom  he  besieged  in  Constantinople. 
Zeuo  having  once  more  come  to  terms  w ith  his 
5 II  2 


rebellious  subject,  surrendered  to  him  his  own 
rights  over  Italy,  which  he  permitted  him  to 
invade  a.d.  489,  for  the  ostensible  purpose  of  cx- 
pcllingOdoacer  (who  had  already  proclaimed  him- 
self king  of  that  country),  but  in  reality  to  rid 
himself  of  so  dreaded  a foe  as  Theodoricus. — 
At  the  head  of  a powerful  army,  the  gothic 
chieftain  arrived  at  Aquileia,  on  the  28th  of 
August  of  the  above-mentioned  year;  and, 
having  defeated  Odoacer,  in  three  different 
battles,  compelled  that  prince  to  yield,  after 
sustaining  a three  years’  siege  at  Ravenna. 
Theodoricus  engaged  to  spare  his  life,  and  even 
entered  into  a treaty  of  friendship  with  him ; 
but  at  the  expiration  of  a few  days,  Odoacer  and 
his  son,  together  with  the  nobles  of  his  court, 
were,  by  Theodoricus’  orders,  basely  assassinated 
at  a banquet  to  which  their  perfidious  conqueror 
had  invited  them. — Proclaimed  king  of  Italy  at 
Ravenna  a.d.  493,  this  barbarous  successor  to 
the  Ausonian  domains  of  the  Cresars,  confirmed 
his  power  by  an  alliance  with  the  emperor 
Anastatius,  and  by  other  political  advantages. — 
After  governing  Italy  aud  the  Gaulish  provinces 
with  great  wisdom  and  justice,  preserving 
tranquillity  between  the  Visigoths  and  the 
Italians,  as  well  by  the  equity  as  by  the  vigour 
of  his  administration,  the  natural  cruelty  and 
mistrustfulness  of  his  disposition  regained  its 
baneful  influence  over  him,  at  the  close  of  his 
reign,  and  led  him  to  pollute  with  the  blood  of 
many  distinguished  and  innocent  persons  the 
glory  of  its  commencement.  Theodoricus,  full 
of  remorse  and  terror  at  the  remembrance  of  his 
murderous  enormities,  expired  on  the  30th  of 
August,  526,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two,  having 
survived  Odoacer  thirty-three  years  aud  a half. 
He  had  married  Anafledc,  sister  of  king  Clovis. 
On  his  medals,  which  are  rare,  he  is  styled 
Dominies  Noster  THEODORICVS  REX.  Some 
pieces  represent  him  with  Anastatius  and  with 
Justinus  I. 

There  is  a third  brass  given  in  the  Pembroke 
collection,  on  the  obverse  of  which  his  name 
and  titles  appear  within  a garland;  the  reverse 
exhibiting  the  helmed  head  of  Rome,  with  the 
inscription  invicta  roma.  The  money  of  this 
prince  was  doubtless  struck  in  Italy. 

THEODOSIVS  (Flavius),  customarily  sur- 
named  by  historians  (but  not  so  on  his  coins) 
Magnus,  was  born  of  an  illustriously  noble  family, 
at  Italica  (now  Seville),  in  Spain,  a.d.  346. — 
Son  of  Theodosius,  one  of  the  ablest  generals  of 


his  time,  Flavius  early  showed  his  hereditary 
courage  aud  his  good  soldiership  in  campaigns 
against  the  Sarmatians,  aud  iu  374  was  created 


788  THEODOSIUS. 

Count  of  Moesia.  Endangered  by  the  jealousies 
and  unjust  suspicion  which  led  to  his  father’s 
decapitation  at  Carthage  in  376,  he  retired  into 
Spain,  where,  by  order  of  Gratiau  himself  who 
caused  that  father  to  perish,  he  headed  an  army 
against  the  Goths,  whom  he  defeated  in  a great 
battle.  On  the  death  of  Valens,  he  was  chosen 
by  Gratiau  for  bis  colleague,  and  with  the 
title  of  Augustus,  declared  Emperor  of  the 
East  early  in  379.  This  event  took  place  at  a 
time  when  that  portion  of  the  Roman  empire 
wras  ravaged  in  every  direction  by  the  Goths. 
Assembling  his  forces  with  the  utmost  expedi- 
tion, he  attacked  those  barbarian  hordes ; over- 
throwing them  in  several  successive  engage- 
ments, and  finally  compelling  them  to  sue 
for  peace;  and  to  take  refuge  within  their 
own  wild  fortresses.  From  admiration  of  his 
valour  and  great  qualities.  Sapor  III.,  king  of 
Persia  renounced  his  enmity  to  and  entered  iuto 
a treaty  of  alliance  with  the  Romans,  which 
lasted  a considerable  period.  In  the  year  383, 
Theodosius  conferred  the  title  of  Augustus  on 
his  eldest  son  Arcadius,  an  object  of  domestic 
policy,  which  he  had  no  sooner  accomplished 
than  the  conquest  of  Italy  and  the  deposition  of 
Valentinian,  junior,  by  Magnus  Maximus,  called 
the  imperial  hero  once  more  away  from  his  own 
capital  and  dominions.  Having  vanquished  and 
put  to  death  the  invading  usurper  (387),  he 
re-established  Valentinian  on  the  throne  of  the 
west,  and  hastened  back  to  quell  an  insurrection 
at  Thcssalonica,  where  one  of  his  provincial 
lieutenants  had  been  slain  by  the  inhabitants  of 
that  city.  On  this  occasion  he  sullied  his 
hitherto  irreproachable  fame,  by  an  act  of 
the  most  inhuman  cruelty,  in  permitting  his 
victorious  troops  to  massacre  more  than  seven 
thousand  persons,  the  greater  portion  of  whom 
were  guiltless  of  the  sedition  which  had  so 
violently  irritated  him.  It  was  some  time  after 
this  frightful  atrocity  that  Theodosius,  having 
presented  himself  at  the  portal  of  Milan  cathedral, 
was  denied  permission  to  enter  by  St.  Ambrose. 
It  is  further  related  that  the  emperor,  under  the 
impression  of  religious  awe  and  compunction, 
humbly  submitted  to  the  sentence  of  the  vener- 
able arch-prelate,  and  abstained  from  again 
offering  himself  for  admission  into  the  church, 
until  for  a term  of  eight  months  he  had  ex- 
hibited signs  of  sincere  penitence.  Returned  at 
length  to  the  seat  of  his  own  government,  he 
found  the  Gothic  tribes  pillaging  Macedonia  and 
Thessaly  ; and  he  chastised  and  expelled  these 
barbarians  from  the  confines  of  his  empire. 
After  the  decease  of  the  younger  Valentinian, 
he  returned  again  to  the  west,  and  achieved  his 
last  military  exploit  by  gaining  a decisive  victory 
(though  not  till  after  some  desperate  struggles), 
near  Aquileia,  on  the  5th  of  September,  394, 
over  the  usurper  Eugenius,  whom  Arbogastes, 
the  traitorous  general  of  V